Soil Biology and Biochemistry

Aims & Scope

The scope of Soil Biology & Biochemistry publishes scientific research articles of international significance which describe and explain fundamental biological and biochemical features and processes occurring in soil systems.

The emphasis is on original research which substantively advances or directs our understanding of the mechanistic basis of how soils function.

Articles may involve applications of basic knowledge to applied issues if they provide distinct insight into the role of soil biology and biochemistry in regulating soil functions.

Some examples of major topics include: The ecology of all soil organisms (including viruses) How soil biology interacts with soil physical and chemical properties and processes to regulate belowground functions Relationships and functional interactions between soil biota and plants The effects of soil organisms on ecosystem dynamics across spatial and temporal scales SBB also emphasizes the application of molecular, microscopic, and analytical techniques and modelling approaches to understand, explain and visualise soil functioning.

Technique-focused papers must involve a particularly high degree of novelty or significance.

In addition, the journal publishes state-of-the-art reviews that consider contemporary research and synthesise knowledge to provide enhanced understanding of biotic roles in soil system functioning.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	10.3

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	3.982

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	285

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Agricultural and Biological Sciences and Immunology and Microbiology, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass C

  Citation: 9963

  Authors: E.D., P.C., D.S.

• Chloroform fumigation and the release of soil nitrogen: A rapid direct extraction method to measure microbial biomass nitrogen in soil

  Citation: 4640

  Authors: P.C., Andrea, G., D.S.

• Biochar effects on soil biota – A review

  Citation: 4044

  Authors: Johannes, Matthias C., Janice, Caroline A., William C., David

• Use of p-nitrophenyl phosphate for assay of soil phosphatase activity

  Citation: 3290

  Authors: M.A., J.M.

• Soil macroaggregate turnover and microaggregate formation: a mechanism for C sequestration under no-tillage agriculture

  Citation: 2587

  Authors: J, E.T, K

• A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soils

  Citation: 2526

  Authors: J.P.E., K.H.

• Review of mechanisms and quantification of priming effects

  Citation: 2388

  Authors: Y, J.K, K

• Soil quality – A critical review

  Citation: 2099

  Authors: Else K., Giulia, Zhanguo, Rachel E., Gerlinde, Ron, Luuk, Violette, Thom W., Paul, Mirjam, Wijnand, Jan Willem, Lijbert

• Measurement of soil microbial biomass C by fumigation-extraction—an automated procedure

  Citation: 2081

  Authors: J., R.G., Birgit, R., P.C.

• The effects of biocidal treatments on metabolism in soil—V

  Citation: 1908

  Authors: D.S., D.S.

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