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The accelerated climate crisis has exacerbated the existing water and soil management challenges in the Mediterranean region, which are usually attributed to the combination of both irrational irrigation and unsustainable farming practices. The current conditions and future projections indicate that water-related risks are expected to intensify during the coming decades. Moreover, farmers often do not possess high environmental awareness; they adopt non-sustainable farming practices such as the extensive use of herbicides instead of mowing/mulching for the weeds, thus affecting soil hydraulic characteristics and fertility. To investigate the effects of different weed-management practices on soil organic carbon and thus on soil water holding capacity and infiltrability, an extensive soil-sampling campaign was performed in the semi-arid Mediterranean agricultural pilot basin of Agia—Greece. The pilot is located in the Pinios river basin, which constitutes the most highly productive agricultural plain in the country. The Agia basin was selected since it presents the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of groundwater resources and the wide application of herbicides, while an urgent need exists to sustain and improve agricultural production, with the main crops being apples and cherries. Moreover, the Agia basin constitutes a highly instrumented area where the Pinios Hydrologic Observatory belonging to the International Long Term Ecological Research network has been developed, and thus additional field measurements could contribute to the overall data-collection framework. Soil sampling was conducted in apple orchards in April 2022, just before the beginning of the growing season. Ninety six soil samples in total were collected from eight different fields; half of them applied systematic herbicides treatment, and others mulching. For the upper soil profile (0–10 cm depth), the results indicate that soil organic carbon in the fields applying mowing was found to be higher by more than 30% compared to the fields applying herbicides. The corresponding difference for soil depth of 10–30 cm was 7%, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of mulching in increasing soil organic carbon. The results of the current study could be upscaled at a larger scale in the context of adapting agricultural water-stressed regions to climate change, whilst contributing significantly to the production cost and the preservation of the ecosystemic values of the regional nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of the soil is decomposition of organic matter, circulation of nutrients, retain and release of water and regulation of biological processes in the soil. Compacted soil and lack of organic matter disturbs this system in the soil. Project approaches a possibility to support biological soil systems by means of biostimulation as well as the possibility to promote soil biological systems using biostimulation. The effect of soil biostimulants on soil properties was studied in the territory of the Czech Republic, the South Moravia locality, the municipality of Litobratrice. Experimental site is classified as the hottest T4 climate zone and area is very dry. The field experiment was established in 2017 and it will continue until 2022. Biostimulant NeoSol - soil activator and biostimulant Explorer - rhizosphere activator (Olmix Group) have been used. Both these products were applied in amount of 150 kg.ha-1 . Four experimental variants were prepared: Variant 1 – Control, no biostimulant; Variant 2 – Biostimulant soil vital function activator, Variant 3 – Biostimulant – soil vital function activator stimulator with higher nutrient utilization and 50 % Amofos fertilizer, Variant 4 – Biostimulant – stimulator of rhizosphere biological activity. Soil parameters we measured were- soil structure, actual water and air content, porosity, maximum capillary capacity, minimum air retention capacity. The results show that the application of biostimulants has a positive effect on the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Improvement of soil properties is heading to better utilization of water and nutrients uptake. The yields increased by these products in comparison to control. Vegetation indexes were another evaluated factor. The aim of this work is to show the effectiveness of biostimulants by improvement of the soil environment. Positive results were primary obtained due to increased biological activity in the deeper layers of the soil and better rhizosphere function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this three-year study was to determine the effect of different vineyard vegetation cover on organic matter content in the soil, the content of available nutrients and essential soil properties. Soil samples were taken from between rows of vines, where species-diverse mixtures for planting vineyards were sown. For observation, three localities of the Czech Republic with different soil and climatic conditions were chosen (Popice, Mikulov and Znojmo). Two variants of vineyard greening mixes were established: Variant 1 - Diverse/Rich mix and Variant 2 - Dry mix. The obtained results showed a significant increase in soil organic carbon (Corg) and content of available phosphorus through the monitored years. The better rooting ability of mixes increased the soil organic component which is connected with Corg as well as the release of accessible phosphorus into soil solution mainly in 0.15-0.30 m layer. This result is primarily due to increased biological activity in deeper layers of the soil and better rhizosphere function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on the physico-chemical characteristics of soil from oil palm plantation area at New Labu Estate, Negeri Sembilan was carried out. A number of 20 topsoil (0-20cm) samples were collected based on plantation block by using 'Dutch Auger'. The soil physico-chemical properties determined were particle size distribution, organic matter content, pH and total organic carbon. Particle size distribution was determined by pipette method and dry sieving. Bulk density was determined by waxing method. Organic matter and total organic carbon were measured through loss of ignition and Walkley-Black method, respectively. Soil pH was determined based on soil:water ratio of 1:2.5. Results showed that the texture of the soil was classified as sandy clay with the highest percentage of sand particles component. Organic matter content is considered as low at less than 4% and soil organic carbon content was low with 1.75%. The average soil pH in the study area was very acidic with values of 3.81. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large numbers of soil samples must be collected and analyzed when mapping soil degradation due to erosion. The reflective spectroscopy in the visible and near infrared part of electromagnetic spectrum (VNIR DRS spectroscopy) is a low-cost indirect method, which may be used to gain information about soil properties more effectively. The method for assessing soil degradation using soil spectra proposed and tested in this study was based on estimating oxidable organic carbon content, carbonate content, and contents of different forms of iron and manganese (Mehlich III extract, ammonium oxalate extract and dithionite-citrate extract). Study was performed in Brumovice. Tested soil types were Haplic Chernozem, Colluvic Chernozem, Colluvial soils and Regosol. Samples were taken from the topsoil within the regular grid covering the studied area. The soil spectra curves (of air dry soil and sieved using 0.2 mm sieve) were measured in the laboratory using the spectrometer FieldSpec®3 (350 - 2 500 nm). Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used for modeling of the relationships between spectra and measured soil properties. The results showed the best prediction for carbonate content (R² = 0.87). The worse predictions were obtained for oxidable organic carbon content (R² = 0.78), and contents of Mn in ammonium oxalate extract (R² = 0.78), Mn in dithionite--citrate extract (R² = 0.72), Fe in ammonium oxalate extract (R² = 0.70), Fe in dithionite-itrate extract (R² = 0.57), Mn in Mehlich III extract (R² = 0.31) and content of Fe in Mehlich III extract (R² = 0.20). In general, the results confirmed that the measurement of soil spectral characteristics is a promising technology for digital soil mapping and predicting soil degradation due to erosion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeking to explaine the effect of different organic fertilizers (manure and alternative organic fertilizers) on organic matter content and other chemical properties of acid and limed soil the study was carried out on the moraine loam soil at the Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, during the period of 2011-2012. In the field trial were two soil backgrounds: acid and limed were used for incorporating the organic fertilizers (farmyard manure (60 t ha -1) and alternative organic fertilizers). Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0-20 cm) every year after the harvest by three replicates. It was revealed that the different organic fertilizers and liming combination had a positive effect on moraine loam Dystric Albeluvisol fertility. Application of organic fertilizers in acid and limed soil increases the nutrient stocks, increases pH value, amount of organic carbon and thus improves the topsoil structure and ensures soil chemical indicators at the optimal level for more plant growth [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeking to explaine the effect of different organic fertilizers (manure and alternative organic fertilizers) on organic matter content and other chemical properties of acid and limed soil the study was carried out on the moraine loam soil at the Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, during the period of 2011-2012. In the field trial were two soil backgrounds: acid and limed were used for incorporating the organic fertilizers (farmyard manure (60 t ha -1) and alternative organic fertilizers). Soil samples were taken from the topsoil (0-20 cm) every year after the harvest by three replicates. It was revealed that the different organic fertilizers and liming combination had a positive effect on moraine loam Dystric Albeluvisol fertility. Application of organic fertilizers in acid and limed soil increases the nutrient stocks, increases pH value, amount of organic carbon and thus improves the topsoil structure and ensures soil chemical indicators at the optimal level for more plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic carbon (SOC) pool plays an important role in the land ecosystem carbon cycle, and Net primary productivity (NPP) is one of the driving forces that have a notable impact on the SOC pool. An assessment of SOC Pool in coal mining area which spatial distribution and temporal variation associated with NPP can provide scientific basis for government to reduce carbon emission and increase carbon sink. Study on NPP and soil carbon stock in regional scale, it can not only reduce the uncertainty in large spatial scale, but also provide substantial data for the study. The influences of intensive NPP on regional soil carbon stock in typical sensitive area are the key point for regional researches, especially for the typical coal mining area of Xuzhou. In this experiment, the NPP was increasing from 1997 to 2003 due to the environmental protection and vegetation coverage increasing in the study area. The woodland increased year by year because of the new governmental laws. The emission of SOC and O2 varied with the NPP in the same spatiotemporal dynamic evolution. They were also increasing from 1997 to 2003. The flux of SOC increased rapidly with the development of economy. The aggregation of SOC reached the highest in 2003, so diversity index was continually increased and the ecosystem of mining area is turning to the diversification and homogenization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Land use changes related to the intensification of agricultural production, and Thematic Strategy for soil protection, adopted by the Commission of the European Communities, raising awareness about the sustainable use of soil and other natural recourses have stimulated research and discussions about soil quality. Soil quality becomes an issue which should be commonly clarified not only in the sense of terminology, understanding, and conception, but also practically -- how to assess, measure and interpret it. The literature review gives an overview about recent findings and ideas in the sphere of the formulation of soil quality concept, about possible indicators used to assess the soil quality status and possible changes due to the shift of land use and land management, as well as about future visions. Soil organic carbon is one of the most fundamental parameters influencing a number of other soil properties. Therefore extensive research is done regarding the role of organic carbon and its different fractions within the context of soil quality. Radical changes in land use, e.g. from arable land to forestry, may induce long-lasting effects of accumulation of organic carbon in aboveground and underground biomass and in soil, forming the compounds in soil with different mobility etc. Taking into consideration that soil has different functions, that soil quality is an integral parameter and its formation as well as influence on other properties is complex, that variability of natural and anthropogenic factors is considerable, it is not possible to develop one simple and universal scheme for assessment and monitoring of the status and changes in soil quality in general, as well as soil organic carbon in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]