Search Results (214)

Enhancing the nutritional content of crops is crucial for safeguarding human health and mitigating global hunger. A viable method for attaining this goal is the planned implementation of various agronomic practices, including tillage and nutrient provision. A field experiment was executed at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences in Gödöllő in the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. The study aimed to assess the effects of foliar nutrient supply and soil tillage methods on the grain nutritional composition and mineral content of winter barley. Employing a split-plot design with three replications, the experiment included four nutrient treatments (control, bio-cereal, bio-algae, and MgSMnZn blend) and two soil tillage types (i.e., plowing and cultivator). The results indicated that while protein content was not influenced by the main effects of nutrients and tillage, the levels of β-glucan, starch, crude ash, and moisture content were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the nutrient treatments and by growing year, treated as a random factor. Notably, bio-algae and bio-cereal nutrients, combined with cultivator tillage, enhanced β-glucan content. All applied nutrient treatments increased the level of starch compared to the control. With regard to grain mineral content, the iron and zinc content responded to the nutrient supply, tillage, and growing year. However, applying a multiple-nutrient composition-based treatment did not increase iron and zinc levels, suggesting that individual applications may be more effective for increasing the content of these minerals in grains. Cultivator tillage improved iron and zinc levels. Moreover, manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) were predominantly affected by nutrient availability and by growing seasons as a random factor. Therefore, to improve grain quality, this study emphasizes the significance of proper nutrient and tillage methods by focusing on the intricate relationships between agronomic techniques and environmental factors that shape barley’s nutritional profile. Full article

Soil organic nitrogen (SON) positively influences crop productivity, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and sustained nitrogen (N) supply. Herein, we observed the effect of different treatments; no fertilizers (CK), chemical fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK)), organic manure, and NPK + OM (NPKOM). This study was performed in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicated that NPKOM treatment significantly decreased the nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions by 19.97% and 17.47% compared to NPK in both years. This was linked with improved soil nutrient availability, soil organic carbon, soil organic nitrogen (SON) storage (10.06% and 12.38%), SON sequestration (150% and 140%), increased soil particulate (44.11% and 44%), and mineral-associated organic N (26.98% and 26.47%) availability. Furthermore, NPKOM also enhanced nitrate reductase (NR: 130% and 112%), glutamine synthetase (GS: 93% and 88%), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS: 79% and 98%), SSs (synthetic direction; 57% and 50%), and decreased SSs activity in the decomposition direction (18% and 21%). This, in turn, inhibited the decomposition of sucrase and enhanced starch conversion into carbohydrates, thus leading to an increase in rice yield and a decrease in N₂O emissions. All fertilizations, particularly NPKOM, significantly enhanced grain protein contents by increasing N uptake and its availability. Therefore, NPKOM is an effective practice to enhance rice productivity, and SON sequestration and mitigate the N₂O emissions and subsequent climate change. Full article

This study evaluates the agronomic and environmental performance of pelletized compost derived from olive mill waste as a sustainable alternative to mineral fertilizers for cultivating wheat (Triticum turgidum L.) under conventional tillage methods. A field experiment was conducted in semi-arid Spain, employing three fertilization strategies: inorganic (MAP + Urea), sewage sludge (SS), and organic compost pellets (OCP), each providing 150 kg N ha⁻¹. The parameters analyzed included wheat yield, grain quality, soil properties, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Inorganic fertilization yielded the highest productivity and nutrient uptake. However, the OCP treatment reduced grain yield by only 15%, while improving soil microbial activity and enzymatic responses. The SS and OCP treatments showed increased CO₂ and N₂O emissions compared to the control and inorganic plots. However, the OCP treatment also acted as a CH₄ sink. Nutrient use efficiency was greatest under mineral fertilization, though the OCP treatment outperformed the SS treatment. These results highlight the potential of OCP as a circular bio-based fertilizer that can enhance soil function and partially replace mineral inputs. Optimizing application timing is critical to aligning nutrient release with crop demand. Further long-term trials are necessary to evaluate their impact on the soil and improve environmental outcomes. Full article

Growing cover crop mixtures is a sustainable agriculture tool that helps to reduce fertilizer use and, at the same time, ensures lower environmental pollution. The aim of this research is to assess the biomass of the aboveground part of cover crop mixtures and the nutrients accumulated in it and to determine their influence on the soil properties and productivity of spring oats (Avena sativa L.). The biomass of the aboveground part of cover crop mixtures of different botanical compositions varied from 2.33 to 2.67 Mg ha⁻¹. As the diversity of plant species in cover crop mixtures increased, the accumulation of nutrients in the aboveground part biomass increased, and the risk of nutrient leaching was reduced. The post-harvest cover crop mixture TGS GYVA 365, consisting of eight short-lived and two perennial plant species, significantly reduced the mineral nitrogen content in the soil in spring and had the strongest positive effect on organic carbon content. Post-harvest cover crop mixtures TGS GYVA 365 and TGS D STRUKT 1 did not affect the content of available potassium in the soil but significantly reduced the content of available phosphorus. All tested cover crop mixtures, including the undersown TGS BIOM 1 and the post-harvest mixtures TGS D STRUKT 1 and TGS GYVA 365, reduced soil shear strength and improved soil structure, although the reduction was not statistically significant for TGS D STRUKT 1. Cover crop mixtures left on the soil surface as mulch had a positive effect on the chlorophyll concentration in oat leaves, number of grains per panicle, and oat grain yield. A significant positive correlation was found between oat grain yield and several yield components, including crop density, plant height, number of grains per panicle, and grain mass per panicle. These findings highlight the potential of diverse cover crop mixtures to reduce fertilizer dependency and improve oat productivity under temperate climate conditions. Full article

The bioavailability of heavy metals is profoundly influenced by their interactions with active soil components (microorganisms, organic matter, and iron minerals). However, the effects of urease-producing bacteria combined with organo-Fe hydroxide coprecipitates (OFCs) on Cd accumulation in wheat, as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects, remain unclear. In this study, pot experiments integrated with high-throughput sequencing were employed to investigate the impacts of the urease-producing bacterial strain TJ6, ferrihydrite (Fh), and OFCs on Cd enrichment in wheat grains, alongside the underlying soil–microbial mechanisms. The results demonstrate that the strain TJ6-Fh/OFC consortium significantly (p < 0.05) reduced (50.1–66.7%) the bioavailable Cd content in rhizosphere soil while increasing residual Cd fractions, thereby decreasing (77.4%) Cd accumulation in grains. The combined amendments elevated rhizosphere pH (7.35), iron oxide content, and electrical conductivity while reducing (14.5–21.1%) dissolved organic carbon levels. These changes enhanced soil-colloid-mediated Cd immobilization and reduced Cd mobility. Notably, the NH₄⁺ content and NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, attributed to the ureolytic activity of TJ6, which concurrently alkalinized the soil and inhibited Cd uptake via competitive ion channel interactions. Furthermore, the relative abundance of functional bacterial taxa (Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadota, Enterobacter, Rhodanobacter, Massilia, Nocardioides, and Arthrobacter) was markedly increased in the rhizosphere soil. These microbes exhibited enhanced abilities to produce extracellular polymeric substances, induce phosphate precipitation, facilitate biosorption, and promote nutrient (C/N) cycling, synergizing with the amendments to immobilize Cd. This study for the first time analyzed the effect and soil science mechanism of urease-producing bacteria combined with OFCs in blocking wheat’s absorption of Cd. Moreover, this study provides foundational insights and a practical framework for the remediation of Cd-contaminated wheat fields through microbial–organic–mineral collaborative strategies. Full article

Coal gangue is a fine-grained mineral with nutrient content, which can be used as a potential soil amendment. Nevertheless, current research on using coal gangue to improve soil water and support plant growth is still insufficient. In this study, coal gangue powder (CGP) was added to aeolian sandy soil. We compared the soil hydraulic properties and plant growth of original aeolian sandy soil (CK) and different CGP application rates (10% and 20%). The results indicated that the application of CGP transformed the soil texture from sandy to loamy, significantly reduced soil bulk density and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values, altered the soil water characteristic curve, enhanced soil water-holding capacity, and increased plant-available water. Compared with the CK group, the emergence rate of alfalfa seeds increased from approximately 50% to over 70% after CGP application. During the growth process, CGP application significantly elevated the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance of alfalfa leaves. Rapid fluorescence kinetics monitoring of leaves demonstrated that alfalfa treated with CGP had a higher efficiency in light energy utilization. However, the photosynthetic capacity of leaves did not improve as the CGP application rate increased from 10% to 20%, suggesting that excessive CGP addition did not continuously benefit plant gas exchange. In conclusion, CGP application can improve the soil hydraulic properties of aeolian sandy soil and support plant growth and development, which is conducive to reducing the accumulated amount of coal gangue, alleviating plant water stress, and promoting ecological restoration in arid mining areas. We recommend a 10% addition of coal gangue powder as the optimal amount for similar soils. Full article

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) is an underutilized leguminous crop, with its grains consumed differently, especially in developing countries. Bambara groundnut (BGN) is the cheapest source of protein and a rich source of dietary fiber, carbohydrates, amino acids, and minerals. It also contains a variety of non-nutritional components known as phytochemicals. The phytochemicals in BGN include polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, phytic acid, oxalate, and trypsin inhibitors. Nevertheless, some phytochemicals are classified as antinutrients because they impair nutrient absorption. Bambara groundnut also contains metabolites, such as epicatechin, catechin, procyanidin, esters, and citric acid. Bioprocessing, such as dehulling, germination, malting, fermentation, ultrasonication, micronization, and others, reduces BGN flour’s antinutrients. However, bioprocessing may increase or decrease the levels of metabolites in BGN flour. For example, fermentation increases esters, whereas malting decreases them. Various studies have reported the use of BGN flour in bakery products, meat products, non-alcoholic beverages, pasta, and others. Thus, this study aimed to review the influence of bioprocessing on the nutritional quality, antinutrients, functional characteristics, and metabolites of BGN flour and its potential food applications. This study will explore the health benefits of bioprocessed BGN flour and promote its use in various food products. Full article

Millets, often known as “nutri-cereals”, have garnered renewed global interest due to their numerous health benefits, rich nutritional composition, resilience to extreme climatic conditions, and minimal environmental footprint. The advent of rice and wheat as staple foods in the 1960s led to drastic decline in millet cultivation worldwide. Recognizing the importance of millet, the United Nations (UN) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets in an effort to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-2), i.e., zero hunger, by increasing millet production and fostering research and development to improve the integration of these grains into mainstream food systems. In recent years, global production of millets has surged, with India leading as the top producer. Millets are nutritionally advantageous, consisting of carbohydrates, antioxidants, and biologically active compounds such as flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, minerals, and vitamins. Incorporating millets into a balanced diet can help control and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammation, and malnutrition due to their enriched vital nutrients, low glycemic index, and gluten-free nature. This indicates a transition of millets from an “orphan crop” to being used as ingredients for products (with or without fermentation) that are nutrient-rich, climate-resilient, sustainable, and health-promoting. Full article

Common beans are a vital source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Increasing common beans productivity is crucial for improving food security and farmers’ incomes globally. This study evaluated the growth and yield responses of common beans to integrated organic and inorganic fertilizers under field conditions at the Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University. The trial was repeated over two consecutive growing seasons in 2020 and 2021, using a randomized complete block design with 18 treatments and three replications. The fertilizers used included urea (N) (0, 60, and 90 kg/ha), diammonium phosphate (D) (0, 50, and 100 kg/ha), and farmyard manure (O) (0 and 5000 kg/ha). The results show that integrated fertilizers, particularly O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, O5000N90D50, and O5000N90D100, significantly increased growth and yield parameters. In 2020, the grain yield increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 75.6, 76.7, and 68.4% with the O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, and O5000N90D100 treatments, respectively. In 2021, O5000N60D50, O5000N60D100, and O5000N90D50 showed significant yield increases of 94.7, 89.6, and 97.9%, respectively. The grain yield strongly correlated with the SPAD value (r = 0.84), number of pods per plant (r = 0.71), and number of seeds per pod (r = 0.66) in 2020, and it more strongly correlated with the SPAD value (r = 0.91), number of pods per plant (r = 0.77), and number of seeds per pod (r = 0.76) in 2021. A principal component analysis highlighted the effectiveness of organic–inorganic fertilizer combinations, particularly O5000N60D50, in enhancing productivity while potentially reducing inorganic fertilizer application. This study demonstrates that integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers enhances sustainable crop productivity and reduces negative environmental impacts, particularly in regions facing nutrient depletion and drought conditions. Full article

Sustainable fertilization using local resources such as manure is crucial for soil health. This study evaluated the potential of guinea pig manure to replace mineral fertilizers in hard yellow maize (hybrid INIA 619) under Peruvian coastal conditions. A split-plot design tested four doses of guinea pig manure (0, 2, 5, 10 t⋅ha⁻¹) and four levels of mineral fertilization (0%, 50%, 75%, 100%). The study assessed plant height, ear characteristics, yield, and nutritional quality parameters. The results indicated that 100% mineral fertilization led to the highest plant height (229.67 cm) and grain weight (141.8 g). Yields of 9.19 and 9.08 t⋅ha⁻¹ were achieved with 5 and 10 t⋅ha⁻¹ of manure, while 50% mineral fertilization gave 8.8 t⋅ha⁻¹, similar to the full dose (8.7 t⋅ha⁻¹). The protein content was highest with 10 t⋅ha⁻¹ of manure combined with mineral fertilization. However, no significant differences were found between the 50%, 75%, and 100% mineral fertilizer doses. In conclusion, applying guinea pig manure improved nutrient use efficiency, yield, and grain protein quality in maize, reducing the need for mineral fertilizers by up to 50%. This provides a sustainable fertilization strategy for agricultural systems. Full article

Triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) is a valuable dual-purpose crop due to its adaptability to marginal environments and its potential for both high-quality grain and forage production. However, a comprehensive evaluation of its forage quality characteristics and agronomic performances is still needed. This study evaluated the grain and forage yield potentials and nutritional compositions of 11 triticale genotypes over two consecutive years in a semi-arid region located in Shanxi province, China. Forage quality was assessed using several key parameters, including nutrient composition, fiber digestibility, mineral content, and energy density, while grain quality parameters, including nutrient composition as well as carbohydrate and fiber characteristics, were also analyzed. Significant genetic variation was observed in these traits, indicating the influence of genotype–environment interactions on these traits. The tested genotypes exhibited grain yields ranging from 4.83 to 6.92 t ha⁻¹ and fresh forage biomass yields between 20.06 and 29.78 t ha⁻¹, demonstrating their potential for sustainable forage and grain production under semi-arid conditions. Genotypes from our breeding programs, including Shengnongsicao 1 and Jinsicao 1, demonstrated superior adaptability, maintaining stable forage and grain yield potentials under adverse conditions. Their favorable nutritional characteristics further enhance their suitability for semi-arid livestock systems. High levels of essential minerals, particularly calcium and potassium, further enhanced the nutritional value of these genotypes. These results provide valuable insights for triticale breeding programs and suggest triticale’s potential as a reliable crop in semi-arid regions, where maximizing land productivity is essential. Full article

Portuguese farmers seek evidence that organic fertilisers, particularly manure-based ones, can be safely used as partial replacements for mineral fertilisers (MFs), taking advantage of their nutrient and organic matter (OM) content. This study aimed to clarify the effects of applying organic fertilisers, especially under no-till practices in maize production. The experiment involved replacing basal mineral nitrogen (N) fertilisation with composted animal manure (CM) and pig slurry (PS) across three contrasting fields with varying soil characteristics, tillage techniques, and OM supplementation. Results indicated that site 1, which had the lowest clay and OM content, benefited the most from organic fertilisers, particularly in enhanced nutrient absorption in both maize leaves and grain. In this site, partial nutrient balance of N was significantly higher in the PS treatment (0.56 kg grain N exported kg N applied⁻¹) compared with the treatment with only MF (0.44). The impacts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depended on site characteristics. CM led to higher emissions at site 2 (CH₄) and site 3 (N₂O), while PS did not increase GHG emissions at any site. Under no-till practices at site 3, CM resulted in higher global warming potential (154 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) compared with the PS (128 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) and MF (109 kg CO_2-eq ha⁻¹) treatments. Overall, this study suggests that organic fertilisers, particularly PS, can be a viable strategy for improving soil health and maintaining sustainable maize production in Portuguese agriculture. However, their effectiveness depends on factors such as soil texture, OM content, and tillage practices. In soils with lower OM content or under no-till practices, pig slurry emerges as a suitable alternative, replacing 30% of total mineral N fertilisation without compromising productivity or increasing GHG emissions. Full article

Long-term human residence on the Moon is an inevitable trend in lunar exploration, necessitating the development of Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSSs). In BLSSs, plant cultivation serves as the core functional unit, requiring substantial amounts of cultivation substrates. Lunar soil has potential as a cultivation substrate, but its suitability for plant growth must be improved to meet life-support requirements. As a fine-grained, organics-free, in situ resource, lunar soil’s high compaction significantly restricts crops’ root access to oxygen, water, and nutrients. While the addition of organic solid waste—a byproduct of BLSSs—could alleviate compaction, issues such as salinization, incomplete decomposition, and the presence of pathogens pose risks to crop health. In this study, we introduced earthworms into wheat cultivation systems to gradually digest, transfer (as vermicompost), and mix solid waste with a lunar soil simulant substrate. We set five experimental groups: a positive control group using vermiculite (named as V) as the optimal growth substrate, a negative control group using pure lunar soil simulant (LS), and three treatment groups using lunar soil simulant with solid waste and 15 (LS+15ew), 30 (LS+30ew), and 45 (LS+45ew) earthworms added. Our results demonstrated significant improvements in both compaction (e.g., bulk density, hydraulic conductivity) and salinization (e.g., salinity, electrical conductivity), likely due to the improved soil aggregate structures, which increased the porosity and ion adsorption capacity of the soil. Additionally, the microbial community within the substrate shifted toward a cooperative pattern dominated by significantly enriched plant probiotics. Consequently, the cultivated wheat achieved approximately 80% of the growth parameters (including production) compared to the control group grown in vermiculite with nutrient solution (representing ideal cultivation conditions), indicating sufficient nutrient supply from the mineralized waste. We can conclude that the earthworms “complementarily” improved the lunar soil simulant and organic waste by addressing compaction and salinization, respectively, leading to comprehensive improvements in key parameters, including the microbial environment. This study proposes a conceptual framework for improving lunar soil for crop cultivation, and it innovatively introduces earthworms as a preliminary yet effective solution. These findings provide a feasible and inspiring foundation for future lunar agriculture. Full article

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a key cereal in the global economy, providing essential nutrients for human and animal health. The European Union promotes less intensive farming systems as part of its sustainable development strategy. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different farming systems on the concentration of macronutrients—potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium (K, P, Mg, and Ca)— and micronutrients—iron, zinc, manganese, and copper (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu)—in wheat grain, as well as the effect of grain processing on the distribution of these nutrients in bran, flour, and bread. This study included four spring wheat cultivars (Harenda, Kandela, Mandaryna, and Serenada) grown under organic (ORG), integrated (INT), and conventional (CONV) systems at the Osiny Experimental Station (Poland; 51°27′ N; 22°2′ E) between 2019 and 2021. The P concentration was determined using the colorimetric method, while the other nutrients were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The grain from the CONV system exhibited higher macronutrients concentrations, whereas grain from less intensive systems had higher micronutrients concentrations, except for Fe. The Fe concentration in grain from the INT and CONV systems was comparable. An interaction effect between cultivars and farming systems on P, Ca, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations in the grain was observed. In all research material, the highest concentrations of minerals were found in bran, followed by grain, with the lowest concentrations observed in flour and bread. Full article

Due to the increasing demand for food, the agricultural sector is facing a huge challenge related to its production without having a negative impact on the environment. The above issues are regulated by the current EU policy, indicating the need to conduct plant production by the European Green Deal strategy (2020), based on reducing the use of chemical plant-protection products by 50% and reducing the level of mineral fertilization by 20% by 2030. Using appropriate techniques of applying mineral fertilizers, which have a positive effect on the development and activity of soil microorganisms, the availability of nutrients in the soil can be increased while reducing fertilizer applications. This study aims to show whether the use of foliar nitrogen fertilizers in combination with sulfur in a two-year field experiment with triticale stimulates the multiplication of selected groups of microorganisms and the level of soil enzymatic activity. In addition, effects on the content of available forms of nutrients in the soil, triticale yield, and total nutrient uptake were analyzed. It is shown that the applied foliar fertilizers enriched with sulfur, compared to fertilization with ammonium nitrate, contributed to a 100% increase in the number of analyzed groups of microorganisms, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activity; a 44% increase in dehydrogenase activity; and a 15% increase in acid phosphatase activity. The hybrid application technique, with reduced doses of nitrogen fertilizers enriched with sulfur by 20 and 25%, resulted in grain yields exceeding 8 t/ha. Moreover, compared to conventional fertilization based on ammonium nitrate, an increase in the grain yield of triticale was obtained in the range of 16 to 24%, as well as an increase in the accumulation of nutrients in the plant. It is shown that foliar fertilization is a promising alternative to standard fertilization techniques. Full article