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RNA interference (RNAi) is a naturally occurring gene silencing mechanism conserved across organisms with a clearly defined cell nucleus (eukaryotes). Gene silencing by RNAi through the degradation of a target messenger RNA (mRNA) has historically been used as a research tool to study the function of genes. Over the past two decades, silencing of vital genes through RNAi has been explored for agricultural applications, including managing plant insect pests and pathogens, improving plant agronomic traits, and increasing consumer desirability of food. Using RNAi for crop protection is especially attractive because of its high specificity, which minimizes unintended effects on non-target organisms and improves the safety profile of RNAi products. This paper describes how RNAi functions, its current applications in agriculture, the current regulatory views of RNAi-based pesticides, and concludes with a discussion of current challenges for the commercial application of RNAi in agriculture. The content presented is intended to serve as a resource for regulatory agencies, policy and lawmakers, private and public institutions, and the general public to inform regulatory assessments and consumer choice decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article includes historical information, including the number of women in the U.S. Congress over time. It mentions that provides details on the total number of women who have served in each Congress, with information on changes within a Congress including Hazel Hempel Abel, Bella Savitzky Abzug, and Maryon Pittman Allen.

Mid-South cotton producers question whether adjustments in cotton seeding rates or arthropod pest management programs are needed as they expand their use of soil conservation practices, including reduced tillage operations and use of cover crops. A multifactor field experiment was conducted in northeast Arkansas in 2020 to evaluate cotton management options in two prevalent cover crop system approaches: fall-seeded cereal rye (Secale cereale) or spring-seeded black oats (Avena strigose). Also included in each system was thrips control (Thrips tabaci, Frankliniella occidentalis) control (foliar insecticide application or unsprayed). Additional factors in the 4×3×2 split-plot study were 3 seeding rates (equivalent to 61,901, 41,267, or 20,634 seeds per acre in 38-inch row spacing) and different timing for late-season insecticide termination for tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris) at either early (cutout (NAWF = 5)) or recommended termination timing (cutout + 250 DD60s). Cotton emergence was delayed in the black oats system, likely related to diminished soil moisture at planting in the "green" cover crop. Higher thrips numbers also were associated with the black oats cover crop system compared to terminated cereal rye. Late-season Lygus numbers were greater in the highest seeding rate treatments. Yields were measured with a yield monitor, and because of the spatially variable soil textures in the field, soil electrical conductivity (ECa) was included in statistical evaluations. There were significant interactions among treatments. Lint yields were lower in coarse sand compared to loamy sand areas and with the highest seeding rate. When thrips were controlled with foliar insecticide, yields from the cereal rye cover crop system typically were higher compared to the black oats system. The highest Lygus numbers were associated with the highest seeding rate, and there was a yield penalty for early Lygus insecticide termination timing. The COTMAN® plant monitoring system was beneficial in identifying the date of cutout and for timing late-season termination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based solutions (NbS) require a decisive change in people's relationship with nature and decisive action across sectors and governing bodies to release their full potential. This report discusses the need to implement nature-based solutions to combat biodiversity loss as well as climate change and to fulfill the UN's development goals, and on what the relevant global governing bodies are undertaking to promote these solutions. Nature-based solutions fit well with the approach to holistic management of ecosystems as established by the UN's Convention on Biodiversity from 1992. In recent years, it is increasingly recognized that this approach is also necessary to achieve the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping the global temperature as a result of global warming below 2 degrees. NbS are necessary to improve people's living conditions because the impoverishment of nature leads to soil depletion, drought, floods, food insecurity, infectious diseases, and refugee flows, among other things. NbS have been given the blue stamp by the global scientific bodies for biodiversity and climate, IPBES and IPCC, and by the UN environmental assembly UNEA, but still not by the Biodiversity and Climate Convention. The concept also still lacks effective methods to measure its effect. Upcoming and highly profiled meetings of the conferences of the parties in the two conventions provide golden opportunities to give full political recognition to the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Should crop managers refine their N fertilizer management program for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) in the season following peanut (Arachis hypogaea)? This report summarizes results from a 2021 on-farm field study in Mississippi County in Northeast Arkansas with cotton grown in rotation with a N-fixing legume, peanut. The replicated strip trial was in a 40-ac commercial field with heterogeneous, alluvial soil [Routon-Dundee-Crevasse complex (Typic Endoqualfs)]. Fertilizer applications and yield assessments were made with the cooperating producer’s equipment. A base rate of 80 lb N/ac was broadcast-applied to all plots 22 days after planting (DAP). Supplemental fertilizer-N treatments of 0, 25, 40, or 55 lb N/ac were applied at the time of first flowers (60 DAP) and represented total-N rates of 80, 105, 120, and 135 lb N/ac. The Arkansas Extension recommendation for the production region is 110 lb N/ac. In-season plant monitoring and end-of-season plant mapping were used to quantify maturity delay and to identify plant structural changes in response to N in different soil textural zones of the spatially variable field. Soil electrical conductivity measures (ECa) were used as a proxy for soil texture to classify zones. Our results showed that there were significant treatment effects on lint yield and fiber quality. There were differences in yield among soil texture classes and significant interactions with fertilizer-N rate associated with soil texture. Yield from cotton in the coarse-sand textured soil (ca. 35% of the field) trended upward with increased N. There was no yield penalty for reduced fertilizer-N application rates in the loamy sand areas of the field. The findings suggest the need for expanded research in directed soil sampling and for variable rate application to improve profitability and increase the efficiency of N fertilizer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses about the need to build equitable and sustainable operations for Colorado River low flow and low storage. Topics discussed include need to identify the consumption to stabilize Lake Mead level for different water elevations, hydropower generation and need to define the goal to motivate and sustain conservation behavior.

The article presents a reports related to lake mead operations adapt to reservoir level and additional water conservation above mandatory targets for California, Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico. Topics discussed include flexibility to conserve and consume water, conservation efforts beyond mandatory targets speed and numerical simulations identify inflow to Lake Mead's draw down.