Article
Soil Science
Thorsten Reinsch, Inger Julia Anna Struck, Ralf Loges, Christof Kluss, Friedhelm Taube
Summary: Converting grassland to arable cropping can lead to decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks, impacting soil and climate protection goals. However, using direct drilling in forage production systems like silage maize can prevent SOC stock degradation without reducing herbage yield. Long-term practices, such as a three-year grass phase followed by three years of silage maize, can help maintain SOC stocks.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Salvador Ramirez II, Virginia L. Jin, Lance M. Gunderson, Marty R. Schmer, Kathryn J. Hanford, Elizabeth S. Jeske, Rhae A. Drijber
Summary: Harvesting corn stover can have negative effects on soil chemical and physical properties, as well as soil microbiology. This study evaluated the impact of corn stover removal on soil microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activities in irrigated, continuous corn fields. The results showed that stover removal and tillage significantly decreased potential enzyme activities and soil bacterial and fungal biomass. No-till farming partially mitigated the negative effects of stover removal on soil microbial communities and enzyme activities.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Petr Capek, Michal Choma, Eva Kastovska, Karolina Tahovska, Helen C. Glanville, Hana Santruckova
Summary: Soil microbial biomass is assumed to have stable chemical composition but observations suggest that it is likely changing with specific growth rate. In this study, a sub-Microbial model is proposed to explicitly represent these composition changes. The model outperforms simpler models in explaining the variability in microbial biomass composition. The results highlight the importance of accurately determining soil microbial biomass and its physiological characteristics for predicting ecosystem development.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lidong Li, Liwang Ma, Zhiming Qi, Quanxiao Fang, R. Daren Harmel, Marty R. Schmer, Virginia L. Jin
Summary: This study measured and simulated the effects of different management practices, including irrigation, stover retention, and cover crop use, on soil N2O emissions in a long-term continuous corn system. The results showed that reducing stover retention could decrease soil N2O emissions and deficit irrigation could reduce soil N2O emissions in the presence of cover crops. This study improves our understanding of the mechanisms behind the effects of agricultural management on soil N2O emissions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dongdong Chen, Qi Li, Lili Huo, Qian Xu, Xin Chen, Fuquan He, Liang Zhao
Summary: This study aimed to identify the biomass and carbon metabolism characteristics of the Sanjiangyuan (SJY) soil microbial community and extract the key factors influencing the microbial characteristics. The results showed significant variations in soil microbial biomass indicators between different regions and soil layers. Different regions exhibited different degrees of use of carbon sources by soil microorganisms, with a preference for carbohydrates, amino acids, and polymers. The study also found that soil and plant nutrients had different contributions to the variation in soil microbial biomass and carbon metabolism.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Dhruba Dhakal, Zachary L. Erwin, Kelly A. Nelson
Summary: Cover crop systems can help reduce the cost of hay feeding in early spring. This research found that cereal rye produced the highest forage mass and winter annual weeds were effectively controlled by cover crops. Grazing by cattle increased the soil resistance on cover crops. In terms of corn and soybean yield, grazing had a bigger impact on corn, while soybean yield was less affected.
Article
Microbiology
Yongkuan Chi, Shuzhen Song, Kangning Xiong, Gadah Albasher, Jinzhong Fang
Summary: Different utilization patterns can affect the soil microbial biomass, microbial entropy, and soil-microorganism stoichiometry imbalance in artificial grassland. This study investigated the responses of soil microbial biomass, microbial entropy, and soil-microorganism stoichiometry imbalance to different utilization patterns in a karst rocky desertification control area. The results showed that grazing grassland had the highest microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen, while enclosed grassland had the highest microbial biomass phosphorus. The study also found that different utilization patterns affected the stoichiometry imbalance in the grassland soil. C:N-imb, C:P-imb, and C:P in the soil had the most significant effect on microbial entropy.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zhenyin Bai, Aomei Jia, Zhenjian Bai, Shanmin Qu, Meng Zhang, Linghang Kong, Renhao Sun, Mingjun Wang
Summary: The study found that the arrangement of PV panels has a significant impact on grassland plant species diversity and soil microbial diversity. In particular, PV panels at the front edge can increase the total aboveground productivity and plant diversity of grasslands, while also changing the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Emma J. Sayer, John A. Crawford, James Edgerley, Andrew P. Askew, Christoph Z. Hahn, Raj Whitlock, Ian C. Dodd
Summary: Using a 25-year field experiment, Emma Sayer et al. investigated how chronic drought alters soil microbial community responses to plant stress signaling through phytohormones. The study found that drought-adapted soil microorganisms modify their responses to phytohormone inputs, indicating that phytohormones are perceived as stress signals by drought-adapted soil microbes.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Teng Hu, Abad Chabbi
Summary: This study investigated the possible root biomass improvements in crop rotations after the conversion of grasslands in France. The results showed that incorporating ley grassland duration into crop rotations increases root biomass C of crops, but this change may not significantly increase shoot biomass C or grain yield.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Elena Efremenko, Olga Senko, Olga Maslova, Nikolay Stepanov, Aysel Aslanli, Ilya Lyagin
Summary: Polysaccharides synthesized by microorganisms have valuable properties and are suitable for various applications. Research focuses on biocatalysts and their composition and properties, which can determine the range of renewable raw materials and the rate of molecular transformations. New biocatalysts are being developed to expand the useful properties of polysaccharides.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alberto Canarini, Hannes Schmidt, Lucia Fuchslueger, Victoria Martin, Craig W. Herbold, David Zezula, Philipp Gundler, Roland Hasibeder, Marina Jecmenica, Michael Bahn, Andreas Richter
Summary: A 10-year field experiment in a mountain grassland showed that recurrent droughts can lead to ecological memory formation of soil microbial communities and enhance soil multifunctionality. This ecological memory may increase the resilience of ecosystem functioning against future drought events.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
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)
Article
Soil Science
Ana I. M. Natalio, Matthew A. Back, Andrew Richards, Simon Jeffery
Summary: Crop establishment in no-till arable systems depends on soil health conducive for growth. This study investigated the interaction between microbial and soil physicochemical properties during the transition from full-inversion to no-till soil management. The results showed that microbial biomass responded quickly to the incorporation of farmyard manure, while quantification of soil organic carbon and organic matter was not a reliable predictor of management practices over two years.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yongjie Liu, Mingjie Xu, Guoe Li, Mingxia Wang, Zhenqing Li, Hans J. De Boeck
Summary: Climate change is expected to impact plant growth and biomass allocation, with studies showing that aboveground, belowground, and total biomass increase with growing season precipitation in a water-limited ecosystem. Allocation patterns vary along precipitation gradients, with significant differences between plant species. Isometric partitioning was observed in one species, while rhizome or stolon-forming species showed different allocation strategies. This research provides insights into how changes in biomass allocation can affect ecosystem functioning, especially in the context of environmental change.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Lin Liu, Yili Lu, Robert Horton, Tusheng Ren
Summary: A new approach is presented in this study to estimate the parameters of the soil water retention curve (SWRC). The new method accurately estimates SWRCs by using measured thermal conductivity-water content curves, soil texture, bulk density, and field capacity water content.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zhongshan Dai, Yong Zhang, Yujie Wei, Chongfa Cai
Summary: This study investigates the effects of erosion degradation and long-term manure fertilization on soil properties and crop yield in Northeast China. Results show that erosion degradation and manure fertilization have lasting impacts on soil physical structure throughout the soil profile, while their effects on soil nutrient properties are focused in shallow layers. Manure fertilization significantly improves soil functional index (ISI) and maize yield for degraded soils. Erosion degradation has a greater influence on ISI and maize yield than manure fertilization.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xintong Xu, Ruiyu Bi, Mengxin Song, Yubing Dong, Ying Jiao, Bingxue Wang, Zhengqin Xiong
Summary: The substitution of organic fertilizers for inorganic fertilizers has a significant impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) and can help combat soil degradation and climate change in intensive vegetable production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Moritz Koza, Roger Funk, Julia Poehlitz, Christopher Conrad, Olga Shibistova, Tobias Meinel, Kanat Akshalov, Gerd Schmidt
Summary: Semi-arid regions in Central Asia are experiencing wind erosion due to steppe conversion and unsustainable farming practices. A study conducted in Kazakhstan used a mobile wind tunnel to assess soil erodibility under real conditions. The results showed significant differences in soil erosion based on initial conditions and mechanical stress, emphasizing the importance of proper soil management to prevent severe events.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Tong Li, Guorui Li, Zhiqiang Lu, Deqiang Zhao, Yuze Li, Ziting Wang, Xiaoxia Wen, Yuncheng Liao
Summary: Conservation agriculture with three management principles is effective in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss. This study found that no tillage significantly increased soil extracellular enzyme activities, while legume incorporation only had a significant effect on phosphorus-acquiring enzymes. Crop diversity positively influenced the no tillage-induced increase in enzyme activities.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zahra Khasi, Mohammad Sadegh Askari, Setareh Amanifar, Kamran Moravej
Summary: This research aims to evaluate the applicability of visual soil evaluation methods for agricultural systems in semi-arid regions and assess the relationship between soil physical quality and crop yield. The results indicate that visual evaluation methods can effectively assess soil conditions, and optimal soil structural quality is crucial for sustainable crop production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Amin Jannatul Ferdous, Xiaolin Wang, Katie Lewis, John Zak
Summary: Conservative agricultural management strategies can enhance crop productivity by altering soil microbiome, and incorporating legumes into cover crops in semi-arid regions can improve the dynamics of rhizobial communities. There is a strong underlying relationship between soil management and bacterial diversity in the soil.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Haiman Wang, Wankui Ni, Haisong Liu, Kangze Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the structural strength of the Loess-Paleosol Sequence (LPS) and finds that the strength tends to increase with burial depth, with the loess layer weaker than the paleosol layer. The microstructure of the LPS also undergoes significant transformations with increased burial depth, transitioning from an overhead structure to a matrix structure. These findings highlight the importance of climate conditions on the structural strength of the LPS.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ranabir Chakraborty, V. K. Sharma, Debarup Das, D. R. Biswas, P. Mahapatra, D. K. Shahi, M. Barman, K. A. Chobhe, D. Chakraborty
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term nutrient management practices on P fractions and P adsorption-desorption behaviour of an acid soil with a soybean-wheat cropping system. The findings revealed that amorphous Fe and Al, which play a significant role in P fixation, increased due to cultivation. The NPK+Lime treatment offered the most balanced approach, improving both crop yield and P uptake while effectively managing P dynamics in the soil. On the contrary, long-term application of NPK+FYM in an acid soil may result in faster P saturation of adsorption sites and increase the chances of leaching and eutrophication. Tailored P fertilization strategies should be developed to better utilize the PFe and PAl fractions and supplementing applied P.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yuan Li, Ying Li, Qingping Zhang, Gang Xu, Guopeng Liang, Dong-Gill Kim, Carmen Rosa Carmona, Mei Yang, Jianming Xue, Yangzhou Xiang, Bin Yao, Yuying Shen
Summary: Agricultural intensification has led to severe degradation of croplands in China. Converting degraded croplands to grasslands can increase soil organic carbon and nitrogen content, but may decrease soil pH and available phosphorus. The duration of conversion and mean annual precipitation are major factors influencing soil changes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinliang Wu, Sixu Yao, Jinxing Zhou
Summary: The coupling effect of slaking and mechanical breakdown on aggregate stability was evaluated using a new method. This method can partition the unique and shared effects of these two breakdown mechanisms and showed better performance in predicting soil erosion compared to existing methods.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinni Ju, Lei Gao, Dongli She, Yuhua Jia, Zhe Pang, Yaji Wang
Summary: This study linked soil pore structures quantified by X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and infiltration processes traced using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes under different land uses in the red soil region of southern China. The results showed that soil pore characteristics mainly affected soil water transport, while other soil properties played more important roles in soil water retention. CT-based porosity and soil texture were considered crucial indicators in the evaluation of water exchange during infiltration processes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Hongwei Xu, Qing Qu, Jiaping Yang, Zhen Wang, Minggang Wang, Rentao Liu, Sha Xue
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the effects of drought on terrestrial ecosystem C-N-P stoichiometry on a global scale. The results showed that drought significantly decreased the C:N ratio in soil, enzymes, shoots, and roots. Soil microbes were limited by N, whereas plants were restricted by P under drought stress. Drought intensity and duration were negatively correlated with shoot N:P and vector angle.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sara L. Bauke, Sabine J. Seidel, Miriam Athmann, Anne E. Berns, Melanie Braun, Martina I. Gocke, Julien Guigue, Timo Kautz, Ingrid Koegel-Knabner, Juliette Ohan, Matthias Rillig, Michael Schloter, Oliver Schmittmann, Stefanie Schulz, David Uhlig, Andrea Schnepf, Wulf Amelung
Summary: Agricultural production in Central Europe is increasingly affected by extreme drought events. This study found that incorporating organic matter, especially biowaste compost, into the subsoil significantly increased root growth and subsequently improved crop nutrient uptake, biomass, and grain yield. The incorporation of green waste compost had less pronounced effects.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xi Chen, Xuesong Wang
Summary: Based on the application of the integrated wind erosion modeling system, this study comprehensively simulated the loss and conservation of nutrients during aeolian dust emissions in the arid and semiarid areas of China. The results showed a decreasing trend in nutrient losses over the past two decades, with the ecosystems playing a crucial role in preventing these losses. The prevention rates of different land cover types were generally high, indicating the effectiveness of conservation measures.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)