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Artificial intelligence trained to spot black-grass growing amongst crops

Advance should lead to smarter spraying, lowering costs and reducing herbicide use

3 Nov 2025

Trillions of insects fly above the UK – but radar reveals night species are vanishing

New study maps ‘Insect highways’ over Britain using weather monitoring technology

27 Oct 2025

Excess fine sediment in rivers starves fish habitats of oxygen

Reducing both nutrient runoff and sediment loss will be needed to restore healthier habitats.

21 Oct 2025

Global Farm Platform honoured with FAO Technical Recognition

Collaborative network across six continents recognised for contributions towards more sustainable livestock farming

16 Oct 2025

Fertiliser boosts soil’s ability to lock away carbon

New analysis of data and samples from Rothamsted’s Broadbalk long-term experiment has revealed link

14 Oct 2025

High fibre white flour developed at Rothamsted passes the taste test

Genetic differences in wheat varieties have been used to develop lines with naturally higher dietary fibre

9 Oct 2025

East-West divide in lettuce pest threatens UK crop yields, study finds

Aphids attacking lettuce fields in England are showing surprising regional patterns that could complicate control efforts

8 Oct 2025

Key wheat genes that control plant height and grain size identified

Findings could pave the way for breeding higher-yield crops to meet global food demands

6 Oct 2025

Systems-Thinking Study Identifies Key Agricultural Practices that Threaten Soil Health and Global Food Supply

Adopting a resilience theory approach could help identify effective solutions and their trade-offs

2 Oct 2025

Friendly soil fungus could replace chemical sprays in battle against crop diseases

Releases of natural airborne chemicals inhibits growth of pathogens

29 Sep 2025

Simple Shortcut Could Help Farmers Boost Profits from Grassland Management

New study suggests that British livestock farmers could save time and money with a simplified method of measuring grass growth

25 Sep 2025

New field test shows how farming reshapes underground life

A simple research tool links soil pore networks to respiration, offering fresh insights into soil health

25 Sep 2025

Human activity is choking Oman’s fragile desert rivers

Ephemeral desert rivers known as wadis – lifelines for biodiversity and water in some of the world’s driest landscapes – are being dangerously constricted by human activity, new research has found.

23 Sep 2025

Fungal genome secrets unlocked in breakthrough for crop disease research

Improved genome mapping of septoria leaf blotch fungus could lead to improved control strategies

23 Sep 2025

Insects in Britain facing local upheavals

Study finds many communities are being reshaped by climate change and urban development.

22 Sep 2025

Rice’s Resistance to Genetic Tweaks Poses Challenge for Crop Scientists

Advanced methods for temporarily switching plant genes on or off do not work in rice, but setback could be a springboard for innovation

27 Aug 2025

Campus spin-out lands £1 million investment to accelerate biostimulant field testing

SugaROx is backed by technology developed by Rothamsted and the University of Oxford

20 Aug 2025

Why Birds on the Edge Stay There: Study Sheds Light on Murmuration Mysteries

New research finds that sharp flock borders arise from simple rules of interaction—not from complex survival strategies

6 Aug 2025