Articles tagged with Sustainable Agriculture
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A new study finds that urban agriculture can meet and sometimes exceed the yields of rural farms, with certain crops like cucumbers, potatoes, and lettuces producing two to four times higher yields in cities.
Home gardens in Central Asia serve as living genebanks, maintaining a rich diversity of fruit and nut tree species. However, the increasing popularity of foreign varieties poses a threat to local biodiversity, highlighting the need for integrated conservation efforts.
Researchers identified critical success factors for mitigating challenges in the food cold chain, including stakeholder pressure and sustainable investment. The study provides a detailed theoretical framework for developing sustainable business strategies in China.
The study discovered that exposure to dinitrogen pentoxide gas can activate plant immunity and control plant diseases, depending on the type of pathogen. This novel approach utilizes reactive nitrogen species generated from plasma technology, which may contribute to the development of a sustainable agricultural system.
This study explores how Science and Technology Backyards empower smallholders through participatory technology innovation, building continuous trust and promoting sustainable green production. A collaborative tree-shaped diffusion mode enables the spread of technology innovations to different scales.
A study of 3,637 Indian farmers found that COVID-19 disrupted agricultural labor and supply chains, but didn't lead to a significant increase in sustainable farming practices. Despite this, many farmers expressed interest in learning more about sustainable methods.
New research reveals that food production is a major stressor on the planet, impacting biodiversity loss and climate change. The study identifies key interactions between Earth system processes, such as green water and nutrient runoff, which must be considered in designing and implementing sustainable agriculture policies.
Researchers analyzed the impact of continental free trade and agricultural development on Africa's food security. They found that combining both approaches can improve trade balances, reduce hunger, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
A recent study found that microplastics in agricultural soils can cause a decrease in germination rate and changes to seed production, which could have negative consequences for food production. The presence of microplastics also alters soil characteristics such as its structure and microbial communities.
A study by the University of Göttingen and Malagasy universities found that vanilla plantations on fallow land have similar yields to those in forests while increasing biodiversity. This sustainable approach helps smallholder farmers secure their income, highlighting a win-win opportunity for both economy and conservation.
A Cornell University-led study confirms that heat-stressed dairy cows develop gut permeability, leading to reduced milk production. Feeding cows organic acids and pure botanicals can partially restore milk production and improve nitrogen efficiency.
Researchers found that adjusting sowing dates for wheat in eastern India can increase production by 69% while maintaining rice productivity. The study provides new recommendations for rice sowing dates and cultivar types to accommodate earlier wheat planting.
A long-term research project found creating wildlife habitats significantly increased local bird and butterfly populations without damaging food production. The study assessed the effectiveness of agri-environmental measures in reducing biodiversity losses caused by intensive farming practices.
A new study in the Journal of Dairy Science explores labor time-use on Irish pasture-based dairy farms during the busy spring and summer seasons. The research team found that milking was the most time-consuming task, accounting for 31% of farm labor input.
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.
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
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 new study analyzing 30 years of data on four major U.S. crops reveals that soil water-holding capacity is a key factor in managing heat stress due to climate change. Farmers can improve soil health by adding organic matter or using mulch to reduce evaporation.
Research at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz reveals Photorhabdus luminescens can protect plants from fungal infection, colonizing the fungus's hyphae and breaking down its cell wall. This secondary cell form also promotes plant growth and offers new potential for biological crop protection.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that camelina, an ancient oilseed crop, may have been more important and widespread than previously thought, with origins in the Caucasus region near present-day Armenia. The study's findings support breeding programs to improve this crop for biofuels applications, highlighting i...
Researchers discovered three gene mutations that, when combined, allow rice plants to retain more seeds, increasing crop yield. The study sheds light on the emergence of cultivated rice from wild rice plants and its potential applications in improving rice cultivation.
Recent advancements in non-destructive sensors enable real-time monitoring of plant health, allowing for prompt adjustment of environmental conditions to augment crop productivity. The sensors convert plant signals into digital signals, establishing direct communication between plants and growers.
More than 300 EU experts propose changes to the future CAP to protect farmland biodiversity, including direct aids and spatial planning. The new policy should favor attaining environmental targets, encouraging practices that promote biodiversity.
A new design of sustainable cropping diversifications has been established to balance economic, food security, and environmental performances in the North China Plain. The study evaluated 30 crop rotations using PCA and HCA, and employed differential evolution and Pareto optimization models to optimize diversified cropping systems.
Research funded by UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund reveals agroecological practices like agroforestry improve farmers' financial savings, land area, and household assets. Adopting such practices can also enhance food security and wellbeing for smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania.
A study by the University of Córdoba finds that cognitive lock-ins create barriers to adopting sustainable farming practices among farmers. The research suggests that socio-technical settings and the focus on maximizing profit rather than environmental goals contribute to this phenomenon.
Researchers found evidence of wild trees and plants growing near ancient Maya city Yaxnohcah, suggesting the civilization managed their environment prudently. The study suggests the ancient Maya cultivated pine trees for fuel, but also left much of the rainforest intact.
A new study suggests that sustainable irrigation can boost crop productivity to feed 1.4 billion more people, reducing environmental impacts and clearing natural land for agriculture. However, climate change may complicate this calculus, requiring additional research on water management strategies.
A study by UFZ researchers used satellite data and artificial intelligence to determine the land-use intensity of meadows and pastures in Germany. The results show that grassland was used less intensively in 2018 due to drought, with 64% not mowed compared to 36% in 2017.
Researchers at Rutgers University have made a groundbreaking discovery about nitrogen-fixing bacteria in leaf cells, which can provide plants with essential nutrients. This breakthrough has the potential to transform crop cultivation methods, reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use and preserving soil health.
Researchers found that short-term cover crop use cannot reverse decades of soil microbial dynamics in response to unsustainable practices. Long-term fertilization disrupted nitrogen cycling communities, while cover crops enhanced biodiversity but had both positive and negative effects on soil microbes.
A new study finds that climate change will make the U.S. Corn Belt unsuitable for cultivating corn by 2100, highlighting the need for significant agricultural adaptations, diversification and a shift towards more sustainable farming practices.
The study found that intercropping with herbaceous crops, such as purslane and broad beans, increases nitrogen and organic carbon content in the soil, reducing erosion and run-off. Economically, intercropping can lead to increased production costs but also potential profits for farmers.
A new study suggests that a transformative shift in the global food system, focusing on efficiency and reducing animal products, could significantly decrease emissions. However, such changes might lead to increased food prices, affecting vulnerable populations.
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.
The Mekong delta, Southeast Asia's most productive agricultural region and home to 17 million people, is at risk of disappearing by the end of the century due to subsidence. Sediment loss from upstream dams and poor water management exacerbates the issue, threatening food security and livelihoods.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
Researchers found that diverse landscape compositions with faba beans led to higher bumblebee densities, increased pollination success, and higher bean yields. Short-tongued bumblebees stole nectar more frequently from faba beans when there was a high proportion of faba beans in the landscape.
A study by the Diverfarming project found that long-term compost application improved soil bacterial community complexity and communication, increasing nitrogen fixing potential and reducing emissions. This highlights the importance of using compost in sustainable agriculture, which can reduce fertilizer and pesticide use and create mo...
A Stanford University team developed a solar-powered technology to improve the quality and quantity of dried agricultural produce, increasing incomes for smallholder farmers in India. The equipment boosted prices by 14-22% compared to traditional open-air sun drying methods.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, that can efficiently release phosphate from its organic forms. This discovery has potential to help reduce the consumption of phosphate chemical fertilisers and promote sustainable agriculture.
Vertical farming enables crops to be grown in vertically stacked layers, conserving land and allowing for multiple harvests per year. This method can significantly reduce water requirements and chemical crop protection, while increasing yields through optimal growth conditions and technologies.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in controlling bacterial nitrogen fixation by cereals, enabling them to produce their own ammonia fertiliser. This development has the potential to reduce reliance on industrially produced ammonia-based fertilisers and mitigate environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new breed of honey bees has been developed through selective breeding to resist the Varroa mite, a major threat to global honey bee populations. The 'Pol-line' bees showed a two-fold increase in colony survival compared to standard varieties, with significantly lower mite numbers and reduced viral transmission.
Researchers at NC State University developed a new textile crop cover called Plant Armor that can effectively protect plants from insect infestation. The design features a maze-like structure that forces insects to navigate through it, making it difficult for them to reach the plant.
A new study assesses wastewater infrastructure in 129 countries to explore community-wide health indices using Wastewater-based Epidemiology (WBE). The technique detects factors influencing health, including disease biomarkers detectable in wastewater.
A new study reveals that leafcutter ants employ complex strategies to maximize the growth of their fungal
Researchers developed an estimation strategy to maximize accuracy while minimizing cost of soil carbon sampling, leveraging publicly available data. The new approach reduces the number of samples needed by up to 28% compared to random selection.
Researchers from around the world have developed new breeding tools to help potato breeders adapt their crops to a changing climate. The collaboration identified useful traits, such as local adaptability and climate flexibility, in wild varieties of potatoes, which can be used to cut down on the time and cost of developing new cultivars.
Researchers used machine learning to predict the most important factors underlying heavy metal pollution remediation in biochar-treated soils. Biochar nitrogen content and application rate were found to be the most crucial features in determining HM immobilization, with soil properties also playing a significant role.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
The John Innes Centre researchers identified the role of the signaling protein CaM2, which regulates calcium channels and shapes calcium signals. This led to accelerated calcium frequency, earlier signaling with bacteria, and enhanced root nodule symbiosis in engineered legume roots.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder finds that customized training and technical assistance can help Brazilian cattle ranchers sustainably increase their production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The program resulted in a significant impact on carbon sequestration and emissions, equivalent to reducing CO2 emis...
A new study led by UMass Amherst finds that human-caused erosion in the US Midwest has lost nearly double the average sustainable rate, with plowing identified as the major culprit. The team's research estimates that the region has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since farming began 160 years ago.
A new study found that re-wetting drained peatlands can support bird diversity and sustainable oil palm farming without affecting yields. The research suggests restoring peatlands can conserve biodiversity and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
The African BioGenome Project aims to sequence the genomes of Africa's endemic plants, animals, fungi, and protists. This will build resilience in breeding, sustainable food systems, and biodiversity conservation, aligning with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health warns that heat stress on cattle could lead to financial losses of $15-40 billion annually by the end of the century. This would particularly affect producers in tropical regions, including South America, Asia, and Africa.
Researchers at Colorado State University are developing an RNA-based method for controlling herbicide-resistant weeds using gene-silencing technology. The goal is to create a non-genetically modified, shelf-stable spray that targets specific strands of RNA in weed cells, leaving crops untouched.
Researchers at the University of Seville conducted a study on deficit irrigation for Sunchocola tomatoes, finding no significant changes in commercial quality but increased carotenoids and phenolic compounds. The results have significant nutritional importance and potential for global irrigation water savings.
Using insect exoskeletons and feces to promote sustainable crops could enhance plant growth, health and resilience. Insect-rearing byproducts may also act as pest control agents.