Feature Channels: Agriculture

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Released: 1-Oct-2013 4:15 PM EDT
Protecting the Weedy and Wild Kin of Globally Important Crops
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

As more and more people recognize the importance of the wild relatives of crop plants to agriculture and food security, interest in cataloging and conserving these plants is building around the world. At the annual meetings of the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America on Nov. 3-6, 2013, two speakers will describe the latest efforts to identify and protect the wild relatives of domesticated crop plants both in the United States and abroad.

Released: 30-Sep-2013 5:00 PM EDT
ASU Researchers Developing Sustainable Ways to Manage Locust Outbreaks Worldwide
Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Locust swarms may seem like a distant chapter from history, but these devastating insects still present a major threat in today’s world. A team of scientists from Arizona State, Colorado State, McGill and Yale universities are launching a new collaborative project to learn how human behavior, market forces and ecological systems interact over time to affect the outcomes of locust swarms.

Released: 27-Sep-2013 9:50 AM EDT
The Brown Revolution: A Sustainable Response to the Global Food Crisis and Viable Options for the Small Scale Farmer
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

The Brown Revolution-rebuilding soil ecology-is helping farmers feed communities. The methods restore land depleted from overuse, and are easily replicated in various geographic areas.

Released: 26-Sep-2013 12:00 PM EDT
Antibiotic Resistance in Agricultural Environments: A Call to Action
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Antibiotic resistant (ABR) pathogens are an emerging, critical human health issue. ABR has been found in soils dating back for millennia. Current research illustrates the need for considering natural, background resistance in soils in any scientific study examining the effects of antibiotics on the environment.

Released: 25-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Poisonous Mushrooms Pose Danger as More People Forage for Locally Grown Food, Rutgers Experts Say
Rutgers University

Nationwide, thousands are sickened—some seriously—and many die after consuming mushrooms they picked in the wild that they did not know were poisonous. Rutgers experts explain how to keep people and animals safe.

Released: 24-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Time to Rethink Misguided Policies That Promote Biofuels to Protect Climate
University of Michigan

Policymakers need to rethink the idea of promoting biofuels to protect the climate because the methods used to justify such policies are inherently flawed, according to a University of Michigan energy researcher.

Released: 23-Sep-2013 1:15 PM EDT
Modifying Rice Crops to Resist Herbicide Prompts Weedy Neighbors’ Growth Spurt
Ohio State University

Rice containing an overactive gene that makes it resistant to a common herbicide can pass that genetic trait to weedy rice, prompting powerful growth even without a weed-killer to trigger the modification benefit, new research shows.

Released: 20-Sep-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Virginia Tech Researchers Reveal Why Traumatized Trees Don't 'Bleed' to Death
Virginia Tech

Researchers from Virginia Tech, the Georg-August University of Gottingen, Germany, and the Jackson Laboratory of Bar Harbor, Maine, have used a special type of microscope to discover how “check valves” in wood cells control sap flow and protect trees when they are injured.

Released: 17-Sep-2013 11:00 AM EDT
Urban Agriculture: The Potential and Challenges of Producing Food in Cities
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

In light of their many benefits, urban gardens are popping up across the nation. But the challenges growers face must be understood and addressed if urban gardens are to become widespread and even profitable.

Released: 17-Sep-2013 9:30 AM EDT
Virginia Tech Researchers Help People in Remote Africa Respond to Diarrheal Disease
Virginia Tech

Researchers with Virginia Tech and the University of Florida undertook a study of diarrheal disease outbreaks in Botswana that relied only on the use of a simple questionnaire and existing hospital staff and infrastructure.

Released: 13-Sep-2013 5:00 PM EDT
Model Organism Gone Wild​​
Washington University in St. Louis

Some wild clones of social amoebas farm the bacteria they eat, but this is a losing strategy if nonfarming amoebas can steal the farmers’ crops. To make the strategy work, the farmers also carry bacteria that secrete chemicals that poison free riders. The work suggest farming is complex evolutionary adaptation that requires additional strategies, such as recruiting third parties, to effectively defend and privatize the crops, the Washington University in St. Louis scientists say.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
New ‘Heroes of Chemistry’ Developed Products That Improve Health and Protect Food Supply
American Chemical Society (ACS)

The scientists responsible for four inventions that affect the lives of millions of people around the globe will be inducted into the highly prized scientific “Hall of Fame” today as the latest Heroes of Chemistry chosen by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

Released: 4-Sep-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Wheat Research Indicates Rise in Mean Temperature Would Cut Yields
Kansas State University Research and Extension

Wheat producers know that growing a healthy, high-yielding wheat crop takes skill and hard work. Quality drought-tolerant varieties that are resistant to pests and disease are important. And cooperation from Mother Nature in terms of temperature and precipitation doesn’t hurt, either. To quantify the impact of genetic improvement in wheat, disease and climate change over a 26-year period, a team of researchers at Kansas State University examined wheat variety yield data from Kansas performance tests, along with location-specific weather and disease data.

Released: 3-Sep-2013 3:00 PM EDT
Ease of Access Improves Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs may be a feasible approach for providing fresh fruits and vegetables to under-resourced communities.

Released: 27-Aug-2013 3:55 PM EDT
Profiles in Sustainable Food Technology
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)

The world population is slated to reach nine billion by the year 2050 and with the demands of a growing population comes the need for a sustainable food supply. The August issue of Food Technology magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) includes an article about the SAI Platform (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative), a global initiative helping food and drink companies achieve sustainable production and sourcing of raw agricultural materials.

23-Aug-2013 6:00 PM EDT
Study Forecasts Future Water Levels of Crucial Agricultural Aquifer
Kansas State University

A study focuses on future availability of groundwater in the High Plains Aquifer. It finds that if current irrigation trends continue, 69 percent of the groundwater stored in the aquifer will be depleted in 50 years.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Substance That Gives Grapefruit Its Flavor and Aroma Could Give Insect Pests the Boot
American Chemical Society (ACS)

The citrus flavor and aroma of grapefruit — already used in fruit juices, citrus-flavored beverages, and prestige perfumes and colognes — may be heading for a new use in battling mosquitoes, ticks, head lice and bedbugs thanks to a less expensive way of making large amounts of the once rare and pricey ingredient, a scientist said here today at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Progress and Challenges for Reinventing Food Packaging for Sustainability
American Chemical Society (ACS)

Nature has provided the food industry with the perfect packages to imitate in the drive to embrace a new genre of sustainable packaging material, according to a presentation on the topic here today. Speaking at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, Sara Risch, Ph.D., said that new packaging materials must meet the criteria for being sustainable without sacrificing the security, freshness and visibility of the food inside.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
New Weapons on the Way to Battle Wicked Weeds
American Chemical Society (ACS)

A somber picture of the struggle against super-weeds emerged here today as scientists described the relentless spread of herbicide-resistant menaces like pigweed and horseweed that shrug off powerful herbicides and have forced farmers in some areas to return to hand-held hoes. The reports on herbicide resistance and its challenges to modern agriculture were part of a symposium at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Scientific Symposium Today on Healthful Antioxidants in Plant-Based Foods
American Chemical Society (ACS)

With millions of people tailoring their diets to include more healthful antioxidants — and these “polyphenols” getting tremendous attention among nutritionists, food scientists and physicians — the world’s largest scientific society today is holding a symposium on that topic today at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Edible Coatings for Ready-to-Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
American Chemical Society (ACS)

The scientist who turned fresh-cut apple slices into a popular convenience food, available ready-to-eat in grocery stores, school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants, today described advances in keeping other foods fresh, flavorful, and safe for longer periods of time through the use of invisible, colorless, odorless, tasteless coatings. The overview of these edible films was part of the 246 National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
The Real Reason to Worry About Bees
American Chemical Society (ACS)

Honey bees should be on everyone’s worry list, and not because of the risk of a nasty sting, an expert on the health of those beneficial insects said here today at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society. Despite years of intensive research, scientists do not understand the cause, nor can they provide remedies, for what is killing honey bees.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
New Research Provides Early Indications That Recycled Sewage Water Is Safe for Crop Irrigation
American Chemical Society (ACS)

The first study under realistic field conditions has found reassuringly low levels of chemicals from pharmaceuticals and personal care products in crops irrigated with recycled sewage water, scientists reported here today at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
21st Century Vision Toxicity Testing and Risk Assessment for Agrochemicals
American Chemical Society (ACS)

How will emerging 21st century toxicity testing technologies impact agricultural products?  How do they fit in the life cycle of discovery, regulatory registration and product defense or product stewardship? What’s the outlook for improved, science-informed hazard prediction and risk assessment? Those and other topics are on the agenda here today at a symposium during the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

26-Aug-2013 7:00 AM EDT
Science Supporting Abundant, Nourishing Food for a Growing Civilization
American Chemical Society (ACS)

The diets of people in North America shed almost 1.5 billion pounds of unhealthy saturated and trans fat over the last six years thanks to a new phase in the agricultural revolution, an expert said here today. In an interview before his address at the 246th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, Daniel Kittle, Ph.D., cited the achievement as part of an expanded mission for agricultural science and biotechnology.

Released: 20-Aug-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Study Finds PHS Gene That Prevents Wheat From Sprouting
Kansas State University

Researchers have found and cloned a gene that prevents wheat from preharvest sprouting. The finding will to be most beneficial to white wheat production, which loses $1 billion annually.

Released: 1-Aug-2013 2:00 PM EDT
Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to taste SnapDragon and RubyFrost
Cornell University

After years of development and consumer testing as “NY1” and “NY2” Cornell University and New York Apple Growers have given the hottest new apples in the Empire State names worthy of their unique assets: SnapDragon and RubyFrost.

Released: 31-Jul-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Texas Tech Researchers Find Surprising Result when Looking Into Effects of Carbon Nanotubes and Soil Sorption of Toxicants
Texas Tech University

When it comes to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the soil, recent research at Texas Tech University shows that the new materials do not affect the sorption of the toxic part of oil called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Released: 31-Jul-2013 1:00 AM EDT
Sustainable Vegetable Gardening Takes Root at Michigan Tech
Michigan Technological University

Students and staff at Michigan Tech are tending a sustainable vegetable garden in a residence hall courtyard. They're doing it without chemicals, and they're putting garden-fresh produce on dining hall tables.

Released: 24-Jul-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Researchers Combatting Food Security Issues by Educating Teachers
Kansas State University

Teachers spent three weeks at Kansas State University learning inquiry, a form of teaching that will make science and agriculture more exciting so students will become interested at a young age.

Released: 17-Jul-2013 11:15 AM EDT
Maize Trade Disruption Could Have Global Ramifications
Society for Risk Analysis (SRA)

Analyzing the maize trade among 217 nations suggests that if U.S. maize exports are disrupted due to environmental or other factors, supplies and food security in many nations could be jeopardized due to the bilateral nature of trade patterns.

Released: 9-Jul-2013 1:00 PM EDT
The Upside of Inflammation: Kansas State University Study Finds Surprising Benefits
Kansas State University Research and Extension

The word "inflammation" typically has a negative connotation. Arthritis ... infection ... numerous maladies come to mind. But a Kansas State University researcher found that inflammation that occurs naturally in dairy cows the first few days after giving birth may play a surprisingly beneficial role in the complex process of going from late pregnancy to lactation.

Released: 5-Jul-2013 11:00 AM EDT
To Feed the Future, Mine the Wealth of the World’s Seed Banks Today
Cornell University

With fewer than a dozen flowering plants out of 300,000 species accounting for 80 percent of humanity’s caloric intake, people need to tap unused plants to feed the world in the near future, claims Cornell University plant geneticist Susan McCouch in the Comment feature of the July 4 issue of Nature.

1-Jul-2013 11:15 AM EDT
Workers at Industrial Farms Carry Drug-Resistant Bacteria Associated with Livestock
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

A new study found drug-resistant bacteria associated with livestock in the noses of industrial livestock workers in North Carolina but not in the noses of antibiotic-free livestock workers. The drug-resistant bacteria examined were Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as “Staph,” which include the well-known bug MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).

Released: 2-Jul-2013 9:30 AM EDT
Corn Yield Prediction Model Uses Simple Measurements at a Specific Growth Stage
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

A new study describes a robust corn yield prediction model that could help both growers and industry maximize their profits and efficiency.

27-Jun-2013 6:00 PM EDT
Genomic Atlas of Gene Switches in Plants Provides Roadmap for Crop Research
McGill University

Canadian-led study will help scientists identify key genomic regions in canola, other food plants.

Released: 28-Jun-2013 5:00 PM EDT
Cropland Map of the World to Be Most Detailed Ever
Northern Arizona University

A project funded by NASA will make use of existing satellite imagery to produce the first-ever global survey of croplands.

Released: 28-Jun-2013 10:50 AM EDT
Survey Shows Increase in Resistance to Drug Therapies Among Bovine Respiratory Disease Cases
Kansas State University Research and Extension

An increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria that cause pneumonia in cattle prompted scientists at the Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to survey records of pneumonia (also called bovine respiratory disease or BRD) cases over a three-year period. They discovered that drug resistance in one of the primary pathogens that cause BRD, Mannheimia haemolytica, increased over the three-year period 2009 to 2011.

27-Jun-2013 11:35 AM EDT
Resistance Gene Found Against Ug99 Wheat Stem Rust Pathogen
Kansas State University

Scientists have identified a gene that gives wheat plants resistance to one of the most deadly races of the wheat stem rust pathogen, called Ug99.

Released: 24-Jun-2013 9:05 AM EDT
Farming Carbon: Study Reveals Potent Carbon-Storage Potential of Man-Made Wetlands
American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

The goal of restoring or creating wetlands on agricultural lands is almost always to remove nutrients and improve water quality. But new research shows that constructed marshes also excel at pulling carbon dioxide from the air and holding it long-term in soil, suggesting that farmers and landowners may also want to build wetlands to "farm" carbon.

Released: 19-Jun-2013 3:00 PM EDT
Book Explores the Dark Side of Biotech
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Biotechnology has held out the promise of genetically engineered seeds that provide bountiful crops while keeping the weeds at bay. However, using these seeds raises many ecological, ethical, political, issues.

18-Jun-2013 10:00 AM EDT
Rice Blast Research Reveals Details on How a Fungus Invades Plants
Kansas State University Research and Extension

Like a stealthy enemy, blast disease invades rice crops around the world, killing plants and cutting production of one of the most important global food sources. Now, a study by an international team of researchers sheds light on how the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae, invades plant tissue. The finding is a step toward learning how to control the disease, which by some estimates destroys enough rice to feed 60 million people annually.

Released: 13-Jun-2013 5:00 PM EDT
Farmworkers Feel the Heat Even When They Leave the Fields
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers conducted a study to evaluate the heat indexes in migrant farmworker housing and found that a majority of the workers don’t get a break from the heat when they’re off the clock.

Released: 12-Jun-2013 4:00 PM EDT
Taking Back the Yard: Dealing with Invasive Plants
Saint Joseph's University

There’s nothing more frustrating for gardeners than discovering that their well-planned plots or rolling lawns have been infiltrated by invasive plant species, the perennial marauders of the back yard set. While many people panic and immediately start yanking or mowing the intruders when they first make their appearance, gardening expert Karen Snetselaar, Ph.D., chair and professor of biology at Saint Joseph’s University, advises that it’s best to investigate the plant that’s choking your columbines or blighting your lawn before complicating the problem with an errant course of action.



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