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Insufficient characterization of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in semi-arid climates contributes uncertainty to SOC sequestration estimates. This study estimated changes in SOC (0–30 cm depth) due to variations in manure management, tillage regime, winter cover crop, and crop rotation in southern Idaho (USA). Empirical data were used to drive the Denitrification Decomposition (DNDC) model in a "default" and calibrated capacity and forecast SOC levels until 2050. Empirical data indicates: (i) no effect (p = 0.51) of winter triticale on SOC after 3 years; (ii) SOC accumulation (0.6 ± 0.5 Mg ha–1 year–1) under a rotation of corn-barley-alfalfax3 and no change (p = 0.905) in a rotation of wheat-potato-barley-sugarbeet; (iii) manure applied annually at rate 1X is not significantly different (p = 0.75) from biennial application at rate 2X; and (iv) no significant effect of manure application timing (p = 0.41, fall vs. spring). The DNDC model simulated empirical SOC and biomass C measurements adequately in a default capacity, yet specific issues were encountered. By 2050, model forecasting suggested: (i) triticale cover resulted in SOC accrual (0.05–0.27 Mg ha–1 year–1); (ii) when manure is applied, conventional tillage regimes are favored; and (iii) manure applied treatments accrue SOC suggesting a quadratic relationship (all R2 > 0.85 and all p < 0.0001), yet saturation behavior was not realized when extending the simulation to 2100. It is possible that under very large C inputs that C sequestration is favored by DNDC which may influence "NetZero" C initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study is to identify and investigate specific humates (Hs) as potential biostimulants. Five specialty lignosulfonates (LS1-5), one commercial leonardite-humate (PH), and one commercial lignosulfonate (LH), were analyzed for their carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur contents, and the distribution of functional groups using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies. Hs were further supplied for two days to Zea mays L. in hydroponics to test their capacity to trigger changes in physiological target-responses. LS1, LS2, LS3, and LS5 determined the most pronounced effects on plant growth and accumulation of proteins and phenolics, perhaps because of their chemical and spectroscopic features. Root growth was more increased (+51–140%) than leaf growth (+5–35%). This effect was ascribed to higher stimulation of N metabolism in roots according to the increased activity of N-assimilation enzymes (GS and GOGAT) and high consumption of sugars for energy-dependent processes. Increased values of RuBisCO, SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development values), and leaf sugar accumulation refer to enhanced photosynthesis attributed to Hs. We conclude that Hs tested in this study functioned as biostimulants, but the specialty lignosulfonates were more efficient in this role, possibly because of the type of starting material and process used for their production, which may have influenced their chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignohumates are increasing in popularity in agriculture, but their chemistry and effects on plants vary based on the source and processing. The present study evaluated the ability of two humates (H1 and H2) to boost maize plant performance under different phosphorus (P) availability (25 and 250 μM) conditions in hydroponics, while understanding the underlying mechanisms. Humates differed in chemical composition, as revealed via elemental analysis, phenol and phytohormone content, and thermal and spectroscopic analyses. H1 outperformed H2 in triggering plant responses to low phosphorus by enhancing phosphatase and phytase enzymes, P acquisition efficiency, and biomass production. It contained higher levels of endogenous auxins, cytokinins, and abscisic acid, likely acting together to stimulate plant growth. H1 also improved the plant antioxidant capacity, thus potentially increasing plant resilience to external stresses. Both humates increased the nitrogen (N) content and acted as biostimulants for P and N acquisition. Consistent with the physiological and biochemical data, H1 upregulated genes involved in growth, hormone signaling and defense in all plants, and in P recycling particularly under low-P conditions. In conclusion, H1 showed promising potential for effective plant growth and nutrient utilization, especially in low-P plants, involving hormonal modulation, antioxidant enhancement, the stimulation of P uptake and P-recycling mechanisms.

Humic substances (HS) are dominant components of soil organic matter and are recognized as natural, effective growth promoters to be used in sustainable agriculture. In recent years, many efforts have been made to get insights on the relationship between HS chemical structure and their biological activity in plants using combinatory approaches. Relevant results highlight the existence of key functional groups in HS that might trigger positive local and systemic physiological responses via a complex network of hormone-like signaling pathways. The biological activity of HS finely relies on their dosage, origin, molecular size, degree of hydrophobicity and aromaticity, and spatial distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. The molecular size of HS also impacts their mode of action in plants, as low molecular size HS can enter the root cells and directly elicit intracellular signals, while high molecular size HS bind to external cell receptors to induce molecular responses. Main targets of HS in plants are nutrient transporters, plasma membrane H + -ATPases, hormone routes, genes/enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation, cell division, and development. This review aims to give a detailed survey of the mechanisms associated to the growth regulatory functions of HS in view of their use in sustainable technologies.

Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are proteins of cyanobacteria and some algae such as rhodophytes. They have antimicrobial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory activity at the human level, but there is a lack of knowledge on their antifungal activity against plant pathogens. We studied the activity of PBPs extracted from Arthrospira platensis and Hydropuntia cornea against Botrytis cinerea , one of the most important worldwide plant-pathogenic fungi. PBPs were characterized by using FT-IR and FT-Raman in order to investigate their structures. Their spectra differed in the relative composition in the amide bands, which were particularly strong in A. platensis . PBP activity was tested on tomato fruits against gray mold disease, fungal growth, and spore germination at different concentrations (0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, and 4.8 mg/mL). Both PBPs reduced fruit gray mold disease. A linear dose-response relationship was observed for both PBPs against disease incidence and H. cornea against disease severity. Pathogen mycelial growth and spore germination were reduced significantly by both PBPs. In conclusion, PBPs have the potential for being also considered as natural compounds for the control of fungal plant pathogens in sustainable agriculture.

Humic substances (HS) are powerful natural plant biostimulants. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the relationship between their structure and bioactivity in plants. We extracted HS (THE1-2) from two forest soils covered with Pinus mugo (1) or Pinus sylvestris (2). The extracts were subjected to weak acid treatment to produce size-fractionated HS (high molecular size, HMS1-2; low molecular size, LMS1-2). HS were characterized for total acidity, functional groups, element and auxin (IAA) contents, and hormone-like activity. HS concentrations ranging from 0 to 5 mg C L -1 were applied to garlic ( Allium sativum L.) plantlets in hydroponics to ascertain differences between unfractionated and size-fractionated HS in the capacity to promote mineral nutrition, root growth and cell differentiation, activity of enzymes related to plant development (invertase, peroxidase, and esterase), and N (nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase) and S (O-acetylserine sulphydrylase) assimilation into amino acids. A positive linear dose-response relationship was determined for all HS in the range 0-1 mg C L -1 , while higher HS doses were less effective or ineffective in promoting physiological-biochemical attributes of garlic. Bioactivity was higher for size-fractionated HS according to the trend LMS1-2>HMS1-2>THE1-2, with LMS2 and HMS2 being overall more bioactive than LMS1 and HMS1, respectively. LMS1-2 contained more N, oxygenated functional groups and IAA compared to THE1-2 and HMS1-2. Also, they exhibited higher hormone-like activities. Such chemical properties likely accounted for the greater biostimulant action of LMS1-2. Beside plant growth, nutrition and N metabolism, HS stimulated S assimilation by promoting the enrichment of garlic plantlets with the S amino acid alliin, which has recognized beneficial properties in human health. Concluding, this study endorses that i) treating THE with a weak acid produced sized-fractionated HS with higher bioactivity and differing in properties, perhaps because of novel molecular arrangements of HS components that better interacted with garlic roots; ii) LMS from forest soils covered with P. mugo or P. sylvestris were the most bioactive; iii) the cover vegetation affected HS bioactivity iv); HS stimulated N and S metabolism with relevant benefits to crop nutritional quality., (Copyright © 2020 Pizzeghello, Schiavon, Francioso, Dalla Vecchia, Ertani and Nardi.)

The current management practice of digestate from biogas plants involves its use for land application as a fertilizer. Nevertheless, the inadequate handling of digestate may cause environmental risks due to losses of ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide. Therefore, the key goals of digestate management are to maximize its value by developing new digestate products, reducing its dependency on soil application and the consequent air pollution. The high nitrogen and lignin content in solid digestate make it a suitable substrate for edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. To this aim, the mycelial growth rate and degradation capacity of the lignocellulosic component from corn silage digestate, undigested wheat straw and their mixture were investigated on Cyclocybe aegerita, Coprinus comatus, Morchella importuna, Pleurotus cornucopiae and Pleurotus ostreatus . The structural modification of the substrates was performed by using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Preliminary in vitro results demonstrated the ability of P. ostreatus , P. cornucopiae and M. importuna to grow and decay hemicellulose and lignin of digestate. Cultivation trials were carried out on C. aegerita , P. cornucopiae and P. ostreatus . Pleurotus ostreatus showed the highest biological efficiency and fruiting body production in the presence of the digestate; moreover, P. ostreatus and P. cornucopiae were able to degrade the lignin. These results provide attractive perspectives both for more sustainable digestate management and for the improvement of mushroom cultivation efficiency.

Biochar from agricultural biomasses and solid wastes represents a win-win solution for a rational waste management. Its sustainable usage requires the identification and standardization of biochar characteristics. The aim of this work was to identify the physical-chemical and spatial characteristics of biochars from pruning residues (PR), poultry litter (PL), and anaerobic cattle digestate (CD) at two pyrolysis temperatures (350 °C and 550 °C). The biochar characterization was carried out by applying emerging imaging techniques, 2D automated optical image analysis and hyperspectral enhanced dark-field microscopy (EDFM), and by SEM analysis. As predictable, the feedstock composition and the pyrolysis temperature strongly influence the physical structures of the biochar samples. Irrespective of charring temperature, PR biochar was mainly characterized by a broken and fragmented structure with an irregular and rough particle surface, completely different from the original PR wood cell. The EDFM imaging analysis evidenced the thermal degradation of PR vegetal products, composed primarily of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. On the contrary, small and regular particles with a smooth surface were produced by the PL pyrolysis, especially at 550 °C, due to the lower PL morphological homogeneity in comparison with the other biomasses. Finally, CD charring at both temperatures was characterized by changes in chemical composition, suggested by a lower pixel intensity. In conclusion, the emerging imaging techniques used in this study proved to be very effective in analyzing some properties of biochars, and can, therefore be considered as promising experimental strategies for detecting the feedstock and pyrolysis temperature of biochar., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A high molecular weight humic fraction (>3,500 Da) was characterized chemically by DRIFT and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and was applied to Zea mays L. plants to evaluate its effect on phenylpropanoid metabolism. The activity and gene expression of phenylalanine (tyrosine) ammonia-lyase (PAL/TAL), and the concentrations of phenolics and their amino acid precursors phenylalanine and tyrosine were assayed. Maximum induction of PAL/TAL activity and expression was obtained when the concentration of added humic substance was 1 mg C/l hydroponic solution. Phenylalanine and tyrosine significantly decreased (-16% and -22%, respectively), and phenolic compounds increased in treated plants. The effects of the humic substance could be ascribed partly to indoleacetic acid (27 nmol/mg C) in the humic fraction. Our results suggest that this humic fraction induces changes in phenylpropanoid metabolism. This is the first study that shows a relationship between humic substances and the phenylpropanoid pathway.

In this study, a detailed characterization of earthworm low molecular size humic substances (LMS) was performed and these substances were used to study their effect on the nitrate influx in roots, tissue nitrate content, and expression of maize genes putatively involved in nitrate uptake in maize (Zea mays L.). The results show that the humic fraction with low molecular size used in this study is endowed with the characteristic structural network described for most humic substances so far isolated and confirm the presence of IAA in this fraction. The results also show that the LMS fraction of humic substances stimulates the uptake of nitrate by roots and the accumulation of the anion at the leaf level. Moreover, the analysis of the expression of genes encoding two putative maize nitrate transporters (ZmNrt2.1 and ZmNrt1.1) and of two maize H(+)-ATPase isoforms (Mha1 and Mha2) show that these substances may exert direct effects on gene transcription in roots, as shown for the Mha2 gene, and long-distance effects in shoots, as observed for the ZmNrt2.1 gene.