Search Results (6,300)

Partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer is an important strategy for optimizing fertilization and mitigating soil degradation caused by excessive chemical fertilizer application. However, systematic studies comparing the effects of different substitution ratios on soil properties, enzyme activities, and microbial communities remain scarce. A two-year field experiment was conducted with five treatments: no fertilization (Control), chemical fertilizer alone (CF), 20% organic fertilizer substitution (M20), 40% substitution (M40), and 60% substitution (M60). High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze soil bacterial and fungal communities. The M40 treatment significantly increased soil organic matter (17.96% and 30.18%, respectively), available nitrogen (6.85% and 20.30%, respectively), and available phosphorus (30.74% and 52.65%, respectively) compared with CF in both years, with more pronounced improvements observed in 2025. Furthermore, the M40 treatment also enhanced urease and sucrase activities in both years but reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in 2025. Microbial community analysis revealed that the M40 treatment enriched beneficial microorganisms, including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Basidiomycota, Vicinamibacteraceae, Botryotrichum, and Tausonia, while inhibiting the pathogenic fungus Fusarium. Compared with CF, the M40 treatment increased maize yield by 7.04% and 8.10% in 2024 and 2025, respectively, which was the highest among all treatments. Mantel tests indicated that yield was positively correlated with available phosphorus, available potassium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and urease activity, but negatively correlated with ALP activity in 2025. Our findings demonstrate that 40% organic fertilizer substitution synergistically improves soil fertility, optimizes microbial community structure, and promotes crop yield, providing empirical evidence for optimizing fertilization regimes in maize production. Full article

Carbon storage dynamics in dryland and semi-arid ecosystems remain a major uncertainty in global carbon cycle assessments, particularly in regions like the Yellow River Basin (YRB). Using the Arid Ecosystem Model (AEM), we simulated the spatiotemporal evolution of four major carbon pools—total carbon (TOTC), vegetation carbon (VEGC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and litter carbon (LTRC)—from 1981 to 2060 under factorial climate scenarios. During 1981–2020, TOTC increased by 0.09 Pg C (+3.54%), driven by gains in VEGC (+0.03 Pg C, +21.43%) and SOC (+0.06 Pg C, +2.78%). LTRC showed minimal net change but was highly sensitive to interannual variability. From 2021 to 2060, under the high-emission SSP5 scenario, TOTC is projected to increase by 0.114 Pg C (+4.81%), with VEGC contributing most of the gain (+23.87%). CO₂_only simulations showed similar increases, underscoring the dominant role of CO₂ fertilization. In contrast, warming and precipitation alone produced weaker and more variable effects. Spatially, upper YRB regions are expected to maintain strong sink capacity, while the Loess Plateau and central-western subregions remain vulnerable to warming and moisture decline. LTRC exhibited the highest variability across scenarios (−18% to +22%), highlighting its role as a sensitive indicator of sink stability. These findings emphasize the need to account for nonlinear climate–carbon interactions and regional heterogeneity. Region-specific, adaptive strategies that integrate ecological restoration and climate adaptation will be critical to enhancing carbon sinks and supporting China’s carbon neutrality targets in the Yellow River Basin. Full article

The present study investigates the presence, sources, and impacts of microplastics (MPs) in different soil types, including agricultural, urban, and forest areas, through a synthesis of results of published scientific papers. MPs originate from a variety of human activities, such as the widespread use of plastic mulch in agriculture and the application of organic fertilizers and treated sewage sludge, as well as from vehicle tire wear, industrial processes, and the gradual degradation of plastic products in the environment. In urban soils, the main sources of MPs are related to road traffic, industrial activity, and landfills, while in forest soils, concentrations are generally lower. However, MPs in forest areas are thought to be carried there by the air, by runoff, or from nearby areas with human activity. Available data show that larger MP particles tend to remain in the surface layers of the soil, while smaller particles can penetrate deeper soil layers, increasing their bioavailability and the likelihood of interaction with microorganisms and plant root systems. In terms of their chemical composition, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) polymers dominate in agricultural soils, which is directly linked to agricultural practices, while polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are more frequently detected in urban soils. The morphological types of MPs include fragments, fibers, and films, while their color characteristics provide clues to possible sources of origin, such as plastic ground covers, tire wear, and packaging materials. Overall, the study’s results underscore the growing environmental significance of MP soil pollution and highlight the need for more effective management and recycling of plastic materials, as well as for further interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of transport, accumulation, and long-term ecological effects of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems. Full article

The application of microalgae to soil has gained attention due to their ability to improve soil fertility and sequester C, but the effects of their application on rainfall-induced runoff, sediment, and associated nutrient losses remain unclear. This study investigated the impacts of Chlorella ZJ application on soil properties, C and N accumulation, and the loss characteristics of C and N via runoff and sediment under simulated rainfall at intensities of 50 and 100 mm h⁻¹. The results showed that applying microalgae significantly increased soil pH and the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of aggregates. It also promoted C and N accumulation, which increased by 11.28–23.79% and 13.42–24.62%, respectively, compared to the control. The contents of dissolved organic carbon, dissolved nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) in the crusted soil decreased significantly due to soil disturbance. Under simulated rainfall, intact microalgae crusts reduced sediment loss but did not increase runoff yield. However, they substantially elevated N loss via runoff, with total nitrogen (TN) concentrations (5.85 to 20.31 mg L⁻¹) exceeding surface water quality standards, indicating a high eutrophication risk. Overall, microalgae fertilizers have the potential to sequester C, enhance soil nutrients, and control soil erosion. However, reasonable management measures need to be implemented to prevent N pollution caused by runoff loss during their application. Full article

In intensive greenhouse agriculture, irrational fertilization practices can exacerbate carbon emissions and impair ecosystem service functions. To address this issue, biogas slurry and biochar were introduced as waste-derived substitutes for mineral fertilizer, and the effects of different fertilization strategies on the net ecosystem carbon balance (N_ECB) and ecosystem service value (ESV) of greenhouse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production systems over two growing seasons (spring–summer and autumn–winter) were systematically evaluated. When economic return was prioritized, the treatment with 25% biogas slurry substituting for mineral fertilizer (BS25) performed best, with ESVs of 641,606.83 and 629,987.37 CNY ha⁻¹ in the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons, respectively; the treatment with 50% biogas slurry substitution (BS50) ranked second, and both treatments were significantly superior to the others (p < 0.05). When the objective was to enhance carbon sink capacity while maintaining high yield, the treatment with 75% biogas slurry combined with biochar substituting for mineral fertilizer (BS75 + C) showed the best overall performance, with N_ECB values of 6.30 and 6.34 t ha⁻¹ in the two respective seasons, while also demonstrating clear advantages in soil organic matter accumulation and atmospheric regulation. Based on the VIKOR model with AHP-CRITIC combined weighting, BS75 + C was identified as the optimal option. However, the most suitable fertilization strategy depends on management objectives: BS25 is recommended when maximizing short-term economic return is the primary goal, whereas BS75 + C is preferable for enhancing carbon sink capacity and ecological benefits. Considering both ecosystem service value and comprehensive performance, BS50 and BS75 + C are recommended as sustainable fertilization strategies for greenhouse tomato production. Full article

Urban plant communities are widely regarded as important nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, yet their actual carbon benefits remain uncertain: vegetation growth is accompanied by carbon emissions from construction and long-term maintenance, and existing assessments rarely integrate community succession, interspecific competition, and maintenance-related emissions within a consistent life-cycle framework. To address these limitations, this study developed a dynamic succession-based life-cycle simulation model to project the 50-year carbon source–sink transitions of 150 typical urban plant communities in Tianjin, China. The model updates plant structural attributes—diameter at breast height, crown width, and tree height—iteratively by linking individual plant growth to environmental suitability and neighborhood competition through a Plant Health Index. Simulated structural trajectories were coupled with biomass equations and carbon content coefficients to estimate aboveground carbon sequestration, while construction and maintenance emissions were quantified using life cycle assessment, enabling evaluation of modeled net carbon balance rather than gross carbon sequestration alone. Under the modeled 50-year scenario, most communities were projected to act as carbon sources during the early stage but gradually shifted toward carbon sinks as biomass accumulated; 86.1% of the communities were projected to become net carbon sinks after 50 years (a scenario-based projection under specified growth, maintenance, and emission assumptions). The highest modeled net carbon balance reached 3186.08 kg C ha⁻¹, whereas the weakest community remained a slight carbon source at −81.21 kg C ha⁻¹. Vertical structural complexity and species richness were the strongest positive predictors of modeled net carbon balance, followed by three-dimensional green quantity and canopy closure. Among maintenance processes, fertilization was the dominant emission source, followed by pesticide application and irrigation; comparative scenario analysis showed that resource-saving maintenance consistently improved projected net carbon balance relative to high-maintenance management. These results suggest that low-carbon planting design should prioritize locally adapted species, multi-layered vertical structures, and adaptive maintenance over simply maximizing planting density or minimizing inputs. The results represent scenario-based projections of aboveground vegetation carbon balance; belowground biomass, soil carbon, litter carbon, dead organic matter, and parameter uncertainty were not fully incorporated, and future studies should address these limitations to improve the robustness and transferability of the proposed framework. Full article

Ensuring sustainable management of water, energy, and food (WEF) resources requires governance frameworks capable of addressing cross-sectoral interdependencies and policy fragmentation. This study evaluates the performance and coherence of national water, energy, and agricultural policies in Mali, South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania, with a focus on their contribution to WEF nexus integration and energy transition pathways. A mixed-methods approach is applied, combining qualitative policy analysis, stakeholder consultations (n = 52), and a composite policy coherence index to assess cross-sectoral policy alignment across three river basins: the Bani River Basin (Mali), the Songwe River Basin (Malawi–Tanzania), and the Inkomati–Usuthu Water Management Area (South Africa). The results indicate that key water policy dimensions such as conservation, pollution control, and stakeholder participation demonstrate high performance (mean = 1.0) and strong coherence (SD = 0.0–0.1) across all countries. However, these values primarily reflect the presence of policy instruments rather than their effective implementation. Stakeholder evidence highlights persistent gaps in enforcement, coordination, and institutional capacity. In the energy sector, core infrastructure and participation policies exhibit high performance (mean = 1.0; SD = 0.0), while critical market instruments—including feed-in tariffs (FITs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs)—show moderate performance (mean = 0.6–0.8) and high variability (SD = 0.4–0.5), indicating regulatory inconsistency. In the agricultural sector, economic incentives achieve high performance (mean = 1.0; SD = 0.0), whereas sustainable practices such as agroecology, crop rotation, and organic fertilization remain weakly integrated (mean = 0.1–0.4; SD up to 0.5). Overall, the findings reveal that WEF nexus governance is characterized by strong structural policy alignment (mean = 0.8–1.0) but limited functional integration, reflecting a gap between policy design coherence and implementation effectiveness. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, improving cross-sectoral coordination, and enhancing investment mechanisms are critical for advancing resource efficiency and accelerating energy transition. The study provides a reproducible framework for assessing policy coherence and offers policy-relevant insights for integrated resource governance in Sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Postharvest quality deterioration of Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yu) severely constrains its market value, yet the regulatory role of preharvest soil management in shaping postharvest performance remains poorly understood. Although green manure is widely adopted to ameliorate orchard soil degradation, species-specific modulation of postharvest storage trajectories and the quantitative fidelity of soil-to-fruit nutrient transmission have rarely been resolved for climacteric pear species. This study investigated how green manure species modulate fruit quality at harvest and during postharvest storage life and their underlying soil–fruit linkages. Three preharvest treatments were imposed, as follows: control (CK), sweet clover (CM), and alfalfa (MX). Fruits were harvested and stored at 4 °C, with samplings at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 d. A critical quality transition was identified at 15 d, characterized by the concurrent peaking of soluble sugars, organic acids, vitamin C, and anthocyanins alongside an optimal sugar–acid ratio. Beyond this inflection point, CM and MX diverged markedly: CM enhanced soluble sugar accumulation, anthocyanin retention, and ester volatile production—most notably hexyl acetate, which increased over 14.4-fold—thereby generating a pronounced fruity aroma bouquet. Conversely, MX sustained higher amino acid and vitamin C levels and conferred superior late-storage stability, evidenced by a three-fold lower coefficient of variation in the sugar–acid ratio relative to CK. Partial-least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) revealed soil fertility as the principal exploratory associative factor of fruit quality, but the fidelity of soil-to-fruit transmission was species-dependent. MX exhibited the highest observed associative strength (R² = 0.971), whereas CM exhibited attenuated transmission fidelity (R² = 0.777), with network analysis further indicating that CM exhibited divergent associative patterns of key soil–fruit correlations. These findings suggest that green manure identity is linked to postharvest quality through divergent soil–fruit coupling pathways: alfalfa shows nutrient transmission efficiency and stabilizes nutritional quality, whereas sweet clover promotes sugar-aroma accumulation at the cost of reduced soil–fruit conversion fidelity. Species-specific green manure selection thus offers a viable strategy for targeted modulation of postharvest traits in Korla fragrant pear. Full article

The accurate detection of soil organic carbon (SOC) is essential due to its role in nutrient availability for plants and its contribution to sustainable agricultural practices that benefit the environment. However, detecting SOC in computed tomography (CT) images poses challenges, as this component is small, and its gray intensity resembles that of pores. This study developed a novel methodology that characterizes two soil samples accurately by detecting spaces such as pores/macropores, gravel, solids, and especially candidate SOC regions (cSOCRs). The approach includes 3D representation for analyzing the distribution, density, and connectivity of macropores/pores and candidate SOC regions. We proposed a dual segmentation method: first, identifying pores/macropores and non-pores (gravel, solids, and cSOCRs) using standard algorithms; second, sub-segmenting to detect solid and gravel regions, highlighting atypical sub-regions. One of these atypical regions in the gravel space corresponds to cSOCRs. Quality was assessed through a homogeneity measure, assuring consistency in the detected regions. The results confirm the effectiveness of dual segmentation in accurately detecting and characterizing cSOCRs in soil samples. The detected cSOCR content ranged from 2% to 9% in Sample I and from 5% to 10% in Sample II, demonstrating the method’s ability to capture variations in organic carbon distribution. This approach stands out as a promising and reliable alternative for soil characterization studies. The findings contribute to precision agriculture by enabling informed decision-making, reducing unnecessary tillage in areas with a high cSOCR content, and optimizing the application of fertilizers and compost in regions with low cSOCR levels. Full article

Chestnut brown rot caused by Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi represents an increasing threat to Castanea sativa production, although its endophytic behaviour and response to pre-harvest management strategies under field conditions remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the occurrence of G. smithogilvyi in different chestnut tissues and assessed the effects of targeted field treatments on pathogen colonisation and fruit quality in commercial orchards located in north-eastern Portugal. Field trials included applications of a biological fungicide (Problad^®), an inorganic micronutrient fertilizer (Fungicrops Bio^®), a sulfur-micronutrient fertilizer (KSC Mix^®), and a potassium-phosphonate chemical fungicide (Fosetyl-Al^®), alongside untreated control orchards. Samples of leaves, branches, burrs, and nuts were subjected to microbiological and molecular analyses, while fruit external quality parameters were also assessed. G. smithogilvyi was detected in all analysed organs, confirming its widespread endophytic occurrence. Treatment effects were more pronounced in reproductive tissues, with Problad^® and Fosetyl-Al^® significantly reducing pathogen incidence in burrs and nuts compared with the control. KSC Mix^® promoted fruit development but did not significantly reduce fungal incidence. Treated orchards generally showed improved fruit quality and lower insect infestation. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identity of all isolates as G. smithogilvyi. Overall, the results highlight the complexity of managing chestnut brown rot and support the need for integrated and sustainable disease management strategies. Full article

Regulation of the cell cycle is critical for maintaining genomic integrity. Therefore, cells have adapted several mechanisms to ensure that cell cycle events occur in a precise order. Some mechanisms regulate cell cycle progression by inhibiting cell cycle drivers, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The Wee1/Myt1 family of kinases regulate the G2-to-M phase transition by phosphorylating and inactivating Cdk1. Investigations of Wee1/Myt1 have mainly focused on its regulation of mitosis; the role of Wee1/Myt1 kinases in the meiotic cell cycle is less well understood. However, misregulation of Wee1/Myt1 during meiosis can have a range of fertility consequences from mild to severe, including human fertilization failure and infertility. Studies from several organisms reveal that the meiotic functions of Wee1/Myt1 kinases differ from mitosis depending on the species and sex. Here, we review how Wee1/Myt1 kinases regulate cell cycle progression in meiosis across species. We highlight current knowledge of Wee1/Myt1 in meiosis and discuss unanswered questions and new directions to advance the field of meiosis and reproduction. Understanding the molecular and cellular functions of Wee1/Myt1 homologs in these various systems may contribute to the discovery of the mechanisms underlying human infertility cases, better diagnoses, and clinical treatments. Full article

Coastal saline–alkali soils are valuable yet constrained by salinity and nutrient deficiency. Organic amendments are widely used, but their combined effects and trade-offs on soil properties, microbes, and rice production remain unclear. This study applied biochar, peat, and straw, alone and in all combinations, to coastal saline–alkali soil. Straw alone significantly increased rice yield, most combined treatments containing biochar or peat increased yields, but the effect was not significant. Combined treatments elevated rice N and P contents, as well as soil available K, Na, EC, SOM, and SOC within 0.053–0.25 mm aggregates, but promoted rice Na⁺ accumulation while suppressing K⁺ uptake. Soil urease and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly enhanced by SP2 and SB3P1. Combined treatments also improved microbial richness, increasing the relative abundances of dominant chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy. Mantel analysis indicated that soil K, P, SOM, EC, urease, and catalase activity were positively correlated with rice yield, and rice P content in roots and stems also mattered. Overall, organic amendments improve soil fertility and microbial diversity but may introduce salt-related trade-offs, highlighting the need for balanced combination strategies in saline–alkali soil management. Full article

Potato is the third most important food crop in the world after maize and rice. Its importance stems from its contribution to food security in most parts of the world. Although the crop is widely cultivated globally, it faces numerous biotic and abiotic challenges, among which plant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat. The objective of the study is to map the nematode species affecting potato crops while drawing links with their pervasiveness and outlining effective control strategies. The article selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 41 articles were selected for the review from an initial 944 records retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus, CAB Abstract, and reference list based on their relevance to the study criteria. The findings indicate that G. pallida, G. rostochiensis, M. incognita and M. javanica were the most reported nematodes globally. Chemical and biological control remain the most widely used management strategies, while incorporating resistant cultivars, abiotic inducers, organic fertilizers, and crop rotation offers greater potential to enhance the sustainability and resilience of farming systems. A significant global research gap persists in nematode surveillance and diagnostic surveys of potato-growing regions. Full article

Achieving simultaneous improvements in grain yield and water–nitrogen use efficiency remains a major challenge in high-density summer maize production. Therefore, this study investigated how drip fertigation (DI) regulates soil nitrogen spatial distribution, plant nitrogen translocation, and ultimately resource use efficiency. A two-year field experiment (2023–2024) was conducted in Tai’an, Shandong, China, using a split-plot design. Two water–fertilizer management regimes, conventional border irrigation (BI) and drip fertigation (DI), were assigned to the main plots, while eight planting densities (15,000–120,000 plants ha⁻¹) were allocated to the subplots. Two summer maize cultivars, Denghai 605 (DH605) and MY73, were evaluated. Compared with BI, DI significantly increased grain yield as well as water and nitrogen use efficiency. For DH605 and MY73, grain yield increased by 7.3% and 3.8%, respectively, accompanied by increases of 18.4% and 16.3% in WUE and 7.4% and 3.5% in NPFP. DI enhanced nitrogen accumulation within the 0–20 cm root zone while reducing nitrate-N residues in the 20–60 cm soil layer, thereby improving the spatial distribution and availability of root-zone nitrogen. Consequently, DI increased nitrogen translocation from vegetative organs to grains, as reflected by higher NTA, NTE, and NHI values, which promoted grain nitrogen accumulation and improved nitrogen use efficiency. Notably, DI did not significantly affect nitrogen uptake efficiency (NU_pE), suggesting that the improvement in nitrogen utilization efficiency (NU_tE) was driven primarily by enhanced nitrogen remobilization from vegetative organs to grains rather than by increased nitrogen uptake. Overall, drip fertigation improved grain yield, water use efficiency, and nitrogen use efficiency in high-density summer maize by optimizing root-zone nitrogen availability and promoting post-silking nitrogen translocation to grains. Full article

Compost derived from macadamia husks provides a sustainable alternative for improving soil fertility, nutrient uptake, and crop productivity. This study evaluated the effects of different macadamia husk compost (MHC) application rates on nut yield, nut quality, and leaf nutrient concentration in macadamia trees. Compost application significantly (p < 0.05) increased leaf potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) concentrations, with the highest values recorded at 12 t ha⁻¹. Other nutrients (N, P, Ca, Cu, Mn, Fe, and B) were not significantly affected. Nut yield increased with compost application, with the highest yield observed at 12 t ha⁻¹ (63.10 kg tree⁻¹), followed by 8 t ha⁻¹, 4 t ha⁻¹, and the control. Similarly, nut-in-shell yield improved with increasing compost rates. Compost application enhanced key nut quality parameters, including sound kernel recovery, total kernel recovery, and first grade nuts, while maintaining insect damage and immature nuts within acceptable industry standards. Overall, nut quality improved in 2022 compared to 2021. These findings demonstrate that macadamia husk compost is an effective organic amendment for improving yield, nut quality, and selected leaf nutrient concentrations, contributing to sustainable macadamia production. Full article