Crop Practices Research Articles

Principal component analysis (PCA) on temporal changes of soil health indicators

Soil health indicators are related to environmental factors, such as nutrient management, crop practices, different cropping systems, and biodiversity. 14 soil health indicators were measured and compared in our study to clarify the impact of different cropping system on soil quality. The primary comparisons were carried out among perennial plants, annual plants, and cover cropping, with an examination of the tillage system and fertilization taken into account during the analysis. Multivariant analysis recorded that the most promising indicators of soil health that related to soil quality and health were organic carbon (OC), total carbon (TC), followed by fall soil total nitrogen (TN). The main factor for clustering treatments based on indicators was N fertilization according to Euclidean distance that was applied to measure similarity of the groups. Although perennials and cover crops recorded more carbon sequestration and TC improvement, corn crops showed the worse impact on soil pH and bulk density (BD). Non-tillage practices significantly increased wet aggregate and soil moisture. The combination of TC field measurements with long-term cropping systems information has improved our understanding of how different cropping practices influence SOC improvement in soil full profile. It would develop appropriate and cost-effective agricultural management activities, maintain or improve carbon soil accumulation to guide farmer decision making, and ultimately advance food and nutritional security.

Cropping Pattern, Production Status and Farmer’s Indigenous Practices of Local Crops in Humla District, Nepal

A study was carried out in the Humla district during 2078 B.S. to examine the local cropping pattern, production status, and indigenous practices of crops. To gather information, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to survey 52 households, and two focus group discussions were conducted. The study found that the major indigenous crops were summer crops that were sowed in the months of Baisakh and Jestha and harvested in Ashoj and Kartik. These crops required less water. On the other hand, winter season crops such as naked barley and wheat (pabai) required more than seven months for harvesting. Beans, buckwheat, potato, and finger millet were the major crops produced in the study area. Beans, buckwheat, and barley were cultivated by a higher number of households, while buckwheat, potato, and beans had high crop production. The majority of farmers practices a two-year crop rotation. Additionally, the study found that socio-economic factors such as gender, farmer’s age, caste, family size, and total crop production had a significant relation on maintaining on-farm crop diversity. The study concluded that local farmers in Humla district continue to rely on traditional practices for crop management, which are well-suited to the local agro-climatic conditions. However, it is necessary to give greater emphasis to increasing cropping intensity through the introduction of new technology and innovation, suitable crop management methods, and the protection of indigenous crops to enhance food security and agricultural sustainability in the region.

Monitoring, Modeling and Planning Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Atwood and Tappan Lake Watersheds with Stakeholders Engagements

This study was conducted in the Atwood and Tappan Lakes watersheds of the Tuscarawas basin of Ohio. The flow, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) loadings were monitored with the help of local stakeholders for a few years at various locations of the watershed to develop the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The multi-site SWAT model calibration and validation were accomplished with a reasonable model performance. In the next step, the scenario analysis was conducted in the SWAT model using various BMPs, including vegetative filter strips, grass waterways, fertilizer reduction, crop rotation, and cover crops to evaluate their performance in reducing TN and TP from the watershed. While BMPS in many studies are decided based on researchers’ intuition, these BMPs were selected based on active consultation with the local stakeholders, who were engaged in the reduction of TN and TP loadings from the watersheds. Since the SWAT model calibration for TN and TP was not as good as the hydrologic model calibration, various scenarios of TN and TP reduction using BMPs were investigated for several years using both calibrated and uncalibrated SWAT models. We examined all the BMPs in 12 sub-watersheds of the Atwood and 10 sub-watersheds of the Tappan Lake watershed. The analysis indicated that the management practices of cover crops (rye) in combination with grass waterways with a 10% fertilizer reduction could minimize the TN and TP loading by as much as 88%, without significantly compromising the agricultural yield. However, a 10% fertilizer reduction without any BMPs could reduce TN and TP by just 9%. The cover crop (rye) including 10% fertilizer reduction with grass waterways seemed to be the most effective in reducing TN and TP, whereas the implementation of a filter strip led to a 70% reduction and was the next effective BMPs in reducing TN and TP loadings. In general, TN losses were reduced by 8% to 53%, while TP losses were reduced by 7% to 88%, depending on the BMPs used. By and large, the TN and TP reduction achieved through the calibrated model was not significantly different from the uncalibrated model, even though the reduction using the calibrated model was slightly higher for all scenarios than that of the uncalibrated model. The TN and TP loadings were highly sensitive to cattle grazing. When just 50% of the cattle were permitted to graze, the model predicted that there would be a 40% increase in total nitrogen and a 70% increase in total phosphorus in both watersheds. Our investigation revealed that monitoring the watershed at a small sub-watershed scale and calibrating the SWAT model for nitrogen and phosphorus is delicate.

Carrot (Daucus carota) Production in the Sandy Soils of North Florida: Nitrogen Fertilization Guidelines

This publication discusses carrot growth characteristics and provides nitrogen fertilizer best management practices for carrot crops growing in north Florida. The nitrogen management guidelines presented in this publication are based on multiyear field-based research conducted by UF/IFAS. Written by Morgan Morrow, Vivek Sharma, Robert C. Hochmuth, Charles Barrett, and Marina Burani-Arouca, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2023.

Collembola taxonomic and functional diversity in conventional, organic and conservation cropping systems

Intensive agriculture has been demonstrated to be a main threat to soil biodiversity through physical and chemical disturbances of soil. Alternative systems based on lower disturbances may help to promote soil biodiversity and its role in soil functioning. However, the effects of alternative systems on soil biodiversity are still poorly understood, especially regarding soil mesofauna. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of alternative cropping systems and practice intensity on the taxonomic and functional diversity of Collembola. Collembola were sampled for two consecutive years in 21 fields (3 plots per field) under conventional or alternative systems, namely conservation or organic systems either stable (≥7 years) or in transition (≤3 years). Indicators and indices were computed to characterize separately tillage, pesticide treatments and organic fertilization in each field. Collembola species and functional traits were investigated. Functional diversity of Collembola was assessed using species traits (i.e. traits from the literature) and by conducting length measurements directly on collected Collembola individuals (body, head, leg, antenna and furca length). Collembola diversity was highly variable between and within cropping systems and years. Species richness was notably higher in conservation than in conventional systems in the second year of the study. More specifically, low tillage and high pesticide treatment intensities increased taxonomic and functional diversity and affected species with traits adapted to the surface (i.e. scales, trichobothria). Measured Collembola body length additionally revealed the presence of larger individuals under low tillage and high pesticide treatment intensities, with similar results for other length traits. Overall, our results revealed that 1) taxonomic and functional diversity are complementary to understand the effects of agricultural practices and systems on Collembola and 2) measurement of body length is relevant to assess the effects of disturbances on the local Collembola community.

Worldwide development of agronomic management practices for quinoa cultivation: a systematic review

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) is a drought and salinity-tolerant crop that originated in the Andes over 7000 years ago. It is adapted to different agroecological areas and can be grown from sea level to an altitude of 4000 m. The outstanding nutritional status of quinoa, with its high content of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, makes it a promising crop able to combat hunger and malnutrition in different countries in the 21st century. Quinoa cultivation has expanded from South America to Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Reviewing quinoa cropping practices will provide farmers with adequate recommendations for improving the agronomic and environmental sustainability of quinoa cultivation worldwide. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review of agronomic management practices in 148 field experiments conducted worldwide from 2000 to 2022. The collected data from the literature were analyzed and presented by location to determine high-performing genotypes, optimal planting dates, and other adequate cropping practices affecting quinoa performance and yield. Results showed that quinoa could be successfully cultivated in the new farming areas. Quinoa yields were higher than those reported in its place of origin, ranging from 108 kg ha-1, obtained by KU-2 in Washington State, to 9667 kg ha-1, obtained by Longli in China. Although quinoa is considered a crop with low input requirements, positive grain yield response was observed following increasing fertilization rates. Quinoa needs 2 to 4.6 kg of nitrogen to produce 1q of grain yield. In terms of phosphorus and potassium, quinoa needs 3.7 kg P2O5 and 4.3 kg K2O to produce 1 ton of total biomass. Quinoa has low water requirements (300-400 mm). However, a positive response was recorded with water quantities up to 866 mm. During our investigation, weed control in quinoa crop is still undeveloped and usually done manually. Research addressing this issue can increase quinoa yields and decrease the production cost. Downey mildew and birds’ attack are the major phytosanitary problems affecting quinoa grain yield. Other pests such as miners and aphids can also affect the health of quinoa, but their injury is not a serious problem. After the harvest, saponins found in the out layer of the seed can be removed through washing and mechanical pearling process, but the latter technic was found to be efficient and cost effective to reduce the saponin content. Our results constitute the first recommendation base for the adequate worldwide agronomic practices of quinoa crop.

Crop diversification effects on soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage and stabilization is mediated by soil management practices in semiarid woody crops

Crop diversification is a promising strategy to mitigate climate change through soil carbon sequestration while ensuring soil fertility maintenance and food security. Here, we assess the impact of different inter-cropping practices on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) storage and stabilization under rainfed and irrigated semiarid conditions. Under rainfed conditions, an almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) monocrop was compared with an almond inter-cropped with caper (Capparis spinosa) or with winter thyme (Thymus hyemalis). Under irrigated conditions, a mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) monocrop was compared with a mandarin inter-cropped with an annual crop rotation (including Hordeum vulgare, Vicia sativa and Vicia faba) or with a triennial crop rotation (including Vicia faba, Portulaca oleracea and Vigna unguiculata L.). The SOC and N stocks, SOC mineralization rates, water-stable aggregates and associated OC and N contents were estimated at 0–10 and 10–30 cm depth in each monocrop and inter-cropping system after three years. Contrasting effects of inter-cropping on SOC and N stabilization were found in the rainfed and irrigated systems. The combination of inter-cropping and no tillage did not affect the SOC stocks or mineralization rates at any soil depth in the rainfed system, while it significantly increased the OC and N contents within the large macro-aggregates in the subsoil. Compared to the irrigated mandarin monocrop, the mandarins inter-cropped with the annual crop rotation showed a significant increase of 10% and 18% in the topsoil and subsoil N stocks, respectively, while the SOC mineralization rates were reduced by 30% at both soil depths. On the contrary, the topsoil SOC stock in the mandarins inter-cropped with the triennial crop rotation were reduced by 38% compared to the monocrop. Significant reductions ranging between 24% and 66% were also observed in the OC and N contents associated to the macro- and micro-aggregates in the topsoil and subsoil of both crop diversifications compared to the monocrop system. Our results highlight the potential of inter-cropping rainfed woody crops with perennials for boosting SOC and N storage and stabilization. In irrigated woody monocrops, inter-cropping with annual crop rotation schemes that include two or more leguminous and reducing tillage frequency operations seems to be more appropriate in terms of SOC and N stabilization.

Knowledge of Farmers with Good Agricultural Practices in Maize Crop at El Gharbia Governorate

Knowledge of Farmers with Good Agricultural Practices in Maize Crop at El Gharbia Governorate

An Ecological Reading of Crop–Livestock Interactions—Gers, Southwestern France, 1950 to the Present

Mixed crop–livestock farming is usually considered to be beneficial for the environment, but the comprehensive characterisation of functional interactions between crops and livestock, and thus the assessment of their ecological relevance, remain problematic. In this article, we design a systemic reading grid focusing on the agricultural practices of crop–livestock interactions, which we organised in four groups according to the agronomic functions they fulfil and the ecological processes involved: (i) animals are used as a source of mechanical energy; (ii) rangelands and permanent grasslands, serving as a source of biomass to manage fertility, are spatially interwoven into the cultivated fields; (iii) on those cultivated fields, non-fodder crops are rotated/associated with fodder crops; (iv) the livestock consume locally produced fodder, grain and straw, and their excreta are spread on cultivated plots. Based on 86 interviews with retired and active farmers, we applied this grid to study the dynamics of crop–livestock integration in a small French agricultural region since 1950. We show that even though the number of mixed crop–livestock farms remains quite high, there has been a massive impoverishment of crop–livestock interactions within these farms. We discuss this trend and the contributions made by the reading grid.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PROFILE OF CROP GROWERS AND THEIR LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CRISIS AND ITS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN CROPS

The present study was carried out in six districts of South Gujarat. Paddy, Mung, Tomato and Banana crops were taken under the present study. Out of six districts, 360 crop growers and 48 researchers were selected. Thus, total sample size was 408 respondents for the present study. The study discloses that out of twenty independent variables; education, occupation, farming experience, sources of information, social participation, risk orientation, economic motivation, innovativeness, overall modernity and market orientation were positive and highly significantly correlated, whereas annual income, scientific orientation, management orientation and cropping pattern were positive and significantly correlated with the knowledge of farmers about crisis and its management practices in crops. Age, sources of information, economic motivation, management orientation and overall modernity were positive and highly significantly correlated, while risk orientation, scientific orientation, material possession and market orientation were positive and significantly correlated with the knowledge of researchers about crisis and its management practices in crops.

Current data and modeling bottlenecks for predicting crop yields in the United Kingdom

Identifying and implementing management actions that can mitigate the impacts of climate change on domestically grown crops is crucial to maintaining future food security for the United Kingdom (UK). Crop models serve as critical tools for assessing the potential impacts of climate change and making decisions regarding crop management. However, there is often a gap between yields predicted by current modeling methods and observed yields. This has been linked to a sparsity of models that investigate crop yield beyond field scale or that include data on crop management or crop protection factors. It remains unclear whether the lack of available data imposes these limitations or if the currently available data presents untapped opportunities to extend models to better capture the complex ecosystem of factors affecting crop yield. In this paper, we synthesize available data on plant physiology, management, and protection practices for agricultural crops in the UK, as well as associated data on climate and soil conditions. We then compare the available data to the variables used to predict crop yield using current modeling methods. We find there is a lack of openly accessible crop management and crop plant physiology data, particularly for crops other than wheat, which could limit improvements in current crop models. Conversely, data that was found to be available at large scales on climate and soil conditions could be used to explore upscaling of current approaches beyond the field level, and available data on crop protection factors could be integrated into existing models to better account for how disease, insect pest and weed pressures may impact crop yield under different climate scenarios. We conclude that while a lack of available data on crop management, protection, physiology, at scales other than field level, and for species other than wheat currently hampers advancement of modeling methods for UK crops, future investment into data collection and management across a broader range of factors affecting crops, at larger scales and for a broader range of crop species could improve predictions of crop plant development and yield.

Dissemination of Agricultural Information with Respect to Tribal Community

This study was conducted in Keonjhar district of Odisha state. Agriculture information management behaviour is to be focussed on the flow of information regarding seeking information on various practice of crops and seeking information on various agri-allied activities . The flow of information is based on the various aspect in which tribal people are most probably involved in transferring information through various methods. The result showed that observed that some respondents were receiving information about cultivation practices 33.33% followed by greengram cultivation practices 29.16% and black gram cultivation practices 25%. And 98.32% are receiving information from AAO followed by VLW (95.83%) and from training programme (54.15%) according to personal sources. According to impersonal sources majority of the respondents 64.33% are receiving information from radio followed by television (61.66%) and newspaper (59.16%). Agricultural information interacts with and influences agricultural productivity in a variety of ways. It can help inform decision regarding land, labour, livestock, capital and management. Agricultural productivity can arguably be improved by relevant, reliable and useful information and knowledge. Hence the creation of agricultural information by extension services, research, education programmes and others are managed by agricultural organizations that create information systems to disseminate information to farmers so that farmers can make better decisions in order to take advantage of market opportunities and manage continuous changes in their production systems. All these information seeking behaviours with respect to ICT, the farmers help them to manage in agricultural and other allied activities.

Paradigm Shift in Agricultural/ Horticultural Production System through GAP to Fill the Gap between Potential Yield and Yield Obtained

India is an agriculture-based country which is a very important and ancient enterprise of the whole world. It supplies food, fruit, vegetables, flowers to worship and decorate around the world. Apart from India there are any countries that are dependent on agriculture. It is the backbone of new industries like Sugar, Cotton etc. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sabour, Bhagalpur works in wide array of situations. It deals with sixteen blocks. Few blocks face flood in rainy seasons like Kharik, Naugachhia, Biharpur, Nathnagar, Sultanganj, Goradih and Gopalpur. Few of them have flood daught situations like Pirpainti, Kahalgaon, Sanhawla. Jagdishpur is the only block that always favoured that is hub of Katarni rice production. Katarni rice has GI Lag. Jardalu mango is very juicy tasty mango from Bhagapurl district also having GI tag. Due to poor management practices or there is big gaps/distances between yield and potential yield. Difference in potential yield and yield obtained is the ultimate loss of farmers. This is applied for all crops particularly for Horticultural crops. Because, horticultural crops fullfil the cash crunch of farmers. FAO has published training manual for good agricultural practices for fruit and vegetables crops. This type of manuals should be developed by different area for location specific crops. Bhagalpur has major area of mango, litchi, banana, pointed gourd, tomato. So, the manuals of good practices for these crops will be very productive to the farmers. To attain the potentiality of any crop farmers should follow the GAP (Good Agriculture of Practices) of that crop Naved Sabit et.al (2010) also and vacated for good practices of plant protection in different crops.

Polyploidy affects responses to Nickel in Ni-hyperaccumulating plants: Evidence from the model species Odontarrhena bertolonii (Brassicaceae)

Compared with their diploid progenitors, polyploid plants often display enhanced vigor and adaptive ability to extreme conditions. Previous studies investigated polyploid fitness under various forms of environmental stress, but whether the whole-genome duplication can affect growth, accumulation ability and tolerance levels to trace metals in metal-accumulating species remains obscure. We investigated this topic using an experimental approach and Odontarrhena bertolonii as model system. This obligate serpentine endemic includes diploid and tetraploid accessions with allopatric distribution in Tuscany and Liguria. Three diploid (2 n = 2x = 16) and three natural autotetraploid (2 n = 4x = 32) accessions were compared for growth, leaf traits, photosynthetic parameters and metal accumulation after cultivation on natural serpentine soil and in Ni-containing hydroponic solutions. In soil cultivation, shoot Ni concentration was similar in diploid and tetraploid plants, but the metal content per plant was significantly higher in polyploids because of their higher biomass production. The latter was mainly due to the production of larger leaves, coupled to a lower specific leaf area, which pointed to a better adaptation of the tetraploids to serpentine soil. In hydroponics, all the accessions showed an hormetic-like Ni effect, with stimulation of growth and photosynthesis in the low-dose zone. The data fitting to the hormetic model displayed significant differences in some parameters, with the tetraploid plants showing higher maximal length of roots and shoots and higher requirement of both external and internal Ni concentrations for optimal growth, in respect to diploid plants. On the other hand, Ni tolerance to both external and internal metal concentrations was similar in the plants of the two ploidy levels. Our results suggest that whole-genome duplication can affect the potential for growth and Ni-hyperaccumulation in obligate Ni-accumulator plants like O. bertolonii. This points to the opportunity of selecting polyploid instead of diploid accessions for environmental restoration and metal cropping practices, when the candidate species includes both chromosome races.

“Millet” as a postcolonial-masculinist sign of difference: tracing the effects of ontological-epistemic erasure on a food grain

ABSTRACT In this paper, I use deconstructive theory to analyze the category of “millet” and the endangerment of food grains in India. I argue that “millet” cohered as a sign of difference from the 1960s through India’s Green Revolution, which created a national infrastructure for the materialization of colonial and masculinist ideology. In the hills of Uttarakhand and through the food grain regionally known as mandua, we see how India’s postcolonial success relied on the ontological-epistemic erasure of women’s food/land practices and assaulted the intertwined “rootedness” (place-making faculties) of women and the crops they cultivate. Reading mandua as “millet” under erasure (millet) reveals how mixed crop systems and practices of socio-ecological reciprocity eroded in the face of Green Revolution ideology and functioned as a bulwark against it. I turn finally to the counterhegemonic potential of “millet,” as Uttarakhandi seed activists link with decentralized third world networks, which are exchanging seeds and building power across and from marginalized places. This opens a potential space of visibility and belonging for Uttarakhandi women farmers in the national arena at a time when the ecological and alimentary value of “millet” has entered national and global conversations, infusing the sign of difference with new meaning.

Towards circular nitrogen use in the agri-food system at village and county level in China

CONTEXTIncreased nitrogen (N) losses from linear agri-food systems result in severe environmental issues. These problems can be mitigated by circular N use. Yet, circularity is a scale-specific problem, and the feasibility of pathways towards N circularity at different scales is unclear. OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to 1) evaluate N circularity of a complete agri-food system, including household compartment, at both the village and county scale; and 2) assess potential pathways towards N circularity. METHODSWe used the county of Quzhou (China) with 342 villages as a case study and applied the modified version of a nutrient flow model (NUFER) to calculate N flows, using national statistical data and own survey data collected from farms and households. To evaluate N circularity, we selected four key performance indicators: N import, N loss, N use efficiency and N recycling rate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur analysis showed significant variation at the village scale, depending on local production and consumption patterns. At county level, total N import was 546 kg ha−1 yr−1, of which 54% was lost to the environment. The N use efficiency of the agri-food system and N recycling rate of excreta were both <30%. We investigated scenarios to increase N circularity, including application of good management practices in crop and animal production; household dietary change to more plant protein; recycling of organic waste; growing legumes instead of cotton; and reducing livestock breeding. All measures combined increased the system's N use efficiency by 172% and N recycling rate by 87%, while reducing N import by 68% and N loss by 77%. Recycling of organic waste was the most effective and most feasible strategy to promote circularity. SIGNIFICANCEOur study bridges the gap between village and county level N cycles, illustrates possibilities to transition towards circular N use, and can help policymakers worldwide to achieve more sustainable agri-food systems.

Nongrowing season soil nitrous oxide emissions as influenced by cover crops and fall tillage termination

Cropland soil is a major driver of global nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. In cold climates, nongrowing season (NGS) emissions can be significant due to high fluxes during freeze–thaw (FT) cycles. Cover crops can alter key soil conditions that govern N2O-producing microbial processes, with multiple potential pathways to either increase or decrease N2O production during FT cycles. Cultivating cover crops in the fall to terminate may further disrupt these processes and the overall impact of cover crops on N2O emissions. Yet, few studies have touched on how termination practices of cover crops impact FT emissions over the NGS. Using the flux gradient method to continuously measure N2O emissions from a conventional corn–soybean rotation, we investigated the effects of summer-established cover crops (perennial ryegrass and crimson clover) (with cover crops, +CC; without cover crops, −CC) when terminated by fall cultivation (with fall cultivation, +FC; without fall cultivation, −FC) over a six-month NGS that was characterized by several freezing and thawing periods. Crimson clover cover crop was completely winterkilled, while the ryegrass survived on the +CC−FC field. Total NGS (Nov–Apr) emissions varied nearly 2.5-fold among treatments from 395.1 (−CC−FC) to 978.1 (+CC+FC) g N2O-N ha−1. Compared with the control treatment (−CC−FC), fall cultivation alone (−CC+FC) and cover crops alone (+CC−FC) increased total NGS N2O emissions, and fall cultivation with cover crops (+CC+FC) increased N2O fluxes even more. Careful CC species selection and management are important to avoid elevated NGS emissions.

Transcriptome profiling of barley in response to mineral and organic fertilizers

BackgroundNitrogen is very important for crop yield and quality. Crop producers face the challenge of reducing the use of mineral nitrogen while maintaining food security and other ecosystem services. The first step towards understanding the metabolic responses that could be used to improve nitrogen use efficiency is to identify the genes that are up- or downregulated under treatment with different forms and rates of nitrogen. We conducted a transcriptome analysis of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cv. Anni grown in a field experiment in 2019. The objective was to compare the effects of organic (cattle manure) and mineral nitrogen (NH4NO3; 0, 40, 80 kg N ha−1) fertilizers on gene activity at anthesis (BBCH60) and to associate the genes that were differentially expressed between treatment groups with metabolic pathways and biological functions.ResultsThe highest number of differentially expressed genes (8071) was found for the treatment with the highest mineral nitrogen rate. This number was 2.6 times higher than that for the group treated with a low nitrogen rate. The lowest number (500) was for the manure treatment group. Upregulated pathways in the mineral fertilizer treatment groups included biosynthesis of amino acids and ribosomal pathways. Downregulated pathways included starch and sucrose metabolism when mineral nitrogen was supplied at lower rates and carotenoid biosynthesis and phosphatidylinositol signaling at higher mineral nitrogen rates. The organic treatment group had the highest number of downregulated genes, with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis being the most significantly enriched pathway for these genes. Genes involved in starch and sucrose metabolism and plant-pathogen interaction pathways were enriched in the organic treatment group compared with the control treatment group receiving no nitrogen input.ConclusionThese findings indicate stronger responses of genes to mineral fertilizers, probably because the slow and gradual decomposition of organic fertilizers means that less nitrogen is provided. These data contribute to our understanding of the genetic regulation of barley growth under field conditions. Identification of pathways affected by different nitrogen rates and forms under field conditions could help in the development of more sustainable cropping practices and guide breeders to create varieties with low nitrogen input requirements.

Carbon sequestration and water management in Texas—One size does not fit all

AbstractClimate‐smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to sustainably meeting food, fiber, and feed production needs. The technical and socioeconomic feasibility of different CSA strategies depends on local conditions, and there is no one‐size‐fits‐all approach. Here, we review two key aspects of CSA with a focus on Texas: soil C sequestration and water management. Carbon sequestration potential is highly variable across Texas as it depends on local biophysical conditions and soil management practices in place, for example, tillage and cover crops. Grasslands also have an important role to play in C sequestration. Important co‐benefits of effective soil management for C sequestration, such as reduced CO2 emissions, enhanced soil structure, and increased microbial activity, can positively impact soil fertility and productivity. The economic and political realities of C sequestration will have a strong influence on the implementation of technically feasible strategies. The major challenge for water management is the sustainable allocation of increasingly scarce resources. Expanded irrigation is a short‐term solution, but in many cases, the existing water supply is insufficient to meet future demand. A drying Texas, and aquifer depletion, portends lower future supplies. The Panhandle, Llano Estacado, and Rio Grande regions have the greatest projected gaps between future supply and demand. Increasing water‐use efficiency and using drought‐tolerant crops are important management goals and precision agriculture with site‐specific management measures could help improve drought resiliency. Texas’ geographic diversity is reflected in the variety of agricultural commodities produced by the state, and CSA activities are likely to be equally diverse.

Effect of Fertilization and Weed Management Practices on Weed Diversity and Hemp Agronomic Performance

The industrial hemp market is rapidly expanding, and best crop practices need to be assessed. This study aimed to determine the effect of fertilization and weed management on hemp crops and weed flora during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons. Field experiments were laid out in a split–split plot design with three replicates: two hemp cultivars as main plots, three fertilization treatments as sub-plots, and three sub-sub-plots (weedy, weed-free, and herbicide application). For the computation of crop traits, 10 plants were randomly selected by each plot. Weed species were collected by quadrate for density and biomass weight determination. Increased fertilization rate positively affected plant height and dry biomass, while no impact was recorded on yield and yield components. The density and biomass of nitrophilous weeds were enhanced by fertilization, negatively affecting hemp growth. Marked differences were recorded on the competitive ability of cultivars since “Fedora 17” decreased the weed studied traits better than “Uso 31”. Herbicide application decreased the biomass of annual and perennial weeds by 38% and 13%, respectively, while it caused a reduction in hemp growth and yield of “Uso 31” plants. Further research should be conducted to address hemp yield losses under different cultural practices and weed control systems.