Newswise Feature Channel: Agriculture

Unlocking peach growth mysteries: a new gene analysis method

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 19:05:50 EST

In a notable advancement, scientists have developed an efficient gene functional analysis method for peach seedlings, overcoming longstanding hurdles in genetic transformation. Utilizing a TRV-based vector system, this innovative approach induces high-frequency gene silencing across diverse plant tissues, enabling in-depth analysis of genes essential for growth and development. The streamlined process notably shortens the transformation and analysis timeline to just 1.5 months, accelerating advancements in horticultural research.

Illinois scientists to test modernized genetic model for optimized crop breeding

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:05:46 EST

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research that aims to connect the dots between quantitative and molecular genetics and improve crop breeding.

Sustainable Food Production Practices May Pose Food Safety Dilemmas

Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:05:18 EST

Sustainable agriculture can benefit the environment but only when food safety and human health are taken into account.

People eating beef are less likely to live near the industry's pollution, Pitt researchers found

University of Pittsburgh — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:05:19 EST

University of Pittsburgh researchers are the first to trace one of those pollutants, nitrogen, along the U.S. beef supply chain at the county level. They found high spatial disconnect between where beef is eaten and where nitrogen's impacts are felt.

The apple's battle plan: unraveling the molecular response to fungal infections

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:05:35 EST

A new study reveals critical insights into how apple trees respond to Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a severe fungal disease impacting apple yields. Focusing on the regulatory roles of valine-glutamine (VQ) and WRKY proteins in plant defense, the research offers promising pathways for breeding disease-resistant apple varieties.

Double the DNA, double the oil: unraveling the impact of genome duplication on oil crops

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:05:04 EST

Scientists have uncovered a crucial evolutionary mechanism that could revolutionize oil production in crops. The study reveals that whole genome duplications (WGDs) significantly boost oil content in oil crops, offering a strategic pathway to increase vegetable oil yields to meet rising global demand. This discovery promises to transform agricultural practices, ensuring a sustainable supply of this vital resource for both dietary and industrial use.

From wild relatives to super tomatoes: unearthing new genetic potential

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 12:05:27 EST

Advancing the frontiers of agricultural genetics, a newly developed eight-way tomato Multiparental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population serves as a rich genetic resource that unlocks diverse traits from wild tomato species.

Fruit of knowledge: genomic study illuminates mango's heritage and future

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 12:05:00 EST

A new study has mapped the genetic makeup of mango, revealing its genomic diversity and population structure that influence key agronomic traits. The research identifies genetic differentiation among mango populations and discovers candidate genes linked to flowering, fruit weight, and aroma compounds, essential for advancing mango breeding through genomic-assisted methods.

Delivery of Luminescent Particles to Plants for Information Encoding and Storage

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:05:59 EST

In the era of smart agriculture, the precise labeling and recording of growth information in plants pose challenges for modern agricultural production. This study introduces strontium aluminate particles based microneedles (MNs) patches as diverse luminescent labels for information encoding and storage during plant growth

Green gold: poplar's genetic makeover for saline soils

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:05:28 EST

Researchers have discovered that miR319a, a microRNA, significantly enhances poplar trees' resilience to salt stress, potentially revolutionizing tree cultivation in saline environments. This discovery sheds light on how trees maintain essential ion balance under salty conditions, paving the way for developing salt-tolerant varieties.

Breaking boundaries: PAM-less genome editing in soybean

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 10:05:21 EST

Scientists have unveiled a revolutionary protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-less genome editing system using CRISPR-SpRY, marking a major advancement in soybean breeding. This innovative method eliminates the traditional PAM sequence constraints, enabling precise editing at specific loci.

Unlocking the Secrets of LPOR: Key Enzyme in Chlorophyll Synthesis Offers Pathway to Stress-Tolerant Crops

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 00:05:04 EST

A research team has reviewed the crucial role of light-dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (LPOR) in chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development, particularly during the dark-light transition in plants.

Getting the stink out of smoke-tainted wine

American Chemical Society (ACS) — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 14:05:45 EST

Wildfires can damage crops, even if flames come nowhere near the plants. One outcome can be an unpleasant flavor and smell of wine that is made from grapes exposed to smoke. But researchers report in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that they have developed a way to lessen this smoke taint to improve the palatability of the wine.

Researchers Use a New Two-Dimensional Analysis to Build a Map of Gene Expression in Plant-Fungi Interactions

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:05:33 EST

Researchers studied gene expression in plant/mycorrhizae symbioses by analyzing the roots of a model plant colonized by fungi and using a combination of techniques to measure gene activity in individual cells and visualize gene expression within two-dimensional sections of roots.

Fighting fungal foes: walnut's genetic armor against anthracnose revealed

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 11:05:58 EST

A pivotal study has pinpointed a gene module crucial for enhancing walnut trees' resistance to anthracnose, a widespread fungal disease threatening the walnut industry.

Chloroplast manipulation: a new strategy in pathogen warfare uncovered

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 10:05:02 EST

A cutting-edge study has unveiled the sophisticated methods pathogens use to weaken plant defenses. It shows how a pathogen's effector protein targets the chloroplast protein StFC-II, increasing its levels in chloroplasts and reducing the plant's ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This manipulation significantly compromises the plant's immune response, offering new insights into potential strategies for enhancing plant resistance to infections.

Lowering Food Prices: Do Consumers Think Politicians Are Able to Reduce Costs?

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:05:28 EST

Illinois researchers develop near-infrared spectroscopy models to analyze corn kernels, biomass

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:05:21 EST

In the agricultural and food industry, determining the chemical composition of raw materials is important for production efficiency, application, and price. Traditional laboratory testing is time-consuming, complicated, and expensive. New research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning can provide quick, accurate, and cost-effective product analysis.

Lychee's dormant dance: genetic maestro LcSVP2 controls the rhythm of rest

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:05:45 EST

A pioneering study has uncovered the genetic basis of dormancy in lychee trees, a tropical evergreen perennial. The research identifies LcSVP2 as a critical gene in the regulation of terminal bud dormancy.

Power of plants: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers develop biomass-based polymer that can absorb and release carbon dioxide

Florida State University — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 11:05:16 EST

A new, biomass-based material developed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers can be used to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide. The material is primarily made from lignin, an organic molecule that is a main component of wood and other plants, and it can take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from concentrated sources or directly from the air.