Even the name sounds threatening. Known as "dog-strangling vines" in Canada, European swallowworts are invasive vines that can grow to 8 feet in length and wrap around supporting vegetation and smother it. There are two species, ...
Ecology
Sep 6, 2013
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ARS researchers have shown some freeze-dried berry powders—especially freeze-dried strawberry powder—can act as outstanding stabilizers in ice cream and other frozen dairy desserts.
Other
Feb 20, 2020
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7
In a successful return-to-space mission, research study results indicate that beneficial insect-killing nematodes (small round worms) can be used in the future for natural control of insect pests when humans are growing crops ...
Space Exploration
Sep 23, 2020
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84
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are looking for ways to improve housing for farm animals, including pigs. Enhancing the animals' environment can help reduce stress, which in turn can improve growth and efficiency ...
Plants & Animals
Jun 13, 2017
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28
(Phys.org) —Plants use an enzyme known as "rubisco" to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, with energy from the sun and nutrients from the soil, build up the shoots, leaves, and stems that make up the plant ...
Biochemistry
Mar 25, 2013
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0
A striking type of pink crape myrtle could soon be gracing lawns and gardens in southern Florida because of a chance discovery by Agricultural Research Service scientists.
Ecology
Feb 10, 2016
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10
Field runoff from farms in the Lake Erie basin is often rich in soluble plant nutrients, including phosphorus. When this nutrient-rich runoff reaches the lake, the phosphorus can support abundant algal blooms that contaminate ...
Environment
Jan 29, 2015
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24
Nocturnal monitoring by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists has confirmed that voracious worms in the Pacific Northwest are behind the disappearance of field pesticides used to control equally voracious slugs. ...
Ecology
May 20, 2014
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0
Last summer, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist Jim Cane spent a week visiting alfalfa fields near the town of Touchet, in Walla Walla County, Washington. He wasn't scouting for insect threats or damage to the ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 18, 2017
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4
The painful sting of the red imported fire ant is not easily forgotten. Delivered in large numbers, the stings can kill small animals. Humans that develop hypersensitivity to the ants' venom are at risk as well.
Plants & Animals
Apr 14, 2014
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