Article
Agronomy
Xiaoli Wu, Chaosu Li, Miao Liu, Ming Li, Yonglu Tang
Summary: Based on a four-year field experiment, it was found that pea as a pre-crop has the greatest impact on subsequent maize and wheat production, significantly increasing yield and phosphorus uptake. Application of phosphorus fertilizer during the maize and wheat planting seasons also had a certain impact on yield, biomass, and phosphorus uptake.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Tao Zhou, Li Wang, Xin Sun, Xiaochun Wang, Tian Pu, Huan Yang, Zed Rengel, Weiguo Liu, Wenyu Yang
Summary: Intercropping significantly increased grain yield and plant P-use efficiency compared to monocropping, with sufficient P supply and increased light interception delaying leaf senescence and improving overall plant performance. The interaction between shoot and root plays a key role in regulating resource-use efficiency in intercropping systems.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Xiao Te, Atta Mohi Ud Din, Kuoshu Cui, Muhammad Ali Raza, Muhammad Faraz Ali, Jiahui Xiao, Wenyu Yang
Summary: Crop diversity in intercropping systems affects the productivity and resource utilization efficiency. The below ground interactions between maize and soybean in relay strip intercropping have been found to enhance root development and water uptake. The swapping of rows in intercropping further improves the productivity and resource use efficiency.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Cong Zhang, Yuanyuan Ren, Minfei Yan, Zhan He, Yinglong Chen, Suiqi Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effect of sowing date on water uptake in intercropping systems of maize and soybean. The results showed that different sowing dates had varying impacts on water absorption depth and efficiency. The M2s4 model was identified as the optimal planting time for intercropping systems on the Loess Plateau.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yushan Wu, Wanzhuo Gong, Feng Yang, Xiaochun Wang, Taiwen Yong, Jiang Liu, Tian Pu, Yanhong Yan, Wenyu Yang
Summary: Recovery growth of soybean in relay intercropping systems was observed after maize harvest, with differences in recovery ability between cultivars Nandou12 and Jiuyuehuang. Nandou12 exhibited stronger recovery in LAI, leaflet number, leaf thickness, and photosynthesis, promoting the recovery of aboveground biomass and grain yield.
FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sadam Hussain, Muhammad Asad Naseer, Ru Guo, Fei Han, Basharat Ali, Xiaoli Chen, Xiaolong Ren, Saud Alamri
Summary: Intercropping is a sustainable practice for enhancing crop productivity and water use efficiency under rainfed conditions. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of different crop rows and nitrogen application on the physiological, yield, and related traits of wheat/maize relay-strip intercropping. Results showed that intercropping significantly improved land use efficiency and grain yield of both crops, especially with nitrogen application.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Longshuai Ma, Yinjuan Li, Pute Wu, Xining Zhao, Xiaoli Chen, Xiaodong Gao
Summary: This study assessed water consumption in wheat/maize relay intercropping systems and sole crop systems, and found that the revised method can better evaluate the water use advantage of relay intercropping systems. The results showed that intercropping systems can increase both yield and water use efficiency, particularly in areas with limited water resources.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jiayi Li, Xingjin Wen, Jizhi Yang, Wenyu Yang, Yafen Xin, Lei Zhang, Haiping Liu, Yaling He, Yanhong Yan
Summary: Maize-soybean intercropping can improve forage production in plateau animal husbandry. Among the maize varieties tested, the intercropping of Demeiya No. 1 with soybeans showed the best results.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Nahashon Chege Kanyi, Hannah Karuri, Johnson O. Nyasani, Benson Mwangi
Summary: The study shows that intercropping maize with sorghum in Kenya can reduce the abundance and damage caused by termites, while conserving soil feeders can improve crop productivity. Further research is needed to explore integrated termite management techniques in agriculture.
Article
Plant Sciences
Shuangwei Li, Wopke van Der Werf, Junqi Zhu, Yan Guo, Baoguo Li, Yuntao Ma, Jochem B. Evers
Summary: The study found that intercropped maize performed better in light capture, while intercropped soybean performed worse. Compared to sole crops, intercrop configuration increased maize's light capture rate and reduced soybean's light capture rate.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiao Te, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Kuoshu Cui, Jiahui Xiao, Muhammad Naveed Aslam, Amjad Saeed, Wenyu Yang, Safdar Ali
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of different planting patterns on the spatial distribution of soil organic matter and total nitrogen under a strip relay intercropping system. The results show that MS2 is a better planting pattern, which increases the spatial distribution of soil organic matter and total nitrogen, improves soil fertility, C:N ratio, and crop production.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Nianyuan Jiao, Fei Wang, Chao Ma, Fusuo Zhang, Erik Steen Jensen
Summary: Peanut-maize intercropping can alleviate peanut iron deficiency, and belowground interspecific interactions play a crucial role in iron and nitrogen acquisition. Root barriers can reduce the advantages of intercropping, while nitrogen fertilizer supply can improve yield and nutrient uptake.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Bing Liang, Yanwei Ma, Kai Shi, Guopeng Chen, Hong Chen, Yun Hu, Ping Chen, Tian Pu, Yushan Wu, Xin Sun, Taiwen Yong, Weiguo Liu, Jiang Liu, Junbo Du, Feng Yang, Xiaochun Wang, Wenyu Yang
Summary: Maize-soybean strip intercropping can alleviate arable land competition, improve land output, and stabilize maize yield. Suitable narrow row spacing and increasing bandwidth are beneficial for the planting and production of maize-soybean strip intercropping.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weldemichael Tesfuhuney, Muthianzhele Ravuluma, Admire Rukudzo Dzvene, Zaid Bello, Fourie Andries, Sue Walker, Davide Cammarano
Summary: The study aimed to compare the growth and productivity of maize/beans sole and inter-cropping systems under conventional and in-field rainwater harvesting tillage practices. The results showed that the IRWH tillage had higher above-ground dry matter and grain yield compared to CON tillage. The study highlights the importance of finding alternative techniques to improve smallholders' productivity by efficiently utilizing resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sajad Hussain, Iram Shafiq, Muhammad Sohaib Chattha, Maryam Mumtaz, Marian Brestic, Anshu Rastogi, Guopeng Chen, Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev, Weiguo Liu, Wenyu Yang
Summary: The study found that titanium application significantly improved soybean growth under a maize-soybean relay strip intercropping system, leading to increased stem strength, photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance. Titanium foliar application not only enhanced shade tolerance but also increased soybean yield, indicating its potential to mitigate shade stress in such intercropping systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lieneke Bakker, Wopke Werf, Felix J. J. A. Bianchi
Summary: This study examined the impact of insecticide use and landscape context on the abundance of beneficial arthropods. The results showed a negative correlation between the quantity of insecticide used in the surrounding landscape and the abundance of arthropods in field margins. The study also found a negative association between conventional management and the abundance of pollinators.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wopke van der Werf, Felix Bianchi
Summary: Increasing crop diversity can be an important and obvious first step towards more natural pest control, but it is not a silver bullet solution. Adopting a wider definition of integrated pest management (IPM) and including the environmental stewardship role of agriculture can enhance the use of natural mechanisms for pest control, but would also require an economic mechanism to reward stewardship that serves wider societal needs.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Tamara Ten Den, Inge van de Wiel, Allard De Wit, Frits K. van Evert, Martin K. van Ittersum, Pytrik Reidsma
Summary: Current potential yield simulations of potato crops can underestimate actual yields and fail to consider cultivar differences, such as earliness. To address this, researchers recalibrated potential yield simulations for five Dutch potato cultivars using WOFOST. The focus was on phenology, photosynthesis, and biomass allocation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Jin Zhao, Marco Bindi, Josef Eitzinger, Roberto Ferrise, Zinta Gaile, Anne Gobin, Annelie Holzkamper, Kurt-Christian Kersebaum, Jerzy Kozyra, Zita Kriauciuniene, Evelin Loit, Pavol Nejedlik, Claas Nendel, Ulo Niinemets, Taru Palosuo, Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio, Vera Potopova, Margarita Ruiz-Ramos, Pytrik Reidsma, Bert Rijk, Mirek Trnka, Martin K. van Ittersum, Jorgen E. Olesen
Summary: This study assessed the adaptive measures to climate change effects on cropping systems in Europe by distributing questionnaires to experts from 15 European countries. The results showed that farmers in northern Europe mainly adjusted the timing of field operations and introduced new crops and cultivars, while farmers in central and southern Europe focused on changing water and soil management and adopting drought-tolerant cultivars.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Cameron Ludemann, Renske Hijbeek, Marloes P. van Loon, T. Scott Murrell, Achim Dobermann, Martin K. van Ittersum
Summary: Reliable estimates of crop nitrogen uptake and offtake are crucial for assessing nitrogen use efficiency and environmental losses. This study demonstrates that using available crop data and advanced statistical and machine learning methods, more accurate estimates of crop harvest index and nitrogen concentrations can be obtained globally, improving estimates of crop nutrient offtake and promoting sustainable nutrient management.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Qian Li, Mengxiao Sun, Yangtian Liu, Bing Liu, Wopke van Der Werf, Felix J. J. A. Bianchi, Yanhui Lu
Summary: Korla fragrant pear depends on cross-pollination by honeybees, and the use of synthetic NGP can attract more honeybees to the pear trees, especially in orchards with beehives.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gatien N. Falconnier, Louise Leroux, Damien Beillouin, Marc Corbeels, Robert J. Hijmans, Camila Bonilla-Cedrez, Mark van Wijk, Katrien Descheemaeker, Shamie Zingore, Francois Affholder, Santiago Lopez-Ridaura, Eric Malezieux, David Makowski, Jairos Rurinda, Martin K. van Ittersum, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller, Sabine-Karen Lammoglia, Katharina Waha
Summary: This study estimated the impact of increasing maize yields with mineral fertilizer on household food security and regional/national maize supply in Uganda and Tanzania. Results showed that increasing fertilizer input could significantly improve food security in both countries, but the regions with the highest potential for increased maize supply did not align with the regions where household food security was most improved.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yulin Zhu, Junhui Chen, Yi Zou, Xiaolong Huang, Ting Jiang, Kris A. G. Wyckhuys, Wopke van der Werfh, Haijun Xiao
Summary: This study investigated the role of non-crop habitat in modulating the rice stem borer and parasitoid-mediated biological control. The study found that the rice stem borer infestation levels were highest in agriculture-dominated landscapes. The parasitism rate increased with pest pressure but was not related to landscape-level non-crop habitat cover. The landscape-level responses of parasitoids were species-specific and likely modulated by functional traits. More diverse landscapes experienced lower levels of rice stem borer infestation.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Arie Pieter Paulus Ravensbergen, Martin K. van Ittersum, Corne Kempenaar, Pytrik Reidsma
Summary: Currently, potato yields in the Netherlands are around 70% of their potential. This study found that increasing phosphorus and potassium fertilizer application rates did not significantly increase potato yields for two potato cultivars on different soil types over two years. Increasing phosphorus and potassium application rates is not recommended due to decreased efficiency and environmental concerns.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Marloes P. van Loon, Wytse J. Vonk, Renske Hijbeek, Martin K. van Ittersum, Hein F. M. ten Berge
Summary: This study aims to assess the relationship between sustainability indicators and nutrient cycling in agricultural systems. A set of equations is presented to relate nutrient cycling to food production or consumption. The results show that nutrient flows in UK arable fields and Flanders are almost linear, while the dairy farm in the Netherlands shows the largest contributions of cycled flow. This research is significant for evaluating the impacts of system changes on productivity, nutrient cycling, resource use, and nutrient emissions.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
H. N. C. Berghuijs, J. V. Silva, H. C. A. Rijk, M. K. van Ittersum, F. K. van Evert, P. Reidsma
Summary: This study examines the increase in winter wheat yield in the Netherlands from 1984 to 2015 and identifies the factors that contribute to this increase. The research finds that approximately half of the yield increase can be attributed to climate change and elevated CO2 levels, while the remaining portion is explained by changes in temperature and light use efficiency.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
H. H. E. van Zanten, W. Simon, B. van Selm, J. Wacker, T. I. Maindl, A. Frehner, R. Hijbeek, M. K. van Ittersum, M. Herrero
Summary: Redesigning the European food system based on circularity principles can have significant environmental benefits for both Europe and the world. Through a biophysical optimization model, this study explores the effects of implementing circularity scenarios in the European Union (EU)27 + UK. The results show potential reductions in agricultural land use and per capita greenhouse gas emissions, while still ensuring sufficient food production. Transitioning towards circularity in the EU's food system has the potential to address global food shortages and improve both human and planetary health.
Article
Agronomy
Joao Vasco Silva, Joost van Heerwaarden, Pytrik Reidsma, Alice G. Laborte, Kindie Tesfaye, Martin K. van Ittersum
Summary: The performance of statistical and machine learning methods in explaining and predicting crop yield variability was assessed in this study. The results showed that big data from farmers' fields can to some extent explain on-farm yield variability, but not predict it across time and space.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Benjamin van Selm, Renske Hijbeek, Martin K. van Ittersum, Ollie van Hal, Corina E. van Middelaar, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Livestock and feed production are often separated and this disrupts nutrient cycles and leads to environmental degradation. Reconnecting livestock and feed production at a local level can enhance circularity and decrease emissions. This study shows that recoupling livestock and feed production has the potential to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Benjamin van Selm, Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Renske Hijbeek, Corina E. van Middelaar, Marijke Schop, Martin K. van Ittersum, Imke J. M. de Boer
Summary: Applying circularity interventions to the food system can reduce land use and greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in human diets, imports, exports, and waste utilisation can have significant environmental benefits.
Article
Agronomy
Cevat Eser, Suleyman Soylu, Hakan Ozkan
Summary: Drought is a pressing issue worldwide, and selecting wheat genotypes adapted to changing climatic conditions is crucial. This study evaluated 156 bread wheat genotypes, including landraces and modern varieties, under different drought treatments. The results showed that landraces had higher yield stability and protein content under drought stress, suggesting their potential for developing drought-tolerant modern wheat varieties. Effective utilization of landraces in breeding programs is important for developing climate-resilient wheat varieties.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Jagdeep Singh, Audrey Gamble, Steve Brown, Todd B. Campbell, Johnie Jenkins, Jenny Koebernick, Paul C. Bartley III, Alvaro Sanz-Saez
Summary: This study evaluated the changes in nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, and yield of 20 cotton cultivars released in the USA between 1953 and 2018. The results showed that modern cotton cultivars have increased total nutrient uptake but slower improvement in nutrient use efficiency. The findings highlight the potential for enhanced nutrient uptake traits in cotton.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Elisa Erbetta, Laura Echarte, Maria Eugenia Sanz Smachetti, Nadia Gabbanelli, Maria Mercedes Echarte
Summary: This study investigated the effects of different combinations of photoperiod sensitivity, sweet-stalk, and bmr traits on sorghum biomass yield and allocation, and discussed the implications for bioenergy production.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Wenqing Zuo, Baojian Wu, Yuxuan Wang, Shouzhen Xu, Minzhi Chen, Fubin Liang, Jingshan Tian, Wangfeng Zhang
Summary: This study assessed the impact of different row spacing configurations and irrigation amounts on cotton photosynthesis and fiber quality. The results showed that under adequate irrigation, RS76L could be a suitable replacement for RS66+10H to improve fiber quality.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2024)