A 12-year experiment found increased soil carbon storage under elevated carbon dioxide concentrations, with deeper soil showing even greater gains. The study suggests that processes such as root dynamics and microbial decomposition contribute to this effect.
A four-year Iowa State University study on cover crops between corn rows reveals higher yields and improved soil health. The study shows that planting living mulch, or ground cover, can maintain soil moisture, slow erosion, and sequester carbon.
Researchers analyzed Martian soil samples and found no microscopic clay particles, suggesting the soil has had a very arid history. The team estimated that liquid water on Mars was present for at most 5,000 years since its formation, making it unlikely for life to maintain a foothold on the surface.
Researchers develop a new method to reduce erosion in areas ravaged by forest fires using an organic polymer. The treatment, tested on burnt soils in Israel, shows promise in reducing erosion by up to 50%.
Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that biochars produced from switchgrass and hardwoods increased soil moisture storage in sandy soils. The study also showed that biochars can extend the window of soil water availability for crops by 1-3 days.
Researchers are developing a new approach to predict water uptake by roots in soils using X-ray scanning and mathematical modelling. This will help understand how different wheat root architectures affect water movement and crop growth.
A study published in Nature suggests that soil environment, not molecular structure, determines the degradation rate of humus, a key factor in the global carbon cycle. The researchers propose new experiments and models to improve forecasting of soils' response to climate changes.
Soil nitrogen can remove pollutants from the atmosphere by forming hydroxyl radicals, which oxidize and wash out pollutants. The amount of nitrous acid released depends on soil acidity and water content.
A new study reveals that enhanced tree growth in tropical forests can stimulate soil micro-organisms, leading to the release of stored soil carbon. Researchers found that extra litterfall triggers a process called priming, which stimulates the decomposition of carbon stored in the soil.
Researchers at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have created a unique fingerprinting method to identify the source of soil, distinguishing between soils from rural roads and agricultural fields. This innovation has significant implications for managing wind erosion and promoting sustainable agriculture.
A new study reveals that measurable amounts of mercury emitted by coal-fired power plants are deposited in local soil, contaminating regional watersheds and affecting fish populations. The research found hot spots of mercury contamination tied to specific power plants, highlighting the need for better energy production choices.
Researchers have identified a promising conservation tillage technique called undercutting, which can reduce PM10 emissions by 30-70% compared to conventional tillage. This method creates an aerodynamically rougher soil surface, promoting retention of crop residue and reducing wind erosion.
A new University of Minnesota project aims to refine successful farming techniques for corn and soybeans in anticipation of climate change. Scientists will investigate the benefits of precision zonal management, which enables crops to receive optimal nutrients while soil-building processes occur between rows.
A team of experts developed a high-tech, portable device to test soil for carcinogenic pollutants, providing fast and accurate results. The Safe Soil Tester can detect toxins in as little as 12 minutes, offering significant cost savings over traditional lab testing.
A Lithuanian company developed a technique that has cleaned over 22,000 tons of soil using non-genetically-modified bacteria, transforming contaminated soil into usable land for plant growth. The natural process eliminates the need for chemicals or genetically-modified technologies.
Composted dairy manure solids significantly improve soil physical and chemical properties, reducing density and pH while increasing organic matter and nutrient concentrations. The treatment also enhances the establishment and growth of selected ornamental plants.
Researchers analyzed data collection methods to examine pesticide use's environmental impact. They found that flow velocities of soil water and residence time of pesticides in the soil affect sorption parameters.
A new inquiry-based curriculum is helping high school students better understand soil science concepts through research and experiments. The program has shown that students who work on real-world projects tend to perform better than those who only focus on standardized testing.
A Baylor University geology researcher and scientists from Rice University tested a new soil additive called biochar on common earthworms. They found that wetting the biochar before applying it to the soil reduces harm to earthworms, allowing them to perform essential functions in the soil ecosystem.
Scientists deciphered a community of soil microbes that enables a patch of soil to suppress a plant-killing pathogen. The researchers found 17 unique types of bacteria working together to reduce the incidence of fungal infection.
A comprehensive study of British soil biodiversity has been conducted, mapping bacterial distributions for the first time. The research found that acidic soils are dominated by few taxa, while bacterial diversity is strongly related to soil pH.
A New Zealand study found that adding biochar to soil can decrease nitrous oxide emissions from grazing animals' urine by up to 70%. The incorporation of biochar also alters nitrogen transformations and reduces ammonia formation, leading to lower nitrate concentrations.
Researchers at Queen's University discovered that silver nanoparticles can be highly toxic to microbial communities in Arctic soil, compromising the ecosystem's ability to fix nitrogen. The study's findings highlight the need for further consideration of innovation's impact on the environment.
A Purdue University study suggests that drought-exposed leaves may negatively impact soil nutrients by accumulating high levels of tannins. These tannins can interfere with critical enzymes in soil, potentially slowing down decomposition and nutrient cycling.
A Danish study examines the relationship between soil texture and nutrient leaching in agricultural fields. The results show that injecting dairy slurry into loam soil reduces phosphorus leaching, while its effect on sandy loam and loamy sand is limited.
A new study found that biochar can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from intensive grazing systems. The research, conducted in New Zealand, showed a 70% decrease in nitrous oxide fluxes when biochar was added to the soil. This effect was attributed to reduced ammonia formation and its adsorption onto biochar.
A team of US Department of Agriculture scientists found that moderate cattle grazing can improve soil health and sequester carbon and nitrogen. Decades of plowing have degraded the soil in the Piedmont region, but researchers discovered that grasses planted on eroded land and grazed by beef cattle can restore soil quality.
The article highlights the importance of soil in addressing societal and ecological pressures. Soil scientists recommend refocusing research on urgent issues, broadening their vision to entire ecosystems, and improving communication to protect the planet's fragile home.
A study analyzed five long-term experiments to predict effects of no tillage management on soil organic carbon. Harvesting substantial crop residues without added carbon would deplete soil organic carbon and increase pollution risks.
A study by North Carolina State University aims to evaluate the role of legume cover crops in sucking carbon out of the air and sequestering it in the soil. The research will also examine different methods of killing cover crops before planting cash crops and their effect on soil carbon levels.
Researchers found elevated manganese levels in 20 of 21 soil samples from a ridge at Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, with 53% attributed to atmospheric deposition from industrial sources. The excess manganese can be toxic to trees and other vegetation, highlighting the legacy of past iron furnaces.
A study comparing 31 commercial strawberry farms found that organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse. The research team analyzed multiple sampling times on over two dozen fields, finding significant advantages of organic farming systems.
A study published in PLoS ONE found that organic strawberry farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse. The researchers also discovered that organic soils excelled in various key chemical and biological properties, including carbon sequestration and microbial biomass.
The USDA is developing a web-based fertilizer forecast tool to predict field runoff occurrence and enhance water quality. The tool uses National Weather Service data to analyze precipitation, soil moisture, and other factors.
A long-term study found that biochar can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by up to 73% and ammonium leaching by up to 94%, with reductions occurring over time due to 'ageing' of the biochars in soil. The research highlights the potential of biochar as a tool to mitigate climate change.
A simple and inexpensive demonstration of soil water retention and field capacity helps students visualize and understand these concepts. The demonstration uses PVC rings, a trashcan, and a scale, illustrating the influence of soil texture, structure, and depth to the water table on soil water content.
A five-year study found that one-time tillage did not negatively impact grain yield or soil structure in no-till crops. However, it may help manage perennial weeds and reduce phosphorus stratification. The researchers concluded that tilling should only be done to address specific problems, as it increases erosion risk.
Research led by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scientists finds that soil-borne pathogens drive species diversity and explain patterns of tree abundance. The study's findings suggest that certain tree species are more susceptible to pathogens, which prevents rare species from becoming abundant.
Researchers found that improving soil structure was a significant variable contributing to positive potato yield. Supplementing traditional soil sampling with spectral measurement provided detailed insights into how the potato crop interacts with its environment.
Research using geoscientific observatories reveals high levels of manganese in certain soils linked to nearby industrial activities. The study contributes to understanding the impact of human activity on soil formation and fertility.
A three-year study found that cover crops significantly reduced erosion and runoff in maize cropping systems, with a residual effect lasting up to two years. The research suggests that burying sufficient cover crop biomass into the soil can reduce erosion rates by 40-90% lower than rough tillage.
A joint study across the central Great Plains found that no-till farming stores more soil carbon, binding particles together and reducing vulnerability to raindrops. This makes the topsoil less susceptible to erosion by water or wind, critical in semiarid regions with low precipitation and high evaporation.
A new model has estimated that large amounts of organic nitrogen are stored in the soil beneath fields in Nebraska and Maryland, where corn and soybean crops are grown. The study found that leaching accounted for most of the nitrogen lost from the soil, particularly in irrigated areas.
Researchers found that microbes become less efficient at converting carbon in soil into atmospheric CO2 as global temperatures rise, leading to reduced emissions. The study suggests that microbial efficiency decline may mitigate climate warming effects.
USDA ARS scientists collaborated with NRC experts to model radioactive material movement in the vadose zone. They found that gaps in fine-material layers significantly affect tracer transport in soils and shallow groundwater.
A new study found that dark-colored plastic mulches, particularly black and blue, increase early and total okra yields. The use of row covers also enhances plant growth, but may reduce early yields due to high air temperatures.
Growing energy crops like warm season grasses and short-rotation woody crops can promote long-term carbon sequestration and provide biofuel feedstock. Removing crop residues from fields, however, can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and reduced nutrient cycling.
Researchers are using conservation agriculture techniques to increase food production, improve soil quality, and reduce climate change risks. The projects focus on implementing technologies such as cover crops, no-till production, and residue management to improve food security and sustainability in Haiti and other countries.
Researchers found air gaps in roots that formed during dry periods, which partially refilled after irrigation. However, older parts of the taproot showed limited re-establishment of contact, raising concerns about severe drought's impact on plant nutrition.
Interactive e-lessons developed by soil science educators engage learners with active learning strategies, interactive Flash animations, and experiential activities. These lessons aim to help students and the public recognize the critical importance of soil in addressing various issues.
The symposium emphasizes the complex interaction of grape variety, viticulture, and soil to produce great wines. Experts will discuss factors such as soil surface color, drainage, and chemical composition to understand terroir, a term defined as vineyard site, soil, and climate.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will recognize individuals with outstanding contributions to education, national and international service, and research. The 2009 award recipients include Donald Graetz, David Mengel, Robert G. Hoeft, and others.
The Optical Soil Dipstick (OSD) measures soil health through a small hole in the surface of the earth, providing information on pollution, water needs and crop condition. The device could help solve the mystery of global warming's effects on farming and water resources.
Undergraduate students can learn problem-solving skills by analyzing subsidence and restoration of organic wetland soils. This approach emphasizes cross-disciplinary concepts, such as mass-volume relationships, to help students understand complex soil processes.
The University of Arizona is building a network of soil moisture probes to improve short-term and seasonal weather forecasting, with funding from the National Science Foundation. The project aims to provide more accurate forecasts by measuring low-energy neutrons produced when cosmic rays hit the soil.
By leveraging the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for EOS sensor on NASA's Aqua satellite, researchers can estimate soil moisture levels with improved accuracy, leading to more precise crop forecasts. This innovation addresses the pressing issue of global food scarcity and its impact on millions of poor people.
The study clarifies the chemical nature of the ISNT and its relationship to microbial growth. It finds that the test mainly detects bacterial amino sugars, suggesting this form of soil nitrogen is key to its effectiveness in predicting corn yield response.
A study published in Biology and Fertility of Soils found that the rate at which a dried soil is rewetted affects phosphorus loss into surface water. High phosphorus concentrations can lead to harmful algal blooms and disrupt food webs, affecting drinking water quality and recreational activities.
A recent study found that flood conditions can decrease soil aggregation stability by up to 20%, impacting crop production. The research suggests that reducing conditions contribute to the degradation of soil structure.
Repeatedly, molecular microbiological techniques have found changes in soil bacterial communities after antibiotic use in intensive livestock production. Bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle are particularly affected, with persistent changes even after antibiotics break down.