Agriculture
Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’
Team cracks mystery of how plants ‘do the twist’ Researchers have cracked the mystery of how plants “do the twist” by growing twisted organs, such as roots that skew hard right or left to avoid obstacles. The team found that a change in gene expression in the plant epidermis, rather than a full null mutation, […]
🔬 Science
Farmers – long Trump backers – bear the costs of new tariffs, restricted immigration and slashed renewable energy subsidies
Farmers – long Trump backers – bear the costs of new tariffs, restricted immigration and slashed renewable energy subsidies Farmers who have long supported Donald Trump are facing significant economic challenges due to new tariffs, restricted immigration, and slashed renewable energy subsidies. The revived US-China trade conflict has led to a sharp decline in soybean […]
🏛️ Politics
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus a Chinese scientist pleaded guilty to smuggling into the US?
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus a Chinese scientist pleaded guilty to smuggling into the US? Fusarium graminearum is a common fungal plant pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight (scab) in barley and wheat, as well as damage to rice and corn ears and stalks. The fungus produces a mycotoxin called vomitoxin, which can harm […]
📰 News
How plants decide when to flower
How plants decide when to flower Researchers at Michigan State University have uncovered the molecular mechanism that allows plants to sense phosphorus deficiency and delay flowering, a survival strategy that could inspire new ways to breed crops for low-fertility soils. The discovery reveals a phosphorus-dependent switch inside plant cells that reprograms their development when nutrients […]
🔬 Science
Democratizing AI-driven agriculture
Democratizing AI-driven agriculture Agricultural productivity can be boosted by AI-driven techniques, including increased yields, reduced losses, and lower input costs. However, these techniques have seen limited adoption due to high costs of manual data collection. The main barrier to adoption is the lack of affordable connectivity solutions for farmers. AI-driven agriculture has the potential to […]
💻 Technology
Agricultural drones are taking off globally, saving farmers time and money
Agricultural drones are taking off globally, saving farmers time and money Agricultural drones have become increasingly popular globally, transforming the way people grow food and saving farmers time and money. The use of agricultural drones has spread rapidly around the world, with China leading the way in terms of adoption and manufacturing. Other middle-income countries […]
💻 Technology
How a devastating grape pest is reshaping vineyards across Colorado’s Western Slope
How a devastating grape pest is reshaping vineyards across Colorado’s Western Slope Colorado’s $3.9 billion wine industry is under threat from grape phylloxera, a devastating aphid-like insect that attacks grapevines and causes severe damage to roots. The infestation was first discovered in 2016 in Mesa County, Colorado, and has since spread to over 350 vineyard […]
📰 News
2025-2026 DWU: Middle School Aviation Challenge
2025-2026 DWU: Middle School Aviation Challenge The NASA Dream with Us: Middle School Aviation Challenge is open to students in grades 6-8 and focuses on integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into the agriculture industry. The challenge aims to improve agricultural areas such as crop monitoring, production, resilience to pests and disease, weather, harvest, and other […]
🔬 Science
‘These people do it naturally’: President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of how farming has been idealized and practiced in America
‘These people do it naturally’: President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of how farming has been idealized and practiced in America President Trump’s views on immigrant farmworkers reflect a long history of idealizing farming in America, where farmers have often contrasted their own virtuous and independent lifestyle with the reality that […]
🏛️ Politics
Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication
Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication Genomics can help insect farmers avoid pitfalls of domestication by anticipating and addressing potential issues early on. Insect domestication, like other forms of domestication, comes with unique challenges, including the loss of immune abilities and increased susceptibility to disease in a homogeneous population. The use of […]
🔬 Science