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Agronomy
Special Issues
Soil Health to Human Health
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Soil Health to Human Health

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 2731

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Saurav Das

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA 19530, USA
Interests: soil health; soil carbon; biogeochemistry of carbon and nitrogen; soil microbiology; plant–microbe interaction
Dr. Dinesh Panday

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA 19530, USA
Interests: soil nutrient management; nitrogen management; sustainable fiber production; biochar
Dr. Gladis Zinati

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA 19530, USA
Interests: nutrient density; vegetable system production; soil health and human health; antioxidant; grain nutrients

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The "Soil Health to Human Health" theme centers on the vital connections between soil health, plant nutrition, and human well-being. The main aim is to understand and emphasize how the nutrients and biological activity in soils directly influence the nutritional quality of plants, which subsequently impacts human health upon consumption. The vision is to promote research that uncovers the mechanisms and pathways through which soil nutrients and microorganisms affect plant growth and nutrient composition, ultimately leading to improved human nutrition and health outcomes. This theme aims to foster a holistic understanding of the food system, highlighting the importance of sustainable soil management practices that enhance both environmental health and human nutrition.

Under this theme, we welcome research papers on topics including but not limited to the following:

  • Impact of different farming systems on soil health and human health (organic vs. conventional);
  • Impact of soil nutrient availability on crop nutritional quality.
  • Role of soil microorganisms in plant nutrient uptake.
  • Soil management practices and biofortification.
  • Linking soil health to human nutrient deficiencies.
  • Policy and economic aspects of soil–plant–human

We encourage submissions that offer novel insights, utilize interdisciplinary methods, and have practical implications for enhancing both soil health and human health. By bringing together diverse research efforts under this theme, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable and health-promoting agricultural system.

Dr. Saurav Das
Dr. Dinesh Panday
Dr. Gladis Zinati
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil health
  • crop nutrient density
  • organic farming
  • ecosystem services
  • human nutrition
  • human health
 

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 785 KB  
Article
Enhancing Soil Biological Health in a Rice–Wheat Cropping Sequence Using Rock Phosphate-Enriched Compost and Microbial Inoculants
by Kasturikasen Beura, Amit Kumar Pradhan, Sagar Nandulal Ingle, Anshuman Kohli, Goutam Kumar Ghosh, Mahendra Singh, Subrat Keshori Behera and Dinesh Panday
Agronomy 2025, 15(12), 2911; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15122911 - 18 Dec 2025
Abstract
Limited phosphorus (P) availability and declining soil biological health are major constraints in intensive rice (Oryza sativa L.)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems. Rock phosphate–enriched compost (REC), combined with microbial inoculants, offers a sustainable strategy for improving soil biological functioning. A field [...] Read more.
Limited phosphorus (P) availability and declining soil biological health are major constraints in intensive rice (Oryza sativa L.)—wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems. Rock phosphate–enriched compost (REC), combined with microbial inoculants, offers a sustainable strategy for improving soil biological functioning. A field experiment was conducted under a randomized block design with seven treatments involving different combinations of REC, chemical fertilizers, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Post-harvest soil samples from rice and wheat were analyzed for microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), enzymatic activities, microbial populations, root colonization, yield, and P uptake. The combined application of REC with PSB and AMF significantly enhanced soil biological parameters compared with recommended fertilizer doses. Under the REC + PSB + AMF treatment, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities increased by 77.4%, 24.8%, and 18.1%, respectively, while MBC and MBP improved by 51.6% and 106.6%. Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycete population increased by 55.0%, 76.7%, and 82.8%, respectively, as well as mycorrhizal root colonization increased by 18.7%. Grain yield of rice and wheat increased by 16% and 6%, respectively, along with higher P uptake. The integrated use of REC with PSB and AMF improved soil enzymatic activity, microbial biomass, and nutrient acquisition, leading to higher crop productivity. These results indicate that REC combined with PSB and AMF is an effective nutrient management strategy for improving soil biological health, P utilization, and crop productivity in rice–wheat systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health to Human Health)
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19 pages, 2098 KB  
Article
Soil Carbon Dynamics, Sequestration Potential, and Physical Characteristics Under Grazing Management in Regenerative Organic Agroecosystems
by Said A. Hamido, Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani and Andrew Smith
Agronomy 2025, 15(10), 2426; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15102426 - 20 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1504
Abstract
Rotational grazing and cover crops are conservation practices known to improve soil health, particularly soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate stability. Combining both practices may enhance these benefits more than either alone. With grazing lands covering 41% of U.S. agricultural land, adopting such [...] Read more.
Rotational grazing and cover crops are conservation practices known to improve soil health, particularly soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate stability. Combining both practices may enhance these benefits more than either alone. With grazing lands covering 41% of U.S. agricultural land, adopting such methods could significantly impact the soil carbon cycle. A study near Koshkonong, Missouri, examined the effects of regenerative organic grazing with Bubalus bubalis (Linnaeus) on SOC, carbon sequestration, aggregate stability, and soil resistance. The 1620-hectare ranch tested four treatments: rotational grazing with cover crops (RGCC), grazing on native grasses (RGNCC), cover crops without grazing (NGCC), and orchards without cover crops or grazing (NGNCC). Cover crops were seeded twice yearly with diverse species. After three years, SOC increased most in NGNCC (28%), followed by RGCC (13%), NGCC (7%), and RGNCC (4%). Annual carbon gains in surface soils were highest in NGNCC (0.99 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Across all depths, NGCC led (4.88 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Aggregate stability was greatest in non-grazed systems, particularly in fine aggregates, and declined with soil disturbance. Overall, low-disturbance systems like orchards and no-grazing cover crop plots enhanced soil structure and carbon storage. Strategic management is key to improving soil function and ecosystem resilience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health to Human Health)
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21 pages, 1821 KB  
Article
Seedling Priming with Selenium Enhances the Biofortification Strategies in the Production of Broccoli Florets
by Anyela Pierina Vega Quispe, Everton Geraldo de Morais, Debora Teixeira Prado, Gilson Gustavo Lucinda Machado, Pedro Antônio Namorato Benevenute, João Victor da Costa Cezar, Eduardo Valério de Barros Vilas Boas, Guilherme Lopes and Luiz Roberto Guimarães Guilherme
Agronomy 2025, 15(9), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15092207 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 717
Abstract
Agronomic biofortification strategies have been used to increase selenium (Se) concentrations in edible parts, with broccoli cultivation showing high potential. Recent studies have demonstrated that prior application of selected elements during the seedling phase (priming) can enhance agronomic biofortification when this element is [...] Read more.
Agronomic biofortification strategies have been used to increase selenium (Se) concentrations in edible parts, with broccoli cultivation showing high potential. Recent studies have demonstrated that prior application of selected elements during the seedling phase (priming) can enhance agronomic biofortification when this element is applied during the adult phase; however, no such effect has yet been reported for Se. Additionally, Se concentration in broccoli florets may be affected by post-harvest processing, thus determining losses is essential in the agronomic biofortification process. This study aimed to determine whether seedling production with priming using selenium (Se) could enhance different agronomic biofortification strategies for Se, and to evaluate the effect of post-processing on the Se concentration in broccoli. Seedlings were produced with and without priming (75 mg L−1 of Se), and different application methods (soil and foliar), sources, and doses of Se were tested on Se concentration in broccoli florets. Foliar application strategies for Se were more effective than soil application for producing Se-biofortified broccoli. Seedlings produced and subjected to Se application to promote the priming effect enhanced Se absorption and increased Se concentration in broccoli florets. However, the highest Se absorption with a dry mass concentration exceeding 18 mg kg−1 reduced broccoli production, except for Se applied via multi-nutrient fertilizer. Foliar fertilization strategies using 50 g of Se ha−1 via multi-nutrient fertilizer, Se + organic compounds, and sodium selenate, along with the use of seedlings produced with priming and the application of 50 g of Se ha−1 via multi-nutrient fertilizer using seedlings produced without priming, can provide Se amounts reaching the human dietary requirement of 60–70 µg day−1, based on the adequate daily consumption of broccoli (40 g of broccoli). Different processing stages do not cause significant losses of Se in biofortified florets. Therefore, it is concluded that seedlings produced with priming combined with foliar Se applications are effective strategies for promoting agronomic biofortification of Se in broccoli florets for the human diet. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health to Human Health)
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