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 […]
Why are certain crops used to make biofuels?
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 […]
How do orange peels influence soybean growth?
Soybean is one of the most important crops cultivated around the world and it is the principal grain legume grown in the United States. It is valued because it has a high […]
What is sunn hemp and how is it used in agronomy?
Let’s talk about a crop that can grow in inhospitable environments and still provide numerous benefits. It can increase soil organic matter and provide lots of nitrogen. It suppresses plant parasitic nematodes […]
Old beans may have new uses
In the United States, you will be hard pressed to find a barbeque without baked beans. Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving favorite. Refried beans come on the side of our orders […]
Sesame cultivation: expansion versus temperature stress
Garnished on top of a freshly baked hamburger bun or deeply nestled within a crunchy granola bar, tiny sesame seed seldom gets enough of our attention. But it’s captured the interest of […]
What is the quinoa seed and germplasm collection like?
You may never have heard of quinoa before 2013. That’s when the United Nations ran a campaign to promote awareness of this cereal crop. Now, many people enjoy a bowl of cooked […]