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.
Researcher identifies wind erosion, salinization, and waterlogging as major land degradation indicators in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The study suggests conservation strategies and management options to combat desertification through better resource management.
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.
Researchers found that nitrous oxide production rates in small stream sediments are linked to nitrate availability. The study suggests that management efforts to reduce nitrous oxide production should focus on limiting nitrate transport to stream ecosystems.
A study in the Catskill Mountains reveals that certain tree species retain more nitrogen in their soils, reducing leaching losses. The research found that sugar maple trees are particularly susceptible to nitrogen leaching, while forests dominated by red oak and hemlock retain more nitrogen.
A study found that tillage and nutrient management practices can affect soil carbon storage differently depending on the soil profile. When considering only the top 20 cm of soil, no-till treatments showed higher organic carbon stocks, but this effect was cancelled when accounting for deeper soil layers.
Scientists found that the mineral composition of these coatings can have a substantial effect on the retention of nitrate and sulfate. Understanding this mechanism is critical to protecting groundwater resources.
Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to analyze phosphorus forms in treated and untreated soils. The study found orthophosphate as the dominant form, with significant differences between treated and untreated soils.
Researchers Jane Hill and Barbara Cade-Menun found that phytate concentration was high in manures but not retained in crop soils and sediments. The study concluded that phytate is most likely to be hydrolyzed in situ by microorganisms.
Researchers at Iowa State University used NCSS data to create a detailed Quaternary geologic map of the Des Moines Lobe, achieving strong agreement with existing maps. The map showcases finer detail and user-controllable scale, making it suitable for various disciplines.
Research shows that organic soils continue to acidify, posing a threat to forest health in the northeastern US. Despite declines in acidic deposition, soil base cation pools are insufficient to neutralize acidic inputs, leading to continued chemical recovery delays and increased vulnerability to winter injury.
A new calibration tool has been developed to help students and soil scientists accurately measure rupture resistance, a key factor in determining soil strength. The tool consists of four pressure calibration assemblies with varying pressures, allowing users to calibrate their thumb and forefinger for precise measurement.
Research focuses on transport phenomena in heterogeneous media, exploring anomalous transport and its role in hydrogeology. The study highlights the importance of concentration tails in assessing radioactive waste disposal reliability.
Researchers developed a new method using laser scanning technology to measure bulk density of soil clods and rock fragments. The results showed excellent agreement between the two methods, enabling a more thorough analysis of a soil's quality.
A team of scientists developed a model to measure soil quality and predict long-term changes in soil organic carbon and organic matter. The CQESTR model simulates the effects of various management practices on soil dynamics, providing insights for sustainable crop and soil management.
The number of students studying soil science as a major is declining across the United States, according to Mary Collins' article published in the Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education. The decline affects not only students but also courses offered, quality of graduate students, and potential department mergers.
The Soil Science Society of America has recognized 2008 SSSA Fellows, Thomas W. Bruulsema, Seth M. Dabney, Steve R. Evett, Yan Jin, Thomas C. Kaspar, Newell R. Kitchen, David A. Laird, and R. Richard Lowrance, for their professional achievements and meritorious service to the Society.
The Soil Science Society of America presented several awards to recognize outstanding contributions in precision agriculture and soil management. The Lloyd R. Frederick Soil Teaching Travel Award supports international teaching experiences for top soil science instructors, while the L.R. Ahuja Ag Systems Modeling Award honors early car...
A new study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality examines the health hazards of treated sewage sludge application to land. The risks of aerosol-borne infection for biosolids workers are generally low, at less than 1 or 2% per year.
Researchers found that no-till practices can lead to increased nitrous oxide emissions, offsetting the soil's carbon dioxide sink. In a study of two soil types, nitrous oxide emissions doubled under no-till conditions in the heavy clay soil.
Researchers conducted a high-resolution soil survey of Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico, collecting over 140 soil samples and creating interpolated maps. The study provided valuable insights into the park's soil characteristics, enabling more effective management of natural resources.
Estimating soil texture-by-feel is an important skill that impacts land-use decisions and various soil properties. The technique allows researchers to provide quick, reliable estimates of soil texture in the field.
Researchers found that Pickleweed can thrive in saline conditions and tolerate high concentrations of boron, allowing for substantial reduction in drainage water volumes. The study suggests a potential solution for growers on California's Westside to reduce environmental impacts and costs associated with disposal.
Researchers found that using nitrogen fertilizer on rye cover crops increased biomass output and made more nitrogen available to cotton. The study's findings suggest improving soil quality and nutrient management can enhance agricultural productivity.
Researchers at Decagon Devices Inc. successfully measured thermal properties of Martian regolith using a short, fat needle technique, expanding understanding and accuracy of climate models. The study's findings have potential applications in improving commercial thermal properties sensors on Earth.
The Dig It! exhibit showcases soil samples from each US state, including Texas's Houston Black soil, which is featured in the exhibition. The exhibit has attracted over 300,000 visitors since its opening and will travel to multiple locations across North America.
A new approach to teaching agriculture was developed to focus on social learning and sustainability. The method, which includes exercises that build awareness of individual and collective knowledge and knowing, helped students develop a broader capacity to approach sustainability challenges systemically and collectively.
Researchers explore 'dissimilatory metal reduction' to convert selenate into less-toxic elemental selenium, with potential for recovery and reuse. The process is efficient but requires careful temperature control to minimize formation of ecotoxicological risks.
The new book, Soil Science: Step-by-Step Field Analysis, offers clear guidance on improved soil management techniques. The soft-cover guide covers topics such as site evaluation, surveying techniques, and measuring soil pH, making it an essential resource for professionals in the field.
Researchers used thermal neutron attenuation to measure in-situ water content and uptake of nutrients by plants, providing a non-invasive method for studying root systems. The technique, called neutron computed tomography, has potential applications in agricultural practices and ecosystem sustainability.
Researchers found that multiple measurement techniques are needed to accurately measure calcium content in serpentine soils. A combination of X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and elemental analysis is necessary to identify and quantify calcium.
New research reveals that root systems can be observed using advanced imaging technologies like MRI, allowing for better understanding of water uptake patterns. Roots also play a significant role in soil carbon cycling and the global carbon balance.
Three studies demonstrate that soils in different regions respond similarly to management practices to increase soil carbon storage. Soil organic C increases with higher C input, but gains are often confined to labile fractions and larger aggregates.
Swine waste fertilizer can be improved by altering phosphorus levels in the diet, resulting in slower phosphorus accumulation in soil. This approach reduces excess nutrients that can pollute the environment.
A study investigates the potential of a Simple Inverse Yield Model (SIYM) for estimating plant-available water capacity in fields. The results show that measured plant-available water capacity correlates with corn yield better in dry years, but SIYM estimates are weaker in claypan soils.
A team of researchers has developed a range of sophisticated mathematical approaches to quantify soil variability across multiple scales. These methods include geostatistics, fractals, and multi-fractals, which can be applied to diverse data sets such as soil pore shapes, water content, and geochemical data.
Scientists discovered that fecal bacteria survive better in sand than seawater, with higher counts in dry sand above the intertidal zone. This finding has implications for beach managers, who may need to sample water further from shore to avoid complications of bacterial run-off.
A recent study found that no-till farming can increase soil organic carbon concentrations in the upper layers of some soils. However, the total soil organic carbon pool to a depth of 60 cm is often similar or even lower than plow tillage systems. The study highlights the importance of analyzing the entire soil profile for accurate conc...
Educators use candy to teach soil microbial diversity, resulting in increased student assessment scores and retained concepts. Students base characterizations on physical appearance of candies, exploring ways microorganisms can be defined.
Donald R. Nielsen, University of California-Davis professor, is recognized for his groundbreaking work in linking theory with field measurements and spatial variability of agricultural soils. He has guided 37 students through graduate degrees and authored over 300 scientific publications.
Scientists evaluate the impact of grain-based ethanol production on water quality in the US. The study recommends advanced conservation measures to minimize nutrient losses from corn production, but a viable cellulosic ethanol industry could provide water quality benefits.
Researchers present applications of radar technology for exploring water beneath the surface, addressing soil erosion, groundwater depletion, and pollution. GPR-derived dielectric permittivity is used as a surrogate measure for soil water content, providing high-resolution subsurface images.
Researchers found that smaller spatial resolutions are necessary for accurate modeling of soil water dynamics, especially at large scales. The critical limit for grid resolution can be estimated using soil water retention characteristics, and is typically on the order of decimeters or millimeters.
Researchers tracked sulfate and nitrate movement in forest soils during winter, finding most compounds were released in snowmelt. Organic soils acted as a sink for these compounds, with significant ammonium production indicating N mineralization was important.
Researchers found that over one-third of tropical soil samples can generate severe limitations for landmine detection using metal detectors. The study provides a classification scheme for predicting detector performance and highlights the importance of considering soil development in de-mining missions.
A study investigated intensive forestry's effects on water quality in eastern Texas. Fertilization resulted in small increases of nitrogen and phosphorus in watersheds, but these losses were a fraction of what was applied. Streamside buffers and natural regeneration helped minimize impacts.
Scientists investigate Hanford's vadose zone to understand contaminant migration and develop remediation solutions. They find complex pathways for nuclear waste travel, affecting composition and speed, impacting the environment and people downstream.
The USGS Coalition will host a congressional reception to highlight the importance of increased funding for the USGS in the FY 2008 budget. The event aims to promote responsible natural resource stewardship and improve resilience to natural hazards.
A study funded by Cargill Crop Nutrition found that varying nitrogen application rates can increase corn yield with similar or higher nitrogen rates, but may not improve grain quality. Researchers also discovered that one hybrid performed better than the other under both uniform and varied nitrogen applications.
Simulated climate change scenarios show varying effects on groundwater recharge, with some areas experiencing dramatic increases and others minor changes. The study highlights the importance of considering both surface and underground climate impacts in resource management and government policies.