http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/organic/ Organic food, organic farming and organic gardening. Learn the ecological and health benefits of organic farming as well as some surprising recent research findings. en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:05:02 EST Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/organic/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213114711.htm Adding a charred biomass material called biochar to glacial soils can help reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, according to scientists. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213114711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140621.htm A study evaluated the effects of adding vermicompost to substrates in organically grown greenhouse tomatoes. Results showed the incorporation of vermicompost into organic substrates to be beneficial in terms of growth and marketable yield. The substrates containing vermicompost also produced a significantly lower incidence of defective fruit when compared with rockwool-grown tomato plants. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117140621.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125735.htm Coneheads collected from all over the territory of Italy were studied by three researchers. 40 species have been identified (belonging to eight genera and four families), six of which are new records for the Italian fauna. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:57:57 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005172128.htm Soils store more carbon than the atmosphere and living plants. But scientists don't know why some organic compounds persist for centuries or even thousands of years in soils, while others quickly decompose. This longstanding mystery is addressed in a review by an international team of scientists. Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111005172128.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927112036.htm Organic tomato juice contains more phenolic components than juice from conventionally grown crops, according to a new study. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927112036.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901093715.htm In an analysis of 18 years of crop yield and farm management data from a long-term trial, an organic crop rotation was consistently more profitable and carried less risk of low returns than conventional corn and soybean production, even when organic prime premiums were cut by half. Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110901093715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831081602.htm A new article examines the carbon sequestration potential of Miscanthus plantations on commercial farms. Researchers evaluated Miscanthus plantations in Ireland, where planting has been subsidized by the government. Carbon sequestration is expected to vary among different farming practices and soil characteristics. Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110831081602.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110830144510.htm Scientists indicate that organic farmers who need to periodically amend their soils with compost after planting can still control weeds -- and hold down costs -- by using fabric ground covers. This will be welcome news to organic farmers who till composted manure into their crop fields after planting. Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110830144510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823115651.htm Billions of tons of carbon trapped in permafrost may be released into the atmosphere by the end of this century as the Earth's climate changes, further accelerating global warming, a new computer modeling study. The study also found that soil in high-latitude regions could shift from being a sink to a source of carbon dioxide by the end of the 21st century as the soil warms in response to climate change. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823115651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727131415.htm After a 10,000-year absence, wildfires have returned to the Arctic tundra, and a new study shows that their impact could extend far beyond the areas blackened by flames. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110727131415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713121315.htm Cover crops can play a vital role in nutrient cycling, organic matter content and soil cover. Self-seeding cover crops may prove to be an efficient and cost-effective way for farmers to utilize cover crop systems. Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110713121315.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110701121619.htm Scientists have confirmed that the presence of Escherichia coli pathogens in surface waters could result from the pathogen's ability to survive for months in underwater sediments. Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110701121619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110623174242.htm Researchers tested whether the addition of compost, with or without the application of shallow tillage or aeration, improves soil properties and plant growth compared with an unamended control in simulated residential landscapes. Results suggested that the addition of composted dairy manure solids can improve soil properties and enhance plant growth in residential landscapes when sandy fill soils are used. Shallow tillage and aeration methods had little effect on soil properties or plant growth. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110623174242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110616081817.htm Researchers have used fly larvae to reduce animal feces and manure in a sustainable manner. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110616081817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602102458.htm The same precision farming techniques that work with crops can work with manure management on cattle feedlots, according to agricultural scientists. Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:24:24 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110602102458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525120050.htm One helpful action anyone can take in response to global warming is to plant trees and preserve forests. Trees and plants capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, thereby removing the most abundant greenhouse gas from the atmosphere and storing some of it in their woody tissue. New research shows that global warming may affect the capacity of trees to store carbon by altering the forest nitrogen cycling. A field experiment showed that warmer temperatures stimulated the gain of carbon stored in trees as woody tissue. Wed, 25 May 2011 12:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110525120050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505142600.htm A group of leading scientists, economists and farmers is calling for a broad shift in federal policies to speed They say current policies focus on the production of a few crops and a minority of farmers while failing to address farming's contribution to global warming, biodiversity loss, natural resource degradation and public health problems. Thu, 05 May 2011 14:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110505142600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421211238.htm Weeds are hard to kill; they seem to come back no matter what steps people take to eradicate them. One reason is because of the persistence of weed seeds in the soil. Organic farming and conventional farming systems both have their methods of taking on weed seeds, but does one show better results than the other? Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110421211238.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405141711.htm Scientists have used computer-simulated farms with the support of field research to compare the environmental impact and economic efficacy of using alternative manure application methods in farming systems. Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110405141711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404151351.htm Formaldehyde, a poison and a common molecule throughout the universe, is likely the source of the solar system's organic carbon solids -- abundant in both comets and asteroids. Scientists have long speculated about the how organic, or carbon-containing, material became a part of the solar system's fabric. New research shows that these complex organic solids were likely made from formaldehyde in the primitive solar system. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110404151351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134347.htm Scientists have tested the effectiveness of removing solids from dairy manure to improve yield by increasing the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio and reducing the loss of nitrogen by hastening soil infiltration. Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:43:43 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134341.htm A new study investigated the influence of dairy slurry on leaching of manure nutrient components. Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:43:43 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134129.htm Scientists have investigated the distribution of contaminants in the roots of ryegrass. Recent studies had indicated that contaminated fungi attached to the root of plants were responsible for the plant's uptake of toxic contaminants. Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110329134129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316104119.htm Scientists trying to help Florida growers find a replacement for methyl bromide are studying an alternative soil treatment that uses molasses as one of its ingredients. Farmers have been using methyl bromide since the 1930s to control a broad spectrum of nematodes, pests and pathogens. But because methyl bromide depletes Earth's stratospheric ozone layer, growers worldwide are being required to find a replacement. That's a tall order in Florida, where the sandy soils limit organic alternatives and the mild winters serve as a safe harbor for many nematodes, weeds and pathogens. Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316104119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110315103540.htm Improving land management and farming practices in Australia could have an effect on global climate change, according to a new study. Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110315103540.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303111626.htm Scientists have given growers in the Piedmont guidance on how to restore degraded soils and make the land productive. Researchers found that if cattle are managed so that they graze moderately, soil quality can be restored and emissions of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) can be reduced. Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:16:16 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110303111626.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110222140548.htm Scientists conducted a four-year study examining the impact of reduced-tillage and cover crops managed for hay and forage production on the agronomic and economic performance of feed grain production. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:05:05 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110222140548.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216120509.htm The population and diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in agricultural soils varies more according to what crop was previously farmed than with whether those soils are organically or conventionally farmed, according to new research. Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:05:05 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216120509.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110203124812.htm Scientists have analyzed five classical long term experiments. Using a process-based carbon balance model, researchers simulated experiments lasting from 79 to 134 years to predict the potential of no tillage management to maintain soil organic carbon. Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:48:48 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110203124812.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110127101317.htm Who eats organic food when they are pregnant? Is it just certain groups? What kind of organic foods are most popular? A recent study provides some answers. Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110127101317.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129111746.htm Scientists have studied a potentially significant feedback to rapid climate change. Runaway reactions in peatlands could give off large amount of carbon and considerable heat. Researchers are now investigating possible links between this reaction and peatland wildfires, such as those in Russia earlier this year. Mon, 29 Nov 2010 11:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101129111746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101103135344.htm With the demand for organically produced food increasing, scientists are reporting new evidence that organically grown onions, carrots, and potatoes generally do not have higher levels of healthful antioxidants and related substances than vegetables grown with traditional fertilizers and pesticides. Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101103135344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100928111235.htm Dairy farmers can greatly reduce ammonia emissions from their production facilities by injecting liquid manure into crop fields below the soil surface, according to new research. Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:12:12 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100928111235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100920173006.htm Researchers in Vermont investigated consumer valuation of "major apple attributes", especially "locally grown" and "organic," and to examine the differences in preferences between consumers who had purchased organic food and consumers who had not. The study contains practical information that may help guide apple production and marketing decisions. Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100920173006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100913191823.htm Farming practices have a significant impact on the diversity of beneficial microbial fungi known to play important roles in crop productivity, soil recovery and maintenance of healthy ecosystems, according to new research. The conclusions could have important implications for the way humans manage the agricultural landscape and tackle food security issues. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 19:18:18 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100913191823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100910093154.htm Scientists release the first report of bacterial pathogens in soils treated with swine manure. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100910093154.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100904081050.htm Experiments prompted by a 2008 surprise from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander suggest that soil examined by NASA's Viking Mars landers in 1976 may have contained carbon-based chemical building blocks of life. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:10:10 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100904081050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901171553.htm Side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional strawberry farms and their fruit found the organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse. The study is among the most comprehensive of its kind, analyzing 31 chemical and biological soil properties, soil DNA, and the taste, nutrition and quality of three strawberry varieties on more than two dozen commercial fields -- 13 conventional and 13 organic. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901171553.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802073945.htm Scientists have found that over several months, biochar applied to soil can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide and leaching of nitrates. Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802073945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715130159.htm The nitrogen cycle is the natural process that makes nitrogen available to all organisms on earth. Scientists have discovered that one of the world's most common and ecologically important groups of fungi plays an unsuspected role in this key natural cycle. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:01:01 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100715130159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628124559.htm No significant differences in corn yield were found between organic and chemical sources of nutrients, but a new study suggests that manure generates higher economic returns than anhydrous ammonia. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628124559.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628075415.htm Researchers test whether a one-time tillage of no-till could help manage certain perennial weeds, and reduce phosphorus stratification and runoff. They also wanted to determine if a one-time tillage, could improve soil structure and the distribution of soil nutrients. Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100628075415.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100623124254.htm Chicken litter is much more valuable as a fertilizer than previously thought, according to an agricultural study showing its newfound advantages over conventional fertilizers. Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100623124254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100622175510.htm A new study reveals some organic pesticides can have a higher environmental impact than conventional pesticides. Researchers investigated the effectiveness and environmental impact of organic pesticides to those of conventional and novel reduced-risk synthetic products on soybean crops. The researchers found the organic pesticides required larger doses and were more harmful to pests that help protect the crop compared to the synthetic pesticides. Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:55:55 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100622175510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100615151124.htm Researchers are testing between-row cover grasses as part of research looking at ways to reduce soil runoff and keep vital nutrients in the soils while crop residue, called stover, is removed from farm fields to produce biofuels. Two years into a study, research is showing that yield can be maintained at high levels using environmentally friendly practices. Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100615151124.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100610154457.htm The ongoing search for evidence of past or present life on Mars includes efforts to identify organic compounds such as proteins in Martian soil, but their absence to date remains a mystery. A new theory to explain what happens to these carbon-based molecules is presented in a new article. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100610154457.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100528210744.htm The more efficient dairy farmers are in managing nitrogen, the more milk their cows will produce and the less nitrogen will be wasted in manure and urine, according a study by agricultural scientists and cooperators. Fri, 28 May 2010 21:07:07 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100528210744.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100523205820.htm The "mineral-breathing" bacteria found in many oxygen-free environments may be "carbon-breathing" as well. Oxygen-free, or anaerobic, environments contain microbes sometimes described as "mineral-breathing" because they use iron oxides and other minerals in the same way we use oxygen. According to a new study, this bacterial respiration may be accelerated by solid organic compounds in the soil. Sun, 23 May 2010 20:58:58 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100523205820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518230515.htm The nutritional benefits of organic food have been called into question by new research which shows wild garden birds prefer conventional seed to that which has been organically- grown. A three-year study by Newcastle University has found that wild birds are not swayed by the organic label, but instead prefer the more protein-rich, conventional food that will help them to survive the winter. Tue, 18 May 2010 23:05:05 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518230515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518121629.htm Scientists estimated net global warming potential for three grazing management systems located in central North Dakota. The results indicate that grazing lands are strong sinks of soil organic carbon and minor sinks of methane, but small to moderate sources of nitrous oxide. Tue, 18 May 2010 12:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100518121629.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100511112013.htm A new study across the central Great Plains on the effects of more than 19 years of various tillage practices shows that no-till makes soil much more stable than plowed soil. Tue, 11 May 2010 11:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100511112013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100505102553.htm Organic farms may be seen as wildlife friendly, but the benefits to birds, bees and butterflies don't compensate for the lower yields produced, according to new research in the UK. Wed, 05 May 2010 10:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100505102553.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100504104520.htm European researchers have launched a soil atlas of the world's northernmost regions, where more than half the carbon present in Earth's soils is stored. Although there has been much focus on the melting of arctic ice as one of the indicators for climate change, 1700 billion tons of organic carbon are kept in the soils of the northern permafrost region and their thawing could lead to substantial release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and would further increase global warming. Tue, 04 May 2010 10:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100504104520.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100503074247.htm Scientists used a new version of the Root Zone Water Quality Model to estimate unsaturated zone nitrogen mass balances at four agricultural fields. The new version of the model can make predictions down to 30 meters, enabling estimation of water quality effects well beyond the root zone. Mon, 03 May 2010 07:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100503074247.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100428173344.htm Researchers show that "organic" labels on snack foods can lead people to underestimate the number of calories in their snacks by up to 40%. Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100428173344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100404203119.htm A new review of scientific literature finds that removal of crop residue for biofuels can adversely impact soil and environmental quality. Conversely, dedicated energy crops can increase soil organic carbon concentration while providing biofuel feedstock. Sun, 04 Apr 2010 20:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100404203119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100401101521.htm If everyone became vegan and so ate only fruit and vegetables, then the reduction in greenhouse emissions for the whole of food consumption would be a mere 7%. The widespread adoption of vegetarianism would have even less impact, while organic food production actually leads to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Those are the conclusions of a research paper published in the journal Progress in Industrial Ecology. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100401101521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100304093641.htm Agricultural scientists are studying how oxytetracycline, an antibiotic that is administered to animals, breaks down in cattle manure. Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100304093641.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100212172539.htm Buffer strips of grasses and other plants can trap and break down veterinary antibiotics in manure fertilizers, according to new research. Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100212172539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127110421.htm A unique research project in the UK is investigating how coppiced trees and grass crops can be used both to generate renewable energy and to trap carbon in the soil over the long term. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:04:04 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100127110421.htm