Identifying the factors that control wine quality could be useful to improve wine production. Wines are currently scientifically differentiated using chemical analysis of flavours, for instance. But it is actually unknown whether observed differences in wine composition are caused by winemakers, e.g. during grape fermentation, or by soil and climate factors. Scientists González-Centeno et al. designed a method based upon soil, climate and landscape to link wine with their Appellation of Origin.
Better wheat by selecting roots
Wheat has been improved by breeding for about 200 years. However this breeding selection has been done classically, that is by favouring aerial plants parts such as higher shoots, larger leaves and heavier seeds. Improving the root system may also benefit wheat, but no method is available so far. Agronomists Heřmanská et al. have designed a method based on electrical capacitance to measure the size of the root matrix. Their found that wheat selection based on root size increases grain yield.
New diagnostic tools for plant doctors
Plant diseases cause major economic losses for farmers worldwide. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates indeed that pests and diseases are responsible for about 25% of crop loss. To solve this issue, new methods are needed to detect diseases and pests early. Agronomists Martinelli et al. review advanced detection methods such as novel sensors that detect plant odours, and spectroscopy and biophotonics that are able to diagnostic plant health and metabolism.
Biocontrol of rice sheath blight using fungi to fight fungi
Rice sheath blight is a disease caused by the fungus Rhizoctonia solani. This disease induces up to 36% of loss of rice production. This problem is particularly high in the Amazon region under tropical conditions where irrigated rice is cultivated by small farmers on the rivers banks. Scientists França et al. have designed a sustainable way to control sheath blight by application of the fungus Trichoderma sp.
A model to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from slurry spreading in agriculture
Manures and slurries contain recyclable crop nutrients such as nitrates (NO3–). However, field application of an excess of manures and slurries often leads to air pollution by ammonia (NH3) and nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas. Therefore there is a need to optimise spreading techniques to decrease undesired pollution. Agronomists Langevin et al. designed a model that simulates the effects of spreading techniques on NH3 and N2O emissions. They found that taking into account soil compaction should decrease environmental impacts.
Soil microbe diversity for agroecology
Soils contain huge amounts of various living organisms such as worms, fungi and microbes. Those life forms play essential ecosystem services such as filtering water, removing pollutants and providing plant nutrients. However, the effect of soil biodiversity on ecosystem services is still poorly known. Lemanceau et al. show that preservation and valorization of soil biodiversity is a major challenge for agroecology. Their review highlights recent advances in the assessment of soil biological quality. Further research is needed to design decision tools that can be used by farmers to better manage soil biodiversity.
Weeds do not decrease yields in organic farming
Industrial agriculture is a major cause of global warming due to greenhouse emissions of CO2 and N2O. Reducing the tillage is a potential solution because emissions are lower. However, in organic farming, the lack of herbicide should favour weed infestation. But are weeds really a problem for productivity? Armengot et al. compared the effect of reduced and conventional tillage on crop yields and weeds in a 2002-2011 field experiment under organic farming. They found that despite higher weed infestation by perennial species under reduced tillage, yields of wheat, sunflower and spelt were similar for both tillage systems. Therefore findings show that reduced tillage is a viable cropping system for organic farming.
Understanding farmer choices at landscape scale for a better agriculture
Agriculture provides society with many services such as food, carbon sequestration, pest regulation and jobs. The efficiency of those services depends on managament choices by farmers at the landscape scale. Chopin et al. designed a new method to study the evolution of farming systems at the landscape scale.
Europe helps farmers to use less pesticide for sustainable agriculture
European farmers should adopt integrated pest management from 2014. Indeed, applying the principles of integrated pest management and organic farming should lead to a more sustainable agriculture with less pesticide. Lefebvre et al. designed a framework to understand what incentives encourage farmers to adopt integrated pest management. Their findings help to understand farmer reaction to policy incentives. Results also show how should public money be used to favour sustainable agriculture.
Urban tomato against poverty in Benin
Urban farming is a potential way to reduce poverty and improve food safety. In sub-Saharan African cities, urban farmers have intensified vegetable production to meet the demand from inhabitants. A such rapid change may induce unintended hazards. A study of tomato production in urban gardens in Benin by Perrin et al. indeed revealed poor practices and high risks for health and the environment.
