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Indian research can help cut nitrogen fertiliser waste
Down to Earth, 21 January 2021
Indian scientists manage to identify phenotypes, visibly identifiable features that determine the efficiency with which cultivars use nitrogen
La investigación india puede ayudar a reducir el desperdicio de fertilizantes nitrogenados
17 Jun 2021
El grupo, dirigido por N Raghuram de la Universidad Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha, Delhi, también identificó genes asociados con las características identificables que pueden mejorar aún más los cultivos.
Scientists, intellectuals stress preventing degradation of ecosystems
Daily Times, 14 June 2021
Prof N Raghuram, Director International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) discussed the importance of sustainable nitrogen management with special emphasis on South Asia, the hotspot for nitrogen pollution.
Resolution adopted for sustainable management of reactive Nitrogen
Dharmakshethra, 13 June 2021
The Berlin Declaration adopted at the end of the 8th triennial conference of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) held virtually between May 31-June 3, 2021, calls for “sustainable management of reactive nitrogen compounds across all sectors of human activity as a crucial step towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030”.
Resolution Adopted for Sustainable Management of Reactive Nitrogen
Delhi Post, 11 Jun 2021
The Berlin Declaration adopted at the end of the 8th triennial conference of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) held virtually between May 31-June 3, 2021, calls for “sustainable management of reactive nitrogen compounds across all sectors of human activity as a crucial step towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030”.
Resolution adopted for sustainable management of reactive nitrogen
The Indian Bulletin, 10 Jun 2021
The Berlin declaration is co-signed by Dr. (Ms). Lilian Busse, Vice President of the German Environment Agency, and Prof. Nandula Raghuram, INI Chair and biotechnologist from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Resolution adopted for sustainable management of reactive nitrogen
India Science Wire, 10 Jun 2021
The conference was attended by over 1000 registered delegates from 60 countries between 31 May and 03 June. The Berlin declaration is co-signed by Dr. (Ms). Lilian Busse, Vice President of the German Environment Agency, and Prof. Nandula Raghuram, INI Chair and biotechnologist from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Scientists identify genes to improve fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency in rice
Organizer, 10 Jun 2021
In a major boost to the scientific efforts for crop improvement to save nitrogenous pollution and fertilizers worth billions, Indian biotechnologists identified candidate genes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice. This was accomplished by Prof. Nandula Raghuram, Dr. Supriya Kumari and Dr. Narendra Sharma from the School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Scientists identify genes to improve fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency in rice
Biovoice News, 09 Jun 2021
In a major boost to the scientific efforts for crop improvement to save nitrogenous pollution and fertilizers worth billions, Indian biotechnologists identified candidate genes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice. This was accomplished by Prof. Nandula Raghuram, Dr. Supriya Kumari and Dr. Narendra Sharma from the School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Scientists identify genes to improve fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency in rice
Delhi Post, 09 Jun 2021
In a major boost to the scientific efforts for crop improvement to save nitrogenous pollution and fertilizers worth billions, Indian biotechnologists identified candidate genes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice. This was accomplished by Prof. Nandula Raghuram, Dr. Supriya Kumari and Dr. Narendra Sharma from the School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
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Bangladeshi received first international South Asian award for nitrogen management
The Daily Star, 09 Jun 2021
A Bangladeshi was awarded 'Prof. YP Abrol Memorial Award for Excellence in Science and/or policy towards Sustainable Nitrogen Management,' the first-ever international South Asian Award on nitrogen management.
Scientists identify genes to improve fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency in rice
India Science Wire- Vigyan Prasar, 08 Jun 2021
In a major boost to the scientific efforts for crop improvement to save nitrogenous pollution and fertilizers worth billions, Indian biotechnologists identified candidate genes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in rice. This was accomplished by Prof. Nandula Raghuram, Dr. Supriya Kumari and Dr. Narendra Sharma from the School of Biotechnology, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Two South Asians from UNEP shared the first YP Abrol Memorial Award
Republic News India, 05 June 2021
“The ‘Prof. YP Abrol Memorial Award for Excellence in Science and/or policy towards Sustainable Nitrogen Management’ was established by the Sustainable India Trust in 2020 in memory of its founder, who passed away on 26 July 2020. The award is shared by Dr. Anjan Datta from Bangladesh and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan from Nepal, for their work as the founding architect and the current coordinator, respectively, of the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM).
Two South Asians from UNEP shared the first YP Abrol Memorial Award
India Science Wire- Vigyan Prasar, 04 June 2021
“The ‘Prof. YP Abrol Memorial Award for Excellence in Science and/or policy towards Sustainable Nitrogen Management’ was established by the Sustainable India Trust in 2020 in memory of its founder, who passed away on 26 July 2020. The award is shared by Dr. Anjan Datta from Bangladesh and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan from Nepal, for their work as the founding architect and the current coordinator, respectively, of the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM).
Global Nitrogen conference
Journals of India, 02 Jun 2021
Eighth triennial conference of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) being held virtually from May 31-June 3, 2021. It is co-organized by the International Nitrogen Initiative and hosted by Germany’s Federal Environment Agency
“Nitrogen pollution restricts the safe margin for other environmental issues”
Republic News India, 02 Jun 2021
Following the UN resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, our task is to scientifically support its mitigation efforts”, said Nandula Raghuram, Chair of the INI. As a Professor of biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, his keynote lecture dealt with improvement of crop nitrogen use efficiency as a solution.
Nitrogen pollution limits safe margin for other environmental issues, say scientists
Down to Earth, 01 Jun 2021
“INI conferences always brought together the latest science to call for governmental action and evidence-based policies. Following the UN resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, our task is to scientifically support its mitigation efforts”, said Nandula Raghuram, chair, INI.
Scientists sound caution on nitrogen pollution at INI conference
The Hindu- Business Line, 01 Jun 2021
“Fertilisers are a predominant source of nitrous oxide and ammonia pollution. We narrowed down the minimum number of physical attributes and gene targets for nitrogen use efficiency in rice for the first time,” said Raghuram.
“Nitrogen pollution restricts the safe margin for other environmental issues”
India Science Wire- Vigyan Prasar, 01 Jun 2021
“INI conferences always brought together the latest science to call for governmental action and evidence-based policies. Following the UN resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management, our task is to scientifically support its mitigation efforts”, said Nandula Raghuram, Chair of the INI.
Eighth Global Nitrogen Conference focuses on sustainable development goals
Down to Earth, 31 May 2021
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the main focus of the eighth triennial conference of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) being held virtually from May 31-June 3, 2021. Nandula Raghuram, chair of the INI and professor of biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, said:
8th Global Nitrogen Conference focuses on sustainable development goals
Indian Sentinel, 31 May 2021
“Reactive nitrogen compounds like NOx, ammonia and the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide impact air, water and soil quality, health, biodiversity and climate change, among others. These compounds are lost from fertilizers, manures and sewage as well as from fuel burning in transport and industry. Assessing and managing them sustainably will be crucial to achieve the 17 UN SDGs targeted for 2030”, said Nandula Raghuram, Chair of the INI and Professor of biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
8th Global Nitrogen Conference focuses on sustainable development goals
India Science Wire- Vigyan Prasar, 31 May 2021
“Reactive nitrogen compounds like NOx, ammonia and the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide impact air, water and soil quality, health, biodiversity and climate change, among others. These compounds are lost from fertilizers, manures and sewage as well as from fuel burning in transport and industry. Assessing and managing them sustainably will be crucial to achieve the 17 UN SDGs targeted for 2030”, said Nandula Raghuram, Chair of the INI and Professor of biotechnology from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi.
Researchers discover method to enhance nitrogen use efficiency in Paddy
Krishi Jagran, 23 January 2021
Presently, an integrative team headed by Nandula Raghuram, a professor of biotechnology branch working at New Delhi based Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) has discovered certain visually recognisable characteristics that decide NUE. Few genes that really can benefit crops develop NUE have also been found by them. “Frontiers in Plant Science”is the international journal where the findings of the research were published.
Researchers identify phenotype to boost ‘nitrogen use efficiency’ in rice
Organiser, 22 January 2021
A team of researchers led by Prof. Nandula Raghuram from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, (GGSIU) New Delhi, has found the ‘phenotype’ or the visually identifiable features determining NUE. They also identified some associated genes that could help in crop improvement for NUE.
Researchers identify phenotype to boost ‘nitrogen use efficiency’ in rice
India Science Wire- Vigyan Prasar, 21 January 2021
A team of researchers led by Prof. Nandula Raghuram from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, (GGSIU) New Delhi, has found the ‘phenotype’ or the visually identifiable features determining NUE. They also identified some associated genes that could help in crop improvement for NUE.
Rice attributes that improve nitrogen use efficiency found
The Hindu, 20 January 2021
An inter-disciplinary team led by Nandula Raghuram from New Delhi’s Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University found that N-use-efficient (NUE) cultivars tend to be slow in germination and flowering, grow tall and deep with higher biomass and take longer duration to harvest but yield more with lesser N input. They also reported 34 genes associated with NUE for potential crop improvement. Their findings have just been published in international journal Frontiers in Plant Science.
Scientists find way to improve nitrogen use efficiency in paddy
The Hindu- Business Line, 20 January 2021
In a significant work, Indian biotechnologists have found a way to carry out crop improvement that would help reduce the wastage of nitrogenous (N)
Study points to nitrous oxide emissions derailing Paris climate accord temperature target
The Hindu, 08 October 2020
Current emissions are tracking global temperature increases above 3 degrees Celsius, twice the temperature target of the Paris accord
Dainik Bhaskar, 09 June 2020
Curtain Raiser Webinar 8th Global Nitrogen Conference of INI
INI, 4 May 2020
The 8th International Nitrogen Initiative Conference (INI2020) was scheduled to convene in Berlin, Germany, from 3-7 May 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the INI Steering Committee and INI 2020 organizers held a Webinar on 4 May as a “curtain-raiser” to the main conference, the dates of which will be announced later.
Steep climb in global nitrous oxide levels: Study
Down to Earth, 18 November 2019
Global atmospheric levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) increased 10 per cent between 2000-2005 and 2010-2015, according to a new research. The absolute value of the increase was 1.6 TgN per year.
Colombo Declaration calls for tackling global nitrogen challenge
UNEP, 24 October 2019
United Nations member states endorsed a proposed roadmap for action on nitrogen challenges called the Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management
150 Top International Scientists Warn of Devastating Impact of Nitrogen Pollution
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, 23 October 2019
We must wake up to devastating impact of nitrogen, say scientists. Dozens of international experts write open letter to UN Secretary-General.
Resolution on nitrogen can lead to a carbon-like framework
Down to Earth, 20 March 2019
The resolution for sustainable nitrogen management in the United Nations Environment Assembly was led by India for the first time
Nitrogen pollution: Neglected menace
Economic Times, 19 March 2019 (Editorial)
Nitrogen pollution has escaped the attention that carbon dioxide has got. That changed last week at the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly, where India piloted a resolution adopted by all countries to work towards a more sustainable management of nitrogen.
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Single-use plastic, sustainable nitrogen management in focus at UN Environment Assembly
Devdiscourse News, 16 March 2019
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has adopted two resolutions piloted by India on single-use plastics and sustainable nitrogen management.
India pilots resolutions on Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at Fourth United Nations Environment Assembly
PIB, 16 March 2019
In a significant first, India piloted resolutions on two important global environment issues relating to Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) which was held in Nairobi from 11th to 15th March 2019.
India pilots resolutions on single-use plastics and sustainable nitrogen-management
Packaging South Asia, 16 March 2019
India piloted resolutions on two important global environment issues relating to Single-use Plastics and Sustainable Nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) which was held in Nairobi from 11th to 15th March 2019.
Thousands Gather In Nairobi To Clean Up The Earth
The Charleston Chronicle, 15 March 2019
Heads of state, government ministers, business leaders, senior UN officials and grassroots activists are gathering in Nairobi this week for the fourth UN Environment Assembly – the world’s top body on the environment.
UN Passes Resolution for sustainable Nitrogen Management
New Ag International, 15 March 2019
Delegates adopted the resolution calling for a coordinated and collaborative approach to sustainable nitrogen (N) management, referred to as UNEP/EA.4/L.16.
Sustainable Nitrogen Management
UNEA, 15 March 2019
The resolution calling for a coordinated and collaborative approach to sustainable nitrogen (N) management, referred to as UNEP/EA.4/L.16 was adopted at the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme.
UNEA adopts India's resolutions on single-use plastic, sustainable nitrogen management
Times of India, Mar 16, 2019
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has adopted two resolutions piloted by India on single-use plastics and sustainable nitrogen management. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the resolutions were adopted at the fourth session of UNEA which was held in Nairobi from March 11 to 15 on 'Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Production and Consumption'.
India Set to Push Major Resolutions in UN Environment Assembly
Weather.com, 11 March 2019
The fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) will take place from March 11-15 in Nairobi, Kenya. It is the highest-level environmental decision-making forum where several heads of states, environment ministers, CEOs, and activists deliberate on the issues plaguing the global environmental sustainability.
Annual UN report recognises the threats posed by nitrogen pollution
Down to Earth, 06 March 2019
The annual Frontiers report 2019 published by the United Nations (UN), has included a chapter on nitrogen pollution in its latest edition, in a sign that pollution caused by the reactive forms of nitrogen is now being recognised as a grave environmental concern on a global level.
Nitrogen is the 'new carbon'
Milennium Post, 6 March 2019
Growing demand in livestock, agriculture, transport, industry, and energy sectors has led to a sharp growth of levels of reactive nitrogen, discusses Akshit Sangomla
It is time to fix the broken nitrogen cycle says UN Environment Frontiers Report
UNEP, 4 March 2019
the disturbance of ecosystems, human health and economies by massively altering of the global nitrogen cycle through human activity.
‘Tighter regulations needed on nutrient effluents’
Down to Earth, 28 January 2019
Here’s N Raghuram, chairman of International Nitrogen Initiative, speaking with Down To Earth about the viability of United Kingdom’s project to tackle nitrogen pollution
18 Indian institutions to study nitrogen pollution
The Hindu, 24 January 2019
Eighteen research institutions in India are among a group of 50 institutions — called the South Asian Nitrogen Hub (SANH) — in the United Kingdom and South Asia that have secured £20 million (about ₹200 crore) from the U.K. government to assess and study the quantum and impact of “nitrogen pollution” in South Asia.
UK to support nitrogen research in India
India Science Wire, 24 January 2019
Nitrogen pollution is an emerging environmental problem linked with air pollution, biodiversity loss, pollution of rivers and seas and ozone depletion. The British government has announced a research project to study nitrogen pollution in India and South
British govt. to start a project to study Nitrogen pollution in India and South Asia
Firstpost, 24 January 2019
The new partnership programme, South Asian Nitrogen Hub, will be led by the UK’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and will include 50 organisations from across the UK and South Asia. Indian institutions to be involved include National Institute of Oceanography, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aligarh Muslim University, National Physical Laboratory and TERI University.
Toxic nitrate rendering ground water unpotable in Telangana
The New Indian Express, 30 October 2018
As per a report by Telangana Ground Water Department accessed by Express, half of the State’s ground water wells from where samples were tested by the department, contain nitrate levels higher than the maximum permissible limit by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water.
India has three of the world’s 50 nitrogen emission hotspots
Down to Earth, 30 October 2018
The latest Greenpeace analysis finds areas in Delhi-NCR, UP, MP and Odisha as the biggest contributors of nitrogen pollution in India
Excess nitrogen fertilisers hamper germination, root growth in rice: study
Down to Earth, 03 October 2018
“Our study shows that in laboratory conditions, excess of nitrogenous compounds such as nitrate and urea restrict root growth. In future, we would like to extend our work to field to check if similar patterns exist there as well,” explained N Raghuram, Professor at Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a member of the research team.
N Raghuram elected Chair of International Nitrogen Initiative
The Hindu- Business Line, 13 August 2018
Indian scientist-academician, N Raghuram, has been elected Chair of the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI), a global policy making initiative. A professor at the GGS Indraprastha University, New Delhi, Raghuram is the first Indian and Asian to be elected to the Chair. He will succeed Mark Sutton of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh.
Death by nitrogen
Fountain Ink, Jul 13, 2018
We are all familiar with the perils of a runaway carbon cycle but there is a lesser known one that may be worse, the rise of reactive nitrogen to dangerous levels.
Scientists assess how continuous use of fertilisers affects soil bacteria
Down to Earth, 12 July 2018
Application of Nitrogen Phosporus Potassium with farmyard manure increases the minerals' availability in the soil as compared to other treatments
India global hot spot for nitrogen pollution, say experts
Nature India, 02 July 2018
Chemical fertilisers account for over 77% of agricultural nitrogen oxide emissions in India and cattle contribute to 80% of the country's ammonia production, says Nandula Raghuram, Dean of Biotechnology at Indraprastha University in New Delhi and President of Indian Nitrogen Group (ING), a voluntary body of over a hundred scientists and stakeholders.
"Since 2002, nitrogen oxides have replaced methane as the second largest greenhouse gas from Indian agriculture," says Raghuram, who co-authored the INA report that identified significant sources of reactive nitrogen and their contribution to regional, national and global nitrogen cycles.
Sterlite typifies all that's wrong with environmental governance in India
Down To Earth, 27 June 2018
“This is not the first time India’s pollution regulatory institutions are being blamed for ineptitude,” says N Raghuram, president of Delhi-based Indian Nitrogen Group, a society of scientists working on nitrogen pollution.
Experts participating in the World Environment Day call for global initiative to tackle nitrogen pollution
Firstpost, 05 June 2018
Prof. N. Raghuram, President of the Indian Nitrogen Group, noted, “as fertilizer, nitrogen is one of the main inputs to agriculture. But inefficiencies along the food chain result in wastage of about 80% of nitrogen, contributing to air and water pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Timely scaling up of the recent initiatives of the Indian government towards improving nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency, rural toilets, sustainable fuels etc can moderate India's nitrogen footprint on a scale that few countries can match.”
Experts call for global initiative to tackle nitrogen pollution
The Hindu- Business Line, 05 June 2018
Prof. N. Raghuram, President of the Indian Nitrogen Group, noted, “as fertilizer, nitrogen is one of the main inputs to agriculture. But inefficiencies along the food chain result in wastage of about 80% of nitrogen, contributing to air and water pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Timely scaling up of the recent initiatives of the Indian government towards improving nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency, rural toilets, sustainable fuels etc can moderate India's nitrogen footprint on a scale that few countries can match.”
Nitrogen emissions going up: study
The Hindu- Business Line, 05 June 2018
The Indian Nitrogen Assessment assesses the sources, impacts, trends and future scenarios of reactive nitrogen in the Indian environment, says N. Raghuram, Dean, School of Biotechnology, GGS Indraprastha University, who is one of the authors of the report.
Call for united global effort to tackle nitrogen pollution
Eurekalert, 04 June 2018
Prof Raghuram, who co-led the first Indian Nitrogen Assessment (2017), added: "As fertilizer, nitrogen is one of the main inputs to agriculture, but inefficiencies along the food chain mean about 80% of nitrogen is wasted, contributing to air and water pollution plus greenhouse gas emissions, thereby causing threats for human health, ecosystems and livelihoods.
Foreign food trade impacts importing countries’ environment too
Down To Earth, 16 May 2018
The study was conducted in more than 160 studies across 6 continents and the researchers analysed the left over nitrogen in the soil after a soybean crop is harvested.
Leaves from nitrogen-rich trees can be potential fertilisers
Down To Earth, 19 April 2018
Banaras Hindu University scientists have shown that application of leaves from nitrogen-rich trees in soil can increase the soil fertility and grain yield of rice
Case of missing nitrogen solved: It comes from the bedrock
Down To Earth, 10 April 2018
This part of the nitrogen in the Earth’s system had been un-accountable until now and was considered as ‘missing nitrogen’ or the ‘mysterious gap’. Now, scientists say that the case of the missing nitrogen has been solved and it comes from the earth’s bedrock.
Study Shows Dangers of India’s Reliance on Nitrogen-Based Fertilizers
News18, 12 March 2018
The study, called the Indian Nitrogen Assessment, was undertaken by the Indian Nitrogen Group (ING), led by Professor N Raghuram, the group’s president, and Dean of the School of Biotechnology, GGS Indraprastha University, Punjab.
Punjab, Haryana and west UP facing severe nitrogen pollution: Down To Earth expose
Down To Earth, 08 March 2018
Nitrogen pollution can destroy soil health, contaminate water, lead to serious health problems, and trigger climate change
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Fight against Nitrogen pollution in the environment could soon witness a paradigm shift
Firstpost, 29 December 2017
Speaking to the India Science Wire, Dr. Nandula Raghuram, a key member of the study team, noted that the startling finding could be because all this while, not much data was available on nitrogen pollution generated by domestic sewage. The study team was set up in 2006 by the Society for Conservation of Nature, a voluntary body of scientists. The task force was named Indian Nitrogen Group (ING). It consisted of experts from diverse backgrounds and was mandated to review the problem of pollution posed by reactive nitrogen in a comprehensive manner.
We have breached the planetary limit for nitrogen
Down To Earth, 15 December 2017
Yashpal Abrol, founder president and chief patron of SCN, told Down To Earth that “N2O is 300 times more potent as a greenhouse gas as opposed to CO2”.
When N means noxious
Down To Earth, 1-15 December 2017
Yashpal Abrol, founder president and chief patron of Society for Conservation of Nature, told Down To Earth that “N2 O is 300 times more potent as a greenhouse gas as opposed to CO2 ”. He adds, “While carbon has been debated upon extensively by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, it is time for us to look at N2 O and nitrogen pollution in general in a big way.”
Fertilisers leaking huge amount of nitrogen into soil, water
Nature India, 24 November 2017
A mammoth exercise in quantifying 'reactive nitrogen' in the environment has found that 65% of the nitrogen used in India as fertilisers may be getting leaked into soil, water and other natural resources, thereby significantly contributing to the country's greenhouse gas burden.
Kunming scientist works to change world with perennial rice
GoKunming, 11 August 2017
Nandula Raghuram recently visited farms growing Hu's rice. He is the Dean of Biotechnology at New Delhi's Indraprastha University, and explained what he saw in Yuxi:
"It seems very convincing and promising. [Hu's rice] reduces or eliminates the need for nitrogen fertilizer and reduces the pest/pathogen problems typical to monocultures...While the present varieties of perennial rice developed in China may be suited for Chinese agro climates, they do offer adequate proof of concept that they can be developed for other agro climates and markets."
Could perennial crops be an answer to climate change?
India.com, 7 August 2017
“It seems very convincing and promising,” said Raghuram, one of the 50 delegates from over a dozen countries who recently toured different perennial rice-growing sites in the Yunnan province and tasted the cooked rice. “Farmers we spoke to seemed enthusiastic about adopting perennial rice and possibly other crops because of lower input costs.”
Noting that perennial rice is a great idea, “next only to hybrid rice”, he said perennial legumes are also being developed and it may be possible to have both rice and legume grow perennially in alternative rows/plots on the same field. “This also reduces or eliminates the need for nitrogen fertiliser and reduces the pest/pathogen problems typical to monocultures,” Raghuram said.
Rampant Fertiliser Use Could Slow Down Nitrogen Cycle, Rajasthan University Scientists Say
The Wire, 23 March 2017
An interdisciplinary, international study reveals a new way fertiliser overuse could affect the soil. The team, led by two researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan, predicts that overusing ammonium in crop fields could throw the soil’s natural nitrogen cycle off balance.
Nitrogen pollution: the forgotten element of climate change
Down To Earth, 6 December 2016
Nitrogen emissions such as ammonia, nitrogen oxide and nitrous oxides contribute to particulate matter and acid rain
Nitrogen Overload
Down To Earth, 2016
Developed regions such as the US and Europe have published detailed reports about nitrogen usage and pollution. But India is nowhere close to aggregating something similar of its own, says Y P Abrol, founder of the non-profit Indian Nitrogen Group. “For over a decade we have been trying to convince various ministries dealing with nitrogen to take up data collection and a detailed plan of action. But there has been no concerted policy or regulation,” he adds.
‘Improving efficiency only way to control nitrogen pollution’
Down To Earth, 08 July 2015
Human-induced nitrogen emissions have surpassed natural emissions, damaging the environment and human health, says Mark Sutton, lead author of ‘Our Nutrient World’, a 2013 UNEP report