Research Keyword: nutrient cycling

Roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in plant growth and disease management for sustainable agriculture

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi that live in plant roots and form a mutually beneficial relationship with plants. These fungi help plants absorb more nutrients and water from the soil, strengthen their natural defenses against diseases and pests, and work together with other helpful soil bacteria to create disease-suppressive soil. This makes AMF a promising natural alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers for sustainable agriculture.

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The hidden drivers: Unraveling the impact of density, moisture, and scale on Hermetia illucens rearing

This study investigates how to optimally rear black soldier fly larvae using leftover mushroom growing material as feed. Researchers tested different moisture levels, densities of larvae, and production scales to find the best conditions for growing high-quality larvae efficiently. The findings show that using 75% moisture with about 250 larvae per container produces the best results, though larger-scale production requires different adjustments than small laboratory experiments.

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Changes in the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in the Roots of Eucalyptus grandis Plantations at Different Ages in Southern Jiangxi, China

This research examines how fungal partnerships with eucalyptus tree roots change as plantations age. Scientists found that two dominant fungal types, Paraglomus and Glomus, shift in abundance depending on the plantation age and soil nutrient levels. The study reveals that proper fertilization timing and understanding fungal communities can help improve plantation management and tree productivity in nutrient-poor soils.

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Arbuscular Mycorrhizal and Trichoderma longibrachiatum Enhance Soil Quality and Improve Microbial Community Structure in Albic Soil Under Straw Return

Researchers found that combining two beneficial soil fungi—arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma longibrachiatum—significantly improved poor quality albic soils when straw was returned to fields. The combined treatment increased soil pH, nutrients, and enzyme activity while promoting beneficial bacteria like Sphingomonas. This microbial approach offers farmers a sustainable, environmentally friendly way to restore degraded soils and improve agricultural productivity in regions with challenging soil conditions.

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Movement of bacteria in the soil and the rhizosphere

Bacteria in soil move in many different ways to find food and avoid danger. Some swim using tiny whip-like flagella, others slide across surfaces, and many hitch rides on fungi or get transported by tiny predatory organisms. The ways bacteria move depend heavily on soil moisture, pore structure, and interactions with other microorganisms. This movement affects nutrient cycling and soil productivity, making it important for agriculture and ecosystem health.

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Towards understanding the impact of mycorrhizal fungal environments on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems

Mycorrhizal fungi form partnerships with plant roots and profoundly influence soil health and carbon storage. Different types of these fungi (arbuscular, ectomycorrhizal, and ericoid) work differently and create distinct soil environments with varying impacts on nutrient availability and carbon cycling. Researchers have now developed a unified framework and an experimental system to better understand and measure these effects, which could improve our ability to manage soils and predict ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

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Various types of mycorrhizal fungi sequences detected in single intracellular vesicles

Scientists discovered that two different types of beneficial fungi can live together inside the same tiny storage structure (vesicle) within plant roots. They designed new genetic tools to identify these fungi more accurately. This finding suggests that plants may have more complex fungal partnerships than previously understood, which could help us better understand how plants get nutrients from soil and improve agriculture.

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Organic and Inorganic Amendments Shape Bacterial Indicator Communities That Can, In Turn, Promote Rice Yield

Farmers wanting to grow more rice while protecting the environment can benefit from combining chemical fertilizers with mushroom waste. This combination encourages specific beneficial bacteria in the soil that help break down organic matter and make nutrients available to rice plants. The study found that soil health measured through microbial activity is a better predictor of rice harvest than traditional soil chemistry tests, suggesting that managing soil microbes should be a priority for sustainable farming.

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Various types of mycorrhizal fungi sequences detected in single intracellular vesicles

Researchers discovered that single fatty droplet-like structures inside plant roots can contain genetic material from multiple types of fungi, both Glomeromycotina and Mucoromycotina. They developed new molecular tools to detect and identify these fungi without bias. This finding suggests fungi may live together more intimately than previously thought, which could help us better understand how plants get nutrients from fungal partners in soil.

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Arbuscular mycorrhizal networks—A climate-smart blueprint for agriculture

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial organisms that form partnerships with plant roots to improve crop health and productivity without relying heavily on synthetic chemicals. These fungal networks enhance soil health, help plants survive droughts and diseases, improve nutrient absorption, and redistribute water through the soil. By using proper farming practices like crop diversification and fungal inoculants, farmers can harness these natural networks to increase yields while reducing fertilizer costs and environmental pollution.

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