“Bananageddon” again approaches, but a new weapon could save our skins

A “bananageddon” might be on the horizon, and not for the first time. But new research could help save our favorite fruit.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Fruit, Agriculture, Fungus, Extinction, University of Massachusetts Continue reading “Bananageddon” again approaches, but a new weapon could save our skins

For a better plant growth medium, just add ground glass

Glass-fragment waste typically just ends up in landfills, but perhaps that doesn’t always have to be the case. A new study shows that ground glass particles can be mixed with soil to produce a plant growth medium that’s actually better than soil alone…. Continue reading For a better plant growth medium, just add ground glass

Genetically engineered thornless roses pave the way for better crops

Everybody loves roses, but we’d probably love them even more if they didn’t have those sharp thorns. Well, scientists have found a way of growing thornless roses, and their findings could lead to easier-to-harvest crops.Continue ReadingCategory: Biolog… Continue reading Genetically engineered thornless roses pave the way for better crops

“Smart soil” grows 138% bigger crops using 40% less water

Watering and fertilizing crops to provide enough food for a changing world is a major challenge in agriculture. Now, scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a “smart soil” that can keep plants better hydrated and provide a contro… Continue reading “Smart soil” grows 138% bigger crops using 40% less water

‘Forgotten’ greenhouse gas levels surge 40% since 1980

The fertilizer that supports around half of the food we consume has become one of the leading driver of human-influenced greenhouse gas emissions, with China, India, the US, Brazil and Russia the biggest culprits, according to the new Global Nitrous Ox… Continue reading ‘Forgotten’ greenhouse gas levels surge 40% since 1980

Poisonous ‘super weed’ created by frequent mowing

Mowing might seem like a pretty sensible way to keep weeds at bay. But in the case of the silverleaf nightshade, the activity puts the plant into survival mode causing it to fight back with some pretty powerful defense mechanisms, says a new study.Cont… Continue reading Poisonous ‘super weed’ created by frequent mowing

House Republican sounds the alarm on threats to food and agriculture sector

Rep. Brad Finstad, a Minnesota farmer, said the Agriculture Department lacks direction when it comes to protecting the U.S. food supply from hackers.

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Continue reading House Republican sounds the alarm on threats to food and agriculture sector

Video: Self-planting bio-hybrid “robotic seeds” inspired by wild oats

Scientists have replicated the ingenious seed-delivery system used by wild oats, resulting in a seed-carrying bio-hybrid “robot.” Scores of the tiny devices could one day be utilized for much easier, more effective aerial seeding of crops or even new f… Continue reading Video: Self-planting bio-hybrid “robotic seeds” inspired by wild oats

Sundew-inspired spray may turn crop plants into pest-catchers

Inspired by a carnivorous plant, scientists have created a sticky spray that could kill pest insects as effectively as traditional toxic pesticides. And what’s more, it’s derived from plain ol’ vegetable oil.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Wagen… Continue reading Sundew-inspired spray may turn crop plants into pest-catchers

Superfood protein pulled out of thin air massively scales up production

The world’s first commercial-scale factory for making nutrient-rich and versatile protein from air and sustainable energy has opened its doors in Finland, and the startup behind it aims to have its microbe-made food out in the US later this year. Solar… Continue reading Superfood protein pulled out of thin air massively scales up production