Biobased mulch spray curbs weeds in vegetable crops
Biobased sprayable mulch (BSM) films are a potential alternative to herbicides, polyethylene plastic mulch film, and hand weeding for specialty crops. Researchers at the American Society for Horticultural Science have developed a series of BSM films.....»»
Seaweed proteins could be the next sustainable food source
The protein in sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a promising complement to both meat and other current alternative protein sources. Seaweed also contains many other important nutrients, and is grown without needing to be watered, fertilized or spray.....»»
Down in the weeds: How host specificity testing works
Fortunately for us, weeds have enemies. Biocontrol harnesses the power of these natural adversaries, limiting the otherwise unchecked growth and spread of weeds. Biocontrol methods offer safe, cost-effective, landscape-scale weed control......»»
Cracked earth in Greece"s saffron heartland as drought takes toll
At a field outside Kozani, northern Greece, the strikingly blue-and-purple petals of saffron give off an intoxicating scent that underscores the value of one of the country's most lucrative crops......»»
Research team investigates climate change impact on pecan orchards
How are U.S. agricultural crops affected by climate change? A research team from The University of Texas at El Paso aims to find out, starting with the region's pecan farms......»»
Making farming better for bees: Can we breed crops that produce more nectar and pollen?
Where once there were vast areas of forest and other natural habitats, farmland now covers much of Earth—including 70% of the UK. This transition has helped feed a growing number of people......»»
Not the usual suspects: Research reveals novel genetic basis of pest resistance to biotech crops
If left unchecked, insect pests can devastate crops. To minimize damage and reduce the need for insecticide sprays, crops have been genetically engineered to produce bacterial proteins that kill key pests but are not harmful to people or wildlife. Ho.....»»
COP29: AI can help develop climate-resistant crops for Africa—but it shouldn"t be left in the hands of corporates
How we use land and feed a growing global population, and the burden we place on natural habitats in pursuit of nutrition, will again take center stage at the annual global climate change conference, COP29, in November......»»
Stardew Valley tips for beginners: farming basics, romance, upgrades, and more
We've rounded up the best tips and tricks for beginner Stardew Valley players, covering the best crops, artisan goods, community center upgrades, and more......»»
Destructive weed, found in New York state, resists common herbicides
The invasive pigweed Palmer amaranth, first found in New York soybean fields in 2019, has been dubbed the "spotted lanternfly of weeds" for its ability to spread quickly and wreak havoc on crops. Now a new study sheds light on how formidable an oppon.....»»
Scientists identify gene that regulates pod width in snap beans
iSnap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a significant vegetable crop globally, with its immature pods harvested as the edible part. Pod dimensions–length, width, and thickness–affect the size and ease of harvest. This is particularly for manual plu.....»»
Study shows weak external electric fields may protect crops from infection
Research from Dr. Giovanni Sena's group in the Department of Life Sciences highlights an intriguing method to help protect plants from pathogen attacks using weak electric fields......»»
TSMC says it has alerted US of potential China AI chip curbs violation
TSMC says it has alerted US of potential China AI chip curbs violation.....»»
Q&A: A faster way to identify drought-resistant plants for crop breeding research
Climate change is making droughts more common and more severe—which makes research into developing drought-resistant crops more important than ever. Now researchers have developed a new framework that should expedite this important research......»»
Incorporating effects of sea spray into models to improve hurricane intensity forecasting
Hurricanes are massive, complex systems that can span hundreds of miles as they swirl around the low pressure of the storm's eye. In such a complicated situation, predicting how powerful a hurricane will grow is a difficult undertaking......»»
New Nasal Vaccines Offer Stronger Protection from COVID, Flu, and More—No Needle Needed
Gentle nasal spray vaccines against COVID, the flu and RSV are coming. They may work better than shots in the arm.....»»
Novel sensors could help develop bee-friendly protection for plants
The increasing global demand for plant-based foods makes the use of pesticides necessary in order to protect crops from pests and ensure crop yields. However, there is one major disadvantage: the widespread use of pesticides has led to a considerable.....»»
Testing effects of perennial cover crops on soil health and corn production
Corn crops have a voracious appetite for nitrogen. Purdue University scientists are investigating whether mulching Kura clover, a perennial legume, can provide sufficient nitrogen for corn, thus reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers while enhan.....»»
Plant stem cells: Understanding the biological mechanism of growth control
Researchers from the University of Freiburg have identified the HAN molecule as an important regulator that controls plant growth in conjunction with WOX5. Understanding this mechanism is relevant for breeding more resilient or higher-yielding crops......»»
Genetic mechanism unlocks a key secret behind disease infection in crops
Researchers have unraveled a key genetic mechanism behind the way pathogens infect crops, leading to new strategies for breeding resistant crop varieties against other pathogens carrying the same genetic mechanism......»»
Researchers discover how plants produce a novel anti-stress molecule
New research identifies for the first time the genes that help plants grow under stressful conditions—with implications for producing more sustainable food crops in the face of global climate change......»»