Article
Soil Science
Andrea Fiorini, Sara Remelli, Roberta Boselli, Paolo Mantovi, Federico Ardenti, Marco Trevisan, Cristina Menta, Vincenzo Tabaglio
Summary: No-till and cover crops are recommended for enhancing soil biodiversity and nutrients cycling, but their impact varies depending on crop species and field conditions. Cover crops affect maize and soybean yields differently and selecting appropriate mixtures can balance yield outcomes while improving soil C cycling and biodiversity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Samukelisiwe G. Zulu, Nozipho M. Motsa, Nkanyiso J. Sithole, Lembe S. Magwaza, Khayelihle Ncama
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different tillage practices and nitrogen fertilizer application on the abundance and diversity of soil macrofauna in a continuous monocropping system of maize. The results showed that no-till and rotational tillage treatments resulted in significantly higher abundance of soil macrofauna compared to conventional tillage. Increasing fertilizer application rates negatively affected macrofauna abundance, particularly in the orders Haplotaxida and Diplopoda. No-till and rotational tillage with mulch favored the establishment of various macrofauna communities in the studied cropping system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caroline Freeman, Osian Gwyn, Dylan Gwynn-Jones, Hefin Williams, Katie Medcalf, John Scullion
Summary: This passage mainly discusses the impact of agriculture on flooding in low-lying land, which focuses on soil compaction, and in the uplands, which focuses on afforestation. The potential effect of acidification of limed upland grassland soils on flood risk has been overlooked.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Courtland Kelly, Steven J. Fonte, Anil Shrestha, Kent M. Daane, Jeffrey P. Mitchell
Summary: The study found that in temperate regions, cover crop rotation and reduced tillage have a positive impact on soil macrofauna abundance and taxonomic richness, which can increase soil carbon content, water infiltration, and soil aggregate stability.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
F. Behrends Kraemer, D. Sainz, H. Morras, P. Carfagno, M. Eiza, P. Fernandez, C. Chagas
Summary: A study conducted in Argentina found that no tillage practices led to frequent occurrence of platy structures in soils, impacting hydro-physical variables. Through rainfall simulations and soil sampling, researchers determined that soil pore structure morphology and aggregate type play a critical role in explaining the variability of hydrological parameters.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Ana L. Londero, Jean P. G. Minella, Fabio J. A. Schneider, Dinis Deuschle, Danrlei Menezes, Olivier Evrard, Madalena Boeni, Gustavo H. Merten
Summary: This study evaluated the runoff of agricultural slopes under no-till under different runoff control conditions by monitoring multiple rainfall events, revealing the positive effects of terraces on controlling runoff and the limitations of high phytomass and chiselling in controlling runoff in medium and high magnitude events. The study underscores the importance of additional measures (such as terraces) to control runoff, even in areas under no-till with high phytomass production, and the significance of catchment-scale monitoring to better understand hydrological behavior and effectively control runoff.
HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Xinyu Zhu, Yunchuan Hu, Zhen He, Zhiguo Li, Donghui Wu
Summary: Earthworm activity and plant residues have a significant impact on soil organic carbon dynamics. However, the effects of different earthworm species on greenhouse gas emissions and soil organic carbon in different tillage systems are not well understood. This study investigated the impacts of two earthworm species on soil greenhouse gas emissions and organic carbon content in both no-till and conventional tillage soils. The results showed that earthworms increased CO2 and N2O emissions in both tillage systems, but the effects were more pronounced in no-till soils. Additionally, earthworms significantly increased the organic carbon content in no-till soils, but not in conventional tillage soils.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Harry H. Schomberg, Kathryn E. White, Alondra I. Thompson, Gwendolyn A. Bagley, Allen Burke, Grace Garst, K. Ann Bybee -Finley, Steven B. Mirsky
Summary: Cover crops have the potential to increase water storage by reducing runoff, increasing infiltration, and decreasing evaporation. The study evaluated the effects of interseeded cover crops on soil water content and found that systems with cover crops had higher soil water storage compared to systems without cover crops. Furthermore, the inclusion of cover crops resulted in greater corn yields and water use efficiency.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Emily Smenderovac, Jesse Hoage, Teresita M. Porter, Caroline Emilson, Rob Fleming, Nathan Basiliko, Merhdad Hajibabei, Dave Morris, Lisa Venier
Summary: The intensified biomass removal following harvest has significant effects on soil biotic communities and metabolic functioning. The disc-trenching technique creates heterogeneity in site soil, and seasonal variation does not have a significant impact on harvested sites compared to unharvested sites. Therefore, micro-topographic features should be considered in study design.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lei Yuan, Xin Chen, Jingchao Jia, Huaihai Chen, Yi Shi, Jian Ma, Chao Liang, Yan Liu, Hongtu Xie, Hongbo He, Xudong Zhang, Xiuyuan Peng, Caiyan Lu
Summary: Maize stover mulching combined with inhibitors application in fertilizer management is an efficient strategy to improve nitrogen conversion, crop use efficiency, reduce gaseous losses, and minimize environmental pollution risk.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Jorge F. Miranda-Velez, Efstathios Diamantopoulos, Iris Vogeler
Summary: Experimental results show that although no-till fields have increased macropore flow compared to conventional tillage fields, the total leached NO3- is lower in no-till fields, indicating an overall bypass effect. The fitted dual porosity model reveals that the horizontal solute transfer rate for NO3- is smaller than that for Br- in no-till soils.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Summer R. A. Lockhart, Kent Keller, David Evans, Lynne A. Carpenter-Boggs, David R. Huggins
Summary: Organic agriculture can lead to higher concentrations and production rates of soil CO2 compared to no-till agriculture. However, the effect of agricultural management techniques on soil CO2 is not well understood.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Rashad S. Alghamdi, Larry Cihacek
Summary: Increased adoption of no-till systems in the Northern Plains leads to more post-harvest crop residue, benefiting from conservation tillage in short growing seasons. Despite various soil management practices to optimize nutrient utilization, challenges remain in meeting nutrient demands in short seasons and water-limited environments.
Article
Agronomy
Ikechukwu V. Agomoh, Craig F. Drury, W. Daniel Reynolds, Alex Woodley, Xueming Yang, Lori A. Phillips, Lars Rehmann
Summary: The study showed that under continuous corn cropping system, no-tillage practice compared to conventional tillage can improve corn seedling emergence and reduce the negative impact of stover on plant growth. Stover removal from corn fields can help mitigate the effects on seedling emergence early in the growing season.
Article
Soil Science
Jayanta Layek, Anup Das, Probir Kumar Ghosh, Krishnappa Rangappa, Rattan Lal, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Chaitanya Prasad Nath, Utpal Dey
Summary: Designing suitable conservation tillage and rice straw management practices are vital for growing a second crop like lentil after rice, as it can improve soil water retention, enhance soil physico-chemical properties, and increase crop productivity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Nora E. Flynn, Louise H. Comas, Catherine E. Stewart, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: The study found that deficit irrigation alters root growth and soil microbial community structure, potentially impacting SOC storage and overall agroecosystem function.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Jinhua Liu, Francisco J. Calderon, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: This study in the central Great Plains of North America investigated the potential of composted beef manure in restoring soil organic matter and function, proving that compost can improve soil structure and carbon stabilization. Additionally, the cropping system and rotation phase are crucial factors to consider for long-term soil organic matter management.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Courtland Kelly, Meagan E. Schipanski, Angela Tucker, Wilma Trujillo, Johnathon D. Holman, Augustine K. Obour, S. K. Johnson, Joe E. Brummer, Lucas Haag, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Cover crops are important for soil conservation efforts, but can compete with cash crops for water resources in dryland agricultural systems. Grazing cover crops can increase soil aggregation, but may reduce wheat yields. In water-limited environments, grazing cover crops show potential as a management option to improve soil health metrics despite short-term yield impacts.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Lisa Eash, Abdel F. Berrada, Kathleen Russell, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Cover crops in semiarid regions can have significant impacts on soil water availability and nitrogen levels, potentially leading to reduced yields of cash crops. The decomposition of residue is limited by water availability, making soil water recharge dependent on unpredictable precipitation patterns.
Article
Soil Science
Courtland Kelly, Michelle L. Haddix, Patrick F. Byrne, M. Francesca Cotrufo, Meagan M. Schipanski, Cynthia M. Kallenbach, Matthew D. Wallenstein, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: The study found that different wheat genotypes exhibited varying patterns of root C allocation, influencing nitrogen cycling. Thicker roots released more C into soil, enhancing nitrogen mineralization and microbial biomass, which in turn increased nitrogen cycling enzyme activity and residue nitrogen uptake by wheat. Microbial community structure was strongly correlated with root C allocation patterns, with certain genera showing strong relationships with root C deposition and nitrogen uptake.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Katherin Meza, Steven J. Vanek, Yulissa Sueldo, Edgar Olivera, Raul Ccanto, Maria Scurrah, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Improved forage-based fallows using grass-legume mixtures have the potential to address soil degradation issues in the Andean highlands. A pot study revealed significant overyielding in grass-legume bicultures compared to monocultures, with grass growth playing a bigger role in driving overyielding. Combining key functional groups, such as grasses and legumes, offers great promise for developing improved fallows to support soil health and productivity in Andean agroecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nora E. Flynn, Catherine E. Stewart, Louise H. Comas, Stephen J. Del Grosso, Cassandra Schnarr, Meagan Schipanski, Joseph C. von Fischer, Emily R. Stuchiner, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Precise water and fertilizer application can increase crop water productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. This study focuses on the effects of regulated deficit irrigation on N2O and CO2 emissions in a drip-fertigated maize system and finds that moderate deficit irrigation can significantly reduce N2O emissions, while extreme deficit irrigation can also reduce CO2 emissions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Victor Galindo, Carolina Giraldo, Patrick Lavelle, Inge Armbrecht, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: The study found that forests and tree-based agricultural systems may better contribute to the provision of multiple ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation and hydrologic regulation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric W. Slessarev, Allegra Mayer, Courtland Kelly, Katerina Georgiou, Jennifer Pett-Ridge, Erin E. Nuccio
Summary: Changes in soil organic carbon storage can impact global climate, and identifying environments that can gain or lose SOC is important. However, the observation that SOC-poor soils tend to gain or retain carbon more readily than SOC-rich soils may be influenced by statistical artifacts. Applying statistical corrections and avoiding normalized metrics can address this issue and improve scientific inference for environmental management.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Courtland Kelly, Michelle L. Haddix, Patrick F. Byrne, M. Francesca Cotrufo, Meagan E. Schipanski, Cynthia M. Kallenbach, Matthew D. Wallenstein, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Implementing soil health-promoting practices has implications for nutrient cycling. Plant belowground carbon allocation patterns affect nutrient cycling through changes to the microbial community, with effects dependent on crop genotype and management practices.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Anna M. Visscher, Steven Vanek, Katherin Meza, Camilla Wellstein, Stefan Zerbe, Raul Ccanto, Edgar Olivera, Jhon Huaraca, Maria Scurrah, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Trees have significant impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The addition of trees in Andean agroecosystems can greatly enhance carbon storage and soil macrofauna diversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Soil Science
Rajan Ghimire, Vesh R. Thapa, Veronica Acosta-Martinez, Meagan Schipanski, Lindsey C. Slaughter, Steven J. Fonte, Manoj K. Shukla, Prakriti Bista, Sangamesh V. Angadi, Maysoon M. Mikha, Olufemi Adebayo, Tess Noble Strohm
Summary: Healthy soils are crucial for sustainable agriculture, but degradation of soil health is a significant challenge in water-limited environments. Soil in arid and semi-arid regions often has low organic matter, fertility, and productivity, making it difficult to build up organic matter. Existing soil health assessment frameworks are not suitable for these environments and a new framework that links soil health with ecosystem functions is needed. The study also discusses management strategies, such as tillage and residue management, organic amendments, and cropping system diversification, for improving soil health in water-limited regions.
Article
Agronomy
Paulina B. Ramirez, Francisco J. Calderon, Merle F. Vigil, Kyle R. Mankin, David Poss, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the fine-spatial variation of soil properties and their impact on wheat productivity. The results showed that soil nutrients, texture, and subtle topographic changes were critical factors affecting wheat yield. Total carbon (TC) can serve as a reliable proxy for delineating management zones, but developing these zones relying solely on soil information is not straightforward in these soils.
Article
Soil Science
He Zhang, Aurore Degre, Caroline De Clerck, Shuangshuang Li, Jinshan Lian, Yuanyuan Peng, Tao Sun, Lindan Luo, Yanan Yue, Guihua Li, Jianfeng Zhang
Summary: The continuous expansion of sandy soil poses a threat to crop security. The use of chitin-rich organic material and attapulgite as soil amendments can improve degraded soil by increasing nutrient content and enzyme activity and altering bacterial community structure. This study provides insights into the link between soil properties, bacterial community structure, and microbial carbon metabolism function.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xian Zhou, Yi Jiang, Ganghua Leng, Wanting Ling, Jian Wang
Summary: Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) residues have significant impacts on soil pollution remediation. The addition of exogenous functional microbial consortium and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) can promote the degradation of bound PAH residues. This study fills the cognitive gap of GRSP in regulating the degradation of bound PAH residues in soil.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Soil Science
Xinyu Zhao, Evrim Elcin, Lizhi He, Meththika Vithanage, Xiaokai Zhang, Jie Wang, Shuo Wang, Yun Deng, Nabeel Khan Niazi, Sabry M. Shaheen, Hailong Wang, Zhenyu Wang
Summary: The increase of cultivated varieties of Chinese herbal remedies, the expansion of cultivation area, and long-term monoculture cropping have led to aggravated problems of soil diseases, yield loss, and quality reduction. Biochar, as a carbon-rich material, has the potential to improve soil quality and alleviate continuous crop obstacles for Chinese herbal remedies.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Editorial Material
Soil Science
Melanie M. Pollierer, Anton Potapov, Andrey Zaitsev
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yajie Wang, Jiefeng Li, Yongfen Wei, Zhiyi Deng, Xiaodi Hao, Fusheng Li
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of heavy metal pollution caused by coal production on soil microbial ecology in the semi-arid region of Heilongjiang. The results reveal negative correlations between heavy metals and bacterial abundance and diversity. Twelve sensitive bacterial taxa and corresponding models were identified. Water content and total phosphorus were also found to play vital roles in regulating the bacterial community in the soil.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sujit Das, Sunanda Biswas, B. Ramakrishnan, T. K. Das, T. J. Purakayastha, B. H. Gawade, Priya Singh, Partha Sarathi Ghorai, Saloni Tripathy, Kanchan Sinha
Summary: This study assessed the impact of conservation agriculture on the biological soil health index in a rice-wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. The results showed that zero till direct seeded rice and crop residue incorporation could improve soil organic carbon, enzyme activities, and microbial population. Specifically, the inclusion of mungbean residues and sesbania brown manuring significantly increased the abundance of the nifH gene in the soil.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xingxiu Huang, Genxing Pan, Lianqing Li, Xuhui Zhang, Hailong Wang, Nanthi Bolan, Bhupinder Pal Singh, Chongjian Ma, Fuwei Liang, Yanjie Chen, Huashou Li
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of using a mixture of biomass waste ash and biochar on soil pH, heavy metal remediation, and plant growth. The results showed that the mixed use could ameliorate soil acidification, reduce absorption of cadmium and lead by plants, and promote plant growth. The special fertilizer prepared from the mixture can be used to promote crop growth and reduce environmental pollution.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Astrid C. H. Jaeger, Martin Hartmann, Rafaela Feola Conz, Johan Six, Emily F. Solly
Summary: This study investigates the effects of tree mortality on soil microbial communities using a mesocosm experiment. The results show that tree death influenced soil microbial abundance and composition, with the potential to affect soil processes in forest ecosystems.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Dane C. Elmquist, Subodh Adhikari, Ina Popova, Sanford D. Eigenbrode
Summary: This study investigated the effects of soil arthropod communities from cereal-based agroecosystems on wheat plant growth and above-belowground interactions. The results showed that wheat grown in soils with arthropod communities had better growth and defense against aphids, compared to wheat grown in soils without arthropod communities.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Lei Wang, Jing Wang, Zhonghou Tang, Jidong Wang, Yongchun Zhang
Summary: This study found that the application of organic fertilizer enhances carbon and phosphorus cycling enzyme activities in soil, reshapes the soil microbial community structure, and regulates the interactions between these crucial indicators through soil organic carbon.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Soil Science
M. Pawlett, N. T. Girkin, L. Deeks, D. L. Evans, R. Sakrabani, P. Masters, K. Garnett, N. Marquez-Grant
Summary: The modern funeral industry faces environmental risks and challenges, and natural burial offers a more sustainable alternative. However, there is a lack of research comparing the risks and benefits of natural burial practices, including groundwater contamination and atmospheric emissions. More scientific research is needed to understand and regulate funeral options, as well as cultural incentives for natural burial.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zhongcheng Wang, Jin Zhao, Dan Xiao, Meifeng Chen, Xunyang He
Summary: Root AMF colonization, diversity, and interactions vary with soil depth. Higher soil nutrient levels and root biomass promote colonization but suppress diversity and interactions in the upper soil layer compared to deeper layers.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zhiyang Zhang, Shiting Zhang, Riikka Rinnan
Summary: This study revealed the mechanisms behind the effects of dung deposition on soil heterotrophic respiration, providing insights for grassland management and carbon feedback prediction in grazed ecosystems.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ismail Ibrahim Garba, Graham R. Stirling, A. Marcelle Stirling, Alwyn Williams
Summary: Integrating diverse cover crops into dryland crop-fallow rotations can enhance soil nutrient and water retention, suppress soil-borne pests, and improve soil health. The effects on soil nematode communities are modulated by the functional type and mixture composition of the cover crops. Selecting cover crops with appropriate traits can improve soil health through suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes, promotion of free-living nematodes, and enhancement of soil food web complexity.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Min Li, Chao He, Miao Wei, Junmeng Long, Jingru Wang, Xinrong Yang, Kehan Wang, Xueli He
Summary: In extreme desert environments, black septate endophytes (DSE) can benefit the relict plant Gymnocarpos przewalskii by assisting it to survive and maintain ecosystem stability. The colonization of DSE in the roots of G. przewalskii varies significantly with seasons and sites, with soil properties being a major factor affecting the composition of DSE. Additionally, the functional metabolite composition of DSE strains varies greatly with different drought levels and isolates, indicating the potential complementarity between different strains in helping hosts cope with drought stress.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
