Science briefs

Researchers at Wageningen University produced a leek reference genome that can be used to improve the effectiveness of breeding efforts and result in more resilient varieties. Photo courtesy of Bejo Zaden B.V.

The leek genome and its pattern of genetic exchange during reproduction

February 19, 2026

Two-dimensional (2D) imaging of soybean root system. Image courtesy of Sujata Bogati, first author on the study.

Modern soybean breeding has indirectly created plants with larger, less plastic roots

February 18, 2026

Field installation of soil sensors used in the study. Monitoring of CO₂, O₂, soil moisture, temperature, and water potential was done at multiple depths in a basalt-amended soybean field. Photo courtesy of Yan Zhu.

Enhanced rock weathering changes cropland soil physical properties and carbon dioxide emissions

February 13, 2026

Soil organic matter can be conceptually separated into (1) pedogenic-controlled baseline and (2) contemporary management-controlled root-zone enrichment components. Photo courtesy of Alan Franzluebbers, USDA-ARS.

Root-zone enrichment targets in the southeastern United States

February 11, 2026

A rover equipped with a cosmic-ray neutron sensing system for soil moisture mapping, representing one of several geophysical tools applied in agriculture. Photo courtesy of Trenton E. Franz, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Trends in agricultural geophysics

January 20, 2026

Winter cover crops growing in a cotton–corn rotation system at the R. R. Foil Plant Science Research Center in Starkville, MS. Photo courtesy of Wei Dai, postdoctoral research associate and first author on the study.

Cover crops enhance carbon and nitrogen storage in soil microaggregates

January 20, 2026

Tile drainage sump pit for monitoring water flow and collecting samples for nitrate analysis. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Ruis, USDA-ARS (Boone County, IA).

Diversified organic farming reduces nitrogen leaching losses

January 20, 2026

Sarah Peery, coauthor on a new study published in the journal Crop Science, collects wheat for late-maturity alpha amylase testing at the soft dough stage of grain development. Photo courtesy of Camille M. Steber, USDA-ARS.

Genetic connections between wheat preharvest sprouting and late maturity alpha-amylase

January 20, 2026

Dryland wheat near Walla Walla, WA, located in the heart of the inland Pacific Northwest. The Blue Mountains are visible in the background. Photo courtesy of Curtis Adams, USDA-ARS.

High-level yield traits of wheat cultivars across a hydrologically diverse agricultural landscape

January 20, 2026

Hybrid oilseed sunflower in bloom. Photo courtesy of Chase Mason, University of British Columbia Okanagan.

Explainable AI helps describe how weather conditions impact sunflower yield

December 30, 2025

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