https://soil.copernicus.org/articles/ Combined list of the recent articles of the journal SOIL and the recent discussion forum SOIL Discussions en https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-841-2026 Field application of rice straw–sewage sludge compost in Mediterranean citrus orchards: effects on soil properties, nutrient status and fruit quality Isabel Rodríguez-Carretero, Rodolfo Canet, Ana Pérez-Piqueres, and Ana Quiñones SOIL, 12, 841–853, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-841-2026, 2026 This study evaluates compost made from rice straw and sewage sludge in Mediterranean citrus orchards. Compost improved some indicators of soil fertility, nutrient availability, and biological activity, while maintaining crop nutritional status. Yield and fruit quality were largely unaffected. These findings support the recycling of organic residues as a strategy to improve soil health and promote more sustainable citrus production. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-835-2026 Soil health-based business models: perspectives and policy implications Erik Mathijs and Kato Van Ruymbeke SOIL, 12, 835–840, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-835-2026, 2026 Healthy soil is vital for nature, farming, and society, but disagreements about what "healthy" means make it hard to create effective policies. Our research develops a value-based framework that brings together six perspectives, from food production to ecosystem services and social benefits. We show that no single policy works for all needs, and that a mix of approaches is essential. This framework helps decision makers design fair and flexible strategies to support long-term soil stewardship. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-821-2026 Ensemble agroecosystem modeling enhances predictions of crop yields and soil carbon across the United States Sagar Gautam, Chang Gyo Jung, Rattan Lal, Klaus Lorenz, Jinyun Tang, DeAnn Ricks Presley, Alan J. Franzluebbers, and Umakant Mishra SOIL, 12, 821–833, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-821-2026, 2026 We developed an ensemble approach that combines three agroecosystem models to predict crop yields and changes in soil carbon across the United States. The ensemble results were more accurate and consistent compared to individual model. Ensemble result matched closely the observed yield data and soil carbon measurements while reducing the uncertainty from the individual models. This work improves our ability to track carbon change and supports carbon farming, climate action, and land management. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-805-2026 Temporal dynamics of particulate and mineral-associated carbon reveal three timescales of response to experimental manipulation Franco Fernández-Catinot, Wanjia Hu, Agustín Sarquis, María Victoria Vaieretti, Natalia Pérez-Harguindeguy, Xiaojuan Feng, and Carlos A. Sierra SOIL, 12, 805–819, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-805-2026, 2026 We tested how soil carbon models predict carbon storage and respiration using soil incubation data. We compared 2-pool models based on particulate and mineral-associated carbon with 3-pool models that also include faster-cycling carbon. 3-pool models performed better because they captured carbon dynamics operating at different timescales. We then simulated alternative model structures and found that transfer rates into the most persistent pool were the main control on overall carbon persistence. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-791-2026 The pH and available phosphorus as primary drivers of compost-induced CO2 emissions from Malaysian tropical soil: empirical relationships Xingxing Cheng, Faridah Othman, Rosazlin Abdullah, and Chiu Chuen Onn SOIL, 12, 791–803, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-791-2026, 2026 This study examined how different composts affect carbon dioxide emissions from tropical soil. We found that soil phosphorus and pH are key drivers and chicken dung compost resulting in the highest CO2 release. The work shows that compost is not carbon neutral; its environmental impact depends on how it changes the soil. This research helps farmers select composts that enhance soil health while curbing emissions, advancing climate-friendly tropical agriculture. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-773-2026 Challenges in soil carbon modelling and measurement: a decade of experimental data vs. RothC simulations in an organic olive grove Francisco Contreras, María L. Cayuela, María Sánchez-García, Erika Ronchin, Claudio Mondini, and Miguel A. Sánchez-Monedero SOIL, 12, 773–790, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-773-2026, 2026 Reliable estimates of soil carbon storage are essential for climate change mitigation and carbon credit schemes. This study compared long-term field measurements with carbon model based simulations in an olive grove amended with organic materials. Both approaches identified biochar as the most effective treatment, but differences between measured and simulated values remained. Integrating measurements and modelling can improve confidence in agricultural carbon accounting. Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-757-2026 Subsoil particulate organic matter is more responsive to  ∼ 10 years of whole-soil warming than mineral-associated organic matter in a temperate forest Binyan Sun, Guido L. B. Wiesenberg, Elaine Pegoraro, Margaret S. Torn, Michael W. I. Schmidt, and Mike C. Rowley SOIL, 12, 757–771, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-757-2026, 2026 Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon pool but vulnerable to loss under warming. Using a +4 °C whole-soil warming experiment at Blodgett Forest Research Station to 1 m depth, we investigated density fractions across depths. Below 50 cm, carbon quantity and composition shifted, mainly from losses of unprotected soil organic carbon. Soil carbon protected by minerals stayed largely stable, indicating organo-mineral protection buffers subsoil carbon loss. Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-733-2026 Non-inversion tillage benefits soil N retention during bare soil period coinciding with wet spell Annelie Holzkämper, Ernst Spiess, Clay Humphrys, Karin Meier-Zimmermann, Olivier Heller, Thomas Keller, and Volker Prasuhn SOIL, 12, 733–755, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-733-2026, 2026 We studied whether reduced soil disturbance can lower nitrate losses from farmland in Switzerland. In a large lysimeter experiment, we compared chisel ploughing with conventional ploughing. Reduced tillage lowered nitrate leaching by up to 42 percent in some soils during a very rainy period without crop cover. The results suggest that reduced soil management could help protect water quality under future climate conditions with wetter winter and spring conditions. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-715-2026 Plastic film residues on cropland: monitoring soil contamination through optical remote sensing Alessandro Fabrizi, Peter Fiener, Kristof Van Oost, and Florian Wilken SOIL, 12, 715–731, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-715-2026, 2026 Drones can be used to identify the presence of macroplastic residues after plastic film use, allowing sustainable management practices and assessing the risk of soil plastic contamination. We highlight the potential and the limitations of current technologies, providing practical strategies to overcome them. We demonstrate the possibility of building cameras tailored to plastic detection and point the way towards necessary technological development. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-703-2026 Electrical conductivity measurements as proxies for diffusion-limited microbial activity in soils under controlled laboratory conditions Orsolya Fülöp, Naoise Nunan, Mamadou Gueye, and Damien Jougnot SOIL, 12, 703–714, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-703-2026, 2026 Soil microorganisms play a key role in carbon cycling, yet their activity depends strongly on soil water connectivity. We investigated whether electrical conductivity, a non-destructive geophysical measurement, could provide information about microbial respiration under drying conditions. Our results suggest that electrical conductivity measurements may help better understand diffusion-limited soil respiration. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-689-2026 Operational POM increases are over-interpreted as SOM stabilization:quantifying untransformed straw and biochar residues via magnetic separation Yuhan Xia, Sen Dou, Song Guan, and Dilimulati Yalihong SOIL, 12, 689–702, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-689-2026, 2026 Following organic amendment application, increases in particulate organic carbon (POC) are often overinterpreted as evidence of organic matter stabilization or new stable soil organic matter (SOM) formation. In fact, they may merely reflect persistent untransformed exogenous organic residues, especially pronounced in the early experimental phase. This overestimation decreases gradually with incubation time in the straw treatment, but remains stable under biochar amendment. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-665-2026 Improvement of soil properties maps using an iterative residual correction method Chengcheng Xu, Elia Scudiero, Ray Anderson, and Nathaniel Chaney SOIL, 12, 665–687, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-665-2026, 2026 Accurate soil information is vital. This study developed a method to improve existing probabilistic soil maps, spatially continuous maps providing prior estimates, by correcting their probability distributions as new soil data emerges. By iteratively adjusting previous predictions, the method increases both accuracy and certainty of soil maps. Its application in California enhanced predictions for several soil properties. This method can be further used for more soil properties and regions. Tue, 19 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-633-2026 Mineral-bound organic carbon exposed by hillslope thermokarst terrain: case study in Cape Bounty, Canadian High Arctic Maxime Thomas, Julien Fouché, Hugues Titeux, Charlotte Morelle, Nathan Bemelmans, Melissa J. Lafrenière, Joanne K. Heslop, and Sophie Opfergelt SOIL, 12, 633–664, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-633-2026, 2026 This study examines organic carbon (OC)–mineral interactions in permafrost soils undergoing thermokarst degradation in Cape Bounty (Melville Island, Canada). Chemically stabilized OC accounts for 13 ± 5 % as organo-metallic complexes and 6 ± 2 % as associations with iron oxides. Including physical protection, up to 64 ± 10 % of OC is mineral-protected. Deeper layers show a sharp decline in mineral-bound OC, suggesting increased vulnerability to degradation when exposed by deep thaw features. Mon, 18 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-619-2026 Estimating soil carbon sequestration potential with mid-IR spectroscopy and explainable machine learning Yang Hu and Raphael A. Viscarra Rossel SOIL, 12, 619–631, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-619-2026, 2026 We analysed 482 Australian topsoils to estimate mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) and the carbon storage deficit (Cdef). Using mid-infrared spectra with explainable machine learning, we predicted MAOC (R2=0.86) and Cdef (R2=0.89). Model interpretation revealed signals from organic matter and clay minerals were most significant in predicting MAOC and Cdef. Our work provides an accurate, cost-effective means to assess and better understand the drivers of soil carbon sequestration potential. Wed, 13 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-599-2026 Vulnerability of carbon in subalpine soils in the face of warmer temperatures Dario Püntener, Philipp Zürcher, Tatjana C. Speckert, Carrie L. Thomas, and Guido L. B. Wiesenberg SOIL, 12, 599–618, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-599-2026, 2026 We studied how warmer temperatures affect carbon stored in mountain soils. In a year-long experiment with forest and pasture soils, we found that even moderate warming sped up the breakdown of plant material and soil carbon. Microorganisms became less efficient at higher temperatures. This means that rising temperatures could cause mountain soils to release more carbon, reinforcing climate change. Tue, 12 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-583-2026 Drivers of soil C quality and stability: insights from a topsoil dataset at landscape scale in Ontario, Canada Inderjot Chahal, Adam W. Gillespie, Daniel D. Saurette, and Laura L. Van Eerd SOIL, 12, 583–598, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-583-2026, 2026 A dataset of 1490 topsoil samples from agricultural fields across Ontario was used to evaluate the impacts of agronomic, soil, and climatic factors on eight soil C indicators. Soil texture had a large influence on soil C and a close association of soil C with mean annual precipitation and cropping system was observed. Our results confirm the significant effects of soil management and climatic variables on soil C, which have long-term implications on soil C storage and improving soil health. Mon, 04 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-561-2026 Destabilization of buried carbon under changing moisture regimes Teneille Nel, Manisha Dolui, Abbygail R. McMurtry, Stephanie Chacon, Joseph A. Mason, Laura M. Phillips, Erika Marin-Spiotta, Marie-Anne de Graaff, Asmeret A. Berhe, and Teamrat A. Ghezzehei SOIL, 12, 561–582, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-561-2026, 2026 Buried ancient topsoils (Brady paleosol, Nebraska) sequester vast amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). We found repeated drying/rewetting causes greater carbon (C) loss than continuous wetting, destabilizing the slow-cycling C pool, especially in shallower soils. Decomposition rates are higher in erosional settings. Burial depth and moisture regime are key to the long-term vulnerability of these ancient C stocks under climate change. Mon, 04 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-521-2026 Formation of mineral-associated organic matter via rock weathering: an experimental test for the organo-metallic glue hypothesis Kaori Matsuoka, Jo Jinno, Hiroaki Shimada, Emi Matsumura, Ryo Shingubara, Puu-Tai Yang, and Rota Wagai SOIL, 12, 521–543, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-521-2026, 2026 The organo-mineral assemblage formation from the mixture of crushed rocks and leaf compost was promoted by (i) microbial re-working of OM (indicated by lower C:N and higher δ13C and δ15N compared to the original leaf compost) and (ii) the supply of extractable metals (esp. oxalate-extractable Fe phase) from the rock weathering. These findings supported the organo-metallic glue hypothesis (Wagai et al., 2020) and suggest that C accretion during early pedogenesis. Fri, 01 May 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-545-2026 Soil health approaches to assess the impacts of no-tillage with agricultural terraces in southern Brazil Ariane Lentice de Paula, Luis Miguel Schiebelbein, Regiane Kazmierczak Becker, Eduardo Augusto Agnellos Barbosa, Fabrício Tondello Barbosa, Carolina Weigert Galvão, Rafael Mazer Etto, Heverton Fernando Melo, Adriel Ferreira da Fonseca, and Neyde Fabiola Balarezo Giarola SOIL, 12, 545–559, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-545-2026, 2026 This study evaluated soil health in an area under no-tillage with terraces, using four approaches to develop the indices: principal component analysis, expert opinion, the soil fertility and biology approach based on the Soil Bioanalysis framework, and Soil Management Assessment Framework. The results showed that the expert opinion and soil fertility and biology approaches were more sensitive to identify differences in soil health, and crop productivity was associated with soil health. Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:48:59 +0200 https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-497-2026 Prediction of peat properties from transmission mid-infrared spectra Henning Teickner and Klaus-Holger Knorr SOIL, 12, 497–519, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-497-2026, 2026 We developed models that predict physical and chemical peat properties from mid-infrared spectra (MIRS). These peat properties are necessary for modeling peatland dynamics. Compared to direct measurements of these properties, measurements of MIRS require less sample material and save time. Unlike existing models that focus on peat, the models developed here are openly available, relatively easy to use and have basic quality checks and estimates for prediction errors. Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:48:59 +0200