Effects of Agrotechnical Factors and Farming Systems on Soil Properties and Plant Productivity

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2024) | Viewed by 23981

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Herbology and Plant Cultivation Techniques, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: agricultural systems; organic farming; agrotechnical factors influencing soil properties and fertility; optimization of agronomic practices

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Herbology and Plant Cultivation Techniques, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 13 Street, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Interests: agrotechnics of cereal, root and herbal crops; organic farming; soil properties; quality of agricultural produce
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fertile soil, rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms, guarantees high-quality crops. It is also an indicator of the condition of the natural environment, especially in areas and lands subject to anthropopressure. High soil quality is particularly important in sustainable and ecological farming. The level of agricultural technology used, including the type and amount of fertilization, plays an important role in shaping the quality of the soil. Due to the growing consumer demand for high-quality food (including organic food), it is important to properly manage crops, with particular emphasis on the conscious shaping of soil properties. Another important aspect is the monitoring of the condition of soils subjected to broadly understood anthropopressure. Soil health monitoring can help to guarantee the production of healthy and safe food, free from chemical contamination and pathogens. To achieve the goals outlined above, new knowledge is needed on how to improve crop management and soil quality. The new information obtained should be widely disseminated not only in the scientific community, but also easily accessible to agricultural practice, the agricultural advisory industry, processors and other stakeholders.

The Guest Editors invite scientists to share their knowledge about innovative solutions in crop management, with particular emphasis on soil fertility and quality, as well as soil condition monitoring. Both original research papers and thematic reviews are accepted.

Prof. Dr. Cezary A. Kwiatkowski
Dr. Elżbieta Harasim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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

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

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

Keywords

  • farming system versus soil quality
  • crop rotation and agrotechnical factors versus soil quality
  • physical and chemical properties of soil
  • soil biological properties and enzymatic activity
  • soil contamination and soil pathogens
  • soil quality versus yield and quality of agricultural crops
  • soil condition monitoring and anthropopressure

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (18 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Integrating Deficit Irrigation Strategies and Soil-Management Systems in Almond Orchards for Resilient Agriculture
by Iván Francisco García-Tejero, Juan Francisco Herencia-Galán, Belén Cárceles Rodríguez, Abel Calderón-Pavón, Javier Aldana Navarro, Alfredo Emilio Rubio-Casal and Víctor Hugo Durán Zuazo
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2288; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102288 - 4 Oct 2024
Viewed by 348
Abstract
This work was conducted over three-year monitoring seasons of three almond cultivars (Guara, Marta, and Lauranne) subjected to deficit irrigation in combination with cover crops in a Mediterranean semiarid area (SW, Spain). Four water–soil treatments were evaluated based on the conjunction of two [...] Read more.
This work was conducted over three-year monitoring seasons of three almond cultivars (Guara, Marta, and Lauranne) subjected to deficit irrigation in combination with cover crops in a Mediterranean semiarid area (SW, Spain). Four water–soil treatments were evaluated based on the conjunction of two irrigation strategies: fully irrigated (FI), covering 100% of the ETC, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), with two soil-management systems: bare soil (BS) and cover crop based on a mixture of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) (CC). Throughout the study period in trees, the yield, the stem water potential (Ψstem), leaf nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu) in soils, organic carbon, microbial biomass, fluoresceine diacetate, and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, protease, β-glucosidase, and alkaline phosphatase) were determined. In addition, the dry matter and carbon fixation by plant covers were evaluated. For Guara and Lauranne, yield reductions (22 and 26%, respectively) were found for water-stressed (RDI-CC) plots with respect to non-stressed combination (FI-CC) plots, contrasting with cv. Marta, without a significant impact on productivity in all combinations. That is, the RDI (~3.000 m3 ha−1) strategy enabled acceptable productivity, offering promising possibilities for cultivation performance under water-scarcity scenarios. Important differences in Ψstem could be observed and ascribed to irrigation strategies, especially for Guara and Lauranne, but without significant effects due to the soil-management systems applied. No differences were observed in the tree nutritional status due to the presence or absence of CC; however, its presence increased the fixation of atmospheric carbon, which was not the case under BS conditions. Additionally, CC significantly fostered the microbial processes and enzymatic activities, particularly in upper soil layers (0–10 cm) and with plenty of water supply in FI-CC plots and to a lesser extent in RDI-CC plots, which could encourage prominent aspects for soil quality and health restoration. Thus, the cover crop is congruent with RDI to facilitate soil functionality and water savings in a changing climate, contributing to resilient farming systems in the Mediterranean environment. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 7808 KiB  
Article
Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) Growth on Sandy Soil—Insights from a Pot Experiment
by Moritz von Cossel, Jana Kunisch, Yasir Iqbal, Eva Berwanger, Theresa Thiel, Gawasker Gandamalla and Nicolai D. Jablonowski
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2213; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102213 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 481
Abstract
The cultivation of perennial flowering wild plant species like common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) seems promising for increasing biodiversity friendliness in rather monotonous bioenergy cropping systems in Central Europe, particularly on marginal sites. However, it is still unclear for which types of [...] Read more.
The cultivation of perennial flowering wild plant species like common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) seems promising for increasing biodiversity friendliness in rather monotonous bioenergy cropping systems in Central Europe, particularly on marginal sites. However, it is still unclear for which types of marginal agricultural land common tansy would be suitable and where; as a result, low-risk indirect land-use change biomass production through common tansy could be considered. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gather initial insights into the suitability of common tansy for sandy sites by means of a 6 L-pot experiment. For this purpose, five replicates of three substrates were prepared: Luvisol topsoil (control) from a field site near the University of Hohenheim, Germany; and admixtures of 50 and 83.4weight(wt)% of sand to the control (M1, and M2), respectively. This resulted in varying sand contents of the substrates of 4.7 (control), 53.3 (M1), and 83.0wt% (M2). In autumn 2021, common tansy seeds were collected from mother plants bearing the breeder’s indentifier ‘Z.8TAV 85/78’. These plants were part of a long-term field trial initiated at Hohenheim in 2014, where common tansy was grown as part of a wild plant mixture. In June 2022, 0.5 g of the seeds were sown in each pot. The pots were placed in outdoor conditions, arranged in a randomized complete block design and watered evenly as required. At harvest in July 2023, significant differences between the substrates in terms of the above- (shoots) and belowground (roots) development of the common tansy seedlings were observed. In M1, common tansy provided notable biomass growth of 56.6% of the control, proving to be potentially suitable for low-input cultivation under sandy soil conditions. However, an even higher share of sand and low nutrient contents in M2 resulted in minor plant development (14.4% of the control). Hence, field trials on sandy soils of about 50wt% of sand in the texture under tailored fertilization and various climatic conditions are recommended. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1744 KiB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Soil Penetration Resistance Depending on Different Conservation Tillage Systems
by Danijel Jug, Irena Jug, Dorijan Radočaj, Edward Wilczewski, Boris Đurđević, Mladen Jurišić, Jozsef Zsembeli and Bojana Brozović
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2168; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092168 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 805
Abstract
As conservation tillage becomes one of the foundations of sustainable crop production, important questions arise about its value, which needs to be defined and evaluated. One of the most important indicators of soil compaction is penetration resistance (PR), which comes as a short-term [...] Read more.
As conservation tillage becomes one of the foundations of sustainable crop production, important questions arise about its value, which needs to be defined and evaluated. One of the most important indicators of soil compaction is penetration resistance (PR), which comes as a short-term response to the state of soil physics. The objective of this work is to compare different tillage treatments (TT) on soil compaction on silty clay loam Stagnosol and silt Gleysol in the continental part of Croatia. The research included three tillage treatments: ST—conventional tillage, CTD—deep conservation tillage, and CTS—shallow conservation tillage. PR was determined on each soil depth of 5 cm up to 80 cm, and measuring was provided on two measuring dates. The obtained results showed a higher influence of the year factor than TT. In the upper layers (up to 35 cm), PR values between TT were with significant differences, but in most cases below root-limiting critical values, while in deeper soil layers (35–80 cm), we found that penetration values on each tillage treatment begin to stabilize and smooth out in most cases, with similar dynamics on both soil types and measurement dates. In most of the cases, the highest PR was measured for conservation treatments in wetter soil conditions. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2123 KiB  
Article
The Microbiological Activity of Soil in Response to Gliotoxin, the “Lethal Principle” of Trichoderma
by Anastasia V. Teslya, Elena V. Gurina, Artyom A. Stepanov, Aleksandr V. Iashnikov and Alexey S. Vasilchenko
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092084 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Trichoderma is a soil-dwelling microorganism that has many benefits for plants and is therefore widely used in agriculture. Among the secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma, gliotoxin (GT) is one of the most studied. The antagonistic effect of GT on other fungi was [...] Read more.
Trichoderma is a soil-dwelling microorganism that has many benefits for plants and is therefore widely used in agriculture. Among the secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma, gliotoxin (GT) is one of the most studied. The antagonistic effect of GT on other fungi was first discovered by R. Weindling in 1934. He referred to it as the “lethal principle” of Trichoderma. Despite the long history of studying GT, its impact on the soil microbial community has remained largely unexplored. In our work, we investigated the response of the soil microbial community to different doses of GT (10–500 µM per kg) and different durations (7–56 days) of exposure. We measured microbiological parameters (CO2 emission, microbial biomass (MB)), calculated the eco-physiological indices and determined the activity of soil enzymes involved in the C, N, P and S cycles. We identified three types of microbial responses to GT: inhibition, stress and stimulation. The inhibitory effect developed only by day 56 and in the samples treated with 500 μM GT. The stress effect (increased CO2 emission and decreased MB) of GT on microbial communities was predominant. Soil extracellular enzymes also responded to GT to varying degrees. A stimulating effect of GT on enzyme activity was noted for β-D-1,4-cellobiosidase and β-1,4-glucosidase. The activity of arylsulfatase and leucine aminopeptidase decreased under the influence of GT up to day 28, but by the end of the experiment, there was a restoration of activity. We did not observe any significant changes in the activity of β-1,4-xylosidase, β-1,4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase or acid phosphatase. The results obtained showed that GT at high, “man-made” doses can inhibit the microbiological activity of soil, but at naturally occurring concentrations, it can have a stimulating effect on soil microbiome functionality. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1317 KiB  
Article
Biofortification of Cucumbers with Iron Using Bio-Chelates Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds: A Greenhouse Trial
by Ana Cervera-Mata, Leslie Lara-Ramos, José Ángel Rufián-Henares, Jesús Fernández-Bayo, Gabriel Delgado and Alejandro Fernández-Arteaga
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2063; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092063 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 421
Abstract
The transformation of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) into hydrochars has been extensively studied in recent years to explore their potential in biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity associated with SCGs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding activated (ASCG and [...] Read more.
The transformation of spent coffee grounds (SCGs) into hydrochars has been extensively studied in recent years to explore their potential in biofortifying foods and mitigating the plant toxicity associated with SCGs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding activated (ASCG and AH160) and functionalized SCGs, as well as SCG-derived hydrochars (ASCG-Fe and AH160-Fe), on cucumber production and plant iron content. To achieve this, SCGs and SCG-derived hydrochars activated and functionalized with Fe were incorporated into cucumber crops grown in a greenhouse over multiple harvests. Among the treatments, SCG-Fe proved to be the most promising for cucumber production, yielding an average of 25 kg of cumulative production per treatment across three harvests. Regarding iron content, the average results across all harvests showed that SCGs and functionalized SCG-hydrochars matched the performance of the commercial chelate (0.108 vs. 0.11 mg Fe/100 g fresh weight). However, in subsequent harvests, iron appeared to leach out, with the activated bio-products (ASCG and AH160) leaving the highest iron reserves in the soil. Additionally, the hydrochar activated at 160 °C demonstrated the highest utilization efficiency. In conclusion, the incorporation of SCG residues and second-generation residues (hydrochars) shows promise as agents for biofortifying cucumbers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1206 KiB  
Article
Effects of Reducing Chemical Fertilisers Application on Tea Production and Soils Quality: An In Situ Field Experiment in Jiangsu, China
by Zhenmin Hu, Huan Li, Lingfei Ji and Yiyang Yang
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1864; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081864 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 453
Abstract
In order to achieve sustainable development of the tea industry in China, it is necessary to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser rationally. With conventional fertilisation (CF) treatment as the control, five different chemical fertiliser-reduced regimes, including tea-specific formula fertiliser (T1), T1 + [...] Read more.
In order to achieve sustainable development of the tea industry in China, it is necessary to reduce the use of chemical fertiliser rationally. With conventional fertilisation (CF) treatment as the control, five different chemical fertiliser-reduced regimes, including tea-specific formula fertiliser (T1), T1 + acidification amendment (T2), organic substitution based on T1 (T3), urea formaldehyde slow-release fertiliser (T4) and carbon-based organic fertiliser (T5), were conducted and evaluated on a green tea plantation from 2018 to 2021. The results showed that the spring tea yield of T1–T5 increased by 4.65–28.67%, while the free amino acids, tea polyphenols and sensory evaluation scores did not remarkably decrease. In addition, the T1–T5 treatments had a slight effect on soil acidification mitigation (except T2) and maintained the essential nutrients for tea production. Nutrient use efficiency improved, with agronomic efficiency (AE) increasing by 0.01–0.08 kg kg−1, shoot nutrient use efficiency (NUE) by 0.14–0.70% and partial factor productivity (PFP) by 0.05–0.18 kg kg−1. The net economic benefits also improved, with T1 showing a 135.28% increase, followed by T3 (67.53%), T2 (48.65%), T4 (38.07%) and T5 (33.35%). Overall, our results indicated that the T1 treatment could maintain the tea yield and quality while reducing the chemical fertiliser input and maximising the net economic benefit and AE. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4144 KiB  
Article
Effects of Combination of Water-Retaining Agent and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Characteristics and Growth of Winter Wheat under Subsoiling Tillage in South Loess Plateau of China
by Hanbo Wang, Qiuyan Huo, Tieqiang Wang, Guohua Lv, Weidong Li, Jiameng Ren, Shuantang Zhang and Jiusheng Li
Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1287; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061287 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 685
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the combined application of water-retaining agents and nitrogen fertilizers on soil physicochemical properties, bacterial communities, and root growth under winter wheat planting mode in the Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province. Based on the [...] Read more.
This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the combined application of water-retaining agents and nitrogen fertilizers on soil physicochemical properties, bacterial communities, and root growth under winter wheat planting mode in the Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province. Based on the positioning experiment of dry farming in the loessal soil area of Shaanxi Province, four treatments were set up by using the tillage method of subsoiling + rotary tillage and straw returning: only fertilization (U), only water retention agent sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2)n (S), combined use of water-retaining agent sodium polyacrylate (C3H3NaO2)n and fertilizer (US), and control group CK (no treatment). The ultra-high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes of soil bacteria was performed by the Illumina Hiseq platform, and the effects of different tillage measures on soil bacterial diversity and community structure were analyzed. In addition, the effects of these tillage measures on soil physicochemical properties and winter wheat root length density at booting and flowering stages were evaluated. The results indicated that the combination of the water-retaining agent and fertilizer markedly enhanced the contents of ammonium nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium in the 0~20 cm soil layer, significantly increased the soil moisture content, and promoted the deep growth of roots. The root length density was 4.70 times higher than that of the control group at the booting stage. In addition, the combined application alleviated the decrease in soil microbial diversity caused by individual fertilization, especially significantly increasing the abundance of Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, and Planctomycetes in the 0~10 cm soil layer. This study reveals the potential of the combined use of water retention agents and fertilizers to optimize the soil environment and enhance winter wheat yield, which provides a scientific basis for improving local agricultural practices. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 9886 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Effectiveness of Pruning in an Olive Orchard Using a Drone and a Multispectral Camera: A Three-Year Study
by Eliseo Roma, Pietro Catania, Mariangela Vallone and Santo Orlando
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1023; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051023 - 11 May 2024
Viewed by 787
Abstract
The uses of precision oliviculture have increased in recent years to improve the quality and quantity of extra virgin olive oil. In traditional and intensive systems, biennial pruning is often applied to balance and maintain plant vigour, aiming at reducing management costs. This [...] Read more.
The uses of precision oliviculture have increased in recent years to improve the quality and quantity of extra virgin olive oil. In traditional and intensive systems, biennial pruning is often applied to balance and maintain plant vigour, aiming at reducing management costs. This study presents the results of a three-year experiment with the objective of quantifying the effects of biennial pruning on the vegetative vigour of olive trees, investigating the geometric and spectral characteristics of each canopy determined with multispectral images acquired by UAV. The experiment was carried out in an olive orchard located in western Sicily (Italy). Multispectral images were acquired using a UAV in automatic flight configuration at an altitude of 70 m a.g.l. The segmentation and classification of the images were performed using Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) based on the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and orthomosaic to extract the canopy area, height, volume and NDVI for each plant. This study showed that the technology and image analysis processing used were able to estimate vigour parameters at different canopy densities, compared to field measurements (R2 = 0.97 and 0.96 for canopy area and volume, respectively). Furthermore, it was possible to determine the amount of removed biomass for each plant and vigour level. Biennial pruning decreased the number of plants initially classified as LV (low-vigour) and maintained a vegetative balance for MV (medium-vigour) and HV (high-vigour) plants, reducing the spatial variability in the field. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2621 KiB  
Article
Effects of Long-Term Rice–Crayfish Coculture Systems on Soil Nutrients, Carbon Pools, and Rice Yields in Northern Zhejiang Province, China
by Baojun Wang, Hongmei Zhang, Gui Chen, Wangda Cheng and Yaqiang Shen
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051014 - 10 May 2024
Viewed by 1178
Abstract
This research was to examine the impacts of long-term integrated rice–crayfish farming on soil nutrients, carbon pools, and rice yields in paddy fields. The aim was to establish a scientific basis for the sustainable development of RS in the northern region of Zhejiang. [...] Read more.
This research was to examine the impacts of long-term integrated rice–crayfish farming on soil nutrients, carbon pools, and rice yields in paddy fields. The aim was to establish a scientific basis for the sustainable development of RS in the northern region of Zhejiang. The results showed that the change from rice monoculture (CK) to rice–crayfish coculture systems (RS) led to a 24.99% increase in the 5-year average of soil ammonium nitrogen (AN), while the soil nitrate nitrogen (NN), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus content (AP) decreased by 28.02%, 16.05%, and 28.76%, respectively. Moreover, the total organic carbon (TOC), easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) exhibited a reduction of 2.45%, 8.82%, 35.31%, and 65.84%, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between NN, EOC, and MBC in the RS mode. In terms of rice yield, the 5-year average of rice yield in RS decreased by 8.40% compared to CK. The mean yield of early-maturing rice varieties was reduced by 13.16%, while that of late-maturing rice varieties was reduced by 6.00%. These results shed light on the annual variation in soil nutrients, carbon pools, and rice yield in the RS mode, providing insights for the sustainable development of RS in northern Zhejiang. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1562 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Effects of Different Tillage Systems and Their Impact on Soil Properties and Crop Yields
by Vaida Steponavičienė, Giedrius Žiūraitis, Aušra Rudinskienė, Karolina Jackevičienė and Vaclovas Bogužas
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040870 - 22 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2758
Abstract
The scientific aim of this article is to elucidate the effects of various tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields; additionally, it seeks to highlight the significant potential of specific farming systems in enhancing soil organic carbon, thereby positively influencing CO2 [...] Read more.
The scientific aim of this article is to elucidate the effects of various tillage practices on soil properties and crop yields; additionally, it seeks to highlight the significant potential of specific farming systems in enhancing soil organic carbon, thereby positively influencing CO2 emissions from soil. In the experimental station of Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas District, Lithuania (54°52′50″ N and 23°49′41″ E), a long-term field experiment has been established since 1999, and studies have been conducted since 2003. The soil of the experimental site is classified as Epieutric Endocalcaric Planosol (Endoclayic, Episiltic, Aric, Drainic, Endoraptic, Uterquic), according to the World Reference Base (WRB, 2022). Two primary factors were assessed. Factor A incorporated practices of straw removal versus straw chopping and spreading, while Factor B evaluated a spectrum of tillage techniques: conventional deep plowing and two no-tillage practices, one of which involved cover crops. The findings from this long-term study highlight a significant increase in SOC stocks across all treatments over the 20-year period. Notably, the no-tillage practices, coupled with the spreading of chopped straw, demonstrated the most substantial growth in SOC levels, particularly in the top 0–10 cm soil layer. This trend underscores the effectiveness of minimizing soil disturbance and incorporating organic matter in boosting SOC stocks. The different tillage systems influence CO2 emissions from soil. Initially, direct sowing into uncultivated land, both with and without cover crops, led to a notable reduction in CO2 emissions compared to conventional plowing. However, this effect was found to vary over the growth cycle of the plant, highlighting the dynamic interaction between tillage practices, soil properties, and environmental conditions. Collaborative research efforts that involve farmers, scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders are crucial for the development of holistic, practical, scalable solutions that enhance the sustainability and productivity of agricultural systems. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable agriculture, providing insights for farmers, agronomists, and policymakers in their quest to promote environmentally sound and productive agricultural systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 11718 KiB  
Article
The Stability of Aggregates in Different Amazonian Agroecosystems Is Influenced by the Texture, Acidity, and Availability of Ca and Mg in the Soil
by Alan Ferreira Leite de Lima, Milton César Costa Campos, Joalison de Brito Silva, Witória de Oliveira Araújo, Bruno Campos Mantovanelli, Fernando Gomes de Souza, Raphael Moreira Beirigo, Douglas Marcelo Pinheiro da Silva, Rodrigo Santana Macedo and Flávio Pereira de Oliveira
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040677 - 26 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 881
Abstract
The processes of occupation and exploitation in the Amazon have been increasing, and as a consequence, forest areas are being replaced by agroecosystems. As a consequence of this change, changes have been occurring in the soil attributes, and consequently, in the stability of [...] Read more.
The processes of occupation and exploitation in the Amazon have been increasing, and as a consequence, forest areas are being replaced by agroecosystems. As a consequence of this change, changes have been occurring in the soil attributes, and consequently, in the stability of aggregates in these environments. Thus, this work had two objectives: the first was to evaluate the impacts generated by the conversion of forests into agroecosystems on the soil attributes that are related to aggregates, in the southwestern region of the Amazon; the second objective was to evaluate the roles of pedophysical and pedochemical parameters on the stability of soil aggregates. The study was carried out on rural properties located in the southern part of Amazonas State, Brazil. Eight areas under different agroecosystems were selected: in the municipality of Canutama: (i) annatto, (ii) guarana, and (iii) cupuassu; in the municipality of Humaitá: (iv) cassava, (v) agroforestry, and (vi) sugarcane; and in the municipality of Manicoré: (vii) pasture and (viii) native forest. Unformed soil samples were collected from the 0.00–0.10 m layer and analyzed for aggregate stability, bulk density, soil organic carbon, and soil organic carbon stock. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed. The largest soil aggregations occurred in the annatto, guarana, sugarcane, and pasture agroecosystems. We associate the greater aggregation capacity of soils with factors that are inherent to the cultivated species and soil properties. The first factor corresponds to the adaptability of the Amazonian and grass species and their ability to produce biomass. The second factor is related to the physical and chemical properties of Amazonian soils, largely influenced by the sand fraction, soil organic carbon, soil acidity, and availability of exchangeable Ca and Mg. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1205 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Incorporating Caraway into a Multi-Cropping Farming System on the Crops and the Overall Agroecosystem
by Aušra Rudinskienė, Aušra Marcinkevičienė, Rimantas Velička and Vaida Steponavičienė
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 625; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030625 - 20 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1237
Abstract
The scientific aim of this article is to investigate the potential benefits of implementing a multi-cropping system, specifically focusing on the incorporation of caraway, to improve soil agrochemical and biological properties, prevent soil degradation and erosion, and ultimately enhance soil quality and health [...] Read more.
The scientific aim of this article is to investigate the potential benefits of implementing a multi-cropping system, specifically focusing on the incorporation of caraway, to improve soil agrochemical and biological properties, prevent soil degradation and erosion, and ultimately enhance soil quality and health to better adapt to climate change. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the comparative analysis of various soil parameters and biological indicators to showcase the promising perspectives and importance of perennial crop production for improving soil quality and agricultural sustainability. These crops are designed to provide multiple benefits simultaneously, including improved yields, enhanced ecosystem services, and reduced environmental effects. However, an integrated assessment of their overall effects on the agroecosystem is crucial to understand their potential benefits and trade-offs. The field experiment was conducted over three consecutive vegetative seasons (2017 to 2021) at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) in Kaunas district, Lithuania. The experimental site is located at 54°53′7.5″ N latitude and 23°50′18.11″ E longitude. The treatments within a replicate were multi-cropping systems of sole crops (spring barley (1), spring wheat (2), pea (3), caraway (4)), binary crops (spring barley–caraway (5), spring wheat–caraway (6), pea–caraway (7)), and trinary crops (spring barley–caraway–white clover (8), spring wheat–caraway–white clover (9), pea–caraway–white clover (10)) crops. However, an integrated assessment of their impact on the agroecosystem is needed to understand their potential benefits and processes. To determine the complex interactions between indicators, the interrelationships between indicators, and the strength of impacts, this study applied an integrated assessment approach using the comprehensive assessment index (CEI). The CEI values showed that integrating caraway (Carum carvi L.) into multi-cropping systems can have several positive effects. The effect of the binary spring barley and caraway and the trinary spring barley, caraway, and white clover crops on the agroecosystem is positively higher than that of the other comparative sole, binary, and trinary crops. Caraway, after spring wheat together with white clover, has a higher positive effect on the agroecosystem than caraway without white clover. Specifically, this study addresses key aspects, such as soil health, nutrient cycling, weed management, and overall agricultural sustainability, within the context of multi-cropping practices. By evaluating the effects of these cropping systems on soil agrochemical properties and ecosystem dynamics, the research provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that promote environmental conservation and long-term soil health. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

0 pages, 3453 KiB  
Communication
Crop Conversion from Annual to Perennials: An Effective Strategy to Affect Soil Multifunctionality
by Panpan Liu, Dong Wang, Yue Li, Ji Liu, Yongxing Cui, Guopeng Liang, Chaoqun Wang, Chao Wang, Daryl L. Moorhead and Ji Chen
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030594 - 15 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1402
Abstract
Although crop conversion from annual to perennial crops has been considered as one path towards climate-smart and resource-efficient agriculture, the effects of this conversion on soil multifunctionality and biomass yields remain unclear. The objective of the study is to enhance soil multifunctionality while [...] Read more.
Although crop conversion from annual to perennial crops has been considered as one path towards climate-smart and resource-efficient agriculture, the effects of this conversion on soil multifunctionality and biomass yields remain unclear. The objective of the study is to enhance soil multifunctionality while exerting a marginal influence on farmer income. Here, we investigated the effects of annual winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and two perennial crops (a grass (Lolium perenne L.), a legume (Medicago sativa L.), and their mixture) on soil multifunctionality and biomass yield on the Yellow River floodplain. Soil multifunctionality was assessed by the capacity of water regulation and the multifunctionality of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycles. C cycle multifunctionality index is the average of β-xylosidase, β-cellobiosidase, and β-1, 4-glucosidase. N cycle multifunctionality index is the average of L-leucine aminopeptidase and β-1, 4-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase represented (and dominated) P cycle functions. The results showed that perennial crops enhanced soil multifunctionality by 207% for L. perenne, 311% for M. sativa, and 438% for L. perenne + M. sativa, compared with annual winter wheat (T. aestivum). The effect of perennial crops on soil multifunctionality increased with infiltration rate, dissolved organic C, microbial biomass C, and extracellular enzymatic activities for both C and N acquisition. However, we observed that perennial crops had a lower biomass yield than annual crop. Therefore, the transition of agricultural landscapes to perennials needs to take into account the balance between environmental protection and food security, as well as environmental heterogeneity, to promote sustainable agricultural development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 5052 KiB  
Article
Soil Microbiome of Abandoned Plaggic Podzol of Different-Aged Fallow Lands and Native Podzol in South Taiga (Leningrad Region)
by Anton Lavrishchev, Andrey Litvinovich, Evgeny Abakumov, Anastasia Kimeklis, Grigory Gladkov, Evgeny Andronov and Vyacheslav Polyakov
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030429 - 22 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1030
Abstract
The soil microbiome is composed of various communities that play an important role in the existence of ecosystem services and the sustainable functioning of ecosystems under high anthropogenic loads. The transition of soils to a fallow state and their subsequent transformation lead to [...] Read more.
The soil microbiome is composed of various communities that play an important role in the existence of ecosystem services and the sustainable functioning of ecosystems under high anthropogenic loads. The transition of soils to a fallow state and their subsequent transformation lead to a notable alteration in the taxonomic composition of the soil microbiome, impacting the biochemical processes within the soil and its fertility levels. The object of this study comprised different-aged fallow soils of the southern taiga in the vicinity of Ban’kovo village, Leningrad region. The method comprising the high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments using an Illumina MiSEQ sequencer was used to analyze the microbial community. The general processing of sequences was carried out with the dada2 (v1.14.1) package. It was found that the morphological organization of fallow soils has significant differences from the native podzol. In fallow soils, there are signs of leaching expressed in the accumulation of leached mineral particles, which indicates the degradation of the fallow–arable horizon. At the same time, there is a decrease in the content of P2O5 and K2O and an increase in the content of N-NH4 and N-NO3 in fallow soil. The analysis of alpha diversity index values showed that the highest level of alpha diversity in the microbial community is characteristic of 40-year-old soil, the alpha diversity index decreased with the increasing time of the fallow state, and the lowest alpha diversity index was observed in the native podzol. According to the values of the beta diversity index, a high correlation between the soil microbiome and the physicochemical characteristics of the soil was revealed, which indicates the formation of functional specialization in the studied microbial communities. As a result of the study of the taxonomic composition of microbial communities in fallow soils, it was found that the most represented microbial communities in fallow soils belong to Nitrosomonadaceae (Pseudomonadota), Mycobacterium (Actinobacteria), Nitrospira (Nitrospirota), and Luteolibacter (Verrucomicrobiota). The duration of post-agrogenic transformation is the leading factor influencing the changes in microbial communities; so, with an increase in the time that soils were in a fallow state, an increase in the oligotrophic microbial community was observed. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1225 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Potential of Wood Vinegar: Chemical Composition and Biological Effects on Crops and Pests
by Giuseppina Iacomino, Mohamed Idbella, Alessia Staropoli, Bruno Nanni, Tomaso Bertoli, Francesco Vinale and Giuliano Bonanomi
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010114 - 2 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4327
Abstract
Wood vinegar is a by-product of the pyrolysis of organic raw materials. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and biological activity of industrial wood vinegar derived from the pyrolysis of wood pruning waste. The composition of wood vinegar was characterized using [...] Read more.
Wood vinegar is a by-product of the pyrolysis of organic raw materials. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition and biological activity of industrial wood vinegar derived from the pyrolysis of wood pruning waste. The composition of wood vinegar was characterized using liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Wood vinegar bioactivity was tested against Bactrocera oleae under field conditions in an olive grove for two years. Furthermore, wood vinegar was applied in a greenhouse experiment with strawberry plants and in a strawberry field infested with the nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Finally, a seed root length bioassay was performed to evaluate the phytotoxicity or biostimulation of wood vinegar on Eruca sativa, Lactuca sativa, Lens culinaryis, Lolium multiflorum, and Solanum lycopersicum. Our results showed that wood vinegar had a pH of 3.2, with high concentrations of acetic acid (27,840.16 mg L−1) and phenols (54.00 mg L−1). No repellent effect against B. oleae was observed when wood vinegar was applied as an aerosol in olive groves. On strawberry plants in greenhouse conditions, wood vinegar showed phytotoxic effects at high concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the total yield of the plants. In the field, at a 1% concentration, wood vinegar led to a significant 15% reduction in the infection caused by M. incognita in strawberry plants. Finally, in the in vitro crop bioassay, wood vinegar demonstrated remarkable phytotoxicity effects at high concentrations while promoting root growth when diluted. The efficacy of wood vinegar displayed considerable variability based on concentration and delivery system, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation when considering its application, particularly in diverse crops and production systems. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1965 KiB  
Article
Rice Straw Mulch Installation in a Vineyard Improves Weed Control and Modifies Soil Characteristics
by Diego Gómez de Barreda, Inmaculada Bautista, Vicente Castell and Antonio Lidón
Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 3068; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123068 - 15 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1637
Abstract
After harvesting rice paddy fields, rice straw is a significant problem due to uncontrolled CO2 emissions when the straw is burned. One solution to this problem is to use this rice by-product for mulching planting lines of fruit trees or vineyards with [...] Read more.
After harvesting rice paddy fields, rice straw is a significant problem due to uncontrolled CO2 emissions when the straw is burned. One solution to this problem is to use this rice by-product for mulching planting lines of fruit trees or vineyards with the purpose of controlling weeds and improving soil characteristics. A 3-year experiment was conducted at the Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) demonstration vineyard, where rice-straw mulch was installed at three rates in 2021, 24.0, 43.1, and 63.1 t ha−1, and in 2022, 25.0, 37.5, and 50.0 t ha−1. Weeds were mainly controlled with the highest treatment rate (50.0–63.1 t ha−1), as the time of the year for mulch installation is decisive for achieving different weed control rates. On average, mulch decreased soil bulk density (5.4%), and increased the soil organic carbon (24.3%) and water-soluble organic carbon (24.3%) compared to bare soil. Soil temperature changes were observed due to the mulch treatment, with soil temperature lower in bare soil than in mulched soil during the cold season, and higher during the warm season. This effect was highly dependent on the mulch application rate. Soil moisture content was also higher under the mulch treatment, showing a mulch-rate response during the four seasons of the year. The changes in the physical and biological soil properties induced a higher soil respiration rate when mulched soil was compared to bare soil. This study concludes that the use of rice straw as a mulch had positive effects on weed control and soil properties, although three factors concerning mulch management were paramount: rate, the timing of installation, and replacement rate. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1507 KiB  
Article
Land Valuation Systems in Relation to Water Retention
by Josef Slaboch and Michal Malý
Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 2978; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122978 - 1 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
This article uses a derived econometric model to estimate the impact of the physical properties of soil on its retention capacity and, subsequently, the impact of retention capacity on production potential. This is an important aspect considering climate change impacts, which are affecting [...] Read more.
This article uses a derived econometric model to estimate the impact of the physical properties of soil on its retention capacity and, subsequently, the impact of retention capacity on production potential. This is an important aspect considering climate change impacts, which are affecting food production across the world. An investigation of academic publications shows that very few studies address opportunities to price rainwater in relation to agricultural production. As such, the objective of the submitted article is to use soil physical property spatial data to create an econometric model. The econometric model itself determines the intensity and direction of action of the soil’s physical properties on the ability of the soil to hold rainwater. The results demonstrate the positive effect of physical properties such as porosity and humus content. Important information for farming practice is the relatively pronounced influence of soil acidity (pH) on its retention capacity, which is mainly the result of its effect on soil biogeochemical processes. The most significant variable in terms of the extent of action is the depth of the soil profile, which is in line with general assumptions. The actual evaluation of soil retention capacity was undertaken using an option with the use of a sensitivity analysis. In order to include the non-production function of the soil (retention capacity), we conclude for individual enhanced quality soil ecological units an increased price of 1–12%. These conclusions are particularly valuable because some soils may have a low production potential while also being highly valuable for their particular location in terms of their non-production potential (typically desirable floodwater retention, etc.). Considering climate change, this is a particularly topical issue. The use of enhanced-quality soil ecological units is reflected in a wide range of fields through legislative processes—determining rural land protection class and, especially in the tax obligations of agricultural entities, farming agricultural land. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2904 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nitrogen Supply on Dry Matter Accumulation, Water-Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yield of Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Different Mulching Methods
by Xin Wang, Wangyang Li, Jiaqi An, Hongzhao Shi, Zijun Tang, Xiao Zhao, Jinjin Guo, Lin Jin, Youzhen Xiang, Zhijun Li and Fucang Zhang
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020606 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2053
Abstract
In dryland agriculture, mulching methods and nitrogen application have been extensively adopted to improve water and nitrogen use efficiency and increase crop yield. However, there has been a scarcity of research on the combined effects of mulching types and nitrogen application on the [...] Read more.
In dryland agriculture, mulching methods and nitrogen application have been extensively adopted to improve water and nitrogen use efficiency and increase crop yield. However, there has been a scarcity of research on the combined effects of mulching types and nitrogen application on the growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.). In the present study, four nitrogen levels (N0: 0 kg N ha−1, N1: 60 kg N ha−1, N2: 120 kg N ha−1, N3: 180 kg N ha−1) and four mulching methods (NM: no mulching, SM: straw mulching, FM: film mulching, SFM: straw and film mulching) were set so as to evaluate the effects of mulching methods and nitrogen application on dry matter accumulation, grain yield, water-nitrogen use efficiency, and economic benefits of soybean in Northwest China from 2021 to 2022. The results show that the dry matter accumulation, yield formation, water and nitrogen use efficiency, and economic benefits of soybean were improved under different mulching methods (SM, FM, and SFM) and nitrogen applications (N1-N3), and that the effect is the best when the nitrogen application rate is N2 and the mulching method is FM. As such, a conclusion could be drawn that suitable nitrogen application (120 kg ha−1) combined with film mulching was beneficial for the utilization of rainwater resources and soybean production in the dryland of Northwest China. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop