Crop Diseases
John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Wheat, Education U.S. West, Conservation/Tillage, Food/Nutrition, Sustainability, Crop Diseases, Research, Ag Innovation, Agronomy,

UC Davis receives grant to increase dietary fiber in wheat

Diets lacking fiber are linked to health concerns such as colon cancer and heart diseases, but Americans only consume 30 percent of the recommended daily amount of fiber. One way to increase fiber consumption is to produce wheat varieties that contain more fiber. The University of California, Davis, has a received a nearly $500,000 Seeding Solutions grant from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) to increase the dietary fiber content in wheat products. Bay State Milling, California Wheat Commission and Limagrain Cereal Seeds provided matching funds for a total investment of $959,997. “A small increase in fiber content in refined flour products can translate into a significant boost in the public’s consumption of dietary fiber.” said FFAR Executive Director Sally Rockey. “By developing wholesome food with more fiber, and the same great taste, we can lower the incidence of preventable, diet-related diseases.” Refined wheat flour, commonly known as all-purpose flour, is more popular than whole wheat flour in most industrialized countries, but lower in fiber. To increase fiber in refined flour, UC Davis researchers, led by Jorge Dubcovsky, are investigating ways to increase wheat dietary fiber using modified starch synthesis enzymes. The first generation of varieties with increased dietary fiber in the plant’s starch showed reduced grain yield, making the grain more costly for consumers. Dubcovsky’s team is developing a second generation of wheat varieties with high fiber in the refined flour but with a higher grain yield. Using genetic tools and molecular markers the researchers are identifying genes responsible for wheat yield, quality and fiber content. With this information, the researchers are testing combinations of wheat genetics, environmental conditions and growing practices that encourage high-yield and high-fiber crops. “Most of the refined flour is starch, so the trick is to hide the fiber in the starch,” said Dubcovsky. “We increased the relative amount of ‘r...

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Coffee/Tea, Crop Consultant, Economics, Crop Diseases, Research, World Population,

Coffee leaf rust detected in Hawaii for the first time

Coffee leaf rust is devastating to coffee plants and has been found around the world in major coffee growing areas.

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TOPIC(S): Cotton, Agriculture US, Education U.S. MidWest, Crop Diseases, Research,

10/15/2020 SOURCE: ocm.auburn.edu

Auburn research team tackles new cotton virus

Since a potentially devastating cotton virus was first detected in Alabama fields in 2017, a group of Auburn University researchers and Alabama Extension specialists has been working tirelessly to learn everything they can about it so farmers can minimize their risks.

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Wheat, Economics, Crop Diseases, Fungicides, Ag Africa, Weather,

Wheat blast has made the intercontinental jump to Africa

For the first time, wheat blast, a fast-acting and devastating fungal disease, has been reported on the African continent, according to a new article published by scientists from the Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the US Department of Agriculture – Foreign Disease Weed Science Research Unit (USDA-ARS)

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TOPIC(S): Agriculture Global, Crop Diseases,

09/24/2020 SOURCE: www.nwaonline.com

IN THE GARDEN: Leaf spots unattractive, but not harmful at present

Q I have these three hydrangea plants that have these black spots on them. They are planted along the same side of our house that faces east, so get morning sun and afternoon shade and watered about twice a week. They started this last year. Can you tell me what is going on and what to do or not do? I took these pictures about three weeks ago, and now the largest two have suddenly thinned out a lot but still have a few blooms and new growth. Help! I am new to gardening.

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Education U.S. NorthEast, Beekeeping, Crop Diseases, Research, Genes /Genetics, World Hunger, Ag Africa, Plant Breeding,

A newly held study gives biodiversity critical of Shea production in Africa - africanfairtradesociety

According to a recent study led by scientists from Trinity College Dublin, Shea yield is likely to benefit varieties of shrubs and trees in parkland habitats in West Africa.

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Soil Health, Education U.S. NorthEast, Water, Sustainability, Crop Diseases, Research, World Population,

Virginia researchers studying 'the sound of plants dancing' to improve agriculture

What do dancing plants sound like?

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John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
shared this 2 article 5 years ago
Topics: Corn/Maize, Economics, Sustainability, Crop Diseases, Research, World Hunger, World Population,

Tar Spot: An Understudied Disease Threatening Corn Production in the Americas

Tar spot of corn has been a major foliar disease in several Latin American countries since 1904. In 2015, tar spot was first documented in the United States and has led to significant yield losses ...

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TOPIC(S): Corn/Maize, Agriculture US, Crop Diseases,

09/01/2020 SOURCE: www.farmprogress.com

Long-term advice for preventing stalk rot

Corn Illustrated: Here are tips that should minimize problems with stalk rot.

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