soil-science

A simpler method for measuring DNA-bound phosphorus could improve understanding of soil microbes and nutrient cycling. Scientists have created a simpler, more cost-effective way to measure a biologically important form of phosphorus in soil. The method offers a clearer view of how nutrients move through soils and could help guide more sustainable farming practices. Phosphorus [...]

MADISON, Wis. — Three finalists have been selected for the 2026 California Leopold Conservation Award. The award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award recognizes landowners who […] The post California Leopold …

Soil is often treated as the backdrop to plant disease. Our review argues that it is much more than that: a dynamic ecosystem whose biological, chemical, and physical properties actively shape pathogen success or failure.

Aged biochar still triggered biomass loss, oxidative stress, and DNA strand breaks in lettuce, especially in nutrient-poor soil. This study shows soil type and biochar chemistry, not aging alone, determine whether biochar helps or harms plant health

Treated wastewater (TWW) is increasingly used as an alternative irrigation source to alleviate water scarcity in agriculture; however, its effects on soil microbial communities and potential microbial contamination remain a concern. This study evaluated the chemical and microbial quality of TWW for irrigation and its effects on selected soil chemical properties and microbial communities using tom…

Scientific Reports, Published online: 21 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-66839-w Terrain attributes and seasonal Sentinel-2 covariates for machine learning-based digital mapping of soil organic carbon fractions in a Himalayan watershed

In the heart of West Africa, where soils often bear the scars of degradation, a quiet revolution is unfolding beneath the surface. Researchers are uncovering the hidden potential of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—microscopic allies that form symb

MADISON, Wis. — Natasha Rayne, an assistant professor and extension specialist in the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, has been selected to receive the inaugural Keith and Andrea Kelling Faculty Fellow Award. The appointment runs through summer 2030. The new award was established by emeritus professor Keith Kelling and his late […] The post Natasha …

Desert sand is not suited for agriculture - but perhaps that might change. Researchers at Empa and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have investigated a first step in this direction by introducing microorganisms into the sand. The bacteria and fungi secrete biopolymers that make sand more resistant to erosion and slow down the rate at which water seeps through. This could potentially enable the gro…

Desert sand is not suited for agriculture - but perhaps that might change. Researchers at Empa and Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have investigated a first step in this direction by introducing microorganisms into the sand. The bacteria and fungi secrete biopolymers that make sand more resistant to erosion and slow down the rate at which water seeps through. This could potentially enable the gro…

Improved manure recycling is one measure being proposed that could help Ukraine’s soil recover from misuse of fertilisers.

Scientific Reports, Published online: 18 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41598-026-67338-8 Experimental investigation of pile diameter and group configuration effects on soil pile interaction and lateral group efficiency in sand

Fruit residues generated across the global food supply chain constitute a rapidly growing, biologically reactive waste stream that, when left unmanaged, degrades environmental and agricultural quality, whereas controlled microbial fermentation offers a practical means of transforming this waste into stabilized, biologically active soil amendments. This review synthesizes evidence from field trial…

BackgroundSodic saline-alkali soils restrict agricultural productivity by limiting nutrient availability and disrupting microbial communities, yet their responses to biochemical fulvic acid (BFA) across sodic saline-alkali soils with different textures remain unclear.MethodsA 45-day controlled incubation experiment was conducted using sandy loam and loamy sand amended with BFA at 0, 1, 2, 4, and …

Explore soil mapping, interactive surveys, and practical applications. Plus, learn how soil data supports land planning and in-depth GIS analysis.

Hydrangeas are among the few flowering shrubs whose flower color the gardener can change without replacing the plant. The same shrub that blooms pink one summer can carry blue flowers the next, and the switch is driven by soil chemistry rather than variety. In alkaline soil the blooms turn pink; in acidic soil the same […] The post How to Turn Hydrangeas Pink or Blue by Adjusting Soil pH appeared…

While wildfire initially disrupts life below ground, healthy and diverse soil communities drive ecosystem restoration. The post Soil biodiversity drives ecosystem recovery after wildfires appeared first on Advanced Science News .