GoKawiilUniversity of Zurich uses buried underpants to measure Swiss soil health
Researchers at the University of Zurich recruited 1,000 volunteers to bury cotton underpants in soil across Switzerland for two months as part of a citizen science project called 'Proof by Underpants.' After digging them up, scientists measured how much fabric had decomposed to gauge microbial activity and overall soil quality, publishing the results in Plants People Planet.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Soil health underpins food security and ecosystem stability, yet it is declining globally and hard to measure at scale using standard lab methods like the teabag index. This low-cost, crowd-sourced technique shows how simple materials and public participation can generate national-level environmental data while also raising public awareness of soil conservation.
- 1,000 Swiss volunteers buried cotton underpants to test soil decomposition rates.
- The method offers a cheaper, more accessible alternative to standard soil-health tests like the teabag index.
- Findings confirm that land management practices strongly influence soil biological activity and fertility.
Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit — If burying underwear feels a bit extreme, this classic soil test kit lets you check your garden's pH and nutrient levels at home. It's a hands-on way to follow the Swiss citizen-science spirit and see how your own patch of dirt is doing before planting season.
See Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil Test Kit on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “Why did 1,000 Swiss citizens bury their underpants?”
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