Articles tagged with Soil Science
Research reveals that single-celled organisms are among the first to colonize newly formed lava environments, thriving in scarce water and nutrient conditions. As diversity stabilizes over time, rainwater plays a critical role in shaping microbial communities, suggesting an unexpected link between weather phenomena and life on Earth.
University of Houston engineers have discovered that melatonin helps plants grow by adjusting biological processes to coincide with daily cycles. The hormone also enhances photosynthesis and improves stress tolerance in crops.
Researchers found that warming temperatures may actually reduce nitrogen gas emissions from forest soils in dry conditions, contradicting earlier predictions. The study's findings suggest that moisture levels, not just heat, play a crucial role in determining the fate of nitrogen in forests.
The Soils for Europe conference in 2026 will bring together experts to discuss soil health and sustainability in Europe. The event aims to bridge the gap between science, policy and societal action, and features a range of sessions and activities focused on the latest research and innovations.
A University of Houston scientist teams with international partners to map Antarctica's glaciers, revealing tidal movements and retreat rates up to 700 meters per year. The dataset provides the most detailed view yet of how glaciers interact with the ocean, enabling better understanding and modeling of sea-level rise.
A new paper outlines a global coalition dedicated to conserving microbial biodiversity, which accounts for 99% of life on Earth. The Microbial Conservation Specialist Group will develop Red List-compatible metrics, pilot restoration projects, and promote public awareness to ensure microbes are recognized as essential to planetary health.
Wiley has expanded its spectral libraries with major updates to IR, Raman, and LC-MS collections, delivering researchers enhanced capabilities for faster and more confident compound identification. The expansion brings over 9.5 million high-quality spectra, including 1 million IR spectra and 161,000 Raman spectra.
Researchers have discovered that sudden shifts in the Southern Westerly Winds 15,000 years ago triggered a massive growth of ancient bogs across the Southern Hemisphere. The study found that the shifting winds created an ideal climate for the swamps to form, and now believe they play a crucial role in regulating carbon stores in peatland.
Researchers developed a biochar-based material that dramatically improves nitrate removal from agricultural soils and water, maximizing both nitrate adsorption and ammonium retention. The optimized composite achieved nitrate reduction rates as high as 71 percent and increased ammonium retention by 53 percent compared to biochar alone.
Scientists have documented extensive natural hydrocarbon seepage along the Northeast Greenland margin, revealing widespread presence of gas hydrates. The study provides new insights into the migration of gases and their impact on the Arctic carbon cycle, with significant implications for global climate and ecosystem understanding.
A decade-long study by Chinese Academy of Sciences researchers found that soil microbial communities reorganize to form more stable networks, reducing carbon emissions. Microbial thermal adjustment and efficient microorganisms mitigate the effects of climate warming.
Scientists have developed computer models to predict the spreading of saltwater in soils, like in southern Australia's Murray–Darling River. This helps manage river water quality while increasing ground salinity.
A novel technique using BONCAT revealed that microbial activity matters more than abundance in determining which microbes colonize plant roots. Active microbes were 10 times higher inside the plant than nearby soil, suggesting proximity to plant roots may help them become active.
Researchers found that combining organic manure with synthetic fertilizer increases soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, leading to better fertility and improved crop performance. The integrated approach also produced lower nitrous oxide emissions by stimulating microbes that can break down N2O.
A new study reveals that dissolved organic matter in biochar enhances the metal-binding power of biochar, offering insights for safer cleanup strategies. The research found that chemical complexation is the dominant mechanism of immobilization, with carboxyl groups serving as key binding sites.
Researchers found that straw-derived biochar enhances maize biomass by up to 30% and improves nitrogen use efficiency under limited-water conditions. Alternate partial root-zone drying irrigation also stimulates soil microbes to release nutrients, promoting deeper and more efficient root systems.
A new study found that different types of char can raise or lower greenhouse gas emissions from northern soils. Biochar tends to increase nitrous oxide emissions, while hydrochar suppresses it and even turns the soil into a small sink.
A team of scientists introduces a nature-based solution to tackle global soil pollution by harnessing microbes and iron minerals. Microbial iron mining removes toxic substances like heavy metals and organic pollutants, transforming them into less hazardous forms.
Researchers developed a dual-breakthrough method to recycle phosphorus from sewage sludge into smart fertilizers, enhancing soil health or rapid crop growth. The innovative approach utilizes modified hydrochar with calcium or magnesium salts, controlling phosphorus release and improving its bioavailability.
Prof. Salah Jellali will present his pioneering work on nutrient-enriched biochar, a sustainable solution transforming agricultural residues into powerful eco-fertilizers. His innovation leverages wastewater and mineral waste streams to create high-performance soil enhancers improving crop yields while closing resource loops.
A machine learning model developed by Dr. Lan Mu's team at Tianjin University of Commerce predicts biochar yield and nutrient content with stunning accuracy, unlocking smart soil solutions for healthier soils, cleaner ecosystems, and smarter farming.
A recent study suggests that combining rewetting with biochar and iron sulphate additions can significantly slow down carbon loss from drained agricultural peat soils. This combination enhances carbon storage by suppressing soil enzymes and promoting the formation of iron-bound carbon compounds.
A global research effort by Colorado State University reveals that extreme, prolonged droughts in grasslands and shrublands result in more than twice the loss of plant productivity compared to moderate droughts. The study suggests that these ecosystems lose their ability to recover over time under prolonged dry conditions.
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.
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
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 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.
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.
A two-year field study reveals that biodegradable microplastics, often considered eco-friendly, are reshaping farmfield soils in unexpected ways. Bioplastics PLA reduced stable carbon compounds by 32% while boosting microbial necromass and fungal-dominated soil ecosystems.
Researchers used a digital twin model to predict soil fertility and resilience in Ethiopia. The study suggests that regenerative agriculture practices such as leaving residues, organic manure, cover crops, agroforestry can help regain land fertility and resilience, but its benefits weaken under warming and erratic rains.
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.
A new review highlights how biochar can capture and reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater, agricultural soils, and wastewater. Biochar offers the advantage of being renewable, affordable, and adaptable to different environmental conditions, with removal efficiencies above 80-90 percent in some cases.
Researchers created a high-resolution 3D liquefaction hazard map using machine learning and geotechnical data. The model accurately predicted soil properties and liquefaction risk, identifying high-risk areas in reclaimed coastal zones and river floodplains with unprecedented clarity and precision.
Phosphorus-modified biochar dramatically reduces heavy metal pollution, improving soil quality and microbial communities. The innovation offers a promising approach for cleaning up contaminated farmland and securing the food supply.
A study reveals that climate-driven freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles control the fate of heavy metals in straw-amended soils, impacting pollution risks. Climate-driven cycles influence the binding and mobility of lead in soil organic matter.
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.
Researchers develop a novel biochar-based catalyst that transforms harmful pesticide residues into ammonium nitrogen, a nutrient essential for plant growth. The approach eliminates pesticide residues from soil while boosting lettuce growth, offering a potential tool for sustainable agriculture.
A global alliance of microbiology organizations has unveiled a joint strategy to integrate microbial science into climate policy, innovation and public discourse. The strategy aims to recognize microbes as vital allies in the fight against climate change and chart a clear course for microbiology organizations to lead by example.
Researchers discovered how auxin strengthens cell walls on the lower side of roots, preventing growth below while allowing cells above to expand. This process, called gravitropism, helps plants sense their environment and adjust root growth direction.
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.
Researchers found that highly conductive biochar produces up to 69% more methane in rice soils due to faster electron transfer. The study highlights the importance of biochar's physical properties in determining its impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study from the University of Oulu, Finland, found that reindeer grazing can buffer ecosystem functions, such as carbon exchange, under changing climate conditions. The results provide perspective on the role of reindeer in sustaining biodiversity in northern ecosystems.
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.
The IUCN Microbial Conservation Specialist Group is a new coalition of experts aiming to integrate microbiology into global biodiversity governance. The group's priorities include building a global network, mapping microbial conservation hotspots, developing microbe-specific Red List criteria, and mapping existing projects.
A study by UKCEH found that ash dieback results in significant greenhouse gas emissions due to soil carbon losses. The research estimated 5.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over five years, equivalent to half the amount removed by broadleaf woodlands annually.
The study reveals that grasslands adopt more aggressive strategies than forests when facing water shortages, with plants in grasslands using water aggressively until it's gone. In contrast, forests adopt more conservative strategies, cutting back on water use early to avoid disaster.
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.
A new study found that global climate conditions affect the spore traits of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, influencing their survival, spread, and interaction with plants. The research provides insights into the environmental adaptations of microorganisms, which could guide soil restoration and food production.
Researchers have used a dynamic global wetland water level dataset to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of wetland carbon sequestration. They found that tropical wetlands contribute 70% to global C sequestration, with South America, Asia, and Africa being the top three continents.
A groundbreaking single-day study on Crete's soil microbiome has provided new insights into the environmental factors influencing microbial diversity. The researchers identified several key drivers, including soil moisture and nutrient availability, which can inform strategies for preserving biodiversity.
A recent study published in PLOS One found that European peatlands require warm temperatures and a specific water table depth to accumulate plant matter and store carbon. The study suggests that maintaining a water table around 10 centimeters below the surface is key to allowing peat to grow quickly and store carbon over the long term.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are working to bring back biodiversity to the Midwest by analyzing commercially sold seeds and plants. They found that long-lived species were more available than sensitive ones, and certain plant groups were over- or underrepresented in commercial seed mixes.
A multi-state study found inconsistent results on the performance of 'penetrants' and 'retainers,' emphasizing the importance of evidence-based surfactant classification. The research showed varying effects on rootzone volumetric water content and surface firmness, depending on location and turfgrass species.
New research claims adding lime to agricultural soils can remove CO2 from the atmosphere, rather than cause emissions. The study, based on over 100 years of data, shows that the addition of acidity is the main driver for CO2 emissions from soils.
Restoration efforts have shown promising results, with satellite data indicating that restored peatlands' temperature and albedo improve over time. However, the return of vegetation is slower, emphasizing the need for additional measures.
Researchers developed a nonlinear model that captures plants' dynamic response to water stress, revealing 'water spenders' and 'water savers.' The model improves climate predictions and informs water management, providing insights into plant adaptations and soil drydowns.
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.
Research presents fig tree species storing calcium carbonate in trunks, converting CO2 from atmosphere. The oxalate-carbonate pathway increases soil pH and nutrient availability, making it a potential means to mitigate CO2 emissions.