Sustainable Development Of Agroecosystems Research Articles

Effects of the rice-mushroom rotation pattern on soil properties and microbial community succession in paddy fields.

Currently, straw biodegradation and soil improvement in rice-mushroom rotation systems have attracted much attention. However, there is still a lack of studies on the effects of rice-mushroom rotation on yield, soil properties and microbial succession. In this study, no treatment (CK), green manure return (GM) and rice straw return (RS) were used as controls to fully evaluate the effect of Stropharia rugosoannulata cultivation substrate return (SRS) on soil properties and microorganisms. The results indicated that rice yield, soil nutrient (organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen and available potassium) and soil enzyme (urease, saccharase, lignin peroxidase and laccase) activities had positive responses to the rice-mushroom rotation. At the interannual level, microbial diversity varied significantly among treatments, with the rice-mushroom rotation significantly increasing the relative alpha diversity index of soil bacteria and enriching beneficial microbial communities such as Rhizobium, Bacillus and Trichoderma for rice growth. Soil nutrients and enzymatic activities were significantly correlated with microbial communities during rice-mushroom rotation. The fungal-bacterial co-occurrence networks were modular, and Latescibacterota, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadota and Patescibacteria were closely related to the accumulation of nutrients in the soil. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that fungal diversity responded more to changes in soil nutrients than did bacterial diversity. Overall, the rice-mushroom rotation model improved soil nutrients and rice yields, enriched beneficial microorganisms and maintained microbial diversity. This study provides new insights into the use of S. rugosoannulata cultivation substrates in the sustainable development of agroecosystems.

Plant diversity as a sustainable strategy for mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses in tomato cultivation

Sustainable agriculture has become a global priority in response to increasing food demand and the challenges confronting agricultural production, such as biotic and abiotic stresses. In this review, we delve into the role of plant diversity in mitigating these stressors within tomato cultivation. Our investigation reveals that the most extensively studied companion species are Vicia villosa Roth, Coriandrum sativum L., and Allium cepa L., while the primary stressors under scrutiny include nutrient deficiencies, aerial pests, and soil-borne pathogenic diseases. Regarding nutrient deficiencies, the cover crop system has demonstrated its capacity to provide essential nutrients directly and indirectly to plants. In addressing aerial pests and pathogens, all cultivation systems exhibit contributions. Finally, we assert that incorporating plant diversity into agroecosystems can effectively counteract various types of stressors. These benefits align with the application of agroecological principles and the development of sustainable agroecosystems. Further assessments of the effects of additional companion plant species are imperative. This should encompass the identification of their distribution, optimal plant quantities, and cultivation systems that enhance their benefits. Ultimately, these evaluations will aid in the formulation of comprehensive guidelines to facilitate the selection and utilization of plant diversity for long-term sustainability.

Biochar and organic fertilizer applications enhance soil functional microbial abundance and agroecosystem multifunctionality

Biochar and organic fertilizer are widely supported to maintain crop production and sustainable development of agroecosystems. However, it is unclear how biochar and organic fertilizer alone or in combination regulate soil functional microbiomes and their relationships to ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF). Herein, a long-term (started in 2013) field experiment, containing five fertilization treatments, was employed to explore the effects of biochar and organic fertilizer applications on the EMF (based on 18 functional indicators of crop productivity, soil nutrient supply, element cycling, and microbial biomass) and the functional microbiomes of bulk soil and rhizosphere soil [normalizing the abundances of 64 genes related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulphur (S) cycles]. Compared with single-chemical fertilization, biochar and organic fertilizer inputs significantly enhanced most ecosystem-single functions and, in particular, the EMF significantly increased by 18.7–30.1%; biochar and organic fertilizer applications significantly increased the abundances of soil microbial functional taxa related to C-N-P-S cycles to varying degree. The combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer showed a better improvement in these indicators compared to using them individually. Most functional microbial populations in the soil, especially the taxa involved in C degradation, nitrification, nitrate-reduction, organic P mineralization, and S cycling showed significantly positive associations with the EMF at different threshold levels, which ultimately was regulated by soil pH and nutrient availability. These results highlight the strong links between soil microbiomes and agroecosystem functions, as well as providing scientific support for inclusion of biochar in agricultural production and services with organic amendments.Graphical

Effect of agricultural landscape pattern on the qualitative food web of epigaeic arthropods in low hilly areas of northern China

Under the macro background of global change and sustainable development, the sustainable and healthy development of agricultural landscapes is crucial for human well-being. Formulating targeted protection measures based on biodiversity conservation is currently a hot topic and challenge. Our study focused on Jianping County, a typical hilly area in northern China, to understand the impact of regional agricultural landscape patterns on qualitative food webs. We calculated food web parameters by constructing predator-pest qualitative food web matrices and compared the differences in food web structure characteristics under different agricultural landscape patterns. By using function regression method, we established landscape indices and food web parameter models. The results showed that the average number and community structure of predatory natural enemies and pests varied across different agricultural landscape patterns, but the common groups were similar. Maintaining a proportion of 30–40 % non-crop habitats is optimal for the stability of qualitative food webs. Different landscape elements have varying regulatory effects on the structure of qualitative food webs, and the food web parameter model can explain these effects more directly. Specifically, the Landscape Shape Index (LSI) is significantly positively correlated with Generality (G), while the Contagion Index (CONTAG) is significantly negatively correlated with vulnerability (V). We propose that in low hilly areas, where non-crop diversity is the primary source of heterogeneity, promoting measures for non-crop habitats through landscape planning will help maintain the richness of epigaeic arthropods and the stability of qualitative food webs. This research is of great significance in promoting ecological control and sustainable development of agroecosystems in low hilly areas.

Soil erosion impacts on nutrient deposition in a typical karst watershed

Soil erosion has a significant influence on nutrient redistribution and deposition. However, the effect of soil erosion on nutrient deposition remains unclear in karst areas such as southwest China, which represents an ecologically fragile zone experiencing severe soil erosion. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) deposition in a karst watershed of southwest China over the past 60 years and evaluate the relationship between soil erosion and nutrient deposition. The peak-cluster depressions in southwest China are typical for the geomorphological type, which is an ideal place to determine the sediment chronology, and the estimation of sediment and nutrient deposition rates. The 137Cs, 210Pbex, particle size distribution, and nutrients of 194 soil samples in three sediment cores retrieved from a karst depression were investigated to evaluate the effect of soil erosion on nutrient deposition. Results showed that there was a significant negative correlation between nutrient concentrations and clay content (P < 0.001). Generally, compared with 137Cs, 210Pbex had a higher correlation with SOC and TN. In an undisturbed sediment profile, Pb/Cs can reflect nutrient dynamics better than a single nuclide. The nutrient deposition rates increased before 1953, reached its maximum in 1954–1956, and then dropped rapidly from 1957 to 2015. The sediment deposition rates were negatively correlated with nutrient concentrations (P < 0.01), but had a positive influence on nutrient deposition rates (P < 0.01). This implied that the temporal variation in nutrient deposition rates over the past 60 years was dominated by soil erosion rather than nutrient concentrations. This study provides a new insight to explore the historical nutrient deposition rates in a peak-cluster karst depression, and may help effectively control soil erosion and sustainable development of agro-ecosystems.

Development of а matrix of food industry capacity for making management decisions in the formation of sustainable development of agroecosystems

A theoretical and methodological study was carried out to determine the need and features of developing a matrix of food industry capacity for making management decisions in the formation of sustainable development of agroecosystems, which will increase the operational efficiency of companies and food security of the country. The paper uses the following research methods: historical – in the process of studying modern views on understanding the importance of the agricultural sector for the economy; system analysis – when building a model of innovative business improvement. Methods of comparison and analysis of trends – the study of trends in the agricultural sector of Ukraine with the identification of important areas for improving their activities. Methods of financial analysis – for the analytical assessment of financial and economic activities of the investigated enterprises; forecasting methods – to substantiate the expected results of implementing the author's proposals in management practice. It is proposed to take into account the significant difference in the technology of their processing and production (number of advanced technologies used per 100 thousand people). The paper reveals the dependence of production technologies in agriculture on natural and weather conditions (share of technological innovation costs, %). Criteria for innovation skills in the development of agricultural engineering were proposed. The criteria were determined, which were divided into development groups. The tools for constructing a matrix of food industry capacity were substantiated. Note that for each indicator, the optimal value was determined taking into account the sensitivity factor and the rating of enterprises, which determined their place in the matrix. In the course of the study and the matrix of innovative development, the proposed technology was tested at leading domestic enterprises

Enzyme Activities As Affected by Fertilization, Organic and Inorganic Amendments in Different Soils.

Soil is a fundamental resource in the agricultural production system and monitoring its fertility is an important objective in the sustainable development of agro-ecosystems. In order to evaluate soil fertility, changes in its physical, chemical and biological properties must be taken into account. Among the biological features, soil enzymes are often used as index of soil fertility since they are very sensitive and respond to changes in soil management more quickly than other soil variables. Thus, the objective of this work was to review some of the aspects that are connected with using soil enzymes as indicators of agricultural practices impact (e.g., soil fertilization, crop rotation, tillage) and soil fertility. The results that are discussed in the works listed in the bibliography showed no consistent trends in enzymatic activity as being dependent on farming management practices that have stimulated, decreased or not affected this activity. The influence of inorganic fertilization and organic amendments on the soil enzyme activities depended on the dose of this amendment, the time of its application, the content of harmful substances (e.g., heavy metals), the soil type and climatic conditions.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНЫХ ПОДХОДОВ УСТОЙЧИВОГО ЭКОЛОГО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РАЗВИТИЯ АГРОЭКОСИСТЕМ

Ensuring the sustainable development of agroecosystems requires research on the problems and antinomies of interaction between territorial production systems and agroecosystems, which will allow us to formulate conceptual provisions for sustainable ecological and economic development of agricultural territories. This goal makes it necessary to solve problems related to the study of the paradigm of interaction between natural and social systems, with a theoretical assessment of existing approaches to the concept of “sustainable development”, as well as the possibilities of co-evolution of society and nature. The article reveals the provisions related to the imperative of preserving the natural potential. A number of provisions are formulated regarding the conceptual foundations of sustainable ecological and economic development of agroecosystems.

НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ УЧЕТА ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ФАКТОРОВ ПРИ ПРОГНОЗИРОВАНИИ РАЗВИТИЯ АГРОЭКОСИСТЕМ

Ensuring the sustainable development of agroecosystems requires research into the justification of the impact of environmental factors on the formation of territorial agroecosystems and identifies ways to take them into account in order to justify management decisions and ensure environmental safety. The main goal of the research within the article is to identify the most significant environmental factors in predicting the formation of agroecosystems. Provisions are devoted to the study of the laws governing the functioning of agroecosystems in order to increase their stability. The methods of comparative analysis, generalization, abstraction, logical analysis are applied. A number of provisions are formulated regarding ways to account for the influence of factors on the formation of key elements of agroecosystems.

The emergy analysis of southern China agro-ecosystem and its relation with its regional sustainable development

The agricultural economy of Fujian Province has grown rapidly since the 21st century. In order to evaluate the impact of economic growth on the sustainability of agro-ecosystems, emergy analysis was used to study the dynamics of agro-ecosystem and its sustainable development capacity in Fujian Province from 2000 to 2016. The results showed that the total emergy input and output of agro-ecosystem in Fujian Province presented an upward trend from 2000 to 2016. Environmental loading ratio (ELR), emergy investment ratio (EIR) and per capita emergy used (EUPP) all showed a growth trend. The ELR and EIR are significantly positively correlated with GDP per capita. Emergy self-sufficiency ratio (EYR), emergy dollar ratio (EDR), emergy sustainability index (ESI) and emergy index for sustainable development (EISD) showed a downward trend from 2000 to 2016. The results suggested that agro-ecosystem of Fujian Province is a sustainable development system, but the sustainability of system is low and gradually declining. In the future, the sustainable development of agro-ecosystem in Fujian Province can be promoted by replacing traditional fertilizers with organic fertilizers, using clean energy to generate electricity, developing ecological agriculture, increasing investment in science and technology, and controlling population growth.

Combination of plastic film mulching and AMF inoculation promotes maize growth, yield and water use efficiency in the semiarid region of Northwest China

Plastic film mulching (PFM) plays a critical role in improving crop production and sustainable development of agroecosystem in semiarid agriculture. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can form a mutualistic symbiosis with the vast majority of plant roots and have been shown to contribute to host growth in harsh conditions. Yet, whether the integrated application of PFM and AMF inoculation have an interactive effect on crop growth and production in semiarid regions with poor soil nutrients and water shortage has received rather less attention. Therefore, we performed a two-year field study to investigate the effects of PFM and AMF inoculation on spring maize growth, yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Four treatments, including non-mulching and non-AMF inoculation (CK), plastic film mulching (PFM), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation (AMF) and combination of plastic film mulching and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation (PAMF), were compared in 2014 and 2015 at Shenmu Country on the semiarid Loess Plateau of Northwest China. Our results indicated that AMF inoculation contributed to increased plant biomass and height, although its effectiveness was lower than PFM alone or combined practice. Compared with the non-mulched control (CK), the mulched treatments significantly increased the average soil water content by 43.2% at the depth of 0–60 cm in 2014 and by 30.3% at the depth of 0–30 cm in 2015. The combination of PFM and AMF inoculation had the greatest soil water content at different soil depths in both years. AMF inoculation significantly improved root mycorrhizal colonization and external hyphal length in both years. Meanwhile, mycorrhizal plants under PFM had significantly greater root tip number and surface area when compared with the control. PAMF treatment had the highest yield and WUE among all treatments. Compared with the CK, PAMF treatment increased the yield and WUE by55.6% and 43.1% in 2014 and by 39.3% and 45.6% in 2015, respectively. Moreover, the mycorrhizal dependency of maize yield was more notable in mycorrhizal plants grown in mulched soils than in bare soils. In conclusion, the combined application of PFM and AMF inoculation is an effective and favorable agricultural practice in nutrition-deficiency soil in semiarid regions of China because of improved root morphological traits and enhanced topsoil water content that increase crop productivity.

Balanced development of agro-ecosystems as the basis for the strategy of «green» agricultural growth

The analysis and comparison of traditional economic models of the economic development of agriculture, where the environment is seen as an economic burden that slows the progress, with the model of «green growth», that marks a paradigm shift in the approach to economic progress and based on environmentally sustainable development, is given. Model of «green growth» at the forefront puts measures for the protection and conservation of natural resources that can accelerate national and global economic progress was grounded. It was determined that «green agricultural growth» is not possible without the sustainable development of agro-ecosystems. It was shown that «green growth» strategy is a strategy for the economic system in which investment in environmental resources and services are the driving force of economic development. Environmental protection is seen as a factor of progress. The role of environmental and agrochemical monitoring the transition to «green growth» in agriculture was investigated.

Production of a potential liquid plant bio-stimulant by immobilized Piriformospora indica in repeated-batch fermentation process

Piriformospora indica, a mycorrhizal-like fungus able to establish associations with roots of a wide range of plants, supporting plant nutrition and increasing plant resistance and tolerance to stress, was shown to solubilise phosphate applied in the form of animal bone char (HABO) in fermentation systems. The process of P solubilisation was caused most likely by proton extrusion and medium pH lowering. The fungal mycelium was successfully immobilized/retained in a polyurethane foam carrier. Further employment of the immobilized mycelium in repeated-batch fermentation process resulted in at least 5 cycles of P solubilization. The concentration of soluble P increased during the experiment with 1.0 and 3.0 g HABO l−1 and at the end of the 5th batch cycle reached 40.8 and 120 mg l−1, respectively. The resulting final liquid product, without or with solubilized phosphate, was found to significantly increase plant growth and P plant uptake. It can be used as a biostimulant containing microbial plant growth-promoting substances and soluble P derived from renewable sources (HABO) thus supporting the development of sustainable agro-ecosystems.

GREEN ECONOMY – THE PARADIGM OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS IN UKRAINE

Some possibilities to apply green economy in order to achieve sustainable development of agro-ecosystems in Ukraine are described in the article. On the basis of the comparison of such definitions as “sustainable development” and “green economy” it was concluded that green economy is organizational and economic fundamentals for sustainable development. The analysis of agro-ecosystems of Ukraine is performed and the extensive method of farming leading to the deterioration of the ecological conditions of agro-ecosystems is determined. Management mechanism of sustainable development of agro-ecosystems in Ukraine based on the concept of “green economy” is suggested.

Biointensive integrated management of insect pests

The principles of integrated pest managemnt have evolved keeping in view the sustainable development of agro-ecosystems and socio-economic benefits. Conventional agriculture is generally perceived in the context of economic returns but IPM is recognized as the development and utilization of pest control strategies that have favourable, socio–economic and environmental implications. This review deals with the various strategies involved in biointensive IPM programmes that aim primarily to attain sustainability in agro-ecosystem with minimal effects on environment. It highlights the successful utilization of cultural, behavioural, biological and biorational approaches with reduced-risk pesticides in addition to molecular approaches that encompass transgenic crops, transgenic natural enemies and genetically modified insects. These issues need attention to ensure an effective transition from the conventional chemical-intensive pest control programmes to ecologically based biointensive IPM which has evolved as an environmentally benign alternative in sustainable insect pest management.

Irrigation Requirements for Grape Crop under Climate Changes Conditions in Egypt

The present work is mainly directed to discuss sensitivity of climate changes upon the irrigation demand for grape crop in Egypt. The Penman Monteith equation was used to calculate reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) under current and future climate for the two locations (El Menya and El Beheira). The historical climate data for ten years from (2000 – 2010) was used as current climate to calculate irrigation requirement for grape crop under Egyptian conditions. Two climate changes scenarios have been applied as changes in temperature. The first scenario supposed that increasing in temperature of 1.5°C would happen, and the second scenario supposed that increasing of 3.5°C would happen to calculate reference Evapotranspiration and irrigation requirement for future climate. The results showed that the evapotranspiration and irrigation requirement for grape crop at El Menya location higher than El Beheira location. Irrigation demand for grape plant under two climate changes scenario will increase in El Menya and El Beheira locations. El Menya location will take the highest irrigation demand under climate changes. Therefore, possible adaptation countermeasures should be developed to mitigate the negative effects of climate changes for the sustainable development of agro-ecosystems in Egypt.

Fertility Characteristics of Oxic Dystrustepts under Natural Forest, Rubber, and Teak Plantations in Different Seasons, Kerala, South India

Influences of three different vegetations (forests, teak plantation, and rubber plantation) on certain soil fertility parameters of Oxic Dystrustepts in the Western Ghats of southern India are compared. Soil samples collected from 10 different sites under each of the three vegetations in different seasons are analyzed. Soil sampling and physicochemical analyses were carried out as per standard methods. Significant variation was found in soil parameters over the plantations and forest in different seasons. Even though the rubber plantations received chemical fertilizers during two seasons, the average plant-available phosphorus alone exceeded in this soil than that in the forest soil. Specific influence of vegetations on fertility parameters in Oxic Dystrustepts could be traced. The influence of rubber plantations on soil fertility was more negative than that of teak plantations. Vegetational influence on soil fertility characteristics has applications in the development of sustainable agro-ecosystems in biodiversity-rich tropics.

Temporal Yield Variability under Conventional and Alternative Management Systems

Year to year variation in yield is an inherent risk associated with crop production and many growers rely on intensive mechanical or chemical inputs to preserve crop yield in the face of fluctuating environmental conditions. However, as interest grows in alternative crop management systems which depend less on external inputs, determining the degree to which management systems can impact the temporal yield variability will help the development of sustainable agroecosystems. This study assessed average crop yields and temporal yield variability over a 12‐yr period in four agricultural management systems that are part of a long‐term cropping systems experiment at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in southwestern Michigan. The four systems follow a corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) 3‐yr rotation under conventional (CT), no‐till (NT), low‐input (LI), or organic (ORG) management, and each crop phase was present in the rotation four times from 1993 to 2004. Yields were measured each year and crop yield variability was estimated using the coefficient of variation calculated separately for each crop phase. Averaged over the study period, yields in the CT and NT systems were similar across all crop phases of the rotation and of higher magnitude than the LI system only in the winter wheat phase of the rotation. Compared to the other three management systems, yields in the ORG system were lower in the corn and winter wheat phases of the rotation. Yields in the soybean phase were similar across the four management systems. Temporal yield variability differed among management systems and rotation phases and was highest in the ORG system during the soybean (CV = 48%) and winter wheat (CV = 33%) phases of the rotation. Compared to the CT system, yield variability was 40% lower in the LI (corn phase), 33% lower in the NT (soybean phase) and similar in the NT (corn and winter wheat phases) systems. Results of this study suggest that yield and temporal yield variability under alternative management systems such as no‐till and low‐input can be comparable to that in conventional systems. However, temporal yield variability can be as high or higher in organic cropping systems without external inputs of manure or compost.

Decoupling soil erosion and human activities on the Chinese Loess Plateau in the 20th century

Accelerated soil erosion is thought to couple with population growth, land exploitation and environmental degradation, leading to a major pressure on sustainable development of agro-ecosystem. However, implementation of wise policy and application of sound new techniques combined with traditional knowledge, may lead to less soil erosion or limited erosion under the tolerable value while intensive land use or exploitation is adopted for the population and economic growth. Such process of breaking the link between “environmental bads” and “economic goods” was termed as “decoupling”. In the present paper, decoupling process of soil erosion from human activities has been analyzed with the conception of decoupling indicators on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Before 1949, intensive soil erosion, as indicated by the high suspended sediment yield in the Yellow River, was induced by the wars within the nation and against the invasion of foreign countries. A distinct decoupling occurred after 1949, especially since the 1980s because of adoption of watershed-based comprehensive soil-water conservation measures. It implies that soil erosion could be decoupled from intensive land use exploration and the increasing population by a wise policy. And the decoupling indicator could be a sensitive indicator for agri-environment assessment.

A new paradigm for implementing ecologically - based participatory IPM in a global context: the IPM CRSP model

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a key component in the development of sustainable agro ecosystems. The Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) is a USAID funded project that is a consortium of U.S. universities working with host country national programs and other stakeholders to promote IPM globally. The IPM CRSP model is based on a Participatory Integrated Pest Management (PIPM) process that has as its goals to help reduce: agricultural losses due to pests, damage to natural eco-systems including loss of biodiversity, and pollution and contamination of food and water supplies. The IPM CRSP participatory model is based on networking, institution building, private sector interaction, research-technology development and technology transfer. The new IPM CRSP beginning in 2005 will build on the experience of the previous IPM CRSP (1992-2004). The technical approach of the New IPM CRSP is to implement an ecologically-based, participatory IPM (EP-IPM) program with a carefully-conceived strategy for local, national, regional, and global diffusion of IPM capacity and knowledge. Broad participation and communication are critical components of the strategy, along with a competitive process and a management plan designed to ensure high quality research and accountability. The approach is based on a competitive process open to U.S. universities who are expected to partner with host country national programs and other stakeholders in the development of Regional IPM Centers and on five Global IPM Themes including invasive species, insect transmitted viruses, regional diagnostic laboratories, information technologies and databases, and impact assessment.