World’s chocolate supply threatened by devastating virus
Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington, USA, are developing mathematical models to combat a virus threatening global chocolate production from cacao trees in Ghana.
Making crops colorful for easier weeding
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark propose using gene editing to make crops visually distinct to aid robotic weeding.
Rose essential oil: A safe pesticide for organic agriculture
A Tokyo University study reveals rose essential oil’s efficacy in enhancing tomato plant defence against pests, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.
Marine algae implants could boost crop yields
Researchers have discovered a gene in marine algae for a unique chlorophyll, successfully transferring it to land plants, potentially revolutionising crop yields and biofuel production.
Researchers decipher mysterious growth habit of weeping peach trees
A recent study published in Plant Physiology unveils that a single gene deletion affecting the hormone auxin’s distribution causes the unique downward growth of weeping peach tree shoots, challenging conventional plant growth patterns.
Microgreens made to order: Italian scientists have tailored iodine and potassium content of radishes, peas, rocket and chard
From Society of Chemical Industry 12/02/24 In a significant development for personalised nutrition, researchers in Italy have cultivated microgreens with bespoke nutritional profiles to serve individual dietary requirements. The study, published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (doi: 10.1002/jsfa.13222), provides a blueprint for the soilless cultivation of nutritionally enriched plants in […]
Preharvest fruit bagging reduces pesticide use
From Superinnovators 30/01/24 Fruit bagging, an agricultural technique originating in Japan over a hundred years ago, is gaining popularity among farmers across the world for its multiple benefits. This process involves enclosing individual fruits or clusters in bags while they are still on the tree, protecting them from pests, diseases, and sun and mechanical damage […]
How plants pass down genetic memories
From Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 29/08/23 When organisms pass their genes on to future generations, they include more than the code spelled out in DNA. Some also pass along chemical markers that instruct cells how to use that code. The passage of these markers to future generations is known as epigenetic inheritance. It’s particularly common […]
