Article
Plant Sciences
Siping Liu, Lixue Wang, Liang Chang, Ismail Khan, Faisal Nadeem, Abdul Rehman, Ran Suo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of intercropping and straw mulching on crop growth, yield, nitrogen uptake, and photosynthetic characteristics. The results showed that straw mulching, intercropping, and their interaction significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index, chlorophyll content, nitrogen uptake, photosynthetic characteristics, and crop yield.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Kurt Christian Kersebaum
Summary: Global warming is expected to benefit overwintering crops, but decreasing snowpack insulation partly reduces the yield benefits of winter wheat.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiangping Wang, Jingsong Yang, Rongjiang Yao, Wenping Xie, Xing Zhang
Summary: In newly reclaimed coastal soil, saline conditions and nutrient deficiency are limiting factors for crop yield. Manure and plastic film mulch have been shown to effectively reduce soil salt, increase soil water, improve soil nutrients and promote plant growth, thereby increasing yield.
Article
Agronomy
Vesna Dragicevic, Zeljko Dolijanovic, Biljana Janosevic, Milan Brankov, Milovan Stoiljkovic, Margarita S. Dodevska, Milena Simic
Summary: Results indicate that cover crops such as fodder kale and winter oats + common vetch could enhance sweet maize productivity and kernel quality in a semi-arid climate, under rain-fed conditions, serving as an important part of a sustainable cropping system to facilitate food security.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hubert Waligora, Leszek Majchrzak, Bogna Zawieja, Robert Idziak, Piotr Szulc
Summary: Field pansy infestation can cause a decrease in species diversity and the disappearance of other species in plant communities. Understanding the ecology and management strategies for field pansy in maize is crucial for effective weed control. Research on sugar maize cultivation after different crops in the Wielkopolska region showed that field pansy infestation was most likely to occur when maize was cultivated after wheat.
Article
Agronomy
Tabea Selzer, Sven Schubert
Summary: Rising temperatures and disruption of rainfall patterns due to climate change make water a limiting growth factor even in regions of temperate climates. Although cover crops provide many benefits to cropping systems, this study found no evidence of occult precipitation and concluded that living cover crops do not provide any water benefits. Soil water recharge in winter is highly dependent on meteorological conditions and cover crop management, and negative effects on a succeeding cash crop can only be prevented if cover crops are terminated early enough for replenishment of soil water.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Mingda Wang, Zhanjun Liu, Bingnian Zhai, Yuanjun Zhu, Xinpeng Xu
Summary: This study collected 202 peer-reviewed publications to compare the effects of plastic mulch (PM) and straw mulch (SM) on crop yields and soil quality. The results showed that PM significantly increased grain yields in mono crops, while SM had better agronomic performance in long-term experiments. However, SM had a more remarkable improvement on soil quality, making it a better choice for addressing the challenges of food security, soil degradation, and environmental mitigation.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Giovani Preza-Fontes, Laura E. Christianson, Kristin Greer, Rabin Bhattarai, Cameron M. Pittelkow
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of nitrogen application timing and cereal rye cover crops on soil N2O emissions, finding that the combination of in-season nitrogen application with cover crop decomposition can increase N2O emissions, but the cumulative effects vary across years.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria P. Rodriguez, Joaquin Vargas, Adrian A. Correndo, Ana J. P. Carcedo, Walter D. Carciochi, Hernan R. Sainz Rozas, Pablo A. Barbieri, Ignacio A. Ciampitti
Summary: This meta-analysis examines the impact of hairy vetch as a cover crop on maize yield. The results show that hairy vetch has a positive effect on maize yield under non-N fertilization, while the impact on N-fertilized maize is more neutral or slightly positive. The accumulation of nitrogen in hairy vetch and the nitrogen rate have a significant influence on maize yield.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Weldemichael A. Tesfuhuney, Achamyeleh G. Mengistu, Leon D. Van Rensburg, Sue Walker
Summary: Reducing soil evaporation can enhance rainfed crop production in semi-arid climates. This study found that covering the soil with stover mulch and providing canopy shading can effectively reduce soil evaporation, resulting in improved water use efficiency for crop growth.
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Ziqi Qin, Kaiyu Guan, Wang Zhou, Bin Peng, Maria B. Villamil, Zhenong Jin, Jinyun Tang, Robert Grant, Lowell Gentry, Andrew J. Margenot, German Bollero, Ziyi Li
Summary: The study evaluated the impacts of cover crops in maize-soybean rotation systems in the U.S. Midwest using a process-based model and field experimental data, finding that non-legume cover crops may reduce maize yield while legume cover crops have no significant impact. Management practices, such as optimizing cover crop termination time and fertilizer management, can minimize the negative effects of non-legume cover crops on maize yield.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Bruce A. Kimball, Kelly R. Thorp, Kenneth J. Boote, Claudio Stockle, Andrew E. Suyker, Steven R. Evett, David K. Brauer, Gwen G. Coyle, Karen S. Copeland, Gary W. Marek, Paul D. Colaizzi, Marco Acutis, Seyyedmajid Alimagham, Sotirios Archontoulis, Faye Babacar, Zoltan Barcza, Bruno Basso, Patrick Bertuzzi, Julie Constantin, Massimiliano De Antoni Migliorati, Benjamin Dumont, Jean-Louis Durand, Nandor Fodor, Thomas Gaiser, Pasquale Garofalo, Sebastian Gayler, Luisa Giglio, Robert Grant, Kaiyu Guan, Gerrit Hoogenboom, Qianjing Jiang, Soo-Hyung Kim, Isaya Kisekka, Jon Lizaso, Sara Masia, Huimin Meng, Valentina Mereu, Ahmed Mukhtar, Alessia Perego, Bin Peng, Eckart Priesack, Zhiming Qi, Vakhtang Shelia, Richard Snyder, Afshin Soltani, Donatella Spano, Amit Srivastava, Aimee Thomson, Dennis Timlin, Antonio Trabucco, Heidi Webber, Tobias Weber, Magali Willaume, Karina Williams, Michael van der Laan, Domenico Ventrella, Michelle Viswanathan, Xu Xu, Wang Zhou
Summary: Accurate simulation of crop water use is important for assessing the impact of climate change on crop productivity and aiding irrigation scheduling. This study compared 41 maize growth models and found that several models were able to simulate crop water use effectively. However, there were variations in simulation accuracy across different sites, seasons, and irrigation levels. Factors that need improvement include handling of humidity and wind, as well as simulation methods for soil water evaporation. Nonetheless, older models that have been widely tested and used performed well in simulating crop water use, indicating the importance of model testing and improvement.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guoyong Leng
Summary: The study found that drought has a probabilistic impact on US maize yield, with irrigation reducing yield loss risk. The diverse risk distribution patterns under different drought intensities emphasize the necessity of better representing drought effects at local scales.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Daniel C. Brainard, Zachary D. Hayden, Marisa M. Benzle, Michael Metiva, Logan R. Appenfeller, Zsofia Szendrei
Summary: Zonal management of cereal-legume cover crop mixtures can help address weed and nitrogen management challenges in organic reduced tillage systems. A field study in Michigan found that the planting arrangement of rye and vetch cover crops did not affect squash yield, but there were still challenges in weed and nitrogen management.
Article
Agronomy
Apurba Kanti Choudhury, Md. Samim Hossain Molla, Taslima Zahan, Ranjit Sen, Jatish Chandra Biswas, Sohela Akhter, Sheikh Ishtiaque, Faruque Ahmed, Md. Maniruzaman, Md. Belal Hossain, Parimal Chandra Sarker, Eldessoky S. Dessoky, Mohamed M. Hassan, Akbar Hossain
Summary: The study identified the optimal sowing window for maize in the northern region of Bangladesh (Rangpur) to be from November 5 to December 5, and from November 20 to December 5 in the western region (Jashore). Utilizing the CERES-Maize model, the research was able to accurately forecast maize yields, providing important insights for future sowing strategies and yield predictions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
N. P. Mkhonza, N. N. Buthelezi-Dube, P. Muchaonyerwa
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ntwanano Moirah Malepfane, Pardon Muchaonyerwa, Jeffrey Charles Hughes, Rebecca Zengeni
Summary: Land use affects the stocks of soil organic carbon, with subsoil horizons potentially containing more protected carbon than topsoil layers. In South Africa, humic soils have high organic carbon in the A horizon, but the carbon stocks throughout the soil profile depth are unknown. Cultivation reduces soil organic carbon, and soils with thick humic A horizons and coarser texture store more carbon in deeper layers, while soils with thin humic A horizons and finer texture store more carbon in the 0-20 cm depth.
Article
Agronomy
T. Mdlambuzi, M. Tsubo, P. Muchaonyerwa
Summary: Small-scale farmers mostly rely on chemical fertilizers for crop production, but long-term application may have negative impacts on soil quality. However, co-application of biogas slurry with chemical fertilizers can reduce costs while improving crop production and soil health.
COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
S. Dube, P. Muchaonyerwa, F. Mapanda, Jc Hughes
Summary: This study investigated the effects of diluted liquid waste from drinking water treatment on the concentrations of aluminum and manganese in the leachates and soils. The results showed that irrigation with undiluted waste increased the concentrations of aluminum and manganese in the leachates and lowered the pH of the soils. Higher waste concentrations increased the retention of manganese and aluminum in the soils and acidified the soil.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
S. Ntonta, I. Mathew, R. Zengeni, P. Muchaonyerwa, V. Chaplot
Summary: Decomposition of crop residues affects soil organic carbon stocks, with different crop types showing different levels of CO2 emissions. Legumes and grasses have lower stability in carbon emission. Soil texture, pH, residue quality, and soil organic carbon concentration are related to CO2 emissions.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
N. Z. Sosibo, E. Dube, P. Muchaonyerwa, T. J. Tsilo
Summary: While conservation agriculture has been successful in many areas, some farmers have not realized the expected benefits, especially in Africa. The cropping sequences of wheat/maize and wheat/soybean were studied to determine their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC), inorganic phosphorus, and other soil quality parameters. The study found that the cropping sequences did affect some soil properties, such as pH and nutrient availability.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vusumuzi Erick Mbanjwa, Pardon Muchaonyerwa, Jeffrey Charles Hughes
Summary: This study revealed the impacts of sugarcane cultivation on the distribution of total aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), and organic carbon (TOC) in soil aggregate fractions. Sugarcane cultivation resulted in a decrease in macro-aggregates and TOC, while increasing the silt and clay fraction, as well as the total Al and Fe content.
Article
Agronomy
Dimpho Elvis Elephant, Neil Miles, Pardon Muchaonyerwa
Summary: Reliable fertilizer recommendations should consider non-exchangeable potassium reserves and fixation capacity to ensure optimum crop yields. This study assessed the response of sugarcane yields to potassium application on two soils with different combinations of these factors. The study highlighted the importance of considering non-exchangeable potassium reserves and fixation capacity when determining potassium requirements and conducting field calibration studies.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Nm Malepfane, P. Muchaonyerwa, Jc Hughes, R. Zengeni
Summary: Land use affects the distribution of different carbon fractions in soil, with cultivation leading to a decrease in organic carbon in humic soils but not necessarily indicating a loss in C storage in the stable pool.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
V. E. Mbanjwa, P. Muchaonyerwa, J. C. Hughes
Summary: This study compared the effects of converting native forest land to sugarcane fields on soil physical properties. The results showed that long-term sugarcane cultivation can decrease soil bulk density and improve saturated hydraulic conductivity, making it beneficial for water movement in drought-prone regions of South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Samukelisiwe P. Vilakazi, Pardon Muchaonyerwa, Nkosinomusa Nomfundo Buthelezi-Dube
Summary: Disposing of potato waste at landfills causes loss of nutrients and pollution of air and groundwater. Biochar made from potato waste can reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase carbon storage, and recycle nutrients in soil. This study investigated the effects of using biochar made from cull potato and pine bark on carbon dioxide emissions and the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in different soils.
Article
Environmental Studies
Nondumiso Zanele Sosibo, Pardon Muchaonyerwa, Ernest Dube, Toi John Tsilo
Summary: This study investigated the effects of tillage and straw management on soil organic carbon and phosphorus dynamics in dryland wheat cultivation. The findings suggest that burning straw increases organic carbon concentration in the subsoil, while no-tillage improves total carbon stock and labile phosphorus fractions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nothandoa Dunjana, Rebecca Zengeni, Charity Pisa, Menas Wuta, Pardon Muchaonyerwa
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
N. P. Mkhonza, N. N. Buthelezi-Dube, P. Muchaonyerwa
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tichaedza J. Chikuvire, Pardon Muchaonyerwa, Rebecca Zengeni
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2019)
Article
Soil Science
Lin Liu, Yili Lu, Robert Horton, Tusheng Ren
Summary: A new approach is presented in this study to estimate the parameters of the soil water retention curve (SWRC). The new method accurately estimates SWRCs by using measured thermal conductivity-water content curves, soil texture, bulk density, and field capacity water content.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zhongshan Dai, Yong Zhang, Yujie Wei, Chongfa Cai
Summary: This study investigates the effects of erosion degradation and long-term manure fertilization on soil properties and crop yield in Northeast China. Results show that erosion degradation and manure fertilization have lasting impacts on soil physical structure throughout the soil profile, while their effects on soil nutrient properties are focused in shallow layers. Manure fertilization significantly improves soil functional index (ISI) and maize yield for degraded soils. Erosion degradation has a greater influence on ISI and maize yield than manure fertilization.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xintong Xu, Ruiyu Bi, Mengxin Song, Yubing Dong, Ying Jiao, Bingxue Wang, Zhengqin Xiong
Summary: The substitution of organic fertilizers for inorganic fertilizers has a significant impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) and can help combat soil degradation and climate change in intensive vegetable production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Moritz Koza, Roger Funk, Julia Poehlitz, Christopher Conrad, Olga Shibistova, Tobias Meinel, Kanat Akshalov, Gerd Schmidt
Summary: Semi-arid regions in Central Asia are experiencing wind erosion due to steppe conversion and unsustainable farming practices. A study conducted in Kazakhstan used a mobile wind tunnel to assess soil erodibility under real conditions. The results showed significant differences in soil erosion based on initial conditions and mechanical stress, emphasizing the importance of proper soil management to prevent severe events.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Tong Li, Guorui Li, Zhiqiang Lu, Deqiang Zhao, Yuze Li, Ziting Wang, Xiaoxia Wen, Yuncheng Liao
Summary: Conservation agriculture with three management principles is effective in mitigating soil erosion and nutrient loss. This study found that no tillage significantly increased soil extracellular enzyme activities, while legume incorporation only had a significant effect on phosphorus-acquiring enzymes. Crop diversity positively influenced the no tillage-induced increase in enzyme activities.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Zahra Khasi, Mohammad Sadegh Askari, Setareh Amanifar, Kamran Moravej
Summary: This research aims to evaluate the applicability of visual soil evaluation methods for agricultural systems in semi-arid regions and assess the relationship between soil physical quality and crop yield. The results indicate that visual evaluation methods can effectively assess soil conditions, and optimal soil structural quality is crucial for sustainable crop production.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Amin Jannatul Ferdous, Xiaolin Wang, Katie Lewis, John Zak
Summary: Conservative agricultural management strategies can enhance crop productivity by altering soil microbiome, and incorporating legumes into cover crops in semi-arid regions can improve the dynamics of rhizobial communities. There is a strong underlying relationship between soil management and bacterial diversity in the soil.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Haiman Wang, Wankui Ni, Haisong Liu, Kangze Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the structural strength of the Loess-Paleosol Sequence (LPS) and finds that the strength tends to increase with burial depth, with the loess layer weaker than the paleosol layer. The microstructure of the LPS also undergoes significant transformations with increased burial depth, transitioning from an overhead structure to a matrix structure. These findings highlight the importance of climate conditions on the structural strength of the LPS.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ranabir Chakraborty, V. K. Sharma, Debarup Das, D. R. Biswas, P. Mahapatra, D. K. Shahi, M. Barman, K. A. Chobhe, D. Chakraborty
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term nutrient management practices on P fractions and P adsorption-desorption behaviour of an acid soil with a soybean-wheat cropping system. The findings revealed that amorphous Fe and Al, which play a significant role in P fixation, increased due to cultivation. The NPK+Lime treatment offered the most balanced approach, improving both crop yield and P uptake while effectively managing P dynamics in the soil. On the contrary, long-term application of NPK+FYM in an acid soil may result in faster P saturation of adsorption sites and increase the chances of leaching and eutrophication. Tailored P fertilization strategies should be developed to better utilize the PFe and PAl fractions and supplementing applied P.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yuan Li, Ying Li, Qingping Zhang, Gang Xu, Guopeng Liang, Dong-Gill Kim, Carmen Rosa Carmona, Mei Yang, Jianming Xue, Yangzhou Xiang, Bin Yao, Yuying Shen
Summary: Agricultural intensification has led to severe degradation of croplands in China. Converting degraded croplands to grasslands can increase soil organic carbon and nitrogen content, but may decrease soil pH and available phosphorus. The duration of conversion and mean annual precipitation are major factors influencing soil changes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinliang Wu, Sixu Yao, Jinxing Zhou
Summary: The coupling effect of slaking and mechanical breakdown on aggregate stability was evaluated using a new method. This method can partition the unique and shared effects of these two breakdown mechanisms and showed better performance in predicting soil erosion compared to existing methods.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xinni Ju, Lei Gao, Dongli She, Yuhua Jia, Zhe Pang, Yaji Wang
Summary: This study linked soil pore structures quantified by X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning and infiltration processes traced using stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes under different land uses in the red soil region of southern China. The results showed that soil pore characteristics mainly affected soil water transport, while other soil properties played more important roles in soil water retention. CT-based porosity and soil texture were considered crucial indicators in the evaluation of water exchange during infiltration processes.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Hongwei Xu, Qing Qu, Jiaping Yang, Zhen Wang, Minggang Wang, Rentao Liu, Sha Xue
Summary: This study systematically analyzed the effects of drought on terrestrial ecosystem C-N-P stoichiometry on a global scale. The results showed that drought significantly decreased the C:N ratio in soil, enzymes, shoots, and roots. Soil microbes were limited by N, whereas plants were restricted by P under drought stress. Drought intensity and duration were negatively correlated with shoot N:P and vector angle.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sara L. Bauke, Sabine J. Seidel, Miriam Athmann, Anne E. Berns, Melanie Braun, Martina I. Gocke, Julien Guigue, Timo Kautz, Ingrid Koegel-Knabner, Juliette Ohan, Matthias Rillig, Michael Schloter, Oliver Schmittmann, Stefanie Schulz, David Uhlig, Andrea Schnepf, Wulf Amelung
Summary: Agricultural production in Central Europe is increasingly affected by extreme drought events. This study found that incorporating organic matter, especially biowaste compost, into the subsoil significantly increased root growth and subsequently improved crop nutrient uptake, biomass, and grain yield. The incorporation of green waste compost had less pronounced effects.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xi Chen, Xuesong Wang
Summary: Based on the application of the integrated wind erosion modeling system, this study comprehensively simulated the loss and conservation of nutrients during aeolian dust emissions in the arid and semiarid areas of China. The results showed a decreasing trend in nutrient losses over the past two decades, with the ecosystems playing a crucial role in preventing these losses. The prevention rates of different land cover types were generally high, indicating the effectiveness of conservation measures.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2024)
