<div>Biostimulants are organic products made up of peptides and amino acids which are readily available to plants. Changes in farming are being caused by agro-ecological practices that take into account biodiversity and the way soil works. In agriculture, biostimulants can be used to keep plant growth and productivity without use of chemicals. Biostimulants can be used to identify and enhance specific soil microorganisms and they can help them grow and thrive. Soil microbial activity and the activity of important plant growth hormones or enzymes are also considered to help crops grow and yield more. The words &ldquo;soil health&rdquo; and &ldquo;soil tilth&rdquo; aren&rsquo;t new in the world of farming. Many factors, many of which are biological, affect the health of soil. With the application of biostimulants soil health gets improved by influencing soil health indicators. Chemical fertilizers affect soil environment, which ultimately affects the human and animal lives. Microbes in the soil called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play an important role in maintaining long-term soil fertility by forming mutualistic relationships with the roots of food crops, which help them, grow and thrive. Plants thrive under biotic and abiotic stress, due to the activation of defense mechanisms through these substances. Biostimulants from seaweed extracts are very popular because they help plants to grow and be more resistant to stress. Repeated applications of biochar could make the soil more carbon-rich and productive, which could lead to more crop biomass and biological carbon sequestration over time. This review summarizes the description of biostimulants and their role in soil health.</div>

​Biostimulants towards Soil Health Improvement: A Review

<div>Soil health sustains the biological productivity, maintains environmental quality and promotes plant health. Soil borne diseases are most damaging when soil conditions are poor. Major factors influencing the disease in plants are soil moisture, soil temperature, soil pH and soil nutrients. To manage disease, different methods are used like crop rotation, biological control, cover crops, suppressive soils, organic amendment, plant growth promoting rhizobacterium, vascular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, mulching, good compost, good aeration, etc. Implementation of these practices improves the soil health and reduces disease incidence in a sustainable manner. Cover crops, crop rotations and healthy sanitary practices keep the pathogenic populations at low levels and also add beneficial nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil. These all manage the disease by creating physical barrier, releasing antagonistic chemicals, competing with pathogen, increasing nutrient uptake, etc. Biological control agents have different mode of action viz., parasitism, predator, antibiosis, competition for site and nutrition, as well as by inducing the resistance in plants against pathogen [Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR)]. However, all these management strategies are helpful in improving the soil health, decreases the disease incidence and subsequently increases the yield and productivity of the crop.</div>

<div>Role of Soil Health in Plant Disease Management: A Review</div>

<div>Background: Grain legumes are considered as an important group of food crops that can play a vital role to address national food and nutritional security and also tackle environmental challenges. They are known as the basis for an ecologically-sound, farmer-focused agricultural development effort and an important component of sustainable farming systems. Biofertilizers, being a cheap and environment friendly source of plant nutrients assume a special significance in supplying the plant nutrients under the present context of indiscriminate use and high costs of chemical fertilizers. Biofertilizers could be a good alternative to supplement the chemical fertilizers.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Pantnagar in Mollisols during 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the performance of Rhizobium sp. and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation in mungbean on productivity, soil health and economics. 
 
Result: A pronounced effect of biofertilizers application in mungbean was observed on the root nodulation, yields, nutrient uptake and soil health. Co-inoculation of Rhizobium and PGPR significantly increased the nodule number, nodule dry weight, plant dry weight, grain yield, straw yield, N and P uptake in mungbean and improved soil health over the no inoculation. The study suggested that combined application of PGPR and Rhizobium sp. in mungbean is better than Rhizobium sp. alone in increasing crop yields, soil health and farmer&rsquo;s profit.</div>

<div>Enhancing Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Productivity, Soil Health and Profitability through Conjoint use of Rhizobium and PGPR</div>

<div>Climate change such as rising temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, rainfall variability and altering soil physical, chemical and biological properties are observed all around the world. A review over impacts of clim ate change with relation to crops and soil health was done at Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS HAU Hisar. IPCC, 2021 provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5&deg;C in the next decades and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5&deg;C or even 2&deg;C will be beyond reach. Impacts of climate change on soil properties are long time process as weather elements induce Physio-chemical reaction with soil which happens slowly in relation to weather elements. Climate change is generally expectedto increase the crop yields due to CO2 fertilization, radiation use efficiency and longer growing season but on&nbsp; the other hand, beyond a critical limit it may develop stress conditions like water stress, sun burns, scorching, bark cracking, closure stomata, leaf senescence and abscission etc. that can decrease crop production. Acidification, sodicity and salinization problem can develop in soil due to increase in temperature and acidic rainfall. So it can be held that, climate change would have intensive impacts on cereal and horticulture crops health and production as well as on soil properties.</div>

Study of Climate Change Impact on Crops and Soil Health in India: A Review

Sustainable agriculture is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy to combat soil pollution and degradation, particularly in the face of climate change. This review highlights Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) as an effective approach that combines both inorganic and organic fertilizers to enhance soil health and boost crop productivity. Key components of INM, including Nano DAP, vermiwash, vermicompost and traditional fertilizers, have been examined for their impact on mungbean growth and yield. The integration of these fertilizers not only improves soil fertility but also enhances nutrient uptake, which is crucial for adapting to fluctuating climate conditions. By fostering a balance between organic and inorganic inputs, INM supports sustainable agricultural practices that can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on food security. To determine the &ldquo;Impact of integrated nutrient management (nano dap, vermiwash, vermicompost and inorganic fertilizer) on soil health and mungbean yield,&rdquo; 41 research papers were examined. This particular review paper read and explained the results from all the reviews. In conclusion, adopting INM strategies represents a promising path forward for sustainable agriculture. These practices not only promote high crop productivity but also contribute to long-term soil health, thereby addressing the challenges posed by climate change and soil degradation. As we move forward, the continued exploration and implementation of INM can play a pivotal role in creating resilient agricultural systems that ensure food security while preserving our environmental resources for future generations. By investing in such sustainable practices, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and productive agricultural landscape.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Health and Yield of Mungbean: A Review

<div>Background: Cereal based cropping systems are predominantly followed in south Asia because of higher productivity and profitability and ensuring food security. Rice is grown once a year in rotation mainly with wheat. Continuous cultivation of rice results in the formation of a hard pan below the ploughing layer, which may act as a barrier to normal root growth of the subsequent wheat crop. Consequently, soil bulk density is increased and hydraulic conductivity is reduced thus leading to non-conducive soil physical characteristics for the subsequent wheat crop. To reduce these ill effects, FYM is used as organic source. But live stock population is not increasing in the ratio as it is required to meet the FYM demand. Organic source requirement cannot meet through use of FYM in rice-wheat system, which is vital for food security point of view. There is need of alternate cost effective source of FYM which could enhance the soil health as well as productivity of rice-wheat system. The present study aimed to see the efficacy of growing green manure crop (Sesbania aculeata) as an alternative of FYM in the rice-wheat rotation. 
 
Methods: In this experiment conducted during kharif and rabi seasons of 2014-15 and 2015-16 in on-going long term permanent manorial trial since 1984 at research farm (Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bihar, India), twelve treatments were taken under RBD in four replications. Observations and analysis were carried out by following the standard procedures. 
 
Result: The present investigation showed that combination of inorganic fertilizer and Sesbania aculeata helped in increasing yield as well as improving soil health. Sesbania aculeata can be used as a viable and cost effective alternative through partial substitution of inorganic fertilizers to enhance the soil health and productivity of rice-wheat system.</div>

<div>Sesbania aculeata a Cost Effective Alternative to Enhance the Soil Health and Productivity of Rice-Wheat System</div>

<div>Biochar has been recently proposed as a management strategy to improve crop productivity and global warming mitigation. Biochar may be added to soils with the goal to improve the soil properties and relocate an amount of conventional fossil fuel based fertilizers and sequester carbon. Biochar production and incorporation in soil must play a role in climate change mitigation. The need for further clarity on optimizing biochar application to various crop yields is necessary if it is to gain widespread acceptance as a soil amendment. There is urgent need to intensify agricultural production to secure food supply for the ever increasing population especially in developing country like India of the tropics. Biochar proponents have placed on biochar stability in soil and it also includes increased soil fertility and water holding capacity, increased crop production and remediation of contaminated soils. The biochar have potential to feasibly and sustainably sequester/offset over 1 Pg of CO2-carbon equivalents annually. Current carbon market incentives are not sufficient to rapidly increase or maximize the initiation and development of biochar implementation.</div>

Effect of Biochar on Soil Health and Crop Productivity: A Review

<div>Background: Effective in-situ decomposition of rice straw is urgent need for enhancing soil health, supporting nutrient cycling and mitigating the widespread practice of residue burning. This study aim to screen and characterizes potential lignocellulolytic producing microbial isolates and evaluate their efficiency in accelerating rice straw decomposition under pot condition and their subsequent impact on soil biochemical properties and microbial activity under field condition. 
 
Methods: A wide range of bacterial and fungal isolates were screened for lignocellulolytic enzyme production. Eighteen promising crop residue decomposers (CRDs) were applied on rice straw with three replications under complete randomized design (CRD). Their effects on key enzymes (&beta;-glucosidase, protease, xylanase and chitinase), microbial populations, biomass carbon and nitrogen, basal respiration and overall soil properties were evaluated under controlled conditions. 
 
Result: The inoculation CRDs on rice straw recorded significantly greater microbial counts, microbial biomass C and N, basal soil respiration, soil enzymes and soil properties over the control. Microbial counts (bacterial, actinomycetes and fungal), microbial biomass C, N and basal respiration were recorded highest in the T4-CRDB48, closely followed by T12-CRDB24, T5-CRDB52, T17-CRDF32 and T15-CRDF8. CRD inoculation also enhanced enzymatic activities (&beta;-glucosidase: 7.77-32.0 &mu;g PNP/ g soil/h, xylanase: 32.3-132.8 &mu;g GE/g soil/h), microbial counts and soil quality parameters significantly over the control. Inoculation of T15-CRDB48 recorded the highest SOC (0.54%), followed by T5-CRDB52 (0.52%) and T17-CRDF32 (0.50%) over control (0.38%) after decomposition of rice straw, respectively. The CRDB24, CRDB48 and CRDB52 bacteria isolates were identified by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus haynesii, Bacillus altitudinis and Bacillus stratosphericus, while CRDF8 and CRDF32 fungal isolates were identified by ITS region sequencing as Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus fumigates, respectively. The selected microbial inoculants effectively accelerated rice straw decomposition and improved soil biological and chemical properties. These findings exhibited their potential that can be used in sustainable residue management strategies liable to enhance soil health and reduce the environmental impact of straw burning.</div>

Microbial Inoculation Enhances Rice Straw Decomposition and Improves Soil Health

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was carried out during 2014-2015 at the Experimental Farm, Department of Horticulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat to study the effect of biofertilizer consortium on yield, quality and soil health of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments were T1: FYM 20 t/ha+ NPK @ 30:40:20 kg/ha (RDF), T2: Enriched compost @ 3 t/ha, T3: Enriched compost @ 3 t/ha + Consortium, T4: Vermicompost @ 3 t/ha, T5: Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, T6: Vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha+ Consortium and T7: Consortium (Rhizobium + Azotobacter + Azospirillum + PSB). The performance of french bean was greatly influenced by different treatments. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer in T1 recorded significantly higher yield attributing characters viz., pod/plant (28.57), pod length (15.07 cm), pod girth (0.96cm), seed/pod (6.73), pod yield(11.27 t/ha) and harvest index (67.67%) respectively. Similarly, T1 also recorded minimum dry matter content (6.87%); crude fibre content (7.15%) and maximum crude protein content (22.63%). Among the organic treatments, T3 reflected the maximum for all the yield attributing characters which was closure with T1; while T4 recorded significantly maximum ascorbic acid content (11.67 mg 100g/FW). Further, T3 also recorded the best for soil parameters viz., bulk density (0.83 g/cm3), pH (5.33), P2O5 (47.40 kg/ha), microbial biomass carbon (630.33&igrave;g/g/24h), dehydrogenase activity (711.50 &igrave;g TPF/g/24h) and phosphomonoesterase activity (442.43&igrave;g p-nitrophenol/g/h) respectively. T5 recorded highest organic carbon (0.68%); while T1 also revealed maximum N and K (220.56 and 119.31kg/ha) content.&nbsp;</div>

Effect of biofertilizer consortium on yield, quality and soil health of french bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) &nbsp;

Background: Soybean cultivation in the rainfed Himalayas is highly vulnerable to rainfall variations and soil health decline. Inadequate nutrient management has resulted in soil degradation and nutrient imbalances, underscoring the need for see-through sustainable practices to maintain soil fertility and productivity in the region. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The current study was conducted on soil health and quality of soybean (Glycine max L.) under rainfed system in Western Himalayas during kharif 2023 at CSK HPKV-Hill Agriculture Research and Extension Centre, Bajaura (H.P.). The experimentation contains 8 treatments which are replicated three times using a randomized block design. The soil of the study area was silty clay loam in texture, neutral in reaction with 7.30 g kg-1&nbsp;organic carbon. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The findings indicated that various approaches to nutrient management had dissimilar impressions on the soybean&rsquo;s nutritional quality and soil health. 100% NPK dose along with FYM primes protein and oil content (37.40 and 19.72%) in soyabean. Similar treatment showed maximum uptake of nutrients viz., N, P and K (92.58, 12.29 and 54.77 kg ha-1), while Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn (81.79, 45.60, 17.30 and 49.91 g ha-1) in soybean, respectively. Availability of N, P and K was low, medium to high and medium in range under different treatments. The combination of various practices did not show any significant effect on micronutrient concentrations. Correlation studies reported that total nutrient uptake as well as protein and oil content in soybean were found to be increased vis-&agrave;-vis increasing availability of nutrients.

Effect of Nutrient Management Practices on Sustaining Soil Health and Quality of Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Rainfed System in Western Himalayas