Conventional Fertilization Research Articles

Effect of Different RDF Regimes and Nano DAP on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Dynamics of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

This study investigated the effect of combining full and reduced recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) levels with Nano Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) on growth, yield, and nutrient dynamics in chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Two-year field experiments was conducted using a randomized block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments included the control, 100% RDF, 75% and 50% RDF, and combinations of these with Nano DAP seed treatments and foliar sprays. Key parameters measured included plant growth, yield components, seed and straw yields, nutrient content and uptake, The 100% RDF treatment produced the highest seed yield (15.98 q ha-1), followed by 75% RDF + Nano DAP (13.73 q ha-1). Nano DAP treatments increased yield compared to equivalent RDF levels alone. The 100% RDF treatment also resulted in maximum nutrient content and uptake in seed and straw. While Nano DAP improved nutrient use efficiency compared to conventional fertilizers, it did not match the performance of 100% RDF when combined with reduced fertilizer levels. The study demonstrated Nano DAP can partially substitute for conventional fertilizers in chickpea, but cannot fully replace RDF for achieving maximum productivity and nutrient uptake.

Brushite: a Reclaimed Phosphorus Fertilizer for Agricultural Nutrient Fertilization

Abstract Phosphorus fertilizers are typically produced from mined and chemically processed rock phosphate, which is a diminishing non-renewable resource. Wastewater-reclaimed phosphorus minerals, such as brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O), have the potential to be utilized as agricultural fertilizers. The commercial recovery of brushite from wastewater processing is a recent advancement; however, its efficacy as an agricultural fertilizer has yet to be evaluated. Wastewater-reclaimed brushite was tested in a greenhouse and field setting. In the greenhouse study, two P-limited soils were used to grow corn fertilized using brushite and were compared with struvite (NH4MgPO4·6H2O), another reclaimed P source, and conventional P fertilizers, triple super phosphate (TSP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP). In the field, corn, wheat, and cotton were grown in two ecoregions for two sites years to compare brushite and struvite with conventional fertilizers. Plants were evaluated for P uptake and yield, and P availability was determined as extractable P. Results indicate that brushite promoted plant productivity similar to conventional fertilizers in P-limited greenhouse soils. Field studies demonstrated similar uptake and assimilation of brushite-P compared to synthetic fertilizers and struvite. Soil acidification occurred across all fertilization treatments. The use of reclaimed brushite as a P fertilizer appears to be as effective as commercially available synthetic fertilizers.

Effect of Different Level of Nano Urea on Yield, Quality and Shelf life of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) cv. Winter Dawn under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Condition, India

Nano fertilizers are the modern day concept of fertilizers and possess several benefits over conventional fertilizers. In very small quantity nano fertilizers have significant impact on the growth of crop. The present study consisted of 11 treatments utilising various combinations of conventional urea and nano urea, administered at varied doses and concentrations, with each treatment replicated three times in a Randomised Block Design. The main objective of the experiment was to assess the impact of varying concentrations of nano urea on the yield and quality characteristics along with shelf life of Strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa) cv. Winter Dawn. Treatment T7 [100% PK + 60% RDN + 0.8% Nano urea (8 ml/l)] was found best with [15.69 (2022-23), 16.23 (2023-24) and 15.96 (Pooled)] number of fruits per plant, [168.57 (2022-23), 177.28 (2023-24) and 172.92 (Pooled)] g yield per plant, [55.07 (2022-23), 57.92 (2023-24) and 56.49 (Pooled)] q/ha yield per hectare, ) [11.21 (2022-23), 11.54 (2023-24) and 11.38 (Pooled)] °Brix TSS, [0.60 (2022-23), 0.49 (2023-24) and 0.55 (Pooled)] % titrable acidity, [55.14 (2022-23), 56.86 (2023-24) and 56.00 (Pooled)] mg/100g ascorbic acid, [5.80 (2022-23), 6.00 (2023-24) and 5.90 (Pooled)] % total sugar, [4.17 (2022-23), 4.26 (2023-24) and 4.22 (Pooled)] % reducing sugar, [1.54 (2022-23), 1.65 (2023-24) and 1.60 (Pooled)] % non-reducing sugar and [4.34 (2022-23), 4.38 (2023-24) and 4.36 (Pooled)] days shelf life.

Evaluating integrated fertilizer strategies for sustainable paddy yield improvement in Mahaweli System B, Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka's dry-zone region, the Mahaweli System B area is central to national paddy production, benefiting from supplementary irrigation from the Maduru Oya reservoir. However, the high dependency on chemical fertilizers, subsidized by the government, has led to escalating environmental concerns and diminishing returns in paddy yields. Consequently, farmers have increasingly adopted integrated fertilizer management practices that blend organic and inorganic inputs to balance cost, yield, and environmental impact. This research investigates the effectiveness of these farmer-adapted integrated fertilizer strategies compared to conventional chemical-only fertilizer applications, focusing on yield performance, soil health, and economic feasibility. Data were collected through surveys of 100 farmers in the Dimbulagala block, assessing a range of factors including soil nutrient levels, crop residue management, fertilizer application rates, and land preparation practices. The findings reveal that while integrated practices support soil health and nutrient availability, yield outcomes vary significantly based on the type, timing, and quantity of fertilizers used. Notably, farmers who adopted a comprehensive management approach—incorporating organic inputs with optimized land preparation and crop residue practices—achieved better yields and improved soil quality. This study underscores the need for context-specific fertilizer recommendations that prioritize sustainability and long-term soil fertility. Further research on fine-tuning integrated nutrient management practices may enhance both productivity and ecological health, thereby supporting the livelihoods of paddy farmers in Mahaweli System B.

Micronutrient Diffusion Behavior of Nutrient Pellets in Acid Sulphate Soils

Nutrient bias of acid sulphate soils with overabundance of oxides and sulphates of iron and aluminum fabricates acidic nature in soil as well as inadequacy of other essential nutrients. Crop production in acid sulphate soil is found challenging due to the deteriorating nutrient status hence, this soil is deemed as problem soil. This study aims to concoct a multinutrient pellet for the enhancement of nutrient status in acid sulphate soil, using nutrient sources permitted in National Programme for Organic Production. Laboratory incubation experiment was performed to evaluate the nutrient release characteristics of pellets for 60 days in completely randomized design with 8 treatments and 3 replications. Standard procedures were employed to analyze the nutrient composition of pellets and nutrient concentration of soil samples drawn at regular intervals. N content was highest in Pellet 3 (Blood meal +Steamed bone meal +Potassium sulphate) while P & K content were highest in Pellet 1 (Blood meal +Rock phosphate +Potassium sulphate). Soil pH and electrical conductivity increased with days of incubation while organic carbon decreased. Nutrient availability surged from day 1 to 60 and the maximum was observed on 60thday of incubation. The blood meal-based pellets had the strong propensity to perpetuate and enhance the nutrient release to the soil in comparison with other pellets. Hence, the replacement of conventional fertilizers by organic multinutrient pellets can optimize the nutrient cachets of acid sulphate soils.

Effect on N release by urea coating with chitosan, starch and urease inhibitor.

Food production often relies on nitrogen fertilizers, which can harm the environment when dispersed in agroecosystems. A new urea coating additive, made from chitosan, starch, and N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (a urease inhibitor), has been developed to mitigate these effects. The additive was tested for its impact on ammonium (NH4) production and urea release in water, characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and subjected to bioassays on lettuce and rocket. The additive decreased the urea release rate in water by 12 %, as predicted by the Korsmeyer and Peppas model, indicating Fickian diffusion controlled by concentration gradients. FTIR analysis revealed that the interaction between chitosan's amine groups and urea's hydroxyl groups slowed the release. In lettuce and rocket, the additive enhanced root development, increasing surface area by 97 %, root volume by 100 %, and thin and thick root growth by 65 % and 131 %, respectively. After 24 h, the fertilizer produced less ammonium when in contact with urease. The production cost of this fertilizer was only 20 % higher than conventional fertilizers, showing that applying NBPT, starch, and chitosan to urea can reduce waste and improve key aspects of sustainable food production.

Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols

This study examined the impact of the long-term application (25 years) of tea waste (TW), compost (COM), and neem oil cake (NOC) compared to conventional synthetic fertilizers (CONV) on soil thermal and physical properties of a tea-cultivated Ultisol. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths of an experimental site of the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka. These samples were analyzed for soil thermal conductivity (k), volumetric heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and volumetric water contents at 0 kPa (θ0) and 10 kPa (θ10). TW and COM significantly (p < 0.05) increased surface SOC, leading to better aggregation, lower BD, and, consequently, a substantial reduction in k and D compared to CONV plots. Further, TW and COM amendments slightly increased C compared to CONV plots due to elevated SOC and water content. However, NOC had no impact on soil thermal and physical properties compared to CONV. The reduced thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity indicated an improved soil capacity to buffer extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, soils treated with TW and COM exhibited greater water retention and improved soil resistance to erosion. The findings suggest that the long-term application of tea waste and compost could be a sustainable soil management strategy for improving soil health and enhancing resilience to climate change in tea-cultivated Ultisols.

Comprehensive analysis of nano-fertilizers in Indian agriculture - A review

This is a comprehensive review of studies of nano-fertilizers for their efficacy in stimulating plant growth, facilitating higher nutrient uptake and thus enhancing overall crop yield and productivity. The intricate insights into the mechanisms through which nano-fertilizers ensure sustained nutrient release, optimize nutrient absorption and augment nutrient utilization efficiency, have been reviewed. Several scientific studies indicate the potential of nanotechnology to enhance crop performance in terms of better crop growth and higher productivity. Regarding the economic implications of adopting nano-fertilizers, several findings indicate that nano-fertilizers could offer cost advantages over conventional fertilizers, potentially alleviating the government's subsidy burden and reducing import expenses on huge quantities of major commercial fertilizers. This comprehensive review also explores the challenges faced by Indian agriculture in crop production and the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize productivity on a sustainable basis. The study emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced and sustained crop production and highlights the significance of nano-fertilizer application as an innovative and environmentally friendly solution. In conclusion, this comprehensive overview of the status of stagnant crop production in India identifies the challenges in augmenting productivity and proposes nanotechnology-based fertilizers and their utility in major agricultural crops cultivation as a promising solution. The findings underscore the need for further research and the widespread adoption of nanotechnology-based fertilizers in Indian agriculture to ensure sustainable and enhanced production and productivity.

Soil Microbial Mechanisms to Improve Pear Seedling Growth by Applying Bacillus and Trichoderma-Amended Biofertilizers.

Bacillus velezensis SQR9 or Trichoderma harzianum NJAU4742-amended bioorganic fertilizers might significantly improve the soil microbial community and crop yields. However, the mechanisms these microorganisms act are far away from distinctness. We combined amplicon sequencing with culturable approaches to investigate the effects of these microorganisms on pear tree growth, rhizosphere nutrients and microbial mechanisms. The SQR9 and T4742 treatments increased the total biomass of pear trees by 68% and 84%, respectively, compared to the conventional organic fertilizer treatment (CK). SQR9 tends to increase soil organic matter and available phosphorus, while T4742 more effectively enhances nitrogen, potassium, iron and zinc levels. These effects were primarily linked to changes in the microbial community. T4742 treatment enriched twice as many differential microbes as SQR9. SQR9 significantly enriched Urebacillus, Streptomyces and Mycobacterium, while T4742 increased the abundance of Pseudomonas, Aspergillus and Penicillium. In vitro experiments revealed that secondary metabolites secreted by B. velezensis SQR9 and T. harzianum NJAU4742 stimulate the growth of key probiotics associated with their respective treatments, enhancing soil fertility and plant biomass. The study revealed the specific roles of these bioorganic fertilizers in agricultural applications, providing new insights for developing effective and targeted bioorganic fertilizer products and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Integrated enzyme activities and untargeted metabolome to reveal the mechanism that allow long-term biochar-based fertilizer substitution improves soil quality and maize yield.

Biochar-based fertilizer has potential benefits in improving soil quality and crop yield, but the biological mechanisms of soil microbial enzymes interacting with related metabolisms still need to be further investigated. In this study, we combined enzymology and untargeted metabolomics to investigate how biochar-based fertilizer substitution affects soil quality and crop yield by regulating soil enzymes and metabolites in dry-crop farmland. Our findings showed that biochar-based fertilizer substitution enhanced the activities of enzymes related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling, as well as influenced metabolite composition. The identified differential metabolites were enriched into 10 metabolic pathways including linoleic acid metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, styrene degradation, ABC transporters, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glutathione metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Substantial soil quality index improvement was demonstrated, with at least 63.46% increased, under biochar-based fertilizer application, while maize yield was increased by at least 11.16%, compared to conventional fertilizer. Model analysis elucidated mechanisms underlying soil quality and maize yield enhancement, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic regulation through the release of carbon- and nitrogen-related enzymes (e.g., α-glucosidase (α-GC), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosidase (NAG), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP)) and specific metabolites (e.g., stearic acid, arachidonic acid, and melibiose). Moreover, the key role of soil quality factors was highlighted, with soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass, and available nutrients playing a fundamental role in contributing to the increase in maize yield. The above findings illustrated that biochar-based fertilizer is crucial in modulating soil microbial activity and their metabolites, and their interactions in the soil are essential for promoting improved soil quality and crop yield.

A Novel Large-Particle Slow-Release Fertilizer Improves Nutrient Use Efficiency and Yield of Cassava by Boundary Layer Limitation

Cassava is a crucial food and economic crop in tropical regions globally. In response to challenges in fertilizer use efficiency for cassava cultivation, which is traditionally compromised by extensive leaching and broad root zone distribution, a novel large-particle slow-release fertilizer (LPF) was developed in this study. This fertilizer was synthesized through solution polymerization using non-metallic minerals and seaweed extract. Compared to conventional SFs that release 99% of nutrients within 1 min, the LPF prolonged the release duration to 51 min under optimal synthesis conditions: drying temperature of 80 °C, total extrusion force of 40 t, drying air pressure of −0.40 bar, auxiliary mineral proportion of 50%, and water content of 15%. Microbeam characterization (e.g., FTIR) and kinetic modeling revealed that the superior performance of LPF resulted from mineral crystal enrichment in the outer layer of fertilizer granules, facilitating intra-particle diffusion processes and imposing boundary layer limitations on nutrient release (e.g., N, P, and K). Field experiments validated the slow-release performance of the fertilizer. Notably, soil treated with LPF exhibited superior nutrient retention in the topsoil layer (0–20 cm) both horizontally and vertically. Even with two-thirds of the nutrient content relative to conventional fertilizers, LPF also displayed significant improvements in crop yield, partial factor productivity, and agronomic efficiency by 33.56%, 200.01%, and 513.84%, respectively. These results indicate that LPF presents a promising solution for sustainable cassava cultivation.

New opportunities for biologically and chemically mediated adsorption and precipitation of phosphorus from wastewater.

Biologically mediated adsorption and precipitation of phosphorus (P) from waste streams can restrict environmental P discharges. Here, we appraise progress in this field over the past decade. The research discipline has grown considerably in recent years. Industry 'wastes', including steel slags, continue to show promise as adsorbents with exceptionally high P retention capacities (>500mgPg-1). Hydrotalcite, a nanomineral, offers prospects as a P removal technology with imbedded climate change mitigation capacity. Biomineral struvite formation, driven by microbial processes, offers an exciting P removal and recovery approach that can be applied to diverse wastewater types due to its feedstock-independent mechanisms, emerging immobilisation techniques and adaptability to mixed cultures. All of these factors facilitate efficient nutrient recycling and scalable application to the wastewater industry. Adsorbed and precipitated P can be applied to cropland to offset dependence on conventional fertiliser inputs. Therefore, in addition to water treatment, these biologically mediated processes also offer opportunities to support food production. Moreover, as many of the input materials covered in this review are industry byproducts and common organic materials, the removal of P from waste streams by adsorption and precipitation offers strong circularity potential that aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. We call for future work to focus on long-term full-scale trials involving community, government and industry partners.

How do various strategies for returning residues change microbiota modulation: potential implications for soil health.

Residue incorporation is a crucial aspect of anthropogenic land management practices in agricultural fields. However, the effects of various returning strategies on the soil microbiota, which play an essential vital role in maintaining soil health, remains largely unexplored. In a study conducted, different residue management strategies were implemented, involving the application of chemical fertilizers and residues that had undergone chopping (SD), composting (SC), and pyrolysis (BC) processes, with conventional fertilization serving as the control (CK). Using metagenomic sequencing, the analysis revealed that while all residue returning strategies had minimal effects on the diversity (both α and β) of microbiota, they did significantly alter microbial functional genes related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) cycling, as well as the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens. Specifically, chopped residues were found to enhance microbial genes associated with C, N, P, and S cycling, while composted residues primarily stimulated C and S cycling. Furthermore, all residue treatments resulted in a disruption of relationships among nutrient cycles, with varying degrees of impact observed across the different management strategies, with the sequence of impact being SD < SC < BC. Moreover, the residue additions resulted in the accumulation of ARGs, while only SC caused an increase in certain pathogens. Finally, through analyzing the correlation network among indices that exhibited active responses to residue additions, potential indicators for functional changes in response to residue additions were identified. This study further offered recommendations for future cropland management practices aimed at enhancing soil health through microbiomes.

Integrating green manure and fertilizer reduction strategies to enhance soil carbon sequestration and crop yield: evidence from a two-season pot experiment

The excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agricultural production has led to diminishing returns, necessitating alternative methods to enhance soil fertility and reduce fertilizer dependency. One promising approach is the integration of leguminous green manure, which improves soil structure, enhances nutrient cycling, and supports sustainable farming practices. However, the application of green manure in systems with continuous fertilizer reduction remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating the effects of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers (N-P) by up to 24% in conjunction with multiple cropping of soybean green manure on soil fertility, organic carbon fractions, and wheat yield. The research employed a pot experiment conducted over two wheat-growing seasons (March 2021 to July 2022) at an experimental station in Baoji, China. Treatments included CK (control, no fertilizer), CF (conventional fertilizer), and reduced N-P fertilizer applications by 6% (RF6), 12% (RF12), 18% (RF18), and 24% (RF24). Key findings revealed that RF12 had no significant impact on wheat grain yield compared to CF. The incorporation of soybean green manure significantly improved soil alkaline nitrogen by 22.3% and available phosphorus by 30.7%, while high-labile organic carbon (H-LOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) increased by 34.5 and 29.6%, respectively. Additionally, a notable increase of 12.4% in soil organic carbon content was observed, suggesting enhanced carbon sequestration potential. This study provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices by demonstrating that incorporating leguminous green manure alongside moderate fertilizer reduction can maintain crop yield, improve soil nutrient availability, and increase organic carbon content, thus supporting reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers and promoting long-term soil fertility and carbon sequestration.

Controlled Nitrogen Release by Hydroxyapatite Nanomaterials in Leaves Enhances Plant Growth and Nitrogen Uptake.

Nitrogen fertilizer delivery inefficiencies limit crop productivity and contribute to environmental pollution. Herein, we developed Zn- and Fe-doped hydroxyapatite nanomaterials (ZnHAU, FeHAU) loaded with urea (∼26% N) through hydrogen bonding and metal-ligand interactions. The nanomaterials attach to the leaf epidermal cuticle and localize in the apoplast of leaf epidermal cells, triggering a slow N release at acidic conditions (pH 5.8) that promote wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and increased N uptake compared to conventional urea fertilizers. ZnHAU and FeHAU exhibited prolonged N release compared to urea in model plant apoplast fluid pH in vitro (up to 2 days) and in leaf membranes in plants (up to 10 days) with a high N retention (32% to 53%) under simulated high rainfall events (50 mm). Foliar N delivery doses of up to 4% as ZnHAU and FeHAU did not induce toxicity in plant cells. The foliar-applied ZnHAU and FeHAU enhanced fresh and dry biomass by ∼214% and ∼161%, and N uptake by ∼108% compared to foliar-applied urea under low soil N conditions in greenhouse experiments. Controlled N release by leaf-attached nanomaterials improves N delivery and use efficiency in crop plants, creating nanofertilizers with reduced environmental impact.

Influence of Nano Urea on Growth Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Blackgram

Background: There is no doubt that the enormous increase in global food production is a direct result of greater use of inorganic fertilizers. However, a number of research studies indicate that the rising use of conventional fertilizers has resulted in major environmental risks, including soil and water body contamination. Nanotechnology and nano-fertilizers have recently been used in agriculture to create healthier solutions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to improve the N availability for plants, while reducing its harmful effects to the soil and environment. Methods: Keeping this point of view, the pot culture experiment was carried out to study the “Impact of nano-urea (Liquid) on blackgram (VBN 8) (Vigna mungo L.) Productivity” with an objective of study the influence of Nano-Urea on growth and yield attributes of Blackgram. The experiment was conducted at Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Pollachi during the Kharif (June-September) season of 2022 and 2023. The treatment includes application of various level of nano urea (1.25 litres ha-1) as foliar spray and soil application along with recommended dose of P and K in comparison with RDF and control (without any nutrient). The treatments were replicated three times in a completely randomized block design. Result: Among the different treatment combination, application of nano-urea (Liquid) 1.25 litres ha-1 as Foliar Spray (FS) (IFFCO) + P and K RDF (T2) resulted in higher pod weight (4.1 and 6.2 g plant-1) and seed weight (3.2 and 3.6 g plant-1) in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Application of nano-urea (Liquid) 1.25 litres ha-1 as Foliar Spray (FS) + PandK RDF responded equally with RDF + Urea 1% foliar spray on better growth and development of blackgram. At the critical juncture, adequate nitrogen from nano-urea would have ensured a steady supply of nitrogen, stimulating meristematic activity and cell elongation in plants and improving the crop performance.

Effect of nanocalcium foliar application on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of strawberry cv ‘Alba’

The strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is a very important horticultural crop that is cultivated worldwide. The production system, especially fertilization has a significant influence on the yield and quality of strawberries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of natural calcite foliar fertilizer (Fitosmart®) on the strawberry cultivar cv. ‘Alba’ in greenhouse production. Strawberries were grown in two-row beds covered with black plastic mulch and irrigated using a drip system. Pre-harvest foliar application of Fitosmart® was applied on one-year-old plants, at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.5%. Flowering and ripening time, productivity, plant growth, biometric characteristics and biochemical parameters (total soluble solids content, total titratable acid content, vitamin C content, monomeric anthocyanins content, total phenolic content), and antioxidant activity were monitored. The application of 0.5% Fitosmart® resulted in the highest yield per plant, fruit weight, and fruit quality, with a significant improvement in fruit firmness and appearance. Additionally, Fitosmart® increased the monomeric anthocyanin content, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the strawberries. These results suggest that nanocalcium fertilizer can enhance both the quality and yield of strawberries, thus presenting a promising sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers.

Human fallopian tube organoids provide a favourable environment for sperm motility.

Does a human fallopian tube (HFT) organoid model offer a favourable apical environment for human sperm survival and motility? After differentiation, the apical compartment of a new HFT organoid model provides a favourable environment for sperm motility, which is better than commercial media. HFTs are the site of major events that are crucial for achieving an ongoing pregnancy, such as gamete survival and competence, fertilization steps, and preimplantation embryo development. In order to better understand the tubal physiology and tubal factors involved in these reproductive functions, and to improve still suboptimal in vitro conditions for gamete preparation and embryo culture during IVF, we sought to develop an HFT organoid model from isolated adult stem cells to allow spermatozoa co-culture in the apical compartment. Over a 2-year period, fallopian tube tissues were collected for organoid culture purposes from 10 'donor' patients undergoing bilateral salpingectomy by laparoscopy for definitive sterilization. After tissue digestion, isolated cells from the isthmus and ampulla regions were separately seeded in 3D Matrigel and cultured with conventional growth factors for organoid culture and specific factors for differentiation of the female genital tract. HFT organoids were characterized by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, and transcriptome analysis. Following simultaneous organoid culture on specific inserts, spermatozoa from five donors were placed either in control media or in the apical compartment of colon or HFT organoids (isthmus and ampulla separately) for 96 h. Vitality and motility and kinematic parameters were assessed at 0, 48, and 96 h on 200 spermatozoa in each condition and in duplicate and compared using the Wilcoxon test. Specific fallopian tube differentiation of our model was confirmed by immunofluorescence, transcriptome analysis, and electron microscopy observations that exhibited ciliated and secretory cells. We succeeded in releasing spermatozoa in the apical compartment of HFT organoids and in recovering them for sperm analysis. Sperm vitality values were similar in HFT organoids and in commercial sperm media. We demonstrated a superiority of the HFT organoid apical compartment for sperm motility compared with other controls (colon organoids, organoid culture media, and conventional commercial sperm fertilization media). At 48 h of incubation, progressive sperm motility was higher in the apical compartment of HFT organoids (ampulla 31% ± 17, isthmus 29% ± 15) than in commercial fertilization media (15% ± 15) (P < 0.05) and compared with all other conditions. At 96 h, progressive sperm motility was almost nil (<1%) in all conditions except for spermatozoa in HFT organoids (P < 0.05): 12% ± 15 and 13% ± 17 in ampulla and isthmus organoids, respectively. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) analysis also showed that the organoids were able to maintain significantly higher levels of kinematic parameters (curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, straight linear velocity, and amplitude of lateral movement of the head) and therefore more efficient mobility compared with commercial IVF media. N/A. This was an in vitro study in which conditions of organoid culture could not exactly mimic the in vivo environment of the extracellular matrix and vascularization of fallopian tubes. This work opens up perspectives for better understanding of HFT physiology. For the first time, it highlights the possibility of developing HFT organoids for reproductive purposes. In the future, it could help us to improve gamete fertilizing abilities and embryo culture conditions during human ARTs. This study was funded by a grant from the Occitanie region, and by financial allocations from the DEFE and IRSD research teams. The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Effect of application of steel slag based-sulphur fertilizer on yield and quality of cauliflower, cabbage and capsicum

Steel slag, a waste from steel manufacturing, cannot be directly used in agriculture despite its nutritional characteristics. The present research deciphered the response of sulfur enriched steel slag (16-20% S) on cauliflower, cabbage and capsicum. The performance of steel slag based sulfur fertilizer (SSSF) at 30, 45 and 60 kg S ha-1 with 100 and 50% NPK fertilizer application was evaluated in terms of growth, yield and quality attributes i.e., total antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, and pigment system (anthocyanin, lycopene, â carotene, total carotenoid and chlorophyll content). The application of SSSF caused a significant increase (~25%) in economic yield. An increase in physiological and nutritional attributes including antioxidants was also evidenced with the supplementation of the SSSF. The study showed that steel slag based fertilizers can be applied to complement the conventional chemical fertilizers without causing any soil toxicity and phyto-toxicity. In fact, SSSF application helped to save costs (up to 50%) towards NPK chemical fertilizers without any negative impact on the economic yield and nutritional quality of cabbage, cauliflower and capsicum. The study does not reveal any negative effect of steel slag based fertilizer on soil characteristics. Thus, it supports the possibility that an enriched-amended steel slag can be used as source of mineral nutrients in agriculture.

Effect of microbial fertilizers on soil microbial community structure in rotating and continuous cropping Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis is a perennial medicinal plant. It's generally cultivated for three years, and should avoid long-term continuous cultivation. However, unreasonable crop rotation and extensive fertilization are common in G. uralensis cultivation, which leads to the imbalance of soil microflora structure, and the obstacle of continuous cropping are becoming increasingly serious. Some microbial fertilizers such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, and complex microbial agent have the advantage of regulating soil microbial community structure and improving the soil environment. Therefore, these three kinds of microbial fertilizers were applied to G. uralensis and their effects on soil microorganisms of G. uralensis were studied. Combine microbial fertilizers with conventional fertilization for continuous cropping and rotating G. uralensis. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to determine soil microbial richness, diversity and distribution of community structure in rotating and continuous cropping G. uralensis. Continuous cropping reduced G. uralensis soil bacterial diversity by 7.56% and increased fungal richness by 17.01% compared with crop rotation. However, after the application of microbial fertilizers, the fungal richness and diversity of continuous cropping G. uralensis were significantly reduced by 4.76%~20.96%, and the soil bacterial diversity of continuous cropping and rotating G. uralensis was significantly increased by 7.22%~12.03% and 6.75%~11.69% compared with the respective controls, respectively. Continuous cropping and rotating G. uralensis soil dominant bacteria mainly include Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Gemmatimonadota, and the dominant fungi include Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota. The activity process of these microbial communities was mainly through carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid synthesis pathway in metabolism. The complex microbial agent significantly increased the relative abundance of soil dominant bacteria communities of continuous cropping and rotating G. uralensis by 3.11~11.54 percentage points, and significantly reduced the relative abundance of soil dominant fungal communities of continuous cropping G. uralensis by 1.57~8.93 percentage points, compared with the control. Of the three microbial fertilizers, the complex microbial agent had the most significant effects on optimizing the soil microbial community structure of continuous cropping and rotating G. uralensis. Conclusion: the application effect of different microbial fertilizers in continuous cropping G. uralensis was better than crop rotation, and the application effect of complex microbial agent was the best, which has more application value and development prospect in the cultivation management of G. uralensis.