Articles tagged with Sustainable Agriculture
A North Carolina State University study shows that yam seeds wrapped in a biodegradable paper made from banana fibers and cardboard grow larger and more abundantly than those without the paper. The 'wrap-and-plant' method also reduces post-harvest loss by minimizing nematode pest effects.
Scientists have created a non-destructive method to detect and differentiate gibberellins, a class of plant hormones crucial for growth. The new nanosensors can identify changes in GA levels across various plant species, enabling early interventions against salinity stress.
A new study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign demonstrates an approach for integrated capture and conversion of nitrate-contaminated waters into valuable ammonia using a single electrochemical cell. The device shows significant enhancements in energy efficiency, nitrate removal, and ammonium production rate compared to ...
Research suggests that tropical tent web spiders can eat a devastating pest moth of commercially important crops like tomato and potato. The spiders' ability to form groups and create large webs makes them effective biological control agents.
A $10 million USDA grant will help increase the production of seafood in the Midwest, which is healthier and more sustainably produced than land-based foods. The project aims to promote aquaponics and reduce reliance on imported seafood, which can be affected by volatile markets and environmental issues.
An international research team from the Global South emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in tropical ecology and conservation. They suggest ten actions for researchers living in the Global South to improve their inclusivity and participation in international research collaborations.
A new study from researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that community gardens and urban farms support incredibly high levels of plant and animal biodiversity. These gardens also provide numerous ecosystem services, including pollination, carbon sequestration, and food production, while increasing human well-being.
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 at the University of Turku found that reducing pesticide pollution and harvesting intensity can increase crop yields and contribute to climate change mitigation. By optimizing carbon sequestration and storage in soils, farmers can improve plant resilience and productivity, while minimizing environmental harm.
A new study by the University of Göttingen found that alley-cropping agroforestry significantly improves ecosystem functions, including carbon sequestration, habitat creation, and soil protection. In contrast, open grassland systems did not show significant changes in ecosystem function after conversion to agroforestry.
A Cambridge-led consortium has received $35m to engineer plants to utilize naturally occurring micro-organism interactions, enhancing nutrient uptake and increasing crop yields. This approach aims to revolutionize smallholder farming in sub-Saharan Africa and provide a sustainable solution for food production.
Small-scale octopus fisheries offer a sustainable source of food and income to communities facing food insecurity, providing essential micronutrients like vitamin B12, copper, iron, and selenium. This approach can facilitate sustainable production and catch methods that are less environmentally harmful than industrial fishing.
Expanding seaweed farming could reduce demand for terrestrial crops and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2.6 billion tonnes per year. The study identified millions of available hectares of ocean suitable for farming, with the Indonesian EEZ showing great potential.
Researchers have discovered a way to produce limonoids, a family of valuable chemicals with potential as bee-friendly insecticides and anti-cancer drugs. By identifying the enzymes required for production, they can now use host organisms to create these compounds in a more sustainable way.
A comprehensive study found that up to 82 percent of Berlin's vegetable demand could be met locally if all available land was used for urban gardening. Investing in water and human resources would be crucial for this production, with a total investment cost of 753 million euros required.
Researchers at the University of Reading are working on a £2 million project to increase UK-grown faba beans in bread, improving nutritional quality and sustainability. The 'Raising the Pulse' project aims to encourage farmers to switch wheat-producing land to faba bean for human consumption.
Researchers developed a novel strategy to engineer root nodule symbiosis in legumes and cereals using nanobodies. This approach, tested in barley and Lotus plants, initiates nodulation by bringing receptors together, revealing the core complex involved in symbiotic signaling.
Pulses are a nutritious and climate-friendly superfood that Europeans are not fully aware of or utilizing. A study by Katharina Henn reveals low consumption in Europe, with Denmark at the bottom and Spain leading the way. The solution lies in building European traditions around pulses rather than relying on meat-like substitutes.
Researchers found that nitrified urine fertilizers, such as Aurin and CROP, can be used safely and productively in agriculture. The study tested these fertilizers on cabbage cultivation, with results showing yields comparable to conventional fertilizer products.
University of Queensland researchers have found a way to more efficiently convert sugarcane into isobutanol, a chemical used in fuels, plastics, and food additives. The cell-free method produces at least 10 times the amount of isobutanol as traditional methods, offering higher yields and more control over the production process.
A study of 226 agricultural experiments found that intercropping resulted in higher protein levels and more productive systems than monocultures. The research revealed that intercropping requires 19% less land to produce the same amount of grain, making it a promising strategy for sustainable global food production.
A study by the University of Illinois Agroecosystem Sustainability Center provides new insights for quantifying cropland carbon budgets and soil carbon credits. Researchers found that high-accuracy SOC concentration measurements are needed to quantify a cropland carbon budget, but current publicly available soil datasets are sufficient...
Scientists at Aston University are developing processes to capture low-cost energy from rice straw, with the goal of powering Indonesia's households and reducing air pollution. The project aims to increase energy extraction from rice straw from 35% to 70%, providing a sustainable source of locally generated energy.
Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate carbon-neutral production of nitrogen fertiliser, finding a transition is possible and may increase food security. However, alternative methods have advantages and disadvantages, with the key to success likely being a combination of approaches.
Researchers propose alternative fertilizer production methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but emphasize the need for careful environmental assessment. The global food supply depends on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which require significant energy and lead to carbon pollution.
The EU project SHOWCASE has issued its first policy brief providing concrete research-based recommendations on how to trigger an uptake of nature-positive farming systems that reinforce biodiversity. Policymakers can take five specific actions to support agricultural products from biodiversity-enhancing farming systems with subsidies.
Researchers found that red light is more efficient for growing plants while blue light is better suited for solar energy production. This breakthrough could guide global interest in agrivoltaics and identify potential applications for those systems.
Researchers analyzed over 4,500 documents to understand fungal dispersal across spatial scales. They identified four scales of movement, from microscopic to landscape, and found that climate change affects where fungi reside. More data is needed to understand the biodiversity of fungi and their movement in ecosystems.
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 at KAUST have discovered a key protein that acts as a master switch for plant immunity, suggesting a simpler way to develop more resilient crops. The protein, OXI1, triggers the production of immune-promoting molecules, but its overactivity can harm plants.
A new study reveals that the US Midwest has seen a significant increase in cover crop adoption, with 7.2% of cropland being planted with cover crops in 2021. This is attributed to government programs and funding initiatives, which have been shown to strongly correlate with the onset of cover crop assistance.
Researchers identified methane inhibitors and dietary changes that can decrease emissions with no negative effect on milk production. Increasing digestible forage intake or using the red macroalga Asparagopsis taxiformis may also be effective mitigation strategies.
The European Union's H2020 SHOWCASE project has launched an open access collection in the Research Ideas and Outcomes journal, providing a comprehensive overview of its work and development. The collection showcases the project's synergy between agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, highlighting its contributions to transp...
Researchers develop CRISPR-Cas systems associated with transposons to rewrite large chunks of DNA in organisms like E. coli. This expands the CRISPR toolbox for flexible genome editing and has significant implications for therapeutics, biotechnology, and agriculture.
Researchers at Drexel University have conducted a lifecycle analysis of nitrogen reclamation from wastewater, showing that it's technically viable and could help reduce the environmental impact of fertilizer production. The study suggests air-stripping technology can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater, producing fertilizer chemi...
A new report showcases perennial rice strains that can thrive in various climate conditions, offering labor and cost savings for farmers. The research emphasizes the need for large-scale localization of perennial rice to tailor it to local climates, with potential applications in Africa and other regions.
Researchers developed disease-resistant maize genotypes for smallholder farmers, increasing safe yields and reducing aflatoxin contamination. The findings offer a promising strategy to protect food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study finds that seafood farming's growth rate has already peaked in 1996 and is now declining, requiring rebuilding of wild fish stocks to meet future demand. Without this approach, relying solely on aquaculture could lead to a global seafood shortage by 2030.
Stanford researchers found that dams could store over 50% of water needed for crop irrigation, but emphasize alternatives like small dams and recharged groundwater systems as more environmentally friendly options. The study aims to increase food security without depleting water stocks or harming nature.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have successfully modified a plant protein to increase vegetable oil yield. By improving the binding affinity of WRI1, the team was able to enhance oil accumulation in seeds by 15-18% under laboratory conditions.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
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.
Scientists from the University of Johannesburg identified ten times more volatile signal compounds from the bacteria, boosting plant growth and protection. Rhizobacteria can protect crops from abiotic and biotic stresses by producing valuable VOCs that trigger Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) in plants.
A team of scientists has discovered that repurposing CO2 from building exhaust as a fertilizer can help plants on rooftop farms grow larger and healthier. Studies found that spinach grown next to the vents had four times the biomass of controls, while corn also showed significant growth advantages.
A recent study from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT shows that tricot, a citizen science approach for on-farm experimentation, generates agricultural data via local organizations in Central America. The approach enables farmers to contribute their time and land, reducing trial costs and increasing applicability.
Marine aquaculture systems can provide a nutrient-rich alternative to terrestrial agriculture, reducing ecological impact and freshwater usage. Microalgae-based aquaculture offers high protein content and micronutrients without land or water requirements.
A new study sheds light on the leaf traits and productivity of C4 bioenergy crops, revealing distinct niches in the leaf economics spectrum. The research found that miscanthus and sorghum, two C4 plant species, have higher photosynthetic rates and nitrogen use efficiency than common C3 plants.
A 20-year study found that selectively bred rainbow trout need less feed to achieve the same growth, reducing environmental impact. The fish also achieved similar nutritional quality when fed a locally produced, soy-free feed.
A study found that counties with more land enrolled in the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program have lower average concentrations of particulate air pollution. This is due to reduced nitrogen compounds and dust emissions from decreased agricultural activity and increased vegetative cover.
Researchers at the University of Exeter are developing a genetic tool to analyze lobster population genetics and connectivity, trialing aquaculture technology for sustainably farming lobsters in The Bahamas, and devising a policy for future sustainable exploitation.
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.
A UMass Amherst researcher is developing an eco-friendly drift reduction agent using essential oils derived from food waste to reduce pesticide use, while also creating a potentially scalable process for plant-based seafood that mimics the texture of fish meat.
A new database quantifying cropland phosphorus budgets around the world helps identify nutrient management gaps in different regions. The study provides valuable insights into phosphorus management challenges and opportunities in various countries, shedding light on how to improve global phosphorus use efficiency.
New research from the University of Surrey finds that plant-based food sales increased by 57% during Veganuary, yet meat sales remained unchanged. The study suggests that retailers have a crucial role in promoting healthier, sustainable diets, but more needs to be done to reduce UK's reliance on meat.
A new study by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln suggests that Brazil can increase its soybean production by 36% by 2035 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 58% and eliminating deforestation. The strategy involves intensifying crop yields, growing a second crop on soybean fields, and raising more cattle on smaller pastures.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
The University of Illinois has received a $30 million investment from USAID to develop soybean value chains across Sub-Saharan Africa. The project aims to remove last-mile obstacles to technology adoption, including seed, productivity-improvement, and credit issues.
A One Health approach is vital for sustainably feeding a growing population expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. The approach balances the health of people, animals, and ecosystems to optimize net benefits from plant protection.
A three-year project led by Vijay Joshi aims to overcome challenges in organic spinach production, including nutrient acquisition and abiotic stresses. The research will focus on developing varieties with improved nutritional profiles and exploring the role of beneficial microbes.
The African Plant Nutrition Institute, Fertilizer Canada, and OCP Africa have signed a MoU to collaborate on agriculture development programmes that target sub-Saharan rural farmers. The planned interventions will see an improvement in food-security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through joint programming, shared learning, and...