New research reveals nitrogen fertilizers affect predatory protists more than other groups, changing trophic interactions and prey populations. This study provides crucial insights into sustainable soil fertility and rice production.
Soil nitrogen mineralization is a key process controlling soil nitrogen availability to plants. The study found that soil N mineralization rate and nitrate release varied with elevation, soil pH, and other factors. Soil N mineralization plays a crucial role in agricultural sustainability, but excessive nitrate release can lead to water...
Ten Bacillus strains exhibit distinct growth rates and antioxidative systems in response to acidic environments. The study reveals strain-specific differences in the regulation of enzymes and antioxidant reactants, highlighting the heterogeneity of microbial physiological responses to acidification. These findings contribute to our und...
New research reveals that microplastic pollution affects soil fungi differently depending on moisture levels. In dry conditions, microplastics help retain water and may mitigate drought effects, while in well-watered environments, toxic chemicals leach into the soil, hindering fungal richness.
Researchers investigated tiny plastics' impact on soil microbes and antibiotic resistance, revealing significant effects of nanoplastics. The study emphasizes the need to understand these impacts and reduce plastic pollution to protect environmental and public health.
Machine learning algorithms revealed that MP size, shape, and dosage significantly alter soil properties. The study provides essential data for informed decision-making on plastic waste management and corporate sustainability efforts.
A long-term study found that green manuring strengthens core microbiomes in soils, promoting organic C mineralization, N fixation, and N2O release. Keystone phylotypes were key to unlocking these functions across vertical soil profiles.
Researchers developed a background-resistant model to predict wheat Leaf Area Index (LAI) across diverse soil backgrounds, showing substantial improvement in prediction accuracy. The model demonstrated good estimation accuracy for different soil backgrounds and reliably captured seasonal LAI dynamics under various treatments.
Researchers found that high plant diversity acts as a buffer against fluctuations in soil temperature, protecting ecosystems and agricultural productivity. Plant diversity increased shading and organic carbon content, reducing heat conduction and stabilizing soil temperature.
Researchers developed a gradient F-doping hydroxyapatite core-shell structure with flexoelectricity and piezoelectricity, exhibiting enhanced degradation of phenanthrene in soil. The catalyst showed optimized piezocatalytic activity, outperforming pristine HAP and F-HAP.
Researchers found that mycorrhizal fungi can significantly improve crop yields by up to 40% in fields with high levels of fungal pathogens. The inoculation was most effective when the soil had already been contaminated with pathogens, serving as a protective shield against further damage.
Researchers found that non-living processes involving reactive oxygen species play a significant role in paddy soils' CO2 emissions. The study highlights the importance of understanding the interplay between organic carbon and both living and non-living contributors to devise effective strategies against global warming.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Scientists have developed a new method to investigate the deposition and impact of microplastics in soil, using neutron and X-ray tomography. The technique allows for the precise location of microplastic particles and analysis of changes to soil structure, shedding light on the environmental implications of microplastic pollution.
The study found that soil biota and their networks are easily altered by the soil environment, cultivation history, and crops. The research team applied DNA metabarcoding to analyze changes in soil organisms associated with crop growth, revealing distinct prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities and networks.
Research reveals that most types of sea freight carry soil with live bacteria, fungi, worms, seeds, and insects, including regulated biosecurity organisms. The study highlights the need for efficient measures to prevent exotic species establishment through contaminated cargo.
A new method developed by Rice University scientists uses a high-temperature electrothermal process to remove multiple pollutants simultaneously, including heavy metals and organic contaminants. The process leaves soil particle size and mineral composition unchanged, while improving water infiltration rate and nutrient availability.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a cellulose-based thickener to reduce environmental risks associated with liquefied stabilized soil. The thickener prevents bleeding, loss of fine particles, and unwanted settling, while maintaining soil strength.
Recent research reveals that certain soil microorganisms persist and even thrive during drought periods, influencing ecosystem balance and plant growth. A novel method using water vapor measurement indicates that specific bacterial species become more active under simulated future climatic conditions.
Soil liquefaction, a destructive phenomenon during earthquakes, is redefined by this groundbreaking study. Liquefaction can now be understood to occur in drained conditions with low seismic-energy density levels, triggered by seismic shaking facilitating interstitial fluid flow within the soil.
Research finds soil heat extremes are underestimated and intensifying climate change effects, with a stronger trend in the soil than in the air. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in these extreme temperatures, particularly in forests where trees can reduce evaporation losses.
Researchers suggest transforming arid ecosystems into efficient carbon-capture systems by engineering ideal combinations of plants, soil microbes, and soil type. This approach could result in significant increases in plant and soil carbon sequestration within less than ten years.
Researchers found that ancient Amazonians intentionally created dark earth by modifying the environment to improve soil fertility. This practice allowed for large and complex societies to thrive, with stored carbon remaining in the soil for hundreds to thousands of years.
A new Stanford-led study shows that adding zinc to farmland soil can help prevent childhood stunting, a condition due to chronic undernutrition that is associated with poor brain development and long-lasting harmful consequences. The researchers found that the presence of zinc in soil helps prevent stunted childhood growth.
Researchers from the University of Bern found that maize roots secrete chemicals that improve soil quality and increase wheat yields. The study demonstrates potential for using specialized plant compounds to enhance crop productivity through variety-specific rotations.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed soil samples from underneath decomposing human bodies to understand the release of elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, and calcium. The study found unexpected concentrations of these elements in the soils, which could aid investigators in locating missing persons and estimating time of death.
A novel approach to measuring microbial activity in wetted soil reveals clues about the vulnerability of biocrusts to climate change. The research found that active and inactive microorganisms differ in species richness and composition after being resuscitated by a simulated rain event.
A recent study by USU ecologist Jessica Murray found that tree canopies store significant amounts of carbon, with the ability to store up to 4% of total soil carbon. Climate and tree size play a crucial role in canopy soil abundance, and its decline could lead to a significant decrease in carbon storage resources.
The Philadelphia soil project has yielded promising results for urban growers, revealing low contaminant levels and high nutrient content. The initiative aims to empower growers by providing site-specific assessments and soil testing guidance, enabling them to make informed decisions about their gardening sites.
A soil transplant experiment found that soils with a history of salinity and inundation are more resistant to changes in water properties and movement. The study suggests that disturbance legacies shape coastal forest soil responses to changing salinity and inundation, varying across landscapes.
A new study reveals that soil moisture stress has a more significant impact on vegetation growth in Eurasian drylands than atmospheric vapor pressure deficit. The research provides crucial insights for effective ecosystem management and drought mitigation in the region.
Soil microbes are releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere due to global warming, with a potential increase of 40% by 2100 in polar regions. The emissions vary across climate zones, with cold polar regions being more sensitive to changes in soil moisture.
The Carbon SMART project trains farmers to monitor carbon levels in soil and practice climate-smart conservation practices, increasing soil health. The team will primarily work with farmers from underserved communities, monitoring the success of various conservation methods.
Research in the Arctic tundra reveals that plant life determines soil bacteria diversity. Changes in vegetation due to climate change are expected to impact generalist and specialist bacteria populations. The study's findings provide insights into Arctic ecosystem functioning and predictions of future environmental changes.
A decade-long study reveals that warmer temperatures lead to significant loss of organic compounds in deep forest soils, affecting carbon sequestration. This finding has implications for natural carbon sinks and soil management practices.
A recent study has found that microbes play a crucial role in storing carbon in the soil, with a four-fold greater importance than other processes. This breakthrough could lead to improved soil health and increased food security through targeted farm management practices.
Soil microbiota from stressful environments can enhance tree tolerance to drought, heat, and cold. Diverse microbial communities promote plant resistance to climate stress through various mechanisms.
Soil microbiology research increasingly relies on big data, with experiments moving from labs to fields. Discrepancies between lab and field studies impact policies due to inconsistent results. Bridging the gap requires interdisciplinary collaboration to improve upscaling of soil microbiology research.
Soil archaea in a warming climate become less diverse and more predictable, according to a long-term experiment led by Jizhong Zhou. The study found that experimental warming altered the community structure of soil archaea, reducing their taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity.
A new study found that increased tree diversity enhances soil carbon storage by 30-32% and nitrogen storage by 42-50% over a decadal timescale. Tree diversity leads to greater accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, validating previous biodiversity-manipulation experiments.
A University of Alberta study finds that maintaining tree diversity in Canada's forests can significantly increase carbon capture and improve soil fertility. This conservation strategy can help mitigate climate change by storing more carbon and nitrogen in the soil over decadal time scales.
Researchers identify critical drought thresholds that impact vegetation growth and nonlinear responses to soil moisture stress. The study reveals two distinct phases of vegetation response, with a well-defined threshold beyond which vegetation becomes vulnerable to drought intensification.
Increased droughts are disrupting soil microbes' ability to capture carbon, threatening plant productivity and greenhouse gas levels. Research suggests that if drought-adapted microbes outcompete carbon-sequestering microbes, it could lead to carbon-depleted soils with severe implications.
Researchers at IISc found that grazing by livestock leads to lower carbon storage in soil compared to wild herbivores due to antibiotic use. Re-wilding soils and quarantining animals could help offset the damage.
A study reveals that plant roots are crucial for belowground life in the tropics, supporting decomposition and soil health. Removing living roots decreases animal abundance by 42% in rainforest plots and 30% in plantations.
A new study published in Biogeosciences suggests that agricultural soil erosion may actually create an organic carbon sink, rather than a source. The researchers argue that the 'geomorphic OC pump' transfers organic carbon from the atmosphere to upland soils, which can be stored in sedimentary environments.
Researchers call for grassroots action to raise awareness about soil biodiversity's role in promoting human health and wellbeing. Cities' loss of biodiversity, pollution, and decline of green spaces reduce exposure to beneficial soil microbes, increasing allergies and illnesses like asthma.
Research collaboration reveals moisture is key to soil's carbon storage capacity, not temperature or mineral content. The study suggests that climate change may impact soil carbon and threaten ecosystem services.
A global comparison of soil transplantation projects reveals significant improvements in restoring vegetations with high conservation value. The treatment increased species count and diversity by an average of 40% compared to hay addition, particularly on loamy soils over larger areas.
New research reveals that nitrogen released by gas-powered machines causes dry soil to let go of carbon and release it back into the atmosphere. The study found that excess nitrogen acidifies soils, leading to a loss of carbon stored in association with calcium.
Researchers discovered a trade-off relationship between microbial CUE and specific extracellular enzyme activities under reduced oxygen, regardless of N and P levels. This relationship can advance understanding of microbially mediated C and nutrient cycling in anaerobic ecosystems.
Researchers are using AI to assess soil datasets and measurements, aiming to build an automated data-driven decision support system for European soils. The goal is to create an effective soil health certification system that can be used by farmers, landowners, and policy makers.
A recent study by CSIC reveals that soil biodiversity is essential for the maintenance of urban greenspaces, supporting various ecosystem functions such as carbon sequestration and water regulation. The study highlights the importance of invertebrates and microbes in these ecosystems, emphasizing their role in maintaining soil health.
A recent study found that soil microbes are releasing less CO2 in the summer due to decreased food availability, threatening their viability. However, autumn leaves mitigate this effect, but fewer dead leaves lead to a reduction in microbial biomass during the summer.
A global study reveals that around 50% of soil-available phosphorus worldwide comes from mineral fertilizers, with significant regional disparities. The findings highlight the need for sustainable agricultural practices to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources.
A study by the University of Illinois Agroecosystem Sustainability Center provides new insights for quantifying cropland carbon budgets and soil carbon credits. Researchers found that high-accuracy SOC concentration measurements are needed to quantify a cropland carbon budget, but current publicly available soil datasets are sufficient...
Researchers found striking differences in fungal richness and community composition between leaves and soils, with soil fungi being three times more diverse. Plant species identity and phylogeny drive foliar fungal communities, while soil fungi are influenced by plant-phylogeny interactions, climate, and soil properties.
Root exudates, organic compounds released from plant roots, regulate soil carbon formation and loss. Contrary to expected results, high rates of root exudation lead to increased loss of soil carbon.
Researchers found that less intensively managed grasslands had greater diversity of plant species and correlated with better soil health, including increased nitrogen and carbon levels. In contrast, intensively farmed plots showed fewer plant species, but some saw improvements in soil health over time.
The researchers designed a chemical system inspired by soil that can respond to external stimuli and modulate gut microbiota abundance and dysregulated microbes. This system shows promise for treating gastrointestinal disorders and may have implications for human health and agro-ecosystems.