scholarly journals An analysis of ozone damage to historical maize and soybean yields in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (46) ◽  
pp. 14390-14395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin M. McGrath ◽  
Amy M. Betzelberger ◽  
Shaowen Wang ◽  
Eric Shook ◽  
Xin-Guang Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Actual Yield

Numerous controlled experiments find that elevated ground-level ozone concentrations ([O3]) damage crops and reduce yield. There have been no estimates of the actual yield losses in the field in the United States from [O3], even though such estimates would be valuable for projections of future food production and for cost–benefit analyses of reducing ground-level [O3]. Regression analysis of historical yield, climate, and [O3] data for the United States were used to determine the loss of production due to O3 for maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) from 1980 to 2011, showing that over that period production of rain-fed fields of soybean and maize were reduced by roughly 5% and 10%, respectively, costing approximately $9 billion annually. Maize, thought to be inherently resistant to O3, was at least as sensitive as soybean to O3 damage. Overcoming this yield loss with improved emission controls or more tolerant germplasm could substantially increase world food and feed supply at a time when a global yield jump is urgently needed.

Coal

2020 ◽  
pp. 81-119
Author(s):  
Paul F. Meier
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Coal Combustion ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Pulverized Coal ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Energy Applications ◽  
Residential Heating ◽  
Coal Technology

Coal has two main energy applications, with about 90% used for electricity generation and 10% used for commercial and residential heating. In terms of electricity generation in the United States, coal is responsible for about 28%, a significant decrease from 53% twenty years earlier when it was the leading energy for producing electricity. There are two primary commercial methods for generating electricity from coal including pulverized coal combustion and fluidized bed coal combustion. To safely burn coal, sulfur, nitrogen, and heavy metals are removed at the electric plant. The sequestering of sulfur and nitrogen are important steps for limiting acid rain and ground level ozone. To generate electricity, the United States has about 360 coal plants with about 790 generators, of which greater than 90% use pulverized coal technology. Most coal is transported by rail.

scholarly journals Soybean Yield Loss Estimates Due to Diseases in the United States and Ontario, Canada, from 2010 to 2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom W. Allen ◽  
Carl A. Bradley ◽  
Adam J. Sisson ◽  
Emmanuel Byamukama ◽  
Martin I. Chilvers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Soybean Cyst Nematode ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Macrophomina Phaseolina ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Diseases

Annual decreases in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) yield caused by diseases were estimated by surveying university-affiliated plant pathologists in 28 soybean-producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 through 2014. Estimated yield losses from each disease varied greatly by state or province and year. Over the duration of this survey, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) was estimated to have caused more than twice as much yield loss than any other disease. Seedling diseases (caused by various pathogens), charcoal rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid), and sudden death syndrome (SDS) (caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’Donnell & T. Aoki) caused the next greatest estimated yield losses, in descending order. The estimated mean economic loss due to all soybean diseases, averaged across U.S. states and Ontario from 2010 to 2014, was $60.66 USD per acre. Results from this survey will provide scientists, breeders, governments, and educators with soybean yield-loss estimates to help inform and prioritize research, policy, and educational efforts in soybean pathology and disease management.

scholarly journals Ontario Medical Association Position Paper on Health Effects of Ground-Level Ozone, Acid Aerosols and Particulate Matter

1998 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
BT Boadway ◽  
J MacPhail ◽  
C Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Nitrogen Oxides ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Sulphur Dioxide ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Emission Limits

This review of the evidence of the health effects of air pollutants focuses on research conducted in Ontario. Seven key Ontario studies are cited. These findings are highly significant for people living in the Great Lakes basin (and particularly the Windsor-Quebec corridor), where high levels of certain air pollutants (eg, ground-level ozone and ultra-fine particles) occur more frequently than in other parts of Canada. The issue is a serious one, requiring an integrated and comprehensive approach by many stakeholders, including the active involvement of organized medicine. It is important that the health effects of these air pollutants are understood. Governments must act to reduce emission levels through statue and regulation bolstered by noncompliance penalties.The findings of research have included the following: in a Toronto study, a 2% to 4% excess of respiratory deaths were attributable to pollutant levels; children living in rural Ontario communities with the highest levels of airborne acids were significantly more likely to report at least one episode of bronchitis, as well as to show decreases in lung function; and have been linked to increases in pollutants, emergency room visits and hospitalizations in Ontario.Every Ontarian is affected by air pollutants, although he or she may be unaware of the asymptomatic effects such as lung and bronchial inflammation. This health problem is preventable; while physicians know of the adverse health impacts of air pollution and they are concerned, individually they now focus on the treatment of symptoms. The major recommendations of the report are as follows:* Enactment of more stringent sulphur and nitrogen oxide emission limits, including a provincewide sulphur dioxide reduction of 75% from current cap levels, and the maximum allowable nitrogen oxides emission limits of 6000 tonnes annually from Ontario Hydro.* New transportation sector emission limits that should include California-level standards for light and heavy duty vehicles, reductions from off-road engines, an expanded vehicle inspection and maintenance program, and tougher standards for sulphur-in-fuel content.* Petitioning the United States Environmental Protection Agency administrator under Section 115 of the United States Clear Air Act to require reductions in the American emission of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which damage the health of Canadian residents and their environment.* Physician advice to patients about the risks of smog exposure, physician support for more health effects research on air pollution, and physician promotion of the development of air pollution-related health education materials.The recommendations discussed in this paper will, if acted upon, lead to a significant reduction in the overall burden of illness from air pollutants, especially in children and the elderly. These recommendations have been selected from a review of recommendations made by various authorities, and are those that the OMA feels a particular responsibility to support.

scholarly journals Climate-driven ground-level ozone extreme in the fall over the Southeast United States

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (36) ◽  
pp. 10025-10030 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuzhong Zhang ◽  
Yuhang Wang
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Weather Condition ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fire Emissions ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Ozone Concentrations ◽  
Ozone Precursor

Ground-level ozone is adverse to human and vegetation health. High ground-level ozone concentrations usually occur over the United States in the summer, often referred to as the ozone season. However, observed monthly mean ozone concentrations in the southeastern United States were higher in October than July in 2010. The October ozone average in 2010 reached that of July in the past three decades (1980–2010). Our analysis shows that this extreme October ozone in 2010 over the Southeast is due in part to a dry and warm weather condition, which enhances photochemical production, air stagnation, and fire emissions. Observational evidence and modeling analysis also indicate that another significant contributor is enhanced emissions of biogenic isoprene, a major ozone precursor, from water-stressed plants under a dry and warm condition. The latter finding is corroborated by recent laboratory and field studies. This climate-induced biogenic control also explains the puzzling fact that the two extremes of high October ozone both occurred in the 2000s when anthropogenic emissions were lower than the 1980s and 1990s, in contrast to the observed decreasing trend of July ozone in the region. The occurrences of a drying and warming fall, projected by climate models, will likely lead to more active photochemistry, enhanced biogenic isoprene and fire emissions, an extension of the ozone season from summer to fall, and an increase of secondary organic aerosols in the Southeast, posing challenges to regional air quality management.

Potential Corn Yield Losses from Weeds in North America

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 979-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Soltani ◽  
J. Anita Dille ◽  
Ian C. Burke ◽  
Wesley J. Everman ◽  
Mark J. VanGessel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Commodity Price ◽  
The United States ◽  
Corn Yield ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Weed Interference ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Statistics Canada

Crop losses from weed interference have a significant effect on net returns for producers. Herein, potential corn yield loss because of weed interference across the primary corn-producing regions of the United States and Canada are documented. Yield-loss estimates were determined from comparative, quantitative observations of corn yields between nontreated and treatments providing greater than 95% weed control in studies conducted from 2007 to 2013. Researchers from each state and province provided data from replicated, small-plot studies from at least 3 and up to 10 individual comparisons per year, which were then averaged within a year, and then averaged over the seven years. The resulting percent yield-loss values were used to determine potential total corn yield loss in t ha−1 and bu acre−1 based on average corn yield for each state or province, as well as corn commodity price for each year as summarized by USDA-NASS (2014) and Statistics Canada (2015). Averaged across the seven years, weed interference in corn in the United States and Canada caused an average of 50% yield loss, which equates to a loss of 148 million tonnes of corn valued at over U.S.$26.7 billion annually.

scholarly journals Ambient air pollutants and their effect on COVID-19 mortality in the United States of America

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Samuel Liu ◽  
Meng Li
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Nitrogen Dioxide ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
County Level ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
Ambient Air Pollutants

Objective. To examine the impact of four ambient air pollutants on the COVID-19 mortality rate in the United States of America. Methods. Using publicly accessible data collected by the United States Census Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies, county-level mortality rates were regressed on concentration values of ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. Four confounder variables were included in the regression analysis: median household income, rate of hospital beds, population density, and days since first confirmed case. Results. Regression analysis showed that ground-level ozone is positively correlated with county-level mortality rates regardless of whether confounders are controlled for. Nitrogen dioxide is also shown to have a direct relationship with county-level mortality rates, except when all confounders are included in the analysis. Conclusions. High ground-level ozone and nitrogen dioxide concentrations contribute to a greater COVID-19 mortality rate. To limit further losses, it is important to reflect research findings in public policies. In the case of air pollution, environmental restrictions should be reinforced, and extra precautions should be taken as facilities start reopening.

scholarly journals Quantifying Alfalfa Yield Losses Caused by Foliar Diseases in Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Vermont

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. Nutter ◽  
J. Guan ◽  
A. R. Gotlieb ◽  
L. H. Rhodes ◽  
C. R. Grau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Fungicide Treatment ◽  
Foliar Diseases ◽  
Significant Yield

Although foliar diseases of alfalfa occur throughout the United States wherever alfalfa is grown, little work has been done to quantify yield losses caused by foliar pathogens since the late 1980s. To quantify the yield losses caused by foliar diseases of alfalfa, field experiments were performed in Iowa, Ohio, Vermont, and Wisconsin from 1995 to 1998. Different fungicides and fungicide application frequencies were used to obtain different levels of foliar disease in alfalfa. Visual disease and remote sensing assessments were performed weekly to determine the relationships between disease assessments and alfalfa yield. Visual disease assessments of percentage of defoliation, disease incidence, and disease severity were performed weekly, approximately five to six times during each alfalfa growth cycle. Remote sensing assessments also were obtained weekly by measuring the percentage of sunlight reflected from alfalfa canopies using handheld, multispectral radiometers. Yield loss estimates were calculated as the yield difference between the fungicide treatment with the highest yield and the nonfungicide control, divided by the yield obtained from the highest yielding fungicide treatment × 100. Over the 4-year period, significant alfalfa yield losses (P ≤ 0.05) occurred on 22 of the 48 harvest dates for the four states. The average significant yield loss for the 22 harvests was 19.3%. Both visual and percentage of reflectance assessments were used as independent variables in linear regression models to quantify the relationships between assessments and alfalfa yield. From 1995 to 1998, visual disease assessments were performed for a total of 209 dates and remote sensing assessments were performed on 198 dates from the four states. Yield models were developed for each of these assessment dates. There were 26/209, 26/209, and 17/209 significant yield models based on percentage of defoliation, disease incidence, and disease severity, respectively. Most of the significant models were for disease assessments performed on or within 1 or 2 weeks of the date of alfalfa harvest. When the significant models were averaged, percentage of defoliation, disease incidence, and disease severity explained 51, 55, and 52% of the variation in alfalfa yield, respectively. There were a total of 68/198 significant alfalfa yield models based on remote sensing assessments, and the significant models (averaged) explained 62% of the variation in alfalfa yield. Alfalfa foliar diseases continue to have a significant negative impact on alfalfa yields in the United States and remote sensing appears to offer a better means to quantify the impact of foliar diseases on alfalfa yield compared with visual assessment methods.

Potential Yield Loss in Dry Bean Crops Due to Weeds in the United States and Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 342-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Soltani ◽  
J. Anita Dille ◽  
Robert H. Gulden ◽  
Christy L. Sprague ◽  
Richard K. Zollinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Dry Bean ◽  
Bean Yield

AbstractEarlier reports have summarized crop yield losses throughout various North American regions if weeds were left uncontrolled. Offered here is a report from the current WSSA Weed Loss Committee on potential yield losses due to weeds based on data collected from various regions of the United States and Canada. Dry bean yield loss estimates were made by comparing dry bean yield in the weedy control with plots that had >95% weed control from research studies conducted in dry bean growing regions of the United States and Canada over a 10-year period (2007 to 2016). Results from these field studies showed that dry bean growers in Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Ontario, and Manitoba would potentially lose an average of 50%, 31%, 36%, 59%, 94%, 31%, 71%, 56%, and 71% of their dry bean yield, respectively. This equates to a monetary loss of US $36, 40, 6, 56, 421, 2, 18, 44, and 44 million, respectively, if the best agronomic practices are used without any weed management tactics. Based on 2016 census data, at an average yield loss of 71.4% for North America due to uncontrolled weeds, dry bean production in the United States and Canada would be reduced by 941,000,000 and 184,000,000 kg, valued at approximately US $622 and US $100 million, respectively. This study documents the dramatic yield and monetary losses in dry beans due to weed interference and the importance of continued funding for weed management research to minimize dry bean yield losses.

scholarly journals Italianness in the United States between migrants’ informal gardening practices and agricultural diplomacy (1880–1912)

Modern Italy ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Gilberto Mazzoli
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Environmental History ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Production ◽  
East Coast ◽  
The United States ◽  
Southern United States ◽  
Mass Migration ◽  
Us Cities ◽  
Political Radicalism

During the Age of Mass Migration more than four million Italians reached the United States. The experience of Italians in US cities has been widely explored: however, the study of how migrants adjusted in relation to nature and food production is a relatively recent concern. Due to a mixture of racism and fear of political radicalism, Italians were deemed to be undesirable immigrants in East Coast cities and American authorities had long perceived Italian immigrants as unclean, unhealthy and carriers of diseases. As a flipside to this narrative, Italians were also believed to possess a ‘natural’ talent for agriculture, which encouraged Italian diplomats and politicians to propose the establishment of agricultural colonies in the southern United States. In rural areas Italians could profit from their agricultural skills and finally turn into ‘desirable immigrants’. The aim of this paper is to explore this ‘emigrant colonialism’ through the lens of environmental history, comparing the Italian and US diplomatic and public discourses on the potential and limits of Italians’ agricultural skills.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document