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Thamizharasan A, Aishwarya M, Mohan V, Krishnamoorthi S, Gajalakshmi S. Assessment of microbial flora and pesticidal effect of vermicast generated from Azadirachta indica (neem) for developing a biofertilizer-cum-pesticide as a single package. Microb Pathog 2024; 192:106690. [PMID: 38759935 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The soil comprising organic matter, nutrients, serve as substrate for plant growth and various organisms. In areas where there are large plantations, there is a huge leaf litter fall. The leaf litter upon decomposition releases nutrients and helps in nutrient recycling, for which the soil engineers such as earthworms, ants and termites are important key players. In this context, the present study was conducted to assess the characteristics of the vermicast obtained by vermicomposting neem leaf litter in terms of microbial flora, plant growth promoting properties and antagonistic activities of the vermicast against phytopathogens. Vermicomposting of neem leaf litter was done using two epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida and Eudrilus eugeniae. The vermicast exhibited antagonistic potential against plant pathogens. Out of the four vermiwash infusions studied, the 75 % formulation reduced the disease incidence against mealybug by 82 % in the tree Neolamarkia cadamba. The result of the study suggests that vermicast made from neem leaf litter may be a potent combination of a biofertilizer and a pesticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Thamizharasan
- Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - M Aishwarya
- Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - V Mohan
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Krishnamoorthi
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Gajalakshmi
- Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India.
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Gaitanis D, Lukac M, Tibbett M. Fragment size and diversity of mulches affect their decomposition, nutrient dynamics, and mycorrhizal root colonisation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9383. [PMID: 37296195 PMCID: PMC10256728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36457-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-based mulch has been proposed as a sustainable way of maintaining soil fertility. However, the role of mulch diversity, quality, and size in decomposition dynamics, and their effect on crop yield, has not been fully explored. We investigated how mulch quality, proxied by the constituent plant species diversity, and residue size drive mulch decomposition, nutrient release, crop nutrition, and yield. A rhizotron experiment was set up with barley as a model crop, with the addition of mulch of two particle sizes (1.5 and 30 cm) and four different plant residue mixes of differing biodiversity (17, 12, 6, and 1 species) in a fully factorial design. Soil nutrient dynamics were measured at advanced decomposition stages, together with residue quality, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) root colonisation, and crop yield. Residue mass loss was significantly affected by its chemical composition. Initial NDF content was more restricted factor in C and N mineralisation than C:N or lignin. Long residues retained significantly higher C and N content, than short residues. Crop yield was not affected by residue type or size. Residue size significantly affected barley growth rate, influencing seed protein content. Soil available K was significantly increased by residues with a higher initial C:N ratio. Short residues resulted in higher soil Zn. Residues of higher diversity resulted inhigher AMF root colonisationof the barley plants. Generally, long residue mulches maintain higher fertilisation capacity at advanced stage of decomposition than short ones, without a deleterious effect on crop yield. Further investigation should evaluate the effect of continuous application of long residue mulches on soil fertility and microbial symbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Gaitanis
- Department of Sustainable Land Management and Soil Research Centre, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK
| | - Martin Lukac
- Department of Sustainable Land Management and Soil Research Centre, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK
- Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16521, Prague, Czechia
| | - Mark Tibbett
- Department of Sustainable Land Management and Soil Research Centre, School of Agriculture Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AR, UK.
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Liu S, Yang G, Wu F, Ge Y, Liu F, Pu C, Wang Z, Shen Y, Zhou X, Luo Y, Li F, Zhang Y, Chen M, Huang L. Traditional Chinese medicine residues promote the growth and quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge by improving soil health under continuous monoculture. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1112382. [PMID: 37351215 PMCID: PMC10284172 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1112382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Continuous monoculture of crops has resulted in reduced yields and quality, as well as soil deterioration. Although traditional Chinese medicine residues (TCMRs) are known to promote plant growth and soil health, few studies have investigated their effectiveness in continuous monoculture soils. Here, we studied the impact of chemical fertilizers (CF) and four TCMRs with antibacterial activities on the growth of S. miltiorrhiza (a widely used medicinal plant in China), accumulation of active ingredients in plants, and soil health under continuous monoculture conditions. Compared with no fertilizer (CK) and CF, fermented Sophora flavescens radix residue (SFRf) and fermented and unfermented Moutan cortex residue (MCRf and MCRu, respectively) resulted in a reduction of the disease index of root rot, while CF did not. The CF and four TCMR treatments increased the accumulation of nitrogen (N) (42.8-124.6% and 17.0-101.7%), phosphorous (P) (19.8-74.7% and 8.3-27.4%), and potassium (K) (104.1-212.0% and 9.3-51.8%) in shoots and roots compared to CK. The differences in nutrient accumulation between the CF and TCMR treatments were statistically insignificant, excepted for the N accumulation in the roots. All fertilization treatments increased plant biomass compared to CK, with increases of 25.57-89.86% and 2.62-35.28% in shoots and roots, respectively. The SFRf treatment exhibited the most significant enhancement in both shoot and root biomass. CF significantly reduced the accumulation of seven active ingredients in roots by 23.90-78.95% compared to CK, whereas each TCMR increased accumulation of certain active ingredients. The TCMR treatments effectively improved the health of deteriorated soil by enhancing soil physicochemical properties, restoring the balance of the microbial community, recruiting beneficial bacteria, and reducing the relative abundance of the pathogen Fusarium. The SFRf treatment exhibited superior performance in improving soil health than other treatments. Overall, the TCMRs outperformed CF in restoring soil health and promoting the yield and quality of S. miltiorrhiza. These findings offer guidance for improving the health of continuous cropping soil and recycling TCMRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Faming Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fusong Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chunjuan Pu
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ye Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuteng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuzhi Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengsheng Li
- Cultivation Base Department, Laiwu Purple Light Ecological Park Co., Ltd., Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - You Zhang
- Cultivation Base Department, Laiwu Purple Light Ecological Park Co., Ltd., Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meilan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Luqi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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