When driving, you might be familiar with using a navigation app to get you to your destination. Often, you can choose the fastest route or the most gas-efficient route. Farmers also can […]
How is tractor guidance used to improve crop production?
What are drain tiles?
Drain tiles are pipes buried in the ground at a shallow depth, to remove excess water from saturated soils. Modern drain “tiles” are actually perforated plastic drain tubes typically placed at a […]
What is sustainable turfgrass?
Turfgrass is also known as “natural grass.” It’s a natural, root-bearing plant. Artificial turf is made of nylon or polypropylene fibers. Natural turfgrass can be managed in sustainable ways, but artificial turf […]
What are corn tillers?
If you want to start a heated discussion, ask your social group for their thoughts on pineapple pizza the next time you order take-out. While the opposition is strong, more pie-lovers approve […]
How do rootstocks help tomato growers under heat and drought?
No matter the location, plants can experience stress. This can be in your home garden, the local community garden, or on a farm miles away. Stresses include heat or drought, and they […]
How do nutrients get into my vegetables?
Like all living organisms, vegetables need nutrients for their proper growth and development. But where do they get their mineral nutrients from? The answer is soil. Okay, the next question is, how […]
How is cabbage grown organically?
Despite the ongoing controversy of “who started the corned beef and cabbage” tradition, many still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this meal. Researchers are looking at ways to grow your cabbage organically […]
How are seeds dispersed?
Seed dispersal in plants takes on countless forms, yet most dispersal mechanisms fall within the categories of gravity, wind, water, and animal dispersal. Let’s dive into these mechanisms in more detail. Next […]
Why are certain crops used to make biofuels?
Climate change is one of the top issues of our time. Wind power, solar energy and electric cars grab a lot of headlines as solutions. Biofuels hold promise too, as part of […]
How are new varieties of plants registered and why?
You may see a new variety of vegetable at the grocery store, for example an unusual new lettuce or apple. There are other important new varieties of crops that don’t show up […]