Cropping Sequence Research Articles

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil under MaizeBlackgram-Groundnut Cropping System

In order to investigate the immediate effects of integrated use of inorganic and organic sources of N and P on the performance of the maize-blackgram-groundnut cropping sequence in terms of yield, a field experiment was conducted at S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati during the rabi (maize), summer (blackgram), and kharif (groundnut) seasons of 2019-20. Ten treatments were applied to maize, including the control, fertilizers administered at 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dose (NPK), N240 only, P80 only, FYM (@ 5 t ha-1) applied alone, and in combination with 100%, 75%, and 50% of the recommended NPK. These interventions were contrasted with the manure and no-fertilizer control. Blackgram was produced after maize without the use of fertilizer or manure. It was allowed to mature and expand for two pickings, the stover was incorporated into the soil. In the following rabi season, black gram was grown on the same field, and each main plot treatment of RBD was divided into three sub plot treatments with S1 (control), S2 (75% RDF), and S3 (50% RDF), yielding ninety treatment combinations replicated three times in split plot design .–increased fertilizer-N addition rates resulted in increased soil concentrations of ammonia, nitrate, and alkaline KMnO4 oxidisable (available) N. Similar to this, greater Olsen-P and total inorganic P values led to higher fertilizer-P dosages. It was discovered that applying FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and inorganic N together helped to keep the levels of all these types of soil N stable until groundnut harvest. Organic P revealed an inverse relationship with the Inorganic P content at all the growth stages of the three crops under study

Coconut Sap and Calamansi Extract as an Alternative Weed Killer

INTRODUCTION Weeds grow everywhere and most of them just bother the cleanliness of nature. These timeserving plants occupy spaces between crop sequences and crop within rows (Webber & Shrefler, 2009). People use synthetic chemicals to control the weeds and those chemicals can make the affected areas toxic especially the soil (Gardener & Fravel, 2002). Since synthetic chemicals are not eco-friendly, biological method is more preferable because it is selective with no side-effects, and is relatively cheap and self-propagating when it comes to biological control agents.

Influence of Nutrient Regulation on Ricebean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi and Ohashi) Growth and Dry Matter

Aims: Within the realm of sustainable agriculture and its attendant issues, there exists a compelling need for a viable approach to cropping systems that integrates pragmatic and economically sound crop management tactics. This is imperative to uphold land productivity and secure a lasting provision of crops for human consumption. Acknowledging the pivotal contribution of organic manure when combined with chemical fertilizers in crop cultivation and the safeguarding of soil well-being, a research inquiry was formulated for a noteworthy cropping sequence.
 Study Design: Randomized block design.
 Place and Duration: School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema. Duration: 2019-2021.
 Methodology: The study took place from 2019 to 2021 at the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Medziphema Campus in Nagaland. The primary aim was to assess the lasting impact of both manure and fertilizers on yield and soil condition in a ricebean system over this two-year duration. In the second week of April in both 2019 and 2020, Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata), a green manure crop, was sown using seeds. After a 30-day decomposition period, this green manure was incorporated into the soil. Soil samples were collected from the upper 0-15 cm layer of each experimental plot and analyzed. The experimental field was laid out in randomized block design with three level of organic manures i.e., poultry manure (PM), pig manure (PGM) and farm yard manure (FYM) along with doses of inorganic fertilizers : 100% RDF, 75% RDF, 50% RDF. The treatment combinations included T1 : GM (Sesbania) + PM (0.7 t ha-1) + 100 % RDF; T2: GM (Sesbania) +PM (0.7 t ha-1) + 75 % RDF; T3: GM (Sesbania) + PM (0.7 t ha-1) + 50 % RDF ; T4: GM (Sesbania) + PGM (0.7 t ha-1) + 100 % RDF; T5: GM (Sesbania) +PGM (0.7 t ha-1) + 75% RDF; T6: GM (Sesbania) + PGM (0.7 t ha-1) + 50 % RDF; T7: GM (Sesbania) +FYM (4 t ha-1) + 100 % RDF; T8: GM (Sesbania) + FYM (4 t ha-1) + 75 % RDF; T9: GM (Sesbania) +FYM (4 t ha-1) + 50 % RDF.
 Results: In treatment T1, which involved the application of a blend of green manure and poultry manure at a rate of 0.7 tons per hectare, coupled with a full dose of RDF, exhibited outstanding outcomes in ricebean cultivation. This resulted in elevated seed yields, improved seed quality, sustained soil health, and maximized economic gains for farmers in the foothill conditions of Nagaland.
 Conclusion: The substantial enhancement in ricebean growth parameters can be credited to the rich nutrient content and beneficial micronutrients present in poultry manure. combining Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) with poultry manure, known for its ability to boost nodule formation in legumes, improved soil fertility, fostered beneficial microbial activity, and promoted legume health, ultimately leading to higher yields. In contrast, farmyard manure (FYM) outperformed pig manure due to its balanced nutrients, microbial activity, organic matter, and positive impact on soil quality, creating an optimal environment for plant growth. Poultry manure's capacity to stimulate nodule formation, enhance soil fertility, and support legume health resulted in increased nitrogen fixation and improved yields in leguminous crops, fostering early root development and robust growth in ricebean crops.

Land use planning to minimize the export of phosphorus: An optimization model for dairy production at a catchment area scale

The intensification of activities in the Santa Lucia River basin in Uruguay has resulted in an increase in the concentration of nutrients in surface waters with the consequent acceleration of the eutrophication. Dairy production, of great relevance in the area, needs to increase production to ensure the economic viability of the activity. In this context, it is necessary to find solutions that address trade-offs between productivity and polluting potential. A dairy sub-basin of the Santa Lucia River was selected as a case study to develop an optimization model with the aim of minimizing phosphorus exportation over a four-year planning horizon while meeting restrictions on the crop sequence allowed, dry matter productivity and number of crops in each sub-basin producer. An integer linear programming formulation was proposed to model the problem. It was possible to obtain a model that managed to reduce phosphorus runoff losses by planning land uses and complying the restrictions. Exists a wide field of improvement of the model, which is a useful tool for analysis of scenarios and trade-off between productivity and environmental care.

Anisotropy of soil hydraulic properties induced by repeated machinery traffic in a Typic Argiudoll of the Argentinean Pampas Region

The increase in heavy machinery traffic due to crop sequence intensification under no-tillage (NT) management can lead to soil compaction, modifying the soil pore configuration, with negative effects on water dynamics. The objective of this work is to evaluate the residual effects of repeated machinery traffic under different soil water contents on the anisotropy of soil hydraulic properties. The residual effect of repeated machinery traffic under different soil moisture conditions (partially dry, PD, and wet, W) on soil compaction was evaluated and compared with the control treatment (no traffic, T0). Field infiltration using tension disc infiltrometer was carried out, and in laboratory, in order to analyse the anisotropy of soil hydraulic properties infiltration experiments were carried out on vertical and horizontal undisturbed soil samples. No significant differences in field soil hydraulic conductivity K(h) were observed between treatments. The W treatment showed a decrease on the transmission and storage pores in the vertical direction, as compared to T0. Anisotropic behavior of soil hydraulic properties was observed for the compacted treatments. The W treatment showed an increment in the transmission porosity in the horizontal direction. In addition, the W treatment presented higher values of transmission and storage pores in the horizontal direction as compared with the vertical direction. From laboratory infiltration experiments, it was observed a strong reduction on the hydraulic conductivity measured at 0, − 3 and − 6 cm water pressure heads (K0, K3 and K6) in the vertical direction under W treatment. An anisotropic behavior for both compacted treatments was observed, with higher values of K0 in the vertical direction under the PD treatment and higher values of K0 and K3 in the horizontal direction under the W treatment. These results show that machinery traffic under wet conditions causes a disruption in soil porosity, not only with a reduction of the pore space, but also with a change in its configuration.

Cover crop benefit bacteria and increase aggregate-associate soil C and N storage

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of four crop sequences with different aboveground biomass and crop residue biochemical composition on biological soil variables, fractions of soil organic matter, and soil aggregation. The study was carried out in a long-term experiment under no-till, in the Argentinean Pampas (31°51′ S; 60°32′ W), on an Aquic Argiudoll. The treatments were: i) fertilized soybean monocropping (Syf), ii) winter cover crop (CC)/ fertilized soybean (CC/Syf), iii) N-fertilized winter CC/fertilized soybean (CCN/Syf), and iv) N-fertilized winter CC/fertilized soybean in a crop rotation: CCN/Syf - wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] for grain production/soybean - maize [Zea mays L.] (CCN/Syf rot). Wheat was used as winter CC. Crop residues were sampled in four moments, and were separated into different fractions. Furthermore, crop residue quality was analyzed according to Van Soest (Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin, Non- structural carbohydrates), and %C and %N was also determined. In soil samples obtained at 0–5 cm depth, we determined: soil organic C, total N, particulate organic matter C and N, mineral-associated organic matter C and N, C and N stocks in different aggregate-size classes, microbial biomass C and N (MBC and MBN), fungal and bacterial biomass-C (FBC and BBC), and N released after a 7-d anaerobic incubation. From June to November, Syf exhibited slower decomposition of soybean stems and an increase in the non-identifiable residue biomass. Intensified crop sequences (i.e., with CC) increased MBC (∼38%) and BBC (∼115%), but had no effect on FBC. The BBC was positively correlated with Hemicellulose (r = 0.86, P < 0.001), but negatively associated with lignin (r = −0.84, P < 0.001) and the lignin:N ratio (r = − 0.89, P < 0.001) in the crop residue. The C and N stocks in aggregates >2000 μm were 263% and 227% greater in treatments with CC than Syf, respectively, and correlated with improvements in the MBC and MBN (r = 0.87, P < 0.001 and r = 0.88, P < 0.001, respectively), particularly the BBC. Intensification of crop sequences through the incorporation of CC provided crop residues with a higher availability of easily decomposable C compounds. This enhancement stimulated the soil biota responsible for decomposition, particularly bacteria. Our study highlights the importance of increasing cropping intensity and covering the soil with live vegetation, resulting in a healthier soil.

Diversified crop sequencing for suppression of creeping perennial weeds in organic production systems

In the Northern Great Plains, organic production is often limited by creeping perennial weeds. Producers have typically relied on alfalfa to control these weeds but this is not always practical. Therefore, we investigated Canada thistle, field bindweed, and perennial sowthistle suppression from three diversified crop sequences: (i) ALF, three years of alfalfa followed by a fourth year of hard red spring wheat (HRSW); (ii) LENCL, lentil the first year, HRSW interseeded with yellow sweetclover the second year, yellow sweetclover green manure the third year, and HRSW the fourth year; and (iii) CCPLY, nine species cool-season cover crop (CC) polyculture the first year, HRSW the second year, nine-species cool and warm season CC the third year, and HRSW the fourth year. From 2019 to 2021, at peak weed emergence, Canada thistle density declined in ALF, but remained unchanged in LENCL and CCPLY. During peak weed vegetative growth, Canada thistle density in ALF was greatest during 2020 (7 shoots per m−2), then declined during 2021 and 2022 (1 and 0.6 shoots m−2, respectively). Within LENCL, Canada thistle density did not change from 2019 to 2020 (15 and 14 shoots m−2, respectively), but then declined to 0.3 shoots m-2 in 2021 before rebounding again to 5 shoots m−2 in 2022. Within CCPLY, Canada thistle density did not change over time (mean ​= ​9 shoots m−2). Canada thistle biomass at peak weed vegetative growth followed similar patterns. Likewise, ALF was shown to suppress perennial sowthistle and field bindweed more effectively than LENCL or CCPLY. Hence, alfalfa remains a good choice for creeping perennial weed management. However, none of these weed species increased substantially in LENCL and CCPLY, and the final year HRSW yield did not differ among cropping sequences. Therefore, these two sequences may provide crop diversification options along with creeping perennial weed management.

On-farm studies on rice-groundnut vis-a-vis rice-rice sequence system under irrigated dry situations of Telangana

On farm studies on rice-groundnut vis-a-vis farmers’ practice of rice-rice sequence was conducted in ten peasants’ fields of Medak district of Telangana state. Rice-groundnut sequence realized 9.8% higher mean rice grain equivalent yield (13377 kg/ha) than rice-rice (12186 kg/ha). The mean gross and net returns of diversified sequence were Rs 227407 and 100651/ha, while that of traditional practice were Rs 207157 and 76710/ha respectively. On an average a B C ratio of 1.9 was gained in improved cropping sequence as against the 1.5 under farmers’ practice indicating the profitability of diversified cropping systems.

The first map of crop sequence types in Europe over 2012–2018

Abstract. Crop diversification is considered a key element of agroecological transition, whereas current dominant cropping systems are known to rely on only a few crop species – like cereals in Europe. To assess the benefits of crop diversification at a large scale, an accurate description of current crop sequences is required as a baseline. However, such a description is lacking at the scale of Europe. Here, we developed the first map of dominant crop sequences in Europe for the period 2012–2018. We used the Land Use Cover Area frame statistical Survey (LUCAS) dataset that provides temporally incomplete (2012, 2015 and 2018) land cover information from a stable grid of points covering Europe. Eight crop sequence types were identified using hierarchical clustering implemented on LUCAS data and mapped over Europe. We show, in France, that the relative importance of these eight crop sequence types (as estimated from LUCAS data) was highly consistent with those derived from an almost spatially exhaustive temporally complete national dataset (the French Land Parcel Identification System) for the same period, thus validating the method and typology for this country. Land use (i.e. crop production area) derived from our map of dominant crop sequences was also highly consistent with land use reported by official statistics at both national and European levels, validating the approach at a European scale. This first map of dominant crop sequences in Europe should be useful for future studies dealing with agricultural issues that are sensitive to crop rotations. The map of dominant crop sequence types in Europe derived from our work is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7016986 (Ballot et al., 2022).

Profile Distribution of Available Boron and Secondary Micro Nutrients in Rice-Groundnut Growing Soils of Jajpur District, Odisha, India

An investigation was conducted to examine the distribution of available Boron secondary micro nutrients and the relationships between boron with soil properties and other nutrients in the rice-groundnut growing soils of Jajpur district, Odisha. The clay content increased downward without following any definite trend. Soil pH of surface horizons was acidic and increased downward to neutral range. EC ranged between 0.02 dSm-1 to 0.13 dSm-1. The soil organic carbon ranged from 0.17% to 0.63% with decreasing trend towards sub surface horizon. The exchangeable Ca, Mg and S content varied from 3.68 mg kg-1 to 6.76 mg kg-1, 0.82 cmole (p+) kg‑1 to 6.24 cmole (p+) kg-1 and 0.62 mg kg-1 to 14.19 mg kg-1 respectively. Ca and Mg increased with increasing depth, whereas S showed the reverse trend. The DTPA- Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B content of pedon soil ranged from 60.68 mg kg-1 to 312.08 mg kg-1, 6.48 mg kg-1 to 36.76 mg kg-1, 0.62 mg kg-1 to 4.15 mg kg-1, 0.42 mg kg-1 to 1.15 mg kg-1 and 0.05 mg kg-1 to 1.01 mg kg-1 respectively Fe, Mn and Zn increased from surface to sub surface but Cu and B showed the reverse trend. The availability of Boron is positively correlated with organic carbon, Exch. Mg, Fe, and Cu. Negatively correlated with pH, Exch. Ca, S, Mn, and Zn. Pedon soils were deficient with B, S, Zn and rich in Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu. Fe was in toxic level in table land zone of sukinda. The available B was found to be deficient throughout the district in up and medium land except in subsurface layers of low land. The availability of B is positively correlated with organic carbon, Exch. Mg, Fe and Cu factors but negatively correlated with pH, Exch. Ca, S, Mn, and Zn. In an agricultural district like Jajpur the key element B for rice-groundnut crop sequence should be applied to soil and leaf of rice, groundnut, and other crops grown in the district.

Unraveling the Impact of Cumin-Centric Cropping Sequences on Cumin Yield, Economic Viability, and Dynamics of Soil Enzymatic Activities in Hot Arid Climatic Conditions

A comprehensive study spanning three kharif and rabi seasons (2018–2019, 2020–2021, and 2021–2022) was conducted to investigate the intricate interactions among different cropping sequences and their impacts on cumin yield, financial outcomes, and soil microbial dynamics. The experiment was designed using a randomized block design, comprising eight distinct treatment combinations, each replicated three times. The results revealed compelling insights into the potential of specific cropping sequences to enhance multiple aspects of agricultural sustainability. The results revealed that the highest cumin yield (averaging 592 kg ha−1 over the three years) was achieved when cumin was cultivated subsequent to pearl millet, showcasing significant increases of 14.28% and 23.07% over the cumin–fallow and cumin–cotton cropping systems, respectively. When it came to cumin equivalent yield, the cumin–cotton cropping sequence (985 kg ha−1) emerged as the most favorable, closely followed by cumin–groundnut (968 kg ha−1). Furthermore, analyzing net realizations and benefit–cost ratios demonstrated that the cumin–pearl millet cropping sequence stood out with the maximum values (₹88,235 ha−1 and 2.7, respectively), followed by the cumin–mung bean cropping system (₹84,164 ha−1 and 2.47, respectively). Among the various cropping sequences studied, cumin–mung bean, cumin–cluster bean, cumin–pearl millet and cumin–groundnut were recorded as statistically similar in terms of soil microbial enzymatic activities viz. fluorescein diacetate (FDA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), and microbial biomass carbon and were at par over the cumin–sorghum, cumin–sesame, cumin–cotton and cumin–fallow cropping systems. These findings emphasize the significance of strategic crop sequencing for sustainable agriculture practices that simultaneously optimize productivity and maintain soil health.

OPTIMAL CROPPING SEQUENCE OF SMALL-SCALE FARMS IN THE RAIN-FED SECTOR OF GADARIF STATE- SUDAN(1)

The study aimed to examine the Optimal Cropping Sequence of the main crops grown under the rain-fed sector of Gadarif state - Sudan: such as sorghum, millet, sesame and groundnuts. The study used both primary and secondary data. Multistage random sampling technique was used to collect primary data on small-scale farms from three villages of the state by means of questionnaire as a sample farmer from 175 of Gadarif State, during 2017 -2018 season. Secondary data were collected from Central Bureau of Statistics and Federal Ministry of Agriculture. Linear programming technique was used to determine the optimal cropping sequence of small-scale farms (less than 210ha) in the rain-fed sector of Gadarif state. Spread sheet of the excel solver was used to run the analysis. The results revealed that the current cultural practices and crop sequence, in which sorghum do not come after sesame, was not the optimal one. Food-crops (sorghum and millet) did not enter the optimal cropping pattern under the current sequences and policy measures, with sesame dominated the total land. The crop sequence of groundnuts, sesame, sorghum and millet proved to be the optimal cropping pattern that improves farmer’s returns. Under such sequence, the four crops entered the optimum plan and farmers’ returns exceed of the current situation by 181.94%, but if this sequence is used with the recommended full package of technological improvement, then farmers’ net returns will increase three times than the current practices. Small-scale farmers should be encouraged to adopt the crop sequence in which sorghum come after sesame. They should also be encouraged to change their mind to become commercially oriented (by following the crop sequences with greatest returns according to local and international demand and expected prices. Even if the subsistence crop is excluded).

Impact of Cropping Systems on Soil Organic Carbon Levels and Enzyme Activity

Monocropping makes agriculture more susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change. Resilient agriculture systems that can buffer crops against various agricultural vulnerabilities is the need of the hour. In this context, a study was conducted to assess the impact of various rice based cropping systems on soil health.&#x0D; Aims: To study the effect of different rice based cropping systems on soil enzyme activity and organic carbon.&#x0D; Study Design: Randomized block design, Replications – 3.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Integrated Farming System Research Station (IFSRS) of Kerala Agricultural University located at Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, during kharif, rabi and summer seasons of 2019-2020.&#x0D; Methodology: The experiment consists of eleven cropping systems (T1 : rice - fallow - fallow, T2 : rice - rice - fallow, T3 : rice - daincha - cowpea, T4 : (rice + daincha) - rice - green gram, T5 : rice - cassava - amaranthus, T6 : rice - cassava - cowpea, T7 : rice - para grass - fodder cowpea, T8 : rice - fodder cowpea - fodder maize, T9 : rice - okra - culinary melon, T10 : rice - okra - yard long bean and T11 : rice - rice – amaranthus).&#x0D; Results: Soil organic carbon and enzyme activities were found highest in the cropping system (rice+daincha) – rice – green gram during kharif. During rabi, soil organic carbon and activity of urease and acid phosphatase were highest in rice- daincha- cowpea while dehydrogenase activity was highest in rice- fodder cowpea – fodder maize. During summer, rice- okra – yard long bean, rice- cassava- amaranthus and rice- cassava – cowpea recorded the highest urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity, respectively. The organic carbon was highest for the sequence rice – okra –culinary melon. The soil organic carbon and enzyme activities were least in rice- fallow-fallow cropping sequence during all the three cropping seasons.&#x0D; Conclusion: Brown manuring, use of leguminous crops and cover crops in the crop sequence instead of leaving the land fallow and addition of organic sources of nutrition increase the soil organic carbon and enzymatic activity of microbes. The increase in soil organic carbon and activity of enzymes in soil owing to crop rotation of rice with arable crops relies on the crop species which are cultivated.

Dicamba-Based Herbicide Programs, Cropping Sequences, Tillage Types in Cotton – Profitability and Risk Efficiency Analysis

Herbicide-resistant weeds threaten cotton production, and herbicides alone are not a sustainable remedy. Field trials at two locations, College Station and Thrall, Texas (2019-21), assessed dicamba-based herbicide programs in various crop sequences and tillage systems to identify sustainable weed management recommendations based on weed control and partial net returns. The study showed no-till cover cropping and conventional tillage had the highest aggregate partial net returns at College Station and Thrall, respectively. A cotton:sorghum:cotton rotation provided significantly higher partial net returns (&gt;$450 ha-1) compared to continuous cotton only at Thrall. Partial net returns were significantly higher in a low input herbicide program (LI) compared to a high input herbicide program (HI) from 2019-21 only at Thrall. Herbicide programs showed a high degree of overlap and were indistinct in all tillage types at College Station based on CDFs graphs. Low input under cotton:sorghum:cotton rotation showed 100% probability of higher partial net returns compared to continuous cotton in all tillage types at Thrall. Stoplight charts showed LI provided greater than 50% probability of partial net returns greater than $1,066 ha-1 across tillage types at College Station. In Thrall, LI under cotton:sorghum:cotton rotation offered 88% and 26% probability of partial net returns above $1,066 ha-1 in conventional and strip tillage, respectively. Higher partial net returns for LI were mostly attributed to cost savings from using inexpensive herbicides rather than higher yields. Therefore, using less expensive herbicide programs and crop rotation appeared to be the most risk efficient strategy for managing weeds in irrigated and dryland cotton production.

Pesticide-free arable cropping systems: performances, learnings, and technical lock-ins from a French long-term field trial

To ensure regular and high yields, current agriculture is based on intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers, which are detrimental to the environment and human health. Moreover, as pest resistance to pesticides increases, and more and more pesticides are taken off the market, national and European policies are becoming powerful drivers to deliver pesticide-free farming systems. Whereas numerous studies have compared organic versus conventional systems, our study assessed, for the first time, the performances of a pesticide-free arable cropping system (No-Pesticide), using synthetic fertilizers, specifically designed to produce high yields and meet environmental goals. This system was compared with an input-based cropping system designed with the same environmental targets (PHEP: productive with high environmental performances) in an 11-year field trial in France (Paris Basin). Banning pesticides did not result in a significant average yield gap (in GJ.ha−1.year−1 or in kg N.ha−1.year−1) calculated over the crop sequence. Yet, some crops’ yields significantly decreased, due either to pest damages, or to limited nitrogen nutrition. In the No-Pesticide system, the mycotoxin content of cereal grains was lower than the regulatory threshold, and the average wheat protein content was higher than the required standard for baking. Indirect energy consumption, total greenhouse gas emissions, number of technical operations, nitrogen fertilizer amounts, and treatment frequency indexes were significantly lower compared to the PHEP system. Conversely, results showed significantly higher direct energy consumption, direct greenhouse gas emissions, and number of work hours for weed control. We identify highly effective agricultural strategies to avoid pesticide use (e.g., widely diverse and long crop sequence; introduction of hemp) and pinpoint several technical lock-ins hampering steady production in pesticide-free systems. We argue that more experiments should be undertaken to deliver technical knowledge for managing major or orphan species within pesticide-free systems, and to provide supplementary results, including economic and social performances.

Crop rotations influence soil hydraulic and physical quality under no-till on the Canadian prairies

Cropping system sustainability is dependent on the conservation of soil hydraulic and physical quality over time. This study examined the effects of crop rotations on soil hydraulic and physical quality on the Canadian prairies, emphasizing choices of crop species and sequence to preserve or improve soil quality under no-till management. Field experiments were initiated in spring 2018 at three sites: Lethbridge (Alberta), and Swift Current and Scott (Saskatchewan) to evaluate six crop rotations, consisting of (i) conventional (control), (ii) pulse/oilseed intensified, (iii) diversified, (iv) market-driven, (v) high-risk and high-reward, and (vi) soil health-enhanced. Undisturbed soil cores were collected from 5–10 and 15–20 cm soil depth increments in 2021 after crop harvest, to determine bulk density (BD), total (TP) and effective porosity (EP), pore size distribution, soil water retention, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. Results revealed that crop rotations did not significantly impact BD, TP, or EP in the 5–10 and 15–20 cm soil depth increments across the three sites. Depending on the site and soil layer, the pulse/oilseed intensified, diversified, high-risk and high-reward, and soil health-enhanced rotations improved macroporosity by 13−127% and mesoporosity by 1−36% compared to the conventional rotation, resulting in concomitant increases in large and medium unsaturated hydraulic conductivities. At Lethbridge, both conventional and high-risk and high-reward rotations resulted in increased water content at field capacity (FC) by 12–14%, permanent wilting point (PWP) by 7−12%, and plant available water capacity (PAWC) by 16−17%, accompanied by significant increases in microporosity (8%) and residual porosity (16%) in the 5−10 cm depth compared to the soil health-enhanced rotation. However, no significant differences were found at Swift Current or Scott in the 5−10 cm depth. The pulse/oilseed intensified rotation significantly improved FC by 22% and PAWC by 19% compared to the market-driven rotation. This rotation also showed an 18% increase in FC and a 32% increase in PWP when compared to the diversified rotation at Scott in the 15−20 cm depth, but did not differ significantly at Lethbridge or Swift Current. Overall, crop rotations with legumes and increased functional diversity have the potential to improve soil physical quality and plant available water but may require a period longer than the present study’s duration to become evident.

Cropping sequence influenced crop yield, soil water, and soil properties in wheat-camelina cropping system

Integrating camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz) into wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) -based cropping systems in the Great Plains Region of the United States could improve soil properties and overall system productivity. However, there is little information on crop yields and soil properties in dryland cropping systems with camelina rotation. This study investigated the effect of replacing fallow with camelina on crop yields, soil water content, and soil properties in dryland wheat-based cropping systems in western Kansas, United States, from 2013 to 2017. Treatments were four crop rotations, wheat-fallow (W–F), wheat-sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench) -fallow (W–S–F), wheat-camelina (W–C), and wheat-sorghum-camelina (W–S–C) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed sorghum grain yield was unaffected by camelina in the crop rotation. Wheat grain yield was reduced by 15% when camelina replaced fallow in the rotation. Camelina yield was two-fold greater when planted after wheat (W–C) relative to the yield after sorghum (W–S–C). Increasing cropping intensification increased annualized yield compared to W–F. Soil water content was less in intensified crop rotations compared to rotations with fallow. Soil organic carbon varied among crop rotations and was least in W–F (1.4%). The W–S–C rotation had the greatest microbial biomass carbon, while microbial biomass nitrogen was least in W–C regardless of sampling time. Rotations including camelina had greater potentially mineralizable nitrogen. Increasing cropping intensity increased the proportion of larger water stable soil aggregates, while the less intensified system (W–F) had greater proportion of smaller water stable soil aggregates. Our findings suggest adding camelina to wheat-based crop rotations decreased wheat yields, but improved soil properties and increased the overall system productivity.

Effect of Organic Manures and Phosphorus on Soil Nutrient Status in Kharif Rice

Field experiments were conducted at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla during Kharif and Rabi seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to study the Phosphorus dynamics in relation to nutrient management in rice- blackgram cropping sequence with respect to changes in soil nutrient status. Results of two years (2017-2019) experimentation revealed that at all growth stages of rice, significantly highest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil were recorded with application of RDNK+Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1 (M3) and this was on par with RDNK+ Sunhemp @ 10t ha-1(M2), whereas lowest was recorded in RDNK (M0) alone in both seasons of study. Among the P levels the available nutrient status (N, P and K) were increased with the increasing level of P from 0 (P1) to 120 kg P2O5 (P5) ha-1, irrespective of the nutrients imposed to rice crop. Significantly highest was recorded in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and this was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1), whereas the lowest was recorded in treatment P1 that received 0 kg P2O5 ha-1.

Fostering temporal crop diversification to reduce pesticide use

Temporal crop diversification could reduce pesticide use by increasing the proportion of crops with low pesticide use (dilution effects) or enhancing the regulation of pests, weeds and diseases (regulation effects). Here, we use the French National DEPHY Network to compare pesticide use between 16 main crops (dilution effect) and to assess whether temporal crop taxonomic and functional diversification, as implemented in commercial farms specialized in arable field crops, could explain variability in total pesticide use within 16 main crops (regulation effect). The analyses are based on 14,556 crop observations belonging to 1334 contrasted cropping systems spanning the diversity of French climatic regions. We find that cropping systems with high temporal crop diversity generally include crops with low pesticide use. For several crops, total pesticide use is reduced under higher temporal crop functional diversity, temporal crop taxonomic diversity, or both. Higher cover crop frequency increases total pesticide use through an increase in herbicide use. Further studies are required to identify crop sequences that maximize regulation and dilution effects while achieving other facets of cropping system multiperformance.

Residual Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management to Preceding Maize on Yield of Succeeding Groundnut under Maize-groundnut Cropping Sequence

A field experiment was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Anand Agricultural University, Dahod during the years 2020-21 and 2021-22 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management in maize-groundnut cropping sequence. The residual effect of INM treatment applied to preceding rabi maize crop was beneficial for increasing growth and yield attributing characters of succeeding summer groundnut crop viz., plant height and number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, pod yield and haulm yield per hectare as influenced by different treatments. The residual effect of combination of organic and inorganic to preceding rabi maize crop, application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through vermicompost + Bio NPK consortium (M5) produced significantly higher pod and haulm yields which was at par with 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM + Bio NPK consortium in two years of pooled data. Among the levels of RDF, directly applied to summer groundnut, significantly higher yield attribute, pod and haulm yield was recorded with the application of 100% RDF (G1) which was at par with 75% RDF + Bio NP consortium (G2) in two years of pooled experiment data.