Towards a more sustainable management of flower waste Published 03.04.2024 Every year, thousands of tonnes of plant material are discarded by flower retailers across Norway. In collaboration with industrial partners, NIBIO is attempting to find methods for a more sustainable management of plant waste.
Digital tools and AI to boost climate resilience among Indian smallholders Published 19.03.2024 In March, NIBIO co-hosted a workshop in Delhi, India on digitalisation and AI in agriculture. 16 public and private agencies working in the South Asian region shared their experiences and explored the impact digital technology has on climate resilience and income among smallholders. Digital tools developed in the Resilience project were also presented.
Are there good alternatives to peat in horticulture? Published 18.03.2024 Authorities want to phase out the use of peat in Norwegian growing media. But are there good alternatives? For now, the answer is yes and no.
Oslo welcomes EAPR Triennial Conference 2024 on potatoes Published 15.03.2024 From 'potayto' to 'potahto,' or simply 'potato': Oslo gears up for EAPR Triennial Conference, spotlighting sustainable potato production, field excursions, and networking opportunities.
Genetic technology: Healthy scepticism or outdated scaremongering? Published 14.03.2024 Scientists believe that gene-editing technologies like CRISPR have the potential to foster more sustainable agriculture, enhance food security, and drive innovative climate solutions. However, the looming question remains: will they be permitted to utilise it? Answers may unfold as early as 2024.
Increased risk of major bark beetle outbreaks - also in Norway Published 14.03.2024 The European spruce bark beetle has killed several hundred million spruce trees in Sweden and Central Europe in the last five years. A warmer climate will ultimately result in more damage also in Norwegian spruce forests. Fewer spruce trees and softer clearcut edges can prevent and mitigate future bark beetle outbreaks.
Norwegian-Romanian collaboration on peatland restoration Published 13.03.2024 Norwegian and Romanian researchers are collaborating on the restoration of peatlands and wetlands in Romania. In late February, participants met for a project meeting at NIBIO in Ås before visiting Svanhovd in the Pasvik Valley together.
Fragrant pest control in forest nurseries Published 12.03.2024 Every year, 40 million spruce trees are planted in Norway. Forest nurseries rely on pesticides to keep the seedlings healthy. Researchers at NIBIO have teamed up with forest nurseries to find alternatives that can reduce the need for chemical agents. They aim to investigate whether "friendly" bacteria and the tree's own defence mechanisms can be utilized.
Soil steaming is effective against pests in potato Published 11.03.2024 Researchers from NIBIO have discovered that heat treatment using steam effectively kills the yellow potato cyst nematode in contaminated soil.
More frequent extreme droughts result in significant crop losses Published 19.02.2024 A large international drought experiment reveals that the effects of extreme drought have been significantly underestimated, particularly in ecosystems crucial for pastoralism and global food production.
Strengthening Tanzanian agriculture through sustainable soil management Published 16.02.2024 On the 14th of February, NIBIO and the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) signed an agreement in the presence of Tanzanian and Norwegian government officials at Klimahuset in Oslo, Norway. The new project ClimaSoilHealth aims to enhance Tanzania’s ability to manage soil health in a sustainable way, thus improving the livelihoods of the country’s many smallholders.
What motivates forest owners to engage in early harvesting? Published 10.02.2024 Healthy forests that grow well provide the highest timber yield, and capture the most carbon, when allowed to reach maturity before the final harvest. Nevertheless, many Norwegian forest owners choose to harvest their forest at an earlier timepoint. Why? A new survey indicates that other factors, such as forest damage, changes in land use, and the fact that neighbours are conducting logging, are the primary motivations for an early harvest. Acute financial needs, or a desire to swap tree species, are rarely the reasons for early harvesting.