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Crop Production

Researchers find how plants survive without sunlight or sex

1 min read January 28, 2026 Crop Production
High-quality visualization of researchers find how plants survive without sunlight or sex featuring advanced farming techniques, hydroponics, and sustainable agriculture.

The study reveals how Balanophora plants function despite abandoning photosynthesis and, in some species, sexual reproduction. Their plastid genomes shrank dramatically in a shared ancestor, yet the plastids remain vital. Asexual reproduction appears to have evolved repeatedly, helping the plants survive in isolated, humid forest habitats. The research highlights surprising resilience in these bizarre parasitic species.

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Crop intelligence

Going in during September

Sowing windows open right now, from the crop reference.

Crop Sow Days pH Temp °C Yield
Angelica Sep–Oct 2 yr 6.0–7.0 10–22 8–12 t
Pyrethrum Sep–Oct 2–3 yr 5.5–7.0 10–22 0.8–1.5 t
Tagasaste Sep–Oct 2–4 yr 5.5–7.5 5–28 10–18 t green
Oil Palm Jun–Sep (planting) 3–4 yr to bear 5.0–7.0 24–32 20–25 t FFB
Pepino Sep–Oct 4–6 mo 6.0–7.0 15–25 25–40 t
Asafoetida (Hing) Sep–Oct 4–5 yr 6.5–7.5 10–25 0.05–0.1 t
Litchi Jun–Sep (planting) 5–7 yr to bear 5.5–7.0 20–35 8–12 t
Alstroemeria Sep–Oct 10–12 mo 6.0–6.8 13–22 100–150 stems/m²
Anthurium Year-round 12–18 mo to bear 5.5–6.5 18–28 6–8 blooms/plant
Paddy Straw Mushroom Jun–Sep 12–18 6.5–7.5 28–35 100–150 kg/t
Orchid Year-round 18–24 mo to bear 5.5–6.5 20–30 4–6 spikes/plant
Oyster Mushroom Any 25–35 5.5–6.5 20–30 500–700 kg/t
Amaranth (Leafy) Feb–Sep 30–45 6.0–7.5 22–32 10–15 t
Arugula Sep–Nov 30–45 6.0–7.0 10–22 8–12 t

90 more in this list. All 538 crops, with every column → The sowing year →

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