Studying the long-term effect of composted sewage sludge application on chemical, physical and biological properties of soil, an experiment was established in 2003 at the Research Institute of Nyíregyháza in Hungary. The applied compost was prepared from sewage sludge (40%), straw (25%), bentonite (5%) and rhyolite (30%). The compost was ploughed into the 0-25 cm soil layer every 3rd year in the following amounts: 0, 9, 18 and 27 Mg ha⁻¹ of dry matter. As expected, the compost application improved the structure of sandy soil, which is related with an increase in the organic matter content of soil. The infiltration into soil was improved significantly, reducing the water erosion under simulated high intensity rainfall. The soil compaction level was reduced in the first year after compost re-treatment. In accordance with the decrease in bulk density, the air permeability of soil increased tendentially. However, in the second year the positive effects of compost application were observed only in the plots treated with the highest compost dose because of quick degradation of the organic matter. According to the results, the sewage sludge compost seems to be an effective soil improving material for acidic sandy soils, but the beneficial effect of application lasts only for two years.

Sandy soils are susceptible to the adverse effects of intensive land use and climate change, which can cause a decline in soil quality. As agricultural practices have an important role in soil processes, the objective of this research was to monitor the soil parameters determining the soil quality by studying the long‐term effects of different organic amendments on soil. The research was done in long‐term soil improvement experiments on Dystric Lamellic Arenosol. In addition to conventional organic fertilizers (farmyard manure with or without chemical fertilizers, green manure), alternative fertilizers such as sewage sludge compost were also applied. For the complex evaluation, we have been carrying out soil physical, chemical, and enzyme activity tests and field soil respiration measurements for 3 years. The beneficial effect of sewage sludge compost on the parameters determining the soil quality was more pronounced compared to the effect of conventional fertilization methods. The long‐term incorporation of sewage sludge compost into the soil significantly increased the soil organic matter content and pH, and improved the physico‐chemical parameters of the soil. The positive changes in soil parameters as a result of compost application contributed to the stimulation of soil life, which resulted in more intensive soil respiration and enzyme activities. The research confirmed the significance of the long‐term supply of organic matter on sandy soil that can be implemented sustainably through the agricultural utilization of sewage sludge compost and contributes to the enhancement of soil organic carbon storage and the improvement of soil quality in acidic sandy soil.

Understanding the factors influencing soil quality is essential for implementing sustainable management practices that ensure long-term agricultural productivity and ecosystem resilience. The four-crop rotation was established in 2005 at the experimental station of the Agroecology Research Institute in Slovakia, where the effects of conventional (CT) and conservation (reduced tillage – RT, and no tillage—NT) systems on the quality (physical, chemical, biological parameters) of clay-loamy soil (Gleyic Fluvisols) were compared. During the 2023–2025 study period, the research focused on two crops within the rotation, namely maize and soya. In topsoil, accumulation of soil organic carbon and nutrients was observed in conservation tillage systems. Reduced tillage alleviated soil compaction compared to conventional and no tillage. Soil acidity was significantly increased by no tillage. Conservation tillage systems promoted soil biological activity, doubling soil enzyme activity compared to conventional tillage. The mean Soil Quality Index (SQI) for reduced tillage represents a 25% improvement over the conventional system, achieving a “good” classification in soil quality index. Despite the positive effect of reduced tillage on soil quality, a 5–25% decrease in crop yields was observed. In conclusion, the results confirmed that long-term reduced tillage had a beneficial effect on the quality of clay-loamy soil.

Improving water productivity while maintaining technological quality is a major challenge for sugar beet production under increasing water scarcity. This study was conducted for only one year at one location during the 2023/2024 winter season near the Village Kafraljaraydh to evaluate the effects of irrigation water type (normal vs. magnetized), irrigation levels (100 and 75% ETc) combined into four irrigation treatments, and NPK fertilization levels (100, 80, 60, and 40% of the recommended dose) on growth, yield, quality, and water relations of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) under field conditions in Egypt (2023/2024 season; strip-plot design; three replicates). Magnetized water treatment (MWT) enhanced vegetative growth, root development, and biomass accumulation, improving yield. The highest root yield (80.34 t ha⁻¹) and sugar yield (16.62 t ha⁻¹) were obtained under magnetized irrigation at 100% ETc; 80–100% NPK, representing a 3–6% increase over normal irrigation. Technological quality improved, with higher sucrose content, total soluble solids, apparent purity, and reduced impurity-related parameters (α-amino N, K, Na, and molasses sugar). Deficit irrigation reduced yield but had limited effects on quality. Water use efficiency was mainly driven by irrigation level, with higher values under 100% ETc, while MWT provided a moderate improvement. Reducing fertilization to 80% NPK maintained yield and improved quality under MWT. MWT improved crop performance and quality without increasing water use, supporting sugar beet production.

Regenerative farming practices, including the use of leguminous green manures, are increasingly recognized for their potential to improve soil quality, enhance nutrient cycling, and reduce nitrogen losses. In this study, we investigated the effects of two leguminous green manure crops, lupine (Lupinus albus L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil mineral nitrogen dynamics in two soil layers (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm). The treatments were compared with mineral nitrogen fertilization (80 kg ha⁻¹ N) and an unfertilized control under field conditions on humic sandy soil in Hungary between 2021 and 2023. The results showed that under extreme drought conditions (2022), maize yield in mineral-fertilized plots (0.90 t ha⁻¹) was significantly lower than in the unfertilized control (1.61 t ha⁻¹), while green manure treatments maintained substantially higher yields (4.11–4.21 t ha⁻¹). Soil nitrogen dynamics were strongly influenced by precipitation patterns. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that increasing precipitation reduced mineral nitrogen content in the topsoil, while promoting its accumulation in deeper soil layers. This effect was particularly pronounced in mineral-fertilized treatments, where a significant negative correlation was observed in the 0–25 cm layer and a positive correlation in the 25–50 cm layer, suggesting greater downward movement of mineral nitrogen within the soil profile. Principal component analysis further indicated that mineral fertilizer-derived nitrogen was more strongly associated with precipitation variables than nitrogen originating from green manure treatments. The results suggest that the application of leguminous green manures promotes a more stable soil nitrogen distribution and reduces sensitivity to precipitation-driven nitrogen redistribution compared with mineral fertilization.

Hairy vetch ( Vicia villosa Roth.) is a legume crop that is known for high biomass yield. Weed infestation can compromise crop production. Herbicide options are less researched. Pre- and post-emergently applied herbicides were assessed through NDVI and visual phytotoxicity. Due to limited data on herbicide effects on soil microorganisms, enzyme activity tests were conducted. The pre-emergently applied flumioxazin, clomazone, and metribuzin did not cause phytotoxicity, while pendimethalin caused mild symptoms. Post-emergence application of metazachlor + quinmerac, imazamox, and bentazon caused minimal phytotoxicity. The applied herbicides significantly affected the β-glucosidase activity (BGA) of the soil. Further testing is warranted with additional measurements and seed yield results.