Soil Science News
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High levels of glyphosate in agricultural soil: ‘Extension of approval not prudent.’
There has been a great deal of discussion about the use and extension of the approval of use of glyphosate as a herbicide. Glyphosate is the most used herbicide in Europe. In 2016 the approval by the European Commission for the use of this agent expired. However, an extension of approval of use is currently being discussed. One of the conditions of this is that the agent cannot have a negative ...
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Chinese space programm use the W.E.T. Sensor to help grow lettuce in space
The multi-parameter W.E.T. Sensor is in use by Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong-2 Space Lab. Tiangong-2, which translates into “Heavenly Palace”, was launched on the 15th of September 2016. This space station is designed to allow Chinese scientists to test life support technologies needed to create a permanently staffed Space Station. Two Chinese astronauts (Jing Haipeng and ...
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Mineral content of soils key to physical and chemical behavior
Many aspects of the physical and chemical behavior of soils are directly related to the minerals present. “This includes shrink-swell behavior, soil structure, availability of nutrients, and the fate of contaminants that enter the soil,” according to Judith Turk, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The “Soil Mineralogy” symposium at the Managing Global Resources for a Secure ...
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Treating citrus greening with copper: Effects on trees, soils
Citrus greening is a major challenge for Florida growers. The disease destroys the production, appearance, and economic value of citrus trees and their fruit. Trees decline and die within three years. Researchers at the University of Florida and other institutions are searching for cures and treatments to reduce citrus greening effects. The “Influence of Foliar Copper Application Rate on ...
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Carbon cycling in forest soils research presented
Just as individual humans have different microbial communities in their guts, the microbial communities living in soils vary from site to site as well. Recent research compared the decomposition rates of wood stakes over eight sites to gain an understanding of soil microbes in forests. The activity of soil microbes can also tell a story of the value of carbon storage in soil. The ...
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Chinese Astronauts Use the WET Sensor to Help Grow Lettuce in Space
Delta-T Devices has revealed that their multi-parameter WET Sensor has been used by Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong-2 Space Lab. Tiangong-2, whose name means “Heavenly Palace”, was launched on 15th Sept 2016, and is designed to allow Chinese scientists to test the life support technologies needed to create a permanently staffed Space Station by 2022. Two Chinese astronauts ...
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Chinese astronauts use the WET Sensor to help grow lettuce in space
Delta-T Devices has revealed that their multi-parameter WET Sensor has been used by Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong-2 Space Lab. Tiangong-2, whose name means “Heavenly Palace”, was launched on 15th Sept 2016, and is designed to allow Chinese scientists to test the life support technologies needed to create a permanently staffed Space Station by 2022. Two Chinese astronauts ...
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Today it is Danube Day
Danube Day is marked each year on the 29th of June, when the 14 countries of the Danube Basin jointly celebrate one of Europe's greatest river systems and the people and wildlife that rely on it. The length of River Danube is 2.888 km and the river connects 100 million people. Read more. Relevant projects Eijkelkamp Soil & Water is contributing to safe and healthy rivers thanks to more than ...
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Mining for answers on abandoned mines
Soil scientist Jim Ippolito believes in local solutions to local problems. The problem he’s working on is contaminated soils near abandoned mines. In the western United States 160,000 abandoned mines contaminate soils in the region. Ippolito, associate professor of soil science at Colorado State University, hopes to solve this problem with biochar, a charcoal-like substance that can ...
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Preserve, promote, and utilise rich soil life
Healthy soil life can contribute to sustainable agriculture which, in addition to ensuring a good yield, keeps diseases under control and generates carbon and nitrogen retention. That is what Prof. Gerlinde De Deyn, Professor holding a personal chair in Soil Ecology, asserted in her inaugural address at Wageningen University & Research on 18 May. Life underground is richer in species than ...
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Healthy soil is essential for a biobased & circular economy
The soil is the ground beneath our feet and the growth place for biomass. For a biobased & circular economy it is crucial to preserve this ‘pantry’ storage function of the soil. This is why Wageningen University & Research is performing dedicated research into various aspects of the soil, such as nutrients and organic material, smarter cultivation systems of a larger diversity ...
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Quality Organic Fertilizers & Soil Amendments at an Affordable Price
Our health starts with our soil. If the soil in our farms and gardens is depleted of life because of chemical and fertilization, the food will be sterile and not healthy. They key to a healthy body, soul, and mind is organically grown food that is full of life. “When the things we put into our bodies are healthy, our bodies are able to utilize the nutrients with very little energy. This ...
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Shaping today’s farmers though smarter additions: Aquaculture - the new addition to mixed farming
Aquaculture production accounts for 30, 000 mt (19%) of fish supply in Zambia, capture fisheries supplies 75,000 mt (47%) and 55,000 mt (34%) from imports (as at 2015). Zambia’s fisheries produce approximately 70,000 metric tons of fish per year, amounting to over 3% of Zambia’s GDP. Over 85% of this production comes from captured fisheries and over 10% from the new implementation ...
By VUKA Group
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WaterVent’s growing success in six years
Incepted in February 2010 (in Berlin WaterVent (acronym of Water and Venture)) is enjoying a steadily increasing brand awareness. Though we notice hundreds of congresses and trade fairs dealing with water issues and subjects organized globally, WaterVent was and is still the only international water technologies (and related nexus) focused forum: minimum 50% of presentations done are setup by ...
By Watervent
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Faster and better breeding of sustainable and healthy quinoa
An international team of scientists, including quinoa breeding experts from Wageningen University & Research, published the complete DNA sequence of quinoa – the food crop that is conquering the world from South America – in Nature magazine on 8 February 2017. Quinoa is rich in essential amino acids and nutritional fibres and does not contain gluten. The crop is important to ...
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Scientific publication in Plant Physiology including WIWAM xy
Although the response of plants exposed to severe drought stress has been studied extensively, little is known about how plants adapt their growth under mild drought stress conditions. Here, we analyzed the leaf and rosette growth response of six Arabidopsis thaliana accessions originating from different geographic regions, when exposed to mild drought stress. The automated phenotyping platform ...
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WIWAM line design and final installation @ VIB
WIWAM line comprises a pot positioning table, consisting of several individual lines, an underlying portal robot, and one or more stations for imaging or weighing/watering activities. The complete system was implemented in an existing growth room, and was designed to optimally fit the available space. Plants are grown in individual pots, which are picked up by the robotic arm at preset time ...
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Writing an equation for soil success
Soil isn’t one size fits all. It may look the same under your feet – but under a microscope, that’s a different story. A plant’s roots, tiny bugs – these things can tell one soil from another quite easily. Soil scientists typically measure different aspects of soil — how much air it contains, how well it retains water, heat, and more — to determine if it ...
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`We need a new approach for better soil`
‘Dutch agricultural soils are not future-proof’ was a widely accepted statement at the final meeting of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Sustainable Soil. Breeders, chain partners, suppliers, the government and the science sector see a gradual deterioration in soil quality and are joining forces within the PPP to find a solution. “It isn’t a simple matter,” says ...
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Soil moisture for crop health topic of symposium
Soil moisture sensing through either contact or remote technology captures soil-plant-water information that relates closely with plant water availability and use. Innovations in remote sensing technologies can inform plant health assessments and more. The “Soil Moisture Sensing for Crop Health Assessment and Management” symposium planned at the Resilience Emerging from Scarcity ...
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