Researchers develop a refined retrieval algorithm that leverages Diurnal Amplitude Variation in L-band brightness temperature to capture soil FT dynamics more precisely. The enhanced approach demonstrates stronger consistency with ERA5-Land and SMAP data.
Sugarcane intercropping improves soil health by breaking up compacted soil, enhancing nutrient use, and promoting microbial diversity. Practical cases in southern China show expanded applications with legumes, maize, vegetables, and green manure crops, improving land use efficiency and organic matter content.
Researchers found that biochar improves soil health by increasing microbial diversity, capturing carbon, and enhancing nutrient cycling. Biochar acts as a long-lasting carbon sink, storing carbon for hundreds to thousands of years.
Researchers found that biochar can dramatically reduce erosion by 45% and improve soil's ability to store water, even under intense rainstorms. Biochar also improved soil structure and increased infiltration, making vineyard soils more resilient to extreme weather.
A new study found that combining reduced nitrogen fertilizer with nitrogen-fortified nanobiochar enhances soil properties and crop performance in nitrogen-deficient soils. The treatment increased soil moisture, infiltration rate, and aggregate stability by up to 42 percent compared to conventional fertilization.
Researchers found that certain soil minerals can trap dissolved organic matter released from biochar, keeping more carbon in the soil. Low-intensity rainfall helps retain this dissolved carbon within mineral-rich soils, limiting its downward movement and loss.
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that soil properties control arsenic behavior and toxicity, with mobile fractions posing a stronger threat to juvenile springtails. The findings support targeted ecosystem management and remediation strategies to protect ecosystems from arsenic contamination.
Researchers found that soil viruses selectively infect denitrifying microbes, reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 20%. The study suggests viral regulation as a potential method for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. Viruses may play a critical role in supporting sustainable food production and protecting the planet.
A decade-long field study reveals that biochar improves soil structure, fertility, and microbial activity, leading to higher soybean yields. Biochar also reshapes soil microbial communities, promoting beneficial groups and suppressing potential pathogens.
Current methods for measuring soil carbon sequestration are limited by small-plot experiments that lack external validity, making it difficult to generalize findings to diverse farms and climates. Collecting large-scale data at the scale of commercial agriculture is necessary to validate models and underpin trustworthy carbon markets.
A new type of biochar, phosphorus/iron-doped biochar, has been developed to address both problems at once—immobilizing toxic cadmium in soil while helping trap carbon. The study found that it significantly reduced cadmium mobility and improved carbon retention in the soil.
Biochar enhances soil life and locks away carbon for decades, even centuries. The study found that biochar works better in red soils, where its alkaline nature helps fight acidification and teams up with iron to lock in carbon.
A long-term study in Northeast China's fertile black soils found that biochar improves soil health, stabilizes microbial communities, and increases crop yields when applied at the right rate. The optimal application rate enhances microbial stability and organic matter content, leading to better yields.
A study reveals that warming temperatures alone do not lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions from soil. Instead, adding more carbon and nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus triggers higher CO2 levels released from the soil. This finding highlights the crucial role of microbes in regulating soil carbon cycling.
Researchers are analyzing leaf and soil samples from diverse areas to determine beneficial or harmful roles of different microbes. The study aims to improve crop production practices and overall yield by assessing the health of soil rhizosphere.
Researchers found that combining arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with biochar can reshape soil microbiomes, reduce cadmium uptake, and improve plant growth. The treatment resulted in up to 320% greater shoot biomass compared to untreated controls.
The NISAR mission's multi-scale algorithm retrieves soil moisture at resolutions as fine as 100 meters, improving agricultural productivity and water resource management. Validation results show the algorithm met accuracy goals, with a root mean square error of less than 0.06 m³/m³.
The review proposes a working definition of regenerative agriculture centered on ecological cycles and farm system outcomes, emphasizing observable outcomes such as improved soil function and resilience. Regenerative practices like cover cropping and biological inputs tap into biological processes to rebuild the 'soil food web' and res...
Maize in densely planted plots releases linalool, which triggers roots of neighbors to release compounds altering soil bacteria composition. This plant-soil communication helps plants defend against increased pest risk.
Researchers found biochar improved soil's ability to hold nutrients and moisture, giving cotton plants better growth conditions. Biochar also helps improve water quality by keeping nitrates in the soil and out of groundwater.
Research found that high-elevation tropical forests in the Colombian Andes store significant amounts of pyrogenic carbon (PyC) due to past fires. The study analyzed soil samples from different elevations and land-use types, revealing PyC stocks nine to ten times higher in High Andean forests than in warmer regions.
A new method harnessing CYGNSS significantly improves soil moisture retrieval by eliminating vegetation interference and removing dependency on external datasets. The technique enables standalone, high-frequency monitoring of soil moisture, offering a transformative tool for climate research, agriculture, and disaster management.
Research on oxo-degradable plastics reveals they have a limited degradation efficiency in soil, causing significant changes in soil quality and corn growth. Microplastics exhibit more pronounced effects than macroplastics, altering soil structure and chemical environment.
Researchers found that changes in pH levels result in three distinct metabolic states of the community, driven by indigenous biomass activity and nutrient availability. The simple model predicts the activity with just two parameters, offering insights into how soil microbiomes adapt to climate change.
A three-year study found that biodegradable plastic mulch films increased crop yields by 43%–46%, while maintaining stable soil organic matter content. The 'mini-greenhouse effect' created by the mulch film accelerated nutrient mineralization and reduced moisture evaporation, creating an ideal microenvironment for crop growth.
Researchers found that agro-pastoral activities increased soil erosion rates 4-10 times faster than natural formation over 3,800 years. The study reveals the degradation of high-altitude soil first, followed by medium- and low-altitude soils with agricultural development.
Researchers discovered that oak trees adjust their root systems to access more soil nutrients under elevated CO2, employing both 'do it yourself' and 'outsourcing' strategies. This adaptation enables the trees to optimize growth and maintain nutrient supplies.
Researchers developed an AI-powered microscope system to measure soil fungi presence and quantity, providing insights into soil health and fertility. The low-cost optical microscopy with machine learning technology can be used by farmers and land managers worldwide.
A new study reveals that abandoned termite mounds serve as microhabitats for a wide range of insects and other invertebrates in Bornean tropical rainforest. The team found five to nine times higher abundance of insects in unoccupied mounds compared to surrounding soil, with ants being the most commonly found insect group.
The TUdi project develops Decision Support Tools (DSTs) to help farmers monitor soil health, track changes over time, and support informed decision-making. A Socio-Economic Toolkit for Soil Restoration (SEST) also assists farmers in making strategic decisions by analyzing economic impacts of soil restoration strategies.
Researchers developed an AI model using FELA and machine learning techniques to assess uplift resistance in cohesive-frictional soils. The model identified embedment depth ratio, load inclination angle, and soil strength ratios as key factors affecting pipeline stability.
A recent study reveals that soil viruses can enhance the accumulation of recalcitrant dissolved organic matter, leading to increased soil carbon sequestration. Viral mechanisms also highlight a novel coupled carbon and nitrogen cycling process, modulating soil greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers analyzed 261 Chinese soil samples to compare legume crop rotations, revealing faba bean rotation's benefits in enhancing soil properties and microbial communities. Faba bean rotation increased organic carbon, total nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as microbial biomass and respiration rate.
Sindhu Jagadamma, a UTIA associate professor of soil science, will receive the award for her research on sustainable soil management practices that mitigate environmental problems. Her work focuses on implementing conservation management techniques, such as no-till and cover crops, to maintain soil health.
A study found that straw mulching significantly increases soil CO2 emissions in bamboo forests, with effects persisting for at least three years. The mulching material acts like a thermal blanket, raising soil temperatures and stimulating microbial activity, leading to increased carbon emissions.
Researchers developed predictive models to estimate cadmium levels in wheat grain using soil characteristics, outperforming traditional methods. The study identified key drivers of metal uptake and introduced improved soil cadmium thresholds that better reflect food safety needs.
Researchers have developed a hyperspectral imaging technique that can detect microplastics in soil with impressive accuracy, paving the way for faster and non-invasive monitoring methods. The MCT-HSI system has been shown to achieve over 93% detection accuracy across tested levels of microplastic concentrations.
A study by Göttingen University researchers combined satellite data with manual measurements to better understand forest soil moisture. The findings show that soil moisture is strongly influenced by weather and season, not exact location, and highlight the importance of monitoring soil moisture over time for effective forest management.
Global soil nitrous acid emissions have increased from 1980 to 2016, contributing to a 2.5% annual rise in the global surface ozone mixing ratio. This can lead to overexposure of vegetation to ozone, affecting ecosystem balance and food crop production.
Researchers developed an AI-based framework to predict grout permeation behavior in heterogeneous soils, outperforming traditional FEM simulations. The model achieved high predictive accuracy of R^2 = 0.849 and processed predictions in under 2 seconds.
The Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies report shows that 81% of producers use lime and fertilizer recommendations to improve soil fertility. The study also found that most producers are satisfied with the free soil testing services provided by the Marianna lab, which accounts for 80-85% of analysis in the state.
A new study has discovered how root cells respond to their complex soil environment, revealing that they actively sense and mount precise molecular responses. The findings could help develop crops resistant to climate stress and improve soil resilience.
Research by NIOO-KNAW reveals that less intense farming practices, such as reduced ploughing and increased grass-clover mixtures, can improve soil health and multifunctionality in both conventional and organic agriculture. This approach, known as 'productive de-intensification,' aims to retain crop yields while enhancing soil functions.
A new study reveals that farms with more intensive management have lower overall soil functionality, suggesting a shift towards productive deintensification for sustainable agriculture. Soils play a critical role in supporting human well-being and ecological stability, but intensive farming practices can degrade soil health.
PREPSOIL has launched an assessment tool to evaluate how well Living Labs and Lighthouses align with the EU's Soil Deal for Europe. The initiative invites registered LL and LH projects to participate in a more detailed assessment, potentially gaining access to 100+ Soil Living Labs' network.
The PREPSOIL Final Event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the implementation of Mission Soil and the proposed Soil Monitoring Law at regional and local scales. The event aims to equip regions with tools for protecting and restoring soils through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Researchers found that nanoplastics in soil exhibit varying behavior depending on soil type and pH levels, affecting their aggregation and adsorption onto soil particles. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate plastic pollution.
Research reveals that organic fertilizers alter organic acids in the soil, modifying bacterial communities harboring pqqC and phoD genes. This leads to improved phosphorus solubilization and enhanced phosphorus utilization by plants.
Researchers found that soil extracellular enzymes were significantly altered in the alpine meadow, but not in the swamp meadow, with changes coinciding with SOC content. The primary factors influencing enzyme activities differed between meadows.
A team of UConn researchers found that biochar application improves soil microbial biomass carbon by approximately 21%, supporting the functioning of vital microorganisms. Biochar provides essential nutrients and a habitat for microbes, especially in nutrient-deficient soil or soil with suboptimal pH.
Researchers found that certain cover plants, such as rye and sunflower, can absorb excess nitrate and remove unwanted metals like cadmium. This method offers a natural, climate-neutral way to improve soil health and is suitable for phytoremediation in agriculture.
Researchers found that nitrification inhibitors and maize straw can reduce fertilizer-derived N₂O emissions, but effectiveness varies by soil type. Soils with high pH and active nitrogen cycling respond better to these treatments, leading to significant emission reductions.
The TUdi project has developed nine multilingual leaflets to provide information and share findings on various topics related to sustainable agriculture. The leaflets offer guidance on managing soil health, assessing soil structure stability, detecting erosion, and managing nutrient loss through water movement.
Forest age significantly affects bamboo forests' phytolith carbon sequestration, with mature forests accumulating more soil PhytOC. Karst bedrock enhances PhytOC accumulation in bamboo forests due to its high Si content and weak alkalinity. Soil available Si is a crucial factor influencing PhytOC accumulation.
Researchers found that soil micro-food web complexity significantly enhances soil fertility and promotes crop growth, with more complex webs maintaining higher soil nutrient levels. The study provides valuable evidence for improving agricultural yields and optimizing ecosystem management strategies.
A study found that soil bacterial communities show increased antimicrobial resistance due to the presence of a predatory bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus. The researchers suggest that exposure to growth-inhibitory molecules released by M. xanthus leads to the enrichment of resistant isolates.
A new study reveals the extreme vulnerability of young volcanic soils to wildfires in the Arequipa shrublands of Peru. The research found that vegetation and soil combustion, combined with post-fire erosion, have caused a severe loss of soil organic carbon, hindering ecosystem recovery.
The PREPSOIL project aims to enhance soil literacy among European teachers, promoting innovative examples of soil education. The initiative received over 50 submissions showcasing creative approaches that combined science, humanities, and hands-on activities.
The PREPSOIL project highlights the importance of soil literacy among young people, equipping educators with inspiration and ideas to foster essential knowledge. The upcoming webinar will bridge the gap between young citizens and soil health, empowering the next generation to take informed actions.
A study co-authored by Yale School of the Environment scientists found that directly measuring soil carbon can provide reliable evidence of how much carbon is being stored. This approach, coupled with suitable study designs, allows for feasible verification of climate-smart practices such as crop cover and reduced tillage.