Cotton cultivation in the Mississippi Delta region. In this area, water management and soil fertility are key challenges for agricultural sustainability. Photo: Chris Light, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Chris Light, Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Cover crops and reduced tillage cut water demand in cotton fields

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A Mississippi State University study shows that cover crops and conservation tillage increase soil water retention, reducing and sometimes even eliminating the need for supplemental irrigation
The slender extensions of chloroplasts have been revealed as a sophisticated cellular communication system, essential for plant survival under conditions of extreme heat, soil salinity, or drought. Photo: pxhere, CC0 Public Domain. Free for personal and commercial use. No attribution requiredpxhere, CC0 Public Domain. Free for personal and commercial use. No attribution required

The tiny “fingers” that help plants survive stress

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Una ricerca tedesca chiarisce il ruolo degli stromuli delle piante, i sottili prolungamenti dei cloroplasti che trasmettono segnali di stress al nucleo della cellula e attivano le difese contro caldo, siccità e salinità
Interaction with plant roots impacts soil health. Photo: Philip Halling CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericPhilip Halling CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Why restoring soil health is a win-win for farmers and the environment

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More than half of Europe’s soils are degraded. Researchers are showing that restoring soil through better farming makes both ecological and financial sense
Experimental Salicornia plots at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture. The global phenomenon of soil salinization has spurred research into natural strategies that can increase plant resilience. Photo: Charbel El Khouri - International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, CC BY-SA 4.0Photo: Charbel El Khouri - International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, CC BY-SA 4.0

Here is how soil bacteria can save crops from salinization

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An international study has identified soil bacteria that naturally boost plants' resistance to soil salinization stress. The discovery opens up new opportunities for an agriculture that relies less on fertilizers
Palm oil production in Brazil. Biodiversity loss linked to agriculture is concentrated in tropical areas, which account for almost 80 per cent of the total impact. Photo: Miguel Pinheiro/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DeedMiguel Pinheiro/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed

Palm, coconut and soybean oil account for 1.5 per cent of global biodiversity loss

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A new study reveals that these three oil crops alone are responsible for around 75% of the biodiversity loss linked to agricultural expansion. A consequence of growing demand for many everyday products
The snow cover plays a vital role in winter crops, protecting them from frost and providing a valuable water supply. Photo: PickPik Royalty-Free photoPhoto: PickPik Royalty-Free photo

Snow drought is a growing risk for global agriculture

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Una ricerca del Politecnico di Hong Kong mostra come la carenza di neve colpisca quasi la metà dei terreni coltivati dell’emisfero nord, amplificando i rischi per la sicurezza alimentare mondiale
A cell hidden in the roots of common beans could pave the way for crops that are more drought-resistant and less reliant on fertilisers. Photo: H. Zell Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedH. Zell Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

In bean roots, researchers have identified a previously unknown resource for agriculture

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An American study has identified microscopic hair roots capable of absorbing nutrients and retaining water within the very first days of a plant’s life, thereby improving its chances of survival even in the driest soils
Bumblebees are pollinators that play a vital role in agriculture and natural ecosystems. Photo: pixnio Public Domain – Free Creative Commons Zero (CC0) Photospixnio Public Domain – Free Creative Commons Zero (CC0) Photos

Climate and pollinators: for bumblebees heat isn’t always their enemy

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American study finds that major agricultural pollinators can adapt better than expected to moderate temperature increases. But extreme heat waves may jeopardize entire colonies
Soybean cultivation, the third leading cause of tropical deforestation, can now be monitored with greater precision. Photo: Pixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication licensePixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license

Tracking soybean to stop deforestation with chemistry and AI

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An innovative method combines chemical fingerprinting and machine learning to pinpoint the origin of soybeans with unprecedented accuracy. A practical tool to support the enforcement of stricter traceability rules
A temporary soybean crop on a rye field in Dallas County, Texas. In the U.S., the area planted with cover crops has exceeded 7 million hectares in recent years, representing a 17% increase in just five years. Photo: NRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 LicenseNRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 License

For better soil health, cover crops come out on top

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A U.S. study has examined 50 years of best practices: cover crops ensure more consistent effects, while tillage, rotations and drainage show less uniform impacts across different contexts

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