Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lixin Tian, Xinxin Cao, Lei Zhang, Tianyu Yang, Baili Feng
Summary: Plastic film mulching has a positive impact on soil nutrients, plant growth, and crop yield in dryland areas. This study investigated the effects of plastic film mulching on crop yield, soil quality, bacterial and fungal diversity, community composition, assembly processes, and co-occurrence networks in broomcorn millet fields in northern China. The results showed that plastic film mulching improved soil conditions and nutrients, leading to higher yield and agronomic characteristics. It also influenced fungal diversity, community composition, and abundance of certain bacterial and fungal taxa.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Han Yan, Wei Fan, Jinggui Wu
Summary: The application of organic materials promotes the accumulation of soil carbon and enhances biodiversity conservation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Changcai Wu, Yajie Ma, Dan Wang, Yongpan Shan, Xianpeng Song, Hongyan Hu, Xiangliang Ren, Xiaoyan Ma, Jinjie Cui, Yan Ma
Summary: Research indicates that residual plastic film significantly impacts soil microbial communities and metabolic functions, altering bacterial symbiosis networks and changing the soil metabolite spectrum. Exposure time and residue concentration are crucial factors affecting community structure. Additionally, new potential microplastic degrading bacteria have been identified through discriminant and collinear analysis, including Nitrospira, Nocardioidaceae, and Pseudonocardiaceae.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Xu-Long Zhang, Yang-Yang Zhao, Xin-Tan Zhang, Xiao-Peng Shi, Xiao-Yan Shi, Feng-Min Li
Summary: The study found that re-using plastic mulch film can significantly increase soil temperature, maintain soil moisture, improve crop yield and net revenue, while reducing the usage and residue of plastic film, especially suitable for faba bean cultivation.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liyuan Liu, Guoyuan Zou, Qiang Zuo, Chuanzong Li, Jialin Gu, Lingyun Kang, Maoting Ma, Kengyu Liang, Dongsheng Liu, Lianfeng Du
Summary: Biodegradable mulch film (BDM) is considered as an environmentally sustainable alternative to low density polyethylene (LDPE) mulch film. However, the low degradation rate of BDM resulted in residues in soil after service period which were similar to LDPE mulch film. Distinguishing the differential responses of crop growth, soil bacteria and metabolism to residues of BDM and LDPE mulch films is favourable for comparing the environmental toxicities of the two materials.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Nisarga Kodadinne Narayana, William L. Kingery, Mark W. Shankle, Shankar Ganapathi Shanmugam
Summary: The response of soil microbial communities to management practices is complex and depends on various environmental factors. Cover crops and fertilizer sources significantly influenced soil bacterial diversity, while cover crops influenced soil fungal community differences. Soil pH and easily extractable glomalin-related soil proteins were correlated with bacterial communities and soil aggregate stability.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Kuok Ho Daniel Tang
Summary: The detection of microplastics in agricultural soils in China has raised concerns due to their potential impacts on agricultural production. This review provides a summary of the abundance, sources, and impacts of microplastics in the country's agricultural soils, as well as sustainable agronomic practices to mitigate their pollution. The study found that microplastics were present in varying amounts, with the highest concentration observed in Yunnan Province. Plastic mulching films were identified as the major source of microplastics in agricultural soils, followed by abandoned greenhouses and the use of organic fertilizers containing microplastics. The presence of microplastics in soils was found to alter soil properties and affect soil biota, as well as impact crop growth and nutrient demands. Sustainable solutions proposed include the use of organic mulches, proper decommissioning of abandoned greenhouses, and setting standards for allowable microplastics contents in fertilizers and irrigation water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shiwei Liu, Ruixin Jin, Tianhao Li, Shengxin Yang, Maocai Shen
Summary: There is limited information available on the impact of BPM and microplastics on agricultural ecosystems. Understanding the limitations of BPM applications is crucial for assessing ecological risks and guiding future research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changcai Wu, Xianpeng Song, Dan Wang, Yajie Ma, Xiangliang Ren, Hongyan Hu, Yongpan Shan, Xiaoyan Ma, Jinjie Cui, Yan Ma
Summary: Agricultural soils and microplastics are major hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), with plastic mulch being the main source of microplastics in agricultural soil. This study used metagenomics to investigate the distribution patterns of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in eight Chinese provinces with a long history of plastic mulch use. The results identified 204 subtypes of ARGs and thousands of MGEs, with multidrug resistance genes being dominant. Regions with a longer history of plastic film use had a higher abundance of ARGs and MGEs, and a modular network distribution pattern of ARGs and MGEs was observed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Paula Correa Moneda, Lucas Amoroso Lopes de Carvalho, Luis Guillermo Teheran-Sierra, Michelli Inacio Goncalves Funnicelli, Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
Summary: The cultivation system of sugarcane has an impact on the composition and diversity of the rhizospheric microbiota, especially on fungi.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aimee Grace Uzamurera, Ze-Ying Zhao, Peng-Yang Wang, Yong-Xian Wei, Fei Mo, Rui Zhou, Wen-Li Wang, Fazal Ullah, Aziz Khan, Xiao-Bin Xiong, Meng-Ying Li, Kiprotich Wesly, Wen-Ying Wang, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: Plastic film residuals are increasingly remaining in cultivated lands. It is crucial to understand how the type and thickness of residual plastic affect soil properties and crop yield. In this study, different types of plastic film residuals were landfilled in a maize field, and the results showed that the treatments had varying impacts on soil characteristics and maize yield.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dazhuang Dong, Zhi Guo, Feiyan Wu, Xue Yang, Jie Li
Summary: The extensive use of plastic along with poor management has posed a significant environmental threat, affecting entire ecosystems. This study investigates the potential effects of plastic debris on soil nutrition substance changes and microbial metabolic behavior. The results reveal that plastic films made of polyethylene and polylactic acid lead to noticeable variations in soil enzyme activities and nutrition substance levels. Additionally, certain bacteria abundance and metabolic pathways associated with nutrition substance are significantly altered in plastic-treated soil samples.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Jianliang Liu, Shiqing Li, Shanchao Yue, Jianqing Tian, Huai Chen, Haibo Jiang, Kadambot H. M. Siddique, Ai Zhan, Quanxiao Fang, Qiang Yu
Summary: Soil microbes play a crucial role in soil quality and productivity. Plastic film mulch (FM) combined with fertilization has greatly increased crop yields, but the effects on soil microbial communities, especially co-occurrence patterns, are unclear. This study found that nitrogen fertilization primarily affected bacterial community structure, while FM regulated fungal community structure. Network analysis revealed that FM led to an unstable co-occurrence network, while nitrogen fertilization increased both positive and negative links among microbes, indicating enhanced cooperation and competition.
Article
Agronomy
Yuze Li, Tong Li, Ziting Wang, Shengnan Wang, Xiaoliang Qin, Yuncheng Liao
Summary: Plastic film mulch significantly influenced the assembly, composition, and co-occurrence patterns of root-associated microbiomes in maize fields, potentially benefiting plant growth. Bacteria and fungi with plant growth-promoting abilities were significantly enriched under PFM conditions. The interactions between root traits and microbes were strengthened by PFM, enhancing understanding of root-soil interactions in the agroecosystem.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Changcai Wu, Xianpeng Song, Dan Wang, Yajie Ma, Xiangliang Ren, Hongyan Hu, Yongpan Shan, Xiaoyan Ma, Jinjie Cui, Yan Ma
Summary: Long-term microplastic pollution affects the distribution of heavy metals and their resistance genes in soil. The resistance genes form a modular distribution and co-occur with mobile genetic elements. The distribution of resistance genes is influenced by heavy metals, microbial communities, and mobile genetic elements. The synergistic effect of microplastics and heavy metals should be considered in soil remediation.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Bede S. Mickan, Ai-Tian Ren, Christopher H. Buhlmann, Anas Ghadouani, Zakaria M. Solaiman, Sasha Jenkins, Jiayin Pang, Megan H. Ryan
Summary: This study investigated the use of digestate as a nutrient source and its interactions with biochar when applied to potting mix targeted for localised urban use. The results showed that plant biomass and shoot N concentration increased with digestate addition in a typical nutrient dose-response curve. The application of biochar decreased soil mineral N content and altered the structure of the rhizosphere bacterial community. These findings contribute to optimizing the process of converting urban waste into organic fertilizers, promoting environmental protection and plant growth.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Muhammad Maqsood Ur Rehman, Ying Zhu, Muhammad Abrar, Wasim Khan, Wei Wang, Awais Iqbal, Anum Khan, Yuan Chen, Muhammad Rafiq, Muhammad Aammar Tufail, Jian-Sheng Ye, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: In drought-prone soils, the co-inoculation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) can significantly improve water use efficiency and crop yield. The co-inoculation of AMF-PGPR has a particularly strong positive effect on moderate and severe drought, increasing both water use efficiency and grain yield.
Article
Plant Sciences
Abd Ullah, Akash Tariq, Jordi Sardans, Josep Penuelas, Fanjiang Zeng, Corina Graciano, Muhammad Ahsan Asghar, Ali Raza, You-Cai Xiong, Xutian Chai, Zhihao Zhang
Summary: This study reveals the physiological and biochemical adaptation strategies of Alhagi sparsifolia seedlings to salt stress. The seedlings respond to salt stress through osmotic adjustments, enzymatic mechanisms, and resource allocation, and accumulate antioxidants and osmolytes to maintain growth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu-Miao Yang, Minha Naseer, Ying Zhu, Shuang-Guo Zhu, Song Wang, Bao-Zhong Wang, Jing Wang, Hao Zhu, Wei Wang, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: The study found that appropriate amounts of nZVI can promote plant growth, while excess nZVI can hinder root cell function and water absorption. The interactions between nZVI and AMF in the rhizosphere can modulate the dual effects of nZVI.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Shuang-Guo Zhu, Hao Zhu, Zheng-Guo Cheng, Rui Zhou, Yu-Miao Yang, Jing Wang, Wei Wang, Bao-Zhong Wang, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: High P and water environments intensified the asymmetric interspecific competition. The trait-dependent facilitation shift was mechanically driven by rhizospheric interaction in intercropping systems. The findings update the understanding on stress gradient hypothesis in a modified model.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu-Miao Yang, Ying Zhu, Minha Naseer, Qi Wang, Guang Li, Hong-Yan Tao, Shuang-Guo Zhu, Bao-Zhong Wang, Wei Wang, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: The rhizosphere effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) is crucial for plant growth. Excessive nZVI particles can cause deformation and inactivation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) symbionts, inhibiting water uptake in plants. However, an appropriate dose of nZVI can enhance mycorrhizal infection and nutrient uptake in plants.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shuang-Guo Zhu, Hao Zhu, Rui Zhou, Wei Zhang, Wei Wang, Yi-Ning Zhou, Bao-Zhong Wang, Yu-Miao Yang, Jing Wang, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fertilizer input gradient on the production efficiency of intercropping. The results showed that high fertilizer inputs decreased the relative productivity and nutrient uptake of intercropping. The experiments confirmed the reliability and universality of the meta-analysis conclusions.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Shuang-Guo Zhu, Zheng-Guo Cheng, Jing Wang, Dong-Shan Gong, Fazal Ullah, Hong-Yan Tao, Hao Zhu, Hai-Xia Duan, Yu-Miao Yang, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: This study investigates the influence of intercropping systems on soil phosphorus utilization under different environmental conditions. The results show that plant-plant facilitation is more significant under phosphorus-deficient conditions, and the dynamics of facilitation shift depend on soil acidification and microbial communities. Grass pea is more easily facilitated under low phosphorus and moist soil, while it becomes the facilitator under high phosphorus and moist soil.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ai-tian Ren, Dan-Ying Hu, Pei-Xia Qi, Shao-Cong Zhang, He-Miao Gao, Bede S. Mickan, You-Cai Xiong, Long-Yi Yuan
Summary: Subalpine peat wetlands are sensitive to environmental changes and disturbances. Soil seed banks (SSB) can help plant communities resist disturbance, but their response to soil moisture varies. SSB composition is less affected by soil moisture changes compared to plant community composition. High SSB diversity and similarity to vegetation provide a buffer against moisture changes. SSB is important for restoring propagule diversity after disturbance if hydrology is restored.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiao-Bin Xiong, Ze-Ying Zhao, Peng-Yang Wang, Rui Zhou, Jing Cao, Jing Wang, Kiprotich Wesly, Wen-Li Wang, Ning Wang, Meng Hao, Yi-Bo Wang, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: The thickness of LDPE film has a significant effect on its mechanical strength, clean production, and soil health, particularly in terms of soil structure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Yeye Zhang, Yuteng Dang, Jinxia Wang, Qiu Huang, Xiukang Wang, Liru Yao, Nangia Vinay, Kailiang Yu, Xiaoxia Wen, Youcai Xiong, Yuncheng Liao, Juan Han, Fei Mo
Summary: Biochar amendment can have a positive effect on the mineralization of soil organic carbon, but its effects vary depending on the geographic scale and environmental factors. This study found that biochar addition led to a slight but significant increase in carbon mineralization, with stronger effects in natural ecosystems. Short-term negative effects were observed, which later turned into strong positive effects.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei Xue, Dan-dan Liu, Tiina Tosens, Dong-liang Xiong, Marc Carriqui, You-cai Xiong, Jonghan Ko
Summary: Leaf photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE) shows significant diversification among C-3 species, and the morpho-physiological mechanisms and interrelationships shaping PNUE on an evolutionary time scale are still unclear. In this study, a comprehensive matrix of leaf traits was analyzed for 679 C-3 species, revealing that leaf mass per area, mesophyll cell wall thickness, Rubisco N allocation fraction, and mesophyll conductance explained a large portion of PNUE variations. The coordination between Rubisco N allocation fraction and mesophyll conductance in relation to mesophyll cell wall thickness constrains PNUE during evolution.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ai-Tian Ren, Ji-Yuan Li, Ling Zhao, Rui Zhou, Jian-Sheng Ye, Yi-Bo Wang, Xu-Cheng Zhang, Kiprotich Wesly, Ming-Sheng Ma, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: Reducing the use of plastic film while maintaining high water use efficiency and soil health is a significant global challenge. A two-year field investigation showed that under no-tillage conditions, both full and half plastic film mulching improved rainfall infiltration, grain yield, and water use efficiency compared to tillage conditions. Among the no-tillage treatments, half plastic film mulching resulted in significantly higher soil organic carbon and enhanced nutrient uptake due to increased root biomass and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Therefore, it is feasible and efficient to reduce plastic mulching but improve water use efficiency and soil health in semi-arid environments.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wesly Kiprotich Cheruiyot, Wei Wang, Shuang-Guo Zhu, Levis Kavagi, Xu-Cheng Zhang, David Mwehia Mburu, Ming-Sheng Ma, Alex Ndolo Munyasya, Kiprotich Koskei, Sylvia Ngaira Indoshi, Aggrey Bernard Nyende, Hong-Yan Tao, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of using fully biodegradable plastic film mulching on soil hydrothermal status, carbon sequestration, and water productivity in a semiarid region. The results showed that the biodegradable film mulching improved soil hydrothermal conditions, but had limited impact on maize yield and water use efficiency.
ACS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
