A brief look at what’s new in Arkansas agricultural tech
Research Aims to Protect Major Industry
Approximately 200 million bushels of rice are harvested annually in Arkansas, and the state is the top producer of the crop in the country. However, as the effects of climate change worsen, the crop could be endangered by rising nighttime temperatures.
Vibha Srivastava, a professor of plant biotechnology at the University of Arkansas, is exploring gene editing techniques as a potential solution for the challenge. While genetically modified rice has been rejected in Arkansas – in 2010, Bayer CropScience lost a $6 million lawsuit after a genetically altered rice variety contaminated local commercial rice crops – she says gene editing is different.
The group tested different varieties of rice for high nighttime temperature-hardiness. They identified one Indian strain that showed promise in that regard; however, tests in Arkansas soil found undesirable traits like small grain size, which Srivastava says could be improved with gene editing.
“This work shows that not just the quality but yield of rice under heat stress could be improved by editing a single gene,” she said.
Precision Ag Stakes Claim
Arkansas State University is honing in on the importance of geospatial analytics in precision agriculture. The university offers a degree program based around data-driven agronomic decision-making. A-State’s program emphasizes the development of tools and techniques for efficient irrigation, crop monitoring and overall productivity. Many students learn to operate unmanned drones to use for data collection. They also receive hands-on experience using GPS-guided equipment and remote monitoring technologies to assess farm health in real time. According to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension Service, 27% of farms in Arkansas are using precision agriculture techniques to manage crops or livestock.
UAM Building Forest Health Research Center
The University of Arkansas at Monticello has broken ground on its Forest Health Research Center, where faculty and students will conduct research in forest health and management. Michael Blazier, dean of UAM’s College of Forestry, Agriculture & Natural Resources, says the facility will be a hub in the southeast for research and developing technologies to mitigate climate-related forestry challenges. “We have collaborative agreements developing with universities, federal agencies and state agencies in surrounding states as well as in Alabama and Georgia,” Blazier said. The center is expected to generate $157 million in annual economic activity after it opens next summer.
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