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Peptides produced by bacteria can target plant pathogens without harming the soil's useful microbiome. 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

Dutch researchers bet on bacteria to reduce pesticide use

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Researchers at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands will study the potential of bacteria to fight plant pests without damaging the soil ecosystem. Crucial is the action of peptides, biodegradable proteins produced by the microorganisms
In Central Asia, agriculture and livestock are the sectors that contribute the most to GDP. Photo: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Central Asia will keep on suffering from agricultural drought for a long time

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Chinese researchers believe that soil drought linked to climate change can no longer be offset by weather cycles. A challenge for the region's crops and economy
At current rates of extraction, phosphorus production is expected to reach its peak around 2050. Photo: Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)Mick Crawley Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Global agriculture must reduce its dependence on phosphorus

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Half of the available phosphorus in the soil comes from mineral fertilizers. Europe, Asia and North America show the highest concentrations. French researchers, "We need to accelerate the agroecological transition in rich countries by allocating the remaining resources to the global South"
Fertilizers produced by processing human manure would be a viable and safe resource for crops, according to German research. Photo: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to usePhoto: Hafidz Alifuddin, Pexels Free to use

Toilets may provide an alternative to chemical fertilizers

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By recycling human manure it is possible to produce natural fertilizers that provide identical yields as chemical equivalents, a German research has found. No risk of drug contamination, the authors explain. But further studies are needed
According to the study, 40 percent of businesses and companies that contribute the most to deforestation have not yet developed a plan to reduce their impact on the phenomenon. Photo: Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Andrew Taylor/WDM Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

4 out of 10 companies have made no commitment against deforestation

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According to Global Canopy 201 of the 500 companies and financial firms most exposed to deforestation have taken no action to address the problem. Financial institutions perform worse than non-financial companies
Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity has increased in Germany for fish, terrestrial plants, and soil organisms. Photo: Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)Stefan Thiesen Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pesticide impact on plants and soil grows in Germany

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Over the past 25 years, pesticide total toxicity in Germany has increased for fish, land plants and soil organisms, a research from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern-Landau has found. EU wants to cut use of chemicals in half by 2030 but its metrics are not convincing
Salt has always been used on roads to help melt ice during winter periods Photo: Michael Pereckas from Milwaukee, WI, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)Michael Pereckas from Milwaukee, WI, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Antifreeze salt impacts groundwater year-round

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Used in winter to melt ice from roads, salt seeps deep into groundwater until it reaches surface waters. A University of Delaware study illustrates some of the dynamics that affect the phenomenon
Mud on the roads in Montecito, California, January 2018. Prolonged drought makes soil less permeable promoting landslides during wet periods. Photo: California National Guard Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)California National Guard Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Climate and drought are the perfect recipe for disruption (not just) in California

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During extended drought periods, soil loses its ability to absorb water, writes The New York Times. When rain occurs, landslide risk increases. A combination of phenomena that climate change makes increasingly frequent
The spread of droughts is linked to rising temperatures. In 2022, the number of times negative monthly precipitation records were broken was the third highest since 1979. Photo: bluesbby from Mountain View, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)bluesbby from Mountain View, USA Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

The water cycle has changed. And it favors floods and droughts

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Extreme rainfall concentrated in short periods is becoming more frequent just like months characterized by exceptionally low rainfall, scientists from the Global Water Monitor Consortium explain. Growth in duration and severity of heat waves causes "flash droughts" especially in Europe and China
Microbes can help stabilize soil by reducing the risk of collapse during earthquakes. 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

Soil microbes are a valuable resource. Including in case of earthquake

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Nitrogen gas emitted by microbes helps stabilize soil by preventing building collapse during seismic events, US research shows. Encouraging this process means avoiding concrete injections while reducing damage to the environment

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