Robotic arm technology to help reduce the environmental impact of farming
A system developed originally to explore Mars has been transformed into an agricultural monitoring device for testing the quality of soil. It has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of farming. The device consists of a mobile rover platform with a robotic arm which carries a soil sensing instrument. It is based on technology […]
Vital soil saving techniques being trialled as International Year of Soils comes to an end
As World Soil Day on 5th December 2015 marks the ending of the International Year of Soils, it is reassuring to know that scientists will still be working to find solutions to protect our soils. 2015 was declared ‘International Year of Soils’ by the United Nations in order to raise awareness of the profound importance […]
Detailed soil information for Africa now available
Zoom in on an African village, and see whether the soil is clayey or sandy, or how much nutrients or organic carbon it contains. This is now possible since ISRIC and partners have launched detailed freely accessible soil property maps for Africa. The maps, that can be explored in Google Earth, contain predictions of more […]
Julia Roberts urges consumers worldwide to help Save Our Soils
Julia Roberts becomes the latest ‘Soilebrity’ to back the Save Our Soils campaign, which aims to alert consumers to urgent need to end irresponsible farming practices. ‘By the time you’ve read this, 9,378 m² of fertile soil has been destroyed.’ This is the message being delivered by Julia Roberts as she becomes the latest in […]
Azotic Technologies honour Professor Edward Cocking
Azotic Technologies, the developer and producer of natural Nitrogen-fixation for increased agronomic benefit, has honoured Professor Edward Cocking by naming its laboratories in BioCity, Nottingham after him (Ted Cocking Laboratories). The unveiling of the nameplate took place at BioCity on 5th June 2015 in front of many distinguished guests, with Sir John Beddington, the former […]
Organic farming not a clear winner in the soil microbial biodiversity stakes
Studies of the communities of microbes living in agricultural soil show that the difference between organically and conventionally managed soils is negligible, when compared with the impact of other factors. This is good news, confirming that, by sticking to recommended practices, farmers can maintain a healthy soil microbiome to support productive crops, in either organic […]
Prestigious European grant for artificial soils research
A James Hutton Institute scientist has been awarded a highly prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant to undertake research on a new generation of artificial soils; it is hoped that this would allow researchers to better study the interaction of roots, soil and the microorganisms that live in it – a key battleground in […]
Research to improve soil management in Africa
African farmers will be able to improve their soil management thanks to new technical guidelines that are being produced through work by Harper Adams University. The investigation is being led by postgraduate research student, Joseph Martlew, and is sponsored by AGCO Corporation – which is establishing a training farm in Zambia. Soil is damaged […]
Agriculture can resolve our ecological woes
In an interview with “The Guardian” late last month, the Government’s chief advisor, Sir Mark Walport, advised that we should concentrate less on denying that climate change is happening and focus more on how we can respond to it. Contributing almost 10% of the UK’s GHG emissions, agriculture attracted comment from Richard Tol, an economics professor […]
