Field experiments were conducted for two-consecutive summer seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Agriculture Research Institute Mingora Swat, Pakistan, on soybean and maize under soybean-wheat (S-W) and maize-wheat (M-W) cropping systems. Three peach sources were used as a residues, its compost and its Nano-black carbon, three phosphorus-rates (50, 75 and 100 kg-ha⁻¹) and two beneficial microbes (PSB and Trichoderma) were tested for improvement of ensilage biomass of maize and soybean, and soil organic-carbon (SOC) under both cropping systems. The results revealed that all the treated plots produced highest SOC compared to the control plots under soybean and maize cropping system. Improved SOC was noted with the OS amendment of Nano-black carbon in both cropping systems. Whereas minimum SOC was noted in soybean experimentation with compost while in maize plot reduced SOC was noted with peach residues incorporation. Beneficial microbes had a significant effect on SOC and improved SOC was recorded with soil application Trichoderma as compared to seed inoculation with PSB in soybean and maize plots. Phosphorus levels had also significant effect on SOC and highest SOC was recorded at 100 kg P ha⁻¹ followed by 75 kg P ha⁻¹ whereas the smallest SOC was recorded with 50 kg P ha⁻¹. Ensilage highest biomass of the both crops was noted with peach Nano-black carbon, followed by compost and reduced biomass were noted with peach residues application. Among the P-rate, increased ensilage biomass was recorded with 100 kg P ha⁻¹application while in case of beneficial microbes application, soil application of Trichoderma produced highest biomass as compared to seed inoculation with PSB.

Mycorrhizae improve the efficiency of mineral intake in soils where such minerals may be poor or otherwise less accessible. In particular, immobile elements like phosphorus, zinc, and copper are supported by the symbiotic relationship between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, but under certain conditions, more mobile ions like sulfur, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, chloride, and nitrogen are also taken up by the plant roots from the soil. Mycorrhizae promotes plant growth, development, stress tolerance, soil remediation, carbon sequestration, food safety, and agricultural sustainability. Our findings revealed that AMF significantly improved the growth mediated by drought and other environmental factors by enhancing photosynthesis, mineral nutrients, the glomalin content of the soil, the content of essential oils, and chemical composition, in addition to upregulating antioxidant systems and the enzymatic activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and lipoxygenase. AMF enhanced soil quality and crop production, which was particularly evident in the increase of crop biomass and soil nutrients availability. The present outcomes suggested that the symbiotic association between AMF and crop plants may help to strengthen the fabrication of defensive compounds that ultimately help to relieve abiotic and biotic stresses and may also act as biological control of crop production constraints. Mycorrhizal inoculation greatly improves the root’s ability to absorb nutrients and water under changing environments. Consequently, in this work, the role of mycorrhizal inoculation in nutrient absorption, as well as its important contribution to plant greater biomass and food security, are discussed in relation to mycorrhizal and plant symbiosis.

Two mungbean cultivars, Swat-1 and NM-98, four levels of phosphorous (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha⁻¹) in the form of TSP, and four tillage systems, zero tillage (no tillage), minimum tillage (2-time), conventional tillage (4-time), and maximum tillage (6-time) were used. Results divulge that plant height, number of pods plant⁻¹, number of seeds pod⁻¹, biological yield, seed yield, 1,000 seed weight, harvest index, and protein content were significantly affected by mungbean cultivars, various phosphorous levels, and tillage systems. Cultivar swat-1 stands first in term of growth and yield. Highest thousand seed weight, seed yield, biological yield, and harvest index % were produced by P at the rate of 60 kg ha⁻¹, while maximum plant height, number of pods plant⁻¹, number of seeds pod⁻¹, and protein content were given by P at the rate of 40 kg ha⁻¹ at par with P at the rate of 60 kg ha⁻¹. Among different tillage systems, maximum number of pods plant⁻¹, 1,000 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and protein content were observed in maximum tillage system. In case of interaction between P × T, maximum pods plant⁻¹, 1,000 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, and protein content were produced by 60 kg P ha⁻¹⁺ maximum tillage system.

Continuous cropping of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) deplete soil fertility and reduce crop productivity as well as zinc (Zn) concentrations in rice grains and straw. Low Zn concentrations in rice grains have a negative impact on human health, while low Zn concertation in rice straw creates a nutritional problem for animals. The current high yielding rice varieties and hybrids remove large quantities of Zn from the soils, lowering the residual concentrations of soil Zn for the subsequent crop (e.g., wheat). Field experiments were conducted on farmers field in Malakand with the objective to evaluate the impact of various combinations of phosphorus (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha⁻¹) and Zn levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 kg ha⁻¹) on biofortification of Zn in grains and straw of rice genotypes [fine (Bamati-385) vs. coarse (Fakhre-e-Malakand and Pukhraj)]. The results revealed that Zn biofortification in rice genotypes increased with the integrated use of both nutrients (P + Zn) when applied at higher rates (80 and 120 kg P ha⁻¹, and 10 and 15 kg Zn ha⁻¹, respectively). The biofortification of Zn in both grains and straw was higher in the coarse than fine rice genotypes (Pukhraj > Fakhre-e-Malakand > Basmati-385). It was concluded from this study that the application of higher P and Zn levels increased Zn contents in rice parts (grains and straw) under the rice-wheat system. We also concluded from this study that Zn concentrations in rice grains and straw are influenced by plant genetic factors and Zn management practices.