Pub Date : 2023-03-20DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1152524
R. W. Mukhongo, P. Ebanyat, C. Masso, J. Tumuhairwe
Introduction Farming systems influence composition and abundance of microbial communities. Methodology A study was conducted using morphotyping and enumeration methods to determine the composition and spore abundance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in sweet potato producing regions in eastern Uganda. Sampling was done from fields with crop types (CTs) including legumes (groundnuts, common beans, cowpea, soybeans, green grams), sorghum, sweet potato, and fallowed fields which were used as a control. Three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) i.e., Mt. Elgon High Farmlands (MEHF), Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC), and Southern and Eastern Lake Kyoga Basin (SELKB) were considered. Results and discussion A total of 6 AMF genera comprising of Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Entrophospora, Archaeospora, and Gigaspora were isolated from the study sites. Agro-ecological zones had a significant (p<0.05) effect on Entrophospora spp. while crop types had a significant (p<0.05) effect on Gigaspora spp. although all the AMF genera were present in all AEZs and CTs. Spore abundance was similar across the AEZs except for MEHF (177) which was lower while spore abundance lowest in sweet potato (177) and largest in fallow (224), attributed to soil properties and similar crops included in the crop rotation program. The AMF can be isolated, identified, and multiplied to produce bioinoculants for the regions.
{"title":"Composition and spore abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sweet potato producing areas in Uganda","authors":"R. W. Mukhongo, P. Ebanyat, C. Masso, J. Tumuhairwe","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1152524","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1152524","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Farming systems influence composition and abundance of microbial communities. Methodology A study was conducted using morphotyping and enumeration methods to determine the composition and spore abundance of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in sweet potato producing regions in eastern Uganda. Sampling was done from fields with crop types (CTs) including legumes (groundnuts, common beans, cowpea, soybeans, green grams), sorghum, sweet potato, and fallowed fields which were used as a control. Three agro-ecological zones (AEZs) i.e., Mt. Elgon High Farmlands (MEHF), Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC), and Southern and Eastern Lake Kyoga Basin (SELKB) were considered. Results and discussion A total of 6 AMF genera comprising of Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Entrophospora, Archaeospora, and Gigaspora were isolated from the study sites. Agro-ecological zones had a significant (p<0.05) effect on Entrophospora spp. while crop types had a significant (p<0.05) effect on Gigaspora spp. although all the AMF genera were present in all AEZs and CTs. Spore abundance was similar across the AEZs except for MEHF (177) which was lower while spore abundance lowest in sweet potato (177) and largest in fallow (224), attributed to soil properties and similar crops included in the crop rotation program. The AMF can be isolated, identified, and multiplied to produce bioinoculants for the regions.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43607866","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}
Pub Date : 2023-03-16DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1123931
C. Dimkpa, W. Adzawla, R. Pandey, W. Atakora, Anselme K. K. Kouame, M. Jemo, P. Bindraban
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces chronic food insecurity associated with soil degradation and the peculiar aftermath of climate change and exacerbated by rising population and historically poor agricultural practices. Notably, use of mineral fertilizers has the potential to counteract soil degradation in SSA; it drives an increased agricultural production required to feed the rising population while sustaining the quality and health of soils. However, limited financial resources deprive SSA of the promise of fertilizers, wherein application rates are historically low, and regimes are characterized by unbalanced nutrient composition and poor fertilizer quality. Although current global fertilizer use is generally characterized by low efficiency, SSA is most affected due to the already low usage and the quality of available fertilizer products. About 70% of fertilizer-nitrogen is lost through unregulated transformation to ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrate that are either volatilized or emitted into the atmosphere or leached into water bodies. Similarly, the preponderance of fertilizer-phosphorus is lost via run-off and leaching, unavailing it to plants while overloading streams and rivers and, together with nitrate, causing eutrophication. These environmental problems are accentuated in SSA where fertilizer quantity and quality issues are already a limiting factor. Notably, recent advances happening outside of SSA indicate that nutrients, when strategically formulated, such as by nano packaging, (bio)polymer encapsulation, and tunable to respond to environmental cues, can provide multiple outcomes, particularly, healthy soils with higher productivity. Therefore, presumably, a proper synthesis of the gamut of soil properties influencing plant nutrient release and availability, options for plant exposure and uptake is critical for realizing these benefits in SSA. Despite these possibilities, there is a lack of deeper context on fertilizer-related issues as they affect food and nutrition security and the health of soils in SSA. This paper provides an overview of the fertilizer-nutrient and associated agronomic, food insecurity and soil environmental challenges and opportunities, which though not exclusive to SSA per se, can be reasoned with the peculiarity of the region. This provides the impetus to increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil and environmental health, sustainable crop production, and food and nutrition security in SSA.
{"title":"Fertilizers for food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa: An overview of soil health implications","authors":"C. Dimkpa, W. Adzawla, R. Pandey, W. Atakora, Anselme K. K. Kouame, M. Jemo, P. Bindraban","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1123931","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1123931","url":null,"abstract":"Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces chronic food insecurity associated with soil degradation and the peculiar aftermath of climate change and exacerbated by rising population and historically poor agricultural practices. Notably, use of mineral fertilizers has the potential to counteract soil degradation in SSA; it drives an increased agricultural production required to feed the rising population while sustaining the quality and health of soils. However, limited financial resources deprive SSA of the promise of fertilizers, wherein application rates are historically low, and regimes are characterized by unbalanced nutrient composition and poor fertilizer quality. Although current global fertilizer use is generally characterized by low efficiency, SSA is most affected due to the already low usage and the quality of available fertilizer products. About 70% of fertilizer-nitrogen is lost through unregulated transformation to ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrate that are either volatilized or emitted into the atmosphere or leached into water bodies. Similarly, the preponderance of fertilizer-phosphorus is lost via run-off and leaching, unavailing it to plants while overloading streams and rivers and, together with nitrate, causing eutrophication. These environmental problems are accentuated in SSA where fertilizer quantity and quality issues are already a limiting factor. Notably, recent advances happening outside of SSA indicate that nutrients, when strategically formulated, such as by nano packaging, (bio)polymer encapsulation, and tunable to respond to environmental cues, can provide multiple outcomes, particularly, healthy soils with higher productivity. Therefore, presumably, a proper synthesis of the gamut of soil properties influencing plant nutrient release and availability, options for plant exposure and uptake is critical for realizing these benefits in SSA. Despite these possibilities, there is a lack of deeper context on fertilizer-related issues as they affect food and nutrition security and the health of soils in SSA. This paper provides an overview of the fertilizer-nutrient and associated agronomic, food insecurity and soil environmental challenges and opportunities, which though not exclusive to SSA per se, can be reasoned with the peculiarity of the region. This provides the impetus to increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil and environmental health, sustainable crop production, and food and nutrition security in SSA.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43296085","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-28DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1136327
Waliou A. Abiola, R. Diogo, P. G. Tovihoudji, Abdoul K. Mien, A. Schalla
Several studies have investigated nutrient-enriched and nutrient poor biochar to improve soil properties, increase nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity. Review articles have presented formulations and production methods of biochar-based fertilizers. They reported nutrient-enriched biochar improves -45ves crop productivity, soil health and preserves the environment. But so far, none of the studies has conceptualized the nutrient-enriched biochar as a biochar-based smart fertilizer or presented the conceptual and intellectual structures and the collaborative networks of authors and countries working on biochar-based smart fertilizers. For the first time, this study has mapped the scientific knowledge generated on the topic and established a solid ground for its innovative progress and research pursuits. A total of 2,779 scientific publications on biochar-based fertilizers were exported from scopus database in August 2022 and were analyzed using bibliometrix software package and the biblioshiny web interface in R version 4.1.3. The results indicated that the papers in our collection cover the period from 2007 to 2022 with a raising number from 2017 to 2021. Almost all documents (99.38%) were co-authored with an average of 6 authors (5.76) per article. The analysis of keywords and the evolution of topics revealed that biochar-based smart fertilizers in relation to organic nutrient sources, soil microbiology and soil sanitation were the most studied topics in the scientific debates. China had more collaboration in the network working on biochar-based fertilizers, while the West African countries belonging to the network have not developed any collaboration so far. This suggests the formulation of research projects that may involve African countries to work with other countries including China, USA, Germany, Australia and Poland. This study is more comprehensive in terms of a global view of the conceptual and intellectual contours and network of actors on biochar-based smart fertilizers. Future research on the topic should be conducted more in the fields under farmers’ conditions and may focus on (i) enrichment of biochar with nutrients from organic sources before its application to the soil, (ii) soil remediation and microbiology in relation to biochar-based fertilizer applications, and (iii) economic profitability of biochar fertilizers for small-scale farmers.
{"title":"Research trends on biochar-based smart fertilizers as an option for the sustainable agricultural land management: Bibliometric analysis and review","authors":"Waliou A. Abiola, R. Diogo, P. G. Tovihoudji, Abdoul K. Mien, A. Schalla","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1136327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1136327","url":null,"abstract":"Several studies have investigated nutrient-enriched and nutrient poor biochar to improve soil properties, increase nutrient use efficiency and crop productivity. Review articles have presented formulations and production methods of biochar-based fertilizers. They reported nutrient-enriched biochar improves -45ves crop productivity, soil health and preserves the environment. But so far, none of the studies has conceptualized the nutrient-enriched biochar as a biochar-based smart fertilizer or presented the conceptual and intellectual structures and the collaborative networks of authors and countries working on biochar-based smart fertilizers. For the first time, this study has mapped the scientific knowledge generated on the topic and established a solid ground for its innovative progress and research pursuits. A total of 2,779 scientific publications on biochar-based fertilizers were exported from scopus database in August 2022 and were analyzed using bibliometrix software package and the biblioshiny web interface in R version 4.1.3. The results indicated that the papers in our collection cover the period from 2007 to 2022 with a raising number from 2017 to 2021. Almost all documents (99.38%) were co-authored with an average of 6 authors (5.76) per article. The analysis of keywords and the evolution of topics revealed that biochar-based smart fertilizers in relation to organic nutrient sources, soil microbiology and soil sanitation were the most studied topics in the scientific debates. China had more collaboration in the network working on biochar-based fertilizers, while the West African countries belonging to the network have not developed any collaboration so far. This suggests the formulation of research projects that may involve African countries to work with other countries including China, USA, Germany, Australia and Poland. This study is more comprehensive in terms of a global view of the conceptual and intellectual contours and network of actors on biochar-based smart fertilizers. Future research on the topic should be conducted more in the fields under farmers’ conditions and may focus on (i) enrichment of biochar with nutrients from organic sources before its application to the soil, (ii) soil remediation and microbiology in relation to biochar-based fertilizer applications, and (iii) economic profitability of biochar fertilizers for small-scale farmers.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42886792","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-23DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1097965
Daniel Wasner, J. Prommer, D. Zezula, M. Mooshammer, Yuntao Hu, W. Wanek
Introduction Organic phosphorus (Po) compounds constitute an important pool in soil P cycling, but their decomposition dynamics are poorly understood. Further, it has never been directly tested whether low molecular weight Po compounds are taken up by soil microbes in an intact form, which reduces the dependence of their P acquisition on extracellular phosphatases. Methods We investigated the short-term fate (24 h) of five 33P-labelled Po compounds (teichoic acids, phospholipids, DNA, RNA and soluble organophosphates) and 33P-labelled inorganic P (Pi) in two soils. Results We found indications that soil microbial breakdown of phosphodiesters was limited by the depolymerization step, and that direct microbial uptake of Po occurred to a substantial extent. Discussion We postulate a trade-off between direct Po uptake and complete extracellular Po mineralization. These findings have profound consequences for our understanding of microbial P cycling in soils.
{"title":"Tracing 33P-labelled organic phosphorus compounds in two soils: New insights into decomposition dynamics and direct use by microbes","authors":"Daniel Wasner, J. Prommer, D. Zezula, M. Mooshammer, Yuntao Hu, W. Wanek","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1097965","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1097965","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Organic phosphorus (Po) compounds constitute an important pool in soil P cycling, but their decomposition dynamics are poorly understood. Further, it has never been directly tested whether low molecular weight Po compounds are taken up by soil microbes in an intact form, which reduces the dependence of their P acquisition on extracellular phosphatases. Methods We investigated the short-term fate (24 h) of five 33P-labelled Po compounds (teichoic acids, phospholipids, DNA, RNA and soluble organophosphates) and 33P-labelled inorganic P (Pi) in two soils. Results We found indications that soil microbial breakdown of phosphodiesters was limited by the depolymerization step, and that direct microbial uptake of Po occurred to a substantial extent. Discussion We postulate a trade-off between direct Po uptake and complete extracellular Po mineralization. These findings have profound consequences for our understanding of microbial P cycling in soils.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45032600","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-22DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1110370
J. M. Santiago, J. Fox, Sandra M. Guzmán, Lorenzo Rossi
Introduction The rhizosphere community composition has been shown to provide benefits in nutrient acquisition and plant health. Rhizosphere communities can be heavily influenced by cultural practices in citrus production systems, providing benefits in soil and root health, and plant physiology. Florida growers are implementing new and more sustainable soil management practices, such as using fabric mulch ground covers to improve weed and pest control, while retaining soil moisture. Little is known regarding the influence of these ground covers on the rhizosphere microbial communities of lemon trees, especially under endemic Huanglongbing pressure. Understanding how lemon roots and the rhizosphere microbiome are influenced by fabric mulch ground covers can potentially lead to improved management practices. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of fabric mulch ground covers on lemon tree rhizosphere health. Methods The experiment was conducted in a commercial citrus grove located in Fort Pierce, FL, US. Plant material consisted of four-year old lemon trees cv. ‘Meyer’ (Citrus limon) grafted on ‘sour orange’ (Citrus × aurantium) rootstocks. The experiment consisted of two treatments, which included trees grown with fabric mulch ground covers and trees grown without fabric mulch ground covers. Rhizosphere DNA was extracted, sequenced, and analyzed to assess differences in diversity and composition (alpha and beta diversity) of rhizosphere bacteria among treatments. Results and Discussion Obtained results showed that lemon trees treated with fabric mulch ground covers had significantly greater rhizosphere bacterial diversity when compared to the uncovered trees. The presence of fabric mulch ground covers resulted in significantly greater soil Zn, soil Mn, soil temperatures and pH, potentially contributing towards the significant more diverse rhizosphere bacterial commu nity composition compared than those grown without fabric mulch ground covers.
{"title":"Effect of fabric mulch ground covers on lemon trees rhizosphere microbiome in Florida flatwood soils","authors":"J. M. Santiago, J. Fox, Sandra M. Guzmán, Lorenzo Rossi","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1110370","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1110370","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction The rhizosphere community composition has been shown to provide benefits in nutrient acquisition and plant health. Rhizosphere communities can be heavily influenced by cultural practices in citrus production systems, providing benefits in soil and root health, and plant physiology. Florida growers are implementing new and more sustainable soil management practices, such as using fabric mulch ground covers to improve weed and pest control, while retaining soil moisture. Little is known regarding the influence of these ground covers on the rhizosphere microbial communities of lemon trees, especially under endemic Huanglongbing pressure. Understanding how lemon roots and the rhizosphere microbiome are influenced by fabric mulch ground covers can potentially lead to improved management practices. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of fabric mulch ground covers on lemon tree rhizosphere health. Methods The experiment was conducted in a commercial citrus grove located in Fort Pierce, FL, US. Plant material consisted of four-year old lemon trees cv. ‘Meyer’ (Citrus limon) grafted on ‘sour orange’ (Citrus × aurantium) rootstocks. The experiment consisted of two treatments, which included trees grown with fabric mulch ground covers and trees grown without fabric mulch ground covers. Rhizosphere DNA was extracted, sequenced, and analyzed to assess differences in diversity and composition (alpha and beta diversity) of rhizosphere bacteria among treatments. Results and Discussion Obtained results showed that lemon trees treated with fabric mulch ground covers had significantly greater rhizosphere bacterial diversity when compared to the uncovered trees. The presence of fabric mulch ground covers resulted in significantly greater soil Zn, soil Mn, soil temperatures and pH, potentially contributing towards the significant more diverse rhizosphere bacterial commu nity composition compared than those grown without fabric mulch ground covers.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47526865","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-15DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1107432
S. Fiedler, K. Kaiser, B. Fournier
Cadaver-decomposition unleashes an ephemeral pulse of matter input that modifies microbial communities, as well as nutrient pools and fluxes. This leaves behind a measurable imprint on affected soils. However, the persistence of this imprint remains poorly understood. We define cadaver imprint persistence as the entire period between time of cadaver deposition and time when cadaver effects on microbial community structure and chemical indicators are no longer detectable. We present a brief overview of published results on the cadaver-induced changes in the bio-elements carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which regulate the structure and functions of the soil microbiome. Based on this, we identified conceptual and methodological gaps and biases and suggest potential research avenues to address them. This will help to better understand the relationships between cadaver-derived matter and microbial taxa and functions, as well as the role of cadaver-decomposition within and across ecosystems. The proposed future research on cadaver-derived imprint on soils has the potential to serve as a hub for connecting soil chemistry, microbial ecology, forensic sciences, and ecosystems science.
{"title":"Cadaver imprint on soil chemistry and microbes - Knowns, unknowns, and perspectives","authors":"S. Fiedler, K. Kaiser, B. Fournier","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1107432","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1107432","url":null,"abstract":"Cadaver-decomposition unleashes an ephemeral pulse of matter input that modifies microbial communities, as well as nutrient pools and fluxes. This leaves behind a measurable imprint on affected soils. However, the persistence of this imprint remains poorly understood. We define cadaver imprint persistence as the entire period between time of cadaver deposition and time when cadaver effects on microbial community structure and chemical indicators are no longer detectable. We present a brief overview of published results on the cadaver-induced changes in the bio-elements carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, which regulate the structure and functions of the soil microbiome. Based on this, we identified conceptual and methodological gaps and biases and suggest potential research avenues to address them. This will help to better understand the relationships between cadaver-derived matter and microbial taxa and functions, as well as the role of cadaver-decomposition within and across ecosystems. The proposed future research on cadaver-derived imprint on soils has the potential to serve as a hub for connecting soil chemistry, microbial ecology, forensic sciences, and ecosystems science.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43246086","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-14DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1129040
G. Taylor, Rhys Williams, H. Halldórsdóttir, Ashleigh Carter, A. Birley, Alexander Meyer, C. Orr
Introduction Soil at the Roman site of Vindolanda (Northumberland, UK) provides excellent preservation of wooden artefacts including Roman writing tablets. Methods In this study we examined chemical and microbial signature changes within varied occupation contexts of archaeological soil. Analysis included investigating elemental composition, sterol biomarkers, bacterial diversity and community structures from excavation trenches at Vindolanda using pXRF, GC-MS and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Samples were taken from varying depths starting at topsoil and working down through layers of Roman occupation including one cavalry stable floor, two infantry barracks and a cook house, and layers which contained Roman writing tablets. Results and Discussion The chemical results indicate that areas where wooden artefacts were found had increased soil moisture which was also correlated with specific chemical conditions including shifts in iron, sulphur and phosphorous concentration. Steroid biomarkers indicate the presence of faecal matter in layers, supporting occupation descriptions. Overall microbial diversity did not change across the depth profile but was correlated with soil moisture. Anaerobic soils associated with more optimal preservation differed to other soils with increases in Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota and Bacteroidota observed. Microbial community structure and putative function as revealed by PICRUSt2 is linked to occupation usage rather than depth of samples with laminated floor layers differing from turf structures. Understanding the complex processes within archaeological soil can help us to understand dynamics of decomposition and preservation. In addition, the apparent preservation of the environmental microbial community as well as the artefacts themselves allows us to understand the microbial environments of the past, how they relate to the present and what this means for our changing environments in the future.
{"title":"Archaeological soil from Roman occupational layers can be differentiated by microbial and chemical signatures","authors":"G. Taylor, Rhys Williams, H. Halldórsdóttir, Ashleigh Carter, A. Birley, Alexander Meyer, C. Orr","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1129040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1129040","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Soil at the Roman site of Vindolanda (Northumberland, UK) provides excellent preservation of wooden artefacts including Roman writing tablets. Methods In this study we examined chemical and microbial signature changes within varied occupation contexts of archaeological soil. Analysis included investigating elemental composition, sterol biomarkers, bacterial diversity and community structures from excavation trenches at Vindolanda using pXRF, GC-MS and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Samples were taken from varying depths starting at topsoil and working down through layers of Roman occupation including one cavalry stable floor, two infantry barracks and a cook house, and layers which contained Roman writing tablets. Results and Discussion The chemical results indicate that areas where wooden artefacts were found had increased soil moisture which was also correlated with specific chemical conditions including shifts in iron, sulphur and phosphorous concentration. Steroid biomarkers indicate the presence of faecal matter in layers, supporting occupation descriptions. Overall microbial diversity did not change across the depth profile but was correlated with soil moisture. Anaerobic soils associated with more optimal preservation differed to other soils with increases in Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Campilobacterota and Bacteroidota observed. Microbial community structure and putative function as revealed by PICRUSt2 is linked to occupation usage rather than depth of samples with laminated floor layers differing from turf structures. Understanding the complex processes within archaeological soil can help us to understand dynamics of decomposition and preservation. In addition, the apparent preservation of the environmental microbial community as well as the artefacts themselves allows us to understand the microbial environments of the past, how they relate to the present and what this means for our changing environments in the future.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45186370","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-10DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1072758
S. Grunwald, S. Daroub
Gender parity and equity concerns in soil science have been reported in the United States and at global scale. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes have discouraged women away from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research in particular soil science. However, it has been recognized that science and gender equality are essential to ensure sustainable development as highlighted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Gender equity is part of diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives in higher education and professional soil science organizations in the U.S. and elsewhere. In this article we aim to provide a holistic 360° perspective of women and soils addressing gender parity, equality, and equity in the soil science profession focused on the U.S. Our critical analysis is grounded in Integral theory that considers 1) systemic institutional, organizational, educational, legal, social, political, and other system phenomena (collective perspective), 2) historical and cultural phenomena such as people’s values, beliefs, motivations, communications, traditions, memes, morals, and ethics (interpersonal perspective), and 3) individual psycho-spiritual attitudes, stories, personal voices, emotions, and experiences (subjective intrapersonal perspective). This paper provides a critical review of the issues and barriers confronting women researchers, teachers, and professionals in soil science in the U.S. complemented by examples from around the globe. Concluding remarks present future perspectives of women and soils that include leadership training, mentoring for change, personal development of women soil scientists, and participation that co-creates gender parity, equity, and equality in the soil science profession.
{"title":"A 360° perspective of women in soil science focused on the U.S","authors":"S. Grunwald, S. Daroub","doi":"10.3389/fsoil.2023.1072758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoil.2023.1072758","url":null,"abstract":"Gender parity and equity concerns in soil science have been reported in the United States and at global scale. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes have discouraged women away from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research in particular soil science. However, it has been recognized that science and gender equality are essential to ensure sustainable development as highlighted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Gender equity is part of diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) initiatives in higher education and professional soil science organizations in the U.S. and elsewhere. In this article we aim to provide a holistic 360° perspective of women and soils addressing gender parity, equality, and equity in the soil science profession focused on the U.S. Our critical analysis is grounded in Integral theory that considers 1) systemic institutional, organizational, educational, legal, social, political, and other system phenomena (collective perspective), 2) historical and cultural phenomena such as people’s values, beliefs, motivations, communications, traditions, memes, morals, and ethics (interpersonal perspective), and 3) individual psycho-spiritual attitudes, stories, personal voices, emotions, and experiences (subjective intrapersonal perspective). This paper provides a critical review of the issues and barriers confronting women researchers, teachers, and professionals in soil science in the U.S. complemented by examples from around the globe. Concluding remarks present future perspectives of women and soils that include leadership training, mentoring for change, personal development of women soil scientists, and participation that co-creates gender parity, equity, and equality in the soil science profession.","PeriodicalId":73107,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in soil science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44790689","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}
Pub Date : 2023-02-10DOI: 10.3389/fsoil.2023.1111694
Fabiola Leal, F. Aburto, N. Aguilera, C. Echeverría, Paula Gatica‐Saavedra
Introduction Anthropic disturbances are driving unprecedented changes in forest ecosystem functions and biogeochemical processes, hindering the forests’ benefits to society. Litter decomposition is one of the most critical processes that regulate forests’ carbon and nutrient cycling. However, how forest degradation affects litter decomposition and elemental dynamics requires further examination. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of forest degradation on the production and decomposition of litter and C,N, and P dynamics in a temperate forest in south-central Chile. Methods Litter traps and litter bags were installed in three Long Term Research Forest Plots (LTER) representing different conservation states: mature, secondary, and degraded Nothofagus forests. Results and Discussion The total litter input varied between 3.5 to 1.1 Mg ha–1 year–1 in the mature and degraded forests, respectively. We found the highest lignin and nutrient levels in the degraded forest and the lowest in the mature forest. In the mature forest, 44% of the initial litter was decomposed, while in the degraded forest it only reached 7%. Decomposing litter showed the lowest C:N and C:P ratios in the mature forest most of the year. The balance between inputs and outputs yielded a more substantial litter accumulation in the mature forests. Conclusion Our results strongly suggest that anthropogenic degradation altered litter quality and nutrient dynamics while decreasing litter production and decomposition.
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