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Environmental Management and Sustainable Agriculture: Soil, Water and Crops

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2025 | Viewed by 8542

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Water Resources, Irrigation & Environmental Geoinformatics Lab, Institute for Olive Tree, Subtropical Plants and Viticulture, Directorate General of Agricultural Research, Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DIMITRA”, 73100 Chania, Greece
Interests: agricultural water management; climate-water effects; GIS/modelling approaches; hydrological extremes; precision agriculture
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The journal Sustainability is launching a multi-disciplinary Special Issue on "Environmental Management and Sustainable Agriculture: Soil, Water and Crops" and invites researchers, experts, and professionals from research institutions, universities, national and international organizations, and enterprises to contribute their research achievements in this field. In the last half century, environmental resources have been facing significant stress, resulting in water, soil and crop-related degradation, while, at the same time, climate change has been affecting the intensity of the hydrological cycle.

Based on the above, it is very importance to increase water/soil and crop productivity under anthropogenic interventions and/or extreme climate conditions, through various measures such as adaptive agronomic practices and geoinformatics approaches (advantages in modelling, GIS, precision agriculture, and remote sensing applications).

The main aim of this Special Issue is to enhance scientific knowledge on agriculture, environment, and agroecosystems with emphasis on the interactions among water/soil resources, crop management, and climate change impacts at local, regional, and global scales. In addition, studies that focus on new developments in the processes governing agroecosystem functions, interactions with the environment, and the provision of ecosystem services are of great importance. One of the main aims of this Special Issue is to advance our understanding of how agriculture influences the environment and how changes in that environment impact agroecosystems. We particularly encourage studies of agroecosystems that deal with new knowledge and modelling approaches relevant to soil, water, and crop management.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Nektarios N. Kourgialas
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • soil-water and crop management approaches for a sustainable agriculture
  • geoinformatics & decision support systems
  • precision agriculture and irrigation technologies
  • climate, environmental and agronomic adaptive practices
  • hydrological extremes and water/soil erosion in agroecosystems
  • water/soil pollution and reuse of treated water

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach for Agricultural Land Selection
by Gonca Tuncel and Busranur Gunturk
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10509; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310509 - 29 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 894
Abstract
Decision-making involves selecting the best alternative based on evaluation criteria while considering environmental impacts. The translation of environmental factors into quantifiable mathematical expressions is challenging due to the inherent uncertainties. Decision-makers can address the subjective characteristics of alternatives by incorporating fuzzy set theory [...] Read more.
Decision-making involves selecting the best alternative based on evaluation criteria while considering environmental impacts. The translation of environmental factors into quantifiable mathematical expressions is challenging due to the inherent uncertainties. Decision-makers can address the subjective characteristics of alternatives by incorporating fuzzy set theory into decision-making processes where uncertainty and ambiguity exist. Game theory is introduced as another approach to enhance the robustness of decision-making models, leading to more informed and flexible decision outcomes. This approach promotes strategic thinking and aids decision-making by allowing individuals to visualize the potential consequences of different decisions under various conditions. This study proposes a fuzzy multi-criteria decision support system that provides a structured framework to address the complexities of agricultural land selection. The decision support system employs a two-person zero-sum game to identify the optimal land management option, considering the strategic interactions between players. The results from the payoff matrix reveal the equilibrium point, providing an ideal solution for more effective land use planning decisions. Full article
20 pages, 3238 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nutrient Accumulation and Microbial Community Changes on Tomato Fusarium Wilt Disease in Greenhouse Soil
by Lu Yang, Wei Han, Boyuan Tan, Yue Wu, Song Li and Yanli Yi
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7756; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177756 - 6 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1533
Abstract
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici has severely threatened sustainable greenhouse tomato production. However, the effects of nutrient enrichment due to excessive fertilization on Fusarium wilt remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among soil nutrient enrichment, microbial [...] Read more.
Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici has severely threatened sustainable greenhouse tomato production. However, the effects of nutrient enrichment due to excessive fertilization on Fusarium wilt remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among soil nutrient enrichment, microbial community structure, and the occurrence of Fusarium wilt under greenhouse conditions. This study used chemical analysis and microbiological techniques to analyze rhizosphere soil samples from greenhouse tomato production areas with varying degrees of Fusarium wilt. The results showed that, as compared with the Health group, the rhizosphere soil of Disease group has a significant nutrient enrichment, which significantly influences bacterial diversity and structure. Particularly when soil NO3–N content exceeds 170.43 mg kg−1, there was a significant reduction in the relative abundance of key biocontrol bacteria such as Bacillus and Lysinibacillus. This reduction indirectly contributes to an increase in Fusarium oxysporum abundance, subsequently elevating the likelihood of pathogen infection. Furthermore, the Disease group also exhibited a simplified co-occurrence network with a 22.37% reduction in competitive interactions between bacteria and fungi. These changes might collectively increase the risk of tomato Fusarium wilt infection. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes significantly increased in the Disease group, which also reduced soil resistance. Together, the results presented here not only uncover the effect of long-term excessive fertilization on the occurrence of Fusarium wilt but also advance our understanding of the interactions among soil nutrient management and microbial communities in the tomato rhizosphere, which provides a scientific basis for formulating strategies to prevent soil-borne diseases in greenhouse tomatoes. Full article
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18 pages, 8722 KiB  
Article
Geophysical Mapping of Cemented Subsoils for Agricultural Development in Southern Peru
by Edgard Gonzales, Javier Ticona, Armando Minaya, Richard Krahenbuhl, Jeffrey Shragge, Jared Low and Hanna Flamme
Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 6801; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166801 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
Cemented subsoils, commonly referred to as caliche, pose a regular challenge for agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions like coastal southern Peru. These subsurface features restrict root penetration, limit water infiltration and hinder essential soil processes, ultimately reducing crop yields and agricultural [...] Read more.
Cemented subsoils, commonly referred to as caliche, pose a regular challenge for agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions like coastal southern Peru. These subsurface features restrict root penetration, limit water infiltration and hinder essential soil processes, ultimately reducing crop yields and agricultural productivity. Accurate and efficient mapping of caliche is important for optimizing land-use planning and implementing sustainable agricultural practices. This study presents the application of near-surface geophysical techniques for mapping caliche deposits in the context of agricultural development at the future Majes II site in the Arequipa region of southern Peru. Specifically, we employed high-frequency ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and frequency-domain electromagnetics (FDEM) at a testbed on the Majes II site to evaluate their ability to delineate the extent, thickness, and depth of caliche within the local geology. GPR offers high-resolution imaging, effectively capturing sharp contrasts between caliche and surrounding materials, providing detailed information on the thickness (approximately 0.4 m) and the depth (up to 1.5 m) of the caliche layers. FDEM provides valuable insights into the presence of caliche at a faster rate of data acquisition and processing, enabling rapid assessment of the extent of caliche deposits, although with the tradeoff of lower resolution and depth information. We demonstrate that these two geophysical methods can be used separately or in an integrated manner for collaborative interpretation at the Majes II site to inform land management decisions, including identifying areas with favorable conditions for crop production and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of caliche on agricultural productivity. Full article
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14 pages, 8039 KiB  
Article
Variation in the Content and Fluorescence Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter in Chinese Different-Term Rice–Crayfish Integrated Systems
by Ru Liu, Xin Huang, Sujuan Chen, Ying Shi, Lianghu Su, Rongting Ji, Saier Wang, Shentao Zhu, Qifeng Tang and Longjiang Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 5139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125139 - 17 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1131
Abstract
This study examines the fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils from different periods of rice–crayfish integrated systems (RCISs) in China. Utilizing three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, the study investigated the hydrophobicity, molecular weight distributions, and fluorescence properties of DOM [...] Read more.
This study examines the fluorescence characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils from different periods of rice–crayfish integrated systems (RCISs) in China. Utilizing three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, the study investigated the hydrophobicity, molecular weight distributions, and fluorescence properties of DOM in 2-, 5-, and 7-year RCIS operations, with rice monoculture (RM) serving as a control. The findings indicate that in the initial 2 years of an RCIS, factors such as rice straw deposition, root exudates, and crayfish excretions increase dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release and alter DOM composition, increasing the humic acid content in the soil. As the system matures at 5 years, improvements in soil structure and microbial activity lead to the breakdown of high-molecular-weight humic substances and a rise in small-molecular-weight amino acids. By the 7-year mark, as the aquatic ecosystem stabilizes, there is an increase in humic substances and the humification index in the soil DOM. These variations in DOM properties are essential for understanding the effects of integrated farming systems on soil quality and sustainability. Full article
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16 pages, 9079 KiB  
Article
Simulating Tree Root Water Uptake in the Frame of Sustainable Agriculture for Extreme Hyper-Arid Environments Using Modeling and Geophysical Techniques
by Arya Pradipta, Nektarios N. Kourgialas, Yassir Mubarak Hussein Mustafa, Panagiotis Kirmizakis and Pantelis Soupios
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3130; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083130 - 9 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
In order to ensure sustainability in the agricultural sector and to meet global food needs, a particularly important challenge for our time is to investigate the possibility of increasing agricultural production in areas with extreme hyper-arid environments. Warming air temperatures and sandy soils [...] Read more.
In order to ensure sustainability in the agricultural sector and to meet global food needs, a particularly important challenge for our time is to investigate the possibility of increasing agricultural production in areas with extreme hyper-arid environments. Warming air temperatures and sandy soils significantly influence tree root water uptake (RWU) dynamics, making accurate estimation of RWU depth distribution and magnitude crucial for effective resource management, particularly in the context of precision irrigation within agroecosystems. This study employed two non-invasive techniques, namely HYDRUS 1D and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), to simulate RWU under controlled experimental conditions and under an extreme hyper-arid environment. The results revealed that the highest RWU rates occurred during the morning (08:00–11:00). RWU activity predominantly concentrated in the upper soil profile (0–30 cm), and the soil water content in this area was notably lower compared to the deeper soil layers. With increasing temperature, there was a tendency for the RWU zone to shift to lower depths within the soil profile. The findings of this study could have important implications for farmers, providing valuable insights to implement irrigation water management strategies. Full article
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16 pages, 16262 KiB  
Article
The Nitrate Fate Tool: A Decision Support System for the Assessment of the Groundwater Vulnerability to Nitrate in Support of Sustainable Development Goals
by Marialaura Bancheri, Angelo Basile, Marco Botta, Giuliano Langella, Federica Cavaliere, Antonello Bonfante, Giuliano Ferraro, Marco Acutis and Alessia Perego
Sustainability 2023, 15(19), 14164; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914164 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1570
Abstract
This article introduces a new web-based and freely accessible tool, the Nitrate Fate tool (NFt), for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution in a variety of pedoclimatic conditions. The contamination of water resources by nitrate, in fact, represents a growing [...] Read more.
This article introduces a new web-based and freely accessible tool, the Nitrate Fate tool (NFt), for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution in a variety of pedoclimatic conditions. The contamination of water resources by nitrate, in fact, represents a growing and persistent global environmental problem, and the utilization of practical tools to assist personnel working in the agricultural sector is key for mitigating the impact on land use, while maintaining farmers’ incomes. The (NFt) has been developed and integrated into the geospatial decision support system, LandSupport, as a way to support multiple stakeholders in conducting the so-called what-if scenario analysis (e.g., what would happen to the crop production if I substitute a quote of inorganic fertilizer with the same quote of an organic one?). The tool couples a state-of-art crop-growth model—which simulates crop growth dynamics, the nitrogen and carbon cycles—with a novel transfer function model in order to assess the transport of nitrate through the unsaturated zone to the groundwater table. Within the LandSupport platform, the results are shown both as coloured maps and as cumulative charts representing the travel times and the concentrations of root leachate to groundwater table depths. This work details the tool’s rationale, the coupling of the models, and their implementation. Moreover, this article shows examples of applications supporting several public authorities and end-users, underlining that, by combining all of the information on soils, groundwater table depths, management and climates, it is possible to obtain a comprehensive understanding of nitrogen transport dynamics. Two case studies are presented: the Piana del Sele and the eastern plain of Naples, both located in the Campania region of Italy. The results of the tool’s applications reveal significant groundwater vulnerability in both plains, mainly due to the shallow groundwater table depths, resulting in remarkably fast mean nitrate travel times ranging from 0 to 6 years. Finally, the tool provides a reproducible and replicable solution, and future implementation is foreseen for additional case studies all over the world. Full article
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