International Journal of Plant & Soil Science
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Soil Contamination by Heavy Metals and Pesticides: A Critical Review of Toxicological Mechanisms, Sustainable Remediation Strategies, and One Health Implications
No full textBackground: Soil contamination by heavy metals and pesticides remains a persistent global challenge with far-reaching consequences for agricultural productivity, ecosystem stability, and human health. Despite extensive research, existing studies remain fragmented across soil science, toxicology, and environmental health, limiting efforts to integrate soil nutrient status, contaminant dynamics, and their implications for plant stress, food-web integrity, and environmental well-being.
Objectives: The review aims to conceptualize and critically evaluate advancements in soil nutrient dynamics, pollutant toxicology, and remediation strategies, with emphasis on heavy metals and pesticides. It integrates soil ecological processes, plant stress responses, environmental toxicology, and human health within a unified “One Health” perspective.
Methodology: This review employs a focused yet transparent evidence-mapping approach – short of a holistic protocol but still structured and traceable under PRISMA – to integrate soil profiling, contaminant toxicology, and sustainable remediation within the One Health framework. Through a targeted literature search using defined inclusion criteria and multidisciplinary keywords, the review critically evaluates soil nutrient dynamics, toxicological pathways of heavy metals and pesticides, and emerging mitigation strategies while identifying key knowledge gaps relevant to sustainable agroecosystem management.
Results: Soil functions as a complex biogeochemical system whose fertility, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem services depend on the interplay between organic matter, microbial communities, and physicochemical properties across soil horizons. Anthropogenic pressures – industrial emissions, mining, waste disposal, agrochemicals, and excessive fertilization – introduce heavy metals and pesticides that disrupt nutrient dynamics, degrade soil structure, impair microbial processes, and trigger plant physiological stress. Evidence demonstrates that agrochemical overuse destabilizes soil microbial ecology and nutrient–microbe interactions, causing contamination, reduced biodiversity, nutrient imbalance, and increased risks to food security and environmental quality. Integrating these findings reveals that soil health is tightly linked to contaminant behaviour, plant–soil interactions, and ecosystem resilience, emphasizing the need for sustainable management and remediation strategies to preserve soil-based ecosystem services.
Conclusion: Heavy metal and pesticide contamination undermines soil functioning, plant productivity, ecosystem stability, and public health, reaffirming that soil integrity is a core component of the “One Health” continuum. Evidence indicates that while physicochemical remediation offers rapid mitigation, biologically driven and green-chemistry approaches – such as biochar, phytoremediation, and microbial degradation – provide more sustainable, scalable, and ecologically restorative solutions. Advancing soil health and sustainable agriculture requires interdisciplinary collaboration, long-term field research, integrated contaminant modeling, and globally harmonized regulatory frameworks to safeguard ecosystems, food security, and human well-being
Effect of Sett Soaking and Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Economic Analysis of Single-node Materials of Planting Sugarcane
No full textAims: To evaluate the effects of sett soaking treatments and integrated nutrient management (INM) on germination, growth, yield, quality, and economic returns of single-node planted sugarcane.
Study Design: Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) with three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: Crop Research Farm, Sugarcane Research Institute, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), during the spring season of 2021–22.
Methodology: The experiment comprised four sett soaking treatments: no soaking (S1), overnight soaking in water (S2), overnight soaking in 50 ppm ethrel solution (S3), and overnight soaking in 100 ppm ethrel solution (S4). Five nutrient management treatments were evaluated: RDF alone (N1), RDF + vermicompost (VC) at 5 t/ha (N2), RDF + VC at 10 t/ha (N3), RDF + VC at 5 t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter (N4), and RDF + VC at 10 t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter (N5). Soil characteristics were loamy with sandy texture, calcareous, pH 8.2, and 0.43% organic carbon. Data on germination, tillering, millable cane count, dry matter accumulation, cane yield, sugar yield, and economics were recorded and analyzed.
Results: Overnight sett soaking in 50 ppm ethrel (S3) significantly improved germination (79.1%), tiller count (85.4×10³/ha), millable canes (63.9×10³/ha), dry matter accumulation (293.2 q/ha), cane yield (78.0 t/ha), and sugar yield (10.23 t/ha). S3 also registered the highest gross returns (₹261,233/ha), net returns (₹133,978/ha), and a B:C ratio of 1.12. Among nutrient treatments, RDF + VC at 10 t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter (N5) recorded the highest shoot population and yield attributes, whereas RDF alone (N1) produced the highest B:C ratio (1.5) due to lower input costs. RDF + VC at 5 t/ha + PSB + Azotobacter (N4) may become more profitable if vermicompost is produced on-farm, reducing expenditure.
Conclusion: Sett soaking in 50 ppm ethrel and integrated nutrient management significantly enhance yield and quality of single-node planted sugarcane. While ethrel soaking and enriched INM improve productivity, the economic viability depends on input costs, with N1 and N4 being more favorable under resource-efficient conditions
Agro-technological Modernization and its Role in Food Crop Production in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon (1960-2020)
No full textThere has been a significant increase in the human population worldwide in the 21st century, which has increased humanity\u27s food needs. Attempts have been made to meet the food needs of the human population, among which is modernizing agrotechnology, particularly with the emergence of the Green/Agricultural revolution. This paper, therefore, examines agro-technological modernization and its role in food crop production in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon. The study used descriptive and experimental multidisciplinary research methods to collect and analyze primary and secondary data. The data were analyzed using elements of the statistical package for social sciences and Microsoft Excel software in conjunction with soil laboratory experiments. Maps were equally drawn using an Openstreet mapper to establish variations in agricultural land use in different periods. Results revealed that there had been significant spatial-technological changes in food crop production over time in the Buea Municipality. The findings are recommended to guide policymakers in making informed decisions about food crop production in Buea municipality and beyond. This study therefore recommends that policymakers pay attention to innovations introduced in agriculture to ensure that the potential to meet the food needs of future generations while retaining a healthy and sustainable environment is not jeopardized
A New Record of Thaxterogaster Subgenus Scauri (Agaricales) from India
No full textThe present study from Arunachal Pradesh, India, introduces a new record of the genus Thaxterogaster, specifically T. pallidopurpurascens, a species recently described from China. This study is supported by both morphological and molecular evidence. The species was discovered in temperate to subalpine coniferous forests of the Himalayas. The study provides detailed macro- and micromorphological characteristics, illustrations of the specimen, and molecular phylogenetic analysis
Influence of age of Single Eye Bud Settling and Nutrient Management on Cane Yield and Nutrient Acquisition of Sugarcane (Saccharum hy. sp.) under South Gujarat Condition
No full textAn experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at Main Sugarcane Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to study the effect of age of single eye bud settling and nutrient management influence on cane yield and nutrient acquisition of sugarcane (Saccharum hy. sp.) under south Gujarat condition. The experiment comprised of twelve treatments which was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications. Significantly higher cane yield (86.44, 89.79 and 88.11 t/ha) was recorded with treatment of 30 days old settling. Nutrient management practices have marked effect on cane yield and treatment recommended dose and schedule of nutrient applications recorded significantly highest cane yield (85.17, 84.38 and 84.78 t/ha) during both the years and in pooled analysis, respectively. It was remained at par with treatments RDN + RDK in four splits and RDN + RDK in three splits in both years and in case of pooled analysis only treatment RDN + RDK in four splits remained on par. Maximum K balance was recorded in case of treatment combinations 20 Days old settling+ Recommended dose and schedule of nutrient applications which was followed by 30 Days old settling+ Recommended dose and schedule of nutrient applications (+213.99) and (+209.26) kg/ha, where nitrogen and phosphorus balance was found negative under all treatment combinations
Performance of Different Varieties of Mango in North Gujarat Condition under Different Plant Spacing
No full textThe study was conducted to evaluate the performance of different varieties of Mango in North Gujarat condition under different plant spacing during 2008-2023 at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat. Accordingly, Kesar, Totapuri, Dashehari, Mallika and Amrapali varieties were planted in year 2008 at spacing of 4 m x 4 m, 5 m x 5 m, 6 m x 6 m and 7 m x 7 m. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three replications and twenty treatment combinations. The different growth and yield parameters were recorded in terms of plant spread, plant height, plant stem girth, fruit yield plant-1 and fruit yield hectare-1 as observations. The experimental results revealed that, individually, Dashehari variety recorded maximum plant spread (E-W and N-S) (7.05 m and 7.17 m respectively), stem girth (91.92 cm) and Kesar variety recorded maximum plant height (7.54 m), while in case of planting spacing 7 m x 7 m recorded maximum plant spread (E-W and N-S) (7.53 m and 7.55 m respectively), plant height (7.01 m) and stem girth (90.07 cm) after 15th year of planting. With regard to yield parameters, Kesar variety planted at 4 m x 4 m spacing found superior and reported highest fruit yield hectare-1 (11875.00 kg) whereas, highest fruit yield plant-1 (32.73 kg) was observed with 7 m x 7 m spacing after 15th year of planting. Hence, kesar variety planted at 4 m x 4 m spacing found suitable for North Gujarat condition
Incidence and Severity of Taro Leaf Blight (Phytophthora colocasiae Raciborski) in the Sudanian Climatic Zone of Burkina Faso
No full textTaro leaf blight is considered the most destructive disease affecting taro worldwide. In the Sudanian climatic zone of Burkina Faso, the disease has led to a consistent decline in taro production over recent years.
Aims: The current research study was aimed to determine the incidence and the severity of taro leaf blight in various taro fields in three provinces of the sudanian climate zone.
Methodology: Plant growing conditions were assessed in 27 fields. Data on healthy and diseased plants, and leaves per plant, were collected within 64 m² quadrats. Disease incidence was the percentage of infected plants per field. Severity was rated on a 12-point scale (0–11) and converted to percentage of affected leaf area, averaged over 10 plants per field. Infestation intensity was calculated as the ratio of infected to total leaves per plant.
Place and Duration of Study: Surveys were conducted in fields across the provinces of Houet, Kénédougou, and Comoé between June and July 2021.
Results: Phytophthora colocasiae was morphologically identified from diseased taro samples based on the shape of sporangia, mycelial structure, colony characteristics, and the presence of chlamydospores, revealing morphological variability. The results showed that the disease was widespread across all three surveyed provinces, with notable differences in severity. The local variety Tabouchi, which is highly susceptible to leaf blight, was found in 88.88% of the surveyed fields. In contrast, the exotic variety BL/SM/120, known for its higher tolerance to the disease, was grown by only a minority of farmers. Disease incidence and intensity exceeded 50% in all provinces, with Kénédougou recording the highest severity (31.85%), followed by Houet (20.21%), and Comoé with the lowest (13.80%).
Conclusion: These results indicate that leaf blight constrains taro cultivation in these provinces. They also lay the groundwork for developing effective control strategies to safeguard taro production in the Sudanian climate zone of Burkina Faso
Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Integrated Application of Potassium and Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria
No full textA field experiment on study of response of maize to integrated application od potassium and potassium solubilizing bacteria on yield and yield attributes was carried out at College Farm, Agricultural College, Mahanandi, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University during rabi, 2022-2023. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The results revealed that maximum cob length, number of grains per cob, test weight, kernel yield, stover yield and higher economics were recorded by the application of KSB @ 5 kg ha-1 as soil application and 100 % recommended dose of K2O (T7) which was on par with the KSB + 75 % recommended dose of K2O (T6) and recommended dose of N, P, K @ 260:80:80 kg ha-1 (T2). Harvest index does not exhibit any significant variations across different treatments tried during the study
Assessment of DNA Methylation Levels in Saccharum officinarum L. under Traffic-related Abiotic Stress
No full textThe continuously growing population and the increase in the number of vehicles, the emissions from vehicles result in that spread of smog and dust, contributing to air pollution. This has various negative impacts, especially on crops growing alongside roadways. Air pollution linked to transportation has emerged as a potentially deadly concern. Our study offers a summary of how vehicle emissions of smog and dust can affect crops. The primary objective of this study is to examine the effects of potential toxic abiotic stress caused by traffic-related air pollution on the quality of DNA methylation in crops, while also investigating the extent of health risks associated with the toxicological impact on crops. A comparative study of the concentrations of potential toxic abiotic agents (ppm) in crop soil, mature leaves, and the edible parts of mature plants was conducted. The locations selected included a very high dusting traffic road, a high dusting traffic road at a distance of 500 meters, a low dust traffic road at a distance of 1000 meters, and a control site at 1500 meters away. The potential toxic abiotic agents assessed were arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr). Statistical evaluation of the samples from these sites indicated concentrations (ppm) of potential toxic abiotic agents with P values of 0.001, 0.004, and 0.0002 (where P < 0.05 is regarded as highly significant and very highly significant)
Response of Levels of Nitrogen and Row Spacing on Growth and Leaf Yield of Palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis) var. Arka Anupama
No full textA field experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Farm, Department of Horticulture, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, with a view to study the response of levels of nitrogen and row spacing on growth and leaf yield of palak (Beta vulgaris var. bengalensis) var. Arka Anupama during Rabi season of the year 2019-20 with factorial randomized block design (FRBD) comprising of three levels of nitrogen viz., 60 kg Nha-1 (N1), 80 kg Nha-1 (N2) and 100 kg Nha-1 (N3) and three row spacing viz., 20 cm (S1), 30 cm (S2) and 40 cm (S3) along with three replications. The study was revealed that the application of Nitrogen 100 kgha-1 (N3) gave maximum shoot length (29.24 cm), maximum number of leaves (13.37), maximum leaf area (91.02 cm2), chlorophyll content SPAD value (37.10), ascorbic acid content (76.47 mg) at first cutting, maximum fresh leaf weight i.e. 57.88, 52.77, 48.23 and 38.33 g and maximum dry leaf weight i.e. 6.50, 6.24, 5.81 and 4.92 g at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cutting, respectively and maximum leaf yield per plot (20.90 kg) and per hectare (37.32 t ) while in case of row spacing, S3 (40 cm) gave maximum number of leaves (13.44), maximum leaf area (89.69 cm2) at first cutting, maximum fresh leaf weight i.e. 56.63, 51.92, 46.30 and 36.67 g and maximum dry leaf weight i.e. 6.41, 6.20, 5.82 and 4.75 g at 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th cutting respectively while, maximum number of plants/sq.m at 10 DAS (47.05), shoot length (28.98 cm), green leaf yield per plot (20.68 kg) and per hectare (36.93 t) observed in treatment S1 (20 cm)