Agriculture
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 23-Dec-2025 05:11 ET (23-Dec-2025 10:11 GMT/UTC)
Scientists decode the survival secrets of a rare Chinese maple
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of ScienceA new study has assembled the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of Acer pentaphyllum, one of the world’s most endangered and ornamental maples. The findings reveal how the species’ genome adapted to the harsh dry-hot valleys of western China through expansions and positive selection of genes related to photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and pathogen defense. Population genomic analyses across 28 wild populations uncovered low genetic diversity, high inbreeding, and accumulation of harmful mutations, especially at range edges. These results provide essential genetic insights for guiding conservation planning and genetic rescue of this critically endangered species.
- Journal
- Horticulture Research
Machine learning and satellites reveal carbon-storing power of mango orchards
Biochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University- Journal
- Carbon Research
Engineered yeast unlocks sustainable production of cannabinoids and analogs
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of ScienceA research team has engineered the nonconventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce cannabinoids and their analogs, offering a sustainable alternative to plant extraction.
- Journal
- BioDesign Research
Eighty-five years of big tree history available in one place for the first time
University of Tennessee Institute of AgricultureBusiness Announcement
FAU’s Queen Conch Lab receives prestigious international award
Florida Atlantic UniversityGrant and Award Announcement
FAU Harbor Branch researchers have received the prestigious 2025 Responsible Seafood Innovation Award in Aquaculture from the Global Seafood Alliance for its Queen Conch Lab’s pioneering work in sustainable aquaculture. Researchers developed mobile lab hatcheries – trailer-based systems that support queen conch restoration in Caribbean communities lacking traditional infrastructure. These mobile hatcheries help rebuild wild conch populations while creating local opportunities in education, employment, and food security. FAU was recognized for its innovative approach to address the urgent decline of a species vital to the region’s ecosystems and economies.
How soybeans see the light: New genetic map illuminates shade tolerance mechanisms
Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of ScienceSoybeans grown alongside maize often face shading stress that reduces yield, yet some cultivars can thrive under low light. Scientists have now uncovered a comprehensive genetic network that controls this shade tolerance, moving beyond the traditional single-gene perspective. By integrating forward genome-wide association and reverse transcriptomic analyses, researchers identified more than 200 causal genes and over 7,800 expressed genes involved in soybean’s shade response. These genes function in a coordinated sequence—from light signal detection to metabolic adaptation—forming a multilayered regulatory system. The findings open a new pathway toward breeding high-yield, shade-tolerant soybeans for intercropping systems worldwide.
- Journal
- Horticulture Research