Search Results (9,885)

Young barley, derived from the early vegetative stage of Hordeum vulgare L., constitutes a plant-based functional ingredient whose phytochemical profile differs markedly from that of mature grain. Two principal commercial forms exist—dried grass powder and juice-derived products—differing in matrix composition and bioactive compound concentration. This narrative review critically evaluates the current knowledge on the phytochemical composition, biological activity, and translational relevance of young barley preparations considered as a functional plant food. The phytochemical spectrum is dominated by C-glycosyl flavones, particularly saponarin and lutonarin, alongside phenolic acids, chlorophylls, enzymatic antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Experimental evidence implicates the modulation of redox homeostasis, inflammatory signaling, and metabolic regulators as the primary biological mechanisms. In vitro studies additionally demonstrate antiproliferative activity in human cancer cell lines and immunomodulatory properties mediated by polysaccharide-rich fractions, extending the biological profile of young barley beyond classical antioxidant activity. Although preclinical models consistently demonstrate antioxidant and metabolic effects, high experimental doses and limited preparation standardization restrict the direct extrapolation to human supplementation contexts. Available clinical trials suggest modest improvements in selected lipid, glycemic, and oxidative stress markers; yet, most are small in scale and brief in duration. Agronomic variables including fertilization strategy and soil composition represent additional, underappreciated sources of phytochemical variability and safety concern. Overall, the current evidence supports the biological plausibility of young barley as a functional plant food; yet, the clinical data remain preliminary. Future research should prioritize preparation standardization, dose–response characterization, and agronomic transparency to strengthen translational reliability. In conclusion, young barley preparations represent a biologically plausible functional plant food ingredient with preliminary clinical support, pending confirmation from adequately powered, standardised randomised controlled trials. Full article

Mulching is an agronomic practice that improves orchard soil and promotes root growth. To investigate the regulatory effects of different mulching materials on soil properties, microbial communities, and root function in apple orchards, eight treatments were established: clean tillage (CK), organic fertilizer mulching (OFM), chopped corn straw mulching (SM1), chopped and bundled corn straw mulching (SM2), intact corn stover mulching (SM3), composted apple branch mulching (BM), horticultural ground cover fabric mulching (FM), and weed mulching (WM). The results showed that OFM, BM, SM1, and SM3 exhibited effective cooling effects during summer. During the peak root-flush period, OFM, SM3, and BM significantly reduced soil bulk density, increased porosity, enhanced soil organic matter and available nutrient contents, and elevated the activities of soil sucrase, urease, and catalase. Moreover, these treatments promoted the accumulation of carbohydrates and the uptake of mineral nutrients in roots. OFM and SM3 significantly increased the Simpson index of both soil bacterial and fungal communities, while BM improved the beta diversity of bacterial and fungal communities. OFM, SM3, and BM can effectively improve soil physicochemical properties, optimize microbial community structure, and enhance root nutrient uptake. It is recommended as a mulching measure for soil in northern apple orchards. Among the eight treatments evaluated, OFM, SM3, and BM exhibited superior performance in improving soil physicochemical properties, promoting root function, and enhancing microbial community diversity. Therefore, the findings of this study provide an effective soil management strategy for apple orchards in the cold northern regions of China. Full article

Soil salinization poses a significant global challenge to agriculture and the environment, leading to decreased soil fertility and hindered crop growth. Therefore, the development of effective and environmentally friendly soil improvement strategies is crucial for sustainable agriculture. In this study, a range of eco-friendly, versatile, and highly absorbent hydrogels for soil enhancement were created using itaconic acid (IA) as a hydrophilic monomer. Furthermore, their effectiveness and application in agriculture were thoroughly evaluated. The nano-iron-loaded IA-based hydrogels (nano-iron (III) oxide (nano-Fe₂O₃)/Poly itaconic acid (PIA)-Acrylamide (AM)/Sodium alginate (SA)) hydrogels demonstrated exceptional water absorption and retention capabilities. They exhibited remarkable soil conditioning properties by leveraging carboxyl groups for electrostatic adsorption of saline ions and the porous structure created by the crosslinked network. These features not only significantly facilitated gradual regulation of pH levels and salinity but also effectively enhanced organic matter in saline–alkali soil. Meanwhile, nano-Fe₂O₃ simultaneously served to stabilize the hydrogel structure and enhance crop nutrient absorption. Wheat cultivation trials demonstrated that the hydrogels notably enhanced the growth of 7-day-old wheat seedlings. The degradation rates of the hydrogels can be adjusted by varying the IA amount, allowing for the continuous release of small organic molecules to enhance soil quality, aligning with various crop growth cycles. Overall, these hydrogels function as environmentally friendly and versatile soil conditioners, offering significant potential for enhancing agricultural soil quality and expanding into related fields. Full article

Sustainable management of permanent grasslands requires evidence-based selection of fertilization practices that support long-term soil organic matter quality and ecosystem function. This study addresses the need to identify optimal agricultural practices in permanent grasslands and the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil humic substances (HS) composition and stability. Grassland plots were amended after cutting with mineral fertilizer (NPK), farmyard manure (FYM), cattle slurry (CS), or digestate (DIG), and humic acids (HA) were isolated using the standard International Humic Substances Society procedure. The elemental composition, total carbon and nitrogen contents, C/N ratio, and selected biogenic elements were determined using routine laboratory methods, while infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence excitation–emission matrix analysis, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy were applied to characterize chemical structure and semiquinone radical concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated distinct clustering of fertilization treatments, which was supported by a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) based on ANOVA. The results suggest that the fertilization regime was associated with variation in HS composition and radical abundance. DIG and NPK treatments showed lower O/C ratios and radical concentrations, potentially reflecting more reduced humic acids. In contrast, FYM and CS treatments tended to exhibit higher radical concentrations and O/C ratios. These findings highlight the importance of fertilizer type in shaping soil organic matter dynamics in managed grassland ecosystems and provide a scientific basis for the development of sustainable soil management strategies and environmentally sound fertilization practices in permanent grassland systems. Full article

Eutric Regosols are globally important but low-fertility soils with poor nutrient retention, limiting crop productivity and increasing environmental risks. This study evaluated whether combining a moderate reduction in synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer with organic manure application could rapidly improve soil fertility, sustain maize yield, enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and increase yield resilience in these soils. A four-year field experiment was conducted on a purple soil (Eutric Regosol) with five treatments: no N (CK), conventional synthetic N (CN), a 20% synthetic N reduction (OP), and the OP treatment combined with 3000 (OPM1) or 6000 (OPM2) kg ha⁻¹ of organic fertilizer. Maize yield, yield components, NUE indices, soil properties, and net economic benefits (NEB) were measured. OP alone reduced yield by 7.57% compared to CN. OPM2 progressively increased yield, surpassing CN by 12.36% after four years, and indicated greater yield resilience during a high-rainfall year. OPM2 also significantly improved topsoil organic matter (+12.9%), total N (+46.3%), and NUE indices over time. Although initial NEB was lower for organic-amended treatments, OPM2 achieved higher economic returns than CN in the latter two years. Integrating a 20% synthetic N reduction with 6000 kg ha⁻¹ of organic manure is an effective strategy for rapid fertility improvement in Eutric Regosols. This approach compensates for yield reductions from less synthetic N, progressively enhances yield and NUE, improves soil health, increases economic returns, and strengthens buffering capacity against high-rainfall events. Full article

Controversy persists on a global scale regarding the trade-offs between greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yield, the global warming potential (GWP), and GHG intensity (GHGI) following organic fertilizer substitution within vegetable cropping systems. This study aimed to quantify these effects under diverse conditions and elucidate the direct and indirect drivers governing these outcomes through a meta-analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). We synthesized 655 paired observations from 69 published studies using random-effects meta-analysis, finding that organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased CH₄ emissions and GWP compared to inorganic fertilizer controls. Although this was the general trend, organic fertilizer could reduce GWP under specific climatic and soil conditions by reducing N₂O emissions, such as mean annual precipitation <400 mm or soil total nitrogen ≥3 g kg⁻¹. These conditions were also associated with substantially higher yield and lower GHGI. Furthermore, SEM demonstrated that field management practices exerted significant direct effects on N₂O emissions, GWP, and GHGI. Reductions in N₂O emissions, GWP, and GHGI could be achieved with fertilizer application duration ≥10 years, total N application rate ≥300 kg ha⁻¹, and field cultivation or plowing. GHGI was also reduced through yield enhancement under a moderate organic substitution rate (33–66%) or irrigation ≥300 mm. Our study provides a scientific basis for moving beyond universal recommendations towards precision organic management, which is essential for optimizing fertilization strategies to mitigate agricultural GHG emissions. Full article

The Chishui River Basin, a core production area for Chinese sauce-aroma Baijiu (exemplified by Moutai), supports sorghum cultivation critical to the liquor’s distinctive quality. The soil environment quality within this region, therefore, directly impacts the safety and quality of both raw material and the final distilled spirit. To underpin the safe production and sustainable development of this iconic beverage, it is essential to assess soil heavy metal contamination in the soils and quantify the contributions from various sources. In this study, 172 surface soil samples were collected from typical sorghum planting bases in the Renhuai area. Concentrations of eight heavy metals (loids) (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined. The contamination status was evaluated using the geostatistical inverse distance weighting interpolation, the Nemerow pollution index (P_N), and the potential ecological risk index (RI). Source identification and quantification were performed using the positive matrix factorization receptor model (PMF). Results revealed significant enrichment of Cd and Hg in the soil, with mean concentrations 2.07 times and 2.54 times the soil background values for Guizhou Province, respectively. Pollution index results (P_i, P_N) indicated that soil Cd contamination is relatively severe, whereas contamination from other elements is minimal. Overall, approximately 86.5% of the study area was classified as clean or only slightly polluted. Cd poses a moderate ecological risk and was the primary contributor to the total ecological hazard. Other elements exhibited lower risk, resulting in a slight overall potential ecological risk. The soil environmental quality in certified organic sorghum bases was generally favorable. PMF analysis identified three principal sources: historic industrial emissions and traffic-related sources (contributing 46%), weathering of carbonate rocks combined with agricultural activities (37%), and natural background coupled with organic fertilizer application (17%). In conclusion, while the overall soil heavy metal pollution level in the sorghum planting areas is low, the notable enrichment and higher ecological risk of Cd necessitate enhanced dynamic monitoring and targeted risk control measures to ensure long-term soil health and product safety. Full article

Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal plant widely recognized for its richness in bioactive compounds; however, its production in semi-arid regions is often constrained by soil and/or irrigation water salinity. Micronutrient fertilization may contribute to plant stress alleviation under salinity, since elements such as Mn, Mo, and Zn are involved in essential processes related to photosynthetic metabolism and physiological adjustment. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations on growth, gas exchange, and relative chlorophyll indices of purple basil plants subjected to severe NaCl stress under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 30 days in a randomized block design with nine treatments and four replicates: a non-saline control without micronutrients, a saline control without micronutrients, and plants exposed to 100 mM NaCl with substrate application of Mn, Mo, Zn, MoMn, ZnMo, ZnMn, or ZnMoMn. Micronutrient sources were applied to the substrate at 3.5 g kg⁻¹ according to each treatment. Fertilization with Mn, Mo, Zn, and their combinations enhanced plant stress alleviation under salinity compared with the saline control without micronutrients, with positive responses in growth and physiological performance, including increases in chlorophyll indices. The double combinations MoMn, ZnMo, and ZnMn attenuated the effects of NaCl, especially by increasing leaf area. Mn stood out for increasing net photosynthesis and water-use efficiency, whereas Mo and ZnMo were associated with higher relative chlorophyll indices. Although the triple combination ZnMoMn improved some traits compared with the saline control, its lower efficacy relative to selected single or double applications may indicate that the simultaneous supply of the three elements reduced specific synergistic effects, possibly due to nutritional imbalance or antagonistic interactions among micronutrients under severe salinity. Overall, micronutrient fertilization, particularly through specific double combinations, may contribute to short-term mitigation of NaCl-induced stress responses under controlled greenhouse conditions. Full article

Phallus indusiatus is a prestigious macro-fungus with both nutritional and medicinal significance. However, its industrial development is limited by low yields and inconsistent quality, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying soil microecological mechanisms. In this study, field experiments were conducted to measure soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and pH across different growth stages. High-throughput sequencing was further employed to characterize the dynamic successions of bacterial and fungal communities. The results revealed a continuous depletion of SOC throughout the growth cycle, with a marked decrease in TN during the ovoid stage, whereas TP, TK, and pH showed increasing trends. Bacterial abundance followed a fluctuating “increase–decrease–increase” pattern, reaching its lowest level during the ovoid stage; similarly, fungal abundance initially decreased and subsequently increased, also attaining its minimum at the ovoid stage. Based on these stage-specific soil dynamics, targeted management strategies are proposed, including the application of basal carbon fertilizers supplemented with low-concentration phosphorus and potassium, the integration of slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, and the inoculation of functional microbes such as Massilia, Acidobacteriaceae, and Terriglobales. Dynamic regulation of soil pH is also recommended. This study provides a theoretical framework and technical guidance for the sustainable and high-efficiency cultivation of P. indusiatus and contributes to the broader development of the edible fungus industry. Full article

Soil quality assessment, which considers numerous physical, chemical, and biological indicators, has long been a challenge for monitoring soil functions and ensuring sustainable resource use in agriculture. In this study, different indicator selection and weighting methods were compared to derive a reliable Soil Quality Index (SQI) in semi-arid agroecosystems. A total of 117 topsoil samples were taken from the Ap horizon within a 14,200 ha area of the Honam sub-catchment, southwestern Iran. Twenty-one soil indicators were measured and analyzed to assess the overall SQI. Soil indicator selection was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), considering standard and norm value strategies, as well as component rotation. Four weighting approaches, including PCA, Coefficient of Variation (CV), correlation score (r), and Expert Opinion (EO), were applied to the Minimum Dataset (MDS) and Total Dataset (TDS) to compute the Integrated Quality Index (IQI), Nemoro (NQI), simple additive (IQIa), and Fuzzy Fertility Index (FFI). The performance of the SQI models was evaluated using the Sensitivity Index (SI) and their relationships with crop yield. The results showed that the combination of the norm value approach without component rotation was more effective in selecting the influential indicators for SQI determination. The Soil Stability Index (SSI), which integrates soil organic carbon and textural properties, was the key indicator with the highest contribution, ranging between 6.3% and 37.5% in most of the models. Among the evaluated approaches, the IQI-CV-MDS showed the highest sensitivity (SI = 6.8) and the strongest correlation (r = 0.53) with rainfed barley yield. The majority of the samples exhibited moderate SQI values, indicating a general risk of soil quality decline in the study area. The findings of this study highlight that appropriate indicator selection and weighting strategies are essential for improving the reliability of SQI assessments in semi-arid environments with diverse mountainous topography. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) are two key components of soil total carbon (STC) pools. However, most studies have focused excessively on SOC, while research on SIC remains limited, especially with regard to different pools of particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) in humid regions. Here, a 13-year field experiment was conducted in the farmland of Jiangjin District, Chongqing, to explore the variations of inorganic carbon in POM (POM-IC) and MAOM (MAOM-IC) in humid subtropical soils under long-term fertilization. Four fertilization regimes were arranged in this field experiment: high-rate fertilization (1050 kg N, 480 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), conventional fertilization (480 kg N, 180 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), zero nitrogen fertilization (0 kg N, 180 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), and zero phosphorus fertilization (480 kg N, 0 kg P₂O₅, and 255 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Soil samples were collected from surface soil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (15–30 cm) to determine STC, SOC, SIC, organic carbon in POM (POM-OC) and MAOM (MAOM-OC), POM-IC, and MAOM-IC. Results showed that SOC accumulation under high-rate fertilization was primarily associated with increased POM-OC. Compared with the zero nitrogen treatment, the other three fertilization regimes significantly decreased subsoil SIC, which was primarily associated with reduced MAOM-IC. High-rate fertilization increased the contributions of POM-OC to SOC and POM-IC to SIC, respectively, yet reduced the corresponding contributions from MAOM. Linear relationship analysis revealed that POM-OC was more sensitive to fertilization regimes than MAOM-OC. However, responses of POM-IC and MAOM-IC to fertilization regimes were roughly equivalent. This is of great significance for understanding the stabilization mechanisms of SIC. This study highlights the non-negligible MAOM-IC loss in subsoil induced by nitrogen fertilization in humid subtropical soils. Given that STC was the highest under high-rate fertilization, this treatment is recommended. This study is of great significance for improving the understanding of soil organic carbon and inorganic carbon dynamics in humid regions. Full article

Soil erosion (SE) is a constant, complex land degradation process, a common natural disaster that occurs all over the world and severely impacts soil fertility, food security, and environmental balance. Soil erosion depends on many factors, including soil properties, slope, vegetation, rainfall amount and intensity, and anthropogenic activities. There are two main natural erosive forces by which soil is eroded and transported—water and wind. Water erosion refers to the detachment, transportation, and deposition of soil particles (solid runoff) into river networks. These particles, varying in size and composition, are the main products of soil erosion and most strongly affect river ecosystems. Solid runoff, or sediment-laden runoff, affects water quality, destroying habitats, carrying pollutants, reducing reservoir storage, and causing flooding. Erosion control activities also influence river ecosystems in different ways. Hydrotechnical facilities, a major erosion control practice, can alter the composition of aquatic biota by disrupting longitudinal connectivity and isolating populations. Reforestation and afforestation are other erosion control practices that have a strong impact on ecosystems. Stormwater retention systems in urban and forest areas are also important measures addressed in this review. This review examines complex environmental interactions and the roles of erosion and erosion control activities in river ecosystems. During the research, several key points were established: erosion and erosion control activities significantly affect river ecosystems. There is a lack of quantitative analysis of erosion intensity and its influence on ecosystems. This is probably due to the exceptional complexity and diversity of river ecosystems, but such a study would provide important information about complex relationships in nature. Full article

Identifying soil nutrient limiting factors and fertilization effects in the irrigated silty soil region of Ningxia is key to improving wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) quality and yield. A field experiment was conducted with five treatments: conventional fertilization (TF), recommended fertilization (RF), nitrogen deficiency (RF-N), phosphorus deficiency (RF-P), and potassium deficiency (RF-K). The results showed that under RF, soil nutrients remained at relatively high levels, with no significant differences compared with TF. In contrast, RF-N significantly reduced soil mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen, and organic matter compared with TF, and inhibited plant growth, photosynthesis, and plant accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Wheat yields under RF and RF-K showed no significant differences from those under TF, whereas RF-N and RF-P significantly reduced yields by 42.68% and 22.69%, respectively, relative to RF, mainly due to decreases in spike length and grain number per spike. The increase in yield was associated with synergistic increases in grain number per spike, spike number per hectare, and spike length. Yield components were significantly positively correlated with soil organic matter, total phosphorus, and mineral nitrogen, with soil total phosphorus identified as the environmental factor most strongly associated with wheat yield. Grain protein content was significantly positively correlated with soil mineral nitrogen, while starch content was significantly negatively correlated, indicating that mineral nitrogen is a key factor regulating grain quality. In summary, nitrogen fertilizer is the primary limiting factor in this region. Applying nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium together synergistically enhances wheat yield by increasing soil total phosphorus levels and improves grain quality by regulating soil mineral nitrogen. Thus, this combined fertilization strategy provides a foundation for precise nutrient management and the simultaneous improvement of both yield and quality. Full article

Understanding how irrigation water management shapes crop performance is critical for improving productivity and resource-use efficiency in peri-urban agriculture. This study investigated the socio-technical factors driving sprinkler system abandonment and assessed how irrigation water variability influences vegetable yield variability at two market gardening sites (Bogdin and 14 Yaar) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Survey data from 50 farmers and field measurements of soil properties, irrigation water application, and lettuce yield were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, and principal component analysis. More than 80% of farmers had ceased using the sprinkler system within two years of installation, 76% reported major equipment failures, and 70% expressed willingness to re-adopt an improved system. Irrigation dose and yield showed considerable variability across sites (CV = 20.9–42.3% and 36.4–44.0%, respectively). At 14 Yaar, irrigation dose was strongly associated with yield (r = 0.862, p = 0.006), indicating that uneven water application was a major constraint on productivity. At Bogdin, where irrigation was more uniform, no single soil or water variable dominated yield variability. Although soil fertility variables contributed to multivariate patterns, nutrient–yield correlations were not statistically significant under the available sample size, and their potential influence on yield requires confirmation with larger datasets. Overall, operational constraints, equipment failures, and inadequate support services contributed to sprinkler system abandonment, while variability in manual water application was associated with variability in crop productivity. These findings highlight the need for irrigation strategies that are both technically robust and adapted to farmers’ realities. Full article

Organic vegetable cultivation requires soil management strategies that improve carbon balance and suppress soilborne diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of acidified microbial biochar pellets (ABPM) in enhancing net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) and suppressing clubroot disease (Plasmodiophora brassicae) during organic Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) cultivation. In a field-scale evaluation, three treatments were compared: guano fertilizer (control), ABPM 27 (inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens 22BCO027), and ABPM 86 (inoculated with Bacillus megaterium 22BCO086). Soil incorporation of ABPM 27 and ABPM 86 significantly increased soil carbon sequestration by 29.1% and 22.4%, respectively, while simultaneously reducing cumulative greenhouse gas emissions under the experimental conditions. This resulted in positive NECB values of 2.63 and 2.94 t CO₂-eq ha⁻¹, suggesting enhanced carbon retention potential within the studied cultivation system. Beyond its impact on carbon dynamics, ABPM 27 increased marketable yield by 8.6% (77.4 t ha⁻¹) and reduced clubroot incidence by 46.2%. Rhizosphere microbial analysis revealed that ABPM 27 promoted late-season microbial diversity and the persistence of beneficial Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. populations. These findings suggest the potential multifunctional role of microbially engineered biochar pellets in improving crop production, carbon retention, and pathogen suppression under organic cultivation conditions. However, these findings are based on a single-season field experiment and NECB-based carbon balance estimates, and therefore require validation across multiple growing seasons and cultivation environments. Full article