Search Results (1,112)

A sustainable approach to agricultural production and increasing interest in alternative wheat species have intensified research on simplified soil management systems under changing climatic conditions. A three-year field experiment (2018–2020) was conducted to evaluate the effects of tillage methods (plowing, shallow tillage, and strip-till) and hydrothermal conditions on yield formation and yield components in three wheat species: Triticum sphaerococcum, Triticum persicum, and Triticum aestivum ssp. vulgare. The results showed that weather conditions during the growing season strongly modulated species responses to tillage systems. Multivariate analyses confirmed that grain yield was mainly determined by fertile generative tiller density and grain number per spike, whereas thousand-grain weight played a secondary or compensatory role. In T. sphaerococcum, clear tillage effects occurred only in the most favorable year, when shallow tillage enhanced yield. T. persicum consistently responded positively to strip-till across all years, increasing grain yield by 35.5% compared with plowing. In T. aestivum, the direction of tillage effects depended on weather conditions, with shallow tillage being most beneficial under favorable moisture and plowing under drier conditions. Overall, simplified tillage systems can enhance the productivity of ancient wheat species without reducing the performance of common wheat, provided that soil management is aligned with prevailing hydrothermal conditions. Full article

Oxyfertigation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has been successfully applied in several crops and production systems, but its use in mature citrus orchards under no-tillage conditions and semi-arid Mediterranean environments remains scarcely studied. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses of adult citrus trees and the agronomic performance of a mature citrus orchard subjected to chemical oxyfertigation based on the application of H₂O₂ in irrigation water as an oxygen source for the root zone. The experiment was conducted over four consecutive seasons (2018–2021) on adult ‘Ortanique’ hybrid mandarin trees grown in an orchard located in Torre Pacheco (Murcia, Spain). Two treatments were established: a ‘Control’ (0 mg L⁻¹ of H₂O₂) and an ‘OXY’ treatment (50–100 mg L⁻¹ of H₂O₂ applied throughout the growing season). Oxyfertigation significantly increased the dissolved oxygen in irrigation water and soil oxygen diffusion rate, with treatment and treatment × time effects showing greater oxygenation under conditions favoring transient root-zone hypoxia. Soil CO₂ and H₂O vapor fluxes exhibited marked seasonal dynamics but no consistent treatment effect, and soil salinity and macro- and micronutrient contents were not significantly altered. At the plant level, oxyfertigation episodically enhanced leaf gas exchange and transiently improved the water status, but did not produce a sustained increase in leaf-level water use efficiency. In contrast, OXY trees showed greater pruning biomass, more fruits (+18%), higher cumulative yield (+13%), and significantly higher crop water use efficiency (YWUE) while the mean fruit weight and most quality attributes were governed by interannual climatic variability. In summary, oxyfertigation acted as a complementary and safe agronomic practice that improved rhizosphere oxygenation and supported modest gains in fruit load and YWUE in mature citrus orchards. Full article

Clomazone is a widely used herbicide in rice cultivation, known for its high toxicity to aquatic organisms and its potential to contaminate water bodies. This study investigates the medium-term effects (after four and five years) of rice management practices on the environmental fate of Clomazone under semi-arid Mediterranean conditions. The practices investigated are tillage systems, irrigation methods, and compost application. A field experiment was conducted to compare the following treatments: sprinkler irrigation combined with no tillage (S-NT), sprinkler irrigation combined with conventional tillage (S-T), flooding irrigation with conventional tillage (F-T), and each of the above with a single compost amendment (S-NTC, S-TC, and F-TC, respectively). Compost application consistently enhanced the soil’s capacity to adsorb Clomazone, regardless of the irrigation or tillage regime. However, the use of sprinkler irrigation was shown to increase Clomazone persistence, regardless of the tillage method (S-NT and S-T), which may in turn elevate the risk of groundwater contamination. Compost addition significantly reduced Clomazone leaching losses, particularly under sprinkler systems; leaching decreased from 47% to 27% in S-NT and from 48% to 36% in S-T after five years. These findings highlight that the application of compost, particularly when combined with sprinkler irrigation, could be a sustainable agricultural approach to significantly reducing the environmental risks associated with Clomazone in rice cultivation, at least in the medium term. Full article

Organic micropollutants in agricultural soils pose significant ecological and health risks. This study conducted the first large-scale, integrated non-targeted screening and targeted analysis across China’s major food-producing regions. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, 498 micropollutants were identified, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food additives, natural products, and emerging contaminants. Spatial analysis revealed strong correlations in pesticide detections between Henan and Hebei, as well as between Hebei and Shandong, indicating pronounced regional similarities in pesticide occurrence patterns. Concentrations of 50 quantified micropollutants showed clear spatial variability, which was associated with precipitation, water use, and agricultural output, reflecting climate–agriculture–socioeconomic synergies. Greenhouse soils accumulated higher micropollutant levels than open fields, driven by intensive agrochemical inputs, plastic-film confinement, and reduced phototransformation. Co-occurrence patterns indicated similar pathways for personal care products, industrial chemicals, and pesticides, whereas natural products and pharmaceuticals showed lower levels of co-occurrence due to crop-specific exudates, fertilization, and rainfall-driven leaching. Among cropping systems, orchard soils had the highest micropollutant accumulation, followed by paddy and vegetable soils, consistent with frequent pesticide use and minimal tillage. Risk quotients indicated moderate-to-high ecological risks at over half of the sites. These results reveal complex soil pollution patterns and highlight the need for dynamic inventories and spatially differentiated, crop- and system-specific mitigation strategies. Full article

Research on the characteristics and functions of ancient Juntun (military tillage) has paid limited attention to the distribution patterns and influencing factors of Juntun in specific regions. This study employs a comprehensive approach integrating GIS technology and the multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model to quantitatively analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of Ming Dynasty Juntun in Fujian. The study reveals that Juntun were primarily located in flat areas near water systems, while exhibiting a U-shaped distribution pattern away from garrison forts, reflecting a synergy between agricultural foundations and military defense. MGWR analysis further indicates that fiscal and taxation factors had a stronger influence on their distribution than arable land resources, highlighting their non-purely agriculturally driven nature. This research provides a quantitative basis for understanding the organizational logic and spatial strategy of ancient military settlements, offering valuable insights for the conservation and study of military heritage. Full article

Soil carbon (C) sequestration is a key component of European climate change mitigation strategies, and it forms part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) standards. Using national data for Romania (2005–2024), this paper aims to quantify how crop type, tillage system (conventional, minimum-till and no-till), and nitrogen fertilization influence soil humic carbon (Ch) in wheat, maize, sunflower and rapeseed cropping systems. Carbon inputs from residues, roots, and rhizodeposition were calculated in R based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) coefficients, then tested in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) (factorial ANOVA, multiple regression, Pearson correlations). The results showed that both crop type and tillage systems significantly influence humic carbon values, with the highest values obtained in oilseed crops and in conservation systems (minimum-till and no-till). Among the quantitative factors, nitrogen fertilization had the most pronounced positive effect on carbon fluxes, while yield and precipitation had less influence. The conclusions indicate that the adoption of conservative soil management, in line with CAP objectives and GAEC standards, can support the increase of carbon stocks, with the need for contextual assessment of economic performance and pedoclimatic conditions. Full article

Nitrogen (N) and water are key resources for crop production and improving the efficiency with which they are used remains a major global challenge in intensive cropping systems. Here, we report how crop yield, N and water use efficiency, N surplus, and economic benefits can be improved from optimized management and crop rotations. A conventional winter wheat–summer maize double cropping (CN/WM) rotation in a three-year field experiment in the North China Plain is compared with alternative optimized rotations. The first three optimized treatments were wheat–summer maize rotation with optimized N and irrigation rates, tillage and straw management (ON/WM), and partial manure substitution (ONM/WM) or biochar addition (ONB/WM); the fourth optimized treatment was winter wheat–summer maize–spring maize producing three harvests in two years (ON/WMM); and the last was spring maize incorporating green manure during the fallow season for one harvest per year (ON/GM). The results showed that the ON/WM, ONM/WM, and ONB/WM had comparable yields to CN/WM, but significantly increased N use efficiency by 19–41% and water use efficiency by 13–20% and reduced N surplus to 353–531 kg N ha⁻¹ 2yr⁻¹. From these three optimized treatments, the ONM/WM performed better, with a comprehensive evaluation index of 0.66 and the highest economic benefits. The ON/WMM and ON/GM treatments also significantly increased N and water use efficiency but resulted in relatively low crop yields and profits; nevertheless, they significantly reduced water use and are suitable for water saving cropping systems. We concluded that optimized management-combined manure with synthetic N fertilization in wheat–summer maize rotations can achieve high crop productivity, environmental, and economic benefits, which contribute to a more sustainable crop production. Full article

Steep olive orchards in northwest Syria are experiencing severe land degradation as a result of unsustainable uphill–downhill tillage, which accelerates erosion and reduces productivity. To address this problem, three tillage systems, no-till natural vegetation strips (NVSs), contour tillage, and uphill–downhill tillage, were evaluated at two research sites, Yakhour and Tel-Hadya, NW Syria. The adoption of no-till NVSs significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) at both sites, outperforming uphill–downhill tillage. While contour tillage resulted in lower SOM levels than NVSs, it still performed better than the conventional uphill–downhill practice. Contour soil flux (CSF) was lower in Yakhour, where mule-drawn tillage on steep slopes (31–35%) was practiced, compared to higher CSF values in Tel-Hadya, where tractor tillage was applied on gentler slopes (11–13%), which highlights the influence of slope steepness on soil fluxes. Over four years, net soil flux (NSF) indicated greater soil loss under tractor tillage, confirming that mule-drawn tillage is less disruptive. Olive trees with no-till NVSs benefited from protected root systems, improved soil structure through SOM accumulation, reduced erosion risk, and improved surface runoff buffering, which resulted in increased water infiltration and soil water retention. This study was carried out using a participatory technology development (PTD) framework, which guided the entire research process, from diagnosing problems to co-designing, field testing, and refining soil conservation practices. In Yakhour, farmers actively identified the challenges of degradation. They collaboratively chose no-till natural vegetation strips (NVSs) and contour tillage as key interventions, valuing NVSs for their ability to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and pests, and increase olive productivity. The farmer–scientist co-learning network positioned PTD not only as an outreach tool but also as a core research method, enabling locally relevant and scalable strategies to restore soil functions and combat land degradation in northwest Syria’s hilly olive orchards. Full article

Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural crops remain a critical challenge for climate change mitigation. This review synthesizes evidence on cropland management interventions and global N₂O mitigation potential. Agricultural practices such as cover cropping, agroforestry, reduced tillage, and diversification show promise in reducing CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O emissions, yet uncertainties in measurement, verification, and socio-economic adoption persist. This review highlights that biochar application reduces N₂O emissions by 16.2% (95% CI: 9.8–22.6%) in temperate systems, demonstrating greater consistency compared to no-till agriculture, which shows higher variability (11% reduction, 95% CI: −19% to +1%). Legume-based crop rotations reduce N₂O emissions by up to 39% through improved nitrogen efficiency and increase soil organic carbon by up to 18%. However, reductions in synthetic fertilizer use (65% lower in legume vs. cereal systems) can be offset by the effects of biological nitrogen fixation. Optimized nitrogen fertilization, when combined with enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, can reduce N₂O emissions by 55–64%. Complementing this, global-scale analysis underscores the dominant role of optimized nitrogen fertilization in curbing N₂O emissions while sustaining yields. To bridge gaps between practice-level interventions and global emission dynamics, this paper introduces the ICEMF, a novel approach combining field-based management strategies with spatially explicit emission modeling. Realistic implementation currently achieves 25–35% of technical potential, but bundled interventions combining financial incentives, training, and institutional support can increase adoption to 40–60%, demonstrating ICEMF’s value through integrated, context-adapted approaches. Only peer-reviewed articles published in English between 1997 and 2025 were selected to ensure recent and reliable findings. This review highlights knowledge gaps, evaluates policy and technical trade-offs, and proposes ICEMF as a pathway toward scalable and adaptive mitigation strategies in agriculture. Full article

Reducing the fuel consumption of tractors has consistently been a critical challenge that the agricultural machinery industry must address. To investigate the energy consumption during the plowing process of tractors and enhance their economic efficiency, this study conducted comparative experiments under varying plowing speeds and depths. In this experiment, the CAN bus protocol was utilized for the collection of engine operational data, such as rotational speed and fuel flow. A GPS positioning system was adopted to measure the plowing speed of the tractor and combined with the data from the tractor coasting test, and then the energy consumption for operating the plow was determined. In addition, a tension sensor was installed on the three-point hitch to measure the horizontal pull force exerted by the five-share plow during plowing, thereby facilitating the calculation of the energy consumption of agricultural machinery. The findings indicate that when the tractor’s plowing speed is maintained at 5.7 km/h, both the average fuel consumption and the fuel consumption per unit area increase as the plowing depth increases. If the plowing depth is fixed at 23 cm, the average fuel consumption rises with an increase in plowing speed, whereas the fuel consumption per unit area decreases. The experimental data show that during the actual tillage operation of the tractor, the brake thermal efficiency of diesel engines ranges from 21.76% to 28.57%. The energy consumed by agricultural implements accounts for only 11.79% to 17.04% of the total fuel energy. The energy consumed in operating the tractor-drawn plow accounts for merely 7.87% to 13.66% of the diesel engine output energy. Approximately 23.24% to 38.69% of the effective power of the diesel engine is lost during the transmission process. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the performance of tractors during operation. Full article

Aeschynomene indica L. has become a problematic weed in the upland direct-seeding rice fields of the lower Yangtze River region, China, leading to substantial yield reductions. A comprehensive understanding of its seed germination ecology and response to herbicides is crucial for developing effective control strategies. This study examined the effects of major environmental factors including temperature, light, pH, salt stress, osmotic potential, and burial depth on seed germination of A. indica and assessed the efficacy of 20 commonly used herbicides in rice under controlled conditions. Results revealed that germination was highly sensitive to temperature, with optimum constant and alternating temperatures of 35 °C and 40/30 °C (day/night), respectively, both achieving germination rates above 90%. The seeds were non-photoblastic, maintaining a high germination rate of 83.33% under complete darkness. Germination remained consistently high across a broad pH range from 4 to 9, with rates ranging from 83.33% to 96.67%. Salt and osmotic stresses markedly suppressed germination, with EC₅₀ values of 195.08 mmol·L⁻¹ NaCl and −0.43 MPa, respectively. Seedling emergence decreased significantly with increasing burial depth, with no emergence occurring at depths greater than 7 cm. The EC₅₀ for emergence was 4.21 cm. Among the herbicides screened, saflufenacil and mesotrione were the most effective pre-emergence treatments, with GR₅₀ values of 5.38 and 12.02 g ai ha⁻¹, respectively. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl and fluroxypyr-meptyl exhibited the highest post-emergence activity, with GR₅₀ values of 0.20 and 19.69 g ai ha⁻¹, respectively. These results underscore the high ecological adaptability of A. indica to paddy fields conditions and provide a scientific foundation for integrating chemical control with cultural practices such as deep tillage into sustainable weed management systems for paddy fields. Full article

Microtopography regulates soil erosion by shaping surface heterogeneity, but the mechanism of loess slope soil loss remains insufficiently quantified. This study combined laboratory rainfall simulations and machine learning to investigate how tillage-induced microtopography modulates soil loss through surface heterogeneity and hydrodynamic processes. Simulations used loess soil (silty loam) with a 5° slope, 60 mm/h rainfall intensity, and 5–30 min rainfall durations (RD). Results indicated that the mean weight diameter (MWD) and aggregate stability index (ASI) of structural, transition, and depositional crusts under micro-terrain decreased by 36~65% and 41~60%, respectively, while the fractal dimension (D) increased by 10~19%. Negative relationships were observed between ASI/MWD and D (R² = 0.83~0.98). Horizontal cultivation (T_HC, surface roughness [SR] = 1.76, average depression storage [ADS] = 2.34 × 10⁻² m³) delayed runoff connectivity and reduced cumulative soil loss (LS) by 42–58% compared to hoeing cultivation (T_HE, SR = 1.47, ADS = 3.23 × 10⁻⁴ m³). Abrupt hydrodynamic transitions occurred at 10 min RD (T_HE) and 15 min RD (artificial digging [T_AD]), driven by trench connectivity and depression overflow. LS exhibited a significant positive correlation with D and RD and was inversely correlated with ASI, MWD, and SR. A three-hidden-layer BPNN exhibited high predictive accuracy for LS (mean square error = 0.07), verifying applicability in complex scenarios with significant microtopographic heterogeneity and multi-factor coupling. This study demonstrated that surface roughness and depression storage were the dominant microtopographic controls on loess slope soil loss. BPNN provided a reliable tool for soil loss prediction in heterogeneous microtopographic systems. The findings provide critical insights into optimizing tillage-based soil conservation strategies for sloping loess farmlands. Full article

Soil conservation technologies are widely studied for their effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) preservation, yet their impact on the composition of soil organic matter (SOM) remains underinvestigated. This study evaluated the effects of two non-inversion tillage systems, MP and NT, on agro-physical and chemical properties and SOM composition (including water-extractable matter) in Haplic Chernozem Pachic. After 12 years, non-inversion tillage showed no significant differences in SOC, WEOC, and soil structure condition compared to MP. Only NT treatment distinctly enhanced the coefficient of soil structuring (K_str) and mean diameter of water-stable aggregates (MWD_WSA), by 1.5 and 2 times, respectively. Differences in SOM composition were clearly pronounced between treatments in the 0–10 cm layer. Non-inversion tillage favored microbial-derived stable SOM, whereas NT enriched SOM with fresh plant material. Our findings revealed that non-inversion tillage shifts the composition of SOM toward recalcitrant components even more than MP due to limited fresh OM input and enhanced mineralization of unprotected SOM during tillage. This poses carbon loss risks. Periodic moldboard plowing may be a way to improve carbon retention in non-inversion tillage, as it allows plant residues to be incorporated into the soil profile and replenish organic matter. Full article

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) are fundamental indicators of soil fertility and long-term agricultural sustainability. However, intensive cultivation, residue removal, and imbalanced fertilization have resulted in substantial declines in SOC and TN across many agroecosystems, particularly in Northeast China. This study investigated SOC and TN dynamics within the 0–35 cm profile of four representative soils in Northeast China under a continuous maize cropping system. Five treatments were assessed: conventional tillage (CT), deep tillage (DT), deep tillage with straw (SDT), deep tillage with organic fertilizer (MDT), and deep tillage combined with straw and organic fertilizer (SMDT). Compared with DT, organic amendment treatments increased SOC and TN contents in the 0–20 cm layer by 9.41–57.57% and 5.29–60.76%, respectively. The SMDT treatment achieved the highest SOC and TN stocks (65.03 Mg ha⁻¹ and 7.91 Mg ha⁻¹) and enhanced nutrient accumulation in the 20–35 cm layer. In the subsoil, the ratio of soil C and N (C/N) under SMDT increased by 3.11%, 11.08%, 2.10%, and −7.01% across the four soils, indicating improved C–N balance and reduced nutrient stratification. SOC and TN stocks were linearly correlated with cumulative C input, confirming that organic amendments were among the main drivers of C and N sequestration. Mantel and path analyses further revealed that clay content and mean annual precipitation enhanced SOC and TN storage by improving soil structure and C–N balance through increased C input and reduced bulk density. Overall, deep tillage combined with amendments strengthened C–N coupling, improved soil fertility, and provided a mechanistic basis for reconstructing fertile tillage layers and sustaining productivity in Northeast China. Full article

Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has become a key pest in Brazilian maize production, particularly during seedling establishment. This study estimated its lower and upper developmental thresholds (Tb and Tsup), thermal constant (K), and degree-day requirements, and used these parameters to model the potential annual generations (PAG) across the Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraná, and São Paulo states. Biological parameters were calculated from controlled laboratory assays, and historical meteorological datasets were combined with regression models and spatial analyses to generate phenology maps of PAG. Results indicated marked regional differences: Mato Grosso do Sul presented the highest potential, averaging eleven generations per year, São Paulo showed intermediate values with nine generations, and Paraná exhibited the lowest, with approximately seven generations annually. Latitude exerted the strongest influence on PAG, while altitude contributed the least. These findings are consistent with the known adaptability of D. melacanthus to warmer climates and highlight its capacity to persist in no-tillage soybean–maize systems and areas with volunteer plants. The results provide a predictive framework for assessing population risk and may support decision-making in integrated pest management. Further studies on host range, phenology, and distribution are required to anticipate future expansions across South America. Full article