Leaves are nature's most sophisticated environment sensors

Leaves are nature's most sophisticated environment sensors

New research confirms that leaves are nature's most sophisticated environment sensors. We can therefore use leaves to tell us about the management of the land they are growing in.

Insects hijack reproductive genes of grape vines to create own living space on plant

Insects have set up house in phylloxera galls on this leaf. This cross-section of a gall taken with a stereosmicroscope shows an insect mom -- the orange ball in the center -- surrounded by eggs she laid -- the surrounding yellow ovals.

A team of scientists at The University of Toledo uncovered new, galling details in the intimate relationship between insects and plants, opening the door to new possibilities in protecting the source of wine and raisins worldwide from a major agricultural pest.

Boost for Australian grain industry

grain

New findings from research by La Trobe University and CSIRO made possible with GRDC investment could lead to a significant increase in the Australian wheat crop yield -- adding potentially around $1.8 billion to the national economy and improving global food security.

SSSN Fellow Award 2019: Call for Nominations

The Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) as a tradition confers the society’s “Fellow” award  to deserving members for outstanding teaching and/or researchor services in the field of Soil Science and substantial contribution to the Soil Science Society of Nigeria (SSSN) with a minimum of  10 [ten] active [ continuous]  years of  registered membership.

Images speak @ the just concluded 43rd National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) which held in Abia state.

43rd National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD)

Images speak @ the just concluded 43rd National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) which held in Abia state.. see more images below..

Nematode odors offer possible advantage in the battle against insect pests

Nematode odors offer possible advantage in the battle against insect pests

Gardeners commonly use nematodes to naturally get rid of harmful soil-dwelling insects. A new study published today in the journal Functional Ecologyrevealed that these insect-killing nematodes also produce distinctive chemical cues, which deter Colorado potato beetles and make potato leaves less palatable to them.

The paper mulberry coevolved with soil microbes to humanity's benefit

The paper mulberry coevolved with soil microbes to humanity's benefit

The paper mulberry evolved its uniquely fibrous inner bark around 31 million years ago, long before the woody tree was first used for bookmaking during China's Tang dynasty.

Future of US citrus may hinge on consumer acceptance of genetically modified food

Future of US citrus may hinge on consumer acceptance of genetically modified food

A tiny insect, no bigger than the head of a pin, is threatening to topple the multibillion-dollar citrus industry in the U.S. by infecting millions of acres of orchards with an incurable bacterium called citrus greening disease.

Machine learning detects importance of land stewardship in conservation policy

A machine-learning algorithm finds success in cooperative forest management policies that allow greater autonomy by smallholder farmers.

At the southern tip of the Himalayas, farmers in the Kangra region of India's Himachal Pradesh graze cattle among rolling hills and forests.

GM seed use has exploded in India: Socially motivated decisions

A cotton packer and her son rest between shifts compressing cotton into 200 kilogram bales at a cotton gin on the outskirts of Warangal, Telangana. Many former farmers are migrating to cities where they can make higher wages and find new opportunities, but the city also has higher costs of living and fewer ties to family and friends

Suicide rates among Indian farmers remain high, accounting for more than 12,500 deaths in the country in 2015, according to a government report. While many have blamed climate change for farmers' distress, the issue is likely much more complex.