Root-farming gophers might be our closest agricultural relatives
Although you'll probably never see them, you can spot them by the tell-tale mounds of sandy soil dotting a field: pocket gophers. Beneath your feet, the gophers continuously create and remold a labyrinth of winding tunnels hundreds of feet long......»»
FruitFlow: A new citizen science initiative unlocks orchard secrets
The "FruitWatch" initiative, a groundbreaking citizen science project, has significantly enhanced the accuracy of predicting flowering times for fruit trees across Great Britain. This improvement is vital for the agricultural sector, enabling better.....»»
Study reveals key gene protecting plants from harmful metals in soil
The negative impact of human activity on Earth doesn't just affect our planet's atmosphere—it goes much deeper, into its soils. For instance, excessive application of manure or sewage sludge can increase heavy metal concentrations in agricultural l.....»»
Unlocking the genetic code of Amur grape: Insights into plant cold tolerance and evolution
The Amur grape, indigenous to eastern Asia, is known for its remarkable cold tolerance, able to withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. Despite its significant potential for breeding and agricultural applications, the absence of high-quality genomic.....»»
AI may be able to predict droughts a year in advance
Skoltech researchers and their colleagues from Sber have proposed deep learning models that predict droughts using climate data. Long-term forecasts of this kind are sought by agricultural producers planning their operations, as well as by insurance.....»»
Research unveils rhizobia strains effective against soybean root rot fungal pathogens
A research team has identified three rhizobia strains, Rhizobium sp. TZSR12C, Rhizobium sp. TZSR25B, and Bradyrhizobium sp. TZSR41A, which effectively suppressed root rot fungal pathogens in soybeans under both in vitro and greenhouse conditions. The.....»»
Intensive farming could raise risk of new pandemics, researchers warn
Industrialized farming is often thought to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans) because of better control, biosecurity and separation of livestock......»»
A high-quality pectin that "gels with" low sugar products
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists developed a high quality and inexpensive pectin that can successfully gel in low sugar products and still be scalable for commercial production......»»
Struggling to discuss climate change with older relatives? These three scenarios can help
Have you ever felt it difficult to express your climate anxiety in conversation with older relatives? You are likely not alone, as climate change is a topic rife with high stakes, differing views and strong emotions. Discussions can devolve into argu.....»»
Animal researchers develop digital dog and cat skull database
The ELTE Eötvös Loránd University is home to the skulls of more than 150 dog breeds and other animals. To make this unique collection accessible to all, researchers digitized the skulls of 431 dogs, cats and wild relatives. The database can be use.....»»
Digging deep—value of the soil microbiome unearthed
Researchers in South Australia are digging deep into history of soil biology in the state to gain a better understanding of how the soil microbiome functions to ensure sustainable broadacre farming into the future......»»
From robots and drones to sheep trackers, new tech can help farmers monitor and improve soil health
Twelve million hectares of agricultural soils are lost globally through soil degradation every year. As an ecologist, I work alongside farmers and growers in the field and have seen how farming can help solve this global soil crisis......»»
Warming Baltic Sea: a red flag for global oceans
Climate change combined with pollution from farming and forestry could flip northern Europe's Baltic Sea from being a sponge for CO2 to a source of the planet-warming gas, scientists studying told AFP......»»
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.....»»
High throughput prediction of sugar beet root weight and sugar content using UAV derived growth dynamics
A research team employed an RGB camera on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to collect time series data on sugar beet canopy coverage and height. This data was used to predict root weight and sugar content with high accuracy. This innovative technique.....»»
From fields to policy: Conserving China"s agricultural heritage systems
Agricultural heritage systems, the custodians of ancient farming practices, face unprecedented challenges from climate change and urbanization. A recent study presents a detailed geographical analysis coupled with strategic management approaches to c.....»»
How can we effectively improve and use saline-alkali soil to ensure food security?
Soil salinization poses a threat to global agricultural production, food security and sustainable development. Affected by China's population growth and social and economic development, China's arable land has been decreasing in recent decades and is.....»»
To save bees, scientists say focus on habitat first, then pesticides
Worldwide, hedgerows and wild grass in field margins which previously served as semi-natural habitats are being swallowed up into agricultural production. While scientists have suggested both pesticide use and habitat loss are detrimental to pollinat.....»»
Engineers find a way to protect microbes from extreme conditions
Microbes that are used for health, agricultural, or other applications need to be able to withstand extreme conditions, and ideally the manufacturing processes used to make tablets for long-term storage. MIT researchers have now developed a new way t.....»»
Recovery of unique geological samples sheds light on formation of today"s Antarctic ice sheet
In recent years, global warming has left its mark on the Antarctic ice sheets. The "eternal" ice in Antarctica is melting faster than previously assumed, particularly in West Antarctica more than East Antarctica. The root for this could lie in its fo.....»»
Scientists discover new plants that could lead to "climate-proof" chocolate
Scientists have found three new species that are close relatives to the plant from which chocolate is produced—a discovery that could pave the way for climate-proof chocolate. The team's research has been published in the journal Kew Bulletin......»»