Asian Soil Research Journal
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Pesticide Use Alters Microbial Phospholipid Fatty Acid Profile, Bacterial Abundance and Diversity in Farm Soils
No full textAim: This study evaluated the impact of pesticide use on soil bacterial community structure, abundance and diversity. Pesticide treated (PT) and untreated (UT) soils were obtained from a farmland at Onuebum Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The UT soil served as the control.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, between May 2025 and June 2025.
Methodology: The soils were analyzed for pesticide residues and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Isolation, enumeration and identification of bacterial species were done using standard microbiological techniques.
Results: GC-MS revealed that PT soil had four organochlorine residues; Alpha-BHC (11.55 µg/kg), Aldrin (12.93 µg/kg), Heptachlor epoxide (1.05 µg/kg) and Gamma-chlordane (16.39 µg/kg) above Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) (7.4, 5, 0.6 and 4 µg/kg) respectively. However organophosphate residues in the soils were all below MRL (0.05 µg/kg). The UT soil had one organochlorine residue; Heptachlor epoxide (4.08 µg/kg) above MRL (0.6 µg/kg), while others were below MRL. The PT soil had one PLFA; palmitic acid (biomarker for General Bacteria) out of the compounds detected, while the UT soil had 18 PLFAs (biomarkers for General Bacteria, Fungi, Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria). The mean total csulturable heterotrophic bacterial counts (TCHBC) recorded for PT and UT were 7.1 × 104 and 2.3 × 104 CFU/g respectively. A total of 9 and 6 bacterial isolates were recovered from PT and UT soils respectively. The identified isolates from UT soil were (Bacillus pumilus, Burkholderia cepacia, Chromobacterium sp., Bacillus spp., Serratia sp., Streptococcus sp.) and PT soil (Bacillus thuringiensis, Lysinbacillus xylanilyticus, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae, Enterobacter mori, Rossellomorea marisflavi, Priestia megaterium, Chryseobacterium gleum, Lysinibacillus sphaericus).
Conclusion: Findings from this study reveal a shift in the microbial community structure from a more diverse structure observed in UT soil to a less diverse structure observed in PT soil, selecting for mostly Bacillus species in (PT soil) known for their resilience under environmental stress. Therefore, integrated pest management and pesticide stewardship are recommended to reduce the negative impact of pesticides on agricultural soils
Unlocking the Power Beneath: The Rhizosphere as a Natural Engine for Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture
No full textThe rhizosphere, the narrow soil zone influenced by plant roots, is a dynamic hotspot of biological, chemical, and physical interactions that regulate soil health and crop productivity. This interface hosts complex plant–microbe–soil interactions that drive nutrient cycling, enhance soil structure, suppress pathogens, and improve plant resilience to environmental stress. Root exudates act as biochemical signals, shaping microbial communities that facilitate nitrogen fixation, phosphorus and potassium solubilization, and organic matter decomposition. Beneficial rhizosphere organisms also contribute to disease suppression and systemic plant defense, reducing reliance on chemical inputs. The purpose of this review is to synthesize current knowledge on rhizosphere processes, microbial community functions, and management strategies that enhance soil health and promote sustainable agricultural productivity. Effective rhizosphere management through microbial inoculants, organic amendments, crop diversification, reduced tillage, and precision fertilization enhances soil fertility and ecosystem services, while mitigating environmental degradation. Emerging technologies such as metagenomics, metabolomics, and digital soil mapping provide new insights for harnessing rhizosphere processes in climate-smart agriculture. Unlocking the shift is essential for the rhizosphere as a natural engine for soil health offers a paradigm shift toward sustainable, resilient, and productive agricultural systems capable of meeting global food security challenges
Effect of Integrated Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Biomass and Mineral Fertilizer on Upland Rice Yield, Soil Health, and Economic Profitability in Acidic Soils of Central Africa
No full textBackground: The rapid degradation of tropical Ferralsols in Central Africa threatens sustainable rice production. While mineral fertilisers are widely used, they often exacerbate soil acidity and fail to build soil organic matter.
Aim: This study evaluated the synergistic effects of integrated pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) biomass and mineral fertilizers on upland rice performance, soil health, and economic profitability.
Methods: A randomized complete block design with four treatments was implemented: T0 (control), T1 (17 t ha⁻¹ pigeon pea biomass), T2 (200 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 20-10-10 + 17 t ha⁻¹ pigeon pea biomass), and T3 (200 kg ha⁻¹ NPK 20-10-10 +100 kg ha⁻¹ urea). Growth parameters, yield components, soil properties, and economic indicators were measured.
Results: T2 significantly (p < 0.05) increased grain yield (4.7 t ha⁻¹) by 85% compared to T0 and 82% compared to T1. The integrated treatment maintained higher soil organic matter (-1.90% vs -3.14% for T3), increased available phosphorus (+4.55 ppm), and enhanced exchangeable potassium (+0.13 cmol(+)/kg). Principal component analysis revealed strong correlations between soil fertility parameters and rice yield (r = 0.75-0.82). Economic analysis showed T2 had the highest benefit-cost ratio (2.44) despite higher initial costs.
Conclusion: The integration of pigeon pea biomass with mineral fertilisers creates synergistic effects that enhance rice productivity, improve soil health, and increase economic returns, representing a sustainable intensification strategy for acidic tropical soils
Impact of Agricultural Land Management Practices on Soil Quality in Tatkon Township, Myanmar
No full textIn Myanmar, agricultural land has been utilized intensively for many purposes regardless of proper management, which is challenging to sustainable agricultural production. Farmer are typically grown rice, sunflower and maize based cropping pattern in Tatkon Township. This research aimed to evaluate agricultural land management practices on some soil properties with the Soil Quality Indicators (SQI) in the study area. For the study area, there were six land management practices in a year, namely, rice mono-cropping (L1), sunflower-based two crops (L2), maize-based two crops (L3), sunflower-based three crops (L4), maize-based three crops (L5), and sunflower-chickpea (L6). The soil samples were collected with grid point method from February to April 2023. Twenty-four soil samples were collected from six land management practices for soil analysis. Then, soil bulk density, soil organic matter (SOM), soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC), Total N, available P, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), and exchangeable K, available Ca, Mg, and Na were analysis at YAU. Data were analyzed by Statistix (version 8). The results show that different land management practices were statistical differences in some soil properties at P = .01 and P = .05, respectively. L1 obtained the highest bulk density, while the lowest values were in CEC, SOM, available P, exchangeable K, available Ca, and available Mg content. L2 possessed the highest CEC value, available K, and available Ca content, whereas the lowest in EC and total N percent. L3 obtained the highest EC value, total N percent, and lowest soil pH. L4 possessed the highest available Na content. L5 obtained the highest soil pH and available P content. L6 possessed the highest SOM percent and available Mg, while the lowest bulk density, EC, and available Na content.
According to the defined soil quality indicators, sustainable land management practices for agricultural production in the study area showed in the order of L2 > L6 > L5 > L3 > L4 > L1. Therefore, this study highlighted sunflower-based two crops (L2) had the optimum land management practices for sustainable agricultural production and maintaining soil fertility. Considering the most effective and affordable soil analysis, the available Ca parameter could be chosen because of CEC, which is a soil chemical indicator showing how soil fertility status, is the most strongly correlated with available Ca among other correlated soil properties. This study suggested that rice mono-cropping have lower soil fertility than other land management practices. This study can help for local farmer in implementing soil fertility management and effective crop management program for long term soil quality
Ecotoxicity of Herbicides on Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp in Soil
No full textAim: This study aimed to predict the toxic effects of herbicides on non-target organisms within the ecosystem, employing soil microflora (Nitrosomonas sp and Nitrobacter sp) as indicators to monitor ecosystem responses to these substances.
Place of Study: Soil samples were collected from the Rivers State University Agricultural Farm in Port Harcourt, using sterile plastic containers, and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory at Rivers State University. These samples were processed within one hour of collection for the isolation of Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrobacter sp. The herbicides (Veeset-glyphosate and Dragon-paraquat) were procured from a chemical shop in Mile 1 Market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported to the laboratory for toxicity testing. Test species were selected based on their ease of laboratory culture, availability of relevant background information including physiology, genetics, behavior, and sensitivity to a wide range of toxicants.
Methodology: The Winogradsky agar (modified) medium was used, consisting of agar agar (15.09 g/L), King\u27s agar B base (3 g/L), KNO2 (0.1 g/L), Na2CO3 (0.5 g/L), FeSO4·7H2O, NaCl (0.5 g/L), and distilled water (1000 ml). Samples were resuscitated in sterile normal saline (90 ml as diluent), and a ten-fold serial dilution was performed. This modified medium reduced the incubation period to 2 to 3 days, compared to the standard 5 days.
Results: The study found that Dragon-paraquat herbicide exhibited higher toxicity towards the test organisms, with a mean LC50 value of 18.98%, compared to Veeset-glyphosate, which had a mean LC50 value of 27.42%.
Conclusion: In modern agriculture, herbicide applications have become a routine practice. Given the rapid growth of the global human population, extensive herbicide use is employed to maximize crop yields. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and understanding the toxicological effects of herbicides on non-target organisms to ensure sustainable and responsible agricultural practices
Graphene Oxide Effect on the Wheat Plant (Triticum aestivum) under Different Application and Concentration Techniques
No full textGraphene-based nanomaterial\u27s, with unique chemical and physical properties, are increasingly used in agriculture, raising questions about their impact on soil, plant growth, and nutritional conditions. The purpose of this study is to investigate wheat plant development in response to various GO application strategies and amounts, as well as to track chemical changes in soil nutrients. So, a pot experiment was conducted to examine how Graphene oxide (GO) affects macronutrient and micronutrient uptake by wheat plants at the booting growth stage and the nutritional status of clay soil. Soil samples were collected at the farm of the Agricultural Research Centre in Egypt\u27s. The experiment applied the treatment in three ways (soaking, soil application, and foliar application) and tested five different amounts of nanocarbon (0, 100, 200, 400, and 600 mg L⁻¹) for soaking and soil application. For the foliar treatment, we used different doses (0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 mg L-1). Each treatment was repeated three times in a randomized design. The results indicated that the amount of chlorophyll pigments (A, B, and carotene) in wheat leaves changed a lot depending on how GO was applied and how much was used. Furthermore, GO influences wheat plant growth (fresh and dry weight) relative to controls. The wheat crop responded to a high soaking dosage of 600 mg L⁻¹, with analogous effects noted when 400 mg L⁻¹ of GO was applied to the soil. Moreover, foliar application of GO at 10 mg L⁻¹ improved shoot and root development in wheat plants under both wet and dry circumstances. When wheat shoots and roots were given different ways and amounts of GO nanoparticles, they consistently absorbed important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper. Finally, soaking wheat grains at high concentrations is safe. While soil treatment is safe at concentrations up to 400 mg L-1, GO foliar spray for plants is only effective at a concentration of 10 mg L-1, and other tested doses harm wheat development
Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer and Tillage Practice on Soil Properties in a Coastal Plain Sand Soil, Etinan, Nigeria
No full textA field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizers, conventional and tillage practices on soil physical and chemical properties in a Coastal Plain Sand soil of Etinan, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The experiment employed a split-plot design in a randomized complete block layout with three replications. Tillage formed the main plot treatments while fertilizer types control (no fertilizer), poultry manure (PM), NPK 15:15:15, microbial fertilizer (MF), and their combinations (PM+NPK, PM+MF, NPK+MF, PM+NPK+MF) served as subplots. Composite soil samples were collected before and after treatment application to determine changes in soil properties including bulk density, porosity, pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable bases. Initial soil analysis revealed poor fertility status typical of Coastal Plain Sand soils, with low pH (4.8), organic carbon (0.92%), total nitrogen (0.09%), and available phosphorus (7.0 mg/kg). Results showed that poultry manure and its combinations significantly reduced bulk density and improved porosity compared to sole NPK and the control. Organic and integrated fertilizer treatments under reduced tillage notably increased soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and base saturation. The highest improvements were observed in the PM+NPK+MF treatment under reduced tillage, which significantly outperformed other treatments in enhancing soil fertility indices. The findings suggest that combining organic and inorganic fertilizers under reduced tillage can ameliorate the fertility constraints of sandy soils in humid tropical regions. This integrated nutrient and soil management approach holds promise for sustainable agricultural productivity in fragile agro-ecological zones
Influence of Phosphorus and Boron Application on Yield and Yield Attributes of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
No full textThe intensification of agricultural practices and restricted use of phosphorus and boron fertilizers have contributed to the depletion of soil nutrients, leading to deficiencies that hinder farmers\u27 ability to reach their desired production targets. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effects of phosphorus (P) and boron (B) applications on the yield and yield attributing characters of mungbean, along with determining the optimal nutrient doses for maximizing yields. Field experiments were conducted at the Soil and Water Science field of Yezin Agricultural University during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons of 2024. The experimental design followed a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. This included four levels of P (P0, P1, P2, P3: 0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha-1) and three levels of B (B0, B1, B2: 0, 0.5, and 1.0 kg B ha-1), along with a blanket dose of 20:40 kg N: K ha-1 as basal. There were twelve treatments in each block. The tested cultivar is yezin-15. The results revealed that both individual and combined applications of P and B significantly enhanced mungbean yield and its attributes. The highest yields were achieved with individual applications of 60 kg P ha-1 and 1.0 kg B ha-1 in both seasons. The combined treatment of P3B2 (60 kg P ha-1 + 1.0 kg B ha-1) yielded the best results for seed yield, plant height, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, and total dry matter in both seasons. This treatment was statistically similar to P2B2 (40 kg P ha-1 + 1.0 kg B ha-1) and P3B1 (60 kg P ha-1 + 0.5 kg B ha-1). Thus, P2B2 is recommended as the optimal dose for increasing mungbean yield in similar agroecological zones. This research provides valuable insights for farmers aiming to optimize fertilizer use and improve crop yields in nutrient-depleted soils. Future studies could explore long-term effects and broader applicability across diverse environments to further refine nutrient management strategies for mungbean cultivation
Impact of Seed Rate on Yield Performance and Quality Traits of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Varieties
No full textSeeding rate is a critical factor in sugarcane production as it influences stand density and, consequently, cane yield and quality. An appropriate seeding rate can help maximize both cane and sugar yields. Field experiments were conducted at the Sugarcane Research Section, Pyinmana, and Nyaungpintha Research Farms from December 2023 to December 2024 to evaluate the effect of different seed rates on the yield and quality of sugarcane varieties and to determine the optimal seed rate for maximizing both these parameters. A split-plot design with four replications was used, with three sugarcane varieties (K95/84, KK-3, and K2000/89) assigned to the main plots and three seeding rates (40,000, 50,000, and 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹) to the subplots. Results indicated that the variety KK-3 produced the highest number of millable canes (68,068) and cane yield (99.03 t ha⁻¹) in Pyinmana, and (68,964) and (110.54 t ha⁻¹) in Nyaungpintha. In contrast, K95/84 showed superior performance in stalk diameter, single cane weight, and quality traits including brix %, pol %, purity %, commercial cane sugar (CCS %), and sugar yield (12.32 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 13.68 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha). The highest seeding rate, 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹, consistently resulted in the greatest values for millable cane, single cane weight, cane yield (100.27 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 111.82 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha), stalk height, quality parameters, and sugar yield (12.11 t ha⁻¹ in Pyinmana and 13.66 t ha⁻¹ in Nyaungpintha), except for stalk diameter. Based on these findings, a seeding rate of 60,000 three-budded setts ha⁻¹ is recommended to achieve higher cane and sugar yields in both study locations
Waste Fingerprints in Soils: A Study of the Influence of Wastes on the Concentrations of Selected Heavy Metals in Soils Underlying Open Dumpsites
No full textSustainable waste management and heavy metal pollution are among the most urgent environmental challenges globally. When waste becomes a source of heavy metals in soils, the problem becomes more complex and requires integrated management solutions. This study examines the proportion of heavy metals released from automechanic, paint processing, and abattoir wastes into the underlying soils. Samples from waste piles were collected from dumpsites, along with soil samples from beneath them, which were analyzed for levels of selected heavy metals, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V), using standard laboratory procedures. Soil samples were digested with Aqua regia and analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and V via atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The heavy metal release percentage (HMR) was calculated based on the principle of mass balance. Results showed that Pb (8621.1 mg/kg), Cd (1413.1 mg/kg), Ni (563.0 mg/kg), and V (507.0 mg/kg) were highest in automechanic wastes, while Cr (1413.1 mg/kg) peaked in paint processing wastes. Similarly, automechanic waste dumpsites had the highest concentrations (mg/kg) of Pb, Cd, and Ni at 4310.0, 179.0, and 303.0, respectively, while paint-impacted soils had concentrations of 600.0 and 240.0 mg/kg for Cr and V. The HMR values were 49.8 for Pb, 41.7 for Cd, 42.7 for Cr, 51.8 for Ni, and 48.6 for V. Transferring these hazardous substances from contaminated wastes to the soil poses risks to the ecosystem. The levels of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and V exceeded their respective limits for residential zones set by FAO by 1437%, 3480%, 200%, 160%, and 1%, respectively, causing contamination of the pedosphere and disrupting its balance. Therefore, it is essential to adopt timely interventions to reduce risks through sustainable waste management policies and eco-friendly remedies such as phytoremediation