We’re building something new. On 1 July the Bioeconomy Science Institute was formed bringing together Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research alongside AgResearch, Plant & Food Research and Scion.
This issue of Soil Horizons is our first as part of the new organisation. It’s exciting to see the breadth of research in this issue, with content that reflects our new organisation’s wider capabilities.
We have stories on upgrades to S-map nationally and regionally, including an in-depth look at the Taranaki region, where over 240,000 ha of new S-map soil mapping is now available for end-users. Nationally, we’ve added over 838,460 ha across Northland, Waikato, Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Marlborough, Tasman, Canterbury, and Otago.
Cyclone Gabrielle triggered a large number of shallow landslides across the Hawke’s Bay region, but trees prevented much worse erosion. We explore evidence that the effectiveness of trees is not just about how many there are, but also where they are planted.
After winter forage grazing can winter-sown catch crops reduce nitrate leaching in Southland? We find out from a leaching study at the Southern Dairy Hub, and provide some key practical advice for farmers. We also report on better crop nitrogen (N) management. Soil testing for mineral N and potentially mineralisable N at the start of the crop growing season can be used to estimate how much N is available or will be released.
We report on incorporating plantain into grazed swards as a promising approach to reduce nitrous oxide emissions from livestock grazing systems, which will help mitigate our greenhouse gas emissions. In New Zealand the benefits of biochar application to soils have mostly been evaluated under controlled conditions, but here we report on a study where its benefits were measured in the field.
An event aimed at keeping our team’s soil description skills up to date became the largest soil judging competition ever held in the Southern Hemisphere – and possibly the world! We report on the cut and thrust of this keenly fought competition involving a wide variety of international participants.
An important tool for aspiring and experienced soil mappers is the Soil Description Handbook, so after three decades we’re revising it to ensure it captures both long-established field techniques and the latest digital tools. We’ve also been developing an artificial intelligence tool that could unlock new ways to add value to our growing collection of digital soil information and resources. Read all about it here!
Finally, in June 2025 NZ Post issued a set of four stamps with themes related to the many roles that soils play for us. They can be bought as collector’s sets or used to send your Christmas presents.
John Drewry
Editor
Senior Researcher - Soil Physics and Capability Leader
