Aims Net primary productivity (NPP) is critical for understanding carbon sink and ecosystem functions, especially in alpine wetlands that degrade rapidly. Soil keystone taxa serve as ecosystem engineers and may influence aboveground NPP (ANPP), but this is poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the ANPP from 2012 to 2014 in alpine wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau to investigate the relationships

Background and aims Double-cropped and regenerated crop managements have great potential to increase oat forage production through efficient utilization of water and solar resources. However, the interaction of crop management and the nitrogen (N) input on the forage yields, water and N use efficiency, as well as soil N content are not well documented. Methods A four-year field experiment was established

Aims Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is increasingly recognized as a key driver of litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, particularly in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. However, its role in shaping microbial communities and litter decomposition in valley-type savannas with extreme environmental conditions remains poorly understood. Methods A 15-month field experiment was conducted in a dry-hot valley

Background and aims Fire has profound consequences for biogeochemical processes, largely mediated by soil enzyme activities (EAs). As climate-induced wildfire activity intensifies, understanding the influence of fire severity on soil EAs has become increasingly critical due to the dual role of fire in disrupting and restructuring ecosystem functions. Methods In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted

Background and aims The growing global population, expected to reach 9.7 billion, is driving an increased demand for food production. While chemical crop protection is commonly used, concerns over its environmental impact and safety have shifted focus toward developing safer and more sustainable alternatives. Biological control of Maydis leaf blight (MLB) in maize, through naturally occurring endophytic

Background and aims Calcium salts are prevalent in soils, and excessive amounts of these salts can subject crops to abiotic stress, leading to yield reduction or death. While the effects of Ca2+ in calcium salt stress have been widely reported, the role of the anions remains unclear. Methods The response of the calcium-secreting plant Ceratostigma willmottianum to five (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mM)

Background and aims Water deficit induces changes in root traits, which can vary across plant species, while drive the bacterial community in the rhizosphere. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate water deficit on rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with maize and common bean. Methods A field experiment was conducted to compare two water regimes based on the soil’s water retention

Background and aims Individual plants and plant communities leave legacies in the soil that influence the future growth and success of subsequent plants grown in those soils However, direct tests of plant community legacies are rare. Understanding these is especially relevant for sites where invasion or re-invasion of non-native plants threatens restoration success. Methods We used soils modified by

Aims Maize (Zea mays L.), a critical crop for global food security, is indispensable for livestock feed and human consumption. However, the prolonged use of cadmium-contaminated wastewater for irrigation, particularly in alkaline soil, can cause soil degradation and poses a significant threat to crop production. Methods The study tested the combined application of 10 t ha-1 PG and 25 mg L-1 BioSeNPs

Background and aims Benefits for soil health associated with crop rotations can improve plant aboveground biomass, although the effect on root traits is unclear. The aim of this study was to measure the legacy effect of crop rotations typical of dairy farms on root traits of subsequent forage corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.). Methods On a silty clay in eastern Canada, six rotations

Background Water scarcity poses a significant constraint to agricultural productivity worldwide, affecting crop growth, yield, and quality across various regions. In water-scarce environments, the combined application of drip irrigation and mulching has become a common practice for optimizing water use. Aim This study aimed to assess the influence of different irrigation levels, based on crop-evapotranspiration

Aims Drought stress significantly impacts crop yields and food security, particularly for legumes like lentil (Lens culinaris), which depend on symbiotic relationships for nitrogen fixation. This study investigated the synergistic impacts of silicon (Si) and plant growth-promoting non-rhizobial bacteria on enhancing drought resilience in the lentil plant with its symbiotic partner. Methods We isolated

Background and aims Continuous chemical fertilization is threatening acid soil sustainable use because of soil acidification aggravation and microbial function destruction, whereas organic fertilization has the potential to overcome these shortcomings. However, the mechanisms underlying sustainable crop production under organic fertilization in acid soils are largely unknown. A multi-omics approach

Aims This study aimed to develop microbial inoculants composed of functional strains isolated from the rhizosheath of Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn., a pioneer species in desertified grasslands, and to evaluate their effects on root exudates, rhizosheath properties, and microbial community composition. The ultimate goal was to enhance rhizosheath functionality and promote plant growth. Methods Microbial

Background and aims Wind-driven litter and dust transportation are ubiquitous worldwide, exerting significant ecological influences across diverse landscapes. However, the litter and dust fluxes and the carbon and nutrients they carry remain unclear. Methods We conducted six years of synchronous observations of litter and dust fluxes at three sites in a semi-arid steppe in Inner Mongolia, northern

Background Root and soil interactions are generally difficult for biologists to study due to the challenges of obtaining measurements deep within soil. Nowadays, techniques from other disciplines are increasingly being adopted to build soil microcosms from artificial substrates and engineered microbiota, and conducting experiments within these new model systems is facilitating collection of higher

Background and aims Orobanche cumana Wallr. is a holoparasitic weed that poses an increasing threat to sunflower cultivation. However, the influence of bio-organic fertilizers on O. cumana, remains inadequately understood. This study investigates the relationship between sunflower microbial community and O. cumana parasitism, as well as the inhibitory mechanism of bio-organic fertilizers on O. cumana

Aims Understanding changes in soil microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and microbial biomass turnover time are of great significance for increasing ecosystem C sequestration and achieving the strategic goal of C neutrality. However, the response of soil microbial CUE to nitrogen (N) deposition during extreme drought and wetness events in saline–alkaline grasslands remains unclear. Methods Herein

Background and aims The degradation of the alpine grasslands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has been mitigated in some regions, while it persists to varying degrees in others. Soil seed banks (SSBs), reflecting the past, present, and future potential of plant communities, are critical for restoration. This study assessed fencing, a nature-based solution, addressing regional biases and limited cross-regional

Background and aim Soil fungal communities can vary in their abundance and diversity between host tree species, but also between genotypes within the same host tree species. However, there are conflicting results on the role of host tree genetics in shaping soil fungal communities and how silvicultural treatments can influence their dynamics. Methods We investigated whether genetic variation among

Background and aims Although fine roots play a key role in belowground carbon and nutrient cycling, our understanding of species-specific differences in their phenology, morphology, and turnover remains limited – especially across contrasting tree functional types such as evergreen conifers and deciduous broadleaved species. Improved insight into fine root dynamics is essential for understanding how

Background and aim Elevated atmospheric CO (eCO ) and cadmium (Cd) contamination collectively threaten rice safety and soil ecosystem stability. Soil dissolved organic matter (DOM), a critical mediator of biogeochemical processes, regulates heavy metal mobility and bioavailability, yet the interplay between eCO and Cd pollution on DOM dynamics remains unclear, particularly regarding its implications

Background and aims Eucalyptus has unique wood properties and great economic value, but traditional yield-increasing methods rely on chemicals and harm the environment. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a good solution to this problem, and Pseudomonas is a typical example. The study aims to explore sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to minimize chemical pollution of the environment

Background and aims Biochar is a promising and widely used soil amendment to alleviate soil acidification and improve crop productivity. Quantitative analysis of the impact of biochar application on soil pH and crop yield can help promote its optimal utilization. Methods We compiled 286 peer-reviewed articles, i.e., 224 articles on yield, 188 articles on soil pH to investigate the impact of biochar

Background and aims Water scarcity due to increasing climate variability means improved drought tolerance in crop plants is more urgent. Addition of organic wastes could enhance crop drought tolerance through improved nutrition or increased soil water holding capacity. However, their effect on crop water relations, mediated by plant beneficial soil microbes, remains less well-studied. This study aims

Background and aims Pasture systems occupy approximately three billion hectares and contribute almost $21 trillion to the global economy. They are important for food production, carbon storage, water catchment reserves, biodiversity maintenance and cultural and recreational needs. However, pasture systems sustainability and productivity may be reduced with increasing climate hazards, such as heat stress

Background and aims Forest ecosystems, serving as critical nodes in global biogeochemical cycles, sustain productivity by modulating nutrient availability. However, the pools of nutrients which modulate tree growth and soil function remain unknown, particularly with regard to their input pathways into forest soils. Methods We quantified Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese

Background and aims Nutrient availability affects soil microbial activity, thereby regulating soil carbon (C) formation, turnover and storage. Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs are altering soil nutrients, but their consequences for soil organic carbon (SOC) and its components in P-limited tropical forests are poorly understood. Methods We conducted a 13-year-long nutrient addition

Aims Pecan (Carya cathayensis Sarg.) is an important forest trees in China, the application of chemical pesticides for disease control has caused severe damage to the soil, including reduced fertility and disruption of microbial communities. Although Trichoderma treatment has been shown to promote plant growth and improve soil quality, its effects on the growth promotion of pecan and the impact on

Background and aims Increasing salinity and sodicity threaten soil fertility and crop yield worldwide and the accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) is a vital guarantee for soil improvement. However, there is still a gap in understanding how microbes influence the accumulation of SOC in saline-sodic land reclamation (converting saline-sodic land into cultivated land). Methods Herein, we conducted

Background and aims Uprooting resistance of a tree is closely related to its root system architecture (RSA), which is rather complex, diverse, and invisible from the ground surface. Conducting tree stability assessment by numerically modeling every underground RSA of millions of urban trees is prohibitive in terms of time and resources. This study aims to reveal the general root anchorage mechanism

Aims Pectin plays an important role in cell wall cadmium (Cd) immobilization. The molecular structure of pectin exerts a pronounced influence on its immobilization ability. This study investigates the structural modifications of pectin in root and leaf cell walls of hyperaccumulators under Cd stress and explores the mechanisms underlying Cd immobilization. Methods Two kinds of Cd concentrations (50

Background and aims Acid soils, characterized by nutrient deficiencies and metal ion toxicity, severely limit maize yields. Cultivating acid soil tolerant maize represents a promising strategy to address these edaphic constraints. Methods Through controlled pot experiments, 50 maize hybrids were subjected to acidic soil stress (AS) and optimal soil conditions (CK), evaluating 15 morpho-physiological

Aims Soil oxygen contributes to the root growth of plants, yet its correlation to the rhizosphere nutrient cycling and plant growth, as well as the optimal ranges remains poorly defined across diverse plant species. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis with nine plant species (including bamboo, tomato, wheat, barley, jojoba, maize, peach, reed, and rice) from six countries to elucidate the relationships

Background and aims Both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and Bacillus can be crucial for enhancing crop yield. However, their contribution to intercropping advantage remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. Methods We evaluated the effects of inoculation with AM fungi and/or Bacillus on maize and soybean growth in intercropping systems under combined nitrogen

Aims Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs), often presents as a symptomless latent infection where plants test positive for Rs but exhibit no visible symptoms. While latent infection is associated with pathogen exposure, the role of rhizosphere microorganisms in plant resistance remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether latently infected potato plants can recruit beneficial

Aims Spartina alterniflora (S. alterniflora) invasion notably impacts sediment nitrogen (N) biogeochemical processes in coastal wetlands. However, its effects on different nitrification processes and their mechanisms in both surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface (10–20 cm) sediments remain unclear. Methods Potential nitrification rates mediated by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), bacteria (AOB), and comammox

Background and aims Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acid soil has become one of the main stress factors affecting seed germination of crops like rapeseed. Therefore, chemical intervention to alleviate Al stress during rapeseed germination could have a positive effect improving seed germination and promoting strong seedling growth. Methods In this study, seeds of the rapeseed cultivar, Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11)

Background and aims Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), is a metabolite exuded by the extraradical hyphae of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which enhances soil structure and consequently is often associated with improved fertility in forest soils. This study investigates how topography and local environmental conditions influence GRSP and its ratio with soil organic carbon (GRSP/SOC) to support

Background and aims Shrub encroachment alters ecosystem functions. Yet, changes in plant community traits and soil properties along succession from grassland to shrubland in European mountains are poorly understood. Methods We used a trait-based approach to investigate the indirect effects of shrubs from community weighted means (CWM) of plant traits to soil properties along a gradient of encroachment

Background and aims Soil labile organic matter (LOM) plays a vital role in enhancing soil productivity and fertility. However, the annual variability of LOM content and structure under diverse crop rotation and fertilization practices remains insufficiently investigated. Methods This 5-year field study investigates the impact of different fertilization treatments—no fertilization (CK), conventional

Aims Excessive nitrogen fertilizer use reduces wheat yield and contributes to several environmental problems. The objective of this study was optimizing nitrogen fertilizer application under water-saving conditions of supplemental irrigation can balance grain yield and alleviate global warming potential value. Methods Supplementary irrigation techniques were applied during the jointing and anthesis

Aims Plant nitrogen (N) economics are largely determined by above-ground leaf conservation and below-ground root acquisition. Yet, how plants coordinate these two pathways under natural environmental gradients remains largely unknown. Methods Here, we investigated the coordination between leaf N conservation and root N acquisition strategies by analyzing leaf N fractions and resorption, root traits

Aims Lodging is one of the main factors that reduces rice yields. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer at an appropriate ratio and plant growth regulators (PGR) can affect the relationship between stem lodging and yield. Methods We conducted a 2-year field experiment with three different N fertilizer ratios (N1, decreased panicle N rate; N2, medium panicle N rate; N3, increased panicle N rate)

Background and aims Fusarium root rot and wilt affect medicinal herbs in Gansu Province, China, despite extended crop rotations. This study investigated the cross-pathogenicity of Fusarium species isolated from Angelica sinensis (Danggui), Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen), and Astragalus mongholicus (Huangqi). Methods Of 83 fungal isolates recovered, 69.8% were identified as Fusarium spp., through ITS

Background and aims Straw return is one of the effective methods to enhance soil structure, regulate soil moisture and thus promote root growth and development. However, it remains unclear how returning straw to the field affects wheat grain yield through root morphology and anatomy under different precipitation conditions, especially as research on root anatomy is relatively scarce. This study explored

Background and aims In desert ecosystems, moss crusts, along with shrubs, often form mosaic spatial patterns. However, it is unclear how microhabitats formed by shrubs and the regional climate will affect soil multifunctionality (i.e., the capacity of soils to conduct multiple functions such as carbon sequestration and nutrient conversion; SMF) and what the key factors influencing it are. Methods Moss

Background and aims Phosphorus (P) from surface waters can be captured in algal biomass, which can be used as a fertilizer. We investigated the efficiency of polyculture algal biofilms produced on municipal wastewater effluent as a P fertilizer for wheat. We asked whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the beneficial root endophyte Serendipita vermifera influence plant performance and P uptake

Aims Phosphorus (P) availability commonly limits the growth of tropical plants, yet how this limitation changes with tree age remains uncertain. Methods Here we investigated the effect of tree age on P limitation in a tropical forest by examining three functional plant groups: fast-growing, slow-growing, and nitrogen (N)-fixing tree species. We measured leaf N and P resorption efficiency (NRE and PRE)

Background and aims Soil microbial community structure and diversity are critical for maintaining the health of soil ecosystems. However, how soil microbes regulate the soil carbon cycle under long-term greenhouse cultivation remains unclear. Methods We used macro-genomics to analyze changes in microbial community structure and diversity as well as carbon cycle-related functional genes in a long-term

Background and Aims Organic amendments rich in fulvic acid (FA) offer a way to improve the water and salt distribution in saline-alkali soils and enhance soil quality. As soil humus promotes the formation of soil aggregates and improves soil quality, exploring the effects of FA on saline-alkali soil aggregates and humification is significant to understand the potential of fulvic acid in improving soil

Aims Swine manure as an alternative amendment has proven to effectively alleviate red soil acidification, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Methods A 32-year field experiment was selected to investigate the effectiveness of swine manure amendment on red soil aluminum species, and their contribution to acidification and maize yields. The treatments included no fertilization (control), chemical

Background Open-pit coal mine waste dumps are typical degraded soil ecosystems caused by human activities. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are crucial surface covers that promote plant growth and restore ecological balance, particularly in extreme or nutrient-poor environments. However, the functional roles of BSCs and their associated microbial communities in soil restoration remain poorly understood

Aims The incorporation of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) into compost is a promising strategy to enhance the potential of organic fertilizers. This study investigates in a pot experiment the potential of hydrogel capsules containing a PGPB consortium to improve compost efficiency, promote crop growth, and increase nutrient uptake. Methods Three PGPB strains (Rhizobium leguminosarum T88, Herbaspirillum

Background and aims Differences in farming practices play a crucial role in shaping farmland sustainability, soil quality, and global warming potential (GWP). While no-tillage (NT) practices have been extensively studied in widely adopted cropping systems such as wheat-corn and rice monoculture, the effects of no-tillage on oilseed rape-rice rotation systems remain underexplored. In particular, the

Aims The goal of this study was to explore the suitability of recycled glass sand for the growth of beach-adapted plant species given the potential environmental benefits of utilizing glass sand for beach and dune restoration in the face of dwindling natural sand resources. Methods We grew three species native to US Gulf of Mexico beaches (Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb., I. pes-caprae (L.) R.Br.,

Background and aims Soybean is vital for global food security, necessitating understanding its response to environmental changes. We examined how growing season weather and rising atmospheric CO2 affect seed traits of historical short-season soybean cultivars in Eastern Canada, with particular focus on water-use efficiency and nitrogen fixation dynamics. Methods Field trials data from 1993 to 2016

Background Ecological engineering of tailings into soil-like growth media (i.e., technosol) has emerged as a nature-based solution for soilless rehabilitation of alkaline bauxite residue. However, field applications often result in spatial heterogeneity, where uneven amendment leaves behind highly alkaline and saline BR pockets that limit sustainable rehabilitation. It is hypothesized that haloalkalitolerant

Aims Electromagnetic sensors are widely used to measure the water content of soil. The aim of the study was to determine whether soil moisture sensors can be used to reliably measure the water content of tree stems and sawdust with the factory-supplied soil calibration equations or require specific calibration. Methods Nine commercially-available soil sensors were calibrated to measure the water content

Background Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a globally adapted protein crop with a high yield potential and efficient nitrogen fixation. A decade ago, it was an orphan crop with limited genetic and genomic resources and little knowledge was available on the genetic basis of agronomic traits. Over the past few years, rapid progress has been made in genetic mapping and genomic prediction. A major remaining