Fertilizer does more than make plants grow bigger. It can also help them survive drought, according to new research spanning 26 grassland sites across nine countries. The study shows that while drought typically reduces plant growth by 19%, adding fertilizer can offset this damage completely. “The really big takeaway is that adding nutrients can offset the impact of drought, and this is really true in areas that are already pretty dry,” said Amber Churchill, assistant professor of ecosystem science at Binghamton University and co-author of the study. Scientists measured how grasslands respond when hit with both drought and added nutrients. … Continue reading Fertilizer Helps Grasslands Resist 19% Drought Damage and Grow 24% More in Global Trial