Search Results (305)

Precipitation leaches soil organic matter (SOM), transporting it downward where it accumulates at the soil–bedrock interface. Intensive agriculture, particularly tillage, accelerates this process. Microbial decomposition of SOM generates CO₂, forming a gas-rich soil layer (GRSL)—a phenomenon long hypothesized but never directly confirmed until now. Drilling on the Harbechy Plateau (Moravian Karst) revealed a GRSL with a thickness of ~0.8 m, CO₂ concentrations averaging 1.5–3 vol. % (peaks of 4–6 vol. %), and isotopic signatures (δ¹³C) indicating a mix of biogenic (−25‰) and atmospheric (−8‰) CO₂. These findings necessitate re-evaluation of carbon cycling models in karst agroecosystems. Full article

This study, which began in the 2013/2014 agricultural year, aimed to assess the suitability of two soil tillage systems for wheat cultivation: conventional soil tillage (CS), which involved moldboard plowing to a depth of 28 cm followed by a single pass with a rotary harrow to prepare the seedbed, and no-tillage (NT). It also sought to analyze the impacts of these systems on weed infestation levels and, consequently, on yield. A moderate level of fertilization was applied. The experimental field was established with a three-year crop rotation system: soybean–winter wheat–maize. The total number of weed species was 30 in CS, the representative species being Xanthium strumarium, and in NT there were 29 species, with Xanthium strumarium, Cirsium arvense, Bromus tectorum, and Agropyron repens predominating. There was an increase in the number of perennials (dicots and monocots). The total dry matter of weeds was 35.4 t ha⁻¹ in CS and 38.8 t ha⁻¹ in NT. After 11 agricultural years, it was found that there were no significant differences between the two soil tillage systems in terms of wheat yield (6.55 t ha⁻¹ in CS and 6.46 t ha⁻¹ in NT). The uneven rainfall negatively affected wheat growth and favored the spread of weeds, especially dicotyledonous ones. Full article

The production of winter wheat, spring barley, spring oilseed rape, and field beans requires detailed experimental data studies to analyze the quality and productivity of spring barley grain under different cultivation and tillage conditions. As the world’s population grows, more food is required to maintain a stable food supply chain. For many years, intensive farming systems have been used to meet this need. Today, intensive climate change events and other global environmental challenges are driving a shift towards sustainable use of natural resources and simplified cultivation methods that produce high-quality and productive food. It is important to study different tillage systems in order to understand how these methods can affect the chemical composition and nutritional value of the grain. Both agronomic and economic aspects contribute to the complexity of this field and their analysis will undoubtedly contribute to the development of more efficient agricultural practice models and the promotion of more conscious consumption. An appropriate tillage system should be oriented towards local climatic characteristics and people’s needs. The impact of reduced tillage on these indicators in spring barley production is still insufficiently investigated and requires further analysis at a global level. This study was carried out at Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (Lithuania) in 2022–2024. Treatments were arranged using a split-plot design. Based on a long-term tillage experiment, five tillage systems were tested: deep and shallow plowing, deep cultivation–chiseling, shallow cultivation–disking, and no-tillage. The results show that in 2022–2024, the hectoliter weight and moisture content of spring barley grains increased, but protein content and germination decreased in shallowly plowed fields. In deep cultivation–chiseling fields, the protein content (0.1–1.1%) of spring barley grains decreased, and in shallow cultivation–disking fields, the moisture content (0.2–0.3%) decreased. In all fields, the simplified tillage systems applied reduced spring barley germination (0.4–16.7%). Tillage systems and meteorological conditions are the two main forces shaping the quality indicators of spring barley grains. Properly selected tillage systems and favorable climatic conditions undoubtedly contribute to better grain properties and higher yields, while reducing the risk of disease spread. Full article

The main purpose of this study is to understand the potential determinants of sustainable field crop farm productivity. This paper considers a multi-input, multi-output production technology to estimate the effects of aridity on farm-level productivity using a stochastic input distance function. By isolating the respective weather components of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP), we can better assess the impact on productivity of adopting various technologies and farm practices that might otherwise be masked by changing climate conditions or weather shocks. We make use of data from Phase 3 of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) between 2006 and 2020. We supplement this estimation using field crop farm productivity determinants, including technology adoption and farm practice variables derived from the ARMS Phase 2 data. We identify several factors that affect farm productivity, including many practices that help farmers make more sustainable use of natural resources. The results show that adopting yield monitoring technology, fallowing in previous years, adding or improving tile drainage, and contour farming each improved farm productivity. In particular, during our study period, conservation tillage increased by over 300% across states on average. It is estimated to increase productivity level by approximately 3% for those adopting this practice. Critically, accounting for local weather effects increased the estimated productivity of nearly all farm practices and increased the statistical significance of several variables, indicating that other TFP studies that did not account for climate or weather effects may have underestimated the technical efficiency of farms that adopted these conservation practices. However, the results also show the impacts can be heterogeneous, with effects varying between farms located in the U.S. northern or southern regions. Full article

Choosing appropriate tillage methods and nitrogen application are important steps in the management of wheat production for obtaining high-yield and high-quality products, as well as managing the level of weed infestation. The aim of this research was to examine the impacts of three different tillage practices (conventional tillage—CT, mulch tillage—MT, and no tillage—NT), and two top dressing fertilization nitrogen levels (rational—60 kg ha⁻¹ and high—120 kg ha⁻¹) on the grain yield and quality of winter wheat, as well as on weed infestation. The present study was carried out in field experiments on chernozem luvic type soil at the Faculty of Agriculture Belgrade-Zemun Experimental field trial “Radmilovac”, in the growing seasons of 2020/2021–2022/2023. The C/N ratio in the soil was also assessed on all plots. The results showed that the number of weeds and their fresh and air-dry weights were higher on the MT and NT plots, compared to the CT plots. Therefore, the CT system has better effects on the yield (5.91 and 5.36 t ha⁻¹) and the protein content (13.3 and 13.1%). Furthermore, the grain weight per spike and the 1000-grain weight were higher in the wheat from the CT system (41.83 and 42.75 g) than from the MT (40.34 and 41.49 g) and NT (40.26 and 41.08 g) systems. Also, the crops from the CT system had higher values of grain density and grain uniformity compared to the crop from the MT and NT systems. Fertilization with a high nitrogen level (120 kg ha⁻¹) causes higher grain yield and more weediness compared with the rational level (60 kg ha⁻¹). Top dressing fertilization in each tillage system resulted in an increase in the number of weeds, but, at the same time, it also resulted in stronger competitive ability of the wheat crop against weeds. The most favorable C/N ratio occurred on the NT plots, and the least beneficial one on the CT ones. A correlation analysis showed strong negative correlations of number (r = −0.82) and fresh weed mass (r = −0.72) with yield. It is concluded that the conventional tillage practice with a low nitrogen dose manifests its superior performance in minimizing weed infestation and maximizing crop productivity. Full article

Pesticide residues pose risks to the environment and human health. Little is known about how tillage and straw management affect herbicide behavior in soil. This study investigated the effects of different tillage practices under varying straw incorporation scenarios on the degradation of five commonly used herbicides in a long-term experimental field located in the maize belt of Siping, Jilin Province. Post-harvest soil samples were analyzed for residual herbicide concentrations and basic soil physicochemical properties. A human health risk assessment was conducted, and a controlled incubation experiment was carried out to evaluate herbicide degradation dynamics under three management systems: straw incorporation with traditional rotary tillage (ST), straw incorporation with strip tillage (SS), and no-till without straw (CK). Residual concentrations of atrazine ranged from not detected (ND) to 21.10 μg/kg (mean: 5.28 μg/kg), while acetochlor showed the highest variability (2.29–120.61 μg/kg, mean: 25.26 μg/kg). Alachlor levels were much lower (ND–5.71 μg/kg, mean: 0.34 μg/kg), and neither nicosulfuron nor mesotrione was detected. Soil organic matter (17.6–20.89 g/kg) positively correlated with available potassium and acetochlor residues. Health risk assessments indicated negligible non-cancer risks for both adults and children via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The results demonstrate that tillage methods significantly influence herbicide degradation kinetics, thereby affecting environmental persistence and ecological risks. Integrating straw with ST or SS enhanced the dissipation of atrazine and mesotrione, suggesting their potential as effective residue mitigation strategies. This study highlights the importance of tailoring tillage and straw management practices to pesticide type for optimizing herbicide fate and promoting sustainable agroecosystem management. Full article

Soil health is vital for food security and ecosystem services supporting climate change mitigation. Cover crops (CCs) improve soil quality and crop yields in intensive agriculture. This study assessed the impact of Sinapis alba L. as a CC on ten physical, chemical, and biological soil indicators before maize planting. Three management systems were compared: (i) CC with conventional tillage (CT), (ii) CC under no tillage (NT), and (iii) tilled fallow without CC (TF). Measurements were taken at 60 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) at 0–6 and 0–20 cm depths. The Soil Quality Index (SQI) was higher at the surface under NT (0.69 at 60 DAS; 0.65 at 90 DAS). At 0–20 cm, SQI values increased at 90 DAS but did not differ among treatments. TF also showed improvements (up to +18% at 0–20 cm). Dissolved organic matter increased significantly (1.7–2.5 times), especially under NT and CT. NT enhanced structural stability (+70%) and reduced bulk density (−47%). All glomalin fractions decreased at 90 DAS; however, NT retained higher concentrations of recalcitrant glomalin in the 0–6 cm layer compared to the other treatments. These findings highlight S. alba under no tillage as a promising strategy to improve soil quality, though long-term studies are needed. Full article

Saline-alkali soil has poor fertility and low organic matter content, which are key factors that limit agricultural productivity. Intercropping systems can enhance biodiversity in farmlands, thereby increasing the organic matter content. During this process, soil microorganisms respond to environmental changes. Therefore, we conducted a three-year intercropping enhancement experiment using saline-alkali soil. To avoid nutrient and microbial differences caused by the varying nutrient demands of different crop types, we systematically sampled the tillage layer of the soil (0–20 cm) from the subsequent crop (wheat season) in the intercropping systems. We found that compared to the control group, the three intercropping systems significantly increased the nutrient content in saline-alkali soil, including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, organic matter, available nitrogen, and available potassium. Notably, there were significant increases in total nitrogen, organic matter, and available potassium. The intercropping systems had varying effects on the alpha and beta diversities of soil bacteria and fungi. Specifically, the effect of intercropping on fungal alpha diversity was significantly greater than that on bacterial alpha diversity, whereas its effect on bacterial beta diversity was greater than that on fungal beta diversity. Additionally, intercropping influenced microbial community composition, increasing the abundance of Acidobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes and decreasing the abundance of Actinobacteria. It also increased the abundance of Ascomycota and Mortierella and decreased the abundance of Basidiomycota. Total nitrogen and soil organic matter were identified as the primary environmental factors that significantly affected bacterial community composition; however, they had no significant impact on fungal communities. Intercropping had different effects on the fungal and bacterial networks. It increased the stability and complexity of the bacterial network. However, although it improved the stability of the fungal network, intercropping reduced its complexity. In summary, intercropping with leguminous plants is an effective way to enhance soil nutrients, particularly organic matter, in saline-alkali soils. Simultaneously, intercropping affects the soil microbial community structure of subsequent crops; however, the responses of bacteria and fungi to intercropping are significantly different. The results of this study provide data support for improving saline-alkali land through planting systems. Full article

Agricultural practices significantly influence agroecosystem biodiversity, driving a growing focus on the development of environmentally sustainable management strategies. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most widely cultivated tree crops in the Mediterranean basin and other regions with a Mediterranean climate. In this study, we employed a split-plot design with whole plots arranged as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to evaluate the effects of minimum tillage and the application of wood distillate to olive canopies on wild vascular plant and soil-dwelling springtail communities in a conventionally managed olive grove in central Italy. Biotic communities were sampled twice, in November and April. Tillage caused a marginally significant decrease in springtail species richness in April and significantly influenced the composition of both plant and springtail communities in April. All the plant species showed a decrease in abundance under tillage, whereas the abundance of springtail species responded to tillage in a species-specific way. Wood distillate had no effect on any community attribute in either season. Springtail total abundance was not affected by any treatment in either season. Our findings confirm that tillage practices affect the diversity of plant and springtail communities. Moreover, we had evidence that spring tillage may have more negative impacts on the studied communities with respect to autumn tillage. Moreover, we suggest that the application of low-concentration wood distillate to olive canopies can be considered, in the short-term, a sustainable agricultural practice that does not negatively affect agroecosystem biodiversity. Full article

Conventional and conservation tillage systems are applied differently in agricultural practices. Considering the current trends, the spread of tillage before denser crop cultures can also be observed in the case of other crops. These systems alter microclimatic conditions in the cultivated layer, soil surface, and crop canopy by physically modifying the soil environment. This greatly influences the occurrence and success of microbiome, plant, and animal organisms. At the same time, it has a decisive influence on the occurrence and damage caused to crops by harmful microorganisms and herbivorous pests. This review investigates how tillage systems influence the emergence and mass propagation of herbivores, based on their soil dependency. The impact of soil as a medium on pests will be analysed by grouping them according to their soil attachment and providing cultivation and agro-zoological examples. We highlight that selecting a tillage system should consider soil-dwelling pest ecology, as this knowledge is critical for optimizing both soil health and crop protection. Full article

Diversified agricultural practices reconfigure agroecosystem services by modifying fertilization, tillage intensities, and cropping patterns, altering soil properties and microbial assemblages. However, microbial communities, as critical bioindicators of soil health and productivity, respond to agricultural disturbances, and the effects of multiple practices on productivity-associated indicator species require further validation. Using 16S and ITS amplicon sequencing, this study employed a field experiment to investigate the effects of agricultural practices on soil properties, maize productivity, and microbial communities under two fertilization treatments. Within each treatment, we assessed correlations between indicator species associated with cropping–tillage practices and soil productivity. Results showed that fertilization significantly altered soil properties, increased maize grain yield by 23.9%, and reshaped bacterial and fungal community structures, increasing bacterial richness by 23% but reducing fungal richness and Shannon index by 15% and 20%, respectively. Furthermore, cropping–tillage practices significantly affected microbial communities and grain yields in both fertilized and unfertilized treatments despite a slight influence on soil properties. Distinct sets of bacterial and fungal indicator species were identified for each fertilization treatment: unfertilized soils harbored 21 dominant bacterial indicator species (e.g., Bacillus, Rhizobium, Streptomyces) and 8 fungal indicators (e.g., Cryptococcus, Gibberella, Tetracladium); fertilized soils contained 24 dominant bacterial indicators (e.g., Fusobacterium, Clostridium, Lactobacillus) and 6 fungal indicators (e.g., Gibberella, Cladosporium, Mortierella). Notably, abundances of specific indicator genera (e.g., bacteria: Bacteroides, Gemmatirosa, Iamia, Lysobacter, Prevotella, Staphylococcus, Sutterella; fungi: Glomus, Fusicolla in unfertilized soil; bacteria: Dinghuibacter, Haliangium, Kribbella, Rhodomicrobium, Terrimonas; fungi: Pulvinula in fertilized soil) correlated positively with grain yields. These findings demonstrate that fertilization reshapes the composition of microbial indicator species significantly associated with maize productivity. Tailored microbial indicator assemblages specific to distinct fertilization strategies are therefore essential for evaluating crop productivity and assessing agricultural practice impacts. Consequently, monitoring these indicator species enables rapid assessment of soil fertility changes, offering guidance for fertilization management. Full article

Microplastic contamination in agricultural soils has become a growing concern due to its potential impact on soil quality and ecosystem health. This study aimed to quantify the abundance, particle shape ratio, and examine the vertical distribution of microplastic particles in agricultural soils under different tillage and fertilization regimes. Field experiments were conducted using a split-split-plot design at two sites with differing land-use histories. Treatments included conventional tillage (ST), conservation tillage (deep (CTD) and shallow (CTS)), and varying fertilization practices. Microplastics (MPs) were detected in 100% of soil samples, ranging from 200 to 7400 particles/kg. Statistical analysis showed significantly lower MPs abundance in CTS compared to CTD, while ST showed intermediate levels. Vertical profiles revealed homogeneous distribution in ST and CTS and heterogeneous distribution in CTD, with the highest accumulation in the topsoil. At the Cacinci site, fertilization significantly increased MPs levels (p = 0.021), supporting the hypothesis that inorganic fertilizers contribute to microplastic input as well. This study highlights the need for agricultural practices that minimize both the input and vertical redistribution of MPs in soils, as well as the need for more research on this topic. Full article

The agricultural sector is one of the most significant sectors of the global economy, yet it is concurrently a highly energy-intensive industry. The issue of optimizing field operations in terms of energy consumption is therefore a key consideration for sustainable agriculture, and the solution to this issue leads to both environmental and financial benefits. The aim of this study was to estimate energy consumption during soil cultivation using geophysical scanning data and machine learning (ML) algorithms. This included determining the optimal set of independent variables and the most suitable ML method. Soil parameters such as electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and soil reflectance in infrared spectra were mapped using data from Geonics EM-38 and Veris 3100 scanners. These data, along with soil texture, served as inputs for predicting fuel consumption and field productivity. Three machine learning algorithms were tested: support vector machines (SVMs), multilayer perceptron (MLP), and radial basis function (RBF) neural networks. Among these, SVM achieved the best performance, showing a MAPE of 4% and a strong correlation (R = 0.97) between predicted and actual productivity values. For fuel consumption, the optimal method was MLP (MAPE = 4% and R = 0.63). The findings demonstrate the viability of geophysical scanning and machine learning for accurately predicting energy use in tillage operations. This approach supports more sustainable agriculture by enabling optimized fuel use and reducing environmental impact through data-driven field management. Further research is needed to obtain training data for different soil parameters and agrotechnical treatments in order to develop more universal models. Full article

Rye (Secale cereale L.), a cereal with valuable agronomic and nutritional benefits, contributes to sustainable agriculture, especially in areas where more demanding crops cannot be cultivated due to the poor agronomic value of soil. This review explores rye grain quality optimization strategies through production techniques. The quality and yield of grain are under the significant impact of agronomic factors, such as variety selection, crop rotation, soil tillage, fertilization, sowing practices, chemical protection, and harvest timing. It is also under the strong influence of the chosen farm’s management strategy, like organic or conventional farming system. This review emphasizes its diverse potential utilization routes, and the importance of bioactive compounds, dietary fibers, phenolic acids, phytoestrogens, and benzoxazinoids that enhance its value as a functional food. Cereal grain with quality issues cannot be used as food for humans, however, it can still be utilized alternatively as a renewable biofuel. This review showed rye grain to have a potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture and at the same time build farms’ resilience through possible alternative utilization strategies. It can serve as both a food source and a sustainable biofuel, offering a dual-purpose solution within the circular bioeconomy. Full article

This study investigated the impact of the response mechanism of tillage construction on paddy yield in black soil fields by adopting four mechanical tillage techniques, namely, rotary tillage (RT), shallow plowing (SP), deep plowing (DP), and culvert pipe drainage (CD), to solve the problems associated with the reduction in the effective tillage layer in black soil paddy fields, as well as the poor quality and low yield of paddy rice. The results showed that SP, DP, and CD techniques were able to increase the rice yield and improve the effective tillage layer of the soil and the soil structure. Among them, DP had the most obvious effect, compared with traditional RT; the fast-acting N was 37.27 mg/kg higher in the 20–30 cm soil layer, and the soil solid phase decreased by 1.86–3.90% in the soil tripartite ratio. The soil bulk density of DP in the 10–20 cm soil layer decreased by 0.08 g/cm³, and, in the 20–30 cm soil layer, it decreased by 0.03 g/cm³. These physicochemical properties promoted the development and growth of roots and increased the growth of the root system by 6.53–16.33%, with the yield also increased by up to 9.81%. The CD technique could improve paddy field drainage and increase crop yields. This study combines four mechanical tillage techniques and proposes a mechanism of tillage construction from soil structure improvement to soil physicochemical property enhancement, and then to root system and yield enhancement. This mechanism may help to guide the implementation of mechanical tillage methods in paddy fields, which will provide important insights for future agricultural practices. Full article