Article
Environmental Sciences
Santiago Tamagno, Alison J. Eagle, Eileen L. McLellan, Chris van Kessel, Bruce A. Linquist, Jagdish Kumar Ladha, Mark E. Lundy, Cameron M. Pittelkow
Summary: Nitrate leaching from agriculture is a major cause of groundwater contamination and freshwater ecosystem degradation. Analysis of global field studies revealed that rainfall, nitrogen fertilizer rate, and crop nitrogen removal are the most important factors affecting nitrate leaching. To reduce nitrogen losses, science-based management practices should be adopted and tailored to different regions.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Qianying Xiao, Zhixin Dong, Yang Han, Lei Hu, Dongni Hu, Bo Zhu
Summary: This study investigated the impact of soil thickness on soil productivity and nitrate leaching in sloping croplands. Results showed that a soil thickness greater than 60 cm can help maintain crop yields and reduce nitrate leaching, suggesting it as a threshold soil layer for basic water and nutrient retention. Soil thickness is critical for evaluating soil functions and agricultural pollution control.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michael Martin, Mugahid Elnour, Aina Cabrero Sinol
Summary: A study in Sweden analyzed the environmental performance of a large commercial vertical farm producing packaged lettuce. The results showed that the vertical farm had lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional sources, but may have larger environmental impacts in other areas due to high electricity demand.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Fatemeh Nayebloie, Mahdi Kouchakzadeh, Kumars Ebrahimi, Mahdi Homaee, Fariborz Abbasi
Summary: This study evaluates different nitrate fertigation strategies using the Hydrus-2D model and finds that reducing fertigation time and intervals, replacing drip lines, and increasing nitrate concentration of wastewater can improve fertigation management efficiency and minimize nitrate leaching.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Lisha Wang, Zhibin He, Wenzhi Zhao, Chuan Wang, Dengke Ma
Summary: The texture of the soil in oases influences crop productivity and water and nitrogen use efficiency. Sandy-textured soils have lower water and nitrogen retention capacity, resulting in lower crop yields and water and fertilizer use efficiency.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephen J. Harris, Dioni Cendon, Stuart Hankin, Mark A. Peterson, Shuang Xiao, Bryce F. J. Kelly
Summary: The application of excessive nitrogen fertilisers can lead to nitrate contamination in groundwater, which can impact surface water quality. This study in the Emerald Irrigation Area, Australia, investigated the occurrence and controls of denitrification in nitrate-rich aquifers. The results showed that denitrification primarily occurs in anaerobic zones and beneath leaking irrigation channels, leading to significant nitrate reduction. Understanding regional and local hydrogeological processes is crucial for assessing the impacts of nitrate contamination on adjacent ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nathanael M. Thompson, Nathan D. DeLay, James R. Mintert
Summary: Most U.S. commercial corn and soybean farms collect data, believe that data influences their decisions, and see positive yield benefits from data-informed decisions, although there are differences in the intensity of data usage. Investments in data management and analysis resources, as well as human capital, are associated with progression within the farm data lifecycle. Farms that have not made such investments may miss out on the potential benefits of using their data to improve decision making.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Lizhu Hou, Xiaojuan Fan, Zhiming Qi, Li Wan, Kelin Hu
Summary: Nitrogen pollution is a serious threat to water resources worldwide, especially in desert oases where the water table is shallow. This study aimed to quantify N leaching for irrigated maize with different fertilizer and irrigation management practices, and recommend the best management practices. The results suggest that a combination of 20 mm irrigation depth and 338 kg N ha-1 fertilization is the most effective management practice.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. Causape, M. J. Gimeno, L. Auque
Summary: Irrigation can accelerate the salinization of geologically saline areas with scarce rainfall. The implementation of irrigation in certain regions has increased the export of salts, with a decrease in the concentrations of certain ions in groundwater after irrigation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shuo Yang, Weiwei Yu, Lun Yang, Banghao Du, Shiling Chen, Weizhe Sun, Hui Jiang, Mingyuan Xie, Jingjing Tang
Summary: Animal husbandry is the second largest source of steroid estrogen pollutants in the environment, and investigating the occurrence and fate of SEs discharged from concentrated animal feeding operations is significant. This research focused on a typical concentrated dairy farm in China and found high concentrations of SEs in slurry, lagoon water, and slurry-irrigated soil, with complex transport and accumulation patterns. Correlations and hierarchical clustering analysis revealed intertransformation among SEs and their correlation with various physicochemical indexes, highlighting the potential estrogenic risks posed by slurry irrigation and lagoon water discharge. Proper management practices are essential to control SE pollution effectively.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arezoo Taghizadeh-Toosi, Elly M. Hansen, Jorgen E. Olesen, Khagendra R. Soren, Soren O. Petersen
Summary: Minimum tillage, straw retention, and the use of cover crops are important for conservation agriculture. This study found that direct seeding with straw retention and the presence of a cover crop can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions and improve nitrogen retention and greenhouse gas balance in agroecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cynthia L. Norton, Matthew P. Dannenberg, Dong Yan, Cynthia S. A. Wallace, Jesus R. Rodriguez, Seth M. Munson, Willem J. D. van Leeuwen, William K. Smith
Summary: The study focused on estimating fallow and active cropland extent in different CRB agricultural regions at a high spatial resolution. Factors such as climate, water rights, and market value were found to influence irrigation water demands and cropland productivity differently in various regions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Melida Gutierrez, Esperanza Yasmin Calleros-Rincon, Maria Socorro Espino-Valdes, Maria Teresa Alarcon-Herrera
Summary: The study found that irrigation agriculture may lead to environmental issues such as soil degradation and aquifer contamination, posing a threat to crop production. Nitrous oxide emissions in the irrigated areas accounted for up to 4.5% of applied nitrogen, with nitrate losses reaching about 18%. Water tables in the aquifers were observed to be dropping at rates ranging from 0.4 m to 1.5 m per year, depending on the location.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victoria Barcala, Joachim Rozemeijer, Leonard Oste, Bas van der Grift, Laurens Gerner, Thilo Behrends
Summary: Phosphorus leaching from agriculture is a major cause of water eutrophication, and implementing edge-of-field mitigation measures at the farm scale is a complementary approach to reduce phosphorus exports. Understanding the chemical and hydrological transport mechanisms is necessary for selecting effective measures. High-resolution monitoring data from various sources can help identify main phosphorus sources, processes, and transport routes at the farm scale.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Anastasia Lobanova, Iulii Didovets, Christoph Menz, Atabek Umirbekov, Zhanna Babagalieva, Fred Hattermann, Valentina Krysanova
Summary: Understanding and planning for adaptation to future climate change impacts is crucial for Central Asia, where economic vulnerability, dependence on scarce water resources, and observed warming rates above global averages are key concerns. Analysis in this paper focuses on how climate change affects hydrological regimes and temperature patterns, particularly in the Aspara and Isfara river basins, impacting irrigated agricultural production. The study suggests that adapting cropping calendars and irrigation timing could provide opportunities for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture in the region.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
