Agriculture

  1. Plants

    Banana threat: Attack of the clones

    Researchers find that disease-causing fungi — all clones of one another — will continue to infect banana plants unless new steps are taken to stop their spread.

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  2. Agriculture

    Profile: A human touch for animals

    Temple Grandin uses her own autism to understand how animals think. The animal scientist is famous for fostering the humane treatment of livestock.

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  3. Animals

    Cool Jobs: Crazy about cows

    Scientists are studying cows from one end to the other, with the goal not only of making the animals healthier but also of helping the environment.

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  4. Earth

    The dirt on soil

    More than just dirt, soils teem with microbes essential for growing crops. Soils also help prevent floods and even play a role in climate change.

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  5. Animals

    Weed killers may go from plant to pooch

    Dogs love to roll around in the grass. But if there is weed killer around, it could end up on — and in — our furry pals.

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  6. Agriculture

    ‘Wildlife-free’ farms don’t make salads safer

    Scientists find that removing wildlife from farms did not make raw vegetables safer to eat.

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  7. Agriculture

    Made in the shade

    Agroforestry combines woody plants and agriculture. Growing trees alongside crops and livestock benefits wildlife, environment, climate — and farmers.

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  8. Environment

    Insecticide can change a spider’s personality

    A chemical meant to kill moths affects the behavior of some spiders. It alters the spiders’ ability to capture prey — including those moths.

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  9. Plants

    Plant ‘vampires’ lay in wait

    A new study shows how some parasitic plants evolved the ability to sense a potential host — and then send out root-like structures to feed on them.

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  10. Agriculture

    Organic food starts to prove its worth

    Organic food often comes with a higher price. But research is showing that food grown this way can be better for the environment — and possibly for us.

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  11. Earth

    Carbon ‘sponge’ found beneath desert

    Watering farmlands in arid parts of the world could have long-term climate benefits, a new study concludes.

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  12. Agriculture

    Ditching farm pollution — literally

    An Indiana project shows how fighting fertilizer runoff can save farmers money, protect wild habitats and prevent harmful algae blooms.

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