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Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovative Cropping Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 15012

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mariola Staniak

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Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation-State Research Institute, Department of Forage Crop Production, Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
Interests: plant production; abiotic stress; plant physiology; weed control; biodiversity; organic farming; legumes; cover crops
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Prof. Dr. Ewa Szpunar-Krok

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Department of Crop Production, College of Natural Sciences, Poland University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: legumes; sustainable agriculture; abiotic stress; plant physiology; plant fertilization; plant product quality
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Dr. Małgorzata Szostek

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Department of Soil Science, Environmental Chemistry and Hydrology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: soil and plant health under different tillage practices and waste utilization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past four decades, intensive, high-efficiency technologies based on the heavy use of industrial inputs have been introduced in the agricultural sector. This is primarily due to the desire for profit, but also due to increasing pressure on agriculture to be able to support world population growth with an adequate food supply. In crop production, conventional management of agroecosystems often leads to a reduction in soil quality and alters the soil processes involved in providing many ecosystem services. Intensive tillage, combined with high mineral fertilization, increases the mineralization of organic carbon in the soil, thereby contributing to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Conservation agriculture (CA) may be the answer to these threats. CA is a crop and soil management practice for sustainable agriculture, defined by three related principles: minimum tillage and soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover, and diversified crop rotations. Adherence to these principles improves soil quality, optimizes yields, and reduces production costs. Conservation practices help minimize soil erosion, directly increase CO₂ sequestration in the soil due to increased organic matter, improve the efficiency of water capture and use, stimulate internal C and N cycling, and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. CA's success is driven by component technologies such as water, weed, and nutrient management strategies to support crops under reduced tillage conditions.

Our aim is to present agricultural practices that combine high production of quality raw materials with the provision of environmental services.

Both original research and review articles are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Mariola Staniak
Dr. Ewa Szpunar-Krok
Dr. Małgorzata Szostek
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

conservation agriculture
farming systems
reduced tillage
crop rotation
intercropping
cover crops
crop residue management
water management
soil organic matter management
weed management
yield and crop quality

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 3481 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Potential Use of Wild Relatives of Tomato (Solanum pennellii) to Improve Yield and Fruit Quality Under Low-Input and High-Salinity Cultivation Conditions

by Maria Gerakari, Anastasia Kyriakoudi, Dimitris Nokas, Ioannis Mourtzinos, Evangelia G. Chronopoulou, Eleni Tani and Ilias Avdikos

Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 3042; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14123042 - 20 Dec 2024

Viewed by 304

Abstract

Salinity stress is a major abiotic factor limiting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Utilizing genetic resources from wild tomato relatives, such as Solanum pennellii, through the exploitation of introgression lines (ILs) provides a promising strategy to enhance salt tolerance. This study evaluates the performance of nine tomato genotypes, including one commercial tomato hybrid (Formula F₁) and eight ILs under three different soil salinity levels (1.88, 6.44, and 8.63 mS/cm), trying to identify salt-tolerant lines that maintain yield and fruit quality. Morphological characteristics, gas exchange parameters, yield traits, fruit quality characteristics, and antioxidant activity were assessed. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify the levels of carotenoids, namely lycopene and β-carotene, of fruits in selected genotypes. Additionally, total antioxidant capacity was measured in leaves, using DPPH, FRAP and FOLIN assays. The results indicate that out of all the evaluated characteristics, four plant-related traits, four fruit-related traits, one gas exchange parameter, and three productivity-related traits presented strong correlations to total yield (g/plant). These 12 traits could be considered as potential indexes for genotype salinity tolerance discrimination and could be utilized as an efficient marker tool for distinguishing tolerant genotypes to salinity stress, allowing breeders to reduce the time-consuming process of developing new salinity-tolerant varieties. Regarding genotypes’ ranking based on the relative performance of agronomic traits under a salinity regime of 8.63 mS/cm compared to a salinity regime of 1.88 mS/cm, IL6-6 exhibited significant tolerance to high-salinity conditions compared to the commercial hybrid and other ILs, like IL8-9. This tolerant IL maintained higher plant growth, yield, and fruit quality traits, including elevated levels in its fruits’ carotenoids and leaves’ antioxidant capacity, under severe salinity conditions, highlighting its potential for breeding programs targeting saline environments. ILs can help maintain productivity and fruit quality under salinity stress, making them a promising solution for sustainable tomato cultivation in salinity-affected regions. These findings, combined with previous results, suggest that tomato introgression lines offer a valuable genetic resource for developing tomato varieties suitable for harsh environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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17 pages, 1995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of No Tillage and Low Emission N Fertilization on Durum Wheat Sustainability, Profitability and Quality

by Michele Andrea De Santis, Luigia Giuzio, Damiana Tozzi, Mario Soccio and Zina Flagella

Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2794; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122794 - 25 Nov 2024

Viewed by 495

Abstract

Mitigation practices for cereal systems, including conservation agriculture and low emission fertilization, are required to face global challenges of food security and climate change. The combination of these climate-smart approaches was investigated for durum wheat in a dry region of the Mediterranean basin in two crop seasons. The experimental design consisted in two different genotypes, Marco Aurelio (high protein content) and Saragolla (higher adaptability), subjected to no tillage (NT) vs. conventional tillage (CT) and to two fertilization strategies (standard vs. low emission plus an unfertilized control). Different environmental and economic sustainability parameters as well as two different technological and nutritional quality traits were evaluated. Saragolla showed a better environmental adaptability and a higher nitrogen use efficiency, evaluated as partial nutrient balance (+27%), and was associated with a lower protein content (14.5% vs. 15.6%). NT was associated with an improvement in yield (+15%) and quality, i.e., micronutrients (Fe, Zn) and antioxidant capacity (+15%), in the drier crop year. Low emission fertilization did not reduce crop performance and its combination with NT showed a higher economic net return. The combination of the two mitigation practices improved not only environmental and economic sustainability but also the health quality of durum wheat under water limited conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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18 pages, 1117 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Straw Returning Periods and Nitrogen Fertilizer Combinations on Rice Roots and Yield in Saline–Sodic Soil

by Yaoru Xie, Xiuli Zhang, Ya Gao, Jiaquan Li, Yanqiu Geng, Liying Guo, Xiwen Shao and Cheng Ran

Agronomy 2024, 14(11), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14112463 - 22 Oct 2024

Viewed by 763

Abstract

Straw return is an effective management practice for improving physical and chemical properties of saline–sodic soil in Northeast China. Straw decomposition and nutrient release are deeply influenced by soil and climatic factors. In Northeast China, straw decomposes slowly due to the long winter with low temperatures. Therefore, the season of straw return may be a key issue affecting rice. However, the impact of returning straw in different seasons on rice is disregarded and not commonly researched. We conducted a 2-year field experiment, including two residue management treatments: spring straw return treatment (SR) and autumn straw return treatment (AR), each containing five different N rates (0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 kg ha⁻¹) as sub-treatments. The results reveal that, compared with the spring straw returning treatment, the autumn straw returning treatment significantly improved root morphology and root vigor and increased the number of spikes per unit area, which directly increased rice yield by 4.76% (2020) and 6.62% (2021). In addition, rice yield showed an increasing and then decreasing trend with the increase in N fertilizer application, and it was at its maximum when the N application rate was 270 kg ha⁻¹. Compared to the spring straw return treatment, the autumn straw return treatment was able to reduce 31.46% (2020) and 38.48% (2021) of N fertilizer application without decreasing rice yield. Our findings demonstrate that straw return combined with nitrogen fertilization may be a promising management practice for improving rice root systems and yield in saline–sodic soils, and under the conditions of the autumn straw returning treatment, the best nitrogen fertilizer application rate was 270 kg ha⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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14 pages, 1493 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Performance and Stability for Grain Yield and Its Components of Some Rice Cultivars under Various Environments

by Mohamed S. Abd El-Aty, Mahmoud I. Abo-Youssef, Fouad A. Sorour, Mahmoud Salem, Mohamed A. Gomma, Omar M. Ibrahim, Mohammad Yaghoubi Khanghahi, Wahidah H. Al-Qahtani, Mostafa A. Abdel-Maksoud and Amira M. El-Tahan

Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2137; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092137 - 19 Sep 2024

Viewed by 803

Abstract

Refine current agricultural practices considering environmental changes are crucial for finding tolerant rice varieties that can meet the demands of human consumption. To this end, stability analysis assesses a crop genotype’s ability to adapt to various conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to (1) examine the interaction between rice genotypes and environmental conditions; (2) evaluate the stability of twelve rice genotypes using various stability methods; (3) identify representative environments for multi-environment testing; and (4) determine superior genotypes for specific environments. The evaluated rice cultivars were Sakha 101, Sakha 104, Sakha 105, Sakha 106, Sakha 107, Sakha 108, Giza 177, Giza 178, Giza 179, Giza 182, Egyptian Yasmine, and Sakha super 300. The experiment followed a strip-plot design, with three replications. The findings revealed significant differences among the rice varieties across various environments for the majority of the assessed characteristics. The joint regression analysis of variance demonstrated highly significant differences among rice cultivars for all the studied traits in terms of genotype-by-environment interaction (G × E). The statistical significance of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors was evident for all variables demonstrating heritable variation among the rice cultivars, specifically Sakha 108, Sakha 104, Giza 177, and Giza 178, concerning grain yield per feddan. These rice cultivars exhibited stability parameters that were not significantly different from unity for the regression coefficient (b_i) and from zero for the deviations from regression (S²d_i) for those traits. Overall, stability criteria are essential for ensuring reliable rice production, meeting human consumption, advancing genetic improvement, and promoting environmental sustainability in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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15 pages, 1281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Ecotypes and Reduced N Fertilization on Root Growth and Aboveground Development of Ratooning Sorghum × Sudangrass Hybrids

by Nayoung Choi, Miri Choi, Sora Lee, Chaelin Jo, Gamgon Kim, Yonghyun Jeong, Jihyeon Lee and Chaein Na

Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2073; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092073 - 10 Sep 2024

Viewed by 906

Abstract

Reduced N input while maintaining biomass production of sorghum × sudangrass hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. × Sorghum sudanense; SSG) is essential; however, its effects on root sustainability and photosynthetic capacity during the ratooning period are not well defined in a multiple harvests system. The physiological response and root morphology of SSG were investigated under different N application levels during the ratooning period in a two-year field experiment. Treatments were all combinations of two ecotypes (late-flowering, Greenstar; early-flowering, Honeychew) and four N levels (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha⁻¹). The total root length, surface area, volume, tips, and dry matter (DM) were significantly influenced by both ecotype and N level, with Greenstar outperforming Honeychew. Specifically, Greenstar’s root length increased by up to three times with reduced N application (50 kg N ha⁻¹), while Honeychew showed significant root length increases only at higher N levels (100 and 150 kg N ha⁻¹). Our data support the conclusion that a low level of N (50–100 kg N ha⁻¹) was the optimal rate for ratooning root sustainability. The findings highlight the critical role of root development in sustaining biomass production and suggest that the late-flowering ecotype, Greenstar, is more suitable for a multiple harvests system with a robust root system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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10 pages, 1879 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Inconsistent Yield Response of Forage Sorghum to Tillage and Row Arrangement

by Christine C. Nieman, Jose G. Franco and Randy L. Raper

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1510; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071510 - 12 Jul 2024

Viewed by 688

Abstract

Forage sorghum is an alternative source for biofuel feedstock production and may also provide forage for livestock operations. Introducing biofuel feedstock as a dual-use forage to livestock operations has the potential to increase the adoption of biofuel feedstock production. However, additional technical agronomic information focusing on tillage, row arrangement, and harvest date for forage sorghum planted into pasturelands intended for dual use is needed. Three tillage treatments, disking and rototilling (RT), chisel plow (CP), and no tillage (NT), and two row arrangement treatments, single-row planting with 76.2 cm rows and twin rows of 17.8 cm on 76.2 cm centers, were tested for effects on forage sorghum yield in a 3-cut system. This study tested two sites in Booneville, AR, from 2010 to 2012. Several interactions with year were detected, likely due to large precipitation differences within and among years. The year greatly affected the yield, with greater (p < 0.05) yields in year 1 compared to years 2 and 3 in both locations. No till resulted in lower yields in some years and harvest dates, though no clear trend was detected among tillage treatments over years. Twin rows generally did not improve yield, except for the third harvest date at one location. No strong trends for tillage or row arrangement effects were observed in this study. Inconsistencies may have resulted from the strong influence of year or interactions of multiple factors, which may challenge producers interested in utilizing forage sorghum for biofuels and livestock feed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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11 pages, 655 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Short Crop Rotation under No-Till Improves Crop Productivity and Soil Quality in Salt Affected Areas

by Aziz Nurbekov, Muhammadjon Kosimov, Makhmud Shaumarov, Botir Khaitov, Dilrabo Qodirova, Husniddin Mardonov and Zulfiya Yuldasheva

Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 2974; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122974 - 1 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1541

Abstract

Soil productivity and crop yield were examined in response to legume-based short crop rotation under conventional (CT) and no-till (NT) tillage practices in saline meadow-alluvial soils of the arid region in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Compared with the CT treatment, crop yield was consistently higher under NT, i.e., winter wheat 9.63%, millet 9.9%, chickpea 3.8%, and maize 10.7% at the first experiment cycle during 2019–2021. A further crop productivity increase was observed at the second experiment cycle during 2021–2023 under NT when compared to CT, i.e., winter wheat 17.7%, millet 31.2%, chickpea 19.6%, and maize 19.1%. An increase in total phyto residue by 20.9% and root residue by 25% under NT compared to CT contributed to the improvement in soil structure and played a vital role in the sustained improvement of crop yields. In turn, the increased residue retention under NT facilitated soil porosity, structural stability, and water retention, thereby improving soil quality and organic matter content. Soil salinity more significantly decreased under NT than in CT, reducing salinity buildup by 18.9% at the 0–25 cm and 32.9% at the 75–100 cm soil profiles compared to CT. The total forms N and P were significantly increased under NT when compared to CT, while the efficiency of the applied crop rotation was essential. This study showed the essential role of the NT method with legume-based intensive cropping in the maintenance of soil health and crop yield, thereby touching on recent advances in agro-biotechnology and the sustainable land management of drylands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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20 pages, 3306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Rice–Wheat Straw Incorporation and Varying Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Wheat Grain Yield

by Gabriel Hopla Akwakwa and Wang Xiaoyan

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2363; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092363 - 12 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1959

Abstract

Straw return (SR) is crucial for the comprehensive and efficient utilization of resources within agroecosystems; however, its impact on soils and wheat grain yield in the Jianghan Plain of the Yangtze River Basin, Hubei Province of China, is not fully known. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of returning rice–wheat straw, along with different nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications, on soil physicochemical properties and wheat grain yield. The Yangmai 23 wheat variety was cultivated in the Experimental Farms of Yangtze University in the Yangtze River Basin, with three rates of rice SR (0, 50 and 100%) and four N fertilizer rates (0, 33.3, 70 and 100%) with 180 kg/ha urea. The integrated use of SR- and N-fertilizer rates significantly altered soil nitrogen, nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, potassium, pH and moisture within the 20 cm depth before the seeding, jointing and maturation stages of the wheat. The grain yields of 6408 ± 110 − 8290.00 ± 298 and 4726 ± 62 − 6758.00 ± 196 kg/ha were obtained in the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons, respectively. The studied soil physicochemical properties either before seeding, or at the jointing and maturation stages had a significant effect on final grain yield. These results underscore the combined effect of SR- and N-fertilizer application to improve wheat productivity in the Yangtze River Basin. However, further studies are ongoing to assess the impact of these treatments on the soil microbial community, as well as on wheat grain quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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16 pages, 3970 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Finnish Farmers Feel They Have Succeeded in Adopting Cover Crops but Need Down-to-Earth Support from Research

by Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio, Lauri Jauhiainen and Hannu Känkänen

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092326 - 5 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1395

Abstract

In Finland, there is an ongoing adoption and learning process considering the cultivation of cover crops (CCs). The primary aim is to claim the benefits of CCs for agricultural production and ecosystems, which are both appreciated by Finnish farmers. A farmer survey with 1130 respondents was carried out to build an up-to-date understanding of how farmers have succeeded with CCs and whether they intend to continue with the use of CCs and to collect farmers’ views on knowledge gaps that should be filled by research or better knowledge sharing. The studied groups were farmers who had selected CCs as a registered measure in 2020 to receive agricultural payments. Data came from the Finnish Food Authority. Organic farmers were slightly more positive: they have had longer experience with CCs, but organic production is also more dependent on the ecosystem services provided by CCs. A high share of respondents agreed that their experiences with CCs have improved over time and were confident that CCs had become a permanent element of their production systems. Most of the farmers also agreed that the area under CCs would expand significantly in Finland and considered the cultivation of CCs as an effective measure to improve soil conditions. They often considered that challenges in adopting CCs were exaggerated and disagreed that bad experiences prevented them from expanding or continuing the use of CCs. The agricultural payment available for Finnish farmers to support the cultivation of CCs is quite reasonable (EUR 97 + EUR 50 per hectare) to compensate for any economic risks of CCs. Free word answers from the farmers highlighted research needs (in descending order) in the following areas: crop protection, sowing practices, the use of diverse CCs and their mixtures, and impacts on yield and profitability. Many of these are universal, i.e., have been reported elsewhere. Younger farmers (≤50 years) highlighted profitability, which is, in many European countries, a key barrier to the deployment of CCs. Farmers from the east and north regions, where the growing season is short, highlighted alternative CC choices as a knowledge gap. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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30 pages, 3402 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Conservation Tillage and Weed Management Influencing Weed Dynamics, Crop Performance, Soil Properties, and Profitability in a Rice–Wheat–Greengram System in the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain

by Bushra Ahmed Alhammad, Dhirendra Kumar Roy, Shivani Ranjan, Smruti Ranjan Padhan, Sumit Sow, Dibyajyoti Nath, Mahmoud F. Seleiman and Harun Gitari

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071953 - 24 Jul 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3884

Abstract

A three-year field experiment was carried out to assess the efficacy of various tillage and residue management practices, as well as weed management approaches, in a rice–wheat–green gram rotation. The treatments included: conventional till transplanted rice–conventional till wheat–fallow (T₁); conventional till transplanted rice–zero-till wheat–zero-till green gram (T₂); conventional till direct-seeded rice—conventional-till wheat—zero-till green gram (T₃); zero-till direct-seeded rice—zero-till wheat—zero-till green gram (T₄); zero-till direct-seeded rice + residue zero-till wheat + residue zero-till green gram (T₅). In weed management, three treatments are as follows: recommended herbicides (W₁); integrated weed management (W₂); and unweeded (W₃). The integrated weed management treatment had the lowest weed biomass, which was 44.3, 45.3, and 33.7% lower than the treatment W₃ at 30 and 60 days after sowing and harvest, respectively. T₁ grain and straw yielded more than T₂ in the early years than in subsequent years. The conventional till transplanted rice–zero-till wheat–zero-till green gram system produced 33.6, 37.6, and 27.7% greater net returns than the zero-till direct-seeded rice—zero-till wheat—zero-till greengram system, respectively. Conventional till transplanted rice–conventional till wheat–fallow had the biggest reduction (0.41%) in soil organic carbon from the initial value. The findings of the study demonstrated that adopting the transplanting method for rice, followed by zero tillage for wheat and green gram, enhanced productivity and profitability, while simultaneously preserving soil health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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Review

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27 pages, 5107 KiB

Open AccessReview

Shaping Soil Properties and Yield of Cereals Using Cover Crops under Conservation Soil Tillage

by Edward Wilczewski, Irena Jug, Ewa Szpunar-Krok, Mariola Staniak and Danijel Jug

Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2104; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092104 - 15 Sep 2024

Viewed by 933

Abstract

The aim of this review was to collect current results on the effect of different plants grown as winter and summer cover crops (CC) on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil and on the yield of cereal crops grown in a site with CC, using conservation soil tillage. The analyzed studies indicate that CC usually have a positive impact on the physical and biological properties of the soil. Regardless of the plant species used as CC, we can expect an increase in the number of soil microorganisms and an improvement in the activity of soil enzymes. This effect is particularly beneficial in the case of reduced tillage systems. Mixing CC biomass with the topsoil loosens compacted soils and, in the case of light, sandy soils, increasing the capacity of the sorption complex. The size and composition of CC biomass and weather conditions during the vegetation period and during the covering of the soil with plant biomass are of great importance for improving the chemical properties of the soil. A beneficial effect of CC, especially legumes, on the content of the mineral nitrogen in the topsoil is usually observed. Sometimes, an increase in the content of available forms of potassium (K) and/or phosphorus (P) is also achieved. The effect of CC on the content of soil organic carbon (C), total nitrogen (N), or soil pH is less common. CC used in reduced tillage systems can significantly improve the yield and quality of cereal grain, especially when legumes are used as CC in low-fertility soil conditions and at low fertilization levels. However, non-legumes can also play a very positive role in shaping soil properties and improving cereal yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Agricultural Practices for Improving Crop Production and Quality)

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