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Illinois Research Team Secures $5 Million Grant to Minimize Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizer Use in Corn Production
- The NSave project, led by Angela Kent at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has secured $5 million funding and aims to develop a nitrogen-efficient corn variety with higher nutrient use efficiency.
- The environmental challenges associated with conventional agricultural practices, including greenhouse gas emissions and soil health/water system problems, have led to an increased focus on sustainable agricultural practices.
- The NSave project aims to use traits derived from teosinte to develop a corn variant that can minimize the need for nitrogen fertilizers while maintaining high crop yields.
- The project is notable for its commitment to reducing reliance on fertilizers that have become a source of concern due to their environmental footprint.
- Co-principal investigators from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, including experts from the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics and the Department of Crop Sciences, are involved with the project.
- The expected outcomes of the project include reduced fertilizer costs and diminished nitrate runoff, enhancing the economic viability of farming operations while fostering environmental stewardship.
- The NSave corn project aligns with ARPA-E’s TEOSYNTE program aimed at revolutionizing cultivation methodologies in U.S. farming, specifically targeting improvements in nitrogen fertilizer application and overall agricultural sustainability.
- The NSave project is set to provide comprehensive insights into the challenges and opportunities that accompany the adoption of novel agricultural technologies by harnessing diverse perspectives and resources.
- Reducing synthetic fertilizer reliance in agriculture complements national efforts to decrease agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
- The implications of this project reach far beyond the scientific and agricultural communities and could influence agricultural policies and funding priorities in the U.S.
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