Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ke Chen, David Kleijn, Jeroen Scheper, Thijs P. M. Fijen
Summary: The management of ecosystem services can reduce the dependence of modern agriculture on external inputs and increase the sustainability of agricultural production. In this study, it was found that AMF inoculation significantly increased raspberry yield by enhancing flower and fruit number per plant, as well as single berry weight. Additionally, the combined benefits of insect pollination and AMF inoculation resulted in a 135% higher yield than that of fertilizer-only treatments, indicating a potential additive or synergistic effect of ecosystem services on crop yield.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Dan Du, Stephen J. Livesley, Stefan K. Arndt, Camille Truong, Rebecca E. Miller
Summary: A study found that the use of compost tea did not have a positive effect on the growth and root mycorrhizal colonization of container-grown trees. This suggests that compost tea may not be beneficial for tree growth in a nursery setting, and further research is needed to investigate its potential benefits in urban landscapes.
Article
Soil Science
Keunbae Kim, Patrick Neuberger, Erin J. Daly, Monika Gorzelak, Guillermo Hernandez-Ramirez
Summary: This study investigated arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) diversity and community composition in annual and perennial grain crops in the Canadian prairies. The results showed significant differences in AMF diversity and community composition between the two study sites, which were attributed to their different cropping management histories. The addition of nitrogen fertilizer did not affect AMF diversity and community compositions, but increased the abundance of Archaeospora. The most predominant genus in these agroecosystems was Paraglomus.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Limin Yu, Zhongfeng Zhang, Longwu Zhou, Kechao Huang
Summary: This experimental study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in the soil microbial community during continuous cropping on S. grosvenorii, a medicinal plant cultivated in southern China. The results showed that an increasing altitude led to a significant increase in the AMF colonization of S. grosvenorii roots, while the available phosphorus content had a negative correlation with AMF colonization. The study also revealed the presence of multiple AMF species in the rhizosphere soil of S. grosvenorii, with their diversity and abundance closely related to soil pH.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dongjie Xia, Xiaoxia An, Ignacio F. Lopez, Chunhui Ma, Qianbing Zhang
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on the growth and photosynthetic performance of alfalfa. The results showed that mixed inoculation improved the photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter yield of alfalfa. The phosphorus application level affected the intercellular CO2 concentration of alfalfa, while other indicators showed an opposite trend.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Weihong Fu, Mengyao Yan, Lin Zhao, Xianqi Zeng, Binhua Cai, Shenchun Qu, Sanhong Wang
Summary: Utilization of plants-microbe's interactions to remediate calcium (Ca) deficiency soils is effective and practical. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and the synergy of AMF and Ca fertilizer on physiological and transcriptomic responses in apple rootstock roots. The results revealed that AMF and Ca fertilizer synergistically extended the root system, increased calcium levels, and regulated the expression of genes related to growth and calcium uptake pathways, leading to improved growth and calcium effectiveness in soil.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Review
Plant Sciences
Hassan Etesami, Byoung Ryong Jeong, Bernard R. Glick
Summary: This review discusses the use of silicon, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to improve phosphorus availability in deficient soils. The combined strategy of using silicon with both microorganism groups may be highly useful in enhancing phosphorus uptake by plants. Understanding the interactions among these components is crucial for sustainable agriculture practices.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
M. J. Salomon, R. Demarmels, S. J. Watts-Williams, M. J. McLaughlin, A. Kafle, C. Ketelsen, A. Soupir, H. Buecking, T. R. Cavagnaro, M. G. A. van der Heijden
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of 28 commercial AMF inoculants in promoting plant growth, with most of them failing to significantly enhance mycorrhizal colonization under greenhouse conditions. Effects on plant growth under field conditions were found to be dependent on changes within the mycorrhizal community.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Kammala Waththe Asanka Madhushan, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Dharmasiri Dissanayake, Tikka Devage Chamarika Priyadarshani, Steven L. Stephenson, Abdallah M. Elgorban, Turki M. Dawoud, Alviti Kankanamalage Hasith Priyashantha, Dongqing Dai, Pinnaduwage Neelamanie Yapa, Xiaoyan Wang
Summary: In this study, the growth and yield responses of Sri Lankan lowland rice were evaluated under different soil nutrient management systems, with the application of beneficial Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and intercropping with vetiver grass. The results showed that the utilization of AMF and vetiver in organic soil significantly increased the grain yield of rice.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heng Gui, Ying Gao, Zhenghong Wang, Lingling Shi, Kai Yan, Jianchu Xu
Summary: The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) significantly reduced N2O emissions from agricultural soils in the 1st month, and the abundance of key genes responsible for denitrification (nirK and nosZ) significantly decreased in AM treatments, suggesting that AMF can regulate N2O emissions by altering the denitrification process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Shangtao Jiang, Xiangrui An, Yadong Shao, Yalong Kang, Tingsu Chen, Xinlan Mei, Caixia Dong, Yangchun Xu, Qirong Shen
Summary: The study found that using organic fertilizer can increase AM fungal biomass and reduce the negative impact on AMF richness compared to mineral-only fertilization. Organic fertilizer had positive effects on AMF in specific conditions and negative effects in others. Organic carbon input, increased soil phosphorus, and the ratio of fertilizer N and P were identified as factors influencing the effects of organic fertilizer on AMF occurrence.
Article
Plant Sciences
Emanuel Gasi, Tomislav Radic, Mate Carija, Giorgio Gambino, Raffaella Balestrini, Katarina Hancevic
Summary: The study demonstrates that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have positive effects on grapevine performance in the context of viral infection. AMF significantly improve net photosynthesis rate, conductance to H2O, chlorophyll a concentration, total carotenoid concentration, and dry matter content of grapevine facing biotic stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yu Wang, Wenze Zhang, Weikang Liu, Golam Jalal Ahammed, Wenxu Wen, Shirong Guo, Sheng Shu, Jin Sun
Summary: This study demonstrates that inoculation of AMF in continuous cropping substrates promotes tomato seedling growth and root development, with increased NADP-ME activity. Transcriptome analysis showed enrichment in the plant hormone signal transduction pathway and identification of genes related to IAA. Overall, the study suggests that IAA mediates the effects of AMF on tomato growth and NADP-ME expression in continuous cropping substrates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Abdul Saboor, Muhammad Arif Ali, Subhan Danish, Niaz Ahmed, Shah Fahad, Rahul Datta, Mohammad Javed Ansari, Omaima Nasif, Muhammad Habib ur Rahman, Bernard R. Glick
Summary: Zinc deficiency can have a severe impact on plant growth, yield, and enzymatic activities. Zinc plays a vital role in various enzymatic activities in plants. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can help improve plant zinc nutrition and mitigate zinc stress effects. In a study comparing zinc levels on inoculated and non-inoculated maize plants, it was found that AMF-inoculated maize had higher gas exchange traits and improved antioxidant enzyme activity, benefiting nutrient uptake.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jiawei Chen, Jianwei Li, Yurong Yang, Yimei Wang, Yifei Zhang, Ping Wang
Summary: This study compares the effects of conventional and organic farming systems on AM fungi in low-quality farmlands and finds that although the composition and structure of soil AM fungal communities are simpler in conventional farms, there are still potential diverse resources.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Vesh R. Thapa, Rajan Ghimire, Veronica Acosta-Martinez, Mark A. Marsalis, Meagan E. Schipanski
Summary: This study investigated the impact of cover crops on soil microbial community structure and enzyme activities in a semi-arid environment. The results showed that cover crops can increase total microbial community size, fungal abundance, and enzyme activities associated with carbon and nutrient cycling. Among cover crops, oat and its mixtures with legumes and brassicas were most effective in improving soil health and biogeochemical cycling in a hot and dry semi-arid climate.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Shelby C. McClelland, Keith Paustian, Meagan E. Schipanski
Summary: Cover cropping can increase soil carbon stocks in temperate climates, with factors such as planting and termination dates, annual cover crop biomass production, and soil clay content playing key roles in determining the magnitude of this impact. Continuous cover or autumn planting and termination of cover crops, along with high annual biomass production, are associated with greater increases in soil carbon stocks. Management strategies focused on maximizing net primary productivity through improved synchronization between cover crop growing windows and environmental conditions can enhance the effectiveness of cover cropping in sequestering carbon in agricultural ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
James Hale, Meagan Schipanski, Michael Carolan
Summary: The study suggests incorporating the concept of "just transitions" to address the challenges and opportunities faced by farmers in transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices. It highlights the need to consider tensions in environmental ethics, policies, infrastructure, and socio-economic factors, while also emphasizing the importance of incorporating lessons from food justice.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Alfons Weersink, Mike von Massow, Nicholas Bannon, Jennifer Ifft, Josh Maples, Ken McEwan, Melissa G. S. McKendree, Charles Nicholson, Andrew Novakovic, Anusuya Rangarajan, Timothy Richards, Bradley Rickard, James Rude, Meagan Schipanski, Gary Schnitkey, Lee Schulz, Daniel Schuurman, Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein, Mark Stephenson, Jada Thompson, Katie Wood
Summary: North American agri-food supply chains showed vulnerability at the beginning of the pandemic, but have since rebounded to near normal conditions. The specialization in supply chain design led to initial disruptions but also facilitated a rapid recovery. Future trends may include greater consolidation of firms, structural changes in input markets, and increased demand for attributes associated with resiliency.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Simone Cristina Braga Bertini, Mary Stromberger, Lucas Carvalho Basilio Azevedo, Elke Jurandy Bran Nogueira Cardoso
Summary: The Araucaria forest, a sub-type of Atlantic Forest, is critically endangered due to deforestation. This study aimed to assess microbial and functional soil diversity in Araucaria ecosystems in Southeast Brazil. Results showed that soil properties varied more by park location than forest disturbance levels, with reforested soils having lower pH and base cation content, while disturbed soils were sandier in texture and higher in P content compared to native and reforested soils.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Shelby C. McClelland, Keith Paustian, Stephen Williams, Meagan E. Schipanski
Summary: This study aimed to parameterize new and existing cover crop species in the DayCent model, validate differences between cover crop and control systems using published data, and evaluate model performance and improvements in cover crop data reporting. The results showed that process-based models like DayCent can inform on farm-scale biogeochemical processes under cover cropping, but more detailed reporting from empirical studies is needed to improve model estimates and reduce uncertainty.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Courtland Kelly, Meagan E. Schipanski, Angela Tucker, Wilma Trujillo, Johnathon D. Holman, Augustine K. Obour, S. K. Johnson, Joe E. Brummer, Lucas Haag, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: Cover crops are important for soil conservation efforts, but can compete with cash crops for water resources in dryland agricultural systems. Grazing cover crops can increase soil aggregation, but may reduce wheat yields. In water-limited environments, grazing cover crops show potential as a management option to improve soil health metrics despite short-term yield impacts.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Augustine K. Obour, Logan M. Simon, Johnathon D. Holman, Patrick M. Carr, Meagan Schipanski, Steven Fonte, Rajan Ghimire, Thandiwe Nleya, Humberto Blanco-Canqui
Summary: Rotating cereal crops with a summer fallow period presents challenges such as depletion of soil organic carbon and loss of soil fertility, but integrating cover crops into the system can increase soil organic carbon, improve soil fertility, suppress weeds, and enhance profitability. Future research efforts should focus on management options for cover crop integration in dryland grain systems and improving agricultural practices in dryland regions.
Article
Soil Science
Antisar Afkairin, James A. Ippolito, Mary Stromberger, Jessica G. Davis
Summary: The study evaluated phosphorus solubilization and activity of Anabaena sp. and Mammoth P using different organic P sources under laboratory conditions. Results showed that the Cyano treatment had higher water-soluble P and Olsen extractable P concentrations compared to the No PSM control and MP treatments. The MP treatment of the bone meal source had higher Olsen P concentration than the No PSM control and same as the Cyano treatment.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Francesca Cotrufo, Jocelyn M. Lavallee, Yao Zhang, Paige M. Hansen, Keith H. Paustian, Meagan Schipanski, Matthew D. Wallenstein
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Courtland Kelly, Michelle L. Haddix, Patrick F. Byrne, M. Francesca Cotrufo, Meagan M. Schipanski, Cynthia M. Kallenbach, Matthew D. Wallenstein, Steven J. Fonte
Summary: The study found that different wheat genotypes exhibited varying patterns of root C allocation, influencing nitrogen cycling. Thicker roots released more C into soil, enhancing nitrogen mineralization and microbial biomass, which in turn increased nitrogen cycling enzyme activity and residue nitrogen uptake by wheat. Microbial community structure was strongly correlated with root C allocation patterns, with certain genera showing strong relationships with root C deposition and nitrogen uptake.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Candace Carter, Meagan E. Schipanski
Summary: The study found limited varietal differences in total biomass or N uptake across different soil environments. Soil organic matter was an important, additive N source regardless of N fertilizer availability. Under low SOM availability, high fertilizer addition increased overall N uptake from SOM by 42% compared to low N fertilizer treatment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agustin Nunez, Ryan Ball, Meagan Schipanski
Summary: Water scarcity limits irrigated agriculture, causing farmers to transition to dryland cropping. This study found that irrigation retirement resulted in decreased crop biomass production, particularly for maize. Soil microbial communities were less affected by irrigation retirement, with changes mostly observed in the maize agroecosystem. Winter wheat is a viable option for sustaining crop production and mitigating the negative impacts of irrigation retirement on soil health.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Steve Culman, Priscila Pinto, Jennie Pugliese, Timothy Crews, Lee DeHaan, Jake Jungers, Jamie Larsen, Matthew Ryan, Meagan Schipanski, Mark Sulc, Sandra Wayman, Mary Wiedenhoeft, David Stoltenberg, Valentin Picasso
Summary: Harvesting forage can increase grain yield and forage nutritive values of intermediate wheatgrass. This dual-use strategy has the potential to enhance productivity and profitability for farmers growing this perennial grain.
Review
Soil Science
Rajan Ghimire, Vesh R. Thapa, Veronica Acosta-Martinez, Meagan Schipanski, Lindsey C. Slaughter, Steven J. Fonte, Manoj K. Shukla, Prakriti Bista, Sangamesh V. Angadi, Maysoon M. Mikha, Olufemi Adebayo, Tess Noble Strohm
Summary: Healthy soils are crucial for sustainable agriculture, but degradation of soil health is a significant challenge in water-limited environments. Soil in arid and semi-arid regions often has low organic matter, fertility, and productivity, making it difficult to build up organic matter. Existing soil health assessment frameworks are not suitable for these environments and a new framework that links soil health with ecosystem functions is needed. The study also discusses management strategies, such as tillage and residue management, organic amendments, and cropping system diversification, for improving soil health in water-limited regions.
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)