(Natural News) A wild, genetically-superior type of banana is on the verge of extinction, and the implications are huge for the survival of the world’s edible banana crop. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has included the species (Ensete perrieri) on its official Red List, warning the world that, without proper conservation, the […]

(Natural News) If you like gardening, you have probably had to deal with some weeds. While there are various ways to get rid of these pesky plants, not all weeding methods are effective. Audrey Kalil, from North Dakota State University, explained that weeds are extremely efficient at competing for nutrients, sunlight, and water that your plants […]

(Natural News) The concept of achieving food independence is a lofty goal, but one which will not likely happen in the near future. It is evident that we still need to rely on big food manufacturers for our daily meals, even as we pray that what we put into our mouth is not laced with […]

(Natural News) The days when crop diseases left other kinds of plants alone are over now, stated an article in British Ecological Society. A virus that originally ravaged imported wheat has now started infecting switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and other non-crop species native to the U.S. The burden on farmers and researchers has redoubled: Not only do […]

(Natural News) Scientists from Auburn University in the U.S. found a way to manage pest naturally. They discovered that planting different grain crops attract pests away from the fruit, resulting to lesser crop loss. For the study, the research team analyzed six winter host crops and six summer host crops as possible trap crops or attractant […]

(Natural News) It can be hard to imagine plants proactively defending themselves from danger, but a study published in Springer Nature says they do, even going as far as modifying their own chemistry. It’s no secret that plants’ ability to defend themselves is somewhat limited. Unlike animals, they don’t have claws or teeth with which […]

(Natural News) The USDA has inexplicably decided not to regulate the Crispr gene editing technique for food, and a slew of young companies are working around the clock to take advantage of this business-friendly approach and vie for dominance in the gene-edited crop sphere. Gene editing technology is used to target certain genes within an […]

(Natural News) While farmers aren’t giving up the fight against weeds, it looks like they’re slowly running out of options. Waterhemp, a weed that affects corn and soybean crops, has “developed resistance to multiple herbicide modes of action,” usually in the same plant. Farmers who have been using the latest recommendations for tank mixtures are still losing […]

(Natural News) Over a billion tons of food is wasted every year, and the cause may lie in the label. Norbert Wilson, Professor of Food Policy in the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, asserts that “use by” food dates are to blame for food waste. Of food waste, Wilson has theorized that consumers […]

(Natural News) You’re probably aware by now that the use of neonicotinoid pesticides is threatening bee populations around the world. While this remains a serious concern, one expert has stated that he feels the focus on bees has obscured even greater concerns about the use of these chemicals. Applied insect ecologist John F. Tooker says […]