ABSTRACT Soil fungi tolerate drought better than bacteria, making them vital for climate-related soil studies. This study examined the responses of the two most abundant fungal phyla in topsoil, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, to extreme temperature and moisture conditions under controlled conditions. Two soils from the same geographic region but with contrasting land-use histories (ploughed vs. unploughed) were analysed. Initial fungal and bacterial biomass quantifications in terms of rRNA gene copy number showed that fungi were more stable than bacterial biomass under the imposed abiotic stress, highlighting their key role in soil microbial resilience. Further analysis using phylum-specific primers and digital PCR revealed that the Ascomycota phylum experienced stable growth under simulated extreme fluctuations in soil moisture. In contrast, the biomass of Basidiomycota doubled under water-stressed conditions compared to optimal field conditions. However, under flooding and abnormally hot conditions, it halved. Ascomycota, which is largely composed of spore-dispersed fungi that prevail in ploughed soils, contributes to microbial stability during extreme events. Basidiomycota, on the other hand, has an underestimated capacity to sustain microbial biomass through prolonged drought. The findings highlight the crucial role of forest and conservation-oriented land uses where Basidiomycetes thrive, in enhancing soil microbial stability as drought progressively increases.

ABSTRACT Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a multifunctional perennial forage legume that delivers significant agronomic, nutritional, and ecological benefits within integrated crop–livestock systems. Its deep taproot enhances drought tolerance, soil water capture, and nutrient cycling, while high biomass production (up to 20 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹) and crude protein content (15–25%) improve livestock productivity, including milk yield and growth. Alfalfa also supports soil health through symbiotic nitrogen fixation (0.10–0.30 t N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), organic matter accumulation, and carbon sequestration (1.2–5 t C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers by 30–70% and lowering nitrous oxide emissions by up to 50%. Its adaptability across semi-arid, temperate, and tropical environments, combined with climate-smart management, contributes to resilient and low-emission production systems. However, challenges such as pest and disease pressure, salinity stress, establishment difficulties, and limited adoption in resource-constrained regions persist. This review highlights the need for stress-tolerant cultivars, optimized rotations, and targeted extension services to fully harness alfalfa’s role in sustainable livestock production and climate-change mitigation.

ABSTRACT Integrated Weed Management (IWM) through bio-organic approaches to control Phalaris minor is an alternative strategy to protect wheat. This novel approach synergistically integrates plant and bacterial allelopathy for dual action: weed suppression and wheat growth promotion. Firstly, the allelopathic potential of rice and sorghum extracts (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10%) against P. minor germination and growth was tested. Secondly, the promising levels (5.0 and 10%) of rice and sorghum were tested in pots. Pot study was divided into uninoculated (plant extracts) and inoculated (plant extracts and Pseudomonas consortia) sets with weed-free [control (-)] and weedy [control (+)] controls. Results depicted significantly improved dry biomass, chlorophyll index, CAT and APX activity, wheat yield and 100-grain weight by 38.1%, 23.4%, 87.6%, 83.8%, 95.0% and 90.7%, respectively, by integrated 10% rice extract (REA 10%) treatment. Similarly, a significant decline in P. minor germination (62.0%), dry biomass (66.4%), and 64.6 to 80.0% wheat grain recovery was observed. Moreover, 10% sorghum extract (SEA 10%) integration also showed P. minor reduction and wheat yield improvement. Therefore, it can be concluded that this bio-organic IWM strategy has improved wheat by suppressing P. minor and has proved as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to chemicals for field-scale implications.

ABSTRACT Coastal soil has an excellent potential as a land reserve. However, low physical fertility with poor structure might hamper its efficient utilization. A field study was conducted to explore the microbial response to physical fertility improvement induced by biochar addition to a coastal soil. Rice straw biochar (RSB), corn straw biochar (CSB) and cow manure biochar (CMB) with two levels (1% and 3% by weight) were applied to the coastal soil. The results showed that adding biochar significantly improved the coastal soil’s physical fertility, including bulk density, porosity, aggregates stability and water condition. The three kinds of biochar application significantly modified mechanical strength properties, reducing the tensile strength and coefficient of linear extension (COLE), especially with the high dosage application, in comparison with the control treatment. The coastal soil with RSB3% treatment had the highest Shannon index, while CMB3% treatment had the lowest Simpson index. The results showed that porosity, aggregate stability, water and tensile strength were the main physical properties affecting the Shannon index in the coastal soil. Biochar application, especially RSB3% and CMB3%, improved physical properties, microbial diversity and community structure, respectively, thereby contributing to the efficient use of the coastal soil.

ABSTRACT Cadmium (Cd) is a hazardous element that limits plant growth and productivity. To assess the role of phosphorus nutrition in mitigating Cd stress, a pot experiment was conducted using six different phosphorus rates (0, 40, 80, 160, 240, 300 mg kg−1 P2O5) under Cd concentration stress (0, 2, 20 mg kg−1 Cd2+). The highest Alfalfa growth (56.79 cm), hay yield (2165.61 kg ha−1), and nutritional quality as relative feed value (245.63), soluble sugar content (4.13 mg kg−1), crude protein content (31.19%) showed significant responses at 160 mg kg−1 phosphorus application rate under Cd stress at 2 mg kg−1. Cd content in both the shoots and roots decreased by 41.7% and 39.2%. The order of the Cd content in subcellular components was cell wall > cytoplasm > mitochondria > chloroplast. Enzyme activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbic acid (AsA) content showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Malonaldehyde (MDA), phytochelatins (PCs), non- protein sulfhydryl (NPT), and catalase (CAT) activities significantly increased, while the content of glutathione (GSH) was significantly reduced. These results indicate that 160 mg kg−1 phosphorus fertilizer application can improve Alfalfa’s tolerance to Cd, thereby alleviating Cd toxicity and enabling high-quality alfalfa forage production.

ABSTRACT Wheat yield in Pakistan is constrained by improper seed rates and weed interference. A two-year field trial (2020–2021) was conducted to determine the optimal seed rate and critical weed competition period for wheat. Treatments included three seed rates (37, 74, and 111 kg ha−1) with weed competition and weed-free periods up to 45, 60, and 75 days after sowing (DAS), along with full-season competition. The treatments were arranged in an RCBD in three replications. Results showed that a seed rate of 111 kg ha−1 with a weed-free period up to 75 DAS significantly reduced weed cover, density, and dry weight. It also enhanced plant height, productive tillers, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, crop vigor, growth rate, leaf area index, test weight, and grain protein content of wheat. Weed-free up to 45 DAS resulted in better performance than the same duration of weed competition, showing that early-season weed control is important. The study confirms that the critical period for weed management may begin before 45 DAS and extend to around 75 DAS and recommends a seed rate of 111 kg ha−1 with at least 60 DAS weed-free period to maximize growth, yield, and quality of wheat.

ABSTRACT Drought stress poses a critical threat to maize (Zea mays L.) production by disrupting nutrient uptake, reducing metabolic efficiency, and impairing growth and yield. This study evaluated the effectiveness of foliar-applied nano-fertilizers – nano-zinc oxide (ZnO), nano-iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), and nano-silica (SiO₂) – in enhancing drought tolerance in maize under well-watered, moderate, and severe drought conditions over two growing seasons (2023–2024). Using a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement, we assessed physiological and biochemical responses to stress and treatment. Drought significantly reduced nitrogen and protein content, induced oxidative stress (elevated H₂O₂), and disrupted mineral balance. Nano-fertilizer application, particularly nano-ZnO and nano-Fe₂O₃, significantly improved nitrogen assimilation, enhanced proline accumulation, and reduced oxidative damage. These treatments also improved phosphorus and potassium retention, while nano-SiO₂ reduced sodium accumulation under drought. Additionally, all nano-treatments increased micronutrient concentrations (Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn), supporting metabolic resilience. The combined application of all three nano-fertilizers demonstrated synergistic effects in enhancing osmotic adjustment, antioxidant activity, and overall drought resilience. These findings highlight the potential of nano-fertilizers as sustainable tools to mitigate drought impacts and maintain maize productivity under water-limited conditions. Future research should focus on field-scale validation, dosage optimization, and environmental risk assessments of nano-fertilizer use.

ABSTRACT Soil temperature (ST) is a crucial parameter in tropical environments, influencing microbial activity, nutrient cycling, and root growth. Accurate and cost-effective prediction of ST is essential for understanding soil health and supporting resilient ecosystems. This study investigates ST dynamics across four different urban tropical microclimates within a 150-square-meter area over a four-month period, utilizing a dataset comprising 5,856 observations collected in a tropical setting. Advanced machine learning modelling, including Random Forest Regressor (RFR), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), coupled with Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) was employed. Results reveal that the interplay of solar azimuth and vegetation cover governs ST variations. The XGBoost outperformed all other machine learning models, exhibiting the most accurate predictions and resulting root mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.298 ± 0.008ºC for modelling ST at 10 cm depth, 0.117 ± 0.006ºC at 30 cm and 0.064 ± 0.002ºC at 50 cm. XAI analysis highlighted air temperature as the dominant predictor of ST at 10 cm, while deeper layers were influenced by temperature of the overlaying soil layer, followed by solar radiation and soil water content. These findings emphasize the potential of integrating machine learning (ML) and XAI for explicit and reliable ST prediction and advancing plant growth.

ABSTRACT The substantial buffering capacity complicates the optimal lime application, posing agronomic challenges in tropical peat soils. Although the effects of liming on soil pH and crop yield are well studied in peat soil, its effects on soil chemical properties and nutrient status remain unclear. This study assessed the effects of lime application on peat soil through incubation, adjusting water-filled pore space and bulk density to field conditions. Treatments included a control with no lime (L0), 3 t ha−1 (L1), 6 t ha−1 (L2), and 12 t ha−1 (L3). Lime application significantly increased soil pH from 3.2 to 7.5 (p < 0.05) and decreased cation exchange capacity (CEC) from 49.5 to 30.1 cmol kg−1 (p < 0.001). However, the lime rates above 6 t ha−1 did not further increase soil pH or reduce CEC, likely due to Ca2+ saturation of exchange site and buffering capacity of peat. Lime increased calcium (Ca) concentrations but decreased magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K), as Ca2+ displaced Mg2+ and K+ from exchange sites. Lime also significantly decreased the net mineralization (p < 0.001), indicating nitrogen immobilization. These findings highlight the need to optimize lime rates with fertilization to maintain nutrient balance and support productivity in tropical peat soils.

ABSTRACT In Mediterranean regions, climate change has intensified droughts and extreme weather events, accelerating soil degradation through organic matter loss, erosion, and nutrient depletion. Conservation agriculture (CA), involving practices like zero or reduced tillage, crop diversification, and soil cover maintenance, offers a resilient strategy for mitigating these challenges. This study examines the short-term effects of irrigated CA on soil health in Mediterranean conditions over 3 years (2021–2023). Using the Biofunctool® field kit (assessing carbon transformation, nutrient cycling, and structure maintenance) alongside functional indicators from the laboratory, the study compares CA with conventional tillage (CT) under different water supply methods: sprinkler, subsurface drip, and rainfed conditions. Results reveal that CA enhances soil health indicators from the first year, improving soil aggregation and carbon transformation compared to CT. By 18 months, Soil Health Index (SHI) scores were 38% higher in CA than in CT. Minimal soil disturbance in CA addressed compaction and maintained SHI 23% higher than CT. Neither the water supply mode nor temporality post-CA adoption significantly affected soil functions in the short term. The complementary use of field-based and laboratory indicators provided a holistic view of soil functionality, confirming the potential of CA to improve soil health under irrigated Mediterranean conditions.