Cotton is one of the world’s most vital agricultural commodities, but many struggle to grow the crop using sustainable practices. Thanks to new research in space though, cotton could soon become more resilient.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Madison compared ordinary cotton and cotton genetically modified to withstand drought in space. Typically, plants would struggle to grow in such a harsh environment, but the test cotton actually grew better in space than on Earth.
As to why, researchers are still trying to determine that mystery. But when they do, it could lead to the production of a resilient cotton crop that can withstand stressful conditions on Earth and could go on long term space missions.
Related Stories
I Love Rural Health takes us to Gothenburg, Nebraska, to see how this small-town hospital harnesses the power of data informatics to transform patient care.
While African Swine Fever has yet to reach the United States, researchers at Kansas State University are working to ensure it can be easily detected.
Texas A&M AgriLife Researchers at Weslaco are switching from defense to offense against huanglongbing disease, a.k.a. citrus greening, which is a global threat to the