Guest Editors
Dr. Maria Cristina Morais
Email: cmorais@utad.pt
Affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Research Interests: valorization of organic residues through composting and vermicomposting, plant physiology, plant response to abiotic stress, invasive plant species, management and control of invasive plant species
Dr. Marta Roboredo
Email: roboredo@utad.pt
Affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Research Interests: nutrient cycling, agronomic and environmental aspects of plant nutrient management, composting and vermicomposting
Dr. Elisabete Nascimento-Gonçalves
Email: egoncalves@utad.pt
Affiliation: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Homepage:
Research Interests: composting, vermicomposting, sustainable agriculture, waste valorization
Summary
The intensification of agriculture to meet increasing food demands has resulted in the generation of high amounts of organic residues, posing major environmental and management challenges. Composting and vermicomposting provide sustainable strategies to valorize these residues, producing high-quality, stable soil improvers rich in essential nutrients. When applied as soil amendments, these organic products can promote soil health and fertility, enhance crop yields, reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and increase resilience to both biotic and abiotic stresses.
This Special Issue will focus on the role of composting and vermicomposting in crop yield optimization. We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies addressing interdisciplinary approaches on topics including, but not limited to:
· Innovative strategies for the valorization of agricultural and agro-industrial residues through composting and vermicomposting;
· Soil amendments and their effects on plant growth, yield, and quality traits;
· Compost- and vermicompost-derived biostimulants and their impact on plant performance;
· Role of beneficial microorganisms (e.g., plant growth-promoting bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi) on compost and vermicompost;
· Stress tolerance induced by organic amendments under abiotic (e.g., drought, salinity, heavy metals) and biotic (e.g., pathogens, pests) conditions;
· Application of compost/ vermicompost in horticultural and field crops, including seed priming and integrated nutrient management.
Keywords
composting, vermicomposting, earthworms, soil amendments, valorization of residues, biostimulants, plant growth-promoting microorganisms, seed priming, crop yield, plant growth; soil health, soil fertility, synthetic fertilizers reduction, horticultural crops, sustainable agriculture, circulat economy
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