Search Results (1,777)

This study presents a terrain-integrated Soil Management Unit (SMU) framework for precision agriculture in semi-arid tropical basaltic soils. Using high resolution (10-ha grid) sampling across 4627 geo-referenced locations and machine learning-enhanced integration of terrain attributes with legacy soil maps, and (3) quantitative validation of intra-SMU homogeneity, 15 SMUs were delineated based on landform, soil depth, texture, and slope. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed SMU11 as the most heterogeneous (68.8%). Geo-statistical analysis revealed structured variability in soil pH (range = 1173 m) and nutrients availability with micronutrient sufficiency following Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn, (Zn deficient in SMU13). Organic carbon strongly correlated with key nutrients (AvK, r = 0.83 and Zn, r = 0.86). This represents the first systematic implementation of terrain-integrated SMU delineation in India’s basaltic landscapes, demonstrating a potential for 20–25% input savings. The spatially explicit fertility-integrated SMU framework provides a robust basis for developing decision support systems aimed at optimizing location-specific nutrient and land management strategies. Full article

Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting black gram (Vigna mungo) productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Saline soils negatively impact plant growth, nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and yield. This study evaluated the efficacy of co-inoculating salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting bacteria Paenibacillus sp. SPR11 and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense PR3 on black gram performance under saline field conditions (EC: 8.87 dS m⁻¹; pH: 8.37) with low organic carbon (0.6%) and nutrient deficiencies. In vitro assays demonstrated the biocontrol potential of SPR11, inhibiting Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina by 76% and 62%, respectively. Germination assays and net house experiments under 300 mM NaCl stress showed that co-inoculation significantly improved physiological traits, including germination rate, root length (61.39%), shoot biomass (59.95%), and nitrogen fixation (52.4%) in nitrogen-free media. Field trials further revealed enhanced stress tolerance markers: chlorophyll content increased by 54.74%, proline by 50.89%, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, PAL) were significantly upregulated. Electrolyte leakage was reduced by 55.77%, indicating improved membrane stability. Agronomic performance also improved, with co-inoculated plants showing increased root length (7.19%), grain yield (15.55 q ha⁻¹; 77.04% over control), total biomass (26.73 q ha⁻¹; 57.06%), and straw yield (8.18 q ha⁻¹). Pod number, seed count, and seed weight were also enhanced. Nutrient analysis showed elevated uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and key micronutrients (Zn, Fe) in both grain and straw. To the best of our knowledge, this is the very first field-based report demonstrating the synergistic benefits of co-inoculating Paenibacillus sp. SPR11 and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense PR3 in black gram under saline, nutrient-poor conditions without external nitrogen inputs. The results highlight a sustainable strategy to enhance legume productivity and resilience in salt-affected soils. Full article

Groundwater plays a crucial role in sustaining agriculture and livelihoods in the arid Middle Draa Valley (MDV) of southeastern Morocco. However, increasing groundwater extraction, declining rainfall, and the absence of effective floodwater harvesting systems have led to severe aquifer depletion. This study applies and compares six machine learning (ML) algorithms—decision trees (CART), ensemble methods (random forest, LightGBM, XGBoost), distance-based learning (k-nearest neighbors), and support vector machines—integrating GIS, satellite data, and field observations to delineate zones suitable for groundwater recharge. The results indicate that ensemble tree-based methods yielded the highest predictive accuracy, with LightGBM outperforming the others by achieving an overall accuracy of 0.90. Random forest and XGBoost also demonstrated strong performance, effectively identifying priority areas for artificial recharge, particularly near ephemeral streams. A feature importance analysis revealed that soil permeability, elevation, and stream proximity were the most influential variables in recharge zone delineation. The generated maps provide valuable support for irrigation planning, aquifer conservation, and floodwater management. Overall, the proposed machine learning–geospatial framework offers a robust and transferable approach for mapping groundwater recharge zones (GWRZ) in arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs))—notably SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), by enhancing water-use efficiency and groundwater recharge (Target 6.4), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by supporting climate-resilient aquifer management. Full article

This study, conducted in Southern Italy in 2023, investigated the effects of a dynamic agrivoltaics (AV) system on microclimate, water consumption, plant growth, and essential oil yield in six medicinal species: lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L. ‘Royal purple’), lemmon thyme (Thymus citriodorus (Pers.) Schreb. ar. ‘Aureus’), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. ‘Severn seas’), mint (Mentha spicata L. ‘Moroccan’), and sage (Salvia officinalis L. subsp. Officinalis). Due to the rotating solar panels, two distinct ground zones were identified: a consistently shaded area under the panels (UP), and a partially shaded area between the panels (BP). These were compared to an adjacent full-sun control area (T). Microclimate parameters, including solar radiation, air and leaf infrared temperature, and soil temperature, were recorded throughout the cultivation season. Reference evapotranspiration (ET_O) was calculated using Turc’s method, and crop evapotranspiration (ET_C) was estimated with species-specific crop coefficients (K_C). Results showed significantly lower microclimatic values in the UP plot compared to both BP and especially T, resulting in ET_C reductions of 81.1% in UP and 13.1% in BP relative to T, an advantage in water-scarce environments. Growth and yield responses varied among species and treatment plots. Except for mint, all species showed a significant reduction in fresh biomass (40.1% to 48.8%) under the high shading of UP compared to T. However, no biomass reductions were observed in BP. Notably, essential oil yields were higher in both UP and BP plots (0.60–2.63%) compared to the T plot (0.51–1.90%). These findings demonstrate that dynamic AV systems can enhance water use efficiency and essential oil yield, offering promising opportunities for sustainable, high-quality medicinal crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Full article

Rainwater harvesting for sustainable agriculture (RWHSA) offers a viable and eco-friendly strategy to alleviate water scarcity in semi-arid regions, particularly for agricultural use. This study aims to identify optimal sites for implementing RWH systems in northern Iraq to enhance water availability and promote sustainable farming practices. An integrated geospatial approach was adopted, combining Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Key thematic layers, including soil type, land use/land cover, slope, and drainage density were processed in a GIS environment to model runoff potential. The Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) method was used to estimate surface runoff. Criteria were weighted using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), enabling a structured and consistent evaluation of site suitability. The resulting suitability map classifies the region into four categories: very high suitability (10.2%), high (26.6%), moderate (40.4%), and low (22.8%). The integration of RS, GIS, AHP, and MCDA proved effective for strategic RWH site selection, supporting cost-efficient, sustainable, and data-driven agricultural planning in water-stressed environments. Full article

As an important ecological barrier and animal husbandry resource base in arid and semi-arid areas, grassland degradation directly affects regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ili Prefecture is located in the western part of Xinjiang, China, and is a typical grassland resource-rich area. However, in recent years, driven by climate change and human activities, grassland degradation has become increasingly serious. In view of the lack of comprehensive evaluation indicators and the inconsistency of grassland evaluation grade standards in remote sensing monitoring of grassland resource degradation, this study takes the current situation of grassland degradation in Ili Prefecture in the past 20 years as the research object and constructs a comprehensive evaluation index system covering three criteria layers of vegetation characteristics, environmental characteristics, and utilization characteristics. Net primary productivity (NPP), vegetation coverage, temperature, precipitation, soil erosion modulus, and grazing intensity were selected as multi-source indicators. Combined with data sources such as remote sensing inversion, sample survey, meteorological data, and farmer survey, the factor weight coefficient was determined by analytic hierarchy process. The Grassland Degeneration Comprehensive Index (GDCI) model was constructed to carry out remote sensing monitoring and evaluation of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture. With reference to the classification threshold of the national standard for grassland degradation, the GDCI grassland degradation evaluation grade threshold (GDCI reduction rate) was determined by the method of weighted average of coefficients: non-degradation (0–10%), mild degradation (10–20%), moderate degradation (20–37.66%) and severe degradation (more than 37.66%). According to the results, between 2000 and 2022, non-degraded grasslands in Ili Prefecture covered an area of 27,200 km², representing 90.19% of the total grassland area. Slight, moderate, and severe degradation accounted for 4.34%, 3.33%, and 2.15%, respectively. Moderately and severely degraded areas are primarily distributed in agro-pastoral transition zones and economically developed urban regions, respectively. The results revealed the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of grassland degradation in Yili Prefecture and provided data basis and technical support for regional grassland resource management, degradation prevention and control and ecological restoration. Full article

Arid and semi-arid areas serve a critical regulatory function within the global carbon cycle. Understanding the response mechanisms of vegetation productivity to variations in moisture availability represents a fundamental scientific challenge in elucidating terrestrial carbon dynamics. This study systematically disentangled the respective influences of summer surface soil moisture (RSM) and precipitation (PRE) on gross primary productivity (GPP) across arid and semi-arid regions of China from 2000 to 2022. Utilizing GPP datasets alongside correlation analysis, ridge regression, and data binning techniques, the investigation yielded several key findings: (1) Both GPP and RSM exhibited significant upward trends within the study area, whereas precipitation showed no statistically significant trend; notably, GPP demonstrated the highest rate of increase at 0.455 Cg m⁻² a⁻¹. (2) Decoupling analysis indicated a coupled relationship between RSM and PRE; however, their individual effects on GPP were not merely a consequence of this coupling. Controlling for evapotranspiration and root-zone soil moisture interference, the analysis revealed that under conditions of elevated RSM, the average increase in summer–autumn GPP (SA_GPP) was 0.249, significantly surpassing the increase observed under high-PRE conditions (−0.088). Areas dominated by RSM accounted for 62.13% of the total study region. Furthermore, examination of the aridity gradient demonstrated that the predominance of RSM intensified with increasing aridity, reaching its peak influence in extremely arid zones. This research provides a quantitative assessment of the differential impacts of RSM and PRE on vegetation productivity in China’s arid and semi-arid areas, thereby offering a vital theoretical foundation for improving predictions of terrestrial carbon sink dynamics under future climate change scenarios. Full article

As the world’s largest loess deposit region, the Loess Plateau’s vegetation dynamics are crucial for its regional water–heat balance and ecosystem functioning. Leaf Area Index (LAI) serves as a key indicator bridging canopy architecture and plant physiological activities. Existing studies have made significant advancements in simulating LAI, yet accurate LAI simulation remains challenging. To address this challenge and gain deeper insights into the environmental controls of LAI, this study aims to accurately simulate LAI in the Loess Plateau using deep learning models and to elucidate the spatiotemporal influence of soil moisture and temperature on LAI dynamics. For this purpose, we used three deep learning models, namely Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Interpretable Multivariable (IMV)-LSTM, to simulate LAI in the Loess Plateau, only using soil moisture and temperature as inputs. Results indicated that our approach outperformed traditional models and effectively captured LAI variations across different vegetation types. The attention analysis revealed that soil moisture mainly influenced LAI in the arid northwest and temperature was the predominant effect in the humid southeast. Seasonally, soil moisture was crucial in spring and summer, notably in grasslands and croplands, whereas temperature dominated in autumn and winter. Notably, forests had the longest temperature-sensitive periods. As LAI increased, soil moisture became more influential, and at peak LAI, both factors exerted varying controls on different vegetation types. These findings demonstrated the strength of deep learning for simulating vegetation–climate interactions and provided insights into hydrothermal regulation mechanisms in semiarid regions. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical-hydric properties of a Planosol under an Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forest (ICLF) system in the Agreste region of Paraíba, Brazil, after eight years of implementation, and to compare them with areas under a conventional cropping system and secondary native vegetation. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station located in Alagoinha, in the Agreste mesoregion of the State of Paraíba, Brazil. The experimental design adopted was a randomized block design (RBD) with five treatments and four replications (5 × 4 + 2). The treatments consisted of: (1) Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud) + Signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) (GL+SG); (2) Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth) + Signal grass (SB+SG); (3) Purple Ipê (Handroanthus avellanedae (Lorentz ex Griseb.) Mattos) + SG (I+SG); (4) annual crop + SG (C+SG); and (5) Signal grass (SG). Two additional treatments were included for statistical comparison: a conventional cropping system (CC) and a secondary native vegetation area (NV), both located near the experimental site. The CC treatment showed the lowest bulk density (1.23 g cm⁻³) and the lowest degree of compaction (66.3%) among the evaluated treatments, as well as a total porosity (TP) higher than 75% (0.75 m³ m⁻³). In the soil under the integration system, the lowest bulk density (1.38 g cm⁻³) and the highest total porosity (0.48 m³ m⁻³) were observed in the SG treatment at the 0.0–0.10 m depth. High S-index values (>0.035) and a low relative field capacity (RFc < 0.50) and K_θ indicate high structural quality and low soil water storage capacity. It was concluded that the SG, I+SG, SB+SG, and CC treatments presented the highest values of soil bulk and degree of compaction in the layers below 0.10 m. The I+SG and C+SG treatments showed the lowest hydraulic conductivities and macroaggregation. The SG and C+SG treatments had the lowest available water content and available water capacity across the three analyzed soil layers. Full article

Vegetation dynamics are complexly influenced by multiple factors such as climate, human activities, and topography. In recent years, the frequency, intensity, and diversity of human activities have increased, placing substantial pressure on the growth of vegetation. Arid and semi-arid regions are particularly sensitive to climate change, and climate change and large-scale ecological restoration have led to significant changes in the dynamic of dryland vegetation. However, few studies have explored the nonlinear relationships between these factors and vegetation dynamic. In this study, we integrated trend analysis (using the Mann–Kendall test and Theil–Sen estimation) and machine learning algorithms (XGBoost-SHAP model) based on long time-series remote sensing data from 2001 to 2020 to quantify the nonlinear response patterns and threshold effects of bioclimatic variables, topographic features, soil attributes, and anthropogenic factors on vegetation dynamic. The results revealed the following key findings: (1) The kNDVI in the study area showed an overall significant increasing trend (p < 0.01) during the observation period, of which 26.7% of the area showed a significant increase. (2) The water content index (Bio 23, 19.6%), the change in land use (15.2%), multi-year average precipitation (pre, 15.0%), population density (13.2%), and rainfall seasonality (Bio 15, 10.9%) were the key factors driving the dynamic change of vegetation, with the combined contribution of natural factors amounting to 64.3%. (3) Among the topographic factors, altitude had a more significant effect on vegetation dynamics, with higher altitude regions less likely to experience vegetation greening. Both natural and anthropogenic factors exhibited nonlinear responses and interactive effects, contributing to the observed dynamic trends. This study provides valuable insights into the driving mechanisms behind the condition of vegetation in arid and semi-arid regions of China and, by extension, in other arid regions globally. Full article

Soil respiration (Rt), consisting of heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra), plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon cycling and is sensitive to soil temperature and moisture. In dryland agriculture, plastic film mulching (PM) is widely used to regulate soil hydrothermal conditions, but its effects on Rt components and their temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) across regions remain unclear. A two-year field study was conducted at two rain-fed maize sites: Anding (warmer, semi-arid) and Yuzhong (colder, drier). PM significantly increased Rt, Rh, and Ra, especially Ra, due to enhanced root biomass and improved microclimate. Yield increased by 33.6–165%. Peak respiration occurred earlier in Anding, aligned with maize growth and soil temperature. PM reduced Q₁₀ of Rt and Ra in Anding, but only Ra in Yuzhong. Rh Q₁₀ remained stable, indicating microbial respiration was less sensitive to temperature changes. Structural equation modeling revealed that Rt and Ra were mainly driven by soil temperature and root biomass, while Rh was more influenced by microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Despite increased CO₂ emissions, PM improved carbon emission efficiency (CEE), particularly in Yuzhong (+67%). The application of PM is recommended to enhance yield while optimizing carbon efficiency in dryland farming systems. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization plays the critical role of regulating carbon sequestration potential. This process is strongly influenced by agricultural practices, particularly tillage regimes and straw management. However, the complex interactions between tillage methods, straw types, and application rates in terms of SOC dynamics, especially in semi-arid agroecosystems like eastern Inner Mongolia, remain poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the combined effects of no tillage (NT) vs. rotary tillage (RT), three straw types (maize/MS, wheat/WS, and oilseed rape/OS), and three application rates (0.4%/low, 0.8%/medium, and 1.2%/high) on SOC concentration and mineralization using controlled laboratory incubation with soils from long-term plots. The key findings revealed that NT significantly increased the SOC concentration in the topsoil (0–20 cm) by an average of 14.5% compared to that in the RT. Notably, combining NT with medium-rate wheat straw (0.8%) resulted in the achievement of the highest SOC accumulation (28.70 g/kg). SOC mineralization increased with straw inputs, exhibiting significant straw type × rate interactions. Oilseed rape straw showed the highest specific mineralization rate (33.9%) at low input, while maize straw mineralized fastest under high input with RT. Therefore, our results demonstrate that combining NT with either 0.8% wheat straw or 1.2% maize straw represents an optimal application strategy, as the SOC concentration is enhanced by 12–18% for effective carbon sequestration in this water-limited semi-arid region. Therefore, optimizing SOC sequestration requires the integration of appropriate crop residue application rates and tillage methods tailored to different cropping systems. Full article

Grazing affects soil organic carbon (SOC) through plant removal, livestock trampling, and manure deposition. However, the impact of grazing on SOC is also influenced by multiple factors such as climate, soil properties, and management approaches. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms by which grazing intensity influences SOC density in grasslands remain incompletely understood. This study examines the effects of varying grazing intensities on SOC density (0–30 cm) dynamics in temperate grasslands of northern China using field surveys and experimental analyses in a typical steppe ecosystem of Inner Mongolia. Results show that moderate grazing (3.8 sheep units/ha/yr) led to substantial consumption of aboveground plant biomass. Relative to the ungrazed control (0 sheep units/ha/yr), aboveground plant biomass was reduced by 40.5%, 36.2%, and 50.6% in the years 2016, 2019, and 2020, respectively. Compensatory growth failed to fully offset biomass loss, and there were significant reductions in vegetation carbon storage and cover (p < 0.05). Reduced vegetation cover increased bare soil exposure and accelerated topsoil drying and erosion. This degradation promoted the downward migration of SOC from surface layers. Quantitative analysis revealed that moderate grazing significantly reduced surface soil (0–10 cm) organic carbon density by 13.4% compared to the ungrazed control while significantly increasing SOC density in the subsurface layer (10–30 cm). Increased precipitation could mitigate the SOC transfer and enhance overall SOC accumulation. However, it might negatively affect certain labile SOC fractions. Elucidating the mechanisms of SOC variation under different grazing intensities and precipitation regimes in semi-arid grasslands could improve our understanding of carbon dynamics in response to environmental stressors. These insights will aid in predicting how grazing systems influence grassland carbon cycling under global climate change. Full article

Stable oxygen isotopes in tree rings (δ¹⁸O) serve as important proxies for climate change and offer unique advantages for climate reconstruction in arid and semi-arid regions. We established an annual δ¹⁸O chronology spanning 1964–2023 using Juniperus excelsa tree-ring samples collected from the Alborz Mountains in Iran. We analyzed relationships between δ¹⁸O and key climate variables: precipitation, temperature, Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), vapor pressure (VP), and potential evapotranspiration (PET). Correlation analysis reveals that tree-ring δ¹⁸O is highly sensitive to hydroclimatic variations. Tree-ring cellulose δ¹⁸O shows significant negative correlations with annual total precipitation and spring PDSI, and significant positive correlations with spring temperature (particularly maximum temperature), April VP, and spring PET. The strongest correlation occurs with spring PET. These results indicate that δ¹⁸O responds strongly to the balance between springtime moisture supply (precipitation and soil moisture) and atmospheric evaporative demand (temperature, VP, and PET), reflecting an integrated signal of both regional moisture availability and energy input. The pronounced response of δ¹⁸O to spring evaporative conditions highlights its potential for capturing high-resolution changes in spring climatic conditions. Our δ¹⁸O series remained stable from the 1960s to the 1990s, but showed greater interannual variability after 2000, likely linked to regional warming and climate instability. A comparison with the δ¹⁸O variations from the eastern Alborz Mountains indicates that, despite some differences in magnitude, δ¹⁸O records from the western and eastern Alborz Mountains show broadly similar variability patterns. On a larger climatic scale, δ¹⁸O correlates significantly and positively with the Niño 3.4 index but shows no significant correlation with the Arctic Oscillation (AO) or the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This suggests that ENSO-driven interannual variability in the tropical Pacific plays a key role in regulating regional hydroclimatic processes. This study confirms the strong potential of tree-ring oxygen isotopes from the Alborz Mountains for reconstructing hydroclimatic conditions and high-frequency climate variability. Full article

Crop residue management and soil tillage (CRM and ST) are key steps in agricultural production. The effects of different CRM and ST modes on the quality of seedbed, seeding, and harvest yield are not well determined. In this study, the system of maize (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) rotation under ridge-tillage in the semi-arid regions of Northeast China was chosen as the study conditions. Four modes were investigated: deep tillage and seeding (DT and S), stubble field and no-tillage seeding (SF and NTS), three-axis rotary tillage and seeding (TART and S), and shallow rotary tillage and seeding (SRT and S). Results show that the DT and S mode produced the best quality of seedbed and seeding. Among the conservation tillage modes, the SRT and S mode produced the shortest average length of roots and straw, the best uniformity of their distribution in the seedbed, and the highest soybean yield. Both the SRT and S and SF and NTS modes yielded a higher net profit as their cost-effectiveness. When considering only the quality of seedbed and seeding under conservation tillage as a prerequisite, it can be concluded that the SRT and S mode is both advantageous and sustainable. Full article