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Yang J, Ding D, Zhang X, Gu H. A comparative analysis of soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure among four shelterbelt species in the northeast China plain. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0368323. [PMID: 38376351 PMCID: PMC10986494 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03683-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Conducting studies that focus on the alterations occurring in the soil microbiome within protection forests in the northeast plain is of utmost importance in evaluating the ecological rehabilitation of agricultural lands in the Mollisols region. Nevertheless, the presence of geographic factors contributes to substantial disparities in the microbiomes, and thus, addressing this aspect of influence becomes pivotal in ensuring the credibility of the collected data. Consequently, the objective is to compare the variations in soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure within the understory of diverse shelterbelt species. In this study, we analyzed the understory soils of Juglans mandshurica (Jm), Fraxinus mandschurica (Fm), Acer mono (Am), and Betula platyphylla (Bp) from the same locality. We employed high-throughput sequencing technology and soil physicochemical data to investigate the impact of these different tree species on soil microbial communities, chemical properties, and enzyme activities in Mollisols areas. Significant variations in soil nutrients and enzyme activities were observed among tree species, with soil organic matter content ranging from 49.1 to 67.7 g/kg and cellulase content ranging from 5.3 to 524.0 μg/d/g. The impact of tree species on microbial diversities was found to be more pronounced in the bacterial community (Adnoism: R = 0.605) compared to the fungal community (Adnoism: R = 0.433). The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed a total of 5 (Jm), 3 (Bp), and 6 (Am) bacterial biomarkers, as well as 2 (Jm), 6 (Fm), 4 (Bp), and 1 (Am) fungal biomarker at the genus level (LDA3). The presence of various tree species was observed to significantly alter the relative abundance of specific microbial community structures, specifically in Gammaproteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, environmental factors, such as pH, total potassium, and available phosphorus were important factors influencing changes in bacterial communities. We propose that Fm be utilized as the primary tree species for establishing farmland protection forests in the northeastern region, owing to its superior impact on enhancing soil quality. IMPORTANCE The focal point of this study lies in the implementation of a controlled experiment conducted under field conditions. In this experiment, we deliberately selected four shelterbelts within the same field, characterized by identical planting density, and planting year. This deliberate selection effectively mitigated the potential impact of extraneous factors on the three microbiomes, thereby enhancing the reliability and validity of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Yang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Dang Ding
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiuru Zhang
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Huiyan Gu
- School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
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Wilkes TI. The influence of a soil amendment on the abundance and interaction of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with arable soils and host winter wheat. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000581.v5. [PMID: 38361647 PMCID: PMC10866040 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000581.v5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to be associated with an estimated 70 % of vascular terrestrial plants. Such relationships have been shown to be sensitive to soil disturbance, for example, tillage in the preparation of a seed bed. From the application of arable soil management, AM fungal populations have been shown to be negatively impacted in abundance and diversity, reducing plant growth and development. The present study aims to utilise two sources (multipurpose compost and a commercial inocula) of mycorrhizal fungi for the amendment of arable soils supporting Zulu winter wheat under controlled conditions and quantify plant growth responses. A total of nine fields across three participating farms were sampled, each farm practicing either conventional, reduced, or zero tillage soil management exclusively. Soil textures were assessed for each sampled soil. Via the employment of AM fungal symbiosis quantification methods, AM fungi were compared between soil amendments and their effects on crop growth and development. The present study was able to quantify a mean 6 cm increase to crop height (P<0.001), 10 cm reduction to root length corresponding with a 2.45-fold increase in AM fungal arbuscular structures (P<0.001), a 1.15-fold increase in soil glomalin concentration corresponding to a 1.26-fold increase in soil carbon, and a 1.32-fold increase in the relative abundance of molecular identified AM fungal sequences for compost amended soils compared to control samples. Mycorrhizal inocula, however, saw no change to crop height or root length, AM fungal arbuscules were reduced by 1.43-fold, soil glomalin was additionally reduced by 1.55-fold corresponding to a reduction in soil carbon by 1.31-fold, and a reduction to relative AM fungal species abundance by 1.26-fold. The present study can conclude the addition of compost as an arable soil amendment is more beneficial for the restoration of AM fungi beneficial to wheat production and soil carbon compared to the addition of a commercial mycorrhizal inocula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas I. Wilkes
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, School of Life and Medical Sciences, College Lane Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, UK
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Yotova G, Hristova M, Padareva M, Simeonov V, Dinev N, Tsakovski S. Multivariate Exploratory Analysis of the Bulgarian Soil Quality Monitoring Network. Molecules 2023; 28:6091. [PMID: 37630343 PMCID: PMC10459422 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28166091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of the present study is to assess the soil quality in Bulgaria using (i) an appropriate set of soil quality indicators, namely primary nutrients (C, N, P), acidity (pH), physical clay content and potentially toxic elements (PTEs: Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, As, Hg) and (ii) respective data mining and modeling using chemometrical and geostatistical methods. It has been shown that five latent factors are responsible for the explanation of nearly 70% of the total variance of the data set available (principal components analysis) and each factor is identified in terms of its contribution to the formation of the overall soil quality-the mountain soil factor, the geogenic factor, the ore deposit factor, the low nutrition factor, and the mercury-specific factor. The obtained soil quality patterns were additionally confirmed via hierarchical cluster analysis. The spatial distribution of the patterns throughout the whole Bulgarian territory was visualized via the mapping of the factor scores for all identified latent factors. The mapping of identified soil quality patterns was used to outline regions where additional measures for the monitoring of the phytoavailability of PTEs were required. The suggested regions are located near to thermoelectric power plants and mining and metal production facilities and are characterized by intensive agricultural activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Yotova
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 J. Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (M.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Mariana Hristova
- Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “N. Poushkarov”, Agricultural Academy, 7 Bansko shose Str., 1331 Sofia, Bulgaria; (M.H.); (N.D.)
| | - Monika Padareva
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 J. Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (M.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Vasil Simeonov
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 J. Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (M.P.); (V.S.)
| | - Nikolai Dinev
- Institute of Soil Science, Agrotechnologies and Plant Protection “N. Poushkarov”, Agricultural Academy, 7 Bansko shose Str., 1331 Sofia, Bulgaria; (M.H.); (N.D.)
| | - Stefan Tsakovski
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 1 J. Bourchier Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (G.Y.); (M.P.); (V.S.)
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Popolizio S, Vivaldi GA, Camposeo S. Different Weed Managements Influence the Seasonal Floristic Composition in a Super High-Density Olive Orchard. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:2921. [PMID: 37631133 PMCID: PMC10459031 DOI: 10.3390/plants12162921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Weed management is not yet environmentally, agronomically, economically and socially sustainable in olive orchards. It is necessary to study appropriate integrated weed management systems (IWMSs) based on the knowledge of weed population and effects of weeding practices over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different weed managements on seasonal floristic composition of a super high-density olive orchard, also exploiting the essential principles of an IWMS. Five weeding techniques were compared: chemical control (CHI), mowing (MEC), plastic (nonwoven tissue, TNT and polyethylene, PEN) and organic (with de-oiled olive pomace, DOP) mulching. Weed monitoring was carried out on six dates in a three-year period. The infestation of each of the main 18 weed species recorded (%) and the total infestation (%) on each monitoring date were determined. Results underlined that all weeding practices investigated in this multi-year study affected the floristic composition, weed characteristics (hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes) and seed bank. TNT and PEN were the most effective methods for weed management. Particularly, total infestation coefficient was significantly lowest when plots were managed with TNT (13.91%) and PEN (14.38%) and highest for MEC (141.29%). However, DOP also significantly reduced infestation compared to CHI and MEC. Therefore, DOP could constitute an excellent strategy for weed management in super high-density olive groves, since it also has the possibility of distributing mulching materials in a mechanized way in field and can result in improvement of soil fertility and the possibility of valorizing waste. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the mechanism of action (physical and allelochemical) of de-oiled pomace or other organic agro-industrial materials and the recovery time of these mulching materials in super high-density olive orchards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Salvatore Camposeo
- Department of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy; (S.P.); (G.A.V.)
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Frioni T, Pastore C, Diago MP. Editorial: Resilience of grapevine to climate change: from plant physiology to adaptation strategies, volume II. Front Plant Sci 2023; 14:1268158. [PMID: 37636123 PMCID: PMC10455917 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1268158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Frioni
- Department of Sustainable Crop Production, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Chiara Pastore
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria P. Diago
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of La Rioja, Logroño, Spain
- Department of Viticulture, Institute of Grapevine and Wine Sciences, Logroño, Spain
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Li N, Li J, Nie M, Wu M, Wu J. Effects of grazing prohibition on nirK- and nirS-type denitrifier communities in salt marshes. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1233352. [PMID: 37564285 PMCID: PMC10411955 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1233352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Grazing prohibition is an effective management practice to restore salt marsh functioning. However, the effects of grazing exclusion on denitrifying microbial communities and their controlling factors in salt marshes remain unclear. Methods In this study, we surveyed soil physicochemical properties and above- and below-ground biomass and using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology to determine the relative abundance, composition, and diversity of nitrite reductase nirS- and nirK-type denitrifying bacterial communities associated with grazing prohibition treatments and elevations. Results The abundance of nirS-type denitrifiers increased with grazing prohibition time, whereas the abundance of nirK-type denitrifiers remained unaltered. Moreover, nirS-type denitrifiers were more abundant and diverse than nirK-type denitrifiers in all treatments. Grazing prohibition significantly altered the operational taxonomic unit richness, abundance-based coverage estimator, and Chao1 indices of the nirS-type denitrifying bacterial communities, whereas it only minimally affected the structure of the nirK-type denitrifying bacterial community. Discussion The results imply that the nirS community, rather than nirK, should be the first candidate for use as an indicator in the process of salt marsh restoration after grazing prohibition. Substances of concern, total nitrogen, and salinity were the key environmental factors affecting the abundance and community composition of nirS and nirK denitrifiers. The findings of this study provide novel insights into the influence of the length of grazing prohibition and elevation on nirS- and nirK-type denitrifying bacterial community composition in salt marshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niu Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of Yangtze River Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Wetland Ecosystem Research Station of Hangzhou Bay, Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingrou Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of Yangtze River Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Nie
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of Yangtze River Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Wu
- Wetland Ecosystem Research Station of Hangzhou Bay, Research Institute of Subtropical Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jihua Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Coastal Ecosystems Research Station of Yangtze River Estuary, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Cataldo E, Fucile M, Manzi D, Masini CM, Doni S, Mattii GB. Sustainable Soil Management: Effects of Clinoptilolite and Organic Compost Soil Application on Eco-Physiology, Quercitin, and Hydroxylated, Methoxylated Anthocyanins on Vitis vinifera. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:708. [PMID: 36840056 PMCID: PMC9967315 DOI: 10.3390/plants12040708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and compostinS1g methods have an important junction on the phenological and ripening grapevine phases. Moreover, the optimization of these composting methods in closed-loop corporate chains can skillfully address the waste problem (pomace, stalks, and pruning residues) in viticultural areas. Owing to the ongoing global warming, in many wine-growing regions, there has been unbalanced ripening, with tricky harvests. Excessive temperatures in fact impoverish the anthocyanin amount of the must while the serious water deficits do not allow a correct development of the berry, stopping its growth processes. This experiment was created to improve the soil management and the quality of the grapes, through the application of a new land conditioner (Zeowine) to the soil, derived from the compost processes of industrial wine, waste, and zeolite. Three treatments on a Sangiovese vineyard were conducted: Zeowine (ZW) (30 tons per ha), Zeolite (Z) (10 tons per ha), and Compost (C) (20 tons per ha). During the two seasons (2021-2022), measurements were made of single-leaf gas exchange and leaf midday water potential, as well as chlorophyll fluorescence. In addition, the parameters of plant yield, yeast assimilable nitrogen, technological maturity, fractionation of anthocyanins (Cyanidin-3-glucoside, Delphinidin-3-glucoside, Malvidin-3-acetylglucoside, Malvidin-3-cumarylglucoside, Malvidin-3-glucoside, Peonidin-3-acetylglucoside, Peonidin-3-cumarylglucoside, Peonidin-3-glucoside, and Petunidin-3-glucoside), Caffeic Acid, Coumaric Acid, Gallic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, Quercetin-3-O-glucoside, Quercetin-3-O-galactoside, and Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide were analyzed. The Zeowine and zeolite showed less negative water potential, higher photosynthesis, and lower leaf temperature. Furthermore, they showed higher levels of anthocyanin accumulation and a lower level of quercetin. Finally, the interaction of the beneficial results of Zeowine (soil and grapevines) was evidenced by the embellishment of the nutritional and water efficiency, the minimizing of the need for fertilizers, the closure of the production cycle of waste material from the supply chain, and the improvement of the quality of the wines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cataldo
- DAGRI, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry Sciences and Technologies, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | - Maddalena Fucile
- DAGRI, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry Sciences and Technologies, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
| | | | | | - Serena Doni
- CNR IRET, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, PI, Italy
| | - Giovan Battista Mattii
- DAGRI, Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment, and Forestry Sciences and Technologies, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy
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Hobson DJ, Harty MA, Langton D, McDonnell K, Tracy SR. The establishment of winter wheat root system architecture in field soils: The effect of soil type on root development in a temperate climate. Soil Use Manag 2023; 39:198-208. [PMID: 37033407 PMCID: PMC10078784 DOI: 10.1111/sum.12795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop in the temperate climates of western Europe. Root system architecture is a significant contributor to resource capture and plant resilience. However, the impact of soil type on root system architecture (RSA) in field structured soils is yet to be fully assessed. This work studied the development of root growth using deep cultivation (250 mm) during the tillering phase stage (Zadock stage 25) of winter wheat across three soil types. The three sites of contrasting soil types covered a geographical area in the UK and Ireland in October 2018. Root samples were analysed using two methods: X-ray computed tomography (CT) which provides 3D images of the undisturbed roots in the soil, and a WinRHIZO™ scanner used to generate 2D images of washed roots and to measure further root parameters. Important negative relationships existed between soil bulk density and root properties (root length density, root volume, surface area and length) across the three sites. The results revealed that despite reduced root growth, the clay (Southoe) site had a significantly higher crop yield irrespective of root depth. The loamy sand (Harper Adams) site had significantly higher root volume, surface area and root length density compared with the other sites. However, a reduction in grain yield of 2.42 Mt ha-1 was incurred compared with the clay site and 1.6 Mt ha-1 compared with the clay loam site. The significantly higher rooting characteristics found in the loamy sand site were a result of the significantly lower soil bulk density compared with the other two sites. The loamy sand site had a lower soil bulk density, but no significant difference in macroporosity between sites (p > 0.05). This suggests that soil type and structure directly influence crop yield to greater extent than root parameters, but the interactions between both need simultaneous assessment in field sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. Hobson
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College DublinBelfield, Dublin 4Ireland
| | - Mary A. Harty
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College DublinBelfield, Dublin 4Ireland
| | - David Langton
- Origin Enterprises LtdDublin 24Ireland
- Biosystems Engineering Ltd, NovaUCD BelfieldDublin 4Ireland
| | - Kevin McDonnell
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College DublinBelfield, Dublin 4Ireland
- Origin Enterprises LtdDublin 24Ireland
- Biosystems Engineering Ltd, NovaUCD BelfieldDublin 4Ireland
| | - Saoirse R. Tracy
- School of Agriculture and Food ScienceUniversity College DublinBelfield, Dublin 4Ireland
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Cabrera-Pérez C, Valencia-Gredilla F, Royo-Esnal A, Recasens J. Organic Mulches as an Alternative to Conventional Under-Vine Weed Management in Mediterranean Irrigated Vineyards. Plants (Basel) 2022; 11:2785. [PMID: 36297812 PMCID: PMC9608967 DOI: 10.3390/plants11202785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Vineyard growth and grape yield can be significantly reduced by weeds, especially when these are located in the under-vine zone. Traditional weed management consists of recurrent tillage, which is associated with soil erosion and high fuel consumption, or herbicide applications, associated with damage to the environment and human health. In order to find alternative weed management methods, three field trials were carried out in Raimat (Lleida, NE Spain) with the aim of evaluating the suppressive effect of four mulches against weeds. Treatments included (1) straw mulch of Medicago sativa L., (2) straw mulch of Festuca arundinacea (L.) Schreb, (3) straw mulch of Hordeum vulgare L., (4) chopped pine wood mulch of Pinus sylvestris L., (5) mechanical cultivation and (6) herbicide application. The results showed that all mulches were efficient at controlling weeds (<20% of weed coverage) in the first year, compared with the two traditional methods, as long as the percentage of soil covered by mulches was high (>75%). In this way, pine mulch stood out above the straw mulches, as it achieved high soil cover during the three growing seasons of the study (>80%), with weed coverage values under 18%. This, together with the multiple benefits of mulches (improvements in the water balance and increases in soil organic matter, among others), make them a sustainable tool to be considered as an alternative to traditional under-vine weed management in vineyards.
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Ozlu E, Arriaga FJ, Bilen S, Gozukara G, Babur E. Carbon Footprint Management by Agricultural Practices. Biology (Basel) 2022; 11:biology11101453. [PMID: 36290357 PMCID: PMC9598751 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Global attention to climate change issues, especially air temperature changes, has drastically increased over the last half-century. Along with population growth, greater surface temperature, and higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there are growing concerns for ecosystem sustainability and other human existence on earth. The contribution of agriculture to GHG emissions indicates a level of 18% of total GHGs, mainly from carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Thus, minimizing the effects of climate change by reducing GHG emissions is crucial and can be accomplished by truly understanding the carbon footprint (CF) phenomenon. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to improve understanding of CF alteration due to agricultural management and fertility practices. CF is a popular concept in agro-environmental sciences due to its role in the environmental impact assessments related to alternative solutions and global climate change. Soil moisture content, soil temperature, porosity, and water-filled pore space are some of the soil properties directly related to GHG emissions. These properties raise the role of soil structure and soil health in the CF approach. These properties and GHG emissions are also affected by different land-use changes, soil types, and agricultural management practices. Soil management practices globally have the potential to alter atmospheric GHG emissions. Therefore, the relations between photosynthesis and GHG emissions as impacted by agricultural management practices, especially focusing on soil and related systems, must be considered. We conclude that environmental factors, land use, and agricultural practices should be considered in the management of CF when maximizing crop productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekrem Ozlu
- Vernon G. James Research Center-Tidewater Research Station, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, 207 Research Station, Plymouth, NC 27962, USA
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Serdar Bilen
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25100, Turkey
| | - Gafur Gozukara
- Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir 26250, Turkey
| | - Emre Babur
- Department of Soil Science and Ecology, Faculty of Forestry, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş 46050, Turkey
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Bourceret A, Guan R, Dorau K, Mansfeldt T, Omidbakhshfard A, Medeiros DB, Fernie AR, Hofmann J, Sonnewald U, Mayer J, Gerlach N, Bucher M, Garrido-Oter R, Spaepen S, Schulze-Lefert P; RECONSTRUCT Consortium. Maize Field Study Reveals Covaried Microbiota and Metabolic Changes in Roots over Plant Growth. mBio 2022;:e0258421. [PMID: 35258335 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02584-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant roots are colonized by microorganisms from the surrounding soil that belong to different kingdoms and form a multikingdom microbial community called the root microbiota. Despite their importance for plant growth, the relationship between soil management, the root microbiota, and plant performance remains unknown. Here, we characterize the maize root-associated bacterial, fungal, and oomycetal communities during the vegetative and reproductive growth stages of four maize inbred lines and the pht1;6 phosphate transporter mutant. These plants were grown in two long-term experimental fields under four contrasting soil managements, including phosphate-deficient and -sufficient conditions. We showed that the maize root-associated microbiota is influenced by soil management and changes during host growth stages. We identified stable bacterial and fungal root-associated taxa that persist throughout the host life cycle. These taxa were accompanied by dynamic members that covary with changes in root metabolites. We observed an inverse stable-to-dynamic ratio between root-associated bacterial and fungal communities. We also found a host footprint on the soil biota, characterized by a convergence between soil, rhizosphere, and root bacterial communities during reproductive maize growth. Our study reveals the spatiotemporal dynamics of the maize root-associated microbiota and suggests that the fungal assemblage is less responsive to changes in root metabolites than the bacterial community.
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Saha L, Tiwari J, Bauddh K, Ma Y. Recent Developments in Microbe-Plant-Based Bioremediation for Tackling Heavy Metal-Polluted Soils. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:731723. [PMID: 35002995 PMCID: PMC8733405 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.731723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil contamination with heavy metals (HMs) is a serious concern for the developing world due to its non-biodegradability and significant potential to damage the ecosystem and associated services. Rapid industrialization and activities such as mining, manufacturing, and construction are generating a huge quantity of toxic waste which causes environmental hazards. There are various traditional physicochemical techniques such as electro-remediation, immobilization, stabilization, and chemical reduction to clean the contaminants from the soil. However, these methods require high energy, trained manpower, and hazardous chemicals make these techniques costly and non-environment friendly. Bioremediation, which includes microorganism-based, plant-based, microorganism-plant associated, and other innovative methods, is employed to restore the contaminated soils. This review covers some new aspects and dimensions of bioremediation of heavy metal-polluted soils. The bioremediation potential of bacteria and fungi individually and in association with plants has been reviewed and critically examined. It is reported that microbes such as Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., and Aspergillus spp., have high metal tolerance, and bioremediation potential up to 98% both individually and when associated with plants such as Trifolium repens, Helianthus annuus, and Vallisneria denseserrulata. The mechanism of microbe's detoxification of metals depends upon various aspects which include the internal structure, cell surface properties of microorganisms, and the surrounding environmental conditions have been covered. Further, factors affecting the bioremediation efficiency and their possible solution, along with challenges and future prospects, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lala Saha
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India
| | - Jaya Tiwari
- Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kuldeep Bauddh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, India
| | - Ying Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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13
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Benos L, Tagarakis AC, Dolias G, Berruto R, Kateris D, Bochtis D. Machine Learning in Agriculture: A Comprehensive Updated Review. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:3758. [PMID: 34071553 PMCID: PMC8198852 DOI: 10.3390/s21113758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The digital transformation of agriculture has evolved various aspects of management into artificial intelligent systems for the sake of making value from the ever-increasing data originated from numerous sources. A subset of artificial intelligence, namely machine learning, has a considerable potential to handle numerous challenges in the establishment of knowledge-based farming systems. The present study aims at shedding light on machine learning in agriculture by thoroughly reviewing the recent scholarly literature based on keywords' combinations of "machine learning" along with "crop management", "water management", "soil management", and "livestock management", and in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Only journal papers were considered eligible that were published within 2018-2020. The results indicated that this topic pertains to different disciplines that favour convergence research at the international level. Furthermore, crop management was observed to be at the centre of attention. A plethora of machine learning algorithms were used, with those belonging to Artificial Neural Networks being more efficient. In addition, maize and wheat as well as cattle and sheep were the most investigated crops and animals, respectively. Finally, a variety of sensors, attached on satellites and unmanned ground and aerial vehicles, have been utilized as a means of getting reliable input data for the data analyses. It is anticipated that this study will constitute a beneficial guide to all stakeholders towards enhancing awareness of the potential advantages of using machine learning in agriculture and contributing to a more systematic research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefteris Benos
- Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.B.); (A.C.T.); (G.D.); (D.K.)
| | - Aristotelis C. Tagarakis
- Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.B.); (A.C.T.); (G.D.); (D.K.)
| | - Georgios Dolias
- Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.B.); (A.C.T.); (G.D.); (D.K.)
| | - Remigio Berruto
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (DISAFA), University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy;
| | - Dimitrios Kateris
- Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.B.); (A.C.T.); (G.D.); (D.K.)
| | - Dionysis Bochtis
- Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (L.B.); (A.C.T.); (G.D.); (D.K.)
- FarmB Digital Agriculture P.C., Doiranis 17, GR 54639 Thessaloniki, Greece
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14
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Cusack DF, Kazanski CE, Hedgpeth A, Chow K, Cordeiro AL, Karpman J, Ryals R. Reducing climate impacts of beef production: A synthesis of life cycle assessments across management systems and global regions. Glob Chang Biol 2021; 27:1721-1736. [PMID: 33657680 PMCID: PMC8248168 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The global demand for beef is rapidly increasing (FAO, 2019), raising concern about climate change impacts (Clark et al., 2020; Leip et al., 2015; Springmann et al., 2018). Beef and dairy contribute over 70% of livestock greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), which collectively contribute ~6.3 Gt CO2 -eq/year (Gerber et al., 2013; Herrero et al., 2016) and account for 14%-18% of human GHG emissions (Friedlingstein et al., 2019; Gerber et al., 2013). The utility of beef GHG mitigation strategies, such as land-based carbon (C) sequestration and increased production efficiency, are actively debated (Garnett et al., 2017). We compiled 292 local comparisons of "improved" versus "conventional" beef production systems across global regions, assessing net GHG emission data from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Our results indicate that net beef GHG emissions could be reduced substantially via changes in management. Overall, a 46 % reduction in net GHG emissions per unit of beef was achieved at sites using carbon (C) sequestration management strategies on grazed lands, and an 8% reduction in net GHGs was achieved at sites using growth efficiency strategies. However, net-zero emissions were only achieved in 2% of studies. Among regions, studies from Brazil had the greatest improvement, with management strategies for C sequestration and efficiency reducing beef GHG emissions by 57%. In the United States, C sequestration strategies reduced beef GHG emissions by over 100% (net-zero emissions) in a few grazing systems, whereas efficiency strategies were not successful at reducing GHGs, possibly because of high baseline efficiency in the region. This meta-analysis offers insight into pathways to substantially reduce beef production's global GHG emissions. Nonetheless, even if these improved land-based and efficiency management strategies could be fully applied globally, the trajectory of growth in beef demand will likely more than offset GHG emissions reductions and lead to further warming unless there is also reduced beef consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela F. Cusack
- Department of Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityWarner College of Natural ResourcesB205 Natural and Environmental Sciences BuildingColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
- Department of GeographyUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Clare E. Kazanski
- The Nature Conservancy – North America RegionMinneapolisMNUSA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMNUSA
| | - Alexandra Hedgpeth
- Department of GeographyUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Kenyon Chow
- Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic SciencesUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Amanda L. Cordeiro
- Department of Ecosystem Science and SustainabilityWarner College of Natural ResourcesB205 Natural and Environmental Sciences BuildingColorado State UniversityFort CollinsCOUSA
| | - Jason Karpman
- Luskin School of Public AffairsUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Rebecca Ryals
- Department of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of California, MercedMercedCAUSA
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15
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Grossi G, Vitali A, Lacetera N, Danieli PP, Bernabucci U, Nardone A. Carbon Footprint of Mediterranean Pasture-Based Native Beef: Effects of Agronomic Practices and Pasture Management under Different Climate Change Scenarios. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10030415. [PMID: 32131471 PMCID: PMC7143649 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The livestock sector requires a significant amount of natural resources and has an important role in climate change. Although the carbon footprint has become a widely accepted indicator for assessing the greenhouse gases emitted per unit of product, due to the lack of a commonly accepted methodology, there are still few studies that have included soil organic carbon sequestration in their calculations. In this study, by including soil organic carbon dynamics, the carbon footprint of a Mediterranean pasture-based beef cattle farm was estimated using current weather data and farming management policies. Subsequently, different soil management strategies, grazing systems, and climate scenarios were compared to the current ones to investigate the effects of these variables on the greenhouse gases emitted. The results showed that the current beef carbon footprint could be significantly reduced by switching to reduced tillage systems. The modeled combination of no-tillage practices with higher organic fertilizer application rates showed a greater potential carbon footprint reduction. No significant differences were found between carbon footprint values modeled under different climate scenarios and grazing systems. By including a process-based model into its carbon footprint calculations, this study highlights the climate mitigation potential of different farming practices and the importance of considering soil carbon sequestration. Abstract A better understanding of soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics is needed when assessing the carbon footprint (CFP) of livestock products and the effectiveness of possible agriculture mitigation strategies. This study aimed (i) to perform a cradle-to-gate CFP of pasture-based beef cattle in a Mediterranean agropastoral system (ii) and to assess the effects on the CFP of alternative tillage, fertilizing, and grazing practices under current (NCC) and future climate change (CC) scenarios. Minimum (Mt) and no-tillage (Nt) practices were compared to current tillage (Ct); a 50% increase (Hf) and decrease (Lf) in fertilization was evaluated against the current (Cf) rate; and rotational grazing (Rg) was evaluated versus the current continuous grazing (Cg) system. The denitrification–decomposition (DNDC) model was run using NCC as well as representative concentration pathways to investigate the effects of farm management practices coupled with future CC scenarios on SOC dynamics, N2O fluxes, and crop yield. Within NCC and CtCf, an emission intensity of 26.9 ± 0.7 kg CO2eq per kg live body weight was estimated. Compared to Ct, the adoption of Mt and Nt reduced the CFP by 20% and 35%, respectively, while NtHf reduced it by 40%. Conservation tillage practices were thus shown to be effective in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
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16
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DalCorso G, Fasani E, Manara A, Visioli G, Furini A. Heavy Metal Pollutions: State of the Art and Innovation in Phytoremediation. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3412. [PMID: 31336773 PMCID: PMC6679171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mineral nutrition of plants greatly depends on both environmental conditions, particularly of soils, and the genetic background of the plant itself. Being sessile, plants adopted a range of strategies for sensing and responding to nutrient availability to optimize development and growth, as well as to protect their metabolisms from heavy metal toxicity. Such mechanisms, together with the soil environment, meaning the soil microorganisms and their interaction with plant roots, have been extensively studied with the goal of exploiting them to reclaim polluted lands; this approach, defined phytoremediation, will be the subject of this review. The main aspects and innovations in this field are considered, in particular with respect to the selection of efficient plant genotypes, the application of improved cultural strategies, and the symbiotic interaction with soil microorganisms, to manage heavy metal polluted soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni DalCorso
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Elisa Fasani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Manara
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanna Visioli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonella Furini
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 15, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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17
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Liakos KG, Busato P, Moshou D, Pearson S, Bochtis D. Machine Learning in Agriculture: A Review. Sensors (Basel) 2018; 18:E2674. [PMID: 30110960 PMCID: PMC6111295 DOI: 10.3390/s18082674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Machine learning has emerged with big data technologies and high-performance computing to create new opportunities for data intensive science in the multi-disciplinary agri-technologies domain. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of research dedicated to applications of machine learning in agricultural production systems. The works analyzed were categorized in (a) crop management, including applications on yield prediction, disease detection, weed detection crop quality, and species recognition; (b) livestock management, including applications on animal welfare and livestock production; (c) water management; and (d) soil management. The filtering and classification of the presented articles demonstrate how agriculture will benefit from machine learning technologies. By applying machine learning to sensor data, farm management systems are evolving into real time artificial intelligence enabled programs that provide rich recommendations and insights for farmer decision support and action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos G Liakos
- Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Patrizia Busato
- Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (DISAFA), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
| | - Dimitrios Moshou
- Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
- Agricultural Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Simon Pearson
- Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT), University of Lincoln, Brayford Way, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK, .
| | - Dionysis Bochtis
- Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (IBO), Centre of Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, GR 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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18
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Heroldová M, Michalko R, Suchomel J, Zejda J. Influence of no-tillage versus tillage system on common vole (Microtus arvalis) population density. Pest Manag Sci 2018; 74:1346-1350. [PMID: 29193739 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the 'no-tillage' management system generally improves soil properties and helps to control arthropod pests, it may also intensify crop infestation by the common vole (Microtus arvalis Pallas). In this study, we evaluated the impact of soil management (no-tillage or tillage), crop and previous crop (winter wheat or winter rape), and season (spring or autumn) on common vole density using data from the Common Vole Monitoring Programme undertaken by the Plant Protection Service of the Czech Republic between 2000 and 2009. RESULTS Models predicted low mean values of vole infestation across management types, crops, and seasons. The untilled fields hosted significantly more voles than the tilled fields in spring but not in autumn. More common voles were found in winter rape than in winter wheat during both seasons. CONCLUSION Recent studies suggest that no-tillage management is more profitable than tillage management as a result of its positive impact on soil properties and pest control. During periods of high vole infestation, however, tillage may constitute an alternative strategy for reducing yield losses. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Heroldová
- Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Radek Michalko
- Department of Forest Ecology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Suchomel
- Faculty of AgriSciences, Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zejda
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
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19
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Harden JW, Hugelius G, Ahlström A, Blankinship JC, Bond-Lamberty B, Lawrence CR, Loisel J, Malhotra A, Jackson RB, Ogle S, Phillips C, Ryals R, Todd-Brown K, Vargas R, Vergara SE, Cotrufo MF, Keiluweit M, Heckman KA, Crow SE, Silver WL, DeLonge M, Nave LE. Networking our science to characterize the state, vulnerabilities, and management opportunities of soil organic matter. Glob Chang Biol 2018; 24:e705-e718. [PMID: 28981192 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Soil organic matter (SOM) supports the Earth's ability to sustain terrestrial ecosystems, provide food and fiber, and retains the largest pool of actively cycling carbon. Over 75% of the soil organic carbon (SOC) in the top meter of soil is directly affected by human land use. Large land areas have lost SOC as a result of land use practices, yet there are compensatory opportunities to enhance productivity and SOC storage in degraded lands through improved management practices. Large areas with and without intentional management are also being subjected to rapid changes in climate, making many SOC stocks vulnerable to losses by decomposition or disturbance. In order to quantify potential SOC losses or sequestration at field, regional, and global scales, measurements for detecting changes in SOC are needed. Such measurements and soil-management best practices should be based on well established and emerging scientific understanding of processes of C stabilization and destabilization over various timescales, soil types, and spatial scales. As newly engaged members of the International Soil Carbon Network, we have identified gaps in data, modeling, and communication that underscore the need for an open, shared network to frame and guide the study of SOM and SOC and their management for sustained production and climate regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer W Harden
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Gustaf Hugelius
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Ahlström
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joseph C Blankinship
- Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ben Bond-Lamberty
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Joint Global Change Research Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Julie Loisel
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Avni Malhotra
- Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Robert B Jackson
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Woods Institute for the Environment and Precourt Institute for Energy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Ogle
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Claire Phillips
- USDA-ARS Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Rebecca Ryals
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Rodrigo Vargas
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Sintana E Vergara
- Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - M Francesca Cotrufo
- Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory and Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Marco Keiluweit
- School of Earth and Sustainability, Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | - Susan E Crow
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Whendee L Silver
- Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Marcia DeLonge
- Food and Environment Program, Union of Concerned Scientists, DC, USA
| | - Lucas E Nave
- Biological Station and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Pellston, MI, USA
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20
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Eisenhauer N, Antunes PM, Bennett AE, Birkhofer K, Bissett A, Bowker MA, Caruso T, Chen B, Coleman DC, de Boer W, de Ruiter P, DeLuca TH, Frati F, Griffiths BS, Hart MM, Hättenschwiler S, Haimi J, Heethoff M, Kaneko N, Kelly LC, Leinaas HP, Lindo Z, Macdonald C, Rillig MC, Ruess L, Scheu S, Schmidt O, Seastedt TR, van Straalen NM, Tiunov AV, Zimmer M, Powell JR. Priorities for research in soil ecology. Pedobiologia (Jena) 2017; 63:1-7. [PMID: 29129942 PMCID: PMC5675051 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedobi.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The ecological interactions that occur in and with soil are of consequence in many ecosystems on the planet. These interactions provide numerous essential ecosystem services, and the sustainable management of soils has attracted increasing scientific and public attention. Although soil ecology emerged as an independent field of research many decades ago, and we have gained important insights into the functioning of soils, there still are fundamental aspects that need to be better understood to ensure that the ecosystem services that soils provide are not lost and that soils can be used in a sustainable way. In this perspectives paper, we highlight some of the major knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in soil ecological research. These research priorities were compiled based on an online survey of 32 editors of Pedobiologia - Journal of Soil Ecology. These editors work at universities and research centers in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.The questions were categorized into four themes: (1) soil biodiversity and biogeography, (2) interactions and the functioning of ecosystems, (3) global change and soil management, and (4) new directions. The respondents identified priorities that may be achievable in the near future, as well as several that are currently achievable but remain open. While some of the identified barriers to progress were technological in nature, many respondents cited a need for substantial leadership and goodwill among members of the soil ecology research community, including the need for multi-institutional partnerships, and had substantial concerns regarding the loss of taxonomic expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nico Eisenhauer
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 21, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Corresponding author:
| | - Pedro M. Antunes
- Department of Biology, Algoma University, 1520 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2G4 Canada
| | - Alison E. Bennett
- Ecological Sciences, James Hutton Institute, Errol Road, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Chair of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Konrad-Wachsmann-Allee 6, 03046 Cottbus, Germany
| | - Andrew Bissett
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia
| | - Matthew A. Bowker
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, 200 East Pine Knoll Drive, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, USA
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
| | - Baodong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 18 Shuangqinglu, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquanlu, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - David C. Coleman
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Wietse de Boer
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
- Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, Wageningen, 6708 PB, the Netherlands
| | - Peter de Ruiter
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Faculty of Science, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas H. DeLuca
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
| | - Francesco Frati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Bryan S. Griffiths
- Crop and Soil Systems Research Group, Scotland’s Rural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom
| | - Miranda M. Hart
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, 3187 University Way, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Stephan Hättenschwiler
- Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 Route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Jari Haimi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, P.O.Box 35, FI-40014, Finland
| | - Michael Heethoff
- Ecological Networks, TU Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt
| | - Nobuhiro Kaneko
- Soil Ecology Research Group, Yokohama National University ,79-7 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya, Yokohama 240-8501, Japan
| | - Laura C. Kelly
- Division of Biology and Conservation Ecology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, M1 5GD, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Petter Leinaas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Zoë Lindo
- Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - Catriona Macdonald
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Matthias C. Rillig
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Liliane Ruess
- Institute of Biology, Ecology Group, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Scheu
- JFB Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Berliner Str. 28, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Schmidt
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Timothy R. Seastedt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, UCB 450, CO 80309, USA
| | - Nico M. van Straalen
- Department of Ecological Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexei V. Tiunov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS, Leninsky Prospect 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Martin Zimmer
- Leibniz-Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstr. 6, 28359 Bremen
| | - Jeff R. Powell
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751, Australia
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21
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Payne CLR, Van Itterbeeck J. Ecosystem Services from Edible Insects in Agricultural Systems: A Review. Insects 2017; 8:insects8010024. [PMID: 28218635 PMCID: PMC5371952 DOI: 10.3390/insects8010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many of the most nutritionally and economically important edible insects are those that are harvested from existing agricultural systems. Current strategies of agricultural intensification focus predominantly on increasing crop yields, with no or little consideration of the repercussions this may have for the additional harvest and ecology of accompanying food insects. Yet such insects provide many valuable ecosystem services, and their sustainable management could be crucial to ensuring future food security. This review considers the multiple ecosystem services provided by edible insects in existing agricultural systems worldwide. Directly and indirectly, edible insects contribute to all four categories of ecosystem services as outlined by the Millennium Ecosystem Services definition: provisioning, regulating, maintaining, and cultural services. They are also responsible for ecosystem disservices, most notably significant crop damage. We argue that it is crucial for decision-makers to evaluate the costs and benefits of the presence of food insects in agricultural systems. We recommend that a key priority for further research is the quantification of the economic and environmental contribution of services and disservices from edible insects in agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte L R Payne
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3QY, UK.
| | - Joost Van Itterbeeck
- College of Arts, Department of History, Rikkyo University, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan.
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22
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Rial-Lovera K, Davies WP, Cannon ND. Implications of climate change predictions for UK cropping and prospects for possible mitigation: a review of challenges and potential responses. J Sci Food Agric 2017; 97:17-32. [PMID: 27103504 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The UK, like the rest of the world, is confronting the impacts of climate change. Further changes are expected and they will have a profound effect on agriculture. Future crop production will take place against increasing CO2 levels and temperatures, decreasing water availability, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events. This review contributes to research on agricultural practices for climate change, but with a more regional perspective. The present study explores climate change impacts on UK agriculture, particularly food crop production, and how to mitigate and build resilience to climate change by adopting and/or changing soil management practices, including fertilisation and tillage systems, new crop adoption and variety choice. Some mitigation can be adopted in the shorter term, such as changes in crop type and reduction in fertiliser use, but in other cases the options will need greater investment and longer adaptation period. This is the case for new crop variety development and deployment, and possible changes to soil cultivations. Uncertainty of future weather conditions, particularly extreme weather, also affect decision-making for adoption of practices by farmers to ensure more stable and sustainable production. Even when there is real potential for climate change mitigation, it can sometimes be more difficult to accomplish with certainty on-farm. Better future climate projections and long-term investments will be required to create more resilient agricultural systems in the UK in the face of climate change challenges. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Rial-Lovera
- Royal Agricultural University, School of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
| | - W Paul Davies
- Royal Agricultural University, School of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
| | - Nicola D Cannon
- Royal Agricultural University, School of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
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23
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Laghari M, Naidu R, Xiao B, Hu Z, Mirjat MS, Hu M, Kandhro MN, Chen Z, Guo D, Jogi Q, Abudi ZN, Fazal S. Recent developments in biochar as an effective tool for agricultural soil management: a review. J Sci Food Agric 2016; 96:4840-4849. [PMID: 27116042 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.7753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
In recent years biochar has been demonstrated to be a useful amendment to sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emission from the soil to the atmosphere. Hence it can help to mitigate global environment change. Some studies have shown that biochar addition to agricultural soils increases crop production. The mechanisms involved are: increased soil aeration and water-holding capacity, enhanced microbial activity and plant nutrient status in soil, and alteration of some important soil chemical properties. This review provides an in-depth consideration of the production, characterization and agricultural use of different biochars. Biochar is a complex organic material and its characteristics vary with production conditions and the feedstock used. The agronomic benefits of biochar solely depend upon the use of particular types of biochar with proper field application rate under appropriate soil types and conditions. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Laghari
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
- Department of Energy and Environment, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRCCARE), University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Bo Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiquan Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China.
| | - Muhammad Saffar Mirjat
- Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Mian Hu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Nawaz Kandhro
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Zhihua Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
| | - Dabin Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
| | - Qamardudin Jogi
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, 70060, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Zaidun Naji Abudi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
- Al-Mustansiryiah University, College of Engineering, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Saima Fazal
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430073, People's Republic of China
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24
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Townsend TJ, Ramsden SJ, Wilson P. How do we cultivate in England? Tillage practices in crop production systems. Soil Use Manag 2016; 32:106-117. [PMID: 27570358 PMCID: PMC4986281 DOI: 10.1111/sum.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Reducing tillage intensity offers the possibility of moving towards sustainable intensification objectives. Reduced tillage (RT) practices, where the plough is not used, can provide a number of environmental and financial benefits, particularly for soil erosion control. Based on 2010 harvest year data from the nationally stratified Farm Business Survey and drawing on a sub-sample of 249 English arable farmers, we estimate that approximately 32% of arable land was established under RT, with 46% of farms using some form of RT. Farms more likely to use some form of RT were larger, located in the East Midlands and South East of England and classified as 'Cereals' farms. Application of RT techniques was not determined by the age or education level of the farmer. Individual crops impacted the choice of land preparation, with wheat and oilseed rape being more frequently planted after RT than field beans and root crops, which were almost always planted after ploughing. This result suggests there can be limitations to the applicability of RT. Average tillage depth was only slightly shallower for RT practices than ploughing, suggesting that the predominant RT practices are quite demanding in their energy use. Policy makers seeking to increase sustainable RT uptake will need to address farm-level capital investment constraints and target policies on farms growing crops, such as wheat and oilseed rape, that are better suited to RT practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. J. Townsend
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesUniversity of NottinghamSutton Bonington CampusCollege RoadSutton BoningtonLoughboroughLE12 5RDUK
| | - S. J. Ramsden
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesUniversity of NottinghamSutton Bonington CampusCollege RoadSutton BoningtonLoughboroughLE12 5RDUK
| | - P. Wilson
- Division of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesUniversity of NottinghamSutton Bonington CampusCollege RoadSutton BoningtonLoughboroughLE12 5RDUK
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25
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Williams A, Kane DA, Ewing PM, Atwood LW, Jilling A, Li M, Lou Y, Davis AS, Grandy AS, Huerd SC, Hunter MC, Koide RT, Mortensen DA, Smith RG, Snapp SS, Spokas KA, Yannarell AC, Jordan NR. Soil Functional Zone Management: A Vehicle for Enhancing Production and Soil Ecosystem Services in Row-Crop Agroecosystems. Front Plant Sci 2016; 7:65. [PMID: 26904043 PMCID: PMC4743437 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing global demand for food, bioenergy feedstocks and a wide variety of bio-based products. In response, agriculture has advanced production, but is increasingly depleting soil regulating and supporting ecosystem services. New production systems have emerged, such as no-tillage, that can enhance soil services but may limit yields. Moving forward, agricultural systems must reduce trade-offs between production and soil services. Soil functional zone management (SFZM) is a novel strategy for developing sustainable production systems that attempts to integrate the benefits of conventional, intensive agriculture, and no-tillage. SFZM creates distinct functional zones within crop row and inter-row spaces. By incorporating decimeter-scale spatial and temporal heterogeneity, SFZM attempts to foster greater soil biodiversity and integrate complementary soil processes at the sub-field level. Such integration maximizes soil services by creating zones of 'active turnover', optimized for crop growth and yield (provisioning services); and adjacent zones of 'soil building', that promote soil structure development, carbon storage, and moisture regulation (regulating and supporting services). These zones allow SFZM to secure existing agricultural productivity while avoiding or minimizing trade-offs with soil ecosystem services. Moreover, the specific properties of SFZM may enable sustainable increases in provisioning services via temporal intensification (expanding the portion of the year during which harvestable crops are grown). We present a conceptual model of 'virtuous cycles', illustrating how increases in crop yields within SFZM systems could create self-reinforcing feedback processes with desirable effects, including mitigation of trade-offs between yield maximization and soil ecosystem services. Through the creation of functionally distinct but interacting zones, SFZM may provide a vehicle for optimizing the delivery of multiple goods and services in agricultural systems, allowing sustainable temporal intensification while protecting and enhancing soil functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alwyn Williams
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St PaulMN, USA
| | - Daniel A. Kane
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East LansingMI, USA
| | - Patrick M. Ewing
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St PaulMN, USA
| | - Lesley W. Atwood
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, DurhamNH, USA
| | - Andrea Jilling
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, DurhamNH, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, UrbanaIL, USA
| | - Yi Lou
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, UrbanaIL, USA
| | - Adam S. Davis
- Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, UrbanaIL, USA
| | - A. Stuart Grandy
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, DurhamNH, USA
| | - Sheri C. Huerd
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St PaulMN, USA
| | - Mitchell C. Hunter
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University ParkPA, USA
| | - Roger T. Koide
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, ProvoUT, USA
| | - David A. Mortensen
- Department of Plant Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University ParkPA, USA
| | - Richard G. Smith
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, DurhamNH, USA
| | - Sieglinde S. Snapp
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East LansingMI, USA
| | - Kurt A. Spokas
- Soil and Water Management Unit, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service, St PaulMN, USA
| | - Anthony C. Yannarell
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, UrbanaIL, USA
| | - Nicholas R. Jordan
- Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St PaulMN, USA
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26
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Kibblewhite MG, Prakash S, Hazarika M, Burgess PJ, Sakrabani R. Managing declining yields from ageing tea plantations. J Sci Food Agric 2014; 94:1477-1481. [PMID: 24464583 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 11/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Strong growth in the demand for tea requires further increases in the productivity of plantations. Declining or stagnant yields are commonly observed in older plantations. Possible controlling factors for yield decline are reviewed including ageing of plants, chronic disease and sub-optimal soil conditions such as excess soil acidity and low soil organic matter. Management options for addressing these factors are evaluated, including replanting. A systematic approach to decision-making about replanting is presented. Practice for replanting is reviewed and it is concluded that evidence to support a general case for replanting is limited, unless based on the introduction of more productive clones and/or better plant spacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Kibblewhite
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK
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