Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Curt A. McConnell, Rachel K. N. Rozum, Yuning Shi, Armen R. Kemanian
Summary: Interseeding cover crops can reduce nitrogen leaching and provide ecosystem services in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. However, it may also negatively impact corn yield. This study provides insights for future field experiments and crop management.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa, Ramdas Kanissery, Sarah L. Strauss
Summary: This study investigated the effects of cover crops on soil nutrient availability, fruit yield, and the soil microbiome in Florida citrus orchards. The results showed that planting cover crops significantly increased soil organic matter content and ammonium, and influenced the abundance of bacteria, archaea, and nitrogen-cycling genes. Cover crops also altered the composition of bacterial and fungal communities and increased the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria. However, the impacts of cover crops were site-specific and differed between fruit orchards and soil types.
BIOLOGY AND FERTILITY OF SOILS
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Lei Wu, Xia Liu, Junlai Chen, Jinfeng Li, Yang Yu, Xiaoyi Ma
Summary: This study evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of six selected best management practices (BMPs) for reducing soil erosion. By integrating the entropy weight method with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model, the researchers found that different BMPs showed variations in reduction efficiency under different hydrological seasons and critical source areas. Agricultural BMPs and tree planting were found to be effective in controlling soil erosion, with residue cover tillage ranking the highest in terms of comprehensive evaluation. The introduced framework provides a tool for selecting cost-effective conservation practices in different regions while considering efficacy and cost trade-offs.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Hyemi Kim, D. K. Lee, Thomas B. Voigt, Guanglong Tian, Anthony C. Yannarell
Summary: Planting perennial bioenergy crops on suboptimal farmland for food crops can mitigate nitrous oxide emissions and nutrient loss while producing bioenergy feedstocks. This study aimed to determine the effects of perennial energy crop management practices on soil microbial communities involved in nitrogen cycling. The findings suggest that nitrogen application significantly affects the abundance of nitrogen cycling genes.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
M. Geldenhuys, R. Gaigher, J. S. Pryke, M. J. Samways
Summary: The study found that having dense and diverse cover crops can enhance arthropod diversity in vineyards, while other management practices and environmental factors also positively influence biodiversity. There were no significant differences in arthropod diversity between integrated and organic vineyards.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Mihkel Are, Tanel Kaart, Are Selge, Endla Reintam
Summary: The stability of soil aggregates is crucial for soil functionality, with different crops showing significant effects on aggregate content. Peas and potatoes exhibited noteworthy differences in WSA content in topsoil versus subsoil.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yicheng Wang, Fulu Tao
Summary: This study aims to map potential regions for cover crops and estimate nitrogen nutrient supply and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation potentials. Results show that 13.3% of current croplands in China can be planted with cover crops, providing nitrogen fertilizer and mitigating GHG emissions. Soil organic carbon sequestration is the dominant process in GHG mitigation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Rodolfo Lizcano Toledo, Cristina Lerda, Barbara Moretti, Eleonora Miniotti, Veronica Santoro, Emilia Fernandez-Ondono, Maria Martin, Daniel Said-Pullicino, Marco Romani, Luisella Celi
Summary: This study found that planting and incorporation of hairy vetch can significantly increase rice grain yield and reduce nitrogen fertilizer use in temperate cropping systems. Hairy vetch also provides readily available nitrogen and phosphorus sources for rice, allowing for better synchronization of soil nutrient availability and crop nutrient demand, resulting in improved rice grain yield and quality performance.
Article
Soil Science
Manyun Zhang, Patrick J. O'Connor, Jinyu Zhang, Xiaoxin Ye
Summary: Vegetation covers in riparian zones play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, with plant species and biomass influencing soil microbial properties. Soil bacterial and fungal communities respond differently to plant species richness and biomass.
Article
Soil Science
Miguel A. Repullo-Ruiberriz de Torres, Rosa M. Carbonell-Bojollo, Manuel Moreno-Garcia, Rafaela Ordonez-Fernandez, Antonio Rodriguez-Lizana
Summary: The study found that different types of cover crops have varying effects on soil organic matter and nutrient release, with certain cruciferous plants significantly increasing nitrogen and potassium content in the soil.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
K. C. Kushal, Sami Khanal
Summary: This study quantified the long-term impacts of cover crops on cash crop yields and water quality in the Maumee River watershed using historic satellite data. The results showed minimal to negative yield impacts of cover crops on cash crops, with yield reductions decreasing over time. The study also found a strong negative correlation between cover crop area and spring NO3-N concentration and loads.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Babacar Thioye, Marc Legras, Lisa Castel, Francois Hirissou, Naouel Chaftar, Isabelle Trinsoutrot-Gattin
Summary: Soil microorganisms, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), play a crucial role in biological soil functioning. However, the impact of cover crops on native mycorrhizal fungi is not well understood. This study conducted in southern France examined the influence of cover crops on the native AM fungal community associated with walnut trees. The results showed that cover crops mainly affected soil microbial abundance and activities in conventional farming, whereas they stimulated AM fungal colonization of walnut roots in organic farming.
Article
Agronomy
Ausra Marcinkeviciene, Arunas Cmukas, Rimantas Velicka, Robertas Kosteckas, Lina Skinuliene
Summary: The use of biopesticides and undersown cover crops in organic farming has positive effects on soil agrophysical and biological properties. They decrease soil shear strength and increase the percentage of macro-aggregates in the plough layer. Plant root biomass is significantly higher in plots with cover crops. However, the application of biopesticides and undersown cover crops does not significantly affect the number and biomass of earthworms in the soil.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yaru Yang, Weiguo Liu, Jonathan M. Adams, Bin Song
Summary: The removal of snow-cover reduces soil nutrients, enzyme activities, and bacterial diversity in the desert ecosystem. Nitrogen deposition indirectly affects the bacterial community through modifications to soil nutrients and organic matter. This study highlights the critical role of snow-cover and raises awareness of the ecological risks of biological soil crusts in future global change.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
E. D. Schoolman, J. G. Arbuckle
Summary: This study examines the use of cover crops among specialty crop growers, focusing on the types of cover crops used and the factors influencing their use. The results suggest that cover cropping is more common among organic farms, influenced by private crop consultants, and farmers who prioritize agri-environmental goals. Growing vegetable crops and having concerns about climate-related risks did not show a significant relationship with cover cropping. The study concludes that promoting the organic food market and forming partnerships with crop consultants could increase the adoption of cover crops.
JOURNAL OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
(2022)