Latest news with #SoundAgriculture
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make revolutionary breakthrough that could solve major problem with how we grow food: 'Could have big, positive agricultural implications'
Researchers have identified an enzyme that could help reduce harmful runoff and fertilizer usage in food production. The finding has the potential to reduce heat-trapping pollution and prevent deadly algal blooms while saving farmers money, which means a healthier environment and cheaper food. A team from Michigan State University detailed the findings in a review article published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and the work was further summarized in a release posted to "A significant amount of nitrogen fertilizer is lost because it's converted to a form that's easily leached away," Krystina Hird, the review article's lead author, said, per the release. "If we retain more of that nitrogen in the soil, it could have big, positive agricultural implications." Nitrogen is essential to all life on Earth. Plants require nitrogen to build amino acids, proteins, and chlorophyll, according to Sound Agriculture. More nitrogen in the soil means healthier plants and larger crop yields, which allows for more food to be grown on less land. Although 78% of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen, plants can only access nitrogen through soil. Plants rely on tiny microbes in the ground to transform atmospheric nitrogen into forms they can use, per Sound Agriculture. For decades, farmers have supplemented this natural process by adding nitrogen fertilizers to the soil. Ammonium is one of the best forms of nitrogen for agricultural uses because it is positively charged, causing it to bond with negatively charged soil, per the summary. However, certain soil microbes transform ammonium into nitrite, which is negatively charged. Like the negative poles on two magnets repelling one another, nitrite and soil do not bond, making nitrite more susceptible to being washed away in runoff, explained That's where the breakthrough enzyme, known as NrfA, comes in. NrfA turns nitrite into ammonium, and, while it is not the only enzyme to do so, it is by far the most efficient, per the summary. What is stopping you from upgrading to a heat pump system? The cost of installation I live in a cold area I don't know enough about it I already have one Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Though this discovery is technical, it potentially could benefit billions of people every single day. Nitrogen runoff, also known as nutrient pollution, occurs when water from fertilized agricultural lands washes into bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The influx of nutrients allows algae to flourish, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. These algae consume oxygen from the water, creating low-oxygen dead zones where fish and other wildlife cannot survive. Nitrogen runoff has negative consequences for human health as well. According to the NIH, nitrogen runoff contaminates both public drinking water sources and private wells. Its presence in drinking water has been linked to multiple cancers, hypothyroidism, and blue baby syndrome. Lowering the amount of nitrogen fertilizer farmers use would reduce these public health risks and prevent dead zones while also combating heat-trapping pollution. All told, the global food production system accounts for a whopping 35% of the planet-heating pollution humans generate. Fertilizer production, transportation, and application alone make up a jaw-dropping 5% to 6%, according to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Producing and using less nitrogen fertilizer would be a big step toward lowering the pollution our global food supply produces. That all of these benefits could possibly come from just one enzyme in the soil shows the incredible interconnectedness of our world and how delicate the balance is that we must maintain. The next step for the team of Michigan State researchers will be to better understand the details of how the NrfA enzyme works. "We're trying to get really specific and nitty-gritty," Hird said, per the summary. "It's going to be like performing a delicate surgery." The same could be said for addressing the many environmental challenges we currently face. Thankfully, discoveries like the NrfA enzyme give us hope that we can rise to meet them. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sound Agriculture Reports Strong 2024 Product Performance and Expansion to LATAM
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sound Agriculture, a high-growth agtech company, has announced key results from the 2024 season, highlighting the success of its Max Acre and Efficient Acre Solutions in driving higher yields (6-12+ bushels of corn with 84% win-rate) while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizer. In addition to these high ROI outcomes, Sound is expanding to Argentina and awaiting regulatory approval from Brazil. Leading international growth, Thiago Bortoli steps in as Vice President & General Manager of Latin America, with deep experience as a former Bayer regional leader and retailer in Brazil. 2024 Product Performance: Maximizing Yield & Nutrient Efficiency in the US The Max Acre Solution, powered by SOURCE® and BLUEPRINT™, delivered consistent yield improvements across multiple crops in 2024. Win rates exceeded 75% in key crops like corn and soybeans, driving higher yields, nutrient uptake and root development. With the Efficient Acre Solution, when SOURCE was used to replace 25 lbs of nitrogen and phosphorus, growers saved money while moderately increasing yield. SOURCE is a microbiome activator that stimulates 200 species of microbes in the soil to increase nutrient availability. BLUEPRINT offers the highest quality Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), strengthening interactions between the crop and fungi, and expanding the root system's access to water and nutrients. These products work synergistically to enhance farm productivity, leveraging SOURCE's signaling effect on microbes like AMF. Research shows that SOURCE increases fungal colonization by three times compared to the control. Trials across corn, soybeans, potatoes, sugarbeets, and more, demonstrated measurable gains in productivity and economic returns, including: Max Acre Solution (Corn): Achieved an average 6-12+ bushel per acre yield increase with an 84% win rate. Efficient Acre Solution (Corn): Replaced 25 lbs of nitrogen and phosphorus over multiple years and moderately increased yields, making growers an additional net $40 per acre (3x return on investment (ROI)). Soybeans: Saw a 2-4 bushel per acre increase with SOURCE + BLUEPRINT, working especially well in lower-yielding environments. Wheat & Cotton: Wheat yields improved by 2-4 bushels per acre (80% win rate), while cotton growers achieved up to 90+ lbs increase per acre (87% win rate). Expansion Crops: Trials in potatoes, sugarbeets, corn silage, canola and edible beans showed even more notable yield gains and 5-10x ROI, demonstrating the broad efficacy of Sound's solutions across many crops. 'We're excited to share this year's strong results, which demonstrate how SOURCE and BLUEPRINT drive higher yields, enhance nutrient efficiency, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers,' said Adam Litle, CEO of Sound Agriculture. 'We now have over 1,200 data points across 7 years, the majority of which are from trusted 3rd-party data sources. With the combination of two synergistic nutrient efficiency products we now see the ability to drive yield and reduce synthetic fertilizer costs at the same time, with more complementary offerings to come in the near-term.' Strategic Growth in Latin America As part of its global expansion, Sound is focused on Brazil and Argentina, two of the world's most significant agricultural markets. SOURCE will now provide Latin American growers with a proven tool to unlock nitrogen and phosphorus, driving the next generation of crop productivity. Trials have been underway for four years in corn, soybeans and cotton with consistent results. In Brazil, SOURCE trials showed yield increases of 10% in corn, 8% in cotton and 6% in soybeans, with win rates ranging from 75-90%. Argentina trials showed a 7% yield increase in corn when nitrogen and phosphorus were reduced by 20%, resulting in a 5x ROI. It's the perfect solution for the soils and nutrient management practices given there is generally lower organic matter, less nitrogen applied and more phosphorus locked up by mineralization than in other regions of the world. Thiago Bortoli will lead efforts to accelerate adoption and deliver value to farmers. He brings over 20 years of agribusiness experience, having held leadership roles at Bayer CropScience, Monsanto and Climate FieldView where he played a key role in shaping commercial strategy, marketing and innovation across Latin America. He also led the commercial and marketing operations at Plantar, a leading agricultural input distributor in Western Paraná, further strengthening his expertise in retail strategy and direct engagement with farmers. 'I am incredibly excited to join the Sound team and build a next generation crop nutrition business in Brazil and Argentina,' said Thiago Bortoli, VP & GM of Latin America for Sound Agriculture. 'In my first month on the job, every farm I have talked to is interested in trying SOURCE due to how easy the product is to use and the data we've generated over the last few years. It's a powerful product for this region.' To learn more, visit About Sound Agriculture Sound Agriculture delivers bioinspired solutions that enrich soil and produce thriving crops with less fertilizer, driving the world's shift to climate-friendly agriculture. The portfolio includes synergistic products that empower growers to succeed while minimizing environmental impact. SOURCE® activates the soil microbiome, unlocking nutrients through advanced chemistry. BLUEPRINT™ offers the highest-quality arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), extending the root system to improve nutrient and water access. Through innovative programs, Sound Agriculture helps growers transition to sustainable practices, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizer while maintaining productivity and profitability. 925-588-8242
