Improve Soil Fertility Research Articles

Effects of combined applications of S-nZVI and organic amendments on cadmium and arsenic accumulation in rice: Possible mechanisms and potential impacts on soil health

In situ remediation of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) (Cd&As) contaminated soil using iron-based materials has been extensively investigated. Simultaneous immobilizing Cd&As with iron-based materials while maintaining soil health poses a significant challenge. This study examined the effects of sepiolite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) combined with organic amendments (RS: Rice straw; PM: Pig manure) on Cd&As uptake by rice and soil quality. Grain Cd (0.134mgkg-1) and inorganic As (iAs) (0.099mgkg-1) levels in S-nZVI+PM treatment were reduced by 78.95% and 68.69% compared to CK (P<0.05), and decreased by 52.62% and 17.50% compared to S-nZVI treatment (P<0.05), significantly lower than the Chinese Food Safety Standard (<0.20mgkg-1). The elevated soil pH, increased amorphous iron (Feox), and PM complexation co-contributed to Cd immobilization in S-nZVI+PM treatment; concurrently, the higher Feox maintained lower available As levels in paddy soil. In addition, S-nZVI+PM improved soil fertility, functional enzyme activity, soil bacterial community diversity, and increased brown rice yield. However, S-nZVI+RS facilitated the reductive dissolution of Fe(oxy)(hydro) oxides and As methylation in paddy soil, significantly increasing the total As and organic As content in grains by 113.13% and 236.79%, respectively, compared to S-nZVI treatment. Caution should be exercised in the application of S-nZVI+RS in As-contaminated paddy soil. S-nZVI+PM proved more effective in immobilizing Cd&As and provided greater benefits to soil quality compared to S-nZVI+RS. Overall, S-nZVI+PM represents an eco-friendly approach for alleviating Cd&As accumulation in rice grains while concurrently improving soil health.

Mechanism harvesting of main crops straw returning effects on ratooning fragrant rice yield and 2-accetyl-1-pyrroline and their drivers to soil microbial communities

Straw return to the field is an important measure for increasing soil fertility to increase production. Recent studies have shown that straw return to fields can increase rice yield, but the effect of straw return to fields on ratooning rice is limited. To address this problem, this paper investigated the effect of straw return on a ratooning rice system by harvesting at different heights during the first season.A two-year field experiment was conducted by using a fragrant rice variety (Meixiangzhan 2) as the material. Three experimental treatments including i) the CK treatment: manual harvesting and straw harvested at a height of 20 cm was not returned to the field; ii) the MT1 treatment: mechanical harvesting and straw was returned to the field at a harvest height of 10 cm; iii) the MT2 treatment: mechanical harvesting and straw at a harvest height of 20 cm was returned to the field. The investigated parameters in the rice cropping system in this study were the agronomic traits, yield formation, soil properties, and root soil microorganisms.We found that compared with those in the CK treatment, the yield and 2AP content in the MT treatment significantly increased, the yields of MT1 and MT2 increased by 18.17-32.64% and 12.19-20.42%, respectively. The contents of available potassium, available phosphorus, ammonium nitrogen and active organic carbon in the soil were significantly increased by straw return to the field. The soil capacity increased, and rice production increased. In addition, the straw returned to the field produced a large amount of cellulose and anaerobic environment, which provided an explanation for the increase in some anaerobic bacteria, such as pseudxanthomonas, Rhodobacteriaceae and desulphurides in the MT treatment group. Specifically, straw return provides a large amount of organic material for rice cultivation systems and improves soil fertility under the action of microorganisms to increase production.Overall, the interaction between straw return and harvest height had different effects on yield and 2AP content, and the MT2 treatment was the most beneficial for harvesting ratooning fragrant rice.

Phosphate sorption mechanisms in biochar: Insights from depth profiling of porous structure across pH and pyrolysis conditions

This study examines phosphate (P(V)) sorption mechanisms in Miscanthus biochar, focusing on the effects of concentration, pH, and pyrolysis temperature. Biochars produced at 400 °C (B400) and 700 °C (B700) were analyzed using Freundlich isotherm and depth profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (DP-XPS). Four sorption mechanisms were identified: physisorption and C-P(V) complexes for both biochars, electrostatic bridging complex (EBC) in B400, and O-P(V) complexes in B700. B400 had higher sorption capacity but relied on weaker EBC, making it more prone to leaching, though it also provides greater P(V) availability for uptake. In contrast, B700 exhibited stronger inner-sphere, resulting in more stable retention. DP-XPS revealed internal enrichment of P(V) and changes in functional groups by pH. These findings indicate that pyrolysis and environmental conditions significantly influence P(V) retention characteristics, and that biochar can be tailored to balance P(V) availability and stability, thereby contributing to improved soil fertility and reduced leaching.

Advances in Integrated Nutrient Management Practices for Cereal Crops: A Comprehensive Review

Integrated Fertilizer Management (INM) is an agricultural practice that maximizes the use of all available fertilizer sources to maintain and improve soil fertility and crop yield. The major goal of INM is to create sustainable agricultural output through a balance of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrition sources. INM promotes soil health by recycling nutrients, using less chemical fertilizer, and combining organic manures, crop waste, biofertilizers, and mineral fertilizers. INM entails meeting crop nutrient requirements with a variety of nutrient sources, including organic manures (e.g., farmyard manure, compost), crop residues, biofertilizers (e.g., Rhizobium, Azotobacter), and chemical fertilizers. INM requires soil fertility management, crop rotation, green manuring, and balanced fertilizer application. INM focuses on increasing nutrient efficiency, maintaining soil organic matter, stimulating biological activity, and limiting environmental effect. INM helps farmers by improving soil health, increasing nutrient efficiency and crop yields, lowering environmental pollution, and maintaining economic sustainability. INM has aided many crops, including wheat, maize, barley, and rice. For wheat, INM improves grain yield, quality, and protein content. It improves maize biomass yield, nitrogen uptake, and soil fertility. It allows barley to grow quicker, produce larger grains, and withstand abiotic stress better. In rice, INM enhances tillering, grain quality, and yield. Finally, INM is a holistic method that integrates a variety of fertilizer sources to promote long-term crop production and soil health management, and it offers a feasible solution to the difficulties produced by traditional agricultural practices.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Various Ameliorant Sources in Increasing NP Absorption and Sweet Corn Productivity on Sandy Soil

Aims: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of various ameliorant sources in enhancing NP uptake and the productivity of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) in sandy soil. Study Design: The study used a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. Place and Duration of Study: The field experiment was conducted in a sandy soil area in Moncok Karya, Pejeruk Karya Village, Ampenan District, Mataram City. The analysis part was carried out in Microbiology laboratory, and in the Soil Physics and Chemistry Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mataram. All series of trials were completed in six months. Methodology: The experimental tested five treatments, namely; Control, no ameliorant (A0), Rice Husk Charcoal (AA), Cow Manure (AS), Compost (AK), and Fertile Organic Fertilizer (AP). Each treatment was replicated 4 times. Observations were made on biomass weight, crop yield, nutrient concentrations (N and P), nutrient uptake, and mycorrhizal activity. Results: Ameliorant treatment with cow manure significantly improved plant growth and productivity by enhancing nutrient availability in the soil. This included increases in biomass, and yield. Cow manure also promoted mycorrhizal activity, improved soil structure and increased nutrient absorption efficiency. Conclusion: The research result showed that the cow manure as an ameliorant markedly enhanced NP uptake and productivity of sweet corn in sandy soil. It improved soil fertility, supported mycorrhizal colonization, and strengthened plant resistance to environmental stresses.

Influences of Enterobacter asburiae, Vermicompost Rates and Irrigation Water Types on the Soil Fertility, Peanut Yield and Quality

The effects of vermicompost (VC) application combined with Enterobacter asburiae inoculation and river water irrigation significantly improved soil fertility in order to promote growth, yield and quality, and reduce arsenic uptake by peanuts, which were grown on As-contaminated soils and irrigation water. This research was conducted in Phuochung, Anphu town, Angiang province, Vietnam. The field research was performed in a 2x2x2 factorial randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were designed in three factors such as factor (A): VC (0.0 and 10.0 t/ha application); factor (B): E. asburiae, (inoculation and non-inoculation); and factor (C): irrigation water (river and deep well water), respectively. The results showed that applying 10t VC per ha combined with E. asburiae inoculation and non-As-contaminated water irrigation increased soil chemical properties, agronomic indicators, yield components, yield, and quality, and reduced As accumulation in peanut stems and seeds compared to control (non VC application, non E. asburiae inoculation, and deep well water irrigation). Moreover, the three factors, VC, E. asburiae inoculation and type of irrigation water, showed strong interaction among the agronomic traits, yield components, and yield of peanuts.

Optimized design and experimental analysis of the vertical mixing plow for enhancing planosol improvement machine

Improved soil fertility to sustain crop productivity is important to enhance agroecosystem services. To address the low nutrient content, subsoil compaction, and poor root penetration in Planosol, a new machine was designed to improve these conditions. This machine integrates subsoil mixing and fertilizer application. The paper details the machine’s structure and working principle, focusing on optimizing the vertical mixing plow. Furthermore, discrete element method simulations were conducted, using tillage depth, forward speed, and plow height as factors, with soil mixing rate and tractive resistance serving as the evaluation indicators. Results showed optimal performance at 553 mm tillage depth, 1 m/s speed, and 227 mm plow height, with tractive resistance of 7460.5 N and a soil mixing rate of 72.1%. Field trials and soil improvement tests based on optimized parameters confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the simulation results. Compared to the Shallow plowing and subsoiling area, the subsoil mixing improvement area showed significant improvement, with a yield increase of 16.4–18.9% over two years.

Soil Comprehensive Fertility Changes in Response to Stand Age and Initial Planting Density of Long-Term Spacing Trials of Chinese Fir Plantations

The growing demand for wood products and ecosystem services in Chinese fir plantations has led to longer rotation ages and density control practices, raising concerns about their impact on soil fertility. This study assessed soil fertility of Chinese fir plantations in Fujian, Jiangxi, and Sichuan Provinces using the Nemerow index. The effects of stand age and initial planting density on soil fertility were analyzed using statistical models. In Fujian and Jiangxi, soil fertility was significantly higher at 11 and 30 years than at 5 and 25 years, while in Sichuan, it was higher at 25 and 30 years than at 5 and 11 years. In Fujian, soil fertility was higher at 6667 trees ha⁻2 than at 1667 trees ha⁻2. No significant differences were observed in Jiangxi, while in Sichuan, soil fertility at 6667 trees ha⁻2 was significantly higher than at 5000 and 1667 trees ha⁻2, and soil fertility at 10,000 trees ha⁻2 exceeded that at 1667 trees ha⁻2. Soil fertility typically increased with stand age, especially in Fujian and Sichuan. Soil fertility also increased with initial planting density, especially in Jiangxi and Sichuan. A structural equation model (SEM) explained 88% of the variance in soil fertility, with stand age directly affecting soil fertility and soil organic matter mediating the effects of stand age and planting density. These findings suggest that adjusting rotation age and planting density could help improve soil fertility, offering practical implications for sustainable forest management in Chinese fir plantations.

Vegetation based climate solutions for soil management in smallholder farmlands of Kabale and Rubanda districts, Uganda

Understanding and appreciating climate solutions for soil management in smallholder farmlands are paramount. These climate solutions inform smallholder farmers’ actions, choices, decisions and priorities to tackle specific climate change problems and opportunities. The study used structured and semi structured questionnaires to collect field data to ascertain smallholder farmers’ knowledge about vegetation based climate solutions for soil management in Kabale and Rubanda districts, Uganda. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 367 smallholder farmer household head respondents. Regression model, specifically linear to test multicollinearity and multinomial logistic and descriptive statistics was utilised to examine vegetation based climate solutions for soil management. Vegetation based climate solutions such as crop residues, selected trees, Napier grass and Seteria grass (dependent) and gender, age and marital status, and level of education information (independent) were determined predictor variables. The findings revealed that both genders, males (51.5%) and females (48.5%), witnessed climate change as demonstrated in Fig. 2. The chi-square test (χ2 = 376.337) indicated a significant difference between smallholder farmers’ implementing climate solutions. The study observed positive Kendall’s tau (0.357 and 0.118) and a p-value (0.002 and 0.289) of temperature and rainfall respectively. Most farmers (69.2%) relied on fellow farmers as a major source of climate information to manage soil and enhance soil fertility. Vegetation based climate solutions 33.8%, (planting Napier grass, selected tree species, and crop residues) were revealed as suitable and effective soil management interventions to control soil erosion and fertility improvement in smallholder farmlands. Climate solutions were significantly influenced by level of education (0.000) and farmland size (0.001) at 0.05. Therefore, there is a need to incorporate vegetation based climate solutions into government development programmes and agendas to enhance soil fertility and erosion management in smallholder farmers’ farmlands with a focus on livelihood improvement through increasing crop yields and hunger alleviation.

Insect frass fertilizer as soil amendment for improved forage and soil health in circular systems

Insect farming is expected to increase in coming years, thus generating high quantities of frass (insect excreta). Frass valorization hinges on basic agronomic research prior to industry upscaling. Here, we investigated soil physiochemical properties, SMAF (Soil Management Assessment Framework) soil health, CO2 efflux, and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] yield and quality as affected by yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) frass [3400 and 6800 kg ha−1, low (LF) and high (HF) rates], poultry litter (PL; 3400 kg ha−1), and ammonium nitrate (AN; 67 kg N ha−1). HF increased soil C, N, P, K, and Mg by 10, 12, 44, 58, and 61%, respectively, compared to AN. Even LF increased soil P, K, and Mg by 37, 31, and 32%, respectively, relative to AN. Compared to PL, HF increased soil N, K, and Mg by 12, 30, and 35%, respectively. After two years, HF increased soil C and N stocks 2- and 3-fold, respectively, relative to AN. Forage yield and quality were similar among amendments, while SMAF and CO2 were unaffected. Frass substantially improved soil fertility and maintained forage yield, underscoring its biofertilizer value and potential to increase circularity in agroecosystems under the global backdrop of reduced availability of non-renewable fertilizers.

Exploring genetic variability, diversity and trait associations in sunnhemp (Crotolaria juncea L.) accessions for yield improvement

Sunnhemp (Crotolaria juncea L.) is an important fibre crop known for its rapid growth and ability to improve soil fertility, making it a vital component of sustainable agriculture. However, to enhance its productivity and meet the increasing demand for high-quality fibre, it is crucial to identify and utilize genetically diverse genotypes with superior yield traits. The present study was conducted at the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai, Tamil Nadu, during the Kharif seasons of 2021 and 2022 to assess genetic variability and character association for yield and its component traits among 67 sunnhemp genotypes. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, were conducted using R software to dissect the phenotypic diversity among the genotypes. The results revealed substantial genetic variability for yield and its associated traits, indicating a promising potential for genetic improvement. Genotypes ADSH 1750, ADSH 1701, ADSH 1736, ADSH 1715, and ADSH 1742 exhibited superior performance in key yield-related traits, making them valuable candidates for future breeding programs focused on developing high-yielding, high-fibre varieties. Cluster analysis delineated four distinct clusters, with Clusters I and IV showing significant divergence and highlighting the presence of unique genetic material. Key plant production traits such as plant height, leaf breadth, basal stem diameter, yield, and number of leaves were the primary contributors to the first two principal components. These findings suggest that direct selection based on these traits could effectively improve biomass yield in future sunnhemp breeding efforts, contributing to the advancement of sustainable fibre crop production.

Effect of Different Sources and Levels of Zinc on the Nutrient Content, Uptake and Fertility Status of Wheat

Indian farmers face challenges in wheat production due to poor soil nutrients and imbalanced fertilizer use, making zinc-supplemented fertilizers vital for boosting productivity. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a vital global food crop, rich in carbohydrates, protein, and essential nutrients, with India being a major producer, although many regions face significant zinc deficiency in their soils. A field study was conducted during Rabi 2021-2022 at Wheat Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The experimental soil collected from the wheat research unit field was slightly alkaline in reaction, medium in organic carbon, moderately calcareous, low in available N, medium in available P, remarkably high in available K, marginal in available S, and sufficient in micronutrients but deficient in Zn. The nine treatments T1 to T9 are applied in the plots in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The higher nutrient content and N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn uptake was recorded with the soil application of RDF + soil application of ZnSO4 @ 30 kg ha-1. It is concluded that the soil application of ZnSO4 @ 30 kg ha-1 along with a recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) at the time of sowing recorded the highest nutrient content, nutrient uptake and improvement in soil fertility.

Contribution of poultry farm practice to the structure and composition of bacterial communities in the soil of poultry farms in Lagos, Nigeria

BackgroundPoultry farming practices can impact soil health by altering its microbial and organic composition. On one hand, this could improve soil fertility, but on the other, it may pose health risks to humans and the environment. In this study, we assessed the microbial community structure and composition of poultry litter impacted soil in poultry farms in Lagos Nigeria.MethodsComposite soil samples were collected from two farms (PF01A and PF02B) in a poultry estate and from a pristine environment (CTR) without farming activity. Metagenomic analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analysis.ResultsThe most abundant phyla in poultry-impacted soils were Firmicutes (54–69%), Bacteroidetes (18–19%), and Actinobacteria (3–17%), with a low relative abundance of Proteobacteria (7%). In contrast, CTR soil was dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria (30%) and had a low relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (2%). Bacteria strains, including Jeotgalibaca arthritidis, Lysinibacillus jejuensis, and the novel species Enterococcus lemanii and Enterococcus eurekensis, were among dominant taxa in PF01A and PF02B.Some dominant bacterial species such as Corynbacterium xerosis and Ignatzschineria indica have been implicated in human infections and are known to be multidrug resistant.ConclusionIn this study, a high abundance of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found in soil from poultry farms. The presence of poultry litter significantly changed the composition of the bacterial community in the soil. This alteration did not only affect the microbial structure and health of the soil, it also increased the presence of clinically important bacteria, which could pose potential risks to public health.

Ecogenomic insights into the resilience of keystone Blastococcus Species in extreme environments: a comprehensive analysis

BackgroundThe stone-dwelling genus Blastococcus plays a key role in ecosystems facing extreme conditions such as drought, salinity, alkalinity, and heavy metal contamination. Despite its ecological significance, little is known about the genomic factors underpinning its adaptability and resilience in such harsh environments. This study investigates the genomic basis of Blastococcus's adaptability within its specific microniches, offering insights into its potential for biotechnological applications.ResultsComprehensive pangenome analysis revealed that Blastococcus possesses a highly dynamic genetic composition, characterized by a small core genome and a large accessory genome, indicating significant genomic plasticity. Ecogenomic assessments highlighted the genus's capabilities in substrate degradation, nutrient transport, and stress tolerance, particularly on stone surfaces and archaeological sites. The strains also exhibited plant growth-promoting traits, enhanced heavy metal resistance, and the ability to degrade environmental pollutants, positioning Blastococcus as a candidate for sustainable agriculture and bioremediation. Interestingly, no correlation was found between the ecological or plant growth-promoting traits (PGPR) of the strains and their isolation source, suggesting that these traits are not linked to their specific environments.ConclusionsThis research highlights the ecological and biotechnological potential of Blastococcus species in ecosystem health, soil fertility improvement, and stress mitigation strategies. It calls for further studies on the adaptation mechanisms of the genus, emphasizing the need to validate these findings through wet lab experiments. This study enhances our understanding of microbial ecology in extreme environments and supports the use of Blastococcus in environmental management, particularly in soil remediation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Save the Planet 2.0: A Mini Review of Improving Agricultural Soil with Terra Preta

As climate change intensify and environmental degradation occurs, the urgency for sustainable farming techniques becomes important. Terra Preta has been known as an ancient soil amendment, that has remarkable capabilities to improve soil fertility and carbon sequestration. This review offers in-depth assessment of Terra Preta by tracing its historical origins, inspecting its production processes, and exploring its contemporary utilization. By synthesizing findings from a wide array of scientific studies and field applications, this paper clarifies the deep potential of Terra Preta in increasing yield of crops, enhancing soil health and mitigating significantly to climate change. Moreover, it addresses the obstacles and proposes ways forward for successfully incorporating Terra Preta into modern farming techniques, which highlighting its role in promoting a resilient and sustainable agricultural paradigm.

SOIL AND WATER RESTORATION THROUGH BIOPORE INFILTRATION IN LANCANG GARAM VILLAGE LHOKSEUMAWE

The city of Lhokseumawe frequently experiences flooding during the rainy season and waterlogging caused by rainwater. One environmentally friendly technology developed to address these issues is the biopore. Biopores are infiltration holes designed to enhance rainwater absorption and process organic waste. This technology offers various benefits, including reducing organic waste, improving soil fertility, preventing flooding, and maintaining groundwater quality. Biopores serve as an alternative solution in urban areas with limited open spaces. This community service enterprise was enforced through socialization and training styles, emphasizing the role of biopores in mitigating the urban environment. The activities involved public outreach and continued assistance in constructing biopores. These efforts aim to increase awareness of the importance of biopores, highlighting their easy, fast, and cost-effective application. The results demonstrate that biopores are an effective and sustainable approach to supporting environmental conservation.

Soil fertility differences due to tillage methods modulate maize yield formation at different planting densities

To address the problems of planting density and low soil nutrient content in maize cultivation and production in western Inner Mongolia. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory mechanism by which soil fertility augmentation affects maize yield formation under a variety of planting densities. In this study, nine soil fertility conditions were established by deep tillage, no-tillage and in situ straw return. Utilizing Xianyu 696 as the experimental subject, this study documents variations in the parameters of maize grain filling rate and yield components under differing planting densities. Enhancement of soil fertility can modify diverse parameters of maize grain filling characteristics, effectively undermining the adverse impact of a lower average filling rate on grain weight post-densification. The enhancement in soil fertility predominantly augments the grain weight by prolonging the active grain-filling period. This results in a reduced decline in final grain growth during densification under conditions of high soil fertility. The improvement of soil fertility significantly enhances the harvested number of panicles, the number of grains per panicle, and the 100-grain weight of maize, consequently increasing the maize yield. High soil fertility (0.73–0.82) is particularly advantageous for densification and yield increase, resulting in yield increments ranging from 0.99 to 2.16 t ha− 1. Appropriate tillage methods can significantly improve soil fertility, and the effects of straw incorporation with subsoiling (SSR) and straw incorporation with deep tillage (DPR) are the best. Enhancing soil fertility through tillage and straw return measures can markedly augment grain weight by changing maize grain filling characteristics, ultimately achieving the cultivation goal of increased density and yield.

Management and Ecological Services of Multipurpose Agroforestry Tree Species in Ethiopia. Review

Relevance. Ethiopians have a long history of planting trees, and they have embraced the idea of keeping natural trees with many uses as a distinctive feature of their agricultural landscapes. Farmers use agroforestry practices to maintain a number of species of multipurpose trees. The selection of tree species, their intended benefits, and ecological services are inconsistent due to variability in agroecological conditions. The main problems with Ethiopia's multifunctional agroforestry tree species were also related to management approaches.Therefore, the purpose of this article is to examine the multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia, their management methods, and their ecological benefits. In southern Ethiopia, Cordia africana, Millettia ferruginea, Erythrina brucei, and Olea capensis are the main multifunctional tree species used. The northern part of Ethiopia hosts Croton macrostachus, Vernonia amygdalina, Faidherbia albida, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal, and Grewia bicolor. The central highlands of Ethiopia are also home to Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachus, Ficus vasta, and Vernonia amygdalina. Farmers use coppicing, pollarding, and pruning tree management techniques to balance their survival with integrated crops because trees regenerate naturally. Multipurpose trees offer a range of agro-ecological services, such as improving soil fertility, mitigating erosion, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and maintaining biological diversity.

Impact of Combined Vermicompost and Inorganic Fertilizers on Bread Wheat Yield, Yield Component and Soil Properties in Sinana District, Bale Highlands, Ethiopia

A field experiment was made to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of wheat and soil chemical properties. The study was conducted for two consecutive cropping seasons (2023-2024) on farmers’ fields in the Sinana district of Oromia National Regional State. Therefore, this study has attempted to evaluate the effect of the integrated use of vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer on bread wheat production and soil fertility improvement in the study area. Fertilizer source organic Sources of nutrients both included (vermicompost) and inorganic fertilizer (urea and NPS) were used in the integrated form. These treatments consist of: T1 = Control (no input) T2 = Recommend NP, T3 =25% RVC + 75% N + Rec P, T4 =100% RVC + rec P, T5 =50% RVC + 50% N + rec P and T6 =75% RVC + 25% N + Rec P. The experiment was a randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil sampling and agronomic data on wheat grain yield and yield components were collected. Accordingly, the highest mean grain yield (5403.67kgha-1) was recorded from the plot of T2 (Recommended rate from inorganic) flowed by (5186.00 kgha-1) was recorded from T3 (25% RVC + 75% N + Rec P) while the lowest grain yield (2637.67 kgha-1) was recorded from control plot. The partial budget analysis was performed for alternative uses of integrated organic and inorganic fertilizer applications for bread wheat production. The results showed that the application of integrated vermicompost with recommended rates of inorganic NP significantly increased the yield and yield components. It can be concluded that the application of integrated vermicompost and recommended rate of inorganic NP fertilizers (25 % Equivalent N from + 75 % N + Rec P is desirable) based on environmental sustainability for future productivity. This experiment has to be repeated over seasons and locations to make conclusive recommendations for the study area.

Legacy Effects of Long-term Straw Returning on Straw Degradation and Microbial Communities of the Aftercrop

Straw incorporation can improve soil fertility and soil structure. While numerous studies have explored the immediate impacts of straw return on soil properties and crop production, the legacy effects of long-term straw return remain less understood. In this study, the straw returning soil of a continuous 15 years （SS） and non-straw returning soil （NS） were collected from Dahe Experimental Station of Hebei Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences in China. The simulation experiments of subsequent straw return were carried out in pots by adding straw to the two types of soil （SS and NS）, in which the degradation rate of straw was determined using the sandbag method, the number of culturable microorganisms was counted through a dilution coating plate, and microbial communities were characterized using high-throughput sequencing. The findings revealed that compared with that in NS, SS significantly increased the degradation rate of 15 d and 30 d straw by 14.16% and 26.57%； the number of soil culturable fungi in 0-60 days by 43.10%-185.92%； and the number of cellulose-degrading bacteria by 55.12%-92.04% at 0 d, 42 d, and 56 d. Additionally, after straw returning for seven days, the bacterial ACE index, fungal ACE index, and Chao1 index in SS were lower than those in NS, indicating that the microbial community richness in SS was significantly reduced. At the phylum level of bacteria, the relative abundances of Acidobacteria, Rokubacteria, and Planctomycetes in SS increased observably, with an increase of 25.92%-45.17%. The relative abundances of the phyla of fungi such as Olpidiomycota, Zoopagomycota, and Glomeromycota increased markedly, with an increase of 12.09%-176.00%. At the genus level of bacteria, the relative abundances of uncultured_bacterium_c_Subgroup_6 and uncultured_bacterium_o_Rokubacteriales in SS increased significantly, with an increase of 28.91%-31.26%, and at the genus level of fungi, the relative abundances of Paecilomyces, Penicillium, and Moesziomyces were significantly increased by 2.98%-8.79%. Network analysis showed the SS bacterial network had a higher interaction degree and network connection, and the fungal network structure was more complex and stable than that of the NS. RDA results showed that soil microbial community composition was significantly correlated with straw degradation rate. SS showed obvious legacy effects on straw degradation, the number of soil culturable microorganisms, and population structure in a certain period, and the microbial flora of SS was more conducive to the degradation of the straws.