Research Topic: Enhancing Soil Biosolarization: Evaluating the Mechanisms and Application Impact of Eggshell Waste as an Amendment
Abstract: ** Lecture will be given in English**
Soil biosolarization (SBS) is a sustainable approach for managing soil-borne pathogens through the incorporation of organic amendments into solarized soil. Eggshell waste (ESW), a mineral-rich agricultural byproduct generated in large quantities, remains underutilized despite its potential value for soil management. In addition, the application of mineral-rich waste materials as SBS amendments has received limited attention. This study investigated the use of ESW as a novel SBS amendment and further explored bioaugmentation as a microbial inoculation strategy for enhancing ESW-SBS performance.
The impacts of ESW-SBS were evaluated through laboratory simulations and field experiments, focusing on underlying mechanisms and application effects. ESW amendment increased soil pH and calcium availability, while promoting shifts in microbial community composition during SBS. Microbial community analyses further suggested enrichment of taxa potentially involved in organic matter decomposition and biocontrol-related functions, together with increased microbial activity. Greater bacterial network complexity indicated enhanced microbial connectivity during the SBS process. In addition, volatile organic compound (VOC) profiling showed increased signal intensity of compounds with potential pathogen-suppressive activity. Residual phytotoxicity remained reversible, with no inhibition of seed germination and improved plant performance observed under ESW-SBS treatments. Bioaugmentation resulted in strain-dependent improvements in ESW-SBS performance.
Overall, this research provides new insights into the mechanisms and application potential of ESW-amended SBS. The findings support the development of sustainable soil disinfestation strategies that integrate agricultural waste valorization, microbial community modulation, and soil management.
