Molecular Soil Biology 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 103-113 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/msb 105 3 Principles of Eco-Friendly Soil Improvement 3.1 Definition and criteria of eco-friendly approaches Eco-friendly soil improvement methods mean using less or no chemical fertilizers, and using more natural methods to improve the soil, such as adding organic matter, biological fertilizers, microbial agents, or planting several different crops together. These methods focus more on using renewable resources and pay more attention to the microecological environment in the soil, hoping to keep the soil healthy and minimize the impact on the environment. For example, some people use rice husks and leaf compost instead of peat, and use biological organic fertilizers, microbial agents, or intercropping to improve the soil (Prasanna et al., 2016; Ardebili and Sharifi, 2018; Pandey et al., 2018; Chen et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023; Liao et al., 2024; Lohia et al., 2024). 3.2 Benefits over traditional chemical amendments Compared with traditional fertilizers or other chemical amendments, these ecological methods have many advantages: Improve soil health: Organic matter and biological agents can improve soil structure, increase organic carbon and nutrients, make aggregates easier to form, and naturally improve fertility (Ardebili and Sharifi, 2018; Pandey et al., 2018; Yang et al., 2022; Gurjar et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2023; Liao et al., 2024; Lohia et al., 2024). Promoting microbial diversity: Methods such as inoculating microorganisms and adopting intercropping can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the soil and enrich the species of bacteria, which can suppress pathogens and improve the environment around the roots (Prasanna et al., 2016; Chen et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2022; Yang et al., 2022; Liao et al., 2024). Crop growth and quality improvement: Ecological improvement methods can also make chrysanthemum grow more vigorously, photosynthesize more efficiently, produce more flowers and better quality, and use less chemical fertilizers (Ardebili and Sharifi, 2018; Kumar et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023; Liao et al., 2024; Lohia et al., 2024). Environmental risk reduction: Organic or biological methods can reduce chemical residues and heavy metal accumulation, avoiding damage to the environment (Kumar et al., 2022; Gurjar et al., 2023; Lohia et al., 2024). 3.3 Link to sustainability and low-input agriculture These ecological improvement technologies are very consistent with the sustainable agriculture and low-input agriculture currently advocated: Resource recycling: They encourage the use of agricultural and forestry waste, such as rice husks, fallen leaves, etc., plus organic fertilizers and biological agents, to turn waste into resources, and also reduce dependence on non-renewable resources such as peat and fertilizers (Ardebili and Sharifi, 2018; Pandey et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023; Lohia et al., 2024). Long-term soil productivity maintenance: By increasing soil organic matter, enhancing microbial activity, and improving nutrient cycling, these methods can help soil maintain productivity for a long time and avoid degradation due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers (Prasanna et al., 2016; Pandey et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2022; Yang et al., 2022; Liao et al., 2024). Economic and ecological dual benefits: These ecological methods are low-cost and can also increase yield and quality. They are not only profitable, but also environmentally friendly, having the best of both worlds (Kumar et al., 2022; Liao et al., 2024; Lohia et al., 2024). Promoting green production models: These technologies provide good support for the green cultivation of cash crops such as chrysanthemum, and also adapt to the needs of green transformation of modern agriculture (Pandey et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023; Liao et al., 2024; Lohia et al., 2024). 4 Types of Eco-Friendly Soil Improvement Techniques 4.1 Organic Amendments 4.1.1 Compost, vermicompost, and biochar When growing Chrysanthemum × morifolium, many people use rice husks and leaf mold instead of peat. The best results are achieved when these two materials are mixed at a ratio of 20% to 30%. It can improve soil conditions, allowing plants to grow faster, with larger leaves, more chlorophyll, and stronger photosynthesis (Liu et al., 2023). Using vermicompost also has obvious benefits. It can make plants grow faster and stronger. If nano zinc fertilizer is added, the effect will be even better (Ardebili and Sharifi, 2018).
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