Researchers found that water rises up to 9 inches in the capillary fringe, controlling important functions like contaminant breakdown and carbon storage. The team also discovered that microbes behave differently depending on oxygen levels, requiring ideal conditions for decomposition.
A new soil moisture product has been developed for mainland China, utilizing a dual-pass data assimilation system that auto-calibrates model parameters. The product provides gridded soil moisture data with a spatial resolution of 0.25° over China, showing consistent patterns with precipitation and evaporation.
New research reveals how El Niño affects soil moisture content, controlling plant growth and food supply. The study identifies areas with severe decreases in soil moisture, such as the Amazon basin and maritime Southeast Asia, which may lead to large-scale plant die-offs.
Researchers developed a two-region soil-gas diffusivity model to characterize aggregated agricultural soils. The model accurately estimates gas diffusion and provides insights into greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study suggests that increased rainfall in tropical regions will enhance soil respiration and decrease soil carbon stocks, leading to further intensification of global warming. This process could release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
Researchers studied desert soil pores and found they determine water distribution and control a key resource in arid environments. The study's findings suggest that soil texture affects pore formation and reforming after disturbance, highlighting the importance of understanding these soils.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered that soil silicates can help control bleeding after injury by triggering clotting. The presence of soil in wounds activates a blood protein called coagulation Factor XII, leading to the formation of a plug and limiting blood loss.
New research finds that atrazine regulations have been successful in reducing overall concentration of atrazine in water. However, the rate of breakdown to less toxic compound DEA is influenced by soil microbes and climate. The study also shows that dry areas without tile drainage lead to faster breakdown of atrazine.
Research reveals unsustainable levels of soil erosion in the UK, with 16% of arable land showing erosion above 'tolerable' levels. Soil management practices and legislation are under scrutiny for their impact on soil fertility and ecosystem services.
Researchers found that adding cable bacteria to rice soil reduces methane emissions by over 90%. Cable bacteria recycle sulfur compounds, maintaining a large amount of sulfate in the soil and reducing methane-producing microbes' activity.
Soil microorganisms decompose organic nitrogen, releasing inorganic nitrogen for plant growth. The initial burst of microbial activity after CO2 flush is a key indicator of forthcoming soil nitrogen mineralization.
Researchers found that plant root hairs significantly reduce soil erosion by binding soil particles and increasing soil cohesion. The study suggests that root hairs may release materials that reinforce soil or enhance its properties, providing new insights into soil conservation.
Research investigated cover crop biomass production and soil properties in the eastern Great Plains. Early-planted cover crops had minimal effects on soil properties after 4 years, with low biomass production.
Researchers have discovered that certain plant materials can help store more carbon in soils and reduce erosion. Using two-step experiments with biomass crops, they found that miscanthus and willow performed better than sorghum in storing long-term carbon, making sustainable farming on peatlands possible.
Soil microbes convert ammonium to nitrates using oxygen and diverse processes, making nutrients available to plants. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial roles in the soil nitrogen cycle, which can inform efficient fertilizer use and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers find freeze-drying method yields more accurate results for measuring soil N reactive gas fluxes and total emissions. This approach could lead to revised understanding of global nitrogen cycle mechanisms.
Researchers found that cover crops can increase soil health in the Southern High Plains by retaining rainwater and reducing erosion. The study showed that biological activity improves soil structure and increases soil carbon storage, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found high levels of biological activity in the gaps between oil palm fronds, providing microhabitats for soil creatures. This discovery may help preserve ecosystem functioning and offset damage caused by oil palm agriculture.
A new global analysis shows cover crops universally improve soil microbiome health, increasing microbial abundance, activity, and diversity. Factors such as climate, termination method, and tillage regime also impact the benefits of cover cropping on soil microbes.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified a new species of bacteria that can break down organic matter, including toxic chemicals released from burning coal, gas, and oil. The discovery could hold key to understanding the soil carbon cycle and predicting global climate change.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $8 million in funding to seven research projects studying soil signals to advance sustainable agriculture, climate change and food production. Researchers will develop new methods to capture, communicate and analyze soil processes, including sensors and data tools.
A new study reveals a never-before described natural process in soil that converts nitrogen gases into nitrates through the action of visible and ultraviolet radiation. This finding is crucial for understanding the nitrogen cycle in soil, which affects global sustainability, productivity, and air quality.
Soil pathogens like Pythium ultimum spread more easily under heat and drought stress, causing widespread crop failure. Soils from Scotland are less resistant to these pathogens than those from Hungary.
Research by North Carolina State University's Rich McLaughlin team found that tilling and adding amendments to soil can greatly improve infiltration rates, reducing runoff and water pollution. Grasses and wildflowers also showed promise in improving infiltration, with wildflowers potentially providing additional benefits for pollinators.
The Everglades Agricultural Area is experiencing significant soil subsidence due to climate change, threatening the region's ecosystem and agricultural economy. Researchers recommend practices such as crop rotation with rice and adding plant material back into the soil to mitigate decomposition and increase soil carbon.
A team of researchers discovered that soil can capture NOx gases from the atmosphere and transform them into nitrate through a process called
The new optical nitrate sensor enables real-time measurement of nitrate levels in the range of tens to hundreds of parts per million, detecting rapidly changing concentrations. It optimizes fertilizer application, reduces water resources pollution, and economizes irrigation.
A recent study published in the Journal of Ecology found that climate change is unlikely to force a northern migration of sugar maples due to soil composition constraints. The research, conducted by Alexis Carteron and colleagues, found that boreal forest soil negatively affects sugar maple survival rates and growth.
A collaboration between growers and scientists has identified practices increasing soil health in West Texas cotton production, including crop rotation, cover crops, and residue management. These regenerative practices improve soil resiliency to climate extremes.
The study found that specific components of soil health, such as the abundance and activity of soil animals, affect crop productivity. Measurements of soil invertebrates can inform assessments of soil health. The researchers also discovered that optimizing biotic processes in soil can optimize crop production.
A new approach developed by University of Delaware researchers uses machine learning to predict soil moisture conditions in smaller areas with greater detail than standard models. This improves regional and global analysis while providing more accurate predictions even without existing data.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can degrade solid bedrock by oxidizing iron and extracting energy from it. The study found that these microorganisms use proteins on their outer surface to move electrons, allowing them to 'munch' rocks without taking minerals into their cells.
Midwest farmers adopting reduced tillage increased corn and soybean yields by 3.3% and 0.74%, respectively, while improving soil health and lowering production costs.
Researchers found that recycling nutrient-rich industrial waste products can enhance soil health while reducing carbon emissions and maintaining crop yields. The study used heat-inactivated spent microbial mass (SMB) as a fertilizer, which provided similar crop yields to conventional fertilizers but at greater rates.
Researchers employed satellite imagery and statistical models to identify the socio-economic causes of soil erosion globally. They found that national borders reveal areas with unnaturally high erosion rates, highlighting the 'country effect' as a major driver of soil loss.
Researchers at Colorado State University reveal that soil organic matter has two distinct components: particulate and mineral-associated organic matter, which differ in their origin, makeup, and persistence. Recognizing this diversity is essential for developing effective strategies to sequester carbon and promote soil health.
Researchers found that converting degraded pasture to oil palm plantations reduces stored carbon loss associated with rainforest clearing, but can lead to initial soil organic carbon loss. However, the carbon is later redistributed within the soil, resulting in long-term recovery of topsoil organic carbon.
A new experimental approach captures how soil ecosystems respond to multiple drivers, revealing shifts in soil properties and microbial communities. The study's results could help identify dangerous factor combinations and tipping points for soil ecosystems in the future.
A group of scientists from the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) urge policymakers to take action on soil carbon despite ongoing debates. They highlight the importance of rebuilding soil carbon for environmental and agricultural benefits, such as sustainable agriculture systems and water quality.
A recent study found that fumigants used to control nematodes in potato cropping systems have very minor effects on soil microbial communities. The research suggested that the average efficacy of these pesticides was estimated at 98% across all nematodes studied.
Researchers have found that fossil pollen can be preserved in floodplain soils, allowing scientists to reconstruct past climate dynamics and land use patterns. The study used soil properties such as organic matter concentration and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio to predict pollen abundance, providing a new tool for climate reconstruction.
Researchers found increased soil erosion 4,000 years ago coinciding with deforestation and land-use changes. Human practices accelerated global sediment accumulation, affecting ecosystems and climate.
A study analyzing pollen samples and radiocarbon dates found that human land use changes drove global soil erosion rates, starting around 4,000 years ago. In 70% of studied watersheds, land cover change was the main driver of soil erosion.
Researchers from RUDN University found that the rate of organic carbon accumulation in wild, cultivated, and abandoned soils depends mainly on soil type and composition. The study revealed that phaeozems release carbon easily, while chernozems contain more decomposition-resistant compounds.
Researchers successfully grew ten crops in Mars and Moon soil simulant, including garden cress, tomato, and radish. The study found that nine out of ten crops produced edible parts, with the exception of spinach.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that actively managed mixed wood forests in New Hampshire have significant carbon stores, both above and below ground. The research found that the forests' soil carbon is higher in subplots with more trees, especially fir and spruce species.
Researchers developed a biochar technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from soils and prevent soil degradation. The innovative method uses chicken dung and agricultural waste to produce biochar, which slows down humus mineralization and stalls CO2 emission.
Research by Anglia Ruskin University found microplastics can stunt earthworm growth and cause weight loss, impacting soil ecosystem health. Soil contamination with certain plastics leads to decreased pH and reduced plant growth.
Researchers found increased rainfall reduces soil's water absorption rate, leading to more water in streams and lakes. Soil properties also affect carbon storage, potentially impacting climate models.
A community-led approach to understanding and addressing soil pollution in Troy, New York and Tierra Amarilla, Chile. The project aims to raise awareness of the issue and develop strategies for protecting public health through do-it-yourself testing and community engagement.
A new study found that concurrent soil drought and atmospheric aridity are driven by land-atmosphere processes and feedback loops, leading to increased frequency and intensity of extreme events. The researchers warn that future intensification of these events would be disastrous for ecosystems and human lives.
A review of current land surface models highlights the need for more accurate infiltration predictions, which affect erosion control and water supply. The authors recommend increasing attention to soil structure, moisture, temperature, precipitation, terrain, and plants in these models.
Researchers found that adding compost and cover crops to organic-certified systems increased soil carbon content by 12.6% over a 19-year period, outperforming the international '4 per 1000' initiative. This approach stores more carbon than previously calculated, highlighting the importance of balancing diet for microorganisms in soils.
A long-term study in California's Salinas Valley found that annual cover cropping significantly benefits soil health, while organic matter from compost has relatively small effects. The research suggests innovative strategies to increase cover cropping adoption, improving soil quality and sustainability.
A West Virginia forest study found that acid rain increases soil-to-atmosphere water transfer, leading to greater plant water uptake. This effect is attributed to the leaching of calcium from soil, which signals open stomata and allows evapotranspiration to continue.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered a new mechanism determining how carbon is stored in soils, which could improve climate resilience and reduce carbon footprints. Soils from ecosystems with higher plant diversity have more pores of the right size for stable carbon storage.
The use of chloropicrin as a preplant soil treatment measure has been found to suppress soilborne pathogenic fungi and some nematodes and insects. Additionally, it results in greater crop yield and health, with treated soil having a healthier root system, improved water use, and more efficient fertilizer use.
Researchers found that microaerobic Fe(II) oxidation coupled to carbon assimilation processes driven by microbes from paddy soil. The study identified the potential microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in paddy soil and confirmed their ability to couple iron cycling with carbon transformation.
A recent study published in Conservation Biology found that Amazonian deforestation leads to reduced abundance and diversity of soil fauna and microbes. The research team also discovered that land use patterns after forest clearance impact soil biodiversity, with certain species more vulnerable to displacement than others.
A UBC researcher's study found that commercial bio-fertilizers may not improve soil quality or crop yields, raising concerns about environmental consequences. The study also highlights the need for more knowledge on the impact of these inoculants on the land and potential invasive species risks.