Agriculture Research Service (ARS)

Cornell Chronicle: Leaf gene changes increase corn yield

A study published in Nature Genetics has identified the genes related to leaf angle in corn (maize) - a key trait for planting crops closer together, which has led to an eight-fold increase in yield since the early 1900s. The study, led by researchers from Cornell and the U.S. Departmen ... more

Sequencing of cacao genome will help US chocolate industry, subsistence farmers

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and their partners have announced the preliminary release of the sequenced genome of the cacao tree, an achievement that will help sustain the supply of high-quality cocoa to the $17 billion U.S. chocolate industry and protect the livelihoods ... more

A new way to use herbicides: To sterilize, not kill weeds

Using herbicides to sterilize rather than to kill weedy grasses might be a more economical and environmentally sound weed control strategy, according to a study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and a cooperator. Rangeland ecologist Matt Rinella at the ARS Fort Keogh Lives ... more

Agriculture Research Service (ARS)

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS)is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency. Its job is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day, from field to table. more