Researchers found that domestication of crops led to a decline in their ability to form symbiotic relationships with beneficial soil microbes. This loss has negative environmental consequences, including increased fertilizer use and pollution. Reintroducing genes from wild relatives could help restore these traits.
Researchers developed a process to recover 80-90% of phosphorus from dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), reducing excess phosphorus in manure and minimizing algae production. The process is estimated to add $1 million annually in revenue for ethanol plants, while improving environmental sustainability.
A new study led by University of Michigan researchers found that highly active gray and cubera snappers in a Bahamian mangrove estuary spread the highest levels of essential nutrient nitrogen through their urine, nearly doubling its presence. This fertilizer supports more plant growth and food at the base of the food web.
A team of researchers used a statistical technique to identify ecological risk factors affecting coral diseases, including growth anomalies and white syndromes. They found larger corals had higher disease risk, with certain conditions such as high fertilizer and pesticide runoff associated with growth anomalies.
A study by Krista Wigginton and colleagues found that urine-derived fertilizer loses 99% of its ability to confer resistance on soil bacteria after incubation. This suggests that upcycling urine is unlikely to transfer antibiotic resistance, reducing the environmental impact of this sustainable practice.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that aged urine can be used as a fertilizer with low risks of transferring antibiotic resistant DNA. The 'aging' process deactivates 99% of antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria, making it a promising alternative to traditional fertilizers.
Ants cultivate plants in full sun to obtain more floral food, but this condition also leads to increased plant damage and fewer plant numbers. In contrast, shade-cultivated plants produce less food for the ants but receive more nitrogen fertilizer input.
Scientists have transferred genes into bacteria to convert nitrogen from the air into a natural fertilizer, reducing the need for man-made fertilizers. This research could increase crop production and alleviate environmental impacts, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
The new optical nitrate sensor enables real-time measurement of nitrate levels in the range of tens to hundreds of parts per million, detecting rapidly changing concentrations. It optimizes fertilizer application, reduces water resources pollution, and economizes irrigation.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed nanosatellite technology that can detect nitrogen stress in corn early in the season. This allows farmers to plan in-season nitrogen fertilizer applications and alleviate nutrient stress for crops, potentially increasing yield and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers create light-powered nanoparticle that shrinks the carbon footprint of syngas production, a valuable chemical feedstock used to make fuels, fertilizer, and other products. The low-energy, low-temperature process produces a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas.
Integrating a cover crop with broiler litter in no-till dryland cotton systems increases plant residue, cotton yield, and infiltration while improving soil health indicators. This approach helps reduce fertilizer costs and protect the environment.
Researchers found that additives like dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer can reduce phosphorus concentrations in drainage water by an average of 70%. These amendments help keep phosphorus in the pot, addressing a major environmental concern. The study aims to explore the long-term retention of retained phosphorus in containers.
A new Illinois study found that fall-applied anhydrous ammonia may not meet corn's nitrogen needs. The study showed varying uptake efficiency depending on soil type and crop rotation, with richest soils being lower in nitrogen recovery.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley, identified a core microbiome in commercial tomatoes that is robust and stable. The researchers used experimental evolution to select for microbes that best survived on the plants, resulting in a healthy plant microbiome.
Researchers found that recycling nutrient-rich industrial waste products can enhance soil health while reducing carbon emissions and maintaining crop yields. The study used heat-inactivated spent microbial mass (SMB) as a fertilizer, which provided similar crop yields to conventional fertilizers but at greater rates.
A team of Florida State University researchers discovered that microwave treatment can remove three times the amount of lead from biosolids compared to conventional methods. This innovative process could reduce processing costs by over 60% and make biosolids safer for use in agriculture.
Researchers have developed coated seeds that can grow in salty soils by providing a protective coating and fertilizer-generating microbes. These seeds showed improved health and growth compared to untreated seeds in unproductive soil fields.
A large-scale experiment by the University of Göttingen has shown that reducing fertilizer input and eliminating herbicides in palm oil plantations can maintain profits while promoting biodiversity and soil health. The study's preliminary results are encouraging, suggesting a potential environmentally sustainable approach to the industry.
A Brazilian study found that removing sugarcane straw could double fertilizer requirements by 2050 due to interrupted nutrient cycling. The researchers suggest leaving a substantial proportion of the straw on the ground to maintain soil health and productivity.
Engineers at WVU have created a liquid form of electricity that can be transported using existing infrastructure, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The technology has the potential to improve American economic and energy security, and can also be used as fertilizer or generate electricity again.
Researchers will explore ways to use renewable energy to increase usable water resources and produce ammonia for fertilizer. The project aims to create a multifaceted economic system sustaining small town and rural communities and maintaining agricultural production.
The Plants-3D program will provide academic and entrepreneurial training to 50 students, equipping them with cutting-edge technologies to increase crop yields and nutritional value. The synthetic biology approach will enable plants to tolerate increased stress levels, reducing the need for fertilizer.
A four-year study in Colombia's maize-growing region shows that combining farmers' knowledge with data on weather and soils can increase yields substantially. Machine learning algorithms helped develop site-specific guidelines for crop management, reducing fertilizer costs and stabilizing yields.
Duke engineer develops a small, inexpensive hyperspectral camera using plasmonics technology to capture multispectral images in milliseconds. The camera can precisely identify plant conditions, detect nutrient deficiencies, and optimize fertilizer application, reducing pollution and saving water and money.
Researchers are developing robust gene transfer and editing technologies to study the unique biology of hornworts, which could lead to breakthroughs in plant evolution, crop yields, and environmental sustainability. The ultimate goal is to engineer symbiotic nitrogen fixation into crop plants, reducing fertilizer use and pollution.
Researchers at Wake Forest University's Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation found that biochar combined with fertilizer significantly improved height and diameter growth of tree seedlings. The treatment also increased the number of leaves developed by the seedlings.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in finding the ideal fertilizer rate and source to prevent root damage in canola crops. Using new imaging techniques, they developed dose-response curves for different nitrogen fertilizer sources, revealing that banding urea ammonium nitrate with low rates is the best option.
A UC Davis study highlights the need for a coordinated international policy to address the global nitrogen problem. The research suggests that applying fertilizers more precisely, removing pollution from the environment, and empowering consumers to think about sustainable food options can help alleviate the issue.
Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.
Researchers at ORNL discovered a specific gene that facilitates the symbiotic relationship between plants and soil fungi, enabling crops to withstand harsh growing conditions, resist pathogens, and require less fertilizer. The breakthrough could lead to the development of bioenergy and food crops that can thrive on marginal lands.
Researchers found that biosolids with low organic matter content yield more bioavailable nitrogen when applied to urban soils, making them a valuable resource for restoring degraded soils. The study highlights the importance of adjusting biosolid application rates based on soil degradation levels.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt experienced a major bloom every year from 2011 to 2018, except for 2013. The study found connections between annual bloom events and nutrient inputs, including human-derived fertilizer use and natural oceanic conditions.
Researchers from Cornell University have identified a way to unlock naturally occurring phosphorus bound in organic matter, which can be used as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers at Cornell University and Environmental Defense Fund found that fertilizer plant emissions are 100 times higher than industry reports, exceeding EPA estimates. The study used a mobile sensing approach to measure methane emissions from six plants, finding an average emission rate of 0.34 percent.
The use of chloropicrin as a preplant soil treatment measure has been found to suppress soilborne pathogenic fungi and some nematodes and insects. Additionally, it results in greater crop yield and health, with treated soil having a healthier root system, improved water use, and more efficient fertilizer use.
A study conducted in Brazil found that intensive silviculture using herbicide spraying and substantial fertilizer application promotes tropical forest regeneration and biomass gain, exceeding traditional manual weeding methods. Researchers aimed to maximize woody biomass accumulation for carbon sequestration and financial viability.
Researchers at Tel Hai College and MIGAL Institute in Israel have developed a method to make phosphorus fertilizer from dairy wastewater and aluminum water treatment residue. This innovative approach has the potential to recycle the element without lowering crop yields, reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources.
Researchers found that in-soil placement of fertilizer resulted in less phosphorus loss from snowmelt runoff. This practice helps roots access and take up phosphorus, reducing its interaction with runoff. The study's findings aim to encourage growers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers at UTokyo develop a new process to produce ammonia more efficiently and sustainably than the current Haber-Bosch method. The Samarium-Water Ammonia Production (SWAP) process reduces energy consumption, raw material costs, and environmental impact.
The 2018 Mississippi State University Row Crop Short Course presented topics such as nematode management, weed control, off-target movement of herbicides, and the economic outlook for row crops. Presentations are now available online through the "Focus on Cotton" series.
Researchers from Michigan State University used satellite imagery to quantify nitrogen losses in Midwestern corn fields. They found that nearly $1 billion worth of fertilizer is wasted annually, resulting in 6.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The research offers a potential framework and more efficient methods for investigating vital pathways in any organism. The team mapped out a network of interactions for how plant genes coordinate their response to nitrogen, a crucial nutrient and the main component of fertilizer.
In south Florida, a study found that only 20% of applied phosphorus is taken up by plants due to fungal processes. Fungi can convert available phosphorus into less accessible mineral forms.
A recent study found that high levels of inorganic P-fertilizer can reduce microbial functions critical to crop health. Soil microorganisms from treated soils negatively impacted plant yield. The study suggests excessive phosphate fertilizer use may have lasting negative effects on crop productivity.
A study published in Nature Plants has revealed structural networks of tubules at the plant-fungal interface that facilitate lipid transfer between organisms, potentially shedding light on mechanisms of symbiotic relationships and their role in reducing fertilizer usage.
The study found that anthropogenic nitrogen discharge significantly increased DIN in US rivers due to fertilizer use, while European rivers were affected by point source pollution. The total anthropogenic impact on Pacific Ocean export has risen from 10% to 30% over the past 20 years.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to manage nitrogen in agriculture, using light sensors to monitor crop health and vitality. This approach reduces nitrogen fertilizer application, decreases environmental pollution, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economic returns for farmers.
Researchers discovered that adding fertilizers to ridges and combining with plastic mulching increases yield by 9.7% and reduces nitrogen loss by 72.5%. The study highlights the importance of targeted fertilizer application to optimize nitrogen consumption and reduce environmental impact.
A team of scientists from The Ohio State University shared early results from a trio of studies aimed at improving models designed to guide agricultural practices for reducing the risk of nitrogen and phosphorous farm runoff. These models can help quantify the impact of fertilizer application timing on nutrient runoff.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have confirmed the existence of a long-hypothesized interaction between nitrogen and titanium dioxide in the presence of light. This catalytic reaction could provide a new source of farm fertilizer, reducing costs for farmers in developing nations.
Ben-Gurion University researchers develop process using hydrothermal carbonization to heat raw solid human waste, converting it into hydrochar: a safe, reusable biomass fuel. The hydrochar can be used for household heating and cooking, while the liquid byproduct serves as fertilizer.
Using computer modeling, a team discovered that plasmas activate metal catalysts in packed bed reactors, causing faster and more efficient chemical reactions. This process could lead to more efficient processes for removing air pollution, converting CO2 into fuels, and producing fertilizer.
Researchers have found that planting shrub willow and switchgrass in marginal lands reduces fertilizer nitrate levels, controlling erosion and improving water quality. This integrated land management approach also generates biomass for biofuel and supports pollinators and other wildlife.
Research finds that long-term annual application of manure improves most soil quality properties compared to inorganic fertilizer. Manure increases soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and water-stable aggregates, while reducing soil electrical conductivity.
Agricultural Research Service scientists have identified key genes and transcription factors in plants that allow them to direct nitrogen to their roots, shoots, flowers, and seed heads. This knowledge may enable the breeding of new plant varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency.
Researchers at UC Davis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a gene network that enables plant roots to efficiently take up and metabolize nitrogen. This breakthrough could lead to the development of crop varieties that need less fertilizer or make better use of it, reducing environmental impacts.
A new study suggests that requiring manufacturers to sell nitrogen fertilizers with efficient compounds could reduce air and water pollution from nitrogen use by 16 percent. This approach could earn farmers millions of dollars through higher crop yields and reduce total costs of nitrogen pollution up to $5-7 billion.
Researchers propose that applying CAFE-style standards to fertilizer production could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the US corn sector. The approach aims to incentivize technology development and reduce nitrogen pollution, with potential environmental and human health gains.
A study finds that phosphorus accumulation in watersheds can reach a catastrophic threshold, accelerating runoff and harming aquatic ecosystems. The researchers estimate that some watersheds could reach this point in less than a decade due to high fertilizer use rates.