agriculture soil News | Agriculture XPRT

Soil compaction, the invisible threat to agriculture.

Subsurface densification of the soil occurs when the load-bearing strength of the soil is exceeded. In the layer just beneath the plough, densification can occur; this plough sole begins at a depth of about 30 cm. Over time, the soil will lose its structure and its pore will disappear. This threat might be invisible from the surface, but it can be measured! Disrupting water management In case of ...

Jan. 28, 2018

By Eijkelkamp Soil & Water

Alternative agricultural practices combine productivity and soil health

The progressive degradation of useful soils for agriculture and farm animal husbandry is a growing environmental and social problem, given that it endangers the food safety of an increasing world population. This fact prompted the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development – Neiker-Tecnalia – to design a series of research projects in order to evaluate alternative agricultural ...

Jul. 29, 2009

By ScienceDaily

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 ...

Oct. 15, 2017

By Wageningen University and Research Centre

Agricultural Bacteria: Blowing in the Wind

It was all too evident during the Dust Bowl what a disastrous impact wind can have on dry, unprotected topsoil. Now a new study has uncovered a less obvious, but still troubling, effect of wind: Not only can it carry away soil particles, but also the beneficial microbes that help build soil, detoxify contaminants, and recycle nutrients. Using a powerful DNA sequencing technique, called ...

May 8, 2012

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Soil scientists in Afghanistan

As part of USDA’s effort to support the Afghanistan military campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Natural Resources Conservation Service–National Soil Survey Laboratory (NRCS-NSSL), working in partnership with the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) developed an agreement to sample soils; teach local nationals about soil and water conservation, soil sampling, and techniques for ...

Jan. 11, 2010

By American Society of Agronomy

Sustainable agricultural partnerships

American Business Conferences will be hosting its 4th in the global series of Sustainable Agriculture Summits in San Francisco on 10-11 August. This established forum where incisive and detailed strategies on how to measure and reduce water and carbon impacts throughout the agricultural supply chain is quickly filling up due to the exceptional value building qualities the summit promotes. ...

Jul. 15, 2010

By CSRwire - Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire

Sustainable Agriculture to Promote Biodiversity

• Biodiversity affects key ecosystem services, such as the primary production of food for humans and the rest of nature, plus the recycling of nutrients and water. • One hectare of land contains a lot of biodiversity in the soil – equivalent to the weight of one cow of bacteria, two sheep of protozoa, and four rabbits of soil animals such as earthworms. The INSPIA* project is ...

May 1, 2014

By European Crop Protection Association (ECPA)

Agriculture Compost and Water Quality Intersections

A more defined connection between compost, soil health, and water quality is vital for inclusion in predictive watershed modeling and consequently, nutrient management plans. ...

Dec. 31, 2018

By BioCycle Magazine

Scaling up conservation agriculture in Zambia

The European Union (EU), FAO and the Government of Zambia launched a four-year, €11 million programme to increase crop production and productivity of over 300 000 small-scale farmers by promoting practices based on conservation agriculture. The agricultural production of smallholder farmers in Zambia is most affected by soil degradation, high-input prices, poor produce markets and poor ...

Jun. 17, 2013

By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Rediscovering sound soil management

At the same time that demand for food is soaring along with the world’s population, the soil’s ability to sustain and enhance agricultural productivity is becoming increasingly diminished and unreliable. Fortunately, it’s not too late to restore our soil resources. What it will take, say the editors and contributors to a new book, Soil Management: Building a Stable Base for ...

May 9, 2011

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

World Soil Day hails symbiotic role of pulses to boost sustainable agriculture

Soil and pulses can make major contributions to the challenge of feeding the world's growing population and combating climate change, especially when deployed together, according to Soils and Pulses: Symbiosis for Life, a new report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization released on ...

Dec. 4, 2016

By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Diversifying crops `could green African agriculture`

The biodiversity of crop fields could be key to a greener revolution in Africa, where ecosystems are degrading and crop yields are stagnating, says a study conducted in Malawi. African farmers could halve their fertiliser use and still get the same yields, the study found, with less year-to-year variation in yields and with as much as 70 per cent more protein in grains — by simply rotating ...

Dec. 13, 2010

By SciDev.Net

Plant and soil scientists assemble

More than 3,500 scientists, professionals, and students presented their latest research and discussed emerging trends in agriculture, energy, climate change, environmental science, and related issues at the 2009 Annual Meetings of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), Nov. 1-5 in Pittsburgh, PA. The meeting’s ...

Nov. 8, 2009

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Soil exhibition inspires

With an estimated 2 million visitors and 4.3 million hits on the interactive website, “Dig It! The Secrets of Soil” demonstrates the ability of inspiration to channel interest into an exciting, but sometimes confusing science. The lessons of “Dig It!” are now available to inspire the next steps in soil education. Inspiration, rather than teaching, guided the design of “Dig It! The Secrets of ...

Apr. 12, 2010

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Agriculture: the unlikely earth day hero

Rising temperatures, erratic weather, population growth, and scarce water resources - along with growing civil unrest and skyrocketing food prices - are putting unprecedented stress on people and the planet. For over 40 years, Earth Day has served as a call to action, mobilizing individuals and organizations around the world to address these challenges. This year, Worldwatch Institute's ...

Apr. 17, 2011

By GLOBE SERIES

New - SM300 moisture sensor - soil moisture content + soil temperature

The new SM300 is a precision sensor that measures volumetric water content and soil temperature. It can be used in all soil types and is suited to applications in research, horticulture, agriculture and irrigation. Research grade accuracy ± 2.5% (%vol) Excellent performance in mineral, organic and saline soils Easy to use The SM300 has strong measurement rods that minimise soil ...

Apr. 29, 2010

By Delta-T Devices Ltd.

Experiment demonstrates 110 years of sustainable agriculture

A plot of land on the campus of Auburn University shows that 110 years of sustainable farming practices can produce similar cotton crops to those using other methods. In 1896, Professor J.F. Duggar at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama (now Auburn University) started an experiment to test his theories that sustainable cotton production was possible on Alabama soils if ...

Oct. 1, 2008

By American Society of Agronomy

Keeping a pulse on the soil

Leaving behind stubble is not ideal when shaving, but it’s a good practice to leave behind crop “stubble” after harvest. According to soil scientist Frank Larney, crop residue anchors the soil against wind and water erosion. Avoiding bare soils is one part of a soil conservation package he and his research team demonstrate in a 12-year experiment growing pulses in southern ...

May 3, 2016

By American Society of Agronomy

Manure runoff depends on soil texture

Research has documented the rise of nutrient runoff from flat agricultural fields with high rates of precipitation that adds nitrates and phosphates to waterways. These nutrients increase the amount of phytoplankton in the water, which depletes oxygen and kills fish and other aquatic creatures. While injecting animal manure slurry into the soil has been proven to be an effective way of reducing ...

Mar. 17, 2011

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

Congressional briefing: climate change and agriculture

Event Wednesday June 16 on Climate Change and Agriculture: Food and Farming in a Changing Climate Experts to discuss climate change impacts and agricultural adaptation strategies. What: Briefing on agricultural adaptation to climate change, featuring presentations from experts in the fields of agriculture, climate change, and economics. ...

Jun. 10, 2010

By Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)

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