Articles tagged with Organic Farming
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A study of European farmers' protests reveals a wide range of concerns including environmental regulations, which differ between countries. Farmers in Germany criticized bureaucracy, while French farmers focused on financial pressures, Belgian farmers expressed a broad mix of concerns, and Dutch farmers voiced dissatisfaction with policy.
Researchers found that carefully managed applications of woody biochar significantly improved soil quality, crop yield, and carbon balance in red pepper fields. Optimal biochar application levels ranged from 7 to 11 metric tons per hectare when crop residues were removed after harvest.
A new study finds that rewetting peat soils with biochar reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 18% and improves crop yields. The addition of biochar further decreases emissions, while stabilizing soil carbon and promoting a diverse microbial community.
A new study found that long-term biochar application can sustainably boost crop yields by 10.8% and cut greenhouse gas emissions like methane and nitrous oxide by 13.5% and 21.4%. Biochar's benefits on soil health and carbon sequestration are also significant, with increased soil organic carbon content by 52.5%.
A new study by Texas A&M University is tracking the health effects of living in an agrihood community, where residents have access to a working farm and green spaces. The study aims to measure changes in physical activity, nutrition, and social connectedness among participants.
New research from the University of the Witwatersrand finds that puff adders can increase their food consumption by up to 12 times during rodent outbreaks, outperforming traditional mammalian predators. This natural solution could significantly reduce crop damage and support sustainable farming practices in Africa.
Research by NIOO-KNAW reveals that less intense farming practices, such as reduced ploughing and increased grass-clover mixtures, can improve soil health and multifunctionality in both conventional and organic agriculture. This approach, known as 'productive de-intensification,' aims to retain crop yields while enhancing soil functions.
A new study confirms copper-based fungicides as a reliable solution for aerial stem rot in potatoes. The research found that copper fungicide treatments consistently slowed disease spread and improved yields over a 10-year period.
Farmers in Kansas and Missouri avoid discussing climate change, even if they hold convincing views or skepticism, due to concerns about potential conflicts and damage to their livelihoods. Many rely on social media cues to gauge others' opinions before initiating conversations, rather than traditional news media.
A new study found that adding green-synthesised iron nanoparticles (G-nFe) to pig manure neutralises bioavailable copper, reducing environmental risks. The process reduces exchangeable cooper by 66.8%, carbonate-bound copper by 47.5%.
Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have found that adding biochar to chicken feed can significantly reduce campylobacter levels in free-range chickens. The study, published in Poultry Science, demonstrates an 80% reduction in campylobacter and suggests a potential tool for improving public health.
A recent study reveals that smaller arable fields and organic farming are crucial for maintaining high pollinator diversity in calcareous grasslands. The research team found that these factors significantly increase the abundance of flowers, nesting sites, and various wild insect species, particularly endangered ones.
A new COF sensor can detect pH changes in plant xylem tissues, providing early warning of drought stress up to 48 hours before traditional methods. This technology enables timely detection and management of drought stress, optimizing crop production and yield.
Researchers at Penn State found that Indigenous communities played key roles in the adoption and dispersal of peaches across the continent. Peaches were likely widespread across Interior Southeast settlements as early as 1620, 100 years after Spanish expeditions in Florida and Georgia.
Three interconnected projects will address complex food system challenges through education, research, and practical application. The projects aim to foster a learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, preparing students for careers in agriculture.
A team of researchers found that the use of microbial biofertilisers and algae-based biostimulants can significantly enhance both the yield and quality of organic tomatoes. The treatments improved processes like nutrient absorption and stress tolerance, supporting overall crop performance.
The Purdue-led TOMI project aims to improve the sustainability of tomato production in Indiana through data-driven research. The team has developed new breeding techniques that promote beneficial microbial relationships between tomatoes and soil microorganisms.
Researchers harvested climate-smart soybeans in a $5 million USDA project aiming to reduce GHG emissions while increasing crop production. The crop was grown using five climate-smart practices, including earlier planting and soil conservation.
A new study by MLU and UG found that organic farming, flower strips, and semi-natural habitats improve bee health. Organic fields had the greatest impact, reducing parasite infestation and boosting colony growth.
A new study from the University of Maryland suggests that boosting urban soil health with compost and treated manure can reduce the amount of harmful bacteria. The research found that amended soils had lower levels of antibiotic-resistant strains and more beneficial bacteria.
A study in São Paulo state found that peer-to-peer certified organic farms had an average of 58.8 organic items, while conventionally certified farms had only 22.2. This greater diversity includes native and medicinal species, contributing to a more sustainable and biodiverse organic farming system.
Research reveals native plants and non-native crops attract pests that spread diseases, causing harm to both plant populations. The studies also found viruses transmitted from crops to wild plants, which can have devastating effects on native ecosystems.
The US food system is dominated by industrial agriculture, which perpetuates global challenges like food insecurity and biodiversity loss. Agroecology offers a solution, prioritizing ecological and social sustainability without sacrificing one for the other.
A University of Bonn study found that leaving some weeds between crops helps combat pests. Intercropping with wildflowers also attracts beneficial insects, making it harder for weeds to grow and pests to infest the field. The study suggests tolerating residual weeds as a farming practice.
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 extensive, unfertilized grasslands promote biodiversity and soil protection, while pastures and meadows provide cultural services. The study suggests a combination of different grassland types is necessary to sustain all ecosystem services.
A study at the University of Bonn found that organic barley developed specific gene variants less sensitive to nutrient deficit or water scarcity. Conventionally farmed barley became more genetically uniform over time, while organic barley remained heterogeneous.
A researcher will study how plants defend themselves against nematode infections, which could lead to novel drugs or antibiotics for humans and livestock. The project aims to increase food security in Africa and Asia by understanding the molecular mechanisms behind plant resistance.
Researchers evaluated different pig farming systems, finding that none performed well across all four areas: land use, greenhouse gas emissions, antibiotics use, and animal welfare. However, some individual farms did excel in all domains, highlighting the potential for trade-offs to be minimized.
Research found that organic farming significantly affects pesticide use in neighboring fields, with benefits for both organic and conventional farmers. Clustering organic fields together can provide the most benefits by concentrating pest control benefits to organics and reducing costs to conventional fields.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science found that rose essential oil increases the transcript levels of PIR1 and PIN2, key plant defense genes, in tomato plants. The study also showed that REO reduces leaf damage caused by pests and attracts beneficial predators to protect against herbivores.
A standard quality test for raw organic milk is insufficient to distinguish between specific groups of bacteria, highlighting the need for updated criteria at processing plants. Distinguishing between non-sporeforming and spore-forming thermoduric bacteria is crucial to reducing troubleshooting time and improving milk quality.
Researchers at UH are expanding research knowledge and building a new curriculum for students to address climate change impacts on food crops. They aim to improve plant growth and build resistance against extreme weather events, such as droughts and heat waves.
A study published in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture proposes a framework to characterise the unique properties of cacao beans in the Buenaventura region. The research highlights the benefits of establishing Denominations of Origin for cacao, including higher market prices, cultural preservation, and sustainable practices.
Ravi Neelipally, a PhD student at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, is investigating organic wheat-soybean double-cropping systems. His research aims to develop management practices that combat misconceptions surrounding organic farming's productivity and profitability.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $1.6 million to Emory University researchers to develop predictive models for farmers to adapt to climate change in Georgia, Iowa and Ohio. The project aims to create a public online tool to explore possible futures of agriculture at regional and state levels.
Research shows bat activity decreases when farms switch to organic agriculture, with a potential time-lag before benefits for the environment emerge. The findings suggest that organic farming can have detrimental effects during the transition period, highlighting the need for careful management.
Leading academics argue that rewilding and organic farming policies risk worsening global biodiversity by reducing food production and driving up imports. In contrast, land sparing involves boosting farm yields in farmed areas to make space for nature reserves, promising more effective and sustainable biodiversity gains.
A new review of research suggests that applying biochar to agricultural fields can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide and methane. The study found that biochar can store carbon in stable forms for thousands of years, making it a promising technology for achieving negative emissions.
A new scoring system assesses pig welfare through a range of measurements, including health problems and environmental interactions. The system enables comparison across different types of pig farming and informs decisions about farm sustainability.
A study found that high winds increased Campylobacter prevalence in outdoor chicken farms, with 26% of individual chickens infected. Farmers are advised to consider windbreaks and monitor weather patterns to reduce exposure.
A $5 million grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service supports a Climate-Smart Sustainability Certificate program for small-scale farmers. The program aims to improve crop production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon removal.
A study by the University of Bonn has confirmed a significant reduction of methane emissions in slurry by 99% using calcium cyanamide, a long-standing fertilizer. This additive suppresses microbial degradation processes, resulting in lower greenhouse gas production during long-term storage.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
Researchers have discovered licorice leaf extract as a potent bactericide and fungicide, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic pesticides. The extract modulates plant immune responses to pathogens and acts against resistant oomycetes, making it a potential solution for naturally controlling plant diseases.
Researchers are using AI to assess soil datasets and measurements, aiming to build an automated data-driven decision support system for European soils. The goal is to create an effective soil health certification system that can be used by farmers, landowners, and policy makers.
West Virginia University researchers, Ember Morrissey and Kinsey Reed, are working with private farms to diversify forage species and improve soil health. The project aims to increase economic gains for farmers while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Researchers have launched five projects to investigate the impact of pollution on UK rivers, which fail to meet good ecological status due to pollutants like chemicals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. The projects aim to improve water quality, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change.
Research found that air pollution from diesel exhaust and ozone significantly reduces the reproductive success of parasitic wasps controlling aphids on oilseed rape plants. The pollutants alter plant chemistry, attracting a specific wasp species more successfully.
The study focuses on reducing insects and pathogens that threaten crops, with manure serving as a potential solution. Researchers will investigate the most effective ways to apply manure to improve soil health and plant resistance to insect pests.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are investigating maize roots for organic and regenerative systems to optimize carbon storage, resource use efficiency, and productivity. They aim to develop corn varieties that provide ecosystem services even under changing weather scenarios.
A new study by Cornell University reveals that larger organic farms use fewer sustainable practices than smaller ones. Larger farms are more likely to use efficiency-boosting agroecological practices, but less likely to adopt environmentally friendly methods.
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.
A study by researchers at Göttingen University and the Centre for Ecological Research found that organic farming is more effective in promoting wild bee populations than conventional fields with flower strips. The findings suggest that considering both yield and area of land is crucial when evaluating agri-environmental measures.
A new project led by INRS will assess how living organisms respond to reduced pesticide use, focusing on soil and water health. The study aims to provide a clear understanding of the benefits and limitations of reducing pesticide use in sustainable farming.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
Researchers will test inexpensive techniques to increase asymbiotic nitrogen fixation, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive certified organic fertilizers. The project aims to provide evidence for a cheap, effective, and sustainable form of nitrogen for organically managed crops.
A German study reveals that glyphosate and dozens of other pesticides are spreading through the air for miles into national parks and cities. The analysis was published in a peer-reviewed journal and shows that agricultural toxins like glyphosate are classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organisation.
Researchers have developed ultrathin sensors that can monitor plant health without harming them, providing a promising solution for sustainable farming. The sensors use bioimpedance measurements to detect physiological changes in plants, enabling farmers to optimize water, light, and nutrient supply.
A Russian team has created a groundbreaking vertical farm that can produce high-value crops like seed potatoes on an industrial scale. The innovative facility utilizes state-of-the-art technology, including dynamic LED lighting and automated irrigation systems, to achieve six harvests per year and increase productivity by tenfold.