Prof. Chengcai Chu and his team from South China Agricultural University have systematically summarized the process of genetic basis of N-dependent RSA in Arabidopsis and major crops.

Farmers are always looking for smarter ways to boost crop health, and one of the industry’s latest game-changers is polymer-coated, controlled-release fertilizers (PC-CRFs). These high-tech soil enhancers deliver nutrients gradually, ensuring plants get exactly what they need when they need it without the waste of traditional methods.

While PC-CRFs can boost crop efficiency, a new study from University of Missouri researcher Maryam Salehi and collaborators uncovers a downside — microplastic pollution. As the polymer coatings break down in the soil, they release tiny plastic particles into the environment.

How can the loss of species and habitats in agricultural landscapes be stopped? Up to now, measures have mostly been implemented by individual farms. In contrast, agri-environmental measures that are planned across farms at landscape level offer greater potential for creating suitable habitats for different species as a mosaic in the landscape. However, successful landscape level approaches also require cooperation between farms and other stakeholders from local governments, politics and nature conservation. Researchers at the University of Göttingen have therefore identified essential key factors that facilitate successful agricultural-environmental collaboration at landscape level. The results of the study were published in People and Nature.

Weeds like Palmer amaranth make farming harder and less profitable, and available herbicides are becoming less effective. For scientists to find solutions, they first need to know their enemy. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and collaborating institutions reveals complete chromosome-level genomes for Palmer and two other Amaranthus species, smooth and redroot pigweed. The advancement represents a major leap in scientists’ understanding of the weeds’ biology, including their ability to detoxify common herbicides.

This study reviews the use of extrusion in processing wheat-based products. It highlights that extrusion parameters—such as temperature, pressure, die size, and shear rate—significantly influence the microstructure and nutritional properties, including starch gelatinization and protein denaturation. These findings suggest that extrusion can enhance nutrient retention and drive product innovation, addressing challenges in traditional wheat processing.