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News & Articles By RJ Jhonson

12/03/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Using woodchip bioreactors decreases widespread contamination of surface water

Modern agriculture helps keep the world well-fed, but it is also one of the greatest contributors to water pollution. Nitrates in synthetic fertilizers contaminate the ground and surface water and when ingested, cause various serious conditions. A study published in California Agriculture found that one way of remedying the problem is by using wood chip […]

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 […]

11/07/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Functional and efficient: Why vertical farming is being embraced by many farmers today

The vertical farming system, a relatively new method of planting crops, is proving that it’s not always where, but also how you plant your crops, that lets you increase your yield. A vertical farming system breaks away from many of the conventions of traditional farming. This is most evident in how crops are set up […]

11/03/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

An organic compound found in chrysanthemums can control the rosy apple aphid

A study published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture tells of how pyrethrins, natural compounds found in chrysanthemums, effectively kill rosy apple aphids, providing organic farmers with additional means to control the pests and to prevent them from becoming an even worse problem. Rosy apple aphids can be a significant headache for organic apple farmers. When […]

10/23/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

For the organic farmer: Grow healthier plants with organic fertilizer mixed with compost tea

A study published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture confirmed what many organic farmers and gardeners have known for so long now: The benefits of biochar can be enhanced by amending it with compost tea. Biochar is charcoal used as a soil amendment. It’s very popular among organic farmers and gardeners, some of whom amend it […]

10/23/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Pyrethrins are a good alternative for controlling rosy apple aphid in apple trees

Rosy apple aphids cause permanent and costly damage to apple trees. A study published in Biological Agriculture & Horticulture has suggested that pyrethrin, organic compounds derived from chrysanthemums, can be used in organic farming as an alternative to neem-derived compound azadirachtin. Azadirachtin is the most effective active compound against rosy apple aphids. It is derived from […]

10/22/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

The beauty and efficiency of vertical farming systems

Unlike traditional farms where crops are planted horizontally along or on the ground, vertical farming systems (VFS) stack crops on top of each other in vertically arranged layers. A study published in the journal Food & Energy Security investigated the potential of VFS as an alternative approach to horizontal crop production systems. The researchers compared […]

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 […]

10/20/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Natural is always best: Three shrubs native to North America found to be great alternative bioherbicides

A study published in Allelopathy Journal has found that compounds from three Baccharis species can be used as natural herbicides against the blackjack (Bidens pilosa), a weed found in many parts of the world. This finding offers both gardeners and organic farmers a viable method to control the invasive B. pilosa. Allelopathy is the process […]

10/19/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Green tea for greener pastures: Plants treated with spent green tea extracts are less likely to develop disease

Green tea is good for the body in many ways. Apart from helping you relax, it also contains plenty of nutrients that can enhance your protection against diseases. A study published in the Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection says this protective effect extends to plants as well. In fact, the study suggests that a […]

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