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agriculture

09/13/2018 / By Ralph Flores

Bioethanol waste shows potential as natural alternative for conventional fertilizer

A study led by researchers from the University of Florida has given new life to waste products from biorefineries by treating them with phosphoric acids during the production process. Their findings, published in the American Journal of Environmental Sciences, followed a thorough investigation of the potential of fermented waste products to be used as a phosphorus fertilizer. […]

09/12/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Gardening tips for managing weeds

If you like gardening, you have probably had to deal with some weeds. While there are various ways to get rid of these pesky plants, not all weeding methods are effective. Audrey Kalil, from North Dakota State University, explained that weeds are extremely efficient at competing for nutrients, sunlight, and water that your plants also require. […]

09/08/2018 / By Ellaine Castillo

Comparing organic vs. conventional farming on plant yield and nutritional content

Researchers have found that the treatment of soil for organic farming increases its biochemical quality and makes it more sustainable in the long run. In this study, published in the Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, organic and conventional means of farming were compared based on onion yield, biochemical quality, soil organic carbon (SOC), and microbial […]

09/07/2018 / By Rhonda Johansson

Moving away from chemicals: Consumer demand for cleaner food has researchers exploring plant-based extracts to protect against insects

The concept of achieving food independence is a lofty goal, but one which will not likely happen in the near future. It is evident that we still need to rely on big food manufacturers for our daily meals, even as we pray that what we put into our mouth is not laced with the various […]

09/06/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

The first farmers were ants… and they’ve been farming for millions of years

Researchers from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History recently discovered that ants in a South American rain forest developed their own agricultural system millions of years ago. To be more precise, around 55 to 65 million years ago, shortly after dinosaurs became extinct. According to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal […]

09/04/2018 / By Edsel Cook

A common wheat virus can spread and harm perennial native grass

The days when crop diseases left other kinds of plants alone are over now, stated an article in British Ecological Society. A virus that originally ravaged imported wheat has now started infecting switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and other non-crop species native to the U.S. The burden on farmers and researchers has redoubled: Not only do they need […]

09/03/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Hedgerows enhance pest control and pollination of crops

An American study recommended planting more hedgerows around the edges of farms. The restoration of hedgerows will support populations of beneficial animals like pollinators and insectivores that prey on pests, thereby improving the productivity of intense agricultural systems that are working to meet humankind’s ever-growing need for food. The study was supported by the University of California – Cooperative […]

08/23/2018 / By Michelle Simmons

Natural pest management: Peach farmers are reducing crop loss to stink bugs by planting grains to lure them away

Scientists from Auburn University in the U.S. found a way to manage pest naturally. They discovered that planting different grain crops attract pests away from the fruit, resulting to lesser crop loss. For the study, the research team analyzed six winter host crops and six summer host crops as possible trap crops or attractant crops for […]

08/21/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Minnesotan farmers use 10-15% more fertilizer than they actually need for healthy crops

Minnesota’s farmers are using more fertilizer than needed, say the state’s agricultural officials. The state government’s response to regulate the use of nitrogen fertilizer – a bid to ensure clean drinking water at, according to detractors, the risk of impairing one of Minnesota’s biggest industries – is seemingly a question of which gets the higher […]

08/20/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

The amount of protein found in corn depends on the type of insects that attack it

It can be hard to imagine plants proactively defending themselves from danger, but a study published in Springer Nature says they do, even going as far as modifying their own chemistry. It’s no secret that plants’ ability to defend themselves is somewhat limited. Unlike animals, they don’t have claws or teeth with which to threaten […]

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