In natural environments, plants compete with neighbouring plants for resources such as light, water and nutrients. To detect neighbours, plants have evolved mechanisms that are poorly understood at the molecular-genetic level. This study examined the impact of competition on the growth and reproductive success of Arabidopsis thaliana grown in crowded settings together with conspecifics or with the grass Lolium perenne. Intraspecific and interspecific competition resulted in strongly reduced shoot branching and silique production. The reduction in shoot branching correlated with greatly altered gene expression in lateral buds, in particular of hormone- and defence-related genes, while it was independent of the hub transcription factor BRANCHED1. Mutants defective in strigolactone signalling retained a response to competition. Similarly, competitors unable to synthesize strigolactones caused a normal inhibitory effect, indicating that strigolactones are not required for a response of Arabidopsis to competition. Fertilization did not overcome the inhibitory effect of competition, showing that plants under competition did not experience a lack of mineral nutrients. When the roots of focal and competitor plants were separated by water-impermeable below-ground partitions, plants did not respond to competition. We suggest that below-ground communication, together with a sensing of soil volume, participates in the response to competition.

No method to assess the risks of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants C6–C9 in soils on construction land in China has been established. At one decommissioned petroleum refinery site in northwestern China, we performed an innovative tier 3 risk assessment method using carbon fraction proportions. Using HJ 25.3 guidelines, the risk-screening value for soil contamination of land by petroleum hydrocarbons was 192 mg kg−1 for industrial land use. However, based on site-specific parameters, this value was 226 mg kg−1, with a corresponding contaminated soil volume of 381,904 m3. A tier 3 risk assessment incorporating carbon fraction proportions and site-specific parameters yielded a risk control value of 2370 mg kg−1 and reduced the soil volume requiring decontamination to 87,047 m3, potentially saving CNY 324 million (~USD 45.5 million as of November 2025) in remediation costs. Therefore, implementing a tier 3 risk assessment for C6–C9 pollutants can optimize remediation strategies and enhance the precision and scientific rigor of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil remediation.

Soil–bedrock interaction on hillslopes is not well-studied, though it's affected by many physical and chemical factors. The aim of the present mathematical modelling study is to construct a model for soil formation utilising ordinary differential equations, all while reducing the number of required parameters. Parameters known from previous studies include, but not limited to, precipitation, temperature, soil properties, slope angle, soil depth, bedrock properties, topography and earthquakes. Due to correlations among the parameters, it is possible to consider all of them using three independent parameters: growth rate of soil (s 1(t)), increasing rate of soil due to interaction (s 2(t)) and decay rate of soil due to erosion (s 3(t)). One population increases by destroying another, which is most common in predator–prey dynamics. By comparing the bedrock to prey and the soil to predators, we can create a mathematical model that accurately captures this complex interaction. Previous data sets suggest periodic, linear, exponentially decreasing or constant for different domains of study. The predator–prey model has been solved numerically using fifth-order Runge–Kutta in MATLAB. The actual and calculated soil volume differs by 0.00121 m3, while the biomass content difference is 2.28%, resulting in about 97% accuracy.

Purpose. Development of theoretical foundations for determining rational technological conditions for the use of pump dredger suction heads in underwater mining of unconsolidated minerals. Methodology. In calculating the volume of complex geometric figures formed by the intersection of cones of different heights, whose vertices lie in the same plane, a standard method of integration was applied. Findings. The feasibility of using funnel technology in underwater soil mining has been substantiated. An analysis of technological schemes for the use of pump dredger suction heads intended for underwater mining of unconsolidated minerals has been performed. As a limiting criterion for selecting the layout scheme of mining funnels, it is proposed to use the dimensionless coefficient of mineral recovery. For comparative analysis, the most suitable schemes for moving pump dredger suction heads with final positions of funnel centers were proposed – referred to as the square-nest and triangular-nest schemes. Graphic representations of the mined space of the underwater quarry using the funnel method with square-nest and triangular-nest layouts are provided. Based on the analysis, it is assumed that during the mining of unconsolidated soil using a single suction pipe, the extraction funnel will take the shape of a cone. It is proposed to determine the volume of soil extracted from such a funnel by calculating the sum of volumes of the following geometric figures: parallelepiped; a complex figure obtained by cutting off the volume of a truncated cone with planes parallel to its axis; and cone. Originality. For the first time, it is proposed to determine the volume of soil extracted from an underwater dredging site of a suction dredger using the integration method. Theoretical dependencies were obtained to determine the extraction coefficients when applying square-nest and triangular-nest schemes for repositioning the suction head during funnel-type underwater mining operations. Practical value. The calculated values of extraction coefficients for the square-nest and triangular-nest schemes of repositioning the suction head will enable efficient use of the funnel mining method. The technological feasibility of applying the triangular-nest scheme has been established according to the criterion of the mineral extraction coefficient from the underwater mining site.

ABSTRACT Over time, peatland is now changing its function into plantation land such as oil palm plantations on peatland. However, in the management of peatland, it is necessary to pay attention to the nature of peat and soil ir levels, including the regulation of groundwater level. Based on the physical properties of peat soil can be used as an indicator in determining the productivity of oil palm plants on peatlands. Where the important karesteritic in peatland is the water content, soil volume weight, the content of organic matter and the ability to withstand the load of subsidence and non-return dry. Oil palm plants (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) come from Nigeria, West Africa. Yes, oil palm plants thrive outside their native areas, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Papua New Guinea. Oil palm plants have an important meaning for the development of national plantations. In addition to being able to create job opportunities and lead to the welfare of the community, palm oil is also a source of foreign exchange for the country and Indonesia is one of the main producers of palm oil. This research was conducted in Karya Bhakti Village, Rantau Rasau District, East Tanjung Jabung Regency. Soil analysis was carried out at the Soil Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University. The research was conducted by survey using Proportional Random Sampling. The observed parameters are the height of the water level in the soil, the height of the canal water level, the content of organic matter. Volume Weight, Total Pore Space., peat depth, peat maturity. Each age of palm oil plants, 10 samples were taken at three ages of palm oil plantations 0-5 years, 6- 10 years and eleven years and above. Data interpretation on the age of oil palm oil plants 0 - 5 years, 6 - 10 years and > 11 years was carried out using the Unpaired Middle Value Test on the parameters of soil water level, canal water level height, organic matter content, soil volume weight, peat soil water content. To see the relationship between the height of the peat soil water level with several physical properties of the soil, it was carried out using the Simple Regression Test. The results of the study by using the Unpaired Middle Value Test on the parameters of the groundwater level and the height of the canal water level in palm oil aged 0 - 5 years are clearly different from oil palm plants aged 6 - 10 years and palm oil aged > 11 years. Based on the Linear Regression Test, there is a relationship between the water level of the peat soil and the average water level of the canal in the mustard coconut plant as much as R = 73,33% Keywords: Groundwater Level and Physical Properties of Peat, Palm Oil Plants.

Radioactively contaminated sandy soil is commonly encountered during nuclear facility decommissioning and nuclear accident response, and its rapid sorting and volume reduction are crucial for achieving waste minimization and lowering remediation costs. This study designed and developed a radiation measurement system based on a large-volume plastic scintillator and a NaI array detector, focusing on the design, implementation, and performance validation of its radiation detection and signal processing subsystems. The system employed differential measurement to obtain the net radioactive count rate of sandy soil, while enhancing energy spectrum stability through programmable gain control and temperature stabilization. Experimental results demonstrated that both plastic scintillator arrays effectively achieved dynamic background subtraction within a 1.8 s measurement cycle, with net count rate errors controlled below 10%. The NaI detector array achieved an energy resolution better than 8% at 662 keV, with the peak channel drift within ±1 channel. Rapid activity measurements for radioactive sources such as 241Am and 137Cs exhibited errors below 10%, meeting the key technical requirements for sandy soil separation and volume reduction. These findings provided data support and methodological reference for subsequent system integration and engineering application of sorting and volume reduction equipment.

Against the backdrop of global water scarcity, utilizing sediment-laden river water for agricultural irrigation is a critical strategy for ensuring food security. However, the associated water and nitrogen transport processes are influenced by the coupled effects of multiple factors, and the governing mechanisms are not yet fully understood. To investigate the coupled effects of muddy water sediment concentration (ρ), physical clay content (d0.01), applied nitrogen concentration (N), and pressure head (H) on infiltration characteristics during film hole irrigation, this study conducted an indoor soil-box experiment using an orthogonal design to analyze soil water and nitrogen transport dynamics. Results indicated that sediment properties were the dominant factors governing infiltration, with their relative influence on cumulative infiltration following the order ρ > d0.01 > H > N. ρ and d0.01 strongly inhibited infiltration; for instance, an increase in ρ from 3% to 9% reduced the initial infiltration rate by as much as 49.3%. Conversely, H and N exhibited a slight promoting effect. High muddy water sediment concentration and physical clay content significantly restricted water and nitrogen transport, causing substantial amounts of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) to be retained within the surface soil layer adjacent to the irrigation hole. Paradoxically, the same factors that reduced infiltration (ρ and d0.01) led to a significant increase in the average change in volumetric water content (Δθ) within the wetted soil volume. Based on these findings, multivariate power function models were developed to predict key parameters. The models demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9715 for cumulative infiltration, 0.94 for wetting front migration, and 0.9758 for Δθ, and validation errors were within acceptable limits. In conclusion, the film hole irrigation process is predominantly governed by physical clogging from sediment particles, a mechanism that decisively controls the spatial distribution of water and nitrogen. Furthermore, the slight enhancement of infiltration by nitrogen fertilizer suggests a potential physicochemical mechanism, possibly involving ion-induced flocculation of clay particles. The models developed in this study provide a quantitative basis for precision fertigation management in China’s Yellow River irrigation district and other regions with similar conditions.

Abstract Root distributions are typically based on root mass per soil volume. This plant‐focused approach masks the biogeochemical influence of fine roots, which weigh little. We assert that centimeter‐scale root presence‐absence data from soil profiles provide a more soil‐focused approach for probing depth distributions of root‐regolith interfaces, where microsite‐scale processes drive whole‐ecosystem functioning. In 75 soil pits across the continental USA, Puerto Rico, and the Alps, we quantified fine and coarse root presence as deep as 2 m. In 70 of these pits we estimated root mass and created standardized metrics of both data sets to compare their depth distributions. We addressed whether: (a) depth distributions of root presence‐absence data differ from root mass data, thus implying different degrees of root‐regolith interactions with depth; and (b) if root presence or any depth‐dependent differences between these data sets vary predictably with environmental conditions. Presence of fine roots exhibited diverse depth‐dependent patterns; root mass generally declined with depth. In B and C horizons, standardized root presence was greater than standardized root mass; random forest analyses suggest these discrepancies are greater in B horizons with increasing mean annual precipitation and in C horizons with increasing mean annual temperature. Our work suggests that deep in the subsurface, biogeochemical and reactive transport processes result from more numerous root‐regolith interfaces than mass data suggest. We present a new paradigm for discerning patterns in depth distributions of root‐regolith interfaces across multiple biomes and land uses that promotes understanding of the roles of those interfaces in driving key critical zone processes.

Structural optimization of hydrocyclone for reducing volume of Sb-contaminated soil

This study investigates the potential of traditional organic amendments Panchagavya and livestock wastes for restoring germination capacity and soil fertility in engine oil-contaminated clay loam soil. The soil contamination was created by incorporating 1.5kg of waste engine oil, corresponding to 5% of the soil volume. Panchagavya, prepared as per standard protocols, showed a mildly acidic pH (6.2) and contained abundant microorganisms, essential nutrients, and organic carbon. Treatment of oil-contaminated soil with 50ml of Panchagavya resulted in 60% germination, whereas untreated contaminated soil showed no germination and normal soil had 90%. Subsequent treatment with chicken waste further enhanced germination to 80%. Soil analyses revealed that the combined treatments increased organic carbon (105.6gkg⁻1), total nitrogen (72.6kgha⁻1), available nitrogen (from 5.664 to 8.712kgha⁻1), phosphorus (14.9kgha⁻1 total, 1.788kgha⁻1 available), and potassium, with values of 511.3, 403.63, and 388.6kgha⁻1 observed in the Panchagavya, chicken waste, fish waste, and Azolla treatments, respectively. Soils treated with Panchagavya and chicken waste showed the greatest hydrocarbon degradation, achieving 86-89%. Unlike previous studies that have examined either microbial inoculants or single organic wastes in petroleum remediation, this work demonstrates for the first time the effectiveness of integrating Panchagavya and livestock waste treatments. The findings highlight a low-cost, farmer-accessible approach that simultaneously promotes hydrocarbon degradation, restores soil nutrients, and recovers seed germination, thereby offering a sustainable strategy for managing petroleum-contaminated agricultural soils.

This study analyzes the budget efficiency of the Mamminasata Bypass Road and Bridge Construction Project Segment I and II using the Cost Performance Index (CPI) from the Earned Value Management (EVM) method. This project has a contract value of IDR 139.90 billion and an implementation period from November 2022 to March 2024. The data used is secondary data in the form of monthly progress reports, financial statements, and contract documents. The parameters analyzed included Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), Actual Cost (AC), CPI, Cost Variance (CV), and Schedule Performance Index (SPI). The results showed an average CPI value of 0.99, which indicates excellent budget efficiency with a cost overrun of only 0.99%. CPI fluctuations over the course of the project are relatively minimal, indicating the stability of cost performance. Multiple regression analysis identified four significant factors that affect budget efficiency, namely soil conditions (β = -0.412, p = 0.005), design changes (β = -0.289, p = 0.010), volume changes (β = -0.198, p = 0.043), and price escalation (β = -0.367, p = 0.001), with the regression model having R² = 0.847. A comparison of budget efficiency between Segments I and II showed no significant difference (p-value = 0.682), with Segment I CPI 0.990 and Segment II 0.989. This study contributes to the implementation of EVM in road projects in Indonesia and recommends the use of CPI as an effective monitoring tool for controlling the cost of infrastructure projects.

This study investigates the predictive relationship between Atterberg limits and the volumetric ratio behavior (VLL, VPL, and VSL) of tropical clay soils. Laboratory testing, following ASTM D4318, was conducted on 50 clay samples collected from Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. Estimated volumetric ratios were derived from mass–moisture–density relationships representing liquid, plastic, and shrinkage states. Linear, polynomial, and machine learning models, including Random Forest and Support Vector Regression (SVR), were developed to evaluate the statistical association between index parameters and volume change behavior. The models showed weak-to-moderate correlation (R² = 0.31–0.55), indicating that the derived relationships can provide qualitative insights rather than quantitative predictions, supporting a conceptual understanding of soil volume behavior. The Shrinkage Limit (SL) consistently emerged as the most influential parameter, reflecting its strong association with moisture-induced volume reduction and soil–water interaction mechanisms. The results suggest that Atterberg limits can serve as qualitative indicators of volumetric change potential rather than quantitative predictors. Although the models exhibited low explanatory power, they provide transparent, reproducible insights into how index-based soil properties correspond to volumetric transitions. This framework supports early-stage and cost-effective assessment of expansive soils, offering a practical foundation for identifying shrink–swell tendencies before advanced testing. The approach contributes to improving preliminary geotechnical evaluation practices in tropical environments and establishes a reference for future validation incorporating mineralogical and suction-related parameters.

Dynamics of methane flux in permafrost-affected wetlands: A meta-analysis of permafrost continuity effects and hydrological controls.

Steam has been used for decades as a nonchemical alternative for soil disinfestation in stationary settings such as greenhouse crop production. However, disinfesting large soil volumes through field-scale steam applications is limited by time, labor, carbon inputs, efficacy, and economic factors. Exothermic substances added to soil before or during steam applications have the potential to improve the control of soilborne pathogens and weed propagules. To test this hypothesis, a 2-year microplot study was conducted to evaluate weed and pathogen suppression with steam in combination with two exothermic substances: quicklime and sodium peroxide. Treatments included a nontreated control, 30-minute steam application, sodium peroxide amendment, sodium peroxide amendment with 30-minute steam application, quicklime amendment, and quicklime amendment with 30-minute steam application. Steam was injected at a depth of 10.2 cm using a stationary SIOUX steam generator and steam-graded spike hoses. Pythium propagules per gram of soil were assessed via a wet plating assay. Weed suppression was assessed by evaluating germination rates of artificially introduced weed seeds (vetch, ryegrass, sida) and tubers (yellow nutsedge). Pythium propagules (ppg) significantly decreased in comparison with the nontreated control when steam was applied to quicklime-amended soil in both years at the distance of 2.5 cm from steam injection (7.4 ppg in 2021; 0 ppg in 2022) and the 12.5 cm mark from steam injection (41 ppg in 2021; 0 ppg in 2022). Only at the distance of 2.5 cm did steam alone decrease Pythium significantly (0 ppg in 2022). The sodium peroxide amendment did not improve Pythium suppression at any distance from steam injection. Similarly, weed propagules 2.5 cm from steam emitters were suppressed, and the addition of exothermic substances did not improve propagule suppression. Beyond 12.5 cm, no steam treatment affected weed propagule germination. At a distance of 12.5 cm from emitters, the addition of exothermic substances improved propagule suppression in one of two years, but the results were variable. Reduction in weed propagule emergence was highly correlated with the maximum soil temperature, and clustered distributions suggested that critical threshold temperatures are necessary for adequate suppression.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum G.S. Bunting), which belongs to the Arum family (Araceae Juss.), can be used for medicinal, ornamental, and pollutant-purifying purposes. Due to the usefulness of pothos, the market demand for this species is increasing. Our study attempts to fill in the shortcomings of previous studies on the effect of activated carbon and plant growth regulators on the ability of shoots to take root in vitro, as well as the effect of inexpensive and readily available materials on the transition of seedlings from in vitro to the greenhouse stage. To evaluate the shooting results, Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) was used, which included 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), kinetin (Kn), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (α-NAA), coconut water, activated carbon, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in various concentrations and combinations. Our results showed that the MS medium with the addition of 2.5 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/L Kn was optimal for propagation by shoots. In this variant, 2.86 shoots per explant, 1.87 cm of shoot length, and 1.59 leaves per shoot were obtained. Despite the fact that this treatment provided the highest total cytokinin concentration, it was significantly more effective than only BA (2.5 mg/L) and all combinations of BA+α-NAA or Kn+α-NAA. For rooting, the micro shoots obtained on the above medium were transferred to MS + 0.25 mg/L α-NAA + 0.5 g/L AC, which allowed for rooting by 93.33%, 1.93 roots per explant, and root lengths by 2.37 cm. This is higher than with the IBA-based treatment, which led to a shortening of the roots and a reduction in their branching. Acclimatization in a 1:1 mixture (by volume) of loamy garden soil (pH 6.2, 2.1% organic matter) and coconut coir (particle size 0.5–2 mm) gave 75% survival after 40 days. These results have opened up the prospect of developing an effective method for reproducing pothos species in vitro by organogenesis at the lowest cost.

Soil is one of the primary materials in construction, serving as the medium that supports the loads of buildings and other infrastructure. The stability of the structures built on it greatly depends on the physical and mechan- ical properties of the subgrade soil. However, not all soils possess characteristics that are ideal for construc- tion. One type of soil that often poses technical problems is expansive clay. This soil is known for its tendency to swell when wet and shrink when dry due to its high content of active clay minerals. Not all soils are suitable for use in construction, as some subgrade types have issues related to both bearing capacity and settlement (Lestari & Lestari, 2014). Therefore, expansive clay requires special treatment before it can be used as a construction medium. One common technique for improving soil properties is compaction (Diana et al., 2022). Compaction is carried out to increase the dry unit weight of the soil, reduce porosity, improve bearing capac- ity, and minimize the potential for volume change due to variations in water content. In general, compaction alters several soil characteristics, such as dry density, void ratio, shear strength parameters, and soil volume (Lubis, 2007). Through compaction, it is expected that the soil will become more stable both structurally and mechanically. To determine the optimal compaction condition, a laboratory test known as the Standard Proctor Test is conducted. On the other hand, to assess the extent of improvement in the mechanical properties of soil after compaction, a shear strength test such as the Unconfined Compression Test (UCT) is used. UCT is a simple method for measuring the strength of cohesive soils without the application of confining pressure. Shear strength is the soil's ability to resist shear stress when subjected to loading (Agustina & Elfrida, 2019). Through this test, the value of Unconfined Compressive Strength (qu) can be obtained, which can then be used to determine the undrained shear strength (su) of the soil. The combination of the Standard Proctor Test and the Unconfined Compression Test becomes essential in analyzing the relationship between compaction level and the shear strength characteristics of expansive clay. Water content during compaction plays an important role in determining the values of unconfined compressive strength and shear strength. Expansive clay samples compacted at optimum moisture content (OMC) using the Standard Proctor method yield the highest compres- sive and shear strength values (Yunus & Annisa, 2023). Keywords: Compaction, Shear Strength, Expansive Clay Soil, Water Content

Road and pavement construction require huge volumes of borrowed soils in addition to the foundation soils. Unfortunately, not all soils are suitable for construction purposes. Soil stabilization is a fundamental technique used to enhance the engineering properties of weak ground/soil to meet the demands of large infrastructure projects, such as roads. It is in this regard that this study investigates the strength development, durability, and effectiveness of cement and quarry dust as stabilizers to enhance the geotechnical properties of a weak tropical clay soil. Cement was added in the range of 0% to 10% while quarry dust was used to partially replace soil in the range of 0% to 50%. The results show significant improvements in the Atterberg limits and strength properties of the tropical clay. The liquid limit reduced from 43.2% to 25.1% while the plasticity index reduced from 17.6% to 10.2% at 50% quarry dust and 10% cement content. Similarly, the maximum dry unit weight increased from 17.4 kN/m3 to 21.3 kN/m3 while the optimum moisture content decreased from 17.1% to 12.9%. The maximum soaked CBR value was 172%, representing a 1497% enhancement over untreated soil. Also, the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) reached 2566 kN/m2 at 28 days of curing, representing a 1793.73% increase when compared to the untreated soil. Cement content was found to be the predominant factor influencing strength development. The study shows that cement–quarry dust blends compacted at high energy can be adopted in sustainable road construction.

ABSTRACTIn urban areas, floodplain restoration is gaining prominence as a strategy for restoring the natural functions of floodplain ecosystems and reducing flood risk. This has spurred research into potential interactions between floodwaters, the hyporheic zone, and the floodplain aquifer. An urban restored stream in Wisconsin, USA, was used as a case study to examine four methods to estimate floodplain infiltration and storage during overbank floods. We characterised flood‐related infiltration over a 4‐year period from 2018 through 2021 by simultaneously and continuously measuring groundwater levels and vertical temperature profiles with stream water levels linked to high‐resolution flood inundation maps. High‐resolution topographic data helped to quantify surface floodplain storage and the unsaturated soil volume relative to flood stage. Infiltration estimates from the simple methods align well with those from the more complex methods; however, the complex methods provide additional insights about the factors influencing infiltration. Results from all methods indicate that the volume of water that vertically infiltrates during floods is likely small relative to the total volume of the flood, with 0.08%–0.52% of flood water infiltrating into the floodplain, on average. Spatially variable vertical hydraulic gradients, driven by flood depth, groundwater level, and permeability, imply heterogeneous patterns of infiltration across the floodplain. Gradients favourable for infiltration typically occurred during the onset of flooding but, over the study period, were mostly (98% of the time) favourable for groundwater discharge to the channel (non‐flood periods). These findings highlight the importance of considering surface‐groundwater dynamics, floodplain soils, and unsaturated floodplain volume in defining the benefits of floodplain infiltration for flood attenuation.

Way Ratai Road in Pesawaran Regency connects tourist areas managed by the Lampung Provincial Government. This road has cliffs with steep slopes, which have the potential to cause landslides. This research is very important because Way Ratai road is the only access road to Pesawaran beach tourism which is the main tourist destination of Lampung Province. Moreover, Way Ratai road is also the only access road connecting to the provincial capital of Bandar Lampung. This research was conducted to determine the soil vulnerability to seismic vibration on two cliffs around Way Ratai Road, Teluk Pandan District, Pesawaran Regency. The method used was microtremor signal recording with the Horizontal Vertical to Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method to determine the amplification factor (), dominant frequency (), sediment thickness (H), and seismic vulnerability index (Kg). The first cliff's measurement and data processing results showed an amplification factor () value of 2.74 - 3.70, a dominant frequency () of 3.75 - 4.56 Hz, a sediment thickness (H) of 14.09 m, and a seismic vulnerability index (Kg) of 2.39 m²/s. On the second cliff, the results showed an amplification factor () value of 2.27 - 3.40, a dominant frequency () of 3.54 - 7.20 Hz, a sediment thickness (H) of 9.33 m, and a seismic vulnerability index (Kg) of 1.84 m²/s. In term of seismic vibration, both cliffs, prone to landslides, have high stability against seismic vibrations. In the event of a landslide on these two cliffs, the estimated slip surface on the first cliff would be translational, and the second cliff would be a combination of translational and slight rotational, with an estimated volume of soil that could potentially slide on the first cliff is 30,492.16 m³ and on the second cliff, it is 27,188.92 m³.

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted in eastern India's rainfed lowland rice‐fallow ecosystems. It aimed to assess the impact of different crop establishment methods on system productivity, earthworm activity and diversity, and soil quality parameters for long‐term sustainability. Three distinct crop establishment methods viz. zero‐till direct‐seeded rice (ZTDSR), conventional‐till direct‐seeded rice (CTDSR), and transplanted puddle rice (TPR), were employed in conjunction with various crop residue management strategies. The TPR and conventional tillage methods consistently outperformed ZTDSR in terms of grain yield and recorded a 28.9% and 15.4% higher grain yield than ZTDSR and CTDSR, respectively. However, TPR had a detrimental impact on the performance of all winter crops, resulting in a lower grain yield by 29% and 44% than CTDSR and ZTDSR, respectively. The incorporation of a legume or oilseed during the fallow period in the winter season in a rice‐fallow system resulted in an increase in system productivity from 5.44 to 9.54 Mg ha−1 (75% increase) demonstrating its potential to boost the food security of the region. Importantly, the study also quantified the critical role of conservation agriculture (CA) practices in enhancing soil health and earthworm activity. The CA‐based production systems (CTDSR and ZTDSR) noted a 35.6%, 27.3%, 91.9%, and 73.4% higher earthworm casting, burrows count, total earthworm count, and biomass, respectively, over the TPR system. The TPR production system was associated with increased parameters of soil cracking, including length, width, depth, and volume compared to CA‐based management systems. In conclusion, adopting CA‐based practices and integrating short‐duration pulses and legumes can enhance crop productivity, soil health, and earthworm populations, supporting food and nutritional security in India's rice‐fallow regions and similar South Asian agro‐ecotypes.