Conventional Planting Research Articles

Enhancing soil water stability and retention through plastic mulching under atypical climatic conditions on the Chinese loess plateau

Mulching is an agricultural practice that is extensively implemented worldwide to conserve water in soil to enhance agricultural production，and especially in the temperate continental monsoon climate regions. However, the mechanism controlling soil moisture evaporation, infiltration, and retention by mulching is unclear. We assess the impact of various mulching regimes on the soil–water equilibrium in the root zone of corn fields under atypical climate conditions(Excessive Precipitation) from 2020–2021 in five treatments: (1) ridges mulched with plastic film and furrows without mulching (RF), (2) conventional flat planting with full plastic mulching (FPM), (3) conventional flat planting with straw mulching (SM), (4) conventional flat planting with partial plastic mulching (PPM), and (5) conventional (control) flat planting with no mulching (CK). The HYDRUS-2D model was calibrated and validated using experimental data, to assess soil water content, water flux, and soil water balance within a two-dimensional soil profile. This model accurately replicated the root zone within the soil profile under all mulching scenarios, with numerical simulation outcomes closely aligning with observed measurements. Average R² values for FPM, PPM, RF, SM, and CK scenarios were 0.76, 0.75, 0.86, 0.85, and 0.77, respectively. During the 2020 and 2021 growing seasons, characterized by increased rainfall, plastic-covered treatments (FPM, PPM, RF) more efficiently reduced soil evaporation and enhanced soil-water retention. The combined soil drainage and storage changes for FPM, PPM, RF, and SM treatments exceeded those of CK by an average of 114.57, 64.93, 77.38, and 6.74 mm, respectively. FPM, PPM, and RF treatments had substantial water-retention capabilities during years of atypical climate. Notably, FPM ensured adequate water supply, facilitated deep soil water replenishment, and more effectively maintained soil water stability and retention. This underscores the pivotal regulatory function of mulching in mitigating the impacts of consecutive years of unusual climatic conditions.

Effects of direct and conventional planting systems on mycorrhizal activity in wheat grown in the Cerrado

Direct planting systems offer several benefits to the soil and plants, as reflected in soil organisms. The Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are extremely sensitive to environmental changes and can be used as indicators of soil quality. This study focused on the native diversity of mycorrhizae in the region. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate mycorrhizal colonization, spore density, soil glomalin content and species diversity in five wheat genotypes under direct and conventional planting systems. This work was carried out in the experimental area of Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil. The rates of mycorrhizal colonization, spore density and easily extractable glomalin were evaluated, and species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were identified in five wheat genotypes under direct and conventional planting. For all the genotypes under conventional planting, there was a decrease in mycorrhizal colonization, the number of spores in the rhizosphere and the amount of easily extractable glomalin. The composition of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community differed among the wheat genotypes and management systems. The richness of morphospecies of AMF in the direct planting system was similar to that in the conventional system, with twelve species each, but the conventional system reduced root colonization and spore density. The most common species were A. scrobiculata, Si. tortuosum and G. macrocarpum, which were found in all the genotypes in both cultivation systems.

Response of Different Exogenous Phytohormones to Rice Yield Under Low-Temperature Stress at the Filling Stage

This paper aims to clarify the effects of different exogenous phytohormones on the physiological traits of rice (Oryza sativa L.) at the early stage of irrigation under low-temperature stress. In this study, two types of rice varieties with different temperature sensitivities screened out previously, namely, a cold-tolerant variety (Nan Jing 9108) and a low-temperature-sensitive variety (Hui Liang You 898), were used in pots to simulate the process of low-temperature stress in rice at the early stage of grouting (6–9 days after anthesis) with artificial low-temperature treatments. The experimental treatments were 450 mg L−1 Methyl jasmine acid (MJ), 46 mg L−1 Melatonin (MT), 69 mg L−1 Salicylate (SA), 40 mg L−1 Erythromycin (GA3), 25 mg L−1 Zeatin (Z), 145 mg L−1 Spermidine (SPD), and 5 mg L−1 Abscisic acid (ABA) sprayed on rice before low-temperature stress, while low-temperature treatment without spraying (DK) and conventional planting without spraying (CK) were added as the control. The results showed that compared with the room temperature control (CK, sprayed with deionized water), the low-temperature control (DK, low-temperature treatment, and sprayed with deionized water) all significantly reduced the rice grain yield. Different exogenous hormones sprayed before low-temperature stress could increase rice yield, among which, Z and SPD spraying treatments had a better effect on the yield of Hui Liang You 898, while different exogenous hormone treatments increased the yield of Nan Jing 9108 in an average manner. The Z and SPD treatments increased the yield of Hui Liang You 898 by 24.87% and 26.16% and that of Nan Jing 9108 by 15.87% and 17.80%, respectively. This was mainly attributed to the significant increase in thousand-grain weight and fruiting rate, while there was no significant difference in the number of spikes and number of grains. The different exogenous hormone treatments were able to delay leaf senescence, enhance the photosynthetic production capacity of plants by increasing leaf chlorophyll content, and thus increase the accumulation of photosynthetic assimilation products and population growth rate after flowering. Among them, both Z and SPD treatments resulted in a population growth rate of more than 30% from spike flushing to maturity, which led to a higher dry matter accumulation of the plant at maturity. In addition, in the dry matter distribution of the plant at maturity, the seeds occupied a higher accumulation amount and proportion compared with the respective DK; the SPD treatment resulted in the maximum distribution rate of seeds at maturity of Hui Liang You 898, with an increase of 8.27%, and the Z treatment resulted in the maximum distribution rate of seeds at maturity of Nan Jing 9108, with an increase of 7.34%. At the same time, the Z treatment significantly increased the activities of adenosine diphosphate glucose phosphorylated enzyme (AGP) and starch branching enzyme (SBE) in the grains of both varieties, which resulted in the accumulation of more starch and ultimately increased the rice grain yield. The results verified that different exogenous phytohormones could be used to regulate the insufficiency of grouting caused by low-temperature stress during the grouting and fruiting stages of rice and enriched their agronomic and physiological traits in response at the same time.

Performance evaluation of waste phosphogypsum-based solidified sludge: From laboratory test to field application

Massive dredged sludge is being landfilled without effective use due to its high-water content and poor engineering properties, which not only leads to soil resources waste, but also occupies a large amounts of land sources. In this study, ternary stabilizer, including waste phosphogypsum (PG), ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), and lime (LM) with a mixing proportion of PG: GGBS: LM = 35:60:5, was adopted to improve the mechanical and environmental behaviors of sludge for subgrade filling purpose. The initial water content of sludge was controlled using two different dehydration methods for comparison. A series of laboratory tests, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS), organic matter content, and pH value were tested to understand its physical-mechanical properties. Thereafter, field application model equipped with a mini weather monitoring station was constructed to monitor the influence of solidified matrix on the surrounding water and soil environment. Time -dependent parameters such as plant growth, temperature, humidity, total nitrogen, phosphorus/potassium content, electrical conductivity, and pH value were monitored. Results indicate that the incorporation of PG-GGBS-LM ternary stabilizer significantly improves the mechanical and environmental properties of dredged sludge. The optimal dosage of the ternary stabilizer is 36%, which can result in a UCS value of the 2.0 MPa (slightly higher than ordinary Portland cement) after 28 days of curing. Field application reveals that plants could grow normally in solidified sludge. The environmental related parameters (i.e., total nitrogen, phosphorus/potassium content, electrical conductivity, and pH value) were similar with those in conventional planting soil, suggesting the advantage of the proposed PG-GGBS-LM ternary stabilizer in mechanical, economic and environmental aspects.

Influence of direct and staggered sowing of pelleted onion (Allium cepa) seeds on various seed yield parameters under Asian mid-hill conditions

The experiment was conducted during 2021–22 and 2022–23 at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh to study the impact of precision planting (using pelleted seeds) and sowing dates on the numerous attributes of the onion (Allium cepa L.) variety Palam Lohit. The study was carried out with the objective to determine whether direct seed sowing would lead to successful seed production in onion under mid-hill conditions (which is not the conventional practice). Also, the staggered sowing dates would help to determine the best sowing time for higher seed production. The experiment was laid in randomized block design (Factorial) (F-RBD) with 3 replications having 19 treatments, including 3 pelleting treatments, viz. P1 (wood ash); P2 (ZnSO4 + wood ash); and P3 (H3BO3 + wood ash); 6 sowing dates, viz. D1 (15th September); D2 (1st October); D3 (15th October); D4 (1st November); D5 (15th November); and D6 (1st December); and Da (traditional bulb planting as control). The study revealed that seed pelleting with ZnSO4 + wood ash and early sowing (15th September) gave best results in terms of emergence (%), plant height, number of seeds/umbel and number of seeds/plant, seed yield and 1000-seed weight. The direct sowing treatments produced seeds in one year as opposed to two years using the conventional bulb planting method, which is traditionally being used in the Asian mid-hills.

Spatial trajectories of coffee harvesting in large-scale plantations: Ecological and management drivers and implications

CONTEXTCoffee is produced under different management systems and scales of production categorized as Syndromes of Production. The “Capitalist Syndrome” is characterized by large-scale and high-density planting farms that may promote the development of plant pathogens like coffee leaf rust (CLR). Harvesting dynamics are also affected by the syndrome of production and generate spatial trajectories that could contribute to the dispersal of pathogens across and within plantations. However, these spatial trajectories have not yet been described, nor their relationship with the syndrome of production, and even less its potential ecological implications for pathogen dispersal. OBJECTIVEDescribe and analyze the daily spatial movement of coffee harvesters in two large-scale capitalist plantations, an organic and a conventional plantation, and systematize the drivers that might explain the differences in the spatial trajectories. METHODSUsing State-Space Models, we recorded and analyzed the spatial movements of harvesters. We then constructed a driver tree for harvest dynamics, which incorporated qualitative variables related to the environment, coffee biology, and management aspects reported by the harvesters or in previous studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe model differentiated two kinds of movements: 1) when trees have berries, harvesters remain in the coffee rows or areas nearby (Collect state; 94–98 % of the steps); 2) when not, harvesters make longer steps within the harvesting location or move to another area (Search state; 2–6 % of the steps). In the organic plantation, the Search state had a longer-tailed step-length distribution than in the conventional plantation, resulting in a significantly larger visited area per worker (p < 0.05). This might be directly related to the lower interplant ripening percentage or smaller harvesting locations (“pantes”) per number of harvesters. The number of harvested trees might be affected by the fruit load or the coffee variety, among others. Harvesting movements that explore a larger area, either by visiting more plants or by changing locations on the same day, could create more foci of CLR infection across the plantation. SIGNIFICANCEThese results constitute an initial analysis of harvesting trajectories and highlight practices that can reduce the potential impact of human dispersal of pathogens, like shorter harvesting trajectories by working fewer hours a day or avoiding harvesting at the end of the maturation season when few trees have berries and harvesters have to travel medium to long distances. This calls for organic coffee management that could prevent diseases and guarantee just and safe conditions for workers.

The Influence of Planting Density on the Flowering Pattern and Seed Yield in Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) Grown in the Northern Region of Japan

In peanut cultivation in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, Japan, it is essential to complete the harvest by early October to prevent frost damage. Therefore, cultivation methods that can accelerate the flowering period are necessary. It is understood that planting density can influence the timing of flowering, with crops often flowering earlier at higher densities. This study aimed to investigate whether growing peanuts at higher densities could advance the flowering period and, consequently, enhance yield. The Japanese peanut variety, Tachimasari, was cultivated in 2022 and 2023 at a conventional planting density of 5.8 plant m−2 (D5.8) and at density conditions of 8.7 plant m−2 (D8.7) and 11.6 plant m−2 (D11.6). The D8.7 and D11.6 plants reached the peak of flowering 2.8 and 5.1 days earlier, respectively, and the end of flowering 3.7 and 8.0 days earlier than the D5.8 plants. Although the total number of flowers was higher in D5.8, pod fertility was greater in D8.7 and D11.6, where plants were able to reduce the occurrence of ineffective flowers and immature pods. Consequently, higher seed yields were observed in D8.7 (2709 kg ha−1) and D11.6 (2754 kg ha−1), where lower individual productivity was offset by higher planting densities, compared to the conventional density condition of D5.8 (2169 kg ha−1).

Seeding roadsides is necessary but not sufficient for restoring native floral communities

Abstract The plant community in roadside right‐of‐ways is an important component of transportation infrastructure. Revegetation after construction is an opportunity to improve the plant community and create pollinator habitat. However, native seed mixes are substantially more expensive than those used in conventional roadside plantings, and transportation agencies often lack resources for management. Here, we compare the actively flowering plant community across a growing season in roadside plots seeded with native seed mixes versus non‐native seed mixes in Minnesota, USA. Plots varied in age from 2 to 20 years old. We demonstrate that native seeded plots had more native flowering forbs than non‐native seeded plots, as native flowers were rare in the non‐native seeded plots. However, despite some native species establishing well, many species in native seed mixes had poor or non‐existent establishment. Furthermore, the native and non‐native seeded plots converged in the makeup of their floral communities after a few years; part of this pattern is due to colonisation of species that were never seeded at either type of plot. Practical implication. If the goal of revegetation is to produce diverse, native dominated floral communities in roadsides, agencies must invest more in long‐term management. Managers could also alter seed mixes to remove species that fail to establish, which would reduce the cost of the seed mix, but not the diversity of the plant community that ultimately establishes. The use of such streamlined seed mixes across more land area would increase the availability of pollinator habitat without substantially altering current budgets or management plans.

Mycorrhizal fungi arbuscular in organic and conventional sugarcane systems

Organic production systems are increasingly gaining market share; however, there are still few studies on their influence on the activity of soil microorganisms in sugarcane. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are extremely sensitive to environmental changes, and their activity can be used as a parameter of comparison and quality between organic and conventional systems. The objective of this work was to evaluate mycorrhizal activity in different varieties of sugarcane under two production systems. This work was carried out in a commercial plantation of the Jalles Machado plant in the municipality of Goianésia in Goiás, Brazil. The values of spore density in the soil, mycorrhizal colonization rate in the roots and easily extractable glomalin were evaluated, and the associated fungal species were identified. There was no effect of sugarcane variety on the number of spores or the glomalin content in the soil. The conventional system presented significantly lower mycorrhizal colonization rates than did the organic system. The varieties cultivated under the conventional planting system showed a greater diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, where 12 of the 13 different species of mycorrhizal fungi found in both cultivation systems occurred.

Management of tree density to sustain Kirtland’s warbler breeding habitat and timber production from jack pine plantations

Maintaining the recovery of the formerly federally endangered Kirtland’s warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) requires continual creation of early-successional jack pine (Pinus banksiana) habitat every year, which, in turn, requires a steady supply of commercial timber sales. However, dedicated Kirtland’s warbler habitat plantations are established at high stem densities (ca. 3600 trees ha−1) which can delay the production of marketable timber compared to a conventional forestry planting density (ca. 1900 trees ha−1). We used a retrospective approach to assess the impacts of tree density on Kirtland’s warbler occupancy, and an experimental approach to understand benefits and costs of pre-commercial thinning of Kirtland’s warbler habitat plantations. We observed an unexpected negative relationship between realized plantation density and maximum occupancy by Kirtland’s warbler singing males. We found that thinning of high-density jack pine planted for Kirtland’s warbler habitat resulted in increased diameter growth, increased live crown ratio, and a trend towards increased intrinsic water-use efficiency in the older age classes. These findings provide strong support for the importance of using adaptive management approaches to more rigorously evaluate the impacts of plantation spacing on Kirtland’s warbler productivity. Although increases in volume growth and timber prices following thinning are unlikely to ever recoup the costs of implementation, we argue that thinning could still be an important tool to accelerate the rate at which these stands attain marketability for the timber sales that are necessary to create a continuous supply of Kirtland’s warbler breeding habitat.

KOMPARASI SISTEM TANAM JAJAR LEGOWO DAN KONVENSIONAL PADA PRODUKSI DAN PENDAPATAN USAHA TANI PADI SAWAH DI DESA KUIMASI KECAMATAN FATULEU KABUPATEN KUPANG

The Jajar Legowo planting system is a new innovation which in its application aims to increase production and income in lowland rice farming businesses when compared with Conventional planting systems, so this study aims to determine production and income and the magnitude of the difference in productivity and income from lowland rice farming using the Jajar Legowo and Conventional planting systems in Kuimasi Village, Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency. To find out the production and income of rice farming, it is necessary to calculate the farmer's income level using farming income analysis calculations. The results of this study (1) The total production cost of lowland rice farming in Kuimasi Village, Fatuleu District, Kupang Regency using the Jajar Legowo planting system is IDR. 8,420,754.3/Ha, total revenue of Rp. 41,250,000/Ha with an average income of Rp. 32,829,245.7/Ha and the total cost of lowland rice production using a conventional planting system is Rp. 7,258,456.3/Ha, total revenue of Rp. 52,500,000/Ha with an average income of Rp. 45,241,543.7/Ha. (2) The total production costs of lowland rice farming using the Jajar Legowo planting system and the conventional planting system have a difference of Rp. 1,162,289/Ha. The total revenue from rice farming using the Jajar Legowo planting system and the conventional planting system has a difference of Rp. 11,250,000/Ha. The average income using the Jajar Legowo planting system and the conventional planting system has a difference in income of Rp. 12,412,298/Ha in one planting season. Based on these calculations, it can be concluded that the total production costs using the Jajar Legowo planting system are greater than the total production costs using the Conventional planting system, but the total revenue and income using the Conventional planting system is greater than the total revenue and income using the Jajar Legowo planting system.

Mulching Practices Improve Soil Moisture and Enzyme Activity in Drylands, Increasing Potato Yield

Mulch is an important measure for improving agricultural productivity in many semiarid regions of the world. However, the impacts of various mulching materials on soil hydrothermal characteristics, enzyme activity, and potato yield in fields have not been comprehensively explored. Thus, a two-growing-season field experiment (2020–2021) with four treatments (SSM, straw strip mulching; PMP, plastic film mulching with large ridge; PMF, double ridge-furrow with full film mulching; and CK, no mulching with conventional planting as the control) was conducted to analyze soil hydrothermal and soil enzyme activities and potato yield on the semiarid Loess Plateau of Northwest China. The results indicated that mulching practices had a positive effect on the soil moisture, with SSM, PMP, and PMF increasing by 7.3%, 9.2%, and 9.2%, respectively, compared to CK. Plastic film mulching significantly increased the soil temperature by 1.3 °C, and straw mulching reduced the soil temperature by 0.7 °C in the 0–30 cm soil layers of the whole growth period. On average, SSM, PMP, and PMF increased soil urease activity in 0–40 cm soil layers by 14.2%, 2.8%, and 2.7%, respectively, and enhanced soil sucrase activity by 19.2%, 8.6%, and 5.7%, respectively, compared with CK. Plastic film mulching increased soil catalase activity by 9.6%, while SSM decreased by 10.1%. Mulching treatments significantly increased tuber yield and water use efficiency based on dry tuber yield (WUE), and SSM, PMP, and PMF increased tuber yield by 18.6%, 31.9%, and 29.7%, enhanced WUE by 50%, 50%, and 57.0% over CK. The correlation analysis revealed that soil moisture was the main factor influencing tuber yield (r = 0.95**). Mulching could improve the soil hydrothermal environment, regulate soil enzyme activities, and promote yield increase. As a sustainable protective mulching measure, straw strip mulching is conducive to improving the ecological environment of farmland and the sustainable development of regional organic agriculture.

Establishment of a high-yield intercropping system for maize and legumes under rainfed conditions in eastern Bhutan

ABSTRACT Maize-legume intercropping is a sustainable strategy to improve maize production for smallholder farmers. Maize is a staple food crop in Bhutan and integration of legumes with maize has been considered as an alternative option towards enhancing maize production in the country. Here, we conducted two studies in eastern Bhutan: first study (2021) to identify suitable legumes for intercropping with maize and second study (2022) to evaluate the effects of different maize-soybean intercropping patterns on grain yield, land use efficiency, and economic benefits. The maize-soybean intercropping system showed better productivity and economic viability than the kidney bean and groundnut systems in both the sites. Row intercropping and strip intercropping with 2 rows of maize alternating with 2 rows of soybean (2 M:2S) spaced 0.3 × 0.3 m showed stable and consistently higher grain yield at Lingmethang and Wengkhar (LING = 6.05 t ha−1; WENG = 8.37 t ha−1). The land equivalent ratio (LING = 1.78; WENG = 1.73) and net return (0.16 million Nu. ha−1 for LING and 0.21 million Nu. ha−1 for WENG) were notably higher for these intercropping methods. Our results suggest that the integration of legumes between conventional maize planting density, row intercropping and strip intercropping (2 M:2S) spaced at 0.3 × 0.3 m would be beneficial for achieving higher productivity for smallholder farmers in eastern Bhutan.

Optimum Plant Density Improved Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Root Production Capacity and Photosynthesis for High Cotton Yield under Plastic Film Mulching

Optimum Plant Density Improved Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Root Production Capacity and Photosynthesis for High Cotton Yield under Plastic Film Mulching

Biodegradable mulch film enhances the environmental sustainability compared with traditional polyethylene film from multidimensional perspectives

Considering the minimum environmental concerns associated with biodegradable mulch (BDM) films, these are widely seen as a promising alternative to traditional polyethylene (PE) films. However, lack of an in-depth evaluation of BDM plastic films has hindered its largescale applications. To fill this knowledge gap, this study was planned to comprehensively evaluate the environmental impacts of BDM films as an alternative to the traditional PE film utilizing an advanced life cycle assessment (LCA) technique coupled with multiple field experiments, including three solanaceous crops i.e. eggplant, pepper and cherry tomato. These crops were grown at three different experimental sites comprising Chengmai, Qionghai, and Ledong; all located in Hainan Province of China. The results revealed that an in-situ biodegradation of BDM during the waste disposal stage greatly reduced the environmental pollution and cumulative energy demand (CED). But such a positive effect was largely nullified by the stimulated environmental cost during its manufacturing stage. And thus, the average environmental impact and CED from cradle to grave were reduced by only 2.6% and 9%, respectively, under BDM film when compared with PE. The seven sites/years-based field trials of three solanaceous crops revealed that the average crop yield under both plastic mulching cultivations was increased by 52%, while the integrated environmental impact per ton yield was reduced by 30%, compared with conventional bare planting (CP). Overall, it can be inferred that BDM film is a sustainable alternative to traditional PE mulch film based on its reduced environmental impacts.

Effect of establishment methods on aromatic rice (Oryza sativa) genotypes in lower Gangetic plains of West Bengal

A field experiment was conducted at Jaguli, Nadia, West Bengal, India, during the rainy (kharif) season of 2016, to study the response of four aromatic (Oryza sativa L.) rice genotypes (‘Gobindabhog’, ‘Radhunipagal’, ‘Tulaipanji’ and ‘Kalonunia’) under 3 establishment methods [conventional planting, drum seeding and modified system of rice intensification (SRI)].The plants raised under modified SRI showed the maximum plant height at harvesting (136.7 cm), tiller production (298/m2 ) at 63 days after transplanting (DAT), and dry-matter production at 33 DAT (194 g/m2 /day) and 63 DAT (444 g/m2 /day). Conventional planting resulted in the highest grain yield (2.24 t/ha), head rice recovery (HRR) (55.2%) and net income (`32,593/ha), which were greater over the modified SRI (2.09 t/ha, 53.5% and `30,901/ha) and drum seeding method (2.0 t/ha, 53.2% and `32,192/ha). ‘Gobindabhog’ had the highest grain yield (2.35 t/ha), HRR (56.5%), net income (`39,754/ha) and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio (2.13) compared to the other genotypes; but ‘Kalonunia’ might be tried as a second option in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal.

Evaluating the long-term effects of best management practices on pollution reduction and soil quality improvement in sloping farmland of the Three Gorges Reservoir area

Reducing nonpoint-source pollution and improving soil quality by applying best management practices (BMPs) on sloping farmland are essential for ensuring water environmental safety and sustainable agricultural development. However, little is known about the accumulative effect of the long-term application of BMPs on reducing pollution and improving soil quality in major land use types of sloping farmland in watersheds. We conducted a nine-year field experiment for citrus orchard and cropland of sloping farmland in the Three Gorges Reservoir area of China. The treatment settings for the citrus experimental plots were as follows: (1) citrus intercropped with white clover (WC), (2) citrus orchard soil mulched with straw (SM), (3) citrus intercropped with Hemerocallis flava contour hedgerows (HF) and (4) conventional citrus planting pattern (C-CK). The treatment settings for the crop experimental plots were as follows: (1) wheat-peanut rotation intercropped with Toona sinensis contour hedgerows (TS), (2) wheat-peanut rotation intercropped with alfalfa contour hedgerows (AF), (3) ryegrass-sesame rotation (RS) and (4) conventional wheat-peanut rotation (W-CK). We found that compared with C-CK and W-CK, (1) runoff, sediment, total nitrogen and total phosphorus losses were reduced by 18.0 %, 66.1 %, 35.6 % and 40.2 %, respectively, in WC; by 22.4 %, 61.2 %, 43.9 % and 52.4 %, respectively, in SM; by 25.4%, 69.5 %, 52.0 % and 58.1 %, respectively, in HF; by 45.1 %, 73.7 %, 64.6 % and 66.0 %, respectively, in TS; by 41.8 %, 67.4 %, 59.3 % and 60.8 %, respectively, in AF; and by 24.1 %, 42.9 %, 39.3 % and 40.3 %, respectively, in RS; (2) the soil quality index values of the BMP treatments increased; and (3) the application of these BMPs did not significantly affect yield or product value. We suggest the application of these BMPs on sloping farmland to (1) efficiently reduce total runoff, total sediment, and soil total nitrogen and total phosphorus losses; (2) improve soil quality; and (3) have no significant effect on output, of which the BMP HF applied to citrus orchard and the BMP TS applied to cropland are the most effective.

EFFECTS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING PRACTICES ON BIOMASS YIELD AND MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) IN SEMI-ARID KITUI COUNTY, KENYA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;: Sorghum is an important source of fodder in the semi-arid areas of Kenya. However, its biomass yield has remained low due to the low soil moisture content which is associated with low rainfall. &lt;strong&gt; Objective:&lt;/strong&gt; To evaluate the synergistic effects of combining rainwater harvesting practices on biomass yield and the morphometric traits of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;: The study was conducted in a randomized complete block design under rainfed conditions between March and August 2021 at the Research Farm of South Eastern Kenya University. It had twelve treatments, including three farming systems (conventional flat planting, ridge and furrow, and zai pits) with three soil mulching types (transparent plastic film mulch, black plastic film mulch, and grass mulch). The farming systems without mulching were used as control treatments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were separated using Fisher’s protected Least Significant Difference test at 0.05 %. &lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; The zai pits with black plastic film mulch and flat planting with grass mulch had the highest and lowest moisture content of 68.65% and 52.5% respectively compared to flat planting. The highest biomass yield was observed in ridge-furrow with black plastic film mulch (3283.33kg ha-&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) and ridge–furrow with transparent plastic film mulch (3266.03) and was not significantly different. The lowest biomass yield was recorded in conventional flat planting and zai pits and was not significantly different. In all treatments, there was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in morphometric traits. &lt;strong&gt;Implications: &lt;/strong&gt;The farming system and the type of soil mulching determined the increase of soil moisture content, biomass yield, and morphometric traits. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;: Combining ridge-furrow and black plastic mulch is recommended to improve the biomass yield of sorghum in semi-arid Kitui County, and other areas with similar agroecological conditions.&lt;/p&gt;

The Impact of Environmental Regulation and Technical Cognition on Farmers’ Adoption of Safety Agro-Utilization of Heavy Metal-Contaminated Farmland Soil

Regarding the large-scale heavy metal pollution in farmland, China has innovatively explored a farming measure governance approach of “production while repairing”. However, due to farmers’ difficulty breaking through conventional planting habits, the governance effects need to be more sustainable. Based on 447 survey data of farmers in 14 cadmium-polluted counties (cities) in Hunan Province, this paper uses the Bootstrap method to explore the impact of environmental regulation, technical cognition, and self-efficacy on farmers’ adoption of “variety–irrigation–pH” (VIP) technology. The results show the following: (1) Environmental regulation can effectively improve farmers’ adoption of VIP technology, and different types of regulation are classified as guidance regulation, constraint regulation, and incentive regulation according to the size of their impact. (2) Technical cognition mediates the environmental regulation process influencing farmers’ adoption. (3) In the process of environmental regulation influencing farmers’ adoption of irrigation and pH through technical cognition, the moderating effect of self-efficacy was positive. Enhance the strategic planning of environmental regulation, bolster technological research and development efforts, and nurture innovative agricultural entities that can promote the adoption of VIP technology. The results have practical significance for further guiding farmers to participate in treating heavy metal pollution.

Soybean plantability in different operating conditions

Many crops of global importance, such as soybeans (Glycine max), come from the sowing process. This stage in the production cycle is the most important since the deposition of the seed in the soil will directly impact final productivity. Therefore, it must be carried out correctly to guarantee a better uniformity of seed distribution. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the interference of operating speed and different furrow closing pressures on the longitudinal distribution of seeds, productivity, soil mobilization, and sowing depth in direct and conventional planting systems. The experimental treatment units had an area of 10 m² distributed in a randomized block design and arranged in a system of sub-subdivided plots, with four replications, being: two types of soil preparation (direct planting and conventional system), and, in each one, two operating speeds (3.42 and 6.82 km h-1) and three pressures in the furrow closing system (12.57; 14.94 and 16.52 kfg). The type of soil preparation system influenced the depth and spacing between seeds. The operating speed of 3.42 km h-1 determined the better longitudinal distribution of the seeds. Soil mobilization and blistering were significantly changed with increasing pressure from the compacting wheels, having the most significant effect at a pressure of 16.52 kgf.