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Chemical fertilizers (CFs) are indispensable nutrients source for plants replenishing them with essential nutrients. However, their over-utilization imposed destructive consequences of excessive loss of major nutrients resulting in low nutrient use efficiency and further environmental concerns. Therefore, to counter excessive application of CFs and to regulate sustainable agriculture, a novel biochar (BC)-based slow-release fertilizer (SRF) was developed by incorporating mica (MI) and semi-interpenetrating chitosan polymer (Semi-IPN) via graft co-polymerization. Fabricated SRFs were characterized and their nutrient release dynamics as well as soil water holding (WH) and water retention (WR) capacity were investigated. The results revealed that BC-based SRFs, particularly BC-SRF and BCMI-SRF, enhanced soil WH capacity by 40.61% and 47.80%, respectively, whereas the highest soil WR capacity was recorded as 32.55% and 35.52% respectively, after 30 days. The nutrients (NH 4 + -N, P, K) release ratio of CF and MI was recorded in the range of 85–100%, however BC and MI incorporated SRFs showed splendid slow release nutrients dynamics and release 75.53% of NH 4 + -N, 65.66% of P and 71.83% of K in a 30 days incubation experiment. Nutrient release kinetics exhibited diffusion and mass transport as the major nutrient release mechanisms, which was confirmed by the best fitted parabolic diffusion and first order kinetics models. Hence, current study inclusively demonstrated new routes for synthesis of innovative and eco-friendly SRFs with substantial slow-release performance to overcome excessive nutrient loss by application of CF.

In modern agriculture, fertilizers are the most significant prerequisite to ensure sustainable crop production, and the intervention of chemical fertilizers has markedly increased crop production and quality. Unfortunately, plants cannot uptake a significant amount of nutrients (>50%) from the applied fertilizers, resulting in low fertilizer use efficiency. The nutrient losses due to leaching, volatilization, denitrification, fixation, erosion, and runoff could result in low fertilizer use efficiency and create environmental pollution as well as a rise in the cost of fertilizer application. To minimize such losses, researchers have suggested various strategies, one of which is the synthesis and application of slow-release fertilizers to extend the bioavailability of nutrients by the sustained release throughout the crop growth period. However, the high cost of current slow-release fertilizers is a major challenge for their widespread use. Carbon-based materials, especially biochar and lignite, have been shown to be effective as soil amendment in recent times. Additionally, these materials have an excellent ability to adsorb nutrients due to their high porosity, surface area, and abundance of functional groups. The cost-effective and abundant supply of these materials across the world can serve as an excellent nutrient-carrier in order to formulate climate-smart and cost-effective slow-release fertilizers. In this review paper, the potential of these materials as nutrient carriers, nutrient adsorption and desorption mechanisms, synthesis methods, nutrient release behavior, and agronomic and environmental implications are discussed in detail for future research priorities as the literature in this direction is very limited and scattered.

Purpose:This study characterized the chemical components and nutrient release patterns of filter cake, filter cake biochar, and sugarcane bagasse ash—by-products of the sugarcane industry, a globally significant crop.Method:The chemical composition of each material was analyzed, nutrient release kinetics were examined using water extraction during 336 h, and kinetic models were applied.Results:The studied materials were rich in various elements and exhibited alkaline properties. Carbon and Si were the primary components, followed by Ca, Al, P, and K. All materials released substantial amounts of K and P, with minimal N release. Filter cake had the highest cumulative release of water-soluble P (7,701±87.4 mg/kg), followed by filter cake biochar (2,982±27.3 mg/kg) and sugarcane bagasse ash (1,194±3.66 mg/kg), representing 32.2%, 7.8%, and 21.7%, respectively, of total P. Conversely, the cumulative release of water-soluble K was highest in sugarcane bagasse ash (7,295±418 mg/kg), followed by filter cake (3,999±124 mg/kg) and filter cake biochar (2,312±107 mg/kg), accounting for 23.3%, 30.3%, and 11.0%, respectively, of total K. The nutrient release kinetics showed that the magnitude of release was controlled by the inherent elemental concentrations of each material and exhibited good fits with the Elovich and power function models (R² = 0.836–0.990 and 0.810–0.996). Nutrient release depended mainly on diffusion through heterogeneous and homogeneous surfaces.Conclusion:These sugarcane by-products have the potential to improve soil fertility through nutrient releases. Transforming filter cake into biochar slows the initial release of nutrients while ensuring a more sustained and steady long-term release.Highlight· Filter cake, its biochar and sugarcane bagasse ash are alkaline and rich in C and Si.· Filter cake releases the most water-soluble P among the three materials.· Sugarcane bagasse ash shows the highest cumulative release of water-soluble K.· Each material shows distinct nutrient release influencing agricultural use.Biochar transformation of filter cake slows nutrient release for long-term use.

Background Plant invasion affects plant community composition, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in vulnerable ecosystems. As an invasive parasitic plant, Cassytha filiformis has caused extensive damage to the native vegetation of the Paracel Islands. However, the effects of C. filiformis invasion on litter decomposition and nutrient release in native plant communities remain unclear. We conducted an in-situ decomposition experiment in native plant communities on a coral island to explore the litter decomposition dynamics varying across enzyme activities, soil properties and C. filiformis invasive degrees. Results The mass loss of litter was determined during the decomposition process . The data showed that litter mass loss under severe invasion was significantly lower than in uninvaded sites after nine months of decomposition. The invasion of C. filiformis accelerated the nitrogen release and lignin decomposition with increased litter quality and polyphenol oxidase activity. Besides, soil phosphorus availability and potassium content also induced the oxidase activity. Meanwhile, the decomposition of litter organic carbon was delayed because β-1, 4-glucosidase activity was low in the first six months. Besides, peroxidase activity maintained a high level in invasive plots, indicating that the residues of C. filiformis may have allelopathy. Conclusion Our results suggested that the invasion of C. filiformis accelerated litter mass loss and element release on coral islands by regulating litter quality and enzyme activity. However, the short-term rapid litter decomposition may result in nutrient loss, which is not conducive to the growth of native plants.

Agriculture is considered a significant climate change (CC) driver due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the loss of fertilizers that contribute to water eutrophication. On the other hand, climate change effects are already impacting agriculture, endangering food security. This paper explores the dichotomies of the effects of agriculture on CC as well as of CC on agriculture, focusing on the contribution that nanofertilizers can bring to this complex system in both directions. The strategies to reduce CC while adapting and mitigating its effects must be a global effort. It is not possible to focus only on the reduction in GHG emissions to stop the effects that are already being felt worldwide. Nanofertilizers, especially slow- and controlled-release nanofertilizers, can reduce the nutrient input and also boost productivity while mitigating some CC effects, such as soil nutrient imbalance and agricultural emissions. As so, this review highlights the benefits of nanofertilizers and their role as a part of the strategy to reduce the reach of CC and mitigate its ever-growing effects, and presents some guidelines for the increased use of these materials in order to enhance their efficacy in this strategy.

Understanding the relationship between microbial inoculants and straw decomposition is crucial for achieving a high soybean yield in northern China’s cold region. This study investigated the effects of different microbial inoculants on nutrient release characteristics and extracellular enzyme activities. A pot experiment was conducted over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024) using the soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) cultivar Nongqing 28, the saline-alkali soil as the test soil, and corn straw as the test straw. The microbial inoculants tested were Bacillus sp. ND1 and Bacillus sp. ND2 . The following treatments were employed: straw with no microbial agent application (CK), straw with Bacillus sp. ND1 application (T1), straw with Bacillus sp. ND2 application (T2), and straw with a 1:1 application of Bacillus sp. ND1 and Bacillus sp. ND2 compound bacteria (T3).The two-year results showed that the T1, T2, and T3 treatments significantly increased the rate of straw decomposition, reduced the lignocellulose content, and progressively released nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the straw compared to the CK. During both years, the T3 treatment exhibited the highest straw decomposition rate and enzyme activity at R2(Full Bloom period), R4(Full Pod period), R6(Full Seed period) and R8(Full Maturity period) periods, which ultimately increased soybean yield by 24.00%-28.00% ( P <0.05). These findings indicate that microbial inoculants have significant potential for application in straw management and provide an important basis for optimizing straw return and crop yield. In summary, T3 treatment can accelerate straw decomposition and nutrient release rates, increase soybean yield, and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the straw decomposition effect and rational utilization of organic resources by promoting the activity of extracellular enzymes and the degradation of straw cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.

Salix psammophila has been extensively used as a sand barrier material for various desertification control applications. Elucidating the long-term decomposition characteristics and nutrient cycling process of this sand barrier in desert environments is of great importance. In this study, which was conducted for 1 to 9 years, changes in the mass loss percentage and the residual percentage in the decomposition process were explored of S. psammophila sand barriers in arid Northwestern China. In addition, the S. psammophila analysis nutrient elements release rule and its influence on soil properties were evaluated. The results showed that the decomposition process of S. psammophila sand barriers exhibited a “slow-fast” trend. After decomposition time for 9 years, mass decreased remarkably, and the residual percentage was 33.6%. Further, the nutrient release characteristics differed. C, P, and K were in the release state, whereas N was in the enrichment state. The decomposition percentage of the sand barriers was significantly correlated with N, P, K, C/N, C/P, and N/P (p < 0.05). The soil nutrient contents of C, P, and K contents increased 3.43, 2.23, and 2.08 g/kg compared to the initial values, respectively. The soil nutrient contents of N contents decreased 0.19 g/kg.

Background and aims Research into the variability of fine‐root decomposition and nutrient cycling processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems is highly significant not only for investigations of regional and global carbon and nitrogen cycling but also for offering a theoretical basis for vegetation restoration and reconstruction. In particular, information is limited on fine‐root decomposition processes and nutrient releasing characteristics in the high‐altitude Qinghai Gonghe basin, which has different tree species and variable fine‐root diameters. Materials and methods Four types of Salicaceae and Caragana shrubs were selected at the Qinghai Gonghe desert ecosystem research station. The litterbag method was adopted to measure decomposition rates of fine‐roots with three diameter classes (1–2 mm, 0.5–1 mm, and 0–0.5 mm). Chemical analysis was performed to determine nutrient (C, N, P, and K) concentrations of fine‐root, and nutrient release rates were compared among fine‐roots with different diameters during different decomposition periods. The differences in mass residual ratio and nutrient release rate among different diameter classes were studied with one‐way ANOVA. Results Fine‐root decomposition rates were in the order Caragana intermedia > Caragana korshinskii > Salix psammophila > Salix cheilophila. Fine‐root decomposition showed a trend of “fast‐slow‐fast” variation, and decomposition rate increased as the diameter of fine‐roots increased, irrespective of tree species. During the decomposition process, the nutrients C, N, and P of fine‐root were in a release state for the four shrubs with different fine‐root diameters, and the corresponding release rates of Caragana shrubs were higher than those of Salicaceae shrubs. Release rates of nutrients C and N accelerated as fine‐root diameter increased, whereas release rates of nutrients P and K had no observed relation with fine‐root diameter. Fine‐root decomposition ratio was significantly correlated with initial values of N, P, C/N, C/P, and N/P of fine‐root. Fine‐root mass loss ratio was significantly correlated with initial concentration of soil nutrient K, and the correlation was positive for fine‐roots with diameters of 0–0.5 mm and 0.5–1 mm; however, no other significant correlation was observed between fine‐root mass loss ratio and initial soil environmental factors within this study. Conclusions Our study showed that tree species and fine‐root diameter strongly affected decomposition rates, whereas diameter class exerted little effect on nutrient release rates. It is important to find out the variability of fine‐root decomposition and nutrient cycling processes in arid and semiarid ecosystems for vegetation restoration and reconstruction. We show the root decomposition process and nutrient release characteristics of four shrubs in our study.

To optimize straw application and understand the effects of straw mulch and straw nutrient release on rice nutrient uptake, we investigated the effects of two types of straw mulch (S1—wheat straw and S2—rapeseed straw) and no straw mulch (S0) on straw decomposition and nutrient release; rice growth and nutrient accumulation; and the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium stimulation ratio and recovery efficiency of straw on rice in 2013 and 2014. Results showed that wheat straw mulch was associated with a higher decomposition ratio and total nutrient release and frequent rainfall could further increase decomposition and nutrient release in the 0–30 days after transplanting growth stage. Remarkably, the later stages were associated with decreased decomposition and nutrient release, especially on rapeseed straw mulch. Wheat and rapeseed straw mulch had obvious effects on rice growth and nutrient uptake. Compared with S0, S1 could distinctly promote dry matter accumulation and increase the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the rice plant at each growth stage, as well as increase grain yield in 2013 and 2014. By contrast, S2 inhibited rice growth; decreased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake and dry matter accumulation in rice plants during the early growth stage, while significantly improving that in the following growth stage; but decreased grain yield under rainy and cold weather conditions (2014). Compared with S0, wheat and rapeseed straw mulch increased total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation in rice plants by 1.81–10.79%, 2.70–42.21% and 16.41–17.92%, respectively, thus improving nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium utilization.

Abstract Aquaponics practitioners have empirically known for years that feeding and growing fish generates nutrient-rich water as a byproduct, which serves as fertilizer to grow plants that ultimately clean the water for the fish. Despite the efforts of a few investigators, the literature lacks a methodical scientific basis for describing the essential mechanics, relationships between element inputs and outputs within aquaponic systems. We proposed a simple high-throughput batch reactor assay for the prediction of nutrient inputs in aquaponics that can quickly determine the nutrient bioavailability and release rate of nutrients for any fish feed. We defined the term “nutrient release coefficient” as the conversion efficiency measurement of the quantity of a certain element excreted by fish in the dissolved form in the water to a unit of the same ingested element present in the feed. We proved that nutrient release coefficients are quite constant among different groups of fish and within the same group of fish sampled in different periods of time. This study confirmed that there is a major imbalance not only in the nutrient contents in fish diets, but also a major discrepancy in nutrient release dynamics since fish assimilate and excrete different elements at distinct rates (Ca < P < Mg < N < K < S). Results of nutrient release coefficient assays can be successfully replicated when fish size, feed, temperature, physiological solution, and oxygen saturation are maintained equal. This assay could be an alternative to long and cumbersome fish/plant ratio studies in aquaponics research.