Organic Amendments Research Articles

Efficiency of biochar and compost on soil bio-chemical properties and yield of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea L.)

A field experiment was conducted to assess how the combined application of biochar with various organic amendments affects the soil biochemical properties and the yield characteristics of knol-khol (Brassica oleracea var. gongyloides L.). The outcomes showed that biochar with organic amendments substantially enhanced the biological characteristics of the soil as compared to the control treatment. There was a notable increment in soil microbial biomass carbon by 33.27 % and dehydrogenase activity by 5.68 % following the integrated application of farmyard manure, vermicompost and biochar (T8). In addition, several knol-khol growth metrics showed significant improvement in T8 compared to the control, including leaf number (1.36 times), plant height (1.38 times) and knob diameter (2.3 times). In T8, the knolkhol production increased by a remarkable 3 times, demonstrating the beneficial effects of the combined treatment on marketable output. The results of the experiment showed that T8 had significantly higher levels of accessible nitrogen (12.38 %), available potassium (8.54 %), available phosphorus (24.19 %) and organic carbon (9.5 %) than the control. According to this, the concurrent application of farmyard manure, vermicompost and biochar enhanced soil fertility and boosted plant and microbial nutrient availability, which in turn led to higher profitability.

The Role of Soil Microbiome in Enhancing Plant Nutrition and Promoting Soil Health

The soil microbiome, a complex community of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa, plays a pivotal role in sustaining plant nutrition and soil health. Through processes such as nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and symbiotic relationships, soil microorganisms enhance the availability of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Beneficial microbes such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mycorrhizal fungi improve plant growth by increasing nutrient uptake, producing growth hormones, and promoting disease resistance. Furthermore, the soil microbiome significantly contributes to soil structure, fertility, and resilience by aiding in soil aggregation, water retention, and stress tolerance. It also plays a critical role in suppressing plant pathogens and improving plant resilience to environmental stresses such as drought and heavy metal contamination. Despite its importance, conventional agricultural practices, including the overuse of chemical inputs and intensive tillage, often disrupt the balance of soil microbial communities, leading to soil degradation. Sustainable agricultural practices that incorporate organic amendments, crop rotations, and reduced chemical inputs are crucial for maintaining a healthy and diverse soil microbiome. This review highlights the essential functions of the soil microbiome in plant nutrition and soil health, emphasizing its potential to promote sustainable agricultural practices and ecosystem resilience.

Restoring Soil Fertility through Organic Amendments: Impacts on Agriculture and Human Health

The application of organic amendments in agriculture has become a vital approach to addressing key challenges in Indian agriculture, such as fragmented landholdings, inadequate irrigation, and declining soil fertility. These amendments, which are added to soil to enhance its physical, chemical, and biological properties, play a significant role in promoting sustainable farming. Organic amendments like compost, manure, and green manure serve as excellent sources of organic carbon and essential nutrients. They improve soil structure, enhance drainage, and facilitate nutrient cycling while mitigating soil alkalinity and fostering microbial activity, thereby supporting overall soil health. Research highlights the effectiveness of organic amendments in improving soil quality. Organic amendments also offer notable benefits for human health by reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers and minimizing toxic residues. They decrease the risks of heavy metal contamination and pesticide exposure. Adopting organic amendments supports the broader goals of sustainable agriculture by enhancing biodiversity, improving soil fertility, and reducing environmental and health risks. Nevertheless, further research is needed to refine these practices, optimize their application, and thoroughly evaluate their effects on human well-being and agricultural productivity. Organic amendments offer a promising solution to meet the growing food demands of an expanding population while maintaining ecological balance and ensuring food security.

The application of shrub willow chip organic amendments impacts soil microbial community dynamics.

Incorporating shrub willow chips into soil may improve the chemical, physical and biological properties of soils with low organic matter but the impact on soil microbial communities and their dynamics is not known. We assessed changes in the soil microbial communities in response to willow chip applied at increasing rates (0, 20, 40 and 60 Mg ha-1) in a potato-barley cropping system. Bacterial and fungal community diversity, relative abundance, and potential functions were assessed using amplicon sequencing of 16S and ITS rRNA genes at six time points. High rates (40 and 60 Mg ha-1) of willow chips had no effect on bacterial alpha diversity but significantly decreased fungal alpha diversity (Shannon) while increasing fungal richness (Chao-1). At rates of 40 Mg ha⁻¹ and higher, the relative abundance of copiotrophic bacterial groups increased, while that of copiotrophic fungal groups decreased. The relative abundance of the most dominant microbial phyla and genera varied over time, with copiotrophic groups declining and oligotrophic groups increasing. High willow chip application rates increased bacterial molecular markers related to carbon fixation and degradation, nitrogen fixation, and phosphorus solubilization, while decreasing markers related to cellobiose transport and denitrification. This study demonstrates the ability of willow chips to influence the microbial community composition and potential function over time.

In Vitro Control of Sclerotium Rolfsii, The Causal Agent of Collar Rot in Sunflower Using Fungicides, Botanicals and Organic Matter

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), a vital oilseed crop that significantly reduces production globally, is seriously threatened by collar rot, a disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Sclerotium rolfsii reductions. This research sought to assess the effectiveness of various control methods against S. rolfsii in laboratory conditions, including nine fungicides, nine plant extracts, and five organic amendments. This study assessed the efficacy of various medicinal plant extracts at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) in inhibiting the in vitro mycelial growth of S. rolfsii. Among the plant extracts tested, garlic demonstrated the most potent antifungal properties, completely suppressing mycelial growth at 10%, 15%, and 20% concentrations. The results indicate that garlic clove extract (98.18-100%) is the most effective at inhibiting S. rolfsii growth, with henna (65.92-92.46%) and black cumin extracts (64.80-85.88%) also demonstrating strong efficacy. The fungicide Carboxin and Thiram (Provax 200) were found most effective, achieving total inhibition, followed by Azoxystrobin and Difenoconazole (Amister Top) (91%) and Difenoconazole (Score) (90%). In the case of the extracts of organic amendment material, poultry refuse exhibited the highest inhibition, completely inhibiting the mycelial growth at 20% and 30% concentrations. Among the organic amendments, poultry refuse (94.40-100%), vermicompost (17.55-67.32%), and mustard oilcake (14.88-64.10%), showed strong potential for reducing S. rolfsii mycelial growth. The findings of the study suggest that Carboxin and Thiram, poultry refuse, and garlic extract could be effective in managing sunflower collar rot disease. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2024, 49(2): 1-15

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.

Evaluation of Fungicides, Organic Amendments and Botanicals against Powdery Mildew of Black Gram in Field Condition

The study presents an attempt to explain the potential control of powdery mildew disease of black gram caused by obligate fungus Erysiphe polygoni. It causes both quantitative and qualitative losses of grains. The fungicides, botanicals and organic amendments which found best effective were further tested as foliar spray alone as well as in integration of each other for powdery mildew disease suppression. The susceptible black gram variety ‘PU 31’ was used for this experiment. Lowest powdery mildew severity percent disease index (PDI) after third spray (10.67%) with maximum per cent efficiency of disease control (PEDC) (85.19%) of powdery mildew disease and 9.3 q/ha black gram yield was recorded by foliar spray of Propiconazole (13.9%) 15% W/V + Difenconazole (13.9%) 15% W/V 0.1%+ Neem leaf extract 5% + Panchgavya 10% as compared to control with highest (72%) powdery mildew disease severity with lowest 4.12 q/ha yield.

Assemblage of Bacteria Communities and Resistome Enrichment by Dairy Flurries Along the Rhizosphere–Bulk Soil Continuum on Dairy Farms

The use of dairy slurries as organic fertilizer amendments is a common practice in agriculture as a cost-saving measure, as well as a residue management strategy. However, concerns related to the increase in antibiotic resistance in the environment under the scope of the One Health strategy are increasing. In this study, we aimed to assess resistome enrichment driven by dairy slurry application in four southern Chile dairy farms. Slurry pits, rhizospheres of Lolium perenne amended with those slurries, and bulk soils were sampled. Thirteen antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs, tetA, tetG, tetM, tetQ, tetW, tetX, sul1, sul2, blaCTXM, blaOXA-1, blaTEM, ermB, and dfrA1) for five antibiotic classes (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, beta-lactams, macrolides, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole), two related integrases (intl1 and intl2), and total bacteria (16S rRNA) abundance was measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Then, the abundance profiles of two enzyme-inactivated ARGs (tetX and blaTEM) were determined. The differences between the bacterial communities inhabiting the different sample types were explored with 16S rRNA metabarcoding. In general, all measured ARGs were detected in slurries. A decreasing trend in ARG copy numbers was observed with increasing soil depth, with the exception of tetX, whose abundance increased in the bulk soil at specific farms. The tetX and blaTEM communities revealed no differences in the relative abundance of variants in any of the samples. Finally, taxonomic and structural differences were found among all sample types. Thus, the enrichment of the sampled farm soil resistomes was driven by the application of the raw slurries as fertilizer.

Evaluating and predicting CO2 flux from agricultural soils treated with organic amendments: a comparative study of ANN and ElasticNet models

Evaluating and predicting CO2 flux from agricultural soils treated with organic amendments: a comparative study of ANN and ElasticNet models

Influence of Different Levels Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Growth and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The global food demand of growing human population and need for eco-friendly strategy for sustainable soil-plant-microbes-environmental system currently a crucial challenge. In conventional farming for increasing the crop yield farmers are using huge amount of chemical fertilizer in the fields. Due to either over or imbalance use of chemical fertilizers in cultivation of crops, degraded the soil fertility and health of soil. Such farming is blamed for land degradation and environment pollution and adversely affecting the human health, plants and animals. Soil degradation contributes to low agricultural productivity. Organic amendments (OAs) have the potentials to reverse soil degradation processes by improving the soil's physical and chemical properties and consequently improve crop growth and yield performance An experiment was carried out during the winter season of 2021- 2022 to know the Effect of different levels of Vermicompost,Neam cake and fertilizer on soil health and yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) ”. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replicates for each treatment. The fertilizer applied for the crop was NPK and @ 120kg, ha-1, 80kg ha-1, 100 kgha-1, Vermicompost 6 and Neem cake 1.2 t h-1, respectively, showed significant influence on the soil health of Potato . Based on the above research work, it is concluded that application of Vermicompost, Neam cake and fertilizer, treatment T9 [NPK 100% + VC @100% + Neem Cake @ 100% ha-1] was found more beneficial and significantly improved soil, and tuber yield of Potato grown under Allahabad Agro-climatic conditions.

Influence of Different Levels of Organic Manures and Inorganic Fertilizers in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Cultivation on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil

The degradation of soil, characterized by the decline in soil organic matter, nutrient exhaustion, and the subsequent diminishment of soil fertility, stands as a prominent factor contributing to the subpar levels of agricultural productivity. Organic amendments (OAs) present a promising avenue for rectifying this degradation, exerting their potential by enacting improvements in both the physical and chemical attributes of the soil. This, in turn, leads to a marked enhancement in the growth and yield performance of crops. An experimental endeavor was meticulously undertaken, employing the Randomised Block Design (RBD) framework, and encompassing three replicates for each treatment. Data collected during the course of instantiation were statistically analyzed using SVPSS software. Within this ambit, nine distinct nutrient management practices were evaluated, which included the application of organic manures, namely vermicompost (VC) and neem cake (NC), alongside their amalgamations with inorganic fertilizers. The overarching objective was to gauge the ensuing impact on the physico-chemical facets of the soil. Upon a comprehensive analysis of the aforementioned research endeavor, it emerges as a discernible conclusion that the treatment combination denoted as T9 [RDF @ 100% + Vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + Neem cake @ 1.2 t ha-1] emerged as notably advantageous. This treatment not only exhibited a discernible positive effect but also led to a significant amelioration in the physico-chemical attributes of the soil. Consequently, it is prudent to advocate this particular treatment combination to farmers, as it not only augments the yield of potatoes but also serves to uphold the overall health and vitality of the soil, particularly under the specific agro-climatic conditions of Prayagraj.

Sustainable soil management in agriculture under drought stress: Utilising waste-derived organic soil amendments and beneficial impacts on soil bacterial processes

Sustainable soil management in agriculture under drought stress: Utilising waste-derived organic soil amendments and beneficial impacts on soil bacterial processes

A conceptual framework for the contextualization of crop model applications and outputs in participatory research

Contextualization of generic scientific knowledge to context-specific farmer knowledge is a necessary step in farmers’ innovation process, and it can be achieved using crop and farm models. This work explores the possibility to simulate a large number of scenarios based on farmers’ descriptions of their environment and practices in order to contextualize the discussion for each participating farmer. It presents a novel framework consisting of six actions divided in three phases, namely, phase I—reaching out to the farmers’ world: (i) project initialization; (ii) determination of the agronomical question anchored in farmers’ context; (iii) characterization of the environment, the management options, and the indicators to describe the system under consideration; phase II—within researchers’ world: (iv) crop model parametrization; (v) translation of model outputs into farmer-proposed indicators; and phase III—back to farmers’ world: (vi) exploration of contextualized management options with farmers. Two communication tools are created during the process, one containing the results of simulations to feed the discussions and a second one to create a record of it. The usefulness of the framework is exemplified with the exploration of soil fertility management with manure and compost applications for sorghum production in the smallholder context of Sudano-Sahelian Burkina Faso. The application of the framework with 15 farmers provided evidence of farmers’ and agronomists’ understanding of options to improve cropping system performance with better organic amendment management. This approach allowed farmers to identify and relate to the scenarios simulated, but highlighted interrogations on how to adapt the crop model outputs to particular situations. Though applied on issues related to tactical change at field level, the framework offers the opportunity to explore broader issues with farmers, such as farm reconfiguration.

Isolation and morphological identification of fungi from “Solanum elaeagnifolium” green compost

The present study is a research of the quantitative and qualitative composition of mycoflora of a green compost, aged of 06 months and mesophilically produced from plant debris of an undesirable plant “Solanum elaeagnifolium“. Fungi were isolated on PDA medium and incubated at different temperatures “22°C, 30°C and 45°C”. The results has showed that the fungi concentration varies between 2,2 x105 and 6,24 x105 CFU/g of dried green compost according to the incubation’s temperature. Thirty species of fungi belonging to 10 genera were isolated and identified. The 03 principal genuses are: Aspergillus, Penicillium and Trichoderma, signifying that are the major representative of fungi community of “Solanum elaeagnifolium” green compost. The presences of a high concentration of antagonist species and the absence of pathogenic species witnessed the maturity of the green compost and make it as a good organic amendment for plant culture for stimulate their growth and to protect them from soil pathogens. The inventory of the mycoflora of this compost was necessary to determine its quality and the most appropriate application of them as a biological control agent against several plants’ pathogens fungi.

Enhancing Soil Resilience to Climate Change: Long-Term Effects of Organic Amendments on Soil Thermal and Physical Properties in Tea-Cultivated Ultisols

This study examined the impact of the long-term application (25 years) of tea waste (TW), compost (COM), and neem oil cake (NOC) compared to conventional synthetic fertilizers (CONV) on soil thermal and physical properties of a tea-cultivated Ultisol. Soil samples were collected from 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depths of an experimental site of the Tea Research Institute in Sri Lanka. These samples were analyzed for soil thermal conductivity (k), volumetric heat capacity (C), thermal diffusivity (D), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability, soil organic carbon (SOC), and volumetric water contents at 0 kPa (θ0) and 10 kPa (θ10). TW and COM significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased surface SOC, leading to better aggregation, lower BD, and, consequently, a substantial reduction in k and D compared to CONV plots. Further, TW and COM amendments slightly increased C compared to CONV plots due to elevated SOC and water content. However, NOC had no impact on soil thermal and physical properties compared to CONV. The reduced thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity indicated an improved soil capacity to buffer extreme temperature fluctuations. Moreover, soils treated with TW and COM exhibited greater water retention and improved soil resistance to erosion. The findings suggest that the long-term application of tea waste and compost could be a sustainable soil management strategy for improving soil health and enhancing resilience to climate change in tea-cultivated Ultisols.

Current scenario of emerging pollutants in farmlands and water reservoirs: Prospects and challenges.

Globally, roughly more than 400 million metric tons of plastics are produced annually. Similarly, the pharmaceuticals business is rising exponentially yearly, 5.8 %. It is expected to increase from USD 714 billion to USD 1454 billion by 2029. Beyond their intended uses, these substances are released into the environment as contaminants due to improper usage and management practices. Therefore, pharmaceuticals and microplastics (MPs) are classified as emerging pollutants (EPs), and their existence in agricultural ecosystems adversely affects soil and environmental health, ultimately impacting both ecological and human well-being. Pharmaceuticals and MP-loaded organic amendments (especially manure) are a primary cause of emerging soil pollutants. The increasing application of treated wastewater or biosolids as irrigation water or soil conditioners, mainly when derived from untreated sewage sludge, can introduce pharmaceuticals and MPs into the farmlands, merging these pollutants within the soil medium. The co-occurrence of MPs and pharmaceuticals leads to prolonged environmental presence and gradual bioaccumulation in organisms over time, contributing to persistent contamination and long-lasting effects on ecosystems. Moreover, these EPs have the potential to alter the composition of soil biogeochemistry and disrupt overall soil health and productivity. Numerous methods have been developed to address this emerging issue, including electrochemical degradation, advanced oxidation processes, photocatalytic degradation, biosurfactants, micro- and nano-bubble systems, ultrasonic cavitation, nanotechnology, constructed wetlands, and many hybrid approaches. This review explores the extent of EPs, their interactions, and management strategies in EPs-contaminated environments.

Enhancing Royal grape quality through a three-year investigation of soil management practices and organic amendments on berry biochemistry

BackgroundGrape composition, characterized by mineral content, hormone levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities, fundamentally influences berry quality, nutritional value, and vine health. Various viticultural practices, particularly tillage methods and organic fertilization techniques, significantly impact these compositional parameters. This study investigates the effects of these agricultural practices on grape composition to establish optimal protocols for enhanced berry production and quality.MethodsA three year study (2020–2022) evaluated the effects of soil management on grape quality in ‘Royal’ grapes (VIVC: 349). Using a Randomized Complete Block Design with four replicates of 12 vines, the study tested three tillage methods (chisel, disc harrow, and no-tillage) and four organic fertilizers (Antep radish, broccoli, olive blackwater, and a control). Treatments were analyzed for berry mineral content (macro and micronutrients), hormone levels (auxin, ABA, zeatin, SA, JA, cytokinin and GA), and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT, APX, GR, GST, G6PD and 6PGD).ResultsBased on our results, the disc harrow tillage method in conjunction with olive blackwater fertilizer demonstrated superior mineral accumulation, yielding peak concentrations of nitrogen (3.72%), phosphorus (0.40%), and magnesium (0.41 mg/kg) during the 2021 growing season. Endogenous hormone levels exhibited treatment-specific responses, with maximum indole-3-acetic acid (17.33 ng/g) accumulation observed under no tillage control conditions in 2022, while abscisic acid concentrations peaked (49,172.53 ng/g) under no tillage with broccoli fertilization. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly enhanced under chisel tillage combined with broccoli fertilizer treatment, leading to optimal superoxide dismutase (1426.54 EU) and peroxidase (14,936.81 EU) activities. Principal component analysis revealed that the first two components explained 51.35% of total variance, with distinct temporal clustering of treatment effects.ConclusionThe optimal cultivation practice for ‘Royal’ grape variety was determined to be chisel tillage method combined with broccoli fertilization, which maximized both mineral nutrient content and hormone levels. These findings provide practical insights for viticulturists to optimize cultivation techniques for improved grape quality and nutritional value.Graphical

Efficacy of Organic Amendments, Biofumigants, and Mulches against Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae Causing Leaf Blight and Fruit Rot Disease

Efficacy of Organic Amendments, Biofumigants, and Mulches against Phytophthora nicotianae var. nicotianae Causing Leaf Blight and Fruit Rot Disease

Bio-inoculant consortium and organic amendment comprising plant bioactive extract increased maize yield by improving soil nutrient availability and mitigating pest damage

Bio-inoculant consortium and organic amendment comprising plant bioactive extract increased maize yield by improving soil nutrient availability and mitigating pest damage

Soil Health Assessment of Incorporating Bagasse in a Commercial Sugarcane Production System on Mineral Soils

ABSTRACTBackgroundBagasse is a locally derived sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) by‐product, which has the potential to improve the soil health of mineral soils.AimsThis study aimed to determine the effects of bagasse on the soil health of an Entisol in Southern Florida.MethodsA field experiment was conducted on a commercial sugarcane production farm for approximately 4 years, where four rates of bagasse, including 5 cm bagasse (85 Mg ha−1), 10 cm bagasse (170 Mg ha−1), 10 cm bagasse (170 Mg ha−1) plus 336 kg ha−1 ammonium nitrate, and one control (no bagasse), were incorporated into 15 cm topsoil. Soil health indicators, including bulk density (BD), water‐holding capacity (WHC), soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), organic matter (OM), active carbon (C), soil protein, and nutrient contents—nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)—were evaluated.ResultsA single application of bagasse at 170 Mg ha−1 or 170 Mg ha−1 plus 336 kg ha−1 ammonium nitrate had positive short‐term effects on OM accumulation in soils, resulting in higher WHC and lower BD. Bagasse also significantly decreased soil pH, which is good for sugarcane production on alkaline soils. Soil CEC, Mehlich‐3 P and K levels, active C, and soil protein enhanced when bagasse was applied at 170 Mg ha−1 or 170 Mg ha−1 plus 336 kg ha−1 ammonium nitrate, which indicated an improvement of the overall soil chemical and biological health status.Conclusions10 cm of bagasse (170 Mg ha−1) was recommended as a soil organic amendment for mineral soils in Southern Florida.