All Agriculture articles – Page 8
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NewsUnexpected potential bacterial symbiosis found in fungus that causes angular leaf spot
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected microbial relationship that could help explain differences in the severity of a major disease affecting common beans. The discovery sheds light on how the pathogen evolves and may point to new strategies.
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NewsBiochar–microbe partnership unlocks soil phosphorus and boosts tomato yields
A new study reveals that combining biochar with beneficial soil bacteria can significantly improve phosphorus availability, reshape plant development, and increase crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes.
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NewsBiochar from peanut shells boosts soil health and crop quality over the long term
A long-term field study across major agricultural regions in China has revealed that biochar made from peanut shells can significantly improve soil fertility and enhance crop quality by reshaping soil microbial communities.
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NewsRobotics meets genetics: Joining forces to explore Fusarium
Two research groups are bringing together two complementary scientific approaches to discover new antifungal agents – targeting Fusarium, but also those derived from Fusarium.
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NewsInto the fungal unknown: New tool maps fungal gene functions without reference genomes
Researchers have created a fungal-specific workflow that supports downstream functional analysis regardless of whether a reference genome is available.
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NewsScientists studying bird flu in the air to protect people and agricultural operations
New research will investigate how nonthermal plasmas can render aerosols containing the virus that causes bird flu incapable of infecting humans and livestock. The approach exposes air to strong electric fields, temporarily creating free electrical charges that damage viruses.
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NewsMicrobes hold the key to unlocking biochar’s carbon storage potential in soils
A new global analysis reveals that tiny soil microbes play a decisive role in determining whether biochar can effectively lock carbon into agricultural soils, offering new insights for climate change mitigation.
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NewsLong-term field study shows biochar delivers dual benefits for soil health and climate mitigation
A 14-year field study has provided compelling evidence that biochar can simultaneously reduce heavy metal risks in agricultural soils while enhancing carbon storage, offering a powerful strategy for sustainable farming and climate mitigation.
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NewsPork bones to the rescue: Healing arsenic-poisoned rice paddies with engineered char
A newly published paper explores exactly what happens when agricultural lands are treated with micro- and nano-scale bone char (MNBC). It proves that adding just a small amount of this specially processed biochar triggers a massive biological revival in toxic soil.
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NewsUnlocking the phosphorus puzzle: How microplastics and hydrochar change the way rice paddies feed
A fresh look at the soil microbiome reveals that the key to freeing up phosphorus locked away in the ground relies heavily on the type of carbon we add, whether that is treated animal waste or, surprisingly, synthetic plastic pollution.
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NewsUse of controversial weedkiller inadvertently selects for drug-resistant bacteria that can spread to hospitals
Scientists have found evidence that the spread of AMR isn’t always driven by bacteria evolving to resist the antibiotics themselves: rather, certain weedkillers can have the same effect.
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NewsBiosensor detects early fungal outbreaks, advances plant biotechnology
A new biosensor detects the emerging presence of fungus on plants at the molecular level, paving the way for next-generation crop protection and the development of stress-tolerant plants.
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NewsSelenium nanoparticles and glutathione synergistically enhance soybean salt tolerance by activating the JA pathway and arbutin-mediated rhizosphere microbiota
Researchers addressing soil salinity have developed a novel nano-biostimulant, a synergistic composite offering a new paradigm for enhancing salt tolerance by coordinating the plant’s endogenous signaling pathways with the functions of its rhizosphere microbial community.
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NewsEngineered biochar and beneficial bacteria team up to boost crop growth
Researchers have developed a specially engineered biochar made from sewage sludge that, when combined with beneficial bacteria, significantly enhances plant growth by improving how crops absorb nitrogen.
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NewsBiochar’s climate promise depends on soil type: Cuts N₂O in dry fields but boosts it in rice paddies
By tracing the exact microbial pathways responsible for N₂O production, the scientists reveal why the same soil amendment produces opposite climate outcomes under different land uses.
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NewsBiochar particle size found to shape disease control in crops
Researchers have discovered that the particle size of biochar determines how effectively and how long it can suppress soil-borne pathogens, offering new insights for sustainable agriculture.
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NewsA newly identified disease of corn and sorghum may be mistaken for iron deficiency
A newly identified bacterial disease affecting corn and sorghum can closely resemble iron deficiency, potentially leading farmers to apply costly nutrient treatments that do not address the underlying problem.
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NewsLong-term biochar use reshapes soil carbon storage through microbial pathways
A new long-term study reveals that biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from crop residues, can significantly enhance soil carbon storage, but its effectiveness depends strongly on land use and soil type.
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NewsStudy identifies causes of potato dry rot in Colorado
Researchers have identified multiple fungal species causing dry rot in Colorado. By analyzing structural and molecular features, plant pathologists identified four Fusarium species associated with potato dry rot – including one that hadn’t previously been found in the U.S.
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NewsTurning agricultural waste into smarter livestock nutrition tools - and an alternative to antibiotics
A new study has found that biochar made from agricultural waste such as chestnut shells and vine prunings could help deliver beneficial compounds more effectively in animal feed, offering a promising alternative to antibiotics in livestock production.