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Soil plays a central role in achieving many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. Photo: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain DedicationPhoto: Rawpixel CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Soil and the 2030 Agenda: a webinar in Verona (also in streaming) on Feb. 17

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The event will be broadcast live on Youtube. Theme of the meeting: the role of soil in the path toward the UN Goals
A corn field in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Extending and diversifying crop rotations may not promote carbon sequestration but still provide important soil benefits. Photo: P. L. Tandon Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedP. L. Tandon Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Crop diversification supports nitrogen sequestration (but not carbon)

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Diversifying rotations does not promote carbon storage but increases nitrogen availability with positive impact on soil and climate, a Iowa University study has found
The PREPSOIL project was established with the aim of spreading good practices in soil management and education for the younger generation.Prepsoil

Prepsoil designs the future of research and innovation structures

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Prepsoil project presents two reports on taxonomy and economic sustainability of Living Labs and Lighthouse Farms, key players in developing new ideas and solutions for soil health
The agricultural sector faces economic and environmental pressures today to reduce the use of herbicides. Photo: Zeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 DeedZeynel Cebeci Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed

Artificial vision allows to reduce the use of herbicides

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Thanks to a sensing system, some farm machinery offers the opportunity to use less herbicide by detecting weeds and distributing treatments in a targeted manner
Zinc foliar sprays can mitigate the negative effects of water deficit stress in pearl millet plants. Photo: Shanmugamp7 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 DeedShanmugamp7 Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported CC BY-SA 3.0 Deed

How zinc improves drought resistance of crops

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An Indian study reveals the properties of zinc in mitigating the effects of water stress on plants. Foliar sprays offer an effective solution
Worldwide, the natural regrowth of forests can affect a total area of about 215 million hectares in humid tropical regions. Photo: George Shepherd Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DeedGeorge Shepherd Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Deed

Forests restored by nature can sequester 23 billion tonnes of CO2

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The estimate, on a 30-year basis, is contained in a study involving American and Australian scientists: worldwide, spontaneous forest regeneration potentially affects more than 200 million hectares of land
In some areas of Canada, a pathogenic fungus has reduced canola crop yields by up to 50 per cent. Photo: Ayrcan Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 DeedPhoto: Ayrcan Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed

High soil pH stimulates the growth of a pathogenic canola fungus

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According to Canadian research, alkaline soils especially favour the growth of the fungus, which damages plant tissue by interfering with water and nutrient uptake
Tra i bioprodotti, i teli pacciamanti sono tra quelli i cui vantaggi sono più tangibili: diversamente da quelli prodotti in plastica fossile, a fine coltura si possono incorporare nel terreno con una semplice trinciatura e non hanno costi di lavaggio, rimozione e smaltimento.

‘Biodegradable plastics do not impact ecosystems’

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A study in US shows how bioplastics can degrade in an acceptable timeframe and without harming the environment as long as they are disposed of properly
Microbial interactions-based solutions can revolutionise the way we deal with phytopathology management in rice crops. Photo: arjunreddy223344 (pixabay.com) needpix.com 2022 - Public domain pictures and photos with royalty free licenceMicrobial interactions-based solutions can revolutionise the way we deal with phytopathology management in rice crops. Photo: arjunreddy223344 (pixabay.com) needpix.com 2022 - Public domain pictures and photos with royalty free licence

A microbe offers a natural solution against rice pathogens

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Japanese researchers have identified a favourable bacterium that could be used as a biocontrol agent in rice crops as an alternative to chemical pesticides
Ultrasound allows the impact of drought on the plant to be assessed non-invasively and quickly. Photo: USDA photo by Cynthia Mendoza. Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed Cynthia Mendoza Attribution 2.0 Generic CC BY 2.0 Deed

Ultrasound device measures the impact of drought on plants

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A new device developed by a team of Lithuanian and Spanish researchers allows detection of the alteration produced by drought on certain key parameters of the plant's physiological state