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Agronomy
Special Issues
Management Practices Affect Soil Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics
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Management Practices Affect Soil Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Plant Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 December 2023) | Viewed by 4927

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maysoon M. Mikha

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Central Great Plains Resources (CGPR) Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, CGPR Station, 40335 County Road GG, Akron, CO 80720, USA
Interests: soil health; soil conservation; soil microbiology; sustainability; tillage

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The projected increase in ambient temperature, frequent erratic climate change, and the elongated drying period presents real threats to agricultural production and food security. The adaptation to climate change is imperative to sustain ecosystem functioning and productivity. Water is the most limiting factor for crop production and becomes a precious commodity in many regions. Land and nutrient management are among the critical components of sustainable agriculture to enhance productivity and promote environmental sustainability with minimum inputs. Conservation management strategies that increase soil organic carbon (SOC), enhance nutrient use efficiency (NUE), and minimize nutrient losses are needed across the globe to reduce inputs. Management practices, such as tillage; cropping sequence; fertilizer addition; organic amendment; cover crop; weed control; and minimum irrigation, can be site-specific and can influence agriculture production. The framework of this Special Issue, the best management practices (BMPs) to increase SOC and productivity with minimum nutrient losses and inputs.

In this Special Issue, we aim to exchange knowledge regarding the land management of different regions that influence SOC and nutrient dynamics with continuous environment changes.

Dr. Maysoon M. Mikha
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • soil organic carbon (SOC)
  • nutrients use efficiency (NUE)
  • best management practices (BMPs)
  • commercial fertilizer
  • organic amendment
  • cropping sequence
  • tillage practices
  • cover crop
  • limited irrigation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1763 KiB  
Article
Unraveling the Impact of Cumin-Centric Cropping Sequences on Cumin Yield, Economic Viability, and Dynamics of Soil Enzymatic Activities in Hot Arid Climatic Conditions
by Moti Lal Mehriya, Devendra Singh, Anil Kumar Verma, Neelam Geat, Abed Alataway, Ahmed A. Al-Othman, Ahmed Z. Dewidar and Mohamed A. Mattar
Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 3023; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123023 - 10 Dec 2023
Viewed by 991
Abstract
A comprehensive study spanning three kharif and rabi seasons (2018–2019, 2020–2021, and 2021–2022) was conducted to investigate the intricate interactions among different cropping sequences and their impacts on cumin yield, financial outcomes, and soil microbial dynamics. The experiment was designed using a randomized [...] Read more.
A comprehensive study spanning three kharif and rabi seasons (2018–2019, 2020–2021, and 2021–2022) was conducted to investigate the intricate interactions among different cropping sequences and their impacts on cumin yield, financial outcomes, and soil microbial dynamics. The experiment was designed using a randomized block design, comprising eight distinct treatment combinations, each replicated three times. The results revealed compelling insights into the potential of specific cropping sequences to enhance multiple aspects of agricultural sustainability. The results revealed that the highest cumin yield (averaging 592 kg ha−1 over the three years) was achieved when cumin was cultivated subsequent to pearl millet, showcasing significant increases of 14.28% and 23.07% over the cumin–fallow and cumin–cotton cropping systems, respectively. When it came to cumin equivalent yield, the cumin–cotton cropping sequence (985 kg ha−1) emerged as the most favorable, closely followed by cumin–groundnut (968 kg ha−1). Furthermore, analyzing net realizations and benefit–cost ratios demonstrated that the cumin–pearl millet cropping sequence stood out with the maximum values (₹88,235 ha−1 and 2.7, respectively), followed by the cumin–mung bean cropping system (₹84,164 ha−1 and 2.47, respectively). Among the various cropping sequences studied, cumin–mung bean, cumin–cluster bean, cumin–pearl millet and cumin–groundnut were recorded as statistically similar in terms of soil microbial enzymatic activities viz. fluorescein diacetate (FDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and microbial biomass carbon and were at par over the cumin–sorghum, cumin–sesame, cumin–cotton and cumin–fallow cropping systems. These findings emphasize the significance of strategic crop sequencing for sustainable agriculture practices that simultaneously optimize productivity and maintain soil health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management Practices Affect Soil Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics)
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17 pages, 1787 KiB  
Article
Effects of Cropping Systems on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Abundances and Spatial Distributions of Nitrogen-Cycling Bacteria
by Annesly M. Netthisinghe, Hunter O. Galloway, Getahun E. Agga, Phillip A. Gunter and Karamat R. Sistani
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1461; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061461 - 25 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1346
Abstract
Soil nitrogen (N) is a common limiting factor where soil N-cycling is a key component of agroecosystems. Soil N transformation processes are largely mediated by microbes, and understanding bacteria involvement in soil N-cycling in agricultural systems has both agronomic and environmental importance. This [...] Read more.
Soil nitrogen (N) is a common limiting factor where soil N-cycling is a key component of agroecosystems. Soil N transformation processes are largely mediated by microbes, and understanding bacteria involvement in soil N-cycling in agricultural systems has both agronomic and environmental importance. This 2 yr field-scale study examined the abundances and spatial distributions of the total bacterial community (16S rRNA), bacteria involved in nitrification (amoA) and denitrification (narG, nirK, and nosZ), and soil physicochemical properties of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) double-crop with 2–3 weeks of spring grazing (WGS) and without grazing (WS) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb.) pasture (TF) managed to near-natural conditions with similar grazing. The TF soil had a significantly higher abundance of 16S rRNA, amoA, narG, nirK, and nosZ genes than the WS and WGS soils, which had similar levels between themselves. Soil organic matter (OM) and soil pH had stronger effects on the N-cycling bacteria gene abundance. All bacterial gene concentrations and soil pH showed nonrandom distribution patterns with a 141–186 m range autocorrelation. These results indicate that biological N transformation processes are more important in natural agricultural systems and the abundance of N-cycling bacteria can be manipulated by field-scale management strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management Practices Affect Soil Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics)
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14 pages, 3867 KiB  
Article
Phosphate Management for High Soybean and Maize Yields in Expansion Areas of Brazilian Cerrado
by Lenir Fátima Gotz, Marquel J. Holzschuh, Vitor P. Vargas, Ana Paula B. Teles, Mayara M. Martins and Paulo Sergio Pavinato
Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010158 - 3 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1999
Abstract
The low phosphorus (P) availability is considered one of the most limiting factors for suitable crop production in Brazilian Cerrado areas. We aimed to define the best P fertilizer management for maximum soybean and maize grain yield and minimum soil P adsorption in [...] Read more.
The low phosphorus (P) availability is considered one of the most limiting factors for suitable crop production in Brazilian Cerrado areas. We aimed to define the best P fertilizer management for maximum soybean and maize grain yield and minimum soil P adsorption in new agricultural areas. Two experiments were carried out in a Hapludox (pH 5.0) over six years. The first experiment evaluated five P fertilizer management (correction and maintenance): correction and maintenance at furrow; correction incorporated and maintenance at furrow; correction at furrow and maintenance broadcasted; correction and maintenance broadcasted; gradual correction (five years) and maintenance at furrow. The second experiment evaluated doses of P2O5: 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 kg ha−1 year−1 applied at furrow or broadcasted. The P correction incorporated (0–20 cm) and maintenance at furrow resulted in higher yield and soil labile P. The yield increased up to 250 kg ha−1 of P2O5, and soil P fractions linearly increased, independent of application mode. Thus, the best P management would be full correction incorporated in bulk soil and maintenance at furrow; initial P correction (up to 250 kg ha−1 of P2O5) is essential in new Cerrado areas. These results are useful for orientating P management decisions in new sustainable agricultural systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management Practices Affect Soil Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics)
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