Search

Filter by

12 search results

  1. Gardens can be havens for soil animals in towns and cities

    Press release
    Nearly 1000 'citizen scientists' sent in their observations this year on Soil Animal Days 2019. And a surprisingly high number of people tried to do something in return for the vital services these soil creatures provide for us.
    Top 3 Soil Animals in Dutch Gardens 2019

  2. Live-in bacteria protect plants against infections

    Press release
    Micro-organisms living inside plant roots team up to boost the plant’s growth and tolerance to stress. This research is featured this week in the scientific journal Science.
    Zaailingen van suikerbieten, links goed groeiend door micro-organismen, rechts minder goed groeiend zonder micro-organismen

  3. Microbes for plant health

    Microbes can act as bodyguards for plants and can foster plant growth in other ways as well. At NIOO, we are digging into the mechanisms: in what ways do they interact? And how can we stimulate this, to make our agriculture more sustainable? Let's rewild our microbes!
    Sorghum field infected with the parasitic plant Striga

  4. SmartResidue

    Project 2019–2023
    This project will investigate residue-stimulated atmospheric methane oxidation, and aims to elucidate its occurrence in field conditions, responsible microorganisms, underlying mechanisms and controlling factors.
    Sampling compost

  5. Is agroforestry the answer for rainforest restoration?

    News
    The conversion of Amazon rainforest for agriculture has led to deforestation and soil degradation. Agroforestry has been suggested as a sustainable alternative, but NIOO's Eiko Kuramae says its impact on the soil needs to be more fully considered.
    Márcio Leite & Eiko Kuramae

  6. Plants provide power

    Need a place to recharge your phone? Our roof features 25 m2 of energy-producing green!
    Planten op het groene dak van NIOO-KNAW

  7. Carbon storage in nature

    Carbon storage is a hot item. Almost literally, as it is closely linked to climate warming. NIOO researchers discover more and more about the role of the living soil within our planet's carbon cycle. That role is: very influential, invaluable and essential for a sustainable climate policy.
    schimmeldraden verbinden bodemdeeltjes, soil fungi connect soil particles

  8. Learning from nature: Using plant-soil feedback effects to improve disease control and sustainability in greenhouse cut-flowers

    Blog
    In this post I will look back on our past project on using plant-soil feedbacks to improve the growth of Chrysanthemum, an important cut flower crop in The Netherlands.
    Red chrysanthemum blooming in greenhouse

  9. Caterpillars retrieve 'voicemail' by eating soil

    Press release
    Leaf-feeding caterpillars greatly enrich their intestinal flora by eating soil. It's even possible to trace the legacy effects of plants that previously grew in that soil through bacteria and fungi in the caterpillars.
    Kooluil op boerenkool

  10. Film 'Onder het Maaiveld' revisited - English version

    Event
    To honour the International Day of Biodiversity, with NIOO soil ecologists for Q&A afterwards!
    Film onder het maaiveld: verschillende bodemdieren