Search Results (279)

Sulfur-containing fertilizers increase production costs, which leads to low utilization of this nutrient. Thus, evaluating how the absence of sulfur influences the early development of Urochloa brizantha is essential. Study was conducted in a greenhouse at the Federal University of Rondonópolis in a completely randomized design, with six treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, and eight replications. Three cultivars of U. brizantha (Marandu, Xaraés and Piatã) were evaluated under two fertilization strategies: with or without sulfur fertilization. Sufur presence increased the number of leaves and forage mass, in which cultivar Xaraés presented the greatest means. Piatã was the cultivar most sensitive to sulfur deficiency at establishment, which reduced forage mass, number of leaves and number of tillers by 42%, 32%, and 45%, respectively. Despite these differences between cultivars, sulfur efficiently increased the forage yield. Sulfur fertilization increased the concentrations of nutrients in the plants without significantly affecting the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Sulfur omission resulted in increased phosphorus uptake in all grass. In contrast, Marandu grass exhibited the greatest reduction in sulfur uptake. Therefore, the use of sulfur in the fertilization of grasses is recommended, it is important to evaluate the responses of each cultivar to better adjust the fertilization management. Full article

Reducing the application of chemical fertilizers and remediating heavy metal pollution in soil are important directions in current agricultural research. Utilizing the plant-growth-promoting and remediation capabilities of bacteria can provide more environmentally friendly assistance to agricultural production. In this study, the Burkholderia alba YIM B08401 strain was isolated and identified from rhizospheric soil, subjected to whole-genome sequencing and analysis, and its Cd²⁺ adsorption efficiency and characteristics were confirmed using multiple experimental methods, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results showed that the genome of strain YIM B08401 has a total length of 7,322,157 bp, a GC content of 66.39%, and predicts 6504 protein-coding sequences. It contains abundant functional genes related to nutrient conversion (phosphate solubilization, sulfur metabolism, zinc solubilization, siderophore production), plant hormone regulation (indole-3-acetic acid secretion, ACC deaminase production), phenolic acid degradation, root colonization, heavy metal tolerance, pathogen antagonism, and the production of antagonistic secondary metabolites. Additionally, strain YIM B08401 can specifically bind to Cd²⁺ through various functional groups on the cell surface, such as C-O-C, P=O, and O-H, enabling biosorption. In conclusion, strain YIM B08401 is an excellent strain with plant-growth-promoting, disease-resistant, and bioremediation capabilities, warranting further development as a biofertilizer for agricultural applications to promote green and sustainable agricultural development. Full article

In agricultural practice, in addition to determining the nitrogen (N_f) dose, it is necessary to effectively control its effect on currently grown crops. Meeting these conditions requires not only the use of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but also nutrients such as magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). This hypothesis was verified in a single-factor field experiment with winter wheat (WW) carried out in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 growing seasons. The experiment consisted of seven variants: absolute control (AC), NP, NPK-MOP (K as Muriate of Potash), NPK-MOP+Ki (Kieserite), NPK-KK (K as Korn–Kali), NPK-KK+Ki, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES (Epsom Salt). The use of K as MOP increased grain yield (GY) by 6.3% compared to NP. In the NPK-KK variant, GY was 13% (+0.84 t ha⁻¹) higher compared to NP. Moreover, GYs in this fertilization variant (FV) were stable over the years (coefficient of variation, CV = 9.4%). In NPK-KK+Ki+ES, the yield increase was the highest and mounted to 17.2% compared to NP, but the variability over the years was also the highest (CV ≈ 20%). The amount of N in grain N (GN) increased progressively from 4% for NPK-MOP to 15% for NPK-KK and 25% for NPK-KK+Ki+ES in comparison to NP. The nitrogen harvest index was highly stable, achieving 72.6 ± 3.1%. All analyzed NUE indices showed a significant response to FVs. The PFP-N_f (partial factor productivity of N_f) indices increased on NPK-MOP by 5.8%, NPK-KK by 12.9%, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES by 17.9% compared to NP. The corresponding N_f recovery of N_f in wheat grain was 47.2%, 55.9%, and 64.4%, but its total recovery by wheat (grain + straw) was 67%, 74.5%, and 87.2%, respectively. In terms of the theoretical and practical value of the tested indexes, two indices, namely, NUP (nitrogen unit productivity) and NUA (nitrogen unit accumulation), proved to be the most useful. From the farmer’s production strategy, FV with K applied in the form of Korn–Kali proved to be the most stable option due to high and stable yield, regardless of weather conditions. The increase in the number of nutritional factors optimizing the action of nitrogen in winter wheat caused the phenomenon known as the “scissors effect”. This phenomenon manifested itself in a progressive increase in nitrogen unit productivity (NUP) combined with a regressive trend in unit nitrogen accumulation (NUA) in the grain versus the balance of soil available Mg (Mg_b). The studies clearly showed that obtaining grain that met the milling requirements was recorded only for NUA above 22 kg N t⁻¹ grain. This was possible only with the most intensive Mg treatment (NPK-KK+Ki and NPK-KK+Ki+ES). The study clearly showed that three of the six FVs fully met the three basic conditions for sustainable crop production: (i) stabilization and even an increase in grain yield; (ii) a decrease in the mass of inorganic N in the soil at harvest, potentially susceptible to leaching; and (iii) stabilization of the soil fertility of P, K, and Mg. Full article

Potassium fertilizer management is critical for achieving high yields of Korla fragrant pear, yet current practices often overlook or misuse potassium inputs. In this study, a two-year field experiment (2023–2024) was conducted with 7- to 8-year-old pear trees using four potassium levels (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg/hm²). Metagenomic sequencing was employed to assess the effects on soil microbial communities, sulfur cycle functional genes, and fruit yield. Potassium treatments significantly altered soil physicochemical properties, the abundance of sulfur cycle functional genes, and fruit yield (p < 0.05). Increasing application rates significantly elevated soil-available potassium and organic matter while reducing pH (p < 0.05). Although alpha diversity was unaffected, NMDS analysis revealed differences in microbial community composition under different treatments. Functional gene analysis showed a significant decreasing trend in betB abundance, a peak in hpsO under K150, and variable patterns for soxX and metX across treatments (p < 0.05). All potassium applications significantly increased yield relative to CK, with K150 achieving the highest yield (p < 0.05). PLS-PM analysis indicated significant positive associations between potassium rate, nutrient availability, microbial abundance, sulfur cycling, and yield, and a significant negative association with pH (p < 0.05). These results provide a foundation for optimizing potassium fertilizer strategies in Korla fragrant pear orchards. It is recommended that future studies combine metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches to further elucidate the mechanisms linking potassium-driven microbial functional changes to improvements in fruit quality. Full article

Macro- and microelements in waste can be returned to the soil as fertilizers and their sustainable use can reduce the need to extract natural resources. For example, the use of carbonate-clay flour, sewage sludge and waste sulfate sulfur to improve soil properties enables the natural recycling of the nutrients contained in these materials. Soil physicochemical properties with the application of waste and the bioavailability of nutrients and trace elements were assessed before and after a 3-month incubation period. This study showed that when carbonate-clay flour was applied alone or together with sewage sludge and waste sulfur, it improved the properties of the soil, inducing a reduction in acidification and an increase in the content of available P, K and Mg. Sewage sludge also provided Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr in addition to organic carbon. Sulfate did not cause soil acidification. The results indicate that the use of carbonate-clay flour alone, as well as with the addition of sewage sludge and sulfate sulfur, can be recommended for the deacidification of soil and serve as a remediation tool for, for example, the precipitation of chemical pollutants. The valorization of the waste used fits into the circular economy approach. Full article

Rare earth elements (REEs) have garnered significant global attention due to their essential role in advanced technologies. Sri Lanka is endowed with various REE-bearing minerals, including the apatite-rich deposit in the Eppawala area, commonly known as Eppawala rock phosphate (ERP). However, direct extraction of REEs from ERP is technically challenging and economically unfeasible. This study introduces a novel, integrated approach for recovering REEs from ERP as a by-product of nitrophosphate fertilizer production. The process involves nitric acid-based acidolysis of apatite, optimized at 10 M nitric acid for 2 h at 70 °C with a pulp density of 2.4 mL/g. During cooling crystallization, 42 wt% of calcium was removed as Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O while REEs remained in the solution. REEs were then selectively precipitated as REE phosphates via pH-controlled addition of ammonium hydroxide, minimizing the co-precipitation with calcium. Further separation was achieved through selective dissolution in a sulfuric–phosphoric acid mixture, followed by precipitation as sodium rare earth double sulfates. The process achieved over 90% total REE recovery with extraction efficiencies in the order of Pr > Nd > Ce > Gd > Sm > Y > Dy. Samples were characterized for their phase composition, elemental content, and morphology. The fertilizer results confirmed the successful production of a nutrient-rich nitrophosphate (NP) with 18.2% nitrogen and 13.9% phosphorus (as P₂O₅) with a low moisture content (0.6%) and minimal free acid (0.1%), indicating strong agronomic value and storage stability. This study represents one of the pioneering efforts to valorize Sri Lanka’s apatite through a novel, dual-purpose, and circular approach, recovering REEs while simultaneously producing high-quality fertilizer. Full article

Sulfur (S) fertilizer is routinely applied together with other macronutrients by farmers across all regions to improve grain yield and quality, but its distinct effects on grain yield and aroma intensity in fragrant rice remain inadequately studied, especially when applied under varying existing soil S levels. This study aimed to determine the effects of S fertilizer application on grain yield and aroma intensity (2-Acetyl-1-Pyrroline, 2AP) in fragrant rice grown under varying soil S levels (very low, low, and medium). The premium Thai fragrant rice cultivar KDML105 was grown under field conditions during two cropping seasons in 2021 and 2022 in Surin province, northeastern Thailand. Sulfur fertilizer in the form of (NH4)₂SO₄ was applied at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg S ha⁻¹ at one time with the basal fertilizers phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) under varying soil S levels, using the same protocol in both cropping seasons. Plant growth parameters were evaluated at the tillering stage, and grain samples were harvested at maturity to evaluate grain yield and aroma intensity. The results showed that applying S at rates between 60 and 90 kg ha⁻¹ to soils with very low and low S increased grain yield from 4 to 20% compared to no S application, while no effect of S application was observed for the medium soil S level. The results were primarily attributed to the number of tillers and panicles per hill and the 1000-grain weight in both cropping seasons. Dissimilar effects of S application rates and soil S level were found for grain 2AP content. There was a higher grain 2AP content in the low and medium soil S levels compared to very low S, but the pattern varied according to the S application rate. Applying the appropriate rate of S fertilizer can significantly improve rice productivity, especially when cultivated under S-deficient soil, and higher soil S levels can promote the grain 2AP content of fragrant rice. Full article

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR), an acidic by-product from manganese production, presents dual challenges of environmental pollution and resource waste. This study developed a silicon–manganese organic compound fertilizer (SMOCF) via the aerobic fermentation of EMR supplemented with bagasse, molasses, and activated sludge. The physicochemical analysis revealed that the EMR’s composition was dominated by silicon (7.1% active Si), calcium, sulfur, and trace elements. Critical parameters during composting—including water-soluble Mn (1.48%), organic matter (8.05%), pH (7.4), moisture (20.28%), and germination index (GI = 87.78%)—met organic fertilizer standards, with the GI exceeding the phytotoxicity threshold (80%). The final SMOCF exhibited favorable agronomic properties: neutral pH, earthy texture, and essential macronutrients (1.36% K, 1.11% N, 0.48% P). Heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb) in the SMOCF predominantly existed in stable residual forms, with total concentrations complying with China’s organic fertilizer regulations (GB/T 32951-2016). The ecological risk assessment confirmed a minimal mobilization potential (risk assessment code < 5%), ensuring environmental safety. This work demonstrates a circular economy strategy to repurpose hazardous EMRs into agriculturally viable fertilizers, achieving simultaneous pollution mitigation and resource recovery. The optimized SMOCF meets quality benchmarks for organic fertilizers while addressing heavy metal concerns, providing a scalable solution for industrial EMR valorization. Further studies should validate the field performance and long-term ecological impacts to facilitate practical implementation. Full article

The global community continues to face the urgent need to develop environmentally friendly methods to increase agricultural productivity. Using plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) as plant growth stimulants could solve this problem, as this practice is more environmentally friendly than using fertilizers. This study characterized the Gordonia aichiensis P6PL2 bacterium associated with Vitis amurensis using whole-genome sequencing and in vitro and in vivo testing. The whole genome size of G. aichiensis P6PL2 was 5,435,824 bp with 5279 open reading frames. G. aichiensis P6PL2 possessed genes for the production of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) and an increased bioavailability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. In addition, the presence of genes involved in synthesizing growth stimulants, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and spermidine, has been demonstrated, as has the presence of genes involved in reducing various abiotic and biotic stress factors. Moreover, the results demonstrated the growth-promoting impact of a single application of G. aichiensis P6PL2 on seedlings and 30-day rice plants. This paper has shown and discussed the potential importance of G. aichiensis P6PL2 for agriculture. Full article

Microfluidic platforms have emerged as critical technologies for exploring sperm chemotaxis, providing precise gradient control, and facilitating in-depth behavioral assessment. We designed a novel, user-friendly microfluidic device that is optimized for human sperm morphology and motility. The device was validated using two well-established sperm chemoattractants, progesterone and bourgeonal, demonstrating its reliability and reproducibility. Given the key role of olfactory receptors (ORs) in mediating sperm chemotaxis, the newly developed device was employed to identify additional receptors that may contribute to sperm behavior. Using the Atlas database, we identified OR2H1 as a candidate receptor. It is enriched in testis-derived cells, particularly in early and late spermatids, and it is broadly expressed across human spermatozoa. We demonstrated that OR2H1’s ligand, methional, a sulfur-containing aldehyde naturally found in vaginal fluid and biosynthesized by Lactococcus lactis, significantly enhances sperm migration and progressive motility. Methional stimulation also triggered increased intracellular calcium levels, indicating receptor activation. Computer-assisted sperm analysis revealed that methional treatment improved sperm linearity, straightness, and wobble without affecting the average velocity, suggesting enhanced directional movement. These findings provide evidence that methional promotes sperm chemotaxis via OR2H1 and highlight the potential role of the vaginal microbiome in influencing human fertility. Full article

The growing global demand for food has driven an increase in both swine and agricultural production, although swine wastewater poses a significant environmental risk. This study employed elemental mapping techniques to evaluate the effects of swine wastewater irrigation on the spatial distribution and concentration of essential and non-essential elements, as well as on the morphological responses of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings. Six treatments were tested, ranging from 0% to 100% swine wastewater (T1 = 20%, T2 = 40%, T3 = 60%, T4 = 80%, T5 = 100%, and T6 = control with conventional fertilization), using a completely randomized design with five replications. Emergence, elemental distribution, morphology, and seedling quality were evaluated. The highest emergence percentages and rates were observed in the 20% wastewater treatment and the control groups. Diluted wastewater treatments promoted potassium and calcium uptake, which correlated with improved seedling growth and vigor, while irrigation with 100% wastewater led to excessive chlorine and sulfur accumulation, negatively affecting morphology. These results indicate that the controlled dilution of swine wastewater optimizes nutrient availability and seedling development, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative for producing high-quality habanero pepper seedlings. This study provides novel insights into the environmental implications of swine wastewater reuse through elemental mapping, underscoring its potential to support sustainable and regenerative agriculture. Full article

Sustainable agriculture increasingly relies on strategies that improve soil fertility while reducing the environmental footprint of chemical inputs. The primary objective of this research was to disentangle the individual and combined effects of crop rotation and fertilization on soil quality. This study aimed to determine whether the effectiveness of fertilization was modified by rotational practices—exploring whether these interactions were additive, antagonistic, or synergistic. This study assessed the impact of two-year open-field crop rotations—broccoli–tomato and broccoli–pepper—combined with organic and mineral fertilization on soil chemical and biological properties. Treatments included sulfur bentonite enriched with orange waste (SBO), horse manure (HM), mineral fertilizer (NPK), and an unfertilized control (CTR). Soil samples were collected after each crop cycle and analyzed for enzymatic activities (fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, dehydrogenase, catalase), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), organic matter, total nitrogen, and macro- and micronutrient content. The results showed that organic amendments, particularly SBO and HM, significantly increased microbial activity, MBC, and nutrient availability compared to NPK and CTR. Organic treatments also led to a reduction in soil pH (−12%) and a more balanced ionic profile, enhancing soil biological fertility across both rotations. By contrast, the NPK treatments favored higher nitrate and chloride concentrations (3.5 and 4.6 mg * g⁻¹ dw, respectively) but did not improve biological indicators. Improvements were more pronounced in the second crop cycle, suggesting the cumulative benefits of organic amendments over time. These findings highlight the potential of combining organic fertilization with crop rotation to enhance soil health and support long-term sustainability in horticultural systems. Full article

The use of agro-industrial waste, such as wood ash or biomass ash, has been adopted as an alternative to synthetic fertilizers for providing nutrients to plants. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of primary and secondary macronutrients in soil cultivated with chrysanthemum under different types of fertilization management: organic, organomineral, and mineral, with and without liming. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse for 185 days, using a randomized blocks design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme: five fertilization types (incubated and unincubated wood ash, organomineral fertilizer, mineral fertilizer, and control) and two levels of liming (without liming and 70% base saturation) with five replicates. The soil used was Oxisol. The phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur contents in the soil after cultivation were analyzed. There was a 77% increase in potassium in treatments with ash compared to treatments without ash. The corrected soil presented 173.2 mg dm⁻³ of potassium, compared to 153.6 mg dm⁻³ in the uncorrected soil, an increase of 11.6%. The calcium levels increased by 60% with the application of ash (incubated or not) and organomineral fertilizer, compared to soils without ash. Liming increased calcium by 1.12 cmol_c dm⁻³. Fertilizers with ash associated with liming resulted in higher magnesium levels. The sulfur content varied according to the fertilizer, with non-incubated ash showing the highest value (69.11 mg dm⁻³) compared to the control (11.08 mg dm⁻³), a difference of 83.96%. Organomineral fertilizer is an alternative for increasing the availability of macronutrients in the soil, allowing a second cropping cycle without the need to manage soil fertility, contributing to sustainable agriculture, encouraging the reuse of waste, and reducing the use of mineral fertilizers. Full article

Waste from livestock farms contains various pathogens, including eggs and larvae of helminths—pathogens of parasitic diseases harmful to animals and humans. One of the methods for their effective processing to obtain biofertilizer and biofuel is anaerobic digestion, which requires further improvement to completely suppress the viability of pathogenic microorganisms in mesophilic conditions. To this end, the use of anaerobic digestion under sulfate reduction conditions to suppress pathogens using biogenic hydrogen sulfide is promising. Consequently, this study aims to study the effect of a sulfur-containing additive such as phosphogypsum on the disinfection of pig manure during anaerobic digestion. Egg mortality was already found to increase significantly compared to the control (80% and more), even at a minimum concentration of phosphogypsum (5%), on the fifth day of the experiment. At the same time, the maximum effect (100% mortality of Trichuris suis eggs) was recorded at a 10% concentration of phosphogypsum, starting from the 10th day of the study. Our experiment showed that changes in anaerobic digestion conditions using phosphogypsum could positively affect digestate disinfection. However, further research is needed to optimize the conditions of the process for an effective combination of disinfection with the production of environmentally safe organic fertilizers and high-quality biogas with a high level of methane. Full article

Litter and pruning biomass are integral to nutrient cycling in the plant–soil ecosystem, contributing significantly to organic matter formation and humus development through decomposition and nutrient mineralization, which ultimately influence soil fertility and health. However, the litterfall dynamics in mango orchards are not well understood, and its contribution to nutrient cycling has seldom been measured. This study aimed to estimate litterfall and pruning biomass in mango orchards and assess the nutrient contents of various biomass components. Litter and pruning biomass samples were collected from four commercial mango orchards planted with Kensington Pride (‘KP’) and ‘B74’ (‘Calypso^®’) cultivars in the Darwin and Katherine regions, using litter traps placed on the orchard floors. Samples were sorted (leaves, flowers, panicles, fruits, and branches) and analyzed for nutrient contents. Results showed that most biomass abscissions occurred between late June and August, spanning approximately 100 days involving floral induction phase, fruit set, and maturity. Leaves made up most of the abscised litter biomass, while branches were the primary component of pruning biomass. The overall ranking of biomass across both regions and orchards is as follows: leaves > branches > panicles > flowers > fruits. The carbon–nitrogen (C:N) ratio of litter pruning material ranged from 30 (flowers) to 139 (branches). On a hectare basis, litter and biomass inputs contained 1.2 t carbon (C), 21.2 kg nitrogen (N), 0.80 kg phosphorus (P), 4.9 kg potassium (K), 8.7 kg calcium (Ca), 2.0 kg magnesium (Mg), 1.1 kg sulfur (S), 15 g boron (B), 13.6 g copper (Cu), 99.3 g iron (Fe), 78.6 g manganese (Mn), and 28.6 g zinc (Zn). The results indicate that annual litterfall may contribute substantially to plant nutrient supply and soil health when incorporated into the soil to undergo decomposition. This study contributes to a better understanding of litter biomass, nutrient sources, and nutrient cycling in tropical mango production systems, offering insights that support accurate nutrient budgeting and help prevent over-fertilization. However, further research is needed to examine biomass accumulation under different pruning regimes, decomposition dynamics, microbial interactions, and broader ecological effects to understand litterfall’s role in promoting plant growth, enhancing soil health, and supporting sustainable mango production. Full article