Bio-organic fertilizers reshape rhizosphere bacterial community and enhance crop productivity in reclaimed soil – Frontiers

Report on the Role of Bio-Organic Fertilizers in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Advancing SDG 2: Zero Hunger through Enhanced Crop Productivity and Food Security

Field experiments demonstrate that the application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-modified bio-organic fertilizer (BOF) significantly contributes to sustainable food production. This directly supports SDG 2 by enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

• Increased Crop Yield: Rice yield in reclaimed soil treated with BOF increased by 9.6%, rising from 7.79 to 8.54 t ha⁻¹ when compared to conventional chemical fertilizer (CF) treatments.
• Improved Nutrient Availability: The fertilizer enhanced the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth, which is critical for maintaining high yields in a sustainable manner.

Promoting SDG 15: Life on Land via Soil Health Restoration and Biodiversity

The study provides critical insights into reversing land degradation and enhancing terrestrial ecosystems, a core target of SDG 15. The use of BOF improves the quality of degraded and reclaimed soils, fostering a healthier environment for agriculture.

1. Alleviation of Soil Acidification: The soil pH increased from 6.10 to 6.65, effectively combating soil acidification, a major form of land degradation.
2. Enrichment of Soil Organic Matter: A 15.7% increase in organic matter accumulation was observed, improving soil structure, water retention, and carbon sequestration capabilities.
3. Enhanced Nutrient Content: The treatment led to a significant rise in soil fertility, with available phosphorus increasing by 24.5% and available potassium by 14.4%.
4. Boosted Microbial Biodiversity: High-throughput sequencing revealed that BOF application markedly altered rhizosphere bacterial communities, enriching beneficial genera such as Sphingomonas and sulfur-oxidizing taxa, which are vital for a healthy soil ecosystem.

Supporting SDG 12 and SDG 13: Sustainable Production and Climate Action

This research establishes a mechanistic foundation for sustainable agricultural practices, aligning with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by reducing reliance on synthetic inputs and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by improving soil carbon stocks.

• Sustainable Alternative: BOF presents a viable and effective alternative to chemical fertilizers, promoting production patterns that minimize environmental degradation.
• Microbial Synergies for Nutrient Cycling: The study identified a positive correlation between the introduced B. amyloliquefaciens and native Sphingomonas bacteria. This synergy enhances nutrient mobilization through key metabolic pathways.
• Enriched Metabolic Functions: Analysis showed enrichment of the citric acid cycle (1.8-fold) and amino acid biosynthesis (2.3-fold) pathways, indicating more efficient nutrient cycling and reduced need for external inputs, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of agriculture.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on increasing crop yields and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food production.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  This goal is relevant as the study centers on improving soil quality, restoring degraded and reclaimed land, and enhancing the soil’s microbial ecosystem.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is connected through the promotion of bio-organic fertilizers as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fertilizers, encouraging more sustainable production patterns in agriculture.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality.” The article directly supports this target by demonstrating that bio-organic fertilizer (BOF) not only increases rice yield but also significantly improves soil properties like pH and organic matter, creating a more sustainable and productive agricultural system.
• SDG 15: Life on Land
  • Target 15.3: “By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.” The research is conducted in “degraded or reclaimed soils” and shows that the BOF treatment helps restore soil health by “alleviating acidification” and increasing organic matter, directly contributing to the restoration of degraded land.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Target 12.2: “By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.” The study advocates for the use of BOF, a microbiome-based technique, as a more sustainable approach compared to chemical fertilizers. This represents a shift towards the sustainable management of soil, a critical natural resource for food production.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For SDG Target 2.4 (Sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices):
  • Indicator: Crop Yield. The article provides a precise quantitative measure: “The rice yield of BOF treatment increased by 9.6%, from 7.79 to 8.54 t ha-1.” This directly measures the increase in agricultural productivity.
• For SDG Target 15.3 (Restore degraded land and soil):
  • Indicator: Soil pH Level. The article specifies a measurable improvement in soil quality: “an increase in pH from 6.10 to 6.65,” which indicates progress in alleviating soil acidification, a form of degradation.
  • Indicator: Soil Organic Matter Content. The study quantifies the improvement in soil health with the metric: “a 15.7% rise in organic matter accumulation.”
  • Indicator: Soil Nutrient Availability. The article provides data on improved soil fertility: “Available phosphorus increased by 24.5% and available potassium by 14.4%.”
• For SDG Target 12.2 (Sustainable management of natural resources):
  • Indicator (Implied): Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Inputs. While not a direct numerical indicator, the entire study serves as evidence for the efficacy of a sustainable alternative (BOF) to a less sustainable one (chemical fertilizer). The positive outcomes for BOF imply that its use is a valid measure of progress toward more sustainable resource management in agriculture.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: frontiersin.org