Maize, a staple crop, faces a big problem: antimony (Sb) pollution. This harmful substance sneaks into the soil and messes with the plants, making them grow poorly and reducing their nutritional value. But here's a twist: tiny fungi called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) might just be the heroes maize needs. These fungi team up with maize roots, creating a symbio...
A new fund, supported by MUFG and other investors, has raised $600 million to help countries deal with climate change. This fund, called the GAIA Climate Loan Fund, focuses on projects that make communities stronger against extreme weather like floods and droughts. The fund's goal is to show that private money can play a big role in climate adaptation. This is impor...
Rice is a staple food for many people around the world. But growing it needs a lot of nitrogen. Usually, farmers add nitrogen fertilizer to the soil. But what if there's a better way? A recent study found that iron oxides, which are common in soil, can help certain bacteria fix nitrogen naturally. These bacteria, called iron-reducing Deltaproteobacteria, use iron as...
Soil health is not just good for the planet; it's also good for your wallet. Recent research shows that farmers who adopt soil health practices can save money and even boost their income. This is big news for those who thought improving soil health would only cost more. The study looked at 20 farms in Southcentral Nebraska. It found that farmers who used soil health...
Aquaculture is growing fast. This means more fish farms, and more fish waste. This waste is wet and hard to deal with. It costs a lot to get rid of. But what if this waste could be turned into something useful? Enter the black soldier fly. These bugs are like tiny recycling machines. They can eat organic waste and turn it into two useful things. First, the bugs them...
Farmers play a big role in keeping our food supply safe. They make daily choices that affect how well crops grow. One big challenge is making sure there are enough pollinators, like bees, to help crops grow. A recent study looked at how farmers in Dengkou County manage pollination. It found that farmers with more education and larger farms tend to do a better job at ...
Plants face big problems from metal poisoning in soil. This is a real issue for farmers. But there is a new hope. Tiny particles, called nanoparticles, might be the answer. These particles are super small. They can do big things. First, let's talk about the problem. Too many metals in soil can hurt plants. This is bad for crops. It also makes soil more acidic. That ...
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...
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...
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...