ARS Newslink

ARS News Service
USDA Agricultural Research Service
October 21, 2011
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Battling rice blast:
USDA scientists have characterized the molecular mechanism behind some plants' ability to resist rice blast, a fungal disease that affects cereal grain crops such as rice, wheat, rye and barley and can cause yield losses of up to 30 percent. (10/17) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/111017.htm

Nematode resistance discovered:
Genetic resistance to a parasitic nematode that infects sheep has been discovered by a team of scientists with the USDA and the International Livestock Research Institute. (10/18) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/111018.htm

Strange sedge identified:
A USDA scientist has confirmed the identity of a strange grass-like sedge discovered in a Mississippi graveyard, and believes the appearance of the potentially invasive plant is linked to the final resting places of several members of a royal Gypsy family. (10/19) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/111019.htm

New issue of nutrition briefs:
The new issue of the ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs and its Spanish-language edition (Informe de investigaciones de alimentos y nutrición) are now available online. (10/20) http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/111020.htm
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ARS News Service, Information Staff, Agricultural Research Service
5601 Sunnyside Ave., Room 1-2251, Beltsville MD 20705-5128 NewsService@ars.usda.gov | www.ars.usda.gov/news Phone (301) 504-1636 | fax (301) 504-1486