Growth, Mineral Nutrition, and Yield Responses of Perilla frutescens to Bacillus- and Aspergillus-Based Amendments in Soils Affected by Radiocesium Contamination in Fukushima

Effects of Protaetia brevitarsis frass on rhizosphere properties and chromium-arsenic accumulation in Scutellaria baicalensis grown in contaminated soil.

This study evaluated the potential of Protaetia brevitarsis frass as an organic amendment for the safe cultivation of Scutellaria baicalensis in Cr-As-contaminated soil. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted with five frass application gradients (CK, LD, MD, HD, and VHD) to assess rhizosphere properties, plant growth, and metal accumulation risk. Frass application improved soil water status, nutrient supply, and microbial biomass, but VHD markedly increased electrical conductivity, indicating a potential salinity risk. Plant growth showed a dose-dependent tradeoff: HD favored root development and leaf physiological activity, whereas VHD promoted shoot growth but reduced root allocation. The frass was rich in alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and available phosphorus, suggesting that soil N and P increases resulted from both direct nutrient input and rhizosphere transformation. Frass treatments generally reduced Cr and As accumulation in S. baicalensis, although responses varied between metals and application rates. Redundancy analysis identified alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen as the major explanatory factor (82.6%). Because metal fractions were not determined, BCF was interpreted as an uptake-risk indicator rather than direct evidence of soil passivation. HD is recommended under the present pot conditions.

Efficiency of a novel endophytic fungus based biofertilizer in enhancing rice productivity and reducing the chemical fertilizer use in saline and non-saline coastal regions of Bangladesh

Enhanced soil salinity is a major constraint to rice production in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. Salinity stress impairs nutrient uptake and induces ionic toxicity and osmotic stress, while excessive use of chemical fertilizers degrades soil health and causes environmental pollution. A novel salt-tolerant endophytic fungus, Aspergillus welwitschiae Ocstreb1, isolated from the halophytic wild rice Oryza coarctata, exhibited multiple plant growth–promoting traits under both non-saline and 900 mM salt-stress conditions in vitro. These findings suggest that Ocstreb1-based biofertilizer could serve as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to enhance rice productivity under saline conditions. In this experiment, the biofertilizer was prepared using fungal spores produced on wheat bran and subsequently mixed with talcum powder as a carrier. Field trials were conducted following a randomized complete block design (RCBD), incorporating different levels of chemical fertilizer application (0%, 80%, and 100% of the BRRI-recommended NPKSZn rates) in both biofertilizer-treated and untreated plants. Compared with the 100% chemical fertilizer treatment, the combined application of biofertilizer and 80% chemical fertilizer resulted in a comparable yield in Barguna and increased yield of 196.6 kg ha⁻¹ in Satkhira. Profitability analysis showed that this treatment provided an additional economic benefit of USD 48–68 ha⁻¹ over the 100% chemical fertilizer treatment. Moreover, fumonisin B1 levels in grains from biofertilizer-treated plants were negligible. In conclusion, commercial production of this biofertilizer will pave the way for enhancing rice yield with less use of chemical fertilizer while promoting sustainable agricultural practice particularly in areas affected by salinity stress.

Unveiling the plant growth-promoting and bioremediation potential of bacteria isolated from onion rhizosphere soils irrigated with industrial wastewater

¬BIOFORTIFIED VERMICOMPOST ENRICHED WITH ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ENHANCES GROWTH, NUTRIENT ACQUISITION, AND SOIL HEALTH IN OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L

Biofortification of organic amendments with beneficial microbes provides a potential solution for increasing both crop productivity and soil sustainability. The current investigation assessed the effectiveness of organic amendments-namely vermicompost (VC) and endophyte biofortified VC-in terms of growth parameters, nutrient accumulation, and soil health of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). To achieve biofortified VC, prepared from goat manure and Celosia argentea biomass, with some selected plant growth promoting (PGP) endophytic bacterial strains; it was incorporated into pot culture. Treated plants (biofortified VC and conventional VC) significantly enhanced the plant growth, biomass yield and yield attributes as compared to control. Increased accumulation of important macro- and micronutrients in treated plants revealed better nutrient availability and assimilation. Analysis of soil samples showed an increased level of soil organic carbon, nutrient status, and microbial population in the treatments where biofortified VC was applied. Successful establishment and sustenance of applied endophytic microbes within rhizosphere was further confirmed by metagenomic analysis. Conclusively, biofortified VC acted as a stable platform of PGP endophytes, which provided excellent benefits to okra. This could be proposed as a nutrient amendment for sustainable and green agriculture.

Effect of Biofertilizers and Growth Promoting Microorganisms on Productivity and Profitability of Mungbean [(Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] under Mungbean-Wheat Cropping System

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2022 and 2023 at Dr. BRC Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Mandor, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of biofertilisers and growth-promoting microorganisms on growth, yield, and profitability of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, var. GM-4) under the mungbean–wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of different combinations of the recommended dose of fertilisers and seed inoculation, soil application, or combined seed and soil application of Rhizobium and phosphate-solubilising bacteria (PSB). The results indicated that growth parameters, yield attributes, grain yield, biological yield, and economic returns were significantly influenced by the treatments. The greatest numerical plant heights at 30 DAS (46.8 cm) and 45 DAS (55.9 cm) were recorded under T₁₀, while T₅ recorded comparable values of 45.8 and 55.3 cm, respectively. The highest numbers of pods per plant (39.6) and seeds per pod (13.5), dry matter production (3.50 t ha⁻¹), and test weight (48.1 g) were observed under T₅, whereas the highest numerical chlorophyll content (4.00 mg g⁻¹) was recorded under T₁₀. The highest grain yield (pooled: 1458 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (₹98,855 ha⁻¹) were recorded with 100% RDF (T₅), whereas 75% RDF combined with seed and soil application of Rhizobium + PSB (T₁₀) produced a pooled grain yield of 1400 kg ha⁻¹ and a B:C ratio of 4.41, remaining statistically at par with T₅. Thus, integrated use of biofertilisers with 75% RDF can reduce fertiliser requirement without significant yield loss and improve profitability.

Agronomic, Biochemical and Metabolic Responses of Tomato to Vermicompost and Mineral Fertilization in Loam and Clay Soils

The intensive use of mineral fertilizers in horticultural systems has improved crop productivity but also increased concerns regarding soil degradation and environmental sustainability. In this context, vermicompost derived from buffalo manure may represent a sustainable alternative for nutrient management and organic waste valorization. This study evaluated the effects of four fertilization strategies on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in loam and clay soils: unfertilized control, mineral fertilization, vermicompost applied at an equivalent nitrogen rate, and the residual effect of vermicompost from a previous cauliflower crop. Agronomic performance, fruit quality, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and antioxidant-related traits were assessed. Mineral fertilization produced the highest marketable yield, reaching 9.68 and 7.69 kg m−2 in loam and clay soils, respectively, mainly through increased fruit number. Direct vermicompost application maintained substantial productivity, with yields of 7.55 and 5.18 kg m−2 in the two soils. The fertilization strategies also induced distinct changes in fruit composition. Mineral fertilization increased total free amino acids to approximately 160 mg g−1 DW, mainly through the accumulation of glutamine, glutamate, asparagine and γ-aminobutyric acid, but was associated with lower soluble solids and antioxidant activity. Vermicompost promoted the highest lycopene concentration, approximately 2.1 mg g−1 DW, in clay soil and maintained intermediate antioxidant activity and amino acid concentrations. Soil texture also influenced carbohydrate partitioning, with greater fructose accumulation in clay soil and greater starch accumulation in loam soil. The residual vermicompost treatment alone did not adequately sustain tomato productivity or metabolic activity, particularly in clay soil. Overall, vermicompost partially replaced mineral fertilization while maintaining satisfactory yield and modulating fruit metabolic quality, although its effectiveness depended strongly on soil texture.