Article
Ecology
Katherine M. Marchetto, Alison G. Power
Summary: Legume crops are used in crop rotations to enhance soil fertility and reduce the need for inorganic nitrogen fertilizers. Rhizobia in legumes enrich them with nitrogen, making them valuable for fertilizer replacement. The economic impact on farmers is influenced by viral diseases and fertilizer prices, suggesting farmers should test their soil to prevent unexpected yield losses in subsequent crops.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Robert S. Dungan, April B. Leytem, Amber D. Moore, David L. Bjorneberg, Peter R. Grace, Christian Brunk, David W. Rowlings
Summary: The study aimed to measure the impact of dairy manure application on nitrous oxide emissions in semiarid southern Idaho. The results showed that soil treated with manure had higher nitrous oxide emissions, with major pulses associated with irrigation, warming events, and soil disturbance. The findings emphasized the importance of measuring emissions during the non-growing season to improve annual emission estimates.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alison Bressler, Jennifer Blesh
Summary: Nitrogen (N) fertilizer inputs to agricultural soils are a leading cause of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. A study found that using a legume-grass mixture as an alternative nitrogen source can reduce pulse emissions of N2O following tillage. However, the interactions between cover crop functional types and background soil fertility can influence N2O emissions.
Article
Soil Science
Stephanie B. Kulesza, Alex L. Woodley, Kayleigh Heather, Grace Kilroy
Summary: The application of urea on the soil surface can lead to high nitrogen losses through ammonia volatilization. The effectiveness of a urease inhibitor varies depending on factors such as cover crop treatment, nitrogen source, and timing of nitrogen application. Further research is needed to explore alternate dosing or application timing strategies to minimize nitrogen losses in these systems.
SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Miguel Oliveira, Carlos Castro, Joao Coutinho, Henrique Trindade
Summary: Legume-based cropping systems have the potential to reduce nitrous oxide emissions in Mediterranean agroecosystems, but may not always be effective in dry years. Efficient supplementary nitrogen fertilization may be necessary to achieve reduced greenhouse gas emissions without compromising crop yields.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
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
Pramod Acharya, Rajan Ghimire, Wooiklee S. Paye, Amy C. Ganguli, Stephen J. DelGrosso
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of different winter cover crop mixtures on CO2 and N2O emissions and soil properties, and found that cover crop treatments could increase cash crop yield and decrease N2O emissions, but had no significant effect on net greenhouse gas balance, yield-scaled emissions, and greenhouse gas intensity. Integrating cover crops into agricultural ecosystems may be a climate smart strategy for forage production.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Samuel I. Haruna, Edwin Ritchey, Chaney Mosley, Seockmo Ku
Summary: Cover crops can improve soil hydraulic properties during the growing season, with lower soil bulk density, higher macroporosity and total porosity, increased saturated hydraulic conductivity, and higher volumetric water content compared to no cover crop management.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zhongxiang Fang, Martin Brandt, Lanhui Wang, Rasmus Fensholt
Summary: Plant phenology provides crucial information on the seasonal dynamics of plants, with changes reflecting the impact of climate change and human management on the biosphere. This study focuses on the impact of changes in tree cover on satellite observed land surface phenology globally over the past three decades, revealing that areas where tree cover increased experienced an extension of the growing season length in 36.6% of cases, compared to only 20.1% in areas with decreased tree cover. Additionally, the ratio between tree cover and short vegetation cover plays a role in influencing the length of the growing season, with denser tree cover showing a more pronounced extension (especially in boreal forests).
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Everton Martins Arruda, Leonardo Santos Collier, Kevein Ruas Oliveira, Rilner Alves Flores, Leonardo Rodrigues Barros, Risely Ferraz-Almeida, Bruna Bandeira Nascimento, Marcos Paulo Santos, Tiago Camilo Duarte, Carlos Augusto Oliveira Andrade
Summary: Agroforestry systems offer a viable solution for land management and landscape restoration by promoting nutrient cycling and biomass productivity through the use of specific plant species.
AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gang Fu, Zhen-Xi Shen
Summary: This study reveals that asymmetrical warming has a lagging effect on soil respiration in alpine regions, with a greater warming during the non-growing season potentially having a stronger impact on Rs than a greater warming during the growing season. The inter-annual variation of Rs may be greater than the warming effect in alpine meadows.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Arash Rafat, Fereidoun Rezanezhad, William L. Quinton, Elyn R. Humphreys, Kara Webster, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: This study investigates the response of non-growing season carbon emissions in a northern peatland by developing a support-vector regression model and using a continuous 13-year dataset from the Mer Blue Bog. Key environmental variables affecting carbon fluxes include net radiation above the canopy, soil temperature, wind speed, and soil moisture, with soil temperature and photosynthesis driving changes in net carbon flux. Future climate change is projected to increase carbon emissions from a northern peatland, particularly due to changes in irradiance and temperature.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Jie Li, Shuai Wang, Yuanliang Shi, Lili Zhang, Zhijie Wu
Summary: The introduction of cover crops in winter shows positive effects on rice yield, soil quality, and gaseous emissions, but may increase methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Considering the balance between environmental concerns and productivity, Chinese milk vetch-rice with cover crop residue return is the most practical and sustainable choice.
Article
Soil Science
Qijuan Hu, Tao Jiang, Ben W. Thomas, Ji Chen, Jun Xie, Yingxiao Hu, Faming Kong, Yuanyu Yang, Xinping Chen, Yuting Zhang, Xiaojun Shi
Summary: Cover crops, especially legumes, have a positive impact on increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in orchards. Microbial necromass carbon (C) plays a key role in the accumulation of SOC, with fungal necromass C contributing the most. Understanding the relationship between cover crops, microbial necromass, and SOC fractions is important for managing orchard soils and enhancing SOC sequestration potential.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianqian Zhang, Zhen Wu, Xi Zhang, Pengpeng Duan, Haojie Shen, Anna Gunina, Xiaoyuan Yan, Zhengqin Xiong
Summary: The study found that biochar can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by decreasing nitrification-coupled denitrification, nitrification-coupled denitrification, and heterotrophic denitrification pathways, while increasing the relative contribution of nitrifier nitrification to total N2O production. Effective mitigation of N2O emissions was achieved by reducing nitrification and increasing N2O consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Bikash Khatiwada, Surya N. Acharya, Francis J. Larney, Newton Z. Lupwayi, Elwin G. Smith, M. Anowarul Islam, James E. Thomas, Hari P. Poudel
Summary: Sod-seeding with sainfoin populations can be an efficient pasture rejuvenation strategy for alfalfa pastures in North American prairies, but results may vary in grass pastures, while CMV cultivars have higher crude protein content.
Article
Soil Science
Jessica L. Stoeckli, Mehdi Sharifi, David C. Hooker, Ben W. Thomas, Froogh Khaefi, Greg Stewart, Ian McDonald, Bill Deen, Craig F. Drury, Bao-Luo Ma, Hamid R. Motaghian
Summary: This study evaluated soil-N tests to predict soil N availability to grain corn in Ontario, Canada. Water-extractable mineral N (WEMN) was found to be strongly correlated with crop response and optimal N rate, suggesting its utility in fertilizer recommendations for grain corn fields. Grouping soils based on clay content could further refine fertilizer-N recommendations.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Syed Hamid Hussain Shah, Junye Wang, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas
Summary: The study modified the DNDC model to create the SALT-DNDC model to investigate the impact of salinity on water balance and N2O fluxes. Results show that salinity affects soil water content and N2O emissions, with varying effects in different soil layers. The newly developed model provides a unique tool for studying interactive effects among salt, soil, water, vegetation, and weather conditions on N2O fluxes.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Rui Liu, Ben W. Thomas, Xiaojun Shi, Xueliang Zhang, Zhichao Wang, Yuting Zhang
Summary: Ground cover management is an effective strategy to control runoff and soil erosion. This study found that it significantly reduced runoff, soil loss, and nutrient losses, with the greatest effectiveness observed on slopes between 10 and 15 degrees. Different ground cover types, land slopes, and climatic conditions can influence the extent of the impact.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer Owens, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas, Jessica Stoeckli, Courtney Soden, Surya Acharya, Newton Lupwayi
Summary: The study showed that using 3-NOP manure as fertilizer does not significantly impact soil health indicators, making it a viable option for supplying nutrients to forage crops without needing changes to current manure management practices.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Syed Hamid Hussain Shah, Junye Wang, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas
Summary: Soil salinization is a common issue affecting global food production, and phytoremediation technology is considered a feasible and cost-effective method for reclamation. This study proposes a dynamic phytoremediation model for salt-affected soil, representing processes such as plant salt uptake and biomass growth. The simulation results provide reasonable data for further analysis and suggest that salt-tolerant crops may be effective in remediation, depending on environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Syed Hamid Hussain Shah, Junye Wang, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas
Summary: The study shows that split irrigation of wastewater can significantly reduce soil salinity, making it within acceptable salt tolerance levels for crop growth.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Srinivas Sura, Francis J. Larney, Jollin Charest, Tim A. McAllister, John V. Headley, Allan J. Cessna
Summary: The South Saskatchewan River Basin is one of the most intensively farmed regions in Canada, with high concentrations of veterinary antimicrobials (VAs) in both feedlot environs and irrigation conveyances. The detection frequencies and concentrations of VAs were associated with high precipitation, indicating their widespread use in intensive livestock operations. Further investigation is needed to understand the link between VAs and livestock densities, as well as potential antimicrobial resistance in high-intensity agroecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuting Zhang, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas, Tim A. McAllister, Matthew Workentine, Long Jin, Xiaojun Shi, Trevor W. Alexander
Summary: Manure can introduce antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into the soil, leading to their accumulation. Short-term application of manure results in an initial spike in ARG abundance, followed by dissipation within a year. However, long-term application leads to linear or exponential accumulation of ARGs in the soil, and the bacteria associated with ARGs differ compared to the short term. After discontinuing manure application for eleven years, most soil ARG levels decrease.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingxiao Hu, Pengjie Zhan, Ben W. Thomas, Jingkun Zhao, Xueliang Zhang, He Yan, Zhibin Zhang, Shuang Chen, Xiaojun Shi, Yuting Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of organic fertilization and cover cropping in enhancing soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks in orchard systems. Organic fertilizer can result in annual gains of 3.73 Mg C/ha and 0.38 Mg N/ha, while cover crop management can lead to annual increases of 2.00 Mg C/ha and 0.20 Mg N/ha. The rates of accumulation depend on climatic conditions and initial soil organic carbon and total nitrogen content.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Newton Z. Lupwayi, Xiying Hao, Ben W. Thomas, Jessica Stoeckli, Lilia Mesina, Rodrigo O. Polo
Summary: The addition of the methane inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) to ruminant diets can reduce enteric methane production, but its impact on the soil microbiome has not been studied. In this study, stockpiled and composted manure from cattle fed 3-NOP showed increased microbial biomass and fungal diversity, as well as alterations in the abundance of different bacterial and fungal taxa. Additionally, 3-NOP in stockpiled manure increased the potential activities of enzymes involved in carbon and nitrogen cycling.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
J. L. Owens, Z. Wang, B. W. Thomas, X. Hao, K. Coles, E. Rahmani, R. Karimi, K. Gill, B. L. Beres
Summary: To evaluate the impact of enhanced efficiency liquid nitrogen fertilizers on winter wheat production, experiments were conducted across different sites in Canada from 2013 to 2018. The results showed that liquid UAN with a urease inhibitor can optimize grain yield and nitrogen use efficiency in winter wheat.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Z. Wang, J. L. Owens, B. W. Thomas, X. Hao, K. Coles, C. Holzapfel, E. Rahmani, R. Karimi, K. S. Gill, B. L. Beres
Summary: Optimizing the timing of nitrogen (N) enhanced efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) can maximize winter wheat grain yield, protein content, and N-use efficiency. The study found that NBPT + DCD applied at planting had the best results, while untreated urea had the highest CO2 emissions. To optimize winter wheat production and NUE, it is recommended to use NBPT + DCD throughout or split-apply in the early spring after planting.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Francis J. Larney, Drusilla C. Pearson, Robert E. Blackshaw, Newton Z. Lupwayi
Summary: Although conservation management showed improved soil health, the dry bean bioassay in 2012 only found one significant soil management contrast out of 18 between conventional and conservation practices from 2000 to 2011. Monoculture wheat from 2000 to 2011 resulted in shorter, earlier, and lower-yielding bioassay dry beans due to competition from volunteer wheat. The study demonstrated the importance of rotational legacies such as preceding crop and interval since previous dry bean on crop growth.
AGROSYSTEMS GEOSCIENCES & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer L. Owens, Ben W. Thomas, Jessica L. Stoeckli, Karen A. Beauchemin, Tim A. McAllister, Francis J. Larney, Xiying Hao
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
