An international team of researchers, including Lincoln University Professor Rainer Hofmann, has found this skills shortage needs to be urgently addressed before ‘dire’ implications are felt.
Plant breeding is a multidisciplinary science that underpins the global production of food, animal feed, fuel and fibre. Continue reading
Artificial methods of growing lettuce produce twice the amount of the crop as traditional field-based methods, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. The meta-analysis also found that it was quicker to grow lettuce using artificial methods, with production rates 50% faster in summer periods and up to 300% faster in winter.
Researchers reviewed over 120 published papers to try to understand the impact of using controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) systems to grow lettuce — a high-value crop commonly grown in these systems.
The study found that, on average, CEA methods produce double the yields compared to field-based agriculture (3.68 kg m−2 vs 1.88 kg m−2). The team also found that the cultivation time of CEA yields was, on average, 40 days. This was shorter than the average field-based cultivation time of 60-120 days.
Interestingly, the team also found that using CEA methods for vertical farming (where crops are grown in stacked layers) yielded significantly higher results (6.88 kg m−2) than field-based agriculture.
Dr Zoe M Harris, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, said:
“The climate emergency presents a frightening number of challenges for us all, including global food security. Controlled-environment agriculture could allow cultivation of crops in harsh environments, or in changing climates. Being able to quantify the benefits CEA can have on yield and growth rate is essential to advancing our understanding of where and when this technology can bring the most value to society.
“We hope that our findings underscore the importance of understanding CEA growth factors and emphasise the need for ongoing research in the area of controlled-environment agriculture.”
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Source: ScienceDaily
A new way of using compost could boost global crop production and deliver huge benefits to the planet, according to a study co-led by The University of Queensland.
Professor Susanne Schmidt, from UQ’s School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, said adopting a Precision Compost Strategy (PCS) in large-scale agriculture could improve crop yield, soil health and divert biowaste from landfill where it generates harmful greenhouse gases.
“Instead of relying just on mineral fertilisers, PCS involves supplementing the right type of compost with nutrients to match the needs of soils and crops,” Professor Schmidt said.
“Soils that have become compacted and acidic are then aerated and neutralised.
“The result is they can retain more water, facilitate root growth and nourish the organisms that keep soils and crops healthy.”
Professor Schmidt said soil plays a crucial role in ensuring global food security. Continue reading
AgScience 