Molecular Soil Biology 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 37-45 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 37 Review Article Open Access Dung Decomposers: Impact on Soil Fertility and Plant Growth Kaiwen Liang Agri-Products Application Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025,Hainan, China Corresponding email: Kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Molecular Soil Biology, 2024, Vol.15, No.1 doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0005 Received: 05 Jan., 2024 Accepted: 09 Feb., 2024 Published: 23 Feb., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang K.W., 2024, Dung decomposers: impact on soil fertility and plant growth, Molecular Soil Biology, 15(1): 37-45 (doi: 10.5376/msb.2024.15.0005) Abstract The findings revealed that dung decomposers significantly enhance soil nutrient content, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, while reducing soil density, pH, and electrical conductivity. The presence of dung decomposers also led to increased plant growth parameters such as total leaf sugar, vitamin C, polyphenols, total protein, and amino acids. Additionally, dung decomposers improved the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content in plants. The study also highlighted the species-specific effects of dung decomposers on nutrient cycling and soil fertility, emphasizing the importance of maintaining beetle diversity to maximize soil health benefits. The application of dung decomposers as a soil amendment significantly enhances soil fertility and promotes plant growth. This sustainable strategy can improve crop yields and nutrient status, making it a viable option for organic agricultural practices. The study underscores the critical role of dung decomposers in nutrient cycling and soil health, particularly in dryland environments where nutrient losses due to grazing are prevalent. Keywords Dung decomposers; Soil fertility; Plant growth; Nutrient cycling; Sustainable agriculture; Soil amendments, Organic farming 1 Introduction Dung decomposition is a critical ecological process that involves the breakdown of animal feces by a variety of organisms, including microbes, invertebrates, and other fauna. This process not only recycles nutrients back into the soil but also supports plant growth and maintains soil health. Invertebrates, such as dung beetles, earthworms, and termites, play a significant role in this decomposition process. They facilitate the breakdown of organic matter through their feeding activities and interactions with microbial communities, which further enhances nutrient cycling and soil structure (Evans et al., 2019; Griffiths et al., 2021; Alves et al., 2022). Dung serves as a vital nutrient source in many ecosystems, particularly in grasslands and pastures. It provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are crucial for plant growth. The decomposition of dung by soil fauna accelerates the translocation of these nutrients into the soil, thereby enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant productivity (Yamada et al., 2007; Evans et al., 2019; Maldonado et al., 2019). Additionally, dung deposition and decomposition influence soil physical properties, such as bulk density and water infiltration capacity, which are important for maintaining soil health and structure (Herrick and Lal, 1995; Hirata et al., 2008). The activity of dung decomposers also contributes to the heterogeneity of nutrient distribution in the soil, which can affect plant community dynamics and ecosystem functioning (Yoshitake et al., 2014). This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of dung decomposers in soil fertility and plant growth. It will examine the various organisms involved in dung decomposition, their interactions, and the ecological services they provide. The study will also explore the impact of dung decomposition on soil properties and plant productivity, highlighting the importance of maintaining diverse decomposer communities for sustainable ecosystem management. By synthesizing findings from multiple studies, this study seeks to enhance our understanding of the complex processes underlying dung decomposition and its implications for soil and plant health.
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