Moderate nitrogen addition can enhance plant growth performance under salt stress. However, the regulatory effects of nitrogen addition on the growth of the leguminous halophyte medicinal plant, Sophora alopecuroides, under salt stress remain unclear. In this study, a two-factor pot experiment with different NaCl levels (1 g/kg, 2 g/kg, 4 g/kg) and NH4NO3 levels (0 mg/kg, 32 mg/kg, 64 mg/kg, 128 mg/kg) was set up to systematically study the response of S. alopecuroides plant phenotype, nodulation and nitrogen fixation characteristics, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) nutrient absorption and utilization efficiency, plant biomass and nutrient accumulation to nitrogen addition under salt stress. The results demonstrated that under mild (1 g/kg NaCl) and moderate (2 g/kg NaCl) salt stress, S. alopecuroides exhibited a relatively low nitrogen demand. Specifically, low (32 mg/kg N) and medium (64 mg/kg N) nitrogen levels significantly enhanced nodule nitrogenase activity and nitrogen fixation capacity. Furthermore, the uptake of essential nutrients, including N, P, and K, in the aboveground biomass was markedly increased, which in turn promoted the accumulation of major nutrients such as crude protein, crude fat, and alkaloids, as well as overall biomass production. However, under severe (4 g/kg NaCl) salt stress, S. alopecuroides exhibited a preference for low nitrogen levels (32 mg/kg N). Under S3 conditions, excessive nitrogen application (e.g., 64 mg/kg and 128 mg/kg N) exacerbated the damage caused by salt stress, leading to significant inhibition of nitrogen fixation and nutrient uptake. Consequently, this resulted in a substantial reduction in biomass. This study provides a theoretical basis for nitrogen nutrition management of S. alopecuroides under salt stress conditions and offers valuable insights for optimizing fertilization and nutrient management strategies in saline-alkali agricultural production.

Soil acidification regulates the mobility of aluminum (Al) and manganese (Mn), thereby affecting legumes growth. Bioenergy by-products (BBP) including biochar, bottom ash and biogas slurry, can mitigate soil metal toxicity in acidic soils; however, the precise impacts of these amendments in soil-plant system remains unknown. Therefore, different treatments of BBP namely Control (T1), Biogas slurry (T2), Bottom ash (T3), Biochar (T4), Biogas slurry with bottom ash (T5), Biogas slurry with biochar (T6), Bottom ash with biochar (T7), and Biochar along with bottom ash and biogas slurry (T8) were used to mitigate the bioavailability and toxicity of Al and Mn. Results revealed that T8 reduced Al and Mn content by 63 % and 78 % in soil and 64 % and 65 % in soybean plants, respectively. Notably, T8 mitigates oxidative damage and improves rubisco activity, photosynthetic efficiency, and antioxidant activities as compared to other treatments. Furthermore, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that cell structure restoration was obvious under T6 and T8 than that of other treatments. The antioxidant genes (GmSOD, GmCAT1, and GmPOD1) and photosynthesis genes (GmRbcS and GmRCA beta) expressions were upregulated in T7 and T8 than that of other treatments. Our correlations analysis shows that BBP improved soil organic matter and further enhanced the availability of NO3-, P, and K in the soil. Furthermore, increased soil pH by BBP significantly decreased the NH4+ availability in the soil. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that BBP can enhance soybean physiological characteristics by modulating soil pH and improving nutrient availability.

Revealing regional-scale differences in microbial community structure and metabolic strategies across different land use types and soil types and how these differences relate to soil carbon (C) cycling function is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in agroecosystems. However, our understanding of these knowledge still remains unclear. Here, we employed metagenomic methods to explore differences in microbial community structure, functional potential, and ecological strategies in calcareous soil and red soil, as well as the relationships among these factors and SOC stocks. The results showed that the bacterial absolute abundance and diversity were higher and the fungal absolute abundance and diversity were lower in calcareous soil than in red soil. This may be attributed to stochastic processes dominated the assembly of bacterial and fungal communities in calcareous soil and red soil, respectively. This in turn was closely related to soil pH and Ca2 + content. Linear discriminant analysis showed that genes related to microbial growth and reproduction (e.g., amino acid biosynthesis, central carbon metabolism, and membrane transport) were enriched in calcareous soil. While genes related to stress tolerance (e.g., bacterial chemotaxis, DNA damage repair, biofilm formation) were enriched in red soil. The great difference in soil properties between calcareous soil and red soil may be the cause of this result. Compared with red soil, the higher soil pH, SOC, and calcium and magnesium content in calcareous soil increased the bacterial absolute abundance and diversity, thus increasing the SOC sequestration potential of microorganisms, but also increased the decomposition of organic carbon by fungi, thus increasing the SOC loss potential. However, the bacterial absolute abundance and diversity were much higher than that of fungi. Therefore, soil carbon sequestration potential was still greater than its loss potential in karst agroecosystems. Agricultural disturbance intensity may be the main factor affecting these relationships. Overall, these findings advance our understanding of how soil microbial metabolic processes are related to SOC sequestration.

Apolygus lucorum is one of the most important piercing-sucking insect pests of tea plant. In this study, we assessed the impact of intercropping young tea plants with garden pea Pisum sativum on the populations of A. lucorum and natural enemies, tea plant growth and metabolites, and soil nutrient status of tea plantation. Intercropping with flowering P. sativum var. arvense reduced the population density of A. lucorum, particularly between June 1, 2020, and June 15, 2021, with a peak reduction of 90.87%. The percentage of A. lucorum-damaged tea leaves in the tea-pea intercropping was also reduced, with the maximum reduction of 8.96% observed on June 15, 2021, in the intercropping group compared to the control. The tea-P. arvense intercrop had a minor impact on the populations of natural enemies, such as coccinellids, parasitoids, and syrphids in the tea plantations. The tea-pea intercropping increased the contents of soluble sugar, tea polyphenols, caffeine, and anthocyanins, and decreased the contents of free amino acids and catechins of the tea plant leaves, and finally improved the quality of tea. Effective phosphorus and quick acting potassium decreased significantly in the plots intercropped. Our research indicated that tea-pea intercropping has the potential to manipulate the population of A. lucorum and tea leaf damage, and improve tea quality, while also enhancing soil fertility in tea plantations. The findings from this study offer important insights into the use of intercropping as a sustainable agricultural practice.

ObjectiveAcanthamoeba spp. are microscopic single-celled protozoa commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil, water sources, and dust. These parasites are associated with serious infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis. Recent epidemiological studies have highlighted a significant increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis cases. Current treatment methods are generally effective only in the early stages and show limited success when applied late, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective therapeutic and cultivation approaches. The laboratory cultivation of Acanthamoeba spp. is traditionally performed using axenic or monoxenic cultures. However, these methods have notable drawbacks, including the loss of virulence, reduced encystment capability, errors in bacterial inoculation, and time-consuming procedures. To address these limitations, nanotechnological approaches have been proposed. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for developing new drug formulations and diagnosing, preventing, and treating various diseases.ObjectiveAcanthamoeba spp. are microscopic single-celled protozoa commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil, water sources, and dust. These parasites are associated with serious infections such as Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amebic encephalitis. Recent epidemiological studies have highlighted a significant increase in Acanthamoeba keratitis cases. Current treatment methods are generally effective only in the early stages and show limited success when applied late, emphasizing the urgent need for more effective therapeutic and cultivation approaches. The laboratory cultivation of Acanthamoeba spp. is traditionally performed using axenic or monoxenic cultures. However, these methods have notable drawbacks, including the loss of virulence, reduced encystment capability, errors in bacterial inoculation, and time-consuming procedures. To address these limitations, nanotechnological approaches have been proposed. Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for developing new drug formulations and diagnosing, preventing, and treating various diseases.MethodsIn this study, we developed humic acid-coated magnetic nanocomposites capable of adhering to the cyst wall of Acanthamoeba spp. without causing damage. Experimental results demonstrated that these nanocomposites bind with high affinity to macromolecules on the cyst wall, facilitating the aggregation of parasites in the pellet. Additionally, biologically enriched leech saliva was incorporated into the culture medium to enhance the growth rate. Leech saliva provides a rich source of organic matter and bioactive molecules that promote cell division. The addition of leech saliva resulted in a significant increase in the growth rate of Acanthamoeba spp., with maximum growth density observed at 120 h.ResultsThese findings indicate that humic acid-coated magnetic nanocomposites and leech saliva -enriched culture media offer a promising alternative to conventional methods for the rapid and efficient cultivation of Acanthamoeba spp. Our study concludes that humic acid-coated magnetic nanocomposites effectively concentrate parasites, increasing their quantitative density, while leech saliva provides a nutrient-rich environment that stimulates trophozoite feeding and division.ConclusionThis study is noteworthy for presenting an innovative and effective method for the rapid laboratory cultivation and potential treatment of Acanthamoeba spp.

The study explored the long-term efficiency of an integrated electrodialysis-forward osmosis (EDFO) treatment technology for nutrient recovery and its application in irrigating and fertilizing high-value crops. Results showed a stable energy profile with consistent electrical conductivity (EC) trends in both municipal and dairy digestates, highlighting the system's capacity to maintain ionic stability, essential for long-term operation. Fouling resistance was indicated by gradual and minimal declines in current density, reflecting stable performance after three cycles and reducing the need for chemical cleaning. A greenhouse trial assessed the impact of using treated and untreated wastewater for irrigation on plant growth and nutrient dynamics in southern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrid). The plants were grown in a soilless potting media and irrigated with a modified Hoagland nutrient solution (control), untreated municipal or dairy digestate, or recovered nutrient water from municipal or dairy digestate treated by the EDFO process. Leaf area and shoot biomass were similar among the treatments, confirming that wastewater irrigation did not adversely affect blueberry growth. Furthermore, pH levels in the potting media were near or within the optimal range for blueberry cultivation (4.5-5.5), while EC exceeded salinity thresholds for the crop (> 2 dS m(-1)) but did not visibly damage the plants, suggesting that salt levels were manageable with periodic freshwater flushing. Mass-spectrometry-based, non-targeted analysis detected significant reductions in organic pollutants across treatment cycles. In particular, pharmaceuticals and pesticides in untreated digestate were reduced by over 90 % post-treatment, affirming the system's efficacy in removing emerging contaminants that could pose risks in agriculture and consumers. Given the favorable nutrient recovery and contaminant removal, the EDFO system offers a sustainable solution for wastewater reuse, enabling nutrient cycling in agricultural systems and reducing freshwater dependence.

Eutrophication and ecosystem damage result from phosphate pollution. Competing ions make extracting trace phosphate under 2.0 mg/L from treated wastewater difficult. However, if the phosphate could be sustainably recovered or reused in agriculture, considerable savings in fertilizer could be made. On the other hand, agricultural waste, which is a menace, contains a significant amount of cellulose that finds interesting applications as a biodegradable material. This study synthesized a cellulose-based adsorbent with iron hydroxide nanoparticles from nano-fibrillated cellulose (CNF) from agricultural waste and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). It selectively removed phosphate from secondary treated wastewater. Fe(OH)3@CNF/CMC (FCC) removed 3 mg/g phosphate. The hydrogel-like material quickly absorbed 40 g/g of water and slowly released it for a week when dry. Soil burial test indicates microorganisms biodegraded 80 % of the hydrogel in 3 months. After these findings, we delivered plant nutrients using the phosphate-rich exhausted FCC adsorbent. Results showed that phosphate-rich FCC improved seed germination and plant growth. Phosphate-loaded FCC adsorbent promoted better plant growth than single super-phosphate and control samples. This study creates a circular economy-based slowrelease fertilizer from agricultural waste and secondary-treated wastewater. This approach uses the 3 R rule-recycle, recover, and reuse-to benefit society ecologically and economically.

Activated coke waste (ACW), a byproduct of industrial desulfurization and denitrification, consists of fine particles ( Na+ > Cl-. Isothermal adsorption analysis revealed that Na+ and Cl- adsorption aligned with the Langmuir model, whereas SO42- adsorption adhered to the Freundlich model. Application of SACW (>= 10 g kg(-1)) effectively improved saline-alkali soil properties by lowering pH and salinity, enhancing soil aggregate stability, and promoting nutrient utilization efficiency. Notably, SACW-treated soils supported maize plants with significantly increased height and biomass (13.94% and 159.28% higher, respectively; P <= 0.05) compared to untreated controls. These benefits stemmed from improved nutrient availability and reduced salt stress-induced plasma membrane damage. These findings validate SACW as a sustainable, functional amendment for reclaiming saline-alkali ecosystems and boosting crop productivity.

The adoption of sustainable farming practices will improve food security around the world. The evidence that food is produced sustainably has become important for maintaining access to global markets and is influencing commodity marketing and pricing. This paper explores the current state of global sustainability reporting and examines whether yield data could improve the sustainability of farming by adding more rigour and transparency to the evidential basis of sustainability. The Australian grains and oilseeds industry is used as a case study with most of the Australian grain and oilseed crop grown for export markets. Sustainability policies in the European Union, United States of America and Australia are contrasted, with a focus on the improved management of nitrogenous fertiliser, which is viewed as the most efficient way to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Generally, sustainability reporting is based on a suite of indicators that are easy to measure and interpret, sensitive to change, technically sound and cost-effective. These indicators serve as a mechanism to quantify and document the practices used to produce crops but some of the current measures are relatively coarse and lack transparency. The time and cost incurred to collect these measurements could be reduced by using secondary data to report on sustainability. Yield data are already collected by many grain, and oilseed growers, and provide a transparent, evidence-based way to optimise and report on fertiliser application at fine scale. Yield data can help to maintain soil health and farm profit, reduce environmental damage and generate quantitative data for reporting on agricultural sustainability, but some challenges remain before it could be implemented as a universal reporting measure.

Inappropriate fertilization and poor management practices in citrus orchards can cause soil acidification, which may result in potential proton (H+) toxicity to citrus roots. It has been reported that boron (B) can mediate H+ detoxification in citrus; however, the mechanisms remain limited. Herein, a hydroponic experiment was employed to unravel the alleviation mechanism of B on H+ toxicity at pH 4 in trifoliate (Poncirus trifoliate (L.) Raf.) seedlings. H+ toxicity reduced cytoplasmic pH from 7.2 (control) to 6.9 and vacuolar pH from 5.6 (control) to 5.4. This severely damaged the plasma membrane (PM) and inhibited root activity by 35%. However, B supplementation restored cytoplasmic pH to 7.1 and vacuolar pH to 5.6, enhancing root activity by 52% and reducing membrane permeability (relative conductivity decreased by 28%). Mechanistically, B upregulated phosphorylated-type adenosine triphosphatase activity by 14%; conversely, it suppressed vacuolar-type adenosine triphosphatase hyperactivity by 9% to stabilize vacuolar pH. Furthermore, B restored PM integrity by increasing phospholipid (40%), glycolipid (50%) and sulfhydryl group (28%) content, critical for membrane structure and function. It is concluded that B can alleviate root growth inhibition induced by H+ toxicity via increasing the content of key components of PM, which not only repairs the damaged PM but also maintains cellular pH homeostasis through enzyme regulation. The improvement of citrus growth correspondingly safeguards the production capacity.