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Xu L, Tang G, Wu D, Han Y, Zhang J. Effects of tillage and maturity stage on the yield, nutritive composition, and silage fermentation quality of whole-crop wheat. Front Plant Sci 2024; 15:1357442. [PMID: 38606069 PMCID: PMC11008282 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1357442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Whole-crop wheat (Triticum aestivum, WCW) has a high nutritional value and digestibility. No-tillage (NT) can reduces energy and labor inputs in the agricultural production process, thus decreasing production costs. There are many studies on planting techniques of WCW at present, few being on no-tillage planting. This study aimed to compare the effects of different tillage methods and maturity stages on the yield, nutritive value, and silage fermentation quality of WCW. The experiment included two tillage methods (NT; conventional tillage, CT), two maturity stages (flowering stage; milk stage), and three years (2016-2017; 2017-2018; 2018-2019). Years had a strong influence on the yield and nutritional composition of WCW. This was mainly related to the amount of rainfall, as it affects the seedling emergence rate of wheat. Although tillage methods showed no significant effects on the yield, plant height, and stem number per plant of WCW (P > 0.05), compared to CT, the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yields of NT decreased by 0.74 t/ha and 0.13 t/ha. Tillage methods showed no significant effects on the nutritive composition of WCW (P > 0.05). The WCW at the milk stage had greater DM (5.25 t/ha) and CP (0.60 t/ha) yields than that at the flowering stage (3.19 t/ha and 0.39 t/ha) (P< 0.05). The acid detergent fiber concentration of WCW decreased by 34.5% from the flowering to the milk stage, whereas water-soluble carbohydrates concentration increased by 50.6%. The CP concentration at the milk stage was lower than that at the flowering stage (P< 0.05). The lactic acid concentration of NT (17.1 g/kg DM) silage was lower than that of CT (26.6 g/kg DM) silage (P< 0.05). The WCW silage at the milk stage had a lower NH3-N concentration (125 g/kg TN) than that at the flowering stage (169 g/kg TN) (P< 0.05). Wheat sown by NT and CT was of similar yield and nutritional value, irrespective of harvest stages. WCW harvested at the milk stage had greater yield and better nutritional composition and silage fermentation quality than that at the flowering stage. Based upon the results of the membership function analysis, no-tillage sowing of wheat was feasible and harvesting at milk stage was recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuxing Xu
- Department of Grassland Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, China
| | - Guojian Tang
- Department of Grassland Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Liupanshui Normal University, Liupanshui, China
| | - Dan Wu
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, China
| | - Yan Han
- College of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Zhaotong University, Zhaotong, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Department of Grassland Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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Xu YP, Rao YY, Meng Y, Wen Y, Meng WW, Wang XQ, Li ZX, Liu KC, Dai HC. [Effect of No-tillage on Soil Aggregates in Farmland:A Meta Analysis]. Huan Jing Ke Xue 2024; 45:952-960. [PMID: 38471933 DOI: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202303142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
In order to clarify the impact of no-tillage on the quality of farmland soil aggregates in China and promote the adaptive application of no-tillage practices, a Meta-analysis was conducted by collecting data from 116 published studies. The effects of no-tillage on aggregate size distribution, mean weight diameter (MWD), and aggregate-associated C were studied. The results showed that compared with that under tillage, no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates (10.9%) and MWD (12.8%) and decreased the proportion of clay and silt (-15.5%) but had no significant effect on soil microaggregate and aggregate-associated C. The subgroup and Meta regression analysis showed that no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates in Northwest China (17.6%) and MWD in North China (15.4%). In upland and clay loam, no-tillage increased MWD by 12.6% and 18.4%, respectively. The effect of no-tillage on increasing the proportion of macroaggregates increased with the soil pH. When straw returned, no-tillage significantly increased the proportion of macroaggregates (9.6%) and MWD (11.6%), but no significant effect of no-tillage on aggregates was found after straw removal. Regarding test duration, short-term ( < 5 a) no-tillage could significantly increase the proportion of macroaggregates, whereas long-term ( > 10 a) no-tillage could improve the MWD. In different soil layers, no-tillage could only significantly improve the aggregate size distribution and MWD in topsoil (0-20 cm) but had no effect in subsoil ( > 20 cm). In summary, no-tillage could improve aggregate size distribution and stability but had no effect on aggregate-associated C. Production region, soil properties, field management methods, and other factors should be fully considered in production practice to effectively improve the quality of soil aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ping Xu
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yue-Yue Rao
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yan Meng
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yuan Wen
- College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wei-Wei Meng
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Xu-Qing Wang
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Zong-Xin Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Kai-Chang Liu
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Hong-Cui Dai
- National Engineering Research Center of Wheat and Maize, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Science, Jinan 250100, China
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da Silva GF, Calonego JC, Luperini BCO, Silveira VB, Chamma L, Soratto RP, Putti FF. No-Tillage System Can Improve Soybean Grain Production More Than Conventional Tillage System. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:3762. [PMID: 37960118 PMCID: PMC10649011 DOI: 10.3390/plants12213762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Soil management systems can directly interfere with crop yield via changes in the soil's physical and hydraulic properties. However, short- to medium-term experiments of conduction do not always demonstrate the modifications of the management systems in these properties. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of the soil in a long-term management system and to relate it to the storage and availability of water to plants, verifying its effect on soybean yield. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks in a split-plot scheme with four replications. Plots were composed by soil management (conventional tillage and no-tillage), and subplots represented three soil depths (0.0-0.1, 0.1-0.2, and 0.2-0.4 m). The soil's physical and hydraulic properties, root development, and soybean yield were evaluated. The no-tillage system not only presented higher bulk density and soil resistance to compaction up to a depth of 0.2 m but also greater root development. This management also did not affect the process of water infiltration in the soil and presented an increase in soybean grain yield by 6.5%. The long-term no-tillage system (33 years) offers less risk of water stress to soybean plants; it contributes to greater grain yield of this crop when compared to the conventional tillage system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Ferreira da Silva
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (J.C.C.); (V.B.S.); (L.C.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Juliano Carlos Calonego
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (J.C.C.); (V.B.S.); (L.C.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Bruno Cesar Ottoboni Luperini
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (B.C.O.L.); (F.F.P.)
| | - Vinicius Brasil Silveira
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (J.C.C.); (V.B.S.); (L.C.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Larissa Chamma
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (J.C.C.); (V.B.S.); (L.C.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Rogério Peres Soratto
- Department of Crop Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (J.C.C.); (V.B.S.); (L.C.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Fernando Ferrari Putti
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, Brazil; (B.C.O.L.); (F.F.P.)
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, School of Sciences and Engineering, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Tupã 17602-496, Brazil
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Miao H, Yuan L, Yang MY, Hu YY, Chen X, He HB, Zhang XD, Xie HT, Lu CY. Mechanisms of conservation tillage on nitrogen-fertilizer reduction and maize grain improvement in Mollisols of Northeast China: Insights from a 15N tracing study. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 2023; 34:876-882. [PMID: 37078304 DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202304.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Conservation tillage is an important management practice to guarantee soil fertility in degraded Mollisols. It is still unclear, however, whether the improvement and stability of crop yield under conservation tillage can be sustainable with increasing soil fertility and reducing fertilizer-N application. Based on a long-term tillage experiment initiated in Lishu Conservation Tillage Research and Development Station by Chinese Academy of Sciences, we conducted a 15N tracing field micro-plot experiment to investigate the effects of reducing nitrogen application on maize yield and fertilizer-N transformation under long-term conservation tillage agroecosystem. There were four treatments, including conventional ridge tillage (RT), no-tillage with 0% (NT0), 100% (NTS) maize straw mul-ching, and 20% reduced fertilizer-N plus 100% maize stover mulching (RNTS). The results showed that after a complete cultivation round, the average percentages of fertilizer N recovery in soil residues, crop usage, and gaseous loss were 34%, 50%, and 16%, respectively. Compared with conventional ridge tillage, no-tillage with maize straw mulching (NTS and RNTS) significantly increased the use efficiency of fertilizer N in current season by 10% to 14%. From the perspective of N sourcing analysis, the average percentage of fertilizer N absorbed by crop parts (including seeds, straws, roots, and cobs) to the total N uptake reached nearly 40%, indicating that soil N pool was the main source of N for crop uptakes. In comparison with conventional ridge tillage, conservation tillage significantly increased total N storage in 0-40 cm by reducing soil disturbance and increasing organic inputs, and thus ensured the expansion and efficiency increment of soil N pool in degraded Mollisols. Compared with conventional ridge tillage, NTS and RNTS treatments significantly increased the maize yield from 2016 to 2018. In all, by improving fertilizer nitrogen utilization efficiency and maintaining the continuous supply of soil nitrogen, long-term management of no-tillage with maize straw mulching could achieve a stable and increasing maize yield in three consecutive growing seasons and simultaneously reduce environmental risks derived by fertilizer-N losses, even under the condition of 20% reduction of fertilizer-N application, and thus actualize the sustainable development of agriculture in Mollisols of Northeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Miao
- School of Environment, Liaoning University, Shenyang 110036, China
| | - Lei Yuan
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Miao-Yin Yang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan-Yu Hu
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hong-Bo He
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Xu-Dong Zhang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hong-Tu Xie
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Conservation Tillage and Ecological Agriculture, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Cai-Yan Lu
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
- Liaoning Province Key Laboratory of Stable Isotope Techniques and Applications, Shen-yang 110016, China
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Leite NA, Redaelli LR, de Assis LS, Mendes SM, da Silva AF. The role of glyphosate-resistant weeds and starvation on biological, reproductive, and preference parameters of Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Bull Entomol Res 2023; 113:220-229. [PMID: 36258270 DOI: 10.1017/s0007485322000487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate-resistant weeds are difficult to manage and can serve as hosts for pests that threaten cultivated crops. Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the main polyphagous pests of soybean in Brazil that can benefit from weeds' presence during season and off-season. Despite its pest status, little is known about C. includens survival and development on alternative hosts, including those resistant to glyphosate. Therefore, we assessed the biology, reproduction, preference, and survival at different feeding periods of C. includens on seven glyphosate-resistant weeds (Sumatran fleabane, Italian ryegrass, sourgrass, goosegrass, smooth pigweed, wild poinsettia, hairy beggarticks) commonly found in Brazilian agroecosystems, under laboratory conditions. Our results showed that C. includens survival and reproduction were similar on soybean and wild poinsettia. Survival and reproduction were lower on smooth pigweed and hairy beggarticks. Also, these plants prolonged the larval stage. Larvae did not pupate when fed on sourgrass, goosegrass, Italian ryegrass, and Sumatran fleabane. However, on Sumatran fleabane their biomass was higher. The mean generation time was lower on wild poinsettia. This weed was preferred to soybean. An antifeeding factor was observed on Sumatran fleabane. Larvae fed for 11 days on soybean, wild poinsettia and smooth pigweed developed into pupae. In agricultural systems, farmers must pay attention to the management of these weeds, especially wild poinsettia, smooth pigweed, and hairy beggarticks, to interrupt the cycle of this pest, since these plants can serve as main sources of infestation for the soybean crop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Alves Leite
- Crop Protection Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Bento Gonçalves Av., 7712, 91540000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiza Rodrigues Redaelli
- Crop Protection Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Bento Gonçalves Av., 7712, 91540000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Larissa Souza de Assis
- Crop Protection Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Bento Gonçalves Av., 7712, 91540000, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Simone Martins Mendes
- Department of Entomology, National Research Center of Maize and Sorghum (Embrapa Milho & Sorgo), Rodovia MG 242, Km 45, P.O. Box 285, Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Ferreira da Silva
- Department of Agriculture Weeds, National Research Center of Maize and Sorghum (Embrapa Milho & Sorgo), Rodovia MG 242, Km 45, P.O. Box 285, Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Supronienė S, Kadžienė G, Shamshitov A, Veršulienė A, Šneideris D, Ivanauskas A, Žvirdauskienė R. Soil Fungistasis against Fusarium Graminearum under Different tillage Systems. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:966. [PMID: 36840316 PMCID: PMC9961288 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of the harmful pathogen Fusarium graminearum in different agroecosystems may strongly depend on the ability of the soils to suppress its development and survival. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different soil tillage systems (i.e., conventional tillage, reduced tillage and no-tillage) on soil fungistasis against F. graminearum. Soil samples were collected three times during the plant growing season in 2016 and 2017 from a long-term, 20-year soil tillage experiment. The F. graminearum in the soil samples was quantified by real-time qPCR. The soil fungistasis was evaluated by the reduction in the radial growth of F. graminearum in an in vitro assay. The antagonistic activity of the soil bacteria was tested using the dual culture method. The F. graminearum DNA contents in the soils were negatively correlated with soil fungistasis (r = -0.649 *). F. graminearum growth on the unfumigated soil was reduced by 70-87% compared to the chloroform fumigated soil. After the plant vegetation renewal, the soil fungistasis intensity was higher in the conventionally tilled fields than in the no-tillage. However, no significant differences were obtained among the tillage treatments at the mid-plant growth stage and after harvesting. 23 out of 104 bacteria isolated from the soil had a moderate effect, and only 1 had a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of F. graminearum. This bacterium was assigned 100% similarity to the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Hy7 strain (gene bank no: JN382250) according to the sequence of the 16S ribosome subunit coding gene. The results of our study suggest that the presence of F. graminearum in soil is suppressed by soil fungistasis; however, the role of tillage is influenced by other factors, such as soil biological activity, type and quantity of plant residues and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skaidrė Supronienė
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, LT−58344 Kedainiai Distr., Lithuania
| | - Gražina Kadžienė
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, LT−58344 Kedainiai Distr., Lithuania
| | - Arman Shamshitov
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, LT−58344 Kedainiai Distr., Lithuania
| | - Agnė Veršulienė
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, LT−58344 Kedainiai Distr., Lithuania
| | - Donatas Šneideris
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos str. 2, LT−608412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Renata Žvirdauskienė
- Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, Akademija, LT−58344 Kedainiai Distr., Lithuania
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Austen N, Tille S, Berdeni D, Firbank LG, Lappage M, Nelson M, Helgason T, Marshall-Harries E, Hughes HB, Summers R, Cameron DD, Leake JR. Experimental evaluation of biological regeneration of arable soil: The effects of grass-clover leys and arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculants on wheat growth, yield, and shoot pathology. Front Plant Sci 2022; 13:955985. [PMID: 36092419 PMCID: PMC9450525 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.955985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wheat yields have plateaued in the UK over the last 25 years, during which time most arable land has been annually cropped continuously with short rotations dominated by cereals. Arable intensification has depleted soil organic matter and biology, including mycorrhizas, which are affected by tillage, herbicides, and crop genotype. Here, we test whether winter wheat yields, mycorrhization, and shoot health can be improved simply by adopting less intensive tillage and adding commercial mycorrhizal inoculum to long-term arable fields, or if 3-year grass-clover leys followed direct drilling is more effective for biological regeneration of soil with reduced N fertiliser. We report a trial of mycorrhization, ear pathology, and yield performance of the parents and four double haploid lines from the Avalon x Cadenza winter wheat population in a long-term arable field that is divided into replicated treatment plots. These plots comprised wheat lines grown using ploughing or disc cultivation for 3 years, half of which received annual additions of commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) inoculum, compared to 3-year mown grass-clover ley plots treated with glyphosate and direct-drilled. All plots annually received 35 kg of N ha-1 fertiliser without fungicides. The wheat lines did not differ in mycorrhization, which averaged only 34% and 40% of root length colonised (RLC) in the ploughed and disc-cultivated plots, respectively, and decreased with inoculation. In the ley, RLC increased to 52%. Two wheat lines were very susceptible to a sooty ear mould, which was lowest in the ley, and highest with disc cultivation. AM inoculation reduced ear infections by >50% in the susceptible lines. In the ley, yields ranged from 7.2 to 8.3 t ha-1, achieving 92 to 106% of UK average wheat yield in 2018 (7.8 t ha-1) but using only 25% of average N fertiliser. Yields with ploughing and disc cultivation averaged only 3.9 and 3.4 t ha-1, respectively, with AM inoculum reducing yields from 4.3 to 3.5 t ha-1 in ploughed plots, with no effect of disc cultivation. The findings reveal multiple benefits of reintegrating legume-rich leys into arable rotations as part of a strategy to regenerate soil quality and wheat crop health, reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilisers, enhance mycorrhization, and achieve good yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichola Austen
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Tille
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Despina Berdeni
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martin Lappage
- School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Michaela Nelson
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ewan Marshall-Harries
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - H. Bleddyn Hughes
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Duncan D. Cameron
- The Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan R. Leake
- Plants, Photosynthesis and Soil, School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Nouri A, Lukas S, Singh S, Singh S, Machado S. When do cover crops reduce nitrate leaching? A global meta-analysis. Glob Chang Biol 2022; 28:4736-4749. [PMID: 35583665 PMCID: PMC9328130 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The global increases in the surface and groundwater nitrate (NO3 - ) concentrations due to synthetic fertilizer input have emerged as major sustainability threats to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Cover crops can reportedly reduce nitrate leaching from croplands. However, the underlying mechanisms and the effectiveness of cover crops in reducing nitrate leaching across species, soil types, agronomic management, and climates remain elusive. We conducted a global meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of cover crops on nitrate leaching and water drainage. A random-effects analysis was established to investigate seven moderating variables in 41 articles. Results showed that globally, cover crops reduced nitrate leaching by 69% compared with fallow while demonstrating no effect on water drainage. Overall, cover crops from Brassicaceae and Poaceae families showed the greatest effect with 75% and 52% reduction in nitrate leaching, respectively. Cover cropping on Ultisols, Histosols, and Inceptisols resulted in the greatest reduction in nitrate leaching (77%, 78%, and 77%, respectively). Greater efficacy of cover crops at reducing nitrate leaching was evident with increasing soil sand content. In general, cover crops appeared to perform better to reduce nitrate leaching in vegetable systems compared to field crops. Cover cropping on conventional tillage resulted in a 63% reduction in nitrate leaching compared with no-tillage (50%) and reduced tillage (38%) systems. The impact of cover crops on water drainage was nonsignificant which implies that nitrate leaching control by cover crops is unlikely exerted through reducing water drainage. This study brings further insight into the intrinsic factors affecting cover crop efficacy and management practices that enhance cover crop potential in reducing nitrate leaching from agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Nouri
- Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension CenterOregon State UniversityHermistonOregonUSA
| | - Scott Lukas
- Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension CenterOregon State UniversityHermistonOregonUSA
| | - Shikha Singh
- Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension CenterOregon State UniversityHermistonOregonUSA
| | - Surendra Singh
- Columbia Basin Agricultural Research CenterOregon State UniversityAdamsOregonUSA
| | - Stephen Machado
- Columbia Basin Agricultural Research CenterOregon State UniversityAdamsOregonUSA
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Silva AA, Carvalho M, Coutinho J, Vasconcelos E, Fangueiro D. Can Dairy Slurry Application to Stubble, without Incorporation into the Soil, Be Sustainable? Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:1473. [PMID: 35684246 PMCID: PMC9183105 DOI: 10.3390/plants11111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In many countries, livestock slurry must be injected or incorporated into the soil to reduce nitrogen losses. However, when the injection is not feasible, farmers adopting conservation practices discard the use of slurry as fertilizer. New approaches related to slurry treatment or application management can stimulate the use of slurry in conservation agriculture (CA). This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic effects of some new management strategies to use dairy slurry for fertilization of ryegrass grown on stubble-covered soil, using as reference standard practices (slurry injection and mineral fertilizer application). The following treatments were considered: (i) bare soil: control (CB), mineral fertilizer (MB), injection (IN); (ii) stubble: control (CS), acidified dairy slurry (ADS), raw dairy slurry (RDS), irrigation following RDS (IR), mineral fertilizer (MS), RDS placed under the stubble (US), raw slurry applied 16 days after sowing (RDS T16). Effects on ryegrass yield, apparent nutrient recovery (ANR) and soil chemical properties were assessed. ADS reached 94% equivalence to MS and performed similarly to IN for productivity, ANR and soil parameters showing to be a sustainable alternative to replace mineral nitrogen and a potential solution to enable dairy slurry application in CA without injection or incorporation into the soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arejacy A. Silva
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Celso Ferreira da Silva 1333, Avare 18707-150, Brazil
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | | | - João Coutinho
- Centro de Química, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-911 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Ernesto Vasconcelos
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - David Fangueiro
- LEAF, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal;
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10
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Ankit, Bana RS, Rana KS, Singh R, Godara S, Grover M, Yadav A, Choudhary AK, Singh T, Choudahary M, Bansal R, Singh N, Mishra V, Choudhary A, Yogi AK. No-Tillage with Residue Retention and Foliar Sulphur Nutrition Enhances Productivity, Mineral Biofortification and Crude Protein in Rainfed Pearl Millet under Typic Haplustepts: Elucidating the Responses Imposed on an Eight-Year Long-Term Experiment. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:943. [PMID: 35406922 PMCID: PMC9002532 DOI: 10.3390/plants11070943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Yield limitation and widespread sulphur (S) deficiency in pearl-millet-nurturing dryland soils has emerged as a serious threat to crop productivity and quality. Among diverse pathways to tackle moisture and nutrient stress in rainfed ecologies, conservation agriculture (CA) and foliar nutrition have the greatest potential due to their economic and environmentally friendly nature. Therefore, to understand ammonium thiosulphate (ATS)-mediated foliar S nutrition effects on yield, protein content, mineral biofortification, and sulphur economy of rainfed pearl millet under diverse crop establishment systems, a field study was undertaken. The results highlighted that pearl millet grain and protein yield was significantly higher under no-tillage +3 t/ha crop residue mulching (NTCRM) as compared to no-tillage without mulch (NoTill) and conventional tillage (ConvTill), whereas the stover yield under NTCRM and ConvTill remained at par. Likewise, grain and stover yield in foliar S application using ATS 10 mL/L_twice was 19.5% and 13.2% greater over no S application. The sulphur management strategy of foliar-applied ATS 10 mL/L_twice resulted in significant improvement in grain protein content, protein yield, micronutrient fortification, and net returns (₹ 54.6 × 1000) over the control. Overall, ATS-mediated foliar S nutrition can be an alternate pathway to S management in pearl millet for yield enhancement, micronutrient biofortification and grain protein content increase under ConvTill, as well as under the new NTCRM systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankit
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Ram Swaroop Bana
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Kuldeep Singh Rana
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Raj Singh
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Samarth Godara
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India;
| | - Minakshi Grover
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Achchhelal Yadav
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Anil Kumar Choudhary
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
- ICAR—Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla 171 001, India
| | - Teekam Singh
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Mukesh Choudahary
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
- ICAR—Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi 284 003, India
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- ICAR—National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi 110 012, India;
| | - Nirupma Singh
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Vipin Mishra
- Yara Fertilizers India Pvt. Ltd., Gurugram 122 010, India;
| | - Amresh Choudhary
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
| | - Akshay Kumar Yogi
- ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India; (A.); (K.S.R.); (R.S.); (M.G.); (A.Y.); (T.S.); (M.C.); (N.S.); (A.C.); (A.K.Y.)
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11
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Steponavičienė V, Bogužas V, Sinkevičienė A, Skinulienė L, Vaisvalavičius R, Sinkevičius A. Soil Water Capacity, Pore Size Distribution, and CO 2 Emission in Different Soil Tillage Systems and Straw Retention. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:plants11050614. [PMID: 35270083 PMCID: PMC8912575 DOI: 10.3390/plants11050614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The long-term implementation of crop rotation and tillage has an impact on the soil environment through inputs and soil disturbance, which in turn has an impact on soil quality. Tillage has a long-term impact on the agroecosystems. Since 1999, a long-term field experiment has been carried out at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University. The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effects of long-term various-intensity tillage and straw retention systems on soil physical properties. The results were obtained in 2013 and 2019 (spring rape was growing). According to the latest edition of the International Soil Classification System, the soil in the experimental field was classified as Endocalcaric Stagnosol (Aric, Drainic, Ruptic, and Amphisiltic). The treatments were arranged using a split-plot design. In a two-factor field experiment, the straw was removed from one part of the experimental field, and the entire straw yield was chopped and spread at harvest in the other part of the field (Factor A). There were three different tillage systems as a subplot (conventional deep ploughing, cover cropping with following shallow termination, and no-tillage) (Factor B). There were four replications. The long-term application of reduced tillage significantly increased soil water retention and improved the pore structure and CO2 emissions. Irrespective of the incorporation of straw, it was found that as the amount of water available to plants increases, CO2 emissions from the soil increase to some extent and then start to decrease. Simplified tillage and no-tillage in uncultivated soil reduce CO2 emissions by increasing the amount of water available to plants from 0.151 to 0.233 m3·m-3.
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12
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Xiao L, Kuhn NJ, Zhao R, Cao L. Net effects of conservation agriculture principles on sustainable land use: A synthesis. Glob Chang Biol 2021; 27:6321-6330. [PMID: 34583427 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the strong recommendations from scientists, to till or not to till remains a confusing question for many farmers around the world due to the worries of crop yield decline and negative impacts on soils and environment. A confused understanding of the role of the individual principles of conservation agriculture significantly limits the effectiveness and applicability of soil conservation strategies and frameworks to achieve sustainable agriculture. By distinguishing clearly between the different principles of conservation agriculture, the net effects of no-tillage on improving and sustaining agro-ecosystems are analyzed based on 49 recent meta-analyses in this study. The review shows that no-tillage leads to a significant decline of crop yield (-8.0% to 10.0%, median: -1.9%), whereas residue retention represents the key driver for improving crop production (4.0%-28.0%, median: 8.2%). The efficacy of no-tillage for water erosion control, especially runoff (-24.0% to -0.7%, median: -10.0%), is often insignificant and otherwise lower compared to residue retention (-87.0% to -14.0%, median: -45.5%). Soil carbon sequestration potential under conservation tillage is quite limited or even close to zero, and if any, it can likely be attributed to the associated residue retention (-0.1% to 12.8%, median: 9.7%) rather than no-tillage (-2.0% to 10.0%, median: 4.8%). Our analysis illustrates that in conservation agriculture, no-tillage as the original and central principle of soil management is often less effective than associated supplementary measures, in particular residue retention. Residue retention may therefore play a key role for achieving sustainable land use. An additional benefit of residue retention is the less dramatic change of farming practices compared to no-tillage. The results of this review illustrate that a new framework for assessing the benefits of conservation practices has to be developed. To till, or not to till, is not the question: residue retention seems more critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangang Xiao
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Nikolaus J Kuhn
- Physical Geography and Environmental Change Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rongqin Zhao
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lianhai Cao
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China
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13
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Mwafulirwa L, Paterson E, Cairns JE, Daniell TJ, Thierfelder C, Baggs EM. Genotypic variation in maize (Zea mays) influences rates of soil organic matter mineralization and gross nitrification. New Phytol 2021; 231:2015-2028. [PMID: 34096623 DOI: 10.1111/nph.17537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural management practices that increase soil organic matter (SOM), such as no-tillage (NT) with crop residue retention, together with crop varieties best able to source nutrients from SOM, may help reverse soil degradation and improve soil nutrient supply and uptake by plants in low-input environments of tropical and subtropical areas. Here, we screened germplasm representing genetic diversity within tropical maize breeding programmes in relation to shaping SOM mineralization. Then we assessed effects of contrasting genotypes on nitrification rates, and genotype-by-management history interactions on these rates. SOM-C mineralization and gross nitrification rates varied under different maize genotypes. Cumulative SOM-C mineralization increased with root diameter but decreased with increasing root length. Strong influences of management history and interaction of maize genotype-by-management history on nitrification were observed. Overall, nitrification rates were higher in NT soil with residue retention. We propose that there is potential to exploit genotypic variation in traits associated with SOM mineralization and nitrification within breeding programmes. Root diameter and length could be used as proxies for root-soil interactions driving these processes. Development of maize varieties with enhanced ability to mineralize SOM combined with NT and residue retention to build/replenish SOM could be key to sustainable production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumbani Mwafulirwa
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Eric Paterson
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Jill E Cairns
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), 12.5 KM Peg, Mazowe Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare, MP 163, Zimbabwe
| | - Tim J Daniell
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Christian Thierfelder
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), 12.5 KM Peg, Mazowe Road, Mount Pleasant, Harare, MP 163, Zimbabwe
| | - Elizabeth M Baggs
- Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
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14
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He J, Du L, Zhai C, Guan Y, Wu S, Zhang Z, Ogundeji AO, Gu S. Influence of tillage practices on phosphorus forms in aggregates of Mollisols from northeast China. J Sci Food Agric 2021; 101:4523-4531. [PMID: 33454954 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phosphorus (P) is an essential mineral nutrient for crop growth and development. Much remains unknown regarding the content and distribution of P forms in different soil aggregates as affected by tillage practices. A 3-year field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of no-tillage (NT), rotary tillage (RT), subsoiling (SS), and deep tillage (DT) on soil aggregate distribution pattern, aggregate-associated P content, and to understand the conversion trend. RESULTS Tillage has the potential to accelerate the processes in transforming macro-aggregates (> 0.25 mm) into micro-aggregates (< 0.25 mm). Greatest aggregate stability was attained under RT. Total phosphorus (TP) and available phosphorus (AP) under NT were increased by 21.1-82.0% in contrast to other tillage treatments. The NT had high content in inorganic phosphorus (IP), aluminum phosphorus (Al-P), and iron phosphorus (Fe-P) with 416.7, 107.9, and 99.1 mg·kg-1 on average, respectively. Aggregates with a size dimension of < 2 mm were more sensitive than other sizes of aggregates. IP was evenly distributed throughout all aggregates, ranging from 336.3 to 430.6 mg kg-1 . No differences in organic phosphorus (OP) were found in all tillage treatments, while NT promoted the transformation of labile OP to IP. The AP and OP were generally more abundant in aggregates of 2 to 0.25 mm and < 0.25 mm. CONCLUSION Short-term NT can improve soil structure and increase P reserves, thus, enhancing the conversion of P from being scarce to available. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxi He
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Lin Du
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Cheng Zhai
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Yupeng Guan
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Shuai Wu
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Zehui Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Abiola O Ogundeji
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Siyu Gu
- College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
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15
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Sun K, Chi XL, Wang TL, Kang CZ, Zhang Y, Yang J, Huang LQ, Guo LP. [ No-tillage:core strategies for sustainable development of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 2021; 46:1869-1875. [PMID: 33982494 DOI: 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20210123.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ecological agriculture is a crucial way for agriculture of Chinese materia medica, which emphasizes the application of ecological principles in the cultivation of traditional Chinese medicine. While long-term intensive farming and modern chemical agriculture have threatened soil health, the sustainable development of ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica is constrained. No-til-lage can reduce both frequency and intensity of tillage. Compared with conventional agriculture, no-tillage can reduce soil disturbance, maintain no-tillage for a long or permanent period and keep mulching. The application of no-tillage has a long history. More and more studies have shown that no-tillage has many advantages over conventional tillage, and the ecological and economic benefits of no-tillage are particularly outstandingin long-term. The cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials adheres to the principle of not grabbing land from farmland, making full use of the soil resources under forests, mountains and wasteland. Reducing the risk of soil loss and sustai-nable utilization are the core issues in the process of new land cultivation. No-tillage application, which not only inherits the traditional Chinese concept of natural farming, but also integrates the laws of ecological agriculture, will become the core strategies of sustainable development of Chinese materia medica ecological agriculture. This study will introduce the basic concepts and development process of no-tillage, analyze their ecological benefits in ecological agriculture of Chinese materia medica, and put forward their application strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Sun
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiu-Lian Chi
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Tie-Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Chuan-Zhi Kang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lu-Qi Huang
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
| | - Lan-Ping Guo
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Dao-di Herbs, National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Beijing 100700, China
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Depalo L, Burgio G, Magagnoli S, Sommaggio D, Montemurro F, Canali S, Masetti A. Influence of Cover Crop Termination on Ground Dwelling Arthropods in Organic Vegetable Systems. Insects 2020; 11:insects11070445. [PMID: 32679696 PMCID: PMC7412336 DOI: 10.3390/insects11070445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A key aspect in cover crop management is termination before the cash crop is planted. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of termination methods on ground-dwelling arthropods. The conventional mechanical termination method-i.e., green manuring by means of a disc harrow-was compared to flattening using a roller crimper. Two different crop systems were investigated for two growing seasons; cauliflower was grown in autumn after the termination of a mixture of cowpea, pearl millet, and radish, and tomato was cropped in spring and summer after the termination of a mixture of barley and vetch. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and spiders (Araneae) were sampled by means of standard pitfall traps throughout the growing season of both cash crops. The roller crimper increased the overall abundance of ground beetles in the first growing season of both cash crops, whereas in the second year, no significant effect could be detected. Rove beetles were more abundant in plots where the cover crops were terminated by the roller crimper. Finally, green manuring increased the abundance of spiders, especially on the first sampling date after cover crop termination. Albeit different taxa showed different responses, the termination of cover crops by a roller crimper generally increased the abundance of ground dwelling arthropods. Given that most of the sampled species were generalist predators, their increased abundance could possibly improve biological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Depalo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale G. Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (L.D.); (G.B.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Giovanni Burgio
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale G. Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (L.D.); (G.B.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Serena Magagnoli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale G. Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (L.D.); (G.B.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Daniele Sommaggio
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale G. Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (L.D.); (G.B.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
| | - Francesco Montemurro
- Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, CREA, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Stefano Canali
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Agriculture and Environment, Via della Navicella, 2-4, 00184 Roma (RM), Italy;
| | - Antonio Masetti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Viale G. Fanin, 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (L.D.); (G.B.); (S.M.); (D.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-209-6286
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Khalil Y, Flower K, Siddique KH, Ward P. Pyroxasulfone efficacy for annual ryegrass control is affected by wheat residue height, amount and orientation. Pest Manag Sci 2020; 76:861-867. [PMID: 31429186 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-emergent herbicides play an important role in conservation agriculture, however, crop residues on the soil surface in these systems can intercept a considerable amount of herbicide during application. Cutting crops relatively high at harvest has some advantages, such as allowing faster harvest, and this also means that there is less horizontal residue on the soil surface. This field study tested the impact of standing wheat residue height and amount of horizontal residue on the interception, leaching and weed-control efficacy of the pre-emergent herbicide pyroxasulfone in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. RESULTS Spray coverage of pyroxasulfone declined from 14.6% to 7.5% with increasing amounts (0 to 4 t ha-1 ) of horizontal wheat residue. Horizontal wheat residue at 1 t ha-1 had 10.3% spray coverage (more herbicide interception) compared with 15.4% for the equivalent amount of standing residue. Greater amounts of horizontal residue also significantly reduced the efficacy of pyroxasulfone in controlling ryegrass in the field and decreased pyroxasulfone concentrations in the soil. Rainfall after herbicide application increased herbicide efficacy for all residue amounts. Generally, cutting standing residue higher resulted a relatively small decrease in spray coverage at the soil surface and weed control efficacy, and this was significant only between nil stubble and 0.3 m cut height. CONCLUSION Cutting residue relatively high, leaving less on the surface, improves spray coverage and herbicide efficacy compared with having more horizontal residue. This research may assist farmers and advisors to maximize the efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide in no-tillage systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaseen Khalil
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western, Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ken Flower
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western, Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Kadambot Hm Siddique
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western, Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Phil Ward
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- Food and Agriculture Department, The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Wembley, WA, Australia
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Luna IM, Fernández-Quintanilla C, Dorado J. Is Pasture Cropping a Valid Weed Management Tool. Plants (Basel) 2020; 9:plants9020135. [PMID: 31973212 PMCID: PMC7076652 DOI: 10.3390/plants9020135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to study the feasibility of pasture cropping under the Mediterranean conditions prevailing in central Spain and its potential as a weed management tool. Three cropping systems were assessed: conventionally grown winter barley and winter barley in pasture cropping with two perennial summer species, Cynodon dactylon and Eragrostis curvula. The results showed that the growth of these two species in a pasture cropping system was limited by the severe drought conditions and high temperatures present during the summer in some of the study years. Although there were no differences in the establishment of winter barley in any of the treatments assessed, pasture cropping reduced winter barley yields up to 50%-60% in years with low rainfall in spring. Regarding weed control, pasture cropping showed a significant suppression of the total weed density and number of weed species. As a conclusion, pasture cropping can be considered as a valid weed management tool. However, the economic feasibility of this system under the climatic conditions of central Spain (characterized by a high risk of severe summer droughts) is still not clear. The availability of supplemental irrigation may reduce competition between pastures and winter crops and ensure a profitable production of summer pastures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio M. Luna
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Quimilí, Ruta Prov N° 6 km 9, Santiago del Estero, Quimilí 3740, Argentina
| | | | - José Dorado
- Instituto de Ciencias Agrarias (CSIC), Serrano 115B, 28006 Madrid, Spain
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Guzzetti L, Fiorini A, Panzeri D, Tommasi N, Grassi F, Taskin E, Misci C, Puglisi E, Tabaglio V, Galimberti A, Labra M. Sustainability Perspectives of Vigna unguiculata L. Walp. Cultivation under No Tillage and Water Stress Conditions. Plants (Basel) 2019; 9:E48. [PMID: 31905903 DOI: 10.3390/plants9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, agriculture is facing the great challenge of climate change which puts the productivity of the crops in peril due to unpredictable rain patterns and water shortages, especially in the developing world. Besides productivity, nutritional values of the yields of these crops may also be affected, especially under low mechanization and the low water availability conditions of the developing world. Conservation agriculture (CA) is a topic of emerging interest due to the provision of adequate yields and reduced environmental impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, by being based on three main principles: minimum soil disturbance (reduced or no tillage), cover crop maintenance, and crop rotation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CA management on the growth performance and the nutritional profile of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp), a pulse of African origin, commonly known as black eye bean under field conditions. A field experiment was designed to assess the effect of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT) combined with the usage of a set of cover crops, coupled to normal and deficient water regimes. Cowpea was revealed to be able to grow and yield comparably at each level of the treatment tested, with a better ability to face water exhaustion under CA management. After a faster initial growth phase in CT plots, the level of adaptability of this legume to NT was such that growth performances improved significantly with respect to CT plots. The flowering rate was higher and earlier in CT conditions, while in NT it was slower but longer-lasting. The leafy photosynthetic rate and the nutritional profile of beans were slightly influenced by tillage management: only total starch content was negatively affected in NT and watered plots while proteins and aminoacids did not show any significant variation. Furthermore, significantly higher carbon and nitrogen concentration occurred in NT soils especially at the topmost (0–5 cm) soil horizon. These findings confirm the capability of CA to enrich soil superficial horizons and highlight that cowpea is a suitable crop to be grown under sustainable CA management. This practice could be pivotal to preserve soils and to save agronomical costs without losing a panel of nutrients that are important to the human diet. Due to its great protein and aminoacidic composition, V. unguiculata is a good candidate for further cultivation in regions of the word facing deficiencies in the intake of such nutrients, such as the Mediterranean basins and Sub-Saharan countries.
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Huang SS, Huo CF, Xie HT, Wang P, Cheng WX. [Soil organic carbon mineralization and priming effects in the topsoil and subsoil under no-tillage black soil.]. Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao 2019; 30:1877-1884. [PMID: 31257759 DOI: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.201906.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Priming effect is one of the important mechanisms regulating soil organic matter decomposition. However, the variation of priming effects in different soil layers remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a 30-day incubation experiment using no-tillage black soil from northeastern China. 13C-glucose and dynamic CO2 trapping methods were employed to investigate soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization rates and the priming effect of the added 13C-glucose in the upper soil layer (0-10 cm) and the lower soil layer (30-40 cm). Our results showed that the cumulative SOC-specific mineralization rate in the upper layer was similar to that in the lower layer soil without glucose addition. Glucose addition significantly altered the mineralization rates in both layers, resulting in a positive priming effect (36.7%) in the upper layer but a negative priming effect (-12.4%) in the lower layer. The cumulative priming effect during the 30-day incubation was 3.24 mg C·g-1 SOC for the upper layer soil and -1.24 mg C·g-1 SOC for the lower layer soil. There was still a net SOC increase, even with positive priming effects in the upper layer soil. This was due to considerable amount of added glucose-C remained un-mineralized in the soil which would compensate the carbon loss from priming effects. Overall, our results demonstrated that the magnitude and direction of priming effects might differ between soil layers. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of conservation tillage practices (no-tillage and straw incorporation) on soil organic matter dynamics in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Shuang Huang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chang Fu Huo
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Hong Tu Xie
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wei Xin Cheng
- Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
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Lu X, Lu X, Liao Y. Effect of Tillage Treatment on the Diversity of Soil Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal and Soil Aggregate-Associated Carbon Content. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2986. [PMID: 30574132 PMCID: PMC6291503 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
No-tillage agriculture can sustain productivity and protect the environment. A comprehensive understanding of soil arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal diversity and soil carbon distribution within aggregate fractions is essential to the evaluation of no-tillage agriculture. The long-term field experiment included two tillage treatments (1) no tillage with straw returned to the soil (NTS), and (2) conventional mouldboard-plowing tillage without straw (CT), and was conducted on the Loess Plateau, north-western China, from October 2009. The soil samples were collected from the surface layer (0-20 cm depth) at the maturation stage of the summer maize (Zea mays L.) for analyzing aggregates separated by the dry-sieving method. The organic carbon content in the bulk soil and different particle size aggregates were measured using the dichromate oxidization method. The species compositions of soil AM fungi were compared by applying high-throughput sequencing of 18S rRNA. The results showed that the NTS had 9.1-12.2% higher percentage of soil macro-aggregates, resulting in 9.8% increase in mean weight diameter and 10.0% increase in bulk soil organic carbon content as compared with CT treatment. In addition, the NTS treatment had significantly higher percentages of Septoglomus and Glomus than the CT treatment. We also found some significant differences in the fungal communities of the soils of the two treatments. There was a strong positive relationship between bulk soil organic carbon and the percentages of Septoglomus and Glomus. Our results suggested that the NTS treatment had a protective effect on AM fungal community structures, which might play a key role in the development of agricultural sustainability in the Loess Plateau of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingli Lu
- College of Agronomy, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xingneng Lu
- Yinchuan Provincial Sub-branch, The People’s Bank of China, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yuncheng Liao
- College of Agronomy, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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Ramos FT, Dores EFDC, Weber OLDS, Beber DC, Campelo JH, Maia JCDS. Soil organic matter doubles the cation exchange capacity of tropical soil under no-till farming in Brazil. J Sci Food Agric 2018; 98:3595-3602. [PMID: 29315629 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agricultural conservation practices increase total organic carbon storage in soil (TOCS ), a factor that is correlated with the physical and chemical qualities of highly weathered soils. In this study, we investigated the effects of TOCS on the physicochemical attributes of a Latosol after 10 years of no-till management in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. RESULTS TCOS was highly correlated (r = 0.92) with cation exchange capacity (CEC, pH = 7) and soil density. In the top 0.2 m soil layer, CEC increased by 25% with every 1.8 kg m-2 of stored organic carbon. Eliminating soil organic matter reduced CEC from an already low value of 8.40 cmolc kg-1 to 4.82 cmolc kg-1 . Humus is therefore clearly important for the formation of a negative liquid charge in a predominantly electropositive but clayey soil. CONCLUSION We confirmed that TOCS is an indicator related to the physiochemical characteristics of weathered soils. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the increased carbon storage under non-tilling systems is essential for guaranteeing weathered soil fertility in tropical climates. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabricio T Ramos
- Postgraduation Program on Water Resources, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | | | | | - Daniel C Beber
- Faculty of Agronomy and Zootechnics, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - José H Campelo
- Postgraduation Program on Tropical Agriculture, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
| | - João C de Souza Maia
- Postgraduation Program on Tropical Agriculture, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Brazil
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Heroldová M, Michalko R, Suchomel J, Zejda J. Influence of no-tillage versus tillage system on common vole (Microtus arvalis) population density. Pest Manag Sci 2018; 74:1346-1350. [PMID: 29193739 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the 'no-tillage' management system generally improves soil properties and helps to control arthropod pests, it may also intensify crop infestation by the common vole (Microtus arvalis Pallas). In this study, we evaluated the impact of soil management (no-tillage or tillage), crop and previous crop (winter wheat or winter rape), and season (spring or autumn) on common vole density using data from the Common Vole Monitoring Programme undertaken by the Plant Protection Service of the Czech Republic between 2000 and 2009. RESULTS Models predicted low mean values of vole infestation across management types, crops, and seasons. The untilled fields hosted significantly more voles than the tilled fields in spring but not in autumn. More common voles were found in winter rape than in winter wheat during both seasons. CONCLUSION Recent studies suggest that no-tillage management is more profitable than tillage management as a result of its positive impact on soil properties and pest control. During periods of high vole infestation, however, tillage may constitute an alternative strategy for reducing yield losses. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Heroldová
- Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Michalko
- Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Suchomel
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zejda
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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Liu T, Huang J, Chai K, Cao C, Li C. Effects of N Fertilizer Sources and Tillage Practices on NH 3 Volatilization, Grain Yield, and N Use Efficiency of Rice Fields in Central China. Front Plant Sci 2018; 9:385. [PMID: 29623086 PMCID: PMC5874310 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Tillage practices and nitrogen (N) sources are important factors affecting rice production. Few studies, however, have examined the interactions between tillage practices and N fertilizer sources on NH3 volatilization, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and rice grain yield. This study aimed to investigate the effects of N fertilizer sources (no N fertilizer, inorganic N fertilizer, organic N fertilizer alone, organic N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer, and slow-release N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer) and tillage practices (no-tillage [NT] and conventional intensive tillage [CT]) on NH3 flux, grain yield, and NUE in the rice field of central China. N sources significantly affected NH3 volatilization, as the cumulative volatilization from the treatments of inorganic N fertilizer, organic N fertilizer, organic N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer, slow-release N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer was 4.19, 2.13, 3.42, and 2.23 folds in 2013, and 2.49, 1.68, 2.08, and 1.85 folds in 2014 compared with that under no N fertilizer treatment, respectively. The organic N fertilizer treatment had the lowest grain yield and NUE among all N fertilizer treatments, while slow-release N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer treatment led to relatively higher grain yield and the greatest N use efficiency. Moreover, NT only markedly increased NH3 volatilization from basal fertilizer by 10-14% in average compared with CT, but had no obvious effects on total volatilization during the whole seasons. Tillage practices had no significant effects on grain yield and NUE. Our study suggested that the combination of slow-release N fertilizer plus inorganic N fertilizer and NT might be a sustainable method for mitigating greenhouse gas and NH3 emissions and improving grain yield and NUE in paddy fields of central China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Liu
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinfeng Huang
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kaibin Chai
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Cougui Cao
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chengfang Li
- MOA Key Laboratory of Crop Ecophysiology and Farming System in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
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Tirado-Corbalá R, Slater BK, Dick WA, Barker D. Alfalfa Responses to Gypsum Application Measured Using Undisturbed Soil Columns. Plants (Basel) 2017; 6:E29. [PMID: 28696383 DOI: 10.3390/plants6030029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Gypsum is an excellent source of Ca and S, both of which are required for crop growth. Large amounts of by-product gypsum [Flue gas desulfurization gypsum-(FGDG)] are produced from coal combustion in the United States, but only 4% is used for agricultural purposes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of (1) untreated, (2) short-term (4-year annual applications of gypsum totaling 6720 kg ha-1), and (3) long-term (12-year annual applications of gypsum totaling 20,200 kg ha-1) on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth and nutrient uptake, and gypsum movement through soil. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using undisturbed soil columns of two non-sodic soils (Celina silt loam and Brookston loam). Aboveground growth of alfalfa was not affected by gypsum treatments when compared with untreated (p > 0.05). Total root biomass (0-75 cm) for both soils series was significantly increased by gypsum application (p = 0.04), however, increased root growth was restricted to 0-10 cm depth. Soil and plant analyses indicated no unfavorable environmental impact from of the 4-year and 12-year annual application of FGDG. We concluded that under sufficient water supply, by-product gypsum is a viable source of Ca and S for land application that might benefit alfalfa root growth, but has less effect on aboveground alfalfa biomass production. Undisturbed soil columns were a useful adaptation of the lysimeter method that allowed detailed measurements of alfalfa nutrient uptake, root biomass, and yield and nutrient movement in soil.
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Naab JB, Mahama GY, Yahaya I, Prasad PVV. Conservation Agriculture Improves Soil Quality, Crop Yield, and Incomes of Smallholder Farmers in North Western Ghana. Front Plant Sci 2017; 8:996. [PMID: 28680427 PMCID: PMC5478712 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are being widely promoted in many areas in sub-Saharan Africa to recuperate degraded soils and improve ecosystem services. This study examined the effects of three tillage practices [conventional moldboard plowing (CT), hand hoeing (MT) and no-tillage (NT)], and three cropping systems (continuous maize, soybean-maize annual rotation, and soybean/maize intercropping) on soil quality, crop productivity, and profitability in researcher and farmer managed on-farm trials from 2010 to 2013 in northwestern Ghana. In the researcher managed mother trial, the CA practices of NT, residue retention and crop rotation/intercropping maintained higher soil organic carbon, and total soil N compared to conventional tillage practices after 4 years. Soil bulk density was higher under NT than under CT soils in the researcher managed mother trails or farmers managed baby trials after 4 years. In the researcher managed mother trial, there was no significant difference between tillage systems or cropping systems in maize or soybean yields in the first three seasons. In the fourth season, crop rotation had the greatest impact on maize yields with CT maize following soybean increasing yields by 41 and 49% compared to MT and NT maize, respectively. In the farmers' managed trials, maize yield ranged from 520 to 2700 kg ha-1 and 300 to 2000 kg ha-1 for CT and NT, respectively, reflecting differences in experience of farmers with NT. Averaged across farmers, CT cropping systems increased maize and soybean yield ranging from 23 to 39% compared with NT cropping systems. Partial budget analysis showed that the cost of producing maize or soybean is 20-29% cheaper with NT systems and gives higher returns to labor compared to CT practice. Benefit-to-cost ratios also show that NT cropping systems are more profitable than CT systems. We conclude that with time, implementation of CA practices involving NT, crop rotation, intercropping of maize and soybean along with crop residue retention presents a win-win scenario due to improved crop yield, increased economic return, and trends of increasing soil fertility. The biggest challenge, however, remains with producing enough biomass and retaining same on the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - P. V. V. Prasad
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, ManhattanKS, United States
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Huang M, Liang T, Wang L, Zhou C. No-tillage and fertilization management on crop yields and nitrate leaching in North China Plain. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:1143-55. [PMID: 25859321 PMCID: PMC4377259 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2014] [Revised: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A field experiment was performed from 2003 to 2008 to evaluate the effects of tillage system and nitrogen management regimes on crop yields and nitrate leaching from the fluvo-aquic soil with a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) double-cropping system. The tillage systems consisted of conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). Three nitrogen management regimes were included: 270 kg N ha−1 of urea for wheat and 225 kg N ha−1 of urea for maize (U), 180 kg N ha−1 of urea and 90 kg N ha−1 of straw for wheat and 180 kg N of urea and 45 kg N ha−1 of straw for maize (S), 180 kg N ha−1 of urea and 90 kg N ha−1 of manure for wheat and 180 kg N ha−1 of urea and 45 kg N ha−1 of manure for maize (M). An array of tension-free pan lysimeters (50 cm × 75 cm) were installed (1.2 m deep) to measure water flow and -N movement. No significant effect of the N management regime on yields of winter wheat and maize grain was found in the 5-year rotation. Tillage systems had significant influences on -N leaching from the second year and thereafter interacted with N management regimes on -N loads during all maize seasons. The average yield-scaled -N leaching losses were in order of CTS < NTS< CTU < NTU <CTM < NTM, ranging from 0.88 (CTS) to 6.07 (NTM) kg N Mg−1 for winter wheat system and from 0.99 (CTS) to 6.27 (NTM) kg N Mg−1 for summer maize system for 5 rotation years. The results showed that CTS decreased the yield-scaled -N leaching losses while sustaining crop grain yields. Considering the lower costs, NTS could be a potential alternative to decrease yield-scaled -N leaching losses and improve soil fertility while maintaining crop yield for the winter wheat–maize double-cropping systems in the North China Plain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manxiang Huang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Tao Liang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Lingqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Chenghu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, 100101, China
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Smith DR, Francesconi W, Livingston SJ, Huang CH. Phosphorus losses from monitored fields with conservation practices in the Lake Erie Basin, USA. Ambio 2015; 44 Suppl 2:S319-31. [PMID: 25681988 PMCID: PMC4329148 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0624-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Conservation practices are implemented on farm fields in the USA through Farm Bill programs; however, there is a need for greater verification that these practices provide environmental benefits (e.g., water quality). This study was conducted to assess the impact of Farm Bill eligible conservation practices on soluble P (SP) and total P (TP) losses from four fields that were monitored between 2004 and 2013. No-tillage doubled SP loading compared to rotational tillage (e.g., tilled only before planting corn); however, no-tillage decreased TP loading by 69 % compared to rotational tillage. Similarly, grassed waterways were shown to increase SP loads, but not TP loads. A corn-soybean-wheat-oat rotation reduced SP loads by 85 % and TP loads by 83 % compared to the standard corn-soybean rotation in the region. We can potentially attain TP water quality goals using these Farm Bill practices; however, additional strategies must be employed to meet these goals for SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R. Smith
- USDA-ARS, Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, TX 76502-6712 USA
| | - Wendy Francesconi
- USDA-ARS, National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, 275 South Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
| | - Stan J. Livingston
- USDA-ARS, National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, 275 South Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
| | - Chi-hua Huang
- USDA-ARS, National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, 275 South Russell St., West Lafayette, IN 47906 USA
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