Search Results (931)

This study evaluated the effects of applying fecal sludge-based co-compost (CC) integrated with chemical fertilizers on soil nutrient status, organic carbon (OC) storage, and economic returns in paddy soils. Ten integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments were tested, i.e., BRRI recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), CC 5.0 t ha⁻¹, RDF + CC 2.0 t ha⁻¹, RDF + CC 1.5 t ha⁻¹, RDF + CC 1.0 t ha⁻¹, RDF + CC 0.5 t ha⁻¹, 75% RDF + CC 2.0 t ha⁻¹, 75% RDF + CC 1.5 t ha⁻¹, 75% RDF + CC 1.0 t ha⁻¹, and 75% RDF + CC 0.5 t ha⁻¹. Two rice varieties were cultivated over two consecutive seasons—winter rice (boro) and monsoon rice (aman)—in the experimental field. Soil samples (0–15 cm) were collected before and after the seasons and fractionated into labile particulate organic matter (>53 µm) and stable mineral-associated organic matter (<53 µm). Bulk soils and CC were analyzed for OC, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and heavy metals, while the fractions were analyzed for OC and N. Across both seasons, 75% RDF combined with 2.0 t ha⁻¹ or 1.5 t ha⁻¹ of CC consistently showed the highest OC, total N, and soil C stock, with moderate P, K, and S levels. Sole RDF produced the lowest OC and N. Among fractions, stable OC was the highest in the 75% RDF + 2.0 t ha⁻¹ CC treatment, statistically similar to 75% RDF + 1.5 t ha⁻¹ CC, and the lowest under RDF alone. Economically, sole RDF yielded the highest profit, while full RDF + CC achieved competitive returns. Reduced RDF + CC treatments (75% RDF + 1.5 or 2.0 t ha⁻¹ CC) offered slightly lower returns but improved soil sustainability indicators. Overall, applying 75% RDF + 1.5 t ha⁻¹ CC provided the most cost-effective balance of nutrient enrichment, soil C stock, and profitability. This CC-based INM approach reduces chemical fertilizer dependency, enhances soil health, and promotes sustainable waste management, supporting environmentally resilient rice production. Full article

The effects of soil organic carbon fractions and tea enzyme activities on the antioxidant quality of tea leaves were determined. The experiment set up single biogas slurry application and co-application of biochar and biogas slurry (50%, 100%, 150%, 200% slurry substitution for nitrogen fertilizer, 350 °C pig manure biochar at 1% and 2% application rates and 500 °C rice straw biochar at 1% and 2% application rates). The results showed that, compared with the control (CK), the combined application of biochar and biogas slurry had a synergistic effect, with the most significant effect observed when 350 °C pig manure was combined with biogas slurry at a ratio of 2%. This treatment resulted in peak levels of readily oxidizable organic carbon (ROC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil, significantly increasing by 8.43 g/kg and 0.23 mg/kg, respectively, compared to the CK, and significantly enhancing the activity of key carbon cycle enzymes such as β-glucosidase (S-β-GC). These improvements in soil biochemical properties directly translated into improved tea quality: the tea leaves treated under this treatment had the highest content of tea polyphenols and amino acids, and the ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging rates increased by 3.25% and 5.97%, respectively, compared to the CK, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content was the lowest. Mantel test and multivariate regression analysis further confirmed that particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were the main carbon components driving the accumulation of tea polyphenols, while catalase (CAT) and other enzymes were key co-regulatory enzymes. The optimal application ratio of biochar and biogas slurry not only improved tea leaf quality but also resulted in increased SOC content within the study period, providing preliminary evidence for promoting SOC accumulation in the short term. Full article

The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock farming is one of the main challenges for agriculture in the Cerrado biome. Among promising practices, the use of soil remineralizers (REM) stands out as a sustainable and complementary alternative to conventional fertilizers. This study evaluated the effects of applying REM derived from basalt and biotite schist on emissions of N₂O, CO₂ and CH₄, the global warming potential (GWP), as well as on soil carbon and nitrogen in Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás pasture. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with five treatments (control, KCl, basalt 8.33 Mg ha⁻¹, basalt 40 Mg ha⁻¹, and biotite schist 151 Mg ha⁻¹). Results indicated that KCl and high-dose basalt (40 Mg ha⁻¹) promoted greater accumulated N₂O emissions and higher GWP values. In contrast, biotite schist reduced N₂O emissions and showed the lowest GWP (81.67 kg CO₂ eq. ha⁻¹), while basalt at a moderate dose (8.33 Mg ha⁻¹) increased soil C and N stocks. It is concluded that soil remineralizers, especially those derived from biotite schist, represent viable alternatives to reduce environmental impacts and promote the sustainability of tropical agricultural systems in Cerrado biome. Full article

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.), an important legume in semiarid environments, often exhibits low yield, requiring strategies to enhance symbiotic nitrogen fixation and nutrient-use efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of single and combined inoculation with Bradyrhizobium elkanii (strain BR 2003) and Azospirillum brasilense (strain Ab-V5) on nitrogen metabolism, nutrient uptake, plant growth, and residual soil fertility in P. lunatus. Four varieties were subjected to four treatments: control (nitrogen fertilization), single inoculation with B. elkanii or A. brasilense, and co-inoculation. All inoculation strategies significantly increased root nodulation, nitrogen assimilation, and the accumulation of key macronutrients. Root nodulation increased from 1 to 12 nodules per plant in the control treatments to up to 277 nodules per plant under inoculation, while shoot nitrogen content increased by up to 91% in ‘Raio de Sol’ and 87% in ‘Cearense’. Increases in P and K were also observed, including a 48% increase in shoot P in ‘Manteiga’ and up to a 100% increase in shoot K in ‘Raio de Sol’, whereas root K increased by up to 90% under co-inoculation. The ‘Raio de Sol’ and ‘Manteiga’ varieties exhibited the most pronounced increases in growth and biomass. Additionally, inoculation improved post-cultivation soil indicators, including pH and available P and K in specific genotype-microbe combinations, and reduced electrical conductivity. These results demonstrate the strong contribution of microbial inoculation to nitrogen assimilation and nutrient acquisition, supporting its use as a promising alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilization in lima bean cultivation. Full article

Reconciling agricultural productivity with greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation remains a pivotal challenge for achieving climate-smart food systems. This study evaluates the capacity of legume-based crop rotations to balance economic viability, yield stability, and GHG reduction in the North China Plain. A two-year randomized complete block field experiment compared six cropping systems: conventional wheat–maize (WM) rotations and legume-integrated systems (wheat–soybean, WS; wheat–soybean–maize, WSM), under fertilized and unfertilized regimes. Results revealed that nitrogen fertilization increased cumulative N₂O emissions and global warming potential (GWP), with seasonal peaks occurring post-fertilization. Legume systems enhanced CH₄ uptake but showed no significant effect on N₂O emissions compared to conventional systems. N₂O fluxes correlated positively with soil moisture and soil temperature, while CH₄ uptake increased with soil moisture alone. Soybean phases reduced short-term yields by 32–52% relative to the maize yield of conventional systems, but boosted subsequent wheat/maize productivity by 2–47% through hydraulic redistribution and N priming. The wheat–soybean rotation with 200 kg N ha⁻¹ (WS200) achieved optimal sustainability, delivering the highest net profit (8061.56 USD ha⁻¹) alongside a 9% reduction in global warming potential (3980.21 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) versus conventional systems. These findings provide actionable insights for sustainable intensification in global cereal systems, demonstrating that strategic legume integration can advance both food security and climate goals. Full article

Concentrated wastewater streams, like vacuum blackwater (VBW), pose significant management challenges due to their high organic strength and pathogen loads. This review evaluates an integrated biorefinery model employing sequential black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) bioconversion and thermophilic anaerobic digestion (TAD) as a circular solution for effective VBW management. The BSFL pretreatment facilitates bio-stabilization, mitigates ammonia inhibition via nitrogen assimilation, and initiates contaminant degradation. However, this stage alone does not achieve complete hygienization, as it fails to inactivate resilient pathogens, including helminth eggs and spore-forming bacteria, thus precluding the safe direct use of frass as fertilizer. By directing the frass into TAD, the system addresses this limitation while enhancing bioenergy recovery: the frass serves as an optimized, nutrient-balanced substrate that increases biomethane yields, while the sustained thermophilic conditions ensure comprehensive pathogen destruction, resulting in the generation of a sterile digestate. Additionally, the harvested larval biomass offers significant valorization flexibility, making it suitable for use as high-protein animal feed or for conversion into biodiesel through lipid transesterification or co-digestion in TAD to yield high biomethane. Consequently, the BSFL-TAD synergy enables net-positive bioenergy production, achieves significant greenhouse gas mitigation, and co-generates digestate as sanitized organic biofertilizer. This cascading approach transforms hazardous waste into multiple renewable resources, advancing both process sustainability and economic viability within a circular bioeconomy framework. Full article

Artificial cultivation of the endangered medicinal plant Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is a key strategy for resource protection and supply, yet cultivation can cause soil degradation and microbial disorder, while the effect of cultivation on the microbial community and its relationship with soil nutrients remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of artificial cultivation on the soil–microorganism–nutrient cycling system of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, a rare medicinal plant. We compared three groups (Native-wild, Mix-wild, Mix-cultivated) by analyzing soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, community structure, co-occurrence networks, and multi-nutrient cycling drivers. Geographic position drove spatial (landscape scale) heterogeneity of soil nutrients, while cultivation shaped its vertical (soil depth) counterpart. Cultivation altered the natural vertical nutrient pattern via surface fertilization, causing nutrient surface retention. Microbial communities exhibited wild-specific/cultivation-specific responses, bacteria were slightly more sensitive to cultivation effect than fungi. Cultivation altered microbial network complexity depending on the host and increased instability, with only bacterial network associations correlating with soil factors. Fungal diversity and specific taxa became core drivers of multi-nutrient cycling. This study clarifies cultivation’s regulatory mechanism on S. hexandrum’s soil–microorganism system, providing a basis for optimizing cultivation management and protecting this endangered species. Full article

Fertilization regimes impact the carbon cycle processes in paddy soils. However, the effects of shifting fertilization regimes on the structure of microbial communities and functional genes involved in soil carbon (C)-cycling remain unclear. A long-term field experiment was established with three paired fertilization shift treatments: chemical fertilizer (CF) and CF to normal-rate organic fertilizer (CF-NOM); normal-rate organic fertilizer (NOM) and NOM to CF (NOM-CF); high-rate organic fertilizer (HOM) and HOM to CF (HOM-CF). Metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were employed to investigate the effects of fertilization shifts on soil C-cycling microbial community structure, functional genes, and environmental factors. The results showed that compared to CF treatment, CF-NOM significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and the emissions of CO₂ and CH₄ (p < 0.05). The NOM-CF led to significant reductions in MAOC, MBC, DOC, and CO₂ and CH₄ emissions. The HOM-CF shift caused significant decreases in SOC, MAOC, POC, MBC, DOC, and CO₂ and CH₄ emissions. Fertilization shifts had no significant effect on the α-diversity of C-cycling microbial communities (p > 0.05), but β-diversity showed a significant restructuring of community composition. Network analysis indicated that fertilization shifts increased positive microbial correlations while reducing network modularity. C-cycling functional genes responded sensitively to fertilization disturbances, especially key genes in the carbon fixation pathway (cdhDE, cooS). Redundancy analysis indicated that soil bulk density (BD) and POC are key environmental factors regulating functional differences in carbon metabolism, which collectively influenced microbial community structure and functional gene abundance along with other factors. We concluded that the C-cycling process in paddy soil was greatly altered by shifts in fertilization regimes, influenced by microbial diversity, functional genes, and network structure linked to soil characteristics. Full article

Acidic agricultural soils are frequently challenged by co-occurring heavy metal contamination and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While biochar is widely used for integrated remediation, the specific role of silicon (Si) in modulating its effectiveness in cadmium (Cd) stabilization and nitrous oxide (N₂O) mitigation remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the co-remediation efficacy of two types of high-Si (bamboo leaves, ML; rice straw, RS) and two types of low-Si (Camellia oleifera leaves, CL; Camellia oleifera shells, CS) biochar, produced at 450 °C, within a Cd-contaminated and nitrogen-fertilized acidic soil. Results from a 90-day incubation showed that while all biochar effectively immobilized Cd, the low-Si CL biochar exhibited a superior stabilization efficiency of 66.2%. This enhanced performance was attributed to its higher soil organic carbon (SOC) and moderate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release, which facilitated robust Cd²⁺ sorption and complexation. In contrast, high-Si biochar was more effective in mitigating cumulative N₂O emissions (up to 67.8%). This mitigation was strongly associated with an elevated abundance of the nosZ gene (up to 48.1%), which catalyzes the terminal step of denitrification. Soil pH and DOC were identified as pivotal drivers regulating both Cd bioavailability and N₂O dynamics. Collectively, low-Si biochar is preferable for Cd stabilization in acidic soils, whereas high-Si biochar is more effective at elevating pH and reducing N₂O emissions. These findings emphasize that optimizing co-remediation outcomes necessitates a targeted approach, selecting biochar based on the specific contamination profile and desired environmental benefits. Full article

Co-incorporating rice straw and Chinese milk vetch (CMV) residues can enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and productivity. However, limited information exists regarding its effects on SOC and nitrogen (N) pools as well as the sustainability of rice production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of co-incorporating rice and CMV residues into paddy soils with chemical-N reduction on SOC and total N (TN) sequestration, SOC and N fractions, grain yields and the sustainable yield index (SYI) in Ma’anshan City, Anhui Province. The treatments included winter fallow–rice rotation without or with both rice straw incorporation and fertilization, as the control (CK and WF-IF, respectively), and rice-CMV rotation with the co-incorporation of rice and CMV residues under 100%, 80%, and 70% recommended N fertilization (CMV-IF, CMV-MIF and CMV-LIF, respectively). Compared with the CK, the CMV-IF significantly increased the rice grain yield and the SYI by 82.1% and 90.4%, respectively. The SOC and TN stocks under CMV-IF were significantly enhanced by 6.3% and 26.4%, respectively, relative to the CK. The CMV-IF exhibited the highest soil active organic C (AOC) and active total N (ATN) contents, followed by CMV-MIF, CMV-LIF, WF-IF, and CK. Microbial biomass C and microbial biomass N were the primary components of soil AOC and ATN, respectively, and linked more explicitly to the SYI than other soil C and N parameters. Therefore, the co-incorporation of rice and CMV residues, coupled with 70~80% recommended N fertilization, might represent an environmentally friendly field management practice for rice production in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. Full article

Mining and sewage treatment wastes have been accumulating at growing rates in urban areas. Recycling these wastes can be used to generate safe products for various agro-environmental uses, including the synthesis of fertilizers with the potential to sequester carbon (C) in the soil. Therefore, this study evaluated the physicochemical characteristics and C sequestration potential of biochar obtained by co-pyrolysis (500 °C) of sewage sludge (SS) individually or combined at a 1:1 (w:w) ratio with zeolitic basalt (ZB), referred to as SS + ZB_BC. Subsequently, the raw materials and biochars were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, proximate analysis, elemental analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as pH and electrical conductivity (EC) determination. The results show that pyrolysis optimized material properties, especially SS biochar (SSB), which exhibited high stability with the highest fixed C content (13.6%) and thermostable fraction (TSF) of 43%. On the other hand, ZB had a higher pH and a lower EC than SS. Co-pyrolysis promoted complementary effects on the chemical and C stability properties of the SS + ZB_BC combination. The combination raised the pH to a value close to neutrality (6.5), indicating potential corrective action for acidic soils. Furthermore, after co-pyrolysis, the TSF remained high (25.2%) and was classified as a high-longevity material (>1000 years), indicating high aromaticity and C condensation. Therefore, the co-pyrolysis of SS and ZB optimized the individual characteristics of the materials, thereby providing a promising and sustainable alternative for agro-environmental use that addresses the need to reduce C emissions and promote waste recycling. Full article

Rising temperatures, extreme precipitation events such as excessive or insufficient rainfall, increasing levels of carbon dioxide, and associated climatic factors will persistently impact crop growth and agricultural production. The warming temperatures have reduced the agricultural crop yields. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major food crop, which is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change. It is very important to accurately evaluate the impacts of climate change on rice growth and rice yield. In this study, the rice growth during 1981–2018 (baseline period) and 2041–2100 (future period) were separately simulated and compared within the CERES-Rice model (v4.6) using high-quality weather data, soil, and field experimental data at six agro-meteorological stations in Hainan Province. For the climate data of the future period, the SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios were applied, with carbon dioxide (CO₂) fertilization effects considered. The adaptation strategies such as adjusting planting dates and switching rice cultivars were also assessed. The simulation results indicated that the early rice yields in the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s were projected to decrease by 6.2%, 11.8%, and 20.0% when the CO₂ fertilization effect was not considered, compared with the results of the baseline period, respectively, while late rice yields would decline by 9.9%, 23.4%, and 36.3% correspondingly. When accounting for the CO₂ fertilization effect, the yields of early rice and late rice in the 2090s increased 16.9% and 6.2%, respectively. Regarding adaptation measures, adjusting planting dates and switching rice cultivars could increase early rice yields by 22.7% and 43.3%, respectively, while increasing late rice yields by 20.2% and 34.2% correspondingly. This study holds substantial scientific importance for elucidating the mechanistic pathways through which climate change influences rice productivity in tropical agro-ecosystems, and provides a critical foundation for formulating evidence-based adaptation strategies to mitigate climate-related risks in a timely manner. Cultivar substitution and temporal shifts in planting dates constituted two adaptation strategies for attenuating the adverse impacts of anthropogenic climate change on rice. Full article

Synthetic cathinones such as 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) are potent psychostimulants with high abuse potential, yet their systemic toxicity and neurobehavioral effects remain poorly characterized during early development. Using Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos and larvae, we performed an integrated assessment of the cardiotoxic, behavioral, and molecular effects of MDPV. Acute exposure of 3 days post-fertilization (dpf) embryos produced a marked, concentration-dependent bradycardia and atrioventricular (AV) conduction block, leading to reduced ventricular activity and complete AV dissociation at the highest concentrations (EC₅₀ = 228 µM). Quantitative analysis of ventricular motion revealed a significant decrease in cardiac output (CO) at all tested concentrations and a reduction in ejection fraction (EF) only at 480 µM, while fractional shortening (FS) and stroke volume (SV) remained unchanged, indicating predominant chronotropic and conduction effects with secondary contractile impairment. In 5 dpf larvae, MDPV caused a sustained, concentration-dependent decrease in basal locomotor activity (EC₅₀ = 2.51 µM) but did not affect prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response (ASR), unlike dextroamphetamine, which enhanced PPI via dopaminergic D₂ receptor activation. Short-term (2 h) exposure of 3 dpf embryos to 0.4–400 µM MDPV induced transcriptional changes in dopaminergic and stress-responsive genes, whereas expression of major repolarizing potassium channel genes (kcnh6a and kcnq1) remained unaltered. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MDPV exerts potent negative chronotropic effects likely through direct functional interference with cardiac repolarization, while neurobehavioral effects occur at concentrations nearly two orders of magnitude lower than cardiotoxic thresholds, supporting zebrafish as a predictive model for the integrative assessment of psychostimulant toxicity. Full article

Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural crops remain a critical challenge for climate change mitigation. This review synthesizes evidence on cropland management interventions and global N₂O mitigation potential. Agricultural practices such as cover cropping, agroforestry, reduced tillage, and diversification show promise in reducing CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions, yet uncertainties in measurement, verification, and socio-economic adoption persist. This review highlights that biochar application reduces N₂O emissions by 16.2% (95% CI: 9.8–22.6%) in temperate systems, demonstrating greater consistency compared to no-till agriculture, which shows higher variability (11% reduction, 95% CI: −19% to +1%). Legume-based crop rotations reduce N₂O emissions by up to 39% through improved nitrogen efficiency and increase soil organic carbon by up to 18%. However, reductions in synthetic fertilizer use (65% lower in legume vs. cereal systems) can be offset by the effects of biological nitrogen fixation. Optimized nitrogen fertilization, when combined with enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, can reduce N₂O emissions by 55–64%. Complementing this, global-scale analysis underscores the dominant role of optimized nitrogen fertilization in curbing N₂O emissions while sustaining yields. To bridge gaps between practice-level interventions and global emission dynamics, this paper introduces the ICEMF, a novel approach combining field-based management strategies with spatially explicit emission modeling. Realistic implementation currently achieves 25–35% of technical potential, but bundled interventions combining financial incentives, training, and institutional support can increase adoption to 40–60%, demonstrating ICEMF’s value through integrated, context-adapted approaches. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1997 and 2025 were selected to ensure recent and reliable findings. This review highlights knowledge gaps, evaluates policy and technical trade-offs, and proposes ICEMF as a pathway toward scalable and adaptive mitigation strategies in agriculture. Full article

Ecological stoichiometry offers critical insights into nutrient dynamics and soil–plant interactions in agroecosystems. To explore the effects of long-term fertilization on soil–cotton C, N, P stoichiometry and stoichiometric homeostasis in arid gray desert soils, this study was conducted at a national gray desert soil monitoring station in Xinjiang (87°28′27″ E, 43°56′32″ N, elevation: 595 m a.s.l.)—an arid and semi-arid region with an annual mean temperature of 5–8 °C and annual precipitation of 100–200 mm. Established in 1989, the 31-year experiment adopted a wheat–maize–cotton annual rotation system with six treatments: CK (control, no fertilizer), N (nitrogen fertilizer alone), NK (nitrogen + potassium fertilizer), NP (nitrogen + phosphorus fertilizer), PK (phosphorus + potassium fertilizer), and NPK (nitrogen + phosphorus + potassium fertilizer). Key results showed that balanced NPK fertilization significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC) by 22.7% and soil total phosphorus (STP) by 48.6% compared to CK, while the N-only treatment elevated soil N:P to 3.2 (a 68.4% increase vs. CK), indicating severe phosphorus limitation. For cotton, NPK increased seed phosphorus content by 68.2% (vs. N treatment) but reduced straw carbon content by 10.2% (vs. PK treatment), reflecting a carbon allocation trade-off from vegetative to reproductive organs under nutrient sufficiency. Stoichiometric homeostasis differed between organs: seeds maintained stricter carbon regulation (1/H = −0.40) than straw (1/H = −0.64), while straw exhibited more plastic N:P ratios (1/H = 1.95), highlighting organ-specific adaptive strategies to nutrient supply. Redundancy analysis confirmed that soil available phosphorus (AP) was the primary driver of cotton P uptake and yield formation. The seed cotton yield of NPK (5796.9 kg ha⁻¹) was 111.7% higher than CK, with NP (N-P co-application) achieving a 94.7% yield increase vs. CK—only 7.9% lower than NPK, whereas single N application showed the lowest straw yield (5995.0 kg ha⁻¹) and limited yield improvement. These findings demonstrate that long-term balanced NPK fertilization optimizes soil C-N-P stoichiometric balance by enhancing SOC sequestration and phosphorus retention, regulating cotton organ-specific stoichiometric homeostasis, and promoting efficient nutrient uptake and assimilate translocation. The study confirms that phosphorus is the key limiting factor in arid gray desert soil cotton systems, and balanced NPK supply is essential to mitigate stoichiometric imbalances and sustain soil fertility and productivity. This provides targeted practical guidance for rational fertilization management in arid agroecosystems, emphasizing the need to prioritize phosphorus supply and avoid single-nutrient application to maximize resource use efficiency. Full article