¿Maíz mexicano para alimentar a los países pobres? Investigadores estadounidenses y mexicanos buscan una solución alimentaria global. Allen Van Deynze, UC Davis.
Leslie Roche and colleagues tell how new ranchers confront drought. Climate adaptation is important in agricultural systems, but new ranchers aren’t able to benefit from information passed down from multi-generational ranching families. First-generation ranchers are often young, female, and diverse, with different goals and needs.
Troy Magney, Dept. of Plant Sciences, is using methods such as hyperspectral imaging – a remote sensing technique – to measure plant water stress, nutrient status, biomass, and photosynthesis in order to make informed decisions about water and fertilizer management. This is important for global agriculture in the future.
Mars Wrigley, a segment of Mars, Inc., held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new research facility in Davis, California. The facility will continue the research partnership between Mars and UC Davis, addressing critical plant science issues such as plant genetics, global sustainability, climate change, and crop disease control.
Flexible harvest options may allow growers to plant small grains in the winter, rather than fallow ground, out of concern that there will not be adequate water or strong markets to justify the crop. Research by Plant Sciences faculty member Mark Lundy.
A driverless, autonomous weed cultivator is being tested at UC Davis, uprooting weeds with wheels of fingers as it travels. Steve Fennimore, Plant Sciences, is working with Simon Belin at Naio Technologies. The goal is to reduce labor, costs, and herbicide use.
Kester almond was developed at the University of California, Davis, Almond Breeding Program with support from the Almond Board of California. The program was developed to breed new varieties and germplasm to meet the emerging needs of the expanding California almond industry. Professor Tom Gradziel in Plant Sciences, has conducted much of the research.
Gail Taylor, professor and department chair, spoke to a packed meeting at UC Center Sacramento on “Plant Adaptation to Climate Change in California,” focusing on potential climate change impacts on agriculture. The center educates future policy-makers and leaders in the craft of politics and policy-making.
Small-scale farmers in Cambodia work with UC Davis’ Horticulture Innovation Lab and Royal University of Agriculture researchers to test methods for growing and selling produce. Farmers recognize that fruits and vegetables meet nutrition needs, and help lift themselves out of poverty. (Includes video)
A new article in the journal Science – Fields on Fire: Alternatives to Crop Residue Burning in India – addresses the environmental problems associated with crop burning in India, and presents alternatives such as changing cropping systems and adopting different management practices. J.K. Ladha, Plant Sciences, UC Davis, is a co-author.
