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crops

11/07/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Silicon can be an ideal natural amendment for farms that have high salinization

Researchers have found that amending the soil with silicon can mitigate the impact of salt stress on corn plants, providing a solution that will benefit countries facing problems with soil salinity. Too much salinity exerts stress on plants, impairing their photosynthetic apparatus and preventing them from efficiently converting water and carbon dioxide into the glucose […]

11/06/2018 / By Janine Acero

Green manure helps with the organic production of horticultural crops

A study published in the journal Biological Agriculture & Horticulture assessed soil nitrogen mineralization through field incubation and analyzed the rate of nitrogen release by commercial fertilizers compared with farmyard manure compost. For the study, a three-year organic crop rotation was set up in a field with sandy loam, with a cover crop of rye and vetch grown over […]

10/20/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Pomegranate peel extract found to be a safe and natural pesticide

Tomatoes are among the most popular crops in the world, but they are also a magnet for pests and plant diseases. A study published in the journal Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection evaluates the potential uses of pomegranate peel extracts for controlling Meloidogyne javanica, a tomato pest, offering farmers a safe and organic solution […]

10/13/2018 / By David Williams

Use of compost and cover crops improves soil nutrients, helps mitigate the impact of extreme weather on vegetable crops

The benefits of using cover crops and compost in growing all sorts of plants have been known for a long time. However, the effects of adding them in specific configurations haven’t exactly been well-studied. In fact, certain long-term impacts of adding organic matter through cover crops (CC) and compost in the soil are poorly understood. […]

10/08/2018 / By Ralph Flores

Switch to an organic diet and reduce your pesticide intake by as much as 90%

If you’re still on the fence on whether you should be eating organic food, researchers from Australia have you covered: In a study, they found that switching to an organic diet can reduce the body’s pesticide levels by as much as 90 percent. The study, led by RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, revealed that people […]

09/13/2018 / By Ralph Flores

Organic fertilizers made with moringa promote the healthier growth of wheat

If you’re thinking of planting wheat, try adding some moringa to the mix to help it grow faster and keep weeds at bay, according to a study in Allelopathy Journal. In the study, the researchers investigated extracts from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of the moringa tree (Moringa oleifera), in particular, how they affect the growth […]

09/07/2018 / By Rhonda Johansson

Moving away from chemicals: Consumer demand for cleaner food has researchers exploring plant-based extracts to protect against insects

The concept of achieving food independence is a lofty goal, but one which will not likely happen in the near future. It is evident that we still need to rely on big food manufacturers for our daily meals, even as we pray that what we put into our mouth is not laced with the various […]

09/06/2018 / By David Williams

Growing vegetables sustainably is possible on a large scale without conventional fertilizer, with proper soil management

In this day and age, it is almost a given that you would need to use conventional types of fertilizers to achieve any success in growing food crops. After all, they are seen as necessary for promoting the growth of crops and minimizing the harm that can be caused by external factors such as pests […]

08/23/2018 / By Michelle Simmons

Natural pest management: Peach farmers are reducing crop loss to stink bugs by planting grains to lure them away

Scientists from Auburn University in the U.S. found a way to manage pest naturally. They discovered that planting different grain crops attract pests away from the fruit, resulting to lesser crop loss. For the study, the research team analyzed six winter host crops and six summer host crops as possible trap crops or attractant crops for […]

08/23/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Scientists look at the sleep cycles of trees to reveal stress and disease in crops

A study involving more than 20 different species of trees uncovered a mysterious cycle of canopy movement that takes place during the night. Furthermore, each species adhered to a different sleep cycle. An article in Science Daily states that changes to this overnight movement could be used to diagnose any anomalies in crops that are […]

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