Stories about crops and statistics (plus coding)
1) Nitrogen Immobilization Nitrogen immobilization is the process by which soil microorganisms take up inorganic nitrogen (mainly NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻) from the soil solution and convert it into organic forms inside their own cells. In other words, the N is temporarily “locked up” in microbial cells and is not available for plants. Microbes need nitrogen … Read more
Amblyseius swirskii (commonly called Swirski mite) is a species of mite that feeds on a wide variety of economically important pests including mites, thrips, psyllids, and whiteflies. This article focuses on the use of this predator in outdoor environments. https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/amblyseius-swirskii-predatory-mite
Flowering in pepper (Capsicum spp.) marks a critical transition from vegetative to reproductive growth, significantly influencing fruit set and yield. The flowering process is complex and regulated by genetic, environmental, and physiological factors. In our greenhouse, peppers initiated flowering 58 days after planting. They were planted on 24 March 2025, and flowering began on 21 … Read more
Photoperiodicity refers to the response of plants to the relative lengths of day and night, which regulates their growth and flowering. It is an important factor in agriculture as it allows growers to optimize crop yields and quality by understanding and manipulating the photoperiod requirements of different plant species. In terms of photoperiodicity, plants can … Read more
Understanding the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration is crucial in crop science. These processes play a vital role in the carbon cycle and have significant implications for carbon emissions, climate change, and sustainable agriculture. 1. Autotrophic Respiration Autotrophic respiration is the process by which plants convert the carbohydrates produced during photosynthesis into energy. This … Read more
The soybean harvesting phase usually commences when the soybean plants have achieved complete maturity, and the beans are primed for collection. The precise timing of the harvest may fluctuate, contingent on variables such as the soybean variety, environmental conditions, and geographical region. Nevertheless, there are common indicators to observe: ■ Pod Color: The first indicator … Read more
This is one of the research projects called ‘Agrivoltaic’ in which I’m currently involved. Ideally, ground-level solar panels help keep the soil moist, while also keeping the crops cool during the day and warm at night. In turn, the plants assist the panels in transferring water from the soil into the atmosphere. The plants keep … Read more
Wheat is generally known as sink-limitation during the grain-filling period. First, let’s explore the definition of source-sink limitation. The source-sink relationship and the regulation of carbon allocation are determining factors in crop yield. The growth of crops can be restricted by the assimilate availability in specific crop organs or by the ability of those organs … Read more
Phenotypic plasticity refers to the ability of an individual organism, in this case, a plant, to display varying phenotypic traits or characteristics in response to different environmental conditions. These traits can include physical features, physiological processes, and behaviors. Phenotypic plasticity is a crucial adaptive mechanism that allows organisms to optimize their survival and reproduction in … Read more
In my previous post, I discussed nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in crop fields. Today, I’ll explain how to convert nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions from ppm to kg ha-1. □ Investigating Patterns of Nitrous Oxide Emissions in Corn Agriculture If you measure N2O (ppm) using a ‘Gasmet,’ a portable gas analyzer (https://www.gasmet.com/products/category/portable-gas-analyzers/), you’ll ultimately obtain CO2 … Read more
The current corn growing stage in Champaign areas is R3, called the milky stage. After 18 – 20 days from the R1 stage, the kernels become mostly yellow and contain “milky” white fluid (i.e., starch accumulates). However, the moisture content of the kernel at R3 is around 80%. Starch accumulation continuously occurs in the endosperm, … Read more
Currently, I am involved in hemp seed production, specifically focusing on open-pollinated seed production. We have selected certain plots for donor pollens, and apart from these, I am diligently removing all male plants. Concurrently, I am studying hemp, a subject I hadn’t previously encountered. Earlier, I uploaded a post about how to distinguish between male … Read more
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in agriculture primarily come from the microbial processes of nitrification and denitrification in the soil, and they’re strongly influenced by nitrogen management practices, particularly the use of nitrogen fertilizers. □ Why Crops Cannot Directly Utilize Atmospheric Nitrogen (feat. Nitrogen Cycling in Soil)? ■ Nitrification: The microbial process in which ammonium (NH4+), … Read more
Now, the current growing stage is R1, and most of the fertilization is finished. Silks change color and become brown. Silks begin to elongate around the V12 stage. It starts from the ovules near the base of the corn cob and then develops sequentially from the base to the top. Silking of the tip ovules … Read more
On this very hot day, I took part in sampling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a corn field. The corn plants are currently in a growth stage between V11 and V12. Today marks 68 days since the planting date. Typically, after 6 weeks from emergence, corn is known to be in the V12 stage. However, … Read more
Today I went to soybean field. I’m not familiar with soybean, and now I’m studying soybean physiology When the third node is formed, the first trifoliate leaflets extend, and this stage is called the V1 stage. When the second trifoliate leaf is established, it enters the V2 stage. Therefore, the current soybean growing stage is … Read more
Today, I visited another cornfield near Champaign, IL. The current growing stage is between V10-V11. Every time I go to a cornfield, it’s my interest to identify the V5 leaf. found one corn plant near V8 and dissected it to see nodule formation. This is an interesting activity. We conducted gas sampling. This gadget can … Read more
The growing point and the tassel go above the soil surface around the V6 stage. The number of kernel rows is being determined from V7 to V8. The stalk begins to elongate. Also, you can see the corn tassel.
The current growing stage in Champaign, IL is between V9 and V10. Today is a cloudy day, and it rained for a very short time. Tasseling is currently occurring, and it’s near the 11th node. Today, we collected gas samples. This machine can measure emissions for carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH3), and … Read more
Today I’ll explain what the Hardy–Weinberg principle is. The concept of genetic equilibrium, also known as Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, describes the idealized conditions in a population where the allele frequencies remain constant over time. It assumes that certain conditions are met, including a large population size, random mating, no mutation, no migration, no selection, and no … Read more
It has been a dry day for a long time in Champaign. I arrived in Champaign on June 11th, 2023, and since then, I haven’t seen any rain. All the fields are extremely dry now. Of course, if it’s dry, it would be okay because we can find any GxE interaction and phenotypic plasticity in … Read more
Crops utilize carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to undergo photosynthesis. In other words, photosynthesis is the process in which crops, within their chloroplasts, utilize light energy to synthesize glucose (C6H12O6) from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts located in the leaves of crops, where the Calvin cycle takes place, … Read more
1. Unisexual flower a flower that has either male or female reproductive structures, but not both. Unisexuality can be divided into two categories. 1-1) Monoecious: a type of plant that has separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The representative plants of monoecious plants are corn and other Cucurbitaceae crops such as squash, … Read more
Before Getting Started!! This content applies only to bisexual flowers. If it is not a bisexual flower, there is no reason to use cytoplasmic male sterility for seed production. It is recommended to read the post below first. □ Sexual Classification of Plants ■ Male Sterility: the condition in which plants are unable to produce … Read more
How much fertilizer do farmers lose when they apply nitrogen in season? Is volatilization a significant problem? Could 4R nutrient management and urease inhibitors help? To answer those questions, our research team had an interview with RealAgriculture in Canada. ArticleCorn School: How much nitrogen is lost when applying in season?
After 18 – 20 days from R1 stage, the kernels become mostly yellow and contain “milky” white fluid (i.e. starch accumulates). However, moisture content of kernel at R3 is around 80%. Starch accumulation continuously occurs in the endosperm, and cell division of endosperm is almost complete, indicating that growth of kernels since R3 would be … Read more
I harvested some corn plants at R1 stage 12 days ago. Around R1 stage, final kernel number would be determined. In corn, kernel row number (girth) and number per row (length) in an ear are main yield components. Girth determination of the uppermost ear (the ear harvested) begins shortly after the ear shoot is initiated … Read more
In corn, R1 stage (silking) is one of the most critical period to determine yield potential. The emergence of silk is regarded as the initiation of reproductive period. Each ovule (potential kernel) on the ear develops its own silk (as the stigma of the female flower). Silks initiate to elongate around the V12. It stars … Read more
Sowing date: 12/05/2022 Today: 28/07/2022 (78 days from sowing) Current stage: R1 Site: Ontario, Canada Finally corn reached to R1. Now we can see corn silk will appear. Also, we regard corn developmental stage as R1 (silking) when tassels appears. It’s very important silking and tasseling are synchronized timely for successful pollination and fertilization (It … Read more