Image: Centennial IUSS 2024Centennial IUSS 2024

Centennial IUSS 2024, Re Soil selects keynote speakers on agriculture and bioeconomy

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One more month to submit your abstracts in the session sponsored by Re Soil Foundation at the IUSS 2024 International Union of Soil Sciences congress in May
Grasslands store one-third of the Earth's global carbon stock. Photo: Eric Van Lochem CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalPhoto: Eric Van Lochem CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International

Canada’s grasslands are getting hotter and drier

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A study by the University of Alberta has described for the first time the changes that have occurred in the country's grasslands over the past 120 years and the consequences for agriculture
Soil carbon stock decreases in forests dominated by arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi and increases in those where ectomycorrhizal species dominate. Photo: Nicolas Raymond CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 GenericPhoto: Nicolas Raymond CC BY 2.0 DEED Attribution 2.0 Generic

This is how fungi regulate the carbon cycle in forests

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Chinese research highlights how different categories of mycorrhizal fungi record different nutrient uptake while impacting biomass and soil carbon
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