Mushrooms are able to absorb and break down many toxic substances, thus restoring soil health. Photo: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domainPhoto: Raffael Herrmann cc0.photo public domain

Oil-eating mushrooms bring contaminated soil back to life

U.S. researchers test the ability of mushrooms to absorb and break down soil contaminants. A strategy to restore land by reducing the weight of waste
Deforestation in a nutshell. Between 2002 and 2018, the Brazilian Amazon lost more than 20 million hectares of tropical forest. Photo: Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Amazônia Real from Manaus AM, Brasil Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

FAO, NASA and Google join forces to beat deforestation through data power

FAO announces the launch of a Data Partnership to tackle deforestation. The initiative is based on geospatial information, which is being increasingly used in recent years to monitor soil and risk areas.
Assessing carbon concentration is crucial for Malawi farmers who need to maximize the fertility of their soils. Photo: USAID Free to use CC0USAID Free to use CC0

Low cost technology helps African farmers to measure carbon in soil

In Malawi, a $400 calibrated reflectometer has allowed to record the carbon concentration in soil. A key step for better managing agricultural land
Soil analysis of the Mayon volcano in the Philippines has revealed some promising species of bacteria. Photo: Patryk Reba Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)Patryk Reba Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Soil bacteria from a volcano bring new hope for cancer treatment

Scientists from the University of Los Baños have isolated 30 bacteria species found at the Mayon volcano, in the north of the country. One of them seems to have relevant antibiotic and antitumor properties.
jericho innovation soils fertilizers

Jericho: an Italian team invents a machine to analyze and treat sick soils

The invention is exhibited in the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale: the terraforming device, designed by the OFL Architecture studio, detects the amount of CO2 in the soil and then injects the biological fertilizers necessary to re-naturalize the soils lacking their original production capacity
In areas of the Peruvian Amazon monitored by drones, deforestation was halved in one year. Photo (generic image): Yoly Gutierrez/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Yoly Gutierrez/CIFOR Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Smartphones and drones help indigenous communities fight deforestation

Thanks to drones and satellite technology, the Peruvian Amazon has halved the deforestation of indigenous lands in one year.
Nematodes are essential players in the soil system providing benefits or damage depending on properties of 30,000 different species. Photo: Starlight Hunter Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)Starlight Hunter Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

In Japan a DNA test unveals the secrets of soil nematodes

Genetic testing also works with nematodes, which are crucial for ecosystem. A new study from offers new perspectives for the study of soil
Numbers compiled by NASA show that in the U.S. Midwest., corn fields with low tillage levels have a 3.3% higher yield. Photo: Pixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not requiredPixabay License Free for commercial use Attribution not required

NASA takes care of soil protection for farmers’ sake

NASA satellite data helps American farmers to choose the best practices to protect soil and its productivity.
An app developed in Ireland provides a multi-level soil diagnosis. Photo: Pxfuel Free for commercial use, DMCAPxfuel Free for commercial use, DMCA

How’s your soil doing? Ask this Irish app

The app allows you to analyze the health of your soil and suggests how to manage it. An example of technology applied to soil protection.
Selected papers will be presented at Ecomondo 2021 fair. Photo: EcomondoEcomondo

New solutions for soil: Ecomondo call for papers is still open

Ecomondo 2021 selects new proposals to protect soil health. Abstract submission deadline is scheduled for June 30.

RECEIVE
OUR NEWSLETTER

It’s beneath our feet but we never think about its value. We tread on it, we mistreat it, but a healthy, fertile soil means life. It’s time to take care of the soil and each one of us can and must make a difference.

To receive updates about Re Soil Foundation activities, sign up to our newsletter.

    • Coldiretti
    • Novamont
    • Politecnico di Torino