Soil and Tillage Research最新文献

{"title":"Revegetation decreases soil carbon loss through preventing and controlling rill erosion in steep loess gully-slopes under extreme rainfall","authors":"Zhenlai Chen, Wenzhao Guo, Shan Zhao, Jiawei Yang, Li Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107552","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107552","url":null,"abstract":"Soil erosion-induced carbon loss exacerbates land degradation and carbon pool depletion. Rill erosion, a dominant form of slope erosion, has an unclear contribution mechanism to carbon transport under extreme rainfall, particularly the regulatory effect of revegetation on pathways of carbon loss during rill development, which urgently requires quantification. This study established six experimental plots (20 m×2.5 m) on a 35° gully-slope in the Loess Plateau of China, with three grass coverages: 0% (bare land, BL), 30–40% (low-coverage, LC) and 70–80% (high-coverage, HC). Six simulated extreme rainfall events were conducted, each at a constant intensity of 60 mm·h<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup> and with a cumulative rainfall of 180 mm per event. HC plots completely inhibited rill erosion, while LC plots only mitigated it. As coverage increased, rill morphology transitioned from narrow-deep to wide-shallow and eventually disappeared. Cumulative rainfall and vegetation restoration jointly reversed the runoff-sediment relationship during rill erosion development. Sediment-bound organic carbon (SBOC) loss was the dominant form of total organic carbon (TOC) loss, exceeding 91% in all plots. Rill erosion contributed more than 67% to soil organic carbon (SOC) loss in both BL and LC plots. Rill erosion influenced the runoff-TOC relationship more strongly than the sediment-TOC relationship. Sediment, rather than runoff, was the primary carrier of organic carbon loss; the inhibitory effect of vegetation on organic carbon loss was mainly indirect (-0.552), with a weaker direct effect (-0.111). Revegetation effectively reduces organic carbon loss by inhibiting erosion, particularly rill erosion. These findings provide a crucial scientific basis for achieving the dual objectives of synergistic erosion control and soil carbon pool protection through vegetation restoration.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149292252","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":"Restoring vertical hydraulic connectivity through deep subsoil fracturing to improve soil function and crop productivity in reclaimed lands","authors":"Chan Gi Park, Hyun-Tai Kim, Young Jun Park, Shanelle Aira Rodrigazo, Junhwi Cho, Jaeheum Yeon","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107553","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107553","url":null,"abstract":"Reclaimed tidal soils commonly exhibit impaired hydraulic function due to dense subsurface horizons that restrict vertical permeability and promote salinity persistence. This study develops and evaluates a mechanism-based framework for restoring vertical hydraulic connectivity through controlled subsoil fracturing combined with stabilized vertical macropore conduits. Numerical seepage modelling evaluated three spacing scenarios (3, 5, and 10 m) and alternative vertical configurations (baseline, truncated, and full-height), while laboratory soil-tank experiments verified the influence of vertical hydraulic connectivity on drainage behavior. Field-scale implementation in reclaimed silt loam soil quantified changes in saturated hydraulic conductivity (K<ce:inf loc=\"post\">s</ce:inf>), salinity distribution, soil moisture, and crop response. Notably, deep mechanical fracturing increased <mml:math altimg=\"si0011.svg\"><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mi>K</mml:mi></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>s</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:math> from <mml:math altimg=\"si0012.svg\"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>5.8</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>−</mml:mo><mml:mn>6</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> to <mml:math altimg=\"si0013.svg\"><mml:mrow><mml:mn>1.3</mml:mn><mml:mo>×</mml:mo><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mn>10</mml:mn></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>−</mml:mo><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> cm s⁻¹ immediately after treatment. Numerical and laboratory results demonstrated that uninterrupted vertical hydraulic connectivity increased unit discharge more than fivefold compared with truncated configurations. While spacing exerted limited influence on discharge once vertical hydraulic connectivity was established, field-scale salinity patterns differed among the tested spacing zones. Under the tested field conditions, the 3 m zone exhibited the lowest mean salinity and fewer, less continuous high-salinity areas than the wider spacing zones. The findings demonstrate that vertical hydraulic connectivity, rather than bulk permeability alone, governs durable hydraulic recovery in reclaimed soils. The proposed connectivity-based framework provides a mechanistic basis for designing subsoil interventions that enhance drainage efficiency, salinity removal, and agronomic performance.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"495 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149292251","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":"Nitrogen addition promotes soil microbial-derived carbon accumulation: A meta-analysis","authors":"Yi He, Hengping Liang, Qicheng Xu, Guorong Xin, Ling Li, Junjie Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107555","url":null,"abstract":"The concept of soil microbial carbon pump highlights microbial necromass as a critical and persistent source of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, the response of soil microbial necromass carbon to nitrogen enrichment, particularly regarding the contributions of bacterial and fungal necromass to SOC, remains unclear. Here, a global meta-analysis with 791 paired observations from 56 studies was conducted to evaluate the influence of nitrogen addition on soil microbial necromass accumulation and its contribution to SOC storage. Nitrogen addition increased total microbial necromass carbon by 14.6%, with bacterial and fungal necromass carbon increasing by 17.7% and 13.7%, respectively. The extent of microbial necromass accumulation increased with nitrogen application rate and was concurrently modulated by soil properties, particularly soil total nitrogen and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Nitrogen addition enhanced bacterial carbon pump efficacy (i.e. the proportion of bacterial necromass carbon in SOC). However, fungal necromass accounted for 18.9% of the SOC increment after nitrogen addition, compared with 6.5% from bacterial necromass. Overall, nitrogen addition stimulates microbial necromass accumulation and thereby enhances SOC storage, with fungal necromass serving as the dominant contributor. This study provides new insights into microbial-derived carbon accumulation after nitrogen enrichment.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149292249","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":"Combination of cover crops and microbial biostimulants: Impacts on soil functioning, grape production, and juice quality in rainfed vineyards","authors":"Raúl Ochoa-Hueso, Juan F. Aguiar, Héctor Bahamonde, Cristina Caetano-Sánchez, Emma Cantos-Villar, Carmen M. Crespo, Isabel M. Liberal, Pablo Homet, Belén Puertas, Emilce Amatta, Ramón Casimiro-Soriguer","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107540","url":null,"abstract":"Vineyards are intensively managed agroecosystems, which can reduce their soil functioning and biodiversity, with consequences for grape and wine quality. New regulations (e.g., Europe’s green policies) and market demand for environmentally respectful products are encouraging the adoption of a range of nature-based practices such as cover crops and microbial biostimulants, yet their combined effects remain poorly evaluated. We conducted a fully factorial field experiment in rainfed vineyards in southern Spain to assess the simultaneous effects of two sustainable management strategies: the use of winter cover crops, as opposed to year-round tillage, and the foliar application of a nitrogen-fixing microbial biostimulant at two doses (1x and 3x based on the recommendations of the manufacturer). Cover crops increased the activity of soil extracellular enzymes associated with the C, N and P cycles, indicating enhanced decomposition potential, whereas the biostimulant did not consistently alter soil enzyme activity. Across two seasons, cover crops slightly reduced yield, but this effect was non-significant, while the biostimulant increased production in the first vintage. Importantly, the combination of cover crops with a high biostimulant dose achieved yields comparable to, or even higher than, tilled controls. The combined treatments suggested potential synergistic responses in ºBrix (indicative of total soluble solids) and pH of musts. Using structural equation modelling, we provided additional mechanistic evidence that cover crops and microbial biostimulants are two compatible strategies that may enhance, through complementary mechanisms (i.e., promoting either soil or plant health), the sustainability of vineyards. Our findings support the combination of these practices as a viable pathway toward more resilient and environmentally respectful viticulture.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149292254","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":"Soil organic and inorganic carbon pools jointly shape sequestration outcomes across arid and semi-arid croplands","authors":"Yu-Xin Wei, Shou-Wei Han, Zhe Chen, Wen-Sheng Liu, Yash Pal Dang, Rattan Lal, Hai-Lin Zhang, Xin Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107551","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107551","url":null,"abstract":"Cropland soil carbon (C) sequestration is central to climate mitigation and sustainable agriculture. However, frequently omitting soil inorganic carbon (SIC) pool substantially limits the accuracy of cropland C budgets. To address this gap, we conducted an intercontinental meta-analysis to quantify the dynamics of soil C pools under 6 primary agricultural practices, primarily across arid and semi-arid croplands with calcareous soil. Organic amendments (biochar, straw, and organic fertilizer) and irrigation synergistically enhance both soil organic carbon (SOC) and SIC pools. The SIC pool accumulates through pedogenic carbonate precipitation driven by respiration-elevated CO<ce:inf loc=\"post\">2</ce:inf> and base cations under alkaline conditions. In contrast, mineral fertilizer induces an SOC-SIC trade-off, with net soil total carbon (STC) accrual occurring when in arid soils or at appropriate N rate with low initial SIC. Initial SOC controlled SOC changes, while climate and management predominantly dictated SIC responses. STC pool dynamics exhibited a pronounced depth-dependent shift in regulation, transitioning from SOC dominance in 0–30 cm soil depth to SIC dominance in the subsoil. Similarly, SOC and SIC pools were positively coupled within 0–100 cm depth, but shifted to a negative relationship at greater depths. Moreover, this positive correlation persisted across arid and semi-arid climate zone. Piecewise regression identified an SIC/SOC ratio transition of 3.7 (95% CI of 1.9–4.0), below which SOC and SIC accumulated synergistically, whereas they decoupled above this value. This threshold may also reflect a depth-dependent transition in SOC-SIC coupling. These findings advance beyond SOC-centric paradigms, establishing a novel framework to optimize cropland dual C pools sequestration in climate-resilient agriculture.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149292253","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":"Contrasting green manure root traits are associated with soil hydraulic functions and crop water productivity under rainfed conditions","authors":"Haolei Zhang, Xiang Li, Chengqi Zhang, Yanfeng Liu, Hao Feng, Qin’ge Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107500","url":null,"abstract":"Green manure species with contrasting root traits may differ in their effects on soil hydraulic properties, but whether these differences are associated with soil water availability and crop performance under rainfed conditions remains unclear. We conducted a two-year field experiment on the Loess Plateau comparing maize monocropping (M) with maize intercropped with ryegrass (M-R), hairy vetch (M-H), or oilseed rape (M-O). Root traits, soil water retention characteristics, 0–200 cm soil water storage (SWS), maize gas exchange, grain yield, and crop water productivity (CWP) were evaluated. M-R had the highest root length density (RLD) and root surface area density (RSD) and was associated with higher field capacity (FC) and available water capacity (AWC), whereas M-O had the highest root volume density (RVD) and aeration porosity (AP). During maize-green manure co-growth, all intercropping treatments reduced SWS relative to M, but the reduction was smallest under M-R. Following green manure clipping, M-R showed the greatest SWS recovery. At maize maturity, M-R increased SWS by 11.1% and 12.0%, grain yield by 15.8% and 20.2%, and CWP by 35.1% and 32.9% relative to M in 2023 and 2024, respectively. In contrast, M-O increased AP by 35.7% at R6 in 2024, but grain yield and CWP were 36.1% and 34.2% lower than under M, respectively. The partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) showed positive associations among root traits, soil water-holding capacity, SWS, gas-exchange capacity, and grain yield, with SWS having the largest total association with yield. These results indicate that contrasting green manure root traits were associated with distinct soil hydraulic responses. Under the conditions of this two-year field experiment, the stronger water-retention response under M-R coincided with greater late-season soil water availability and higher maize productivity.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149291922","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":"Optimizing straw incorporation depth as a plastic film alternative for sustainable maize production in semi-arid Eastern African Plateau","authors":"Alex Ndolo Munyasya, Sylvia Ngaira Indoshi, Fu-Jian Mei, Wesly Kiprotich Cheruiyot, Delphine Nyanchera Gisacho, Yang Wang, Nan Chang, Xian-Peng Li, David Mwehia Mburu, Hong-Yan Tao, Losenge Turoop, Simon Nguluu, Eng Shitanda Douglas, Levis Kavagi, Uniter Chepkorir, You-Cai Xiong","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107538","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107538","url":null,"abstract":"Optimizing the depth of straw incorporation is a promising strategy to reduce reliance on plastic film while sustaining crop productivity in dryland agriculture; however, its integrative effects still remain poorly understood. A two-year field experiment was conducted on the semi-arid Eastern African Plateau (EAP) from 2024 to 2025 growing seasons. The treatments were designed as follows: conventional flat bare planting (CK-1), ridge-furrow full plastic film mulching (CK-2), and ridge-furrow straw incorporation (10 t ha<ce:sup loc=\"post\">-</ce:sup>¹) at depths of 20 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm (BR-20, BR-40, BR-60). The data indicated that full film mulching (CK-2) achieved the best crop growth performance. Among non-film treatments, straw incorporation at 40 cm (BR-40) consistently outperformed BR-20 and BR-60. A single straw application exerted evident residual effects across growing seasons and effectively alleviated water stress even under the low rainfall conditions. BR-40 yielded the highest grain output and water use efficiency among all straw-incorporation groups. Despite BR-20 achieving an optimal topsoil aggregate structure in the 0–20 cm layer, mere surface soil improvement failed to maximize crop productivity. The superior performance of BR-40 was consistent with a depth-matching mechanism, whereby straw placement at 40 cm improved soil hydrothermal conditions, C-N-P availability, and microbial activity within a soil layer likely to overlap with an active maize root zone, thereby promoting more effective coupling between residue-derived resource availability and crop uptake. Life cycle assessment indicated higher greenhouse gas emissions under film mulching, yet BR-40 had an average yield-scaled carbon emission of 175.53 kg CO₂e t<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup> grain, realizing low-carbon production while reducing plastic dependence. Thus, root zone matching serves as the core mechanism driving straw incorporation efficiency, and BR-40 is a promising tillage strategy to stabilize maize yield and reduce plastic consumption in EAP.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149291919","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":"Development and validation of an elasto-plastic-adhesive DEM contact model for loess soil with low moisture content","authors":"Xuefeng Song, Feng Xiao, Zekang Deng, Fei Dai, Weixin Song, Fengwei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107550","url":null,"abstract":"Interstitial liquid in porous cultivated loess soil induces severe adhesion, significantly increasing tillage resistance and energy consumption. To investigate the adhesion mechanism and improve simulation accuracy, an elasto-plastic-adhesive discrete element method (DEM) model was developed by integrating a liquid bridge force, alongside modified normal pressure calculations and a tangential overshoot-prevention mechanism. Subsequently, a global radial basis function (RBF) surrogate model was constructed to capture the complex mapping between microscopic parameters and macroscopic responses. Based on direct shear test results, parameter sensitivity analysis, interaction mechanisms, and differential evolution optimization were conducted for parameter calibration. The results indicate that the constructed RBF surrogate models exhibit excellent fitting precision and generalization ability, with determination coefficients <ce:italic>R</ce:italic><ce:sup loc=\"post\">2</ce:sup> of 0.92 for cohesion and 0.97 for the internal friction angle. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the order of parameter influence on cohesion is <ce:italic>kcp</ce:italic>&gt;<ce:italic>kp</ce:italic>&gt;<ce:italic>ke</ce:italic>&gt;<ce:italic>kt</ce:italic> (with contribution rates of 56.8%, 28.2%, 8.0% and 7.0%, respectively), whereas the internal friction angle is strongly dominated by <ce:italic>kp</ce:italic> (86.8%). Through a global search, a unique set of optimal engineering calibration parameters was determined (<ce:italic>kp=</ce:italic>4084.478 N/m<ce:italic>, ke=</ce:italic>90958.21 N/m<ce:italic>, kcp=</ce:italic>1208.406 N/m<ce:italic>, kt=</ce:italic>3862.66 N/m). Independent mechanical penetration tests verified the model's high fidelity in reproducing ultimate bearing capacity, particle interlocking, and nonlinear pore compression stiffness. This work establishes a robust parameter inversion and simulation framework for potential applicability to soil-engaging components and loess soil.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149291921","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":"Soil carbon depletion causes the long-term decline of diversification benefits under intensive double-cropping","authors":"Bin Wang, Yiyin Zhang, Tengfei Wang, A. Allan Degen, Binyu Luo, Qinghui Fang, Tianyun Qi, Yuheng Wang, Haixia Wang, Jiangping Ma, Zhanhuan Shang, Jian Lan","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107549","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107549","url":null,"abstract":"Legume-based crop diversification is employed widely to increase productivity and improve soil quality. However, it is unclear whether these benefits can be sustained under high intensity double cropping, particularly when repeated biomass removal restricts the input of carbon (C) into the soil. A five-year field experiment (2020–2025) was conducted with seven cropping systems, including four single-season systems (forage triticale, forage maize, lablab, and forage maize mixed with lablab and three double-cropping systems (forage triticale followed by forage maize, forage triticale followed by lablab, and forage triticale followed by forage maize mixed with lablab) on forage productivity, yield stability, and soil quality. Dry matter yield (DMY) was highest under forage triticale followed by forage maize mixed with lablab, which displayed clear short-term advantages during the first two years. In this early stage, diversification increased soil quality and yield mainly by increasing soil nitrogen (N) content. However, these benefits decreased after the third year. Soil quality index (SQI) under forage triticale followed by forage maize mixed with lablab declined to a level that did not differ from forage triticale followed by forage maize by year five, while the single-season forage maize mixed with lablab exhibited the highest yield stability (CV = 4.27%). Across intensive double-cropping systems, soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN), available phosphorus (AP), β-1, 4-glucosidase (βG), β-1,4-N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG), and microbial biomass all declined over time. Structural equation modelling (SEM) further indicated that the dominant pathway shifted from an early yield response associated mainly with diversification-induced changes in soil N availability and enzyme-mediated nutrient cycling to a later response more closely associated with SOC and enzyme-related C and N transformation processes, while the direct effect of TN on yield was not significant. The single-season forage maize mixed with lablab provided the most favorable overall balance in productivity, system stability, and soil quality. By contrast, forage triticale followed by forage maize mixed with lablab appeared to be better suited for short-term use, preferably for up to two years, when maximizing benefit return is the primary objective. The results highlighted that soil C balance is a key requirement for sustaining diversification benefits in intensive agroecosystems. These findings are beneficial for guiding agricultural practices that balance forage production with soil conservation.","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149291918","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":"Edaphic properties and nitrogen use efficiency are associated with microbial residue nitrogen accumulation during vegetation restoration","authors":"Wenqiang He, Xingdong Wang, Zhongwu Wan, Xudong Wu, Bingyao Wang, Yunfei Li, Lichao Liu, Haotian Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.still.2026.107536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2026.107536","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":501007,"journal":{"name":"Soil and Tillage Research","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149232283","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}