Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit your latest research results to the Topic “Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions”.

Agriculture and soil are impacted from many challenges over the years because of rapid increases in the world’s population.  Climate change is a common threat which has a devastating impact on agricultural production and soil health; therefore, to facilitate the transition of agriculture towards sustainable soil use adaptation strategies are needed to be developed and tested to compensate for the negative impact of climate change.

The purpose of this Topic is to publish peer-reviewed works that address climate change and agronomy issues related to soil health, new practices, and solutions to adopt in developing and developed countries and regions. We welcome papers, reviews and opinion pieces covering all related topics, including soil adaptations, primarily focusing on how agricultural management can focus and could help in tackling climate change and related to innovative and controversial technologies with the potential of finding new solutions. Soil health is an integrative property of soil that supports agricultural sustainability, these include working towards finding new research on enhancing the sustainability of agriculture, adapting agriculture to climate changes and so on. Several climate change adaptation strategies could reduce the risk of negative impacts on agriculture and soil, on which we need to focus more.

In the modern world, weather variability is a widespread occurrence and a threat to soil health. The effects of climate change go beyond just rising temperatures and heatwaves; they also include changes in rainfall, more intense and frequent storms, increased drought, and an increased risk of wildfires. Each country, area, and piece of land has its own distinct set of issues;  however agriculture adaptability should be considered address the issue of climate change. These barriers must be removed. The proposed Topic will focus an open discussion on the prospects of soil health, climate change and agriculture challenges and solutions.

Prof. Dr. Sven Svenson
Prof. Dr. Shakirah Nakasagga
Prof. Dr. Indi Braden
Dr. Michael Aide
Topic Editors

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Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Agronomy agronomy	3.3	6.2	2011	17.6 Days	CHF 2600
Climate climate	3.0	5.5	2013	19.7 Days	CHF 1800
Soil Systems soilsystems	2.9	5.3	2017	39.7 Days	CHF 1800
Land land	3.2	4.9	2012	16.9 Days	CHF 2600

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Published Papers (29 papers)

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18 pages, 6108 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Soil Solution Properties of Tropical Soils and Brachiaria Growth as Affected by Humic Acid Concentration

by Murilo Nunes Valenciano, Everton Geraldo de Morais, Sara Dantas Rosa and Carlos Alberto Silva

Soil Syst. 2024, 8(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8030086 - 30 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1326

Abstract

The soil solution is the compartment where plants uptake nutrients and this phase is in equilibrium with the soil solid phase. Changes in nutrient content and availability in the soil solution can vary among soil types in response to humic acid concentrations, thereby [...] Read more.

The soil solution is the compartment where plants uptake nutrients and this phase is in equilibrium with the soil solid phase. Changes in nutrient content and availability in the soil solution can vary among soil types in response to humic acid concentrations, thereby affecting Brachiaria growth. However, there are no studies demonstrating these effects of humic acid application on different soil types and how they affect Brachiaria growth. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of humic acid concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25, and 60 mg kg⁻¹ carbon-humic acid) on Brachiaria brizantha growth and soil solution properties of contrasting tropical soils. Plants were grown for 35 days in greenhouse conditions in pots containing Sandy Entisol, Clayey (Red Oxisol), and Medium Texture (Red-Yellow Oxisol). Soil solution was assessed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon, and nutrient content. Shoot and root dry matter, as well as macro and micronutrients accumulation in the shoot, were determined. In a soil type-dependent effect, pH, EC, and concentrations of nutrients in solutions changed in response to carbon-humic acid concentration. In the less-buffered soils, Sandy Entisol and Red-Yellow Oxisol, the addition of 30–40 mg kg⁻¹ carbon-humic acid increased root proliferation by 76–89%, while Brachiaria biomass produced in all soils increased by approximately 30%. Levels of carbon in solution were high (>580 mg L⁻¹) and varied depending on the investigated soil type. Though solution carbon contents did not appear to be a driving factor controlling the positive effects of humic acid concentrations on Brachiaria dry matter, there was a direct relationship between other properties and nutrient content in the soil solution, and Brachiaria dry matter production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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15 pages, 2611 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Natural Variation in Chromium Accumulation and the Development of Related EST-SSR Molecular Markers in Miscanthus sinensis

by Gang Nie, Aiyu Liu, Hossein Ghanizadeh, Yang Wang, Mingyu Tang, Jie He, Guangyan Feng, Linkai Huang and Xinquan Zhang

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1458; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071458 - 5 Jul 2024

Viewed by 917

Abstract

Soil pollution by heavy metals is a serious environmental concern globally. Hexavalent (VI) chromium (Cr) is one of the main pollutants causing groundwater and soil heavy metal pollution. Miscanthus sinensis is a C4 perennial grass species with a high level of heavy metal [...] Read more.

Soil pollution by heavy metals is a serious environmental concern globally. Hexavalent (VI) chromium (Cr) is one of the main pollutants causing groundwater and soil heavy metal pollution. Miscanthus sinensis is a C4 perennial grass species with a high level of heavy metal tolerance. This species can effectively remove Cr from soils and maintain desirable biomass production under Cr stress. This research aimed to characterize and compare Cr accumulation in 58 genotypes of M. sinensis and to develop Expressed Sequence Tag–Simple Sequence Repeat (EST-SSR) markers associated with Cr tolerance. The results show that the pattern of translocation of Cr in plants differed among the 58 M. sinensis genotypes following treatment of 200 mg/L of Cr⁶⁺; however, in most genotypes, the Cr was primarily accumulated in roots. A total of 43,367 EST-SSRs were identified, and 88 EST-SSR primer pairs corresponding to candidate genes involved in Cr accumulation in M. sinensis were selected for validation. Subsequently, 170 polymorphic loci generated from 24 validated EST-SSRs were used for the population structure and marker–trait association analysis. Based on a general linear model (GLM), a total of 46 associations were identified (p < 0.05), with 14 EST-SSRs markers associated with target traits. Among them, four genes related to ABC transporters, wall-associated receptor kinases, as well as two high-affinity sulfate transporters (ST), were identified under Cr stress (p < 0.05). The results of this study help to accelerate the screening across M. sinensis genotypes for desirable traits under Cr stress and provide a platform for M. sinensis genetic improvement and molecular-marker-assisted breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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13 pages, 1473 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Polyvinyl Acetate Binders Undermine the Effectiveness of Biochar-Based Seed Coatings

by Sean C. Thomas, Yudong Liu and Esther Tang

Land 2024, 13(7), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070941 - 28 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1420

Abstract

Pyrolyzed organic matter, commonly referred to as biochar, generally has positive effects on plant growth and can enhance early seedling development. Biochar-based seed coatings may thus be beneficial, specifically under adverse soil conditions such as high soil salinity. Using a series of lab [...] Read more.

Pyrolyzed organic matter, commonly referred to as biochar, generally has positive effects on plant growth and can enhance early seedling development. Biochar-based seed coatings may thus be beneficial, specifically under adverse soil conditions such as high soil salinity. Using a series of lab and greenhouse experiments, we evaluated germination and early plant development in radish (Raphinus sativa) seeds coated with conifer-feedstock slow-pyrolysis biochar. Following the precedent of prior studies, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was used as the binding agent. Biochar-based seed coatings reduced germination rates and radicle extension in Petri dish trials; however, leaching of coated seeds largely eliminated this effect. PVAc applied in solution inhibited seed germination to a similar extent, suggesting that toxicity of PVAc or chemical products derived from it is the main mechanism for germination inhibition. A meta-analysis of published literature also indicates negative effects of biochar-based seed coatings using PVAc. In greenhouse trials, the same biochar seed coatings improved aspects of plant growth and physiological status relative to controls, specifically enhancing root development. We conclude that biochar-based seed coatings have promise in promoting early seedling growth and potentially in combating salinity stress in agronomic and restoration applications. However, our findings contraindicate PVAc use as a binding agent. Further research is needed to test non-phytotoxic, readily biodegradable binding agents and to optimize biochars and seed coating processes for specific applications in agronomy and ecological restoration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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12 pages, 3165 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Nitrogen Addition Stimulated Soil Respiration in a Rainfed Wheat Field on the Loess Plateau

by Chao Li, Xinli Song, Bosen Yang, Yan Zhang, Huirong Zhang, Yuzheng Zong, Zhouping Shangguan and Xingyu Hao

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1136; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061136 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 1346

Abstract

Increased nitrogen (N) application has profound effects on CO₂ flux in croplands. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term N addition on soil respiration (SR) in a rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) field in the [...] Read more.

Increased nitrogen (N) application has profound effects on CO₂ flux in croplands. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term N addition on soil respiration (SR) in a rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) field in the Loess Plateau of China. Two wheat cultivars were planted under three levels of N application (0, 180, and 360 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in non-irrigated cropland from 2004 to 2013. The diurnal and seasonal SR variations and abiotic and biotic factors were measured during the growing seasons in 2012–2013. The results showed that N₁₈₀ and N₃₆₀ increased the cumulative CO₂ flux by 30.3% and 32.4% on average after 5 and 10 years of N application, respectively. Multiple regressions revealed that the seasonal SR was mainly controlled by the soil temperature (ST), at a depth of 8 cm, and the leaf area index. Diurnal SR was mainly controlled by the ST and the net photosynthesis rate. Long-term N application stimulated SR by increasing the photosynthetic leaf area and temperature sensitivity. Overall, N application at a rate of 360 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ did not reach the threshold for limiting SR in the investigated semi-humid rainfed wheat cropland in the Loess Plateau of China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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14 pages, 848 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Models of Cleaner Production Technologies for Maize Cultivation in China’s Black Soil Regions

by Yinsheng Yang and Ying Xu

Land 2024, 13(6), 731; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13060731 - 23 May 2024

Viewed by 831

Abstract

Incorporating carbon footprints into the production efficiency framework to construct a standardized technology model for cleaner production in black soil regions is of great significance for improving the soil environment and the sustainable development of agriculture. This study used an orthogonal experimental design [...] Read more.

Incorporating carbon footprints into the production efficiency framework to construct a standardized technology model for cleaner production in black soil regions is of great significance for improving the soil environment and the sustainable development of agriculture. This study used an orthogonal experimental design and the DEA–Malmquist method to calculate the carbon footprint and total factor productivity of orthogonal experimental groups of cleaner production technologies for maize cultivation in China’s black soil region and then identified integrated models of cleaner production technology in the black soil region. The results showed that the carbon footprint of maize cultivation and total factor productivity were generally higher in the experimental group using cleaner production techniques than in the control group. Still, none of them reached the optimum. In the future, the synergistic effect of technological progress and technological efficiency enhancement should be brought into play, and the integrated models of “Soil testing and formulation + Full mobile sprinkler irrigation + Straw tilling and field return” and “No tillage in spring + Soil testing and formulation + Straw tilling and field return” should be promoted in semi-arid and semi-humid black soil regions, which can improve the low carbon productivity of maize by 20.3% and 15.4%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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11 pages, 474 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Initial Evaluation of the Merit of Guar as a Dairy Forage Replacement Crop during Drought-Induced Water Restrictions

by Luis Ramos Coronado, Maryfrances Miller, Sangu V. Angadi and Leonard M. Lauriault

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061092 - 21 May 2024

Viewed by 975

Abstract

Dairy is the largest sector of the agricultural industry in New Mexico, but the sector’s need for high quality forage in the face of ongoing drought and climate change causes concern. The economic merit of using guar to replace alfalfa under imposed constraints [...] Read more.

Dairy is the largest sector of the agricultural industry in New Mexico, but the sector’s need for high quality forage in the face of ongoing drought and climate change causes concern. The economic merit of using guar to replace alfalfa under imposed constraints in irrigation water availability is evaluated. Nutritional quality of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) grown at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Clovis was estimated using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis. Results show that 45.6 percent of analyzed samples were comparable to Supreme or Premium alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay using Relative Feed Value index, and 23.7% met this criteria using crude protein. While alfalfa uses 4.4 acre-feet of water (approximately 5400 cubic meters) per season, the guar sampled used 5 inches (500 cubic meters) of applied irrigation. Microsoft Excel Version 2404 LP Solver was used to identify an optimum crop mix of alfalfa and guar under different levels of irrigation water constraints. With increasing levels in modeled irrigation restrictions, the use of guar increased the potential forage production by 3% under a 0.4 acre-foot restriction up to almost 59% under a 1.5 acre-feet irrigation water limit. Our results merit additional research, including forage trials to determine the impact of guar forage on milk production and further agronomic research into growing guar to maximize forage yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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14 pages, 2071 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Screening of Germplasm and Construction of Evaluation System for Autotoxicity Tolerance during Seed Germination in Cucumber

by Jie Li, Jian Li, Ping Yang, Hongbo Fu, Yongchao Yang and Chaowei Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1081; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051081 - 19 May 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1465

Abstract

Due to the widespread use of intensive cropping patterns, the problem of continuous cropping obstacle, which is dominated by autotoxicity, has been becoming more and more prominent. Although many methods have been proposed to overcome the continuous cropping obstacle of cucumber, no study [...] Read more.

Due to the widespread use of intensive cropping patterns, the problem of continuous cropping obstacle, which is dominated by autotoxicity, has been becoming more and more prominent. Although many methods have been proposed to overcome the continuous cropping obstacle of cucumber, no study has reported the screening and evaluation of cucumber germplasm resistant to autotoxicity. In this study, 28 physiological indices related to the cucumber bud stage under cinnamic acid (CA) treatment were determined. In total, 45 cucumber cultivars were classified into three groups using principal component analysis and cluster analysis, and a model for evaluating cucumber resistance to autotoxicity was developed. The evaluation model was validated using autotoxicity-tolerant and non-autotoxicity-tolerant cultivars. The results showed that the growth of non-autotoxicity-tolerant cultivars was significantly inhibited compared to autotoxicity-tolerant cultivars. This indicated that the evaluation model of cucumber autotoxicity tolerance is reliable. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for the application of cucumber autotoxicity-tolerant germplasm resources and the development of autotoxicity-tolerant genes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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11 pages, 2226 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Performance of Aubergine Rootstocks against Verticillium dahliae Isolates in Southeastern Spain

by Carmen María Lacasa, Manuel Cantó-Tejero, Victoriano Martínez, Alfredo Lacasa and Pedro Guirao

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050998 - 9 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 908

Abstract

Aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) (Solanaceae) is a widespread crop in the Mediterranean basin. Verticillium dahliae is one of the main soil-borne pathogens affecting the aubergine crop. Its control has traditionally been achieved by soil fumigation with chemical disinfectants. Restrictions on the use [...] Read more.

Aubergine (Solanum melongena L.) (Solanaceae) is a widespread crop in the Mediterranean basin. Verticillium dahliae is one of the main soil-borne pathogens affecting the aubergine crop. Its control has traditionally been achieved by soil fumigation with chemical disinfectants. Restrictions on the use of chemical fumigants have led to the search for solutions in genetic resistance using rootstocks. In southeastern Spain, aubergines are grafted for the control of V. dahliae. Two Solanum torvum rootstocks (Hugo F1 and Torpedo) and a Solanum melongena hybrid (Javah F1) were tested against five isolates of V. dahliae obtained from grafted (A1 and A2) and ungrafted (Vd8, Vd17 and Vd66) aubergines compared with the susceptible cultivar Larne F1 under controlled conditions. Isolates from grafted plants infected all three rootstocks, with differences observed in the percentage of plants with symptoms and in the disease symptom severity. Three strains isolated from the ungrafted aubergines (Vd8, Vd17 and Vd66) infected Javah F1 rootstock. The Hugo F1 and Torpedo rootstocks showed a high level of resistance to V. dahliae, while Javah F1 was susceptible to the pathogen. The Hugo F1 and Torpedo rootstocks are suitable for mitigating the effects of Verticillium wilt in Mediterranean aubergine crops. Understanding the nature of the resistance from S. torvum could enhance the benefits of grafting or facilitate the introduction of resistance into commercial cultivars. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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17 pages, 3608 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Soil Organic Matter Input Promotes Coastal Topsoil Desalinization by Altering the Salt Distribution in the Soil Profile

by Jingsong Li, Weiliu Li, Xiaohui Feng, Xiaojing Liu, Kai Guo, Fengcui Fan, Shengyao Liu and Songnan Jia

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050942 - 30 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1287

Abstract

Organic amendment is an effective method to reclaim salt-affected soil. However, in coastal land with shallow saline groundwater, it is limited known about the mechanism of organic amendment on soil desalinization. Thus, to examine the effect of topsoil organic matter content on soil [...] Read more.

Organic amendment is an effective method to reclaim salt-affected soil. However, in coastal land with shallow saline groundwater, it is limited known about the mechanism of organic amendment on soil desalinization. Thus, to examine the effect of topsoil organic matter content on soil water/salt transport and distribution, two-year field observations in Bohai coastal land, North China, and soil column experiments simulating salt accumulation and salt leaching were conducted, respectively. There were different organic fertilizer amendment rates in 0–20 cm topsoil, 0% (CK), 50% (OA 0.5), and 100% (OA 1.0) (w/w) for soil column experiments. Field observation showed that after organic amendment (OA), the soil’s physical structure was improved, and less of the increase in topsoil salt content was observed, with more salt accumulated in deep soil layers during the dry season. In addition, OA greatly promoted salt leaching during the rainy seasons. The results of the soil column tests further indicated that OA treatments significantly inhibited soil evaporation, with less salt accumulated in the topsoil. Although there was no difference in soil water distribution between the CK and OA 0.5 treatment, the topsoil EC for the OA 0.5 treatment was significantly lower than that for CK. During soil water infiltration, the OA 0.5 and OA 1.0 treatments significantly increased the infiltration rates, enhanced the wetting front, and promoted salt leaching to deeper soil layers, compared with CK. The improvement of soil organic amounts could make the soil more self-resistant to the coastal salinization. The findings of this study provide some insights into soil water/salt regulation in heterogeneous soil masses and on the permanent management of coastal saline farmland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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17 pages, 529 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Use of a New Ionic Derivative of Salicylic Acid in Sugar Beet Cultivation

by Rafal Kukawka, Maciej Spychalski, Bartosz Grzempa, Marcin Smiglak, Dariusz Górski, Renata Gaj and Agnieszka Kiniec

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 827; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040827 - 16 Apr 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1189

Abstract

The need for sustainable development in the context of pesticide use has been recognized by the European Union. The “Farm to Fork Strategy” indicates a goal of 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030. To address this challenge, we used the concept of [...] Read more.

The need for sustainable development in the context of pesticide use has been recognized by the European Union. The “Farm to Fork Strategy” indicates a goal of 50% reduction in pesticide use by 2030. To address this challenge, we used the concept of ionic liquids to modify known resistance inducers, i.e., a group of substances whose action is indicated as an alternative to fungicides. A new, patented substance developed by us, which is a choline 3,5-dichlorosalicylate, has been tested in the context of its use in sugar beet cultivation with the aim of controlling Cercospora leaf spot (CLS). The results suggest that the use of this substance in combination with one fungicide treatment reduces disease infection and produces yields very similar to the use of a standard protection program assuming the use of two fungicides. Such results provide the basis for further development of 3,5-dichlorosalicylate in terms of its use in agriculture. Thanks to its use, it was possible to resign from one fungicide treatment, while maintaining protection against CLS and yields at the same level as for the full fungicide protection program. Such an approach is in line with European Union policies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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10 pages, 2133 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Conversion of Natural Soil to Paddy Promotes Soil Organic Matter Degradation in Small-Particle Fractions: δ¹³C and Lipid Biomarker Evidence

by Yuxuan Li, Yan Li, Yu Zhang, Bingzhen Wu, Dandan Zhou, Hongbo Peng, Fangfang Li and Min Wu

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 818; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040818 - 15 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327

Abstract

The stabilization mechanism of soil organic matter (SOM) has received considerable attention. It is widely accepted that mineral sorption/protection is important for SOM stabilization. However, it remains unclear which organic carbon component is beneficial for mineral protection. We collected soil samples from a [...] Read more.

The stabilization mechanism of soil organic matter (SOM) has received considerable attention. It is widely accepted that mineral sorption/protection is important for SOM stabilization. However, it remains unclear which organic carbon component is beneficial for mineral protection. We collected soil samples from a paddy field (TP) to compare with natural soil (NS). To illustrate the behavior of different SOM pools and their protection by particles, we separated the soils into different particle-size fractions and then removed the active minerals using an acid mixture (1 M HCl/10% HF). The different carbon pools were analyzed using stable carbon isotopes and lipid biomarkers. Our study showed that acid treatment evidently increased the extractability of free lipids, usually over 60%, which confirmed the predominant role of minerals in SOM protection. For NS, the δ¹³C values increased with decreasing soil particle sizes and soil depths, indicating that ¹³C-enriched SOM was selectively preserved. However, this trend disappeared after cultivation, which was mainly attributed to the combined effects of the input of ¹³C-depleted fresh SOM and decomposition of the preserved ¹³C-enriched SOM. Meanwhile, based on the degradation parameters of the overall lipid biomarkers, SOM showed higher degradation states in clay and silt fractions than in the sand fraction before cultivation. It is possible that the small particle-size fractions could selectively absorb highly degraded SOM. The clay-associated SOM showed a low degradation state, but its carbon content was low after cultivation. We propose that the previously protected SOM was degraded after cultivation and was replaced by relatively fresh SOM, which should be carefully monitored during SOM management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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20 pages, 2703 KiB  

Open AccessReview

The Fate and Challenges of the Main Nutrients in Returned Straw: A Basic Review

by Huandi Li, Jiang Li, Xiyun Jiao, Hongzhe Jiang, Yong Liu, Xinglang Wang and Chao Ma

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040698 - 28 Mar 2024

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1882

Abstract

Due to containing an abundance of essential nutrients, straw has significant potential to mitigate carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) deficits in soil. However, a lack of comprehensive and systematic reviews on C, N, P, and K release and conversion [...] Read more.

Due to containing an abundance of essential nutrients, straw has significant potential to mitigate carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) deficits in soil. However, a lack of comprehensive and systematic reviews on C, N, P, and K release and conversion from straw and on the impact of available nutrients in soils supplemented using straw-returning (SR) practices is noticeable in the literature. Therefore, we investigated straw decomposition, its nutrient release characteristics, and the subsequent fate of nutrients in soils. At early stages, straw decomposes rapidly and then gradually slows down at later stages. Nutrient release rates are generally in the K > P > C > N order. Nutrient fate encompasses fractions mineralized to inorganic nutrients, portions which supplement soil organic matter (SOM) pools, and other portions which are lost via leaching and gas volatilization. In future research, efforts should be made to quantitatively track straw nutrient release and fate and also examine the potential impact of coordinated supply-and-demand interactions between straw nutrients and plants. This review will provide a more systematic understanding of SR’s effectiveness in agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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12 pages, 2629 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Combining Robinia pseudoacacia Leaves and Corn Straw on Soil Carbon Content and Corn Yield in Loess Plateau

by Hanyu Liu, Jianjian Liu, Zhenjiao Zhang, Weichao Liu, Qi Zhang, Xing Wang, Chengjie Ren, Gaihe Yang and Xinhui Han

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040689 - 27 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1281

Abstract

In the agroforestry system, the organic matter in the farmland and natural ecosystem enters the farmland soil in a mixed form to improve soil fertility and carbon pool quality. However, it is unclear how soil microbial carbon-degrading enzyme activity responds to carbon dynamics [...] Read more.

In the agroforestry system, the organic matter in the farmland and natural ecosystem enters the farmland soil in a mixed form to improve soil fertility and carbon pool quality. However, it is unclear how soil microbial carbon-degrading enzyme activity responds to carbon dynamics in this process. Therefore, we took farmland in the Loess Plateau as the research object, combining the application of corn straw and Robinia pseudoacacia leaves in a mass ratio of 4:0, 3:1, 2:2, 1:3, and 0:4 for returning to the field. We measured corn grain yield, carbon emission, organic carbon pool component content, and carbon-degrading enzyme activity of the farmland. The results showed that combining corn straw and Robinia pseudoacacia leaves had a significant impact on soil organic carbon components (readily oxidizable organic carbon and recalcitrant organic carbon), carbon-degrading enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and cellobiohydrolase), and cumulative carbon emissions. The trend of different indicators in different treatments during the corn growth period was similar. We found that soil carbon emissions were closely related to ROC and soil oxidase activity, while soil carbon content was closely related to soil hydrolase activity. Compared to not returning straw to the field, the corn straw and Robinia pseudoacacia leaves returned to the field in a mass ratio of 1:3(Y1C3) can increase corn grain yield by 32.04%. The Y1C3 treatment has the highest soil carbon content and the lowest crop carbon emission efficiency. Soil water content plays a crucial role in the process of carbon pool transformation driven by soil carbon-degrading enzymes. In conclusion, soil carbon dynamics are closely related to the activity of soil carbon-degrading enzymes. Combining the application of corn straw and Robinia pseudoacacia leaves may be a more suitable farming measure for fragile habitats in the Loess Plateau than other solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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23 pages, 898 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Can a Crop Rotation and Fallow System Reduce the Carbon Emission Intensity of Agriculture?

by Xuefeng Zhang, Hui Sun, Xuechao Xia, Zedong Yang and Shusen Zhu

Land 2024, 13(3), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030293 - 26 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2757

Abstract

Under the carbon emission pattern of “peak carbon and carbon neutrality”, the policy of crop rotation and fallow system (CRFS) is regarded as an important initiative to promote the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of agriculture. Focusing on balanced panel data from 30 [...] Read more.

Under the carbon emission pattern of “peak carbon and carbon neutrality”, the policy of crop rotation and fallow system (CRFS) is regarded as an important initiative to promote the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of agriculture. Focusing on balanced panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021, this paper empirically examines the impact of CRFS on agricultural carbon emissions (ACEI) and its internal mechanism using a multi-temporal difference-in-differences model. The benchmark regression results show that CRFS can significantly reduce ACEI, and the results remain robust after validation by multiple methods. Mechanism results show that CRFS is able to reduce ACEI by reducing factor mismatch and promoting the level of agricultural services. Heterogeneity analysis results show that the arable land fallow rotation system is more conducive to promoting the reduction in agricultural carbon emission intensity in the main grain producing areas, main grain marketing areas, high land transfer areas, and plantation areas than in the grain production and marketing balanced areas, low land transfer, and animal husbandry areas. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the CRFS policy implementation, provides a doctrinal basis for expanding the scope of CRFS implementation, and provides policy recommendations for relevant departments to improve the CRFS policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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15 pages, 2119 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of the Allelopathic Activity of Various Parts of Platycodon (Platycodon grandiflorus) and Its Mitigation by Activated Carbon

by Long Bao, Xuemei Zhao, Gaowa Kang, Kaito Suzuki, Tamer Ismail, Yoshiharu Fujii and Satoru Motoki

Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020385 - 17 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1651

Abstract

Platycodon is a medicinal plant of considerable pharmacological and dietary value. With the growing demand, agricultural production is increasing. However, the continuous cropping significantly causes negative impacts on its yield and quality. In this study, in order to solve the problem of continuous [...] Read more.

Platycodon is a medicinal plant of considerable pharmacological and dietary value. With the growing demand, agricultural production is increasing. However, the continuous cropping significantly causes negative impacts on its yield and quality. In this study, in order to solve the problem of continuous cropping, we evaluated the allelopathic activity of Platycodon and investigated the potential use of activated carbon for mitigating the negative impacts of allelopathic chemicals produced by Platycodon. The sandwich method (method for assaying the allelopathic activity of each part of a plant) was employed to evaluate the allelopathic activity of different parts (leaves, stems, and roots) of Platycodon. The inhibitory effects of various Platycodon plant parts were assessed based on their effects on lettuce seedling growth. At a concentration of 10 mg parts/10 mL agar, the average inhibition rates of Platycodon leaves on the radicle and hypocotyl growth of lettuce were 79.4% and 61.8%, stems 58.0% and 45.7%, and roots 53.4% and 49.3%, respectively. At a concentration of 50 mg parts/10 mL agar, the inhibitory effects were as follows: leaves (91.9%, 72.2%), stems (79.5%, 60.3%), and roots (71.4%, 65.2%). The effect of activated carbon on the adsorption of allelopathic substances was investigated, and the results of the sandwich method with a concentration of 10 mg parts/10 mL agar showed the following growth-inhibitory effects on lettuce seedlings and hypocotyls—roots (27.8%, 25.7%), leaves (13.3%, 25.7%), and stems (9.1%, 13.6%)—in each case showing a significant decrease in the inhibitory activity. The plant box method (method for assaying the allelopathic activity of plant root exudates) was employed to evaluate the activity of Platycodon root exudate. The growth inhibition rates of lettuce radicle and hypocotyls were 45.5% and 18.9%, respectively. The plant box method with addition of activated carbon revealed average rates of promotion of 16.7% and 4.7% on the growth of lettuce seedlings and hypocotyls, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that activated carbon has a mitigating effect on allelopathic inhibition associated with the different plant parts and root exudation of Platycodon and provide a potential solution for overcoming problems associated with the continuous cropping of Platycodon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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23 pages, 8483 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Modeling of Soil Water Dynamics for Site-Specific Variable Rate Irrigation in Maize

by Bere Benjamin Bantchina, Kemal Sulhi Gündoğdu, Selçuk Arslan, Yahya Ulusoy, Yücel Tekin, Xanthoula Eirini Pantazi, Konstantinos Dolaptsis, Charalampos Paraskevas, Georgios Tziotzios, Muhammad Qaswar and Abdul Mounem Mouazen

Soil Syst. 2024, 8(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8010019 - 29 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2110

Abstract

This study aimed to simulate dynamic irrigation management zones (MZs) in two maize fields for a variable rate hose reel fertigation machine (VRFM) with a four-section boom control. Soil moisture content was measured from nine and four soil moisture sensors in Field 1 [...] Read more.

This study aimed to simulate dynamic irrigation management zones (MZs) in two maize fields for a variable rate hose reel fertigation machine (VRFM) with a four-section boom control. Soil moisture content was measured from nine and four soil moisture sensors in Field 1 (8.2 ha) and Field 2 (2.5 ha), respectively, on different dates during the 2022 crop season. Three and five MZs scenarios were simulated per irrigation and the theoretical maps were processed for implementation. The application maps fitted to the VRFM showed significant spatiotemporal variations in irrigation requirements. For instance, in Field 1, 3-MZ modelling showed that the areas requiring high (H), medium (M), and low (L)-level irrigation on 21 July were 1.60, 4.84, and 1.85 ha, respectively, even though the farmer applied uniform rate over the whole field. H-level sub-areas ranged between 1.22 ha (25 July) and 3.25 ha (7 July), showing a coefficient of variation (CV) of 43.32% for the three MZs, whereas H-level sub-areas for the five MZs varied from 0.41 ha (2 July) to 1.49 ha (7 July) with a CV value of 48.84%. High levels of within-field variability can be addressed using precise and dynamic irrigation MZs fitted to the irrigation technology used. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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17 pages, 6180 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Changes in Agroclimatic Resources of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia) under the Context of Global Warming

by Rita Kamalova, Ekaterina Bogdan, Larisa Belan, Iren Tuktarova, Alexey Firstov, Ildar Vildanov and Irik Saifullin

Climate 2024, 12(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12010011 - 22 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2472

Abstract

The process of climate warming significantly affects agroclimatic resources and agricultural production. We study the agroclimatic resources and their variability on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia). The Bashkortostan has a high agricultural potential and holds a leading position in the [...] Read more.

The process of climate warming significantly affects agroclimatic resources and agricultural production. We study the agroclimatic resources and their variability on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia). The Bashkortostan has a high agricultural potential and holds a leading position in the country in the production of grain crops, potatoes, milk, and honey. Currently, no detailed studies have been conducted for this area to assess the effects of global climate change on agro-climatic resources. World experience shows such research becomes strategically important for regions with powerful agricultural production. We used the sums of average daily air temperatures above 0 and 10 °C, the G.T. Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient, and the Ped aridity (humidification) index as agroclimatic indicators. We used data of long-term meteorological observations of 30 meteorological stations for the period of 1961–2020. We revealed the long-term dynamics of the agroclimatic indicators and the spatial and temporal regularities in their distribution on the territory of Bashkortostan. There is a steady increase in the sums of average daily air temperatures above 0 and 10 °C. Against this background, aridity increases, which is especially manifested in the southern parts of the Republic of Bashkortostan. We assessed the impact of agroclimatic indicators on the main types of agricultural crops in the republic. We revealed that the greatest positive impact on the yield of oilseeds, cereals, and industrial crops is made by precipitation at the beginning (r = 0.50, r = 0.44, and r = 0.52, respectively) and in the middle of the growing season (r = 0.55, r = 0.76, and r = 0.51, respectively). Temperature and precipitation during the growing season have a complex effect on cereals. This is proven by correlations with HCS and the Ped index (r = 0.45 and r = −0.56, respectively). Aridity at the beginning of the growing season affects the yield of oilseeds and potatoes. This is confirmed by correlations with the Ped index (r = −0.49 and r = −0.52, respectively). In general, the aridity of the growing season has a significant impact on the yield of cereals (r = −0.57). Negative relationships have been found between the air temperature growing season and the yield of potatoes (r = −0.50) and cereals (r = −0.53). The results of the study were compared with data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service database. We identified climate trends under RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5 scenarios. These scenarios should be taken into account when developing plans for the adaptation of agriculture in the Republic of Bashkortostan to changes in the regional climate. Maximum decrease in precipitation is established for the RCP 6.0 scenario. This can have an extremely negative impact on crop yields. This problem is especially relevant for the southern part of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The information presented in the study will allow for a more effective adaptation of the agricultural sector to current and future climate changes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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19 pages, 7227 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Modified Version of RothC to Model the Direct and Indirect Effects of Rice Straw Mulching on Soil Carbon Dynamics, Calibrated in Two Valencian Citrus Orchards

by Simone Pesce, Enrico Balugani, José Miguel De Paz, Diego Marazza and Fernando Visconti

Soil Syst. 2024, 8(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems8010012 - 18 Jan 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2955

Abstract

The mulching of agricultural soils has been identified as a viable solution to sequester carbon into the soil, increase soil health, and fight desertification. This is why it is a promising solution for carbon farming in Mediterranean areas. Models are used to project [...] Read more.

The mulching of agricultural soils has been identified as a viable solution to sequester carbon into the soil, increase soil health, and fight desertification. This is why it is a promising solution for carbon farming in Mediterranean areas. Models are used to project the effects of agricultural practices on soil organic carbon in the future for various soil and climatic conditions, and to help policy makers and farmers assess the best way to implement carbon farming strategies. Here, we modified the widely used RothC model to include mulching practices and their direct and indirect effects on soil organic matter input, soil temperature changes, and soil hydraulic balance. We then calibrated and tested our modified RothC (RothC_MM) using the dataset collected in two field mulching experiments, and we used the tested RothC_MM to estimate the expected soil carbon sequestration due to mulching by the year 2050 for the Valencian Community (Spain). Our results show that RothC_MM improved the fit with the experimental data with respect to basic RothC; RothC_MM was able to model the effects of mulch on soil temperature and soil water content and to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) and CO₂ observations taken in the field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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25 pages, 3281 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Behavior under Short-Term Organic and Mineral Fertilization within Different Crops

by Elena Mirela Dușa, Vasilica Stan, Nicoleta Vrînceanu, Mircea Mihalache, Mihaela Vasile, Oana Sicuia and Cătălina Voaideș

Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2837; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112837 - 17 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1658

Abstract

Agronomic practices can have a negative impact on soil health and quality and ecosystem resilience. The objectives of the study were (1) to evaluate the soil chemical properties and microbial abundance under short-term application of organic and mineral fertilizers and different cultivated crops [...] Read more.

Agronomic practices can have a negative impact on soil health and quality and ecosystem resilience. The objectives of the study were (1) to evaluate the soil chemical properties and microbial abundance under short-term application of organic and mineral fertilizers and different cultivated crops and (2) to observe the antifungal efficacy of microorganisms isolated from the studied soil. A field trial was conducted in the 2021–2022 period on a preluvosoil-type soil in four randomized blocks with eight fertilizer treatments based on manure compost (MC) and MC + mineral fertilizer (V1—control-soil; V2—NPK only; V3—15 t/ha MC; V4—15 t/ha MC + NPK; V5—30 t/ha MC; V6—30 t/ha MC + NPK; V7—60 t/ha MC; and V8—60 t/ha MC +NPK) and four crops (winter wheat—Triticum aestivum L., maize—Zea mays L., soybean—Glycine max L., and a mixture of perennial grasses and legumes). In almost all treatments, the soil pH decreased during the summer–autumn period. The organic carbon (C_org) and humus contents increased compared to the initial state of the soil after the application of different doses of MC and MC + NPK fertilization in almost all treatments. The microbial load of the soil was influenced by the fertilization regime and crop species, but there were no significant differences between the variants. The highest bacterial load was recorded in soil cultivated with a mixture of perennial grasses and grain legumes, i.e., in the variant with 15 t/ha MC, followed by soil cultivated with maize and fertilized with 30 t/ha and 60 t/ha MC. A higher number of fungi was observed in the mixture of perennial grasses and legumes, and Rhizobium population was higher, especially in the winter wheat plots, despite the fertilization regime. The antifungal efficacy of the microorganisms isolated from the samples was medium to low, except in the winter wheat experiment, where the efficacy against Fusarium culmorum was medium to high and against other pathogens was medium. In the other crops within the experiment, the antagonistic activity of the soil microorganisms was medium to low. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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14 pages, 3159 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Organic Matter Contribution Using Absorbance and Chromatographic Parameters in Lake Paldang, Republic of Korea

by Yeon Jung Cho, Ki Seon Seong, Myeong Seop Byeon, Taegu Kang and Jong Kwon Im

Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2766; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112766 - 4 Nov 2023

Viewed by 2012

Abstract

Organic matter in lakes is categorized into allochthonous organic matter, such as leaves and sewage effluent, and autochthonous organic matter, generated by microorganisms within the water system. In this study, organic matter composition was analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection [...] Read more.

Organic matter in lakes is categorized into allochthonous organic matter, such as leaves and sewage effluent, and autochthonous organic matter, generated by microorganisms within the water system. In this study, organic matter composition was analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD). Several allochthonous natural organic matter substances were collected including leaves, green leaves, forest soils, and paddy soils. The organic matter composition analysis in our study sites revealed that humic substances comprised the highest proportion (36.5–42.3%). Also, individual samples at each site exhibited distinct characteristics. This study used a humic substance-diagram (HS-diagram) and principal component analysis (PCA) to trace the sources affecting the river water quality and identify their origins. The humic substances of soil origin predominantly influenced the water quality, with the impact of organic matter significantly pronounced during the July rainfall period. Compared with the PCA results, the contribution of the humic substance (HS, 48.9%) and building block (BB, 42.0%) indices appeared higher between June and July in summer, likely due to non-degradable substances released by heavy rain. In fall, the contribution of low molecular weight neutrals increased from 71.2% to 85.2%, owing to a humic substance influx and decomposition. This study demonstrated the application of estimating the relative contributions of source materials in lakes utilized for drinking and agricultural water to identify sources, aiding in the development of efficient watershed management plans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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12 pages, 3248 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Brown Seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) Extract on the Morpho-Physiological Parameters of Melon, Cucumber, and Tomato Plants

by Elkadri Lefi, Mounawer Badri, Samouna Ben Hamed, Sihem Talbi, Wiem Mnafgui, Ndiko Ludidi and Mohamed Chaieb

Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112745 - 31 Oct 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2970

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the impact of brown seaweed extract (Ecklonia maxima) on the morphology and physiology of three different plant species. We conducted experiments using two types of fertilizers: an artificial fertilizer (0.1 g/L) and a biological extract of [...] Read more.

In this study, we evaluated the impact of brown seaweed extract (Ecklonia maxima) on the morphology and physiology of three different plant species. We conducted experiments using two types of fertilizers: an artificial fertilizer (0.1 g/L) and a biological extract of brown seaweed (Ecklonia maxima) at two concentrations (C1 at 1 mL/L and C2 at 2.5 mL/L). For melon, the application of C1 resulted in significant improvements in photosynthesis parameters, total chlorophyll content, and overall plant growth. When C2 was applied, it further enhanced these parameters, leading to a notable increase in shoot phytomass. In the case of cucumber, C1 led to increased resource allocation towards stems and leaves. Conversely, C2 increased the number of green leaves and contributed to higher shoot phytomass. For tomato plants, the application of C1 resulted in a slight increase in photosynthesis, but it did not significantly impact leaf growth. On the other hand, C2 induced a modest increase in photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, and root growth. In summary, our findings indicate that brown seaweed extract has a discernible influence on the physiology of the studied plants. However, the specific effects on resource allocation largely depend on the plant species and the concentration of the extract applied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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15 pages, 2003 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Classification of Soils in Agroecosystems in a Moist Enclave in Northeastern Brazil

by Phâmella Kalliny Pereira Farias, Jeane Cruz Portela, Rafael Oliveira Batista, Joseane Dunga da Costa, Joaquim Emanuel Fernandes Gondim, Geisiane Xavier de Matos, Paulo Jardel Mota, Eulene Francisco da Silva, Francisco de Assis de Oliveira, Joaquim Odilon Pereira, Diego José da Costa Bandeira, Claudeone Manoel do Nascimento, Rauny Oliveira de Souza, Matias de Souza Dantas, Tiago da Costa Dantas Moniz and Antonio Genilson Rodrigues Araujo

Land 2023, 12(10), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12101881 - 7 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1558

Abstract

Modern times have required studies that take into account the main soil features, aligning the use of land with the protection of more sensitive environments. From this perspective, this study aimed to perform a morphological description and determine the physical and chemical attributes [...] Read more.

Modern times have required studies that take into account the main soil features, aligning the use of land with the protection of more sensitive environments. From this perspective, this study aimed to perform a morphological description and determine the physical and chemical attributes for soil classification in the community of Poção, located in the municipality of Martins/RN, by highlighting the more sensitive attributes in the differentiation of environments through multivariate analysis. Nine soil profiles were identified to perform the morphological description and collect samples for physical and chemical analyses. The study updates the soil classes found in the study area: Acrisols, Planosols, and Cambisols, with the relief being the main factor responsible for the difference between soil attributes. The influence of organic matter on the soil attributes highlights the importance of its maintenance. Aluminum and the clay fraction are responsible for the distinction of the Acrisol class, whereas silt, potassium sodium, total organic carbon, the electrical conductivity of the saturation extract, and the cation exchange capacity allow the differentiation of Fluvisols. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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23 pages, 37399 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Modeling Dynamics of Soil Erosion by Water Due to Soil Organic Matter Change (1980–2020) in the Steppe Zone of Russia

by Nikita R. Kriuchkov and Oleg A. Makarov

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2527; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102527 - 29 Sep 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2322

Abstract

This research aims to evaluate the dynamics of soil loss through soil erosion by water in agricultural lands in steppe areas using a modification of the RUSLE2 model from the 1980s to the 2010s. The calculation was performed using a raster model of [...] Read more.

This research aims to evaluate the dynamics of soil loss through soil erosion by water in agricultural lands in steppe areas using a modification of the RUSLE2 model from the 1980s to the 2010s. The calculation was performed using a raster model of data that included a model of the slope angle, slope length, soil erodibility, rainfall and snowmelt erosivity factors, types of land use, and cover management factor. All data were taken from open sources. The average soil erosion in the territory studied amounted to 1.48 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the 1980s and 1.72 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in the 2010s. The discrepancy with other studies was 12% for the level of the 1980s and 2–7% for the level of the 2010s. The main factor leading to an increase in soil loss was soil erodibility due to the loss of soil organic matter, which affected about 52% of the studied lands. The increase in the amount of soil loss occurred against a background of compensating processes: reduction in precipitation and climate change (getting drier), as well as the overgrowth of agricultural lands with natural steppe vegetation. Modified model RUSLE2 has shown good results correlated with other studies for the research area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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25 pages, 1598 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Wood Vinegar Promotes Soil Health and the Productivity of Cowpea

by Edwin K. Akley, Peter A. Y. Ampim, Eric Obeng, Sophia Sanyare, Mawuli Yevu, Eric Owusu Danquah, Ophelia Asirifi Amoako, Theophilus K. Tengey, Justice K. Avedzi, Vincent K. Avornyo, Abdul Fatawu Neindow and Abdul Fatawu Seidu

Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2497; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102497 - 28 Sep 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3356

Abstract

Wood vinegar (WV) is a biostimulant and a biopesticide that contains pyroligneous acid and is used as a crop growth enhancer and biocontrol agent, but insufficient information exists on WV’s effects on soil quality and cowpea production in Ghana. A field study (2 [...] Read more.

Wood vinegar (WV) is a biostimulant and a biopesticide that contains pyroligneous acid and is used as a crop growth enhancer and biocontrol agent, but insufficient information exists on WV’s effects on soil quality and cowpea production in Ghana. A field study (2 years) was conducted to determine the appropriate method of applying WV for soil health and cowpea production, and to determine the economic benefits of WV. Assessments were on nodulation, shoot biomass, yield, value–cost ratio, soil enzymes, soil respiration, microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), permanganate-oxidizable carbon (POXC), mineralizable C, soil pH, available nitrogen and phosphorus. Results revealed soil drenching and foliar application are efficient methods of applying WV to achieve greater shoot dry matter, nodulation and grain yield of cowpea. Economically, soil drenching, followed by foliar application, generated better economic returns than the control. Adding WV to cowpea using soil drenching and foliar application improved soil health indicators. Soil enzymes and MBN were enhanced by WV applied foliarly and through soil drenching. Soil drenching with WV produced greater POXC and mineralizable C compared to the other treatments. Conclusively, WV applied foliarly and through soil drenching improved soil health, nodulation and yields of cowpea, and enhanced profitability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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13 pages, 3194 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Evaluation of the Crop Yield, Soil-Available Phosphorus, and Total Phosphorus Leaching Caused by Phosphorus Fertilization: A Meta-Analysis

by Yuwen Jin, Naiyu Zhang, Yanhua Chen, Qiong Wang, Zhenhan Qin, Zhimei Sun and Shuxiang Zhang

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2436; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092436 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2338

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) leaching from excessive P application is the primary pathway of P losses in agricultural soils. Different P fertilizer practices have mixed effects on P leaching. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relevant literature regarding the response of crop yields, soil-available P [...] Read more.

Phosphorus (P) leaching from excessive P application is the primary pathway of P losses in agricultural soils. Different P fertilizer practices have mixed effects on P leaching. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relevant literature regarding the response of crop yields, soil-available P (AP), and total P (TP) leaching to reduced P input (RP) and an inorganic-organic combination fertilizer (NPKM) for different agricultural land-use types. Compared to conventional P application (CP), RP (10~90% reduction) did not reduce crop yields in vegetable fields (experiments were 1~4 years) but significantly reduced cereal yields by 4.57%. Compared to chemical fertilizer (NPK), NPKM significantly increased cereal yields by 12.73%. Compared to CP, RP significantly reduced AP at 0~60 cm in vegetable and cereal fields. The greatest reduction occurred at 20~40 cm in vegetable fields (40.29%) and 0~20 cm in cereal fields (34.45%). Compared to NPK, NPKM significantly increased the AP at 0~60 cm in vegetable fields, with the greatest increase (52.44%) at 20~40 cm. The AP at 0~40 cm in cereal fields significantly increased under the NPKM treatment, with the greatest increase at 0~20 cm (76.72%). Compared to CP, RP significantly decreased TP leaching by 16.02% and 31.50% in vegetable and cereal fields, respectively. Compared to NPK, NPKM significantly increased TP leaching in vegetable fields (30.43%); no significant difference in leaching occurred in cereal fields. P leaching, in response to RP, was influenced by the P amounts applied (34.49%); soil organic matter (14.49%); and TP (12.12%). P leaching in response to NPKM was influenced by multiple factors: rainfall (16.05%); soil organic matter (12.37%); soil bulk density (12.07%); TP (11.65%); pH (11.41%). NPKM was more beneficial for improving yields in cereal fields with low soil fertility and lower P-leaching risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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21 pages, 6464 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Response of Food Production and Trade to the Global Socio-Ecological System Network

by Wenqi Xie, Gang Zhou, Haijuan Yang, Xin Chen, Chao Wang and Jieying Ji

Land 2023, 12(9), 1762; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091762 - 11 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2481

Abstract

Food production and trade play a fundamental role in the globalized food system. However, the phenomena of decreasing food production and trade interruptions are becoming increasingly common. Currently, there is a lack of simultaneous research on food production and import trade. This study [...] Read more.

Food production and trade play a fundamental role in the globalized food system. However, the phenomena of decreasing food production and trade interruptions are becoming increasingly common. Currently, there is a lack of simultaneous research on food production and import trade. This study compiles socio-economic environmental data from 146 countries and regions worldwide and employs mobile window and network analysis methods to illustrate how food production quantity influences the social-ecological system. The research findings indicate that in the majority of regions worldwide (102 countries), food demand is met through the local food supply, with a predominant distribution in coastal and inland areas. However, 31% of countries or regions primarily achieve food security through import trade, and many of them are island nations and peninsular countries. This discovery provides valuable insights for understanding the diversity and dependency within the global food system. Based on the impact of food production quantity on the global socio-ecological system network, this study reveals the uneven strengths of connections between nodes and inconsistent connection directions. Building upon these findings, we propose recommendations concerning agricultural policies, human-environment relationships, agricultural transformation, and climate change to help prevent and manage food insecurity risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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12 pages, 3150 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Properties of Soil Physical Quality Index S in Black Soil Croplands under Permanent Gully Erosion

by Yangbo He, Xingsheng Song, Xinyue Li, Yuhao Gao, Jingde Yang, Junxi Chen, Jiazhou Chen and Chongfa Cai

Land 2023, 12(9), 1641; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091641 - 22 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1609

Abstract

Soil physical quality (SPQ) is a limiting factor affecting crop production. However, the impact of gully erosion on the SPQ index S, defined by Dexter as the inflection point of the soil water retention curve (SWRC), remains unclear, especially when considering different latitudinal [...] Read more.

Soil physical quality (SPQ) is a limiting factor affecting crop production. However, the impact of gully erosion on the SPQ index S, defined by Dexter as the inflection point of the soil water retention curve (SWRC), remains unclear, especially when considering different latitudinal regions. This study aimed to apply Dexter’s S-theory to evaluate the distribution of index S in black soils adjacent to various gully positions and investigate its relationship with bulk density (Bd), soil organic matter (SOM), and particle percentage. Soil properties (SWRC, Bd, SOM, and particle percentage) from nine gullies in croplands in three latitudinal regions (Harbin, Hailun, and Nenjiang in Heilongjiang province) were determined at the gully edge (GE₀) and 50 m beyond the edge into the croplands (GE₅₀) at the following gully units: head, mid-upper, middle, mid-lower, tail, and conjunctions between main gully and gully branch. The S-index was calculated using parameters such as n, θ_s, and θ_r, with SWRC data fitted into the van Genuchten model. The results showed spatial variations in the S-index across latitudinal regions, with slightly higher S-values in Harbin than in Hailun and Nenjiang. The S-index also showed noticeable differences at GE₀ and GE₅₀ and at the junctions between the main gully and its branches. Approximately 51% of the samples at GE₀ and 28.2% of the samples at GE₅₀ had S-values below 0.035, which Dexter proposed as the boundary between good and poor SPQ, indicating a degradation of SPQ at the gully-surrounding areas. A decreased S-index in the gully vicinity was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with increased bulk density (1.33 vs. 1.21 g cm⁻³ for GE₀ and GE₅₀) and decreased SOM (36.80 vs. 39.36 g kg⁻¹ for GE₀ and GE₅₀). In summary, this study indicates that gully erosion affects the farmland S-index at the gully-surrounding areas through SOM and Bd. Accordingly, measures suited to the increase in the S-index of the gully-surrounding areas may be implemented to maximize the crop yield of farmlands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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18 pages, 1404 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Interested but Uncertain: Carbon Markets and Data Sharing among U.S. Crop Farmers

by Guang Han and Meredith T. Niles

Land 2023, 12(8), 1526; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081526 - 1 Aug 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2586

Abstract

The potential for farmers and agriculture to sequester carbon and contribute to global climate change goals is widely discussed. However, there is currently low participation in agricultural carbon markets and a limited understanding of farmer perceptions and willingness to participate. Furthermore, farmers’ concerns [...] Read more.

The potential for farmers and agriculture to sequester carbon and contribute to global climate change goals is widely discussed. However, there is currently low participation in agricultural carbon markets and a limited understanding of farmer perceptions and willingness to participate. Furthermore, farmers’ concerns regarding data privacy may complicate participation in agricultural carbon markets, which necessitates farmer data sharing with multiple entities. This study aims to address research gaps by assessing farmers’ willingness to participate in agricultural carbon markets, identifying the determinants of farmers’ willingness regarding carbon markets participation, and exploring how farmers’ concerns for data privacy relate to potential participation in agricultural carbon markets. Data were collected through a multistate survey of 246 farmers and analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multinomial regression models. We find that the majority of farmers (71.8%) are aware of carbon markets and would like to sell carbon credits, but they express high uncertainty about carbon market information, policies, markets, and cost impacts. Just over half of farmers indicated they would share their data for education, developing tools and models, and improving markets and supply chains. Farmers who wanted to participate in carbon markets were more likely to have higher farm revenues, more likely to share their data overall, more likely to share their data with private organizations, and more likely to change farming practices and had more positive perceptions of the impact of carbon markets on farm profitability. In conclusion, farmers have a general interest in carbon market participation, but more information is needed to address their uncertainties and concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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21 pages, 5382 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics and Projection of Rainfall Erosivity Distribution in the Hengduan Mountains

by Xinlan Liang, Lei Zhang, Shuqin He, Ke Song and Zicheng Zheng

Land 2023, 12(7), 1435; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071435 - 18 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1794

Abstract

This study examines the spatiotemporal variations of rainfall erosivity in the Hengduan Mountains, known for their rugged terrain and high potential for soil erosion risks, over the past 30 years. Additionally, it investigates the changing trends of rainfall erosivity between 2025 and 2040 [...] Read more.

This study examines the spatiotemporal variations of rainfall erosivity in the Hengduan Mountains, known for their rugged terrain and high potential for soil erosion risks, over the past 30 years. Additionally, it investigates the changing trends of rainfall erosivity between 2025 and 2040 under the Sustainable Development Pathway 2–4.5 (SSP2–4.5), using four Global Climate Models (GCMs) based on the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6). The results indicate: (1) The annual distribution of rainfall erosivity in the Hengduan Mountains exhibited significant seasonal variations, ranking in the order of summer > autumn > spring > winter on a seasonal scale. (2) Over the past 30 years, there has been a slight decrease in annual precipitation and a corresponding slight increase in rainfall erosivity. Periodic extreme values occur every 6–8 years. (3) Spatially, rainfall erosivity demonstrates a decreasing gradient from southeast to northwest. There is a significant positive correlation between rainfall erosivity and precipitation, while a significant negative correlation exists with elevation in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the northeastern part of the Hengduan Mountains exhibits an increasing trend of rainfall erosivity, while the southern region experiences a decreasing trend. (4) Considering the joint driving forces of increased precipitation and erosive rainfall events, rainfall erosivity is expected to significantly increase in the future, posing a more severe risk of soil erosion in this region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Agronomy, Soil Health and Climate Change: Challenges and Solutions)

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