Plants manipulate their soil environment to assure a steady supply of nutrients

The next time you're thinking about whether to cook dinner or order a pizza for delivery, think of this: Plants have been doing pretty much the same thing for eons.

China Reports Outbreak Of H5N1 Bird Flu

Chinese authorities are culling thousands of chickens after an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu in Hunan Province, which neighbors the coronavirus-hit province of Hubei.

Institute promises research expansion on irrigation

As part of plans to ensure that farmers enjoy all-year round farming, the Federal Government (FG) through the Institute of Agriculture Research (IAR) has expressed its readiness to invest more in irrigation research infrastructure through more funding. The Executive Director (ED), of the Institute Prof. Mahammed Fagugi Ishiaku told Food Farm News in Zaria, recently.

Insect bites and warmer climate means double-trouble for plants

Recent models are telling us that, as our climate warms up, herbivores and pests will cause increased damage to agricultural crops. One study predicted that crop yield lost to insects increases 10 to 25 percent for every 1 degree Celsius increase.

Community Concept will reduce cost of extension, says NAERLS boss

The Executive Director (ED), National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Prof. Mohammed Othman has said that the Community Base Advisory Concept will develop the capacity of the farmers to reduce expenses on extension services as new improved knowledge will be transferred to them for further disseminations to others in the communities.  Prof. Othman revealed this in his office saying the concept would reduce extension cost across the country.

Membrane inspired by bone and cartilage efficiently produces electricity from saltwater

Inspired by membranes in the body tissues of living organisms, scientists have combined aramid nanofibers used in Kevlar with boron nitride to construct a membrane for harvesting ocean energy that is both strong like bone and suited for ion transport like cartilage.

‘Zero Hunger Project has not met its goals ’

Recently, Food Farm News had a chat with the National Coordinator for Zero Hunger Farmers, Mr. Tunde Arosanye. He bared it all revealing how solvable problems have bogged down the project making it unproductive and unable to meet its goals. Excerpts...

Fossil shells reveal both global mercury contamination and warming when dinosaurs perished

The impact of an asteroid or comet is acknowledged as the principal cause of the mass extinction that killed off most dinosaurs and about three-quarters of the planet's plant and animal species 66 million years ago.

Animal diseases: FG begins policy to combat

·        Allays fear of contagious disease

The Federal Government (FG) has begun work to have a National control policy for the effective control and combat of animal diseases and pests in the country just as the fear of reported outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Bauchi has been allayed with vaccine provision.

Invest in pollinator monitoring for long-term gain

New research shows that for every £1 invested in pollinator monitoring schemes, at least £1.50 can be saved, from otherwise costly independent research projects.