Articles tagged with Crop Irrigation
A new book proposes that smallholder farmers, who already produce 30% of the world's food, could meet humanity's additional food needs by 2050 while restoring nature. Regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices can offset CO2 emissions and improve soil health.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that ag irrigation prevents higher greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding land conversion, saving 363 years' worth of emissions. Irrigation allows the US to grow more food on less land, reducing land-use change and its associated emissions.
A new study by the University of Delaware has identified global hotspots of drought-sensitivity and resilience in major crops like rice, corn, and soybeans. These hotspots reveal areas particularly susceptible to drought, such as the Midwestern US, eastern Brazil, and northern India.
University of Missouri researchers developed an irrigation strategy that allows farmers to conserve water while maintaining crop quality. By tailoring water amounts based on plant growth stages, farmers can reduce water usage and costs.
A new system can map soil moisture tree by tree, allowing growers to water specific trees if they're dry. Maintaining the right moisture level is crucial for plant health, as too little water can stress trees, while too much water can deprive roots of oxygen.
The University of Tennessee AgResearch has received a $50-million investment to modernize its West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The new facilities, precision agriculture equipment, and laboratory renovations will enhance on-site research and improve data quality.
Researchers found biochar improved soil's ability to hold nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants better growth conditions. Biochar also helps improve water quality by keeping nitrates in the soil and out of groundwater.
Researchers used drones with advanced cameras to measure how wheat plants cope with climate change, identifying key traits like leaf area index and chlorophyll content. They matched these traits to specific genes in the wheat genome, discovering 16 genetic markers linked to better performance under normal and dry conditions.
A new digital tool provides free satellite monitoring and analysis of vegetation and crop health across Kansas and the nation. The Sentinel GreenReport Plus combines satellite imagery with climate datasets to provide users with insights into vegetation greenness, changes in land cover over time, and climate abnormalities.
Recent research highlights increased fire activity in the western US, with wildfires becoming less prone to calming down at night. Meanwhile, extreme turbulence on hurricane flights has led to a new 'bumpiness' metric. Climate extremes are also evident in shifting energy demands for heating and cooling in Chinese megacities.
A UTEP research team will investigate the impact of climate change on pecan orchards in the US and Mexico, focusing on drought, heat waves, and soil management. The study aims to develop insights for farmers and policymakers on improving water use efficiency and carbon sequestration.
Researchers propose two strategies to reduce energy loss and increase efficiency: adjusting irrigation schedules to daytime hours when solar energy is produced, and selling surplus energy. These approaches aim to create a sustainable irrigation model that combines environmental protection with economic profitability.
A new study found that removing hedgerows and field margins decreases the diversity and abundance of arthropods, which can lead to reduced natural pest control. The research suggests that using flowering plants in field margins and implementing agri-environmental measures can be effective ways to increase farmland biodiversity.
Researchers found that variation in efficiency due to farming practices could save as much water as switching crops or fallowing fields. The study suggests that a 10% reduction in water consumption among the top 50% of water users could make a significant impact, comparable to other interventions.
Research reveals that aquifer depletion can curb crop yields even when it appears saturated enough to continue meeting irrigation demands. As groundwater dwindles, agricultural losses escalate, especially for corn and soybean yields.
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have developed a low-cost technology using biochar to remove harmful compounds from reclaimed water, making it safe for agricultural reuse. The biochar-based polishing systems have shown promising results in removing antibiotics and resistant bacteria, potentially reducing the spr...
The article discusses the challenges of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but found that technology can help farmers lower pollution by up to 45 percent. The study proposes using carbon-free energy sources, sustainably produced bioenergy, and techniques to capture emissions from these energy sources.
Research reveals that sweet corn yields significantly decrease with extreme heat during flowering, especially in rainfed fields. Irrigation may help mitigate yield loss, but water scarcity could worsen climate-related challenges.
The new database offers improved estimations of Potential Evapotranspiration and Aridity Index for the entire world at a high spatial resolution. This allows for a finer description of water needs in different regions, enabling better resource management and land-use planning.
A recent study by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University provides a method to help farmers and policymakers decide whether organic farming is beneficial for the environment. The researchers analyzed international studies to find a threshold where organic farming's biodiversity gain outweighs its land requirements.