Crop Tech Corner

OMAHA (DTN) -- This bi-monthly column condenses the latest news in the field of crop technology, research and products.

OZONE REDUCES YIELDS

A new study finds decades of government regulation of ground-level ozone has done nothing to curb concerns about crop yield losses caused by the odorless gas that forms through polluting nitrogen oxides.

The study led by the University of Illinois at Champaign found ozone emissions have reduced corn and soybean yields by 10% and 5%, respectively, http://tinyurl.com/….

The authors of the findings reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences said regulators need to do more to reduce ground-level ozone in order to reduce crop damage and save on farmers' bottom lines.

Ozone gas enters a plant's leaves and dissolves in water in the leaves. That can produce byproducts toxic to plants.

In reaching the conclusions, researchers analyzed national historical crop yields for corn and soybeans, as well as climate and ozone data from 1980 to 2011.

Researchers estimated annual ozone-related crop losses at more than $9 billion nationwide. Scientists say the data shows that as ozone regulations are tightened, damage to corn and soybean crops is reduced.

In addition, researchers are attempting to identify corn and soybean genes that may help decrease the plants' vulnerability to ozone gases.

BIOMASS FEEDSTOCK INTRODUCED

Texas A&M University's AgriLife Research scientist and perennial grass breeder Russ Jessup announced he's introducing a new biofuel-biomass feedstock, according to AgriLife Today at Texas A&M, http://tinyurl.com/….

Jessup has created a hybrid using pearl millet, which is a grain crop, and Napier grass, a potential biomass crop. The plant is considered to be a low-cost, high-yielding perennial biomass that could be used as a biofuels feedstock or forage.

Pearl millet is native to Africa and can be more drought tolerant than sorghum. Jessup crossed pearl millet with Napier grass, which is grown in Africa for silage. Jessup is growing the plants in fields west of College Station, Texas.

AgriLife said Jessup's plans are to develop the crop in the South or in regions in need of high-value feedstocks for dairy cattle and other end-users.

Jessup said Napier grass can grow in Texas, north to the Red River border with Oklahoma, as well as into Arkansas.

Jessup continues to work with the agronomics of the crop to develop seeding systems and herbicides considered safe for the hybrid. His research also has explored ways to expand production of the crop so as to avoid the risk of weeds becoming a problem.

Jessup plans to release parental lines and the initial hybrid by next year.

BIONEMATICIDE APPROVED

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency granted approval to Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. to market and sell Majestene, a broad spectrum, natural bionematicide for controlling nematodes.

According to a news release from the company, "Majestene provides growers a new mode of action for safely controlling nematodes by reducing or stopping eggs from hatching, preventing root galling and reducing nematode population density."

Nematodes cause an estimated $80 billion crop damage annually around the world. Majestene is labeled for combating a wide array of nematodes including root knot, cyst, sting and lance, on a variety of crops.

The company claims in the news release that Majestene is non-toxic to wildlife including beneficial insects. Majestene has a zero-day pre-harvest interval and an exemption from tolerances of pesticide residue limits that are required for most food crop exports, the news release said, http://tinyurl.com/….

MICROBES STUDIED

A new consortium at the North Carolina State University will study microscopic organisms living in soil along plant roots, according to a news release from NC State, http://tinyurl.com/….

The partnership known as the Plant Soil Microbial Community Consortium is a combined effort between the university's Center for Integrated Fungal Research and agribusiness firms. The goal is to identify soil health indicators to allow scientists to determine how to modify soil to improve plant health and increase crop yields.

Though bacteria, fungi, insects and nematodes cause crop damage, many organisms can be beneficial to plants.

"And scientists believe these beneficial relationships between plants and microorganisms will provide clues that can lead to agricultural innovations by reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides," the news release said.

In addition, the research conducted will provide educational opportunities for NC State students, as well as expand knowledge for farmers, the general public, regulatory agencies and the broader scientific community. The consortium continues to look for additional partners for the project.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on Twitter @ToddNeeleyDTN

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