Sustainability

Gene “boosts” hope for plant-based jet fuel, plentiful food

A team of scientists, including Gail Taylor of the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, has identified a gene in poplar trees that enhances photosynthesis and can boost tree height by as much as 200 percent. Discovery of the “Booster” gene has enormous potential for both the nation’s efforts to create plant-based jet fuel and to boost the yield of key food crops.

Steam: Sustainable management for weeds, soil pests

Steam treatment offers growers a chemical-free way to control weeds and soil-borne diseases, benefiting both crops and farmworkers. UC Davis research in Salinas shows it boosts yields while preserving soil health, making it a promising tool for organic farming.

Resnicks pledge $50M for sustainability research

The University of California, Davis, recently announced that philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company, have pledged the largest gift ever to the university by individual donors. The $50 million pledge will support the school’s longstanding commitment to address today’s most pressing challenges in agriculture and environmental sustainability.