Crop Rotation Research Articles

No-Till and Crop Rotation Are Promising Practices to Enhance Soil Health in Cotton-Producing Semiarid Regions: Insights from Citizen Science

This on-farm study was conducted to assess the impact of six prevalent crop management practices adopted by growers in West Texas on various indicators of soil health. This study is a part of a citizen science project, where we collaborated with cotton growers who helped with standardized sample and data collection from 2017 to 2022. This project aimed to identify soil management practices that increase carbon sequestration, enhance biological activities, and improve overall soil health. We monitored soil moisture, soil organic matter (SOM), inorganic nitrogen (NH4+-N and NO3−-N) and other exchangeable nutrients, and soil microbial abundances as obtained via fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in 85 fields, incorporating different management practices during the cotton growing season. In our study, volumetric moisture content (VWC) was increased by no-till, irrigation, and crop rotation, but the addition of residue decreased VWC. No-till, irrigation, and crop rotation increased SOM, but a cover crop decreased SOM. No-till and residue retention also increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Tillage, irrigation, and crop rotation influenced the abundance of the main microbial groups, including bacterial, fungi, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Additionally, water content, SOM, and microbial abundances are correlated with clay percentage. Our results indicate that no-till and crop rotation are the two most crucial soil management approaches for sustainable soil health. As such, implementing both no-till and crop rotation in the cropping systems has the most promising potential to increase the soil resilience in dryland cotton production in semiarid regions, thereby helping growers to maintain cotton production.

Weed management in organic dryland wheat production in the Pacific Northwest

AbstractGrowth in demand for organic small grains has increased interest in producing certified organic crops in the semiarid US Pacific Northwest. The region is well‐suited for small grain production, and there is a strong market for organic food products on the US West Coast. However, many growers encounter significant and persistent challenges with weed management, particularly management of perennial weeds such as Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), but also common winter and spring annual grass weeds including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Coupled with the need to minimize soil disturbance, weed management can become nearly intractable and production limiting. From 2004 to 2024, several short and intermediate studies have been conducted to assess weed control tactics and crop rotation effects on weed management. Lessons learned include incorporating alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) into rotations for suppression of field bindweed, or alfalfa and winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) for suppression of Canada thistle. Optimization of cultural inputs, particularly seeding rate, are critical for each crop in rotation. Animal integration and new crops such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are alternatives to conventional crops and potentially profitable. Incorporation of precision mechanical and chemical systems is feasible in narrow‐row cereals, and when combined with crop rotation, it could reduce or eliminate the need for repeated transitions back to convention production for organic growers.

Role of Biocontrol Agents in Suppressing Plant Pathogen: A Compressive Analysis

Biocontrol agents have emerged as important tools in the quest for sustainable agriculture, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides for managing plant pathogens and pests. This comprehensive review explores the advancements in biocontrol agent research, focusing on the exploration of new agents, genetic engineering, and integration into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems. The discovery of novel biocontrol agents from diverse environments, including plant microbiomes and marine ecosystems, has expanded the arsenal available for agricultural use, while genetic engineering and synthetic biology have enhanced the efficacy of existing agents by improving their production of antimicrobial metabolites and stress tolerance. Additionally, the development of synthetic microbial consortia and innovative delivery systems, such as encapsulation and nanotechnology, has improved the stability and application efficiency of biocontrol agents in various agricultural settings. The review also highlights the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly approaches, such as the use of organic amendments and crop rotation, to enhance the effectiveness of biocontrol strategies. These methods not only improve soil health and biodiversity but also reduce the reliance on chemical inputs. However, the widespread adoption of biocontrol agents faces challenges, including environmental variability, host specificity, and the need for supportive regulatory frameworks. Harmonizing regulatory processes, promoting public awareness, and providing incentives for sustainable practices are essential for overcoming these barriers. International cooperation and knowledge exchange are crucial for advancing research and ensuring that biocontrol agents become integral components of modern agriculture. This review underscores the potential of biocontrol agents to contribute significantly to global food security and environmental sustainability, provided that ongoing research and innovation continue to address existing challenges and expand their practical applications in diverse agricultural contexts.

Understanding Crop Diversification Among Smallholder Farmers: Socioeconomic Insights from Central Malawi

In Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA), smallholder rain-fed systems are vital, yet they are challenged by land degradation, soil fertility decline, and climate risks. To address these challenges, crop diversification has been promoted as a potential pathway to enhance productivity, improve nutritional security, and offer a viable pathway out of poverty and hunger. This study explores crop diversification among 150 smallholder households in the Kasungu, Mchinji, and Lilongwe districts of Malawi, where the project Sustainable Intensification of Maize Legume Systems in East and Southern Africa (SIMLESA) has engaged the smallholder farmers in conservation agriculture (CA)-based sustainable intensification participatory research and development for seven years since 2010. This study used Simpson’s diversity index (SDI) to estimate crop diversification, and a multiple linear regression model (MLRM) to analyze how smallholder farmers’ socio-economic characteristics influence adoption. The findings show a prevalence of small farms of less than 1.5 hectares, with most farmers perceiving crop diversification as beneficial for soil fertility. Key adoption constraints include labor shortages and a lack of legume seeds. SIMLESA participants lead in crop rotations, with a 63% higher adoption rate, and show the highest crop diversity, with a 99% increase in farmers growing three crops and a 74% increase in those growing four crops compared to non-SIMLESA farmers. The SDI values were 0.39 for non-SIMLESA, 0.48 for SIMLESA neighbors, and 0.57 for SIMLESA participants. Access to NGO inputs, larger farm sizes, and participation in research programs were positively associated with diversification, while food insufficiency was negatively associated with its adoption. The study highlights the importance of integrating participatory research methods to promote development initiatives effectively.

The Effect of Biobased N and P Fertilizers in a Winter Wheat–Ryegrass Crop Rotation

Novel recycled fertilizers could help close environmental nutrient cycles in the circular economy. To better understand their performance and residual value, commercially available biobased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers (BBFs) were tested in a two-year crop cycle of winter wheat and ryegrass. The N fertilizer replacement value of N-BBFs ranged from 47 to 80% in the main crop. Not all BBFs led to a similarly high N concentration in the mineral reference wheat straw. However, full and early fertilization with incorporation could make the fertilizing effect of N-BBFs more reliable. The P fertilizer replacement value ranged between 105 and 161% for the crop cycle. We assume that the N contained in biobased phosphorus fertilizers can be seen as unproblematic for losses during winter and can serve as a starter fertilizer already present in the soil for the succeeding crop in spring. In general, biobased P fertilizers had a higher residual value than biobased N fertilizers. However, these residual values were comparable to those of mineral fertilizer references. While P-BBFs proved to be a sustainable and reliable nutrient source for a crop cycle, the N-BBFs used as the main crop fertilizer were found to be more prone to environmental influences.

Organic Farming for Residue-Free Production

Organic farming has emerged as a sustainable agricultural practice aimed at producing food without synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This approach promotes biodiversity, soil health, and environmental sustainability while ensuring residue-free food production. The key principles of organic farming include crop rotation, composting, natural pest management, and the use of organic inputs such as manure and biological controls. These practices not only enhance soil fertility and biodiversity but also contribute to mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon in soils. Residue-free production in organic farming is achieved through rigorous adherence to organic standards and certification processes. Organic certification ensures that farmers comply with strict regulations regarding inputs, practices, and traceability throughout the production chain. Consumers increasingly prefer organic products due to concerns about chemical residues in food and their potential impact on health. Organic farming promotes transparency and consumer trust by offering products that are free from synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. The global market for organic products continues to expand, driven by growing consumer awareness and demand for healthier and environmentally friendly food options. Organic farming presents opportunities for farmers to access premium markets, improve farm profitability, and contribute to sustainable agriculture. However, challenges such as certification costs, market access barriers, and competition with conventional agriculture remain significant. Future research and development in organic farming are crucial to addressing these challenges and enhancing the scalability and efficiency of residue-free production. Innovations in organic pest management, soil health management, and sustainable agriculture practices will further support the growth of organic farming worldwide. Overall, organic farming stands as a promising solution for residue-free food production, promoting human health, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development in agriculture.

Microbiome-mediated plant disease resistance: recent advances and future directions

AbstractPlant pathogens cause plant diseases that significantly decrease crop yields, posing a serious threat to global food security. While plant disease resistance has traditionally been understood as the trait determined by the plant innate immune system and the pathogen virulence system, recent research underscores the pivotal role of the plant microbiome in disease resistance. Plant-associated microbiomes confer protection against pathogens through direct pathogen inhibition, resource competition, and activation of plant immune responses. Agricultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, disease-resistant breeding, biocontrol, and organic farming modulate plant microbiomes, thereby influencing disease resistance. This review synthesizes the latest advancements in understanding the intricate interactions among plants, pathogens, and microbiomes. We emphasize the need for in-depth mechanistic studies linking agricultural practices to microbiome dynamics and propose future research directions to leverage microbiomes for sustainable agriculture.

From complex histories to cohesive data, a long-term agricultural dataset from the Morrow Plots

Long-term agricultural experiments are essential to measure the impacts of farming practices on crop yields, soil fertility and biogeochemical processes. However, these impacts often only manifest at decadal timescales, requiring committed and consistent data collection that exceeds the timelines for most experiments. The second oldest agricultural experiment in the world, the Morrow Plots at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA) has examined the impact of crop rotation and fertility treatments on maize (Zea mays L.) yields since 1876. While results have been widely reported since 1888, the publicly available longitudinal dataset described here now allows for validation of those past results, as well as new analyses and investigations. A multi-disciplinary team identified, collected, and aggregated multiple historical data sources into one comprehensive and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) dataset that synthesizes yield data and management practices from 1888–2021. Updated versions of the dataset will continue to be published as additional data from this ongoing experiment are made available and as new historical data sources are uncovered.

Soil metabolic disturbance drives replant disease (intraspecific negative plant–soil feedback): Insights from an experiment examining soil impacts up to 20 years after a ginseng crop

Replant diseases (RDs), intraspecificnegativeplant–soilfeedback, often stem from nutrient deficiency, allelopathy, or pathogen accumulation. However, the RDs of certain crops are long-lasting and their causes remain unknown. We examined Panax quinquefolius RD in a space-for-time soil sequence representing crop rotation restoration over 1, 10, and 20 years using multiomics and bioassays. Compared with the soils with no ginseng cultivation history, we found 110 significant potential factors related to RD, surprisingly, 53 of which remained unrestored after 20 years. Soil pH and the levels of organic nutrients (amino acids, carbohydrates, and alditols), allelopathic-promoting metabolites (phenolic acids, amines, pyridines, etc.), and beneficial bacteria (Sphingomonas, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Terrabacter) and fungi (Acremonium, Penicillium, and Naganishia) decreased, while the levels of allelochemicals (pyruvic and fatty acids) increased. The expression of all metabolic pathways was significantly down-regulated, with the exception of the up-regulated fatty acid-related metabolic pathways. We confirmed that decreased organic nutrient levels and increased levels of allelochemicals impaired P. quinquefolius growth. Soil metabolic factors rather than microbial factors were dominant by network analysis. In conclusion, we found that the overall changes in nutrient levels and metabolic and microbial factors contributed to short-term RD (1–10 year) persistence, whereas long-term RD (after 20 years) primarily resulted from disordered soil metabolite levels and pathways. This research will help deepen our understanding of the relationship between RD and potential changes in the factors influencing RD that are caused by soil legacy effects of valuable plants and provide theoretical guidance for effective soil quality improvement.

Implementation of integrated nutrient management (MIN) on small agricultural properties: case studies in Mozambique

Integrated nutrient management is a sustainable approach that combines nutrient management practices to improve soil fertility and agricultural productivity while minimising environmental impacts. This article reviews the implementation of integrated nutrient management on small holder farms, focusing on case studies globally and in Mozambique. Integrated nutrient management integrates the use of organic and inorganic fertilisers, crop rotation and soil cover to optimise nutrient efficiency and preserve soil health. Case studies show that, globally, integrated nutrient management can increase productivity and sustainability, while in Mozambique, practices such as green manuring and nutrient recycling have shown significant benefits. However, implementation faces challenges such as technical complexity, initial costs and the need for institutional support. Future prospects include strengthening public policies, adopting innovative technologies and adapting to climate change. Integrated nutrient management offers a promising path to transform small-scale agriculture, promoting food security and ecological resilience. Through a commitment to innovation and local adaptation, integrated nutrient management can become a standard agricultural practice, empowering farmers and contributing to global sustainability.

Development of Brassica carinata A. Braun resistant to acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides

AbstractBrassica carinata A. Braun (carinata) has become an important oil crop for biofuel production in subtropical regions. Carinata is highly sensitive to acetolactate synthase (ALS)‐inhibiting herbicides, limiting its introduction into existing crop rotations. The objective of the study was to develop carinata lines resistant to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides. A susceptible carinata line was crossed with a resistant Brassica napus L. line. Lines derived from those crosses were screened at high doses of imidazolinones, which allowed identifying five lines with high levels of resistance. Doses to reduce plant growth 50% (GR50) and cause 50% injury (ID50) were four to nine times greater than susceptible lines. Resistant lines exhibited cross resistance with halosulfuron (sulfonylurea). Resistance was confirmed under field conditions with doses 2X and 4X for imazethapyr and 4X–8X for halosulfuron of their respective label doses. While susceptible lines died, resistant lines exhibited no injury or growth reductions compared with nontreated controls. Sequencing of the ALS gene indicated that all resistant lines carried a Trp574Leu amino acid substitution, a mutation responsible for resistance in other species. Crosses between resistant lines and a susceptible line demonstrated that the inheritance of the mutation corresponded with the resistance phenotype in the F2. The resistance trait behaved as a single, fully dominant allele, which makes it easier to transfer it to carinata lines with desirable agronomic traits. The resistant lines developed here provide flexibility for use in multiple crop rotations and opens the possibility to use ALS‐inhibiting herbicides for weed control within this crop's growing season.

DNA-metabarcoding of cyanobacteria and microalgae in chernozem soils of temperate continental climate of the forest-steppe zone of Eurasia under different degrees of agrotechnology intensification.

Chernozem soil is a valuable resource and contains a great diversity of microorganisms that play a global role in the process of soil formation, the species diversity of which has changed over the last five years under the influence of different agrotechnologies. For the first time, under the conditions of the Central Chernozem region, grain and fallow crop rotation, studies using the DNA-metabarcoding method were carried out to study the taxonomic structure of bacteria, fungi, cyanobacteria, and microalgae communities in the arable horizon of typical medium loamy chernozem under winter wheat cultivation. A comparative analysis of the composition of the genotypes showed significant differences in the presented level of mineral nutrition of the soil NPK (60) and NPK (100) compared with the control variant. After processing the 16S and 18S rRNA datasets, a similar trend of decreasing numbers of pro- and eukaryotic species was found from 6296 (control without MF) to 5310 with NPK (60) and to 4643 with NPK (100), respectively. The Chao1 index indicated that the expected diversity within the prokaryotic group was higher in the control without MF at 211, but decreased to 182 and 193 with NPK (60) and NPK (100) fertilizers, respectively. Analysis of the eukaryotic group revealed a 2.6- and 2.9-fold decrease in diversity by class and genus, respectively, depending on the nutritional levels in agrotechnologies, owing to the use of MF. In the prokaryotic community, Alphaproteobacteria microorganisms predominated at an amount of 14.20-14.46%, with Cyanophyceae accounting for 5.2-9.9%. The diversity of eukaryotes was smaller than the number of classes of prokaryotes; the main dominant were Zygnematophyceae 19.5-41%, Chlorophyceae occupied 10.4-15.8%. On the other hand, the doses of fertilizers used contributed to the emergence of dominant species adapted to high doses of mineral nutrients for plants.

Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculum Potential in Crop Rotation Soil With Different Levels of Irrigation

Research indicates arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculum potential and AMF biomass production in agricultural soil are strongly influenced by both soil moisture availability and crop rotation (CR) strategies. We hypothesized that AMF biomass production in and inoculum potential of Wyoming semiarid agricultural soil would increase when managed using CR and irrigation. To test this hypothesis, we examined AMF activity (AMF biomarker fatty acid, and AMF infection of roots) in two differently managed soils (no-CR soil and two-year CR soil) in a field experiment. Furthermore, in a greenhouse experiment, we examined AMF activity in the same two CR treatment soils under different irrigation regimes (wet, irrigated to 60% field capacity, and dry, irrigated to 15% field capacity). Notably, the two-year CR soil had greater amounts of AMF biomarker fatty acid and greater inoculum potential, and higher percentage of AMF root colonization compared to no-CR soil. Despite the fact that the CR soil had more AMF propagules, it was less than the undisturbed non-agricultural native sage-grassland soils previously reported. Overall, the findings suggest that high levels of irrigation can inhibit the activity of AMF adapted to semiarid soil conditions and CR can increase activity of AMF in soils from semiarid regions.

A Comprehensive Overview on Sustainable Vegetable Gardening: Eco-friendly Approaches to Home Grown Production

Sustainable vegetable gardening is an eco-friendly practice that integrates organic farming principles, resource conservation, and biodiversity promotion to produce nutritious, chemical-free food while minimizing environmental impact. This approach emphasizes soil health through the use of organic amendments, crop rotation, composting, and mulching to improve fertility and water retention. Water conservation techniques, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, are employed to optimize water use, especially in arid regions. Pest and disease management relies on integrated pest management (IPM), biological controls, companion planting, and the use of organic pesticides to reduce chemical input while maintaining crop health. Sustainable homegrown produce has been shown to have superior nutritional content compared to commercially grown produce, and the avoidance of synthetic chemicals reduces the risk of pesticide residue exposure. Gardening fosters healthy eating habits by connecting individuals to their food sources, encouraging the consumption of fresh, unprocessed vegetables, and contributing to food security. The mental and physical health benefits of gardening, including reduced stress, increased physical activity, and improved mental well-being, further highlight its holistic value. However, challenges such as the initial setup costs, time investment, pest management, and knowledge gaps can hinder widespread adoption. Addressing these challenges requires greater access to resources, educational initiatives, and the development of climate-resilient practices tailored to specific regions. Future trends in sustainable gardening include the adoption of technological innovations, such as smart irrigation systems, automation, and vertical farming, which offer scalable solutions for urban and small-scale gardeners. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of resilient, local food systems, and sustainable gardening is poised to play a critical role in addressing future food security concerns.

Predictive Modelling of Crop Rotation Using Data Mining Approaches

Predictive Modelling of Crop Rotation Using Data Mining Approaches

Towards Sustainable Productivity of Greenhouse Vegetable Soils: Limiting Factors and Mitigation Strategies.

Greenhouse vegetable production has become increasingly important in meeting the increasing global food demand. Yet, it faces severe challenges in terms of how to maintain soil productivity from a long-term perspective. This review discusses the main soil productivity limiting factors for vegetables grown in greenhouses and identifies strategies that attempt to overcome these limitations. The main processes leading to soil degradation include physical (e.g., compaction), chemical (e.g., salinization, acidification, and nutrient imbalances), and biological factors (e.g., biodiversity reduction and pathogen buildup). These processes are often favored by intensive greenhouse cultivation. Mitigation strategies involve managing soil organic matter and mineral nutrients and adopting crop rotation. Future research should focus on precisely balancing soil nutrient supply with vegetable crop demands throughout their life cycle and using targeted organic amendments to manage specific soil properties. To ensure the successful adoption of recommended strategies, socioeconomic considerations are also necessary. Future empirical research is required to adapt socioeconomic frameworks, such as Science and Technology Backyard 2.0, from cereal production systems to greenhouse vegetable production systems. Addressing these issues will enable the productivity of greenhouse vegetable soils that meet growing vegetable demand to be sustained using limited soil resources.

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.

Development and evaluation of a new winter bread wheat variety Rubin Dona according to the main economically valuable traits

Relevance. The development of new varieties and their rapid introduction into production remains the most effective resource for improving productivity, energy saving, profitability and competitiveness. The purpose of the current study was to develop the winter bread wheat variety Rubin Dona and evaluate its productivity and basic adaptive, technological, and baking properties.Methods. The current study was carried out in the fields of research crop rotation of the department of winter wheat breeding and seed production in 2018–2023. The variety was developed by the method of intravarietal hybridization using the productive and adaptive variety Nakhodka as a maternal form and the high-quality strong wheat variety Donskaya Yubileynaya as a paternal form and a subsequent individual selection.Results. There has been established that the variety Rubin Dona has a high and stable level of productivity. For 6 years of competitive variety testing the mean productivity of the variety sown in green manure fallow was 9.45 t/ha with the minimum of 6.77 t/ha and the maximum of 11.80 t/ha, compared to the standard variety Ermak with 8.80, 6.06 and 11.21 t/ha, respectively. The variety Rubin Dona sown after various forecrops also demonstrates a reliable and stable productivity increase to the standard, 0.67 t/ha after maize for grain, 0.79 t/ha after peas, 0.62 t/ha after sunflower, 0.77 t/ha after winter wheat. There has been revealed that the advantage of the new variety, which provides high and stable yields, is its high environmental resistance to regional soil and climatic conditions such as drought, low temperatures, spring frosts, diseases, and lodging. The variety has lower indicators of the coefficient of variation, factor of stability (FS), yield range (d) with a high level of realization of productivity potential in comparison with both the standard variety Ermak and the highly productive variety Razdolie, which has a contrasting periods of heading and ripening. The technological and baking properties of the new variety are of high quality and meet the requirements of GOST-9353-2016 referring to the first class. Since 2023, by decision of the State Commission of the Russian Federation for testing and protection of breeding achievements, the variety has been included in the State List of the varieties approved for use in the Central Blackearth (5) and Lower Volga (8) regions.

Peculiarities of growth and development of sunflower hybrids when using LCS in the conditions of forest-steppe of Russia

Individual features of growth, development and dry matter accumulation by sunflower hybrids of one maturity group on typical, medium-humus, medium-loamy chernozem were studied. The research was carried out in a link of grain-plowing crop rotation on the lands of farm S.E. Nekipelov Pristensky district of Kursk region in different hydrothermal conditions in 2020–2022. The object of the study were sunflower hybrids (Sumico-Syngenta, P63LE10-Pioneer and Elion-Galaktika), sown to a depth of 4–5 cm when the soil was heated to 10 °C in the amount of 60 thousand pcs/ha of germinating seeds. The work was carried out in the technology of yield planning 40 c/ha, with the introduction of liquid complex fertilizers (HCS NР 11:37) before sowing in the amount of 50, 100 and 150 l/ha per depth 5, 10 and 15 cm. In the experiment, the traditional technology of preparing the soil for salting with the regulation of the number of the weed component by Express Sun technology was used. Due to the increased growth energy of the hybrids under consideration, the height of plants varies according to the phases of development and maturation in the studied variants reached 177–191 cm, which is 4.7–6.5% higher than the control values. The mass of plants in the sunflower agrocenosis increased in the Sumiko hybrid by 13.2%, P63LE10 by 11.1%, Elion by 12.5%. The plants of the hybrid Elion accumulate more dry matter in the aboveground mass. The use of HCS at a maximum dose of 150 l/ha when applied to a depth of 15 cm contributed to an increase in the accumulation of dry matter by the maturation phase in the plant biomass of the Sumiko hybrid by 304.3 g/m², the P63LE10 hybrid by 177.7 g/m², the Elion hybrid by 354.0 g/m², or, respectively, by 34.7%, 17.2% and 33.7% relative to the control.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Alfalfa Using DNA Polymorphism Analysis and Statistical Tools

The cultivation of alfalfa is crucial for farmers as it is an excellent forage crop with a high nitrogen-fixing capacity, making it indispensable in crop rotations. Breeding programs face challenges in advancing more rapidly in genetic diversity to achieve a higher heterosis effect and, consequently, greater yield. In this study, we used 30 alfalfa varieties, which were used for molecular analyses by 5 ISSR primers and 13 RAPD primers. The results obtained highlighted the greater efficiency of ISSR primers in identifying genetic diversity. On the other hand, the simultaneous use of ISSR + RAPD allowed for clearer clustering of varieties that enabled more efficiently distinguishing the genetic diversity. The most efficient ISSR primer, A17, generated 31 polymorphic bands, while the most efficient RAPD primer, L-07, generated only 21 bands. Varieties such as “Pastoral” and “F1413-02” exhibited low similarity coefficients (0.39), suggesting their potential for enhancing genetic variability through crossbreeding, thereby increasing the potential of achieving a greater heterosis effect. Conversely, varieties with high similarity coefficients, such as ”Cristal” and “Viking” (0.81) are less suited for this purpose. The correlation between specific markers highlights that using both ISSR and RAPD markers together offers a clear understanding of genetic diversity in alfalfa, aiding in more effective selection for crossbreeding in breeding programs.