Soil Enrichment Research Articles

Soil health and root‐zone enrichment characteristics between paired grassland and cropland fields in the southeastern United States

AbstractBackgroundSoil organic C and N data from privately managed pastures in the southeastern United States are relatively scant.MethodsA paired‐farm approach was deployed to determine how a variety of soil health parameters related to nutrient and water cycling might be altered under grazed, botanically diverse perennial pastures compared with annual monoculture croplands in three Major Land Resource Areas of the southeastern United States.ResultsSoil stability index averaged 0.64 and 0.91 mm mm−1 under cropland and grazed pasture, respectively, suggesting that pastures had a more stable soil surface that was resistant to erosion and allowed rapid water infiltration. Surface‐soil organic C and N fractions (i.e., total, particulate, and mineralizable fractions at 0–10 cm depth) were greater under pasture than under cropland. Across locations, root‐zone enrichments (0–30 cm depth) of organic C and N fractions were greater under pasture than under cropland. Within locations, root‐zone enrichment of total soil N was greater (p < 0.05) under pasture than under cropland in the Blue Ridge (2.87 vs. 1.10 Mg N ha−1, respectively) and the Piedmont (2.80 vs. 2.10 Mg N ha−1), but not in the Blackland Prairie (2.40 vs. 2.12 Mg N ha−1).ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that rotationally grazed, perennial grasslands can store more soil organic C and N and improve soil surface stability conditions compared with neighboring croplands producing commodity feed grains for feedlot finishing.

Soils of Lakeside Depressions of Pulsing Chloride Lakes of Internal Runoff in Central Asia: Morphology, Physical-Chemical and Geochemical Features

Data on saline soils of drainless lakeside depressions, which are formed in areas of extra continental climate with a cyclic 25–30-year change in the level of lakes within the arid and humid climatic phases, were obtained first. Different types of soils are shown to be formed on the landscapes adjacent to highly mineralized chloride lakes of southeastern Trans-Baikal Region: on superaqueous–subaqueous positions– gleyic solonchaks (Gleyic Solonchak (Loamic, Chloridic)); on superaqueous – humus–gley saline soils (Calcaric Mollic Gleysol (Arenic, Endosalic, Sodic)); on eluvial-superaqueous – light-humus saline soils (Fluvic Kastanozem (Epiarenic, Amphiloamic, Sodic)). Salinity degree of the soils under the study is different. Salinity chemistry is sodium taking into account cations. Anion content in solonchaks and upper horizon of humus-gley soil is mostly chloride. Soda-chloride and chloride-soda anion composition prevail in other soils. Gleyic solonchaks have strongly alkaline pH values, high content of carbonates, and a sharp dominance of Na+ among exchangeable cations. Many chemical elements are concentrated in the solonchakous horizon (Sr, S, Li, Mg, Ca); a high content of As is a regional feature. The humus-gley saline soil has the same properties as the light-humus saline soil in terms of physico-chemical parameters, and in terms of elemental composition and texture as solonchaks. This is due to it functions periodically in a semihydromorphic or hydromorphic regimes when changing the arid and humid phases. The high level of groundwater contributes to the enrichment of soils with the elements typomorphic for lake waters. The paleohydromorphic stage of development has been established to be recorded in lower layers of light-humus saline soil in the form of a high content of easily soluble salts and carbonates. The geochemical specialization of soil-forming rocks is associated with the significant accumulation of As, as well as concentration of Li, Ba, and Pb. It was also revealed that low Ca/Sr ratio is their geochemical feature. The use of cluster analysis of indicators of soils under the study revealed that both dynamic and stable soil parameters are reflected in humus-gley soil and it is recommended for monitoring of the dynamics of endorheic lakeside ecosystems in Central Asia with cyclic climatic phases.

Effect of vermicompost on soil quality parameters for different land use patterns

Extensive industrialization, urbanization, and excessive use of chemicals in agricultural practices have caused soil quality depletion and reduced its nutritional value. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of vermicompost (VC) on different soil properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, total phosphorus, and bulk density to understand the soil enrichment for different land use patterns i.e., agriculture soil (AS), forest soil (FS) and barren soil (BS). The collected soil samples were mixed with VC in different proportions (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5) and analyzed in terms of aforementioned parameters. Among the investigated soils, the highest microbial biomass was observed for FS samples and noted in the range of 6 – 8 mg/gm of soil. All the original soils, supplemented samples, and VC were also subjected to plant growth analysis. The soil quality index (SQI) was determined using principal component analysis for selected soil samples and resulted mixtures obtained from soil and various proportions of VC. Among all samples, highest SQI was observed as 0.785 for VC. Overall, the result of the study showed that vermicompost can be a potential substitute of chemical fertilizers, thus improving the soil quality and crop yield.

Current application directions for the weathering rind of molybdenum deposits of Ukraine

Purpose. Justification of the new direction of using molybdenum ores from weathering rind of deposits of Ukraine. Research methodology. The research was carried out by general scientific and special research methods – theoretical (analysis, explanation, generalization, comparison), technical and economic evaluation. Research results. The conducted research made it possible to determine the main global approaches to the extraction and application of molybdenum in various areas of industry. The importance of the domestic industry's need for molybdenum-containing fertilizers is substantiated. The reasons why modern global methods for obtaining molybdenum-containing fertilizers are difficult have been revealed. It has been found that modern extraction of molybdenum occurs from native ores, and attempts to extract molybdenum from weathered ores are considered ineffective. The conducted studies indicate significant areas of weathering rinds in Ukraine, including on molybdenum ore occurrences. It is possible to use such weathering rinds as fertilizers directly, that is, bypassing the traditional production of concentrates. The reduction of molybdenum deficiency in Ukrainian arable soils can be achieved by using the weathering crust of molybdenum ore occurrences by soil exchange between enriched soils of ore deposit locations and depleted soils of seeded fields. The originality. For the first time, the regularity of correspondence between the mining term "significantly weathered molybdenum-containing ore" and the agricultural term "molybdenum-contaminated soil" was established. Significant volumes of such ore (soil) in Ukraine were confirmed, and the presence of signs of a promising molybdenum resource in it was also investigated. Practical value. The obtained data make it possible to partially solve the needs of Ukraine in molybdenum, which is currently not mined. The results of the research made it possible to substantiate the direction of the application of molybdenum weathering crust for the domestic agricultural industry, which increases the yield, quality of agricultural products, cultivated areas, income to the foreign currency budget due to the increase in the export of agricultural products, customs duties and taxes.

Comprehensive assessment of health and ecological risk of cadmium in agricultural soils across China: A tiered framework

Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination has been increasingly serious in agricultural land across China, posing unexpected risks to human health concerning crop safety and terrestrial ecosystems. This study collected Cd concentration data from 3388 soil sites in agricultural regions. To assess the Cd risk to crop safety, a comprehensive sampling investigation was performed to develop reliable Soil Plant Transfer (SPT) model. Eco-toxicity tests with representative soils and organism was conducted to construct the Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) for ecological risk assessment. Then, a tiered framework was applied based on Accumulation index, deterministic method (Hazard quotient), and probabilistic assessment (Monte Carlo and Joint Probability Curve). The results revealed the widespread Cd enrichment in agricultural soils, mainly concentrated in Central, Southern, and Southwest China. Risk assessments demonstrated the greater risks related to crop safety, while the ecological risks posed by soil Cd were manageable. Notably, agricultural soils in southern regions of China exhibited more severe risks to both crop safety and soil ecosystem, compared to other agricultural regions. Furthermore, tiered methodology proposed here, can be adapted to other trace elements with potential risks to crop safety and terrestrial ecosystem.

Effects of elevation and geomorphology on cadmium, lead and chromium enrichment in paddy soil and rice: A case study in the Xiangtan basin of China

The distributions of heavy metals in paddy fields and rice along river valleys were studied to explore the key factors affecting the accumulation of heavy metals in the upstream terraces and downstream plains. Results from 975 sampling sites showed that elevation, growing season and soil organic matter (OM) had significant effects on the content of Cd and Pb in topsoil and rice. The content of Cd (0.47–0.66 mg kg−1) and Pb (49.9–68.6 mg kg−1) in paddy fields with low elevation (30–60 m) in the downstream plains was significantly higher than the content of Cd (0.29–0.38 mg kg−1) and Pb (43.9–56.3 mg kg−1) in the upstream terraces with high altitude (60–90 m). In the double-rice production area, late rice generally produced grains with higher Cd and Pb content than early rice. Soil Cd was positively increased with the content of OM, especially in the downstream plains. When elevation was used for principal component analysis, plains with low elevation were grouped together with high content of total and soluble Cd, OM and Pb in soil, as well as high content of Cd and Pb in late rice. Altitude is one of the key factors affecting Cd content in rice. Although content of Cr (93.7–138.0 mg kg−1) was significantly higher than that of Cd and Pb in soil, content of Cr was lower than that of Cd in rice. These results indicate that paddy fields with elevation of 30–60 m in the downstream plains had high risk to produce late rice with Cd and Pb content exceeding the food safety standard 0.2 mg kg−1, which may be resulted from the driving force of runoff on soil soluble Cd and Pb from terraces to alluvial plains in river valleys.

Geochemical characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in agricultural soils and crops from a coal mining area in Anhui province, China

Soil contamination by heavy metals (HMs) in mining areas is a major issue because of its significant impact on the environmental quality and physical health of residents. Mining of minerals used in energy production, particularly coal, has led to HMs entering the surrounding soil through geochemical pathways. In this study, a total of 166 surface soil and 100 wheat grain samples around the Guobei coal mine in southeast China were collected, and trace metal levels were determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average HMs (Ni, As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn) concentrations were lower than the screening values in China (GB 15618–2018) but higher than the soil background values in the Huaibei Bozhou area of Anhui Province (except Zn), indicating HMs enrichment. Based on the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk index (IER), Cd pollution levels were low, while for the other metals the samples were pollution-free, and therefore no ecological risk warning was issued for the mining area. Both Cr and Pb had a higher noncarcinogenic health risks for adults and children. The lifetime carcinogenic risks (LCR) of Cr, Pb, and Cd were within acceptable levels. A positive matrix factorization (PMF) model identified two factors that could explain the HMs sources: factor 1 for Zn, Cd, and Pb, factor 2 for Ni, As, Cr, and Cu. Furthermore, HMs enrichment was observed in surface soil and the Carboniferous-Permian coal seams in the Guobei coal mine, which may suggest that coal mining is an important source for HMs enrichment in surface soil. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for undertaking the management and assessment of soil HMs pollution around a coal mine.

An Effective Melon Fly Control Strategy Based on Disinfection and Soil Productivity Management

The research employs both the literature and experimental data in order to develop reasonable strategies for melon fly control. The objects of research were sierozem soils of the Zhanakorgan region (Kyzylorda region), bentonite clays of the Sauran region (Turkestan region), and vermicompost obtained at the production site of the Research Institute “Ecology” at the International Kazakh-Turkish University, named after Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. The competitive agent ‘Vermiserbent’ was developed by combining sulphur-perlite-containing waste (SPCW), vermicompost, and natural bentonite clay. When incorporated into the soil, it serves as both an insecticide and a fertiliser recovery agent. The disinfection and enrichment of barren Sierozem soils in southern Kazakhstan could provide an eco-friendly approach to protect cucurbits (melon, watermelon, and pumpkin) against the melon fly. The average yield of watermelon treated with Vermiserbent increased by 2.3 t/ha compared to the control, melon by 4.6 t/ha, and pumpkin by 5.6 t/ha. The marketability of gourds as watermelons and melons after treatment with fertiliser increased by 1.2 times, and pumpkin by 1.1 times. The findings of studies conducted in agricultural fields in the Turkestan and Kyzylorda regions have shown that it is possible to produce environmentally sound gourds using a mixture of vermicompost, bentonite, and SPCW.

Assessing the role of agriculture-forestry-livestock nexus in improving farmers' food security in South Asia: A systematic literature review

CONTEXTThere is a growing consensus that agriculture, forestry, and livestock integration (agroforestry systems) could assist South Asia in combating food insecurity by expediting the transition towards sustainability. However, there is a dearth of a comprehensive synthesis of evidence demonstrating the actual relevance of this nexus to agroecological development and farmers' food security in South Asia—the majority of whom are smallholders with limited assets. OBJECTIVEThe main objective of this study is to evaluate the potentiality of the South Asian agroforestry systems- as a viable agroecological approach for ensuring farmers' food security: food availability, access, utilization, and stability. METHODSA systematic literature review was conducted following the guidelines provided by the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) to achieve the study objective. The Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection databases were used, along with Google Scholar as an additional database, to gather relevant articles for the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSAmong the 95 studies reviewed, only nine explicitly focused on food security, and none of them examined all four dimensions of food security simultaneously. Moreover, the skewed distribution of studies towards the Himalayan belt and a lack of quantitative measurement make it challenging to determine the extent to which agroforestry improved farmers' food security. However, the review identified several pathways, such as diversification of food options (n = 53), fodder supply (n = 57), income increase (n = 73) and diversification (n = 64), fuel wood supply (n = 59), fulfillment of medicinal needs (n = 30), and soil enrichment (n = 36), through which the integration of agriculture, forestry, and livestock could contribute to the food security. However, some studies found certain drawbacks, such as a decrease in agricultural crop yield (n = 29), breeding of pests and diseases (n = 10), and a longer gestation period (n = 9), which could threaten food and livelihood security. Nevertheless, evidence suggests that appropriate species selection and effective management practices can help mitigate these negative impacts. SIGNIFICANCEThe findings of this study will aid in the effective policy formulation to ensure food security by providing decision-makers and last-mile institutions with information on the benefits and drawbacks of the agricultural, forestry, and livestock nexus. Furthermore, the review findings would allow for cross-temporal and cross-spatial comparisons. Future research would benefit from the review approach used in this work as well as the identified research gaps.

Soil enrichment of potentially toxic elements in relation to land‐use types in an alpine meadow of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

AbstractThe Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, a fragile ecosystem with unique biodiversity, is particularly susceptible to soil contamination from increasing anthropogenic activities like grazing and farming. However, research exploring the relationship between these factors remains limited. Our study examines soil changes and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) after converting alpine meadows, providing insight into the impact of land‐use in this area. We found significant differences in the concentrations of PTEs (Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb) among the three land‐use types. Soil from Oat Field (OF) had lower levels of Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb compared with Fence Enclosure (FE) and Winter Grazing (WG), indicating a potential uptake/phytoextraction of these elements by oats. Different profiles of soil physiochemical properties were also detected, particularly in the OF soil, which showed significantly lower available potassium, microbial carbon, and microbial nitrogen but higher soil bulk density and total and available phosphorus. Additionally, significant stratification was observed in soil concentrations of most studied PTEs and nutrients in FE and WG, but not in OF. Specifically, lower levels of As, Cr, and most nutrients were found in the top layer (0–10 cm) compared with the bottom layer (20–30 cm). By comparison, Cd and Hg showed higher concentrations in the top layer in FE. These contrasting trends suggest potential differences in the mobility or bioavailability of these elements in the soil of the alpine meadow. Furthermore, significantly negative correlations were found between most soil nutrients, and the concentrations of As, Cr, and Pb, whereas significantly positive associations were observed for soil nutrients with Cd and Hg. However, such relationships predominantly existed in soils of WG and FE, but not OF. Collectively, our results suggest the potentially disrupted PTE accumulation and nutrient distribution by anthropogenic activities, particularly agricultural practices within the studied land‐use types, and warrant further evaluation of the associated ecotoxicological risks.

Micro-nano oxygenated irrigation improves the yield and quality of greenhouse cucumbers under-film drip irrigation

To study the influence mechanism of micro-nano oxygenated irrigation (MNOI) on greenhouse fruit cucumber in arid and semi-arid cold regions, the yield and quality of greenhouse fruit cucumber were evaluated and verified based on 2 years of observation data. Taking fruit cucumber in Ningxia solar greenhouse as the research object, three dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of MNOI (DO; 6, 7.5, and 9 mg L−1, O1, O2, and O3, respectively) and non-oxygenated irrigation (CK, 4 mg L−1) were set up as the control treatment. Through comparative design, the influence mechanism of different levels of aerobic irrigation on the yield and quality of greenhouse fruit cucumber was studied. The main indicators of fruit cucumber yield and quality increased with dissolved oxygen in irrigation water from 4 to 9 mg L−1. In spring–summer (autumn–winter), compared with CK, the leaf area index (LAI) and net photosynthetic rate (A) increased by 28.83% (28.77%) and 44.90% (35.00%), respectively, and Vitamin C, soluble protein, soluble sugar, soluble solids and total acid content increased by 100.00% (51.88%), 37.78% (61.11%), 34.17% (54.17%), 37.07% (78.72%) and 26.92% (30.67%) respectively, while nitrate content decreased by 44.88% (51.15%), and dry matter accumulation (DMA), soil respiration rate (SRR), microbial carbon (MC), and microbial nitrogen (MN) increased by 49.81% (127.25%), 55.22% (110.34%), 117.50% (90.91%) and 70.37% (74.42%) respectively, and yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and soil oxygen content (SO) increased by 22.47% (28.04%), 22.39% (28.05%) and 33.21% (35.33%) respectively. A model of DO in irrigation water and SO was established and the applicability of the model was verified with an average relative error of 2% (less than 5%). MNOI increased SO and soil enzyme activity, enriched soil microorganisms, improved soil microenvironment, promoted water nutrient uptake and growth of root system, increased chlorophyll, photosynthesis and DMA, which improved fruit cucumber yield and quality, and the better DO concentration in irrigation water is 9 mg L−1. The research results provide theoretical support for regulating soil water, fertilizer and air environment, and at the same time, provide feasible ways to improve the quality and efficiency of crops in arid and semi-arid cold regions.

Making partners in the city: impact of urban soil P enrichment on the partnership between an invasive herb and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a tropical city.

The mutualistic relationship between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is essential for optimal plant nutrition, enabling plants to better withstand biotic and abiotic stressors and enhancing survival, reproduction, and colonization of new environments. Activities, such as soil enrichment or compaction, may decrease the benefits of AM fungi for plants, potentially reducing interactions in urban environments. Here, we examine this prediction by studying how urbanization alters AM interactions with the invasive herb Ruellia nudiflora (Acanthaceae). We collected soil and plants from deep urban sites (DUS; e.g., sidewalks), open urban sites (OUS; parks), and rural sites (RS) to analyse soil nutrient content, plant morphology, AM colonization rates, spore density, richness, and diversity. Contrary to predicted, DUS had the lowest soil nutrient concentration, except for phosphorus, reducing AM colonization. This supports the prediction of reduced AM interactions in urban environments. We also found that potassium affects the AM association. Urban plants had smaller and more compact root systems compared to their rural counterparts, but there were no discernible differences in AM fungi communities between urban and rural environments. Phosphorus enrichment in sidewalks is the main driver of reductionof R. nudiflora-AM fungi interactions in Mérida. More studies are needed to gain a better understanding of how AM fungi contribute to plant colonization in urban environments.

Identification and acclimatization of the most potential 4‐chlorophenol degrading bacterial strain isolated from hazardous soil and observing its performance in various process parameters

Abstract4‐Chlorophenol is present as an essential compound of various organic compounds found in different kinds of hazardous waste. It can be easily eliminated from the industrial effluents by different physical and chemical treatment methods although best technique is bioremediation. To separate a potent bacterial strain from the soil that can dispose of 4‐chlorophenol from contaminated water, soil sample was collected from a hospital zone. Isolated bacterial colonies were segregated by the technique of soil enrichment with 500 mg/L 4‐chlorophenol and after that the enriched soil sample was serially diluted and transferred to petri plates with agar media. Twenty‐seven colonies were isolated and the most potent strain was selected in 50 mL liquid medium that was enriched previously with 500 mg/L of 4‐chlorophenol. C19 was found to be the most potent strain and it had the ability to reduce almost 99.97% of 4‐chlorophenol within 24 h, 37°C temperatures as well as in shaking condition (140–150 rpm) and pH 6.8–7.2. After the isolation, the strain was acclimatized in mineral salt medium (MSM) from lower concentration to higher concentration of 4‐chlorophenol to increase its removal capacity as well as to prepare the inoculums. Then parameter optimization study was performed where optimum temperature and pH was found to be 25°C and 6.5°C, respectively, 400 mL media volume and 8% inoculums were found to be most effective and finally 24 h time period was optimized. All these five optimum parameters were applied together to remove higher conc. of 4‐chlorophenol where almost 99.3% removals were obtained when the conc. was 600 mg/L. Moreover, more than 90% removals were obtained in case of 700, 800, and 900 mg/L concentration. Morphological, biochemical, nucleotide homology, and phylogenetic investigation of the strain was made which revealed that it was a rod shaped (Bacillus type), gram +ve, spore forming and motile bacterial strain and therefore, the selected strain was found to exhibit most extreme similarities (91.73%) with Bacillus cereus strain MK789657.

Climatic controls on leaf wax hydrogen isotope ratios in terrestrial and marine sediments along a hyperarid-to-humid gradient

Abstract. The hydrogen isotope composition of leaf wax biomarkers (δ2Hwax) is a valuable tool for reconstructing continental paleohydrology, since it serves as a proxy for the hydrogen isotope composition of precipitation (δ2Hpre). To yield robust palaeohydrological reconstructions using δ2Hwax in marine archives, it is necessary to examine the impacts of regional climate on δ2Hwax and assess the similarity between marine sedimentary δ2Hwax and the source of continental δ2Hwax. Here, we examined an aridity gradient from hyperarid to humid along the Chilean coast. We sampled sediments at the outlets of rivers draining into the Pacific as well as soils within catchments and marine surface sediments adjacent to the outlets of the studied rivers and analyzed the relationship between climatic variables and δ2Hwax values. We found that apparent fractionation between leaf waxes and source water is relatively constant in humid and semiarid regions (average: −121 ‰). However, it becomes less negative in hyperarid regions (average: −86 ‰) as a result of evapotranspirative processes affecting soil and leaf water 2H enrichment. We also observed that along strong aridity gradients, the 2H enrichment of δ2Hwax follows a non-linear relationship with water content and water flux variables, driven by strong soil evaporation and plant transpiration. Furthermore, our results indicate that δ2Hwax values in marine surface sediments largely reflect δ2Hwax values from the continent, confirming the robustness of marine δ2Hwax records for paleohydrological reconstructions along the Chilean margin. These findings also highlight the importance of considering the effects of hyperaridity in the interpretation of δ2Hwax values and pave the way for more quantitative paleohydrological reconstructions using δ2Hwax.

Effects of wild boar grubbing on the soil nematode community subject to seasonal variation in a broad-leaved Korean pine forest in Northeast China

Soil disturbances caused by large animals impact soil biodiversity and potentially alter forest ecosystem functioning and productivity. However, most studies have focused on the effects of wild boar infestations on above-ground vegetation and soil physical and chemical properties. Little is known about the influence of wild boar grubbing on the soil faunal community within forested ecosystems. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a long-term (10-year) exclosure experiment to investigate the responses of soil nematode communities to wild boar grubbing and seasonal variations in a broad-leaved Korean pine forest in Changbai Mountain, China. The results indicated that wild boar grubbing did not significantly impact soil nematode abundance, genus richness, diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson index, and evenness index), and ecological indices (enrichment index, channel index, structural index, and basal index). However, we observed that grubbing reduced the relative abundance of plant parasites while increased that of bacterivores and the maturity index (MI), leading to changes in nematode community composition. Notably, the influence of grubbing was more pronounced in the spring than in the autumn. Although season itself did not significantly affect soil nematode genus richness and diversity indices, it did affect soil nematode relative abundance, bacterivores, omnivores-predators, plant parasites, K-strategistis, r-strategistis, MI, enrichment index, and channel index. Long-term wild boar grubbing appeared to mitigate seasonal effects on soil nematode communities, resulting in higher MI and increased stability in nematode community abundance. Our findings suggest that changes in soil parameters, such as soil NH4+, soil pH, and soil NO3–, likely mediate the observed impact of wild boars on the soil nematode community. In summary, our study demonstrated that wild boar grubbing altered the structure of soil nematode communities, albeit with seasonal variations, indicating that the effects of wild boar activity on forest soil ecosystems influence biogeochemical cycles through changes in nematode community composition rather than nematode genera richness.

ORGANIC FERTILIZER'S ROLE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL MICROFLORA AND BIOMETRIC VALUES IN FRUIT CROPS

Intensive farming has adversely affected soil fertility and ecosystems due to excessive chemicalization in the Kazakhstan Republic. The soil lacks organic matter, leading to declining fertility. Biologization has emerged to address this issue as a solution to improve soil fertility and enhance the growth and development of crop plants. This study aimed to determine the impact of organic fertilizers on the composition of soil microflora and biometric values in cultivating stone and pome fruits. The use of microbiological methods analyzed soil microflora and physiological bacterial groups. The research’s novelty lies in developing a technology that utilizes organic fertilizers and biological products to improve the activities of soil microorganisms and plant roots’ nutrition. Organic fertilizers ‘Bio juice Energy Plus’ and ‘Agroflorin’ positively influenced beneficial bacteria and fungi and significantly contributed to soil enrichment. Organic fertilizers and biological products support soil biological processes and replenish the nutrients, promoting sustainable agricultural productivity and reducing chemical dependency. The current study emphasizes the potential of organic fertilizers and natural products in enhancing soil fertility and supporting plant growth in Kazakhstan. Biologization also offers an eco-friendly approach to agricultural practices, ensuring agronomic productivity and the long-term good health of soils.

Grass-legume mixtures maintain forage biomass under microbial diversity loss via gathering Pseudomonas in root zone soil.

Grass-legume mixtures are a common practice for establishing artificial grasslands, directly or indirectly contributing to the improvement of yield. In addition, this method helps maintain soil and plant health by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. The impact of grass-legume mixtures on yield and its underlying microbial mechanisms have been a focus of scientific investigation. However, the benefits of mixtures in the context of soil microbial diversity loss remain a problem worthy of exploration. In this study, we examined different aboveground and belowground diversity combinations to elucidate the mechanisms by which grass-legume mixtures help maintain stable yields in the face of diversity loss. We identified the significantly enriched Pseudomonas genus microbial ASV53, which was gathered through homogeneous selection and served as a keystone in the co-occurrence network. ASV53 showed a strong positive correlation with biomass and the abundance of nitrogen-fixing genes. These findings provide a new theoretical foundation for utilizing grass-legume mixtures to enhance grass yields and address the challenges posed by diversity loss.

Limekiln services soil enrichment and water retention of an Early Islamic Plot-and-Berm groundwater-harvesting agroecosystem in coastal dunes near Caesarea, Israel

Limekiln services soil enrichment and water retention of an Early Islamic Plot-and-Berm groundwater-harvesting agroecosystem in coastal dunes near Caesarea, Israel

The Mitigation of Phytopathogens in Wheat under Current and Future Climate Change Scenarios: Next-Generation Microbial Inoculants

Wheat production worldwide faces numerous challenges linked to climate change, exponential population growth, nutrient depletion in agricultural soils, and the increasing threat of phytopathogen occurrence. The application of beneficial microorganisms is a promising strategy for crop management as it favorizes nutrient uptake, improves soil fertility, and increases plant resilience. Therefore, this approach facilitates the transition to more sustainable agricultural practices while reducing the dependence on agrochemicals. The valuable beneficial impacts of bioinoculant application include the enrichment of agricultural soils’ ecosystems by restoring microbial populations and interactions that have been lost through the years due to decades of intensive agricultural practices and the massive application of pesticides. Furthermore, beneficial microorganisms constitute a remarkable tool for combating biotic threats, specifically fungal pathogens, whose proliferation and emergence are predicted to increase due to global warming. To optimize their beneficial impact, bioinoculant development requires an extensive study of microbial interactions with plants and their surrounding ecosystem, to improve their composition, mode of action, and stability through application. The use of innovative tools, such as omic sciences, facilitates the elucidation of these mechanisms. Finally, bioprospection and bioformulation must be consciously executed to guarantee the application and persistence of adapted microorganisms and/or their bioactive molecules.

Distribution and in-vitro bioaccessibility of potentially toxic metals in surface soils from a mining and a non-mining community in Ghana: implications for human health.

The concentration and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic metals, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, were determined in surface soil samples from a mining community (Kenyasi) and a non-mining community (Sunyani) in Ghana, to investigate the contribution of mining activities to the environmental burden of potentially toxic metals. The study found significant differences in metal concentrations (p < 0.05) in As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn, but no significant difference (p > 0.05) in Pb and Cr between the two communities. The study found a moderate correlation between pH and metal concentrations in the mining community and a moderate positive correlation with As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the non-mining community. The distribution pattern revealed elevated levels of toxic metals in the southeastern corridor of the mining community, which is close to a gold mine. Most heavy metals were concentrated in the commercial community's southern zone, with more residents and private elementary schools. Metal bioaccessibility was variable, and except for Cu and Zn, the mean bioaccessibility was less than 50% for a given metal. Contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, and soil enrichment factor suggested very high contamination of Cd, and a considerable to moderate contamination of As, Ni, Zn, and Cu at both the mining and non-mining communities. The above observations and the pollution and risk indices employed in this study confirmed that the mining community was more polluted (PLI = 2.145) than the non-mining community (PLI = 1.372). The total metal hazard (HI) exceeded thresholds by three and four times at non-mining and mining sites. Regular monitoring is necessary, especially in the mining community, to prevent soil metal accumulation.