Fertilizers

It has recently been shown that the biocatalyst iron nitrogenase not only fixes nitrogen, but also carbon dioxide. However, this nitrogenase form has so far been the least studied. Now two proteins have been identified that are crucial for the energy supply of the enzyme. Credit: Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology/GeiselDiscovering essential electron carriers in nitrogenases opens new paths for eco-friendly chemical production, addressing a long-standing research bottleneck.Nitrogenases are considered…

MIT chemists are reducing the carbon footprint of chemical fertilizers by using nitrogen-fixing bacteria as a sustainable alternative. They developed a protective metal-organic coating that enables these bacteria to withstand heat and humidity, enhancing seed germination rates significantly. This innovation could make microbial fertilizers more accessible and promote regenerative agriculture. Credit: SciTechDaily.com New coating protects nitrogen-fixing bacteria from heat and humidity, which could allow them to be…

Conventional chemical fertilizers aren't among the most eco-friendly substances in the world, which is one reason why some farmers are exploring the use of beneficial bacteria as an alternative. A new coating technology could make such microbes more widely available than ever before.Not only do traditional chemical fertilizers pollute the environment if they get into waterways, they also deplete nutrients in the soil over time. What's more, they're relatively expensive.Seeking a greener and more sustainable alternative,…

Urea prices in East and Southern Africa. World price is from the World Bank; South African price is inland, from Grain SA. East Africa is the average of Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Prices are given before any government subsidies. Credit: Compiled from different sources by the African Market Observatory Global fertilizer suppliers have made incredibly high profits in 2022/23 on the back of price spikes attributed to…

Shares of some of the world’s biggest lithium mining companies traded sharply lower on Friday after Chilean President Gabriel Boric unveiled a new state-led strategy to develop its vast resources of the metal, which is vital for the development of electric vehicles.  Mr. Boric, a leftist former student protest leader who took office last year, announced late Thursday plans to create a state-owned lithium company to develop Chile’s lithium resources, a key campaign promise. In a televised address, Mr.…

Potash , a potassium-based fertilizer mined from the ground, came into sharp focus last year when prices reached record highs following supply disruptions from Belarus and Russia. Some see it as a key commodity not just for agricultural production but also combating global warming.  Now potash producers elsewhere—most notably in Canada—are seeing an opportunity to grab market share. BHP, the world’s largest miner, sees the fertilizer as one of the keys to its future. Will their potash bets pay off?…

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have measured how much carbon is produced by fertilizers from the beginning to the end of their life cycle. This is important, as fertilizers are responsible for around five percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first time anyone has accurately measured this. They discovered that by the year 2050, it could be possible to reduce carbon emissions from fertilizers to only one-fifth of what they are now.Researchers have calculated the carbon footprint for the full life…

Agriculture companies are investing millions of dollars to develop farming programs designed to capture more carbon dioxide in fields, as a possible solution to mitigate climate change.The challenge: convincing farmers that it is worth their time, the costs of new farming practices and potentially losing out on some of their harvest in the process.  Iowa corn farmer Chris Edgington said he has looked at various carbon programs over the past year, calculating the risk of reduced crops as he…

A number of studies have already shown that synthetic chemicals can harm the bees that are vital to the pollination of plants. New research now additionally indicates that fertilizers may disrupt bees' ability to identify flowers, reducing the likelihood of the insects landing on them.Not surprisingly, bees are able to differentiate flowers from other objects based largely on factors such as color and odor. That said, the specific strength of electrical fields produced by plants (which the bees can detect) also plays a…

Frackers in America’s busiest oil field are butting heads with miners working to boost production of a vital crop nutrient in short supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Relentless drilling in the Delaware basin has pushed New Mexico’s oil production up faster than in any other state over the past 10 years. But the Delaware, part of the Permian oil field that straddles West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, also contains vast deposits of potash, a key fertilizer ingredient for corn, cotton, sugar, wheat and many…