The American Society of Agronomy is presenting several awards to distinguished soil scientists, including the Dokuchaev Basic Soil Science Award and the Liebig Applied Soil Science Award. The winners include Dr. Victor Targulian, Dr. Rattan Lal, and Dr. Herman Mücher, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
A six-year study found that terrestrial plants' ability to increase growth in response to elevated CO2 is limited by soil nitrogen supply. The research contradicts previous predictions, suggesting atmospheric CO2 levels may rise faster than anticipated.
Researchers found that a 'dead zone' summer in Narragansett Bay led to the death of approximately 4.5 billion mussels, with filtering capacity dropping by 75 percent within weeks. The loss of such a foundation species has lasting effects on the ecosystem.
Drs. Heck and Dindo are restoring Robinson Island's seagrass beds by planting birdstakes for seabirds to use as resting areas, fertilizing the shoal grass beneath them. The project aims to bring the habitats back to their peak condition through a combination of educational signage, replanting sea oats, and fertilizer.
A NASA study found that ozone pollution, a significant contributor to global air pollution, played a substantial role in warming the Arctic during winter and spring. Ozone was responsible for one-third to half of the observed warming trend in the region, with its impact being most pronounced near sources of emissions.
A new Stanford University study found that organic fertilizers produced less environmental harm than synthetic chemicals, reducing nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming also promoted the growth of beneficial denitrifying bacteria, which converted excess nitrates into harmless gases.
Researchers found that plants respond differently to bacteria that efficiently produce nitrogen, with root nodules growing bigger in response to good sharers. This complex relationship suggests that agricultural practices could disrupt these interactions and create plants with reduced ability to choose among root bacteria.
Agricultural activity dominates over a third of the Earth's landscape, posing environmental challenges such as deforestation and water pollution. New maps track changing agricultural land use patterns worldwide, highlighting emerging trends like soybean production in Argentina and Brazil driven by China's demand.
Researchers found that alum and polyacrylamide were highly effective in removing dissolved phosphorus and suspended sediment in river waters entering the lake. This treatment could help meet California's growing population needs, support commercial growth, and develop the region as a water-sports recreational area.
Researchers from Virginia Tech studied the fate of arsenic fed to poultry and found that organic arsenic is biotransformed to inorganic arsenic, which can be toxic. However, surprisingly, low concentrations of arsenic are transported to streambeds instead of being retained by aquifers.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that current nitrogen recommendations are faulty and balanced fertility is key to efficient crop use. Higher planting rates and crop residues impact soil nitrogen cycling and availability, requiring adjustments in nitrogen fertilization methods.
The complete sequence of the rice genome has been announced, providing a genetic toolkit for breeders to develop novel strains that are highly productive, disease-resistant, and environmentally friendly. This breakthrough has significant implications for global food security and sustainable agriculture.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate program's Regional Resilience and Adaptation Program offers potential solutions to modern land-use practices. Students are trained to address issues of regional and global sustainability, recognizing both short- and long-term needs.
A study by Cornell University professor David Pimentel found that organic farming systems produce the same crop yields as conventional farming, while using less energy and conserving more water. Organic farming also improves soil quality and reduces pollution.
Researchers have successfully synthesized ammonia from nitrogen using a simple compound of iron and hydrogen in solution, marking a significant step toward achieving one of chemistry's coveted goals. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and sustainable production of ammonia, a vital fertilizer for global food supply.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that producing ethanol and biodiesel from plant biomass requires more energy than the fuel produced, leading to significant fossil energy input. The use of these fuels contributes to air, water, and soil pollution, as well as global warming.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have found lower oxygen levels in the dead zone area of the Gulf, which could lead to more severe hypoxia and fish kills if physical conditions continue. The team studied an area between Southwest Pass, La., and the Calcasieu ship channel.
The introduction of foxes to Aleutian Islands led to the transformation of vegetation from lush grasslands to tundra, with a significant impact on seabird populations. Soil phosphorus levels increased by three times in fox-free islands compared to fox-infested islands, reflecting the loss of marine-derived nutrients.
A new study by Stanford University scientists presents direct evidence linking large-scale coastal farming to massive algal blooms in the sea. Highly productive regions of the ocean are found to be more vulnerable to agricultural runoff than assumed.
A man-made wetland in Ohio State University's Olentangy River Wetland Research Park reduced phosphorus levels by 59% and nitrates by 40%. The wetland, created using a simple design, acted as an effective sink for nutrients, reducing pollution in the Great Miami River and local lake.
Restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay should cross traditional boundaries and include upland and coastal areas. The approach emphasizes adaptive management and incorporates ecological resilience to withstand perturbation without a fundamental change.
A study by Larry Crowder at Duke University suggests that coastal dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico can have significant impacts on target species and commercial fisheries. The research group has found that fish and shrimp can evade death by relocating to the zone's edge, but growth rates of some Gulf fish and shellfish may be lower.
Dr. Smol, a renowned environmental scientist, has made significant contributions to the field of paleolimnology through his research on long-term environmental change. His work has been recognized with the Council's highest honour, the Herzberg Gold Medal, and $1 million in funding.
Dwarf mistletoe has an extreme water-pump seed ejection system that fires seeds up to 20 meters. This discovery could aid disease control by targeting the unique characteristics of dwarf mistletoe reproduction.
A five-year study will monitor weed growth and make recommendations for maintaining fragile biodiversity, which is already impacted by development. The research aims to determine the threshold at which nitrogen affects different vegetation types and model future vegetation based on N emissions and urban development scenarios.
The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico has broken up, with hypoxia moving further offshore and marine life returning to previously low-oxygen areas. Strong coastal currents and eddies are thought to be key factors in this change.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from farming activities cause eutrophication, creating a food web that imperils frogs. A parasite, Ribeiroia ondatrae, infects tadpoles, causing deformities.
Researchers have discovered a way to improve plant growth by increasing phosphorus uptake from the soil, reducing fertilizer needs and water pollution. The discovery, made by Dr. Maria Harrison, involves identifying genes that regulate the transfer of phosphorus into plants, with potential benefits for sustainable agriculture.
A recent study found that adding natural mycorrhizal fungi to synthetic fertilizers can significantly improve plant growth while reducing pesticide use and water consumption. Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Communications discovered this inexpensive additive makes better use of fertilizers, saving money and improving the environment.
Restoring carbon in degraded agricultural soils can significantly improve crop yields and global food security, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, soil has a finite capacity for holding carbon, and widespread adoption of recommended management practices may reach its limits within 50 years.
A recent study highlights the importance of implementing sanitary growing and harvesting conditions worldwide to reduce the risk of human disease outbreaks linked to fresh produce. Plant pathologists emphasize the need for good quality irrigation water and sanitary worker conditions, particularly as international imports increase.
A Texas A&M University researcher is studying a large dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, where fertilizers are suspected to be a major cause. The Mississippi River is creating a perfect storm for these chemical runoff events due to its massive size and high nutrient levels.
A research team led by University of Maine scientists has documented that treating a watershed with additional acids accelerates the loss of critical nutrients calcium and magnesium. The experimentally induced nutrient depletion highlights the impact of acid rain on Maine's forests.
A team of Cornell University researchers has successfully converted nitrogen to ammonia in a laboratory setting, molecule by molecule, using a zirconium metal complex. The process achieves complete fixation at lower temperatures than existing industrial methods, which require high pressures.
Researchers found that loblolly pine forests grown in high CO2 conditions exhibit varying growth rates depending on soil moisture. Nitrogen deficiencies limit tree growth in dry years, while excess nitrogen makes a difference in wet years.
An anthropologist suggests a connection between decreasing energy use and declining fertility rates. The availability of energy affects economic activity, leading to a depressed economy which in turn causes a decline in fertility rate. This prediction is based on the link between petroleum consumption and economic conditions.
William A. McMinn Jr has made significant contributions to the petrochemical industry, including leading successful mergers and acquisitions. He is the latest recipient of the Petrochemical Heritage Award, established by the Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Founders Club.
An agricultural experiment from 1969 showed that nitrate fertilizer can persist in groundwater and streams for decades, influencing water quality. The study, conducted nearly 30 years later, confirmed this finding and highlights the need for long-term research on agricultural pollution.
A study by University of North Carolina researchers suggests that chemical nutrients washed into the sea can increase the severity of coral diseases, leading to significant declines in Caribbean reef health. The findings support calls for reducing nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage and deforestation.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and NASA have developed a process to convert inedible wheat grass into activated carbon, absorbing nitrogen oxides and producing fertilizer. This technology could support a crew of six astronauts on a three-year Mars mission by recycling waste and conserving materials.
The University of Minnesota is sequencing the Medicago legume genome with a $10.8 million NSF grant, led by Professor Nevin Young. The goal is to understand nitrogen fixation and health-promoting compounds in legumes.
A new study by Kevin Bronson and colleagues found that in-season nitrogen monitoring can reduce fertilizer use without affecting crop yields. By adjusting nitrogen application rates based on soil moisture and plant growth, farmers can save money and minimize nitrate contamination of waterways.
Purdue University researchers have developed a new field called 'ionomics,' which studies how genes regulate all the ions in a cell. This research holds promise for creating mineral-efficient plants that need little fertilizer, crops with better nutritional value, and plants that can remove contamination from the soil.
A Penn State study reveals that low-maintenance lawns harbor higher populations of beneficial arthropods, such as mites and collembolans, while high-maintenance lawns experience reduced diversity due to chemical applications and mowing.
The Egyptian Mediterranean Sea fishery has recovered due to increased phosphorus and nitrogen in urban waste water, changing the ecosystem's productive engine. This shift has important consequences for lower food web structure and larval fish.
A recent study by Colorado University-led researchers highlights the growing health risks associated with changes in the global nitrogen cycle. The excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers has led to increased crop production in poor nations but poses significant environmental and health concerns for humans worldwide.
A new approach suggests using nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. Researchers developed management zones based on soil properties and crop yield maps, showing increased yield in wet seasons without affecting grain yield or nitrate leaching in dry seasons.
A study found that organic production practices had a slight impact on corn and soybean yields, with reductions of up to 19% compared to conventional methods. The organic strategy also had lower production costs, but net returns were equivalent to the conventional strategy.
The Tufts team is developing digital modeling tools to help local communities map out their watersheds, identify trouble spots and take cost-effective steps to manage nutrient entry. The computer models will also be used by the EPA and state governments to improve upon their current systems for managing watershed nutrients.
Scientists emphasize the need for improved nitrogen management to address its impact on the environment, human health, and agriculture. Targeted research and educational programs can optimize fertilizer efficiency, reducing environmental damage and associated economic costs.
Scientists found that increasing nitrogen fertilizer levels in corn hybrids boosts Bt toxin production, potentially affecting pest management. The study suggests that early-season nitrogen applications may impact the effectiveness of Bt hybrids in reducing insect damage.
Researchers found liquid sewage sludge to be just as effective as traditional synthetic fertilizers in improving crop yields and nutrient content. The study also showed low levels of heavy metals in crops, groundwater, and soil, making it a promising environmentally safe alternative for waste disposal.
Researchers discover that bacteria in coastal wetlands respond to phosphorus, not nitrogen, and that controlling phosphorus is key to maintaining water quality. This finding highlights the importance of considering both nutrients when managing coastal ecosystems.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality found that compost can reduce lead levels in contaminated soil by 20-38%. This approach has been implemented in pilot programs in Baltimore and East St. Louis, showing promising initial results.
Scientists at North Carolina State University developed a remote sensing technique to accurately time nitrogen fertilizer applications in wheat, resulting in an 86% success rate across various environmental conditions. This technology allows growers to make informed decisions that balance profitability and environmental stewardship.
The American Chemistry Council predicts a second-half recovery for the chemical industry globally, with 3.5% growth in physical chemical volume expected this year. Basic chemical shipments are expected to grow 3.8%, with the fertilizer industry leading the way with a 5.0% increase.
Researchers found that mid-season drainage of rice paddies in China led to significant reductions in methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. The study, which used NASA data and modeling, estimates that this practice saved around 5 million metric tons of methane per year.
The IFDC's ISFM-based intensification technologies improve fertilizer use efficiency by integrating organic matter and crop residue recycling. The approach increases agricultural productivity, maintains natural resources, and yields 2-3 times higher than average, with significant returns on investment and labor.
Researchers found tundra soils unexpectedly responsive to increased nitrogen, impacting carbon storage and potentially affecting atmospheric CO2 levels. The study highlights the potential risks of rising nitrogen levels worldwide, particularly in warmer regions.
The sequencing of Chlamydomonas' chloroplast genome reveals its potential for improving crop tolerance to phosphates, reducing fertilizer use and environmental pollution. The algae may also be used as a source of renewable hydrogen and bioreactor for producing novel proteins.