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In arid areas, low soil fertility, an imbalance of nutrients, and the inability of crops to absorb some nutrients are among the main constraints on crop production. The use of biological fertilizers and biostimulants can be a suitable solution. A 2-year field experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications to study the response of castor bean to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and amino acid biostimulant (AAB) (foliar, soil, and combined application methods). Findings showed that plants inoculated with AMF had better performance: the biological and seed yields were increased by an average of 20.9 and 26.4% over the 2 years of the experiment. The yield components showed a 14.0 to 18.6% increase, and the water productivity (WP) was improved by 13.9%. The seed oil content was increased by 5.1%: linoleic acid, an oil fatty acid, showed the highest response, with an increase of 10.0%. Among the AAB treatments, the combined application method (CAM) brought the best results. The highest increases in biological and seed yields (68.4 and 63.2%, respectively) were obtained from the CAM treatment. The WP was improved by 67.8% and the seed oil content showed an increase of 9.4%. Among the fatty acids, the highest increase (24.4%) belonged to linoleic acid. The results show a positive and significant response of castor beans to biostimulants, which indicates that replacing chemicals with biological fertilizers could be a promising approach to the cultivation of castor beans in arid climates.

The decline in maize production may mainly be attributed to improper or excessive use of fertilizers, leading to significant soil nutrient losses. The integrated use of crop residues and synthetic fertilizers is more profitable and beneficial in meeting crop nutritional needs, ensuring long-term production and environmental protection. Advances in agricultural production and sustainable land management are still scarce in this country. Therefore, in this research, a field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season, also known as monsoon or autumn crops, in 2021 using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) having three replications and two factors, i.e. phosphorus sources (DAP, SSP and NP) and crop residues (sarson and sesbania) in a maize plantation. Phosphorus and plant residues were applied at a rate of 90 kg ha−1and 5 tons ha−1, respectively. Treatment of DAP (90 kg ha−1) with the incorporation of 5 tons ha−1of sesbania residue emerged as the best P‑crop residue combination with delayed tasseling (50 days), early silking (68 days), taller plants (178 cm), thousand-grain weight (233 g) with maximum biological yield (11349 kg ha−1), and grain yield (3760 kg ha−1). It was concluded that incorporating phosphorus in the form of DAP with sesbania residues resulted in the highest plant height, biological yield, as well as grain yield of maize. Furthermore, the integrated approach has proven to be more economical in terms of cost-benefit ratio (BCR). This would help to reduce the use of high-cost synthetic mineral fertilizers while also significantly boosting maize yield and economics in the agro-climatic conditions of Pakistan.

Wildfires pose significant threats to ecosystems, impacting soil properties and hydrological dynamics. This study investigates the water storage capacity and wettability of ecosystem elements, especially plants and woody fragments in post-fire areas of Los Guájares (Granada, SE Spain). Wildfires alter soil acidity, water storage, and nutrient concentration, affecting the hydrological properties of the forest floor. Understanding the water cycle is crucial for preserving and harnessing ecosystem capabilities. Plant wettability, a key parameter reflecting the ability to retain water on surfaces, is integral to the hydrological and ecological functioning of ecosystems. This research employs contact angle measurements and water storage capacity assessments to explore the relationship between leaves and wood wettability in areas affected by last year's fire (B) compared to adjacent unburned areas (U). The research was conducted in Los Guájares, characterized by steep slopes and Mediterranean climate, and utilized photography and angle measurements in graphic software for the wetting contact angle measurements and a weighing method for the plant surface water storage determination. Results reveal that average water capacity (S) decreases with increasing contact angle (CA) on both burned and unburned surfaces. Woody fragments, such as dry but unburned mango branches, exhibit the highest water capacity after 24 h of water immersion (S24), 1.10 [g-1] of water, emphasizing the role of dead wood as a water reservoir. Burnt pine wood and fresh mango branches show lower water retention, indicating the impact of fire on water storage. Findings suggest that while the water capacity of leaves in new plants is similar between burned and unburned areas, wettability differs. This research provides insights into species selection for landscape conservation, informs hillslope restoration planning, and identifies areas resilient to droughts.