Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center have found that the immune systems of patients with celiac disease react to specific types of non-gluten protein in wheat. A group of molecules known as serpins, along with four other types of wheat protein, are identified as novel non-gluten immunogenic proteins.
Kansas State University professors C. Michael Smith and Christopher Sorensen were selected as AAAS fellows for their pioneering contributions to entomology and soft matter physics, respectively. Their research has been recognized for advancing science, education, and outreach.
Researchers at Washington State University identified summer fallow management practices that can help farmers conserve soil, prevent sky-darkening dust storms, and improve air quality. Undercutter-tillage or no-till fallow systems were found to be the most effective options for reducing wind erosion in the Horse Heaven Hills region.
The Arab Food Security Project aims to improve domestic productivity by investing in agricultural research, resulting in a 28% increase in wheat yield across 10 countries. The initiative will work towards reducing dependence on food imports and promoting better rural livelihoods through knowledge sharing and improved technologies.
A study published in the Journal of Animal Science found that wheat can be used as an alternative energy source for beef cattle, with optimal feeding levels determined to be above 50%, and increasing monensin supplementation improving feed efficiency, while proper grain processing is necessary.
Scientists at SUNY-ESF have successfully created blight-resistant American chestnut trees through genetic engineering, powered by a single gene from wheat. The trees, which can co-exist with the invasive fungus that devastated the species, are being prepared for potential reforestation efforts.
Scientists discover that people with celiac disease also react to non-gluten wheat proteins, which could lead to improved understanding and treatments of the disease. The study identifies five groups of non-gluten proteins causing immune reactions in patients, suggesting a broader range of potential triggers.
Researchers at Washington State University have found a key gene in wheat that can be used to transfer valuable traits from other plants, reducing crop losses and pesticide use. The discovery enables breeders to develop disease- and pest-resistant wheat varieties without the need for genetically modified organisms.
A new study finds that India's ground-level ozone pollution damages millions of tons of major crops, including wheat and rice, each year, with losses estimated at over $1 billion. The damage is enough to feed tens of millions of people living in poverty, highlighting the need for policy changes to address ozone pollution.
New research suggests that climate change increases the risk of a major slowdown in global crop yields over the next two decades. The odds of such an event are about 1 in 10 for corn and 1 in 20 for wheat, even with a warming climate.
Researchers at University of Southampton found a link between increasing temperatures and reduced wheat yield in India. Warmer nighttime temperatures had the most significant impact on crop yield, highlighting the vulnerability of Indian wheat production to climate change.
Scientists at Helmholtz Munich have gained new insights into the complex gene-regulatory interactions in bread wheat, enabling them to better understand how a polyploid genome is regulated. The study's findings hold promise for improving breeding, agricultural cultivation and industrial properties of bread wheat.
A team of researchers from Kansas State University has completed a chromosome-based draft of the wheat genome, providing a valuable resource for plant science researchers and breeders. The genetic blueprint will enable the rapid location of specific genes controlling complex traits such as yield, grain quality, and disease resistance.
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium has released a genetic blueprint for bread wheat, enabling researchers to rapidly locate specific genes on individual chromosomes. This milestone brings the organization closer to its goal of obtaining a complete reference sequence of the hexaploid bread wheat genome within three years.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have identified specific genes in wheat that enable tolerance to boron toxicity, a significant yield-limiting soil condition. This discovery will help plant breeders develop new varieties with increased yields to feed the growing world population.
Adding camelina or safflower to crop rotations with winter wheat and summer fallow increases wind erosion risk in the Pacific Northwest. No-till fallow or planting another crop without a fallow year can help control blowing dust.
A new study reveals distinct northern and southern Chinese psychological cultures, with southern China's history of rice farming contributing to its interdependent nature. The 'rice theory' proposes that centuries of cooperative rice farming have led to a more collectivist culture in southern regions.
A field study has demonstrated that elevated carbon dioxide inhibits the conversion of nitrate into protein in a field-grown crop, compromising the nutritional quality of food crops. This finding indicates that the nutritional quality of food will suffer as climate change intensifies.
Researchers found charred grains of barley, millet, and wheat in Kazakhstan campsites dating back nearly 5,000 years. This discovery pushes back the known East-West interaction along the Silk Road by 2,000 years, indicating nomadic pastoralists played a key role in spreading domesticated crops throughout Central Eurasia.
Researchers found that grain farmers in India face regulatory barriers and lack of incentives to invest in on-farm storage, hindering market integration. Small innovations can encourage independent traders to enter the market, benefiting farmers with access to better prices.
A new study confirms that global diets have grown more similar over the last five decades, leading to a decline in diverse local crops. This trend has major consequences for human nutrition and global food security, increasing the risk of food crises due to climate change.
Researchers at Curtin University have found a way to breed disease-resistant wheat, reducing yield loss due to Yellow Spot and other diseases. This new technology allows for improved disease resistance without affecting yields or increasing costs.
Four PhD students will contribute to a £1.4 million research project to combat wheat stripe rust, a major threat to wheat production worldwide. The project aims to develop genetically resistant wheat varieties using genetic diversity in over 650 wheat varieties.
A Princeton University research team created a model to evaluate how human response to climate change may alter the agricultural utility of land. The study found that most conservation lands have low agricultural utility due to rugged terrain, but some areas could become more valuable for farming in the future.
A new study tests the effectiveness of color-based traps against major pests in Montana, finding that red and green traps are most effective. The researchers also discovered that insects use chromatic cues to identify colors and will pursue further studies on this topic.
A new offset round-bale unroller design has been deemed effective in making mulching more efficient, particularly with organic mulches. The technology allows for better between-row weed control and can be used with various types of mulches.
A McGill University team has identified a key gene that regulates how wheat responds to excess rainfall and humidity, potentially preventing the loss of $1 billion annually. This discovery in epigenetic factors may also improve yields and quality of other cereals like barley.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a PHS gene in wheat that prevents preharvest sprouting, a major cause of crop loss. The discovery provides a potential solution for the $1 billion annual industry losses associated with white wheat production.
Research at Princeton University compares agricultural projections from empirical and mechanistic models, finding that empirical models may show greater losses as a result of climate change, while mechanistic models may be overly optimistic. The study highlights the importance of understanding model biases and using both model classes ...
A new study from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center found that climate data can predict crop failures several months before harvest. The team developed a crop model incorporating temperature and precipitation forecasts, which accurately predicted crop yield or failure for about 20% of global cropland.
Research reveals that powdery mildew fungi favor asexually produced offspring for infection, while sexual reproduction is crucial for adaptation to host defense mechanisms. The study suggests an ancient co-evolutionary history between the fungus and its hosts, highlighting the complex dynamics of plant-fungus interactions.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a key component of plants' immune system that recognizes and fights the invasive Ug99 stem rust pathogen. The discovery of the Sr35 gene provides hope for developing new wheat varieties to protect global food crops against this devastating disease.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new crop modeling system called SALUS to better predict global wheat yields and their impact on the environment. The system integrates multiple crop simulations with improved climate change models, reducing uncertainties and providing more accurate forecasts.
A study found that rotating nematode-resistant wheat with tomato plants reduces nematode numbers in soil and protects the next crop. The resistant wheat was bred with a gene that makes it less susceptible to root-knot nematodes, which cause significant damage to crops worldwide.
A Cornell study found that skipping meals increases grocery shopping and leads to buying 31% more high-calorie foods. Not eating before shopping results in purchasing fewer low-calorie options.
A team of Kansas State University researchers, led by Barbara Valent, has been awarded $5.5 million to develop resistant varieties and diagnostic tools for two deadly diseases: wheat blast and rice blast. The project aims to improve U.S. rice production and protect the nation's wheat crop.
A new study warns that inadequate funding for disease resistance research could lead to the spread of deadly Ug99 stem rust, threatening millions with affordable access to food. The University of Minnesota estimates that $51 million a year is needed to combat the disease.
Researchers at WSU will develop climate-resilient wheat varieties to tackle rising temperatures and limited water in growing regions. The project aims to identify genes associated with heat tolerance, benefiting all wheat-growing regions worldwide.
Two studies published in Nature provide unprecedented insights into the biology of wheat, shedding light on its adaptation and domestication. The research reveals the importance of transposable elements and microRNAs in shaping the genome, as well as their potential applications in improving crop yields and disease resistance.
Two recent studies published in Nature provide unprecedented insights into the biology of wheat, shedding light on its adaptation to diverse climates and improving grain quality. The research revealed the role of repeat expansion in genome size during evolution and identified key genes for abiotic stress response, providing a valuable ...
Students aged 15-17 from Norfolk will participate in a project to study resistance to Take-all, a major wheat disease. They will collect data on plant lines collected from across Europe and the Near East, which will be used to develop new wheat varieties with greater resistance.
A study found no clear evidence linking increased gluten in new wheat varieties to the rise in celiac disease. Instead, overall gluten consumption has risen due to increased vital gluten and wheat flour consumption.
Researchers found that adding ferulic acid to white flour dough can transform its taste and smell into a more appetizing version, similar to whole wheat bread. This discovery could help bakers create healthier, more palatable options for consumers.
A study published in Nature Communications found that 24-39% of harvested areas experienced stagnation or decline in maize, rice, wheat, and soybean yields between 1961 and 2008. The findings highlight the need to shift focus from meat and biofuel production to food security, particularly for staple crops like wheat and rice.
The USDA has completed a shotgun sequencing of the wheat genome, a major step towards increasing yields and developing drought-tolerant varieties. The achievement is expected to help feed growing populations worldwide and address climate change-related threats to agriculture.
Scientists have unlocked key components of the genetic code of bread wheat, providing a strong foundation for accelerating wheat improvement through advanced molecular breeding and genetic engineering. The analysis enables breeders to select plants with desirable combinations of genes using genetic landmarks in the wheat genome.
Researchers at UC Davis have teamed up with nine institutions to sequence the wheat genome, aiming to develop varieties with higher yields and enhanced nutritional content. The study provides valuable information on DNA sequences helping breeders create hardier varieties.
The study reveals 94,000 to 96,000 genes, an abundance of gene fragments, and 132,000 SNPs, providing insights into bread wheat's evolution and future breeding strategies. The hexaploid genome has undergone rapid changes, including loss of gene family members during domestication.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have deciphered the genetic code of wheat, enabling breeders to produce varieties with disease resistance and drought tolerance. The team's breakthrough analysis of over 90,000 genes will help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
A £16M initiative will develop ways to improve the sustainability of vital food crops in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The projects aim to increase sustainable crop yields and improve global food security.
Researchers have developed a method to apply beneficial mold K49 as a frontline defense against aflatoxin contamination in corn. By packaging K49 in bioplastic granules, the technology improves storage life and viability of the mold, reducing aflatoxin levels by 65-97%.
A collaborative project will analyze the impact of environmental conditions and management tactics on mite populations and disease incidence in wheat. The team aims to develop an accurate forecasting model to help growers anticipate and take action against wheat streak mosaic virus, high plains virus, and triticum mosaic virus.
The Rust-Tracker system can monitor 42 million hectares of wheat in 27 developing countries and track the spread of stem rust and related strains. Experts warn that North Africa, Central Asia, and other regions are still vulnerable to the deadly disease.
Agricultural Research Service scientist David Huggins found that standing crop residues on no-till farms increase snow cover uniformity, leading to more uniform soil water distribution and higher soil water recharge rates. This can result in increased winter wheat yield potential by up to 13 bushels per acre.
The American Society of Agronomy has selected 0.3 percent of its members as Fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field of agronomy. The 2012 class of ASA Fellows includes researchers, scientists, and educators from universities and government institutions across the US.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) presented awards to 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of crop science. The awards recognize achievements in various areas of crop research and education.
The American Society of Agronomy has recognized outstanding professionals with various awards. Jerome H. Cherney, Thomas A. Doerge, and David A. Zuberer were honored for their contributions to agronomic education, industry, and research.
Researchers in Adelaide and Italy are working on projects to improve the quality of pasta by increasing dietary fiber and starch levels. The goal is to create 'super spaghetti' that offers potential health benefits, such as reducing heart disease risk or colorectal cancer risk.
Researchers developed a gluten-free pasta product from green banana flour, which tasters found more acceptable than regular whole wheat pasta. The product has less fat and is cheaper to produce, making it a potential option for patients with celiac disease.
Researchers are investigating three popular wheat varieties to understand their drought tolerance mechanisms and how they can be improved. The study aims to identify key genetic regulators of drought tolerance, which is crucial for maintaining crop yields in dryland areas affected by drought.