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.

Seaweed farming as a versatile tool in effort to mitigate climate change

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), addressing carbon emissions from our food sector is absolutely essential to combating climate change. While land and agriculture took center stage in the panel's most recent report, missing was how the oceans at large could help in that fight.

Groundnut association congratulates ministers, solicits support

·         Wants proper monitoring of supply and allocation of inputs

The National President of Groundnut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (GROPPMAN) Hon. Aimu Foni has congratulated the four ministers in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Alhaji Sabo Nanono and his state counterpart Mustapha Baba Shehuri, and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Ambassador Mariam Katagun for their choice by President Mohammadu Buhari as members of his executives. This was said in a statement made available to foodfarmnews in Abuja.