Research from the lab of Dan Kliebenstein shows the fungus that causes grey mold "tastes” the difference between a strawberry and a tomato — reading the plant's own chemical defenses to counter them.
Scientists in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences are developing cultivars of pasta wheat that resist the deadly fungus that causes stripe rust and threatens the world's wheat production. Resistant bread wheat is up next.
Venkatesan Sundaresan and Imtiyaz Khanday, in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, were honored for world-changing work to create hybrid crops that clone themselves. This means farmers can use the plants' seed and still get high yields.
A recent discovery getting attention in scientific circles points toward a new pathway for growing larger grains, beans and other edible seeds. In addition, the research -- which is getting a boost from Kent Bradford in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences – shows the impact of the department’s international collaborations.
UC Davis graduate Joseph Urias, a first-gen student, combined hands-on work at Planting Justice with studies in horticulture. Now, he aims to connect sustainable agriculture with food systems, bridging academia and community initiatives.
An international team, including Cameron Pittelkow, developed a strategy for reducing nitrogen fertilizer use in China’s rice production. Their plan would cut pollution, boost efficiency, and sustain food security while addressing environmental harm.
Team AggieCulture competed in the Urban Greenhouse Challenge finals at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, landing in the top five out of over 30 teams. Their "Living Gardens" proposal aimed to create sustainable food systems in food deserts.
Researchers at UC Davis are studying genes that control how quickly wheat leaves shift between sun and shade to improve photosynthesis. Faster-shifting leaves could boost carbon intake and increase wheat yields, potentially feeding more people.
