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Abstract Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of organic biomass, has gained increasing attention as a sustainable soil amendment due to its potential to enhance soil health, improve agricultural productivity, and mitigate climate change. This review explores the multifaceted benefits of biochar, including its ability to sequester carbon for long periods, thereby reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. Biochar’s unique properties, such as its porous structure, high cation exchange capacity, and nutrient retention capabilities, significantly enhance soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and microbial activity. These improvements increase crop resilience against drought, soil erosion, and nutrient loss, supporting climate-resilient agricultural systems. Additionally, biochar’s application can lower nitrous oxide and methane emissions from soils, further contributing to climate change mitigation. However, the effectiveness of biochar is influenced by factors such as feedstock type, pyrolysis conditions, and application rates. Understanding these variables is crucial for optimizing biochar's use in different soil types and environmental conditions. Graphical Abstract

The increasing reliance on commercial inorganic fertilizers has raised significant environmental and economic concerns, including soil degradation, nutrient leaching, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. This review critically evaluates biomass-derived chars produced via thermochemical processes, i.e., pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal carbonization, as potential alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. Among the three biomass-derived chars, biochar stands out as the most viable option for soil amendment due to its high stability, nutrient retention capacity, and long-term carbon sequestration benefits. Gasification char, despite its high porosity and adsorption capacity, often lacks bioavailable nutrients, whereas hydrochar, though rich in organic compounds, poses challenges related to stability and phytotoxicity. Biochar application has been shown to significantly reduce N2O emissions, enhance soil water retention, and mitigate nutrient runoff, offering clear environmental advantages over conventional fertilizers. Moreover, biochar has transitioned from an experimental soil amendment to a commercially available product with increasing adoption in agriculture worldwide, further reinforcing its practical viability. However, large-scale implementation still faces economic and logistical constraints, including high production costs, transportation inefficiencies, and regulatory uncertainties. Addressing these challenges through policy incentives such as subsidies and carbon credits can enhance the economic feasibility of biochar production and application. Given these findings, this review focuses on biochar as the most practical and sustainable alternative to commercial inorganic fertilizers.

Abstract Millets, known as “Nutri-cereals” for their nutritional benefits, are small-grained cereals with the potential to contribute to food and nutritional security through increased cultivation. Despite being primarily grown in rainfed areas of India, their low productivity limits widespread adoption due to poor economic returns, a problem worsened by the global climate crisis. To gain a deeper understanding of the current status of millets in India, it is essential to examine the distribution of important millet species across the country. Additionally, evaluating existing millet-related policies can provide insights into their effectiveness and offer suggestions for their improved implementation. Furthermore, a critical analysis of nutrient management techniques for major millet species can provide valuable information for enhancing management practices and boosting productivity. In light of these considerations, the present study aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of millet distribution, nutrient management strategies, and relevant policies in India. Analysis of data from Indian research articles highlighted millets’ resilience, particularly in the semi-arid and arid regions of India, showing their ability to withstand abiotic and biotic stressors and reduce carbon footprints. The study compared nutrient management practices-organic, integrated, and inorganic-and found the integrated approach to be the most effective for improving yield and soil health. Integrating nutrient management practices, including affordable and locally available organic nutrients, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers, can enhance grain quality, increase yields, and improve soil fertility. Although policies supporting millet cultivation are promising, challenges like inadequate infrastructure and fragmented markets hinder their effectiveness.

Covering hop waste composting piles with semipermeable membrane after the thermophilic phase until spring, when the compost was ready to use, reduced the volume of leachate and leached nutrients amounts significantly; there was a negligible amount of leachate and low amount of leached nutrients during winter and spring at all treatments. At treatments with additives (biochar, preparation effective microorganisms) and larger percent of particles of 2-5 cm, it was indicated that composting pile should probably also be covered in the first months of composting and be opened only when turning/mixing it; on the other hand, the amount of leachate was much lower in a pile without additives and particles of 2-10 cm by the time of covering (2.2- and 2.5-fold less respectively) and the amount of leached nutrients as well. All treatments produced compost without a bad smell, had a total nitrogen content greater than 2%, could be considered as mature (the C:N ratio was below 20) and stable, and the biomass hygienisation threshold was reached. However, there were some significant differences among them. The compost of the pile with added biochar and starting hop waste biomass particles of 2-5 cm was considered phytotoxic (germination index of radish was 31%); also, its other results were less promising in comparison to other treatments. The pile with no additive and the starting particles of waste hop biomass 2 to 10 cm, mixed properly related to regular temperature measurements in the thermophilic phase, reached the best results; the leachate amount and leaked nutrients amount were significantly the lowest, while the final compost contained significantly higher amount of nutrients and had the highest germination index.

Abstract 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.

Organic material combined with inorganic fertilizer has been shown to greatly improve crop yield and maintain soil fertility globally. However, it remains unclear if crop yield and soil fertility can be sustained in the long term under the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers. Three long-term field trials were conducted to investigate the effects of organic amendments on the grain sustainable yield index (SYI), soil fertility index (SFI) and nutrient balance in maize–wheat cropping systems of central and southern China during 1991–2019. Five treatments were included in the trials: 1) no fertilization (control); 2) balanced mineral fertilization (NPK); 3) NPK plus manure (NPKM); 4) high dose of NPK plus manure (1.5NPKM); and 5) NPK plus crop straw (NPKS). Over time, the grain yields of wheat and maize showed an increasing trend in all four fertilization treatments at the Yangling (YL) and Zhengzhou (ZZ) locations, while they declined at Qiyang (QY). The grain yield in the NPKM and 1.5NPKM treatments gradually exceeded that of the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. The largest SYI was recorded in the NPKM treatment across the three sites, suggesting that inorganic fertilizer combined with manure can effectively improve crop yield sustainability. Higher SYI values were recorded at the YL and ZZ sites than at the QY site, possibly because the soil was more acid at QY. The key factors affecting grain yield were soil available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) at the YL and ZZ sites, and pH and AP at the QY site. All fertilization treatments resulted in soil N and P surpluses at the three sites, but soil K surpluses were recorded only at the QY site. The SFI was greater in the 1.5NPKM, NPKM and NPKS treatments than in the NPK treatment by 13.3–40.0 and 16.4–63.6% at the YL and ZZ sites, respectively, and was significantly higher in the NPKM and 1.5NPKM treatments than in the NPK and NPKS treatments at the QY site. A significant, positive linear relationship was found between SFI and crop yield, and SYI and nutrient balance, indicating that grain yield and its sustainability significantly increased with increasing soil fertility. The apparent N, P and K balances positively affected SFI. This study suggests that the appropriate amount of manure mixed with mineral NPK fertilizer is beneficial to the development of sustainable agriculture, which effectively increases the crop yield and yield sustainability by improving soil fertility.

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 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 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.

Sunflower serves as a valuable rotational crop, suitable for snack processing or sunflower seed oil extraction, proving to be a lucrative cash crop. To address sunflower yield uncertainties, this study employs meta-analysis to examine the impact of fertilisation. Utilising 41 studies and 392 pairs of observations based on four criteria, we found an overall 27% increase in sunflower yield with fertiliser application. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) individually applied raised yield by 23.37, 20.92, and 11.63%, respectively. Combined fertilisers (NP, NK, NP, and NPK) enhanced yield by 29.69, 28.40, 17.35, and 41.91%, respectively. Sunflower type minimally affects yield, while planting density significantly influences it. Combining local soil conditions and environmental factors with appropriate planting densities ensures maximum sunflower yield, fostering economic benefits for farmers. This study holds constructive implications for sunflower cultivation in China, contributing to increased yield.

Tangerines (Citrus reticulata var. Tejakula) were destroyed in 1984 by CVPD, allegedly because the use of chemicals was too intensive, resulting in land degradation. Since ten years ago, these oranges have been successfully cultivated again using healthy organic cultivation, but farmers have difficulty getting organic fertilizer. This research aimed to identify and isolate the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) on tangerines cv. Tejakula, their colonization of the roots and effect on soil fertility. Exploration was conducted by collecting root and soil samples in tangerine cv. Tejakula production centers are in the Tejakula District, Buleleng Regency. Spore isolation was conducted using wet filtration and centrifugation techniques, while root colonization by AMF was carried out using the staining method with trypan blue. The isolated spores are composited into AMF biofertilizer using volcanic sand as a carrier medium. The biofertilizer was then tested for its effect on soil fertility with three treatment levels of AMF spore doses (0, 20, and 40 spores/50 g of carrier media per plant). The results of exploration, isolation, and identification showed that three genera and six species of AMF were found. The spore density ranged from 17 to 32 per 100 g of soil (mean 24.17 ± 2.02 spores). The average root colonization by AMF was very high, ranging from 90 to 100%, and the application of AMF biofertilizer at a dose of 20 and 40 spores per plant provided soil fertility was much better than the control (0 AMF spores per plant).

This study investigates the potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) as a biological tool for reclaiming saline soils in the arid regions of South Kazakhstan. Licorice was cultivated over three growing seasons in weakly, moderately, and highly saline soils to evaluate its effectiveness in reducing soil salinity and improving soil fertility. The results show that licorice cultivation significantly reduced total salt concentrations and improved organic matter content in weakly saline soils. For instance, in some areas, total salts decreased by 50%, and humus content increased from 1.55% to 1.70%, indicating enhanced soil fertility. In moderately saline soils, the reduction in salt levels was less significant, and the plant's biomass yield dropped to 40 t/ha, compared to 50 t/ha in weakly saline soils. However, licorice still demonstrated its ability to moderately improve soil structure and nutrient availability. In strongly saline soils, licorice's effectiveness was considerably limited, with only minor reductions in salinity and a significant decrease in biomass yield to 20-30 t/ha. The study concludes that while Glycyrrhiza glabra is highly effective in reclaiming weakly saline soils, its impact in moderately and highly saline soils requires supplemental interventions, such as leaching, to optimize its phytoremediation potential. These findings suggest that integrating biological and traditional soil reclamation methods can offer a sustainable solution for managing saline soils in arid regions.

Chernozem soils, known for their high organic matter and fertility, are crucial for agricultural productivity in northern Kazakhstan's Kostanay region. This study evaluated the physical, chemical, and biological properties of these soils to assess their suitability for crop production and propose sustainable management practices. Soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depths across various locations to represent the region's main nutrient profile. Physical analyses included texture determination, while chemical analyses measured pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, and nutrient levels (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) using standard methods. Biological assessments focused on microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), basal soil respiration (BSR), dehydrogenase and catalase activities, as well as Cmic: Corg and metabolic quotient (qCO₂) ratios. Results indicated high organic matter content (mean 4.49%), sufficient total nitrogen (>0.25%), and high levels of potassium and calcium. However, phosphorus levels were low (

Rice is the food source for the community, including in the South Sulawesi area. Consequently, proper management is needed to support optimal production results. Several farmers are currently starting to develop organic farming systems due to the shortcomings of the conventional farming system such as the use of chemical inputs, land degradation, and decreased production. This study aims to compare the organic farming developed by farmers with conventional farming systems in terms of land ownership, input, soil quality, and productivity. This research used a simple random sampling method to collect land and production data from 130 farmers (90 conventional, 40 organic).In general, in South Sulawesi, the organic farming system is better than conventional farming systems. The inputs in the conventional are certified seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, which will affect costs and have an effect in the long term. Meanwhile, in an organic farming system, seed needs are met independently by farmers, using organic materials (manure, compost, bokashi) and biopesticides. Productivity also shows that the organic farming system increases production than conventional farming. In the future, farmers can start to develop an organic farming system by adding various organic ingredients to support their field performance.

The subject of this work is the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development in Ukraine, which is based on ensuring national interests and fulfilling international obligations, it is envisaged to overcome imbalances that exist, in particular, in the environmental sphere, the harmonisation of global climate change trends with international standards through the introduction of scientific aspects of organic soybean production. The objective of the present study is to analyse the global soybean market and ascertain its particular significance within the global production of oil crops. This analysis will establish the sustainable soybean production zone in non-irrigated regions and the guaranteed production zone. The research methodology is based on European experience, taking into account the theoretical and methodological provisions of the scientific aspects of organic soybean production in Ukraine. The aim of this methodology is to greening agriculture, soil conservation and rational use of bioecosystems. It has been found that the rational use of natural resources through the organic production of soybeans, through the development and implementation of bio-organic farming technologies, improves the culture of agriculture, restores and improves soil fertility, and increases the amount of available protein products and nutritious fodder. The findings of the research indicate that the organic matter present in the soil functions as a vital indicator of its fertility. It plays a pivotal role in the nutritional sustenance of plants, the establishment of favourable physicochemical properties, and the migration of diverse chemical elements. The most significant soil processes are predominantly associated with the enhancement of the agricultural sector. It has been proven that a genuine source of organic matter for enhancing soil fertility is the development of organic models of soybean cultivation technology. Consequently, the substantiation of its agrobiological potential in selected areas of sustainable production on non-irrigated land will ensure the territorial transformation of the "soybean belt". A new stage in the production of soybean crops is substantiated, which will contribute to the rational use of hydrothermal resources of the region, increase the gross production of soybean seeds, biologisation of agriculture, and production of high-quality, environmentally friendly products.

Assessing the suitability of land for growing grain crops is a relevant issue for ensuring sustainable agricultural production and improving food security. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) is an effective method of multi-criteria evaluation that systematically addresses all parameters. The study aimed to analyse the usage of the AHP method to determine the weight and priorities of different soil and climate characteristics to analyse the suitability of land for cereal crop cultivation, using wheat as an example. The study identified key factors affecting yields and developed recommendations for effective land management. An AHP was employed to weight various criteria, including physical, chemical and climatic characteristics. The data were processed to determine the impact of each factor on land suitability, with consistency checks to ensure the reliability of the results. The study showed that Flood and erozion hazard characteristics (32.2%) and Soil pysichal characteristics (25.6%) are the most important physical factors. Acidity (pH) and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) have a significant impact on nutrient availability, while average temperature and precipitation determine the main climatic conditions for wheat growth. Flood and erosion risks are also addressed for the long-term suitability assessment. The AHP was used to assess the suitability of land for wheat cultivation, identifying the most important factors and their weights. Practical recommendations included applying agronomic measures to reduce erosion risks and improve soil fertility. The results of the study can be used by agronomists, land managers and policymakers to improve land management, which will contribute to increased agricultural production efficiency and food security in the face of climate change

Advances in genetic modification (GM) techniques have generated huge interest in improving nutrient utilization, maximizing nutrient uptake, and conserving soil in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. Unfortunately, little is still known about the recent advancements in the application of GM tactics to enhance each of these areas. This review explores the latest GM strategies intended to support soil conservation, maximize nutrient uptake, and improve nutrient utilization in farming, highlighting the critical roles that soil health and nutrient management play in sustainable farming. GM strategies such as improving the efficiency of nutrient uptake through enhanced root systems and increased nutrient transport mechanisms are well discussed. This study suggests that addressing potential obstacles, such as ethical and regulatory concerns, is a necessity for long-term sustainability applications of GM technologies to raise agricultural yields.

Abstract Intensified industrial activities significantly threaten farmland soil integrity, particularly in salinized regions. However, comprehensive evaluations of soil fertility and contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) remain limited. In this study, we assessed soil quality in China’s Yellow River Delta (YRD) by quantifying 13 indicators of soil physicochemical and biological properties, along with 11 PAHs. Our findings reveal that the minimum data set approach provides a robust and comprehensive representation of overall soil fertility. Salinity emerged as the primary limiting factor, with strong correlations between salinity and key ions, highlighting its adverse effects on soil structure and function. Additionally, significant PAH contamination was detected, particularly from benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), fluoranthene (Flu), and chrysene (Chr), as indicated by the Nemerov pollution index. A pronounced negative correlation between the soil quality index (SQI) and the soil environmental index (SEI) underscores the substantial role of PAH pollution in soil degradation. Notably, the SQI integrates both SEI and soil fertility, providing a holistic assessment of soil health. These findings highlight the utility of SQI as a diagnostic tool for evaluating soil degradation and emphasize the need for targeted remediation strategies to address salinity and PAH contamination, thereby promoting soil restoration and agricultural sustainability.

Ngong is a famous groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) producing locality in Cameroon, contributing to the supply of local markets and neighboring countries. Official figures showed gradual yield decrease over recent years, attributable to various factors, with poor soil conditions among the most acute. However, missing information on soil quality and fertility status in these areas is jeopardizing efforts of improving agricultural productivity. This study aimed to assess the soil fertility status in the groundnut production basin of Ngong. Three main ground-nut production areas (Douka-longo, Tamoundé1, and Sabongari) of the basin were selected and twenty-three topsoil samples (0 – 30 cm) collected. Soil fertility attributes (index of structural stability (ISS), index of soil sealing (IB), Forestier index (IF), aluminium toxicity (m) and Soil Quality Index (SQI)) were assessed. The studied sites were effectively poor in soil fertility, having very low values of N, P, K, S, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). These soils are under high risk of degradation because of the low soil aggregate stability (ISS < 9%) and fertility (IF < 1.5) indexes. The SQI ranged from 0 to 0.4 indicative of poor fertility with degraded soil condition. The main factors controlling soil quality include Ca, pH, organic matter (OM), available P, total Nitrogen and CEC. Long-term maintenance of soil quality requires better integrated soil fertility management practices. Optimal soil nutrients management system such as the application of organo-mineral amendments rich in N P, K, Ca and Mg to promote plant root establishment, which will also improve the soil structure should be considered to enhance the soil fertility status along with the inclusion of good cultivars for yield improvement.

Purpose: to develop scientific approaches and an algorithm for optimizing organic carbon and nitrogen flows on reclaimed lands. Materials and methods. The working hypothesis of the research is that any level of agrocenosis bioproductivity requires a proportional amount of decomposable organic matter, which should not exceed a certain share of labile organic matter contained in the soil. Results. An algorithm that operates with two main regulators: the application mass of mineral nitrogen and organic matter, and determines the optimal balance for them, ensuring at least a non-negative trend in stable humus reproduction while achieving target indicators for the level of agrocenosis bioproductivity, has been developed. The algorithm is based on forecasting the dynamics of organic matter decomposition under given conditions. The dynamics of decomposition determines the amount of nitrogen released in the soil and the bioproductivity of crops correlated with it, on the one hand, and the direction of the transformation processes of pools of stable and labile organic matter, on the other hand. To solve the optimization problem on the part of the “carbon” branch of the algorithm, a limitation of the permissible decomposition of labile forms of organic matter is established. On the part of the “nitrogen” branch of the algorithm, the target function of achieving the planned agrocenosis bioproductivity is used. As a result of the solution, the main parameters of the application of mineral forms of nitrogen and organic matter are derived, including crop-root residues, straw biomass, green manure, livestock waste and products of their processing. Conclusion: an algorithm for optimizing the management of organic carbon and nitrogen flows is proposed, which allows solving problems of intensifying production, preserving and expanding the soil fertility reproduction on reclaimed lands.

Abstract Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is crucial for global food security and a staple crop in Ethiopia, yet farmer yields remain low, averaging 2.7 t ha⁻1 compared to over 5 t ha⁻1 at research stations. This study investigates the impact of socio-economic factors, local agronomic practices, and site-specific fertilizer management on wheat production in Goba, Lemu, Siyadebr, and Basona districts of Ethiopia. A survey of 228 households analyzed the influence of these factors on wheat productivity and fertilizer use, employing descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression models. Results indicated that crop residue retention, improved wheat varieties, and organic fertilizers significantly increased yields, while row fertilizer application at planting had a negative effect. Fertilizer application rates varied significantly among farmers and were influenced by practices like top-dressing, monocropping, and participation in agricultural training. District-level differences in yield and fertilizer response highlighted the need for site-specific management. Multiple regression analysis revealed that key predictors of fertilizer use included cultivated land area, household income, education, small ruminant ownership, and extension contact, with larger land ownership, higher income, organic fertilizer use, and extension access being the most significant. Average yield increases due to site-specific fertilizer applications varied across districts. Overall, significant yield gains were achieved through site-specific fertilizer application across the four districts, with an average yield of 5.3 Mg ha⁻1, compared to approximately 4 Mg ha⁻1 using the local farmers' fertilizer application rates. This study underscores the importance of considering local agroecological conditions in fertilizer management to boost wheat productivity and support food security and economic development in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Biochar has gained prominence as a sustainable solution in agriculture and environmental management, with benefits of enhancing soil fertility, improving crop yield, and mitigating the climate change. This study sought to conduct a bibliometric analysis of biochar research within the context of agricultural applications, with the objective of evaluating its progression, thematic development, and patterns of global collaboration.METHODS: A search was conducted in the Scopus database on September 1, 2024 using a pre-determined keyword combination. The retrieved data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in RStudio to evaluate publication trends, research theme evolution, and international collaboration networks. The authors' keywords were employed in a co-occurrence analysis to discern principal research themes and their interrelations. The analysis on research theme evolution utilized a single time split, dividing the datasets into 2006−2021 and 2022−2025. The collaboration network was established with a minimum edge threshold of 4, and it is illustrated in a mapped format. .FINDINGS: The search using a predetermined keyword combination identified 4,402 publications related to biochar, with 2,857 focused specifically on its application in agriculture. A pronounced increase in research output was observed after 2016. China is spearheading the investigation in this domain, having produced 1,319 publications from individual countries and 564 from various international collaborations. In the second leading position, the United States has produced 382 publications, where 101 of which were published along with authors from other countries. The thematic analysis revealed a transition from the original focal points, which included carbon sequestration, to newly emerging subjects such as microbial biomass and the remediation of heavy metals.CONCLUSION: There is an increasing significance of biochar research worldwide, where the thematic evolution and patterns of international collaborations have been successfully synthesized in this study. The thematic shifts suggest the growing interest in microbial biomass and heavy metal remediation-related themes, indicating the multiple applications of biochar in both environmental management and agricultural productivity. Given the robust framework of international research collaboration, it is essential to undertake a unified global initiative aimed at standardizing biochar application techniques, enhancing production processes, and evaluating the long-term effects of biochar usage. The production and utility of biochar in agricultural sector could be optimized through international collaboration and policy development aiming to improve soil health, and subsequently food security. The study has effectively mapped the landscape of biochar studies within the realm of environmental management, with a particular focus on its roles in enhancing microbial biomass and remediating heavy metal contamination.

Changes in soil fertility have led to a decline in crop production, making it challenging for farmers to select the best crops based on soil conditions. Accurate crop prediction can significantly enhance crop productivity, and machine learning plays a crucial role in this process. Crop forecasting is influenced by soil, geographic, and environmental characteristics, with feature selection being essential for identifying suitable crops. In this study, we developed a real-time soil fertility analyzer to obtain the real-time values of soil parameters such as potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen content, temperature, pH, moisture content, and electrical conductivity. The crops examined were coconut, ginger, plantain, and tapioca. The data collected from this analysis served as the dataset for different training and testing classification algorithms for crop prediction using 100 soil samples. Among the algorithms tested, the k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm demonstrated the highest performance, with an accuracy of 84%, precision of 85%, recall of 88.8%, and specificity of 92.4%. These results indicate that machine learning, combined with real-time soil analysis, can effectively predict suitable crops, enhancing crop productivity and aiding farmers in making informed decisions. This approach can revolutionize traditional farming practices by providing precise, data-driven insights into crop selection, ultimately improving agricultural efficiency and sustainability.

Abstract Animal manures are increasingly receiving renewed interest as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers. While they may improve ecosystem functions, there is limited information on short-term effects of organic amendments on soil reaction and nutrient dynamics in irrigated mixed dairy pastures, especially in the context of the Tsitsikamma region, South Africa. This study examined the soil fertility status of minimum tilled 6-year-old pasture-mixed dairy farms (F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5) in the Upper (UT) and Lower (LT) Tsitsikamma regions treated with different rates of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer alone or in combination with poultry manure (PM) and/or dairy effluent (DE). Soil samples were collected at 0–15, 15–30, 30–45 and 45–60 cm depth intervals and analysed for soil pH, P, K, Ca and Mg. Results of this study revealed variable trends on soil pH and nutrient changes between farms, suggesting an influence of some inherent soil properties in addition to the 6-year applied management practices. When averaged over sampled farms, surface placement of soil amendments and limited soil disturbance resulted in surface stratification of soil pH, P, K, Ca and Mg. On the other hand, integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers induced significant changes in nutrient contents and stocks to a depth of 60 cm, especially in the LT region. A combination of NPK fertilizer, PM and/or DE applied in pasture mixtures generally showed potential to improve soil fertility in both regions. As such, adoption of this combination by farmers could cut down reliance on expensive synthetic fertilizers and costs of dairy production. However, studies are still necessary in this region to validate the observed results.

The search for new technologies for effective regulation of yield and soil fertility is an urgent task. The use of slow-release fertilizers can simultaneously solve both problems – reducing fertilizer rates and increasing the mobilization of soil nutrients. In this paper, the mechanism of slow-release fertilizer effect on the mobilization rate of soil nutrients was investigated using mathematical modeling on the data of field trials with winter wheat. It is shown that in the plots with the slowest dissolving fertilizer (azofoska with 20% content of polyvinyl alcohol), the highest efficiency of azofoska was achieved (an increase in yield of 1.3 t/ha and an increase in mobile forms of phosphorus in the soil of 2.5 mg/100 g soil, potassium – 8.8 mg/100 g soil and nitrate nitrogen – 4.7 mg/100 g soil). The results of phosphorus modeling quantitatively confirmed the assumption that the low rate of dissolution of fertilizer enhances the mobilization of nutrients from soil due to the absence of an excess of plant available nutrients. We provide estimates of the polymer added efficiency for a series of polymer-modified fertilizer. It is shown that this form of fertilizer can be applied to effectively reduce the amount of fertilizer required for the planned harvest, simultaneously with the possibility of bringing the soil to a higher level of effective fertility in major nutrient elements.

Background: Vegetation burning, a common agricultural practice, has both positive and negative effects on soil fertility. Soil quality, which is critical for ecosystems, shapes biodiversity and productivity, while increased temperatures from vegetation burning can alter conditions for seed germination by reducing nutrient availability. Objectives: The study aims to assess the impacts of vegetation burning on soil fertility in Fwangnin, Bokkos, Nigeria, through experimental investigation of the effects of burning on both the chemical and physical properties of soil. The results are expected to contribute to the development of adaptive fire management strategies in land use, and the results will also help monitor soil changes in order to maintain long-term soil fertility. Methods: Using purposive sampling, four 500-gram soil samples were taken from 0 – 15 cm depth in burned and unburned areas. The samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Traditional well-proven methods were used for the analysis. Results: It was found that the pH of the burnt soil samples ranged from 6.10 to 5.90, while that of the unburnt samples ranged from 5.73 to 5.81; a significant increase in pH occurs at higher combustion temperatures, which increases the alkalinity of the soil due to the alkaline properties of ash. The electrical conductivity value for the samples in the burnt areas was significantly higher (0.08 mS/cm and 0.10 mS/cm) compared to the healthy soil (0.07 mS/cm and 0.09 mS/cm), which can be explained by the release of mineral ions due to the combustion of organic matter. The study found a decrease in organic carbon content in the burnt soil, a significant deficiency of nitrogen and a decrease in the cation exchange capacity, which contributes to the depletion of the fertile layer and a decrease in the ability of the soil to retain essential nutrients. Increased levels of organic phosphorus were also found in burnt soils, which contributes to improved crop growth and increased yields in the short term. Conclusion: The current study has filled the gap in deep understanding of the impact of vegetation burning on the fertile properties of agricultural soils. Namely, it has been experimentally established and confirmed by the results of similar studies and statistical analysis that while vegetation burning remains a common agricultural practice in Fwangnin, the long-term implications for soil fertility, structure, and ecosystem health are significant. The soil degradation observed in this study suggests that continued reliance on burning as a land-clearing method may undermine agricultural productivity and environmental integrity over time.

The absence of high-resolution soil total nitrogen (STN) is an obstacle to the sustainable management and degradation assessment of Indonesian rice fields. Recently, advanced Geospatial-Artificial Intelligence (Geo-AI) techniques such as the random forest (RF) algorithm have been developed to increase the accuracy and spatial representativeness of STN prediction. However, critical challenges remain in using datasets from multiple locations. The Geo-AI techniques in this study utilizes soil and vegetation indices data from Sentinel-2A MSI imagery, integrated with various environmental covariates such as topographic factors (aspect, curvature, elevation, slope, and RDLS), soil properties (fractions of sand, silt, clay, bulk density, and pH), climate attributes (precipitation and temperature), and field-measured STN content to build predictive model. STN content data were obtained for the top 20 cm soil from a total of 318 sampling points across all landforms—alluvial, karst, and volcanic—of the Malang Regency in East Java, Indonesia. The results point to the differing importance of the predictors, with most remote sensing indices contributing significantly to the models. The performance of the machine learning-based prediction was also excellent, with an R² of 0.94 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.05. The results demonstrate the promising potential of Geo-AI techniques for predicting STN content, offering a sophisticated solution to improve rice production through more precise fertilization. Our analysis provides a solid foundation for the future development of large-scale STN prediction and highlights the potential benefits of incorporating diverse types of predictors to enhance model performance.

Healthy and fertile soils are the foundation of sustainable global agriculture, supporting both intensive and extensive crop cultivation, including orchards and vineyards across diverse agroecosystems. However, widespread use of synthetic fertilizers has degraded soil organic matter and overall quality, leading to significant environmental consequences and threats to ecosystem services. Challenges in accessing mineral fertilizers, along with growing concerns over environmental sustainability, have driven interest in alternative approaches such as compost, biofertilizers, biopesticides, and microbiome-based strategies to enhance soil fertility and reduce chemical inputs in agriculture. Compost derived from grapevine pruning waste shows promise in addressing agricultural challenges, but further research is needed to understand its effects on nutrient release dynamics and microbial activity. Inoculating compost with a fungal consortium presents an innovative strategy to enhance nutrient cycling and microbial interactions, addressing nutrient availability challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of three fertilization methods on soil health: NPK (mineral fertilizer), PWC (pruning waste compost), and iPWC (pruning waste compost inoculated with fungal consortia). Conducted over 135 days in a controlled growth chamber, fifteen pots received equal macronutrient doses. Environmental parameters (humidity, temperature, light/dark cycles) were closely monitored. Throughout the experiment, release dynamics of key nutrients, soil enzyme activity, and microbial community responses were rigorously assessed. The results showed that compost inoculated with fungi significantly enhanced soil enzymes activities. Microbial community activity was higher in fungal and compost treatments, with greater functional diversity observed in the mineral fertilizer treatment. Compost released major minerals more slowly than chemical fertilizers, while enhancing the available fraction. These findings underscore compost’s potential, especially when supplemented with fungi, to improve soil health and promote sustainable agricultural practices and soil regeneration.

Abstract We aim was to evaluate the chemical attributes of the soil under the effect of the incorporation of agronomic/lignocellulosic residues, in natura and spent/post-cultivation of mushrooms and the remineralizer from bentonite in Chromic Abruptic Acrisol, in the municipality of Areia, PB, Brazil. The research was carried out in a greenhouse and consisted of 13 treatments, resulting from a 3 × 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement in CRD, with four replications. Data were evaluated for normality and homogeneity of variance using the of Shapiro-Wilk and Bartlett, and when significant then submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), Scott-Knott means test, and Dunnett at 5% significance. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation were performed. The incorporation of agronomic wastes under in natura conditions and SMS with the remineralizer increased the fertility variables of the Chromic Abruptic Acrisol, with a significant increase in the levels of exchangeable bases, organic carbon, soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity, base saturation, and phosphorus available. The PCA showed that sugarcane bagasse and banana leaf treatments, both in the in natura condition and without incorporation of remineralizer, were the most correlated with the CEC, SB, and V% variables. Then, the application of lignocellulosic waste in the in natura and spent mushroom substrate (SMS) conditions without the use of a remineralizer increases total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity and phosphorus available.

The effects of chemical fertilizers on crop growth and grain yield are relatively well-known, but little is known about their synergistic effects with foliar nutrition. The factorial experiment was conducted using a strip-plot design. The main plots consisted of three chemical fertilization treatments at the following rates: N150P105K75, N180P125K90, and N210P145K105. The sub-plots included four combinations of foliar feeding with carbamide [CO(NH2)2], applied at doses of 4.0, 8.0, and 12.0 kg ha−1 at the tillering, booting, and heading stages of winter wheat (WW), respectively. The results indicated that the WW grain production was increased by 21.2% with foliar nutrition applied at a 4:8:12 kg/ha regime under the N180P125K90 chemical fertilization norm compared to the control, exhibiting the highest yield among tested variables. The total grain yield of WW increased with an increase in chemical fertilization norms, providing a significant increase in the fodder yield parameters. Increasing chemical fertilization increased the grain quality indices, but the highest indicators were observed under the moderate (N180P125K90) chemical fertilization norm applied with the foliar nutrition (4.8:12 kg/ha regime). Overall, this innovative farming technique has the potential to limit land degradation and create sustainable farming systems while improving biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services that require less chemical fertilization.

Land use changes have a profound impact on soil fertility and agricultural production systems in the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone (FSTZ) of Ghana. Soil erosion and shortened fallow periods exacerbate soil fertility loss, further degrading soil quality. This study aimed to: (i) quantify soil quality indices, and (ii) assess soil fertility status across different land use types (Forest, Savannah Woodland, Grassland, Fallow, and Cropland) at two soil depths (0–20 cm and 20–50 cm). The 0–20 cm depth represents the plough layer, while 20–50 cm captures nutrient leaching in the Nkoranza districts. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we reduced the number of indicators from 29 to 9, capturing 94.42 % and 94.81 % of variability in the topsoil and subsoil, respectively. Key indicators included sand, silt, gravel content (Gco), electrical conductivity (EC), available phosphorus (Av. P), exchangeable potassium (Ex. K), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and phosphorus (MBP). Results indicated that subsoil had a higher Soil Quality Index (SQI) (0.60) than topsoil (0.57), reflecting surface soil degradation. Forests recorded the highest SQI (0.67), while Croplands had the lowest (0.54). Communality estimates revealed that sand, silt, Gco, EC, Av. K, Av. P, MBC, and MBN were the most influential indicators, with the highest weights (0.11) at both depths. The SQI was positively correlated with maize yield (R2 = 0.61, p

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important cash crop and plays a vital role in many people's livelihoods in Ethiopia. However, its production is low due to many constraints, and low soil fertility is among the major. The previous fertilizer recommendation was a blanket recommendation regardless of the soil fertility status. Hence, the objective of this review is to synthesize the different recommendations and forward to the sesame growing areas. R statistical software and Python programming language used to analyze the chemical and physical soil properties, association among the chemical and physical soil properties and association with soil depth. The organic carbon, total N (Nitrogen), available P (Phosphorus), S (Sulfur) and Zn (Zinc) are below optimum value while K is sufficient in the soil and moderately alkaline soil. The soil particle size is dominantly clay (58.5 %). The clay particle size and pH increased while the sand and silt particle sizes, organic carbon, total N, available P and S decreased as the soil depth increased. 204,558.8 ton of sesame stack residue are burned every year, and from this, 7360.03 ton of NPK is lost every year in Western Tigray. The recommended N, P and S for sesame are: (i) 64 and 41 kg ha −1 N for low N content areas and for medium N content areas respectively; 46 and 23 kg ha −1 P2O5 for low and medium P content areas; (iii) 60 and 30 kg ha −1 S for low medium S content areas may be recommended to boost sesame production.

Due to the rapid rise in the worldwide population, the need for food is expanding constantly. To boost agricultural productivity large amounts of synthetic fertilizers are used. However, the extensive use of these synthetic fertilizers leads to various environmental and health problems. Nanotechnology (NT) offers significant improvement in the fertilizer fabrication with optimal chemical compositions, enhances nutrient usage competence, reduces environmental influence, and increased plant productivity. Nano fertilizers (NF) are nanomaterials (NM) that contrast significantly from their corresponding bulk materials. The concept of NF technology is highly innovative, utilizing physical, chemical, and biological methods for formulation. Additionally, the precise application and targeted delivery of nano-fertilizers ensures a more sustainable and accurate approach to agriculture. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various types of nano fertilizers and their synthesis by different methods. In addition, applications of the NF and advantages are also given over the conventional pesticides. Information is also given on the current applications and challenges of the NF. NF are more effective and efficient than conservative fertilizers. The use of NF is expanding owing to the positive influence on nutritional superiority and stress resistance in plants.

Abstract The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices necessitates innovative solutions for soil fertilization. This study aimed to assess the viability of using limestone mining co-products from the Irati and Corumbataí Formations as multi-nutrient sources for Glycine max cultivation. The experiment utilized a double factorial design (7 × 2) with five replications, randomly arranged and placed in pots within a greenhouse. The factors examined were the type of co-product (sedimentary rocks from the Irati Formation: rhythmite and bituminous shale; and the Corumbataí Formation: clayey siltstone) and the soil type (Haplic Arenosol and Rhodic Ferralsol). Soil ion content was assessed at 21 and 140 days after treatment application. Each pot housed four G. max plants, with leaf harvest occurring after 42 days of growth. Macronutrient content, leaf production, and soil ion availability were determined thereafter. Overall, co-product application led to increased soil pH and availability of essential ions, including K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, P, S-SO4 2−, and Si. At 140 days, rhythmite was notably effective in increasing pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in Haplic Arenosol, with respective increases of 22%, 224%, and 696%. Bituminous shale, on the other hand, significantly increased S-SO4 2− content by 67% and 426% in Rhodic Ferralsol and Haplic Arenosol, respectively. Moreover, the application of co-products resulted in enhanced accumulation of K, Ca, Mg, and S in G. max plants, alongside increased leaf production. In conclusion, the utilization of mining co-products positively influenced soil and plant chemical attributes, particularly enhancing leaf production in G. max. These findings highlight the potential of co-products as environmentally friendly solutions for soil fertilization, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. This research highlights a significant step towards sustainable agriculture by recycling mining waste into valuable soil amendments, which can improve crop yields and reduce the environmental impact of both mining and agricultural activities. Graphical Abstract

On low-lying soils with a high clay content and poor water conductivity, excess water regularly appears after almost every rainy winter causing soil degradation, which leads to yield failures and/or losses. To outlet the harmful excess surface, waters needs appropriate ameliorative and agrotechnical operations. Among them, scraping represents a suitable intervention into soil structure involving the complete conversion of the micro-topography of the land. The humus content of the soil is a determining factor in terms of soil fertility; therefore, it must be preserved even when drastic tillage operations are carried out on a plot. Our research aimed to assess the effect of scraping on the humus content of the soil on three plots with a heavy textured Vertisol endangered by excess waters. Scraping was used on these plots to create a homogeneous topography and surface with a slight slope to get rid of excess water when it appears. It was established that scraping did not cause humus loss on a plot scale, and it resulted in an evener organic matter distribution, hence a potentially more homogenous yield within the ameliorated plots.

Nanofertilizers release nutrients slowly and in a controlled manner, matching the plants’ growth needs. By reducing the need for chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, nanotechnology contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices. The present study used nano-urea with Azotobacter on strawberry cv. ‘Winter Dawn’ under protected cultivation to evaluate its impact on soil fertility status and leaf nutrient content. Formulations as per the treatment requirements were sprayed onto the strawberry plants. The plants provided with nano-urea formulations exhibited enhanced levels of nitrogen (2.49%), phosphorus (0.37%), and potassium (2.60%) compared to the plants treated with conventional urea. Soil nutrient analysis showed enhanced levels of NPK in soil samples from traditional application treatments. A higher concentration of microorganisms in the soil was observed when urea was applied at the nano level. Nano-urea combined with Azotobacter can significantly impact the soil’s NPK levels. This innovative blend enhances nutrient availability in the soil and promotes sustainable agricultural practices. By leveraging the nanotechnology-infused urea alongside the nitrogen-fixing process of Azotobacter bacteria, the soil experiences a synergistic boost in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content. This dynamic duo fosters a conducive environment for plant growth while minimizing nutrient leaching and environmental degradation.

With increasing global population density and climate change, the sustainability of food production poses new challenges. These are factors such as food inflation, climate change, natural disasters, and diseases affecting crops among others. Consequently, fungi have evolved as a pillar of ecological agriculture in the twenty-first century. Some of the diverse applications of fungi include biological control, synthesis of antifungal compounds, symbiotic relationship with plants, and enhancement of soil structure. They also function as decomposers in ensuring nutrient availability in the soil, and as biostimulants to enhance plants’ growth, plant disease management and enhanced resistance to abiotic stressors such as water scarcity, and salinity and mitigate the impact of climate change. Furthermore, fungi play other important roles in food security, such as in the processing of various foods including cheese, bread, fermented products and other sources of protein, vitamins, and dietary fiber, while foods of fungi origin prevent lifestyle diseases. New approaches in fungal biotechnology present the hope of eliminating hunger and malnutrition through food production, preservation, and packaging among others. Although, challenges persist in the management of pathogenic fungi in agriculture, however, it is important to leverage the beneficial role of fungi and encourage further exploration of its transformative potential towards a secured global food security.

Soil moisture stress and infertility are major biophysical constraints which limit crop production and food security in marginalized areas. Marginal areas are mainly associated with low rainfall which is insufficient to support crops until maturity is reached. The use of insitu rainwater harvesting methods such as planting pits, tied ridges, mulching, Zai pits and half-moon can be a solution to reduce moisture stress. This alone cannot improve crop yields hence the need to use integrated nutrient management (INM) of animal manure, biofertilisers, mineral fertiliser and composts to improve soil fertility, structure and increase water retention ability. Combining rainwater harvesting with INM has the potential to mitigate effects of climate change, improve crop yields and meet food demand in marginal areas. Various nutrient sources used as INM can restore soil health, increase microbial population, nutrient mineralisation and improve soil quality. Use of biofertilisers in agriculture reduces soil toxicity, improve nutrient availability and create a conducive environment for crop growth and development. Integration of tied ridges with cattle manure and mineral fertiliser has the potential of increasing infiltration rates, reducing surface runoff and increase crop yields with 50-150% regardless of soil type. This chapter sought to come up review the effects of rainwater harvesting methods and INM on soil fertility, moisture stress and crop yields in marginalized areas

Abstract The recent over production of municipal solid waste (MSW) poses a significant threat to both the ecosystem and human health. Utilizing MSW for agricultural purposes has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce solid waste disposal while simultaneously increasing soil fertility. To explore this potential solution further, an experiment was designed to assess the impact of varying concentrations of MSW (25%, 50%, and 75%) on the proximate composition of 15 different vegetable species. The experiment, conducted between 2018 and 2019, involved treating soil with different levels of solid waste and analyzing the proximate components, such as crude protein, dry matter, crude fiber, crude fat, and moisture content, in the 15 selected crops. The results indicate that the application of 25% MSW significantly increased the levels of crude protein, crude fiber, dry matter, and fat in Spinacia oleracea, Solanum tuberosum, Solanum melongena, and Abelmoschus esculentus. Conversely, the addition of 75% MSW notably elevated the moisture and ash content in Cucumis sativus. Correlation and scatter matrix analyses were conducted to elucidate the relationships between the protein, fiber, dry matter, ash, and fat contents. Principal component analysis and clustering confirmed the substantial impact of Treatment_1 (25% MSW) and Treatment_3 (75% MSW) on the proximate composition of the aforementioned vegetables, leading to their categorization into distinct groups. Our study highlights the efficacy of using 25% MSW to enhance the proximate composition and nutritional value of vegetables. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to investigate the mineral, antioxidant, vitamin, and heavy metal contents in the soil over an extended period of MSW application.

Abstract Depletion of soil fertility in tropical regions is a pressing concern contributing to lower crop yields. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar and co-composted biochar on acidic soil and the growth performance of teff (Eragrotis teff (Zucc.)) in the sub-tropical highlands of Ethiopia. Co-composted biochar was produced by mixing Acacia decurrens biochar with chicken litter and cow dung manure at different ratios of 100:0:0, 25:75:0, 15:85:0, and 25:0:75. Treatment impact on soil properties and crop yields were evaluated with applications of 0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha–1 in field trials. The study shows interaction effects of biochar-based amendments significantly (P

The escalating production of biosolids from wastewater treatment plants presents significant environmental and health challenges due to the presence of pathogens, trace organic pollutants, and heavy metals. Transforming biosolids into biochar through pyrolysis offers a sustainable solution, enhancing soil fertility and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. This review critically evaluates the pyrolysis processes (slow, fast, and flash) for biosolid conversion and examines the impact of biosolid-derived biochar on soil nutrient retention, crop productivity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Findings from various studies demonstrate that BDB can significantly reduce emissions of N2O, CH4, and CO2 while improving soil health. However, challenges such as standardizing production methods, addressing heavy metal content, and ensuring economic feasibility must be overcome. Future research should focus on optimizing pyrolysis conditions, developing regulatory frameworks, and conducting comprehensive economic analyses to support the large-scale implementation of BDB in sustainable agriculture.

Drought is a major challenge in developing the integrated farming system (IFS) in Trenggalek Regency, making it one of the factors contributing to the construction of the Tugu Dam. Additionally, in developing the IFS area, it is necessary to assess soil fertility and land suitability evaluation for food and livestock feed commodities. The research was conducted in Tugu and Karangan Sub-Districts, Trenggalek Regency by conducting spatial analysis and soil survey at locations potentially affected by dam construction and soil samples analysis at the laboratory. The results of this study found that the level of soil fertility at the research site was included in the low to very low class with characteristics of acidic pH, very low C-organic, very low total N and low base saturation. While the results of the actual land suitability evaluation of rice, maize, and elephant grass showed the land suitability class S3 with limiting factors of C-organic, pH, total N, P2O5, and base saturation.

Abstract Background Crop diversification is considered as an imperative approach for synchronizing the plant nutrient demands and soil nutrient availability. Taking two or more crops from the same field in one year is considered as multiple cropping. It improves the diversity and abundance of soil microbes, thereby improving the growth and yield of crops. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the effects of different multiple winter cropping on soil microbial communities in paddy fields. In this study, eight rice cropping patterns from two multiple cropping systems with three different winter crops, including Chinese milk vetch (CMV), rape, and wheat were selected. The effects of different multiple winter cropping on soil microbial abundance, community structure, and diversity in paddy fields were studied by 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The results showed that different multiple winter cropping increased the operational taxonomic units (OTUs), species richness, and community richness index of the bacterial community in 0 ~ 20 cm soil layer. Moreover, soil physical and chemical properties of different multiple cropping patterns also affected the diversity and abundance of microbial bacterial communities. The multiple cropping increased soil potassium and nitrogen content, which significantly affected the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities, and it also increased the overall paddy yield. Moreover, different winter cropping changed the population distribution of microorganisms, and Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Nitrospira, and Chloroflexi were identified as the most dominant groups. Multiple winter cropping, especially rape-early rice-late rice (TR) andChinese milk vetch- early rice-late rice (TC) enhanced the abundance of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria and decreased the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Euryarchaeota. Conclusion In conclusion, winter cropping of Chinese milk vetch and rape were beneficial to improve the soil fertility, bacteria diversity, abundance and rice yield.

Abstract Background Straw incorporation serves as an effective strategy to enhance soil fertility and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), which in turn improves maize yield and agricultural sustainability. However, our understanding of nitrogen (N) fertilization and straw incorporation into soil microenvironment is still evolving. This study explored the impact of six N fertilization rates (N0, N100, N150, N200, N250, and N300) with and without straw incorporation on soil fertility, SMBC, enzyme activities, and maize yield. Results Results showed that both straw management and N fertilization significantly affected soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, SMBC, soil enzyme activities, and maize yield. Specifically, the N250 treatment combined with straw incorporation significantly increased SOC, total N, and SMBC compared to lower fertilization rates. Additionally, enzyme activities such as urease, cellulase, sucrose, catalase, and acid phosphatase reached their peak during the V6 growth stage in the N200 treatment under for both straw management conditions. Compared to N250 and N300 treatments of traditional planting, the N200 treatment with residue incorporation significantly increased yield by 8.30 and 4.22%, respectively. All measured parameters, except for cellulase activity, were significantly higher in spring than in the autumn across both study years, with notable increases observed in 2021. Conclusions These findings suggest that optimal levels of SOC, soil total N (STN), and SMBC, along with increased soil enzyme activities, is crucial for sustaining soil fertility and enhancing maize grain yield under straw incorporation and N200 treatments.

This study explores the potential of two underutilized plant materials, Melastoma malabathricum (MM) and Dicranopteris linearis (DL), to improve the fertility parameters of acid sulfate soil in a laboratory incubation. While the plant materials significantly increased soil pH (by 0.29 – 0.54 units), soil available P (by 3.17 – 4.75 mg kg−1), and exchangeable Ca (by 122.11 – 330.33 mg kg−1) whilst reducing exchangeable Al (by 2.19 – 4.58 cmol kg−1), these improvements were less pronounced relative to dolomite. Remarkably, at the lowest addition rate (20 t ha−1), both plant materials outperformed dolomite in reducing soil available Fe (end value of 227.88 – 165.00 mg kg−1 vs. 481.40 – 463.99 mg kg−1) and in improving soil available N with the incorporation of MM (end value of 10.51 mg kg−1 vs. 3.27 – 4.34 mg kg−1). Additionally, both plant materials consistently enhanced soil exchangeable K across all addition rates by up to an order of magnitude compared with dolomite (end value 52.87 – 174.53 mg kg−1 vs. 17.49 – 25.79 mg kg−1). Despite the generally less favourable results compared to dolomite, this study provides valuable insights into the limited body of information on the role of plant materials in altering the properties of acid sulfate soil.

Fine roots play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. Patterns of fine roots biomass formation for broad geographical areas are still unclear. We use published estimates of characteristics of European pine and spruce stands to determine their productivity and calculate the needle biomass. Then, the relationship between the fine-root:needle biomass ratio of European pine and spruce forests and the stand quality index, which is a proxy of soil fertility, was determined. We show that a rise in soil fertility is accompanied by a decrease in this ratio. Moving from the northern edge of the boreal zone southwards, with the related rise in air and soil temperatures, we see a decline in the mass ratio of fine roots and needle. The change in the fine-root:needle biomass ratio is controlled by the change in specific water uptake by roots, which is related to the osmotic pressure of the solution in the absorbing root's central vascular cylinder. The fine-root:needle ratio does not vary among stands of the same age if the stand quality index and the geographical latitude (a proxy of air and soil temperatures) are constant. These findings may be useful for further in-depth analysis of forest ecosystem functioning in Europe.

The symbiotic relationships between trees and different mycorrhizal fungi affect the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships within forest communities, particularly across different strata from the understorey to the overstorey. However, current research on this relationship has not yet reached a definitive conclusion. In this study, we used regression analyses and structural equation modelling based on a 9-ha mixed broadleaved-Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forest plot to explore the effects of different types of mycorrhizal fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi) on the relationship between tree species diversity and productivity. The study found that the dominance and productivity of AM species increased in the understorey with increasing soil nutrients, whereas the productivity of EM species declined despite increasing diversity. In the overstorey, the productivity of AM species continued to increase with increasing soil nutrients, while that of EM species decreased due to increased competition. As for diversity-productivity relationships (DPRs), in the understorey, both AM and EM tree species demonstrated a positive DPR, suggesting the presence of the niche complementarity effect. In the overstorey, AM species continue to exhibit positive DPR due to their competitive advantage in nutrient-rich environments. In contrast, EM species exhibit negative DPR due to increased competition or less efficient resource use. Additionally, slope influenced forest productivity indirectly by altering the accumulation and distribution of soil nutrients, thereby affecting species distribution and growth conditions. This indirect effect highlights the potential negative impact of slope on soil nutrients within forest ecosystems, as well as its influence on the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The study reveals how AM and EM trees influence forest productivity through distinct adaptability and competitive strategies across different forest strata, with a particular emphasis on the strata-dependent effects of mycorrhizal association on DPRs. This finding offers a new perspective on how mycorrhizal types modulate the complex relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions across various strata in temperate forests.

In this study the fertilizing effect of ZnEDTA (zinc ethylenediaminetetraacetate), and ZnSO4ּ 7H2O (ZnSO4ּ) (zinc sulphate heptahydrate) was compared on calcareous loam soil. A pot experiment was set up with maize (Zea mays L. var. ‘P37N01’). Plants were treated with basic NPK doses and with Zn at increasing rates: 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg kg-1 Zn in ZnEDTA and in ZnSO4 form, respectively. The ZnEDTA and ZnSO4 treatments increased the dry matter production compared to control by an average of 16%. Applying 2.5 mg kg-1 Zn, shoot Zn uptake was 1.3-fold greater by plants treated with ZnEDTA, than that of treated with ZnSO4. In the case of higher rates (5.0 mg kg-1 Zn and 10 mg kg-1 Zn), Zn uptake from ZnEDTA was approximately twice as much as that of ZnSO4. This result confirms that ZnEDTA as Zn complex is more effective than ZnSO4 on calcareous soil. The increasing ZnEDTA and ZnSO4 doses enhanced the soil’s initial diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) Zn concentration to 1.8, 3.0, 6.3 mg kg-1 and 1.9, 3.5, and 6.5 mg kg-1, respectively. Contrary to our expectations, DTPA soil extractant was not able to indicate the difference in Zn availability between soils treated with ZnEDTA and ZnSO4. During the experiment, 0.6-1.7% of the added Zn doses were absorbed by the plants, and 48-59% of it could be measured back in the form of DTPA-Zn for both Zn fertilizers, the other half of the added Zn presumably converted to less available Zn forms.

The study was conducted in Juan Guerra district, province and region of San Martin, Peru; it assessed two treatment sets: (1) nitrogen fertilizer dose (FN75, FN100); (2) green manure Crotalaria juncea (CroJ), Canavalia ensiformis (CanE), and without green manure. It was arranged in a split-plot design with four replications. During the experiment, we observed an important fluctuation in soil parameters. Notably, there was a decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen levels, likely attributed to microorganism metabolism. On the other hand, we observed that CanE significantly reduced the diseased tillers through “White Leaf Virus” (RHBV) by 2.82% compared to the control, and significant panicle fertility was achieved by CroJ (91.88%). No significant differences were obtained in yields during this first campaign; however, the highest reported yield was 8.36 t ha-1 with the CanE - FN100 treatment. Additionally, the nutritional quality of the rice was not affected by either green manuring or the application of chemical nitrogen fertilization. These findings allow deeper studies to consider strategic alternatives to reducing dependency on inorganic fertilizers among the poorest communities. Highlights: • A reduced incidence of White Leaf Virus (RHBV) was observed with the use of green manures. • Rice variety INIA 507 "La Conquista'' reached 8.36 t ha-1 under tropical climate conditions. • Canavalia ensiformis accompanied by nitrogen fertilization produced the highest yield. • Replacing 25% of chemical nitrogen fertilization with Canavalia or Crotalaria green manures did not significantly affect rice yield. • Replacing chemical nitrogen fertilization with green manure did not affect the nutritional quality of rice.

The excitement of watching a seed sprout into a flourishing plant is a joy for all who cultivate their own urban gardens. Many think of soil as a mere support for those plants, a substance that anchors them into the ground. However, soil is a dynamic and life-sustaining medium that nourishes plants. There is a complex ecosystem beneath the soil surface, composed of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and countless microorganisms. Understanding soil fertility is vital to plant growth. This publication is written for individuals tending to lawns, shrubs, trees, or flowers in urban settings. It introduces essential terms of soil fertility, explains the role of soil properties in supporting healthy plants, and familiarizes readers with methods to enhance soil fertility within the context of urban settings. It also serves as a guide to empower non-farmers and urban residents, offering insights into plant nutrient requirements and the principles of effective nutritional care.