Improve Soil Fertility Research Articles

The Role of Biotechnology in Shaping the Future of Modern Agriculture

Biotechnology stands as a cornerstone in the evolution of modern agriculture, offering an array of innovative solutions poised to revolutionize crop productivity, enhance nutritional quality, and foster environmental sustainability. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted role of biotechnology in shaping the future landscape of agriculture, encompassing diverse realms such as genetic engineering, molecular breeding, and microbial biotechnology. Spanning from crop improvement to pest and disease management, soil health, and sustainable agriculture practices, the applications of biotechnology in agriculture are far-reaching and profound. Genetic engineering emerges as a powerful tool in the arsenal of agricultural biotechnology, facilitating the precise manipulation of plant genomes to confer desirable traits such as increased yield, enhanced nutritional content, and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Molecular breeding techniques complement this approach, leveraging advances in genomics and bioinformatics to expedite the breeding process and develop high-performing crop varieties tailored to specific agroecological contexts, microbial biotechnology emerges as a pivotal force in sustainable agriculture, harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms to improve soil fertility, enhance nutrient uptake, and suppress plant pathogens. From biofertilizers and biopesticides to bioremediation and phytoremediation, microbial-based solutions hold immense potential in mitigating environmental degradation and promoting agroecosystem resilience, the widespread adoption of biotechnology in agriculture is not devoid of societal, economic, and ethical considerations. Regarding food safety, environmental impact, and socio-economic equity underscore the need for rigorous regulatory frameworks and robust risk assessment protocols to ensure the responsible deployment of biotechnological innovations, public perceptions and fostering dialogue between stakeholders are essential for building trust and garnering support for biotechnology in agriculture. Education, transparency, and stakeholder engagement are paramount in navigating the complex terrain of biotechnology governance and fostering an enabling environment for innovation, the current state and future prospects of biotechnology in agriculture, this review endeavors to inform policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders about the transformative potential of biotechnology to address pressing global challenges such as food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability. Embracing the opportunities afforded by biotechnology holds the key to unlocking a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural future.

Research on building a biochar production model from agricultural by-products in Gia Lai province

ABSTRACT The impact of climate change on ecosystems and agricultural systems, particularly in key agricultural areas like the Central Highlands of Vietnam, has caused severe soil degradation, water depletion, and desertification, directly affecting productivity and livelihoods. Sustainable agricultural solutions, especially biochar, have gained attention due to their ability to improve soil fertility, retain moisture, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This research focuses on developing a biochar production model from agricultural by-products in Gia Lai to meet both domestic and export needs. Biochar was produced through the pyrolysis of coffee by-products, including stems, branches, and fruit husks. The study employs 10 brick kilns (90 m³ capacity) for stems and branches, and 15 steel kilns (300 kg/batch capacity) for fruit husks and leaves. The biochar produced meets export quality standards, with a fixed carbon content ≥70.0%, ash content ≤3.0%, and calorific value ≥7,000 Kcal/kg. Additionally, biochar is combined with the biological agent Trichoderma to produce 1,000 tons of organic microbial fertilizer, surpassing national standards for organic matter content (≥15%) and Trichoderma density (≥1.0x10⁶ CFU/g). Biochar production from agricultural waste not only reduces waste but also contributes to sustainable agriculture in the Central Highlands. The research results show great potential for expanding biochar production models, improving soil health, reducing farming costs, and increasing farmers' income.

Evaluations of Grass Pea Relay Inter-Cropping with Wheat on Vertisol in Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Grass peas have been cultivated in Ethiopia for a long time; they are drought-tolerant and unaffected by excessive rainfall. This study evaluated the effectiveness of grass pea relay intercropping with wheat for better production and its effect on soil moisture and fertility improvement in the Jama district, northeastern Amhara, Ethiopia. The location is mainly dominated by vertisol, a black-to-gray clay with high swelling and shrinking character. The treatments were evaluated by arranging the randomized block design. At the tillering stage of wheat, planting grass peas on furrows and between rows with 30 cm spacing effectively contributes to soil fertility status and soil moisture. Grass pea is a legume crop that incorporates nitrogen and is also used as a cover crop that retains soil moisture. This type of planting technique is also efficient in the case of land utilization; a 1.9 ha sole cropping area would be required to produce the same yields as 1 ha of the intercropped system. Planting grass peas during the tillering stage of the wheat crop is recommended.

Sustainable Cropping Sequences to Improve Soil Fertility and Microbiological Properties

Different cropping systems and nutrient management techniques impact the microbiological characteristics of soil and nutrient availability for plants. This study assessed four cropping systems—rice–wheat, cotton–wheat, pearl millet–wheat, and pearl millet–mustard in Hisar district, Haryana, using 80 soil samples (20 from each system) collected in April 2022 after the Rabi crop harvest. The cotton–wheat system had the highest accessible nitrogen (N) at 155.9 kg ha−1, while both the cotton–wheat (59.3 kg ha−1) and rice–wheat (54.0 kg ha−1) systems had higher available sulfur (S) levels compared to pearl millet–wheat (41.2 kg ha−1). Pearl millet–wheat also showed 12.4% higher potassium (K) levels than rice–wheat. The rice–wheat system exhibited the highest phosphorus (P) concentration at 54.3 kg ha−1 and greater DTPA-extractable micronutrients. Soils from the rice–wheat system had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) and superior microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN, 54.7 mg kg−1), urease (37.9 µg NH4+-N g−1 h−1), and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA, 269.7 µg PNP g−1 h−1) compared to other systems. Canonical discriminant functions explained 88.1% of the variability among cropping systems, while principal component analysis identified available P, DTPA-extractable Zn, and Cu as key soil quality indicators, accounting for 66.9% of the variance. These insights can inform policymakers on promoting effective cropping systems and sustainable soil health in northwestern India.

Humic Substances from Waste-Based Fertilizers for Improved Soil Fertility

This research explores how different organic waste transformation methods influence the production of humic substances (HSs) and their impact on soil quality. Using olive and orange wastes as substrates, the study compares vermicomposting, composting, and anaerobic digestion processes to determine which method produces the most humic-substance-rich products. The characterization of HSs in each product included analyses of total organic carbon (TOC), humic and fulvic acid content, humification rate, humification degree, and E4/E6 ratio, with HSs extracted using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and analyzed via Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier-Transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy to assess structural complexity. The results revealed that the chemical composition of the input materials significantly influenced the transformation dynamics, with orange by-products exhibiting a higher humification rate and degree. Vermicomposting emerged as the most efficient process, producing fertilizers with superior humic content, greater microbial biodiversity, and enhanced cation exchange capacity, thus markedly improving soil quality. Composting also contributed to the stabilization of organic matter, albeit less effectively than vermicomposting. Anaerobic digestion, by contrast, resulted in products with lower levels of HSs and reduced nutrient content. Aerobic processes, particularly vermicomposting, demonstrated the most rapid and effective transformation, producing structurally complex, stable humus-like substances with pronounced benefits for soil health. These findings underscore vermicomposting as the most sustainable and efficacious approach for generating HS-rich organic fertilizers, presenting a powerful alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of organic waste valorization to mitigate environmental pollution and foster circular economy practices in sustainable agriculture.

Yield Gap Analysis in Adoption of Production Technology and Economics of Coconut at Farmers Field of Tumkuru District, India

The study was conducted with analysis of yield gap in adoption of production technology and economics of coconut through frontline demonstrations(FLD) at farmer’s field of Tumkur district, Karnataka state during the year from 2017-18 to 2019-20.The demonstrated plot yield obtained through frontline demonstrations was higher (9,932 nuts/ha) than the actual yield obtained by the farmers on their farm under own management practices (7,852 nuts/ha), but lower than the potential yield of coconut (12,300 nuts/ha).The data revealed that the total yield gap between potential yield and actual yield of coconut was 36.16 per cent, in which 20.92 per cent of yield gap between demonstration plot and actual farmers plot yield and 19.25 per cent of technological gap. The maximum number of coconut growers adopted intercropping system (90.00 %) followed by irrigation method (86.66 %), whereas lesser adoption of harvesting of coconuts by coconut climber (26.67 %). More number of farmers were found to increase in adoption per cent of growing of green manure crops & incorporation (56.67 %) and soil sample analysis from coconut plot (53.33 %) and also improved soil fertility status of demonstrated plot as compared to farmers practices. There was significantly increased the yield of coconut (26.49%) after conducted the frontline demonstrations. The gross return, net return and B:C ratio was also found to increased in demonstrated plots as compared to farmers’ practice. The adoption of different production package of practices in coconut shows positive impact on yield and economics of coconut through adoption of demonstrated technology.

Modeling the Effect of Milk Vetch–Rice Rotation on N Runoff Loss in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The winter planting of green manure (GM) is widely used in South China to reduce chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer use, improve soil fertility, and maintain rice yields, but its effect on N runoff loss in paddy fields remains unclear. This study combines multi-site field experiments with a process model (WHCNS-Rice) to assess how GM with reduced N fertilizer impacts N runoff loss and its forms in the Yangtze River’s middle and lower reaches, considering different rainfall years. The network field experiments included four treatments: conventional fertilization (FR), conventional fertilization plus straw return (FRS), GM with a 40% N reduction (MR), and GM-straw combined return with a 40% N reduction (MRS). Monitoring the results showed that compared to the winter fallow treatment, the GM treatments reduced the peak and average total N (TN) concentrations by 11.1–57.9% (average 26.9%) and 17.1–27.3% (average 22.3%), respectively. The TN runoff loss under the GM treatment decreased by 3.50–10.61 kg N ha−1 (22.5–42.1%). GM primarily reduced the runoff loss of dissolved inorganic N (DIN), with reductions at different sites ranging from 0.22 to 9.66 kg N ha−1 (8.4–43.4%), indicating GM effectively decreases N runoff by reducing DIN. Model simulations of ponding water depth, runoff, TN concentration in surface water, and TN loss in paddy fields produced the consistency indices and simulation efficiencies of 0.738–0.985, 0.737–0.986, 0.912–0.986, and 0.674–0.972, respectively, indicating that the model can be used to evaluate water consumption and N runoff loss in the GM-paddy system. The simulations showed that GM with a 40% N fertilizer significantly reduced N runoff loss under all rainfall conditions, with the greatest reductions in wet years. Under wet, normal, and dry conditions, the GM treatments significantly reduced average TN loss by 0.37–5.53 kg N ha−1 (12.77–29.17%), 0.21–5.32 kg N ha−1 (9.95–24.51%), and 0.02–3.2 kg N ha−1 (1.78–23.19%), respectively, compared to the winter fallow treatment. These results indicate that the combination of GM and a 40% reduction in N fertilizer can significantly reduce N runoff loss from paddy fields, demonstrating good effectiveness under various rainfall conditions, making it a green production model worth promoting.

Sustainable Soil Management in Alkaline Soils: The Role of Biochar and Organic Nitrogen in Enhancing Soil Fertility

Biochar (BC) serves a vital function in sequestering carbon, improving nutrient cycles, and boosting overall soil quality. This research explored the enhancement of the chemical and physical properties of soil (alkaline) using nitrogen and biochar (from organic and inorganic sources) in a semi-arid climate during the autumn seasons of 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. The study involved applying biochar at various rates (0, 10, 20, and 30 t ha⁻1) and nitrogen at different levels (0, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha⁻1) using urea, poultry manure (PM), and farmyard manure (FYM) as nitrogen sources, which were applied to the field in a randomized complete block design with split-plot arrangement. The application of biochar at the highest rate (30 t ha⁻1) resulted in a significant increase of over 120% in soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil moisture content (SMC). Additionally, it increased total soil nitrogen (STN) by 14.16% and mineral nitrogen (SMN) by 9.09%. In contrast, applying biochar at this rate reduced soil bulk density (SBD), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) by 28.52%, 3.38%, and 2.27%, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, applying nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻1 using FYM significantly improved SOC, SOM, SMC, and SBD. At the same rate, using PM as a nitrogen source enhanced STN and SMN while reducing soil pH and EC. In conclusion, this study shows that applying biochar at 30 t ha⁻1 combined with nitrogen at 150 kg ha⁻1, sourced from either PM or FYM, offers great potential for improving soil fertility and promoting carbon sequestration in alkaline soils of semi-arid regions. These findings highlight the value of integrating BC and organic N sources for enhancing agroecosystem sustainability. Thus, this study provides a promising pathway to enhance soil quality, improve crop productivity, and support sustainable agricultural practices in challenging environments.

A study on the changes in rice composition under reduced fertilization conditions using Raman spectroscopy technology

The substitution of microbial fertilizer for chemical fertilizer can not only improve soil fertility but also effectively enhance rice quality. To investigate the effect of different amounts of combined application of chemical fertilizer and microbial fertilizer on the amylose content of rice, this study adopts theoretical calculations to compare the preprocessed Raman spectroscopy information of rice with reduced fertilization and establishes a recognition model for the amylose content of rice, which is used to detect the amylose content in rice. Based on the amylose spectral values measured by Raman spectroscopy and the known starch structure and functional groups, the Raman peaks are mainly distributed in the range of 400 cm− 1 to 1400 cm− 1. The Raman characteristic peaks at 483 cm− 1, 869 cm− 1, 933 cm− 1, 1082 cm− 1, 1126 cm− 1, 1335 cm− 1, 1385 cm− 1, and 1455 cm− 1 exhibit strong vibration modes, which are consistent with its main nutrient component of amylose. By comparing the measured amylose content in the regions treated with microbial fertilizer combined with different amounts of reduced fertilization and the spectral intensity values of amylose measured by Raman spectroscopy, the results show that the treatment of combining conventional amounts of microbial fertilizer with different amounts of reduced chemical fertilizer exhibits a decreasing trend in the amylose content of rice.

Benefits of Crotalaria juncea L. as Green Manure in Fertility and Soil Microorganisms on the Peruvian Coast

The soils of the Barranca valley are among the best soils in Peru, but with so many years of application of agrochemicals and other agricultural practices, they are losing their productive capacity. Consequently, it was suggested to assess the impact of Crotalaria juncea L. as a green manure on soil fertility and the populations of bacteria and fungi present in the soil. Crotalaria was cultivated for 75 days and incorporated as green manure. After 90 days, the presence of bacteria and fungi was evaluated. Metabarcoding was employed, and the 16S rRNA and ITS2 amplicons were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The sequences were processed using various bioinformatics tools. The results indicate that soils have a high diversity of bacteria and fungi. Likewise, in plots where the presence and action of natural biocontrol is suppressed (C0 and P0), pathogenic fungi increase their population in the fallow period (C1), while in P1, the addition of Crotalaria as a green manure promotes an increase in the population of bacteria and fungi, and at the same time it suppresses pathogenic fungi. The genera (bacterial and/or fungal) that increase due to the effect of Crotalaria are beneficial because they are involved as degraders of organic matter, promotion of plant growth and biological control of pathogens. Crotalaria is an alternative to improve soil fertility, increase the beneficial bacterial population, and reduce pathogenic fungi.

Increasing Yield more than Maintaining Fertile Soils Motivated the Choice of Climate-Smart Soil Technologies among Greater Lira Pigeon Pea Farmers

Pigeon pea farmers in Gerater Lira, Uganda, fight the adverse effects of climate change and deteriorating soil fertility. They are combining different strategies and adopting climate-smart soil technologies (CSS technologies) to maintain fertile soil and increase yields. The study explored how the motive for maintaining fertile soils affected CSS technologies' choice. A sample of 39 farmers participated in laddering interviews. Data was analyzed by the means-end chain (MEC) framework and the centrality index (CI) technique. MEC results indicate that farmers predominantly linked crop diversification, addressed dietary needs, increased yields, and increased incomes. In addition, they paid less attention to maintaining fertile soils. Results of the CI highlight goal priorities by gender subgroups with females aged at least 40 paying more attention to producing food, soil fertility, and improving health, while male farmers of the same age category were inclined to spread production risk. Results further showed that male farmers below 40 years of age tend to produce for markets and benevolent, while their female counterparts tend to maintain soil nutrients. Our overall findings could help in the development of targeted strategies to encourage a wider spread of CSS technology use for climate-smart agriculture. This could enhance agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. We recommend encouraging farmers to apply CSS technologies while considering the long-term effects they might have on soil fertility. we further recommend that farmers intensify residual retention to improve soil fertility without requiring money to purchase inorganic fertilizer.

Spatial Variability of Micronutrient Status in Miyawaki Forest Development

Aim: This study aims to quantitatively analyze the spatial variability in the micronutrient status of soil by conducting a comparative assessment of soil samples from Miyawaki forest and adjacent barren land. By focusing on key parameters such as soil pH, organic matter content and micronutrient levels, the changes brought by the Miyawaki method of afforestation is being studied. Study Design: Soil samples were collected from the first Miyawaki forest established in Kerala and a comparative study was done with neighbouring undisturbed plot to analyse the changes that was brought about by the establishment of Miyawaki forest in the area. Place and Duration of Study: The Miyawaki forests selected for study was located in Puliyarakonam in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. Methods: Representative soil samples were collected from the Miyawaki forest lands and neighbouring undisturbed plot from two depths and was subjected to various analyses. Results: The various soil chemical parameters were found to be enhanced by this method of afforestation indicating an improved soil fertility and soil health. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant benefits of Miyawaki forest restoration techniques on soil properties, which have far-reaching implications for both soil health and biodiversity. A higher OM (4.13%), available micronutrients (B-0.83 mg kg-1, Fe- 39.65 mg kg-1, Mn-30.53 mg kg-1, Zn-12.44 mg kg-1, Cu-8.90 mg kg-1) and pH (5.35) was observed in the Miyawaki forest in the surface soil. It was found that while the pH increased in the subsurface soil all the micronutrient concentration decreased with depth.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PIGEON PEA [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh] ACCESSIONS FOR AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN ASSOSA DISTRICT, NORTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Pigeon pea is a tropical grain legume being cultivated as important pulses for human food, feed and soil fertility improvement. Pigeon pea research in terms of crop improvement is still at a low level in Ethiopia. <strong>Objective: </strong>To estimate the Genetic variability of pigeon pea accessions with respect to important qualitative and quantitative traits and select high yielding grain and promising traits for variety development. <strong>Methodology</strong>: Treatments consisted in twenty two pigeon pea accessions (MPG1, MPG2, MPG3, MPG4, MPG5, MPG6, MPG7, MPG8, MPG9, MPG10, MPG11, MPG12, MPG13, MPG14, MPG15, MPG16, MPG17, MPG18, MPG19, MPG20, MPG21 and MPG22) collected from Assosa area. Treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. <strong>Results:</strong> Qualitative characteristics recorded for accessions showed different modalities and frequencies at vegetative growth stage with the qualitative traits dominated were semi-spreading growth habit 65 %, leaflet shape with lanceolate 70 %, color about 44 % of the accessions exhibited yellow, seed size where 55 % accounted large sized, seed color pattern: 52% of accessions showed plain, pod color where 56 % genotypes had purple, seed with red dominated was 50 % and 71 % of accessions had totally pigmented pod. With respect to quantitative traits, genotypes accessions MPG11 and MPG15 had relatively higher grain yield (> 4000 kg/ ha) with the highest grain yield recorded for genotype MPG18. <strong>Implications:</strong> The investigation of the present study for morphological evaluation of genotype Pigeon pea exhibited genetic variability among accession. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Agronomic traits such as plant height, branches per plant, pods per plant, seeds per pod, pod length, pod width, hundred seed weight and grain yield for accessions were exhibited significant differences which suggest high yielding accessions could be directly recommended for production while others could be utilized effectively to develop high yielding varieties through hybridization followed by selection. </p>

THE INFLUENCE OF LOCAL WISDOM ON SOIL FERTILITY IN SOUTH NIAS

This study aims to explore the influence of local wisdom on soil fertility in South Nias. Local wisdom, which includes traditional agricultural practices such as the use of organic fertilizers, crop rotation, and sustainable forest management, has proven effective in enhancing soil quality and productivity. Through a literature review approach, data were collected from various sources to analyze the relationship between local practices and soil fertility. The results indicate that local wisdom not only improves soil fertility but also contributes to environmental preservation and ecosystem sustainability. These findings underscore the importance of integrating local wisdom into modern agricultural practices to achieve sustainable food security and community well-being in South Nias.

Impact of Bacillus Inoculation on Rhizosphere Bacterial Community Structure: A Review

The rhizosphere is a specialized zone where plant roots interact with the soil microbiome. Among various beneficial microbes, the genus Bacillus stands out due to its diverse functionalities and potential to boost plant growth and resilience. Bacillus is a key genus of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) known for enhancing nutrient availability, producing phytohormones, and inducing plant resistance to pathogens. Inoculating Bacillus species into the rhizosphere can significantly alter the bacterial community's structure and composition. These alterations are driven by the competitive and cooperative interactions between Bacillus and the native rhizosphere microorganisms. Incorporating soil microorganisms into the host plant's beneficial bacterial community improves soil nutrient cycling and nutrient use efficiency. Using microbial inoculants is an effective strategy to address crop succession challenges, enhance microbial community structure, and improve soil fertility, thereby promoting crop growth. This review thoroughly examines the current understanding of how Bacillus inoculation impacts rhizosphere bacterial community structure.

Intercropping grapevine with rosemary: A promising alternative to conventional agriculture in the current frame of global change

The Mediterranean region is well known for its long history of viticulture and the use of herbs and spices in its cuisine. Given the increasing focus on intercropping as a sustainable agricultural approach to maximize land use efficiency or improve soil fertility amid global change, we conducted a study to assess the feasibility of intercropping grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Merlot) with rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) in a Mediterranean vineyard. The trial was established in a 22-year-old vineyard, where rows of rosemary plants were cultivated between grapevine rows one year prior to the evaluation. To test intercropping feasibility and the abiotic stress effects on the harvest of rosemary, two sampling dates were set to monitor grape maturation (veraison and harvest) and rosemary quality in terms of antioxidant contents and composition, so that both crops were simultaneously analyzed under typical Mediterranean conditions, using both physiological and quality parameters. Results showed that intercropping with young rosemary plants did not affect grapevine physiology state, and observed differences in the two samplings were due to environmental stress only, indicating a positive coexistence between these crops in the context of global change. Regarding grape quality, variations in total soluble sugars, titratable acidity, and phenolic compounds were influenced by ripening during the summer, but not by intercropping, thus maintaining fruit quality. Rosemary contained high levels of antioxidants and exhibited strong antioxidant activity, particularly during mid-August (coinciding with vintage), indicating its potential as a valuable source of natural antioxidants for dietary intake, including phenolic diterpenes, vitamin C, and vitamin E. In conclusion, intercropping grapevines with rosemary did not negatively impact plant physiological performance or grape quality, promoting the production of two high-quality products with significant added value in the food sector under current stressful Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria for sustainable tomato production

Numerous phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are found in the rhizosphere, benefiting the host plant in different mechanisms and promoting sustainable agriculture. They improve soil fertility with minimum cost requirements using an eco-friendly approach, which is an essential attribute for small-scale farm production. Thus, isolation, characterization, and evaluation of symbiotic effectiveness are hierarchical procedures to develop bioinoculants. Using a dual (plate and liquid medium) screening technique and a greenhouse trial, four potential PSB strains (Mk-1–25, Mk-13–16, Mk-20–7, and Mk-20–20) were selected from tomato rhizosphere soil. All isolates exhibited the following traits: produced colony clear-zone, lowered liquid medium pH, gram-positive, produced urease and IAA, dissolved substantial P from various substrates, symbiotically effective, and improved tomato growth and yield. Taxonomically, they belong to Bacillus and Priestia species (i.e., Mk-1–25 Bacillus halotolerance, Mk-13–16 Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Mk-20–7 Bacillus megaterium, and Mk-20–20 Priestia megaterium). Among the current strains, Bacillus halotolerance recorded higher SI (3.11), was able to grow in extreme conditions (10% salt, up to 45 °C), produced HCN and siderophore, and improved tomatoes’ shoot length and weight, in contrast, Mk-20–20 produced HCN, siderophore, was able to fix nitrogen, improved tomato germination, shoot dry weight, and fruit weight. Various P-supplements (Ca3(PO4)2, bonemeal, FePO4, AlPO4, compost, and DAP fertilizer) were added to induce tomato-strain symbiotic interaction; hence, compost substantially promoted the interaction and resulted in higher symbiotic effectiveness. Ca3(PO4)2 was a good media composite preferred by most PSB strains; consequently, a higher concentration (219 µg/ml) of dissolved P was recorded from the liquid medium after 10 days of incubation than other substrates. Based on the data obtained from laboratory and greenhouse trials, the current strains were found to be potential candidate. Future work should confirm their efficacy at the field level using model host crops at different sites to recommend them as farm inputs and biofertilizer.

Pecan-medicinal crops intercropping improved soil fertility and promoted interactions between soil microorganisms and metabolites

BackgroundPecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) Koch] is a widely cultivated dried fruit and woody oil tree with high economic value. Continuous sole planting of pecan caused some land to lie idle and deterioration of soil conditions. Tree and medicinal crops intercropping represents an environmental-friendly and economically feasible solution to these issues. Thus, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanism by which intercropping improved soil condition by regulating the interactions of the soil microbiome and metabolome. In this study, pecans were intercropped with medicinal crops caper spurge and honeysuckle on a tree farm in China. A combined analysis of soil microbiomes and metabolomes was performed to discover the effects of intercropping on bulk and rhizosphere soils.ResultsThe results showed that intercropping improved the edaphic properties of bulk soil and promoted the growth of pecan and caper spurge. Intercropping also significantly altered the structures of both bacterial and fungal communities in bulk soil, stabilised the enrichment of nitrogen-cyclic bacteria, for instance, Bacillus, and decreased the relative abundances of plant–pathogenic fungi, for instance, Fusarium. In addition, the result of metabolomic analysis showed that intercropping promoted the synthesis of functional compounds, such as trehalose and ethanolamine, which enhanced plant disease resistance in bulk soils. Moreover, the co-occurrence networks of microbiomes and metabolomes of bulk soils revealed that Bacillus was significantly correlated with Fusarium, Alternaria, and trehalose under intercropping patterns. Furthermore, analysis of microbiomes and metabolomes in the rhizosphere soil of caper spurge and honeysuckle revealed that Penicillium and Rhizomicrobium were significantly increased by intercropping and showed more dynamic connections with other genera and metabolites compared with single planting.ConclusionsOverall, intercropping pecans with caper spurge and honeysuckle can improve soil conditions and promote plant growth through microbiological and metabolomics integrated analyses. This study provides valuable information and theoretical basis for optimizing land resource utilisation and improving soil conditions in tree fields like pecan fields via intercropping, thereby reducing production losses and ensuring economic benefits.Graphical

Biochar as a strategy to manage stem rot disease of groundnut incited by Sclerotium rolfsii

Due to the pathogen’s ability to survive in the soil for longer durations, soil-borne diseases are often difficult to control. This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of biochar on the management of stem rot disease in groundnut and its influence on soil properties and microbial communities. The effects of biochar at different concentrations, such as 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% on groundnut stem rot disease incited by Sclerotium rolfsii were evaluated thoroughly. Under laboratory conditions, biochar exhibited no direct inhibitory effects on S. rolfsii at varying concentrations but revealed an indirect suppression of sclerotial body production, suggesting a concentration-dependent influence on pathogen resting structures. Further, it was observed that biochar treatments effectively delayed symptom onset and reduced disease progression in groundnut plants, with significant variation observed among genotypes and biochar concentrations. Notably, interactions involving genotypes ICGV 171002 and ICGV 181035 with BC2 + Sr (3% conc. of biochar + S. rolfsii) and BC3 + Sr (5% conc. of biochar + S. rolfsii) treatments showed superior efficacy in disease reduction under controlled conditions. Field evaluations confirmed these findings, highlighting genotype-specific responses to biochar treatments. However, no significant difference was observed between BC2 + Sr (3%) and BC3 + Sr (5%) treatments in managing stem rot disease compared to controls. Biochar application significantly increased soil nutrient levels, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and increased soil organic matter content, EC, pH, emphasizing its potential to improve soil fertility. Overall, these findings highlight the potential benefits of biochar for sustainable agriculture through disease management, soil nutrient enrichment, and microbial modulation, warranting further investigation into optimal application strategies across different agricultural contexts.

Impact of biogas adoption on household energy use and livelihood improvement in Kenya: an overview on a roadmap toward sustainability

Purpose This study assesses the impact of biogas adoption on household energy use and livelihood improvement. Also, this study aims to clarify the benefits of biogas adoption as a pathway to sustainable household energy. Design/methodology/approach The study explored the benefits of adopting biogas uptake. Fourteen sustainability indicators were identified, validated and categorized. Findings Adopting biogas technology provides numerous benefits, including better air quality, reduced deforestation and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Households can replace up to 4.5 tons of wood fuel, cutting CO2 emissions by around 6.75 tons annually. This shift saves approximately US$25 (Ksh.3223) monthly and frees up 45.5 h per week, enabling families to pursue additional income-generating activities. Biogas also produces digestate, a natural fertilizer that improves soil fertility, water retention and reduces erosion while minimizing the need for chemical fertilizers. Integrating biogas in livestock housing reduces odors, pathogens and methane emissions. Research limitations/implications The findings demonstrate numerous social, economic and environmental implications of biogas use. Social implications Health benefits include lower exposure to smoke and particulate matter, particularly benefiting women and children by reducing respiratory issues, improving lighting and enhancing educational opportunities. Biogas further improves hygiene, promotes cleanliness, strengthens energy security and alleviates energy poverty. In addition, the construction, operation and maintenance of biogas systems create jobs, and the use of digestate enhances agricultural productivity. Originality/value This study provides a unique and thorough analysis of the benefits of biogas, offering valuable insights and outlining a sustainable approach.