Agro-ecological Problems Research Articles

Agroecological problems of territorial communities in the Carpathian region and ways to solve them

The article examines the theoretical and practical issues of ecological situation problems, which are connected with the implementation of administrativeterritorial reform and decentralization reform in the country, which is accompanied by the unification of territorial communities and the organization of land territory, which consists in the social relations of landowners and land users, the assessment of real land use structures and optimal use of land resources. It is suggested that the united territorial communities adjust the ratio between destabilizing and stabilizing agricultural lands and bring the use of land resources closer to ecologically balanced development of nature management. The reasons for the problems of ecological situations are revealed and, after analyzing in detail the relationship between destabilizing and stabilizing agricultural lands, ways to solve them are proposed. It has been determined that reducing air pollution requires the joint efforts of governments, industry, the public and every individual. Due to the global nature of the problem, international cooperation and sharing of best practices also play a key role in finding effective solutions. Solutions to environmental problems are proposed, including reducing emissions, implementing and strictly enforcing environmental standards for industrial enterprises and vehicles, improving the efficiency of energy use and switching to cleaner fuels; development of public transport: encouraging the use of public transport, cycle paths and pedestrian zones to reduce the number of private cars on the roads; support for clean technologies; investing in the development and implementation of clean technologies, such as renewable energy sources (solar and wind energy), which reduce dependence on fossil fuels: urban greening; expanding green space in urban areas to absorb carbon and reduce air temperature. Trees and plants also help filter pollutants from the air.

Ecological assessment of the aftereffect of phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils

Against the background of global climate changes, agroecological problems of erosion and agrogenic degradation of intensively used arable soils have become more acute. This problem is most acute in the case of old-arable sod-podzolic soils with initially low humus content and small thickness of their sod horizons. Our research carried out with the support of project No. 075-15-2021-1030 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, provides investigation the influence of industrial waste in the production of phosphorous fertilizers - phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils. The research was carried out at the Agroecological Station of the Field Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in fall of 2022 and in summer of 2023. The use of phosphogypsum in a dose of 1.5 t/ha contributed to the significant accumulation of organic carbon in the topsoil of the studied sod-podzolic soils – in comparison with the control. In combination with compost from bird dropping at a dose of 2.0 t/ha, the aftereffect of the use of phosphogypsum essentially increases, that indicates good prospects for the validation of this technology as a natural climate project.

Greening and agroecological assessment of the agricultural sector of the Karabakh region

State of the problem. During the occupation by Armenia of the Karabakh economic district of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the military degradation of agricultural lands and their use in agriculture and animal husbandry without observing agroecological rules led to the deterioration of soil fertility and the reduction of the optimality of agrarian landscapes. Object learning. The article presents modern ideas for re-doing the agroecological assessment of the lands and solving the actual agroecological problems of their use in agriculture for greening the development of the agricultural area in the Karabakh economic region. In the economic region, the main approach is given to methodological issues of agro-ecological assessment of soil quality, greening of efficient use of agricultural land, agro-ecological analysis of anthropogenic dynamics of soils, regional integration of assessment of agro-ecological quality of soils. In the design of agroecosystems in the Karabakh economic region, the agroecological approach of the differentiation of the area according to the soil-climate factors, the evaluation of the soil taking into account the geomorphological and climatic factors is given. At the same time, the importance of cadastral assessment and accounting of the modern ecological condition of the region's land resources, as well as the issues of their effective use and protection are explained. In the article, in order to ensure the development of the agrarian sector in the region, the importance of the complex agro-ecological re-evaluation of land resources, ways to eliminate the main indicators of land degradation and ecological requirements for the cultivation of plants, determination of territorial units characterized by variability of natural and climatic conditions, agro-production grouping of elementary areas of agro-landscapes and according to the agro-ecological assessment of the area, the ways of organizing the efficient use of land were investigated. Methodology. Generalization, historical, statistical, systematic analysis, and comparison methods were used to prepare the article. Research results. Environmental and economic stability may become more challenging in the future due to increasing anthropogenic pressure on agroecosystems in the economic region and poor infrastructure. Due to intensive land use, frequent erosion, river floods, and environmental pollution in the region can lead to a decline in the quality of agricultural land. Also, anthropogenic activities in the region can have a negative impact on the state and development of agroecosystems and the sustainable development of agriculture in the region, to optimize which it is considered necessary to improve and update the methods and technologies used in agriculture. The scientific novelty of the research. It is necessary to apply agroecological concepts and principles in the redesign, development, and management of sustainable agricultural systems in the economic region. The development of agroecosystems in the region should be ensured by alternative agricultural methodologies and approaches that combine the socio-economic and historical context of agriculture. The production of organic agricultural products, which do not harm human health and the natural environment, should be carried out, and the ecological condition of the soil should also be monitored regularly.

AN INSTRUMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STATE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MONITORING

An example of digital technologies’ successful application for livestock organic waste monitoring and management developing on the intelligent analytical software platform’s basis is considered. The results of this approach for agroecological problems’ solving are presented. The final result by an interactive program is presented allowing the livestock/poultry waste management’s monitoring and organic fertilizers use coordinating, taking into account environmental-and-economical indicators. Research and the final result’s obtaining was based on the following methodological approaches using: expert knowledge processing and the waste processing’s optimal technologies algorithms formatting for organic fertilizers determine and use, webserver’s user accessing, microservice technology for geoinformation resources’ accessing. The interactive program the database maintaining, logistics organizing, a summary report (digital passport) generating, analytical data on material resources obtaining and technical equipping functions is implementing. This given pilot facility can become a state system for animal byproducts’ monitoring and managing creation basis, that there in Russia only at least 580 million tons per year in manure and ding’s kinds are formed. The information obtained as a result of this program allows to make plans for agricultural enterprises’ technological and technical reequipment in accordance with the environmental legislation’s requirements and the NDT prospect’s switching.

О. А. Яната — визнаний український ученийаграрій, перший головний редактор «Вісника сільськогосподарської науки» (1888 – 1938)

The purpose of the article is to reveal the main milestones of the life and creative path of the talented scientist O.A. Yanata, to summarize his most important scientific achievements in the field of agricultural science, organization of sectoral research work and higher professional education in Ukraine. Methods. General scientific — analysis, synthesis, typology; historical — problem-chronological, comparative- historical, retrospective, biographical. The results. It is proved that O.A. Yanata is one of the founders of the Agricultural Scientist (Scientific) Committee of Ukraine, which was transformed into the Scientific and Advisory Council at the National Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR. He contributed to the establishment of the Seed Control Research Station of the Kharkiv Agricultural Society, the Ukrainian Institute of Seed Science, and the Ukrainian Institute of Applied Botany. He made efforts to organize the scientific and educational process, heading the Department of Botany of the Kyiv State Ukrainian University and Agricultural Botany of the Kyiv Agricultural Institute, as well as the Research Department of Applied Botany of the NKO of the Ukrainian SSR at the Kharkiv Agricultural Institute named after H. Rakovsky. Conclusions. O.A. Yanata played an important role in the development of the scientific foundations of the control and seed business in Ukraine, as well as onion growing, seed production, entomology, herbology, botanical terminology and nomenclature, protected business. O.A. Yanata is the founder of the agro-ecological direction in botany and ecology. The researcher raised agro-ecological problems of weed control in agro-ecosystems, initiated systematic botanical and geographical research in Ukraine, and scientifically substantiated the natural zoning of agriculture. It is proven that the scientist contributed to the popularization of the achievements of domestic agrarian science, as the initiator of the foundation, the editor-in-chief of well-known printed bodies, in particular, the journal «News of the Natural Section of the National University of Science and Technology», «Ukrainian Botanical Journal» and «Herald of Agricultural Science».

ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЕ САМООПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ СТАРШЕКЛАССНИКОВ В УСЛОВИЯХ ОСВОЕНИЯ ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНОЙ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЙ ПРОГРАММЫ «КРАЕВАЯ АГРОШКОЛА»

Statement of the problem. Professional self-determination and choice of profession by high school students are becoming especially relevant in the era of ongoing changes in the development of the world and modern Russia. The importance of human capital and its improvement is increasing. The problem solved in this article is related to the state request for: – implementation of the Federal State Educational Standard aimed at the formation of professional orientation of high school students in specific fields of activity; – implementation of the All-Russian project of early professional orientation of students from grades 6–11 of the Ticket to the Future general education organizations of the Success of Every Child federal project of the Education national project, aimed at development of awareness and readiness for professional self-determination of students of grades 6–11; – the need to train future competent specialists and nature users with systemic and environmental thinking, functional literacy, knowledge in the field of IT and biotechnology; – the use of new most effective methods for professional self-determination of high school students in the field of agriculture. The purpose of the article is to develop an educational program in an institution of additional education in the field of agriculture aimed at professional self-determination of high school students. The research methodology (materials and methods) includes systematic approach and scientific, pedagogical, and psychological approaches, cartographic, empirical, and statistical methods. Research results. The results of the study indicate the following: the implementation of a new educational program is associated with the development of students’ interest in agricultural professions, through their involvement in solving agroecological problems of sustainable development of the Russian Federation and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. When implementing an educational program in the field of agriculture, students are maximally immersed in theory and practice (a modular form of organizing an educational process), with inclusion in various roles: analyst, researcher, expert, manager, developer, and PR. This allows students not only to understand their role in the future production process, but also to develop systemic and environmental thinking, the basics of major competencies, the ability to set a goal and achieve it, plan, organize, and perform appropriate work, take responsibility for decision-making, bring the work started to the end. Conclusions. The article deals with the issues of professional self-determination and choice of profession by high school students of the basic school. Methodological and organizational measures have been carried out to develop and implement an educational program in the field of agriculture on the basis of an additional education institution. The outcome of the implementation of the educational program in the field of agriculture are metasubject and personal results of students.

Agroecological problems of intensive agriculture on drained lands

Purpose. To identify features of the level of manifestation and variability of grain number per spike in spring barley and reveal new genetic sources by combining increased and stable level of manifestation of the trait for breeding in the central part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The research was conducted in 2018–2020 under conditions of the V. M. Remeslo Myronivka Institute of Wheat of NAAS. We studied 96 collection accessions of different subspecies and groups of spring barley varieties originating from 15 countries. A number of statistical parameters and graphical models were used. Results. The ANOVA of the AMMI model revealed significantly higher part of contribution in the total phenotypic variation for every its component: growing season conditions (33.8–40.2%), genotype (35.2–48.9%), and genotype – environment interaction (17.3–29.3%). According to the homeostaticity (Homi) and breeding value (Sci) levels and GGE biplot visualizations, the samples were differentiated by the level of manifestation and variability of the trait and new genetic sources for barley breeding were identified. The coefficient of phenotypic variation ranged from low in two-rowed hulled samples (PCV = 9.60%) to near-high in hulless ones (PCV = 18.9%). High values of the coefficient of genotypic variation were found in hulless (GCV = 10.95%) and six-rowed samples (GCV = 13.28%). The coefficient of heritability of the trait varied from high (H2 = 79.4%) in two-rowed samples to near-low (H2 = 33.7%) in six-rowed samples. The expected genetic improvement ranged from middle in multi-row samples (GAM = 13.10%) to high in hulless samples (GAM = 23.51%). Conclusions. Collection accessions combining increased grain number and its relative stability were identified, namely, two-rowed hulled ones ‘Tiver’ (UKR), ‘Almonte’ (CAN), ‘Despina’ (DEU), ‘Symbat’ (KAZ), ‘Smaragd’ (UKR), ‘Novator’ (UKR); two-rowed hulless ones ‘CDC Candle’ (CAN) and ‘Millhouse’ (CAN); multi-row hulled ones ‘AC Wes­tech’ (CAN) and ‘AC Alma’ (CAN). The prospect of further research is to involve the selected accessions into creation of new source material and establish the peculiarities of the inheritance of grain number per spike, as well as to identify the relationship of this trait with other yield components.

Changes in the Agrophysical Properties of the Chernozem Leached with the Use of Defecate and Fertilizers for the Cultivation of Winter Wheat

The intensive use of chernozems has led to an imbalance between their effective and potential fertility, as evidenced by the worsening of their agrophysical and agrochemical properties. A necessary condition to solve the complex of agroecological problems is the study and development of scientifically based methods of reproduction and increasing soil fertility. It is also necessary to effectively use fertilizers in combination with other chemical ameliorants for various technologies for the cultivation of agricultural crops in crop rotation aimed at improving the agrophysical properties of these crops and ensuring an increase in their yield and quality while meeting environmental requirements.

Bio-economics of Indian hybrid Bt cotton and farmer suicides

BackgroundThe implementation of hybrid Bt cotton unique to India has been heralded as a grand success by government agencies, seed companies and other proponents, and yet yields have stagnated at low levels and production costs have risen 2.5–3-fold. The low-yield hybrid cotton system of India contributes thousands of farmer suicides to the annual national toll. Conceptual and methodological barriers have hindered bioeconomic analysis of the ecological and social sustainability of such cross-scale agro-ecological problems in time and geographic space, under global technology and climate change. As a paradigm shift, we use conceptually simple, parameter-sparse, theoretically based, mechanistic, weather-driven physiologically based demographic models (PBDMs) to deconstruct the bio-economics of the Indian cotton system.ResultsOur analysis of Indian hybrid cotton system explains some extant ecological and economic problems, and suggests a viable solution. Specifically, the model accurately captured the age-stage mass dynamics of rainfed and irrigated cotton growth/development and the interactions with the key pest pink bollworm across five south-central Indian states, and enabled identification of proximate bioeconomic factors responsible for low yield and their relationship to farmer suicides. The results are reinforced by analysis of Ministry of Agriculture annual state-level data. We explain why short-season, high-density non-GM cotton is a highly viable solution for Indian cotton farmers in rainfed and irrigated cotton areas of the five states, and possibly nationally. The transition from a theoretical bioeconomic construct to a real-world regional bioeconomic analysis proved seamless.ConclusionsThe hybrid long-season Bt technology for rainfed and irrigated cotton is unique to India, and is a value capture mechanism. This technology is suboptimal leading to stagnant yields, high input costs, increased insecticide use, and low farmer incomes that increase economic distress that is a proximate cause of cotton farmer suicides. The current GM Bt technology adds costs in rainfed cotton without commensurate increases in yield. Non-GM pure-line high-density short-season varieties could double rainfed cotton yield, reduce costs, decrease insecticide use, and help ameliorate suicides. The GM hybrid technology is inappropriate for incorporation in short-season high-density varieties.

Environmental and landscape significance of steppe mega-projects

For the development of fundamental bases of strategy of rational steppe land use and its realization we analyzed the most significant steppe megaprojects - "Stalin's plan to transform the nature of forest steppe and steppe", the Virgin Lands Campaign of 1954-1963, Agrarian Reform of the 1990s. Both specific consequences of each project and their cumulative impact determining the modern appearance of steppe landscapes and their agro-ecological problems are established. The Altai Territory, primarily the Kulunda steppe, is considered a special arena of megaprojects in the steppes of Siberia, bearing all the features of the old-developed region, where the most positive effect of these projects was achieved. The interrelation between the main problems of modern steppe land use and the results of the considered megaprojects has been presented. The main problems of agrarian steppe land use have been revealed. Taking into account modern tendencies of development of agrarian and industrial complex three most probable scenarios of development of steppe agriculture landscapes are considered. They are neo-wildland, stagnation, and optimization scenario with adaptation of agricultural lands structure to natural-climatic conditions and requirements of market conditions, with concentration of intensive agriculture on the best lands and transformation of low-productive lands into long-term managed steppe fodder lands of adaptive animal husbandry.

Integration of knowledge and interdisciplinary cooperation in solving agro-ecological issues (the case of Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Academy)

The subject of research is the experience of integration of scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary cooperation aimed at solving agro-ecological issues for the purpose of increasing economic effectiveness and making appropriate management decisions in the field of the agro-industrial complex. The author considers this problem using the example of Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Academy. To analyze the subject, the author studies the results of coordinated use of innovative solutions of different branches of scientific and practical knowledge for solving the vital agro-ecological problems and raising the effectiveness of intellectual resources management for the purpose of sustainable economic development of agricultural territories. The author considers theoretical and practical aspects of synthesis of scientific knowledge for solving the above mentioned problems and the prospects of integration of the contents of scientific and educational processes and field experience in agricultural educational institutions of Russia. The research is based on various types of analysis (typological and comparative) and the method of historical and philosophical reconstruction. The scientific novelty of the study consists in the fact that integration of scientific knowledge and interdisciplinary cooperation in solving topical agro-ecological problems are considered from the viewpoint of organic philosophy (using its methodological basis) and based on the scientific, educational and field experience of Nizhny Novgorod State Agricultural Academy.   

Green economy versus green economics: examining Africa's conceptual uncertainty in the post-Paris era

Arguments exist within academic circles on the most appropriate economic organisation toolkit to drive post-Paris commitments. Two variants of green economy compete for attention: the green growth and green economics. Though ideas of greening the economy is catching on in Africa but the continent cannot leapfrog from its carbon intense trajectory to a low-carbon economy unless it is aligned with the tenets of a concept which is agreeable to the people. Using a desk study, we uncovered that with the current concept, there is no let up on emissions as green growth strategies are externally driven favouring depletion of natural capital. The green economics is the most suitable model for Africa owing to its interrelatedness with African biocommunitarianism world view. Solution to Africa's intractable agroecological problems lie in the flexible mechanism this variant avails. This convergence with Africa's ecological values allows a cultural shift capable of guaranteeing political buy-in to catalyse a green technological shift.

Agroecological zoning of Ukraine

The map of agro-ecological zoning of Ukraine was presented for the first time. Taking into account the data on general physical and geographical conditions, 7 types of soils, hydrothermal coefficient of Selyaninov, level of humidification of the territory, agroecological risks, natural hazards, pollution, basic agricultural specialization of production, 7 zones, 10 sub-zones, 38 regions, and 100 agro-ecological districts have been identified. Depending on the intensity of the manifestation of the risks and environmental characteristics, zonation has been carried out to the level of the area, which is distinguished by characteristic soils, vegetation, homogeneity of pollution, specialization, nature heritage. It is revealed that the most important agroecological problems for significant territories are radiation, technogenic contamination, flat, elastic erosion, salinization, waterlogging and flooding, deflation, karst, landslides, forestry subsidence, etc. The dimensions and contours of the districts are heterogeneous, the largest fragmentation in the Carpathians and Crimea, large areas with homogeneous conditions typical for the Central, Eastern Forest-Steppe, Right Bank, Left Bank Steppe. For most areas, it is recommended to grow cereals, legumes, industrial crops, as well as vegetable growing, horticulture, meat and dairy cattle breeding, pig farming, poultry farming, fish farming, agro tourism. Agro-ecological zoning will promote efficient, environmentally-friendly agricultural production.

Effects of short-term fallow managements on soil microbial properties: A case study in China

Allowing farmland to fallow can effectively improve the self-rehabilitation of arable soil and solve agroecological problems such as biodiversity loss, soil fertility loss and over-cultivation. However, long-term fallows cannot satisfy the provisionment requirements of China; therefore, the use of short-term fallows to restore cultivated soil has become a better option. Nevertheless, few studies have compared short-term fallow managements and the influence of fallows on the soil microbial community, especially vegetation plus fertilizer management. Therefore, we periodically analyzed the soil properties, microbial biomass nitrogen and bacterial community structure of farmland soil under different treatments during one year on Yellow River Delta of China. The experiment included the following five treatments: (1) control with traditional farming and chemical fertilization (CK), (2) natural fallow without any fertilizer input (NN), (3) pasture fallow without any fertilizer (NP), (4) natural fallow with cattle manure (MN), and (5) pasture fallow with cattle manure (MP).The results made it apparent that the differences of soil physicochemical characteristics became more significant in the autumn than in the spring. In contrast to the CK treatment, the MN exerted an obvious improvement on the microbial biomass nitrogen (P < 0.05). According to the alteration in observed OTUs, the Shannon-Wiener Index and the Phylogenetic Diversity, the CK presented a significant decrease in the summer (P < 0.05). At the beginning, the microbial community showed noteworthy differences between the CK and fallow managements (P < 0.05), except for the MP. The gaps diminished in the autumn, whereas the differences between finer taxonomic groups became clearer. Compared to CK, Nitrospira and Steroidobacter were observably lower in NN and NP, whereas Chthonomonas was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Lysobacter and Sphingobacterium were notably higher in MN than CK while Geobacter and Sphingobacterium were remarkably higher in MP than CK (P < 0.05).In summary, no fertilizer input could be favorable for carbon and nitrogen retention, and the NP improved some functional microorganisms, but it may lead to soil compaction. Cattle fertilizer could promote organic matter degradation, and MN enhanced the soil microbial biomass nitrogen and soil-borne disease resistance on crops, whereas MP could reduce the nitrogen and clay content loss and improve heavy metal bioremediation. During short fallowing periods, pasture plus farmyard fertilizer could markedly promote soil micro ecosystemic function. If there was no fertilizer input, natural fallow could be a considerable choice.

The soil-ecological index as an integral indicator for the optimization of the land-use structure

Presented are the results from testing the method of calculating the soil-ecological index for an agro-ecological assessment of land use in the steppe zone of Southern Ural. A description is given to the various approaches in using the index for dealing with agro-ecological problems. It is suggested that the soil-ecological index should be used as an integral indicator for the optimization of the land-use structure, assessments of the effectiveness of agricultural enterprises, and for the substantiation of landscape-adaptive approaches. Basically, the existing cadastre assessment of lands in the Russian Federation takes into consideration mostly the economic indicators, ignoring the quality of land resources and the ecological standardization of land use. The soil-ecological index, developed by researchers of the V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute RAS, is characterized by ease and integrity of calculation and has a considerable potential for improvement. By testing the soil-ecological index against agricultural model areas, it is possible to identify at the intraregion and intradistrict levels the resources of highly profitable (elite) lands, with a priority specialization of grain crop production, and the resources of arable land conservation. Conservation (removal of arable lands from turnover) will subsequently make it possible to develop clusters of beef animal husbandry. The soil-ecological index will provide a means of assessing the effectiveness of using land resources by agricultural enterprises and determining the directions of development of territorial agricultural clusters. It can be used in developing landscape-adaptive models of land use in the reorganization of the existing structure of agricultural lands by adapting it to the region’s landscape structure, and to natural boundaries and borders. On the whole, the soilecological index makes it possible, on the one hand, to identify highly profitable arable lands and, on the other, to scientifically substantiate the transfer of low-productivity lands to the category of pastures.

Modelling soil organic carbon stocks in global change scenarios: a CarboSOIL application

Abstract. Global climate change, as a consequence of the increasing levels of atmospheric CO2 concentration, may significantly affect both soil organic C storage and soil capacity for C sequestration. CarboSOIL is an empirical model based on regression techniques and developed as a geographical information system tool to predict soil organic carbon (SOC) contents at different depths. This model is a new component of the agro-ecological decision support system for land evaluation MicroLEIS, which assists decision-makers in facing specific agro-ecological problems, particularly in Mediterranean regions. In this study, the CarboSOIL model was used to study the effects of climate change on SOC dynamics in a Mediterranean region (Andalusia, S Spain). Different downscaled climate models were applied based on BCCR-BCM2, CNRMCM3, and ECHAM5 and driven by SRES scenarios (A1B, A2 and B2). Output data were linked to spatial data sets (soil and land use) to quantify SOC stocks. The CarboSOIL model has proved its ability to predict the short-, medium- and long-term trends (2040s, 2070s and 2100s) of SOC dynamics and sequestration under projected future scenarios of climate change. Results have shown an overall trend towards decreasing of SOC stocks in the upper soil sections (0–25 cm and 25–50 cm) for most soil types and land uses, but predicted SOC stocks tend to increase in the deeper soil section (0–75 cm). Soil types as Arenosols, Planosols and Solonchaks and land uses as "permanent crops" and "open spaces with little or no vegetation" would be severely affected by climate change with large decreases of SOC stocks, in particular under the medium–high emission scenario A2 by 2100. The information developed in this study might support decision-making in land management and climate adaptation strategies in Mediterranean regions, and the methodology could be applied to other Mediterranean areas with available soil, land use and climate data.

Soil and Water Quality Rapidly Responds to the Perennial Grain Kernza Wheatgrass

Perennial grain cropping systems could address a number of contemporary agroecological problems, including soil degradation, NO3 leaching, and soil C loss. Since it is likely that these systems will be rotated with other agronomic crops, a better understanding of how rapidly perennial grain systems improve local ecosystem services is needed. We quantified soil moisture, lysimeter NO3 leaching, soil labile C accrual, and grain yields in the first 2 yr of a perennial grain crop under development [kernza wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth &amp; D.R. Dewey] relative to annual winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under three management systems. Overall, differences between annual and perennial plants were much greater than differences observed due to management. In the second year, perennial kernza reduced soil moisture at lower depths and reduced total NO3 leaching (by 86% or more) relative to annual wheat, indicating that perennial roots actively used more available soil water and captured more applied fertilizer than annual roots. Carbon mineralization rates beneath kernza during the second year were increased 13% compared with annual wheat. First‐year kernza grain yields were 4.5% of annual wheat, but second year yields increased to 33% of wheat with a harvest index of 0.10. Although current yields are modest, the realized ecosystem services associated with this developing crop are promising and are a compelling reason to continue breeding efforts for higher yields and for use as a multipurpose crop (e.g., grain, forage, and biofuel).

Integrated assessment of rural lands for sustainable development using MicroLEIS DSS in West Azerbaijan, Iran

MicroLEIS, a support system for agro-ecological land evaluations, can be used to assess soil quality and land use planning. Although this system was developed to assist in solving agro-ecological problems in the Mediterranean region, MicroLEIS is also useful in semi-arid regions, such as Iran, where modern land evaluation technologies are rarely used. Land attributes considered in MicroLEIS include site/soil, climate and crop/management factors. Additionally, MicroLEIS contains software packages for data storage, including SDBm plus, CDBm and MDBm. Two procedures that promote sustainable agriculture include land use planning and farm level management based on soil assessments. Implementing recommendations from agro-ecological land evaluations that protect soil and prevent land degradation may enhance sustainable development of rural land. To enhance sustainable development, MicroLEIS successfully classified the study area as optimal or marginal agricultural land and related land use suitability to soil type, erosion risk and vulnerability. In summary, results revealed that decision support systems (e.g. MicroLEIS) are exceptional tools for obtaining successful and reliable information related to agriculture, food and the environment. Consequently, sustainable development can be achieved with the use of MicroLEIS and subsequent implementation of recommendations.

Post-sexual cycle regrowth and grain yield inThinopyrum elongatum × Triticum aestivumamphiploids

With 4 tables Abstract Perennial wheat is emerging as a potential long-term response to agroecological problems resulting from soil erosion. We conducted field scale trials of 31 F5 (2005–2006) and five F6 (2006–2007) amphiploid breeding lines derived from Thinopyrum elongatum/Triticum aestivum (cv. ‘Chinese Spring’)//T. aestivum (cv. ‘Madsen’) crosses. Here, we report results on post-sexual cycle regrowth (PSCR) and grain yield in the amphiploid lines and two annual wheat cultivars from three locations in Washington State, USA. Per cent plants per plot exhibiting PSCR varied significantly among genotypes and ranged from 18% to 81% (μ = 45%) in the amphiploids, with no PSCR apparent in the annual cultivars. The mean grain yields of the amphiploid lines were 632, 2086 and 2226 kg/ha at each location; approximately 44% (range = 20–93%) of the annual wheat. Absence of genotype × environment interactions for PSCR suggests that selection for broad adaptation of the PSCR trait across locations and years would be possible. No relationship existed between grain yield and regrowth among the lines exhibiting PSCR, indicating potential for simultaneous selection of these traits.

Study of nitrate leaching and nitrogen fate under intensive vegetable production pattern in northern China

Because of intensive vegetable production in plastic greenhouses in northern China, the potential risk of nitrate leaching to groundwater is increasingly apparent, threatening ecosystem services and the sustainability of food production. In the present work, nine drainable lysimeters were installed into vegetable fields, with in-situ loamy soils, in Shouguang City of the north China vegetable base. The experiments were conducted to quantify the magnitude and variability of nitrate leaching to groundwater and to access the fate of total fertilizer-N inputs in the area. The results obtained indicated that: under local conventional agronomic practices, there is a high discrepancy in leaching nitrate-N concentration (ranging from 17 to 457 mg L −1), and nitrate losses (152–347 kg N ha −1) were observed from 1-m soil profiles in the field. Meanwhile, high fertilizer N application resulted in low N efficiency, with only ( 33.0 ± 13 ) % ( mean ± S.D. ) of input N absorbed by the crops, while additionally nearly half of the total inputs of N were unaccounted in a partial N balance sheet. It is concluded that groundwater pollution associated with greenhouse-based vegetable production had been confirmed in Shouguang, adversely affecting water quality and leading to serial agro-ecological problems. To cite this article: X.-Z. Song et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).