News tagged with crop research

Supercritical water could lead to biomass-to-fuel conversion on a large scale

(PhysOrg.com) -- Converting agricultural waste into vehicle fuel has so far been an enticing yet elusive endeavor, at least on the industrial scale. But recently the Georgia-based company Renmatix has taken ...

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created Oct 03, 2011 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (10) | comments 8 | with audio podcast weblog

Manipulating genes with hidden TALENs

(PhysOrg.com) -- A better understanding of gene function in model plant and animal systems could be used to develop useful traits in livestock and crop plants, and might someday lead to developments in stem ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Feb 13, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Comparing energy conversion of plants and solar cells

Scientists now have a way to more accurately compare how efficiently plants and photovoltaic, or solar, cells convert sunlight into energy, thanks to findings by a research consortium that included a U.S. ...

Technology / Energy & Green Tech

created Jan 16, 2012 | popularity 2.3 / 5 (3) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Researchers crack pigeonpea genome

Once referred to as an "orphan crop" mainly grown by poor farmers, pigeonpea is now set to join the world's league of major food crops with the completion of its genome sequence.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 06, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Gene controlling flowering boosts energy production from sorghum

A sorghum hybrid that does not flower and accumulates as much as three times the amount of stem and leaf matter may help the bioenergy industry, according to a study appearing today in the Proceedings of th ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Sep 27, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Blossom end rot plummets in transgenic tomato

The brown tissue that signals blossom end rot in tomatoes is a major problem for large producers and home gardeners, but a Purdue University researcher has unknowingly had the answer to significantly lowering ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created May 21, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 3

Researchers attack a stinker of a pest; iPhone users can help track the invader

A new hobo pest -- the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) -- is pigging out on many of North America's most important crops, posing an unprecedented threat to U.S. agriculture, say experts.

Biology / Ecology

created Oct 19, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Geneticists seek mother of all macadamias on the Gold Coast

(PhysOrg.com) -- The DNA of rare and endangered macadamia species will soon be fingerprinted in an effort to determine the original wild tree or trees that launched the global macadamia industry.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jul 04, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Statistical analysis can estimate crop performance

Scientists at Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom, in collaboration with the International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria have developed a method of accounting for spatial trend in single ...

Biology / Other

created Jan 07, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Stop abusing insecticides in rice

To prevent devastating insect pest outbreaks in rice that cause millions of dollars of damage, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has called for a ban on certain insecticides in rice production as part of its ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 05, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Rice Institute calls for cuts in pesticide use

Rice farmers should cut the use of pesticides that kill the natural predators of the planthopper, one of the most destructive pests of the key crop, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has said.

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 16, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Accelerating adoption of agricultural technology

Research shows that it takes about eight years from the time public research funds are invested in technology development to the time the technology is first implemented. In the agricultural sector it can ...

Biology / Ecology

created Dec 12, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

New scientist tackles complexity of growing zebra chip disease

The complexity of the zebra chip disease of potatoes, a vector-borne disease that is a growing industry concern recently drew Dr. Arash Rashed to the program directed by Dr. Charlie Rush, AgriLife Research plant pathologist.

Biology / Other

created Oct 20, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Examining rice genes for rice blast resistance

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have characterized the molecular mechanism behind some plants' ability to resist rice blast, a fungal disease that affects cereal grain crops such as rice, wheat, rye and barley ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Oct 17, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scab resistance in durum wheat

Durum wheat is a valuable cereal crop widely used for human consumption in the United States, Canada, and several European countries. Scab or Fusarium head blight is one of the crop's most serious diseases, reducing its grain ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Sep 16, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0