Despite low fertility and content of organic carbon in albic black soil, grains are grown in this type of soil in the northeast plain of China in order to find ways to improve the soil’s fertility and crop production. We carried out pot experiments of maize applied with one of three different treatments of fulvic acids (FA) derived from different parent materials: Plant-derived solid (PDSF), mineral-derived liquid (MDLF), and plant-derived liquid (PDLF) applied at respective rates of 2.5, 5, and 5 g kg⁻¹ as well as a control applied at 0 g kg⁻¹. The results showed that soil organic carbon and light fraction C was greater by 29% to 21% and 38% to 21%, respectively, among the treatments compared to that of the control. Similarly, available N content was significantly greater in the PDLF treatment, and P content was also significantly greater in the PDSF treatment. In contrast, available K and extractable Mg contents were lower, as well as organic–inorganic degree complexes and organic–inorganic composites in the PDSF, MDLF, and PDLF treatments compared with those of the control. Further results showed that MDLF and PDLF Fulvic acids (FA) accelerated plant growth, while PDSF limited plant growth. Our study provides empirical evidence that addition of fulvic acid from MDLF and PDLF had more positive effects on soil properties and plant growth than fulvic acid from PDSF. This investigation suggests that application of fulvic acid in liquid form can improve nutrient availability and affect other important chemical, biological, and physical properties of soils.

The application of an acidic biochar can improve plant growth and soil properties in saline conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of acidic biochar on plant growth and nutrients contents in saline soil. Seven treatments were arranged in a complete randomized design, including control (CK), 0, 30, and 45 g biochar added to a soil having 1% and 1.5% salts; these treatments were termed as B₀S₁, B₃₀S₁, B₄₅S₁ and B₀S_1.5, B₃₀S_1.5, B₄₅S_1.5 respectively. Experimental results showed that the plant height, leaves plant⁻¹, leaf area, and shoot fresh and dry biomass, and root fresh and dry biomass were increased for the B₄₅S_1.5, respectively. Similarly, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), and total sodium (Na) concentration in maize shoot were observed for B₃₀S₁, B₀S_1.5, CK, and B₀S_1.5, respectively. The highest concentrations of TN, TP, TK, and Na in root were obtained with the treatments B₀S₁, B₀S₁, B₄₅S₁, and B₀S₁, respectively. Soil pH, and EC decreased and nutrients concentration improved by the addition of acidic biochar. We conclude that the use of acidic biochar can be a potential source for the improvement of maize plant growth as well as mitigate the adverse effect of salt stress.

The application of organic manure/substances in soil can directly alter soil structure and influence the soil organic carbon (SOC), soil aggregate stability, and aggregate-associated nitrogen (N).

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) belongs to the Solanaceae family and is considered an important vegetable worldwide. Its production has been challenged due to soil salinization and water shortages. Local tomato cultivars could be better adapted to salt stress. Based on this hypothesis, the present study was carried out to determine the variation in fourteen different tomato cultivars for salt tolerance. Seed germination, mean germination time, shoot length, and root length were examined under salinity stress (1.5 g L-1 NaCl). Plant growth and seed germination were severely affected by saline conditions. The results of this in vitro experiment showed that the seed germination of Yellow Milk was significantly increased (73.33%) however, Pink Jade and Red Jade cultivars were significantly decreased under the NaCl treatment. Similarly, among the fourteen tomato cultivars, the mean germination time of only Yellow Pearl and Black Current significantly increased. Moreover, the shoot length of eight tomato cultivars decreased compared with the control, while the highest shoot length (12.5 cm) was recorded in the case of Saint cultivar. The root length of Taiwan Red Saint, Purple Beauty, Yellow Milk, Red Pearl, Yellow Pearl, Pink Cooperative 906, Qinzu Shanghai 903, and Scarlet cultivars significantly increased, while the other five cultivars significantly decreased under NaCl treatment compared to control. It is concluded that NaCl stress significantly affects the vegetative growth of tomato cultivars under in vitro culture.

Background: To meet SDG 2, agricultural productivity must double, and wheat production in particular must close the gap between demand and consumption. China leads global wheat production, accounting for 17% with 135.8 million tonnes in 2022 – 2023, followed by India with 105 million tonnes. Russia produces 85.2 million tonnes and is also the world's largest exporter. Pakistan's production was 26.2 million tonnes in 2022. Pakistan's wheat sector faces the challenge of meeting growing demand, as average yields per hectare are below potential and the population is growing rapidly. Objectives: The objectives included comparing the impact of DAP, NP, and SSP fertilizers on plant height (cm), number of tillers per plant, spike length (cm), grains per spike, seed index (1000-grain weight in grams), grain yield (kg/ha), and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content (%) in the grains and straw of the TD-1, SKD-1, and TJ-83 varieties. Methods: A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of phosphatic fertilizers, including DAP, NP, and SSP, applied at dose of 84 kg P2O5 per ha, on soil nutrient dynamics and the morphological traits of three wheat varieties: TD-1, SKD-1, and TJ-83. For the experiment was utilized a randomized complete block design with treatments applied to soil and crops under controlled field conditions. Soil properties such N, P, K, EC, pH, and OM, along with wheat morphological traits, were assessed. Results: The results indicate that DAP fertilizer significantly increased soil N and P levels, while SSP was more effective in enhancing soil K. SSP also increased soil EC, whereas pH decreased with all phosphatic fertilizers compared to the control. Among the wheat varieties, TJ-83 exhibited the highest grain yield (3049 kg/ha) with NP fertilizer. Notably, DAP improved the seed index and grain nutrient content compared to other treatments, with by 51.33g for TD-1 variety. These findings align with other studies report by the scientist, highlighting the efficacy of phosphatic fertilizers in improving soil fertility and crop traits under challenging soil conditions. Conclusion: This finding contributes to optimizing phosphorus fertilizer use for sustainable wheat production and emphasizes the need for long-term experiments integrating innovative amendments like biochar and nanotechnology to enhance soil health and crop productivity.

Fulvic acids are a crucial component of soil that influence various chemical, biological, and physical aspects of soils as well as increase nutrient availability. We examined that application of plant-derived liquid (PDL) fulvic acid on three low obstacle, typical Chinese soil can improve the soil fertility and enhance the plant growth and nutrients uptake. The pot experiments were carried out on three different Albic (AL), Irrigated Desert (IR) and Shahjiang Black (SH) soils, the Plant-derived Liquid (PDL) fulvic acid (FA) was applied at rates of 0.50% as well as control applied at 0% along with three replications. The results showed that PDL FA significantly increases the SOC content in three soils highest SOC was detected at SH, however the SOC fractions were significantly decreased in AL, SH and no-significant difference was recorded at IR. Similarly, the soil pH was significantly increased in AL and decreased at IR and SH, however, the electrical conductivity of IR decreased and increased in AL and SH comparing with initial soil pH and electrical conductivity. The results also examine that available nitrogen, phosphorus of AL, IR and SH soils were increased, however, available potassium content was decreased in IR and increased at AL and SH comparing with initial values. The highest Ca and Mg content was observed in SH and organic degree compound were found 26.7% AL, 49.2% IR and 18.2%, SH soil, conversely the organic-inorganic composite was observed lower. This study suggests that the PDL FA significantly increases the nutrient content of AL, IR and SH soils comparing with initial soil properties.