Purpose: Phosphorus (P) fertilization is essential for citrus establishment in tropical soils, where soil texture strongly influences P availability and rhizosphere nutrient dynamics. This study evaluated the effects of localized P application, alone or combined with zinc (Zn) or a bioinput, on rhizosphere P dynamics, soil enzymatic activity, plant nutritional status, and root development during the initial establishment stage of ‘Valencia’ sweet orange grafted onto ‘Swingle’ citrumelo grown in contrasting soils. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted using rhizotrons filled with clayey and sandy soils under a completely randomized 5 × 2 factorial design. Five fertilization strategies (Control, Monoammonium phosphate (MAP), MAP + Zn, MAP + Bio, and Organic) were evaluated. Soil chemical properties, P fractions, acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase activities, foliar P and Zn concentrations, and root morphological traits were determined. Results: MAP increased available P by 327
This study evaluated the temporal effects of composted biomass from two invasive plant species, Fallopia japonica and Solidago gigantea, on soil physicochemical properties and enzymatic activities under controlled conditions. A five-month container experiment was conducted using five treatments: control soil (C), 50
Co-incorporation of green manure and rice straw may improve soil quality and rice productivity, but whether these responses and the soil attributes associated with yield vary among paddy soils remains unclear. Two field experiments were conducted in a purple soil in Sichuan (SC) and an alluvial soil in Anhui (AH), respectively. Four regimes were compared: chemical fertilization alone (F), green manure incorporation (FM), rice straw incorporation (FS), and their co-incorporation (FMS). Rice yield, soil nutrients, aggregate structure, extracellular enzyme activities, potential carbon use efficiency, and the minimum data set (MDS)-based soil quality index (SQI-MDS) were assessed. Compared with F, FMS increased rice yield by 10.9
Plant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat to agriculture, highlighting the need for control strategies alternative to chemical treatments. Biofumigation relies on the release of toxic glucosinolates into the soil following the incorporation of Brassicaceae plant material or derived products, such as defatted seed meals (DSM). Biofumigation has proven effective against nematodes; however, its impact on soil microbial communities remains poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the effects of biofumigation with DSM from Brassica carinata on soil microbial community and its efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita. Tomato plants were transplanted in pots with naturally infected soil amended with (i) glucosinolate-containing DSM from Brassica carinata (CAR); (ii) non-glucosinolate-containing DSM from sunflower (SUN); (iii) chemical fumigant metham-sodium (VAP); (iv) untreated control (TEST). Root growth parameters and nematode infection were evaluated at the end of the trial, while soil nematicidal effects and microbial community (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) were evaluated 0, 10, 32 and 62 days after trial setup. CAR biofumigation was as effective as VAP in reducing soil nematode population and root infection, additionally promoting root weight. The effects of CAR on prokaryotic community were transient and linked to the nutritional input from plant material, resulting in a general increase in bacterial population. In contrast, VAP induced long-lasting changes in the community and a general reduction in bacterial population. The effects on eukaryotic community, on the contrary, were comparable. Overall, these results underscore the potential of biofumigant DSM amendments as a sustainable alternative to chemical fumigants for the management of soilborne nematode diseases.
Rice is essential for global food security. However, the effects of phosphorus (P) and silicon (Si) interaction on macronutrient accumulation in rice grown in tropical soils remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the persistence of these effects in subsequent crops. This study aimed to investigate the combined influence of Si and P levels on the accumulation of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and Si in the shoots of rice plants grown in two consecutive cycles in tropical soils with contrasting textures. Experiments were conducted in a randomized block design using a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial scheme with four P levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg⁻¹), four Si levels (0, 240, 480, and 960 mg kg⁻¹), and two soil types (clayey and sandy), with four replications. In experiment I, Si and P levels were applied, whereas experiment II evaluated only their residual effects. In both experiments, the accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S in rice shoots was determined. The combined application of Si and P significantly affected macronutrient accumulation, and responses varied with soil texture. In general, the Si–P interaction increased P and other nutrient accumulation, with stronger responses in the first cycle, although residual effects were also observed in the subsequent cycle. The interaction between Si and P can improve nutrient use in rice plants, and its effectiveness depends on soil texture.
Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress that disrupts plant physiological and biochemical processes, resulting in reduced growth and productivity. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of the seaweed (C. flabellatum) aqueous extract and the endophytic fungus (A. japonicus) on the vegetative growth, reproductive performance, nutrient dynamics, and stress tolerance of B. napus under salinity. Single and combined administrations of C. flabellatum algal aqueous extract (4
Understanding the climatic regulation of soil nitrogen (N) mineralization is fundamental to sustaining long-term soil N stocks and productivity in intensively managed agroecosystems; however, the response of temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) to long-term nutrient management remains insufficiently constrained. This study quantified Q₁₀ and substrate quality of soil N mineralization from a long-term maize–wheat Inceptisol incubated for 56 days at 10, 20, 30, and 40 °C under 80
Mediterranean ecosystems are increasingly affected by the rising frequency and intensity of wildfires, requiring proactive management strategies such as grazing or prescribed burns to control post-fire biomass. Despite an extensive body of literature addressing the individual effects of these two disturbances, their combined and sequential effects on soil properties remain poorly understood and heterogeneous. This highlights the need to synthesise extant evidence on fire–grazing interactions and to identify associated knowledge gaps. This study aims to map and synthesise evidence of the effects of fire and grazing on Mediterranean ecosystem soil properties and associated ecosystem functioning. It also seeks to characterise management regimes, identify research gaps, and inform sustainable soil management and conservation strategies. Peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2005 and 2025 focusing on Mediterranean ecosystem soils affected by fire–grazing sequences were included. Both quantitative and qualitative studies assessing physical, chemical, or biological soil properties were considered. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using Boolean search terms related to fire, grazing, livestock, Mediterranean ecosystems, and soils for the period 2005–2025. Data were charted in ATLAS.ti using a standardised coding framework following pilot testing. Three independent reviewers extracted and agreed on study characteristics, soil variables, and fire–grazing regime information. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, primarily conducted in Spain and Israel. The evidence shows a strong emphasis on biological variables and short-term responses, with reported positive outcomes mainly related to vegetation and biodiversity. Research on fire–grazing practices is predominantly oriented towards management and conservation objectives, while physical and chemical soil properties remain underrepresented. This indicates substantial knowledge gaps in the current literature. Fire–grazing research remains fragmented and dominated by biological approaches, limiting a comprehensive understanding of soil processes. Despite its management potential, there is a clear need for more standardised, long-term, and multidisciplinary studies across diverse Mediterranean ecosystem regions to support resilient ecosystem management.
Understanding the changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) content over time under varying environmental and management conditions is important for refining strategies for the maintenance of soil health and achieving sustainable crop production systems. In the present investigation, the RothC 26.3 model has been tested for studying SOC turnover under four tillage and crop residues management scenarios in a long-term rice-wheat cropping system for 13 years in the lowland Terai region of India. Data collected from 13 cycles of long-term rice-wheat permanent plots laid out in a randomized block design were used in this study. Estimates of measured and modelled SOC contents were considered under four different scenarios: Scenario 1-Zero tillage, Scenario 2-Conventional tillage, Scenario 3-Zero tillage + Crop residue mulching, and Scenario 4-Conventional tillage + Crop residue incorporation. Linear correlation between estimates of measured and modelled carbon (C) pools revealed that the RothC 26.3 model was suitable for long-term C estimation in the lowland Terai region. The study predicted that practising Scenarios 3 and 4 improved SOC by 30.9
Soils naturally enriched with rare earth elements (REEs) are an ideal matrix to investigate REEs–microbe interactions, yet the relationships between REEs concentrations, soil microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling genes, remain poorly understood. This study investigated how naturally varying REEs levels shape soil microbial communities and the abundance of genes governing carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling in pristine topsoil. Three undisturbed sites in Southeast China with naturally high, medium, and low REEs concentrations were selected. Soil physicochemical properties, microbial community diversity and composition, and functional C/N/P cycling gene abundances were analyzed through geochemical analyses and metagenomic sequencing. REEs-enriched soils were strongly acidic (pH 4.36–4.72). Bacterial and fungal communities exhibited greater sensitivity to REEs than the relatively stable archaeal community. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota dominated the fungal community, and the archaea community was primarily Euryarchaeota. Functionally, most C/N/P cycling genes were suppressed under high REEs conditions, except those associated with high-affinity P uptake and transport systems (phnC, phnD, pstS, ugpA, ugpE), which were upregulated. These key genes were primarily carried by the Paraburkholderia, Rhodoplanes, and Trichoderma genera. This study elucidates microbial adaptive mechanisms to high REEs concentrations, identifies key taxa harboring functional genes, and establishes a foundational framework for understanding soil–microbe–REEs dynamics. These findings offer insights into anthropogenic soil impacts, while the REEs tolerant taxa identified (e.g., Paraburkholderia, Trichoderma) show promise as bioindicators or inoculants for targeted remediation of REEs disturbed soils.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of nano-silica, nano-zinc, and nano-chitosan in mitigating drought stress in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) by examining growth, physiological, biochemical, nutritional, and fatty acid responses. A factorial experiment was conducted under three irrigation regimes (100
Soil pH is a key determinant of nutrient availability and microbial fertilizer performance. This study evaluated whether an algal biofilm fertilizer (ABF) could sustain tomato growth and nutrient acquisition under reduced mineral fertilization in soils with contrasting acidity and alkalinity. A Chlorella-derived biofilm matrix was produced in a biofilm reactor and inoculated with plant growth–promoting bacteria (Lactococcus lactis, Bacillus methylotrophicus, and Azotobacter vinelandii). A greenhouse experiment was conducted using an acidic soil (Leptosol, pH 6.11) and an alkaline soil (Regosol, pH 7.36) under full fertilization, 50
This study investigated how organic and mineral fertilizer amendments affect the physiological performance of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], nutrient homeostasis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and soil biochemical properties under saline and non-saline soil conditions in a controlled pot experiment conducted to the R1 growth stage. A 2 × 4 factorial experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with two soil types, i.e., non-saline soil (electrical conductivity = 0.28 dS m⁻¹) and saline soil (electrical conductivity = 8.35 dS m⁻¹), and four fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer treatments included farmyard manure (FYM), triple superphosphate (TSP), diammonium phosphate combined with urea (DAP + urea), and an unfertilized control. Chlorophyll index, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), plant macro- and micronutrient concentrations, antioxidant enzyme activities, post-harvest soil chemical properties, and soil enzyme activities were measured. Soil type, fertilizers, and their interaction significantly affected most of the recorded traits. Salinity decreased the chlorophyll index, NDVI, nutrient balance, and soil biochemical performance, while increasing sodium (Na) accumulation. Farmyard manure showed the most favorable results on saline soil by maintaining elevated chlorophyll indices, increasing concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and micronutrients, reducing sodium accumulation, and improving K: Na and Ca: Na ratios compared with the unfertilized saline control. Magnesium (Mg) had a different response, indicating element-specific nutritional control. FYM preserved antioxidant enzyme activities and enhanced organic matter, total organic carbon, available phosphorus (P), exchangeable K, and dehydrogenase activity. Farmyard manure improved soybean physiological status, ion balance, antioxidant response, and selected biochemical properties under salinity, but field and multi-season validation with biomass and yield measurements are needed.
Unraveling how organic fertilization affects microbial diversity, community stability, and network complexity and how these changes affect soil multifunctionality is essential for sustainable agriculture development, however, knowledge of which still has not been fully elucidated. Here, the associations between microbial diversity, community stability and network complexity with soil multifunctionality were assessed using a long−term field experiment. The following four fertilization treatments were selected: (1) without fertilization (Control), (2) chemical fertilizer only (NPK), (3) chemical fertilizer combined with cattle manure (NPKCM), and (4) chemical fertilizer combined with rice straw (NPKRS). Our results indicated that organic residues addition, particularly cattle manure input, increased microbial diversity, stability, and network complexity, along with soil multifunctionality compared with no fertilization and chemical fertilizer only. Significant positive relationships were detected between diversity, stability, and complexity and soil multifunctionality. However, random forest analysis performed that network complexity was a more influential driver of soil multifunctionality. Importantly, partial least squares path model (PLSPM) analysis demonstrated that network complexity, rather than microbial diversity or community stability, predicted the dynamics of soil multifunctionality. Therefore, the return of organic residues provided comprehensive soil function. Our study highlights the importance of network in regulating soil multifunctionality under long−term organic residues application.
Wheat cultivation in sandy soils is frequently constrained by poor nutrient availability, low water-holding capacity, and increased susceptibility to environmental stressors. The study aimed to investigate how pre-sowing γ-irradiation; 0, 25, 50 Gray (Gy) and foliar glycine betaine (GB; 0, 2.5, 5 mM) individually and interactively influence growth, physiological traits, antioxidant responses, and yield of wheat grown under sandy-soil conditions. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using wheat cultivar Sids 12. Seeds were exposed to γ-irradiation (0–50 Gy), and plants received foliar GB applications at the vegetative stage. Growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proteins, proline, phenolics, flavonoids, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, POX) were quantified. Yield components were assessed at harvest. Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and DMRT at p < 0.05. Low-dose γ-irradiation exerted either neutral or positive effects, whereas 50 Gy caused significant growth inhibition and oxidative stress. GB consistently improved growth, pigments, biochemical attributes, and yield, while 5 mM showed variable or adverse effects. The interaction of 25 Gy seed irradiation and 2.5 mM glycine betaine produced the most favorable outcomes across growth, antioxidative status, and yield compared with the 25 Gy control. Although some stress-related metabolites and antioxidant activities peaked under 50 Gy + 5 mM GB, overall growth and yield performance was optimal under 25 Gy + 2.5 mM GB. The interaction of 25 Gy γ-irradiation and 2.5 mM GB achieved an optimal balance between stress signaling and cellular protection, resulting in improved growth and productivity. These findings demonstrate that controlled radiation priming combined with glycine betaine application can enhance wheat adaptation and productivity under low-fertility conditions.
To evaluate whether foliar zinc (Zn) and boron (B) application can improve the physiological performance, nutrient status, seed quality, and productivity of peanut grown under moderate deficit irrigation in monocropping and peanut–corn intercropping systems. Field experiments were conducted during two consecutive growing seasons under hyper-arid conditions in Egypt. Peanut was grown as a monocrop or intercropped with corn under moderate deficit irrigation using alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation. Four foliar treatments were evaluated: deionized water (control), B (10 mg L−1), Zn (325 mg L−1), and Zn + B. Physiological traits, oxidative stress indicators, nutrient concentrations, seed quality, and yield were assessed. Intercropping increased oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant enzyme activities while reducing chlorophyll content, relative water content, carbohydrate reserves, mineral nutrient concentrations, seed quality, and yield compared with monocropping. Relative to the untreated intercropping control, Zn + B application increased chlorophyll content by 55.1
Soil antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) increasingly threaten agricultural ecosystems and public health. However, under long-term fertilization, the mechanisms driving both their interaction with soil microorganisms and their dissemination remain poorly understood. This study aims to assess ARGs/VFs distribution, soil microbial composition, and carbon metabolism profiles in oilseed rape systems. Metagenomic sequencing and the Biolog microplate method were applied to oilseed rape fields under three fertilization regimes: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (FF), and combined pig manure with chemical fertilizer (OF). Compared with CK, the application of OF resulted in the enrichment of a wider range of ARG and VF types. Among these, multidrug, macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramins (MLS), and tetracycline resistance were the predominant ARG types, with total abundance ranging from 68.46
The cultivation of forest in the Tibetan Plateau into agricultural land has significantly altered soil nutrient composition, with soil phosphorus (P) change emerging as a crucial factor impacting ecosystem health and agricultural sustainability. However, the impact of cultivation on soil P remains uncertain. Our study collected 14 farmland-forest-paired samples along an altitude gradient to compare soil total phosphorus (TP) and available phosphorus (AP) between farmland and adjacent forests. The results showed that, cultivation significantly increased soil P content and storage, with higher accumulation of soil P at deeper layer than at surface layer. Specifically, TP in the 0–30 cm soil layer increased by 0.43 ± 0.43 g kg-1 (approximately 105
Biostimulants are key modulators of the plant rhizosphere, shaping microbial interactions and biochemical processes that support crop productivity and sustainability. This review elucidates biostimulant-driven rhizosphere through their effects on enzyme activity, microbial community structure, and metabolic signalling. They also restructure rhizobiomes by favoring beneficial microbial consortia, thereby improving nutrient acquisition, and plant defence responses. At the biochemical level, biostimulants stimulate the synthesis of osmolytes, phytohormones, and secondary metabolites, collectively enhancing plant vigour and crop quality. Recent advances in Omics studies have further revealed molecular interactions between biostimulants and the rhizosphere microbiota, uncovering gene-enzyme-microbe networks that confer tolerance to stresses. Overall, this review positions biostimulants as eco-intelligent inputs at the interface of plant physiology and soil ecology, highlighting their potential to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers, improve soil health, and support climate-resilient, resource-efficient agriculture. These insights converge into a conceptual Rhizosphere Dynamics model linking biostimulant-mediated enzyme activity, microbial interactions, and crop quality.
Textile waste from polyester-cotton (poly/cotton) blends poses an environmental challenge due to low recycling rates and persistence in landfills. This study evaluated the feasibility of converting hospital poly/cotton waste into char via pyrolysis and assessed its physicochemical properties and agronomic potential as a soil amendment for Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata). Hospital poly/cotton linens (68
