Inclusion Of Legumes Research Articles

Economics and Feasibility of Legume Inclusion in Southeastern Perennial Grass-Based Systems

Abstract Perennial grass pastures provide the basis for beef production systems across the Southeast United States. One common management practice that is widely recommended among agronomists is interseeding cool-season legumes. Legumes can serve as a complementary resource for filling in production gaps, reducing supplemental feedstuffs, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilization, increasing the nutritional quality of forage available, increase biomass production, improve animal performance, and can reduce the toxic effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue through dilution. A simulated economic analysis was developed to further the economic understanding of the cost of implementation, the subsequent animal and forage performance benefits, and net returns from the inclusion of legumes over many research trials and years. Data from 15 peer-reviewed papers was used to simulate the economic benefits of implementing this production practice. Cost of production and revenue for each paper were calculated using the 10-year average from 2010 to 2019. This analysis provides users with a further understanding of the net returns, critical breakeven areas, and return on investment that is necessary in order to successfully implement the inclusion of cool-season legumes in perennial grass-based systems.

Protein and Carbohydrate Fractions in Warm-Season Pastures: Effects of Nitrogen Management Strategies

Nitrogen (N) management affects herbage production and chemical composition; however, information on the impact of tropical herbage on N and carbohydrate fractions is scarce. A two-year study was conducted to investigate the potential use of pintoi peanut (Arachis pintoi) compared with N fertilization of palisade grass (Brachiariabrizantha cv. Marandu) by evaluating the herbage chemical composition (fractionation of protein and carbohydrate), herbage mass and accumulation rate, herbage disappearance rate, and stocking rate of pastures. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three treatments, and four replications (paddocks) were used with twenty-one non-lactating crossbred dairy heifers. Treatments consisted of pastures of palisade grass without a N source (control), fertilized with urea (150 kg/ha/year; fertilized), or mixed with pintoi peanut (mixed). Inclusion of the legume increased concentrations of fractions A (p = 0.009), which is the soluble N compound, and B3 (p < 0.001), which is slowly degraded true protein, compared with pastures fertilized with N and non-fertilized pastures. Nitrogen fertilization increased fraction B1 + B2 (p = 0.046), mainly true proteins, and decreased fraction C (p = 0.0007), indigestible protein, and neutral detergent fiber concentrations (p = 0.0003), contributing to increasing the nutritive value of the herbage. Additionally, N fertilization increased herbage mass (p = 0.004) and herbage allowance (p = 0.0001). Both N fertilization and biologically fixed N increased herbage allowance (p = 0.02) and accumulation rate (p = 0.02), as well as the crude protein content of herbage (p < 0.0001) compared with non-fertilized pastures. Nitrogen fertilization increased true protein and decreased indigestible protein of herbage and promoted a greater herbage mass production, while the inclusion of legumes increased soluble protein and decreased the slowly degraded true protein of herbage. Both N management strategies increased herbage allowance and accumulation rate.

Evaluation of cool-season binary mixtures as pasture: Herbage yield, nutritive value, and beef cattle performance

• Hybrid bromegrass-legume mixtures produced 54% more biomass than Russian wildrye-legume mixtures at Lanigan site, while biomass did not differ between mixtures at Swift Current site. • Legume contribution to total biomass was greater at Swift Current than at Lanigan site, and alfalfa contributed more to biomass than sainfoing at Lanigan site. • Crude protein tended to be greater for RWR mixtures than HBG mixtures at Lanigan site. • Beef steer gain was similar for all binary mixtures at Swift Current site, however steer gain was greater at Lanigan site for sainfoin mixtures, suggesting inclusion of legume in pasture was beneficial. • Results demonstrate that all four binary mixtures appear to be suitable for late summer and fall grazing. ABSTRACT A 3-year study (2016, 2017, and 2018) was conducted to compare the effects of alfalfa (ALF; cv. Yellowhead) (Medicago falcata L.) or sainfoin (SF; cv. AAC Mountainview) (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in mixtures with either Russian wildrye (RWR; cv. Tom) (Psathyrostachys junceus [Fisch.]) or hybrid bromegrass (HBG; cv. Success) (Bromus riparius Rehm × B . inermis Leyss) on herbage dry matter yield (DMY) and nutritive value, and beef yearlings performance at two sites: Swift Current (Brown soil zone) and Lanigan (Thin Black soil zone), Saskatchewan, Canada. In 2015, in each site, sixteen 0.7-ha (in Lanigan) or 0.8-ha (in Swift Current) paddocks were established with replicated ( n = 4) ALF-HBG, ALF-RWR, SF-HBG, or SF-RWR binary mixtures. Each year in August, yearling steers (16 ± 1 month and BW = 391 ± 1.7 kg and 350 ± 0.04 kg for Swift Current and Lanigan sites, respectively) were allocated to paddocks for an average 30-d grazing trial to utilize 40–60% of available herbage. The DMY (3629 ± 154 kg/ha) did not differ ( P > 0.05) among mixtures at Swift Current. The HBG included (ALF-HBG and SF-HBG) mixtures produced 54% more ( P < 0.01) DMY than RWR included (ALF-RWR and SF-RWR) mixtures (4542 vs. 2943 kg/ha, SEM = 303) at Lanigan. Legume contribution to DMY was greater at Swift Current than at Lanigan (33.1% ± 2.1% vs. 14.0 ± 1.7%), and ALF contributed more to DMY than SF at Lanigan (18.0 vs. 10.1%). Crude protein tended ( P = 0.10) to be greater for RWR mixtures than HBG mixtures (93.5 vs. 83.4 g/kg DM for RWR and HBG mixtures, respectively) at Lanigan. The yearling steers had similar ( P = 0.25) ADG (0.78 ± 0.03 kg/d) for the treatments at Swift Current. However, at Lanigan, the animal ADG differed ( P < 0.01) with 0.88 and 0.90 kg/d for ALF-RWR and SF-RWR and 0.53 and 0.63 kg/d for ALF-HBG and SF-HBG mixtures, respectively. The HBG mixtures (ALF-HBG and SF-HBG) produced approximately 10 more grazing days (GD) (AUD/ha) than the RWR (ALF-RWR and SF-RWR) mixtures at both, Swift Current (95 vs. 88 AUD/ha, SEM = 9) and Lanigan (112 vs. 101 AUD/ha, SEM = 7) sites. Sainfoin-grass mixtures produced 8 and 3 GD less (AUD/ha) than ALF-grass mixtures at Swift Current and Lanigan, respectively. Overall, these results demonstrate that all 4 binary mixtures appear to be suitable for late summer and fall grazing to provide sufficient nutritive value and beef cattle steer performance in both soil zones of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Litter mass, deposition rate, and decomposition in nitrogen‐fertilized or grass–legume grazing systems

AbstractPlant litter deposition and decomposition play important roles in grassland nutrient cycling. The objective was to evaluate plant litter responses and estimate the N returns via plant litter in contrasting grazing systems, since legume inclusion is hypothesized to result in similar quantities of N return compared with N‐fertilized grass systems. Systems were (a) N‐fertilized bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) during summer with a mixture of N‐fertilized cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) during winter (Grass+N); (b) bahiagrass (no N fertilizer) during summer and a rye–oat–clovers (Trifolium spp.) mixture + N in winter (Grass+Clover); and (c) bahiagrass (no N fertilizer in summer) with strip‐planted rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) during summer with a rye–oat–clovers mixture + N during winter (Grass+CL+RP). Litter mass was greatest for Grass+N during October (4,430 kg organic matter [OM] ha−1) and least for Grass+CL+RP in June (490 kg OM ha−1). Litter N concentrations were greatest in Grass+N (16 g kg−1), with similar N concentration for Grass+Clover and Grass+CL+RP litter (14 g kg−1). Contribution of C3 species to litter mass increased from May to July but decreased thereafter. Overall, there was a net return of 47 kg N ha−1 yr−1 via litter across the three systems, and litter decomposition was similar in the three systems. Inclusion of forage legumes during cool and warm seasons in grazing systems has the potential to return similar amounts of N through plant litter deposition as grasses receiving moderate levels of N fertilizer.

Assessing the effects of Farmer Field Schools on farmers’ trajectories of change in practices

In West Africa, farmers face challenges to innovate and change their practices toward more sustainable cropping systems. Farmer Field Schools (FFS), an advisory service based on participatory principles, aim to support farmers’ innovation. This study investigates farmers’ innovation by characterizing their trajectories of change in agricultural practices after they participated in FFS. Two contrasting types of FFS for family farmers in the cotton-growing area of West Africa were selected. The FFS differed in how they were implemented; farmer participation was either consultative (farmers participated little in developing the FFS curricula and structure) or collaborative (farmers participated actively in developing the FFS curricula and structure). Former FFS participants were interviewed on their successive changes in cropping practices over a 4 to 8-year time span. The sample included seven FFS on rainy season cropping (17 interviews in Burkina Faso, 22 in Togo), and four vegetable gardening FFS (21 interviews in Togo). The Efficiency-Substitution-Redesign framework was applied to pest management, organic and mineral fertilization and legume cropping practices. Our results show that the way FFS were implemented influenced farmers’ trajectories of change in practices. After consultative FFS, changes in practices were limited. After collaborative FFS, we found a variety of changes in the production and use of compost, biopesticides, and inclusion of legumes in the cropping system through intercropping or pure cropping. Redesign of cropping systems included increasing on-farm compost production, collective pest management, and crop rotations. Collaborative FFS can be seen as step-by-step design processes for locally adapted cropping systems. This is the first time that farmers’ trajectories of change in practices are used to assess the effects of FFS. This approach is valuable for understanding farmers’ decision making and the role of participatory innovation support initiatives such as FFS.

Could forage peanut in low proportion replace N fertilizer in livestock systems?

Palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster cv. Marandu] is widely used in Brazil and is typically managed with little or no N fertilizer, which often leads to pasture decline in the long-term. The current relationship between beef price and fertilizer cost in Brazil does not favor fertilizer use in pastures. Legume inclusion is an alternative to adding fertilizer N, but often legumes do not reach a significant proportion (> 30%) in pasture botanical composition. This study evaluated herbage responses to N inputs and pasture species composition, under intermittent stocking. Treatments included palisadegrass-forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. Amarillo) mixture (mixed), unfertilized palisadegrass (control), and palisadegrass fertilized with 150 kg N ha-1 yr-1 (fertilized). Treatments were applied over two rainy seasons with five growth cycle (GC) evaluations each season. Response variables included herbage biomass, herbage accumulation, morphological components, total aboveground N of forage peanut (TAGNFP), and contribution of biological N2 fixation (BNF). Herbage biomass was greater for fertilized palisadegrass [5850 kg dry matter (DM) ha-1] than for the palisadegrass-forage peanut mixture (3940 kg DM ha-1), while the unfertilized palisadegrass (4400 kg DM ha-1) did not differ from the mixed pasture. Nitrogen fertilizer increased leaf mass of palisadegrass (2490 kg DM ha-1) compared with the control and mixed treatments (1700 and 1310 kg DM ha-1, respectively). The contribution of BNF to the forage peanut ranged from 79 to 85% and 0.5 to 5.5 kg N ha-1 cycle-1. Overall, benefits from forage peanut were minimal because legume percentage was less than 10%, while N input in the system by N-fertilizer increased palisadegrass herbage biomass.

Botanical composition, yield and fermentative characteristics of lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) with yellow corn (Zea mays L.) for silage production.

Corn (Zea mays L.) is an ¡deal crop for silage because of its high levels of fermentable carbohydrates, but its major limitation for use in human and animal feeding is its low crude protein (CP) concentration. An alternative to increase CP in corn silage is through its association with annual legumes. This study involved intercropping two annual legumes, lablab (Lablab purpureus) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), with two yellow corn cultivars (HR-ORO and QPM) to assess the effect on dry matter yield (DMY); botanical composition of forage; CP, neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF) contents; and fermentation products upon ensiling. The experiment was conducted in the Experimental Substation at Isabela, Puerto Rico, between September and December 2009 In an Oxisol soil. The experimental design was a split plot with 2 x 3 factorial; the main plots were the corn cultivars, and the subplots were the legume-corn associations and corn monoculture, with four replicates per treatment. Compared with that in corn monoculture, the mean incidence of weeds in the crop decreased from 31.08 to 13.64% in the associations, as the DMY increased from 8,216 to 10,068 kg/ha. The dry matter (DM) content of the silages was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in monoculture (26.05%) than in association with lablab (24.30%), whereas CP increased from 9.5% (monoculture) to 10.6% (association). The overall content of NDF in the silage was 53.56%, and that of ADF increased from 32.68% in monoculture to 37.26% with legume inclusion. The overall values of the silages were pH, 3.75; percentages of lactic, acetic and total acids, 6.96, 2.53, and 9.40; and proportion N-NK/N total, 5.55%. There was little effect of the treatments on these variables, which is indicative of well-preserved silage. Corn-legume associations benefited weed control and DMY in the field, and increased the CP content of silage without affecting the fermentation process.

Micronutrient uptake in wheat as affected by long term zero tillage and different moisture regimes in legume based cropping systems of north-western Indo-gangetic plains

A field experiment “Micronutrient uptake in wheat as affected by long term zero tillage and different moisture regimes in legume based cropping systems of north-western Indo-Gangetic Plains was conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-19 on an on-going long term experiment on ‘Effect of varying moisture regimes in zero-till wheat succeeding mungbean and sorghum’ since 2006 at, CCS HAU, Hisar. The experiments consisted of two cropping systems (mungbean-wheat, MW and sorghum-wheat, SW), three tillage practices viz. CT-CT (conventional tillage in both kharif & rabi seasons), CT-ZT (conventional tillage in kharif & zero tillage in rabi seasons) and ZT-ZT (zero tillage in both kharif & rabi seasons); and three moisture regimes {IW/CPE = 0.60(M0.60), 0.75 (M0.75) and 0.90 (M0.90)}. The adoption of ZT-ZT practice increased uptake of micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) as compared to CT-ZT and CT-CT practices in all the moisture regimes under mungbean-wheat and sorghum-wheat cropping systems. The uptake of Fe was significantly higher in mungbean-wheat cropping system (16.56 and 21.19%) as compared to sorghum-wheat cropping system by grain and straw, respectively. It was significantly higher in ZT-ZT (38.49 and 34.34; 35.16 and 19.53%) and CT-ZT (23.22 and 10.95 and 17.37 and 6.69%) as compared to CT-CT over all the moisture regimes under mungbean-wheat and sorghum-wheat cropping systems by grain and straw, respectively. In present study, uptake of Fe was significantly higher at M0.90 (16.60 and 13.59; and 15.71 and 12.74%) and M0.75 (8.70 and 5.87; and 6.06 and 4.98%) as compared to M0.60 over all the tillage practices in mungbean-wheat and sorghum-wheat cropping systems by grain and straw, respectively. The similar trends were observed for uptake of Mn, Zn and Cu by the wheat grain and straw. Therefore long term zero tillage with inclusion of legumes can be a promising alternative to sustainably increase uptake of micronutrients in soil for cereal-cereal cropping systems which ultimately plays a pivotal role to sustain the crop productivity and optimum ecosystem functioning with improving soil health.

Optimal time for sowing mixed summer crops for green fodder

In most of the territory of the Russian Federation in grain-growing areas, the second half of the growing season (July-August) is more favorable in terms of precipitation and positive temperatures, and by October, summer mixed crops of legumes and cereals can form a fairly large number of green mass. The inclusion of mixed legumes and cereals with different linear growth rates makes it possible to create multi-tiered crops: the lower tier was occupied by lupine and paiza, the upper tier-beans, vetch and peas. This arrangement of plants allows crops to use the energy of sunlight more efficiently and prevent the evaporation of moisture from the soil, especially during the summer sowing period. Quality assessment of the yield of green mass of summer intercropping legume-cereal crop output chromoproteins units per 1 ha showed that late summer time summer mixed sowing has the advantages of not only protein, but also carbohydrates. The maximum collection of protein and forage protein units was obtained in the summer mixed sowing of narrow-leaved lupine, forage beans, spring vetch, forage peas and payza. Therefore, research on obtaining high-protein green feed for herbivorous farm animals in the late autumn period in the Kaliningrad region is promising and requires careful study.

Chemical composition, fermentation profile, microbial population and dry matter recovery of silages from mixtures of palisade grass and forage peanut

The study evaluated chemical composition, fermentation profile, microbial population and dry matter recovery of silages made from mixtures of palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte). The experiment was conducted and analyzed in a complete randomized factorial design using 5 levels of each forage (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on a fresh matter basis), with and without microbial inoculant and 3 replications. The crude protein concentration increased linearly (P&lt;0.05) and fiber concentration decreased linearly (P&lt;0.05) as forage peanut level in silage increased. There was a positive quadratic effect (without inoculant) and positive linear effect (with inoculant) on lactic acid concentration (P&lt;0.05) and a positive quadratic effect (P&lt;0.05) on lactic acid bacteria population with increasing forage peanut levels in silage. The main effects of the addition of forage peanut to palisade grass at ensiling were improvement in the chemical composition and fermentation profile of the grass silage. We recommend adding 25–75% forage peanut to palisade grass prior to ensiling to improve the quality of the resulting silage but there is little merit in adding microbial inoculant to the forage at ensiling. Feeding studies with animals would verify potential benefits in production from inclusion of legume with grass at ensiling, while studies with addition of energy sources at ensiling would determine any further benefits to be achieved in silage quality.

Nitrogen fertilizer increased litter deposition and litter N in warm-climate grasslands

In warm-climate grasslands, litter deposition and decomposition are one of the main pathway of nutrient cycling. The application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer or the inclusion of a legume in such grasslands modifies litter characteristics and chemical composition. This study evaluated how the N supply of palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] pastures affect litter characteristics two years after seeding. Treatments were palisadegrass fertilized or not with N (150 or 0 kg N ha???1 year???1) or mixed with the legume forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo). The experimental period covered two consecutive rainy seasons. Nitrogen fertilization increased by 43 and 62% the existing litter mass (organic matter, OM), and by 32 and 23% the litter deposition rate compared to unfertilized palisadegrass or legume-grass mixtures, respectively. Both variables were affected by grazing cycle (GC), with low litter deposition rate (14 kg ha???1 d???1 OM) and existing litter mass (1390 kg ha???1 OM) in the GC4 due to low rainfall. Nitrogen fertilized palisadegrass had greater litter N concentration (7.9????????0.4 g kg???1 OM???C:N ratio 34????????2) than in monoculture or legume-grass mixtures (C:N ratios 45 and 58????????2, respectively). Our results indicated that N fertilization of palisadegrass increased litter accumulation, however, N fertilization was not a key driver of the litter decomposition rate, even though it increased litter N concentration. After 2 years of establishment, the proportion of forage peanut in the litter was still low, reducing the benefits of legume inclusion to enhance litter nutrient cycling in these pastures.

Performance and milk quality of cows fed triticale silage or intercropped with oats or legumes

The use of intercropped grass legumes provides a source of sustainable animal production as these vegetables contribute to an increase in forage yield by area, and substitute inorganic nitrogen and other components. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional characteristics of silages and the yield and milk quality of Holstein cows fed triticale silages in monoculture or intercropped with either oats or legumes. The crops for silage production were triticale (TS), triticale in consortium with forage pea (TSP), and triticale in consortium with oats, forage peas and vetches (TSOPV). The silages showed no differences in dry matter content. The highest crude protein (13.06 %) and ethereal extract content was observed in TSOPV, but in the case of the latter, there was little difference when compared with TS (2.35 and 2.16 %, respectively) although the ash contents of the TSOPV and TSP silages did present a difference compared to TS silage. The neutral and acid detergent fibers (NDF and ADF) and cellulose fractions of TS silage were higher (68.60, 41.46 and 38.19 %, respectively) than those in TSOPV and TSP silages, which also had higher levels of soluble nitrogen, ethanol and acetic acid. Dry matter intake was higher in both TSOPV and TSP, which also provided a higher milk yield (21.19 and 20.45 L cow d−1) compared to that of TS silage (18.74 L cow d−1). Cows fed TS also produced milk with a lower N-ureic content (15.15 mg dL−1). The inclusion of legumes with triticale provided good fermentative quality for silage and increased milk production of cows without altering their concentrations of fat and protein.

Sustainability of nutrient management in grain production systems of south-west Australia

Balancing nutrient inputs and exports is essential to maintaining soil fertility in rainfed crop and pasture farming systems. Soil nutrient balances of land used for crop and pasture production in the south-west of Western Australia were assessed through survey data comprising biophysical measurements and farm management records (2010–15) across 184 fields spanning 14 Mha. Key findings were that nitrogen (N) inputs via fertiliser or biological N2 fixation in 60% of fields, and potassium (K) inputs in 90% of fields, were inadequate to balance exports despite increases in fertiliser usage and adjustments to fertiliser inputs based on rotations. Phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) balances were positive in most fields, with only 5% returning losses &gt;5 kg P or 7 kg S/ha. Within each of the three agroecological zones of the survey, fields that had two legume crops (or pastures) in 5 years (i.e. 40% legumes) maintained a positive N balance. At the mean legume inclusion rate observed of 20% a positive partial N budget was still observed for the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of 2.8 kg N/ha.year, whereas balances were negative within the Central Agricultural Region (CAR) by 7.0 kg N/ha.year, and the Southern Agricultural Region (SAR) by 15.5 kg N/ha.year. Hence, N budgets in the CAR and SAR were negative by the amount of N removed in ~0.5 t wheat grain, and continuation of current practices in CAR and SAR fields will lead to declining soil fertility. Maintenance of N in the NAR was achieved by using amounts of fertiliser N similar to other regions while harvesting less grain. The ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil in the NAR was twice that of the other regions. Across all regions, the ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil averaged ~4.0:1, a major change from earlier estimates in this region of 1:20 under ley farming systems. The low contribution of legume N was due to the decline in legume inclusion rate (now 20%), the low legume content in pastures, particularly in the NAR, and improved harvest index of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), the most frequently grown grain legume species. Further quantifications of the effects of changing farming systems on nutrient balances are required to assess the balances more accurately, thereby ensuring that soil fertility is maintained, especially because systems have altered towards more intensive cropping with reduced legume production.

Effect of hairy vetch cover crop on maize nitrogen supply and productivity at varying yield environments in Southern Brazil

Cover crops play a critical role on conservation and sustainable agriculture due to their well-documented benefits on both soil and crop productivity. Inclusion of legumes (e.g., hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth) in the farming system can reduce the nitrogen (N) fertilizer needs for cereals such as maize (Zea mays L.) crop while maintaining or increasing its productivity. The aims of this research study were to quantify the effect of hairy vetch as a cover crop on: i) successor maize yield under varying yield environments (YEs) and fertilizer N rates, and ii) maize N status [N uptake, N nutritional index (NNI), and N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV)] at flowering time. Two field studies were carried out in Southern Brazil under varying YEs. The factors investigated were: YE (low, medium, and high), hairy vetch cover crop (with and without), and fertilizer N rate (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha−1). Under the combination of low YE and low fertilizer N rates (0–60 kg ha−1) with previous vetch, maize displayed the largest yield response and an improvement in its N status. The NNI determined at maize flowering was an efficient index of the vetch effect, increasing delta maize yield response (yield with- minus without-vetch) as the NNI reduced, with more than 10% delta yield response with NNI below 0.85. The NFRV of the hairy vetch represents potential N savings of 151 kg N ha−1 for the LYE, 95 kg N ha−1 for the MYE and from 59 to 45 kg N ha−1 for the HYE depending on the tested fertilizer N rate. The N coming from the legume cover crop in addition to the N fertilization was critical for supplying N to maize and boosting productivity across all YEs.

Nutrient mobilization and crop assimilation as influenced by nutrient management strategies under direct seeded basmati rice (Oryza sativa) – based cropping systems

The field experiment was carried out for two consecutive years (2014–2016) in split-plot design to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management and crop diversification through inclusion of legume and vegetable crops in direct seeded basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.)–based cropping systems (DSRB) on nutrient availability for crop uptake. The study involved four cropping systems (CS) in main plots (DSBR‒wheat‒fallow (CS1), DSBR‒wheat‒greengram (CS2), DSBR‒cabbage‒greengram (CS3) and DSBR‒cabbage‒onion (CS4) and four nutrient management strategies under subplots (unfertilized (NS0), 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) (NS1), 50% RDF + 25% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through leaf compost (LC) + biofertilizer (NS2), 50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost (VC) + biofertilizer (NS3)). The results revealed that diversification of rice–wheat system with legume (greengram) or vegetable (cabbage and onion) crops and integrated nutrient management strategies had positive effect on nutrient uptake and available nutrient status in the soil. Significantly higher uptake of N, P and K in all crops and Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in rice and wheat were observed with NS2 and NS3 as compared to NS0. Available N, P and K status were significantly higher in NS2 and NS3 as against NS0 and NS1. Inclusion of cereal crops in the cropping systems showed a negative apparent N balance, but inclusion of vegetable crops in the cropping systems exhibited positive apparent N balance under different nutrient management strategies except NS0. The highest positive apparent N balance was observed in NS1 treatment. The apparent P balance was found to be positive in all the cropping systems with all the nutrients sources except NS0. Apparent K balance was found negative in all the cropping systems under different nutrient management strategies. Thus, cropping systems with summer greengram, cabbage and onion (CS2, CS3 and CS4) under integrated nutrient management practices (NS2 and NS3) were found more sustainable after two years of cropping cycle and can be advocated by the farmers of IGP.

Assessing the economic and mitigation benefits of climate-smart agriculture and its implications for political economy: A case study in Southern Africa

Climate change poses a serious risk to the economic growth of sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainable enhancement of resilience and mitigation capacity of small farm households is a major political economy goal. This paper has the objective to assess the on-farm economic and mitigation benefits of climate-smart agriculture production and their cost-effectiveness to be used as a prioritization criterion for policy incentives. An interdisciplinary model which integrates elements of economics and ecological science at farm-scale is developed and applied using a unique dataset for Malawi and Zambia built through household surveys. Results show that switching from conventional to climate-smart farming enhances economic returns more significantly in semi-dry areas than in sub-humid ones. However, high up-front costs hinder technology adoption. Negative abatement costs for most smart farming options indicate synergies between livelihood enhancement and mitigation. Land management based on minimum tillage, crop residues incorporation, use of cover crops, and inclusion of legumes has relatively higher economic returns. Agroforestry provides lower economic returns but the highest emission abatement potential. Payments for mitigation benefits could be a management strategy to incentivize cleaner agriculture production if tailored appropriately. These results strengthen the case for public support to climate-smart agriculture scaling-up within policy and planning strategies.

Multiple agroecosystem services of forage legumes towards agriculture sustainability: An overview

Forage legumes are contributing in sustainable crop production apart from nutritional security to the livestock. Forage legumes are crucial for the nutritional security for mankind as they are integral component for increased availability of animal protein and product which has higher biological value compared to plant proteins. The inclusion of forage legumes in crop production systems is more useful as these can not only provide food and feed to animals but also improves soil productivity and act as soil-conserving components of agricultural and agroforestry systems. Production system as a whole and tremendous deficit of forage nutritious resources demand in particular to give some importance to the forage crops especially leguminous forages. Therefore, critical assessment is necessary for determining the direction and magnitude of change in agricultural management practice with inclusions of forage legume. Forage legumes have good capacity as a feed to promote sufficient quantities and qualities required for different productive animals. Therefore, these crops can contribute to achieving the objectives of sustainable food/ fodder and environmental security. Hence, inclusion of legumes forages in cropping system is inevitable in advancing soil sustainability and food and nutritional security without compromising the long-term soil fertility base of the soil resources. Rational soil management practices must involve forage legume-based rotations and intercropping considerations for restoring soil health, and soil sustainability should be given due emphasis. Besides, forage legumes can also provide a wide range of benefits such as restoration of soil fertility, nitrogen fixation and fertilizer saving, enhancement of soil biology and biodiversity, improving soil carbon sequestration and by neutralizing negative impact of climate change. This review summarizes the potential role of forage legume in animal nutrition, soil fertility building, nitrogen fixation, soil biology and biodiversity, carbon sequestration, climate change and other ecological services provided.

Long-term impact of grain legumes and nutrient management practices on soil microbial activity and biochemical properties

ABSTRACT Sustainability of rice-wheat rotation is questioned with soil degradation and depleting natural resources. The study aimed to assess the long-term impact of four crop rotations [rice-wheat, rice-wheat-mungbean, rice-chickpea, rice-wheat-rice-chickpea (2-year rotation)], each consisted of three nutrient treatments [control, integrated nutrient management (INM), and chemical fertilizers (RDF)] on soil carbon pools, soil microbial, and biochemical properties. Mungbean inclusion in rice-wheat rotation increased soil organic carbon (SOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) by 17% and 27%. Rice-wheat-mungbean rotation increased soil enzymes activities over rice-wheat rotation, prominent on arylsulfatase (41%), dehydrogenase (38%), and phosphatases (32%). Rice-chickpea rotation had higher alkaline phosphatase (10%), β-glucosidase (13%), and protease (6%) activities over rice-wheat rotation. Rice-wheat-mungbean rotation increased the MBC/SOC and reduced MBC/MBN ratio over rice-wheat rotation, which indicates increased lability of soil carbon and enhanced nitrogen cycling rate. The INM treatment increased SOC (20%), MBC (53%), soil respiration (9%), and enzymes activities over RDF treatment, which was primarily attributed to higher organic matter input through farmyard manure and residues recycling. The higher SOC and microbial activity in legume-inclusive rotations influenced the base-crop (rice) productivity. Thus, the inclusion of grain legume and INM could improve microbial activity and biochemical functions in tropical rice soils.

Cropping systems influence microbial diversity, soil quality and crop yields in Indo-Gangetic plains of India

Wheat-rice cropping system has several negative effects on sustainability factors like underground water, soil structure, nutrient availability, soil organic carbon and productivity. In order to alleviate the obstacles of intensive cultivation of wheat-rice system, the impact of different cropping systems, viz., wheat-rice (W-R), lentil-rice (L–R), potato-green graM–Rice (P-Gg-R), mustard-rice (M–R) and wheat-green gram-pearl millet (W-Gg-Pm) on microbial diversity, soil quality and crop yields in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India was assessed. The W-Gg-Pm compared to first year, exhibited an increasing patterns of wheat and green gram yields by 6.51 and 7.04 % in second year, and 8.99 and 26.8 % in third year cropping sequence. The P-Gg-R system recorded the highest rice equivalent yield (17.4 t ha−1), N and K uptake, partial factor productivity and microbial diversity. Significant changes in most of the microbial activities, soil enzymes, water holding capacity, soil organic carbon, total C and N, C: N ratio and cation exchange capacity was recorded. Inclusion of legumes in rice or wheat -based cropping systems recorded significantly higher microbial and enzymatic activities, soil quality and crop yields. The highest physical, chemical and biological properties were observed in L–R system, closely followed by W-Gg-R, and the lowest in M–R system. The L–R system enhanced SOC by 11.6, 4.64, 4.64 and 2.48 % over M–R, W-R, W-Gg-Pm and P-Gg-R, respectively, while P-Gg-R system recorded the highest substrate oxidation rates (0.076 OD h−1), which was 22.4 % better to M–R system. The L–R system had the highest (0.844) soil quality index, while it was the lowest (0.727) in M–R system. Share of the minimum data set towards the improvement of soil quality index was in the order of water holding capacity (29.2 %)>total carbon (25.4 %)>soil pH (12.9 %)>total culturable fungi (12.3 %). A non-significant correlation was recorded between soil quality index and rice equivalent yield that could be due to different yield potentials of test crops. It is concluded that potato-green gram-rice and wheat-green gram-pearl millet could be an alternate system to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles of wheat-rice system.

Nitrogen Fixation and Resource Partitioning in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Cicer Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) and Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) Using 15N Enrichment under Controlled Environment Conditions

Availability of nitrogen (N) limits pasture production. Inclusion of legumes into grass pastures can provide an alternative N source through biological N2 fixation (BNF), and enhance retention and cycling of soil C and N. Despite the use of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in grass-legume pastures to improve forage quality, relative BNF potentials and resource partitioning are unknown. We quantified BNF using 15N isotope dilution and estimated resource partitioning in alfalfa, two cultivars of cicer milkvetch and two cultivars of sainfoin under controlled conditions. Percentage of nitrogen derived from atmosphere followed the order alfalfa (92%) &gt; cicer milkvetch (87%) &gt; sainfoin (81%); corresponding to estimated N contributions of 200, 128 and 65 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively, based on total herbage. Root dry matter was 24% to 36% greater than shoot dry matter in all of the legumes, providing substantial below-ground C and N. Cultivars of the same species did not differ in any measured parameter (p &gt; 0.05). Despite the lower BNF in cicer milkvetch and sainfoin compared to alfalfa, their use may not negatively affect stand productivity and C storage.