Articles tagged with Fertilizers
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.
Researchers created a composite material combining natural rubber with nanocarbons derived from compost, demonstrating improved electrical resistivity and potential applications as sealants and sensors. The study provides an eco-friendly alternative to carbon black fillers, which are commonly used in rubber products.
Research found that fertilized soils in the Central Valley contribute up to 40 percent of California's NOx emissions. The study suggests potential solutions through improved fertilizer management and soil conservation techniques.
A new method using sunlight to split atmospheric nitrogen molecules could drastically cut the energy needed for fertilizer production. Researchers at Princeton University used computer simulations to model light's behavior in tiny structures made from gold and molybdenum, which concentrates light energy to boost a catalyst's power.
Ecologist Cathy Pfister used WWI-era maps to study kelp forest changes in the Pacific Northwest. The abundance of kelp beds remained constant despite climate change, except for areas closest to Puget Sound and Seattle.
Researchers developed mathematical equations to calculate crop yields and optimize fertilizer use for sorghum-peanut intercropping. The study aims to improve profits and food production in West Africa, where millions of farmers face food security challenges.
A thin organic coating created through composting improves biochar's ability to store nutrients and promote plant growth, offering an eco-friendly alternative to inorganic nitrogen fertilizers.
Scientists at the University of Georgia developed an efficient living mulch system that benefits both corn production and soil health. By removing portions of clover after each harvest, farmers can reap cost savings from reduced herbicide and nitrogen fertilizer usage.
Researchers created a new generation of fertilizers using bio-decomposable materials that break down into innocuous products. The smart fertilizers provide a gradual release of active nitrogen compounds, reducing leaching and increasing plant biomass.
Researchers have created a biocompatible fertilizer from carbon dots derived from rapeseed pollen, increasing plant biomass by 50% in treated plants. The process was found to be relatively inexpensive, costing just 3 cents per gram.
Rice farmers in Taiwan value eco-labels more than financial incentives, according to a study by the Technical University of Munich. The study found that offering an eco-label can encourage farmers to reduce chemical fertilizers and adopt sustainable cultivation methods.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a new way of fixing nitrogen, inspired by how microbes do it, which could hold the potential for two major benefits: ease of production and understanding natural nitrogen fixation. The technology being developed is simpler and more efficient than previous methods, making it possible to study fixati...
A team has introduced a controlled delivery system for micronutrients based on biohybrid microgels. The system adheres selectively to leaves and slowly releases nutrients, minimizing environmental problems and plant damage.
Researchers have invented a 'bionic' leaf that uses bacteria, sunlight, water and air to produce fertilizer in the soil where crops are grown. The system produces biomass and liquid fuel yields that greatly exceeded natural photosynthesis.
A global study found steadily increasing ammonia concentrations from 2002 to 2016 over four major agricultural regions. The increases are broadly tied to crop fertilizers, livestock animal wastes, changes to atmospheric chemistry, and warming soils.
Researchers develop simple method for coating nanoparticles with urea molecules to slow breakdown and release nitrogen. Initial field tests show promising results in reducing fertilizer need by half.
A new MSU study found significant yield gaps between alternative agricultural practices in small experimental plots and commercial fields. The research highlights the challenges of scaling up low-input and organic farming methods to achieve similar yields as conventional practices.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that growing multiple algal species helps stabilize biocrude production and makes the system more reliable. However, competition among species often causes mixtures to produce less biocrude than individual species.
Researchers developed a crop model to predict optimal nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn, improving accuracy and reducing losses. The model can assist with nitrogen management and mitigate environmental concerns.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a biological mechanism that converts nitrogen-based fertilizer into nitrous oxide, increasing atmospheric levels by 120%. The enzyme cytochrome P460 produced in ammonia-oxidizing bacteria leads to nitrous oxide production as a chemical coping strategy.
A new study by University of Minnesota researcher Daniel Kaiser found that in-furrow starter fertilizer application has limited economic benefits for corn farmers in areas with cool spring temperatures. The practice, which aims to boost early-season growth, may not outweigh the costs of the fertilizer itself.
A 12-year field experiment in Nova Scotia found optimal fertilizer rates of 35 kg·ha-1 N, 40 kg·ha-1 P, and 30 kg·ha-1 K to maximize floral bud number, berries per stem, and berry yield. Higher fertilizers rates increased net profits by $490/ha.
A new study finds that salt marshes do not respond significantly to fertilization with excess nitrogen. This challenges the long-held assumption that these coastal resources can soak up excess nutrients through enhanced plant growth, preventing low-oxygen dead zones and harmful algal blooms.
A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that adopting a plant-based diet can significantly decrease the environmental impact and phosphorus footprint, with a potential reduction of 72% in phosphorus fertilizer requirements. This change has a moderate effect on reducing phosphorus excreted by the environment.
Researchers at USDA-Agricultural Research Service found that using less chicken litter than needed for maximum crop yields can increase farmer profits. The study aimed to calculate the optimal amount of chicken litter for cotton crops to balance yield and profitability.
Researchers found that transplanting fertilizers with phosphorus and using non-reflective plastic mulches can significantly boost tomato yields in clay loam soils. The study's results support the use of these practices for local gardeners and commercial growers in Minnesota, particularly during short growing seasons.
Experts warn of severe threats to ecosystems due to nitrogen deposition from fertilizer use and sewage. A global network is needed to monitor and address this issue in Latin America and BRICS nations, which are the largest users of nitrogen fertilizer.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an alternative fertilizing source for organic farming, allowing farmers to harvest mobile green manure repeatedly without affecting crop yields. The method has the potential to improve fertilizer quality and reduce the need for conventional animal manure in the future.
Thermally conditioned sewage sludge serves as an excellent fertilizer improving soil properties and reducing phosphorus waste. The nutrient-rich sludge stimulates microbial activity, inducing competition between microorganisms and plant roots for phosphorus uptake.
Climate change contributes to severe algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay through increased precipitation variability. Nitrogen-rich agricultural runoff, exacerbated by changing weather patterns, leads to toxic algae growth and hypoxia, harming humans, marine life, and fisheries.
A new U of T Scarborough study identified rice varieties that can reduce nitrogen waste and minimize environmental pollution. The research found that certain chemicals produced by the roots of these crops can significantly reduce nitrogen capture inefficiencies in soil microbes.
Engineers developed a numerical model to calculate nitrogen's age in corn and soybean fields, potentially improving fertilizer application techniques. The research found that nitrogen topsoil has a relatively high average age compared to water, with ammonium accumulating in the upper layers.
A new study recommends using residual fertilizer to give plants staying power and add value for consumers. Controlled-release fertilizers proved to be more effective in maintaining plant performance beyond the production phase.
Farmers' use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers and animal waste contributes to the formation of tiny solid particles, or aerosols, causing heart disease and death. However, projections suggest that reduced industrial emissions could decrease aerosol production if fertilizer use doubles.
Research reveals that nitrogen-rich fertilizers and animal waste combine with combustion emissions to form solid particles causing disease and death. The good news is that declining combustion emissions may reduce fine-particle pollution even if fertilizer use doubles.
A new study from the University of Illinois reports a 10% reduction in nitrate load in the Illinois River from 2010 to 2014, compared to the 1980s and early 1990s. The reduction is linked to improved fertilizer management and higher corn yields, resulting in less nitrogen left in the soil and washed into the river.
A new study warns that intensive farming in tropical regions may require vast amounts of phosphorus fertilizer, which is a limited natural resource. The researchers estimate that if global demand for food continues to rise, the phosphorus tax imposed by these soils could double by 2050.
Intensifying tropical agriculture may sequester up to 1-4 million metric tons of phosphorus fertilizer annually, forcing farmers to pay a recurring 'P-tax'. Recycling phosphorus-rich livestock manure and rethinking high-meat diets could mitigate this issue.
The study identifies a key region in the genome where selection has changed the behavior of rhizobia, making them less beneficial to plants exposed to nitrogen fertilizer. This finding has significant implications for finding sustainable solutions to address environmental concerns.
A new study assesses the impact of Rutgers University's Organic Land Care Certificate Program on landscaper attitudes and practices. Survey results show significant reductions in synthetic fertilizer use and pesticide application, with a focus on holistic landscape management.
Researchers found that substituting up to 100% of peatmoss with pecan wood chips in greenhouse substrates reduces leaching fractions and increases substrate pH, while also providing a positive opportunity for using the product.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers finds that excess nutrient input leads to imbalances in mutualistic species interactions. This can have far-reaching implications for ecosystems, including decreased growth of fungal partners and increased growth of plant partners.
Researchers found that modern corn hybrids maintain per-plant yield in environments with low nitrogen, can recover from mid-season stress, and take up nitrogen after silking. This suggests reserving a portion of nitrogen fertilizer for later application could be beneficial for growers.
Researchers found that CRP biomass yield can reach up to 6.4 metric tons per hectare, but economic analyses show that costs of fertilizer application may outweigh benefits. Implementing a system where land owners harvest one-third of their acreage per year could reduce government costs by $31 million annually.
The Danforth Center is collaborating with the University of Illinois to identify genetic variants impacting photosynthesis and nitrogen uptake in maize. This project aims to improve crop yields while reducing fertilizer usage, offering economic and environmental benefits.
A recent study found that faba beans can increase soil nitrogen and carbon levels, providing long-term benefits for farmers. The research suggests that growers should adjust their fertilizer recommendations to account for the slow-release nitrogen in pulse crops.
A study suggests that increasing nitrogen use efficiency globally can improve crop yields while reducing nitrous oxide emissions and other forms of nitrogen pollution. Researchers propose specific targets for different regions to achieve a global average nitrogen use efficiency of 70% by 2050.
Yale University scientists have designed a new chemical compound that mimics the properties of nitrogenase, an enzyme responsible for natural nitrogen fixation. The findings could lead to the development of synthetic catalysts that turn nitrogen into ammonia, reducing transportation and production costs.
Scientists at Brigham Young University have made a breakthrough in reducing ocean dead zones by studying the potential of rhizobia, a type of beneficial bacteria. By understanding how these bacteria interact with plants, researchers aim to develop more sustainable farming practices that minimize fertilizer use and reduce water pollution.
A team of MSU researchers, led by Sarah Evans, will study how plants interact with microbes to obtain nitrogen in abandoned farmlands. The goal is to maximize biofuel yields while minimizing fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
A 30-year study found Northern China's soil moisture decreased by 6% since 1983, with optimal levels now below 40%. The researchers attribute this decline to increased fertilizer use and crop types with high water demands, posing a risk to agriculture and the fresh water supply.
A study found that controlled-release fertilizers can reduce the environmental impact of landscape palms by limiting nitrogen and phosphate application. Areca palms, in particular, showed growth comparable to traditional fertilization methods when using a 0-0-16 fertilizer formulation.