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.....»»
Study identifies best bioenergy crops for sustainable aviation fuels by US region, policy goals
Researchers analyzed the financial and environmental costs and benefits of four biofuels crops used to produce sustainable aviation fuels in the U.S. They found that each feedstock—corn stover, energy sorghum, miscanthus or switchgrass—performed.....»»
Bubbling with benefits: Hydrogen nanobubbles boost tomato antioxidants
Tomatoes are a key source of antioxidants, crucial for human health as they help combat oxidative stress. Traditional irrigation methods often fail to significantly enhance these beneficial compounds in crops. Hydrogen, known for its unique antioxida.....»»
Study highlights potential for genetic manipulation in cucumber breeding
The CLAVATA (CLV) signaling pathway is crucial for controlling flower and fruit development by regulating the shoot apical meristem (SAM) size. Despite its significance, the downstream signaling components in crops remain largely unknown. Understandi.....»»
Study highlights the benefits of mixing cover crops
A University of Kentucky study titled "Productivity benefits of cereal-legume cover crop mixtures under variable soil nitrogen and termination times" suggests that mixing cover crops is a beneficial strategy for modern agriculture......»»
Wild plants and crops don"t make great neighbors: Study finds pathogens spill from one population to the other
Native plants and non-native crops do not fare well in proximity to one another, attracting pests that spread diseases in both directions, according to two new UC Riverside studies......»»
Not so simple: Mosses and ferns offer new hope for crop protection
Mosses, liverworts, ferns and algae may offer an exciting new research frontier in the global challenge of protecting crops from the threat of disease......»»
Archaeologists report earliest evidence for plant farming in east Africa
A trove of ancient plant remains excavated in Kenya helps explain the history of plant farming in equatorial eastern Africa, a region long thought to be important for early farming but where scant evidence from actual physical crops has been previous.....»»
Pear-derived discovery: A genetic mechanism to fortify crops against drought
A recent study has shed light on a critical genetic mechanism that boosts plants' ability to withstand drought. The research uncovers the role of the transcription factor PbERF3, native to wild pears, which works in concert with the protein PbHsfC1a.....»»
Tomato timekeeper: SlNF-YA3b gene"s role in flowering time revealed
Controlling the timing of flowering in crops is crucial for optimizing yields and adapting to climate changes. Researchers have identified a specific gene in tomatoes that regulates this critical phase, providing a significant step forward in the abi.....»»
Out in the cold: Enhancing frost tolerance in wheat
Rugging up against winter chills is a cozy and easy option for most of us. But our crops are facing frosts and freezing temperatures without the warmth of winter woolies. Frost poses a significant threat to agriculture, particularly in Australia's wh.....»»
More carbon in soil can control weeds, in some cases
Cornell researchers have tested an ecological tool in the fight to control weeds in silage soybean and corn fields: adding carbon to soil in the form of sawdust and rye hay......»»
Soda additive “no longer considered safe,” gets long-awaited FDA ban
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is used in citrus sodas but has largely been phased out. Enlarge / Tops of citrus sodas at a manufacturing plant. (credit: Getty | Vincent Mundy) After more than five decades of limbo, the.....»»
New genomic tools for three modern cotton varieties could guide future breeding efforts
We live in an ever-changing and growing world. Changing climates, emerging pests, and other environmental stressors put pressure on the cash crops that feed and fuel the world. As we race to meet the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality fo.....»»
New sulfur-free catalyst enables efficient green diesel production
Green diesel, a blend of diesel-grade hydrocarbons derived from renewable oils such as vegetable oils and animal fats, offers a promising alternative to traditional petroleum diesel. With a chemical composition similar to petroleum diesel, it integra.....»»
Abandoned farmlands could play a role in fighting climate change. A study shows exactly where they are
Farmland is often a battleground in the fight against climate change. Solar panels and energy crops are pitted against food production, while well-intended policy choices can create incentives for farmers to till up new lands, releasing even more hea.....»»
New sensing techniques can detect drought tolerance in ancient crops, may inform new breeding programs
Drought is the most devastating environmental stress that farmers face worldwide. With the added pressures of climate change, drought years have become less predictable, more frequent and more severe......»»
Study shows transgenic expression of rubisco factors increases photosynthesis and chilling tolerance in maize
Maize is one of the world's most widely grown crops and is essential to global food security. But like other plants, its growth and productivity can be limited by the slow activity of Rubisco, the enzyme responsible for carbon assimilation during pho.....»»
‘I"m an Oncologist and This Is the Vegetable I Swear by for Cancer Prevention’
‘I"m an Oncologist and This Is the Vegetable I Swear by for Cancer Prevention’.....»»
Researchers make better chickpeas possible by harnessing genetic traits of wild cousins
A new study has revealed the potential of using wild crop relatives for chickpea improvement, paving the way for more advanced crops and greater global food security......»»
Plastic-greenhouse agriculture: A novel soil profile design for global sustainability and enhanced crop production
A research team has developed a novel conceptual framework for designing plastic-greenhouse soil profiles that cater to the needs of smallholder farmers. The soil profile includes four functional layers: a soil mulch layer for preventing evaporation,.....»»