Search Results (161)

Intercropping, especially legume-cereal systems, is a mixed farming approach that can improve agricultural resilience by addressing challenges such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and global change, all while promoting the sustainable production of protein-rich and nutritious food. However, its adoption in industrialized countries remains limited due to economic and technical challenges, as well as a fragmented understanding of soil–plant-microbe interactions, which hinders its complete optimization. This article provides an overview of the current situation and future perspectives on the importance of legume–cereal intercropping, with examples such as common bean–maize, soybean–maize, alfalfa–corn–rye, and legumes–pulses–little millet systems. These combinations highlight how intercropping can improve nutrient cycling, increase root growth, forage and grain yield, suppress soil-borne diseases, and promote soil microbial population and enzymatic activity. While it offers environmental benefits, practical challenges such as system design, management complexity, and cost-effectiveness must be addressed to encourage wider adoption. In preparing this review, we synthesized studies published between 2000 and 2025, with a particular emphasis on recent research from China and Southeast Asia. We also considered broader intercropping contexts, including energy crops, agroforestry systems, rice paddy co-cultures, and phytoremediation approaches. The review also highlights legume–cereal as a solution to sustainable soil management, ecosystem health, and the potential for increased nutritional food production in developed countries. Full article

Maize is a globally vital crop for both grain and forage production. Its cultivation and growth are significantly restricted by salt stress. Expansins are non-enzymatic plant cell wall proteins that play pivotal roles in growth, development, and stress responses by mediating cell wall loosening. We identified ZmEXPA6, an α-expansin gene, as exhibiting high expression levels in maize roots under salt stress. In this study, the ZmEXPA6 gene was cloned and functionally characterized. Heterologous overexpression of ZmEXPA6 promoted root elongation and enhanced salt tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana. Under salt stress, the ZmEXPA6 overexpression lines exhibited elevated levels of anthocyanin (61.70%, 59.70%), proline (16.39%, 15.11%), soluble sugars (11.97%, 8.68%), and soluble proteins (14.83%, 13.74%) compared to the WT. Concurrently, the expression of genes associated with anthocyanin and proline biosynthesis was markedly up-regulated in these overexpression lines. The ZmEXPA6 overexpression lines exhibited elevated activities of SOD (23.81%, 23.51%), CAT (13.86%, 10.93%), and POD (4.27%, 1.39%) compared to the WT, along with significantly reduced accumulation of MDA (23.47%, 24.48%), O₂⁻ (21.9%, 19.8%), and H₂O₂ (27.61%, 18.07%). These results indicate that ZmEXPA6 is involved in the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana and improves its salt tolerance through enhanced osmotic adjustment and elevated antioxidant capacity. Full article

Using locally produced forage and agro-industrial by-products can reduce dependence on imported feed and competition for human food sources, while improving meat quality. However, the overall effect of this feeding strategy on global greenhouse gas emissions must be evaluated to provide a comprehensive assessment of sustainability. This study aimed to test whether replacing the conventional concentrate finishing diet with a total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on maize silage and brewer’s spent grains (BSG) would improve meat quality without compromising productive performance, carcass composition, and the carbon footprint (CFp) of finishing beef cattle. Twenty crossbred young bulls were randomly distributed among 4 pens and randomly allocated to 2 treatments: Control—a conventional diet based on commercial concentrate and wheat straw or TMR—a maize silage-based diet with BSG, concentrate, and straw. Dry matter intake and average daily gain were 13% and 15%, respectively, lower in the TMR treatment than in the Control treatment. Daily methane emissions were 59% higher in the TMR treatment. However, life cycle assessment results revealed no differences in the CFp, and the beef from TMR treatment achieved higher meat quality. In conclusion, a maize silage-based diet offers a cost-effective alternative to conventional diets, with a lower environmental impact and improved beef quality. Full article

This paper examines various aspects of maize plant height. Firstly, it emphasizes that maize is a significant food and forage crop with considerable research significance, and that its plant height is influenced by multiple factors, including biotic elements such as genes and plant hormones, as well as abiotic factors such as soil, water, and climate. Secondly, the paper explores the complex relationship between maize plant height and yield, noting that moderate plant height can improve photosynthetic efficiency, reduce lodging risk, and enhance yield, although it may also affect kernel quality. Additionally, the paper reviews the application of modern biotechnological methods in maize plant height research, such as genome-wide linkage analysis, gene editing, transgenic technology, and epigenetic studies, which aid in elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying plant height. Finally, it outlines future research directions for improving maize plant height and yield, highlighting key challenges that require urgent attention, such as the advancement of gene editing techniques, the integration of multiple biotechnologies, and strategies to address climate change, with the ultimate goal of achieving precision breeding for high-yielding, stress-resistant, and broadly adaptable maize varieties. Full article

Intercropping with green manures is an effective practice for increasing agricultural production and reducing environmental issues. However, the effects of green manure type and intercropping patten on soil nutrient availability and microbial communities remains underexplored. In the present study, the impacts of three green manure–maize intercropping patterns on maize yield, rhizosphere nutrient availability, and soil fungal community were evaluated. Four treatments (three replicate plots for each) were involved, including a monoculture treatment (MC) as a control and three intercropping patterns as follows: maize–ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (IntL), maize–forage soybean (Fen Dou mulv 2, a hybrid soybean cultivar) (IntF), and maize–ryegrass–forage soybean (IntLF) intercropping. The results showed that all three intercropping patterns significantly increased maize yield and rhizosphere available phosphorus (AP) compared with MC. Intercropping shifted the dominant assembly process of the maize rhizosphere fungal community from stochastic to deterministic processes, shaping a community rich in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and limited in plant pathogens, primarily Exserohilum turcicum. AP showed significant correlations with fungal community and AMF, while maize yield was negatively correlated with plant pathogens. In addition, the dual-species green manure intercropping pattern (IntLF) had the strongest positive effects on maize yield, AP content, and fungal community compared with single-species patterns (IntL and IntF). These results illustrate the advantages of planting diversification in boosting crop production by improving nutrient availability and soil health in the rhizosphere and suggest that the maize–ryegrass–forage soybean intercropping system is a potential strategy for improving soil fertility and health. Full article

The Altay oasis, located at the heart of the transnational ecological conservation zone shared by China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia, is a region with tremendous potential for water resource utilization. However, with the continued expansion of agriculture, its ecological vulnerability has become increasingly pronounced. Within this fragile balance lies a critical opportunity: efficient water resource management could pave the way for sustainable development across the entire arid oasis regions. This study uses a decision tree model based on a feature threshold to map the spatial distribution of major crops in the Altay Prefecture oasis, assess their water requirements, and identify the coupling relationships between agricultural water and land resources. Furthermore, it proposed optimization planting structure strategies under three scenarios: water-saving irrigation, cash crop orientation, and forage crop orientation. In 2023, the total planting area of major crops in Altay Prefecture was 3368 km², including spring wheat, spring maize, sunflower, and alfalfa, which consumed 2.68 × 10⁹ m³ of water. Although this area accounted for only 2.85% of the land, it consumed 26.23% of regional water resources, with agricultural water use comprising as much as 82.5% of total consumption, highlighting inefficient agricultural water use as a critical barrier to sustainable agricultural development. Micro-irrigation technologies demonstrate significant water-saving potential. The adoption of such technologies could reduce water consumption by 14.5%, thereby significantly enhancing agricultural water-use efficiency. Cropping structure optimization analysis indicates that sunflower-based planting patterns offer notable water-saving benefits. Increasing the area of sunflower cultivation by one unit can unlock a water-saving potential of 25.91%. Forage crop combinations excluding soybean can increase livestock production by 30.2% under the same level of water consumption, demonstrating their superior effectiveness for livestock system expansion. This study provides valuable insights for achieving sustainable agricultural development in arid regions under different development scenarios. Full article

This paper offers an exhaustive review of various pivotal aspects of forage whole-plant maize silage. It commences with an exploration of the foundational elements of planting, including the growing environment, variety selection, planting techniques, management practices, and harvesting considerations. The paper assesses the nutritional value of maize silage, its effects on animal health, and its current applications in livestock farming. Additionally, it elucidates the principles of fermentation, pathogen control, and the impact of fermentation technology on silage quality. The paper also discusses utilization strategies and technological advancements. A historical perspective is provided, alongside an analysis of current challenges, opportunities, and the global market positioning of maize silage. Furthermore, the paper delves into future prospects by addressing sustainable development strategies, adaptation to climate change, and ethical and economic controversies. The primary aim is to serve as a comprehensive reference for further research, production practices, and industrial chain development in the domain of forage whole-plant maize silage. Full article

In integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs), grazing intensity and crop rotation influence residue dynamics, making it essential to assess shoot and root contributions to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) inputs. This study aimed to assess the shoot and root biomass of Italian ryegrass, soybean, and maize; the distribution of roots within the soil profile; and the contributions of shoot and root biomass to soil C and N under varying winter grazing intensities and summer crop rotations. The experiment was conducted within a long-term (12-year) field protocol, arranged in a randomized complete block design with split plots and four replicates. Grazing intensity was defined as the following: (i) moderate grazing—forage allowance equivalent to 2.5 times the potential dry matter intake of sheep, and (ii) low grazing—forage allowance equivalent to 5.0 times the intake potential. Grazing intensities (moderate and low) were allocated to the main plots, while cropping systems—monoculture (soybean/soybean) and crop rotation (soybean/maize)—were assigned to the subplots. Soil depth layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40 cm) were treated as sub-subplots. Root samples of Italian ryegrass, soybean, and maize were collected using the soil monolith method. Low grazing intensity (8.6 Mg ha⁻¹) promoted greater aboveground biomass production of Italian ryegrass compared to moderate intensity (6.6 Mg ha⁻¹). Maize exhibited a higher capacity for both root and shoot biomass accumulation, with average increases of 85% and 120%, respectively, compared to soybean. Root biomass was primarily concentrated in the surface soil layer, with over 70% located within the top 10 cm. Italian ryegrass showed a more uniform root distribution throughout the soil profile compared to soybean and maize. Carbon inputs were higher under crop rotation (17.2 Mg ha⁻¹) than under monoculture (15.0 Mg ha⁻¹), whereas nitrogen inputs were greater in soybean monoculture (0.23 Mg ha⁻¹) than in crop rotation (0.16 Mg ha⁻¹). Low grazing intensity in winter and summer crop rotation with high-residue and quality species enhance the balance between productivity and soil C and N inputs, promoting the sustainability of ICLSs. Full article

This study aimed to provide deeper insights into fermentation dynamics, aerobic stability, and bacterial community composition during the short-term ensiling of maize forage with lactic acid bacteria-based inoculants. A 50:50 combination of Lentilactobacillus buchneri DSM2250 and Lactococcus lactis DSM11037 (LBL target application: 150,000 CFU per 1 g forage) was tested alongside an untreated control (C) over fermentation periods of 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days. A total of 50 3 L mini-silos were filled with 2 kg of fresh maize each and stored at 20 °C. The pH, dry matter, nutrient profiles, volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, alcohols, ammonia-N, microbiological counts (yeast and mold), and aerobic stability of all samples were analyzed after seven days of air exposure. LBL silage showed higher average dry matter content (DMc) and crude protein (CP) levels by 1.5%, p < 0.001, and 10.8%, p < 0.001, respectively, as well as reduced average dry matter (DM) losses by half (p < 0.001) compared to pure silage. The beneficial effects of inoculation became more pronounced with prolonged storage, particularly by day 32 of fermentation. LBL silage showed increased production of lactic and acetic acids by an average of 55.5% and 5.0%, respectively, (p < 0.01) and significantly reduced butyric acid formation by approximately 14 times. Ethanol and ammonia-N concentrations were also reduced by 55.4% and 25.6%, respectively (p < 0.001), while the pH value remained 0.17 units lower (p < 0.001) compared to the control. The combination of the two strains improved silage aerobic stability by 2.4 days (p < 0.001) and extended shelf life by reducing yeast counts (8.02 vs. 7.35 log₁₀CFU g⁻¹ FM, p < 0.001), while maintaining the pH value close to its initial level. Therefore, compared to the untreated control, the inoculated silage exhibited higher nutritional value, reduced fermentation losses, and suppressed undesirable microbial activity. The positive effects of inoculation became increasingly evident over time, particularly by day 32, highlighting the synergistic benefits of using mixed-strain lactic acid bacteria. These findings support the use of LBL inoculants as an effective strategy to enhance short-term silage quality and stability. Full article

Appropriate fertilization depth promotes the absorption and transport of nutrients, crop growth and yield. However, little is known about whether deep fertilization improves crude protein synthesis and how to regulate it. A two-year field experiment was conducted with various fertilization depths: (1) conventional fertilization (CF), (2) fertilization application depth at 30 cm (DF), and (3) fertilizer average application at depths of 15 cm and 30 cm (AF). The fertilization rates under all treatments were 300 kg N ha⁻¹ nitrogen fertilizer (urea, 46% N), 150 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ calcium superphosphate (16% P₂O₅), and 135 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ potassium sulfate (51% K₂O). The nitrogen/potassium (N/K) ratio, the activities of nitrate reductase [NR], glutamine synthetase [GS], and glutamic pyruvic transaminase [GPT], crude protein content in leaves, stems, and grains, as well as the relationships among the parameters were explored. The result showed that deep fertilization (DF) significantly improved the N/K ratio. NR activity in DF increased by 26.30%, 35.56%, and 57.30% in leaves, stems, and grains, respectively, when compared to conventional fertilization (CF), and by 54.22%, 43.27%, and 28.44% when compared to average fertilization (AF). GS activity in DF increased by 29.67%, 47.96%, and 47.46% in leaves, stems, and grains when compared to CF, and by 40.05%, 31.51%, and 40.62% when compared to AF. GPT activity in DF was significantly higher than CF and AF in grains, and differences between treatments were significant. Crude protein content was significantly correlated with NR and GS activities in leaves, GPT activity in stems, as well as GS and GPT activities in grains. The crude protein content of leaves and grains in DF was significantly higher than in CF and AF. In conclusion, DF significantly improved crude protein synthesis and increased the crude protein content of forage maize by increasing the whole plant N/K ratio, NR and GS activities in leaves, as well as GS and GPT activities in grains. It is a highly efficient cultivation technology that significantly improves the quality of forage maize. Full article

The increasing demand for high-quality forage alternatives necessitates the exploration of novel feed resources such as giant juncao (GJ). This study evaluated the feasibility of giant juncao (GJ) as silage by analyzing its fermentation products, bacterial community, and metabolic profiles during ensiling. After the natural fermentation of giant juncao (NGJ) for 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, a random sampling of NGJ was conducted to analyze its chemical composition, fermentation parameters, and microbial number. Fresh, 3-day, and 60-day ensiled GJ were further analyzed via high-throughput sequencing and KEGG functional prediction. Following 60 days of ensiling, NGJ displayed acetate-type fermentation with high acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, and low lactic acid concentration and the ratio of lactic-to-acetic acid. A microbial community analysis indicated Weissella as the predominant genus during the initial fermentation phase (3-day NGJ), whereas Lactobacillus emerged as the dominant taxonomic group in the late-stage fermentation (60-day NGJ). A comparative functional analysis revealed statistically significant divergences (p < 0.05) in KEGG pathway distributions between fresh and ensiled GJ. The ensiling process notably inhibited pathways associated with lipid synthesis, cofactor and vitamin metabolism, energy production, and amino acid utilization while concurrently enhancing carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolic activities. A nutritional evaluation confirmed GJ’s suitability as a sustainable silage maize alternative, with favorable water-soluble carbohydrate (8.57% DM) and crude protein (14.6% DM) levels. To ensure optimal preservation efficacy, the experimental findings emphasize the necessity of a minimum 30-day fermentation period for stabilizing GJ silage quality. These findings offer valuable insight into the microbial and metabolic mechanisms of high-moisture silage fermentation. Full article

Soil carbon sequestration is one of the pathways for the dairy sector to mitigate climate change. Soil carbon measures have been reviewed extensively, including estimates of their impacts on regional or national scales. Eventually, these measures are to be implemented by the farmers themselves, justifying an assessment at farm and field level. Here, we used soil and management data from 96 fields on nine dairy farms to quantify annual stock changes under current management and the effect of several carbon measures on soil carbon sequestration in relation to farm configurations. The fields were in use as permanent grassland or grass-arable rotation with forage maize or other crops. We compared the observed changes in the soil layer of 0–25 cm with the RothC simulated changes, and we also simulated the effect of carbon measures on soil carbon stocks. We found a moderate (R² = 0.30) relation between simulated and measured soil carbon changes. Factors that contribute to the uncertainties are the estimates of field-specific carbon inputs from crop residues and manures, especially for farms that temporarily exchange land with other farmers. The current standard agronomic soil sampling program is unable to reliably detect soil carbon changes at a farm or field level. The annual changes in simulated soil carbon were negatively related to the initials carbon stocks, which has important implications for the potential of additional carbon storage. Therefore, we propose an indicator that expresses the current soil carbon stock in relation to the location-specific maximal achievable carbon stock for permanent grassland that receives an equivalent of 170 kg nitrogen per ha per year from animal manure. This can be used to compare farms and indicate whether a farmer’s focus should be on additional carbon storage or the protection of existing stocks. The simulation of carbon measures showed that the proportion of grassland is key in soil carbon storage. Full article

Irrigation water quality is of critical importance for optimum crop yield of economically important field crops in the Kahramanmaraş plains. A preliminary ecotoxicological assessment is necessary before large-scale irrigation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quality of irrigation water supplied from different water sources (Karasu, Erkenez, and Oklu streams on the Aksu River and Sır Dam) and the effects on the seed germination and early seedling growth of different field crops (wheat, alfalfa, ryegrass, and maize) irrigated with this water. For this, in order to evaluate the effects on seed germination and early growth parameters of forage crop seedlings, a Petri dish germination test was carried out with four replications using a completely randomized design (CRD). Before the germination assay, heavy metal concentrations including copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) were analyzed in water samples obtained from different water sources. In all water samples used for the experiment, Cu concentrations exceeded the acceptable limit of 0.2 mg L⁻¹. The Cu levels found were 0.98 mg L⁻¹ in Karasu (KC), 1.627 mg L⁻¹ in Oklu (OC), 0.945 mg L⁻¹ in Erkenez (EC), and 1.218 mg L⁻¹ in Sır Dam (SD) waters. Additionally, Fe exceeded the limit only in KC, while Cd surpassed the permissible levels in EC and SD water samples. Seeds exposed to different water treatments were germinated in a climate chamber at 20 ± 1 °C. Over two weeks, daily germination and seedling growth parameters were measured. The results indicated that higher heavy metal concentrations in irrigation water led to a decline in seed germination rates and adversely impacted early seedling growth. Notably, water from Karasu Creek exhibited the most significant negative impact on all germination and growth parameters in the tested crops, especially due to Cu and Fe metal toxicity. Additionally, ryegrass seeds were most affected by these irrigation waters. This study highlights the importance of using uncontaminated quality irrigation water for optimal crop production by quantifying its impact, such as the percentage of decrease in germination or seedling growth. Full article

The adoption of integrated production systems may be an alternative for improving soil health and increasing production. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in soil fertility and microbial metabolism, as well as the impact on soybean productivity, in different conservation systems in contrast to the conventional system, after four years of adopting integrated systems. The experimental design used was a randomized block design with seven treatments and three replications. The treatments included different species of forage grasses, the no-tillage soybean–maize system in succession, and conventional planting. It was found that after four years of using integrated systems, the changes in soil health were small, indicating that these effects are seen over the long term. Soil chemistry showed that the use of forage grasses is essential for improving fertility, with a focus on phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, base sum, and cation exchange capacity, which is reflected in the high soybean productivity in treatments with forage grasses, especially the use of Paiaguás and Piatã grasses. Even with slow changes in soil health, adopting integrated systems is an important practice for tropical sandy soils, as visible improvements in fertility were observed, which are reflected in productivity gains. Full article

The accelerating development of the forage industry and the land resources finiteness require the high-efficient forage cropping strategies. To investigate the nutritive quality of the mixed forage crop cultivation, a three-round field test of two double-cropping systems (DCSs) based on maize (Dongdan 60 and Dongdan 1331) and sorghum (1230 and cfsh30) as the summer forage crop and alfalfa as the preceding winter forage crop were compared. This study investigated the impact on nutritive value and silage fermentation quality. The M-A system (alfalfa following a preceding crop of maize) outperformed the S-A system (alfalfa following a preceding crop of sorghum) in silage fermentation quality (by 2.81 of M and 2.22 of A), crude ash (by 0.94% of M and 3.5% of A), phosphorus content (by 0.1% of M and 0.17% of A), and potassium content (by 0.47% of M and 0.41% of A). Within the M-A, the maize Dongdan 60 (M1)–alfalfa WL525 (A) combination under the suitable sowing condition (D1) achieved the best nutritive quality exhibiting, not only the highest Flieg score (88.17 of M1 and 92.5 of A) but also the highest crude ash content (6.71% of M1 and 11.82% of A), phosphorus content (0.38% of M1 and 0.48% of A), and potassium content (1.68% of M1 and 1.55% of A). Delayed sowing reduced nutrient accumulation and altered fermentation profiles, highlighting the importance of timely sowing. The study revealed that the double-cropping rotation of maize and alfalfa is a promising strategy to optimize nutritive quality. Full article