agriculture

Nature Communications, Published online: 22 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74677-7 Rice root-knot nematode (RRKN) is one of the most destructive pathogenic nematodes threatening rice production worldwide. Here, the authors report the identification of RRKN susceptibility factor 1 (Rsf1) and show its usefulness in enhancing RRKN resistance without impacting yield in field conditions.

Cooking for kids doesn’t have to be a chore: these three meals are quick, full of flavour and, crucially, fun both to make and to eat Family meals don’t need to mean hours in the kitchen or a mountain of washing-up. These crisp chicken nuggets are a healthier homemade favourite that kids absolutely love, while the lamb lollipops are fun and surprisingly simple; the stuffed pitta pockets, meanwhil…

Accurate and timely fine-grained crop type classification from satellite image time series is crucial for large-scale agricultural monitoring and decision support in food-security management. However, fine-grained classification remains challenging due to extreme class imbalance and high inter-crop spectral similarity, especially when rare crops occupy only small and fragmented parcels. We propos…

For many people, the idea of eating insects sounds unpleasant. Bugs are often associated with dirt or something strange and unfamiliar. But new research suggests that many people may be more open to insect-based foods than they think—and some may even prefer them after giving them a try. The study, published in the Journal of […] The post Think you’d never eat bugs? A study suggests you might act…

Maps created as part of Defra-funded Slimers project allowed test growers to halve amount of slug pellets used Farmers believe they have a new weapon in their age-old battle against the slugs that destroy their crops: modern technology. Slug prediction maps, which have been created by computer models as part of an research project, are now helping growers to better target the use of pesticides, s…

Nature Communications, Published online: 21 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74504-z Here the authors report a pair of identical effector genes in different fungal pathogens that cause vascular wilt diseases to cause defoliation in crops. Removing these genes stops disease, and mobile DNA elements appear to spread this virulence trait between fungal pathogens.

High in fibre and polyphenols, popcorn has been touted as the perfect snack for the health-conscious. It’s also the ideal vehicle for salt, sugar, butter, bacon fat … Popcorn became indelibly associated with cinema-going during the Great Depression (it was cheap and hugely profitable), but it also has an established reputation as a superfood – recently given a boost by longevity expert Dan Buettn…

When added to poor, degraded soils, biochar can increase their ability to store water and stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes. Studies have indicated that it can improve crop productivity by 10% to 30% and water-holding capacity by 10% to 25%, particularly in soils low in nutrients

a programme targeting innovative green SMEs across Eastern and Southern Africa with funding, investment… The post Appy for Afri GreenPitch Challenge 2026 Offers Up to US$20,000 in Funding appeared first on Agritech Digest .

This week El Niño begins, a program empowers 10,000 farmers and is continuing to grow, and the number of Britain's dairy farmers drops below 7,000 for the first time ever. The post Food Tank’s Weekly News Roundup: El Nino Begins, 10,000 Farmers Empowered, Britain’s Dairy Farmers Hits New Low appeared first on Food Tank .

The 2026 fertilizer price shock pushed urea up 55% in three months. Here's what it means for growers and the supply chain. The post Fertilizer Price Shock 2026: What a 55% Urea Spike Means for Agriculture appeared first on iGrow News .

Concrete pavers remain a common choice for outdoor spaces, but gravel appears throughout many contemporary gardens. Paths, seating areas, water features, and garden rooms use the same material to create a consistent look across the landscape. Curves, irregular layouts, and planting-heavy designs often work in gravel’s favor. These gardens show how the material can shape... The post Ditch The Conc…

Advocates say the Save Our Bacon Act will trigger "a race to the bottom" that will hurt farmers and animals. The post Save Our Bacon Act Draws Opposition in Farm Bill Fight appeared first on Food Tank .

Aquaculture can help both coastal ecosystems and economies thrive. The post Resilience Through Restoration: Oyster Growers Find New Opportunities in Conservation appeared first on Cool Green Science .

This cool summer dish can be easily enhanced with a range of store-cupboard staples What’s your favourite hot weather food? Mine’s gazpacho. I’m joking – gazpacho’s lovely, but cold noodles are my top pick because, in the summer, they meet me exactly where I am in both the cooking and the eating. They don’t need much by way of cooking, and they can be dressed and paired with many a store-cupboard…

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 17 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41558-026-02693-y Author Correction: Priority science can accelerate agroforestry as a natural climate solution

Long-term plastic mulching leads to microplastic buildup in soils, gradually reducing soil quality and biological function—raising concerns about the sustainability of widely used agricultural practices