A University of Tennessee research finds that designing subsidy programs promising environmental benefits is challenging, with most schemes over-compensating farmers and failing to meet promised bird species increases. Allowing payment rates to vary depending on farm location can greatly improve conservation prospects.
Scientists have identified a promising maize hybrid that can produce ethanol from biomass, potentially reducing the need for fertilizers and creating a more sustainable feedstock. The hybrid combines beneficial traits of tropical and temperate maize, resulting in increased biomass production and ethanol output.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have identified a new maize hybrid that produces ethanol from biomass, potentially offering a more sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The hybrid grows larger and accumulates more stalk sugars than conventional grain hybrids, increasing ethanol output.
A new study found that smoking disrupts a healthy balance of bacteria in the mouth, making smokers more susceptible to gum disease and other oral health issues. The researchers suggest that dentists should offer more aggressive treatment for smokers and encourage them to quit.
Locusts prefer low-nitrogen, high-carbohydrate diets, which are more likely on overgrazed plots. Nitrogen fertilizer may be an eco-friendly alternative pest control solution.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $1.3 million grant to support research aimed at reducing fertilizer usage in maize production. The project, led by Ivan Baxter, will focus on identifying genes controlling the elemental composition of maize and their interaction with soil conditions.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that younger breast cancer patients experience more severe mental health issues and physical impairments than older women. Researchers recommend educating these patients about potential post-treatment effects to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
The report explores complex consequences of excess nitrogen on ecological communities, human health, and agriculture. Strategies to maximize efficient use of fertilizer and mitigate agricultural sources are also presented.
Research on Trichoderma highlights its use as biocontrol agents to reduce chemical pesticide use, improving food security. The fungus also forms symbiotic associations with plants, altering gene expression to increase plant growth and productivity.
Legume plants allow nitrogen-fixing bacteria to breach their cell walls, enabling the bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. The discovery sheds light on how plants promote nitrogen fixation, a crucial process for agriculture and food production.
A comprehensive study of 36 lakes in the USA, Canada, Greenland, and Svalbard reveals that biologically active nitrogen from human sources can be traced back to the end of the 19th century. The rate of change has accelerated over the past 60 years, coinciding with the commercialization of artificial fertilizer production.
A recent study found that humans have doubled the rate of nitrogen inputs into global ecosystems since the industrial era, with significant effects on water quality and coastal marine fisheries. The increased nitrogen levels can lead to reduced water quality, economic costs and even impact human sustainability.
A new study by Texas AgriLife Research found that artichoke yield and quality are optimized through differential irrigation regimes and nitrogen fertilizer rates. The researchers recommend approximately 700 mm of water inputs and 120 kg/ha or less of N for high marketable yields and optimal nutritional quality.
A new study published in HortScience finds that the Ridge-Furrow-Ridge Rainwater Harvesting (RFRRH) system with mulches increases soil water content, crop yield, and reduces labor costs. The system also manages weed control without irrigation.
Researchers found that strip-till improved nutrient uptake and increased yield in soybeans, but had no impact on yield when fertilizers were applied through broadcast or deep banding methods. Subsurface banding of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers may reduce surface phosphorus levels and offer environmental benefits.
A new OSU study suggests that existing biofuel policies have been costly and ineffective in reducing fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers found that alternative energy efficiency improvements would be more effective in reducing emissions.
Researchers identified carbon as the key atom in nitrogenase, an enzyme that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for living things. The discovery could lead to a more efficient and environmentally friendly method for manufacturing fertilizer.
A team of chemists has gained new understanding of the Haber-Bosch process, which converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. By mimicking the process in solution using an iron-potassium complex, they discovered that three iron atoms break the strong N-N bonds to form a complex with Fe3N2 core.
Researchers measured gaseous nitrogen emissions in US lawns, finding denitrification removes excess nitrogen. Nitrogen removals were equivalent to 15% of annual fertilizer inputs, with most retained in lawn soils. The study's results are encouraging but highlight the need for further work on optimal soil management conditions.
Scientists have discovered that human activities are perturbing the nitrogen cycle in tropical forests, leading to an increase in nitrogen levels. This finding has significant implications for tree communities and global change models.
Crop sensors outperformed farmers in choosing nitrogen rates for corn fields, resulting in average yield increases of almost 2 bushels per acre. The technology reduced excess N applied by 25% without harming yields, offering a potential solution to environmental concerns about fertilizer pollution.
A new study by University of Georgia researchers found that fertilizer runoff and excess carbon dioxide in coastal waters increase acidity, compromising shell-forming abilities of oysters and other marine creatures. The findings highlight the need to manage fertilizer use and limit fossil fuel consumption to mitigate future damage.
Fertilizer trees have been adopted by hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in Southern Africa, resulting in doubling of maize yields and significant increases in incomes and food security. The trees' natural ability to draw nitrogen from the air improves water efficiency and reduces soil erosion.
Students at the University of Washington have developed a low-technology solution to turn slash piles into biochar, a crumbly charcoal-like product that helps farmers' soil hold water and nutrients. The new method is estimated to be cost-effective and could transform what was once a big problem into a money-making engine for landowners.
A new study documents the rapid adoption of fertilizer trees by smallholder farmers in southern Africa, leading to significant increases in maize yields and incomes. The approach has improved water efficiency and reduced soil erosion, offering a potential solution to food crises on the continent.
Scientists call for increased awareness, global accounting, and technological innovation to address the potential social consequences of phosphorus scarcity. The element's pivotal role in fertilizer production and its impact on food security are highlighted as key concerns.
A new study by Rice University and the University of Houston reveals seasonal variations in ammonia levels in Houston's atmosphere, affecting air quality. Ammonia levels are highest in summer and lowest in winter, with a mean concentration of 3.1 ppb during summer months.
Restoring forests and planting trees on farms can greatly improve food security by providing a source of income, food, and fuel for households. In dryland areas like the Horn of Africa, forests serve as a crucial defense against poverty and provide critical sources of moisture and nutrients in the soil.
A study found that expressing nitrous oxide emissions per unit of crop yield, rather than on a more conventional per area basis, produced significantly different results. Emissions were 52% higher under no-till compared to conventional tillage for the same amount of grain.
A study by UC Davis researchers suggests that forest trees can tap into nitrogen in rocks, increasing their growth and ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This discovery could significantly affect how rapidly the earth will warm in the future.
Researchers found that wastewater recycling plants emit significantly more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, due to dense populations of bacteria. Despite this, they argue that wastewater recycling remains an essential component of urban water resources.
Excess nitrogen levels in air and water pose significant threats to human health, including respiratory problems and cancer risk. Nitrogen pollution also exacerbates climate change, but reducing it could lessen these impacts.
Soil nitrogen can remove pollutants from the atmosphere by forming hydroxyl radicals, which oxidize and wash out pollutants. The amount of nitrous acid released depends on soil acidity and water content.
Agricultural Research Service scientists found that using strip tillage and placing fertilizers directly below the seed increased corn grain yields on eroded slopes by 12-26% over two years. This innovative technique supports Idaho's growing dairy industry and promotes international food security.
Researchers develop method to extract ammonium from liquid animal manure using gas-permeable membrane technology, removing 50% of dissolved ammonium in 20 days. The captured ammonia can be converted into ammonium sulfate fertilizer, potentially offsetting the cost of removal and mitigating environmental pollution.
A study by Washington State University-Vancouver and the University of California-Davis investigated the relationship between human phosphorus sources and aquatic nutrient levels. The research found that a small area contributed to most phosphorus input from human sources, with fertilizer and livestock manure being key drivers.
Two UC Irvine papers suggest that reduced use of petroleum and increased capture of natural gas contributed to the leveling off of methane levels in the atmosphere. In contrast, a second study found that changes in Asian farming practices, particularly the use of inorganic fertilizers, were a key factor in reducing methane emissions.
Researchers have published a step-by-step plan to replace environmentally harmful nitrogen fertilizers with genetically altered crops that can naturally process atmospheric nitrogen. This switch could reduce agricultural costs and environmental damage, saving the world $150 billion annually.
Texas researchers are studying microalgae's benefits, including its use as a sustainable source of fuels, animal feed and fertilizer. The microscopic algae thrive in freshwater and marine systems and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
USDA scientists used GPS-equipped conductivity meters to map manure distribution on feedlot surfaces, estimating manure amounts and quality. They also developed a computer program to associate high soil conductivity levels with manure solids and chloride content.
Algal turf scrubbers use sunlight to extract excess nutrients from polluted waters, restoring oxygen levels and producing nutrient-rich fertilizer and biofuel. The technology has commercial potential and could help address global phosphorus supplies concerns.
A MBL study found that warming causes more nitrogen to become available to trees, allowing them to grow faster and store more carbon. This is a positive effect on carbon storage, but the overall impact of global warming on forest ecosystems will also depend on other factors such as water availability and atmospheric CO2 concentration
Mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant growth with less phosphate fertilizer, solving a pressing challenge for global food production. Researchers have discovered that using mycorrhizal fungus gel can produce the same yield as traditional farming with up to half less phosphate fertilizer.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that sewage-derived nitrogen is becoming a dominant source of pollution in the Caribbean, threatening coral reefs and marine life. The researchers' findings suggest that poor stormwater management and wastewater treatment are to blame for this shift.
African nations participated in a workshop to document the status of forest genetic resources, essential for conserving and sustainably managing forests. The project aims to cover over 3,000 species and gather comprehensive data on genetic diversity before it is lost forever.
The USDA has developed a cutting-edge optical scanning system that uses two different kinds of lighting and a sophisticated camera to inspect fresh produce items. The system can detect defects and contaminants, such as cuts, bruises, and specks of fertilizer, in a single image.
Researchers have found that minute particles of pyrite from hydrothermal vents are a rich source of iron in the deep sea, providing a nutrient supplement for tiny plants and bacteria. This iron is released as these particles travel through the ocean, making them an important food source for life in the deep sea.
Research models suggest that agricultural intensity is the main factor contributing to phosphorus loading in the Mississippi River, while manure and over-fertilization play a lesser role. Phosphorus from human waste also poses a significant threat.
Agricultural companies have shown a stable and profitable performance over the past several years, outperforming the S&P 500 index with an 8.6% market value increase from 2007 to 2011. The top-performing sectors were fertilizer, equipment, and seed and genetic companies.
Researchers at IITA and CIFOR found that widespread deforestation in West Africa's tropical forest region is driven by low-input farming practices. Increasing fertilizer use could have spared 2 million hectares of forest from being cleared, instead promoting sustainable agriculture and higher yields.
A new study finds that shallow disk injection of manure is an effective way to reduce nutrient losses to the environment. This technique, which increases the incorporation of manure, reduces ammonia emissions and phosphorus runoff, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Studies by CSIRO and the University of Sydney found that ants and termites can increase wheat crop yields by up to 36% under low tillage conditions. The insects improve soil nitrogen and water infiltration, reducing runoff and evaporation. This breakthrough has significant implications for dryland agriculture in hot and dry climates.
Removing manure solids through a low-cost two-stage lagoon system increases nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, reducing environmental damage. This results in higher crop yields and greater nitrogen recovery compared to using whole manure.
Researchers found that low to intermediate rates of chicken litter-based fertilizers produced the highest plant growth index and flower yield. High rates can lead to symptoms like reduced growth, decreased root quality, and fewer flowers.
A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.
A new ACS podcast analysis concludes that birth control pills account for less than 1% of estrogens found in US drinking water. The main source of estrogen is instead from natural sources like animal waste and industrial production.
A new free web-based tool calculates an individual's nitrogen footprint, measuring its impact on the environment and providing recommendations for reducing it. The tool aims to raise awareness about the nitrogen dilemma and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.
The genome sequencing of Aureococcus anophagefferens reveals its unique advantages over other phytoplankton, including adaptations to low light conditions and toxic metal handling. The research provides insights into the genetic predisposition of this species to thrive in environmentally impacted estuaries.
The world's phosphorous stocks are depleting rapidly, posing a risk of global shortages within the next 20 years. Excess phosphorous from fertilizer use is causing widespread eutrophication of freshwater ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human water quality.
A study analyzed five long-term experiments to predict effects of no tillage management on soil organic carbon. Harvesting substantial crop residues without added carbon would deplete soil organic carbon and increase pollution risks.