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Introduction Sulfur (S) is the fourth most required element for rapeseed growth and production. The need for S in rapeseed is significantly higher than that of other crops, and due to the increased use of S-free fertilizers, the deficiency of this element in agricultural soils under cultivation of this species is aggravating. The application of nitrogen (N) in soils deficient in S exacerbates the deficiency of S absorption by rapeseed and subsequently reduces the efficiency of N fertilizer used. Conversely, with the combined application of N and S at appropriate levels, grain yield of different crops, particularly rapeseed, can be significantly increased. This highlights the importance of a balanced application of N - and S-containing fertilizers in rapeseed production. The aim of this study was to shed light on the interaction of S and N supply in rapeseed growth and productivity. Materials and Methods In order to investigate the effects of S and N application on growth characteristics and grain yield of rapeseed (Hayola 50 cultivar) under rainfed conditions, this experiment was conducted as a factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at Gachsaran Agricultural Research Station during the two cropping seasons: 2019 -2020 and 2020 -2021. Experimental treatments consisted of: 1 - S fertilizer (S) in three forms including S 0: no sulfur consumption, SC: consumption of 40 kg of pure sulfur in the form of ammonium sulfate SB: bio sulfur at the rate of 40 kg ha - 1 of pure sulfur, and 2 - nitrogen fertilizer (N) at three levels: N 0: no nitrogen application, N50: 50 Kg ha - 1 pure nitrogen (in urea form) and N100: 100 kg ha - 1 nitrogen. The seeds were planted in a wheat -rapeseed rotation within a conservation tillage system. In the cropping season 2018 -2019, the amount of rainfall was 764 mm, which was significantly higher than the longterm average. Of this amount, 332 m m occurred in autumn, 256 m m in winter, and 176 m m in spring; thus, most of the precipitation occurred in autumn, i.e. prior to planting. In the cropping season 2020 -2021, the amount of rainfall was 435 m m, which was approximately equal to the long -term average. The distribution of rainfall was 175 m m in autumn, 135 m m in winter, and 124 m m in spring. Results and Discussion Results showed that the application of S in both chemical and biological forms caused a significant increase in grain and dry matter yield. Yield components, thousand kernel weight, pods /plant and grains/pod were significantly affected by S and N application. The application of S and N was associated with a significant increase in dry weight at flowering and subsequent remobilization of dry matter. In fact, in the conditions of no application of S, application of N at the levels of 50 and 100 caused an increase of 16 and 33% in the accumulation of dry matter at the time of flowering, respectively. Meanwhile these increases were 17 and 50% with the use of chemical S and 29 and 52% with the use of biological S, respectively. Also, the S and N fertilizers indicated synergistic effects in relation to their effects on dry matter accumulation, grains/pod and grain yield. The effect of S on the one thousand grain weight was not significant. Meanwhile, with increase of N fertilizer level, this yield component increased significantly, as the one thousand grain weights were 3.27, 3.30, and 3.34 g in the presence of 0, 50, and 150 kg ha - 1 N, respectively. Conclusions In general, application of 100 kg ha - 1 of N along with 40 kg ha -1 of S in the biological form was the most appropriate treatment. The use of S in both forms had a positive effect on plant growth and also increased N effectiveness. The advantage of biosulfur over ammonium sulfate for rainfed cultivation, in addition to improving the microbial and chemical balance of the soil, is its application in one step and gradual availability to the rapeseed plants. Given the slow release of S, the amount of leaching is reduced and the availability of bio -sulfur is better ensured at sensitive stages of plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with a diverse set of traits can improve crop yield in agriculture. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of multi-trait PGPR isolates as inoculants for maize (Zea mays L.) growth. Materials and Methods: In this study, 23 bacterial isolates were initially screened from maize plant rhizosphere. Ten isolates (A1-A10) were selected based on N fixation, P and K solubilization and their in vitro specific PGPR traits, such as solubilization of Zn, and Mn, the production of IAA, siderophore, ammonia, and HCN were assayed. Finally, the potential of selected isolates in enhancing the germination, height, shoot collar diameter, shoot fresh and dry weight biomass, and root dry weight of maize were evaluated. Results: Among the positive-PGPR colonies, the selected isolates demonstrated the better performance of PGPR traits such as highest nitrogen fixation, P, K, Mn, and Zn solubilization, and production of siderophore, HCN, NH3, and IAA. In addition, the maize seed germination and improvement of maize yield in a pot experiment were observed after their treatment by bacterial inoculants. Biochemical characteristics, 16S rDNA amplification, and sequencing demonstrated a high similarity of PGPR isolates to the strains of Enterobacter, Pantoea, Kluyvera, Lelliottia, Klebsiella, Pectobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that these strains could prove effective PGPR inoculants for the improvement of maize crops as multiple bio-fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetoin is a volatile organic compound, which is a class of metabolites produced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. The mechanisms underlying plant growth promotion by acetoin and its potential to induce saline stress tolerance in plants are poorly understood. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort.) seedlings in hydronics and pots under non-saline or saline conditions were foliar-sprayed with 10 mL of 0 or 1 mg·mL−1 acetoin at 7 and 14 d after transplantation and harvested 7 d after the second spray. Shoots and roots of hydroponic lettuce seedlings were harvested at 6 and 24 h after treatment for RNA sequencing. Seedlings sprayed with acetoin showed more vigorous growth, with higher shoot and root biomass than those of the controls, in both hydronic and pot modes. The transcriptomic analysis revealed acetoin application resulted in 177 differentially expressed genes (39 upregulated and 138 downregulated) in shoots and 397 differentially expressed genes (112 upregulated and 285 downregulated) in roots. These DEGs, mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction and the mitogen-activated protein kinase, have the potential to trigger plants' responses to various environmental stimuli, including stress and developmental signals. Under saline conditions, acetoin-treated plants showed increased net leaf photosynthesis and activities of several defense enzymes, indicating that acetoin enhances both fundamental growth and the plant's stress defenses, especially against salinity. In summary, acetoin appears to act through a complex interplay of genetic and biochemical mechanisms, influencing key signaling pathways and physiological processes that lead to improved growth and stress tolerance in lettuce seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing environmentally friendly feed while minimizing chemical fertilizers and energy use. This study evaluates the use of orange pomace fermentation liquor (OPFL) as a bio-fertilizer to enhance the growth and nutritional content of sprouted barley for sustainable feed production. We conducted multiple assays to determine OPFL's growth-promotion potential, including in vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial effects. Biosafety assays confirmed the absence of coliforms and hemolytic activity. Four barley varieties (Giza 2000, Giza 138, Giza 132, and Giza 126) were treated with OPFL in a hydroponic germination system, with significant improvements observed across several parameters. For example, in Giza 2000, chlorophyll content increased from 4.28 to 4.74, protein content rose from 12.15% to 22.07%, and plant height grew from 13.6 cm to 16.4 cm, representing increases of 10.7%, 81.6%, and 20.6%, respectively. Fresh biomass yield also saw a slight increase, though not statistically significant. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that OPFL is a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, enhancing barley yield and quality in animal feed systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discarded Human hairs are considered as waste material in most parts of the world and its accumulation causing several environmental problems. However as a potential material resource, human hair has the advantage that it is completely biodegradable, renewable and available in every locality. Thus reutilizing human hair cut discards with a target of extracting a particular major nutrient supply, namely nitrogen, carbon, sulfur and so forth, can create a positive impact on solving soil's infertility problems and less productivity issues of concerned agrarian communities. This study has tried to develop waste human hair based bio-fertilizer by primarily identify the better performing hydrolyzing mixture rang of formulation (H5), ratio of human hair waste mass to aqueous hydrolyzer mixture usages (1:5), favorable reacting time (90 min) and temperature (70 oC) values progressively. Then the physicochemical characteristics were analyzed to reveal the resulted final product's viscosity (~ 76.0 cp.), density (~ 1.17 gm/l), pH (~ pH 9), organic nutrients availability concerning primary Macronutrients (~ 18:0.03:1 N-P-K ratio), Secondary Macronutrients (~ 0.13:0:7 Ca-Mg-S ratio) and other trace micronutrient constituents; which are considered as requirements for the soil nutrient enrichments and plant growths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focused on the physico-chemical, biochemical and microbiological characterization of a new organic fertilizer based on fermented forest litter (FFL) mixed with agro-industrial by-products, on the culture realized in airtight glass bottle. Under strict anaerobiosis (0% initial oxygen concentration (IOC)), after a 16-day batch culture, the bottle-headspace analysis showed that the specific CO2 production rate was low (0.014 mL/h.g dry matter) compared to those reached under aerobic conditions (e.g. 0.464 mL/h.g dm at 21% IOC). Moreover, the culture displayed a slight fermented fruity odour, mainly due to ethanol and ethyl acetate detected in the headspace (335 µL and 58.6 µL accumulated, respectively). The FFL organic matter degradation followed by infrared spectroscopy and catabolic potential and diversity characterized by BIOLOG® EcoPlates were poor and pH dropped to 4.54. The microbiome's metabolism was oriented toward lactic fermentation with medium acidification, enrichment in lactic acid bacteria (LAB), depletion in fungi and absence of pathogens. By increasing IOC from 0 to 21%, the respirometric activity, and the catabolic potential and diversity increased. However, some enterobacteria were detected above 5% IOC. Ethanol and ethyl acetate decreased strongly with IOC, and aromatics and proteins contained in the solid matrix remained in the culture. This study showed the importance of oxygen on the final product. A 2% IOC was found to ensure an optimal balance between LAB development, preservation of functional catabolic diversity and bio-product free of microbial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Plant growth-promoting microorganisms can enhance sulfur uptake and boost crop production. This study was conducted to evaluate the changes in physiology, metabolism, and yield of chickpeas following the application of sulfur and two microbial consortia: (1) Thiobacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis, Paraburkholderia fungorum, and Paenibacillus sp.; and (2) Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. The soil amendment involving a combination of sulfur and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) in any quantity had positive effects on the availability of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium in the soil. A combination of 90% sulfur with Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp. resulted in a decrease in soil pH after harvesting in both years. Both years showed a strong correlation between soil pH and soil macronutrient concentration. In both years, the maximum grain yield was achieved through a combination of increased sulfur levels and SOB. The results reveal that sulfur application and SOB can increase nutrient availability, nutrient uptake, and yield of chickpea growth in calcareous soils.

Introduction Seed aging reduces the quality and quantity of agricultural production by reducing quality, viability, and irreversible seed vigor over time. Researchers are increasingly interested in seed aging, which is a serious problem in agriculture. To reduce damages caused during aging, various pretreatment techniques have been studied, including chemical compounds, growth regulators, and antioxidants. Sowing seeds in low osmotic potential osmotic solution is one method of slowing seed aging by osmopriming them. To reduce the negative effects of seed aging, biostimulants such as seaweed extract are used. In order to investigate the effect of seaweed extract on the quantitative and qualitative yield of soybean, an experiment was conducted in the two years of 2018 and 2019 in the research farm of Shahrood University of Technology. Materials and Methods The experimental treatments involved the acceleration of aging in two groups: normal seeds and aged seeds. Additionally, seaweed extract was applied at four different levels: control, seed pre-treatment with a seaweed extract concentration of 0.3%, foliar spraying with a seaweed extract concentration of 0.3%, and a combination of seed pre-treatment and foliar spraying with a seaweed extract concentration of 0.3%. This was conducted as a factorial experiment, employing a randomized complete block design with three replications. A sample of DPX was collected from the Mazandaran Agricultural Research Center. A controlled storage room was used to maintain the seeds at a temperature of 14-17°C and relative humidity of 30-40%. The seeds were harvested the same year as the experiment. In order to apply accelerated aging, the seeds were kept for 72 hours at a temperature of 41°C and relative humidity of 95%. Foliar spraying was done at the beginning of flowering (R1). Results and Discussion The results showed that accelerated aging decreased the mean daily emergence and germination index by 61.39 and 42.08% compared to the control. The pretreatment of soybean seeds made them more responsive to external stimuli and counteracted stress conditions before they emerged as seedlings. When the seeds were pretreated with seaweed extract, the mean daily emergence and seed germination index increased. The weight of one hundred seeds and the number of pods per plant decreased by 11.64 and 11.38% compared to the control. The combined application of seed pretreatment and foliar spraying in normal and aging conditions had the highest hundred seed weight and the number of pods per plant. In protein-rich crops, seaweed biostimulants can increase protein production. Pretreatment of normal and aged seeds with seaweed extract increased by 1.48 and 1.61 percent of seed protein. In order to improve soybean germination percentage, protein, and seed yield, ellagic acid and seaweed extract should be used individually or combined. Accelerated aging caused a 32.69% decrease in seed yield compared to normal conditions. The combined application of pre-treatment and foliar spraying of seaweed extract had the highest seed yield, which increased by 87.85% compared to the control. Seed aging likely caused a reduction of seed yield by reducing the mean daily emergence, leaf area index, and 100-seed weight. There are three main characteristics (mean daily seedling field emergence, the number of pods per plant, and 100-seed weight) that can explain 85.96% of seed yield variability based on the coefficient of explanation. An analysis of causal connections between seed yield and 100-seed weight showed that seed protein content directly affects seed yield. By increasing the number of pods per plant and the weight of 100 seed, soybean seeds yield may be enhanced by using seaweed extract. Conclusion With its powerful antioxidant properties and anti-aging properties, seaweed extract minimizes the effects of aging on aged seeds. Finally, within the scope of the research, it is possible to suggest the use of pre-treatment and foliar spraying with seaweed extract to increase seed yield and protein percentage in normal and aged soybean seeds.

Abstract Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology can potentially address the gap between energy demand and supply playing a crucial role in the production of sustainable energy from utilization of biogenic waste materials as feedstock. The biogas production from anaerobic digestion is primarily influenced by the chemical compositions and biodegradability of the feedstock. Organosolv-steam explosion offers a constructive approach as a promising pretreatment method for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomasses delivering high cellulose content.This study showed how synergetic co-digestion serves to overcome the challenges of mono-digestion's low efficiency. Particularly, the study evaluated the digestibility of organosolv-steam pretreated wheat straw (WSOSOL) in mono as well as co-digesting substrate with cheese whey (CW) and brewery spent grains (BSG). The highest methane yield was attained with co-digestion of WSOSOL + CW (338 mL/gVS) representing an enhanced biogas output of 1–1.15 times greater than its mono digestion. An ammonium production was favored under co-digestion strategy accounting for 921 mg/L from WSOSOL + BSG. Metagenomic study was conducted to determine the predominant bacteria and archaea, as well as its variations in their populations and their functional contributions during the AD process. The Firmicutes have been identified as playing a significant role in the hydrolysis process and the initial stages of AD. An enrichment of the most prevalent archaea genera enriched were Methanobacterium, Methanothrix, and Methanosarsina. Reactors digesting simpler substrate CW followed the acetoclastic, while digesting more complex substrates like BSG and WSOSOL followed the hydrogenotrophic pathway for biomethane production. To regulate the process for an enhanced AD process to maximize CH4, a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities is beneficial.

Background & Objectives:In order to decreasing the chemical fertilizer application in low-input and sustainable agricultural systems, a field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of different irrigation intervals along with separately and integrative application of chemical and biofertilizer on the quantity and quality of camelina (Camelina sativa L.). Material and Methods :The study was carried out as a split plot based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 18 treatments and three replications at the Saqez city, Iran in 2022 growing season. The main factor was three irrigation intervals including without irrigation (rainfed conditions), irrigation after 10 and 20 days. Also, the sub-factor was different fertilizer sources including non-application (control), 100%chemical fertilizer, biofertilizer, biofertilizer+ 25% chmical fertilizer, biofertilizer+ 50% chemical fertilizer and biofertilizer+75% chemical fertilizer. Results: The results demonstrated that the highest (457.81 kg ha-1) and lowest (186.29 kg ha-1) seed yield of camelina was obtained in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer and rianfed conditions without fertilization. The highest oil content (37.88%) and oil yield (173.65 kg ha-1) was observed in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer. The chemical analysis showed that linolenic (30.59-34.58%), linoleic (16.92-19.29%), oleic (14.16-17.36%) and eicosenoic acid (8.93-11.76%) were the main fatty acids compounds of camelina oil. The maximum content of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids obtained in in 10 days’ interval irrigation following integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer. Conclusion: Generally, the results of this study demonstrated that the integrative application of biofertilizer+ 75% chemical fertilizer, in addition to decrease the consumption rate of chemical fertilizer, enhanced the quantity and quality of camelina oil, especially in drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic fungi are considered an eco-friendly and bio-safe alternative to increase agricultural productivity. The study objectives were to isolate and identify endophytic fungi from the roots of Rhizophora racemosa and to assess their effect on the growth of Cucurbita maxima plants. Molecular identification of the endophytic fungal isolates revealed five fungal species: Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium equiseti, Penicillium citrinum, and Talaromyces albobiverticillius. A. aculeatus induced the best improvement rate of plant development with an increase of shoot length (159 %), petiole length (171%), internode length (155%), leaf number (133%) and leaf area (149%) at 84 days after the fungal treatment. This research highlights the importance of A. aculeatus, which can be an eco-friendly bio-fertilizer that can enhance the production of Cucurbita maxima and improve the agricultural sector. To confirm its effectiveness, experiments must be conducted in fields and greenhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental field study was carried out in the Kharif season of 2023 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The experimental replications were conducted using a Randomized Block Design, with three levels of Nitrogen (0, 60, 90kg N/ha) and A zolla spp. (2, 4, 6t/ha), and one Control (NPK 120:60:60 kg/ha). In all, there were a total of ten treatments, each reproduced three times. The tested field had sandy loam soil texture with a neutral soil pH of 7.6, low organic carbon content of 0.372%, nitrogen content of 278.4 kg/ha, phosphorous content of 29.5 kg/ha, and potassium level of 217.3 kg/ha. The experimental results showed that treatment T9 obtained significantly higher plant height (107.77 cm), dry weight (66.05 g), crop growth rate (57.27 g/m²/day), relative growth rate (0.0279 g/g/day), highest number of tillers per hill (22.07), panicles per m² (282), test weight (15.23 g), grain yield (3.67 t/ha), stover yield (6.7 t/ha), and harvest index (35.74%). Transplanted Black Rice of variety BPT-2841 exhibited significantly greater maximum gross return (1,80,551.40 INR/ha), net return (1,05,496.30 INR/ha), and B:C ratio (1.41) in treatment T9. The investigation concludes that Nitrogen, being easily transportable in soil and plants, is a constituent of amino acids, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, enzymes, and hormones. These factors are essential in plant physiology and are associated with increased tillering, biomass production, protein synthesis, grain filling, yield, and quality. The availability, absorption, and utilization of nitrogen have a significant impact on these processes. Therefore, in the present experiment, the nitrogen requirements are met by applying 90kg of nitrogen through urea combined with 6t/ha of A zolla spp. This approach revealed superior performance in terms of both crop yield and economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology can potentially address the gap between energy demand and supply playing a crucial role in the production of sustainable energy from utilization of biogenic waste materials as feedstock. The biogas production from anaerobic digestion is primarily influenced by the chemical compositions and biodegradability of the feedstock. Organosolv-steam explosion offers a constructive approach as a promising pretreatment method for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomasses delivering high cellulose content.This study showed how synergetic co-digestion serves to overcome the challenges of mono-digestion's low efficiency. Particularly, the study evaluated the digestibility of organosolv-steam pretreated wheat straw (WSOSOL) in mono as well as co-digesting substrate with cheese whey (CW) and brewery spent grains (BSG). The highest methane yield was attained with co-digestion of WSOSOL + CW (338 mL/gVS) representing an enhanced biogas output of 1–1.15 times greater than its mono digestion. An ammonium production was favored under co-digestion strategy accounting for 921 mg/L from WSOSOL + BSG. Metagenomic study was conducted to determine the predominant bacteria and archaea, as well as its variations in their populations and their functional contributions during the AD process. The Firmicutes have been identified as playing a significant role in the hydrolysis process and the initial stages of AD. An enrichment of the most prevalent archaea genera enriched were Methanobacterium, Methanothrix, and Methanosarsina. Reactors digesting simpler substrate CW followed the acetoclastic, while digesting more complex substrates like BSG and WSOSOL followed the hydrogenotrophic pathway for biomethane production. To regulate the process for an enhanced AD process to maximize CH4, a comprehensive understanding of microbial communities is beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duckweed is a future food and a source of affordable protein that has the potential to replace animal protein. This study aims to formulate a bio-fertilizer consisting of mangrove-associated bacteria to boost the growth and protein of duckweeds as a sustainable approach to increase plant-based protein yields. The culture-depending technique was performed by using Aleksandrow agar, Pikovskaya's agar, and Jensen agar to screen potassiumsolubilizing bacteria, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, respectively, from mangrove soil sediments. Mangrove-associated bacteria that are close to Acinetobacter radioresistens, Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum, and Enterobacter cloacae, which are known as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Bacillus tropicus, and Paenibacillus pasadenensis known as potassium-solubilizing bacteria, and Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis known as phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After that, three sets of biofertilizers were randomly formulated. Each set consisted of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, potassium- and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, as well as commercial compost as a carrier. These formulated bio-fertilizers were evaluated for plant growth promotion and protein production on duckweed plants under temperatures between 26 and 30°C. The results showed that each set of our formulated bio-fertilizer can increase the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), duckweed growth, and protein content when compared to the control group. It indicates that bio-fertilizers formulated with mangrove-associated bacteria and high NPK contents could enhance the growth of duckweed as well as its protein content, which could supply our future plant-based protein sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of peppermint and sage intercropping with application of different fertilizer resources on the dry matter yield, essential oil content, and ecological indices under drought stress. Material and Methods: A field experiment was carried out as a split split plot based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 36 treatments and three replications at the faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Iran in 2019 and 2020. The main factor was three irrigation regimes included 25 (MAD25), 50 (MAD50), and 75% (MAD75) maximum allowable depletion (MAD) percentage of the soil available water (SAW) as normal irrigation, mild and severe water stress, respectively. The sub-factor was different planting patterns included peppermint monoculture, sage monoculture, and intercropping of one row peppermint + one row sage and also sub-sub factor were application of different fertilizer sources including no‐fertilizer as control, TiO2 nanoparticles (100 mg L-1), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, and integrative application of AMF and TiO2 (AMF + TiO2). Results: The results showed that the dry matter yield of peppermint and sage decreased significantly by 28.7, 27% in mild stress, 55.1%, and 64.1% in severe stress, respectively. The highest dry matter yield of peppermint (144.2 g m-2) and sage (172.7 g m-2) was obtained in the monoculture with integrative application of AMF + TiO2. The maximum essential oil content of peppermint (1.51%) was observed in intercropping with integrative application of AMF + TiO2. In addition, the highest land equivalent ratio (LER), actual yield loss (AYL), and monetary indices were achieved in normal irrigation with integrative application of AMF + TiO2. Moreover, the maximum net income of two plants was recorded in intercropping with application of AMF + TiO2 under normal irrigation, which was no significant difference with integrated application of AMF + TiO2 in intercropping under mild water stress. Conclusion: Generally, it can be concluded that the integrative application of AMF + TiO2 in intercropping of peppermint/sage could be suggested as a sustainable strategy to increasing the quantity and quality of essential oil of both plants under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with a diverse set of traits can improve crop yield in agriculture. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of multi-trait PGPR isolates as inoculants for maize (Zea mays L.) growth. Materials and Methods: In this study, 23 bacterial isolates were initially screened from maize plant rhizosphere. Ten isolates (A1–A10) were selected based on N fixation, P and K solubilization and their in vitro specific PGPR traits, such as solubilization of Zn, and Mn, the production of IAA, siderophore, ammonia, and HCN were assayed. Finally, the potential of selected isolates in enhancing the germination, height, shoot collar diameter, shoot fresh and dry weight biomass, and root dry weight of maize were evaluated. Results: Among the positive-PGPR colonies, the selected isolates demonstrated the better performance of PGPR traits such as highest nitrogen fixation, P, K, Mn, and Zn solubilization, and production of siderophore, HCN, NH3, and IAA. In addition, the maize seed germination and improvement of maize yield in a pot experiment were observed after their treatment by bacterial inoculants. Biochemical characteristics, 16S rDNA amplification, and sequencing demonstrated a high similarity of PGPR isolates to the strains of Enterobacter, Pantoea, Kluyvera, Lelliottia, Klebsiella, Pectobacterium, and Stenotrophomonas. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that these strains could prove effective PGPR inoculants for the improvement of maize crops as multiple bio-fertilizers.

The measurements and tests of the samples conducted in the laboratories of the College of Agriculture included isolating bio-fertilizers and testing the efficiency of isolates that fix atmospheric nitrogen and solubilize phosphorous compounds. Bacteria were isolated and identified from the rhizosphere soils of different plants collected from various agricultural areas. A total of 74 bacterial isolates were obtained based on the phenotypic characteristics of the developing colonies, as well as biochemical and microscopic traits. The results of isolation and identification showed that among the 74 bacterial isolates, there were 15 isolates of A. chroococcum, 13 of Az. lipoferum, 13 of B. megaterium, 10 of P. putida, 10 of Actinomycetes, and nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) with 7 and 6 isolates respectively. Bacillus isolates demonstrated the ability to dissolve phosphate compounds with a dissolution diameter ranging between 6-11 mm. The results of the polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) examination confirmed the diagnostic results using the quantitative polymerase interaction technique after extracting DNA from bacterial isolates from the soil. The first group of 10 isolates of P. putida showed, when the gene (GltA F, GltAR) was amplified, resulting bundles with a molecular size of 288 base pairs for P. putida bacteria, confirming the diagnosis using molecular, biological, microscopic, and phenotypic tests. This match confirms the accuracy of the classification of P. putida bacteria. The second group of 10 isolates of P. putida showed, when the gene (PR o DF, PRp o DR) was amplified, resulting bundles with a molecular size of 478 base pairs for B. megaterium, confirming its classification. The third group of 10 isolates of bacteria showed, upon gene amplification (N i f HF, N i f HR), resulting bundles with a molecular size of 371 base pairs for A. chroococcum bacteria, confirming their identification. The fourth group of 14 isolates showed, when the gene (16sAZ F and 16sAZ R) was amplified, resulting bundles with a molecular size of 646 base pairs for Az. lipoferum bacteria, confirming its classification. The fifth group did not show any type of nitrogen-fixing bacteria or phosphate solubilizers after amplification, based on the Sr DNA 71 genotype sequence.

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) is economically a significant crop in Ethiopia. The yield of field peas in our country has fell due to poor management practices of Bio fertilizer rates usage. Three rates of bio fertilizer (0, 250 and 500g ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Number of nodules per plant, Pod numbers per plant, plant height, and effective nodule number of productive tillers, total biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were recorded and significantly affected by bio-fertilizer rate application. The determined or the highest grain yield (2671kg ha-1) was recorded from 250 g ha-1 bio-fertilizer rate. Almost 250g ha-1 bio fertilizer rates were superior for the research area. Nevertheless, more investigation has to be done under different locations and seasons to come up with practical recommendations correlated to the current study.

Currently, different strategies, including the application of bio-fertilizers, are used to ameliorate the adverse effects posed by salinity stress as the major global problem in plants. Fish waste is suggested as a novel bio-fertilizer to mitigate the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. In this investigation, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects by applying different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15% (v/v)) of fish waste bio-fertilizer on stevia plants grown under salt stress conditions (0, 20, 40, and 60 mM of NaCl). Results showed that salinity negatively affected growth parameters, the photosynthetic pigments, the relative water content, and the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters while increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total phenol, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, and total carbohydrates compared with control samples. On the other hand, the application of fish waste bio-fertilizer mitigated the effects of salinity stress by enhancing growth and mitigating stress-relative markers, especially at the highest salinity level (60 mM). Overall, fish waste bio-fertilizer could be considered a sustainable, innovative approach for the alleviation of salinity stress effects in plants and, in addition, fish waste bio-fertilizer did not cause more salinity issues, at least with the applied doses and experiment time, which is an imperative aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the several threats to humanity by anthropogenic activities, contamination of the environment by heavy metals is of great concern. Upon entry into the food chain, these metals cause serious hazards to plants and other organisms including humans. Use of microbes for bioremediation of the soil and stress mitigation in plants are among the preferred strategies to provide an efficient, cost-effective, eco-friendly solution of the problem. The current investigation is an attempt in this direction where fungal strain PH1 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Parthenium hysterophorus which was identified as Aspergillus niger by sequence homology of the ITS 1 and ITS 4 regions of the rRNA. The strain was tested for its effect on growth and biochemical parameters as reflection of its potential to mitigate Pb stress in Zea mays exposed to 100, 200 and 500 µg of Pb/g of soil. In the initial screening, it was revealed that the strain has the ability to tolerate lead stress, solubilize insoluble phosphate and produce plant growth promoting hormones (IAA and SA) and other metabolites like phenolics, flavonoids, sugar, protein and lipids. Under 500 µg of Pb/g of soil, Z. mays exhibited significant growth retardation with a reduction of 31% in root length, 30.5% in shoot length, 57.5% in fresh weight and 45.2% in dry weight as compared to control plants. Inoculation of A. niger to Pb treated plants not only restored root and shoot length, rather promoted it to a level significantly higher than the control plants. Association of the strain modulated the physio-hormonal attributes of maize plants that resulted in their better growth which indicated a state of low stress. Additionally, the strain boosted the antioxidant defence system of the maize there by causing a significant reduction in the ascorbic acid peroxidase (1.5%), catalase (19%) and 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (33.3%), indicating a lower stress condition as compared to their non-inoculated stressed plants. Based on current evidence, this strain can potentially be used as a biofertilizer for Pb-contaminated sites where it will improve overall plant health with the hope of achieving better biological and agricultural yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a plant from the Caricaceae family and grows well in tropical and subtropical regions. Seed Pretreatment and culture substrate are important and effective factors in the processes of germination and seedling growth. In seed priming, seeds are partially hydrated to allow metabolic events to occur without actual germination and then re-dried. Materials and Methods: The experiment was done in a factorial arrangement with the two factors of seed pretreatment and culture substrate in a completely randomized design with 15 treatments, 3 replications, and 10 seeds per replication. This experiment was conducted in 2022 in the research greenhouse of University of Zabol. Pretreatment of seeds including distilled water as control (P0), humic acid (P1) and seaweed (P2) and culture substrate including compost: perlite: vermicompost (1:1:1) (S1), compost: perlite: cocopeat (1) :1:1) (S2), compost: vermicompost: cocopeat (1:1:1) (S3), perlite: vermicompost: cocopeat (1:1:1) (S4) and compost: perlite: vermicompost: cocopeat (1) :1:1:1) was (S5). Pretreatment of biofertilizers including 200 mg/l of humic acid (Humi grow 80% Gardesco) and 2 g/l of 30% Hortiland Vita free seaweed extract based on Ascophyllum nodosum was used for the pretreatment of Bangladeshi variety papaya seeds. Before planting, seeds were first disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution for 2 minutes and then rinsed 3 times with distilled water. They were then soaked in the pre-prepared solutions at a temperature of 25 °C for 24 hours in dark room, and then air dried and were cultivated in 32-cells plug containing the desired culture substrates. Results and Discussion: The results indicated a significant effect of seed pretreatment and culture substrate on the germination and growth of papaya seedlings. The minimum average germination time (11.20 day), maximum germination speed index (0.72), seedling vigor index (2342.49) and root dry weight (0.079 g) were recorded for humic acid pretreatment. In addition, under the influence of biopriming with both humic acid and seaweed biofertilizers, the maximum percentage of germination (81% and 79%, respectively), number of leaves (6.30 and 6.23, respectively) and stem diameter (2.43 and 2.36 mm, respectively) compared to the control. Among the cultivation substrates, S5 and S3 substrates showed better results in terms of germination and seedling growth compared to other cultivation substrates. Examining the results of interaction showed that the maximum seedling height was observed in treatments P1S5 (21.03 cm), P1S3 (20.87 cm), P1S4 (19.99 cm) and P1S2 (19.82 cm). P1S5 and P1S3 treatments recorded the highest root length with a statistical class of 9.73 and 9.46 cm, respectively. The maximum shoot dry weight was recorded for treatments P1S5 (0.319 g), P1S4 (0.309 g) and P2S5 (0.302 g) without statistical difference. The plants obtained from the seeds pretreated with humic acid and grown in the S5 culture substrate had significant shoot and root dry weights; This is due to the rapid reversal of seed dormancy and the beginning of germination, as well as the ease of absorption of more water and nutrients by plants during the growth period. Conclusion: seed biopriming accelerated the germination process and increased the growth of papaya seedlings. Cultivation substrates containing vermicompost showed significant results for seed germination, establishment and growth of papaya seedlings. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to use seed biopriming, especially with humic acid biofertilizer and vermicompostcontaining culture substrate, to increase the germination percentage and produce healthy seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is highly resistant to a wide range of environmental stresses, including drought and salinity stresses. To evaluate the effect of bio-fertilizer and drought stress on the quantitative and qualitative traits of quinoa, an experiment was conducted on Research Farm, Shahed University in 2018. The main factors included irrigation interval 7, 10, 13, 16 days and the soil application of growth-promoting microorganisms (0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3% concentrations during the growth period) arranged in the sub-factor. The results showed that by increasing irrigation interval period, grain yield, 1000-grain weight and chlorophyll content decreased. The highest plant height (155.7 cm), leaves area (1543.6 cm2/plant), 1000-grain weight (2.69 g), chlorophyll a content (19.7 mg g−1 FW), and seed potassium content (2.03%) were observed in 0.2% bio-fertilizer application under 13-day irrigation treatment. Application of 0.3% concentration bio-fertilizer under 13 and 16-day irrigation treatments was caused the highest grain yield (2.51 and 2.47 ton ha−1) which had 14.34 and 12.95% increase compared to the control treatment. The highest percentage of accumulation of nutrients in the seed, including potassium, calcium and magnesium, was observed in the treatments of 0.3% biofertilizer with irrigation at intervals of 13 and 16 days. The results suggest that drought stress adversely affects quinoa quantitative and qualitative traits, and biofertilizer can improve quinoa plant tolerance todrought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anbar Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During industrial licorice production, considerable amounts of licorice root residues (LRR) are produced. The use of these residues as an agricultural production input could be beneficial to sustainable economic growth and the environment. Therefore, we evaluated the application of LRR to some growth media at (v/v) [100% soil (S), 100% LRR (L), 50% soil + 50% LRR (SL), 50% perlite + 50% LRR (PL), 50% cocopeat + 50% LRR (CL), and 25% soil + 25% perlite + 25% cocopeat + 25% LRR (SPCL)] plus humic acid (HA) (0, 5, 10, or 15 gl−1) during bell pepper production. Results showed that LRR application plus HA fertigation significantly improved the vegetative and reproductive growth and mineral content of pepper. The highest fresh weight (shoot and root), plant height, root length, leaf number, and chlorophyll content were observed for plants treated with SPCL + 15 gl−1 HA. The highest number of flowers (18.08), fruits per plant, fruit length and diameter, fruit fresh weight, and yield were associated with the peppers grown under SPCL. Deformed fruits significantly increased in the S treatment whereas no deformed fruits were observed under the SPCL treatment. The highest leaf K, Ca, Fe, and Zn contents were observed in the medium culture containing 25% LRR (SPCL) + 15 gl−1 HA. The findings revealed that the use of SPCL + 15 gl−1 HA fertigation could provide the best conditions for fruit production by bell pepper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field peas (Pisum sativum L.) is economically a significant crop in Ethiopia. The yield of field peas in our country has fell due to poor management practices of Bio fertilizer rates usage. Three rates of bio fertilizer (0, 250 and 500g ha-1) were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Number of nodules per plant, Pod numbers per plant, plant height, and effective nodule number of productive tillers, total biomass yield, grain yield, and straw yield were recorded and significantly affected by bio-fertilizer rate application. The determined or the highest grain yield (2671kg ha-1) was recorded from 250 g ha-1 bio-fertilizer rate. Almost 250g ha-1 bio fertilizer rates were superior for the research area. Nevertheless, more investigation has to be done under different locations and seasons to come up with practical recommendations correlated to the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although of high economic and nutritional interest, olive oil production activities can have a negative impact on the environment given the large quantities of liquid and solid waste. Therefore, using sustainable development technologies is important to add value to the olive oil production process. This study explores innovative olive oil solid waste recycling solutions, taking into account sustainable waste management options. In particular, the most promising technologies for the production of high-added-value products from olive oil by-products was presented, with a special focus on sustainable non-thermal technologies for the use of olive pomace as a friendly soil bio-fertilizer. While discussing how this organic material application can affect the physicochemical soil properties and plant production, in addition to plant nutrient uptake and mineral bioavailability. The main results of this review discussed and all application factors described indicate that olive pomace is a bio-friendly fertilizer offering a great soil potential improvement. However, further research is needed to optimize the use of this olive solid waste and improve its applicability in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of microbes capable of beneficially interacting with plants is essential for advancing climate-smart agriculture. This approach aims to reduce chemical use while simultaneously enhancing crop productivity. This implies efforts to optimize the criteria for selecting potential plant growth promoters (PGPs), focusing also on yeasts, only recently investigated for their PGP potential. The present study employed a set of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes yeasts to test their PGP properties on zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), chosen as a fast-growing plant with a vast economical interest. Yeasts were tested alone and as consortium. Seed inoculation with yeasts boosted the early phase of growth of the zucchini plants, primarily affecting the root development. Three strains belonging to the species Schwanniomyces etchellsii, Zygotorulaspora florentina and Holtermanniella festucosa induced a strong and significant enhancement of weight and length of both epi- and hypogeal parts of the plant. Furthermore, the presence of yeasts induced strain-specific modulations in the biochemical profiles of soil, primarily detected in the rhizosphere. This suggests an active interaction between the roots and the inoculated yeast cultures.

An experimental field study was carried out in the Kharif season of 2023 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The experimental replications were conducted using a Randomized Block Design, with three levels of Nitrogen (0, 60, 90kg N/ha) and Azolla spp. (2, 4, 6t/ha), and one Control (NPK 120:60:60 kg/ha). In all, there were a total of ten treatments, each reproduced three times. The tested field had sandy loam soil texture with a neutral soil pH of 7.6, low organic carbon content of 0.372%, nitrogen content of 278.4 kg/ha, phosphorous content of 29.5 kg/ha, and potassium level of 217.3 kg/ha. The experimental results showed that treatment T₉ obtained significantly higher plant height (107.77 cm), dry weight (66.05 g), crop growth rate (57.27 g/m2/day), relative growth rate (0.0279 g/g/day), highest number of tillers per hill (22.07), panicles per m2 (282), test weight (15.23 g), grain yield (3.67 t/ha), stover yield (6.7 t/ha), and harvest index (35.74%). Transplanted Black Rice of variety BPT-2841 exhibited significantly greater maximum gross return (1,80,551.40 INR/ha), net return (1,05,496.30 INR/ha), and B:C ratio (1.41) in treatment T9. The investigation concludes that Nitrogen, being easily transportable in soil and plants, is a constituent of amino acids, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, enzymes, and hormones. These factors are essential in plant physiology and are associated with increased tillering, biomass production, protein synthesis, grain filling, yield, and quality. The availability, absorption, and utilization of nitrogen have a significant impact on these processes. Therefore, in the present experiment, the nitrogen requirements are met by applying 90kg of nitrogen through urea combined with 6t/ha of Azolla spp. This approach revealed superior performance in terms of both crop yield and economic returns .

Acetoin is a volatile organic compound, which is a class of metabolites produced by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. The mechanisms underlying plant growth promotion by acetoin and its potential to induce saline stress tolerance in plants are poorly understood. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort.) seedlings in hydronics and pots under non-saline or saline conditions were foliar-sprayed with 10 mL of 0 or 1 mg·mL−1 acetoin at 7 and 14 d after transplantation and harvested 7 d after the second spray. Shoots and roots of hydroponic lettuce seedlings were harvested at 6 and 24 h after treatment for RNA sequencing. Seedlings sprayed with acetoin showed more vigorous growth, with higher shoot and root biomass than those of the controls, in both hydronic and pot modes. The transcriptomic analysis revealed acetoin application resulted in 177 differentially expressed genes (39 upregulated and 138 downregulated) in shoots and 397 differentially expressed genes (112 upregulated and 285 downregulated) in roots. These DEGs, mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction and the mitogen-activated protein kinase, have the potential to trigger plants’ responses to various environmental stimuli, including stress and developmental signals. Under saline conditions, acetoin-treated plants showed increased net leaf photosynthesis and activities of several defense enzymes, indicating that acetoin enhances both fundamental growth and the plant’s stress defenses, especially against salinity. In summary, acetoin appears to act through a complex interplay of genetic and biochemical mechanisms, influencing key signaling pathways and physiological processes that lead to improved growth and stress tolerance in lettuce seedlings.

Modern agriculture faces the dual challenge of producing environmentally friendly feed while minimizing chemical fertilizers and energy use. This study evaluates the use of orange pomace fermentation liquor (OPFL) as a bio-fertilizer to enhance the growth and nutritional content of sprouted barley for sustainable feed production. We conducted multiple assays to determine OPFL’s growth-promotion potential, including in vitro phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial effects. Biosafety assays confirmed the absence of coliforms and hemolytic activity. Four barley varieties (Giza 2000, Giza 138, Giza 132, and Giza 126) were treated with OPFL in a hydroponic germination system, with significant improvements observed across several parameters. For example, in Giza 2000, chlorophyll content increased from 4.28 to 4.74, protein content rose from 12.15% to 22.07%, and plant height grew from 13.6 cm to 16.4 cm, representing increases of 10.7%, 81.6%, and 20.6%, respectively. Fresh biomass yield also saw a slight increase, though not statistically significant. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that OPFL is a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, enhancing barley yield and quality in animal feed systems.

• Salinity negatively affected the growth and yield of M. chamomilla. • M. chamomilla seeds bio-priming improved the plant growth under salinity stress. • Bio-priming increased essential oil and chamazulene percentage of M. chamomilla. • Bio-priming is an eco-friendly approach to enhancing plant resilience to salinity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of seeds bio-priming with Nitroxin and bio-superphosphate on some morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Matricaria chamomilla plant irrigated with saline water (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 dS m −1 NaCl). The findings suggest that the salinity had a notable effect on the growth and yield of M. chamomilla by changing the morpho-physiological and biochemical properties of the plants subjected to stress. However, seeds bio-priming with Nitroxin and bio-superphosphate significantly improved the morphological (increase in plant height by 15 and 13.9 %, number of the flower by 25.7 and 27.9 %, shoot dry weight by 30.2 and 40.2 %, flower dry weight by 50 and 52 %, and harvest index by 11.4, and 9.8 %) physiological (increase in total chlorophyll content by 39 and 41.5 %, water-soluble amounts by 13 and 13.5 %, total phenolic content by 29.5 % and 28.8 %, and decrease in proline content by 10.1 % and 16.6 %) biochemical (an increase in essential oil percentage by 10.9 and 12.8, essential oil yield by 34.5 % and 31 %, and chamazulene percentage by 11 and 15.4 %) characteristics of M. chamomilla at 8 dS m −1salinity, and enhanced the plant's ability to withstand stress as compared to untreated plants. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that bio-priming could be a cost-effective and environmentally sound approach method for improving the growth and yield of M. chamomilla under salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Harran Journal of Agricultural & Food Science is the property of Harran University, Faculty of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Innovations in agricultural bio-inputs can lead to sustainable alternatives to replace synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. However, there is no clear understanding of what technologies can become available to farmers as commercial products, particularly in developing countries. This study summarizes the innovations used in commercial products in Argentina and Brazil based on the countries' official data and on in-depth surveys conducted with 14 bio-input private companies. The results reveal ongoing development efforts to improve traditional products, such as inoculants that help plants fix nitrogen. There is also progress in mastering the formulation of new bio-inputs, such as bio-fertilizers that promote plant growth and bio-pesticides for pest control. Lastly, the next generation of bio-inputs composed of phytovaccines promises to help prepare plants' immune systems against the attack of pathogenic fungi and bacteria, while bio-herbicides can potentially reduce the use of synthetic herbicides to prepare fields for harvest. Domestic companies based in Argentina and Brazil play an important role in these innovations that can underpin bio-economy growth in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over-fertilization and agrochemicals adversely affect soil quality and agricultural ecosystem sustainability. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is ranked as an important crop due to its high profitability and nutritional value. In Argentina, tomato is mainly produced in horticultural belts at peri-urban areas, whose soils frequently are contaminated by heavy metals and/or agrochemicals. To explore safer alternatives, we investigated the effects of seed inoculation with a common plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), i.e., Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii, on development at various growth stages of two tomato varieties, "Platense" and "Río Grande", and on production and fruit quality at harvest time of the "Río Grande" variety. The experimental design consisted of three treatments per variety: a control versus traditional planktonic or biofilm inoculation, with three replicates per treatment. Germination at 10 days and seedling agronomical parameters showed that the response to seed inoculation was superior in the "Río Grande" variety. At harvest time, and irrespective of the inoculant, several agronomical parameters of the "Río Grande" variety were significantly enhanced with respect to the control. The biofilm significantly increased tomato production, as quantified by fruit number and weight, compared to the planktonic inoculum. This case study demonstrates that the incorporation of bio-inoculants is relevant in sustainable agriculture to promote crop growth and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agricultural Science & Sustainable Production is the property of University of Tabriz and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Improper crop and animal waste management and disposal are now widely recognized as environmentally harmful practices. When crop waste is placed in landfills, greenhouse gases (GHG) like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are created. In order to create the digestate for usage as bio-fertilizer from agricultural waste employing cow dung as an inoculum for 30 days of the hydraulic retention period, a 225L Polyethylene (PE) anaerobic digester was used in this study. Cassava peels, palm oil sludge, cow dung, and water were mixed in a 1:1:2:5.3 ratio. About 1.3 kilogram of crushed eggshells was added to keep the pH level within the range recommended for the anaerobic digestion process. In order to maintain mesophilic conditions during anaerobic co-digestion for enhanced organic fertilizer output, the greenhouse was used to regulate temperature. Since microbial populations flourish in friendly environments, the pH averaged 6.0 and the average slurry temperature was 34.76 oC during digestion. After 30 days of hydraulic retention time, a laboratory-scale elemental analysis of the digestate showed that the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) increased by 95%, 75%, and 93.8%, respectively. The anaerobic co-digestion of animal and agricultural waste has created digestate rich in NPK nutrients, but more research should be conducted to see whether the biofertilizer’s efficacy on fast-growing crops can be determined by measuring the number of harvests and height of the plants.

The study about the economic returns of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) by the use of rhizobium seed inoculation and different phosphorus doses was conducted at Bharatpur, Chitwan, from February to May 2022. The experiment was conducted in a two-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and eight treatments. Treatments were set as factor A: seed inoculation i.e., un-inoculated and inoculated; and factor B: four different phosphorus doses (20, 40, 60, 80 kg ha­-1). The cowpea variety ‘Prakash’ was used. Results revealed that the application of seed inoculation provides the highest returns compared to an un-inoculated one; similarly, in case of phosphorus dose of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 gives the maximum economic returns compared to other phosphorus doses. Furthermore, the interaction of rhizobium inoculation with 40 kg ha­-1 gives the highest gross income (NRs. 216005), net return (NRs. 110829.39) and B: C (2.05) compared to all other single inoculation or phosphorus or interaction treatments ( 1 $ = NRs. 132.53) . From the result, it is concluded that the use of rhizobium inoculation along with 40 kg P2O5 ha­-1 would be economically profitable for the farmers under the Terai conditions of Nepal.

The possibility of formulating nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) biofertilizer from ashes of waste organic materials such as chicken feathers, bone and banana peels is investigated in this study by first subjecting the agricultural waste to 80-250 heat in a muffle furnace to produce ash. Kjeldatherm block digestion unit, UV spectrophotometer, and flame photometers, respectively helped in measuring the concentrations of N, P and K inherent in the fertilizer precursors as well as in 5 formulated blends (i.e., A, B, C, D & E). It was discovered that NPK in the single substrate and blends favorably compared with standard NPK 20:10:10 chemical fertilizer to some extent. Among single material fertilizer sources, feather ash with 0.179:1:0.134 NPK and bone ash with 0.009:1:0.021 NPK had the closest nutrient content with the standard, showing potential promise. On the other hand, Blend E is the same as the standard, followed by Blend A, B, D and C, which are hierarchically close in elemental composition to the standard. The choice of these biofertilizers is dependent on their nutrient compositions, the type of crops to be grown, and the soil mineral requirements. Most importantly, different NPK ratio organic fertilizers produced in this study can competitively be produced in a large scale to address huge costs associated with the NPK 20:10:10 standard commercial fertilizer. Blend E (NPK 20:10:10) can be formulated locally by farmers in rural areas easily using this particular agricultural residue or a host of other confirmed farm wastes.

Background and Objectives: Due to the lack of suitable water resources and poor soil quality (high salinity, low organic matter, and plant nutrient deficiency), the increase of arable lands in arid and semi-arid regions has faced severe challenges. The use of organic amendments is recognized as a critical strategy for plant production in such soils. Nowadays, humic acid (HA) is known as one of the eco-friendly fertilizers that not only preserves soil quality but also plays a significant role in increasing the production of high-quality agricultural yields. The present study was conducted to extract humic acid from two sources of cattle and sheep manures and compare their effect on maize growth characteristics and inorganic phosphorus (Pi) forms in a calcareous soil compared to the commercial HA. Materials and Methods: 25 kg of sheep and cattle manure were collected from the farm of Shahid Bahonar University in Kerman and composted separately under controlled conditions for three months. Humic acid was extracted from composted manure using 0.5 N NaOH (1:10 material: extractant) in a dark environment under no oxygen conditions. The extracted HA's chemical and structural features, such as pH, EC, elemental composition, and functional groups, were determined. To investigate the effect of extracted humic acid on the growth of maize and soil inorganic P forms, a completely randomized design with seven treatments, including 0.1 and 0.2% of cattle manure extracted humic acid (CM-HA), 0.1 and 0.2% of sheep manure extracted humic acid (SM-HA), and 0.1% and 0.2% levels of commercial humic acid (HA), and a control treatment was designed in four replicates. The seedlings of maize were planted in treated pots and kept for 70 days under greenhouse-controlled conditions. At harvest time, the fresh and dry weights of the shoot and roots were measured. Soil Pi fractions, including H2O-extractable P, NaHCO3-extractable P, NaOH-extractable P, and HCl-extractable P, were also determined after maize harvesting. Results: The results showed that commercial humic acid had the highest pH and the lowest EC compared to the extracted acids. In contrast, humic acid extracted from cattle and sheep manure was more acidic than the commercial HA. The results of FTIR indicated the presence of phenolic hydroxyl, carboxyl, and aromatic rings in the extracted and commercial humic acids. The results showed that only 0.1% of commercial humic acid had no significant effect on maize's shoot fresh and dry weight. In contrast, other extracted acids, especially SMHA, significantly increased both growth characteristics of maize. In all treatments, the overall distribution of Pi forms was HCl-P > NaHCO3-P > NaOH-P> H2O-P. The results showed that HA application at the rates of 0.1% and 0.2%, mainly extracted HA from sheep manure, increased the contribution of more labile forms of inorganic phosphorus, including H2O-P and NaHCO3-P in the soil. Conclusion: Since extracted HA from sheep manure and cattle manure have better quality than commercial HA and more effectively affect the growth of maize and labile forms of Pi, these resources can be used as an alternative for HA extraction and HA-based fertilizer production. In general, 0.2% of extracted humic acid from sheep manure had a more influential role in increasing the labile P forms in the soil and the growth of maize plants compared to other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the distribution and transport dynamics of cations in plants is crucial for understanding their response mechanisms to saline–alkali stress conditions. However, our current understanding of how restoration measures affect cation distribution and transport in plants is surprisingly limited. To address this gap, we conducted a split-plot experiment using Medicago sativa L. cv. "Zhongmu No. 1" to investigate the combined effects of biological and chemical restoration measures—with bio-fertilizer as the primary zone and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and with humic acid as the secondary zone—on soil properties, plant growth, and the content, distribution, and transport of cations in plants. The results revealed that bio-fertilizers exhibited positive effects on the plant growth, yield, and translocation of key ionic components to leaves. On the contrary, FGD gypsum with humic acid reduced the soil's pH level, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) while increasing the contents of K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in the soil. The combination of bio-fertilizer, FGD gypsum, and humic acid increased the biomass and enhanced the translocation of Mg2+ to leaves. The distribution and transport of Mg2+ within the plant constituted pivotal elements for enhancing plant growth through restoration strategies. The application of bio-fertilizer, FGD gypsum, and humic acid reduced Na+ transport in M. sativa by enhancing the selective absorption of beneficial ions in leaves and by facilitating the transport of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from stems to the leaves. This, in turn, increases the salt tolerance of plants and promotes their growth. Our results offer new insights into the interactions among measures, soil, and plants in saline–alkali land restoration, providing practical solutions for the restoration of saline–alkali soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low pH acid sulfate soils are usually nutrient-deficient. They contain toxic metals that affect rice plants negatively. A field experiment was carried out to alleviate acidity in an acid sulfate soil for rice cultivation. In the study, rice-seedlings (variety MR219) were planted in the experimental plots treated with bio-fertilizer, ground magnesium limestone (GML) and biochar, either alone or in combination. pH of the untreated topsoil was 3.56, while the exchangeable calcium and magnesium in the topsoil was 4.13 cmolckg-1, below the requirement to sustain growth and/or production of rice. Addition of bio-fertilizer slightly increased soil pH. The highest soil pH of 5.34 was observed in the plot treated with bio-fertilizer plus GML. Iron in the control plot was believed to exist in the form of Fe3+ (pKa 3). Due to treatment with bio-fertilizer plus GML or biochar, soil pH increased from 3.56 to a level >5. As the soil pH was approaching 4.58 (i.e., the pKa of Fe2+), Fe3+ was slowly converted to Fe2+ . The form of iron causing toxicity to rice in the treated plots was most likely to be Fe2+, rather than Fe3+ . At soil pH >5, both Fe2+ and Al3+ (the pKa is 5) were precipitated as inert hydroxides, thus, no longer causing toxicity to the rice plants. Beneficial microbes present in the bio-fertilizer helped produce growth hormones and organic acids that eventually increased nutrient uptake by rice which in turn enhanced its growth. The organic acids fixed some Fe2+ and Al3+ in the soil via chelation process. This phenomenon further reduced their toxicity to the rice plants. Application of bio-fertilizer plus GML or biochar improved soil fertility that resulted in higher rice yield. This notion is supported by the enhancement of the rice yield parameters, i.e., plant height (92.21 cm), tiller numbers (6), leaf chlorophyll content (38.14) and the number of filled grains. The use of bio-fertilizer plus GML or biochar is recommended for rice cultivation on acid sulfate soils in order to increase rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) and sustain food security in country in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]