Search

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a soil conditioner derived from steel slag (Agrosilicio Plus – ASP) compared to dolomitic limestone (DLS) in agriculture. The research questions were about how ASP compares to DLS in terms of soil acidity correction, productivity, and the nutritional status of the forage grass Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using plastic pots filled with a 0-20 cm layer of Ferrasol. In the first experiment, soil conditioners were applied on the surface, while in the second, they were incorporated into the soil. A complete block design with a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement was employed. The factors included two soil conditioners (ASP and DLS) at four application rates (25%, 50%, 100%, and 150% of the liming requirement). A control treatment without any conditioner application was also included. P. maximum was grown in three successive 45-day cropping cycles. The shoot dry mass and nutrient content in plants' tissues were measured. Both ASP and DLS were effective in correcting soil acidity. The ASP led to a higher silicon accumulation in the plants, whereas DLS resulted in higher calcium accumulation. Increasing rates of both conditioners generally had positive effects on most variables measured. When applied on the surface, ASP led to higher dry mass production accumulated in three crops. ASP is a viable alternative to limestone for correcting soil acidity and supplying essential nutrients and silicon to BRS Zuri grass. Additionally, ASP can effectively be applied on the soil surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure food security for the future, finding optimal agricultural management in the shadow of significant impact of climate changes on crops is needed. This research related to nutritional problems under effect of future climate changes on rice, at four levels of nitrogen application treatments (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg/ha, which are nominated as N0, N1, N2 and N3 treatments, respectively) and three planting densities (20 × 20 cm, 30 × 16 cm, 30 × 14 cm, which are nominated as D1, D2 and D3 treatments, respectively) and two CO2 concentration scenario (RCP2.6 and RCP6.0) at 2044 and 2064, was conducted in northern part of Iran, using Aquacrop model. The introduced polynomial equation increased the accuracy of the relationship between leaf area index and canopy cover with an average error of 16%. With the increase in fertilizer level and planting density, crop production increased, with observed maximum and minimum yields of 7 and 3.7 t/ha for N3D1 and N0D2 treatments, respectively. It was observed that the soil fertility stress led to up to 55% reduction in biomass. It was observed that during the rice growth season, the climate of the region shifts to a semi-arid state with a drought index between 0.2 and 0.3. By increasing temperature and CO2 concentration, the soil fertility stress was also increased with the highest value of 45.5% for RCP6.0 scenario in 2064. There is a possibility of temperature stress in future years which causes stomata closure and early senescence, so in our work a maximum of 2% temperature stress was observed in 2064, which led to a 5% decrease in the yield. The water requirement of the crop increased from 305 mm in the base year to 322 mm in 2064.Both WP* and WUE were increased with increasing temperature and CO2, with the highest values of 26 g/cm2 and 2.56 kg/m3, respectively, for RCP6.0 in 2064. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-organic fertilizer exerts an important part in aggregate stability as well as carbon and nitrogen turnover. To investigate whether there is a synergistic effect of bio-organic fertilizer application on soil properties within the aggregates. In the present study, the field experiment was performed to examine soil organic carbon (SOC) contents, total nitrogen (TN) contents, stability, and the SOC and TN contents of aggregate fractions in 0–20 cm layer. The treatments comprised the application of no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer alone (CF), bio-organic fertilizer alone (OF), and chemical fertilizer combined with bio-organic fertilizer (COF). Our study suggested that the OF and COF treatments evidently enhanced the stability of aggregates relative to other treatments. All bio-organic amended treatments elevated the SOC level in bulk soil and within each aggregate fraction by 0.67–153.62%. Small macro-aggregates and micro-aggregates made large the contribution to rate of SOC and TN under each treatment, relative to other aggregate fractions. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that both the significant positive correlation of SOC and TN with the composition of macro-aggregates and negative correlation with aggregates of <0.25 mm particle size. Further analysis using principal component analysis and comprehensive soil fertility index evaluation indicates that the combined application of bio-organic and chemical fertilizer was a favorable agricultural management practice for improving greenhouse soil quality and maintaining land productivity. This study evidenced that the COF treatment is more suitable for improving the greenhouse soil structure and enhancing carbon sequestration capacity, which is of great significance in ensuring the structure stability of greenhouse soil and maintaining the high yield of tomatoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated land is the most valuable agricultural resource and the most important factor of production. The protection of cultivated land quality is not only the foundation of national food security but also a strategic issue related to the sustainable development of the economy and society as a whole. This paper uses survey data from Jiangxi Province's "Double Hundred and Thousand" in 2023 and empirically analyzes the impact of digital literacy on farmers' cultivated land quality protection behaviors and its mechanism by using the O-probit model and the mediating effect model. The results show that digital literacy can effectively promote farmers' cultivated land quality protection behaviors. Furthermore, digital literacy can indirectly promote farmers' cultivated land quality protection behaviors through cultivated land protection cognition and digital use ability. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that farmers are more inclined to participate in cultivated quality protection behaviors In the context of better soil fertility conditions and higher digital literacy. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously improve the digital literacy of farmers, improve their awareness of cultivated land protection, and continuously strengthen their digital use ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapeseed and sorghum, important economic crops in China, generate abundant straw resources. However, studies examining the effects of straw return combined with reduced nitrogen fertilization on soil quality are still insufficient to meet the precise fertilization needs, necessitating further research. This study employed two treatments: rapeseed straw plus sorghum straw (LT) and rapeseed green manure plus sorghum straw (YGT) returned to the soil. Nitrogen was applied at three rates: 0%, 70% of the conventional amount (0.7CK) and the conventional fertilization (CK). Meanwhile, conventional fertilization was used as a control. Over three consecutive years, this experiment investigated the impact of these treatments on sorghum yield and soil nutrient properties, evaluating overall soil quality and individual soil fertility components. Straw return significantly improved soil quality, with enhancements ranging from 6.5 to 61.4% compared to the CK. The LT + 0.7CK and YGT + 0.7CK produced relatively higher yields, increasing by 10.9% and 10.49% respectively over the CK. Moreover, the comprehensive soil quality of these two treatments is also relatively high, and the comprehensive soil quality of both is at the same level. However, the absence of rapeseed yield in the YGT + 0.7CK treatment during the rapeseed season suggests that LT + 0.7CK is a more economically viable fertilization approach. Soil fertility evaluations indicated that the LT + 0.7CK treatment did not meet the third-level farmland nutrient standards for available potassium, organic matter, total phosphorus, and total potassium. Future fertilization strategies should continue incorporating organic fertilizers and further research to enhance soil phosphorus and potassium contents, thus improving fertilization schemes. This study provides valuable insights for the sustainable utilization of straw resources and the reduction of chemical fertilizers in the Yangtze River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic environments and biotic neighbourhoods interact to influence plant growth and community assembly. However, the nature of this interaction depends very much on how biotic neighbourhoods are measured, including their relatedness to focal plants. In a tropical seasonal rainforest, we examine the growth of a dominant canopy species in response to environmental factors, the densities and relatedness of conspecific and heterospecific neighbours, and their interactions. We find significant environmental effects and conspecific negative density dependence on growth. Furthermore, conspecific neighbour density has stronger negative effects on growth under high light and soil water resource levels, but weaker negative effects under low light and soil water resource levels. In addition, more closely related heterospecifics in the neighbourhood have negative effects on growth under high soil phosphorus availability, but positive effects under low soil phosphorus availability. In contrast, more closely related conspecifics in the neighbourhood have negative effects on growth under low soil potassium availability, but positive effects under high soil potassium availability. Our study emphasizes the importance of both intra- and interspecific neighbourhood composition and their interactions with resource levels for understanding tree growth. This enhances our understanding of the complex processes in community assembly and species coexistence within forest communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) ranks as one of the world's leading legume crops, valued for its protein-packed edible seeds and contribution to soil fertility. However, chickpea cultivation encounters various biotic stresses, particularly fungal diseases, significantly impacting its productivity. In this study, a collection of 178 fungi, belonging to six geographical locations, was isolated from root and aerial tissues showing signs of fungal infection. The pathogenicity tests revealed that 75% of these fungi exhibited varying degrees of pathogenicity, with very pathogenic fungi representing the largest fraction (39%). Among these, 20 highly pathogenic fungal isolates were identified, representing eight different morphological types. Using rDNA ITS-sequencing, we classified these isolates into three genera and five distinct species, including four newly identified pathogens of chickpea: Fusarium foetens, Fusarium boothii, Macrophomina pseudophaseolina, and Aspergillus alliaceus. Molecular characterization and morphological analysis highlighted the prevalence of the genus Fusarium and the species F. foetens across all investigated sites. These results provide key insights into chickpea fungal pathogens, aiding crop management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main chemical, physical, and biological limitations on soil production in western Ethiopia include low soil fertility, nutrient unavailability, and acidity. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to evaluate how specific physico-chemical properties of soil were influenced by the combined application of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer rates at Bako Agricultural Research Center. Four vermicompost levels (0, 2.32, 3.48, and 4.64 tons ha−1) and four NPS fertilizer levels (0, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha−1) were combined in a factorial manner were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The study's findings demonstrated that while bulk density decreased below the control due to different levels of organic fertilizer application, all treatments applied increased soil moisture and total porosity relative to the control or NPS fertilizer alone. The results showed that the combination of vermicompost and NPS fertilizer rates significantly affected organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, basic cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), and available phosphorous. Nevertheless, the experiment indicated the integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers to enhance nutrient availability by maintaining soil fertility and health because the pH of the soil was significantly influenced by the primary effects of vermicompost levels (P ≤ 0.01). Vermicompost and NPS fertilizers are highly useful in the amendment of soil fertility. Both play an important role in the supply of essential nutrients, improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil, and enhancing it for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agronomy stands as one of the most substantial and vital industries in the world, hence taking measures to increase production levels of crops is pivotal for human health of a country’s population and economy. To provide a sufficient and consistent food supply, it is necessitated to use productive and efficient agriculture practices. Nanotechnology dispensed a revolutionary approach to agronomy by enhancing the accessibility of metal ions to the plants. The high surface area-to-volume ratio and compact size of nanoparticles allow them to efficiently improve the nutrient uptake by plants. Micronutrient salts used in conventional fertilizers generally disrupt soil pH balance, a nutrient availability that potentially harms plant health. Also, overutilization of these salts leads to nutrient imbalances or antagonistic interactions with other nutrients and harms the surrounding ecosystems. Interestingly, bio-extract-based metal nanoparticles are intended to support sustainable agricultural practices. Plant, fungal, and bacterial extracts, which are utilized in nano-fertilizers, contain active substances, including phytochemicals, aromatic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. These compounds aid in promoting growth which could benefit the wellbeing and output of plants. Further, nanoparticles can also help to improve soil fertility and slowdown soil deterioration by retaining nutrients, water, and soil structure. This review examines the potential of nanoparticles as an alternative micronutrient source, exploring on several metallic nano-fertilizers and advocating their eco-friendly approach to enhance agricultural practices on food crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biochar in crop production has garnered attention for its potential to improve soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and carbon sequestration. However, in arid and semi-arid regions where yield is constrained by water scarcity and fertilizer cost, the application of biochar is an important strategy to increase yield. This study evaluates the effects of different biochar levels (0%, 1.5%, and 3%) and watering regimes (50% and 100% of field capacity) on two rapeseed varieties (Sarigol and RGS) in a greenhouse experiment. The results demonstrated that biochar application could alleviate the negative effects of water deficit on zinc (Zn) (21.48%) content for both rapeseed varieties in comparison with control. Also, 3% biochar increased Copper (Cu) (10%) and Potassium (K) content (64.3%) in varieties compared to the control. The application of biochar in crop fields of southern Iran, characterized by poor soil quality and water scarcity, could represent an available and sustainable strategy for crop production under future climate change conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation was made of the use of gypsum as a soil conditioner and for banana crop nutrition and production. The trial was undertaken in established commercial banana orchards located in the municipality of Corupá (Santa Catarina state, Brazil). Firstly, chemical characterization of the soil was performed and 3 t ha−1 of limestone was applied to the soil surface in the experimental area. The treatments employed five different doses of gypsum powder (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha−1) and one dose of granular gypsum (2 t ha−1), in plots that were organized in fully randomized blocks, with three replicates. For each treatment, the weights of the harvested banana bunches were measured during three consecutive cycles. Determinations were also made of soil and leaf chemistry parameters, for each treatment. The results showed that the limestone partially corrected the acidity only in the surface soil. Gypsum did not change the soil chemical parameters during the evaluation period. However, the calcium (Ca) content in the leaves increased in the second production cycle, after the application of gypsum, while the average weight of the harvested bunches also increased during the experiment. The application of agricultural gypsum led to an increase of the Ca concentration in the leaves of banana plants grown in acidic soil, resulting in short-term production gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic acid (HA), a crucial substance for maintaining soil fertility and health, plays a vital role in sustainable agricultural development and environmental remediation. Hydrothermal humification (HTH) offers the advantage of producing HA analogues from biomass in a significantly shorter timeframe compared with natural processes, thereby enhancing carbon efficiency. This approach aligns with green chemistry principles by promoting the sustainable utilization of resources while minimizing environmental impacts. However, research on the hydrothermal production of HA is still in its early stages, with the underlying conditions, influencing factors, and conversion mechanisms remaining unclear. Furthermore, the potential applications of hydrothermal HA are not yet fully understood. Drawing from nearly a decade of research, this article addresses the mechanism of hydrothermal conversion of biomass into HA and discusses the impacts of diverse HTH operating parameters such as reaction time, biomass composition, reaction solvent, and reaction temperature on the humification process. Given the current lack of research on the applications of hydrothermal HA, we demonstrated the potential applications and challenges of hydrothermal HA by exploring the use of HA from various other sources in diverse scenarios, including agriculture, environmental protection, functional material preparation and animal husbandry. Furthermore, the challenges and research directions for the commercial application of hydrothermal HA are discussed, aiming to provide a reference for studies on HA derived from biomass via hydrothermal conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of varying biochar application rates on soil characteristics and the growth of Amaranthus caudatus in Ghana. Corn cob biochar, produced at a temperature of 550 °C, was applied at different rates (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 t/ha) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The findings demonstrated a notable enhancement in soil characteristics as the biochar application rates increased. The soil pH rose from 5.45 in the control group to 6.16 with the application of 7.5 t/ha. The 10 t/ha rate resulted in a significant increase of up to 24.3% in organic carbon content. The 10 t/ha treatment resulted in a 60% rise in total nitrogen, whereas accessible phosphorus exhibited an 80% increase. The water retention ability was significantly enhanced, with the application of 7.5 t/ha resulting in the greatest increase (11.7% compared to 10.8% in the control). Biochar application had a favorable impact on plant growth metrics. The application of 10 t/ha resulted in the highest plant height, measuring 17.17 cm, which is a 100% increase compared to the control group. The 7.5 t/ha treatment had the highest number of leaves, with 11.54 leaves, representing a 15% increase compared to the control. The stem circumference also increased, with the application rate of 7.5 t/ha resulting in the widest stems measuring 21.1 mm. The application of biochar significantly increased the yield of fresh matter in Amaranthus caudatus. The 10 t/ha rate resulted in the highest yield of 1722 kg/ha, closely followed by the 7.5 t/ha rate with a yield of 1676 kg/ha. These rates showed yield increases of 183 and 176% respectively, compared to the control yield of 608 kg/ha. This study showcases the capacity of biochar to enhance soil fertility and increase crop yield in tropical soils when used as a soil supplement. The findings indicate that applying biochar at rates ranging from 7.5 to 10 t/ha could be the most effective in improving soil characteristics and promoting the growth of Amaranthus caudatus in comparable circumstances. The consequences of these discoveries are significant for the sustainable management of soil and the security of food in tropical countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted in Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore, during 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 to evaluate the impact of combining chemical fertilizers with farmyard manure (FYM) and biocompost on soil properties and blackgram yield. Three field experiments were carried out under varying soil organic carbon levels, with soil samples collected after 45 days and analyzed for biological properties. The combined application significantly enhanced soil health, improving bacterial, fungal, and actinomycetes populations, soil respiration, microbial quotient, microbial biomass carbon, and enzymatic activities, including urease, alkaline phosphatase, beta-glucosidase, and dehydrogenase. The STCR-IPNS-1.4 t ha− 1 resulted in the highest blackgram grain yields, ranging from 1314 to 1384 kg ha− 1 in experiment I and 1342–1368 kg ha− 1 in experiment II. During the year 2022–2023, the mean percent increase in grain yield due to STCR-IPNS-1.4 t ha− 1 (with FYM) was 48.2, 38.7, and 58.2 over blanket, blanket + FYM, and farmer’s practice, respectively. Similarly, during the year 2023–2024, the mean percent increase in grain yield due to STCR-IPNS-1.4 t ha− 1 (with biocompost) was 51.3, 43.8, and 63.8 over blanket, blanket + biocompost, and farmer’s practice. These findings highlight the potential of integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers to improve soil health and enhance crop yields in water-scarce regions. By boosting microbial activity and soil fertility, this approach offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for addressing the challenges of soil degradation, water scarcity, and climate change in arid and semi-arid areas. This method can be adapted to similar regions globally, contributing to long-term agricultural sustainability and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia has made significant efforts to rehabilitate and restore degraded lands. However, these initiatives have been hindered by low soil fertility and extreme environmental events, such as seasonal frost. Reports indicate that frost is a major factor contributing to seedling mortality in the highlands. This study aimed to investigate farmers' tree preferences and traditional frost management practices in degraded, frost-affected highlands of central Ethiopia. The study was conducted in four purposively selected frost-prone districts (woredas) in the Amhara regional state: Dessie Zuria, Legambo, Menz Gera, and Menz Mama. A total of 202 households were sampled using a simple random sampling technique, based on the list of taxpayer households available at each site. Primary data were collected through household surveys using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). The most commonly grown tree species by farmers were Eucalyptus globulus (55.0%), Cytisus proliferus (20.0%), and Cupressus lusitanica (9.4%). Farmers prioritized tree attributes such as multipurpose use and fast growth (43.5%), and tree products like poles and construction materials (68.5%). Seasonal frost was identified as the primary cause of seedling mortality (59.4%), followed by drought (10.7%) and free grazing (8.5%). For frost management, farmers predominantly used mulching (33.5%), followed by hoeing and watering (24.1%) and plant cover (21.5%). Key variables, including district (P = 0.000), sex (P = 0.002), education (P = 0.044), and social status (P = 0.045), were found to have significant positive associations with farmers' frost management practices. To enhance these efforts, farmers' existing practices should be optimized, and alternative frost management strategies should be developed, tested, and scaled up in various frost-prone areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mung bean is a vital legume crop in Pakistan, contributing significantly to both dietary needs and agricultural sustainability due to its rich nutrient content and soil-enhancing properties through nitrogen fixation. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of vermicompost, simple compost and NP fertiliser on the morpho-physiological, biochemical and yield characteristics of mung bean. Treatments included vermicompost, compost and their combinations with NP fertiliser. Key parameters assessed were plant height, crop germination, leaf size, nodule viability, pod length, grain protein content and yield attributes. Results indicated that while vermicompost alone improved growth and productivity, the combination of 50% vermicompost with 50% NP fertiliser yielded the highest productivity. Intermediate results were observed with a mixture of 25% vermicompost, 25% compost and 50% NP fertiliser, whereas the control (100% NP fertiliser) and compost treatments alone resulted in the lowest productivity and decreased soil fertility. The study concluded that integrating organic and chemical fertilisers, particularly at a 50:50 vermicompost to NP fertiliser ratio, is optimal for enhancing mung bean yield and soil health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, population growth and declining soil fertility are threatening global food security. Modern agriculture must therefore adopt ecological and sustainable practices to restore soil fertility, strengthen crop resilience and guarantee a stable supply of food product. Plant biostimulants, a sustainable solution, have a high potential to replace certain conventional methods and improve crop productivity. These formulations of bioactive molecules or microbial strains, applied at low concentrations, improve agronomic performance, nutritional efficiency and resistance to abiotic stresses. This review focuses on non-microbial biostimulants, such as protein hydrolysates, humic substances, seaweed extracts, chitosan, biopolymers, and specific inorganic compounds. It analyses their effectiveness and future potential in increasing yields, improving crop quality, and enhancing tolerance to abiotic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation and sealing are still frequent in soil management today despite intensive research. An unsatisfactory assessment of soil key components and soil health still limits sustainable land use. For the future evaluation of soil health, soils under productive use have been compared with natural and semi-natural soils using thermogravimetric fingerprinting of air-dried soil samples. This approach has led to a more precise quantification of known relationships and the discovery of several new ones between soil components that have evolved over thousands of years of soil formation without human intervention, each changing in a specific way due to land use. The use-related deviations from the natural soil condition allow a distinction between natural soils, disturbed soils, and soil-like carbon-containing mineral mixtures (e.g., compost, horticultural substrates). Carbon added to soils with fresh organic residues or from anthropogenic (soot, slag) or geological (coal) sources can be distinguished from soil organic matter (humus) accumulated during soil genesis, regardless of extreme chemical heterogeneity. The degree of carbon sequestration in soils is easy to quantify. Using near-natural soils as a reference, considering bound water seems to be a suitable starting point for the experimental definition of soil health. An elucidation of the causal relationships between the soil components used should accompany it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate which of five commonly used methodologies for agricultural gypsum application in no-tillage systems under tropical agricultural conditions is the most efficient in sandy soils. The evaluation focused on soil chemical and physical properties, nutrient movement through the soil profile, and crop productivity. Methods: Soil layers of 0–0.20 m and 0.20–0.40 m were analyzed. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared using Student's t-test (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate analysis were also performed. Results: An increase in calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) contents was observed at the analyzed soil depths, along with a reduction in subsurface aluminum saturation (m%). Gypsum application also increased the dry matter yield of cover crops. Conclusions: For sandy soils under no-tillage systems with high nutrient export, aiming to improve soil fertility and aggregation, the gypsum application methodologies proposed by Caires and Guimarães or Raij and collaborators are recommended. According to multivariate analysis, these methodologies showed the best correlation with base saturation (V%), a key indicator of soil fertility. Additionally, the Caires and Guimarães method demonstrated a stronger correlation with maize productivity. However, none of the evaluated methodologies increased soybean yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil labile organic carbon (C) fractions play a key role in agricultural soil fertility. However, the effects of long-term organic substitution regimes on soil organic carbon (SOC), its labile fractions, stability, and vegetable yields as well as the relationships among these factors in the open-field are less well-studied. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyze the effects of long-term organic substitution regimes on SOC sequestration, labile C fractions [particulate organic C (POC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic C (DOC), and readily oxidizable C (ROC)], SOC stability, the C pool management index (CMI), and vegetable yields in a long-term (13 years) open-field experiment. Five treatments were examined: 100% chemical nitrogen fertilizer (CN), substituting 25% of the chemical N with manure (MN) or straw (SN), and substituting 50% of the chemical N with manure (2MN) or manure plus straw (MSN). Compared to the CN, organic substitution treatments increased the average yields of vegetable, the SOC, the labile C fractions' contents, and the C pool management index (CMI) to varying degrees, but only MSN reached significant levels for these factors. However, the MSN treatment had a significantly lower C stability index (SI) than the CN. 13C-NMR analyses also confirmed that organic substitution treatments increased the proportion of O-alkyl C and the OA/A, but reduced SOC stability. Pearson correlation analysis and the partial least squares path model indicated that labile C fractions were the mainly direct contributors to yield and SOC stability. Overall, substituting 50% of the chemical N with manure plus straw is a relatively ideal fertilization practice to improve vegetable yields and enhance C activity in an open field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove swamp rice (MSR) production is critical for the diet of small farmers of coastal Guinea-Bissau. In mangrove swamp agroecosystems, rice is grown during the rainy season when freshwater and nutrients are abundant. However, small-scale farmers face challenges like unpredictable rainfall and rising sea levels, which increase soil salinity and acidity. This study aims to assess soil physical–chemical properties, paired with farmers' local practices, to evaluate fertility constraints, and to support sustainable soil–plant management practices. This co-designed research contributes to filling a gap concerning the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices adapted to specific contexts in West Africa. In two regions, Oio (center) and Tombali (south), rice yields were measured in semi-controlled trials both in two agroecological settings: Tidal Mangrove (TM) and Associated Mangrove (AM) fields. 380 soil samples were collected, and rice growing parameters were assessed during the 2021 and 2022 rice sowing, transplanting, and flowering periods. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis (MRA) were applied to understand trends and build fertility proxies in predicting yields. Significant spatial and temporal variability in the soil properties between agroecologies was found. Salinity constraints in Oio TMs limit production to an average of 110 g/m2, compared to 250 g/m2 in Tombali. Yield predictions account for 81% and 56.9% of the variance in TMs and AMs, respectively. Variables such as organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and precipitation positively influence yields, whereas sand content, pH, and iron oxides show a negative effect. This study advances the understanding of MSR production in Guinea-Bissau and underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' knowledge of their diverse and complex production systems to effectively address these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the transitional region between agriculture and livestock rearing in northern China, planting forage crops in rows among fruit trees as feed in orchards represents an effective strategy for enhancing the ecological environment while addressing the increasing demand for livestock feed. Nonetheless, the impact of short-term mowing of cover forage crops for livestock feed on the quality of soil remains unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted in Ziziphus jujuba cv. "Lingwuchangzao" orchards located in Lingwu County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in arid and semi-arid Northwest China. The experiment consisted of four treatments: (A) clean tillage (CK), (B) plantation with Lolium perenne (LP), (C) plantation with Trifolium repens (TR), and (D) plantation with Vicia villosa (VV).The results showed that short-term intercropping of forage crops may lead to a reduction in most soil nutrients in Z. jujuba cv. "Lingwuchangzao" orchards, particularly in the 0–20 cm soil layer. However, intercropping with TR can mitigate this declining trend and may even enhance nutrient levels within the 0–40 cm depth. Furthermore, intercropping of forage crops had a more pronounced effect on the α-diversity of fungal communities than on bacterial communities. This practice also altered the relative abundance of bacterial genera such as Sphingomonas, Bacillus, and Flavobacterium in the 20–40 cm depth and dominant fungal genera Fusarium and Mortierella in the 0–20 cm soil layer. The effects of soil physicochemical properties on bacterial communities were more significant than those on fungal communities.These results indicate that the short-term intercropping of forage crops in Z. jujuba cv. "Lingwuchangzao" orchards in arid and semi-arid Northwest China have varying impacts depending on the type of forage crop used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imbalanced and excessive fertilization leads to low nutrient utilization efficiency and wastage of fertilizer resources in processing tomatoes in Xinjiang. Determining nutrient requirements is vital for devising fertilization strategies that enhance yield, profitability, and environmental sustainability. This study utilized observational data from 181 farms across Xinjiang's major processing tomato production areas from 2003 to 2023 to explore the relationship between fruit yield and nutrient uptake in aboveground dry matter. The Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model was employed to estimate nutrient requirements. The results indicated that when the target yield reached 60–70% of its potential, nutrient uptake by processing tomatoes increased linearly with fruit yield. To produce 1000 kg of fruit, the aboveground parts required 1.95 kg of nitrogen, 0.33 kg of phosphorus, and 2.28 kg of potassium, reflecting a N:P:K ratio of 1:0.17:1.17. In contrast, during harvesting, alternative plant parts required 1.31 kg of nitrogen, 0.21 kg of phosphorus, and 0.71 kg of potassium, with fruit nutrient uptake rates of 67.3%, 65.6%, and 74.9%, respectively. Field validation showed a strong correlation between the observed and simulated nutrient uptake rates, demonstrating the model's accuracy in predicting nutrient demands. These findings provide critical insights for developing optimized fertilization strategies to enhance yield and nutrient use efficiency in Xinjiang's processing tomato production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes have significant prospects for applications beyond their existing utilization in agriculture and the natural sciences. They form an endosymbiotic relationship with plants by colonizing the root tissues without detrimental effects. These endophytes comprise several microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. They act as repositories of compounds of medicinal importance. They are considered sources of pigments besides synthetic dyes and assist with soil fertility and plant growth as bio-fertilizers. They also have immense potential for advanced technology using endophyte-synthesized nanoparticles. In assisting bioremediation, they facilitate detoxification of pollutants in all spheres of the environment. Studies on the potential of endophytic microbes in drug discovery and biotic stress management are underway. In this review, published databases on endophytes and their diverse roles and applications in various fields, such as bio-fertilizers and nanoparticles, as well as bioremediation, are critically discussed while exploring unanswered questions. In addition, future perspectives on endosymbiotic microorganisms and their prospective use in plants, environmental management, and medicine are discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional traits allow to understand differences between plant species in the pattern of establishment, growth and reproduction in environments limited by nutrients and water. Restoring degraded environments in the forests of central Argentina (talares) yielded low survival rates of the dominant tree saplings. We expected that low fertility soil and small pot size induce functional properties of saplings cultivated in nurseries that potentially enhance plant survival. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of soil type and pot volume on growth rate and functional properties of Celtis tala saplings. We used nursery soil and soil from abandoned quarries. We also evaluated the effect of pot volume (1 and 10 L). We found that plants growing in non-nutrient-limited nursery soil can be considered acquisitive and that growth rates are reduced in the nutrient-limited quarry soil. Slow-growing plants in nutrient-limited soil exhibited lower mean leaf area, specific leaf area, and higher specific root length, below-ground to above-ground ratio and Huber ratio which indicate that such plants are functionally more conservative than fast-growing plants in non-nutrient-limited soil. Thus, functional properties can be modified by regulating soil quality. Appropriate nursery techniques could increase survival rates of saplings in restoration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of potassium in the soil is in mineral form, making it unavailable to plants. K-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) increase potassium solubilization by decomposing rock-K, thereby improving soil fertility. The key purpose of this research is to isolate, characterize, and assess the potassium-solubilizing capacity of bacteria capable of solubilizing potassium from agricultural and forest environments. In this study, a total of 175 bacterial isolates capable of solubilizing potassium were isolated from soil samples taken from agricultural and forested areas in the Kahramanmaraş region. Twenty-eight bacterial strains demonstrated high potassium solubilizing capacity. Among these strains, AOB29 was recorded as the most effective in terms of potassium release, with a value of 64.03 mg L−1. The AOB29 strain was characterized phenotypically and phylogenetically, and it was identified as Bacillus mojavensis with 97% similarity based on its 16S rDNA sequence. The potassium concentration of this strain was tested at different temperatures (20 °C–40 °C), pH levels (pH 5–10), and mica doses (1–7 g L−1). The highest levels of potassium were determined as 58.7 mg L−1 at 35 °C, 64.9 mg L−1 at pH 6, and 57.1 mg L−1 with a mica dosage of 5 g L−1. Overall, the findings suggest that Bacillus mojavensis exhibits a noteworthy capability in solubilizing potassium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a vital resource that serves as a foundation for sustainable food production by providing the required physical, chemical, and biological characteristics required for healthy crop. But, the quality of soil is diminishing due to repeated cultivation without proper knowledge. Hence, assessing soil fertility is crucial for decision making and management. To effectively manage the soil, farmers need to know its composition, nutrient level, and other characteristics. One important instrument for this process is soil testing. Laboratory analysis of soil parameters despite being labor-consuming and time-intensive process, it also leaves chemical residues that pollute the ecosystem. Using nonchemical techniques for analyzing soil nutrients through machine learning (ML) offers efficiency, and scalability and helps in real-time decision-making. Integrating ML in agriculture can better solve complicated issues and give producers essential advice. ML algorithms have been used to generate forecasting models based on available soil data and environmental variables. This review highlights the models used in soil fertility assessment and their performance and accuracy rates across different applications. A summary of the major findings from the studies discussed shows that neural networks such as artificial neural networks (ANN) performed well in phosphorus prediction with 91.2% accuracy, convolutional neural networks (CNN) achieved 98.4% in nutrient prediction. Random forests (RF) achieved an accuracy of up to 99% in soil organic carbon (SOC) prediction. Ensemble Learning like XGBoost in pH prediction and crop recommendation and AdaBoost in potassium prediction shows the highest accuracy reaching up to 99.3%. This review along with similar findings further explores the importance of ML in soil fertility assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global tendency of higher production of fish has naturally led to more available derivatives of this industry such as hydrolysates, whose elevated percentage of proteins and mineral nutrients allows them to be used as a fertilization complement in agriculture. One of these products is salmon hydrolysate fertilizer, with unknown fertilizing value. This study determined the dynamics and delivery rate of N and P from a salmon hydrolysate fertilizer produced in Chile. Under controlled laboratory conditions using volcanic soil, a conventional fertilization treatment (urea and triple superphosphate) and control without fertilization were applied. The soil was incubated at 25 °C and 80% of usable humidity at times of 0, 7, 14, 21, 56 and 112 d. The results indicated that the salmon hydrolyzed fertilizer presented a rapid and high N delivery rate (104.2% availability), and its net N delivery value was higher than that obtained with urea. The P applied with salmon hydrolysate presented a high net delivery rate (68.4% availability) compared to triple superphosphate (6.6% availability) but showed erratic delivery dynamics. Soil pH and electrical conductivity were not affected. These results allow us to promote the idea that the use of salmon hydrolyzed fertilizer constitutes a good alternative to the use of conventional fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving food grain production by enhancing plant nutrient availability is critical for meeting future production. In this line, degraded soils may have the potential to meet the food demand of future population. However, the key challenge is excessive concentration of salts. It adversely mediates the soil fertility parameters, physical properties and soil enzymatic activities. Addition of organic substances, such as farm yard manure (FYM) and pressmud (PM), may improve soil health parameters. An incubation experiment was conducted with graded application of FYM (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 t/ha) and PM (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 t/ha) to monitor the nutrient release pattern of FYM and PM; and its effect on soil physico-chemical properties and soil enzymatic activities. The results showed that soil pH and EC were reduced after the one year incubation period. It was also observed that available plant nutrients like N, P, K, S and soil enzymatic activities reported highest in treatment FYM and PM (each applied 10 t/ha) over control. The findings of this study suggested that organic amendments can improve soil fertility, mitigate salt ion toxicity, and enhance food production potential, particularly in arid and semi-arid soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpine and Arctic treelines are assumed to be shifting toward higher latitudes and altitudes as a consequence of climate warming. Here, we compared the survival and growth of 1264 silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) trees representing nine half-sib families. The trees were planted in two arboreta situated in distinct altitudinal environments in northern Finland in 1976 and 1977. The arboreta were located 9 km from each other and approximately 60 km north from the species' most northern natural growth site at that time. They were fenced to prevent vertebrate grazing, which is known to be among the most important factors limiting the expansion and regeneration of forests in European treeline ecotones. Overall, 90% and 81% of the trees were alive five and 40 years after planting in the two arboreta, respectively. Survival of trees varied among the half-sib families, especially in Arboretum 1, situated in a lower altitudinal environment characterized by soils with lower levels of nutrients, a longer growing season, and harsher winter temperatures. Trees were distinctively bigger in Arboretum 2: 50% taller (6.2 m vs. 4.4 m) and 68% thicker (9.5 cm vs. 5.6 cm) compared to trees in Arboretum 1. Furthermore, the performance of half-sib families varied depending on the garden they were grown in. These results demonstrate that the acclimation capacity of B. pendula allows its distribution to expand north from the present range; however, local abiotic environmental conditions (soil fertility and winter temperatures) and other selection pressures (herbivory) are likely to affect the genetic structure and growth of B. pendula populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different proportions of ordinary soil, municipal sludge treatment of nutrient soil and biological fertilizer were used to treat three kinds of plants, B.platyphylla, Lagerstroemia indica and Nandina domestica, the effects of different proportions on the growth of seedlings and roots were studied. The results showed that different treatments could promote the growth of 3 kinds of seedlings, and the performance of 3 kinds of plants was different, B. platyphylla with nutrient soil: bio-bacteria fertilizer: ordinary soil 1:2:5 (treatment 2) is more advantageous to coarse growth, can promote seedlings more robust. L. indica did best with a 1:1:3 ratio of nutrient soil to bio-bacteria fertilizer to ordinary soil (treatment 1), N.domestica showed the best performance in treatment 2. Adding appropriate proportion of nutrient soil and bio-bacteria fertilizer to ordinary soil can increase soil porosity, significantly increase soil fertility, maintain soil moisture, regulate soil pH and soil microenvironment, it can promote the long-term growth and development of seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incorporating organic manure improves soil properties and crop productivity. A long-term study started in October 1967 examined the effects of farmyard manure and nitrogen fertilization on the soil at key growth stages of pearl millet in a pearl millet-wheat cropping system over its 51st cycle. Results: Applying 15 Mg of farmyard manure (FYM) per hectare in both growing seasons significantly boosted soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and key nutrients compared to one-season application. SOC levels reached 9.1–11.0% with FYM15, outperforming FYM10 and FYM5. The effectiveness order was FYM15 > FYM10 > FYM5 > FYM0. Chemical nitrogen fertilization also enhanced soil properties, with FYM15 improving DOC, available nitrogen, and enzyme activities during various growth stages. Conclusions: Principal component analysis (PCA) effectively distinguished soil variables and treatments, with β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase activity (ARA) showing the highest loading (0.294) in the first principal component (PC1), followed by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at 0.292 and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) at 0.291. A strong polynomial relationship was noted between soil organic carbon (SOC) and various soil properties, with R² values between 0.93 and 0.99. The FYM15 x N120 treatment improved soil health in North-West India's sandy loam soils during both seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect farming is expected to increase in coming years, thus generating high quantities of frass (insect excreta). Frass valorization hinges on basic agronomic research prior to industry upscaling. Here, we investigated soil physiochemical properties, SMAF (Soil Management Assessment Framework) soil health, CO2 efflux, and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] yield and quality as affected by yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) frass [3400 and 6800 kg ha−1, low (LF) and high (HF) rates], poultry litter (PL; 3400 kg ha−1), and ammonium nitrate (AN; 67 kg N ha−1). HF increased soil C, N, P, K, and Mg by 10, 12, 44, 58, and 61%, respectively, compared to AN. Even LF increased soil P, K, and Mg by 37, 31, and 32%, respectively, relative to AN. Compared to PL, HF increased soil N, K, and Mg by 12, 30, and 35%, respectively. After two years, HF increased soil C and N stocks 2- and 3-fold, respectively, relative to AN. Forage yield and quality were similar among amendments, while SMAF and CO2 were unaffected. Frass substantially improved soil fertility and maintained forage yield, underscoring its biofertilizer value and potential to increase circularity in agroecosystems under the global backdrop of reduced availability of non-renewable fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the nutrient composition of horse manure and examined the agronomic implications of applying it to pastureland. Horse manure and wood shavings bedding mix obtained from diverse equine operations was sampled from 20 truckloads (~150 m3). Manure was applied once at 817 m3 ha−1 onto replicated bovine pasture plots and compared for forage yield, soil fertility levels and weeds species, with unamended plots over a five-year period. On average, the manure had a carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio of 32, mean 72% moisture content, and concentrations (g kg−1 dry weight) 17.5 nitrogen (N), 3.4 phosphorus (P), 13 potassium (K), 8.8 calcium (Ca), 3.7 magnesium (Mg), and 2 sulfur (S). Manure application increased soil test levels of P, K, Ca, and zinc (Zn), soil pH, organic matter content, pasture forage yields and clover biomass. Horse manure application increased Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.) biomass, while dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg.), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.), and broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) biomass decreased. Except for increasing the amount of horsenettle on pastureland, findings demonstrate that horse manure is a valuable agronomic resource when applied to a low fertility soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the problems of planting density and low soil nutrient content in maize cultivation and production in western Inner Mongolia. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism by which soil fertility augmentation affects maize yield formation under a variety of planting densities. In this study, nine soil fertility conditions were established by deep tillage, no-tillage and in situ straw return. Utilizing Xianyu 696 as the experimental subject, this study documents variations in the parameters of maize grain filling rate and yield components under differing planting densities. Enhancement of soil fertility can modify diverse parameters of maize grain filling characteristics, effectively undermining the adverse impact of a lower average filling rate on grain weight post-densification. The enhancement in soil fertility predominantly augments the grain weight by prolonging the active grain-filling period. This results in a reduced decline in final grain growth during densification under conditions of high soil fertility. The improvement of soil fertility significantly enhances the harvested number of panicles, the number of grains per panicle, and the 100-grain weight of maize, consequently increasing the maize yield. High soil fertility (0.73–0.82) is particularly advantageous for densification and yield increase, resulting in yield increments ranging from 0.99 to 2.16 t ha− 1. Appropriate tillage methods can significantly improve soil fertility, and the effects of straw incorporation with subsoiling (SSR) and straw incorporation with deep tillage (DPR) are the best. Enhancing soil fertility through tillage and straw return measures can markedly augment grain weight by changing maize grain filling characteristics, ultimately achieving the cultivation goal of increased density and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of organic nutrient regimes is regarded as holistic and ecological approach for agricultural sustainability. It offers improved soil health, increased crop growth and enhanced fruit quality, whilst minimizing costs and sustaining the use of natural resources. The present investigation was conducted over two consecutive seasons, viz. 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India to study the effect of different combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers on leaf and soil characteristics of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The investigation comprises of fourteen treatments of various combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers, viz. farmyard Manure (FYM) vermicompost (VC) pig manure (PIM), poultry manure (POM), Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and vesicular arbascular mycorrhiza (VAM). The results demonstrated that the use of organic amendments in combination with biofertilizers enhanced leaf nutrient status as well soil properties in the passion fruit orchard. Among the different treatment combinations used in the investigation, POM + Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM was the most efficient in improving the leaf and soil nutrient status of passion fruit. This consortium may achieve high microbial load, high nutrient availability for soil which results in better growth of the crop. This treatment may therefore be recommended as an alternative option to meet the demand for long term maintenance of soil fertility as well agro-ecosystem conservation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algae also positively affect these microorganisms and soil fertility. The composition of potential bioproducts from algae can vary depending on the type of algae cell. The inoculation of seeds/soils with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms is therefore a promising method to improve food production without causing environmental pollution. For this purpose, increasing doses of algae extract (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1%) and different phosphorus (P) sources were added to clay loam soil at the 0 and 130 mg kg−1 doses. As a result, the effect of algal extract applied in increasing doses on some growth parameters of bean plants was found to be statistically significant for both P sources. The lowest yield components were also obtained in the control treatment (-algae extract; -P). As the applied algae extract doses increased, the yield components for mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) and dicalcium phosphate (CaHPO4) applications increased. On the other hand, the values obtained from plants treated with MAP as a source of phosphorus were higher than those obtained with CaHPO4. Increasing the level of algae extract across MAP-treated plants resulted in higher values in the plant's upper parts but lower values in the root. Compared to other treatments, plants treated with CaHPO4 showed higher values when algaeextract was applied at concentrations of 0.8% and 1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] In order to enrich and improve the evaluation index system for optimizing farmland layout. [ Method] Based on the needs of realizing the dynamic balance of total cultivated land, improving the contiguity of cultivated land, improving the soil fertility of cultivated land, promoting sustainable use, and enhancing the stress resistance and buffering of cultivated land ecosystem, this paper proposes to construct a framework for the construction of cultivated land layout evaluation index system based on “goal-demand-dimension-index”, taking Heyuan City as an example, and simulating three land use simulation scenarios of Heyuan City, including inertial development, cultivated land protection and ecological priority, through the PLUS model method. Focusing on the four dimensions of quantity, layout, quality and ecology, a total of 11 individual indicators were selected to construct the cultivated land layout evaluation index system in Heyuan City, and the FAHP analysis method was used to determine the weight of each evaluation index, and the FCE evaluation was carried out according to the determined cultivated land layout evaluation index system, and the cultivated land layout effect score was obtained. [Result] Heyuan City has the highest FCE score in the cultivated land protection simulation scenario, which shows that the spatial distribution of cultivated land in the region is further agglomeration, most of the forest land with a slope of less than 15° has evolved into cultivated land, and most of the cultivated land above 25° has evolved into forest land, and the biodiversity and carbon storage have generally shown a downward trend. The FCE score of the ecological protection scenario was the second, and the spatial agglomeration degree of cultivated land was lower than that of the cultivated land protection scenario, and the overall upward trend of biodiversity and carbon storage was high. In the cultivated land layout index of Heyuan City, the quantity dimension is negatively correlated with the ecological dimension. The cultivated land protection scenario effectively constrains the expansion of construction land, and the ecological land such as forest land and water area (including unused land) increases significantly in the ecological priority scenario. [Conclusion] The cultivated land layout evaluation method based on “PLUS-FAHP-FCE” is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effects of the integrated cultivation mode of rice Cherax quadricarinatus on soil fertility, two experimental fields were selected in Jishigang Town, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, and the soil fertility changes of the two experimental fields were tracked before and after 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of rice and shrimp co-cropping. The results showed that under the current operation mode, with the increase of planting years, the change of soil pH, available phosphorus, available potassium and cation exchange capacity increased by 33. 01%, 330. 18%,30. 91% and 29. 92% respectively. Soil organic matter decreased by 32. 64%, total nitrogen decreased by 33. 05% and hydrolyzed nitrogen decreased by 39. 24%. On the whole, the changes of pH, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, hydrolyzed nitrogen and organic matter were significant, but the changes of available potassium and cation exchange capacity were not significant. The results of test field No. 2 and test field No. 1 were basically the same, but the significance was less than that of test field No. 1. The current integrated cultivation mode of rice Cherax quadricarinatus was conducive to improving soil pH, available phosphorus, available potassium and cation ex- change capacity, but may lead to the decline of organic matter, total nitrogen and hydrolyzed nitrogen. The operation rules should be further optimized and adjusted in the subsequent promotion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to verify the viability of foliar fertilisation of calcium (Ca) and boron (B) in soybeans (Glycine max) in soils with various fertility levels. The experiment was carried out in four agricultural seasons and designed in randomised blocks, with three treatments and seven replications. The treatments were as follows: control, and Ca and B spraying on soybean plants without and with amino acids. Spraying was carried out at the flowering of the crop one time. It was concluded that there were significant differences in the yield components in the two crops, when the experiment was installed in soils with lower fertility, in which the foliar fertiliser with amino acid stood out. When there was a significant difference in productivity, the B content was altered; the value in the grains that received the product with amino acids was greater than the treatment without amino acids and above the treatment in which the plants were not sprayed with foliar fertilisers. Therefore, we highlight that Ca and B foliar fertilisation is especially required for soils with low CEC and Ca contents. However, this technique will likely not improve soybean performance for soils with no nutrient deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Ethiopia faces significant agricultural challenges, including soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and water scarcity, which threaten food security and sustainable development. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions to enhance soil health, conserve water resources, and improve crop productivity. This bibliographic review systematically explores the potential of zeolite technology as a tool for tackling these challenges in Ethiopia. Studies sourced from databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and AGRIS, were analyzed, with 123 articles selected on the basis of relevance, credibility, and data support. Zeolite technology offers multiple benefits, including reducing nutrient leaching by 65%–86%, increasing soil pH levels from 7.05 to 8.12 with a 7.5 t ha−1 zeolite application, and improving grain yields by 15.9%–31.8% across crops like rice, barley, and maize with a 10 t ha−1 application. Despite these advantages, the adoption of zeolite technology in Ethiopia remains limited. This review highlights the need for field trials to assess crop‐specific responses and socio‐economic impacts. If the identified research gaps are addressed, zeolite technology could become an essential component of Ethiopia's agricultural toolkit, enabling farmers to improve productivity, adapt to climate variability, and achieve sustainable food security. Its adoption could transform farming systems, contributing to Ethiopia's resilience against environmental stresses and supporting long‐term agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These reflections on Stevan Harrell's An Ecological History of Modern China evaluate the book in relation to existing historiography of the ecological transformations that have accompanied China's development since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). After outlining the theoretical underpinnings of Harrell's history of modern China as a "system of social-ecological systems" and his revisionist periodization of PRC history in terms of the "adaptive cycle," the commentary contrasts Harrell's central arguments with those advanced in earlier studies. Interpretative differences relate to whether 1949 constituted a watershed in China's ecological history or a continuation of longer-term environmental trends, and the significance of the PRC's acquisition of technology for synthetic fertilizer plants after rapprochement with the United States in 1972 in making it possible for China to replenish its nutrient-depleted soils, increase agricultural productivity, and overcome environmental constraints that limited economic growth. Despite bringing unprecedented economic prosperity, as Harrell shows, that growth has decreased ecological resilience and increased vulnerability. The commentary concludes by asking how Harrell's arguments might be reconciled with alternative understandings of modern China's ecological and environmental history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the issue concerning excessive fertilization that prevails in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, through conducting a 13-year long-term positioning experiment, the sustainability of a wheat and maize double-cropping soil system under different fertilization strategies is evaluated using the triangular area method. The objective is to establish a theoretical basis for the development and implementation of appropriate fertilization practices in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. In the protracted long-term experiment, chemical fertilizer (F) was taken as the control (CK) and three distinct treatments combining organic and inorganic fertilizers were used: chemical fertilizer with straw mulching (FS), chemical fertilizer with cow dung (FM), and chemical fertilizer with cow dung and straw mulching (FMS). Between 2018 and 2019, a non-fertilization treatment was concurrently incorporated in parallel on the foundation of each existing fertilization treatment. The results indicated that following prolonged fertilization, the soil nutrient content, enzyme activity, and crop yield of each organic fertilizer treatment were significantly greater than those of the chemical fertilizer treatment alone, resulting in a more stable yield. After two years of discontinuation of fertilizer cultivation, the soil fertility indexes of each treatment exhibited a notable decline. However, the rate of decrease in soil fertility indexes for the three organic fertilizer treatments was lower compared to that of the single application of chemical fertilizer treatment, suggesting that long-term allocation of organic + inorganic fertilizers contributes to better preservation of soil fertility. Through an assessment of the soil system's sustainability under various treatments, it becomes evident that following a two-year cessation of fertilization, the sustainability indexes of the soils subjected to three long-term organic + inorganic fertilizer treatments (1.26, 1.29, and 1.27) exceeded that of the soil treated solely with chemical fertilizer (1.00). These findings provide further evidence supporting the notion that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers can enhance the soil system's capacity for sustainable production in wheat–maize farmland within the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria, ubiquitous phototrophic prokaryotes, can enhance soil fertility and crop productivity by promoting biological nitrogen fixation, phosphate dissolution, and mineral release. In this study, five nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria were isolated and purified from paddy soil in Jilin Province. The effects of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria on soil fertility and rice seedling growth were examined through a pot experiment to clarify their growth and nitrogen-fixing characteristics. The results showed that the application of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria led to a significant increase in soil nitrogen content. GD2 and GD8 have the highest nitrogenase activity, at 75.33 U·mg−1 and 50.34 U·mg−1, respectively. It also enhanced the activities of urease, sucrase, phosphatase, and catalase in rice soil. In addition, it significantly promoted root development and plant height in rice plants. The total number of microorganisms in rice soil increased by 133–366%. Remarkably, the Desmonostoc muscorum GD2 strain was found to exhibit higher growth state indicators, including the growth curve, chlorophyll content, carbon and nitrogen content, and biomass accumulation, compared to other algae strains. The total nitrogen content of rice leaves treated with GD2 increased by 48.73%, and the soluble protein content increased by 52.89%. GD2 has great potential as an excellent nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria inoculant for rice, suitable for agricultural production. In conclusion, the application of these nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria significantly increased soil nitrogen levels and activated key enzyme activities involved in plant nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, it improved nitrogen utilization rates and promoted plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although chemical fertilizers increase crop productivity, they have undesirable effects on the environment, soil fertility, and negatively influence fruit shelf life and quality. Therefore, the application of plant biostimulants and biostimulant-like substances has become necessary to improve the availability and absorption of nutrients, enhance growth, yield, quality, and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and serve as an alternative to mineral fertilizers. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of zeolite, kaolin (KL), and chitosan (Cs) in alleviating abiotic stress and improving productivity and quality of strawberry plants. Strawberry plants were soil fertilized by zeolite at 0, 2, and 3 kg and then they were sprayed with 2% g/L KL + 500 ppm Cs, 4% KL + 1000 ppm Cs, and 6% KL + 1500 ppm Cs. The individual application of zeolite improved the performance of strawberry plants, and its influence greatly increased with the combination spraying of different combinations from KL + Cs. The highest increments resulted from the application of 3 and 2 kg of zeolite combined with the spraying of 4% KL + 1000 ppm Cs and 6% KL + 1500 ppm Cs compared to non-treated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims In the Amazon region, pastures are the main land use subsequent to deforestation and this change can result in soil acidification and degradation. Liming is a management practice to increase soil pH, important to recover degraded lands and increase soil fertility, but its impacts on soil methane cycling in tropical soils are unknown. Here we investigate the role of soil pH on methane uptake under high concentrations of the gas, manipulating pasture and forest soils pH by liming and evaluating the active methane cycling microbial community. Methods and Results Top layer of forest and pasture soils were subjected to liming treatment and incubated with ∼10 000 ppm of 13CH4. Soil DNA was evaluated with Stable Isotopic Probing (SIP-DNA), methanotrophic abundance was quantified (pmo A gene), and high throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA was performed. Liming increased the methane uptake in both forest (∼10%) and pasture (∼25%) soils. Methanotrophs Methylocaldum spp. (type I) and potential methanotrophs in Beijerinckiaceae (type II) were identified to actively incorporate carbon from methane in limed pasture soils. In limed forest soils, Nitrososphaeraceae were identified as 13C-enriched taxa, indicating that ammonia oxidizers can oxidize methane in these soils. Conclusions Liming Amazonian pasture soils not only contributes to the fertility and recovery of degraded areas but also has the potential to improve the oxidation of methane at high concentrations of this gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]