MSc Soils and Sustainability

30/06/2026

The British Society of Soil Science welcomes the recognition of the role of healthy soils within the Farming Roadmap 2050. We are encouraged to see soil health identified as a key component of productive, resilient farming systems, supported by commitments to improved soil data, guidance, and sustainable soil management.

Healthy soils are the foundation of sustainable food production - farming systems built on healthy soils, clean water and diverse ecosystems can deliver a wide range of environmental, economic and societal benefits. Strong evidence is needed to support the UK’s £15.9 billion agriculture sector, especially on the impacts of improved practices such as regenerative agriculture and new technologies on soils. To make the most of the Farming Roadmap 2050, investments in research and data provision, and secured training for the next generation of agricultural specialists, are essential.

The British Society of Soil Science represents a broad membership of soil scientists, researchers and practitioners from academia, industry and the public sector, providing expertise across agricultural soils and sustainable land management throughout the UK, and continues to provide independent scientific expertise to support the evidence base for policies and practices that promote healthy, resilient soils.

READ MORE: https://ow.ly/1YXf50Zi56v

29/06/2026

"Tiny organisms on the ground – bacteria and fungi – have a 'superpower' that allows them to reach up into the atmosphere and pull down the rain, according to a recent study.

To understand how a microbe can control a storm, we first have to look at how clouds become rain. High up in the atmosphere, water doesn't always freeze at 0°C. Temperatures are normally much lower at cloud level but pure water can stay liquid down to a bone-chilling -40°C."

Read more: https://regenerationinternational.org/2026/05/04/how-hidden-soil-fungi-steal-bacterial-dna-to-control-the-rain/

29/01/2026

29/01/2026

A very interesting study on biodiversity in vermicompost and manures.

OW20-357 (project overview) Project Type: Professional + Producer Funds awarded in 2020: $49,100.00 Projected End Date: 01/31/2022 Grant Recipient: Rocky Mountain Soil Stewardship Region: Western State: Colorado Principal Investigator: Dr. Zackary Jones Email Aggrego Data Co-Investigators: Kathy D...

23/01/2026

Did you know your soil is protected by laws? ⚖️

Explore SoiLEX and discover legal and policy instruments for management in your country 📚

🔎Search by country or soil topic here 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soilex/en/

20/01/2026

04/01/2026

Are you looking for ways to improve your writing of your research paper?

We have summarised the key points from our recent webinar, 'How to write an impactful research paper', here 👇
https://f.mtr.cool/qdqdqjigkg

We aim to support potential authors in writing their papers in an impactful way to improve their chances of publication.

31/12/2025

Soil Protozoa and Regulation of Microbial Populations 🌱🔬

https://jeas.agropublishers.com/free-online-mcq-test/
Professional test preparation Science https://agropublishers.com/2024/10/05/mcqs-soil-science/

Soil is a living ecosystem, and among its most important yet often overlooked inhabitants are soil protozoa. These microscopic, single-celled organisms play a crucial role in maintaining balance within the soil food web and directly influence soil fertility and plant health.

🌾 What are Soil Protozoa?

Soil protozoa are microscopic organisms commonly found in moist soils. The major groups include amoebae, flagellates, and ciliates. They primarily feed on bacteria and fungi, making them key regulators of microbial populations.

🔄 Regulation of Microbial Populations

Protozoa act as natural controllers of bacteria and other microbes. By grazing on excessive bacterial populations, they:

1. Prevent microbial overpopulation
3. Maintain diversity and balance in soil microbes
4. Encourage more efficient microbial communities

This regulation ensures that beneficial microbes remain active without dominating the system.

🌿 Nutrient Mineralization & Availability

When protozoa consume bacteria, they release excess nutrients (especially nitrogen) in plant-available forms like ammonium (NH₄⁺). This process is known as microbial loop and results in:

1. Improved nitrogen availability
2. Enhanced nutrient cycling
3. Reduced nutrient losses from soil

protozoa help convert locked nutrients into food for plants.

🌱 Impact on Plant Growth

Healthy protozoa populations indirectly promote plant growth by:
1. Supporting beneficial bacteria
2. Enhancing root nutrient uptake
3. Improving soil structure and aggregation
4. Enhanced soil biological activity

Plants growing in biologically active soils often show better vigor, stronger roots, and improved resistance to stress.

🌍 Soil Health Indicator
The presence and diversity of soil protozoa indicate:
1. Adequate soil moisture
2. Balanced organic matter
3. Reduced chemical stress

Their decline often signals soil degradation, overuse of chemicals, or poor organic management.

🌿 Sustainable Agriculture Perspective
Encouraging protozoa populations through:
1. Organic matter addition
2. Reduced chemical inputs
3. Compost and mulching
4. Cover cropping
5. Mulching
6. Inrercropping

These factors leads to naturally fertile and resilient soils, supporting long-term sustainable farming.

🌸 Healthy soil is living soil, and protozoa are its silent managers.





https://agropublishers.com/2024/10/05/mcqs-soil-science/