How biotech crops can crash- and still never fail
The U.N. Food Systems Summit put biotechnology at center stage, although agroecological innovations offer greater promise for sustainability.
![How do you decide if your fruit trees need fertilizer? Ask an expert](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2022/ed5c0418-621c4a0d9eda11a56ccd2515.jpg)
Gardening season has wrapped up for most people, but there are always questions. For answers, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool
![How the Scottish are finding food solutions using vertical farming](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2022/4a773e8a-6212fa8c9eda11971c5e59f8.jpg)
LED lights are flashing to match world flags from around the world, a nod to the international visitors in Scotland. A robot is whizzing around the place
![Field peas and the future of farming](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2022/f723198e-62048b079eda11f81261ace7.jpg)
Securing the future of food, a constant weight on the food and agriculture industry, has always been core to the mission of Puris.
![How to grow hydroponic lettuce - Instructions and plant care tips](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2022/44bd0e14-61ef4d809eda11e82e718204.jpg)
There’s a reason why lettuce is one of the most popular hydroponic crops for both beginners and experts alike.
![Utilizing old dragon fruit branches to compost bio-organic fertilizer](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2022/6821e257-61df92b69eda115b7aaee3aa.jpeg)
The Southern Horticultural Research Institute has introduced a new bio-organic fertilizers composting process utilizing discarded dragon fruit branches.
![Growing leeks in your garden](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/bc7add55-5e4229aa425cc5c81073186f.jpg)
Most people associate leeks with soup. For this reason, many of my farmer clients grow them only for inclusion in winter soup packs. But leeks have many other
![Getting ready to plant cucurbits](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/695222fb-5e40db4f425cc5fa51e30684.jpg)
Before planting a land to any of the cucurbits, you should kill off all broad-leaved weeds nearby, preferably well beforehand.
![The basics of maize production](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/17d4a17d-5e3bc83f425cc50841c65e54.jpg)
Also known as corn, maize was first domesticated in southern Mexico nearly 10 000 years ago. Many varieties have been bred to suit a range of conditions.
![No-till: increasing soil organic content](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/aaa3eb39-5e390deb425cc59271a507e5.jpg)
With no-till farming, you need to try to gradually increase the organic content of the soil.
![Beware of that foliar feed mixture!](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/02-2020/e16e230c-5e37b980425cc5764f8a98a1.jpg)
Company representatives often bombard farmers with products claimed to increase yield at little cost.
![The need for manure to be broken down](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/a949c6c8-5e2290d5425cc587702da826.jpg)
Suggested application rates for some common crops, including tomatoes and potatoes.
![How to fertilise a crop correctly](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/6ab24648-5e2008e3425cc560488bb8e7.jpg)
Readers frequently ask me for specific fertiliser programmes for their crops. I would happily oblige if all crops were the same!
![The benefits of organic matter](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/bbd484c5-5e1eb505425cc5d14f63a1d4.jpg)
In contrast, in a chemically based system, the interaction between the minerals becomes critical and complex, and a farmer needs a great deal of experience
![Growing in hot and dry conditions – Part 1](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/b003720d-5e1d36e6425cc5b63072675c.jpg)
Here are some guidelines for growing vegetables under drought conditions.
![Slow US planting, growing seasons end in delayed corn, soybean harvest](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/3878027e-5e1d364f425cc5e42d72675f.jpg)
Late-planted feed crops in the US may see harvest challenges from weather, moisture levels, drying costs and quality, says analyst.
![Know your soil – Part 5: the value of phosphorous](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/1e00f699-5e183c04425cc525637d5c68.jpg)
Continuing with our discussion of the soil analysis, we now come to phosphorous (P).
![Know your soil – Part 4](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/6451c5d7-5e16de9d425cc57c34c16dd1.jpg)
The pH of soil is a reflection of its acidity or alkalinity. In the absence of base minerals such as calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and sodium (Na)
![Know your soil – Part 1](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/acb14aa7-5e1547fc425cc53d542d7b95.jpg)
This year has been designated the International Year of Soils by the United Nations, so it’s a fitting time to learn more about the properties of soil
![Know your soil – Part 3](/temp/resize/75x75/upload/news/01-2020/d67119c7-5e142819425cc5d30b650ce9.jpg)
Generally, the price per hectare of farmland does not vary much across a region, but the land’s true value does vary according to its productivity.