Agriculture Archives - Page 2 of 45 - The Global Plant Council

Jan 17

Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew

By Isabel Agriculture, News

Scientists have developed a diagnostic tool to identify quinoa plants resistant to downy mildew, aiding breeders in creating resilient varieties. The tool also ensures quinoa seed shipments are disease-free, preventing outbreaks. As quinoa's popularity rises, the tool offers insights into…

Jan 15

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Image: tropical forest. Credit: Antonios Ntoumas / Pixabay

Land use in tropical regions: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought

By Isabel Agriculture, News, Plant Science

Intensive land use for agriculture in tropical regions, driven by international trade, has caused over 90% of biodiversity loss since 1995, far exceeding previous estimates of 20-30%. Research using satellite data highlights hotspots like Brazil, Indonesia, and Madagascar. Solutions include…

Jan 07

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Image: Agricultural land near river confluences can help soak up water and slow down the advance of flooding during extreme weather events. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Agricultural land near where rivers meet can mitigate floods, study suggests

By Isabel Agriculture, News

Eco-DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) leverages farmland to mitigate floods by storing excess water, reducing damage. Analysis of 1917 Japanese municipalities (2010–2018) revealed farmland near river confluences significantly reduces flood risk. This eco-friendly approach supports food security, biodiversity, and disaster mitigation,…

Jan 02

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Image: Prosopis-free farms used for continuous cultivation on land where Prosopis was uprooted in Kahe, Tanzania. Credit: René Eschen.

Sustainable land management practice successfully ‘uproots’ invasive Prosopis juliflora in East Africa

By Isabel Agriculture, News

A study reveals success in controlling the invasive Prosopis juliflora in Kenya and Tanzania using Sustainable Land Management (SLM). By uprooting the plant and using cleared land for crops, 75% of households adopted SLM. Adoption was higher among males and…

Dec 30

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Full outdoor shot of a plant with leaves showing signs of fall foliage. On the left side of the image, the leaves are predominantly a mixture of vibrant green and bright yellow, indicating a transition toward autumn colors. The leaves are quite large and present a variety of shades suggesting a shift in chlorophyll production. Some leaves also appear moist likely due to recent rain or high humidity. The background is out of focus but suggests ground or concrete. On the right side of the image, the foliage is also a combination of green and some hints of yellow or orange, but the color gradient is less dramatic than on the left side. Parts of the stems of the plant are visible and are a reddish-brown color. An apparatus, a white/light gray pole with small electronic devices or sensors attached to the leaves is present. The sensors appear to be clamped; this part of the image seems to be part of a monitoring or experimental setup for the plant physiology. The lighting suggests an outdoor setting. Overall, the image compares the natural color changes in leaves to those possibly being observed and monitored via scientific measurement devices. Credit: Tohoku University

New Smart Agriculture Technology for Monitoring Plants

By Isabel Agriculture, News

Researchers have developed a small, leaf-mounted sensor to monitor plant health and stress. This waterproof, Wi-Fi-enabled device tracks changes in leaf color, providing real-time data on plant conditions. Affordable and precise, it supports smart agriculture by enabling farmers to address…

Dec 17

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Image: Strawberries planted into mulched beds. Credit: Seeta Sistla

Agricultural plastic pollution reduces soil function

By Isabel Agriculture, News

A new study reveals that plastic, even under best practices, contaminates soils with macro- and microplastics, harming critical soil functions. Sampling 12 California farms, researchers found significant plastic debris. To protect soil health and productivity, biodegradable alternatives to plastic mulch…

Dec 09

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USU biochemists Lance Seefeldt, left, and Zhi-Yong Yang are among an international, Gates Foundation-funded collaboration reporting new knowledge in the Nov. 6, 2024 issue of PNAS that could simplify genetic transfer of nitrogen fixation to food crops. (Photo Credit: USU/M. Muffoletto)

New research could simplify genetic transfer of nitrogen fixation to food crops

By Isabel Agriculture, News, Plant Science

Scientists aim to engineer cereal crops like corn and rice to fix nitrogen directly from air, reducing fertilizer dependence. By identifying a minimal seven-gene pathway, they aim to embed nitrogen-fixing abilities into crops’ mitochondria and chloroplasts. This innovation could lower…

Dec 06

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Image: Foxtail barley. Credit: 👀 Mabel Amber, who will one day / Pixabay

Scientists shed light on an arms race between barley and a fungal pathogen

By Isabel Agriculture, News, Plant Health

Barley plants produce unique antifungal compounds called hordedanes to defend against pathogens. Scientists identified 17 hordedanes that inhibit fungal growth, but a pathogen, Bipolaris sorokiniana, exploits these defenses to thrive. By neutralizing hordedanes, it extends its parasitic phase, showcasing the…

Dec 04

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Image: Photo taken at the Marchouch Field Station in Morocco, showing grass pea (right) next to a lentil crop (left) planted at the same time, suffering from lack of water. Credit: Matt Heaton.

A new piece in the grass pea puzzle – updated genome sequence published

By Isabel Agriculture, News

Researchers have achieved the most detailed genome assembly of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) to date, creating a chromosome-scale reference genome. This resource could revolutionize breeding for climate-smart agriculture. With improved accuracy, the genome reveals insights into drought resilience and supports…

Nov 12

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Image credit: Matthias Zomer from Pexels

Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities

By Isabel Agriculture, News

Researchers found that honey bee apiaries and urban areas reduce populations of certain native bees, particularly ground-nesters and late-season foragers. Six of 33 studied bee genera were affected, notably Svastra and Florilegus. Strategies like planting late-blooming flowers and preserving ground…

Agriculture

Genetic test will help safeguard quinoa from downy mildew

Land use in tropical regions: Biodiversity loss due to agricultural trade three times higher than thought

Agricultural land near where rivers meet can mitigate floods, study suggests

Sustainable land management practice successfully ‘uproots’ invasive Prosopis juliflora in East Africa

New Smart Agriculture Technology for Monitoring Plants

Agricultural plastic pollution reduces soil function

New research could simplify genetic transfer of nitrogen fixation to food crops

Scientists shed light on an arms race between barley and a fungal pathogen

A new piece in the grass pea puzzle – updated genome sequence published

Adding fall blooming plants may help both managed and wild bees in cities

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