All articles tagged with #crops
Central California peach farmers will destroy about 420,000 clingstone peach trees after Del Monte Foods shut its Modesto and Hughson canneries, leaving around 50,000 tons of peaches without buyers. Federal officials approved up to $9 million in emergency aid to remove about 3,000 acres of orchards, a move expected to avert roughly $30 million in further losses and allow growers to pivot to alternative crops.
A Johns Hopkins study shows crops irrigated with treated wastewater accumulate psychoactive drug residues mainly in leaves rather than edible parts, with leaf concentrations in tomatoes far higher than in fruit and carrot leaves higher than roots; drug behavior varies by compound, informing risk assessment and future monitoring/regulation.
Torrential rains and strong winds from Storm Marta inundated fields across southern Spain and parts of Portugal, prompting evacuations, transport disruptions and about 750 million euros in agricultural and forestry losses as farmers push for government relief.
The Luma Island Farming Guide provides detailed instructions on starting and managing a farm, including crop and animal management. Players can purchase seeds from the Farmer's Shop and unlock more as they harvest new crops. Everseed variants allow for regrowth without repurchasing seeds. Automation options include sprinklers for watering and rabbits or chickens for weed and critter control. Fertilizer and beehives are necessary for certain crops, and various animals offer different utilities and item drops. The guide emphasizes the integration of farming with the Cook and Brewer professions for income generation.
Scientists propose genetically engineering crops to be colorful in order to aid in weeding and reduce the need for pesticides, as it would make it easier to distinguish them from weeds. This is particularly important as climate-resistant "weeds" are being considered for food production in the future. By altering the crops' genomes to express pigments such as anthocyanins or carotenoids, they could be visually distinctive and easily identified by robot weeders, addressing the challenge of distinguishing new crops from their wild counterparts.
India is experiencing its driest August in over a century, with record low rainfall likely to persist due to the El Niño weather pattern, according to officials from the India Meteorological Department. The lack of rainfall could negatively impact summer-sown crops, such as rice and soybeans, leading to higher prices and overall food inflation. The monsoon, which provides around 70% of India's required rainfall, is crucial for the country's economy. The dry conditions are expected to continue in southern and northwestern states, while some improvement is anticipated in the northeast and central regions. The prolonged dry spell and low soil moisture levels pose a threat to crop yields, emphasizing the urgent need for rainfall.
A pan-grass transcriptome study using single-cell RNA sequencing reveals patterns of cellular divergence in crops, including maize, sorghum, and Setaria. The study provides insights into the genetic control of root system architecture and organ complexity in these crops. The data is available for further analysis and research.
The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Monday morning in several southeastern Michigan counties, including Saginaw, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Lenawee. Temperatures are expected to be as low as 30 degrees, which could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. It is advised to take steps to protect tender plants from the cold and wrap, drain, or allow outdoor plumbing to drip slowly to prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning for several counties in the Lowcountry, including Williamsburg, inland Georgetown, and parts of Orangeburg, as temperatures 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below are expected. The warning is expected to last from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday for Georgetown and Williamsburg counties and from 3 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday for Orangeburg County. A freeze watch was also issued for Dorchester, inland Berkeley, and inland Colleton counties.