The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science(23rd WCSS),to be held on June 7-12,2026 in Nanjing,China,marks a historic coming of this century-old scientific gathering to one of the world's ancient agricultural civiliza...The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science(23rd WCSS),to be held on June 7-12,2026 in Nanjing,China,marks a historic coming of this century-old scientific gathering to one of the world's ancient agricultural civilizations.Since its inception in1927,this will be the first time the Congress is hosted in China,a land whose agricultural resilience has been nurtured by millennia of soil stewardship.展开更多
Soil science has remained basically an agricultural science since its establishment more than a century ago.However,given its multi-dimensional connections with human society and multi-functions and services to be uti...Soil science has remained basically an agricultural science since its establishment more than a century ago.However,given its multi-dimensional connections with human society and multi-functions and services to be utilized in the future,the theoretical and technological boundary of soil science is expanding from agricultural science to newly emerged soil science sectors,which can be termed as nontraditional soil science.To build a more comprehensive and up-to-date soil science system,new description methods,recommendation standards,interpretation principles,and criteria for non-agricultural applications should be developed.展开更多
Soils are a valuable resource with life activity in terrestrial ecosystem,and soil health and its sustainable management are becoming a major focus of global concern.A healthy soil is a“harmonious social system”,whi...Soils are a valuable resource with life activity in terrestrial ecosystem,and soil health and its sustainable management are becoming a major focus of global concern.A healthy soil is a“harmonious social system”,which should have good structure,functional state,and buffering performance to maintain the dynamic balance of soil ecosystem.Soil health has become the frontier of soil science.The development of theoretical and practical approaches for soil health evaluation and management is urgently needed.Therefore,further research is needed to develop new techniques and methods for soil health research,construct soil health index and evaluation system,clarify the mechanism and spatial-temporal pattern of soil health conservation,and establish soil health protection and cultivation technology,which would provide scientific and technological support for soil resource protection and sustainable utilization.展开更多
Due to continuous decreases in arable land area and continuous population increases,Chinese soil scientists face great challenges in meeting food demands,mitigating adverse environmental impacts,and sustaining or enha...Due to continuous decreases in arable land area and continuous population increases,Chinese soil scientists face great challenges in meeting food demands,mitigating adverse environmental impacts,and sustaining or enhancing soil productivity under intensive agriculture.With the aim of promoting the application of soil science knowledge,this paper reviews the achievements of Chinese scientists in soil resource use and management,soil fertility,global change mitigation and soil biology over the last 30 years.During this period,soil resource science has provided essential support for the use and exploitation of Chinese soil resources,and has itself developed through introduction of new theories such as Soil Taxonomy and new technologies such as remote sensing.Soil fertility science has contributed to the alleviation and elimination of impeding physical and chemical factors that constrain availability of essential nutrients and water in soils,the understanding of nutrient cycling in agroecosystems,and the increase in nutrient use efficiency for sustainable crop production.Chinese soil scientists have contributed to the understanding of the cropland's role in global change,particularly to the understanding of methane and nitrous oxide emission from rice fields and the effect of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on rice-wheat system.Soil biology research has progressed in biological N fixation,distribution of fauna in Chinese soils,and bioremediation of polluted soils.A new generation of soil scientists has arisen in the last three decades.The gaps between research and application in these soil science fields are also discussed.展开更多
Soils are the key foundation of Earth's sustainability that drives biogeochemical cycling of nutrients,provides ecosystem functions and services including carbon sequestration,water retention and purification,toxi...Soils are the key foundation of Earth's sustainability that drives biogeochemical cycling of nutrients,provides ecosystem functions and services including carbon sequestration,water retention and purification,toxic metal/organic pollutants immobilization and biodiversity conservation as well as landscape stabilization(Lehmann et al,2020).Soils protect physical habitats and provide biodiversity of underground biota also conditioning the physical environment for beautification of the landscape.Thus,the health of soil and environment is closely linked to One Health of global lives(Banerjee&van der Heijden,2022).Over the last decades,global soils have been at risk due to extensive soil degradation,along with climate change,biodiversity loss and environmental pollution(IPBES,2019).展开更多
The GeoChip is a glass slide containing oligonucleotide probes targeting genes that confer specific function to micro-organism. The GeoChip has been used to dissect the microbial community functional structure of envi...The GeoChip is a glass slide containing oligonucleotide probes targeting genes that confer specific function to micro-organism. The GeoChip has been used to dissect the microbial community functional structure of environmental samples. The PhyloChip is a glass slide containing oligonucleotide probes of the 16S rRNA genes and it offers tremendous potential to monitor microbial population. Below ground microbial community can be linked to the above ground plant community by the use of these Chips in a high throughput manner. This review seeks to determine the various roles of the GeoChip and the PhyloChip in soil microbial ecology studies. During biostimulation of uranium in groundwater, microbial community dynamics was linked to functional processes and in global warming studies, microbial response to functional gene structure has been possible by the use of the GeoChip. The PhyloChip, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive survey of the microbial diversity, composition and structure and are less susceptible to the influence of dominance in microbial community. Some of the concerns regarding the use of compost in agricultural soils i.e. the spread of human, animal and plant pathogens were reduced when the PhyloChip was used to monitor composting.展开更多
African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an asses...African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an assessment of soil erosion/deposition models and soil conservation practices,which are supportive for mitigating the impact of soil erosion and maintaining soil health and soil functional services for food security in African drylands.The theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices provide advanced ways to understand the detailed impact of soil erosion and management solutions.The paper reviews a set of useful soil erosion models and traditional conservation practices,which can control soil erosion and enhance dryland farming systems in Africa.Soil erosion models are classified into three categories:empirical,conceptual,and physical.Soil conservation practices include reduced tillage,advanced cover crops,mechanical structures(barriers made of stones/gravel/vegetation),advanced mechanical roller-crimper technique,mixed cropping,intercropping,crop rotation systems,terracing techniques,and land modification techniques.These conservation practices are effective in controlling soil erosion,reducing soil damage,improving soil health and quality,enhancing soil fertility,and ensuring food security.The existing assessment suggests that understanding the theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices is a first step towards addressing soil erosion problems in African drylands.展开更多
Dear Editor,With the growing food demands and the rapid development of intensive vegetable cultivation,the vegetable yield and planting area have increased to 230 million tons and 2.13 million hectares,respectively,in...Dear Editor,With the growing food demands and the rapid development of intensive vegetable cultivation,the vegetable yield and planting area have increased to 230 million tons and 2.13 million hectares,respectively,in China in 2021(MARAPRC,2023).展开更多
With rising anthropogenic activities,the contamination of soil with toxic heavy metals has become a pressing global concern,posing significant threats to plant growth,soil health,and human safety.Biochar,derived from ...With rising anthropogenic activities,the contamination of soil with toxic heavy metals has become a pressing global concern,posing significant threats to plant growth,soil health,and human safety.Biochar,derived from pyrolysis of organic wastes,has emerged as a promising,cost-effective,and environmentally friendly solution for mitigating heavy metal toxicity in soil.This review explores the multifunctional properties of biochar that make it an effective adsorbent for heavy metals,highlighting the pivotal role of pyrolysis temperature in determining its physiochemical and structural properties.Higher pyrolytic temperatures enhance biochar's specific surface area,microporosity,p H,and stability,contributing to its increased efficiency in adsorbing heavy metals such as chromium(Cr(Ⅵ)),cadmium(Cd(Ⅱ)),and zinc(Zn(Ⅱ)).The mechanisms of heavy metal immobilization by biochar are influenced by the variations in biomass feedstock,pyrolysis conditions,and functional group modifications.This review also delves into the molecular mechanisms by which biochar regulates stress responses in plants,including the expression of key genes like Os FSD1,Os CAT,Os SOD,and Bn IRT1,which mitigate oxidative stress induced by heavy metals.Thus,by improving soil properties and promoting plant resilience,biochar stands as a versatile soil amendment with vast potential for environmental bioremediation.展开更多
Soil bacteria are integral to ecosystem functioning,significantly contributing to nutrients cycling and organic matter decomposition,and enhancing soil structure.This research considered the composition and dynamics o...Soil bacteria are integral to ecosystem functioning,significantly contributing to nutrients cycling and organic matter decomposition,and enhancing soil structure.This research considered the composition and dynamics of soil bacterial communities under different vegetation types(native Quercus brantii Lindl.and Amygdalus scoparia Spach,and non-native Pinus eldarica Medw.and Cupressus arizonica Greene.)in Zagros mountain area of Iran.This study involved a comparative analysis of soil culturable heterotrophic bacterial communities in spring(wet season)and summer(dry season)to clarify the effects of seasonal changes and vegetation on the dynamics of soil microorganisms.Soil samples were randomly collected under the canopies of various tree species and a control area,yielding a total of 48 composite samples analyzed for bacterial composition.Results indicated that 11 Gram-negative(e.g.,Citrobacter freundii,Enterobacter cloacae,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella oxytoca,Klebsiella pneumoniae,etc.)and 2 Gram-positive(Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus)bacteria were identified,showing significant seasonal variation.Specifically,53.85%of bacterial species were common to both seasons,with notable shifts in community composition observed between spring and summer,highlighting a higher abundance of Gram-negative species in spring.Bacterial community structure was significantly influenced by vegetation type,with various tree species shaping distinct microbial assemblages.Moreover,Pearson's correlations revealed that soil properties,particularly pH,phosphorus,and moisture content,were critical drivers of bacterial diversity and abundance.Our findings underscore the dynamic nature of soil bacterial communities in response to seasonal and vegetation changes,emphasizing the importance of repeated temporal sampling for accurate assessments of microbial diversity.Understanding these microbial dynamics is essential for improving soil management strategies and enhancing ecosystem resilience,particularly in arid and semi-arid areas where environmental fluctuations play a pivotal role.This research not only confirms our hypotheses but also enhances our understanding of soil biogeochemical processes and informs future vegetation management practices.展开更多
Soil organic matter(SOM)is crucial for ecosystem carbon cycling,soil fertility,and environmental quality.As the main component of SOM,humic substances(HS)are considered a unique category of nonuniformly assembled subs...Soil organic matter(SOM)is crucial for ecosystem carbon cycling,soil fertility,and environmental quality.As the main component of SOM,humic substances(HS)are considered a unique category of nonuniformly assembled substances.展开更多
Nitrogen use efficiency in rice is lower than in upland crops,likely due to differences in soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen preferences.However,the specific nitrogen dynamics in paddy and upland systems and th...Nitrogen use efficiency in rice is lower than in upland crops,likely due to differences in soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen preferences.However,the specific nitrogen dynamics in paddy and upland systems and their impact on crop nitrogen uptake remain poorly understood.The N dynamics and impact on crop N uptake determine the downstream environmental pollution from nitrogen fertilizer.To address this poor understanding,we analyzed 2,044 observations of gross nitrogen transformation rates in soils from 136 studies to examine nitrogen dynamics in both systems and their effects on nitrogen uptake in rice and upland crops.Our findings revealed that nitrogen mineralization and autotrophic nitrification rates are lower in paddies than in upland soil,while dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium is higher in paddies,these differences being driven by flooding and lower total nitrogen content in paddies.Rice exhibited higher ammonium uptake,while upland crops had over twice the nitrate uptake.Autotrophic nitrification stimulated by p H reduced rice nitrogen uptake,while heterotrophic nitrification enhanced nitrogen uptake of upland crops.Autotrophic nitrification played a key role in regulating the ammonium-to-nitrate ratio in soils,which further affected the balance of plant nitrogen uptake.These results highlight the need to align soil nitrogen dynamics with crop nitrogen preferences to maximize plant maximize productivity and reduce reactive nitrogen pollution.展开更多
The integration of machine learning(ML)into geohazard assessment has successfully instigated a paradigm shift,leading to the production of models that possess a level of predictive accuracy previously considered unatt...The integration of machine learning(ML)into geohazard assessment has successfully instigated a paradigm shift,leading to the production of models that possess a level of predictive accuracy previously considered unattainable.However,the black-box nature of these systems presents a significant barrier,hindering their operational adoption,regulatory approval,and full scientific validation.This paper provides a systematic review and synthesis of the emerging field of explainable artificial intelligence(XAI)as applied to geohazard science(GeoXAI),a domain that aims to resolve the long-standing trade-off between model performance and interpretability.A rigorous synthesis of 87 foundational studies is used to map the intellectual and methodological contours of this rapidly expanding field.The analysis reveals that current research efforts are concentrated predominantly on landslide and flood assessment.Methodologically,tree-based ensembles and deep learning models dominate the literature,with SHapley Additive exPlanations(SHAP)frequently adopted as the principal post-hoc explanation technique.More importantly,the review further documents how the role of XAI has shifted:rather than being used solely as a tool for interpreting models after training,it is increasingly integrated into the modeling cycle itself.Recent applications include its use in feature selection,adaptive sampling strategies,and model evaluation.The evidence also shows that GeoXAI extends beyond producing feature rankings.It reveals nonlinear thresholds and interaction effects that generate deeper mechanistic insights into hazard processes and mechanisms.Nevertheless,several key challenges remain unresolved within the field.These persistent issues are especially pronounced when considering the crucial necessity for interpretation stability,the demanding scholarly task of reliably distinguishing correlation from causation,and the development of appropriate methods for the treatment of complex spatio-temporal dynamics.展开更多
Since its arrival in late November 2022,ChatGPT-3.5 has rapidly gained popularity and significantly impacted how research is planned,conducted,and published using a generative artificial intelligence approach.ChatGPT-...Since its arrival in late November 2022,ChatGPT-3.5 has rapidly gained popularity and significantly impacted how research is planned,conducted,and published using a generative artificial intelligence approach.ChatGPT-4 was released four months later and became more popular in November 2023.However,there is little study about the perception of scientists of these chatbots,especially in soil science.This article presents the new findings of a brief research investigating soil scientists’responses and perceptions towards chatbots in Indonesia.This artificial intelligence application facilitates conversation-based interactions in text format.The study evaluated ten ChatGPT answers to fundamental questions in soil science,which has developed into a normal science with a mutually agreed-upon paradigm.The evaluation was carried out by seven soil scientists recognized for their expertise in Indonesia,using a scale of 1-100.In addition,a questionnaire was distributed to soil scientists at the National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia(BRIN),universities,and Indonesian Soil Science Society(HITI)members to gauge their perception of ChatGPT’s presence in the research field.The study results indicate that the scores of ChatGPT answers range from 82.99 to 92.24.ChatGPT-4 is better than both the paid and free versions of ChatGPT-3.5.There is no significant difference between the English and Indonesian versions of ChatGPT-4.0.However,the perception of general soil scientists about the level of trust is only 55%.Furthermore,80%of soil scientists believe that chatbots can only be used as digital tools to assist in soil science research and cannot be used without the involvement of soil scientists.展开更多
Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the s...Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the soil as a single or mixed solution with different concentrations of organic matter on the vegetative growth of the zinnia plant and its content of nutrients.The study was conducted with a randomized complete block design(RCBD)with three replications.The plant was grown in soil with a high salinity level of 8 ds m^(–1).Plant characteristics were estimated 30 and 60 days after planting the plant.The treatment with the addition of bio-inoculum produced the best results;within 30 days,there was a 56.89%increase in plant length;after 60 days,there was a 52.56%increase;additionally,there was a 52.56%increase in leaf count within 30 days;after 60 days,there was a 53.50%increase;and finally,there was an increase in flower count.For plants after 60 days,it reached 3.66%.With the addition of bio-inoculum to soil at a level of 3 gm kg^(–1)of organic matter,the mixing treatment achieved the highest dry weight,29.86%.The addition of bio-inoculum resulted in the largest and most significant increase in chlorophyll content in leaves,reaching 18.76%.In the mixing addition of the biological inoculum treatment,the organic content of the plant showed an increase in nitrogen(14.38%),phosphorus(21.18%),and potassium(39.75%)at 2 and 3 gm kg^(–1)organic matter,respectively.展开更多
New pollutants have become a significant concern in China's efforts toward ecological and environmental protection.Trichloromethane(TCM,CHCl_3),one of these new pollutants,is primarily released into soil and groun...New pollutants have become a significant concern in China's efforts toward ecological and environmental protection.Trichloromethane(TCM,CHCl_3),one of these new pollutants,is primarily released into soil and groundwater through various industrial activities.Over the past four decades,researchers have consistently focused on the remediation of TCM-contaminated soil and groundwater using microorganisms and iron-based materials,which hold significant potential for practical application.Understanding the remediation process and the factors influencing TCM degradation through these two methods is crucial for advancing both theoretical research and practical implementation.This review focuses on the degradation mechanisms of TCM in soil and groundwater by microorganisms and iron-based materials.It summarizes the active microorganisms and modified iron-based materials with high TCM degradation capabilities,discusses enhancement measures for both methods in the remediation process,and finally,outlines the challenges faced by these methods.The goal is to provide theoretical references for efficient remediation of TCM-contaminated soil and groundwater.展开更多
Black soils represent only one-sixth of the global arable land area but play an important role in maintaining world food security due to their high fertility and gigantic potential for food production.With the ongoing...Black soils represent only one-sixth of the global arable land area but play an important role in maintaining world food security due to their high fertility and gigantic potential for food production.With the ongoing intensification of agricultural practices and negative natural factors,black soils are confronting enhanced degradation.The holistic overview of black soil degradation and the underlying mechanisms for soil health improvement will be key for agricultural sustainability and food security.In this review,the current status and driving factors of soil degradation in the four major black soil regions of the world are summarized,and effective measures for black soil conservation are proposed.The Northeast Plain of China is the research hotspot with 41.5%of the published studies related to black soil degradation,despite its relatively short history of agricultural reclamation,followed by the East European Plain(28.3%),the Great Plains of North America(20.7%),and the Pampas of South American(7.9%).Among the main types of soil degradation,soil erosion and soil fertility decline(especially organic matter loss)have been reported as the most common problems,with 27.6%and 39.4%of the published studies,respectively.In addition to the natural influences of climate and topography,human activities have been reported to have great influences on the degradation of black soils globally.Unsustainable farming practices and excess in agrochemical applications are common factors reported to accelerate the degradation process and threaten the sustainable use of black soils.Global efforts for black soil conservation and utilization should focus on standardizing evaluation criteria including real-time monitoring and the measures of prevention and restoration for sustainable management.International cooperation in technology and policy is crucial for overcoming the challenges and thus achieving the protection,sustainable use,and management of global black soil resources.展开更多
Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of f...Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of fungicides for managing rice seedling blight,there has been a shift in focus towards biological control agents.In this study,we isolated biocontrol bacteria from paddy fields that significantly inhibited the growth of F.oxysporum in vitro and identified the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T40 and Bacillus pumilus T208.Additionally,our findings indicated that the combined application of these Bacillus strains in soil was more effective in reducing the incidence of rice seedling blight than their individual use.Analysis of 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains exhibited the lowest average clustering coefficients,which were negatively correlated with the biomass of F.oxysporum-inoculated rice seedlings.Furthermore,this mixture led to higher stochastic assembly(average|βNTI|<2)and reduced selection pressures on rice rhizosphere bacteria compared with individual strain applications.The mixture of the T40 and T208 strains also significantly increased the expression of defense-related genes.In conclusion,the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains effectively modulates microbial community structures,enhances microbial network stability,and boosts the resistance against rice seedling blight.Our study supports the development and utilization of biological resources for crop protection.展开更多
Understanding long-term effects of agricultural management on soil organic carbon(C)(SOC)dynamics and aggregate stability is essential for crop production sustainability.In this study,effects of crop rotation,cover cr...Understanding long-term effects of agricultural management on soil organic carbon(C)(SOC)dynamics and aggregate stability is essential for crop production sustainability.In this study,effects of crop rotation,cover crop,and nitrogen(N)fertilization on SOC physical and molecular fractions and water-stable aggregate stability were evaluated by characterizing soils of the world's oldest,century-long(>120 years)continuous cotton experiment located in the southern USA.Field treatments included continuous cotton with no winter legume and no mineral N fertilizer(control,CK),continuous cotton with winter legume(CWL),cotton-corn rotation with winter legume(CCWL),cotton-corn rotation with winter legume and mineral N fertilizer(CCWLN),and continuous cotton with mineral N fertilizer(CN).Total organic C(TOC),total nitrogen(TN),acid-hydrolysis C(AHC),and water-extractable organic C(WEOC)in both bulk soils and different aggregate fractions were determined.Soil organic matter(SOM)composition was characterized using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(Py-GC/MS).Results showed that CCWL and CCWLN increased bulk soil TOC,AHC,and TN by 150%–165%,300%–315%,and 198%–223%,respectively,as well as aggregate-associated C by 180%–246%over CK.The CWL and CN treatments also increased TOC,AHC,and TN compared to CK but to a lesser degree.The CCWL treatment increased macroaggregates(250–2000μm)by 92%followed by CCWLN by 46%,whereas CWL and CN had limited effects in increasing macroaggregates(by 1%–7%)compared to CK.Moreover,SOM showed more diversified polysaccharide-derived compounds,aliphatic compounds,aromatic compounds,lignin,and phenols in CCWL and CCWLN followed by CWL,CN,and CK.Across different field treatments,aggregate stability indices,mean weight diameter(MWD)and geometric mean diameter(GMD),were positively related to TOC and TN(R2=0.57–0.65),and N-containing compounds and phenols(R^(2)=0.71–0.89),as well as polysaccharide-derived and aliphatic compounds(R^(2)=0.53–0.71).It was concluded that the diversified inputs of SOM composition brought by synergistic interactions between corn rotation and winter legume inclusion were mainly responsible for the observed TOC accumulation and aggregate formation and stability in these subtropical cotton production systems.展开更多
Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of ...Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of the 150 phosphate fertilizers stored at the Institute for Crop and Soil Science in Germany has been conducted,supplemented by previously published data.The elements Cd,Bi,U,Cr,Zn,Tl,As,B,Sb,Ni,and Se are found in higher concentrations in sedimentary derived phosphates compared to igneous derived phosphates.Mineral fertilizers contain more than ten times the amount of U,Cd,B,and As compared to farmyard manure.Principal component analyses(PCA)indicate that U,Cd,Be,and Cr are primarily present in sedimentary derived phosphates and their concentrations are 2 to 10 times higher than those in igneous derived phosphates.Regarding heavy metal contamination,over 1000 potential combinations were identified;36% of these were significant but weak(>0.1).It is estimated that approximately 707 t of uranium enter farmland annually through the application of mineral phosphate fertilizers in European countries.This contribution addresses environmental issues related to the utilization of rock phosphate as well as alternative production methods for cleaner and safer phosphate fertilizers while presenting a roadmap with measures for mitigation.展开更多
文摘The 23rd World Congress of Soil Science(23rd WCSS),to be held on June 7-12,2026 in Nanjing,China,marks a historic coming of this century-old scientific gathering to one of the world's ancient agricultural civilizations.Since its inception in1927,this will be the first time the Congress is hosted in China,a land whose agricultural resilience has been nurtured by millennia of soil stewardship.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42130715)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2023YFD1500101)。
文摘Soil science has remained basically an agricultural science since its establishment more than a century ago.However,given its multi-dimensional connections with human society and multi-functions and services to be utilized in the future,the theoretical and technological boundary of soil science is expanding from agricultural science to newly emerged soil science sectors,which can be termed as nontraditional soil science.To build a more comprehensive and up-to-date soil science system,new description methods,recommendation standards,interpretation principles,and criteria for non-agricultural applications should be developed.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42020104004 and 42130718).
文摘Soils are a valuable resource with life activity in terrestrial ecosystem,and soil health and its sustainable management are becoming a major focus of global concern.A healthy soil is a“harmonious social system”,which should have good structure,functional state,and buffering performance to maintain the dynamic balance of soil ecosystem.Soil health has become the frontier of soil science.The development of theoretical and practical approaches for soil health evaluation and management is urgently needed.Therefore,further research is needed to develop new techniques and methods for soil health research,construct soil health index and evaluation system,clarify the mechanism and spatial-temporal pattern of soil health conservation,and establish soil health protection and cultivation technology,which would provide scientific and technological support for soil resource protection and sustainable utilization.
文摘Due to continuous decreases in arable land area and continuous population increases,Chinese soil scientists face great challenges in meeting food demands,mitigating adverse environmental impacts,and sustaining or enhancing soil productivity under intensive agriculture.With the aim of promoting the application of soil science knowledge,this paper reviews the achievements of Chinese scientists in soil resource use and management,soil fertility,global change mitigation and soil biology over the last 30 years.During this period,soil resource science has provided essential support for the use and exploitation of Chinese soil resources,and has itself developed through introduction of new theories such as Soil Taxonomy and new technologies such as remote sensing.Soil fertility science has contributed to the alleviation and elimination of impeding physical and chemical factors that constrain availability of essential nutrients and water in soils,the understanding of nutrient cycling in agroecosystems,and the increase in nutrient use efficiency for sustainable crop production.Chinese soil scientists have contributed to the understanding of the cropland's role in global change,particularly to the understanding of methane and nitrous oxide emission from rice fields and the effect of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on rice-wheat system.Soil biology research has progressed in biological N fixation,distribution of fauna in Chinese soils,and bioremediation of polluted soils.A new generation of soil scientists has arisen in the last three decades.The gaps between research and application in these soil science fields are also discussed.
文摘Soils are the key foundation of Earth's sustainability that drives biogeochemical cycling of nutrients,provides ecosystem functions and services including carbon sequestration,water retention and purification,toxic metal/organic pollutants immobilization and biodiversity conservation as well as landscape stabilization(Lehmann et al,2020).Soils protect physical habitats and provide biodiversity of underground biota also conditioning the physical environment for beautification of the landscape.Thus,the health of soil and environment is closely linked to One Health of global lives(Banerjee&van der Heijden,2022).Over the last decades,global soils have been at risk due to extensive soil degradation,along with climate change,biodiversity loss and environmental pollution(IPBES,2019).
文摘The GeoChip is a glass slide containing oligonucleotide probes targeting genes that confer specific function to micro-organism. The GeoChip has been used to dissect the microbial community functional structure of environmental samples. The PhyloChip is a glass slide containing oligonucleotide probes of the 16S rRNA genes and it offers tremendous potential to monitor microbial population. Below ground microbial community can be linked to the above ground plant community by the use of these Chips in a high throughput manner. This review seeks to determine the various roles of the GeoChip and the PhyloChip in soil microbial ecology studies. During biostimulation of uranium in groundwater, microbial community dynamics was linked to functional processes and in global warming studies, microbial response to functional gene structure has been possible by the use of the GeoChip. The PhyloChip, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive survey of the microbial diversity, composition and structure and are less susceptible to the influence of dominance in microbial community. Some of the concerns regarding the use of compost in agricultural soils i.e. the spread of human, animal and plant pathogens were reduced when the PhyloChip was used to monitor composting.
基金part of the project on soil and water management approved and supported by the Department of Agronomy,Nasarawa State University,Keffi(NSUK),Nigeria。
文摘African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an assessment of soil erosion/deposition models and soil conservation practices,which are supportive for mitigating the impact of soil erosion and maintaining soil health and soil functional services for food security in African drylands.The theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices provide advanced ways to understand the detailed impact of soil erosion and management solutions.The paper reviews a set of useful soil erosion models and traditional conservation practices,which can control soil erosion and enhance dryland farming systems in Africa.Soil erosion models are classified into three categories:empirical,conceptual,and physical.Soil conservation practices include reduced tillage,advanced cover crops,mechanical structures(barriers made of stones/gravel/vegetation),advanced mechanical roller-crimper technique,mixed cropping,intercropping,crop rotation systems,terracing techniques,and land modification techniques.These conservation practices are effective in controlling soil erosion,reducing soil damage,improving soil health and quality,enhancing soil fertility,and ensuring food security.The existing assessment suggests that understanding the theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices is a first step towards addressing soil erosion problems in African drylands.
基金supported by the Science and Technology Planning Social Development Project of Zhenjiang City,China(No.SH2017045)the Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province,China(No.SJCX23_2065)。
文摘Dear Editor,With the growing food demands and the rapid development of intensive vegetable cultivation,the vegetable yield and planting area have increased to 230 million tons and 2.13 million hectares,respectively,in China in 2021(MARAPRC,2023).
基金University Grants Commission,New Delhi,India(No.220520018204)for completion of this work。
文摘With rising anthropogenic activities,the contamination of soil with toxic heavy metals has become a pressing global concern,posing significant threats to plant growth,soil health,and human safety.Biochar,derived from pyrolysis of organic wastes,has emerged as a promising,cost-effective,and environmentally friendly solution for mitigating heavy metal toxicity in soil.This review explores the multifunctional properties of biochar that make it an effective adsorbent for heavy metals,highlighting the pivotal role of pyrolysis temperature in determining its physiochemical and structural properties.Higher pyrolytic temperatures enhance biochar's specific surface area,microporosity,p H,and stability,contributing to its increased efficiency in adsorbing heavy metals such as chromium(Cr(Ⅵ)),cadmium(Cd(Ⅱ)),and zinc(Zn(Ⅱ)).The mechanisms of heavy metal immobilization by biochar are influenced by the variations in biomass feedstock,pyrolysis conditions,and functional group modifications.This review also delves into the molecular mechanisms by which biochar regulates stress responses in plants,including the expression of key genes like Os FSD1,Os CAT,Os SOD,and Bn IRT1,which mitigate oxidative stress induced by heavy metals.Thus,by improving soil properties and promoting plant resilience,biochar stands as a versatile soil amendment with vast potential for environmental bioremediation.
文摘Soil bacteria are integral to ecosystem functioning,significantly contributing to nutrients cycling and organic matter decomposition,and enhancing soil structure.This research considered the composition and dynamics of soil bacterial communities under different vegetation types(native Quercus brantii Lindl.and Amygdalus scoparia Spach,and non-native Pinus eldarica Medw.and Cupressus arizonica Greene.)in Zagros mountain area of Iran.This study involved a comparative analysis of soil culturable heterotrophic bacterial communities in spring(wet season)and summer(dry season)to clarify the effects of seasonal changes and vegetation on the dynamics of soil microorganisms.Soil samples were randomly collected under the canopies of various tree species and a control area,yielding a total of 48 composite samples analyzed for bacterial composition.Results indicated that 11 Gram-negative(e.g.,Citrobacter freundii,Enterobacter cloacae,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella oxytoca,Klebsiella pneumoniae,etc.)and 2 Gram-positive(Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus)bacteria were identified,showing significant seasonal variation.Specifically,53.85%of bacterial species were common to both seasons,with notable shifts in community composition observed between spring and summer,highlighting a higher abundance of Gram-negative species in spring.Bacterial community structure was significantly influenced by vegetation type,with various tree species shaping distinct microbial assemblages.Moreover,Pearson's correlations revealed that soil properties,particularly pH,phosphorus,and moisture content,were critical drivers of bacterial diversity and abundance.Our findings underscore the dynamic nature of soil bacterial communities in response to seasonal and vegetation changes,emphasizing the importance of repeated temporal sampling for accurate assessments of microbial diversity.Understanding these microbial dynamics is essential for improving soil management strategies and enhancing ecosystem resilience,particularly in arid and semi-arid areas where environmental fluctuations play a pivotal role.This research not only confirms our hypotheses but also enhances our understanding of soil biogeochemical processes and informs future vegetation management practices.
基金financial support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFD1500304)the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF,China(No.GZC20232641)the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China(No.2024M753215)。
文摘Soil organic matter(SOM)is crucial for ecosystem carbon cycling,soil fertility,and environmental quality.As the main component of SOM,humic substances(HS)are considered a unique category of nonuniformly assembled substances.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFD1501602)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42407437)conducted as part of the Coordinated Research Project D1.50.16,implemented by the Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture,Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications,Vienna,Austria。
文摘Nitrogen use efficiency in rice is lower than in upland crops,likely due to differences in soil nitrogen dynamics and crop nitrogen preferences.However,the specific nitrogen dynamics in paddy and upland systems and their impact on crop nitrogen uptake remain poorly understood.The N dynamics and impact on crop N uptake determine the downstream environmental pollution from nitrogen fertilizer.To address this poor understanding,we analyzed 2,044 observations of gross nitrogen transformation rates in soils from 136 studies to examine nitrogen dynamics in both systems and their effects on nitrogen uptake in rice and upland crops.Our findings revealed that nitrogen mineralization and autotrophic nitrification rates are lower in paddies than in upland soil,while dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium is higher in paddies,these differences being driven by flooding and lower total nitrogen content in paddies.Rice exhibited higher ammonium uptake,while upland crops had over twice the nitrate uptake.Autotrophic nitrification stimulated by p H reduced rice nitrogen uptake,while heterotrophic nitrification enhanced nitrogen uptake of upland crops.Autotrophic nitrification played a key role in regulating the ammonium-to-nitrate ratio in soils,which further affected the balance of plant nitrogen uptake.These results highlight the need to align soil nitrogen dynamics with crop nitrogen preferences to maximize plant maximize productivity and reduce reactive nitrogen pollution.
文摘The integration of machine learning(ML)into geohazard assessment has successfully instigated a paradigm shift,leading to the production of models that possess a level of predictive accuracy previously considered unattainable.However,the black-box nature of these systems presents a significant barrier,hindering their operational adoption,regulatory approval,and full scientific validation.This paper provides a systematic review and synthesis of the emerging field of explainable artificial intelligence(XAI)as applied to geohazard science(GeoXAI),a domain that aims to resolve the long-standing trade-off between model performance and interpretability.A rigorous synthesis of 87 foundational studies is used to map the intellectual and methodological contours of this rapidly expanding field.The analysis reveals that current research efforts are concentrated predominantly on landslide and flood assessment.Methodologically,tree-based ensembles and deep learning models dominate the literature,with SHapley Additive exPlanations(SHAP)frequently adopted as the principal post-hoc explanation technique.More importantly,the review further documents how the role of XAI has shifted:rather than being used solely as a tool for interpreting models after training,it is increasingly integrated into the modeling cycle itself.Recent applications include its use in feature selection,adaptive sampling strategies,and model evaluation.The evidence also shows that GeoXAI extends beyond producing feature rankings.It reveals nonlinear thresholds and interaction effects that generate deeper mechanistic insights into hazard processes and mechanisms.Nevertheless,several key challenges remain unresolved within the field.These persistent issues are especially pronounced when considering the crucial necessity for interpretation stability,the demanding scholarly task of reliably distinguishing correlation from causation,and the development of appropriate methods for the treatment of complex spatio-temporal dynamics.
文摘Since its arrival in late November 2022,ChatGPT-3.5 has rapidly gained popularity and significantly impacted how research is planned,conducted,and published using a generative artificial intelligence approach.ChatGPT-4 was released four months later and became more popular in November 2023.However,there is little study about the perception of scientists of these chatbots,especially in soil science.This article presents the new findings of a brief research investigating soil scientists’responses and perceptions towards chatbots in Indonesia.This artificial intelligence application facilitates conversation-based interactions in text format.The study evaluated ten ChatGPT answers to fundamental questions in soil science,which has developed into a normal science with a mutually agreed-upon paradigm.The evaluation was carried out by seven soil scientists recognized for their expertise in Indonesia,using a scale of 1-100.In addition,a questionnaire was distributed to soil scientists at the National Research and Innovation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia(BRIN),universities,and Indonesian Soil Science Society(HITI)members to gauge their perception of ChatGPT’s presence in the research field.The study results indicate that the scores of ChatGPT answers range from 82.99 to 92.24.ChatGPT-4 is better than both the paid and free versions of ChatGPT-3.5.There is no significant difference between the English and Indonesian versions of ChatGPT-4.0.However,the perception of general soil scientists about the level of trust is only 55%.Furthermore,80%of soil scientists believe that chatbots can only be used as digital tools to assist in soil science research and cannot be used without the involvement of soil scientists.
文摘Organic matter increases biological activity within the root zone because it contains beneficial microbes that stimulate vital processes.This study aimed to determine the effect of Ochrobactrum anthropi added to the soil as a single or mixed solution with different concentrations of organic matter on the vegetative growth of the zinnia plant and its content of nutrients.The study was conducted with a randomized complete block design(RCBD)with three replications.The plant was grown in soil with a high salinity level of 8 ds m^(–1).Plant characteristics were estimated 30 and 60 days after planting the plant.The treatment with the addition of bio-inoculum produced the best results;within 30 days,there was a 56.89%increase in plant length;after 60 days,there was a 52.56%increase;additionally,there was a 52.56%increase in leaf count within 30 days;after 60 days,there was a 53.50%increase;and finally,there was an increase in flower count.For plants after 60 days,it reached 3.66%.With the addition of bio-inoculum to soil at a level of 3 gm kg^(–1)of organic matter,the mixing treatment achieved the highest dry weight,29.86%.The addition of bio-inoculum resulted in the largest and most significant increase in chlorophyll content in leaves,reaching 18.76%.In the mixing addition of the biological inoculum treatment,the organic content of the plant showed an increase in nitrogen(14.38%),phosphorus(21.18%),and potassium(39.75%)at 2 and 3 gm kg^(–1)organic matter,respectively.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42177239 and 41991330)the“14th Five Year Plan”of Independent Deployment Project of Nanjing Institute of Soil Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.ISSASIP2213)。
文摘New pollutants have become a significant concern in China's efforts toward ecological and environmental protection.Trichloromethane(TCM,CHCl_3),one of these new pollutants,is primarily released into soil and groundwater through various industrial activities.Over the past four decades,researchers have consistently focused on the remediation of TCM-contaminated soil and groundwater using microorganisms and iron-based materials,which hold significant potential for practical application.Understanding the remediation process and the factors influencing TCM degradation through these two methods is crucial for advancing both theoretical research and practical implementation.This review focuses on the degradation mechanisms of TCM in soil and groundwater by microorganisms and iron-based materials.It summarizes the active microorganisms and modified iron-based materials with high TCM degradation capabilities,discusses enhancement measures for both methods in the remediation process,and finally,outlines the challenges faced by these methods.The goal is to provide theoretical references for efficient remediation of TCM-contaminated soil and groundwater.
基金funded by the Science and Technology Plan for the Belt and Road Innovation Cooperation Project of Jiangsu Province,China(No.BZ2023003)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2021YFD1500202)+2 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA28010100)the“14th Five-Year Plan”Self-Deployment Project of the Institute of Soil Science,Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.ISSAS2418)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42107334)。
文摘Black soils represent only one-sixth of the global arable land area but play an important role in maintaining world food security due to their high fertility and gigantic potential for food production.With the ongoing intensification of agricultural practices and negative natural factors,black soils are confronting enhanced degradation.The holistic overview of black soil degradation and the underlying mechanisms for soil health improvement will be key for agricultural sustainability and food security.In this review,the current status and driving factors of soil degradation in the four major black soil regions of the world are summarized,and effective measures for black soil conservation are proposed.The Northeast Plain of China is the research hotspot with 41.5%of the published studies related to black soil degradation,despite its relatively short history of agricultural reclamation,followed by the East European Plain(28.3%),the Great Plains of North America(20.7%),and the Pampas of South American(7.9%).Among the main types of soil degradation,soil erosion and soil fertility decline(especially organic matter loss)have been reported as the most common problems,with 27.6%and 39.4%of the published studies,respectively.In addition to the natural influences of climate and topography,human activities have been reported to have great influences on the degradation of black soils globally.Unsustainable farming practices and excess in agrochemical applications are common factors reported to accelerate the degradation process and threaten the sustainable use of black soils.Global efforts for black soil conservation and utilization should focus on standardizing evaluation criteria including real-time monitoring and the measures of prevention and restoration for sustainable management.International cooperation in technology and policy is crucial for overcoming the challenges and thus achieving the protection,sustainable use,and management of global black soil resources.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(Grant No.LQ24C010007)Zhejiang Science and Technology Major Program on Rice New Variety Breeding,China(Grant No.2021C02063)+4 种基金the Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Innovation Program,China(Grant No.CAAS-CSCB-202301)the Key Projects of Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(Grant No.LZ23C130002)the Youth Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Grant No.Y2023QC22)the Joint Open Competitive Project of the Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory and China National Seed Company Limited(Grant Nos.B23YQ1514 and B23CQ15EP)the External Cooperation Projects of Biotechnology Research Institute,Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,China(Grant No.DWHZ2024-07).
文摘Rice seedling blight,caused by various fungi,including Fusarium oxysporum,poses a severe threat to rice production.As awareness grows regarding the environmental and safety hazards associated with the application of fungicides for managing rice seedling blight,there has been a shift in focus towards biological control agents.In this study,we isolated biocontrol bacteria from paddy fields that significantly inhibited the growth of F.oxysporum in vitro and identified the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens T40 and Bacillus pumilus T208.Additionally,our findings indicated that the combined application of these Bacillus strains in soil was more effective in reducing the incidence of rice seedling blight than their individual use.Analysis of 16S and internal transcribed spacer rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains exhibited the lowest average clustering coefficients,which were negatively correlated with the biomass of F.oxysporum-inoculated rice seedlings.Furthermore,this mixture led to higher stochastic assembly(average|βNTI|<2)and reduced selection pressures on rice rhizosphere bacteria compared with individual strain applications.The mixture of the T40 and T208 strains also significantly increased the expression of defense-related genes.In conclusion,the mixture of the T40 and T208 strains effectively modulates microbial community structures,enhances microbial network stability,and boosts the resistance against rice seedling blight.Our study supports the development and utilization of biological resources for crop protection.
基金supported by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service(No.NR217217XXXXG004)the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project(No.7003969)supported,in part,by a scholarship from China Scholarship Council(No.201206300183)。
文摘Understanding long-term effects of agricultural management on soil organic carbon(C)(SOC)dynamics and aggregate stability is essential for crop production sustainability.In this study,effects of crop rotation,cover crop,and nitrogen(N)fertilization on SOC physical and molecular fractions and water-stable aggregate stability were evaluated by characterizing soils of the world's oldest,century-long(>120 years)continuous cotton experiment located in the southern USA.Field treatments included continuous cotton with no winter legume and no mineral N fertilizer(control,CK),continuous cotton with winter legume(CWL),cotton-corn rotation with winter legume(CCWL),cotton-corn rotation with winter legume and mineral N fertilizer(CCWLN),and continuous cotton with mineral N fertilizer(CN).Total organic C(TOC),total nitrogen(TN),acid-hydrolysis C(AHC),and water-extractable organic C(WEOC)in both bulk soils and different aggregate fractions were determined.Soil organic matter(SOM)composition was characterized using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(Py-GC/MS).Results showed that CCWL and CCWLN increased bulk soil TOC,AHC,and TN by 150%–165%,300%–315%,and 198%–223%,respectively,as well as aggregate-associated C by 180%–246%over CK.The CWL and CN treatments also increased TOC,AHC,and TN compared to CK but to a lesser degree.The CCWL treatment increased macroaggregates(250–2000μm)by 92%followed by CCWLN by 46%,whereas CWL and CN had limited effects in increasing macroaggregates(by 1%–7%)compared to CK.Moreover,SOM showed more diversified polysaccharide-derived compounds,aliphatic compounds,aromatic compounds,lignin,and phenols in CCWL and CCWLN followed by CWL,CN,and CK.Across different field treatments,aggregate stability indices,mean weight diameter(MWD)and geometric mean diameter(GMD),were positively related to TOC and TN(R2=0.57–0.65),and N-containing compounds and phenols(R^(2)=0.71–0.89),as well as polysaccharide-derived and aliphatic compounds(R^(2)=0.53–0.71).It was concluded that the diversified inputs of SOM composition brought by synergistic interactions between corn rotation and winter legume inclusion were mainly responsible for the observed TOC accumulation and aggregate formation and stability in these subtropical cotton production systems.
基金funded by the Project of Yunnan Province’s Xingdian Talents Support Program(yfgrc202437)the Project of the International Cooperation Science Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(42361144885).
文摘Phosphorus(P)poses a global challenge to the environment and human health due to its natural association with heavy metals.Sustainable use of P is crucial to ensure food security for future generations.An analysis of the 150 phosphate fertilizers stored at the Institute for Crop and Soil Science in Germany has been conducted,supplemented by previously published data.The elements Cd,Bi,U,Cr,Zn,Tl,As,B,Sb,Ni,and Se are found in higher concentrations in sedimentary derived phosphates compared to igneous derived phosphates.Mineral fertilizers contain more than ten times the amount of U,Cd,B,and As compared to farmyard manure.Principal component analyses(PCA)indicate that U,Cd,Be,and Cr are primarily present in sedimentary derived phosphates and their concentrations are 2 to 10 times higher than those in igneous derived phosphates.Regarding heavy metal contamination,over 1000 potential combinations were identified;36% of these were significant but weak(>0.1).It is estimated that approximately 707 t of uranium enter farmland annually through the application of mineral phosphate fertilizers in European countries.This contribution addresses environmental issues related to the utilization of rock phosphate as well as alternative production methods for cleaner and safer phosphate fertilizers while presenting a roadmap with measures for mitigation.
