Plant parasitic nematodes harm pineapple crop yields in Kenya
Pineapple is the third most economically important fruit crop worldwide, after banana and mango. The largest producers are Costa Rica, the Philippines, Brazil and Thailand, which together amount to nearly 50% of total world production. In Africa, Nig.....»»
New AI-driven tool improves root image segmentation
In a world striving for sustainability, understanding the hidden half of a living plant—the roots—is crucial. Roots are not just an anchor; they are a dynamic interface between the plant and soil, critical for water uptake, nutrient absorption, a.....»»
China"s BYD says Mexico EV plant will employ 10,000 workers
The EV giant is in final negotiations for the location of the factory, with an official announcement expected in the coming months......»»
Transcriptomic insights into Chinese cabbage"s unique morphology
Understanding the genetic mechanisms behind leaf development is crucial for improving crop yields and resilience. In Chinese cabbage, the formation of leafy heads involves complex gene interactions that determine leaf shape and orientation. Despite p.....»»
Study uncovers genetic key to overcoming water stress in cucumbers
Waterlogged conditions, a consequence of heavy rainfall or inadequate drainage, disproportionately affect crops with delicate root systems like cucumbers. These conditions not only impede root respiration and plant development but also threaten agric.....»»
Researchers reveal effects of climate change on above- and belowground biomass distribution on Tibetan plateau
Global warming has significantly altered plant growth patterns on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) over the past three decades. Plants adjust their growth trajectories in response to climate change, prioritizing leaf and stem growth or root extension to bett.....»»
Unlocking the tea leaf"s secret: Decoding the amino acid blueprint of tea plant
Amino acids are vital for plant growth and significantly influence tea flavor and health benefits. Tea plants, particularly Camellia sinensis, exhibit unique amino acid profiles that contribute to their distinctive taste and nutritional value......»»
The ornate horns of ancient marvel Lokiceratops point to evolutionary insights
What do you get when you cross Norse mythology with a 78-million-year-old ancestor to the Triceratops? Answer: Lokiceratops rangiformis, a plant-eating dinosaur with a very fancy set of horns......»»
Improving crops with laser beams and 3D printing
A demonstration of how new technologies can be used in 21st century crop breeding comes from just published research that combines laser scanning and 3D printing to create a detailed 3D model of a sugar beet plant......»»
Ferrari"s first EV to cost more than $500,000, report says
Ferrari is preparing to open a plant in Italy to make the full-electric model that is due to launch next year. It is expected that new EV could help boost the brand’s production by up to a third, Reuters reported......»»
For the endangered Nashville crayfish, its rebound is both good and bad news
Dale McGinnity has been turning over rocks in Mill Creek to study the endangered Nashville crayfish for a decade. He hopes to learn whether this little crustacean that makes its home mainly in the urbanized area around its namesake city is being harm.....»»
Social media apps may gain tobacco-style warning labels, as US Surgeon General sounds alarm over youth impact
Tobacco products in the US contain very blatant, obvious warning labels that outline their health risks. If the US Surgeon General has his way, this same strategy will soon be employed to combat the harm caused by social media apps. more….....»»
Study shows fish may use punishment to promote help from their offspring
While there is an increasing consensus among humans that corporal discipline of children does more harm than good, fish may disagree......»»
Investigating nematode-microbe interactions in lab-simulated decomposed beetle environments
Beneath the surface, bacterivorous nematodes are key players in the nutrient cycle, consuming bacteria that decompose organic matter. Traditionally, these nematodes are studied in laboratory environments where isolated bacterial strains are used to m.....»»
Direct evidence found for dairy consumption in the Pyrenees in the earliest stages of the Neolithic
A joint study conducted by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, the University of Zaragoza and the University of Strasbourg on the remains of the Chaves and Puyascada caves, both located in the province of Huesca, Spain, yields the first direct pr.....»»
Tanzania fertilizer use increased after intervention, but changes were not sustained, study shows
Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa tend to use very small amounts of fertilizer, limiting their crop productivity. A 2016 intervention in Tanzania increased farmers' fertilizer use and their crop yields. However, a follow-up study from an inte.....»»
UAW workers at GM battery plant joint venture in Ohio ratify contract deal
UAW members at Ultium Cells in Lordstown, Ohio, voted 98 percent in favor of ratifying a contract that increases worker wages and improves health and safety measures......»»
Searching for a female partner for the world"s "loneliest" plant
"Surely this is the most solitary organism in the world," wrote paleontologist Richard Fortey in his book about the evolution of life......»»
Searching for a female partner for the world’s “loneliest” plant
AI assists in the pursuit for one threatened plant species. Enlarge / Map from drone mission search for the Encephalartos Woodii in the Ngoye Forest in South Africa. (credit: CC BY-NC) “Surely this is the most solita.....»»
Improving soil health yields unexpected benefits for farmers
In the U.S., as farmers wrestle with extreme heat and drought, heavy rainfall and flooding, and erosion—all factors of climate change which can take a toll on crops—there's been a lot of buzz over regenerative agriculture over the past few years,.....»»
Why some plant diseases thrive in urban environments
Rachel Penczykowski, an assistant professor of biology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, and five WashU graduate and undergraduate students tracked infestations of powdery mildew on common broadleaf weeds. Their study, publish.....»»