Articles tagged with Fertilizers
The world's soil resources are under threat from erosion, nutrient exhaustion, urbanization, and climate change, which could lead to disruptions in food production and geopolitical conflicts. Experts call for better management of Earth's soils to address this issue.
Recent research showed that replacing chemical fertilizer with organic manure significantly decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Organic farming improved crop yields while reversing the agriculture ecosystem's role as a carbon source, becoming a carbon sink.
Experiments show that living mulch can reduce broccoli yields, with reduced effects when organic fertilizer is added.
Researchers found that liquid corn and fish fertilizers are good options for organic blackberry production, meeting plant nutrient needs except for calcium and boron. The fertilizers were effective in delivering nutrients through the drip system, but regular flushing was recommended to prevent emitter clogging.
A study published in HortScience found that hydrolyzed fish fertilizer is an economically feasible nitrogen source for growing organic vegetables, even when yields are reduced. The authors concluded that the premium price and resultant profit associated with organic products can offset the yield reductions.
Researchers at Western Michigan University are working on a multi-pronged nutrient bio-remediation system to clean up algal blooms in waterways. The algae can be used as a feedstock for biofuels, while the waste is high in nutrients and carbohydrates, suitable for recycling back into farm fields as organic fertilizer.
MSU researchers are using big data analytics to help farmers adapt to climate variability, reducing nitrous oxide emissions and algal blooms. The project aims to integrate crop models with satellite imagery and UAVs to promote water-, nutrient- and climate-smart technologies.
A new study recommends CRF placement methods that can reduce fertilizer and irrigation expenses and minimize nutrient leaching into the environment. The dibbled method has potential to produce the greatest quantity of leachable nutrients, while also conserving expensive fertilizer resources.
Researchers propose combining 'fertigation' and decentralized water treatment with drip irrigation to create 'tailored' water containing high levels of nitrate. This approach aims to reduce waste and increase efficiency in lawn care, but further study is needed to address potential challenges.
Agriculture accounts for 80% of human-caused nitrous oxide emissions, which rise faster than expected when fertilizer rates exceed crop needs. Applying more precise amounts of nitrogen-based fertilizer can help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The report suggests that reducing global beef consumption, reducing food waste, and improving farm nutrient management can deliver big climate wins while maintaining food security. Implementing these strategies could cut over three gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science found that fertilizer N applied during the reproductive stage is a significant N source for inflorescence development in Phalaenopsis. Research also showed that providing ample nitrogen fertilization at all growth stages is essential for optimal flowering.
Agroforestry is key to increasing food production in Africa by replenishing soils, improving biodiversity, and conserving natural resources. By adopting sustainable agricultural intensification techniques, farmers can meet the growing population's needs without degrading the environment.
Crop intensification through agroforestry can improve soil fertility, biodiversity, and water quality, increasing food production in Africa. By reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, farmers can maintain nutrient cycling, organic matter build-up, and ecosystem resilience.
A new national study found that urban lawn care practices vary significantly across cities, despite uniformity in appearance. The research suggests that local climate and social factors play a more significant role than initially expected, requiring tailored solutions to address environmental challenges. Understanding these patterns is...
A worldwide study found that grazing animals can improve biodiversity in over-fertilized grasslands by allowing native plants to compete for sunlight. The study, which analyzed data from 40 sites across six continents, suggests that the removal of fertilizer and introduction of grazing animals can lead to increased plant diversity.
Researchers found that smallholder farmers' investment in microdosing led to improved productivity, with a 30-35% increase in adoption rates after training. Microdosing uses fertilizer more efficiently and has unlocked the power of chemical fertilizers in low-rainfall areas.
A three-year study across five continents found that fertilizer increases grass production but reduces stability, leading to wilder swings in forage availability. This results in fewer species thriving, reducing the overall diversity of grasslands.
A new screening technique assesses environmental and agricultural effects of treated waste used as fertilizer. Researchers found high concentrations of triclosan and three other antimicrobial compounds in biosolids, posing potential ecological threats.
A study published in Global Change Biology found that a growing yield gap in Africa is largely caused by the underuse of phosphorus-based fertilizers. Increasing nitrogen applications could help close this gap, but at a significant cost due to limited phosphorus reserves.
The study found that cyanobacteria in floodplains fixed a significant amount of nitrogen, making it available for plants, unlike previously assumed. This discovery could lead to more accurate models and potentially reduce fertilizer use by utilizing naturally occurring cyanobacteria in soils worldwide.
A study has found that potassium chloride (KCl) fertilization is seldom effective in increasing grain yield and can even lead to significant yield reduction. The research also highlights the potential negative impacts of KCl on soil health, including increased cadmium accumulation and changes in soil physical properties.
A study found that vetch residue management strategies combined with organic fertilizers increased marketable zucchini yield by 46.6% and 38%. The technique of roller-crimper mulch also improved soil moisture and fertility, contributing to better crop quality.
Researchers found that nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops in 1982 still lingers in soil organic matter three decades later, releasing nitrate into groundwater over several decades. This persistence poses a significant risk to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water supplies worldwide.
Scientists evaluated different sources of supplemental nitrogen fertilizer on soil organic matter composition. The results showed that organic matter in soils was heavily influenced by the type of supplemental nitrogen added, with manure-enriched soil having higher amounts of microbial turnover compounds. This study aims to optimize ni...
Scientists evaluated spinach nutrient uptake and water use to improve nitrogen fertilizer management, recommending soil NO3 testing at planting and midseason application. The study found that optimal fertilizer timing and rate can significantly reduce nitrate losses from production fields.
MSU's UAV measures crop health, helping farmers pinpoint problem areas and apply precise treatments. The combination of drone and SALUS model allows for sustainable farming practices.
A government-run clean water program in Beijing has improved water quality and quantity, benefiting millions. Farmers were paid to switch from rice to corn, reducing fertilizer runoff and increasing the amount of water available to city residents.
A team of researchers led by Maren Friesen from Michigan State University is searching for a unique bacterium that can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of oxygen. This bacterium has exceptional properties and could be the key to creating nitrogen-fixing plants, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
An interdisciplinary team will analyze soil, crop, and climate conditions at 75 Midwestern corn farms to identify factors influencing farmers' decisions about environmentally friendly practices. The study aims to reduce water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from corn farming, with results expected to inform policy approaches.
The Gulf of Mexico's 'Dead Zone' grows larger due to increased fertilizer runoff from Midwestern fields, depleting oxygen levels and harming fish and shellfish populations. Advanced solutions like soil-staying fertilizers and genetically modified crops could mitigate the problem.
A six-year University of Illinois study found that continuous corn systems experience a yield reduction compared to corn rotated with soybean, known as the continuous corn yield penalty. The study identified N availability, corn stover accumulation, and unfavorable weather as primary causes of the penalty.
A new study reveals that China's nitrogen emissions increased by 60% annually from the 1980s to 2000s, leading to decreased air quality, acidification of soil and water, and reduced biological diversity. The country's rapid industrialization and agricultural expansion are major contributors to this pollution problem.
Scientists have created a slow-release fertilizer using attapulgite, guar gum, and humic acid, reducing waste and promoting sustainable agriculture. The new fertilizer has been shown to improve soil moisture content, regulate soil acidity and alkalinity, and minimize nutrient loss via runoff and leaching.
Researchers found that fertilizer introduction stimulates bacterial growth, breaking down peat and vital components of the soil, leading to rapid changes in creek morphology and salt marsh retreat. The team's study highlights the devastating impact of nutrient enrichment on coastal ecosystems, threatening cities from storm surges, carb...
A team of scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research is conducting a study to monitor fertilizer runoff and establish management practices for new turf in Central Texas. The study, sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, aims to understand how different fertilization and irrigation methods affect runoff volume and nutrient load.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist has discovered a natural, biodegradable chelating agent called EDDS that can replace existing fertilizers contributing to waterway pollution. The findings support the use of EDDS in floral and nursery crop industries, promoting environmental sustainability.
A Spanish researcher proposes using urine as a CO2 absorbent, producing ammonium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate when combined with olive waste water. The mixture can absorb various grams of CO2 per liter and reduce emissions by 1% in a stable manner.
A team led by Janine Sherrier is using Medicago truncatula to study symbiotic relationships between legumes and rhizobia, with potential benefits for crop production and reducing energy-intensive fertilizer production. This research could help lower production costs and environmental impact.
Researchers developed a modern water treatment plant using rainwater and treated wash water for personal needs. Vacuum sewage systems significantly reduce water consumption and lower costs. The DEUS technology recovers biogas, produces fertilizer, and benefits regions with extreme water shortages
Fertilizer placement in strip-tilled fields causes non-uniform distribution of potassium and phosphorus, affecting whole-field fertility. To address this issue, researchers recommend taking multiple samples outside the fertilizer band for more accurate assessments.
A study by University of California, Berkeley chemists links increased fertilizer use to nitrous oxide rise, a major greenhouse gas contributing to global climate change. The study uses nitrogen isotope data to identify the fingerprint of fertilizer use in archived air samples from Antarctica and Tasmania.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have identified a new maize hybrid that produces ethanol from biomass, potentially offering a more sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The hybrid grows larger and accumulates more stalk sugars than conventional grain hybrids, increasing ethanol output.
The report explores complex consequences of excess nitrogen on ecological communities, human health, and agriculture. Strategies to maximize efficient use of fertilizer and mitigate agricultural sources are also presented.
A recent study found that humans have doubled the rate of nitrogen inputs into global ecosystems since the industrial era, with significant effects on water quality and coastal marine fisheries. The increased nitrogen levels can lead to reduced water quality, economic costs and even impact human sustainability.
Researchers found that strip-till improved nutrient uptake and increased yield in soybeans, but had no impact on yield when fertilizers were applied through broadcast or deep banding methods. Subsurface banding of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers may reduce surface phosphorus levels and offer environmental benefits.
Researchers measured gaseous nitrogen emissions in US lawns, finding denitrification removes excess nitrogen. Nitrogen removals were equivalent to 15% of annual fertilizer inputs, with most retained in lawn soils. The study's results are encouraging but highlight the need for further work on optimal soil management conditions.
Crop sensors outperformed farmers in choosing nitrogen rates for corn fields, resulting in average yield increases of almost 2 bushels per acre. The technology reduced excess N applied by 25% without harming yields, offering a potential solution to environmental concerns about fertilizer pollution.
Fertilizer trees have been adopted by hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in Southern Africa, resulting in doubling of maize yields and significant increases in incomes and food security. The trees' natural ability to draw nitrogen from the air improves water efficiency and reduces soil erosion.
A new study documents the rapid adoption of fertilizer trees by smallholder farmers in southern Africa, leading to significant increases in maize yields and incomes. The approach has improved water efficiency and reduced soil erosion, offering a potential solution to food crises on the continent.
Researchers have published a step-by-step plan to replace environmentally harmful nitrogen fertilizers with genetically altered crops that can naturally process atmospheric nitrogen. This switch could reduce agricultural costs and environmental damage, saving the world $150 billion annually.
Algal turf scrubbers use sunlight to extract excess nutrients from polluted waters, restoring oxygen levels and producing nutrient-rich fertilizer and biofuel. The technology has commercial potential and could help address global phosphorus supplies concerns.
Mycorrhizal fungi can increase plant growth with less phosphate fertilizer, solving a pressing challenge for global food production. Researchers have discovered that using mycorrhizal fungus gel can produce the same yield as traditional farming with up to half less phosphate fertilizer.
Research models suggest that agricultural intensity is the main factor contributing to phosphorus loading in the Mississippi River, while manure and over-fertilization play a lesser role. Phosphorus from human waste also poses a significant threat.
Agricultural companies have shown a stable and profitable performance over the past several years, outperforming the S&P 500 index with an 8.6% market value increase from 2007 to 2011. The top-performing sectors were fertilizer, equipment, and seed and genetic companies.
A major new study reveals that nitrogen pollution is costing Europe around £60-£280 billion annually, more than double the income gained from using nitrogen fertilizers. The report also identifies key threats, including toxic algal blooms, air pollution, and loss of plant diversity.
Researchers at IITA and CIFOR found that widespread deforestation in West Africa's tropical forest region is driven by low-input farming practices. Increasing fertilizer use could have spared 2 million hectares of forest from being cleared, instead promoting sustainable agriculture and higher yields.
Researchers found that low to intermediate rates of chicken litter-based fertilizers produced the highest plant growth index and flower yield. High rates can lead to symptoms like reduced growth, decreased root quality, and fewer flowers.
A new study by Rice University researchers reveals that overfertilizing corn crops for ethanol production can lead to decreased cellulose content in plant residues, making it more difficult to extract ethanol. The study suggests using less fertilizer can improve feedstock quality and alleviate environmental damage.
A new free web-based tool calculates an individual's nitrogen footprint, measuring its impact on the environment and providing recommendations for reducing it. The tool aims to raise awareness about the nitrogen dilemma and encourage people to take action to mitigate its effects.