By Jamie Martin
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has successfully harvested its first crop of climate-smart soybeans, funded by a $5 million USDA grant. This innovative project, lasting over four years, tests new agricultural practices aimed at reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, while also increasing yields.
UTA, collaborating with Texas A&M AgriLife and other institutions, is working with 14 farmers in Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri. These partnerships focus on implementing climate-smart practices such as no-till agriculture, cover crops, and crop rotation to improve soil health and reduce emissions.
The introduction of bio-inoculants and biochar has shown promise in enhancing soil fertility and trapping GHGs. The harvested soybeans from biochar-treated fields are an early indicator of potential success in mitigating climate change impacts while supporting agricultural productivity.
As the project progresses, the team will use advanced tools like portable gas analyzers to measure the effectiveness of these practices in reducing GHG emissions.
The goal is to establish a market for climate-smart commodities, promoting sustainable agricultural products that benefit both the environment and the economy.
Photo Credit: istock-urpspoteko
Categories: National