In recent years, there has been an increased global emphasis on sustainable agriculture, driven by the recognition of the environmental impact of conventional farming practices. Technological innovations and improved waste management through circular economy practices are core values that can ensure greater efficiency and lower impact on the environment. Agro- and industrial processes involving medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) generate residual biomasses, defined as exhausted herbs (EHs), that should be considered valuable resources since they can be transformed into value-added products. This work aims to explore the valorization of residual lignocellulosic biomass derived from MAPs production and to evaluate the effects on soil fertility, the impact on cropland and the influence on microbial diversity when such biomasses are used as soil amendments. About the last goal, the purpose is to assess whether EHs can affect the recruitment of microbial consortia capable of colonizing the root system, influencing plant nutrition, growth, yield, tolerance to pathogens and mitigation of environmental stresses. A two-years open-field experiment has been carried out with the support of a farmer who grows MAPs and ancient maize varieties in a humid temperate climate region, adding characterized EHs as soil amendments in both years. Soil and root samplings have been realized twice a year, at the beginning and at the end of maize growing season and characterization. Physical-chemical analysis of soils and DNA extractions from 150 soil samples and 85 maize root samples have been carried out, while morphological assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, metabarcoding sequencing and bioinformatic analyses are ongoing. To evaluate EHs performance as amendments in controlled conditions a greenhouse experiment will be set up in the next months, allowing to obtain further information on potential influences on microbial community shifts.
Circular economy of medicinal plants: impact of plant-based amendments on soil fertility and soil microbiota
Maria Laura Tummino;Antonietta Mello;Erica Lumini;Stefano Ghignone;Valeria Bianciotto
2025
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an increased global emphasis on sustainable agriculture, driven by the recognition of the environmental impact of conventional farming practices. Technological innovations and improved waste management through circular economy practices are core values that can ensure greater efficiency and lower impact on the environment. Agro- and industrial processes involving medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) generate residual biomasses, defined as exhausted herbs (EHs), that should be considered valuable resources since they can be transformed into value-added products. This work aims to explore the valorization of residual lignocellulosic biomass derived from MAPs production and to evaluate the effects on soil fertility, the impact on cropland and the influence on microbial diversity when such biomasses are used as soil amendments. About the last goal, the purpose is to assess whether EHs can affect the recruitment of microbial consortia capable of colonizing the root system, influencing plant nutrition, growth, yield, tolerance to pathogens and mitigation of environmental stresses. A two-years open-field experiment has been carried out with the support of a farmer who grows MAPs and ancient maize varieties in a humid temperate climate region, adding characterized EHs as soil amendments in both years. Soil and root samplings have been realized twice a year, at the beginning and at the end of maize growing season and characterization. Physical-chemical analysis of soils and DNA extractions from 150 soil samples and 85 maize root samples have been carried out, while morphological assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, metabarcoding sequencing and bioinformatic analyses are ongoing. To evaluate EHs performance as amendments in controlled conditions a greenhouse experiment will be set up in the next months, allowing to obtain further information on potential influences on microbial community shifts.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
