Articles | Volume 12, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-253-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-253-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Short communication
| Highlight paper
| 
17 Mar 2026
Short communication | Highlight paper |
| 17 Mar 2026
| 17 Mar 2026
Mapping the fertosphere's phosphorus availability distribution in a field trial using a novel diffusive gradients in thin-films (fDGT) technique
Casey L. Doolette
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
Euan Smith
Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
Ehsan Tavakkoli
School of Agriculture Food and Wine, University of Adelaide, Glen Osmond, South Australia 5064, Australia
Lukas van Zwieten
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wollongbar Primary Industries Institute, Wollongbar, NSW, Australia
Brigid A. McKenna
The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
Peter M. Kopittke
The University of Queensland, School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
Enzo Lombi
Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, South Australia 5095, Australia
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Soil produces 98.8 % of the calories consumed by humans, but the contribution that the anthropogenic use of soil makes to global warming is not clear. We show that soil has contributed 15 % of the total global warming caused by well-mixed greenhouse gases. Thus, our finding that soil is a substantial contributor to global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions represents a "wicked problem" – how do we continue to increase food production from soil whilst also decreasing emissions?
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Sodic soils affect ~580 Mha in semi-arid and arid regions of the world. These soils have a weak structure. This laboratory study evaluated treatments to overcome the weak aggregate structure in two sodic Vertisols by applying organic amendments, gypsum, and wetting–drying cycles. We conclude that sodic soils need to be treated with gypsum to flocculate clay and organic amendments (lucerne or chicken manure) to form aggregates, whereas drying cycles aid in small macroaggregates formation.
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Editorial statement
This paper has been selected as a Highlight Paper due to its high scientific quality, clear presentation, and significant contribution to the field. The manuscript successfully addressed all recommendations from the Topic Editor and was positively evaluated in the final review by the Editor in Chief.
This paper has been selected as a Highlight Paper due to its high scientific quality, clear...
Short summary
The first report of the field deployment of a new soil sampling device to investigate phosphorus (P) fertiliser strategies. The approach was combined with X-ray fluorescence microscopy to produce 2D spatially-resolved P availability maps to visualise distinct differences between new and conventional P fertilisers. This technique shows great potential for optimising P application and material sciences development; potentially leading to improved productivity and more sustainable P fertiliser use.
The first report of the field deployment of a new soil sampling device to investigate phosphorus...
