Soil Fertility Research Articles

Interactive Effects of Boron and Molybdenum on Nodulation, Growth and Yield of Cowpea under South Gujarat Condition

Background: Cowpea seeds are nutritious component of human diet and being a legume crop, it also improves the soil fertility by increasing the amount of nitrogen in the soil through symbiotic nitrogen fixation. To study the effect of boron and molybdenum on nodulation, growth and yield of cowpea the field experiment was conducted at the Regional Horticultural Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India, during summer season of 2019 and 2021. Methods: The experiment was carried out in a factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. Factor-1 consisted of four levels of seed treatments with molybdenum at 2 mg/l (M1), 4 mg/l (M2), 6 mg/l (M3) for 24 hours prior to sowing including control (M0), where as the second factor was consisted of four levels of boron (B) spray at 2 mg/l (B1), 4 mg/l (B2), 6 mg/l (B3) and control at 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS with control. Boron was applied in the form of Boric acid and Molybdenum as ammonium molybdate. Result: The treatment combination of seed treatment of molybdenum @ 2 mg/ l with foliar spray of boron @ 4 mg/ l at 30, 45 and 60 DAS (M1B2) has significantly influenced yield parameters and registered maximum number of clusters per plant (6.50), green pod yield per plant (0.153 kg), green pod yield per net plot (3.98 kg), green pod yield per hectare (12.27 tonne). Seed treatment with different levels of molybdenum has significantly influenced nodulation in cowpea and recorded maximum number of nodules per plant (31.69 at final harvest) and fresh nodule weight (0.230 g/plant) in seed treatment of molybdenum @ 2 mg/ l (M2) among all the treatments at final harvest during all the years of study, including pooled analysis.

Maize and legume intercropping enhanced crop growth and soil carbon and nutrient cycling through regulating soil enzyme activities

Maize intercropped with leguminous green manure (LGM) has been proven as a sustainable plantation practice for enhancing crop yield and soil fertility. However, a comprehensive understanding of how intercropped legumes coordinate the above- and below-ground performance during maize growth under low to high N application remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biological C and N input on soil fertility and maize growth by regulating soil enzyme activities in maize/LGM intercropping systems. A three-year field trial was conducted in northwestern China, where maize was intercropped with two LGMs, namely common vetch and pea, under no N (N0, 0 kg ha−1) and conventional N (N330, 330 kg ha−1) applications. The grain yield of intercropped maize ranged from 10.54 to 11.08 t ha−1, representing a significant increase of 6.6–12.1 % compared to monoculture maize in the N0 treatment. Nitrogen application substantially increased maize grain yield by 39.2–52.0 % across cropping systems relative to the N0 treatments, while minor differences were observed in maize yield between cropping systems in the N330 treatments. Compared with monoculture maize, intercropped with LGMs increased C input by 16.7–79.2 % at maize V9 stage and 81.1–140.3 % at the R6 stage. The biological N fixation of intercropped LGMs was 62.7–89.5 kg ha−1 and 8.0–12.8 kg ha−1 in the N0 and N330 treatments, respectively. Biological C and N input greatly facilitated soil enzyme activities and the associated nutrient cycling, consequently improving soil fertility. Soil organic matter and total N in the intercropping systems significantly increased by 4.4–14.3 % relative to monoculture across maize growth stages, irrespective of N levels. Furthermore, increased soil fertility was closely associated with nutrient stoichiometry, which in turn facilitated maize nutrient uptake and shoot recovery growth in the intercropping systems. Overall, these findings highlight that increased biological C and N input to belowground enhances soil C and nutrient cycling by regulating the involved enzyme activities, which in turn improves maize nutrient uptake and growth, forming a coordinated loop of C and nutrient flow in the maize and legume intercropping systems. Maize intercropped with LGMs is a sustainable practice that improves soil fertility and promotes maize growth by augmenting biological C and N input.

Biochar Amendment and its Impacts on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Sustainable Agriculture

Introduction: Biochar application and research have experienced a significant increase in recent decades. It can produce different kinds of organic materials, and it can be employed for different purposes, such as soil conditioning, carbon sequestration and filtration of pollutants from gas and aqueous media. Biochar is a C-rich material, which can be obtained from different types of organic feedstock, such as animal manure, sewage sludge, wood and crop residues and other organic waste. It is also considered an environmentally friendly and resource-saving approach in medicinal and aromatic plants production. Biochar can lead to plant growth improvement and influence on chemical components of medicinal plants, stimulate the growth of soil microflora, increase soil carbonsequestration, bioremediation of soil, regulate carbon fluxes between atmosphere and biosphere, reduce biotic stress in plants, improve soil nutrient availability, decrease abiotic stress in plants, wastewater treatment, immobilization and sorption of soil heavy metal contaminants. Methods: Relevant literature has been obtained using the keywords “biochar”, “organic amendment”, “soil quality”, “medicinal Plants”, “natural products”, “soil quality”, “macronutrient”, and “chemical components” in scientific databases, such as “PubMed”, “SciFinder”, “Elsevier”, and “Web of Science”. Results: The aim of this literature review is to study the impact of different kinds of biochars on medicinal and aromatic plants, soil quality and soil fertility by considering case studies of successful paradigms. Conclusion: Conclusively, we consider our review article will provide an appropriate guide for practitioners and researchers for future studies as well as large-scale field applications.

Analysis of promoter region and regulatory elements of Rhizobium giardinii DNA-binding response regulator A3AY_RS01 genes

BackgroundRhizobium giardinii has been demonstrated to colonize the roots of a variety of legume species, including common beans, and to increase nitrogen fixation. This suggests that Rhizobium giardinii might be a beneficial tool for sustainable agriculture by lowering dependency on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and enhancing soil fertility. Understanding the regulatory components in the R. giardinii A3AY_RS01 genes might also lead to the creation of innovative ways for increasing the effectiveness of nitrogen fixation in other agriculturally important bacteria. Therefore, this study was aimed to predict regulatory element of R. giardinii DNA-binding response regulator A3AY_RS01 genes. ResultsThe locations for 19 % of the Transcriptional start site (TSSs) were within −300 bp relative to the start codon and ten candidate motifs were identified that are shared by at least 50 % of the R. giardinii A3AY_RS01 promoter input sequences from both strands. Motif 1 was revealed as the common promoter motif for all of R. giardinii A3AY_RS01 genes that serves as binding sites for TFs involved in the expression regulation of these genes. Hence, it was revealed that Motif 1 may serve as the binding site chiefly for Ferric uptake regulator (Fur) transcription factor family to regulate expression of A3AY_RS01 genes. High CpG density in the promoter than body regions were observed for most of the genes except for A3AY_RS0102950, A3AY_RS0120195 and A3AY_RS0131150 genes. Nonetheless, promoter areas were richer than body regions in both techniques. ConclusionsMV1 motif can serve as a binding site for the Fur transcription factor gene family in R. giardinii to regulate the expression of R. giardinii A3AY_RS01 genes. R. giardinii A3AY_RS01 genes are rich in CpG Islands, and play an important role in the regulation of the gene expression of nitrogen fixing in this bacterium.

Determination of Adoption Traits and Key Production Constraints of Improved Maize Varieties Using Participatory Research Appraisal

Introduction: Maize is a staple crop critical to the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the availability of improved maize varieties, adoption rates among farmers remain suboptimal. Understanding the traits that drive adoption and identifying key production constraints is essential for the development and dissemination of varieties that meet farmers' needs. Aims: This study aimed to identifying the most valued traits of improved maize varieties from the farmers' perspective, assessing the socio-economic and biophysical factors influencing the adoption of these varieties and identifying the main production constraints faced by farmers in different agro-ecological zones. Study Design: The study was conducted in three regions representing diverse agro-ecological zones. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a representative sample of maize farmers. Data collection involved focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and household surveys. PRA tools such as pairwise ranking and matrix scoring were employed to capture qualitative and quantitative data on adoption traits and production constraints. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place at Ejura Sekyeredumasi, Nkoranza South District and Wenchi Municipal district, between June 2017 and December 2017. Methodology: Descriptive statistics were used analyzed the demographic characteristics of maize farmers as well as socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of improved maize farming technology using SPSS 16 version. Data collected included; socio-demographic characteristics, adoption of improved maize varieties and constraints to maize production. Results: The results showed that about 78 % and 18 % of farmer respondents perceived that both fertilizers and improved seed were too expensive. Other constraints to maize production were drought, high cost of other agro-inputs, lack of improved cultivars and poor soil fertility significantly influenced the adoption of improved maize farming technologies in the area Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of incorporating farmers' preferences and addressing context-specific production constraints in maize breeding programs. Enhanced extension services, improved seed distribution systems, and tailored agronomic practices are recommended to increase adoption rates and improve productivity. Participatory approaches in agricultural research are vital for aligning breeding objectives with the real-world needs of smallholder farmers, ensuring the relevance and impact of improved maize varieties in the Ghana.

Evaluation of Alternative Break Crops in Rotation with Bread Wheat (triticum aestivum l.) in South-Eastern Ethiopia

Crop rotation could be a possible intervention to resolve multifaceted problems of monoculture. In recent years, there is a concern about soil depletion caused by intensive farming. In crop rotation legume crops, which capture atmospheric nitrogen and “fix” it into forms available to plants will increase soil fertility. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), oat (Avena sativum L.) and vicia (Vicia dasycarpa Ten.) forage mixture were considered as a break/precursor crops. The result showed that most profitable cropping sequence was faba bean grown in a 3 year cycle with 2 crops of wheat (Amanuel et al., 1994). Thus, searching for promising and alternative break crops for wheat based rotation could increase productivity and maximize profit. Adaptaion trial around Bekoji showed that sweet lupine seems an option in tolerating acidity where faba bean is found susceptible. Thus, the objectives of this study was to evaluate alternative break crops on yield and yield components of the succeeding wheat and soil fertility maintenance in the rotation scheme. Thus, this study was executed for three consecutive years from 2017- 2019 main cropping seasons at Kulumsa, Bekoji and Asasa Arsi zone, South-Eastern Ethiopia to evaluate advantage of alternative break crops on yield and yield components of the succeeding wheat and its effect on soil fertility maintenance in the rotation scheme. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with five replications. The treatment include: wheat-sweet lupine-wheat-wheatwheat in year one (2017), sweet lupine-wheat-wheat faba bean-Ethiopian mustard in year two (2018) and wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat-wheat in the third year (2019). These leguminous crops have improved physico-chemical properties of soil. Plant nutrients of soil on which legumes were grown were increased. This improvement of soil properties by leguminous crops has resulted in higher yield of wheat than plots on which wheat was grown after wheat. Although non-significant, the third year Bekoji and Asasa combined analysis of variance revealed that the highest wheat grain yield (4197kg/ha) was obtained at sweet lupine-wheat-wheat followed by wheat-faba bean-wheat (4003kg/ha). However, plant height was significantly (P<0.05) affected by rotational crops effect. The tallest plant height of wheat (105.0cm) was recoded from wheat-Ethioian mustard-wheat treatment. From this study, sweet lupine-wheat-wheat followed by wheat-faba bean-wheat with proper agronomic packages could be forwarded as a temporary recommendation in Asasa, Bokoji and Kulumsa areas and in areas with similar agro ecologies.

Elemental composition of post-wildfire biomass ashes and partly burned woody species in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic.

The study explored the post-wildfire elemental composition of parts (wood, bark, branch, cone, trunk, litter, twig, needle, sward, fallow, sapling, etc.) and by-products (biomass ashes, partly burnt parts, and char) of different woody species in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic, and considered their effects on soils. Multi-elemental analysis of the fire by-products of the woody species was determined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry and compared with control biomass samples unaffected by wildfire. Most fire by-products were slightly alkaline, with acidic ashes obtained from blueberry wood. The by-products of the wildfire were characterized by varied total contents of macro (P, Ca, K, Mg, and S), micro (Na, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn), and other elements (B, Co, Mo, and V) vital to soil fertility and plant growth. The mean content of macro elements in the biomass ashes was up to 4.16 P, 23.5 Ca, 2.48Mg, 63K, and 5.57 S g kg-1. These values were comparatively lower than published data for ashes obtained under optimized conditions, e.g., those combusted in power generation facilities. Conversely, partly burnt parts-an indication of incomplete combustion-had higher 9.22 P, 79 Ca, and 5.99Mggkg-1 contents in spruce needles than in biomass ashes and the control. Variations in woody species and anthropogenic activities in areas of wildfires produced varied As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb contents above EU fertilizer regulation. Caution in applying biomass ashes from wildfires on fields is required due to risk/toxic elements input from anthropogenic activities. Wildfire effects on the elemental composition of woody species can provide information on plant parts most suitable for biomass ashes for soil and ecosystem safety.

Fracasopolicy: toward a critical typology of policy failures

ABSTRACT Policy failures in response to crises become visible, and the social reactions they trigger change the world. Building on critical failure studies and ontology of Spanish fracaso in policy research we propose to approach policy failures as ‘fracasopolicy’ – regimes for which the issue of failure is inherent. Published work on policy failures in the pandemic allows us to map out three such regimes: (1) someone has to fail, (2) the failure that isn’t there and (3) everything we touch turns into failure. We discuss how policy-failure relationships reveal the entanglement of past oppressions and power configurations; and how they provide fertile soil for currently emerging kinds of domination – vaccine nationalism, pandemic necropolitics. Revealing the manifestations of fracasopolicy, we show, will allow us to develop critical knowledge about our world and demystify failures, though we should also be aware of the risks of developing a narrative that romanticizes and overrepresents these.

Partial Organic Substitution Fertilization Improves Soil Fertility While Reducing N Mineralization in Rubber Plantations

Overuse of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizers leads to N leaching and soil degradation. Replacing chemical N fertilizers with organic fertilizers can enhance soil nutrition, reduce N loss, and improve soil productivity. However, the effects of combining organic and chemical fertilizers on soil N components and N transformation remain unclear. A 12-year field study included four treatments: no fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer alone (CF), 50% chemical N fertilizer combined with co-composted organic fertilizer (CFM), and composted (CFMC) organic fertilizer. The results showed that CFM and CFMC significantly enhanced SOC, TN, LFON, DON, NH4+-N, and MIN levels compared to CF. The CFM and CFMC treatments enhanced the soil N supply capacity and N pool stability by increasing the N mineralization potential (N0) and decreasing the N0/TN ratio. The CFM and CFMC treatments decreased net N ammonification rates by 108.03%–139.83% and 0.44%–64.91% and net mineralization rates by 60.60%–66.30% and 1.74%–30.38%, respectively. Changes in N transformation have been attributed to increased soil pH, enzyme activity, and substrate availability. These findings suggest that partial organic fertilizer substitution, particularly with co-composted organic fertilizers, is a viable strategy for enhancing soil fertility, improving soil N supply and stability, and reducing N loss in rubber plantations.

Effect of Organic Granules on the Productivity, Quality, and Nutrient Uptake Level of Tomato and the Fertility and Microbial Population of the Soil

Effect of Organic Granules on the Productivity, Quality, and Nutrient Uptake Level of Tomato and the Fertility and Microbial Population of the Soil

Intraspecific variation in leaf (poly)phenolic content of a southern hemisphere beech (Nothofagus antarctica) growing under different environmental conditions.

Nothofagus antarctica (G.Forst.) Oerst. (Ñire) leaves are a valuable source of (poly)phenolic compounds and represent a high-value non-timber product from Patagonian forests. However, information on the variability of their chemical profile is limited or non-existent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the (poly)phenolic variability in Ñire leaf infusions. To this end, different tree populations growing under different temperature regimes and soil characteristics were considered. Interestingly, a cup of Ñire leaf infusion could be considered as a rich source of quercetin. Significant differences in the(poly)phenolic content, especially in flavonoid conjugates and cinnamic acids, were found among the populations studied. These results suggest metabolic variability among the forests studied, which could be related to the species response to its growing conditions, and also provide some clues about the performance of N. antarctica under future climate scenarios. The N. antarctica forests growing in environments with lower frequency of cold and heat stress and high soil fertility showed better infusion quality. This study showed how a South American beech interacts with its local environment at the level of secondary metabolism. In addition, the information obtained is useful for defining forest management strategies in the Patagonian region.

Biomass Accumulation, Soil Fertility and Energy Use in Seed Crop Systems of Velvet Bean (Mucuna Pruriens L.)

ABSTRACT Seed crop production systems of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) were assessed in two field studies for ecosystem services. At flowering stage, long duration genotype Arka Shubra was significantly superior in biomass accumulation (14.61 t ha−1), while 100% recommended NPK + 15 t FYM ha−1 registered significantly higher biomass production (11.74 t ha−1). Biomass availability at harvest was higher in long duration genotypes (7.48–7.75 t ha−1) and the average biomass availability of 6.45 t ha−1 at harvest gives scope for including velvet bean as component crop in cropping systems/fallows. The average soil carbon stocks were estimated at 22.8 t ha−1 at the end of 2 yrs and 12.4 t ha−1 at the end of one crop season. Soil nutrient availability was optimum except for soil test P in pre-, standing and post crop growth periods. Highly significant relations (R 2 = 0.949) were observed between nodule number and available N at harvest. The N availability was more in long duration genotypes (209–215 kg N ha−1) over pre-experimental status. Nutrient addition improved the available N status by 40–185 kg ha−1 over pre-experimental status and control. The nutrient uptake was 4–10% higher in Arka Shubra over other long duration genotypes and 100–200% higher over medium/short duration genotypes at flowering. The recyclable biomass and uptake of NPK are more in long duration genotypes implying huge nutrient recycling potential of the system. Overall, seed crop systems of velvet bean are efficient in resource use and energy use (>2.5 EUE) and ideal components for sustainable land management.

Study on Impact of Soil Chemical Characteristics on Nematode Distribution Across Geographical Regions of Meghalaya

This study looks at the relationship between soil chemical characteristics and nematode communities in Meghalaya's agricultural landscapes. Nematodes, which are important bioindicators of soil health, were studied in connection to soil characteristics such as pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), and nutrient levels (N, P, K) in various parts of Meghalaya. The study found strong relationships between soil chemistry and the spread of various nematode taxa. Acidic soils with lower pH and higher organic carbon were shown to have higher populations of plant-parasitic nematodes such as Meloidogyne sp. and Xiphinema sp., both of which have been shown to reduce agricultural productivity. Soils with greater EC, on the other hand, have fewer of these damaging nematodes, implying that modifying soil salinity could be a viable technique for controlling nematode infestations. Furthermore, nutrient-rich soils, particularly those high in phosphorus and potassium, were associated with larger abundances of Tylenchorhynchus sp., emphasising the intricate relationship between soil fertility and nematode dynamics. The study highlights the critical impact of soil chemical characteristics in influencing nematode communities, as well as the importance of specific soil management strategies to improve crop health in Meghalaya. Farmers can use these findings to build targeted methods for controlling nematode populations, decreasing crop loss and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices in the region. This study offers useful recommendations for enhancing soil health and increasing agricultural productivity in some regions of Meghalaya's agroecosystems.

Impact of Bio-Organic Fertilizer Incorporation on Soil Nutrients, Enzymatic Activity, and Microbial Community in Wheat–Maize Rotation System

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers disrupts soil nutrient balance and leads to soil degradation and a decrease in biodiversity. In contrast, bio-fertilizers enhance soil structure and fertility and promote plant growth and sustainable agriculture development. Therefore, this study focused on a rotation system of winter wheat and summer maize and aimed to explore the effects of applying chemical fertilizer (NPK) and bio-fertilizer (BF) in the winter wheat season on the sustainable soil development of current wheat and subsequent maize. Before sowing winter wheat four fertilization treatments were, respectively CK (100% NPK at 750 kg ha−1), A (60% NPK at 450 + 20% BF at 150 kg ha−1), B (60% NPK at 450 + 40% BF at 300 kg ha−1), and C (60% NPK at 450 + 60% BF at 450 kg ha−1), conducted. The results showed that treatment A (60% NPK + 20% BF) replacing the NPK at 300 kg ha−1 with BF at 150 kg ha−1 significantly soil nutrient contents, enzyme activity, and microbial metabolic activity. The study also found a positive correlation between soil parameters (total nitrogen, alkaline nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic matter, urease, and alkaline phosphatase in the winter wheat and maize cropping season). Furthermore, the soil microbial composition showed significant enrichment of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, and variations among treatments. Moreover, the application of biofertilizer enhanced the diversity of soil fungi species, particularly during the winter wheat season. This study highlights the importance of integrating biofertilizers with NPK fertilizer for agricultural system conversion and promoting agricultural production and sustainability.

Soil Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Carbon Sequestration with Implementation of Alley Cropping in a Mediterranean Citrus Orchard

Agroecological ecosystems produce significant carbon dioxide fluxes; however, the equilibrium of their carbon sequestration, as well as emission rates, faces considerable uncertainties. Therefore, sustainable cropping practices represent a unique opportunity for carbon sequestration, compensating greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, we evaluated the short-term effect of different management practices in alleys (tillage, no tillage, alley cropping with Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus hyemalis on soil properties, carbon sequestration, and CO2 emissions in a grapefruit orchard under semiarid climate). For two years every four months, soil sampling campaigns were performed, soil CO2 emissions were measured, and rhizosphere soils were sampled at the end of the experimental period. The results show that alley cropping with Thymus and Rosmarinus contributed to improve soil fertility, increasing soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, and nutrients. The CO2 emission rates followed the soil temperature/moisture pattern. Tillage did not contribute to higher overall CO2 emissions, and there were no decreased SOC contents. In contrast, alley crops increased CO2 emission rates, especially Rosmarinus; however, the bigger root system and biomass of Rosmarinus contributed to soil carbon sequestration at a greater rate than Thymus. Therefore, Rosmarinus is positioned as a better option than Thymus to be used as an alley crop, although long-term monitoring is required to evaluate if the reported short-term benefits are maintained over time.

Specification of Rhizospheric Characteristics of Some Bacteria Identified by MALDI TOF MS from Agricultural Soils in Kirsehir Province (Akçakent and Çiçekdağı) Districts

The rhizosphere are site of plant-microorganism interaction, and have critical impotance in events like nutrient supply, the production of compounds that support plant growth and phytopathogen protection. This study reports 52 bacteria isolated from 5 different plant rhizospheres (Hordeum vulgare, Avena sativa, Cicer arietinum, Helianthus annuus, and Phaseolus vulgaris) of two agricultural districts of Kırşehir (Akçakent and Çicekdağı regions) in Türkiye. Morphological, biochemical, plant growth-promoting characteristics (including production of indole-3-acetic acid, siderophore, nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization) using MALDI-TOF-MS techniques were used to identify the isolates. Among all isolates, 33 isolate were Gram positive and 19 were Gram negative. Furthermore 40% of them were classified as Bacillus species, 10% belonged to Pseudomonas species, 7% were Acinetobacter species, 4% were Pantoeae species, and 39% other species (Blastomonas, Lysinibacillus, Comamonas, Alcaligenes, Bifidobacterium, Aromatoleum). It was seen that 12 isolates fixed nitrogen, 8 isolates produced dissolved inorganic phosphate, 12 isolates produced siderophores, 9 isolates were produced by IAA, and 14 isolates produced HCN during the screening of plant growth promoting properties. It is concluded that the culture of bacteria living in the rhizosphere are essential to promote soil fertility and sustainable agriculture. Therefore, there is a need to identify and use these strains with plant growth promoting properties in agriculture.

Influence of Different Levels of Hydrogel on Root Nodulation in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

This study investigated the impact of varying levels of hydrogel on the root nodules of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during Rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2021-22 at the Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, (U.P). The experimental design was a randomized block design with four levels of hydrogel (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and two levels of irrigation (one irrigation and two irrigation) and all treatments replicated thrice. Observations on the number of nodules per plant, active nodules, and inactive nodules were recorded at 30, 60, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at maturity and analysed using Fisher's ANOVA. The results indicated that hydrogel application significantly affected nodule formation at all growth stages across both years. The highest number of nodules, active nodules, and inactive nodules were recorded in treatment T10 (2 irrigations + 100% hydrogel), followed by T9 (2 irrigations + 75% hydrogel), in both years. The enhanced nodule formation with hydrogel application was attributed to improved water availability to the roots during periods of water scarcity, highlighting hydrogel's role in optimizing nitrogen availability and promoting chickpea growth, which is crucial for enhancing soil fertility.

Crop Rotation and Diversification in China: Enhancing Sustainable Agriculture and Resilience

Crop rotation and diversification (CRD) are crucial strategies in sustainable agriculture, offering multiple benefits to both farmers and the environment. By alternating crops or introducing diverse plant species, CRD practices improve soil fertility, reduce pest populations, and enhance nutrient availability. For example, legume-based rotations increase soil nitrogen levels through biological nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Moreover, these practices promote more efficient water and nutrient use, reducing the reliance on synthetic fertilizers and minimizing the risk of pests and diseases. This review synthesizes findings from recent research on the role of CRD in enhancing sustainable agriculture and resilience, highlighting the potential contributions of these practices towards climate change mitigation and adaptation. Specific crop rotation systems, such as the cereal–legume rotation in temperate regions and the intercropping of maize with beans in tropical environments, are reviewed to provide a comprehensive understanding of their applicability in different agroecological contexts. The review also addresses the challenges related to implementing CRD practices, such as market demand and knowledge transfer, and suggests potential solutions to encourage broader adoption. Lastly, the potential environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, are discussed, highlighting the role of CRD in building resilient agricultural systems. Collectively, this review paper emphasizes the importance of CRD methods as sustainable agricultural practices and provides key insights for researchers and farmers to effectively integrate these practices into farming systems.

Partial organic substitution increases soil quality and crop yields but promotes global warming potential in a wheat-maize rotation system in China

Excessive application of synthetic fertilizer has resulted in serious soil degradation and significant greenhouse gases (GHGs) fluxes in farmlands. Partial organic substitution for synthetic fertilizer was considered as a possible strategy for sustainable agricultural development, but its potential effects on soil quality, GHGs emissions, and crop productivity remain unclear. A field experiment across 3-year was conducted to evaluate the responses of soil quality, nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4) emissions, and crop yields to different ratios of organic fertilizer (OF) to synthetic fertilizer (SF). Six treatments were included: non-fertilization (CK); total SF; total OF; 15 %, 30 %, and 45 % organic substitution (LO, MO, and HO). Soil cumulative N2O emission was decreased with increasing organic substitution ratios, mainly attributing to the reducing soil NH4+ content. However, organic substitution increased soil CO2 and CH4 emissions due to the high manure-driven C input, consequently promoting global warming potential (GWP). Meanwhile, soil organic C, total N, P, available P, K, and C-acquisition enzyme activities were increased with organic substitution, resulting the higher soil quality index (SQI) under HO and OF. HO enhanced the annual yield of wheat and maize by 7.2 % and 13.0 % compared with SF and OF, respectively. The positive relationship between crop yield and SQI indicated that the yield-enhancing effect with partial organic substitution was mainly attributed to the improved synchronization in nutrient supply and soil fertility. Overall, partial organic substitution, especially 45 % organic substitution represents a viable strategy to improve soil quality and crop productivity while mitigating N2O emission in wheat-maize rotation systems. However, organic substitution promoted the GWP through stimulating soil CO2 and CH4 emissions. Further investigations of optimize fertilization managements are still needed to reduce manure-induced CO2 and CH4 emissions to achieve higher climate change mitigation.

Investigating soils of barrows in the Rozumice Forest (SW Poland) – Dynamics of soil and landscape evolution in a Central European loess plateau

Soil properties reflect a host of environmental conditions and land-use patterns. Formation of cultural landscapes may well be studied at barrow cemeteries, which give the opportunity of comparing the properties of buried soils, the material building the mounds and the present-day soil cover. Current archaeo-pedological research on Late Neolithic long-barrows indicates a widespread Early Holocene presence of fertile chernozemic soils in the loess zone in Silesia (SW Poland) and their subsequent transformation (en masse) into Luvisols during the Subboreal and Subatlantic. Since the timing of the transformation remains a question – to elaborate the regional chronosequence of soil evolution – we examined the barrow cemetery in the Rozumice Forest, presumably of early medieval age. We assessed the chronology of the burial mounds and properties of the soil record by analysis of ALS data and magnetometer survey, as well as pedological and archaeobotanical analyses and 14C dating of samples from cores extracted from four of the barrows. The results show that the barrows in the Rozumice Forest were most likely built in the Early Middle Ages (7-9th c. AD) using local Luvisol (clay-illuvial soil) material, after vegetation clearance by fire. The buried Luvisols found beneath the mounds bear traces of human land-use – settlement and/or agriculture during the Late Neolithic, and may be polygenetic, being the result of transformation of Early Holocene chernozemic soils.