SOIL - recent papers

Two decades of conservation agriculture enhances soil structure, carbon sequestration, and water retention in Mediterranean soils

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Two decades of conservation agriculture enhances soil structure, carbon sequestration, and water retention in Mediterranean soils
Jennifer Alvarez-Sagrero, Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Stephany S. Chacon, Jeffrey P. Mitchell, and Teamrat Afewerki Ghezzehei
SOIL, 12, 979–998, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-979-2026, 2026
We studied California farmland managed with conservation practices for 20 years to understand how reducing tillage and planting cover crops change soil. Conservation farming greatly improved soil structure, doubled carbon storage in surface soil, and increased its ability to hold water. We also found that much of the additional carbon became protected within soil structure, while the soil still had substantial capacity to store more carbon.

Biochar addition enhances soil aggregate stability by modulating soil internal forces: the critical role of readily oxidized organic carbon and particulate organic carbon

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Biochar addition enhances soil aggregate stability by modulating soil internal forces: the critical role of readily oxidized organic carbon and particulate organic carbon
Xiaoshuai Song, Chenyang Xu, Huanhuan Zhao, Jiangwen Li, Wei Du, Wuquan Ding, Zhenghong Yu, Fengbao Zhang, and Feinan Hu
SOIL, 12, 963–978, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-963-2026, 2026
Readily oxidized organic carbon and particulate organic carbon were the main factors affecting soil surface electrochemical properties. Biochar enhanced van der Waals attraction while reducing electrostatic repulsion and net repulsive forces, stabilizing soil aggregates. Soil aggregate stability increased with higher biochar application rates, and the beneficial effect of biochar on aggregate stability became increasingly pronounced over time.

Unraveling the plant growth promotion potential of Pseudomonas species isolated from the rhizosphere of Lotus creticus grown in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Morocco

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Unraveling the plant growth promotion potential of Pseudomonas species isolated from the rhizosphere of Lotus creticus grown in the Mediterranean coastal regions of Morocco
Imane Achkouk, Anass El Yemlahi, Ouiam El Galiou, Amin Laglaoui, Mounir Hassani Zerrouk, Mohammed Bakkali, and Abdelhay Arakrak
SOIL, 12, 947–961, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-947-2026, 2026
Coastal soils often suffer from salt stress and low fertility, limiting plant growth. We studied beneficial soil bacteria living around the roots of a native coastal plant in Morocco to see how they help plants grow. Several bacteria improved plant height and biomass by making nutrients more available and protecting roots. These findings show that natural soil microbes can support sustainable agriculture and help restore degraded coastal lands.

Long-term storage of air-dried samples compromises water-extractable organic carbon as a soil health indicator

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Long-term storage of air-dried samples compromises water-extractable organic carbon as a soil health indicator
Swarnali Mahmood, Franky Celestin, Diego Arruda Huggins de Sá Leitão, Ryan E. Champiny, Xinlin Wang, JoAnn B. Donald, Audrey Plauche, S. Carolina Córdova, Christine D. Sprunger, Gabriel Maltais-Landry, and Yang Lin
SOIL, 12, 937–945, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-937-2026, 2026
Soil health tests often use sensitive indicators, but their reliability after long-term storage is unclear. Using air-dried archived soils from a cover crop experiment, we found that three years of storage nearly doubled water-extractable organic carbon. Similar water-extractable organic carbon patterns across different long-term agricultural experiment sites show that storage can distort concentrations, so archived samples should be interpreted with caution.

Soil moisture as the dominant driver of CO2 efflux in Mediterranean urban green spaces: evidence for a Gaussian temperature response and mechanistic modelling of moisture and temperature interactions

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Soil moisture as the dominant driver of CO2 efflux in Mediterranean urban green spaces: evidence for a Gaussian temperature response and mechanistic modelling of moisture and temperature interactions
Teresa Alía, Sergio González-Ubierna, Abel Sánchez-Jiménez, Rubén Abad-Calderón, and Miguel Ángel Casermeiro
SOIL, 12, 915–935, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-915-2026, 2026
Urban parks store and release carbon, but what controls this process in Mediterranean cities remains poorly understood. We monitored carbon dioxide emissions from soils in three Madrid parks over one year and found that soil moisture, not temperature, is the main driver. Surprisingly, emissions declined at high temperatures, not because heat suppresses soil life, but because hot summers dry out the soil. Keeping urban soils moist is key to managing their carbon balance under climate change.

Post-disturbance soil monitoring in forests using remote sensing: an evidence map

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Post-disturbance soil monitoring in forests using remote sensing: an evidence map
Maisy Roach-Krajewski, Xavier Giroux-Bougard, David Paré, Catlan Dallaire, Luc Guindon, Florian Jordan, Charlotte Norris, Kara Webster, and Jérôme Laganière
SOIL, 12, 885–914, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-885-2026, 2026
This study reviews how remote sensing is used to monitor forest soil degradation after disturbance. It shows that remote sensing works best when wildfire or harvesting create visible surface change, while monitoring subsurface soil degradation still requires field measurement. Satellite data support large‑scale screening, and laser scanning and photogrammetry detect localized machinery impacts. These findings clarify realistic uses of remote sensing for forest soil monitoring and reporting.

Mechanisms of enhancing soil fertility without obviously elevating global warming potential under an optimal rice straw incorporation rate in a paddy soil

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Mechanisms of enhancing soil fertility without obviously elevating global warming potential under an optimal rice straw incorporation rate in a paddy soil
Mengxue Zhang, Rujia Liao, Wenzhao Zhang, Cheng Fang, Simon Guerrero-Cruz, András Táncsics, Baoli Zhu, Wenxue Wei, and Rong Sheng
SOIL, 12, 871–883, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-871-2026, 2026
To return straw or not to return? We demonstrate that rice straw incorporation at half of the harvest enhanced soil fertility without additional global warming potential (GWP). This minimal increase in GWP relied on the highest nosZII abundance and the lowest nirS/nosZII ratio, and the CH4 production being just above the soil CH4 holding capacity. We offer a viable strategy to scientifically manage rice straw for climate-smart sustainable rice agriculture.

Differences in organic carbon fractions and stability explain limited accumulation in loam and sandy loam under greenhouse conditions

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:13:01 +0200

Differences in organic carbon fractions and stability explain limited accumulation in loam and sandy loam under greenhouse conditions
Boyuan Tan, Lu Yang, Xun Xiao, Chunji Li, Jing Tan, Ning An, Lingxuan Meng, Yanli Yi, Fengkui Qian, Na Li, Xue Liu, Song Li, and Wei Han
SOIL, 12, 855–869, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-12-855-2026, 2026
In greenhouses, long-term manure application does not always lead to lasting soil carbon. We found that loam and sandy loam store carbon in very different ways. Loam continuously converts particulate carbon into stable forms, while sandy loam relies on short-lived, easily lost carbon. These results indicate that long-term carbon storage depends on soil composition and mineral properties, providing guidance for smarter manure use in sustainable farming.

Field application of rice straw–sewage sludge compost in Mediterranean citrus orchards: effects on soil properties, nutrient status and fruit quality

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Soil health-based business models: perspectives and policy implications

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Ensemble agroecosystem modeling enhances predictions of crop yields and soil carbon across the United States

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Temporal dynamics of particulate and mineral-associated carbon reveal three timescales of response to experimental manipulation

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

The pH and available phosphorus as primary drivers of compost-induced CO2 emissions from Malaysian tropical soil: empirical relationships

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Challenges in soil carbon modelling and measurement: a decade of experimental data vs. RothC simulations in an organic olive grove

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Subsoil particulate organic matter is more responsive to ∼ 10 years of whole-soil warming than mineral-associated organic matter in a temperate forest

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Non-inversion tillage benefits soil N retention during bare soil period coinciding with wet spell

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Plastic film residues on cropland: monitoring soil contamination through optical remote sensing

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Electrical conductivity measurements as proxies for diffusion-limited microbial activity in soils under controlled laboratory conditions

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Operational POM increases are over-interpreted as SOM stabilization:quantifying untransformed straw and biochar residues via magnetic separation

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.

Improvement of soil properties maps using an iterative residual correction method

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:13:01 +0200

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.