Range of climate, soil forming factors and geologic history created arid southwest
Researchers at The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation are working to harness the power of endophytes. The initiative, Forage365, aims to help farmers provide livestock with year-round grazing.
Educational videos released this week by the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) celebrate the International Year of Pulses (IYP), as designated by the United Nations. Pulses--dry beans, peas, and lentils--are an important crop for a sustainable agronomic future. The videos are the latest in a series of informational offerings by CSSA celebrating IYP.
Good soil, water and environmental factors cannot overcome poor seed quality
What is the first color that comes to mind when you envision soil? Is it brown, black, yellow, or red? How about white, gray, green, or blue? The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) September 1 Soils Matter blog post explains that of these answers are correct depending on where you are from! It is true; soils come in an incredible range of colors.
A modest but versatile crop, cowpeas may provide an answer to demands on grower resources—and international appetites.
Agronomists, and crop and soil scientists to meet in Phoenix this November
Pulses, and in this case dry peas, are a flexible crop with many benefits. They work well for growers when rotated with other crops, delivering long-term benefits to the soil. They are wide adaptable for various rainfall zones. And, this new research shows they can even be planted in fall, a time when growers often have time for field work.
A few strains of wild soy are able to fight the kudzu bug by limiting the ability of its nymphs, or young, to survive. The next step is to identify which gene gives the soybeans this defense mechanism.
Cover crops offer many choices, many benefits
A survey of university turf students regarding social media use and attitudes suggests ways to increase student engagement.
Excess nitrogen from agricultural runoff can enter surface waters with devastating effects. Algal blooms and fish kills are a just a couple of possible consequences. But riparian buffer zones – areas of grasses, perennials, or trees – between farmlands and streams or rivers can help.
The soils in which we grow food needs to be fed—and fed the right nutrients! The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) August 1 Soils Matter blog post explains how soils change over time and use, and how precise soil nutrition can make a difference.
Researchers develop an affordable way to monitor rivers and stream flow, 24/7, using open source products.
Research comparing pastures with multiple types of plants to those with less variety shows surprising results in land productivity and soil health.
Researchers begin collaboration on research as a result of 2013 Fukushima symposium
Erosion, human activities challenge beach ecosystems
Researchers reduce the amount of nitrogen that moves downstream from fields with woodchip-filled trenches, bioreactors. Bacteria that live in them neutralize the nitrogen threat to downstream waters.
Researchers look into the practice of alley cropping, planting long-term tree crops alongside short-term cash crops, for sustainability.
Summer is a time for beach fun! As you head out to the beach this holiday weekend, consider what secrets lie within the glistening beach sand! The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) July 1 Soils Matter blog post explains the many roles beach sands play in keeping ecosystems running.
A recent study has compiled and analyzed data from 25 previous studies. Researchers honed in on factors that influence how much ammonia dairy barns emit.
Knowing what physical traits a plant has is called phenotyping. Because it is such a labor intensive process, scientists are working to develop technology that makes phenotyping much easier. The tool is called the Phenocart, and it captures essential plant health data. The Phenocart measures plant vital signs like growth rate and color, the same way a Fitbit monitors human health signals like blood pressure and physical activity.
Antibiotics and manure. You probably don’t think of them at the same time. But across North America, manure and antibiotics often share the same pile. Researchers find out how quickly antibiotics delivered in animal feed break down in manure applied as fertilizer to fields.
Cities face challenges with stormwater, because the asphalt and concrete don’t absorb the water like the soils found in rural areas. But, the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) June 15 Soils Matter blog post explains that there are many things urban homeowners can do to help keep water out of stormwater systems. Homeowners can enhance soils’ natural ability to clean and capture water.
As you read this, a NASA satellite orbits around planet Earth, gathering data on — of all things — soil moisture. By using numerous instruments here on Earth, researchers are helping NASA determine the accuracy of its Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, satellite. At the same time, they are working to ensure the methods and instruments they are using on the ground are also comparable.
Planting nitrogen-fixing crops, such as peas, in rotation with wheat crops can dramatically reduce the variability of farmers' income with a high-yield, high-protein harvest.
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) June 1 Soils Matter blog post explains that biosolids are actually one of the most scientifically studied products for use in agriculture and home gardens. And they are being used to fix industrial sites – and used productively in home gardens as well!
Most U.S. homes are full of familiar household products with an ingredient that fights bacteria: triclosan. Most of the triclosan is removed in waste water treatment plants. However, a U.S. Geological Survey found the antibacterial in nearly 58% of freshwater streams. What does that mean for the food and soil irrigated with water from streams?
The recent NAS report on genetically engineered crops aligns with statements from Agronomy and Crop Societies: Scientific research overwhelmingly shows GE crops are safe and pose no significant health or environmental risks.
Once the world's largest steel working mill, Steelworkers Park in Chicago has become the proving grounds for rehabilitating unforgiving slag with biosolids and dredged sediments.
In the basic water cycle, water falls on the land in some type of precipitation (rain or snow). It either is soaked into the ground or runs off into a body of water – storm water or natural. Eventually, it returns to the atmosphere. But the story about water movement in soil is complex. Soil scientists call this topic “soil hydrology.” The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) May 15 Soils Matter blog post explains how soil texture, soil structure, and gravity influence water movement.
Researchers in Brazil found the teamwork of intercropping improved soil qualities and diversified farm income.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) sent ten students to the PanAfrican Legume Conference and World Cowpea Conference in Livingstone, Zambia. CSSA is celebrating the International Year of Pulses (IYP) to promote pulses -- crops of dry beans, peas, and lentils.
Conservation farming techniques can maintain crop yields and at the same time protect against soil degradation. Researchers practiced the tenets of soil conservation while growing pulses over a 12- year-experiment.
pH of soil affects the soil health – and your plants’ health, too
A team of researchers examined the impact of intellectual property protection of seeds in a new study. They found intellectual property protection benefits both plant breeders and society.
Cows in Brazil might start bellowing "leguuume" rather than "moo." Researchers there found tree legumes in a silvopastural system provide an important and affordable source of nitrogen to replenish the soil.
Speakers from the forefront of the scientific and production-based issues of industrial hemp
How soil testing is done in the future may change to include microbial content
New field research measured how far common bacteria—including Salmonella and E. coli—are likely to travel downwind from manure application sites. Proper spacing can ensure food safety.
Research shows extraordinary commitment to science and soil physics and support of soil physicists
Pruning, watering and planting steps for long-term success
Taking time to make a proper hole and a little pruning can earn you healthier plants
Most of us think nothing of rainfall or where it goes, unless it leads to flooding or landslides. But soil scientists have been studying how water moves across or through water soil for decades. Daniel Hirmas, a professor at University of Kansas, and his team may be taking the study of “soil hydrology” to some exciting new territory. Territory that may help soil scientists manage water resources better.
Umcompacted sides and soil lead to more robust plants
Healthy soil is the foundation for a healthy America
Researchers use satellite imagery and elevation data to better understand where an endangered plant grows, saving time, labor and money. They can also identify potential new habitats.
Researchers recently released 40 varieties of early-flowering sorghum bred for use in cooler, more temperate areas. These early-flowering varieties of sorghum are critical for the spread of the crop to more new locations.
Chemical use can leads unhealthy soil, fertilizer getting in watersheds, etc.
Common blight is a devastating bacterial disease. It greatly reduces the yield and quality of bean crops across the world. Conventional breeding techniques can be used to generate cultivars of common bean that are resistant to the common blight. But it remains challenging to breed cultivars of common bean that combine the desired high yield and quality with resistance to diseases.
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