Articles tagged with Soils
A new study has found that a native shrub can effectively share its water with millet plants, boosting production by over 900%. The optimized shrub system involves increasing shrub density and fertilizing the ground with organic matter, improving soil quality and yields.
A collaborative study analyzed over 5700 individual samples from 300 localities across Estonia, discovering 52 species of Myriapoda. Notably, six species were found to be at their range limits, while one was introduced by humans.
Research finds that long-term annual application of manure improves most soil quality properties compared to inorganic fertilizer. Manure increases soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and water-stable aggregates, while reducing soil electrical conductivity.
A new study estimates that climate change will force about 200,000 coastal farmers in Bangladesh to migrate inland due to rising sea levels and salty soil. The study found that farmers who convert from rice to seafood farming can expect a significant increase in crop revenue, but many cannot afford the conversion on a large scale.
Ground penetrating radar can accurately estimate soil water content by analyzing the strength of early time signals. This technology allows for quick measurement across large field sites, enabling farmers to optimize water usage and test irrigation system efficiency.
UTA professor Sahadat Hossain uses recycled plastic pins to strengthen MSE walls, increasing bearing and shearing capacity of foundation soils. The new method reduces excavation and replacement costs, improving pavement maintenance and reducing cracking.
The study reveals that botanic soil amendments with popular weeds like black nightshade and jimsonweed can effectively control nematodes. Researchers report a significant reduction in female nematode populations when treated with weed extracts, making these natural alternatives a promising eco-friendly solution.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed nanoparticles from green mango peel that can break down toxins in oil sludge through chemical oxidation. These plant-based nanoparticles successfully decontaminate oil-polluted soil, providing a novel and effective treatment for oil-contaminated soils.
Researchers developed a theory of relaxation in hexagonal ice, which can indicate water purity and quality through dielectric polarization changes. The study used spectroscopy to analyze ice under different temperatures, revealing non-Arrhenius behavior.
Researchers in Brazil develop an effective method to minimize lost coffee berries during mechanical harvesting, reducing soil compaction and improving profit margins. The study suggests using a subsoiler followed by a crusher as the most cost-effective solution.
Researchers have discovered the molecular mechanism behind quinoa's ability to store salt in its bladder cells, allowing it to thrive in saline soils. This unique adaptation enables quinoa to transfer excess salt to final storage sites without harming the plant.
A new study led by University of Kansas researcher Pamela Sullivan is analyzing changes in soil structure and their influence on water quality and availability. The research aims to develop mathematical models to understand the interactions between biogeochemistry, soil structure, and environmental conditions.
Researchers found that soil's health can be improved through agronomic management, such as cover crops and conservation tillage. This approach can help preserve crop yields and mitigate the effects of climate change on global food supply.
A new study found that ancient animal herders in Africa added to the ecological richness and diversity of the savanna thousands of years ago. Their practice of penning cattle, goats, and sheep at night created nutrient-rich grassy glades, or hotspots, that still attract wildlife and have increased habitat diversity in the region.
A recent study shows that common soil carbon measurement methods, including clod, core, and excavation, yield significantly different results. The core method was found to greatly underestimate soil organic carbon stocks, particularly in deeper soil layers.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that removing timber harvest residue during logging can increase the abundance and diversity of wild bees. The study suggests that managing forests to promote soil-nesting bee habitats could be an effective strategy for conserving these important pollinators.
Researchers found that using legume cover crops reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer by up to 35% compared to cereal cover crops or no cover crop at all. This simple technique can help farmers maximize sweet potato yields while reducing costs and environmental impact.
Researchers found genetic variation in pea plant variants to be crucial for developing beneficial microbial partnerships, leading to improved growth. This discovery holds promise for reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Researchers report significant declines in forest soils' methane uptake, attributed to increased precipitation and hydrological flux. A literature analysis reveals a 77% global average decrease in methane uptake from 1988 to 2015.
A new study finds that forest soils have been overestimated as methane sinks by up to 50% worldwide. Methane uptake by forest soils has declined globally, especially in regions with increasing precipitation.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering soil microbial networks, affecting plant communities and ecosystem function. The research found that drought increases the abundance of a certain fast-growing grass, leading to decreased soil moisture.
Research reveals that tropical pioneer tree species employ physical and chemical defenses to survive, with seeds relying on different strategies based on their persistence time. The study's findings have implications for crop production, weed management, and understanding natural plant community dynamics.
Research reveals that liming can unlock previously unavailable phosphorus in soils, but the relationship is complex and depends on soil history and enzyme activity. Increases in phosphorus availability are relatively small, highlighting the need for combined lime and added phosphorus to meet crop needs.
Researchers have demonstrated direct evidence of biodegradation of polymers like PBAT in agricultural soil, tracking carbon into CO2 and microbial biomass. The study suggests polyesters as a practical alternative to alleviate detrimental plastic accumulation.
Researchers at ETH Zurich found that soil microorganisms degrade films composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a biodegradable polymer. This discovery demonstrates the true biodegradation of a plastic material in soils, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution.
A new study reveals that ancient communities in the Amazon used intensive farming methods to expand crop production without depleting soil nutrients. This approach, known as polyculture agroforestry, has left a lasting impact on modern forest ecosystems.
A new quick soil test aims to determine nitrogen need by measuring protein presence. This method has the potential to reduce fertilizer waste and mitigate environmental problems associated with excessive nitrogen use.
Researchers from the University of Guelph found that climate warming-induced advances in treeline movement may be halted by unsuitable soils, hindering plant growth. This discovery is important for preserving individual species or entire ecosystems.
Researchers found that coating fertilizer with maleic-itaconic polymers (MIPs) slows down urease activity, improving nitrogen availability for plants. The study suggests farmers have a choice depending on their soil's acidity, offering a potential solution to increase crop yields and reduce environmental impact.
Researchers found the sandy soils in Chaco Canyon were suitable for agriculture, suggesting the ancestral Puebloans were self-sufficient. The most significant challenge was irrigation, where they demonstrated adroit farming skills and land management.
Researchers documented termites' behavior in a tiny, built-to-scale dream home, revealing key findings about their destructive nature. Termites require moisture to survive and quickly find structural weaknesses, causing damage to the foundation and walls.
A study analyzed soil horizons in 11 US cities, finding approximately 50% fewer soil horizons than pre-urban soils. The researchers attributed changes to local management processes such as soil removal, mixing, and fill additions, leading to potential effects on ecosystem functioning.
Researchers found radish cover crops significantly reduced soil nitrate content, but decomposed nitrogen was not returned to the soil. The study suggests radish can trap nitrogen without providing a fertilizer benefit to subsequent crops.
Scientists from Kyushu University and The University of Manchester identify caesium-rich micro-particles in Fukushima soils, which could pose long-term health risks to humans if inhaled. The new method allows for quick counting of particles and quantifying radioactivity associated with them.
Research by Michigan Technological University found that harvesting whole trees has no significant impact on plant diversity. In fact, removing only the logs led to increased diversity in understory plants. The study also revealed a negative effect of a logging technique on aspen regeneration.
A five-year experiment found that corn yield was highest in the plastic mulch plot, but soil organic carbon was highest in the straw mulch plots. Straw mulch increased soil's ability to store carbon, whereas plastic mulch increased microbial activity that used up organic carbon.
Researchers found that faba bean cover crops can add a significant amount of nitrogen to the soil, reducing the need for commercial fertilizer by up to half. The timing and management of faba bean residues also play a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of this practice.
Research reveals that green roof species arrive by hitching lifts on birds or riding air currents, underscoring the importance of adapting soil biology to these environments. The study recommends improving soil engineering to ensure long-term sustainability and encourages further research to connect green roofs to ground-level soils.
Researchers are studying microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial systems to understand their impacts on human health. Early evidence suggests that microplastics may travel via soil and atmospheric deposition, highlighting the need for a global approach to addressing microplastic pollution.
Researchers found that drained nitrogen-rich peatlands produce laughing gas, a major greenhouse gas. The study revealed that soil moisture, temperature, and cultivation play key roles in laughing gas emission from organic soils.
Research finds drained fertile peatlands and irrigated organic soils boost nitrous oxide emission significantly. Conservation of fens and swamps is crucial to reduce climate change impact.
Researchers found that individual tree species are limited by phosphorus but entire forest communities are not. Forests with low phosphorus soils actually show faster growth rates compared to those with high phosphorus levels. This discovery has significant implications for understanding forest growth and change in tropical regions.
Researchers developed a novel method to reconstruct ancient climates using organic compounds in sediments and soils. By analyzing these compounds, scientists can gain insights into past environmental conditions and predict changes in regional moisture patterns.
Researchers found evidence of microbial life in the hyperarid Atacama Desert through metagenomics and DNA analysis. The discovery suggests that similar microbes may exist on Mars, adapting to dry conditions.
Researchers have discovered that specialized bacteria can live in the soil of the Atacama Desert, going dormant for decades without water before reactivating and reproducing when it rains. This finding suggests that life could be lurking on Mars, where similar conditions exist.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new method for soil pathogen analysis that is portable, fast and inexpensive. This breakthrough technology allows farmers to detect disease-causing pathogens in their soil quickly and make informed decisions about treatments or management changes before planting.
A Duke University-led study has found dangerous levels of mercury and methylmercury near artisanal gold mines in Senegal, contaminating soils, sediments, and rivers. Mercury poisoning can cause various health impacts, including tremors, muscle weakness, and birth defects.
A satellite-based earthquake early warning system called G-FAST performed well in a replay of three large earthquakes in Chile, providing accurate magnitude and epicenter estimates. The system's performance suggests it could provide early warnings for Chile's coastal communities.
Microplastics in soils and freshwaters can have damaging effects on ecosystems, triggering adverse reactions in organisms and potentially disrupting hormone systems. Humans also ingest microplastics through food, highlighting the need for reliable data on microplastic degradation and effects.
Magnetic soil nanoparticles are primarily composed of magnetite, formed by soil wetting and drying cycles. This finding suggests that magnetic variations in Chinese Loess Plateau soils can be used as a benchmark for testing paleoclimate models.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new type of gas sensor that can monitor microbes' health and activity in soil without disturbing them. The sensor uses genetically engineered microbes to report on their environment and activity, providing valuable data for bioengineers, geobiologists, and other researchers.
Research found that fertilized soils in the Central Valley contribute up to 40 percent of California's NOx emissions. The study suggests potential solutions through improved fertilizer management and soil conservation techniques.
A new UTSA study reveals that the 2015 Wimberley floods were exacerbated by flash flooding due to urbanization and heavy rain seasons. The researchers also found that recent years have seen record-breaking floods in Texas, prompting calls for improved storm preparations.
A team of researchers from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has discovered how microorganisms adapt to survive in phosphorus-poor environments. By analyzing genes and proteins, they found an increase in phosphorus-acquiring enzymes and a large number of genes that break down complex organic compounds like phytate.
Researchers at Swansea University have discovered patterns in soil fractures that could speed up the decontamination of industrial brownfield sites. The technique uses fracturing to generate high-conductivity pathways for fluid exchange, reducing cleaning time and cost.
Researchers found that even small temperature increases can lead to near-total crop failure due to invasive pests. Farmers lack resources to adapt to climate change, putting millions of people at risk of food insecurity.
A global study reveals that only 2% of the world's bacteria species dominate soil populations, with implications for ecosystem health and climate change mitigation. The findings have important applications for agricultural soils and food productivity.
Researchers have discovered a way for plants to acquire phosphorus more efficiently by suppressing secondary root growth in favor of primary root growth. This trait allows plants to explore a greater volume of soil and acquire more phosphorus, making it beneficial for farmers growing in nutrient-poor soils.
Heavy rainfall in California, fueled by wildfires, caused deadly mudslides that killed at least 17 residents. NASA's LHASA model provided a landslide hazard assessment map, showing the potential for landslides.
A recent study from Linköping University reveals that the supply of fresh organic compounds increases chlorination in soils, potentially changing our view on chlorine's significance. The discovery highlights new ecological functions of chloride and its potential impact on risk models for radioactive waste.