Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chen Chen, Yabo Wen, Baohui He, Yuwei Yang, Xuejiao Han, Tianxu Sun, Xinghui Lu
Summary: This study aimed to identify the environmental driving factors behind successional changes in a tropical lowland rainforest in Hainan. Using large-scale plots, we assessed the composition of woody plant communities and collected various environmental variables. We found that the ecological strategy spectrum of communities differed along the C-S axis in the four succession stages, with no major communities falling under the R strategy group. The change in plant ecological strategy is influenced by the interplay of biotic factors, topographic factors, and soil factors, with biotic factors playing a leading role.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Zheng Zhang, Ruhai Li, Can Zhao, Sheng Qiang
Summary: Using ecologically sound methods to reduce weed seed banks, lower traditional herbicide application frequency, and achieve comparable results to conventional methods. Compared to traditional methods, integrated weed management can reduce herbicide applications by half and save costs and labor by 30%.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Xiaojia Wang, Bing Cao, Jin Zou, Weijun Chen
Summary: The study revealed that the diversity of weed communities in jujube orchards is influenced by soil nutrient content, soil water content, and other factors, resulting in 15 different types of weed communities. By adjusting soil factors, weed control can be achieved, leading to comprehensive management and an increase in biodiversity.
PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaojia Wang, Bing Cao, Jin Zou, Weijun Chen
Summary: This study investigated the weed community composition and environmental characterization in jujube orchards in northwest China. The results showed that soil factors significantly influenced the diversity of weed communities, with available potassium and soil water content playing important roles. The study also provided recommendations for orchard weed management and biodiversity conservation in arable land.
Article
Forestry
Chen Chen, Yabo Wen, Tengyue Ji, Hongxia Zhao, Runguo Zang, Xinghui Lu
Summary: Plant ecological strategies are shaped by long-term adaptation to the environment and play a crucial role in plant survival and reproduction. Research has shown that ecological strategies may shift in plant communities over the course of succession, leading to variations in the ecological strategy spectra of different successional stages.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dorcas Mokuah, Hannah Karuri, Justine M. Nyaga
Summary: This study examined nematode diversity and food web structure in irrigated rice fields in Mwea, Kenya. Soil fertility and chemical properties were found to have an impact on nematode communities. Appropriate management schemes should be implemented to enhance soil resistance against plant-parasitic nematodes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Monrawee Fukuda, Dohan M. Soma, Shinya Iwasaki, Satoshi Nakamura, Takashi Kanda, Korodjouma Ouattara, Fujio Nagumo
Summary: This study evaluated the efficiency of low-grade Burkina Faso phosphate rock (BPR)-based P fertilizers, produced by acidulation and calcination, on lowland rice production and the soil factors influencing their effectiveness. The results showed that acidulated P fertilizers were as effective as conventional commercial P fertilizers on various soil types, textures, and fertility, while calcined P fertilizers were consistently effective on fine-textured soils with high basic fertility.
Article
Microbiology
Qiang Lin, Petr Baldrian, Lingjuan Li, Vojtech Novotny, Petr Hedenec, Jaroslav Kukla, Ruma Umari, Lenka Meszarosova, Jan Frouz
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of soil bacterial and fungal communities following swidden agriculture in lowland forests in Papua New Guinea. It found that bacterial communities showed less variation but more stage-dependent patterns during succession, while fungal communities were more significantly associated with geographic distance. Rare bacteria were found to play a key role in bacterial community development and niche differentiation during succession, indicating their importance in environmental gradients.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maryam Ashouri, Alireza Naqinezhad, Akbar Norastehnia, Giuseppe Brundu
Summary: Insight into the diversity, distribution, and ecological factors of rice weed communities is crucial for effective weed management strategies. This study conducted vegetation surveys in rice paddies in northern Iran and identified four main plant community types related to different stages of rice growth. Soil water content and pH were found to be the most significant environmental factors influencing plant community distribution.
Review
Agronomy
Oyebanji O. Alagbo, Oluyemisi A. Akinyemiju, Bhagirath S. Chauhan
Summary: Developing an effective weed management strategy is crucial for sustainable rice production in Nigeria, as increased weed infestation remains a major constraint. This review suggests incorporating crop rotation, minimum tillage, and high-yielding cultivars to suppress problem weeds. Additionally, supporting lowland rice farmers with infrastructure and farm machinery is necessary.
Article
Microbiology
Xing Wang, Shan-Wen He, Qing He, Zhi-Cheng Ju, Yi-Nan Ma, Zhe Wang, Jia-Cheng Han, Xiao-Xia Zhang, Allison Veach
Summary: This study demonstrates that early inoculation of the rice seed core endophyte Xanthomonas sacchari can alter community diversity, enhance network structure complexity at most growth stages, and enrich beneficial bacteria during the rice seedling stage. Further analyses reveal the evolutionary processes caused by early inoculation. The results highlight the new possibilities for research and application of sustainable agriculture by considering the contribution of seed endophytes in crop production and breeding.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xing Wang, Shan-Wen He, Qing He, Zhi-Cheng Ju, Yi-Nan Ma, Zhe Wang, Jia-Cheng Han, Xiao-Xia Zhang
Summary: In this study, we found that early inoculation of the rice seed core endophytic bacterium Xanthomonas sacchari could alter community diversity, enhance the complexity degree of network structure at most growth stages, and enrich beneficial bacteria at the seedling stage of rice. We further analyzed the evolutionary processes caused by the early inoculation. Our results highlight the new possibilities for research and application of sustainable agriculture by considering the contribution of seed endophytes in crop production and breeding.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhi Wang, Xingxing Cai, Xiao-Qi Jiang, Qi-Yu Xia, Lin-Feng Li, Bao-Rong Lu
Summary: Sympatric genetic divergence is an intriguing and controversial pattern in the theory of ecological speciation. The analysis of genomic DNA sequences of weedy rice populations in the same fields but different seasons reveals significant genetic divergence between the populations, suggesting the role of temporal isolation in creating genetic divergence.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaopeng Du, Xinyang Li, Keke Cheng, Wei Zhao, Zhonghua Cai, Guofu Chen, Jin Zhou
Summary: Viruses are widely distributed in marine environments and play a significant role in the transformation of matter and energy. The composition and roles of viruses in green algal blooms are largely unknown. In this study, the diversity, abundance, lifestyle, and metabolic potential of viruses in a natural green algal bloom in Qingdao coastal area were investigated using metagenomics analysis. The study revealed that the viral community was dominated by dsDNA viruses, with distinct temporal patterns in viral dynamics across different stages of the bloom. The study also demonstrated the influence of environmental factors on viral communities and the potential role of viruses in microbial degradation and carbon metabolism.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Runyambo Irakiza, Derek W. Makokha, Itambo Malombe, Thomas Le Bourgeois, Alfred. K. Chitiki, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: Weeds are a major obstacle to rice production globally. This study investigated weed species in seasonally flooded rice production fields across East Africa, identifying 42 new species and significant floristic differences between altitude classes. Weed species diversity was highest at medium altitudes.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jonne Rodenburg, Lucie Buchi, Jeremy Haggar
Summary: Conservation Agriculture (CA) is a sustainable agricultural intensification strategy that can improve soils and sustain crop yields, but adoption rates in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are generally low due to the significant transformation required in management practices, multiple inherent trade-offs, and incompatibility with local conditions. Improving CA adoption in SSA could involve focusing on promoting CA in environments where it best fits or facilitating smallholders' adaptation of CA practices to their specific conditions and constraints.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jeremy Haggar, Valerie Nelson, Richard Lamboll, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) involves multiple aspects of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, with trade-offs and synergies between them. Achieving SAI requires consideration of ecological, genetic, and socio-economic factors, and assessment based on the sustainability of outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Lucie Buchi, Stephane Cordeau, Richard Hull, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: Vulpia myuros, an annual grass species of Mediterranean origin, is fast-growing and highly competitive, becoming a problematic weed in winter cereals in Europe, America, and Australia. Despite increasing research, more information is needed for optimal management of this weed species, which may increase in global importance with climate change.
Review
Plant Sciences
Immaculate M. Mwangangi, Lucie Buchi, Stephan M. Haefele, Lammert Bastiaans, Steven Runo, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: Host plant defense mechanisms (resistance and tolerance) and plant nutrition are key components for controlling Striga weeds in tropical cereal production systems. However, neither alone is effective in preventing parasitism and crop losses. Improved plant nutrition can enhance plant resistance and tolerance against Striga. Advances in parasitic plant research, combined with insights from phytopathology and plant physiology, can help identify opportunities and gaps to develop strategies combining genetics and plant nutrition for sustainable Striga control.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jeremy Haggar, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: The paper summarizes three aspects of Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and emphasizes the importance of facilitating farmers' access to information and services. The research shows that local social, economic, and environmental conditions have a significant impact on the outcomes of SAI. In order for more smallholders, women, and youth to benefit from SAI, it is crucial to promote the participation of local stakeholders in adapting SAI to local conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Stella Kabiri, Jonne Rodenburg, Aad van Ast, Stefanie Pflug, Hanna Kool, Lammert Bastiaans
Summary: The facultative root parasitic annual forb Rhamphicarpa fistulosa negatively affects the photosynthesis of rice and light use efficiency, with a stronger impact at higher parasite densities. There is a considerable time lag between the parasite's benefit acquisition from the association and the reduction of host photosynthesis. The parasite affects host growth by extracting assimilates and making considerable gains before impacting host photosynthesis.
JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Kalimuthu Senthilkumar, Fitta Silas Sillo, Jonne Rodenburg, Christian Dimkpa, Kazuki Saito, Ibnou Dieng, Prem S. Bindraban
Summary: The study demonstrates that applying micronutrients along with NPK can significantly increase rice yields in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in environments without drought stress. Foliar application is effective only under moist conditions across different rice growing environments.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Amadou Toure, Joel Huat, Jonne Rodenburg
Summary: The study conducted farm surveys in the Mono Couffo region of Benin to identify specific entry points for innovations in weed management practices of smallholders in rice-based systems. Multivariate analyses were used to construct farm typologies, enabling the assessment of farm-type specific weed management strategies and the identification of entry points for innovation, such as complementing curative options with preventative measures and improving access to information and inputs for women farmers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Abebe Menkir, Ibnou Dieng, Wende Mengesha, Silvestro Meseka, Bussie Maziya-Dixon, Oladeji Emmanuel Alamu, Bunmi Bossey, Oyekunle Muhyideen, Manfred Ewool, Mmadou Mory Coulibaly
Summary: The study evaluated provitamin A biofortified maize hybrids in diverse field environments and found that genetic backgrounds of the hybrids mainly regulated the differences in accumulating provitamin A and other beneficial carotenoids across variable growing environments. Many hybrids accumulating more than 10 µg/g of provitamin A produced higher grain yields (>3600 kg/ha) than the orange commercial maize hybrid (3051 kg/ha). These hybrids were also competitive in accumulating lutein and zeaxanthins compared to the orange commercial maize hybrid.
Review
Agronomy
Jonne Rodenburg, Dennis E. Tippe, Amadou Toure, Runyambo Irakiza, Juma Kayeke, Lammert Bastiaans
Summary: Competition from weeds is the most important yield reducing factor in African rice production systems. Effective and affordable weed management strategies are highly needed in the face of challenges such as lack of water management infrastructure, access to herbicides, and knowledge and equipment for safe and effective application. The literature review suggests the importance of developing integrated weed management strategies that reduce weed recruitment, seed bank sizes, and improve crop competitiveness.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Wajiha M. Abdullahi, Mahamadi Dianda, Ousmane Boukar, Ibnou Dieng, Gaya S. Mohammed, Nouhoun Belko, Abou Togola, Hayat Muhammad, Fred Kanampiu, Ken E. Giller, Bernard Vanlauwe
Summary: The integrated use of Striga-resistant cowpea lines, basal phosphorus fertilizer, and elite bradyrhizobium inoculants is a promising approach to mitigate Striga infection and increase cowpea productivity.
Article
Agronomy
Jonne Rodenburg, Eefke Mollee, Richard Coe, Fergus Sinclair
Summary: While agroforestry is a well-established approach for agroecological intensification, the integration of rice with trees is less common compared to other annual staple crops. This study reviews the existing literature on integrating trees in rice production worldwide and provides perspectives for future research, with a focus on Africa. The study identifies six improved rice agroforestry practices and finds that the addition of trees can lead to a 38% increase in rice yield. However, the impacts on yield depend on the specific agroforestry practice used and its interaction with fertilizer application. Further research is needed to explore the wider environmental, social, and economic sustainability aspects of integrating trees with rice cropping.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Jonne Rodenburg, Kazuki Saito
Summary: This research provides an overview of the challenges faced by the rice production sector in sub-Saharan Africa and the historical efforts in agronomy research. It also presents six main recommendations for future research, including increasing focus on rainfed rice-based systems, developing integrated cropping and farming systems, and prioritizing sustainability.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachel R. Chase, Lucie Buchi, Jonne Rodenburg, Nicolas Roux, Abebe Wendawek, James S. Borrell
Summary: Climate resilient crops, such as enset in Ethiopia, play an increasingly important role in ensuring food security for smallholder farmers in regions prone to climate extremes. This study shows that frequent severe drought events have led to an increase in enset production area, highlighting the adaptive capacity of indigenous agrisystems. The findings suggest that promoting the cultivation of perennial and storable crops can contribute to improving food security and resilience in the face of climate variability.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2023)