Newswise Feature Channel: Agriculture

Coffee Too Weak? Try This!

American Institute of Physics (AIP) — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:00:00 EST

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have worked to optimize the use of coffee grounds in pour-over coffee and present their suggestions in Physics of Fluids.

Innovation at Work: Helping Iowa Farmers Uncover Greater Gains, Success with Sustainability

Iowa State University — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:20:12 EST

As a trusted partner, Iowa State University is helping Iowa farmers -- including AJ and Kellie Blair, fourth-generation farmers near Dayton, Iowa -- cultivate their future success through collaborative research.

Engineers Using 'Digital Twins' to Improve Agriculture, Health, Manufacturing and More

Iowa State University — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:35:52 EST

Iowa State researchers are building "digital twins" that are regularly updated with data from their physical twins. A national committee said digital twins have "immense promise in accelerating scientific discovery and revolutionizing industries."

Electrochemical Method Supports Nitrogen Circular Economy

Washington University in St. Louis — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:35:30 EST

A new approach developed by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis converts nitrogen waste into valuable chemical product.

Cover Crops Provide an Often-Overlooked Reduction in Soil Carbon Erosion, Study Finds

Iowa State University — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:10:56 EST

Planting ground cover in fields between cash crop growing seasons is an effective way to prevent farmland from losing soil carbon from erosion, a factor that's underestimated in considering the carbon sequestration potential of cover crops, according to a new study by an Iowa State University ecologist.

From Flavonoids to Stilbenoids: CRISPR Unlocks a New Path for Natural Resveratrol

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:40:25 EST

A recent study showcases the power of CRISPR gene editing to significantly boost the production of resveratrol, a plant-derived compound with numerous health benefits. Researchers successfully targeted a key gene in grape cells, redirecting the plant's metabolic pathways to prioritize resveratrol production. As a result, engineered grape cells produced over four times more resveratrol than normal, providing a potential solution to the challenges of sourcing this valuable molecule. This innovative method could revolutionize the availability of resveratrol for use in supplements, medicines, and functional foods, and could also serve as a model for increasing the production of other beneficial plant compounds.

Moja Gabedi: From Waste to a Thriving Community Engagement Hub

University of Pretoria — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 19:45:27 EST

What was once an eyesore is now a lush urban garden, a centre for student learning and a safe, green haven for the local community.

Biobreeding Technology Enables Rapid Development of Golden Grass Carp Germplasm

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:20:48 EST

This study achieved CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), China's most economically vital freshwater fish. Targeting the tyrb gene critical for pigmentation were performed. Mutations confirmed by sequencing caused a golden phenotype with melanophore reduction. Using multiple gRNAs enhanced mutation rates (88.9%) and triggered large DNA deletions.

Expert Explains Consequences of Tariffs for Virginia Agriculture

Virginia Tech — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 21:15:52 EST

Virginia farms could face economic consequences because of tariffs imposed by the United States on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, and because of tariffs imposed on U.S. goods by those countries in return. Virginia Tech agricultural trade policy analyst Xi He shared an overview of the challenges that the commonwealth's agricultural industry might have to anticipate and navigate.

Decoding Fungal Virulence: The Role of Chromatin Structure in Postharvest Pathogens

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:20:22 EST

A recent study has shed light on the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of Penicillium expansum, the fungal culprit behind blue mold disease in fruits. By mapping chromatin accessibility at different growth stages, researchers identified key regulatory elements and a critical transcription factor, PeAtf1, which governs fungal growth, stress response, and pathogenicity.

Unlocking the Genetic Secrets of Olive Tree Flowering: A Key to Climate Adaptation

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:05:08 EST

A recent study has unveiled the genetic blueprint behind flowering time in olive trees, a crucial trait for fruit production that is increasingly under threat from climate change. By analyzing 318 olive genotypes from across the Mediterranean, researchers identified key genetic loci governing flowering time, shedding light on the complex polygenic control of this trait.

H5N1 Bird Flu Mutates to Better Hijack Human Cells, New UNC Charlotte Study Shows

University of North Carolina at Charlotte — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:30:49 EST

The latest CIPHER research on H5N1 viral lineages could have major implications for vaccine development.

BPUM Model: Accurate Crop Identification 1-2 Months in Advance

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 07:35:53 EST

A recent study introduces a groundbreaking method for early crop identification, leveraging the Bayesian Probability Update Model (BPUM). This innovative approach combines historical planting data with real-time remote sensing observations, enabling accurate predictions of crop distribution 1-2 months ahead.

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American Chemical Society (ACS) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 19:20:13 EST

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'Too Much of a Good Thing': Overuse Is Making Bt Corn Less Effective Against Rootworm

Iowa State University — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:55:21 EST

Widespread planting of corn hybrids designed to combat corn rootworm, the crop's most damaging pest in the Corn Belt, is reducing both the technology's effectiveness and some farmers' profits, according to a new study of 12 years of field trials across 10 corn-growing states.

Traditional Breeding Falls Short in Boosting Soybean Photosynthesis

Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) Project — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:00:09 EST

A RIPE team from the University of Illinois has determined that improving a crucial component of soybean photosynthesis is unlikely to come from traditional breeding methods, and that gene editing could be the key to unlocking soybean potential. Their work was published in The Plant Journal

Understanding Stressors Female Farmers Face

University of Georgia — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:45:26 EST

Recent research from the University of Georgia College of Public Health sheds light on the stressors female farm owners and managers face -- challenges that can be overlooked in broader studies of agricultural well-being.

New Research Reveals Secrets About Locust Swarm Movement

Texas A&M AgriLife — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:05:35 EST

New research published in Science is reshaping our understanding of one of nature's most stunning yet destructive phenomena -- massive locust swarms moving together.

Unlocking the Genetic Secrets of Alfalfa Roots for Higher Yields

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:40:32 EST

In a major scientific advancement, researchers have decoded the genetic foundation of root system architecture (RSA) in alfalfa, a critical determinant of crop productivity and drought resilience. By analyzing six key root traits in 171 alfalfa genotypes, the team identified 60 significant genetic markers and 19 high-confidence candidate genes influencing root development.

Guardianes del vinedo: la lucha de los canes y la quimica contra el oidio

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Sun, 23 Mar 2025 05:00:00 EST

Los investigadores estan analizando sustancias quimicas volatiles que provienen de las hojas de parra infectadas por el hongo oidio con el objetivo de mejorar el entrenamiento de los canes de los vinedos. Presentaran sus resultados en el encuentro de primavera de 2025 de la ACS.