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Agriculture
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Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome...
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Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome Structure

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Soils".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2023) | Viewed by 5784

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rangasamy Anandham

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, India
Interests: plant growth promotion; plant–microbe interaction; sulfur oxidation; insect gut microbiota; soil microbiota; microbiome of contaminated environment; molecular microbial taxonomy
Dr. Polpass Arul Jose

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
Interests: plant growth promotion; plant-microbe interaction; bioactive compounds; soil microbial diversity; insect gut ecology; Streptomyces
Dr. Murugaiyan Senthilkumar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departmen of Crop Management, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Eachangkottai, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Thanjavur, India
Interests: plant growth promotion; plant–microbe interaction; Methylobacterium plant interaction; bacteriophage; biological control; abiotic stress management

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Soil is of fundamental importance for food production since it provides resources enabling crop cultivation. Soil is a non-renewable resource, since the process of soil formation is extremely slow. Increased grain production is crucially dependent on chemical fertiliser inputs that can address the nutrient shortfall in order to feed the growing population. The formation of soil, the mineralization of nutrients, and the turnover of soil organic matter are all closely regulated by soil microbes. Intense agrochemical use, short crop rotations, and ploughing led to a deep intensification of agricultural practises that result in erosion, loss of soil fertility, and a build-up of soil-borne plant diseases. Crop production and health are closely related to soil microbial communities, which are important participants in ecosystem processes.

Agriculture depends, in part, on the close relationships that exist between plants and the microbes that coexist with plant roots. These microbial communities in the rhizosphere are different from those in the rest of the soil and are much more crucial to the health and uptake of nutrients by plants. Additionally, the use of pesticides and agrochemicals may damage the good soil microbiota and result in the development of phytopathogen resistance. The impact of farming practises, including tillage methods and fertiliser intensities, on soil microbiomes is currently poorly understood. For agricultural farming practises to be more effective and for planned sustainability to be achieved, a deeper comprehension of these interrelationships is required.

Dr. Rangasamy Anandham
Dr. Polpass Arul Jose
Dr. Murugaiyan Senthilkumar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbiome
  • bio-fertilizer
  • farming practices
  • bio-control
  • crop rotation
  • tillage
  • conservation agriculture
  • cover crops
  • ampilicon sequencing
  • rhizosphere-inhabiting microbes

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 974 KiB  
Article
Soil Microbial Community Responses to Cyanobacteria versus Traditional Organic Fertilizers
by Antisar Afkairin, Mary Stromberger, Heather Storteboom, Allison Wickham, David G. Sterle and Jessica G. Davis
Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13101902 - 28 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 906
Abstract
This study explores the impact of diverse organic fertilizers, including a non-traditional cyanobacteria-based alternative, on soil microbial communities in varying soil types and depths. The research aims to elucidate the effects of these fertilizers on soil microorganisms in certified organic cucumber (Cucumis [...] Read more.
This study explores the impact of diverse organic fertilizers, including a non-traditional cyanobacteria-based alternative, on soil microbial communities in varying soil types and depths. The research aims to elucidate the effects of these fertilizers on soil microorganisms in certified organic cucumber (Cucumis sativus) field and peach (Prunus persica) orchard settings. Fertilizers were applied either on the soil surface or banded 5 cm below the soil surface, and microbial ester-linked fatty acids (EL-FAMEs) were analyzed in collected soils. Notably, cyanobacteria and Neptune hydrolyzed fish emulsion fertilizers induced significant alterations in the microbial communities of cucumber plots, enhancing microbial biomass and favoring the proliferation of Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and actinomycetes compared to other treatments. In the peach orchard, fertilizer choice differentially impacted microbial communities, especially in the first year and at greater soil depths. Notably, the supplementation of poultry manure with cyanobacteria fertilizer resulted in augmented microbial biomass and relative fungal and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal abundances compared to poultry manure alone. These shifts have promising implications for organic vegetable and fruit cultivation. The study further underscores the potential of cyanobacteria-based fertilizers to reduce reliance on traditional options and minimize manure application, promoting self-sufficiency and benefiting soil microorganisms, plant growth, and the ecosystem. Thus, the research emphasizes the importance of exploring and adopting cyanobacteria-based fertilizers to bolster sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome Structure)
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12 pages, 1518 KiB  
Article
Straw Return Decomposition Characteristics and Effects on Soil Nutrients and Maize Yield
by Yun Yang, Yun Long, Shiwei Li and Xiaohong Liu
Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1570; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081570 - 06 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1328
Abstract
Straw return benefits soil nutrient circulation and avoids the environmental pollution caused by incineration. The straw return effect is determined by many factors, such as the returning mode and tillage method. To find the most suitable straw return mode in the hilly areas [...] Read more.
Straw return benefits soil nutrient circulation and avoids the environmental pollution caused by incineration. The straw return effect is determined by many factors, such as the returning mode and tillage method. To find the most suitable straw return mode in the hilly areas of south China, we conducted experiments with preceding maize straw in Nanchong (Sichuan Province, China) for three years. Five treatments were tested: (A) rotary tillage without straw return (RT), (B) crushed straw return with rotary tillage (CRT), (C) crushed straw return without rotary tillage (CSR), (D) whole straw return with rotary tillage (WRT), and (E) whole straw return without rotary tillage (WSR). The results indicated that CRT had the fastest decomposition rate, followed by CSR. Moreover, CRT had the fastest nutrient release rates for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, as well as the highest maize yield (6.62% higher than RT). CRT increased the content of organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium in the soil, as well as improved the soil pH. Furthermore, the numbers of bacteria, Actinomycetes, and fungi in the soil under CRT, CSR, and WSR treatments were higher than those under the other two treatments. This study has important reference value for exploring the most favourable straw return method for improving farmland fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome Structure)
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15 pages, 3980 KiB  
Article
Effects of Straw Maize on the Bacterial Community and Carbon Stability at Different Soil Depths
by Wei Fan, Jingchao Yuan, Jinggui Wu and Hongguang Cai
Agriculture 2023, 13(7), 1307; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071307 - 26 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 943
Abstract
In order to test the short-term effects of straw amendment on soil organic C (SOC) stabilization, SOC protection mechanisms, and soil bacterial community, we examined which bacterial taxonomic groups were associated with protected C fractions via different soil depths. We conducted a 5-year [...] Read more.
In order to test the short-term effects of straw amendment on soil organic C (SOC) stabilization, SOC protection mechanisms, and soil bacterial community, we examined which bacterial taxonomic groups were associated with protected C fractions via different soil depths. We conducted a 5-year field experiment including a total of four treatments: S0 (no straw amendment), S1 (0–20 cm straw-amended soil), S2 (0–40 cm straw-amended soil) and S3 (0–60 cm straw-amended soil). The core method was used for soil sampling, and 180 soil samples was collected. Our results showed that straw amendment significantly increased bulk soil C content, enhanced the constituents of physically separated fractions and their OC contents, and changed the soil bacterial community composition at different soil depths. SOC was more accelerated in macroaggregate-derived unprotected and microaggregate-derived physically protected fractions at soil depths of 0–20 cm. Physically protected and physico-biochemically protected fractions were the major C protection mechanisms at soil depths of 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm soil depths. Our study also provides evidence that straw amendment significantly increases the bacterial phyla abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes at each soil depth. Moreover, straw amendment enhanced the relative abundances of Gemmatimonadetes and Nitrospirae at soil depths of 40–60 cm and have a positive correlation with physically and physico-biochemically protected C pools. These results indicate that straw amendment can regulate C sequestration processes by enhancing SOC physical protection and modulating bacterial community, especially in the deep soil. In addition, straw amendment in subsoil (0–40 cm or 0–60 cm) is more beneficial for C storage and stabilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome Structure)
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24 pages, 5928 KiB  
Article
Moderate Nitrogen Reduction Increases Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Positively Affects Microbial Communities in Agricultural Soils
by Jianghua Tang, Lili Su, Yanfei Fang, Chen Wang, Linyi Meng, Jiayong Wang, Junyao Zhang and Wenxiu Xu
Agriculture 2023, 13(4), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13040796 - 30 Mar 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer usage in agricultural often leads to negative ecological and production gains. Alterations in the physical and chemical properties and microbial community structure of agricultural soils are both the cause and consequence of this process. This study explored the perturbation of [...] Read more.
Excessive nitrogen fertilizer usage in agricultural often leads to negative ecological and production gains. Alterations in the physical and chemical properties and microbial community structure of agricultural soils are both the cause and consequence of this process. This study explored the perturbation of soil properties and microorganisms in agricultural soils by different nitrogen levels. Soil total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium decreased in the shallow soil layer with decreasing nitrogen. Changes in nitrogen affected soil organic matter, pH, bulk density, and water content. However, a moderate reduction in nitrogen did not cause significant yield loss; the increased nitrogen use efficiency was the main reason, attributed to the available phosphorus and potassium. Short-term changes in nitrogen had limited effects on soil microbial community structure. Bacteria were more susceptible to perturbation by nitrogen changes. Nitrogen reduction increased the relative abundance of MND1 (1.21%), RB41 (1.96%), and Sphingomonas (0.72%) and decreased Dongia (0.3%), Chaetomium (0.41%), and Penicillium (0.5%). Nitrogen reduction significantly increased the bacteria functional composition of aerobic ammonia oxidation (4.20%) and nitrification (4.10%) and reduced chemoheterotrophy (2.70%) and fermentation (4.08%). Available phosphorus specifically drove bacterial community structure variation in the shallow soil layers of moderate nitrogen reduction treatments. Steroidobacter, RB41, Gemmatimonas, Ellin6067, Haliangium, and Sphingomonas were the main component nodes in this community structure. These results provide insights into the study of nitrogen and microorganisms in agricultural soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Microbiome Structure)
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