Latest news with #phosphorus
CTV News
a day ago
- Health
- CTV News
New grant helps farmers fight phosphorus runoff
The Grand River Conservation Authority is offering funds to help farmers fight phosphorus runoff in the Grand River watershed. Phosphorus is a nutrient that maintains healthy ecosystems and helps plants grow, but excessive amounts can lead to harmful algal blooms which can hurt aquatic life and even produce toxins. The conservation authority is offering a grant to fund projects such as soil testing and crop nutrient planning, cover crops, erosion control structures, stream fencing and tree planting. The grant is a part of the Grand River Priority Watersheds Phosphorus Reduction Program, which supports farmers who use practices that keep phosphorus out of the water. The GRCA said the Nith River and Fairchild Creek subwatersheds have been identified as priority areas. 'Projects to manage runoff and help maximize nutrient use efficiency will also help improve soil health, biodiversity and flood mitigation,' said GRCA Supervisor of Conservation Outreach Louise Heyming in the release. 'What's good for farm productivity and sustainability is also good for landscape resilience and watershed health.'
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Punjab: Study shows how a smart combo of fertilisers can protect soil health
A recent field study has shown that combining IFFCO's Nano Urea Plus and Nano Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) with traditional granules type urea DAP fertilisers can help farmers save 20% nitrogen and 25% phosphorus, without compromising on crop yield. The test was conducted on potato crop which demands high dose of both Urea and DAP. The findings point to a promising path forward for farmers looking to reduce the quantity of traditional fertilisers while protecting soil and water health. Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative limited (IFFCO), had lanched both Nano urea Plus and nano DAP in liquid form a few years ago. These fertilisers are being manufactured by the IFFCO while DAP and Urea in granules form are also manufactured in India but quite a significant quantities of both the fertilisers is imported by the country to meet the demand of Indian farmers. The research, led by RK Gupta, former professor and head of department of soil science, PAU, found that two foliar sprays of Nano Urea Plus used alongside just 80 of the recommended urea (traditional) dosage produced potato yields equal to a full (100%) urea dose. 'This means farmers can reduce their nitrogen fertilizer use by one-fifth and still maintain their harvest,' Gupta said. On the phosphorus side, Nano DAP showed even stronger results. When used as two sprays along with seed treatment and just 75% of the recommended DAP, potato yields were actually higher than those achieved using full doses of regular DAP, the study revealed. 'This translates into a 25% saving on phosphorus fertilizer without any drop in productivity—and in some cases, even an increase,' Gupta added. He said that they have also conducted tests by using lower and higher doses of both Nano urea and nano DAP with traditional fertilisers but results were not good. 'For instance when two sprays of Nano Urea Plus were used with only 60% of the usual traditional urea, potato yield dropped by 59%, meaning it didn't work well. Even using higher doses of urea with just one spray of Nano Urea Plus could also not increase the yield considerably and the best results were available at a combination of 80% traditional and 20% of nano urea and similarly for DAP at 75% (traditional) and 25% (nano) combination.' Why this matters Conventional nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers are not only costly but also environmentally damaging. A significant portion of nitrogen fertilizer is lost to the environment through leaching and gas emissions, while phosphorus often gets locked in the soil and becomes unavailable to crops. These inefficiencies drive up costs for farmers and have pushed the government's fertiliser subsidy bill to Rs 1.67 lakh crore in 2025–26. As both urea and DAP are provided to the farmers by the government on a high subsidised subsidy. According to Gupta, these nano formulations — due to their extremely small particle size and high absorption rate — improve nutrient use efficiency by up to 90%. 'They ensure more nutrients reach the plant rather than getting wasted in the soil or atmosphere,' he said. A shift toward smarter farming In states like Punjab, where overuse of fertilisers is common, the combined use of nano and conventional fertilisers offers a balanced, eco-friendly approach to crop nutrition. Not only does this save huge import costs of these fertilisers, but it also reduces groundwater pollution from nitrates, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and eases the country's dependency on imported fertilizers. With sales of Nano Urea Plus and Nano DAP rising sharply—up 18% in Punjab in 2024-25—experts say farmers are beginning to embrace these modern solutions. In Punjab, for instance, sales reached 2.93 million bottles in 2024-25, 'With Punjab farmers historically applying more fertilisers than necessary, these findings offer a compelling case for a shift toward precision nutrient management,' said scientist, reducing fertiliser use by even 20% can yield wide-ranging benefits.
West Australian
16-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
OATSPO 2024 results released by Grain Industry of Western Australia
The final field trial findings of OATSPO 2024, developed at a trial site near Narrogin, have been released by the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia. An agronomic trial showcase that took place in Highbury, near Narrogin, the second OATSPO was designed to introduced the latest oat research to new and experienced oat and hay growers while gathered in one location. More than 250 people attended the event that led attendees through trials, including yield trials, hay quality management, hay variety selection, broadleaf and grass herbicide options, breeding trials, crop competition, fungicide products, Goldie and Bannister agronomy, and nitrogen and phosphorus strategy. GIWA oat council chair and Varley grower Anna-Lisa Newman said OATSPO provided a networking and learning opportunity, as well as the chance to challenge understanding of the current oat industry. 'A critical element to industry growth and sustainability is understanding how breeding, farm inputs, and soil health can impact crop potential,' she said. 'OATSPO brought together a collective of R&D organisations on an impressive scale to showcase the work currently being undertaken in the industry.' Trials were conducted by CSBP, InterGrain, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, ConsultAg, and Nutrien. 'Observing the support OATSPO (had) from growers, researchers and industry confirmed there is a real need to share these insights,' Ms Newman said. 'Oats are very important in WA crop rotation programs, and through the (processed oat partnership) . . . we not only demonstrate how we can be developing and growing it more efficiently, but showcase the opportunities there are for oats beyond the farm gate.' The trials showcased in OATSPO were undertaken by the WA government-funded industry leader the POP, the Grains Research Development Corporation, and other members of the oat supply chain.
Agriland
04-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Farming group ‘not ruling out legal action' over NAP proposals for NI
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) is 'not ruling out legal action' in relation to new proposals contained in Northern Ireland's Nutrient Action Programme (NAP). The Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, launched a public consultation on the NAP for 2026 to 2029, last month, which he said contains 'additional measures which have been developed based on scientific research'. The main additional measures include further restrictions on use of chemical phosphorus fertiliser and a farm phosphorus balance limit for more intensive farms. According to Minister Muir research shows that around 62% of the high nutrient (phosphorus) levels in Northern Ireland's waterbodies 'come from agricultural sources'. But the UFU believes these new proposals could 'devastate local farming' – a view it conveyed during meetings this week with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland (DAERA) and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in relation to the new NAP proposals. According to William Irvine, president of the UFU, the organisation also told Minister Andrew Muir this week during a meeting that the consultation process around the new NAP proposals has been 'deeply flawed'. (L-R) UFU president William Irvine and UFU deputy president John McLenaghan at Stormont Source: UFU Irvine added: 'There has been no economic impact assessment and no thorough engagement was carried out with stakeholders ahead of the consultation publication. 'The farming community acknowledge the need to improve water quality and we will play our part in a holistic approach, but we feel totally blindsided. 'Our members are frustrated that proposals of such magnitude have been brought forward without thorough analysis of the real-world impact on farm businesses, food production and rural livelihoods.' NAP According to the UFU the new NAP proposals could impact on thousands of farmers across Northern Ireland and result in many having to find more land for slurry spreading or cut their livestock numbers. Irvine has said the next step for the UFU is to its next 'course of action'. ''We are not ruling out legal action. 'Our members expect us to stand up for them, and that's exactly what we intend to do,' Irvine added.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Coast Guard recovers all missing Lake Michigan pyrotechnics
The Brief All four phosphorus pyrotechnics missing from a late-May military exercise on Lake Michigan have been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday night. One device was found by a lifeguard at Montrose Beach in Chicago on May 26; the locations of the other three have not been disclosed. The flares, used in a joint exercise near Milwaukee, failed to activate and can emit red smoke and flames of up to 2,900°F. CHICAGO - All four phosphorus pyrotechnics that went missing during a military training exercise on Lake Michigan have been recovered, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday night. What we know Officials have not released further details about where three of the devices were recovered. One was found by a lifeguard at Montrose Beach in Chicago on May 26. The devices, which produce red smoke and flames reaching temperatures of up to 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit, were part of a joint military exercise held offshore near Milwaukee in late May. The four pyrotechnics were deployed during the exercise but failed to activate upon entering the water, the Coast Guard said. We'll provide updates as more information becomes available. RELATED: Coast Guard warns Lake Michigan beachgoers of unaccounted pyrotechnics
