Strip Cropping Research Articles

Assessment of nature-based solutions for water resource management in agricultural environments: a stakeholders' perspective in Southern Italy.

This paper explores the potential implementation of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) in agriculture, specifically focusing on soil and water management in Southern Italy, particularly in the Apulia and Basilicata regions. Through a tailored questionnaire, it investigates farmers' perceptions of the utility of NBSs, addressing key issues in the region and evaluating their role in addressing soil and water management challenges. Findings reveal primary challenges such as drought, floods, and water pollution, with soil erosion being a major concern. Several NBSs, including wetlands and bioswales, demonstrate consistent utility and performance, while disparities exist for agroforestry and strip cropping. The study underscores a significant gap in the economic valuation of NBSs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments that incorporate livability improvements, water quality enhancement, and socio-cultural benefits. Additionally, an analysis of NBS implementation across Italian agriculture reveals limited case studies, suggesting the need for strategic expansions to meet Sustainable Development Goals. This research offers critical insights into the effectiveness and challenges of NBSs in agricultural soil and water management, advocating for enhanced stakeholder engagement and the development of multidimensional evaluation frameworks to support sustainable practices.

Soil erosion assessment using SWAT, in relation withLand use, agricultural practices, and future climate change in a semi-arid catchment in Tunisia

Abstract Soil erosion is a severe environmental concern arising from intensive agricultural uses, land degradation, and anthropogenic activities. This problem threatens agricultural productivity and sustainable development, particularly in emerging countries. Therefore, evaluating soil erosion is essential in conservation, planning, and management on a watershed or basin scale. This study aims to assess the erosion of soil loss in the El Gouazine Watershed, central Tunisia, using the Soil and water assessment tool (SWAT). We define the impact of soil and water conservation management implementation combined with climate change scenario. We identified the spatial distribution of erosion rates based on soil properties, topography, and land use. The observed specific erosion rate of the watershed is estimated at 1.6 t.ha−1.yr−1, whereas according to the SWAT model, the average soil loss rate is 1.4 t.ha−1.yr−1. Furthermore, the obtained results highlight importance of the slope factor in affecting the severity of the soil loss rates in the El Gouazine watershed. It was also demonstrated that it’s urgent to prioritize other measures such as contour cropping or conservation agriculture, to enhance and strengthen the soils’ resistance against the detachment due to discharge water. In this context, this research found that these techniques decrease considerably the soil loss by 22% for the strip cropping, 33% for the No-tillage, and 72% for the bench terracing. Moreover, these farming techniques, contribute at the same time to the amelioration of the water balance by reducing the evapotranspiration and enhancing the soil water storage. To go further in this study a soil erosion forecast using the worst-case scenario for climate change RCP 8.5 was conducted. an overview of the future soil erosion patterns is obtained. We noticed then a decrease of the average annual soil loss rate until 2050 and then a prominent increase from 2051 to 2100.

Economics of Strip Cropping with Autonomous Machines

Economics of Strip Cropping with Autonomous Machines

VEGETABLE BEAN IN POLYCROPPING

Purpose. To scientifically justify the influence of protection systems (biological, chemical) on the growth and development of bean plants in strip cropping. Methods. Field, statistical. Results. To create a polycrop agrogroup, strips that were multiples of the rig width (for example, 2.8 m, 4.2 m, 5.6 m, etc.) were formed. Solid-planted companion crops (spiked cereals [for example, winter triticale – the most optimal forecrop for bean]) were grown in alkalized strips, and bean was grown in non-alkalized strips. Crops were rotated by periodic alternating alkalized and non-alkalized strips. A clear pattern was revealed: the farther bean plants from the companion crops (70 cm, 140 cm, 210 cm) were, the taller they were: when sown with winter triticale, their height increased from 57 cm to 59 cm; when sown with spring triticale, it increased from 54 cm to 58 cm. On average for two years, a clear similar trend was observed for bush width: the farther bean plants from the companion crops (70 cm, 140 cm, 210 cm) were, the wider bean bush became: when sown with winter triticale, the bush width increased from 55 cm up to 59 cm; when sown with spring triticale, it increased from 54 cm to 57 cm. The farther bean rows from the companion crops were, the fewer nodules per plant formed: when the bean was sown with winter triticale, the nodule number decreased from 110/plant to 95/plant; when it was sown with spring triticale, this parameter decreased from 68/plant to 53/plant. In 2022, the bean sown with winter triticale as a predecessor and companion crop in the strip cropping was least affected by Alternaria leaf spot (5–9%); when the bean was sown with spring triticale as a companion crop, the Alternaria leaf spot prevalence ranged from 11 to 13%. In 2023, with winter triticale as a companion crop and predecessor, the bean anthracnose prevalence was 13–20%; in the other variants, it amounted to 35–40%. Conclusions. Strip cropping, in particular with vegetable bean, is a promising trend in organic farming. The farther bean plants from the companion crops (70 cm, 140 cm, 210 cm) were, the taller they were and the wider bean bushes became, but the number of nitrogen-fixing nodules, on the contrary, decreased. The biological regimen of plant protection restrained the Alternaria leaf spot and bean anthracnose development on bean plants where winter triticale was a companion crop and forecrop.

Response of rhizosphere microbial community structure and production performance of corn and soybean to belt planting mode

Soybean and corn strip cropping takes full advantage of the root characteristics and plant height differences between soybean and corn, which can improve crop photosynthesis and nutrient uptake as well as capitalize on the marginal effect of corn. However, there is not enough in-depth research on the effects of soybean and corn strip cropping modes on inter-root microbial communities and crop yield traits and their correlations, and the functional genes of inter-root microbes. In this study, the structural composition and functional genes of soil inter-root microbial communities under different strip cropping patterns of soybean and maize, Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3, were studied using macro-genome high-throughput sequencing, and the yield traits of soybean and maize were determined and the correlation was understood, taking Zhonglian Soybean 1505 and Tiyu 108 maize as test materials at the experimental base of the Research Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Sciences, Xing'anmeng, Inner Mongolia. correlation between the two. The following results were found. Redundancy analysis found that rhizosphere microorganisms are mainly bacteria, followed by viruses, followed by archaea, and fungi are the least. Relatively speaking, viruses and bacteria are more susceptible to the influence of planting patterns than fungi. Alpha diversity analysis shows that the diversity index changes significantly during the peak flowering period. There is no difference between the other two stages. The diversity of maize rhizosphere microorganisms under Mode 1 or Mode 2 modes is higher than that under Mode 3 modes, while the diversity of soybean rhizosphere microorganisms under Mode 3 modes is higher than the other two modes. Profiling analysis found that different growth periods and planting patterns lead to varying degrees of changes in community structure. The dominant bacterial phyla include Pseudomonas, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Streptococcus. The dominant genera of bacteria are rhizobia, pseudomonas, erythrobacteria, and pseudomonas. The relative abundance of slow root rhizobia in the three growth stages of maize rhizosphere is relatively low. The results of yield traits showed that corn yield under Mode 1 and Mode 2 planting was significantly higher than that under pattern III; soybean yield under pattern III planting was significantly higher than that under the other two patterns, indicating that pattern I or II planting is suitable for corn production, while Mode 3 planting mode is more suitable for soybean production. Correlation analysis showed that S_Massilis_putida was significantly and positively correlated with maize yield, and S_lysobacter_capsici was highly significantly and significantly positively correlated with the number of soybean plants per square meter, and the number of plants in 2 square meters. This study contributes to our further understanding of the classification of inter-root microorganisms and their functional relationships in maize and soybean under different conditions.

SDEWES 2023: Barriers and Possibilities for the Development of Short-Rotation Coppice as an Agroforestry System for Adaptation to Climate Change in Central European Conditions

This article compares different production, economic, and selected environmental aspects of agroforestry systems in a standard (alley cropping) and a newly proposed design with fast-growing trees grown in short-rotation coppice. Our models of agroforestry systems (AFSs) are as follows: (i) alley cropping AFS with cherry and walnut trees in single rows (tree strips) with 28 m-wide arable fields between them (crop strips), and (ii) coppiced tree belt AFS with poplars and willows and 25 m-wide arable fields between them (crop strips). To evaluate the production characteristics of trees, we used yield curves from experimental plantations in conditions of the Czech Republic from previous research projects. Cost data were collected from long-term experimental plantations and combined with current operation and energy prices. The article presents an economic methodology for assessing the competitiveness of biomass production in AFSs under the current identified market conditions. Our results show that AFSs with short-rotation coppice can have similar economic and production results as annual crops if grown on suitable sites and with appropriate quality of agronomy. In comparison, alley cropping AFSs with fruit trees would not be economically viable for farmers without a significant subsidy for establishment and maintenance in the first years after establishment. Concerning the latest economic and political developments, the product from SRC (energy woodchips) can be evaluated as strategic, increasing the producer’s independence from purchased energy fuels.

Assessment of Bioefficacy of Chilli Pepper Capsicum frutescens (L.) and its Intercropping on the Performance and Insect Pests Management of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.)

A study was conducted at the Yaba College of Technology Instructional and Research Farm in 2022 and 2023 wet and dry seasons to determine the bio-efficacy of chilli pepper, (Capsicum frutescens (L.)) and its intercropping on the growth, yield and insect pest management of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.)). The experiment was laid out in a 3×4 factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 treatments (chilli pepper extract at 200l/ha, 250l/ha, and local control) at 3 replications in alternate intercropping, strip cropping, border cropping, and sole cropping arrangement. The chilli pepper aqueous extract at 200 l/ha and 250 l/ha sprayed on the Bambara groundnut plants were sprayed as scheduled from 10 am to 12 noon with the view of protecting it with aqueous extract of chilli pepper on 12 plots of 60 ridges. Data were collected on growth parameters of Bambara groundnut at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after planting, pest population, assessment of thrips and legume pod borer, assessment of both nymph and adult of legume pod borer and pod sucking bugs, pod density, pod damage, grain yield, yield loss and assessment of phytotoxicity signs using Analysis of Variance. Results showed that 250 l/ha aqueous extract treated plots reduced the number of insect pests including thrips (4.67±1.09), legume pod borer (1.76±0.35), legume pod borer nymph (1.08±0.10) adults of pod borers (1.18±0.11) and pod sucking bugs adult (3.33±1.09) in intercropping situation, followed by 200 l/ha respectively as compared to untreated plots (2.69±0.12). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the treated plots (9.08±0.62) and untreated plots (12.44±0.71) in terms of pod damage as well as increased grain yields (343.73±4.71) when compared to the untreated control (322.12±43). However, 250 l/ha causes higher phytotoxicity damage than 200 l/ha although it controlled pest population better than 200 l/ha. Alternate cropping proved to be superior to other cropping system with respect to grain yield (36.78±12.99), reduction in pest infestation (6.33±1.23) and reduction in yield loss (299.58±9.41) when compared to sole cropping of Bambara groundnut with respect to grain yield (100.24±12.99), reduction in pest infestation (15.33±1.23) and reduction in yield loss (395.27±9.41). The bio-pesticidal effect of chilli pepper on Bambara groundnut insects may be due to the presence of active ingredients present in chilli pepper including glycosides, tannin, terpenoides, flavonoids, saponin, reducing sugar, steroids, and resins. This result indicates the potential of using plant extract with insecticidal attributes for the protection of Bambara groundnut in low input agriculture practiced by limited resource farmers in developing countries.

Economics of strip cropping with autonomous machines

AbstractAutonomous machines have the potential to maintain food production and agroecological farming resilience. However, autonomous complex mixed cropping is proving to be an engineering challenge because of differences in plant height and growth pattern. Strip cropping is technically the simplest mixed cropping system, but widespread use is constrained by higher labor requirements in conventional mechanized farms. Researchers have long hypothesized that autonomous machines (i.e., crop robots) might make strip cropping profitable, thereby allowing farmers to gain additional agroecological benefits. To examine this hypothesis, this study modeled ex‐ante scenarios for the Corn Belt of central Indiana, using the experience of the Hands Free Hectare‐Linear Programming (HFH‐LP) optimization model. Results show that per annum return to operator labor, management, and risk‐taking (ROLMRT) was $568/ha and $163/ha higher for the autonomous corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] strip crop farm compared to the whole field sole crop and the conventional strip crop farms, respectively, that were operated by human drivers. The conventional strip cropping practice was found challenging as this cropping system required four times more temporary hired labor than autonomous strip cropping and three times more than whole field sole cropping. Even if autonomous machines need 100% human supervision, the ROLMRT was higher compared to whole field sole cropping. Profitable autonomous strip cropping could restore and improve in‐field biodiversity and ecosystem services through a sustainable techno‐economic and environmental approach that will address the demand for healthier food and promote environmental sustainability.

Crop species diversity levels with attract and reward strategies to enhance Pieris brassicae parasitism rate by Cotesia glomerata in strip intercropping

Abstract Crop diversification through inter‐ and mixed cropping practices has been shown to enhance conservation biological control of herbivorous pest insects. However, distinct cropping practices are usually tested independently, which makes assessing the relative impact of specific measures difficult. We assessed parasitism rates of released large cabbage white (Pieris brassicae) caterpillars by parasitoids on white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) plants in six different cropping systems: four different strip‐cropping designs, a pixel cropping design and a monoculture. These cropping designs differed in the number of crops included, the use of parasitoid‐attractive cultivars in concurrence with a cash cultivar, the use of nectar‐providing crops for adult parasitoids and the spatial arrangement of the crops. Parasitism rate by the main P. brassicae parasitoid Cotesia glomerata was enhanced by strip cropping of white cabbage with wheat, and even further enhanced by the inclusion of four more main crops. Contrastingly, C. glomerata parasitism rate was lower in the most intensive crop mixture, that is pixel cropping, than in any of the strip‐cropping designs. The use of attractive cultivars or rewarding floral resources within a strip‐cropping set‐up did not significantly further enhance C. glomerata parasitism rate. Synthesis and applications: Our results show that increasing the number of crops in the agroecosystem enhances parasitism rates, whereas the additional inclusion of more subtle measures to attract or reward parasitoids shows mostly marginal effects. We argue that strip cropping can readily be employed as (part of a) pest control strategy, but trait‐based measures still need further development. How to implement attract and/or reward strategies in large‐scale agricultural systems should be further evaluated in the context of crop diversification schemes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ ТЕХНІКО-ТЕХНОЛОГІЧНИХ РІШЕНЬ СМУГОВОГО ОБРОБІТКУ ГРУНТУ

The article presents the results of studies of the strip tillage system and crop sowing in the three-field crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean”, the principles of the technological process have been formed, the initial requirements for the parameters of the strips, the quality of sowing crops in the crop rotation (corn and soybeans) have been prepared, technical and technological methods have been improved the solution of sowing in strips with a significant content of plant residues and the technical and economic advantages of strip tillage are substantiated. The purpose of the research is to substantiate the expediency, to improve the technical and technological solutions and methods of implementation of the strip tillage technology in short-rotation grain crop rotation, and to determine their effectiveness. Methods and materials. The study of the effectiveness of strip tillage was carried out on the short-rotational crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean”, with a total area of 21 hectares at the scientific research ground of L. Pogorilyy UkrNDIPVT. Agricultural machinery is generally accepted for the zone of the right-bank forest-steppe, except for the studied factors: A - tillage; B – mineral fertilizers; C is a predecessor culture. Field experiments, observations, and records were carried out according to the methods of B. Dospehov and V. Yeshchenko. The «Belarus MTZ 1025» tractor and the 4-row «STA-4» unit were used to form the strips, which allows for the arrangement of sections, their movement along the beam of the frame for cutting strips with a row spacing of 70 cm and 90 cm and applying fertilizers to each strip. Corn was sown with a row spacing of 70 cm along the path, and soybeans (with a row spacing of 45 cm) were sown on the sides of the deep loosener pass line with a step of 90 cm. Results. The short-rotation 3-field crop rotation “corn-corn-soybean” provides an increase in productivity with a narrow set of crops with a wide-row sowing method, which are combined in the crop rotation as good predecessors and belong to different taxonomic groups. The effectiveness of the proposed technical-technological solutions of strip tillage and sowing compared to traditional technology is determined by the reduction of used resources due to the smaller number of technological operations, fuel consumption, and increased productivity. Indicators of the structure of the biological yield of corn proved the advantage of strip cultivation over plowing: grain yield is higher by 17-21% (depending on the year). It is substantiated that the design parameters of the unit for forming strips should ensure the straightness of their cutting at a sufficient working speed and the preservation of unloosened strips for moving (without slipping) the wheels of the traction tractor; the seeder must ensure high-quality sowing of seeds on backgrounds with a large content of plant residues, the technological ability of conversion to the required width of rows, which is the basis for improving the progressive direction of growing corn and soybeans in short-rotation crop rotation. Conclusions. Grounded prospects for the implementation of strip tillage technology in short-rotation crop rotation and the feasibility of its implementation in the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine using the example of corn and soybeans. Emphasis is placed on the sources of efficiency and the main recommendations for machine complexes for resource-saving technologies for growing grain crops in small and medium-sized farms are outlined. Keywords: crop short-rotation, strip tillage, technical and technological solutions, agricultural machines, soybean, corn, productivity, crop yield.

Can strip cropping reduce pest activity density and damage while increasing yield? A case study of organic cabbage and faba bean

This study assessed how strip cropping white cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and faba bean (Vicia faba) affects the activity density of pests – diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and flea beetles (Phyllotreta spp.) – and how this affects crop yields. The setup consisted of three 270m2 plots representing monocrops of faba bean and cabbage, and a plot of alternating strips of the two. The setup was established in 2018 and 2019. Activity density of P. xylostella was determined through yellow sticky trapping and Phyllotreta spp. activity density was determined by pitfall trapping. Crop yields were determined at harvest, and foliar damage to cabbage leaves was also assessed. The results showed that strip cropping reduced the activity density of P. xylostella, but no suppression effect was observed for Phyllotreta spp. Average foliar damage to cabbage was higher in the strip crop plot, but in 2018 the yield was also higher. Average faba bean yield was lower in the strip crop plot in both years. Our results indicate potential for cabbage-faba bean strip cropping to reduce the activity density of P. xylostella but not Phyllotreta spp. and to increase cabbage yield when overall pest pressure is moderate, but at the cost of faba bean yield. The case study shows that a Brassica vegetable – legume strip cropping system has potential for pest suppression in northern conditions, but agronomic compatibility of crop plants needs attention to ensure similar or higher productivity than a monocrop system.

Undestroyed winter cover crop strips support wild bee abundance and diversity in intensive cropping systems

Undestroyed winter cover crop strips support wild bee abundance and diversity in intensive cropping systems

The Role of Agricultural Projects in Building Sustainable and Resilient Maize Value Chain in Burkina Faso

Poor seed quality and climate change significantly affect the maize value chain in Burkina Faso. To address the challenges, a catalytic project titled “Strengthening resilient seed systems in the maize value chain in Burkina Faso—from research to markets” was initiated to enhance the development of a resilient maize value chain. This study aims to assess the role of the project in developing a sustainable and resilient maize value chain. In this study, we used a mixed approach in design and implementation: qualitative research using key informants’ interviews, secondary data such as baseline survey reports, and lessons learned during the seed value chain greening intervention implemented in the Hauts-Bassins and Cascades regions of Burkina Faso. We analyzed qualitative data following the Gioia method. Kabako, a drought-tolerant hybrid seed variety, doubled crop yields in demonstration plots compared to smallholder farms and regional and national averages. Extension officers and village-based advisors (VBAs) were trained on improved seeds, composting, strip cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, and water management technologies and afterward trained smallholders. The VBAs trained smallholders on proper postharvest management practices and processing. The off-takers acted as the market. However, smallholders also sold their maize products in the informal open markets. The aggregator system was the missing link in Burkina Faso’s maize value chain. There was limited involvement of women in the project. Results obtained from this study are valuable for policymakers and value chain actors in preparing policies and filling missing gaps for exploiting the potential of the maize value chain.

Two crops are better than one for nutritional and economic outcomes of Zambian smallholder farms, but require more labour

Sustainable intensification practices suitable for smallholders in southern Africa will be needed to counteract the impact of future climate change and soil fertility decline in the region. Diversification of maize-based farming systems with grain legumes could play a key role. Here, we compared the performance of different maize-legume diversification strategies (single-row intercropping, strip cropping, and crop rotation) with sole cropped maize under conventional ploughing and Conservation Agriculture in four Zambian districts in the Eastern and Southern Provinces. These options were assessed using the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework (SIAF), with metrics representing productive, economic, human, social, and environmental dimensions. Data were collected from on-farm trials over three growing seasons. We found no significant effect of cropping systems on individual maize and legume grain yield across growing seasons, but substantial nutritional and economic benefits of intercropping systems due to simultaneously growing two crops. In particular, maize-legume intercropping strategies (single-row intercropping and strip cropping) resulted in higher energy and protein yield at cropping system level than sole maize and maize-legume rotation, which had positive implications for human nutrition. Although there were increased labour requirements to manage the intercrops, and particularly the strip crops, these cropping systems had much higher net benefits and returns to labour and inputs than the other cropping systems tested. Farmer evaluations however did not show a preference for the intercropping systems over the maize-legume rotation or sole maize, most likely because labour and its availability may be as or more important for farmers than overall cropping system benefits. Soil organic carbon content and soil pH did not differ between the tested cropping systems at the start of the trials and after three cropping seasons, but decreased over this period independently of the cropping system. Overall, the results indicate that maize-legume strip cropping, and single-row intercropping can increase food and nutrition security as well as gross benefits from farming, but this comes at the expense of greater labour requirements throughout the growing season. The latter may be addressed through, e.g., appropriate-scale farm mechanization, if intercropping or strip cropping systems are to become a viable option for labour, not land, constrained farms in Southern Africa.

Northern bobwhite breeding season and nest survival are greater on native grasslands

AbstractNorthern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) are declining across their range. Population recovery requires a better understanding of the influence of management strategies and land cover on specific demographic components of full annual cycle population dynamics. We used known‐fate daily survival models to relate adult breeding season survival and nest survival to land cover composition, woody cover, and management actions on 5 study sites in southwest Missouri, USA. We collected 3,516 observations of daily nest survival from 364 bobwhite nests for 7,509 exposure days and 34,386 observations of adult survival from 955 bobwhites for 85,225 exposure days during breeding seasons in 2014–2018. The most supported model for nest and adult breeding season survival included environmental covariates for percent native grass and agricultural cover, distance to shrub, and distance to tree. Both nest and adult breeding season survival were positively related to distance to trees. Nest survival was negatively related to percent agricultural crop cover. Areal nest and adult breeding season survival were greater on native grassland sites compared to conservation areas that maintained small units of strip crop and wooded cover. Management to sustain or expand native grass cover and reduce tree cover should benefit bobwhite nest survival and adult breeding season survival in the landscapes we studied.

Simulation of sediment yield and evaluation of best management practices in Azuari watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin

Abstract This study was conducted to simulate the sediment yield and evaluate best management practices (BMPs) for sediment control in the Azuari watershed, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. As inputs for the model, 30 years (1991–2020) of daily values of meteorological data were used. For model simulation, daily stream flow and sediment data were collected for the periods from 1988 to 2012. The study area was delineated into 19 subwatersheds and the sediment yield was estimated in each subwatershed using the modified universal soil loss equation. The average simulated sediment yield in the watershed was found to be 10.81 t/ha/yr. Six subwatersheds were identified to have high to severe sediment yields and are considered hotspot areas which require prior mitigation measures to control sediment. Four soil and conservation measures were evaluated in SWAT as BMPs namely filter strip, terracing, strip cropping, and contouring. Filter strip was found to reduce sediment by 35.61%, terracing by 20.44%, strip cropping by 44.12%, and contouring by 43.6%. Thus, the implementation of strip cropping resulted in maximum sediment yield reduction. The findings of the study would help to make informed decisions on best watershed management strategies.

Current agricultural diversification strategies are already agroecological

Modern agriculture, especially monocultures, is increasingly blamed by proponents of agroecology for loss of biodiversity in agroecosystems through loss of natural vegetation and crop genetic diversity. However, loss of natural vegetation to agriculture has slowed in recent years, and the claim for 75% loss of crop genetic diversity due to the widespread use of improved crop varieties lacks evidence. The main objective of this perspective paper is to identify and analyze the kinds of diversity already developed by agricultural research in the context of their function, need and relevance to particular agroecological elements and principles related to biodiversity. The paper shows that biodiversity is already incorporated into agroecosystems in a multitude of ways such as improved crop varieties with functional traits; crop mixtures and dual-purpose crops in monocultures; inter-crops, strip crops or relay crops; cover crops; crop rotations; field margins; landscape diversification; crop-livestock systems; and agroforestry. Emphasis is also given to crop-associated biodiversity above ground and soil biodiversity. The paper highlights that more research is needed to (a) breed crops for multi-cropping systems; (b) improve understanding of how components of diversity interact within or across systems and scales; (c) understand the role of soil biodiversity in soil function; and (d) successfully use crop-associated biodiversity to manage pests and beneficial organisms. In the future, the promotion of agroecological principles should incorporate inputs from crop breeders, agronomists, ecologists and crop protectionists for the benefit of farmers, or such principles will remain aspirational.

A comparative effect of legume-based cropping association on the productivity of Manihot esculenta Crantz in the forest and savanna zones of the Central African Republic

The objective of this study, conducted under integrated management in forest and savanna zones, is to improve cassava yields in rural areas of the Central African Republic using a comparative approach. The study design is a randomized block design with eight treatments (0 to 7) and four randomized replications, comprising 32 elementary plots. The different doses of PK or NPK fertilizers and/or those associated with legumes (0-0-0, legumes, legumes-30-180, legumes-90-30-180 and 90-30-180) were tested in the districts of Damara and Pissa. The trial was conducted over one agricultural season. The analyses were done using R software version 4.1.0 and Excel 2010. The results show that the doses of 90 kg.ha-1 of Nitrogen, 30 kg.ha-1 of Phosphorus and 180 kg.ha-1 of Potassium gave good productions in fresh roots at the scale of the two localities with average yields of 60 t. ha-1 (T3: cassava + groundnut + NPK) compared to 29 t.ha-1 (T0: cassava) in the forest zone and 37 t.ha-1 (T3: cassava + groundnut + NPK) compared to 23 t.ha-1 (T0: cassava) in the savanna zone. Economically, after the sale in pods, the cassava + legume treatments (T1: cassava + groundnut with a profit of 765,000 F CFA in the forest and 435,455 F CFA in the savanna and T4: cassava + cowpea with a profit of 78,725 F CFA in the forest and 265,000 F CFA in the savanna) are profitable for the farmer-producers in the study area. The use of the results of this study in rural areas of the Central African Republic can improve the production of fresh roots and pods. In any case, a study on spatial arrangements in cropping associations (strip cropping, intercropping) can be envisaged in order to better manage the soil and optimize production in rural areas.

Spatio-temporal Soil Erosion Estimation in Sangareddy District, Telangana Using Rusle Model

Soil erosion poses a significant environmental challenge worldwide, causing the depletion of fertile topsoil, reduced crop productivity, and heightened sedimentation in water bodies. The extent of erosion depends on factors such as rainfall intensity, land slope, soil type, land use, and management practices. Accurate assessment of soil loss, considering spatial, temporal, and climate change factors, is vital for effective soil and water conservation planning. In this study, a spatial model for estimating soil loss was developed by integrating GIS with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), and validation showed satisfactory results (R2=0.82). The spatial estimation revealed that most of the area experienced soil loss below 5 t ha-1 yr-1, with only a smaller portion showing soil loss exceeding 20 t ha-1 yr-1. To address this, in-situ soil conservation measures are recommended, such as using erosion-resistant crops (e.g., groundnut) in strip cropping, adopting crop rotations, mulching, and planting grasses for bund stabilization. Practices like deep ploughing, summer ploughing, and mixed cropping should also be adopted for sustainable watershed management. Construction of conservation structures like farm ponds and percolation tanks is highly recommended. The study also observed temporal variations in soil loss for Sangareddy district, with the highest soil loss of 134 t ha−1 yr−1 occurring in 2020, and the lowest of 71 t ha−1 yr−1 in 2018. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies to mitigate soil erosion and ensure sustainable land use practices in the region.

Border row effects on the distribution of root and soil resources in maize–soybean strip intercropping systems

The cause of yield increase in crop strip intercropping is often inseparable from the boundary effect, and the distribution of roots and nutrients in the below-ground has an important influence on plant growth. However, previous studies on the boundary effect of intercropping have mainly focused on the above-ground part, and the state of the below-ground part is unknown. So we investigated the distribution of roots, water and NO3—N in the belowground part of the border row(adjacent rows of two crops in intercropping) in a maize and soybean strip intercropping system at different plant growth stage. There were three treatments in this experiment: maize monocrop, soybean monocrop and maize–soybean intercrop (four rows of maize and four rows of soybean). The distribution of maize roots extended beyond and below the border with the soybean rows and was concentrated in the 0–20 cm soil layer, while the growth of intercropped soybean roots was inhibited by maize. Intercropping increased the soil water content (SWC) in soybean rows at the podding stage and in maize rows at the drumming stage, and intercropping had a greatly effect on SWC of the system as a whole. Intercropping also increased the soil NO3—N content (SNC) in the intercropping system at the podding stage and had a negative effect at the drumming stage, and the effect of SNC in the intercropped maize rows was wider, while for intercropped soybean it was limited to the adjacent rows of soybean. The effect of intercropping on SWC and SNC occurred mainly in the 20–60 cm soil layer. Intercropping increased the grain weight of maize and decreased the grain weight and pods per soybean plant. Overall, the root system of maize in the border rows in the intercropping pattern extended into the soybean rows, intercropping increased soil water and soil nitrate-N levels in maize during the critical yield formation period, resulting in increased maize yields, while soybean was negatively affected in the intercropping pattern resulting in reduced yields, and we have calculated that intercropping maize and soybean has advantages in terms of land productivity and water use.