Feature Channels: Agriculture

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Scientists have uncovered a crucial evolutionary mechanism that could revolutionize oil production in crops. The study reveals that whole genome duplications (WGDs) significantly boost oil content in oil crops, offering a strategic pathway to increase vegetable oil yields to meet rising global demand. This discovery promises to transform agricultural practices, ensuring a sustainable supply of this vital resource for both dietary and industrial use.

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Advancing the frontiers of agricultural genetics, a newly developed eight-way tomato Multiparental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population serves as a rich genetic resource that unlocks diverse traits from wild tomato species.

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A new study has mapped the genetic makeup of mango, revealing its genomic diversity and population structure that influence key agronomic traits. The research identifies genetic differentiation among mango populations and discovers candidate genes linked to flowering, fruit weight, and aroma compounds, essential for advancing mango breeding through genomic-assisted methods.

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In the era of smart agriculture, the precise labeling and recording of growth information in plants pose challenges for modern agricultural production. This study introduces strontium aluminate particles based microneedles (MNs) patches as diverse luminescent labels for information encoding and storage during plant growth

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Researchers have discovered that miR319a, a microRNA, significantly enhances poplar trees' resilience to salt stress, potentially revolutionizing tree cultivation in saline environments. This discovery sheds light on how trees maintain essential ion balance under salty conditions, paving the way for developing salt-tolerant varieties.

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Scientists have unveiled a revolutionary protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-less genome editing system using CRISPR-SpRY, marking a major advancement in soybean breeding. This innovative method eliminates the traditional PAM sequence constraints, enabling precise editing at specific loci.

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A research team has reviewed the crucial role of light-dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (LPOR) in chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development, particularly during the dark-light transition in plants.

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Wildfires can damage crops, even if flames come nowhere near the plants. One outcome can be an unpleasant flavor and smell of wine that is made from grapes exposed to smoke. But researchers report in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that they have developed a way to lessen this smoke taint to improve the palatability of the wine.

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Researchers studied gene expression in plant/mycorrhizae symbioses by analyzing the roots of a model plant colonized by fungi and using a combination of techniques to measure gene activity in individual cells and visualize gene expression within two-dimensional sections of roots.

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A pivotal study has pinpointed a gene module crucial for enhancing walnut trees' resistance to anthracnose, a widespread fungal disease threatening the walnut industry.

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A cutting-edge study has unveiled the sophisticated methods pathogens use to weaken plant defenses. It shows how a pathogen's effector protein targets the chloroplast protein StFC-II, increasing its levels in chloroplasts and reducing the plant's ability to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This manipulation significantly compromises the plant's immune response, offering new insights into potential strategies for enhancing plant resistance to infections.

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In the agricultural and food industry, determining the chemical composition of raw materials is important for production efficiency, application, and price. Traditional laboratory testing is time-consuming, complicated, and expensive. New research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and machine learning can provide quick, accurate, and cost-effective product analysis.

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A pioneering study has uncovered the genetic basis of dormancy in lychee trees, a tropical evergreen perennial. The research identifies LcSVP2 as a critical gene in the regulation of terminal bud dormancy.

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A new, biomass-based material developed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers can be used to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide. The material is primarily made from lignin, an organic molecule that is a main component of wood and other plants, and it can take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from concentrated sources or directly from the air.

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A cutting-edge study reveals the natural compound (-)-carvone in Spearmint as a potent and sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides. This research demonstrates how (-)-carvone targets and degrades microtubules in weeds, inducing cell death and inhibiting growth without harming the environment. The findings suggest a future where allelopathic plants offer eco-friendly solutions to weed management, supporting biodiversity and reducing the reliance on harmful chemicals in agriculture.

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Uncovering the genetic saga of Castanea trees, a pivotal study maps their evolutionary journey and local climate adaptations. This research pierces through the veil of time to reveal the genetic markers and molecular mechanisms that have allowed these nut fruit trees to adapt and flourish across East Asia, offering precious insights for their future in the face of environmental challenges.

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Agritech and Innovation Center (AIC), Chulalongkorn University, in Saraburi, with its network, organized the “AIC Chula Saraburi Expo 2024” on June 25-26, 2024, under the concept “International Food and Low Carbon in Agriculture and Livestock.” The event aimed to expand the target attendees to students and young people to create a network of agriculturalists, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and public and private organizations. The goal is to apply knowledge to create beneficial innovations for the advancement of the country.

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A pioneering study introduces a functional data analysis (FDA) methodology to model the relationship between environmental factors and crop yields in year-round agriculture. Designed for crops like strawberries and tomatoes, this model offers a predictive framework that enhances agricultural management, optimizing resource use and promoting sustainability amidst climate change and increasing global food demands.

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A cutting-edge study has revealed how genetic signals from rootstocks influence drought resistance in grafted walnut trees. Researchers found that by modifying the JrGA20ox1 gene in rootstocks, they could significantly enhance the trees' ability to cope with water scarcity. The study demonstrates a powerful new method for improving agricultural resilience to climate change, offering hope for sustaining walnut production under increasingly challenging environmental conditions.