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AI-based soil analysis enables more efficient and sustainable use of fertilizer. Photo: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPhoto: pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Artificial intelligence can reduce fertilizer use, UK researchers say

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Artificial intelligence allows to predict the trend of nitrogen levels in soil, avoiding fertilizer overuse and related environmental damage according to Imperial College London
Bioherbicides will be the industry that will drive the global growth of the broader biopesticide market between now and 2025. PHOTO: Pixabay.

Biopesticides, a 4.5 billion dollar market

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The forecast is contained in an analysis carried out by the research company Technavio. The expected average growth rate is 17% on a five-year basis. To push the biopesticides sector the negative sides of conventional products of chemical origin in environmental and health terms, in addition to the spread of organic agriculture
The excessive use of plastics in agriculture poses a threat to soil health and biodiversity. Photo: Asian Development Bank General Photos: People's Republic of China Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Photo: Asian Development Bank General Photos: People's Republic of China Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

“We need a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution”

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Plastic pollution emergency: Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF ask for UN action. Common rules, international coordination and circular design of products are needed to curb the contamination of oceans and soil
In 2021 deforestation in the Amazon reached its highest level in 15 years. Photo: GRID-Arendal resources library, Riccardo Pravettoni Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)GRID-Arendal resources library, Riccardo Pravettoni Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Soya moratorium fails to curb Amazon destruction

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Deforestation in the Amazon reaches new highs as soya crops can still indirectly cause it, pushing farmers to give up their land and look for new spaces in the region, says Greenpeace investigation
Fungi play a crucial role in storing organic carbon within the soil. Photo: MaxPixel CC0 Public Domain Free for commercial use Link referral required https://www.maxpixel.net/Tiny-White-Micro-Fungi-Nature-Spheres-Round-Wood-4733086MaxPixel CC0 Public Domain Free for commercial use Link referral required https://www.maxpixel.net/Tiny-White-Micro-Fungi-Nature-Spheres-Round-Wood-4733086

Carbon keepers fungi are the soil secret weapon against climate change

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Soils with higher amounts of fungi release less CO2, University of Zurich finds. A major discovery for the study of new solutions in the fight against climate change
The biointensive method aims to maximize agricultural yields at a lower input of resources. Photo: Elina Mark Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Elina Mark Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

In Spain biointensive method proves successful as yields increase 81%

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A study from Spain: Biointensive gardens experience higher yields, lower water consumption and increased carbon sequestration. Creating an effective solution to desertification
Cassava is a key component in the diets of hundreds of millions of people in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Photo: Tadekwiki Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Tadekwiki Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Phosphorus and liming benefit cassava and ensure food security, researchers say

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Actions to reduce soil acidity and increase phosphorus availability boost cassava crop yields, one of the basic food components for hundreds of millions of people
A soil sampling operation. The survey, which also involves Colorado State University, is focused on the interactions between grazing, soil and the carbon cycle. Photo: courtesy of Francesca Cotrufocourtesy of Francesca Cotrufo

Grazing land, hidden treasure: “Adaptive grazing management helps climate and soil”

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A research on the interactions between livestock, soil and the carbon cycle was just launched in the US. Francesca Cotrufo (Colorado State University): "We are already working at global scale, market participants have realized the importance of the issue". Carbon is crucial, "but accurate calculation methodologies are needed".
Vegetated buffer strips are an efficient barrier against waterway pollution. Photo: Bengt Oberger Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Bengt Oberger Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Riparian buffer strips reduce water pollution while protecting soil health, study says

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Riparian buffer strips pose no real danger to soil stability and banks, US research shows. A finding that suggests a wider use of this natural remedy against water contamination
In Africa, deforestation rates in areas managed by indigenous communities are lower than those recorded in protected areas under government control. Photo: maxpixel.net CC0 Public Domain Free for commercial use Link referral required https://www.maxpixel.net/Group-Women-Girls-Indigenous-Masai-Women-Maasai-6719908maxpixel.net CC0 Public Domain Free for commercial use Link referral required https://www.maxpixel.net/Group-Women-Girls-Indigenous-Masai-Women-Maasai-6719908

“Indigenous communities are the most effective shield against deforestation”

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In native populations lands deforestation rates may be 26% lower compared to other areas, British researchers say. In Africa, they also perform better than protected areas.