How plants learned to save water

How plants learned to save water

Tiny pores on the leaves of plants, called stomata, have a huge influence on the state of our planet. Through the stomata, plants absorb carbon dioxide, which is incorporated into carbohydrates, and release oxygen. But they also lose water through open pores, which can be life-threatening for plants in dry conditions.

Understanding peppers and chilis from around the world

Understanding peppers and chilis from around the world

A comprehensive and multinational review of peppers/chilis (Capsicum species) with academic and scientific input from points across the globe, such as Argentina, Brazil, Taiwan, Mexico, Italy, Hungary, Austria, and the United States sets out to explore various aspects of interest concerning this horticulturally important crop.

How to feed the world by 2050? Recent breakthrough boosts plant growth by 40 percent

 Recent breakthrough boosts plant growth by 40 percent

One of the most significant challenges of the 21st Century is how to sustainably feed a growing and more affluent global population with less water and fertilizers on shrinking acreage, despite stagnating yields, threats of pests and disease, and a changing climate.

NiMet: Stakeholders advocate impact-based climate change information

NiMet officials Mr. James Adamu Ijampy, Dr. Mansur Matazu & Mr. Chris Togonus Daudu of (NCRI) at the two day workshop organised by NiMet & SWIFT

Stakeholders across the economy of Nigeria have called on the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) to upscale its weather and climate related information to the benefits of rural communities so as to reduce losses through well-informed impact-based forecast rather than the raw data without explanation of negative impact prediction on economic productivity. This was one of the stands taken at two-day Stakeholders’ Workshop held in Abuja, recently.

Getting to the core of underwater soil

Taking a soil core from underwater

Soils all over the Earth's surface are rigorously tested and managed. But what about soils that are down in the murky depths? Although not traditional soils, underwater soils have value and function. Some scientists are working to get them the recognition and research they deserve.

Legumes such as peas and beans form intimate and mutually beneficial partnerships

Legumes

Legumes such as peas and beans form intimate and mutually beneficial partnerships (symbioses) with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, rhizobia.

Crop residue burning is a major contributor to air pollution in South Asia

 air pollution

While fossil fuel emissions in New Delhi account for 80 percent of the air pollution plume during the summer, emissions from biomass burning (such as crop residue burning) in neighboring regions rival those from fossil fuels during the fall and winter.

How the humble marigold outsmarts a devastating tomato pest

 tomato

Scientists have revealed for the first time the natural weapon used by marigolds to protect tomato plants against destructive whiteflies.

New study uses big data to analyze the international food trade

international food 

As the world population swells, the inequitable distribution of food around the globe is prompting profound moral questions.

Human settlements and rainfall affect giraffe home ranges

Bat

Giraffes that live close to densely populated towns have larger home ranges than giraffes that live far from towns, according to a new study by an international team of wildlife researchers from the University of Zürich, Penn State, and the Wild Nature Institute.