Crop Management Systems Research Articles

Evaluation of 10 Edamame Breeding Lines to Determine Yield, Agronomic, and Seed Composition Traits

Edamame is a vegetable soybean (Glycine max) that is harvested at the R6 growth stage. Although it is relatively new to America, the acreage and market demand of edamame have steadily increased. Developing new cultivars that are more adapted to local environments and crop management systems is significantly important to promoting specialty crop production and meeting the market requirements. In this study, 10 edamame breeding lines and four check cultivars were evaluated during 2020–23 to determine the potential production in the southeastern United States. Among genotypes, there were significant differences in the fresh pod and mature seed yields and agronomic and seed composition traits that were investigated. The year effects and genotype × year interactions were also significant in most cases. Fresh pod and mature seed yields were not significantly correlated with most of other agronomic traits and seed compositions. Over 4 years, the fresh pod yield averaged 11,227.5 kg·ha−1 (range, 9800.1–13,154.3 kg·ha−1), and the mature seed yield averaged 2814.7 kg·ha−1 (range, 2029.2–3175.2 kg·ha−1). The average 100-seed weight of 14 genotypes was 26.9 g (range, 23.1–30.1 g), and the average seed size of nine breeding lines was larger than that of the check. Maturity occurred on average 153.3 days after planting (range, 147.1–159.5 days). Based on dry weight, seed protein, oil, and sucrose contents had averages of 43.5%, 18.7%, and 5.0%, respectively. The estimates of broad-sense heritability were medium to high (66.82%–94.90%) for most of the traits, whereas the heritability estimates for fresh pod yield and duration from flowering to maturity were relatively low (23.44%–42.29%). Several breeding lines exhibited good yield, larger seed size, and higher contents of protein, oil, and oleic acid, suggesting the potential of release and commercial production.

Cropping and soil management systems effects on soil organic matter fractions in diversified agricultural fields in the Cerrado

ABSTRACT Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics can be significantly influenced by various cultivation practices, particularly under environmental and edaphic conditions that enhance and accelerate the transformations of organic materials such as straw, root biomass, and organic fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different cultivation and soil management systems on SOM fractions in agricultural areas of the Cerrado Goiano region. The research was conducted across three areas with diverse production systems: 1) BV area, including soybean monoculture (SM01), integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF01), pasture (PA01), and Cerrado vegetation (NV01); 2) ML area, featured soybean-corn monoculture succession (SMS02), agroforestry (AF02), pasture (PA02), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV02); and 3) IF area, comprised soybean-corn succession (SMS03), integrated livestock-forest (ILF03), pasture (PA03), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV03). Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from two layers: 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m. Samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, carbon storage, and SOM physical (granulometric and densimetric) and chemical (fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin) fractionations of soil organic matter (SOM). Additionally, water-floatable light organic matter (LOM), the carbon management index, and its components were determined. Soil organic matter fractions were similarly influenced by the characteristics of cultivation and management systems. However, there were more pronounced differences between systems in the BV area compared to the ML and IF areas. Among the parameters studied, LOM proved to be the most efficient and effective in distinguishing SOM input across different cultivation and soil management systems, particularly in pasture systems.

The Role of Bacillus sp. in Reducing Chemical Inputs for Sustainable Crop Production

Bacillus species have emerged as promising agents for reducing chemical input in sustainable crop production. These bacteria possess diverse abilities, including nutrient cycling, phytohormone production, and stress tolerance enhancement in plants. Recent advances in omics technologies have revolutionized the understanding of Bacillus sp. biology and expanded their potential applications. Bacillus-based products have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer requirements while maintaining or improving crop yields. However, their field performance may be inconsistent, highlighting the need for further research to optimize formulations and delivery methods. The compatibility with other agricultural inputs varies depending on the specific chemicals and conditions involved. The introduction of Bacillus sp. can significantly affect the soil microbiome, potentially promoting plant growth and microbial diversity. Strain specificity and host compatibility play crucial roles in determining the success of host–parasite interactions. The regulatory and safety aspects require further investigation to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Bacillus species in various applications. The integration of Bacillus-based products into existing crop management systems, following the principles of Integrated Pest Management and Integrated Crop Management, is essential for their successful implementation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on Bacillus sp. for reducing chemical inputs for sustainable crop production, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for future research and application.

Response of Potato Yield, Soil Organic Matter, Microbial Properties, and Pesticide Residues to Different Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management in North Pakistan

Response of Potato Yield, Soil Organic Matter, Microbial Properties, and Pesticide Residues to Different Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management in North Pakistan

The LTAR Croplands Common Experiment at Upper Mississippi River Basin-Ames.

Agricultural systems evolve from the interactions of climate, crops, soils, management practices (e.g., tillage, cover crops, nutrient management), and economic risks and rewards. Alternatives to the corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (C-S) cropping systems that dominate in the US Midwest may provide more sustainable use of resources, reduce the documented environmental impacts of current C-S systems, and improve production efficiency and ecosystem services. Innovative management practices are needed to offer producers options to increase farm resilience to variable weather conditions and offset negative environmental impacts. In response to this need, the Upper Mississippi River Basin Long-Term Agroecosystem Research network site at Ames, IA, established a cropland experiment in 2016 to investigate an alternative crop management system that includes reduced tillage, cover crops, and right source, right rate, right time, and right place (4R) nitrogen (N) management. The experimental site is located on the Iowa State University Kelley Research Farm in Boone County, IA. Crop, soil, air, and tile drainage water measurements are made throughout the year using published methods for each agronomic and environmental metric. Our goal is to provide quantitative information to farmers, consultants, agribusiness partners, and state and federal agencies to help guide decisions on the effective use of alternative management practices. Future changes in experimental treatments will adopt a knowledge co-production approach whereby researchers and stakeholders will work collaboratively to identify problems, implement research protocols, and interpret results.

No-till, crop residue management and winter wheat-based crop rotation strategies under rainfed environment

Rainfed agriculture is primarily limited by unstable low precipitation, poor soil fertility and monocropping, which are the main factors leading to decreased crop production. This long-term research was conducted under a rainfed agroecosystem from 2019 to 2023 on the sierozem soil of the Karshi steppe, Uzbekistan. Along with winter wheat (WW) which was the main crop covering 50% of each proposed cropping pattern, chickpea (CH), safflower (SA), flax (FL), barley (BA) and canola (CA) were evaluated to find the most suitable rotation systems under no-till (NT) i.e. NT1: WW–CH–WW–FL, NT2: CH–WW–SA–WW, NT3: WW–SA–WW–BA and NT4: SA–WW–CA–WW compared against continuous WW produced with conventional tillage (CT). Results showed that the integrated effect of NT x crop diversification x residue retention positively affected crop productivity; however, their impact were significantly higher under the NT2 treatment, but not with continuous WW under CT. The highest grain yield of WW in the 2020-2021 growing season was recorded under NT2 and NT4 treatments with values of 1.47 and 1.30 Mg ha-1, while the lowest index (1.02 Mg ha-1) was found at the CT treatment. The grain yield in the NT treatments increased with the improvement of soil chemical and physical parameters, i.e. NPK and humus content. When comparing NT2 to CT treatment at the project end, the total N, P, and K values at the 0–20 cm soil profile were 27.9%, 13.9%, and 33.9% higher, respectively. This study concluded that implementation of NT along with strategic selection of legumes incorporated into the cropping system and residue management can be prioritized as rehabilitation measures in rainfed croplands.

Advancing effective methods for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields

AbstractThe implications of global warming present significant threats to both crop productivity and environmental sustainability. The global population greatly depends on rice as a staple food, contributing significantly to global warming and agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agricultural soils play a crucial role in the release and uptake of essential GHGs, including methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2), serving as both sources and sinks within the agricultural ecosystem. Notably, rice fields alone account for approximately 30% and 11% of global CH4 and N2O emissions from agricultural activities, respectively. As the demand for rice is expected to rise in the future, it becomes increasingly critical to address GHG emissions and minimise the detrimental environmental effects associated with rice production. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the available data regarding the influence of different crop management practices on GHG emissions in rice fields. We recognise the substantial potential for reducing GHG emissions through modifications in traditional crop management systems. Our analysis evaluates various options, such as adjustments in cropping practices, regulation of organic and fertiliser inputs, management of tillage techniques and irrigation strategies, and the selection of suitable cultivars, all of which can contribute to GHG emission reduction. It is crucial to consider that changes in management practices may have simultaneous and sometimes contradictory effects on different gases through various mechanisms. Therefore, our comprehensive evaluation aims to assess the potential global warming impact of each approach, considering the magnitude of their effects on all gases. This assessment seeks to identify suitable crop management practices that effectively reduce GHG emissions in rice cultivation while considering the overall environmental impact.

Impacts of Diseases and Pests on Forage Crop Production and Management Systems: A Review

A forage crop diseases and pests incidences identification and management system is precondition for the viewpoint of ecological and environmental protection to address the issues of numerous types of forage crop disease and pests-control, and management for easy identification. The incidence of diseases and pests reduces the productivity of forage crops causing significant financial losses, and decrease feed production. This review paper is aimed to illustrate the common diseases and pests in forage crop production and management and indicated the way forward. The application of chemical pesticides used to control the diseases and pests could affect plants, soil, and wildlife as well as human wellbeing. In the next years, there will undoubtedly be a greater need for high-quality feed production as people become more conscious of illnesses and pests. When preparing forage this way, less non-organic items are used. Based on recommendations, chemical pesticides and fertilizers will be essential. In order to minimize the impact of disease and insect infestations on productivity, bio-management of disease and insect pests in fodder crops the following year will surely be crucial. Therefore, several management strategies offer effective and environmentally sound affordable defense. Against foliar diseases, nematode-caused root knot disease, and soil-borne and insect forage crop pests. These disease and pest management systems allowed indispensable contributions in forage genetic resource conservation.

Crop Management System Consisting of Biodegradable Mulching Film + Drip Irrigation Increases Yield and Quality of Flue-Cured Tobacco

Mulching is one of the most recommended practices in agriculture due to its positive effects on the plant/soil system. Very few experiments have been conducted to date to investigate the effect of mulching, with both organic and inorganic materials, on tobacco. The main aim of this study was to test the synergic effect of a soil-biodegradable (according to standard EN17033) mulching film (the commercial Mater-Bi®, Novamont SpA, Novara, Italy) and drip irrigation (M-D) compared with that of bare soil and sprinkler/drip irrigation (first/second part of the growing season; BS-SD) on a tobacco crop (Nicotiana tabacum L., flue-cured Virginia) grown in the Tiber Valley (the tobacco cultivation district of Central Italy). BS-SD represents the standard practice applied by tobacco growers in the study area. The plants grown under the M-D management system grew more and developed faster than the plants grown under BS-SD conditions. Under the M-D system, yields increased in comparison with the BS-SD conditions (+29%, on average). The gross revenue obtained via the M-D-cured products also increased (+63%, on average) thanks to higher prices assigned by expert evaluators on the basis of the extrinsic quality traits (color, structure and texture, degree of ripeness, elasticity, lamina integrity, handling defects, and vein incidence). The economic value of the cured products increased with the leaf crowns; it was the lowest in the basal (B) leaves and the highest in the middle-upper (MU) leaves. The intrinsic quality traits of the cured leaves (total N and nitrate contents, alkaloids, and reducing sugars) also confirmed that the best quality was found in the M-D-cured products, as determined by expert evaluation. Interestingly, the reducing sugar (RS) contents of tobacco obtained using the M-D management system were 2.5-, 1.1-, and 0.9-fold greater than those under the BS-SD conditions (B, M, and MU products, respectively). An additional commercial value of the cured products was thus obtained with the M-D crop management system due to RS, an intrinsic quality trait considered by manufacturing industries.

Long-term integrated agronomic optimization maximizes soil quality and synergistically improves wheat yield and nitrogen use efficiency

Integrated agronomic optimization (IAO) adopts suitable crop varieties, sowing dates, planting density and advanced nutrient management to redesign the entire production system according to the local environment, which can achieve synergistic improvements in crop yields and resource utilization. However, the intensity and magnitude of the impacts of IAO on soil quality under long-term intensive production and high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) require further clarification. Based on a 13-year field experiment conducted in Dawenkou, Tai'an, China, we investigated the effects of four cultivation modes on the grain yield, NUE, soil aggregate structure, as well as the fraction of organic matter (SOM) and soil quality, reflected by integrated fertility index (IFI) during the winter wheat maturation period in 2020–2022. The four cultivation modes were traditional local farming (T1), farmer-based improvement (T2), increased yield regardless of production cost (T3), and integrated soil–crop system management (T4). As IAO modes, T2 and T4 were characterized by denser planting, reduced nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates, and delayed sowing compared to T1 and T3, respectively. In this long-term experiment, IAO was found to maintain aggregate stability, increase SOM content (by increasing organic carbon and total nitrogen of the light fraction (LF) and the particulate organic matter fraction (POM)), and improve SOM quality by increasing the proportions of LF and POM and the ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen in SOM. Compared to T1, the IFI of T2, T3, and T4 increased by 10.91, 23.38, 25.55%, and by 17.78, 6.41, 28.94% in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers, respectively. The grain yield of T4 was 22.52% higher than that of T1, reaching 95.98% of that in T3. Furthermore, NUE of T4 was 35.61% higher than that of T1 and T3. In conclusion, our results suggest that T4 synergistically increases grain yield and NUE in winter wheat, while maximizing soil quality.

Phacelia and Buckwheat Cover Crops’ Effects on Soil Quality in Organic Vegetable Production in a High Tunnel System

Cover crops (CCs) are regarded as beneficial to agricultural practice as an option for soil quality improvement in field production systems. The main goal of this study was to assess the impact of spring phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum Mill.) in a crop rotation (CC–leek–parsley, 2020–2021) on the physicochemical and biological properties of the soil in an organic high tunnel system. Soil analyses involved measurements of bulk density, water capacity, soil aggregation, soil organic carbon (SOC), available soil nutrients, as well as microbial abundance and diversity. Phacelia generated more aboveground biomass (58.2 t fresh matter ha−1) than buckwheat (33.0 t ha−1), and their biomass contained 161 kg N ha−1 and 67 kg N ha−1, respectively. A large quantity of elements, such as N, Ca, P, S, B, and Cu, were found in phacelia biomass. More Mg and Na were found in buckwheat plants. The results showed that CC biomass significantly improved some of the soil physical and chemical properties, such as soil organic carbon stock and wet aggregate stability, and decreased soil bulk density. Cover crop treatments changed the dynamics of soil bacterial and fungus populations in a high tunnel system. Phacelia increased the quantity of ammonifiers and nitrifiers in the soil substantially. Further research with a long-term focus is needed to assess the impact of cover crops on soil properties, soil quality, and subsequent crop yields in high tunnel crop rotation and management systems.

Weed Diversity and their Management in Major Rice-based Cropping Systems in India

Weed Diversity and their Management in Major Rice-based Cropping Systems in India

Establishing a water-use boundary function for potato through crop modeling

The yield to water-use boundary function is a valuable method for estimating attainable yield and yield gap (the difference between attainable yield and actual yield) in water-limited regions. However, the water-use boundary function for potato has not been clearly defined yet. In current research, we established a water-use boundary function for fresh potato tubers in a climatic transition zone (Longzhong Plateau, China) using a simple crop growth model. We validated this function using extensive long-term experimental data collected from field experiments and the literature. The results showed that the crop model accurately simulated the weight of fresh potato tubers with a relative root mean square error (RRMSE) of less than 30 %, a coefficient of determination (d) greater than 0.7, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 5426 kg ha−1. The established water-use boundary function for fresh potato tubers is defined as: yield (kg ha−1) = 167 × (water use [mm] - 121), with a plateau yield of 48,082 kg ha−1 when water use exceeds 410 mm. Furthermore, the water-use boundary function was found to be highly applicable to water use-yield data collected from the literature and precipitation-yield data for the potato growing season from long-term observations. Utilizing precipitation data for the potato growing season from 1988 to 2018, the water-use boundary function was employed to calculate the average attainable yield for fresh potato tubers, ranging from 10,000 to 48,082 kg ha−1 in the Longzhong Plateau. The water-use boundary function for potato could aid farmers in water-limited regions in identifying the most profitable crop management systems.

Holistic analysis of cropping diversity and intensity implications for productive, environmental, and nutritional performance of smallholder farms in Bihar, India

The agricultural productivity and sustainability in Eastern Gangetic Plain Zones of India are threatened because of the inefficiency of current production practices, shortage of resources, and socioeconomic constraints. We hypothesized the potential impact of intensified cereal systems with mung bean as a third crop within the annual cropping cycle. We assessed economic, social, and environmental indicators for intensified and current cropping system management practiced by different farm types in the region using the FarmDESIGN model. Building on a farm typology constructed for the region in our past research, we used five types of farmers: part-time (PT), well-endowed (WE), small-scale (SS) crop and livestock mix, medium-scale (MS), and resource-poor farmers (RP) in this study. The performance indicators of the 229 original cropping systems cultivated within the 43 farms varied strongly in the eight performance indicators. This variability of cropping systems performance within the farm types resulted in the absence of significant differences between the types. Compared to the original cropping systems, the intensified cropping systems with mung bean not only performed high in dietary energy (DE) production and organic matter (OM) inputs into the soil but also had high application rates of biocides and minimized losses of nitrogen (N). The intervention systems were low in labor requirement and scored at an intermediate level for crop gross margin, water use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ranges of areas of maize- and rice-based systems that could be replaced by intensified systems were largest for the WE and RP farm types. This was reflected in large ranges of change in the performance indicators, but no significant differences in response were found between the farm types. The intensification of maize- and rice-based systems with the proposed intervention cropping systems involving mung bean would result in increased profitability, higher DE yield, and lower requirements for labor and water as the proportion of the farms being converted increases. However, the use of biocides would increase, while the intervention cropping systems would have no significant effect on OM input, GHG emissions, and soil N losses.

Intelligent crop management system for improving yield in maize production: evidence from India

PurposeManaging weeds and pests in cropland is one of the major concerns in agriculture that greatly affects the quantity and quality of the produce. While the success of preventing potential weeds and pests is not guaranteed, early detection and diagnosis help manage them effectively to ensure crops’ growth and healthDesign/methodology/approachWe propose a diagnostic framework for crop management with automatic weed and pest detection and identification in maize crops using residual neural networks. We train two models, one for weed detection with a labeled image dataset of maize and commonly occurring weed plants, and another for leaf disease detection using a labeled image dataset of healthy and infected maize leaves. The global and local explanations of image classification are obtained and presentedFindingsWeed and disease detection and identification can be accurately performed using deep-learning neural networks. Weed detection is accurate up to 97%, and disease detection up to 95% is made on average and the results are presented. Further, using this crop management system, we can detect the presence of weeds and pests in the maize crop early, and the annual yield of the maize crop can potentially increase by 90% theoretically with suitable control actionsPractical implicationsThe proposed diagnostic models can be further used on farms to monitor the health of maize crops. Images obtained from drones and robots can be fed to these models, which can then automatically detect and identify weed and disease attacks on maize farms. This offers early diagnosis, which enables necessary treatment and control of crops at the early stages without affecting the yield of the maize cropSocial implicationsThe proposed crop management framework allows treatment and control of weeds and pests only in the affected regions of the farms and hence minimizes the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides and their related health effects on consumers and farmers.Originality/valueThis study presents an integrated weed and disease diagnostic framework, which is scarcely reported in the literature

Integrated Soil–Crop System Management Promotes Sustainability of Intensive Vegetable Production in Plastic Shed Systems: A Case Study in the Yangtze River Basin, China

Excessive fertilizer input, low nutrient use efficiency, soil quality, and environmental degradation hinder greenhouse vegetable production. Integrated agronomic strategies of soil, crop, and nutrient management are needed to sharply improve the vegetable yield and simultaneously maintain sustainable production. A three-season field experiment was conducted from 2015 to 2018, aiming to evaluate the effect of integrated soil–crop system management (ISSM) on the agronomy, environment, and economy of greenhouse vegetable systems in the Yangtze River Basin, China. Three treatments were included in the experiment: (1) farmers’ current practice (FP), based on a local farmers’ survey; (2) soil remediation treatment (SR), the application of soil conditioner and compost fertilizer instead of chicken manure; (3) ISSM, a combination of soil conditioner, reducing plant density, and using formula fertilizer as well as increasing the fertilization times. The results indicated that ISSM (47.7 Mg ha−1) improved the pepper yield by 17% relative to farmers’ current practice (FP, 40.7 Mg ha−1). Soil remediation (SR), as a single approach, mainly made a contribution to improving the yield (by 6.9%) and nutrient use efficiency while reducing apparent nitrogen (N) losses. Higher yields were mainly attributed to increasing the fruit number per plant. On average, apparent N losses were reduced by 245 kg N ha−1 per season for ISSM compared to FP. In addition, higher net profits were obtained under SR and ISSM relative to FP. Overall, both SR and ISSM have advantages for the agronomy, environment, and economy in greenhouse vegetable production, but ISSM would be the optimal choice to achieve higher yields with lower environmental impacts.

ChinaRiceCalendar – seasonal crop calendars for early-, middle-, and late-season rice in China

Abstract. Long time series and large-scale rice calendar datasets provide valuable information for agricultural planning and field management in rice-based cropping systems. However, current regional-level rice calendar datasets do not accurately distinguish between rice seasons in China, causing uncertainty in crop model simulation and climate change impact analysis. Based on satellite remote sensing data, we extracted transplanting, heading, and maturity dates of early-, middle-, and late-season rice across China from 2003 to 2022 and established a multi-season rice calendar dataset named ChinaRiceCalendar (https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/EUP8EY, Liu et al., 2023). Overall, the ChinaRiceCalendar dataset shows good agreement with field-observed phenological dates of early-, middle-, and late-season rice in Chinese agricultural meteorological stations (AMSs). According to the calendar data from 2003 to 2022 in China, the transplanting dates for early-, middle-, and late-season rice shifted by +0.7, −0.7, and −5.1 DOY (day of year) per decade, respectively; the heading dates for early-, middle-, and late-season rice shifted by −0.5, +2.7, and −0.6 DOY per decade, respectively; the maturity dates for early-, middle-, and late-season rice shifted by −0.7, +3.8, and −1.6 DOY per decade, respectively. ChinaRiceCalendar can be utilized to investigate and optimize the spatiotemporal structure of rice cultivation in China under climate and land use change.

Cover crop management systems improves soil quality and mitigate water erosion in tropical olive orchards

The production of olive trees in shallow soils in hillslopes requires adequate soil and water conservation systems. In this context, soil use and management besides vegetation cover contributes to better soil quality and the sustainability of the olive cultivation system. Thus, the objective was to determine the physical and chemical properties that are indicative of soil quality in areas of Dystrudepts, under different soil cover management systems in olive cultivation in tropical region. Olive tree culture field experiment was established in 2015, where soil was sampled over three years (2016, 2017 and 2021). The effect of five cover management systems were compared for each agricultural year, namely BS: bare soil in 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2021; OBS: olive trees on bare soil in 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2021; OSV: olive trees intercropped with mowed spontaneous vegetation in 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2021; OJB: olive trees intercropped with jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis L.) in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017, and olive trees crowned intercropped with mowed spontaneous vegetation in 2017/2021; OMI: olive trees intercropped with millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) in 2015/2016, olive trees intercropped with sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) in 2015/2017 and olive trees with spontaneous vegetations treated with herbicide (Roundup) in 2017/2021. The soil quality indices (SQI) proved to be sensitive to variations in different types of soil management from the second year of assessment, regarding water erosion. OSV and OJB showed the highest SQI, while OBS showed the lowest values. The SQI demonstrated an inverse correlation with soil and water losses starting from the second year of assessment. This highlights its efficacy in assessment the effects of adopted management on soil quality in the context of water erosion. Moreover, it reinforces the importance of vegetation cover in maintaining soil fertility, resulting in increase of soil organic matter and improving the structuring of Dystrudepts. The attributes that most correlated with the SQI were soil organic matter, effective cation exchange capacity, sum of bases, geometric mean diameter of aggregates, pH and unsaturated soil hydraulic conductivity. These attributes collectively provide valuable insights into soil health and water erosion susceptibility within the olive tree production system.

Influence of Conservation Agriculture on Certain Soil Qualities Both Physical and Chemical in Relation to Sustainable Agriculture Practices a Review

Conventional tillage raises the possibility of soil erosion and degrades crucial physical characteristics of the soil, such as soil organic carbon (SOC) reduction. Additionally, ineffective management techniques result in a decrease in soil organic matter, a breakdown of the soil's structure, and more erosion. As a result, crop yields have decreased. Conservation agriculture (CA) is being considered as a potential system having the capability of improving soil quality and providing stable yields. This review's primary goal is to demonstrate how conservation agricultural practices affect certain physical and chemical characteristics of soil in order to support sustainable agriculture. So as to produce production system that are sustainable, conservation agriculture refers to cropping system management approaches that support permanent soil cover, low soil disturbance, and appropriate crop rotation. With the use of conservation agriculture techniques, it is possible to enhance the physical and structural health of the soil (by reducing bulk density and improving soil aggregation), in addition to increase soil water infiltration, decrease water runoff and soil loss, decrease evaporation loss, decrease soil organic carbon, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. These factors are crucial for maintaining soil health and sustainable crop production. In general, applying the conservation agriculture concepts of limited tillage, soil cover, and legume integration would promote the development of soil microorganisms and organic matter by decreasing erosion. Conservation agriculture is therefore regarded as one of the agricultural systems that have the ability to favorably contribute to soil physical and chemical improvement as well as techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Effect of Genotype, Environment, and Their Interaction on the Antioxidant Properties of Durum Wheat: Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and Sowing Time

In this study, the influence of genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E) on the content of total free phenolic compounds (TPC) and the antioxidant capacity (AC) was investigated, using sixteen durum wheat genotypes cultivated under seven crop management systems in Mediterranean environments. Possible correlations between TPC and AC with protein content (PC) and vitreous kernel percentage (VKP) were examined. Gs that exhibited stability across diverse conditions were studied through a comprehensive exploration of G × E interaction using a GGE biplot, Pi, and 𝘒R. The results indicated significant impacts of E, G, and G × E on both TPC and AC. Across E, the mean values of G for TPC, ABTS (2’-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) values were 48.8 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/100 g, 121.3 mg TE/100 g, 23.0 mg TE/100 g, and 88.4 mg TE/100 g, respectively. E, subjected to splitting top-dressing N fertilization, consistently showed low values, while the late-sowing ones possessed high values. Organic crop management maintained a stable position in the middle across all measurements. The predominant influence was attributed to G × E, as indicated by the order G × E > E > G for ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP, while for TPC, it was E > G × E > G. For TPC, the superior Gs included G5, G7 and G10, for ABTS included G3, G5 and G7, and for protein included G1, G9, and G16. G7 and G5 had a high presence of frequency, with G7 being the closest genotype to the ideal for both TPC and ABTS. These results suggest that the sowing time, nitrogen fertilization, and application method significantly impact the various antioxidant properties of durum wheat. This study holds significant importance as it represents one of the few comprehensive explorations of the impact of various Es, Gs, and their interactions on the TPC and AC in durum wheat, with a special emphasis on crop management and superior Gs possessing stable and high TPC and AC among them, explored by GGE biplot, Pi and 𝘒R. Further experimentation, considering the effect of the cultivation year, is necessary, to establish more robust and stable conclusions.