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Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective...
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Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant–Soil Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 4866

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dimitrios Bilalis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Agronomy, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: agronomy; organic agriculture; certification; soil management; weed management; environmental impact of agriculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioannis Roussis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Agronomy, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: agronomy; crop science; organic agriculture; fertilization; weeds; tillage; feed crops; alternative crops; industrial crops; sustainable agriculture; medicinal plants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioanna Kakabouki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Agronomy, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
Interests: fertilization; organic agriculture; weed management; tillage; novel crops
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid growth of the global population has led to the construction of new residential colonies on fertile agricultural lands, resulting in a significant decline in crop-production areas. A number of biotic and abiotic stresses are also being attributed to abrupt changes in regional and global climates, which pose a threat to agricultural production. As a result of this situation, sustainable agricultural production is required on the available cultivated lands. In order to maintain crop production, a number of effective and eco-friendly management practices are employed, including minimum/no tillage, legume-based crop rotation, manuring, balanced fertilizer applications, cover crops, cropping patterns, irrigation techniques, etc. Reduced/no tillage along with the inclusion of legumes in crop rotation; application of on-farm inputs, such as manure, compost, and vermicompost; intercropping of leguminous crops with commercially exhaustive crops such as cereals; fallow period management; and the use of bacteria and fungi to increase the efficiency of nutrient use by crops are all viable and sustainable techniques to maintain soil life, improve fertility, and feed plants. These techniques promote sustainable agriculture by ensuring sufficient production of high-quality crops.

In this Special Issue, authors are invited to submit articles on recent scientific advances in soil fertility and crop-production management for enhancing soil health, crop yield, and their adaptability under sustainable agriculture. We welcome novel research, reviews, and opinion papers covering all related topics that enhance our understanding of new agricultural practices that improve and maintain a high level of soil fertility; new methods and technologies for crop fertilization; new sources and processes for providing high-quality crop products without adverse impacts on the soil; as well as the use of plant cover and/or crop associations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Dimitrios Bilalis
Dr. Ioannis Roussis
Dr. Ioanna Kakabouki
Guest Editors

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. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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 quality
  • soil fertility
  • organic carbon
  • plant nutrition
  • integrated nutrient management
  • nutrient interactions
  • reduced/no tillage agriculture
  • compost
  • biostimulants
  • organic fertilizers
  • arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
  • crop residues
  • crop rotation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1476 KiB  
Article
Reducing Phosphorus Loss in Short-Cycle Horticultural Production Using Activated Aluminum-Amended Substrates and Modified Fertigation Practices
by Damon Edward Abdi, Jeffrey Beasley and Jeb Fields
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2473; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172473 - 4 Sep 2024
Viewed by 401
Abstract
To support growth, short-cycle horticultural crops require readily available nutrients. However, this often leads to nutrient leaching. Implementing best management practices in production decisions like incorporating fertilizer retaining amendments to substrates or modifying fertilization programs can mitigate nutrient losses to the environment and [...] Read more.
To support growth, short-cycle horticultural crops require readily available nutrients. However, this often leads to nutrient leaching. Implementing best management practices in production decisions like incorporating fertilizer retaining amendments to substrates or modifying fertilization programs can mitigate nutrient losses to the environment and associated costs. This study examined using an activated aluminum (AA) material as a substrate amendment to retain phosphorus (P) within containers while also assessing methods to reduce P fertilization in Tagetes production over a six-week production cycle. A commercial peat moss substrate (PL) pre-loaded with nutrients was amended with AA, enabling comparisons between substrates with and without AA. Enhanced fertilizer practices involved supplementing the initial nutrients by applying a weekly fertigation solution including nitrogen and potassium over the six weeks, but P for either 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks. The incorporation of AA significantly reduced P leaching losses by 89.5–97.7%, compared to the PL substrates receiving P the entire six weeks. Regardless of substrate or fertilizer management, all Tagetes had equivalent sizes (growth index) and aboveground biomass. The results indicate that amending substrates with AA and/or reducing additional P inputs are effective strategies to minimize P leaching without compromising Tagetes quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices)
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24 pages, 4472 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Water and Soil Resources Utilization via Wolfberry–Alfalfa Intercropping
by Jinghai Wang, Minhua Yin, Yaya Duan, Yanbiao Wang, Yanlin Ma, Heng Wan, Yanxia Kang, Guangping Qi and Qiong Jia
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2374; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172374 - 26 Aug 2024
Viewed by 493
Abstract
The impact of the intercropping system on the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC), encompassing soil evaporation, soil moisture dynamics, and crop transpiration, remains an area of uncertainty. Field experiments were conducted for two years in conjunction with the SIMDualKc (Simulation Dual Crop Coefficient) model to [...] Read more.
The impact of the intercropping system on the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum (SPAC), encompassing soil evaporation, soil moisture dynamics, and crop transpiration, remains an area of uncertainty. Field experiments were conducted for two years in conjunction with the SIMDualKc (Simulation Dual Crop Coefficient) model to simulate two planting configurations: sole-cropped wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) (D) and wolfberry intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (J). These configurations were subjected to different irrigation levels: full irrigation (W1, 75–85% θfc), mild deficit irrigation (W2, 65–75% θfc), moderate deficit irrigation (W3, 55–65% θfc), and severe deficit irrigation (W4, 45–55% θfc). The findings revealed that the JW1 treatment reduced the annual average soil evaporation by 32% compared with that of DW1. Additionally, mild, moderate, and severe deficit irrigation reduced soil evaporation by 17, 24, and 36%, respectively, compared with full irrigation. The intercropping system exhibited a more efficient canopy structure, resulting in reduced soil evaporation and alleviation of water stress to a certain extent. In terms of temporal dynamics, monocropping resulted in soil moisture levels from 1% to 15% higher than intercropping, with the most significant differences manifesting in the mid to late stages, whereas differences in the early stages were not statistically significant. Spatially, the intercropping system exhibited 7–19% lower soil water contents (SWCs) than sole cropping, primarily within the root water uptake zone within the 0–60 cm soil layer. The intercropping system showed an enhanced water absorption capacity for plant transpiration, resulting in a 29% increase in transpiration compared with sole cropping, thereby achieving water-saving benefits. These findings contribute to our understanding of the agronomic and environmental implications of intercropping wolfberry and alfalfa in arid regions and provide insights into optimizing water and soil resource management for sustainable agricultural practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices)
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16 pages, 2498 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Effect of Crop Succession Systems on Soil Chemical and Physical Attributes and Soybean Yield
by Milla S. S. Alves, Natanael M. Nascimento, Luiz Antonio F. M. Pereira, Thiago A. Barbosa, Claudio Hideo Martins da Costa, Tiara M. Guimarães, Aracy Camilla T. P. Bezerra and Deivid L. Machado
Plants 2024, 13(16), 2217; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162217 - 10 Aug 2024
Viewed by 539
Abstract
Most soybean producers in the Cerrado biome use the direct seeding system, making it essential to cultivate cash or cover crops in the off-season, to promote soil protection, as well as increase organic matter, which is directly related to improvements in the chemical [...] Read more.
Most soybean producers in the Cerrado biome use the direct seeding system, making it essential to cultivate cash or cover crops in the off-season, to promote soil protection, as well as increase organic matter, which is directly related to improvements in the chemical and physical characteristics of these soils. In this sense, this work was conducted in Jataí, state of Goias, Brazil, to evaluate the physical-chemical attributes of the soil and the performance of soybeans cultivated in different crop succession systems cultivated for 6 years in the region of Jataí, GO. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four plots and four replications; the crops that followed soybeans were arranged as follows: T1—corn (Zea mays); T2—pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum); T3—Urochloa ruziziensis; and T4—corn + Urochloa ruziziensis. Soybean yield components and grain yield were evaluated in two harvests (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). Deformed and undisturbed soil samples were collected in 2022 to assess soil fertility and for physical analysis. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared using the Tukey test at 5% probability. The soybean–millet succession system stood out for the chemical and physical attributes of the soil: calcium, magnesium, base saturation, hydrogen + aluminum, and total porosity. The crop succession system did not affect yield for the two years analyzed, but the accumulated grain yields were higher in the crop succession soybean/corn intercropped. The results highlight the importance of using cover crops in improving the physical and chemical qualities of the soil in the long term. However, in the Cerrado, there is a predominance of the soybean/corn succession system motivated by financial issues to the detriment of the qualitative aspects of the soil, in which the introduction of Urochloa ruziziensis in intercropping with corn would improve the chemical attributes of the soil and have a long-term impact on the accumulated grain production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices)
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15 pages, 2631 KiB  
Article
Delayed Leaf Senescence Improves Radiation Use Efficiency and Explains Yield Advantage of Large Panicle-Type Hybrid Rice
by Jun Deng, Tian Sheng, Xuefen Zhong, Jiayu Ye, Chunhu Wang, Liying Huang, Xiaohai Tian, Ke Liu and Yunbo Zhang
Plants 2023, 12(23), 4063; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12234063 - 3 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1171
Abstract
Super hybrid rice with predominantly large panicle types has achieved remarkable success in enhancing crop yield. However, when compared with multi-panicle-type varieties, the yield stability of large panicle-type varieties remains a challenge, and limited information is available on the comparative advantages of multi-panicle [...] Read more.
Super hybrid rice with predominantly large panicle types has achieved remarkable success in enhancing crop yield. However, when compared with multi-panicle-type varieties, the yield stability of large panicle-type varieties remains a challenge, and limited information is available on the comparative advantages of multi-panicle types. Consequently, a two-year experiment was conducted to evaluate the grain yield, biomass production, leaf area index (LAI), and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of large panicle-type hybrid rice (Y-liangyou 900, YLY900) and multi-panicle-type hybrid rice (C-liangyouhuazhan, CLYHZ) under three nitrogen (N) treatments (0, 180, 270 kg N ha−1). The effects of increased N fertilization were more pronounced in the large panicle-type varieties. YLY900 outperformed CLYHZ in terms of average yield (6% higher), and its yield advantage was attributed to higher spikelets per panicle (28%). Due to YLY900’s RUE being 9% higher than CLYHZ, it results in a 12% greater accumulation of dry matter than CLYHZ. Furthermore, YLY900 exhibited significant improvements of 16%, 4%, and 14% in specific leaf weight, effective leaf area ratio, and LAI at 20 days after the heading stage (20DAH), respectively, compared with CLYHZ. YLY900 also demonstrated a stronger correlation between rice yield and intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR) compared with CLYHZ, with R2 values of 0.80 and 0.66, respectively. These findings highlight the superior performance of YLY900, resulting from higher light interception percentage (IP) and IPAR values, which consequently led to enhanced RUE and grain yield. Our research reveals that delayed leaf senescence by increasing LAI at the post-heading stage for large panicle-type hybrid rice, thereby contributing to greater RUE, led to higher biomass production and grain yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices)
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Review

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16 pages, 1395 KiB  
Review
Alternative Crops for the European Tobacco Industry: A Systematic Review
by Antonios Mavroeidis, Panteleimon Stavropoulos, George Papadopoulos, Aikaterini Tsela, Ioannis Roussis and Ioanna Kakabouki
Plants 2024, 13(2), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13020236 - 15 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1550
Abstract
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a major industrial crop that has being cultivated for centuries for the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, and other smoking products. Due to its negative effects on both human health and the environment, the European Union has adopted [...] Read more.
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) is a major industrial crop that has being cultivated for centuries for the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, and other smoking products. Due to its negative effects on both human health and the environment, the European Union has adopted strict policies that aspire to reduce the consumption of tobacco. Herbal cigarettes are alternative smoking products that are often advertised as healthier than conventional tobacco cigarettes and are especially popular in Asian markets. Even though the available literature suggests that they are equally detrimental to human health, the introduction of tobacco-alternative crops (TACs) to the European tobacco industry could smoothen the abandonment of tobacco, and eventually smoking products altogether, in the EU. The aim of the present systematic review was to compile a list of possible TACs that could be incorporated in the European smoking industry, and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. The most dominant crops in the literature (and in the existing market products) were calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.), ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Mey.), tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), and mentha (Mentha spp.). Even though these crops are promising, further research is required for their incorporation in the European tobacco industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Crop Yield and Adaptability through Sustainable Soil Management: Effective and Eco-Friendly Practices)
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