Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan recently examined how different kinds of pesticides and fertilizers affect mandarin oranges across Japan. Analysis showed that while reducing pesticides enhanced the diversity of microbes in the soil, it also led to an increase in fruit disease caused by leaf pathogens. The real-world data from commercial farms thus indicate a trade-off above ground with potential ecological benefits below ground. The study offers important insights for the advancement of sustainable agricultural technologies and future policy development.

Researchers in China comprehensively identified 54 AhPR10 genes in cultivated peanut, phylogenetically classified into eight distinct subgroups with supported gene structure and motif conservation. Segmental duplication was identified as the primary driver for the expansion of the AhPR10 gene family, as revealed by chromosomal distribution and synteny analysis. The recombinant AhPR10-33 protein demonstrated significant antifungal activity by inhibiting Aspergillus flavus mycelial growth in vitro, highlighting its potential role in pathogen resistance.

Concordia researchers developed a new way to measure snow water availability, revealing “creeping snow droughts” in western and southern Canada. Declines in snowpack water threaten rivers, agriculture, hydropower, shipping and communities, affecting 86 % of Canadians despite occurring in just 3 % of land. Findings published in Communications Earth & Environment

Drone technology is poised for remarkable progress across multiple domains, with next-generation systems set to transform disaster response, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, archaeology, environmental management, farming, and numerous other fields vital for human development. Next-generation drones are expected to have far greater endurance, including extended flight ranges, longer operational duty cycles, and enhanced resilience. These capabilities will enable sustained, long-duration missions, such as long-distance medical or commercial deliveries, as well as wide-area surveillance across densely populated urban environments and expansive forested regions.

New research shows that the mere smell of predators is enough to change deer behavior and limit browsing damage to tree saplings. The findings offer a potential tool for forest recovery and highlight the important role large predators play. The research is published in the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology.