In a changing climate, corn growers need to be ready for anything, including new and shifting disease dynamics. Because it’s impossible to predict which damaging disease will pop up in a given year, corn with resistance to multiple diseases would be a huge win for growers.
Tag: Farming
Researchers find pre-Columbian agave plants persisting in Arizona landscapes
A new paper in the Annals of Botany, published by Oxford University Press, reveals that researchers have found unaltered agave plant species cultivated by several early cultures including the Hohokam people, a large Native American group in the Southwest that existed between 300 and 1500 CE.
Record $80 million grant to fund pilot program encouraging the implementation of climate-smart practices on farms
With the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture, which is now underway, Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will distribute more than $57 million of the largest grant in the university’s history to producers to enact climate-friendly practices and serve as a pilot program for a national model.
Whole Orchard Recycling Provides Alternative to Burning Trees
Whole orchard recycling is an alternative process for disposing of trees at the end of their productive lives. Researchers are studying how this process may also help improve nitrogen in soils. Hear a microbiologist explain whole orchard recycling on the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory’s Bonding Over Science podcast.
Ohio’s droughts are worse than often recognized, study finds
A new type of analysis suggests that droughts in Ohio were more severe from 2000 to 2019 than standard measurements have suggested.
To Cut Global Emissions, Replace Meat and Milk with Plant-Based Alternatives
Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land, according to new research in Nature Communications journal.
The Future of Farming Looks Bright
Three years ago, administrative and faculty leaders at the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station created a “beginner farmer” training program for people new to farming to address two related challenges: the aging of New Jersey farmers and the inexperience of many drawn to the profession.
Researcher working to add value to wool by localizing sheep farm-to-fiber production
At a time when wool production in the Mountain State is declining, West Virginia University Extension and Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design researchers are exploring new ways to support sheep farmers and wool producers in the region.
New Research Suggests Wheat Crops May Be Threatened by Unprecedented Heat and Drought
A recent study led by a researcher at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University found that the likelihood of extreme temperatures that could affect crop yields has increased significantly in wheat-producing regions of the U.S. and China.
Poultry pests nipping at farmers’ bottom line
A research team has taken a dive deep into the biology and integrated pest management of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), a species of darkling beetle that wreaks havoc on poultry farms.
Researchers want to use ‘biochar’ to combat climate change
A new review of research suggests that the nature-based technology biochar – a carbon-rich material – could be an important tool to use in agriculture to help mitigate climate change.
The number of the world’s farms to halve by 2100, study shows
New University of Colorado Boulder research shows the number of farms globally will shrink in half as the size of the average existing farms doubles by the end of the 21st century, posing significant risks to the world’s food systems.
Winter cover crops could reduce nitrogen in Illinois drainage water by 30%
As Corn Belt states seek ways to curb nitrogen flow from farms into the Gulf of Mexico, new University of Illinois research adds evidence for winter cover crops as an important part of the solution. A simulation study published in Science of the Total Environment finds widespread planting of cereal rye in Illinois could reduce nitrate in the state’s tile drainage water by 30%.
Developing countries pay the highest price for living with large carnivores
A team of researchers has highlighted human-wildlife conflict as one of the globe’s most pressing human development and conservation dilemmas. New research published in Communications Biology looked at 133 countries where 18 large carnivores ranged, and found that a person farming with cattle in developing countries such as Kenya, Uganda or India were up to eight times more economically vulnerable than those living in developed economies such as Sweden, Norway or the U.S.
Multistate project aims to diversify Corn Belt
With a five-year, $10 million federal grant, a team of researchers from Iowa, Indiana and Illinois are working to plant the seeds for greater crop diversity in the Midwest.
Mental health support for farmers needs radical overhaul, say researchers
Mental health services in rural areas need urgent attention to ensure the needs of farmers are properly met, according to researchers.
Soil sensor yields beneficial information for farmers
Electrical conductivity sensors were able to predict soil texture – especially at different depths – and correlated with corn yield data
Considerations of soil health on farms across regions of the United States
Symposium will feature presentations about studies in the south, west, north and Pacific Northwest regarding land management and farming
A new alliance: Corn with tillers work well together in restrictive environments
Field experiments finds that tillers improve corn’s resilience to environmental conditions in Argentina without negatively impacting yield
As Winters Warm, Nutrient Pollution Threatens 40% of U.S.
Scientists are ringing alarm bells about a significant new threat to U.S. water quality: as winters warm due to climate change, they are unleashing large amounts of nutrient pollution into lakes, rivers, and streams.
The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution—unlocked by rising winter temperatures and rainfall—is putting water quality at risk in 40% of the contiguous U.S., including over 40 states.
Why is pennycress a good cover crop?
Pennycress serves as viable alternative to traditional cover crops
They’re green, clean, and serene. Learn about the latest research on plants in the Plants channel
The latest research on plants brought to you by Newswise.
Root-farming gophers might be our closest agricultural relatives
Scientists have discovered that gophers harvest crops of roots for food, making the rodents the only other mammal known to farm.
CU Social Innovation Hub – Driving Social Science Research towards Social Innovation, Raising the Community’s Quality of Life, Meeting Social Needs
Chula reveals the success of CU SiHub as an incubator for faculty members, researchers, and students to drive research in the social sciences, arts and humanities to create social innovation businesses and social enterprises toward a sustainable society.
Tracking weeds to stop them in their tracks
Weeds like Palmer amaranth can spread by seeds that end up in livestock feed. A new method helps track contaminated manure so farmers can fend off this pest
Uncovering best practices for cover crops to optimize production
Research findings point to benefits of ‘planting green’
Spanish degree takes Iowa State senior on global adventures
What was supposed to be a one-off summer job as a farmhand in high school turned into a lifelong passion for agriculture that led Adam Bittner to Iowa State, to a Spanish degree and to travels around the globe.
Finding the best lentil varieties for every farm
A recent study measured how environmental factors and plant genetics come together to influence lentil yields and nutritional content
Sesame cultivation: expansion versus temperature stress
Increasing genetic diversity protects against total crop failure
Why mix varieties of wheat in a field?
Increasing genetic diversity protects against total crop failure
Measuring nitrogen in green manures
Finding ways to determine nitrogen levels will help breeders help farmers
Hemp goes ‘hot’ due to genetics, not environmental stress
A new Cornell University study debunks misinformation on websites and in news articles that claim that environmental or biological stresses – such as flooding or disease – cause an increase in THC production in hemp plants.
Balancing nitrogen for sunflowers
Sunflowers need nitrogen to survive, but too much can decrease the quality of seeds
New centre to train experts in crop resilience
University of Adelaide experts are part of a new research centre that will train the next generation of scientists to develop more resilient crops.
Tomato production 101: Distinctions beyond the “fruit or vegetable” debate
What’s the current research on our favorite BLT ingredient?
Microbes promote lima bean growth
Researchers identify which lima bean inoculants provide economical and environmental benefits
The big potential of little millet
Overlooked little millet is a promising grain for our future climate. New research shows which varieties perform the best.
Farm marketing success linked to natural, cultural assets
Farmers markets and roadside stands are more successful in communities with more nonprofits, social enterprises and creative industries, according to a new Cornell University study.
The best bioenergy crops for the North Carolina Piedmont
Research shows options with high yield and low water use
$10M grant funds study of dairy’s carbon footprint
A new $10 million grant aims to help the U.S. dairy industry become at least carbon neutral while supporting farmer livelihoods – providing important insight for New York state, which ranks fourth in milk production nationwide.
Tile drainage impacts yield and nitrogen
Draining waterlogged farm fields helps crops but can leach nitrogen into waterways. A three-decade-long experiment is helping farmers strike the right balance.
Sustainable Agronomy Conference expands virtual format
Fourth annual conference offers free registration for the 6-week series.
Bioreactors chip away at nitrogen pollution
A recent study shows bioreactors effectively remove nitrogen over time
Maximizing returns from double-crop soybean
Updated research will help farmers choose maturity group and seeding rate for double-crop soybeans
From farm to plate: Where do global consumer dollars flow?
A team of researchers, led by Cornell University professors Chris Barrett and Miguel Gómez, has developed the “Global Food Dollar” method, which distributes the consumer’s net purchasing dollar across all farm and post-farmgate activities.
Is carbon the ‘crop’ of the future?
An increasing awareness and concern about the environment, changes in government policy, America’s re-entry into the Paris Agreement and a robust demand for carbon offsets all point toward an appetite for a different type of agricultural crop – carbon.
Grant expands Cornell efforts to reach New York farmworkers
As COVID-19 bore down on New York state, the Cornell Farmworker Program used mobile phone technology to provide rapid guidance and clear health information in multiple languages to the state’s farmworkers. Now, new federal funding will expand the program and further integrate the initiative with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE).
Why is it important to increase genetic diversity in crops, especially in soybean?
U.S. soybean breeding programs have slowed as current varieties are too closely related
Benefits of wheat in corn-soybean crop rotations
Adding wheat can boost yields, increase economic return, and improve soil
Building better beans to fight food insecurity
As climate change heats up the air and land making them hotter and dryer, warmer nighttime temperatures make it more difficult to grow beans — a critical source of protein for populations. Researchers are working against this to build more resilient beans.