Introduction: The development of organic manure from livestock excreta is a useful source for sustainable crop production in environment-friendly agriculture. Organic manure increases soil microbial activity and organic matter (OM) supply. The excessive use of chemical fertilizers (CFs) leads to air and water pollution caused by toxic chemicals and gases, and soil quality degradation via nutrient imbalance due to supplying specific chemical components. Thus, the use of organic manure will serve as a long-term supply of various nutrients in soil via OM decomposition reaction as well as the maintenance of environment.Methods: In this study, we aimed to analyze the diverse effects of Hanwoo manure (HM) on plant growth, feed quality, and soil bacterial communities in comparison with CFs, commercial poultry manure (CM), and the combined use of chemical fertilizer and Hanwoo manure (HM+CF). We analyzed the contents of crude matter (protein, fat, fiber, and ash), P, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) through feed quality analysis, and the contents or activities of total phenol, total flavonoid, ABTS, nitrite scavenging, and reducing power via the antioxidant assay. Furthermore, the soil microbial communities were determined using 16S rRNA sequencing. We compared the soil bacteria among different soil samples by using amplicon sequence variant (ASV) analysis.Results and discussion: We observed increased OM in the soil of the HM group compared to that of the CF and non-treated groups over a period of two years. Moreover, HM+CF treatment enormously improved plant growth. Organic manure, especially HM, caused an increase in the content of crude ash and phosphorus in plants. There were no significant differences in total polyphenol, total flavonoid, ABTS, nitrite scavenging, and reducing power in plants between HM and CF groups. Finally, we detected 13 soil bacteria (Acidibacter, Algisphaera, Cystobacter, Microvirga, Ohtaekwangia, Panacagrimonas, Pseudarthrobacter, Reryanella, Rhodoligotrophos, Solirubrobacter, Stenotrophobacter, Tellurimicrobium, and Thermomarinilinea) that were considerably correlated with OM and available phosphorus, and three considerably correlated bacteria were specifically distributed in CF or organic manure. The results suggest that HM is a valuable source of organic manure that can replace CF for sustainable crop production.

Introduction: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is widely used to produce natural bio-materials. Elevated CO₂(eCO₂) concentrations in the atmosphere improve the net photosynthesis of plants.Methods: The aim of the present study was to investigate distinct changes in fennel growth characteristics and phytonutrient contents under different CO₂concentrations. The effects of 400 and 800 ppm concentrations on plant growth and antioxidant activity were observed under hydroponics.Results and Discussion: Plant growth was improved by eCO₂concentrations. We also observed diverse changes in nutrient solution (pH, electrical conductivity, and dissolved oxygen) and environmental factors (temperature and humidity) in greenhouse under light or dark conditions. Electrical conductivity increased under dark and eCO₂conditions, whereas the pH decreased. Additionally, we performed transcriptome analysis and identified CO₂-responsive differentially expressed genes. In the 800 ppm group, genes involved in photosynthesis and Karrikin response were upregulated whereas those involved in syncytium formation were downregulated. Four upregulated differentially expressed genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and total flavonoid content were relatively increased under the 800 ppm CO₂condition. In contrast, antioxidant activity, including total phenolic content, scavenging activity, ferric ion reducing antioxidant power, and reducing power were decreased in fennel under relatively high eCO₂concentrations. Moreover, different light intensities of 12 or 24 lx did not affect the growth and antioxidant activity of fennel, suggesting eCO₂has a stronger effect on plant improvement than light intensity. The results of the present study enhance our understanding of the positive effects of CO₂on the growth and antioxidant activity of fennel.

Cryptorchidism, a condition in which testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum, is a risk factor for infertility and germ cell cancer. Normally, tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells in the testes form a blood–testes barrier that regulates spermatogenesis; however, the effect of cryptorchidism on tight junctions is not well-understood. We established a model of heat-induced testicular damage in dogs using surgical cryptorchidism. We sequenced RNA to investigate whether certain transcripts are expressed at higher rates in heat-damaged versus normally descended testes. Claudins, cell adhesion molecules, were relatively highly expressed in cryptorchid testes: claudins 2, 3, 5, 11, and 18 were significantly increased in cryptorchid testes and reduced by orchiopexy. SOX9-positive Sertoli cells were present in the seminiferous tubules in both cryptorchid and control testes. Using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis to compare Sertoli cells cultured at 34 °C and 37 °C, we found that Sertoli cell claudins 2, 3, 5, 11, and 18 were significantly increased at 37 °C; however, accumulation was higher in the G0/G1 phase in Sertoli cells cultured at 34 °C. These results indicate that testicular hyperthermia caused by cryptorchidism affects claudin expression, regulated germ cell death, and the proliferation of Sertoli cells.

Organic liquid fertilizers from livestock manure are increasingly recognized as sustainable amendments influencing soil bacterial communities. Yet, their direct impacts on bacterial composition and crop functionality remain unclear. Addressing this gap, we developed a bio-liquid fertilizer (LBF) by culturing Chlorella fusca in a purified pig manure-based medium. We compared its effects with chemical (CLF) and fermented (FLM) liquid fertilizers on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis). We aimed to determine how organic bio-liquid fertilizers enhance crop health and soil bacterial balance, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices. Although LBF did not surpass CLF in promoting growth, it significantly increased antioxidant compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids), sugars, and antioxidant activities, including nitrite-scavenging capacity and reducing power. Soil bacterial communities were strongly correlated with key chemical properties (Na, K, NO₃^–-N, Ca, pH). Notably, Litorilinea decreased under CLF, and Sphingomonas and Nocardioides declined under FLM, whereas LBF treatment increased all three genera, suggesting improved bacterial conditions. These findings demonstrate that a well-designed organic bio-liquid fertilizer can bridge knowledge gaps by enhancing plant functionality and promoting beneficial soil bacteria. This approach supports more efficient nutrient recycling and may foster greater resilience and sustainability in modern farming systems.

Utilizing livestock manure as organic fertilizer in sustainable agriculture is crucial and should be developed through an appropriate manufacturing process. Solid–liquid separation contributes to reducing odor, managing nutrients in livestock excretions, and lowering the cost of transporting manure to arable soil. To investigate the impact of fermentation after solid–liquid separation, we examined the specific correlation between chemical properties and bacterial communities in solid–liquid manures before and after the fermentation process. In terms of chemical properties before fermentation, the levels of electrical conductivity, nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), potassium, sodium, and chloride were higher in the liquid sample than in the solid sample. However, the chemical components of the liquid sample decreased during fermentation, which could be attributed to the low organic matter content. Many chemical components increased in the solid samples during fermentation. Fifty-six bacterial species were significantly correlated with NH₄⁺-N and phosphorus. Following fermentation, their abundance increased in the solid samples and decreased in the liquid samples, indicating the potential for NH₄⁺-N release or phosphorus mineralization from organic matter. These results provide information regarding changes in nutrient and bacterial formation when applying the fermentation process after solid–liquid separation.

This study investigated the effects of liquid bio-fertilizer (LBF) on the growth, antioxidant activity, soil properties, and soil microbial composition of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis). The LBF application significantly enhanced vegetative growth by increasing the leaf length, leaf width, fresh weight, and dry weight. Additionally, antioxidant activity increased with rises in total phenolic and flavonoid contents. However, the per-unit antioxidant concentrations decreased, likely due to rapid biomass accumulation. Soil analysis showed improvements in pH, organic matter, and available phosphorus. Microbial analysis revealed that Acidobacteria enrichment was associated with enhanced nutrient cycling despite reduced overall microbial diversity. Transcriptomic analysis identified 445 differentially expressed genes with upregulation in the metabolism and photosynthesis-related pathways, suggesting improved nutrient assimilation and energy production. These findings demonstrate that LBF enhances plant growth and soil fertility while influencing microbial dynamics and gene expression.