The American Society of Agronomy has selected 0.3 percent of its members as Fellows for their outstanding contributions to the field of agronomy. The 2012 class of ASA Fellows includes researchers, scientists, and educators from universities and government institutions across the US.
The Soil Science Society of America has announced its 2012 class of fellows, comprising 26 soil scientists from around the world. These distinguished professionals have made significant contributions to the field of soil science through their research, teaching, and extension work.
The American Society of Agronomy has recognized outstanding professionals with various awards. Jerome H. Cherney, Thomas A. Doerge, and David A. Zuberer were honored for their contributions to agronomic education, industry, and research.
The Soil Science Society of America announced its 2012 award recipients, honoring their research and service in the field. The awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to soil science, including Susan Brantley, Daniel Hillel, Pedro Sanchez, and Johannes Lehmann.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) have presented 2012 scholarships and fellowships to support undergraduate students in agriculture, including the Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship and the J. Fielding Reed Scholarship.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) presented awards to 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the field of crop science. The awards recognize achievements in various areas of crop research and education.
A new study found that grasses coated with latex paints show a notable reduction in photosynthesis. The researchers discovered that red paint is more damaging to total canopy photosynthesis (TCP) than white paint, while diluting each color with water reduces their negative effects.
A team of scientists has cloned the tannin gene in sorghum, revealing its role in promoting human health through antioxidant properties. The study also explores ways to alter tannins to improve sorghum's use as food and feed.
A recent study by Dr. Paul DeLaune found that reduced tillage has no impact on cotton yields and can even increase net returns through deficit irrigation. The research suggests that conservation tillage systems can conserve water resources and reduce energy usage, making them a viable option for cotton producers in semiarid environments.
Researchers are launching a nationwide effort to conserve crop wild relatives in the US, recognizing that these plants have value in adapting food systems to climate change. The plants' genetic material could be used to breed drought-resistant crops, making them essential for global agriculture.
The Iowa State team has successfully delivered functional protein and DNA into plant cells using custom-built nanoparticles, opening up opportunities for targeted genome editing in crop plants. This achievement marks a significant advancement toward delivering proteins and enzymes to both animal and plant cells.
Researchers identify Sh1 gene as key control point for seed shattering in sorghum, finding parallel selection across multiple cereals. The study provides insights into the domestication process of crops like rice and maize, with implications for breeding and increasing crop yields.
A new study reveals that wind erosion can carry away beneficial microbes from soil, reducing microbial diversity and depleting topsoil of essential bacteria. However, certain groups of microbes, such as Actinobacteria, remain in the parent soil despite erosive conditions.
A new computer model developed at NC State University predicts the environmental impact of forest land-use decisions, considering factors such as plant growth and water cycles. The DRAINMOD-FOREST model will help policy makers and forest managers make informed decisions to minimize environmental harm while maintaining forest productivity.
A new study by the University of Minnesota researchers found that APHIS failed to recognize environmental impacts and made legal errors in regulating genetically engineered crops. The agency's regulatory decisions have faced criticism, leading to litigation delays in the development of new GE crops.
A recent study by Purdue University researchers found that modern hybrid corn varieties are more efficient in using nitrogen, producing more grain per pound of accumulated nitrogen. Grain yields have increased by an average of 28 bushels per acre over the past 21 years, despite a slight increase in total nitrogen uptake.
Researchers at Kansas State University are updating rainfall distribution data to provide a more accurate benchmark for engineers designing stormwater systems. The study found that the state is experiencing more rain across its entire area, with more intense storms in the southeast region.
Researchers at Iowa State University are organizing a symposium to explore the idea of using instant communications technology to distribute information about crops and climate change to farmers. The symposium aims to develop global systems that facilitate quick communication between farmers, researchers, and policymakers.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
The report explores complex consequences of excess nitrogen on ecological communities, human health, and agriculture. Strategies to maximize efficient use of fertilizer and mitigate agricultural sources are also presented.
A new study published in HortScience finds that the Ridge-Furrow-Ridge Rainwater Harvesting (RFRRH) system with mulches increases soil water content, crop yield, and reduces labor costs. The system also manages weed control without irrigation.
Researchers measured gaseous nitrogen emissions in US lawns, finding denitrification removes excess nitrogen. Nitrogen removals were equivalent to 15% of annual fertilizer inputs, with most retained in lawn soils. The study's results are encouraging but highlight the need for further work on optimal soil management conditions.
Crop sensors outperformed farmers in choosing nitrogen rates for corn fields, resulting in average yield increases of almost 2 bushels per acre. The technology reduced excess N applied by 25% without harming yields, offering a potential solution to environmental concerns about fertilizer pollution.
A multi-state research team will develop a blueprint for using marginal farmlands to grow perennial grasses for biomass, reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a market for perennial grass that gives farmers a solid return, promoting sustainable land use and biofuel production.
New research modifies soybean seed to increase phosphorus content, improving animal nutrition and reducing feed costs. The study suggests that low phytate soybean seeds may cause low vigor seedlings, which can be easily addressed through seed treatments.
A new durum wheat line, DGE-1, has been developed with enhanced scab tolerance through the incorporation of a specific wheatgrass chromosome. Researchers used molecular markers to identify and transfer the resistance genes from the added wheatgrass chromosome into related durum wheat chromosomes.
A study found that expressing nitrous oxide emissions per unit of crop yield, rather than on a more conventional per area basis, produced significantly different results. Emissions were 52% higher under no-till compared to conventional tillage for the same amount of grain.
A new study reveals that organic crop rotation can be more profitable and carry less risk than conventional corn and soybean production, even with reduced price premiums. The research, which analyzed 18 years of data from a University of Minnesota trial, found that organic production was consistently more lucrative over the long term.
A study by USDA-ARS scientist Arnold Bruns compared twin-row and single-row soybean plantings and found that the former yielded more pods per plant without affecting seed yield. Twin-row production resulted in increased yields on both soils, but only minor economic benefits of $75 per hectare. The study highlights the importance of con...
A Kansas State University research team is conducting a three-year study to improve the genetic groundwork for turning sorghum into biofuel. The team aims to increase biomass yield by analyzing sorghum's genetic diversity and developing predictive models to optimize crop improvement.
A study by Washington State University-Vancouver and the University of California-Davis investigated the relationship between human phosphorus sources and aquatic nutrient levels. The research found that a small area contributed to most phosphorus input from human sources, with fertilizer and livestock manure being key drivers.
A recent study investigates corn silage hybrid responses to seeding rates, finding all hybrids require similar growth rates at four seeding rates. The study suggests that seeding rates should not be adjusted for different hybrid types.
A study by Purdue University and the University of Arkansas evaluated 12 bermudagrass and zoysiagrass cultivars for divot resistance. The results show that some grasses are more resistant to divoting than others, which can help reduce maintenance inputs and costs.
Researchers at Iowa State University discovered that a perennial cover crop can be used on corn fields to achieve similar yields to traditional farming methods while also improving soil quality and reducing erosion. The study found that using Kentucky bluegrass as the perennial cover crop resulted in yields of over 200 bushels per acre.
A study by Iowa State University found that grazing management practices can greatly reduce the amount of sediment, phosphorus, and pathogens deposited into pasture streams. Simple and practical techniques can be implemented to minimize pollution while allowing cattle to graze on pasture stream banks.
The study found that self-seeding winter cereal cover crops produced consistent growth using wheat cover crop and mechanical seed dispersal. This technique can lower costs and risks while extending ecological functions of cover crops beyond their normal termination dates.
A research team from Kansas State University has found that the chromosome sizes within each eukaryotic species are similar rather than drastically different, and share a similar distribution pattern. This discovery will help scientists better predict evolutionary adaptations and understand core components of biological evolution.
A new University of Minnesota project aims to refine successful farming techniques for corn and soybeans in anticipation of climate change. Scientists will investigate the benefits of precision zonal management, which enables crops to receive optimal nutrients while soil-building processes occur between rows.
An online mentoring program helped students in agriculture and natural resources gain insight into career opportunities and college life. The program expanded students' views of career possibilities and increased their willingness to relocate for career purposes.
Researchers have developed a model to predict the amount of carbon contained in agroforestry systems using detailed web-available data. The model provides a tool for farmers to assess the impact of windbreaks on their operations, capturing substantial amounts of carbon while providing production and conservation benefits.
Scientists developed a conceptual framework to diagnose nutrient and non-nutrient interactions in agroecosystems, increasing yields and reducing environmental costs. The model considers both nutrient and non-nutrient resource effects on growth, such as light conditions and soil moisture content.
A laboratory study found that vinyl chloride concentrations decreased over time, reaching zero after four months, suggesting degradation into ethene.
Researchers analyzed data collection methods to examine pesticide use's environmental impact. They found that flow velocities of soil water and residence time of pesticides in the soil affect sorption parameters.
Researchers found that European alpine soils generally retain similar amounts of phosphate, ranging from 9-145 mmol kg-1, with aluminum oxide concentration being the key factor. Acidified soils retain more phosphate than non-acidified ones.
Researchers discovered four genomic regions that control the photoperiod response in maize, with varying effects from different tropical varieties. This study sheds light on the genetic variation controlling day length response, revealing unexpected diversity and potential for improving maize yields.
A new inquiry-based curriculum is helping high school students better understand soil science concepts through research and experiments. The program has shown that students who work on real-world projects tend to perform better than those who only focus on standardized testing.
Researchers discovered that natural plant compounds known as tannins can reduce both nitrogen cow excretion and microbial enzyme activity in manure, resulting in a significant decrease in ammonia emissions. The study found that dietary tannin cut ammonia emissions from cows' manure by an average of 30%.
Research models suggest that agricultural intensity is the main factor contributing to phosphorus loading in the Mississippi River, while manure and over-fertilization play a lesser role. Phosphorus from human waste also poses a significant threat.
A team of genome researchers has concluded that domesticated rice may have first appeared as far back as approximately 9,000 years ago in the Yangtze Valley of China. The study used large-scale gene re-sequencing to analyze the evolutionary history of domesticated rice.
A New Zealand study found that adding biochar to soil can decrease nitrous oxide emissions from grazing animals' urine by up to 70%. The incorporation of biochar also alters nitrogen transformations and reduces ammonia formation, leading to lower nitrate concentrations.
A new study finds that shallow disk injection of manure is an effective way to reduce nutrient losses to the environment. This technique, which increases the incorporation of manure, reduces ammonia emissions and phosphorus runoff, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
A Danish study examines the relationship between soil texture and nutrient leaching in agricultural fields. The results show that injecting dairy slurry into loam soil reduces phosphorus leaching, while its effect on sandy loam and loamy sand is limited.
A study found that contaminated fungi attached to ryegrass roots help plants absorb toxic contaminants like acenaphthene. This process affects not only plant health but also poses risks to human health through environmental exposure.
Removing manure solids through a low-cost two-stage lagoon system increases nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, reducing environmental damage. This results in higher crop yields and greater nitrogen recovery compared to using whole manure.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from intensive grazing systems. The research, conducted in New Zealand, showed a 70% decrease in nitrous oxide fluxes when biochar was added to the soil. This effect was attributed to reduced ammonia formation and its adsorption onto biochar.
China's solar greenhouses use southern-facing designs to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The study found that these greenhouses can produce a wide range of vegetables, even during winter months, providing a sustainable solution to the global energy crisis.
Researchers found that anaerobic lagoons in North and South Carolina have high levels of nitrogen-cycling genes but low denitrification enzyme activity, leading to acidification and eutrophication of surrounding ecosystems. The study highlights the need for improved waste management practices to minimize environmental harm.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to measure methane release from cattle, accounting for up to 77% of emissions at a single point in a paddock. The technique uses open-path lasers and global positioning devices to track animal movements and wind speed.
A study of over 450 college graduate employers found that top qualities include communication skills, critical thinking, and writing skills. Employers rate internships, majors related to the job, and foreign language skills as valuable signals.
Reduced tillage can increase weed populations, particularly perennial species like Canada thistle and bindweed, which are difficult to control. Integrated systems that include on-site or locally sourced manure can improve the economics of organic production.