Category

Agriculture

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 | 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 farming’s carbon footprint, combat hunger, and support space agriculture.

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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 | 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 complex evolutionary battle between plants and pathogens.

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Credit: Cron field. Credit: Svetlozar Hristov / Pixabay

The power of certifications in the modern agri-food sector

By | Agriculture, Blog, Policy

Certification empowers producers to meet international quality, safety, and sustainability standards, expanding their market access. It assures consumers of ethical and environmentally friendly practices, supporting food safety and product reliability. Training programs also guide farmers in certification requirements, building trust, fostering sustainable agriculture, and enhancing competitiveness in the global marketplace.

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Image: Ai Generated Growth Seedling royalty-free stock illustration. Credit: Chil Vera from Pixabay

The solution to the agricultural sector crisis lies in education

By | Agriculture, Blog

A growing push for agricultural modernization is addressing the need for sustainable practices and climate change adaptation. Many farmers lack access to relevant knowledge, hindering progress. Educational initiatives offering courses on sustainable farming and modern production methods aim to bridge this gap, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and profitability across the agri-food sector.

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Image: tomato plant. credit: 1195798 / Pixabay

Unlocking the Secrets of Salt Stress Tolerance in Wild Tomatoes

By | Agriculture, Climate change, News, Plant Science

Researchers have uncovered genetic traits in wild tomatoes, specifically *Solanum pimpinellifolium*, that enhance salt stress tolerance. By analyzing plant vigor, shoot mass, and transpiration rates, they identified new genes linked to resilience in salty soils. These findings could inform breeding strategies to create more salt-tolerant crops, boosting agricultural sustainability.

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