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The article offers information on the Research Triangle Park (RTP) that helps farmers to improve yields of crops including corn, soybeans, and cotton and also informs that business leaders are investing in agricultural research in North Carolina. Topics discussed include use of greenhouses for the research on plants, creating an innovative ecosystem in RTP, and screening of plant genomes to find desirable traits. INSET: Creating An Innovation Ecosystem In Research Triangle Park.

The article discusses research related to mapping of the 26 genomes to use it as references to select for genes likely to lead to better crop yields or stress tolerance. Topics discussed include goal to shift all of maize genomics in one large leap from one reference to 26; hurdles for the assembly of the new genomes; and plans to develop other genome references to understand the genetic architecture and other important agricultural traits.

The article discusses large industrial scale farms use triazines to help increase the production of foods through the blocking of broad-leaf weeds. Topics include the inhibitors have primarily used on farms growing corn, sugar cane, palm oil, and citrus, and, to a lesser degree, weed control in roadway applications; and triazines have been found as contaminants in waterways and drinking water supplies.

The article discusses academic efforts of the American Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES) of improving its services to the U.S. peanut industry. Topics discussed include views of Darlene Cowart about APRES' intellectual exchange and the abilities to solve industry problems; different segments of the industry like growers, sellers, and consumers; and the peanut genome that was mapped and can be used to improve peanut varieties.

The article presents the author's insights concerning the risk of peanut genome initiative programs into developing genetically modified organisms (GMO) of multi-national crop geneticists International Peanut Genome Initiative. The author mentions the complexity of peanut genomes and development of new breeding lines or improvement on peanut varieties. He also cites the benefits of peanut breeding projects in the U.S.

The article informs about the microbiome, microbes which help plants to fend diseases, stimulate growth and infection prevention. Jonathan A. Eisen, a microbiologist at the University of California in Davis, California, states about the importance of this microbiome and also informs about the decrease in DNA sequencing costs. Information about researches carried out at different universities related to these genomes is also presented.

The article reports that the entire genome of the canola plant has been sequenced by Bayer CropScience AG along with several researchers. It notes that the new findings will be utilized by the company to modify the plant through molecular breeding and genetic modification. It notes that the company has collaborated with researchers from various institutions for the study such as the University of Queensland in Australia.

The article reports on the announcement made by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) concerning the completion of a draft sequence of the corn genome, specifically the National Science Foundation Plant Genome program in the U.S. It is cited that the completion of the maize genome draft sequence is the initial step in identifying the function of all the genes in corn, which eventually, will allow corn growers to plant better corn hybrids that can withstand drought and other stresses.

The article announces the completion of the National Science Foundation Plant Genome program, a draft of the corn genome by a group of scientific organizations and private companies in the U.S. The draft is considered as the first mapping of the corn genome in the world. It aims to gain a better understand the DNA of corn plant. The completion of maize genome sequence will increase breeding efficiency and streamline the delivery of new traits and further recognition and understanding of traits.

The author discusses the development of the ZMapp antiserum drug by Mapp Biopharmaceutical Inc. for the treatment of Ebola virus disease. He states that the company injected a humanised antibody into the genome of the Nicotiana, a tobacco plant, to produce an antiserum. He examines the efficacy of the ZMapp antiserum drug by looking into its possible contribution to the survival of infected American health workers Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol.

The article reports on research on the peanut genome sequence conducted by Brian Scheffler of the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Agricultural Research Service. Topics include the genome sequencing of the wild peanut varieties Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis, the commercial species Arachis hypogaea, and research on how the genome of the peanut affects physical characteristics of the plant.

The article focuses on the International Peanut Genome Initiative in Texas and its benefits on the production of peanut in the state. Topics discussed include the initiative is a multinational group of crop geneticists who work to successfully sequence peanut genome, Scott Jackson who serves at the chairman of the initiative, and the use of DNA markers to choose for resistance for the second and third varieties of peanuts.

The article discusses the benefits of using the genomic bull proof technology in livestock which include faster improvements in genetic merit and herd performance. Particular focus is given to the successful livestock business of pedigree breeder Rob Wills and herdsman John France. The article discusses the benefits gained by farmers using the genomic bull proofs since its launching in 2012 and guidelines of understanding and using genomics indices.

The article reports that Rothamsted Research director Maurice Moloney has told delegates at the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference in England that wheat yields of 20 tons per hectare are achievable in 20 years or less. He points out that target yields is possible through effectiveness of the collaboration between global scientists. He notes the slow rate of increase in wheat yields in Great Britain and the importance of understanding the secrets of wheat genome.

The article offers information on issues related to sequencing systems. The Applied Biosystems scientists use the SOLiD 3 System DNA-sequencing technology to sequence a human genome at 17-fold coverage. The Synamatix, Sime Darby and 454 Life Sciences had used the 454's technology in their collaboration to sequence the 1.7 billion-base-pair oil palm genome. Moreover, it mentions that without the data on conventional Sanger sequencing, the palm genome was sequenced.

The article focuses on the cotton molecular markers and associated information offered by Monsanto Co. to the public domain through globally accessible cotton genome databases. This donation will serve as catalyst to speed the pace of improving cotton varieties. Representatives from Monsanto say that the gift will help scientists map the cotton genome and has the potential to contribute to cotton farmers. It also provides more flexibility for cotton breeders to deal with problems.

The article reports on the collaboration among U.S. Department of Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Mars Inc. and International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) to sequence and analyze the cocoa genome. The collaboration is an opportunity for the companies to apply their computational biology and supercomputing expertise to help improve an economically important agricultural crop. Moreover, it is noted that the project is projected to take five years to complete.

The article reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program has decided to provide up to $5 million of funding for functional genomics and bioinformatics on legume crops such as soybeans. Such research offers unique opportunities for basic gene and genomics studies to improve the nutrition, yield and disease-resistance of soybeans and other legume crops. Approximately $8.5 million total will be spent through the NRI plant genome program, and legume crops are the big winners.

Reports the collaboration among Monsanto Co., biotechnology company Genaissance Pharmaceutical Inc., and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a map of the soybean's genome. Availability of the information in Soybase, the Department of Agriculture's soybean database.

This article reports that understanding how plant genomes are packaged can help produce more predictable and consistent plants. A University of Missouri-Columbia researcher says a study on regulating gene expression in corn might also lead to a better understanding of how animal and human DNA is packaged and the diseases that can result when something goes wrong in that process. By exploring the inner workings of plant genes and the role genres play in plant development, the research can help plant breeders produce better plants.