Root-knot nematodes (RKN) severely reduce watermelon yields worldwide, despite its nutraceutical value. This study investigated the effects of rock dust (RD) and poultry manure (PM) amendments, applied singly or in combination, on RKN suppression and watermelon fruit yield enhancement. A two-trial field experiment was conducted utilizing a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The treatments included RD and PM each applied at 0, 2.5, or 5 t/ha and combined applications of RD and PM at 2.5 or 5 t/ha each. At 60-66 days post-inoculation, root galling and RKN population density were assessed alongside root-shoot weight. The results indicated that root galling in watermelons was reduced by 60-85 % and 67-89 % in the combined RD- and PMtreated plots across the 1st and 2nd trials, respectively, in contrast to the control plots. Likewise, the RKN population was suppressed by 94-99 % in treated plots in both trials, differing from the control plots. Notably, watermelon fruit yield was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in combined RD and PM treated plots, ranging from 24.7 to 33.7 t/ha and 34.6-46.5 t/ha in the 1st and 2nd trials, respectively, compared to control plots with 13.5 t/ha in the 1st trial compared to and 20.9 t/ha yield in the 2nd trial. In conclusion, our study indicates that coapplication of RD and PM effectively reduced RKN damage and enhanced watermelon fruit yield, providing a sustainable strategy for watermelon production.

Arsenic contamination poses a significant threat to agricultural productivity and food security, especially in Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea). This study evaluates the potential of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) to mitigate arsenic stress in C. arietinum (Noor 2022). The experiment was conducted at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement and three replications. A pot experiment was conducted using seven treatments comprising various concentrations of SiNPs applied alone or combined with arsenic [T0 (control, no SiNPs), T1 (3.5% SiNPs), T2 (7% SiNPs), T3 (10.5% SiNPs), T4 (3.5% SiNPs + 30 ppm Ar), T5 (7% SiNPs + 30 ppm Ar), and T6 (10.5% SiNPs + 30 ppm Ar)]. SiNPs were applied as foliar sprays in three splits from the second to fourth weeks after sowing. Morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters were assessed, including chlorophyll content, total soluble proteins, proline, and antioxidant enzyme activities. The results demonstrated that SiNPs significantly enhanced stress tolerance in chickpea plants. At 10.5% SiNPs, chlorophyll content increased by 35%, carotenoids by 42%, and proline by 68% compared to arsenic-stressed plants without SiNPs, indicating improved photosynthetic efficiency and osmotic adjustment. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), increased by 50%, 47%, and 53%, respectively, mitigating oxidative damage. Soluble sugars and phenolic content also rose by 28% and 32%, respectively, under 10.5% SiNPs. However, when combined with arsenic, some antagonistic effects were observed, with a slight decrease in chlorophyll and antioxidant activity compared to SiNPs alone. These findings suggest that SiNPs are a promising tool for improving crop resilience in arsenic-contaminated soils, offering insights into sustainable agricultural practices. Further research is warranted to explore long-term impacts and optimize application strategies.

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are produced during biochar pyrolysis and, depending on biochar application, can be either detrimental or beneficial. High levels of EPFRs may interfere with cellular metabolism and be toxic, because EPFR-generated reactive oxygen species (e.g., hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH)) attack organic molecules. However, center dot OH can be useful in remediating recalcitrant organic contaminants in soils. Understanding the (system-specific) safe range of EPFRs produced by biochars requires knowing both the context of their use and their overall significance in the existing suite of environmental radicals, which has rarely been addressed. Here we place EPFRs in a broader environmental context, showing that biochar can have EPFR concentrations from 108-fold lower to 109-fold higher than EPFRs from other environmental sources, depending on feedstock, production conditions, and degree of environmental aging. We also demonstrate that center dot OH radical concentrations from biochar EPFRs can be from 104-fold lower to 1017-fold higher than other environmental sources, depending on EPFR type and concentration, reaction time, oxidant concentration, and extent of environmental EPFR persistence. For both EPFR and center dot OH concentrations, major uncertainties derive from the range of biochar properties and the range of data reporting practices. Controlling feedstock lignin content and pyrolysis conditions are the most immediate options for managing EPFRs. Co-application of compost to provide organics may serve as a postpyrolysis method to quench and reduce biochar EPFRs.

Robusta coffee, a vital cash crop for Vietnamese smallholders, significantly contributes to the national economy. Vietnam is the largest exporter of Robusta coffee, supplying 53% of the global market. However, this success has come at a cost. Decades of intensive Robusta coffee cultivation in Vietnam have led to severe soil acidification and biodiversity loss, favoring soil-borne pathogens. There is a lack of literature analyzing how intensive management causes soil acidification, advances the spread of soilborne pathogens, and the application of soil amendments to address these issues. Therefore, this review explores the causes of acidification, pathogen proliferation, and sustainable amendments like lime and biochar to mitigate these effects. The study synthesizes findings from studies on soil acidification, soil-borne pathogen dynamics, and sustainable soil amendments in Robusta coffee systems. We found that the overuse of nitrogen-based chemical fertilizers to grow coffee is the primary driver of soil acidification, consequently increasing soilborne diseases and the severity of plant diseases. Additionally, the effects of soil amendments as a sustainable solution to reduce soil acidity, enhance soil health, and better control soilborne pathogens. The implementation of sustainable coffee farming systems is strongly recommended to meet the increased demand for safe and green products worldwide. Locally available resources (lime, biochar, and agricultural wastes) present immediate solutions, but urgent action is required to prevent irreversible damage. However, the effects of amendments significantly vary in field conditions, suggesting that further studies should be conducted to address these challenges and promote sustainability.

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.

Globally, salt stress is one of the most significant abiotic stresses limiting crop production in dry-land regions. Nowadays, growing crops in dry-land regions under saline irrigation is the main focus. Soil amendment with organic materials has shown the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on plants. This study aimed to examine the ameliorative impact of soil amendment (manure + sandy, compost + sandy, clay + sandy and sandy soil) on the growth, yield, physiological, and biochemical attributes of Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et Mey (HS) and Avena sativa L. (OT) under fresh and saline water irrigation in dry-land regions. The results showed that salt stress negatively affected both plant species' growth, physiological traits, yield, and chloride ions. In response to saline irrigation, plants of both species increased catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities as part of a self-defense mechanism to minimize damage. Salt stress also significantly raised levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and chloride ions (Cl). However, soil amendment treatments like manure + sandy and compost + sandy soil countered the negative effects of saline irrigation, significantly improving plant growth and yield compared with sandy soil. Thus, organic soil amendment is a promising strategy for sustainable crop production under saline irrigation in dry-land regions. This study provides valuable insights into enhancing agricultural production by fostering resilient halophytes and salt-tolerant plant species in challenging environments.

Ironmaking- steelmaking is a material and energy intensive process with a resource efficiency of only - 33 %. Resource efficiency enhancement requires recovering the wasted/unutilized material by-products and the energy associated with them in various forms. This review attempts to identify the material leakages and energy losses at each step of steelmaking (from iron ore mining) and explores approaches to plug the energy and material leakage; material efficiency brings in energy savings indirectly. Besides the material loss, accumulation of the byproducts (slime/tailings, steel slag, etc.), carbon emission, etc., cause environmental and ecological damage. The review discusses the prospects of slimes/tailings beneficiation through physical and physicochemical methods (often after some pretreatments). The manuscript also discusses the need to recover heat from molten slags (BF slag and BOF slag) to reduce the energy intensity. Further, it discusses the endeavors to overcome the latent hydraulic activity of granulated BF slag and ways to enhance the acceptability of BOF slag in different applications. A brief sum-up of global efforts towards net zero emission (in line with the Paris Declaration) through carbon recycling, low emission intensity processes, alternate fuels, etc., is included. Lastly, the authors list the challenges of the Indian iron & steel industry and the efforts from the government and steel industries towards achieving the projected crude steel production (300 million tons) without crossing the emission intensity thresholds (Paris Declaration). The endeavors strengthen the sustainability of the steel industry.

Revalorized olive waste impacts root microbiome.Root microbiome modulates plant-induced defense.Insect's exudate simulates the pest attack.The objective of this study was to investigate the combined effect of soil amendments and pest attack on plant-induced defense and their impact on a biological control agent's behavior. The effects of olive mill wastes revalorized through vermicomposting on the aboveground tri-trophic interactions among olive trees (Olea europaea), the olive seed-feeder, Prays oleae, and its natural predator, Chrysoperla carnea, were evaluated. The findings demonstrate that soil nitrogen and organic carbon levels, in conjunction with fungal diversity and functionality within olive roots, exert a significant influence on the volatile compounds emitted by the plant under attack that are most appealing to C. carnea. Moreover, the attractiveness of aerial volatiles was found to correlate with soil organic carbon content and the taxonomic and functional diversity of both bacteria and fungi in the olive root system. It is worthy of note that three particular volatile compounds, namely 5-hepten-2-one-6-methyl, acetic acid and nonanal, were consistently observed to attract C. carnea. These findings highlight the potential of soil amendments to enhance biological control strategies. Future research should prioritise the validation the greenhouse findings through large-scale field trials and the assessment of the practical applications of soil amendments in pest management programmes.

Compost tea is widely recognized for its beneficial effects on crop growth and soil health. However, its efficacy varies depending on the composition of the feedstock and brewing conditions. This study investigates the chemical composition and agronomic impact of compost tea prepared from a commercial mixture of plant residues and animal manure. Standard chemical analyses, combined with solid-state 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, were employed to characterize the organic chemistry of the feedstock. High-throughput sequencing of bacterial and eukaryotic rRNA gene markers was used to profile the microbiota. Compost tea was applied to three crops, Allium cepa, Beta vulgaris, and Lactuca sativa, grown in protected Mediterranean environments on volcanic soils. The 13C CPMAS NMR analysis revealed that the feedstock is predominantly composed of plant-derived tissues, including grass straw, nitrogen-fixing hay, and animal manure, with a significant presence of O-alkyl-C and di-O-alkyl-C regions typical of sugars and polysaccharides. Additionally, the chemical profile indicated the presence of an aliphatic fraction (alkyl-C), characteristic of lipids such as waxes and cutins. The compost tea microbiome was dominated by Pseudomonadota, with Pseudomonas, Massilia, and Sphingomonas being the most prevalent genera. Compost tea application resulted in significant yield increases, ranging from +21% for lettuce to +58% for onion and +110% for chard. Furthermore, compost tea application reduced slug damage and enhanced the shelf life of lettuce. These findings highlight the bio-stimulant potential of this standardized compost tea mixture across different vegetable crops.

Rubble deposits with a high concentration of rock debris were created after the powerful earthquakes in Jiuzhaigou. Because of the restricted soil resources, water leaks, and nutrient deficits, these deposits pose serious obstacles for vegetation regeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the main mechanisms controlling soil water retention and evaluate the effects of different amendments on the hydraulic characteristics and water-holding capacity of collapsed rubble soils. Fine-grained soil, forest humus, crushed straw, and organic components that retain water were added to the altered soils to study the pore structure images and soil-water characteristic curves. Comparing understory humus to other supplements, the results showed a considerable increase in the soil's saturated and wilting water content. The saturated water content and wilting water content rose by 17.9% and 4.3%, respectively, when the percentage of understory soil reached 30%. Additionally, the enhanced soil's microporosity and total pore volume increased by 45.33% and 11.27%, respectively, according to nuclear magnetic imaging. It was shown that while clay particles and organic matter improved the soil's ability to adsorb water, they also increased the soil's total capacity to store water. Fine particulate matter did this by decreasing macropores and increasing capillary pores. These results offer an essential starting point for creating strategies for soil repair that would encourage the restoration of plants on slopes that have been damaged.