The extraordinary yield advance within the U.S. Corn Belt over the past century has been a significant agricultural development associated with the breeding of hybrids and increased planting density. A new study examines how the root structure of corn has been one of the key factors in the efficiency of these crops.
Identifying the optimum planting date for soybean is difficult as it varies from year to year, depending on the weather and rain conditions. Dr. Dennis Egli of the University of Kentucky recently published results of an analysis of soybean planting date experiments in the latest issue of Agronomy Journal, determining that there are no consistent advantages to planting early.
New research was conducted studying the transport behavior of different strains of E. coli in an attempt to understand their movement through water supplies. Commonly only a single strain of E. coli is used in these studies, but with research showing that a significant amount of genetic variability exists among various strains, a more detailed study was necessary to advance the early detection of contamination of groundwater environments.
Soil Carbon Sequestration and the Greenhouse Effect: Second Edition, a new book published by the Soil Science Society of America, examines the role of soils as a carbon sink and provides new perspectives as the field of carbon sequestration advances. With continuous increases in the release of greenhouse gases and its effects on climate change, understanding the soil carbon pool is significant in reducing our impact on the atmosphere.
Bryophites are the first plant life to emerge from the water and develop on dry earth, and as such present an important measure in their ability to withstand increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A recent undergraduate biology experiment was developed to further study bryophites, as they could hold a key to helping scientists understand the impacts of increased UVR exposure on crops and other natural plant communities.
Recent research conducted at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada studied the impacts of tillage and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on carbon storage, revealing that the effect of no-till on carbon sequestration can be variable depending on soil and climatic conditions, and nutrient management practices.
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted new research studying the microscopic layer of minerals on tiny sediment grains, finding that the mineral composition of these coatings on sediment grains in the unsaturated zone can have a substantial effect on the retention of nitrate and sulfate, an important discovery for evaluating the long-term effects of agriculture on water quality.
Uranium contamination is a devastating legacy of nuclear weapon and energy development, but new testing has shown that adding organic molecules can positively affect the bioremediation of this uranium, converting it to a solid mineral and sequestering it within the sediment.
Genetic diversity in a breeding program is essential as an insurance against unforeseeable changes in the environment and to maintain genetic progress, and the incorporation of diversity should be planned carefully. A recent study proposed data-driven methods to group breeding programs likely to be compatible for germplasm exchange.
A recent study published in the March-April 2009 issue of Agronomy Journal analyzed whether or not soils that were converted from perennial grasses to the production of bioenergy grain crops would experience loss of soil organic carbon. The researchers found the best method to keep this carbon sequestered is through no-till production.
The rangelands of Iran have one of the world's longest history of agriculture development, but new pressures to feed an increasing population of humans and livestock in the region has taken its toll on the land. A recent study was conducted to determine the most effective method of instructing pastoralists in Iran in ways of preventing further degradation of the land.
With increasing interest in the ways certain food can reduce people's risks for contracting chronic diseases, a new study demonstrates the benefits of dry beans in reducing the risk of contracting mammary cancer, due to their levels of antioxidants and other cancer reducing contents.
Phosphorus can have a significant effect on water quality, entering these water sources in a variety of ways, particularly due to runoff from phosphorus enriched soil. A new study examined the characteristics of phosphorus in soils as a way to understand how it behaves in soils and how it is transported in runoff.
Planting date is probably one of the most important yet least expensive management decisions that significantly affects soybean yield, yet few scientists have studies the effect of early planting. A new article in Agronomy Journal features results of a recent study that examines its benefits for soybean crops.
A recent analysis of soils in the Delmarva Peninsula has shown that two forms of phosphorus are heavily present as a result of composted poultry litter, and two scientists have measured the accumulation of one of these forms from the manure to the crop soils.
"Response of Crops to Limited Water: Understanding and Modeling Water Stress Effects on Plant Growth Processes," the latest book release from the ASA-CSSA-SSSA, confronts issues related to agriculture in areas of low water availability.
A new article in the 2009 issue of the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education describes an innovative research course, titled "Where is Conservation Science in Local Planning?", taught by faculty at three universities through electronic communication. The course focused on local planning policies and practices related to conserving biological diversity.
Scientist's understanding of how soils have responded to decreases in acidic deposition at the regional scale is limited, but a recent study confirms that the acidification of soils in watersheds slows the recovery of aquatic ecosystems, an effect that is threatening the health of forests in the northeastern United States.
With the rising use of residue from corn crops in producing cellulosic ethanol, new methods of tillage and careful application of fertilizer are needed to prevent soil erosion.
New research conducted at Iowa State University led to the successful creation of a detailed Quaternary geological map for the Des Moines Lobe with a user-controlled level of scale, with the results of the research published in the Winter 2008 issue of Soil Survey Horizons.
A recent study examining the development and reproduction of plants and the effects that herbicides can have upon those processes has shown that treating potato plants with low levels of herbicide application can have a detrimental effect on crop yields.
A new tool has been developed that will help measure the rupture resistance of soils by calibrating the correct amount of pressure between a thumb and forefinger of students and soil scientists when studying soils in the field. The measurement is important for accurately assessing the quality and makeup of soils.
A new study details the first European application of two models that simulate the daily flow and dynamics of nitrogen in a watershed, which will help researchers prevent the over-enrichment of fresh, transitional, and marine waters with nitrogen, as well as understand the impacts of environmental change.
A new series of articles details transport phenomena in highly heterogeneous media, which plays an especially important role in hydrogeology because it may govern migration and dispersion of groundwater contaminants from hazardous waste sites.
Researchers have known that the animal feeding industry creates a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and carbon dioxide. As the industry works to address this concern, scientists at Purdue University and the University of Missouri have tested various types of oil sprays to measure their effectiveness in reducing these emissions. The results show positive signs in reducing environmental impact.
The push for alternative energy has created a large demand for corn stover, a popular feedstock used to produce cellulosic ethanol, but utilizing these materials, rather than using it as compost, means a loss of soil organic carbon. Researchers have studied the effectiveness of alternative carbon augmentation practices and have reported positive results, as detailed in the November-December 2008 issue of Agronomy Journal.
Bulk density is an important measurement for soil researches to obtain when determining a soil's quality, and a new three-dimensional laser scanning technique has shown to be an effective alternative to traditional methods, which are often difficult for researchers to perform properly. The results of the study are published in the November-December 2008 issue of the Soil Science Society of America Journal.
The loss of soil organic matter due to poor land-management practice threatens farmlands, and while the use for crop residues as feedstock for biomass ethanol and bio-based products increases, these materials no longer contribute to the health of the soil. Scientist have now developed a method of measuring soil quality to assure an adequate amount of soil organic matter, called the CQESTR model.
The management of stormwater in urban areas is often focused on restoring the hydrologic cycle disrupted by extensive pavement and compacted urban soils, but now a group of researchers have been investigating innovative ways to maximize the potential of trees to address stormwater. The development of structural soil reservoirs may provide new opportunities for meeting engineering, environmental, and greenspace management needs in urban areas.
A recent study looked at the different effects of tillage and rotation practices on peanut crops in the southern United States to determine if the rising trend towards reduced tillage would have an effect on yields and the occurrence of pests. Peanut farmers have thus far been reluctant to incorporate reduced tillage as it has not been seen as a viable practice for this particular crop.
A number of factors are contributing to the declining enrollment of soil science students, and solutions must be discussed by department staff at universities across the nation. The National Academy of Sciences through the National Committee for Soil Science addressed the issue.
Biosolids, a nutrient rich byproduct of sewage produced at wastewater treatment plants that can be applied to land as a fertilizer, has been scrutinized of late for its potential to transport disease-causing microorganisms. A new published study suggests that the pathogen risks associated with biosolids are generally low, as determined by measuring bioaerosol levels at sites where biosolids were applied.
A recognition of outstanding contributions from the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
A recognition of Fellows from the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
A recognition of outstanding contributions from the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
A recognition of Fellows from the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
A recognition of outstanding contributions from the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
A list of awards presented by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) at their Annual Meetings on Oct. 5-9 in Houston.
A recognition of Fellows from the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) as presented during their Annual Meeting on Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX.
The practice of no-till has gained in popularity as it creates a soil less prone to erosion and more rich in organic matter, but a new study raises questions about its influence on net greenhouse gas emissions. While scientists have been documenting the benefits of carbon sequestration in no-till crops, researchers have found that an increased amount of nitrous oxide emissions may offset the benefits of the carbon dioxide sink created, depending on soil type.
A new article details an unprecedented sampling of soils taken from the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field in Union County New Mexico, detailing the dynamic conditions of the soil that was a result of lava flow. The study, published in Soil Surveys Horizon, a journal dedicated to the study of soils in the field, provides the park with practical knowledge of its soils for the future management of its natural resources.
The use of pesticides in the United States has been widespread for decades, and a new study shows the effects they have had as a contaminant in the nation's groundwater. The researchers took samples from over 300 wells and examined different contaminants that have been used over the years, with encouraging results as to the levels of concentration that the samples have measured.
A new article in the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education details methods of determining a soil's texture by feel, an important skill for students of soil science. Soil texture strongly influences the nutrient holding ability of a soil, the amount of water the soil can store, as well as many other properties.
Researchers have discovered that reusing saline drainage water and applying it to salt-tolerant crops in California's San Joaquin Valley can help reduce the environmental impact of excess drainage volumes. The study focused on pickleweed, sold in European markets as a salad ingredients, and its ability to tolerate irrigation with seawater and drainage water with high concentrations of boron.
Sulfur is often overlooked as a nutrient in favor of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but a new book from the Soil Science Society of America explains its crucial role in soil condition, plant growth and nutrition. Sulfur "“ A Missing Link Between Soils, Crops and Nutrition examines the importance of sulfur to crop yield and quality, animal feed value and human diet.
Dozens of papers at the 2008 Joint Annual Meeting, Oct. 5-9 in Houston, TX, will focus on local issues important to Texas and the Gulf Coast, including a session presenting previously unreleased data and imagery of Hurricane Ike from the U.S. Geological Survey.
Recent study results have shown have shown that using nitrogen fertilizer on off-season cover crops can not only increase the biomass of these crops, but can also have a beneficial effect on the nitrogen levels in the soil for the cash crop planted during the summer season. The results could significantly aid in preventing soil erosion in vulnerable agricultural regions.
Researchers have shown that a plot of land on the campus of Auburn University that has been maintained by a century old practice of sustainable farming can produce similar cotton crops to those using other methods. This 110 year old continuous field experiment, called "the Old Rotation", utilizes traditional crop rotation methods and includes winter legumes to protect the soil from winter erosion.
Experts will examine how terrestrial and ocean sequestration of carbon can potentially reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and mitigate global warming. They will also discuss how future changes in carbon policies impact research and the implementation of carbon sequestration programs.
The Smithsonian's design team will explain details about the making of this major exhibition featured at the Natural History Museum. The official Texas state soil, "Houston Black," is featured in the new 5,000-square-foot exhibition in Washington, DC.
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