Research & Development

• 'IFFCO Engages in Deceptive Promotion, Marketing of Nano Urea,' Says Scientists

  In a recent 'Plant Soil' article, scientists Farrank and Hustead expose IFFCO's deceptive promotion of Nano Urea, undermining food security and trust in agricultural research. Experts have long criticized its inefficacy and economic impracticality. The call is for the Supreme Court to investigate this alleged…

• IISER-Bhopal Genetic Dept Discovers Peacock's Feather Enigma

  IISER-Bhopal scientists use genome assembly to uncover genetic adaptations in peacocks' ornate tails, highlighting differences between Blue and Green Peafowls.…

• Saharan Dust Clouds: A Surprising Ally in Combating Atmospheric Methane - Implications for Global Methane Budget and Emissions Sources

  The study introduces a novel mechanism involving the interaction of blowing mineral dust and sea spray, resulting in the formation of Mineral Dust-Sea Spray Aerosol (MDSA).…

• Fungi's New Role in Plastic Decomposition Unveiled by Groundbreaking Study

  Researchers from the University of Kelaniya and the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka discovered that 21 species of hardwood-decaying fungi, known for breaking down wood using powerful enzymes, are also capable of breaking down polyethylene, a common type of plastic, which could aid in…

• Strawberry Fields: The Bitter Harvest's Dirty Little Secret

  Plastic mulch in Californian strawberry farms sheds plastic fragments into the soil, raising sustainability concerns. Global implications for agricultural plastic use.…

• NASA to Conduct Mars Analog Crew Mission to Trial Food Systems and Crop Growth

  NASA's CHAPEA mission will have a four-person crew living in a simulated Mars habitat for a year, testing a limited food system that includes growing crops to support crew health and performance for future long-duration space exploration missions.…

• Food Preservation: Research Team Develops Biodegradable Film Extending Freshness

  By harnessing the power of limonene and chitosan, scientists have opened up a realm of possibilities for eco-conscious packaging solutions that promise to preserve the environment while ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers.…

• German Consul General Michaela Küchler visits EKKI Pump's R&D Facility to Witness Collaborative Endeavours with Germany in Coimbatore

  EKKI, a renowned leader in the pump industry, was honoured to welcome the esteemed visit of the German Consul General, Michaela Küchler, and senior German diplomats to its world-class R&D Centre in Coimbatore.…

• Scientists Uncover Rare Underground Palm that Flowers and Fruits Below Surface

  The discovery of Pinanga subterranea serves as a testament to the diverse and mysterious wonders of the natural world, challenging researchers to unlock the secrets of underground pollination…

• Chickpea's Cultural Crossroads: Study Reveals Fascinating Genetic Signatures

  The study offers a fascinating glimpse into the genetic heritage of chickpeas and emphasizes the significant role of human activities in shaping the diversity of agricultural crops.…

• IIT Kanpur's Cloud Seeding Experiment Leads to Successful Artificial Rain Test

  The advancements in cloud seeding offer hope for drought-stricken areas, with promising possibilities for mitigating water scarcity.…

• IIT Guwahati Establishes Facilities to Develop Conventional Plastic

  IIT Guwahati has established the NRL-Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Materials Translational Facility on Bioplastics which aims to produce conventional plastics and develop alternative solutions…

• NMDC Smashes May Mining Targets: Extraordinary Output and Sales Numbers Achieved

  NMDC reported that during the initial two months of the fiscal year, iron-ore production reached a total of 7.22 million metric tons, indicating a growth of 13.7%. Additionally, iron-ore sales amounted to 7.05 million metric tons, demonstrating a substantial increase of 22%.…

• New Study Uncovers 62 Desiccation-Tolerant Plant Species in India's Western Ghats

  Out of the species that have been identified, 16 are native to India, while 12 can only be found in the rock outcrops of the Western Ghats.…

• From Conflict to Coexistence: Mapping Strategies for Balancing Farming and Biodiversity

  Food production overlapping with high conservation priority areas is a major driver of biodiversity loss, reveals the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.…

• Minister of Agriculture Plans to Nominate Scientists

  The Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, M.R.K. Paneerselvam, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, stated that the government order for the nomination of one scientist per block announced in the 2023-24 Agri budget will be issued shortly.…

• Most Methane Mitigation Policies Insufficient in Addressing Emissions, Study Finds

  There are no constructive policies focussing on methane emissions from rice cultivation and biomass burning in India.…

• Offshore Wind Farms Work as Coolant Power Sources for Seismic Resilience in Nuclear Plants: Study

  The study proposes leveraging sustainable wind energy to enhance cooling power requirements of Nuclear Power Plants and was carried out at an existing nuclear power plant in India, Madras Atomic Power Station, Chennai.…

• FAO Report Reveals Shocking Crop Losses: Up to 40% Due to Pests and Diseases Annually

  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recently observed the International Day of Plant Health 2023, emphasizing the significance of safeguarding plant health in eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, preserving biodiversity, and fostering economic development. The focal point this year was the correlation…

• Genetic Module Swapping between Cells Leads to Evolution of Crops, Finds Study

  Roots play a crucial role in defending against drought and heat, functioning as a complex machine with various components, represented by different cell types.…

• MIT-World Peace University Pioneers Asia's 1st Subsea Research Lab to Revolutionize Energy Sector

  MIT-World Peace University, a renowned institution in India with a distinguished history spanning over 40 years, has established the Centre for Subsea Engineering Research (CSER), the first Subsea Research Lab in Asia.…

• University of Minnesota Takes Lead in Advancing Climate-Smart Agriculture & Forestry with AI Institute

  The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have announced that the University of Minnesota will receive a USD 20 million grant over five years to lead a new National Artificial Intelligence Research…

• Electronic Patch Revolutionizes Crop Protection with Early Disease Detection

  North Carolina State University researchers have developed an electronic patch that can be put to plant leaves to monitor crops for pathogens such as viral and fungal infections, as well as stressors such as drought or salinity.…

• Israeli Researchers Successfully Develop Drought-Resistant Tomato Varieties

  Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered tomato varieties that consume less water and generate a good yield even under harsh drought circumstances.…

• 60-Year Data Reveals Climate Change Impacts on Rice, Maize & Wheat Yields

  Scientists conducted a study using data covering a period of 60 years to examine the impact of weather fluctuations from the long-term averages on the production of three primary cereal crops in India, namely rice, maize, and wheat.…

• Crop Seeds Return from Space in IAEA/FAO Project: A Promising Solution to Feed a Warming World

  Seeds launched into orbit last year have returned to Earth, marking a major milestone in the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' (FAO) collaborative efforts to produce robust crops that can help provide adequate food as the…

• Researchers Develop ‘Farm Distress Index’ to Identify Farmers in Need of Support

  Researchers Develop ‘Farm Distress Index’ to Identify Farmers in Need of Support…

• Pre-Existing Genetic Variation in Blackgrass Identified as Cause of Herbicide Resistance

  Blackgrass has emerged as Europe's most economically devastating herbicide-resistant weed. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen and the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart discovered that these resistances are largely due to genetic polymorphisms that precede herbicide use. Their findings have just been…

• Rising Droughts Disrupt Soil Microbes' Ability to Capture Carbon

  Soil holds more carbon than plants and the atmosphere combined, and soil bacteria play a key role in this. However, the rising frequency and severity of droughts, such as those affecting California, may disturb this delicate ecology.…

• Study Warns of Plant Pandemic's Potential to Leave Billions Hungry

  A new worldwide concern is emerging that might lead billions of people to go hungry at a time when unpredictable weather patterns, global pandemics, and shifting weather patterns already pose a threat of global famine.…

• Post-Pandemic, Kasaragod Town's Soil Shows Significant Increase in Microplastic Contamination: Study

  Microplastics emitted by goods such as face masks constitute a severe threat to the environment, despite the fact that their ecotoxicological effects remain unclear.…

• Unlocking Potential of DELLA Proteins: The Next Green Revolution?

  Despite remaining basically constant for over 450 million years, a family of 'promiscuous' proteins found in all terrestrial plants is responsible for many distinct plant functions.…

• Researchers Race to Develop Early Warning Systems for Future Outbreaks

  Humanity has learned a lot over the last three years, which have been dominated by the pandemic, and these lessons have prompted various studies that attempt to make future pandemics easier to deal with.…

• Massive Project: 10,000 Indian Genomes to be Sequenced by Year-End

  “We have sequenced about 7,000 genomes, with 3,000 now available for public use,” according to the Secretary of Biotechnology.…

• Broccoli's Benefits Unveiled: Research Shows Reduced Disease Risk & Gut Protection

  Broccoli's health benefits are well known. Increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables, for example, has been shown in studies to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and cancer.…

• A New Soil Sensor Could Boost Crop Fertilization Efficiency

  Monitoring soil temperature and nitrogen levels is vital for agricultural systems, but distinguishing them is difficult. Huanyu "Larry" Cheng, James L. Henderson, Jr. Memorial Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State, led researchers in the invention of a multi-parameter sensor that can…

• BAU Researchers Develop 2 New Innovative Products That Reduce Farming Costs

  The researchers of Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) at Sabour have invented two innovative products for a reduction in farming costs substantially.…

• Researchers Discover a Novel Gene that could lead to More Resilient Corn Crops

  According to a Penn State-led team of international researchers, a new discovery published in a global study spanning more than a decade of research could lead to the breeding of maize crops that can tolerate drought and low-nitrogen soil conditions, thereby alleviating global food insecurity.…

• "India Likely to Miss Deadline for 50% of SDG Parameters," says Lancet Study

  According to a study published in the Lancet journal on February 20, India is falling short of meeting more than half of the indicators under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) seven years before the 2030 deadline.…

• Bill Gates to Support ICAR-IARI’s Research, Calls it the ‘Home to Agricultural Future of India’

  Gates Foundation collaborated with the public sector and CGIAR institutions in India to help the work of researchers…

• Agriculture Soil Lost 30–75% of Its Underlying Organic Carbon Pool: ICAR

  Scientists have emphasised the importance of increased carbon sequestration to mitigate environmental degradation and address food security as climate change and global warming impact soil composition and crop production.…

• Extracts from 2 Common Wild Plants May Restrain SARS-CoV-2: Study

  According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, extracts from two common wild plants have been found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.…

• "Air Pollution-Contaminated Soil Emits Carbon": UC Riverside Research

  According to new UC Riverside research, nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to release carbon, which then enters the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Vehicles, industrial manufacturing, and agricultural practices all use fossil fuels that emit nitrogen into the atmosphere.…

• Tibetan Plateau's Melting Glaciers May Affect South Asian Regional Security: Report

  According to a report in Hamrakura, melting glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau can result in excess water in some areas and scarcity in others. Melting glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau may also have an impact on regional security.…

• United States: New Research Provides Insights for Quantifying Soil Carbon Credits

  A study conducted by academics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Agroecosystem Champaign's Sustainability Center (ASC) provides new insights for quantifying farmland carbon budgets and soil carbon credits, two important indicators for climate change mitigation.…

• Climate Impact Labels Had Major Impact on Fast Food Selection Worldwide: Study

  According to a new study, including climate impact labels on a sample fast food menu influenced participants' food choices in favour of more environmentally friendly items. A researcher from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health led the study.…

• "India to Become USD 10-Trillion Economy By 2035": CEBR Report

  India already has the world's fastest-growing economy, with an average GDP growth rate of 5.5% over the last decade. Three megatrends- global offshoring, digitalization, and energy transition- are now laying the groundwork for unprecedented economic growth in the country of over 1 billion people.…

• IISc Researchers Develop an Innovative Technology to Generate Hydrogen from Biomass

  A team of Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers has created a new technology for producing hydrogen from biomass. S Dasappa, Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research at IISc, led the team.…

• Hyderabad: Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates ICMR Research Facility at Genome Valley

  The health minister said that the ICMR-NARFBR has the potential to make India a major player in biomedical research in the 21st century and play a significant role in enhancing the country's healthcare and welfare.…

• Intensive Agriculture Transformed Wild Plants Into Invasive Weeds: Research

  The plant's genetic makeup has allowed researchers to observe evolution across changing habitats, just as the sequencing of ancient human and neanderthal remains has clarified important questions about humanity's history.…