Drought and frost batter vital potato crops in Bolivia
Dozens of furrows lie barren in a dusty field on the Bolivian highlands. It should be replete with potato plants ready for harvest, but a deadly combination of drought and frost proved too much for the crop......»»
Green belts need modernizing—a more "multifunctional" approach can benefit people and planet
Green belts are more than just spaces; for many people, they're places providing a brief escape from the city. Land designated as green belt—and protected from building—can also store carbon and hold water at times of flooding and drought......»»
New technology protects crops by testing the air for the DNA of plant diseases
Plant infections can now be detected in our crops before they're even visible......»»
Groundwater reserves in southwestern Europe more stable overall than previously thought
Groundwater is a vital resource, sustaining plants and ecosystems, ensuring agricultural production and serving as a core component of drinking water supplies. However, climate change and anthropogenic pressures can threaten groundwater availability,.....»»
Farmers innovate to save Iraq"s rice production
After seeing his once-lush rice field shrink in recent years due to relentless drought, Iraqi farmer Muntazer al-Joufi fought back using tougher seeds and water-saving irrigation techniques......»»
Researchers use vibrations from traffic to measure underground soil moisture
Caltech researchers have developed a new method to measure soil moisture in the shallow subterranean region between the surface and underground aquifers. This region, called the vadose zone, is crucial for plants and crops to obtain water through the.....»»
Study analyzes potato-pathogen "arms race" after Irish potato famine
In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish.....»»
The Fight to Save Florida’s Oranges
Once the leading producer of the citrus fruit in the US, Florida is being ground down by hurricanes, diseases, and drought—but its orange growers aren’t giving up yet......»»
Groundwater plays an invisible role supporting lakes
Nearly 90% of North America's lakes are located in Canada. That's why they make up such an enormous part of our landscape. Among their many vital functions, lakes are essential to the biodiversity of our territory and constitute indispensable oases f.....»»
Breakthrough in plant disease: New enzyme could lead to anti-bacterial pesticides
Plant diseases pose significant challenges to agricultural productivity, presenting formidable hurdles that require urgent attention. Left unchecked, these diseases can spread rapidly, inflicting widespread damage on crops and leading to reduced yiel.....»»
Climate change may lead to shifts in vital Pacific Arctic fisheries
Marine fisheries are an essential source of protein for a large part of the world's population, as well as supporting around 390 million livelihoods and an industry worth approximately US$ 141 billion, according to the UN FAO. Yet, climate change pre.....»»
Reclaimed by floods, wildlife returns to Romania"s Danube Delta
Tour guide Eugen Grigorov steered his boat past half-underwater combine harvesters and last year's flooded crops in a part of Romania's Danube Delta reclaimed by the great river......»»
Drought in Sicily threatens grain fields, animal herds
A crushing drought in Sicily has withered fields of grain, deprived livestock of pasture land and fanned a spate of wildfires, causing damage already estimated at 2.7 billion euros this year......»»
From genes to jeans: New genetic insights may lead to drought-resilient cotton
Cotton is woven into the very fabric of our lives, from soft T-shirts to comfortable jeans and cozy bedsheets. It's the world's leading renewable textile fiber and the backbone of a global industry worth billions......»»
Report urges bold measures for California agriculture amid climate change
California should take urgent and bold measures to adapt its $59 billion agriculture sector to climate change as the amount of water available for crops declines, according to a collaborative report by University of California faculty from four campu.....»»
Unlocking glucosinolates" potential: Enhancing nutrition and stress tolerance in Brassica crops
A research team has reviewed the potential of glucosinolates, compounds found in Brassicaceae plants like cabbage and broccoli, to enhance stress tolerance and provide health benefits through their hydrolysis products......»»
US farmers want to adapt to climate change, but crop insurance won"t let them
In Kansas, where a prolonged drought has killed crops and eroded the soil, Gail Fuller's farm is like an oasis. Sheep, cows and chickens graze freely on crops and vegetation in a paradisiacal mess......»»
Waters along Bar Harbor, Acadia, home to billions of microplastics
Along the shores of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula are the vast, briny waters of Frenchman Bay. With 98 square miles of water and 39 islands, the bay is vital to shorebirds, fish, lobstermen and outdoor recreationists. Un.....»»
Telomere-to-telomere genome assembly research opens the door to new crop varieties
Completely new crop varieties which can better withstand drought, salinity and pests are within reach thanks to international genomics research published today in Nature Genetics......»»
Monday is the hottest day recorded on Earth, beating Sunday"s record, European climate agency says
Monday was recorded as the hottest day ever, beating a record set the day before, as countries across the globe from Japan to Bolivia to the United States continue to feel the heat, according to the European climate change service......»»
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.....»»