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Agricultural industry

Fungi-Driven Sustainable Circular Model Restores Saline Coastal Soils and Boosts Farm Returns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted in the Yellow River Delta has revealed a novel approach to mitigating the challenges of agricultural production in saline-alkaline soils. A three-stage circular agriculture model integrating crop straw with edible mushrooms and vegetables has shown remarkable success in waste utilization and soil remediation. This innovative system not only reduces costs but also improves soil properties and increases crop yields.

Key Takeaways:

  • The three-stage circular agriculture model achieved 80% biological efficiency in cultivating Pleurotus eryngii, reducing substrate costs by approximately 36.3%.
  • The spent mushroom substrate (SMS) was reused for Ganoderma lucidum and vegetable cultivation, maximizing resource efficiency and improving soil properties.
  • Organic matter in the soil increased 11-fold (from 14.8 to 162.78 g/kg), and pH decreased from 8.34 to approximately 6.75.
  • Metagenomic analysis revealed the enrichment of beneficial decomposer bacteria and functional genes involved in glyoxylate metabolism, nitrogen cycling, and lignocellulose degradation.
  • The vegetable yield and quality improved markedly, with cabbage and cauliflower yields increasing by 34-38%, and the tomato lycopene content rising by 179%.
  • The system generated approximately 1,695,000-1,962,881.4 CNY per hectare annually and reduced fertilizer costs by around 450,000 CNY per hectare.

Statistics:

  • 80% biological efficiency in cultivating Pleurotus eryngii
  • 36.3% reduction in substrate costs
  • 11-fold increase in organic matter (from 14.8 to 162.78 g/kg)
  • 34-38% increase in cabbage and cauliflower yields
  • 179% increase in tomato lycopene content
  • 1,695,000-1,962,881.4 CNY per hectare annually generated
  • 450,000 CNY per hectare in reduced fertilizer costs

Sources:

  • A Fungi-Driven Sustainable Circular Model Restores Saline Coastal Soils and Boosts Farm Returns. Horticulturae, 2025,11(7):730. (Horticulturae - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/horticulturae)
  • Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China

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