*Global CA-CoP* *CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE*

*for sustainable agriculture, land and ecosystem management*

Dear Subscribers,

Please see herebelow the latest issue of the IUSS Alert 187 (January 2021).

Apologies for any cross-posting.

*Amir Kassam *

*Moderator*

*Global CA-CoP*

e-mail: [log in to unmask]

URL: http://www.fao.org/conservation-agriculture

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2021 at 19:17
Subject: IUSS Alert 187 (January 2021)
To: Amir Kassam <[log in to unmask]>



If you have problems reading this content - please follow this link to the
IUSS page <https://www.iuss.org/index.php?article_id=776>

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IUSS Alert 187 (January 2021)

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IUSS News IUSS Bulletin 137 online

IUSS Bulletin 137 (94 pages) was published on the IUSS website early
January 2021. The avid reader awaits an update on the further preparations
for the 22nd World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS22), news from national
and regional Soil Science Societies, followed by an account of World Soil
Day 2020 and the presentation of THE IUSS GOES TO SCHOOL project. In the
beginning of December 2020 a new sub-site was created on the IUSS website,
in which recent activities of this initiative are described: *
<https://www.iuss.org/international-decade-of-soils/the-iuss-goes-to-the-school/>https://www.iuss.org/international-decade-of-soils/the-iuss-goes-to-the-school/
<https://www.iuss.org/international-decade-of-soils/the-iuss-goes-to-the-school/>*.
Information on the IUSS educative project "Thus are the soils of my Nation"
(#TheSoilIsLife), which aims at stopping soil degradation, and on the IUSS
– FAO-GSP Children’s book contest on Soil Biodiversity round off the
section on soil education and awareness raising. This is followed by
conference and meeting reports, articles from the IUSS alerts, new
publications and an article on an extraordinary documentary about soils
with the title ‘Kiss the Ground’.

Read more:
https://www.iuss.org/index.php?rex_media_type=download&rex_media_file=iuss-bulletin137_final.pdf

<https://www.iuss.org/media/seasons_greetings_from_the_iuss.mp4>
------------------------------

News from the Latin American Soil Science Society (SLCS)

*1st International Soil Assessment Course and 3rd Mexican Soil Evaluation
Contest*

From November 30 to December 4, 2020, as part of the SLCS-UNITED’s
Macro-event organized by the Latin American Soil Science Society to
celebrate the WSD, the 1st International Soil Assessment Course organized
for the National Autonomous University of Mexico was held online. 357
participants from 21 countries were officially registered. At the Latin
American level, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Spain stand out, as
far as the number of registered participants is concerned. Apart from Latin
America, participants came from Israel, the Czech Republic, Portugal and
the United States.

At the same time, as a second part of the WSD celebration, on December 5th,
the third Mexican Soil Evaluation Contest was successfully concluded by 26
participants from 18 countries. Registration and international
participation in both events was free.

*Argentinean Soil Science Society*

Celebrating the WSD, from November 30 to December 5, 2020, the Argentinean
Soil Science Society successfully organized 16 different events online and
on the radio, both for scientists, citizens and children. These events were
part of the SLCS-UNITED’s Macro-event organized by the Latin American Soil
Science Society.

*Mexican Soil Science Society*

Working as a team to celebrate the WSD, the Mexican Soil Science Society
successfully organized 56 different events within the SLCS-UNITED’s
Macro-event, and as part of the National Soil Partnership, the academy,
citizens, NGOs and the government sector signed a new pact to preserve the
resource soil.
------------------------------

Stop Soil Degradation and the IUSS’s Educative Project to Achieve It

On the 5th of December, celebrating the World Soil Day, the educative
Project “THE IUSS GOES TO SCHOOL” presented:

   - A virtual space to all children around the world inviting them to take
   care of the soils of their nations: *
   <http://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx/>www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx
   <http://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx>*
   - To children from Poland, the Polish version of the Book “*Living in
   the Soil*” (Chrońmy gleby), in collaboration with the Soil Science
   Societies of Spain and Poland.
   - To all children speaking English and Spanish:


   - The Book “Vermicomposting for school children”
   - The Book “Perfilito, … A very lucky boy” as a collaboration between
   countries from the Latin American Soil Science Society.
   - A set of Crop Cards inviting them to produce their own food (some of
   them are also in French and German).


   - To all children around the world and in collaboration with FAO as our
   partner, copies of the three winners of the *Booklet contest for
   children on Soil Biodiversity*, as well as a selection of these booklets
   in English on line both on the IUSS Web site as well as on *
   <http://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx/>www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx
   <http://www.iuss-goes-to-school.org.mx>*.

------------------------------

IUSS Youtube channel

Go to *
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3cdAuO5QrPx0EtDPahQcg>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3cdAuO5QrPx0EtDPahQcg
<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3cdAuO5QrPx0EtDPahQcg>* to see the
latest news from the IUSS and soil science.
------------------------------

Margaret Oliver Award for Early-Career Pedometricians Call for Nominations,
2021 award

The Pedometrics Commission of the International Union of Soil Sciences
(IUSS) makes a biennial award, which is intended to recognize up-and-coming
talent in pedometrics. The award is named for Margaret Oliver, in
recognition of her outstanding commitment to the promotion and
encouragement of pedometricians in the early stages of their careers as
well as her overall service to pedometrics. The award will be given at each
biennial meeting of the Pedometrics Commission. The deadline for
nominations is set for 1 February, nominations can be send to the chair of
the award committee Murray Lark, *[log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>* with the subject line “Oliver Award 2021”

Requirements and eligibility for the award of the Margaret Oliver award:

Nominees must have:

(1) received a PhD degree or equivalent no more than six years before the
nomination deadline of 1st-February-2021; that is, the degree must have
been awarded after 01-February-2015

(2) made high-quality contributions to pedometrics, as evidenced by
published work, conference presentations, workshops, field guides, etc.

(3) at the time of the award be active in pedometrics and with a prospect
of so continuing “Pedometrics” is broadly defined as the application of
mathematics or statistics in soil science.

For more information about the nominations procedure see *
<http://pedometrics.org/margaret-oliver-award-for-early-career-pedometricians-call-for-nominations-2021-award/>http://pedometrics.org/margaret-oliver-award-for-early-career-pedometricians-call-for-nominations-2021-award/
<http://pedometrics.org/margaret-oliver-award-for-early-career-pedometricians-call-for-nominations-2021-award/>*
------------------------------

Magdi Selim (1944-2020)

H. Magdi Selim, age 76, died in Baton Rouge on November 26, 2020. He was a
professor of soil physics at Louisiana State University for over forty
years before retiring in 2019. Magdi served as the Graduate student
coordinator for the Agronomy Department and was a beloved mentor for
members of the LSU AgCenter faculty.

He earned his BS degree from Alexandria University in Egypt and his MS and
PhD from Iowa State University. Magdi authored or coauthored over ten books
and numerous scientific publications in several journals. In 2014 he
received the IUSS Von Liebig Award at the World Congress of Soil Science in
Jeju, South Korea, for his outstanding contributions in applied soil
science research.

Read more: *
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/awards/von-liebig-award/von-liebig-award-2014/>https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/awards/von-liebig-award/von-liebig-award-2014/
<https://www.iuss.org/about-the-iuss/awards-prizes/awards/von-liebig-award/von-liebig-award-2014/>*

He is survived by his wife Liz, their son Richard and his wife Emily, and
his grandson Elliott. Magdi enjoyed LSU basketball, eating at Sammy’s
Grill, and his many pet cats over the years. A reception celebrating his
life will be scheduled in 2021.
------------------------------

General News Land-applying forest residues restores soil acidity

Soil acidification, a major issue responsible for agricultural land
degradation, affects 50% of arable soils in many countries, including
Canada and the United States. Land application of forest&dash;derived
residues is one solution for correcting soil acidity—and these
forest&dash;derived residues are widely available.

Read more: *
<https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/csan.20343>https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/csan.20343
<https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/csan.20343>*

[From: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Report: 20 January 2021]
------------------------------

Webinar on Soil Governance

To mark the launch of the SoiLEX platform, the FAO Global Soil Partnership
(GSP) organized a webinar on soil governance on 13 January 2021. The
webinar included a high-level opening, presentations on how to improve soil
governance, the presentation of the SoiLEX platform and a question and
answer session with all panelists. The webinar brought together 824
participants from more than 160 countries and was a milestone in the
promotion of soil governance around the world. The discussion generated
considerable interest in the implementation of legal instruments related to
soil protection in different countries. The SoiLEX is a global database on
national legislation on soil that aims to facilitate access to existing
legal instruments and to bridge the gap between soil stakeholders. The new
online platform facilitates the search for national soil legal instruments,
the understanding of legal areas relevant to soil management and protection
as well as the exchange of experiences in soil governance between countries
and regions.

To know more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1364883/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1364883/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/events/detail/en/c/1364883/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 30, 22 December 2020]
------------------------------

Global Soil Doctors questionnaire

Interested in the Global Soil Doctors Programme? The first step in the
implementation of the *Global Soil Doctors Programme
<http://newsletters.fao.org/c/113C5H85gGFNJrOVIATWaCHRV>* at the local
level is the identification of potential promoters. To determine whether
your institution or project is suitable to implement the *Global Soil
Doctors programme*, please answer this short *questionnaire*:
EN: *
<http://newsletters.fao.org/c/113C5HjBBZL7Yj11Sn03DIWNS>https://bit.ly/3gPXJ7z
<https://bit.ly/3gPXJ7z>*
ES: *
<http://newsletters.fao.org/c/113C5HGEiBVMs1pebVcizVqFM>https://bit.ly/34edVdP
<https://bit.ly/34edVdP>*
FR: *
<http://newsletters.fao.org/c/113C5HSaDV16GSBklHiq31FBJ>https://bit.ly/3oV4RCo
<https://bit.ly/3oV4RCo>*
Any questions? *[log in to unmask]
<[log in to unmask]>*

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1364945/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1364945/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1364945/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 30, 22 December 2020]
------------------------------

World Soil Day 2020

More than 700 events in over 100 countries marked World Soil *Day "Keep
soil alive, protect soil biodiversity"*. An excellent track on social media
with 300 million people talking about the importance of soil biodiversity
for a healthy life, a strong resonance in global media and thousands of
downloads of our campaign materials.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/
<http://www.fao.org/world-soil-day/en/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 30, 22 December 2020]
------------------------------

Launch of the International Network on Fertilizer Analysis

In relation to the implementation of the International Code of Conduct for
the Sustainable Use and Management of Fertilizers and in response to the
request to look into the harmonization of methods for fertilizer analysis,
the Global Soil Partnership decided to launch the International Network on
Fertilizer Analysis (INFA) on 8 and 9 December 2020. The meeting, attended
by about 290 people from 89 countries established the network and defined
its main areas of work.

Read more: *http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1364771/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1364771/>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 30, 22 December 2020]
------------------------------

Nasa's Curiosity rover: 3,000 days on Mars

The US space agency (Nasa) is about to put its latest rover, Perseverance,
on Mars. But we shouldn't forget that the existing robot, Curiosity, is
still there and working well following its landing in equatorial Gale
Crater back in 2012. Curiosity celebrates 3,000 Martian days, or Sols, on
the surface of the Red Planet on Tuesday. The Mission Science Team has
collected together a series of pictures that record some of the rover's
major achievements.

We all know Mars as the Red Planet, we see that in the night sky. However,
as our drill tailings gallery shows, once we drill just a small depth in to
the interior, Mars can be very different. We have drilled successfully 29
times now and the sediments show a range of hues from ochre-red to
blue-grey reflecting the minerals and fluids that passed through the
ancient rocks. Drilling allows us to get through the top most, oxidized
surface that has been most exposed to cosmic radiation.

Read more: *https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55562150?fbclid=IwAR1YEtWxHW-pt8jhBOPC42iJlBKkBxJAyF2Dzcyw4aHPILYkafp2Rw4O5Qg
<https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-55562150?fbclid=IwAR1YEtWxHW-pt8jhBOPC42iJlBKkBxJAyF2Dzcyw4aHPILYkafp2Rw4O5Qg>*
------------------------------

GSBI Blog "Beneath Our Feet": The scent of earth – a connection between
sporulating soil bacteria and springtails

When digging into soil, we uncover the fragrance of earth that many of us
associate with gardening, agriculture or a walk in the forest. The earthy
smell is so familiar to us and common on our planet that we might not think
about it as anything more than a meaningless whiff. However, the volatile
compounds we smell often have a biological function for those that release
or those that detect the compounds. So, what about that earthy scent of
soil? Could it have an ecological significance?

The smell of soil derives largely from the two characteristic volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, which have long
been known to be produced by soil bacteria of the genus *Streptomyces*.

Read more: *
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/12/22/the-scent-of-earth-a-connection-between-sporulating-soil-bacteria-and-springtails>https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/12/22/the-scent-of-earth-a-connection-between-sporulating-soil-bacteria-and-springtails
<https://www.globalsoilbiodiversity.org/blog-beneath-our-feet/2020/12/22/the-scent-of-earth-a-connection-between-sporulating-soil-bacteria-and-springtails>*

[From GSBI Newsletter – January 2021]
------------------------------

Conferences, Meetings and Workshops

*The outbreak of the Corona virus is clearly a rapidly evolving situation.
The organizers of the meetings listed below are constantly reviewing the
situation in the light of global and country-specific advice to inform
decisions to minimize the additional risks to attendees, their communities
and those living in the meeting’s host country. *

*The IUSS will also continue to monitor the situation, and advise that
prior to attending meetings our members review up to date information from
their country’s government, the WHO and from the host country to ensure
that everyone’s health and wellbeing remains a priority.*
2021 UNESCO Lecture Series-Earth Material for a Sustainable and Thriving
Society

Tuesday, January 26, 2021 to Thursday, April 1, 2021; online webinars

Details: The lectures will be delivered in webinar format by recognized
global experts who will frame their presentations in the context of the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Series will boost
knowledge of Earth materials and contribute to better informed local,
regional, and international discussions. The lectures will be freely
accessible and will be archived for later online access.

Read more: * <https://bit.ly/UNESCOLectures>https://bit.ly/UNESCOLectures
<https://bit.ly/UNESCOLectures>*
------------------------------

Upcoming FAO Global Symposium on Soil Biodiversity (GSOBI21)

19-22 April 2021 (postponed from February 2021), virtual

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Symposium on Soil
Biodiversity ‘Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity’ will be a
science-policy meeting, fully virtual. Due to its new format and the time
difference between the different regions of the world, adjustments have
been made to the current agenda.

It is jointly organized by the UN FAO and its Global Soil Partnership
(GSP), the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), together with
the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Global Soil
Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI) and the Science-Policy Interface of the
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (SPI UNCCD).

The main objective will be to fill some critical knowledge gaps and promote
discussion among policy makers, food producers, scientists, practitioners
and other stakeholders on solutions to live in harmony with nature, and
ultimately, achieve the SDGs through the conservation and sustainable use
of soil biodiversity.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/soil-biodiversity-symposium/en/>http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/soil-biodiversity-symposium/en/
<http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/soil-biodiversity-symposium/en/>*

[From GSBI Newsletter – January 2021]
------------------------------

Emerging policy challenges on New SOil contaminants (ENSOr) Workshop 2021

6-7 May 2021, Online event

The event will consist of a multitude of online live sessions during which
-for this edition- we will (in addition to PFAS) also try to broaden our
view towards other (diffuse) contaminants, such as pesticides, hormones,
microplastics and so on. In addition to new insights on the challenges of
emerging contaminants, we also welcome topics that explore how to tackle
emerging contaminants in systemic solution oriented frameworks, such as
soil care and land stewardship.

The call for abstracts is open until 31 January 2021.

Read more: *
<https://www.2mpact.be/ensor20202/call-for-abstracts>https://www.2mpact.be/ensor20202/call-for-abstracts
<https://www.2mpact.be/ensor20202/call-for-abstracts>*
------------------------------

AquaConSoil 2021 - webinar series & focus week

14-18 June 2021, Online event

We live in a time of transitions, facing and dealing with climate change,
population growth and many other challenges. The awareness grows that a
healthy soil-sediment-water (SSW) system is fundamental to overcome
societal challenges and meet societal needs. To retain and promote a vital
and healthy soil-water system and at the same time facilitate these
transitions, we need to connect.

We will host interesting and inspiring keynote speakers and organize
interactive sessions throughout the year leading up to our digital focus
week between June 14th - June 18th, 2021. Our digital activities will all
be presented to you in bite-size chunks so they’re easy to digest. Sessions
will last for 60 mins and are scheduled during lunch breaks and/or at the
end of the day (also depending on your time zone). In our focus week in
June, we give the floor to you, our network, to share your projects and
research with us.

Deadline for abstract submission: February 14, 2021

Read more: * <http://www.aquaconsoil.com/>www.aquaconsoil.com
<http://www.aquaconsoil.com>*
------------------------------

Eurosoil 2021 goes virtual

23 -27 August, 2021, virtual congress

Due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and the persistent uncertainty on
travel restrictions, country lock-downs and physical distancing
requirements, the Eurosoil 2021 organisers have decided to transform the
physical 2021 Congress into a virtual congress from 23 -27 August. This
decision has been taken by the committee in order to ensure the smooth
planning and delivery of this event in the most serene and fair conditions
for the participants, speakers, sponsors, contributors and organisers.

One of the key benefits of a virtual event is providing on-demand content
for viewers from across the globe for a longer period of time than simply
the dates of the “live” event. This allows the opportunity for a much
larger audience to experience and access EUROSOIL content according to
everyone’s own schedule, time zone and pace.

We see it as an opportunity to widen the audience and maximize the
interactions, in particular between stakeholders, thus increasing the
“connecting people and soil” value of EUROSOIL. The Organising Committee is
fully committed to creating a virtual event that reflects these objectives
as well as the highest standards of science, education, and innovation. We
will use state-of-the-art technology to ensure fruitful exchanges,
presentations of original findings and inclusion of up-to-date topics in a
renewed programme. We look forward to providing you this unique experience.

We would like to share the information that is already confirmed:

   - Registrations that have been made for the Eurosoil 2021 congress will
   be transferred to the Eurosoil 2021 virtual congress
   - Discounted rates will apply for the virtual events and a revised
   timeline for early bird registrations & late registrations will be
   published on the congress website very soon
   - Notifications to submitters of contributions for sessions will be
   circulated mid-May 2021 as already scheduled
   - All accepted contributions to sessions will be maintained for the
   Eurosoil 2021 virtual congress
   - Contributors will have the opportunity to amend/update/edit their
   contribution in 2021 – details of the timeline for this process will be
   communicated once finalised
   - The Session programme topics will remain the same for the vast
   majority of the programme – some minor changes and updates will be made and
   announced in as timely manner as possible
   - “Late breaking” call for contributions will open in February/March
   2021 – more information will be published soon on the congress website

Read more: *Eurosoil 2021 website <https://eurosoil2020.com/>*
------------------------------

202210th International Symposium on Forest Soils - ISFS 2022

‘Forest Soils under Global Change: Processes, Biodiversity and Ecological
Services’

October 17-21, 2022, Hangzhou, P. R. China

The objectives of this conference are 1) to bring together scientists,
educators and practitioners working in the areas of forestry, forest soil
science and global change biology to discuss issues of common interest, and
to present the most up-to-date research findings on forest soil properties,
processes, biodiversity and ecological services under the influence of
global change; 2) to facilitate the development of international linkages,
scientific exchange and strategic alliances in forest soils research and
education; and 3) to discuss policy implications of forest management
practices and climate change impacts on soil properties, forest
productivity, and ecosystem processes and services.

Deadline for Submission of Abstracts: May 30th, 2022

Read more: *
<http://isfs2021.csp.escience.cn/>http://isfs2021.csp.escience.cn/
<http://isfs2021.csp.escience.cn/>*
------------------------------

*For the complete list of upcoming events, please see the event calendar on
the IUSS website: **
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/
<https://www.iuss.org/meetings-events/>*
------------------------------

New publications The Soil-Human Health-Nexus

Edited By Rattan Lal, published December 20, 2020, by CRC Press, 350 pages,
29 Color & 34 B/W Illustrations, ISBN 9780367422134, price: paperback GBP
66.99, hardback GBP 150.00; VitalSource eBook purchase GBP 60.29, 6-month
rental GBP 33.50, 12-month rental GBP 40.20.

The term "soil health" refers to the functionality of a soil as a living
ecosystem capable of sustaining plants, animals, and humans while also
improving the environment. In addition to soil health, the environment also
comprises the quality of air, water, vegetation, and biota. The health of
soil, plants, animals, people, and the environment is an indivisible
continuum.

One of the notable ramifications of the Anthropocene is the growing risks
of decline in soil health by anthropogenic activities. Important among
these activities are deforestation, biomass burning, excessive soil
tillage, indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, excessive irrigation by
flooding or inundation, and extractive farming practices. Soil pollution,
by industrial effluents and urban waste adversely impacts human health.
Degradation of soil health impacts nutritional quality of food, such as the
uptake of heavy metals or deficit of essential micro-nutrients, and
contamination by pests and pathogens. Indirectly, soil health may impact
human health through contamination of water and pollution of air.

Part of the *Advances in Soil Sciences *series, this informative volume
covering various aspects of soil health appeals to soil scientists,
environmental scientists and public health workers.

Read more: *
<https://www.routledge.com/The-Soil-Human-Health-Nexus/Lal/p/book/9780367422134>https://www.routledge.com/The-Soil-Human-Health-Nexus/Lal/p/book/9780367422134
<https://www.routledge.com/The-Soil-Human-Health-Nexus/Lal/p/book/9780367422134>*
------------------------------

Soil erosion: Special Issue published in the International Soil and Water
Conservation Journal

Edited by Richard Cruse, Costanza Calzolari, Lucia Anjos, Nigussie
Haregeweyn, Clara Lefèvre, published in December 2020, Volume 8, Issue 4,
pages 333-452

The special issue of the Global Symposium on Soil Erosion, 15-19 May 2019,
Rome, FAO entitled “Soil erosion assessment tools and data; creation,
consolidation, and harmonization” presents advances in soil erosion
research with a focus on new tools that are being used to assess soil
erosion rates. This publication includes eleven selected contributions
dealing with erosion indicators’ improvement, the use of remote sensing,
nuclear techniques and geochemical fingerprinting.

Read more: *
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1363303/>http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1363303/
<http://www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/resources/highlights/detail/en/c/1363303/>*

Download the article: *
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-soil-and-water-conservation-research/vol/8/issue/4>https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-soil-and-water-conservation-research/vol/8/issue/4
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-soil-and-water-conservation-research/vol/8/issue/4>*

[From: Global Soil Partnership Newsletter no 30, 22 December 2020]
------------------------------

Understanding and improving crop root function

Edited by Peter Gregory, University of Reading, UK. Published 19 January
2021 by Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, 686 pages, ISBN-13:
9781786763600, price hardback GBP 180.00, also available as eBook from
VitalSource.

Recent decades have seen a dramatic increase in research on plant roots. A
deeper understanding of the complex ways roots interact with soils is
making it possible to ‘design’ roots to optimise nutrient/water uptake in
low-input environments, as well as deliver other benefits such as improved
soil health and reduced nutrient leaching. Continued research is needed in
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