Search Results (1,926)

Biomass ashes represent a promising secondary phosphorus (P) source, yet their agronomic performance depends on feedstock origin, processing, and crop-specific interactions. This study evaluated the P fertilizer efficacy of raw and processed biomass ashes derived from cereal straw and paludiculture biomass, compared with triple superphosphate (TSP), using two sequential greenhouse pot experiments with maize, amaranth, and blue lupine. Processed ash products, particularly compacted ashes and ash–straw mixtures, increased plant biomass and P uptake to levels comparable to or exceeding those achieved with TSP. The cumulative P uptake of the three crops reached up to 250–300 mg pot⁻¹ under processed ash treatments, exceeding the uptake under TSP (≈150–180 mg pot⁻¹) and the unfertilized control (≤80 mg pot⁻¹). However, crop-specific differences were observed: amaranth benefited most from the ash products, whereas combinations of ashes with lupine were less favorable. Beside acting as a P source, processed biomass ashes also increased soil pH by about 0.5 units, improved soil aggregation by increasing macroaggregates (>2 mm) to up to 20% compared with only about 7% in TSP and the control, and promoted favorable shifts in Hedley P fractions. Soil enzyme activities were governed primarily by crop species, with amaranth stimulating phosphatase activity the most. Further research should aim to refine crop-specific application strategies for processed biomass ashes and to elucidate their impacts on soil structure and P dynamics. Full article

Recently, the EU approved RENURE-criteria materials to be used as substitutes for synthetic N fertilisers. Several studies have been performed on the agronomic efficacy and potential environmental impacts of different bio-based fertilisers (BBFs) from biomass recovery, including the RENURE-criteria materials. But information is lacking about their effectiveness under abiotic stress conditions like salinity and drought. The predictions for climate change-induced increased drought and soil salinisation for the European soils have also increased, making it inevitable to understand BBF performance in these impending situations. Two RENURE-criteria top-priority materials (ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulphate (AS) and another commercially used BBF—an evaporator concentrate (CaE)) were evaluated in a pot trial growing spinach under salinity and drought stress with a reference ‘no stress’ condition to examine crop growth, nutrient uptake, and nitrogen fertiliser replacement value (NFRV). Agronomically, BBFs performed at par with the synthetic fertiliser (SF) under unstressed and salt-stressed conditions, whereas, under drought stress, BBFs outperformed the SF treatment. AS exhibited the highest yield and nutrient uptake, displaying an NFRV of 3.1 and 1.8 under no-stress and salt-stress conditions, respectively. Salt stress did not negatively impact the crops grown in this trial, potentially due to the higher potassium content in the system, which alleviated the possible negative impacts of high sodium. This study delves into the agronomic response, without evaluating crop physiological changes, and, hence, should be taken as a preliminary step into further investigation of observed elemental interactions (that could be potentially driving stress mitigation) while also examining the crop physiology during the duration of stress. Full article

Balsam fir is an important specialty horticultural crop in eastern North America and commonly harvested for use as Christmas trees. Postharvest quality is a major challenge for producers, who are particularly concerned about postharvest needle retention. It was hypothesized that pyroligneous acid (PA) would help increase postharvest needle retention in balsam fir when supplied via xylem or foliage. This project first identified foliar spraying as the best application method, then designed a multivariate experiment with two factors. The first factor was foliar treatment (control, water, 1% PA, 2% PA, and 4% PA). The second factor was time, where branches were evaluated for needle abscission at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after harvest. The experiment was replicated 5 times and needle abscission, water uptake, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, total phenolics, membrane injury, proline, and H₂O₂ production were all measured in response. Postharvest abscission reached 100% over the 8-week experiment and water uptake decreased by over 80%. Chlorophyll, proline, membrane injury, and H₂O₂ production all increased over time. Although PA did not improve needle retention compared to the control under the tested conditions, 4% PA spray increased proline concentration by 40% while decreasing membrane injury by 26%. Ultimately, PA did not consistently improve needle retention but did induce proline accumulation and membrane protection. Full article

Delayed sowing has become a key constraint on winter wheat production in the Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi Province, China, due to the widespread adoption of late-maturing maize and the delayed harvest of preceding crops. A two-year field experiment was conducted on the Guanzhong Plain to elucidate the physiological mechanisms behind yield reduction under delayed sowing and to explore potential mitigation strategies. The study examined the effects of sowing time (normal, 10-day delay, and 20-day delay) and plastic film mulching on yield components, crop development, and water and nitrogen uptake and use in winter wheat. Compared to normal sowing, delayed sowing significantly reduced grain yield (7.64–17.19%), spike number (11.65–21.3%), 1000-grain weight (5.2–9.05%), growth duration (7–16 d), dry matter accumulation (21.79–58.07%), and partial factor productivity of nitrogen fertilizer (7.64–17.2%). Late sowing slowed overall growth and development, shortened the growth cycle, and suppressed root system expansion and plant height, particularly under the 20-day delay. However, plastic film mulching under delayed sowing improved seedling emergence, root growth, tiller number (8.42–51.23%), water use efficiency (10.15–18.15%), and nitrogen productivity, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of delayed sowing on resource capture. Mulching enabled wheat sown with a 10-day delay to achieve yields comparable to normal-sown crops and alleviated 9.1–10.3% of the yield loss under a 20-day delay, although it did not fully restore yields to the non-delayed level. These findings provide practical insights for managing winter wheat under delayed sowing conditions. Full article

Soil contamination by heavy metals (HMs) threatens crop productivity, food safety, and ecosystem health, especially in intensively cultivated Mediterranean regions. This study investigated the influence of soil HM contamination on nutrient uptake, photosynthetic traits, and metal bioaccumulation in avocado (Persea americana Mill.) orchards. Twenty orchard sites were sampled, collecting paired soil and mature leaf samples. Soil physicochemical properties and HM concentrations were determined, while leaves were analyzed for macro- and micronutrients, photosynthetic pigments, and metal contents. Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs) were computed, and multivariate analyses (Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR)) were applied to assess soil–plant relationships, complemented by Monte Carlo simulations to quantify probabilistic contamination risks. Results revealed substantial inter-site variability, with leaf Cd and Pb concentrations reaching 0.92 and 3.54 mg/kg, and BAF values exceeding 1 in several orchards. PLSR models effectively predicted leaf Cd (R² = 0.789) and Pb (R² = 0.772) from soil parameters. Monte Carlo simulations indicated 15–25% exceedance of FAO/WHO safety limits for Cd and Pb. These findings demonstrate that soil metal accumulation substantially alters avocado nutrient balance and photosynthetic efficiency, highlighting the urgent need for site-specific soil monitoring and sustainable remediation strategies in contaminated orchards. Full article

Climate change brings considerable danger to India’s economic progress, with the agricultural sector and farmers’ livelihoods being particularly vulnerable. Himachal Pradesh is especially susceptible owing to its reliance on climate-sensitive economic activities and limited capacity to adapt to climate variability. Strengthening adaptation strategies in Himachal Pradesh is crucial for fortifying the resilience of communities reliant on environmental resources for their sustenance and economic well-being. This study examines the extent of adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs), identifies the factors influencing their uptake, and assesses their impact on the livelihood vulnerability of farm households in the temperate region of Himachal Pradesh. Using a multistage random sampling framework, data were collected from 432 farm households through primary surveys and secondary sources. The analysis employs descriptive statistics, a composite livelihood vulnerability index, and Ordinal Logistic and Multiple Linear Regression models. Results show higher adoption of low-cost practices such as composting, fruit-based agroforestry, crop–livestock integration, and mulching, while capital-intensive practices like micro-irrigation were limited due to financial constraints. Adoption is positively influenced by education, extension access, farming experience, financial resources, and climate information exposure. Importantly, CSAPs adoption is found to significantly reduce livelihood vulnerability, indicating enhanced resilience and reduced exposure to climate-induced risks among farm households. The findings highlight climate-smart agriculture as an effective adaptation strategy and underscore the need for policies that strengthen extension services, improve access to credit, and promote affordable climate-smart technologies to enhance resilience in vulnerable hill regions. Full article

This systematic review critically evaluates and synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy of biostimulants in enhancing soybean seed yield and quality. A comprehensive literature search was conducted following the PRISMA approach using the Web of Science (WoS) database, focusing on peer-reviewed studies from 2014 to 2025 reporting on the effects of biostimulants applied alone or in combination with other agro-inputs on soybean performance. Over 500 publications were retrieved from the database, of which 72 were included in this review. Extracted data were used to calculate changes in yield (kg ha⁻¹), percentage yield increase (%), oil content (%), and protein concentration (%). Our synthesis demonstrated that the sole application of biostimulants, including seaweed extracts, humic acids, amino acids, and beneficial microbes (Bradyrhizobium, PGPR, AMF), consistently enhanced soybean yield by 4% to 65%, while their interaction with other agro-inputs was shown to be capable of increasing yield by more than 150% under abiotic stress conditions, indicating strong synergistic effects. These improvements are mediated through various physiological mechanisms such as enhanced nutrient uptake, improved root growth, increased photosynthetic efficiency, and elevated stress tolerance. Furthermore, biostimulant application positively affects seed quality, increasing oil and protein content by 0.4–5.5% and 0.5–7.3%, respectively, by optimizing source–sink relationships and metabolic pathways. Overall, the greatest benefits are frequently observed through synergistic combinations of biostimulants with one another or with reduced rates of mineral fertilizers, highlighting a promising pathway toward sustainable crop intensification in soybean systems. Full article

Plant roots interact dynamically with complex environments, and their capacity to adapt is crucial for growth, development, survival, and productivity. Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors have emerged as key regulators in managing the root’s response to various environmental signals. The shift from bulk tissue analysis to single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has enabled the creation of a highly detailed expression atlas for root bZIPs, significantly enhancing our understanding of their functions. This review first summarizes the classification and structural features of bZIPs in Arabidopsis, and compares representative members with their orthologs in cereal crops. Next, we integrate the expression patterns of various bZIP members in root cells and clarify their roles through single-cell expression profiling. Furthermore, we delineate characterized bZIP regulatory modules that respond to signals spanning light, hormones, nutrients, and stresses, thereby orchestrating transcriptional reprogramming to facilitate plant adaptation. By combining single-cell omics with functional genetics, we reveal how bZIPs control critical processes, including responses to light signals, hormonal interactions, nutrient uptake and balance, and reactions to abiotic stresses. Ultimately, this integrated perspective highlights the potential for targeting bZIP transcription factors in the development of climate-resilient crops with optimized root systems, thereby enabling them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Full article

Silicon (Si) application is recognized for its beneficial roles in crop growth. This study examines the effects of two forms: zeolite and sodium metasilicate (SMS), on rice under hydroponic (EP I) and soil (EP II) conditions. Four treatments were used at the early stage of rice: 4 ppm and 2 ppm of Si from zeolite, 4 ppm of Si from SMS, and a control. In EP I, only 4 ppm of SMS significantly improved root traits: total root length (36%), surface area (34%), root volume (23%), tips (46%), and forks (34%) by day seven compared to the control. Zeolite-based Si had minimal effects, except on the average diameter. However, in EP II, all Si forms enhanced root traits: total root length (50–73%), surface area (51–58%), average diameter (32–50%), root volume (54–72%), tips (29–68%) and increased shoot and root dry weights by 19–24% and 79–106%, respectively, compared to the control. In EP II, starting from the first and fifth day of treatment, the Si applied groups showed a significant increase in photosynthetic traits and vegetative indices, respectively. On the last day of treatment, particularly for 2 ppm of Si zeolite, the electron transport rate increased by 5 times, the apparent transpiration by 3 times, total conductance and stomatal conductance by around 50%, normalized difference vegetative index by 6–8%, and photochemical reflectance index by 14–33%. These results suggest that the effectiveness of Si is highly dependent on the growth medium and the type of Si, with soil enabling better Si availability, uptake, and physiological response compared to hydroponics. The superior performance of zeolite in EP II indicates its potential as a slow-release Si source that enhances root development and photosynthetic efficiency over time. Thus, it is concluded that zeolite has more potential in soil, and soluble silicon sources should be selected in hydroponics. Full article

Improving nutrient use efficiency and minimizing environmental pollution from excessive fertilization require appropriate nutrient management supported by continuous monitoring of soil nutrient levels during crop growth. As only a few real-time sensors for the measurement of soil nutrients are available, this study evaluated the potential of electrical conductivity (EC) sensors, which reflect the ionic concentrations of the soil solution, for real-time estimation of plant-available nutrient levels. Nitrogen and potassium were sequentially supplied to achieve cumulative application rates of 25–300% of the nutrient uptake-based fertilization rate. The relationship between cumulative fertilization rate and accumulated sensor-based EC increase was described using linear, polynomial, and nonlinear saturation models. Sensor EC increased linearly from 25 to 125% of the nutrient uptake-based fertilization rate, while higher application rates were better explained by the nonlinear saturation equation. Sensor-based EC showed strong correlation with soil ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), indicating that the sensor effectively reflected nutrient dynamics. In open-field pepper soil, fertigation-induced increases in sensor EC followed the patterns predicted by both the linear and nonlinear saturation models established in the laboratory. These results demonstrate that EC sensors can be used for real-time monitoring of soil nutrient levels and may contribute to efficient nutrient management in open-field cultivation. Full article

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are a staple grain and forage crop with substantial market demand. In China, they are the second most-imported forage grass, only after alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Enhancing the salt tolerance of oats to facilitate their cultivation in saline areas can thereby increase forage yield and promote the utilization of saline land, which constitutes an important reserve land resource in China. This study aimed to identify the bacterial strain Bacillus sp. LrM2 (hereafter referred to as strain LrM2) to determine its precise species-level classification and evaluate its effects on oat photosynthesis and growth under salt stress through indoor pot experiments. The results indicated that strain LrM2, capable of urease production and citrate utilization, was identified as Bacillus mojavensis. The strain LrM2 had a positive effect on shoot and root growth of oats under 100 mM NaCl stress conditions. Strain LrM2 inoculation modulated osmotic stress in oats under 100 mM NaCl stress by significantly increasing soluble sugar and decreasing proline content in leaves. It inhibited Na⁺ uptake and promoted K⁺ absorption in the roots, thereby reducing Na⁺ translocation to the leaves and mitigating ionic toxicity. Inoculation with strain LrM2 significantly increased photosynthetic pigment content (chlorophyll a, carotenoids), improved gas exchange parameters (stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, net rate of photosynthesis), enhanced PSII photochemical efficiency (maximum quantum yield, coefficient of photochemical quenching, actual photosynthetic efficiency of PSII, electron transfer rate), and reduced the quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation. These improvements, coupled with increased relative water content and instantaneous water use efficiency, thereby collectively enhanced the overall photosynthetic performance. In conclusion, strain LrM2 represents a promising bio-resource for mitigating salt stress and promoting growth in oats, with direct applications for developing novel biofertilizers and sustainable agricultural strategies. Full article

Efficient nitrogen (N) management is critical for improving productivity and sustainability in intercropping systems, especially in semi-arid regions. Maize and peanut, the two dominant local crops, were selected to represent a typical cereal/legume intercropping system with contrasting nitrogen acquisition strategies. To investigate how spatial configuration regulates nitrogen uptake and nitrogen use efficiency in maize/peanut intercropping systems, a 3-year field (2022–2024) experiment was conducted on sandy soils in semi-arid northwest Liaoning, China. Six cropping systems were evaluated, including sole maize, sole peanut, and four intercropping configurations differing in strip width and crop proportion, including M2P2 (two rows of maize intercrop with two rows of peanut, M indicates maize and P indicates peanut), M2P4, M4P4, and M8P8. The total land equivalent ratio (LER) varied from 0.65 to 1.09, indicating that yield advantages were highly dependent on spatial configuration. Maize consistently exhibited stronger competitiveness than peanut, resulting in suppressed peanut growth in narrow-strip systems. Increasing strip width and peanut proportion alleviated interspecific competition and improved fertilizer nitrogen equivalent ratio (FNER) and nitrogen equivalent ratio (NER) in intercrops. Although intercropping did not consistently enhance total nitrogen uptake, nitrogen use efficiency was significantly improved. Narrow-strip systems (M2P2 and M2P4) increased nitrogen use efficiency, whereas wide-strip systems (M4P4 and M8P8) achieved yield benefits mainly through enhanced nitrogen uptake. Overall, the results highlight that spatial configuration plays a key role in regulating nitrogen uptake and interspecific competition in maize/peanut intercropping under semi-arid sandy conditions. Optimizing strip width and crop proportion is therefore critical for stabilizing yield and improving resource use efficiency in maize/peanut intercropping systems in dryland agriculture. Full article

Our work develops the structural mathematical framework of the REGENerative Agriculture (REGENA) Production Function, contributing to the limited global literature of regenerative farming production functions with consistency to the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and the underlying biophysical processes for ecosystem services’ generation. The accurate structural economic modeling of regenerative farming practices comprises a first vital step for the shift of global agriculture from conventional farming—utilizing petrochemical fertilizers, pesticides and intensive tillage—to regenerative farming—utilizing local agro-ecological capital forms, such as micro-organisms, organic biomasses, no-tillage and resistant varieties. In this context, we empirically test the REGENA structural change patterns with data from eight experimental plots in six Mediterranean countries in Southern Europe and Northern Africa for three crop compositions: (a) with exclusively conventional practices, (b) with exclusively regenerative practices and (c) with mixed conventional and regenerative practices. Finally, we discuss in detail the scientific, institutional, economic and financial engineering challenges for the market uptake of regenerative farming and the contribution of REGENA for the achievement of this goal. In addition, as regenerative farming is knowledge-intensive, we review the vital aspect of Open Innovation (OI) and protected Intellectual Property (IP) business models as essential parts of regenerative farming knowledge-sharing clusters and trading alliances. Full article

Aluminum (Al), an element that has no biological function described in plants, is commonly found in acidic soils, reducing plant growth, despite some beneficial effects reported in the literature. Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for plants, and Fe deficiency causes leaf interveinal chlorosis. Remarkably, rice (Oryza sativa), a C₃ crop considered tolerant to Al, shows alleviation of Fe deficiency chlorosis when exposed to Al, suggesting that Al can positively impact Fe homeostasis. However, whether this effect is observed only in rice or is common to other plant species is unknown. The rice wild progenitor Oryza rufipogon is closely related to the domesticated species, sharing several traits such as a semi-aquatic habit and use of the combined strategy for Fe uptake. Maize (Zea mays), on the other hand, is a C₄ plant, adapted to well-aerated soils, and uses a classic chelation-based strategy for Fe uptake. Here we used these two Poaceae representatives to determine whether Al excess could alleviate Fe deficiency chlorosis in species other than rice. Although Al caused toxicity irrespective of Fe levels, its addition essentially abolished chlorosis in Fe-deficient plants. The expression of Fe deficiency-induced marker genes was reduced to control levels in both species, suggesting that the Al alleviation effect leads to systemic signaling and down-regulation of Fe uptake mechanisms. Al alleviation partially rescued photosynthetic machinery inhibited by Fe deficiency, suggesting that leaves are maintaining photosynthetic activity when Al is present even under low Fe conditions. Taken together, our data show that the Al alleviation effect is shared by two other Poaceae species in addition to O. sativa and suggest that it might not be directly linked to domestication, changes in C₃/C₄ metabolism, or Al tolerance levels found in different species. Full article

Plant-derived biostimulants represent an innovative approach to enhancing crop productivity, resilience, and quality within sustainable agricultural systems by improving nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and plant defense mechanisms while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs. However, their effectiveness is often limited by poor stability and low bioavailability. Recent advances in nanotechnology, particularly liposomal formulations, address these limitations by enhancing the stability, solubility, and delivery efficiency of bioactive plant compounds. Liposomes facilitate the penetration and systemic transport of active ingredients within plant tissues and enable controlled release at the target site, thereby increasing biostimulant efficacy. This review summarizes current knowledge on plant-derived biostimulants, their classification, nano-formulation, molecular mechanisms, and roles in mitigating abiotic and biotic stress. Special emphasis is placed on liposome-based formulations, including supercritical CO₂ extracts and nano-liposomal delivery systems, with examples such as garlic extract and the EliceVakcina^® complex. Finally, the potential of liposomal technologies in integrated crop protection and sustainable agriculture is discussed. Full article