Management Of Soil Resources Research Articles

Including soil spatial neighbor information for digital soil mapping

Digital soil mapping (DSM) is transforming how we understand and manage soil resources, offering high-resolution spatial–temporal soil information essential for addressing environmental challenges. The integration of environmental covariates has advanced soil mapping accuracy, while the potential of neighboring soil sample data has been largely overlooked. This study introduces soil spatial neighbor information (SSNI) as a novel approach to enhance the predictive power of spatial models. Utilizing two open-access datasets from LUCAS Soil and Meuse, our findings showed that incorporating SSNI improved the accuracy of random forest models in mapping soil organic carbon density (reduced %RMSE of 3.1%), cadmium (reduced %RMSE of 3.6%), copper (reduced %RMSE of 5.9%), lead (reduced %RMSE of 11.5%), and zinc (reduced %RMSE of 7.4%). Compared to the inclusion of buffer distance or oblique geographic coordinates for modelling, SSNI also performed better for both LUCAS Soil and Meuse datasets. This study underscores the value of SSNI in improving digital soil maps by capturing the neighboring information. Embracing SSNI could lead to more informed decision-making in soil management and its potential applicability across other disciplines also remains open for exploration in future research endeavors.

Integrated Morphometric and Hypsometric Analysis of Niragantipalli Micro Watershed Using Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System Techniques

Employing Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) for the morphometric parameters analysis are discovered to be tremendous usefulness in the prioritization of watersheds for soil, water conservation and natural resource management at micro watershed level. The analysis of morphometric parameters plays a crucial role for understanding and managing watersheds. In current study an, attempt was to determine the morphological parameters of Niragantipalli micro-watershed in Chikkaballapura District of Karnataka, India. For detail study, Google earth pro, GPS visualizer conversion toll and Arc GIS were used for preparation of DEM and delineation of the watershed boundary. GIS was used for evaluation of basic, linear, areal and relief aspects of morphometric parameters. The Niragantipalli micro-watershed occupies an area of 632 ha with third order stream (truck order) and dendritic drainage pattern. The mean bifurcation ratio of the micro-watershed is 2.5 it suggests that the drainage system formed on homogeneous rock when the influences of geologic structures on the network of streams were negligible and generate sharp peak flow. With a drainage density of 1.31 km/km2, the drainage network is extremely coarse. The watershed is elongated, as shown by the form factor of 0.27 and elongation ratio of 0.58. The results from the morphometric analysis of the watershed are very beneficial for developing and designing conservation structures of soil and watershed management measures. The hypsometric curves’ structure as well as estimated hypsometric integral results reflects the Niragantipalli Micro Watershed erosional stages. As a result, the study concludes that morphometric and hypsometric analysis findings may be useful to stakeholders participating in catchment development and management projects.

Slightly Saline Water Improved Physiology, Growth, and Yield of Tomato Plants in Yellow Sand Substrate

Efficient utilization of saline water and yellow sand resources can enhance water and soil resource management while boosting crop yields in Xinjiang. This study conducted a two-season field experiment in Alar City, Xinjiang, from March to July 2023 and August 2023 to January 2024. The objective was to examine the effects of different irrigation water salinities (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 g·L−1) on the physiology, growth, and yield of sand-cultured tomatoes grown in yellow sand slag. Groundwater irrigation with salinity levels of 0.8–1 g·L−1 was used as the control (CK). The results showed that the salinity of the substrate gradually increased with the salinity of irrigation water in each treatment. The salt accumulation increased by 59.5%, 82.5%, and 99.5% at the end of the experiment for T3 (4 g·L−1), T4 (5 g·L−1), and T5 (6 g·L−1), respectively, compared to CK. As the salinity of irrigation water increased, plant height, stem thickness, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and total yield of tomato showed an increasing and then decreasing trend, in which the total tomato yield of the T2 (3 g·L−1) treatment was significantly increased by 35.2% compared with that of CK between the two seasons. In contrast, as the salinity of irrigation water increased, the inter-cellular CO2 concentration of tomato leaves showed a decreasing and then increasing trend, with the T2 treatment having the lowest inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Pathway analysis revealed that appropriate salinity levels increased tomato yield by regulating inter-cellular CO2 concentration. Based on these findings, a 3 g·L−1 salinity level is recommended for irrigating sand-cultured tomatoes to maximize yellow sand resource use, address freshwater shortages, and optimize water and soil management in the Xinjiang region.

Evaluation of water supply function in the Economic Belt of the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains based on the InVEST model

The Economic Belt of the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains (EBNSTM) is a composite ecosystem with mountains, oases, and desert areas; it also serves as an active area for anthropogenic activities. Frequent changes in soil and water resources have significant impacts on regional ecosystems. However, research on the ecosystem water yield function of EBNSTM is relatively limited; additionally, the spatiotemporal variations in the water supply function based on land use changes have not been sufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to explore the land use changes and the spatial variability of water supply service functions in the region at the macro level and uses the land transfer matrix as an important tool to study the changes in land use in the different years of 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Using the InVEST model, we conducted a quantitative assessment and comprehensive study on the water supply function of EBNSTM across the aforementioned years. Additionally, the study delved into the structure of ecosystem service functions, alongside investigating the spatial and temporal variability of ecosystem services under the multi-scale units of administrative divisions, ecological zones, and land classes. We found that during the 20-year period, the area of construction land of EBNSTM increased by 1089 km2, with the highest dynamic change rate of 4.09 %; 2015–2020 period was the most drastic period of change for each land use type. The average multi-year depth of water production was 87.49 mm, totaling 71.59 × 108 m3. The spatial distribution pattern of the water supply function in the study area during the last 20 years consistently exhibited a distinct pattern: mountainous areas displayed the highest water supply capacity, followed by oases, and deserts ranked the lowest. Further, the water supply service function within the study area is currently experiencing a modest rate of increase. The rate of change in water supply depth was 2.76 mm/a, while the rate of change in water supply volume was 0.47 × 108 m3/a. Areas with enhanced water supply capacity are mostly distributed in the southeast of EBNSTM, whereas the northwest, encompassing the mountainous areas, exhibited a declined water supply capacity. Between 2000 and 2020, the water supply capacity in the study area was ranked as follows: woodland > grassland > unutilized land > cultivated land > urban construction land, with woodland displaying the strongest water supply capacity. When woodlands, grasslands, and croplands were converted to other land use types, their water supply functions generally decreased, and vice versa. Our findings provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management of water and soil resources in EBNSTM.

Quantifying recharge mechanisms in low-hilly areas of a loess region: Implications for the quantity and quality of groundwater

Groundwater plays a crucial role in sustaining water supply and irrigation in arid regions with thick vadose zones; however, the recharge mechanisms and their impact on water quality remain contentious. For flood-irrigated areas, irrigation water amount is not well known to evaluate the effect of irrigation on the recharge. In this study, we employed multiple tracers to investigate recharge mechanisms in a low-hilly region with some flood-irrigated areas, where irrigation water recharge was estimated by the chloride mass balance method combined with the tritium peak method. Deep soil samples from irrigated lands in vadose zone and groundwater from unconfined aquifers were collected to determine the contents of the water isotopes (2H, 18O, and 3H), chlorides (Cl-), and nitrates (NO3−). The findings revealed unique tritium peaks preserved in the loess vadose zone, where the recharge rate under the non-irrigated site was estimated to be only 8.6 mm yr−1, 2.4 % of the average annual precipitation. According to the estimated irrigated recharge rates, irrigation water dominates the potential diffuse recharge in vadose zone. For the aquifer recharge, we then quantified diffuse recharge (62.2 ± 4.7 %, piston flow) and focused recharge (37.8 ± 4.7 %, preferential flow) via the line-conditioned excess (lc-excess) balance method. Focused recharge occurred in low depressions, where surface runoff carrying sediments with high solutes converged in large rainfall events during wet season. Subsequently, focused mode rapidly recharges groundwater with NO3− and Cl- elevated, deteriorating water quality of phreatic aquifer. Finally, we concluded focused recharge does not dominate aquifer recharge, but significantly affects groundwater quality. These findings underscore the implications for the sustainability of agricultural water and soil resources management, emphasizing the potential impacts of soil conservation on groundwater quality in low-hilly regions.

Forecasting of meteorological drought using ensemble and machine learning models

This study highlights drought forecasting for understanding the semi-arid area in India, where drought phenomena play vital role in the irrigation, drinking water supplies, and sustaining the ecological with economic balance for every nation. Therefore, drought forecasting is important for the future drought planning based on the machine learning (ML) models. Hence, The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) at 3- and 6-month periods have been selected and used for future drought forecasting scenarios in area. The combinations of ten inputs SPI-1- and SPI-10 were used for predicting modeling for SPI-3 and SPI-6 timescales, that modeling developed based on the historical SPI datasets from 1989 to 2019 years. The SPI-3 and SPI-6 maximum and minimum values are shown SPI-3 (2.03 and -5.522) and SPI-6 (1.94 and -6.93). The SPI is a popular method for estimating the drought analysis and has been used everywhere at global level. The developed models have been compared with each other, with the best combination of input variables selected using subset regression models and sensitivity studies. After that, the active input parameters were used for forecasting of SPI-3 and SPI-6 values to understanding of drought in semi-arid area. The finest input variables combination have been used in the Ml models and established the novel five models such as robust linear regression, bagged trees, boosted trees, support vector regression (SVM-Linear), and Matern Gaussian Process Regression (Matern GPR) models. Such kind of models first time has been applied for the forecasting of future drought conditions. Whole models were fine and improved modeling by using hyperparameters tuning, bagging, and boosting models. Entire ML models’ accuracy was compared using different statistical metrics. Compared with five ML models accuracy, we have found that the Matern GPR model better accuracy than other ML models. The best model accuracy is R2 = 0.95 and 0.93, RMSE, MSE, MAE, MARE, and NSE values, respectively, for predicting SPI-3 and SPI-6 values in the area. Therefore, the Matern GPR model was identified as the finest ML algorithm for predicting SPI-3 and SPI-6 associated with other algorithms. This research demonstrates the Matern GPR model's efficacy in predicting multiscale SPI-3 and SPI-6 under climate variations. It can be helpful in soil and water resource conservation planning and management and understanding droughts in the entire basin areas of the country India.

Enhancing Water and Soil Resources Utilization via Wolfberry-Alfalfa Intercropping.

The impact of the intercropping system on the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (SPAC), encompassing soil evaporation, soil moisture dynamics, and crop transpiration, remains an area of uncertainty. Field experiments were conducted for two years in conjunction with the SIMDualKc (Simulation Dual Crop Coefficient) model to simulate two planting configurations: sole-cropped wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) (D) and wolfberry intercropped with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (J). These configurations were subjected to different irrigation levels: full irrigation (W1, 75-85% θfc), mild deficit irrigation (W2, 65-75% θfc), moderate deficit irrigation (W3, 55-65% θfc), and severe deficit irrigation (W4, 45-55% θfc). The findings revealed that the JW1 treatment reduced the annual average soil evaporation by 32% compared with that of DW1. Additionally, mild, moderate, and severe deficit irrigation reduced soil evaporation by 17, 24, and 36%, respectively, compared with full irrigation. The intercropping system exhibited a more efficient canopy structure, resulting in reduced soil evaporation and alleviation of water stress to a certain extent. In terms of temporal dynamics, monocropping resulted in soil moisture levels from 1% to 15% higher than intercropping, with the most significant differences manifesting in the mid to late stages, whereas differences in the early stages were not statistically significant. Spatially, the intercropping system exhibited 7-19% lower soil water contents (SWCs) than sole cropping, primarily within the root water uptake zone within the 0-60 cm soil layer. The intercropping system showed an enhanced water absorption capacity for plant transpiration, resulting in a 29% increase in transpiration compared with sole cropping, thereby achieving water-saving benefits. These findings contribute to our understanding of the agronomic and environmental implications of intercropping wolfberry and alfalfa in arid regions and provide insights into optimizing water and soil resource management for sustainable agricultural practices.

Value assessment of carbon sequestration in generalized black soil distribution area of Amur River Basin, China

ABSTRACT In recent years, the understanding and resolution of imbalances in ecosystem carbon sequestration services (ECSS) have increasingly relied on robust data quantification and value-accounting mechanisms. Based on the interpretation of primary data, including surface vegetation, 30 cm soil cover, and hydrological information of the Amur River Basin, a carbon sequestration evaluation framework centered on the black soil belt of the river basin (BSBB) was constructed. The results showed that: (1) The annual average carbon sequestration of the BSBB from 2000 to 2019 is estimated to be 12.41 Gt C, with an expected economic value of approximately 607.61 billion yuan (China Yuan, CNY); (2) Daxinganling (DXAL, 3.26 Gt), Heihe (HH, 2.72 Gt) and Mudanjiang (MDJ, 1.81 Gt) were the three sub-regions with the highest annual carbon sequestration service, respectively, and the overall carbon density center has shifted from the south to the north within a decade; (3) The results from the geographic detector and partial correlation analysis showed that the forest area (q = 0.97, r = 0.4) and non-cultivated black soil area (q = 0.96, r = 0.97) were both clear driving factors and strong driving relationships. An increase in the forest area of the BSBB is conducive to upgrading the ECSS. This study helps promote the implementation of a carbon sink balance strategy on a global scale, provides theoretical support for future black soil resource management based on trade-offs and synergies, and provides a dual perspective for balancing ecological environmental protection with social and economic development.

Evaluating the impact of DEM interpolation algorithms on relief index for soil resource management

Abstract Soil resource management is fundamentally integral to environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity. The digital elevation model (DEM) is the fundamental data for analyzing landform surfaces, which introduces an opportunity to obtain a broad spectrum of terrain factors to simplify interpreting the patterns and processes in the geoscience field. The accuracy and resolution of DEM are crucial for their effective use, and many algorithms have been developed to interpolate digital elevation data from a set of known points. Although primary topographic variables derived from grid datasets are important, secondary variables, such as the relief index (RFI), play a more critical role in understanding the complicated relationship between soil properties and landform attributes. The RFI is attained from a DEM by calculating the elevation range within a given neighborhood surrounding a central cell. It is an essential predictor of soil natural resource management that measures the degree of differentiation surface relief. In addition, it is beneficial for perceiving the landscape and its management. This study presents a comprehensive zonal analysis comparing the RFI values derived from multiple interpolation-based DEMs. It investigates deterministic and geostatistical interpolators, such as inverse distance weighted and natural neighbor across distinct zones with diverse topographical characteristics. The findings indicated a high correlation between the RFI and the reliability of the DEM, and the natural neighbor technique provided superior performance against others. The results revealed that the choice of spatial interpolation technique significantly affects the accuracy and reliability of RFI models.

Pelatihan Media Tanam dan Propagasi Tanah pada Mahasiswa Pendidikan Biologi Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika

The objectives of this community service activity are: 1) to introduce and train the capabilities of students in the Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Applied Sciences, Mandalika University of Education, on the correct method of mixing planting media; and 2) to teach students how to plant or propagate soil on Hypoestes plants. The community service activity was conducted within 1 day. The stages of this community service activity include: 1) introduction; 2) practical activities in making media and soil propagation; and 3) follow-up activities (observation for 1 week). Mixing planting media can influence the survival of the plants. Therefore, it requires appropriate and precise ratios to ensure that the mixture obtained can result in good plant growth. The soil propagation process in Hypoestes plants is also crucial for their ability to withstand external conditions and environmental shocks. By understanding these principles, students can enhance agricultural productivity, manage soil resources sustainably, and contribute to innovations in plant variety development.

Inter‐Regional Food‐Water‐Income Synergy Through Bi‐Level Crop Redistribution Model Coupled With Virtual Water: A Case Study of China’s Hetao Irrigation District

AbstractIncorporating water footprints and virtual water into crop redistribution provides a new approach for efficient water resources utilization and synergistic development of water surplus and scarce regions. In this work, the absolute and comparative advantage of the production‐based blue and gray water footprint (PWFblue and PWFgray), the calorie‐based blue water footprint (CWFblue) and the net benefit‐based blue water footprint (NBWFblue) were used as coefficients to establish a bi‐level crop redistribution model. The mode considers upper‐level decision makers interested in maximizing food security and ecological security and lower‐level decision makers interested in water use efficiency, water use benefits and net benefits. The model was applied in the Hetao Irrigation District (HID), China. The results showed that after optimization, the PWFblue, CWFblue, NBWFblue, and gray water footprint (GWF) of the HID were reduced by 23.32%, 5.60%, 17.40%, and 6.67%, respectively. National benefits were improved, especially when considering synergistic optimization, although the net benefits of HID was affected. The calorie supply increased by 9.6 × 109 kcal, the GWF decreased by 8.29 × 106 m3, and water use efficiency and benefits were improved in China. In contrast, the calorie supply and the net benefits of the HID decreased, while the GWF increased. Moreover, multiple stakeholders were involved in crop redistribution and required national synergies. The bi‐level model proved more suitable than the multi‐objective model. The model proposed in this work considers synergies outside the region in crop redistribution within the region, and can provide new insight for water and soil resources management in arid and semi‐arid regions.

Examining The Role of Soil in Promoting Sustainable Development and Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Soil is a critical component of terrestrial ecosystems, playing an invaluable role in supporting plant growth, regulating water and nutrient cycles, filtering pollutants, and providing habitat for soil organisms. However, increasing pressures from human activities, including intensive agriculture, deforestation, urbanization, and climate change are degrading soils across the world. Therefore, sustainable management of soil resources is imperative to ensure continued provisioning of ecosystem services, promote sustainable development outcomes, and help us to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper reviews literature across multiple disciplines to examine the vital links between soil and realization of the SDGs. Soil properties influence productivity and food security, water availability and quality, climate regulation through carbon storage, biodiversity conservation, and human health. Degraded soils undermine these ecosystem services, exacerbating poverty, hunger, and inequality. Research shows ecosystem-based approaches that prioritize soil health, including conservation agriculture, agroecology, and regenerative systems, can sustainably intensify agriculture while restoring multi-functionality. Additionally, nature-based solutions utilizing plant-soil interactions for restoration have demonstrated cost-effectiveness. Achieving land degradation neutrality is now an explicit target under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), emphasizing the need to scale soil-focused initiatives within the SDG framework. Therefore, protecting and restoring global soil assets can serve as a nexus in policy frameworks to simultaneously advance progress across multiple SDGs.

LEGAL PROVISION OF SOIL (LAND) MELIORATION IN UKRAINE

Melioration is a powerful factor affecting the soil and soil cover, which changes the direction, periodicity and speed of soil processes and regimes, and leads to a gradual transformation of soils. The evolution of soils under the influence of various types of land reclamation is characterized by varying degrees of changes in chemical, physico-chemical, and agrophysical properties, and in the case of the complex application of various types of land reclamation, high agricultural culture acquires a positive direction, improving soil properties. In the case of a violation of the comprehensive implementation of meliorational effects and agrotechnical measures for the cultivation of agricultural crops, low resource provision, a negative balance of organic substances and an imbalance of macro- and microelements can be formed in the soil. Another determining factor in the change in the purpose of melioration effects on the soil is the transition to the ecological imperative of the agrosphere. This direction is the strategic goal of land reclamation in the foreseeable future, which is of great importance for Ukraine, as the world's leading agrarian state. Solving the problem of investments in the field of soil meioration, which arose due to the disorganization of the legal management of soil and land resources in the conditions of increased natural and anthropogenic loads, global climate changes, violation of the structural and landscape organization of the territory and technical requirements in the system of balanced land use, is gaining increasing relevance, perspective and public demand A feature of law-making practice in Ukraine are numerous environmental laws and departmental regulations, but their implementation is too slow. One of the areas of implementation of the provisions and requirements established by regulatory legal acts in the field of soil reclamation is the development of a regulatory and methodological framework in this field. To ensure the unity and effectiveness of the implementation of regulatory documents at different levels, it is necessary to develop and approve lists of documents, in particular standards, which, in the case of voluntary application, are proof of compliance with the requirements of the current legislation on land reclamation, their use and monitoring. Along with the existence of existing laws, it is necessary to adopt already developed draft laws "On soils and their fertility", "On soil monitoring", "On the removal of degraded and unproductive lands for conservation", "On soil insurance". The Law of Ukraine "On Land Leasing" needs to be revised, which needs to be supplemented in the direction of soil protection obligations on the part of tenants by increasing the minimum lease terms and improving the economic mechanism for stimulating the sustainable use and management of land resources, including their protection from degradation. Keywords: soils, melioration, soil protection, legal support.

Bacterial Communities, Network Complexity, and Multifunctionality Affected by Soil Types in Northeastern China

The Northeast China Plain (NCP) is the country’s most important grain-producing area. Unraveling how bacterial communities in this region assemble and distribute according to soil type is essential for sustainable agricultural development and optimizing the precise management of soil resources. In this study, 106 soil samples were collected from three typical zonal soil types (black calcium soil (BCS), black soil (BS), and dark brown soil (DBS)) spanning from west to east in the NCP. By combining soil field surveys and high-throughput microbial sequencing analysis, we found that bacterial diversity and community structure differed significantly by soil type. Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Acidobacteria were enriched in BCS, BS, and DBS, respectively. Compared to BSC and DBS, BS had the highest nutrient concentration and most neutral pH values, which may recruit more diverse bacterial communities and construct a more connected ecological network. Network analysis further identified Burkholderiales, Sphingomonadales, and SC_I_84 as key hubs in BS, BCS, and BCS, respectively. The majority of classified hubs consistent with the results of the linear discriminant analysis effect size belonged to the predominant biomarkers. Redundancy and Mantel test analyses revealed that the bacterial composition in various soil types showed distinctive responses to heterogeneity in soil physicochemical properties. Soil pH and TP were the primary factors shaping the soil bacterial community structure in these three soil types on the NCP. Moreover, bacterial composition and diversity were strongly related to changes in soil multifunctionality in BCS, and the relative abundances of three classes (TM1, Opitutae, and Deinococci) were the most important biotic variables for predicting BCS ecosystem multifunctionality. In summary, our results suggest that soil type variation has a strong influence in terms of shaping bacterial community structure and affecting soil multifunctionality. Correspondingly, diverse co-occurrence patterns were observed in different soil types.

Sustainable extraction and conservation of soil resources: New insights through Natural Gamma-ray Spectrometry based Proximal Sensing Method

Soil is one the most extracted natural raw materials. The vast expanses of fertile alluvial soils of the Indo Gangetic Plains have long remained as abundant soil resource pool for brick manufacturing and construction sectors. Unmonitored continuous removal of soil is reported to cause depletion of soil reserves, loss of soil fertility and affect crop yield. Excavation and removal of soil from isolated patches of land creates low lying and elevated degraded areas which disrupts normal crop cultivation pattern. Natural gamma-ray spectrometry (NGS) can be used as a non-destructive and rapid geophysical sensing method, for identification and delineation of areas with suitable soils. During this work brick kiln areas were visited to understand soil's availability and extraction pattern. NGS measurements of samples from soil profiles were carried out to find if gamma-ray intensities varied with soil clay content. Soil texture and plasticity of the same samples were obtained following standard testing procedures. Winkler and Plasticity charts were used to assess suitability of the soils. A strong linear relationship between gamma-ray potassium (K) intensity and clay contents of soil profile samples (R2 = 0.88) was observed. NGS based devices can be used to scan soil samples rapidly and log shallow depth boreholes in grid sampling design. The gathered spectral gamma-ray data can be then used to predict and generate high resolution 3D models of soil properties, based on which resource areas of suitable soils can be delineated for long term soil extraction without affecting cultivated areas. This will help in delineating areas restricted for soil extraction, which will not only make soil mining sustainable but also address soil conservation by setting aside large cultivated fertile soil areas untouched. Adopting NGS methods will prevent unsystematic removal of fertile soil and creation of degraded lands. This will ultimately result in efficient soil resource management.

Nitrogen fertilizer replacement value of stockpiled and rotted dairy cattle manures for corn (Zea mays L.) from a long-term study

Context or problemAnimal manure is an excellent renewable source of plant nutrients, but the correct quantification of nutrient equivalents is affected by manure type and application rate as well as weather conditions that impact crop yields Objective or research questionThe objectives from a 32-year field experiment were to (1) compare the effects of mineral N fertilization and solid dairy cattle manure on corn grain yield; (2) determine the manure N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV), and (3) quantify environmental factors, mainly the impact of total precipitation during the critical period (silking) on corn yield and manure NFRV. MethodsA field experiment under continuous corn with annual manure application was conducted over 32 years in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Corn yield data were categorized into low, intermediate, and high N response groups. ResultsOn an equivalent amount of manure organic N basis, NFRVs were, on average, 0.38 (±0.02) for stockpiled manure (SM) and 0.27 (±0.02) for incompletely composted or rotted manure (RM), with a wide range of 0.12 (±0.02), 0.28 (±0.02), and 0.37 (±0.04) for RM, and 0.16 (±0.04), 0.39 (±0.03), and 0.48 (±0.04) for SM under the low, intermediate, and high N response conditions, respectively. Supplementing 100 kg synthetic fertilizer N ha−1 in low RM (50 Mg ha−1 fresh weight; f.w.), and 50 kg fertilizer N ha−1 in high RM (100 Mg ha−1 f.w.) application rates decreased NFRVs under low and intermediate N response conditions, whereas the addition of similar synthetic N in the corresponding SM rates reduced NFRVs only under low N response conditions. ConclusionsBased on the 32-year long-term study, we documented that the maximum economic synthetic N fertilizer rates for continuous corn cropping varied from 117 to 179 kg N ha−1 under the low N response, from 127 to 283 kg N ha−1 under the intermediate N response, and from 227 to 289 kg N ha−1 under the high N response conditions. The NFRVs of solid cattle manures varied according to corn yield-N response levels. Implications or significanceOur findings showed that the response of corn yields to manure NFRV depends on the level of yield-N response and climatic conditions. It also indicated the importance of soil organic amendments for improving the climate resilience of corn production, while simultaneously meeting the demand for more sustainable nutrient management of soil resources.

Biochemical and nanotechnological approaches to combat phytoparasitic nematodes.

The foundation of most food production systems underpinning global food security is the careful management of soil resources. Embedded in the concept of soil health is the impact of diverse soil-borne pests and pathogens, and phytoparasitic nematodes represent a particular challenge. Root-knot nematodes and cyst nematodes are severe threats to agriculture, accounting for annual yield losses of US$157 billion. The control of soil-borne phytoparasitic nematodes conventionally relies on the use of chemical nematicides, which can have adverse effects on the environment and human health due to their persistence in soil, plants, and water. Nematode-resistant plants offer a promising alternative, but genetic resistance is species-dependent, limited to a few crops, and breeding and deploying resistant cultivars often takes years. Novel approaches for the control of phytoparasitic nematodes are therefore required, those that specifically target these parasites in the ground whilst minimizing the impact on the environment, agricultural ecosystems, and human health. In addition to the development of next-generation, environmentally safer nematicides, promising biochemical strategies include the combination of RNA interference (RNAi) with nanomaterials that ensure the targeted delivery and controlled release of double-stranded RNA. Genome sequencing has identified more than 75 genes in root knot and cyst nematodes that have been targeted with RNAi so far. But despite encouraging results, the delivery of dsRNA to nematodes in the soil remains inefficient. In this review article, we describe the state-of-the-art RNAi approaches targeting phytoparasitic nematodes and consider the potential benefits of nanotechnology to improve dsRNA delivery.

Site-specific efficient management of soil resources using GIS and BIM technologies

Abstract The spatial data sets of soil resources are essential for the interpretation of the site-specific ecosystems, not only concerning process investigations, but also for sustainable soil management The objective of the study was to attempt identification of the primary parameters influencing the rational management of soils available without the necessity of carrying out time-consuming and costly field and laboratory research. The research was carried out in the Pawłów commune (north-eastern part of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland). The research included the application of different methods and interpretation of source materials, including (i) digital soil-agricultural map, (ii) annex to the soil-agricultural map at a scale of 1:5000, (iii) soil quality contours, (iv) digital terrain model, and (v) orthophotomaps. Obtaining data concerning soil type and/or agricultural usefulness complexes would require conducting a generalisation process. Publicly available ortophotomaps and cartographic materials in the form of topographic maps and a numerical terrain model were analysed to determine the extent of soils to be protected. The rational management of space and soil resources can be visualised and documented using BIM technology; however, relying on GIS data is not the most straightforward task due to the lack of integration on the BIM-GIS line. This paper presents the current state of the art and attempts to address selected problems in this area.

Maps of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Potential in the Russian Croplands

Adoption of the farming systems that aim to sequester carbon in agricultural soils is one of the ways to mitigate global climate change. This study focuses on the estimation of organic carbon sequestration potential of the Russian croplands in the upper (0–30 cm) soil layer by creating a set of maps using the data from global and national databases as the input data. The maps are generated within the FAO Global Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration Potential Map (GSOCseq) project according to the unified methodology using the RothC model to predict the rate of carbon sequestration in 2020–2040 under a business as usual scenario (BAU), as well as under sustainable soil management scenarios with additional different C input (+5, +10, and +20%) resulting from the use of sustainable soil management (SSM) scenarios. The total potential sequestration rate by the croplands of the Russian Federation in the 0–30-cm layer under a BAU scenario is assessed at 8.5 Mt/year and the estimate under SSM scenarios, up to 25.5 Mt/year. The carbon sequestration by the cropland of each soil ecological zone (except for the light chestnut (Eutric Cambisols (Protocalcic)) and brown semidesert (Luvic Calcisols) soils, where it is around zero) and on a national scale is positive. The Altai krai, Omsk oblast, Novosibirsk oblast, and Krasnoyarsk krai have the greatest potential for sequestration. Several subjects of the Russian Federation—Krasnodar krai, Republic of Crimea, Rostov oblast, Primorskii krai, Republic of Adygea, and Kaliningrad oblast—demand the adoption of sustainable management of soil resources.

Effect of Tillage and Mulching on Growth and Yield Performance of Barley under Different Nitrogen and Irrigation Application Rates

Background: Integrated management of soil, water and nutrient resources is critical in improving animal feed production sustainably as it is highly resource demanding. Barley is considered as an excellent choice for animal feed owing to its rich nutritional composition, energy content, palatability, versatility and economic feasibility. Implementing sustainable crop management practices that improve soil health as well as enhance water and nitrogen availability is critical for improving crop productivity and ensuring improved animal feed production in these challenging environments. In arid regions with scarce water resources and less fertile soil, an interplay between water availability and nitrogen fertilization plays a significant role in enhancing barley production. Thus adoption of conservation agricultural practices coupled with optimized irrigation and fertilization regime is crucial in establishing sustainable animal feed production in the region. However, much insight is not delivered in the area of interactive effects of irrigation and fertilization with conservational agricultural practices on sustainable intensification of animal feed production in arid and semi-arid lands. The study investigated the interactive effect of tillage, mulching, irrigation and nitrogen application rates on growth and yield performance of barley under Kuwait’s environmental conditions. Methods: The study was conducted at KISR Station for Research and Innovation-KSRI (29.3156°N, 47.8403°E), Kuwait. The effect of tillage and mulching on the growth and yield performance of barley was evaluated under combinations of three different irrigation (100% ETc, 75% ETc and 50% ETc) and fertilization application rates (0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha and 100 kg/ha). Split-split plot experimental design was employed with three replications to study the effect of different treatments on plant height, number of plants per square meter, spike length, number of spikes per square meter, biomass yield, grain weight, harvest index and residue yield. Result: Tillage, mulching, irrigation and fertilization application rates imposed a significant interaction effect on barley biomass and grain yield. Minimum tilled plots with mulching under 100% ETc irrigation and 100 kgN/ha recorded the highest biomass and residue yield. For grain yield, minimum as well as conventional tillage with mulching produced the highest value under 100% ETc irrigation and 50 kgN/ha. Highest plant height and number of spikes per square meter was noted in plots with minimum tillage and mulching under 100% ETc irrigation.