Farmers are facing a big problem. Climate change is making water scarce. This is a huge issue for growing crops in a sustainable way. But there's a clever solution on the horizon. A new system uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor and control watering. It's like giving farms a high-tech brain. This system is all about precision. It uses sensors to check the s...
Rice is a staple food for many people around the world. But, it faces a big problem. Cadmium and arsenic in the soil can harm rice plants. These harmful substances can get into the rice roots and make the plant sick. This is a serious issue because rice is a major source of food for many. So, finding a way to protect rice from these toxins is crucial. Organosilicon ...
Solar storms are a big deal. They can mess with our power grids, GPS signals, and even satellites. Imagine a storm so strong it could cause a trillion-dollar disaster. That's what some experts are worried about. In 2024, a series of solar storms, known as the Gannon Storm, hit Earth. It was the first extreme geomagnetic event since 2003. While it was dramatic, it als...
Jordan's Northern Valley is in a pickle. Salt is building up in the soil, making it tough for farmers to grow crops. This is a big deal because the valley is known as the "food basket of Jordan. " It's a major source of fruits and veggies for the country. The problem is getting worse, and it's a threat to the valley's future. Salt in the soil is a problem in dry and...
The world is hungry, and the population is growing. So, how can we feed everyone without harming the planet? Vertical farming might just be the answer. This method involves stacking layers of crops, algae, mushrooms, fish, insects, and even cultured meat. It is not dependent on climate, weather, or location. This means it can be done anywhere, anytime. It is like hav...
A group of more than 20 leaders from Hawaii's farming, ranching, and business sectors just wrapped up their second annual trip to Washington, D. C. They met with top officials to talk about the future of Hawaii's agriculture. This year, they had a special guest: the new US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. The main goal? To boost Hawaii's food production and ...
Coffee is a big deal. It's a major cash crop for many countries. But there's a problem. Fungal infections can mess with coffee plants, hurting both the quantity and quality of the berries. These fungi don't just harm the plants; they can also produce toxins that affect humans. So, managing these fungal pathogens is crucial. Chemical fungicides are often used to cont...
The world beneath our feet is a bustling ecosystem, full of interactions that shape the world above. One such interaction involves beans, bacteria, and bugs. Specifically, the relationship between beans and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, known as rhizobia, has long been seen as a win-win. But what about the bugs? How do they fit into this picture? Beans and rhizobia have...
Bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, is becoming a permanent fixture in our world. This virus is evolving rapidly and finding new ways to infect mammals, including humans. It's spreading widely among both domestic and wild animals, and the exact paths it takes to do so remain unclear. While the risk to the public is currently low, the possibility of it mutating to...
The world is hungry, and feeding it is a challenge. Food production, especially protein-rich items like meat and fish, takes a toll on the environment. The planet cannot support the current rate of production without causing harm. This is a tough spot for the world to be in. In Russia, the climate makes farming difficult, so people turn to fish farming. This is ...