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  • KANSAS: Scientists plot genetic ploy against grain pest

    Posted: November 3rd, 2009 - 7:50am

    Aided by a genomic map of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university scientists are plotting a kind of genetic sabotage on the pest’s basic life functions—from locomotion to digestion.

    Date Published: 
    02.nov.09
    Source Title: 
    ARS News Service
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  • TEXAS: Rice research gets a leg up on understanding plant reactions to environment

    Posted: November 3rd, 2009 - 7:49am

    One might say plants don't have a leg to stand on, but that may actually give them a leg up on the animal kingdom when it comes to environmental adaptability.

    Date Published: 
    02.nov.09
    Source Title: 
    Texas A&M AgriLife Communications
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  • Dangerous citrus pest nears CALIFORNIA growing center

    Posted: October 31st, 2009 - 10:41am

    A tiny insect that threatens California's $1.6-billion citrus industry has been found near one of the state's commercial citrus growing regions. The Asian citrus psyllid, which has ravaged orchards in Florida as well as overseas, was found in Valley Center in rural San Diego County, the closest the bug has come to a major concentration of citrus groves.

    Date Published: 
    30.oct.09
    Source Title: 
    Los Angeles Times
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  • SOUTH DAKOTA: Spying on corn rootworm predators’ nightlife

    Posted: October 30th, 2009 - 7:52pm

    Agricultural Research Service (ARS) entomologist Jonathan G. Lundgren, while exploring corn fields at night, has found a very different group of predators than the ones that feed during the day. It turns out that these night-time predators have a great appetite for corn rootworms, the most costly pest of corn in the world.

    Date Published: 
    30.oct.09
    Source Title: 
    ARS News Service
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  • ARS releases first hard winter wheat varieties for Eastern U.S. production

    Posted: October 29th, 2009 - 9:59am

    The first hard winter wheat varieties bred and developed for production in the eastern United States have been released by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). NuEast, a hard red winter wheat, and Appalachian White, a hard white winter wheat, were bred by ARS plant pathologist and geneticist David Marshall, research leader of the Plant Science Research Unit in Raleigh, N.C.

    Date Published: 
    29.oct.09
    Source Title: 
    ARS News Service
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  • CALIFORNIA: Calif. drought means more imported produce

    Posted: October 27th, 2009 - 8:41am

    The talk in sunny California these days is about water - specifically, the lack of it. Legislators there are working a sweeping plan to overhaul the state's water management system. The plan includes tough new rules forcing residents to use 10 percent less water by the year 2015. CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes reports on why such measures are needed.

    Date Published: 
    26.oct.09
    Source Title: 
    CBS
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  • US AND THAILAND: Computer modeling can contribute to Thai soybean production

    Posted: October 26th, 2009 - 5:57pm

    Agricultural Research Service  (ARS) scientists are testing the soybean model GLYCIM to improve its performance under a range of conditions around the world. In the process, they’ve been able to pinpoint the best agronomic practices for maximizing soybean production in Thailand.

    Date Published: 
    26.oct.09
    Source Title: 
    ARS News Service
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  • US: NSF gives USD 101 million to 32 Plant Genome Projects

    Posted: October 26th, 2009 - 1:58pm

    The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is awarding a total of USD 101.6 million to 20 plant genome research projects. These projects, the NSF said, will better define plant responses to changing environments and contribute to understanding of genetic processes in economically important plants.

    Date Published: 
    25.oct.09
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  • Corn amylase improves efficiency and environmental footprint of corn to ethanol

    Posted: October 26th, 2009 - 1:58pm

    Corn Amylase (CA), an enzyme essential to convert available starch to fermentable sugars in the production of biofuels, can improve the efficiency, cost, and environmental footprint of biofuels.

    Date Published: 
    25.oct.09
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  • GM blue roses to hit JAPANESE shelves next month

    Posted: October 26th, 2009 - 1:57pm

    Japan's Suntory Ltd announced that it will start selling the world's first blue rose next month. The product of more than two decades of research, the blue rose will be on sale for 2,000-3,000 yen (about USD 22-33) per stem.

    Date Published: 
    25.oct.09
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