Agriculture
Metabolic fingerprinting: Proteomics IDs protein in pollen drops
April 11, 2013 2:35 am | News | CommentsProteomics is a powerful technique for examining the structure and function of the proteome. For some organisms, proteomics can uncover the relationship between DNA, RNA, and the production of proteins. For those without a sequenced genome, proteomics can finding new proteins. In a new study, researchers have demonstrated the suitability of proteomics in determining the composition of gymnosperm pollination drops.
Extreme algae blooms the new normal?
April 4, 2013 7:36 am | News | CommentsIn 2011, Lake Erie experienced a record-breaking algae bloom that began in the lake's Western region in mid-July and eventually covered an area of 230 square miles. At its peak in October, the bloom had expanded to more than 1,930 square miles, three times greater than any other bloom on record. According to recent research, the bloom was triggered by long-term agricultural practices coupled with extreme precipitation, followed by weak lake circulation and warm temperatures.
Spinal tap: Using cactus spines to isolate DNA
March 6, 2013 11:05 am | News | CommentsIsolation of DNA from some organisms is a routine procedure. For example, you can buy a kit at your local pharmacy or grocery store that allows you to swab the inside of your cheek and send the sample for DNA sequencing. However, for other organisms, DNA extraction is much more problematic. Researchers at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona, have developed a novel procedure that greatly simplifies genomic DNA isolation from cactus tissue.
Avoiding virus dangers in “domesticating” wild plants for biofuel use
February 15, 2013 11:36 am | News | CommentsAccording to Michigan State University plant biologist Carolyn Malmstrom, when we start combining the qualities of different types of plants into one, there can be unanticipated results. In the domestication of wild plants for bioenergy, for example, long-lived plants are being selected for fast growth like annuals. In contrast, perennial plants in nature grow slower, but are usually better equipped to fight off invading viruses. When wild-growing perennials do get infected they can serve as reservoirs for viruses.
Understanding microbes blowing in the wind
February 7, 2013 8:37 am | by Dennis O'Brien | News | CommentsWith help from a wind tunnel and the latest DNA technology, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are shedding light on the travel patterns of microbes in soils carried off by strong winds. The work has implications for soil health and could lead to management practices that minimize the damage to soils caused by wind erosion.
Wind in the willows boosts biofuel production
January 21, 2013 9:43 am | News | CommentsA curious characteristic of willows is that when they are cultivated for green energy they can yield five times more biofuel if they grow diagonally, compared with those that grow naturally straight up. Scientists were previously unable to explain why some willows produced more biofuel than others, but researchers have now identified a genetic trait that causes this effect and is activated in some trees when they sense they are at an angle, such as where they are blown sideways in windy conditions.
Solar-powered storage could save crops
December 3, 2012 12:03 pm | by Judy Ashton, University of Cincinnati | News | CommentsSpoilage of harvests on their way to market is a major contribution to food shortages in India. A university-industry partnership has produced an innovative solar chiller container and distribution plan to change that. The SolerCool container and business venture has been developed as a solar generator that can store energy.
The mathematics of leaf decay
October 4, 2012 4:48 am | by Jennifer Chu | News | CommentsThe natural decay of organic carbon contributes more than 90% of the yearly carbon dioxide released into Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Understanding the rate at which leaves decay can help scientists predict this global flux of carbon dioxide. But a single leaf may undergo different rates of decay depending on a number of variables. Researchers have just built a mathematical model that incorporates these variables, and have discovered a commonality within the diversity of leaf decay.
The colors of fall: Are autumn reds and golds passing us by?
September 26, 2012 6:11 am | News | CommentsAccording to research done at the Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research site in Masschusetts, autumn colors were different there a century, or even a half-century, ago. And they will likely continue to change as alterations to the landscape occur through changing climate, tree disease, and harvesting practices.
A greener way to fertilize nursery crops
August 28, 2012 7:48 am | by Dennis O'Brien | News | CommentsOrnamental nursery and floral crops require micronutrients like iron, manganese, copper and zinc. But fertilizers that provide these micronutrients often include synthetic compounds that bind with the micronutrients to make them available to the roots. They also extract metals from sediments, contributing to heavy metals in runoff. A Dept. of Agriculture scientist has found a biodegradable alternative to these agents.
Athletic field paint steals spotlight from the grass it covers
August 27, 2012 7:19 am | News | CommentsProfessional athletic field managers maintain trimmed turfgrass with great precision, carefully painting crisp lines and colorful logos on their grass before each game. While these fields appear to be in perfect health, some field managers have noted deteriorating turfgrass beneath repeated paint applications. New research into the relationship between photosynthesis and latex paint suggests why.
Study: Soybeans susceptible to man-made materials in soil
August 22, 2012 9:18 am | News | CommentsBased on recent published research that describes how soybean plants develop while exposed to manufactured nanomaterials, scientists are now contending that these nanomaterials—now popular in consumer products such as shampoos, gels, hair dyes and sunscreens—may be detrimental to the quality and yield of food crops such as soybeans.
Biotech corn stops pests cold
August 31, 2005 8:00 pm | Award WinnersMonsanto’s YieldGard results in crop yields that are about 8% greater than those treated with a leading soil-applied insecticide.
