Consumer interest in medicinal and aromatic herbs is on the rise, with buyers increasingly concerned about the microbiological quality of nutraceutical and aromatic plants. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and sensor technology allows for high-resolution crop monitoring, particularly in the production of rosemary and sage in Grotte (Italy), Agrigento District. The aim of…
An international team of agronomists is calling for a new approach to estimate crop yield potential and gaps — information that is critical in planning how to meet growing food demand. University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers made major contributions to the study, published online April 8 in the journal Nature Food. “We are in a race…
Water supply for irrigation is a limiting factor for agriculture in Mediterranean countries. A strategy for increasing water availability proposes to use low quality water for irrigation to avoid irrigation with precious and high cost potable water. A drawback about using waste water is the potential heavy metal accumulation in soil and foodstuff. In this…
The pollution of the planet by microplastics is significantly cutting food supplies by damaging the ability of plants to photosynthesise, according to a new assessment. The analysis estimates that between 4% and 14% of the world’s staple crops of wheat, rice and maize is being lost due to the pervasive particles. It could get even…
Sometime in the 1980s, an unprecedented change in the human condition occurred. For the first time in known history, the average person on Earth had enough to eat all the time. Depending on their size, adult humans need to take in about 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day to thrive. For as far back as…
As global populations grow, food security is becoming more urgent. And traditional agriculture, which is susceptible to weather patterns and reliant on arable land, is struggling to meet existing crop production before even considering this increasing demand. The UK is also set for further harvest challenges, as highlighted by recent by recent Defra analysis, which…
Scientists have discovered how plants adapt their root systems in drought conditions to grow steeper into the soil to access deeper water reserves. Plant scientists from the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, have identified how abscisic acid (ABA), a plant hormone known for its role in drought response, influences root…
Study shows: Chickpeas are a drought-resistant legume plant with a high protein content Climate change has a negative impact on food security. An international research team led by Wolfram Weckwerth from the University of Vienna has now conducted a study to investigate the natural variation of different chickpea genotypes and their resistance to drought stress….
Soil, often revered as the ‘Skin of the Earth’ or geo-derma, is a biogeochemically transformed layer of parent rock and sediments, typically about one meter deep, that supports most terrestrial life. Despite its thinness, this vital resource underpins the production of over 95% of human food and shelters approximately two-thirds of the planet’s biodiversity. However,…
As the world faces growing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, the need for innovative solutions to ensure food security has become more urgent than ever. World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16, serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices in feeding the global population. Let’s discuss Nature-Based…