A two-year field study found that moderate biochar application improves soil quality, strengthens microbial activity, and helps vegetable crops make better use of nitrogen fertilizer. Biochar application rates above 20 t ha⁻¹ did not produce additional yield benefits and could disturb nutrient balance or microbial conditions.
Researchers found high annual agro-dealer entry and exit rates, more than double typical turnover rates in low-income countries. Optimistic entrepreneurs, educated in agriculture, enter the market with long-term intent but exit due to strong competition.
Hainan Island's food system experienced significant carbon emissions growth from 1952 to 2020, primarily driven by fertilizer-related emissions, tropical crop cultivation, and aquaculture. Integrated interventions, such as technological optimization and structural transition, could potentially lead to net sequestration by 2060, with a ...
A research team from Chiba University developed a flexible bio-based plastic that can be chemically converted into fertilizer after use, improving environmental sustainability. The plasticizer improves the flexibility of the plastic, increasing its potential for future applications.
Researchers found that over 145 teragrams of phosphorus have been applied as fertilizer since 1866, with only 52 teragrams remaining in cropland soils. The US could exhaust its domestic phosphorus supply within 40 years, making recycling and circular pathways crucial to meet growing food demands.
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
Combining biochar and dicyandiamide in organic fertilizer reduces cumulative ammonia losses by 27.1% compared to conventional urea fertilization, maintaining crop productivity despite reduced mineral nitrogen input. The treatment also supports economic returns through reduced nitrogen-related environmental and health costs.
Long-term straw incorporation improves soil organic carbon by activating two mechanisms: physical protection in stable aggregates and chemical stabilization via iron-organic carbon associations. Straw return strengthens soil structure, promoting longer-term carbon storage.
A field study in northeastern China shows that combining no-tillage management with microbial organic fertilizer can significantly increase soil organic carbon across both surface and deeper soil layers. The treatment increased soil organic carbon by up to 93.2% and maintained larger macroaggregates, which can physically enclose organi...
Scientists at NYU have identified a key regulator controlling nitrogen use in plants, which can be harnessed to develop 'gluttonous' plant varieties that absorb more nitrogen from the soil. This discovery could lead to reduced fertilizer application and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
A field and laboratory study in Yunnan, China, shows that substituting 15% of mineral nitrogen fertilizer with organic manure can accelerate soil nitrogen cycling while reducing emissions of a powerful greenhouse gas. Organic manure substitution does more than simply reduce the amount of mineral fertilizer applied.
Researchers developed a self-powered platform combining electrically assisted forward osmosis with microbial desalination cells, recovering water and nutrients without increasing external power consumption. The system used bioelectricity generated during organic matter oxidation to drive ion migration and fertilizer formation.
A University of Bonn study finds that government regulations and financial incentives can significantly improve land quality and mitigate soil degradation. Effective policies also rely on strong government institutions and sufficient funding to monitor compliance and enforce regulations.
Researchers found that combining biochar with selected components from organic fertilizer can convert cadmium into less mobile forms. Larger organic molecules provide stronger protection against cadmium uptake by crops.
A new study found that soil acidity, nutrient conditions, and microbial function significantly impact nitrous oxide emissions. Fluvo-aquic soil consistently produced the lowest proportion of nitrous oxide, while red soil displayed limited denitrification potential due to its acidic conditions.
A new study published in Biochar shows that combining green manure with biochar can improve soil quality, support maize yield, and reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizer. The research found that soil microbial diversity emerged as a central driver of improved soil quality.
A two-year field study shows that biochar-derived from rice straw improves soil health and crop resilience to saline-sodic stress. Biochar enhances nitrogen metabolism, increases yield, and reduces oxidative stress, making it a promising strategy for sustainable rice production in salt-affected regions.
A new study published in Environmental and Biogeochemical Processes shows that changing soil water levels can disrupt the balance between two key steps of nitrification, a central process in the soil nitrogen cycle. Soil moisture and nitrogen availability jointly control the microbial 'handoff' in agricultural soil nitrogen cycling.
Researchers have developed a plasma technology that can produce nitrogen fertilizer suitable for cultivating rice seedlings under lunar conditions. The technology successfully neutralizes highly alkaline regolith and releases critical mineral nutrients, allowing plants to absorb them more readily.
A new study shows that liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers can substantially improve pasture yield, nutrient balance and farm-level economic returns. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest performance, increasing pasture yield by 42.20 t ha⁻¹.
A team of scientists has identified a key genetic module that coordinates chilling resilience with nitrogen use efficiency in rice. The discovery, called Chilling Phoenix, reveals how this module enhances cooling tolerance during stress and promotes nitrogen uptake during recovery.
A two-year field experiment in subtropical China shows that combining nitrogen transformation inhibitors with biochar can reduce harmful nitrogen gas emissions while supporting tea productivity. The treatment combining biochar and dual inhibitors also increased tea yield by 6.7% and plant nitrogen uptake by 14.4%.
Researchers found that nanozeolite-coupled biochar fertilizer reduced soil-derived carbon dioxide emissions by 11-18% compared to conventional phosphorus fertilizer. The biochar-based fertilizer also reduced the Q10 value, indicating a decrease in soil carbon decomposition under warming.
Researchers found that phytoplankton in the eastern equatorial Pacific were fertilized by iron from the seafloor during ice-age transitions. This suggests a possible feedback loop connecting sea level, seafloor volcanism, and ocean biology, with potential implications for climate change.
Researchers found that biogas slurry enhances soil fertility and increases active carbon levels by up to 13.4% compared to conventional chemical fertilizer topdressing. The treatment also promotes cooperative microbial interactions, supporting nutrient cycling and climate change mitigation.
A project led by University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture researchers aims to reduce the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer by designing corn plants that better utilize nitrogen already in the soil. The goal is to decrease nitrous oxide emissions, increase nitrogen uptake, and optimize rooting patterns in corn.
A new study presents a greener way to make slow-release fertilizers that reduce nutrient loss and improve crop growth. The tea-based fertilizer, made with iron nanoparticles, biochar, and biodegradable materials, slows down nutrient release, retains soil moisture, and improves fertilizer efficiency.
Biochar can restore acidic tea soils, reduce toxic metal uptake, and support climate-smart cultivation. It also improves fertilizer use efficiency, supports biochemical pathways linked to tea quality, and reduces heavy metal exposure risks for consumers.
Researchers at Washington State University have identified a key cluster of genes that can be transferred from rhizobia bacteria, allowing non-nitrogen-fixing bacteria to colonize host plants and harvest nitrogen. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce fertilizer use and improve crop yields.
A new study found that pairing biochar with beneficial Bacillus bacteria can improve phosphorus availability in soil, reshape the root-zone microbial community, and strengthen root architecture. This leads to increased fruit-cluster branching and a 23.53% increase in cherry tomato yield.
A new study uses machine learning to predict how pristine biochar affects soil phosphorus availability under different conditions. The model identifies key factors such as pyrolysis temperature and application rate that influence phosphorus regulation, suggesting a more precise approach to biochar use.
Scientists discovered a molecular switch that enables plants to form partnerships with soil fungi even when sufficient phosphate is available, offering a potential solution to reducing fertilizer use. The discovery could enable targeted manipulation of mycorrhization in crop plants using modern breeding methods.
Researchers found significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, fertilizer overuse, and cattle populations among English farmers. The study's findings highlight the importance of regular assessments of farming's environmental impacts to inform policy and management.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 29, 2026
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 led by Prof. YAN Xiaoyuan finds that most nitrogen gas emissions from rice paddies originate from soil organic nitrogen, rather than applied fertilizers. The researchers propose a novel mechanism to explain this phenomenon, suggesting that fertilizer activates soil nitrogen pools, indirectly driving larger nitrogen losses.
Process water from hydrothermal carbonization contains substantial amounts of nutrients and organic compounds, making it a nutrient-rich resource for crop production and environmental management. Diluting the liquid or using pre-treatment methods can reduce risks associated with its use.
Researchers developed liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers that significantly increase crop yields and improve nutrient efficiency. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest results, achieving positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances while reducing labor and cost.
A Concordia study reveals that black soldier flies can survive and thrive on goose feces, producing valuable biomass for composting and organic fertilizer. The insects' waste also serves as a nutritious fertilizer for duckweed, improving its growth rate and root system.
New research reveals that the US-Israel-Iran war is threatening the food security of millions worldwide by increasing fertilizer costs, fueling speculative spikes in commodity prices, and undermining physical and sociocultural food environments.
A new study by Cornell University suggests that animal and human waste could meet 102% of nitrogen and 50% of phosphorus needs for US agriculture, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, implementation challenges such as processing and transport need to be addressed to unlock this potential.
Researchers found that nearly half of Prairie lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs may be degraded by decades of urea use, which increases growth of microscopic plants and drains essential oxygen out of ponds. Sustainable sources of water are threatened due to agricultural impacts, drainage of wetlands, and climate change.
A new study reveals a innovative fertilizer technology that combines biochar, natural polymers, and green-synthesized iron nanoparticles to release nutrients only when plants need them. The results show significant improvements in soil health and reduced environmental impacts.
A new study demonstrates that combining a water-saving irrigation technique with an engineered biochar fertilizer can significantly improve rice production while lowering nitrogen pollution. The approach, known as AWD and nitrogen-loaded biochar synergy, achieved co-benefits in yield improvement, water saving, and ammonia mitigation.
Researchers found that combining biochar with beneficial bacteria significantly improves phosphorus availability, reshaping plant development and increasing crop yields in greenhouse-grown cherry tomatoes. The study also showed that this approach can enhance soil fertility and crop productivity without increasing fertilizer inputs.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce methane emissions from rice paddies when applied at optimal nitrogen levels. However, high nitrogen inputs may actually increase methane emissions, highlighting the need for careful management of fertilizer inputs.
A meta-analysis reveals targeted composting control measures can lower greenhouse gas emissions, suppress odors, and improve fertilizer quality. Optimized composting can retain nutrients while sharply lowering methane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia emissions.
A study reveals how sludge-derived hydrothermal byproducts alter periphyton communities, reducing ecosystem multifunctionality and microbial network complexity. HAP's nutrient-rich properties also pose ecological risks, highlighting the need for careful optimization and monitoring to ensure sustainable nutrient recycling.
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.
A study by MIT researchers found that nitrous oxide can hamper the growth of certain soil bacteria dependent on vitamin B12 for methionine biosynthesis. The findings suggest that N2O production in agricultural settings could influence microbial communities, potentially impacting crop health.
A new study found a significant decline in nitrogen pollution in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin over the past two decades. The decline is attributed to cleaner air and more efficient nitrogen uptake by modern corn hybrids, as well as reduced fertilizer application.
A new study finds periphyton, a thin microbial community at the soil-water interface, captures 6-24% of applied fertilizer N. Periphyton stores approximately 0.8 teragrams of nitrogen annually, closing the paddy-field nitrogen budget gap.
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.
Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.
Researchers from Texas A&M University are using black soldier fly larvae to recycle organic waste and produce protein fertilizer. The project aims to create autonomous systems for rehabilitating extreme environments, reducing human exposure to hazardous conditions.
A new method to extract phosphorus from the Baltic Sea could reduce Europe's dependence on imported phosphate mining, revitalizing the ecosystem. Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a two-step approach using microbes to loosen and bind phosphorus.
Rice–aquatic animal co-culture systems can increase nitrogen-use efficiency by 20-40% while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fertilizer requirements. The key to their effectiveness lies in the dynamic interactions between rice roots, aquatic animals, and microorganisms at the soil-water interface.
Scientists have uncovered practical strategies that can significantly reduce harmful air pollution from composting while improving the quality of organic fertilizers. Biochar emerged as the most effective single solution, consistently reducing ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions while enhancing nitrogen retention.
Research reveals that probiotics can enhance root development and nitrogen uptake in plants, improving growth without excess fertilizer use. The Sphingopyxis genus supports plant function, offering a potential solution to reduce environmental impact of agriculture.
A new study in China's major grain belts reveals region-specific soil tests can guide smarter, lower input rice farming. The research found that paddy soils in two regions release nitrogen differently and that these differences can be predicted using fast laboratory tests.
A new study finds that a widely used nitrification inhibitor can dramatically improve fertilizer efficiency and crop yields while sharply reducing nitrous oxide emissions. DMPP was consistently more effective than biochar at stabilizing nitrogen in calcareous soils.