Organic farming of herbaceous crops produces less greenhouse gas emissions

Organic farming recycles local plant residues and compost to fertilize soils, whereas conventional agriculture uses mineral fertilizers that are mined then transported over long-distances. Therefore organic farming should emit less greenhouse gases. However the lower yields of organic farming may compromise the emission balance on a product basis. Agronomists Aguilera et al. observed that emissions from herbaceous crops in Spain were lower under organic farming both on an area basis and on a product basis, with the exception of rice due to higher methane emissions.

 

Polysaccharides as safer release systems for agrochemicals

Agrochemicals such as pesticides are used to protect crops and ensure food production. However, conventional formulations of agrochemicals contaminate the environment due to a lack of efficiency. Alternatively, polymers such as polysaccharides can be used to coat the active substance, thus decreasing its toxicity and delaying its release over several days. Moreover, when added to the soil, polysaccharides form hydrogels that improve soil structure, and store water and plant nutrients. The use of polysaccharides are reviewed by Campos et al.

 

Why medicinal and spice plants produce more active substances under drought ?

Medicinal plants grown under drought stress produce much higher amounts of active substances thas the same plant species cultivated with sufficient water. This phenomenon was so far poorly understood. In a literature review, plant scientists Kleinwächter and Selmar deduce for the first time that a modification of the photosynthetic apparatus under drought stress is responsible for higher yields of medicinal substances. Such knowledge can be applied to enhance the production of spice and medicinal plants by applying moderate drought stress during cultivation.

 

Homeopathic drugs to protect sisal plants

Sisal is a major economic crop in the Bahia state of Brazil. Sisal production is decreased by the infection of the red rot disease caused by Aspergillus niger (picture). Current control methods are not effective, and there is a need to invent sustainable treatments as alternatives to toxic pesticides. Gama et al. tested homeopathic drugs to control red rot. Homeopathic drugs are substances used at very low levels, similar to human disease treatments. Results show that homeopathic drugs reduced disease severity.

 

Why crop productivity is low in developing countries?

In many developing countries crop productivity is low. Many factors could explain this issue, but actually there is no successful, systematic method to identify those factors in order to solve the productivity issue. A literature review by Kraaijvanger et al shows that there are three categories of methods based upon either farmer control and opinion, or scientist control and opinion, or scientist control and farmer opinion. Methods were tested  in four localities in northern Ethiopia.

 

Fast growing trees for sustainable bioenergy

The global energy demand is predicted to grow more than 50% by 2025, inducing possible adverse effects on climate due to increasing atmospheric CO2, a greenhouse gas, from fossil fuel burning. This issue can be solved by replacing fossil fuels by renewable fuels such as trees. The use of trees such as poplar, eucalyptus, salix, paulownia (photo), and black locust has many advantages such as allowing multiple harvests, revitalizing local economies, promoting energy self-sufficiency, and reducing environmental problems. Scientists Durán et al. show the benefits of short-rotation tree plantations for the bioenergy sector.

 

Unexpected decrease of cereal production in half of the world nations since 1961

It is commonly claimed in the scientific literature that the world food production has highly increased since the start Green Revolution. However there are still millions of undernourished people in the world. To make a precise assessement for all countries, scientists Liu et al. reviewed the historical trends of cereal production, pesticide application and fertilizer application from 1961 to 2010. They found that cereal production in 38% of countries and yields in 47% of countries either stagnated or decreased from 1961 to 2010. Countries showing decreasing yields are mainly located in Africa, South America and West Asia.

 

Less carbon emissions of wheat-maize intercropping under reduced tillage in arid areas

Global warming is partly due to intensive monoculture farming that burns soil carbon into carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, which is then transferred to the atmosphere. Alternative agriculture pratices are therefore needed to preserve soil carbon. Agronomists Hu et al. found that wheat-maize intercropping with reduced tillage and stubble mulching decreased carbon emission by 10% and increased yield by 11% compared to conventional tillage.

 

42% maize yield increase using natural biochar organic fertilizers

Biochar is a black solid created by pyrolysis of biomass such as crop residues and other agricultural waste. Research on Terra Preta soils in Amazonia suggest that biochar could improve soil properties and crop yield. However, we know little on the performance of mixture of biochar and fertilizers under European conditions. Glaser et al. performed field experiments in Northern Germany. They found that biochar addition to mineral fertilizers, biogas digestate or compost increase maize yield from 20 to 42%. Their findings demonstrate that biochar-fertiliser combinations have a better performance than pure fertilizers, in terms of yield and plant nutrition.