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Published online 29 September 2025

SR25011Methane uptake in New Zealand planted forest soils

Kathryn Wigley , Giuliana Brambilla, Joane Elleouet, Steve J. Wakelin, Timothy J. Clough and Steve A. Wakelin

 

New Zealand’s Pinus radiata forests may play an unexpected role in fighting climate change by absorbing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Measured methane uptake in three P. radiata forests showed that these soils act as methane sinks, absorbing, on average, 2.5–2.8 kg methane/ha annually. This highlights the potential of New Zealand forest soils to contribute to climate mitigation and underscores the need to include them in national greenhouse gas strategies.

SR25011 Abstract  |  SR25011 Full Text  | SR25011PDF (1 MB)  | SR25011Supplementary Material (707 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 26 August 2025

SR24093Impact of contrasting land-use on soil biodiversity and soil chemical properties in recently cleared forest soils of north-west Cambodia

Pao Srean , Sophary Khin, Sothea Rien, Sreynget Lo, Robert Martin, Myriam Adam and Florent Tivet

 

North-west Cambodia’s rapid shift towards annual crop cultivation has come at a cost. Forests have been cleared, leading to a decline in soil health as evidenced by reduced organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial organisms. To ensure the long-term viability of these ecosystems, policymakers should evaluate the economic impact of soil degradation and promote sustainable practices like conservation agriculture and agroforestry, alongside mechanisms to invest in soil restoration.

SR24093 Abstract  |  SR24093 Full Text  | SR24093PDF (5.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 August 2025

SR25040Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi alleviate pathogenic stress on the invasive weed Alternanthera philoxeroides

Shanshan Qi, Yu Zhang, Mengting Yan, Misbah Naz, Francis Kwaku Nkansah , Zhiyun Huang, Hu’anhe Xiong, Zhicong Dai and Daolin Du

 

Why do invasive alien plants rarely suffer from diseases? This study found that the commonly present arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in soil can regulate the allocation of aboveground and underground growth of invasive alien plants, thereby resisting infection by soil pathogens. Therefore, if the symbiotic relationship between plants and microorganisms is disrupted, the expansion of invasive alien plants may be controlled easily.

SR25040 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 08 August 2025

SR25007Copper sulfate causes greater toxicity and growth inhibition in grapevine seedlings compared to copper chloride in different vineyard soils

Okbagaber Andom , Ajigul Mamut, Xueqi Guo, Wenbo Bai, Yohannes Kebede, S K Gregory Zackariah, Komlanvi Jacob Maneh, Qingjie Li, Zhaojun Li and Jianquan Huang

 

Understanding the factors influencing copper toxicity is essential for safe grape production amid increasing copper accumulation in vineyards. This study investigated how different soils and copper salts and concentrations influence copper toxicity in vineyard soils and the effects on vine growth – our findings reveal that soil type and type of copper salt significantly influence copper toxicity, affecting vine safety and production. These findings help in assessing environmental risks of copper and designing tailored remediation strategies.

SR25007 Abstract  | PDF (3.4 MB) - $35.00   | SR25007Supplementary Material (486 KB)

Published online 04 August 2025

SR24149Fate of ¹⁵N-labelled urea under cotton and maize as affected by urease and nitrification inhibitors, and application method

Tariq Mahmood, Muhammad Akhtar , Rehmat Ali, Zafar Iqbal, Saira Butt, Fariha Malik and Muhammad Yaqub

 

We tested the potential of urease inhibitor NBPT and nitrification inhibitor ATC to reduce urea-N loss under cotton and maize. Urea-N loss was substantially reduced by NBPT, whereas ATC increased the loss. The beneficial effects of NBPT were more pronounced with urea applied in subsurface bands than that applied by the conventional broadcast method.

SR24149 Abstract  | PDF (391 KB) - $35.00 

Published online 31 July 2025

SR25015Enhancing root nodulation and boosting soil nitrogen mineralisation through strategic incorporation of sunnhemp as a green manure

Arvind Kumar Singh , Girindrani Dutta, Tinku Goswami and Gouranga Kar

 

Sunnhemp (Crotalaria juncea) used as a green manure promotes sustainable agriculture and decreases environmental impacts associated with synthetic nitrogen use, such as nitrate leaching and greenhouse gas emissions.

SR25015 Abstract  | PDF (3.6 MB) - $35.00   | SR25015Supplementary Material (248 KB)

Published online 29 July 2025

SR24225Long-term experiments on atrazine adsorption in biochar-amended soils in Brazilian tropical areas

Etelvino Henrique Novotny , Michele Fabri de Resende and Beata E. Madari

 

Biochar properties change over time, known as ageing, affecting their sorption capacity. However, only three published papers have evaluated soil sorption capacity at least 3 years after biochar application. This lack of information has led to the need for long-term studies on the effect of biochar application on soil. This manuscript focuses on natural long-term biochar ageing in soil up to 6 years after a single biochar application, the fourth longest evaluated period for any organic contaminant in literature.

SR24225 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 01 July 2025

SR24151Response of wheat to phosphorus-enriched ironstone gravel

David Weaver , David Rogers, Ronald Master, Peta Richards, Robert Summers and Simon Clarendon

 

Gravel-sized soil particles greater than 2 mm in size exist in farmers’ paddocks but are routinely excluded from laboratory tests and glasshouse experiments. Ironstone gravel can supply phosphorus to plants, but can also influence other soil properties such as the amount of moisture plants can access. Soils containing large amounts of ironstone gravel are likely to require lower applications of phosphorus fertiliser to achieve maximum crop yield, but can also limit plant growth due to low soil moisture.

SR24151 Abstract  |  SR24151 Full Text  | SR24151PDF (3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 01 July 2025

SR25001Humic substance turnover by bacterial decomposers in the maritime Antarctic soil

Dockyu Kim , Mincheol Kim, Sungho Woo, Eungbin Kim and Hyoungseok Lee

 

Antarctic tundra soils are cold, harsh environments where bacteria play a crucial role in breaking down plant-derived, large humic substances (HS), vital for maintaining soil ecosystems. This study shows that Antarctic bacteria outperformed fungi in decomposing and solubilising HS, producing smaller compounds that microbes and plants can readily use. Our findings show that warming in polar regions may affect microbial activity and nutrient cycling, and highlights bacterial resilience and metabolic contributions to extreme environments.

SR25001 Abstract  | PDF (4.7 MB) - $35.00   | SR25001Supplementary Material (849 KB)

Published online 24 June 2025

SR24123Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in biochar-amended soils: a review

Jonna Rosenthal and Kpoti M. Gunn

 

Biochar research has recently increased due to its effectiveness as a sustainable fertiliser and toxicological adsorbent. However, major oversights appear in the impacts of biochar on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) due to a lack of standardized pyrolysis and application methods. This review paper finds that infrequent biochar application leads to higher AMF root colonisation rates as well as increased biodiversity. Furthermore, conjunctive use of biochar and AMF is useful at increasing drought resistance of crops as water resources become scarce.

SR24123 Abstract  |  SR24123 Full Text  | SR24123PDF (1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 June 2025

SR25028A pragmatic workflow towards the generation of pXRF datasets for large-scale soil monitoring programs

Xueyu Zhao , Uta Stockmann, Mark Farrell and Senani Karunaratne

 

We evaluated the performance of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy in soil analysis, comparing Geochem and Soil modes for macro- and microelement detection. Results indicate that Geochem mode provides more reliable measurements, particularly for Mg, Al, and Si, while reducing analysis time and cost, making it more suitable for large-scale soil monitoring projects. We demonstrated the limitations of plastic bag thickness on measurement accuracy, which contribute to optimising pXRF protocols for national and global soil assessment initiatives.

SR25028 Abstract  |  SR25028 Full Text  | SR25028PDF (1.1 MB)  | SR25028Supplementary Material (304 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 23 June 2025

SR25008Estimating soil erodibility for the RUSLE with rainfall simulation in central Queensland, Australia

B. Bosomworth , B. Yu and A. E. Elledge

 

This central Queensland study evaluated the RUSLE soil erodibility factor used for hillslope erosion modelling within the Great Barrier Reef catchment. By incorporating observed rainfall simulation data into established erosion models, improved K-factors were achieved for consolidated and aggregated soils in the Fitzroy Basin. This approach offers an economical means of developing local soil erodibility values to improve hillslope sediment loss budgets.

SR25008 Abstract  |  SR25008 Full Text  | SR25008PDF (1.7 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

SR25019Influence of phosphate retention capacity on the potential plant availability of struvite fertiliser in acidic grassland soils

Florencia De Lucca Agrelo , Leo Condron and Jim Moir

 

The main source of phosphate fertiliser production is limited and controlled by a few countries. This study aims to evaluate struvite, a fertiliser made from recycled wastewater, as an alternative phosphate fertiliser for agricultural production in New Zealand soils. The results revealed that struvite performed similarly to commonly used phosphorus fertilisers. Struvite is therefore a promising alternative source of phosphorus for New Zealand pasture systems, while helping make farming more sustainable.

SR25019 Abstract  |  SR25019 Full Text  | SR25019PDF (352 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 10 June 2025

SR24230Modelling and constructing engineered soil for post-mining landforms to create optimal ecological outcomes: application of a computer based Landscape Evolution Model (SSSPAM)

W. D. D. P. Welivitiya, G. R. Hancock and I. P. Senanayake

 

Designing a post-mining landscape without considering the evolution of surface materials and pedogenesis assumes that any materials are in an equilibrium state. Here, the effect of depth-dependent pedogenesis functions and particle breakage geometry on erosion rates and landform evolution are examined using the SSSPAM Landscape Evolution Model. The results demonstrate that with knowledge of weathering and pedogenesis, an optimised landscape can be engineered that would reduce the cost of post-mining landform design and construction.

SR24230 Abstract  |  SR24230 Full Text  | SR24230PDF (5.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 05 June 2025

SR24180Variable-rate nitrogen fertilisation to improve silage maize yield and crude protein using APSIM modelling

Iris Vogeler , Christof Kluß and Friedhelm Taube

 

Determining optimum nitrogen (N) fertilisation rates to maximise yields and minimise N losses remains challenging due to uncertainties in future crop N requirements and soil N supply. However, accounting for spatial variability within a field can enhance N fertilisation efficiency. Using the APSIM model, we identified optimal N fertilisation rates for silage maize that maximise both yields and protein concentrations while minimising N losses. Field testing of this approach is required before it can be implemented for practical N fertilisation management.

SR24180 Abstract  |  SR24180 Full Text  | SR24180PDF (2 MB)  | SR24180Supplementary Material (713 KB)   Open Access Article

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Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

SR25011, Accepted 01 September 2025

Methane uptake in New Zealand planted forest soils

Kathryn Wigley , Giuliana Brambilla, Joane Elleouet, Steve Wakelin, Timothy Clough and Steve Wakelin

 

SR25011Abstract

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