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Edition #161 · Tuesday, September 29, 2026 · 3445 positive stories
Science & Breakthroughs

What the smell of a soil can tell us about soil health

Phys.org Latest 2026-09-27
What the smell of a soil can tell us about soil health

Farmers are learning to use the scent of their soil to assess its health, thanks to a discovery by ecologist Rosa Boone that links soil smell to microbial communities. The smell of soil can be analyzed in a lab to gain insights into these microorganisms. This method allows for monitoring of soil life.

Why it's good news: It offers farmers a simple and non-invasive way to gauge the health of their soil, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture practices.

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About Science & Breakthroughs coverage

The science section covers breakthroughs in medicine, physics, biology, and technology. We surface discoveries that expand what humanity can do, from new treatments reaching clinical trials to engineering feats that seemed impossible a decade ago. Every link goes to the original publisher so you can read the full study or press release yourself.

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