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In addition to economic benefits, the reduced use of nitrogen fertilizer also has environmental benefits. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lynn Betts public domainPhoto: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lynn Betts public domain

Deep soil testing reduces fertilizer spending

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A study from Texas quantified the average savings associated with reducing fertilizer use after soil testing. For a 1,000-acre U.S. farm, it exceeds $130,000 per year
In Guatemala, agroecology is considered a key resource to counter the negative effects of spreading monoculture. Photo: Lon&Queta Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Lon&Queta Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Agroecology schools offer support for farmers in Guatemala

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A crossroad between tradition and modern science, agroecology is spreading among farmers in Guatemala through a training program. This preserves ancient practices and protects soil health
According to the president of the UN Conference on Desertification, Alain-Richard Donwahi, the world may face a particularly severe food crisis sooner than expected. Photo: Racaille1950 Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Photo: Racaille1950 Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

UN official: “A great climate-related food crisis is coming sooner than expected”

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This was stated by the president of the UN Conference on Desertification, Alain-Richard Donwahi. Climate change and poor agricultural practices impacting soil health are crucial factors
Overuse of pesticides in agriculture is a problem for human health. Photo: Zeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Zeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Pesticides do not escape nanosensors. From Sweden a low-cost solution

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Inexpensive nanosensors can detect pesticides in orange juice, explain researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. Experimentation has shown their efficacy and the possibility of massive production
As many as 71 of the approximately 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world's food are pollinated by bees. Photo: Jonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Jonathan Wilkins Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Climate change anticipates bee awakening putting crops at risk

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British study: rising spring temperatures make bees wake up too early. Synchronization between insects and plants is lost and crops are affected. 1°C warming corresponds to an average anticipation of 6.5 days
The application of cover crops under the vines allows the plants and soil protection by reducing the use of herbicides. Photo: ד "ר יהודה מלמד עין הוד Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)ד "ר יהודה מלמד עין הוד Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Cover crops are a sustainable solution for vines

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In vineyards, competition from cover crops can be used to limit the exposure of vines to disease, a study by Penn State University says. In this way the use of herbicides is reduced
The expansion of large-scale agriculture is making the plains of South America more vulnerable to flooding. Photo: Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Andy Abir Alan Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Extensive farming increases flooding in South America

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According to an Anglo-Argentine study, the spread of large-scale agriculture over the last four decades has favoured the rise of water tables in the plains of South America. Substitution of native vegetation has been crucial factor
Secondo la FAO la domanda globale di pellicole in plastica per uso agricolo raggiungerà quota 9,5 milioni di tonnellate nel 2030 contro i 6,1 milioni del 2018. Foto: Florian Gerlach Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Polyethylene mulches leave behind ‘negative effects for decades’

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L’ampio utilizzo delle pellicole da pacciamatura nelle colture di fragole si traduce nella dispersione di micro e macro frammenti di plastica nel suolo. Un fenomeno, rivela uno studio californiano, i cui effetti possono manifestarsi per decenni
According to a British research, the impact of the war could cost Ukraine crop damage for at least a century. Photo: Heulwolf Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Heulwolf Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Ukraine, soil damage already amounts to $15 billion

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La FAO e il programma Alimentare Mondiale hanno lanciato un’iniziativa per sminare i terreni agricoli in Ucraina. Nel frattempo gli esperti lanciano l’allarme sulla contaminazione di guerra
Extreme heatwaves in India put soil productivity at risk. Photo: mckaysavage Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)mckaysavage Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Climate change threatens India’s agriculture and development

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Extreme heat waves, made more and more frequent by climate change, continue in India. Soil productivity is at risk, as is the achievement of growth targets