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The researchers discuss the project in its early stages. From left are Aline Novaski Seffrin, doctoral candidate in plant science; Francesco Di Gioia, associate professor of vegetable crop science; and Chenchen Kang, a former post-doctoral scholar in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

New computer vision system can guide specialty crops monitoring

The technology applies an internet of things and artificial intelligence to enhance controlled environment agriculture in advanced greenhouse scenario.

The flavonoids that provide insecticide-like protection to some corn lines against corn earworm larvae also provide pigments to the plants that show up in the silks, husks and kernels. Pictured here are the lines used in the research.  Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Select corn lines contain compounds that sicken, kill major crop pest

The compounds, called flavonoids, have an insecticidal effect on corn earworm larvae.

Alex Storm, left, coordinator of the forest technology associate degree program at Penn State Mont Alto, and Laura Leites, research professor of quantitative forest ecology and assistant dean for access and equity in the College of Agricultural Sciences, are working together to provide undergraduate research opportunities. Credit: Michael Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Growing people and forests: The power of undergraduate research

Mont Alto program coordinator partners with former mentor to support undergraduate research opportunities.

2024 My Green Lab Consultants Zaman Ataie and Ananya Gollakota check the expiration date on a chemical bottle. Credit: Lydia Vandenbergh. All Rights Reserved.

Sustainable Labs Program increases participant engagement, welcomes new labs

Two upcoming virtual sessions will cover how labs can learn more and join next year’s cohort.

Researchers visit the Laguna del Hunco fossil rainforest site in Argentina.  Credit: L. Alejandro Giraldo. All Rights Reserved.

Fossils show leaf-eating insects tracked gum trees for millions of years

New study reveals surprisingly consistent insect feeding damage on fossils from Argentina and modern gum tree leaves from Australia.

Director Bruce Logan, fourth from left, stands with the IEE Research Award winners. From left to right are: Hong Wu, Lisa Emili, Nathaniel Warner, Brian Fronk and Margaret Busse. Lauren McPhillips is not pictured. Credit: Brenna Buck. All Rights Reserved.

Researchers recognized for excellence by Institute of Energy and the Environment

The Institute of Energy and the Environment recognized six Penn State faculty members for their research excellence.

Farmers confer amidst their corn crop, garden and fish ponds. Typically, smallholder fish farms are family-run operations that raise tilapia in small areas of land along with a few crops and some livestock.  Credit: Jacob Johnson. All Rights Reserved.

Researchers explore strategies to aid smallholder fish farmers in Zambia

Fish farming is key to food security in Africa; study shows that optimized agricultural resource management helps fish farmers in Zambia

The findings are a step in identifying beneficial microorganisms that potentially could be used to improve mushroom harvests and prevent disease, the researchers said. Credit: Harshal S. Hirve/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Harnessing mushroom microbiomes for better crop development

Microorganisms collected from the material in which button mushrooms are grown may benefit the development of future fungi crops, according to a study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and published in the journal Fungal Biology.

Samples for the study were collected by researchers from Penn State, the Forest Service and other partners around the Oregon ash range, extending from California, Oregon and Washington into British Columbia. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Ash tree variability may offer restoration path post-beetle decimation

Researchers found that genetic diversity is key to breeding ash trees resistant to emerald ash borers and rising temperatures.

Flies play a crucial role as pollinators, second only to bees in terms of the volume of crops and habitat they pollinate. Pictured here is a blue fly pollinating common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).  Credit: Martha B. Moss/Penn State Extension Master Gardener / Penn State. Creative Commons

Pollinators most vulnerable to rising global temperatures are flies, study shows

New research led by Penn State scientists suggests flies are increasingly at risk due to rising global temperatures.