Sorgoleone is a secondary sorghum metabolite released from roots. It has allelopathic properties and is considered to inhibit ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) responsible for the rate-limiting step (ammonia oxidation) in nitrification. Low activity of these microorganisms in soil may contribute to slow down nitrification and reduce nitrogen loss via denitrification and NO₃⁻ leaching. The potential nitrification rate (PNR) and the composition of microbial communities were monitored in rhizosphere soil to investigate the growth effect sorghum on biological nitrification inhibition (BNI). A greenhouse pipe experiment was conducted using sorghum lines IS20205 (high-sorgoleone release ability), IS32234 (medium-sorgoleone release ability), 296B (low-sorgoleone release ability), and a control (no plants) combined with fertilization application of 0 or 120 kg N ha⁻¹. We applied nitrogen as ammonium sulfate at 16 days (20 N), 37 days (40 N), and 54 days (60 N). We collected soil solutions at 7.5 cm depths every 3 days and measured the pH and nitrate levels. At 1 and 2.3 months, we sampled the bulk and rhizosphere soils and roots in the 0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, and 30–80 cm depths to determine NO₂, mineral N, total N, total C, sorgoleone, the composition of AOA, AOB, and total bacteria and archaea. Sorgoleone was continuously released throughout the 2.3 months’ growth and was significantly higher in IS20205, followed by IS32234 then 296B, which showed shallow levels. The IS2020 5rhizosphere showed lower NO₂ and nitrate levels and significant inhibition of AOA populations. However, we did not find significant differences in the abundance of AOB between plant treatments. Multivariate analysis and Spearman’s correlations revealed that sorgoleone as well as environmental factors such as soil pH, soil moisture, NO₃⁻-N, and NH₄⁺-N shape the composition of microbial communities. This study demonstrated that the release of higher amounts of sorgoleone has great potential to inhibit the abundance of AOA and soil nitrification. The breeding of sorghum lines with the ability to release higher amounts of sorgoleone could be a strategic way to improve the biological nitrification inhibition during cultivation.

Phosphate rocks (PR), the primary source of phosphorus (P), are often co-composted with organic materials to enhance P availability. However, the mechanisms of P solubilization in PR-enriched composts are not well elucidated. This study investigated such mechanisms by monitoring the changes in P fractions during composting and by determining the relationships between the physicochemical and biological parameters. Sorghum straw residues were composted alone (Comp), or with 10% PR (P-Comp), or with 10% PR and 10% rhizosphere soil (P-Comp-Soil), and samples were collected at 45, 60, and 180 days for analysis. The labile-P composed of H₂O- and NaHCO₃-extractable inorganic P (Pi) and organic P (Po), the moderately labile-P extracted by NaOH (Pi + Po), and the unavailable P formed of the HCl-P and residual-P, increased with the progress of the composting. At 180 days, P-Comp-Soil contained the highest amount of labile-P. There were strong and positive correlations between labile-P and the abundance of total fungi, phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF), alkaline phosphatase phoD, phosphonatase phnX, acid phosphatase aphA. Although total fungi were much fewer than total bacteria, the PSF mainly triggered the mineral P solubilization. The alkaline phosphatase phoD was the main enzyme leading the organic P mineralization, while the contribution of phosphonatase phnX, acid phosphatase aphA, and siderophore entA to the organic P solubilization was minor. Besides, the bacterial specific-transporter (pstS) gene increased with the increase of labile-P, allowing for immobilization of little fractions of P in microbial cells. This study highlighted the significant role of PSF and alkaline phosphatase in the P solubilization of PR-enriched composts. Furthermore, it showed the benefit of supplementing the PR-enriched composts with rhizosphere soil, a niche of ecologically important source of beneficial microbes.

Balanites aegyptiaca, a forest species of socio-economic interest for rural people, was chosen to be planted in the frame-work of the Great Green Wall project in Senegal. Although in vastly demand during food scarcity period before crops harvest, the species’ fruit is poorly valued despite its important production. In this study, the fruit pulps were harvested at maturity and the biochemical characteristics were accessed in order to better understand the fruit’s nutritional value. The moisture, sugars, proteins, amino acids, ash, fat, minerals and some vitamins were determined by standard methods of analysis. The results indicated that the fruits are a good alimentary source of sugar, minerals (mainly potassium) and ascorbic acid. The pulp proteins were qualitatively balanced, but were present only in weak quantities. Its caloric value is high due to the high concentration of sugars. Low humidity should allow a fairly good postharvest fruit conservation. The dietary intake of this fruit for local people is very valuable especially in terms of nutrition. Key words: Balanites aegyptiaca, pulp, biochemical, nutritional value.