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A cell hidden in the roots of common beans could pave the way for crops that are more drought-resistant and less reliant on fertilisers. Photo: H. Zell Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedH. Zell Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

In bean roots, researchers have identified a previously unknown resource for agriculture

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An American study has identified microscopic hair roots capable of absorbing nutrients and retaining water within the very first days of a plant’s life, thereby improving its chances of survival even in the driest soils
Soybean cultivation, the third leading cause of tropical deforestation, can now be monitored with greater precision. Photo: Pixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication licensePixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license

Tracking soybean to stop deforestation with chemistry and AI

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An innovative method combines chemical fingerprinting and machine learning to pinpoint the origin of soybeans with unprecedented accuracy. A practical tool to support the enforcement of stricter traceability rules
A temporary soybean crop on a rye field in Dallas County, Texas. In the U.S., the area planted with cover crops has exceeded 7 million hectares in recent years, representing a 17% increase in just five years. Photo: NRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 LicenseNRCS/SWCS, Lynn Betts Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 License

For better soil health, cover crops come out on top

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A U.S. study has examined 50 years of best practices: cover crops ensure more consistent effects, while tillage, rotations and drainage show less uniform impacts across different contexts
Peatlands used for paludiculture are home to about three times as many birds as drained grasslands, reaching levels similar to those of natural wetlands. Photo: Melissa McMasters Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedMelissa McMasters Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Adapted farming in peatlands is also good for biodiversity

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Peatlands converted to paludiculture support three times as many birds as drained grasslands, with levels similar to those found in natural wetlands, according to a British study
Insect frass is a natural soil amendment that improves soil fertility and is attracting increasing interest in agriculture. Photo: Angal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedAngal insect Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Insect frass improves soil health and protect crops

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An American study shows how insect frass can increase nutrient efficiency and reduce pest damage in crops, contributing to a more sustainable, circular agriculture
Pesticides have a significant impact on various beneficial organisms in the soil, such as mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes, compromising biodiversity. Photo: Maasaak: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedMaasaak: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Seventy percent of agricultural land in Europe contaminated with pesticides

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University of Zurich findings: seven out of ten crop soils in Europe are polluted with pesticides that have a significant impact on the biodiversity of microbial communities. Fungicides are responsible for more than half of the residues detected
The importance of this technique lies in its applicability to cereal crops, which are fundamental to global food security. Photo: Pixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication licensePixabay Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license

Researchers have turned cereal plants into pollution sensors

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US researchers have developed a genetic circuit that activates upon the presence of contaminants in cereal crops by inducing grasses to produce a visible pigment
The study, which involved the universities of Aalborg and Vienna, is particularly significant for a country with a strong agricultural tradition such as Denmark. Photo: Jane Tierney Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 DeedJane Tierney Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Denmark has mapped national soil microbiome

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The study, which involved the universities of Aalborg and Vienna, holds particular significance for a country with a strong agricultural tradition such as Denmark. The degree of habitat disturbance, the authors explained, affects microbial profiles
The use of heavy agricultural machinery leads to increasing soil compaction. Photo: Mark Stebnicki pexelsMark Stebnicki pexels

Plants use engineering to beat soil compaction

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An international study reveals the engineering mechanisms that allow roots to penetrate compacted soil. A plant hormone plays a key role. The findings open up new opportunities for crop breeding
Plants and microorganisms are essential for mobilizing phosphorus in the soil, but their effectiveness is influenced by many factors. Photo: pickpik royalty freepickpik royalty free

Plant and microorganism biodiversity increases the availability of phosphorus in the soil

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Uno studio cinese rivela i meccanismi che influenzano la capacità di mobilizzazione del fosforo. La fertilizzazione riduce la presenza di elemento assorbibile, la rigenerazione forestale la fa aumentare

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