Phosphorus (P) is an important element in a complete and balanced fertility program that can improve crop P use efficiency and ultimately productivity and profitability. Phosphatic fertilizers use without organic fertilizers leads to gradual decline in soil organic matter, native nutrient status and ultimately reduction in agricultural productivity and economic growth. The objectives of this was to evaluate P efficiencies with incorporation of peach sources, beneficial microbes and P application. From sustainability points of view, alternative use of different sources and forms of organic sources alone or in combination with inorganic P and beneficial microbes possess potential for improving productive capacity of the soil. Separate field experiments (one each on maize and soybean as a test crop) were conducted at Agriculture Research Institute Mingora Swat (ARI) for two consecutive years in summer season of 2016 (year one) and 2017 (year two). For the first time such a study were conducted to utilize peach leftovers and biomass (leaves, twigs, fruits, stones and barks partially decomposed, its compost and biochar) along with three phosphorus (P) levels (50, 75, 100 kg P ha-1) and two beneficial microbes (PSB and Trichoderma) on such a way to enhance soil sustainability and P use efficiency of soybean and maize. The results revealed that organic sources had significant effect on soybean and maize P use efficiency (PUE), P agronomic efficiency (PAE), partial factor productivity (PFPp) and soil P concentration. In experiment 1 among the organic sources, peach residues increased soil P (12.0 mg kg-1) as compared to peach compost and biochar (8.6 & 11.7 mg kg-1). Soil P concentration was maximum (12.1 mg kg-1) with PSB than Trichoderma (9.5 mg kg-1). Application of P at 100 kg ha-1increased soil P contents (16.9 mg kg-1) as compared to 50 and 75 kg P ha 1 (5.9 & 9.6 mg kg-1) respectively. P concentration was increased drastically in year 2 (12.4 mg kg-1) than year one (9.1 mg kg-1). PUE in both crops (soybean and maize) was maximum (25.6 & 28.4%) with peach biochar than compost and residues along with Trichoderma (21.7 & 27.8%). Highest PUE in soybean was recorded with 75 kg P ha-1(22.2%) however in maize maximum PUE was noted with 50 kg P ha-1(33.5%). PAE and PFPp in both crops was maximum with biochar and soil application of Trichoderma than other organic sources and PSB. Among the P levels highest PAE in soybean and maize was recorded with 75 kg ha-1whereas PFPp in soybean was maximum with 75 kg P ha-1 and interestingly in maize it was noted with 50 kg ha-1. Conclusively soybean and maize PAE, PFPp and PUE was higher with biochar, soil incorporation of Trichoderma and P at the rate of 75 kg ha-1 and can improve soybean and maize yield and soil productivity on sustainable basis.

The application of biofertilizers (beneficial microbes) represents a transformative paradigm in modern agriculture. This paper delves into the multifaceted benefits of biofertilizers in the context of crop production. It examines how biofertilizers work their magic in enhancing crop growth, yield, and quality, underpinning their pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. Beyond these primary advantages, the paper explores the ripple effects of biofertilizer utilization, where it emerges as a linchpin in the global quest for food security. Biofertilizers not only reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture but also contribute to improving human health. This paper synthesizes current knowledge, revealing that biofertilizers have emerged as a potent tool in addressing the challenges of modern agriculture, from crop enhancement to environmental conservation and public health. It serves as a call to action for their wider adoption, heralding the era of biofertilizers as a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural practices.

Sustainable and profitable crop production practices are essential for intensification of crop yield and system profitability. The objective of this research work was to investigate the impact of peach remnants management along with P and beneficial microbes to enhance S-W system profitability and seed quality. Experiential findings reported that soybean seed quality and cropping system (S-W) profitability improved with the application of organic sources, phosphorus levels and beneficial microbes. Total-saturated fats were observed with biochar application, however promising oil-content, oil-yield, protein and protein-yield was dominated by peach biochar-amendments compared with peach-compost and dry-based residues application. Highest total polyunsaturated fats, oil contents, oil yield and protein contents and yield was found with soil application of Trichoderma than seed-inoculation with PSB. The highest total polyunsaturated fats were recorded with 100-kg-P-ha(-1) application. Highest oil and protein content was produced by the transcendent rate of P application but concentration of total saturated fats was stagger with this rate. Highest net return (NR) and VCR for soybean was documented with biochar followed by compost application while in case of P application maximum NR was accomplished with 100 kg P ha(-1). Soil application of Trichoderma enhanced NR and VCR than seed inoculation with PSB. Total profitability under S-W system when compared over the both years, soil application of Trichoderma produced maximum value coherent to PSB. Manifestation for quality seed yield and system profitability might be the transcendent integrated source is peach biochar with application of 100 kg P ha(-1) laterally with soil application of Trichoderma.

Wise management of indigenous resources replenishes soil nutrients and improves crop productivity and soil sustainability. Three year consecutive experiments were performed in the framework of Farmers Field School (FFS) during 2012-2014. Organic nitrogen sources [animal-urine (AU), animal-manures (AM), and animal manure-compost (AMC) with two application methods [interior-application method (IAM) and exterior-application method (EAM)] and three sowing timing [early sowing (ES), late-sowing (LS), and timely sowing (TS)] were studied. One control plot in each replication was placed as a check. The results showed that among different sowing time, TS has higher grains year(-1), 1000 grains weight, dry biomass, grain yield and harvest index (HI) than LS and ES. AM delayed silking and physiological maturation. A higher grains year(-1), 1000 grains weight, grain yield, total dry biomass, and HI were observed with AMC than control plots. In application methods, the IAM has delayed the silking and physiological maturity as compared to EAM. Similarly, higher grains year(-1), 1000 grains weight, grain yield, dry biomass, and HI were observed with IAM than EAM. In sowing timing, higher grain nitrogen (GN) was observed in TS. Higher GN produced by AMC and AU treated plots. AMC produced 10% higher GN than manures treated plots. The IAM produced higher GN than EAM. The AMC produced significantly higher soil N and statistically at par with AU treated plots. IAM applied AMC, maize grain yield was higher than the AU and AM. In conclusion, AMC and AU embedded in soil with TS can sustainably increase maize yield and soil productivity.

The immobility of phosphorus (P) and its precipitation in the soil is a major fact and remains in place where P fertilizer applied. Without organic amendments and beneficial microbes, P availability is limited in the current season crop. To increase crop productivity and P availability, field experiments were conducted at Agriculture Research Institute Mingora Swat (ARI) for two consecutive years in the summer season (2016 and 2017). The main objective of this research work was to evaluate the impact of peach based residues (partially decomposed, compost, and Nano-black carbon), three P levels (50, 75, 100 kg P ha(-1)), and two beneficial microbes, [phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and fungi (Trichoderma)] on soybean. Experimental outcomes revealed dry matter partitioning and dry weight in soybean stem, leaves, and pods amplified with peach organic amendments and carbon sequestration in soil. Dry weight and partitioning in leaf, stem, pods, and total plant considerably improved with combined application of peach Nano-black carbon, soil application of Trichoderma, and 100 kg P ha(-1) in both stages combine over the two years. It is suggested to enhance P availability in soil, Nano-black carbon and soil application of Trichoderma might be effective with 100 kg P ha(-1) for optimum plant growth, yield, and yield contributing traits.

Phosphorus (P) unavailability and lack of organic matter in the soils under semiarid climates are the two major constraints for the low wheat productivity and profitability. A two consecutive year's i.e. 2017-18 (Y1) and 2018-19 (Y2) field experiment was conducted to study the impact of P and tillage management on wheat productivity and profitability. The experiment was accomplished at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar. The experiment was comprised of two tillage depths, shallow (15 cm) and deep (30 cm)), organic sources [animal manures: (poultry manure & cattle manure) vs. crops residues: (mungbean residues & sugar cane residues) each applied at the rate of 10 t ha(-1)] and four P levels (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha(-1)). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with split plot arrangement, having three replications. Tillage depths and organic sources were allotted to main plots and P-levels into sub-plots. Plot size was kept 3m x 5m (15 m(2)) having 10 rows, 30 cm apart and 5 m long. Seed rate of 120 kg ha(-1) on flat beds were used. The results showed that deep tillage produced maximum number of spikes m(-2) (279) grains spike(-1) (39), thousand grains weight (36.8 g), biological yield (9511 kg ha(-1)), grain yield (3614 kg ha(-1)). Poultry manure produced higher biological yield (9716 kg ha(-1)), grain yield (3664 kg ha(-1)). Phosphorus (P) application at the rate of 90 kg P ha(-1) produced highest grain yield (4068 kg ha(-1) and harvest index (40.4%). From the results it was concluded that most of the agronomic and quality parameters of wheat were higher with integrated use of 120 kg P ha(-1) and poultry manure under deep tillage system. Therefore, application of 120 kg P ha(-1) along with poultry manure and deep tillage system could increase wheat productivity and profitability under semiarid climate of Peshawar..

Phosphorus (P) unavailability and lack of organic matter in calcareous soils in semiarid climates are the major reasons for low crop productivity. This field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar, during the summer of 2015 to investigate the impact of plant residues (PR) (faba bean, garlic and paper mulberry residues) and phosphorous sources [(60 and 120kg ha-1) from single super phosphate (SSP) and poultry manure (PM)] with (+) and without (-) phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on the phenological development, growth and biomass yield of hybrid maize “CS-200”. Among the PR, application of faba bean residue was found to delay phenological development (days to tasseling, silking and physiological maturity), improved growth (taller plants, higher leaf area per plant and leaf area index) and produced the highest biomass yield (faba bean>garlic>paper mulberry residues). Application of P at the rate of 120kg ha-1 from the inorganic source (SSP) was more beneficial in terms of better growth and higher biomass yield (120-SSP≥120-PM>60-SSP>60-PM kg P ha-1). The plots with (+) PSB showed enhanced phenological development, produced significantly taller plants with higher leaf area per plant and leaf area index and produced the highest biomass yield. On the basis of these results we concluded that the application of faba bean residues, phosphorus at the rate of 120kg ha-1 either from organic or inorganic sources with the inoculation of seed with PSB improved the growth and total biomass of hybrid maize in the study area.

Soil organic matter and especially soil carbon is one the major component of soil health to sustain crop productivity and soil sustainability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the most promising organic source for the highest wheat yield production and its impact on soil quality. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of charcoal and compost on wheat yield and soil quality parameters. The experiment was conducted at Matta Circle as a wheat demonstration plot for the farmers of Matta Tehsil during the Rabi season of 2011-2012. The variety used was PIRSABAQ-2004. The experiment was laid down Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, each replication with five treatments. The soil physicochemical characteristics were greatly influenced by charcoal and compost combine application. The results obtained from the study revealed that more tillers plant(-1), number of productive tillers, promising number of grain spike(-1), and 1000 grain weight was recorded with combine application of Compost and Charcoal @ 5 + 5 Mg ha(-1)whereas highest biological yield and grain yield were noted with compost application @ 10 Mg ha(-1). The tallest plants were produced with 10 Mg ha(-1) charcoal application as compared to the combined application of compost + charcoal + inorganic fertilizers. We concluded that combined application of organic (charcoal + compost) and inorganic (NPK) fertilization could be promising in attaining high yields with the advantage of improved soil physicochemical characteristics of the soil to maintain the soil health, sustainability, soil productivity, and ultimately food security and increased yields.

The FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership organised a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to develop reference guidelines on water footprinting for livestock production systems and supply chains. The mandate of the TAG was to i) provide recommendations to monitor the environmental performance of feed and livestock supply chains over time so that progress towards improvement targets can be measured, ii) be applicable for feed and water demand of small ruminants, poultry, large ruminants and pig supply chains, iii) build on, and go beyond, the existing FAO LEAP guidelines and iv) pursue alignment with relevant international standards, specifically ISO 14040 (2006)/ISO 14044 (2006), and ISO 14046 (2014). The recommended guidelines on livestock water use address both impact assessment (water scarcity footprint as defined by ISO 14046, 2014) and water productivity (water use efficiency). While most aspects of livestock water use assessment have been proposed or discussed independently elsewhere, the TAG reviewed and connected these concepts and information in relation with each other and made recommendations towards comprehensive assessment of water use in livestock production systems and supply chains. The approaches to assess the quantity of water used for livestock systems are addressed and the specific assessment methods for water productivity and water scarcity are recommended. Water productivity assessment is further advanced by its quantification and reporting with fractions of green and blue water consumed. This allows the assessment of the environmental performance related to water use of a livestock-related system by assessing potential environmental impacts of anthropogenic water consumption (only "blue water"); as well as the assessment of overall water productivity of the system (including "green" and "blue water" consumption). A consistent combination of water productivity and water scarcity footprint metrics provides a complete picture both in terms of potential productivity improvements of the water consumption as well as minimizing potential environmental impacts related to water scarcity. This process resulted for the first time in an international consensus on water use assessment, including both the life-cycle assessment community with the water scarcity footprint and the water management community with water productivity metrics. Despite the main focus on feed and livestock production systems, the outcomes of this LEAP TAG are also applicable to many other agriculture sectors.

The excessive use of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has resulted in high N loss, soil degradation, and environmental pollution in a changing climate. Soil biochar amendment is proposed as a climate change mitigation tool that supports carbon sequestration and reduces N losses and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil. The current study evaluated the impact of four different rates of biochar (B) (C/B0-0 t ha−1, B1-20 t ha−1, B2-40 t ha−1, and B3-60 t ha−1) and two N levels (N1; low (270 kg N ha−1) and N2; high (360 kg N ha−1)), on rice (cultivar Zhenguiai) grown in pots. Significant increases in the average soil microbial biomass N (SMBN) (88%) and carbon (87%) were recorded at the highest rate of 60-ton ha−1B and 360 kg N ha−1 compared to the control (N1C) during both seasons (S1 and S2). The photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), quantum yield of the photosystem (PS) II (ΦPS II), electron transport rate (ETR), and photochemical quenching (qP) were enhanced at low rates of biochar applications (20 to 40 t B ha−1) for high and low N rates across the seasons. Nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamine 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) activity were, on average, 39%, 55%, and 63% higher in the N1B3, N2B2, and N2B3 treatments, respectively than the N1C. The grain quality was higher in the N1B3 treatment than the N1C, i.e., the protein content (PC), amylose content (AC), percent brown rice (BRP), and percent milled rice (MRP) were, on average, 16%, 28%, 4.6%, and 5% higher, respectively in both seasons. The results of this study indicated that biochar addition to the soil in combination with N fertilizers increased the dry matter (DM) content, N uptake, and grain yield of rice by 24%, 27%, and 64%, respectively, compared to the N1C.

Management of inorganic fertilizer is very important to obtain maximum crop yield and improved nutrient use efficiency in cereal crops. Fixation of phosphatic fertilizers in alkaline soils due to calcareousness is one of the major hurdles. It induces phosphorus nutritional stress that can decrease the yield of maize and wheat. Selection of a suitable application method and proper stage of crop for phosphorus (P) fertilizer has prime importance in better uptake of P and crop production. Among different application methods, soil and foliar application are widely adopted. In wheat and maize, knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + booting are critical stages towards P deficiency. That is why field trials were conducted to evaluate the supplemental effect of foliar P on maize and wheat yields. For that, 144 mM KH2PO4 was applied as foliar at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages in maize and wheat, respectively. Soil application of 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P ha−1 was done through broadcast and band methods. Results showed that foliar spray of 144 mM KH2PO4 at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages in wheat and maize significantly enhanced grains yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) where P was applied as banding or broadcast at the time of sowing. A significant decreasing trend in response to increasing soil P levels validated the efficacious role and suitability of foliar P. In conclusion, the use of P as foliar at knee height + tasseling and stem elongation + boot stages is an efficacious way to manage P fertilizer.

Phosphorus (P) unavailability and lack of organic matter in the soils under semiarid climates are the two major constraints that negatively influence dry matter partitioning and yield in maize. Three field experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of phosphorus, organic sources and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on dry matter partitioning (DMP) of maize during summer 2014 and 2015. The experiments were carried out at Agronomy Research Farm, The University of Agriculture Peshawar. The results revealed that application of P at the rate of 75-100 kg P ha(-1) for open pollinated variety and 120 kg P ha(-1) for hybrid maize was more beneficial in terms of higher DMP and accumulation. Application of compost at sowing time along with poultry manure (5 tons ha(-1)), 2 weeks before sowing of maize increased DMP significantly. The results further suggested that incorporation of legume (faba bean) residues (10 tons ha(-1)) 1 month before sowing significantly increased DMP in maize as compared to the incorporation of garlic and paper mulberry residues. The results confirmed that seed inoculation with PSB increases the availability of calcium bound-phosphorus under calcareous soils in semiarid climates hence increased DMP and accumulation, and total maize biomass.

The world population is increasing to the 7 billion marks and until the mid-2030s, the planet can expect to shoulder annual additions of 50–70 million more peoples leading to an issue of poverty, food securityFood security and access to fertile and healthy soils. Crop productivity, soil fertilitySoil fertility and health are continuously declining due to removal of essential plant nutrients from the soils under cerealsCereals-based system in the current changing climate scenario. CerealsCereals (wheatWheat, maizeMaize, rice etc.) crops provide humankind with more nourishment than any other food class and nearly half of the total caloric requirement globally. As cerealsCereals are exhaustive (decline soil fertility)Soil fertility crops and therefore their continuous growth without balanced nutrients management decline crop productivity, soil fertilitySoil fertility and soil healthSoil health. Sustainable soil management (SSM) practices not only increase crop productivity but also improve soil fertilitySoil fertility, health and sustainability. Widespread adoption of SSM practices generates multiple socio-economic benefits for both smallholder farmers and large-scale agricultural producers. We concluded from the review that integrated nutrients management (INM) improve soil healthSoil health for sustained crop productivity in cerealCereals based system. The concept of INM is the combined application of chemical fertilizersChemical fertilizers [nitrogenous fertilizers (urea, ammonium sulphate etc.), phosphatic fertilizers (Di-ammonium phosphate, single super phosphate etc.), and potash fertilizers (sulphate of potash, muriate of potash etc.) zinc etc.) plus incorporation of different organic matterOrganic matter sources [(1) animal-based sources (poultry manure, cattle manure, sheep manure, goat manure etc.) and (2) plant-based sources e.g. vegetables residues (onion, garlic etc.), cerealsCereals residues (wheatWheat, maizeMaize, rice etc.), legumes/pulses residues (chickpea, faba bean, mungbean, cowpea etc.) and tree residues (peach, pepper mulberry etc.)] into the soil along with application of biofertilizersBiofertilizers (beneficial microbes) improve soil fertilitySoil fertility and health, crop growth and yield, growers income and sustainability. We concluded that INM practices which are one of the best SSM practices are recommended in exhaustive cerealCereals-based system to decrease soil degradation due to nutrients losses and increase soil and crop productivity.

Phosphorus unavailability and lack of organic matter in calcareous soils under semiarid climates are the major reasons for low crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted at The Agronomy Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar (semiarid climate), during summer 2015. The objective of the research was to investigate the effect of plant residues, organic and inorganic phosphorus management on improving yield and yield components of hybrid maize (CS-200) with (+) and without (−) phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement, using three replications. A combination of plant residues and phosphorus sources were used as mainplot factor, and phosphate solubilizing bacteria were used as a subplot factor. The results revealed that plant residues, phosphorus sources and phosphate solubilizing bacteria significantly affected all parameters under study except number of plants at harvest. Application of legume residues (Faba bean) increased ear length (22.9 cm), grains row−1 (46) and ear−1 (419), 1000 grains weight (365 g), grain yield (6175 kg ha−1) and shelling percentage (83) as compared to paper mulberry and garlic residues. Phosphorus application at the higher rate of 120 kg ha−1 from inorganic source (single super phosphate) was superior in terms of higher ear length (24.4 cm), number of grains row−1 (48) and ear−1 (455), 1000 grains weight (380 g), grain yield (6558 kg ha−1), harvest index (42.7%) and shelling percentage (83%) than the lower rate of phosphorus (60 kg P ha−1). Inoculation of maize seeds with beneficial microbes (phosphate solubilizing bacteria) significantly increased ear length (22.9 cm), number of grains row−1 (45) and ear−1 (413), 1000 grains weight (364 g), grain yield (6237 kg ha−1), harvest index (41.8%) and shelling percentage (82) than without seed inoculation. On the basis of our results from this study, we concluded that application of faba bean residues, 120 kg P ha−1 as single super phosphate along with seed inoculation with phosphate solubilizing bacteria could improve yield and yield components of hybrid maize under semiarid climates.

Field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of phosphorus (P) and beneficial microorganism (BM) on the yield and yield components wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Siren-2010). The experiment was conducted under full (five irrigations) and limited (two) irrigation conditions at the Research Farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar during winter 2012-13. The experiment under both full and limited irrigated conditions was laid out in randomized complete block design using three replications. The results showed that irrigated plots produced more spikes m(-2) (254), grains spike(-1) (55.5), heavier thousand grains weight (39.4 g), and higher grain yield (3612 kg ha(-1) than limited irrigated condition. Application of P at the highest rate (90 kg P ha(-1)) produced more spikes m(-2) (260) and grains spike(-1) (52.4), and increased maximum thousand grain weight (39.1 g) and grain yield (3617 kg ha(-1)). Application of BM at the highest rate (30 L ha(-1)) resulted in maximum number of spikes m(-2) (257) and grains spike(-1)(51.7), highest thousand grains weight (39.1 g) and grain yield (3765 kg ha(-1)). The results confirmed that under full irrigated condition the increase in both P and BM levels (90 kg P ha(-1) and 30 L ha(-1), respectively) and under limited irrigated condition the intermediate levels of both P and BM (60 kg P ha(-1) and 20 L ha(-1), respectively) could increase wheat productivity under semi-arid conditions.