Posts

Contaminated land in Verdun, northern France. The effects of soil contamination in World War I battlefields are still clear more than a century later. This a precedent that scares Ukraine and global agriculture. Photo: public domainpublic domain

Ukraine will have to deal with war damages to agriculture for a century (at least)

,
Ukraine farmland could suffer the same consequences as the soils of northern France, which are still contaminated with the munitions waste from World War I. A severe problem for the global food supply chain
Forty years after the last survey, China aims to complete its national land census. Photo: olly301 Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)olly301 Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

China will provide an updated soil survey by 2025

,
Forty years after the last study, Beijing aims to complete its land census. While waiting for the data, however, the scenario looks grim. Pollution, erosion and fertility loss remain the main problems
Lack of mechanization remains a widespread problem for Africa. Photo: Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Kabai Ken Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Farmers in Africa bet on tractor sharing

,
The shortage of farm machinery is a well-known problem for Africa. Founded in Nairobi, Hello Tractor is an app that aims to foster cooperation between farmers and equipment owners
Soil is responsible for the production of 95 percent of global food. Photo: James Almond Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Photo: James Almond Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

FAO: “Soil protection is the first response to the global food crisis”

,
Soil is responsible for the production of 95 percent of our food, says FAO during the Global Symposium 2022. But land management is often unsustainable. Without a change of direction, 8 percent of the world's population could still face hunger in 2030
Microbes play a crucial role in maintaining soil balance. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationRawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Microbes are resurging in decontaminated soils thanks to desorption

,
When soil cleaned up through thermal desorption, microbes proliferate again thus helping soil balance, a study has found. Results highlights the overall efficacy of this decontamination technique
U.S. soils devoted to grazing and agriculture are in critical condition as a result of long-term processes. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Climate change is threatening U.S. agriculture, Forbes writes

,
The magazine's examination: U.S. agriculture, as well as livestock, is reckoning with climate and drought. While soil health is of growing concern
India has witnessed an increasing trend of plastic use in agriculture, although the phenomenon is relatively recent. Photo: P. Casier (CGIAR) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) P. Casier (CGIAR) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Mulch films under fire in India as microplastics pollution gets worrysome

,
A study finds the high presence of microplastics in fields where films are used most. The disposal problem in the Asian country remains significant. Concerns over heavy metal contamination
Centella asiatica is one of the tropical plants that have proven most effective in natural remediation practices for contaminated soils. Photo: Rejin Narayanan Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Rejin Narayanan Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Tropical plants provide a solution for heavy metal-contaminated soils

,
According to a study by NTU Singapore twelve plants proven effective in phytoremediation of soils contaminated with cadmium, arsenic, lead and chromium. The findings confirm the potential of nature-based -interventions
Microbes play a key role in providing soil fertility. Photo: JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0JThomas Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike license 2.0

Microbes provide a solution as fertilizers get too expensive

,
War in Ukraine and commodity boom pushes fertilizer prices to record highs: profiting from microbes' properties is a cost-effective solution as investors jump in, writes the Wall Street Journal.
Traditional dance at the Navajo community in New Mexico, USA. Photo: Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Tolka Rover Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Traditional agriculture is good for soil and human health. A lesson from Navajo community

,
Traditional knowledge and modern science: how the Navajo community develops regenerative agriculture while promoting health and food security. A tale by the New Humanitarian