Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ruixuan Xu, Haiming Zhao, Guibo Liu, Yuan Li, Shoujiao Li, Yingjun Zhang, Nan Liu, Lei Ma
Summary: In the North China Plain, intercropping alfalfa and silage maize with appropriate nitrogen input can achieve comprehensive performance in terms of productivity, environmental impact, and economic profit, making it an optimal alternative system.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Luan Pierre Pott, Telmo Jorge Carneiro Amado, Rai Augusto Schwalbert, Geomar Mateus Corassa, Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti
Summary: This study developed a satellite-based data fusion approach to map crop rotation at field-scale and analyze the effects of environmental factors on crop yields in southern Brazil. The results showed that continuous soybean planting and one-year soybean with one-year corn rotation were the most common crop rotation patterns in the region. The study also found that crop rotation had significant effects on soybean yields, with variations depending on the regions and years of rotation. Furthermore, climate conditions and soil organic carbon were identified as important factors influencing crop rotation. This study provides the first crop rotation map for the state of Rio Grande do Sul and serves as a foundation for similar databases in other states and countries.
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Miri Choi, Nayoung Choi, Jihyeon Lee, Sora Lee, Yoonha Kim, Chaein Na
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of Italian ryegrass cultivar and usage methods on soybean growth and yield. The results showed that using Italian ryegrass as green manure could increase soybean yield, while using it as forage could bring additional harvested matter to the rotational system.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Damien Beillouin, Tamara Ben-Ari, Eric Malezieux, Verena Seufert, David Makowski
Summary: Crop diversification in agroecosystems has positive effects on crop production, biodiversity, and ecosystem services, with different strategies showing varying impacts on specific ecosystem services. Agroforestry is particularly effective in delivering multiple ecosystem services, while variety mixtures provide the lowest benefits.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Muhammad Imran Ghani, Ahmad Ali, Muhammad Jawaad Atif, Shamina Imran Pathan, Giacomo Pietramellara, Muhammad Ali, Bakht Amin, Zhihui Cheng
Summary: This study evaluated the role of crop rotation with different winter leafy vegetables in improving soil conditions and reducing disease-causing pathogens in eggplant production under plastic tunnels. The results showed that crop rotation significantly improved soil organic carbon and chemical properties, as well as the abundance of beneficial microbes. Pathogens such as Fusarium and Ascomycota were reduced while beneficial taxa like Mortierella and Bacillus increased. These findings highlight the importance of crop rotation for sustainable vegetable production.
Article
Agronomy
Faith Githui, Vanya Jha, Thabo Thayalakumaran, Brendan P. Christy, Garry J. O'Leary
Summary: This article presents key features and processes of seven intercropping models, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Representation of key processes such as resource sharing and plasticity is a challenge in modeling, requiring further research.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Zaeem, Muhammad Nadeem, Thu Huong Pham, Waqar Ashiq, Waqas Ali, Syed Shah Mohioudin Gillani, Eric Moise, Sathya Elavarthi, Vanessa Kavanagh, Mumtaz Cheema, Lakshman Galagedara, Raymond Thomas
Summary: Intercropping of corn and soybean significantly improves the nutritional quality of forage, increasing protein content, reducing fiber content, and enhancing energy and digestible nutrients. Additionally, intercropping also enhances microbial activity, contributing to the improvement of forage quality.
Article
Agronomy
Lizhen Zhu, Xiaoying Li, Jun He, Xiaoping Zhou, Fang Wang, Yan Zhao, Xiaojie Liang, Xiongxiong Nan, Yonghua Li, Ken Qin, Youlong Cao
Summary: Introducing forages into wolfberry cultivation has been found to increase productivity and sustainability. The intercropping of wolfberry with mangold, ryegrass, and alfalfa showed significant yield advantages, with increased land equivalent ratio (LER) values. Additionally, intercropping promoted the monetary advantage index (MAI), particularly in the wolfberry-mangold, wolfberry-ryegrass, and wolfberry-alfalfa combinations. These findings suggest that wolfberry-forage intercropping can form a new mode of production for wolfberry and forages.
Review
Agronomy
Benjamin Richard, Aiming Qi, Bruce D. L. Fitt
Summary: Crop diseases have a significant impact on food production globally, making it necessary to implement alternative climate-smart farming systems to increase yield and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Integrated Crop Management (ICM) strategies and breeding high-yielding cultivars adapted to future climates are crucial for addressing crop diseases and ensuring food security.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuanyuan Duan, Xiaohong Liu, Jiaqi Wu, Jingmao You, Fanfan Wang, Xiaoliang Guo, Tao Tang, Mingyan Liao, Jie Guo
Summary: Fritillaria hupehensis is an important medicinal plant, and the intercropping system with Magnolia officinalis has been found to significantly increase its yield. This study investigated the changes in steroidal alkaloid metabolites and their molecular regulatory mechanisms in the intercropping system. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified differentially expressed genes and changes in alkaloid levels. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the sustainable development of ecological planting methods.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Christina Kieffer, Dafeng Hui, Roser Matamala, Jianwei Li, Donald Tyler, E. Kudjo Dzantor
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of eastern gamagrass (GG) as a complementary feedstock to switchgrass (SG) for biomass production. The results showed that GG had lower biomass yield but higher forage quality compared to SG. Nitrogen fertilizer had a significant impact on biomass yield and forage quality of both crops. This study demonstrated that GG could be used as a dual-purpose crop for bioenergy and forage feedstock.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Julius H. Kotir, Lindsay W. Bell, John A. Kirkegaard, Jeremy Whish, Kojo Atta Aikins
Summary: This study investigates the influence of cropping intensity and diversity on labor requirements and productivity. The results show that as cropping intensity increases, labor demand also increases. However, there are only small differences in labor demands between systems with different crop diversity. Labor demand is highly seasonal, with peaks during intensive operations like sowing and harvesting. The study also highlights that the most profitable systems may not be the most efficient in terms of labor productivity.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Maureen Teresa Odongo, Roseline Nyakerario Misati, Anne Wangari Kamau, Kethi Ngoka Kisingu
Summary: This study examines the dynamics of key climate change indicators and their impact on food prices in Eastern and Southern African countries. The findings show that these countries have experienced various climate change events with increasing intensity over the past two decades and are vulnerable to extreme weather events. Supply shocks, measured by rainfall amounts and imported food price inflation, are the main drivers of food inflation, while oil prices, subsidies, and imported inflation are the key determinants of overall inflation. Effective sector-specific climate change policy options, along with the adoption of renewable energy sources and appropriate irrigation practices, are needed to address these challenges.
Article
Agronomy
Fei Han, Shuqing Guo, Muhammad Asad Naseer, Ru Guo, Tie Cai, Peng Zhang, Zhikuan Jia, Dong Yang, XiaoLi Chen, Xiaolong Ren
Summary: This study proposes a maize-peanut intercropping system to increase economic benefits and decrease environmental pollution in dryland farming. The system promotes efficient use of nitrogen, reduces N2O emissions, and improves economic income. Rotation of planting strips and proper reduction of nitrogen in maize planting have positive effects on system performance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ademir de Oliveira Ferreira, Telmo Jorge Carneiro Amado, Charles W. Rice, Daniel Ruiz Potma Goncalves, Dorivar A. Ruiz Diaz
Summary: Global and Brazilian studies have shown that conservation agriculture can help restore soil organic carbon stocks depleted by conventional tillage. A farm-scale study in Southern Brazil found that conservation agriculture systems performed as well as or better than research plots in terms of soil organic carbon recovery, with high plant biomass inputs, minimal soil disturbance, and oilseed radish cover crops playing key roles.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Isaiah Nyagumbo, Walter Mupangwa, Lovemore Chipindu, Leonard Rusinamhodzi, Peter Craufurd
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Agronomy
Henri E. Z. Tonnang, Tesfaye Balemi, Kenneth F. Masuki, Ibrahim Mohammed, Julius Adewopo, Adnan A. Adnan, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Bernard Vanlauwe, Peter Craufurd
Article
Soil Science
Isaiah Nyagumbo, Munyaradzi Mutenje, Peter Setimela, Lovemore Chipindu, Arisede Chisaka, Pacsu Simwaka, Blessings Mwale, Amos Ngwira, Walter Mupangwa
Summary: The study assessed the merits of three climate smart agriculture technologies in terms of soil quality improvement, maize yield enhancement, and climate change adaptation. The results showed significant improvements in soil parameters and crop yields, demonstrating the potential of these technologies in enhancing farmer resilience and productivity in the face of climate change challenges.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anurag Ajay, Peter Craufurd, Virender Kumar, Arindam Samaddar, R. K. Malik, Sachin Sharma, Harshit Ranjan, A. K. Singh, Gokul Paudel, Ajay Kumar Pundir, Shishpal Poonia, Anurag Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Deepak Kumar Singh, Madhulika Singh, Wasim Iftikar, Moben Ignatius, Narayan Banik, Bidhan Mohapatra, Pardeep Sagwal, Ashok Kumar Yadav, Sugandha Munshi, Peramaiyan Panneerselvam, Andrew McDonald
Summary: This dataset provides detailed information on rice production practices in India during the 2018 rainy season. The data was collected through personal interviews using the Open Data Kit (ODK) digital platform. The dataset, consisting of 8355 samples, covers eight states in India. This dataset fills a data gap in the national system and can be used as evidence for agriculture programming and policy-making.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Walter Mupangwa, Lovemore Chipindu, Bongani Ncube, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Nascimento Nhantumbo, Esther Masvaya, Amos Ngwira, Mokhele Moeletsi, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Feyera Liben
Summary: Climate change, particularly the increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall, is having a negative impact on agri-food systems in southern Africa. The study analyzed temperature trends using data from meteorological stations in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, showing an upward trend in minimum and maximum temperatures at several locations. The findings emphasize the importance of considering temperature in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in similar environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Walter Mupangwa, Bongani Ncube, Lovemore Chipindu, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Clementine Denga-Mupangwa
Summary: The study hypothesized that minimum tillage treatments retain more rainwater and reduce runoff generation compared to conventional tillage treatments in maize-based cropping systems. The results showed that planting basins can retain more rainwater (12-19%) and reduce runoff generation (40-51%).
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Lovemore Chipindu, Walter Mupangwa, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Mainassara Zaman-Allah
Summary: This study compared different time series and segmentation methods to analyze rainfall regime changes in coastal, sub-humid, and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa. The findings showed an upward trend in rainfall in coastal and sub-humid areas, while a declining trend was observed in the semi-arid region. The RHLP and HMMR methods provided unique clustering and segmentation approaches to examine the variability of rainfall within and between seasons.
GEOSCIENCE DATA JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
W. Mupangwa, R. Makanza, L. Chipindu, M. Moeletsi, S. Mkuhlani, F. Liben, I Nyagumbo, M. Mutenje
Summary: The study found that rainfall has a significant impact on rainfed smallholder farming systems, with varying trends in different regions. Most locations did not experience significant changes between the 1900s and 2000s.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Lovemore Chipindu, Walter Mupangwa, Jihad Mtsilizah, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Mainassara Zaman-Allah
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
W. Mupangwa, L. Chipindu, I Nyagumbo, S. Mkuhlani, G. Sisito
SN APPLIED SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jiarui Zhao, Xiaohu Yuan, Zhanjun Liu, Haotian Shi, Bingnian Zhai, Yuanjun Zhu
Summary: Overfertilization is common in rainfed apple orchards on China's Loess Plateau, but its impacts on soil physicochemical properties in deep soil profiles are poorly understood. This study found that different land-use types showed divergent distribution patterns in soil properties, with low variability for SWC and pH, moderate variability for NH4+-N, AP, and AK, and high variability for SOC, NO3--N, and EC. The results also showed that fertilization influenced soil water content, NO3--N, AP, and AK, and NO3--N played a crucial role in regulating pH and EC. Soil profiles were useful for studying the evolution of soil quality.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Nyfeler, Olivier Huguenin-Elie, Emmanuel Frossard, Andreas Luscher
Summary: Grass-legume mixtures combine high yields, low fertiliser requirements, and low nitrate leaching better than either pure grass or pure legume swards, both during the intact plant cover and after tilling for the subsequent crop.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Martin Faucher, Seraphine Grellier, Clemence Chaudron, Jean-Louis Janeau, Gabrielle Rudi, Fabrice Vinatier
Summary: The Mediterranean region is expected to experience more intense rainfall events and severe droughts due to climate change, leading to an increase in runoff and erosion rates in agrosystems. Vegetation cover can help reduce erosion and the soil seed bank can provide cost-effective vegetation. This study assessed the effect of vegetation cover on seed loss in vineyards and evaluated the differences in the soil seed bank along a transect. The results suggest that vegetation may not protect interrows from runoff-induced seed loss.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Christian Thierfelder, Blessing Mhlanga, Isaiah Nyagumbo, Kelvin Kalala, Esau Simutowe, Mazvita Chiduwa, Chloe Maclaren, Joao Vasco Silva, Hambulo Ngoma
Summary: The performance of different maize-legume diversification strategies was compared in southern Africa. Intercropping systems showed significant nutritional and economic benefits, but had higher labor requirements compared to other cropping systems. Soil organic carbon content and pH were not affected by the tested cropping systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Han Chen, Han Li, Yizhao Wei, Edward Mcbean, Hong Liang, Weimin Wang, Jinhui Jeanne Huang
Summary: This research introduces a hybrid four-sub-deep neural network (HFSD) model for partitioning NEE into GPP and ER. The HFSD employs dual sub-deep neural networks to estimate ERa and ERb and incorporates GPP and environmental variables to predict vegetation transpiration. The results of the model show that the dual sub-DNNs architecture enhances the accuracy of ER simulations, while using EC-derived T as a constraint improves the accuracy of GPP simulations. Correlation analyses suggest that solar radiation and air temperature primarily influence the seasonal variations in GPP and ER, while soil moisture has a strong impact during dry seasons. This study advances the biophysical description of data-driven models for NEE partitioning and enhances the accuracy of GPP and ER estimates.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Michael Glaser, Stefan Dullinger, Dietmar Moser, Johannes Wessely, Milan Chytry, Zdenka Lososova, Irena Axmanova, Christian Berg, Jana Buerger, Serge Buholzer, Fabrizio Buldrini, Alessandro Chiarucci, Swen Follak, Filip Kuezmic, Stefan Meyer, Petr Pysek, Nina Richner, Urban Silc, Siegrid Steinkellner, Alexander Wietzke, Franz Essl
Summary: This study investigated changes in vascular plant species in Central European arable fields and their edges from 1930 to 2019. The results showed a small decline in overall species occupancy, but a more pronounced species turnover. Species with environmental preferences for nutrient-rich sites with neutral pH increased in occupancy, while species typical for arable fields decreased. No response to climate change was observed, and there was a decrease in archaeophytes and native species and an increase in neophytes.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Abrell, Krishna Naudin, Felix J. J. A. Bianchi, Debora Veiga Aragao, Pablo Tittonell, Marc Corbeels
Summary: This study demonstrates that reducing fallow periods in shifting cultivation systems in the Eastern Amazon region has negative effects on soil fertility and weed pressure, posing a threat to the sustainability and productivity of local farming systems.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jun Wang, Lu Lv, Ronggui Hu, Haiyang Ma, Bo Liu, Wenju Zhang, Lei Wu
Summary: Nitrification and denitrification are crucial for nitrogen losses in agricultural soils and are affected by soil properties. This study investigated the patterns and controlling factors of nitrification and denitrification potentials in paddy soils in major rice-producing areas of Hubei Province, China. The results showed that soil pH and SOC were the primary factors regulating nitrification and denitrification potentials, respectively.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Olga Fishkis, Jessica Weller, Jorn Lehmhus, Franz Pollinger, Jorn Strassemeyer, Heinz -Josef Koch
Summary: The Farm to Fork strategy of the European Union aims to reduce pesticide use and replace chemical measures with mechanical methods in weed control. However, there is currently no comprehensive evaluation of the ecological and economic parameters of mechanical methods. This study quantified these parameters for different weed control methods in sugar beet and found that no method can be considered fully environmentally friendly.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mercedes Guerrero-Brotons, Nuria Perujo, Anna M. Romani, Rosa Gomez
Summary: Proper bed substrate selection is crucial for the performance of constructed wetlands, especially when treating drainage water with high nitrogen and low carbon and phosphorus concentrations. In a field-scale pilot plant, adding a carbon-rich substrate such as soil or biochar increased phosphorus availability in beds. Beds with soil displayed higher microbial density and activity, as well as better plant growth compared to gravel. These findings highlight the importance of selecting suitable substrates for treating irrigated agricultural water.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Beatrice Giannetta, Cesar Plaza, Giorgio Galluzzi, Iria Benavente-Ferraces, Juan Carlos Garcia-Gil, Marco Panettieri, Gabriel Gasco, Claudio Zaccone
Summary: This study examines the long-term effects of biochar application on soil organic C protection and finds that biochar, especially when combined with other amendments, has the potential to increase the content of particulate organic C and mineral-associated organic C in soils. The presence of ferrihydrite may mediate the positive effects on mineral-associated organic matter.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Emily Rose Waring, Carl Pederson, Ainis Lagzdins, Chelsea Clifford, Matthew J. Helmers
Summary: Addressing the global problem of eutrophication requires better management of inorganic nitrogen in the agricultural landscape. This study compares the effects of different tillage practices and cover crops on soil and water quality. The results show that the conventional tillage system is more effective in improving water quality and maintaining crop yields compared to other tillage practices. Additionally, the study reveals that the impact of tillage practices and cover crop growth methods on water and soil quality changes over time.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Annalisa Stevenson, Yakun Zhang, Jingyi Huang, Jie Hu, Keith Paustian, Alfred E. Hartemink
Summary: Considerable advances have been made in the assessment and mapping of soil organic carbon stocks. However, the rates of change in carbon stocks are influenced by various factors and need to be quantified. This study found that sandy soils under cultivation and forests have different organic carbon stocks. Factors such as tillage, irrigation, and nitrogen applications contribute to the decline in soil organic carbon stocks. Afforestation of abandoned cultivated fields can increase soil organic carbon, but it is still lower than soils under forest that have never been cultivated.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Yao, Chuanxiong Huang, Huiling Hu, Tao Wang, Yulong Li, Xiaoming Sune, Sina Adl, Bo Zhu
Summary: Enhancing soil organic carbon levels through improved fertilization strategies is important for soil health and sustainable crop production. This study found that the relative abundance of organisms from higher trophic levels and increased network complexity in the soil micro-food webs are vital contributors to effective SOC accumulation.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Qing Qu, Lei Deng, Zhouping Shangguan, Jian Sun, Jinsheng He, Kaibo Wang, Zhengchao Zhou, Jiwei Li, Josep Penuelas
Summary: Grazing exclusion is a widely implemented strategy for restoring degraded grassland ecosystems and increasing carbon stocks. This study analyzed data from 199 experiments to understand the temporal responses and factors influencing plant and soil carbon stocks following grazing exclusion in different grassland ecosystems. The results showed that plant biomass carbon stocks and soil organic carbon stocks decreased exponentially or rationally with years since enclosure. Grazing exclusion had positive effects on aboveground biomass carbon, but the effects on belowground biomass and soil carbon were influenced by climate, initial carbon levels, and grazing exclusion duration. The response of carbon stocks to grazing exclusion stabilized after approximately 40 years, with soil carbon sequestration showing a lagged pattern compared to plant biomass carbon. The study highlighted the effectiveness of grazing exclusion in regions with low carbon content and non-water limited conditions. However, it might not be an effective measure to increase soil organic carbon stocks in water-limited areas like desert grasslands.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
