soil research Articles
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Reflections on research: Biogeochemist Gavin Mcnicol shares insights from his research at soil
Earlier this summer, SOIL was pleased to share newly published research in the journal Nature Climate Change that revealed groundbreaking analysis on SOIL’s sanitation solution and climate mitigation potential. We are particularly grateful for the remarkable and dedicated team of researchers who worked on this research with SOIL, and who are endeavoring to help solve the global climate ...
By SOIL Haiti
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JXCT Soil tensiometer
A soil tension meter is an instrument used to measure the tension or suction force within soil. Soil tension, also known as soil moisture tension, is the force exerted by the soil particles as they hold water. This tension affects the ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Soil tension meters are important tools for irrigation management and soil research.The basic ...
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Soil microbial community change and recovery after one-time tillage of continuous no-till
Continuous no-till (NT) results in soil improvements, primarily in the surface 5 cm of soil. One-time tillage may improve NT systems by inverting surface soil with less improved deeper soil. Research was conducted to determine the change in abundance of soil microbial groups after a one-time tillage of NT and their recovery dynamics. Experiments were conducted under rainfed corn (Zea mays L.) or ...
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Where have all the soils students gone?
Where have all the soils students gone? Several articles have been published recently discussing the decline in undergraduate student enrollment in soil science. Those who work directly with these students have known that this trend has existed for many years. At first we thought this trend was temporary. Now we realize that this declining trend is real. The trend is national and international in ...
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New York Times: Can Dirt Save the Earth?
“To prevent carbon from causing misery and destruction, perhaps we just need to change its location. Perhaps we can find a way to pull it from the air and restore it to the earth,” writes the New York Times in a new article that features the research of SOIL’s longtime collaborator, Dr. Rebecca Ryals. The article documents recent groundbreaking studies into how improving the ...
By SOIL Haiti
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Hydrological effects of revegetation on hillsides - Case Study
Project Hydrological effects of revegetation on hillsides in the Baviaanskloof, South Africa Carried out by Marjan Sommeijer Country South Africa Background research Marjan Sommeijer travelled to Baviaanskloof in South Africa in 2010 to conduct research for her placement as part of her Bachelor’s degree in International Land and Water Management at Wageningen University. The ...
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Feeding the world from organics
Washington State University researchers have concluded that feeding a growing global population with sustainability goals in mind is possible. Their review of hundreds of published studies provides evidence that organic farming can produce sufficient yields, be profitable for farmers, protect and improve the environment and be safer for farm workers. The review study, “Organic Agriculture ...
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Engaging High School students in soil science inquiry
In April 2007, teacher Irka Elsevier and then-graduate student Biance Moebius-Clune began their second inquiry unit designed to enable high school students to better understand soil science concepts through their own research and experiments. Moebius-Clune was an NSF fellow in the Cornell Science Inquiry Partnerships (CSIP) program, which allowed the pair to develop inquiry curriculum to guide ...
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Interactive effects of carbon dioxide and water stress on potato canopy growth and development
Reductions in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) canopy growth are observed with mild water stress. Potato growth is enhanced by elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]), but interactions of [CO2] and water stress on canopy formation and dry matter partitioning have not been studied. Two soil-plant-atmosphere research (SPAR) experiments were conducted at 370 or 740 µmol mol–1 [CO2] and six ...
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Soil Water Sensors for Agriculture – Theory and Issues
Soil water sensors have been used for irrigation and water management in agriculture for many years, but with limited success in many cases. Nonetheless, the use of soil water sensors in increasing as water scarcity increases and, conversely, problems associated with over irrigation also increase. Common problems with soil water sensing included sensor failure, problems with wiring, lack of or ...
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Mushrooms can also make houses, clothes, and electronic devices?
Fungus is not only edible, it can also be used as a material to make bags, clothing, electronic devices and even buildings. Such materials tend to be plastic, renewable, biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and produced in more sustainable ways. In early 2022, researchers at Columbia University in the United States developed a lignocellulose-based fungus-bacteria biocomposite material. The ...
By Matexcel
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Alkaline soil, sensible sensor
Field sensor quickly, accurately identifies soil issues Producers sometimes face challenges that go deep into the soil. They need answers to help the soil, on site. A portable field sensor can accurately measure minerals in soils more easily and efficiently than existing methods. And a research team, including a middle school student and her scientist father, can confirm it. Calcium, like other ...
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See How this Rancher Relieved his Stress and Improved his Lifestyle
Why is time so precious for Dan Hedgespeth, a part-time farmer in Kentucky who has chosen a Hustler SL360X chain feeder to help him save time and be efficient on his operation... Dan Hedgespeth has a 50-acre operation, raising 25 cow calves. Being a part-time farmer, he gets the help of his 4 kids to manage the farm, but it is not enough. Having the SL360X bale processor as part of his ...
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One crop, two ways, multiple benefits
Nitrogen fixation is one of the best examples of cooperation in nature. Soil microbes – naturally occurring bacteria in the soil – work with plants to pull nitrogen from the air. They turn the nitrogen into a form the plant is able to use. In return, the plant lets the microbes eat some of the sugars it makes. Faba beans (also called fava beans) are one example of plants that work ...
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Monitoring greenhouse gases from biofuel crops
Global issues such as climate change and energy security have driven rapid growth in renewable energy production - wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, hydro, biofuels etc. However, logically, each of these methods should deliver a net benefit in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, so researchers in the United States have employed portable FTIR analysers to study the GHG emissions of biomass ...
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Monitoring greenhouse gases from biofuel crops - Case study
Global issues such as climate change and energy security have driven rapid growth in renewable energy production – wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, hydro, biofuels etc. However, logically, each of these methods should deliver a net benefit in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, so researchers in the United States have employed portable FTIR analysers to study the GHG emissions of ...
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Assessing agroforestry`s advantages
Agroforestry, the deliberate placement of trees into crop and livestock operations, can help capture substantial amounts of carbon on agricultural lands while providing production and conservation benefits. However, we currently lack tools for accurately estimating current and projected carbon values in these systems. In North America, windbreaks are an effective carbon-capturing option. Only ...
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Simulating Agricultural Climate Change Scenarios using Controlled Growth Chambers
Extreme weather, believed to result from climate change and increased atmospheric CO2 levels, is a concern for many. And beyond extreme events, global warming is also expected to impact agriculture.1,2 Although it is expected that climate change will significantly affect agriculture and cause decreases in crop yields, the full effects of climate change on agriculture and human food supplies are ...
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Listening to Underground Music at Washington State University
Dr. Weller is Research Leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Services Wheat Health, Genetics and Quality Research Unit at Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, Washington. His specialty is plant pathology and the cutting-edge research that his research unit conducts solves problems anywhere in the country, or the world, affecting the production of small ...
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Forest Soil Carbon Flux Measurement and Applications
Measuring forest soil carbon flux gives an insight into the health of forest ecosystems and provides feedback on the effects of global warming. This article outlines how soil CO2 efflux is determined and the applications of soil carbon flux research.The Earth’s carbon cycle maintains a steady balance of carbon in the atmosphere that supports plant and animal life. In recent years, concerns about ...
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