crop research Articles
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Institutional drivers of intranet use in a global context: case of a distributed international research organisation
We employ concepts and ideas from institutional theory to examine how institutions influence implementation and use of a global Intranet system in a distributed international research organisation – the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). We also illustrate how the investments of a particular institution – the national government of India – on public ...
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Augmenting the pearl millet core collection for enhancing germplasm utilization in crop improvement
Developing a core collection that represents the diversity of entire collection is an efficient approach to enhance the use of germplasm in crop improvement. Core collections are dynamic and need to be revised when additional germplasm and information become available. In the present study, the pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] core collection, consisting of 1600 accessions selected ...
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A day in the life of an Agricultural Technologist
An Agricultural Technologist mainly does two things that keep Pollen Systems flying: researching crops and drawing maps! Agricultural Technologists are often studying ways to improve our analytics and best serve our customers. However, the bulk of the work during the Pacific Northwest growing season is analyzing imagery collected by our pilots and packaging it into periodic updates for our ...
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The Importance of Leaf Area Index (LAI) in Environmental and Crop Research
Leaf Area Index (LAI), which is used as a measure in hundreds of studies on forests, crops, climate and the environment, is calculated as half the area of all leaves per unit area of ground. It is measured as the leaf area (m2 ) per ground area (m–2) and is unit-less. So, a plant with a LAI of 2 has an amount of leaves that can cover a given area two times. LAI is calculated for a plant or ...
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The importance of Leaf Area Index (LAI) in environmental and crop research
Leaf Area Index (LAI), which is used as a measure in hundreds of studies on forests, crops, climate and the environment, is calculated as half the area of all leaves per unit area of ground. It is measured as the leaf area (m2 ) per ground area (m–2) and is unit-less. So, a plant with a LAI of 2 has an amount of leaves that can cover a given area two times. LAI is calculated for a plant or ...
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Developing a mini core collection of sorghum for diversified utilization of germplasm
The sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] germplasm collection at the ICRISAT gene bank exceeds 37,000 accessions. A core collection of 2247 accessions was developed in 2001 to enable researchers to have access to a smaller set of germplasm. However, this core collection was found to be too large. To overcome this, a sorghum mini core (10% accessions of the core or 1% of the entire collection) ...
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Asia–Pacific Analysis: Plan for growth in biotech crops
South-East Asian nations should follow the Philippines down the path to biotech crops for food security, argues Crispin Maslog. Since biotechnology-derived crops were introduced in 1996, they have been adopted at an unprecedented rate, according to the 2011 annual report of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) released earlier this year. [1] There ...
By SciDev.Net
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Agricultural biotechnology R&D and innovations in Nigeria
This study examined the nature and extent of the agricultural biotechnology R&D and innovations in Nigeria. Data were collected from the Directors, Heads of Crop Units and Research Scientists in the agricultural research institutes using structured and unstructured questionnaires and interview schedules. The data collected were analysed using frequencies, means and percentages. The study revealed ...
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Agrobiotechnology choices in developing countries
Today's agrobiotechnology revolution - especially the move toward transgenic or genetically modified (GM) crops - is being researched, commercialised, and (hotly) debated mostly in Europe, the USA, and elsewhere within the rich industrial world. Yet it is in the developing countries where the greatest human and environmental promise - or peril - of this new technology may lie. This paper argues ...
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Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences (GDAAS) - Case Study
There are 13 research institutes under the GDAAS, including specific foods and crops and fertilizer research. The main mission of the institution is to carry out non-profit research around agricultural science and techniques. As one of the most important agricultural crops institutions, the Crops Research Institute has been focusing on the development of new varieties of crops, cultivation ...
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Can changes in canopy and/or root system architecture explain historical maize yield trends in the U.S. corn belt?
Continuous increase in the yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in the U.S. Corn Belt has involved an interaction with plant density. A number of contributing traits and mechanisms have been suggested. In this study we used a modeling approach to examine whether changes in canopy and/or root system architecture might explain the observed trends. A maize crop model was generalized so that changes in ...
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Urban Crop Solutions makes indoor farming technology for Mars biosphere
Will the first people to bake and eat bread on Mars do it due to a Belgian breakthrough? This is the challenge facing the SpaceBakery project, a unique consortium composed of seven Belgian organisations using technology provided by Urban Crop Solutions. However, before they use their research to help feed the first people on the red planet later this century, the project aims to have a clear ...
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Revolutionizing Agriculture with Auxins
One area where there has been a tremendous development in recent years is the discovery and application of auxins in the agricultural industry. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what auxins are, their applications, and the advantages of using them. Introduction of Auxins Auxins are a class of plant growth regulators. They are hormones that stimulate or inhibit the growth ...
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The Latest in Whitefly Control
Next month’s Greenhouse Canada Grower Day is welcoming leading researchers and crop specialists to help you tackle one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Whitefly is proving to be one of the most difficult pests to control, mainly due to the lack of effective registered chemicals that can eradicate silverleaf whitefly. It is also due to the unwillingness of biological suppliers to ...
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Project Biopros - Case Study
Production of energy crops – EU funded research project “Solutions for the safe application of wastewater and sludge for high efficient biomass production in Short-Rotation-Plantations” on the utilization of fertilizing effects of sewage waters for the production of short rotation coppice – ...
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Crop gene banks are preserving the future of agriculture. But who’s preserving them?
As climate change makes crop diversity even more important, gene banks struggle to stay afloat. During the past few years of civil war in Syria, rebel fighters have destroyed Shia mosques and Christian graves, and burned and looted Christian churches while the Islamic State group has demolished priceless artifacts in the region. Nothing seemed sacred to the disparate groups vying for control of ...
By Ensia
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Assessing agroforestry`s advantages
Agroforestry, the deliberate placement of trees into crop and livestock operations, can help capture substantial amounts of carbon on agricultural lands while providing production and conservation benefits. However, we currently lack tools for accurately estimating current and projected carbon values in these systems. In North America, windbreaks are an effective carbon-capturing option. Only ...
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Agricultural research policy framework for improved livelihoods security in crop-livestock production systems
Concerns for sustainable development and poverty alleviation are forcing public agricultural research systems to focus on improving livelihoods security. Crop-livestock production systems are central to the livelihood security of the rural poor in India and some other countries of the tropics. With increasing population, urbanisation and incomes, massive increases are foreseen in demands for ...
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Are you maxing out? Applying the Law of the Maximum gets the most from your fertility investment dollars
Avoid excess crop nutrients in your fertilizer strategy to maintain soil health and protect your pocketbook The push to produce higher yields per acre every year continues to weigh heavily on western Canadian farmers. That pressure is accompanied by economic and environmental concerns. Should you invest more money into crop nutrients to reach record yields? Will that investment pay off? Will ...
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Controlling Barnyardgrass with Corn Hybrid Selection
Barnyardgrass is a summer annual grass weed with a global impact on corn production. Yield losses due to barnyardgrass competition have been estimated up to 45% or more for crops such as cotton and corn. Besides corn, it can also be a serious weed pest in rice, soybean, sugarbeet, cotton, and corn. Integrated weed management techniques can be used for control of barnyardgrass in corn. High ...
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