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Innovative Applications for Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies for Soil Fertility, Plant Growth, and Stress Mitigation

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 1762

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrés García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry; Department of Soil, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
Institute of Agronomy, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Interests: soil organic matter; humic substances; biochar; soil fertility; plant nutrition; stress protection; enhanced efficiency fertilizers; spectroscopy characterization; chemometric analysis
Dr. Danielle Franç Oliveira Torchia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Soil Biological Chemistry; Department of Soil, Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brasil
Institute of Agronomy, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
Interests: soil organic matter; humic substances, biochar, soil fertility, plant nutrition, stress protection, enhanced efficiency fertilizers; spectroscopy characterization, chemometric analysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable agriculture faces significant challenges, including soil degradation, reduced fertility, and the effects of climate change. Biochar and humic substances have emerged as promising solutions, offering benefits such as improved soil fertility, enhanced plant growth, and the mitigation of abiotic and biotic stresses. These materials, derived from renewable resources, also contribute to carbon sequestration, aiding in the global effort to combat climate change. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding their mechanisms of action, their interactions with soil–plant systems, and how to optimize their properties for different agricultural contexts.

This Special Issue aims to present cutting-edge research on the applications of biochar, humic substances, and their engineered derivatives to enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and mitigate stress in agricultural systems. We also seek to explore their broader role in achieving sustainability in soil management, carbon sequestration, and environmental protection. This Special Issue welcomes contributions that bridge fundamental science and practical applications, emphasizing strategies to optimize their use and impact in agriculture.

We invite high-quality research articles, reviews, and case studies on the following themes:

1. Enhancing Soil Fertility and Carbon Management

  • Mechanisms of nutrient retention, release, and availability.
  • Effects on soil structure, water retention, and microbial activity.
  • Biochar and humic substances as tools for increasing soil organic carbon stocks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Plant Growth and Stress Tolerance

  • Applications in seed germination, root development, and biomass production.
  • Mitigation of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, and heavy metals.
  • Protection against biotic stresses, such as enhancing resistance to pathogens.

3. Innovative Technologies and Derivatives

  • Development of biochar–humic composites and engineered materials for specific agricultural needs.
  • Nanotechnology applications to enhance the efficiency of biochar and humic-based solutions.
  • Integration with precision agriculture and digital farming technologies.

4. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts

  • Life cycle assessments of biochar- and humic-based technologies.
  • Role in promoting circular economies and reducing waste.
  • Challenges and opportunities for scaling up in diverse agricultural systems.

Original research articles and reviews are welcome on topics such as:

  • Soil science and fertility management.
  • Carbon sequestration and soil organic carbon dynamics.
  • Biochar production, characterization, and application.
  • Humic substances: extraction, properties, and agricultural uses.
  • Plant responses to biochar and humic amendments.
  • Mitigation of abiotic stresses (e.g., drought, salinity).
  • Development of biochar–humic composites.
  • Nanotechnology in biochar and humic substance technologies.
  • Microbial interactions and the role of soil microbiomes.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions and climate-smart agriculture.
  • Precision agriculture integration.
  • Life cycle assessments and sustainability.
  • Socioeconomic impacts of biochar and humic technologies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Andrés García
Dr. Danielle Franç Oliveira Torchia
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • biochar
  • humic substances
  • soil fertility
  • carbon sequestration
  • soil–plant interactions
  • abiotic stress mitigation
  • plant growth stimulation
  • sustainable agriculture
  • soil organic carbon
  • agricultural innovations

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3753 KiB  
Article
Artisanal Biochar Application: Enhancing Sandy Soil Fertility and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Productivity
by Danielle França de Oliveira Torchia, Tadeu Augusto van Tol de Castro, Natália Fernandes Rodrigues, Hellen Fernanda de Oliveira da Silva, Riccardo Spaccini, Silvana Cangemi, Orlando Carlos Huertas Tavares, Ricardo Luiz Louro Berbara, Everaldo Zonta and Andrés Calderín García
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3306; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083306 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 468
Abstract
The application of biochar as a soil amendment has garnered significant interest due to its potential to enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. This study investigated how the structural and morphological characteristics of artisanal biochars from four different [...] Read more.
The application of biochar as a soil amendment has garnered significant interest due to its potential to enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. This study investigated how the structural and morphological characteristics of artisanal biochars from four different brands (AB1, AB2, AB3, and AB4), purchased in supermarkets, influence the development of rice plants in sandy soil. Spectroscopic analyses demonstrated that AB4 exhibited the highest aromaticity (77%), ensuring structural stability, whereas AB2 displayed greater aliphaticity (47%). Morphological characterization revealed that AB4 preserved the cellular structure of the original biomass. The biochar studied and the doses influenced the parameters evaluated in the development of rice plants in sandy soil differently. The biochar with the highest aromatic structure (AB4) promoted an increase in root area, length, and number of bifurcations, as well as in dry and fresh biomass. The nutrient accumulation in the aerial part of the rice plants was greater with the application of AB1 and AB2 at the dose of 10 t ha−1. Chlorophyll fluorescence analysis indicated improved photosynthetic performance in the AB4 treatment, mitigating initial plant stress and optimizing energy use. This study underscores the potential of artisanal biochar to enhance crop productivity and foster sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications for Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies for Soil Fertility, Plant Growth, and Stress Mitigation)
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14 pages, 1833 KiB  
Article
Synergistic Biochar–Nitrogen Application Enhances Soil Fertility and Compensates for Nutrient Deficiency, Improving Wheat Production in Calcareous Soil
by Bilal Ahmad, Hafeez Ur Rahim, Ishaq Ahmad Mian and Waqas Ali
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 2321; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052321 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 978
Abstract
Nutrient deficiencies, low organic matter content, and a limited soil–water saturation percentage in calcareous soils hinder plant growth and crop production. To address these challenges, sustainable and green-based farming practices have been introduced. This study investigates the synergistic effects of biochar and nitrogen [...] Read more.
Nutrient deficiencies, low organic matter content, and a limited soil–water saturation percentage in calcareous soils hinder plant growth and crop production. To address these challenges, sustainable and green-based farming practices have been introduced. This study investigates the synergistic effects of biochar and nitrogen levels as sustainable solutions for improving soil fertility and supporting wheat growth in calcareous soils. A pot experiment assessed the effects of biochar (5-, 10-, and 15-tons ha−1) and nitrogen levels (60, 90, and 120 kg ha−1) on soil physicochemical properties, nutrient availability, and wheat growth. The randomized complete block design included three replicates and a control. The results highlight that the highest biochar rate (15 tons ha−1) combined with the highest nitrogen level (120 kg ha−1) significantly (p ≤ 0.05) improved soil physicochemical properties and nutrient status. Notably, soil pH increased by 2.8%, electrical conductivity by 29.8%, and soil organic matter by 185%, while bulk density decreased by 22.3%. Soil total nitrogen surged by 163.7%, soil–water saturation percentage by 27.2%, plant-available phosphorus by 66.8%, and plant-available potassium by 96.8%. Wheat growth parameters also showed marked improvement, with plant height up 29.7%, spike length by 20.7%, grains per spike by 41.5%, thousand-grain weight by 24.7%, grain yield by 81.3%, and biological yield by 26.5%. There was a strong positive correlation between enhanced soil properties and improved wheat growth, except for soil bulk density, which showed a negative correlation. This underscores the role of biochar in boosting soil fertility and crop productivity. A principal component analysis further validated these findings, suggesting that integrating biochar with appropriate nitrogen fertilization offers a sustainable strategy to enhance soil health, manage nutrient availability, and strengthen crop yields in calcareous soil. Biochar application combined with elevated nitrogen levels significantly enhances soil fertility and wheat productivity in semi-arid regions, offering a sustainable solution for improving calcareous soils. Future studies should explore the long-term impacts and scalability of this approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Applications for Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies for Soil Fertility, Plant Growth, and Stress Mitigation)
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