Common hop – you might call it hops – is a main ingredient in beer responsible for its rich flavor profile. Craft brewers and larger manufacturers alike are always looking for that […]
What are some current advancements in hop breeding?
Get out of the weeds – Use the right tool for the job
To quote Matshona Dhliwayo: “A flower does not diminish in beauty, no matter how many weeds envy it.” But we can provide a friendly assist to maintain a prized bloom, impeccably groomed […]
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 […]
What damage do sugarcane aphids do to crops?
Looking at sugarcane aphid damage, we need to look a little bit about the biology of sugarcane aphids. Their biology goes hand-in-hand with the damage they do! Aphids belong to the ‘true […]
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 […]
How is drought affecting irrigation water for pecans?
The holidays are a time to bake pecan pies and make salted pecans. And for the more daring, making pralines. And it seems the pecan pie has been around for about a […]
Cassava: A plant for all times
If you look across a field in Nigeria, you might see hundreds of midsize trees with green leaves and strange roots being dug up. This tree-looking plant is called cassava. Cassava is […]