Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Integration of Biochar with Chemical Fertilizers Improves the Economic Yield, Quality of Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum L.) and Soil Health","authors":"Praveen Singh, B. B. Basak, V. J. Patel, Rohan Sarkar, K. C. Patel, G. N. Motaka","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01977-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01977-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>An attempt was made to recycle distillation waste biomass (DWB) of holy basil (<i>Ocimum sanctum</i> Linn) for cultivation of the same crop. The DWB-derived BC was co-applied with chemical fertilizer (CF) to improve the effectiveness of CF in holy basil cultivation. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the co-application of DWB derived BC with and without CF on plant growth, yield and soil nutrient availability. The application of BC (5 t ha^− 1) with a 100% recommended dose of CF resulted in the highest fresh herbage (320.5 g plant^− 1), dry herbage (95.0 g plant^− 1) and essential oil yields (0.8 g plant^− 1). BC (5 t ha^− 1) treated with 50% of the recommended dose of CF exhibited the highest total phenol (30.13 mg GAE g^− 1) and total flavonoid (66.63 mg QE g^− 1) contents in dry leaf extract. Significantly greater antioxidant activity was recorded in the treatment receiving co-application of BC with the recommended dose of CF than in the treatment receiving only BC and the recommended dose of CF. Compared with the control and CF treatments, the BC treatment significantly improved the cation exchange capacity and organic carbon in the soil. Furthermore, the co-application of BC with 100% of the recommended dose of CF was the most efficient treatment for improving the soil properties and nutrient availability. Hence, the integration of BC with the recommended dose of CF improved nutrient availability for a longer time, resulting in better economic yield and quality of the medicinal herbs.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142190115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shoot K/Na Ratio is the Key Factor for Vermicompost and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi to Improve Maize Biomass in Saline-Alkali Soil","authors":"Baoru Sun, Zhiyi Li, Chong Wang","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01994-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01994-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To investigate the relationships and relative contributions of soil physical and chemical properties, and plant hormones and antioxidant enzymes to maize biomass production with the application of vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in saline-alkali soil. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with maize grown with factorial combinations of plus and minus vermicompost and AMF additions. With the application of vermicompost and AMF, soil macroaggregates increased by 14 to 48%, salt concentration decreased by 12 to 34%, available phosphorus increased by 15 to 59%, and ammonium-N concentration increased by 26 to 40%. In response the shoot K/Na ratio increased by 43 to 261%, with consequent increases in plant nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, and biomass. The improvements in salt concentration and nutrient availability were paralleled by shoot indole-3-acetic acid concentration increasing by 20 to 28% and shoot catalase activity decreasing by 12 to 48%, which facilitated the increase in nutrient uptake and biomass. The increased biomass was mostly attributed to shoot K/Na ratio and catalase activity, by 54.4% and 9.7%, respectively. The synergistic effects of soil physical and chemical amelioration, and plant endogenously physiological regulation with vermicompost and AMF application effectively improved maize biomass in saline-alkali soil, with shoot K/Na being the key driver of biomass enhancement, and this mechanism merits consideration as an important target to improve plant salinity tolerance and biomass production under salt stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142190116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nanotechnology in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Productivity with Sustainable Nano-Fertilizers and Nano-Biofertilizers","authors":"Sanjeev Kumar Soni, Sakshi Dogra, Apurav Sharma, Bishakha Thakur, Jyoti Yadav, Aishwarya Kapil, Raman Soni","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01988-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01988-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>With the global population increasing and food security becoming an ever more critical issue, the need for enhanced agricultural practices to boost crop productivity while ensuring sustainability is unmistakable. While chemical fertilizers have played a vital role in modern agriculture, their excessive use has resulted in environmental pollution and economic challenges. As an alternative, biofertilizers have emerged, albeit with certain limitations. The advent of nanotechnology offers an environmentally friendly and precise solution, introducing the era of nano-fertilizers and nano-biofertilizers. These nanoparticles exhibit the potential to improve soil fertility and crop yields while minimizing adverse environmental effects. In the realm of nanotechnology, precision agriculture aims to optimize chemical usage by mimicking natural processes. This article explores the latest advancements in nanotechnology, specifically focusing on the development of nano-fertilizers and nano-biofertilizers, underscoring their pivotal role in sustainable agriculture. Through a risk–benefit analysis compared to conventional methods, this review contributes to the ongoing discussion on achieving long-term stewardship of natural and human resources, ultimately benefiting both agriculture and the environment. Additionally, it identifies various gaps and challenges, proposing potential solutions for modern agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response Surface Methodology for Optimizing Water and Fertilizer Requirements for Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth in Sandy Soil","authors":"Mohamed Emran, Eman H. El-Gamal, Ahmed M. Haddad, Omar M. Ibrahim","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01973-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01973-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To foster sustainable agricultural practices, the utilization of irrigation, fertilizers, and recycled soil enhancements is essential, particularly in regions with limited resources. This investigation sought to ascertain the optimal water and fertilizer prerequisites for the cultivation of maize by employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in arenosol enriched with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) in a controlled pot experiment. The experimental treatments were determined using the Central Composite Design based on varying levels of irrigation (50%, 75%, and 100% of soil field capacity), nitrogen (0, 1, and 2 g pot⁻¹), and SMS (0, 5, and 10%, v/v). The investigation's findings demonstrated that augmented irrigation and nitrogen fertilization positively influenced all agronomic traits, as well as nitrogen concentrations in the roots, shoots, and soil. SMS increased shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, leaf area per plant, and dissolved and total soil organic carbon. The optimal levels of irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer, and SMS to improve agronomic attributes were determined to be 81.43–97.80%, 1.38–1.69 g pot⁻¹, and 5.77–8.48%, respectively. The optimal amounts for NPK retention in soil and plant uptake were 69.50–98.00%, 1.20–1.98 g pot⁻¹, and 4.72–9.74%, respectively. The study concluded that irrigation and nitrogen levels had a greater impact on optimizing maize growth response than SMS. However, SMS was found to be more effective in increasing plant biomass due to its enhancement of both dissolved and total soil organic carbon. Furthermore, the interaction of irrigation and mineral nitrogen with SMS improved soil nutrient retention, plant uptake, and plant biomass productivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189840","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Soil Magnesium Leaching in Tea Garden","authors":"Sen Wang, Wei Lin, Qi Ye, Wenzhuo Lv, Penghui Liao, Jinhui Yu, Cong Mu, LiangQuan Wu, Muhammad Atif Muneer, Yinjie Zhang, Runzhi Zhan, Aolin Wu, Huihuang Wu, Chengcong Chen, Huogui Su, Yanhua Chen, Zongbo Wang, Zetian Zhang, Hao Ji, Lijin Guo","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01995-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01995-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Magnesium (Mg) helps improve tea yield and quality, yet many tea plantations in China commonly exhibit magnesium deficiency. Therefore, studying the mechanisms of Mg²⁺ leaching in tea plantation soils is of significant importance. This study investigates how nitrogen fertilizer application affects the leaching mechanisms of magnesium in soil through pot experiments. The control group (N0) consisted of pots without tea seedlings and no nitrogen fertilizer solution added, only an equivalent amount of ultrapure water was used. The experimental groups were: N1 (no tea seedlings, 0.75 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen), N2 (no tea seedlings, 1.5 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen), N3 (no tea seedlings, 3.0 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen), TN0 (tea seedlings, no nitrogen), TN1 (tea seedlings, 0.75 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen), TN2 (tea seedlings, 1.5 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen), and TN3 (tea seedlings, 3.0 mmol L^− 1 nitrogen). The results show that the correlation between nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and Mg in the soil with tea seedlings is higher than in soil without tea seedlings. This indicates that tea planting promotes the leaching of Mg²⁺ in the soil. Further investigation revealed that excessive nitrogen application reduces the soil pH, activates aluminum ions (Al³⁺) in the soil, and competes with Mg²⁺ for net adsorption sites, further exacerbating the leaching of Mg²⁺. Additionally, excessive use of nitrogen fertilizer limits the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients, indirectly leading to the leaching of Mg²⁺. We believe that excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer in tea gardens will exacerbate the leaching of Mg²⁺ in the soil.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Artificially Crushing Bedrock by Rotary Tillage on Soil Infiltration: A Field Study in a Shallow Hillslope in China","authors":"Guohui Luo, Shikang Yu, Yunwei Han, Huizhan Gu, Xinkui Yang, Yu Li, Tao Wu, Fucheng Li","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01986-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01986-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In purple soil areas of China, there is a traditional practice of breaking up bedrock to obtain soil matrix by hoeing. Purple soil is formed by the development of mud shale with low hardness and high brittleness, which is easy to break under mechanical action. Research on the effect of deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) in breaking up the bedrock on soil infiltration performance is still lacking. This study selected a hillslope with 18 cm, 25 cm, and 40 cm soil depths at the upper, middle, and lower slopes, respectively. They investigated differences in soil infiltration capacity after DVRT and rotary tillage (RT) and identified the main controlling factors responsible for differences. The effects of different bedrock fragment contents (RFC, range 0-70%) and the bedrock size (0-5, 5-10, 10-20 mm) on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were investigated with laboratory tests by constant head method. Results are that (1) stabilized soil infiltration rates for the DVRT treatment increased by 150% and 81% relative to the RT treatment at the upper and middle slope positions, and the lower slope position decreased by 80%. (2) The Kostiakov model shows that the DVRT broken bedrock promotes soil infiltration performance on the upper and middle slopes but inhibits this at lower slope. (3) With increased RFC, saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased and then increased, and RFC thresholds existed to change the inhibition/promotion effect. The thresholds for bedrock fragments with grain sizes of 0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 mm were 74%, 59%, and 53%, respectively. It is suggested that DVRT can regulate the soil infiltration in shallow hillslopes and promote rainwater in-situ utilization.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142190117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Community of Subsoiling Have a Stronger Ability to Utilize Carbon Sources Across Aggregate Classes in an Anniversary Rotation","authors":"Ruxin Li, Xinkun Liu, Yi Lv, Qisong Gao, Yingxin Yu, Huifang Han","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01983-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01983-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>The goal of global carbon (C) neutralization has raised concerns about the potential of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, particularly regarding the role of soil microbial activities across aggregate classes. Reasonable tillage methods drive microbial community within soil aggregates, so have a stronger ability to utilize carbon sources. However, simultaneously studying the effects of tillage methods through microbial activity, functional and structural diversity at the aggregate level is relatively rare, and seasonal changes in the ability to utilize carbon sources of microbial communities remain largely unknown.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Initial from 2002, a 14-year long-term tillage experiment started; then in 2016–2017, we tested the following tillage methods: no tillage (NT), rotary tillage (RT), subsoiling (ST) and conventional tillage (CT).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Compared with CT, ST had the most significant promoting effect on microbial activity across aggregate classes, and microbial activity (ATP and SIR) decreased with the aggregate classes decreasing. ATP and SIR increased by 3.23 µmol·g^− 1 and 15.94 µg CO₂·g^− 1·d^− 1 in winter wheat growth, and increased by 2.39 µmol·g^− 1 and 31.16 µg CO₂·g^− 1·d^− 1 in summer maize growth. Microbial communities in aggregates under ST and NT had greater diversity and ability to utilize carbon sources compared with CT, and those function showed the order of 5 − 2 &gt; 2-0.25 &gt; 0.25–0.053 mm. The microbial activity and diversity were higher in summer maize growth.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Therefore, ST is a promising tillage method for enhancing the soil microbial activity and diversity. Our study provides a fundamental understanding for the utilization of carbon sources by microbial community whithin aggregate level and highlights the importance of reasonable tillage methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Natural Enrichment Patterns and Mechanisms of Heavy Metals in Mid-Holocene Soils of the Southern Loess Plateau","authors":"Qi Zhou, Jingbo Zhao, Yandong Ma, Xiaoning Wang, Chunjie Chu, Nan Guo, Lixing Zhang, Yan Zhao","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01987-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01987-4","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Our purpose is to reveal the natural enrichment patterns of metals in the Holocene soils of the Southern Loess Plateau.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Element and mineral contents and particle size were measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, and laser diffraction, respectively.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The study area has a subtropical climate with average annual precipitation and temperature of ~ 800 mm and ~ 15.3 °C during the mid-Holocene. At this time the summer monsoon and non-summer monsoon supplied ~ 440 mm and ~ 360 mm of precipitation, respectively. Soil moisture was in a positive balance and persistent gravity water occurred with a moisture content &gt; 20% in the mid-Holocene paleosol.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Natural enrichment of heavy metals occurred in the mid-Holocene paleosol, and the enrichment of heavy metals in the mid-Holocene paleosol do not meet the soil pollution standards and is safe for agricultural production. The mechanism of natural heavy metals enrichment in the mid-Holocene paleosol was as follows: The warm and humid climate enhanced the summer monsoon precipitation, causing a positive soil moisture balance, and persistent gravity water and soil moisture content &gt; 20% caused strong leaching and hydrolysis of minerals, which resulted in enhanced clay formation and heavy metals enrichment.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Association is Induced by Long-Term Cotton Cropping and Enhances P Uptake and Initial Growth of Cotton Plants by Legacy P Exploration in Soil","authors":"Layane Ap. M. dos Santos, Arnon A. de Souza Cardoso, Davi S. Tavares, Arthur R. de Faria, Christiane A. D. Melo, José O. Siqueira, André Somavilla, Marco A. C. Carneiro","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01985-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01985-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Production systems can affect soil properties, such as soil fertility and microbiological community and activity, favoring plant growth and crop yield. This study aimed to investigate the effect of successive cropping systems on the chemical, biochemical, and biological properties of a tropical Oxisol and their relationship with cotton initial growth and nutritional status. soil samples were collected in areas with different soybean/maize/cotton cropping system histories (T0—consolidated soybean/corn system; T1—first year of soybean/cotton system; T2—second year of soybean/cotton system; T3—third year of the soybean/cotton system, and T4—fourth year of the soybean/cotton system; T10—tenth year of soybean/cotton system). First, we evaluated the effect of T0—T4 on soil properties and cotton initial growth (cropping history experiment). Then, we evaluated the effect of dilution and autoclaving in T10 samples on soil properties and cotton growth (soil dilution/autoclaving experiment). Both experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. in the cropping history experiment, we observed that longer soybean/cotton systems increased P availability and legacy P index in soil and favored arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in cotton roots and P uptake by cotton plants. Similarly, we observed in the soil dilution/autoclaving experiment that the sterilization limited the mycorrhizal colonization and induced P deficiency, even with available P above the critical limit in soil. the results indicated that the successive soybean/cotton cropping for several years (long-term) stimulates root mycorrhizal colonization of cotton and increases legacy P in soil compared to the recent soybean/cotton cropping, improving legacy P exploration, P uptake, and the growth and development of cotton plants.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the Co-composting of Wheat Straw: A Study on Compost Quality and Phosphorus Levels for Improved Soil Biochemical Responses and Maize Growth","authors":"Elham Sadeghi, Reza Ghorbani Nasrabadi, Seyed Alireza Movahedi Naini, Mojtaba Barani Motlagh, Mostafa Khoshhal Sarmast","doi":"10.1007/s42729-024-01940-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01940-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of composting method on changes in compost structure and to evaluate the effects compost, phosphorous levels and <i>Streptomyces</i> inoculation on soil biochemical properties and the growth of forage maize in a loess soil. The effect of simultaneous application of urea and <i>Streptomyces</i> inoculation in the decomposition of wheat straw and the formation of mature compost was investigated. A 90-day pot experiment was conducted to assess the alterations in soil microbial activity, enzymatic activity, nutrient concentrations in both soil and plants, and the growth characteristics of maize plants The soil was thoroughly mixed with 2% compost (simple (C1) and enriched (C2)) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 40, and 100 mg kg⁻¹); Additionally, two levels of <i>Streptomyces</i> were inoculated on maize seeds. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed compositional and morphological changes during composting. Pot experiment demonstrated enhanced maize growth with enriched compost, <i>Streptomyces</i> inoculation and phosphorus fertilization. These treatments significantly increased plant biomass and nutrient content. Soil biochemical analysis showed increased microbial activity, enzyme levels, and organic carbon content with compost and <i>Streptomyces</i>. Phosphorus application improved soil fertility and enzymatic activity. Simultaneous application of compost, triple superphosphate and inoculation with <i>Streptomyces</i> led to a significant increase in soil-available phosphorus and plant phosphorus content. The findings of this study highlight the importance of combining compost, phosphorus, and <i>Streptomyces</i> for optimal maize growth and enhancing crucial soil microbial and biochemical functions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17042,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142189843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}