New DNA sequencer method achieves early-stage and broad-range detection of wheat diseases

Plant diseases, especially those caused by fungal pathogens, jeopardize global crop biosecurity and preventing them requires rapid detection and identification of causal agents.

Getting to the root of how plants tolerate too much iron

Iron is essential for plant growth, but with heavy rainfall and poor aeration, many acidic soils become toxic with excess iron. In countries with dramatic flood seasons, such as in West Africa and tropical Asia, toxic iron levels can have dire consequences on the availability of staple foods, such as rice.

Could biological clocks in plants set the time for crop spraying?

Dr Antony Dodd, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences and senior author of the paper, said: "This proof of concept research suggests that, in future, we might be able to refine the use of some chemicals that are used in agriculture by taking advantage of the biological clock in plants.

Diet change needed to save vast areas of tropics

If the global demand for animal products continues to grow, large swathes of natural land will vanish potentially leading to widespread loss of species and their habitats.

Scent brings all the songbirds to the yard

Chickadees can smell! That is the news from a study out of Lehigh University, the first to document naturally hybridizing songbirds' preference for the scent of their own species.

Flavonoid-rich diet protects against cancer and heart disease, study finds

Consuming flavonoid-rich items such as apples and tea protects against cancer and heart disease, particularly for smokers and heavy drinkers, according to new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU).

Novel strategy uncovers potential to control widespread soilborne pathogens

Soilborne pathogens are a major issue worldwide as they can infect a broad range of agricultural plants, resulting in serious crop losses devastating to farmers.

Road verges provide refuge for pollinators

With many pollinator species in decline, the University of Exeter study shows verges can provide food and a home for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Make varieties available for multiplication within one year, committee advises breeders

The National Committee on Improved Varieties Release on Crops and Livestock has insisted that breeders must make their registered candidates available as foundational seeds for multiplication within one year after registration. This was the agreement reached at a meeting held recently in National Centre for Genetic Resource and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan.

Missing link in algal photosynthesis found, offers opportunity to improve crop yields

Photosynthesis is the natural process plants and algae utilize to capture sunlight and fix carbon dioxide into energy-rich sugars that fuel growth, development, and in the case of crops, yield.