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A field experiment was conducted at GBPUA&T, Pantnagar, to study the effect of different approaches of nutrient application on soil fertility and soil quality under maize-wheat cropping system. Nine treatment combinations were compared namely, Recommended Doses of Fertilizers (RDF), Soil Test Crop Response (STCR), and various combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers. This paper aims to develop Soil Quality Index (SQI) based on Minimum Data Set (MDS) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Different indicators were employed to formulate the SQI, derived from surface soil layer measurements (0–15 cm). Each MDS indicator was then converted into a dimensionless score using linear scoring function and then integrated into SQI. Results showed that the key soil quality indicators identified as MDS using PCA under maize-wheat cropping system were Water Holding Capacity, organic carbon, available N and dehydrogenase activity. These soil quality indicators were found to be best for monitoring soil health status. After rabi wheat 2019–2020, SQI varied from 1.22 to 2.21 across the treatments whereas, after rabi wheat 2020–2021, SQI varied from 1.13 to 2.23 across the treatments. Among different approaches of nutrient application, STCR-based use of fertilizers along with FYM (T4) helped in maintaining better soil physical, chemical and biological properties and ultimately sustaining soil quality, which was followed by the treatment receiving 75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + full P and K (T5). Integration of organics with inorganic fertilizers maintained soil quality, environmental health and reduced greater dependency on chemical fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulated micro-fine limes have recently been introduced as liming materials which are purportedly more effective than conventional agricultural limes in terms of rapidly correcting subsoil acidity in no-tillage systems. Hydrated limes are known to react more quickly in soils than calcitic limes, yet their soil permeability has not been evaluated under Mediterranean climate growing conditions. Therefore, the aim of this controlled study was to compare soil permeation and pH neutralization of different liming materials (hydrated lime, calcitic agricultural lime, micro-fine lime and molasses-granulated micro-fine lime) in two contrasting (sand and sandy loam) acid (pHKCl < 4.1) topsoils under simulated Mediterranean climate conditions. Limes were surface applied to 40 cm soil columns and then rainfall (350 mm) was simulated. Subsequently, soil chemical properties (pH, exchangeable cations, available P) were measured in 5 cm increments. Application of all liming materials increased soil pH 1–2 pH units above target pHKCl of 5.5 in the top 5 cm of both soils. Only hydrated lime was able to increase soil pHKCl (5.7–6.8) below 5 cm up to a depth of 15 cm on the sand soil. Hydrated lime, however, resulted in substantial over-liming (pHKCl 7.3–8.7) of the top 5 cm of soil compared to the other materials. Granulated micro-fine lime reacted more slowly than the agricultural limes and is therefore not a suitable quick-fix for subsoil acidity in rain-fed no-till systems under Mediterranean climate rainfall conditions. Whereas hydrated lime showed potential in ameliorating subsoil acidity in the sand soil within one season of rainfall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is a vital resource that serves as a foundation for sustainable food production by providing the required physical, chemical, and biological characteristics required for healthy crop. But, the quality of soil is diminishing due to repeated cultivation without proper knowledge. Hence, assessing soil fertility is crucial for decision making and management. To effectively manage the soil, farmers need to know its composition, nutrient level, and other characteristics. One important instrument for this process is soil testing. Laboratory analysis of soil parameters despite being labor-consuming and time-intensive process, it also leaves chemical residues that pollute the ecosystem. Using nonchemical techniques for analyzing soil nutrients through machine learning (ML) offers efficiency, and scalability and helps in real-time decision-making. Integrating ML in agriculture can better solve complicated issues and give producers essential advice. ML algorithms have been used to generate forecasting models based on available soil data and environmental variables. This review highlights the models used in soil fertility assessment and their performance and accuracy rates across different applications. A summary of the major findings from the studies discussed shows that neural networks such as artificial neural networks (ANN) performed well in phosphorus prediction with 91.2% accuracy, convolutional neural networks (CNN) achieved 98.4% in nutrient prediction. Random forests (RF) achieved an accuracy of up to 99% in soil organic carbon (SOC) prediction. Ensemble Learning like XGBoost in pH prediction and crop recommendation and AdaBoost in potassium prediction shows the highest accuracy reaching up to 99.3%. This review along with similar findings further explores the importance of ML in soil fertility assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Governments and organizations are expressing growing concerns about soil health, driven largely by uncertainties of food security with an increasing human population and unpredictable effects of climate change. Although considerable literature and debate exist, there is discord around the question, what is a healthy soil? This is not surprising, given the complex roles the soil provides, from the range of food, fiber and medical products, hosting a biodiverse community, and supporting the water and nutrient cycles. While a consensus seems to suggest that a soil in good health should be able to provide goods and services in perpetuity, this does not define soil health, rather its provisioning functions. To explore the question, 'what is healthy?', we propose an analogy comparing indicators of human and soil health. For example, to identify the cause of a symptom, we compare the diagnostic pH in both humans and soil, demonstrating the similarities between the way human and soil health concerns are addressed. Additionally, we consider the context that necessitates health and use a set of holistic predictors to link human and soil health further. In humans, genetics express many traits and can predispose one to certain illnesses or diseases, in the same way, parent material, soil texture, and length of time exposed to weathering can inform a soil's capability and predisposition for certain habitats or uses. In both cases, science informs the state of health and appropriate management solutions. We posit the null hypothesis "the concept of human health cannot be applied to soil". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major crop, soybean, forms root nodules with symbiotic rhizobia, providing energy and carbon to the bacteria in exchange for bioavailable nitrogen. The relationship is host-specific and highly host-regulated to maximize energy efficiency. Symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) is greener than synthetic fertilizer for replenishing soil fertility, contributing to yield increase. Nodulation Outer Protein P (NopP) and NopI of the type 3 secretion system (T3SS) of the rhizobium determine host specificity. Sinorhizobium fredii CCBAU25509 (R2) and CCBAU45436 (R4) have different NopP and NopI variants, affecting their respective symbiotic compatibilities with the cultivated soybean C08 and the wild soybean W05. Swapping the NopP variants between R2 and R4 has been shown to switch their compatibility with C08 with the rj2/Rfg1 genotype. To understand the effects of Nops on host compatibility, analyses on the transcriptomic data of W05 roots and nodules inoculated with S. fredii strains containing Nop variants uncovered many differentially expressed genes related to nodulation and nodule functions, providing important information on the effects of Nops on hosts and nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Soil fertility is a major constraint to agricultural development in the Sahel region of Africa. One alternative to reducing the use of mineral fertilizers is to partially replace them with microbes that promote nutrition and growth, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Mineral fertilizer microdosing is a technique developed to enhance fertilizer efficiency and encourage smallholder farmers to adopt higher mineral fertilizer applications. Methods: A pot experiment was set up to study the effects of AMF inoculation on the mineral nutrition of pearl millet under mineral fertilizer microdosing conditions. The experimental setup followed a randomized complete block design with five replicates. The treatments tested on millet were an absolute control and eight microdoses derived from the combination of three doses of 15-10-10 [nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)] mineral fertilizer (2 g, 3 g, and 5 g per pot), three doses of urea (1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per pot), and three doses of organic manure (OM) (200 g, 400 g, and 600 g), combined with and without AMF (Rhizophagus irregularis and Rhizophagus aggregatum). The parameters studied were growth, root colonization by AMF, and mineral nutrition. Plant height, stem diameter, root dry biomass, and percentage of root mycorrhization were measured. Results and discussion: The results revealed a significant effect of the fertilizers on the growth of pearl millet compared to the control. AMF and OM treatments resulted in the highest biomass production. AMF combined with microdoses of NPK improved N and calcium (Ca) concentrations, while their combination with organic matter mainly improved the K concentration. Combining AMF with microdosed NPK and compost enhanced zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) concentrations. Root colonization varied from 0.55 to 56.4%. This investigation highlights the positive effects of AMF inoculation on nutrient uptake efficiency when combined with microdosing fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the utility of plant δ¹3C natural labeling in predicting the impacts of environmental shifts on carbon cycling within ecosystems, particularly focusing on paddy fields treated with maize (Zea mays L.) residues and biochar. Specifically, it examines how soil δ¹3C and the sources of soil organic carbon (SOC), respond in paddy fields (which cultivate C3 plants like rice) when amended with maize residues, maize biochar, and silica‐enriched biochar (derived from C4 plants). Conducted in the Fuzhou paddy fields, the experiment included control groups and treatment groups with maize residue (4 t ha⁻¹), maize biochar (4 t ha⁻¹), and silicon‐modified maize biochar (4 t ha⁻¹) during both the early and late rice growth periods. The results indicate that all soil treatments increased soil δ¹3C. The application of maize residues notably affected the δ¹3C of the upper soil profile (0–15 cm) differently from the deeper layers (15–30 cm), and it increased soil organic C more than biochar or silicon‐modified maize biochar. Soil available P (AP) and pH emerged as significant factors linking δ¹3C, influencing rice yield through changes in soil physicochemical properties. Unlike maize residues, which reduced rice yields, applications of biochar and silicon‐modified maize biochar increased rice yields. The latter, which was particularly effective in lowering SOC decomposition rates and addressing rice's silica needs, emerged as the preferred option. The study highlights maize biochar and silicon‐modified maize biochar as sustainable alternatives to maize residues for rice cultivation, enhancing soil fertility, carbon pool stability, and yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, biochar has garnered significant interest as a viable remedy for enhancing soil quality and elevating crop output in problematic soils. This article delves into the repercussions of biochar on vegetable production in challenging soils, exploring its capacity to improve plant growth, nutrient accessibility, and its influence on soil microbial communities. A meticulous evaluation of pertinent literature exposes that the impacts of biochar on vegetable crop production can vary, contingent upon factors like biochar composition, application dosage, and crop variety. Moreover, biochar has the potential to interact with other soil additives and fertilizers, potentially influencing its efficacy. This research presents insights into the existing knowledge voids crucial for a more thorough understanding of the mechanisms through which biochar influences vegetable production in challenging soils. The primary focus of this paper is to emphasize the capability of biochar in ameliorating soil fertility and boosting vegetable yields in challenging soils, with an emphasis on the importance of further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low rice production level in Africa is attributed to poor soil fertility despite the potential for rice cultivation in the inland valleys. This study was conducted to evaluate soil characteristics in some lowlands that have been continuously and intensively used for rice production for over two decades in southwestern Nigeria. Soil physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties, as well as phosphorus sorption characteristics, were assessed in soil samples collected from diagnostic horizons of profiles in six benchmark soils. The results show kaolinite, quartz, potassium(K)-feldspars, and mixed-layered smectite as the predominant minerals. The iron oxide fractions indicate that the soils are at varying degrees of development where the soils at the advanced stage of development are predominantly rich in kaolinite and quartz with a high concentration of total pedogenic iron oxide and generally low in soil fertility. Soil phosphorus buffering capacity is low and varies inversely with pH, confirming the deficiency of phosphorus at low pH. Short-range-order (SRO) iron (Fe) oxides show a strong affinity for phosphorus and this is stronger at lower soil horizons and mediated by some redoxomorphic reactions. The SRO iron oxide concentration has more influence on phosphorus retention in soils rather than the absolute concentration of iron oxides. The study concludes that SRO Fe oxides and soil pH are the major edaphic factors playing a prominent role in phosphorus retention and availability in the wetland soils rather than the clay minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined application of chemical fertilizers and organic material is a transitional approach toward more sustainable and productive farming. This study aimed to investigate the response of low chemical fertilizer rates and supplementing with organic materials on soil health and fruit quality. In plum orchard, combination of reduced chemical fertilizer rates (R80; R70; R60) with organic manures (F; V) at varying levels based the loss in nitrogen requirement and microbial inoculants (Bf; J) were studied over the conventional approach (R100) on soil health and fruit quality in a 2-year experiment. Soil analysis showed soil physico-chemical properties and enzymes activity with application of R70+V10+Bf. Compared to integrated treatments R100 saw highest availability of soil potassium and calcium. Application of R70+V10+J resulted in maximum improvement in fruit weight, TSS and soluble sugar content. Fruit set percentage was higher in treatment R70+V10+Bf. Fruit yield showed significant changes with treatments R70+V10+Bf and R70+V10+J having similar yield to R100. Our results suggest that by reducing the amount of chemical fertilizer by 30% and partially replacing it with organic materials had a positive effect on soil health without affecting the fruit production and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Increasing intraspecific genetic variation (IV) has been identified as a potential factor to improve productivity and stabilise botanical composition in plant communities. In grasslands systems, this could offer a lever to manage uncertainties of production and variability in the harvested species balance. However, little is known about the conditions to favour IV impact and the mechanisms at play. Methods: The dependency of IV impact on traits holding it and environmental stressors were analysed using a spatially-explicit individual-based model (IBM) of grassland communities. Sixty-three binary mixtures were defined to reflect a gradient of functional divergence between species regarding light and nitrogen (N) acquisition. The growth and dynamics of these communities were simulated for one year with three possible IV levels under two environments contrasting in terms of soil N fertility. Results and discussion: The model predicted a positive impact of moderate and high IV levels on maintaining the species balance over time, but no marked effects on mixture productivity. This stabilising effect increased at higher IV levels and under low soil N fertility. It also tended to be more pronounced in communities with intermediate functional divergence offering a significant overlap between light and N acquisition parameter values of both species. The major traits involved in the plant response to neighbours differed depending on the most contested resource, as indicated by the within-population selection of individuals with favourable N-related parameters under low N and light-related parameters under high N environments. The hypothesis that IV favours a complementarity of resource use between species was not supported. Rather, a greater spatial heterogeneity in competitive interactions was demonstrated, leading to a higher probability of growth and survival for individuals within the subordinate species. These results highlight the potential usefulness of IV to design forage mixtures with improved stability and resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a soil conditioner derived from steel slag (Agrosilicio Plus – ASP) compared to dolomitic limestone (DLS) in agriculture. The research questions were about how ASP compares to DLS in terms of soil acidity correction, productivity, and the nutritional status of the forage grass Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using plastic pots filled with a 0-20 cm layer of Ferrasol. In the first experiment, soil conditioners were applied on the surface, while in the second, they were incorporated into the soil. A complete block design with a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial arrangement was employed. The factors included two soil conditioners (ASP and DLS) at four application rates (25%, 50%, 100%, and 150% of the liming requirement). A control treatment without any conditioner application was also included. P. maximum was grown in three successive 45-day cropping cycles. The shoot dry mass and nutrient content in plants’ tissues were measured. Both ASP and DLS were effective in correcting soil acidity. The ASP led to a higher silicon accumulation in the plants, whereas DLS resulted in higher calcium accumulation. Increasing rates of both conditioners generally had positive effects on most variables measured. When applied on the surface, ASP led to higher dry mass production accumulated in three crops. ASP is a viable alternative to limestone for correcting soil acidity and supplying essential nutrients and silicon to BRS Zuri grass. Additionally, ASP can effectively be applied on the soil surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel lignocellulosic biomass‐based fertilizers are developed to enhance crop yields while minimizing ecological impacts. These fertilizers, enriched with macro and micronutrients, feature slow‐release properties, reducing nutrient loss compared to conventional fertilizers. The study emphasizes their potential in sustainable agriculture, offering a viable alternative for soil fertility and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is widely recognized as an amendment that enhances soil properties and sequesters carbon, particularly in degraded soils. However, biochar applied solely to soil may also hinder plant development due to toxic by-products generated during pyrolysis or nutrient retention. To mitigate these adverse effects, it has been suggested to either mix biochar with compost or to process it by composting with fresh organic materials. To date, there is a lack of comparative studies evaluating the performance of these two approaches. In this study, three types of biochar, differing in their initial feedstocks (beech wood, hornbeam/beech/oak mixture, and digestate/cereal straw mixture), were investigated. These biochars were applied solely, mixed with green waste compost, or processed as composted biochar in two soils of different fertility (a Luvisol and a gleyic Fluvisol). A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions where lettuce was grown for three months. After harvesting, plant biomass, and soil microbial and physicochemical properties were measured. Composted biochar and compost additives maintained a neutral soil pH, contrary to biochar applied solely or mixed with compost. The dissolved organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in composted biochar treatments, leading to a higher proportion of humified material with a high degree of condensed aromatic groups compared to other treatments. Microbial activities were higher in the composted biochar treatments compared to those in the compost with biochar, and more specifically in the less fertile Luvisol. Finally, composted biochar increased plant growth by almost six times compared to the control without amendments, whereas the mix of biochar and compost increased it by only three times. Solely applied biochars did not affect lettuce growth. This study demonstrates that biochar composting is more beneficial than mixing biochar with compost in terms of improving soil fertility and mitigating the negative effects associated with pure biochar application. Highlights: The positive effects of composted biochar application on soil properties and plant growth are higher than biochar and compost co-application. The composting process lessened the initial properties' differences among biochars differing in initial feedstock and physicochemical qualities. The beneficial effects of composted biochar on soil properties were more pronounced when applied to less fertile soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excluding invasive grasses is a significant challenge for neotropical savanna restoration. Invasive grasses alter fire regimes with feedbacks on soil nutrient pools, favoring their own dominance over native species. Here we combine remote sensing with an opportunistic experiment to monitor a savanna under restoration before and after a large natural fire. We measured vegetation and soil fertility in a 4‐year‐old restoration area in Central Brazil, which was subsequently hit by a lightning fire. The restoration area was originally utilized as pasture, dominated by invasive grasses. Over the restoration period, native fast‐growing grasses replaced the invasive species. Within the first year after the fire, we found that the fire had reduced aboveground biomass, species diversity, and abundance of native species with acquisitive resource‐use strategies. Soil phosphorus and pH increased after the fire and favored the re‐invasion of exotic grass species. Our findings suggest that fire occurrence early in the restoration process may trigger exotic grass re‐invasion driven by soil nutrient enrichment. To diminish the re‐invasion risk from exotic grasses in savannas undergoing restoration, managers should beware of the early fire or manage soil fertility after fire events. Successful restoration may also benefit by incorporating native species with high post‐fire recovery capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion poses significant ecological and socioeconomic challenges, driven by factors such as inappropriate land use, extreme rainfall events, deforestation, farming methods, and climate change. This study focuses on the Kozhikode district in Kerala, South India, which has seen increased vulnerability to soil erosion due to its unique geographical characteristics, increase in extreme events, and recent land use trends. The research employs RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation), considering multiple contributing factors such as rainfall erosivity (R), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C), conservation practices (P), and soil erodibility (K). The study is unique and novel, since it integrates extensive field data collected from agricultural plots across Kozhikode with the RUSLE model predictions, providing a more accurate and context-specific understanding of soil erosion processes and also suggesting management strategies based on risk priority. The study found that Kozhikode experiences an average annual soil loss of 28.7 tons per hectare. A spatial analysis revealed varying erosion risk levels across the district. 52.0% of the area experiences very slight erosion, 10.31% has slight erosion, 6.18% undergoes moderate erosion, 3.88% is moderately severe, 7.34% is at severe erosion risk, 5.6% has very severe erosion, and 14.65% faces extremely severe erosion. Field data collected from agricultural plots across Kozhikode were compared with RUSLE-predicted values, revealing a low root mean square error, indicating a strong correlation between observed and simulated data. Based on these findings, the district was categorized into low, medium, and high-priority regions, with tailored recommendations proposed for each. Implementing these measures could mitigate erosion, preserve soil fertility, and support the long-term sustainability of natural and agricultural ecosystems in Kozhikode. Given the practical challenges in estimating RUSLE factors in Southern India, where data scarcity is a common issue, this preliminary study underscores the need for expanded, long-term field observations to enhance understanding of soil erosion processes at the watershed level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the long-term effects of the addition of organics and fertilizers to wheat under the pearl millet–wheat cropping system with semi-arid conditions in north-western India is still lacking. The present research was conducted in an ongoing field experiment initiated during Rabi 1995 at the Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh at Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. After 25 years, the impacts of nutrient management practices on soil fertility and wheat productivity were evaluated. The experiment comprised a total of eight treatment combinations viz. half and full doses of recommended fertilizers (N and P), organic manures (FYM: farmyard manure, POM: poultry manure, and PRM: press mud) alone and in combination with NP fertilizers. The conjoint application of organic manure and chemical fertilizers resulted in a positive influx of nutrients via increasing total organic carbon (TOC), available N, P, K, and S, which ranged from 0.46 to 1.42%, 122.70 to 194.70, 15.66 to 74.92, 340.5 to 761.2, and 15.26 to 54.63 kg ha−1 in surface soil (0–15 cm), respectively. Carbon fractions and crop yield were significantly improved by adopting integrated nutrient management (INM). The TOC showed a positive and significant correlation with C fractions (r > 0.92) and with soil-available N, P, K, and S (r > 0.77) content. The data also revealed a strong relationship between TOC and soil-available (0–15 cm) nutrients i.e., available N (R2= 0.769), available P (R2 = 0.881), available K (R2 = 0.758), and available S (R2 = 0.914), respectively. Thus, practices that increased TOC were also beneficial in enhancing the availability of the nutrients in the soil. A positive and highly significant correlation was also found among wheat yield, nutrient (NPKS) content, and uptake. A polynomial relationship between grain yield and grain N (R2 = 0.962), P (R2 = 0.946), and K (R2 = 0.967) content, and between straw yield and straw N (R2 = 0.830), P (R2 = 0.541) and K (R2 = 0.976) content was obtained. Integrated use of PRM7.5 followed by FYM15 and POM5 coupled with NP fertilizers proved best, which could be beneficial for obtaining nutritious and highest wheat yield (grain: 6.01 t ha−1 and straw: 7.70 t ha−1) coupled with improved fertility within a sustained manner under the pearl millet–wheat sequence in prevailing semi-arid conditions of the North Indian state of Haryana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial communities play a critical role in soil fertility and crop productivity. The present study investigated the impact of long-term chemical fertilization on microbial communities, rice productivity, and fertility of Quaternary red soil. A long-term experiment was conducted from 1984 to 2018 with the following treatments: unbalanced nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) fertilization (NP, NK, and PK) and balanced inorganic fertilization (NPK) and non-fertilization (CK) as control. The results indicate that alkaline hydrolyzed nitrogen (AhN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) were higher with the application of NPK fertilizers than in the initial stage of the experiment. The crop yield of fertilizer groups was also higher than that of CK, and the maximum yield was observed in the NPK group. The relative abundance of dominant bacteria, such as Acidobacteriaceae and Proteobacteria, was significantly different among different fertilizer treatments. Different fertilization strategies also had significant effects on soil fungi. For instance, Mortierella had a positive correlation with the soil N content, and Arnium showed a negative correlation with the balanced fertilization of N and P. Therefore, long-term balanced inorganic fertilization can effectively improve rice productivity and fertility of Quaternary red soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straw returning enhances soil fertility and increases corn yield, but the impact on soil fertility varies with different incorporation methods. To explore the optimal straw-returning method, this study, based on a long-term field experiment, investigated the following different corn-straw-returning methods: deep plowing and straw returning (B), rotary tillage and straw returning (RT), crushing and mixing straw returning (TM), pulverized cover straw returning (C), high-stubble-retention straw returning (LHS), strip cover (S), and flat no-tillage without straw returning (CK). High-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze the soil bacterial community composition and structural changes under different straw-returning methods. The study further explored the relationships between the soil bacterial community and nutrient content. The results indicated that different straw-returning methods altered the composition and structure of the soil bacterial community. The TM treatment significantly increased the richness and diversity of the soil bacterial communities. Shredding and covering (C and TM) effectively improved the soil nutrient content and bacterial community structure. In the C treatment, the abundance of Blastococcus, Nocardioides, and Microvirga increased the most, by 241.02%, 77.79%, and 355.08%, respectively, compared with CK. In the TM treatment, Pseudarthrobacter showed the highest abundance, increasing by 343.30%. The genes involved in soil carbon hydrolysis (pulA), nitrification (hao), organic nitrogen degradation and synthesis (gudB), and the nitrogen limitation response (glnR) significantly decreased by 56.21%, 78.75%, 66.46%, and 67.40%, respectively, in the C treatment. The genes involved in soil carbon hydrolysis (IMA), carbon fixation (pccB-A), methane metabolism (moxF), nitrate reduction in soil (nirD), organic nitrogen degradation and synthesis (gdh, ureAB, ureE), and phosphate absorption (glpT) significantly increased by 93.37%, 92.68%, 95.00%, 23.42%, 35.40%, 114.21%, 59.14%, and 75.86%, respectively, in the C treatment. The nitrate reduction gene (nrfA) significantly increased by 80.27% in the TM treatment. Therefore, we concluded that straw primarily stimulates the activity of bacterial communities and regulates the bacterial community by changing the relative abundance of the soil microorganisms and functional genes, thereby improving the soil nutrient content. This study considered pulverized cover straw returning and crushing and mixing straw returning to be the most reasonable methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Reduced snow cover and increasing temperature variability can increase freezing stress for herbaceous plants in northern temperate regions. Legumes have emerged as a plant functional group that is highly sensitive to these changes relative to other herbaceous species in these regions. We explored root‐nodulating bacterial associations and cyanogenesis as potential mechanisms explaining this relatively low freezing tolerance of legumes. Methods: To examine the influence of bacterial associations, we grew four legume species with or without crushed‐nodule inoculum at three severities of freezing, and three concentrations of nitrogen to disambiguate the direct benefits of increased nitrogen from the total bacterial effect. We quantified cyanogenesis via hydrogen cyanide production in both true leaves and cotyledons for nine legume species. Results: Root nodulation generally only affected legume survival under low nitrogen, when freezing severity was moderate or low. However, for the frost‐surviving plants, the growth advantage provided by nodulation decreased (it was often no longer significant with increasing freezing severity), and greater freezing severity reduced total nodule mass. In contrast, cyanogenesis was only detected in two of the nine species. Conclusions: The diminished performance of nodulated plants in response to freezing could place legumes at a competitive disadvantage and potentially explain their high sensitivity to freezing relative to other herbaceous species in northern temperate regions. Overall, this result has important implications for changes in soil fertility, community composition, and plant productivity in these ecosystems in the context of a changing winter climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In commercial Pinus taeda stands, the appearance of needle chlorosis has intensified in slow growth areas. This study aimed to verify if Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI) captures heterogeneity of Pinus taeda development and to determine what specific factors are associated with occurrence of chlorotic symptoms. We evaluated a 14 year-old reforested P. taeda stand that had already undergone two thinnings; the study area encompassed 18.42 ha on soil derived from acidic igneous parent material. A VARI map was used to delineate the area into four classes: Very Low, Low, Medium, and High. In each class, tree growth was evaluated, and samples of tree tissue (needles, trunk cross sections, and fine roots), litter, and soil were collected for evaluation. There were no differences in soil classification and fertility between classes for this acidic low fertility soil. However, compared to the lower VARI classes (Low and Very Low), tree wood volume (without bark) of the High class was 0.20 m3 higher per tree. Higher VARI classes showed greater concentrations of Ca and Mg in needles, bark, and fine roots. The High class also showed higher concentrations of Ca and Mg in litter, but with less litter accumulation. Therefore, VARI efficiently captured tree growth heterogeneity with a direct relationship noted between VARI and tree growth (height, DBH, volume, and trunk mass). In addition, chlorosis symptoms (yellowing) at needle tips and tree crown loss were more likely indicative of Mg deficiency, which probably caused reduced tree development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots play a pivotal role in terrestrial carbon and nutrient cycling. However, our knowledge on drivers of fine-root biomass (FRB) and productivity (FRP) focus on functional traits, biodiversity and abiotic factors, while less attention on allometric constraints, an indispensable driver of organism biomass allocation. We measured FRB (FRP) for 24 plots using 216 soil cores (ingrowth cores) from four forest types (birch, oak, larch and pine) on a warm-temperate mountain of north China, and investigated leaf, stem and fine-root functional traits, stand factors, diversity indices and soil property. We tested the allometric relationships among FRB, FRP, aboveground biomass (AGB), leaf biomass and functional traits, and examined how allometry, size-dependent growth strategy, the mass-ratio and complementarity effects affected FRB and FRP directly and indirectly. There was a stable allometric relationship between FRP and FRB at both the soil-core and plot levels, and the former supporting the predicted exponent for leaves (= 1) of the metabolic scaling theory. Contrary to common observations, both FRB and FRP at plot scale showed negative (or non-significant) relationships with aboveground (or leaf) biomass. Instead, higher AGB led to more conservative growth strategies, which led to lower FRB, and thus lower FRP due to allometric constraints. Root traits (mass-ratio effect) showed the strongest direct effect on FRB, while diversity index (complementarity effect) and soil fertility revealed relatively weak effects. FRP was strongly driven by allometry (FRB) and soil nitrogen, while functional traits and diversity index affected FRP via FRB instead of directly. The complementarity effect on FRP may be overestimated if FRP–FRB allometry was not considered in multivariate analyses. Our results are not conflict with the positive correlations of FRB (FRP) with AGB or leaf biomass reported by large-scale studies, but together suggest contrasting changes of growth strategies with tree size versus climate, which may affect aboveground–root relationship simultaneously. We also suggest to carefully test allometric relationships to better understand how complementarity versus mass-ratio effect, stand factors and environment, together affect fine-root dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

We describe the geographical variation in tree species composition across Amazonian forests and show how environmental conditions are associated with species turnover. Our analyses are based on 2023 forest inventory plots (1 ha) that provide abundance data for a total of 5188 tree species. Within-plot species composition reflected both local environmental conditions (especially soil nutrients and hydrology) and geographical regions. A broader-scale view of species turnover was obtained by interpolating the relative tree species abundances over Amazonia into 47,441 0.1-degree grid cells. Two main dimensions of spatial change in tree species composition were identified. The first was a gradient between western Amazonia at the Andean forelands (with young geology and relatively nutrient-rich soils) and central–eastern Amazonia associated with the Guiana and Brazilian Shields (with more ancient geology and poor soils). The second gradient was between the wet forests of the northwest and the drier forests in southern Amazonia. Isolines linking cells of similar composition crossed major Amazonian rivers, suggesting that tree species distributions are not limited by rivers. Even though some areas of relatively sharp species turnover were identified, mostly the tree species composition changed gradually over large extents, which does not support delimiting clear discrete biogeographic regions within Amazonia. Tree species turnover across Amazonian forests unveils sharp floristic transitional zones, that are linked with changes in soil fertility and climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a globally significant crop, valued for its economic importance in sugar production. Saline‐sodic soil environments negatively impact sugar beet productivity. This study investigates the effects of using compost, glauconite enriched‐K and their combinations in mitigating the saline‐sodic soil environment, sugar beet productivity and extracted sugar quality. A two‐season field experiment in split‐plot design with the main plots is three doses of compost: control (C0), recommended (100%) dose (C1) and 150% recommended dose (C2). Each group divided into four subplots of glauconite treatments arranged according to the recommended dose of potassium (K) as follows: G0 (no glauconite), G1 (50% K), G2 (100% K, 480 Kg glauconite Fed−1) and G3 (150% K). The results showed that compost and glauconite mitigated adverse soil effects caused by salinity and sodicity. The C2G3 treatment reduced electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), improved organic matter and enhanced soil bulk density, porosity and penetration resistance. This combination also increased soil nutrients (N, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu). Regarding the sugar beet yield, C2G3 improved root yield, top yield, sugar yield and extracted sugar. The application of glauconite increased root diameter by 20% and root length by 23%, enhanced sugar quality with minimal sugar losses to molasses (2.43%), and reduced impurities of K, α‐amino N and Na. Principal component analysis showed positive correlations between root yield and soil potassium, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and soil porosity, with negative correlations to bulk density, EC, pH and ESP. Two‐way analysis of main (ANOM) illustrated significant effects of compost and glauconite on soil–plant interactions. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher glauconite doses significantly enhanced root yield. The Gag run charts confirmed that compost (100%) and G3 levels explored more homogeneity reducing the ESP%, increasing sugar beet root yield, sugar yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Microbial agents + fertilizers boost bacterial richness in the rhizosphere soil. • Microbial agents + fertilizers resulted in a reduction of fungal diversity. • Microbial agents + fertilizer modify rhizosphere soil's microbial community structure. • Microbial agents + fertilizer reduce the pathogenic fungi. • Microbial agents + fertilizer significantly boost plant growth and yield of peanut. The soil harbors a diverse array of microorganisms, and these are essential components of terrestrial ecosystems. The presence of microorganisms in the soil, particularly in the rhizosphere, is closely linked to plant growth and soil fertility. The primary objective of this study is to assess the potential advantages of integrating microbial inoculants with compound fertilizer in enhancing peanut yield. We utilized Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology to conduct our investigation. The experimental design consists of four treatment groups: compound fertilizers (CF), compound fertilizers supplemented with microbial agents (CF + MA), compound fertilizers supplemented with microbial fertilizers (CF + MF), and compound fertilizers supplemented with both microbial agents and microbial fertilizers (CF + MM). The experimental results demonstrated a significant increase in peanut yield upon application of CF + MA, CF + MF, and CF + MM treatments. During the blossom stage and pod-setting stage, the soil's catalase, urease, and acid phosphatase activities were significantly increased in the CF + MA, and CF + MM treatments compared to the CF treatment. The application of CF + MA resulted in an increase in bacterial richness in the rhizosphere soil of peanuts, as indicated by the sequencing results. The application of CF + MA, CF + MF, and CF + MM resulted in a reduction of fungal diversity. Proteobacteria , Actinobacteria , and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant phyla in the fungal component of the rhizosphere soil microbiome across all experimental treatments. Microbial agents and fertilizers modify the peanut rhizosphere soil's microbial community structure, as per our findings. The abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria (Bradyrhizobium , Rhizobium, and Burkholderia) and fungi (Trichoderma and Cladophialophora) could increase, while pathogenic fungi (Penicillium and Fusarium) decreased, thereby significantly promoting plant growth and yield of peanut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of tillage and residue management practices on grain yield, economics, and soil fertility in a RWCS. The results inferred that wheat sown with happy seeder (full residue retained)-ZWW recorded 11.5% higher grain yield as compared to zero tillage sowing (residue removed)-ZWWO and 10.9% higher than farmer's practice (TRWO-CWWO, residue removed and sowing with seed cum fertilizer drill after preparatory tillage). Retention or incorporation of paddy residues produced 16.0% higher grain yield than its removal or burning simultaneously improving soil health. Puddled transplanted rice (PTR) with or without wheat stubble recorded a 33.2% significantly higher yield than zero tillage direct seeded rice (ZTDSR) without wheat stubble. System productivity in TRW-ZWW treatment was 15 and 6.8% higher than zero residue treatments and only rice residue retained/incorporated treatments, respectively, and resulted in additional returns of Rs. 28,871 ha−1 as compared with conventional RWCS. There was a significant (p <.05) improvement in soil organic carbon in residue retained/incorporated plots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study aims to comprehend the spatial distribution patterns of arable soil nutrients in various geomorphic conditions of the Loess Plateau, to unveil the driving factors behind these changes, and to provide the critical insights for precision management in the regional agriculture and the construction of agricultural projects. [Methods] Based on the 2020 soil nutrient data from the Loess Plateau in Shaanxi, the Kriging interpolation method was employed to analyze the spatial patterns of soil nutrients across four different geomorphic types. The driving factors behind these nutrient spatial variations was explored by using the geodetector model. [Results] (1) In the Loess Plateau, spanning from the Great Wall's sandy lands, through the hilly and gully regions of northern Shaanxi, the loess table lands in northern of Weihe River, to the Guanzhong Plain, the average contents of soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) exhibited a gradual increasing trend. Specifically, the SOM content averaged 10.20, 10.08, 15.28, and 18.78 g/kg, respectively, across these regions. TN averaged 0.63, 0.66, 0.98, and 1.19 g/kg. AP level averaged 12.99, 13.10, 16.97, and 27.24 mg/kg, and AK averaged 117.72, 149.94, 217.27, and 252.83 mg/kg, respectively. This trend indicated a consistent increase from the sandy lands to the plains. (2) In the loess area of Shaanxi, the duration of sunshine had most significant factor influencing overall nutrient contents, followed by annual temperature and fertilizer use. The distribution of nutrients in the windy area was predominantly affected by soil bulk density, whereas in the hilly and gully areas, plateau areas, and plains, fertilizer use was the primary influencing factor. The interaction of various factors provided a more comprehensive explanatory of nutrient dynamics than individual factor alone. [Conclusion] To optimize soil health, it is advisable to increase nutrient input and enhance soil fertility retention in sandy areas and hilly and gully areas. In contrast, the focus should be on improving nutrient utilization efficiency for plateau and plain areas. Additionally, in the process of farmland, it is crucial to tailor human activities to suit the environmental characteristics and specific conditions of different geomorphic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of heavy metal(loid) in soils is a global problem. Various remediation technologies have thus been applied to mitigate the ecological and health risk of heavy metal(loid)s in contaminated soils. Majority of review studies mainly focus on the mobility or accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s, but little attention has been paid to the alteration of soil fertility (e.g. soil nutrient, structure and enzyme activities) which are most closely related to plant growth during the remediation process. Here, we summarized influence of physical, chemical and biological remediation technologies of contaminated soils on soil fertility, and they indicated that: (1) thermal treatment and soil washing usually decreased soil nutrients and enzyme activities, as well as deteriorated soil structure; (2) biological technologies usually improved soil structure or microorganism activities, but the decrease of soil fertility through nutrient uptake by plants cannot be ignored; (3) the soil amendments displayed various influence on soil fertility, which depended on their properties; (4) combination of multiple technologies could neutralize the negative influence of single technology on soil fertility. In the future, technologies which could both decrease heavy metal(loid) toxicity and improve soil fertility are more recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the amount and quality of litter produced by pine and elm trees in the green space of the historic city of Yazd. Litterbags were used to collect the leaves for a year while the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, carbon, magnesium, and potassium levels was measured monthly for both species. The annual mean weight of all components of litter was found to be 4056.56 g for pine and 4106.67 g for elm trees. The results showed that the greatest fall of pine needles was recorded in September, while the highest fall of elm leaves was measured in November. The specific leaf area of elm and pine was calculated to be 169.38 and 29.96 cm2/g, respectively. The leaf area index for pine and elm was 0.91 and 7.99, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between pine and elm trees in the leaf amount and total litter. However, the crown area of pine and elm trees had a direct effect on the amount of total litter produced (R2 = 0.72 and 0.60 respectively). There was a significant difference between the two species in organic matter percentage, while there was no significant difference in the carbon, calcium, and magnesium content. The specific leaf area of elm was higher than pine, making it better in this index. According to the amount of annual litter production of two species calculated in this research, it can be said that in the city of Yazd, pine and elm trees produce at least 158.9 and 804.5 tons of litter per year respectively. Since the minimum cost of litter collection per hectare of tree plantations in the city is $150, collecting pine and elm litter will cost the municipality $14,700 and $73,500, respectively. Our study showed that contrary to popular belief, pine needles play an important role in total leaf litter produced in arid regions like Yazd. Also, the process of collecting dead leaves continues throughout the year, especially in summer in arid areas.Highlights: The mean annual weight of all components of the lea litter in the historic city of Yazd was 4056.56 g for Eldar pine and 4106.67 g for umbreculifera elm trees. The greatest fall of pine needles was recorded in September. For umbreculifera elm trees the maximum rate was observed in November. This should be taken into account in terms of management. The specific leaf area of umbreculifera elm and Eldar pine was calculated to be 169.38 and 29.96 cm2/g, respectively. The leaf area index for pine and elm species was 0.91 and 7.99, respectively. Although pines are evergreens, they produce a lot of litter during the year which can be compared with broadleaved trees like umbreculifera elm. The municipality of the historic city of Yazd is facing 158.9 tons of Eldar pine leaf litter every year. Clearing these litters costs about 14700 $ across the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment loss and export pose significant global environmental issues, profoundly affecting water quality, soil fertility, and ecosystem stability, particularly in vulnerable mountain ecosystems like the Indian Himalayas. The present study used remote sensing data and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) sediment delivery ratio (SDR) model to analyze spatial–temporal variations in soil loss (SL), sediment export (SE), and sediment retention (SR) capabilities in the South Shimla watershed, Himachal Pradesh, India, from 1993 to 2023. The findings showed significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC): evergreen forest and scrub land decreased sharply by 11.53% and 36.43%, respectively, while agricultural areas and built-up areas increased notably by 71.16% and 215.76%, respectively. Despite a decline of 19.18% in SL and 24.43% in SE, sediment loss and export varied across the study area, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of sediment dynamics. The overall retention capacity increased by 2.59%, with scrub forests playing a critical role in SR, while built-up areas showed the lowest retention. Northern and central sub-watersheds (SWs) experienced a significant decrease in retention capacity (from − 1.92 to − 11.6%), whereas those in the southern and eastern regions saw an increase in SR (from 3.69 to 28.24%). These results underscore the complex interactions between LULC changes, sediment dynamics, and retention services, highlighting the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and informing policy for landscape-based conservation and development planning in the vulnerable Himalayan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinization has emerged as the major factor negatively impacting soil quality in the coastal mild saline-alkali soil of the Yangtze River estuary. Soil quality is vital to agricultural development and the restoration of saline-alkali soils has become an urgent task. Biochar is often used for saline-alkali soil improvement, but few studies have explored the combined effect of biochar and leaching on it. Herein, two biochar (rice straw biochar (RBC) and humic acid magnetically modified biochar (HMBC)) were applied to the coastal mild saline-alkali soil with different application amounts (1, 3, and 5% (w/w)) plus leaching process. The results showed that HMBC had better effects than RBC in improving soil properties (e.g., dissolved organic matter, cation exchange capacity, available phosphorus, and available potassium). The leaching process led to soil pH value dropping from 8.43 to 7.57 and electrical conductivity (EC) from 622 to 200 μs/cm. Furthermore, after the pot experiment, the concentration of soil soluble salts increased with soil depth. The salt content of the soil without leaching was significantly higher than that of the soil with leaching; after applying HMBC or RBC, the salt content of all soil layers decreased. Combined 5% HMBC and leaching also improved the seed germination rate, fresh weight, dry weight, and plant height, and the height reached 9.13 cm. Although leaching resulted in a slight decrease in chlorophyll content, the chlorophyll content increased with the increased concentration of biochar. Overall, the integrated use of a suitable biochar application amount (5% HMBC) and leaching for coastal mild saline-alkali soil could be an effective strategy to reduce soil salinity, enhance the improvement of soil quality and promote plant productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions Sewage sludge biochar has been widely used in agriculture for various purposes; however, knowledge about its residual effect on the soil microbial community is limited.This study aimed to evaluate changes in the microbial community 5 years after the application of sewage sludge biochar.Biochar was produced from sewage sludge obtained at a wastewater treatment pyrolyzed at 300°C (Biochar300) and 500°C (Biochar500). Both biochar treatments were applied in corn fields for two growing seasons (2014/2015; 2015/2016). Biochar was not applied from the third (2016/2017) to the seventh (2020/2021) growing season to assess the residual effect. Soil samples were collected after harvesting in 2020/2021 growing season, therefore in the fifth year subject to the residual effects of biochar. The microbial community was evaluated by accessing bacterial and fungal groups using DNA techniques. Amplicon sequencing analysis was performed with the samples by Illumina MiSeq 250 bp.At genus level, the Lachnospira, Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Epulopiscium, and Parabacteroides were affected by Biochar500. Furthermore, at upper levels of taxonomy, this biochar treatment increased the relative abundance of bacterial classes Clostridiaceae and Bacteroidia and the fungal families Chaetomiaceae and Aspergillaceae. Concerning the relationship between microbial community and soil chemical properties, soil phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) were significantly affected by biochar treatments within the bacterial community; the fungal ones affected significantly soil P and potential acidity (H + Al).Even under the residual effect of 5 years, the application of biochar altered the microbial community on corn plantation, especially concerning on the richness and the abundance of some groups. Biochar500 was the most responsive among the treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology, which involves manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular scales to produce structures and devices ranging from 1 to 100 nm, is increasingly being applied in agriculture. Nanoscale materials possess distinct optical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties that enable the smart, targeted delivery of pesticides, fertilizers, and genetic materials to plants, as well as rapid sensing and on‐site monitoring of plant health, soil fertility, and water quality in a digital format. This review explores the application of nanotechnology in agriculture, examining the challenges and benefits related to all aspects of crop production, with a particular focus on regulatory issues. Key findings indicate that nanotechnology can improve crop production and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture through precise input management. However, several critical issues need to be addressed, including the limited knowledge of the long‐term environmental impacts associated with agricultural nanotechnology and the ambiguity of current regulations. This underscores the need for further research to elucidate its impact on soil, water, and environmental and human health, to inform evidence‐based regulations. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agromining describes the technique of growing plants to “mine” metals present in naturally enriched or contaminated soils. This technique comprises a series of processes including improvement of soil quality and production of biomass in order to obtain metals from the ash of harvested hyperaccumulators, which can be considered bio‐ore. The aim of this study was to evaluate different agronomic practices for Ni agromining of the hyperaccumulator species Odontarrhena chalcidica by analyzing (i) Ni yields and (ii) parameters related to soil fertility, biodiversity, and Ni availability. We tested various types of fertilizers including farmyard manure and assessed cultivation of the hyperaccumulator in either continuous monoculture or cropping in rotation with the legume Vicia ervilia. A 2‐year field experiment was established on typical ultramafic Vertisols in eastern Albania. The current study presents the results obtained in the second year of cultivation. After 2 years of agromining, fertilization with animal manure or rotation with the legume improved several soil properties and increased the yield of phytoextracted Ni by four and five times, respectively, relative to non‐fertilized plots. The fertilization treatments did not affect the bacterial diversity indexes but significantly impacted the bacterial community structure. We suggest a fertilization regime including the application of pig or chicken manure (at doses equivalent to NPK 260:105:260; 260:390:260, respectively) every 2 years or the implementation of crop rotation with legumes as effective strategies for developing Ni agromining on Vertisols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This inquiry is aimed at discerning the impact of various agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, the incorporation of plant residues, and the application of mineral fertilizers, on soil health and crop productivity, notably focusing on maize production. Cultivation included maize (Zea mays), velvet beans (Mucuna pruriens), soybeans (Glycine max), and vetch (Vicia sativa). After harvest, maize seeds were sown across all 48 plots to evaluate the influence of preceding crop rotation on soil properties and maize yield. Hypotheses posited in the study suggested that crop rotation, nitrogen fertilizer application, and the incorporation of crop residues positively impact soil fertility. The study further argues that the utilization of cover crops in crop rotation aids in nitrogen retention within the soil and enhances yield. The results were processed utilizing a two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with interaction and post hoc comparisons. The findings confirm that crop rotation, nitrogen fertilizer application, and incorporation of crop residues influence soil fertility. The study found that crop rotation and nitrogen fertilizers have a significant impact on soil properties. Crop rotations such as “velvet beans‐maize” and “soybeans‐maize” increased soil fertility by 10%–15% compared to crop rotations of “vetch‐maize” and maize monocultures. Nitrogen fertilizers increased the total nitrogen content in the soil by 5%–10% in both years. Crop residues also positively affected soil properties, increasing pH and total nitrogen by 1%–5%. The study demonstrates that crop rotation, nitrogen fertilizers, and crop residues can be effective management methods for improving soil fertility and reducing the risk of nitrate leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil fertility is one of the most important influencing factors on the rice yield. Among them, the relationship between soil physical and chemical properties and rice yield can greatly contribute to rice production and fertilizer cultivation in different regions. This study aims to analyze the absolute rice yield, relative yield, and sustainable yield index on the county scale. The research area was also selected as Fangzheng County in northeast China, Ningxiang City in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and Jinxian County in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The key factors of soil fertility were then determined to affect the rice yield in different regions. The results show that the two-season rice yield (9414.89 kg/hm²) in Ningxiang City was significantly higher than that in Fangzheng County (8224.31 kg/hm²) and Jinxian County (5691.38 kg/hm²) in the late season, due to different cropping patterns. But the average relative yield in Fangzheng County (89.88%) was significantly higher than that in Ningxiang City (73.84%) and Jinxian County (65.67%). The sustainable yield index of Fangzheng County was also higher (0.86), indicating high yield and stability. Furthermore, the low, medium, and high yield levels were calculated using relative yields. Therefore, the soil fertility index and integrated fertility index of Fangzheng County, Ningxiang City, and Jinxian County were higher under the high yield level. Among them, the soil organic matter index, available nitrogen index, and integrated fertility index of Fangzheng County at the high yield level increased by 25.50%, 31.17%, and 25.45%, respectively, compared with the low yield level. The soil available phosphorus increased by 35.41% in Ningxiang City, compared with the low yield level. The soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and integrated fertility index of Jinxian County showed that the high yield level was significantly higher than the middle and low yield levels, which increased 13.28%-27.28%, 21.45%-34.82%, 62.42%-111.90%, 29.51%-59.51%, and 34.21%-75.86%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the soil pH value among different yield levels. There was a variation in the fertility influencing factors on the relative yield in different counties. The soil's available phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter content were the key fertility factors for the sustainable yield index of rice in Fangzheng County, Ningxiang City, and Jinxian County, respectively. Some suggestions were provided for soil fertilizer cultivation in the high and stable rice yield at the county scale. In Fangzheng County, the soil available phosphorus shared the largest relative contribution to the rice sustainable yield index (8.68%), followed by organic matter and available potassium. In Ningxiang, the relative contribution of soil available nitrogen to rice sustainable yield index was 12.92%, followed by pH. In Jinxian County, the soil organic matter shared the greatest impact on the rice sustainable yield index (15.37%), followed by available nitrogen and available phosphorus. As such, there was the highest influencing level in the sustainable production of rice available phosphorus in the soil index, followed by available potassium and available nitrogen. Therefore, Fangzheng County should be focused on the soil available phosphorus in future rice production. While Ningxiang and Jinxian County should increase the soil available nitrogen and organic matter contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C, N, and P concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of the leaf are important for adaptive plant growth and nutrient utilization. However, our knowledge of how these traits change with N fertilization in intercropping systems remains limited. Hence, a 2‐year experiment was conducted with four cropping patterns, including two‐row common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercropping with one‐row oat (Avena sativa L.), one‐row common vetch intercropping with two‐row oat as well as sole oat and common vetch cropping with 0, 50, and 100 kg N/ha fertilization. Leaf total nitrogen (LTN) and phosphorus (LTP) concentrations and C:N:P stoichiometric ratios were measured and their linkages with soil nutrient availability were analysed. N fertilization significantly increased LTN, N:P, and C:P, while significantly decreasing LTP and C:N. Intercropping affected leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which were affected by N fertilization, basic soil fertility, and crop species. Intercropping and N fertilization affected soil nitrate nitrogen (SNN), available phosphorus (SAP) content, and dry matter (DM) yield. There were strong correlations between the leaf nutritional traits of oats and SNN, SAP, and DM, but few correlations were observed with common vetch. In conclusion, intercropping led to contrasting changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios, which varied with N fertilization and crop species. We failed to reveal solid and direct effects of intercropping ratio on leaf nutritional traits. These findings contribute to a better understanding of crop nutritional traits and the link between leaves and soil in response to intercropping and N fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate relationships and variability of initial and post-harvest soil parameters in the North and South Transects of Bengaluru during 2017 and 2018 are assessed. North (South) Transect soils indicated initial pH of 5.9 (7.1), EC of 0.17 (0.16) dS m−1, N of 376.9 (415.3) kg/ha, P2O5 of 83.18 (64.31) kg/ha, K2O of 169.7 (247.3) kg/ha, Fe of 11.78 (10.86) ppm, Zn of 1.59 (1.13) ppm, Cu of 0.71 (0.6) ppm, Mn of 8.24 (7.74) ppm and B of 0.24 (0.21) ppm; compared to post-harvest pH of 6.1 (6.8), EC of 0.26 (0.19) dS m−1, N of 352.5 (383.4) kg/ha, P2O5 of 68.05 (54.14) kg/ha, K2O of 153.5 (222.1) kg/ha, Fe of 9.91 (8.75) ppm, Zn of 1.35 (0.93) ppm, Cu of 0.58 (0.53) ppm, Mn of 6.88 (6.72) ppm and B of 0.20 (0.19) ppm. Four PCs of post-harvest parameters explained a maximum variance of 59.85% in the North compared to 69.94% in the South Transects. Soil pH (−0.623), Fe (0.648), Zn (−0.603) on PC-1; Cu (0.628) on PC-2; EC (0.613) on PC-3; and B (−0.657) on PC-4 were significant in North, while pH (−0.715), Fe (0.891), Zn (−0.624), Mn (0.835) on PC-1; EC (0.771), N (0.618) on PC-2; K2O (0.718), B (0.774) on PC-3; P2O5 (0.673), Cu (0.647) on PC-4 were significant in South Transect. It may be recommended that the package of practices of crops should be modified by considering variability, relationships, loadings, and buildup of soil fertility parameters under semi-arid Alfisols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of okra's importance to food security in developing countries, its production is limited by low soil nutrient and health status. A screenhouse study examined soil chemical properties, okra growth and yield under complementary application of biochar, organic and inorganic fertilizer in an Ultisol. The treatments comprised 5 kg soil each amended with 5 t biochar ha−1, 5 t poultry manure compost (SPM) ha−1, urea at 56 kg N ha−1, urea (28 kg N ha−1) + 5 t biochar ha−1, 5 t ha−1 (2:1, PM: biochar) (SPMB), urea (28 kg N ha−1) + 5 t ha−1 (2:1, PM: biochar) (SPMBF2). The treatments, replicated thrice, were arranged in a completely randomized design. There were two sets of plants terminated at 50% flowering (dry matter yield (DMY) and nutrient uptake) and at 10 wk post-planting for growth and yield determination. Results revealed that soil chemical properties, okra growth and yield increased responsively to the organic amendments. The SPM, followed by SPMB and SPMBF, enhanced soil pH (0.18–0.19 unit), total N (79–100%), organic carbon (75–100%), available P (55–58%) and exchangeable cations over the control and others (p < 0.05). These treatments also increased the plant's agronomic parameters: plant height (10–19%), number of leaves, leave area (21–31%), stem girth (33–51%), DMY (59–67%), and tissue Ca, Mg and K. The SPMBF2 – treated soil had the highest fruit yield (45 g pot−1). Conclusively, sole and complementary applications of biochar and compost improved soil chemical properties, and okra growth and yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in global food systems and can affect plant growth, crop quality, and human and livestock health. The mapping of soils and soil properties linked to micronutrient supply in food systems is now enabling us to better understand the linkages between soil health and function and its relationship with food quality and human health. Zinc (Zn) deficiencies in Indian soils are of particular concern in the context of crop yields and food quality. This current review aims to understand the data landscapes on soil Zn and related soil properties in India, with a particular focus on three states: Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, and Odisha. The scope of the review is to identify and describe data sets from national and state-wide programmes and research experiments in which soil Zn has been reported, which could be used to provide a framework for integrated surveys and would combine wider agriculture, food systems, nutrition, and public health sectors. The largest data set on soil Zn was collected under a soil health management (SHM) programme, during which the Indian government analysed more than 30 million soil samples for Zn concentration (mg/kg) from 2015 to 2019. This study showed that 39% of Indian soils are considered Zn deficient for crop production (i.e., based on a threshold of <0.6 mg/kg); soil Zn deficiency varied from 2% to 67% across different Indian states. From this survey, soil Zn deficiency was 29%, 67%, and 48% in UP, Bihar, and Odisha, respectively. Individual data points are available for re-use at the Government of India soil health card website (https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/). In addition, the All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants (AICRP-MSPE) programme under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) analysed >240,000 soil samples from 2012 to 2018 from 28 states of India and reported ~38% soil Zn deficiency in the Indian soils. There is no programme in India that currently maps micronutrients in soil and crops together using "GeoNutrition" approaches recently reported in two countries in Africa, Ethiopia, and Malawi. Future co-ordinated soil and crop micronutrient mapping in India can help us to understand better the movement of Zn (and other micronutrients) in food systems and to inform strategies to improve the Zn status in the soil, e.g., the use of Zn fertilisers for yield and agronomic biofortification, and in the edible tissues of crops, e.g., through genetic biofortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe use of organic nutrient regimes is regarded as holistic and ecological approach for agricultural sustainability. It offers improved soil health, increased crop growth and enhanced fruit quality, whilst minimizing costs and sustaining the use of natural resources. The present investigation was conducted over two consecutive seasons, viz. 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Mizoram University, Aizawl, India to study the effect of different combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers on leaf and soil characteristics of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The investigation comprises of fourteen treatments of various combinations of organic manures along with consortium of biofertilizers, viz. farmyard Manure (FYM) vermicompost (VC) pig manure (PIM), poultry manure (POM), Azospirillum, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potash solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and vesicular arbascular mycorrhiza (VAM). The results demonstrated that the use of organic amendments in combination with biofertilizers enhanced leaf nutrient status as well soil properties in the passion fruit orchard. Among the different treatment combinations used in the investigation, POM + Azospirillum + PSB + KSB + VAM was the most efficient in improving the leaf and soil nutrient status of passion fruit. This consortium may achieve high microbial load, high nutrient availability for soil which results in better growth of the crop. This treatment may therefore be recommended as an alternative option to meet the demand for long term maintenance of soil fertility as well agro-ecosystem conservation and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arable soil and crop productivity are severely affected by salinization. Therefore, soil amendments are an important measure for improving saline-alkali soil for agricultural development. Desulfurized gypsum is a common soil amendment that has been used repeatedly alongside organic materials to improve the biological, physical, and chemical properties of saline soil. This study takes the typical saline-alkali farmland soil in Yulin as the research object, and five treatments were established: a blank treatment (CK), a single application 2.5 t ha-1 of desulfurized gypsum (T), 2.5 t ha-1 of desulfurized gypsum and 1.5 t ha-1 of green manure (TL), application 2.5 t ha-1 of desulfurized gypsum and 1.5 t ha-1 of straw (TS), and 2.5 t ha-1 of desulfurized gypsum and 1.5 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer (TV). The results show that the TV treatment achieved a significant improvement in soil nutrients, organic carbon, enzyme activity, and maize yield. In 2022 (2023), the compared of organic matter, TN, TP, TK, AP, and AK increased significantly compared with the CK treatment when the TV treatment was applied. Soil phosphatase activity (SPA), soil urease activity (SUA) and soil sucrase activity (SSA) significantly higher in the TV treatment compared with the other treatments and increased significantly over the two-year period. Furthermore, soil organic carbon (SOC), easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) also significantly increased with the 2022 and 2023 TV treatments. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between maize yield and soil nutrients, organic carbon, and enzyme activity (P < 0.05). Thus, the TV treatment was determined to be the optimal treatment for soil improvement. This conclusion was supported by analyses performed using membership function analysis, gray correlation analysis, and entropy TOPSIS model evaluation. Therefore, this method increases soil quality, improves soil fertility, achieves high maize yields, and provides a scientific basis for enhancing and utilizing saline-alkali soil in the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explored the post-wildfire elemental composition of parts (wood, bark, branch, cone, trunk, litter, twig, needle, sward, fallow, sapling, etc.) and by-products (biomass ashes, partly burnt parts, and char) of different woody species in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic, and considered their effects on soils. Multi-elemental analysis of the fire by-products of the woody species was determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry and compared with control biomass samples unaffected by wildfire. Most fire by-products were slightly alkaline, with acidic ashes obtained from blueberry wood. The by-products of the wildfire were characterized by varied total contents of macro (P, Ca, K, Mg, and S), micro (Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn), and other elements (B, Co, Mo, and V) vital to soil fertility and plant growth. The mean content of macro elements in the biomass ashes was up to 4.16 P, 23.5 Ca, 2.48 Mg, 63 K, and 5.57 S g kg−1. These values were comparatively lower than published data for ashes obtained under optimized conditions, e.g., those combusted in power generation facilities. Conversely, partly burnt parts—an indication of incomplete combustion—had higher 9.22 P, 79 Ca, and 5.99 Mg g kg−1 contents in spruce needles than in biomass ashes and the control. Variations in woody species and anthropogenic activities in areas of wildfires produced varied As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb contents above EU fertilizer regulation. Caution in applying biomass ashes from wildfires on fields is required due to risk/toxic elements input from anthropogenic activities. Wildfire effects on the elemental composition of woody species can provide information on plant parts most suitable for biomass ashes for soil and ecosystem safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices necessitates innovative solutions for soil fertilization. This study aimed to assess the viability of using limestone mining co-products from the Irati and Corumbataí Formations as multi-nutrient sources for Glycine max cultivation. The experiment utilized a double factorial design (7 × 2) with five replications, randomly arranged and placed in pots within a greenhouse. The factors examined were the type of co-product (sedimentary rocks from the Irati Formation: rhythmite and bituminous shale; and the Corumbataí Formation: clayey siltstone) and the soil type (Haplic Arenosol and Rhodic Ferralsol). Soil ion content was assessed at 21 and 140 days after treatment application. Each pot housed four G. max plants, with leaf harvest occurring after 42 days of growth. Macronutrient content, leaf production, and soil ion availability were determined thereafter. Overall, co-product application led to increased soil pH and availability of essential ions, including K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, P, S-SO42−, and Si. At 140 days, rhythmite was notably effective in increasing pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in Haplic Arenosol, with respective increases of 22%, 224%, and 696%. Bituminous shale, on the other hand, significantly increased S-SO42− content by 67% and 426% in Rhodic Ferralsol and Haplic Arenosol, respectively. Moreover, the application of co-products resulted in enhanced accumulation of K, Ca, Mg, and S in G. max plants, alongside increased leaf production. In conclusion, the utilization of mining co-products positively influenced soil and plant chemical attributes, particularly enhancing leaf production in G. max. These findings highlight the potential of co-products as environmentally friendly solutions for soil fertilization, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. This research highlights a significant step towards sustainable agriculture by recycling mining waste into valuable soil amendments, which can improve crop yields and reduce the environmental impact of both mining and agricultural activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This paper aimed to clarify the change of nutrient content in Leguminous green manure crops and its impact on soil fertility with none extra chemical fertilizer. [Methods] The experiments were conducted to study the growth and development of four Leguminous green manure crops from October 2021 to May 2022 in field. They were Chinese milk vetch(Astragalus sinicus L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), broad bean (Vicia faba L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), respectively. The nutrient contents of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P)and potassium (K) in green manure crops as well as the soil nutrient content were measured. [Results] The changes in N, P, K nutrient content of different Leguminous green manure crops during the seedling stage and later growth stage were similar. Four Leguminous green manure crops had significantly higher nutrient content at the later growth stage than at the seedling stage, with biomass of dry weight of over 1800 kg·hm-2, making them suitable for flipping. In later growth period, the total N content (3.34%) and total P content (0.29%) of hairy vetch were significantly higher than the others, while the total K content of Chinese milk vetch (3.58%) was the highest and the difference displayed a significant level. The accumulation of N, P and K nutrients in Chinese milk vetch and hairy vetch was relatively high, while that in broad bean and common vetch was relatively low. The pH value of soil did not change with green manure application. After growing Leguminous green manure, the organic carbon content in soil as well as total N, available P and available K contents increased, with a range of 2.71%-29.50%. Among them, the application of Chinese milk vetch to the field could significantly improve soil fertility, and the organic carbon, total N, available P and available K contents increased by 4.04%, 3.40%, 29.50% and 8.22% compared to fallow cultivation, respectively. [Conclusions] Under the condition of disappeared application of chemical fertilizer, Chinese milk vetch was conducive to improving soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the acceleration of construction of civil, industrial and infrastructure facilities in our republic and the expansion of their area, the construction of many facilities is carried out in mountainous, and foothill areas with complex relief and geomorphological conditions, which in most cases are potentially dangerous landslide slopes. To protect these facilities from the negative impact of dangerous geological, naturaltechnogenic, and anthropogenic processes, to assess the risks arising from the impact of these processes on building structures, to promptly prevent negative phenomena and dangerous situations, to assess the engineering and geological conditions of the construction area to determine the stability of the slope, conducting research in these areas is of great practical importance. Mountainous regions are characterized by the complexity and diversity of geological, hydrological, hydrogeological, and tectonic conditions. Landslides are the most common natural and man-made processes that pose a threat to the safe operation of infrastructure facilities, civil and industrial construction in mountainous and foothill areas. In addition to infrastructure facilities, landslides can destroy vegetation, destroy the habitat of fauna, and also destroy fertile soils located in the area of their activity (Nikolic, 2015; Krivoguz & Bespalova, 2020). The main objective of this article is to apply the results of practically implemented and verified studies in other territories of our republic with similar geomorphological structure and engineering-geological conditions, to correctly assess the negative manifestations caused by landslides and other man-made and anthropogenic impacts, as well as to calculate the stability of the slope and scientifically and technically substantiate measures for engineering protection against landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]