Research Topic: soil amendment

Gigaspora roseae and Coriolopsis rigida Fungi Improve Performance of Quillaja saponaria Plants Grown in Sandy Substrate with Added Sewage Sludge

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Researchers studied how two types of beneficial fungi (mycorrhizal and saprophytic) can help a Chilean tree called Quillaja saponaria grow better in sandy soil mixed with treated sewage sludge. When plants were inoculated with these fungi and given moderate amounts of sludge, they showed significantly improved growth. The saprophytic fungus alone produced the best results, increasing plant height by over 300%. This approach could help recycle sewage waste while growing useful plants that produce saponins used in medicine and industry.

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Advancements in Biochar for Soil Remediation of Heavy Metals and/or Organic Pollutants

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Biochar, a carbon-rich material made from burning plant waste with limited oxygen, can effectively clean polluted soil by trapping harmful chemicals and metals. When mixed into contaminated soil, biochar’s porous structure acts like a sponge to capture pesticides, petroleum products, and toxic metals, preventing them from spreading into groundwater or being absorbed by plants. Scientists have found that combining biochar with plants and beneficial bacteria creates an even more effective cleaning system that can remediate severely contaminated sites.

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Use of Anaerobic Digestate Inoculated with Fungi as a Soil Amendment for Soil Remediation: A Systematic Review

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This research examines how using fungi-treated digestate (a byproduct from biogas production) can clean polluted soil more effectively than using either alone. The study shows that combining digestate with fungi successfully removes heavy metals like lead and cadmium from soil while promoting plant growth. The best results came from using digestate made from cattle manure. This approach offers an affordable and sustainable way to restore contaminated soils.

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Leucocalocybe mongolica Fungus Enhances Rice Growth by Reshaping Root Metabolism, and Hormone-Associated Pathways

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Researchers discovered that a special fungus called Leucocalocybe mongolica, when added to soil, significantly improves rice plant growth without requiring chemical fertilizers. Plants grown in fungus-treated soil developed more branches (tillers), had longer roots, and contained more chlorophyll, making them greener and healthier. The study revealed that the fungus works by altering soil nutrients and triggering specific genes in rice roots that boost growth-promoting hormones and improve how plants process energy.

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Valorization and Environmental Impacts of Pecan Waste: A Critical Review

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Pecan shells, which make up about half of the pecan nut and are usually discarded, contain valuable compounds with health-promoting properties like antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These shells can be transformed into useful products including ingredients for food supplements and medicines, activated carbon for cleaning water, materials for making eco-friendly plastics, and energy sources. By converting pecan waste into valuable products instead of throwing it away, communities can reduce environmental pollution, improve public health, and create economic opportunities while supporting sustainable farming practices.

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Integrated use of biochar, Cassia fistula, and Trichoderma for sustainable management of Sclerotium rolfsii in chickpea

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This study shows how combining three natural substances—rice husk biochar (a carbon-rich soil additive), Cassia fistula plant extract, and a beneficial fungus called Trichoderma harzianum—can effectively protect chickpea crops from a harmful soil disease called collar rot. The combination not only reduced disease occurrence from 64% to 35% but also improved plant growth and strengthened plants’ natural defense mechanisms. This eco-friendly approach offers farmers a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides while improving soil health and crop productivity.

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Impact of bottom ash addition on Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation on coffee ground substrate

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This study investigated growing oyster mushrooms on a mixture of used coffee grounds and coal plant bottom ash. The researchers found that adding small amounts of bottom ash (1-5%) slowed mushroom growth slightly but actually reduced harmful heavy metals in the final mushrooms compared to using only coffee grounds. The leftover substrate after mushroom harvest could be used as a fertilizer for poor soils, creating a complete recycling system that turns industrial and food waste into useful products.

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