The soil microbiome is critical for the ecosystem, and agricultural practices that promote microbial diversity can support plant health and help protect against pests. But it is unclear which ...

In the past few years, about a handful of companies have emerged with tests to measure a soil microbiome of fields, give a biodiversity index and help farmers understand the effects of inputs on soil ...

Soil microbiomes play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, significantly impacting the global carbon cycle. The activity of microorganisms helps to capture and store carbon in soil, reducing ...

Just like any living organism, the soil has its own metabolism. Plants, worms, insects, and most importantly, microorganisms in the soil, break down organic matter, consume and generate nutrients, and ...

Plants constantly interact with soil microbes, shaping whether soils promote or suppress future plant growth. This study ...

Weed management is one of the greatest challenges faced by organic farmers, who can't use herbicides. They rely on tillage for weed control, but ...

Since time immemorial, plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have coexisted in a mutually beneficial relationship. The fungi colonize plant roots and help them absorb nutrients. In return, plants ...

(Beyond Pesticides, December 16, 2025) Through a literature review and data analysis of almost 2,000 soil samples, the authors of a recent study find negative effects on the presence of ...

Research from a team with Professor Madhav Mani, ESAM PhD graduate and former Northwestern postdoctoral researcher Siqi Liu, and UChicago scientists shows how environmental changes lead to predictable ...