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Soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.) is highly suitable as animal feed. The silage quality and microbial characteristics of soybean silage are still unclear. Forage soybean (HN389), at six different growth stages (R2-R7), were used as experimental materials to investigate the changes in fermentation, nutritional quality, and microbial characteristics of semidry silage after 0, 7, 14, 30, and 45 d. As the growth period extended, the content of crude protein (CP) and crude fat (EE) gradually increased, while the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF) content decreased. The pH value also decreased gradually with fermentation time, accompanied by increases in the proportion of ammonia-N and the content of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA). In addition, competitive inhibition was observed in the microbial fermentation. With the process of ensiling, Lactobacillus became the dominant bacterial species. The results indicate that the most active stage of fermentation during ensiling occurred within the first 7 days, the fermentation and nutritional quality of the soybean forage were improved, and the optimal mowing stage was the grain stage. Comparison of the microbial abundance showed that all microorganisms entered a stable stage at 30 days of silage. After storage, the dominant bacteria were Lactobacillus, Enterobacter, and Pantoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is an important crop, averaging over 250,000 ha in Montana and North Dakota during 2016–2021. However, relatively little is known about rhizobial inoculant and fertility response in lentil in the US northern Great Plains. The objective was to evaluate the effect of rhizobial inoculant formulations (seed coat and in‐furrow) and nutrient additions (potassium [K], sulfur [S], and micronutrients) on lentil yield and seed protein concentration. This study was conducted at seven university research centers in Montana and North Dakota from 2019 to 2021, resulting in 20 location‐years of data. In six of 20 experiments, inoculant application increased seed yield by an average of 36% (323 kg ha−1, p ≤ 0.05) but had no consistent effect on seed protein concentration. Lentil or pea crop history among locations did not explain inoculant response. Inoculant formulations (seed coat vs. in‐furrow) and K fertilizer had inconsistent and small effects on seed yield and protein concentration. However, S fertilizer (5.6 kg S ha−1) increased seed yield in four of 20 experiments (p ≤ 0.02) by an average of 14.5% (255 kg ha−1) in those experiments and decreased seed yield for one experiment (p = 0.05) by 5.8% (153 kg ha−1). Pre‐plant SO4‐S soil test levels did not predict lentil response to S fertilizer. Micronutrient application was assessed in 12 location‐years but had no effect on lentil yield or protein concentration. This research suggests a need to better understand what factors control lentil yield and protein response to rhizobial inoculant and S fertilization. Core Ideas: Rhizobial inoculant increased seed yield in 30% of experiments regardless of prior lentil or pea crop history.Sulfur fertilizer increased seed yield and protein concentration in 20% of experiments.There was little to no relationship between pre‐plant SO4‐S soil test levels and S fertilizer response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review article summarises the results of research on forest liming, fertilisation, nutrition flows and cycles in selected European and other countries. The presented studies mostly deal with assessing the effect of liming and fertilisation applied during planting or shortly after planting. The sporadic studies on fertilisation in older stands are also presented. The application of crushed limestone, dolomite or other alkaline rocks or their mixtures is usually used to improve the soil conditions on a large area through the adjustment of soil acidity and to supply any deficient elements, especially calcium and magnesium. These amendments are typically used on naturally nutrient-poor soils or as a curative technique to neutralise the soil chemistry affected by anthropogenic acidification. Artificial fertilisers are usually applied on small spots to individual trees on the surface of the soil shortly after planting or into a planting hole during planting. The purpose is to give some initial support to young trees to better overcome the post-planting shock and to accelerate the height growth. Less frequently, artificial fertilisers are used on large areas of forest stands for the purpose of increasing stem growth. The methods and the extent of forest fertilisation substantially vary in individual countries and different time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stripping topsoil and transplanting seedlings damage the plough layer, reduce soil quality, and hinder food production. It is therefore urgent to rapidly improve the fertility of such plough layer damaged soils; however, there is a lack of available materials, quality evaluation methods, and application techniques. Materials and methods: Using moss peat (M), rice husk biochar (R), sawdust biochar (S), vegetable corn husk (C), and microbial inoculants as raw materials, a novel carbon-rich soil improvement materials (CRSIM) were created. Results and discussion: The results showed that when M and R are mixed at mass ratios of 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1, M and S are mixed at a mass ratio of 3:1, mixing with C at a mass ratio of 10:1, and adding microbial inoculant Bacillus subtilis, the high-quality CRSIM can be formed ((M + R)10C1, (2 M + R)10C1, (3 M + R)10C1, and (3 M + S)10C1)), which showed loose texture, high organic matter, and stability. Adding the above four CRSIM to plough layer damaged soil at the ratio of 1 to 8% can significantly reduce the soil bulk density, increase SOC and MBC content and carbon cycling enzyme activity, and change SOC chemical composition. Among them, the most beneficial material was (3 M + R)10C1, which increased wheat yield 5.6 times compared to CK when applied to the soil. In addition, CRSIM significantly influenced bacterial community composition and diversity more than fungi. They had greater strength in microbial carbon sequestration strategies while reducing soil microbial respiration intensity and qCO2, suggesting that these CRSIM favor the development of microbiota that contributes to soil C storage. Conclusions: In summary, mixing peat and biochar can create a novel CRSIM for plough layer damaged soil, which can improve soil quality and increase soil carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise training may be an effective tool for promoting growth and production efficiency in finfish aquaculture. Yet, changes in growth and feed conversion ratios (FCR) following periods of exercise can be varied and context dependent. Variation in species and training protocols (duration, intensity and regime) can misalign interpretations, and individual studies hold limited statistical power. To remedy this, we compiled data from 69 studies spanning 31 species to quantify the effects of exercise training on growth rates and FCRs. Using meta‐analytic tools, we show that exercise training significantly increases growth rates across a range of taxonomically diverse finfish. Optimal training regimes were identified; effects were strongest when fish were exercised continuously rather than intermittently, at target swimming speeds ≤ 2 body lengths s−1, for longer durations of time. These results are most applicable to juvenile fish (mean length of fish in the analyses = 16 cm). Exercise training was also shown to decrease variability in growth rates, leading to fish that are more uniform in size. FCRs were unaffected by exercise, showing that exercised‐ and control‐fish were equally efficient at converting food into body mass. Overall, our analyses show that exercise is a powerful management tool in promoting rapid growth, where fish can reach marketable sizes faster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the significance of belowground processes in tropical forest restoration and offers recommendations for further understanding these processes. It emphasizes the role of plant-root interactions, soil microbes, and soil properties in driving essential ecosystem services such as erosion control, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration. The article highlights the importance of plant-microbe interactions in forest recovery and proposes management strategies for soil stabilization, carbon storage, nutrient cycling, and forest diversity. It also stresses the selection of native mycorrhizal communities and cautions against using non-native soil inoculum. The authors argue that incorporating belowground research into land management strategies can enhance the effectiveness of restoration projects, while also emphasizing the need for collaboration between scientists and restoration practitioners and the consideration of ecological, economic, and social factors in restoration areas. [Extracted from the article]

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In recent years, the adoption of sustainable pest management strategies has increased interest in the utilization of biopesticides, with a focus on harnessing beneficial microorganisms. Among these, lipopeptides, such as surfactins, iturins, and fengycins produced by the genus Bacillus, have gained significant attention due to their multifaceted biocontrol mechanisms and wide-ranging inhibitory effects. This review aims to address the regulation, biosynthesis, and production of three main lipopeptide families secreted by the genus Bacillus, as well as the identification and quantification analysis used to date, through the omic tools approach. The three families have been identified as key contributors to the biocontrol abilities of these bacteria, with their broad-spectrum activity making them valuable tools in integrated pest management approaches that aim to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides use while maintaining crop health and productivity.

This document is an editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. It discusses the role of microorganisms in sustainable and green agriculture, specifically their synergistic effect on carbon sequestration and crop productivity. The editorial emphasizes the importance of developing agricultural systems that can boost crop productivity, reduce nutrient losses, promote carbon sequestration, improve soil health, and enhance resilience to climate change. The document also mentions that the research topic invited contributions in areas such as the composition and structure of microbial communities, plant-microbe interactions, land use and management practices, and the role of microbial inoculants and bio-stimulants. The editorial concludes by highlighting the need for further research to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-microbe-soil interactions and their implications for agricultural management. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Effects of selenium enrichment on fermentation characteristics, selenium content and microbial community of alfalfa silage" published in BMC Plant Biology. The authors identified an error in Figure 4 of the original article, where panels 4b and 4c were the same. The correct figure has been provided in the correction notice. The original article has been updated to reflect this correction. The publisher, Springer Nature, remains neutral and does not endorse any jurisdictional claims or institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses recent publications in the journal Grass & Forage Science, which include review papers and articles based on presentations at conferences and symposia. The current issue features a book review and two papers from the European Grassland Federation symposium, as well as two papers from the International Grassland Congress. The journal also covers topics such as green biorefinery, drought impacts on grasslands, plant diversity in grasslands, forage quality, agrivoltaic production systems, tropical grasslands, and plant-soil relationships. The article concludes by acknowledging the organizers of the symposiums and the efforts of the associate editors and referees. [Extracted from the article]

Bacterial inoculants hold promise for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of tomato cultivation in macro-tunnel systems. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of applying Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus to tomato production. The separate addition of native G. diazotrophicus GIBI025 and GIBI029 isolates and a commercial inoculant containing Azotobacter chrococcum and Azospirillium sp. was evaluated at a rate of 1 × 108 CFU·mL−1 without nitrogen addition. Conventional fertilization treatment with no bacteria added and 100%-nitrogen fertilization relative to crop requirements (added as MAP and urea) was also assessed. The treatments were evaluated within the macro-tunnel production system. The experiment utilized a completely randomized block design with four replications per treatment, and each experimental unit consisted of 20 plants. The yield (kg·ha−1) was calculated and economic assessment was performed. The results show that native G. diazotrophicus isolates in tomato cultivation under the macro-tunnel production system improved its economic viability, achieving yields up to 95,501 kg·ha−1 without the addition of nitrogenous fertilizers. This research reveals benefit–cost ratios achieving 1.57 and net incomes reaching 16,707 US dollars per hectare. This work demonstrated that the native isolates assessed may be used in the pursuit of more integrated, sustainable, and competitive cultural practices.

Strawberry cultivation requires strategies that maintain or improve its yield within a scheme in which reducing fertilizers and other chemical products can make its consumption safer and more environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Bacillus subtilis and Rhizophagus intraradices on strawberry growth, yield, and fruit quality. B. subtilis and R. intraradices were inoculated and co-inoculated under three fertilization levels of 225-100-250, 112-50-125, and 0-0-0 kg∙ha−1 of N, P2O5 and K2O. Vegetative growth was evaluated in plant height (cm), leaf area (cm2), aerial fresh weight (g), aerial dry weight (g), and plant coverage (%) variables. Fruit quality parameters such as total acidity (g∙100 mL−1), soluble solids (Brix°), and firmness (kg) were also determined, as well as the number of fruits per m2 and yield (t∙ha−1). The results showed that the pre-treatment of root immersion in a nutrient solution with B. subtilis and the fractionation of 6 L B. subtilis inoculation per plant at a concentration of 107 CFU∙mL−1, in combination with 225-100-250 kg∙ha−1 of N, P2O5, and K2O, achieved the highest accumulation of dry matter (12.9 ± 1.9 g∙plant−1), the highest number of fruits (28.2 ± 4.5 fruits∙m−2), and the highest yield (7.2 ± 1.4 t∙ha−1). In addition, this treatment increased the soluble sugar content by 34.78% and fruit firmness by 26.54% compared to the control without inoculation. This study highlights the synergistic effect of mineral nutrition and microbial inoculation with B. subtilis in increasing strawberry yield and fruit quality.

This study explores the efficacy of bio-efficient solutions, specifically plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), in sustainable soil management. This research was conducted in 2020. It evaluates the impact of various single microbial inoculants, including Enterobacter ludwigii, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Kosakonia cowanii, and Trichoderma harzianum, on plant growth soil enzyme activity and organism abundance. Perennial ryegrass and mustard were used as test plants, in controlled environmental conditions. The results show generally positive effects of microbial inoculants on plant biomass (E. ludwigii increased ryegrass biomass by 9.75%, and P. fluorescens increased mustard biomass by up to 38.81% compared to the control) and on soil microbial activities. Our study further investigated the combined application of all these strains in five different soil types and textures. The results highlight the significance of soil physicochemical properties in determining inoculant efficacy; we found that clayey soils with higher colloid content support more robust microbial activity. Additionally, using natural clay minerals like alginite for enhancing soil conditions showed promising interactions with microbial inoculants, although application requires further optimization. These findings suggest that integrating microbial inoculants in sustainable agricultural practices could enhance plant growth, improve soil health, and reduce the need of chemical fertilizers. Future research should aim to refine the combinations and application methods of these bio-efficient solutions for broader agricultural applicability.

This study investigated the effects of bacterial inoculants and enzyme-based silage cocktails on the dynamics of fermentation, microbiome, and nutritional value of silages produced from low-quality biomasses of reed, rice, and corn straw. A 90-day ensiling trial was performed using five distinct combinations of six basal bacterial species (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida utilis) and three basal enzymes (xylanase, β-mannanase, and glucanase). Each type of biomass was ensiled with six different treatments, including the Control treatment without an ensiling agent, the basal silage cocktail treatment (Mesa), and Mesa with a double dose of A. niger (MesaA), B. subtilis (MesaB), C. utilis (MesaC) and glucanase (MesaG). The "Mesa" contained (per kg silage), 1.0 × 106 CFU of L. plantarum, 1.4 × 107 CFU L. buchneri, 3.0 × 105 CFU P. pentosaceus, 8.0 × 108 CFU A. niger, 1.6 × 106 CFU B. subtilis and 1.0 × 109 CFU C. utilis, three enzymes (5.0 × 104 U xylanase, 2.5 × 103 U β-mannanase, and 1.0 × 104 U glucanase), and 20 mL molasses. Addition of the silage cocktails significantly improved the fermentation and nutritional quality of the reed, corn, and rice straw silages. Notably, the silage cocktails increased (P < 0.01) the contents of crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), gross energy (GE), lactic acid (LA), ratio of LA to total acids and ensiling comprehensive evaluation scores, and decreased (P < 0.01) the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and pH of reed, corn, and rice straw silages. Regarding the silage microbiome, silage cocktails decreased the relative abundance of Enterobacter and Rahnella1, and increased the relative abundance of Leuconostoc. A. niger, and B. subtilis had a strong positive correlation with CP, EE, GE and Lactobacillus, and a negative correlation with pH, Rhizobium, and Rahnella1 in reed, corn and rice straw silages. In comparison, C. utilis had a strong positive correlation with EE, and a negative correlation with pH, Rhizobium, Stenotrophomonas, and Rahnella1. Glucanase was positively correlated with LA, EE and GE, and negatively correlated with pH and Rahnella1. Silage quality characteristics and microbiome did not differ (P > 0.05) due to the composition of silage cocktails. Based on the comprehensive membership function analysis, the silage comprehensive evaluation scores were highest for double doses of B. subtilis and glucanase for reed, corn, and rice straw. This study revealed that silage cocktails upgraded straw silage fermentation and nutritional quality, and provided a practical solution for the optimal utilization of low-quality straw biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biochar is a relatively new development in sustainable agricultural management that can be applied to ameliorate degraded and less fertile soils, especially sandy-textured ones, to improve their productivity with respect to crop production through improved nutrient availability. However, as the literature has shown, the response of sandy-textured soils to biochar varies in terms of effect size and direction. Therefore, the present study systematically reviewed the available evidence to synthesize the impact of biochar amendments on aspects of the nutrient cycle of sandy-textured soils. Methods: Both peer-reviewed and gray literature were searched in English in bibliographic databases, organizational web pages, and Internet search engines. Articles underwent a two-stage screening (title and abstract, and full-text) based on predefined criteria, with consistency checks. Validity assessments were conducted, utilizing specifically designed tools for study validity. Data extraction involved categorizing the various properties of the nutrient cycle into nine main Soil and Plant Properties (SPPs), each of which was studied independently. Nine meta-analyses were performed using a total of 1609 observations derived from 92 articles. Comparing meta-averages with and without correction for publication bias suggests that publication bias plays a minor role in the literature, while some indication for publication bias is found when accounting for heterogeneity by means of meta-regressions. Review findings: According to the results, soil total and available nitrogen [N], phosphorous [P] and potassium [K], plant nutrient level, and potential cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased by 36% (CI [23%, 50%]), 34% (CI [15%, 57%]), 15% (CI [1%, 31%]), and 18% (CI [3%, 36%), respectively, and N2O emission and mineral nutrient leaching decreased by 29% (CI [− 48%, − 3%]) and 38% (CI [− 56%, − 13%). On average, however, biochar had no effect on soil mineral nitrogen and nutrient use efficiency. Publication bias was identified in the response of effective CEC. After corrections for publication bias, the response shifted from 36% to a negative value of − 34% (CI [− 50%, − 14%]). Meta-regression found that the effect modifiers experimental continent, biochar application rate, and soil pH, explain result heterogeneity. Stronger responses came from the continent of South America, higher application rates, and higher pH soils. Overall, biochar is found useful for many SPPs of nutrient cycling of sandy-textured soils, thereby contributing to increased crop yields in such soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial inoculants are attracting growing interest in agriculture, but their efficacy remains unreliable in relation to their poor survival, partly due to the competition with the soil resident community. We hypothesised that recurrent inoculation could gradually alleviate this competition and improve the survival of the inoculant while increasing its impact on the resident bacterial community. We tested the effectiveness of such strategy with four inoculation sequences of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain B177 in soil microcosms with increasing number and frequency of inoculation, compared to a non-inoculated control. Each sequence was carried out at two inoculation densities (106 and 108 cfu.g soil−1). The four-inoculation sequence induced a higher abundance of P. fluorescens, 2 weeks after the last inoculation. No impact of inoculation sequences was observed on the resident community diversity and composition. Differential abundance analysis identified only 28 out of 576 dominants OTUs affected by the high-density inoculum, whatever the inoculation sequence. Recurrent inoculations induced a strong accumulation of nitrate, not explained by the abundance of nitrifying or nitrate-reducing microorganisms. In summary, inoculant density rather than inoculation pattern matters for inoculation effect on the resident bacterial communities, while recurrent inoculation allowed to slightly enhance the survival of the inoculant and strongly increased soil nitrate content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc (Zn) is an imperative micro-nutrient for plant growth and development. Zinc is deficient all over the world, particularly in the developing countries and Zn sulfate is supplied as a source of Zn fertilizer. However, maximum part of the applied Zn sulfate become fixed in the soil and unavailable to plant. Plant growth promoting bacteria improving the crop growth and yield on sustainable basis. Inoculation of bacterial strains used is an effective technology, but limited research is available under field conditions. Therefore, field experiment was conducted under irrigated and rainfed conditions to evaluate the inoculation effect of indigenous beneficial microbes (BM) on wheat growth, yield and Zn accumulation. Different treatment combinations (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 kg Zn ha−1 without and with BM) were used on two wheat varieties (Wadaan-17 and Zincol-16). Results revealed that inoculating BM with chemical Zn fertilizer significantly (P ≤.05) boosted yield and Zn accumulation in grain and straw. In irrigated conditions, yield increased by 33%, Zn accumulation in grain by 141% and in straw by 98.2%, but in rainfed conditions, yield increased by 38.9% Zn accumulation in grain by 130% and in straw by 123%. Compared to Zincol-16, Wadaan-17 performed better in terms of yield and Zn accumulation under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. The study concluded that inoculation of certain BM might reduce the rate at which chemical Zn fertilizer was used in both irrigated and rainfed conditions and could be employed as potential bio-inoculants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Solid-state fermentation of raw BSG satisfy the needs of sustainable agriculture. • BSG resident microbiota have interesting agronomic potential. • Microbial genera of the bioinoculant were unable to persist in raw BSG samples. • Network analysis suggested how the bioinoculant affected microbial assembly in BSG. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) carried out by microbial bioinoculants is an environmentally friendly technology for the sustainable recovery and valorization of agri-food wastes. Particularly, mesophilic SSF processes allows the production of bio-organic fertilizers enriched with beneficial soil microorganisms. However, the establishment of microbial consortia and the interaction with native waste microbiota still require thoughtful investigations. Here, raw brewers' spent grain (BSG), the main waste from the brewing industry, was subjected to two mesophilic SSF processes (maximum temperature of 35 °C) carried out by a multi-kingdom microbial bioinoculant and the BSG spontaneous microbiota. After 90 days, both SSF processes led to stable organic soil amendments, as indicated by the C:N ratio (10.00 ± 1.4), pH (6.66 ± 0.09), and DOC (8.45 ± 1.2 mg/g) values. Additionally, the fermented BSG showed a high nitrogen content (42.2 ± 3.4 mg/Kg) and biostimulating activities toward Lepidium sativum seeds. The monitoring of microbial communities by high-throughput sequencing of 16S and ITS rRNA indicated that BSG samples were enriched in microbial genera with interesting agronomic applications (i.e., Devosia, Paenibacillum, Trichoderma, Mucor , etc.). Microbial cross-kingdom network analyses suggested that the microbial assembly of BSG was significantly influenced by the bioinoculant, despite the inoculated microbial genera being able to persist in BSG samples only the first week of SSF. This suggests that the study of microbial interactions between exogenous microbial inoculants and waste resident microbiota is required to optimize SSF processes aimed at the recovery and valorization of unprocessed wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of microbial inoculants in agriculture as biofertilisers and/or biopesticides is an appealing alternative to replace or reduce the practice of agrochemicals. Plant microbiota studies are revealing the different bacterial groups which are populating plant microbiomes re‐energising the plant probiotic bacteria (PPB) translational research sector. Some single‐microbial strain bioinoculants have proven valid in agriculture (e.g., based on Trichoderma, mycorrhiza or rhizobia); however, it is now recommended to consider multistrain consortia since plant‐beneficial effects are often a result of community‐level interactions in plant microbiomes. A limiting step is the selection of a fitting combination of microbial strains in order to accomplish the best beneficial effect upon plant inoculation. In this study, we have used a subset of 23 previously identified and characterised rice‐beneficial bacterial colonisers to design and test a series of associated experiments aimed to identify potential PPB consortia which are able to co‐colonise and induce plant growth promotion. Bacterial strains were co‐inoculated in vitro and in planta using several different methods and their co‐colonisation and co‐persistence monitored. Results include the identification of two 5‐strain and one 2‐strain consortia which displayed plant growth‐promoting features. Future practical applications of microbiome research must include experiments aimed at identifying consortia of bacteria which can be most effective as crop amendments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted over a 3-yr period to evaluate the effects of bacterial inoculants on the fermentation profile and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage (WPC), snaplage (SNA), and high-moisture corn (HMC). Whole-plant corn was inoculated with Lentilactobacillus buchneri PJB1 in combination with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MTD1 or with Lpb. plantarum alone (experiments 1 and 2). Snaplage (experiment 3) and HMC (experiments 4 and 5) were inoculated with Len. buchneri in combination with Lpb. plantarum or with Len. buchneri alone. After inoculation, the feedstuffs were ensiled in 7.57-L silos and stored at 21 ± 2°C for 30 or 90 d. In experiment 5, silage was subjected to air stress for 2 h every 2 wk through 42 d and then for 2 h/wk until 90 d and had samples analyzed for their bacterial community composition by metagenomics. Overall, in all experiments, silages inoculated with Len. buchneri alone or in combination with Lpb. plantarum had more acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol and fewer yeasts than uninoculated silages. After 30 d of ensiling, inoculation with Len. buchneri alone or in combination with Lpb. plantarum did not affect the aerobic stability of SNA, but it slightly increased the stability of WPC and markedly improved the stability of HMC. After 90 d of ensiling, inoculation with Len. buchneri alone or in combination with Lpb. plantarum markedly improved the aerobic stability of WPC, SNA, and HMC. In experiment 5, inoculation increased the relative abundance (RA) of Lactobacillaceae and reduced the RA of Enterobacteriaceae and Leuconostocaceae in HMC at 30 and 90 d and the RA of Clostridiaceae in non-air-stressed HMC at 90 d. Air-stressed HMC inoculated with Len. buchneri had less lactic acid, more acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol, and markedly greater aerobic stability than uninoculated air-stressed HMC at 90 d. In conclusion, inoculation with Len. buchneri PJB1 alone or in combination with Lpb. plantarum MTD1 increased the production of acetic acid and 1,2-propanediol, inhibited yeasts development, and improved the aerobic stability of WPC, SNA, and HMC. In HMC, inoculation markedly improved aerobic stability as soon as after 30 d of ensiling, and after 90 d, inoculation improved stability even under air stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to explore the impact of organic fertilizer on the quality, digestive characteristics, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage of different varieties. A two-factor experimental design was employed, using four corn varieties: Da Kang 205 (DK205), High Oil 958 (HO958), Zhong Yu 335 (ZY335), and Zhong Nong 787 (ZN787). Two treatments were applied: Organic fertilizer application and no organic fertilizer application. The whole plants were harvested at the wax ripening stage and subjected to whole-plant ensiling. After a 200-day fermentation period, relevant indicators were analyzed. The results showed that the interaction effect of variety and organic fertilizer had an impact on the content of lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ratio ( P<0.05). The Interaction effect of variety and organic fertilizer had an impact on the content of dry matter, crude protein, starch, and acid detergent fiber ( P<0.05). The organic fertilizer group exhibited higher in vitro dry matter digestibility and aerobic stability, with ZN787 showing significantly higher in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility than the other three varieties ( P<0.05). The study indicates that the application of organic fertilizer has varying degrees of improvement on the quality, digestive characteristics, and aerobic stability of whole-plant corn silage for different varieties. ZN787 is suitable for promoting whole-plant corn silage cultivation in the Inner Mongolia region, and the application of organic fertilizer can further enhance the silage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the bio-tools that contribute to making the strawberry production system more sustainable are arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which can be used as biofertilizers. Thus, five doses of phosphorus (P) applied to plants with AMF and a control (100% P, no AMF) were analyzed in order to differentiate the horticultural potential of the 'Camarosa' cultivar. We used an on-farm inoculant made up of six fungal species. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that the addition of AMF to the growing substrate made it possible to reduce the P supply in the nutrient solution by 75% without compromising the fruit yield. In addition, this combination improved the phytochemical quality of strawberries, the plant's root system morphology, and the accumulation of nutrients in plant organs (roots, crowns, aerial part and fruits). We conclude that the use of a multi-species on-farm inoculant based on AMF associated with a reduction in the P supply in the nutrient solution modifies the horticultural potential of the 'Camarosa' cultivar. We confirmed the action of a native AMF community as a biofertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive understanding of rice straw (RS) and biochar (BC) addition affecting soil quality, enzyme activities, bacterial community structure and grain yield is crucial. The objective of this study was to examine the dynamics of the soil microbial community impacted by the application of rice straw and biochar, and to understand the relationship between the microbial communities, soil enzymes, nutrients and grain yield of paddies. We conducted a field experiment with organic amendments under the direct seeding of paddies. The bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere was characterized using high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing. The results showed that RS amendment increased grain yields by 8.5 and 9.9% more than with BC and the control without organic amendment (CK), respectively (p < 0.05). The abundance of bacteria associated with nitrate reduction in RS was higher than that in BC and CK, which further showed the significance of the RS-treated soil bacteria in rice nutrient utilization. A cladogram plotted using linear discriminant analysis effect size showed that Proteobacteria (Alphaproteobacteria), Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia and Epsilonbacteraeota in the RS-treated soil increased in comparison with CK. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that enzymes activities (cellulase activity and protease activity), soil nutrition content (soil hydrolyzable nitrogen), and bacterial phyla (Nitrospinae) were positively correlated with grain yield, suggesting that the RS-treated soil improved enzyme activities, soil nutrition content, and bacterial abundance, which in turn increased grain yield. The results indicated that RS-treated bacterial communities combined with soil enzymatic activities strengthen the transformation of nutrients, suggesting that the interactions play an important role in enhancing the grain yield of paddy rice. These results provide new insights and a theoretical basis for studying the changes in soil microbial communities with the application of RS and BC in Northeastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural forest cover in Sabah has been decreasing across all forest types for more than two decades since the 1990s, being replaced mostly by man-made forests. This contributes to the overall degradation of the forest ecosystem, which changes soil nutrient content and subsequently modifies forest species composition, as well as vegetation structure. This study investigated the association between soil nutrients and tree species in unlogged and logged tropical lowland forests in Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. A total of eight and 27 sampling plots were established in randomly placed locations at the Danum Valley Conservation Area representing the unlogged site, as well as the Sapat Kalisun area of the Ulu Segama Forest Complex representing the logged site. Soil samples at two depths (0-5 cm; 5-10 cm) were collected from each plot and analyzed for soil nutrients: total N, available P, inorganic N (NO3- and NH4+), exchangeable cations (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+), exchangeable Al3+, and exchangeable acidity. Results showed that certain exchangeable cations and soil nutrient concentrations were greater in the unlogged forest compared to the logged forest except for K+, Na+, and inorganic N. Greater inorganic N concentrations were observed in the logged forest, hence suggesting a dominant shift toward inorganic N in the soil. PCA results indicated that exchangeable acidity and exchangeable Al3+ were correlated to logged forests, whereas Ca2+ and Mg2+ were associated with unlogged forests. CCA ordination showed the existence of association between specific tree species with K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Na+ in the unlogged forest only. Logging, to some extent, influenced the status of certain soil nutrients but their association with tree species was complex. This could be attributed to the heterogeneous habitat resulting from past logging disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, short-term composting techniques have been widely applied in oyster mushroom cultivation, but there is still a lack of systematic research on their impact on the nutritional and functional properties of fruiting bodies. In this study, the microbial inoculant Streptomyces thermoviolaceus BUA-FM01 (ST) was applied in the short-term composting process for oyster mushroom cultivation. The agronomic traits, nutritional composition, flavor compounds, and antioxidant activity of fruiting bodies from the first three flushes were evaluated. The results show that microbial inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total carbon content and C/N ratio of the composted substrates and, furthermore, increased the total yield of the fruiting bodies. Moreover, microbial inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the crude protein, crude polysaccharide, total amino acid, and essential amino acid contents of the fruiting bodies. The fruiting bodies of the first flush of ST treatment possessed the highest umami amino acid content and equivalent umami concentration value. Furthermore, microbial inoculation significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the scavenging ability of crude polysaccharides toward free radicals. The results indicate that microbial inoculation has many benefits for the composting cultivating process of oyster mushrooms and good application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have addressed the impact of microbial inoculants on the composition of the resident microbiome. How microbial inoculants impact plant metabolism and interact with the resident rhizobiota under herbivory stress remains elusive. Here, we investigated the impact of two bacterial and two fungal inoculants, inoculated as single species and as a synthetic community, on the rhizosphere microbiome and volatilome of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) comparing nonstress conditions to exposed to leaf herbivory by Spodoptera exigua. Based on amplicon sequencing analysis, rhizobacterial community composition was significantly affected by all four inoculants and the magnitude of this effect was dependent on herbivory stress. Fungal community composition was altered by the microbial inoculants but independent of herbivory stress. The rhizosphere volatilome was impacted by the microbial inoculation and differences between treatments were evened under herbivory stress. Each microbial inoculant caused unique changes in the volatilome of stressed plants but also shared similar responses, in particular the enhanced production of dimethyl disulfide and benzothiazole. In conclusion, the introduction of microbial inoculants in the tomato rhizosphere caused unique as well as common changes in the rhizosphere microbiome and volatilome, but these changes were minor compared to the microbiome changes induced by herbivory stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal mechanism of vanadium addition on nitrogen pores in 30Cr15Mo1N ingot is systematically investigated through statistical analysis and theoretical calculation. The nitrogen solubility is obtained by the thermodynamic model, and the nitrogen content is obtained by combining the ProCAST software and the C–K model. Then, according to the formula of critical nucleation radius and growth rate of nitrogen bubbles, the variation of critical nucleation radius and growth rate of nitrogen bubbles with different vanadium contents is calculated. As the vanadium content increases, the number and mean area of nitrogen pores decrease. In comparison to the 0 V ingot, the number of nitrogen pores decreases in the 0.2 V ingot, but there is an increase in the number of large‐sized nitrogen pores (>3000 μm in diameter). When the vanadium content increases to 0.4, the nitrogen pores are completely removed. The results demonstrate that increasing vanadium content can remove nitrogen pores. Since the solidification mode remains unchanged with increasing vanadium content, increasing the vanadium content cannot remove nitrogen pores by changing the solidification mode of the 30Cr15Mo1N ingots. Therefore, increasing the vanadium content removes the nitrogen pores mainly by inhibiting the nucleation of nitrogen bubbles and promoting nitrogen bubble overflow in 30Cr15Mo1N ingots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a short-term field hydroponic 15N labeling experiment to study the effects of different nitrogen (N) addition treatment on the N uptake preference and rate of plant fine roots in a temperate old growth forest in 2018. The results indicated that the N preference of dominant tree species for different N chemical forms was not influenced by the N addition, with the N acquisition pattern being ammonium > nitrate > glycine. However, N addition altered the plant's N uptake rates. Under low N treatment, the uptake rates of glycine for three target tree species significantly increased. Both low and medium N additions significantly enhanced the NH4–N uptake rate, but had little impact on the NO3–N uptake rate. Conversely, high N addition exerted negative effects on NO3–N and NH4–N uptake rate. Different tree species may flexibly adapt to new environmental conditions by adapting to their root morphology and the relationship between plant growth and N uptake. N addition has pronounced effects on N uptake rate and root morphology traits of dominant tree species. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the response of N uptake patterns in temperate forests to long-term N addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive coal mining causes significant ecological and environmental impacts on the local ecosystem, especially on the terrestrial ecosystem. Mining activities induce the degradation of topsoil physico–chemical characteristics and the succession of soil microbial communities. The soil microbial community is sensitive to soil disturbance and restoration practices, being significant in soil reconstruction and land restoration. Microbes could be effective instruments to restore or reclaim disturbed terrestrial ecosystems and indispensable, unambiguous, indicators to assess reclaimed soils. In the present review, we aimed to provide insight into the effects of mining and subsequent land reclamation on soil microorganisms and the importance and application of microorganisms in the reclamation process. We address changes in the diversity and structure of the soil microbial community after reclamation and discuss the main driving factors of the community. We hypothesize that there is a discernible pattern or regularity in the variation of microbial community composition during the process of restoration succession. By employing the life strategy concept, the study attempts to identify and understand how microbial communities evolve during land reclamation. Land reclamation could improve the nutrients in the soil while increasing the proportion of saprotrophic microorganisms. In community succession, vegetation, soil properties, and reclamation time are key determining factors. Whereas bacteria, fungi, and archaea showed different responses to these factors, as they responded differently to varied soil environments, nutrition, and plants, and occupied different biological niches. Finally, we describe the applications of microorganisms as land reclamation monitors or promoters. This knowledge and understanding can provide comprehensive insight into the soil health condition and strong support for forecasting and decision-making in mine land restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Committee on Institutional Votes was established at the XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC), in Shenzhen in 2017, with the mandate to maintain a list of institutions and their allocated votes for the upcoming IBC, the next of which will be the XX IBC in Madrid in July 2024. Institutions worldwide were informed of the mechanism to apply for one or more institutional votes or to request a change in previously allocated votes. Forty applications were received by the Committee, of which 28 were from institutions new to the list, 9 requested an increase in allocated votes and 3 requested no change to allocated votes. All requests were accepted, two of them partly so. Adjustments were also made for two institutions that had been closed or transferred. The Committee sent a draft of this report together with the revised list for Madrid to the General Committee for final approval, as required by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants. The General Committee approved the list, which is now presented here. The total number of institutions on the list is 572; the total number of institutional votes that could potentially be exercised is 970. Only 30.4% of institutions exercised their votes in Shenzhen in 2017. Institutions are urged to exercise their votes in Madrid in 2024, and instructions for this are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common wheat, consumed widely as a human food is severely affected by biotic stresses. The use of plant beneficial bacteria in the management of biotic stresses is increasing due to its abundance, low inoculant production cost and no environmental risks. This study assessed the impact of bacterial phytopathogen, Xanthomonas sp. on the performance of wheat including phytocompound production and evaluated the biocontrol potential of beneficial rhizobacteria against Xanthomonas induced bacterial leaf streak (BLS) disease. The rhizobacteria, Azotobacter chroococcum Beijerinck, Bacillus megaterium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens produced biocontrol related antimicrobial compounds (ammonia and hydrogen cyanide) and hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase and amylase). In-planta, infected plants had visible BLS symptoms which included yellowing of leaves and necrotic lesions etc. Upon foliar inoculation, Xanthomonas sp. adversely affected growth and significantly reduced dry biomass, plant length, total chlorophyll content and seed yield by 42%, 26%, 59%, and 16%, respectively, over uninfected control. The Xanthomonas infection significantly enhanced the secretion of non-enzymatic and enzymatic phytocompounds, proline, malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species (ROS) processing enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase in BLS wheat. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) showed cellular damage in Xanthomonas infected leaf tissues. The bacterial inoculations profoundly enhanced the biological and physiological growth of stressed wheat plants but significantly declined the production of phytocompounds and the activity of the three ROS processing enzymes. These findings demonstrate that microbial antagonists, A. chroococcum, B. megaterium, and P. fluorescens, endowed with potential biocontrol activity provides a promising option for the long-term management of BLS disease, optimize wheat production and fulfil human food demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) represent a common cause of sepsis and mortality in children. Blood culture (BC) is the gold standard for diagnosis of BSI. The low sensitivity of BC in the pediatric population is usually due to the small volume of blood used for inoculation and to the antibiotics used before sampling. Here, we explore the ways to effectively reduce antibiotic activity to maximize the chances of pathogen recovery, and to enhance the growth of microorganisms in lower blood volume and bacterial counts. Methods: The recovery of common pathogens causing blood stream infections was analyzed after exposure to cefoperazone/sulbactam, vancomycin, and caspofung by using resin-containing or not BacT/Alert PF Plus and BD FX400 peds plus pediatric bottles. The microbial growth in the resin-containing bottles was assessed using 0.5 colony-forming units (CFU) bacterial inoculum to mimic the bacteremia/fungemia condition. The usefulness of a diagnosis to confirm or exclude BSI was evaluated by lower than recommended blood culture sampling (102 CFU/mL, 0.3 mL). Results: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) were recovered from 100% of two types of resin-containing bottles in the presence of a sufficient antibiotic dose, while Escherichia coli (E. coli) was not restored to 100% in BD FX400 peds plus pediatric bottles. The shorter TTD for S. aureus, C. glabrata, and E. coli were observed in antibiotic-containing BacT/Alert PF Plus bottles. Both the PF Plus and BD resin test bottles showed consistently good TTD performances to Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and yeast species in low inoculum levels, with the exception of S. aureus. The lower volume of blood inoculated into culture bottles hardly affected the growth of most bacteria, but optimized PF Plus resin-bottles accelerated the detection of infectious agents, especially S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and C. glabrata. Conclusions: It is possible to enhance recovery from antibiotic-containing pediatric bottles and shorten TTD for the identification of pathogens by using the BacT/Alert blood culture system combination with new resin-containing media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of in vitro rumen fermentation (IVRF) on the microbiome structure and composition of rumen fluid before and after fermentation assays. Methods and Results: Six separate fermentation batches were run for 48 h using maize silage as the basal feed. Rumen fluid samples were analyzed before (RF; only rumen fluid inoculant) and after 48 h fermentation assay (MS; maize silage as the substrate) and further processed for microbiome analysis using amplicon sequencing targeting the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial alpha diversity revealed that the Shannon index and observed index were similar between MS and RF fluid. The core microbiome was detected in 88.6% of the amplicon sequence variants in MS and RF. Taxonomic analysis at the phylum level showed similar abundances of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobiota, Spirochaetota, Patescibacteria, and Campilobacterota in MS and RF. The Bray–Curtis distance matrix showed similar bacterial community structure among MS and RF samples. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the in vitro procedure did not affect the bacterial community structure compared to the original rumen fluid inoculum. It should be noted that assessing the microbiome at a single endpoint (i.e., 48 h) may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the microbiome profile dynamics. However, the findings of this study provide a basis for future microbiome-based in vitro fermentation tests and confirm that the technique allows a high degree of species diversity that approximates the rumen function in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial cellulose is a polysaccharide that possesses a chemical structure identical to cellulose derived from plants. Due to its high purity and distinct physicochemical properties, bacterial cellulose is extensively used in several industries, e.g., biomedical, food, and tissue engineering. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the storage time of coconut water and the inoculum size of Lentilactobacillus parafarraginis on the properties of dried bacterial cellulose. In this study, coconut water was stored for 1, 2, and 3 days. The inoculum size used to produce bacterial cellulose was 4, 6, 8, and 10%. After fermentation for 9 days, bacterial cellulose was harvested and dried in an oven. The bacterial cellulose was evaluated for its organoleptic, weight, thickness, pH, swelling degree, moisture content, mechanical strength, and water vapour transmission (WVTR) properties. The FTIR spectrum and SEM image analysis were performed on the bacterial cellulose with optimum characteristics. The results showed that bacterial cellulose with coconut water stored for 2 days and inoculum size of 10% (BC210) exhibited optimum characteristics, indicating potential development as a new candidate biomaterial for broad applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of harvest time, cellulase, lactic acid bacteria, and ensiling with alfalfa hay on the chemical parameters, bacterial community composition, and fermentation of corn stalk silage. Corn stalks were ensiled after the ear harvest at 0 days (D0) and 20 days (D20). Each harvest was treated with alfalfa hay [AL, 5% of fresh matter (FM)], Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) (1 × 106 CFU/g of FM), Trichoderma cellulase (TC) (100 mg/kg of FM), or both Lp and TC (Lp+TC). The silos were opened after 60 days of fermentation. The dry matter (DM) content of raw materials increased from 18.79% to 28.32% with the harvest time. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content also significantly increased (p < 0.05), while water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After 60 days, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and ADF contents increased, and all chemical composition and fermentation state parameters of silages had significant differences (p < 0.05) with the harvest time. Compared with the control group, the AL treatment resulted in higher (p < 0.05) DM and crude protein (CP) contents, and the Lp+TC treatment resulted in a lower NDF (p < 0.05) content. For D0, the TC and Lp+TC treatments resulted in a higher WSC content and lower NDF and ADF contents than in D20. Meanwhile, the ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) content in each treatment was less than 10% of the DM. The pH values were all approximately 3.70. The AL treatment significantly increased the lactic acid (LA) content and lactic/acetic acid ratio (LA/AA). Additionally, the silages had a similar microbial environment before and after fermentation. We recommend harvesting corn stalks for silage immediately after the corn ear harvest. Adding cellulase improved the corn stalk feed value, and ensiling with alfalfa hay improved its fermentation quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants, animals, and fungi display a rich tapestry of colors. Animals, in particular, use colors in dynamic displays performed in spatially complex environments. Although current approaches for studying colors are objective and repeatable, they miss the temporal variation of color signals entirely. Here, we introduce hardware and software that provide ecologists and filmmakers the ability to accurately record animal-perceived colors in motion. Specifically, our Python codes transform photos or videos into perceivable units (quantum catches) for animals of known photoreceptor sensitivity. The plans and codes necessary for end-users to capture animal-view videos are all open source and publicly available to encourage continual community development. The camera system and the associated software package will allow ecologists to investigate how animals use colors in dynamic behavioral displays, the ways natural illumination alters perceived colors, and other questions that remained unaddressed until now due to a lack of suitable tools. Finally, it provides scientists and filmmakers with a new, empirically grounded approach for depicting the perceptual worlds of nonhuman animals. Many animals use colors in dynamic displays performed in spatially complex environments, but what do the animals actually see? This study presents a newly developed camera system and video processing pipeline that accurately records animal-perceived colors in motion and in natural settings, allowing researchers to study color signals in their full complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High environmental temperatures induce heat stress in broiler chickens, affecting their health and production performance. Several dietary, managerial, and genetics strategies have been tested with some success in mitigating heat stress (HS) in broilers. Developing novel HS mitigation strategies for sustaining broiler production is critically needed. This study investigated the effects of pre-hatch thermal manipulation (TM) and post-hatch baicalein supplementation on growth performance and health parameters in heat-stressed broilers. Results: Six hundred fertile Cobb 500 eggs were incubated for 21 d. After candling on embryonic day (ED) 10, 238 eggs were thermally manipulated at 38.5 °C with 55% relative humidity (RH) from ED 12 to 18, then transferred to the hatcher (ED 19 to 21, standard temperature) and 236 eggs were incubated at a controlled temperature (37.5 °C) till hatch. After hatch, 180-day-old chicks from both groups were raised in 36 pens (n = 10 birds/pen, 6 replicates per treatment). The treatments were: 1) Control, 2) TM, 3) control heat stress (CHS), 4) thermal manipulation heat stress (TMHS), 5) control heat stress supplement (CHSS), and 6) thermal manipulation heat stress supplement (TMHSS). All birds were raised under the standard environment for 21 d, followed by chronic heat stress from d 22 to 35 (32–33 °C for 8 h) in the CHS, TMHS, CHSS, and TMHSS groups. A thermoneutral (22–24 °C) environment was maintained in the Control and TM groups. RH was constant (50% ± 5%) throughout the trial. All the data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in R and GraphPad software at P < 0.05 and are presented as mean ± SEM. Heat stress significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the final body weight and ADG in CHS and TMHS groups compared to the other groups. Embryonic TM significantly increased (P < 0.05) the expression of heat shock protein-related genes (HSP70, HSP90, and HSPH1) and antioxidant-related genes (GPX1 and TXN). TMHS birds showed a significant increment (P < 0.05) in total cecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration compared to the CHS birds. The cecal microbial analysis showed significant enrichment (P < 0.05) in alpha and beta diversity and Coprococcus in the TMHSS group. Conclusions: Pre-hatch TM and post-hatch baicalein supplementation in heat-stressed birds mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on chickens' growth performance, upregulate favorable gene expression, increase VFA production, and promote gut health by increasing beneficial microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The naturally attached phyllosphere microbiota play a crucial role in plant-derived fermentation, but the structure and function of phyllosphere endophytes remain largely unidentified. Here, we reveal the diversity, specificity, and functionality of phyllosphere endophytes in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) through combining typical microbial culture, high-throughput sequencing, and genomic comparative analysis. In comparison to phyllosphere bacteria (PB), the fermentation of alfalfa solely with endophytes (EN) enhances the fermentation characteristics, primarily due to the dominance of specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactiplantibacillus, Weissella, and Pediococcus. The inoculant with selected endophytic LAB strains also enhances the fermentation quality compared to epiphytic LAB treatment. Especially, one key endophytic LAB named Pediococcus pentosaceus EN5 shows enrichment of genes related to the mannose phosphotransferase system (Man-PTS) and carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and higher utilization of carbohydrates. Representing phyllosphere, endophytic LAB shows great potential of promoting ensiling and provides a novel direction for developing microbial inoculant. The study reveals the diversity, specificity and functionality of phyllosphere endophytes in alfalfa silage fermentation and finds a unique microbe resource in phyllosphere endophytes which tends to enrich genes related to carbohydrate utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though canola is one of the most important industrial crops worldwide, it has high nutrient requirements and is susceptible to pests and diseases. Therefore, natural methods are sought to support the development of these plants. One of those methods could be a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that have a beneficial effect on plant development. The aim of this study was a genomic comparison of two PGPR strains chosen based on their effect on canola growth: Peribacillus frigoritolerans 2RO30, which stimulated canola growth only in sterile conditions, and Pseudomonas sivasensis 2RO45, which promoted canola growth in both sterile and non-sterile conditions. First of all, six bacterial strains: RO33 (Pseudomonas sp.), RO37 (Pseudomonas poae), RO45 (Pseudomonas kairouanensis), 2RO30 (Peribacillus frigoritolerans), 2RO45 (Pseudomonas sivasensis), and 3RO30 (Pseudomonas migulae), demonstrating best PGP traits in vitro, were studied for their stimulating effect on canola growth under sterile conditions. P. frigoritolerans 2RO30 and P. sivasensis 2RO45 showed the best promoting effect, significantly improving chlorophyll content index (CCI) and roots length compared to the non-inoculated control and to other inoculated seedlings. Under non-sterile conditions, only P. sivasensis 2RO45 promoted the canola growth, significantly increasing CCI compared to the untreated control and to other inoculants. Genome comparison revealed that the genome of P. sivasensis 2RO45 was enriched with additional genes responsible for ACC deaminase (acdA), IAA (trpF, trpG), and siderophores production (fbpA, mbtH, and acrB) compared to 2RO30. Moreover, P. sivasensis 2RO45 showed antifungal effect against all the tested phytopathogens and harbored six more biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC), namely, syringomycin, pyoverdin, viscosin, arylpolyene, lankacidin C, and enterobactin, than P. frigoritolerans 2RO30. These BGCs are well known as antifungal agents; therefore, it can be assumed that these BGCs were responsible for the antifungal activity of P. sivasensis 2RO45 against all plant pathogens. This study is the first report describing P. sivasensis 2RO45 as a canola growth promoter, both under controlled and natural conditions, thus suggesting its application in improving canola yield, by improving nutrient availability, enhancing stress tolerance, and reducing environmental impact of farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) has been widely used as the main roughage for ruminant, which promoted the utilization of corn stover for animal feed production. However, rigid cell wall structure of corn stover limits the fiber digestion and nutrients adsorption of WPCS. This study investigated the effect of adding cellulase on improving the fermentation quality of WPCS ensiling with a Bacillus complex inoculant. With the Bacillus (BA), the lactic acid accumulation in the WPCS was significantly higher than that in control (CK). The additive cellulase (BC) increased the lactic acid content to the highest of 8.2% DW at 60 days, which was significantly higher than that in the CK and BA groups, and it reduced the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents from 42.5 to 31.7% DW and 28.4 to 20.3% DW, respectively, which were significantly lower than that in the CK and BA groups. The crude protein and starch were not obviously lost. Dynamic microbial community analysis showed that the Bacillus inoculant promoted the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation, because higher abundance of Lactobacillus as the dominant bacteria was observed in BA group. Although the addition of cellulase slowed the Lactobacillus fermentation, it increased the bacterial community, where potential lignocellulolytic microorganisms and more functional enzymes were observed, thus leading to the significant degradation of NDF and ADF. The results revealed the mechanism behind the degradation of NDF and ADF in corn stover, and also suggested the potential of cellulase for improving the nutritional quality of WPCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil bulk density (BD) serves as a fundamental indicator of soil health and quality, exerting a significant influence on critical factors such as plant growth, nutrient availability, and water retention. Due to its limited availability in soil databases, the application of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) has emerged as a potent tool for predicting BD using other easily measurable soil properties, while the impact of these PTFs' accuracy on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock calculation has been rarely explored. In this study, we proposed an innovative local modelling approach for predicting BD across Europe using the recently released BD data from the LUCAS Soil 2018 (0-20 cm). Our approach involved a combination of neighbour sample search, Forward Recursive Feature Selection (FRFS) and Random Forest (RF) model (local-RFFRFS). The results showed that local-RFFRFS had a good performance in predicting BD (R² of 0.58, RMSE of 0.19 g cm-3), surpassing the traditional PTFs (R² of 0.40-0.45, RMSE of 0.22 g cm-3) and global PTFs using RF with and without FRFS (R² of 0.56-0.57, RMSE of 0.19 g cm-3). Interestingly, we found the best traditional PTF (R²=0.84, RMSE=1.39 kg m-2) performed close to the local-RFFRFS (R²=0.85, RMSE=1.32 kg m-2) in SOC stock calculation using BD predictions. However, the local-RFFRFS still performed better (ΔR²>0.2 and ΔRMSE>0.1 g cm-3) for soil samples with low SOC stock (<3 kg m-2). Therefore, we suggest that the local-RFFRFS is a promising method for BD prediction while traditional PTFs would be more efficient when BD is subsequently utilized for calculating SOC stock. Finally, we produced two BD and SOC stocks datasets (18,945 and 15,389 soil samples) for LUCAS Soil 2018 using the best traditional PTF and local-RFFRFS, respectively. This dataset is archived from the Zenodo platform at https://zenodo.org/records/10211884 (Chen et al., 2023). The outcomes of this study present a meaningful advancement in enhancing the predictive accuracy of BD, and the resultant BD and SOC stock datasets across the Europe enable more precise soil hydrological and biological modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Numerous studies have emphasized the significance of providing starter feed to lambs in order to foster their growth and development. However, there has been a scarcity of research evaluating the capacity of fermented feed to supply lambs with the necessary nutrients for their development. This study aimed to assess the potential of fermented feed to regulate lamb development and influence their rumen microbial communities. Our findings indicate that incorporating fermented feed can enhance the average daily weight gain and final weight of lambs, facilitate rumen and small intestine development, optimize the rumen flora structure of lambs, and contribute to their overall growth and development. This lays a solid foundation for the healthy and rational feeding of lambs post-weaning and beyond. This study explored the impact of integrating fermented feed into the starter diet of lambs, focusing on growth, health, serum antioxidants, immune markers, rumen fermentation, and microbial communities. Thirty-six ten-day-old female Tail Han lambs were randomly divided into three experimental groups, which were separately fed with alfalfa hay (LA group), tail vegetable fermented feed (LB group), and tail vegetable fermented feed supplemented with 0.1% microbial inoculants (LC group) during the experimental period. This study assessed the influence of fermented feed on various parameters, including growth performance, fiber degradation, rumen fermentation, enzymatic activities, and ruminal histomorphology. The results indicate that compared to the control group, the addition of fermented feed can increase the daily weight gain of lambs. Simultaneously, the addition of fermented feed can enhance the total antioxidant capacity of serum (p < 0.05). The addition of fermented feed promoted the increased height of villi in the duodenum or jejunum of lambs (p < 0.05), and the ratio of villi height to crypt depth in the LB and LC groups was also improved (p < 0.05). The addition of fermented feed increased the richness and diversity of the rumen microbial community in lambs (p < 0.05), primarily increasing the relative abundance of Ruminococcus_1, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Lachnospiraceae, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to test the effect of a nutrient solution, with the addition of microbial inoculum, on the growth and mineral composition of 'Hilbert' and 'Barlach' lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa var. crispa, L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum, L.) cultivated in a vertical indoor farm. These crops were grown in four different variants of nutrient solution: (1) hydroponic; (2) aquaponic, derived from a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) with rainbow trout; (3) aquaponic, treated with Trichoderma harzianum; (4) aquaponic, treated with Bacillus mojavensis. The benefits of T. harzianum inoculation were most evident in basil, where a significantly higher number of leaves (by 44.9%), a higher nitrate content (by 36.4%), and increased vitamin C (by 126.0%) were found when compared to the aquaponic variant. Inoculation with T. harzianum can be recommended for growing basil in N-limited conditions. B. mojavensis caused a higher degree of removal of Na+ and Cl− from the nutrient solution (243.1% and 254.4% higher, in comparison to the aquaponic solution). This is desirable in aquaponics as these ions may accumulate in the system solution. B. mojavensis further increased the number of leaves in all crops (by 44.9–82.9%) and the content of vitamin C in basil and 'Hilbert' lettuce (by 168.3 and 45.0%) compared to the aquaponic solution. The inoculums of both microbial species used did not significantly affect the crop yield or the activity of the biofilter. The nutrient levels in RAS-based nutrient solutions are mostly suboptimal or in a form that is unavailable to the plants; thus, their utilization must be maximized. These findings can help to reduce the required level of supplemental mineral fertilizers in aquaponics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), regulate plant growth and hence influence carbon fluxes between the land surface and atmosphere. However, how forests adjust biomass partitioning to leaves, wood, and fine roots in response to N and/or P fertilization remains puzzling. Recent work in tropical forests suggests that trees increase fine root production under P fertilization, but it is unclear whether mechanistic models can reproduce this dynamic. In order to better understand mechanisms governing nutrient effects on plant allocation and improve models, we used the nutrient-enabled ED2 model to simulate a fertilization experiment being conducted in a secondary tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. We evaluated how different allocation parameterizations affected model performance. These parameterizations prescribed a linear relationship between relative allocation to fine roots and soil P concentrations. The slope of the linear relationship was allowed to be positive, negative, or zero. Some parameterizations realistically simulated leaf, wood, and fine root production, and these parameterizations all assumed a positive relationship between relative allocation to fine roots and soil P concentration. Model simulations of a 30-year timeframe indicated strong sensitivity to parameterization and fertilization treatment. Without P fertilization, the simulated aboveground biomass (AGB) accumulation was insensitive to the parameterization. With P fertilization, the model was highly sensitive to the parameterization and the greatest AGB accumulation occurred when relative allocation to fine roots was independent of soil P. Our study demonstrates the need for simultaneous measurements of leaf, wood, and fine root production in nutrient fertilization experiments and for longer-term experiments. Models that do not accurately represent allocation to fine roots may be highly biased in their simulations of AGB, especially on multi-decadal timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter decomposition is an important source of soil organic carbon, and it plays a key role in maintaining the stability of forest ecosystems. The microbial mechanism of soil organic carbon (SOC) formation in different urban forest planting patterns during litter lignocellulose degradation is still unclear. The key genes, microbes, and metabolites in the process of lignocellulose degradation and SOC formation were determined by metagenomics and metabolomics in different litter decomposition layers and soil layers in different urban forest planting patterns, including three types of broadleaf forests (BP forests), three types of coniferous forests (CP forests), and two types of mixed coniferous and broadleaf forests (MCBP forests). The results indicated that the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin concentrations from the undecomposed layer to the totally decomposed layer decreased by 70.07, 86.83, and 73.04% for CP litter; 74.30, 93.80, and 77.55% for BP litter; and 62.51, 48.58, and 90.61% for MCBP litter, respectively. The soil organic carbon of the BP forests and MCBP forests was higher than that of the CP forests by 38.06 and 94.43% for the 0-10cm soil layer and by 38.55 and 20.87% for the 10-20cm soil layer, respectively. Additionally, the gene abundances of glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and polysaccharide lyases (PLs) in the BP forests were higher than those in the MCBP forests and CP forests. Amino acid metabolism, sugar metabolism, TCA metabolism, and cAMP signaling metabolism were mainly between the CP forests and BP forests, while the TCA cycle, pyruvate metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism were mainly between the BP forests and MCBP forests during litter decomposition. Additionally, ammonia nitrogen and hemicellulose were key factors driving SOC formation in the CP forests, while ammonia nitrogen, hemicellulose, and lignocellulose-degrading genes were key factors driving SOC formation in the BP forests. For the MCBP forests, cellulose, pH, ammonia nitrogen, and lignin were key factors driving SOC formation. Our findings revealed that the BP forests and MCBP forests had stronger lignocellulose degradation performance in the formation of SOC. This study provided a theoretical basis for the flow and transformation of nutrients in different urban forest management patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial microbes are essential to sustainable agricultural production because they help meet population need for food, preserve the environment, and ensure excellent yields at reasonable prices. This experiment focused on the effects of bio-inoculants and fungicides on growth, yield, quality and disease incidence in cabbage grown in the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice with seven treatment combinations comprising different bio-inoculants [Trichoderma asperellum (IIVR strain); Trichoderma (TTV-2-IIVR strain); Bacillus subtilis (CRB-7-IIVR strain); Actinomyces sp. (IIVR N-1.2strain)] either sole or dual application compared with fungicide application and control. The findings showed that compared to other treatment combinations, cabbage responded better to the dual inoculation of T. asperellum (IIVR strain) + B. subtilis (CRB-7). The study also showed that the head yield of the crop, as well as its nutritional value, disease control, and the economic return on its cultivation, were influenced by the dual inoculation with T. asperellum (IIVR strain) + B. subtilis (CRB-7) @ 10 g/kg of seedling and soil drenching with the same bio-inoculant combinations @1% in the root zone at 30 days after transplanting adopted for cabbage production in the Gangetic plains of eastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate how cellulase or/and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) affected the fermentation characteristic and microbial community in wet brewer's grains (WBG) and corn stover (CS) mixed silage. Methods: The WBG was mixed thoroughly with the CS at 7:3 (w/w). Four treatment groups were studied: i) CON, no additives; ii) CEL, added cellulase (120 U/g fresh matter [FM]), iii) LAB, added LAB (2×106 cfu/g FM), and iv) CLA, added cellulase (120 U/g FM) and LAB (2×106 cfu/g FM). Results: All additive-treated groups showed higher fermentation quality over the 30 d ensiling period. As these groups exhibited higher (p<0.05) LAB counts and lactic acid (LA) content, along with lower pH value and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) content than the control. Specifically, cellulase-treated groups (CEL and CLA) showed lower (p<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents than other groups. All additives increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Firmicutes, Lactiplantibacillus, and Limosilactobacillus) while they decreased abundance of Proteobacteria and microbial diversity as well. Conclusion: The combined application of cellulase and LAB could effectively improve the fermentation quality and microbial community of the WBG and CS mixed silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, large quantities of phosphate fertilizers have been applied to crops, including corn, generating high production costs for the producer. One strategy to minimize fertilizer costs and maximize the absorption and release of P from the soil is the use of microorganisms capable of forming associations and solubilizing less labile forms of P in the soil. Therefore, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the development and productivity of corn crops as a function of doses of phosphorus associated with phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms. The experiment was carried out in the UNIVAG experimental field, in the municipality of Várzea Grande – MT, from July to November 2023. An experimental design was used in randomized blocks, in a 5x2 factorial scheme, with five doses of phosphate fertilizer (0, 60, 80, 100, 120 kg/ha) with and without BiomaPhos® inoculation via seed treatment, with three replications, totaling 30 plots. Morphological parameters were evaluated, such as plant height (m), height of insertion of the first ear (cm) and stem diameter (mm), while productive parameters were evaluated: productivity (kg/ha) and seed weight. thousand grains (g). There was no significant effect of the isolated doses and inoculant, as well as the interaction, on the morphological and productive parameters of the corn crop. The addition of phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium), regardless of the phosphorus dose tested, did not interfere with the development and productivity of corn under the soil and climatic conditions in which the experiment was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]