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Compost from organic waste can cover 21% of the nutrient demand in urban soils with a strong cut in environmental impact. Photo: Oh-Barcelona.com Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedOh-Barcelona.com Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Compost can be an alternative to chemical fertilisers in urban agriculture

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Compost made from organic waste could replace 21% of industrial fertilisers used in urban agriculture, says a study by the University of Barcelona UAB
Women produce up to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries but account for less than 20 per cent of those who own land. Photo: AMPLED, UNCCD Press OfficeAMPLED, UNCCD Press Office

Despite inequalities, women are forefront against drought

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The UNCCD-FAO Report: "Women are most vulnerable to drought but are also at the forefront in developing solutions to the problem." They produce up to 80 per cent of the food in developing countries, but represent less than 20 per cent of landowners
Even a small improvement in the ability of fields to retain carbon can be significant for the global agricultural sector. Photo: pixabay Free for use under the Pixabay Content LicensePhoto: pixabay Free for use under the Pixabay Content License

Biodiversity of crops promotes carbon sequestration

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In barley fields, the application of other crops promotes increased carbon sequestration by modulating the relationships between microbes, the University of Helsinki has found
A field study in China found a 9.3% increase in wheat yield in eight years thanks to regenerative agriculture. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Conservation agriculture is stronger than climate change

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Chinese study shows how conservation agriculture improves productivity under warming conditions by increasing carbon input and stimulating microbial growth
In fields surrounded by trees, the presence of hoverflies is more than 30 times higher than in cultivated areas surrounded by meadows. Photo: Jean and Fred Hort Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedIn fields surrounded by trees, the presence of hoverflies is more than 30 times hPhoto: Jean and Fred Hort Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Trees around cultivated fields increase crop yields

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According to a Canadian study, the presence of trees increases the number of insects that contribute to pollination and the fight against crop pathogens
The crystal structure of graphene. Thanks to their many properties, nanomaterials can be used in a variety of applications. Photo: AlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedAlexanderAlUS Attribution - Share Alike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

Nanomaterials offer a solution for groundwater remediation

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A group of Indian researchers used cellulose-coated nano-zerovalent iron particles to successfully clean up chromium-contaminated water
Degraded soil promotes ‘hidden hunger’ that occurs when food quality does not meet nutritional requirements Photo: USDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 DeedUSDA NRCS South Dakota Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed

‘Stop land degradation or we will face health risks,’ say activists ahead of COP29

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Land degradation poses a global threat to human health, activists recall as the UN Climate Convention in Baku approaches. In the US, 95 per cent of land at risk
Invertebrates are crucial for maintaining soil health and providing key ecosystem services. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredImage: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

For soil invertebrates, pollution is a worse threat than climate

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A meta-analysis of more than 600 studies shows that pollution is the most critical factor for the conservation of soil invertebrate biodiversity
In drier rice fields the amount of arsenic is reduced but the amount of cadmium increases. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredpxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Irrigation of rice fields impacts on metal uptake

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A University of Delaware study highlights the impact of water supply in determining the concentration of arsenic and cadmium in rice plants. But the mechanism is complex and a solution is yet to be found
In addition to combating pathogens and promoting biodiversity, rice cultivation reduce land subsidence. Photo: Damien Boilley Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedDamien Boilley Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Rice cultivation helps protect soil health

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Cultivating rice in sugarcane fields protects soil moisture and counteracts pathogens. From Florida, the story of a successful agricultural practice