A hybrid catalyst made of zinc and copper produces critical fertilizer and cleans wastewater, reducing carbon footprint and supplying a potential revenue stream. The process involves converting carbon dioxide and waste nitrogen using the hybrid catalyst, achieving an optimal performance ratio.
Scientists create a pH-controlled oxidation-resistant ferrous foliar fertilizer delivery system that adheres efficiently to hydrophobic leaf surfaces. The innovative technology enhances crop yield and alleviates iron deficiency, offering a viable approach for improving crop nutrition and productivity.
A new Danish study measured nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer materials in spring barley, finding that commercial fertilizers emit less N2O than previously assumed. Organic fertilizers, including livestock manure and digestates, emitted more N2O on average.
Researchers from Iowa State University and Wichita State University are developing a green fertilizer system that captures waste nitrogen and carbon dioxide to produce a fertilizer reducing nitrous oxide emissions. The project aims to promote sustainable farming practices in the Midwest region.
Researchers at UBC's Bioreactor Technology Group have developed a method to concentrate and recycle phosphorous from municipal waste. The process converts organic components into a petroleum-like bio-crude and concentrates the phosphorous into a solid residue called hydrochar, which has 100 times higher total phosphorus than raw sludge.
A study published in Environmental Chemistry found that over a third of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use is breaking UK government emissions thresholds. Uninhibited urea fertilizers are the worst offenders, emitting up to 77% of applied nitrogen into the air.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that sewage is the primary cause of nitrogen surges in the Indian River Lagoon, contradicting previous findings that fertilizer use was the main contributor. The study found that water quality and harmful algal blooms worsened after five years of mandatory wet season fertilizer blac...
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that removing invasive vegetation from water access points reduced schistosomiasis rates by nearly a third. The removed vegetation can be used as compost and livestock feed, improving food security.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an electrochemical device that can recover phosphorus fertilizer from municipal waste with high efficiency. The device achieved over 93% efficiency in recovering phosphorus and precipitating approximately 99% of it into solid form.
Aarhus University's AELECTRA project aims to develop a decentralized technology for producing liquid ammonia from renewable energy. The new process could halve investment costs and enable farmers to produce their own fertilizer or e-fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers evaluated three P recovery methods, finding struvite as the most societally feasible method. The study highlights significant benefits of P recovery, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and promoting sustainable phosphorus supply.
Research shows that corn takes up about 67% of its nitrogen naturally from soil, rather than fertilizer. However, applying different forms and timing of fertilizers can improve efficiency, with nitrate being the most efficient source. Banding placement was also found to be more efficient than broadcasting.
A recent study in Heilongjiang Province, China found a significant positive correlation between farmers' adoption of organic fertilizer and biopesticides. The technical environment played a crucial role in promoting their adoption, with factors such as training, accessibility, and information exchange increasing the likelihood of adopt...
A team of researchers from China created universal critical nitrogen dilution curves for 10 Japonica rice cultivars using machine learning methods. The study found that parameters a and b vary with cultivar, year, site, and N fertilizer quantity and ratio. Three universal N C curves were obtained using different approaches, which accur...
Scientists at Tohoku University identified regulatory mechanisms in plants that utilize nitrogenous fertilizers, suggesting potential ways to generate crops with reduced fertilizer needs. The study focused on thale cress and aims to apply its findings to major crop plants like rice and cereals.
A new soil sensor has been developed to accurately measure temperature and nitrogen levels in soil, enabling farmers to optimize fertilizer use and reduce environmental pollution. The sensor can decouple temperature and nitrogen signals, allowing for precise monitoring of crop health and growth.
Researchers from Osaka University have improved the Faradaic efficiency of nitrogen reduction into ammonia at ambient pressure using trace water. This work helps optimize the sustainability of the Haber-Bosch reaction, which contributes substantially to global carbon emissions.
Researchers found that Greenlandic glacial rock flour can capture large amounts of CO2 through enhanced weathering, improving crop yields by up to 24% in Danish fields. The fine powder also acts as a natural fertilizer, providing a wider array of nutrients than commercial organic fertilizers.
Researchers engineer crops and symbiotic bacteria to produce nitrogen fertilizer, reducing reliance on industrially produced fertilizers. The approach aims to create a symbiotic relationship between the bacteria and crop plants, promoting efficient nutrient exchange.
A new study by Göttingen University reveals that mechanical weeding and reduced fertilizer usage significantly increase ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm production. The researchers found no reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with these practices.
A study by the University of Bonn has confirmed a significant reduction of methane emissions in slurry by 99% using calcium cyanamide, a long-standing fertilizer. This additive suppresses microbial degradation processes, resulting in lower greenhouse gas production during long-term storage.
Researchers from Drexel University found that microbes help break down biodegradable materials and release per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. PFAS have been linked to serious health problems and accumulate in soil, crops, and groundwater.
Researchers analyzed 46 waste samples and proposed production opportunities for sustainable fuels, biogas, electricity, chemicals, and organic fertilizer. The study aims to reduce food waste and its environmental impact by finding alternative uses for industrial waste products.
Researchers found that nitrified urine fertilizers, such as Aurin and CROP, can be used safely and productively in agriculture. The study tested these fertilizers on cabbage cultivation, with results showing yields comparable to conventional fertilizer products.
UC Berkeley chemists designed and synthesized porous materials that bind and release ammonia at moderate pressures and temperatures, saving energy. The new MOFs could enable a more sustainable fertilizer production by producing ammonia closer to farmers.
A new study found a clear increase in sulfur fertilizer use in the Midwest as atmospheric sulfur deposition declined. The study, which analyzed decades of data, suggests that farmers replaced lost airborne nutrient with fertilizer.
Researchers propose alternative fertilizer production methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but emphasize the need for careful environmental assessment. The global food supply depends on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which require significant energy and lead to carbon pollution.
Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertiliser, finding a transition is possible and may increase food security. However, alternative methods have advantages and disadvantages, with the key to success likely being a combination of approaches.
A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.
Scientists have successfully grown a heat-loving methanogen that can fix nitrogen while producing methane, a process that could lead to more efficient fertilizer and biofuel production. The microbe, Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus, uses a unique metabolism to acquire energy from methaneogenesis.
Researchers at Drexel University have conducted a lifecycle analysis of nitrogen reclamation from wastewater, showing that it's technically viable and could help reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production. The study suggests air-stripping technology can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater, producing fertilizer chemi...
Researchers at Università Cattolica developed a bio and green fertilizer from food chain waste, reducing chemical nitrogen fertilizers by 30% and improving plant growth. The study estimates a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with chemical fertilizer production.
A new study found that healthier plant-based dietary patterns had lower cardiovascular disease risk and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to less healthy plant-based diets. Diets high in refined grains, sugary drinks, and processed meat required more cropland, fertilizer, and irrigation water.
The study focuses on reducing insects and pathogens that threaten crops, with manure serving as a potential solution. Researchers will investigate the most effective ways to apply manure to improve soil health and plant resistance to insect pests.
A team of scientists has discovered that repurposing CO2 from building exhaust as a fertilizer can help plants on rooftop farms grow larger and healthier. Studies found that spinach grown next to the vents had four times the biomass of controls, while corn also showed significant growth advantages.
A research team at UFSCar developed a biodegradable slow-release fertilizer using modified nanocellulose, which releases nutrients slowly and in a controlled manner. The material is designed to reduce the release of non-biodegradable chemicals into the ecosystem.
A new concept is presented to increase nitrogen fertilization efficiency and reduce nitrous oxide emission in agriculture. Crop plant-derived biological inhibitors are proposed as an economical alternative to chemical fertilizers.
The African Plant Nutrition Institute, Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa have signed a MoU to collaborate on agriculture development programmes that target sub-Saharan rural farmers. The planned interventions will see an improvement in food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through joint programming, shared learning, and...
Temporal variation in precipitation caused by climate change negatively affects crop growth, leading to declining yields and increasing reactive nitrogen losses. The study found that adjusting fertilizer application amounts can reduce nitrogen losses, but may not increase crop yields.
A new analysis of nutrient omission trial data reveals that balanced fertilizer application can significantly improve maize and rice yields in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that doubling current yields through balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can lead to more consistent results across regions.
Crop residue and pig manure slow down nitrogen release compared to synthetic fertilizer, reducing nitrogen loss through synchronized nutrient release and crop demand. Substituting up to 40% synthetic nitrogen with organic amendments can maintain high crop yield and significantly reduce nitrogen loss from sloping cropland.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a new pathway for cereals to capture nitrogen from the air, reducing the need for expensive fertilizers. The breakthrough could save farmers billions of dollars annually and benefit the environment by decreasing nitrogen pollution.
The total ammonia emissions in China increased from 9.64 Tg in 2013 to 9.75 Tg in 2015, before decreasing to 9.12 Tg in 2018. Fertilizer and livestock are the main sources of ammonia emissions, accounting for over 80%.
A new study suggests that the bones of fallen Battle of Waterloo soldiers were likely sold as fertilizer due to the scarcity of human remains found on the battlefield. The research, published in the Journal of Conflict Archaeology, is based on original data and visitor accounts from the time period.
Researchers found that wetter pre-growing seasons reduced soil nitrogen through leaching, but applying more fertilizer can mitigate this effect. The model also showed that cold pre-growing season temperatures limited early growth in ways that affected yield potential, making extra fertilizer less effective.
Researchers at Rutgers University have made a groundbreaking discovery about nitrogen-fixing bacteria in leaf cells, which can provide plants with essential nutrients. This breakthrough has the potential to transform crop cultivation methods, reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
Researchers found that short-term cover crop use cannot reverse decades of soil microbial dynamics in response to unsustainable practices. Long-term fertilization disrupted nitrogen cycling communities, while cover crops enhanced biodiversity but had both positive and negative effects on soil microbes.
Researchers explored potential policies to reduce nitrogen loss while protecting farmers' bottom lines. The study found that a nitrogen leaching fee policy showed the best outcome, with estimated cost savings of $524 million per year.
Scientists have developed a novel 'green' fertilizer that uses an advanced milling technique to produce slow-release soil nutrient crystals. The method reduces nitrogen pollution and energy consumption compared to traditional fertilizers.
A team of scientists found that two beneficial microorganisms (Aureobasidium pullulans and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and a copper phosphite fertilizer can reduce Verticillium Wilt in olive trees by up to 70%. The study suggests that these compounds induce resistance in plants through different metabolic pathways, offering a non-speci...
Researchers create high-performance catalyst to pull ammonia and solid fertilizer from low-level nitrates in industrial wastewater, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The process works at room temperature and under ambient pressure, with potential for decentralized ammonia production.
European soybean production has significant economic and environmental advantages, including fixing nitrogen in the soil and reducing fertilizer use. Projections suggest that Europe can achieve 50-100% soybean self-sufficiency with a 2-6 times increase in cultivated land.
Researchers propose that wildlife can return phosphorus to the land by restoring interconnected animal communities, revitalizing ancient pathways of natural fertilization. This approach aims to generate sources of fertilizer for farmers and increase ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change.
Researchers assess development and performance of tailored approaches to fertilizer application in SSA, highlighting scalability and technical challenges. Solutions to overcome barriers to widespread adoption are outlined, including investment in soil capacity estimation and farmer-friendly digital tools.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg found that process water from the food industry can be used as fertilizer in land-based seaweed cultivation, increasing growth rates by over 60% and protein content quadrupled. This sustainable approach could provide an alternative source of protein in future foods.
The region needs to close its yield gap substantially to reduce rice imports and maintain a surplus for exports. Closing the existing yield gap will require improvements in crop management practices such as fertilizer use, irrigation, nutrient management, and integrated pest management.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
Scientists have discovered that the onset of microbial fertilizer factories on the Earth's seafloor roughly 2.6 billion years ago was a crucial step in the rise of oxygen levels during the Great Oxidation Event. This recycling process fueled photosynthetic bacteria, which increased oxygen production and paved the way for complex life t...
A study by McGill University researchers shows that tailored fertilizer recommendations based on on-site soil tests can significantly improve maize yields. The approach also helps farmers overcome financing constraints, increasing productivity and profits while minimizing environmental impact.
A recent field study examines the 2006 Abuja Declaration's effects on N fertilizer use, yield potential, and soil fertility. The study found that partial N balances exceeded optimal ranges, highlighting insufficient N input and elevated risk of soil depletion.