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Image credit: 12019 / Pixabay

Better phosphorus use can ensure its stocks last more than 500 years and boost global food production – new evidence shows

By | Agriculture, News

Efficient phosphorus use could extend its reserves over 500 years, vital for global food production amid a rising population. Current over-application, especially in Europe and North America, depletes resources and harms water quality. New research emphasizes optimizing usage, potentially saving 77 years’ worth of reserves. Collaborative policy action is crucial for sustainable phosphorus management.

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Image: grass field. Credit:  Alexa / Pixabay

Harnessing AI and advanced imaging for precision plant stress management: Insights from a comprehensive systematic review

By | Agriculture, News

Recent advancements in AI and imaging sensors are revolutionizing plant stress management for enhanced crop production. A systematic review reveals a preference for RGB sensors, but highlights limitations. Deep learning (DL) algorithms are increasingly integrated, with potential for spectral imaging to improve phenotyping. Future research aims to refine AI models for broader application in agriculture, promising resilient practices amidst rising global food demands.

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Image: The chart shows the number of national agri-environmental policies in each country. - It can be seen that there are a particularly large number of agri-environmental policies in the EU member states. Credit: Wuepper et al., "Nature Food," 2024

Researchers publish dataset of over 6,000 policies from all over the world

By | News, Policy

In the intricate tapestry of global agriculture, sustainability threads its way through economic development and environmental conservation. Through a comprehensive database spanning over six decades and 200 nations, researchers illuminate the nexus between a country’s prosperity and its commitment to eco-friendly agricultural policies. From soil erosion battles to income-driven policy dynamics, data-driven insights cultivate a greener future.

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Image: Substrate-induced droplet formation of a plant TIR domain in vitro. The Arabidopsis TIR domain protein RPP1 was fused with the fluorescent protein GFP so that the rapid droplet formation of the RPP1-GFP fusion protein can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy after addition of the substrates NAD+ or ATP in a test tube. The droplets are highly dynamic structures. Credit: Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, Köln

How minimalist plant immune molecules become activated 

By | News, Plant Science

A groundbreaking study reveals how phase separation, akin to oil and water mixing, drives the activation of plant immune proteins, shedding light on their vital role in defending against infections. The findings uncover a fundamental mechanism for bolstering plant immunity, with implications for understanding broader immune system dynamics across species.

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Image: wheat spikes. Credit: Hans / Pixabay

Simple trick could improve accuracy of plant genetics research

By | News, Plant Science

A recent study highlights the significance of artificial spike-ins in RNA analysis. Researchers discovered that plant transcriptional activity varies significantly depending on the time of day, with higher activity observed at night. This novel technique promises to enhance accuracy in understanding global transcription dynamics, offering insights crucial for advancing plant research.

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Image: tomato plant. credit: 1195798 / Pixabay

The scent of resistance

By | Agriculture, News

Tomato plants emit hexenyl butanoate (HB) to resist bacterial attacks independently of traditional hormones. HB protects against drought and diseases like Pseudomonas syringae in tomatoes and Phytophthora infestans in potatoes. This discovery offers sustainable solutions for crop protection and growth.

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