Journal of Soil Future Research  |  ISSN (Print): 3051-3448  |  ISSN (Online): 3051-3456  |  Double-Blind Peer Review  |  Open Access  |  CC BY 4.0

Current Issues
     2026:7/1

Journal of Soil Future Research

ISSN: 3051-3448 (Print) | 3051-3456 (Online) | Open Access

Phytotechnologies for Soil Restoration and Agroecosystem Services in Degraded Lands: A Comprehensive Review

Full Text (PDF)

Open Access - Free to Download

Download Full Article (PDF)

Abstract

Soil degradation represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, affecting approximately 33% of global agricultural land and threatening food security worldwide. Phytotechnologies, encompassing various plant-based remediation strategies, have emerged as sustainable and cost-effective solutions for restoring degraded soils while simultaneously providing multiple agroecosystem services. This comprehensive review examines the current state of phytotechnology applications in soil restoration, focusing on phytoremediation, phytostabilization, and phytoextraction techniques. Through systematic analysis of recent field studies and laboratory experiments, we evaluated the effectiveness of different plant species and technological approaches in addressing various forms of soil degradation including heavy metal contamination, salinization, erosion, and nutrient depletion. Our findings demonstrate that strategically implemented phytotechnologies can achieve soil organic carbon increases of 15-40%, reduce heavy metal bioavailability by 60-85%, and enhance water retention capacity by 25-50% within 3-5 years of implementation. Furthermore, these interventions provide significant agroecosystem services including carbon sequestration (2-8 Mg CO₂ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), biodiversity enhancement, and improved agricultural productivity. Economic analysis reveals favorable benefit-cost ratios ranging from 2.1 to 4.7 for most phytotechnology interventions. However, challenges remain in terms of plant selection optimization, long-term monitoring protocols, and scaling up successful pilot projects. This review concludes that integrated phytotechnology approaches, combined with appropriate policy frameworks and stakeholder engagement, represent a viable pathway toward sustainable land restoration and enhanced agroecosystem resilience.

How to Cite This Article

Anjali Thakur, Dr. Vikas Meena, Dr. Sneha Nair (2022). Phytotechnologies for Soil Restoration and Agroecosystem Services in Degraded Lands: A Comprehensive Review . Journal of Soil Future Research (JSFR), 3(1), 07-11.

Export Citation:

BibTeX RIS EndNote

Share This Article: