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FACTS
Researchers Develop “Vaccine” for Tomato Plants
A new chemical “vaccine” for tomato plants switches on a defense mechanism
to prevent localized infections from becoming contagious, a possible first
step toward protecting harvests, researchers say. When plants come under
attack from invading bacteria, viruses, or fungi, they mount a two-pronged
response, producing both offensive chemicals to kill invaders and defensive
chemicals to prevent infestations from spreading. A report published in
Science Signaling details how scientists saved tomato and pepper plants
from bacterial speck, the common name for a bacterial infestation that
can spread from leaf to leaf, turning leaves yellow and ultimately killing
the plants. Researchers treated uninfected leaves with a newly discovered
and naturally occurring chemical called N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (NHP)
that triggered a series of chemical responses that made uninfected leaves
less hospitable to pathogens seeking to invade. Many crop species have the
genetic machinery to produce at least small quantities of NHP.
— futurity.org
University Seeks to Reduce Pepper Disease & Boost Production
A University of Florida (UF) researcher will lead a project to reduce the risk of bacterial
disease while helping boost production of peppers like jalapenos, chilis, and
bells. In 2018, bell and chili peppers were worth $628 million to the US
market. However, peppers face several diseases, like bacterial spot, that
can severely damage production. Pamela Roberts, a UF plant pathology
professor, was awarded a four-year, $3-million grant to examine ways to
prevent diseases and increase pepper production. “Bacterial spot
is one of the most damaging and difficult diseases to manage on
peppers,” Roberts says. “Yield losses in severely affected crops
can reach 100 per cent.” With the grant, scientists will zero in on
a pathogen called Xanthomonas perforans, one of the three
species of Xanthomonas that cause bacterial spot. Researchers
will also study ways to promote sustainable pepper production.
— ufl.edu
Hemp Renaissance in Bluegrass State
Surprising as it may seem, Kentucky once led the US in hemp production.
That was back in the mid-1800s, when production peaked at 40,000 tons
in 1850. Hemp was actually Kentucky’s top cash crop until 1915. Today,
the state’s commissioner of agriculture, Ryan Quarles, wants the plant
to once again become a part of Kentucky’s agriculture mainstream.
“When people think of Kentucky, I want them to think the same thing
they think about hemp like they do Idaho potatoes and Florida
orange juice,” says Quarles. With hemp now being legal to grow in
the US, Kentucky now has more than 1,000 farmers growing the plant,
along with more than 200 companies involved in the sector. And the
Bluegrass State expected well over $100 million in Kentucky-grown
and processed-hemp sales from 2019. Across America, the hemp
industry is expected to produce more than $1.9 billion in sales by 2022.
— forbes.com
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