Green Manure Plants Research Articles

Green Manure Mediated Improvement in Saline Soils in China: A Meta-Analysis

The application of green manure is a traditional and valuable practice to improve the fertility of saline soil. However, the impact of environmental factors, green manure types and returning methods on the changes in soil fertility and soil salinity remain poorly quantified at a large scale. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to generate a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of green manure on soil organic carbon (SOC), soil salt content, and soil nutrients compared to bare soil in China. The results showed that compared with bare soil, green manure planting could significantly increase the SOC content of saline soil, reduce salt content, and improve the soil total nitrogen (N), soil available phosphorus (P) and soil available potassium (K) contents. On average, green manure significantly enhanced SOC by 34.82% (percentage change), soil total N by 32.23%, soil available P by 34.34% and soil available K by 17.43%, while reducing soil salt content by 47.75%, compared to bare soil. In areas with a mean annual temperature (MAT) of <10 °C or a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 200–400 mm, green manure had the largest increase in SOC, soil total N, soil available P, and soil available K. The smallest increases were observed in areas with an MAT above 15 °C and MAP greater than 800 mm. Green manure types influenced the improvement effect of green manure on saline soil. Green manure mixtures were more conducive to increases in SOC, while the increases in soil total N resulting from mixed green manure were lower in comparison to those from both legumes and non-legumes. In addition, the initial salt content, experimental years, and returning method influenced the improvement effect of green manure on saline soil. Therefore, this meta-analysis identified green manure as a promising practice for significantly improved saline soil in China.

The accumulation of aluminum in the aboveground parts of green manure plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family

The accumulation of aluminum in the aboveground parts of green manure plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family

The Influence of Green Manure Planting on the Spectroscopic Characteristics of Dissolved Organic Matter in Freshwater-Leached Saline–Alkali Soil at Different Depths

This study investigated the influence of green manure planting on the spectroscopic properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in saline–alkali soil under freshwater leaching conditions at different soil depths. The UV254, UV253/UV203, α300, α355, SUVA254, SUVA260, and SR ultraviolet parameters indicated reductions in the content of large molecular substances, benzene ring substitution degree, colored dissolved organic matter, aromaticity, and hydrophobic components in the soil leachate DOM with an increasing soil depth. Compared with the non-green manure treatment control, green manure planting mitigated the leaching of dissolved organic matter in soil during saline irrigation, with rape green manure demonstrating superior effectiveness. Utilizing three-dimensional fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis, this study analyzed three fluorescent components of soil leachate DOM: C1 (visible-light fulvic acid), C2 (humic acid), and C3 (tyrosine-like protein). The combined contribution of the two humic substance components (C1 + C2) was approximately 70%, indicating the dominance of humic substances in leachate DOM. The fluorescence parameters of soil leachate DOM included an average of the fluorescence index (FI) values between 1.4 and 1.9, low humification index (HIX) values consistently below 4, and biological index (BIX) values ranging from 0.8 to 1.0, suggesting a mixed source, low humification degree, poor stability, and moderate self-source characteristics. Compared with the non-green manure treatment control, both the green manure treatments exhibited a relatively higher proportion of biogenic sources and humification degree in soil leachate DOM. This suggests that planting green manure can reduce the relative DOM content under freshwater leaching conditions, increase the proportion of biogenic sources in soil leachate DOM, and enhance soil humification. Planting rapeseed green manure can diminish the leaching of DOM from land sources and augment soil humification.

Impact of Green Manures in Mitigating Heavy Metal Toxicity: A Review

The contamination of soil with heavy metals poses a serious threat to both ecology and public health. Human activity, such as mining, excessive fertilizer application, and industrial processes, are among the various sources of heavy metal pollution. There are various green manure plant species used as potential for mitigating heavy metal toxicity, certain legume plants like Albizia leibbeck L., Bauhinia purpurea L., Dalbergia sissoo, Millettia peguensis Ali, and Pongamia pinnata are being looked for applications in phytoremediation. Various techniques such as bioremediation, phytoextraction, phytofiltration, phytovolatilization, rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, and phyto desalinization are employed to address environmental pollution. Phytoremediation, in particular, aims to collect pollutants from the environment and convert them into forms that can be easily extracted from plant tissues. Contamination by heavy metals is a severe environmental matter. However, there are various contemporary methods that offer potential solutions to address this issue. One such approach involves the use of biochar to decrease the bioavailability of heavy metals in soil. By binding to them reducing their availability for plant absorption and entry into the food chain. Genetic engineering permits researchers to insert genes into plants that improve their acceptance of heavy metals or increase their ability to accumulate them (phytoextraction). Consequently, the utilization of these conventional methods in phytoremediation has demonstrated the most favourable and sustainable outcomes, ensuring an eco-friendly approach for the ecosystem.

Analysis of Agrotechnical Care of Diospyros kakiOrchard Grown in the Sheki-Zagatala Region of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The article published a study of caring for the Diospyros kaki orchard in the Sheki-Zagatala region of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The development of Eastern persimmon depending on the row spacing system was studied and comparatively analyzed. The use of row spacing of green manure plants; when cultivating the row spacing of the eastern persimmon garden, we used legumes + field peas, which has a positive effect on plant growth; an increase in the number of fruits on the tree, the size and weight of the fruits was observed compared to the control. The influence of organic and inorganic fertilizers on the development of Diospyros kaki varieties was studied. The greatest development of 3-year-old trees was observed with the application of N50P20K35+20 tons/ha of inorganic fertilizer (manure). Our research in the conditions of the Sheki-Zagatala region showed that the location of the root system of Diospyros kaki on the surface requires frequent watering with low rates. During the growing season, good results were achieved by 5-6 times irrigation with a water norm of 350-400 m3 each time, since brown mountain-forest soil type predominates in our experimental plots. Among tree pruning methods tested, the vertical flattened form was found to be superior in both efficiency and overall yield. The influence of methods of pruning the crown of Diospyros kakion the yield of the 1st tree in all varieties increased. The Tamopan variety has the best results. Pruning trees using the free-growing method amounted to 154.0 kg, and the vertically flattened method amounted to 174.0 kg, which means an increase in yield from 1 tree by 11.5%. Our research has once again shown that, depending on the soil and climatic conditions of the region, it is necessary to carry out timely and comprehensive agrotechnical care of the orchard, as this will allow obtaining a high-quality harvest and a healthy garden.

Evaluating different green manuring plant species and stool destruction methods for enhancing sugarcane yield at Wonji-Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia

The long-term intensive production system employed in the Sugar Estates in Ethiopia, characterized by monoculture, preharvest burning, and excessive tillage, has led to soil degradation with a concomitant decline in sugarcane yield. Therefore, a study was conducted at Wonji-Shoa Sugar Estate (WSSE) with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of different green manuring plant species and cane stool destruction methods (SDMs) in improving cane yield. To that end, seven green manure plant species (sunn-hemp, lablab, cowpea, soybean, mungbean, dhaincha, and sugarcane trash) were evaluated under three SDMs (cultivating-out, spraying-out with herbicide, and maintaining the stool as it is) using a split-plot design. The experimental fields were established on two major soil types, with green manure crops incorporated into the soil before planting the sugarcane. The dry matter production and nitrogen contribution of the green manure plants, as well as the height, population, diameter, and yields of sugarcane, were determined and subsequently subjected to statistical and economic analysis. The results showed that cowpea, followed by lablab, dhaincha, and sunn hemp, were the most effective green manures in terms of improving cane performance, with up to 17–20 % yield advantage and 21–40 % net economic benefits over the control treatment. Additionally, the spraying-out MSD was as effective as the cultivating-out MSD, but both outperformed maintaining the stool. In conclusion, utilizing these green manuring crops in combination with the spraying-out SDM presents notable advantages for improved cane yield and enhanced economic benefits in a sustainable manner. Adoption of these practices, therefore, holds significant potential for reversing the constantly declining sugarcane yields at WSSE.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe cruciferarum on Orychophragmus violaceus in China

Orychophragmus violaceus is an annual or perennial herb in the Brassicaceae family. It is widely planted in China and used as an ornamental and green manure plant (Luo et al. 2022). In September 2022, a survey conducted in a 600 m2 garden in Lanzhou (36°06′N, 103°43′E) found that over 70% of O. violaceus plants were infected with powdery mildew, with 80% of the leaf area on the upper surface of infected leaves was infected. The white colonies on the upper surface of the leaves gradually expanded, thickened, and spread to cover the stem surface. In severe cases, entire foliage withered and the plants died. Fungal structures were taken from the leaves with adhesive tape and placed in sterile water for microscopic observation. The conidiophores were upright, cylindrical, composed of 3 to 4 cells, and measured 92.3 ± 12.9 × 9.2 ± 0.6 μm (n=30). Conidial pedicels had 21.6 ± 3.4 μm (n=50) long cylindrical podocytes. Monoconidia were cylindrical or oval in shape, 32.9 ± 6.1 μm long and 15.1 ± 2.1 μm wide (n=80). Conidia lacked an obvious cellulose body. The bud tubes formed from the end of conidia, and papillary appressoria developed on the epiphytic mycelia. Based on these morphological characteristics, the pathogen was initially identified as Erysiphe cruciferarum (Braun et al. 2012). To validate the identity, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of an isolate EYL was amplified by PCR and sequenced using both ITS1/ITS4 and ITS5/PM6 primers (Takamatsu et al. 2001). The resulting sequences were deposited at GenBank (accession nos: OR437967 and OR437969). The ITS sequence of the isolate EYL (OR437967) is 99% (451/453) identical to E. cruciferarum (KP730001) on Brassica napus in China and that of the isolate EYL (OR437969) is 100% (509/509) identical to E. cruciferarum (KM260718) on B. juncea in Vietnam. Pathogenicity experiments were performed on six-week-old plants with an average of 10 ± 0.8 leaves. In the inoculated group, five healthy plants were inoculated by gently pressing the upper surface of diseased leaves against the upper surface of leaves of healthy plants for about 5 to 10 seconds. In the control group, the leaves of five healthy plants were treated with asymptomatic using the same method as described above. The plants were maintained in a greenhouse set at 25℃, 14-h photoperiod, and ≥ 70% humidity. After 13 days, all inoculated plants showed symptoms of powdery mildew, while the plants in the control group had no symptoms. The fungus on the inoculated plant was re-isolated and identified as E. cruciferarum based on its morphological characteristics and ITS sequence. Powdery mildew caused by E. cruciferarum has been reported on Cleome hassleriana in Italy and B. juncea in Australia (Garibaldi et al. 2009; Kaur et al. 2008). To our knowledge, this is the first time that powdery mildew caused by E. cruciferarum have been reported on O. violaceus in China. This disease poses a potential threat to the quality and yield of O. violaceus plants, which may warrant the development of preventative and management strategies in the future.

Yeşil Gübrelemenin Taban Gübresi Olarak Kullanım Olanaklarının Değerlendirilmesi

This study investigated the effect of using green manure plants as an alternative to chemical fertilization (Control) used as a base fertilizer on peppers growth and early yield values. In chemical base fertilizer application, 25 kg (15-15-15) compound fertilizer was applied per decare. The seeds of the broad bean (Vicia faba L.cv. Gölyaka) plant, which is used as a green manure plant, were sown and mixed into the soil during the whole florescence period. According to the results, the highest organic matter content in the soil was obtained with green manure application. In contrast, the N, P and K contents increased significantly (P

Impact of green technology on content of bioactive components in eggplant

Background: Green manure fertilizers play a great role in increasing fertility, soil quality and nutrient supply of crops. Additionally, biofertilizers with various strains of fungi increase the availability of biologically active elements for plants. The combined use of green manure and biological fertilizers is of great interest for increasing the content of bioactive components and the functional activity of food.Objective: The main goal of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combined use of various green manure plants and biological fertilizers on the content of bioactive components (total sugars, dry matter, ascorbic acid, B vitamins and macro and micronutrients) in eggplants in the context of increasing food functionality. Methods: Plants from the Fabaceae L. family (beans, peas, and soybeans) were used as green manure. The experiment was set up by a block-randomized method in 4 replications. Biofertilizers were applied at the beginning of intensive growth and at the beginning of the fruiting stage. Soil analysis and content of macro- and micronutrients (Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphate, and Iron) in eggplant fruits were done with a spectrophotometry system. Results: Green manure crops and their combination with biofertilizers contributed to an increase in content of vitamin C, Vitamin B1, macro-micronutrients (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and Iron) in all treatment options. The higher yield was recorded in variants with the use of Organit N’ and ‘Organit P’.Conclusion: The concurrent application of green manure and biofertilizers leads to an enhancement of the functional properties of eggplant fruits. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced soil quality and increased levels of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including vitamins C and B1.The positive effect of the applied technology on the eggplant fruits’ qualitative particularities, productivity and functionality creates a basis for recommending the use of tested fertilizers to producers and will serve as a starting point for evaluating the proposed green technology on other crops.Keywords: soya, bean, pea, vitamin C, vitamin B 1

Adaptive evaluation for agricultural sustainability of different fertilizer management options for a green manure-maize rotation system: Impacts on crop yield, soil biochemical properties and organic carbon fractions

Green manure planting can reduce the intensity of soil use, while improving farmland productivity in double-cropping systems. However, only few studies have focused on the impacts of green manure application under different fertilization management options on succeeding crop yield and soil organic carbon (SOC) process. A three-year field experiment was conducted with a winter smooth vetch-summer maize cropping system to evaluate the effects of green manure with different chemical fertilizers on soil physiochemical properties, SOC fraction, enzyme activities and maize yield. Total eight treatments were compared including different combinations of green manure and chemical fertilizers (i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers) in the smooth vetch phase and maize phase. The results showed that compared to the control, green manure incorporation increased the soil moisture, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, basal respiration, SOC and its labile fractions, and enzyme activities, especially for the treatments of green manure with fertilization. However, the soil pH and bulk density decreased due to green manure application. Maize yield increased 34 %–53 % after green manure application, and was found to be significantly and positively correlated with soil carbon process (P < 0.05). Moreover, SOC and its labile fractions, and total nitrogen were observed as the main drivers of the maize yield. Variation partition analysis demonstrated that soil biochemical properties and their interaction with green manure by fertilization caused variations in SOC fractions. Further, structural equation models indicated that both balanced fertilization practices had positive effects on maize yield and soil carbon process via changes in SOC fractions and C cycling-related enzyme activities, respectively. In addition, the amount balance of chemical fertilizer positively impacted the soil carbon process by regulating SOC fractions through enzyme activities. These findings provide important guidance for applying optimal fertilization management in the green manure phase to improve succeeding crop yield and soil quality as well as to mitigate the adverse impacts of chemical fertilizers. The study will be equally illuminating for other green manure-crop rotation systems.

Do Green Production Technologies Improve Household Income? Evidence from Rice Farmers in China

Revealing the behavioral decision-making mechanism and behavioral effects of farmers adopting green production technologies will help motivate farmers to actively adopt green production technologies, thereby promoting the development of green agriculture. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 607 Chinese rice farmers, while the endogenous switching regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors and behavioral effects of farmers adopting green production technologies. The results show that the adoption of green production technologies by farmers can significantly increase household income. Among the green production technologies, soil testing and formula fertilization technology has the greatest impact on farmers’ income, followed by straw returning technology and planting green manure. The main influencing factors of farmers adopting green production technologies are education level, cultivated land area, cultivated land fragmentation, soil fertility, and the distance between home and agricultural technology stations. The results of this study provide an empirical basis for relevant government departments to carry out agricultural technology extension work and formulate relevant policies.

Optimizing soil and fertilizer management strategy to facilitate sustainable development of wheat production in a semi-arid area: A 12-year in-situ study on the Loess Plateau

ContextThe low precipitation and low soil fertility in the Loess Plateau region of China limit the sustainable development of farmland. No-tillage, straw mulching, or planting green manure can improve soil water storage or soil quality. However, further research is needed to optimize these soil and fertilizer management strategies to maximize yield and effectively utilize resources. ObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine the optimal soil and fertilizer management strategies to maximize wheat growth and water/nitrogen utilization efficiency, while minimizing nitrogen fertilizer input. MethodsFive different soil and fertilizer treatments were tested on the Loess Plateau between 2009 and 2021, including traditional tillage followed by bare soil (CK), no-till with straw mulching (NTSM), no-till with straw mulching followed by leguminous green manure (OPT), and reductions in N fertilizer inputs of 10% (OPT10) and 20% (OPT20) under OPT. ResultsThe average results from 12 years of research revealed that the soil water content (SWC) and NO3–-N content in the 0–20 cm soil depth under OPT were higher by 4.3% and 13.4% compared to CK (P < 0.01), and the length and surface area of the wheat roots were higher by 20.9% and 11.0% (P < 0.01), respectively. Optimized soil and fertilizer management delayed leaf senescence and enhanced the antioxidant and photosynthetic capacities of the wheat crop. Compared with CK, the net photosynthetic rate and superoxide dismutase activity were 38.6% and 11.6% higher under OPT, respectively, and no significant differences were observed between OPT and OPT10. Optimized soil and fertilizer management promoted wheat yield formation, water and fertilizer use efficiency, and OPT obtained the highest yield (4497.3 kg ha−1), N uptake (138.7 kg ha−1), and water use efficiency (WUE, 13.3 kg ha−1). Compared with CK, OPT increased the wheat yield, N uptake, WUE, and WP by 21.5%, 16.7%, 16.6%, and 12.6%, respectively, and there were no significant differences between OPT10 and OPT. ConclusionsOptimizing the soil and fertilizer management strategies increased the soil water and NO3–-N contents, delayed leaf senescence, enhanced the leaf antioxidant and photosynthetic capacities, promoted wheat yield formation and efficient resource utilization. A 10% reduction in N fertilizer input based on no-till, straw mulching and green manure planting during the fallow period is an efficient soil and fertilizer management strategy for ensuring sustainable wheat production in semi-arid areas of the Loess Plateau. ImplicationsOur findings provide a reference for wheat production in semi-arid regions similar to the Loess Plateau throughout the world.

The influence of green manure crops on the growth, development, yield and fruits quality of eggplant

The effectiveness of the use of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), peas (Pisum sativum L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) belonging to the Fabaceae family was studied to identify the possibilities of use them as green manure to increase soil fertility and eggplant yield. The option without green manuring was accepted as a control. Experiments were conducted in 2021-2022. As a result of green manuring, available nitrogen content in the soil (N) increased by 20.8- 76.8%, phosphorus (P2O5) – by 58.6-89.6%, and potassium (K2O) – by 5.9-6.4%. The best result was observed in case of using soybean as siderat crop, where the volume weight of the soil decreased by 0.189g/sm3. The utilization of green manure crops had a positive effect on eggplant yield, surpassing the control in the case of soybeans by 24.3%, in beans option - by 18.2%, and in case of peas - by 14.5%. The results of the study conducted confirm that the application of the recommended green manure plants under the conditions of the Ararat valley of the Republic of Armenia has a positive effect on the growth and development of eggplant, as well as on yield and fruit quality indicators.

Потенциал трёх видов растений для фиторемедиации нефтезагрязнённых почв в условиях Севера

The aim of this work was to assess the potential of three plant species (Brassica juncea L., Trifolium repens L., Agrostis stolonifera L.) for phytoremediation of oil-contaminated soils. The germination time of seeds and their survival rate after sowing into the model oil-contaminated soil were found. The influence of the procedure of encapsulation of seeds in alginate gel was assessed. Green manure plants seeds are preferably added after 30 days of self-cleaning of the soil due to the absence of a continuous oil film and restoration of air exchange. Brassica juncea L. was found to have the shortest germination time, at the same time the encapsulation of seeds in a polymeric complex increased the time for the development of vegetative organs. The encapsulation of T. repens L. and A. stolonifera L. seeds in alginate gels, on the contrary, reduced the germination time. A. stolonifera was also found to be more drought-resistant. It was concluded that the use of an auxiliary gel coat is most effective for small plant seeds and increases the survival rate on oil-contaminated soil. The contribution of the green manure plants root rhizosphere to the processes of biochemical transformation of oil was assessed by comparing such diagnostic indicators of the state of the soil as the activity of dehydrogenase and urease. The dehydrogenase activity in all versions of the experiment was higher than in the oil-free soil. Moreover, for T. repens and A. stolonifera the values were 20–25% higher than in the contaminated soil without plants. The urease activity also increased, however, in the experiments with plants it was less than in the control experiment with the oil. In general, the selected plants can act as green manures for the accelerated formation of phytomass and restoration of species diversity on the recultivation territories.

Phytotoxicity of 2,4-D and fipronil mixtures to three green manure species

Sugarcane expansion has been associated with soil contamination by agrochemicals. Pesticides can affect plant growth, and their mixture might have potentiated effects on exposed species. This research aimed to evaluate the influence of fipronil on the phytotoxicity of 2,4-D on three green manure plant species: Canavalia ensiformis, Dolichos lablab, and Lupinus albus. Plants were exposed (for 21 days, at 25 °C) to a control soil and five concentrations of each pesticide and their combinations (36 treatments, considering a full-factorial approach). Effect concentrations of 50% growth inhibition (EC50) were estimated. No phytotoxicity effects were identified when plants were exposed to different fipronil concentrations (up to 0.12 mg kg−1). All species exposed to 2,4-D showed a decrease in shoot and root length and fresh/dry biomass. L. albus and D. lablab roots showed the highest sensitivity when exposed to 2,4-D among the endpoints (EC50 = 0.02 and 0.05 mg kg−1, respectively), while C. ensiformis roots were the most tolerant (EC50 = 0.98 mg kg−1). However, the interference of fipronil on the toxicity of 2,4-D was not detected in different mixture proportions, indicating no interaction between pesticides. Residues of 2,4-D might also impair other crops’ growth, compromise productivity, and limit phytotechnologies for soil recovery.

Adaptive evaluation of green manure rotation for a low fertility farmland system: Impacts on crop yield, soil nutrients, and soil microbial community

Green manure-based rotations have been shown to be an effective sustainable farming practice and were considered a dual solution to resource conservation and crop productivity maintenance. However, our understanding of the adaptations of green manure rotation to the regional agricultural environments lags significantly behind other farming practices. Here, a 6-year field experiment with four green manure cropping treatments and one conventional treatment has been conducted in a typical low fertility farmland in the arid land. Maize yield was significantly increased after green manure was planted, and on a 6-year average, maize grain yield in the green manure intercropping system was 11.7% higher than that in the conventional cropping system. Green manure rotation or intercropping with maize can significantly increase SOM (soil organic matter), TN (total nitrogen), and TP (total phosphorus) in the surface soil layer. Perennial alfalfa planting significantly increased SOM and TN, but significantly decreased TP. Continuous maize planting had no significant effect on TN and TP, but significantly decrease SOM. Green manure planting promoted shifts in soil bacteria composition, with increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria but decreased the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. For fungal abundance, green manure intercropping with maize increased the relative abundance of Ascomycota, but green manure rotation decreased the relative abundance of Mortierellomycota. In summary, our study elucidated that green manure planting especially intercropping with maize can be adopted as the most effective cropping system in the future to decrease environmental stress and enhance agricultural production conditions through improving the crop productivity, increasing soil fertility and nutrients, and regulating soil microbial communities in the low fertility farmland.

Socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of low carbon technologies under rice production systems in China.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production, such as farmers' livelihood and the soil quality, has been identified to be strong influenced by climate change in China. However, the benefits of low carbon technologies (LCTs) are still debatable in rice production for farmers, which have been identified to tackle agricultural challenges. The choice of potential LCTs relevant to the case study is based on a literature review of previous empirical studies. Thus, the objectives of the study were to (1) investigate the public perception and preferences of LCTs in rice production of China, and (2) analyze the influences of the factors on farmer's decision in adopting LCTs in rice production. There were 555 farmer surveys from eight representative rice production counties in HP province of southern China, both the Poisson estimators and multivariate probit (MVP) approach were applied in the study. Our results show that water-saving irrigation, integrated pest management techniques and planting green manure crops in winter season were the three major LCTs adapted by farmers in rice production. The intensity and probability of LCTs adoptions were influenced by the main factors including farmers' education level, climate change awareness, machinery ownership, technical support and subsidies. There is a significant correlation among the LCTs, and the adoption of the technologies is interdependent, depicting either complementarities or substitutabilities between the practices. This study suggests that policies enhance the integration of LCTs would be central to farmers' knowledge, environmental concerns, technical service and financial support in rice production systems in China.

Effects of green manure planting mode on the quality of Korla fragrant pears (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yu).

In this study, a three-year experiment on the fragrant pear orchard was conducted to investigate the effects of different varieties of green manure on the Korla fragrant pear fruit quality, with a view to finding a suitable green manure planting mode for Korla fragrant pear orchard. Green manures were planted in spaces among rows of pear trees, and then smashed and pressed into the soil as fertilisers by the agricultural machinery equipment in their full bloom period. In the experiment, four planting modes of green manure had been set for comparison: SA: Leguminosae green manures alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), SP: Poaceae green manures oats (Avena sativa L.), ST: Cruciferae green manures oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), and S: orchard authigenic green manures (Chenopodium album L., Mulgedium tataricum (L) DC., and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.). Apart from that, eleven fruit quality indicators were analyzed to evaluating the effects of different green manure planting mode on the quality of fragrant pear. According to analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, there were significant differences among four planting modes in terms of nine fruit quality indicators (P<0.05). In addition, the correlation analysis (CA) results revealed that there were different degrees of correlations among quality indicators. On this basis, repeated information among indicators was eliminated by principal component analysis (PCA), thus simplifying and recombining the three principal components. All in all, these three principal components reflect appearance traits, internal nutritive value and taste of fruits, respectively. Specifically, SA significantly improved the internal quality and nutritive value of fruits, SP improved the physical traits of fruits, and ST significantly improved the taste of fruits. Based on the PCA results, a comprehensive evaluation model of fruit quality was constructed. The are comprehensive fruit quality scores:SA>SP>ST>S.

Uncovering the Deviation of Farmers’ Green Manure Planting Willingness and Behavior

Planting green manure is an effective way to improve the agricultural environment and the quality of cultivated land in China. However, deviation from green manure planting willingness and behavior (DWB) becomes a serious obstacle to the promotion of green manure planting technology. For economic farmers, whether to plant green manure is a rational choice made after weighing up family endowments. In addition, ecological cognition plays a moderating role in the “willingness-behavior” transformation process of farmers’ green manure planting on the basis of family endowments. We selected four counties in which to conduct a questionnaire survey in Gansu and carried out interviews with 375 farmers. Based on the survey data, our study identified determinants that influence farmers’ DWB and examined the moderating effect of ecological cognition. In our paper, results show that the probability of farmers’ DWB is 41.87%. Farmers’ DWB is not only negatively affected by social network information and ecological compensation (eco-compensation) and positively influenced by the scale of cultivated land, but also restricted by human capital endowment characteristics such as age and education. In addition, ecological cognition played a significant moderating effect on farmers’ DWB. Farmers with high ecological cognition were more aware and capable of promoting green manure planting intentions into practice. Furthermore, different groups of farmers had different characteristics of DWB. The findings are useful and helpful in better understand the influencing factors of farmers’ DWB for policy makers and managers and can provide some effective support for policies designed to encourage farmers to adopt more sustainable green manure.

Mitigation of nutrient runoff loss using reduced nitrogen application and green manure planting in citrus orchard in Hubei, China

Mitigation of nutrient runoff loss using reduced nitrogen application and green manure planting in citrus orchard in Hubei, China