Search Results (253)

Efficient water management is critical for sustainable dryland agriculture, especially under increasing water scarcity and climate variability. Shanxi Province, a typical dryland region in northern China characterized by pronounced climatic variability and limited soil water availability, faces severe challenges due to uneven precipitation and restricted water resources. This study aimed to evaluate the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil water resources and their coupling with crop water demand under different hydrological year types. Using daily meteorological data from 27 stations (1963–2023), we identified dry, normal, and wet years through frequency analysis. Soil water resources were assessed under rainfed conditions, and water deficits of major crops—including millet, soybean, sorghum, winter wheat, maize, and potato—were quantified during key reproductive stages. Results showed a statistically significant declining trend in seasonal precipitation during both summer and winter cropping periods (p < 0.05), which corresponds with the observed intensification of crop water stress over recent decades. Notably, more than 86% of daily rainfall events were less than 5 mm, indicating low effective rainfall. Soil water availability closely followed precipitation distribution, with higher values in the south and west. Crop-specific analysis revealed that winter wheat and sorghum had the largest water deficits in dry years, necessitating timely supplemental irrigation. Even in wet years, water regulation strategies were required to improve water use efficiency and mitigate future drought risks. This study provides a practical framework for soil water–crop demand assessment and supports precision irrigation planning in dryland farming. The findings contribute to improving agricultural water use efficiency in semi-arid regions and offer valuable insights for adapting to climate-induced water challenges. Full article

Salinity has significant impacts on crops, a problem that is exacerbated under climate change conditions. For this reason, research is focused on possible ways to mitigate the impacts by adapting cultivation methods such as administering appropriate materials or formulations to plants. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of calcium (Ca²⁺) supplementation on the growth, physiology, and chemical composition of pomegranate plants (Punica granatum L. cv. ‘Wonderful’) grown under salinity stress. Young self-rooted plants were cultivated in pots containing a sand/perlite (1:1) mixture and irrigated with Hoagland’s nutrient solution amended with NaCl (0, 60, or 120 mM) and CaCl₂·2H₂O (0 or 10 mM). Salinity significantly reduced the fresh and dry weight of aboveground tissues; photosynthetic performance; chlorophyll content; and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, particularly under high NaCl levels. Sodium (Na) accumulation increased in all plant parts, while nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were elevated in basal leaves. Calcium supplementation mitigated several of these adverse effects, especially under moderate salinity. It helped maintain leaf biomass, supported K⁺ retention in roots, partially improved chlorophyll concentration, and limited Na⁺ accumulation in certain tissues. However, Ca²⁺ application did not consistently reverse the negative impacts of severe salinity (120 mM NaCl), and in some cases, interactions between Ca²⁺ and other nutrients such as Mg²⁺ were antagonistic. These findings confirm the inherent salt tolerance of pomegranate and demonstrate that calcium plays a partially protective role under salinity, particularly at moderate stress levels. Further research is needed to optimize Ca²⁺ use in saline agriculture and enhance sustainable cultivation of pomegranate in salt-affected soils. Full article

Groundwater storage refers to the water stored in the pore spaces of underground aquifers, which has been increasingly affected by both climate change and anthropogenic activities in recent decades. Therefore, monitoring their changes and the factors that affect it is of great importance. Although the influence of natural factors on groundwater is well-recognized, the impact of human activities, despite being a major contributor to its change, has been less explored due to the challenges in measuring such effects. To address this gap, our study employed an integrated approach using remote sensing and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-free platform to analyze the effects of various anthropogenic factors such as built-up areas, cropland, and surface water on groundwater storage in the Lake Urmia Basin (LUB), Iran. Key anthropogenic variables and groundwater data were pre-processed and analyzed in GEE for the period from 2000 to 2022. The processes linking these variables to groundwater storage were considered. Built-up area expansion often increases groundwater extraction and reduces recharge due to impervious surfaces. Cropland growth raises irrigation demand, especially in semi-arid areas like the LUB, leading to higher groundwater use. In contrast, surface water bodies can supplement water supply or enhance recharge. The results were then exported to XLSTAT software2019, and statistical analysis was conducted using the Mann–Kendall (MK) non-parametric trend test on the variables to investigate their potential relationships with groundwater storage. In this study, groundwater storage refers to variations in groundwater storage anomalies, estimated using outputs from the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) model. Specifically, these anomalies are derived as the residual component of the terrestrial water budget, after accounting for soil moisture, snow water equivalent, and canopy water storage. The results revealed a strong negative correlation between built-up areas and groundwater storage, with a correlation coefficient of −1.00. Similarly, a notable negative correlation was found between the cropland area and groundwater storage (correlation coefficient: −0.85). Conversely, surface water availability showed a strong positive correlation with groundwater storage, with a correlation coefficient of 0.87, highlighting the direct impact of surface water reduction on groundwater storage. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated a reduction of 168.21 mm (millimeters) in groundwater storage from 2003 to 2022. GLDAS represents storage components, including groundwater storage, in units of water depth (mm) over each grid cell, employing a unit-area, mass balance approach. Although storage is conceptually a volumetric quantity, expressing it as depth allows for spatial comparison and enables conversion to volume by multiplying by the corresponding surface area. Full article

Agricultural water resource management is increasingly challenged by climate variability, land degradation, and socio-economic pressures, particularly in the Mediterranean region. This study, conducted in 2023–2024 within the REACT4MED project (PRIMA initiative), addresses sustainable water use through a comparative analysis of organic and conventional farms in the Stornara and Tara area (Puglia, Italy). The research aimed to identify critical indicators for sustainable water management and develop ecosystem restoration strategies that can be replicated across similar Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. An interdisciplinary, participatory approach was adopted, combining technical analyses and stakeholder engagement through three workshops involving 30 participants from diverse sectors. Fieldwork and laboratory assessments included soil sampling and analysis of parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, nutrients, and salinity. Cartographic studies of vegetation, land use, and pedological characterization supplemented the dataset. The key challenges identified were water loss in distribution systems, seawater intrusion, water pumping from unauthorized wells, and inadequate public policies. Soil quality was significantly influenced by salt stress, hence affecting crop productivity, while socio-economic factors affected farm income. Restoration strategies emphasized the need for water-efficient irrigation, less water-intensive crops, and green vegetation in infrastructure channels while incorporating also the native flora. Enhancing plant biodiversity through weed management in drainage channels proved beneficial for pathogen control. Proposed socio-economic measures include increased inclusion of women and youth in agricultural management activities. Integrated technical and participatory approaches are essential for effective water resource governance in Mediterranean agriculture. This study offers scalable, context-specific indicators and solutions for sustainable land and water management in the face of ongoing desertification and climate stress. Full article

The cocoa production in Ghana, largely reliant on rainfall and undertaken by smallholder farmers, is increasingly endangered by climate change-induced water scarcity. Although supplemental irrigation has been posited as an adaptive measure, its hydrological impacts remain understudied. This current study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by employing the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to evaluate the hydrological and water resource implications of supplemental irrigation within the Upper Offin sub-basin of Ghana. High-resolution spatial data and field survey inputs were used to model dry period baseline and irrigation scenarios for cocoa farms with gentle slopes (2%). The results reveal that supplemental irrigation from the shallow aquifer can sustainably support irrigation for up to 5% of the cocoa area (4760 ha) without adversely affecting groundwater flow. Extending irrigation to 30% of the cocoa area (28,540 ha) is feasible with minimal reduction in catchment water yield. This study’s novelty lies in integrating high-resolution data with localized management practices to provide actionable insights for balancing cocoa productivity and water sustainability. The findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing that through solar-powered irrigation the shallow groundwater is a pathway to enhance climate resilience of cocoa productivity. Full article

This study investigated the effects of three mulch types (straw, vermicompost and “plastic”) plus an untreated control, and three irrigation regimes (RFD: rainfed conditions; SIF: one supplemental irrigation at the flowering stage; SIVF: two supplemental irrigations at the vegetative and flowering stages) on the growth, seed yield, oil composition, and biochemical status of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.). Linseed plants were best affected by SIVF and straw mulch in terms of seed yield (300 and 222.4 g m⁻², respectively), biomass yield (887.9 and 703 g m⁻², respectively), and concentration of oleic and linoleic acids. Under rainfed conditions, “plastic” mulch application increased stearic acid concentrations, while SIF increased palmitic acid concentrations. Rainfed conditions promoted the accumulation of proline (10.1 μmol g⁻¹ fresh weight), total phenols (6.68 mg g⁻¹ fresh weight), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (56.5%). Under RFD, plants grown in straw-mulched soil showed the highest total phenol content and DPPH radical scavenging capacity, while control (unmulched) plants displayed the highest proline concentration at this irrigation regime. Enzyme activities, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, were enhanced under straw and “plastic” mulch compared to control plants under rainfed conditions. Our findings suggest that straw mulch represents an effective, sustainable strategy to successfully manage linseed crops, mitigating the adverse effects of water deficit stress on plant performance. Full article

Climate change poses a significant threat to Ethiopian agriculture, impacting both cereal and livestock production through rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and increased pest and disease outbreaks. These challenges intensify food insecurity, particularly for smallholder farmers and pastoralists who rely on climate-sensitive agricultural systems. This systematic review aims to synthesize the impacts of climate change on Ethiopian agriculture, with a specific focus on cereal production and livestock feed quality, while exploring effective adaptation strategies that can support resilience in the sector. The review synthesizes 50 peer-reviewed publications (2020–2024) from the Climate Change Effects on Food Security project, which supports young African academics and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using PRISMA guidelines, the review assesses climate change impacts on major cereal crops and livestock feed in Ethiopia and explores adaptation strategies. Over the past 30 years, Ethiopia has experienced rising temperatures (0.3–0.66 °C), with future projections indicating increases of 0.6–0.8 °C per decade resulting in more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and landslides. These shifts have led to declining yields of wheat, maize, and barley, shrinking arable land, and deteriorating feed quality and water availability, severely affecting livestock health and productivity. The study identifies key on-the-ground adaptation strategies, including adjusted planting dates, crop diversification, drought-tolerant varieties, soil and water conservation, agroforestry, supplemental irrigation, and integrated fertilizer use. Livestock adaptations include improved breeding practices, fodder enhancement using legumes and local browse species, and seasonal climate forecasting. These results have significant practical implications: they offer a robust evidence base for policymakers, extension agents, and development practitioners to design and implement targeted, context-specific adaptation strategies. Moreover, the findings support the integration of climate resilience into national agricultural policies and food security planning. The Climate Change Effects on Food Security project’s role in generating scientific knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for building institutional and human capacity to confront climate challenges. Ultimately, this review contributes actionable insights for promoting sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture across Ethiopia. Full article

This study aimed to address the challenge of monitoring and managing soil moisture in dryland agriculture with supplemental irrigation under increasingly extreme climate conditions. Using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with hyperspectral sensors, we collected imagery of wheat fields on Kinmen Island at various growth stages. The Modified Perpendicular Drought Index (MPDI) was calculated to quantify soil drought conditions. Simultaneously, soil samples were collected to measure the actual soil moisture content. These datasets were used to develop a Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR) model to estimate soil moisture across the entire field. The resulting AI-based model can guide decisions on the timing and scale of supplemental irrigation, ensuring water is applied only when needed during crop growth. Furthermore, MPDI values and wheat spike samples were used to construct another GBR model for yield prediction. When applying MPDI values from multispectral imagery collected at a similar stage in the following year, the model achieved a prediction accuracy of over 90%. The proposed approach offers a reliable solution for enhancing the resilience and productivity of dryland crops under climate stress and demonstrates the potential of integrating remote sensing and machine learning in precision water management. Full article

The ability of selenium (Se) to trigger modifications in plant metabolism, thereby triggering tolerance to abiotic stresses, is well established. This research aimed to understand the following: (1) how Se supplementation in wheat plants can lead to beneficial Se concentrations in grains and straw; (2) whether the applied Se concentrations have any negative impacts on plant performance; and (3) if Se can aid wheat development under water-limited conditions. To address this, we evaluated the physiological, biochemical, and morphological effects of foliar Se application on wheat plants subjected to well-watered (WW, full irrigation) and water-deficit (WD, 25% of full irrigation) regimes. Three foliar concentrations of sodium selenate (Se) solution (0, 16, and 160 g ha⁻¹ Se) were tested. Under WW, treatment with 160 g/ha leads to the highest Se content in straw (4253 ± 171 µg plant⁻¹), enhanced straw biomass accumulation, and increased total soluble sugar content. WW plants treated with 16 g/ha Se were found to have the highest amounts of photosynthetic pigments and total soluble proteins. Under WD, Se treatments increased spike length, total phenols, and ortho-diphenols when compared to Se-untreated plants. In general, Se treatments increased the Se contents in both straw and grains, but with a noticeably higher accumulation in straw. Altogether, the results suggest that foliar application of 160 g/ha Se, under irrigation, is a promissory approach to enhance Se content in bread wheat. Full article

The seed yield of 28 bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines from different crosses and two check cultivars was evaluated under rainfed conditions in two sites in North-Central Mexico. The aim was to identify high-yielding lines with low genotype–environment interactions (GEIs). Trials were conducted under a 6 × 5 square lattice design with four replicates; due to the lack of rainfall in Zacatecas, the trial was helped with supplemental irrigation. Data were analyzed by location and combined to determine the effects of GEIs using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model (AMMI) model. The combined analysis showed that 75.45% of the yield variation among lines was due to the effect of the environment, 11.75% was due to genotypes, and 12.79% was due to GEIs. Lines 5 and 10 displayed the highest yield, which slightly surpassed the checks (2.1 and 0.11%, respectively) and showed greater stability than those in the test environments. The AMMI analysis allowed for the selection of stable and high-yielding lines under drought conditions. Data on the weight and yield per hectare of a hundred seeds between and within locations identified lines 5, 10, and 16 as outstanding and capable of being used as a parent in a future hybridization program or as a new cultivar with drought tolerance. Full article

Maize (corn) (Zea mays L.) yield is influenced by complex factors, including abiotic and biotic stress and inconsistent nutrient use efficiency, which challenge optimal yield. Standard management recommendations often fall short, prompting interest in intensive management strategies within an Adaptive Maize Management System (ACMS). To investigate this, we employed an addition/omission technique within a randomized complete block design (RCBD) to compare standard maize management recommendations with an intensive management protocol aimed at identifying yield-limiting factors. Our intensive management approach combined early-season biostimulant applications with mid-season supplementation of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and nitrogen (N) at the V7 stage, followed by foliar fungicides and additional foliar N at the R1 stage. Field trials spanned five Virginia locations over 2022 and 2023 under both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, yielding ten site-years of data. Analysis via ANOVA in JMP^® Version 18 with Dunnett’s test revealed that the intensive management approach significantly increased grain yield in 3 of 10 experiments. Under non-irrigated conditions, the intensive management practices averaged 5.9% higher yield than the standard management check. We observed a higher response to irrigation in standard management check (34%) than in intensive management check (8.9%). Site-specific irrigation impacts ranged from 14% to 61%. Results emphasize site-specific input recommendations for yield enhancement. Full article

Silicon has emerged as a beneficial element in mitigating water deficit in various crops, although the underlying mechanisms still require further investigation. This study evaluated the foliar content of nutrients (N, P, K, and Ca) and proline, antioxidant activity, growth, water use efficiency, and yield of cowpea cultivars subjected to two irrigation depths (50% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration) and a foliar application of silicon (orthosilicic acid). A field experiment was conducted in a split-plot scheme using the randomized block design with four replications in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Silicon supplementation increased the foliar contents of N, P, and Ca; stimulated proline synthesis; and enhanced the activity of the SOD, CAT, and APX enzymes. These changes promoted growth, improved water use efficiency, and increased crop yield. The results indicate that foliar silicon application mitigates the effects of water deficit in cowpea plants while enhancing crop performance under full irrigation (100% of crop evapotranspiration), leading to higher yields even under favorable water conditions. Full article

Research into alternative phosphorus (P) fertilizer sources that may be able to supplement P resources is necessary. Struvite (MgNH₄PO₄ · 6H₂O) can be made by removing excess nutrients from waste sources and may reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cropping systems. This study sought to quantify GHG [i.e., methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)] fluxes, season-long emissions, and net GHG emissions from chemically precipitated struvite (CPST) and synthetic and real-wastewater-derived electrochemically precipitated struvite (ECST) compared to monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and an unamended control (UC) from flood-irrigated rice (Oryza sativa) grown in P-deficient, silt loam soil in a greenhouse. Gas samples were collected weekly over a 140-day period in 2022. Methane and CO₂ emissions differed (p < 0.05) among P fertilizer sources, while N₂O emissions were similar among all treatments. Methane, CO₂, and N₂O emissions from MAP-fertilized rice were the greatest (98.7, 20,960, and 0.44 kg ha⁻¹ season⁻¹, respectively), but they were similar to those of CH₄ and CO₂ for CPST and those of N₂O for all other P fertilizer sources. Season-long CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions and net GHG emissions did not differ between ECST materials. This study’s results emphasized the potential that wastewater-recovered struvite has to reduce GHG emissions in rice production systems. Full article

Maize production is increasingly challenged by climate change, which affects plant physiology, fungal colonization, and mycotoxin contamination. Aspergillus flavus, a saprophytic fungus, thrives in warm, dry conditions, leading to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation, and posing significant food safety risks. Macro- and micro-climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, and precipitation, influence kernel development, leaf wetness duration, and mycotoxin biosynthesis. Nitrogen availability and irrigation play crucial roles in modulating plant responses to these stressors, affecting chlorophyll content, yield parameters, and fungal interactions. To investigate these interactions, a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed from 2020 to 2022 to assess physiological changes in SY Orpheus maize hybrid under varying climatic conditions. Rising temperatures and declining relative humidity (RH) significantly reduced kernel number per ear length from 25.60 ± 0.34 in 2020 to 17.89 ± 0.39 in 2022 (p < 0.05), impacting yield. The AFB1 levels peaked in 2021 (156.88 ± 59.02 µg/kg), coinciding with lower humidity and increased fungal stress. Water availability improved kernel numbers and reduced AFB1 accumulation (p < 0.05) but did not significantly affect the total fungal load (p > 0.05). Nitrogen supplementation enhanced plant vigor, suppressed AFB1 biosynthesis, and influenced spectral indices. Potential confounding factors such as soil variability and microbial interactions may require further investigations. Full article

Climate change has intensified the increase in irrigated crops to solve frequent droughts, but part of the stress continues due to heat waves, and for these systems, there is a lack of in-depth discussion about their damage and strategies to minimize this damage. The damage caused by high temperatures may be exacerbated in crops with a nutritional disorder of nitrogen, but optimized management of this nutrient can help mitigate the effects of this stress. This merits further debate, as it would be a sustainable strategy without risk to the environment and at the same time could induce greater plant tolerance to heat stress. This review will address the relevance of rising temperatures and their isolated effects on crop nutrition and productivity and the role of optimized nitrogen use in mitigating this stress and propose future perspectives for this research that could help researchers improve thermotolerance. Nitrogen plays an essential role in plant metabolism, inducing the production of proteins from photosynthesis, boosting primary and secondary plant metabolism and, consequently, the production and defense systems of the plant. Studies indicate that adequate nitrogen supplementation can increase plant resilience to high temperatures, improving water use efficiency and promoting the synthesis of heat shock proteins. In addition, new strategies in nitrogen fertilizer management, such as the use of nitrification inhibitors and biofertilizers, have demonstrated greater efficiency in the use of nitrogen, reducing environmental losses, and, consequently, they could have an impact on stress mitigation. Although nitrogen can mitigate the negative effects of heat waves on plants, there are still gaps in the knowledge about the underlying biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved and whether the doses of N used in research are really optimal for maximizing the plant’s defense system against stress. The future outlook is that optimal N management will become important not only to guarantee high yields but also to minimize heat wave losses by strengthening the plant’s defense mechanisms to deal with this stress. In the context of climate change, a better understanding of the benefits of N will help to better manage heat stress towards more sustainable agriculture. Full article