Effects of conservation tillage on soil enzyme activities of global cultivated land: A meta-analysis

Metagenomic insights into the impact of tillage practices on soil nutrient cycling and wheat yield

Decreasing tillage intensity (DT) are beneficial for soil health and crop yield; however, the relationship between microbial nutrient cycling function and crop yield remains poorly understood.The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of tillage practices of conventional tillage with rotary tillage (RT) and decreasing tillage intensity (DT) on the soil microbial community and the functions of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles of wheat and examine the relationship between soil microbes and yield based on a four year field experiment. An increased maize yield of 9.3 % and 8.5 % in DT compared with that in RT in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Further analysis reveals that DT influences the availability of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus by altering microbial communities and their functions. Microbial function analysis indicates that DT leads to higher abundances of genes associated with glgP (starch degradation) and xynB (hemicellulose degradation), which play a crucial role in elevating POC levels (11.6 %-23.4 %). Additionally, DT shows increased abundances of genes related to organic nitrogen metabolism (glnA), nitrification (amoB), and nitrogen fixation (nifK), contributing to the rise in NO3-- N content (19.1 %-31.1 %). Furthermore, DT exhibits a high abundance of the organic phosphorus mineralization gene phnM, resulting in enhanced AP content (4.7 %-25.4 %). Moreover, among the microbial genera significantly influenced by DT, ten genera-Lysobacter, Luteimonas, Bradyrhizobium, Aromatoleum, Acidibacter, Variovorax, Polaromonas, Pseudorhodoplanes, Piscinibacter, and Ramlibacter-show increased abundance, positively impacting wheat yield. Our study offers a novel framework for comprehending the enhancement of wheat yield through the lens of microbial nutrient cycling functionality and mining of beneficial bacteria for wheat yield.

Effects of 15-year straw incorporation on soil carbon composition and microbial community under wheat-maize rotation system in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain

BACKGROUND

Straw incorporation is an effective agronomic practice for improving soil fertility and crop yield. In this study, we investigated the effects of the different straw incorporation modes on soil organic carbon components, enzyme activities, and microbial community in the Vertisols of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain based on a 15-year field experiment. In detail, four straw incorporation modes were carried out, control without straw incorporation (CK), crushed wheat straw mulching in summer maize season (T1), crushed wheat straw mulching in summer maize season and crushed maize straw was buried in winter wheat season (T2), crushed maize straw was buried in winter wheat season (T3).

RESULTS

Results showed that all straw incorporation modes significantly increased SOC in both the wheat and maize season soil, with T2 having the greatest effect on boosting SOC. Straw incorporation modes increased soil labile organic carbon components, T2 and T3 significantly elevated DOC by 60.1% and 64.3%, respectively. Straw incorporation also increased the activities of αG, βG, CBH, βX, NAG, LAP, and AP. In both wheat and maize season soil, T2 significantly increased LAP activity by 119.0% and 127.4%, respectively. Furthermore, we found that although crushed wheat straw mulching in the summer maize season could effectively increase the diversity of microbial communities in the short term, it did not improve the long-term stability of the soil microbial community in the wheat-maize rotation system.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that crushed wheat straw mulching in summer maize season and crushed maize straw was buried in winter wheat season (T2) can be an effective strategy to improve soil labile organic carbon components, enzyme activities, and the ecological function of microbial community in the Vertisols of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain.

Optimizing sustainable agriculture: A comprehensive review of agronomic practices and their impacts on soil attributes

This study explores agronomic management (AM) effects on soil parameters under diverse conditions. Investigating tillage practices (TP), nutrient management (NM), crop rotation (CR), organic matter (OM), irrigation management (IM), and mulching (MS), it aims to reveal impacts on soil productivity, nutrient availability, microbial activity, and overall health. Varied TP affect soil quality through compaction, porosity, and erosion risk. Proper NM is vital for nutrient cycling, preventing imbalances and acidification. CR disrupts pest cycles, reduces weed pressure, and boosts nutrient recycling. OM management enhances soil quality by influencing organic carbon, nutrient availability, pH, fertility, and water retention. Optimizing IM regulates soil water content without inducing waterlogging. MS contributes to OM content, nutrient retention, soil structure, and temperature-moisture regulation, benefiting soil biota, aggregation, soil health and agricultural productivity. The review emphasizes integrated nutrient, CR, and OM management's positive impact on fertility and microbial activity. Different TP and IM variations impact soil health and crop production. Judicious implementation of these practices is essential for sustainable agriculture. This synthesis identifies uncertainties and proposes research directions for optimizing productivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. Ongoing inquiry can guide a balanced approach between yields and resilient soil stewardship for future generations.

Evaluation of management practices in rice-wheat cropping system using multicriteria decision-making methods in conservation agriculture

In this study, we employed two multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, namely the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP), to determine the best management choice for the cultivation of wheat with a regime of conservation agriculture (CA) practices. By combining alternative tillage approaches, such as reduced tillage and zero tillage, with the quantity of crop residues and fertilizer application, we were able to develop the regime of CA practices. The performance of the regimes compared to the conventional ones was then evaluated using conflicting parameters relating to energy use, economics, agronomy, plant protection, and soil science. TOPSIS assigned a grade to each alternative based on how close it was to the ideal solution and how far away it was from the negative ideal solution. However, employing AHP, we determined the weights of each of the main and sub-parameters used for this study using pairwise comparison. With TOPSIS, we found ZERO1 (0% residue + 100% NPK) followed by ZERO4 (50%residue + 100% NPK), and ZERO2 (100% residue + 50% NPK) were the best performing tillage-based alternatives. To best optimize the performance of wheat crops under various CA regimes, TOPSIS assisted the decision-makers in distinguishing the effects of the parameters on the outcome and identifying the potential for maneuvering the weak links. The outcomes of this investigation could be used to improve management techniques for wheat production with CA practices for upscaling among the farmers.