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May 3, 2016
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Rising CO2 levels threaten bees
Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have reduced protein in goldenrod pollen, a key late-season food source for North American bees, a Purdue University study shows. Researchers found that the overall protein concentration of goldenrod pollen fell about one-third from the onset of the Industrial Revolution to the beginning of the 21st century.
 
Previous studies have shown that increases in carbon dioxide can lower the nutritional value of plants such as wheat and rice - staple crops for much of the global human population - but this study is the first to examine the effects of rising CO2 on the diet of bees.
 

 

Keep eye on health of stored grain
After an unusually mild winter and with temperatures remaining above normal so far this spring, stored grain could be more susceptible to mold and spoilage from insects, a Purdue Extension grain storage specialist writes in a new article.

stored grain
Klein Ileleji, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering, recommends keeping bin vents closed and avoiding aeration until May or June. "Aerating the grain early in the spring will warm it up to temperatures conducive to mold and insect pest growth and thus the security provided by cold winter aeration is rapidly lost," he writes.
Ma to receive Ag Research Award
Purdue University professor of agronomy Jianxin Ma will receive the 2016 Agricultural Research Award for his work in plant genetics and genomics. The award is given each year to a faculty member in the College of Agriculture with fewer than 18 years of experience beyond a doctoral degree.
 
Dr. Jianxin Ma
Recipients are scientists who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in research and made significant contributions to agriculture, natural resources and quality of life for Indiana citizens. Much of Ma's research focuses on characterizing the genomics of globally important crops.




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