Aug 2026· Scientific Reports· Vol 16· 0 citations· 67 references
Medicine
Abstract
Sandy soils are characterized by low organic matter content, weak nutrient retention, and limited water-holding capacity, which restrict crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of biochar, Azolla pinnata, and eggshell powder on soil properties and the productivity of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in sandy soil. Field experiments were conducted during two consecutive growing seasons (2021–2022) at the Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, Egypt, using a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replicates. Soil chemical properties, photosynthetic pigments, vegetative growth, biomass accumulation, and yield parameters were evaluated. The combined application of biochar, Azolla, and eggshell powder significantly improved soil fertility compared with the control treatment. Soil organic matter increased to 0.70%, while available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium reached 51.10, 6.67, and 200 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The integrated treatment also enhanced chlorophyll content, plant growth, biomass production, and seed yield across both seasons. Correlation analysis indicated strong positive relationships between soil organic matter, nutrient availability, and crop productivity. These results demonstrate that the integrated application of biochar, Azolla pinnata, and eggshell powder can effectively improve soil fertility and enhance the productivity of Phaseolus vulgaris in sandy soil systems.
Arid sandy soils are characterized by poor water retention, low nutrient availability, and limited productivity, posing major constraints to sustainable date palm cultivation under increasing water scarcity. A three-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of bentonite (BN), humic substances (HS), and Bacillus polymyxa (BP) under three irrigation regimes (70, 85, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) on soil hydro-physical properties, nutrient uptake, and fruit quality of ‘Siwi’ date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). Twelve treatment combinations (3 irrigation regimes × 4 soil amendment treatments) were evaluated over three consecutive growing seasons. The integrated application of BN, HS, and BP significantly improved soil hydro-physical properties by increasing field capacity and plant-available water while reducing bulk density. These improvements were associated with enhanced leaf N, P, and K concentrations and greater accumulation of total soluble solids, total and reducing sugars, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and β-carotene compared with the untreated control. The combined application of BN (12 kg palm−1) + HS (1 L palm−1) + BP (28 mL palm−1) produced the most favorable overall responses. Moderate deficit irrigation (85% ETc) provided the best balance between fruit quality and water conservation, maintaining superior fruit biochemical quality while reducing irrigation water use by approximately 15% compared with full irrigation. Multivariate analyses further supported these findings by revealing strong positive associations among soil water availability, nutrient status, sugars, and antioxidant-related compounds, while climatic variables were closely associated with seasonal variation in fruit biochemical characteristics. Overall, the integrated application of bentonite, humic substances, and B. polymyxa under 85% ETc irrigation represents an effective management strategy for improving soil performance, enhancing fruit nutritional quality, and increasing water-use irrigation efficiency in sandy soils under arid conditions.
Nahed M. Rashed, Khairy H. Abd-El-Rahman, D. A. Elyazid et al.· Horticulturae· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Soil acidity is a major constraint to barley production in the Southern Highlands of Ethiopia. An on-farm experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons on strongly acidic Nitisols (pH 4.7) to evaluate the effects of integrated application of vermicompost (VC), inorganic nitrogen (N), and lime on soil chemical properties and barley productivity. Nine treatments, comprising a control, sole and combined applications of VC and N at different proportions, and integrated treatments with lime (3 t ha−1), were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Integrated application of VC, N, and lime significantly increased soil pH, available phosphorus, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen while reducing exchangeable acidity compared with the control and sole nutrient applications. Grain yield and yield components were also significantly improved in both cropping seasons. The combined application of 50% VC + 50% N + 3 t ha−1 lime produced the greatest improvements in soil fertility and barley yield, indicating synergistic effects of integrating organic, inorganic, and liming materials for acidic soil management. The integrated application of 100 kg urea + 100 kg NPSB + 5 t vermicompost ha⁻¹ is recommended for farmers seeking to maximize barley productivity and overall profitability because it generated the highest grain yield and net benefit. However, for resource-constrained farmers with limited capital, the sole application of 100 kg urea ha⁻¹ is a practical alternative because it produced the highest marginal rate of return, indicating greater economic efficiency per unit of additional investment. Improved soil fertility and grain yield in the second cropping season demonstrated residual benefits of the integrated treatments. Overall, integrated use of vermicompost, nitrogen fertilizer, and lime was more effective than sole nutrient applications in improving soil fertility and sustaining barley production on acidic Nitisols.
Getahun Haile, M. Lemenih, G. Agegnehu· Communications in Soil Scien...· 0 citations
The increasing cost and environmental impacts of inorganic fertilizers necessitate sustainable alternatives for improving wheat productivity. This study evaluated the effects of nutrient recovered from yellow water (NRYW) on soil properties, growth, yield, and grain quality of four Triticum aestivum accessions under controlled conditions. The experimental design was completely randomized design arranged in factorial (4 x 8), with NRYW applied at rates of 0 – 30 t ha⁻¹ and compared with NPK fertilizer (200 kg ha⁻¹). The application of nutrient recovered from yellow water significantly improved soil chemical properties, particularly pH, calcium, and magnesium, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus levels. Growth responses varied among accessions; although plant height, leaf number, and tillering were not significantly affected entirely, but root development and chlorophyll content were remarkedly improved. Yield components showed notable enhancement under NRYW, including reduced days to flowering and maturity, increased spike length, and higher 1000-grain weight, resulting in improved grain yield in most accessions. For the proximate composition of the grain was significantly enhanced, with increases in protein, fibre, fat, and carbohydrate contents; this indicating improved nutritional quality of the grain obtained. However, responses were genotype-dependent, with superior performance observed in selected accessions. In summary, the application of NRYW demonstrated effectiveness to wheat growth and yield compared to NPK fertilizer. This study offers a viable, cost efficient, and environmentally sustainable soil amendment source. Therefore, its adoption could enhance soil fertility, improve wheat growth and productivity, and support circular nutrient management systems, particularly in resource scarce localities.
E. A. Komolafe, Ajayi Ayorinde, Sadiq Ola Obabire· Journal of Environmental and...· 0 citations
The intensive use of mineral fertilizers in horticultural systems has improved crop productivity but also increased concerns regarding soil degradation and environmental sustainability. In this context, vermicompost derived from buffalo manure may represent a sustainable alternative for nutrient management and organic waste valorization. This study evaluated the effects of four fertilization strategies on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in loam and clay soils: unfertilized control, mineral fertilization, vermicompost applied at an equivalent nitrogen rate, and the residual effect of vermicompost from a previous cauliflower crop. Agronomic performance, fruit quality, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and antioxidant-related traits were assessed. Mineral fertilization produced the highest marketable yield, reaching 9.68 and 7.69 kg m−2 in loam and clay soils, respectively, mainly through increased fruit number. Direct vermicompost application maintained substantial productivity, with yields of 7.55 and 5.18 kg m−2 in the two soils. The fertilization strategies also induced distinct changes in fruit composition. Mineral fertilization increased total free amino acids to approximately 160 mg g−1 DW, mainly through the accumulation of glutamine, glutamate, asparagine and γ-aminobutyric acid, but was associated with lower soluble solids and antioxidant activity. Vermicompost promoted the highest lycopene concentration, approximately 2.1 mg g−1 DW, in clay soil and maintained intermediate antioxidant activity and amino acid concentrations. Soil texture also influenced carbohydrate partitioning, with greater fructose accumulation in clay soil and greater starch accumulation in loam soil. The residual vermicompost treatment alone did not adequately sustain tomato productivity or metabolic activity, particularly in clay soil. Overall, vermicompost partially replaced mineral fertilization while maintaining satisfactory yield and modulating fruit metabolic quality, although its effectiveness depended strongly on soil texture.
G. M. Fusco, I. Di Mola, E. Cozzolino et al.· Agriculture· 0 citations
Pistachio shell residues are generated in large quantities during pistachio processing, yet their potential as a sustainable soil amendment has received limited attention under field conditions. This study evaluated the effects of pistachio shell compost on soil physical properties, leaf nutrient status, fruit quality, and culturable soil bacterial communities in a semi-arid pistachio orchard in Gaziantep, Türkiye. A field experiment was conducted during the 2022–2023 growing season using a randomized complete block design with five fertilization treatments: unfertilized control, mineral fertilizer, vermicompost plus mineral fertilizer, farmyard manure plus mineral fertilizer, and pistachio shell compost plus mineral fertilizer. Soil physical properties, leaf macro- and micronutrient concentrations, fruit quality characteristics, and culturable bacterial populations identified by MALDI-TOF MS were evaluated. Pistachio shell compost significantly improved soil water-related physical properties, including field capacity, infiltration rate, and water-holding capacity, compared with mineral fertilization alone. Compost application also increased leaf nutrient concentrations and improved fruit quality traits, while culture-dependent analyses indicated greater abundance and diversity of dominant culturable bacterial taxa in compost-amended soils. These findings demonstrate that recycling pistachio shell residues as compost improves soil functionality, plant nutritional status, and orchard performance while promoting beneficial soil microorganisms. Pistachio shell compost therefore represents a promising organic amendment for sustainable nutrient management and circular agricultural practices in semi-arid pistachio production systems.
Uğur Vural, Hüseyin Tekin, Enes Furkan Boyraz et al.· Emirates Journal of Food and...· 0 citations
Soil fertility management remains a major challenge in vegetable crop production, particularly in container gardening systems. Biochar soil amendment and the application of exogenous endophytes are two technologies with potential to improve plant performance under container production conditions. This pot experiment investigated the combined effects of rice husk biochar (RHB) amendment and foliar application of endophytes on soil fertility, nutrient availability, biomass production, and nutritional composition of Amaranthus hybridus under field conditions at the University for Development Studies, Ghana. The five treatments used were 100% topsoil (control). foliar application of mixed bacterial and fungal endophytes products, and three topsoil-to-RHB ratios (90:10, 75:25, and 50:50, w/w), each combined with foliar application of the endophyte products. The completely randomized design with three replications was used. The application of biochar at different rates in combination with endophytes significantly (p<0.05) improved soil chemical properties and moisture retention. The moderate biochar rate (25% RHB + endophytes) particularly enhanced nutrient availability, with soil N, P, and K concentrations of 0.269%, 6.31 mg/kg, and 4.41 cmol/kg, respectively, as well as soil moisture content. This treatment also promoted vegetative growth, producing the tallest plants (42 cm), the highest biomass yield (197.7 g), and the greatest protein content (11.44%) in the edible leaves. Endophyte application alone also improved plant growth parameters relative to the control. Nutritional analysis further showed that the combined application of biochar and endophytes increased the dry matter, ash, fibre, and protein contents of the leaves. Overall, the application of 25% RHB with 75% topsoil, combined with foliar endophyte application, improved soil fertility, plant growth, biomass production, and nutritional quality of Amaranthus. The moderate biochar–endophyte treatment could therefore be considered for container-based vegetable production; however, biochar application should be carefully managed rather than routinely applied because of its potentially long-lasting effects on soil properties.
M. M. Dawuda, Christopher Agyemang, M. Abu et al.· International Journal of Irr...· 0 citations
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