Biochar is often promoted as a promising tool for climate-smart agriculture, thanks to its ability to store carbon in soils and, in many cases, reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. But a study published in Biochar shows that the climate benefit of biochar is not guaranteed. The way biochar is produced, and the chemical groups present on its surface, can determine whether it helps reduce nitrous oxide or unexpectedly increases it.

A global analysis suggests that biochar, a charcoal-like material made from biomass, could play a larger role in climate-smart agriculture when it is applied according to local soil and climate conditions. The study, published in Biochar, combines global meta-analysis, machine learning, and density functional theory calculations to identify how different biochar types and application rates can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from croplands while improving crop yields.

Small engine maintenance and repair is a topic many agricultural educators are expected to teach. Yet, it remains one of the least emphasized subjects at the post-secondary level. Researchers with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas set out to examine instructional strategies to enhance learning quality in small-engine coursework with short-form video self-reflection.

Soil science is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving from its traditional focus on agriculture to a multidimensional discipline addressing some of the most urgent challenges of our time. 

Researchers at Sultan Qaboos University identified the best water conditions for improving the survival of scalloped spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) larvae, a major challenge in lobster aquaculture. The study found that larvae survived longest — up to 15 days — in cooler water (24°C) with moderate salinity (33 ppt), while warmer and saltier conditions caused rapid mortality. The findings provide practical guidance for hatcheries and could help support sustainable lobster farming while reducing pressure on wild stocks.

A new field evaluation identifies eight novel papaya hybrid lines with superior agronomic traits, early fruiting, and enhanced tolerance to Moroccan watermelon mosaic virus (MWMV), offering a sustainable solution to boost smallholder productivity in Kenya.

A field study reveals that combining biochar with organic fertilizer can significantly improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and beneficial microbial communities in dryland farming systems, offering a promising pathway toward more sustainable agriculture.

A comprehensive review highlights how modified biochar is rapidly emerging as a powerful tool for improving soil health, boosting crop productivity, and supporting climate-smart agriculture. At the same time, the study warns that inconsistent performance and limited understanding of soil interactions still pose challenges for widespread adoption.

Iowa State researchers have developed a "lab-on-a-drone" that can fly to remote, marshy areas of farm fields and collect real-time measurements of nitrates. The resulting maps of nutrient concentrations could provide "an evaluation critical for both economic and environmental sustainability," according to the researchers.