Rhizosphere interactions between intercropping maize and alfalfa to increase phosphorus (P) acquisition remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying niche complementarity to increase P acquisition in the maize/alfalfa mixture by influencing root/rhizosphere interactions. Maize was grown alone (single maize) or with maize (maize/maize) or alfalfa (maize/alfalfa) with low P (30 mg P kg⁻¹ soil) and high P (150 mg P kg⁻¹ soil) supplies. The target maize had greater shoot biomass and P content when grown with alfalfa than maize. Compared with maize, alfalfa had higher secretion of carboxylates and acid phosphatase, suggesting a stronger capacity to mobilize soil P. Phosphorus deficiency also increased the specific root length and the proportion of thin roots (diameter < 0.2 mm) in alfalfa, and intercropped alfalfa had higher carboxylates secretion than monocropped one, indicating that alfalfa root traits were modified by both soil P supply and the identity of neighbor. Increased soil P availability by alfalfa root exudation and improved rhizosphere environment by thin alfalfa roots promoted shoot growth and P acquisition of maize in the maize/alfalfa mixture. The presence of maize increased the secretion of carboxylates from alfalfa roots, suggesting that the root interactions between maize and alfalfa are crucial for improving P‐use efficiency and productivity in intercropping.

Quantification of actual plant consumption of nitrogen (N) is necessary to optimize fertilization efficiency and minimize contamination of earth resources. We examined the performance of fruit-bearing pomegranate trees grown in soilless media and exposed to eight N-fertigation treatments, from 5 to 200 mg N L⁻¹. Reproductive and vegetative indices were found to be optimal when 20 to 70 mg N L⁻¹ was supplied. Nitrogen application levels over 70 mg L⁻¹ reduced pomegranate development and reproduction. N uptake in low-level treatments was almost 100% and decreased gradually, down to 13% in 200 mg N L⁻¹ treatment. N usage efficiency was maximized under 20 mg N L⁻¹, in which case 80% to 90% of added N was taken up by the trees. At high N application, its efficiency was reduced with less than 50% utilized by the trees. Leaf N increased to a plateau as a function of increasing irrigation solution N, maximizing at ~15 to 20 mg N g⁻¹. Therefore, analysis of diagnostic leaves is not a valid method to identify excessive detrimental N. The results should be valuable in the development of efficient, sustainable, environmentally responsible protocols for N fertilization in commercial pomegranate orchards, following adaptation and validation to real soil field conditions.

Pomegranate cultivation has expanded significantly in the last two decades. However, there is limited information on its fertilization requirements and the effect of macronutrient availability on its reproductive development. Two commercial pomegranate cultivars—“Wonderful” and “Emek”—were grown in 500-L containers for 3 years, using a fertigation system. Development and reproduction indices were measured to explore the trees’ responses to elevated levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in the irrigation solution. Andromonoecy rate was affected by nutrient levels only in the first year of the experiment, with higher levels of N and P leading to a greater proportion of hermaphrodites out of total flowers. P level had a positive effect on the total number of hermaphrodites per tree in both varieties. Differences recorded between hermaphroditic and staminate flowers included nutrient concentrations and dry weight. Fruit set and aril number were positively affected by N concentration in the irrigation solution. We conclude that only a severe deficiency of N and P affects the andromonoecy trait, and that at the levels examined in this study, K hardly influences pomegranate reproduction.

Sustainable phosphorus (P) resource management is crucial for food security and environmental sustainability. Overuse of P in intensive cropping systems has led to severe eutrophication problems. Here, we examined the trends and driving factors of (a) P losses from the food chain in 31 provinces in China over the period 1980–2016 and (b) predicted 2030 losses under different scenarios using the NUFER model and the Geographical Detector model. The P losses increased 5‐fold between 1980 and 2016. Population density and livestock density are the main forces driving P losses. Large spatial variability exists in P losses across the country, with Central South and Southeast China regions as the hotspot areas. The scenario analysis showed that reduction of P pollution below safe levels can be achieved in most Chinese provinces through improved nutrient management adapted to site conditions. In low‐risk regions, priority should be given to reducing mineral P fertilizer input and P losses in cropping system, while avoiding crop yield decline. In medium‐risk regions, the focus should be on reconnecting livestock and crop production to enhance P recycling. In high‐risk regions, comprehensive P management measures should be implemented across the entire food chain, including crop production, animal production, food processing, and human consumption systems. Specific actions include reducing livestock density, increasing fertilizer application taxes, improving food processing technologies, and adjusting dietary structures. The findings are critical to support policies for achieving region‐specific sustainable P resource management across China.

The use of chemical fertilizers has significantly increased crop yields but has also led to soil problems such as nutrient imbalance and salinization. In response, organic fertilizers have emerged as a crucial component for sustainable agricultural development. This study was designed to develop an easily applicable organic suspension fertilizer using peanut bran, the primary by-product of peanut oil extraction, as the main raw material. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that 80 °C is the optimal heating temperature for forming a stable peanut-bran suspension. A comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of different peanut bran addition levels, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and suspending agents on the stability of suspension fertilizers. The results identified the optimal suspension fertilizer formulation as comprising 20% peanut bran, 0.5% sodium bentonite, 0.1% monoglyceride, 0.2% sucrose ester, 0.02% carrageenan, and 0.3% xanthan gum. This formulation ensures good stability and fluidity of the suspension fertilizer while maintaining a low cost of 0.134 USD·kg⁻¹. The findings provide a scalable technological framework for valorizing agro-industrial waste into high-performance organic fertilizers.

Introduction: Improving phosphorus (P)-use efficiency (PUE) while increasing crop yield is one of the greatest challenges in sustainable P management for sustainable agriculture. Types of P fertilizers and soil water supply impact P availability and crop growth, but how to optimize P fertilizer and water supply to enhance the foraging capacity of roots for P remains unclear. This study was aimed at characterizing the effects of different combinations of P fertilizers and water supply on maize growth, root properties and PUE in calcareous soil. Methods: A pot experiment with four P fertilizers [monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and urea phosphate (UP)] was conducted under well-watered (watered) and water-deficit (dry) conditions using maize ( Zea mays L.) in a greenhouse during the seedling stage. Results: The interaction between P fertilizers and water supply significantly promoted the growth and P uptake of maize by modifying the root morphological and physiological traits. MAP and APP exhibited greater (by up to 62%) total root length in the watered than the dry treatments, resulting in a significant increase in the efficiency of root P acquisition. The APase activity in the rhizosphere soil of MAP and DAP declined (by 37%-62%) significantly, and the rhizosphere soil pH in the DAP treatment was 0.4 units lower in the watered than the dry treatments. APP improved the soil P availability more than the other P fertilizers (17%-41% higher in soil Olsen-P concentration) regardless of water supply. Conclusion: Optimal combination of P fertilizers and water supply promotes maize growth and PUE due to stimulating the root capacity to forage for nutrient and water resources by regulating the root morphological and physiological traits. Engineering root/rhizosphere by manipulating the interactions of P fertilizer types and water supply can improve nutrient use-efficiency and sustainable crop production.