Soil Health Management Research Articles

Unveiling Soil Fertility Dynamics in Rawalpindi Region: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture and Fertilizer Strategies

In Pakistan, the adoption of high-yielding crop varieties and intensive farming practices since the commencement of the green revolution has led to a degradation in soil quality and fertility. Particularly in rainfed areas, rapid mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM) has exacerbated widespread nutrient deficiencies. This study, conducted in Rawalpindi district, aimed to evaluate the extent of soil nutrient deficiencies to formulate precise fertilizer recommendations for management of soil health and fertility to obtain sustainable crop production. A comprehensive analysis of 4080 soil samples from various tehsils within Rawalpindi district was carried out. Results revealed that the majority of soils (79%) were classified as loam, with an overwhelming percentage (88%) exhibiting alkaline pH (7.5 to 8.5). Furthermore, 99% of soils had an electrical conductivity (EC) within the safe limit of <4.00 dS m−1. However, more than 96% of soils displayed poor levels of SOM, and deficiency of available phosphorus was observed in 99% of the samples. Conversely, 63% of soils had adequate extractable potassium. These findings underscore that deficiency of SOM, available-P, and alkaline soil pH are the major contributing factors in Rawalpindi region to the poor soil fertility. Therefore, soil fertility management strategies must consider the findings of this study to obtain the maximum agronomic benefits. Furthermore, farmers are recommended to get their soil tested after every three years to revise the nutrient management programs.

Evaluating Soil Texture and Elemental Composition in Wasit Governorate, Iraq: A Remote Sensing Approach

This study employs remote sensing methodologies to evaluate the texture and elemental composition of soils in Wasit Governorate, Iraq. The research scrutinizes the concentrations of various elements (Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Al, Si, Ti) and the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) across different soil textures: Caly, Silty Clay Loam, Silty Clay, and Clay Loam. The investigation delves into how these elements and SAR influence the salinity, sodicity, fertility, and acidity of the soils, thereby affecting their properties and suitability for diverse applications. The study also explores the distribution and variation of these elements and SAR across different soil textures, discussing the potential reasons and implications of this variation. The research concludes that understanding the chemical composition of soils is integral to managing soil health and fertility, necessitating consideration of other aspects of soil health such as soil biology, physical properties, local environmental conditions, and farming practices. The study further analyzes the sediment composition and soil properties of Mesopotamia, a region characterized by clay (41-57%), silt (37-53%), sand (1-13%), and absence of gravel. The research presents data from a random sampling of a geopedological area map, using a table and two figures. The study observes that the percentage of silt increases in the east and decreases in the south, while the percentage of clay increases in the north and south. The research also finds that the mean sand value is 12.26%, the mean organic matter value is 0.607, the mean clay value is 43.87%, the mean heterogeneity coefficient is 3.851, the mean skewness is 0.067, and the mean kurtosis is 0.117. The study indicates that the organic matter content decreases in the southeast, as suggested by the salt extent in the south due to erosion and corrosion processes. This decrease corresponds to an increase in the corrosion factor, which ranges from 0.147 to 0.696. The research discusses the implications and applications of the findings for soil health and fertility, land use and transformation, and agricultural and environmental sustainability. The study concludes that the sediment composition and soil properties of Mesopotamia are diverse and complex, requiring meticulous monitoring and management to maximize their potential and minimize their risks.

Setting research and extension priorities for agronomic crops in California

Agronomic crop production in California, including grains and animal feed, faces multiple challenges that could be addressed by extension support. This means that extension services need to understand priorities for using their limited resources. Until now, a statewide assessment of the most important topics for research and extension was lacking. A survey was conducted by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) to identify high-priority needs and inform extension programming based on grower, consultant, and allied industry input. Our goal was to compare the importance of different topics with the level of satisfaction regarding UCCE’s delivery of information on these topics. Survey respondents identified integrated pest management, nutrient and irrigation management, and variety testing as high-priority needs, with overall high satisfaction regarding UCCE’s program delivery on these topics. Topics needing more focus (high priority but below-average level of satisfaction) included testing new products, soil health management, and water conservation and storage. Areas of low priority and low satisfaction included niche marketing, emerging crops, organic production, harvest/post-harvest technology, salinity management, compost and manure management, and greenhouse gas emission reductions. To address stakeholder challenges, results from this study suggest that research and extension efforts should prioritize issues directly impacting on-farm crop production. At the same time, areas of low interest reflect a need for more support to engage farmers on these topics, particularly those concerning state environmental regulations and challenges to local and global food production and security.

Soil health cycle

AbstractSoil health is pivotal to agricultural sustainability. Promoting and sustaining soil health management is challenging since it involves many interdependent components and steps and is an iterative process. Herein, the soil health cycle (SHC) is proposed as a soil health management cycle encompassing human dimensions, management practices, and their effects on soil health indicators (SHIs), leading to subsequent impacts on soil functions. The SHC provides a structure for an iterative testing of changes to improve soil health. A systematic review of research publications was also conducted using the Web of Science database supplemented by Elicit AI and Scopus API searches to determine the status of research reports connecting SHIs to soil function outcomes, a critical component in the SHC. The review focused on publications from 2000 to 2022 and highlighted that most soil health studies separately report the potential roles of soil health practices such as cover cropping, no‐tillage or reduced tillage, crop rotation, and crop–livestock integration in improving SHIs or soil function outcomes such as productivity and sustainability. The confidence in the causality of improved SHIs due to practices can be increased by demonstrably linking them to soil function outcomes such as productivity, environmental quality, and profitability. Presenting such evidence might allow us to tease confounding factors apart and present and contextually recommend soil health practices. It will also affect the human dimension in the SHC through informed and beneficial policies and incentives.

Development of Regenerative Tea Cultivation Models through Dual Approach of Soil and Plant Health Management towards Crop Sustainability, Soil Quality Development, Pesticide Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study from Lakhipara Tea Estate,

Climate change is a reality and its impact on the tea plantations is apparent in the rise of pest intensity, higher agrochemical use, inconsistent crop yields, declining grand growth period, increased abiotic stress and various other challenges; that threaten long-term sustainability of the Indian tea sector. The urgency to adopt sustainable practices is increasing by the day but to gain time bound results a comprehensive focus encompassing soil and plant health development will be crucial. To deal with climate challenge head-on, the Indian tea industry is making changes at various levels of operations. The sustainable tea initiative at Lakhipara tea estate, was one such attempt by the Goodricke Group Limited in their Dooars tea growing region of West Bengal. The program was initiated in 2014 with an aim to reduce pesticide use, improve soil quality, and produce quality teas while sustaining crop yields, improving renewable energy use and lowering the carbon footprint. Adoption of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology and taking the essence from ‘Trophobiosis Theory’ of French Scientist F. Chaboussou, the program focused on management of soil and plant health. Three years evaluation of crop yields in respect of the budgeted crop, revealed on an average an excess of 78 kg/ha/year in the project area. In rest of the garden area a contrasting crop loss of 118 kg was recorded per ha during the same period. The higher crop performance positively correlated with the higher nutrient use efficiency which was 17.7 percent higher in the project area (NUENPK : 8.86) as compared to the general garden area (NUENPK : 7.53), which reflected the impact of plant health management towards enhanced nutrient uptake, assimilation and utilization. Assessment of pesticide usage, revealed up to 77% decrease in usage in the project area during 2014-16, as compared to the pre- project year. Comparison with pesticide usage of the Dooars tea growing region during this same period, indicated a 62% lower Crop Pesticide Pollution Index (CPPI) in the project area. The finding indicated a 52 to 77% reduction in the accumulated toxicity potential of the applied pesticides in the project area; thereby accrediting safer tea development under this program, when adjudged in terms of pesticide residue. Assessment of soil quality revealed an overall eight percent increment in Soil Fertility Index (FI) value, with significant improvement in soil microbial activity potential (MAP) values i.e., by almost four times. The finding pointed towards the favourable impact of soil health management primarily through Novcom composting towards enhancement of soil microbial interactions. Post three years of experimentation the overall Soil Quality Iindex (SQI) value increased by 6% in the project area. The finding corroborated a concurrent 6.72% increase in the soil organic carbon stock during the same period. Reduction in use of non- renewable inputs viz. chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the project area was indicated by approximately 40 percent enhancement in energy use efficiency and energy productivity post the assessment period. Carbon assessment in terms of kg CO2 equivalents/ kg made tea (using ACFA version 1.0) indicated approx. 65 to 70 % lower footprint in the project area, primarily due to 20 to 30 % reduction in chemical fertilizers and 60 to 70 % reduction in the use of synthetic pesticides. The results indicated that while integrated soil management is the pre-requisite criteria towards rejuvenation of soil health and for restoration of the habitat for predators, it does not play a direct role in reducing the pest pressure and simultaneously the requirement of pesticides. Physiologically activated plants/ bushes on the other hand; due to their higher nutrient assimilation capacity and efficient protein synthesis are always lesser susceptible to pest attack. Hence, focus on activation of plant physiology can reduce the plant- pest interaction leading to a natural reduction in the requirement for pesticides vis-à-vis the pesticide usage.

Development of Regenerative Tea Cultivation Models through Dual Approach of Soil and Plant Health Management towards Crop Sustainability, Soil Quality Development, Pesticide Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation: A Case Study from Lakhipara Tea Estate, Dooars, West Bengal, India (PART-II)

The first part of this research article documents the impact of the studied Regenerative Agriculture models in tea in respect of crop sustainability, pesticide load reduction and reduction of pest management cost. The findings indicated an increase (78 kg/ha) in crop productivity in the project area as against crop loss of 118 kg/ha in the non- project area during the same period. The finding also indicated a 52 to 77% reduction in the accumulated toxicity potential of the applied pesticides, improvement of soil quality indices and a 6.72% increase in the soil organic carbon stock. Most importantly, carbon assessment in terms of kg CO2 equivalent/ kg made tea (using ACFA version 1.0) indicated approximately 65 to 70 % lower footprint in the project area. The lowering of carbon footprint was due to a 20 to 30 % reduction in the chemical fertilizers along with improvement in carbon sequestration potential of the soil due to quality compost application and reduction of herbicides. The study indicated that Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology can serve as an effective tool towards development of resource based Regenerative Agriculture Models that can ensure safe and low carbon tea cultivation without compromising crop yield and without increasing the cost of cultivation.

The transition from shifting cultivation to indigenous agroforestry as nature-based solution for land restoration in the Indian Eastern Himalayas

In the Indian Eastern Himalayas, shifting cultivation has long been a major cause of land degradation. However, indigenous communities, like the Hmar, have successfully transitioned from shifting cultivation to agroforestry systems such as pineapple agroforestry, leading to land restoration and increased household incomes. Despite these positive outcomes, little is known about how soil health indicators change during this transition. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate changes in selected soil health indicators and erodibility across different age classes of pineapple agroforestry systems (<5, 5–10, 11–15, and > 15 years old) compared to shifting cultivation and nearby natural forests. Soil samples were collected from six sites, including different stages of pineapple agroforestry systems, shifting cultivation phases, and a natural forest. At each site, three (10 × 10 m) quadrats were selected, and two (1 × 1 × 1 m) vertical soil pits were dug in each quadrat, sampling soil depths from 0 to 100 cm. The transition from shifting cultivation to pineapple agroforestry improved soil organic carbon (SOC) and stratification ratios while reducing soil erodibility. SOC stocks were estimated at 182.7 Mg C/ha for natural forest land and 188.2 Mg C/ha for the cropping phase in shifting cultivation. On the other hand, estimated SOC stocks for < 5, 5–10, 11–15 and > 15 years old stands of pineapple agroforestry system were 169.7 Mg C/ha, 157.2 Mg C/ha, 168.9 Mg C/ha and 177 Mg C/ha respectively. Thus, the estimated SOC stocks under > 15 years of pineapple agroforestry were comparable with adjacent natural forest land. The stratification ratios (SR > 2) for SOC and macronutrients indicated better soil quality in the pineapple agroforestry system than in the cropped land. The clay and modified clay ratios decreased with increasing age of pineapple agroforestry stands. The highest clay ratio was recorded in the topsoil of < 5-year-old pineapple agroforestry system, indicating a greater risk of exposure to rainfall events than in natural forest land and the cropping phase in the shifting cultivation cycle. It is concluded that transitioning from shifting cultivation to a pineapple agroforestry is a nature-based solution to restore degraded lands and presents an excellent opportunity for sustainable soil health and carbon sink management.

Soil Health and Nutrient Management

Soil health and appropriate nutrient management are critical components of sustainable agriculture, influencing crop yield, environmental sustainability, and overall food security. The ability of soil to function as a living ecosystem is referred to as soil health. supports plant and animal life while protecting the environment. It refers to how physical, chemical, and biological activity interact in the soil. Mineral matter, organic matter, water, and air are all critical components of soil health, and each contributes to plant growth. Soil health indicators include physical, chemical, and biological factors that help assess the soil's state. For optimal soil health, these indicators must be balanced.&#x0D; However, there are significant issues to address, such as decreased soil organic matter, declining soil fertility due to nutrient deficits, physical soil degradation, and chemical soil degradation caused by excessive chemical use. Practices for sustainable soil management are critical for addressing these concerns. Balanced fertilization, organic matter incorporation, crop rotation, cover cropping, reduced tillage, and precision nutrient delivery are examples of these. Mitigating issues such as nutrient pollution, soil erosion, and soil deterioration is critical to maintaining agriculture's long-term viability.

Comprehensive bioremediation effect of phosphorus-mineralized bacterium Enterobacter sp. PMB-5 on cadmium contaminated soil-crop system

Phosphate-mineralizing bacteria (PMBs) have been widely studied by inducing phosphate heavy metal precipitation, but current researches neglect to study their effects on soil-microbe-crop systems on cadmium (Cd) contaminated. Based on this, a strain PMB, Enterobacter sp. PMB-5, was inoculated into Cd contaminated pots to detect soil characteristics, Cd occurrence forms, soil biological activities, plant physiological and biochemical indicators. The results showed that the inoculation of strain PMB-5 significantly increased the available phosphorus content (85.97%−138.64%), Cd-residual fraction (11.04%−29.73%), soil enzyme activities (31.94%−304.63%), plant biomass (6.10%−59.81%), while decreased the state of Cd-HOAc (11.50%−31.17%) and plant bioconcentration factor (23.76%−44.24%). These findings indicated that strain PMB-5 could perform the function of phosphorus solubilization to realize the immobilization of Cd in the complex soil environment. Moreover, SEM-EDS, FTIR, XPS, and XRD analysis revealed that strain PMB-5 does not significantly alter the soil morphology, structure, elemental distribution, and chemical composition, which suggested that remediation of Cd contamination using strain PMB-5 would not further burden the soil. This research implies that PMB-5 could be a safe and effective bioinoculant for remediating Cd-contaminated soils, contributing to the sustainable management of soil health in contaminated environments.

Soil Health Management in Direct Seeded Rice: Exploring Nutrient Dynamics and Soil Microbial Communities

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) has emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional transplanting methods, offering water and labor savings. However, the shift to DSR practices raises questions about soil health management. This review delves into the intricate relationship between nutrient dynamics and soil microbial communities in DSR systems. The review elucidates the impact of DSR on nutrient cycling, discusses the alterations in soil microbial diversity and functions, and explores strategies to enhance soil health in DSR. By addressing these aspects, the review offers insights into the complexities of DSR from a soil health perspective and highlights research gaps for future exploration.

Assessing Soil Quality Under Different Land-Uses Through Constructing Minimum Datasets from Soil Profiles in a Fragile Ecosystem of Northeastern Region of India

ABSTRACT The conversion of forest to agricultural land has been a major worldwide concern and a cause of deterioration of soil quality. The study examined the influence of land uses on the soil quality index (SQI) using minimum datasets (MDS) constructed from soil profiles through two methods namely, additive (SQIa) and weighted (SQIw). In this study, 29 geo-referenced soil profiles (116 layers) up to a depth of 150 cm were collected in Northeastern India, representing forest, jhum, jhum fallow, and agricultural land uses. Principal component analysis (PCA) with multiple correlation analysis is found to be a suitable statistical method for selecting the key soil quality indicators. From PCA, organic carbon (OC), sand, clay, available P and available S were selected as soil quality indicators in MDS. Our results showed that these MDS significantly varied within the profiles depending on the land-uses. The estimated values of SQIs showed that SQIa was higher than SQIw across the soil depths and land-uses. For the surface soil, SQIa values were in the order of forest (2.97) > jhum fallow (2.82) > agriculture (2.68) > jhum land (1.97) and for profile soil jhum fallow (2.38) > forest (2.37) > agriculture (2.33) > jhum (1.88). Similarly, SQIw followed the trend of forest > jhum fallow > agriculture > jhum for all the three studied depths. The statistical analysis showed that the surface, subsurface, and profile soil had no significant impact on SQIw for agriculture, fallow jhum, and forest. The overall data indicated that jhum land had a significantly lower SQI than other land-uses for all soil depths. From this study, the information generated can be useful to assess the soil quality in different land-uses for managing soil health in similar areas of the Northeastern region of India. The findings are also useful in the ecosystems in which soils develop in an acid edaphic environment.

Decoding seasonal changes: soil parameters and microbial communities in tropical dry deciduous forests.

In dry deciduous tropical forests, both seasons (winter and summer) offer habitats that are essential ecologically. How these seasonal changes affect soil properties and microbial communities is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of seasonal fluctuations on soil characteristics and microbial populations. The soil moisture content dramatically increases in the summer. However, the soil pH only gradually shifts from acidic to slightly neutral. During the summer, electrical conductivity (EC) values range from 0.62 to 1.03 ds m-1, in contrast to their decline in the winter. The levels of soil macronutrients and micronutrients increase during the summer, as does the quantity of soil organic carbon (SOC). A two-way ANOVA analysis reveals limited impacts of seasonal fluctuations and specific geographic locations on the amounts of accessible nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Moreover, dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and urease activities rise in the summer, while chitinase, protease, and acid phosphatase activities are more pronounced in the winter. The soil microbes were identified in both seasons through 16S rRNA and ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) gene sequencing. Results revealed Proteobacteria and Ascomycota as predominant bacterial and fungal phyla. However, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Burkholderia are dominant bacterial genera, and Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Trichoderma are dominant fungal genera in the forest soil samples. Dominant bacterial and fungal genera may play a role in essential ecosystem services such as soil health management and nutrient cycling. In both seasons, clear relationships exist between soil properties, including pH, moisture, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and microbial diversity. Enzymatic activities and microbial shift relate positively with soil parameters. This study highlights robust soil-microbial interactions that persist mainly in the top layers of tropical dry deciduous forests in the summer and winter seasons. It provides insights into the responses of soil-microbial communities to seasonal changes, advancing our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity preservation.

Characterization of humic acids from soil of Delhi regions and their impact on plant growth

Humus materials are considered complex organic substances generated through a chain of chemical reactions and responsible for many processes in soil that ultimately govern soil health. The structural and functional characteristics of humus depend upon the location, quality, and microbial abundance of the soils. However, the differential characteristics of soil organic matter, seasonal changes, parent rock, plant cover, microbial abundance, and anthropogenic activities majorly affect it. The present study has aimed toward the extraction of humus from five different locations in the Delhi region of India and their characteristics were investigated through elemental analysis, Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy. The results showed that there was a higher degree of unsaturation detected in the Forest soil sample. The results of FT-IR showed the presence of characteristic peaks of humus in the samples however the intensity of bands was weak in sample disposable site soil sample and clayey soil sample due to the variation in soil physicochemical properties. The study also aimed to assess the growth of Oryza sativa (rice) plants observed in the hydroponics system. The significant finding was observed with the forest soil sample in 1000 mgL-1 and treatment in which the growth was minimum in clayey soil of 1500 mgL-1. Our investigation infers the diverse nature of humus in different soils and its implications for plant growth, highlighting the importance of understanding soil organic matter for sustainable agriculture and soil health management

Productivity, soil health, and carbon management index of soybean-wheat cropping system under double zero-tillage and natural-farming based organic nutrient management in north-Indian plains

Conservation-agriculture and organic-farming are two sustainable-agriculture approaches to ensure food security and environmental-sustainability. Hence, a field study assessed the productivity, soil-health and carbon-dynamics of soybean-wheat cropping system (SWCS) under four tillage and residue-management practices (TRMPs) viz., Conventional-tillage without residues (CT-R), conventional-tillage with residue-retention in both crops at 3 t ha−1 each (CT + R), zero-tillage without residues (ZT-R), and zero-tillage with residue-retention in both crops at 3 t ha−1 each (ZT + R); and five organic-nutrient-management-practices (ONMPs) in both crops viz., 100 % RDF (N1), 100 % RDN through FYM (N2), 100 % RDN through VC (N3), 100 % RDN through FYM + Biofertilizers + Cow-urine + Panchgavya + Jeevamrut (N4), and 100 % RDN through VC + Biofertilizers + Cow-urine + Panchgavya + Jeevamrut (N5), in split-plot-design replicated-thrice. Among TRMPs, ZT + R enhanced system-productivity (SEY) by ∼17.2 % over CT-R, besides improved soil available-N, P, K by 6.4, 6.5 and 6.5 %, respectively. SMBC, SMBN and SMBP were higher under ZT + R by 16.2, 21.5 and 10.8 % over CT-R, respectively. ZT + R had higher soil enzyme activities of DHA, Acid-P, ALP, URA, and FDA over CT-R by 19.4, 20.7, 21.5, 20.7 and 15.2 %, respectively. ZT + R also had higher VLC, ACP, LI and CMI over CT-R. Among ONMPs, the natural-farming based ONMP, N5 considerably improved SMBC, SMBN, SMBP, FDA, DHA, Acid-P, URA, and ALP by 12.7–12.9 % over N1 (100 % RDF). ONMP-N5 improved the available-N, P, K content over N1 by 6.6, 5.8 and 6.7 %, respectively. ONMP-N5 had higher (p < 0.05) microbial-count, VLC, APC, LI and CMI; however, system-productivity was ∼4.1 % lower than N1 in this two-years' short-study which further need investigation in multi-location long-term experiments. Overall, the dual-crop basis ZT + R at 6 t ha−1 year−1 + NF-based ONMPs (N5) may harness higher and sustained productivity under SWCS besides advancing soil-health and soil carbon-pools in sandy-loam soils of north-Indian plains and similar soils across south-Asia.

Emerging specialty crop farmer perspectives and educational needs related to soil health and nutrient management in the Upper Midwest

Abstract Emerging farmers, including immigrant farmers, play an increasingly important role in the food system of the Upper Midwestern United States but face significant barriers to success. One important barrier is the lack of culturally relevant and system-specific training and technical assistance, particularly related to soil health and nutrient management. A team of researchers and farm support professionals was convened to conduct a farmer engagement process consisting of a survey and focus groups to better understand the experiences and wisdom that emerging farmers already have, and their educational needs related to soils. The broader goal was to inform the development of culturally relevant tools and training. Here we identify key takeaways related to content needs and learning style preferences. While emerging farmers are already skilled in assessing physical and biological aspects of soil health, they often need support in understanding chemical properties of soil, how to do soil testing, and how to translate soil test results into actionable practices. Additionally, many emerging farmers have experience in other countries and in agricultural systems based on practices such as shifting cultivation. Supporting farmers as they adapt these practices to a Midwest context requires educators to learn about these systems and value the expertise of farmers from diverse farming backgrounds. There is a particular need for more nuanced and farm scale-specific training about inputs in highly diversified, mostly organic systems, especially related to compost and manure management. In terms of learning styles, farmers preferred hands-on training opportunities with as much mentorship and peer learning as possible. Many Midwestern emerging farmers participate in incubator farm programs for beginning growers. While such programs provide valuable access to land and infrastructure, they often lack the capacity to provide tailored participant mentorship. This leaves program graduates unsure about how to utilize soil health and nutrient management practices when they start their own farms. To improve soil health and nutrient management outcomes for emerging farmers, we propose investing in train-the-trainer type programs for farmer leaders and staff with beginning farmer organizations. These programs should include tailored one-to-one mentorship and peer learning with an emphasis on organic inputs, chemical aspects of soil health, and diversified production systems.

Assessing performance of simplified bioassays for soil-borne pathogens in smallholder systems of western Kenya.

Soil-borne pathogens cause considerable crop losses and food insecurity in smallholder systems of sub-Saharan Africa. Soil and crop testing is critical for estimating pathogen inoculum levels and potential for disease development, understanding pathogen interactions with soil nutrient and water limitations, as well as for developing informed soil health and disease management decisions. However, formal laboratory analyses and diagnostic services for pathogens are often out of reach for smallholder farmers due to the high cost of testing and a lack of local laboratories. To address this challenge, we assessed the performance of a suite of simplified soil bioassays to screen for plant parasitic nematodes (e.g., Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus) and other key soil-borne pathogens (Pythium and Fusarium). We sampled soils from on-farm trials in western Kenya examining the impact of distinct nutrient inputs (organic vs. synthetic) on bean production. Key soil health parameters and common soil-borne pathogens were evaluated using both simple bioassays and formal laboratory methods across eleven farms, each with three nutrient input treatments (66 samples in total). The soil bioassays, which involved counting galls on lettuce roots and lesions on soybean were well correlated with the abundance of gall forming (Meloidogyne) and root lesion nematodes (e.g., Pratylenchus) recovered in standard laboratory-based extractions. Effectiveness of a Fusarium bioassay, involving the counting of lesions on buried bean stems, was verified via sequencing and a pathogenicity test of cultured Fusarium strains. Finally, a Pythium soil bioassay using selective media clearly distinguished pathogen infestation of soils and infected seeds. When examining management impact on nematode communities, soils amended with manure had fewer plant parasites and considerably more bacterivore and fungivore nematodes compared to soils amended with synthetic N and P. Similarly, Pythium presence was 35% lower in soils amended with manure, while the Fusarium assays indicated 23% higher Fusarium infection in plots with amended manure. Our findings suggest that relatively simple bioassays can be used to help farmers assess soil-borne pathogens in a timely manner, with minimal costs, thus enabling them to make informed decisions on soil health and pathogen management.

The impact of the grinding angle of the soil dredging tool on its performance

This investigation explores the optimization of the backhoe blade's entry angle, addressing its crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and operational effectiveness in subsoil manipulation - a fundamental aspect of agricultural tillage technologies. Utilizing an integrated approach that combines detailed field experiments with robust theoretical simulations, the study methodically quantifies the effects of angular variations on energy demands and mechanical performance during soil dredging. Our results reveal precise angular configurations that offer optimal reductions in energy use while significantly improving the disruption and aeration of the subsoil layer. This optimization contributes directly to the development of advanced, precision-engineered agricultural implements aimed at boosting sustainability and productivity in farming practices. Furthermore, the outcomes of this research provide pivotal insights into soil health management strategies, potentially influencing crop yield through improved root penetration and water absorption. These findings are expected to serve as a benchmark for future innovations in agricultural machinery design, aligning with global trends towards more sustainable agricultural practices and enhanced food security. This study sets a new standard for agricultural tool engineering, paving the way for transformative changes in the sector.

Canonical Correlation Among Paddy Growers’ Soil Health Card Knowledge Perception and Adoption in Andhra Pradesh

The research employs canonical correlation analysis to explore the interplay between Soil Health Card (SHC) knowledge, perception, and adoption among paddy growers in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh for the years 2023-2024. Effective paddy cultivation demands careful management throughout all stages—from transplanting to post-harvest—tailored to local conditions. In response to soil degradation and the need for improved agricultural productivity, the Gujarat administration launched the Soil Health Card initiative. This study aims to reveal the relationships and factors influencing SHC utilization in the region. By examining these variables, the research seeks to enhance agricultural practices and promote sustainable farming. The findings will provide valuable insights for authorities, rural extension centres, and other stakeholders involved in SHC programs. Understanding the factors that drive or hinder SHC adoption will help develop targeted strategies to increase awareness, shift perceptions, and encourage broader implementation among paddy growers. Ultimately, this research supports the goal of advancing soil health management practices and fostering agricultural sustainability in Andhra Pradesh.

Aplikasi Biosaka dan Biochar Pada Lahan Tanaman Hortikultura di Pulau Ternate

The production of curly chili and tomato plants as well as resistance to anthracnose and fusarium attacks on farmers' land in Sulamadaha and Kastela Villages, Ternate City, currently has the potential to decrease compared to its potential in recent years. Plant production and resilience are expected to decline as the soil health of agricultural land declines. Soil health on chili and tomatoes is determined by land management systems such as fertilization, pest and disease control, from planting to harvest. The problem approach in the management of soil health is carried out through counseling and product-making training to improve soil health. The problems agreed to be resolved through counseling are the introduction of healthy soil characteristics, how to maintain healthy soil, sources of plant nutrients from natural materials, and plant cultivation systems. Product training activities include how to select biosaka and biochar raw materials, methods for making products, and methods for applying products to plants and on agricultural land. Activities are carried out through several stages: counseling, training, and implementation. Measurement of farmer's understanding of extension and training materials is carried out through evaluation before the activity (pre-test) and at the end of the activity (post-test). The standard of success is determined through indicators of increasing understanding and mastery of the material by 25 percent from pre-test to post-test. After the application of biosaka and biochar products, plant performance is measured through plant height, number of branches, and production. The training activities increased the material mastery by 48.68% for biosaka and 70.37% for biochar. The highest curly chili production was 0.94 kg tree-1 harvest-1, and tomato production was 0.59 kg tree-1 harvest-1.

Soil health implications of some d-block metals in selected agricultural soils in Southeast Nigeria.

Soil fertility, soil health and environmental management through the estimation of background concentration of potentially toxic elements is required for environmental safety. This study aims at investigating the concentration, fertility and potential health risks of some d-block metals (Ti, V, Fe, Mn, and Mo) in some agricultural soils, and establishes the relationship between the metals and some soil properties. Eight elevation ranges resulted from the digital elevation models of the study area; two in Ishibori (NG1, NG2), three each in Agoi-Ibami (CG1, CG2, CG3) and Mfamosing (SG1, SG2 and SG3). One soil profile pit was sunk along each of the elevations. Thirty-five composite soil samples were collected at 0-30, 30-60, 60-90, 90-120, 120-150, 150-180 and 180-200cm depending on soil depth. Only the profile means of Mn (660.82 ± 612.89mg/kg) and Mo (2.61 ± 0.73mg/kg) exceeded permissible concentrations and would pose threats to the environment. Also, the concentrations of the d-block metals exceeded permissible values in Ishibori making them prone to toxicity. The metals were irregularly distributed with depth; however, Mn and Fe were concentrated in the subsurface soils. Clay and sand contents correlated positively and negatively, respectively with all the d-block metals at p < 0.05. The linear model was more efficient in estimating V and Mo via soil properties with adjusted R2 of 33 - 67% for the metals. In conclusion, agricultural activities and geology may influence the accumulation of d-block metals, hence the call for environmental monitoring to curtail metals' assimilation by crops. HIGHLIGHTS: • Mn and Mo threaten the environment the most. • Soils in the Southern Guinea Savannah are most prone to d-block metals contamination. • BD, pH, Mg, and CEC are the best predictors of d-block metals in the soils. • The linear model was best performing in the estimation of V and Mo, respectively.