Agriculture News - SciTechDaily

Banana Apocalypse: Can Biologists Outsmart the Silent Killer?

University of Massachusetts Amherst — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 09:00:37 +0000

Bananas are threatened by a new strain of Fusarium wilt, not related to the one that devastated crops in the 1950s. Research led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has identified accessory genes linked to the pathogen’s virulence, offering new avenues for combating the disease. This research highlights the risks of monocropping and suggests diversifying [...]

Juicier, Glossier, Better: Superior Strawberries Unlocked Through Genetics

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 23:15:27 +0000

A groundbreaking study has unveiled key genetic markers and candidate genes essential for improving the quality traits of strawberries, promising more vibrant, juicier, and longer-lasting fruits. Researchers from the University of Bordeaux have leveraged genome-wide association studies to advance our understanding of strawberry genetics, pinpointing 71 associations across 11 traits that influence fruit quality. This [...]

Unearthing Nature’s Secrets: New Research Challenges the “Single-Origin” Theory of Symbiosis

Mississippi State University — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:15:37 +0000

New research challenges the prevailing single-origin theory of symbiosis in plants, advocating for a multiple-origin theory that could impact the genetic engineering of crops, supported by a recent study and a significant NSF grant. A Mississippi State faculty member is challenging the recent “single-origin” theory of root nodule symbiosis (RNS)—the idea that all symbiotic relationships [...]

Seeds of Civilization: Scientists Unearth 7,000-Year-Old Farming Secrets in Western Europe

University of Barcelona — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 23:49:05 +0000

Research reveals that Neolithic farmers in Western Europe, particularly at La Draga, employed advanced cereal cultivation methods, reflecting a significant evolution from earlier agricultural methods that originated in the Middle East. A team of researchers led by the University of Barcelona has uncovered new insights into the advent and expansion of agriculture during the Neolithic [...]

Concerning Findings: New Research Reveals That Washing Your Fruit Doesn’t Remove All Pesticides

American Chemical Society — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 21:52:28 +0000

A new study has introduced a technique using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect low levels of pesticide residues on food, suggesting that washing alone might be insufficient to remove pesticides, and peeling may be necessary. Pesticides and herbicides are critical to ensuring food security worldwide, but these substances can present a safety risk to [...]

“Missing Link” Uncovered: The Secret History of Corn Revealed Through RNA

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 15:00:31 +0000

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have traced the domestication of maize back to its origins 9,000 years ago, highlighting its crossbreeding with teosinte mexicana for cold adaptability. The discovery of a genetic mechanism known as Teosinte Pollen Drive by Professor Rob Martienssen provides a critical link in understanding maize’s rapid adaptation and distribution across [...]

Study Reveals Pesticides’ Cancer Risk Rivals That of Smoking

Frontiers — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 13:51:44 +0000

Researchers evaluated the effects of common agricultural pesticides on cancer rates, discovering that the use of these pesticides is linked to a higher risk of cancer. In contemporary agriculture, pesticides are crucial for maintaining high crop yields and ensuring food security. However, these chemicals can negatively impact plant and animal life, as well as pose [...]

Revolutionary Tech Extracts Liters of Water From Thin Air Without Maintenance

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 11:13:06 +0000

A new solar-powered water harvester developed by KAUST uses a self-sustaining cycle inspired by natural plant processes to efficiently extract water from the air, requiring no manual maintenance and promising affordable water solutions for arid regions. Even in the world’s arid regions, there is usually some moisture in the air. This moisture has the potential [...]

Ancient DNA Reveals Secrets of Potato Pathogen Wars

North Carolina State University — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 09:00:47 +0000

North Carolina State University researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries by examining the genetic material of historic potato leaves. Their study highlights the dynamic evolutionary battle between potato plants and the pathogen responsible for the Irish potato famine. By employing innovative DNA sequencing techniques, they have uncovered how certain pathogen strains could overcome resistance genes before [...]

Iron Oxide Unearthed: Revolutionizing Phosphorus Recycling and Feeding the World

Northwestern University — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:00:48 +0000

New research reveals that iron oxide in soils can recycle phosphorus from organic matter. A new study by Northwestern University demonstrates that iron oxide minerals in soils can transform organic phosphorus into its inorganic state, challenging the previous belief that only biological enzymes could perform this transformation. This finding is crucial for developing sustainable methods [...]

Century-Old Biological Experiment Reveals Genetic Secrets of Important Crop

American Association for the Advancement of Science — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 08:47:54 +0000

A long-term study since 1929 has revealed significant insights into barley’s evolution, showing its adaptation to different environments and the substantial impact of natural selection. This research underscores the limitations of evolutionary breeding and highlights the need for further exploration to enhance crop yields. Utilizing one of the world’s oldest biological experiments, which commenced in [...]

Beating the Freeze: Unlocking the Frost-Defying Secrets of the White Water Lily

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 16:57:27 +0000

Recent research has detailed the cold resistance mechanisms of the white water lily, offering insights into potential agricultural applications for improving crop resilience against cold climates. Scientists have recently unraveled the complex mechanisms of cold resistance in the white water lily, a plant thriving in the cold environments of Xinjiang’s high-altitude regions. Detailed analysis of [...]

Researchers Unveil Natural Solution to Australia’s $280 Million Sheep Problem

Jacqueline Garget, University of Cambridge — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 10:29:45 +0000

Study reveals heath goannas, a species of giant lizard, could save the Australian sheep industry millions by managing blowfly populations better than invasive species, underscoring the need for their conservation. Eighteenth-century European settlers to Australia brought red foxes for hunting, and cats as pets. Australia’s native wildlife – including many scavengers – has since been [...]

Scientists Crack the Code on Broccoli’s Health Benefits

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:20:59 +0000

New research has identified crucial genes in broccoli that enhance its cancer-fighting compounds, promising healthier Brassica crop varieties A comprehensive genomic analysis of broccoli has uncovered the genetic basis for producing glucosinolates (GSLs), substances known for their health advantages, such as anti-cancer properties. Researchers constructed a high-quality chromosome-level genome and pinpointed essential genes responsible for [...]

Groundbreaking Discovery: How Zinc Could Change Farming Forever

Helene Eriksen, Aarhus University — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:09:10 +0000

Researchers have found that zinc significantly influences the nitrogen fixation process in legumes, a discovery that could transform legume-based agriculture. Climate change, drought, increased temperature, and other stressors challenge agricultural sustainability. Researchers have now made an unexpected discovery: zinc plays a pivotal role in the plant response to abiotic stress. This groundbreaking discovery not only [...]

A New Superfruit? Scientists Discover Simple Trick To Make Blood Oranges Healthier

University of Florida — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 11:13:59 +0000

A University of Florida study suggests that storing blood oranges at cool temperatures enhances their health benefits and market value, but further research is needed to determine their commercial viability in Florida. A new study from the University of Florida reveals that storing oranges at cool temperatures can enhance their antioxidant properties and other health [...]

Hidden Dangers: Johns Hopkins Unmasks Hazardous Chemicals in Biosolid Fertilizers

Johns Hopkins University — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:00:07 +0000

Researchers create new list of possibly toxic contaminants commonly found in biosolids nationwide. A study by Johns Hopkins University highlights the presence of hazardous chemicals in biosolid fertilizers, identifying 92 frequent compounds that may pose health risks. This research supports the need for comprehensive risk assessments and enhanced regulations. Biosolid Fertilizers and Potential Risks Fertilizers [...]

Scientists Use CRISPR To Turn Sugarcane Into a Super Crop

Sat, 22 Jun 2024 11:12:48 +0000

Researchers optimized sugarcane’s leaf angle using CRISPR gene editing, enhancing its sunlight absorption. Sugarcane ranks as the top crop globally in terms of biomass yield, contributing to 80 percent of sugar and 40 percent of biofuel production around the world. Its substantial size and optimal utilization of water and light position it as an ideal [...]

How AI and 3D Printing Are Changing the Way We Grow Food

GigaScience — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:28 +0000

Scientists use laser scanning to generate 3D models of the above-ground parts of the sugar beet plant from a crop field, providing a step forward in developing AI-assisted crop pipeline improvement. A demonstration of how new technologies can be used in 21st-century crop breeding comes from newly published research that combines Laser Scanning and 3D [...]

Gene-Editing Strikes Oil: High-Yield Camelina Revolutionizes Biofuel

Brookhaven National Laboratory — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 20:16:10 +0000

Scientists have increased oil production in Camelina sativa by 21.4% by gene-editing the TT8 gene, paving the way for more efficient biofuel crops. As initiatives to reach net-zero carbon emissions from transportation fuels gain momentum, the need for oil derived from nonfood crops is on the rise. These crops harness sunlight to transform atmospheric carbon [...]

40% Surge: Growing Nitrous Oxide Emissions Trigger Scientific Alarm

Boston College — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:01:53 +0000

Over four decades, nitrous oxide emissions have risen sharply, driven mainly by agriculture. Without technologies to remove it, the focus must shift to reducing emissions to meet the Paris Agreement targets. Recent increases in emissions heighten concerns over their impact on global warming and environmental health. Nitrous Oxide Emissions Between 1980 and 2020, emissions of [...]

Beware the Rise of Superweeds: Mowing’s Unintended Consequences

John Lovett, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 22:48:57 +0000

Research indicates that frequent mowing of Solanum elaeagnifolium enhances its defensive traits, making it more resilient and potentially a superweed. The study highlights the necessity for updated weed management practices that consider the adaptive responses of invasive plants to disturbances. Research on the effects of mowing on a common weed has found that what doesn’t [...]

From Space to Soil, Tracking the Explosive Rise of Greenhouses in China

Adam Voiland, NASA Earth Observatory — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 21:29:47 +0000

A recent study using satellite data shows that the global coverage of greenhouses has expanded to over 13,000 square kilometers, with the largest growth occurring in China. Greenhouses are having a moment—or rather, a few decades. According to a new analysis of satellite data published in the journal Nature Food, greenhouses now cover more than [...]

Molecular Assassins: How Azoles Cause Fungal Pathogens to Self-Destruct

University of Exeter — Fri, 31 May 2024 09:00:09 +0000

New research led by the University of Exeter shows that azole antifungals trigger self-destruction in fungal pathogens by inhibiting ergosterol production, potentially aiding efforts to combat fungal resistance and safeguard food and health. Scientists have found that the world’s most commonly used class of antifungals causes pathogens to self-destruct. This discovery, led by the University [...]