Article
Soil Science
F. Marquez-Garcia, A. Hayas, A. Pena, R. Ordonez-Fernandez, E. J. Gonzalez-Sanchez
Summary: Conservation Agriculture (CA) management, which involves planting groundcovers or cover crops (CC) between the rows of olive trees, can effectively reduce runoff and erosion compared to traditional tillage (T) management, resulting in a decrease in soil organic carbon (SOC) losses associated with sediment.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Luis F. Arias-Giraldo, Gema Guzman, Miguel Montes-Borrego, David Gramaje, Jose A. Gomez, Blanca B. Landa
Summary: The study demonstrates that using cover crops can reduce soil erosion, maintain soil properties, and improve the structure and diversity of soil bacterial communities. Different types of cover crops, such as those with gramineous or mixed plant species, have varying effects on soil functional properties.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sandra Martins, Ermelinda Silva, Catia Brito, Luis Pinto, Carlos Martins-Gomes, Alexandre Goncalves, Margarida Arrobas, Manuel Angelo Rodrigues, Carlos M. Correia, Fernando M. Nunes
Summary: Under climate change threats, it is necessary to adopt sustainable practices in rainfed olive orchards to ensure crop yield, olive oil quality, and soil health. The combination of a leguminous cover crop and natural zeolites shows promising results in increasing yield and improving olive oil quality. However, long-term studies are needed to ensure the sustainability of crop yield and olive oil quality.
Review
Soil Science
Agata Novara, Artemi Cerda, Ettore Barone, Luciano Gristina
Summary: Cover crops play a positive role in the sustainability of orchard crops by reducing soil and water losses, improving soil quality, increasing biodiversity, and fertility. Despite their benefits, farmers do not widely apply cover crops and often expect subsidies.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Adnane Beniaich, Danielle Vieira Guimaraes, Junior Cesar Avanzi, Bruno Montoani Silva, Salvador Francisco Acuna-Guzman, Wharley Pereira dos Santos, Marx Leandro Naves Silva
Summary: This research aimed to study the effects of different cover crops on chemical and physical properties in olive orchards, under tropical conditions, and to determine the best management cover crop. The results showed that cover crops were effective in reducing soil loss.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Lenon Henrique Lovera, Zigomar Menezes de Souza, Diego Alexander Aguilera Esteban, Ingrid Nehmi de Oliveira, Camila Viana Vieira Farhate, Elizeu de Souza Lima, Alan Rodrigo Panosso
Summary: The study showed that under different soil tillage systems and cover crops, sugarcane root system attributes varied in different soil layers. Although there were some significant differences in root biomass, more roots were accumulated during the second crop cycle.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Entomology
Alice Caselli, Ruggero Petacchi
Summary: Climate change has a significant impact on olive trees in the Mediterranean region, yet there is limited understanding of the effects of global warming on major pests such as parasitoids and predators. The use of prediction models may help in controlling olive pests, but most models are not available for the pests of olive trees.
Article
Soil Science
Nicolas Guillermo Polich, Luis Alberto Lozano, Rafael Villarreal, Maria Paz Salazar, Esteban M. Melani, C. German Soracco
Summary: No tillage (NT) in simplified agricultural systems has negative effects on soil physical quality, but the inclusion of winter cover crops (CC) can help preserve the physical fertility of soils under NT. This study aimed to determine the effect of cover crop incorporation under NT on the soil pore system configuration and anisotropy of unsaturated hydraulic properties. Results showed that cover crops increased the structure porosity and modified the anisotropy of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Humberto Blanco-Canqui
Summary: Cover crops have mixed effects on earthworm biomass and diversity, but generally increase earthworm abundance. More data from different cover crop management scenarios and climates are needed for more robust conclusions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Carlos Felipe dos Santos Cordeiro, Fabio Rafael Echer, Fabio Fernando Araujo
Summary: This study evaluated the chemical characteristics and microbial activity of sandy soil, as well as the effects of different rotation systems on crop yield. Results showed that using cover crops in off-season cultivation improved soil quality and crop yield varied depending on the cover crop treatments. Implementing cover crop systems improved microbial soil activity in sandy soil, with benefits to yield and soil chemistry observed after the third year of cultivation.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Amin Nouri, Scott Lukas, Shikha Singh, Surendra Singh, Stephen Machado
Summary: Cover crops have been found to significantly reduce nitrate leaching in agricultural systems, with the greatest effects observed in cover crops from Brassicaceae and Poaceae families, as well as on Ultisols, Histosols, and Inceptisols. The effectiveness of cover crops in reducing nitrate leaching is influenced by soil type and composition, with higher sand content leading to better results.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Nikolaos Volakakis, Emmanouil Kabourakis, Leonidas Rempelos, Apostolos Kiritsakis, Carlo Leifert
Summary: This study found that mixed legume/cereal ground cover crops may increase the activity of parasitic wasps and act as a reservoir for natural enemies of agricultural pests, while olive fly mass-trapping systems may lure and kill some non-target invertebrates, but do not affect the activity of beneficial invertebrates such as pollinators and parasitic wasps.
Review
Agronomy
Humberto Blanco-Canqui, Karla Wilke, Johnathon Holman, Cody F. Creech, Augustine K. Obour, Lindsey Anderson
Summary: The impact of grazing cover crops (CCs) on soils and crop yields is not well understood. Available literature suggests that grazing can lead to the loss of CC biomass. Grazing CCs can increase soil compaction but generally below the root-growth threshold level. The effects of grazing on soil C concentration, wet aggregate stability, water infiltration, water retention, and soil microbial biomass are small and inconsistent. Grazing does not significantly affect subsequent crop yields, but high stocking rates or wet soils may result in soil compaction and yield reduction. More long-term data are needed to study the implications of CC grazing under different conditions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Robert L. Myers, Kelly R. Wilson
Summary: The SARE/CTIC national farmer survey analyzed the experiences and perspectives of non-adopters of cover crops. The non-adopters had similar farm sizes and land tenure situations to cover crop adopters, but were more likely to use conventional tillage and less likely to use continuous no-till. Their main concern about cover crops was the time required for planting and management. However, approximately 80% of non-adopters were open to considering cover crops if certain incentives were provided, such as payments, tax breaks, and assistance with soil carbon. They also expressed a desire for more knowledge and training on the benefits of cover crops, specifically in terms of soil organic matter, yield improvement, and reducing input costs.
FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesus Aguilera-Huertas, Jessica Cuartero, Margarita Ros, Jose Antonio Pascual, Luis Parras-Alcantara, Manuel Gonzalez-Rosado, Onurcan Ozbolat, Raul Zornoza, Marcos Egea-Cortines, Maria Hurtado-Navarro, Beatriz Lozano-Garcia
Summary: Intercropping systems have a significant impact on microbial communities and soil properties. In particular, the Crocus sativus cropping system can increase soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, which are correlated with bacterial communities and improve soil functionality.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Alfonso Gomez, Mercedes Campos, Gema Guzman, Franco Castillo-Llanque, Tom Vanwalleghem, Angel Lora, Juan V. Giraldez
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Entomology
Belen Cotes, Monica Gonzalez, Emilio Benitez, Eva De Mas, Gemma Clemente-Orta, Mercedes Campos, Estefania Rodriguez
Article
Environmental Sciences
Estefania Rodriguez, Ma Mar Tellez, Dirk Janssen
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio J. Castro, Maria D. Lopez-Rodriguez, Cynthia Giagnocavo, Miguel Gimenez, Leticia Cespedes, Abel La Calle, Marisa Gallardo, Pablo Pumares, Javier Cabello, Estefania Rodriguez, David Ucles, Salvador Parra, Jesus Casas, Francisco Rodriguez, Juan S. Fernandez-Prados, Daniela Alba-Patino, Monica Exposito-Granados, Beatriz E. Murillo-Lopez, Lina M. Vasquez, Diego L. Valera
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Hugo Alejandro Alvarez, Marina Morente, F. Shigeo Oi, Estefania Rodriguez, Mercedes Campos, Francisca Ruano
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Entomology
R. Moerkens, D. Janssen, N. Brenard, Eva Reybroeck, Maria del Mar Tellez, Estefania Rodriguez, L. Bosmans, H. Leirs, V Sluydts
Summary: The study examines the use of generalist and specialist predators in biocontrol programs for greenhouse vegetable crops, focusing on developing predator-prey decision models based on extensive field data to predict when pest control should be initiated. The study did not involve complex mathematical models but instead used a simple empirical approach, showing satisfactory biocontrol models which, when combined with standardized monitoring protocols, can be implemented in decision-making tools. In the future, additional data will allow for a machine learning approach incorporating parameters like temperature, humidity, and time.
JOURNAL OF PEST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
M. M. Tellez, T. Cabello, M. Gamez, F. J. Burguillo, E. Rodriguez
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan M. Requena-Mullor, Jose Manuel Garcia-Garrido, Pedro Antonio Garcia, Estefania Rodriguez
Article
Agronomy
Cynthia Giagnocavo, Miguel de Cara-Garcia, Monica Gonzalez, Melchor Juan, Jose Ignacio Marin-Guirao, Sepide Mehrabi, Estefania Rodriguez, Jan van der Blom, Eduardo Crisol-Martinez
Summary: This article explores sustainability transitions in agriculture through analyzing niche initiatives and their impact on farmers' relationships with nature. The study suggests that through agroecological practices, farmers can gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystems in which they operate and transition to more sustainable agricultural systems.
Article
Entomology
Carmen Robles-Vallet, Jesus Foronda, Francisca Ruano, Jose M. Moreno-Rojas, Ma Mar Tellez, Monica Gonzalez, Jose C. Montenegro-Gomez, Jose Munoz-Redondo, Pablo Barranco, Estefania Rodriguez
Summary: In this study, the spread of pest predators from natural habitats to crops was investigated using stable-isotopic ratios. The stable-isotopic ratios of green lacewings were influenced by their diet, and could be used as markers to track their populations. However, the stable-isotopic ratios of parasitic wasps were unaffected, making them less suitable as markers.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Estefania Rodriguez, Gemma Clemente-Orta, Eduardo Crisol-Martinez, Irene Gutierrez, Jan van der Blom, Monica Gonzalez
Summary: Southern Spain has the largest intensively grown protected crop area in the EU, characterized by greenhouse monocultures and a homogenous landscape. The establishment of hedgerows among greenhouses can enhance the diversity of natural enemies and aid in pest control, but its impact has not been thoroughly studied.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Dirk Janssen, Emilio Gonzalez-Miras, Estefania Rodriguez
Summary: This study investigated whether the leaf miner Tuta absoluta is part of the diet of vertebrate animals such as birds, reptiles, and mammals in a high-density tomato greenhouse ecosystem. The results showed that bats and several bird species consumed the pest, and nearby lizards were also likely to feed on it.
Article
Ecology
E. Benitez, B. Moreno, D. Paredes, M. Gonzalez, M. Campos, E. Rodriguez
Article
Ecology
Anabela Nave, Antonio L. Crespi, Fatima Goncalves, Mercedes Campos, Laura Torres
ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2017)
Article
Entomology
E. Rodriguez, M. Gonzalez, D. Paredes, M. Campos, E. Benitez
BULLETIN OF ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2018)