A global analysis of field experiments suggests that biochar, a carbon-rich material made by heating organic biomass with limited oxygen, can significantly increase soil microbial biomass carbon, an important indicator of soil health and biological activity.

A plant best known as an ecological problem may offer a new tool for healthier soils and more resilient crops. A study published in Biochar reports that biochar made from Solidago canadensis L., an invasive plant in southern China, can be modified with silicon to suppress bacterial wilt, improve soil quality, and promote beneficial soil microbes.

A study reveals how cottonseed waste can be transformed into clean energy, offering a promising path toward a self-sustaining and fossil fuel-free cotton industry.

Heavy metal pollution from mining and industrial activities continues to threaten soils, ecosystems, and human health worldwide. Contaminants such as lead and zinc can persist in soils for decades, entering the food chain and posing serious risks. A study offers a promising, nature-based solution by combining biochar with a carefully designed community of beneficial microorganisms to enhance plant-driven cleanup of polluted soils.

A recent study published in Automation in Construction by researchers from Incheon National University exploits a novel approach to improving excavator tracking performance under real-world conditions. By integrating deep learning-based instance segmentation with an automated, reliability-based multi-camera strategy, this study addresses one of the most persistent challenges in construction monitoring—frequent occlusions caused by dynamic site activities. In addition, the researchers propose a frame-level reliability estimation process that automatically identifies unreliable tracking results.

A field study reveals that combining biochar with organic fertilizer can significantly improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and beneficial microbial communities in dryland farming systems, offering a promising pathway toward more sustainable agriculture.

Cities around the world are searching for practical ways to adapt to climate change, manage stormwater, and reduce urban heat. A new field study offers compelling evidence that a simple material could significantly improve one of the most promising urban solutions: green roofs.