Method can measure gene-silencing pesticide in soil

New pesticides that give plants their own defenses against insects are headed to market. A new method is the first to detect them in dirt.

Brandie Jefferson-WUSTL • futurity
May 11, 2020 • ~6 min

When water vapor blows in, dry soil gets rain?

New research clarifies the role of water vapor in rainfall, a complex relationship that remains mysterious.

Mikayla Mace-Arizona • futurity
May 11, 2020 • ~7 min

Here's why soil smells so good after it rains

That smell you detect after it rains is part of a chemical language between bacteria and animals.

Paul Becher, Associate professor in Chemical Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences • conversation
April 8, 2020 • ~6 min

New test is a better gauge of how much nitrogen corn needs

A better test for gauging nitrogen needs in corn fields could mean economic benefits for farmers and be better for the environment, too.

Fred Love-Iowa State • futurity
March 10, 2020 • ~4 min

PFAS chemicals are creeping through soil to groundwater

"...the majority of PFAS are still in the soil, and they are migrating down slowly in a way similar to a ticking time bomb."

Mikayla Mace-Arizona • futurity
Feb. 12, 2020 • ~4 min

Soil carbon is a valuable resource, but all soil carbon is not created equal

Storing more carbon in soil helps slow climate change and makes croplands more productive. But there are two kinds of soil carbon that are both important, but function very differently.

Francesca Cotrufo, Professor of Soil and Crop Sciences and Senior Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University • conversation
Feb. 6, 2020 • ~9 min

Climate change could double toxic arsenic in rice

Rice yields could decline about 40% by 2100, affecting about 2 billion people worldwide. What's more, the rice could contain twice as much toxic arsenic.

Danielle Torrent Tucker-Stanford • futurity
Nov. 1, 2019 • ~6 min

Lead isotopes reveal coal fly ash contamination

A new tool can spot contamination from coal fly ash. "Our hope is that this new tracer...will help us provide greater protection to communities at risk."

Tim Lucas-Duke • futurity
Oct. 22, 2019 • ~4 min

To protect city kids from lead, focus on the dirt

"Young children are extremely vulnerable to lead poisoning because of their normal crawling, hand-to-mouth, exploratory behavior."

Carolyn Scofield-Tulane • futurity
Oct. 15, 2019 • ~4 min

Device microwaves weeds in the field

An invention microwaves weeds to destroy them without herbicies. It penetrates about 5 centimeters into the soil to destroy seeds, too.

Claudia Hooper-U. Melbourne • futurity
Oct. 4, 2019 • ~4 min

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