Application Of Soil Amendments Research Articles

A Comprehensive Perception of Biological Control Potential of Endophytes and Quality Refinement of Lagenaria siceraria.

Agriculture and livestock management practices known as organic farming rely more on internal processes than external inputs. Natural environments depend heavily on diversity, and organic farming incorporates both the stated purpose of fostering diversity as well as the use of diversity as a management tool. A more complete understanding of agriculture in terms of agro-ecology has begun to be questioned by the traditional reductionist approach to the study of agriculture. Therefore it is necessary to be aware more about the significance of microbes in processes including soil growth, plant nourishment, and the eradication of plant disease, pest, and weeds. In this study, fluorescent Pseudomonas strain (EFP56) and Trichoderma harzianum were studied for antifungal and antibacterial activity against four common root rot fungi and four common laboratory bacteria in vitro experiments. Furthermore, soil-borne disease surveillance and nutritional quality of Lagenaria siceraria, fluorescent Pseudomonas strain (EFP56) and Trichoderma harzianum were combined with neem cake and cotton cake to check their efficacy. Through the application of organic soil amendments in combination with biocontrol agents improved the quality of vegetables and their nutritional value by raising their polyphenol, carbohydrate, and protein content as well as enhancing antioxidant scavenging status. The experiments were conducted in pots and in fields to confirm their efficacy rate. The final outcomes also revealed greater induction of defense system, disease lessening and enriched fruit quality. Consortium of neem cake and cotton cake with bio-stimulants can regulate biotic as well as abiotic stress.

Bacterial Endophytes and Their Contributions to Alleviating Drought and Salinity Stresses in Wheat: A Systematic Review of Physiological Mechanisms

Drought and salinity stresses significantly threaten global wheat productivity, limiting growth and reducing yields, thus endangering food security worldwide. These stresses disrupt physiological processes, impair photosynthesis, and hinder optimal growth and yield by diminishing water uptake, causing osmotic stress, ion toxicity, and oxidative stress. In response, various mitigation strategies have been explored, including breeding for stress-tolerant cultivars, improved irrigation techniques, and the application of exogenous osmoprotectants and soil amendments. Among these strategies, the emergence of rhizospheric and endophytic growth-promoting microorganisms has attracted significant attention. Therefore, a systematic review was undertaken to illustrate the role of endophytic bacteria in enhancing wheat tolerance to drought and salinity stresses. This review analyzes physiological mechanisms and research trends, identifies gaps, and discusses implications for sustainable agriculture. An analysis of the literature related to endophytic bacteria in wheat was conducted using databases of major publishers from 2004 to 2023. The review explores their mechanisms, such as phytohormone production and stress-responsive gene induction, emphasizing their contribution to plant growth and stress resilience. The current research trends indicate a growing interest in utilizing endophytic bacteria to mitigate these stresses in wheat cultivation, with studies focusing on understanding their physiological responses and interactions with wheat plants. Future research should concentrate on elucidating the role of endophytic bacteria in enhancing host plant tolerance to multiple stressors, as well as aspects like endophytic mechanism of action , endophytic lifestyle, and transmission pathways. Overall, endophytic bacteria offer promising avenues for sustainable agricultural practices, aiding in crop resilience and food security amid environmental challenges.

Rock Phosphate and Biochar Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Fertility in Southern Alberta Potato Field

The application of biochar soil amendment and rock phosphate fertilizer to the soil could lead to achieving net zero emissions and food security; however, the effectiveness of using biochar and rock phosphate in southern Alberta brown chernozemic soil is not yet assessed. In the first trial of this study, varying levels of urea (N), with varying levels of biochar (B) were applied. The same level of rock phosphate (RP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied to compare efficiency of the two fertilizers. The second trial involved applying the same nutrients, but with higher levels than the first trial. The results indicated that the fertilizer application rates did not affect the growth and yield of potatoes because of the application rates of the fertilizer and fertility status of the soil, whereas in the second trial, TSP and RP treatments had the same growth and yield. Furthermore, the high application rate of nitrogen fertilizer and RP with or without biochar in the potato plot emitted high nitrous oxide gas emissions while the low application rate of nitrogen fertilizer and RP kept the carbon dioxide in the soil. Nevertheless, in the second experiment, the application of biochar and rock phosphate reduced nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. We observed high residual nitrogen and manganese nutrients after harvest in the plot treated to rock phosphate and biochar. Therefore, rock phosphate and biochar have the potential to increase food production and mitigate climate change.

Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Saline Soil Using a Bacterial Consortium and Different Carriers

AbstractBioremediation of crude‐oil‐contaminated soils is critical to supporting soil ecosystem health and functioning. Here, to explore the potential for different remediation strategies to restore soil microbial functioning and enhance remediation, three strains of bacteria, Bacillus toyonensis, Bacillus sp. and Bacillus cereus, were inoculated to saline, crude oil‐contaminated soil collected from Azadegan Oil Field, Iran. Bacteria were added using different carriers, including corn biochar, humic acid, chitosan and kaolin, and free bacteria as a control. Changes in soil metal concentrations and residual crude oil were determined after 60 days of incubation. Soil respiration, microbial biomass, and enzyme (dehydrogenase and catalase) activities were measured. The carriers accompanying a bacterial consortium were more efficient than free bacteria in removing crude oil and heavy metals from soil, and they performed better in removing n‐alkanes with carbon chains of C12–24. The oil removal rate and metal immobilization efficiencies were greatest in soils with chitosan‐bacteria treatment, with removal of crude oil, Al, Pb, Sr, and Cr (93%, 63%, 37%, 54%, and 15%, respectively) greater than for soils with free cells without treatment (61%, 54%, 9%, 50%, and 3%, respectively). Soil electrical conductivity decreased after application of bacterial mixtures with and without carriers. The inoculation of bacteria and application of soil amendments increased soil microbial biomass carbon and the activity of catalase and dehydrogenase. Overall, our results indicated the greatest potential remediation was achieved by applying immobilized microorganisms in chitosan to accelerate the biodegradation of crude oil and the removal of heavy metals.

Responses of soil microbial community activities and soil physicochemical properties to coal fly ash soil amendment

BackgroundHundreds of millions of tons coal fly ash are produced annually to support economic development and industrial production. However, directly applying coal fly ash to agricultural production can decrease the land productivity and pose a threat to the ecosystem due to the poor physicochemical properties and seriously heavy metal pollution.MethodsIn this study, a field experiment to investigate the effects of coal fly ash as a soil amendment was conducted in Hebei province, China. The coal fly ash (CFA) soil field was mixed with the carrier soil (CS, without containing coal fly ash) at different rates (0–40% mass content) in the 0–20 cm layer of top soil and then mixed with a rotovator. The soil was then amended with 0.45–1.80 kg·m− 2 of G1 soil amendment for planting corn.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the response mechanism of soil microbial community activities, and soil physicochemical properties to soil amendment and carrier soil in coal fly ash soil.Key resultsThe study found that the G1 amendment, which consisted of humic acid, polyacrylamide, zeolite powder, and FeSO4·7H2O, improved the soil chemical properties and physical structure by increasing soil bulk density and macroaggregates. The highest corn yield was observed in B5 (20% CS and 1.3500 kg·m− 2 G1). Meanwhile, the abundance of microorganisms that facilitate the circulation of soil nutrients such as Acidobacteria (77.05%), Sphingomonas (25.60%), Nitrospira (20.78%), Streptomyces (11.32%), and Gaiella (10.20%) was increased.ConclusionsOverall, our results indicate that the use of coal fly ash soil as a amendment can enhance soil sustainability by improving soil microbial functions. These findings provide a reference for the development and application of coal fly ash soil amendments.

Aplikasi Formulasi Bahan Pembenah Tanah terhadap Beberapa Sifat Kimia Tanah Berpasir dan Produksi Tanaman Padi

Sandy soil is part of the soil fraction with low nutrient content, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity. This is due to the leaching process so that nutrients are easily lost. The research aimed to improve the chemical characteristics of sandy soil and rice crop production due to the application of humic acid and silica. This research used of Completely Randomized Design method using soil amendment materials, namely humic acid (A) at the of 60 kg/ha and silica (S) at the of 5 tons/ha consisting of 6 combinations of comparisons repeated 4 times. Variables of analysis parameters include pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, N-NH4+, N-NO3- and rice crop production. The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). If the results showed a significant effect, it was continued with the Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) test at the 5% level. The results showed that the application of soil amendment in the from humic acid and silica with various treatments on sandy soil was only able to improve CEC by 3,18% and Organic-C by 0,08%. In contrast soil pH and N-available didn`t give significant results in improving soil chemical properties and rice crop production. It`s recommended to conduct further research on the dose used in soil amendments so that it can effect nitrogen parameters and rice crop production in sandy soil. Keywords: humic acid, silica, sandy soil

Response of agronomic and physiological traits of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to plant stem cell soil amendments

Black shank disease is an important factor limiting the yield of flue-cured tobacco. Soil amendments have the potential to improve soil health and increase crop yield and quality. However, the application effects of soil amendments have not been elucidated in flue-cured tobacco. Here, we conducted field experiments in the major tobacco planting area, Exploring the effects of plant stem cell soil amendments at different levels on the occurrence and physiological growth of tobacco black shank disease, The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of plant stem cell soil amendments and recommend feasible applied rates. Plant stem cell soil amendments are applied at four levels: T0 (0 kg ha−1), T1 (1500 kg ha−1), T2 (2250 kg ha−1), and T3 (3000 kg ha−1). Nutrient absorption, agronomic traits, dry matter quality, chemical composition, and economic benefits of flue-cured tobacco black shank disease were explored. The results showed that the application of plant stem cell soil amendments effectively reduced the incidence rate of tobacco black shank disease, and significantly improved the agronomic traits (leaf number, plant height, leaf length, and width) and dry matter quality of flue-cured tobacco. At the same time, the nutrient content (N, P, and K), the proportion of high-quality tobacco leaves, and the content of coordinated chemical components (total nitrogen, total plant alkali, total sugar, reducing sugar, potassium and chlorine) of flue-cured tobacco plants were increased. In addition, the application rate of stem cell soil amendment at 3000 kg ha−1 showed the best effect on reducing the occurrence of black shank disease, which resulted in improved tobacco yields and economic benefits to the greatest extent of flue-cured tobacco. The study indicates that plant stem cell soil amendments can significantly enhance the yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco and offers an effective method for sustainable crop production in the tobacco industry.

Influences of tobacco straw return with lime on microbial community structure of tobacco-planting soil and tobacco leaf quality.

Soil amendment is an important strategy for improving soil quality and crop yield. From 2014 to 2019, we conducted a study to investigate the effects of tobacco straw return with lime on soil nutrients, soil microbial community structure, tobacco leaf yield, and quality in southern Anhui, China. A field experiment was conducted with four treatments: straw removed (CK), straw return (St), straw return with dolomite (St+D), and straw return with lime (St+L). Results showed that after 5 years of application, the St+L significantly increased the soil pH by 16.9%, and the contents of soil alkaline nitrogen (N) and available potassium (K) by 17.2% and 23.0%, respectively, compared with the CK. Moreover, the St+L significantly increased tobacco leaf yield (24.0%) and the appearance (9.1%) and sensory (5.9%) quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves. The addition of soil conditioners (straw, dolomite, and lime) increased both the total reads and effective sequences of soil microorganisms. Bacterial diversity was more sensitive to changes in the external environment compared to soil fungi. The application of soil amendments (lime and straw) promoted the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil. Additionally, bacterial species had greater competition and limited availability of resources for survival compared to fungi. The results showed that soil microorganisms were significantly influenced by the presence of AK, AN, and pH contents. These findings can provide an effective method for improving the quality of flue-cured tobacco leaves and guiding the amelioration of acidic soil in regions where tobacco-rice rotation is practiced.

Differential responses of photosynthesis, yield and soil properties 4 years after a single application of zeolites and biochar in a rainfed olive orchard

AbstractOlive orchards represent a key agricultural system in the Mediterranean Basin. Soil degradation processes associated with unsustainable agronomic practices and climate change could severely impact the sustainability of Mediterranean rainfed olive orchards. In this context, soil amendments are important tools that can be used to enhance soil fertility for sustained environmental quality and plant performance. In this study, a field trial was conducted for 4 years in olive tree (Olea europaea L.) to assess the effects of a mineral fertilizer compound and the combination with a single application of zeolites or biochar on the physiological and biochemical performance, tree nutritional status, crop yield and soil chemical and biological properties to gain knowledge towards more sustainable management. Our results showed that the addition of zeolites and biochar to mineral fertilizer ameliorated the physiological and biochemical performance, as evidenced by consistent increments of relative water content, stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis and by lower signs of oxidative stress during the periods of greater climate adversity. However, crop yield was not significantly different among soil treatments. On the other hand, soil chemical and biological traits at the surface layer (0–10 cm) have shown different and relevant responses after 4 years of soil amendment application. In fact, zeolite supply stood out as increased pH, extractable K, cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass quotient and reduced extractable Cu. Furthermore, zeolites induced positive changes in soil enzymatic activity, leading to increases in 10 enzymes involved in C, N and P cycles. In contrast, the effects of biochar on soil properties were much more reduced, given that it decreased the microbial biomass nitrogen and enhanced the activities of three P‐cycle enzymes. In summary, our data demonstrated that both soil amendments can be an interesting complement to mineral fertilization, in order to increase trees' resilience under rainfed conditions and to promote soil health, although the use of zeolites appears to be a more promising strategy because of the induction of higher soil sustainability.

Investigating the Effects of Various Soil Amendments on Forages Production in the Field

An initial investigation into the utilization of recycled plant and animal residues as soil amendments (SAs), including compost, biochar, and soil conditioner, was conducted using alfalfa crops. This study evaluated the impact of SAs on alfalfa seed germination, resulting in an 87% germination rate for biochar, 82% for soil conditioner, and 82% for compost. In comparison, untreated seeds displayed a 78% germination rate. After successful germination, the SAs were employed to enhance soil health, with a focus on water conservation and increased forage yield. The study used sandy-textured soil with moderate alkalinity, very slight salinity, slight calcareousness, and high permeability. The germination trial confirmed that SAs usage did not hinder seed germination, even for salt-sensitive crops like alfalfa. Two field experiments were carried out in Al-Wafra, using different application rates of compost, biochar, and soil conditioner at 5, 7.5, and 10 tons per hectare. The results highlighted the positive impact of SAs application on increasing forage production, with varying degrees of enhancement, and confirmed a 40% reduction in water usage compared to treatment without SAs but under 100% irrigation (100% ETc). In conclusion, SAs show promising potential for local forages intensification and water conservation.

Varietal responses to a soil amendment: Balancing cadmium mitigation and mineral biofortification in wheat production

The application of soil amendment (SA) and the cultivation of low Cd-accumulating varieties have been a widely favored strategy to enable the safe utilization of Cd-contaminated arable land. However, little has been reported on the reciprocal effects of SA on the Cd mitigation and nutritional quality of different wheat varieties. In this study, we evaluated the impact of an SA on agronomic traits, Cd accumulation, translocation and mineral nutrition of 12 wheat varieties in an acidic field with a Cd concentration of 0.46 mg/kg. The results showed that the SA significantly reduced soil DTPA Cd (42.3 %) and resulted in a slight decrease in wheat grain yield (4.24–9.72 %, average 7.62 %). Similarly, the SA significantly reduced grain Cd concentrations (average 61.65 %) while increased the concentrations of beneficial elements such as Mo and Se in all wheat varieties. However, this intervention also led to a reduction in the concentration of essential mineral elements (such as Ca, Fe, and Mn) in whole wheat grain and starchy endosperm, as well as a reduction in their proportion in the bran. Based on genotypic differences, Huaimai 33, Zhenmai 168, Sumai 188 and Yangmai 28 were considered to be the relatively most promising wheat varieties for achieving a balance among food safety, nutritional quality, and economic yield in this region. Taken together, this study highlights the varietal differences in Cd mitigation and mineral accumulation in different wheat varieties in response to the SA, offering new perspectives for phytoremediation and biofortification strategies for Cd-contaminated farmland.

Remediation of soda-saline-alkali soil through soil amendments: Microbially mediated carbon and nitrogen cycles and remediation mechanisms

Due to the high salt content and pH value, the structure of saline-sodic soil was deteriorated, resulting in decreased soil fertility and inhibited soil element cycling. This, in turn, caused significant negative impacts on crop growth, posing a major challenge to global agriculture and food security. Despite numerous studies aimed at reducing the loss of plant productivity in saline-sodic soils, the knowledge regarding shifts in soil microbial communities and carbon/nitrogen cycling during saline-sodic soil improvement remains incomplete. Consequently, we developed a composite soil amendment to explore its potential to alleviate salt stress and enhance soil quality. Our findings demonstrated that the application of this composite soil amendment effectively enhanced microbial salinity resistance, promotes soil carbon fixation and nitrogen cycling, thereby reducing HCO3− concentration and greenhouse gas emissions while improving physicochemical properties and enzyme activity in the soil. Additionally, the presence of CaSO4 contributed to a decrease in water-soluble Na+ content, resulting in reduced soil ESP and pH by 14.64 % and 7.42, respectively. Our research presents an innovative approach to rehabilitate saline-sodic soil and promote ecological restoration through the perspective of elements cycles.

Soil amendments alter cadmium distribution and bacterial community structure in paddy soils

Soil amendments play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of food production by inhibiting the transfer of heavy metal ions from soils to crops. Nevertheless, their impact on soil characteristics and the microbial community and their role in reducing cadmium (Cd) accumulation in rice remain unclear. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of three soil amendments (mineral, organic, and microbial) on the distribution of Cd speciation, organic components, iron oxides, and microbial community structure. The application of soil amendments resulted in significant reductions in the soil available Cd content (16 %–51 %) and brown rice Cd content (16 %–78 %), facilitating the transformation of Cd from unstable forms (decreasing 10 %–20 %) to stable forms (increasing 77 %–150 %) in the soil. The mineral and organic amendments increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and plant-derived organic carbon (OC), respectively, leading to reduced Cd accumulation in brown rice, while the microbial amendment enhanced OC complexity and the abundances of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota, contributing to the decreased rice Cd uptake. The synchrotron radiation–based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that soil amendments regulated soil Cd species by promoting iron oxides and OC coupling. Moreover, both organic and microbial amendments significantly reduced the diversity and richness of the bacterial communities and altered their compositions and structures, by increasing the relative abundances of Bacteroidota and Firmicutes and decreasing those of Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Myxococcota. Soil microbiome analysis revealed that the increase of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota associated with Cd adsorption and sequestration contributed to the suppression of soil Cd reactivity. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential mechanisms by which soil amendments regulate the speciation and bioavailability of Cd, and improve the bacterial communities, thereby providing guidance for agricultural management practices.

Exploring the application of signaling compounds and soil amendments to modulate plant–microbe interactions for improved plant salinity tolerance

Exploring the application of signaling compounds and soil amendments to modulate plant–microbe interactions for improved plant salinity tolerance

The effects of polyester microfibres on the development and seed yield of white mustard (Sinapis alba L.)

Microplastics are found in agricultural soils worldwide; however, little is known about the impacts of this ubiquitous pollutant on the growth and development of crops. Microfibres are one of the dominant microplastic types found in agricultural soils. Sources of microfibres in the agricultural environment are multiple, including soil amendment applications, wastewater irrigation and atmospheric deposition, with agricultural soils subsequently acting as an accumulating sink for plastics. A key consideration in an agricultural setting is yield; the seed yield is critical, as this is the part with economic value. This study investigates the influence of polyester microfibres, a prevalent type of microplastic in agricultural soils, on the growth and seed yield of Sinapis alba (white mustard). Polyester microfibres were added to soil samples at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% w/w, simulating environmental exposure levels. The study evaluated flower production, seed yield, pod-to-seed ratio, and chlorophyll fluorescence as indicators of plant health and reproductive success. Results revealed significant changes in chlorophyll fluorescence values (Fv/Fm), reduced flower production control (74 ± 37 flowers in the control, 31 ± 27 in the 0.1 treatment and 44 ± 31 in the 1 % treatment), and changes in pod-to-seed ratio (3.5 ± 0.65 seeds per pod in the control, 2.76 ± 0.5 seeds per pod in the 0.1% treatment and 2.83 ± 0.81 seeds per pod in the 1% treatment) in response to polyester microfibre exposure. Polyester microfibres were demonstrated to act as a stressor to S. alba, changing the chlorophyll fluorescence values, reducing the flower number, and in turn, reducing the pod-to-seed ratio. This study provides evidence that microfibres could reduce seed yield but that further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms by which these changes are occurring.

Phytotoxicity Assay of Cu, Pb and Zn on Launaea cornuta and Sporobolus jacquemontii Grown in Heavy Metal contaminated soil

In this paper, a phytotoxicity assay is used to assess the harmfulness and tolerance of L. cornuta and S. jacquemontii in phytoremediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. The effects of Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations in the soil on the number of leaves generated, root and shoot growth, and tolerance indices of the investigated plant species were analyzed. The experimental plants were grown in soil with 0, 100, 300, 600, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 mg/kg dry soil weight (DW for Pb, Cu, and Zn). Sample preparation and laboratory analysis followed the standard methods. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GraphPad Instat 3.1 software. The growth mean of different treatments was compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at p < 0.05. Plants grown in soil containing more than 300/kg DW metal contents exhibited a significant effect on the growth of the root and shoot. Concentrations lower than 300 did not show any significant effects. At 1500 mg/kgDW, the numbers and sizes of leaves decreased very significantly, while at 2000 mg/kgDW both plants failed to survive. The toxic effects of the metals on biomass production showed inhibition in the following trend: Zn>Cu>Pb. The results suggest that hyper accumulator plants can also be affected by metals in the soils on which they grow. Therefore, the application of L. cornuta and S. jacquemontii as phytoremediation plants at higher metal soil concentrations requires the application of soil amendments to minimize the toxicity effect of metal on the plants.

Review of the Responses of Various Soil Amendments in Sandy Soils

The primary constraints with sandy soils are low soil organic matter content, poor nutrient availability, heavy losses of applied nutrients and lower water holding capacity. Improving the productivity of sandy soils, particularly in developing countries, could be a viable solution to food insecurity and poverty. Large extent of sandy soil is one of the major constraints for crop production in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, various soil amendments can be applied to improve the performances of cropping systems in sandy soils. Nevertheless, a comprehensive knowledge on which soil amendment would work better across different scales is not well known. To address this knowledge gap, this review was conducted using published literature. Systematic review approach was adopted, and the data were extracted from 65 highly relevant papers. The data were analyzed to calculate the percentage changes on crop yields, soil organic matter and soil carbon, in response to the applications of different soil amendments. The review highlighted the potential of several soil amendments to improve the crop performances in sandy soils. Interestingly, rice straw biochar and the municipal solid waste compost have greatly increased crop yields especially in rice at the rate of 0.9% w/w and 3% w/w in soil weight basis, respectively. Highest improvement in soil organic matter and soil carbon was observed under the applications of compost and spent grain, respectively. Therefore, rice straw biochar and compost could be evaluated to improve the productivity of sandy soils, especially in the Eastern region of Sri Lanka. Although the spent grain was promising, the availability for large scale applications may be limited in Sri Lanka. Testing of these soil amendments would require long-term experiments incorporating different crops and cropping systems. 
 Keywords: Compost, Biochar, Sandy soil, Soil amendments

Application of soil amendments and paclobutrazol to shorten internode and increase rice yields

This study aims to determine the role of soil amendments, Paclobutrazol (PBZ), and varieties as well as their interactions on the growth and yield of rice. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) factorial split-split plot 3 x 2 x 2 with 3 replicates. The first factor was soil amendments as the main plot which consisted of 3 levels: A1= biochar, A2= compost, A3= mixture of biochar, compost, Mycorrhiza, and Trichoderma. The second factor was the concentration of PBZ in the split plot, which consisted of 2 levels: PBZ1 = 500 ppm, and PBZ2 = 700 ppm. The third factor is the variety as a split-split plot consisting of 2 levels: V1 = Sigupai Abdya, V2 = Tangse. The results showed that soil amendments had a significant effect on grain weight, and yield potential. The best yields are found in 50 g pot−1 of compost. PBZ had a very significant effect on grain weight and yield potential. PBZ at 700 ppm, can shorten rice internodes. Varieties have a very significant effect on grain weight and yield potential. The best growth and yields were found in the treatment of 50 g pot−1 compost with PBZ at a concentration of 700 ppm using the Tangse variety.

Enhancing Resiliency and Productivity of Flood Prone Coastal Rice Farming through Integrated Organic-Biofertilizers and Crop Management for Climate Change Adaptation

Coastal rice farming is vulnerable to climate change, including flooding and extreme weather events. To enhance resilience and productivity, innovative approaches are essential. A study investigated the effects of soil amendment and biofertilizers on rice yield. The findings showed that the use of halotolerant rice varieties and the application of soil amendment and biofertilizers can serve as a primary strategy for flooded rice farming. Sustainable farming practices can empower coastal communities to better adapt to climate change and improve the sustainability of rice production.

Combined Soil Microorganism Amendments and Foliar Micronutrient Nanofertilization Increased the Production of Allium cepa L. through Aquaporin Gene Regulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of changes in aquaporin expression on the growth of onion (Allium cepa L.) plants when subjected to dual applications of microorganism-based soil amendments and foliar nanoencapsulated mineral nutrients. Multiple physiological parameters related to water, gas exchange, and nutrient content in leaf, root, and bulb tissues were determined. Additionally, the gene expression of aquaporins, specifically PIP1, PIP2 (aquaporin subfamily plasma membrane intrinsic protein), and TIP2 (aquaporin subfamily tonoplast intrinsic protein), was analyzed. The findings revealed that the foliar application of nutrients in a nanoencapsulated form significantly enhanced nutrient penetration, mobilization, and overall plant growth to a greater extent than free-form fertilizers. Amendments with microorganisms alone did not promote growth but influenced the production of secondary metabolites in the bulbs. The combination of microorganisms and nanoencapsulated mineral nutrients demonstrated synergistic effects, increasing dry matter, mineral content, and aquaporin gene expression. This suggests that aquaporins play a pivotal role in the transport of nutrients from leaves to storage organs, resulting in the overexpression of PIP2 aquaporins in bulbs, improved water uptake, and enhanced cell growth. Therefore, the combined treatment with microorganisms and nanoencapsulated mineral nutrients may be an optimal approach for enhancing onion productivity by regulating aquaporins under field conditions.