USDA na EPA Zinatangaza Washindi wa Changamoto ya Ubunifu wa Mbolea Inayofuata

WASHINGTON, Oktoba 19, 2021 - Leo, Idara ya Kilimo ya Marekani na Wakala wa Ulinzi wa Mazingira wa Marekani (EPA) wametangaza washindi wa Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge, la pili kati ya sehemu mbili, Ushirikiano wa pamoja wa USDA-EPA na Ushindani wa Mbolea Ufanisi (EEFs) ili Kuendeleza Ustahimilivu wa Kilimo nchini Marekani. Lengo la shindano hilo ni kuboresha ufanisi wa mbolea ili kuongeza mavuno ya mazao sambamba na kupunguza athari za mbolea kwenye mazingira.

Washindi wa changamoto waliwasilisha dhana za teknolojia mpya zinazoweza kupunguza athari za kimazingira za nitrojeni na fosforasi kutoka kwa kilimo cha kisasa huku wakidumisha au kuongeza mavuno ya mazao. Suluhisho zinazoshinda hutumia nanoparticles ambazo zinahitaji mbolea kidogo na kutolewa virutubishi kwa mahitaji ya mimea inayokua, na kisha kuharibika kuwa vitu visivyo na madhara au hata virutubishi; kusaidia ukuaji mkubwa wa mmea kutoka kwa uwekaji wa mbolea sawa au kidogo; na mbinu nyinginezo.

“Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are well-positioned to be leaders in tackling climate change through technological innovation,” said Acting USDA Chief Scientist Hubert Hamer. “Through programs like the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge, USDA is partnering with the private sector to find new climate-smart solutions that are good for farmers and good for the environment.”

“The goal of the challenge is to develop and use innovative and affordable technologies to reduce environmental impacts of modern agriculture on our air, land, and water, while maintaining agricultural productivity and profitability,” said Wayne Cascio, acting principal deputy assistant administrator for science for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “We are excited about the possibilities and continued new work in this area.”

The winning concepts include a range of solutions that can improve environmental outcomes, including reduced nitrous oxide emissions—the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture— while maintaining or increasing crop yields.

Washindi ni pamoja na:

Suluhu za daraja la 1 (zawadi ya $17,500):

Dk. Christopher Hendrickson, Aqua-Yield Operations LLC, Draper, Utah, kwa ajili ya mbolea ya nano-smart.

Taylor Pursell, Pursell Agri-Tech, Sylacauga, Ala., for “Urea 2.0,” which replaces the conventional urea core with a customizable mixture of materials to provide fertilizers tailored to local needs.

Suluhu za daraja la 2 (zawadi ya $10,000):

Dk. Kuide Qin, Sayansi ya Maisha ya Verdesi, Cary, NC, kwa kutumia teknolojia bunifu ya mchanganyiko ili kuboresha utendakazi wa nitrapyrin ya kiwango cha sekta kwa ufanisi zaidi, uvujaji wa nitrate kidogo, na kuzuia kutu kwa vifaa vya shambani.

Dr. Catherine Roue, Fertinagro Biotech International, Portage, Mich., for “Phosphate Liberation Booster” technology, which uses secretions from phosphate-starved plants to boost plant uptake so less fertilizer may be added and legacy phosphorus can be accessed.

Chandrika Varadachari, Agtec Innovations Inc., Los Altos, Calif., for “Smart-N,” which is a smart-fertilizer that releases nutrients on-demand by the crop and which creates a chemical “cage” for urea that dissolves into plant nutrients.

Suluhisho za daraja la 3 (Taja kwa heshima):

Dk. Jaroslav Nisler, Taasisi ya Mimea ya Majaribio, Chuo cha Sayansi cha Czech, Jamhuri ya Cheki, kwa kutumia viini vya homoni ya ukuaji wa mimea MTU, ambayo husaidia kuunda vipindi virefu vya ukuaji, ulinzi dhidi ya mfadhaiko, mimea mikubwa, na uwezekano wa upotevu mdogo wa virutubisho kwa kila kitengo cha mbolea inayotumika.

Dr. Leanne Gilbertson, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn., for creating a “protected fertilizer package,” which can carry nutrients through soil pores to the area around the plant roots.

Dr. Robert Neidermyer, Holganix LLC, Aston, Penn., for “Bio 800+,” a microbial inoculant that harnesses the power of over 800 species of soil microbes, kelp, and other soil amending ingredients to promote greater crop production and plant health.

Paul Mullins, Brandon Products Ltd., Ireland, for “BBS-1,” a biostimulant derived from seaweed extract that is applied as a fertilizer coating to improve nitrogen-uptake in root cells.

USDA na EPA zinaratibu changamoto za EEF na Taasisi ya Mbolea (TFI), Kituo cha Kimataifa cha Maendeleo ya Mbolea (IFDC), Uhifadhi wa Mazingira (TNC), na Chama cha Kitaifa cha Wakulima wa Nafaka (NCGA).

The competition launched on August 26, 2020. Part two of the first challenge, “EEFs: Environmental and Agronomic Challenge,” is ongoing. More information can be found at: www.epa.gov/innovation/next-gen-fertilizer-challenges.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.