Effects of Organic/Synthetic Fertilizers on Stimulated Biosynthesis of Polyphenol Compounds: Efficiency and Sustainability of Plants and Weeds in Monoculture and Competitive Conditions
Intensified use of fertilizers enhances crop yield; however, it can also make weed management more challenging. In addition to providing nutrients to crops, fertilizers also provide nutrients to weeds when they grow together with crops. All this leads to competition between crops and weeds, which is an important source of biotic stress. As a defense mechanism against biotic stress, plants accumulate polyphenolic compounds and increase antioxidant activity. This study aims to quantify the influence of organic and synthetic fertilizers on weed behavior and competitiveness in agroecosystems by evaluating total phenol content, polyphenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and trans-cinnamic) content, and their antioxidative activity in weeds (Avena fatua and Abutilon theophrasti) and wheat and their rhizospheres across different cultivation systems (monoculture vs. competitive conditions). Our study showed that under competitive conditions, the use of fertilizers significantly increased the concentration of selected individual phenolic acids in all tested species (weeds and wheat) compared to monoculture. In addition, the level of antioxidant activity and total phenolic content in the weed leaves (Avena fatua and Abutilon teophrasti) was higher compared to the control after the application of all tested fertilizers when grown in competition with wheat (total phenolic content in Avena fatua: C vs. F1 p = 0.025 *, C vs. F3 p = 0.008 **; in Abutilon teophrasti: C vs. F2 p = 0.0000 **). The application of all tested fertilizers affected the increase in antioxidant activity in weed plants (p = 0.0000 ** in Avena fatua and in Abutilon teophrasti C vs. F1, p = 0.013 *, and C vs. F2, p = 0.0012 **). This shows that, in plants, response to stress levels not only total phenol, but also their antioxidative activity should be taken into consideration.
Efficient nutrient management is essential for improving the productivity and quality of medicinal crops in rainfed ecosystems, where moisture and nutrient availability frequently limit crop performance. The present investigation evaluated the influence of crop establishment methods, organic manures and bio-stimulants on the nutrient content and uptake of ashwagandha roots under rainfed ecologies over two consecutive years. The treatments comprised two crop establishment methods, namely broad bed and furrow and ridge and furrow; two organic manure sources, namely poultry manure and vermicompost; and four bio-stimulant treatments consisting of a control, seaweed extract granules, humic and fulvic acid granules and their combined application. The content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur in the roots were estimated at harvest. Root nutrient concentrations were not significantly affected by crop establishment methods, organic manures or bio-stimulants in either experimental year. However, nutrient uptake varied significantly among treatments. Broad bed and furrow recorded significantly greater uptake of nitrogen (7.56 and 8.13 kg ha-1), phosphorus (0.90 and 1.02 kg ha-1), potassium (7.80 and 8.38 kg ha-1) and sulphur (1.86 and 2.11 kg ha-1) than ridge and furrow. Poultry manure significantly enhanced nutrient uptake compared with vermicompost, whereas the combined application of seaweed extract and humic-fulvic acid granules produced the highest nutrient uptake among bio-stimulant treatments. The results indicated that nutrient uptake in ashwagandha roots was governed primarily by biomass production rather than nutrient concentration and that integrated management involving broad bed and furrow, poultry manure and combined bio-stimulant application may improve nutrient-use efficiency and support the sustainable production of ashwagandha under rainfed conditions.
Ambikesh Tripathi, S. K. Rajpoot, S. Choudhary et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
Global demand for horticultural commodities, particularly Bird’s Eye Chili (Capsicum frutescens L.), continues to increase due to their function as a household food ingredient and a source of bioactive compounds with health benefits. In Indonesia, Capsicum frutescens are a strategic commodity that influences inflation, making increasing productivity a crucial part of national food security. However, low soil fertility and high dependence on inorganic chemical fertilizers hamper productivity while increasing production costs and environmental pressures. Sustainable fertilization using local organic resources is an important strategy to improve soil health and plant performance. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and Azolla microphylla compost on Capsicum frutescens growth and yield, by simultaneously assessing five parameters: plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of branches, and fruit production. The experiment was conducted in Langgomea Village, Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi, with chili seedlings planted in 25 cm polybags containing a mixture of local garden soil and rice husk charcoal (2:1 v/v). A factorial Randomized Complete Block Design was applied with LOF (0, 10, 20, 40 ml/L) and compost (0, 10, 20, 40 g/plant), resulting in 16 treatment combinations, each replicated three times (a total of 144 plants). Growth and yield data were recorded weekly for 12 weeks; harvesting was carried out from the first to the last harvest. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and LSD at a significance level of 5% with R 4.3 and SPSS 28, provides a scientific basis for sustainable organic fertilization strategies and optimization of local resources. The results showed that the combination of LOF and Azolla microphylla compost significantly affected all growth and production parameters of Capsicum frutescens. The highest plant height was achieved in the P3K3 treatment (83.67 cm), followed by an increase in stem diameter to 136 mm, number of leaves to 104, and number of branches to 31.33. This increase in vegetative growth is in line with the high nitrogen and phosphorus content of Azolla, which supports cell formation, chlorophyll, protein, and nucleic acid synthesis. It was also found that Capsicum frutescens L. fruit production increased significantly with the combination of LOF and compost, reaching the highest average of 108.67 kg per plant in the P2K3 treatment. This confirms that the application of Azolla-based organic fertilizer provides sufficient nutrients, increases photosynthesis, biomass, and fruit yield accumulation. The interaction of liquid fertilizer and compost provides optimal synergistic effects for vegetative growth and plant productivity in the field. These findings bridge the research gap regarding the simultaneous use of liquid fertilizer and Azolla compost on Capsicum frutescens L., in humid tropical agroecosystems, while also providing practical implications for sustainable organic fertilization strategies. Application of these findings can improve resource efficiency, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers, and support environmentally friendly tropical horticultural management.
Keywords: Bird’s Eye Chili, liquid organic fertilizer, Azolla microphylla compost, fruit yield, humid tropical agroecosystem, sustainable fertilization.
S. Suharjo, Ulyasniati Ulyasniati· Journal of Global Innovation...· 0 citations
Low soil fertility and restricted nutrient bioavailability are critical limiting factors for sustainable vegetable production, particularly in marginal sandy soils. This study addressed these challenges by investigating the efficacy of a novel sugarcane-derived molasses treated (SOFA) as a soil conditioner and nutrient source for eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), a crop for which comprehensive studies on such integrated approaches in these soil types are limited. Field experiments were conducted over two consecutive growing seasons to evaluate the impact of SOFA, applied either independently or in combination with mineral nitrogen (N), on soil physicochemical properties and crop performance.The study results demonstrated that integrated fertilization significantly improved soil physicochemical properties and crop performance. The treatment T3 (50% mineral N + 50% SOFA) achieved the highest total fruit yield (8.84 kg plant−1), representing a 111% increase compared to the control (4.18 kg plant−1). Similarly, T2 (75% N + 25% SOFA) significantly enhanced vegetative growth, chlorophyll content, and fruit nutritional quality. Soil organic matter increased by up to 56%, while available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium increased by up to 240%, 209%, and 67%, respectively, compared to the control. Moreover, SOFA application contributed to moderating soil alkalinity and improving nutrient availability, despite slight increases in electrical conductivity at higher application rates. Eggplant fruit quality traits were also significantly improved, with total soluble solids (TSS) increasing by 42% and anthocyanin content by 49% under optimized treatments. Economic analysis revealed that T2 and T3 achieved the highest profitability, with investment factors approaching 5.0, indicating superior economic efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of treated molasses-based amendments (SOFA) as a sustainable strategy for restoring marginal sandy soils and optimizing the productivity and nutritional quality of S. melongena.
Abdel-Haleem A. H. El-Shaieny, Ahmed N. Gad El Rab, H. Farrag et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important cereal crops, and improving its productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers has become a major goal of sustainable agriculture. The potential role of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a biofertilizer evolved as appropriate substitute to neutralize adverse environmental impacts wielded by manmade agrochemical.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis, individually and in combination, on the growth and yield of maize compared with conventional NPK fertilization.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the 2025 growing season at the Field Crops Research Station, College of Agriculture, University of Samarra, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. Six treatments were evaluated: Untreated control (T1), Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2), Bacillus subtilis (T3), combined inoculation (P. fluorescens + B. subtilis) (T4), combined inoculation with NPK fertilizer (T5), and NPK fertilizer (20:20:20) only (T6). Vegetative growth and yield-related traits were recorded and statistically analyzed.
Results: Inoculation of plants with PGPR bacteria resulted in a significant improvement in both vegetative growth and yield compared to the untreated control group. Pseudomonas fluorescens (T2) exhibited the highest vegetative growth rate, recording the highest plant height (148.00 cm), leaf area (365.00 cm²), leaf area index (2.63), and number of grains per spike (688 grains) compared control group recorded (92.33 cm), (10.67 plant⁻¹), (151.73 cm²), (0.70) respectively. Bacillus subtilis (T3), achieved the highest productivity, producing the largest number of spikes per plant (2.67 spikes) and the highest spike weight (283.50 g) compared control group recorded (2.00) and (161.60 g).
Conclusion: The use of PGPR, and especially Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis as potential biofertilisation agents is a promising sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation that can enhance maize growth and production, while decreasing dependence on mineral fertilisers.
Waser saad Khalaf, Ahmed waleed Abdulrahman· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Tomato production requires adequate nutrient availability to sustain high yield and biomass production, while efficient nutrient acquisition remains important under reduced fertilizer inputs. The integration of AMF and PGPR offers a potential biological approach to improve nutrient acquisition and plant productivity. A field experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at the Research Farm of the Vegetable Research Centre, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India to evaluate the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on tomato yield, dry matter production, nutrient concentration and nutrient uptake under different fertilizer levels and methods of microbial application. The experiment comprised twelve treatments arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Application of 75% RDF + AMF + Pseudomonas fluorescens + Bacillus megaterium + Trichoderma viride through soil application (T₁₂) consistently recorded the highest yield and nutrient accumulation. Pooled analysis showed that T₁₂ produced the maximum fruit yield (376.74 q ha⁻¹) and dry matter yield (46.34 q ha⁻¹). The treatment also recorded the highest N (1.97%), P (0.30%) and K (1.99%) concentrations, with corresponding N, P and K uptake of 91.43, 13.83 and 92.53 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. Compared with 100% RDF, T₁₂ increased fruit yield by 27.27%, demonstrating that the microbial consortium effectively complemented a 25% reduction in mineral fertilizer application. Soil application generally resulted in greater responses than seedling application, indicating more effective establishment and activity of the microbial inoculants in the rhizosphere. The integration of AMF and PGPR with 75% RDF can improve tomato productivity, biomass production and N, P and K accumulation while reducing mineral fertilizer input by 25% under Vertisol conditions.
Nikita D. Pardeshi, R. Khandare, M. N. Ingole et al.· Journal of Scientific Resear...· 0 citations
Increased drought stress is anticipated to impact crop productivity adversely, mainly in Africa and Southeast Asia. Drought-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as a ray of hope as an effective bio-enhancer and sustainable strategy for agriculture under water-deficit and recovery conditions to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers and improve soil fertility. Keeping this in view, a field experiment was conducted to check the effectiveness of commercial bio-fertilizers Phosphorine, Microbine, Potassiumag individually, or in combination with organic fertilizer (compost), and natural mineral rock (rock phosphate), as a substituent of chemical fertilizer. Two drip irrigation schedules W1 (100%) and W2 (60% of field capacity FC) were applied to evaluate growth and biochemical traits of Moringa oleifera under varying biofertilizer inputs. The highest values of plant growth under W1 were recorded in the plants amended with BioMix1 (Microbine mixed with rock phosphate and compost), plant height (150 cm), number of branch plant−1 (19), plant dry weight (203 g). On the other hand, individual application of Potassiumag (Bio3) showed the highest of plant growth under W2 water scheduling, with plant height (130 cm), number of branch plant−1 (17), plant dry weight (137 g). The present work evaluated a broad range of both non-enzymatic antioxidant components including phenolics, proline, ascorbate and carotenoids, in addition to peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) enzymes. Microbine with compost and rock phosphate improved Moringa oleifera yield and quality at 100% FC, while Potassiumag followed by Phosphorine sustained growth under drought 60%FC.
R. El-Shazoly, M. A. Youssef, Asmaa M. El-Zohary et al.· BMC Plant Biology· 0 citations
