Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that only 0.2% of used PCFs are washed into rivers, while 28% end up back on beaches near direct drainage points. The study highlights a significant 'sink' in the global circulation of plastics and sheds light on the complex transport of microplastics.
Scientists differentiate between human-derived and hydrological contributions to riverine nitrogen pollution, finding that about half of the increase in nitrogen loss is due to human activity. The study suggests tailored solutions for different regions, focusing on reducing fertilizer inputs and managing precipitation.
Researchers have developed a new way to produce ammonia, a common fertilizer, that is cleaner and more efficient than traditional methods. The process uses calcium nitride and hydrogen atoms to create ammonia without emitting carbon dioxide, and can be scaled up for widespread use.
Researchers found that adding nitrogen fertilizer to the soil increases plant protein and reduces carb content, making them unpalatable to locusts. The study showed a doubled crop yield in treated plots with fewer locusts and less damage to crops.
Researchers found that vermicomposting reduces antibiotic resistance genes by 70-95% and mobile genetic elements by up to 68%. The process uses earthworms to transform raw manure into a stable, high-value fertilizer.
A five year field study shows biochar can boost sugarcane growth while reshaping soil life around the roots and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the field for years without additional fertilization. The treatment improved soil fertility, nutrient use efficiency and beneficial bacterial groups in the rhizosphere.
A team of researchers developed a custom nitrate-sensing drone that can analyze samples mid-air, providing accurate results in just seven minutes. The technology has the potential to improve fertilizer use efficiency and prevent waterway pollution by monitoring nitrate concentrations in real-time.
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.
Researchers have developed an electrocatalyst that efficiently converts nitrate into ammonia at low concentrations and gentle voltage. The catalyst reduces emissions linked to fertilizer and chemical manufacturing, and enables recycling of nitrate, a common pollutant found in groundwater and agricultural runoff.
Bio-based carbon capture offers a 'triple win' for people, planet, and productivity through decentralized systems cutting synthetic fertilizer use by 20-40% and boosting crop yields by 10-25%. Long-term incorporation of biomass into soils via compost and biochar increases soil organic carbon by 10-40%, improving fertility and resilience.
A study led by Trinity College Dublin finds that higher plant diversity in grasslands increases yields with lower nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Multispecies mixtures outperform conventional practices and offer a climate adaptation solution.
A research team at Tohoku University developed an electrocatalyst that efficiently converts nitrate into ammonia under low-pressure conditions. The catalyst reduces emissions linked to fertilizer and chemical manufacturing, offering a promising solution for sustainable chemical production.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University reveal how copper particles create in mid-reaction, converting nitrite ions to ammonia. This insight promises leaps forward in developing new industrial chemistry for greener ammonia production.
A new study reveals that China's nationwide nitrogen management could reduce fertilizer use by over one third, improving air and water quality without compromising crop yields. Implementing a three-step strategy to increase manure recycling, balance fertilizer applications with environmental sources, and adopt integrated soil and crop ...
This online talk showcases an innovative method of repurposing industrial effluents to enrich biochar, creating a sustainable circular economy in real-world farming. Biochar researcher Prof. Salah Jellali shares his insights on upgrading plain biochar into a smart fertilizer.
A two-year field experiment in California's Central Valley found that super-high-density olive orchards can produce high-quality oil and yields with significantly reduced nitrogen fertilizer. Compost application also improved tree nutrition and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study reveals that optimized nitrogen fertilizer use can increase yields, reduce pollution and save money for Myanmar rice farmers. Adopting ecologically optimal rates can avoid annual environmental costs of up to $368 per hectare.
A breakthrough study from Aarhus University identified two amino acid changes that allow plants to switch off their immune system and form symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This discovery could lead to breeding crops like wheat, barley, and maize that can fix nitrogen themselves, reducing the need for artificial fertilizer.
Researchers have made significant progress in pulsed electrolysis, a method that uses excess nitrogen from air and water to produce valuable compounds like ammonia and urea. This energy-efficient process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable agriculture.
Researchers found that combining organic manure with synthetic fertilizer increases soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, leading to better fertility and improved crop performance. The integrated approach also produced lower nitrous oxide emissions by stimulating microbes that can break down N2O.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences identify a key gene and protein involved in controlling DNA looping, leading to increased grain yield and nitrogen efficiency. The discovery paves the way for future crop breeding strategies to improve sustainability.
Researchers found that plant roots can actively absorb CO₂ from the soil, with this process influenced by light, fertilizer, and atmospheric conditions. Root-based CO₂ absorption may be an alternative carbon nutrition pathway.
A new study found that different types of char can raise or lower greenhouse gas emissions from northern soils. Biochar tends to increase nitrous oxide emissions, while hydrochar suppresses it and even turns the soil into a small sink.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals that China's cropland soils have stabilized in pH levels since 2013, linked to agricultural policy reforms. However, recovery has been slow and uneven across different types of farmland, with paddy fields showing signs of improvement but dryland soils remaining acidic.
Researchers developed a dual-breakthrough method to recycle phosphorus from sewage sludge into smart fertilizers, enhancing soil health or rapid crop growth. The innovative approach utilizes modified hydrochar with calcium or magnesium salts, controlling phosphorus release and improving its bioavailability.
A new study found that combining reduced nitrogen fertilizer with nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar enhances soil properties and crop performance in nitrogen-deficient soils. The treatment increased soil moisture, infiltration rate, and aggregate stability by up to 42 percent compared to conventional fertilization.
Researchers found that soil viruses selectively infect denitrifying microbes, reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 20%. The study suggests viral regulation as a potential method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Viruses may play a critical role in supporting sustainable food production and protecting the planet.
Researchers found that short-term alperujo storage (3 months) improves compost yields and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Phenolic compounds are efficiently removed, making the final product safer for fields.
Researchers found that bean plants and other species evolved a predisposition for the symbiosis at least three times, supporting a long-standing theory. This biological trick allows plants to access atmospheric nitrogen, boosting crop yields.
Researchers found that pairing biochar with biogas slurry reduces CO2 emissions and alters soil microbial communities, enhancing carbon sequestration. However, the combination also increases CH4 emissions, highlighting a tradeoff.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have found that applying nanoscale selenium to rice foliage increases nutritional content, enhances soil microbial diversity, and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by 41%.
The study reveals that subtropical regions have the lowest carbon footprint, while temperate and tropical regions face greater challenges. Practical strategies like recycling crop waste and using a mix of synthetic and organic fertilizers can slash emissions without sacrificing yield.
A recent study published in Biomass and Bioenergy found that ash can increase methane production in anaerobic digestion of biowaste, improving the quality of resulting fertilizers. Adding trace elements from ash can have a complex effect on the process, but it also increases plant growth and reduces acidity.
Scientists have developed wheat plants that produce their own fertilizer through a bacterial work-around, opening the path toward less air and water pollution worldwide. This breakthrough could be a boon for food security in developing countries, especially Africa where fertilizers are often unaffordable.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a mechanochemical method to increase hydrogen saturation in perovskite powder, doubling its capacity. This discovery has significant implications for environmental sustainability and the potential for a hydrogen-based economy, as it enables more efficient production of ammonia fertilizer.
A newly developed system recovers a valuable fertilizer from urine using solar energy, providing essential sanitation and reducing the need for expensive imported fertilizers. The prototype shows promise for powering irrigation in resource-limited regions and could be scaled to help farmers around the world.
Chinese researchers have developed a green high-yield and high-efficiency technology system for rice production, balancing yield and ecology. The new technology improves nitrogen use efficiency by 8.1%–21.3%, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and enhances soil fertility.
A study proposes a sustainable production pathway to achieve an annual yield of 22.5 t·ha<sup>–1</sup> on the North China Plain, improving soil quality and nutrient use efficiency while reducing resource input. Collaborative innovation between scientists and farmers has shown effective results in promoting technology promotion.
Researchers have developed three green technologies to increase rice yield while reducing resource consumption. These include AWMD irrigation, a nitrogen fertilizer application technology, and a water-nitrogen coupling regulation technology that optimizes soil moisture and nutrient content. Trials have shown significant improvements in...
Researchers developed a technical framework for green wheat production, including soil, root zone, and canopy systems. The study found that combined application of organic fertilizer and mineral fertilizer can increase soil organic carbon sequestration efficiency by 26% and wheat yield by 15.1%.
The study reveals that China's green technology innovations have improved crop yields and reduced fertilizer use by 40% and 0.83 million tons, respectively. The researchers propose four strategies to address challenges and predict significant increases in food output by 2050.
This innovative approach optimizes the soil-crop-microbe system to achieve high yield, efficiency, and low pollution. By adopting green technology, China has increased food production by 21-87% while reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Anish Sapkota is researching abiotic stressors like drought, heat, and soil nutrients in crops such as wheat and alfalfa to improve precision agriculture. Variable rate application of water and fertilizer can help farmers save money and products by targeting specific areas of the field.
A team of scientists at the University of Bonn has discovered a more climate-friendly alternative for producing ammonia, a key component in modern agriculture. The process uses electricity from solar and wind power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which is then converted into ammonia.
Researchers unveiled the link between solid electrolyte interphase structure and nitrogen reduction to ammonia, a promising eco-friendly approach to fertilizer production. The study reveals that ethanol-to-water ratio in the electrolyte significantly impacts ammonia conversion efficiency.
Researchers from MIT found that a single nanoscale dose of lanthanides can make crops more resilient to UV stress and increase seedling growth. The study also uncovered the chemical processes by which lanthanides interact with chlorophyll pigments, strengthening them and helping plants recover from damage.
Researchers developed a nanosized iron phosphate fertilizer that matches the efficacy of traditional phosphorus fertilizers in supporting cucumber growth. The nanofertilizer alters soil enzyme activity and microbial community structure, suggesting its unique mode of action.
Researchers found that corn-soy rotation boosts corn yields and reduces nitrogen fertilizer needs, but with trade-offs in soil greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching. The study's results suggest a complex interplay between crop yield, environmental impacts, and economic returns under various rotation scenarios.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a soft robotic device that gently grips and injects living plant leaves with sensors, allowing individual plant interventions. The device achieved over 91% success in delivery while causing minimal damage to plants.
The study develops a stochastic dynamic programming model that accounts for cumulative effects of cover crops on soil fertility, uncertain future prices, and irreversibility of sunk machinery costs. The findings suggest a threshold level of soil fertility above which it is optimal to adopt cover crops, favoring no-till practices.
Research led by Michigan State University suggests that an enzyme called NrfA can help retain nitrogen in soil, reducing the need for fertilizer and preventing harmful algal blooms. This could have significant positive agricultural implications.
Scientists used high-tech instrument to measure aerosol particles and detected Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs) for the first time in the Western Hemisphere. MCCPs are known to be released into the air when sewage sludge fertilizers are applied to fields.
The Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies report shows that 81% of producers use lime and fertilizer recommendations to improve soil fertility. The study also found that most producers are satisfied with the free soil testing services provided by the Marianna lab, which accounts for 80-85% of analysis in the state.
A new international study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution found that fertilizer can help plants survive short-term periods of extreme drought. The researchers added nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to 26 sites across 9 countries and found a 24% increase in plant growth with fertilizer addition.
New York University researchers developed a novel process using machine learning to reveal groups of genes governing nitrogen use efficiency in plants like corn. The study aims to help farmers improve crop yields and minimize fertilizer costs.
Scientists have discovered a new bacterial strain, Bacillus thuringiensis RZ2MS9, that can enhance the growth of soybeans and corn when combined with rhizobia. This partnership reduces fertilizer use, saving Brazilian growers an estimated USD 15 billion annually.
The study evaluates Hengshui City's 'zero-waste city' initiative, which integrates biogas production, electricity generation, heat recovery, and organic fertilizer manufacturing. The project achieves significant emission reductions, with a 64% decrease in CO2 equivalent emissions per year.
Researchers identify CLE16 peptide as key molecule promoting symbiotic relationship between plants and beneficial soil fungi. Supplementing with this peptide or its fungal equivalent can enhance nutrient exchange and strengthen these traits in crops.
The reuse of human urine could significantly reduce the global demand for fertilizers in agriculture, lowering energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers have developed a system to recover nitrogen from urine, which can be used as fertilizer for urban agriculture.
A new study finds that pork can play a beneficial role in sustainable diets, performing similarly to poultry, seafood, eggs, and legumes across key sustainability indicators. Substituting pork in place of beef results in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.