Crops Archives - CSIROscope

Farming

Thwarting Cassava plant diseases to feed the masses

Cassava is a big part of the diet of almost half a billion Africans, but this important crop is under siege from two devastating diseases.

Farming

The future of food production: more from less

Pressure on Australian farmers has never been greater. They're being asked to generate more from less. It's clear a significant step change is needed.

Farming

Breeding resilience in a changing climate

Crop breeding techniques have come a long way in developing plants suited to Australian climates. But how far can we go?

Farming

Nigeria has given a new GM cowpea variety the go ahead. Why it matters

Nigeria recently approved the world's first GM cowpea, which provides full protection against the pod-borer Maruca, a major problem for this important crop.

Dual-purpose crops bring drought resilience to farming

Growing crops both grazed by livestock and grown to harvest is helping this farmer weather the drought.

Our big breakthroughs in 2019

2019 was a big year for us. Before you head off for the end of year break, let’s reflect on the exciting science we brought to you this year.

Planting early helps farmer weather the drought

Queensland farmer Daniel Wegener is using a technique we developed called early sowing to make the best of the current drought.

Environment

The worm has turned: climate change, the humble earthworm and you

The often-maligned earthworm is vital to the natural world. A study has found climate change could seriously impact them. If it does we’ll all feel the consequences.

To feed the world in 2050 we need to build the plants that evolution didn’t

Synthetic biology lets us explore places where evolution has never gone, to help meet humanity's food needs in a future shaped by climate change.

Nitrogen fertilisers are incredibly efficient, but they make climate change a lot worse

Measurements and modelling have found nitrous oxide emissions, a greenhouse gas 265 times more potent than carbon dioxide, are significantly higher than previously reported.

Farming

Breakthrough in hunt for deadly cereal killer

A cereal killer is on the loose. A team of internal experts are on a mission to uncover the origins of the world’s deadliest strain of cereal rust disease.

Farming

Plants uncovered: extreme serendipity in polyploidy

New research shows how complex the genomes of plants really are. This research can help us grow better and more sustainable crops.

Crops