Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sharon R. Aarons, Cameron J. P. Gourley, J. Mark Powell
Summary: Improving nutrient use on dairy farms is closely related to manure deposition, collection and use. The study found that the nutrients excreted by cows are proportional to farm size, herd size and milk production. To reduce nutrient losses, it is important to improve the collection of nutrients excreted in feed pads and holding areas. These findings are significant for improving nutrient management on dairy farms.
Article
Food Science & Technology
R. W. McDowell, C. A. Rotz, J. Oenema, K. A. Macintosh
Summary: Pasture-based and grass-fed branding are often associated with consumer perceptions of improved human health, environmental performance and animal welfare. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that grazed dairy systems have lower nutrient losses than confined ones, and trade-offs exist between systems at farm scale.
Article
Food Science & Technology
R. W. McDowell, C. A. Rotz, J. Oenema, K. A. Macintosh
Summary: This study examined the impacts of different dairy farming systems on nitrogen and phosphorus losses from land globally, finding that confined systems performed best in terms of productivity, while grazed systems could mitigate animal welfare issues to a certain extent.
Article
Agronomy
Olabiyi Obayomi, Cosette B. Taggart, Shengquan Zeng, Kristin Sefcik, Bianca Willis, James P. Muir, Eunsung Kan, Jeff A. Brady
Summary: This study investigates the synergistic effects of dairy manure biochar (MBC) and wood biochar (WBC) on soil fertility, prokaryote community diversity, and functions. It finds that high concentrations of MBC can shift microbial communities and increase the rate of nutrient bioremediation.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
R. L. Lemke, P. V. F. Machado, A. W. Alemu, V. S. Baron, R. E. Farrell, A. D. Iwaasa, B. C. Liang, J. J. Schoenau
Summary: Animal excreta is an important contributor to agricultural nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. This study focuses on beef cattle dung and urine derived N2O emissions in the Canadian Prairies, and finds that cattle urine has a greater impact on soil N2O emissions compared to dung. The emissions are also subjected to large inter-annual variation.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Uwe Franko, Elke Schulz
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of long-term stabilization organic matter pools in soil organic carbon models, finding evidence of limited saturation effects and protection capacity, which were reflected in the model predictions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
J. Michael Wilkinson, A. Thomas Chamberlain, M. Jordana Rivero
Summary: Grazing dairy cows have positive impacts on food production, soil environment, animal health, and human health. Milk produced from grazing cows is beneficial for health and has a lower carbon footprint. Consumer demand for milk and milk products from cows given access to pasture is increasing.
Article
Agronomy
Liza Garcia, Jose C. B. Dubeux, Lynn E. Sollenberger, Joao M. B. Vendramini, Nicolas DiLorenzo, Erick R. S. Santos, David M. Jaramillo, Martin Ruiz-Moreno
Summary: Livestock excreta play an important role in nutrient cycling in grassland ecosystems. This study found that nutrient excretion from cattle varied among different pasture systems, and the introduction of clover increased the proportion of nitrogen returned through urine.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Soledad Navarrete, Maria Rodriguez, David Horne, James Hanly, Mike Hedley, Peter Kemp
Summary: Plantain pasture can reduce nitrogen load in urine, thus reducing nitrogen leaching losses. Research has shown that plantain pasture does not affect milk solids production, and the lower urine nitrogen concentration in summer to autumn helps to reduce nitrogen loss.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Elena Munoz-Cerro, Juan Garcia-Duro, Carolina Matinez-Ruiz, Daphne Lopez-Marcos
Summary: Native shrubs facilitate the establishment of oak seedlings in rehabilitated opencast coal mines by improving soil properties and reducing the negative effects of grazing by ungulates. The presence of shrubs resulted in higher values of chemical properties and total organic matter, while also attenuating soil compaction. These findings highlight the importance of nurse shrubs in soil amelioration and plant establishment in reclaimed mines.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Saraswoti Neupane, Christopher Saski, Dana Nayduch
Summary: House fly larval grazing significantly altered the abundance and diversity of bacterial, archaeal, and protist communities differently than manure aging alone. Larvae likely adjust community composition by directly feeding on and eliminating microbes, as well as by competing with predatory microbes for nutrients and prey. Overall, larval grazing reduced bacterial and archaeal diversities but increased protist diversity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xueping Guo, Sina Akram, Robert Stedtfeld, Martina Johnson, Alexandre Chabrelie, Daqiang Yin, Jade Mitchell
Summary: This study investigated the fate and transport of antimicrobial resistance genes related to antibiotic use on a dairy farm in Michigan. The high abundance of ARGs clustered in different samples, with potential environmental implications both inside and outside the animal raising area.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ziyu Han, Wenjun He, Huading Shi, Chen Wang, Chenfeng Liu, Yao Feng
Summary: This study compares the effects of solid and liquid manure recycling on soil fertility, and finds that both types of manure can promote soil fertility. However, solid manure has a more pronounced effect, especially on available phosphorus. The findings suggest that a combination of solid and liquid manure can be used to achieve sustainable development in large-scale breeding farms, with solid manure playing a key role in improving soil fertility.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Inese Huttunen, Kari Hyytiainen, Markus Huttunen, Matti Sihvonen, Noora Veijalainen, Marie Korppoo, Anna-Stiina Heiskanen
Summary: This study introduces a framework for studying agricultural nutrient pollution on a catchment scale. Simulations show that phosphorus loading is more sensitive to manure recycling strategies and climate change speed, while nitrogen loading is less sensitive to changes in climate and socioeconomic drivers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Abigail E. Baxter, April B. Leytem, Robert S. Dungan, David Bjorneberg
Summary: This study investigated the combined effect of winter double crops and tillage on nutrient uptake, yield, and forage quality, and found that winter double crops can increase forage production and enhance nutrient utilization.
Article
Soil Science
L. L. Burkitt, S. D. Mason, W. J. Dougherty, P. W. G. Sale
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2016)
Article
Soil Science
Sean T. Forrester, Les J. Janik, Jose M. Soriano-Disla, Sean Mason, Lucy Burkitt, Phil Moody, Cameron J. P. Gourley, Michael J. McLaughlin
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Md. Eshrat E. Alahi, Li Xie, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Lucy Burkitt
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
(2017)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Md Eshrat E. Alahi, Anindya Nag, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Lucy Burkitt
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2018)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Md Eshrat E. Alahi, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Lucy Burkitt
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2018)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Md. Eshrat E. Alahi, Najid Pereira-Ishak, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Lucy Burkitt
IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL
(2018)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Grace Chibuike, Lucy Burkitt, Mike Bretherton, Marta Camps-Arbestain, Ranvir Singh, Peter Bishop, Carolyn Hedley, Pierre Roudier
NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2019)
Article
Soil Science
Jessica Coad, Lucy Burkitt, Warwick Dougherty, Leigh Sparrow
Article
Soil Science
Grace Chibuike, Lucy Burkitt, Marta Camps-Arbestain, Peter Bishop, Mike Bretherton, Ranvir Singh
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Grace Chibuike, Lucy Burkitt, Marta Camps-Arbestain, Ranvir Singh, Mike Bretherton, Peter Bishop, Qinhua Shen
Article
Agronomy
Brian Levine, Dave Horne, Lucy Burkitt, Chris Tanner, James Sukias, Leo Condron, John Paterson
Summary: Detainment bunds (DBs) are an effective strategy to reduce the loss of nutrients and sediment in surface runoff from grazed pastures, decreasing contaminant loads delivered to water bodies and contributing to water quality improvement. Results of a study in New Zealand's Lake Rotorua catchment showed that DBs effectively decreased annual discharge volumes by up to 43%.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Brian Levine, Lucy Burkitt, Dave Horne, Leo Condron, Chris Tanner, John Paterson
ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lydia M. Cranston, Keith G. Pembleton, Lucy L. Burkitt, Andrew Curtis, Daniel J. Donaghy, Cameron J. P. Gourley, Kerry C. Harrington, James L. Hills, Luke W. Pembleton, Richard P. Rawnsley
ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul J. A. Withers, Peter A. Vadas, Risto Uusitalo, Kirsty J. Forber, Murray Hart, Robert H. Foy, Antonio Delgado, Warwick Dougherty, Harri Lilja, Lucy L. Burkitt, Gitte H. Rubaek, Dan Pote, Kirsten Barlow, Shane Rothwell, Phillip R. Owens
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2019)
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)