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Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. is considered an important medicinal herb with extremely high economic value and medicinal value due to its various effects, including anti-oxidation, sedative action, hepatoprotection, and invigorating blood circulation. However, L. chuanxiong cultivation is hampered by various plant diseases, especially the root rot caused by Fusarium solani, hindering the sustainable development of the L. chuanxiong industry. The occurrence of soil-borne diseases is closely linked to imbalances in the microbial community structure. Here, we studied the yields, rhizosphere microbiota, and soil physiochemical characteristics of healthy and diseased L. chuanxiong plants affected by root rot with high-throughput sequencing and microbial network analysis, aiming to explore the relationships between soil environmental factors, microbiomes, and plant health of L. chuanxiong. According to the results, L. chuanxiong root rot significantly decreased the yields, altered microbial community diversity and composition, enriched more pathogenic fungi, recruited some beneficial bacteria, and reduced microbial interaction network stability. The Mantel test showed that soil organic matter and pH were the major environmental factors modulating plant microbiome assembly. The root rot severity was significantly affected by soil physiochemical properties, including organic matter, cation exchange capacity, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH. Furthermore, two differential microbes that have great potential in the biocontrol of L. chuanxiong root rot were dug out in the obtained results, which were the genera Trichoderma and Bacillus. This study provided a theoretical basis for further studies revealing the microecological mechanism of L. chuanxiong root rot and the ecological prevention and control of L. chuanxiong root rot from a microbial ecology perspective. Full article

Plantations left for natural succession play a significant role in Tropical Rainforest National Parks. Studying the succession and restoration of plantations is crucial for achieving a park’s authenticity and integrity, as well as for maximizing its ecological functions. However, the changes in vegetation and soil properties during the natural succession of these decommissioned plantations remain unclear. In this study, we examined rubber [(Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. Ex A. Juss.) Muell. Arg] plantations in the Yinggeling area of the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest. We used community surveys, field sampling, and soil property analyses to investigate the species richness, diversity, and species composition of the aboveground plant communities during three succession periods of rubber plantations left for natural succession, including 0 years (ZY), 3 years (TY), and 7 years (SY). The soil pH, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, and total potassium contents in the three succession periods were analyzed. These results showed that there were 92 species of understory plants in the decommissioned rubber plantations, belonging to 72 genera in 39 families. The highest number of understory plant species was found in the plantations with 3 years of natural succession, totaling 66 species from 49 genera in 29 families. The number of families, genera, and species followed the pattern TY > SY > ZY. The Margalef richness index (F), Simpson index (D), and Shannon–Wiener index (H) of understory plants in the 0-year succession plantations were significantly lower than those in the 3-year and 7-year succession plantations. However, there was no significant difference in the Pielou (EH) index among the succession gradients. The soil pH, nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), and available phosphorus (AP) in the 0-year succession plantations were significantly higher than those in the 3-year and 7-year succession plantations. There were no significant differences in soil total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) across the three succession gradients. The soil total potassium (TK) in the 3-year succession plantations was significantly higher than that in the 0-year and 7-year succession plantations. Soil available phosphorus and total phosphorus (TP) were positively correlated with the Margalef index, Simpson index, Shannon–Wiener index, and Pielou index. The recovery rate of understory vegetation in decommissioned rubber plantations was faster than that of the soil. This indicates that the construction of the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest has significantly promoted the recovery of the number of plant species and plant species diversity that have been left from rubber plantation operations. These findings not only deepen our understanding of soil property changes during the vegetation succession of artificial forests, particularly rubber plantations, but they also hold significant implications for guiding tropical forest management and sustainable development. Full article

Agricultural greenhouses (AGs) are an effective solution to address the growing demand for vegetables despite limited cropland, yet significant soil quality problems often accompany them, particularly in high-altitude regions. However, the effects of natural factors and production management on soil quality are not well understood in such fragile environments. This study analyzed soil quality differences between AGs and adjacent open cropland (OCs) in the Lhasa River Valley, Tibetan Plateau, based on 592 soil samples and 12 key soil physicochemical indicators. GeoDetector was used to identify the dominant factors and their interactions with these differences. The results showed that AG soils had significantly lower pH, with an average decrease of 20%, indicating acidification, while nutrient levels and total salinity were significantly higher compared to OC soils. Specifically, available phosphorus, available potassium, the soil fertility quality index, and total soluble salt increased by 281%, 102%, 38%, and 184%, respectively. Planting, topographic, and fertilizer factors were identified as the dominant factors contributing to these differences. Interaction analysis showed that the interaction of these factors increased the explanatory power by 20.2% to 41.32% compared to individual factors. The interaction between planting year and fertilizer type had the highest explanatory power for nutrient increases and pH decline, while fertilizer amount and slope aspect contributed to salinity accumulation. These findings provide valuable insights and practical guidance for optimizing AG management and ensuring sustainable agricultural development in high-altitude regions. Full article

Climate-driven changes have raised concerns about their long-term impacts on the yield resilience of cereal crops. This issue is critical in Poland as it affects major cereal crops like winter triticale, spring wheat, winter wheat, spring barley, and winter barley. This study investigates how soil nutrient profiles, fertilization practices, and crop management conditions influence the yield resilience of key cereal crops over a thirteen-year period (2009–2022) in the context of changing climate expressed as varying Climatic Water Balance. Data from 47 locations provided by the Research Centre for Cultivar Testing were analyzed to assess the combined effects of agronomic practices and climate-related water availability on crop performance. Yield outcomes under moderate and enhanced management practices were contrasted using Classification and Regression Trees to evaluate the relationships between yield variations and agronomic factors, including soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilization, and levels of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in the soil. The study found a downward trend in Climatic Water Balance, highlighting the increasing influence of climate change on regional water resources. Crop yields responded positively to increased agricultural inputs, especially nitrogen. Optimal soil pH and medium phosphorus levels were identified as crucial for maximizing yield. The findings underscore the importance of tailored nutrient management and adaptive strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of climate variability on cereal production. The results provide insights for field crop research and practical approaches to sustain cereal production in changing climatic conditions. Full article

The primary ecological challenges in citrus orchards include soil acidification, nutrient depletion, and significant carbon dioxide emissions resulting from conventional cultivation practices. To address these challenges, citrus peel residues and cassava stalks underwent pyrolysis at 500 °C to generate biochars. Different proportions of these biochars (1%, 2%, and 4%) were applied under controlled laboratory conditions to assess their impact on the mineralization of soil organic carbon in citrus orchards. The results indicated that both types of biochar effectively regulated the soil pH to approximately 5.5. Significantly, the addition of 4% cassava stalk biochar significantly increased the levels of available phosphorus and potassium. The phosphorus levels rose by 512.55%, and the potassium levels surged by 1434.01%. Additionally, the soil organic carbon increased to 16.7 g/kg. Conversely, the citrus peel biochar decreased the availability of phosphorus but resulted in the highest increase in available potassium, at 1523.75%, and elevated the soil organic carbon content to 13 g/kg. Both types of biochar enhanced the soil organic carbon mineralization rate to varying extents with increasing application ratios, simultaneously boosting the cumulative amount of organic carbon mineralized. Among the treatments, cassava stalk biochar displayed the lowest C₀/SOC ratio, of 0.169, indicating its superior carbon retention capacity. Furthermore, cassava stalk biochar showed inhibitory effects on soil catalase and urease activities within the citrus orchard. Overall, the application of 4% cassava stalk biochar appears to be more beneficial for nutrient regulation and carbon sequestration in citrus orchard soils, while also contributing to the reduction in soil acidification by adjusting pH levels. Full article

Phosphorus is crucial for plant growth and development, but excess fertilizer not absorbed by plants often binds with metal ions like iron and manganese, forming insoluble compounds that contribute to soil environmental pollution. This study investigates the impact of Burkholderia sp., a phosphate-solubilizing bacterium utilized as a biofertilizer, on the fertility of T. grandis soil, alongside the associated shifts in soil metabolites and their relationship with microbial communities after inoculation. The soil microbial community structures and metabolite profiles were analyzed via amplicon sequencing and high-resolution untargeted metabolomics. The inoculation of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria led to a significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in total phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen concentrations in the soil, with a marked increase in available phosphorus in bulk soil (p < 0.05). Moreover, the microbial community structure exhibited significant shifts, particularly in the abundance of bacterial phyla such as Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, and the fungal phylum Ascomycota. Metabolomic analysis revealed distinct metabolites, including fatty acids, hormones, amino acids, and drug-related compounds. Key microbial taxa such as Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Mucoromycota, and Ascomycota indirectly contributed to soil phosphorus metabolism by influencing these differential metabolites. In conclusion, the application of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria offers an innovative approach to improving soil quality in T. grandis, promoting phosphorus utilization efficiency, and enhancing soil ecosystem health by optimizing microbial communities and metabolite compositions. Full article

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) ranks as the third most significant greenhouse gas, capable of depleting the ozone layer and posing threats to terrestrial ecosystems. Climate change alters precipitation variability, notably in terms of frequency and magnitude. However, the implications of precipitation variability on N₂O emissions and the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. In this study, employing laboratory incubation methods on three representative sandy soil types (sandy soil, shrub soil, and crust soil), we examined the impacts of diverse precipitation levels (5 mm and 10 mm) and frequencies (7 days and 14 days) on N₂O emissions from these soil types. This study aims to clarify the complex connections between soil N₂O emission fluxes and soil physicochemical properties in the soil environment. Our findings reveal that the N₂O emission flux exhibits heightened responsiveness to 5 mm precipitation events and a 14-day precipitation frequency, and compared to other treatments, the 5 mm precipitation and 14-day precipitation frequency treatment resulted in a 20% increase in cumulative nitrous oxide emissions. Consequently, cumulative N₂O emissions were notably elevated under the 5 mm precipitation and 14-day precipitation frequency treatments compared to the other experimental conditions. The N₂O emission flux in sandy soil displayed a positive correlation with available phosphorus (AP) and a negative correlation with pH, primarily attributed to the exceedingly low AP content in sandy soil. In shrub soil, the soil N₂O emission flux exhibited a significant positive correlation with NH₄⁺-N and a negative correlation with NO₃⁻-N. Conversely, no significant correlations were observed between soil N₂O emission flux and soil physicochemical properties in crust soil, underscoring the importance of considering plant–soil microbial interactions. Our findings suggest that soil nitrous oxide emissions in arid and semi-arid regions will be particularly responsive to small and frequent rainfall events as precipitation patterns change in the future, primarily due to their soil physicochemical characteristics. Full article

Forest fires represent a significant ecological disturbance in ecosystems that increasingly affects Pinus heldreichii H. Christ forests at the upper tree line in Montenegro, due to climate change and anthropogenic factors. Soil samples were collected from five high-altitude sites in the Kuči Mountains, including three post-fire sites (2-, 4-, and 6-years post-fire) and two unburned control sites. High-throughput sequencing and soil chemical analyses were conducted to assess fungal diversity, community composition, and soil nutrient properties. The results showed that fungal diversity was significantly higher in unburned soils compared to post-fire soils, with the most prominent changes in ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are crucial for pine regeneration. The fungal community composition differed markedly between the post-fire and unburned sites, with specific taxa such as Hygrocybe conica (Schaeff.) P. Kumm. and Solicoccozyma aeria (Saito) Yurkov dominating the post-fire environments. Despite this, the fungal richness did not significantly change over time (2-, 4-, or 6-years post-fire), suggesting the slow recovery of fungal communities in high-altitude environments. In addition to shifts in fungal biodiversity, the post-fire soils exhibited higher levels of available phosphorus, likely due to the conversion of organic phosphorus into soluble forms during combustion. However, the organic matter content remained unchanged. This study provided important insights into the long-term ecological impacts of forest fires on high-altitude P. heldreichii forests and underlined the importance of preserving unburned forest areas to maintain fungal biodiversity and support natural regeneration, as well as the potential need for active restoration strategies in fire-affected regions. Full article

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) is regarded among the most crucial crops globally because it is abundant in essential nutrients vital for human health. However, limited comprehensive information is available regarding the nutritional composition of sweet potato, which hinders its optimal utilization. This study investigated the nutritional and chemical composition of sweet potato roots and explored their interrelationships. In total, 86 sweet potato accessions, comprising white, yellow, orange, and purple flesh-colored varieties, were used. A total of 34 components, including nutrients, phytochemicals, and minerals, were identified. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the relationships among these components. The sweet potato roots were rich in carbohydrates, polyphenols, and minerals. Carbohydrates were primarily composed of total starch (22.6–69.7 g/100 g DW), total soluble sugar (TSS) (10.3–40.0 g/100 g DW), and total dietary fiber (TDF) (7.99–26.0 g/100 g DW). Polyphenols included total caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) (0.478–14.2 g/kg DW), total anthocyanins (0–2003 mg/kg DW), and β-carotene (0–133 mg/kg DW). The mineral content followed the order: potassium > calcium > phosphorus > sodium > magnesium > iron > manganese > zinc > copper > selenium. White-fleshed sweet potato exhibited high total starch levels (50.4 g/100 g DW) but low TSS levels (21.1 g/100 g DW). Orange-fleshed sweet potato contained high levels of TSS (26.5 g/100 g DW), TDF (17.9 g/100 g DW), and β-carotene (61.4 mg/100 g DW) but low levels of protein (2.99 g/100 g DW) and total starch (43.0 g/100 g DW). Purple-fleshed sweet potato had high levels of phytochemicals, particularly total CQAs (8.17 g/kg DW) and anthocyanins (904 mg/kg DW). Cluster analysis categorized sweet potato accessions into six clusters with unique characteristics. Furthermore, principal component analysis identified accessions with exceptionally high nutritional content. The correlation analysis indicated that starch was negatively correlated with soluble sugar and TDF, whereas CQAs and anthocyanins were highly positively correlated. These findings offer a solid theoretical foundation for sweet potato breeding and utilization. Full article

Key soil properties play pivotal roles in shaping crop growth and yield outcomes. Accurate point prediction and interval prediction of soil properties serve as crucial references for making informed decisions regarding fertilizer applications. Traditional soil testing methods often entail laborious and resource-intensive chemical analyses. To address this challenge, this study introduced a novel approach leveraging spectral data fusion techniques to forecast key soil properties. The initial datasets were derived from UV–visible–near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectral data and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral data, which underwent preprocessing stages involving smoothing denoising and fractional-order derivative[s] (FOD) transform techniques. After extracting the characteristic bands from both types of spectral data, three fusion strategies were developed, which were further enhanced using machine learning techniques. Among these strategies, the outer-product analysis fusion algorithm proved particularly effective in improving prediction accuracy. For point predictions, metrics such as the coefficient of determination (R²) and error metrics demonstrated significant enhancements compared to predictions based solely on single-source spectral data. Specifically, R² values increased by 0.06 to 0.41, underscoring the efficacy of the fusion approach combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR). In addition, based on the coverage width criterion to establish reliable prediction intervals for key soil properties, including soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), hydrolyzed nitrogen (HN), and available potassium (AK). These intervals were developed within the framework of the kernel density estimation (KDE) interval prediction model, which facilitates the quantification of uncertainty in property estimates. For available phosphorus (AP), a preliminary assessment of its concentration was also provided. By integrating advanced spectral data fusion with machine learning, this study paves the way for more informed agricultural decision making and sustainable soil management strategies. Full article

The effects of balanced fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) on foxtail millet productivity and the soil environment under the same conditions of total nutrients have received limited research attention. Therefore, in this study, three balanced fertilization patterns of 27-14-10 (T1), 27-17-7 (T2), and 30-10-11 (T3), and one no fertilization treatment (CK), a total of four treatments, were set up through a two-year field experiment to study the effects of balanced fertilization patterns on foxtail millet yield and soil environment. Mantel analysis was conducted to reveal the correlation between soil environmental factors and the community and their contribution to productivity. The results showed that: (1) all balanced fertilization treatments significantly increased foxtail millet yield, with the highest yield in the T1 treatment. (2) The contents of EC, available K, available P, and alkaline-hydrolyzable nitrogen in the soil of the two-year TI treatments were higher than those of the other treatments and increased by 7.20–9.36%, 24.87–52.35%, 55.83–56.38%, and 21.05–43.95%, respectively, compared with CK. (3) Soil urease activity in the T1 treatment increased significantly by 26.67% and 9.00% compared with the control over the two years. Sucrase activity increased by 36.27% and 23.88% in the T1 treatment compared to CK, and glutaminase activity increased by 33.33% and 19.23% in the T1 treatment compared to CK. (4) T1 treatment significantly increased the OUT number and diversity index of the soil bacterial community. (5) Mantel analysis and principal component analysis showed that available soil nutrients and soil enzymes were positively correlated, and soil enzymes and soil nutrients contributed more to foxtail millet productivity. In this study, the 27-14-10 balanced fertilization pattern was more effective, providing a theoretical basis for the research and development of special fertilizers for foxtail millet and offering technical guidance for realizing the light simplified cultivation of foxtail millet and sustainable development of cost–saving and increased efficiency. Full article

Different cropping systems and nutrient management techniques impact the microbiological characteristics of soil and nutrient availability for plants. This study assessed four cropping systems—rice–wheat, cotton–wheat, pearl millet–wheat, and pearl millet–mustard in Hisar district, Haryana, using 80 soil samples (20 from each system) collected in April 2022 after the Rabi crop harvest. The cotton–wheat system had the highest accessible nitrogen (N) at 155.9 kg ha⁻¹, while both the cotton–wheat (59.3 kg ha⁻¹) and rice–wheat (54.0 kg ha⁻¹) systems had higher available sulfur (S) levels compared to pearl millet–wheat (41.2 kg ha⁻¹). Pearl millet–wheat also showed 12.4% higher potassium (K) levels than rice–wheat. The rice–wheat system exhibited the highest phosphorus (P) concentration at 54.3 kg ha⁻¹ and greater DTPA-extractable micronutrients. Soils from the rice–wheat system had higher DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) and superior microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN, 54.7 mg kg⁻¹), urease (37.9 µg NH₄⁺-N g⁻¹ h⁻¹), and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA, 269.7 µg PNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹) compared to other systems. Canonical discriminant functions explained 88.1% of the variability among cropping systems, while principal component analysis identified available P, DTPA-extractable Zn, and Cu as key soil quality indicators, accounting for 66.9% of the variance. These insights can inform policymakers on promoting effective cropping systems and sustainable soil health in northwestern India. Full article

Water scarcity and increasing salinity stress are significant challenges in the farming sector as they often exacerbate each other, as limited water availability can concentrate salts in the soil, further hindering plant growth. Lettuce, a crucial leafy vegetable with high nutritional value, is susceptible to water availability and quality. This study investigates the growth and development of lettuce plants under water scarcity and varying levels of salinity stress to identify effective strategies for reducing water consumption while maintaining or improving plant productivity. Field experiments were designed to simulate three drought levels (50, 75, and 100% of class A pan evaporation) and three salinity stress levels (control, 1500, and 3000 ppm NaCl), assessing their impact on lettuce’s morphological and biochemical parameters. The combination of reduced water supply and high salinity significantly hindered growth, underscoring the detrimental effects of simultaneous water deficit and salinity stress on plant development. Non-stressed treatment enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents and progressively decreased with the reduction in water supply from 100% to 50%. Interestingly, higher salinity levels increased total phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity, suggesting an adaptive stress response. Moreover, antioxidant activity, evaluated through DPPH and ABTS assays, peaked in plants irrigated with 75% ETo, whether under control or 1500 ppm salinity conditions. The Yield Stability Index was highest at 75% ETo (0.95), indicating robust stability under stress. The results indicated that lettuce could be cultivated with up to 75% of the water requirement without significantly impacting plant development or quality. Furthermore, the investigation demonstrated that lettuce could thrive when irrigated with water of moderate salinity (1500 ppm). These findings highlight the potential for reducing water quantities and saline water in lettuce production, offering practical solutions for sustainable farming in water-scarce regions. Full article

Climate warming and high-intensity human activities threaten the stability of alpine meadow ecosystems. The stability of the soil microbial community is crucial for maintaining ecological service function. However, the effects of warming and litter removal on microbial interactions, community-building processes, and species coexistence strategies remain unclear. In this study, we used a fiberglass open-top chamber to simulate global change, and moderate grazing in winter was simulated by removing above-ground litter from all plants in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China, to investigate the effects of warming, litter removal, and interactions on soil microbial communities. The treatments included (1) warming treatment (W); (2) litter removal treatment (L); (3) the combined treatment (WL); and (4) control (CK). The results show that compared with the control treatment, warming, litter removal, and the combined treatments increased bacterial Shannon diversity but reduced fungal Shannon diversity, and warming treatment significantly changed the bacterial community composition. Warming, litter removal, and the combined treatments reduced the colinear network connectivity among microorganisms but increased the modularity of the network, and the average path distance and average clustering coefficient were higher than those in the control group. Stochastic processes played a more important role in shaping the microbial community composition, and soil–available phosphorus and soil ammonium contributed more to the βNTI of the bacterial community, while total phosphorus and NAG enzyme in the soil contributed more to the βNTI of the fungal community. Notably, litter removal counteracts the effects of warming on bacterial communities. These results suggest that litter removal may enhance bacterial community stability under warming conditions, providing insights for managing alpine meadow ecosystems in the context of climate change. Full article

With increasing global water scarcity, the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation offers a promising solution, particularly in arid regions. This study evaluates the impact of distillery wastewater from Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc. (KKL) on the growth of wheat and sorghum in the Kinmen region. The field experiment applied varying proportions of KKL wastewater to assess its effects on soil properties, nutrient distribution, and crop performance. The results showed that wastewater irrigation increased soil concentrations of key nutrients, such as potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P), but also raised the electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) beyond acceptable irrigation standards. K, Mg, Ca, and P primarily accumulated in the stems and grains, while Na was concentrated in the roots. However, higher wastewater concentrations negatively affected soil permeability due to Na accumulation, and elevated salinity levels led to reduced plant biomass. This study concludes that although wastewater irrigation improves nutrient availability, careful management is essential to mitigate salinity risks and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential of wastewater reuse in water-scarce regions and provide practical recommendations for managing associated risks. Full article