27-8-2026

The way in which land is used appears to be the most important factor determining soil biological activity. This is one of the findings of the Swiss ‘underwear study’. With the help of Swiss citizens, 2,000 pairs of cotton underpants were buried in the soil at 1,000 locations. After several months, the degree of decomposition was assessed. The differences were considerable. The greatest decomposition was recorded in private gardens, where relatively high levels of organic matter create favourable conditions for soil organisms. Biological activity was lowest on lawns, while arable land and grassland occupied an intermediate position. The soil’s nutrient status also affected the rate of decomposition. A high degree of decomposition often indicates a good nutrient supply, but in natural ecosystems and gardens it can also be a sign of overfertilisation.

Read the full article on the Agroscope website