A research team has uncovered how two banana transcription factors, MaNAC029 and MaNAC19, work together to coordinate two of the most important events in fruit ripening: ethylene production and sucrose accumulation.

A research team has identified GmJAZ8 as a key regulator of soybean seed germination, combining genome-wide association mapping with transcriptomic and functional analyses to show that this gene can accelerate the germination process.

A research team found that hybrid maize (Zea mays) is often harvested with high seed moisture, increasing drying costs and risking mechanical damage and reduced vigor.

Two previously unknown species of fungi, Neohelicomyces coffeae and Neohelicomyces puerensis, have been found living on dead coffee plant branches in China. These belong to a group called Neohelicomyces, known for their unique, coiled shapes that look like tiny springs or spirals under a microscope. While many fungi in this group have been found in the wild, this study is significant because it explores how these organisms exist within agricultural environments, specifically in coffee-growing regions.

Better farming through technology: A new UC Riverside system can map soil moisture tree by tree, so growers water only where and when it’s needed. 

Agricultural systems worldwide face increasing pressure to enhance productivity while mitigating environmental impact, particularly regarding greenhouse gas emissions linked to fertilizer use. The production and application of nitrogen fertilizers account for a substantial portion of agriculture's carbon footprint. Addressing this challenge, a collaborative research effort from Shenyang Agricultural University explored a novel approach: utilizing monosodium glutamate waste liquid residue (MSGWLR) as a complete or partial substitute for conventional chemical nitrogen fertilizers in rice cultivation. This investigation sought to quantify the effects on rice yield, quality parameters, and crucially, the overall carbon emissions associated with rice production, proposing a pathway toward cleaner agricultural and industrial practices.