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Organic additions help improve soil biophysical qualities, but they are insufficient to supply nutrient demand and could result in unintentional nutrient immobilization in soils, particularly soils with low fertility status. A 16-week laboratory incubation study was conducted to determine how the method of application of compost and inorganic fertilizers influence microbial respiration, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) mineralization. Topsoil (500 g, 0–15 cm) was amended with compost (0, 5, and 10 g kg−1) and either inorganic N (50 kg N ha−1) or P (30 kg P ha−1). Two soil amendment strategies, applying compost and inorganic fertilizer separately to opposite sides of the soil using a divider and mixing them evenly throughout the soil, were compared for their effects on microbial activity and nutrient mineralization. The cumulative amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) evolved were measured fortnightly using the static CO2 absorption method and inorganic N and P mineralization. N mineralization was unaffected by the method of compost and inorganic fertilizer application (p >.05), while at the end of day 42, available P in separate applications of compost and mineral N fertilizers was 33% greater than combined applications. Compost and inorganic P fertilizer had favorable N priming effects, but compost and inorganic N had negative effects. The different N priming effects of compost and inorganic N and P fertilizers may be attributable to microbial nutrient demand. The data suggest that composting with conventional fertilizers may change microbial nutrient demand and crop nutrient availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing nursery plants in containers usually requires the addition of fertilizer to achieve optimal growth. However, misconceptions among growers often lead them to apply quantities of fertilizers exceeding the recommended dose, resulting in nutrient runoff and increased production costs. Reducing fertilizer application is beneficial to have healthy plants and environment as well as to save on fertilizer costs. In this study, we wanted to determine the minimal level of phosphorus (P) required to grow bedding plants i.e. Lysimachia nummularia 'creeping jenny' (moneywort) and Vinca minor 'Bowles' (periwinkle) in nursery. The plants were grown within a greenhouse in a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and rice hulls (3:1:1 v/v) substrates and subjected to various P treatments. The treatments included single dose of 1, 3, or 6 mg/L of P, double doses of 3 or 6 mg/L of P, or a control that received 6 mg/L of P at each irrigation. The results indicated that single dose of 6 mg/L of P had similar fresh weight compared to control in both taxa. Reducing P application further to a single dose of 1 and 3 mg/L reduced fresh weight and leaf area in both groundcovers however did not reduce their stem length or physiological parameters such as Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Phosphorus concentration in the plant tissue at maturity was lower in all treatments than control for both the taxa. During the study period, control plants received 26 times the dose of P compared to plants receiving 6 mg/L of P once. Therefore, this study outlines the possibility of reducing P fertilizer application while growing these groundcovers in nurseries for sale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phosphate solubilizing properties of Lysinibacillus macroides ST-30, Pseudomonas pelleroniana N-26, and Bacillus cereus ST-6 were tested for the chickpea crop of the Tarai region of Uttarakhand. These microbially inoculated plants have shown significant (p > 0.05) improvement in the plant health and crop health parameters, viz., root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, nodule number, nodule fresh weight, nodule dry weight, chlorophyll content, and nitrate reductase. The highest shoot length (46.10 cm) and chlorophyll content (0.57 mg g-1 fresh weight) were observed in ST-30 at 75 DAS with 20 kg P2O5/ha. Similarly, for plant P content, an increase of 90.12% over control was recorded in the same treatment. Treatments consisting of Lysinibacillus macroides ST-30 along with 20 kg/ha P2O5 were found to be most suitable as phosphatic fertilizer. Conclusively, sustainable agriculture practices in the Tarai as well as the field region may be developed based on a strategy of exploring microbial inoculants from the pristine region of the Western Himalayas. The presence and abundance of bacterial inoculants were confirmed through qRT-PCT. We conclude that the effective plant growth-promoting bacterium Lysinibacillus macroides ST-30 broadens the spectrum of phosphate solubilizers available for field applications and might be used together with 20 Kg/ha P2O5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil legacy phosphorus (P) accumulated due to the long-term continuous application of P fertilizers in agricultural fields accumulated in the soil for years, as sparingly soluble forms. This can be made as a possible soil P source using P-activators. In this study, a laboratory incubation and a pot experiment were conducted to evaluate the potential of some P activators (Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, phytase, humic acid, oxalic acid) in increasing the availability of residual phosphorus in calcareous soil. For the incubation experiment, the P activators were applied alone and in combination. Soil samples were analyzed at subsequent intervals for soil available P, alkaline phosphatase activity, and sequential P fractions. The results showed that phytase application with humic acid (HA) increased the available soil P (12.4 kg ha−1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (47.42 µg p-nitrophenol released g−1 soil hr−1) followed by phosphorus solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) with humic acid and PSB with phytase treatments. All treatments have a significant effect on different soil P-fractions. A greater reduction in calcium phosphate fraction was noted in phytase and humic acid application. The combined application of P-activators performed better than their sole application. The best three treatments selected from the laboratory incubated experiment were used for the pot experiment with maize, along with the different dosages of P fertilizer. The morphological parameters were observed on the 30th and 60th days of the maize crop. The results of plant height, chlorophyll index, and dry matter production showed that the application of phytase and HA with 100% recommended dose of P was statistically comparable with phytase and HA with 75% recommended dose of P. The findings have illustrated the extent of P release by different P activators in increasing the legacy P availability. The application of phytase and HA with 25% reduced dose of P fertilizers will promote the availability of legacy P in calcareous soils through solubilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a solid waste generated by phosphate fertilizer industries that is currently used in concrete materials. However, adding PG to concrete usually results in reducing its water resistance and corrosion resistance. This paper presents a new method of applying PG to concrete to improve its water resistance. In this paper, a green superhydrophobic PG (SPG) coating was prepared using modified PG as a hydrophobic medium and cement as the bonding material. The contact angle between the superhydrophobic phosphogypsum coating (SPG coating) and water was 156°, and the coating reached a superhydrophobic state with good self-cleaning ability. Even when sandpaper was used to polish the coating, the water contact angle of the coating was still greater than 150°, indicating that the coating had good wear resistance. In addition, the results of water absorption and electrochemical experiments indicated that mortar coated with SPG had better water resistance and corrosion resistance than ordinary mortar. The SPG coatings with water resistance, wear resistance, and self-cleaning properties have potential applications in building exterior walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel multipoint titration coprecipitation method was used to prepare concrete-based layered double hydroxide (CLDH) to uptake phosphorus into slow-release phosphate fertilizer. Both the characteristics and the slow release of CLDH-P were investigated. Results showed that the multipoint titration method was efficient for coprecipitation. P-loaded CLDH under weak acid conditions (CLDH-P1) contained mainly Al-P and Ca-P (CaHPO4·2H2O, DCPD), while the content of Ca-P greatly increased in the product under weak alkaline conditions (CLDH-P2). The slow-release effects of the two samples in soil leaching columns were significantly better than triple superphosphate (TSP). CLDH-P1 was preferably used for mung bean growth promotion due to its better availability. The dry weight of CLDH-P1 mung bean increased by 33% in 40 days, which was obviously better than that of the TSP group. In addition to phosphorus, the nutrient elements Ca and Mg were also enriched in mung bean plants. The results revealed an economical and sustainable candidate for phosphorus recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus yunnanensis (Franch), a species endemic to southwestern China, provides significant ecological and economic benefits. The quality of afforestation can be enhanced by promoting high-quality sprout growth. This study analyzed the effects of six fertilization treatments following top pruning: T1 (N: 0 g/plant−1; P: 0 g/plant−1), T2 (N: 0 g/plant−1; P: 2 g/plant−1), T3 (N: 0 g/plant−1; P: 4 g/plant−1), T4 (N: 0.6 g/plant−1; P: 0 g/plant−1), T5 (N: 0.6 g/plant−1; P: 2 g/plant−1), and T6 (N: 0.6 g/plant−1; P: 4 g/plant−1). The accumulation and allocation of aboveground biomass in roots, stems, and leaves of P. yunnanensis were measured, as well as changes in biomass per plant at 90 days (early stage), 180 days (middle stage), and 270 days (late stage) post-fertilization. At 90 days, root biomass accumulation in T3 was significantly higher, by 13.31%, compared to that in T1 (p < 0.05). The growth rates of stem and plant biomass followed the order T6 > T1 > T3 > T5 > T4 > T2. The biomass of sprouts and individual plants exhibited allometric growth under T1, T5, and T6 treatments. At 180 days, needle biomass allocation in T1 and T4 increased by 7.47% and 8.6%, respectively, compared to 90 days. Combined nitrogen–phosphorus fertilization significantly influenced aboveground biomass allocation, promoting growth more effectively than other treatments. By 270 days, the stem and individual biomass in T2 and T3 treatments showed significant differences (p < 0.01) compared to other treatments. Overall, root, stem, and sprouts were primarily influenced by phosphorus fertilization, while nitrogen fertilization notably promoted needle and leaf growth in later stages. The aboveground components were more affected by phosphorus fertilization. The combination of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers enhanced early-stage stem and sprouts, as well as late-stage root development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term experiments can help to understand soil phosphorus (P) dynamics and improve nutrient management strategies. This research evaluated long-term (2002– 2021) soil P dynamics and yield response to a range of P fertilizer rates in a continuous high-yielding irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) experiment with low initial soil phosphorus test (SPT, 10.5 mg kg−1). The experiment was established near Clay Center, NE, and five P rates (0, 10, 20, 39, and 59 kg P ha−1) were evaluated. Soil samples at 20-cm depth were collected in eight cropping seasons. Yield response to P fertilizer increased after 20 years from 0.64 to 2.79 Mg ha−1. The application of 39 kg P ha−1 year−1 increased soil Bray-1 P to 19.5 mg kg−1, outyielded all other P treatments, and resulted in a positive relative P balance. Over 20 years, 0 kg P ha−1 year−1 decreased Bray-1 P from 10.5 to 5.5 mg kg−1. Annual P rates of 0, 10, and 20 kg P ha−1 produced a negative relative P balance and SPT below the critical soil test value (CSTV). The CSTV was 22.2 mg kg−1 for a continuous irrigated corn cropping system. A 53% increase in the P fertilizer rate (from 39 to 59 kg P ha−1 year−1) produced a threefold increment in the soil test P build-up rate. High yielding irrigated continuous corn production systems (>14 Mg ha−1) are required to apply at least 39 kg P ha−1 year−1 to maintain SPT and a positive relative P balance over years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-concentration phosphorus (P) fertilizers are crucial for crop growth. However, fertilizers with lower P concentrations, such as calcium magnesium phosphate (CMP) and single super phosphate (SSP), can also serve as efficient P sources, especially when blended with high-concentration P fertilizers like diammonium phosphate (DAP) or monoammonium phosphate (MAP). In this study, we conducted a 48-day pot experiment to explore how blending low-P fertilizers could optimize maize P utilization, using CMP to replace DAP in acidic soil, and SSP to replace MAP in alkaline soil, with five SSP+MAP and CMP+DAP mixtures tested. Key metrics such as shoot and root biomass, shoot P uptake, root length, and soil P bioavailability were measured. We found that maize biomass and P uptake with 100% DAP were comparable to those with 50% CMP and 50% DAP in acidic soil. Similar results were observed for 100% MAP compared to 50% SSP and 50% DAP in alkaline soil. Root biomass and length were largest with 100% MAP in acidic soil and at 100% DAP in alkaline soil, with no significant differences at 50% SSP or CMP substitutions for MAP and DAP, respectively. Furthermore, 50% SSP or CMP substitutions for MAP and DAP increased the content and proportion of the labile inorganic P (Pi) pool (H2OPi and NaHCO3-Pi), had a direct and positive effect on Olsen-P. Our findings reveal that 1:1 blends of SSP and MAP in acidic soil, and CMP and DAP in alkaline soil, effectively meet maize's P requirements without relying solely on highconcentration P fertilizers. This indicates that strategic blending of fertilizers can optimize P use, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the role of biofertilizers in sustainable agriculture by improving soil health and crop yield while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers. Topics include the importance of continuous soil renewal with renewable resources, the constraints to biofertilizer adoption, and the impact of intensive agriculture on biogeochemical cycles.

AimMaterials and MethodsResultsConclusionsThe aim of this study was to determine the agronomic, physiological and recovery efficiency of phosphorus in the transition from conventional agriculture to organic agriculture of organomineral fertilizers, which are formed by combining different levels of phosphorus fertilizers and dairy manures at different rates.The study was carried out between 2019 and 2021 during the two wheat growing season in Söke county of Aydın province in the Southwest of Türkiye. In the study, excluding the control (P0), 4 different levels of phosphorus (P1:10, P2:20, P3:30, and P4:40 kg P ha−1) and 4 different doses of dairy manure (DM1:10, DM2:20, DM3:30, and DM4:40 t ha−1) and 16 different organomineral fertilizer combinations were composed. The fertilizer combinations composed were divided into four sub-organomineral fertilization systems (OMF1, OMF2, OMF3, and OMF4). The study was carried out in three replications according to the randomized block design.In the study, according to the averages of both years, the highest agronomic, physiological and recovery efficiency (AE, PE, and RE) was determined as 29.5 kg kg−1, 175.0 kg kg−1 and 16.9% in DM1P1 application (OMF1 system), respectively. The lowest agronomic, physiological and recovery efficiency were recorded as 21.2 kg kg−1, 163.4 kg kg−1 and 13.0% in DM4P4 application (OMF4 system), respectively. As a result, organomineral fertilizers reduced the agronomic, physiological and recovery efficiency of phosphorus by 28.1%, 8.2% and 23.1%, respectively.Finally, it was concluded that the fertilizer use efficiency increased as the amount of phosphorus applied to compose with organomineral fertilizers decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant-available soil phosphorus rate and methods for applying phosphatic fertilizer and soil P-fixation capacity are critical factors for lower cotton productivity in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Hence, a two-year study was conducted in Central Cotton Research Institute (CCRI), Multan, Pakistan, to examine the effects of various P rates and application methods on cotton crop output during the growing seasons of 2014 and 2015. Phosphorus was applied in four rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1 P2O5) using broadcast, band application, and fertigation methods. Results indicated that the impact of P rates was statistically significant on plant height, the number of nodes, monopodial and sympodial branches, leaf area index, harvest index, and seed cotton yield. The greater P application (120 kg P2O5 ha−1) had a better effect on cotton productivity than the lower application rates (0, 40, and 80 kg P2O5 ha−1). The band application responded better on nodes plant−1, sympodial branches plant−1, boll weight, leaf area index, lint yield, and harvest during the growing season 2015. Therefore, by adopting the band application coupled with 120 kg P2O5 ha−1 rather than the conventional method of broadcast, productivity of cotton crops could be increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizer recommendations for phosphorus (P) are generally based on the soil content of plant available P and the amount of P exported by the harvested crop. In countries of the former Soviet Union (SU), a widespread method is the Machigin extraction. The relationships between soil P contents extracted with this and other European methods are not well established. Here, we compare the Machigin soil P extraction method with the Calcium Ammonium Lactate P(CAL) procedure that is commonly used in Central Europe. Both methods were tested with 94 soil samples originating from Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Germany. Overall, the P amount extracted with the CAL method was 2.8 times higher than that extracted with the Machigin method. However, using results from all analyzed individual soil samples, the relation between P(CAL) and P(Machigin) showed large scatter and an R2 of only 0.364. Differing relations between P(CAL) and P(Machigin) were observed for soils with pH >7 and <7. However, these are overshadowed by differences between the three geographic groups of the soil samples. The estimated soil P fertility classes for the Machigin extraction were mostly higher than for the German (CAL) procedure, resulting in lower fertilizer recommendations for the Machigin method. To improve the accuracy of conversion between both methods, evaluation of laboratory proficiency tests (i.e. analysis of the same soil samples in different laboratories with the same methods) of the Machigin method should be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phosphorus nutrition and hormone concentration both affect crop yield formation. Ascertaining the interaction of phosphorus and GA3 has a synergistic effect on the grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency of oilseed flax in dryland. It is extremely important for improving grain yield and phosphorus utilization efficiency. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in 2019 and 2020 at the Dingxi Oil Crops Test Station to investigated the effects of phosphorus, gibberellin (GA3), and their interaction on the grain yield and phosphorus-utilization efficiency of oilseed flax plants. Phosphorus fertilizerwas applied at three levels (0, 67.5, 135 kg P2O5·ha-1) and GA3 was also sprayed at three concentrations (0, 15, and 30 mg·L-1). Results: The results showed that application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 reduced leaves acid phosphatase (ACPase) activity, but increased phosphorus accumulation throughout the growth period, the 1000-kernel weight (TKW), and the number of grains per capsule. Spraying GA3 significantly increased the leaves ACPase activity, phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain, phosphorus-utilization efficiency, the number of capsules per plant, and TKW. The phosphorus accumulation at the anthesis, kernel, and maturity stages under the treatment of fertilizing 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 and spraying 30 mg·L-1 GA3 were increased by 56.06%, 73.51%, and 62.17%, respectively, compared with the control (no phosphorus, no GA3). And the phosphorus accumulation after anthesis and its contribution to grain also increased. 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 and 135 kg P2O5·ha-1 combined with 15 mg·L-1 GA3 both significantly increased grain yield of oilseed flax, reaching 1696 kg·ha-1 and 1716 kg·ha-1 across two years, respectively. And there was no significant difference between them. However, the former treatment significant increased the apparent utilization rate, agronomic utilization rate, and partial productivity of phosphorus. The interaction between phosphorus and GA3 was significant for grain yield. Conclusion: Therefore, the application of 67.5 kg P2O5·ha-1 in combination with 30 mg·L-1 GA3 is an effective fertilization approach for enhancing oilseed flax growth and grain yield in the experiment region and other similar areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late spring coldness (LSC) is the main limiting factor threatening wheat yield and quality stability. Optimal nutrient management is beneficial in mitigating the harms of LSC by improving wheat root physiology. This study proposed a nutrient management strategy that postponed the application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), effectively strengthening wheat's defense against LSC. This experiment used the winter cultivar "Yannong19" (YN 19) as plant material for two consecutive years (2021–2022 and 2022–2023). Two fertilizer treatments were used: traditional P and K fertilizers application (R1: base fertilizer: jointing fertilizer = 10:0) and postponed P and K fertilizers application (R2: base fertilizer: jointing fertilizer = 5:5); wheat plants at the anther connective formation stage shifted to temperature-controlled phytotrons for normal (T0, 11 °C/4 h) and low temperatures (T1, 4 °C/4 h; T2, −4 °C/4 h) as treatments of LSC. The results showed that under low temperature (LT) treatment, compared with R1, the R2 treatment increased the concentrations of osmotic adjustment substances (soluble sugars and soluble protein contents by 6.2–8.7% and 3.0–8.9%), enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase activities by 2.2–9.1%, 6.2–9.7% and 4.2–8.4%), balanced the hormone concentrations (increased IAA and GA3 contents by 2.8–17.5% and 10.4–14.1% and decreased ABA contents by 7.2–14.3%), and reduced the toxicity (malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide content and O2·− production rate by 5.7–12.4%, 17.7–22.8% and 19.1–19.1%) of the cellular membranes. Furthermore, the wheat root physiology in R2 significantly improved as the root surface area and dry weight increased by 5.0–6.6% and 4.7–6.6%, and P and K accumulation increased by 7.4–11.3% and 12.2–15.4% compared to R1, respectively. Overall, the postponed application of P and K fertilizers enhanced the physiological function of the root system, maintained root morphology, and promoted the accumulation of wheat nutrients under the stress of LSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is the key to several structural molecules and catalyzes numerous biochemical reactions in plant body besides its involvement in energy transfer. Any deficit in P availability is likely to result in reduced RNA and protein content, inhibiting crop growth and development. Thus, availability of soil P is extremely crucial for plant growth especially in acid soils of India, where most of the fraction is bound to solid phase rendering their availability. The present communication deals with the isolation of elite phosphate-solubilizing bacterial (PSB) strains from the acid soils to work out their ability to improve the fertilizer P use efficiency in the acidic environment. Initially twenty-six bacteria were isolated from the acid soils of Northeastern India. Among them, ten bacteria were selected based on formation of halo zone in the Pikovskaya agar plate. In addition, these bacteria were able to solubilize insoluble zinc (Zn) and potassium (K). The isolates were subject to in vitro optimization for P solubilization under different insoluble P source utilization and at different pH and salinity conditions. Strains AN3, AN11, and AN21 exhibited significant solubilization of insoluble P, Zn, and K, and were identified as Streptomyces sp., Enterobacter sp., and Paraburkholderia caribensis. These three bacteria solubilized 206.53 to 254.08 µg mL−1 P, 79.7 to 177.55 µg mL−1 Zn, and 0.96 to 1.56 µg mL−1 K from insoluble minerals. Their performance was further evaluated in pot culture experiment using green gram as test crop. These three bacteria were found to improve P uptake and dry matter accumulation in green gram plant substantially. Seed bio-priming with the PSB strains enhanced the efficiency of added P fertilizer, resulting in a 1.40 to 1.52 times higher effectiveness compared to the control. On the whole, AN11 may be ranked as best inoculant for the acidic soils of Northeastern India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sowing date and soil fertility are very important factors in the overwintering and production performance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), yet there's a knowledge gap in knowledge on how late-seeded alfalfa responds to phosphorus (P) fertilization. A field study was conducted in Inner Mongolia from 2020 to 2022 using a split-plot design. The main plots consisted of five sowing dates (31 July, 8, 16, and 24 August, and 1 September), while the subplots involved five P application rates (0, 40, 70, 100, and 130 kg P2O5 ha−1). Throughout the growing seasons, the overwintering rate, root traits, forage yield, and yield components were measured. The results revealed a consistent decrease in overwintering ability and productivity with the delayed sowing. This reduction in overwintering rate was mainly due to diminished root traits, while the decrease in forage yield was largely associated with a reduction in plants per square meter. However, P fertilizer application to late-seeded alfalfa demonstrated potential in enhancing the diameter of both the crown and taproot, thus strengthening the root system and improving the overwintering rate, the rate of increase ranges from 11.6 to 49%. This adjustment could also improve the shoots per square meter and mass per shoot, increasing by 9.4–31.3% and 15.0–27.1% respectively in 2 years, which can offset the decline in forage yield caused by late sowing and might even increase the forage yield. Regression and path analysis indicated that alfalfa forage yield is primarily affected by mass per shoot rather than shoots per square meter. This study recommended that the sowing of alfalfa in similar regions of Inner Mongolia should not be later than mid-August. Moreover, applying P fertilizer (P2O5) at 70.6–85.9 kg ha−1 can enhance the forage yield and persistence of late-seeded alfalfa. Therefore, appropriate late sowing combined with the application of P fertilizer can be used as an efficient cultivation strategy for alfalfa cultivation after a short-season crop harvest in arid and cold regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorous (P) is a limiting macronutrient for crop growth. Its deficiency prevents plant development leading to an extensive use of phosphatic fertilizers globally. Bio-organic phosphate (BOP) fertilizer provides a sustainable approach to optimize nutrient availability, enhance crop yield, and mitigate the negative impacts of chemical fertilizers on the environment. Therefore, the present study integrates the application of heat-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, rock phosphate, and organic materials for the development of BOP. For this purpose, potential heat-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were isolated from major wheat-growing areas of southern Punjab. Five isolates were the efficient phosphate solubilizers based on in vitro phosphate-solubilizing activity (291-454 μg ml-1 and 278-421 μg ml-1) with a concomitant decrease in pH (up to 4.5) at 45°C and 50°C, respectively. These PSB were used for the development of potential consortia that are compatible and showed high P solubilization. In planta evaluation of these PSB consortia in a pot experiment under net house conditions showed that consortium-2 had a favorable impact on growth parameter with enhanced grain yield (9.63 g plant-1) and soil available P (10 μg g-1) as compared with 80% uninoculated control. The microcosm study was conducted to evaluate PSB consortium-2 integrated with carrier material (plant material and filter mud) and rock phosphate as BOP increased total phosphorous (14%) as compared with uninoculated controls. Plant-based BOP showed higher viable count (3.5 × 108\u00B0CFU) as compared with filter mud-based BOP. Furthermore, the effect of BOP on wheat growth parameters revealed that BOP showed a promising influence on grain yield (4.5 g plant-1) and soil available P (10.7 μg g-1) as compared with uninoculated 80 and 100% controls. Principle component analysis (PCA) further validates a positive correlation between BOP with grain weight and plant height and soil available P as compared with both 80 and 100% controls. For the first time, this study reports the combined application of bio-organic phosphate fertilizer and heattolerant PSB, which offers an eco-friendly option to harvest better wheat yield with low fertilizer input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented maize experiment commenced in autumn 2022 at the Al-Hussainiya, Kerbala, Iraq. The experiment comprised two factors: the first included nitrogen (0, 150, and 300 kg N ha-1) and phosphorus (0, 50, and 100 kg P ha-1), and the second was the seaweed extract (2 and 4 ml L-1) used as a foliar application. The seaweed extracts (Algazone Mx30) were treatments applied in the main plots, while the subplots received mineral fertilizer combinations. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) consisted of a factorial arrangement and three replications to evaluate the maize cultivar ‘Maha’s’ response in clay loam soil. In most growth and yield parameters, applying nitrogen-phosphorous fertilizer combinations and the foliar application of seaweed extract (4 ml L-1) had a substantial effect. The interaction between the seaweed extract and nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers significantly improved leaf area, stem diameter, chlorophyll index in leaves, 500-grain weight, and biological and grain yields. The treatments with seaweed extract (4 ml L-1) and the combination of 150 N + 50 P performed better for leaf area (55.48 cm² plant-1), stem diameter (23.10 mm), chlorophyll index (48.54 SPAD), 500-grain weight (141.17 g), biological yield (357.56 g plant-1), and grain yield (201.46 g plant-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The precise application of phosphorus fertilizer is pivotal in determining groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity. The high demand of phosphorus for energy transfer molecules involved in nitrogen fixation makes it essential for leguminous crop. A field experiment was conducted at Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Puducherry during 2021 to 2023 to explore the performance of groundnut by employing an optimal combination of microbial culture alongside varying levels of phosphorus. Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of different doses of phosphorus (@ 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) with and without seed treatment with DGRC culture. Result: The experiment results of the three years study revealed that a variable response of groundnut to P fertilizer rates and rhizobium inoculant on sandy loam soil in puducherry. P fertilizer rates combined with DGRC inoculant had a significant influence on growth, root nodule, nodule dry weight, pod and kernel yield. From this study, it may concluded that combined application of P fertilizer @ 60 kg/ha and seed treatment of DGRC culture inoculants @ 20 g/kg seed have the potential to increase the productivity and profitability of groundnut. Correlation and Regression analysis also indicated that the yield attributes had a positive impact on groundnut yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the single and combined effects of Si exogenous treatment and Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis M1 strain inoculation on rosemary tolerance to low phosphorus (P) availability. Hence, rosemary plants were fertilized with 250 µmol Ca3HPO4 (stressed plants) or 250 µmol KH2PO4 (control plants) under Si treatment and B. subtilis M1 strain inoculation. P starvation negatively affected rosemary growth and its P nutrition. However, exogenous Si supply or B. subtilis M1 strain inoculation significantly (P  < 0.001) alleviated the deficiency-induced effects and significantly improved rhizogenesis, acid phosphatase activity, P uptake, and eventually dry weight of shoot and root. Moreover, Si-treatment and/or B. subtilis M1 strain inoculation significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the oxidative damage, in terms of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide accumulation. This was found positively correlated with the higher superoxide dismutase activity, and the elevated non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules accumulation, including total polyphenols in Si-treated and inoculated P-deficient plants. Taken together, Si supplementation and/or B. subtilis M1 strain inoculation could be a good strategy to sustain rosemary plant growth under P starvation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O), a mineral with low water solubility that can be recovered from industrial wastewater, has the potential to be used as a slow-release phosphorus (P) fertilizer. However, the effect of struvite on the yield and P uptake efficiency of different crops remains unclear. In this study, the effects of struvite, diammonium phosphate (DAP), and a mixed fertilizer consisting of struvite + DAP (MIX) on biomass, P uptake, and soil P fractions of Chinese cabbage, cowpea, and maize were investigated in pot experiments. The results showed that compared to DAP, the mixed fertilizer reduced the biomass of Chinese cabbage by 47%, while there was no difference in the biomass of cowpea and maize under P fertilizer application. There was no difference in total P concentration in Chinese cabbage and cowpea plants between DAP and MIX, while total P concentration in maize under mixed fertilizer treatment decreased by 16.73% compared to DAP treatment. Compared to DAP, the MIX treatment reduced total P uptake in Chinese cabbage and maize by 45.82% and 33.41%, respectively, with no direct difference in cowpea. Soil Olsen-P and CaCl2-P concentrations were highest in DAP among the different treatments. The MIX treatment significantly increased the water-soluble P in Chinese cabbage and cowpea by 5.87% and 5.23%, respectively, while the water-soluble P in maize was lower in the mixed fertilizer treatment than in the DAP treatment. In addition, mixed fertilizer significantly increased soil pH and soil phosphatase activity compared to DAP. This result suggested that among the three treatments of struvite, DAP, and MIX, struvite had the weakest effect on crop growth. In addition, among the three crops, Chinese cabbage, cowpea, and maize, the compatibility between struvite and maize was the highest. These results provide valuable insights for the future application of struvite in agricultural production for achieving stable yields while mitigating environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient use of phosphate fertilizers and optimization of the amounts of irrigation water can maximize tomato growth and fruit production. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different phosphorus (P) doses and sources on the growth and production components of tomato plants of the cultivar Gaúcho Melhorado Nova Seleção subjected to different irrigation water percentages. To achieve this, we set up an experiment using a factorial design to test the effects of four doses of P2O5 (corresponding to 25%, 50%, 100%, and 200% of the recommended dose), two P sources (monoammonium phosphate—MAP and organomineral—OM), and four irrigation water percentages (50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of field capacity). Tomato plant growth improved when water was supplied at a percentage close to 100% of field capacity, with increased plant height, leaf length, and number of flowers observed (increases of 11.95%, 7.33%, and 13.87%, respectively, compared to 50% of field capacity). However, both excess and deficit irrigation resulted in morphological changes in tomato plants. Additionally, we observed that OM was more effective than MAP in increasing plant diameter and number of flowers, with increases of up to 36.4% and 227.6%, respectively, when using OM. Conversely, tomato growth was negatively affected by higher doses of MAP doses, suggesting that 25% of the recommended dose may yield the best growth rates. We verified that tomato plants can compensate for low phosphorus doses by increasing productivity with higher water amounts (125%–42.40 t ha−1), but high phosphorus doses result in greater fruit production with lower water percentages (50%–41.52 t ha−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of a diammonium phosphate coating effectively mitigates direct contact between the phosphate fertilizer and the soil, thus minimizing phosphorus fixation. Humic acid holds a pivotal role in augmenting soil quality and activating the soil's phosphorus reserves. Notably, when combined with humic acid, diammonium phosphate significantly enhances the utilization efficiency of phosphate fertilizer. However, there is a paucity of literature exploring the dynamics of nutrient transport in soil when humic acid is paired with coated phosphate fertilizers. To assess the impact of the combined application of coated diammonium phosphate and humic acid on wheat yield enhancement, we conducted pot experiments along with leaching and ammonia volatilization simulation tests, aiming to elucidate the effects of this combination on nutrient transport. The study explored the effects of three distinct treatments: coated diammonium phosphate (CP), coated diammonium phosphate combined with humic acid (PHA), and coated diammonium phosphate combined with humic acid (CPHA). The investigation focused on analyzing their impacts on wheat yield, ammonia volatilization, soil-available phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, soil-available potassium, as well as the mobilization and transport of calcium and magnesium in the soil. (1) Compared to the P treatment, the PHA and CP treatments significantly increased grain yield by 17.2% and 13.5%, respectively. The PHA treatment also increased effective panicle number by 12.9%. Overall, the CP, PHA, and CPHA treatments improved grain yield by 13.5%, 17.2%, and 19.1% compared to the P treatment. (2) The CP and PHA treatments reduced available phosphorus by 95.6% and 49.2%, calcium by 2.0% and 67.0%, and magnesium by 11.6% and 46.1% compared to the P treatment. Ammonium nitrogen decreased by 37.0% and 64.3%, while nitrate nitrogen increased by 14.0% in CP and slightly decreased by 0.8% in PHA. In the leaching solution, PHA and CP treatments reduced available phosphorus by 96.7% and 62.5%, increased calcium by 5.0% and 78.9%, decreased ammonium nitrogen by 2.2% and 43.4%, and decreased nitrate nitrogen by 10.6% and 13.0%. The PHA and CPHA treatments increased available phosphorus in the 0–20 cm soil layer by 1.4 times and 25.8%, respectively. (3) The CP treatment reduced ammonia volatilization by 87.0% compared to the P treatment, while the CPHA treatment further reduced it by 87.5% compared to the PHA treatment. The application of coated diammonium phosphate efficiently delays nutrient release and reduces nutrient leaching in the soil. Additionally, the integration of humic acid significantly improves the availability of phosphorus in the soil, minimizing phosphorus loss. Notably, the combined application of humic acid and coated diammonium phosphate leads to a significant increase in soil phosphorus content, subsequently enhancing soil nutrient availability, conserving fertilizer, and ultimately resulting in an improved wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legume-grass mixtures are often used to increase forage yield and soil fertility in managed grasslands, but it remains unclear whether these benefits could be further improved by utilizing optimal legume-grass seeding ratios and phosphorus (P) fertilization. Here, we conducted a 5-year field experiment across 3 sites to investigate the effects of legume-grass seeding ratio and P fertilization on forage yield and soil quality. This experiment included mixtures comprised of two legume species and two grass species at five legume-grass ratios (3:7, 4:6, 5:5, 6:4, and 7:3), and monoculture of each species. P fertilizer was applied at the rate of 0, 9, 18, or 27 kg P ha-1 year-1. Plant diversity effects, e.g., complementarity and selection effects, were assessed by comparing yield of mixtures with monocultures. Our results show that a legume-grass mixture with a seeding ratio of 3:7 under moderate P fertilization resulted in the highest forage yield among all monocultures and mixtures, for each of the three sites, with persistent and consistent transgressive overyielding. Notably, greater soil organic matter, total nitrogen, enzymatic activity, and microbial biomass were observed with the legume-grass ratio of 3:7, compared to monocultures or other seeding ratios. Structural equation modeling indicated that the legume-grass ratio of 3:7 achieved highest yield through directly improving complementarity effect, and indirectly promoting selection effects because of increased fungal biomass. P fertilization directly enhanced soil nutrient and enzymatic activities, and further improved complementarity effect, resulting in high forage yield and soil quality. These results indicate that forage diversification practices with low legume-grass seeding ratios and moderate P fertilization can simultaneously benefit forage production and soil quality in managed grasslands. Overall, our study suggests that low legume seeding proportion in legume-grass mixtures combined with moderate nutrient management is a useful strategy for sustainable and highly productive managed grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPhosphate fertilization improves banana yields, but due to the physiological effects of phosphorus on plants, it can also be used to improve the physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits, which can contribute to increasing the processing of green bananas and reducing losses in the production chain. Herein, the productivity of bunches and fruit, the biometric analysis of the fruit, dry matter content, and the chemical composition of immature fruit were evaluated when the cultivar BRS SCS Belluna (AAA) was grown under different levels of phosphate fertilization for two harvest cycles. The results showed that phosphate fertilizer levels interfered with bunch yield and fruit mass in both cycles, leading to yield gains of 44.3% (1st cycle) and 84.0% (2nd cycle) in bunches and 51.8% (1st cycle) and 81.9% (2nd cycle) in fruits. Fertilization promoted gains of up to 33.5% in fruit mass and enhanced the resistant starch content in the pulp, leading to an increase of 15.1%. The phosphorus, potassium, and calcium contents in green fruits increased with fertilizer levels in the first cycle, improving nutritional quality. These results have useful applications because they indicate that adequate management of phosphate fertilization can increase the potential of the cultivar for industrial processing of green fruits and the nutritional quality of the derived products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study explores the aftermath of a wastewater reservoir failure in a phosphate fertilizer industry, resulting in the release of acidic water containing phosphorus and sulfate compounds into the Ashalim stream's Nature Reserve in the Judean desert, which affected the soil surface biological crusts (biocrusts) layer. The study aims to examine contamination effects on biocrusts over 3 years at two research sites along the stream, compare effects between contaminated sites, assess rehabilitation treatments, and examine their impact on soil characteristics. Hypotheses suggest significant damage to biocrusts due to acidic water flow, requiring human intervention for accelerated restoration. The results indicate adverse effects on biocrust properties, risking its key role in the desert ecosystem. The biocrust layer covering the stream's ground surface suffered significant physical, chemical, and biological damage due to exposure to industrial process effluents. However, soil enrichment treatments, including biocrust components and organic material, show promising effects on biocrust recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the effect of the long-term application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on P-use efficiency, P budget, and the residual effect of P fertilizer. To clarify the effect of different fertilization on soil P balance in a rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation system is helpful to promote the sustainable development of agriculture. Thus, a thirty-five-year fertilizer experiment was conducted with eight treatments, including an unfertilized control (CK); chemical nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizers; and organic manure (M) either alone or in combination treatments (N, NP, NPK, M, MN, MNP, and MNPK). The results indicated that crop yields and P uptake were higher in the combined application of manure and chemical fertilizer treatments than in the manure or chemical fertilizer alone treatments. Soil P budget indicated a 23.4–55.4 kg P ha−1 yr−1 surplus in the organic combined with or without mineral fertilizer treatments, but the soil P budget indicated a 20.0 and 21.9 kg P ha−1 yr−1 deficit in the control and N treatments. The proportion of residual fertilizer P converted to soil available P in NP, NPK, M, MN, MNP, and MNPK treatments was 4.5%, 4.8%, 19.1%, 19.0%, 11.5%, and 13.3%, respectively, over a 35-year period. Furthermore, according to the higher P content and crop uptake in organic manure treatment compared with chemical P fertilizer alone, an organic addition could effectively reduce the use of chemical fertilizer and become an effective way of sustainable development in practice. Therefore, the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer will be a practical method to increase crop yields and soil P status in a rice–wheat planting system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) recovery from wastewater is considered to be a positive human intervention towards sustainable P use in the global P cycle. This study investigated the feasibility of synthesizing a superparamagnetic nano-sorbent that was functionalized by lanthanum silicate nanorods (NRLa-Si) using drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS), evaluating both its P adsorption capacity and fertilization effect. The DWTS-based La-modified P nano-sorbent (P-sorbent D) exhibited complicated but single-layer-dominant adsorption for phosphate, with a maximum adsorption capacity up to 26.8 mg/g, which was superior to that of most of the similar sludge-based P-sorbent. The NRLa-Si-modified P-sorbent D was identified with several characterization techniques and the leaching metal elements from the nano-sorbent were tested, which were below the limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In addition, the growth and vigorousness of Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that the exhausted P-sorbent D could be used as a potential water-soluble moderate-release P fertilizer, which was also confirmed by the well-fitted P uptake model and the P desorption pattern from the sorbent–fertilizer. The doped lanthanum silicate nanorods could play the dual role of P complexation enhancement and health/growth promotion. In light of this, this study proposed a new way of reclaiming DWTS as a P-sorbent for fertilization, offering new insights into the path toward "closing the P loop". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms with the ability to dissolve phosphorus have the potential to release this essential nutrient into the soil through natural solubilization processes, which allows for boosting plant growth and development. While literature reviews acknowledge their potential, unexplored territories concerning accessibility, application, and effective integration into sustainable agriculture necessitate further research. This manuscript employed distinct methodologies to execute a bibliometric analysis and a literature review. The combined application of both methodologies enables a holistic understanding of the domain landscape and its innovative facets. For the bibliometric analysis, the propositions of Donthu and Jia were utilized, supplemented by tools, such as Bibliometrix. The literature review adhered to a systematic methodology predicated on Petersen's guidelines to represent the domain accurately, pinpointing trends and gaps that could steer future, more detailed research. This investigation uncovers an escalating interest in studying these microorganisms since the 2000s, emphasizing their significance in sustainable agriculture and the context of phosphorus scarcity. It was also discerned that India and China, nations with notable agricultural sectors and a high demand for phosphorus fertilizers, spearheaded research output on this subject. This signifies their substantial contribution to the progression of this scientific field. Furthermore, according to the research consulted, phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms play a pivotal role in the symbiotic interaction of soil with plant roots and represent an efficacious strategy to counteract the low availability of phosphorus in the soil and sustainably enhance agricultural systems. Finally, this review contributes to the relevant domain by examining existing empirical evidence with special emphasis on sustainable agriculture, improved understanding of phosphorus solubilization mechanisms, and recognition of various microbial entities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive use of chemical fertilizer is a global concern. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are considered a potential solution due to their symbiotic association with crops. This study assessed AMF's effects on maize yield, fertilizer efficiency, plant traits, and soil nutrients under different reduced-fertilizer regimes in medium–low fertility fields. We found that phosphorus supplementation after a 30% fertilizer reduction enhanced AMF's positive impact on grain yield, increasing it by 3.47% with pure chemical fertilizers and 6.65% with mixed fertilizers. The AMF inoculation did not significantly affect the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer use efficiency, but significantly increased root colonization and soil mycelium density. Mixed fertilizer treatments with phosphorus supplementation after fertilizer reduction showed greater mycorrhizal effects on plant traits and soil nutrient contents compared to chemical fertilizer treatments. This study highlights that AMF inoculation, closely linked to fertilization regimes, can effectively reduce fertilizer use while sustaining or enhancing maize yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aim Methods Results Conclusion The use of sulfuric acid (SA) to acidify biochars is known to enhance their phosphorus (P) fertilizer value. Potentially, biological approaches such as lowering the pH of biochar by lactic acid co‐fermentation or applying biochar with a nitrification inhibitor (NI) to reduce rhizosphere pH are an alternative to SA.This study aimed to evaluate the two methods for increasing plant P availability from two biochars and compare them with SA‐treated biochars (as a reference) in a pot experiment.Meat and bone meal biochar (MB‐C) and digestate solids biochar (DS‐C) were bio‐acidified (BA) by lactic acid fermentation with organic waste. The untreated, SA‐treated, BA biochars, and biochars co‐applied with a NI (3,4‐dimethylpyrazolephosphate) were tested in a pot experiment with maize.The fermentation reduced the pH of the organic waste biochar mixtures to <4.3 and increased water‐extractable P (WEP) to 30% of total P. The untreated biochars had a mineral fertilizer replacement value of >50% and SA increased replacement values to ≈100%. The application of NI did not affect rhizosphere pH or P uptake. The BA MB‐C increased soil solution P concentration, but P uptake did not significantly increase. The application of the BA DS‐C raised soil pH and reduced plant P uptake and biomass.The untreated biochars showed considerable P fertilizer effectiveness, suggesting that acidification may not always be necessary. Rhizosphere acidification and the bio‐acidification of biochars were not effective in further increasing P uptake, despite higher levels of WEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fulvic acid enhances plant growth and interacts synergistically with phosphate fertilizer to alleviate the agricultural production problem of low phosphorus fertilizer utilization efficiency. However, the underlying mechanism of its action remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of fulvic acid application with varying concentrations (0, 40, 60, 80 and 120 mg/L) on rice performance in plants grown in a hydroponic system subjected to low phosphorus stress. The rice growth phenotypes, biomass, root morphology, phosphorus uptake, and the impact of fulvic acid on the rhizosphere environment of rice, were assessed. Results: The findings showed that adding appropriate concentrations of exogenous fulvic acid could promote the growth performance of rice under low phosphorus stress. Particularly at T1 (40 mg/L) and T2 (60 mg/L) over the control effectively increased rice biomass by 25.42% and 24.56%, respectively. Fulvic acid treatments stimulated root morphogenesis, up-regulated phosphate transporter genes, and facilitated phosphorus absorption and accumulation. Especially T1 (20.52%), T2 (18.10%) and T3 (20.48%) treatments significantly increased phosphorus uptake in rice, thereby alleviating low phosphorus stress. Additionally, fulvic acid elevated organic acids concentration in roots and up-regulated plasma membrane H+-ATPase genes, promoting organic acids secretion. This metabolic alteration can also alleviate low phosphorus stress in rice. Conclusions: The effect of exogenous fulvic acid on physiological indicators is concentration-dependent under low phosphorus stress, enhances rice performance and reduces reliance on phosphorus fertilizer. This provides new insights to shed light on the mechanism of alleviating low phosphorus stress in rice through fulvic acid application, an eco-friendly tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is the second most important macro-element for plant growth, and its low availability in soil is a major obstacle to crop production. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is the least available form in the soil, while organic phosphate (Po) is the most dominant one, up to 80% of which exists as inositol hexakisphosphate, also known as phytic acid (PA) that cannot be absorbed by plant roots unless hydrolyzed by microbial phytases. Similar to phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can play a relevant role in phosphate turnover. In our study, we screened a series of PGPR strains for phytase activities using PA as a sole source of P. Three strains (named C2, N4, and S10) with relatively high phytase activities ranging from 42.84 to 100.55 Units g−1 were selected for barley growth assays. When barley plants grown in poor sandy soil and irrigated with a PA-containing solution were inoculated with each of these PGPR isolates, a significant growth enhancement was observed. This positive effect was well illustrated by an increase in root growth, plant height, and chlorophyll contents. In addition, the inoculated barley plants accumulated significantly higher Pi contents in leaves and roots compared to non-inoculated plants. Finally, the expression of a number of high-affinity Pi transporter genes (PHT1.1, PHT1.4, PHT1.8, and PHT1.6) in inoculated barley plants was downregulated especially in roots, compared to non-inoculated plants. This difference is most likely due to the bacterial phytases that change the P availability in the rhizosphere. In summary, these three strains can improve barley growth under phosphate-limited conditions and should be considered in developing eco-friendly biofertilizers as an alternative to conventional P fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is found in the soil in organic (Po) and inorganic (Pi) forms and in compartments with different lability, normally being separated into labile, moderately labile, restricted lability and non-labile forms. The different sources of fertilizers used in the long term may change the form and availability of P over time, increasing or not its availability to plants, which can positively influence coffee productivity. This work aimed to evaluate in the field the effects of phosphate fertilizers with associated technology on the availability of P in soil with high P adsorption capacity after successive fertilizations in Coffea canephora Pierre ex A.Froehner crop. In the experiment, three phosphate sources (conventional MAP - MAP, polymer-coated MAP - MAPPOL and MAP + filter cake - MAPTF); two doses (100 and 150 % of the recommendation); and two nitrogen sources (conventional urea - UC and urea coated with polymer and sulfur - UPS) were used. After 3 years of field experimentation, the soil was collected at a depth of 0-10 cm and then, the labile, moderately labile, and restricted lability fractions were determined. Phosphate fertilizers with associated technology obtained better results in relation to MAP in terms of Pi and Po contents for the labile compartment over time, with an average increase of 66.02 mg dm-3 P in the soil. For the moderately labile fraction, fertilizers with associated technology increased the Pi content (HCl 1M) in the soil in relation to MAP, by 2.56 mg dm-3, representing an increase of 37.92%. These compartments are considered an important reserve of available P for crops grown in soils with high adsorption capacity. Phosphate fertilizers with integrated protection (MAPPOL + MAPTF) compared to MAP increased productivity by 6.79 and 11.62 % in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 harvests, respectively. Phosphate fertilizers with associated technology promote P dynamics in different soil compartments, increasing Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner productivity and sustainability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus fertilizer is commonly applied to soils in crop production as diammonium phosphate (DAP). To decrease ammonium addition to the environment, triple super phosphate (TSP) is being considered as a DAP replacement. This study was undertaken to compare the response of maize plants to soil fertilization with TSP vs. DAP under well-watered conditions, under soil-drying conditions, and root hydraulic conductance. It was found for well-watered conditions in a controlled environment that there was no difference in plant growth between DAP to TSP treatments. In soil dry-down experiments, however, the initiation of the decrease in transpiration rate was unexpectedly quite different between DAP and TSP treatments. The soil water content threshold for initiation of decrease in transpiration rate with DAP treatment (average fraction transpirable soil water for two experiments = 0.285) was consistent with common observations, but the threshold associated with TSP treatment occurred at an unusually high soil water content (average fraction transpirable soil water for two experiments = 0.545). The higher threshold with TSP resulted in an extended period of soil water use, i.e. soil water conservation. Soil water conservation resulting from the TSP treatment was associated with a 27% greater shoot mass accumulation following a 4-wk re-watering period after the water-deficit treatment than measured with the DAP treatment. The high threshold for decrease in transpiration resulting from TSP was consistent with measured lower root hydraulic conductance as compared to DAP treatment. The unexpected discovery of TSP-induced initiation of transpiration rate decrease at high soil water content is consistent with greater crop drought resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing adequate levels of plant available P in soil is an important management practice for boosting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields and nutritive value. Although several ways of supplementing P at various stages of plant growth are in practice, pre-plant application of P through various organic and inorganic nutrient sources are largely under-investigated. Therefore, a three-year study was conducted at the New Mexico State University Rex. E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center, Tucumcari, NM USA, to investigate the impact of manure (pre-plant applied @ 22.5 Mg ha−1vs. no manure) and inorganic P sources (00-46-00 or 11-52-00) applied to soil either in one-time bulk (336 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated) or split applications (112 kg P2O5 ha−1 preplant incorporated with an additional 112 kg P2O5 ha−1 surface-applied annually) on the yield and nutritive value of alfalfa and residual soil characteristics. Results demonstrated that pre-plant manure application had statistically no advantage in improving the alfalfa forage yield compared to control (p > 0.05), although there was strong evidence of a consistent yield increase trend in all manure treatments. Forage nutritive value parameters such as ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber), NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber), K, and Zn were significantly improved by manure supplementation. Manure application improved most soil quality parameters, especially the soil Nitrate-N, Olsen P, K, S, and Zn contents. Inorganic P fertilizer type or application strategy had no significant impact on alfalfa yield and nutritive value and soil characteristics. Most interactions (both two-way and three-way) among the tested treatments had no significant impact on the study parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for plant growth, yet its uptake is often hindered by soil factors like clay minerals and metal oxides such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca), which bind P and limit its availability. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the unique ability to convert insoluble P into a soluble form, thereby fostering plant growth. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of inoculation of Bacillus megaterium B119 (rhizospheric) and B. subtilis B2084 (endophytic) via seed treatment in enhancing maize yield, grain P content, and enzyme activities across two distinct soil types in field conditions. Additionally, we investigated various mechanisms contributing to plant growth promotion, compatibility with commercial inoculants, and the maize root adhesion profile of these strains. During five crop seasons in two experimental areas in Brazil, Sete Lagoas-MG and Santo Antônio de Goiás-GO, single inoculations with either B119 or B2084 were implemented in three seasons, while a co-inoculation with both strains was applied in two seasons. All treatments received P fertilizer according to plot recommendations, except for control. Both the Bacillus strains exhibited plant growth-promoting properties relevant to P dynamics, including phosphate solubilization and mineralization, production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-like molecules, siderophores, exopolysaccharides (EPS), biofilms, and phosphatases, with no antagonism observed with Azospirillum and Bradyrizhobium. Strain B2084 displayed superior maize root adhesion compared to B119. In field trials, single inoculations with either B119 or B2084 resulted in increased maize grain yield, with relative average productivities of 22 and 16% in Sete Lagoas and 6 and 3% in Santo Antônio de Goiás, respectively. Co-inoculation proved more effective, with an average yield increase of 24% in Sete Lagoas and 11% in Santo Antônio de Goiás compared to the non-inoculated control. Across all seasons, accumulated grain P content correlated with yield, and soil P availability in the rhizosphere increased after co-inoculation in Santo Antônio de Goiás. These findings complement previous research efforts and have led to the validation and registration of the first Brazilian inoculant formulated with Bacillus strains for maize, effectively enhancing and P grain content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a vital crop for global vegetable oil production, encounters sustainability challenges in its cultivation. This study assesses the effects of incorporating a winter cover crop (CC), Avena sativa (L.), on the subsequent growth of sunflower crops and the vitality of their rhizosphere microbial communities over a two-year period. It examines the impact of two methods for suppressing winter CC--chemical suppression using glyphosate and mechanical suppression via rolling--both with and without the addition of phosphorus (P) starter fertilizer. These approaches are evaluated in comparison to the regional best management practices for sunflower cultivation, which involve a preparatory chemical fallow period and the subsequent application of starter P fertilizer. The methodology utilized Illumina sequencing for the analysis of rhizosphere bacterial 16S rRNA genes and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) amplicons. Findings indicate a significant improvement (9-37%) in sunflower growth parameters (plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, and head dry weight) when cultivated after glyphosate-suppressed winter CC compared to the chemical fallows. Conversely, rolling of winter CC generally negatively affected sunflower growth. Rhizosphere bacterial communities following chemical suppression of winter CC showed greater Pielou's evenness, indicating a uniform distribution of species. In general, this treatment had more detrimental effects on beneficial sunflower rhizosphere bacteria such as Hymenobacter and Pseudarthrobacter than rolling of the winter CC, suggesting that the overall effect on sunflower growth may be mitigated by the redundancy within the bacterial community. As for fungal diversity, measured by the Chao-1 index, it increased in sunflowers planted after winter CC and receiving P fertilization, underscoring nutrient management's role in microbial community structure. Significant positive correlations between fungal diversity and sunflower growth parameters at the reproductive stage were observed (r = 0.41-0.72; p < 0.05), highlighting the role of fungal communities in plant fitness. The study underscores the positive effects of winter CC inclusion and management for enhancing sunflower cultivation while promoting beneficial microbes in the crop's rhizosphere. We advocate for strategic winter CC species selection, optimization of mechanical suppression techniques, and tailored phosphorus fertilization of sunflower to foster sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMost conventional phosphorous (P) fertilizers are highly soluble, which favors P retention in the solid phase of the soil, and this condition hinders P availability to plants. Alternative P fertilizers, such as organominerals and struvite, have a slow release of nutrients into the soil, which in turn favors P uptake by plants; nevertheless, soil acidification caused by nitrogen (N) fertilizers can reduce P availability in the soil. In his study, we assessed the effect of N fertilizers on P availability for maize (Zea mays) grown in tropical soils with alternative P fertilizers. An experiment was set up in columns under greenhouse conditions with maize in two cultivation cycles in two soils with contrasting textures (medium and clayey textures), two N fertilizers (calcium nitrate - CN - and ammonium sulfate - AS), three P fertilizers (triple superphosphate - TSP -, organomineral - OM - and struvite - ST), and a control treatment (without addition of P and N fertilizers). At 45 days after emergence, we measured the biomass production and the N and P contents in plants to calculate fertilization efficiency as well as the soil P content. AS promoted the highest aboveground N accumulation, whereas the highest efficiency was obtained with CN. The alternative P sources did not differ in terms of P availability when combined with both N sources. Soil textures were sensitive to fertilizer combination. Further studies are needed to assess struvite interaction with other elements in the soil and the P release kinetics to plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a primary nutrient in agricultural soils, phosphorus plays a crucial but growth-limiting role for plants due to its complex interactions with various soil elements. This often results in excessive phosphorus fertilizer application, posing concerns for the environment. Agri-research has therefore shifted focus to increase fertilizer-use efficiency and minimize environmental impact by leveraging plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the in-field incremental effect of inorganic phosphate concentration (up to 50 kg/ha/P) on the ability of two rhizobacterial isolates, Lysinibacillus sphaericus (T19), Paenibacillus alvei (T29), from the previous Breedt et al. (Ann Appl Biol 171:229–236, 2017) study on maize in enhancing the yield of commercially grown Duzi® cultivar wheat. Results obtained from three seasons of field trials revealed a significant relationship between soil phosphate concentration and the isolates' effectiveness in improving wheat yield. Rhizospheric samples collected at flowering during the third season, specifically to assess phosphatase enzyme activity at the different soil phosphate levels, demonstrated a significant decrease in soil phosphatase activity when the phosphorus rate reached 75% for both isolates. Furthermore, in vitro assessments of inorganic phosphate solubilization by both isolates at five increments of tricalcium phosphate-amended Pikovskaya media found that only isolate T19 was capable of solubilizing tricalcium at concentrations exceeding 3 mg/ml. The current study demonstrates the substantial influence of inorganic phosphate on the performance of individual rhizobacterial isolates, highlighting that this is an essential consideration when optimizing these isolates to increase wheat yield in commercial cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elymus sibiricus plays a crucial role in ecological protection and animal husbandry. However, after many years of growth, the biomass of E. sibiricus decreases, and the plants degrade. Moreover, there is no good solution to the problem of degradation of Elymus sibiricus; the addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers is the primary measure of cultivation management to improve yield, so it is crucial to find the appropriate level of fertilization. This study performed a two-factor split-plot experiment, including four levels of N (0, 45, 60, and 75 kg·hm−2) and four levels of P (0, 60, 75, and 90 kg·hm−2), to investigate the effect of N and P fertilizers on yield, yield components, and photosynthesis characteristics of E. sibiricus. The results showed that the forage yield in 2017 was higher than in 2018. The forage yield in 2017 was highest at N75P0 with a value of 29,926 kg·hm−2, and in 2018 it was highest at N45P0 and N75P0 with a value of 12,266 kg·hm−2 and 12,233 kg·hm−2, respectively, which demonstrates the large impact of year effects on the forage yield. All traits increased with the increase in N and P fertilizer application, but with excess fertilizer application, the photosynthesis was limited, leading to a slowdown in growth and a decrease in yield. In addition, under adequate N fertilization, the role of P fertilization was not significant (p > 0.05). N, P, and N × P can significantly (p < 0.05) affect the yield traits and forage yield of E. sibiricus. According to the PCA, it is clear that N fertilizer has the largest effect, and the growth capacity of degraded E. sibiricus grassland can be restored by adding 75 kg·hm−2 of nitrogen fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of agro-grassland, the synergism of phosphate (P) fertilization and Trichoderma inoculation in alfalfa production and the underlying mechanism of rare and abundant microbes that regulate rhizosphere soil processes in various environments are key but rarely studied topics. Here, we conducted field research through the inoculation/noninoculation of Trichoderma and five levels of phosphorus fertilizer to explore the biological relationships of rhizosphere soil properties, rare and abundant taxa, and alfalfa yields. Our results demonstrate that using Trichoderma inoculation and 15 g/m2 of phosphorus fertilizer exhibited optimal alfalfa yield compared with other treatments. alfalfa yields significantly (R2 = 0.33; p < 0.001) increased along with soil fertility. Both rare (RANOSIM = 0.900; p = 0.001) and abundant (RANOSIM = 0.769; p = 0.001) bacterial communities were significantly different under Trichoderma inoculation and P fertilization in a nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis. Furthermore, different ecological processes dominated the rare and abundant bacterial community assembly. PLS-PM analysis showed that Trichoderma inoculation positively regulated the abundant bacteria community and P fertilization regimes manipulated the rare bacteria community, synergistically contributing to alfalfa yields. Overall, this article believes that inoculation with Trichoderma and appropriate application of phosphorus fertilizer can significantly increase alfalfa yield and affect soil enzyme activity, and the rhizosphere soil abundant and rare bacterial community characteristics have different responses to the synergistic effect of Trichoderma and phosphorus fertilizer. Our research emphasizes the fundamental role of abundant and rare microbes in maintaining crop production using Trichoderma inoculation and P fertilization. Therefore, distinguishing rare and abundant species is beneficial to comprehensively understanding microbial-driven processes and providing theoretical support for maintaining ecosystem productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization could immensely alter plant-soil-microbial properties, thereby impacting the priming effect (PE). However, previous studies mostly simulated PE responses to fertilization by adding nutrient in the laboratory, which could not represent PE changes under long-term fertilization-induced ecosystem alteration. Our aim is to clarify the PE alteration in soils with long-term fertilization history in an alpine meadow. Methods: Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected from a 9-year field fertilization experiment (including four treatments: control, + N with urea, + P with triple superphosphate, + NP with both fertilizers), and incubated for 30 days with 13C-labeled glucose amendment (2% SOC). Plant-soil-microbial properties were measured before/after incubation. Results: Glucose addition induced a positive PE in all soils with a range from 0.56 to 1.37 mg C g−1 soil. N fertilization did not affect PE intensity due to the microbial adaptation and fast utilization of the added glucose for metabolic needs. P fertilization caused P accumulation in soils, and decreased available N and pH. Such changes inhibited microbes, and glucose activated microbial activities, causing higher PE intensity. Conclusion: Long-term N fertilization did not significantly affect PE, while P fertilization stimulated PE intensity. Overall, we highlight that P fertilization may induce higher risk of CO2 release, which deserves more attention when applying P fertilizers in this alpine meadow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Seed inoculation with effective rhizobia (Rh) strains and phosphorus (P) application are sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soybean grain yield. However, adoption of these practices in northern Ghana is hindered by unpredictable yield responses and poor understanding of the factors that cause yield variation. We compared soybean yield from inputs managed trials such as Rh inoculants and P sources. Methods: Soybean trials were conducted on-station and on-farm with one of three Rh inoculants [Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Bj), B. elkanii (Be), and B. diazoefficiens (Bd)], and with one of three P sources [no-P, Triple Superphosphate (TSP), and a mixture of rock-P (low solubility) and TSP (water-soluble P)]. Yield was compared at harvest. The random forest (RF) model was used to predict yield, and factors of yield variation were determined using forward redundancy analysis (RDA). Results: The soybean yield was consistently higher in the Rh × P treatments compared to the control in on-station and on-farm experiments. The treatments that received P fertilizer (RP and TSP) showed a higher grain yield than the control. The on-station experiment yielded more accurate results than the on-farm dataset, with a trained coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.95 and 0.87, respectively. The yield variation was explained by the Rh × P fertilizer, P sources, Rh strains, and exchangeable soil Mg. Conclusion: The exchangeable magnesium in the soil contributed significantly to the variation in yield. Further research is recommended to study the mechanisms that underline the impact of magnesium on soybean growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This experiment aimed to investigate the yield and quality of high erucic acid rape under different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer interactions, in order to identify nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer application treatments that were suitable for stable yield and quality improvement of high erucic acid rape varieties. [Methods] This experiment using high erucic acid rape‘Mianyou 309'as the material, set up 4 nitrogen fertilizer levels (N0:0 kg·hm-2, N1:60 kg·hm-2, N2:120 kg·hm-2, N3:180 kg·hm-2) and 4 phosphorus fertilizer levels (P0:0 kg·hm-2, P1:45 kg·hm-2, P2:90 kg·hm-2, P3:120 kg·hm-2), totaling 16 treatments. This experiment was conducted to compare the effects of different nitrogen and phosphorus interactions on the yield and quality of high erucic acid rape. [Results] The application amount of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer affected the number of pods, seeds per pod and thousand seed weight per plant, thereby affecting the yield of rape. The yield reached its maximum value under N3P2 treatment in 2020 and 2021, with a maximum value of 2 848.7 kg·hm-2 in 2020, an increase of 206.5% compared with the minimum value of 929.4 kg·hm-2. The maximum value in 2021 was 2 908.3 kg·hm-2, which was 213.6% higher than the minimum value of 927.4 kg·hm-2. Under N3P2 treatment, the measured yield of rape oil in 2020 and 2021 reached the maximum of 1 144.0 and 1 353.1 kg·hm-2, and the maximum erucic acid yield was 582.5 and 685.8 kg·hm-2, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected the oil content of high erucic acid rape, with the highest oil content (41%-42%) under N2 conditions for two years. Nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers significantly affected the content of erucic acid, reaching the maximum value under N2P2 treatment for two years, with a maximum value of 55.0%. [Conclusions] Reasonable application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers could significantly improve the yield and quality of rape, achieving the goal of increasing yield and income.‘Mianyou 309', as a rape processed with erucic acid, could achieve higher yield and better quality by applying nitrogen 180 kg·hm-2 and phosphorus 90 kg·hm-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar represents a promising alternative for enhancing substrates and remediating contaminants in mining areas. Given that arsenic (As) and phosphorus (P) share similar chemical forms, the combination of biochar and P fertilizers may reduce As uptake, thereby mitigating As-related impacts. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of biochar-based P fertilizers in improving soil fertility and mitigating human health risks from gold mining tailings in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Biochar from açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) seeds was produced through enrichment with single and triple superphosphate at a ratio of 1:4, at 400 °C, and applied to mining tailings at 0.5%, 1%, and 2%. After one year of incubation, lettuce plants were grown for 70 days. Biochar reduced As absorption by lettuce and improved biomass and nutrient accumulation, resulting in improved vegetation indices. Biochar was effective in reducing non-carcinogenic As risks via ingestion of soil and plants to acceptable levels. Regression equations explained the As absorption behavior as affected by the biochar and the importance of biochar-related nutrients in reducing As stress. This study demonstrates the potential of P-enriched biochar as an amendment for As-contaminated soils, reducing As absorption, increasing P availability, and improving plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is a key element for energy transfer, and biosynthesis of nucleic acids and cell membranes. The objective of this study was to investigate and quantify P utilization by different grain—maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.)—and forage-cover crop brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis) plant species in a low fertility highly weathered Oxisol. Two rates of P (25 and 50 mg kg−1) were applied by water-soluble P fertilizer (triple superphosphate) to each of 12 crop cycles, together with a control (no P added). Measurements included plant biomass production and P uptake for each cycle, and analysis of soil P fractions (including labile and non-labile) and enzymes activities (acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase) were done at the beginning of the experiment and after 3, 6, and 12 cycles. Total biomass production and P uptake/removal were significantly higher for brachiaria than maize and soybean, which was reflected in the P use efficiency (PUE), being higher for brachiaria (57%), compared with maize (26%) and soybean (21%). The higher PUE by brachiaria was partly attributed to higher levels of acid phosphatase and β-glucosidase activities which indicated enhanced biological activity and P cycling under brachiaria. Data from the control treatment clearly demonstrated that all three plant species mobilized stable/occluded fractions of P throughout the experiment, however, brachiaria could produce more using less P. The findings of this study indicated the inclusion of brachiaria in crop rotations as a forage or cover crop/green manure may enhance overall P use efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]