Researchers found that hydrochar improves soil structure while increasing soil organic carbon, with different feedstocks showing varying benefits. The study suggests hydrochar could become a customizable amendment for climate-smart soil management.
Agricultural science educators in Tennessee and Nebraska benefit from professional development programs to create VR content and lessons. The programs aim to improve agricultural literacy and increase student interest in these careers through experiential learning.
A new study examines farmer risk preferences when dealing with climate impacts, finding that attitudes toward uncertainty vary widely among farmers. The researchers suggest that different types of programs or policies could be targeted to each group, depending on their level of risk aversion and management decisions.
Researchers discovered that agricultural azoles induce cross-resistance to medical antifungals in Candida tropicalis by forming aneuploid karyotypes. This study highlights the critical role of agricultural azoles in clinical antifungal resistance and underscores the need for antifungal stewardship.
A natural extract from Pseudozyma aphidis fungus boosts production and improves quality of crops like tomatoes and melons. The approach provides a sustainable alternative to traditional agricultural inputs, supporting global food security without environmental harm.
A new study examined the capacity of specially designed biochar pellets to absorb and release phosphorus under real-world conditions. The researchers found that while the pellets absorbed phosphorus as expected in laboratory settings, they performed poorly when exposed to agricultural wastewater, which contained competing ions and micr...
Soil animal communities exhibit greater trophic diversity in agricultural systems and tropical regions, driven by resource limitation and disturbance. This flexibility helps maintain soil functions but may reflect the loss of specialized species.
A new study warns that land-use changes in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts could reduce the region's ability to store carbon, with measurable environmental and economic consequences by 2043. The study found that deep forest cover has declined while built-up areas, agricultural land, and scattered trees have expanded.
A study found that combining organic and mineral fertilizers reduces nitrogen and phosphorus losses by 2.7 kg·ha<sup>–1</sup> and 21%, respectively. The 4R nutrient management principle provides a direction for optimizing fertilization technology.
A new study uses a process-based model to predict biochar's effectiveness in various agricultural systems worldwide. The research highlights that biochar can improve soil health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but its benefits vary depending on climate, soil conditions, and management practices.
Researchers estimate that recarbonizing one-third of Brazil's agricultural land could meet the country's Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement. Sustainable practices like crop rotation and no-till farming can increase soil carbon storage, with potential increases of up to 15.3% in some biomes.
A study by Griffith University found microplastics and nanoplastics reduced plant growth and entered plant tissues through soil, raising concerns about food safety. Fibre-shaped plastics had the most effects on plant growth, with nanoparticles transported within plants.
Researchers found that Tennessee wine buyers are willing to pay more for wines featuring the state's Quality Assurance Program (QAP) label and those sourced from American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Consumers also prefer higher-alcohol content wines. The study aims to improve the quality of Tennessee wines and promote the industry.
AEM expands its scope to cover the full breadth of modelling in agricultural and environmental sciences, introducing a structured range of article types for formal recognition. The journal applies FAIR principles to data, code, and models, requiring open access and reproducibility.
The 34th Milan No-Till Field Day will feature presentations on no-till farming strategies, agronomic practices, and cover crop management. The event also includes a trade show, guided tours of the AgResearch Center, and traditional skills sessions like blacksmithing.
Researchers developed a nitrogen-doped biochar that enhances ozone-based water treatment efficiency by over 100 times, removing persistent pollutants like DEET. The catalyst also shows strong performance against pharmaceuticals and herbicides, offering a promising solution for tackling emerging contaminants.
Researchers found that biochar can either dampen or amplify temperature sensitivity of nitrous oxide emissions in soils. Biochar's effects depend on soil properties and environmental conditions.
The study reveals that peri-urban agriculture is key to urban resilience and calls for an urgent shift in planning policies. Agricultural land losses are driven by urban expansion, real estate speculation, and low profitability.
A 14-year field study shows that biochar can simultaneously reduce heavy metal risks in agricultural soils while enhancing carbon storage. Biochar improved soil carbon storage, reducing toxicity by up to 91 percent and increasing organic carbon content.
A new study by Beijing University of Chemical Technology proves that feeding methane to bacteria outperforms traditional soy and fish meal in both ecological savings and financial returns. The bacterial alternative eliminates the need for arable land and fresh water, effectively halting deforestation and marine depletion.
A new study reveals that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from forest soils, shifting them from a source to a potential climate solution. Biochar was found to suppress key microbial genes responsible for producing N2O while increasing the abundance of microbes that convert it into harmless nitrogen gas.
Scientists have found evidence that glyphosate, a widely used weedkiller, can select for drug-resistant bacteria that can thrive in agricultural areas and then spread to hospitals. The study revealed that bacterial strains from hospital infections with extreme drug resistance showed high resistance to glyphosate and its byproducts.
The Erhai Lake Basin is a substantial net exporter of atmospheric reactive nitrogen, with annual emissions exceeding local deposition by over 8,200 tons. Agriculture is the primary driver of ammonia emissions, while transportation sector emissions are dominated by nitrogen oxide emissions.
A study published in Agricultural Ecology and Environment demonstrates that co-pyrolysis of cotton straw and plastic mulch can significantly reduce carbon emissions and agricultural plastic pollution. The process generates biochar, which enhances soil quality and resource use efficiency, supporting sustainable cotton production.
Researchers develop oxychar, a highly efficient, budget-friendly alternative to traditional charred organic materials for toxic cadmium removal. The new material soaks up both agricultural ammonia and cadmium, promising a practical win for sustainable farming.
Researchers transformed waste into high-performance porous carbon materials for soil and water conservation. The study identified top-performing materials from agricultural wastes, which exhibited high surface areas and favorable pore structures, enhancing adsorption capacity and water retention.
Bone char produced from animal bones can transform a large global waste stream into a valuable agricultural resource, recycling phosphorus and improving soil health. Laboratory and field studies show that bone char can enhance soil fertility by gradually releasing phosphorus over time, reducing nutrient losses and promoting plant growth.
Researchers engineered a dual metal modified biochar composite to enhance microbial electrochemical interactions and increase hydrogen yield. The study demonstrates the potential of biochar as an efficient electron mediator in light driven fermentation systems.
Researchers developed a low-cost method to transform agricultural waste into high-quality biochar, increasing its ability to store carbon and combat climate change. The new method uses limewater treatment to improve biochar production, resulting in a 34% increase in carbon retention and improved soil structure and chemistry.
Two types of biochar, rice husk and palm silk, influence water infiltration and leakage in phosphorus-enriched vegetable soils. Biochar slows water movement, reducing phosphorus leaching and improving water retention for crops.
Researchers developed a method to convert waste plastic mulch film into useful chemicals through catalytic pyrolysis. The study found that temperature controlled the product distribution and long-term stability of the catalyst, with optimal conditions producing valuable olefins and easily regenerable tar.
The 22nd Carbon Research International Forum will examine the benefits of organic carbon amendments for improving soil health and sequestrating carbon in agricultural systems. Researchers will discuss recent approaches to managing organic carbon inputs in soils to support both productivity and climate outcomes.
A novel engineered biochar has been developed to simultaneously immobilize arsenic and cadmium in contaminated water and agricultural soils. The sulfur-ferrihydrite-modified biochar achieves high adsorption capacities for both pollutants, transforming them into more stable residual fractions.
A study suggests that moths integrate geomagnetic and visual cues to orient themselves during seasonal migration. The research found that visual cues are indispensable for accurate migratory orientation in the fall armyworm species.
A new study reveals that biochar can have sharply different effects on greenhouse gas emissions depending on soil type and land use. In acidic upland soils, biochar significantly reduces nitrous oxide emissions, while in flooded rice paddies, it may unexpectedly increase emissions.
A new study examining small-scale farming in Tanzania argues that major agricultural development initiatives are built on flawed assumptions about how rural households make decisions. The research finds that household composition, gender dynamics, and labor constraints strongly shape how small-scale farmers allocate land and labor.
The Morrow Plots, established in 1876, have been a hub for long-term agricultural research and outreach. The plots have directly impacted farming practices by proving methods like crop rotation and judicious fertilizer use boost crop yield and soil health.
A groundbreaking study finds that analyzing soil color indices is a scientifically sound way to predict Soil Organic Matter and offers a path toward sustainable, widespread soil monitoring. Digital color analysis reduces costs by 96% while eliminating the need for toxic reagents.
A study created a high-resolution map of global cropland emissions, identifying regions for precise mitigation. The data shows that four crops – rice, maize, oil palm, and wheat – account for nearly three-quarters of cropland emissions, with rice leading at 43%.
A new study found that specific management practices, such as no-till and cover crops, can strengthen plant defenses against pests by enhancing soil microbiome functions. The researchers linked these practices with improved pest-suppressing abilities in pea plants.
A study found that shelterbelts in agricultural wetland landscapes reduce grassland species and wetland biodiversity, creating a trade-off for bird communities. The research suggests that agri-environmental policies must balance structural complexity with ecological needs of open-habitat species.
Researchers develop calcium hydroxide modified biochar from discarded Camellia oleifera shells to remove ammonium and phosphate from water, showcasing strong adsorption performance. The material demonstrates potential for practical agricultural and industrial wastewater treatment, maintaining strong performance in real-world tests.
Researchers find co-pyrolysis converts agricultural waste into valuable biochar, reducing emissions while improving soil health and sustainability. The process could cut millions of tons of emissions and deliver substantial carbon emission reductions.
Agricultural waste from crops like wheat, rice, and maize can act as a powerful carbon sink when diverted into construction products. The study finds that these materials can store carbon for decades rather than releasing it within months.
A $4.9 million Gates Foundation grant will support the development of self-cloning crops in India, improving agricultural productivity and accessibility for smallholder farmers. The project aims to expand synthetic apomixis technology into staple crops like pearl millet and Indian mustard.
A recent study found that adding manganese to soil can lower plant-available nitrogen, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching into waterways. Manganese also reduced the expression of genes involved in nitrogen cycling.
A new special issue explores how artificial intelligence can enhance soil carbon storage and ecosystem health in farmlands, forests, and grasslands. The journal Biochar publishes original studies on biochar production, processing, and applications.
Agricultural methane emissions in China have increased and then declined, but the growth rate has slowed due to policies targeting non-CO2 greenhouse gases. However, practical challenges remain, including conflicts between food security and emission reduction, inadequate monitoring systems, and insufficient economic incentives.
A new action plan recommends 13 key steps for strengthening Maryland's agriculture in the face of climate change. The plan aims to increase productivity and incomes, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience.
Researchers developed high-performance biochar filters that capture both ammonia and tiny plastic particles from water, removing up to 64% of dissolved ammonia and over 97% of polystyrene microplastics. The study provides a practical way to clean polluted water while recycling agricultural waste and locking away carbon.
A new approach enables efficient, real-time wheat phenology detection using compact models and knowledge distillation. The method achieves high accuracy while reducing data and computational demands, suitable for practical agricultural deployment.
Research shows that a liquid byproduct from wastewater sludge can recycle nutrients for agriculture, but high concentrations of this byproduct may disrupt key ecological processes. The study found that periphyton communities retained ability to remove pollutants even at high exposure levels.
This study provides direct evidence of nomadic groups' adoption and approval of agricultural economy in ancient China. The isotopic data show a shift from millet-based agriculture to wheat or rice agriculture, indicating a gradual social evolutionary process.
Researchers found that adding biochar with beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma significantly reduced cadmium stress in crops while improving soil health. The combination restored photosynthetic capacity, biomass production, and enzyme activity, making it a promising solution for sustainable agriculture and soil remediation.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that men in rural Tanzania want an average of 4 more children, while women prefer 2.4, but after participating in a couples consultation program, both spouses' fertility preferences increased. This suggests that factors beyond access to contraception influence fertility decisions.
This study demonstrates that combined manure and chemical fertilizer application significantly alters the abundance, diversity, and composition of phosphorus-cycling microorganisms harboring key functional genes. The researchers found a 74.6% increase in positive microbial correlations through network analysis.
A dual-UAV color correction method improves crop remote sensing accuracy by over 70%, aligning image color with ground-truth measurements and enabling more precise phenotyping and agricultural decision-making. The technology offers a scalable pathway for reliable high-throughput applications in precision agriculture.
Researchers found a positive relationship between government support and voluntary planting of cover crops in Arkansas. The study showed that soybean-to-soybean rotation is the most common aftercover crop adoption, with voluntary cover crops increasing by 5% over the 2013-2019 period.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers finds that extreme weather events can have wide-ranging effects on food production and manufacturing in the US. Climate shocks, such as droughts and floods, can reduce agricultural output and increase prices, affecting states that rely heavily on imports.
A Montana State University economist's research found that wetland restoration through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program can reduce ammonia and nitrogen concentrations in local waterways, resulting in decreased costs for communities. This can lead to tangible savings of up to $17,000 per year in smaller rural towns.