Food systems

Scientists Unlock Key to Drought-Resistant Wheat Plants with Longer Roots

Growing wheat in drought conditions may be easier in the future, thanks to new genetic research out of the University of California, Davis.

An international team of scientists found that the right number of copies of a specific group of genes can stimulate longer root growth, enabling wheat plants to pull water from deeper supplies. The resulting plants have more biomass and produce higher grain yield, according to a paper published in the journal Nature Communications.

Survey: People Turned to Gardening for Stress Relief, Food Access During Pandemic

People who turned to gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic did so to relieve stress, connect with others and grow their own food in hopes of avoiding the virus, according to a survey conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) and international partners.

Breeding, Crop Management Needed to Increase Rice Production

Study of a rice field in Asia found that selective breeding and management decisions maintained crop yields despite climate changes, but those interventions weren’t enough to increase production to meet global demand, according to a paper from University of California, Davis.

Sustainable intensification for a larger global rice bowl

Rice is the main staple food for more than half of the global population, and as the world population grows, demand for rice is expected to grow, too. The challenge is how to produce more rice on existing cropland, and do so while minimizing the environmental impact. Here the authors, including Bruce Linquist, provide an analysis of roadmaps toward sustainable intensification for a larger global rice bowl. The research was published Dec. 9 in Nature Communications.

Precooling Vegetables in California Production (video #16 of 26)

Cooling vegetables just after harvest prolongs shelf life and maintains quality. Most California vegetables are precooled before shipment using Cold air, Cold water, Ice, and/or Vacuum. Several of these were developed at UC Davis in the 1970s and 1980s in Plant Sciences, and in Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

‘Just Coffee’ Course Brings Global Perspective to Students

UC Davis students in the online 'Just Coffee' course get a new, globally-conscious perspective on the caffeinated beverage. The course was the inspiration of Patrick Brown, Professor of Plant Sciences, who imagined the course as an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of the global food system through coffee. (video included)

Making the Case for Fruits and Vegetables

The importance of eating fruits and vegetables is making headlines again, with studies on nutrition security, nutrient consumption, and a global diet with increased consumption of fruits and vegetables to meet healthy diet goals.