//www.koonmotors.com/news/plants_animals/food_and_agriculture/ Research news for agriculture and food industries. en-us Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:52:56 EDT Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:52:56 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/plants_animals/food_and_agriculture/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112421.htm Farmers usually plant so-called cover crops after harvesting their main crop in the Fall. This prevents erosion of the soil and nutrient leaching. The roots of these crops also stabilize the structure of the soil. It had been assumed up to now that a mixture of different cover crops would result in particularly intensive rooting. However, a recent study found only limited evidence that this is the case. Instead, mixed cover crops grow thinner roots than when just one single type of cover crop is planted. This result was unexpected. It documents how little is currently understood about the interactions between plant roots. Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:24:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230906112421.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905155714.htm Plant-based alternatives such as tempeh and bean burgers provide protein-rich options for those who want to reduce their meat consumption. However, replicating meat's flavors and aromas has proven challenging, with companies often relying on synthetic additives. A recent study unveils a potential solution: onions, chives and leeks that produce natural chemicals akin to the savory scents of meat when fermented with common fungi. Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:57:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230905155714.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901143623.htm A new study finds that farmers in India have adapted to warming temperatures by intensifying the withdrawal of groundwater used for irrigation. If the trend continues, the rate of groundwater loss could triple by 2080, further threatening India's food and water security. Reduced water availability in India due to groundwater depletion and climate change could threaten the livelihoods of more than one-third of the country's 1.4 billion residents and has global implications. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:36:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/09/230901143623.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121725.htm Artificial methods of growing lettuce produce twice the amount of the crop as traditional field-based methods, according to a new study. The meta-analysis also found that it was quicker to grow lettuce using artificial methods, with production rates 50% faster in summer periods and up to 300% faster in winter. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121725.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121712.htm As climate change continues to pose severe challenges to ensuring sustainable food supplies around the world, scientists are looking for ways to improve the resilience and nutritional quality of potatoes. Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop. A team has now created a potato super pangenome to identify genetic traits that can help produce the next super spud. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:12 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121712.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131808.htm A new study found that 12% of Americans, mostly men or people aged 50-65, consume half of all beef on a given day, contributing to adverse health and environmental impacts. Educational programs targeting this group may help reduce consumption and address environmental concerns, as beef production has high greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the need for awareness and messaging. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:18:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131808.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125947.htm Adults at risk for heart disease who participated in produce prescription programs for an average of six months increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables and had reduced blood pressure, body mass index and blood sugar levels. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:59:47 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125947.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122022.htm Research has brought clarity to the longstanding question of how starch granules form in the seeds of Triticeae crops -- wheat, barley, and rye -- unlocking diverse potential benefits for numerous industries and for human health. Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:20:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230825122022.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824173301.htm Blending certain ingredients in fruit smoothies can influence whether your body is getting a nutritional boost, finds a new study. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 17:33:01 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824173301.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111821.htm More than 1 billion cows around the world will experience heat stress by the end of the century if carbon emissions are high and environmental protection is low, according to new research. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:18:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230824111821.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192945.htm A new review argues ever-present microplastics could promote gene transfer among microbes, potentially resulting in greater antibiotic resistance. The review calls for more research on microplastic-microbe interactions where our food is grown. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 19:29:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823192945.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122615.htm A new study finds that standalone solar photovoltaic irrigation systems have the potential to meet more than a third of the water needs for crops in small-scale farms across sub-Saharan Africa. Wed, 23 Aug 2023 12:26:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230823122615.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111653.htm Household fruit and vegetable production, in allotments and gardens, could be key to a healthy and food-secure population, a new study has found. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:53 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111653.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818135151.htm A new study suggests that using big data and machine learning in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in livestock production methods could help inform interventions and offer protections against germs that are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:51:51 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818135151.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818134959.htm A study has demonstrated that the partial substitution of red and processed meat with pea- and faba bean -- based food products ensured sufficient intake of amino acids in the diet and did not negatively affect bone metabolism. Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:49:59 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230818134959.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122350.htm 随着气候变化,灌溉更多的作物United States will be critical to sustaining future yields, as drought conditions are likely to increase due to warmer temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. Yet less than 20% of croplands are equipped for irrigation. A new study finds that by the middle of the 21st century under a moderate greenhouse gas emissions scenario, the benefits of expanded irrigation will outweigh the costs of installation and operation over an expanded portion of current U.S. croplands. The study maps where it makes the most sense to install irrigation for corn and soybeans and if there's enough water to do so. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:23:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122350.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122218.htm More mock seafood options are needed because of unsustainable fishing and aquaculture practices, which can harm the environment. Now, researchers have a new approach for creating desirable vegan seafood mimics that taste good, while maintaining the healthful profile of real fish. They 3D-printed an ink made from microalgae protein and mung bean protein, and their proof-of-concept calamari rings were air-fried into a snack. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:22:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122218.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143826.htm Scientists have constructed a comprehensive 'super-pangenome' for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication that could improve disease resistance and fruit quality of this vital fruit crop. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:38:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143826.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115532.htm Buckwheat's high-precision chromosomal-level genome sequence has been deciphered, a key step toward unraveling the evolution of the buckwheat genome and the origins of the cultivated crop. By altering specific genes using a method independent of common genome-editing techniques, the researchers successfully developed a self-fertile buckwheat variety as well as a new type of the crop with a sticky, mochi-like texture. This breeding method may contribute to a more diverse range of orphan crops than what is possible with existing genome editing technologies. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:55:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115532.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115445.htm Maize roots secrete certain chemicals that affect the quality of soil. In some fields, this effect increases yields of wheat planted subsequent to maize in the same soil by more than 4%. While the findings from several field experiments show that these effects are highly variable, in the long term they may yet help to make the cultivation of grains more sustainable, without the need for additional fertilizers or pesticides. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:54:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811115445.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230802162503.htm Researchers have sequenced the complete genome for einkorn wheat, the world's first domesticated crop and traced its evolutionary history. The information will help researchers identify genetic traits like tolerance to diseases, drought and heat, and re-introduce those traits to modern bread wheat. Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:25:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230802162503.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230728170630.htm Common beans are important food sources with high nutritional content. Bean seeds also contain phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote health. A study explored the composition of seed coat extracts from black and pinto bean varieties unique to the Chiapas region of Southern Mexico. Fri, 28 Jul 2023 17:06:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230728170630.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125004.htm Bat activity falls as farms make the transition to organic agriculture, new research shows. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:50:04 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125004.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719145849.htm 在怀疑的状态管理approximat牧场ely two million cattle -- a significant number of which are Angus, a top-tier breed that has unrivaled success in the commercial beef market. In a new study, researcher tested a group of commercial Angus cows using a commercial genomic prediction tool called Zoetis GeneMax Advantage to investigate the ability of the test to predict their calves' performance and profitability. This project demonstrates an important step forward in helping inform the selective breeding of commercial cowherds and giving Missouri cattle producers a competitive market advantage. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:58:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719145849.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719112641.htm Almost everyone has a bag of veggies shoved into the dark recesses of their freezer that's now essentially an unrecognizable block of ice crystals. And when thawed, foods damaged by excessive ice lose their texture and become mushy. Now, researchers have shown that broken-down soy proteins can prevent ice crystal growth and could be especially useful for preserving frozen vegan foods or biological samples. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:26:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230719112641.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711133309.htm Scientists demonstrate it is possible to build a healthy diet with 91 percent of the calories coming from ultra-processed foods (as classified using the NOVA scale) while still following the recommendations from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The study highlights the versatility of using DGA recommendations in constructing healthy menus. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:33:09 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711133309.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230709202500.htm Rising temperatures are causing British bees to wake up from hibernation almost a week earlier. Sun, 09 Jul 2023 20:25:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230709202500.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230707111640.htm Animal-based food products often come packaged in a wide array of information labels, including organic, natural, grass-fed, humanely raised and pasture-raised. But it's typically up to the consumer to do their homework and figure out what these different claims mean. Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:16:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230707111640.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706231355.htm 未加工的红肉和全谷物可以包括ded or left out of a healthy diet, according to a study conducted in 80 countries across all inhabited continents. Diets emphasizing fruit, vegetables, dairy (mainly whole-fat), nuts, legumes and fish were linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature death in all world regions. The addition of unprocessed red meat or whole grains had little impact on outcomes. Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:13:55 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706231355.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124639.htm How will future climate change affect nitrogen loss, and will cover crops still be effective in removing nitrogen from drainage water? A new study investigating near- and far-term climate change in Illinois suggests cover crops will still be beneficial, but not to the same degree. The report also forecasts major declines in corn production across the state in the future. Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:46:39 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124639.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627225244.htm 'Natural' foods are trendy, and proponents claim that little or no processing helps preserve the food's inherent flavor. Research now shows that, at least for certain artisanal, bean-to-bar chocolates, this could indeed be the case. The team reports that unroasted, 'raw' chocolate features certain compounds responsible for fruity flavors and sour tastes that are lost when the cacao beans are processed at high temperatures. Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:52:44 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627225244.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627224821.htm The specialization in sheep in the early Neolithic populations of Dalmatia, Croatia, may have been related to the rapid expansion of these communities and the spread of agriculture throughout the central and western Mediterranean. Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:48:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230627224821.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230621164800.htm Rewilding, organic farming and the 'nature friendly farming' measures included in some government conservation policies risk worsening the global biodiversity crisis by reducing how much food is produced in a region, driving up food imports and increasing environmental damage overseas. Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:48:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230621164800.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230621164518.htm A new farming system aims to solve one of the biggest problems in modern agriculture: the overuse of fertilizers to improve crop yields and the resulting chemical runoff that pollutes the world's air and water. Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:45:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230621164518.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230620113749.htm Trajectory of irrigation water use in many regions is unsustainable, but practice is vital in managing climate change and future agricultural development, researchers conclude. Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:37:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230620113749.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230615183221.htm Action to protect the planet against the impact of climate change will fall short unless we reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global food system, which now makes up a third of human-made GHG emissions, a new study reveals. Thu, 15 Jun 2023 18:32:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230615183221.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230615183136.htm Researchers have used the genome-editing tool CRISPR-Cas to create disease resistant rice plants, according to a new study. Small-scale field trials in China show that the newly created rice variety exhibited both high yields and resistance to the fungus that causes a serious disease called rice blast. Thu, 15 Jun 2023 18:31:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230615183136.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230605181205.htm Human influences have the potential to reduce the effectivity of communication in bees adding further stress to struggling colonies, according to new analysis. Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:12:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230605181205.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160216.htm Plastic made from cane sugar also threatens the environment. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have found that perch change their behavior when exposed to so-called bioplastic. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:02:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160216.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230524182022.htm We've heard it time and time again -- the Mediterranean diet is great for our health. But despite the significant health benefits of this eating plan, a common deterrent is often the expected costs, especially when budgets are tight. Wed, 24 May 2023 18:20:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230524182022.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230524182017.htm 除草剂的未来可能很快就会根据failed antibiotics. Researchers have found a molecule which was initially developed to treat tuberculosis but failed to progress out of the lab as an antibiotic is now showing promise as a powerful foe for weeds that invade our gardens and cost farmers billions of dollars each year. Wed, 24 May 2023 18:20:17 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230524182017.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230523185028.htm A non-toxic method to prevent mice from devouring wheat crops has been shown to drastically reduce seed loss. Tue, 23 May 2023 18:50:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230523185028.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230516115544.htm New research shows the number of farms globally will shrink from 616 million in 2020 to 272 million in 2100, posing significant risks to the world's food systems. Tue, 16 May 2023 11:55:44 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230516115544.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230515132022.htm Deforestation is the biggest threat to the planet's ecosystems, and new research has now mapped out exactly what happens when agriculture replaces forestry. Mon, 15 May 2023 13:20:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230515132022.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230504121003.htm When the seeds of plants such as pea and sunflower are biofortified with zinc, the seedlings they quickly produce -- harvested as microgreens -- could both help to mitigate global malnutrition and boost the odds of people surviving a catastrophe. Thu, 04 May 2023 12:10:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230504121003.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230503121323.htm Worldwide, growers lose between 10 and 23 per cent of their crops to fungal infection each year, despite widespread use of antifungals. An additional 10-20 per cent is lost post harvest. In a commentary in Nature, academics predict those figures will worsen as global warming means fungal infections are steadily moving polewards, meaning more countries are likely to see a higher prevalence of fungal infections damaging harvests. Wed, 03 May 2023 12:13:23 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230503121323.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230426210516.htm New research suggests future Martian botanists may be able to grow gene-edited rice on Mars. Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:05:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230426210516.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135340.htm Scientists have made a remarkable discovery about cellophane bees -- their microbiomes are some of the most fermentative known from the insect world. These bees, which are named for their use of cellophane-like materials to line their subterranean nests, are known for their fascinating behaviors and their important ecological roles as pollinators. Now, researchers have uncovered another aspect of their biology that makes them even more intriguing. Thu, 20 Apr 2023 13:53:40 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135340.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135319.htm Increased insect consumption by humans may be better for both gut health and planetary health. Chitin (kai'tin) and healthy fats from insects appear to contribute to healthy gut microbiota and are strong sources of protein and nutrients, according to a recent paper. Thu, 20 Apr 2023 13:53:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135319.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230417142421.htm A research model of dietary intake in 184 countries estimates that poor diet contributed to over 14.1 million cases of type 2 diabetes in 2018, representing over 70% of new diagnoses globally. Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:24:21 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230417142421.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230413154458.htm The consumption of fermented products is on the rise, and drinks like kombucha and kefir have gone viral in their popularity. But is there more to this than consumers searching for natural and healthy foods? Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:44:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230413154458.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230412153102.htm Researchers have developed an electronic patch that can be applied to the leaves of plants to monitor crops for different pathogens -- such as viral and fungal infections -- and stresses such as drought or salinity. In testing, the researchers found the patch was able to detect a viral infection in tomatoes more than a week before growers would be able to detect any visible symptoms of disease. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:31:02 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230412153102.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230405160859.htm It's the spines. New research shows that the spiny pollen from plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) both reduces infection of a common bee parasite by 81 -- 94% and markedly increases the production of queen bumble bees. The research provides much-needed food for thought in one of the most vexing problems facing biologists and ecologists: how to reverse the great die-off of the world's pollinators. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:08:59 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230405160859.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230403162405.htm While pollinator populations of many species have plummeted worldwide, one bee species is blowing up the map with its rapid population expansion. The key to this insect's success? Its passion for pumpkins, zucchinis, and other squashes, and the massive increase in cultivation of these crops across North America over the last 1,000 years. A new study found that the squash bee (Eucera pruinosa) has evolved in response to intensifying agriculture -- namely squashes in the genus Curcurbita. The research has demonstrated the role of agriculture as an evolutionary force acting on a wild insect pollinator and may have implications for food security. Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:24:05 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230403162405.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230329091939.htm Fermented coffee could bring a fruity taste to your morning cup of joe. This new kind of beverage has a raspberry-like taste and aroma, but what causes these sensations has been a mystery. Scientists now report six compounds that contribute to the fermented coffee experience. Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:19:39 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230329091939.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230324135254.htm A new digital tool can help farmers plan weed control with reduced pesticide use. The IWM Tool is one of the results of IWMPraise, a six-year European project on integrated weed management. Fri, 24 Mar 2023 13:52:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230324135254.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082718.htm Beetles are champions at surviving in extremely dry environments. In part, this property is due to their ability to suck water from the air with their rear ends. A new study explains just how. Beyond helping to explain how beetles thrive in environments where few other animals can survive, the knowledge could eventually be used for more targeted and delicate control of global pests such as the grain weevil and red flour beetle. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:27:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082718.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082713.htm Scientists have come up with a system of measuring animal welfare that enables reliable comparison across different types of pig farming. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:27:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082713.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082702.htm Temperature influences how badly pesticides affect bees' behavior, suggesting uncertain impacts under climate change, according to a new study. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:27:02 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322082702.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230320143741.htm A study used video games to test ways of balancing agriculture and conservation -- and found getting more women involved in decision-making may boost productivity and the planet's health. Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:37:41 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230320143741.htm