A wastewater treatment plant at a petrochemical facility in Malaysia was simulated to assess and improve nitrogen removal performance. The study aimed to identify safe influent limits for urea and ammonia to ensure compliance with discharge standards and to optimize molasses dosing in the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system. Using the BioWin Process Simulator 6.2, a model of the SBR was developed and calibrated with 6 months of operational data, and achieved results within 10% accuracy. A step change and a gradual increment were applied for urea and ammonia, individually, to investigate the limits. Results showed that the SBR could handle influent urea and ammonia levels up to 300 and 75 mg/L, respectively, without compromising performance. However, the system exhibited low denitrification efficiency, indicated by high nitrate levels in the effluent. This can be improved by increasing molasses injection to enhance microbial activity. This study provides valuable insights for model-based methods for optimizing wastewater treatment plant operations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and enhancing environmental sustainability.

ABSTRACT Assessing the carbon sequestration potential of agricultural soils with accuracy is essential for global food security and climate change mitigation. We aimed to improve the Rothamsted Carbon (RothC) model for application in Andosol paddy fields by integrating two RothC-based models previously developed in Japan: one tailored for paddy fields and one for Andosol upland fields. The core refinement involved adjusting the decomposition rate of the humified organic matter (HUM) pool within the paddy model using the phosphate adsorption coefficient (PAC). Validation was performed using long-term continuous field data (11–48 years) from five Andosol paddy sites throughout Japan, encompassing control plots (chemical fertilizer only) and plots with varying organic matter amendments. Comparing simulated and observed soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks (to 30 cm), the performance of the improved Andosol-Paddy model showed substantial gains relative to the paddy-specific RothC model. The improved model yielded an average root mean square error (RMSE) of 9.99 and an average absolute mean error (ME) of 7.49, with values < 50% of the original model error (RMSE: 20.32; absolute ME: 16.69). This evidence clearly demonstrates that incorporating PAC-based HUM decomposition into the paddy-specific RothC model significantly elevates the predictive accuracy of SOC dynamics in Andosol paddy fields.

Organic amendments alleviate SOC loss from erosion-prone sloping farmland by enhancing physical protection and chemical stabilization.

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have greatly enhanced agricultural productivity over the last half-century, but their unselective application has been responsible for environmental pollution, soil degradation, pest resistance, and human health issues. Hence, there has been increasing interest in environment-friendly methods like Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biofertilizers, and organic farming. Biofertilizers—consisting of beneficial microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae—increase nutrient availability due to nitrogen fixation and mineral dissolution, and provide a sustainable source of chemicals. Organic farming and organic amendments enhance soil fertility, microbial diversity, and ecosystem services, and sustain or enhance crop quality. Organic systems, in earlier research, were shown to have yields equal to conventional systems under favorable conditions, but it requires more labor and higher input costs. Recent research has highlighted the application of biofertilizers and microbial inoculants in tree crops, namely citrus, apricot, olive, pomegranate, and apple, and has noted improved growth, yield, fruit quality, nutrient uptake, and disease resistance. A combination of synergistic inputs like amino acids, humic substances, PGPR, mycorrhizal fungi, and organic amendments further increases crop productivity and stress tolerance. Emerging technologies such as nanomaterials, microbial endophytes, and controlled environment agriculture hold further promise for sustainable productivity. Long-term experiments reaffirm that mixed and organic fertilization methods equal or surpass the nutritional and yield capacity of inorganic fertilizers, but these have lower environmental effects. It indicates the potential of organic and biological inputs in sustainable horticultural production, especially for perennial tree crops, and stresses their role in addressing future food demand against altered climatic and demographic scenarios.

Abstract Phosphate rock (PR) is a natural source of phosphorus (P) that can be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Traditional methods of applying phosphorus fertilizer cannot address phosphorus deficiency problems. Once that ore material is a nonrenewable natural resource, it is imperative to find alternative, environmentally compatible, and economically viable strategies to address phosphorus scarcity. Phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria can convert insoluble phosphorus into usable P that can be directly absorbed by plants. The organic acids produced by microorganisms have been proposed as a biotechnological tool for releasing phosphorus from sparingly soluble ores. This study examined new insights into the solubilisation of P from a PR concentrate using Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans individually or in association with Bacillus megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens during liquid medium fermentation. The (A) ferrooxidans , (B) megaterium , P. fluorescens , and A. thiooxidans strains were used to solubilize phosphorus from concentrate ore (fluorapatite) containing 15.6% of P. The influence of the initial pH of the culture medium (pH 2.0 and pH 4.0), the evaluations of the rock concentration (2, 3.5, and 5 g/L) with ferrous sulphate addition (16.7 g and 33.3 g/L), and the fermentation with nutrient broth medium with ferrous sulphate addition of 33.3 g/L were studied. Additionally, the liquid fermentation with bacterial associations among the studied strains was evaluated. To study the solubilisation results, the quantification of soluble phosphorus, biomass concentration, and organic acids was determined using a specific methodology and pH measurement. At an initial pH of 2.0, A. thiooxidans presented solubilisation rates 34.5% higher than those obtained at pH 4.0. The A. ferrooxidans exhibited similar behaviour to the studied pH conditions, yielding the best results for assays with pH 2.0 initially controlled (51.28% solubilisation). A. ferrooxidans exhibited the best efficiency when cultured alone. A higher solubilisation efficiency was achieved at 2 g/L of PR (312 mg/L of P). The efficiency of the tests with A. thiooxidans in a nutrient broth medium with added 33.33 g/L of ferrous sulphate was 54.2% higher than in the 9 K culture medium. In the tests using a combination of A. ferrooxidans and P. fluorescens , the solubilisation of phosphorus was 31.44%. In the association of (A) thiooxidans with (B) megaterium , the P solubilisation efficiency rose to 57.75%, while the combination of A. thiooxidans and P. fluorescens yielded a P solubilisation of 51.33%. Combining (A) ferrooxidans and (B) megaterium , the solubilisation of phosphorus was 48.07%. This study demonstrated that the highest solubilisation of 88.22% was obtained with a fermentation medium pH of 2.72, using the strain A. ferrooxidans with 2.0 g/L of ore and ferrous sulphate (33.3 g/L). This study demonstrates an innovative strategy for phosphorus production relevant to the agricultural industry.

Decoding Gibberellin-Strigolactone Interaction Networks in Cereal Crops toward a Next-Generation Green Revolution.

This study explores the potential of superworm (Zophobas morio) farming within a rural community in Thailand through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) framework. Farm data were integrated with findings from in-depth interviews and production method evaluations. The results show that farmers lack knowledge of the BCG concept. The use of superworm frass as an organic fertilizer for tomatoes demonstrates reduced reliance on chemical fertilizers while enhancing soil conditions. The practice of using biological by-products multiple times shows the farm has developed production methods for achieving zero waste. The limited scientific understanding of superworm breeding methods hinders both production and business growth. The implementation remains limited due to insufficient institutional backing, technical assistance, and market distribution. To address this, farmers, researchers, and policymakers need to work effectively to deliver training programs, knowledge exchange, and supportive systems. Strengthening farmer capacity through technical guidance and training programs, alongside improved market structures and certification systems, is essential for advancing sustainable BCG-oriented superworm farming policies. The farming community demonstrates excellent potential to serve as a sustainable insect-based agricultural model following the BCG framework. Superworm farming will create rural employment through specific support programs and unified policy initiatives while also enhancing agricultural sustainability and helping Thailand achieve its BCG development objectives.

Long-term excessive chemical fertilization threatens the sustainability of wheat–maize rotation systems in the North China Plain. Organic substitution is a promising alternative to sustain crop productivity and soil health, yet its underlying mechanisms require clarification. This study investigated the effects of six fertilization treatments (unfertilized [CK], chemical nitrogen [N] alone at 180 kg N ha−1 season−1 [NPK], chemical N 25% substituted by chicken manure per season [NPKM], full manure substitution per season [CM], chemical N 25% substituted by straw return under no tillage per season [NT] and chemical N 25% substituted by straw return under rotary tillage per season [ST]) on soil fertility and crop productivity in a long-term wheat–maize rotation field experiment initiated in 2007. All treatments followed a randomized complete block design with three replicates per treatment. Wheat and maize plants were randomly collected from each plot at the harvest stage of each season, and weighed and measured for yield and N uptake, while soil samples were randomly collected from each plot at maize harvest stage for chemical and enzyme activity analyses. Compared to NPK, organic substitution maintained grain yields while significantly enhancing key soil fertility indicators: soil organic carbon (C) (up to 53.8%), and labile C and N pools including readily oxidizable C (by 120.0%), ammonium N (by 23%) and microbial biomass C (up to 164.5%). It also strongly stimulated the activities of C-acquiring (e.g., β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase) and N-cycling (e.g., β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and urease) enzymes by up to 278.7% and 256.3%, respectively. Multivariate analyses identified these enzymes as primary drivers of soil C and N dynamics, with direct positive links to crop yield. In conclusion, long-term organic substitution, particularly full manure substitution, improved yield stability and soil fertility predominantly through an enzymatic-driven stimulation of nutrient cycling and organic matter accumulation, offering a viable strategy to reduce chemical fertilizer inputs and enhance crop production sustainability.

Soil aggregates and organic carbon are core elements in efforts to improve soil fertility, and this role is particularly pronounced in sandy soils of northwestern China. Based on a four-year consecutive field positioning experiment, this study investigated the effects of organic fertilizer application on soil aggregate stability and SOC sequestration capacity. It evaluated the impacts of different organic fertilizer substitution ratios—no fertilizer (Ctrl), 100% chemical fertilizer (T0), 30% organic fertilizer substitution (T1), 60% organic fertilizer substitution (T2), and 100% organic fertilizer substitution (T3)—on aggregate composition, stability, and SOC in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm soil layers. The results indicated the following: (1) Compared to the T0 treatment, the T3 treatment significantly increased the proportion of aggregates in the &gt;2 mm and 2–0.25 mm size fractions in the 0–20 cm layer by 26.64% and 10.66%, respectively. (2) The T3 treatment significantly enhanced the Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) and Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) of aggregates in the 0–20 cm layer, with increases ranging from 17.91% to 21.5% and from 44.01% to 50.43%, respectively, compared to T0. (3) Application of organic fertilizer significantly increased the SOC storage in &gt;2 mm and 2–0.25 mm aggregate fractions. Moreover, MWD, GMD, and the content of macro-aggregates (R&gt;0.25) all showed highly significant positive correlations with the SOC content in the &gt;2 mm fraction. Organic fertilizer application reduced the organic carbon storage in the 0.25–0.053 mm and &lt;0.053 mm aggregate fractions within the 0–20 cm layer. In conclusion, application of organic fertilizer provided conditions for the formation of macroaggregates, increased the organic carbon content in soil macroaggregates, and improved soil fertility status.

Microbial biofertilizers offer a sustainable alternative to reduce inorganic fertilizer inputs in intensive vegetable production. While rhizobia are traditionally associated with legumes, their co-inoculation with native rhizobacteria for non-leguminous crops like tomatoes remains under-explored. This study aimed to isolate native rhizobacteria compatible with Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens NE1-65 and evaluate their combined effect on the tomato plant (var. max F1) under reduced inorganic fertilizer rates. From the initial eighteen isolates screened on nitrogen-free media, and solubilization assays of phosphorus and potassium, three isolates (RM-8, RM-17, RM-18) were found compatible with B. diazoefficiens NE1-65. Isolate RM-17 (tentatively identified as Aureimonas sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence) was selected for its high K-solubilizing capacity (KSI = 8.60). Then, a 90-day growth trial compared various fertilizer application rates (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) with and without the bacterial consortia. The 75% fertilizer rate plus the consortia significantly outperformed the 100% fertilizer rate alone. Specifically, it increased plant height (11.57%), fruit diameter (9.23%), fruit number (53.90%), and fruit weight (16.15%). These findings demonstrate that the RM-17 and B. diazoefficiens NE1-65 consortia can partially substitute inorganic fertilizers while significantly enhancing tomato growth and yield, highlighting its potential application for sustainable tomato production systems.

This study explores the effects of applying agri-environmental measures and digitalization on cereal farms in Dunărea de Jos Basin, Romania. Through structured interviews with 40 wheat producers, complemented by field observations and data analysis, effects are identified in highlighting planning, data evaluation and approximation to European environmental requirements. Wheat productivity and input efficiency are investigated in partially technologically advanced farms compared to poorly technologically advanced farms. Regression is used in the relationship between average wheat production and the main agricultural inputs. The results show statistically significant correlations, supported by coefficients (R2 &gt; 0.45). In partially mechanized farms, wheat production is influenced by the use of plant protection products (R2 = 0.943), demonstrating high technological consistency and improved efficiency of phytosanitary applications. In farms not using Geofolia, the application of NPK fertilizers appears as the dominant factor of productivity (R2 = 0.968), indicating that chemical fertilization compensates for limited mechanization and restricted access to technological operations. Digitalization of farms contributes to the optimization of resources, reducing diesel consumption by 45% and developing overall efficiency by 34%, reducing the pressure on the environment by 30%. Technology can be responsible for increasing farm productivity and yield performance, while reducing resource intensity and environmental impact.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of various natural fertilizers on growth and seed yield of wheat plants. Field experiments were conducted during the 2023 cropping season. A split-plot experimental design with three replications was used. The first factor was fertilization, with five treatments (negative control: seedlings receiving no fertilizer (T0), positive control: synthetic chemical fertilizer 20-10-10 + Urea 46% (T1), compost derived from cow dung manure (T2); mycorrhizal inoculum (T3), compost derived from poultry litter (T4)); the second factor was variety, with 02 wheat varieties (IRAD1 and IRAD2). Wheat growth parameters and seed yield were evaluated. The results showed that the growth and seed yield of wheat varied significantly (p&lt;0.05) depending on the fertilizer, overall, no significant differences were observed between wheat varieties for the studied parameters. Plants that received the T2 treatment exhibited significantly (p ˂ 0.05) the highest values of the studied parameters (plant height, foliar production, number of ear/plant, seed yield, and incidence of wheat diseases). The wheat seed yield of T2 plants of IRAD1 variety was 2.66-fold and 1.66-fold higher than that of T0 and T1 plants respectively. T2 organic fertilizer improved the seed yield of IRAD2 variety at 71.17% and 92.29% compared to chemical fertilizer and unfertilized plants respectively. The supply of 500 g of compost derived cow dung manure per hole at sowing time significantly improved wheat seed yield and therefore, can be used as an alternative to replacing the mineral fertilizers usually employed for the cultivation of this cereal crop.

The intensive use of chemical fertilizers in medicinal plant production raises significant environmental and quality concerns, particularly under arid and high-temperature conditions. This study investigated the effectiveness of indigenous endophytic bacteria consortium as a sustainable approach to reduce mineral fertilizer inputs while improving the growth, yield, and phytochemical quality of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) under Upper Egypt conditions. A field experiment was conducted during the summer of 2024 in Aswan, Egypt, using a factorial randomized complete block design. Treatments included a ten-strain endophytic consortium applied alone or combined with 25%, 50%, and 75% of the recommended NPK dose, alongside an unfertilized control and 100% NPK alone. Results highlighted clear percentage-based improvements with integrated treatments. The combination of 75% NPK with endophytic inoculation increased dry calyx yield by 16% relative to the conventional 100% NPK treatment. Significant increases were also observed in vegetative growth, fruit number, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigments relative to full chemical fertilization. Moreover, antioxidant activity and concentrations of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids were maintained or enhanced under reduced fertilizer regimes, indicating qualitative gains without yield penalties. In contrast, complete fertilizer omission caused marked reduction in growth and yield parameters. Overall, substituting 25% of mineral fertilizers with indigenous endophytic inoculation not only sustained productivity but generated measurable yield gains, improved nutrient use efficiency, and strengthened crop resilience, demonstrating a practical and environmentally sound strategy for sustainable roselle cultivation in arid regions.

Organic farming has gained increasing attention in recent years due to growing concerns about soil health, environmental sustainability and consumer preference for safe and chemical-free food. Among various organic inputs, enriched vermicompost (EVC) has emerged as a promising alternative to chemical fertilisers, owing to its ability to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of crop-specific enriched vermicompost on the growth and yield attributes of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). The experiment comprised three nutrient management treatments, viz., T1, T2 and T3. Growth and yield parameters such as plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area index, number of pods (capsules) per plant, protein content, oil content, root length density at harvest, shoot biomass (fresh and dry weight), test weight, seed yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index were recorded. The results revealed that all treatments performed statistically at par with respect to growth and yield attributes of both mustard and sesame. These findings indicate that crop-specific enriched vermicompost prepared using organic wastes, minerals and biofertilizers can potentially substitute chemical fertilisers without significant yield penalties. Thus, the use of enriched vermicompost in oilseed crops not only ensures sustainable yield but also contributes to soil health management and reduced dependency on synthetic inputs.

Due to the environmental impact and increasing cost of inorganic fertilizers, farmers are exploring alternative fertilization strategies. Tenebrio molitor, otherwise known as the mealworm, is one of the most widely reared insect species for the production of high-quality protein for animals and humans. Mealworm frass (MF), a nutrient-rich byproduct of Tenebrio molitor cultivation, presents a viable option for organic fertilization. To investigate the fertilizer potential of frass, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted, comparing three levels of MF (MF1, MF2, and MF3 at 20, 40, and 80 g/L soil, respectively), organic compost (ORG), and inorganic fertilizer (FERT). MF gave comparable results to FERT in terms of the measured parameters of vegetation, flowering, and production. ORG also gave comparable results to FERT as far as flowering and production but had significantly lower height compared to it. The MF3 treatment significantly improved the average fruit weight and total yield by 19.56% and 30.81%, respectively, compared to the ORG treatment. The two highest doses of MF outperformed FERT in terms of leaf and soil nutrient status, while MF1 and ORG did not differ from it. Furthermore, MF3 yielded 20% greater fruit weight than MF1. However, MF1 was comparable to FERT in fruit weight, resulting in superior fruit color. These results support reduced-input agriculture by providing data for optimizing soil fertility and nutrient management in crops. The findings of this experiment suggest that MF is a viable alternative to inorganic fertilizers and organic compost for greenhouse cultivation of tomatoes. These results highlight the potential of MF as a circular, bio-based fertilizer capable of maintaining tomato productivity while improving soil fertility under protected cultivation systems.

Integrated fertilization using reduced chemical fertilizers and bio-organic fertilizers can maintain soil fertility with lower chemical inputs, yet its systemic effects on disease control, soil microbes, yield, and quality are not fully clear. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z2 and Trichoderma harzianum T22, alone or combined, on suppressing Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum) and promoting cucumber growth in pot experiments; and (2) assess the field efficacy of reduced chemical fertilizer (75% N) plus microbial bio-organic fertilizer (25% N) for disease control, growth enhancement, and yield and quality improvement. To achieve these objectives, pot experiments were first conducted, followed by field experiments. Pot results indicated that individual and combined inoculants notably decreased the disease index (DI) by 40.48-68.75%, and significantly increased cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 16.86-26.75%, with the combined inoculants exhibiting the greatest effect. Field experiments indicated that the synthetic microbial bio-fertilizer has a greater advantage in promoting cucumber growth and disease suppression compared to a single bacterial bio-organic fertilizer. Specifically, the application of combined bio-fertilizers exhibited the best performance in decreasing cucumber DI by 51.54%, improving cucumber fresh shoot biomass by 12.19%, and enhancing cucumber yield by 21.02%, along with significantly improving fruit vitamin C content by 21.17% and increasing fruit total amino acids by 26.23% compared with the control. Rhizosphere soil analysis revealed that the application of combined bio-fertilizers enriched beneficial bacterial families (JG30-KF-AS9 and Sphingomonadaceae) and fungal genera (Chaetomiaceae and Condenascus) with known biocontrol functions and suppressed the proliferation of Fusarium. Overall, the integrated use of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with synthetic bio-organic fertilizer effectively suppresses cucumber wilt, optimizes microbial community structure, and improves cucumber yield and quality, furnishing a valuable foundation for microbial-assisted sustainable crop production.

The use of chemical fertilizers has led to significant environmental pollution. An alternative to these fertilizers is the use of natural compounds, such as phytohormones, which promote germination and crop development. However, environmental factors can affect natural compounds, reducing their effectiveness. Therefore, increasing their stability without decreasing their activity to improve crop quality is essential. This study produced and characterized chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) nano-microparticles (NMP) loaded with Bacillus subtilis extract and evaluated their impact on tomato seed germination. We employed two experimental designs (Box-Behnken and Box-Hunter-Hunter) to determine the optimal production conditions and characterized the NMP using DLS, SEM, and FTIR. The optimal treatment consisted of 8 min of homogenization, followed by 8 min of ultrasound at a 70% amplitude, resulting in a particle size of 330.7 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.25, a zeta potential of 34.3 mV, and an encapsulation efficiency of 68.8%. The NMP loaded with bacterial extract was applied to tomato seeds as a 50% dilution pretreatment. NMP achieved the best results, with a 72% germination rate (1.6 seeds per day) and an average germination time of 3.8 days. It is concluded that the experimental designs helped improve particle properties and that the chitosan and TPP coating enhances the stability and activity of the bacterial extract, potentially benefiting agronomic applications.

In this trial, the aim was to determine the effects of chemical, organic, and organomineral fertilizer applications on the quality characteristics of confectionery sunflower under Kahramanmaraş conditions. The study was conducted in the trial field of Kahramanmaraş, in 2021 and 2022. According to the results obtained from the research, all the differences between the fertilizer applications for the examined properties, except linoleic acid and iodine value, were statistically significant. The results indicated that the oil yield of the fertilizer applications ranged between 548.70-1073.25 kg ha-1, protein yield between 196.81-414.82 kg ha-1, oleic acid content between 49.194%-53.653%, linoleic acid content between 32.732%-40.386%, palmitoleic acid content between 0.157% and 1.076% and linolenic acid content between 0.124%-0.325%. Protein yield was highest in the vermicompost (1 t ha-1) + chemical fertilizer (90 kg ha-1 N and 50 kg ha-1 P2O5) and cattle manure (1 t ha-1) + chemical fertilizer (90 kg ha-1 N and 50 kg ha-1 P2O5) and vermicompost 20 t ha-1 applications (414.82, 411.48 kg ha-1 and 392.33 kg ha-1, respectively). The oil yield was the highest with 1073.25 kg ha-1 in vermicompost 20 t ha-1 application, while protein yield (392.33 kg ha-1), oleic acid ratio (53.653%), oleic acid/linoleic acid ratio (1.46%) and unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids ratio (10.53%) were found the highest, while palmitic acid ratio (5.754%), palmitoleic acid ratio (0.157%), heptadecanoic acid ratio (0.026%) and behenic acid ratio (0.470%) were the lowest. According to the results obtained, vermicompost 20 t ha-1 organic fertilizer applications are recommended for confectionery sunflowers because they increase important quality criteria such as oil yield, protein yield, oleic acid content, O/L ratio, and U/S ratio.

The judicious use of chemical fertilisers in the last few decades results many soil and environmental hazards. The proper management of organic nutrients can minimise the dependency on chemical fertilisers and provide sustainability in finger millet production. To know the response of crop growth rate and yield of finger millet with different organic nutrient management practices, the present investigation was conducted during 2024 at the Crop Research Centre, School of Agricultural Sciences, Shri Guru Ram Rai University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design, consisting of six treatments which were replicated thrice by using finger millet var. VL Mandua 347. Crop growth was measured at 30, 60, 90 days after transplanting and harvest, with yield data recorded from five randomly selected plants per treatment plot. The experimental findings show that the plant growth and yield parameters like plant height (114.50 cm), dry matter accumulation (48.30 g/plant), number of ear heads/plant (4.88), number of fingers/ear head (8.47), number of grains/ fingers (294), test weight (3.46 g) and grain yield (2445 kg/ha) was recorded maximum with application of vermicompost @ 1t/ha + Panchagavya @ 3% + Azospirillum @ 5kg/ha + PSB @ 20g/ha (T5). The experimental findings say that combined use of organic manure with bio incubators resulted in better growth and yield of the crop. The application of vermicompost @ 1t/ha + Panchagavya @ 3% + Azospirillum @ 5kg/ha + PSB @ 20g/ha was recorded best among all other treatments for higher growth and yield of finger millet.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bokashi as an organic fertilizer, applied alone or in combination with chemical fertilization, on the growth and yield of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) under the edaphoclimatic conditions of southern Yucatán. Three treatments were established: 100% chemical fertilization, 100% organic fertilization with bokashi, and ccombined fertilization 50% chemical and 50% organic. The variables assessed were the number of leaves per plant, stem length, fruit yield per plant, and fruit yield per hectare, measured at 50 and 90 days after sowing. Bokashi was prepared using local materials such as chicken manure, leaf litter, piloncillo, and yeast, following an aerobic fermentation process. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications per treatment. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Results showed no statistically significant differences among treatments for any of the evaluated variables, although the chemical fertilization treatment showed slightly higher yield per hectare. It is concluded that bokashi fertilization, whether used alone or in combination, did not outperform chemical fertilization in terms of plant growth or fruit yield, although it represents a viable, sustainable alternative for agriculture in the region.