Articles tagged with Agricultural Chemistry
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a method to reduce nitrates into compounds that can be reused as fertilizer or recycled. The method uses an iron complex and hydrogen bonding to break down nitrate into nitric oxide and ammonia.
Researchers found that over 145 teragrams of phosphorus have been applied as fertilizer since 1866, with only 52 teragrams remaining in cropland soils. The US could exhaust its domestic phosphorus supply within 40 years, making recycling and circular pathways crucial to meet growing food demands.
Irrigated mountain hayfields act as large filtration systems, reducing nutrient concentrations in runoff and improving water quality. This study found that voluntary adoption of best management practices can effectively mitigate the impacts of agricultural nutrient use in mountain meadow hay systems.
A UTEP researcher has developed a simple, low-dose leaf spray that can substantially reverse the damage caused by salty soil on tomato plants. The treatment pairs manganese oxide nanoparticles with chitosan and has been shown to increase shoot weight, root growth, and antioxidant enzyme activity in stressed plants.
Researchers at University of Missouri develop natural colorants from purple corn, showing stability and durability in various environments. The anthocyanins, rich in antioxidants, offer a viable path for food companies to create cleaner labels without sacrificing performance.
A team of researchers developed a method to control powering down catalysts, improving carbon dioxide conversion without loss of performance. The approach reduces costs by about 25% and enables reliable operation with intermittent renewable electricity.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
European researchers warn that EU Commission's draft legislation on pesticides weakens key safeguards, increasing risks to biodiversity and human health. The proposed reforms could lead to indefinite approval of active substances without periodic reassessment.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a water-based pesticide formulation that outperforms conventional methods in delivering agricultural pesticides. The new solution uses nanostructured cellulose nanocrystals to stabilize pesticide droplets without chemicals or solvents.
Researchers have discovered that marigold flower proteins have excellent emulsifying, hydrating, and antioxidant effects, making them suitable for nutrient-enriched food formulations. The study found that marigold proteins stayed stable up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit, outperforming other plant proteins in terms of structure retention.
Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have discovered a new way to fight potato late blight, a plant disease that once triggered the Irish Potato Famine. The peptide CS5 specifically attacks Phytophthora infestans without harming other plants.
Researchers developed liquid biochar mineral complex fertilizers that significantly increase crop yields and improve nutrient efficiency. The nitrogen-enriched formulation delivered the strongest results, achieving positive nitrogen and phosphorus balances while reducing labor and cost.
Researchers developed a natural, biodegradable wash that removed up to 96% of pesticide residue from fruit and slowed browning and moisture loss. The coating also showed antimicrobial effects and added nutritional value.
Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.
A study published in the Journal of Apicultural Research found that combining a widely used mite-killing pesticide with an agent inhibiting its tolerance can effectively control varroa mites. The new treatment increases amitraz's killing power by 50% and shows promise for developing novel synergists to target these destructive mites.
A new study reveals that current pesticide use trends fall short of the 50% reduction target by 2030, threatening global biodiversity. The research team analyzed global pesticide data and found significant increases in applied toxicity, driven by higher amounts applied and growing toxicity of active ingredients.
University of Houston engineers have discovered that melatonin helps plants grow by adjusting biological processes to coincide with daily cycles. The hormone also enhances photosynthesis and improves stress tolerance in crops.
A new study found that black carbon formed during wheat straw burning can significantly reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil and soybean crops. Black carbon altered nutrient availability, modified the physical and chemical aging of mulch films, contributing to reduced gene transfer.
Researchers found that linear isomers of PFOS accumulate more in fish-eating birds and tissue, whereas branched isomers dominate wastewater and benthic fish. This suggests that consumers eating bottom-dwelling species may be exposed to higher levels of PFAS.
A new international study published in Insect Science offers a more complex picture of insect populations. High-flying migratory insects have remained largely stable over nine decades, but agricultural pests are on the rise, posing a persistent threat to food security.
A new study analyzing soils across Kansas found that the legacy effects of soil microbes can have significant impacts on plant growth, particularly for native species. Researchers discovered that plants grown with microbes adapted to specific local conditions performed better under drought conditions, suggesting a potential source of g...
Researchers from Kyushu University have identified a potent compound, 2Z-decaprenol, in the leaves of the Manchurian walnut tree that inhibits weed growth. The discovery could pave the way for a new class of sustainable herbicides.
Researchers create novel compounds that kill bacteria in a new way, reducing the risk of side effects and environmental harm. The compounds have been shown to be effective in preventing bovine mastitis without affecting milk quality.
Abel's projects aim to create locally specialized environments for enzymes, reducing energy consumption and increasing production efficiency in biomanufacturing processes. His lab will also develop modular metabolic reaction networks, combining components to efficiently build new biomanufacturing processes.
Researchers identify pesticide toxicity as a major concern, while PFAS accumulation poses long-term environmental risks. The study advocates for reducing the number of chemicals produced and used to ensure regulatory control over their impact on humans and the environment.
A new study reveals the rules of protein tolerance to dehydration and rehydration, identifying key traits such as surface chemistry and function. The research enables novel protein design and potential applications in biotechnology, including extended shelf life for therapeutics and food.
Researchers found that short-term alperujo storage (3 months) improves compost yields and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Phenolic compounds are efficiently removed, making the final product safer for fields.
A new study warns that PFAS, used in products since the 1940s, persist in soil, water, crops, and livestock for decades, accumulating in edible plants and livestock. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to immune system suppression, liver and kidney toxicity, hormone disruption, and certain cancers.
A new study by Environmental Working Group found that consuming certain fruits and vegetables can increase pesticide levels in people's bodies. The study suggests that everyday food choices can drive significant pesticide exposure and highlights the need for safer food systems.
Bionema's innovative bio-based pellets use Loline alkaloids to deliver a safe, sustainable solution for controlling slugs and snails in crops. The project is expected to generate £50 million in the UK and £100 million globally by 2035.
Researchers have developed a promising strategy to tackle soil pollution using element-doped biochar. The approach involves enhancing plain biochar with elements like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus to improve its ability to stabilize heavy metals.
A recent study by Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich shows that extremely dwarf wheat has a less favorable gluten composition than semi-dwarf or tall wild-type wheat. This can lead to poorer baking properties. Environmental conditions also play a significant role in shaping gluten composition.
Researchers developed a new test to measure calcium digestibility in poultry feed, reflecting results of an older method, and found that both tests offer reliable results. The study's findings could help poultry producers optimize feed efficiency and reduce losses by millions of dollars.
A Northwestern University study discovered that organic matter enhances soil's ability to retain water, even in desert-like conditions. Carbohydrates form bridges between organic molecules and soil minerals, locking in moisture that would otherwise evaporate.
A team of researchers found that co-cultivating common bean plants with fragrant bush basil increases the expression of a key gene in plant defense mechanisms, reducing egg-laying activity of agricultural pests. This natural pest control method uses VOCs emitted by bush basil to attract beneficial insects and trigger plant defenses.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a scalable and safer method to generate hydrogen fluoride, eliminating the need for pressurized HF gas and corrosive liquid reagents. The new fluorinating complexes can be used for pharmaceuticals, functional materials, and molecular probes.
Researchers have discovered biological triggers of oil production in oats, which will help processing and drive demand for Australian-grown oats. The study identified key enzymes involved in oil synthesis, which could be genetically manipulated to lower oil content.
Agricultural systems scientist Bruno Basso's research at Michigan State University provides a dynamic baseline approach to measure climate benefits in agricultural carbon markets. The study evaluates both soil organic carbon sequestration and nitrous oxide emissions, offering a comprehensive assessment of net climate impact.
A new tool allows researchers to probe the metabolic processes of key citrus crop, clementine, to improve yields, flavor, and nutritional value. The comprehensive genome-scale model captures Citrus clementina's metabolism with exceptional accuracy, enabling simulating economically-relevant scenarios.
Research suggests that nine commonly used pesticides in viticulture have significantly underestimated environmental impact, with half-lives exceeding two days and potential for long-range transport.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Preliminary research suggests that climate change can lead to a reduction in nutritional quality in food crops, with potential devastating consequences for human health. The study found that elevated CO2 levels and hotter temperatures can exacerbate this decline, particularly affecting essential proteins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Researchers enhance rubisco's catalytic efficiency by up to 25 percent using directed evolution, a technique that speeds up the process. The goal is to improve crop yields and boost photosynthetic rates in plants.
New research reveals that chlorothalonil, a widely used fungicide, severely impacts insect reproduction and survival in fruit flies, even at low concentrations. The study found a 37% drop in egg production with minimal exposure.
A recent study published in Science found that only a small fraction of potentially environmentally relevant chemicals are monitored. The researchers analyzed large datasets to assess the environmental risks of highly toxic chemicals, highlighting the limitations of current chemical monitoring.
A new study reveals how nanoparticles can interfere with photosynthesis in plants, reducing their ability to convert sunlight into food. The research team found that nanoparticles undergo changes in pH and pick up lipid coatings from plant membranes, boosting their binding to RuBisCO and impairing its function.
The study develops a stochastic dynamic programming model that accounts for cumulative effects of cover crops on soil fertility, uncertain future prices, and irreversibility of sunk machinery costs. The findings suggest a threshold level of soil fertility above which it is optimal to adopt cover crops, favoring no-till practices.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have made strides in removing selenium contamination from water using iron electrocoagulation, a process that generates iron-containing solids with large surface areas to bind selenium. The method removed more than 98% of selenium by flowing through an iron reactor for 11 seconds and se...
Researchers have discovered a way to enhance wheat plants' sugar signalling ability, increasing yields by up to 12%. The new technology uses a Trehalose 6-phosphate pre-signalling molecule to activate the pathway for starch synthesis, leading to increased photosynthesis and grain filling.
Researchers found that pathogenic bacteria like Pseudomonas syringae produce glycosyrin, a molecule that blocks plant immune surveillance. Plants have evolved countermeasures to strip away sugars from flagellin, but this bacterial strategy disrupts these defenses and creates conditions favorable for bacterial growth.
A new edible biofilm developed by Brazilian researchers extends the shelf life of strawberries by up to 11% while preserving their freshness, taste, and aroma. The film, made from pomegranate peel extract and natural polymers, acts as a barrier to microorganisms, moisture loss, and gas exchange.
Avelino Corma, John Hartwig, and Helmut Schwarz received the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for their fundamental advances in catalysis. They have improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in various industrial processes through their innovative catalysts.
A team from Tokyo University of Science developed a novel trivalent platform for triple click chemistry, allowing for the efficient synthesis of complex compounds. The approach utilizes simple initial materials and promotes sustainable pharmaceutical synthesis.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
Researchers found that the presence of a fungus increases the pH of the soil, promoting growth of beneficial bacteria. This interaction could lead to sustainable agricultural practices by harnessing microbial interactions to combat plant diseases.
This study analyzed soil VOC levels and their correlation with soil physical properties, ionome, microbiome, metabolome, and rhizosphere chemicals. The results reveal that soil VOC profiles can be reliable indicators for evaluating soil health in agricultural environments.
Recent research highlights the multifaceted potential of chestnut tannin in various sectors, including its use as a replacement for antibiotics in animal feed and as a biostimulant and biofertilizer in agriculture. The compound's high biological activity is attributed to its ortho-phenolic groups.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh mapped nitrogen losses county by county, finding high spatial disconnects between where beef is eaten and where nitrogen impacts are felt. This disconnect results in people living far from the area where their beef was produced experiencing negative environmental effects.
A comprehensive study reveals that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are increasingly added to US pesticide products, contaminating waterways and posing potential threats to human health. The study found that pesticides containing PFAS are widely used in staple foods, flea treatments for pets, and insect-killing sprays.