Articles tagged with Soils
The new monograph Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 5. Mineralogical Methods presents valuable methodologies for analyzing soil minerals, including atomic force microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These methods have applications in soil classification, environmental remediation, and nutrient cycling.
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.
Charcoal-derived biochar improves soil fertility, increases crop biomass and enhances natural carbon sequestration abilities. This revolutionary farming technique holds promise as a carbon-negative strategy to combat hunger and global warming.
Researchers aim to create bespoke soils with added calcium silicates to capture carbon dioxide and form harmless mineral calcium carbonate. This could contribute 5-10% of the UK's carbon reduction targets in the future.
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.
Researchers have developed two nanotech-driven tools using soft lithography to study brain-behavior connections and screen new pharmaceuticals for parasitic infections in humans. The devices provide a near-natural environment for nematode movement, enabling the monitoring of individual fluorescent-injected neurons in real-time.
A new global overview by Duke University soil scientist Daniel Richter emphasizes the need to address soil health due to increased cultivation, grazing, and logging. The study highlights the importance of long-term observation and analysis to understand how to sustain soils and minimize adverse effects on the environment.
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa announces a 5-year program to restore soil fertility, targeting 4.1 million farmers and 6.3 million hectares of land. The initiative aims to boost crop yields, raise farmer incomes, and protect natural resources.
A recent study found that soil erosion in northern Mexico is accelerating due to overgrazing, leading to the loss of fertile land and vegetation. The research team used a rainfall index type hydrological model to simulate soil moisture levels and runoff rates, revealing that areas with low rainfall are most prone to sheet erosion.
Researchers report that sustainable biomass production may be hindered by soil organic matter needs, suggesting a need for alternative crops and improved agricultural practices. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors beyond just soil erosion when evaluating feedstock supply.
Researchers discovered that carnivorous pitcher plants employ slimy secretions to capture prey, utilizing viscoelastic properties to ensnare insects. The fluid's unique constituency enables it to remain effective even in heavy rainfall conditions.
The new European loess map provides a comprehensive overview of fertile soils in Europe, covering around one-fifth of the continent. The map, created using modern digital information systems, links coordinates and factual information, offering valuable insights for agriculture, soil erosion, and climate history.
Researchers studying burrowing mammals, such as moles and mole rats, have discovered unique adaptations that enable them to dig efficiently in rocky soils. Convergent evolution plays a key role in the development of these specialized features, allowing these mammals to thrive in challenging environments.
Researchers found that trees in low-nitrogen soils produce more anthocyanins, which protect the leaves longer and allow for greater nutrient recovery. This study supports a hypothesis suggesting that trees produce red pigments to aid in survival during the winter months.
Floods of '93 and '95 devastated 70% of snake populations, with larger snakes and arboreal species faring better. Ecologist Owen Sexton proposes 'islands in the stream' to provide sanctuaries for displaced species during future floods.
The US Department of Homeland Security is working on a comprehensive project to identify technologies and procedures to rapidly assess and repair levees. The goal is to limit trouble when a levee breaches or prevent such breaks from happening again, using innovative designs, materials, and approaches. The project aims to develop soluti...
No-till agriculture is more sustainable than conventional plow-based methods, which increase soil erosion. By preserving crop stubble and using disking, no-till farming builds soil fertility and stores carbon, offering a win-win solution for climate change.
Food crops like corn, lettuce, and potato take up antibiotics from soils treated with manure containing the antibiotic Sulfamethazine. This raises concerns about the potential for contamination of the human food supply, particularly among vulnerable populations like young children who may experience allergic reactions.
A study of Baltimore's surface soils found a mosaic of soil types, with high chemical variability and differences in potassium, phosphorus levels, and bulk density due to fertilization and trampling. The researchers discovered no relationships between land use and heavy metal levels, instead finding correlations with surface rock types.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are conducting experiments to understand how Martian winds and dust affect NASA's Phoenix mission. They are simulating the effects of blowing Mars dust in a laboratory setting to provide insight for the Phoenix team.
Researchers identified a sodium transporter gene that helps plants grow better in low-nutrient conditions. The OsHKT2;1 transporter allows plants to take up sodium, reducing the toxic effects of salt stress and even enhancing growth under nutrient-poor soils.
Researchers found high levels of phosphorus and low organic carbon in vegetable growing soils, leading to reduced crop yields. Compost made from recycled garden offcuts can help improve soil quality and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers found that alternative soil fertility management and reduced tillage increased sorghum crop yield in eastern Uganda. Local farmers participated in on-farm trials to evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost alternatives, including mucuna fallow, cowpea rotation, and manure application.
Researchers found that an asexual nematode adapted rapidly to soil contamination, living longer and laying more eggs in polluted conditions. The study highlights the importance of considering various research disciplines for understanding stress responses and developing protection strategies.
Researchers found that tropical plants can switch between different nitrogen sources in response to climate change, providing a glimmer of hope for their ability to withstand environmental shifts. The study's results were based on measurements and models of variations in nitrogen compounds across different rainfall climates.
Researchers have developed a rapid test that accurately predicts nitrogen levels in corn soil, enabling growers to optimize fertilizer use. This test has the potential to reduce economic and environmental costs associated with excessive nitrogen application.
Scientists at Rothamsted Research and University of Reading aim to decrease acrylamide formation by identifying its precursors. Low sulphur soils increase asparagine levels, leading to higher acrylamide production.
Researchers at Purdue University found that adding manufactured fullerenes to soil had no adverse effects on microorganisms or soil function. The study's results provide baseline data for future research on the impact of various types and sizes of nanomaterials on the environment.
Scientists discovered that soil color can be as accurate as laboratory tests in predicting carbon content. The study found that typical description colors done by a soil scientist were nearly as effective in predicting SOC values as the more expensive method of deriving colors by a chroma meter.
A new understanding of plant calcium management could lead to genetically engineering plants to resist acid rain's damage. Plants use molecular sensors to detect and regulate calcium levels, which is crucial for structural rigidity and growth.
Researchers at UC Davis have developed a new method to reinforce soil by injecting bacterial cultures that convert loose sand into rock, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional chemical treatments.
Researchers in Morocco found that combining cypress with lavender or mycorrhizal fungi increases survival rates and growth of young saplings. This approach also reduces soil erosion and improves tree development.
Researchers analyzed interaction between individual raindrops and soil particles, dispelling a 50-year-old misconception about how rain-splash transport works. The study provides a theoretical model for the transfer of momentum carried by raindrops to sand grains.
A large-scale study reveals that soil composition significantly influences where certain tree species grow in tropical forests. Researchers found strong associations between tree species and nutrient distributions, suggesting differences in nutrient requirements among trees may help explain coexistence.
A University of Michigan study has found that forest fires release more mercury into the atmosphere than previously recognized. The research, led by Doctoral student Abir Biswas, estimates that wildfires and prescribed burns account for approximately 25 percent of human-generated mercury emissions in the United States.
Researchers have discovered phosphorus-enriched soils at the Krasnyi Yar site, which matches what would be expected from horse manure. The finding suggests that horses were domesticated in northern Kazakhstan around 5,600 years ago, supporting the theory of early horse domestication.
A new research project in China aims to develop robust scientific guidelines for safe levels of copper and nickel in Chinese soils. The project will combine data from various sources, including European Union and Australian research programs, to explain toxicity across a wide range of environments.
A new international collaborative research project in China aims to develop robust scientific guidelines for safe levels of copper and nickel in soils. The project will combine data from European Union and Australian research programs with local Chinese data to explain toxicity across a wide range of environments.
Climate change is contributing to the release of mercury stored in northern wetlands, which can become toxic in food chains. Wildfires are unleashing this mercury at levels up to 15 times greater than previously calculated.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding plant metal uptake, distribution, and regulation. The discovery of new IRT1 alleles enables plants to take up iron while resisting cadmium contamination. This could lead to increased crop yields, improved human nutrition, and reduced disease susceptibility.
A Michigan State University partnership is examining the possibility of growing oilseed crops and other crops on abandoned industrial sites for use in ethanol or biodiesel fuel production. The study aims to determine if crops grown on brownfield sites can produce adequate yields and contribute to bioremediation, making them viable alte...
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that acid rain is causing a decline in sugar maple trees due to its acidic effects on the soil. The study used a test plot to replicate favorable soil conditions prior to industrial pollution and found that sugar maples rebounded dramatically when calcium levels were restored.
Researchers at New Mexico State University offer a new approach to understanding desertification by studying past events, environmental factors, and soil properties. Their six-step scheme integrates information from broad scale to fine scale to determine the most important influences.
A six-year study found that terrestrial plants' ability to increase growth in response to elevated CO2 is limited by soil nitrogen supply. The research contradicts previous predictions, suggesting atmospheric CO2 levels may rise faster than anticipated.
Scientists can reproduce terra preta using bio-char, reducing greenhouse gases and increasing crop yields in impoverished regions. This technique also helps reduce environmental pollution by retaining nitrogen and promoting sustained fertility.
A recent study by Esaïe Gandonou found that reducing distance to the market has slight positive effects on grain yields and soil conservation. This is largely due to the increased use of artificial fertilizers, which require soil conservation measures.
Research reveals that drought-stressed soils create an environment conducive to the spread of fungal disease by predatory periwinkles, which graze on cordgrass. This top-down approach to salt marsh ecology challenges long-held assumptions about the main causes of marsh die-off.
Researchers analyzed sediment, soil, water, and animal tissue samples from the Katrina flood zone, finding high levels of lead and other contaminants. These findings highlight the need for cleanup measures to minimize potential health risks.
Scientists uncover evidence of massive soil erosion as primary cause of end-Permian extinction, which wiped out over two-thirds of reptile and amphibian families. The research reveals a unique set of molecules found in rocks from Italy provided crucial insights into the event.
A new DNA-based technique measures soil suitability for onion crops by detecting nematodes and fungus at the molecular level. This method surpasses traditional microscopic methods in accuracy and speed, enabling growers to make informed decisions about crop cultivation.
Researchers have detected methane-producing bacteria in arid desert soils, which is a promising sign for future life detection missions to Mars. The study suggests that methane could be used as a biological signature for certain living organisms.
Researchers discovered that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in transporting atmospheric carbon to soil. The study found that insects consuming the fungi disrupted this process, highlighting the importance of preserving healthy soil biodiversity and nutrient flow for sustainable agriculture.
Research suggests that pigment spots on bird eggs strengthen the shell by compensating for reduced thickness caused by calcium deficiency. Females nesting on low-calcium soils lay thinner-shelled, more-spotted eggs than those on high-calcium soils.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have found that current nitrogen recommendations are faulty and balanced fertility is key to efficient crop use. Higher planting rates and crop residues impact soil nitrogen cycling and availability, requiring adjustments in nitrogen fertilization methods.
Scientists study soil insects to develop sustainable pest control methods, such as using flavanoid compounds and silk to deter pests. Researchers also investigate the impact of genetically modified crops on soil organisms, revealing potential effects on springtails and earthworms.
A recent study by Stanford University researchers reveals a complex 'biogeochemical patchwork' of high and low nutrient availability in tropical soils. The study predicts that only about 17% of the landscape is nutrient-poor, with slopes and valley bottoms often as fertile as the most verdant forests.
Researchers have identified techniques to detect soils that inhibit soybean cyst nematode populations, a major cause of yield losses in the US. These methods can be used to promote soil health and reduce environmental impact by using nematode-suppressive soils.
Researchers found that neutral grasslands recover faster than chalk grasslands, which take at least 50 years to re-establish. Soil compaction and vehicle damage contribute to the long-lasting damage, highlighting the need for effective control measures to manage these areas.
New research reveals that nitrogen oxide emissions from soil are much greater than expected, totaling over 40 million metric tons annually, and surpassing fossil fuel combustion by up to 70%
Researchers found that soil quality played a crucial role in shaping Polynesian farming patterns, with farmers adapting their agricultural system to optimal zones for sweet potato cropping. The study suggests that the emergence of warrior classes was linked to surplus agriculture and the ability to produce basic foodstuffs.