The agricultural use of sandy soils has expanded worldwide to meet the increasing demand for food and other agricultural commodities resulting from rapid population growth and urbanization. However, the inherent limitations of these soils, particularly their low capacity to retain water and nutrients, pose major challenges to sustainable crop production. Accordingly, field experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of integrated microbial and non-microbial biostimulants in improving the performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Sakha-94). Wheat grains were co-inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus niger as phosphate-solubilizing fungi (TD + PSF), and plants were treated with potassium sulfate (K2SO4 200 mg/l), tryptophan (Try 50 mgL-1), K2SO4 (200 mgL-1) + Try (50 mgL−1), and two concentrations of banana peel extract (BPE) (500 and 1000 mgL-1). Yield performance was substantially improved, with increases of 34.2%, 38.9%, and 44.1% in straw yield, biological yield, and grain yield, respectively. Supporting these yield gains, growth characteristics and physiological attributes were significantly enhanced. The combined application of TD + PSF and BPE1000 produced the highest increases in chlorophyll a (31.4%), chlorophyll b (83.6%), total pigments (48.2%), and phenolic compounds (18.9%). Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) content increased significantly following co-inoculation, with the greatest enhancement (34.9%) recorded under the K₂SO₄ + tryptophan treatment combined with TD + PSF. Grain nutritional quality was also enhanced. The BPE at 1000 mg L−1 combined with TD + PSF treatment resulted in the highest carbohydrate content (12.5%), whereas BPE500 combined with TD + PSF achieved the greatest increase in grain protein content (33.2%). The combination of K₂SO₄ + tryptophan and TD + PSF significantly improved mineral accumulation, increasing N, P, K, and Mg contents by 33.2, 41.7, 16.2, and 44.2%, respectively. In addition, the highest water productivity (44.12%) was obtained with BPE1000 combined with TD + PSF. The ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids in the grain yield was enriched by approximately 12–15% in plants treated with the combination of TD + PSF and other treatments. This enrichment indicates an improvement in the nutritional quality of the wheat grains, enhancing their value for human dietary needs. Among the tested treatments, the combined application of (TD + PSF) and banana peel extract (1000 mg L⁻1) produced the greatest improvements in wheat growth, yield, and grain quality. These findings demonstrate that banana peel extract, particularly when combined with beneficial fungi, is a promising, low-cost, and eco-friendly biostimulant for wheat cultivation in reclaimed sandy soils, while promoting the sustainable utilization of agricultural waste.
Wheat productivity is constrained by declining soil fertility and low nutrient-use efficiency resulting from the continuous dependence on chemical fertilizers. Integrated Nutrient Management, through the judicious integration of organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, offers a sustainable approach to enhance crop growth, yield, soil health, and long-term productivity; however, its effectiveness in combination with nano-fertilizers requires further evaluation. Therefore, a field experiment was planned during the Rabi season of 2024-25 and 2025-26, at the research farm of Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana. The experiment was laid out in a two-factorial randomized block design with three replications. Factor A comprised two wheat varieties (WH 1270 and DBW 222), while Factor B consisted of eight nutrient management treatments involving RDF, vermicompost (2 t/ha), foliar nano urea (1250 mL/ha), foliar nano DAP (1250 mL/ha), and Azotobacter applied alone or in combination. The pooled data revealed that the variety DBW 222 showed significantly higher plant height (94.34 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (65.77), DMA/meter row length (224.82 g), LAI (5.56), spike length (9.84 cm), grains/spikes (48.31), effective tillers/m2 (300.80), test weight (40.27 g), grain yield (5042 kg/ha) and straw yield (6651 kg/ha) over variety WH 1270. Among various nutrient combinations, maximum plant height (104.65 cm), number of tillers/meter row length (70.51), DMA/meter row length (251.73 g), LAI (6.18), spike length (10.88 cm), grains/spikes (51.37), effective tillers/m2 (322.57), test weight (42.21 g), grain yield (5642 kg/ha) and straw yield (7439 kg/ha) was recorded with treatment T3 (100% RDF with vermicompost @ 2t/ha) which was found at par with T5 and T4. These treatments were found superior over T2, T6, T8 and T7. The least were found in T1
Sanjeev Kumar, I.S. Singh· Research on Crops· 0 citations
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal crop whose productivity depends substantially on balanced and efficient nutrient management. Integrating organic nutrient sources, biofertilisers and inorganic fertilisers may improve nutrient availability, crop performance and the sustainability of wheat production. A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive rabi seasons (2024–25 and 2025–26) at the Agricultural Research Farm, School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, RIMT University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India, to evaluate the comparative effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design (RBD) with twelve nutrient-management treatments comprising a control (no fertiliser or manure), 100% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF), 75% RDF and different combinations of RDF with vermicompost, farmyard manure (FYM), poultry manure, zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄) and Azotobacter. The results showed that integrated nutrient management significantly enhanced crop growth, yield attributes, grain and straw yields, and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake compared with the control and fertiliser-only treatments. Among all treatments, 75% RDF + 1.25 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost + 20 kg ZnSO₄ ha⁻¹ + 5 kg Azotobacter ha⁻¹ (T₁₁) recorded the highest plant height, number of tillers per metre of row length, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient uptake during both years of experimentation. The superior performance of this treatment was attributed to the balanced and sustained nutrient supply, which improved nutrient availability and utilisation by the crop. The study indicates that combining a reduced inorganic fertiliser dose with vermicompost, zinc sulphate and Azotobacter can enhance wheat productivity and nutrient uptake under the experimental conditions of Punjab.
Prabhjot Kaur, Hemraj Meena· Asian Research Journal of Ag...· 0 citations
Wheat is a major staple crop, and improving its productivity and grain quality is essential to meet rising global food demand. Biostimulants have attracted growing interest because they can enhance nutrient use efficiency, improve tolerance to environmental stresses, and support crop performance without acting as conventional fertilizers, yet a focused synthesis of their effects on wheat remains limited. Following a systematic search of Scopus and Web of Science (2000–2026), this review synthesizes 52 primary studies on microbial and non-microbial biostimulants in common and durum wheat, addressing grain yield, nutritional quality, and resilience to drought, salinity, heavy metals, and temperature extremes. Across studies, 88% reported significant positive effects and none reported a consistent negative effect; grain yield increases ranged from +6% to +123%, with parallel improvements in grain protein and micronutrient biofortification, notably zinc and iron. Microbial biostimulants, especially bacteria and microbial consortia, produced the largest but most variable gains, whereas non-microbial products gave more moderate and consistent responses. Benefits were greatest under low nitrogen, drought, and saline conditions and in nutrient-poor soils, and were modulated by wheat genotype and product dose. Biostimulants are promising tools for sustainable wheat production, though standardized field trials and reporting are still needed.
A. Di Serio, Alfredo Lorenzo, Lisa Antonucci et al.· Agronomy· 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
A significant issue in the wheat production systems is the need to increase the efficiency of nutrient use without compromising soil health. This paper has examined the synergistic impact of organic manures, Nano-DAP on growth, yield and soil fertility of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under field conditions during the Rabi seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 in Lucknow, India. The treatments were: green manure, farmyard manure and vermicomposting (5 t ha-1), with various nutrient management strategies based on Nano-DAP. The findings indicated that vermicompost was highly beneficial in promoting crop growth, with the highest values in terms of plant height, density and biomass growth. Nano-DAP seed treatment and foliar sprays, combined with 100% NPK, created the greatest grain yield (49.64 q ha-1) and better yield characteristics than traditional fertilization. It was also seen that the combined application enhanced the uptake of nutrients and the soil fertility status.In general, the results imply that the combination of organic Manures and NanoDAP is an efficient and sustainable approach to nutrient management to achieve better wheat yields and better soil health.
Ekta Singh, Abdul Mazeed, Saba Siddiqui et al.· Ecology, environment & conse...· 0 citations
It is suggested that selected halotolerant isolates possess multifunctional traits including salt tolerance and potential nutrient-solubilizing capacity, making them promising candidates for biofertilizer development and sustainable agriculture in salt-affected regions.
H. Dixit, Ranjan Singh, Sanjay Arora et al.· Journal of Soil and Water Co...· 0 citations