In today's interconnected world, plant diseases can spread quickly across borders. This makes it crucial to have fast and reliable ways to spot harmful fungi. Two types of fungi, Alternaria triticina and Plenodomus libanotidis, are particularly troublesome. They can seriously damage crops and harm the environment. To tackle this issue, scientists have developed a new...
The world's food supply is in trouble. Climate change is messing with it big time. How much damage it will do is still up for debate. Some experts think farmers will adapt quickly and keep losses small. Others warn that changes will be hard to make and losses will be huge. It's a tough call. A lot of studies use scenarios to guess how climate change will affect farm...
The world needs more food, but growing it sustainably is a big challenge. Plant diseases are a major threat to crops, causing huge losses every year. One nasty culprit is Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that attacks many important crops. Traditional methods of fighting these diseases often waste resources and harm the environment. This is because the active ingredients in...
Farmworkers across the nation are living in fear. Why? Immigration enforcement is ramping up, and it's hitting close to home. Literally. These workers are the ones who pick the fruits and vegetables you eat. They're the ones who help put food on your table. Recently, federal agents have been sweeping through farms in California and stopping buses in upstate New York...
The need for food in sub-Saharan Africa is growing fast. This region is set to see the biggest jump in food demand globally. But relying heavily on imports can be risky. It exposes the region to political and economic ups and downs. Plus, expanding farmland can harm the environment. Cereals like maize, millet, rice, sorghum, and wheat are crucial. They cover almost h...
Soybean meal is a staple in pig feed. It's cheap and packed with protein. But it has a dark side. Growing soybeans can harm the environment. It can lead to soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of wildlife habitats. So, researchers are looking for greener alternatives. One promising contender is Spirulina, a type of microalgae. It's rich in protein and has a s...
The word "hemp" covers a group of plants from the Cannabis family. This includes hemp itself, Indian hemp, and wild hemp. These plants are unique because they produce the most phytocannabinoids, which are natural compounds found in plants. Hemp has many uses and a lot of potential for Poland's medicine, economy, and agriculture. However, there's a big problem: not e...
Farmers today face a tough challenge: growing more food while using fewer resources. Precision agriculture is their new best friend, using cutting-edge tech to make this happen. One of the most important jobs in this high-tech farming is spotting problems early. These issues can range from pesky pests to sneaky diseases or even missing nutrients. Catching these probl...
Melon is a big deal in China. It's been grown there for ages and is a favorite among locals. China is the world's top producer and consumer of melon. So, when a new problem pops up, it's a big concern. In March 2023, something unexpected happened in Guangxi, China. About 10% of 'Zhongtian No. 9' melon plants in a large field showed signs of trouble. The culprit?...
Kiwifruit is in a pickle. A tiny bacteria, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, or Psa, is wreaking havoc. This bacteria causes a nasty disease called kiwifruit canker. It's a big headache for farmers and a threat to the kiwifruit industry. The usual fixes involve harsh chemicals like copper or antibiotics like streptomycin. But these can be rough on the plants and t...