Conservation-based practices may differentially regulate the pathways of soil organic carbon (SOC) formation and stabilization. Yet, we lack the knowledge regarding alternative farming on the quantity and composition of distinct C pools within soil matrix. To fill the knowledge gap, we sampled soils down to 0–20 cm layer from three tillage practices, i.e., conventional tillage (CT), rotary tillage

Cover cropping is an effective agricultural management strategy for enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and mitigating climate change. However, the contribution of different cover crop species to individual carbon (C) fractions in soil remains unclear. An in-situ decomposition experiment using 13C-labeled residues of soybean (SB) or sudangrass (SG), along with a control with no residue

Soil salinization is a problem that threatens agricultural productivity and food security. It occurs when soluble salts, sodium (Na+) and carbonate (CO32-) ions accumulate excessively in the soil. In this study we thoroughly investigate the potential of using calcium lactate (CL) as a soil amendment to mitigate the effects caused by soil salinization. We comprehensively analyze how CL affects soil

The distributions and influencing factors of microbial- and plant-derived carbon (C) in saline-alkali soil under land use managements in the Songnen Plain have been ignored. Therefore, a 11-year field experiment was used to explore the microbial- and plant-derived C, as well as their relationships with plant residue inputs, soil chemical properties, and microbial biomass (phospholipid fatty acids,

Agricultural soils are often affected by compaction due to machinery loads, which alters pore-size distribution and thus hydraulic properties. Up to date most studies on traffic and its impact on soil functions lack a detailed analysis of the effect on pore-size distribution (PSD). Our study aimed to understand how different machinery types, load levels, and moisture conditions impact the water retention

The escalating soil degradation and consequent decline in crop yield are critical factors jeopardizing the sustainable development of agriculture in the black soil region of Northeast China. Conservation tillage offers a potential solution for protecting this vital soil resource, but its effect on soil physical properties and crop yields in different climatic regions is still debated. Therefore, it

The deep furrows and additional liming can improve soil quality and reduce drought impact during coffee plant establishment, especially in dense soils. However, the effects of the initial preparer in the medium to long term are scarce. This study aims to assess the five-year impact of different deep tillage strategies and chemical fertility improvement of the planting furrow on soil physical quality

The Tibetan Plateau (TP), known as the “Earth's Third Pole”, has a fragile ecological environment, and is sensitive to global changes, which can easily lead to fluctuations of soil organic carbon (SOC). The spatial variations of soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS), and their driving factors in TP remain unclear. Here. we used quantile regression forest (QRF) model to map soil organic carbon density (SOCD)

Sediment transport capacity (Tc) is a critical parameter in predicting soil erosion, and surface cover has been found to be an effective means for reducing Tc. However, limited research exists regarding the influence of surface cover types on Tc, and the sediment retardation benefits (SRB) of surface cover types are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different surface cover

Huang-Huai-Hai region of China is characterized by saline soils with high Na+ concentrations, which result from seawater intrusion and groundwater evaporation. The high mobility of Na⁺ complicates soil amendment and limits crop yields by osmotic imbalances. To address high Na+ challenge, we conducted a two-year field experiment in the saline soil of the Huang-Huai-Hai region, designing no conditioner

Measurement of soil phosphorus sorption parameters (PSPs) provides crucial information on P fertilization and P leaching. Traditional approaches for determining these indices are expensive and time-consuming. To develop rapid indirect methods, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of Vis-NIR spectroscopy ranging from 350 to 2500 nm for estimating various PSPs, including maximum buffering capacity

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a complicated soluble organic composite in soils that is known to be linked to carbon turnover, nutrient cycling, and climate change. However, uncertainties exist about the potential influence of soil Fe and Mn oxides on DOM characteristics in paddy soil profiles following the application of inorganic and organic fertilizers. We investigated the DOM characteristics

The hexamminecobalt trichloride ([Co(NH3)6]Cl3) method extracts exchangeable (exch.) base cations needing 60 min. For soils containing calcium carbonate, a calcite saturated [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 solution is used to determine the exch. Ca. The preparing time of calcite saturated [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 solution requires to set overnight. This study evaluated the equivalence of [Co(NH3)6]Cl3 method using stirring modification

Paddy-upland rotations are promising methods to improve land utilization and grain production and play crucial roles in sustainable agricultural development. However, their effects on soil conditions, rice development, and economic benefits have not yet been systematically investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of 7 years (2016–2022) of continuous rotation of rice fallow (R-F), rice-rapeseed

The drainage of peatlands increases peat decomposition, promoting the release of phosphorus (P) to soil pore water and the eventual leaching to water bodies. The P retention capacity in the soil layers affects the likelihood of subsequent P leaching to the drainage network. We aimed to study the retention patterns of P and to assess the risk of P leaching in the soil profiles of variably managed peatlands

Low temperatures pose a significant threat to agricultural production, particularly during early spring, late autumn, and winter in northern China, adversely affecting the yield and quality of cold-sensitive crops, such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Nano-silicon (SiNPs) represent a prominent application of nanotechnology in agriculture, owing to their unique structure and physicochemical properties

All currently applied methods for soil moisture measurement and mapping in agricultural fields are labor-intensive and time-consuming. The Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Analysis (PFTNA) method, described in this article, can provide in situ soil moisture distribution data across agricultural fields by field scanning with a mobile PFTNA system in a reasonably short time. This method is based on acquiring

Food insecurity will pose a grave global concern due to biodiversity imbalances, ecosystem degradation, and threats to human survival. However, implementing enhanced practices to address issues like droughts, floods, advancements in fertilizer and pesticide use technology and soil management can increase food production, thereby improving food security. As the global population rises, ensuring food

Improving soil fertility is pressingly needed for national and global sustainable development. Land fallow has been considered an important measure to alleviate the degradation of soil fertility. However, it remains unclear regarding how fallow affects soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) pools. Therefore, our objective was to assess the effects of fallow on SOC and TN pools along the

Tillage is a useful practice for increasing crop yield, however, its effectiveness is readily influenced by different agro-ecological conditions and cultivation measures. The effects of different tillage methods on wheat yield remain unclear. Therefore, we identified 197 studies and conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effects of three representative tillage methods (no-tillage, subsoiling, and

Straw return into agricultural soil is beneficial to agricultural production and has been widely recommended as a practice to enhance both productivity and soil fertility. However, long-term excessive straw return may be detrimental in intensive and high-yielding cropping systems. Here, we conducted a 3-year field experiment in a wheat-maize (Triticum aestivum and Zea mays) double cropping system to

Accurate knowledge of spatial variations in organic matter concentration of cultivated land topsoil (CTSOM) is crucial for the effective use and management of cultivated land. However, this knowledge remains largely uncertain owing to outdated and imprecise soil databases. Therefore, in 2020, this study meticulously collected 918 samples of cultivated land topsoil (0–30 cm) in Hebei Province of North

Soil surface crusting is a common phenomenon on agricultural soils susceptible to raindrop impact. Crusts affect soil hydrological properties, erosion, crop quality and yield, which implicates both agriculture and the environment. While methods for determining hydraulic or basic properties of thick soil layers are well established, measuring the soil characteristics of a thin crust still remains a

Soil salinity is one of the essential factors of soil degradation and erosion in arid and semiarid regions, seriously limiting sustainable development. New technologies in controlling and restoring saline soils have to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the same vein, despite the approved role of biological amendments in controlling soil and water loss, the inoculation of

Water erosion exerts a profound impact on the terrestrial C cycling and its source/sink patterns through strongly affecting soil respiration (Rs). However, the systematic mechanism of erosion-induced CO2 emissions remains inadequately elucidated. Herein, we conducted a one-year field experiment to examine the effects of erosion and deposition on Rs, as well as the relationships between different environmental

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to influence soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, but the mechanisms by which they affect SOC stability in the rhizosphere remains poorly understood. To address this gap, a 7-year field observation was conducted in a rainfed dryland maize field, with AMF inoculation, AMF exclusion (only benomyl treatment), and the control (no AMF and no benomyl). AMF introduction

The role of macropores is often ignored in classical models for predicting root elongation using soil penetrometer resistance (PR). In this study, we propose an empirical model that includes the effects of macropores and PR on maize (Zea mays L.) root elongation rate (RER) and compare its performance with three previous models. Undisturbed soil cores were collected from an 11-yr tillage experiment

Subsoiling is a well-known practice for improving soil structure, increasing soil nutrient content and enhancing crop growth. However, studies applying the coupling coordination analysis (CCA) model to reflect the coupling coordination between soil properties and crop production via subsoiling are still scarce. This study used the CCA to analyse the coupling coordination between soil properties and

The degradation of soil structure in sandy regions undermines soil functionality and poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability. The incorporation of Pisha sandstone, a natural soil amendment, has been recognized as an effective intervention to reduce soil erosion and expand arable land in the Mu Us Sandy Land, China. However, the microstructural stability and resilience of amended

Uncultivated agricultural land management by leaving biomass of the last crop planted in the field can prevent soil health degradation over time. However, the effects of different uncultivated land management practices on soil organic carbon stock, total nitrogen stock, and soil health changes remain unclear. A field experiment from June 2021 to September 2023 investigated the effects of integrated

The use of supplemental irrigation could stabilise crop yields in the Pampean region in the face of climate variability. However, inadequate management of this practice could compromise soil quality. The effect supplemental irrigation on soil salinity and sodicity, nutrients, organic carbon and some physical properties was studied on a farm, with production of grains and oilseeds, in the Pampean region

The sustained intensification of agricultural production to meet increasing food, feed and fibre demands has aggravated soil deformation, thereby accelerating soil degradation. The conversion of some of these degraded arable lands to permanent grassland has been recommended to recover the soil functions. However, there is still a considerable gap in understanding the timeline for the effective recovery

Plastic film mulching combined with nitrogen application is a prime chief strategy for enhancing maize yields in rain-fed agricultural areas. However, how the practice affects the productivity and functions of soil by altering nitrogen transformation mediated by rhizosphere microorganisms in the Loess Plateau, remains unclear. In this research, an 7-year field location experiment was conducted to ascertain

The black soil region in Northeast China is an important commodity grain base. In recent years, with the intensification of agricultural activities, the formation and development of gullies on sloping farmland have accelerated, severely affecting food and ecological security. In order to effectively control regional soil erosion, this study comprehensively utilized historical databases of gullies,

Soil salinization is associated with soil productivity and food stocks, and hazards to the sustainable development of agriculture economics and the ecological environment. Hence, to evaluate the improvement and underlying mechanisms of agricultural amelioration practices on salinity alleviation, soil fertility improvement and crop growth, the organic fertilizer and soil amendments were applied to the

As important structuring force in ecosystems, ants play crucial roles in driving source-sink processes of soil methane (CH4) through a series of biotic and abiotic pathways. However, there is still uncertainty about how different ant species regulate CH4 fluxes in slash-burn tropical soils. This study aimed to identify the pathways by which the different ant species (i.e., Pheidole capellini-honeydew

Incorporating the green manure (GM) approach in agroecosystems enhances phosphorus (P) availability and reduces mineral P-fertilizer input. Despite global promotion, a comprehensive global synthesis of the GM effect on soil P fractions is lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a meta-analysis of 48 published studies to evaluate the impact of climatic, edaphic, and agronomic variables on soil P

Pedosphere is the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a critical attribute for soil quality and crop productivity, being directly linked to climate change mitigation and food security. Brazil boasts a significant agricultural production area and substantial potential for carbon sequestration. Nevertheless, the spatial-temporal distribution of SOC across the country is

The molecular diversity of soil organic matter (SOM) is recognised as a key factor influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, and the molecular diversity of SOM may change as SOC content changes during land use change. However, the relationship between SOM molecular diversity and SOC before and after natural wetland reclamation remains unclear. Here, we selected seven groups of natural wetland–reclaimed

Soil salinization is a major threat to global arable productivity. Chemical amendments are widely used to improve salt-affected soils and have been proven to be effective. However, the effectiveness of amendments varies across different regions and depends on field management practices. To quantify the improvement effects of different amendments on salt-affected soils and how amendment application

Rice–crayfish coculture (RC) has emerged as a transformative agricultural practice in China, significantly influencing soil microorganisms and enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. However, the contribution of plant residues and microbial necromass to the increased SOC within RC systems remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), microbial necromass

This study investigated changes in soil physical quality and water dynamics arising from continuous cropping at the Morrow Plots, the oldest agricultural experiment in North America. The objectives were to examine the effects of continuous cultivation on soil water retention and determine the optimum water content for tillage (θOPT) in a prime agricultural soil. Soil samples collected at 0–5, 5–10

The reduction of soil function in croplands is widespread over the world resulting from land degradation induced by intensified agricultural practices. Straw incorporation likely affects soil function in sloping croplands. However, the quantitative influences of incorporated straw on the seasonal dynamics of soil function in croplands with different degradation degrees are still uncertain. The objective

The conservation agricultural effects on soil physical properties are not immediately visible and are variable but might be observed in medium to long-term studies. The objective of this study was to assess the medium-term (ten year) effect of conservation agricultural practices on selected soil physical properties in a sub-humid region of Eastern Cape, South Africa. The assessment was performed on

In Okinawa, Japan, controlled-release N fertilizers (CRFs) are promoted to reduce labor and to increase fertilizer use efficiency. However, N2O emissions from N fertilizer applied to the widely prevalent Kunigami mahji (red-yellow soil), a local soil in the region, have not been examined so far. We conducted two laboratory experiments during winter and spring to compare N2O emissions between CRF and

Mechanical impedance has been reported as a major factor reducing root elongation. Penetrometer is the main tool for diagnosing mechanical soil conditions regarding root growth; however, soil mechanics processes influence root cavity expansion, friction and adhesion at the soil-metal interface which can induce root-related measurement overestimations. Models based on penetrometers have been used to

Grass coverage in orchards has increasingly become a sustainable practice to improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, increase water infiltration, and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is likely to gain further adoption as a promising nature-based measure to increase organic carbon and nitrogen storage in soil. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive global quantification regarding

Fertiliser application in agricultural ecosystems affects not only the potential carbon input (via crop biomass and/or manure) into the soil, but also a series of soil processes regulating soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition. A detailed mechanistic understanding of how fertiliser regimes affect SOC dynamics is still needed. Here we constrained the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM

Yaoba Oasis is a traditional tillage farmland completely dependent on irrigation with groundwater. Previous investigations (1980–2015) have revealed that over-extraction of groundwater, deterioration of water quality, and soil salinization are the primary factors limiting the development of the regional agricultural economy. This study aimed to determine the impact of human activities, specifically

Grasslands are one of the major terrestrial ecosystems facing severe degradation due to climatic changes and anthropogenic activities. In northwest China, the Typical steppe and alpine meadows are the major grasslands with diverse ecosystems. These grasslands are facing degradation due to excessive livestock grazing and nitrogen (N) deposition that can alter the overall grassland ecosystem, along with

The shrinkage and swelling phenomenon of clayey soils induces substantial effects on measurement and modeling of soil thermal and hydraulic properties. This study developed a combined heat-pulse and evaporation method for simultaneous measurement of soil deformation, thermal, and hydraulic properties of clayey soils during drying-shrinkage processes. Four clayey soils with different textures and initial

Biochar application to topsoil has been repeatedly and independently reported to reduce N2O emissions, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study hypothesizes that biochar enhances the stability and catalytic activity of N2O reductase enzymes in denitrifying bacteria, promoting the conversion of N2O to N2 during denitrification. Interactions between biochar and the N2O reductase

Fluctuations in soil management practices, temperature and moisture conditions can impact adsorption-desorption and bioavailability of phosphorus (P) in agricultural soils. Therefore, this study investigates P dynamics in straw-managed soils of Punjab collected from five treatments namely (1) conventional tillage (CT) after removal of rice straw (CT-R), (2) Treatment 1 plus biochar amendment at 2 Mg

Potassium (K) supplementation strategies are required to enhance farm productivity in rice-upland rotations, where intensive cultivation practices often result in K deficiencies. Straw return improves the adsorption of K by increasing the content of soil humic acid in macroaggregates. Iron/aluminium (Fe/Al) oxides promote soil organic carbon storage and aggregate stability by acting as binding agents

Organic fertilizer was widely used to enhance the buildup of soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial necromass C. Iron and aluminum (Fe/Al) oxides serve as critical factors influencing SOC by controlling microbial necromass C. Nevertheless, the alterations and dynamics of microbial necromass C alongside Fe/Al oxides in the presence of organic fertilizer remain poorly elucidated. To evaluate the effect

There are many soil erosion models and model applications. However, as a general rule, models of rainfall erosion cannot fully model the complexity of the detachment and transport processes involved in soil erosion by rain so that it is crucial that soil erosion models are tested against experimental data. In developing the USLE, the designers recognised that the fundamental ability of a model to predict

Currently, China is undergoing reforms in its rural land transfer policy. As a traditional agricultural country, the operation and management of small-scale farmland serve as the primary economic source for Chinese farmers. However, small-scale farmland is vulnerable to external influences and lacks sufficient risk-resistance capabilities. Developing a low-cost, long-term improvement model is essential

Soil compaction caused by the use of farm machinery is a widespread issue. Freeze–thaw cycles can improve the soil structure after compaction; however, the effect decreases as soil depth increases. Herein, we applied freeze–thaw cycle treatments to re-moulded compacted sandy loam soil (bulk density of 1.6 g/cm³) in two water content states (80 % and 30 % field capacities). Artificial perforation was

Knowledge on integrating cover crops and poultry litter effects on soil aggregation and associated carbon remains uncertain. In this study, aggregate size fractions, aggregate stability, and aggregate-associated carbon were examined within the topsoil (0–5 cm depth) across five winter cover crops [no cover crop as a control, cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), hairy vetch

Soil organic matter (SOM) mapping in salinized areas is crucial for scientific guidance on soil salinization. However, accurately mapping SOM is challenging due to the intricate interplay between soil moisture content (SMC) and soil salt content (SSC), which significantly influences soil spectra. Unlike prior research that has separately examined the impacts of moisture or salinity, this study delves