Soil particle aggregation and its stability are vital for maintaining soil health, ecosystem functioning, and sustainable land use largely governed by soil organic carbon (SOC). However, long-term strategies to enhance aggregation and carbon sequestration in naturally acidic soils remain insufficiently explored. This study presents a rare long-term field experiment, initiated in 1949 on Retisol (moraine loam) in western Lithuania, to evaluate the effects of liming, farmyard manure (FYM), and their combination on soil aggregation and carbon dynamics. Treatments included (T₁) Unlimed and Unfertilized (Control), (T₂) FYM at 60 t ha⁻¹, (T₃) lime at 3.5 t ha⁻¹, and (T₄) lime + FYM. Amendments were applied every five years. Soil samples from depths of 0 to 10 cm and 10 to 20 cm were analyzed for aggregate distribution via dry (nine fractions) and wet sieving (five fractions), and classified into macroaggregates, mesoaggregates, microaggregates, and silt-clay fractions. Mean weight diameter (MWD), water-stable aggregates (WSA ≥ 0.25 mm), and carbon fractions [SOC, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), humic and fulvic acids] were measured. The combined application of lime and FYM (T₄) significantly improved soil structure, increasing macroaggregates by 32.81%, while reducing mesoaggregates (−21.47%), microaggregates (−34.70%), and the silt-clay fraction (−33.15%) relative to the control. T₄ also showed the highest WSA (18.59%) and MWD (22.30%), followed by T₃ (13.48% WSA, 12.60% MWD) and T₂ (10.29% WSA, 5.60% MWD). SOC was highest in T4, particularly in the silt-clay fraction (19.28% higher than T₁). POXC was highest in mesoaggregates (57%) and the silt-clay fraction (46%), while fulvic acid content decreased by 35% in the silt-clay fraction under T_4. These findings provide novel, long-term evidence that the integration of lime with organic amendments enhances soil physical structure and promotes aggregate-associated carbon stabilization in acidic soils offering a sustainable and climate-resilient soil management strategy.

Earthworms, often described as "ecosystem engineers," play a foundational role in maintaining soil health by enhancing aeration, organic matter breakdown, and natural fertilization. Their presence is commonly used as a biological indicator of soil quality and biodiversity. However, recent field-based observations in the Devalchaur region of Kaladhungi, Nainital district (Uttarakhand), reveal a concerning decline in the population of black-colored earthworms, especially during the rainy season when they were once commonly seen surfacing in abundance.

This observational study was conducted during the months of May and June 2025, involving repeated field visits and informal interactions with local farmers. Most farmers reported that over the past 4–5 years, the presence of earthworms has drastically reduced in their paddy fields. They linked this decline with a sharp increase in chemical fertilizer usage, compared to earlier years when agricultural practices were more organic and less input-intensive.

The study also noted that even after significant rainfall events, which previously led to visible earthworm activity on the soil surface, no such patterns were observed. Soil across several fields appeared compacted and less porous and showed signs of low organic content, all of which are unfavorable to earthworm survival. The shift from traditionally balanced agro-ecosystems to chemically driven monoculture farming appears to be playing a significant role in the observed decline.

These findings suggest that the disappearance of earthworms may be an early indicator of broader ecological imbalance and soil degradation. The study underscores the urgent need for in-depth ecological assessments and a shift toward sustainable agricultural practices to restore soil biodiversity and long-term fertility.

Ultramafic soils, particularly those affected by mining activities, are often enriched with toxic levels of nickel (Ni), posing serious constraints to plant growth and ecosystem rehabilitation. This study evaluated the efficacy of engineered biochar–nanocomposite amendments in enhancing vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) growth, biomass production, and Ni phytoextraction in Ni-elevated ultramafic soils. A pot experiment was conducted using soils collected from mined areas in Zambales, a region known for its extensive ultramafic landscapes and Ni mining operations. Seven treatment combinations were assessed: T1—No Application (Control); T2—Biochar Alone; T3—Nanocomposite Alone; T4—Biochar + Nano Silica; T5—Biochar + Nano Calcium; T6—Biochar + Nano Chitosan; and T7—Biochar + Nanocomposite. Among all treatments, T4 (Biochar + Nano Silica) resulted in the highest biomass yield (17.2 g pot⁻¹) and maximum Ni phytoextraction (31.6 mg Ni plant⁻¹), significantly outperforming all other treatments. Plants grown under T4 exhibited robust shoot and root development, and superior tolerance to Ni stress. Correspondingly, Ni accumulation in plant tissues was significantly higher in T4, suggesting enhanced metal uptake and translocation capacity. The synergistic effect of biochar and nano silica improved soil pH and nutrient availability, while also enhancing the bioavailability of Ni in the rhizosphere, promoting more effective uptake by vetiver. T7 (Biochar + Nanocomposite) and T6 (Biochar + Nano Chitosan) also contributed to improved growth and Ni uptake but were less effective than T4. The results demonstrate the potential of nano silica-engineered biochar as a low-cost, environmentally sustainable amendment for the phytoremediation of Ni-contaminated ultramafic soils. This study highlights the practical application of nanotechnology-enhanced phytoremediation strategies using locally available soil and plant resources to rehabilitate Ni-impacted mined lands in the Philippines.

Introduction: Uncontrolled release of agrochemical products, as well as climate change, has damaged agricultural soils, requiring the development of sustainable materials for their regeneration. Simultaneously, the eutrophication of runoff channels and seas has promoted the overgrowth of macroalgae, which serves as a base material for the production of biopolymers. In this context, this study develops sodium alginate–glycerol-based bioplastic through injection molding techniques, evaluating its potential application for improving soil quality.

Methods: Physicochemical properties were determined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and colorimetry tests. Mechanical performance was evaluated using strain and frequency sweep tests, as well as temperature ramps. Moreover, water uptake capacity and soluble matter loss were measured. Finally, biodegradability tests were developed to evaluate the modification of soils before and after the incorporation of the matrices.

Results: Alginate-based bioplastics exhibit favorable mechanical properties when injected at a high mold temperature (100 °C) rather than 60 °C, due to their transparent, amorphous, and stable structural material, resulting from a thermosetting procedure. Additionally, blends exhibit favorable interactions, as observed in XRD, as well as enhanced thermal stability. Their biodegradation time was below 180 days, and their behavior in calcareous soil was characterized by a pH rise and a reduction in electrical conductivity and organic matter content.

Conclusions: Sodium alginate-based bioplastics show potential for soil regeneration due to their modification of soil properties, highlighting their contribution to sustainable agricultural techniques.

Acknowledgments: This research is part of the applied research and innovation project "Desarrollo de matrices proteicas para la liberación controlada de nutrientes y agua en horticultura" (SOL2024-31712) cofunded by UE – Ministerio de Hacienda y Función Pública – Fondos Europeos – Junta de Andalucía – Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación.

Soil erosion remains a critical concern in the northeastern hill regions of India, threatening soil productivity and watershed sustainability. This study employs the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model, integrated with remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) data, to evaluate the spatial and temporal soil erosion patterns in the Dhansiri River Basin from 2010 to 2023. The rainfall erosivity (R) factor was computed using Indian Precipitation Ensemble Dataset (IPED) rainfall data, which has a 0.1° resolution, while the topography/Length–Slope (LS) factor was derived from a 30 m resolution Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Soil Erodibilty (K) factor was estimated from SOILGRIDS-based texture and organic matter parameters, and the Crop management (C) factor was generated from MODIS-derived NDVI composites. Land use/land cover (LULC) classification determined the P-factors, assuming little conservation. The estimated average annual soil loss for the basin was almost 34.6 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, exceeding the acceptable limit of 25 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for mountainous areas. The peak annual soil loss was documented in 2017 (56.01 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), whereas the minimum was noted in 2010 (16.97 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). Spatial classification indicated that 45.07% of the basin area is subject to Slight erosion (0–5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), whereas 6.94% is categorized as experiencing Extremely Severe erosion (>80 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The integration of the RUSLE with GIS tools demonstrated efficacy in identifying erosion-prone areas and provides essential insights for the development of focused, evidence-driven conservation strategies. These findings establish a scientific basis for formulating sustainable soil and water management strategies for implementation in the Dhansiri River Basin.

The implementation of advanced irrigation systems, combined with modern agricultural techniques, allows for the establishment of almond plantations in new Mediterranean regions, namely the south of Portugal. The context of climatic changes, together with high-density, irrigated agricultural systems, may contribute to the appearance of almond tree diseases, and more specifically, fungal diseases. This study aims to understand the composition and distribution of fungal communities in different organs of symptomatic almond trees from a plantation in Beja, Alentejo. Samples of branches, trunks, and leaves have been collected from three symptomatic trees of two different cultivars (Vairo and Soleta). The samples have been surface-disinfected and inoculated in Petri dishes with Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). The colonies are re-isolated into new Petri dishes with PDA and analyzed by molecular techniques, targeting nuclear rDNA's internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. The results demonstrated differences in the fungal community between the different organs. Two fungal isolates were obtained from leaves and identified as Biscogniauxia mediterranea (sample from Vairo) and Preussia sp. (sample from Soleta). In the branch samples, B mediterranea, followed by Alternaria alternata, is the most representative fungus in both cultivars. Fusarium spp, Cystospora sp (includes pathogenic species associated with canker development in almond trees) and Trichoderma harzianum (an endophytic fungus known for its antagonistic capacity) are only present in trunk samples. In terms of the fungal community, we did not observe differences between the two cultivars, but we observed distinct patterns in community structure across organs. These results contribute to understanding the composition and distribution of fungal communities in almond trees, which allows for the design of new approaches for disease management and sustainable production.

Soil salinity poses a significant threat to agriculture by disrupting essential physiological processes in crops such as Zea mays. To address this challenge, the synergistic effect of the combined application of pullulan, an exopolysaccharide produced by Aureobasidium pullulans ATCC 42023, and the microalga Chlorella vulgaris was investigated to evaluate its potential as a biostimulant strategy to mitigate salt stress in maize. Pullulan was produced in a stirred-tank bioreactor (STR) using glucose as a carbon source at concentrations of 60, 80, and 100 g/L. The highest yield was obtained at 100 g/L, reaching a productivity of 0.28 g/g of substrate. The polymer was recovered via ethanol precipitation and characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. In preliminary bioassays, maize seeds were primed with pullulan solutions at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 g/L. The 2.5 g/L treatment significantly enhanced coleoptile and root elongation, while higher concentrations exhibited inhibitory effects. A salinity threshold of 300 mM NaCl was established to simulate salt stress conditions. To optimize the biopriming conditions, a Central Composite Design (CCD) was implemented, evaluating pullulan concentration (0.17–5.83 g/L) and microalgal biomass loading (3.4–116.5 mg). The resulting empirical model was statistically significant (p < 0.001; R² = 0.9762), predicting that moderate levels of both biostimulants maximized seedling height. Conversely, excessive microalgae loading inhibited growth, likely due to reduced water availability at the seed surface. In conclusion, the combined application of pullulan and Chlorella vulgaris demonstrated a synergistic biostimulant effect under saline conditions, enhancing germination and early growth of Zea mays. This integrated biopriming approach offers a promising and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity-induced stress in crop production systems.

Higher nitrogen fertilizer rates usually lead to an increase in photosynthetic pigments and can significantly affect not only the vegetative mass of plants, but also the content of photosynthetic pigments in plants, which is a key factor determining overall plant productivity. For this purpose, a three-factor field experiment was conducted in 2025 in the fields of the AgroITC Innovation and Research Center of the Agro Concern Group. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different nitrogen fertilization rates on the content of photosynthetic pigments in three winter wheat varieties (Factor A): 1) 'Chevignon', 2) 'LG Keramik', 3) 'Euforia'; Factor B—nitrogen fertilization rates: 1) 150 kg ha^-1, 2) 180 kg ha^-1; Factor C—nitrogen application time: 1) three times (BBCH 27–29; BBCH 29–30; BBCH 32–33); 2) four times (BBCH 27–29; BBCH 29–30; BBCH 32–33; BBCH 37–39). When fertilizing three times, the nitrogen rates were divided into N₆₀+N₆₀+N₃₀ and N₇₀+N₇₀+N₄₀, and when fertilizing four times, they were divided into N₅₀+N₅₀+N₂₀+N₃₀ and N₆₀+N₆₀+N₃₀+N₃₀. The photosynthetic pigments content was determined at BBCH 32-33 and BBCH 37-39 of winter wheat using the Holm–Wettstein methodology. The studies showed that the total amount of photosynthetic pigments and the mass of the aboveground part of the plants depended on the winter wheat variety and the level of nitrogen rates. The highest total amount of photosynthetic pigments was determined in the BBCH 32-33 stage in the winter wheat 'Chevignon', when the plants were fertilized with N₁₅₀, applied four times. However, the total amount of photosynthetic pigments in the BBCH 37-39 stage was the highest in 'Chevignon', when the plants were fertilized with N₁₅₀, applied three times.

The sustainable production of rockroses is being actively encouraged due to their contribution to rural development and circular economy. Particularly, rockrose (Cistus ladanifer L.) exploitation has great socioeconomic and environmental potential, since it is not only a source of essential oils and labdanum gum but also of residual products involved in biomass generation. Moreover, the management of rockroses has beneficial effects on the preservation of traditional landscapes and their biodiversity. It is considered that the cultivation of rockrose does not have high resource requirements, and very few pests and diseases are known to affect it, as plant extracts and essential oils of this crop have been described to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. However, in cultivated rockrose plots from Mainland Spain, a high number of plants were observed with symptoms of general yellowing and decline, eventually resulting in death. Samples were taken for pathogen diagnosis, and data were collected from environmental conditions in the area. Isolations were performed on culture media from crowns and stems, and fungal colonies were molecularly analysed by the amplification of their ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) DNA regions. Sequencing revealed the presence of the pathogenic species Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium acuminatum, F. equiseti, and F. tricinctum. Environmental data suggested the contribution of a prolonged period of rain in late spring, a crop field that was not subsolated, and plants from staking. This could indicate a combined effect of deleterious biotic and abiotic factors as the cause of the unexpected appearance of the symptoms and damage that occurred on the rockrose crop production, which suggests the need to develop an integrated management strategy in this kind of agroecosystem.

The rhizosphere, a confined area of soil plant roots, is an intersection of microbial activity and root exudates. Known as the rhizosphere effect, this phenomenon plays a crucial role in crop yield and sustainable agricultural management by providing nutrients, producing beneficial compounds, or controlling pathogens. Using a geostatistical approach, this study aimed to analyze the effect of peanut cultivation on soil quality improvement by comparing the physicochemical characteristics of rhizosphere and bulk soils in the Ghardaïa regions from southern Algeria. Samples of rhizosphere and bulk soils were prospected using a systematic plan. Subsequently, the pH, electrical conductivity, calcium carbonate, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, total potassium, and soluble sodium were determined for each soil (rhizosphere and bulk soil). The results showed that both types of soils were moderately alkaline, with a reduction of 5.52% in the pH of the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soils. Soils were relatively low in organic matter, with only 3.3% of soils having organic matter levels above 20 g.kg^-1. However, organic matter contents were consistently higher in the rhizosphere (8.51 ± 0.46 g.kg^-1) than in the bulk soil (6.78 ± 0.68 g.kg^-1). In the rhizosphere, an increase of 10% in labile phosphorus was noted. Total nitrogen was increased by 52.57%. T-tests suggested no significant difference in potassium and sodium levels, and they were moderately present in both soils. Significantly positive relationships were noted between electrical conductivity and soluble sodium (p<0.001). However, negative correlations were revealed between pH and organic matter ((p<0.01) and pH and total nitrogen (p<0.01). These results indicate the effects of rhizosphere interactions on soil properties improvement and their implications for sustainable agricultural practices. Incorporating peanut cultivation into crop rotation systems enriches the soil with nutrients, reduces agricultural carbon footprints, and helps farmers maintain soil quality in arid regions.