The symposium emphasizes the complex interaction of grape variety, viticulture, and soil to produce great wines. Experts will discuss factors such as soil surface color, drainage, and chemical composition to understand terroir, a term defined as vineyard site, soil, and climate.
The book 'Organic Farming: The Ecological System' brings together farmer experience and scientific research to understand the role of organics in modern agriculture. It presents current research and development in organic farming, highlighting its potential to revitalize rural landscapes and communities.
The symposium will explore various funding sources, including public-private partnerships, commercialization strategies, and foundations. Presenters will share their experiences with targeted support for cultivar development and national/global programs to build capacity and provide public support.
Experts will discuss emerging developments in plant and soil sciences, including drought-tolerant sorghum and biotechnology. The meeting also addresses climate change, energy, and sustainable development.
Phosphorus is a crucial element in agriculture, but its excessive use leads to massive eutrophication problems in water bodies worldwide. Dr. Curtis Richardson will discuss phosphorus biogeochemistry and its role in wetland functioning, highlighting the need for realistic management techniques.
A study examines how public officials obtain information about debatable scientific issues, including agricultural biotechnology. Results show that Texas legislators relied more on the Cooperative Extension Service, while state FFA officers preferred online sources.
Researchers in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study found that urban grasslands retain a significant amount of nitrogen, with losses typically less than 40% of applied fertilizer. This surprising result suggests that these ecosystems have considerable capacity for nutrient retention, contrary to concerns about environmental impacts.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will recognize individuals with outstanding contributions to education, national and international service, and research. The 2009 award recipients include Donald Graetz, David Mengel, Robert G. Hoeft, and others.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present the 2009 fellows at a special ceremony in Pittsburgh. The fellows were chosen for their professional achievements and meritorious service, with only 0.3% of members selected.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will present scholarships to recognize outstanding students' achievements in agronomy, soil science, and crop science. The awards will be presented at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh.
Researchers have found that soybeans contain high levels of tocopherols, which have antioxidant properties and may play a role in cardiovascular diseases and cancer prevention. The study suggests that selection for high α-tocopherol content in soybeans will be possible, making it easier to develop functional foods with specific health-...
The USDA's $320 million initiative aims to support programs in 12 states, enabling farmers to implement conservation practices that reduce nutrient runoff and improve wildlife habitat. The program underscores the agency's commitment to sustainable land stewardship and cleaner water.
Undergraduate students can learn problem-solving skills by analyzing subsidence and restoration of organic wetland soils. This approach emphasizes cross-disciplinary concepts, such as mass-volume relationships, to help students understand complex soil processes.
Research finds that pathogenic E. coli are common in Michigan and Indiana streams, even with low fecal indicator bacteria concentrations. The study suggests that current methods for determining water quality may not accurately predict the presence of harmful pathogens.
Researchers developed prediction models to identify eroded waterways from digital terrain information, enabling the placement of grassed waterways and reducing soil erosion. These models accurately identified potential locations of erosion-prone areas, corresponding well with actual field observations.
Research suggests that corn yield stability improves when rotated with alfalfa, red clover, and timothy; dairy manure applications can support continuous corn in high-yielding years but hinder it in low-yielding years. Synthetic fertilizers or phosphorus-based manure negatively impact continuous corn yields.
A recent study found that adding a wood stove to a home can significantly reduce heating costs, with savings ranging from 25% to 60%. The carbon emissions associated with wood stoves are also negligible, making them a more environmentally friendly option than traditional gas heating systems.
Research found that DOC losses from tile drains were not affected by crop management practices, but drainage hydrology and manure application played a role. The study highlighted the importance of understanding DOC contributions to surface waters in agricultural watersheds.
Crop residues are crucial for sustaining soil organic matter, but extensive removal for ethanol production can impact soil productivity. Research suggests that straw removal rates should be limited to less than 66% and no more than 40% of aboveground residues removed.
Researchers used the MACRO model to simulate the transport of three PPCPs and a strongly sorbing dye, finding that non-equilibrium sorption in macropores significantly impacted solute transport. The updated version of the model showed better fits to measured data, but limitations were found in accounting for all relevant processes.
A series of symposium papers explore AquaCrop and other agronomic models that estimate water use efficiency under varying conditions. The models were shown to adequately simulate WUE under well-watered conditions but tend to overestimate or underestimate WUE under water stress, limiting their usefulness for deficit irrigation scenarios.
A literature review reveals that landfill cover soils oxidize more methane than previously recommended guidelines suggest. The overall mean fraction oxidized was 36%, with a standard error of 6%, indicating that the actual oxidation rate is likely higher than current default values.
The study found that organic and rotational grazing systems were more profitable than conventional monocropping, despite increased risk exposure. The results suggest that governmental policy should support crop rotations and organic farming practices.
A study analyzing 28 soybean experiments found no significant yield advantage for early plantings, regardless of region or variety. However, delaying plantings beyond the critical date in late May or early June led to a substantial loss of yields, suggesting producers should prioritize timely planting.
A recent experiment studying the effects of ultraviolet radiation on liverwort asexual propagules found that students successfully formulated and tested hypotheses about UV impact. The study aims to understand how bryophytes develop protection mechanisms against UVR, which can inform crop resilience.
Researchers found that converting Conservation Reserve Program grasslands to bioenergy grain crops does not result in significant loss of sequestered soil organic carbon. No-till farming practices can conserve and even enhance soil carbon sequestration in these areas.
A study published in the Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education found that workshops improved Iranian pastoralists' understanding of rangeland management techniques, leading to better land utilization. The results showed a significant impact on concepts like animal-rangeland equilibrium and grazing duration.
A recent study found that early soybean planting from April to May consistently resulted in higher yields. However, oil concentration was higher at early plantings, while protein concentration was better when planted later in the season.
A collaborative research course taught at one university led to a global collaboration among faculty members from three universities, resulting in significant increases in communication skills and subject matter knowledge. Students reported improved understanding of how communication fits into collaborative problem-solving and anticipa...
The study found that removing corn residue can lower N fertilizer requirements, but careful management is still necessary to balance erosion risks and retain adequate residue. Researchers suggest alternative tillage systems like strip-till continuous corn as a viable option in certain environments.
A recent study by the American Society of Agronomy found that low levels of herbicides can harm potato plant reproduction. The research revealed that tuber yield and quality can be affected even at rates below those causing vegetative growth reduction or injury.
Scientists from CNRS and University of Reading applied linked rainfall-runoff and Integrated Catchment Model of Nitrogen (INCA-N) models to simulate daily flow and nitrate dynamics in the Garonne watershed. The study found that 75% of the NO3-N river load came from arable farming in the lowlands.
Scientists investigate oil spray as a mitigation technique for reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions from pig barns. The study found that oil spray techniques reduced average emissions by 20% for methane and 19% for carbon dioxide.
Researchers found that using cover crops, manure, and compost can increase short-term carbon sequestration rates and reduce global warming potential. This win-win option for energy and environment is made possible by proper management of bioenergy cropping systems.
Researchers found that urban tree roots can penetrate compacted subsoils, increasing infiltration rates by up to 153% in reservoirs. Structural soil reservoirs also showed a 27-fold increase in infiltration rate compared to unplanted controls.
A new study published in Agronomy Journal reveals that reduced tillage can increase peanut crop yields, but the effects of crop rotation and tillage on pest development are more complex. The research found an independent relationship between tillage and rotation practices with respect to peanut yield and pest development.
The American Society of Agronomy recognized 2008 ASA Fellows for their professional achievements and meritorious service. The class includes experts in plant-environment interactions, environmental impact analysis, breeding for disease resistance, and crop biotechnology.
The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) presented various scholarships to students pursuing careers in agronomic sciences. The scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership activities, and future plans related to the field.
The American Society of Agronomy has recognized five individuals with prestigious awards for their excellence in agronomic education, extension, and service. Lee Burras received the Agronomic Resident Education Award for his outstanding teaching skills, while William J. Cox was honored with the Agronomic Extension Education Award for h...
A new USGS study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality shows that pesticide contamination in groundwater has decreased over the past decade. Only six compounds were detected in ground water from at least 10 wells during the study period, with concentrations less than 0.12 parts per billion.
A new book from the American Society of Agronomy provides detailed information on the importance of sulfur in agriculture. The book examines the central role that sulfur plays as a nutrient affecting crop yield and quality, animal feed value and human diet.
A 110-year-old sustainable farming experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of winter legumes in producing non-irrigated cotton yields, comparable to those using nitrogen fertilizer. The study's findings have implications for long-term soil organic matter and crop yield management.
The symposium explores carbon sequestration methods, including forest management, agriculture, and ocean carbon capture. Experts discuss the importance of addressing legal and regulatory challenges to ensure effective carbon sinks.
A nationwide study found statistically significant increases in nitrate concentrations in 7 of 24 well networks, with median concentrations exceeding the USEPA maximum contaminant level. The study highlights the importance of long-term monitoring programs to protect ground water quality.
The traditional method of discovering herbicides involves random searching of chemicals, resulting in most commercial products. New biotech information allows companies to create targeted weed killers. The American Society of Agronomy developed an interactive web lesson to teach students about the history and development of herbicides.
Researchers found that site-specific nitrogen and seed density management strategies did not consistently increase profit, but may benefit in certain situations with high maize to nitrogen fertilizer price ratios. Fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency was high across all site-years.
Researchers found that a portion of corn stover can be harvested for biofuel production without reducing soil organic carbon levels in high-yielding systems. This study suggests that corn stover could supply up to 25% of the biofuel crop needed by 2030.
A study by the University of Tennessee investigates the temporal patterns and statistical persistence of total coliform bacteria in a stream. The research found that short-term persistence is dominated by runoff events, while longer-term persistence is likely related to baseflow, or groundwater supply.
A new study by scientists from Brazil, France, and the US reveals that no-till management combined with winter cover crops is the most effective way to retain nutrients in tropical soils. The research found that this approach can maintain soil organic carbon stocks and mimic natural forested conditions.
A college biology teacher found that by addressing student misbehavior directly, he was able to improve classroom attention and engagement. The study suggests that simply being direct with students can resolve problems and encourage cooperation.