Factor For Crop Production Research Articles

Root system response of selected lowland Thai rice varieties as affected by cultivation method and potassium rate under alternate wetting and drying irrigation

ABSTRACTRoot system is an important factor for crop productivity under water- and nutrient-limited environments. A pot study was conducted to evaluate root system response of three Thai rice varieties (Pathumthani 1, RD57, RD41) under three cultivation methods (dry direct seeding [DDS], wet direct seeding [WDS], transplanting [TP]) and three levels of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (–5, –15, –30 kPa). A second pot experiment examined the effect of potassium (K) rates (0, 80, 120, 160 kg ha–1) on root system response of the same varieties under DDS and TP subjected to alternate wetting and drying at –5 kPa. Pathumthani 1 was more tolerant to moisture stress; RD57 and RD41 showed an inconsistent response to moisture-deficit conditions. Rice plant under TP was more sensitive to moisture stress; rice plant performed better under DDS even at the highest soil moisture stress of –30 kPa. K application at the rate of 120 kg ha–1 as basal under DDS was optimum for root system development of Pathumthani 1, while RD57 and RD41 had higher actual root length at the same K rate regardless of cultivation methods. Alternate wetting and drying up to –30 kPa could be safely applied for the three tested varieties. The performance of root system of Pathumthani 1 was better under DDS method of cultivation. K fertilization at 120 kg ha–1 can be recommended as optimum rate under water-saving cultivation techniques for the three tested varieties.

The influence of crop production and socioeconomic factors on seasonal household dietary diversity in Burkina Faso.

Households in low-income settings are vulnerable to seasonal changes in dietary diversity because of fluctuations in food availability and access. We assessed seasonal differences in household dietary diversity in Burkina Faso, and determined the extent to which household socioeconomic status and crop production diversity modify changes in dietary diversity across seasons, using data from the nationally representative 2014 Burkina Faso Continuous Multisectoral Survey (EMC). A household dietary diversity score based on nine food groups was created from household food consumption data collected during four rounds of the 2014 EMC. Plot-level crop production data, and data on household assets and education were used to create variables on crop diversity and household socioeconomic status, respectively. Analyses included data for 10,790 households for which food consumption data were available for at least one round. Accounting for repeated measurements and controlling for the complex survey design and confounding covariates using a weighted multi-level model, household dietary diversity was significantly higher during both lean seasons periods, and higher still during the harvest season as compared to the post-harvest season (mean: post-harvest: 4.76 (SE 0.04); beginning of lean: 5.13 (SE 0.05); end of lean: 5.21 (SE 0.05); harvest: 5.72 (SE 0.04)), but was not different between the beginning and the end of lean season. Seasonal differences in household dietary diversity were greater among households with higher food expenditures, greater crop production, and greater monetary value of crops sale (P<0.05). Seasonal changes in household dietary diversity in Burkina Faso may reflect nutritional differences among agricultural households, and may be modified both by households’ socioeconomic status and agricultural characteristics.

Remediation of heavily saline-sodic soil with flue gas desulfurization gypsum in Arid-Inland China

ABSTRACTSoil salinity is a major limiting factor for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of northwest China. Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) is valuable waste resource which can be used to improve saline soil. Monolith lysimeter leaching experiment was conducted with FGDG in heavily saline-sodic soil of northwest China. The four FGDG treatments with nine replicates for each treatment were applied when the FGDG rate was 0, 15, 30, and 60 t ha−1, respectively. Undisturbed sodic-saline soil was carefully collected in the 40-cm deep soil column. The results indicated that improvement effect on the depth of 0–10 cm soil layer was the best when the rate of FGDG was 60 t ha−1. It can reduce pH by 1.85, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) by 44%, and exchangeable Na+ by 7.37 cmol/kg in top soil layer. The values of the above soil parameters fell in the normal range due to FGDG treatment. At the same time, FGDG application reduced soil bulk density and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity. But from the maize growth, the emergence rate, plant height, shoot, and root weight were the best when the FGDG rate was 30 t ha−1. The results also showed that the FGDG application increased soil electrical conductivity value. Therefore, it is quite necessary to move saline ions into the deep soil layer through leaching process. Although effect of FGDG treatment of 60 t ha−1 on top soil was the best, considering the improvement effects of entire soil profile, we recommend that the optimum rate of FGDG was 30 t ha−1.

The impact of long term cropping and land use change on the degradation of heavy clay soils in the Nile Delta, Egypt

Intensive cultivation and long-term cropping are very important factors affect qualities and capability of soils for yield production. The current study aimed at using remote sensing and GIS for assessing the impact of intensive and long-term cropping on the capability of the soils and land degradation in Kafr Alshaikh Governorate soils for 55 years. The study used a previous data for the soils on the date 1961 and 2002 as well as collect a new data in 2016 for the same mapping units. All data were subjected to a land capability classification model, according to FAO system. The data revealed that the change with time for the soil qualities and capability were as follows: the majority of the soils in 1961 (86.95%) were classified as C3 compared to 22.45% in 2016 while, in 2002 was the worst since almost all soils classified as C5. Nevertheless, year 2016 witnesses a great change in the capability most soils change to the C4 (77.55%) compared with the 2002 (0.31%). The most limiting factors for crop production were, soil depth, salinity, and alkalinity where the intensive use of soils with Rice cultivation under the use of heavy machinery increase the chance to raise the ground water tale depth as well as the chance to increase the soil salinity. The study endorsed to follow crop rotation in addition to follow management program by adding organic matter and deep plowing to relief the effect of intensive cultivation.

Effect of Drought on Agronomic Traits of Rice and Wheat: A Meta-Analysis.

Drought has been one of the most important limiting factors for crop production, which deleteriously affects food security worldwide. The main objective of the present study was to quantitatively assess the effect of drought on the agronomic traits (e.g., plant height, biomass, yield, and yield components) of rice and wheat in combination with several moderators (e.g., drought stress intensity, rooting environment, and growth stage) using a meta-analysis study. The database was created from 55 published studies on rice and 60 published studies on wheat. The results demonstrated that drought decreased the agronomic traits differently between rice and wheat among varying growth stages. Wheat and rice yields decreased by 27.5% and 25.4%, respectively. Wheat grown in pots showed greater decreases in agronomic traits than those grown in the field. Rice showed opposite growing patterns when compared to wheat in rooting environments. The effect of drought on rice increased with plant growth and drought had larger detrimental influences during the reproductive phase (e.g., blooming stage, filling stage, and maturity). However, an exception was found in wheat, which had similar decreased performance during the complete growth cycle. Based on these results, future droughts could produce lower yields of rice and wheat when compared to the current drought.

Selenium improves physiological responses and nutrient absorption in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under salinity

Salinity is a serious limiting factor for crop growth and production. The present study was conducted to investigate the response of wheat grown at salinities of 0.12, 0.30 and 0.60 S m−1 on soil supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 and 4 mg kg−1 Se as selenite. Chlorophyll a and b, carotenoid contents, Fe, Zn and Se in shoots as well as shoot dry weight were negatively affected by increased salinity. Se had a dual effect: at 0.5 mg kg−1, chlorophyll b, proline, and shoot Fe content were increased, catalase activity was stimulated; there was no effect on Zn content and shoot dry weight. At the two higher concentrations, Se led to decreases in chlorophyll content, nutrient concentration, and shoot dry weight. Thus, moderate addition of Se to soil could be a strategy to improve physiological responses and micronutrient status in wheat under salinity stress.

Economic drivers of telecoupling and terrestrial carbon fluxes in the global soybean complex

Abstract Telecoupling is a novel concept describing simultaneous multiscale interactions between human and natural systems across long distances. One important vehicle for telecoupling is international agricultural trade, which has previously been addressed using multiregional input-output (MRIO) methods. This study advances that work by accounting for market-mediating factors based on the GTAP-BIO model. We apply this framework to analyze the economic and environmental consequences of the Brazilian soybean boom. We decompose the drivers of this telecoupled system into five groups – macroeconomic growth, soybean productivity, other crop productivity, government policies, and pasture and forestry factors – quantifying each socio-economic driver’s local and distant contributions to all human and natural changes in this system. We find that China’s macroeconomic growth boosted soybean production and exports from Brazil and the US, whereas macroeconomic growth in the latter two regions actually dampened soybean exports over the 2004–2011 period under examination. Brazil’s strong soybean productivity growth over this period, allowed that country to become dominant in the global soybean market. It also had strong spillover effects, displacing the US in the Chinese market and reducing overall growth in soybean output in the US. This strong soybean productivity growth also contributed to cropland expansion in Brazil.

Sensing crop reflectance for water stress detection in greenhouses

Water deficit stress is one of the most important growth limiting factors in crop production. Several methods have been used to detect and evaluate the effects of water deficit on plants. In the present study, remote sensing has been used. The objectives were to 1) determine the effects of water deficit on greenhouse crop using spectral indices and 2) evaluate the reflectance spectra using the classification tree method for distinguishing water deficit levels based on substrate water content. For this reason, tomato plants were grown in slabs filled with perlite: i) under no irrigation for five days and ii) continuously well-watered. A hyperspectral camera was used to remotely measure plant reflectance during the periods with normal or low substrate water content. A large number of vegetation and water indices were compiled in order to measure plant vigour and other biophysical parameters using the remotely sensed data. A significant correlation was found between the mrNDVI reflectance index and substrate water content (θ). In addition, the PRI values observed for plants of the water deficit treatment varied, once θ% rapidly decreased to 4.5%. The daily mean TCARI was linearly correlated with chlorophyll content but not with θ% variations. A classification tree was developed to investigate the relationship between the categorical data and determine the variables affecting other independent variables. The decision tree methodology could be used to build the model for the prediction of irrigation event outcomes.

Effect of foliar spray with sulfosalicylic acid on morphological and yield traits of chickpea under salinity conditions

Salinity is one of the limiting environmental factors for crop production. Chickpea has special importance among the legumes especially in arid and semi-arid regions and is sensitive to salinity. Therefore, it becomes necessary to make a plan to mitigate the salinity effect on this plant. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in the net house of Department of Botany, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra to investigate the role of sulfosalicylic acid (SSA) at different concentrations (10-4, 10-5 and 10-6 M) in overcoming salinity stress imposed on chickpea plants in natural conditions. Different salinity levels (0, 50 mM, 100 mM and 150 mM) were applied and caused a significant reduction in morphological and yield parameters. Our main findings are as follows: (1) Salt stress has detrimental effects on growth and physiology of plants. (2) Application of SSA at 10-5 M was the most significant concentration in modulating the inhibitory effects of salt stress.

Foliar or subirrigational silicon supply modulates salt stress in strawberry during vegetative propagation

Availability of silicon (Si) to the plant as a silicic acid could be a limiting factor for crop productivity. Although the effect of Si has been shown to vary by plant species, Si has been shown to improve photosynthesis, and to remediate nutrient imbalances and abiotic stresses in plants. Plants of two Korean strawberry cultivars ‘Seolhyang’ and ‘Maehyang’ at a propagation stage was grown for 58 days with a complete nutrient solution (EC of 0.8 dS m−1) and also with supplementation of either 0, 35, or 70 mg L−1 Si from either potassium silicate (K2SiO3), sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), or calcium silicate (CaSiO3). The Si in solution was supplied to the roots through subirrigational nutrient solution or to the leaves by daily foliar applications. The growth and development of the plants were assessed after this period. Then the plants were subjected to one of different salt stress conditions (EC of either 0.0, 0.8, 1.6, or 2.4 dS m−1) for 14 days. The high EC (2.4 dS m−1) resulted in oxidative stress in the form of H2O2 and O 2 −1 in the leaves of the Si-non-treated plants as compared to Si-treated plants, and no or less stress was observed in the 0.0, and 0.8 or 1.6 dS m−1, respectively. However, Si, especially supplied from K2SiO3, relieved the stress level. Interestingly, the isozyme activities of three important antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase, were abundantly increased in the Si-treated plants, particularly with K2SiO3, even under the high EC (2.4 dS m−1) treatment and decreased in the Si-non-treated plants. The observed responses to Si supply in high salt-stressed plants indicate that Si, particularly supplied from K2SiO3, has a significant role in limiting the negative effects of salt stress by maintaining antioxidative enzymes during the vegetative propagation.

Пространственно-временные характеристики распределения радиационных заморозков по территории Северо-Западного региона России

To plan agrotechnical measures in changing climate it is necessary to track the dynamics of spatial and temporal changes in agrometeorological factors. Late spring and early autumn frosts are a limiting factor for agricultural crop production. In general, such frosts are of the radiation type. To study the spatial and temporal characteristics of the radiation frosts distribution in the North-West region of Russia, data of daily observations of the standard meteorological network from 1966 to 2015 were used. The change over the time in the average number of days with radiation frosts was calculated for two 25-year periods: from 1966 to 1990 and from 1991 to 2015. Two zones of multidirectional change of the average number of days with radiation frosts in the period from 1991 to 2015 were revealed. The decrease in the average number of days with radiation frosts during this period was recorded at the weather stations of Vologda and Leningrad (except for the weather station Belogorka) and the meteorological station Velikie Luky (Pskov region). At the same time all the weather stations of this zone (with the exception of the Vyborg weather station) are characterized by the higher number of days with radiation frosts then the weather station of the other zone. The increase in the average number of days with radiation frosts during this period was noted at the weather stations of the Pskov, Novgorod, Kaliningrad regions and the weather station Belogorka (Leningrad region).

In situ infiltration as influenced by cover crop and tillage management

Water is usually the most limiting factor in agricultural grain crop production. Various agricultural management practices, such as tillage and use of cover crops, have the potential to influence water infiltration into soil. This study was conducted on a Waldron silt loam (fine, smectitic, calcareous, mesic Aeric Fluvaquents) soil to evaluate the influence of cover crop and tillage management on in situ infiltration. The field site included three replicate blocks in a randomized complete block design with each plot measuring 21.3 m (69.9 ft) length and 12.2 m (40 ft) width. The two treatment factors included cover crop at two levels (cereal rye [Secale cereale] cover crop [CC] versus no cover crop [NC]) and tillage at two levels (moldboard plow tillage [Till] versus no-tillage [NT]). Continuous corn (Zea mays L.) was grown. Infiltration rates were measured in all the treatments using a Mariotte system with single-ring infiltrometers during the 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. Water infiltration parameters were estimated using the Parlange and Green-Ampt infiltration equations. Parlange and Green-Ampt models appeared to fit measured data well with coefficient of variation ranging from 0.92 to 0.99. In 2014, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS) parameter value determined from the Parlange model was 30.4 mm h−1 (1.2 in hr−1) for NT, about 42% greater than Till. The KS parameter value determined from the Green-Ampt model was 25.9 mm h−1 (1 in hr−1) for NT, about 54% greater than Till. In 2015, the sorptivity (S) parameter value determined from the Parlange model was 38.6 mm h−0.5 (1.5 in hr−0.5) for CC, about 82% greater than NC. The S parameter value determined from the Green-Ampt model was 34 mm h−0.5 (1.3 in hr−0.5) for CC, about 90% greater than NC. Cover crop management can increase water infiltration, which can improve soil quality and enhance the sustainability of crop production systems.

Characterization, genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and expression of the aluminum tolerance MATE1 gene in Secale species

Aluminum (Al) is the main limiting factor for crop production in acidic soils. Efflux of organic acids is one of the mechanisms that determine Al-tolerance, and an Al-activated citrate transporter (multidrug and toxic compound extrusion) MATE1 gene is involved in different species. The contribution of the rye MATE1 gene (ScMATE1) depends on the rye (Secale cereale L.) cultivars and the crosses analyzed; there is no information about different rye species. The cDNA sequences, phylogenetic relationships, Al-tolerance, citrate exudation, and expression of the ScMATE1 gene were analyzed in several cultivars and wild species/subspecies of the Secale genus. Genotypes highly tolerant to Al were found within this genus. For the first time, sequences of the cDNA of the ScMATE1 gene were isolated and characterized in wild ryes. At least two copies of this gene were found likely to be related to Al-tolerance. The sequence comparison of 13 exons of ScMATE1 revealed variability between species, but also inter- and intra-cultivars. Variations were found in the Al-induced expression of ScMATE1 gene, as well as its contribution to Al-tolerance. The pattern of citrate exudation was inducible in most of the species/subspecies studied and constitutive in few. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that ScMATE1 is orthologue of two genes (HvMATE1 and TaMATE1) involved in the Al stress response in barley and wheat, respectively, but not orthologue of SbMATE, implicated in Al-tolerance in sorghum. ScMATE1 is involved in the response to Al stress in ryes, but its contribution to Al-tolerance is complex, and like in other species, there are tolerant and sensitive alleles in the different cultivars and species studied.

Enhancing the Spatial Variability of Soil Salinity Indicators by Remote Sensing Indices and Geo-Statistical Approach

Soil salinization is considered limiting factor for crop production and land management for dry land in Sudan, its spatial variation is affected by different factors of soil properties, vegetation and environment hence its interaction formulate the planning for successful sustainable agriculture in salt affected soils. This study aims to evolve the spatial prediction of soil salinity indicators by integrated remote sensing indices and geo-statistical cokriging model. Soil samples were collected from 476 square kilometer area in salt affected area, the samples were analyzed following standard procedures for electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, hydrogen ions and saturation percentage. Information of vegetation status identified by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and soil salinization by Salinity index and brightness index were used and utilized for prediction of the soil parameters variability by cokriging model. It was found that the method was resulted in high accuracy based on RMSE and enhances the soil spatial variability assessment and provides significant interaction of different variables and indices in the landscape.

The effect of mycorrhiza and vermicompost bio-fertilizers on some physiological characteristics of sweet basil plant (Ocimum basilicum L.) under the stress condition caused by water deficit

&lt;p&gt;One of the main limiting factors in crop production in different regions of Iran is water deficit stress. Mycorrhiza and vermicompost fertilizer may be help plants to uptake more water. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was carried out in factorial design that was carried out to evaluate the effect of Mycorrhiza, vermicompost fertilizer and water deficit stress on some physiological traits of sweet basil (&lt;em&gt;Ocimum basilicum&lt;/em&gt; L.). Factors included Mycorrhiza (inoculation and non-inoculation), Vermicompost fertilizer (0, 30, 50, and 70 percentage of pod volume), and water deficit stress factor included irrigating up to 60% of F.C as water deficit stress treatment, up to 75% of F.C as mild water deficit stress treatment and up to 90% of F.C as well irrigated treatment. The results showed that sugars and proline increased with increasing water deficit stress, while higher vermicompost consumption decreased the severity of the increase. Merging vermicompost, and mycorrhiza, had a synergistic effect on the catalase enzyme and chlorophyl a+b. Significant negative and positive relationships were found between shoot dry weight and proline with water deficit stress. In addition, basil plant physiological responses to drought stress showed that this stress-sensitive plants, tried to adjust to stress, through osmotic adjustment and increasing antioxidant activity. The results totally showed that merging mycorrhizal inoculation and vermicompost mitigate the effects of drought stress in Basil. &lt;/p&gt;

What has caused the use of fertilizers to skyrocket in China?

The consumption of fertilizers in China has skyrocketed in the last six decades and this raises strong environmental concerns. The study was conducted to determine which crop production factors have contributed to the increased use of fertilizers in China. Firstly, annual fertilizer application data for 16 major crops over the period 1950–2010 were estimated, and periodic changes were analyzed to determine the contributions made by total cropping area (TCA), fertilizer application rate (kg ha−1, FAR), and crop type (proportions of TCA for individual crops, CT). Results show that total fertilizer consumption increased from 0.07 Mt in 1950 to 49.6 Mt in 2000, and 74.7% of the increase is attributable to FAR, 0.05% to TCA, and 25.3% to CT. The contribution of FAR to total fertilizer consumption decreased (from 98.3% in the 1950s to 65.6% in the 2000s), while the contributions of TCA and CT increased (from 0.90 and 0.81% in the 1950s to 17.5 and 16.8% in the 2000s, respectively). Maize, rice, and wheat were the major crops to which most of the fertilizers (up to 87.9%) were applied before the 1980s. However, after the 1980s maize, vegetables and fruits became the major drivers of fertilizers consumption. These three crops contributed 59.6% in the 1990s and 90.6% in the 2000s to the increased consumption of fertilizers. Results suggest that shifts in FAR and CT may be the critical control points for future fertilizer consumption, and increased integrated soil-crop system management in China should focus on vegetables and fruits.

A RNA-Seq Analysis of the Response of Photosynthetic System to Low Nitrogen Supply in Maize Leaf.

Nitrogen is a major limiting factor for crop productivity. The relationship between photosynthesis and nitrogen nutrition has been widely studied. However, the molecular response of leaf photosynthesis to low nitrogen supply in crops is less clear. In this study, RNA sequencing technology (RNA-Seq) was used to investigate the gene expressions related to photosynthesis in maize in response to low nitrogen supply. It was found that low nitrogen supply down-regulated the expression of genes involved in photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). Thus, low nitrogen supply down-regulated the expression of genes related to the antenna system, reduced light absorption, light transport, and electron transport. Correspondingly, the parameters related to chlorophyll fluorescence were very sensitive to nitrogen deficiency. Under low nitrogen supply, leaf chlorophyll content, actual quantum yield of PSII photochemistry, photochemical quenching, and electron transport rate, were reduced. However, the thermal diffusion and chlorophyll fluorescence were increased. RNA-Seq was used to analyze the genes involved in the response of leaf photosynthesis to low nitrogen supply in maize. These results highlight the possibility of utilizing chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and the related genes, as indicators for plant nitrogen nutrition. This could lead to the development of new tools to make precise nitrogen fertilizer recommendations and select nitrogen-efficient genotypes.

Antioxidant metabolism variation associated with salt tolerance of six maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars

Salt stress is a major limiting factor for crop production in many regions. This study examined antioxidant metabolism variation associated with salt stress tolerance of six maize cultivars (Luyu39, Huanong138, Xianyu335, Aoyu3007, Yayu8, Jinping618) under growth chamber environments. The seedlings of six cultivars were subjected to seven NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 295mM for 20days. The salt stress tolerance of the six cultivars varied largely, with their salt tolerance threshold values ranging from 184.5 to 303.4mM. Luyu39 had the highest threshold value and was considered as salt tolerant cultivar, and Jinping618 had the lowest threshold (184.5mM) and was considered as salt sensitive cultivar. Luyu39 had lower MDA content, higher antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, and POD) activity, and lower proline content when compared to Jinping618 at 245mM and 295mM NaCl levels. The results suggest that MDA, antioxidant enzyme activity, and proline content can be used as metabolic markers to evaluate relative salt tolerance of different maize cultivars under severe salt stress (245mM or higher concentration NaCl) conditions.

Grafting improves cucumber water stress tolerance in Saudi Arabia.

Water scarcity is a major limiting factor for crop productivity in arid and semi-arid areas. Grafting elite commercial cultivars onto selected vigorous rootstocks is considered as a useful strategy to alleviate the impact of environmental stresses. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using grafting to improve fruit yield and quality of cucumber under water stress conditions. Alosama F1 cucumber cultivar (Cucumis sativus L.) was grafted onto Affyne (Cucumis sativus L.) and Shintoza A90 (Cucurbitamaxima × C. moschata) rootstocks. Non-grafted plants were used as control. All genotypes were grown under three surface drip irrigation regimes: 50%, 75% and 100% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc), which represent high-water stress, moderate-water stress and non-water stress conditions, respectively. Yield and fruit quality traits were analyzed and assessed. In comparison to the non-grafted plants, the best grafting treatment under water stress was Alosama F1 grafted onto Shintoza A90 rootstock. It had an overall improved yield and fruit quality under water stress owing to an increase in the total fruit yield by 27%, from 4.815 kg plant−1 in non-grafted treatment to 6.149 kg plant−1 in grafted treatment under moderate -water stress, total soluble solid contents (13%), titratable acidity (39%) and vitamin C (33%). The soil water contents were low in soil surface and increase gradually with soil depth, while salt distribution showed an adverse trend. The positive effects of grafting on plant growth, productivity, and water use efficiency support this strategy as an useful tool for improving water stress tolerance in greenhouse grown cucumber in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of cropping intensity on soil properties and plant available nutrients in hot arid environment of North-Western India

ABSTRACTIn order to maintain crop productivity in arid western plain of India, there is a need for understanding the nutrient supplying capacity of soil, which poses many challenges for crop production. We studied four different levels of crop intensification, namely barren land, low, medium and high crop intensity and assessed their impact on soil properties and available nutrients. High intensity showed higher accumulation of available-nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the 0–15 cm depth and then decreased with increasing depths. Higher depletion of available potassium (K) in the surface layer was observed in medium and high cropping intensities. Data indicated that the crop intensification led to an increase in availability of micronutrients. Changes in soil pH and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) had strong influence on the distribution of micronutrients. A highly significant correlation coefficient between available nutrients and organic carbon showed that soil organic matter is the main governing factor for sustainable crop production in arid environment.