The Van Trump Report

Agriculture

Future “Smart Crops” Could Have Genetic On-Off Switches

Scientists at Stanford University have been exploring ways to make critical crops better able to withstand the stresses of climate change. While many of these plants might naturally adapt over time, scientists worry that changes are happening too rapidly for nature to keep up. The researchers think a solution could be genetic circuits that “smart …

Future “Smart Crops” Could Have Genetic On-Off Switches Read More »

This Startup is Looking to Grow Rice In the Ocean… Then Perhaps Wheat and Corn

Ocean agriculture startup “Alora” is using CRISPR tools in their pilot program to grow rice plants on land in salty waters and eventually plan to move them to floating platforms off the coasts of African and Asian countries. To thrive in a saline environment plants like seagrasses and mangroves have had to adapt and eventually …

This Startup is Looking to Grow Rice In the Ocean… Then Perhaps Wheat and Corn Read More »

Potentially Fatal Cattle Disease Spreading in US Through Asian Longhorned Ticks

Cattle producers need to be aware of a potentially fatal disease known as “Ikeda” that is currently circulating in several states. The disease is transmitted via Asian longhorned ticks, which have been confirmed in 17 US states. Ikeda has been identified in 12 of those so far and is blamed for the death of at …

Potentially Fatal Cattle Disease Spreading in US Through Asian Longhorned Ticks Read More »

Researchers Boost Soybean Yields More Than +20% by Making Photosynthesis More Efficient

Earlier this year, a team of researchers from across the US and UK claimed to have substantially boosted yields on tobacco plants grown in a lab by improving the natural process of photosynthesis. That same team, led by Stephen Long, a professor of plant biology based at both the University of Illinois and the University …

Researchers Boost Soybean Yields More Than +20% by Making Photosynthesis More Efficient Read More »

First Commercial Space Greenhouse Could Launch Next Year

Aerospace manufacturer “Redwire” is gearing up to launch the first-ever commercially owned and operated spaceflight-qualified plant growth platform capable of growing plants from seed to maturity in space. In other words, it is a giant space greenhouse, which Redwire plans install on the International Space Station (ISS) sometime in 2023. The project, funded by an …

First Commercial Space Greenhouse Could Launch Next Year Read More »

More Water Cuts for Western States… What Are We going to Do About the Water Problems?

Personally, I’m somewhat stumped on how things are going to play out in regard to “water” in the years ahead. Keep in mind, this is not just a US problem but a problem happening around the world. Over three-quarters of the earth is covered by water, but 97% is saline or salty ocean-type water, with only …

More Water Cuts for Western States… What Are We going to Do About the Water Problems? Read More »