João de Andrade Bonetti

Understanding how sugarcane‐based production systems influence soil health is essential for advancing sustainable bioenergy pathways in tropical regions. We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric and systematic analysis of peer‐reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2025 to evaluate scientific advances, research trends, and knowledge gaps related to carbon, chemical, physical, and biological indicators in Brazilian sugarcane fields. A total of 393 articles were screened from Scopus and Web of Science using the PRISMA protocol, resulting in 98 carbon, 68 chemical, 148 physical, and 79 biological studies. Bibliometric analyses were performed in R, Gephi, and SigmaPlot, while spatial patterns were assessed using QGIS. Publication and citation trends showed a marked increase after 2010, coinciding with the expansion of mechanized harvesting, elimination of straw burning, and strengthened climate and bioenergy policies. Keyword co‐occurrence revealed “soil compaction” and “soil organic matter” as central research axes, reflecting concerns associated with mechanized traffic, carbon cycling, and long‐term soil degradation. Across all article groups, chemical and physical indicators were the most frequently assessed, whereas biological attributes remained consistently underrepresented. NPK, SOM/SOC, bulk density, and soil porosity were the most common analyzed variables, while microbial biomass and enzyme activity dominated the limited set of biological assessments. Spatial analyses showed a strong geographical concentration of studies in São Paulo State, indicating major regional research asymmetries. Overall, our findings highlight substantial scientific progress in soil health research within Brazilian sugarcane systems but also reveal persistent gaps, especially in biological indicators and integrative, multi‐attribute approaches.

Soil properties critically shape sugarcane growth and its microbiome, yet their influence on gene expression remains unclear. We investigated the combined effects of soil type (clayey and sandy loam) and sugarcane genotype (IACSP‐5503 and IACSP‐6007) on microbiome composition and plant transcriptional profiles. Bacterial communities from soils and stalk tissues, as well as transcriptomes of 48‐h sprouted buds grown for 10 months, were analysed. Results showed that IACSP‐5503 (adapted to low‐fertility soils) and IACSP‐6007 (less adapted) recruited endophytic microbiota in a soil–genotype‐dependent manner. In sandy loam, IACSP‐5503 promoted diverse plant growth‐promoting bacteria (PGPB) (including Burkholderia , Leifsonia and Mycobacterium ), associated with nitrogen fixation, hormone production and stress tolerance, while IACSP‐6007 displayed reduced PGPB diversity and transcriptomic signatures of nutrient deficiencies. Conversely, in clayey soil, IACSP‐6007 recruited more PGPBs (such as Pseudomonas , Bacillus and Klebsiella ) linked to nutrient acquisition and defence responses. Both genotypes exhibited enhanced expression of defence‐ and antioxidant‐related genes in clayey soil, suggesting priming effects. Overall, our findings reveal soil‐dependent, genotype‐specific microbial recruitment strategies, particularly in IACSP‐5503, reflecting adaptive responses to nutrient‐poor conditions. The combined 16S metataxonomic and transcriptome data offered insights into how soil and genotype shape microbial recruitment and transcriptional plasticity in sugarcane.

The residues generated on rural properties are used in pastures and croplands and can alter some soil attributes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a chronosequence of turkey litter application rates on the structural attributes and oxidizable carbon fractions of a Red Latosol under rotational grazing. The experimental design was a randomized block design, consisting of the following treatments: 0 Mg ha-1 of turkey litter (T0); 38.29 Mg ha-1 of turkey litter (T1); 54.79 Mg ha-1 of turkey litter (T2); and 69.24 Mg ha-1 of turkey litter (T3), corresponding respectively to 0, 6, 8, and 9 years of turkey litter use as fertilizer, with four replications. After several years of turkey litter application, soil bulk density was reduced from the control treatment to treatments T1 and T3. The use of turkey litter also increased macroporosity in treatment T2 compared to T0. Regardless of the treatments with turkey litter use, the proportion of macroaggregates increased, reaching increments of up to 53% in T3 relative to T0. The oxidizable fractions F1 and F2 were more sensitive, while fractions F3 and F4 were less sensitive to the management with poultry residue.

One considerable concern arises from saline wastewater resulting from the production chain of the anticoagulant drug heparin. This waste contains a high concentration of sodium (Na, 2400 mg L ^-1 ), which can negatively influence soil structure. Simultaneously, it possesses a rich organic carbon content and nutrients that are beneficial to agricultural systems. This study sought to assess potential changes in physical and chemical properties, as well as soil mineralogy resulting from the application of varying proportions of industrial saline wastewater (ISW) from the heparin production industry. A field experiment was established on an Oxisol (Latossolo Bruno Distrófico) in southern Brazil in 2017, with heparin waste applied at rates of 0, 10, 20, 40, and 60 m ³ ha ^-1 yr ^-1 . After three years, deformed and undeformed soil samples were taken for physical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses. While other physical properties (soil texture, porosity and hydraulic conductivity) remained unaffected, the application of residue increased the fine clay to total clay ratio (mean increase of 13 % in the 0.00-0.20 m layer) and reduced soil bulk density (up to a 6 %) after three applications of ISW with the highest rate used (60 m ³ ha ^-1 yr ^-1 ), suggesting the onset of particle dispersion. Exchangeable Na content in the soil increased (mean increase of 450 % in the 0.05-0.60 m layer) after heparin residue application, although it remained within the limits for sodicity (Na saturation 6 %). Residue acidified the soil, reduced exchangeable cation content, and increased the levels of available phosphorus, sulfur and exchangeable aluminum. Our results suggest that the application of ISW does not affect macroscopic physical parameters; however, a slow process of soil particle dispersion is occurring after three years of ISW applications. Furthermore, the high precipitation environment contributes to mitigating the impacts on soil physical quality, in addition to the fact that the soil is a highly weathered Oxisol and exhibits high physical resilience. Nevertheless, ISW alters soil chemistry by reducing the availability of essential nutrients and increasing acidity parameters.

Soil properties critically shape sugarcane growth and its microbiome, yet their influence on gene expression remains unclear. We investigated the combined effects of soil type (clayey and sandy loam) and sugarcane genotype (IACSP-5503 and IACSP-6007) on microbiome composition and plant transcriptional profiles. Bacterial communities from soils and stalk tissues, as well as transcriptomes of 48-hour sprouted buds grown for 10 months, were analyzed. Results showed that IACSP-5503 (adapted to low-fertility soils) and IACSP-6007 (less adapted) recruited endophytic microbiota in a soil-genotype-dependent manner. In sandy loam, IACSP-5503 promoted diverse plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (including Burkholderia , Leifsonia , and Mycobacterium ), associated with nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and stress tolerance, while IACSP-6007 displayed reduced PGPB diversity and transcriptomic signatures of nutrient deficiencies. Conversely, in clayey soil, IACSP-6007 recruited more PGPBs (such as Pseudomonas , Bacillus and Klebsiella ) linked to nutrient acquisition and defense responses. Both genotypes exhibited enhanced expression of defense- and antioxidant-related genes in clayey soil, suggesting priming effects. Overall, our findings reveal soil-dependent, genotype-specific microbial recruitment strategies, including a potential “cry for help” mechanism in IACSP-5503, reflecting adaptation under nutrient-poor conditions. The combined 16S metataxonomic and transcriptome data offered insights into how soil and genotype shape microbial recruitment and transcriptional plasticity in sugarcane.

Soil properties critically shape sugarcane growth and its microbiome, yet their influence on gene expression remains unclear. We investigated the combined effects of soil type (clayey and sandy loam) and sugarcane genotype (IACSP-5503 and IACSP-6007) on microbiome composition and plant transcriptional profiles. Bacterial communities from soils and stalk tissues, as well as transcriptomes of 48-hour sprouted buds grown for 10 months, were analyzed. Results showed that IACSP-5503 (adapted to low-fertility soils) and IACSP-6007 (less adapted) recruited endophytic microbiota in a soil-genotype-dependent manner. In sandy loam, IACSP-5503 promoted diverse plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (including Burkholderia , Leifsonia , and Mycobacterium ), associated with nitrogen fixation, hormone production, and stress tolerance, while IACSP-6007 displayed reduced PGPB diversity and transcriptomic signatures of nutrient deficiencies. Conversely, in clayey soil, IACSP-6007 recruited more PGPBs (such as Pseudomonas , Bacillus and Klebsiella ) linked to nutrient acquisition and defense responses. Both genotypes exhibited enhanced expression of defense- and antioxidant-related genes in clayey soil, suggesting priming effects. Overall, our findings reveal soil-dependent, genotype-specific microbial recruitment strategies, including a potential “cry for help” mechanism in IACSP-5503, reflecting adaptation under nutrient-poor conditions. The combined 16S metataxonomic and transcriptome data offered insights into how soil and genotype shape microbial recruitment and transcriptional plasticity in sugarcane.

A third crop using cover plants may be a sustainable strategy to enhance diversification in no-tillage systems and mitigate soil compaction. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Urochloa brizantha grown in compacted soil under different water deficit conditions and its potential to produce biomass in the short and medium term, as well as its effects on a subsequent soybean crop. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted using a randomized block design in a 3×2×2 factorial arrangement, with three soil moisture levels: 80–90%, 60–70%, and 40–50% of field capacity (FC); two growth durations of U. brizantha cv. Marandu: 28 and 70 days after emergence; and two management practices: U. brizantha grown alone or prior to soybean. The 6–12 cm soil layer was artificially compacted to a bulk density of 1.65–1.70 Mg m⁻³. After cultivation, undisturbed samples from the compacted layer were collected to assess soil physical and hydraulic properties. Shoot and root biomass were quantified in both compacted and uncompacted layers. U. brizantha exhibited moderate water deficit tolerance, but shoot dry matter and soil air permeability declined under severe moisture limitation. Cultivation for 28 days was insufficient to improve soil physical-hydraulic conditions or support subsequent soybean biomass. However, 70 days of U. brizantha cultivation significantly reduced soil compaction and improved porosity, enabling adequate soybean development. Under greenhouse conditions, cultivating U. brizantha for 70 days is a viable third-crop strategy, enhancing plant diversity and mitigating compaction in no-tillage systems under moderate water stress.

The reduced crop diversity under no-tillage increases soil compaction and reduces soil quality. This study aimed to investigate whether intercropping corn and Urochloa has significant short-term effects on soil physical quality, as assessed by Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS), and its correlations with physical properties. Soil physical quality was assessed after corn and Urochloa intercropping and corn without Urochloa. The VESS, penetration resistance, bulk density, air-filled porosity, air permeability, pore continuity index, and water storage capacity were determined from 0.00 to 0.25 m depth in the Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico. Intercropping of Urochloa and corn resulted in lower VESS values and favorable soil physical properties. For Urochloa and corn, the VESS score was improved (score 1 to 2.9). In the absence of the Urochloa, a moderate VESS score was observed (3 to 3.9). The results showed significant relationships between VESS scores and soil physical properties. Our findings suggest that the cultivation of Urochloa intercropped with corn improves the physical quality of Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico, even in the short-term, 83 days after sowing, in a no-tillage system in a subtropical climate.