Speciation of Phosphorus in Phosphorus-Enriched Agricultural Soils Using X-Ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure Spectroscopy and Chemical Fractionation
X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was used in conjunction with sequential chemical fractionation to characterize the dominant solid-phase species of P in selected soils.

Interpreting Science in the Real World for Sustainable Land Application
Today's land application practices are designed to effectively treat wastes, and have evolved from earlier practices that centered on cheap disposal with less regard for environmental protection.

Hyperspectral field reflectance measurements to estimate wheat grain yield and plant height
Hyperspectral crop reflectance data are useful for several remote sensing applications in agriculture, but there is still a need for studies to define optimal wavebands to estimate crop biophysical parameters.

Farmers' perception on the importance of variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus (L.)) in the agricultural production systems of the humid forest zone of Southern Cameroon
Zonocerus variegatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) is known as an agricultural pest in West and Central Africa.

New regulation ensures farm buildings used for agriculture
A farm building is a farm building — and it shouldn’t be used for anything else, Douglas County commissioners say.

Assessment of Metal Availability in Smelter Soil Using Earthworms and Chemical Extractions
The earthworm bioassay was able to assess reductions in metal bioavailability and evaluate chemical immobilization amendment effectiveness.

Plant Nutrient Issues for Sustainable Land Application
The purpose of this paper is to provide a broad overview of research and relevant issues for soil reactions of nutrients as constituents in land-applied agricultural and municipal by-products.

Manure Management Effects on Grass Production, Nutritive Content, and Soil Nitrogen for a Grass Silage–Based Dairy Farm
This study determined the effects of liquid manure applications on the CP and nitrate content of grass silage...

Evaluating Livestock System Environmental Performance with Whole-Farm Nutrient Balance
A review of two mandatory and two voluntary nutrient management strategies is made by comparing whole-farm nutrient balance for a case-study beef cattle feedlot.

Researchers find plant immune system's 'take two aspirin' gene, offering hope for disease control without agricultural pesticides
Scientists have found the gene that sends a signal through plant immune systems, saying, in effect: "Take two aspirin and call out the troops -- we're under attack !"

Plant gene discovery could enhance plant growth, reduce fertilizer needs and phosphate pollution
Scientists have uncovered the genes that enable plants to interact with beneficial soil dwelling fungi and to access phosphate delivered to the roots by these fungi...

Using A Companion Crop To Control Weeds Organically
Organic soybean producers may be able to use winter cereal rye as an inter-seeded companion crop to control weeds, according to research led by a Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) crop and soil scientist.

Pest Control Breakthrough From A Spider's Stomach
DNA found in a spider's stomach could herald a breakthrough in the fight against farm pests, which cause millions of dollars of damage to crops.

Plant Pathologists Evaluate Eco-friendly Alternatives To Methyl Bromide
Alternatives to a powerful pesticide that was found be an ozone depletor are now being evaluated in agricultural production areas of Florida, say plant pathologists with USDA's Agricultural Research Service.

Controlled alternate partial root-zone irrigation: its physiological consequences and impact on water use efficiency
Controlled alternate partial root-zone irrigation is a new irrigation technique and may improve the water use efficiency of crop production without significant yield reduction...

Grain yields with limited water
Plant reproduction is sensitive to water deficits, especially during the early phases when development may cease irreversibly even though the parent remains alive.

Irrigation scheduling: advantages and pitfalls of plant-based methods
This paper reviews the various methods available for irrigation scheduling, contrasting traditional water-balance and soil moisture-based approaches with those based on sensing of the plant response to water deficits.

Growing Crops To Cope With Climate Change
Scientists at the UK's leading plant science centre have uncovered a gene that could help to develop new varieties of crop that will be able to cope with the changing world climate.

Preserving The Grain Crop Finger Millet
Seeds of finger millet, a staple grain in parts of Africa and India, are now being preserved and studied by scientists.

Food-crop Yields In Future Greenhouse-gas Conditions Lower Than Expected
Open-air field trials involving five major food crops grown under carbon-dioxide levels projected for the future are harvesting dramatically less bounty than those raised in earlier greenhouse and other enclosed test conditions.