Fertilizer Efficiency Research Articles

Application of magnesium-containing fertilizers by priming method for regulation of physiological processes in winter wheat

The studing the efficiency of new magnesium-containing fertilizer “AktiMax” use for priming soft winter wheat seeds of the “Skipetr” variety. The effect of the fertilizer is compared with the negative (no fertilizer) and positive (“Novosil”) controls. During the study, the optimal concentration 2.6 ml/l of the solution for processing by the selected method is found, which is equivalent to 20% of the recommended by the manufacturer (13 ml/l). At treating with a solution of this concentration, a slight decrease in seed germination is observed, and growth parameter records taken after 7 days showed an increase in leaf length by 15–20%. A slight decrease in the number of roots (by 10%) and branching of the root system is observed, which is presumably due to the availability of the fertilizer components. The effect fertilizer on the photosynthetic apparatus, carbon dioxide assimilation and transpiration rate when use in a range of concentrations is studied. On average, the transpiration activity increased by 2 times in the variant with the working concentration and by 1.8 times in the variant with one fifth of the working concentration. A slight increase in the efficiency of non-photochemical fluorescence quenching is revealed in plants at the “AktiMax” application. The efficiency of seed priming method use to stimulate the rate of winter wheat development is demonstrated that leads to reduction of unfavorable outcomes risks.

Environmental impacts and nitrogen-carbon-energy nexus of vegetable production in subtropical plateau lake basins

Vegetables are important economic crops globally, and their production has approximately doubled over the past 20 years. Globally, vegetables account for 13% of the harvested area but consume 25% of the fertilizer, leading to serious environmental impacts. However, the quantitative evaluation of vegetable production systems in subtropical plateau lake basins and the establishment of optimal management practices to further reduce environmental risks are still lacking. Using the life cycle assessment method, this study quantified the global warming, eutrophication, acidification, and energy depletion potential of vegetable production in a subtropical plateau lake basin in China based on data from 183 farmer surveys. Our results indicated that vegetable production in the study area, the Erhai Lake Basin, was high but came at a high environmental cost, mainly due to low fertilizer efficiency and high nutrient loss. Root vegetables have relatively high environmental costs due to the significant environmental impacts of fertilizer production, transportation, and application. A comprehensive analysis showed that the vegetable production in this region exhibited low economic and net ecosystem economic benefits, with ranges of 7.88–8.91 × 103 and 7.35–8.69 × 103 $ ha−1, respectively. Scenario analysis showed that adopting strategies that comprehensively consider soil, crop, and nutrient conditions for vegetable production can reduce environmental costs (with reductions in global warming potential (GWP), eutrophication potential (EP), acidification potential (AP), and energy depletion potential (EDP) by 10.6–28.2%, 65.1–73.5%, 64.5–71.9%, 47.8–70.4%, respectively) compared with the current practices of farmers. This study highlighted the importance of optimizing nutrient management in vegetable production based on farmers’ practices, which can achieve more yield with less environmental impacts and thereby avoid the “trade-off” effect between productivity and environmental sustainability.

Nutrient Stoichiometry and Tree Development: Insights from a 5-Year Study on Catalpa bungei Fertilization

Short-term fertilization may provide limited improvements in tree growth and demonstrate suboptimal fertilizer efficiency; however, its benefits often fall short of expectations. Unfortunately, research addressing the sustained impacts of prolonged fertilization (e.g., beyond five years) on trees’ developmental dynamics and productivity remains relatively scarce. This study focused on a 7-year-old Catalpa bungei plantation located in Jinan City, Shandong Province, China. The study employed two fertilization techniques: hole fertilization (HF) and integrated water and fertilizer application (WF), with a no-fertilization treatment serving as the control (CK). The findings revealed that the WF significantly enhanced stand productivity. When comparing the different treatments, the productivity of WF stands demonstrated a remarkable increase of 39.7% compared to HF stands and 55.1% compared to CK stands. After five years of fertilization, the stands treated with WF exhibited a significant increase in volume accumulation, reaching 112.36 m3·hm−2. Additionally, the productivity of these WF-fertilized stands achieved an impressive 41.75 m3·hm−2·a−1. Fertilization notably enhanced the nitrogen content in the leaves and fine roots of C. bungei, as well as the potassium content in the coarse roots. These nutrients were found to be more concentrated in the corresponding organs within the WF stands. Over the entire growth cycle, there was a substantial consumption of key nutrients, with leaf nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents decreasing by 30.5%, 18.8%, and 47.3%, respectively. Similarly, the coarse root potassium and fine root phosphorus content decreased by 24.7% and 24.4%, respectively. The enhancement in leaf nitrogen content following fertilization significantly contributed to increases in tree height, breast height diameter (DBH), and individual tree volume. Similarly, the enrichment of potassium in the branches and coarse roots was associated with improvements in DBH and tree volume. To maximize forest stand productivity, the WF fertilization method demonstrated superior results compared to HF. Therefore, WF should be prioritized in future fertilization experiments for C. bungei.

Use of sunn hemp on the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in sugarcane cultivars

Brazil is a reference in sugarcane production and management; today the state of Goiás is the second largest national producer of the crop. Thus, for the increment in productivity to be greater in one crop compared to another, it is necessary to adopt cultivation practices and practices of financial interest. This work aimed to demonstrate the effect of Nitrogen (N) cycling by sunn hemp in the cultivation of three varieties with different maturity cycles (IAC91-1099 early, RB985476 medium, and RB975242 late) grown in two managements of fertilizations with and without nitrogen in cover, in which the differences of K in the formulations were supplied, in the municipality of Edéia, Goiás. The trial was set up in an entirely randomized delineation in a 3x2 factorial scheme, with 3 varieties and 2 fertilization managements. It was concluded that an efficient planting of sunn hemp can be effective in supplying the N needs of the crop, contributing to the generation of more robust technical and agronomic processes for the sugarcane crop.

Optimization of an aerated fertilizer irrigation application scheme for tomato photosynthesis, yield and quality in Xi'an, China

Soil aeration is known to alleviate root zone hypoxia, improve root growth environment, and enhance crop yield and water and fertilizer use efficiency. However, the specific effects of coupled soil aeration and fertilization on photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, yield, and quality of tomato remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, greenhouse experiments were conducted for 2 years on tomato in Xi'an, China. In preliminary experiments, it was observed that the combination of venturi and two dispersers treatments could enhance air transfer distance within the drip irrigation system over a range of 0–25 m. Subsequently, in the planting experiments, 3 levels of aeration (A) were established: A1 (no aeration), A2 (7.50 % air-to-water ratio), and A3 (15.00 % air-to-water ratio), along with 3 fertilizer (F) levels: F1 (no additional fertilizer), F2 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 120-60-78 kg ha−1), and F3 (N- P2O5-K2O fertilizer application rate of 240-120-150 kg ha−1). The study revealed that aeration significantly increased the photosynthetic rate, chlorophyll content, and dry matter content of tomatoes, resulting in a substantial improvement in both yield and quality. Additionally, aeration was found to enhance fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). In 2021, fertilizer increased the Chl. b content and improved photosynthesis, ultimately enhancing the yield, vitamin C, and total soluble sugars in tomatoes. Under the A3F1 treatment, FUE was the highest, while WUE was the highest under the A3F3 treatment. The A1F1 treatment resulted in the lowest tomato yield, with 37.22 t/ha in 2021 and 39.85 t/ha in 2022. The A3F3 treatment consistently produced the highest yield, achieving 50.53 t/ha in 2021 and 51.11 t/ha in 2022. The A1F3 treatment exhibited the highest return on investment. These findings are of paramount importance for optimizing tomato cultivation practices, improving fertilizer efficiency, and promoting sustainable agricultural production.

Advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier Transform–Infrared, Visible-NearInfrared and X-ray Diffraction Methods Used for Characterization of Organo-Mineral Fertilizers Based on Biosolids

Biosolids from stabilized sludge present a high fertilization potential, due to their rich content of nutrients and organic matter. The intrinsic and subtle properties of such fertilizers may greatly influence the fertilization efficiency. In this sense, the utility, advantages and limitations of advanced characterization methods, for the investigation of structural and dynamic properties at the microscopic scale of slightly different formulations of fertilizers were assessed. For that, three formulas of organo-mineral fertilizers based on biosolids (V1, V2 and V3), having at least 2% N, 2% P2O5, and 2% K2O, were characterized by advanced methods, such as 1H NMR relaxometry, 1H MAS and 13C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy, 1H double-quantum NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. Advanced structural characterization was performed using SEM, EDX and X-ray diffraction. Four dynamical components were identified in the NMR T2 distribution showing that the rigid component has a percentage larger than 90%, which explains the broad band of NMR spectra confirmed by the distributions of many components in residual dipolar coupling as were revealed by 1H DQ-NMR measurements. SEM and EDX measurements helped the identification of components from crystalline-like X-ray diffraction patterns. To evaluate the release properties of organo-mineral fertilizers, dynamic measurements of classical electric conductivity and pH were performed by placing 0.25 g of the formulas (V1, V2 and V3) in 200 mL of distilled water. The content of N and P were quantified using specific reactants, combined with VIS-nearIR spectroscopy. Two release mechanisms were observed and characterized. It was found that V3 presents the smallest release velocity but releases the largest number of fertilizers.

The role of proton excreted by Advenella kashmirensis DF12 during ammonium assimilation in phosphate solubilization.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can solubilize soil fixed phosphorus (P) to plant available forms. In previous studies, the mechanisms of inorganic phosphate solubilization by PSB mostly focused on the acidolysis of organic acids. Here we screened a highly efficient PSB, Advenella kashmirensis DF12, with the maximum P solubilization of 590 mg L- 1 at 6 days. In addition to its P solubilizing ability, DF12 also showed a tolerance to pH from 5 to 10 and a nitrogen fixation potential. The multiple functions of DF12 and its wide adaptability to various environmental conditions make it a promising biofertilizer candidate. The combined analysis of extracellular metabolites and intracellular metabolome data revealed that the production of organic acid (mainly gluconic acid) is not the only mechanism of P solubilized by DF12, the solubilized P content was not correlated with the gluconic acid concentration but was in a highly significant positive correlation with proton concentration, extrusion of proton during NH4+ assimilation plays a key role in phosphate solubilization. Moreover, the contribution of NH4+ assimilation to phosphorus solubilization is generally present in PSB. Therefore, we proposed that applying ammonium fertilizer in P-deficient soil is more appropriate, it can not only supplement nitrogen fertilizer, but also enhance P use efficiency, which contributes to worldwide fertilizer use reduction and efficiency improvement.

Fertilizer Micro-dosing: Evaluating the Yield Response of Sorghum to Different Levels of Fertilizers Applied on the Planting Pit at Mereb-Lekhe District

Next to drought, poor soil fertility is the single major cause of crops nutrient starvation in Tigray specifically at Mereb-lekhe district. Farmers of the study area use different organic and inorganic fertilizers separately and in combination to overcome soil fertility problems for sorghum production. However, the pace of sorghum production stays constant and occasionally decreases with time. Fertilizer efficiency; the type, rate and method of fertilizer application they use were thought to be the reasons for the steady or declining sorghum production. Hence, this study was initiated to determine the yield response of sorghum to microdose fertilizer application. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were; farmers’ practice or blanket recommended nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) (50kg ha-1 Urea & 100 kg ha-1 DAP), recommended compost at a rate of 7ton ha-1, 75% of recommended NP, 50% of recommended NP, 25% of recommended NP, 75% recommended NP+25% recommended compost, 50% recommended NP+50% recommended compost and 25% recommended NP+75% recommended compost. All treatments were applied with microdosing method except the recommended N and P is broadcasting method. The highest sorghum grain yield (4201 kg ha-1) and straw yield (19107 kg ha-1) were obtained from treatment recommended compost at a rate of 7 ton/ha and 50% recommended NP+50% recommended compost, respectively. This study showed that combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizer gave a better economic advantage for sorghum crop. Hence, it could be concluded that use of compost at a rate of 7 ton ha-1 and the 75% recommended N and P could increase production and productivity of sorghum by the application of micro dosing than broadcasting method.

Melatonin decreases excessive polyspermy for single oocyte in pigs through the MT2 receptor

Melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) improves porcine oocyte maturation and embryonic development by exerting antioxidative effects. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which melatonin prevents polyspermy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains unclear. Here, we examined the effects of melatonin on cytoplasmic maturation and the incidence of polyspermic penetration in porcine oocytes. No statistically significant difference was observed in the rate of first polar body formation between the groups (Control, Melatonin, Melatonin + Luzindole, and Melatonin + 4-P-PDOT). Interestingly, melatonin supplementation significantly improved the cytoplasmic maturation of porcine oocytes by enhancing the normal distribution of organelles (Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria) and upregulating organelle-related gene expressions (P < 0.05). However, these promotional effects were counteracted by melatonin antagonists, suggesting that melatonin enhances cytoplasmic maturation through its receptors in porcine oocytes. Melatonin supplementation also significantly improved the rate of diploid and blastocyst formation after IVF by promoting the normal distribution of cortical granules (P < 0.05). In conclusion, melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocyte improves fertilization efficiency and embryonic developmental competence by enhancing cytoplasmic maturation.

Enhanced efficiency fertilizer: a review on technologies, perspectives, and research strategies

Enhanced efficiency fertilizer: a review on technologies, perspectives, and research strategies

Long-term effects of potassium chloride, wood ash, and EDTA on 137Cs soil-plant transfer in a mixed forest of Ukraine

We conducted a 10-year field experiment to study the effects of potassium chloride, wood ash, zinc, and manganese on reducing 137Cs uptake by young leaves and green shoots of common dwarf shrubs and tree species near the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. A field experiment had four treatments: a control with no fertilisation, and three fertilised treatments: potassium fertiliser (KCl), a combination of potassium fertiliser and wood ash (KCl + Ash), and a solution providing zinc and manganese (EDTA). There was approximately 30 % decrease in 137Cs uptake by most of the studied plants species growing on plots fertilised with KCl compared to unfertilised plots during intermediate (2014–2016) and late (2018–2021) periods. Combining KCl with wood ash was found to be the most effective countermeasure, reducing 137Cs uptake by up to 60% in most species, while treatment with EDTA was less effective. Generally, the decline in 137Cs uptake by plants over the study years following treatments with fertilisers was more pronounced than in the control, indicating the efficiency of fertilisation in reducing 137Cs uptake by forest plants. Our research suggests that a combination of potassium chloride and wood ash can still effectively reduce 137Cs transfer in most common forest species, even years after the accident.

Investigating the Synergistic Effects of Using Nitrogen and Sulfur Fertilizers on the Growth of Safflower (&lt;i&gt;Carthamus tinctorius&lt;/i&gt; L.)

Nutrient imbalance is one of the prevalent problems in the semi-arid region. The study aimed to investigate the effects of sole and simultaneous application of nitrogen and sulfur on safflower yield in a semi-arid region. A field trial was designed to explore the combined use of sulfur (S0: control, S1 and S2: 25 and 50 kg ha-1 S via sulfur phosphate composites, S3 and S4=: 25 and 50 kg ha-1 of S via elemental sulfur, S5 and S6: 25 and 50 kg ha-1 of S via zinc sulfate) and nitrogen (0, 40 and 80 kg ha-1) on the growth and seed production of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in a west of Iran with mesic active calcixerepts soil that had medium to low fertility. The utilization of large amounts of nitrogen greatly increased the height of the first pod from the ground surface (P ≤ 0.05), and the highest amount was recorded in S 6+ N80 conditions (65%). Leaf chlorophyll content was significantly affected by nitrogen consumption (P ≤ 0.01) and the highest chlorophyll was recorded in S4, S5, and S6 treatments having high levels of nitrogen. A similar trend was observed for the canopy width and the application of nitrogen, zinc sulfate, and elemental sulfur could increase this component by 33%. The highest number of heads was achieved with the use of S5 + N80 and S2 + N80, which was 15% more compared to the control. The application S2 + N80 increased seed number in capitulum by 25% over the control. The application of S along with high levels of nitrogen improved the seed yield by 45% (1334 ± 78.35 kg ha-1). However, only the application of sulfur could improve the harvest index (P ≤ 0.05). The results indicated that applying moderate to high amounts of zinc sulfate and elemental sulfur, in combination with N80, enhanced safflower growth characteristics and improved seed yield components, likely due to synergistic interactions between the elements. Altogether the use of zinc sulfate or elemental sulfur as a logical and effective management solution can increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer and improve nutritional balance.

Evaluation of Nitrogen Fertilizer Supply and Soil Nitrate Thresholds for High Yields of Foxtail Millet

Foxtail millet is an important cereal crop in the North China Plain. However, excessive nitrogen fertilizer application over the years has led to declining yield and soil quality. This study investigated nutrient management strategies for foxtail millet based on crop yield levels and soil nutrient availability. In a field where targeted fertilization was conducted over six seasons, nitrogen fertilization effects and the dynamics of soil-available nitrogen were monitored continuously for two consecutive years (2022–2023) across five different foxtail millet varieties with varying yield levels. The study aimed to determine the optimal nitrogen application rate for achieving a high yield of foxtail millet, the minimum soil nitrate threshold required to maintain soil fertility, and the effective nitrogen application rate range for sustaining soil-available nitrate levels. Results showed that fertilization significantly affected dry matter weight during flowering, while variety affected dry matter weight at maturity. The average nitrogen application rate for achieving high yield across all five millet varieties was 141.3 kg·ha−1. Specifically, the average nitrogen application rate of nitrogen-efficient varieties achieving high yield (5607.32–5637.19 kg·ha−1) was 151.5 kg·ha−1, while the average nitrogen application rate of nitrogen-inefficient varieties achieving high yield (4749.77–4847.74 kg·ha−1) was 134.5 kg·ha−1. Soil NH4+-N and NO3−-N content increased when nitrogen application rate exceeded 360 kg·ha−1, posing environmental risks. To achieve high yield, soil nitrate levels would be maintained at an average of 17.23 mg·kg−1 (before sowing) and 9.75 mg·kg−1 (at maturity). A relationship between soil nitrate and nitrogen application rate was established: y = 867.5 − 50z (where y represents the optimal nitrogen application rate for high yield (kg·ha−1), and z represents soil NO3−-N content in the 0–20 cm layer before sowing, ranging from 10.0 to 17.35 mg·kg−1), which provided a practical method for nitrogen fertilization to achieve high yield of foxtail millet. In this study, the fertilization strategy was optimized according to soil nutrient level and yield targets, and the nitrogen application rate was controlled within 360 kg·ha−1 based on the soil nitrate nitrogen content, which will be instructive for reducing fertilizer use, maximizing fertilizer efficiency, and increasing yield.

Research Progress and Trend of Biochar based Microbial Fertilizer

Biochar based microbial fertilizer has loose porous structure, which can improve soil structure, improve soil fertility, promote crop growth, and provide strong support for agricultural sustainable development. In this paper, the research progress of biochar based microbial fertilizer in the preparation process, fertilizer efficiency research, application effect and other aspects was reviewed, and it was pointed out that in the future, in-depth research should be carried out in the aspects of preparation process and performance optimization, microbial strain screening and function enhancement, application effect and mechanism research, standardization and standardization system establishment, application field expansion and technology innovation.

Scientometric analysis of cover crop management: Trends, networks, and future directions

This research paper presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of English articles from the Scopus database regarding the topic of cover crop management from 1956 to March 2024. Through the analysis of the annual production trend, total production, a co-occurrence network of keywords, co-authorship networks, and co-citation networks, the data was mapped and visualized using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix software. There was an exponential increase in publications from 1991 onwards. The predominant subject was Agricultural and Biological Sciences and the most relevant journals, authors, and documents were related to this topic. Additionally, the most productive country was the United States, but in terms of article production per surface area, other countries, such as Switzerland and The Netherlands, evidence the great weight of cover crop management in these countries. The identified research topics were related to the application of different crops as cover crops and the effects on different cultivars, also soil quality improvement, and fertilization and nutrient efficiency. An emerging research topic was found to be the usefulness of cover crops as effective tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in agriculture. Future research in the field of cover crop management could be directed towards climate-adaptive cover crop species and varieties, the use of technological innovations for cover crop monitoring, and management and analysis of the economic and social impacts of cover crop adoption.

Interactions between Struvite and Humic Acid and Consequences on Fertilizer Efficiency in a Nonacidic Soil.

The effect of humic acid extracted from peat (AHt) on improving the struvite (STR) fertilizing efficiency is explored. To this end, a soil incubation study is correlated to plant assays comparing STR, STR-AHt, and superphosphate (SSP). Characterization techniques confirm the incorporation of the AHt into the STR. The P-pool distribution of STR and SSP is similar in the soil incubation, with STR-AHt presenting a higher labile P at 90 days passing from 10 to 15% P from SSP and STR to 25% P with STR-AHt. However, when applied to barley and tomato, STR yields more shoot P content, aboveground biomass, and residual P in soil than SSP. STR-AHt does not improve the STR results. The poor correlation observed between soil incubation and plant trials highlights the role of the rhizosphere in testing the fertilizer efficiency of STR. Mechanistic assays indicate the key role of rhizosphere pH. Finally, molecular modeling reveals a higher stabilization of STR with AHt, which could reduce P release decreasing the fertilizing potential of STR-AHt, as observed in the pot trials.

Increasing Fertilization Efficiency of Biomass Ash by the Synergistically Acting Digestate and Extract from Water Plants Sequestering CO2 in Sorghum Crops.

The utilization of biomass ash in sustainable agriculture and increasing its fertilizing efficiency by biological agents, potentially sequestering CO2, have become important issues for the global economy. The aim of this paper was to investigate the effects of ash from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) biomass, a biogas plant digestate, and a Spirodela polyrhiza extract, acting alone or synergistically, on soil fertility and the development, health and physiological properties of sorghum plants. The results show novel information concerning differences in the composition and impact of ash, depending on its origin, soil properties and sorghum plant development. Sorghum ash was more effective than that from Jerusalem artichoke. Ash used alone and preferably acting synergistically with the digestate and Spirodela polyrhiza extract greatly increased soil fertility and the growth, biomass yield and health of sorghum plants. These improvements were associated with an increased chlorophyll content in leaves, better gas exchange (photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance), greater enzyme activity (acid and alkaline phosphatase, RNase, and total dehydrogenase), and a higher biomass energy value. The developed treatments improved environmental conditions by replacing synthetic fertilizers, increasing the sequestration of CO2, solving the ash storage problem, reducing the need for pesticides, and enabling a closed circulation of nutrients between plant and soil, maintaining high soil fertility.

Fertilizer reduction and biochar amendment promote soil mineral-associated organic carbon, bacterial activity, and enzyme activity in a jasmine garden in southeast China

Reducing chemical fertilizers and biochar amendment is essential for achieving carbon neutrality, addressing global warming, and promoting sustainable agricultural development. Biochar amendment, a carbon rich soil additive produced through biomass pyrolysis, enhances soil fertility, increases crop yield, and improves soil carbon storage. However, research on the combined effect of fertilizer reduction and biochar amendment on soil mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC) in jasmine gardens is limited. This study aims to determine if biochar can reduce industrial fertilizer usage without compromising soil quality. This study focuses on jasmine cultivation in southeastern China, employing four treatments: conventional fertilization (CK), biochar amendment without fertilizer (BA), fertilizer reduction (FR), and fertilizer reduction with biochar amendment (FRBA). The effects on MAOC, microbial abundance, and enzyme activity were investigated. The FRBA treatment significantly increased MAOC content by 19.98 % compared to CK (P < 0.05). The BA and FRBA treatments enhanced the diversity of soil bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Azospirillum, and Cutibacterium, which are associated with soil organic carbon sequestration and nutrient decomposition. The RandomForest model identified β-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG), electric conductivity (EC), β-1, 4-Glucosidase (BG), soil potential of Hydrogen (pH), soil bulk density (BD), and β-D-cellobiosidase (CBH) as key soil traits promoting MAOC accumulation (P < 0.05). The results indicate that BA and FRBA improve soil bacterial community structure, enzyme activity, and MAOC content, promoting soil carbon accumulation through environmental factors and dominant bacteria. This study encourages future fertilization protocols that enhance fertilizer efficiency and carbon storage in crop soils.

Modified Slow-Release Urea Fertilizers on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Wheat Crop (Triticum aestivum L) for Safe and Sustainable Agricultural System

ABSTRACT Safeguarding the agricultural environment from pollution is one of the most critical challenges facing the world in the context of climate change. The loss of nitrogen fertilizers through agricultural runoff or volatilization in the form of nitrate or ammonia emissions is a significant contributor to pollution. This loss also represents an economic waste that may lead to increased prices of agricultural products. Therefore, finding a solution to this problem has become imperative. An experiment was conducted on wheat plants using various rates of urea coated with slow-release materials. The study aimed to assess the impact of these fertilizers on wheat growth and yield, nutrient uptake, and nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUtE). Results demonstrated that urea fertilizers coated with slow-release materials outperformed conventional fertilizers in terms of wheat growth and yield, uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as NUtE. The most favorable outcomes were achieved using urea-formaldehyde, urea-humic, and urea-biochar fertilizers at 100% of the recommended nitrogen application rate. This resulted in economically viable grain production with high fertilizer efficiency. Based on these findings, we recommend applying either urea-formaldehyde or urea-humic at a rate of 107 kg N ha−1 to produce wheat grain and straw with enhanced NUtE. This approach can help reduce environmental pollution caused by nitrogen losses.

Optimization of lipofection protocols for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in porcine zona pellucida intact oocytes: A study of coincubation duration and reagent efficacy

A priority to facilitate the application of lipofection to generate genetically modified porcine embryos and animals will be the use of zona pellucida (ZP)-intact oocytes and zygotes. Recently, our group produced genetically modified embryos by lipofection of ZP-intact oocytes during in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study investigates the effect of two commercial lipofection reagents, Lipofectamine 3000 and Lipofectamine CRISPRMAX, on embryo development and mutation efficiency in ZP-intact porcine oocytes. We compared these reagents with the electroporation method and a control group using two sgRNAs targeting the CAPN3 and CD163 genes. The detrimental effects on cleavage rates were observed in both lipofection treatments compared to the control and electroporated groups. However, blastocyst rates were higher in the Lipofectamine 3000 group than in the electroporated group for both genes. Mutation parameters varied by target gene, with Lipofectamine 3000 achieving higher mutation rates for CD163, while all groups were similar for the CAPN3 gene. Overall efficiency was similar for both lipofectamines, confirming their feasibility for use. In addition, we evaluated the effect of coincubation time (4, 8, and 24 h) on IVF outcomes, embryo development, and mutation parameters. Results indicated that an 8-h coincubation period optimized fertilization and mutation efficiency without significant toxic effects. This study demonstrates that lipofection with either Lipofectamine 3000 or CRISPRMAX during IVF is an effective method for generating genetically modified porcine embryos without the need for specialized equipment or trained personnel, with efficiencies similar to or greater than electroporation. This study also highlights the importance of optimizing reagent selection and coincubation times. There is no difference between Lipofectamine 3000 and CRISPRMAXTM in terms of embryo development and mutation efficiency, and under our experimental conditions, the optimal coincubation time with lipofectamine is 8 h.