Short-term effect of biologically treated sugarcane vinasse on the growth of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) and soil properties.

Abstract Continuous flooding irrigation (CFI) is the conventional practice in rice cultivation but contributes significantly to methane (CH4) emissions. Alternative wetting and drying irrigation (AWDI) offers improved water efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Livestock manures like cow manure (CM) are widely used to replenish soil nutrients, yet limited research explores how CM and irrigation practices interact to influence these factors. A greenhouse experiment tested CM at 15 and 30 ton ha−1 under CFI and AWDI. CM application increased CH4 emissions by up to 62% at higher rates. However, AWDI reduced CH4 emissions by 32% compared to CFI, with a further 25%–26% reduction when combined with CM. AWDI lowered water usage by 18% without affecting grain yield or biomass, both of which improved under CM. CH4 emissions under AWDI showed a strong inverse correlation with days after planting, highlighting the role of substrate availability during key growth stages. Extended CM composting further amplified emissions by creating bioavailable compounds favoring methanogens. CFI intensifies CH4 emissions through sustained anaerobic conditions, while AWDI interrupts methanogenesis via periodic soil aeration. This study underscores the complex interplay between CM, irrigation, and CH4 emissions, positioning AWDI as a sustainable strategy to reduce GHGs without compromising productivity.

Organic amendments play a vital role in enhancing soil fertility by gradually releasing nutrients necessary for plant growth. This review synthesizes studies on the nutrient release patterns and mineral fertilizer equivalents (MFE) of different organic sources, including farmyard manure, poultry manure, biogas slurry, vermicompost, mushroom compost and biochar. Findings indicate that these organic materials have significant variability in the release rates of key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur and trace elements like zinc, copper, iron, manganese and boron. It is observed that poultry manure and biogas slurry have faster release rates of P, Ca, Mg and trace elements like Zn and Cu making them excellent alternative sources to chemical fertilizers for these nutrients. Biochar and FYM exhibited superior K release, while mushroom compost showed the highest manganese release. The mineral fertilizer equivalent (MFE) of these organic sources was determined by comparing nutrient release rates to standard inorganic fertilizers, providing practical insights into their contribution to soil nutrient replenishment over time. This review highlights the potential of organic amendments to substitute or complement chemical fertilizers, emphasizing the need for targeted application based on crop-specific nutrient demands and the distinct nutrient release dynamics of each organic source

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. anacardi is a causal of Fusarium wilt of cashew in Tanzania. Considering high disease incidence and severity of Fusarium wilt of cashew, the present study was undertaken to develop a sustainable disease management approach which involves the soil amendment. In the experiment, four cover crops including soybean, mucuna, green gram and cowpea were used. The experiments were conducted on farmer’s fields in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. Treated plots significantly reduced Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. anacardi load and disease severity compared to non-treated plots (P≤0.05). In the first cropping cycle (2021/2022), disease severity ranged from 9.0% to 39.42% compared to 57.12% in non-planted plots. In the second cropping cycle (2022/2023), disease reduction ranged from 7.0% to 33.50% compared to 62.50% in non-planted plots. Mucuna was the most effective crop with disease severity rates of 9.0% and 7.0%, followed by cowpea with 9.78% and 11.30% in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, respectively. The findings also showed both positive and negative correlations between disease severity and soil physiochemical properties. Iron depicted positive correlation with disease severity at ρ=0.52 while potassium, total nitrogen, zinc and soil pH exhibited negative correlations at ρ=-0.515, -0.310, -0.667, -0.619, and -0.333 respectively. These results suggest that cover crops play a crucial role in enhancing soil physiochemical properties by replenishing soil mineral nutrients. Which underscores the importance of integrating soil nutrient replenishment and soil shading through cover crops in a comprehensive strategy for sustainable disease prevention.

Abstract The eruption of Mount Semeru in East Java caused agroecosystems destruction. Volcanic deposits formed a crust that hindered plant root growth and decreased soil fertility. This study was an attempt to restore post-eruption land, using adaptive vegetation and indigenous microbes. Naphier grass (V1) was selected for its massive root system, ideal for penetrating compacted soil and improving soil structure. Centrosema sp (V2) and Indigofera sp (V3) were selected for their nitrogen-fixing abilities, which help replenish soil nutrients. These adaptive vegetations were combined with indigenous microbes (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium), known for phosphor solubilization and nitrogen fixation to enhance reclamation efficiency. This study used a factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors: vegetation types (V1, V2, V3) and microbial inputs (without microbes (M1) and with microbes (M2)). Vegetation was pruned every three months, and returned to the plot as organic matter input. Plant height, number of leaves, crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), plants carbon content, and soil organic matter were measured. Data were analyzed using ANOVA to assess the statistical significance, followed by an LSD test at the 5% level to identify specific differences. Correlation and regression were performed to determine trends in each parameter. Naphier grass (V1) showed the highest CGR (67 g m−2 day−1) and highest plants carbon content (2,7 kg m−2) at 9 MAA, far surpassing Centrosema sp. (V2) and Indigofera sp. (V3). However, the highest soil organic matter content (1,15 %) found in Centrosema sp (V3) at 6 MAA. The application of indigenous microbes (M2) significantly improved all parameters. These findings highlight the potential of the adaptive vegetation with indigenous microbes to enhance land reclamation.

Reintegration of agricultural residue into the soil is a sustainable approach for the replenishment of soil nutrients. Crop residue quality depends on plant physiology which governs the process of decomposition in the soil. Quality index determines the decomposability of the crop residue which is used to predict the efficiency of its application in the soil. Therefore, there is a need to study the chemical composition of plants and ensure their decomposition process. The present study attempts to establish a formulated approach to select quality crop residues for re-usage in soil. The study was conducted in the agriculture farms of Kedarpur village in Dehradun district, (Uttarakhand 30.2672° N, 78.0465° E) in 2016-17. The soil type of the area is sandy loam. Four major crops (wheat, rice, sugarcane and maize) were selected to analyze their qualitative potential to generate a quality index. Residue production ratio (RPR), agricultural ecological potential (AEP), and, gross residue potential (GRP) values were determined to correlate their decomposition pattern with nutrient release rate. GRP showed the availability of residue generated by crops was highest in wheat. AEP further implied that 48% of wheat and maize crop residue should be left on the field to maintain ecological services. While it was found to be less than 30% in the case of rice and sugarcane. The C: N ratio was found highest in the order of sugarcane>maize>rice>wheat, which implies that the residual properties of wheat are the most favourable for fast decomposition. The effects of PRQI on the microbial load of the soil were studied. It was observed that crop residues with low PRQI under decomposition were weighed down by a higher number of fungi than bacterial colonies. The results are studied in coherence to explain the ecological importance of retaining crop residues in the field. The chemical parameters integrated as plant residue quality index (PRQI) further confirm the high nutrient value of wheat and rice crop residues correlated with their higher decomposition rate. The present study implies that the decomposition rate of crop residues can decide their retain value depending on the nutrient release rate, it would establish the link between residue decomposition and crop growth. The use of agricultural ecological potential could prove to be an important tool to evaluate the amount of residue required for performing ecosystem services. PRQI can further be utilized to determine the relationship between crop residue decomposition rate and crop growth performance.

Many agricultural fields are no longer sustainable due to inadequate replenishment of soil nutrients through organic and inorganic inputs, particularly in smallholder farming systems. As a result, achieving potential crop yields in these systems has proven to be difficult. Field trials were conducted in two long rainy growing seasons in 2021 and 2023 to assess the effects of urea fertilizer and cattle manure as sources of nitrogen (N) on (i) maize crop yields and (ii) soil chemical properties at two sites (Kwa Sadala and Mungushi) located in Hai district, northern Tanzania. The trials employed a randomized complete block design with three replicates, including eight treatments. The treatments were: 0 fertilizer (control), 25, 50, 75 kg N ha−1 (sole urea), 12.5 kg N (urea) + 12.5 kg N (cattle manure), 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg N (cattle manure), and 50 and 75 kg N (sole cattle manure). Results show that the highest application rate of urea (75 kg N ha−1) produced the highest grain yields of 4.21 and 4.09 t ha−1 in the 2021 season and 4.32 and 4.04 t ha−1 in the 2023 season at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. The application of cattle manure at the highest rates increased the soil pH by 3.15 and 2.26% at Kwa Sadala and Mungushi, respectively. Similarly, soil total N, OC, available/extractable P, and exchangeable K increased by 100%, 56.3%, 52.36%, and 19.67%, respectively, at Kwa Sadala and by 16.67%, 18.13%, 20.95%, and 6.76%, respectively, at Mungushi. The use of urea alone at the higher rates or in combination with cattle manure at 50% each resulted in the highest net benefit (NB) in all sites. The findings from this study suggest that a comprehensive approach to managing soil nutrients, such as combining inorganic and organic inputs, may improve crop yields while maintaining soil health.

Soil fertility is an essential factor influencing agricultural productivity, ecosystem sustainability, and land management strategies.The fertility of soil is determined by its physical, chemical, and biological properties, which are, in turn, influenced by various land use types.Land use changes, such as conversion from forests to croplands, grasslands to settlements, or agricultural intensification, significantly alter soil nutrient dynamics and organic matter content (Tembo and Sarjanov, 2013;Lal, 2015).In the Kaniki area of Ndola District, Zambia, diverse land use types, including agricultural fields, residential areas, and natural vegetation, impact soil fertility status in varying degrees.Different land use types affect soil fertility parameters such as soil organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium levels, pH, and microbial activity (Tembo et al., 2025).Agricultural lands, for instance, often experience nutrient depletion due to continuous cropping, overuse of chemical fertilizers, and soil erosion (Mugendi et al., 2020).On the other hand, forested lands tend to exhibit higher organic matter content and enhanced nutrient cycling due to litter decomposition and minimal soil disturbance (Chen et al., 2018;Muyabe et al., 2025).In Kaniki, where land use patterns include smallholder farming, pasture lands, and urban settlements, soil fertility variations are expected due to differential management practices and land degradation levels.Soil degradation due to unsustainable land use practices is a pressing concern in sub-Saharan Africa, where nutrient depletion, acidification, and erosion reduce land productivity (Sanchez, 2019).Studies have shown that intensive land use without adequate replenishment of soil nutrients results in declining soil fertility, which negatively affects crop yields (Hengl et al., 2017; Tembo et al., 2025).In Ndola District, soil erosion and loss of organic matter are exacerbated by deforestation, poor agronomic practices, and unregulated land conversion, making soil fertility management a crucial research area.

Pilot scale application of 226Ra-contaminated soil leaching remediation

The management of weeds and replenishment of soil is a relevant issue. This study investigates the potential of composts prepared from roadside weeds as a sustainable solution for soil nutrient replenishment and weed management. Compost prepared from four common roadside weeds of NE India —Ageratum conyzoides, Galinsoga parviflora, Mikania micrantha, and Tithonia diversifolia — were added to degraded soils and the changes in Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) levels were measured using Kjeldahl method, Bray No. 1 Extract method and Flame Photometer respectively with results demonstrating a significant increase in soil NPK levels upon higher compost application. Tithonia diversifolia exhibits the highest nutrient enrichment followed by Mikania micrantha, Ageratum conyzoides and Galinsoga parviflora. This study highlights the effectiveness of composts from roadside weeds in enhancing soil fertility and presents a pro-environmental strategy for restoring degraded lands while managing invasive plant species.

Indiscriminate use of mineral fertilizers has a broad negative impact on soil health. Because of the above, there is an urgent need to search for natural organic alternatives, including using soil microbial resources to replenish soil nutrients for enhanced Agri productivity vis a vis sustainably maintaining soil health. The nitrogen-fixing rhizobacteria (NFR) are such type of bacteria which fix gaseous atmospheric nitrogen in the soil and in nodules of certain plant species in considerable amounts that are readily available for plants' uptake and may be considered as a viable alternative source of mineral nitrogen application. The present study was conducted to isolate the most potent nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the litchi rhizosphere. Hence, Five NFR (NFR1 to NFR5) were isolated from the rhizosphere of litchi orchard of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhgalpur, India, based on their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in a nitrogen-free mineral salt medium. NFR2 was found to be the most potent in fixing atmospheric nitrogen (11.31 mg N per gram carbon source)among all the isolated rhizobacterial strains. Hence, on the basis of biological nitrogen fixation ability, the isolate NFR2 was subjected to 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing for molecular characterization. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, NFR2 showed the closest sequence homology with Beijerinckia fluminensis and was identified and reported as Beijerinckia fluminensis strain BAUMS11, Accession number MN533953. The study noticeably indicated that the B. fluminensis strain BAUMS11 was found most efficient in fixing gaseous atmospheric nitrogen and may be used for the manufacturing of nitrogenous biofertilizer, which can fix atmospheric nitrogen to the tune-up to 30 kg N ha-1yr-1.

The environmental degradation spurred by human actions has escalated into a worldwide concern. The global deployment of sophisticated technologies is imperative to mitigate the damage inflicted by the contamination of soil, water, and air (Hoang et al., 2024). It is well-established that environmental pollutants adversely impact the growth and vitality of crops and microorganisms within agricultural ecosystems. Pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, nanomaterials, novel contaminants, and various chemicals not only affect the quality and quantity of agricultural produce but also extend their influence to higher trophic levels, including mammals and humans (Dai et al., 2021). The adverse effects of these pollutants on diverse agricultural methods exact a significant economic toll on farmers. Elucidating the intricate physiological and molecular mechanisms that facilitate the elimination of environmental toxins is essential for the development of more advanced technological solutions (Cedeño-Muñoz et al., 2024).Environmental pollution has become a ubiquitous challenge worldwide, with its impact being particularly pronounced in developing and economically disadvantaged regions (Zhang et al., 2024). The threats posed by environmental pollution extend beyond the immediate effects on crops and microorganisms, reaching into the food chain and ultimately affecting human health. This Research Topic seeks to investigate the toxicity, underlying mechanisms, and potential remediation strategies for environmental pollution within agricultural settings. It delves into the intricate ways in which plants and microorganisms respond to and adapt to new types of pollution, including heavy metals, pesticides, nanomaterials, and emerging contaminants, and the mechanisms they employ to neutralize or detoxify these stressors (Jiang et al., 2021). The findings of this research are not only enlightening but also critical for developing This model not only exhibits significant potential for the exceptionally precise forecasting of these hotspots but also represents a promising novel approach for the integration of physics-based knowledge in machine learning methodologies within the environmental and agricultural disciplines.-Olubusoye et al. found that smaller microplastics (MPs) delved deeper into the columns; however, a staggering 90% or more of the MPs were effectively retained within the approximately 20-centimeter columns, irrespective of their form, dimension, or classification. These findings can be ascribed to phenomena such as physical trapping, hydrophobic tendencies, and electrostatic forces. In summary, this pioneering study indicates that biochar could be a financially viable method for extracting MPs from runoff, and it justifies the need for further field investigations.-Zha et al. conducted a redundancy analysis (RDA) which revealed that the pivotal factors influencing bacterial communities in the soil were nitrate nitrogen (NN) and rapidly available potassium (RAP), whereas the fungal communities were primarily affected by alkaline dissolved nitrogen (ADN) and ammonium nitrogen (AN). In essence, the use of various fertilizers facilitated the liberation and conversion of soil nutrients by impacting the composition and variety of bacterial and fungal assemblages in strawberry fields. This process proved advantageous for the replenishment of soil nutrients and the enhancement of soil health. Notably, the incorporation of sheep manure-based organic fertilizer yielded the most substantial improvements in soil quality.Human activity has led to a global environmental crisis, with soil, water, and air contamination posing serious threats to agricultural systems. This Research Topic aims to explore the toxicity and mechanisms of environmental pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides, and to develop innovative remediation techniques. By understanding how plants and microorganisms cope with these pollutants, we aim to create sustainable agricultural practices that protect both the environment and farmers' livelihoods. The research will drive the commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Enriched rice husk biochar superior to commercial biochar in ameliorating ammonia loss from urea fertilizer and improving plant uptake

Improving soil fertility through dual inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium on a eutric cambisol cultivated with forage legumes in a semi-arid region

Chopped straws can help replenish soil nutrients, improve soil structure, and increase the amount of organic matter contained in soil. The grinding ability of crop straws is influenced by the frictional characteristics of the materials involved in the grinding process. Studying the frictional properties of peanut stem, residual film, and external contact material is essential tounder standing the grinding action of peanuts. This study discussed the frictional properties between films and between residual film and external contact materials. A physical test was conducted using a friction coefficient detector. The results showed thatthe average value of the dynamic sliding friction coefficient (fk) was 0.34, the average value of the static sliding friction coefficient (fs) between the film and the 40Cr steel plate (as the external contact material) was 0.38, and the average fs value between the films and between the residual film and the external contact material was 0.36. Based on the Box-Behnken test, second-order response models were established for the static rolling stability angle (μe) and the static sliding friction coefficient (fs). On the basis of establishing the static rolling stability angle (μe) and static sliding friction coefficient (fs) of the evaluation index, the different friction characteristics between straw and external contact materials were investigated under varying moisture content, external contact materials and particle sizes. The study results can provide a basis for the development of equipment that can be used for peanut straw crushing and membrane separation. Keywords: peanut straw, residual film, friction characteristics DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20241706.9114 Citation: Wang X Y, Li G M, He X, Yang R S, Peng Q J, Zhang C Y, et al. Analysis of the influencing factors on the tribological properties of peanut straw. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2024; 17(6): 76–85.

Multi-elemental stoichiometric ratios of atmospheric wet deposition in Chinese terrestrial ecosystems

Sustainable soil nutrient management has been a current focus on different crop cultivation including cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). Scarce availability of manure and high cost of inorganic fertilizers, triggered evaluation of cashew apple on soil fertility and performance of cashew. Cashew seeds were sown into soiled polythene bags incorporated with fresh, decayed, and fermented juicy of cashew apple at 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil with 0.005 KgDAP and untreated as controls in screenhouse at TARI-Naliendele from 2019 to 2022. Findings revealed that fermented juicy and decayed apple at 0.25 Kg/Kg soil influenced 60–70% seed germination analogous with diammonium phosphate (DAP) and untreated (80–90%). About 1.0 Kg/Kg soil of decayed and fermented juicy exhibited higher plant height (70 cm), wider canopy spread (36.4 cm), and huge stem girth (2.6 cm) compared to others. Also, decayed apple had high number of branches and medium tap root with numerous lateral roots. High ground cover area (1011.5 cm2), leaf area (LA) (123.5 cm2), and canopy to girth ratio (14.5) were displayed with decayed and fermented juicy at 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil. On biomass yield, decayed and juicy had succulent fresh weight and high dry weight outperforming other treatments. Furthermore, decayed and fermented juicy exhibited high available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at 1.0 Kg/Kg Soil after 196 d of application. Fresh apple at all rates showed high soil moisture content and temperature. Therefore, this new research suggests the application of decayed cashew apple at 1.0 Kg/Kg soil as organo-fertilizers for replenishing soil nutrient and improving growth and development of cashew.

Metagenomics reveals taxon-specific responses of soil nitrogen cycling under different fertilization regimes in heavy metal contaminated soil

Soil nutrients consist of minerals such as Ca, Mg, K and Na ions among others which are essential to plant growth. Soils can become deficient in these nutrients on account of pollution, flooding and over cultivation. The soil condition can be ameliorated by addition of clay minerals which are rich in aforementioned cations. The mineralogy of the clay mineral was investigated using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and the effect of pH variation on the release of exchangeable cations of the clay mineral deposit were investigated by varying the pH of the solution in which the clay mineral was immersed whereas the amount of the cations released were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(AAS) and Flame Emission Spectrophotometer. Three clay minerals clinochlore, kaolinite and illite were detected. The quantity of cations released from the clay mineral varied with pH; and the pH at which the maximum quantity of the cations were released were pH4 for K+ ions(4.63±0.38cmol/kg), pH7 Ca2+ (12.09±0.96 cmol/kg) and Mg2+(3.48±0.08 cmol/kg) ions and pH8 for Na+(7.81±0.58 cmol/kg) ions respectively for site 1. This trend was observed in the three sites that were studied. This study has revealed that different pH conditions are required if this mixed clay mineral is to be employed in the remediation of nutrient deficiency in any soil in respect of a particular mineral.

Declining land productivity is a major problem constraining banana (Musa spp.) production in Tanzania. Banana fruit yield consequently reaches only 15% of the potential, primarily due to inadequate soil nutrient replenishment. Improving farmers’ soil nutrient replenishment strategy in banana home gardens, which relies on applications of cattle manure only, by mixing with inorganic fertilizer resources can increase land productivity and can improve the overall profitability of banana production in the country. Experiments were conducted at Tarakea, Lyamungo, and Tengeru to determine the effects of organic fertilizer resources (animal manure and crop residue) and their combination with inorganic fertilizer resources on the productivity and profitability of Mchare banana production. Banana fruit yield differed significantly among the experimental sites, with drier areas of Tengeru recording, on average, 19.6 t ha−1 year−1, while the more humid areas of Lyamungo recorded, on average, 39.3 ha−1 year−1. Mchare banana plants grown under sole inorganic fertilizer produced significantly low yields (33.0 t ha−1 year−1) compared with those fertilized with cattle manure only, which lifted the yields to 38.8 t ha−1 year−1, but the latter required more labor input. Soil nitrogen (N) fertilization via cattle manure + mineral fertilizer gave the highest average banana fruit yield (43.0 t ha−1 year−1) across the sites, and reduced fertilization costs by 32%. Subsequently, this integrated fertilization technique generated the highest average net benefits in all sites and both cropping cycles. Thus, the findings of this study form a basis to improve land productivity and profitability in banana-based home gardens in the study area by directing more labor input to good soil N management.