Digging in the dirt

Bacteria provide a microbial partner to help protect trees from the toxic effects of pollutants and break down the toxins plants bring in from contaminated groundwater

New research suggests there could be a role for farmers in reducing phosphorus

Achieving gains in agricultural production depends on adequate levels of soil micronutrients like copper, low levels of which can impact yield by reducing fertility and, in extreme cases, lead to total crop failure

Triticale is a winter cover crop that limits the gamble with a trifecta of benefits

Some plant species are able to remove soil contaminants and grow normally, but these are a small minority

Researchers find that “naturalized” E. coli populations falsely inflate measurement levels, resulting in beach closings due to pollution that’s not actually present

Recent study determined that across all study years, incorporating corn once within a four-year cycle resulted in eight percent greater yields than continuous soybean, whereas cotton (once or twice within a rotation) did not

The findings may help reduce cancer by driving policy to lower pollution in areas with high cancer rates linked to the environment

Future explorers on Mars would just need to apply pressure to compact the soil—the equivalent of a blow from a hammer—to make bricks