Agriculture News and Research

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Study examines factors that drive water withdrawals in U.S. agriculture, food production

Climate change and a growing world population require efficient use of natural resources. Water is a crucial component in food production, and water management strategies are needed to support worldwide changes in food consumption and dietary patterns.

17 Nov 2020

Biochar holds promise for removing contaminants from wastewater

Biochar -- a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste products -- holds promise for removing emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals from treated wastewater.

17 Nov 2020

New research uncovers vital link in complex biochemical pathway for saponin synthesis

Many plants, including legumes, make naturally occurring chemicals called saponins. For example, the medicinal plant licorice produces the saponin glycyrrhizin, a potent natural sweetener that also has antiviral and other pharmacological activity. Soyasaponins, found in soybeans, have anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties.

From Osaka University 17 Nov 2020

ETH researchers investigate impact of nitrogen pollution and crop yields

The world is awash with nitrogen. In agriculture, nitrogen is used as a fertilizer to increase output, but this causes one of the biggest environmental problems of our time.

16 Nov 2020

New report provides a comprehensive analysis of Australia's changing climate

Continued warming of Australia’s climate, an increase in extreme fire weather and length of the fire season, declining rainfall in the southeast and southwest of the continent, and rising sea levels are some of the key trends detailed in the latest State of the Climate report, released today by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO.

16 Nov 2020

Biodegradable alternative could reduce use of microplastics

University of Bath spin-out company Naturbeads has been awarded funding to develop their biodegradable alternative to plastic microbeads that could cut the use of microplastics in a range of industries including pharmaceutical, chemical and cosmetics.

From University of Bath 12 Nov 2020

A review on innovative techniques and methodologies to complement plant control

Cultivators and livestock farmers are increasingly arranging innovative technical and scientific estimations with the aim to enhance agricultural sustainability, effectiveness, and plant health.

12 Nov 2020

Crop diversification leads to ecosystem improvements without compromising yields

A new study shows diversifying agricultural systems beyond a narrow selection of crops leads to a range of ecosystem improvements while also maintaining or improving yields.

11 Nov 2020

New technology could optimize apple production

A Cornell-led, multi-institution team of plant scientists, engineers, economists and outreach agents seeks to use computer vision, automation and robotics to optimize per-tree apple production, which is currently a highly manual and imprecise process.

11 Nov 2020

Vegan diet can increase risk of iodine deficiency

Those following a vegan diet have an increased risk of iodine deficiency. This is indicated by the results of a research project from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

11 Nov 2020

Most valuable ecosystems are facing "triple threat" to their survival

Some of the world's most valuable ecosystems are facing a "triple threat" to their long-term durability and survival, new research shows.

From University of Exeter 11 Nov 2020

New study explores the effects of nuclear war on wild-catch marine fisheries

After a nuclear war, wild-catch marine fisheries will not offset the loss of food grown on land, especially if widespread overfishing continues, according to a Rutgers co-authored study.

From Rutgers University 10 Nov 2020

Less diverse croplands lead to greater variability in pesticide use

As agriculture in the United States evolves, it's becoming more intensive and less complex. That means larger fields, more cropland and less crop diversity with fewer crops in rotation.

10 Nov 2020

Fruit and vegetable supply in the UK relies on imports from climate-vulnerable countries

The UK's supply of fruit and vegetables has become increasingly reliant on imports from countries vulnerable to climate change, according to a new study in Nature Food.

10 Nov 2020

AM fungi can be grown asymbiotically through myristate

Scientists around the world have been working to grow arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi without their host plants because they can be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture and forestry.

10 Nov 2020

No-tillage system helps maintain soil health and prevent erosion

Organic field crop farmers in the Northeast and Upper Midwest are facing an increasing number of challenges related to more extreme weather events and pest and disease outbreaks.

9 Nov 2020

Species-rich plant communities can limit herbivore pest outbreaks

Increasing plant diversity enhances the natural control of insect herbivory in grasslands. Species-rich plant communities support natural predators and simultaneously provide less valuable food for herbivores.

9 Nov 2020

Study analyzes changes in geographical range under different climate and socio-economic scenarios

Mammals, birds and amphibians worldwide have lost on average 18% of their natural habitat range as a result of changes in land use and climate change, a new study has found. In a worst-case scenario this loss could increase to 23% over the next 80 years.

9 Nov 2020

Study shows five strategies to mitigate climate change

Reducing fossil fuel use is essential to stopping climate change, but that goal will remain out of reach unless global agriculture and eating habits are also transformed, according to new research from the University of Minnesota and University of Oxford.

6 Nov 2020

Scientists develop machine learning algorithms to determine oil viscosity

A group of Skoltech scientists developed machine learning (ML) algorithms that can teach artificial intelligence (AI) to determine oil viscosity based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data.

6 Nov 2020