News Feature Channel: Agriculture

New Genetic Pathway Unlocks Drought-Resistant Cucumbers with Fewer Branches

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:30:03 EST

A new discovery has unveiled a genetic module, CsTIE1-CsAGL16, that simultaneously regulates lateral branch development and drought tolerance in cucumbers. This dual-function genetic pathway offers a promising new approach to breeding cucumber varieties that are both resilient to water scarcity and tailored to market preferences. By deciphering how these genes coordinate water conservation and branch growth, researchers have opened new doors for improving crop adaptability and productivity in the face of climate change.

New Chromosome Barcode System Unveils Genetic Secrets of Alfalfa

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:20:41 EST

In a recent study, scientists have developed a revolutionary chromosome identification system for alfalfa, one of the world's most economically vital forage crops.

Husker Grad Student Surveys Resilience in Nebraska's Sandhills

University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:25:21 EST

Kyle Martens has been exploring rural landscapes his entire life. Martens, originally from the Sioux City, Iowa, area and currently in his third year in the natural resource sciences doctoral program in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Natural Resources, has incorporated his passion for rural communities into his research by creating an online survey to help explore and measure resilience in Nebraska's Sandhills.

Nebraska Agricultural Land Values Decline as Farm Finances Tighten

University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:00:10 EST

Nebraska's agricultural land values decreased by 2% in the past year, with an average value of $3,935 per acre as of Feb. 1, according to preliminary findings of the University of Nebraska-Linc

D.C. Cherry Blossoms Begin First Phase of Development

George Washington University — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:20:05 EST

On average, D.C.'s beloved cherry blossoms bloom around the last week of March into the first week of April, but it can vary from year to year based on weather conditions. ...

Greylag Goose Optimization: A Game-Changer for Renewable Energy Systems

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 10:00:13 EST

A recent study has unveiled a novel strategy to boost the efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in agriculture, offering a solution to longstanding challenges. By integrating the Greylag Goose Optimization (GGO) algorithm with a seven-level inverter, the research team has achieved impressive advancements in maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and significantly reduced total harmonic distortion (THD). This innovation ensures more reliable and stable power for agricultural machinery, while also cutting operational costs and extending the lifespan of equipment.

Climate-Driven Model Transfer of Crop Classification Boosts Global Crop Mapping

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 06:10:36 EST

In a pioneering study, researchers from China Agricultural University have introduced ClimID-UDA, an unsupervised domain adaptation method that uses climate indicators to significantly improve crop classification across regions and years. By correcting spectral discrepancies in satellite image time series (SITS), the method enhances the accuracy of crop mapping without requiring ground truth from new regions, offering a scalable solution for global agricultural monitoring.

New Insights Into How High Temperatures Delay Flowering in Osmanthus Fragrans

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:05:56 EST

As global temperatures rise, the ability to understand how plants respond to heat has never been more critical. A recent study has uncovered a molecular mechanism by which elevated temperatures inhibit flowering in Osmanthus fragrans, a beloved ornamental plant. The research highlights how the OfC3H49 gene, activated by heat, suppresses flowering by inhibiting vital flowering-related genes. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of how temperature controls flowering but also paves the way for developing climate-resilient plant varieties and improving ornamental plant cultivation strategies.

Wheat Stem Sawfly Genes Editing-CRISPR

Montana BioAgriculture Inc. — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:50:34 EST

Insects, diseases, and abiotic stressors cause losses of millions of tons of wheat and cost farmers $100s of millions each year.

Unlocking the Secrets of Plant Scent: How Terpene Synthases Drive Floral Diversity

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:15:33 EST

A recent study reveals how the expansion and functional divergence of terpene synthase genes (TPSs) in flowering plants (angiosperms) have driven the astonishing diversity of terpenes--critical compounds involved in plant defense, floral scents, and fruit flavors.

Nebraska Ethanol Industry Remains Key Economic Driver, Study Shows

University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:05:36 EST

The Nebraska ethanol and co-products industry remains a significant and stable force that contributes billions of dollars to the state's economy, according to a new study from the University of N

Ohalo(r) Launches the Ohalo Strawberry Consortium: A Groundbreaking Collaboration with Industry Leaders to Develop More Flavorful Strawberries While Benefiting Farmers by Bringing Them to Market as True Seed

Ohalo Genetics, Inc — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:35:50 EST

Ohalo(r) Launches the Ohalo Strawberry Consortium: A Groundbreaking Collaboration with Industry Leaders to Develop More Flavorful Strawberries While Benefiting Farmers by Bringing Them to Market as True Seed

Circadian Rhythms in Tea Plant Microbiomes: A Key to Nutrient Cycling

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 10:55:37 EST

A groundbreaking study has uncovered a fascinating connection between the circadian rhythms of tea plants and the microbial communities in their rhizosphere, providing new insights into nutrient cycling. Researchers have found that these biological clocks not only influence microbial composition but also regulate nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. By studying two distinct tea cultivars, Longjing43 (LJ43) and Zhongcha108 (ZC108), the team discovered that fungal communities are most stable and abundant at midnight, while bacterial communities exhibit more variability. This research offers fresh perspectives on how the timing of plant activity impacts soil ecosystems, presenting opportunities for sustainable tea cultivation.

UA Little Rock Economist Awarded Nearly $750K NSF Grant to Study Water Use in Agriculture

University of Arkansas at Little Rock — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:45:33 EST

Dr. Kent Kovacs, an associate professor of accounting, economics, and finance at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has received a nearly $750,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education (RISE) to study how farmers' risk preferences impact water use during droughts.

Scientists Identify Key Gene Enhancing Citrus Survival in Cold Climates

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:25:30 EST

A pioneering study has uncovered the role of a key gene, PtrPAT1, in boosting cold tolerance in citrus plants by regulating the accumulation of glycine betaine (GB).

Yeutter Institute Experts Explain Trade Impacts on Nebraska Ag Producers

University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:40:14 EST

As international trade issues receive growing attention, it is important for Nebraskans to understand the ramifications for the state's ag sector and overall economy. The Clayton Yeutter Institut

Arsenic Detoxification: How Bacteria and Minerals Work Together

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 08:15:26 EST

A pioneering study has uncovered a novel approach to detoxifying toxic arsenic in contaminated soils, offering hope for tackling one of the world's most pressing environmental health challenges.

Interdisciplinary Research Reveals Genetic Mechanisms for Fine-Tuning Agronomic Traits in Corn

Donald Danforth Plant Science Center — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:00:00 EST

A research team led by Andrea Eveland, PhD, associate member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, has uncovered key genetic regulatory factors that control pleiotropy--a phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple traits.

UP Experts and Volunteers Spearhead First Large-Scale Magaliesberg Aloe Reintroduction

University of Pretoria — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:30:39 EST

Rare-plant experts from the University of Pretoria (UP) are spearheading the reintroduction of thousands of critically endangered Magaliesberg aloe (Aloe peglerae) seedlings into the wild. The project, supported by the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc), is the first major reintroduction effort involving an endemic South African aloe species.

A Veterinarian Who Specializes in Dairy Cows Talks About Avian Influenza

Tufts University — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:30:21 EST

David Hernke, D.V.M., V08, is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Ambulatory Medicine and Theriogenology at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, who's based in Woodstock, Connecticut with the Tufts Veterinary Field Service. The VFS is an ambulatory large animal veterinary practice that works with farms throughout New England to keep cattle, sheep, and other animals healthy.