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        <title>Spanish Journal of Soil Science | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/spanish-journal-of-soil-science</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Spanish Journal of Soil Science | New and Recent Articles</description>
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        <pubDate>2026-04-22T01:46:56.396+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.14694</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.14694</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Remote Sensing for Within-Plot Soil Variability Assessment Using NDVI Dispersion Metrics]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Manuel Sampériz Sarvisé</author><author>Asunción Usón Murillo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[While within-plot soil variability strongly influences crop development and agronomic management efficiency, practical and transferable methods for characterizing this variability remain limited. This study proposes a remote sensing framework to assess soil-driven crop heterogeneity using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NVDI)-derived parameters and phenological analysis. Crop dynamics were monitored using Sentinel-2 imagery to identify key phenological stages (start of season, maximum development, and senescence), while high-resolution PlanetScope imagery was used to analyze within-plot spatial variability. NDVI dispersion metrics were used as proxies for spatial variability in crop development across soil units and under homogeneous management conditions to isolate soil effects. Results showed that NDVI standard deviation effectively captured spatial heterogeneity in crop development, revealing greater variability in Glacis Slope soils compared with the more homogeneous Platform unit. Crop senescence emerged as the most informative stage for detecting soil-driven variability, while emergence patterns were influenced by sowing dates and early establishment conditions. Analyses under homogeneous management confirmed that soil properties controlling soil moisture dynamics govern spatial variability in crop response. The proposed methodology provides a robust, low-cost, and transferable approach for identifying within-plot variability and supports precision agriculture by enabling site-specific management decisions based on satellite-derived indicators.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.16319</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.16319</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Editorial: Jaume Porta Casanellas - RENS Soil Science]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Special Issue Editorial</category>
        <author>Alberto Enrique</author><author>Íñigo Virto</author><author>Avelino Núñez Delgado</author><author>Jorge Mataix-Solera</author><author>Irene Ortiz-Bernad</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.15664</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2026.15664</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Ranking Territorial Units Using Entropy-Based Pedodiversity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Cristian Vasilică Secu</author><author>Radu Gabriel Pîrnău</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The pedodiversity concept integrates diversity indices and GIS techniques to assess the spatial heterogeneity of soils. This study proposes using pedodiversity indices for Romania’s geographic regions and relief units to evaluate their connectivity. Keeping the map scale, the soil type-subtypes vector was simplified to soil types. Aggregation reduced the number of polygons from two taxonomic categories only for certain taxa (variable taxa), while constant taxa remained unchanged. Low connectivity in parts of the Southern and Eastern Carpathians and the Western Plain suggests the presence of numerous subtypes within soil assemblages, whereas arid regions (e.g., Dobrogea Plateau), characterized by lower taxonomic variability, display strong connectivity. The connectivity index ranks landform units as follows: plains < plateaus < Carpathians < Subcarpathians, differing from the geographic regions hierarchy. Among the indicators tested, the connectivity index exerts the strongest influence on spatial ranking, while the diversity index proves less decisive.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14992</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14992</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Investigation of ZnO Antimicrobial Surface Treatment of Shoe Lining Materials]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Darina Zheleva</author><author>Desislava S. Angelova</author><author>Ekaterina Krumova</author><author>Lyudmila Yovchevska</author><author>Yana Gocheva</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Prolonged wearing of shoes creates conditions for bacterial and fungal diseases. The use of nanotechnology and especially metal nanoparticles enables the production of high-quality leather for footwear with good antimicrobial properties. The pre-tanning process, which involves adding metal particles to the tanning solution, has been the subject of several studies on the application of metal oxides to leather. Few investigations have been conducted on the last finishing stage of leather nanoprocessing. The aim of the present study was to obtain and characterize the antimicrobial properties of finish films containing zinc oxide nanoparticles for shoe leather materials. The in situ method was applied to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles and these particles were deposited in a cross-linked collagen hydrogel applied to shoe lining materials. The obtained samples were examined by means of SEM, UV, FTIR and antimicrobial tests, and their properties were proven. Morphological analysis revealed the widespread presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles within the leather sample’s structure. Spectroscopic examinations highlighted the interactions between collagen in the leather tissue and gelatin on one side, while also detailing the bonds between inorganic particles on the other. The modified leather samples demonstrated a reduction in bacterial and fungal growth. The antimicrobial effectiveness varies depending on the type of modification and the specific bacterial strain tested. These finishes have been shown to serve as effective protective antimicrobial coatings for shoe leather materials, helping to safeguard the human foot from microbial exposure.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15184</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15184</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Enhancing Greenhouse Soil Quality Through Ecological Intensification (EI). A Case Study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Rafael Hernández Maqueda</author><author>Fernando Del Moral</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Intensive greenhouse cultivation, characterized by high agrochemical inputs and minimal organic amendments, maximizes crop productivity but often leads to soil degradation and environmental harm, notably through nitrate leaching and increased nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. To reduce agricultural inputs that may lead to soil degradation, this study evaluates an alternative fertilization strategy based in ecological intensification (EI). Specifically, a management system incorporating horticultural crop residues and organic amendments—with limited use of inorganic fertilizers—was compared to a conventional fertilization system (C) over a six-year period. Soil quality was assessed using physical and chemical indicators alongside microbial gene abundance (16s, ITS) and genes related to denitrification processes (nirK, nirS, nosZ1, and nosZ2) measured by Real-Time PCR. The EI system enhanced soil organic matter and soil structure by enhancing macroporosity and aggregate stability. However, it also increased the risk of salinization. Fungal abundance and the key denitrification genes (nosZ1 and nosZ2) were significantly higher under EI management. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio approached, but did not reach, statistical significance, and the nos/nir gene ratio—an indirect indicator of N2O emission potential—remained similar between treatments. These findings suggest a complex interaction between soil quality and denitrifier community dynamics that warrants further investigation, particularly to assess potential N2O emissions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15359</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15359</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Soil Salinity, Agriculture, and Nature Conservation in Monegros, NE Spain]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>M. Tierra</author><author>C. Castañeda</author><author>F. J. Gracia</author><author>E. T. Medina</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Salinity is a determining factor for agriculture due to its effects on crops. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of European Union does not take this concept into account when distributing monetary aid to farmers. The Central Ebro Basin (CEB) presents this problem due to the semiarid climate conditions and the composition of the soils, generating an economic suffocation in the rural areas of the region. The present work aims to evaluate salinity in a dry-farmed landscape surrounding the “Saladas of Sástago-Bujaraloz,” a protected area under agricultural intensification with extreme saline conditions. We analyzed the saline composition of the soil of three saladas along transects and we surveyed the soil salinity with electromagnetic sensor (EMS) to facilitate the inspection of salinity in the field. The electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from slightly saline to very strongly saline. A 73% of the 319 soil samples analysed were very strongly saline (ECe >16 dS m−1) and half of the very strongly saline soil samples were taken in crop areas. The mean EC1:5 varied from 15 dS m−1 in the saladas to a range of 3–4.6 dS m−1 in the crops. There was a noticeable variability of the vertical distribution of soil salinity and a high salinity range in the upper soil horizons of natural areas. In general, the salinity of the integrated 100 cm of soil depth (ECe100) was higher than that of 50 cm (ECe50). The correlation between the EMS readings and EC varied between saladas, between horizontal and vertical readings, and between integrated soil depths. The best relationship was found with a soil depth of 0–100 cm and with horizontal EMS readings. The identified salinity patterns are consistent and applicable in the whole area of about 150 saladas. The purpose is to suggest salinity as an agronomic criterion within the CAP regulations. A proposed new agri-environment-climate measure could include classifying plots with ECe >10 dS m-1 in more than 50% of the area as unsuitable for cultivation.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14998</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14998</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Critical Thresholds for Crack Ratio Suppression and Multi-Factor Ratio Optimization: A Synergistic Strategy of Organic-Slow Release Fertilizer-Rice Straw for Expansive Soil Improvement]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yonggang Huang</author><author>Hongri Zhang</author><author>Xinzhong Wang</author><author>Yuexing Wu</author><author>Xianliang Tan</author><author>Kang Xiong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[This study systematically analyzed the influence mechanism of the ratio of organic fertilizer (OF), slow-release fertilizer (SRF), and rice straw (RS) on the crack ratio and root content of expansive soil through Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) and quadratic polynomial regression model. The results show that RS has the greatest contribution to fissure suppression. For every 0.1% increase in its content, the crack ratio decreases by 0.204% (p < 0.001). However, excessive OF (>10%) significantly increases the crack ratio by exacerbating the non-uniformity of drying shrinkage (β = 0.132, p < 0.001). Root content is mainly positively driven by RS (β = 0.126, p < 0.001), but RSF inhibits root growth through salt cementation (β = −0.042, p = 0.003). In terms of interaction, OF and RS synergistically increase root content (β = 0.104, p = 0.002), but OF and SRF antagonistically increase fissure risk (β = 0.042, p = 0.082). Multi-objective optimization yields three typical ratios: fissure priority scheme (RS = 0.70%, SRF = 0.83 kg/m3, OF = 8.2%, crack ratio 1.5%), balanced scheme (RS = 0.65%, SRF = 0.75 kg/m3, OF = 9.0%, root content 1.02 mg/cm3), and ecological priority scheme (RS = 0.55%, SRF = 0.60 kg/m3, OF = 11.5%, root content 1.25 mg/cm3). Model verification shows high prediction accuracy (crack ratio R2 = 0.91, RMSE = 0.12%; root content R2 = 0.93, RMSE = 0.11 mg/cm3), but in areas with high OF (>12%), drainage measures need to be combined to control the risk of salinization. This study provides a quantitative ratio design and risk control basis for the improvement of expansive soil with agricultural waste.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14988</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14988</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effect of Different Tree Plantations on the Chemical Properties and Microbial Activity in Galician Forests Soils]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>A. Barreiro</author><author>A. Míguez-González</author><author>R. Cela-Dablanca</author><author>M. Díaz-Raviña</author><author>A. Núñez-Delgado</author><author>M. J. Fernández-Sanjurjo</author><author>E. Álvarez-Rodríguez</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Forest soils are crucial carbon sinks, with the soil microbial community playing a key role in the stabilization of organic matter and harboring numerous ecosystems services. These ecosystems can be affected, among other factors, by the different tree species present in the forest canopy. This study is focused on forests soils located in Galicia (on the north-west of Spain). Different soil properties and microbial activity were analyzed in 54 forest plantations, with different plant covers: birch, chestnut, eucalyptus, walnut, pines, oak and shrublands. These forest soils have in general an acid pH and a high organic matter content, but a small amount of phosphorus. These properties are mainly related to the parent material and the overall climatic conditions of this region, namely the high rainfall scores. The soil under eucalyptus and birch plantations were the driest (13% and 14% on average respectively) vs. the moistest with 27% on average under shrublands. The results regarding microbial activity showed that soils under walnuts have the biggest respiration rates whereas the smallest were under eucalyptus but there were no differences regarding the β-glucosidase enzyme activity. These results show that the forest management, specifically, which tree species are cultivated, has an impact on the soil microbial respiration and should be considered when elaborating forestry exploitation plans, especially in the current scenario of climate change where the C amount that healthy forest soils will be able to fix become crucial.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14834</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14834</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Soil in Art. Its Representation in Naturalistic Painting of the 17th and 19th Centuries]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Rogelio Pérez Moreira</author><author>María Teresa Barral Silva</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Soil has rarely been represented as the central object in the art of painting. Its occasional presence on canvases appears to be accidental, not depicted for itself but as a subordinate element of the landscape. In pictorial works, it is more frequently shown on its surface and rarely seen in profile or with the details that interest soil scientists. However, exceptionally, certain pictorial works show striking images of the soil, even allowing us to recognize its horizons and other soil features, which can be interpreted with today’s knowledge. In the history of Western art, we observe that this has occurred coinciding with the periods in which naturalistic landscape painting developed. At such times, artists more frequently left their studios to take sketches from nature and, occasionally, to execute complete works outdoors, capturing details of reality not perceived in other artistic periods, including subtle characteristics of the soil. This would first occur in the 17th century, in the landscape art that emerged in the Nordic countries, and particularly in Dutch painting. This would later occur in the 19th century, especially in the landscape painting movements manifested in the so-called English School, the Barbizon School, and the Hague School. This article identifies and justifies, in their historical and cultural context, the paintings and painters who, during these exceptional artistic periods, focused more specifically on the representation of the soil.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14555</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14555</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Evaluating Poplar Hybrids and Companion Herbaceous Species for Phytoremediation of Riotinto Mine Soils: Survival and Trace Element Accumulation Assessment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-02T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Paula Madejón</author><author>Lisa Ciadamidaro</author><author>Michel Chalot</author><author>Carmen M. Navarro-Fernández</author><author>Laura L. de Sosa</author><author>Engracia Madejón</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Ecological restoration of mine dumps poses a significant global challenge. This study explores the viability of plant growth in the soils of the Riotinto mine, where high concentration of trace elements hinders vegetation establishment. Greenhouse experiments were conducted using 5 poplar hybrids (PA148, PA149, PA152, PA153 and the parental P10) and two herbaceous species, Brassica juncea L. and Lablab purpureus, grown in both contaminated and uncontaminated soils. The contaminated soil (RT) had an initial acidic pH of 3.07, which required the addition of a sugar lime amendment (SL), to reduce the availability of cationic trace elements. Poplar hybrids were grown for 3 months in both uncontaminated (C) and amended (RT + A) soils, while the herbaceous species were grown for 1 month in C, RT, and RT + A soils. Soil parameters, including pH, organic matter (OM), and both pseudototal and available trace element concentrations (extracted using 0.01 M CaCl2), were analyzed. Plant biomass, trace element accumulation, and nutritional content in aerial tissues were also assessed. All poplar hybrids survived, with P152 and P153 demonstrating the highest survival rates and significant accumulation of trace elements, particularly Cd, Pb and Zn, in their leaves under RT + A soil conditions. B. juncea showed very limited growth compared to the other species, although it accumulated the highest concentration of trace elements. In contrast, L. purpureus demonstrated successful germination and growth in RT soil, showing strong tolerance to both acidity and contamination while maintaining the lowest levels of trace elements in its aerial tissues. These results highlight the importance of selecting appropriate plant species and soil amendments tailored to site-specific conditions and remediation goals.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14718</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14718</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Modeling Long-Term Impacts of Phosphorus Fertilization Strategies on Maize Productivity and Soil P Dynamics in Calcareous Soils of North China Plain]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Weina Zhang</author><author>Dongzhi Xu</author><author>Han Wang</author><author>Bingshen Jiang</author><author>Changli Liang</author><author>Minzhi Huang</author><author>Zilong Chen</author><author>Xinmin Zhang</author><author>Dong Su</author><author>Mingfu Yu</author><author>Junhe Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The North China Plain (NCP), a major maize production region in China, faces critical challenges of P overuse under intensive farming, leading to soil P accumulation, leaching risks, and threats to groundwater quality and P resource sustainability. This study employed a parameter-calibrated APSIM model (v7.9) to simulate long-term effects (2007–2017) of eight P application rates (0–300 kg P2O5 ha−1) on maize growth, P utilization, and soil P dynamics using field trial data from Quzhou Country (36.9°N, 115.0°E), Hebei Province, China. Results demonstrated that 71 kg P2O5 ha−1 optimized maize productivity, achieving mean aboveground biomass and grain yields of 17.5 t ha−1 and 9.3 t ha−1, respectively, with a P use efficiency (PUE) of 17%. Continuous P fertilization induced progressive accumulation of labile P (32 mg/kg under 75 kg P2O5 ha−1 application rate vs. 40.8 mg/kg under 100 kg P2O5 ha-1 application rate in 2017) and stable inorganic P pools, with P100 exceeding the environmental threshold (39.9 mg/kg) for calcareous soils. Post-cessation simulations (22 years) revealed that legacy P from 11-year P75 applications sustained maize yields at 8–10 t ha−1 for 12–13 years, despite labile P decreasing from 32.3 to 15.8 mg/kg. Model analysis highlighted limitations in APSIM’s current P module, which prioritizes adsorption-desorption over precipitation-dissolution mechanisms critical for calcareous soils. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for P reduction strategies in NCP maize systems.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14733</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14733</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Legislating for Soil Conservation: A 20-Year Review and the New Approach of the CAP in Spain]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mistral Van Oudenhove</author><author>Pedro Pérez-Cutillas</author><author>Carolina Boix-Fayos</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Over the past two decades, soil conservation measures in the Rural Development Programmes (RDPs) of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have played a crucial role in soil conservation in Spain. Despite detailed regional data, a comprehensive evaluation of executed public spending allocation and its drivers was lacking. This study aimed to (i) analyze direct and indirect soil conservation measures in RDPs over the last 20 years and (ii) explore the relationship between public spending, soil condition, and other drivers to evaluate if public spending was reasonably distributed. Moreover, the study reflects on the approach toward soil conservation within the new CAP. Our methodological approach included data mining and inventory creation of agri-environmental and agroforestry measures, spatial and temporal analysis, and statistical evaluation of correlations between these measures and factors such as land use, soil condition, socio-economic environment, and political influences. Results indicated an increase in executed public spending for soil conservation alongside a rising environmental perspective over three programming periods, with regional variations. A significant relationship between public investment, land use, and soil condition (including soil erosion) indicated a moderately reasonable distribution of public spending on measures for soil conservation in the last two decades within the RDPs. Political changes had minimal impact on soil conservation measures, highlighting that the CAP’s main environmental goals remain mostly apolitical. Moving forward, from 2023 onwards, all new rural development actions were incorporated into national CAP strategic plans aligned with the European Green Deal. Soil conservation measures have been largely incorporated into the CAP’s first pillar and, in some cases, it has become compulsory for farmers in order to receive subsidies, sparking conflicts in many regions. This new phase highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing soil conservation with agricultural practices amidst evolving social and environmental conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15173</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.15173</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From Soil Pits to Global Goals: Pedagogical Innovations for a Sustainability-Oriented Soil-Science Curriculum Aligned With the Sustainable Development Goals]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Said Al-Ismaily</author><author>Aminat Umarova</author><author>Johan Bouma</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Soil science stands at a critical juncture, facing both mounting global environmental crises and transformative possibilities in education. This study advocates a bold re-envisioning of soil science pedagogy, aimed at cultivating the inter- and transdisciplinary competencies essential for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on in-depth case studies from Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) and Moscow State University (Russia), along with global stakeholder insights and integrative frameworks, such as Soil Security, One Health, and the Pedometrics Challenge, we propose a future-facing curriculum focused on sustainability, systems thinking, and real-world engagement. This study showcases pedagogical innovations—including inquiry-based learning, SDG-aligned outcomes, debate-based reasoning, and community-engaged research—that foster core skills in transdisciplinary problem-solving. Supported by empirical findings and curriculum analysis, this study demonstrates that reframing soil-science education around ecosystem services and natural capital can empower students to become solution-oriented professionals. Ultimately, we call for a global curricular reform that positions soil education as a dynamic catalyst for sustainability transformation rather than as a technical subdiscipline.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14838</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14838</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Proficiency Testing for Soil Fertility Analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Asunción Usón Murillo</author><author>Jesús Betrán Aso</author><author>Manuel Sampériz Sarvisé</author>
        <description><![CDATA[In the context of the FAO Global Soil Partnership, the Spanish Society of Soil Science (Sociedad Española de la Ciencia del Suelo, SECS), the University of Zaragoza and the Agroenvironmental Laboratory of the Government of Aragon promoted initiatives for the harmonization of soil analysis methods in Spain. These included the development of an inventory of laboratories and the organization of proficiency tests of soil analytical results. The first test, carried out in 2019, showed significant discrepancies among laboratories, which led to methodological improvements for the second test in 2021. Twenty-six laboratories participated in the latter test, evaluating soil fertility parameters (organic matter, assimilable phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) and textural fractions (clay and sand). The analyses, carried out in triplicate, were evaluated using robust statistics and Zscore. The 2021 results showed that sample ‘HUERTO’ had a higher percentage of satisfactory results than “BIPEA,” mainly due to its greater standard deviation. The assessment identified problems arising from differences in analytical methods, especially for organic matter. A comparison of the two exercises revealed that, out of 17 laboratories analyzed, 10 improved their overall performance, 3 maintained it and 4 deteriorated. A positive trend was observed for assimilable phosphorus and magnesium, parameters that achieved satisfactory overall ratings, while sand and organic matter content showed more problematic results. Despite the improvements observed, only five out of the seventeen laboratories achieved an overall satisfactory rating, which underlines the need to regularly maintain and strengthen these proficiency tests. These results are particularly relevant within the context of the CAP Strategic Plan, which requires reliable data on the state of agricultural soils. This exercise has proven to be an effective tool for encouraging continuous improvement in the analytical quality of soil laboratories, contributing to the sustainable governance of soil resources.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14806</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14806</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Soil Parameters Under Varying Land Use Types in -Spatiotemporal Trends of Climatic Southern Iran]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Omid Sharifi</author><author>Sepideh Behroozeh</author><author>Samira Behroozeh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The study of land use change dynamics in developing countries is particularly important, as it contributes to sustainable land management and the more efficient use of natural resources. Southern Iran, which includes the provinces of Bushehr, Fars, Kerman, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Hormozgan, provides a valuable case study due to its diverse land uses and varying climatic conditions. It is hypothesized that land use changes between 2000 and 2022 in this region have significantly impacted the trends of soil temperature (ST) and soil volumetric water content (SWV), especially in areas where natural covers such as forests and shrublands have been converted to agricultural or barren lands. Trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall Z test and Sen’s slope estimator revealed a negative trend in ST across 62.60% of the study area, encompassing most parts of Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman, Hormozgan, and southeastern Fars. In these regions, soil volumetric water content showed a positive and statistically significant trend. It can be attributed to an increase in sudden and intense rainfall and seasonal precipitation patterns. In 34.79% of the study area, an increasing trend in ST was observed, particularly in Bushehr and sporadically in parts of Fars Province. Similarly, the trend analysis of soil climate variables across different land uses indicated that soil volumetric water content increased by 85.36% in barren lands and by 66.36% in grasslands. In contrast, negative trends were found in forests (94.85%), shrublands (72.79%), and agricultural lands (82.24%). The main reason for this declining trend is the conversion of forests and shrublands to agricultural land. The trend of ST showed a decrease of 69.23% in barren land use, 94.85% in forest use, and 56.73% in grassland use. In these land uses, trees and dense vegetation block direct sunlight, which helps keep ST lower in these areas. In contrast, an increasing trend was observed in shrublands (63.48%) and agricultural lands (82%). Given the rapid pace of land use change, forecasting and analyzing satellite imagery represents a valuable approach for supporting environmental management strategies. Such forecasts provide deeper insights into potential future changes and inform proactive measures to mitigate their adverse impacts.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14537</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14537</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Soil Bacterial and Fungal Community Composition in Top- and Subsoil From Irrigated Mediterranean Orchards]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-07-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mohamed Mdaini</author><author>Eva Lloret</author><author>Nadhem Brahim</author><author>Najet Shimi</author><author>Raúl Zornoza</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The soil microbiome, crucial for nutrient cycling and soil health, has been extensively studied in topsoil, yet the subsoil microbiome remains relatively unexamined despite its potential contributions to agroecosystem functionality. This research aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the interconnections between soil properties and the microbial communities residing in the topsoil and the subsoil of irrigated orchards under a semiarid Mediterranean climate. We collected soil samples from two depths, topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (30–50 cm), noting elevated salinity levels in the topsoil due to irrigation practices. Utilizing high-throughput 16S rRNA gene and ITS1 region amplicon sequencing, we characterized the bacterial and fungal communities across these two depths. Our findings indicated that soil pH (higher in subsoil), electrical conductivity (higher in topsoil) and soil organic carbon (higher in topsoil) were the primary physicochemical drivers of microbial community composition shifts between top- and subsoil. Genera such as Rhizobium, Skermanella, Microvirga and Rubrobacter (bacteria) and Aspergillus, Gibellulopsis, Alternaria, Preussia and Monocillium (fungi) were identified as key genera more abundant in the topsoil, while MB-A2-108, Streptomyces and Bacillus (bacteria), and Mortierella, Fusarium, Necosmospora, Chaetomium and Emericellopsis (fungi), were key genera more abundant in the subsoil, associated with key studied soil properties. So they can be considered as key microorganisms contributing to soil processes in the topsoil and the subsoil. Our study gives insights about how soil bacterial and fungal communities respond differently to changes in the soil physicochemical properties across topsoil and subsoil, with salinity as important driver, reflecting the crucial need to develop a better understanding of how environmental changes impact soil properties and the microbiome throughout the soil profile.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14233</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14233</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Integrated Vascular Analysis System of Olive Cultivation: Savia Olivar Project]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-07-29T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Antonio Aguirre-Arcos</author><author>Irene Ortiz-Bernad</author><author>Juana Nieto Carricondo</author><author>Antonio M. Lallena</author><author>Marino Pedro Reyes-Martín</author><author>Álvaro Ávila-Pérez</author><author>Emilia Fernández-Ondoño</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Olive trees are widely cultivated crops, especially in Mediterranean countries, which requires new practices to maintain productivity, optimize resource use and improve the quality of the environment. Integrated production seeks to achieve these objectives, but this requires rapid and effective methods to plan crop nutrition. Sap extracted using a modified Scholander chamber could provide an accurate method for determining the nutritional status of olive trees. To verify this, two trials were conducted in integrated production systems in southern Spain over two periods of time (2018–1019 and 2022–2024). The trials were carried out in five farms in the provinces of Jaén, Granada and Seville, comparing the nutrient concentrations in sap, leaves and soil from Picual and Hojiblanca olive trees. In the first period (2018–2019), critical times when nutrient flux in the sap increased were identified as spring, early fall, winter, and the first half of July. These periods were selected for sampling in the second period (2022–2024). Sap, leaves and soil were analyzed, determining macro- and micronutrients, pH and electrical conductivity. In the first trial, monthly sampling was successful, although in autumn 2022, a very dry year, little sap was extracted. From April 2023 onwards, the amount of sap recovered, which demonstrated the sensitivity of sap extraction to climatic variations and the phenological state of the olive tree. Soil analyses showed pH from 7.9 to 8.5 and electrical conductivity from 1.1 to 5.9 dS m−1. Nutrient concentrations in leaf were higher than in soil and in soil higher or equal than in sap, except for K, the most abundant element in sap, with concentrations exceeding those in soil. Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn increased in 2022 compared to 2018, possibly due to climatic differences. Sap analysis can complement leaf and soil analyses for a more balanced fertilisation in olive orchards.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14219</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14219</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Strong Differences in Pedogenesis on Lava Vs. Scoria Along a Hydroclimatic Gradient on Santa Cruz Island/Galápagos Archipelago (Ecuador) – Insights From Micromorphology]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-04-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Martin H. Gerzabek</author><author>Rosa M. Poch</author><author>Daniela Álvarez</author><author>Leon Ploszczanski</author><author>Franz Zehetner</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Galápagos has very diverse soil resources. In a recent study, we found vastly different pedogenic development on lava vs. scoria along a hydroclimatic gradient on Santa Cruz Island (800 m elevation difference; precipitation ranging from 100 to 1,600 mm a−1). On the more porous scoria deposits, soils consistently developed towards deeper and more weathered profiles with increasing humidity, while on the lavas, soil development did not follow a consistent elevational pattern. The micromorphological investigations show an increasing degree of primary mineral weathering with increasing altitude and humidity, which was more pronounced in the profiles on scoria than on lava. The greater weathering on scoria is likely due to higher inter-particle porosity and therefore larger surface area exposed to weathering. In the arid climate zone, the soil on scoria was very shallow and the primary minerals hardly weathered, whereas the soil on lava showed a greater profile thickness and a noticeable weathering of primary minerals. Unlike the relatively homogeneous scoria deposits, the lavas show irregular flow patterns with large rock outcrop sections and small depression patches, in which soils with higher available water capacity have formed. In a previous study, we also found strongly elevated phosphorus levels in these soil patches in the arid zone. Bolstered by electron microscopy and microanalyses we show evidence that these possibly originate from tortoise nesting activities. Our results point to a complex interplay of parent material, geomorphology, climate and also the activities of the Galápagos giant tortoises in shaping the soil-scape of this unique ecosystem.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14033</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14033</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Inoculation With Azotobacter vinelandii Enhanced Chlorpyrifos Degradation and Reduced Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects in Soil]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-03-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>V. Conde Avila</author><author>C. Martínez Valenzuela</author><author>Y. E. Navarro Noya</author><author>P. J. Bastidas Bastidas</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Using microbial cells for bioremediation requires evaluating suitable inoculation techniques and their effects. This study applied liquid and encapsulated in alginate beads inocula of A. vinelandii in agricultural soil to evaluate chlorpyrifos (CP) degradation and its impact on cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. Allium sativum cells and Eisenia foetida organisms were used as biomarkers for toxicological evaluations. Changes in the mitotic index and nuclear abnormalities in A. sativum cells were used for toxicity determinations. The percentage survival of E. foetida was calculated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect CP. The initial CP concentration (250 mg/kg) decreased by 92% when inoculated with liquid A. vinelandii and by 82% with A. vinelandii encapsulated after 14 d. A 60% decrease in cytotoxic and genotoxic damage to A. sativum cells was detected in treatments inoculated with A. vinelandii. The survival rate of E. foetida was improved by 33% when inoculated with free A. vinelandii compared to contaminated soil. Encapsulation as an inoculation strategy extended the viability of A. vinelandii compared to free inoculation. Both free and encapsulated inocula of A. vinelandii effectively degrade CP in soil and decrease its toxic effects. This study contributed by identifying sustainable agricultural alternatives for the inoculation and bioremediation of agricultural soils.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.13749</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.13749</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Shrub Control by Burning and Clearing in the Southern Pyrenees: Effects on Soils After Two Years of Treatment]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-02-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Silvia Quintana-Esteras</author><author>David Badía-Villas</author><author>Clara Martí-Dalmau</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Prescribed burns and selective shrub clearing are widely implemented as management strategies to stop the shrub encroachment of grasslands, decrease fuel loads and fire risks, and improve biodiversity and ecosystem functionality in mountain environments. While the short-term effects of burns on soil have been extensively studied, the impact of mechanical treatments on soil has received comparatively less attention. This study aims to: i) evaluate the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of subalpine soils influenced by prescribed burns and selective clearing, and ii) assess the effectiveness of these interventions by examining the changes in vegetation cover 2 years after implementation. The research was conducted in the Central Pyrenees, where three plots were selected according to their management type: a prescribed burn plot (B), a clearing plot (CL), and a shrubland control plot (C). The results highlight how both treatments increased soil pH and reduced other properties (EC, BD, moisture, GLU) after 2 years of study, with burned and cleared plots showing similar trends in all cases. The carbon source utilization patterns of soil microbial communities (CLPP) remained unchanged by either treatment, which may indicate the short-term resilience of microbial communities. However, differences in soil microbial activity, as measured by basal soil respiration (bSR), were observed. An increase in bSR was found with shrub removal via mechanical clearing, as evidenced by the constants of the single-compartment model and the average residence time (ART) of organic matter. These changes were primarily driven by the indirect effects of vegetation cover alteration. Shrub cover remained low 2 years after the application of both methods, although prescribed burning resulted in more bare soil and lower plant diversity compared to the cleared plot.]]></description>
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