Researchers Win Ig Nobel Prize for Burying Underpants
A Swiss study using buried cotton underwear to measure soil microbial activity earns the 2026 Ig Nobel soil science prize.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Botany
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On September 3, 2026, researchers were awarded the Ig Nobel soil science prize in Zurich, Switzerland, for a study that utilized buried underpants to track soil health. The experiment required the burial of 1,000 identical pairs of cotton underwear to assess microbial decomposition over a two-month period.
Why it matters
The project serves as a practical demonstration of soil health, helping the public visualize soil as a complex, living ecosystem. By tracking how quickly cotton fibers break down, the researchers provide a simple, accessible metric for citizens to understand agricultural land management.
The Swiss team utilized 1,000 pairs of cotton underpants to conduct their research, eventually collecting 900 soil samples to calibrate their findings. This large-scale citizen science project built upon methods established by an Ontario experiment that began 11 years ago.
The players
Franz Bender
He is one of the researchers who received the Ig Nobel prize for the soil science project.
Marcel van der Heijden
He is a member of the Swiss research team recognized for the study involving buried underpants.
Atlant Bieri
He contributed to the citizen science study that was awarded the 2026 Ig Nobel soil science prize.
Pia Viviani
She is one of the four researchers honored for the soil health study in Switzerland.
The details
The experimental method involves burying cotton underpants in the soil and excavating them after two months to measure degradation. The level of decomposition visible on the fabric serves as a proxy for the activity of microbes present in the soil sample.
Timeline
2015: The original Soil Your Undies experiment was conducted in Ontario.
2017: Swiss researchers first learned of the Canadian project.
2019: The Swiss team conducted a pilot version of the study.
2021: A large-scale project involved 1,000 Swiss participants.
September 3, 2026: The Ig Nobel soil science award was presented in Zurich.
The Big Picture
This study follows a methodology established by the Soil Your Undies project, which has promoted simple soil analysis for over a decade. By earning the Ig Nobel prize, the research marks an international expansion and academic formalization of this citizen-led approach to soil science.
This research empowers citizens to participate in scientific data collection by using common household items to test the quality of their local soil. It offers a low-cost, accessible method for home gardeners and farmers to assess the biological activity and health of their own land.
The takeaway
Using basic materials like cotton underwear provides a highly effective, low-barrier way for the public to monitor subterranean biodiversity. This project demonstrates how citizen science can generate significant data while fostering a deeper connection between individuals and their local ecosystems.
Further reading
Learn more about the study of plant life and soil systems in the Botany section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farmtario.
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