Grafted tomatoes are widely used by European or Asian producers and are considered with a growing interest in the Americas. Scientists Grieneisen et al. extensively reviewed trial data on fruit quality and yield of grafted tomatoes. They reported that on average grafting increases yield by 37% and does not contribute to inferior fruit quality. By contrast, grafting shows promise to reduce soil pest treatments.
Copper-based antimicrobial compounds are widely applied against crop diseases although their use threatens production sustainability. Scientists Lamichhane et al. review those compounds and highlight their benefits and risks. They emphasize the potentials for their improvement and present the opportunities for alternatives.
Abiotic and biotic stresses are major factors limiting plant growth worldwide. Scientists Li et al. recently reviewed how silicon nutrition alleviates such plant stresses and improves plant biomass carbon accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems. They concluded that silicon-mediated recovery from stresses can increase plant biomass carbon by 35% and crop yield by 24%.
Methane is both a product of digestion in cattle and a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Unfortunately, on-farm methane quantification is not feasible on a large scale using animal-direct measurements. Scientists Engelke et al. developed a tool predicting methane emission of dairy cows from both the fatty acid concentrations in the milk and the milk yield. This prediction could be used as a screening method in the genetic selection of low methane-emitting cows.
Half of the world population fulfills 20% of the body daily energy requirement with rice. However, soil micronutrient deficiencies, such as boron, threaten rice productivity. Scientists Atique-ur-Rehman et al. recently reviewed the effects of boron deficiency. They reckon that application of boron-based fertilizers as seed priming, soil or foliar treatments can improve rice productivity in different production systems.
Big data is said to have the potential to revolutionize agriculture. But will all farmers be able to use and benefit from those large amounts of data from sensors or satellites ? Scientists Fleming et al. focused on the Australian grain industry and identified two contrasting viewpoints – 1 – big data is for big farms and 2 – big data is for everyone. They conclude that the development of big data in Australian agriculture and beyond necessitates addressing key issues around access and infrastructure, opportunities and risks and equality of benefits.
Diamondback moth is a significant and economically important pest of cabbage family crops. Ecologists Gurr et al. review the biological control options for diamondback moth management as sustainable alternative to – or complementary to – insecticides. They show that landscapes with a diversity of vegetation types promote natural enemy species that improve biological control of diamondback moth. For example, woodlands serve as refuges from which natural enemies can efficiently recolonize nearby brassica crops
The Poaceae family is the most ecologically dominant and the most economically important plant family, worldwide. It is also an important source for new molecules. Scientists Favaretto et al. reviewed allelopathy – i.e. plant growth suppression by another species due to toxic substances – in Poaceae species present in Brazil. They revealed that less than 3% of the Brazilian species have yet been studied. They advocated supplementary research on Poaceae allelochemicals with bioherbicide properties to promote sustainable agriculture.
Periurban farming is central to the debate on food security in developed countries. Scientists Filippini et al. developed a methodology to characterize food quantity, quality and crop production intensity in periurban farms. They reckon that food allocation must be supported in local markets through specific agri-urban projects. Such novel analyses are essential to develop more efficient food policies with benefits for the urban food security.
Olive is a key crop in the Mediterranean basin. Scientists Pleguezuelo et al. analysed the situation of organic farming in Andalusia. They emphasize the need for educational and research programs to promote the demand for these products. They reckon that further support for funding research is essential to characterize the effects of olive cultivation on soils and biodiversity.