Agronomic Value Research Articles

Wild Lathyrus—A Treasure of Novel Diversity

Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a climate-smart legume crop with adaptation to fragile agroecosystems. The genus Lathyrus is recognized for its vast genetic diversity, encompassing over 160 species, many of which are cultivated for various purposes across different regions of the world. Among these, Lathyrus sativus is widely cultivated as food, feed, and fodder in South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) regions. Its global cultivation has declined substantially due to the stigma posed by the presence of neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) in its seeds and green foliage. Overconsumption for a longer period of grasspea seeds harvested from landraces may lead to a neurological disorder called neurolathyrism in humans. ODAP is an obstacle for grasspea expansion, but crop wild relatives (CWRs) have been found to offer a solution. The incorporation of CWRs, particularly Lathyrus cicera, and landraces into breeding programs may reduce the ODAP content in grasspea varieties to a safer level. Recent advances in genomics-assisted breeding have expanded the potential for utilizing challenging CWRs to develop grasspea varieties that combine ultra-low ODAP levels with improved yield, stability, and adaptability. Further progress in omics technologies—such as transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—along with genome sequencing and editing, has greatly accelerated the development of grasspea varieties with reduced or zero ODAP content, while also enhancing the plant’s agronomic value. This review highlights the significance of utilizing CWRs in pre-breeding programs, and harnessing advanced tools and technologies to enhance the performance, adaptability, and resilience of grasspea in response to changing environmental conditions.

Assessment of the Agronomic Value of Organic Fertilizer Made of Composted Sludge

Assessment of the Agronomic Value of Organic Fertilizer Made of Composted Sludge

Rapid assessment of main agronomic indicators in the grain of winter and spring forms of triticale using infrared spectroscopy

Background. Calibration models were developed for rapid assessment of crucial agronomic indicators in the grain of winter and spring triticale from the VIR collection using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). These calibration models will enable users to find the most optimal utilization trends for individual triticale accessions. Materials and methods. Indicators of agronomic value (coloration, moisture, and the content of ash, protein, starch, amylose and fiber) were studied on a set of 32 grain samples collected from winter and spring triticale forms (Triticosecale Wittm. & A. Camus) reproduced in 2021–2022 at the Dagestan Experiment Station, a branch of the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR). Calibration models for the assessment of the said agronomic characters in triticale grain were developed on the platform of the MATRIX-I IR analyzer (Bruker Optics, Germany) and based on the values obtained by classical methods of biochemical analysis adopted at VIR. Results. Reliability of the calibration models was tested on a randomized batch of triticale grain samples: the results of the new calibrations were compared with those of the conventional biochemical analysis. This verification showed that the data obtained through the use of calibration curves were reliable for protein and ash content, while other models required further improvement. Conclusion. Calibration models for measuring protein and ash content developed on the basis of the MATRIX-I IR analyzer can be used to perform rapid assessment of the winter and spring triticale grain. This method makes it possible to accelerate the process of obtaining crop characteristics for a number of basic agronomic characters and preserve valuable breeding material.

VALORIZATION OF FOOD WASTE THROUGH COMPOSTING PROCESSES

The food sector is one of the main sources of waste generation, and restaurants stand out for the abundance of food waste generated. It is estimated that 931 million tons of food waste (FW) will be generated in 2022, 26% of which will come from the food service sector. When improperly disposed of in the environment, FW causes problems such as nutrient leaching, pollutant gas emissions, and contamination, and is considered a public health problem. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different stabilization bioprocesses on foodservice FW in terms of its physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the agronomic value of the final product. To this end, aerobic composting treatments were carried out for 100 days in closed compost bins. Three treatments were carried out, all in triplicate, with different proportions by volume of FW and grass clippings as a structuring agent. The performance of the process was evaluated in terms of temperature and mass and volume reductions, and the organic compounds were evaluated in terms of their physicochemical and spectroscopic characteristics. The composting results showed that the percentage of FW interfered with some parameters. Treatment T2, made with the highest percentage of FW, had the the lower values of pH, EC and EC:TOC ratio. The results led to the conclusion that the processes carried out are viable alternatives for recycling the nutrients contained in FSW.

Highly divergent satellitomes of two barley species of agronomic importance, Hordeum chilense and H. vulgare

In this paper, we have performed an in-depth study of the complete set of the satellite DNA (satDNA) families (i.e. the satellitomes) in the genome of two barley species of agronomic value in a breeding framework, H. chilense (H1 and H7 accessions) and H. vulgare (H106 accession), which can be useful tools for studying chromosome associations during meiosis. The study has led to the analysis of a total of 18 satDNA families in H. vulgare, 25 satDNA families in H. chilense (accession H1) and 27 satDNA families in H. chilense (accession H7) that constitute 46 different satDNA families forming 36 homology groups. Our study highlights different important contributions of evolutionary and applied interests. Thus, both barley species show very divergent satDNA profiles, which could be partly explained by the differential effects of domestication versus wildlife. Divergence derives from the differential amplification of different common ancestral satellites and the emergence of new satellites in H. chilense, usually from pre-existing ones but also random sequences. There are also differences between the two H. chilense accessions, which support genetically distinct groups. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) patterns of some satDNAs yield distinctive genetic markers for the identification of specific H. chilense or H. vulgare chromosomes. Some of the satellites have peculiar structures or are related to transposable elements which provide information about their origin and expansion. Among these, we discuss the existence of different (peri)centromeric satellites that supply this region with some plasticity important for centromere evolution. These peri(centromeric) satDNAs and the set of subtelomeric satDNAs (a total of 38 different families) are analyzed in the framework of breeding as the high diversity found in the subtelomeric regions might support their putative implication in chromosome recognition and pairing during meiosis, a key point in the production of addition/substitution lines and hybrids.

Kinetics of phosphorus release from sedimentary rocks as a potential source of fertilizers in the Amazon region, Brazil

Brazil is the seventh-largest phosphate producer globally, contributing to almost 3% of total production. Approximately 20% of the country's phosphate output comes from sedimentary sources, while the remaining 80% is of magmatic origin. The growing demand for phosphate has sparked increased interest in identifying new deposits. In northwestern Brazil, a phosphate rocks in the São Benedito Formation, part of the Alto Tapajós Group in the Apuí region of Amazonia, has attracted attention.Twelve outcrops were collected for mineral and chemical analysis, solubility testing in aqueous media, standard tests using citric acid, and P2O5 release kinetics. The raw material consists of compacted gray quartz sandstone containing fluorapatite, glauconite, and siderite. The raw samples exhibited total P2O5 content of up to 6%. Additional elements were assessed, with only CaO and Fe2O3 showing total contents reaching 8.05 wt% and 6.65 wt%, respectively. Kinetic extraction in a 2% citric acid solution revealed a positive correlation between soluble and total contents of CaO and P2O5 indicating apatite composition. The elements showed solubility exceeding 60% within the first 30 min and reaching 100% after 180 min. However, as the fluorapatite and siderite dissolved, the citric acid solution became saturated, halting the dissolution process. These results indicate effectiveness in solubilizing phosphate in samples with less than 4 to 5 wt% of P2O5, meeting the minimum requirements established by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. These characteristics suggest that the São Benedito Formation phosphate rocks have agronomic value for use as direct/natural fertilizers in Brazil's tropical acidic soils.

Milletomics: a metabolomics centered integrated omics approach toward genetic progression.

Producing alternative staple foods like millet will be essential to feeding ten billion people by 2050. The increased demand for millet is driving researchers to improve its genetic variation. Millets include protein, dietary fiber, phenolic substances, and flavonoid components. Its climate resilience makes millet an appealing crop for agronomic sustainability. Integrative omics technologies could potentially identify and develop millets with desirable phenotypes that may have high agronomic value. Millets' salinity and drought tolerance have been enhanced using transcriptomics. In foxtail, finger, and pearl millet, proteomics has discovered salt-tolerant protein, phytohormone-focused protein, and drought tolerance. Metabolomics studies have revealed that certain metabolic pathways including those involving lignin, flavonoids, phenylpropanoid, and lysophospholipids are critical for many processes, including seed germination, photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and the synthesis of bioactive chemicals necessary for drought tolerance. Metabolomics integration with other omics revealed metabolome engineering and trait-specific metabolite creation. Integrated metabolomics and ionomics are still in the development stage, but they could potentially assist in comprehending the pathway of ionomers to control nutrient levels and biofortify millet. Epigenomic analysis has shown alterations in DNA methylation patterns and chromatin structure in foxtail and pearl millets in response to abiotic stress. Whole-genome sequencing utilizing next-generation sequencing is the most proficient method for finding stress-induced phytoconstituent genes. New genome sequencing enables novel biotechnological interventions including genome-wide association, mutation-based research, and other omics approaches. Millets can breed more effectively by employing next-generation sequencing and genotyping by sequencing, which may mitigate climate change. Millet marker-assisted breeding has advanced with high-throughput markers and combined genotyping technologies.

Flood sediments as a source of replenishment of alluvial soils with plant nutrition elements

Flood sedimentation in conditions of regular floodplain flooding is a key factor in the formation of alluvial soil. The nature of the passage of hollow waters and their composition affect the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of flood sediments, while having a significant impact on the agroecological state of the floodplain agricultural landscape. The aim of the research was to study the role of flood sediments in enriching the underlying alluvial soil with nutrients. The experiment was conducted on reclaimed arable lands of the Ryazan region in 2023. Determination of the sediment load level and sampling on the surface were carried out using plastic sedimentation samplers fixed on the soil surface, located at a distance of 200 m from each other. The installation was carried out on March 23, the duration of sediment collection was 42 days before the descent of the hollow waters. The average sediment load level of 15.4 t/ha was established, the agrochemical properties of flood sediments and underlying soil were studied, the structure of organic matter, macro– and microelements with flood sediments and their removal from the corn harvest to silage was analyzed. Together with sediments the soil received (kg/ha): total nitrogen – 107.80, total phosphorus – 43.10, total potassium – 104.70, organic matter – 2464,0, mobile phosphorus 15.20, exchangeable potassium 17.80; trace elements (g/ha): boron – 11.86, molybdenum – 1.54, zinc – 122.74, manganese – 1215.06, copper – 200.20, cobalt – 52.05. With a corn harvest for silage of 36.1 kg/ha, the takeaway was: N – 105 kg/ha, P2O5 – 33 kg/ha, K2O – 105 kg/ha. The conducted studies indicate the undoubted agronomic value of flood sediments, they can partially meet the need for fertilizers, therefore, it is necessary to take into account the mass of the substances used to carry out appropriate adjustments to the fertilizer application system. In 2023, the mass of incoming substances with flood sediments completely covered the need for nitrogen; for mobile phosphorus the need decreased to 17.8 kg/ha, for exchangeable potassium the need decreased to 87.2 kg/ha.

Approach to the circular economy through agro-livestock waste composting with heat recovery and agricultural use of the resulting compost

In this work, plant waste and cow manure were co-composted to recover the heat generated during the thermophilic stage of composting by heating water through conducting heat exchangers buried in the pile. The parameters associated with the degradation and humification of organic matter during composting and the agronomic and economic value of the final compost were also determined. Furthermore, the effects of adding the obtained compost on soil agronomic characteristics and alfalfa yield and production profitability were compared with those of mineral fertilisation, cow manure and a control without amendment. The total energy recovered from composting was 14,528W or 0.105 MJ kg−1 dry matter of the initial waste mixture. Extracting heat from composting did not negatively affect the quality of the compost since this material had an adequate level of organic matter stability and maturity, notable nutrient content, low concentrations of potentially toxic elements and an absence of phytotoxicity. Moreover, applying compost to the soil increased its organic matter and nutrient content, contributing to greater alfalfa production. Increased alfalfa production led to a higher net income from using compost as an organic fertiliser (16,488 USD ha−1). Therefore, composting agricultural and livestock wastes is a viable method for managing these wastes, obtaining sustainable thermal energy and producing compost with adequate agricultural quality. This contributes to closing agricultural and livestock production cycles with notable economic benefits within a circular economy framework.

Effect of Genotype × Environment Interactions on the Yield and Stability of Sugarcane Varieties in Ecuador: GGE Biplot Analysis by Location and Year

Yield and stability are desirable characteristics that crops need to have high agronomic value; sugarcane stands out globally due to its diverse range of products and by-products. However, genotype-environment (G × E) interactions can affect the overall performance of a crop. The objective of this study is to identify genotypes with the highest yield and stability, as well as to understand their independent and interactive effects. A collection of 10 sugarcane varieties was evaluated, including Colombian, Dominican, Ecuadorian lines, and a group of clones planted across five different locations from 2018 to 2020. A two-way ANOVA along with the GGE biplot technique were used to analyze yield and stability. The ANOVA model shows highly significant effects in all cases (p < 0.001) except for the genotype by year and sector interaction (G × Y × S); however, the decomposition by sectors reveals a significant triple interaction in sector 04 (p < 0.05). The GGE biplot model accounted for up to 74.77% of the total variance explained in its PC1 and PC2 components. It also highlighted the group of clones as having the highest yield and environmental instability, and the Ecuadorian varieties EC-07 and EC-08 as having the best yield-stability relationship. We conclude that the combined results of the ANOVA and GGE biplot models provide a more synergistic and effective evaluation of sugarcane varieties, offering theoretical and practical bases for decision-making in the selection of specific varieties.

Physiological characterization of the tomato cutin mutant cd1 under salinity and nitrogen stress.

We identified tomato leaf cuticle and root suberin monomers that play a role in the response to nitrogen deficiency and salinity stress and discuss their potential agronomic value for breeding. The plant cuticle plays a key role in plant-water relations, and cuticle's agronomic value in plant breeding programs is currently under investigation. In this study, the tomato cutin mutant cd1, with altered fruit cuticle, was physiologically characterized under two nitrogen treatments and three salinity levels. We evaluated leaf wax and cutin load and composition, root suberin, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, partial factor productivity from applied N, flower and fruit number, fruit size and cuticular transpiration, and shoot and root biomass. Both nitrogen and salinity treatments altered leaf cuticle and root suberin composition, regardless of genotype (cd1 or M82). Compared with M82, the cd1 mutant showed lower shoot biomass and reduced partial factor productivity from applied N under all treatments. Under N depletion, cd1 showed altered leaf wax composition, but was comparable to the WT under sufficient N. Under salt treatment, cd1 showed an increase in leaf wax and cutin monomers. Root suberin content of cd1 was lower than M82 under control conditions but comparable under higher salinity levels. The tomato mutant cd1 had a higher fruit cuticular transpiration rate, and lower fruit surface area compared to M82. These results show that the cd1 mutation has complex effects on plant physiology, and growth and development beyond cutin deficiency, and offer new insights on the potential agronomic value of leaf cuticle and root suberin for tomato breeding.

Mealworm Larvae Frass Exhibits a Plant Biostimulant Effect on Lettuce, Boosting Productivity beyond Just Nutrient Release or Improved Soil Properties

There is a need for alternatives or complements to synthetic fertilizers to enhance agricultural sustainability. Applying organic amendments can play a significant role in this. Insect droppings show high potential, though studies evaluating their agronomic value have only recently begun to emerge. This study compared black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) larvae frass with another organic amendment (Nutrimais) derived from composting forestry, agro-industrial, and domestic waste. The experiment also included ammonium nitrate at two rates [the same as the organic amendments, 50 kg ha–1 nitrogen (N) (FullR), and half that rate (HalfR)] and an unfertilized control. The study spanned two growth cycles of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in pots, followed by unfertilized oats (Avena sativa L.) to assess the residual effects of the fertilizing treatments. Mealworm larvae frass mineralized rapidly, with an apparent N recovery of 37.4% over the two lettuce growth cycles, indicating its high availability to soil heterotrophic microorganisms. The average dry matter yield (DMY) of lettuce was the highest among all treatments (12.8 and 9.8 g plant–1 in the first and second lettuce cycles), even compared to the FullR treatment (12.2 and 7.8 g plant–1), though without significant differences. Although mealworm larvae frass exhibited a high mineralization rate, the DMY cannot be attributed solely to N supply, as plants in the FullR treatment showed better N nutritional status. Mealworm larvae frass provided strong evidence of a plant biostimulant effect, not explained by the variables measured in this study. Black soldier fly larvae frass exhibited typical behavior of a moderately reactive organic amendment, while Nutrimais showed low reactivity, with a near-neutral mineralization/immobilization balance. The results suggest mealworm larvae frass is recommended for early maturing vegetable crops, whereas Nutrimais appears more suitable for perennial crops with low short-term nutrient requirements.

Agronomic and energy value of digestate from anaerobic digestion of trout byproducts: Contribution to the autonomy of freshwater farms in Morocco

Anaerobic digestion is a technology used to treat organic waste and recover biogas and digestate. In this study, three subjects were investigated: agronomic and microbiological characterization of the digestate obtained at the end of anaerobic digestion, co-digestion of rainbow trout byproducts (RTBP) and their digestate, and a combined pre-treatment (thermal pre-treatment of RTBP at 110 °C for 30 min followed by co-digestion with their digestate). Experiments were carried out in biodigesters operating at mesophilic temperature and with batch feeding mode. The results showed that the digestate is rich in the nutrients required for plant development, and also contains fungi (mycelial fungi, yeasts) that break down organic compounds and help maintain the soil's biological stability. The methane yield for co-digestion was 289.44 Nml/g.VS with a biodegradability of 64.34 %, while for combined pre-treatment, the methane yield was 267.95 Nml/g.VS with a biodegradability of 60.46 %. Five kinetic models were used in this research to estimate theoretical methane production (Modified Gompertz, First order, Transference function, Modified Richard, and Logistic function). The two models, Modified Richard and Logistic function, presented results identical and close to those of the study that dealt with co-digestion, whose methane yield was 294.45 Nml/g.VS; and for combined pretreatment, the Modified Gompertz model showed a methane yield equal to 262.97 Nml/g.VS and is the closest to the experimental one.

A Shared Receptor Suggests a Common Ancestry between an Insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Cry Protein and an Anti-Cancer Parasporin.

Cry toxins, produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, are of significant agronomic value worldwide due to their potent and highly specific activity against various insect orders. However, some of these pore-forming toxins display specific activity against a range of human cancer cells whilst possessing no known insecticidal activity; Cry41Aa is one such toxin. Cry41Aa has similarities to its insecticidal counterparts in both its 3-domain toxic core structure and pore-forming abilities, but how it has evolved to target human cells is a mystery. This work shows that some insecticidal Cry toxins can enhance the toxicity of Cry41Aa against hepatocellular carcinoma cells, despite possessing no intrinsic toxicity themselves. This interesting crossover is not limited to human cancer cells, as Cry41Aa was found to inhibit some Aedes-active Cry toxins in mosquito larval assays. Here, we present findings that suggest that Cry41Aa shares a receptor with several insecticidal toxins, indicating a stronger evolutionary relationship than their divergent activities might suggest.

Engineering the future of Physalis grisea: A focus on agricultural challenges, model species status, and applied improvements

Societal Impact StatementGroundcherry (Physalis grisea) is a plant species grown for its flavorful fruit. The fruit drops from the plant, hence the common name groundcherry. This makes harvest cumbersome and puts the fruit at risk for carrying soil‐borne pathogens, therefore making them unsellable. Furthermore, insects often damage the plants, reducing yield. Advances in gene editing offer promise for addressing these issues and aiding home gardeners and farmers. Improvement will expand access to this nutritious fruit, rich in potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Additionally, studies of its biology could serve as a model for improving other fruiting plants, particularly underutilized species.SummaryP. grisea is an underutilized, semidomesticated fruit crop with rising agronomic value. Several resources have been developed for its use in fundamental biological research, including a plant transformation system and a high‐quality reference genome. Already, P. grisea has been used as a model to investigate biological phenomena including inflated calyx syndrome and gene compensation. P. grisea has also been used to demonstrate the potential of fast‐tracking domestication trait improvement through approaches such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. This work has led to the Physalis Improvement Project, which relies on reverse genetics to understand the mechanisms that underlie fruit abscission and plant–herbivore interactions to guide approaches for improvement of undesirable characteristics. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has been used to target P. grisea genes that are suspected to act in fruit abscission, particularly orthologs of those that are reported in tomato abscission zone development. A similar approach is being taken to target P. grisea genes involved in the withanolide biosynthetic pathway to determine the impact of withanolides on plant–herbivore interactions. Results from these research projects will lead to a greater understanding of important biological processes and will also generate knowledge needed to develop cultivars with reduced fruit drop and increased resistance to insect herbivory.

Effect of Nitrogen Topdressing on Seed Yield and Flour Protein Content in Semidwarf Common Buckwheat

This study evaluated the effects of nitrogen topdressing on the semidwarf common buckwheat (line ‘18-601’), focusing on growth, seed yield, and flour protein content. We conducted a field experiment and applied four nitrogen topdressing treatments at different growth stages: basal fertilization alone (2-0-0), basal fertilization plus nitrogen at flower bud appearance (2-2-0), basal fertilization plus nitrogen at full flowering (2-0-2), and basal fertilization plus nitrogen at both stages (2-2-2), using a randomized complete block design, with each plot measuring 1.2 × 2.5 m. Basal dressing was applied at 2, 8, and 4.7 g m-2 N, P2O5, and K2O, respectively. Nitrogen topdressing significantly increased chlorophyll content. The branch number, seed yield, number of seeds per square meter, and flour protein content tended to increase with nitrogen topdressing. The highest seed yield and protein content were observed in the 2-0-2 treatment, suggesting that nitrogen application at full flowering optimizes the yield and nutritional quality of semidwarf buckwheat. These findings highlight the importance of timing in nitrogen topdressing to enhance the agronomic and nutritional value of semidwarf common buckwheat.

The chloroplast genome inheritance pattern of the Deli-Nigerian prospection material (NPM) × Yangambi population of Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

The chloroplast genome has the potential to be genetically engineered to enhance the agronomic value of major crops. As a crop plant with major economic value, it is important to understand every aspect of the genetic inheritance pattern among Elaeis guineensis individuals to ensure the traceability of agronomic traits. Two parental E. guineensis individuals and 23 of their F1 progenies were collected and sequenced using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technique on the Illumina platform. Chloroplast genomes were assembled de novo from the cleaned raw reads and aligned to check for variations. The sequences were compared and analyzed with programming language scripting and relevant bioinformatic softwares. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were determined from the chloroplast genome. The chloroplast genome assembly resulted in 156,983 bp, 156,988 bp, 156,982 bp, and 156,984 bp. The gene content and arrangements were consistent with the reference genome published in the GenBank database. Seventy-eight SSRs were detected in the chloroplast genome, with most located in the intergenic spacer region.The chloroplast genomes of 17 F1 progenies were exact copies of the maternal parent, while six individuals showed a single variation in the sequence. Despite the significant variation displayed by the male parent, all the nucleotide variations were synonymous. This study show highly conserve gene content and sequence in Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genomes. Maternal inheritance of chloroplast genome among F1 progenies are robust with a low possibility of mutations over generations. The findings in this study can enlighten inheritance pattern of Elaeis guineensis chloroplast genome especially among crops' scientists who consider using chloroplast genome for agronomic trait modifications.

Managing organic resources in agriculture: future challenges from a scientific perspective

Recycling of organic resources into agriculture has the potential to greatly increase nutrient use efficiency and improve soil carbon balance, but improper management can have adverse effects on the environment. Agriculture therefore faces large challenges to increase yields while decreasing these emissions to the environment. In this paper, we review (i) the availability and composition of organic resources, (ii) their agronomic value and risk of emissions, (iii) potential measures to reduce their emissions, and (iv) future challenges to support farmers and policy makers. The total amount of organic resource applied to soil amounted on average 41 kg nitrogen per ha agricultural land, 9 kg phosphorus per ha, and 456 kg carbon per ha in EU-27 + UK in 2017. Solid pig and cattle manures and cattle slurry are the most used organic resources. The availability of new organic resources from food processing, sewage sludge, municipal bio-wastes, and upcoming manure treatment techniques as fertilizer or soil conditioner is expected to strongly increase over the coming decade. Insight is needed into the composition of organic resources, the plant-availability of nutrients, the degradability of organic matter and the presence of contaminants. Measurement techniques become available to characterize soils, manures, crops, and emissions to the environment. However, the interpretation, and integration of data, and recommendations to farmers and policymakers using large amounts of data is expected to become more and more challenging. Many measures are available to improve nutrient and carbon management and to reduce emissions, including proper application, technological measures and structural changes in agriculture. For many measures, there is a risk of trade-offs that could lead to pollution swapping at different scales. We should focus on finding synergies between measures and no-regret management choices to develop effective mitigation strategies. The main future challenge for managing organic resources in agriculture is the development of an integrated nutrient management approach, including (i) the characterization of organic resources, their agronomic value and their environmental risks, (ii) knowledge of potential synergies and trade-offs between management measures, and (iii) implementation of this knowledge into decision support tools, models and legislation to support farmers and policy makers.

Insights into Wheat Genotype‒Sphaerodes mycoparasitica Interaction to Improve Crop Yield and Defence against Fusarium graminearum: An Integration of FHB Biocontrol in Canadian Wheat Breeding Programmes.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a major threat to wheat crop production and food security worldwide. The creation of resistant wheat cultivars is an essential component of an integrated strategy against Fusarium graminearum, the primary aetiological agent that causes FHB. The results of this study show that the deployment of proto-cooperative interactions between wheat genotypes and mycoparasitic biocontrol agents (BCAs) can improve crop yield and plant resistance in controlling the devastating effects of FHB on wheat agronomic traits. A Fusarium-specific mycoparasite, Sphaerodes mycoparasitica, was found to be compatible with common and durum wheat hosts, thus allowing the efficient control of F. graminearum infection in plants. Four genotypes of wheat, two common wheat, and two durum wheat cultivars with varying FHB resistance levels were used in this greenhouse study. The BCA treatments decreased FHB symptoms in all four cultivars and improved the agronomic traits such as spike number, spike weight, seed weight, plant biomass, and plant height which are vital to grain yield. Conversely, the F. graminearum 3ADON chemotype treatment decreased the agronomic trait values by up to 44% across cultivars. Spike number, spike weight, and seed weight were the most improved traits by the BCA. A more measurable improvement in agronomic traits was observed in durum wheat cultivars compared to common wheat.

Nitrogen-Rich Sewage Sludge Mineralized Quickly, Improving Lettuce Nutrition and Yield, with Reduced Risk of Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil and Plant Tissues

Sewage sludge should primarily find use in agriculture, reducing the quantity directed towards alternative disposal methods like incineration or deposition in municipal landfills. This study evaluated the agronomic value and the risk of soil and plant tissue contamination with heavy metals in sewage sludge obtained from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The experiment was arranged as a 2 × 5 factorial (two sewage sludges, five sanitation treatments), involving lettuce cultivation in pots over two growing cycles. The two sewage sludges were sourced from the WWTPs of Gelfa and Viana do Castelo and underwent five sanitation and stabilization treatments (40% and 20% calcium oxide, 40% and 20% calcium hydroxide, and untreated sewage sludge). The Gelfa sewage sludge, characterized by a higher initial nitrogen (N) concentration, resulted in greater dry-matter yield (DMY) (12.4 and 8.6 g plant−1 for the first and second growing cycles, respectively) compared to that from Viana do Castelo (11.0 and 8.1 g plant−1), with N release likely being a major factor influencing crop productivity. The high N concentration and the low carbon (C)/N ratio of sewage sludge led to rapid mineralization of the organic substrate, which additionally led to a higher release of other important nutrients, such as phosphorus (P) and boron (B), making them available for plant uptake. Alkalizing treatments further stimulated sewage sludge mineralization, increasing soil pH and exchangeable calcium (Ca), thereby enhancing Ca availability for plants, and indicating a preference for use in acidic soils. Cationic micronutrients were minimally affected by the sewage sludge and their treatments. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sewage sludge, soils, and lettuce tissues were all below internationally established threshold limits. This study highlighted the high fertilizing value of these sewage sludges, supplying N, P, and B to plants, while demonstrating a low risk of environmental contamination with heavy metals. Nevertheless, the safe use of sewage sludge by farmers depends on monitoring other risks, such as toxic organic compounds, which were not evaluated in this study.