Japan’s IT greenhouse built to grow produce in monsoon conditions

Panasonic is involved in a project on the island of Ishigaki, southwest of Okinawa, to seek ways to grow vegetables in subtropical monsoon conditions. Part of the Japanese government’s Asian Monsoon Plant Factory System (PFS) Consortium, the goal is to… Continue reading Japan’s IT greenhouse built to grow produce in monsoon conditions

Genetically engineered potato plant “glows” in response to stress

One of the challenges of farming lies in the fact that by the time plants appear to be diseased or otherwise stressed, it may already be too late to address the problem. A new type of potato, however, is designed to warn farmers by fluorescing at the e… Continue reading Genetically engineered potato plant “glows” in response to stress

Apple harvesting robot plucks a piece of fruit every 7 seconds

Like many industries across the world, Australia’s fruit-picking sector has been impacted heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a massive void in the labor market that would normally be filled by backpackers looking to make buck on the road. Local… Continue reading Apple harvesting robot plucks a piece of fruit every 7 seconds

Autonomous Weeder robot uses lasers to take out 100,000 plants an hour

Whether you’re a farmer tending to expansive crops that you depend on for your livelihood or a hobbyist gardener trying to keep your tomatoes in check, weeds can be a time-consuming and relentless problem. Startup Carbon Robotics has wheeled out an aut… Continue reading Autonomous Weeder robot uses lasers to take out 100,000 plants an hour

Self-contained SmartFarm grows plants using water drawn from the air

In many parts of the world there may not be much precipitation, but there is a fair amount of water vapor in the air – particularly at night. An experimental new device draws in that vapor, then uses it to irrigate edible plants.Continue ReadingCategor… Continue reading Self-contained SmartFarm grows plants using water drawn from the air

Tree-fungus supplement could reduce fertilizer use in tomato crops

Although Ceriporia lacerata fungus causes tree wood to rot, it also has a good side. According to a new study, adding the fungus to agricultural soil allows tomatoes to be grown using much less fertilizer.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Fungus, … Continue reading Tree-fungus supplement could reduce fertilizer use in tomato crops

Coffee waste used to reclaim formerly farmed land

Restoring post-agricultural land to tropical forest can be challenging, as the pasture grasses tend to choke out the native trees. A new study, however, indicates that waste from the coffee industry gives those trees a fighting chance.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Coffee waste used to reclaim formerly farmed land

New process extracts more beneficial pigment from purple corn

Those purple corn chips you see in the store aren’t just a gimmick – the corn’s purple pigment actually has health benefits. Researchers have now devised a method of extracting more of it from the usually discarded cob, for a variety of uses.Continue R… Continue reading New process extracts more beneficial pigment from purple corn

Seaweed supplements cut cattle methane emissions by up to 82%

Cattle are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to their methane-loaded burps. A detailed new study has found more evidence that feeding cows a small seaweed supplement can greatly reduce their methane emissions, without affecting the… Continue reading Seaweed supplements cut cattle methane emissions by up to 82%