Agriculture

Agriculture

Afghanistan’s Seed Banks Destroyed

On Sept. 10, scientists in Kabul reported the loss of Afghanistan’s principal agricultural insurance policy: two stores of carefully collected seeds, materials selected to represent the genetic diversity of native crops. Here, some of the wheat seed brought into the country by a convoy, this spring, is being stored pending redistribution to Afghan farmers. USAID […]

Agriculture

Sprawling over croplands

Satellite imagery indicates that sprawling urban development has been disproportionately gobbling up those lands best able to support crops.

Agriculture

Killer bees boost coffee yields

Even self-pollinating coffee plants benefit substantially from visits by insect pollinators.

Agriculture

Slugging It Out with Caffeine

Anyone who has raised tomatoes in a moist environment knows the tell-tale sign: Overnight, a ripe, juicy orb sustains a huge, oozing wound. If you arrive early, you might catch the dastardly culprit: a slug. In one test, scientists sprayed soil with dilute caffeine and then watched as slugs, like this one, made haste to […]

Agriculture

Moos, microbes, and methane

A feed additive could reduce methane emissions from cows.

Agriculture

Journal disowns transgene report

The journal Nature now says it shouldn't have published a report that genetically engineered corn is leaking exotic genes into the traditional maize crops of Mexico.

Agriculture

Gene Makes Tomatoes Tolerate Salt

The world's first genetically engineered salt-tolerant tomato plant may help farmers utilize spoiled lands.

Agriculture

Tasteful new wrapping can protect produce

New, fruit- and vegetable-based edible packaging could reduce the amount of synthetic wrapping needed to protect food.