Plants, Vol. 14, Pages 2937: Advancing Sustainable Agriculture: Molecular and Physiological Insights into Rapeseed Responsiveness to Organic Amendment Fertilization

Plants doi: 10.3390/plants14182937

Authors:
Pedro J. Picazo
María Ancín
Bertrand Gakière
Françoise Gilard
David Soba
Angie L. Gámez
Diane Houdusse
Iker Aranjuelo

The widespread use of chemical fertilizers has raised concerns because of their environmental impacts, including soil degradation, water contamination, and biodiversity loss. The integration of organic amendments into agricultural systems provides a sustainable alternative. This study investigates the molecular and physiological traits underlying rapeseed responses to organic amendments based on poultry and plant material mixed with the soil. Plant growth, CO2 assimilation, metabolic, proteomic, and soil microbial analyses were performed. Results show a significant stimulation of plant growth (100%) and leaf biomass (200%) following amendment application. This response is attributed to enhanced efficiency in light energy use for CO2 fixation, increased carbohydrate and amino acid production, and improved biomass and yield. Increased upregulation of proteins and antioxidant metabolites such as abscisic acid (ABA) indicates an enhanced capacity to cope with oxidative stress. The amendments activated metabolic mechanisms that improved redox balance and homeostasis, including more efficient light energy use and enhanced antioxidant synthesis. Furthermore, the organic amendments promoted Actinobacteria in the soil, contributing to improved soil quality. These metabolic responses may enhance plant resilience against oxidative stress and environmental fluctuations. These findings highlight promising strategies to enhance crop productivity and resilience, advancing sustainable agriculture and strengthening future food security.

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Pedro J. Picazo www.mdpi.com