Articles tagged with Soils
Researchers have discovered beneficial bacteria that live inside plant tissue, improving nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth. This breakthrough has potential benefits for sustainable agriculture with minimum environmental impacts.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft will establish nine new Research Units and one Clinical Research Unit, focusing on topics like chip technology, child development, debris discs, and more. The units will receive approximately €24.5 million in total funding over the next three years.
Researchers developed a laboratory device to mimic landscape formation, finding that hillslope processes play a key role in shaping valleys. The study's findings support a popular theory on landscape evolution, suggesting a scale-dependent balance between tumbling sediments and runoff processes.
A study by Sasha Kravchenko reveals that long-term differences in soil use impact pore sizes and microbial communities, providing plants with essential nutrients. The research compared two agricultural systems, finding complex pore structures and unique bacterial colonies within individual aggregates.
Researchers at UTA are using geofoam blocks to bolster the earth beneath roads and bridges, slowing down settling of soft and compressible soils. This innovative solution aims to improve infrastructure safety and stability, particularly in areas with heavy truck traffic loads.
The concentrations of Dechlorane Plus were found to decrease with increasing distance from the plant, with anti-DP being the predominant isomer. The results suggest that DP production activities release DP to the environment around the plant.
A new species of blind weevil has been discovered in the subsoil of Gran Canaria, with unique adaptations for life underground. The beetle, Oromia thoracica, has a flattened body and thorax that covers its head, allowing it to thrive in narrow cracks.
Researchers found that relay-cropping camelina with soybean uses less water than traditional double-cropping methods. This approach also yields higher soybean crops due to a longer growing season, benefiting pollinators and soil carbon content.
Researchers found sandwich systems, combining living mulch with modified tillage, improve soil conditions, decrease pests, and increase biodiversity. The system showed the most promise by eliminating vegetative cover competition and increasing soil respiration.
A study found that controlled-release fertilizers can reduce the environmental impact of landscape palms by limiting nitrogen and phosphate application. Areca palms, in particular, showed growth comparable to traditional fertilization methods when using a 0-0-16 fertilizer formulation.
The new TSEA or Agricultural Ecosystem Health Cards provide a practical tool for diagnosing agricultural ecosystem health through analysis of surface-level crop indicators and underground soil level. These handbooks enable users to make basic or advanced diagnoses, with a focus on biological parameters such as microbiological activity.
Soil erosion and nutrient removal, exacerbated by climate change and farming practices, pose a significant risk to global food security. The authors propose recycling nutrients from waste treatment facilities and improving soil management to mitigate losses.
The world's soil resources are under threat from erosion, nutrient exhaustion, urbanization, and climate change, which could lead to disruptions in food production and geopolitical conflicts. Experts call for better management of Earth's soils to address this issue.
Research highlights silicon's importance in rice production, enhancing resistance to pests, pathogens, and abiotic stresses. Recycling of rice straw is crucial for maintaining silicon availability, particularly in regions with low soil weathering.
The LIFE REGEN FARMING project demonstrates regenerative agricultural practices that increase grass yields by up to 14% while maintaining nutritional quality. This approach reduces chemical fertilizers, increases grazing time, and lowers the carbon footprint of milk production.
Researchers have made significant strides in measuring preferential flow, a crucial factor in soil's physical, chemical, and biological functions. The study reveals unique water patterns depending on landform units, soil types, initial moisture, and precipitation features.
In a study of Australian dune ecosystems, researchers identified diverse plant strategies to acquire phosphorus from soil. As soils age and phosphorus declines, these strategies increase, enabling plants to survive in impoverished conditions.
A new study found that groundcover management systems can improve soil organic matter and reduce bulk density in organically managed apple orchards. The research suggests that using green compost or commercial fertilizer with these systems can increase plant-available water and meet National Organic Program goals.
Researchers at Duke University simulate high-speed impacts in artificial soil and sand, finding that materials get stronger when struck harder. This challenges previous models and may lead to better control of earth-penetrating missiles.
Researchers found that plants like peppermint take up high concentrations of nicotine from cigarette smoke and contaminated soils. This discovery may explain the presence of high levels of nicotine in spices, herbal teas, and medicinal plants.
Researchers recommend specific strawberry cultivars for challenging conditions in the US Southwest. The study evaluated 16 varieties and found that 'Wendy', 'Brunswick', and 'Honeoye' are tolerant to high-pH soil, while others like 'Allstar' and 'Chandler' are sensitive.
A new technique measures forces inside materials like sand, soil, or snow under pressure, allowing researchers to better understand phenomena like grain hoppers and natural disasters.
A recent study found that miscanthus-based ethanol has higher yield and profit potential, particularly in poor-quality soil. Miscanthus outperforms other feedstocks in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A Dartmouth-led study found that climate-warmed leaves change lake ecosystems by reducing phosphorus concentrations and altering the density of zooplankton, a crucial food source for larger aquatic organisms.
Researchers created a comprehensive guide for farmland in the Ohio and Upper Mississippi River Basins, narrowing the scope of choice to optimize run-off mitigation. The guide recommends specific conservation practices based on soil type, land slope, crops, and nutrients used.
A new network of underground sensors in the Texas Hill Country is connected to NASA's SMAP satellite, providing vital information for determining drought and dangerous floods. The Texas Soil Observation Network will help answer questions about how much rainfall gets soaked up by the soil and how much fills reservoirs.
Research suggests that spraying treated wastewater on land can diminish water pollution by filtering out endocrine-disrupting compounds, which can harm fish populations. Soils with more organic carbon accumulate higher levels of these compounds, but some break down instead.
Researchers found that a simple column of common soil can reverse the toxic effects of urban runoff, killing young coho salmon and their insect prey. The affordable treatment offers new promise for controlling toxic pollutants in rivers, streams, and oceans.
A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has challenged the long-held idea that a cosmic impact triggered the Younger Dryas cold period. The research found that the scoria droplets believed to be evidence of an impact event were actually formed by heating most likely caused by Stone Age house fires.
A study has found that cation exchange capacity varies by pine bark batch, with differences in particle size distribution being a key factor. Substrate pH had no effect on CEC, while adding sphagnum peat did not increase composite CEC. Growers can improve nutrient retention and pH stability by analyzing their substrates for CEC.
A Penn State researcher developed a simple model to select the right-sized boulder to stop a truck traveling at 30 miles per hour. The model considers factors like soil density and boulder displacement, accurately predicting an effective boulder size for embassy protection.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Boston University explored the decline of ancient civilization using modern biology techniques. They found that soil formation after abandonment led to poor preservation of historic remains, including the survival of thicker cattle bones.
A new study suggests that water is bound to sulfates in Martian soil, a key finding with implications for the search for life on Mars. The research team analyzed elemental data from the Gamma Ray Spectrometer onboard the Mars Odyssey orbiter and found a spatial association between sulfur and hydrogen in the southern latitudes of Mars.
A UT Arlington civil engineering team has installed a new mix of lime and fly ash on a section of U.S. 82 to reduce soil sulfate heaving and extend the life of the highway. The project aims to increase road longevity and reduce deterioration, with the potential to benefit motorists' vehicles.
Climate change alters soil microorganisms' metabolic activity and composition, positively stimulating denitrification and increasing N2O emission rates. This shift impacts plant-microbe competition for nitrogen, with implications for ecosystem function and global climate.
A new study by University of Toronto atmospheric chemist Jennifer Murphy reveals that soil plays a crucial role in the production of nitrous acid, a key pollutant in air quality. The research suggests that soils can take up nitrous acid at night and release it into the atmosphere the next day through reaction with stronger acids.
A new study reveals the vast diversity of life below-ground, with rapid responses to climate change having far-reaching impacts on future ecosystems. The research suggests that healthy soil is essential for healthy crops, and that integrating knowledge of soil biodiversity into land management decisions could help mitigate climate change.
Researchers found differences in grasshopper types and numbers between undisturbed and post-agricultural woodlands, challenging conventional ecological wisdom. The study suggests new strategies are needed to promote ecological recovery in disturbed environments.
Researchers at Washington State University identified summer fallow management practices that can help farmers conserve soil, prevent sky-darkening dust storms, and improve air quality. Undercutter-tillage or no-till fallow systems were found to be the most effective options for reducing wind erosion in the Horse Heaven Hills region.
Researchers found that using clear polyethylene mulch on well-irrigated beds under high tunnel glazing can achieve significant disinfestation of soil pathogens and pests within less than one week. This method requires a combination of daily solar radiation, high temperatures, and low relative humidity.
Researchers developed a non-subjective technology to analyze and classify landslide risks on a landscape scale, revealing some areas have landslides from one time or another in history. The new system can identify risks common to broad areas, potentially leading to increased awareness and informed land use decisions.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a microbe that enhances plant tolerance to industrial pollutants like phenanthrene. The approach uses probiotic microbes to supplement plant defenses, allowing plants to take up to 25-40% more of the pollutant than untreated plants.
A recent study published in Nature found that no-till farming often leads to yield declines compared to conventional tillage systems, except in dryland areas where it can show promise. Implementing all three conservation agriculture principles is crucial for maximizing yields and minimizing environmental impacts.
Researchers found that invasive seaweed provides shelter for native crustaceans, increasing their population by up to 100 times. Meanwhile, mature forests capture and stabilize excess nitrogen from human activities, providing an unappreciated service by storing it in soil.
Researchers used fiber-optic cables to measure Antarctic ice loss in real-time, with potential implications for global sea levels. In another study, scientists explored the Indian Ocean's legacy and future research efforts. Meanwhile, Oregon landslides were found to be more susceptible to catastrophic failure during earthquakes.
Researchers in Italy have developed a new technology using distributed optical fiber sensors to monitor soil slopes and detect the onset of landslides. This innovation can help mitigate devastating losses of life and property by providing early warnings, making it an entirely new tool for landslide risk monitoring.
Researchers found that environmental filtering is the main driver of plant diversity variation along resource gradients in ancient dunes. The study used a chronosequence of soils to test alternative theories and provided new insights into biodiversity.
Hurricane Edouard's maximum sustained winds near 90 mph, with life-threatening rip current conditions expected along the US East Coast. The storm is forecast to rapidly weaken on Sept. 18, dropping in intensity to a tropical storm.
A review of over 150 studies reveals that optimal nitrogen-phosphorus and nitrogen-potassium ratios are crucial for high-yielding corn production. Achieving these balanced nutrient uptake ratios can lead to significant yield increases regardless of the region where the corn is grown.
Recent studies suggest that warming may stimulate decomposition rates in soils, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide. However, a new study reveals that microbial community responses are more complex and may even increase CO2 release from soils.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that boron plays a crucial role in the growth and development of corn plants. A lack of boron causes problems with the meristems, or stem cells, leading to stunted tassels and reduced crop yields.
A University of New Hampshire and NASA study suggests that high-energy particles from solar storms can charge the moon's polar soil, creating sparking and potentially altering its composition. This process could have significant implications for our understanding of planetary surfaces in extremely cold regions.
Researchers propose that high-energy particles from solar storms can create sparking, altering the moon's polar soil and potentially reactivating permanently shadowed regions. This 'breakdown weathering' process could change our understanding of planetary evolution in extremely cold regions.
Researchers are studying the effects of projected climate changes on native plant species in the Pacific Northwest. By growing 12 species of range-limited native grasses and forbs in simulated future climate conditions, scientists aim to understand how plants will adapt and potentially disappear as temperatures rise.
Researchers found that applying green compost to organic apple orchard floors can increase soil organic matter and total nitrogen mineral soils. The study demonstrates the sustainability of organically managed systems and has implications for sustainably and conventionally managed orchards as well.
A study by Eric Brennan and Jim Leap found that drilling is more effective than broadcasting for establishing uniform and dense cover crops on beds. Drilled cover crops had greater uniformity and faster emergence, leading to increased weed suppression.
Unique groups of microbes, known as Dehalococcoides, can convert hazardous chlorinated chemicals like TCE into ethene, a benign end product. However, they may stall at this stage, producing toxic intermediates. New research proposes that microbes are out-competed for hydrogen, a necessary electron donor, causing the breakdown to fail.
A new MIT study provides direct evidence of plants in the Neanderthal diet, suggesting a more varied diet than previously thought. The researchers analyzed fecal remains from El Salt, Spain, finding metabolized versions of animal-derived cholesterol and phytosterol, a compound found in plants.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in Mexico that uses soil particles for camouflage. The Paratropis tuxtlensis has an exoskeleton covered in soil particles, which helps to protect it from predators and deceive its prey.
Researchers link massive flooding in China to human-caused environmental degradation and flood-mitigation efforts dating back 3,000 years. The Yellow River's levee system was built over 2,900-700 years ago to control erosion, but it ultimately made periodic floods worse.