Article
Plant Sciences
Aurelio Scavo, Alessia Restuccia, Mario Banno, Giovanni Mauromicale
Summary: This study investigated the effects of continuous cultivation of durum wheat landraces and modern cultivars on the weed flora. The findings showed that the landraces were effective in reducing weed abundance and diversity, indicating their potential for sustainable weed control.
Article
Horticulture
Stefano Benvenuti, Massimo Selvi, Sara Mercati, Gianluca Cardinali, Valentino Mercati, Marco Mazzoncini
Summary: Stale seedbed preparation is an effective agronomic strategy for reducing weed seed banks, with seed bank reduction being proportional to the degree of soil crumbling induced by different tillage methods. Soil surface tillage can trigger weed seed germination and reduce the seed bank.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rosolino Ingraffia, Gaetano Amato, Paolo Ruisi, Dario Giambalvo, Alfonso S. Frenda
Summary: This study demonstrates that using no tillage (NT) alone as a substitute for conventional tillage (CT) is not agronomically feasible in organic farming. However, mitigating the negative effects of NT can be achieved by moving up the sowing date and using competitive genotypes. A more effective application of NT would require simultaneous adjustments in other factors of the cropping management system.
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sourour Ayed, Imen Bouhaouel, Hayet Jebari, Walid Hamada
Summary: This study assessed the potential of biostimulants on durum wheat and identified the most effective method of application. The results showed that microbial biostimulants improved germination, physiological, and agro-morphological traits of durum wheat. Seed coating combined with foliar spray was the best application method.
Article
Agronomy
Anestis Karkanis, Athanasios Angou, Despoina Athanasiadou, Kyriakos D. Giannoulis, Rodanthi Askianaki, Niki Kousi, Avgerinos Sarridis, Spyridon Souipas, Christos Karamoutis
Summary: The study found that wild mustard and milk thistle had higher densities in early sowing, with total weed density also being higher, while certain herbicides were more effective in late sowing, resulting in less impact on weeds and crops. Thus, the sowing date plays a crucial role in integrated weed management programs.
Article
Agronomy
Felipe Martins Saraiva, Jose Carlos Batista Dubeux, Marcio Vieira da Cunha, Romulo Simoes Cezar Menezes, Mercia Virginia Ferreira dos Santos, Dayanne Camelo, Ivan Ferraz
Summary: The study examined the effects of different manure sources on the growth of forage cactus, finding that broiler litter provided the highest amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, while sheep manure released the most potassium. Broiler litter also showed the best synchronism between nitrogen release and uptake in different cropping systems.
Article
Agronomy
Paul Cottney, Lisa Black, Paul Williams, Ethel White
Summary: Late sowing of cover crops can lead to decreased biomass production potential. There is currently a lack of research on the performance of cover crops at different sowing dates in Northern Ireland, as well as their effect on subsequent commercial crop yield. Among the chosen species, tillage radish showed the highest nitrogen assimilation capability when sown early, while phacelia outperformed other species when sown late. However, the cover crops had no impact on the yield of spring barley.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ausra Arlauskiene, Lina Sarunaite
Summary: The impact of undersown red clover and post-sown white mustard on their biomass, accumulated nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content and the nutrient release to subsequent main crops was examined in this study. It was found that post-harvest sowing of white mustard after winter wheat increased biomass by 34.1% compared to post-harvest sowing. The growth of cover crops and their contribution to soil nutrients during the growing season is vital for sustainable agriculture.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gal Rozenberg, Rafi Kent, Lior Blank
Summary: Studying weed mapping using UAVs to achieve accurate classification and spatial patterns in onion fields revealed significant variations in weed coverage between fields, but similar coverage within and between crop rows. The patchy weed distribution pattern observed highlights the importance of using low-cost UAVs for precise weed control management in onion fields.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Cong Zhang, Yuanyuan Ren, Minfei Yan, Zhan He, Yinglong Chen, Suiqi Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the effect of sowing date on water uptake in intercropping systems of maize and soybean. The results showed that different sowing dates had varying impacts on water absorption depth and efficiency. The M2s4 model was identified as the optimal planting time for intercropping systems on the Loess Plateau.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Wen Ren, Zhixin Zhang, Yuying Shen, Changing Lin, Xianlong Yang, Guohui Wang, Kun Yang, Mazuoma Mi, Ye Liu, Hui Wang
Summary: Community arrangement is crucial for maintaining forage production and stability in alpine regions. Adjusting plant spatial arrangements can enhance forage yield and enrich grassland establishment mode, supporting the development of sustainable livestock systems in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
I. R. Phillips, R. Courtney
Summary: This study investigated the long-term performance of rehabilitation on bauxite-processing residue storage areas, revealing that gypsum incorporation can improve the chemical properties of residue sand and promote nutrient cycling for vegetation cover. Legume plants contain more nitrogen, helping to increase organic carbon and nitrogen content in the residue sand, while nutrient cycling maintains a supply of nutrients for the vegetation cover.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bhabesh Gogoi, Nilay Borah, Ajit Baishya, Dhruba Jyoti Nath, Samiron Dutta, Ranjan Das, Debojit Bhattacharyya, Karuna Kanta Sharma, Donatella Valente, Irene Petrosillo
Summary: This study investigated the long-term effects of organic supplementation and reduced chemical fertilizers on microbial composition and enzymatic activities in acid soil. Results showed significant impacts of different nutrient management strategies on soil microbiological properties and enzymatic activities, with the most sustainable treatments including a combination of organic and chemical fertilizers.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiu Zhang, Manyu Liu, Feina Zheng, Yuanjie Dong, Yifan Hua, Jinpeng Chu, Mingrong He, Xinglong Dai
Summary: This study investigates the impacts of different sowing patterns and nitrogen rates on N2O emissions and wheat yield. The results show that wide belt sowing significantly reduces N2O emissions, greenhouse gas effects, and improves nitrogen use efficiency and yield. Therefore, wide belt sowing can simultaneously decrease N2O emissions and obtain higher yields and nitrogen use efficiency.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Uttam Kumer Sarker, Md. Salahuddin Kaysar, Md. Romij Uddin, Md. Alamgir Hossain, Sabry Hassan, Mohamed M. Hassan
Summary: Bangladesh is primarily an agricultural country where agriculture in the char areas faces challenges such as climate risks, lack of resources, and underdeveloped markets. By studying cropping patterns and proposing adjustment strategies, solutions can be provided to improve production conditions for local farmers.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Sergio Saia, Jan Jansa
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Francesca Taranto, Ermanno Di Serio, Monica Marilena Miazzi, Stefano Pavan, Sergio Saia, Pasquale De Vita, Nunzio D'Agostino
Summary: This study aims to analyze the genetic variation patterns of two large germplasm collections of Timilia and Russello durum wheat landraces using SNP genotyping. The results showed that there are two genetic groups of Russello associated with different geographical areas in Sicily, which differ in important traits related to gluten quality and adaptation. Meanwhile, Timilia landraces have undergone conservative selection despite their wide genetic variation, likely associated with their distinctive traits. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of the genetic diversity in Sicilian landraces and emphasizes the importance of considering intra-population genetic diversity when registering conservation varieties in national crop registers.
Article
Agronomy
Francesco G. S. Angeletti, Marco Mariotti, Beatrice Tozzi, Silvia Pampana, Sergio Saia
Summary: Legume-cereal mixtures can improve the nutritional and fermentative traits of forage, and the inclusion of faba bean in a barley-based silage system can enhance the fermentation process and widen the silage harvesting window.
Article
Agronomy
Federica Carucci, Gustavo Moreno-Martin, Yolanda Madrid-Albarran, Giuseppe Gatta, Pasquale De Vita, Marcella Michela Giuliani
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of foliar application of selenate and organic nitrogen and sulfur sources on the selenium content and species in durum wheat grain. The results showed that foliar application of selenate led to increased selenium accumulation, particularly under conditions of lower rainfall. Organic foliar sulfur had a negative effect on selenium content, while organic foliar nitrogen increased it. Modern varieties generally had higher selenium content compared to old varieties.
Article
Plant Sciences
Salvatore Esposito, Francesca Taranto, Paolo Vitale, Donatella Bianca Maria Ficco, Salvatore Antonio Colecchia, Piergiorgio Stevanato, Pasquale De Vita
Summary: In this study, researchers identified candidate genes controlling biomass composition traits in tetraploid wheat through the analysis of multi-locus genome-wide association models. They also investigated the functions of these genes and validated their effects through molecular methods. The findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of biomass composition traits and contribute to the development of high-yielding wheat varieties for biofuel production.
Article
Plant Sciences
Antonio Giovino, Carmine Guarino, Annalisa Marchese, Rosaria Sciarillo, Gianniantonio Domina, Marco Tolone, Isabel Mateu-Andres, Bouchaib Khadari, Calogero Schillaci, Miguel Guara-Requena, Sergio Saia
Summary: The European fan palm, the only native palm in continental Europe, is facing population decline due to anthropogenic effects including climate change. Genetic variability among natural populations of this palm is scarce, but essential for conservation planning and preventing genetic contamination. In this study, genetic structure in the European fan palm was analyzed using specific genetic markers, revealing lower variability in populations from the eastern half of its distribution. The study also identified two patterns of spread and differentiation, with implications for ecological management and species conservation.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Jay Ram Lamichhane, Lionel Alletto, Wen-Feng Cong, Elana Dayoub, Pierre Maury, Daniel Plaza -Bonilla, Moritz Reckling, Sergio Saia, Elias Soltani, Gilles Tison, Philippe Debaeke
Summary: Relay cropping is a multiple cropping system where a second crop is planted into a standing first crop before harvest. Despite its potential benefits, RC is poorly adopted worldwide, especially in Europe, compared to other innovative cropping systems. There are severe knowledge gaps on key factors affecting the performance of RC.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Lorenza Pacini, Felipe Yunta, Arwyn Jones, Luca Montanarella, Pierre Barre, Sergio Saia, Songchao Chen, Calogero Schillaci
Summary: Soil Bulk Density (BD) is an important variable for site characterization and policy development. This study integrated BD sampling data with coarse fragment data to improve accuracy in estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) stock. The results showed that computing SOC stock with coarse mass fraction leads to underestimation, especially in woodlands and shrublands.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Eda Bozkir, Chiara Santamarina, Marco Mariotti, Sergio Saia
Summary: Information on the resistant starch (RS) of common bean seed, its concentration and health effects is limited. A systematic review of the RS concentration in common bean revealed that the mean RS concentration is 16.4% with a high standard deviation. The industrial uses of bean RS and the determinants of RS accumulation in common beans are lacking in research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Andrea Genre, Katharina Pawlowski, Sabine Dagmar Zimmermann, Sergio Saia
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Maria Fausto, Anna Rita Taddei, Federica Batocco, Maria Cristina Belardinelli, Marcella Carcupino, Achille Schiavone, Sergio Saia, Annelisse Castillo, Margherita Marzoni
Summary: This study assessed the quality of sperm in sexually mature goshawks reared in captivity and imprinted on humans for three breeding seasons. The parameters analyzed included ejaculate volume and sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. The results showed that the highest quality of reproductive material was observed in April, with fluctuations in ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and motility throughout the reproductive season. The viability of the sperm was not affected by age or month of collection. This study provides important information for the development of protocols to improve artificial insemination and semen cryopreservation in goshawks and other bird of prey species.
Review
Plant Sciences
Francesca Taranto, Salvatore Esposito, Pasquale De Vita
Summary: In recent years, the genetic basis of yield and yield components in durum wheat has been studied extensively using linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies. The reductionist approach of dissecting yield into individual components appears insufficient for significant yield increases due to limited resources, land loss, and climate change. Polyploidy in durum wheat makes it challenging to identify genes and chromosomal regions controlling grain yield. Next-generation sequencing, improved wheat genome assembly, high-throughput genotyping platforms, and genome editing technology offer great potential for revolutionizing plant breeding. Genomic selection can model optimal allelic combinations to maximize phenotypic potential under specific environments.
Article
Agronomy
Salvatore Esposito, Paolo Vitale, Francesca Taranto, Sergio Saia, Ivano Pecorella, Nunzio D'Agostino, Monica Rodriguez, Vincenzo Natoli, Pasquale De Vita
Summary: The improvement of grain yield and grain protein concentration through GWAS and GBLUP has significant implications for durum wheat breeding.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Horticulture
Daniele Vecchiotti, Francesco G. S. Angeletti, Gianfranco Romanazzi, Marco Mariotti, Sergio Saia
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of ethylene and chitosan on the seed yield and germination ability of onion seeds. The results showed that ethylene mainly affected the thousand seed weight but not the yield, while high doses of ethylene reduced yields regardless of the timing of application. Chitosan sustained the yield when the yield potential was reduced, likely due to physical protection from transpiration.
Article
Agronomy
Xiaofei Wang, Jiawei Zhang, Xiaoqin Wang, Yibo Hu, Xiaolong Ren, Zhikuan Jia, Tiening Liu, Zhenlin Wang, Tie Cai
Summary: Film mulching ridge-furrow planting (RF) is an important dry farming mode for wheat, but it often causes lodging due to lignin accumulation in the stems. This study investigated the effects of regulating the population distribution on lodging occurrence in wheat and found that adjusting the population distribution can improve lodging resistance by enhancing the mechanical properties of the stems and promoting lignin synthesis and accumulation. The light environment plays a crucial role in lignin biosynthesis and lodging resistance.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Wei Wang, Jian-Hua Zhao, Meng-Ying Li, Wei Zhang, Muhammad Maqsood Ur Rehman, Bao-Zhong Wang, Fazal Ullah, Zheng-Guo Cheng, Li Zhu, Jin-Lin Zhang, Hong-Yan Tao, Wen-Ying Wang, You-Cai Xiong
Summary: This study investigated the physiological mechanism of yield loss in intercropped inferior species and found that plastic film mulching can alleviate water competition between maize and faba bean, reducing kernel abortion in maize.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Michael Merkle, Matthias Schumacher, Roland Gerhards
Summary: This study conducted a field experiment to test different methods and species of cover crops. The results showed that early establishment of cover crops, specifically direct sowing or sowing 10 days before harvest, had a positive impact on biomass formation and weed suppression. The performance of cover crops varied depending on the species, sowing date, and weather conditions, but a diverse cover crop mixture showed more stable performance under variable weather conditions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Dereje Ademe, Kindie Tesfaye, Belay Simane, Benjamin F. Zaitchik, Getachew Alemayehu, Enyew Adgo
Summary: This study used simulation experiments to evaluate the effects of planting time, nitrogen rate, and crop variety choice on potato productivity in Ethiopia. The results showed that shifting planting time forward and changing the nitrogen application rate had greater productivity benefits than switching varieties. In the mid-century climate period, early planting of medium and long maturity varieties with higher nitrogen rates showed potential adaptation benefits.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Wenlong Li, Xiaobo Gu, Heng Fang, Tongtong Zhao, Rui Yin, Zhikai Cheng, Chuandong Tan, Zhihui Zhou, Yadan Du
Summary: This study aims to establish critical nitrogen dilution curves (CNDC) for maize and diagnose the nitrogen status under different mulching planting patterns. The results showed no significant differences in CNDC and its estimated parameters across years and mulching planting patterns, suggesting the establishment of a universal CNDC model for maize nitrogen diagnosis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Guillermo A. A. Dosio, Pablo Cicore, Roberto Rizzalli
Summary: This study demonstrates through field experiments that reducing sink demand during the grain filling period in maize accelerates leaf senescence, particularly at specific phenological stages. The results also suggest that protecting grains can prevent yield reduction.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Xuan Wei, Yongjie Liu, Qiming Song, Jinping Zou, Zhiqiang Wen, Jiayu Li, Dengfei Jie
Summary: This study successfully established a model for detecting the spores of Agaricus bisporus disease using hyperspectral imaging and deep learning methods, providing a new approach for early prevention and detection of the disease.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Ferdaous Rezgui, Adolfo Rosati, Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt, Carsten Paul, Moritz Reckling
Summary: The intensification of Mediterranean farming systems has had negative impacts on the environment, but agroforestry systems can address these issues. This study developed a practical methodology to assess the sustainability of Mediterranean agroforestry systems and found that they provide agro-environmental benefits and economic profitability, although they also require increased workload.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2024)