Articles tagged with Fertilizers
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a key mechanism in breaking down nitrogen gas, a crucial step towards developing more efficient and sustainable methods. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient ways to produce fertilizers and alternative fuels.
Researchers argue that one-sided narratives shape the dichotomy between state-led and market-led approaches to promote agricultural development. A combination of state-led initiatives, donor-funded or market-led approaches, and input subsidy programs can work if there is evidence-based policy learning between both camps.
Researchers found that GPS-guided tractors can reduce overlap and gaps in field coverage by up to 6% and 16%, respectively, leading to increased crop production and environmental benefits. This technology has the potential to be adopted by small farms, which currently lag behind larger producers in terms of technology adoption.
The Reutivar App aims to optimize fertilizer and water application in olive orchards, reducing waste and environmental impact. By using reclaimed water with macronutrient content, farmers can control fertilizing calendars and reduce nitrogen use, promoting a more sustainable approach to irrigation.
Researchers investigated potassium fertilization effects on pears in a long history of fertilizer use to establish critical levels. Higher K doses resulted in lower ethylene production and respiration rates, extending storage life.
Researchers analyzed agricultural systems using multiomics approach and found that organic nitrogen fuels plant growth. They also discovered differences in bacteria in the rhizosphere, which make nitrogen available to plants.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory launch three new projects to quantify and reduce the carbon intensity of agriculture. The projects aim to increase yield while decreasing emissions, making biofuel production more sustainable and profitable for farmers.
A team of researchers has discovered a way to create a nitrogen-rich fertilizer using human waste, which could increase agriculture yields in developing countries and reduce groundwater contamination. The new method involves recycling nitrogen from urine through a process involving biochar and CO2 priming.
Jonas Baltrusaitis is investigating dry mechanochemical synthesis of urea ionic cocrystals for more stable fertilizer materials. This technology aims to slow down urea hydrolysis, reduce ammonia emissions and extend nitrogen availability to plants.
A new membrane-based technique recovers ammonia from urine while removing it as a pollutant from waste streams. This innovation uses moderate temperatures and recycle the ammonia for reuse in fertilizer, providing a more sustainable approach to nitrogen production.
A recent study by UConn researchers found that mismanagement and inadequate infrastructure are the root causes of supply problems for Ugandan farmers. The study revealed discrepancies in the quality of agricultural supplies like seeds and fertilizers due to improper handling, not adulteration.
Research by plant pathologist Gary Stacey aims to develop effective inoculation protocols for biological nitrogen fixation in non-leguminous crops. The study found that bacterial colonization leads to significant shifts in plant metabolism, with some metabolites more abundant in inoculated plants.
Researchers found that domestication of crops led to a decline in their ability to form symbiotic relationships with beneficial soil microbes. This loss has negative environmental consequences, including increased fertilizer use and pollution. Reintroducing genes from wild relatives could help restore these traits.
A joint Cuba/US research team discovered that Cuban fertilizer pollution is significantly lower than in the US's Mississippi River, with much lower phosphorus and nitrogen levels. The study suggests improved management strategies to reduce animal manure and sediment loads could further improve central Cuban river water quality.
Researchers discovered that nitrogen fertilizers shape the composition of individual members of the tomato microbiota, with Actinobacteria colonizing root tissues. The diet represented by different nitrogen treatments determines the plant microbiota, highlighting potential targets for optimizing plant nutrition and global food security.
A new study by the University of Michigan finds that aged urine can be used as a fertilizer with low risks of transferring antibiotic resistant DNA. The 'aging' process deactivates 99% of antibiotic resistant genes in bacteria, making it a promising alternative to traditional fertilizers.
A study by Krista Wigginton and colleagues found that urine-derived fertilizer loses 99% of its ability to confer resistance on soil bacteria after incubation. This suggests that upcycling urine is unlikely to transfer antibiotic resistance, reducing the environmental impact of this sustainable practice.
Scientists have transferred genes into bacteria to convert nitrogen from the air into a natural fertilizer, reducing the need for man-made fertilizers. This research could increase crop production and alleviate environmental impacts, particularly in underdeveloped countries.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed nanosatellite technology that can detect nitrogen stress in corn early in the season. This allows farmers to plan in-season nitrogen fertilizer applications and alleviate nutrient stress for crops, potentially increasing yield and reducing environmental impact.
Researchers found that additives like dolomite and micronutrient fertilizer can reduce phosphorus concentrations in drainage water by an average of 70%. These amendments help keep phosphorus in the pot, addressing a major environmental concern. The study aims to explore the long-term retention of retained phosphorus in containers.
Researchers at Duke University have demonstrated a new type of broad-spectrum photodetector that can capture a multispectral image in a few trillionths of a second. The technology uses plasmonic nanocubes to trap specific frequencies of light, allowing for fast and efficient detection of different wavelengths.
A new study reveals that nitrous oxide emissions have increased significantly over the past two decades, with a faster rate of increase in the last decade. The authors estimate that global N2O emissions have increased by 1.6 TgN y-1 between 2000-2005 and 2010-2015.
A large-scale experiment by the University of Göttingen has shown that reducing fertilizer input and eliminating herbicides in palm oil plantations can maintain profits while promoting biodiversity and soil health. The study's preliminary results are encouraging, suggesting a potential environmentally sustainable approach to the industry.
A Brazilian study found that removing sugarcane straw could double fertilizer requirements by 2050 due to interrupted nutrient cycling. The researchers suggest leaving a substantial proportion of the straw on the ground to maintain soil health and productivity.
Researchers found that while potassium fertilization increases alfalfa yield, it also decreases forage quality. Understanding the tradeoffs between yield and quality is crucial for sustainable production and fertility management.
Duke engineer develops a small, inexpensive hyperspectral camera using plasmonics technology to capture multispectral images in milliseconds. The camera can precisely identify plant conditions, detect nutrient deficiencies, and optimize fertilizer application, reducing pollution and saving water and money.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in finding the ideal fertilizer rate and source to prevent root damage in canola crops. Using new imaging techniques, they developed dose-response curves for different nitrogen fertilizer sources, revealing that banding urea ammonium nitrate with low rates is the best option.
A UC Davis study highlights the need for a coordinated international policy to address the global nitrogen problem. The research suggests that applying fertilizers more precisely, removing pollution from the environment, and empowering consumers to think about sustainable food options can help alleviate the issue.
A research team has developed a more effective method to estimate polluting emissions from nitrogen fertilizers, utilizing Bayesian statistics. This method offers more realistic predictions and is useful for choosing sustainable strategies in agriculture.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt experienced a major bloom every year from 2011 to 2018, except for 2013. The study found connections between annual bloom events and nutrient inputs, including human-derived fertilizer use and natural oceanic conditions.
Researchers from Cornell University have identified a way to unlock naturally occurring phosphorus bound in organic matter, which can be used as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers at Cornell University and Environmental Defense Fund found that fertilizer plant emissions are 100 times higher than industry reports, exceeding EPA estimates. The study used a mobile sensing approach to measure methane emissions from six plants, finding an average emission rate of 0.34 percent.
Researchers found that compostable food packaging can leach per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into compost, raising concerns about potential health effects on crops. The study's results contributed to the passage of a bill banning PFAS in paper food packaging in Washington state.
A study conducted in Brazil found that intensive silviculture using herbicide spraying and substantial fertilizer application promotes tropical forest regeneration and biomass gain, exceeding traditional manual weeding methods. Researchers aimed to maximize woody biomass accumulation for carbon sequestration and financial viability.
Researchers at Tel Hai College and MIGAL Institute in Israel have developed a method to make phosphorus fertilizer from dairy wastewater and aluminum water treatment residue. This innovative approach has the potential to recycle the element without lowering crop yields, reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources.
Researchers at UTokyo develop a new process to produce ammonia more efficiently and sustainably than the current Haber-Bosch method. The Samarium-Water Ammonia Production (SWAP) process reduces energy consumption, raw material costs, and environmental impact.
Researchers found that in-soil placement of fertilizer resulted in less phosphorus loss from snowmelt runoff. This practice helps roots access and take up phosphorus, reducing its interaction with runoff. The study's findings aim to encourage growers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology have mapped the global flow of phosphorus, identifying regions with significant demand and potential for recapturing and recycling. The study highlights opportunities for increasing recycling in developing and developed economies.
Researchers from Michigan State University used satellite imagery to quantify nitrogen losses in Midwestern corn fields. They found that nearly $1 billion worth of fertilizer is wasted annually, resulting in 6.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study estimates that air pollution from corn production causes 4,300 premature deaths in the US each year, resulting in a monetized cost of $39 billion. The health damages vary by region, with some areas experiencing greater damage than their market price.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to manage nitrogen in agriculture, using light sensors to monitor crop health and vitality. This approach reduces nitrogen fertilizer application, decreases environmental pollution, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economic returns for farmers.
Researchers discovered that adding fertilizers to ridges and combining with plastic mulching increases yield by 9.7% and reduces nitrogen loss by 72.5%. The study highlights the importance of targeted fertilizer application to optimize nitrogen consumption and reduce environmental impact.
A team of scientists from The Ohio State University shared early results from a trio of studies aimed at improving models designed to guide agricultural practices for reducing the risk of nitrogen and phosphorous farm runoff. These models can help quantify the impact of fertilizer application timing on nutrient runoff.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have confirmed the existence of a long-hypothesized interaction between nitrogen and titanium dioxide in the presence of light. This catalytic reaction could provide a new source of farm fertilizer, reducing costs for farmers in developing nations.
A new study suggests that previous applications of phosphorus fertilizers increase their effectiveness, allowing for more judicious use. This can help farmers save money and reduce environmental pollution by using only as much phosphorus as required.
Researchers have found that planting shrub willow and switchgrass in marginal lands reduces fertilizer nitrate levels, controlling erosion and improving water quality. This integrated land management approach also generates biomass for biofuel and supports pollinators and other wildlife.
Research finds that long-term annual application of manure improves most soil quality properties compared to inorganic fertilizer. Manure increases soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and water-stable aggregates, while reducing soil electrical conductivity.
A new study suggests that requiring manufacturers to sell nitrogen fertilizers with efficient compounds could reduce air and water pollution from nitrogen use by 16 percent. This approach could earn farmers millions of dollars through higher crop yields and reduce total costs of nitrogen pollution up to $5-7 billion.
Researchers propose that applying CAFE-style standards to fertilizer production could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the US corn sector. The approach aims to incentivize technology development and reduce nitrogen pollution, with potential environmental and human health gains.
A study finds that phosphorus accumulation in watersheds can reach a catastrophic threshold, accelerating runoff and harming aquatic ecosystems. The researchers estimate that some watersheds could reach this point in less than a decade due to high fertilizer use rates.
A Rutgers-led team found that plants cultivate microbes to extract nutrients, a process called the rhizophagy cycle. This discovery could lead to enhanced crop growth, fewer weeds, and lower fertilizer use.
Researchers have identified a corn variety that obtains 29-82% of its nitrogen from beneficial bacteria, attracted by sugary secretions. This trait could reduce fertilizer use and increase production in poor soils.
Scientists have engineered a bacterium that can fix nitrogen from the air, paving the way for nitrogen-fixing plants that could reduce fertilizer usage and increase crop yields. The breakthrough could benefit billions of people worldwide, particularly subsistence farmers.
Increasing farm size in China is associated with lower fertilizer and pesticide use per hectare, yet yields remain relatively stable. Removing policies constraining land-use rights could significantly reduce chemical usage while doubling farmers' incomes.
A new study evaluated 101 commercially available elite corn hybrids for their yield stability and crop-management adaptability. The researchers found that hybrids with stable yields under varying conditions are less responsive to environmental factors, while those with high adaptability yield well in optimal conditions but may perform ...
A new study reveals that organic fertilizers from biowaste fermentation contain microplastic particles, which enter the terrestrial environment and may end up in human food. The amount of microplastic particles differs based on pre-treatment methods and plant type.
A new study reveals that spraying beneficial bacteria can increase soybean yields and reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers. This innovative approach boosts root nodules, leading to higher crop yields and increased sustainability.
A field experiment was conducted over two years to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen levels and drip irrigation modes on seed cotton yield, dry matter, and water productivity. Results showed that Rassafa cotton cultivar is responsive to nitrogen fertilizer and drip irrigation modes.
A large-scale intervention in China improved agricultural efficiency while reducing environmental impact among 20.9 million smallholder farmers, yielding a 10% increase in grain output and a 15-18% decrease in fertilizer use.
Scientists developed a new approach to improve nitrogen use and promote flowering in rice by overexpressing the OsNRT1.1A gene. This led to increased yields of over 30% in field trials and accelerated maturation by one to two weeks.