Sustainable Agriculture Research Articles

Bioremediation of Soil Pollution: An Effective Approach for Sustainable Agriculture

Soil pollution, primarily caused by the excessive use of pesticides, heavy metals, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff, is a significant global environmental challenge. Traditional methods of soil remediation, such as chemical treatments and physical excavation, are costly, disruptive, and environmentally unsustainable. In contrast, bioremediation has emerged as a promising, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution to restore contaminated soils. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of bioremediation techniques, their mechanisms, applications in agriculture, and their role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, it examines the potential benefits, challenges, and future prospects of bioremediation in addressing soil pollution while ensuring long-term soil health and agricultural productivity.

Development of a Robotic System for Agricultural Pest Detection: A Case Study on Chili Plants

Chili peppers, a key agricultural commodity in Indonesia, are highly susceptible to pest infestations and diseases, leading to significant economic losses and challenges in sustainable farming. This study presents the design and implementation of a real-time pest detection system that integrates robotics, computer vision, and deep learning to enhance agricultural productivity. The system is built on a Raspberry Pi 5 and Arduino Mega Pro Mini, utilizing a camera for image capture and ultrasonic sensors for navigation. A ResNet-based model was trained on a dataset of 2,703 chili leaf images, categorized into healthy and diseased classes, achieving a detection accuracy of 91%. The system provides early warnings to farmers through a web-based interface, allowing timely intervention and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. While promising, the system faced challenges such as environmental variability, which influenced image recognition accuracy. By automating pest detection and promoting precision farming, this innovation addresses the need for sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to global food security and reducing environmental impact.

The mutation atlas of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera): a mutation database resource for natural knockouts

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a paramount species of immense ecological and economic importance. It forms dense underwater forests, providing crucial habitat and serving as a foundation species for diverse marine ecosystems. Understanding the genetics of giant kelp is essential for conservation and sustainable farming, safeguarding these valuable ecosystems and their benefits. By analyzing mutations based on their impact, we can gain insights into the potential functional consequences and implications for the organism, helping to identify critical genes or regions that may play a significant role in adaptation, development, and environmental response. To achieve this, we annotated the effects and impact of spontaneous mutations in 559 giant kelp individuals from four different populations. We found over 15.9 million mutations in genes of giant kelp, and classified them into modifier, low, moderate, and high impact depending on their predicted effects. The creation of this mutation effect database, attached to the seedbank of these individuals, offers several applications, including enhancing breeding programs, aiding genetic engineering with naturally occurring mutations, and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of environmental changes.

Exploring the Role of Urban Agriculture in Indonesia’s Socio-Economic and Environmental Landscape: A Systematic Literature Review

In the domain of sustainability, urban agriculture is recognized as a key instrument for confronting critical global challenges including but not limited to food security, climate change, and environmental degradation. As an integral component of sustainable practices, urban agriculture offers a comprehensive strategy for addressing these concerns concurrently. The primary aim of this systematic review is to delineate the methodologies implemented for sustainable urban agriculture in Indonesia. Additionally, it assesses the foremost opportunities and challenges in leveraging urban agriculture to achieve environmental, social, and economic objectives. This review used the PRISMA technique to assess 25 articles investigating the relationship between urban agriculture (UA) and sustainability. The studies were selected from the Scopus database, and the aim was to present a comprehensive summary of the current knowledge in this field. Results indicate that urban agriculture offers significant economic, social, and environmental benefits in sustainable urban environments. Realizing its full potential requires coordinated efforts through policy development, community involvement, and overcoming existing obstacles. This study addresses the urgent need for sustainability in cities by integrating farming practices within urban areas, promising food security, reduced environmental impact, and increased urban resilience. With cities facing challenges such as population growth, resource scarcity, and climate change, urban agriculture is key to creating sustainable cities for the future.

The antinomies of feed and feeding in animal agriculture

This paper is about the environmental politics and ethics of animal agriculture through a focus on feed and feeding. We review a large and interdisciplinary body of scholarship on animal agriculture to show that the production of feed, and the feeding of animals in confined systems of production, is associated with degradation, exploitation, and violence. At the same time, and especially in the current conjuncture, feed and feeding research and scholarship highlight ways to address and mitigate animal agriculture's environmental problems while also providing hope for more ethical multispecies relations on the farm. We map the antinomies of feed and feeding through three analytical registers: feed as object, feeding as practice, and feed/ing as conversion. We argue that feed and feeding are at the center of the contemporary politics and ethics of animal agriculture — both as a site of exploitation and domination, but also as a contested promise of a more ethical and sustainable animal agriculture. Our conclusion examines how the antinomies of feed and feeding are both incompatible and yet bound together, an issue that we argue provides critical insights into the contemporary environmental politics and ethics of animal agriculture.

High-Efficiency CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing Unveils Biofilm Insights and Enhances Antimicrobial Activity in Bacillus velezensis FZB42.

Bacillus velezensis FZB42 is a prominent plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium and biocontrol agent known for producing a wide array of antimicrobial compounds. The capability to genetically manipulate this strain would facilitate understanding its metabolism and enhancing its sustainable agriculture applications. In this study, we report the first successful implementation of high-efficiency CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in B. velezensis FZB42, enabling targeted genetic modifications to gain insights into its plant growth-promotion and biocontrol properties. Deletion of the slrR gene, a key regulator of biofilm formation, resulted in significant alterations in biofilm structure and development, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and quantitative biofilm assays. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of biofilm formation, which are critical for root colonization and plant growth promotion. Additionally, we overexpressed the bac gene cluster responsible for bacilysin biosynthesis by replacing its native promoter with the strong constitutive promoter P43 and integrating an additional copy of the bacG gene. This genetic manipulation led to a 2.7-fold increase in bacB gene expression and significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus diolivorans. The successful implementation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system for genome editing in FZB42 provides a valuable tool for genetic engineering, with the potential to improve its biocontrol efficacy and broaden its applications in agriculture and other biotechnology areas. Our principles and procedures are broadly applicable to other agriculturally significant microorganisms.

Effect of Starch And Propolis Films On Post-Harvest Conservation of Tommy Atkins Mango

Objective: Develop protective films of cornstarch incorporated with propolis extract to preserve Tommy Atkins mango post-harvest. Method: The fruits were immersed in eight coatings of different proportions of starch and propolis extract and stored for evaluation every 3 days for 15 days, at the Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Food Analysis of the University of Pernambuco, Petrolina Campus. To evaluate their quality, the following were determined: mass loss, pulp firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, SST/ATT ratio, determination of ascorbic acid, moisture, and characteristics of skin color and appearance. The results were analyzed using Jamovi software. Results and Discussion: Pronounced effects were observed on firmness, weight loss, soluble solids, moisture, skin color and appearance. However, analyses of pH, total acidity and vitamin C showed no significant difference in the preservation of the quality of the mangoes. Furthermore, the treatment that best preserved the physical-chemical and sensory characteristics of the fruits was 5% starch added to 2.5% propolis extract, followed by coating with only 5% starch. Research Implications: The implications highlighted are discussed in food technology, covering solutions for sustainable agriculture, food conservation with the potential to provide food security, objectives present in the 2030 agenda. Originality: This study has an innovative approach. Its relevance is proven by the functionality of the film, which gives the fruit better quality, in addition to providing an economic, social and cultural impact for the region, benefiting the farmer, the domestic and foreign markets and the consumer.

Agribusiness in the UAE: Challenges and Technological Advancements, A Review

This review comprehensively analyses the agribusiness landscape in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), highlighting the challenges and strategic responses that shape the sector. The UAE’s agribusiness is pivotal for economic diversification and reducing oil dependency. However, it faces significant obstacles due to the harsh desert climate, limited arable land, and freshwater scarcity. Soil salinity and water constraints necessitate innovative agricultural practices. Technological innovations such as vertical farming and hydroponics, alongside government initiatives like the ‘National Food Security Strategy 2051’, are crucial for sustainable agriculture. The paper examined the UAE’s reliance on food imports and the associated risks, including supply chain disruptions and market volatility. It outlines resilience strategies such as crop diversification, supply chain improvements, and continuous innovation. Through case studies of pioneering enterprises like Pure Harvest Smart Farms and Al Dahra, the paper showcases successful applications of climate-resilient crops and advanced farming techniques. These firms demonstrate the potential for successful agribusiness despite environmental challenges. The paper concludes that addressing these challenges is vital for the UAE’s food security, ensuring a stable food supply, and supporting a diversified, sustainable economy. Investment in AgriTech, research, innovation, and strategic policy implementation are key to the future of agriculture in the UAE.

Effect of Organic Farming Techniques on the Quality of Almond Fat

Almond fruit is characterized by a mature, hardened endocarp enclosing the seed. Despite being a drupe botanically, almonds are commonly referred to as nuts due to their low water content. The edible seed, known as the kernel, is the primary commercial product. Fatty acid composition was determined to value the quality of fat over four years in almonds of the Guara variety, from plots where the production system (organic and conventional), the irrigation system (intense irrigation, support irrigation and dry land), and the use of plant cover varied. The oil content and fatty acid composition were determined over four years in almonds of the Guara variety, using different sustainable agriculture techniques. Oil almond content ranged from 35% to 55% of total fresh weight of the kernel, with strong variability between years. Fatty acid composition was also highly variable, with significant differences depending on agricultural practices. Oleic acid, which ranged from 59% to 78%, was statistically higher with support irrigation. Plant cover also favored the synthesis of oleic acid. Linoleic acid, which ranged from 11% to 25%, had a statistically higher content in almonds from organic farming and dry land conditions. The atherogenic and thrombogenic indices and the value of health-beneficial fat was better in organically prod\uced almonds. The great variability observed in the quality of almond fat represents a very promising basis for establishing practices for adaptation to arid cultivation conditions, irrigation management, and organic and regenerative techniques, satisfying requirements for healthier and more sustainable diets.

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.

Optimizing Nano-DAP Application for Enhanced Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) Productivity

A field experiment was conducted at KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, India during Kharif 2023 to evaluate the effect of nano DAP on the growth and yield of groundnut. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with twelve treatments and replicated thrice. Various levels and methods of nano DAP treatments were evaluated, among the tested treatments application of 100 per cent recommended dose of N & P along with seed treatment of nano DAP 2.5 ml kg-1 of seeds and one foliar spray of nano DAP 4 ml l-1 at 30 DAS (T11) recorded higher plant height (58.50 cm), number of branches (15.92), number of effective root nodules at 30 and 60 DAS (47.43 and 85.27 respectively), the yield attributes like number of pods plant-1 (53.40), test weight (42.48 g), pod yield (3562.5 kg ha-1), kernel yield (2659.73 kg ha-1), haulm yield (4301.47 kg ha-1) and shelling percentage (74.69 %) were also found significantly higher in the same treatment. It also recorded higher gross returns (2,16,980 ₹ ha-1), net returns (1,41,716 ₹ ha-1), and B: C ratio (2.88) compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers, 12.4 per cent increased pod yield was noted with nano DAP application. This increase in yield can aid in ensuring food security, while the environmentally friendly properties of Nano DAP support the practice of sustainable agriculture.

Extent of Climate Information Service as a Decision Support Tool to Climate Smart Agricultural Technology Use and Adoption in Ghana

Climate information services have been crucial in the quest to promote sustainable agricultural production. Access to information is a first step in addressing such a situation. In this context, getting information on events, actions, situations, or happenings that threaten the achievement of sustainable agriculture production is the top most priority. Climate information received by farmers is critical to farmers decision making and planning process in the agriculture sector specifically with productivity, food security, plant and soil health. Use and adoption of CSA technologies by farmers is largely influenced by inherent decisions based on climate information at all stages of production. Based on this, 679 farmers across 6 regions in Ghana, rainfall onset, first cessation, windstorm, humidity, drought spell and rainfall volume were identified as the CI required in order of importance out of nine (9). Out of all the farmers that accessed this information, about 72% had information on rainfall onset being the highest, followed by first-cessation with 47%. This top 2 is largely possible because of the heavily dependence of rainfall on agriculture and through farmer-to-farmer information sharing, and much focus on rain related information. CSA adoption, a little above one-fifth (22%) of the farmers adopted crop rotation. Pest and disease tolerant varieties were adopted by 15% of the farmers, with a close to equal adoption percentage across all three sampled groups. Minimum tillage was reported as a male-dominant CSA and was only adopted by less than one-fifth of the total respondents. Enhanced biopesticide use was male dominant. CIS proves to be a critical tool for decision making and hence influence CSA use and adoption. This therefore requires strong improvement in both content, strategy and approach to delivering tailor-made CI for farmers and other value chain actors.

A Novel Hybrid Methodology Based on Transfer Learning, Machine Learning, and ReliefF for Chickpea Seed Variety Classification

Seed quality is a critical factor in crop production. Therefore, seed classification is required to obtain high-quality seeds and to enhance agricultural sustainability and productivity. This study focuses on the varietal classification of chickpeas, an important source of protein and fiber. Chickpea seed varieties can currently be identified by domain experts; their reliability and efficiency depend on the experience and skills of experts and are prone to human error. The design of classification models with high accuracy to assist in selection mechanisms is required for chickpea varieties. In this study, a novel hybrid methodology is proposed for the chickpea classification problem. This methodology combines three well-suited and robust components: feature extraction using three pre-trained models, feature selection with the ReliefF algorithm, and classification employing classical machine learning methods to enhance classification accuracy and efficiency. Various experiments have been conducted using the four hybrid models developed. Their performance has been compared in terms of accuracy, recall, F1-score, precision, and AUC. TL+SVM and TL+LDA outperformed the other models, with test accuracies of 94.4% and 94%, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of a powerful model that will be beneficial as a component of computer vision systems in smart agriculture applications.

Endophytes as Permanent or Temporal Inhabitants of Different Ecological Niches in Sustainable Agriculture

Local adaptation of plants to environmental conditions is gaining attention, particularly in the context of climatic change and the microbiota that are associated with it. It should be noted that endophytes play a large role in shaping plants. These are microorganisms that reside within plant tissues without causing any apparent harm to their host. It should also be highlighted that endophytes play an essential role in ecosystems by contributing to plant health through multiple mechanisms. We suggest that endophytes affect some animals, as they are used in the ecological niche in which animals thrive. Thus, we analyzed this aspect of endophytes as persistent but impermanent inhabitants of various ecological niches. Therefore, the aim of the current review is to present the knowledge (from the last 10 years) on plant endophytes, their applicability in agriculture and endophytes affecting animals. We focused on bioproducts and biofertilizers containing endophytes, which are indirectly connected with agrobiotechnology, and the legal conditions associated with the marketing of these products, which also impact some animals, as they are used in the ecological niche in which animals thrive.

Fostering Students' Competencies in Sustainability in Vocational Agriculture Education in Burundi: Effects of a Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) Module

ABSTRACTDeveloping students' sustainable agriculture competencies requires the alignment of curriculum content to encompass the full complexity of the dynamics of agriculture. However, empirical evidence from sustainable agriculture research indicates that actions oriented towards fostering students' competencies are scarce. To advance understanding, this study monitored and evaluated the development of students' sustainability competencies for smallholder farming during the implementation of a Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) module—A sustainability learning programme that elaborates on cross‐cutting issues of long‐term integrated planning, which is normally not taught. A total number of 104 students from two vocational agricultural schools (N1 = 63; N2 = 41) were involved in the PIP learning module that was implemented from April 2022 to June 2023. Survey data on the development of the students' competencies were collected at the beginning (April 2022), in‐between (December 2022) and end (June 2023) of the implementation of the PIP module. A one‐way repeated measures MANOVA test was used to evaluate the effect of the PIP module on the development of students' competencies. Findings revealed that the PIP module significantly contributed to fostering all intended competencies, including facilitator of change, leadership, innovation and creativity, planning, system thinking, stewardship, auto‐determination and interdisciplinarity. Improvement of these competencies was much higher in the earlier stage of the learning process compared to the later stage, implying that sustainability learning requires going beyond ‘business‐as‐usual’ to retain the interest of students and competencies development. Findings also revealed that competencies development levels differ depending on schools' context, implying that sustainability learning programmes should be flexible and adaptive for learning to occur in a real‐context environment. These findings have practical implications for policies related to designing and upscaling sustainability learning programmes in vocational agriculture schools.

Resilience Assessment of Tomato Crop Chlorophyll Fluorescence Against Water Stress Under Elevated CO2 and Protective Cultivation

ABSTRACTWater scarcity is a crucial issue that reduces plant growth and yield worldwide. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, which are associated with plant growth and yield under water stress, are the most sensitive plant parameters. The mitigation of water stress by elevated CO2 (e[CO2]) by chlorophyll fluorescence for tomato growth is rare. Tomato plants were grown in a controlled environment chambers (CECs) under eight treatments under controlled environmental conditions for two growing seasons: autumn–winter (AW) 2021 and spring–summer (SS) 2022. The four irrigation regimes included 40%–50% soil water holding capacity (WHC) (I1), 60%–70% WHC (I2), 80%–90% WHC (I3) and 100% WHC (I4). Eight treatments of four irrigation regimes coupled with e[CO2] (700 μmol·mol−1) and ambient CO2 (a[CO2], 500 μmol·mol−1) were designed, respectively: I1e[CO2], I2e[CO2], I3e[CO2], I4e[CO2], I1a[CO2], I2a[CO2], I3a[CO2] and I4a[CO2], where I4a[CO2] was considered the control treatment (CK). The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), photochemical efficiency of PSII (ФPSII), electron transport rate (ETR) and photochemical quenching (qP) significantly decreased, whereas nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) significantly increased under drought stress. Compared with that under CK, the maximum reduction in Fv/Fm under I1a[CO2] was 14% in AW 2021, whereas it was 19% in SS 2022. The ФPSII was reduced by 13%–3% and 13%–6% under I1a[CO2] in AW 2021 and SS 2022, respectively (under the fixed photosynthetically active radiation range of 125–625 μmol·m−2·s−1) compared with that in the CK. The ETR and qP decreased under I1a[CO2] at their maximum level in AW 2021 and SS 2022 with respect to those in the CK. The results showed that e[CO2] mitigated water stress as the Fv/Fm, ФPSII, ETR and qP were increased under water stress coupled with e[CO2]. I1e[CO2] was the most influential treatment for chlorophyll fluorescence parameters assessed via principal component analysis (PCA) in AW 2021 and SS 2022. This study explained the approach to develop crop resilience against water stress by inducing e[CO2], which will play a vital role in sustainable agriculture under drought stress.

Development of a Solar-Powered Incubator for Poultry Eggs

The development of solar-powered egg incubators holds promise for sustainable agriculture and poultry farming, particularly in areas with limited access to reliable electricity. Hence, in this work, locally sourced materials were used for the development of solar-powered incubator, with the aim of providing a sustainable and reliable alternative to traditional electricity-powered incubators. The design of the incubator was carried out using the different equations stipulated in literatures. Also, the performance of the incubator was investigated by determining the system temperature, relative humidity, percentage fertility and hatchability. The experimental results indicated that the total heat generated inside the incubator was 149,753.49 J, with contributions from air, eggs, water, and plywood. Also, there was consistent temperature and relative humidity readings throughout the incubation period with the temperature and relative humidity falling between 37.1-38.0°C and 50.6-56% respectively. The study also showed that the incubation process was conducted with diligence, leading to favorable outcomes (67% fertility and 75% hatchability) for embryo development and hatching success.

Commodity Zoning and Identification of Agricultural Practices Using an Agroecological Approach in Selur Village

Selur Village is an agrarian village where most residents rely on the agricultural sector as their primary source of livelihood. However, this sector faces challenges such as limited irrigation access, suboptimal land management, and the impacts of climate change. Agroecology offers an integrative solution combining ecological, social, and cultural aspects to enhance agricultural sustainability. This study aims to delineate superior commodity zoning through agroecological maps tailored to the biophysical potential of the area and to understand local farming practices based on agroecological principles. The research employs a mixed-method approach, with primary data obtained through interviews with 18 farmers, analyzed using Deductive Qualitative Analysis (DQA) to describe current farming practices, which were then interpreted about agroecological principles. Secondary data, including slope, elevation, air temperature, rainfall, and soil type, were spatially analyzed using QGIS to produce agroecological zone maps. Land suitability assessment was conducted using the matching method, aligning land characteristics with crop growth requirements. The results indicate that the majority of land in Selur village is suitable for perennial crops and forestry. Key commodities such as rice, maize, turmeric, and horticultural crops exhibit high compatibility with land conditions. The findings emphasize the application of agroecological principles, including crop diversification, soil conservation, and resource recycling, but highlight the need for further interventions. The study concludes by recommending strategies such as sustainable intensification, land rehabilitation, and enhanced market access to optimize agricultural productivity and resilience in Selur Village.

Long-Term Effects of Crop Treatments and Fertilization on Soil Stability and Nutrient Dynamics in the Loess Plateau: Implications for Soil Health and Productivity

Soil degradation and erosion pose significant threats to agricultural sustainability in fragile ecosystems, such as the Loess Plateau in northern China. This study examines the long-term impacts of fertilization regimes and land-use systems on soil health, focusing on soil aggregate stability, fertility, and crop productivity. Six treatment combinations were evaluated in our study, including three continuous alfalfa fields (AL-CK, AL-P, and AL-NPM) and three continuous wheat fields (WH-NPM, WH-NP, and WH-P), each representing a combination of land use and three fertilization treatments: (1) no fertilization (CK), (2) inorganic fertilization (120 kg ha−1 N, 60 kg ha−1 P-NP), and (3) a combination of organic and inorganic fertilization (75 t ha−1 cow manure-NPM). Soil samples were collected from three depths (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, and 20–30 cm) to assess physical and chemical properties. We evaluated the long-term effects of different fertilization treatments on soil stability, fertility, and crop yield to explore the interactions among soil’s physical and chemical properties under two land-use types and to assess the effectiveness of combined organic and inorganic fertilization strategies in improving soil health and mitigating erosion in vulnerable landscapes. The study revealed significant depth-specific variations with surface layers (0–10 cm) showing the greatest improvement under NPM treatments, particularly in continuous alfalfa fields, which exhibited higher soil fertility, improved soil structure, and crop yield. In contrast, continuous wheat fields with minimal fertilization demonstrated significantly lower soil quality and productivity. Using the combination of mineral fertilizers and organic amendments, such as cow manure, proved to be the most effective strategy for significantly enhancing nutrient availability and overall soil health. Partial Least Squares Modeling (PLS-M) and Mantel analysis highlighted the critical role of fertilization management in maintaining soil quality, boosting crop productivity, and mitigating erosion in high-risk areas. This study emphasizes the importance of integrated nutrient management for sustainable land use and soil conservation in erosion-prone regions.

Foliar application of nano biochar solution elevates tomato productivity by counteracting the effect of salt stress insights into morphological physiological and biochemical indices

Nano-biochar considers a versatile and valuable sorbent to enhance plant productivity by improving soil environment and emerged as a novel solution for environmental remediation and sustainable agriculture in modern era. In this study, roles of foliar applied nanobiochar colloidal solution (NBS) on salt stressed tomato plants were investigated. For this purpose, NBS was applied (0%, 1% 3% and 5%) on two groups of plants (control 0 mM and salt stress 60 mM). Tween-20 was used as a surfactant to prolong NBS effective stay on plant leaf surface. The results showed that 3% NBS application effectively improved the plant height, plant biomass, fruit count and fruit weight under non-stressed and stressed plants. In addition, 3% NBS application further increased the plant pigments such as chlorophyll by 72% and 53%, carotenoids by 64% and 40%, leaf relative water content by 4.1 fold and 1.07 fold under both conditions, respectively. NBS application stabilized the plasma membrane via reducing electrolyte leakage by 30% as well as reduced the lipid peroxidation rates by 46% and 29% under non-stressed and stressed plants, respectively. 3% NBS application also significantly enhanced the plants primary and secondary metabolites, as well as activities of antioxidant enzymes compared to control plants. Overall, NBS foliar application significantly improved all growth and yield indices, pigments, primary and secondary metabolites, leaf water content, antioxidant enzyme activities as well as reduced electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation rates in tomato to combat stress conditions. In future, studies on nano biochar interactions with soil microbiota, surface modifications, long-term environmental impacts, reduced methane gas emissions, and biocompatibility could provide insights into optimizing its use in sustainable agriculture.