Articles tagged with Soils
A new book proposes that smallholder farmers, who already produce 30% of the world's food, could meet humanity's additional food needs by 2050 while restoring nature. Regenerative agriculture and agroforestry practices can offset CO2 emissions and improve soil health.
Petroleum science is at a historic turning point, facing 100 grand challenges that span six domains. The challenges include low-carbon transition, AI-driven solutions, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address issues like CCUS, geothermal energy, and hydrogen energy.
Long-term straw incorporation improves soil organic carbon by activating two mechanisms: physical protection in stable aggregates and chemical stabilization via iron-organic carbon associations. Straw return strengthens soil structure, promoting longer-term carbon storage.
A new study reports that loading biochar with oxygen nanobubbles can help overcome the problem of rapid oxygen depletion in flooded rice soils, creating a more oxidizing environment around rice roots. This leads to reduced cadmium accumulation in rice plants and improved plant growth.
Researchers found that plants absorb more elements with longer hydrated metal ion distances, suggesting a basic chemical influence on mobility. The metric may help estimate poorly studied contaminants and reduce reliance on complex variables.
A UMaine-led research team has been awarded the inaugural DOE Genesis Mission to develop AI-powered models that simulate the impact of microbes on underground chemical reactions. The project aims to improve predictions in groundwater management, environmental remediation, and energy infrastructure planning.
Research by CSU scientists found that soil organic carbon benefits crops the most during moderate water supply conditions, not extreme drought. Increasing soil organic carbon makes crops more stable and resilient from year to year.
Understanding plant microbiome interactions could transform crop production and improve sustainability. Researchers are exploring how plants shape their microbial partners to acquire nutrients, defend against disease, and respond to environmental stresses.
Researchers found that rice stink bugs acquire beneficial symbiotic bacteria from soil and that high soil pH suppresses acquisition. The study reveals that mildly acidic soils facilitate the establishment of symbiosis, providing a potential tool for environmentally sustainable pest control strategies.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which microbes boost plants' ability to survive in salty conditions. Pseudomonad bacteria stimulate the production of lignin, a tough substance found in plant cell walls, helping plants withstand environmental stress.
New degradable sensors developed by Lancaster University researchers track biological activity in soil using a biodegradable substrate nibbled on by microbes. This technology offers insights into soil's response to climate events and storage of carbon, providing a better understanding of soil health and microbial processes.
Thawing permafrost is causing Arctic rivers to turn toxic with orange iron particles, suffocating insects and smothering fish. The process also involves acid rock drainage, where pyrite breaks down into sulfuric acid and sulfate, creating rust-like particles.
The research paper, published in an ICE journal, presents a new experimental approach to visualizing root growth and interaction with soil structures. The project's success highlights the global impact of research conducted at Kumamoto University.
A new Frontiers in Science article explores how AI can accelerate scientific discovery in soil science by creating digital soil twins and trialing climate adaptation strategies. Researchers will discuss the potential of multi-agent AI systems to enable autonomous hypothesis generation, experimental design and data analysis during a fre...
A new study highlights the potential of AI tools in soil science, enabling researchers to better understand soil ecosystems and adapt to climate change. The system successfully generated hypotheses on how soils store carbon and what controls their storage limits, with outputs aligning with expert research.
New AI tools can accelerate soil science by speeding up early-stage work, improving predictions to support decisions on land-use, carbon, and climate adaptation. The system successfully mimicked key parts of the scientific process, with outputs beyond what's currently being used that strongly align with expert research.
Long-term conservation tillage significantly alters soil microbial dynamics, increasing microbial abundance and reducing competition. Key taxa like Bradyrhizobium flourish under CT, while assembly of microbial communities shifts to stochastic processes with increasing soil depth.
Soil animal communities exhibit greater trophic diversity in agricultural systems and tropical regions, driven by resource limitation and disturbance. This flexibility helps maintain soil functions but may reflect the loss of specialized species.
Bionema Group Ltd, a Swansea University spin-out, has received the second King's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development. The company develops biological pest control and sustainable agriculture technologies, providing environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides.
A new study led by Prof. YAN Xiaoyuan finds that most nitrogen gas emissions from rice paddies originate from soil organic nitrogen, rather than applied fertilizers. The researchers propose a novel mechanism to explain this phenomenon, suggesting that fertilizer activates soil nitrogen pools, indirectly driving larger nitrogen losses.
A study led by Chinese Academy of Sciences reveals climate change leads to unprecedented sensitivity of soil inorganic carbon pools. Climate-driven effects on SIC dynamics are quantified using a novel process-based model, showing significant losses of up to 307 Tg C in topsoil.
A new report warns that over 40% of soil-dependent species are at risk of extinction. The study highlights the importance of conserving these species for food security and mitigating global warming.
A 50-year study in Kerala, India found that expanding tree plantations can result in zero net carbon gains underground. The research highlights the importance of considering the type of plantation and historical soil profile when designing climate mitigation strategies.
Researchers found that tilling and compaction disrupt intricate capillary networks within the soil, causing it to pool rainwater and form a muddy crust. The study provides a clear explanation for why tillage changes the structure of soil in ways that affect water retention.
Researchers develop oxychar, a highly efficient, budget-friendly alternative to traditional charred organic materials for toxic cadmium removal. The new material soaks up both agricultural ammonia and cadmium, promising a practical win for sustainable farming.
Researchers discover that resistant soybean varieties actively recruit beneficial soil microorganisms to suppress the devastating soybean cyst nematode. These microbes can be transferred to soil to help defend susceptible soybeans, providing a promising new approach for sustainable crop protection.
Research team uses AI-driven approach to analyze Chang'e-6 samples, revealing higher shear strength and irregular shape of far-side lunar regolith. The findings suggest a more stable foundation for future lunar bases, but also pose new challenges for drilling and rover mobility systems.
Researchers found that managed cropland soils produced the highest nitrous oxide emissions due to irrigation and fertilization, while natural ecosystems emitted lower amounts but showed a clear response to elevation. Climate change could shift the balance of greenhouse gas emissions across ecosystems in arid mountain regions.
The report highlights the need for an agreed definition of healthy soil, scalable biological indicators, and collaborative transitions to sustainable land management practices. It emphasizes the importance of building trust and aligning diverse priorities among all soil stakeholders.
A new study reveals that soil acidity influences how wheat competes with microorganisms for nitrogen. Wheat absorbed more nitrogen in calcareous soil, while microbial competition was stronger in acidic soils.
New research from the University of Illinois has found that corn's wild ancestor genes can inhibit nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, reducing nitrogen loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The study shows reductions in nitrification of up to 50% in field and greenhouse trials, with potential huge impacts on sustainable agriculture.
A Europe-wide study reveals that pesticides have substantial effects on beneficial soil organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and nematodes. The contamination has a major impact on soil biodiversity, highlighting the need to adapt current pesticide assessments and regulations.
The study confirms that ancient lichens played a key role in forming the first soils and structuring terrestrial ecosystems. Researchers identified the presence of chitin, nitrogen compounds, and calcium microparticles compatible with modern lichen minerals.
Researchers compared seedling germination, growth and nutrient uptake in pure food waste substrate, commercial potting mix and blends with varying ratios. Mixtures with less than 50% food waste compost produced better results.
Quick clay's instability is caused by salt ions washing out, making it prone to catastrophic landslides. Researchers aim to find more environmentally friendly stabilization methods using molecular dynamics simulations.
A cohort study found associations between exposure to multiple fine particulate matter components and increased depression risk among US Medicare population members. The study highlights the importance of targeted regulation to protect vulnerable populations from harmful air pollution.
Research in Chile's national parks shows that wildfires significantly alter soil structure and nutrient cycles, affecting ecosystem resilience. Humid temperate forests recover faster than mediterranean woodlands due to fire-adapted trees and higher rainfall.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
A new study reveals that Southeast Asia is a significant source of climate-warming gases, with deforestation and fossil fuel use leading the way. The region's natural carbon sinks are being overwhelmed, making it challenging for countries to reach climate neutrality without urgent regional action.
Research suggests soil microbial communities are a top predictor of childhood allergic disease rates, with certain assemblages appearing linked to better health outcomes. The study found that specific soil microbes promote health, while others negatively impact disease prevalence.
Researchers have discovered a zero-cost solution to reverse desertification by using food waste nanocellulose extracted from pineapple peels. The material cuts water leakage by 90% and triples phosphate retention, offering a more sustainable alternative to expensive hydrogels.
The SOLO project has identified key knowledge gaps for improving EU soil health by 2030. The study highlights the need for research and innovation to address these gaps, with a focus on bottlenecks and drivers of current approaches. The project aims to support the transition towards healthier soils by proposing novel approaches.
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.
Researchers found that pairing biochar with biogas slurry reduces CO2 emissions and alters soil microbial communities, enhancing carbon sequestration. However, the combination also increases CH4 emissions, highlighting a tradeoff.
A new review study reveals that PFAS are entering farmland soils through waste recycling and wastewater reuse, raising concerns for food safety. The study found that biosolids are the primary source of PFAS in agricultural soils, with soybeans showing particularly high burdens.
Researchers developed a strain-controlled testing method for evaluating liquefaction resistance in chemically treated soils, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions by up to 60%. The new method yielded consistent results, improving urban resilience and reducing economic losses in earthquake-prone regions.
Researchers found that combining biochar with starch accelerates oxytetracycline degradation and reduces its transfer into lettuce, a widely consumed leafy vegetable. The study's results suggest a cost-effective and sustainable solution for reducing antibiotic residues in farmland.
A study by Ben-Gurion University reveals that desert soils can release powerful greenhouse gases within minutes of being wetted, even without microbial life. The team found that chemical reactions drive these emissions, especially for nitrogen-based gases.
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.
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 global inventory reveals that natural areas have access to about a quarter less nitrogen than previously estimated, which could limit the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. This finding has implications for natural climate solutions, as nitrogen is essential to plant growth.
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 found evidence that the Asian continent was free of permafrost when Earth's average temperature was 4.5˚C warmer than today. The study suggests that a 4.5˚C rise in global temperatures would release up to 130 billion tonnes of carbon currently frozen in the ground.
Researchers found that corn-soy rotation boosts corn yields and reduces nitrogen fertilizer needs, but with trade-offs in soil greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen leaching. The study's results suggest a complex interplay between crop yield, environmental impacts, and economic returns under various rotation scenarios.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel method for capturing carbon dioxide using clay minerals, expanding the portfolio of absorbent materials for addressing climate change. The study, published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, found that certain types of clay can selectively absorb CO2 from the air at low humidity levels.
The PREPSOIL Toolbox provides structured guidance and practical tools to support soil health initiatives. The toolbox helps refine existing initiatives and identify areas for further improvement, ultimately enhancing results and alignment with EU mission goals.
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.
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.