Soil Science Research Articles

Nobel Prize in Physics, and Soil Science

Nobel Prize in Physics, and Soil Science

Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Erosion using USLE and Sustainable Management Strategies

Continuous soil erosion from all parts of world through water and winds have become a severe concerns for soil scientists and geologists due to its adverse effect on soil productivity, water bodies siltation and deterioration of water quality. Therefore, it becomes most important to locate erosion-prone regions of any landscape and take the best measures to solve the issues of erosion. USLE and its modified models i.e. RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) versions and MUSLE (Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation) are most commonly used for estimation of soil erosion. In India, soil erosion is a major serious concern which varies in its intensity depending on the country's different agro-climatic zones. USLE as well known model for evaluating soil deterioration is used in this review to provide an understanding of its parameters and how this approach is useful in soil erosion assessment. In addition, an overview of the current situation of erosion status in India which is being altered by regional variations like climate and land uses. Literature also dictates and discusses the potential advantages of better erosion control approaches, such as increased agricultural output and long-term land sustainability and looks at what might be possible in the future if the things get managed. The study also looks at crop selection and land use systems, emphasizing how crucial it is to choose crops that are suitable for the land vulnerability to erosion in order to prevent the further deterioration. Lastly, it emphasize on a thorough explanation of the USLE's parameters which are essential for precise erosion prediction including slope factors, soil erodibility, rainfall erosivity and conservation techniques. The study summarizes the knowledge on soil erosion in India and the necessity of customized, area-specific soil conservation plans to guarantee long-term agricultural outputs and sustainable agricultural goals.

Rapid retrieval of soil moisture using a novel portable L-band radiometer in the Hulunbeier Prairie, China

ABSTRACT The soil moisture products derived from the SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) and SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) missions have garnered widespread adoption in drought surveillance, meteorological/climatic forecasting, and hydrological investigations. Nevertheless, satellite platforms inherently suffer from coarse spatial resolutions (approximately 43 km), stemming from constraints on antenna dimensions, thereby posing challenges in leveraging their data for agricultural and ecological endeavors that necessitate meter-scale soil moisture maps. This research endeavor innovatively employed a Portable L-band Radiometer (PoLRa), leveraging microstrip patch array antenna technology, to facilitate portable and cost-effective soil moisture monitoring within the context of the Hulunbeier Prairie Experiments in China. Three distinct soil moisture datasets were procured utilizing Scheme I, a PoLRa-based default iteration of the tau-omega semi-empirical model; Scheme II, a brightness temperature forward simulation akin to the CMEM (Community Microwave Emission Model) framework; and Scheme III, a regression-based approach. The findings are: 1. Employing the brightness temperature data as input, the CMEM-inspired schemes achieve soil moisture retrieval with an RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of approximately 0.06 cm3/cm3, whereas the regression model between retrieved and observed data manifests a linear bias. 2. The CMEM forward simulation scheme outperforms the tau-omega model but necessitates more intricate modules for the retrieval process. 3. Both in terms of linear bias and RMSE, the regression-based scheme exhibits the poorest performance. This study anticipates enhancing the applicability of soil moisture remote sensing devices and methodologies across diverse disciplines, including agriculture, meteorology, and soil science, by advancing the precision and accessibility of soil moisture monitoring at finer scales.

Comparative Analysis of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Boro Rice under Long-term Inorganic and Organic Fertilization Practices

An experiment was conducted during Boro rice in the permanent experimental field of the Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh to investigae the long term outcome of manure and fertilizers on the yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of BRRI dhan29 in floodplain (Subtropical) soil (Aeric Haplaquepts). The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were ten treatment combinations viz, control; Nitrogen (N); (Nitrogen Phosphorus) NP; Nitrogen Potassium (NK); Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium (NPK); Nitrogen Zinc (NZn); Nitrogen Sulphur (NS); Nitrogen Sulphur Zinc (NSZn), Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Sulphur Zinc (NPKSZn) and NPK+FYM. The yield contributing characters and yield of BRRI dhan29 significantly increased due to different treatments. Grain and straw yields were highly influenced by the application of nutrients in various combinations. The longest panicle length (25.3 cm), the highest 1000 grain weight (22.7 g), the maximum grain yield (6.29 t ha-1), the highest nitrogen uptake in grain (70.4 kg ha-1) were found for the NPKSZn treatment. Grain yield increased by 24.8%, 85.8%, 40.7%, 68.9%, 29.2%, 33.2%, 107.1%, 28.9% and 78.9% due to N, NP, NK, NPK, NS, NSZn, NPKSZn, NZn and NPK+FYM treatments respectively and the corresponding straw yields attainment by 49.6%, 51.1%, 82.0%, 95.3%, 37.8%, 34.4%, 82.7%, 41.8% and 90.2%. The maximum value of apparent nitrogen use efficiency was obtained with NPKSZn (54.06%) treatment which evidently suggested its resultness for the long term fertilized soil.

Physical Properties of Soils in Selected Subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte

The study was conducted to analyzed and to determine the physical properties of soil such as texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, soil moisture content, pH, and organic matter content in selected subdivisions in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte. Analysis of pH, texture, water holding capacity, and organic matter was at the Soil Research Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SRTPAL) Department of Agronomy and Soil Science (DASS) VSU Baybay, Leyte. While the bulk density, soil moisture content was computed using the standard formula. To analyzed the result Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using the SPSS Program to determine whether soils from subdivisions categorized as waterlogged and mountainous, developed and developing subdivisions derived from their filling and parent materials were significant different. The results showed that soils from various categories from subdivisions had no significant effect on bulk density, water holding capacity, & soil moisture content. However, some properties such as soil pH were significant in the waterlogged and mountainous area. It is recommended that a further study be conducted to include all appropriate soil parameters and procedures such as liming for acid soils, cause of erosion, flooding, water drainage capacity, depth to water table and other significant soil quality parameters. Also recommend for in-depth study by the developers and engineers to ensure that the soil quality be suitable for housing and for the safety of the homeowners.

Values Are Not Taught, Values Are Built

Forming values to contribute to the complete formation of the human being as responsible citizens is an educational task that is indispensable to the construction of sustainability. Consequently, this document states that achieving a construction of values that leads to true development is not possible without a teaching and learning of science that, starting from an intersystemic and therefore complex vision of the world, allows us to build them. Answering the question How can interdisciplinary science teaching contribute to generating in today’s children a genuine interest in the study and knowledge of science in general, and in the conservation of natural resources in particular? Was the objective of the methodological proposal for interdisciplinary science teaching that was previously described in the article “Teaching soil science: a strategy and warranty towards the future” (Reyes-Sánchez, 2012). This second document addresses why, how and for what purpose the formation of values and principles accompanied this methodological proposal for interdisciplinary science teaching as a qualitative pedagogical approach that was applied within two schools with children in 5th and 6th grade of basic education −10 and 11 years of age-: by amalgamating the construction of knowledge with that of values to support the appropriation of both in a playful way, seeking and encouraging in children the congruence between knowledge, thought and action. The differences in children’s opinions regarding life problems that affect the social, political and economic order before and after the pedagogical intervention are presented in a comparative manner.

Acidification-based mineral weathering mechanism involves a glucose/methanol/choline oxidoreductase in Caballeronia mineralivorans PML1(12).

This work deciphers the molecular and genetic bases used by strain PML1(12) of Caballeronia mineralivorans to weather minerals. Through bioinformatics analyses, we identified a total of four GMC-FAD oxidoreductases in the genome of strain PML1(12) and a putative PQQ-dependent glucose dehydrogenase. Through a combination of physiological and geochemical analyses, we revealed that one of them (i.e., GMC3) was the enzyme responsible for the acidification-based mineral weathering mechanism used by strain PML1(12). To date, a single representative of this enzyme family has been identified in the effective mineral-weathering bacterial strain Collimonas pratensis PMB3(1). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this new system appeared conserved in the Collimonas genus. The new findings presented in this work demonstrate that GMC oxidoreductases can have an active role in other effective MWe bacteria outside of collimonads and that Caballeronia are capable of weathering minerals using this type of enzyme. Our findings offer relevant information for different fields of research, such as environmental genomics, microbiology, chemistry, evolutionary biology, and soil sciences.

Investigating the Relationship between Awareness and Ecotourism Engagement among Academic staff in the Faculty of Agriculture Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

The study examined awareness of ecotourism among academic staff in the faculty of agriculture, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto using semi structured questionnaire to elicit information on socioeconomic factors, awareness, participation in ecotourism, constraints to participation in ecotourism and perception of respondents towards ecotourism. Complete enumeration was used to administer questionnaire to eighty respondents (N=80) belonging to seven departments: Agricultural economics (n=10), Agricultural extension and rural development (n=08), Animal science (n=15), Crop science (n=12), Fisheries and Aquaculture (n=09), Forestry and Environment (n=09) and Soil science (n=16). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and ordinal regression. Results showed that majority of the respondents are male (96.3%) and married (98.8%). Majority have PhD (78.7%) with 10-20 years lecturing experience. Most of the respondents are aware of ecotourism (90%) and they got the information through academic line (52.2%) but only 36.3% have ever embarked on ecotourism trip. Busy office schedules were the major problems that affect respondents’ participation in ecotourism (55%). A significant relationship exists between age and respondents’ participation in ecotourism activities (χ2 =13.137). Ordinal logistic regression results showed that age (1.315) and educational qualifications (1.671) are significant predictors of respondent’s perception towards ecotourism (R2=0.27). Travels to ecotourism destinations are quite poor among the members of academic staff in the faculty of Agriculture in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, despite their level of education and their stance on biodiversity conservation practices. Academic staffs in tertiary institutions are encouraged to make use of their annual leave to embark on ecotourism trip.

Assessment of Spatial Variability of Major and Micro Nutrients in Soils of Satara District, Maharashtra, India

Georeferenced surface soil samples from eleven (11) tehsils were delineated using stratified random soil sampling method investigation was carried out at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plant under Department of Soil Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra to assess the chemical properties, major and micronutrients status in soils of Satara district in the year 2022-2023 of three hundred and thirty soil (330) samples at the depth of (0-20 cm) were collected across the Satara district of Maharashtra and analysed in the laboratory. The results revealed that pH, EC, CaCO3 and OC of soils collected across different tehsils of Satara district varied from 6.00 to 9.43,0.10 to 0.98 dS m-1, 1.50 to 29.25 % and 0.72 to 7.80 g kg-1. The DTPA -Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn in soil of Satara district ranged from 0.18 to 1.85 mg Kg-1, 1.89 to 12.50 mg Kg-1, 0.36 to 2.15 mg Kg-1 and 3.91 to 38.44 mg Kg-1 respectively. The CaCl2-B in soils of all the tehsils ranged from 0.18 to 1.69 mg Kg-1. The results obtained clearly showed a large variability in physio-chemical properties of soil across the Satara district with low nutrient indices were in nitrogen (1.12) and iron (1.51), medium for phosphorus (1.99), Sulphur (2.08) and zinc (1.88), high for potassium (2.92), copper (2.96), manganese (2.77) and boron (2.47).

On the onset of stationary convection on Jeffrey nanofluid layer saturated with a porous medium: Brinkman model

In this paper, we investigate the onset of convection in a Jeffrey nanofluid layer saturated with the porous medium using Darcy-Brinkmann model. Normal mode analysis and Galerkin type weighted residual method (GWRM) are used to analyse conservation equations. Effects of Brownian motion and thermophoresis are taken into account in the Jeffrey nanofluid model. The Buongiorno model deployed for nanoparticles incorporates the influences of thermophoresis and Brownian motion. Three cases of free-free, rigid-rigid and rigid-free boundaries are considered. For stationary convection, the effects of Darcy number, Jeffrey parameter, Lewis number, nanoparticle Rayleigh number, porosity and modified diffusivity ratio for all the above mentioned boundary conditions are investigated analytically and graphically. The numerical computed values of stationary thermal Rayleigh number are presented graphically for three distinct combinations of boundary conditions. The study is of great significance in many different areas such as automotive, pharmaceutical, geophysics, soil sciences, food processing, oceanography, limnology, etc., and excellent coincidence is found regarding the present paper and earlier published work.

A vulnerable soil environment study in karst areas: a bibliometric analysis

Karst landforms are widely distributed around the world, and karst rocky desertification has occurred on a large scale in many countries and regions, causing significant adverse impacts on local natural environments and societies. The improvement and rational use of karst soil is a key aspect of rocky desertification governance. Karst soil science studies are of great value in karst regions and are essential for controlling karst rocky desertification and ecological restoration. In order to understand the research hotspots and the development directions in the field of vulnerable karst soil environment, we undertook bibliometrics citation analysis on 1913 contributions to the literature written in the range from 2001 to 2019 based on the “Web of Science” core collection citation index database. Hopefully, this work will help to set up a scientific foundation for further studies. Using CiteSpace visualization software, we analyzed the distribution of disciplinary categories, reference co-citation clusters, and keyword clusters in the literature. The results show the basic characteristics and evolution of the literature related to karst pedology. We then recognized the main intellectual bases in the domain of karst soil science. This study also revealed the research hotspots and trends in this field. Through a bibliometrics citation analysis of research on karst vulnerable soil environment, the present study provides a quantitative and objective understanding of development directions that have emerged in this field over the past 19 years, offering a reference for future research.

Identifikasi Nematoda di Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit PTPN V Sei Pagar

Nematodes are plant pest organisms from the phylum Nemathelmithes which are composite in nature and attack various types of main crops such as oil palm so that they can cause varying losses. The heaviest losses usually occur at the end of the rainy season and the first 2-3 months of the dry season. This research aims to identify nematodes associated in soil with oil palm plants at the PTPN V Sei Pagar Oil Palm Plantation. The research was carried out in October – December 2023 in the form of surveys and observations using experimental methods containing the results of observations of nematode morphology. Root and soil samples were taken at PTPN V Sei Pagar, nematode extraction used a modified Baerman funnel method and identification was carried out at the Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology and Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, State Islamic University of Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau. The results of the research showed that the nematode genera found at PTPN V Sei Pagar in two divisions and different planting years were 4 genera, namely Helicotylenchus, Mylonchulus, Rhabditis and Aphelenchus

Efektivitas Asap Cair Kayu Rambutan dalam Menghambat Pertumbuhan Colletotrichum sp Secara In Vitro

Leaf blight is one of the main diseases in oil palm nurseries, as a result of the attack of the pathogen Colletotrichum sp. The initial symptoms are found on the edges of the leaves. Colletotrichum sp. is a pathogenic fungus that causes blight in oil palm, so it needs to be controlled. One of the alternative controls is by using rambutan wood liquid smoke. This study aims to obtain an effective concentration of rambutan wood liquid smoke that can inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum sp. in vitro. This research was carried out from November 2023 to January 2024 at the Laboratory of Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University, Riau. This study used an experimental method with a complete randomized design (RAL) with 6 treatments (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) with each treatment repeated 4 times, so that there were 24 experimental units. Observation parameters include total phenol analysis and PH test of liquid smoke, macroscopic, growth rate (cm/day) and inhibition (%) Colletotrichum sp. The results showed a total phenol content of 3.47% and a PH test. Rambutan wood liquid smoke with a concentration of 4% is very effective in inhibiting Colletotrichum sp. 100% inhibition and growth rate of 0 cm/day.

Assessment and Delineation of GPS-GIS Based Soil Fertility Maps of Instructional Farm, Malegaon Tehsil Baramati

The present investigation was conducted in the year 2023-24 at division of Soil Science, Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati with an objectives to assess the soil available nutrient status and delineation of GIS based maps of soil available nutrients. Using Arc-GIS 10, Version 10.8, fertility maps of the available macro nutrients were created. The area under the Instructional Farm had soil pH ranged from 7.11 to 8.32, categorized into the slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline categories while the EC varied from 0.21 to 1.99 dSm-1, indicating that most of the soils were non-saline. The soil's organic carbon and calcium carbonate contents ranged from 0.21 to 0.97 per cent and 1.50 to 19.75 per cent and they were classified into low to high and low to very high categories respectively. In the Instructional Farm, the ranges of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content were 85.50 to 360.75, 23.29 to 80.08 and 202.5 to 968.68 kg ha-1 respectively. The Instructional Farm soils had very low to moderate levels of available nitrogen, moderately high to very high levels of available phosphorus and moderately high to very high levels of available potassium. The implementation of GPS-GIS-based techniques for soil sampling represents a significant advancement that will allow researchers and institute officials to track changes in soil fertility over the years. The soil fertility maps created for the Instructional Farm will be invaluable for establishing a scientifically sound fertilization schedule.

Production and Characterization of Mineral-Enriched Nadep Composts for Enhanced Soil Fertility

Aim: Production and characterization of NADEP composts using aquatic weeds as substrates and enriched with different minerals, were conducted to evaluate its feasibility for agricultural purpose. Study Design: The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design comprising 12 treatments and three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at the model organic Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University, between December 2023 and January 2024. Methods: Aquatic weeds, Limnocharis flava and Eichhornia crassipes, were collected from Vellayani lake and mixed with banana pseudostem in different proportions for compost preparation. Once the compost reached maturity, it was enriched with minerals such as calcium apatite and epsom salt. The resultant compost was then analyzed for its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Results: The NADEP compost, made from a 1:1 mixture of L. flava and E. crassipes and enriched with calcium apatite and epsom salt, was found to be the most effective treatment. It showed higher levels of macro and micronutrients, an ideal C: N ratio, improved enzyme activity, and a significant microbial load. Conclusion: NADEP composting has emerged as a highly effective and environmentally sustainable approach to producing high-quality compost in a prompt and efficient way. This method transforms aquatic weeds, such as Limnocharis and Eichhornia crassipes, which pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems, into valuable compost, thereby promoting effective waste management and advancing sustainable agricultural practices.

Assessment of Soil Fertility Status in Vegetable Growing Area of Daman-Palung, Nepal

Soil fertility assessment is essential for sustainable planning for a particular area. Considering this, a study was conducted in November 2018, to determine the soil fertility status of the vegetable growing area of Makwanpur district, Nepal. In total, 50 soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 0-20 cm using a soil sampling auger. A standard analytical method was used to analyze the texture, soil pH, (Organic matter (OM), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P2O5), and Potassium (K2O) status of samples at the National Soil Science Research Centre, Khumaltar. The sand, silt and clay content were 45.67±2.08, 35.6±51.37 and 18.49±0.93 respectively and were indicated as loam and sandy loam in texture. The soil was moderately acidic (pH 5.11±0.5) in nature. Soil organic matter ranged from low to medium but the medium (3.37±1.72 %) was prevalent. Total nitrogen content (0.22±0.01 %) and available phosphorus (230.58 ±85.61 ppm), were found to be high. Furthermore, available potassium (97.4±70.04 ppm) content was medium in the soil. The purpose of this soil fertility assessment is to help researchers and farmers in Daman, Palung know the soil fertility status of their area and to guide sustainable soil fertility practices. This soil fertility assessment aims to help researchers and farmers in Daman, Palung understand soil fertility status and determine the best soil fertility practices for their area.

The productivity of selected soybean cultivars grown using various cultivation methods

Soybean is an important legume crop globally due to its rich protein, oil content, and functional components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yield of selected soybean cultivars depending on cultivation methods. The three-year field experiment, conducted from 2018 to 2020 at the Agricultural Experimental Station in Kępa-Puławy, Osiny farm (Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation – State Research Institute in Puławy), investigated these variations. The first experimental factor was the soil cultivation method: A – conventional tillage, B – reduced tillage, and C – strip tillage. The second variable was soybean cultivar: ‘Aldana’ and ‘Merlin’. The soybean cultivars were selected for their differing maturity rates: ‘Aldana’ (000) is an early cultivar, while ‘Merlin’ (000++) semi-late cultivar. The field experiment utilised a split-plot design on Luvisol soil with sandy loam texture, belonging to a good rye complex, class IIIb–IVa, and was replicated four times. The study showed that the productivity (seed and protein yield) of the ‘Merlin’ cultivar grown in the central-eastern part of Poland was approximately 8% higher than that of the ‘Aldana’ cultivar. The cultivation method had a relatively minor influence on soybean yield, the content of selected nutrients, morphological features, and elements of the yield structure. The soil in strip-tillage method was more compact than the soil cultivated with a plough. After harvesting soybeans at a depth of 30, and 40 cm, the compactness of soil in strip-tillage or with reduced tillage was much lower than in spring, highlighting a positive effect of soybean cultivation on loosening the arable layer.

A Tribute to Jaume Porta Casanellas and His Influence on Soil Science

This article provides personal and professional assessments from disciples, colleagues and friends of Jaume Porta Casanellas (Barcelona, 1944; Lleida, 2023), a prominent soil scientist. He began his agricultural engineering studies at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) where he met Marta López-Acevedo, his wife and outstanding collaborator. At UPM, he started his early work in soil science under the guidance of Professor Carlos Roquero who became his mentor and friend. Jaume Porta was a dedicated, passionate soil scientist who engaged extensively in teaching and research in Soil Science, while also excelling as a manager. He emerged as a leader due to his initiatives in promoting Soil Science in Catalonia and Spain, and for his forward-thinking vision, evident in his decisions as Rector of the University of Lleida, which have significantly contributed to the city’s development. From the beginning, he advocated for detailed (1:25,000) soil mapping of Catalonia to enhance territorial planning and agricultural progress. His primary research focus was on salt-affected soils and soils with gypsum, alongside soil erosion and conservation. Porta devoted a lot of effort to improve soil field descriptions with his Agenda de campo. He played a key role in standardizing soil analytical methods, establishing large series laboratories in Spain, notably the LAF in Sidamon (Lleida), and aligning Spanish soil labs with the international GLOSOLAN network. As president of the SECS, he energized activities and encouraged member participation. His educational publications, mainly his comprehensive textbook Edafología, are considered fundamental in Soil Science across Spanish-speaking countries, as is the Multilingual Dictionary of Soil Science, representing the pinnacle of his efforts to rigorously disseminate soil science concepts and terms in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, and Portuguese. He contributed significantly to international Soil Science courses in Mexico and played a key role in establishing the JADE postgraduate training program. He facilitated the creation and international visibility of the Spanish Journal of Soil Science. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of the Soil Sciences Documentation Centre (Ce.SECS) to preserve historical publications and the legacy of soil scientists. Jaume Porta’s enduring impact, both professionally and personally, will be felt for years to come.

Effect of Biostimulants and Glyphosate on Morphophysiological Parameters of Zea mays (L.) Seedlings Under Controlled Conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the major produced crop in South Africa, but numerous abiotic/biotic stressors threaten its production. Herbicides are mainly in the agricultural sector to minimise crop yield losses caused by weed competition. However, with most weeds becoming resistant to glyphosate, South African farmers have used higher herbicide concentrations than typically recommended. This study was conducted to determine the effect of two biostimulants (brassinosteroids and KELPAK) and glyphosate on the morphophysiological parameters of maize seedlings. Experiments were carried out in the glasshouses of the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein for eight weeks over two seasons, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. The treatments did not significantly affect all maize morphological parameters except the plant dry mass. Compared to the control, plant dry mass was significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 15.72 g when glyphosate was applied in combination with brassinosteroids during the 2019 growing season. The application of glyphosate, brassinosteroids, and KELPAK differed significantly (p < 0.05) between weeks across the physiological parameters in the two seasons: an irrefutable significant increase was recorded in the rates of transpiration between the weeks. Although significant differences were recorded in the chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content, these parameters were similar to the control, especially in the last week of data collection. During the early developmental stage of maize, farmers can administer biostimulants—brassinosteroid (5 g ai ha−1) and KELPAK (5% ai ha−1)—alone and in combination in glyphosate-resistant maize cultivars treated with glyphosate to aid maize seedlings.

Toward a community‐engaged framework for urban soil research

AbstractResearchers in urban environments sample where people live and work. However, there is limited extant guidance available to scientists engaging with community stakeholders to sample soils in urban settings. Leveraging our cumulative experiences, insights gained from community collaborations, and interdisciplinary literature, we present a community‐engaged framework for urban soils research. Community‐engaged research frameworks emerged over the past two decades to foster trust and respect between communities and researchers as a response to historical exploitation of communities by the academy. Today, these frameworks have become standard for social and public health researchers investigating the physical well‐being of communities. However, there is no equivalent framework for scientists studying the soils that underpin the physical and ecological well‐being of the same communities. Here, we present the first such framework for soil scientists that incorporates nuanced aspects that are often overlooked. Our proposed framework recognizes the iterative nature of collaboration with community stakeholders and highlights the significance of ethical considerations throughout the research process by emphasizing protection of community stakeholders from harm, involvement of all parties in decision‐making processes, maintaining informed consent, and fostering mutual accountability among researchers throughout the research and sampling process.