Technology Agricultural Related Biosciences is a growing industry in the united states, as technological advances have made possible the widespread use of genetically modified (GT) and herbicide-resistant (HR) plants. This new expansion came about as a result of the adoption of new pest management methods (using chemical method to kill insects) and agricultural biotechnology which enable the manipulation of organic genetic codes. From the growing rush towards those technologies, there is also an important problem of food security. The significant concern is the potential unintended consequences of inserting genes into the wild inhabitants. Such risk has been cited as the reason for the recent surge in genetic engineering activity in other areas of the world.
Technology-based agriculture is presently creating new challenges for farmers. A few of those issues are more than just being a struggle for farmers; they represent real threats to the food supply. One such technology agricultural related bioscience project involves releasing genetically modified “superfoods” which may increase the antioxidant content of a plant, and thus potentially protect it from diseases. This could represent a major advancement in agriculture.
There are two areas of concern. The first is the higher use of insecticides on plants which haven’t been genetically modified to resist insecticides. This practice has caused greater spraying of those plants, which can be having adverse effects on the environment and on human health. The second issue centers around the unintended consequences on plants that have been altered to resist insecticides. These crops, especially the older varieties, are becoming more vulnerable to those insecticides, as they have lower defense levels.
The key technology agricultural related biosciences effort is to find plants that have obviously higher antioxidant content. This will offer protection against the unintended effects of insecticides, by providing an excess layer of defense to the crops. A few of the areas of attention are technology in the development of tolerance, and also the development of plants that have greater soil-based defenses. A number of the other areas of focus from the area include genetics and molecular biology, in addition to biochemical security.
The research efforts to develop technology agricultural related biofuels are expected to continue for several years. One area of specific interest is the discipline of agrochemical technology, which has developed an understanding of the economics of agricultural biomass production. Biomass is used extensively in the production of ethanol, but the large amount of land needed to harvest the biomass is impractical for many farmers. Additionally, traditional biomass is expensive, and its own storage costs make it improper for most rural communities.
Biofuels growth can also be focusing on the conversion of crops to ethanol. Several researchers are creating technology which allows corn to be transformed into starch or cellulose, which can be used in several biofuels, such as biogas and biodiesel. This technology is currently being tested on a limited scale at the university. Another emerging technology is to produce rice with large quantities of starch by soaking the rice in water and then passing it through a specific membrane to generate elevated sugar levels.
Rice is not a good candidate for the ethanol business, since it’s still a grain. It will most likely have to undergo conversion to ethanol in order to be promoted. Another rice being considered is that the soya bean, that has similar properties to corn but has greater calorie output. It’s also more resistant to insects and has low loss of protein.
Technology in agriculture is expanding the capability of the human race to cultivate food on a bigger scale and produce a larger quantity of crops per acre. It’s also providing a solution for those who are worried about the environment. Growing plants using technology agricultural related biofuels does not contribute to air pollution. It does not add to the depletion of natural resources. And by enhancing the soil and creating greater farming requirements, technology in agriculture may create foods which are both more nutritious and sustainable.