Parasitic insect-derived miRNAs could be a natural way to control pest
1
818148
/english/2018/0620/c65146a818148/page.psp
2018-06-16
static/picture/3c8a8a25-b58e-418f-a320-9ee711a99f02_s.png
static/picture/3c8a8a25-b58e-418f-a320-9ee711a99f02.png
The research team led by CHEN Xuexin, a professor with the College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, published a paper entitled “Parasitic insect-derived miRNAs modulate host development”in the June 6 issue of Nature Communications. It reveals the underlying mechanisms for the modulation of parasitic-derived miRNAs and opens up new theoretical dimensions to the research and development of pest control.Parasitic insects, particularly parasitic wasps, are a large group of animals that lay eggs i...
Use-inspired research advances agricultural sustainability
2
823103
/english/2018/0709/c65146a823103/page.psp
2018-05-29
static/picture/3bfbaa25-ae3f-4e64-8906-931fa448ca18_s.jpg
static/picture/3bfbaa25-ae3f-4e64-8906-931fa448ca18.jpg
Agriculture has long been the backbone of China, where one fifth of the world’s population is fed on 7% of its arable land. Although China’s agricultural reform and the development of science and technology have increased agricultural production, food security is still a big concern in China. Facing environmental challenges caused by fertilizer and pesticide application and differences in water availability and soil type, people find sustainability an urgent issue to be addressed for China and...
Endogenous chemical balance sheds new light on breeding of pest-resistant crops
3
811107
/english/2018/0514/c65146a811107/page.psp
2018-05-14
static/picture/c682a019-6fca-47e5-8114-2443bdc1a827_s.jpg
static/picture/c682a019-6fca-47e5-8114-2443bdc1a827.jpg
Pests are the major enemy of agriculture and forestry production. It is reported that they cause staggering economic losses, reaching 250 billion dollars per year on a worldwide basis. They are also one of the primary reasons for significant yield losses in China. In order to control pests, farmers have to apply pesticides extensively, which not only elevate costs tremendously, but pose a crippling threat to mankind and the environment. Therefore, cultivating strains with strong resistant to pes...