Solix Sprayer agricultural robot autonomously seeks and destroys weeds

Along with being costly, herbicides can also harm the environment … so why apply them to a whole crop, instead of just the areas where weeds are growing? That’s the thinking behind the Solix Sprayer robot, which spots and sprays weeds in farmers’ field… Continue reading Solix Sprayer agricultural robot autonomously seeks and destroys weeds

Study shows how planted “tredges” can protect children from air pollution

It has long been known that plants can help mitigate air pollution in urban environments. New research reinforces such findings, showing that “tredges” planted around schoolyards can help protect children from traffic-derived airborne particles.Continu… Continue reading Study shows how planted “tredges” can protect children from air pollution

2022 Hackaday Prize: Plant Monitoring System Grows To Include LoRa

Change on industrial scales is slow, but if you’re operating your own small farm or simply working in a home garden there are some excellent ways to use water more …read more Continue reading 2022 Hackaday Prize: Plant Monitoring System Grows To Include LoRa

New living wall uses recycled materials for better growing conditions

Plant-covered “living walls” are becoming increasingly popular, as they look nice, produce oxygen, and (when outdoors) help keep buildings cool. A relatively new one is claimed to be more plant-friendly, plus it’s made of recycled materials.Continue Re… Continue reading New living wall uses recycled materials for better growing conditions

“Aspirin” for plants could help crops survive climate change

Much like we take aspirin to alleviate a splitting headache, plants also have their own form of medicine that helps in times of stress. Known as salicylic acid, this organic compound is naturally produced when plants encounter things like drought and h… Continue reading “Aspirin” for plants could help crops survive climate change

Study suggests pocket gophers may be the only other mammal that farms

When we think of our fellow plant-eating mammals, we tend to picture them just eating whatever they find while foraging. According to new research, however, the pocket gopher actually farms its food … and it’s the only non-human mammal to do so.Continu… Continue reading Study suggests pocket gophers may be the only other mammal that farms

Newly classified carnivorous plant goes underground to catch prey

Carnivorous plants are already quite fascinating, but a newly discovered one ratchets up the weirdness factor even further. It’s a type of pitcher plant, and it captures prey that lives underground.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Univer… Continue reading Newly classified carnivorous plant goes underground to catch prey

Low-cost filters use plant waste to remove heavy metals from water

When cooking oil is extracted from peanuts and sunflower seeds, a waste product known as oilseed meal is left behind. New research shows that proteins harvested from that meal can be used to filter heavy metals out of contaminated water.Continue Readin… Continue reading Low-cost filters use plant waste to remove heavy metals from water

Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Plastics are tough and versatile materials, which is great when they’re in use but not so good when they end up in the environment. Scientists at EPFL have now developed a new PET-like plastic material derived from waste plant matter that can be chemic… Continue reading Plant-based plastic strong as PET, degrades into sugars in the environment

Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness

Scientists have improved on the natural process of photosynthesis, not only growing plants more efficiently, but doing so in the dark. This could expand agriculture to areas that don’t get enough sunlight, and even help feed future space explorers.Cont… Continue reading Artificial photosynthesis lets plants grow efficiently in total darkness