Knowledge on plant genomes has progressed during the past few years. Two plant genomes, those of Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, have been sequenced. Our present knowledge of synteny also indicates that, despite plasticity contributing to the diversity of the plant genomes, the organization of genes is conserved within large sections of chromosomes. In parallel, novel plant transformation system...

The values of wetlands are commonly known among the general population— waterfowl habitat, sport fisheries, timber, recreation, and so forth. More importantly, ecological wetland functions such as nutrient cycling and mitigation (filtering) of pollutants are becoming more widely recognized, especially in the agricultural community. So then what is the importance of agriculture and wetlands? Alt...

The breadth of biodiversity literature available through the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is potentially of great use to agricultural research. It provides access to literature drawn from across the world, and its archives document the Earth as it was one hundred years ago and more. However, this strength of BHL is also its weakness: the breadth of coverage of BHL can complicate finding ...

The working paper publication series is designed to provide users with timely research results while refinements and longer term synthesis are completed, and final reports are available. The preparation of working papers and their discussion with those who design and influence programs and policies in Mozambique is an important step in the Directorates's overall analysis and planning mission. C...

Relative to USDA dietary guidelines there is a 30% deficit in vegetable production and a 100% deficit in fruit production in the US. The western US, especially California, dominates current production of both fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Constraints in land and water resources in California suggest that some shifts in production could occur in the future if production is matched t...

A research report from the Swedish Environmental Advisory Council, titled A Strategy for Ending Eutrophication of Seas and Coasts, argues that the Baltic Sea is facing an ecological flip, associated with changes characterized by excessive algal bloom and a fishing industry in crisis (MVB 2005). Eutrophication may be the most severe of the consequences faced by the Baltic Sea. According to HELCO...

Agriculture has two ways to increase its output, expanding the land area under cultivation and improving the yields on cultivated land. If agricultural growth and performance taken to increase the farming incomes of rural families, then a third way can be added, i.e. shifting the product composition to higher value products. For decades, it has been commented that, globally the possibilities fo...