Bacteria engineered to excrete high concentrations of ammonia could help reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers and the nutrient loss associated with them, according to new research from Washington State University.
Brendon Rockey turned to companion cropping, covers, compost applications and livestock to regenerate soils on his potato farm in a dry, arid environment.
For all intents and purposes, Brendon Rockey farms in a desert where native soils have almost zero organic matter and precipitation is infrequent. But as bleak as that may sound, Rockey’s farm is actually thriving and biologically active.
In many nitrogen-fixing bacteria, a protein called RirA plays a key role in regulating iron by sensing high levels of the metal and shutting down the production of proteins that bring in more iron. RirA contains a cluster of four iron and four sulfur atoms, which acts as a sensor for iron availability. But until now, exactly how this cluster structure detects iron levels in a cell was unclear, says the University of East Anglia.
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On this edition of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by CultivAce, longtime no-tiller Jim Leverich explains why 20-inch corn rows are paying off big time on his Sparta, Wis., farm.
Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.
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