Bacteria that can convert gaseous nitrogen to ammonia provide the nutrients plants need and regenerate the soil. Photo: Oleksandr, Pexels Free to usePhoto: Oleksandr, Pexels Free to use

‘Protected’ bacteria replace chemical fertilizers

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MIT scientists have developed a coating to protect and 'package' bacteria, making them transportable from the production lab to the field. Where they become an alternative to fertilizers
Soil conservation maximizes the potential of agriculture while limiting emissions. Photo: Matthias Ripp CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPhoto: Matthias Ripp CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

“Soil care is crucial to ensure food security”, WEF says

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To meet growing food demand while capturing proper volumes of greenhouse gases, soil health must be a priority, says the World Economic Forum. Precision agriculture is essential
The presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in microbes is particularly high in soils subjected to cultivation or farming. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

Analysis of soil microbes is a major tool against antibiotic resistance

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A study of soil microbes gets started in Ireland. The metagenomic survey, by the VistaMilk research center, aims to identify microorganisms that benefit the soil
Microplastics are a dangerous and widespread contributor to soil pollution. Photo: Oregon State University CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 GenericOregon State University CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic

Tomography helps detect microplastics in soil

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A German research team has developed a new method for detecting microplastics. The technique employs neutron beams and X-rays to generate a complete image
Every year sand and dust storms bring 250 Great Pyramids of Giza into the atmosphere ©UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic ©UN Photo/Blagoje Grujic

Growing sandstorms. 25% are human-related

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UNCCD: The problem of sand and dust storms is exacerbated by poor land and water management, drought and climate change. Choosing the correct agricultural practices can stem them
Over the past 12,000 years, 2.7 billion tons of phosphorus have reportedly accumulated in lake sediments around the world. Photo: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution requiredPhoto: Pxhere CC0 Public Domain Free for personal and commercial use No attribution required

The phosphorus problem started thousands of years ago

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A Swiss study found that humans began altering the phosphorus cycle many millennia ago. Before industrialization and the spread of fertilizers accelerated the process
A spreader unloads crushed metabasalt rock on a fallowed corn field in the Central Valley. Photo: Amy Quinton/ UC Davis, for media useAmy Quinton/ UC Davis, for media use

Crushed volcanic rock helps soil capture carbon

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A new study highlights the effectiveness of rock dust in aiding the process. Even under severe drought conditions
Biological footprints of microbes in the soil show where diamond-containing minerals are buried. Photo: Alex Walls, images available for printing.Alex Walls, images available for printing.

Soil microbe analysis can replace drilling in the mining sector

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A Canadian study shows how microbes can be reliable indicators of the presence of diamonds underground. Analyzing their DNA can prevent high-impact exploration
There are still nearly 377 million acres of intact grasslands in the Great Plains of North America. Photo: Ammchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalAmmchale CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Canada and U.S. have lost 130,000 km2 of grasslands in ten years

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According to WWF's latest study, in the past year, grasslands have ceded nearly 6,500 km2 of soil to conversion. With obvious consequences for carbon release
Ecomondo's 2023 General Soil States were dedicated to sustainable carbon cycles. PHOTO: Re Soil Foundation

For sustainable carbon cycles we need to focus on nature-based solutions

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Second edition of the General States of the Soil at Ecomondo in Rimini. Dozens of experts attended to discuss the best strategies capable of bringing organic carbon back into degraded soils and reducing CO2 in the atmosphere

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