Soil is often perceived simply as "dirt," but in reality, it is a dynamic, living system that acts as Earth's natural sponge.

The University of Idaho has received another major grant for its ground-breaking research into the living and molecular components of deep soils. The work aims to help scientists better understand how ...

Healthy soil acts like a sponge, but new research shows farming practices can damage its ability to store water and protect ...

Soil hydraulic properties, such as the water retention curve and saturated hydraulic conductivity, are essential for understanding and predicting water flow in soils. Direct measurement of these ...

In one teaspoon of soil, we can find more than 5,000 species of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and other microbial organisms. Such "soil biota" support a wide range of functions, such as nutrient cycling ...

During this agricultural soil field work, the researchers measure a wide array of soil conditions in the arable fields to evaluate the multifunctionality of the soil. The many functions of a healthy ...

Soils are impacted globally by several anthropogenic factors, including chemical pollutants. Among those, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of concern due to their high ...

This Research Topic explores the impact of emerging contaminants – such as microplastics and novel synthetic compounds – on soil ecosystems, with a focus on ...

URBANA, Ill. – The soil microbiome is critical for the ecosystem, and agricultural practices that promote microbial diversity can support plant health and help protect against pests. But it is unclear ...

Traditional ways of fostering soil health have never completely gone away and are on the upswing. According to recent United States Department of Agriculture data, about 37% of U.S. cropland is ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. To be a successful gardener, one needs to have a basic understanding of the soil which you are tending, as well the factors which ...