Articles tagged with Fertilizers
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A research team at Ruhr University Bochum has developed a catalyst that can convert ammonia into hydrogen and nitrite, producing both a clean energy carrier and a fertilizer precursor simultaneously. The process doubles the hydrogen yield while minimizing nitrogen production.
Researchers discovered that nodulation evolved in a two-step process, with the basic genetic toolkit developed first and then refined through multiple genetic mutations. This complex circuit breaker-like mechanism suggests that nodulation is not controlled by a single switch.
A new study suggests that using special fertilizers and crushed basalt rocks can reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions without harming the ozone layer. The research found a 25% reduction in N2O emissions, aligning with efforts to reach net-zero emissions while supporting increased food production.
Researchers found that combining aquaponic wastewaters with hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP) solutions up to 8% can support plant growth without inhibiting germination. This alternative nutrient source has the potential to increase circularity in food production systems and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Researchers discovered zinc's crucial role in nitrogen fixation of legumes, optimizing crop efficiency and reducing synthetic fertilizer reliance. This finding could enhance nitrogen delivery, improve yields, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
A new genetic regulator, known as Fixation Under Nitrate (FUN), has been identified in legume plants that reduces their ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable nutrients. Removing the FUN gene allows legumes to fix nitrogen regardless of soil nitrate levels.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers identifies 92 compounds in biosolids that could pose potential risks to human health and the environment. The team screened 16 samples of biosolids from US and Canadian cities and found a range of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
A new study by RIKEN CSRS shows that biomass from purple photosynthetic marine bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum is an excellent nitrogen fertilizer, effective as inorganic synthetic fertilizers but with lower environmental side effects. The biomass boosts plant growth without altering soil pH or salinity.
A study found that smallholder farmers in Tanzania used more fertilizer and had higher crop yields after an intervention, but the benefits did not last. The researchers attribute the lack of long-term adoption to liquidity constraints and structural factors such as fertilizer availability.
Human-caused nitrous oxide emissions accelerated globally, reaching a record high in 2022, with the agricultural sector accounting for 74% of emissions. The use of chemical fertilizers and animal manure is particularly significant contributors to this growth.
Researchers highlight strategies for improving agriculture with nanotechnology, including targeted delivery of pesticides and herbicides, and digital twin simulations. These approaches aim to reduce environmental pollution and increase crop resilience.
A new tool identifies toxic metals in mineral phosphate fertilizers worldwide, with higher levels found in US and Middle East fertilizers compared to China and India. Researchers use strontium isotopes to detect fertilizer impacts on soil and water resources.
Shifting excess nitrogen from rich countries to poor ones could increase crop production by 12%, with moderate/food insecure regions seeing significant gains in both fertilizer use and food output. Current levels of production could be maintained with only 53-68% of current nitrogen used through redistribution.
A new accounting method evaluates the impact of agricultural practices on nitrous oxide emissions, finding long-term no-till management and specific fertilizer types can effectively cut emissions. The study provides a more accurate estimate of N2O emissions than previous methods, enabling policymakers to make informed recommendations.
Researchers have discovered a greener way to produce ammonia, essential for fertilizers, by developing a new catalyst that works stably at relatively low temperatures. This breakthrough reduces the amount of energy needed to synthesize ammonia, making it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels.
A study published in Nature Food reveals that optimized phosphorus use can extend its stock for up to 531 years, reducing the demand by 3,000 kt annually. Currently, around 30-40% of farm soils have over-applications, mainly due to European and North American countries.
The study reveals that certain dyes can release more radicals than others, leading to increased energy efficiency and speed in photochemical reactions. By slowing down a reverse reaction, radicals are given more time to leave a solvent cage, resulting in up to ten times higher energy efficiency.
A new disinfection technology uses low-temperature plasma to sterilize nutrient solutions in hydroponic farming, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. This innovation promotes environmentally friendly crop cultivation and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study found that potassium deficiency is a significant threat to global food security, affecting 20% of agricultural soils worldwide. The researchers recommend six policies and practices to mitigate the issue, including better management of soil potassium and intergovernmental coordination.
Legume plants have a unique ability to interact with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, allowing them to thrive without external nitrogen. Researchers identified four essential phosphorylation sites on the SYMRK kinase that mediate this symbiotic relationship.
Dust storms enhance phytoplankton tolerance to thermal and pH changes, facilitating algae growth in mountain lakes. This experimental study highlights the impact of atmospheric dust on aquatic ecosystems.
Researchers created an AI-enabled model to help mitigate global ammonia emissions from agriculture. By optimizing fertilizer management, the model can effectively reduce emissions by up to 38%, with Asia having the highest potential for reduction.
A study by researchers at the University of Sydney and Stockholm University found that centralized social networks can lead to a culture of homogeneity, where innovative voices are crowded out and traditionalist practices prevail. This can have significant consequences for the environment and global food security.
Researchers found that microplastic particles are picked up by wind more easily than soil minerals, leading to underestimation of emissions. The study highlights an underappreciated way microplastics become airborne, affecting the environment and human health.
Researchers at Stockholm University have successfully studied the surface of iron and ruthenium catalysts during ammonia production, shedding light on the reaction mechanism. The findings open up possibilities for developing more efficient materials, which could contribute to a green transition in the chemical industry.
Researchers at UW-Madison have developed a new electrochemical method to extract ammonia and potassium from livestock manure, reducing pollution and producing valuable fertilizers. The technique shows promise in scaling up beyond proof-of-concept stage.
A laboratory test shows that silicon application stimulates olive plant growth and increases nutrient absorption, particularly potassium. Plants treated with silicon grew longer stems and more branches than those without the element.
Researchers have found that struvite, a recycled phosphorus fertilizer, can reduce nutrient leaching and maintain soybean yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study showed that struvite can be a full substitute for traditional fertilizers in terms of yield benefits.
Scientists have identified two genes, GmMOT1.1 and GmMOT1.2, that control natural variation in molybdate uptake and transport in soybeans. These genes are involved in molybdenum uptake in the roots and root-to-shoot transport of molybdenum, leading to improved molybdenum utilization and soybean yield.
Researchers developed a metal-organic coating that protects bacterial cells from damage without impeding their growth or function. The coated bacteria improved the germination rate of various seeds by 150 percent, making it possible to deploy microbes as fertilizers for large-scale agricultural use.
A new analysis by Aalto University reveals that industrial agriculture is highly sensitive to shocks in agricultural inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The study models the impacts of these shocks on crop yields and food availability globally, identifying high-risk areas for the greatest yield losses.
Researchers have found that water temperatures between 20-25 degrees Celsius are at the greatest risk for developing dangerous levels of microcystin, a common algae-produced toxin. Climate change is expected to increase blue-green algae populations, posing serious health hazards and economic risks.
Researchers found that adding a social cost to carbon emissions leads to a significant reduction in fertilizer runoff, resulting in improved water quality and a decrease in the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone. The study suggests that implementing a carbon price can help meet the US commitment to the Paris Accord while improving water quality.
Research in Baltimore metropolitan area finds nitrogen-rich fertilizers on lawns contribute to algal blooms and deoxygenated waters. Many homeowners are unaware of the negative impact of their lawn care practices on local ecosystems.
A new study by the University of Göttingen reveals that oil palms' photosynthesis and response to meteorological and soil conditions play a significant role in N2O production. The research suggests that conventional measurement approaches can underestimate emissions by up to 49%.
Engineering associations between plants and nitrogen-fixing microbes using genetic engineering could lessen dependence on synthetic fertilizer. This approach involves bi-directional signaling to release fixed nitrogen, promoting efficient communication between engineered plants and microbes.
Researchers developed a new catalyst using bismuth selenide, a topological insulator, to synthesize organoureas at room temperature with almost 100% yield. The catalyst's unique properties allow for stable surface states and recyclability.
A new Danish study measured nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer materials in spring barley, finding that commercial fertilizers emit less N2O than previously assumed. Organic fertilizers, including livestock manure and digestates, emitted more N2O on average.
A new Stanford-led study shows that adding zinc to farmland soil can help prevent childhood stunting, a condition due to chronic undernutrition that is associated with poor brain development and long-lasting harmful consequences. The researchers found that the presence of zinc in soil helps prevent stunted childhood growth.
Researchers from Iowa State University and Wichita State University are developing a green fertilizer system that captures waste nitrogen and carbon dioxide to produce a fertilizer reducing nitrous oxide emissions. The project aims to promote sustainable farming practices in the Midwest region.
New research suggests that rising temperatures may offset the impact of increased precipitation on nitrogen runoff, which could lead to reduced aquatic pollution. The study found that warmer temperatures reduce evaporation, allowing more nitrogen to enter waterways, while also affecting microbial life in soil and sediment.
Researchers developed a smart agrochemical delivery platform using biomimetic mineralization, which improves crop yield and fruit zinc content. The platform, named MiZIFs, uses zeolitic imidazolate frameworks to encapsulate a synthetic growth regulator, promoting plant growth and stress tolerance.
A study published in Environmental Chemistry found that over a third of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use is breaking UK government emissions thresholds. Uninhibited urea fertilizers are the worst offenders, emitting up to 77% of applied nitrogen into the air.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that sewage is the primary cause of nitrogen surges in the Indian River Lagoon, contradicting previous findings that fertilizer use was the main contributor. The study found that water quality and harmful algal blooms worsened after five years of mandatory wet season fertilizer blac...
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that removing invasive vegetation from water access points reduced schistosomiasis rates by nearly a third. The removed vegetation can be used as compost and livestock feed, improving food security.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an electrochemical device that can recover phosphorus fertilizer from municipal waste with high efficiency. The device achieved over 93% efficiency in recovering phosphorus and precipitating approximately 99% of it into solid form.
Aarhus University's AELECTRA project aims to develop a decentralized technology for producing liquid ammonia from renewable energy. The new process could halve investment costs and enable farmers to produce their own fertilizer or e-fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers developed a copper-based hydrogel that captures nitrate waste and transforms it into ammonia for reusable fertilizers. The system increased crop yields while reducing environmental impacts.
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.
Researchers found that plants can significantly reduce petroleum contamination in subarctic soil by altering the microbial community structure. The study provides insights into phytoremediation's potential to restore contaminated ecosystems.
Chronic exposure to low levels of contaminant metals through household items, air, water, soil, and food increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Monitoring environmental metal levels and testing for exposure are key steps to implement public health initiatives.
The study assesses and quantifies safety and justice for humanity on Earth, finding that numerous boundaries are already transgressed. The results conclude that a just approach is essential to planetary stability, and setting targets can prevent significant harm.
Research shows that corn takes up about 67% of its nitrogen naturally from soil, rather than fertilizer. However, applying different forms and timing of fertilizers can improve efficiency, with nitrate being the most efficient source. Banding placement was also found to be more efficient than broadcasting.
Researchers at University of Toronto Engineering have developed a sustainable solution to remove phosphate and ammonium from wastewater by utilizing advanced membranes incorporating inorganic particles. This method recovers these nutrients for future use, providing a new source of materials for agricultural fertilizers and helping addr...
Researchers have developed a novel support material called BaAl2O4-xHy that enhances the catalytic activity of cobalt nanoparticles, allowing for record-breaking ammonia production at low temperatures. The catalyst demonstrates improved activation energy and high reusability.
A recent study in Heilongjiang Province, China found a significant positive correlation between farmers' adoption of organic fertilizer and biopesticides. The technical environment played a crucial role in promoting their adoption, with factors such as training, accessibility, and information exchange increasing the likelihood of adopt...
A new University of Illinois study suggests that widespread planting of cereal rye could significantly reduce nitrate levels in Illinois' tile drainage water. The research found that adopting winter cover crops, such as cereal rye, can help minimize nitrogen loss and improve water quality.
A team of researchers from China created universal critical nitrogen dilution curves for 10 Japonica rice cultivars using machine learning methods. The study found that parameters a and b vary with cultivar, year, site, and N fertilizer quantity and ratio. Three universal N C curves were obtained using different approaches, which accur...
Scientists at Tohoku University identified regulatory mechanisms in plants that utilize nitrogenous fertilizers, suggesting potential ways to generate crops with reduced fertilizer needs. The study focused on thale cress and aims to apply its findings to major crop plants like rice and cereals.
Researchers found that Greenlandic glacial rock flour can capture large amounts of CO2 through enhanced weathering, improving crop yields by up to 24% in Danish fields. The fine powder also acts as a natural fertilizer, providing a wider array of nutrients than commercial organic fertilizers.