Conventional Wheat Research Articles

Development of gluten-free pasta with chickpeas as a wheat flour substitute and fortified with carob, beetroot, and spinach

The study aimed to develop pasta dough using chickpeas as a substitute for wheat flour and fortified with carob, beetroot, and spinach. Three formulations of gluten-free pasta were prepared: F1 (chickpea flour 97% + carob powder 2% + CMC1%), F2 (chickpea flour 87% + carob powder 2% + beetroot powder 10% + CMC1%) and F3 (chickpea flour 87% + carob powder 2% + spinach powder 10% + CMC1%). Physical, chemical, rheological, and sensory characteristics of chickpea pasta were evaluated and compared to semolina flour (CS) as a control. In comparison with conventional wheat pasta, chickpea pasta has a higher content of protein, fiber, and polyphenolic compounds. The results indicated that the incorporation of chickpea as a main ingredient significantly increased the content of protein in the formulations of gluten-free pasta (17.50, 15.05 and 14.88% in F1, F3, and F2, respectively) compared to CS (12.10%). A similar trend was observed for the fiber content (0.45, 1.89, 2.16, and 2.29 in CS, F1, F2, and F3, respectively) and polyphenolic compounds (109.14, 112.14, 141.89, and 178.96 in CS, F1, F2, and F3, respectively). Chickpea pasta demonstrated strong acceptance across all sensory criteria, including texture, odor, shape, and taste. Therefore, this study suggests that chickpeas can serve as an effective substitute for wheat, thereby increasing the availability of healthy options for everyone, particularly for those with celiac disease, obesity, or diabetes.

Perennial crops shape the soil microbial community and increase the soil carbon in the upper soil layer

Soil biodiversity is threatened by intensive agriculture that relies on annual grain crop production, thus leading to a decline in soil functions and ecosystem services. Perennial grain crops have a positive impact on the soil microbial community, but the responsive microbial groups and the magnitude of their response remain uncertain. To elucidate this, we analysed soil microbial biomass and community composition, bacterial growth and soil total carbon in five crops: organic perennial intermediate wheatgrass (IWG, Thinopyrum intermedium, Kernza®), organic IWG-alfalfa intercrop, organic biennial grass-legume mixture, organic annual wheat or rye and conventional annual wheat. The analysis was carried out at three time points under two growing seasons at four different soil depths. Five years after establishment, IWG had greater amounts of soil total fungi and bacteria, and of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, saprotrophic fungi, gram-negative (G−) and gram-positive (G+) bacteria compared to annual wheat. Crop perenniality influenced the soil microbial community structure although precipitation, soil temperature and water content were the main drivers of the patterns of and temporal variations in the microbial community. Perennial crops, with reduced tillage and low nitrogen input management increased the proportions of fungi relative to bacteria, AM fungi to saprotrophic fungi, G− bacteria to G+ bacteria, and the growth rate of total bacteria. This resulted in a more active soil microbial community with higher microbial biomass than annual wheat and contributed to the increased soil total carbon storage in the 0–5 cm soil layer in a humid continental climate. The findings emphasize the importance of combining a no tillage strategy with long-term vegetation cover to increase soil quality.

Integrated crop management for long-term sustainability of maize-wheat rotation focusing on productivity, energy and carbon footprints

Modern agriculture, driven by diesel-fed machinery, is both energy and carbon-intensive, primarily due to the improper use of inputs. Designing a production module with lower carbon emissions, greater productivity, and enhanced energy use efficiency is crucial for achieving the environmental sustainability. Conservation agriculture based integrated crop management (ICMs) practices have shown promise in improving the productivity, energy-use, and reducing the carbon emissions. In our extensive long-term field study, we explored the crop yields, energy use, and carbon linkages of a maize-wheat rotation under different ICMs practices. Eight ICMs were evaluated over the course of nine consecutive years, which included ICM1&2: conventional (CT) flat-bed maize and wheat, ICM3&4: CT raised bed maize fb wheat without residues, ICM5&6: conservation agriculture (CA)-based double zero tilled (ZT) maize fb ZT wheat with residues and ICM7&8: CA-based triple ZT maize and wheat with residues and green manures. Our results indicated that the system productivity under CA-based ICMs was 16.5–22.9% greater than that under the CT-based ICM1-4. CA based ICM5-8 (125.2–131.5 × 103 MJ ha−1) needed higher energy input than CT-based ICM1-4 (32.7–39 × 103 MJ ha−1), with 76–80% shared by renewable crop residues. Furthermore, the CA-based ICMs recorded significantly higher levels of specific energy, human energy profitability, non-renewable energy use efficiency, and nutrient energy use efficiencies compared to CT-based. Likewise, the CA-based ICMs produced 12.5% more total output energy than the CT-based ICMs. In contrast, the CT based ICMs demonstrated, energy productivity, higher net energy returns and energy profitability. Compared to conventional ICMs, CA-based ICMs produced a 23–36% reduction in spatial carbon emissions and a 31–44 % reduction in yield-scale emissions. Nevertheless, the CA-based practices recorded the higher C- output, C- sustainability and C- efficiency ratio. Greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) was 33.3–76.2% greater with the ICM1-4 practices than with the ICM5-8 practises. Thus, the present study proposed that adopting the integrated crop management practices based on the conservation agriculture could prove to be productive, as well as carbon and energy-use efficient approach for the maize-wheat rotation. This approach is envisioned to make substantial contributions to both food security and environmental sustainability.

The Impact of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. Supplementation on the Technological, Chemical, and Quality Parameters of Wheat Bread

This study explores the incorporation of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis) P. Karst. (Reishi mushroom) into wheat bread to develop a functional food with enhanced nutritional value. Reishi powder was added to bread formulations at levels of 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% to assess its effects on physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory properties. The 12% Reishi supplementation resulted in a twofold increase in total dietary fibre (from 7.21 g to 17.08 g per 100 g dry matter) and significant (p < 0.05) elevations in mineral content, particularly calcium (68%), iron (32%), and manganese (61.9%). Carbohydrate content decreased markedly by 27%, contributing to a 19.33% reduction in caloric value. Reishi addition improved bread yield and reduced baking losses, enhancing production efficiency. However, higher Reishi levels negatively impacted bread volume, possibly due to interference with gluten network formation. An increase in crumb moisture was observed, contributing to extended freshness. Sensory evaluation revealed that loaves of bread containing up to 6% Reishi were acceptable to consumers, whereas higher levels detrimentally affected flavour and aroma. Therefore, Reishi-enriched bread, particularly with 6% supplementation, presents a promising functional alternative to conventional wheat bread, optimising nutritional benefits while maintaining consumer acceptability.

Crop Establishment, Residue Retention and Nutrient Management Influence the Phenology-mediated Greenhouse Gases Emission in an Intensive Rice-wheat System

The impact of management practices (i.e. crop establishment, tillage, residue addition etc.) on the global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) in rice-wheat cropping system accounting the economic viability is sparsely documented. A field experiment was established in 2020 to gain insight crop phonology mediated greenhouse gas emission into GWP, GHGI and economic viability on crop seasonal scale over three cycles (2020, 2021 and 2022) of rice-wheat rotations under subtropical climatic condition. Treatments were three planting techniques viz., System of rice intensification (SRI) followed by conventional wheat without residues (SRI-CW), Puddle Transplanted rice (TPR) followed by CW with 30% rice residue incorporation (TPR-CWRi) and zero-till direct sowing of rice (ZT-DSR) followed by ZT wheat with 30% rice residue retention (ZTDSR-ZTWRr) and four different nutrient management practices viz., 100% NPK (as per recommended dose) through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi), 75% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 25% N trough organics (75% NPKi + 25%NOrg.), 50% NPK through mineral fertiliser with 50% N trough organics (50% NPKi + 50% NOrg.) was followed in both rice and wheat crop and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser (100% NPKi) along with mung bean (Vigna radiata) green manure in rice and 100% NPK through mineral fertiliser in wheat (100% NPKi + GM). All treatments were established in a split-plot design and repeated three times; where three planting techniques were arranged in main plots and four different nutrient management practices were arranged in sub-plots. The highest system productivity was obtained under ZTDSR-ZTWRr treatment. Moreover, this system reduced the CH4 and N2O emission by 62.7 and 48% respectively over TPR-CWRi, hence, the Global Warming Potential (GWP), as well as gaseous intensity (GHGI), were reduced by 2.0-2.18 and 2.13-2.20 times, respectively than the traditional technique of cultivation. Green manure behaves differently by increasing the system productivity by 4.27% was and reducing the GHGI 4.56% over 100% NPKi. Thus, ZTDSR-ZTWRr along with 100% NPKi and green manuring in rice could be an economically viable opportunity for maintaining future yield standard of the system with lower emission scenario.

Production of Opuntia ficus-indica fortified breads: A comparative analysis of wheat and gluten-free varieties and the impact on phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity

Bread is one of the prime foods consumed globally, and the demand for nutritious and gluten-free variants is progressively escalating. In recent years, alternative flours have gained popularity due to their recognized health advantages and potential in controlling food wastage. Prickly pear peels, a by-product of the fruit industry, offer a valuable prospect for augmenting the nutritional profile of bread and fostering sustainable practices. Consequently, the principal objective of this study was to explore the production of both wheat-based and gluten-free bread varieties fortified with prickly pear cv 'Rossa', 'Gialla', and 'Bianca' peels flour. Prickly pear peels were collected, dried, and processed into flour, thus serving as a partial substitute for conventional wheat and gluten-free flour breads that underwent a thorough evaluation of textural, nutritional, and biological properties before and after simulated gastric digestion. The observed results emphasized that incorporating prickly pear peel flour into bread formulations led to an increase in total phenolic content from 0.7 to 5 mgGAE/gbread, as well as enhanced antioxidant activity, from 0.5 to 5 mgGAE/kgbread. Furthermore, this incorporation resulted in heightened ash and fiber content, with gluten-free bread also showing a notable more than two-fold increase in protein levels. Moreover, the impact of digestion demonstrated a 30–50 % diminishing effect on the biological attributes of each sample; nevertheless, the enriched bread variants exhibited substantial retentions of polyphenolic compounds and a pronounced antioxidant capacity, underscoring their prospective utility as innovative food products while concurrently contributing to sustainability objectives through waste reduction.

Elemental profile of wheat in the las vegas market: Geographic origin discrimination and probabilistic health risk assessment

This study investigates concentrations of toxic and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in organic and conventional wheat flour and grains marketed in Las Vegas. Geographic origins of the samples were evaluated using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Monte Carlo Simulation technique was also employed to evaluate non-carcinogenic risk in four life stages. Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following hot block-assisted digestion. Obtained results showed non-significant differences in contents of toxic and PTEs between conventional and organic wheat grains/flour. Using LDA, metal (loid)s were found to be indicative of geographical origin. The LDA produced a total correct classification rate of 95.8% and 100% for US and West Pacific Region samples, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that the estimated non-carcinogenic risk associated with toxic element intakes across the four life stages were far lower than the threshold value (Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) > 1). However, the probability of exceeding the threshold value for Mn is approximately 32% in children aged between 5 and 8 years. The findings of this study can aid in understanding dietary Mn exposure in children in Las Vegas.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Wheat Breeding for Sustainable Food Security

In agriculture, especially in crop breeding, innovative approaches are required to address the urgent issues posed by climate change and global food security. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology in wheat breeding that provides new approaches to improve the ability of crops to withstand and produce higher yields in response to changing climate circumstances. This review paper examines the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into conventional wheat breeding methods, with a focus on the contribution of AI in tackling the intricacies of contemporary agriculture. This review aims to assess the influence of AI technologies on enhancing the efficiency, precision, and sustainability of wheat breeding projects. We conduct a thorough analysis of recent research to evaluate several applications of artificial intelligence, such as machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and genomic selection (GS). These technologies expedite the swift analysis and interpretation of extensive datasets, augmenting the process of selecting and breeding wheat varieties that are well-suited to a wide range of environmental circumstances. The findings from the examined research demonstrate notable progress in wheat breeding as a result of artificial intelligence. ML algorithms have enhanced the precision of predicting phenotypic traits, whereas genomic selection has reduced the duration of breeding cycles. Utilizing artificial intelligence, high-throughput phenotyping allows for meticulous examination of plant characteristics under different stress environments, facilitating the identification of robust varieties. Furthermore, AI-driven models have exhibited superior predicted accuracies for crop productivity and disease resistance in comparison to conventional methods. AI technologies play a crucial role in the modernization of wheat breeding, providing significant enhancements in crop performance and adaptability. This integration not only facilitates the growth of wheat cultivars that provide large yields and can withstand stressful conditions but also strengthens global food security in the context of climate change. Ongoing study and collaboration across several fields are crucial to improving and optimizing these AI applications, ultimately enhancing their influence on sustainable agriculture.

Adaptation of Conventional Wheat Flour Mill to Refine Sorghum, Corn, and Cowpea

This study evaluated the refinement of sorghum, corn, and cowpea grains using the processing steps and equipment originally designed for wheat milling that consists of a conventional gradual reduction system. The need to mill these grains resulted from a desire to produce alternative ingredients for developing new fortified blended extruded foods used for food aid programming. Milling of white sorghum grain resulted in a crude protein content of 7.4% (wb) for both whole and coarse-milled flour. The crude protein content in whole fine-milled sorghum was 6.8% (wb), which was significantly lower than that of whole coarse flour at 9.3% (wb). A decrease in the ash content of sorghum flour correlates with the decortication process. However, degermed corn, fine and coarse, had significantly different crude protein content of 6.0 ± 0.2% (wb) and 7.7 ± 0.06% (wb), respectively. Degerming of corn improved the quality of corn flour (fine and coarse) by reducing the crude fat content from 3.3 ± 0.18% (wb) to 1.2 ± 0.02% (wb) and 0.6 ± 0.13% (wb), respectively. This helped increase the starch content from 60.1 ± 0.28% (wb) in raw corn to 74.7 ± 0.93% (wb) and 71.8 ± 0.00% (wb) in degermed fine and coarse corn flour, respectively. Cowpea milling did not produce differences in the milling stream outputs when the crude fat and crude protein were compared. Whole flour from the grains had higher milling yields than decorticated flour. This study demonstrated that a mill dedicated to wheat size reduction can be adapted to refine other grains to high quality.

Effect of Crop Establishment Methods and Precision Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Rice under Rice-wheat System

Rice-wheat system is the major contributor in food security of India. The significance of the system is well addressed by time to time but, excessive use of resources, stagnation in yield, environment deterioration including erosion and nutrient mining are the greater challenge it possess. To address the issue a study was carried out at Banaras Hindu University's Agricultural Research Farm in Varanasi during the Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively. The experiment plotted in a split plot statistical design with three replications and four crop establishment methods: CE1: Conventional till rice (puddled transplanted)-Conventional till wheat, CE2: Conventional till direct seeded rice (DSR)-Conventional till wheat, CE3: Conventional till DSR-Zero-till wheat (rice residue retained), and CE4: Zero-till DSR-Zero-till wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) crop establishment method among the main plot treatments and Rice-Wheat Crop Manager (RWCM)-based nutrient recommendation among the sub plot treatments. CE4 treatment among main plot and N3 among nutrient management practices produced higher values of plant height and number of tillers at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest, as well as yield attributes i.e. maximum number of panicles m2 and grains per panicle, than the other treatments. The same treatments also resulted in increased rice grain yield. There was approximately 12 % higher grain yield under CE4 over CE1 and 8 % higher grain yield in N3 over N1 was recorded. These results might be due to better nutrient availability, better organic carbon which leads to improved microbial activity, and better moisture availability under these treatments. It may be concluded that conservation agriculture-based crop establishment i.e. CE4: Zero-till DSR-Zero-till wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) and RWCM-based nutrient application, may be favourable for improved growth, yield attributes and yield in the rice crop under the region of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Carbon footprint and carbon balance of three long‐term dryland cropping sequences

AbstractCarbon footprints from plants, soil, and the environment are needed to evaluate C balance of an agroecosystem, which indicates if a system is a C source or sink for mitigating climate change. There is scarce information about C footprint and C balance in dryland agroecosystems. We measured C storage of above‐ and belowground crop biomass, CO2 fluxes, soil C sequestration rates, and C balances of three long‐term (34‐year‐old) dryland cropping sequences from 2016 to 2018 in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping sequences were no‐till continuous spring wheat (NTCW; Triticum aestivum L.), no‐till spring wheat–pea (NTWP; Pisum sativum L.), and conventional till spring wheat–fallow (CTWF). Carbon storage in grain, straw, root, and rhizodeposit were 29%–61% greater for NTCW and NTWP than CTWF. The CO2 flux peaked immediately after tillage, planting, fertilization, and intense precipitation (>10 mm) for 3 months in 2016–2017. Cumulative annual CO2 flux was 8%–37% greater for NTCW than NTWP and CTWF in 2016–2017, but was not different among cropping sequences in 2017–2018. Soil C sequestration rate at 0–10 cm measured from 2012 to 2019 was in the order: NTCW (0.27 Mg C ha−1 year−1) > NTWP > CTWF (−0.23 Mg C ha−1 year−1). Carbon balance remained negative and was not significantly different among cropping sequences but varied by year. Carbon loss increased with increased precipitation, regardless of cropping systems. Although a C source, the legume–nonlegume rotation can reduce C loss due to greater grain C output than other cropping sequences in the semiarid region of the northern Great Plains.

Gluten-Free Synbiotic Pseudocereals Pasta: Evaluation of Technological, Nutritional, Sensory, and Probiotic Characteristics

ABSTRACT Market demand for thermostable, nondairy synbiotic foods increases. This study examines the physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties of pasta made from gluten-free composite flour obtained from pseudocereal blends compared with wheat pasta. B. coagulans Unique IS2 spores were mixed with a composite flour blend comprising amaranth, quinoa, and buckwheat for synbiotic pasta production. The gluten-free pasta made from a composite blend of pseudocereals differs significantly from conventional wheat pasta in technological characteristics and sensory attributes. However, enhanced nutritional quality, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and 65% higher fiber content were obtained. Pseudocereals and psyllium husk’s prebiotic properties led to gluten-free Synbiotic pasta with potential health benefits. B. coagulans Unique IS2 survived pasta production and cooking, with a survival count of 7.0 log10 CFU/g, indicating potential benefits for consumers. The 90.42% B. coagulans Unique IS2 spores survived in cooked Synbiotic pasta after completion of in-vitro stimulated digestion.

Isotopic, mycotoxin, and pesticide analysis for organic authentication along the production chain of wheat-derived products

Wheat-based products are staples in diets worldwide. Organic food frauds continuously threaten consumer trust in the agri-food system. A multi-method approach was conducted for the organic authentication and safety assessment of pasta and bakery products along their production chain. Bulk and Compound-Specific (CS) Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) suggested the δ15Nbulk, δ15Nleucine and δ15Nproline as promising organic markers, with CS able to distinguish between pairs which bulk analysis could not. Processing significantly affected the values of δ15Nleucine, δ13Cproline and δ13Cleucine. Multi-mycotoxin analysis (HT-2, T-2, DON, ZEN, OTA, AFB1) revealed higher contamination in conventional than organic samples, while both milling and baking significantly reduced mycotoxin content. Lastly, from the evaluation of 400 residues, isopyrazam was present at the highest concentration (0.12 mg/kg) in conventional wheat, exhibiting a 0.12 Processing Factor (PF), while tebuconazole levels remained unchanged in pasta production (90 °C) and reduced below LOQ in biscuits and crackers (180–250 °C).

Association between Fusarium head blight resistance and grain colour in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

AbstractThe global yield of wheat is limited by Fusarium head blight (FHB), the most damaging disease of wheat accompanied by mycotoxin contamination. Use of resistant cultivars, from an economical point of view, is the most effective control method for plant diseases. Many naturally occurring secondary metabolites in plants are involved in resistance mechanisms against FHB, especially phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties which caused various colouration of the grain in wheat. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the resistance of wheat with different grain colour on the base of accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in grain and other important FHB traits after inoculation with Fusarium culmorum. Visual symptom score (VSS), Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK) and reduction of grain weight per spike (GWS-R) were determined. This study compared current conventional red wheat cultivars and coloured-grain wheat cultivars or lines with blue aleurone, purple pericarp, red grain and white grain. It was found that the cultivars with a purple pericarp (e.g. Rufia) had the lowest DON content and FDK. Statistically significant interactions between grain colour and year were found for all the variables: DON, VSS, FDK, GWS-R. Red grain materials had the lowest DON levels of all the groups studied in 2016 and 2017, but not in 2018. The most constant and second lowest DON levels in all three years were found in the cultivars/lines with purple pericarp.

CARCASS YIELD AND ORGANS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF RICE MILLING WASTE AS REPLACEMENT FOR WHEAT OFFAL

This experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Department of Animal Production, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi to investigate the carcass yield and organs characteristics of broiler chickens fed white maize and full fat soya beans-based diets containing graded levels of rice milling waste (RMW) as replacement for wheat offal. Five isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were formulated in which rice milling waste replaced wheat offal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively in both starter (23% CP) and finisher (20% CP). Three hundred (300) day old chicks were randomly allotted to the five diets in four replicates of fifteen birds each in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum and the experiment lasted for eight weeks. Proximate composition of the test material (RMW) indicated that it contains 94.12 Dry Matter, 5.21 Crude Protein, 31.40 Crude Fibre,3.42 Ether Extract, 20.13 Ash and 39.84 Nitrogen Free Extract. Most of the carcass parameters observed were not statistically influenced by the dietary levels of RMW, except on head (2.95 – 5.50g), legs (4.51 – 5.53g), large intestine length (3.20 – 5.37g) and gizzards (2.26 – 2.73g) which were significantly (P<0.05) affected. However, values of live, plucked and carcass weights ranged between 1256.33-1380.51g, 1087.88-1231.47g and 863.12-1064.19g, respectively, while that of dressing percentages were between 65.35-78.77%. It was concluded that rice milling waste can replace 100 % of wheat offal as fibre source in the diets of broiler chickens without adverse effects on the carcass yield and organs characteristics. It was therefore recommended for use in broiler chickens’ diets to reduce cost of production and over dependance on the conventional wheat offal.

A Novel high-amylose wheat-based functional cereal soup (tarhana) with low glycemic index and high resistant starch

This study investigated the potential of high-amylose wheat flour (Svevo-HA) to enhance the dietary profile of tarhana, a traditional Mediterranean fermented cereal yogurt mixture. The moisture content of tarhana powders ranged from 7.81% to 11.64%. Color parameters varied depending on the type of flour used, with Svevo-HA samples demonstrating decreased L* values and increased a* and b* values. Mineral compositions differed significantly among tarhana samples, with higher levels of K, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn observed in samples prepared with Svevo-HA. Gallic acid was identified as the major phenolic compound in all the tarhana samples for free fraction, while ferulic acid was determined as the major phenolic compound for its bound form. Supplementation of tarhana soups with heat-treated Svevo-HA flour increased the resistant starch content and decreased in vitro glycemic index value compared to soups prepared with conventional wheat flour. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing Svevo-HA flour to develop healthier versions of traditional foods.

Dryland Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Response to Cropping Systems and Nitrogen Fertilization

Innovative management practices are needed to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector by enhancing soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks, which serve as major reservoirs of C and N in the terrestrial ecosystem. The effect of cropping systems and N fertilization rates were examined on soil organic C (SOC) and soil total N (STN) stocks at the 0–120 cm depth from 2011 to 2018 in a dryland farm in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping systems were no-till continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), no-till spring wheat–pea (Pisum sativum L.) (NTWP), no-till spring wheat–fallow (NTWF), and conventional till spring wheat–fallow (CTWF) and N fertilization rates were 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1 applied to spring wheat. The SOC and STN were greater for NTWP than other cropping systems at most N fertilization rates and depth layers. Increasing N fertilization rate increased SOC at 0–30 cm for NTWP and NTCW, but had a variable effect on STN for various cropping systems and soil depths. The NTWP with 50–100 kg N ha−1 can enhance SOC and STN at 0–30 cm compared to other cropping systems and N fertilization rates in the US northern Great Plains.

Synergic effects of vegetation structure and food supply underlie higher abundance of a farmland specialist bird in organic than in conventional arable fields

Organic farming is considered beneficial for farmland biodiversity. However, it is often unclear what specific factors are underlying the biodiversity benefits of this farming practice. The positive effects may be driven by factors acting at the field level represented by, for instance, the absence of pesticides, or by the factors acting at the level of entire farms represented by a higher diversity of crops and intercrops types, and higher share of semi-natural landscape elements. Distinguishing between these two groups of factors is difficult because they are confounded in heterogeneous landscapes consisting of small arable fields. However, their separation is crucial to understand the origins of organic farming effectiveness. The landscape in those Central and Eastern European countries that have undergone collectivization, such as Slovakia, Czechia or Lithuania, consists of large fields cultivated under either conventional or organic regime. These circumstances are suitable to assess the sole influence of in-field factors providing potential biodiversity benefits of organic farming. For this purpose, we selected a study area in the lowlands of the south-western Slovakia, where conventional and organic fields were situated in close proximity. Such a spatial arrangement was suitable to examine the possible influence of farming practice (i.e. organic vs. conventional) itself, minimising the influence of landscape elements. We focused on a single cereal crop, winter wheat, cultivated on both organic and conventional fields. Here, we counted the breeding abundance of the Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), a farmland specialist bird closely associated with arable fields providing both breeding and feeding habitat for this species, which may be considered as a farmland biodiversity indicator. Skylark counts were higher in organic than in conventional wheat fields throughout the season. This difference was statistically related to a higher abundance of invertebrates in samples collected in organic fields than in conventional fields. However, Skylark counts were also related to sparser crop cover in organic fields, especially at the end of the season. Sparser crop cover may improve nesting conditions and facilitate foraging. Our results indicate that organic farming may have a positive impact even at the field-level. The benefits for the Skylark, and possibly for the other farmland organisms, can be provided by the joint effects of the absence of pesticides and a suitable vegetation structure. Organic farming can thus be a suitable agri-environmental measure within the Common Agricultural Policy even in intensively used landscapes dominated by large fields.

Study on functional properties of protein-rich composite flour utilizing foxtail millet and flaxseed

The residue after extraction of oil from flaxseed contains many nutrients and bioactive components, though it is not used that much in the development of food. On the other hand, foxtail millet is a non-conventional source of food, which can be a supplement of wheat flour or flour-made products. The objective of this work is to incorporate flaxseed oil cake into the common food with a non-conventional source of flour and also to check the functionality of differently pre-processed foxtail millet. In utilizing oil industry waste, i.e., de-oiled flaxseed, for developing a value-added product, the concept of green technology was applied. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil cake flour was mixed in a 1:1 ratio with Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) flour, prepared in three forms: raw, germinated, and microwave treated. The study mainly focused on utilizing the non-thermal processes to investigate the functional properties of the flour blends. Also, an analysis of functionality among three forms of foxtail millet has been done in this study. The mixed flours were further evaluated for nutrient composition and functionality. The results of the developed flour blends are compared with the conventional wheat flour and raw foxtail millet flour to determine the importance of Oil Cake Waste and pre-processing of Millet. The functional properties of mixed flour increased compared with raw foxtail millet flour.

Promoting more sustainable agriculture in the Moroccan drylands by shifting from conventional wheat monoculture to a rotation with chickpea and lentils

Modern agriculture is linked to desertification, massive biodiversity loss and environmental degradation of the ecosystems. In contrast, crop rotation represents an agronomic approach included in conservation agriculture with important environmental and agronomic benefits, such as N fixation, pest and weed control, improvement of soil characteristics and reduction of crop fertilizer demand. Wheat is a staple food in Morocco, as are legumes, which are present in a wide variety of Moroccan recipes and represent an important source of energy and nutrients. The present study evaluates the environmental performance of incorporating chickpea and lentils in a crop rotation system in Morocco that aims to decrease the environmental footprint of the traditional wheat-based crop. An attributional Life Cycle Assessment was conducted in three cropping systems that are grown in two-year cycles: R1 (chickpea:wheat), R2 (lentil:wheat) and M (wheat:wheat). Emissions were quantified in terms of life-cycle related environmental impacts and compared between cropping systems based on two functional unit (kg of wheat harvested). Rotation systems stand out as the most environmentally friendly, with the most notable reductions in the categories of stratospheric ozone depletion and water scarcity (34 % and 50 %, respectively). The environmental improvement from crop rotations was most significant when considering the calculation basis of hectare cultivated versus kg of wheat, which is due to the estimated yield trade-offs in both approaches. In terms of biodiversity loss, no significant differences were observed between crop rotations and monoculture, as the impact on this indicator is mainly attributed to land conversion pressures. This study provides guidance for better formulating crop rotation strategies in the Mediterranean and similar arid regions. Future research should also assess the effects of agriculture on ecosystem services to provide a more comprehensive analysis to support decision making.