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Volume 15
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Agronomy, Volume 15, Issue 4 (April 2025) – 91 articles

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16 pages, 1758 KiB  
Article
Responses of Soil Organic/Inorganic Carbon Concentrations in the Lower Yangtze River to Soil Development and Land Use
by Baowei Su, Chao Gao, Shuangshuang Shao and Yalu Zhang
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040850 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Understanding the evolution and regulation of soil carbon (C) across different stages of geological development is essential for elucidating soil’s role in C storage and release processes. In this study, 1029 soil samples were collected from the alluvial layers of the lower Yangtze [...] Read more.
Understanding the evolution and regulation of soil carbon (C) across different stages of geological development is essential for elucidating soil’s role in C storage and release processes. In this study, 1029 soil samples were collected from the alluvial layers of the lower Yangtze River. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) was employed to establish a gradient sequence of soil development, facilitating an investigation into the evolution of organic carbon (OC) and inorganic carbon (IC) in both surface and deep layers across various development stages, as well as their influencing factors. The results demonstrated that as soil develops, surface OC content increases significantly, while the deep layer exhibits no substantial changes. Notably, IC loss was particularly pronounced in surface soils, decreasing from 4.90 g/kg to 0.07 g/kg. Furthermore, the impacts of land use were more evident during the early stages of soil development. Paddy–dryland rotation (paddies) was found to enhance OC sequestration while maintaining IC levels comparable to those of drylands. Soil development directly influenced IC content, whereas its effect on OC content at different depths was primarily mediated by changes in the zirconium-to-rubidium (Zr/Rb) ratios and metal cation concentrations. This study highlights that OC accumulation during soil development predominantly occurs in surface layers, while IC leaching can also be detected at greater depths. At highly developed sites, paddies are recommended as beneficial for preserving C reserves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Properties in a Changing Environment)
13 pages, 535 KiB  
Article
Biochar: A Valid Additive to Enhance Kiwifruit In Vitro Proliferation
by Samreen Nazeer, Valentina Morresi, Francesca Balducci, Leandra Leto, Andrea Di Fazio, Martina Cirlini, Anna Agosti and Benedetta Chiancone
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040849 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Biochar, a by-product of agri-food waste, has shown benefits in plant growth and soil health. However, its use in vitro remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of biochar supplementation in the culture medium, alone or in combination, with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on kiwifruit [...] Read more.
Biochar, a by-product of agri-food waste, has shown benefits in plant growth and soil health. However, its use in vitro remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of biochar supplementation in the culture medium, alone or in combination, with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), on kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa), cv. Tomuri proliferation. Kiwifruit explants were cultured on media enriched with 0, 4, or 6 g/L biochar, without or with BAP (0.2 mg/L), over two subcultures (SUB1 and SUB2). Parameters such as shoot and root number and length, fresh and dry weight, as well as plantlets’ total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, were measured and analyzed. Biochar enhanced plantlets proliferation, particularly with BAP. In SUB1, at 4 g/L, biochar promoted shoot production (2.00 vs. 1.63) and their length (1.50 cm vs. 0.98), independently of the presence of BAP. The presence of biochar in the BAP-free media, favored rhizogenesis; particularly in SUB2, where on average, 5.58 roots per plantlets were recorded. Biochar increased the plantlets’ total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, especially in BAP-free media. The addition of biochar as an additive to the culture medium during the kiwifruit in vitro proliferation phase could be a breakthrough outcome for the nursery sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characteristics of Organomineral Fertilizers (OMFs) and Their Effects on Increasing Nutrient Use Efficiency, Biostimulant Effects, and Enhancing Crop Production)
11 pages, 1967 KiB  
Article
A Decision Support System for Irrigation Scheduling Using a Reduced-Size Pan
by Georgios Nikolaou, Damianos Neocleous, Efstathios Evangelides and Evangelini Kitta
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040848 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
An automatic, weight-based, small 20 cm diameter pan was used for real-time calculations of evaporation and precipitation in a semiarid environment. The water evaporated from the evaporimeter (EP) was found to be a significant predictor of evapotranspiration (ETO; r [...] Read more.
An automatic, weight-based, small 20 cm diameter pan was used for real-time calculations of evaporation and precipitation in a semiarid environment. The water evaporated from the evaporimeter (EP) was found to be a significant predictor of evapotranspiration (ETO; r2 = 0.84), which was calculated with the Penman–Monteith (P-M) equation by retrieving climatic data from a weather station. The results revealed seasonal variations of the pan coefficient (KP; dimensionless), with a mean value estimated at 0.84 (±0.16). Validation of ETO measurements using a calibrated regression model (ETO = 0.831*EP + 0.025), against the P-M equation indicated a high correlation coefficient (r2 = 0.99, slope of the regression line of 0.9). The present paper evaluates and discusses the potential of using a reduced-size pan for real-time monitoring of water evaporation and precipitation, proposing an open-source irrigation decision support system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Farming Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture—2nd Edition)
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26 pages, 7598 KiB  
Article
Macro–Microscale Research on the Single Shear Characteristics of the Root–Loess Interface in Robinia pseudoacacia
by Qi Gu, Bo Hong, Qiangbing Huang, Xiaosen Kang, Dengfei Zhang, Xiaopeng Guo, Gang Liu and Tao Xiao
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 847; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040847 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Rainfall-induced weakening of the root–loess interface’s shear strength is a key factor in slope instability, yet research on its shear characteristics remains limited. This study classifies Robinia pseudoacacia roots into three types (0–2 mm, 2–5 mm, and 5–10 mm) based on field surveys [...] Read more.
Rainfall-induced weakening of the root–loess interface’s shear strength is a key factor in slope instability, yet research on its shear characteristics remains limited. This study classifies Robinia pseudoacacia roots into three types (0–2 mm, 2–5 mm, and 5–10 mm) based on field surveys and 3D laser scanning. Large-scale, direct shear tests and three-dimensional failure surface reconstruction were conducted using a self-developed apparatus to examine the effects of water content (5%, 12%, and 19%), root type, and root content ratio (2.11%, 1.17%, and 0.23%) on shear strength and failure morphology. Results indicate that increasing water content reduces shear resistance, while root type and content ratio enhance cohesion. Shear resistance follows an order: Type II > Type III > Type I, influenced by root curvature, and increases with root content. A novel correlation is identified between shear strength and the fractal dimension of the failure surface. This study proposes a self-locking and interlocking mechanism based on micromechanical force chains between roots and soil particles, offering new insights into root–loess interface mechanics and a theoretical basis for evaluating vegetative root reinforcement under rainfall conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)
12 pages, 4546 KiB  
Article
Effects of Premature Harvesting on Grain Weight and Quality: A Field Study
by Xiao Zhang, Linsheng Yang, Zhong Li and Debao Tu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040846 (registering DOI) - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Premature harvesting is a prevalent concern in rice cultivation, significantly impacting both grain yield and quality. However, there is limited information regarding the specific effects of premature harvesting on rice quality, particularly in terms of taste value. Consequently, this research aimed to assess [...] Read more.
Premature harvesting is a prevalent concern in rice cultivation, significantly impacting both grain yield and quality. However, there is limited information regarding the specific effects of premature harvesting on rice quality, particularly in terms of taste value. Consequently, this research aimed to assess the distribution of rice maturity and its implications for rice quality. A comprehensive study was conducted, comprising a one-year survey study and two years of field experiments, to examine the effects of premature harvesting on head rice rate, taste value, amylose content, and protein content. In the survey study, the results indicated that, on average, more than one-quarter of the samples exhibited a green rice rate exceeding 10% at harvest, with the majority having rates surpassing 15%. Premature harvesting was found to significantly reduce grain weight, head rice rate, and taste value, especially when the green rice rate exceeded 15%. Similarly, research experimentation demonstrated that premature harvesting significantly decreased the head rice rate and taste value, accompanied by a reduction in amylose content and an increase in protein content. The head rice rate (r = −0.148 **, p < 0.01), taste value (r = −0.217 **, p < 0.01), amylose content (r = −0.854 **, p < 0.01), and protein content (r = 0.475 **, p < 0.01) exhibited significant correlations with the green rice rate. These findings indicated that optimizing the harvest date is crucial to achieving a low green rice rate (<15%), thereby ensuring high head rice rate, taste value, and amylose content, along with low protein content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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34 pages, 751 KiB  
Review
Unveiling the Multifaceted Roles of Root Exudates: Chemical Interactions, Allelopathy, and Agricultural Applications
by Alice Zambelli, Fabio Francesco Nocito and Fabrizio Araniti
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040845 - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Root exudates, compounds secreted by plant roots, play a crucial role in plant–soil interactions and have significant agricultural implications. These substances influence nutrient availability, plant growth, and the surrounding rhizosphere. This review examines the composition, mechanisms, and importance of root exudates, categorizing them [...] Read more.
Root exudates, compounds secreted by plant roots, play a crucial role in plant–soil interactions and have significant agricultural implications. These substances influence nutrient availability, plant growth, and the surrounding rhizosphere. This review examines the composition, mechanisms, and importance of root exudates, categorizing them as diffusates, secretions, and excretions, each with specific release methods and functions. It highlights the allelopathic effects of root exudates, showing how plants use them to inhibit competitors through chemical signals and nutrient changes. Case studies on crops such as wheat and rice demonstrate the practical relevance of root exudates in agriculture. This review emphasizes the need to understand root exudates to improve sustainable farming and weed control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Agricultural Engineering for a Sustainable Tomorrow)
16 pages, 2585 KiB  
Article
Viability of Cyperus esculentus Seeds and Tubers After Ensiling, Digestion by Cattle, and Manure Storage
by Jeroen Feys, Emiel Welvaert, Mattie De Meester, Joos Latré, Eva Wambacq, Danny Callens, Shana Clercx, Gert Van de Ven, Dirk Reheul and Benny De Cauwer
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040844 - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Cyperus esculentus is an invasive sedge causing high losses in many crops. Prevention is key in minimizing further spread and damage. Propagules (tubers or seeds) may spread via cattle manure. This study examined the effect of ensiling, digestion, and storage in manure on [...] Read more.
Cyperus esculentus is an invasive sedge causing high losses in many crops. Prevention is key in minimizing further spread and damage. Propagules (tubers or seeds) may spread via cattle manure. This study examined the effect of ensiling, digestion, and storage in manure on the viability of C. esculentus propagules. Propagules were subjected to five durations (0–16 weeks) in silage maize, seven durations (0–48 h) of ruminal digestion, and five durations of storage (0–16 weeks) in manure (slurry or farmyard), or combinations of previous processes. Afterwards, the viabilities were determined by a germination and tetrazolium test. After 6 weeks in a maize silo, the viability of the propagules was reduced by at least 96%. Incubation for 36 h in the rumen, followed by post-ruminal digestion in vitro, reduced seed viability by 30%. However, for the tubers, no effect was observed. The viability of seeds and tubers was reduced by 90% after 11.5 and 13.7 weeks of incubation in slurry, respectively. Compared with seeds, tubers were less tolerant to 12–24 h of animal digestion, followed by 8 weeks of storage in slurry. Keeping a maize silo closed for at least 6 weeks and maintaining slurry storage for at least 16 weeks are excellent measures to eliminate C. esculentus. For farmers, these preventive measures are relatively easy and cheap to implement compared to the requirements of curative control methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Free from Herbicides: Ecological Weed Control)
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18 pages, 8394 KiB  
Article
Trampling and Dung and Urine Addition of Livestock Increase the Soil Organic Carbon in Mountain Meadows by Augmenting the Organic Carbon in Different Aggregates
by Weisi Li, Qunce Sun, Shuzhen Zhang, Xiaojing Hu, Manlike Asiya, Jie Xiong, Mengyue Wang, Xuerui Wang, Runzhou Long and Guili Jin
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040843 - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Grassland soil carbon stocks contain substantial amounts of organic carbon and play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Grazing is one of the most primary land use types in grasslands. However, few studies have focused on the impact of three grazing [...] Read more.
Grassland soil carbon stocks contain substantial amounts of organic carbon and play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Grazing is one of the most primary land use types in grasslands. However, few studies have focused on the impact of three grazing behaviors (mowing (M), trampling (T), and dung and urine addition (D)) on the soil organic carbon (SOC) of mountain meadows. In this experiment, we simulated three grazing behaviors to explore the impacts of grazing behaviors on plant characteristics with plant growth, soil physicochemical properties, soil aggregate, and analyzed the main factors influencing the changes in SOC. After six years of treatment, the experimental results showed that M significantly decreased plant height, density, and aboveground biomass and significantly decreased soil organic carbon (SOC) (no M vs. M, −3.64%). T significantly increased soil bulk density, the proportion of macroaggregates, the organic carbon of microaggregates, and silt and clay aggregates and significantly increasing SOC (no T vs. T, +3.17%). D significantly increased plant density, soil total nitrogen and the organic carbon of macroaggregates, significantly increasing SOC (no D vs. D, +9.74%). Correlation and principal component analyses indicated that SOC was significantly negatively correlated with soil bulk density and plant coverage and significantly positively correlated with soil total nitrogen, soil C/N, microaggregate proportion, and the organic carbon of macroaggregates. Redundancy analysis indicated that the proportion of microaggregates and the organic carbon of macroaggregates were the main factors influencing SOC. The following conclusions were drawn: SOC responds differently to three types of grazing behaviors, D primarily increases the organic carbon in macroaggregates, while T mainly enhances the organic carbon in microaggregates and silt and clay aggregates, thereby affecting the SOC in mountain meadows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Utilization and Management of Grassland Ecosystems)
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11 pages, 599 KiB  
Article
Shifts in the Efficiency of 15N-Ammonium Sulfate Fertilization to Sugarcane Varieties Inoculated with Diazotrophic Bacteria
by Edevaldo de Castro Monteiro, Carolina Almada Gomes de Oliveira, Cleudison Gabriel Nascimento da Silva, Mayan Blanc Amaral, Veronica Massena Reis, Robert Michael Boddey, Bruno José Rodrigues Alves and Segundo Urquiaga
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 842; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040842 - 28 Mar 2025
Abstract
Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but N fertilization contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through its production and application as well as nitrous oxide emissions when applied to soil. Diazotrophic bacteria, known to modify root architecture and increase nutrient uptake, have been proposed [...] Read more.
Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient, but N fertilization contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through its production and application as well as nitrous oxide emissions when applied to soil. Diazotrophic bacteria, known to modify root architecture and increase nutrient uptake, have been proposed as a potential strategy to improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in sugarcane cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of N use from 15N ammonium sulfate applied to different sugarcane varieties inoculated with diazotrophic bacteria. The experiment was conducted in pots filled with soil (100 kg pot−1). The sugarcane varieties tested were RB867515 and RB92579. A commercial diazotrophic bacteria inoculant for sugarcane was used. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replicates. The treatments were as follows: control without inoculation, inoculation with five strains of bacteria, with or without nitrogen fertilization. The evaluations were performed on different parts of the plant. At 360 days after transplanting, the accumulation of N, fresh mass, dry mass, and the proportion of excess 15N were determined. In the studied sugarcane varieties, the efficiency of 15N fertilizer use was 60%, with no influence from inoculation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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17 pages, 3258 KiB  
Article
A Novel Method to Investigate Environmental Risk in Wastewater Toxicity
by Isha Shakoor, Amina Sultan, Kamran Shaukat, Talha Mahboob Alam and Aisha Nazir
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 841; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040841 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 19
Abstract
This is a pioneering study on the main drainage system in Gujranwala District, where untreated mixed wastewater is discharged and subsequently used for vegetable irrigation, leading to potential health and environmental risks. This study seeks to develop the spatial pattern of toxic metal [...] Read more.
This is a pioneering study on the main drainage system in Gujranwala District, where untreated mixed wastewater is discharged and subsequently used for vegetable irrigation, leading to potential health and environmental risks. This study seeks to develop the spatial pattern of toxic metal accumulation in soil across an 11 km stretch of land used for vegetable cultivation. By using 90 samples of mixed wastewater and sludge, as well as 10 quadruplicate samples of rhizospheric soils and crops from ten vegetable fields, it was observed that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Fe, Pb, Mg, and Ni in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), meadow clover (Trifolium sp. L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), brinjal (Solanum melongena L.), and mint (Mentha L.) were beyond the permissible limits set by the FAO/WHO, 2001. The declining trend of the toxic metal concentrations in the effluent was Mg > Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu > Fe, and in sludge, soil, and plants, it varied in the order of Mg > Fe > Cr > Ni > Zn > Pb > Cd > Cu. Radish, mint, and brinjal had the highest quantities of toxic metals. The spatial pattern of toxic metals was determined by using proximity interpolation, Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), the fine tuning of the interpolation characteristics, and the kriging of selected sample variograms. Toxic metals were found in the following order: plants > soil > sludge > effluents. The most prevalent cause of metal pollution was soil irrigation with polluted water. This study provides crucial information about the extent of contamination, which could help in the identification of public health risk, the assessment of environmental impacts, and also sustainable water management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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20 pages, 2237 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Planting Patterns on Growth and Yield Components of Foxtail Millet
by Jiaxin Qiao, Gaofeng Li, Mengyao Liu, Ting Zhang, Yinyuan Wen, Jiagang Wang, Jianhong Ren, Huiling Du, Chunyan Hu and Shuqi Dong
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 840; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040840 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 12
Abstract
Different cultivation measures, including seeding patterns, plastic film mulching, and drip irrigation, significantly affect crop growth and yield. This study conducted a two-year field experiment, involving eight treatments: hole seeding and drill seeding, mulching and bare land, as well as with and without [...] Read more.
Different cultivation measures, including seeding patterns, plastic film mulching, and drip irrigation, significantly affect crop growth and yield. This study conducted a two-year field experiment, involving eight treatments: hole seeding and drill seeding, mulching and bare land, as well as with and without drip irrigation. Analyzed the impact on agronomic traits, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and yield components during the growth period of foxtail millet. The results of two years indicate that the growth trend of foxtail millet was consistent under both hole seeding and drill seeding. The best performance was achieved with drip irrigation treatment for mulching, followed by drip irrigation for bare land, no drip irrigation for mulching, and no drip irrigation for bare land. In 2024, the maximum yield of HFD in hole seeding pattern was 4627.55 kg/ha. The maximum yield of DFD in drill pattern is 4430.22 kg/ha. In summary, based on the comprehensive optimization of two years of data and the effective accumulated temperature in the local area, the best planting method is hole seeding, mulching, and drip irrigation. In cold and cool regions, mulching with film aids in increasing the accumulated temperature of the tillage layer. Hole seeding is conducive to enhancing seedling quality. Performing drip irrigation once during the late heading stage stimulates the growth and fruiting of foxtail millet, thereby increasing yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Physiological and Ecological Responses to Environmental Stress)
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21 pages, 22222 KiB  
Article
MSPB-YOLO: High-Precision Detection Algorithm of Multi-Site Pepper Blight Disease Based on Improved YOLOv8
by Xiaodong Zheng, Zichun Shao, Yile Chen, Hui Zeng and Junming Chen
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 839; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040839 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 10
Abstract
In response to the challenges of low accuracy in traditional pepper blight identification under natural complex conditions, particularly in detecting subtle infections on early-stage leaves, stems, and fruits. This study proposes a multi-site pepper blight disease image recognition algorithm based on YOLOv8, named [...] Read more.
In response to the challenges of low accuracy in traditional pepper blight identification under natural complex conditions, particularly in detecting subtle infections on early-stage leaves, stems, and fruits. This study proposes a multi-site pepper blight disease image recognition algorithm based on YOLOv8, named MSPB-YOLO. This algorithm effectively locates different infection sites on peppers. By incorporating the RVB-EMA module into the model, we can significantly reduce interference from shallow noise in high-resolution depth layers. Additionally, the introduction of the RepGFPN network structure enhances the model’s capability for multi-scale feature fusion, resulting in a marked improvement in multi-target detection accuracy. Furthermore, we optimized CIOU to DIOU by integrating the center distance of bounding boxes into the loss function; as a result, the model achieved an impressive mAP@0.5 score of 96.4%. This represents an enhancement of 2.2% over the original algorithm’s mAP@0.5. Overall, this model provides effective technical support for promoting intelligent management and disease prevention strategies for peppers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intelligent Information System for Agriculture Based on Vision Technology)
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13 pages, 2456 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Potential Presence of the Spotted Wing Drosophila Under Current and Future Scenario: An Update of the Distribution Modeling and Ecological Perspectives
by Lenon Morales Abeijon, Jesús Hernando Gómez Llano, Lizandra Jaqueline Robe, Sergio Marcelo Ovruski and Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040838 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 11
Abstract
The article addresses the current and future potential distribution of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly known as spotted wing Drosophila (SWD). This invasive pest affects various fruit crops worldwide. Native to Southeast Asia, the species has rapidly expanded due to its high adaptability [...] Read more.
The article addresses the current and future potential distribution of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), commonly known as spotted wing Drosophila (SWD). This invasive pest affects various fruit crops worldwide. Native to Southeast Asia, the species has rapidly expanded due to its high adaptability to climates and ability to infest ripe fruits. SWD occurrence data were collected from multiple databases, pseudo-absences were selected from the background area, and climatic variables were downloaded from WorldClim. The Random Forest algorithm was employed to model the current distribution and project future scenarios, categorizing environmental suitability into high, moderate, and low levels. The analysis of bioclimatic variables indicated that factors such as isothermality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and precipitation of the driest month are the most significant for pest distribution. The results revealed high climatic suitability for the species in North America, Europe, and Asia, with projections indicating expansion under climate change scenarios in the Northern Hemisphere, including new areas in Europe and North America. Regions with higher suitability are expected to require management and monitoring strategies, particularly in vulnerable agricultural areas. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of climatic data in predicting pest distribution and formulating effective control and mitigation policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecological Aspects as a Basis for Future Pest Integrated Management—2nd Edition)
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28 pages, 1137 KiB  
Article
Yield and Quality of Maize Grain in Response to Soil Fertilization with Silicon, Calcium, Magnesium, and Manganese and the Foliar Application of Silicon and Calcium: Preliminary Results
by Arkadiusz Artyszak, Dariusz Gozdowski, Jerzy Jonczak, Krzysztof Pągowski, Rafał Popielec and Zahoor Ahmad
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 837; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040837 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 68
Abstract
Climate change is forcing the search for innovative solutions to effectively reduce its harmful effects on food production. In addition, increasingly stringent regulations are being introduced in the European Union (the European Green Deal), mandating reductions in mineral fertilizer doses, which can reduce [...] Read more.
Climate change is forcing the search for innovative solutions to effectively reduce its harmful effects on food production. In addition, increasingly stringent regulations are being introduced in the European Union (the European Green Deal), mandating reductions in mineral fertilizer doses, which can reduce crop yields. One innovative technology could be soil fertilization and foliar application of Si-based fertilizers. A two-year field experiment (2023 and 2024), in commercial crop conditions in Kraski (52°2′42″ N, 18°54′6″ E), in Central Poland, studied the effect of differentiated soil fertilization and the foliar application of Si-based products on the yield and quality of maize grain at two levels of nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) fertilization (100% and 50%). The soil fertilizer SiGS® (Si—200 g kg−1, Ca—181 g kg−1, Mg—46 g kg−1, and Mn—45 g kg−1) was applied to the soil at doses of 100, 300, and 500 kg ha−1, alone or with Barrier Si-Ca® (Si—336 g dm−3; Ca—207 g dm−3) foliar fertilizer (1 dm3 ha−1). The number of combinations assessed is 16. The effects were compared against the control treatment. The experiment evaluated plant physiological parameters, grain and dry matter yield, grain moisture content and quality (protein, fat, and starch content), and grain yield components. The highest grain yields were obtained with soil fertilization at a dose of 500 kg ha−1 (giving an increase of 17.5%), at a dose of 300 kg ha−1 plus foliar application (+16.4%), and at a dose of 500 kg ha−1 plus foliar application (+17.8%). The increase in grain yield in treatments with a half-rate of NPK was of a similar magnitude (on average, +11.9%) to the full rate (+12.6%) compared to the control treatments. Doubling the NPK rate contributed to an increase in grain yield of 7.8%. The applied fertilization had a significant and beneficial effect on the protein and fat content of the grain, while it reduced the starch content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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18 pages, 2671 KiB  
Article
Responses of Nitrogen Metabolism Pathways to Low-Phosphorus Stress: Decrease in Nitrogen Accumulation and Alterations in Protein Metabolism in Soybeans
by Yubo Yao and Xinlei Liu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 836; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040836 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 51
Abstract
Phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient for nitrogen metabolism in soybeans. In this study, two P levels were established, 1 mg/L (low-P stress) and 31 mg/L (normal P, CK), by combining 15N labeling with real-time quantitative PCR and the UHPLC-MS/MS method, to analyze [...] Read more.
Phosphorus is an indispensable nutrient for nitrogen metabolism in soybeans. In this study, two P levels were established, 1 mg/L (low-P stress) and 31 mg/L (normal P, CK), by combining 15N labeling with real-time quantitative PCR and the UHPLC-MS/MS method, to analyze soybean nitrogen accumulation, 15N abundance, nodule nitrogen fixation accumulation, nodule nitrogen fixation rate, soluble protein content, the relative expression of phosphorus transporters, amino acid changes, and metabolic pathways. The impacts of phosphorus stress on soybean nitrogen metabolism were explored from the perspectives of nitrogen accumulation and protein metabolism. The results demonstrated that low-P stress promoted the absorption of fertilizer nitrogen by aboveground parts, roots, and nodules of soybeans. However, it significantly inhibited nitrogen accumulation (11.09–95.41%), nodule nitrogen fixation accumulation (21.54–96.21%), and nodule nitrogen fixation rate (2.95–37.75%). The soluble protein content in both leaves and nodules decreased remarkably, while the relative expression of GmPT7 was upregulated in leaves, roots, and nodules under low-P stress. A total of 70 amino acids exhibited alterations, among which 26 amino acids were involved in 37 metabolic pathways, playing a crucial role in regulating the effects of low-P stress on soybean nitrogen metabolism. This study identifies significant alterations in nitrogen accumulation, nodule nitrogen fixation, and the expression of phosphorus transporter genes, providing insights into the metabolic pathways involved in soybean’s adaptation to phosphorus deficiency. This research provides a solid theoretical foundation for further in-depth investigations into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of soybean response to low-P stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry)
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11 pages, 2695 KiB  
Article
Variation in Oxidized Proanthocyanidins in Chinese Weedy Rice Seeds and Their Impact on Ecological Adaptation
by Yujiang Yan, Jing Chao, Bingjie Ruan, Xiaoyan Yuan, Qiyuan Qin, Zhihua Shi, Sheng Qiang, Xiaoling Song and Weimin Dai
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040835 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 90
Abstract
Weedy rice, also known as red rice, mainly originates from the de-domestication of cultivated rice and is a vicious weed in paddy fields around the world. Its red seeds are rich in oxidized proanthocyanidins (OPAs). This study investigates whether OPA content varies among [...] Read more.
Weedy rice, also known as red rice, mainly originates from the de-domestication of cultivated rice and is a vicious weed in paddy fields around the world. Its red seeds are rich in oxidized proanthocyanidins (OPAs). This study investigates whether OPA content varies among different weedy rice strains, whether these variations are possibly related to their adaptation to the local environment, and whether the change in OPA content could affect seed germination. A total of 202 weedy rice accessions from 69 populations across China were collected. Their OPA content, Rc/Rd genotypes, and seed germination percentage on the second, third, and seventh day were detected, respectively. Using bivariate Pearson’s two-tailed correlation analysis and generalized linear mixed models, our results showed that the content of OPAs varied widely among the different strains of weedy rice and were significantly correlated with local environment (latitude) and Rc/Rd genotypes but not with seed germination percentage on the second, third, and seventh day. Thus, the content of OPAs in Chinese weedy rice seeds is closely related to its ecological adaptability. These findings provide insights into the effect of OPA content on the ecological adaptability of weedy rice, which is beneficial to the control and germplasm resource utilization of weedy rice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Weed Science and Weed Management)
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17 pages, 3714 KiB  
Article
APSIM NG Model Simulation of Soil N2O Emission from the Dry-Crop Wheat Field and Its Parameter Sensitivity Analysis
by Yanyan Li, Yao Yao, Mengyin Du, Lixia Dong, Jianyu Yuan and Guang Li
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 834; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040834 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 111
Abstract
Process-based crop growth models, as an important analytical tool in agricultural production, face the problem of calibrating many parameters during the application process, and sensitivity analysis (SA) can quantify the effects of the model input parameters on the model output and provide an [...] Read more.
Process-based crop growth models, as an important analytical tool in agricultural production, face the problem of calibrating many parameters during the application process, and sensitivity analysis (SA) can quantify the effects of the model input parameters on the model output and provide an important basis for parameter calibration. In this study, we combined the good performance of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator Next-Generation (APSIM NG) model in simulating crop growth, soil carbon and nitrogen cycles, and soil N2O emissions with the efficient computational efficiency of the extended Fourier amplitude test (EFAST) method. The sensitivity of the APSIM NG model to the simulation of soil N2O emissions was systematically investigated using the EFAST method in a dry-crop wheat field in the semi-arid region of the Loess Plateau in Longzhong, China, where 28 crop cultivar parameters, 15 soil parameters, 4 meteorological parameters, and 4 field management parameters were selected. The parameters were selected based on the existing literature and the official documents of the model, and the parameter boundaries were determined based on the initial values of the APSIM NG model and the measured data and adjusted upward and downward by the standard normal distribution. In this study, parameters with a first-order sensitivity index (Si) > 0.05 and a total sensitivity index (STi) > 0.10 were identified as having a significant influence on the model outputs. The results of this study demonstrated that soil N2O emission modeling in dry-crop wheat fields showed high sensitivity to the following parameters: (1) Among the crop cultivar parameters, the sensitivity from high to low was the leaf appearance rate, maximum leaf area, maximum nitrogen concentration of the grain, and thermal time from the starting grain-fill stage to end grain-fill stage. (2) Among the soil parameters, the sensitivity from high to low was a lower effective moisture limit, wilting coefficient, and ammonium nitrogen content. (3) Among the meteorological parameters, precipitation and solar radiation showed high sensitivity. (4) Among the field management parameters, the nitrogen application rate exhibited the most significant sensitivity. For this reason, we believe that by prioritizing the calibration of the most sensitive parameters through the results of the sensitivity analysis in this study, the workload of the APSIM NG model in the calibration process can be effectively reduced, which is conducive to the rapid localization and application of the model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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14 pages, 1750 KiB  
Article
Vertical Distribution of Soluble Organic Nitrogen Composition in Paddy Soils: Effects of Chinese Milk Vetch Application Rates
by Jing Yang, Le Xiang, Fenghua Ding, Hongyu Huang, Biqing Zhou, Chengsen Zhao, Shihe Xing and Shuxin Liu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 833; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040833 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 94
Abstract
Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) plays a critical role in soil nitrogen cycling, yet the effects of Chinese milk vetch (CMV) application on the composition of SON within paddy soil profiles remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying CMV [...] Read more.
Soluble organic nitrogen (SON) plays a critical role in soil nitrogen cycling, yet the effects of Chinese milk vetch (CMV) application on the composition of SON within paddy soil profiles remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying CMV application rates on the composition and vertical distribution of SON in paddy soils, evaluating its potential implications for soil fertility and nitrogen leaching. A three-year field experiment was conducted in a subtropical rice cultivation system, employing four CMV application rates (0, 15,000, 30,000, and 45,000 kg ha−1). Soil samples were collected from three depth layers (0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm) at the rice maturity stage, and SON components, including free amino acid nitrogen (FAA-N), amide nitrogen (A-N), and soluble protein nitrogen (SP-N), were analyzed. The results demonstrated that CMV application significantly enhanced SON content, particularly in the topsoil (0–20 cm), with a 49.87% increase under the 45,000 kg ha−1 treatment. SON constituted over 50% of the total soluble nitrogen in the 0–60 cm layer, with FAA-N, A-N, and SP-N identified as the predominant components. CMV facilitated the accumulation of small-molecular SON (e.g., FAA-N and A-N) in deeper soil layers, with FAA-N content increasing by 79.13% in the 20–40 cm layer and A-N content increasing by 64.85% in the 40–60 cm layer under the 45,000 kg ha−1 treatment. In contrast, high-molecular-weight SON (e.g., SP-N) primarily accumulated in the topsoil due to stronger adsorption, while small-molecular-weight SON exhibited greater mobility, thereby elevating the risk of nitrogen leaching. These findings highlight the need for optimized CMV application rates to balance soil fertility and environmental sustainability in rice cropping systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)
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18 pages, 8311 KiB  
Article
Research on Optimization of Digging Shovel Parameters for a Garlic Harvester Based on Soil Damage Evolution
by Rundong Zhou, Jianxi Ding, Yongjian Wang, Hua Li, Yuqing Li, Yanyan Ge and Xiao Yin
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040832 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 47
Abstract
The digging mechanism is the component of garlic harvesters that consumes the most energy. Consequently, there are theoretical gaps in the design of resistance reduction. These gaps are due to the complexity of the interaction dynamics between the shovel and the soil, and [...] Read more.
The digging mechanism is the component of garlic harvesters that consumes the most energy. Consequently, there are theoretical gaps in the design of resistance reduction. These gaps are due to the complexity of the interaction dynamics between the shovel and the soil, and the insufficient understanding of the evolution patterns of soil damage. To address these challenges, this study develops a finite element model of the shovel–soil system using damage mechanics to characterize nonlinear interaction mechanisms under operational loading conditions. The methodology integrates three critical phases: (1) soil damage evolution analysis was employed to identify key damage parameters for model calibration; (2) systematic finite element simulations were used to evaluate the effects of system variables—entry angle, shovel blade bevel angle, forward speed, and vibration frequency—on forward resistance; (3) orthogonal experimental optimization of these parameters was carried out. Key results include the following: (i) A nonlinear relationship was identified between variables (entry angle, forward speed, and vibration frequency) and resistance reduction. Furthermore, the threshold for optimal performance was determined. The optimal parameters were identified as an entry angle of 20°, a forward speed of 0.39 m/s, and a frequency of 2.6 Hz. (ii) Validation through soil bin experiments, demonstrating strong agreement between simulated and measured load–displacement responses, confirming the predictive accuracy of the model. The research presented in this paper may offer insights into the principles of low-resistance designs for underground fruit harvesting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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28 pages, 16163 KiB  
Article
Grape Disease Detection Using Transformer-Based Integration of Vision and Environmental Sensing
by Weixia Li, Bingkun Zhou, Yinzheng Zhou, Chenlu Jiang, Mingzhuo Ruan, Tangji Ke, Huijun Wang and Chunli Lv
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040831 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 126
Abstract
This study proposes a novel Transformer-based multimodal fusion framework for grape disease detection, integrating RGB images, hyperspectral data, and environmental sensor readings. Unlike traditional single-modal approaches, the proposed method leverages a Transformer-based architecture to effectively capture spatial, spectral, and environmental dependencies, improving disease [...] Read more.
This study proposes a novel Transformer-based multimodal fusion framework for grape disease detection, integrating RGB images, hyperspectral data, and environmental sensor readings. Unlike traditional single-modal approaches, the proposed method leverages a Transformer-based architecture to effectively capture spatial, spectral, and environmental dependencies, improving disease detection accuracy under varying conditions. A comprehensive dataset was collected, incorporating diverse lighting, humidity, and temperature conditions, and enabling robust performance evaluation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art (SOTA) models, achieving an mAP@50 of 0.94, an mAP@75 of 0.93, Precision of 0.93, and Recall of 0.95, surpassing leading detection baselines. The results confirm that the integration of multimodal information significantly enhances disease detection robustness and generalization, offering a promising solution for real-world vineyard disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Machine Learning in Agriculture)
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18 pages, 4862 KiB  
Article
Effects of Alfalfa–Grass Mixed Sowing on Grass Yield and Rhizosphere Soil Characteristics
by Shiwen Wu, Lili Nan and Kun Wang
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040830 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 133
Abstract
This research investigated the impact of various mixed sowing combinations on soil nutrients and grass yield within the rhizosphere across different seasons. Three varieties of leguminous forages—Medicago sativa ‘Gannong No. 3’ (GN3), M. sativa ‘Gannong No. 9’ (GN9), and M. sativa ‘Juneng [...] Read more.
This research investigated the impact of various mixed sowing combinations on soil nutrients and grass yield within the rhizosphere across different seasons. Three varieties of leguminous forages—Medicago sativa ‘Gannong No. 3’ (GN3), M. sativa ‘Gannong No. 9’ (GN9), and M. sativa ‘Juneng No. 7’ (JN7)—as well as three varieties of grasses—Leymus chinensis ‘Longmu No. 1’ (LC), Agropyron mongolicum ‘Mengnong No. 1’ (AC), and Bromus inermis ‘Yuanye’ (BI)—were used as experimental materials for mixed sowing combinations; the monocultures of each material served as controls. We explored the seasonal effects of different legumes and grasses intercropping combinations on rhizosphere soil nutrients and grass yield in the Hexi Corridor region of China. The results indicated that the levels of soil enzyme activity, microbial biomass, and soil nutrients in the rhizosphere across the various treatments followed the following sequence: summer > spring > autumn. The soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass of various mixed sowing combinations were significantly higher than those of the monocultures within the same growing season (p < 0.05). Specifically, the activities of alkaline phosphatase (APA), catalase (CAT), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN), soil microbial biomass phosphorus (SMBP), soil organic matter (SOM), available nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), and available potassium (AK) within the GN9+BI group were the highest among all treatments. The hay yields of GN3, GN9, and JN7 were markedly greater than those of their respective mixed sowing combinations (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between enzyme activities, microbial biomass, and soil nutrient levels. This comprehensive evaluation indicated that the mixed sowing combinations of GN9 + BI and GN9 + LC are particularly well suited for widespread adoption in the Hexi Oasis irrigation area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science)
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25 pages, 2728 KiB  
Article
Large-Scale Plasma-Activated Water Reactor: The Differential Impact on the Growth of Tomato and Bell Pepper Plants in Nutrient-Rich and Nitrogen-Free Substrates
by Matías G. Ferreyra, Brenda Santamaría, María M. Caffaro, Carla Zilli, Alejandra Hernández, Brenda L. Fina, Karina B. Balestrasse and Leandro Prevosto
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040829 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 124
Abstract
In this study, plasma-activated water (PAW) was generated using a large-volume (5 L) plasma reactor with a quasi-stationary, water-cathode glow-type discharge in atmospheric pressure air. Tap water was activated up to 75 min. PAW exhibited high concentrations of long-lived reactive nitrogen species (RNSs), [...] Read more.
In this study, plasma-activated water (PAW) was generated using a large-volume (5 L) plasma reactor with a quasi-stationary, water-cathode glow-type discharge in atmospheric pressure air. Tap water was activated up to 75 min. PAW exhibited high concentrations of long-lived reactive nitrogen species (RNSs), reaching 8 mM, which is between 4 and 26 times higher than those reported in previous studies. The reactor reached an RNS synthesis efficiency of 61 nmol/J and an RNS production rate of 526 μmol/min, both among the highest reported. PAW was evaluated on tomato and bell pepper. Seedling emergence was determined in a nutrient-free substrate. To assess plant growth, seedlings were transplanted into pots filled with either nitrogen-free or nutrient-rich substrate. PAW-irrigation significantly promoted seedling emergence and leaf expansion, especially in tomato plants. The plant growth-stimulating effects of PAW were more pronounced in nitrogen-free substrate: fresh weight of tomato and bell pepper increased up to 13.1-fold and 2.6-fold, respectively. In contrast, the effect on the nutrient-rich substrate was negligible. Tomato plants grown in the nitrogen-free substrate and irrigated with 75-min PAW reached a dry weight comparable to those grown in nutrient-rich substrate. PAW irrigation did not induce oxidative stress, as confirmed by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Innovation in Sustainable and Organic Vegetable Crops Production)
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15 pages, 3194 KiB  
Article
Inversion Study of Maize Leaf Physiological Information Under Light–Temperature Stress Using Visible–Near Infrared Spectroscopy
by Siyao Gao, Jianlei Qiao, Lina Zhou, Shuang Liu, Limei Chen, Yue Yu and Lijuan Kong
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040828 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 96
Abstract
Light and temperature are important environmental factors for maize growth. Appropriate light and temperature conditions can enhance the net photosynthetic rate of maize leaves, which in turn promotes high-quality and high-yield maize production. This study focuses on maize during the seedling stage and [...] Read more.
Light and temperature are important environmental factors for maize growth. Appropriate light and temperature conditions can enhance the net photosynthetic rate of maize leaves, which in turn promotes high-quality and high-yield maize production. This study focuses on maize during the seedling stage and investigates the response patterns of maize leaf net photosynthetic rate, relative chlorophyll content (SPAD value), and visible–near-infrared spectral data under eight light–temperature stress conditions. Spectrally sensitive bands and characteristic wavelengths were extracted, and six different combinations of spectral preprocessing and modeling methods were used to establish inversion models for SPAD and net photosynthetic rate, respectively. Six different spectral preprocessing and modeling combination methods were employed to establish inversion models for the SPAD values and net photosynthetic rate of maize leaves. The research results use the correlation coefficients Rc and Rp, as well as the root mean square errors RMSEC and RMSEP, from the training and validation sets as evaluation metrics for the maize leaf physiological information inversion models. The optimal spectral combination method for the SPAD value inversion model of maize leaves was identified as PLS-MSC-SG, with an Rc value of 0.996 and an Rp value of 0.9743. The optimal combination method for the net photosynthetic rate inversion model was PLS-SNV-SG, with corresponding Rc and Rp values of 0.9848 and 0.9743, respectively. The results deepen the understanding of maize photosynthetic spectral physiological responses to light–temperature environments and provide important guidance for the precise management of maize growth conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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18 pages, 6332 KiB  
Article
Influence of Cropping Regimes on the Availability and Existing Forms of Phosphorus in the Albic Luvisols in Northeast China
by Yidan Geng, Honghao Yu, Yuanhong Sun, Zhiyuan Cao, Siyu Li, Hang Liu, Cuilan Li and Jinjing Zhang
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040827 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 121
Abstract
Adopting an optimal cropping regime is crucial for sustainable soil use. However, how different cropping regimes impact phosphorus (P) availability and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, a 10-year field experiment was performed to examine the influence of different cropping regimes, including maize–soybean [...] Read more.
Adopting an optimal cropping regime is crucial for sustainable soil use. However, how different cropping regimes impact phosphorus (P) availability and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, a 10-year field experiment was performed to examine the influence of different cropping regimes, including maize–soybean rotation (MSR), continuous maize cropping (CMC), and farmland fallow (FALL), under unfertilized and fertilized conditions in Northeast China. The P forms were analyzed using chemical fractionation and solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance. Compared to FALL, total P and different forms of P contents were significantly lower under MSR and CMC systems. Moreover, the contents of total P and different forms of P were higher under MSR than those under CMC. Correlation analysis showed that there were significant and positive correlations between total P and different forms of P contents. Redundancy analysis revealed soil organic carbon (SOC) as the most significant factor influencing total P and different forms of P. Structural equation modeling demonstrated the direct positive impacts of SOC, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and Olsen phosphorus on phosphatase activity, which exhibited direct positive influence on P availability. In summary, maize–soybean rotation is an effective cropping regime for promoting P accumulation and availability in this region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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20 pages, 2935 KiB  
Review
The Current State of Italian Pomegranate Production: Agronomic, Crop Protection, Economic, and Managerial Perspectives
by Maria Luisa Raimondo, Francesco Lops, Annalisa Tarantino, Nicola Bellantuono, Antonia Carlucci and Francesco Bimbo
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040826 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 32
Abstract
Pomegranate cultivation has gained interest in Italy, driven by the tree’s drought tolerance and temperature requirements, which make it a suitable alternative crop for farmers transitioning from traditional options like olives, cereals, or vineyards. Despite its increasing popularity, particularly in Southern Italy, fragmented [...] Read more.
Pomegranate cultivation has gained interest in Italy, driven by the tree’s drought tolerance and temperature requirements, which make it a suitable alternative crop for farmers transitioning from traditional options like olives, cereals, or vineyards. Despite its increasing popularity, particularly in Southern Italy, fragmented knowledge of this crop hinders its diffusion. This review addresses these gaps by synthesizing knowledge across agronomy, crop protection, economics, and managerial aspects. Also, the current review identifies challenges and opportunities for pomegranate farmers. It offers insights into different irrigation, fertilization, and training systems and different soil management strategies by identifying suitable cultivars according to the market outcome. Furthermore, this review examines the main biotic threats, such as the fungal diseases affecting this crop all over the world and in Italy. Moreover, the work explores the extent to which abiotic factors like drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures are responsible for fruit injuries and reduced marketability. Lastly, this review collects market figures on pomegranate production by identifying challenges that undermine market development and discusses managerial strategies to increase the profitability of this crop while avoiding price competition from non-European countries. Therefore, this detailed review, combining knowledge from multiple disciplines, will support the Italian pomegranate sector’s growth, ensuring farmers’ long-term profitability and environmental sustainability according to the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)
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16 pages, 1495 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Split Nitrogen Application on the Transport of Residue-Derived Carbon in Different Carbon Pools in Black Soil
by Xianni Chen, Shanglong Zhang, Shaofei Jin, Jiakai Gao, Siyu Dong, Minggang Xu, Xugang Wang, Dayong Guo and Xiaofeng Xu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040825 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 85
Abstract
To discriminate the transport characteristics of residue-derived carbon (Cres) from soil native carbon (Csoil) in black soil with split nitrogen application, a 540-day incubation study was conducted with four treatments: Control (unamended soil), R (soil + residue), RN1 (soil [...] Read more.
To discriminate the transport characteristics of residue-derived carbon (Cres) from soil native carbon (Csoil) in black soil with split nitrogen application, a 540-day incubation study was conducted with four treatments: Control (unamended soil), R (soil + residue), RN1 (soil + residue + one-time application of nitrogen fertilizer), and RN3 (soil + residue + three-time application of nitrogen fertilizer). The total soil organic carbon (TOC) of the incubated soil was separated into three fractions: light fraction (LF), occluded-particulate organic matter fraction (OPOM), and heavy fraction (HF). The results showed that the TOC content was significantly higher in the RN1 and RN3 (averaging 20.77 g/kg) than in the R (18.43 g/kg) and Control (19.03 g/kg) after 540 days. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased the residual rate of HF−Cres by 11.75% (p < 0.05), and the RN3 treatment significantly increased the residual rate of OPOM−Cres by 18.84% (p < 0.05) and reduced the loss rate of LF−Csoil by 77.01% (p < 0.05) compared with the R treatment. The soil catalase activity declined continuously along with incubation and was higher in the RN3 treatment than in the RN1 treatment after 180 days. The correlation analysis showed that the LF−Csoil and −Cres, as well as the HF−Csoil and catalase activity, were the main contributors to the TOC. Conclusively, nitrogen application, especially split nitrogen application, could stimulate the ability of soil to retain exogenous carbon and preserve native carbon. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Organic Amendments in Agricultural Production—2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 1853 KiB  
Article
Rhamnolipid-Stabilized Essential Oils Nanoemulsions: Sustainable Biopesticides and Biostimulants with Potential for Crop Protection
by Lucille T. Kourdova, Milagro Mottola, Micaela Peppino Margutti, María Florencia Bogino, Paula Maritano, Raquel Viviana Vico, Francisca Blanco-Herrera, María Laura Fanani and Georgina Fabro
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040824 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 120
Abstract
The search for environmentally friendly solutions to effectively control crop pests while safeguarding human health has become a global priority. One promising strategy is to enhance plant defenses by pre-inducing their innate immune system. In this study, we developed rhamnolipid (RL)-stabilized nanoemulsions (NEs) [...] Read more.
The search for environmentally friendly solutions to effectively control crop pests while safeguarding human health has become a global priority. One promising strategy is to enhance plant defenses by pre-inducing their innate immune system. In this study, we developed rhamnolipid (RL)-stabilized nanoemulsions (NEs) encapsulating essential oils (EOs) as potential biopesticides and biostimulants for agroindustrial applications. These NEs were designed to improve the solubility and stability of EOs while effectively combining their insecticidal and/or repellent activities with the bioactive properties of RLs. In this regard, our interdisciplinary approach involved formulating and characterizing these NEs and evaluating their stability and wettability on plant leaf surfaces. We further evaluated their effects on bacterial growth in vitro and in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, along with their impact on beneficial soil microorganisms. We analyzed their ability to stimulate the plant’s immune system and their impact on the viability and reproduction of the aphid Myzus persicae. Additionally, we explored whether RLs stimulate plant defenses through alterations in the leaf cuticle. Our findings demonstrate that RL-stabilized EO-NEs are effective bioprotectants and biostimulants in the model plant, offering a sustainable alternative that could reduce reliance on chemical pesticides in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials for Diseases and Pest Control in Agriculture)
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16 pages, 3088 KiB  
Article
Relationship Between Dynamics of Plant Biometric Parameters and Leaf Area Index of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Plants
by Václav Brant, Karel Krofta, Petr Zábranský, Pavel Hamouz, Pavel Procházka, Jiří Dreksler, Milan Kroulík and Gabriela Fritschová
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040823 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 129
Abstract
Biometric parameters of hop plants were studied over a three-year period on the Czech variety Premiant grown in the Žatec (Saaz) hop-growing region under an organic farming regime. Initially, only bine leaves developed, with lateral leaves emerging during the third growing month (June). [...] Read more.
Biometric parameters of hop plants were studied over a three-year period on the Czech variety Premiant grown in the Žatec (Saaz) hop-growing region under an organic farming regime. Initially, only bine leaves developed, with lateral leaves emerging during the third growing month (June). Their leaf area at the time of harvest was larger than the bine leaves. The moment when the area size of both leaf categories was the same, designated as the breaking point (BP), was determined in the interval 181–195 DOY (day of year). The leaf area (LA) measured using infrared imaging and gravimetric methods yielded comparable results, with correlation coefficients of 0.93 and 0.96, respectively. The total leaf area of one hop plant (LA) with four trained bines, which developed dynamically during ontogeny, was 10.45 m2 (2019), 6.65 m2 (2020), and 12.04 m2 (2021) in the harvest period. With a spacing of 3 m × 1 m, the corresponding Leaf Area Index (LAI) values were 3.5, 2.2 and 4.0 in the harvest season. Therefore, they are comparable to other crops such as maize or sorghum. Regression equations were calculated to determine the dry biomass of bine and lateral leaves depending on DOY. Correlations between the dry mass of leaves and the size of the leaf area for both bine and lateral leaves were also evaluated. This work also contains data on the mass proportions of the main plant organs (bine, leaves, cones). Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)
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25 pages, 6012 KiB  
Article
Design of Flight Attitude Simulator for Plant Protection UAV Based on Simulation of Pesticide Tank Sloshing
by Pengxiang Ren, Junke Rong, Ruichang Zhao and Pei Cao
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040822 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 51
Abstract
Changes in the flight attitude of plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can lead to oscillations in the liquid level of their medicine tanks, which may affect operational accuracy and stability, and could even pose a threat to flight safety. To address this [...] Read more.
Changes in the flight attitude of plant protection unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can lead to oscillations in the liquid level of their medicine tanks, which may affect operational accuracy and stability, and could even pose a threat to flight safety. To address this issue, this article presents the design of a flight attitude simulator for crop protection UAVs, constructed on a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform. This simulator can replicate the various flight attitudes, such as emergency stops, turns, and point rotations, of plant protection UAVs. This article initially outlines the determination and design process for the structural parameters and 3D model of the flight attitude simulator specific to plant protection UAVs. Subsequently, simulations were performed to analyze liquid sloshing in the pesticide tank under various liquid flushing ratios during flight conditions, including emergency stops, climbs, and circling maneuvers. Finally, the influence of liquid sloshing on the flight stability of the plant protection UAVs in different attitudes and with varying liquid flushing ratios is presented. These results serve as a cornerstone for optimizing the flight parameters of plant protection UAVs, analyzing the characteristics of pesticide application, and designing effective pesticide containers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Precision and Digital Agriculture)
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19 pages, 2764 KiB  
Article
Distribution Features and Health Risk Assessment of Phthalate Pollutants in Facility Soil and Agricultural Products in Xinjiang, China
by Haifeng Li, Hejiang Liu, Zhigang Liu, Hanming Su, Silayiding Simayi and Guohong Liu
Agronomy 2025, 15(4), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15040821 - 26 Mar 2025
Viewed by 68
Abstract
To determine the phthalic acid ester (PAE) contents within the soil and agricultural products of facility agriculture in Xinjiang Province, we detected 16 kinds of PAE compounds within 249 soil samples and 203 agricultural product samples through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Five PAEs, namely [...] Read more.
To determine the phthalic acid ester (PAE) contents within the soil and agricultural products of facility agriculture in Xinjiang Province, we detected 16 kinds of PAE compounds within 249 soil samples and 203 agricultural product samples through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Five PAEs, namely DMP, DEP, DBP, DEHP, and DIBP, were identified in the soil. Their detection rates were found to range from 84.7% to 100%, with total concentrations spanning from 7.29 to 1064.1 μg kg−1 and a mean concentration of 111.8 μg kg−1. The primary PAE pollutants obtained in the soil included DBP, DEHP, and DMP, which accounted for 49.2%, 27.0%, and 12.4% of the total content, respectively. In the agricultural products, six PAEs were detected: DEHP, DBP, DIBP, BMPP, DPP, and DNOP, with detection rates from 3.0% to 46.8% and total contents varying from ND to 5140 μg kg−1 (mean of 637.60 μg kg−1). Among them, DBP, DNOP, and BMPP were the major PAE contaminants in the agricultural products. As demonstrated by a human health risk evaluation, dietary intake of PAEs constituted the primary route of exposure to both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. DBP and DNOP posed the greatest non-carcinogenic risks to both adults and children; however, the non-carcinogenic risk values for the five PAE congeners in the study area were all less than 1. The carcinogenic risk associated with DEHP was lower than the USEPA-recommended level of carcinogenic risk. Based on these findings, the PAE contents in soil and agricultural products within our study area are not harmful to human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)
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