Fertility Production Research Articles

Shade tree trait diversity and functions in agroforestry systems: A review of which traits matter

Abstract Shade trees in agroforestry systems confer ecosystem services, such as enhanced soil fertility from diverse litter inputs, microclimate regulation via shade, and disease mitigation through trophic and abiotic interactions. With this thriving role of agroforestry in sustainable agriculture, particularly for tree crops, systematic and reliable methods to select shade trees for specific agroecosystem outcomes are crucial. Plant functional traits offer a framework to describe, select and manage shade trees. Over the last decade, shade tree leaf functional traits and whole plant traits have been assessed in agroforestry systems. Yet, we lack amalgamated information on (i) what we know about shade tree trait relationships with functions to achieve desired agroecosystem outcomes, (ii) how decades of shade tree selection by farmers impacts agroforests inter‐ and intraspecific trait diversity, and (iii) which shade tree traits should be considered for achieving farmer priorities. We consolidate literature on Coffea arabica (coffee) and Theobroma cacao (cocoa) agroforestry systems to summarize the role of shade tree functional traits in three key ecosystem functions: soil fertility, microclimate modification and crop productivity. We compile global and regional datasets on tree functional trait diversity to show the functional space of agroforestry tree species compared with the overall functional space observed in plants. Despite, or maybe because of, high shade tree diversity, shade tree trait characterization remains coarse and commonly measured at the community scale in the literature. Based on published trait data, we show that farmers adjust the functional composition of shade trees to increase the recycling of soil nutrients (high leaf nitrogen), the production of wood (skewing towards lower wood densities) and the production of fruits (tendency towards high seed size). Common shade trees in coffee and cocoa systems fall in the mid‐range of leaf acquisitive to conservative strategies, providing evidence that expanding shade tree portfolios can improve, or even accelerate, functions. Synthesis and applications: Based on the agroforestry literature and on trait‐environment relationships, we propose a matrix of shade tree traits that influence desirable agroecosystem outcomes for farmers, which can guide fine‐scale coordination of trait expression and agroforestry functions.

Do We Listen or Ignore Indigenous Practices? The Machobane Farming System - An Indigenous Farming Practice of Lesotho

Aim: To evaluate the adaptive capacity of the Machobane Farming System, an indigenous practice to improve soil fertility and maize productivity compared to other non-Machobane farming practices. Study design: The study was conducted in four agroecological zones of Lesotho: Mountain, Foothills, low lands and Senqu river valley. Soil samples were collected at random from the non-Machobane farming practicing fields and Machobane farming practicing fields and the soil physicochemical and microbiological analyses were conducted to evaluate the soil quality. Structured and non-structured questionnaires were used to gather information from Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the type of farming practices used and other demographic data. Results and Discussion: The MfS were found to be less affected and resilient to climate change with multiple benefits such as moisture conservation, slow release of nutrients and cross migration of microorganisms to the intercropping plants in the field unlike other farming practicing fields. An increased number of soil fertility indicator microorganisms such as Bacillus spp and Nitrogen fixing bacteria were seen to have increased the production of food crops (P>0.05) almost all the year round. An intensive relay cropping of one acre would be sufficient to ensure food security for an average family of 5 members. Conclusion: Currently, the Machobane Farming System (MfS) is adopted by many households in Lesotho using biochar and compost.

Rowth of Betung Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) and Food Crop Production Under Agroforestry Bamboo Systems

One of the main species in community forests is betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). Optimizing land use under bamboo can be achieved by cultivating food crops. This research aimed to determine the growth of betung bamboo and the production of food crops. The experimental design used a split plot design with four cultivation patterns as the main plots: agroforestry bamboo pattern i.e. agroforestry bamboo + rice (P1), agroforestry bamboo + rice + cassava (P2), agroforestry bamboo + rice + taro (P3), and mixed food crops (rice + cassava + taro) (P4), while the subplots were rice varieties: rindang 2 (V1), protani (V2), and unsoed (V3). The observed parameters were bamboo growth, soil fertility, and food crop production. The results showed that seven-year-old betung bamboo had an average of 6.01 mature stems per clump, an average plant height of 7.23 m, and a stem diameter of 7.12 cm. The numbers of young stems and shoots per clump was 1.45 and 3.71. The highest betung bamboo growth was in the agroforestry pattern (length: 8,49 m, diameter: 7.17 cm, thickness: 1.95, total weight: 21.31 kg). The highest rice yield was observed in the P2V1 treatment (4.17 kg). The highest cassava tuber yield per plant was observed in P4 (2.12 kg). The taro tuber yield was relatively higher in the agroforestry pattern with a distance of >1 m from the bamboo clump (0.52 kg plant-1). The land equivalent ratio (LER) and area time equivalent ratio (ATER) of bamboo and food crop agroforestry have a value above 1, so it is more efficient in land.

Sustainable basmati rice yield and quality enhancement through long-term organic nutrient management in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Context or problemThe extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture, particularly since the green revolution, has led to profound consequences for agricultural ecosystems. This approach, while initially boosting yields, has disrupted soil health, biodiversity, and environmental balance. Moreover, it contributes silently to global climate change by releasing greenhouse gases. These challenges underscore the urgent need for a shift towards sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard soil health, biodiversity, and human nutrition while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Objective or research questionThe primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of the long-term (seventeen years) application of organic nutrient management on the physicochemical properties of basmati rice soil and its nutritional quality. The study aims to understand the effectiveness of different organic nutrient management practices in mitigating the negative consequences associated with conventional agricultural practices. MethodsThe experiment used a strip-plot design with three replications, assigning two cropping systems (basmati rice-wheat-green gram and basmati rice-wheat-sesbania) to vertical strips. Seven nutrient management practices, including control, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, farmyard manure + crop residues, vermicompost + crop residues, farmyard manure + crop residues + biofertilizers, and vermicompost + crop residues + biofertilizers [nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and a cellulolytic culture (Aspergillus awamori, Trichoderma viride, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Aspergillus wululens)] were applied to the horizontal strips. ResultsThe findings show that the cropping system with sesbania green manure significantly improved soil physicochemical attributes, nutritional content, and basmati rice yield compared to the green gram-based system. Continued application of organic manures, crop residues, and biofertilizers notably enhanced soil fertility, grain quality, and basmati rice productivity. The combined use of vermicompost, wheat residue, biofertilizers, and sesbania green manure treatment increased organic carbon content by 78.7% over the control, and soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 38.3–54.9%, 57.6–143.8%, and 27.9–64.1%, respectively. Additionally, it augmented diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid extractable iron, zinc, manganese, and copper content by up to 44.2%, 28.5%, 57.9%, and 71.0%, respectively. Co-application of the above organic sources also significantly enhanced grain and straw yields by 74.5–80.1% and 46.1–50.0%, respectively, compared to the control. ConclusionsEnhancing Basmati rice yield and quality in the Indo-Gangetic Plains can be sustainably achieved through sesbania green manuring and organic practices. Positive correlations with key soil parameters emphasize the significance of organic farming for long-term sustainability. Implications and significanceThe study suggests that adopting organic practices, including sesbania green manuring and combining organic inputs, can alleviate the adverse effects of conventional farming on soil health, biodiversity, and climate change. This aligns with the broader goal of establishing sustainable production and consumption in basmati rice-based cropping systems.

Inter-cropping patterns and nutrient management effects on maize growth, yield and quality

ContextIntercropping, a sustainable agricultural practice, is pivotal in enhancing land use efficiency, soil fertility, and overall crop productivity. This study zeroes in on the dynamics of Maize-Cowpea intercropping in the Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, a region characterized by its fertile soil and diverse agro-ecological conditions. The practice of intercropping, particularly in regions like West Bengal, holds immense potential in revolutionizing traditional farming methods by maximizing yield per unit area while ensuring sustainability. The study aims to unravel the complexities and benefits of this practice, especially in the context of the monsoon dependent Kharif season, which is crucial for agricultural productivity in the region. ObjectivesThe study aims to evaluate the effects of various Maize-Cowpea intercropping patterns and nutrient management strategies on maize growth, yield, and quality during the Kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020. It hypothesizes that intercropping, combined with optimal nutrient management, can significantly enhance maize performance. MethodsEmploying a split-plot design, the study analysed 25 treatment combinations of intercropping and nitrogen fertilization under sub-tropical sub-humid conditions. Advanced quantitative methods, including regression analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), were used to assess the interactions between intercropping systems and nutrient management practices. ResultsThe findings revealed that while sole maize cultivation showed better growth and yield, Maize-Cowpea intercropping, especially in a 1:1 row ratio, significantly increased the total system yield by 13.6%. This method also improved grain quality, notably enhancing crude protein content and nutrient percentage. A combination of 75% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through chemical means with 25% RDN through organic sources, including seaweed, was particularly effective in boosting maize performance. ConclusionsThe study confirms the superior performance of Kharif maize in an intercropping setup, particularly when integrated with cowpea. It demonstrates the effectiveness of specific nutrient management strategies in enhancing both quantitative and qualitative traits of maize. ImplicationsThis research significantly contributes to the field of sustainable agriculture, particularly in the context of field crops research and practice. The findings offer valuable insights for enhancing crop productivity and sustainability in similar agro-ecological regions globally. The study underscores the benefits of integrating legumes with cereals in intercropping systems, paving the way for innovative agricultural practices that can meet the dual challenges of food security and environmental sustainability. The implications of this research are far-reaching, providing a robust framework for future agricultural strategies in regions facing similar climatic and soil conditions.

AN INVESTIGATION TO ASSESS THE WATER AND FRTILIZERS PRODUCTIVITY OF FABA BEANS UNDER DRIP IRRIGATION USING MONOTORING BY SMART CONTROL SYSTEM AND HUMIC COMPOUNDS

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a smart and modern controller system for drip irrigation, as well as two critical elements related to humic compost and various treatments for field capabilities, on the yield of Faba beans, as well as the productivity of water and fertilizers (WP, FP). The Agricultural Research Station, National Research Centre, El-Nubaria district, Egypt, conducted field experiments during the winter season of 2022 and 2023. The experiments took place in sandy soil and focused on the cultivation of the Faba bean (Vica Faba. L). Faba bean seeds were planted in the last week of October, and the growing season lasted for 135 days. The smart controller drip irrigation system utilizes three different irrigation rates with corresponding field capacities of 35, 65, and 100. Additionally, two different amounts of humic compost, 100 kg/fed and 35 kg/fed, can be added. The highest Faba bean yield, water productivity (WP), and fertilizer productivity (FP) were achieved while applying 100 kg/fed of humic compost with a field capacity of 100%. Conversely, the lowest results were obtained when utilizing 35 kg/fed of humic compost with a field capacity of 35%. The application of 100 kg/fed of humic compost had a significant favorable effect on faba bean plants. This is attributed to the increased levels of macro and micronutrients present in the compost, which also aids in water conservation in sandy soil. Consequently, the plants were able to avoid water stress. Insufficient water supply in drip irrigation causes increased water stress, which negatively impacts plants and crop productivity. Faba bean plants can tolerate water stress when provided with 100% field capacity (FC) but are negatively affected by water stress at FC levels of 35% and 65%.

Isolation and molecular characterization of microorganisms with biofertilizer potential

Biofertilizers are microbial-agro products containing mixed culture of microorganisms that promote plant growth, yield, soil quality and disease control. This study aimed to isolate, identify and screen microorganisms with biofertilizer potentials for application in farms. Soil samples were collected from farmland and waste-dump soils around University of Port Harcourt. The various microorganisms were isolated and estimated using nutrient agar, potato dextrose agar, cetrimide agar and Ashby’s agar. The microorganisms were screened for biofertilizer potentials based on nitrogen fixation, potassium and phosphate solubilization using Pikovskaya media. The results obtained from this study showed that thefarmland soil sample had a total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal counts of 5.045±0.02 and 4.220±0.02 Log10Cfu/gwhile the corresponding values in the waste-dump soil was 4.890±0.30 and 3.505±0.30 Log10Cfu/g respectively. After screening, the microorganisms with biofertilizer potentials were identified as Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum. Findings from this study have demonstrated that the microorganisms isolated from the farmland soil were more adept at nitrogen fixation and solubilizing insoluble potassium and phosphate compounds than their counterparts in waste-dump soil. These microorganisms have shown potentials to improve soil fertility and crop productivity in a sustainable way.

Evaluation of soil fertility index in organic, semi-organic, and conventional rice field management systems

Rice farming in Madiun Regency implements three different management systems, that is organic, semi-organic, and conventional. The different implementation of these rice field management systems impacts soil fertility index and rice productivity. This purpose of this research was to know the effect of rice field management systems on soil fertility index and rice productivity in the Madiun Regency. The research uses an explorative descriptive qualitative method with a survey approach. Soil samples were taken using a random sampling method and 3 types of soil management systems (conventional, semi-organic and organic), and rice production samples were taken using an estimation method. The research results show that the soil fertility index ranges from 0.78 to 0.82, which is high. The highest soil fertility index is in the semi-organic management system and the lowest is in the organic management. The management system of semi-organic gave a response to the highest rice production of 6.89 tons/ha. Management system of semi-organic is a better management for increasing and maintaining soil fertility and crop production than conventional or organic. Farming activities results show that organic management systems increase the highest income, increasing 115.58% and 53.30% in semi-organic compared to conventional. The rice field management system has the effect of increasing the worm population density with the highest in the organic system, namely 4.19 individuals m-2. The Pontoscolex worm type dominates the three management systems. There is a correlation between organic matter content and earthworms.

Impact of Cereal–Legume Intercropping on Changes in Soil Nutrients Contents under Semi–Arid Conditions

Cereal–legume intercropping systems are not well studied under the semi–arid conditions of Southern Tunisia. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of intercropping durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum L.) with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) on crop grain yield and soil physicochemical proprieties such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability, microbial biomass nutrients (C and N) and plant nutrient content (N) in comparison to their monocultures. Field experiments were conducted during the 2020–2021 (EXP–A) and 2021–2022 (EXP–B) seasons in Medenine, Tunisia. The results revealed a significant augmentation (p < 0.05) in the total nitrogen proportions (Ntot) within the soil of intercropped durum wheat (DuWh–IR) compared to its monoculture (DuWh–MC). The observed variations amounted to 32% and 29% during the two growing seasons, identified as EXP–A and EXP–B. Additionally, the soil of intercropped durum wheat (DuWh–IR) significantly (p < 0.05) accumulated more total carbon (Ctot) than the monocrop (DuWh–MC) for both experiments, showing an increase of 27% in EXP–A and 24% in EXP–B. Simultaneously, the N− uptake of durum wheat significantly increased under the effect of intercropping, showing a rise of 26% in the EXP–A season and 21% in the EXP–B season. Similarly, the yield of durum wheat crops was comparatively greater in the intercropped plots as opposed to the monoculture crops, with variances of 23% in EXP–A and 20% in EXP–B. Intercropping cereals and legumes has the potential to enhance the soil fertility and crop production in the semi–arid regions of Southern Tunisia and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilizers.

Comparative Study of Inducing Broodstock with Natural and Artificial Hormones on Reproductive Performances of Clarias gariepinus

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of artificial and natural hormones (ovaprim and pituitary extract) on the reproductive performances of Clarias gariepinus (African catfish). A total of twenty brood stock, 12 males and 8 females with mean weight of 2.0 kg each were selected for breeding following the external morphological characteristics and standard breeding procedure. The water parameters for indoor culture tanks during the study were optimal for breeding: pH 7.31; temperature, 27.6˚C. Dissolved oxygen, 5.18 mg L-1. The result revealed no significant (P > 0.05) differences in water quality parameters between the culture tanks for artificial and natural hormonal applications during the study. The percentage fertilization, hatchability, survival and fry production success were: 89.23%, 93.31%, 87.16% and 69.41%; and 79.02%, 72.56%, 67.32% and 34.67% respectively, for pituitary extract and Ovaprim®. Pituitary extract recorded higher values and significantly performed better (P < 0.05) between the two treatments. This indicates that natural hormone (pituitary extract) is equally effective and therefore recommended for the artificial propagation of Clarias gariepinus.

Optimization of irrigation and fertilization of apples under magnetoelectric water irrigation in extremely arid areas.

Apple (Malus pumila Mill.) is one of the important economic crops in the arid areas of Xinjiang, China. For a long time, there has been a problem of high consumption but low yield in water and fertilizer management, prevent improvements in apple quality and yield. In this study, 5-year-old 'Royal Gala' apple trees in extremely arid areas of Xinjiang were used as experimental materials to carry out field experiments. considering 5 irrigation levels (W1, 30 mm; W2, 425 mm; W3, 550 mm; W4, 675 mm; W5, 800 mm) and 5 fertilization levels (F1, 280 kg·ha-1; F2, 360 kg·ha-1; F3, 440 kg·ha-1; F4, 520 kg·ha-1; F5, 600 kg·ha-1) under magnetoelectric water irrigation conditions. The results demonstrated that magnetoelectric water combined with the application of 675 mm irrigation amount and 520 kg·ha-1 fertilization amount was the most effective combination. These results occurred by increasing net photosynthetic rate of apple leaves, improved the quality of apples, increased apple yield, and promoted the improvement of water and fertilizer use efficiency. Additionally, the quadratic regression model was used to fit the response process of yield, IWUE and PFP to irrigation amount and fertilization amount, and the accuracy was greater than 0.8, indicating good fitting effects. The synergistic effect of water and fertilizer has a positive effect on optimizing apple water and fertilizer management. Principal component analysis showed that the magnetoelectric treatment combined water and fertilizer mainly affected apple yield, water and fertilizer use efficiency and vitamin C content related to quality. This study provides valuable guidance for improving water and fertilizer productivity, crop yield and quality in extreme arid areas of Xinjiang by using Magnetoelectric water irrigation.

Effects of Nutrient Solution Application Rates on Yield, Quality, and Water-Fertilizer Use Efficiency on Greenhouse Tomatoes Using Grown-in Coir.

The yield, quality, and water-fertilizer use efficiency of crops are important parameters for assessing rational water and fertilizer management. For an optimal water and fertilizer system with respect to the nutrient solution irrigation of greenhouse tomatoes using cultivation substrates, a two-year greenhouse cultivation experiment was conducted from 2022 to 2023. Three drip fertigation treatments (T1, T2, and T3) were implemented in the experiment, where nutrient solutions were supplied when the substrate's water content reached 60%, 70%, and 80%. The frequency of nutrient solution applications is based on weighing coconut coir strips in the morning and evening at 7:00 to determine the daily water consumption of plants. Nutrient solutions were supplied when the substrate's water content reached the lower limit, and the upper limit for nutrient supply was set at 100% of the substrate water content. The nutrient solution application was carried out multiple times throughout the day, avoiding the midday heat. The nutrient solution formula used was the soilless tomato cultivation formula from South China Agricultural University. The results show that plant height and the leaf area index rapidly increased in the early and middle stages, and later growth tended to stabilize; the daily transpiration of tomatoes increased with an increase in nutrient solution supply, and it was the greatest in the T3 treatment. Between the amount of nutrient solution application and the number of years, the yield increased with the increase of the amount of nutrient solution, showing T3 > T2 > T1. Although the average yield of the T2 treatment was slightly lower than that of the T3 treatment by 3.65%, the average irrigation water use efficiency, water use efficiency, and partial fertilizer productivity of the T2 treatment were significantly higher than those of the T3 treatment by 29.10%, 19.99%, and 28.89%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, soluble solid, vitamin C, and soluble sugar contents and the sugar-acid ratio of tomatoes in the T2 treatment were greater than those in the other two treatments (p < 0.05). Using the TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) method, it was concluded that the nutrient solution application rate of 70% can significantly increase water and fertilizer use efficiency and markedly improve the nutritional and flavor quality of the fruit without a significant reduction in yield. This finding provides significant guidance for the high-yield, high-quality, and efficient production of coconut coir-based cultivated tomatoes in greenhouses.

Earthworms as soil health indicators in no-tillage agroecosystems

No-tillage (NT) and no-tillage systems (NTS) are widely used conservation agriculture practices in Brazil, and in the state of Paraná, nearly 80% of annual crops are cultivated using these methods. Compared with NT, NTS sites permanently include: minimum soil disturbance, soil cover (straw and living vegetation) and crop rotation and diversification with cover crops. These practices often increase earthworm populations, that can be used to indicate soil health. Herein, we review soil health classification of NT sites, and the species found in Paraná state. We compiled information from 130 sites with NT or NTS, located in 29 counties, of which 93 had biomass and 91 had species richness data, aiming to compare NT with NTS sites, and the effect of the age of these practices on earthworm populations. Overall, 29 earthworm species were recorded, of which 17 were native, including many new to science. Mean abundance and biomass in NT + NTS were 104 ind m−2 and 2.5 g m−2, respectively, and richness 2.5 species per site. Abundance was significantly higher in NT than NTS in the initial phase of adoption, and both abundance and biomass decreased with increasing age of NT. Earthworm abundance and species richness were positively correlated with clayey soils and phosphorus content, while higher biomass was associated with soil carbon content and pH. A new classification system was proposed, with the categories poor (<50 ind. m−2, 1 species), moderate (≥50 to <100 ind m−2, 2 species), good (≥100 to <150 ind m−2, 3 species), very good (≥150 to 200 ind m−2, 4 species) and excellent (≥200 ind m−2, ≥5 species) soil health, using earthworm abundance and species richness, respectively. Most of the sites sampled showed poor or moderate soil health, with few displaying very good or excellent health, indicating the need for improved management practices, in order to promote earthworm populations and their potential benefits to soil fertility and plant production.

Status quo of fertilization strategies and nutrient farm gate budgets on stockless organic vegetable farms in Germany

Fertilizer management in stockless organic vegetable production is strongly affected by external nutrient purchases due to the high nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) requirements of vegetables. However, the database on nutrient flows and budgets in organic vegetable farming in Europe is very limited. Therefore, a survey based on semi-structured interviews was carried out comprising 12 organic horticultural farms in Germany. The results show that three different main fertilizer categories are used as inputs in different ratios by the inventoried farms: (1) base fertilizers (e.g., composts, solid farmyard manures), (2) commercial organic N fertilizers (e.g., keratins or plant products from food production or fermentation processes), and (3) commercial mineral fertilizers (e.g., potassium sulfate), all of which are approved for organic production. Ninety percent of the total nutrient inputs to the farms came from these fertilizers and biological N2 fixation, with the remaining 10% coming from other inputs, such as seeds or growing media. The estimated yearly average total farm budgets were nearly balanced across all farms with moderate surpluses (67.5 kg N ha−1, 2.06 kg P ha−1, and 0.26 kg K ha−1). However, large imbalances were found for most of the individual farms. These imbalances indicate the risk of nutrient accumulation or nutrient depletion in the soil, depending on the fertilization strategy and productivity of the farm. More specifically, increasing N share from base fertilizers led to increased P and K budgets, while strategies based on the use of large amounts of keratins led to the opposite—K and P depletion. We concluded that balanced nutrient management in organic vegetable production systems requires a thorough calculation and should combine the use of base fertilizers, commercial fertilizers with low P content, and increased N supply via BNF.

Stem Leydig cells support macrophage immunological homeostasis through mitochondrial transfer in mice

As testicular mesenchymal stromal cells, stem Leydig cells (SLCs) show great promise in the treatment of male hypogonadism. The therapeutic functions of mesenchymal stromal cells are largely determined by their reciprocal regulation by immune responses. However, the immunoregulatory properties of SLCs remain unclear. Here, we observe that SLCs transplantation restore male fertility and testosterone production in an ischemia‒reperfusion injury mouse model. SLCs prevent inflammatory cascades through mitochondrial transfer to macrophages. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from activated macrophages inducing mitochondrial transfer from SLCs to macrophages in a transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily member 7 (TRPM7)-mediated manner. Notably, knockdown of TRPM7 in transplanted SLCs compromised therapeutic outcomes in both testicular ischemia‒reperfusion and testicular aging mouse models. These findings reveal a new mechanism of SLCs transplantation that may contribute to preserve testis function in male patients with hypogonadism related to immune disorders.

Water-Retaining Agent as a Sustainable Agricultural Technique to Enhance Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Productivity in Tropical Soils

Reducing fertilizer doses under sustainable agricultural management is possible by increasing nutrient utilization efficiency, which will decrease crop production costs and boost economic return. Soil amendments known as water retention agents (WRAs) are added to the soil to enhance crop growth conditions. We hypothesize that the addition of WRAs may support the soil-retaining nutrients given through fertilization and prevent them from leaching into tropical soils characterized by severe rainfall due to WRAs’ exceptional capacities to absorb and store water. Mango trees (Mangifera indica L. cv Tainong No. 1) aged 18 years were fertilized with 100% or 80% of the recommended doses of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The experimental design included three treatments, i.e., complete recommended doses of N, P, and K (CRF), 80% of the complete recommended doses (RRF), and water-retaining agent (40 kg ha−1) + 80% of the complete recommended doses (WRARRF). Reducing the fertilization doses by 20% for mango trees in the studied tropical soil significantly (p &lt; 0.05) minimized the nutrient availability in the soil compared to the complete fertilization doses. WRARRF compensated for the nutrient reduction by increasing the availability of N, P, and K. The addition of WRARR increased N, P, and K in mango leaf by 11%, 4%, and 7% in the first year and by 11%, 6%, and 7% in the second year, respectively, compared to CRF. The addition of WRARR increased the partial fertilizer productivity (PFP) value by 36% and 41% in the first and second years, respectively. The highest mango fruit output was achieved by the addition of WRARRF, which resulted in increases in mango fruit yield of 11.9% and 16.5% in the first and second years, respectively, compared to RRF. Fruit quality traits showed the descending order: WRARRF &gt; RRF &gt; CRF. WRARRF produced the maximum economic benefit (USD 7372 per hectare) compared to CRF and RRF. The polyacrylamide/attapulgite water-retaining agent exhibited remarkable improvement in mango fruit yield and economic profit by regulating the release of nutrients in tropical soils. Water-retaining agents are an effective strategy for overcoming the extensive fertilization used in mango orchards, which has resulted in numerous environmental contaminations and the inefficient use of fertilizers.

Opportunities and challenges organo-mineral fertiliser can play in enabling food security

Food security is a growing challenge related to an increasing global population. The agricultural sector is key for a secure supply of food but relies up to 50% on mineral fertilisers to meet crop nutrient demands. As mineral fertilisers production is energy intensive, causing close to 2% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, this poses greater challenge to meet net zero targets. Other challenges include extreme weather patterns, GHG during fertiliser applications and diffuse pollution, declining soil health, pest, disease, and loss of soil biodiversity. As mineral fertilisers’ price increases and the state of soil health decreases, innovative solutions are needed to meet crop nutrient demands while ensuring that sufficient organic matter is conserved in the soil. One solution to achieve net zero in agriculture can be in the form of organo-mineral fertilisers (OMF). OMFs are a new concept that take organic feedstock (such as biosolids, livestock manure, crop residues, food waste) and combines them with reduced amounts of mineral fertilisers resulting in a balanced fertiliser product. This Perspective piece discusses a Strength-Weakness-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) analysis on OMF and summarizes how OMF applications can play a role to improve food security. This is further linked with short, medium and long terms policy interventions that can be deployed to achieve a more sustainable approach by balancing between protecting the wider environment and meeting food security.

Deciphering the microbial functional potential of aeration drip irrigation to enhance soil organic carbon content

Aerated drip irrigation (ADI) is an important practice for promoting soil fertility and crop productivity in greenhouse vegetable production, yet little research has comprehensively investigated the effects on functional traits of carbon (C) cycling microorganisms. In this study, we sought to assess the potential efficacy of the ADI in enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) content mediated via changes in microbial communities and the expression of genes associated with the carbon cycle. To this end, we adopted a metagenomics approach to compare the effects of ADI treatments with three dissolved oxygen concentrations (10, 15, and 20 mg L-1) during a three-season tomato cultivation experiment in northern China. The results revealed that the 10 mg L-1 treatment led to a significant increase in the abundance of KorA/B genes (associated with the rTCA cycle) in the C fixation pathway, whereas the 15 mg L-1 treatment increased the abundances of cbbL/R and coxL/S genes (associated with the Calvin cycle and carbon monoxide oxidation, respectively). In addition, based on a co-occurrence network analysis, we observed a positive correlation between cbbL and coxS. Interestingly, r-selected microorganisms, such as Proteobacteria and Actinomycetes, characterized by rapid cell multiplication and high biomass production, were identified as the primary contributors to C fixation and were the main predictors of SOC pools. In contrast, the 20 mg L-1 treatment was found to adversely influence C fixation, although enhanced C degradation could be attributed to the breakdown of organic matter by extracellular enzymes secreted by K-selected microorganisms. Collectively, our findings indicate that ADI with dissolved oxygen concentrations ≤15 mg L-1 can promote SOC content by altering the life history strategies of r-selected microorganisms and genes associated with C fixation. These findings will provide valuable insights into agroecosystem irrigation management, specifically in improving soil fertility and promoting sustainable production.

Sub-Optimal Dryland Management: Potential for Local Food Cultivation of Dioscorea sp. (Gembili) to Mitigate Food Security in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java

Land in Tawangsari District, Sukoharjo Regency, had a limiting factor in water availability. One of the local commodities cultivated for generations on Dryland in this region is gembili (Dioscorea sp.). However, the gembili cultivation process has not produced optimal productivity and was threatened with extinction. Therefore, gembili cultivation and dryland use need to be optimized by carrying out integrated land management. Using dryland increases local food production and sustainability as alternative food and maintains national food security. This research used data on productivity, quantity, and type of fertilizer obtained through interviews with gembili farmers and secondary data on soil types obtained from BPP Tawangsari District, Sukoharjo Regency. The results showed that grumusol and lithosol had no significant effect (p &gt;0.05) on gembili productivity. The results of average productivity were sequentially from grumusol and lithosol (6.1 tons.ha-1 and 7.1 tons.ha-1). Meanwhile, the use of organic fertilizer is 8.06% higher than organic fertilizer + inorganic fertilizer. The results of the multiple regression test for organic fertilizer had a significant effect (p&lt; 0.05) on the productivity of Dioscorea sp..

Exploring the Potential of Plant Biofertilizers: A Sustainable Approach for Agricultural Nutrient Management

In the face of escalating environmental concerns and the imperative to ensure sustainable agricultural practices, the utilization of plant biofertilizers has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing soil fertility and crop productivity. This paper delves into the burgeoning field of plant biofertilizers, aiming to elucidate their potential as a sustainable approach for agricultural nutrient management. Furthermore, it explores the diverse range of plant-based materials and microbial inoculants utilized in biofertilizer formulations, highlighting their mode of action and application strategies across different agricultural systems. Moreover, the ecological benefits of plant biofertilizers, including reduced reliance on synthetic inputs, mitigation of environmental pollution, and promotion of soil biodiversity, are underscored. Additionally, challenges and constraints associated with the widespread adoption of plant biofertilizers are addressed, offering insights into future research directions and potential solutions. Ultimately, this paper underscores the pivotal role of plant biofertilizers preparation methods in fostering sustainable agriculture practices and ensuring food security in a rapidly changing world.