Spain’s ULMA Agrícola consortium and Tecnalia research center have developed a photovoltaic solar panel for greenhouses that generates electricity without an adverse effect on the crops growing inside.

Read More: http://cleantechnica.com/2012/01/16/new-pv-panel-shows-promise-for-solar-green-house-in-spain-source/

in Solar PV Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

Participants plant rice on the Roppongi Hills' rooftop rice field, in Tokyo, in 2008. Around 130 participated in the rice planting event, held on the top of the building, which was built for environmental education purposes, and also helps to keep down electricity usage as the garden on the roof helps to insulate the structure in summer.

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Green Buildings

Salt-tolerant crops show higher capacity for carbon fixation.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212124703.htm?utm_source=feedburner

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry CO2 Sequestration

Aquaponics is a blend of aquaculture -- fish farming -- and hydroponics, growing plants without soil in water. The idea is to grow fish in a tub or pool, using the nutrient-rich fish waste to fertilize vegetables and herbs grown hydroponically.
It is a nearly closed-loop system. The water from the fish tank, containing all the nutrients needed for plant growth, is pumped or diverted by gravity to the hydroponically grown plants. The plants filter ammonia and other fish waste products out of the water, which is then recirculated back to the fish. The only inputs required are food for the fish and small amounts of water to replenish what is lost through evaporation from the tank and transpiration through plant leaves.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20111210/COL0406/112100302/Aquaponics-growing-plants-water-from-fish-farming-an-efficient-way-raise-food-reduce-waste?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Local News|s

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Sustainable Fisheries

A research published in the "Journal of Proteome Research" by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, elaborates on their work. The team studying how algae renew old or damaged cell proteins found that the speed at which protein renewal takes place dictates how quickly the algae can adapt to environmental changes such as frost or drought. Renewal rates vary between proteins according to their role and their location within cells. For example, proteins that carry out photosynthesis renew quickly because they are at risk of light damage. On the other hand, proteins that protect DNA in plant cells — largely safe from external damage — renew slowly.
They made the discovery by developing a method to detect how quickly algae take up nitrogen from their food. Nitrogen is used to make proteins.
With this knowledge, researchers could grow crops with proteins that respond quickly to changing conditions. The opposite is also possible, allowing them to develop high-yield crops for stable environments.

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/on-the-horizon-crops-that-adapt-to-changing-weather/20859

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

Literature review on solar energy and wildlife impacts research - More peer based research on developments in solar energy will help in ensuring that their is no negative influence on the wildlife and at the same time help mitigate the risk of continued dependence on fossil fuels. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209150202.htm

in Solar PV Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

Scientists report that a genetically engineered corn crop has failed to kill the corn rootworm — the pest it was designed to stop. This may be the most serious threat to a genetically modified crops in the U.S. since farmers first started growing them fifteen years ago.

From the beginning, scientists worried that biotech companies were overusing Bt and increasing the chances that it would eventually stop working. That is because the insects that the crop was meant to kill has built up resistance against the Bt - just as they would against any other insect killer!

Read More: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/12/05/143141300/insects-find-crack-in-biotech-corns-armor

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Organic Farming

For purists who want to go the whole way with the original 100-mile challenge (to eat only that food which is grown within a 100 mile radius), the diet can still be a mind-boggling exercise: At the Herbfarm restaurant's annual 100-mile dinner, chefs gather their own seawater to evaporate into salt; grind elk horn into an ancient baking-powder substitute, and obtain rennet for cheese-making from the stomachs of young calves.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/pacificnw/2016669475_pacificpfootfood13.html?cmpid=2628

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Sustainable Homes and Communities

Research finds that even consumers who don’t consider themselves particularly ‘green’ would welcome better product eco-labeling. - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/business-brains/make-sustainable-products-easier-to-buy-shoppers-say/20209?tag=nl.e660

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Sustainable Cities

A fifth of global energy could come from biomass without damaging food production - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111125161027.htm?utm_source=feedburner

in Biomass Power Production Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

Someone who eats local and organic food is known as "Lorgavore". The term was coined by Carleton's environmental studies student Jasen Brosseau. The term could well be in science textbooks in a couple of years from now. Jasen also runs Lorgavore Tours, a local business that takes interested people on tours of Ottawa-area farms and teaches them about sustainable farming practices.

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Organic Farming

Research and Innovation in Low Cost , Green & Clean Technologies to provide food and feed to our communities and hungry people, upgrade to efficient and integrated production systems, entrepreneuships and community development, environmental protection and conservation, mitigation & adaptation to climate change. Algal Technology as a key-stone for integrated systems (water treatment, food production, CO2 capture and others) in urban and rural environments. Eolian & solar energy (chemical or photosynthetic, thermic and photovoltaic) to move production systems more efficiently.

in Solar PV Solar Thermal Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Organic Farming Global Warming and Climate Change Biodiversity CO2 Sequestration Agri Waste Management Water Conservation and Reuse Domestic Wastewater Treatment Sustainable Homes and Communities Clean Development Mechanism Biotechnology

A dairy farm in Wales that is powered by waste...

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Sustainable Homes and Communities

Can a world without paper become a reality?

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

300 tonnes of toxic rice dumped off Lakshadweep...the rice had excess urea content - http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/300-tonnes-toxic-rice-dumped-lakshadweep-745

Just wondering, what makes crops have excess urea content? Is it just higher than necessary application of fertilizer, or is it because of some other factor?

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

50% of the light energy which lands on the North field of Piedmont Biofarm is converted into power using a PV system installed with a 9 ft. clearance over the earth below which will get the remaining 50% light to grow organic food.

in Solar PV Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Organic Farming

Fish waste is used to grow the plants. Aquaponic gardening allows individuals to grow their own fish and vegetables simultaneously.

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry

The “Solar Double Cropping” project hosts a 92.16-kilowatt(kW) photovoltaic (PV) system installed with nine feet of clearance over an organic farm, allowing electricity to be generated over crops that thrive in partial shade. Doug Jones, the owner of Piedmont Biofarms, suspects that as the climate heats up, shade will become an increasingly important consideration for farming in the region.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/solar-double-cropping.php

in Solar PV Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Organic Farming

The Sahara is creeping into the verdant southern Africa. To counter desertification, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States has launched the Great Green Wall, a project to create a tree belt across the continent coast to coast through 11 countries.

This is a must see video...literally opens our eyes to what could be possible if we get out act together

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Biodiversity

  An Overview of the Toyota Motor Corporation’s Greening Technology:





Product name


Smart Green Parking


Smart Green Wall




Components


Main panels (bricks and path-reinforcement material), greening plants (TMC-developed TM9 grass, Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gawler (dwarf Japanese snake's beard), thyme, moss phlox, etc.)


Wire rolls, tension-adjusters, wire-end adjusters, and climbing plants




Characteristics


- Earthen base is wide enough to allow a durable and ample space for long lasting plant growth
- Specially developed blocks ensure both plant sustainability and surface safety
- Uses recycled car bumper materials


- Permanent installation with low-maintenance
- Lightweight ladder-shaped wires are easy for plants to attach to and easily…

in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Recycling Sustainable Homes and Communities