Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America最新文献

{"title":"Bio-organic manure and minerals synergically revitalize soil quality via aggregation and pore structure in saline soils","authors":"Xiaoying Jin,&nbsp;Ziqi Geng,&nbsp;Weitang Liang,&nbsp;Zhanlonggang Yu,&nbsp;Zichao Zhao,&nbsp;Hu Zhou,&nbsp;Zhangliu Du","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70350","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil salinization may deteriorate soil structure and soil quality, particularly in coastal regions. However, the impact of organic and inorganic amendments on soil aggregation, pore structure and their correlation with soil quality remains unclear. Herein, we examined the changes in aggregate-size distribution, the associated cementing agents, and pore structure identified using X-ray computed tomography in the Yellow River Delta, North China. Soil samples were collected from the 0- to 20-cm layer and treated with non-amended control (CK), formulated Fe-Si/Ca-based material containing wollastonite and iron mining tailings (FeSi), bio-organic manure (BOM), and a combination of BOM with FeSi (FeSi + BOM). The results showed that BOM and FeSi + BOM markedly boosted soil macroaggregates by 3.0–5.0 times and structural stability, reflected by mean weight diameter (41.9%–57.0%), in comparison to CK. This improvement may likely be due to the increased organic binding agents (e.g., soil organic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, and total glomalin-related soil proteins) and ions like Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The utilization of BOM and FeSi + BOM enhanced the 3D pore structure and functions. This enhancement was evidenced by the increased image-identified porosity (by 53.3%–77.3%), pore connectivity (by 1.9–3.2 times), optimized pore-size distribution (e.g., 100–500 µm and &gt;500 µm), and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (4.4–6.8 times). Collectively, BOM, either alone or in combination with inorganic ameliorations, has the potential to enhance soil quality significantly, providing effective strategies for rehabilitating saline soils.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148994549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of a portable electrochemical sensor for real-time soil nitrate monitoring in cotton rhizosphere","authors":"Mohammad Solaiman,&nbsp;Elvis D. Sangmen,&nbsp;Ali Reza Galib,&nbsp;Tushar C. Sarker,&nbsp;Anil C. Somenahally,&nbsp;Shawana Tabassum","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70349","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil nitrate (NO₃) exhibits rapid spatial and temporal variability that conventional point-sampling methods cannot effectively capture, limiting timely nutrient management and plant stress detection. This study aimed to validate a low-cost, three-dimensional-printed electrochemical NO₃ sensor for continuous in-soil monitoring and to evaluate whether sensor-derived NO₃ dynamics reflect plant physiological responses. For this purpose, cotton (<i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L.) plants were grown in pots under greenhouse conditions. The sensor was evaluated in two sequential phases: an initial calibration phase to characterize sensor response across a broad NO₃ concentration range, followed by a validation phase in the cotton plant rhizosphere. In the calibration phase, the sensor exhibited a sensitivity of −73.99 mV/dec and a limit of detection of 0.12 ppm. In the validation phase, cotton plants were grown under three NO₃ treatment levels: no NO₃ (0 ppm), low NO₃ (150 ppm), and high NO₃ (250 ppm), with three replicate pots per treatment. Sensor NO₃ measurements were validated against commercial grade Ward Laboratory data obtained from the same soil samples. Our sensor accurately captured fertilizer-induced NO₃ spikes and depletion trends and showed strong agreement with laboratory measurements (<i>R</i>² = 0.89, root mean square error = 14.77 ppm). <i>F</i>-score, coefficient of variation, and Tukey's honestly significant difference post hoc analyses confirmed a clear distinction between fertilized and unfertilized soil following NO₃ application. Furthermore, cotton plants’ physiological parameters, such as leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll index, and stomatal conductance, were measured and correlated with soil NO₃ concentrations. LAI and chlorophyll index increased with NO₃ availability, indicating enhanced canopy development and leaf nitrogen status. In contrast, stomatal conductance decreased with increasing NO₃, reflecting physiological stress under excessive or sudden NO₃ supply. These results demonstrate that the sensor provides chemically accurate and biologically meaningful NO₃ measurements, supporting its potential for precision nutrient management and future field-scale agricultural deployment.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/saj2.70349","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148994579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the agronomic effectiveness of enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers on yield and nitrogen uptake of sorghum","authors":"Syam Dodla,&nbsp;Christopher Clark,&nbsp;Kiran Pavuluri,&nbsp;Upendra Singh,&nbsp;Jorge Delgado,&nbsp;Bryan Hopkins,&nbsp;Daniel C. Olk,&nbsp;Amit Roy,&nbsp;Rod Venterea,&nbsp;Mike Wilson,&nbsp;Job Fugice","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70344","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Enhanced‑efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EENFs) are designed to improve N use efficiency and minimize losses. Their performance depends on soil properties and the behavior of coating and inhibitor chemistries. We evaluated surface application of 11 EENFs, two conventional fertilizers (Urea, urea ammonium nitrate [UAN]), deep placement of a urea supergranule (urea-brick with deep placement [UDP]), and a control (zero N fertilizer) on sorghum (<i>Sorghum bicolor</i>) yield and N uptake in two soils from Iowa (higher soil organic carbon [SOC, pH 6.19]) and Minnesota (low SOC, pH 5.79) in greenhouse. EENFs tested included three nitrification inhibitors (3,4-dimethylpyrazol succinic acid [DMPSA], Pronitridine, Nitrapyrin), one urease inhibitor (N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide [NBPT]); two dual-inhibitors (Dicyandiamide [DCD] + NBPT + Urea, DCD + NBPT + UAN), and five polymer-coated fertilizers (three with Polyurethane, one with polylactic acid [PLA]/poly[butylene succinate] [PBS], and one bio-based), Across soils, grain yield increased with N rate. In the Iowa soil, most EENFs matched the performance of split‑applied Urea and UAN at 100 kg N ha⁻¹, while UDP, DMPSA, Pronitridine, and PC‑Poly‑3 performed best overall. At 250 kg N ha⁻¹, several EENFs exceeded their references, including Pronitridine, dual inhibitor (UAN + DI, and PC‑Poly‑1). In the Minnesota soil, with low inherent N, Pronitridine consistently performed the best at 100 kg N ha⁻¹, while DMPSA and Pronitridine performed the best at 250 kg N ha⁻¹.Most polymer‑coated products underperformed at both N rates, consistent with a release–demand mismatch under low inherent soil-N. UDP was the best among Urea‑based treatments. Stover yield and total N uptake mirrored grain‑yield patterns, with strong correlations between N uptake and grain yield across soils. Overall, DMPSA, Pronitridine, and UDP delivered the most reliable agronomic gains. Dual‑inhibitor formulations performed well only in the Iowa soil. These findings underscore that EENF performance is highly soil‑specific.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148994578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aggregation and carbon content in urban soil blends: Insights from a three-decade chronosequence","authors":"Nelson C. H. Cheung,&nbsp;Susan D. Day,&nbsp;Mark S. Johnson","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70342","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Manufactured soil blends are increasingly used for urban landscaping where access to suitable natural topsoil is limited. These mixed sandy soils contain substantial compost but are essentially structureless at installation. Aggregate formation in these blends, critical for water and nutrient retention, remains poorly understood. In addition, although blends initially have very high organic matter contents, the fate of these carbon inputs is unknown. We investigated soil aggregation, carbon content, and related properties of soil blends installed over the past 30 years at University of British Columbia campus, Canada, and examined relationships to vegetation type and time since installation. We analyzed soil samples at 2.5- to 7.5-cm depth from 88 plots across four vegetation types. All blends consistently formed smaller aggregates (10%–53% lower mean-weight diameter) than nearby natural soils. Soil texture emerged as the dominant factor likely driving soil aggregation. Older blends exhibited greater aggregation, likely due to the relatively finer-textured mixture specifications (up to 11% clay) rather than time-dependent development (partial correlation, 95% CI excludes zero [where CI is confidence interval]). Soil carbon was high across all vegetation types (4.55%–6.74%), although it was greatest under trees with shrubs, likely reflecting the influence of vegetation inputs and maintenance practices. Our results provide evidence to refine soil blend design and inform management decisions aimed at improving long-term soil function in urban landscapes.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/saj2.70342","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148993960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Southern high plains cyclical wetlands: Precipitation, flooding, infiltration, clay mineralogy, and iron and manganese nodules","authors":"W. F. Jaynes,&nbsp;S. Perez,&nbsp;Daniel R. Hirmas,&nbsp;R. E Zartman","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70338","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Southern High Plains (SHP) playa wetlands act as flood control, native plant refugia, wildlife habitat, and recharge underlying Ogallala aquifer. To understand climate and soil property roles in playa soil hydrologic functioning, soil profiles were described and soil samples collected from basin center to edge in typical SHP playa (mean annual precipitation [MAP] 478 mm). Soils were inner-basin Randall (very fine, smectitic, thermic Ustic Epiaquerts) and outer-basin Lofton (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic, Vertic Argiustolls). Soil samples were analyzed for physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties. Playa soils had greater fine clay contents, but clays were mineralogically similar to SHP upland soils. Playa soil clays contain tetrahedrally charged disordered vermiculite, illite, and kaolin. Aerial imagery observed 1996–2013 playa conditions. Inner-basin was flooded 10 of 18 years and outer-basin only 3 of 18 years. Double-ring water infiltration rates increased from playa center to upland rim paralleling decreases in clay content. Lower outer-basin clay contents and greater infiltration rates favor aquifer recharge, but outer-basin soils rarely flood. Oxidizing conditions were measured in 2000–2001 in playa without flooding. Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) nodules are persistent playa wetland features. Playa nodules were compared to Texas Gulf Coast (TGC) Vertisol nodule Fe values linearly correlated with MAP (predicts likely redox oscillation frequency) and Fe/(Fe + Mn) nodule ratios. Playa soil Fe–Mn nodule Fe was much lower, but Fe/(Fe + Mn) ratios were comparable to TGC Vertisols with MAPs &gt; 1000 mm. The Fe–Mn nodules (and likely aquifer recharge) in SHP playas might sporadically form in wet years when precipitation and runoff equal two to three times MAP.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Managing soil sustainably on small-scale vegetable farms: Lessons learned from 100 Minnesota high tunnels and vegetable fields","authors":"Natalie Hoidal,&nbsp;Shane Bugeja,&nbsp;Julie Grossman,&nbsp;Adria Fernandez,&nbsp;Anna M. Cates,&nbsp;Kathryn M. LaBine,&nbsp;Devanshi Khokhani,&nbsp;Paulo Pagliari","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70337","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70337","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Small-scale vegetable farms are increasingly important to local food systems, but their soils are not well understood, particularly in high tunnels. We sampled soil in 100 Minnesota vegetable farm fields and high tunnels with three objectives: (1) Compare soil nutrients and soil health metrics in high tunnels and nearby open fields. (2) Document soil nutrient accumulation and assess loss potential. (3) Explore the impacts of specific management practices (input use, cover crops, tillage, and soil testing) and demographics on soil health and soil nutrients. Overall, vegetable farms had high organic matter in both high tunnels and fields (average 6.34% and 4.7%, respectively), and soil phosphorus levels were “very high” in 87% of high tunnels and 84% of fields. Just under half of the high tunnels studied had slightly to moderately saline soil (sufficiently saline to impact sensitive crops), and soluble salts were associated with higher soil nitrate concentrations. The pH of many high tunnel soils was above the optimal range for crop production, which correlated with irrigation water alkalinity. Some high tunnel soils had rapid water infiltration rates, with implications for irrigation management. Our preliminary risk assessment suggested a high to medium risk of nitrate leaching in two thirds of the fields and three quarters of the high tunnels studied. Farmer experience and more years in vegetable production were negatively associated with soil health metrics like aggregate stability and organic matter, but reduced tillage, organic management, and application of plant-based compost were weakly positively associated with soil health indicators.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thermal properties of soil irrigated with treated municipal and industrial wastewater","authors":"P. Adhikari,&nbsp;M. K. Shukla,&nbsp;K. Adhikari,&nbsp;J. G. Mexal","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70335","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Soil thermal properties are essential for quantifying the coupled heat and moisture flow in the vadose zone and important for developing soil and crop models. This study evaluated the thermal properties of soils at the West Mesa land application site near Las Cruces, NM, which has been irrigated with treated industrial and municipal wastewater (TIMW) for 0 (control), 8, and 14 years. Core and bulk soil samples were collected from 0 to 20-cm depth and analyzed for bulk density, volumetric water content (<i>θ</i>), thermal conductivity (<i>λ</i>), thermal diffusivity (<i>D</i>), and volumetric specific heat capacity (<i>C</i>). The <i>λ</i> and <i>D</i> were significantly lower in soils irrigated with TIMW for 8 and 14 years compared with the control. Long-term irrigation also increased <i>θ</i> across all soil water pressures, reflecting structural alterations and salt accumulation in pore spaces. Strong negative correlations between sodium (Na⁺) concentration and <i>λ</i> (<i>r</i> = −0.93, −0.92, and −0.94 for 0, 8, and 14 years, respectively) indicate that increasing Na⁺ reduces soil heat conductivity. In contrast<i>, C</i> exhibited a strong positive relationship with <i>θ</i> (<i>R </i>= 0.94, 0.98, and 0.97), confirming that higher moisture content enhances soil heat storage capacity. Elevated Na⁺ likely promoted salt-layer formation on soil particles and altered pore geometry, reducing particle contact and thermal pathways. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of monitoring Na⁺ concentrations in wastewater and adopting management strategies to minimize salt buildup, while supporting the improved modeling of soil temperature and moisture dynamics in semi-arid environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic role of biochar as a geobiochemical amendment: Mitigating abiotic stress and enhancing soil–plant interactions","authors":"Waqas Haider,&nbsp;Qudrat Ullah,&nbsp;Muhammad Qasim,&nbsp;Md. Nahid Mahmud,&nbsp;Irfan Haidri,&nbsp;Muhammad Ali Amir,&nbsp;Rashid Abbas Khan,&nbsp;Tauqeer Ahmed Qadri,&nbsp;Amjid Khan","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70339","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70339","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Abiotic stressors, including drought, salinity, and heavy metal contamination, pose escalating threats to global food security, challenges further exacerbated by climate change and progressive soil degradation. As a strategic geochemical amendment, biochar is increasingly proposed to enhance soil resilience and agricultural sustainability, directly supporting sustainable development goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This review critically evaluates biochar in stress mitigation, focusing on production principles, soil physicochemical adjustments, and changes in the soil-plant microbiome and soil–plant–microbe interactions. Specifically, we synthesize data demonstrating biochar's multifaceted efficacy: regulating ion homeostasis to reduce Na⁺ uptake by 20%–40% under saline conditions, enhancing water use efficiency by 15%–30% in arid environments, and immobilizing heavy metals to reduce cadmium (Cd) accumulation by 25%–50%. These synergistic soil–plant interactions further contribute to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). However, significant challenges remain regarding feedstock variability, dosage optimization, and long-term field stability. Furthermore, performance discrepancies under combined multi-stress scenarios underscore the urgent need for standardized biochar formulations. Integrating biochar into precision frameworks offers a promising geobiochemical frontier for modulating multi-stress crop resilience and shifting soil–plant–microbe dynamics toward climate-adaptive landscapes. Such advancements are essential for ensuring global food security for a projected population of 9.7 billion by 2050.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/saj2.70339","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Saline but not sodic: Groundwater quality and irrigation suitability in the traditional oasis of El Guettar (Gafsa, southern Tunisia)","authors":"Amor Ben Garali,&nbsp;Feyda Srarfi,&nbsp;Fatma Hmiden","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70341","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70341","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In an arid pre-Saharan climate where rainfall is scarce, agricultural activity in the traditional oasis of El Guettar relies heavily on groundwater for irrigation. The quality of these water resources is influenced by local hydrogeology, geological structures, topography, rainfall, evaporation, interactions between rocks and water, and irrigation methods. This study provides an assessment of groundwater quality and its suitability for irrigation using six water samples collected from five wells and one borehole. We measured physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids) and major ion concentrations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate). Water quality was evaluated using five indices: sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), cation ratio of soil structural stability (CROSS), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), sodium percentage (Na%), permeability index, and magnesium hazard (MH), along with Wilcox and Riverside (United States Salinity Laboratory) diagrams. The results reveal that the groundwater is very saline but not sodic, with SAR values below 10 and negative RSC values for all samples, indicating no risk of soil sodification. &gt;66% of the samples show a high risk of soil structure disintegration, according to CROSS. The Wilcox diagram and electrical conductivity measurements indicate very high salinity, requiring salt-tolerant crops and effective drainage. Only wells P1 and P4 offer optimal quality, while the others (P2, P3, P5, and P6) have excess magnesium (high MH &gt; 50), which can be corrected by gypsum, a locally abundant resource. Thus, appropriate management can maintain the productivity of this oasis despite the water salinity.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal dynamics of soil biological properties under long-term cereal rye cover cropping in a no-till corn–soybean rotation in Southeastern Indiana","authors":"Anshu Siwach,&nbsp;Eileen J. Kladivko,&nbsp;Benjamin Goller,&nbsp;Ratul Baishya,&nbsp;Yichao Rui","doi":"10.1002/saj2.70325","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/saj2.70325","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cover crops are widely used in corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.)–soybean (<i>Glycine max</i>) systems to improve soil health, yet seasonally dynamic responses of soil biological properties to long-term cover cropping remain not fully understood, particularly in the low-organic matter Alfisols of the eastern Corn Belt. We evaluated the effects of more than a decade of cereal rye (<i>Secale cereale</i> L.) cover cropping on soil biological properties in a no-till corn–soybean rotation in southeastern Indiana in a field experiment established in 2011. Soil samples were collected at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) during fall, spring, and summer in 2023–2024 and analyzed for microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen (soil microbial biomass carbon [SMBC] and soil microbial biomass nitrogen [SMBN]), potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC), permanganate-oxidizable carbon (POXC), autoclaved citrate-extractable (ACE) protein, and enzyme activities associated with carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling. Cover cropping increased SMBC, SMBN, and PMC, with treatment effects varying by season and soil depth. Cover crop effects on microbial biomass and PMC were most pronounced during spring and were largely confined to the 0–10 cm. In contrast, POXC, ACE protein, and enzyme responses were indicator-specific; acid phosphatase activity increased under cover cropping and peaked in summer, whereas POXC, ACE protein, and activities of β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase showed limited overall treatment effects. These findings indicate that long-term cereal rye cover cropping enhances biologically mediated C and nutrient cycling in no-till systems, with effects expressed in a seasonally and vertically stratified manner rather than as uniform, sustained increases.</p>","PeriodicalId":101043,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings - Soil Science Society of America","volume":"90 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/saj2.70325","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148942379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}