Review
Plant Sciences
Paul D. Hallett, Maria Marin, Gary D. Bending, Timothy S. George, Chris D. Collins, Wilfred Otten
Summary: There is great potential to utilize plant traits at the root-soil interface, such as rhizodeposition and root hairs, to improve soil structure, enhance carbon storage and resource utilization, enhance resistance to climate stresses, and promote a healthy microbiome. These traits are present in modern crop varieties, but there is room for further improvement as they vary significantly across genotypes and respond to environmental conditions. Future research should focus on studying the impacts of selecting these traits on both plants and soils, from model plants to commercial genotypes, and determining if the effects observed in greenhouse studies can be replicated in the field.
TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonietta C. Turturro, Maria C. Caputo, Horst H. Gerke
Summary: The study compared the MIP and QSC methods with standard ones to determine the retention curves of subsoil clods and calcareous rocks over most of the moisture range. The porosity characteristics of soil and rock samples showed bi- and trimodal PSDs. The MIP and QSC methods proved to be relatively fast and reliable for measuring a wider range of the retention curve.
VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Vilim Filipovic, Jasmina Defterdarovic, Vedran Krevh, Lana Filipovic, Gabrijel Ondrasek, Filip Kranjcec, Ivan Magdic, Vedran Rubinic, Sanja Stipicevic, Ivan Mustac, Marina Bubalo Kovacic, Hailong He, Amir Haghverdi, Horst H. Gerke
Summary: This study aimed to identify the factors controlling soil water dynamics in erosion-affected hillslope vineyard soils. The parameterization of soil hydraulic properties was found to be crucial in capturing the response of erosion-affected soil systems.
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Christoph Haas, Doerthe Holthusen, Rainer Horn
Summary: Rheo-DEA is a software tool designed for automatically extracting rheological data, saving time and aiding in better understanding soil flow behavior.
Article
Agronomy
Oluwaseun Temitope Faloye, Ebenezer Ayodele Ajayi, Jens Rostek, Toju Babalola, Abayomi Fashina, Rainer Horn
Summary: This study investigated the aggregation effects in biochar-amended soils by evaluating the saturated hydraulic conductivity and water repellency in wetting/drying scenarios. The results showed that biochar addition decreased the saturated hydraulic conductivity and the rigidity effect was more pronounced in soil amended with twig mango. Higher contact angle and water retention values were observed in twig-amended soils compared to branch-based mango-amended soils.
INTERNATIONAL AGROPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
M. Marin, P. D. Hallett, D. S. Feeney, L. K. Brown, M. Naveed, N. Koebernick, S. Ruiz, A. G. Bengough, T. Roose, T. S. George
Summary: Root hairs may alter soil physical behavior, such as soil porosity and water retention. They can decrease soil hardness and elasticity, and reduce water repellency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annelie Ehrhardt, Kristian Berger, Vilim Filipovic, Thomas Woehling, Hans-Joerg Vogel, Horst H. Gerke
Summary: Lateral subsurface flow (LSF) is a common phenomenon in the field, but limited observations have been made in undisturbed soils under controlled laboratory conditions. This study presents a method for extracting undisturbed soil samples and introduces an experimental setup for measuring and simulating LSF. The results show that the Richards equation and the van Genuchten-Mualem model can explain the water flow within the soil monolith.
VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Catriona Willoughby, Cairistiona F. E. Topp, Paul D. Hallett, Elizabeth A. Stockdale, Frederick L. Stoddard, Robin L. Walker, Alex J. Hilton, Christine A. Watson
Summary: Sustainable farming systems provide food for humans while balancing nutrient management. The inclusion or exclusion of livestock has significant implications for nutrient management. Plant-based diets are becoming more popular due to perceived environmental benefits. This study found that combining synthetic fertilizers with organic amendments significantly increased production while balancing nutrient management. Legume-supported rotations without livestock produced more protein, starch, and sugar. Nutrient balances and use efficiencies were more sensitive to management changes than purely food production.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Horst H. Gerke, Hans-Joerg Vogel, Tobias K. D. Weber, W. Marijn van der Meij, Thomas Scholten
Summary: This paper introduces the development and application of 3-4D soil models, emphasizing the importance of predicting soil functions and the challenges involved. The study examines the research tools and techniques required to establish 3-4D soil models and proposes directions for improving soil modeling.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annelie Ehrhardt, Horst H. Gerke
Summary: Soil temperature can be influenced by infiltrating water, leading to non-uniform heat distribution. Wavelet coherence analysis is effective in analyzing soil temperature time series. The study found that vertical heat conduction induced by infiltration is faster in lysimeters compared to fields.
VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Martyn T. Roberts, Josie Geris, Paul D. Hallett, Mark E. Wilkinson
Summary: Temporary storage areas (TSAs) are nature-based solutions that can store and attenuate surface runoff, providing additional storage during flood events in a catchment. The implementation of small-scale TSAs in headwater catchments is gaining momentum, but further evidence is needed on their effectiveness during flood events. This review examines the role of small-scale TSAs in flood risk management and explores their potential benefits in integrated catchment management. Factors influencing TSA functioning and effectiveness are discussed, along with considerations for future design and management.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-WATER
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annelie Ehrhardt, Sylvia Koszinski, Horst H. Gerke
Summary: The phenomenon of lateral subsurface flow (LSF) was studied in different soil types by applying potassium bromide and observing the soil solution and soil samples. Heterogeneous subsurface structures were found to have an impact on the transport time of pesticides and nutrients from agricultural areas.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lana Filipovic, Jasmina Defterdarovic, Rui Chen, Vedran Krevh, Horst H. H. Gerke, Thomas Baumgartl, Zoran Kovac, Gabrijel Ondrasek, Stanko Ruzicic, Hailong He, Jaromir Dusek, Vilim Filipovic
Summary: The solubility and mobility of copper in soil are strongly influenced by dissolved organic carbon, though the interactions between copper and organic carbon are complex and not fully understood. This study monitored copper and organic carbon concentrations for two years in leachates from constructed lysimeters in vineyard hilltop, backslope, and footslope areas. Statistical analysis and chemical equilibrium software were used to analyze the relationship between copper and organic carbon. The study confirmed the relevance of copper complexation by organic carbon and highlighted the role of soil water flow pathways in copper transport.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lana Filipovic, Vedran Krevh, Rui Chen, Jasmina Defterdarovic, Zoran Kovac, Ivan Mustac, Igor Bogunovic, Hailong He, Thomas Baumgartl, Horst H. Gerke, Gurpal S. Toor, Vilim Filipovic
Summary: Nutrient leaching from agricultural soils can lead to economic losses for farmers and environmental degradation. This study collected and analyzed leachates from different positions in a vineyard over a two-year period and found that nutrient concentrations were higher at the footslope compared to the hilltop and backslope, but only in intra-row positions. The study also confirmed that the vineyard intra-row was the spatial origin of nutrient leaching along the slope, highlighting the importance of optimizing vineyard management practices.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vedran Krevh, Jannis Groh, Lana Filipovic, Horst H. H. Gerke, Jasmina Defterdarovic, Sally Thompson, Mario Sraka, Igor Bogunovic, Zoran Kovac, Nathan Robinson, Thomas Baumgartl, Vilim Filipovic
Summary: This study conducted a two-year research on a hillslope agroecosystem (vineyard) by combining soil characterization and field hydrological measurements. The findings suggest that lateral subsurface flow has a significant impact on hillslope soil-water dynamics and spatial crop productivity distribution.