Soil Fertility Conservation Research Articles

Phyto-Friendly Soil Bacteria and Fungi Provide Beneficial Outcomes in the Host Plant by Differently Modulating Its Responses through (In)Direct Mechanisms.

Sustainable agricultural systems based on the application of phyto-friendly bacteria and fungi are increasingly needed to preserve soil fertility and microbial biodiversity, as well as to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Although there is considerable attention on the potential applications of microbial consortia as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents for crop management, knowledge on the molecular responses modulated in host plants because of these beneficial associations is still incomplete. This review provides an up-to-date overview of the different mechanisms of action triggered by plant-growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) to promote host-plant growth and improve its defense system. In addition, we combined available gene-expression profiling data from tomato roots sampled in the early stages of interaction with Pseudomonas or Trichoderma strains to develop an integrated model that describes the common processes activated by both PGPMs and highlights the host’s different responses to the two microorganisms. All the information gathered will help define new strategies for the selection of crop varieties with a better ability to benefit from the elicitation of microbial inoculants.

RETRACTED: Green finance, green energy, and green revolution: An impulse response function of food security in developing economies

Recently, it has been observed that fossil fuel utilization increased to manage the issue of food insecurity; however, it has increased the risk of environmental degradation and land availability. Therefore, the role of a farmer is to ensure food security (FS). With the assistance of the green revolution (GR), green finance (GF) and green energy have increased manifold. For this purpose, the current study utilized a time-series dataset between 2071 and 2019 to evaluate the relationship between green finance, green energy, and the green revolution with food security. This objective has been considered with modern econometric methods, including the Johansen cointegration model and impulse response. As a result, the Johansen model affirmed cointegration between the green revolution, green finance, and green energy with food security. According to the results, food security will rise by 0.17%, 2.05%, 0.006%, and 0.023%, with a 1% increase in fossil fuel utilization, green finance, improved seeds, and water availability, respectively. Furthermore, based on the diagnostic statistics, the Johansen model’s credibility, stability, and reliability were corrected. In light of these findings and the impulse response function, all relevant factors will favor future food security. Finally, this study suggested that the public and commercial sectors should invest significantly in R&D to produce organic chemicals and agricultural methods that preserve soil fertility and reduce environmental degradation.

Development of wheat leaf blotches depending on soil tillage system

Conservative soil tillage is considered as the main tool to preserve soil fertility, to reduce gas emissions, and to save financial and labour resources. However, majority of researchers have found that different systems of reduced soil tillage increase the occurrence of slugs, weeds and diseases, including wheat diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of reduced soil tillage on the severity of winter wheat leaf blotches. The influence of different soil tillage systems and crop rotation on the severity of winter wheat disease was evaluated in a two-factorial experiment: A – soil tillage system (A1 – traditional soil tillage with ploughing at the depth of 22–24 cm); A2 – reduced soil tillage with disc harrowing up to the depth of 10 cm); and B – different crop rotations (B1 – continuous winter wheat; B2 – winter wheat and oilseed rape were grown; B3 – crop rotation). The severity of diseases was determined approximately every 10 days during the whole vegetation season, the total disease impact was estimated by calculating the area under the disease progress curve. Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis and Septoria tritici blotch, caused by Zymoseptoria tritici dominated in trials during the entire research period. Soil tillage is the most important factor promoting the development of tan spot, continuous wheat sowings also increased the severity of tan spot. The development of Septoria tritici blotch did not depend on the agronomic practice applied.

The responses of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen to chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction base on a meta-analysis

Soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and their ratio (C:N) play important roles in preserving soil fertility, and their values are closely related to fertilizer use. However, the overall trend and magnitude of changes in SOC, TN and C:N in response to chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction remain inconclusive. Here, the meta-analysis conducted comparisons at 48 sites covering various cropping system, soil type, and climatic regions of China to investigate the responses of SOC, TN and C:N to chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction. The results showed that chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction decreased SOC by 2.76 ± 0.3% and TN by 4.19 ± 0.8%, and increased the C:N by 6.11 ± 0.9% across all the database. Specifically, the reduction of chemical nitrogen without adding organic nitrogen fertilizers would reduce SOC and TN by 3.83% and 11.46% respectively, while they increased SOC and TN by 4.92% and 8.33% respectively with organic fertilizers supplement, suggesting that organic fertilizers could cover the loss of SOC, TN induced by chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction. Medium magnitude (20–30%) of chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction enhanced SOC by 6.9%, while high magnitude (≧30%) and total (100%) of chemical nitrogen fertilizers reduction significantly decreased SOC by 3.10% and 7.26% respectively. Moreover, SOC showed a negative response to nitrogen fertilizers reduction at short-term duration (1–2 years), while the results converted under medium-long-termThis system analysis fills the gap on the effects of fertilizer reduction on soil organic carbon and nitrogen at the national scale, and provides technical foundation for the action of reducing fertilizer application while increase efficiency.

Effect of Zn and B on Lentil (Lens culinaris) Growth Characteristics, Yield, and Available Nutrients in the Soil

To assess the effects of Zn and B treatment, a field experiment was carried out during the rabi seasion 2020–21 at the Crop Research Center of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). Ten treatments, each with a different combination of control, RDF, Zn, and B, were examined using a randomised block design with three replications. The experimental results revealed that growth attributing traits viz. Plant population (ha-1), Plant height (cm), Number of branches plant-1, Dry matter accumulation (g m-2), Effective nodules (No. plant-1), Nodules dry weight (mg plant-1), yield viz. grain yield, straw yield, biological yield and harvest index and Available nutrient in soil N, P, K, Zn, S and B in lentil differed significantly among different treatments. Growth parameters and yield were significantly better in the treatment T10 (RDF + Boron 2 kg ha-1 + Zinc 5 kg ha-1). The highest grain yield was recorded in T10 RDF + Boron 2 kg ha-1 + Zinc 5 kg ha-1 was applied with Zn and B and was statistically at par with T8. From the study it may be concluded that the application of RDF + Boron 2 kg ha-1 + Zinc 5 kg ha-1 with Zn and B (T10) gave best results (Grain yield increased by 26.7%, 25.7%, 21%, 22.9%, 17.2% and 59.1% over T1, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T1, respectively) and proved to be beneficial for rabi lentil followed by RDF + Boron 2 kg ha-1 + Zinc 5 kg ha-1 (T9) also gave better results. Zn and B, together with N, P, K, and S, were used in lentils in a balanced manner to preserve soil fertility while also improving growth characteristics and yield.

Ways of Increasing Soil Fertility Used for Vegetable Growing in Samukh District

The presented article gives ways to increase the fertility of soils used in vegetable growing in the territory of Samukh District. It has been determined that the soil is provided with uninterrupted nutrients as a result of the constant influx of plant residues and organic matter into the soil during the crop rotation. For this, the correct selection of predecessor plants must be observed. Scientifically based crop rotation has a great role in conservation of soil fertility and increasing soils’ agrophysical, agrochemical and biological indices. Taking into consideration of agroecological factors in selection of appropriate predecessor crop for the crop rotation, fertilization and irrigation techniques increases crop yield and supports conservation of soil fertility.

DISSEMINATION OF FERTILIZER PACKAGING LITERATURE AND SOIL CONSERVATION ON FARMING GROUP IN SUNGAI AUR DISTRICT PASAMAN BARAT

Fertilization is important for plants. Appropriate and efficient fertilizer application will result in optimal plant growth and production. Farmers need to know and understand the artificial fertilizers that are sold at fertilizer kiosks, by reading the fertilizer brand including the ingredients and the many ingredients. The aim was to introduce the community, especially the Mekar Abadi and Mekar Jaya farmer groups, in Jorong Muara Tapus, Kenagarian Sungai Aur, to understanding the importance of understanding literacy in fertilizer packaging and soil conservation so that they can use artificial fertilizers effectively and efficiently. Service activities for the Mekar Abadi and Mekar Jaya Farmer Groups have been carried out in June 2022, the activities include; providing information to the Department of Agriculture, Food Security, and Livestock; Sungai Aur District; Wali Nagari Sungai Aur, Wali Jorong Muara Tapus and PPL in Sungai Aur will carry out outreach activities. Next, formulate a model of service activities that will be carried out by the Team together with the community of farmer groups in the Aur river. Counseling was carried out at night, remembering that more audiences are present and everyone can take the time to participate in these activities. The activity technique before the lecture was to distribute questionnaires to determine the understanding of farmers' literacy on the fertilizer brand on the fertilizer packaging, next was a lecture and question and answer discussion about the audience's understanding of the material given. In general, farmers in Jorong Muara Tapus Kenagarian Sungai Aur, Sungai Aur District, are not only maize farmers but also most oil palm farmers. The ability of farmers to distinguish between genuine and fake fertilizers, as well as to distinguish between fertilizers containing macro and micronutrients is still very low. Farmers still do not understand efforts to preserve soil fertility through soil conservation measures. Conservation techniques are also important to maintain soil fertility so that fertilization is more effective and efficient.

Response of Wheat Cultivars to Organic and Inorganic Nutrition: Effect on the Yield and Soil Biological Properties

The deterioration of soil biological health is the most important aspect associated with the sustainability of cereal-based food production systems. The application of organic nutrient sources is widely accepted and recommended for sustaining crop productivity and preserving soil fertility. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the effects of different levels of farmyard manure (FYM10: 10 t ha−1, FYM20: 20 t ha−1, FYM30: 30 t ha−1), including inorganic fertilizer (NPK) on the soil and the biological properties of five high-yielding wheat cultivars (HD 2967, DPW 621-50, PBW 550, and WH 1105) over a three-year period (2014–2015 to 2016–2017). The results showed that the application of NPK produced significantly higher yields compared to different levels of FYM and the control during all the study years. The continuous addition of a higher rate of FYM at 30 t ha−1 was found to be beneficial in terms of enhancing crop yield gain, thereby bridging the yield gap to only 7.2% in the third year; the gap was 69.1% in the first year with NPK application. The microbial population and microbial biomass carbon were significantly higher in the FYM treatments compared to the NPK treatment. The activities of different soil enzymes were observed to be significantly maximum in the FYM30 treatment. Similarly, the addition of FYM significantly improved the soil respiration and microbial activity over the NPK and control treatments. Based on the principal component analysis, fluorescein diacetate, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were observed as sensitive biological parameters for the assessing of soil biological health. The soil biological index (SBI) determined with the sensitive parameters was in the decreasing order of FYM30 (0.70), FYM20 (0.61), FYM10 (0.55), NPK (0.18), and control (0.15). Considering both the SBI and the sustainability yield index together, the performance of WH 1105 was found to be better compared to the rest of the wheat cultivars. Our results conclude that the application of FYM in the long run increases the crop yield (24.3 to 38.9%) and improves the soil biological process, leading to the improved biological index of the soil.

Soil hydraulic arrangement and agro-ecological practices in organic rotations: effects on crop performance, soil properties and carbon balance

ABSTRACT Extreme climate events have increased in recent years, leading to huge losses of agricultural products. A field study of a two-year organic horticultural rotation (2015–16 and 2016–17) was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil hydraulic arrangement and cover crops management on cash crops productivity, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sequestration, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and C balance. The experiment consisted of two simultaneous rotation systems, a cauliflower-tomato rotation on raised beds and a zucchini-lettuce one on flat strips between them, combined with cover crops as living mulch or break crops. The results pointed out that the use of proper hydraulic arrangements may partially reduce the exposure of crops to extreme climate events, like heavy rains and floods, allowing the preservation of soil fertility. The cover crops increased the yields and enhanced the soil nutrient pools. Our study showed the important role of cover crops since the soil C stock values were significantly higher when they were used in the rotations. The analysis of the GHG emissions, C balance and C efficiency revealed that combining agro-ecological and conservation practices can improve environmental sustainability in organic farming in the Mediterranean area, allowing farmers to maintain/increase their agricultural systems sustainability.

Green manure for agricultural sustainability and improvement of soil fertility

Many farmers are incorporating green manuring into their practices as a result of the growing issues facing agriculture, such as climate change, extreme weather events, soil deterioration, and land contamination due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Growing green manure is a useful and affordable way to ensure the long-term productivity of agricultural soils. Given the significant loss of soil fertility caused by improper agronomic practices, human-induced land degradation is extremely serious. Due to their positive effects on the physical, chemical, and biological quality of the soil as well as the proper justification of soil fertility, green manures can play a significant role. Utilizing green manure is one of the trends in environmental protection that aids in the agricultural sector's transition to sustainability by conserving resources and meeting consumer demand for food. Modern farmers are faced with a number of challenges as they try to transition to productive and ecologically friendly practices. To preserve soil fertility while utilizing less chemicals is one of them. Green manure crops could be a potential answer to this issue. Back in ancient times, farmers learned that this method had a positive effect on the soil. Thus, for growers who want to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals for soil fertilization, green manure is indispensable. In terms of operations, many farmers must employ green manure to reduce the overuse of chemical fertilizers in agriculture.

Regulation of distribution and use of agricultural lands

The article considers the experience of implementing the social policy of the state proclaimed by the fundamental law of the country - the Constitution of the Russian Federation, when using and protecting land as the basis of life and activity of the peoples living in the country without violating their rights and legitimate interests, preventing economic activities aimed at monopolization, unfair competition and damaging the environment. The methods for limiting and prevention of land monopolies, including organizational and economic measures for forcing legal entities and individuals to the responsible, sustainable, environmentally friendly use of agricultural land resources, avoiding soil depletion and degradation, and implementing activities for the conservation and reproduction of soil fertility are considered in this paper.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture

Agriculture has a significant contribution to the economy. Agricultural automation is a major cause of concern and a relatively new phenomenon throughout the world. The world's population is quickly growing, resulting in increased demand for food and labor. Farmers' customary techniques were insufficient to achieve these goals. As a result, new automated techniques were developed. These creative initiatives met food demands while also providing work opportunities for a large number of people. Agriculture has changed as a result of artificial intelligence. This strategy has shielded agricultural production from a variety of threats such as weather, population growth, labour rights, and food security concerns. The major issue of this is the numerous applications of AI in agriculture, such as irrigation, weeding, and spraying with different sensors or other ways implanted in robots and drones. These technologies limit the use of water, pesticides, and herbicides, preserve soil fertility and help in the effective use of labour, resulting in increased output and quality. Many researchers efforts to gain a quick overview of the present state of automation in agriculture, including weeding systems using robots and drones. Two automated weeding strategies are explored, as well as several soil water sensing technologies. The utilization of drones, as well as the numerous methods for spraying and crop monitoring that drones employ. In this Paper we also discuss how AI should be combined with other technologies and applications of AI in solving farming challenges.

Regional aspect of digitalization of the agricultural sector in modern conditions

Digitalization of agriculture is necessary to improve the efficiency and sustainability of its functioning through radical changes in the quality of management of both technological processes and decision-making processes at all levels of the hierarchy, based on modern ways of production and further use of information on the state and forecasting of possible changes in managed elements and subsystems, as well as economic conditions in agriculture. The world practice and experience of successful domestic agricultural producers show that the application of modern digital technologies allows to form optimal soil-agro-technical and organizational-territorial conditions, ensuring during the whole life cycle of agricultural products a significant increase in yield and productivity, reduction of material costs for fuel and lubricants, electricity, plant protection products, labor and other types of expenses, conservation of soil fertility and environmental protection. However domestic producers of agricultural products and foodstuffs lag behind agricultural producers of countries with developed agroindustrial complex in such significant indicators as labor productivity, crop yields etc. due to the long absence of conditions for investments and the low level of provision with modern information technologies existing at the moment. This article examines the current state and directions of development of the digitalization of the agricultural sector of Kursk region. The problems of digitalization of the agroindustrial complex are identified, and the key directions of digitalization of agriculture are described.

Issues on soil moisture management substantiation for the steppe conditions in the European part of Russia

Issues on irrigation substantiation for the crops cultivated in the steppe zone of Russia are considered in the paper. The crop yields are moistly limited by low soil moisture in steppe conditions. To increase crop yields irrigation is required but it may cause environmental issues (for example, soil fertility reduction). Therefore, hydro-reclamation impact estimation on the environment remains relevant. To provide the ecologically friendly irrigation, it is necessary to consider both the requirements crops and soil biota demands. Soil biota state should be an indicator of the ecological state of the soils to conserve soil fertility. Calculations were carried out for various agro-hydrological areas in order to take into account the spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture distribution. The results of the research help to determine the environmentally friendly ranges of soil moister management. The calculations, carried out on the example of spring wheat, showed a high probability of the need for irrigation. The requirements on environmentally friendly irrigation increase the probability of the need for irrigation as well as wheat yields. The relationship between the probability of irrigation necessity and average long-term soil moisture in the meter soil layer is obtained. The results of the research will help to consider the issues of soil moisture heterogeneity more thorough.

Analysis of the State and Assessment of Possible Ways of Preservation of Soil Fertility During its Mechanical Treatment

Analysis of the State and Assessment of Possible Ways of Preservation of Soil Fertility During its Mechanical Treatment

Evaluation of the Genetic Material of the Grass Pea (Lathyrus Sativus L.) Seed Collection in Northern Kazakhstan

One of the main agriculture fields in the Republic of Kazakhstan is the diversification of crop production based on the preservation of soil fertility and minimal cultivation technologies. Ensuring sustainable grain production of legumes will significantly increase and strengthen the role of grain production in the country's economy, will allow significant amounts of land resources to be involved in agricultural production, increase employment in the industry and increase the export potential of Kazakhstan. The purpose of this project was to study the genetic material of the seed collection using a comprehensive analysis of economically valuable traits based on phenotypic analysis. The study aimed to identify sources and donors of valuable traits to involve them in crosses and create new breeding lines. The object of the study was plants and grain of 39 samples of grass pea of different ecological and geographical origins. During the implementation of the project, methods certified and tested in research programs were used. The authors identified the earliest maturing samples: IFLA 479 (Ethiopia), IFLA 2026 (Bangladesh), IFLA 151 (Greece), IFLA 158 (Greece), IFLA 220 (Russia), IFLA 2460 (Bangladesh); samples with the largest number of beans per plant: IFLA 160 (Germany), IFLA 142 (Greece); by the number of grains per plant: IFLA 160 (Germany); by weight of 1,000 grains: IFLA 123 (Greece), IFLA 151 (Greece), IFLA 2282 (Bangladesh), IFLA 2475 (Bangladesh), IFLA 479 (Ethiopia); samples distinguished by yield: IFLA 2282, IFLA 2475, IFLA 2026, IFLA 2213 (Bangladesh) and IFLA 142 (Greece) 21.35; 20.92; 17.57; 17.19 and 16,76 kg/ha, respectively. The introduction of the most productive varieties of leguminous crops into modern production will solve the problem of proper nutrition, strengthen the fodder base, increase soil fertility, economic and social sustainability of the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Scientifically based possibilities of conservation of natural soil fertility of black soils of contour-landscape agriculture of Orenburg region

The article outlines the problems of dry farming in the Orenburg region. The reasons for the degradation of chernozem soils leading to their complete destruction and ecological catastrophe are shown. The ways of solving and scientifically substantiated possibilities of preserving the soil fertility of the Orenburg chernozems, which increase productivity, reduce to a minimum the negative effect of drought. during the transition to contour-landscape agriculture, it was established that it was possible to obtain stable yields every year in all natural and climatic zones of the Orenburg region. Studied five-field crop rotations with various types of occupied and black fallow in relation to contour landscape agriculture (CLA). The average grain yield according to the experience was -16.1 centners, including spring wheat - only 18.6 centners per hectare. Grain output from 1 hectare of crop rotation -12.9 centners. The productivity of the experiment on the average of the steaming grass was 2.17 thousand feed units. The green mass of the cereal-legume mixture (barley + peas) in the green manure pair is 1.67 thousand fodder units. The production of the buffer strip amounted to 2.26 thousand fodder units of green mass of Sudanese grass per hectare

Energy Analysis on Wheat Yield of Mongolian Agriculture

Agricultural policies should be aimed at enhancing production per unit area and help to reduce the cultivated area. To that end, it is critical to conserve soil fertility, promote ecological agriculture, employ climate change adaptation technology, significantly enhance irrigated agriculture, and decrease agricultural production risks. Sustainable agricultural production requires optimized land usage, increased energy efficiency, reduced use of fossil fuels, and minimized environmental consequences. Energy has been used in agriculture in a dramatically increased manner, and the agri-food chain now accounts for 30% of the total global energy use. Energy analysis quantifies the amount of energy used in agricultural production, so it may be used to optimize energy consumption and boost energy efficiency, further propelling the sustainable development of agriculture. Recently, the Mongolian government has expressed concerns about how to realize food sustainability and self-sufficiency in wheat production and agriculture, while also maintaining environmental sustainability. However, there is a substantial study gap between agriculture and energy analysis in Mongolia. This study investigated energy consumption and the effects of energy inputs and energy types on the agricultural production of Mongolia from 2005 to 2018. The output was calculated based on the annual wheat equivalent for the 14 major provinces as a whole. The output level is given as a function of human labor, machinery, electricity, diesel fuel, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation water, and seed energy, and the yield and different energy inputs are determined using the ordinary least squares of the Cobb–Douglas function. Total energy input grew from 2359.50 MJ ha−1 in 2005 to 3047.61 MJ ha−1 in 2018, while total output energy increased from 2312.08 MJ ha−1 to 4562.56 MJ ha−1. During this period, the energy use efficiency (input–output ratio), energy productivity, and net energy of wheat production were studied. The fertilizer inputs were statistically significant. The contribution of nitrogen, diesel, and irrigation water towards the production level was 3.52, 3.09, and 2.33, respectively. As a result, the data indicated that non-renewable, direct, and indirect energy sources all had a positive impact on the output level. Furthermore, non-renewable energy in Mongolian agriculture has been used in a significantly increased manner.

The Concept of Development of the System of Conservation and Reproduction of Soil Fertility of Agricultural Lands in the Rostov Region as an Instrument of Economic Security of the Region

The Concept of Development of the System of Conservation and Reproduction of Soil Fertility of Agricultural Lands in the Rostov Region as an Instrument of Economic Security of the Region

Prospective directions for the development of grain farming in the region, taking into account zonal features (on the example of Penza region)

The most important task in the sphere of agro-industrial complex management in the region is to identify new points of growth and competitive advantages of agricultural sectors, based on the rational use of available resources and minimization of the negative impact of factors constraining the development of production. An analysis of dynamics and distribution of grain crops production has shown that in view of development of industrial crops, the maintenance of stable grain production at the level of 2.7-3.0 million tons is possible due to intensification of grain and leguminous crops production and introduction of new high-yielding and demanded in the market agricultural crops into crop rotations. Intensification of grains and legumes production in Penza region must be based firstly on raising the sown areas sown with seeds of higher reproductions for providing of scientifically grounded varietal changes and variety renovation. The implementation of this task will be possible if a modern system of breeding and seed production of grain crops is established in the region. Preservation of soil fertility and reduction of the grain crop production cost can be achieved by reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizers and increasing the share of profitable leguminous crops, such as peas, lentils, and lupine, in the structure of crop rotations. Grain maize has a significant potential for diversification and increase in grain production, if agrotechnics, zoned and promising varieties and hybrids adapted to soil and climatic conditions of the region are introduced. Sustainable production of grain and leguminous crops in the region is impossible without modernization of existing and creation of new capacities on storage and processing of grain crops. Realization of complex of scientific-production and organizational-economic and program-targeted measures is of great importance.