Shrub willow as a bioenergy crop
Renewable energy demand and consumption is at an all-time high in the United States......»»
New tech fights fall armyworm by letting offspring die
Scientists have developed a new technology that could control the devastating fall armyworm crop pest by releasing genetically controlled males that suppress populations as subsequent offspring cannot survive, a study says......»»
Study reveals trade-offs between ecosystem resistance and resilience to tropical cyclones
In a new study of the ecological impacts of hurricanes, an international research team addresses a question that people have asked for centuries: when confronted by a storm, is it better to be resistant like an oak or resilient like a willow?.....»»
Hyperspectral sensing and AI pave new path for monitoring soil carbon
Just how much carbon is in the soil? That's a tough question to answer at large spatial scales, but understanding soil organic carbon at regional, national, or global scales could help scientists predict overall soil health, crop productivity, and ev.....»»
Team significantly improves BioCro software for growing virtual crops
A team from the University of Illinois has revamped the popular crop growth simulation software BioCro, making it a more user-friendly and efficient way to predict crop yield. The updated version, BioCro II, allows modelers to use the technology much.....»»
Global cropland could be almost halved by increasing agricultural productivity
With rising global demand for agricultural commodities for use as food, feed, and bioenergy, pressure on land is increasing. At the same time, land is an important resource for tackling the principal challenges of the 21st century—the loss of biodi.....»»
Soy dairy technology may not be profitable in developing countries, study shows
Soybean is a promising crop for developing countries, because of its high protein and oil content. Over the past decades, humanitarian aid organizations and policymakers have promoted soybean processing technologies such as the "soy cow," which extra.....»»
Engineered bacterial strains could fertilize crops, reduce waterways pollution
Researchers from Washington State University have engineered strains of the ubiquitous, nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii to produce ammonia and excrete it at high concentrations, transferring it into crop plants in lieu of conven.....»»
CROPSR: A new tool to accelerate genetic discoveries in crops
Commercially viable biofuel crops are vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and a new tool developed by the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) should accelerate their development—as well as genetic editing advanc.....»»
Herbicide residues in soil affect hormone levels in crop plants
A new study finds that glyphosate residues in soil affect phytohormones in aboveground plant parts. Academy of Finland funded postdoctoral researcher Dr. Benjamin Fuchs investigates the effects of herbicide residues in soil on plant physiology and ch.....»»
Environmentally friendly method shows promise in control of devastating potato disease
Late blight, caused by the fungal-like Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases affecting potato and tomato crop and, most famously, was the cause of the notorious Irish potato famine. Despite years of research, intensive fungi.....»»
How to improve crop management in organic horticulture
Sowing crops with agroeconomical services, that is, with benefits for the global ecosystem in crop practices is an efficient strategy for improving environmental sustainability. Now, an international study reveals that the uses of the technique calle.....»»
Hemp hampered no more with research showing potential as cash crop
After decades of being relegated and regulated, research on industrial hemp as a valuable crop is far behind. That's because the United States banned the use of hemp in the 1930s. The result was all research about this crop stopped, too. Now that the.....»»
Rice production depends on TAB1 gene, researchers find
Rice has long been a staple food for more than half the global population. The United Nations even declared 2004 the International Year of Rice to raise awareness and encourage action to protect and advance the crop for a rapidly growing population......»»
The world"s best Guitar Hero player faked most of his accomplishments
Schmooey was regarded by many as an elite Guitar Hero player, despite the fact that occasionally, minor questionable things would crop up in his gameplay videos. Nobody ever really took the time to investigate the matters with a fine tooth comb. But.....»»
Identifying a protective mechanism against the negative consequences of ammonium fertilization
Nitrogen (N) is an essential mineral element for plant development and is widely used in crop production. While synthetic nitrogen fertilizers significantly improve global crop yields, the use of nitrate-based nitrogen fertilizers bears the risk of n.....»»
Diversifying crop rotation improves soil, reduces fertilizer costs
Farmers who have used a three- or four-crop rotation system for more than 10 years are most likely to reap the benefits of improved soil health and higher yields, according to a survey of producers in eastern South Dakota......»»
A new crop of shopping tools aims to help consumers beat the supply chain crunch
A small but dedicated community of programmers, journalists and social media content creators has sprung up to announce whenever a big retailer has restocked more product......»»
"Brown-bagging" crop seed affects producers as well as research advances
As producers get back into their fields for a new season, Texas A&M AgriLife Foundation Seed is stepping up its efforts to educate producers on the benefits of using certified seed and the legalities involved when "brown-bagging.".....»»
Viral proteins join forces to lower plants" defense "shields"
New research, led by Washington State University scientists, into how viral proteins interact and can be disabled holds promise to help plants defend themselves against viruses—and ultimately prevent crop losses......»»
Smart soil bugs offer farmers an ecofriendly route to controlling crop diseases
An innovative method of controlling a range of damaging crop diseases using native, beneficial soil bacteria has emerged from a research-industry collaboration......»»