Ruppert Landscape Appoints Kang President & COO
Jessica Schwartz
About To Enjoy Easter Chocolates? Thank The Scientists Working On Cacao Plant Diseases
If you celebrate Easter, chances are you’ll enjoy more than your fair share of chocolate on Sunday. And while those delicious bunnies, eggs and other goodies seem as plentiful as (ahem) baby rabbit production, some experts worry that one day demand for chocolate may exceed supply. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, and research shows that 20% to 40% of the world’s cacao beans are lost to cacao plant diseases. This presents a major problem as the confectionary industry depends heavily on chocolate. Similarly, chocolate candies are also a major market for U.S. agricultural commodities such as peanuts, almonds, milk, and sugar. Demand for chocolate has been steadily increasing and there is a fear that one day cacao plant diseases may prevent enough cacao bean production to meet consumer need. Black pod rot is responsible for the greatest production losses in cacao, primarily because it can be found in every region where cacao is commercially grown. The disease is caused by several species of fungal-like organisms called oomycetes that spread rapidly on cacao pods under humid conditions. Within days of being infected, cacao pods turn black and rotten, rendering them useless for harvesting. There are also several viruses that affect cacao plants. One, the cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) is not believed to affect the cacao pod’s flavor, but it can cause a mosaic pattern on infected pods that leads to the production of abnormally small pods, as well as the loss of entire branches. Once thought to only exist ...
About To Enjoy Easter Chocolates? Thank The Scientists Working On Cacao Plant Diseases
If you celebrate Easter, chances are you’ll enjoy more than your fair share of chocolate on Sunday. And while those delicious bunnies, eggs and other goodies seem as plentiful as (ahem) baby rabbit production, some experts worry that one day demand for chocolate may exceed supply. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, and research shows that 20% to 40% of the world’s cacao beans are lost to cacao plant diseases. This presents a major problem as the confectionary industry depends heavily on chocolate. Similarly, chocolate candies are also a major market for U.S. agricultural commodities such as peanuts, almonds, milk, and sugar. Demand for chocolate has been steadily increasing and there is a fear that one day cacao plant diseases may prevent enough cacao bean production to meet consumer need. Black pod rot is responsible for the greatest production losses in cacao, primarily because it can be found in every region where cacao is commercially grown. The disease is caused by several species of fungal-like organisms called oomycetes that spread rapidly on cacao pods under humid conditions. Within days of being infected, cacao pods turn black and rotten, rendering them useless for harvesting. There are also several viruses that affect cacao plants. One, the cacao mild mosaic virus (CaMMV) is not believed to affect the cacao pod’s flavor, but it can cause a mosaic pattern on infected pods that leads to the production of abnormally small pods, as well as the loss of entire branches. Once thought to only exist ...
Turfgrass Being Rethought As Pollinator Food Source
Turfgrass sometimes get a “bad rap” for not providing bees and other insect pollinators a helping hand on the food front. But studies from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Georgia (UGA) suggest this reputation is unfair—and at least five different genera of bees would agree! Globally, 70% of the main crops used for human consumption depend, at least in part, on bees and other pollinators. Yet, worldwide, pollinators have been in decline for the last several decades. Turfgrasses are often blamed for the decline and it is often stated that turfgrasses are wind-pollinated, and thus useless for pollinators. The team’s findings, published in the November issue of Insects, provided evidence to the contrary. “This is vital research as we aim to protect the natural environment of pollinators that are the foundation of our food supply,” said Karen Harris-Shultz, a research geneticist at the ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Laboratory in Tifton, GA. “This new knowledge sets the baseline for future research to show that turfgrasses can serve as a food source for pollinators.” Centipedegrass is a popular turfgrass found mainly in the southeastern part of the U.S. and is known for its heat tolerance and low maintenance, making it a favorite among homeowners and landscapers—but prior research suggested it was of little use to pollinators. However, for many years Harris-Shultz had noticed bumblebees and honeybees collecting pollen from the flowers of centipedegrass lawns. She mentioned this to UGA entomologist Shimat Joseph and UGA physiologist David ...
Turfgrass Being Rethought As Pollinator Food Source
Turfgrass sometimes get a “bad rap” for not providing bees and other insect pollinators a helping hand on the food front. But studies from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Georgia (UGA) suggest this reputation is unfair—and at least five different genera of bees would agree! Globally, 70% of the main crops used for human consumption depend, at least in part, on bees and other pollinators. Yet, worldwide, pollinators have been in decline for the last several decades. Turfgrasses are often blamed for the decline and it is often stated that turfgrasses are wind-pollinated, and thus useless for pollinators. The team’s findings, published in the November issue of Insects, provided evidence to the contrary. “This is vital research as we aim to protect the natural environment of pollinators that are the foundation of our food supply,” said Karen Harris-Shultz, a research geneticist at the ARS Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Laboratory in Tifton, GA. “This new knowledge sets the baseline for future research to show that turfgrasses can serve as a food source for pollinators.” Centipedegrass is a popular turfgrass found mainly in the southeastern part of the U.S. and is known for its heat tolerance and low maintenance, making it a favorite among homeowners and landscapers—but prior research suggested it was of little use to pollinators. However, for many years Harris-Shultz had noticed bumblebees and honeybees collecting pollen from the flowers of centipedegrass lawns. She mentioned this to UGA entomologist Shimat Joseph and UGA physiologist David ...
