Cover crops play a crucial role in agroecology, protecting soils against erosion, improving soil nutrients, and providing an alternative to herbicides. However, comprehensive evaluations of their effects on ecosystem services, soil health, and yield are limited. This study assessed the effects of clover-based cover crops (Trifolium spp.) on provisioning (yield and fruit quality), regulating (soil pollution and mycorrhizal colonisation), and supporting (soil nutrient status and bulk density) ecosystem services. The experiment was conducted over 3 years in a commercial peach orchard comparing cover crop treatments with conventional herbicide application and spontaneous vegetation cover. The influence of cover crops on provisioning services was not statistically significant. However, all cover crop treatments contributed to improving the regulating services related to soil contamination by pesticides, with total pesticide concentration reduced by 41% to 65% relative to herbicide treatment. Regarding supporting services, white clover (Trifolium repens L.) significantly enhanced soil nutrient status. Specifically, soil under white clover showed higher nitrate-N content than spontaneous vegetation (15.93mg.kg-1 vs. 5.17mg.kg-1) and higher total P content than herbicide-treated soil (108.3mg.kg-1 vs. 78.0mg.kg-1). Additionally, all cover crop treatments were associated with lower available Cu content compared with herbicide application (3.89-6.45mg.kg-1 vs. 12.67mg.kg-1).
Cultivar recommendation is a crucial decision-making process for successful cropping seasons. Crop models can effectively support the identification of suitable cultivars for a given context, as they allow the exploration of a wide range of agro-climatic conditions that would be difficult to capture with multi-environment trials. In this study, a framework for cultivar recommendation based on the integration of crop models with ideotyping techniques is applied to pea (Pisum sativum L.) in the Emilia-Romagna region, Northern Italy. Eighteen agro-climatic contexts were identified by considering the two main sowing windows and regional climate and soil data. Statistical distributions of seven functional traits related to phenology, canopy architecture, biomass partitioning, and photosynthetic efficiency were derived for 20 commercial pea cultivars and used to run a variance-based sensitivity analysis of the STICS crop model for each agro-climatic context. Model parameters corresponding to the seven functional traits were used as sensitivity analysis inputs, with a composite function accounting for both yield and its stability as the target output. Sensitivity analysis results were used to design pea ideotypes for each agro-climatic context, and the similarity between the phenotypic profiles of commercial cultivars and those of ideotypes was evaluated using the Euclidean distance weighted by the sensitivity index. Spatially distributed recommendations based on context-specific, similarity-based cultivar rankings were derived. A clear change in cultivar rankings was found across agro-climatic contexts, highlighting the need to explicitly analyse G×E × M interactions. The simple methodology used to derive the cultivar phenotypic profiles and the process-based modelling approach allow the framework to be easily extended to different sowing times, newly released cultivars, or different crops, all of which are key features for transferring the framework to operational farming contexts. While the preliminary evaluation of the recommendations provided by the system supports its potential reliability, further validation through multi-environment trials is required before full deployment at the operational level.
Double cropping (DC) is a promising strategy for cropping systems, diversification, and intensification. While it is widely adopted in tropical regions, its feasibility in temperate and Mediterranean areas depends largely on the length of the growing season. Climate change may further enhance thermal suitability of these regions for DC, although future water availability may decrease. However, large-scale assessments of DC adoption across diverse cropping systems in Mediterranean contexts remain limited. This study addresses this gap by systematically analysing DC patterns in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region using Land Parcel Identification System data from 2019 to 2023. It also evaluates three potential drivers associated to DC adoption: farm size, irrigation availability, and soil available water content (AWC) as farm size may influence DC as smaller farms seek to offset fixed costs and yield variability; irrigation can mitigate summer drought; and higher AWC may support DC, especially under rainfed conditions. Moreover, several drivers of adoption at the field and farm levels were tested through a binary logistic regression. A total of 122 winter/summer DC combinations were identified for the first time in the region, though only 12 types accounted for 91% of the DC surface. The most common system combined winter cereals (barley or wheat) with soybean. Contrary to expectations, small and medium-sized farms adopted DC less frequently than large farms, although they used it more intensively when implemented. Contrary to expectations, irrigation availability was negatively associated with DC adoption, likely owing to sufficient summer rainfall in the region. Consistently, areas with higher AWC showed lower DC adoption. Overall, DC is well integrated in northeastern Italy, where it represents a potential source for diversification, but also it appears to be an intensification strategy adopted primarily by larger, arable-oriented conventional farms. While DC adoption is largely supported for now by favourable rainfall patterns, climate change may constrain DC viability, particularly in rainfed systems.
Malting spring barley is an important commodity for Scotland’s whisky and beer industries. Meeting malting quality standards requires precise control of grain protein, which is strongly influenced by nitrogen (N) fertilization. However, N management must balance environmental impacts in addition to grain quality and profitability. Previous frameworks optimized N to reduce nitrate leaching but rarely considered nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which are critical under emerging carbon taxation policies. In this study, simulated N2O emissions were integrated into spatial and temporal N-rate optimization for malting spring barley using a calibrated process-based model. Ten N rates (20–200 kg N ha−1) were simulated across four yield-stability zones in an 11-ha commercial farm over 34 years. Emissions varied across zones and years: medium-yield zones (MYZ) emitted the least at high N rates; wet years (>470 mm) produced more N2O than dry years (<320 mm). Higher N inputs improved yield, grain quality, and marginal net returns (MNRav), but increased nitrate leaching and N2O emissions. Trade-offs occurred at 100 kg N ha−1 (N2O vs yield), and 140 kg ha−1 (N2O vs MNRav, grain N concentration). Multi-objective optimization identified 120–140 kg N ha−1 as optimal, with 120 kg N ha−1 favored in wet years. These findings provide a framework for integrating greenhouse gas (GHG) metrics into site-specific N management, advancing climate-smart strategies for intensive cereal systems globally.
Biochar produced by biomass pyrolysis has gained attention for adsorbing trace elements and remediating soils and waters. Among these contaminants, copper (Cu) is of particular concern due to its accumulation in vineyard soils. Grape marc, a wine industry by-product, is a promising feedstock, though its sorption properties can be enhanced through targeted modifications.This study therefore explored 34 post-pyrolysis modification approaches including chemicals (mineral impregnation, acid–base treatments, organic compounds), physical (ultrasound, microwave), and biological (Cu-resistant strains) treatments applied to grape-marc biochar and evaluated their Cu sorption capacity using a broad screening. Most modifications did not significantly enhance sorption performance. Nonetheless, five promising treatments were selected for further investigation: calcium- and potassium hydroxide (KOH)-modified biochar, microwave-treated biochar, marc bio-oil–incorporated biochar, and Cu-resistant bacterial strain–loaded biochar.Batch sorption experiments showed that Ca- and KOH-modified biochars enhanced Cu sorption at an initial concentration of 2 g·L⁻¹ (+33.5–40.5% compared to unmodified biochar washed with deionized water), with Ca-modified biochar following the Freundlich isotherm and KOH-modified biochar fitting the Langmuir isotherm. These improvements may be attributed to changes in surface properties and, in Ca-modified biochar, the presence of exchangeable cations that promote ion exchange. In a percolation experiment, biochar reduced Cu percolation by 43.7–58.2%, reflecting Cu sorption onto the biochar surface and changes in soil solution pH. However, none of the modifications outperformed the washed biochar in reducing Cu leaching, likely due to complex interactions within the soil matrix. Future research should examine pre-pyrolysis modifications and biochars modified with condensed bio-oil.
This study, conducted in Northeast Italy, examined how long-term organic management affected soil characteristics in vineyard compared with field-crop rotation (FCR). The analysis focuses on copper (Cu) accumulation, soil organic carbon (SOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), iron (Fe), exchangeable potassium (K-exc), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg), as well as key anions and cations, including nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO4 & sup2;(-)), potassium (K+), and phosphate (PO4 & sup3;(-)) content across the 0-40 cm soil profile. The highest Cu content was observed in the 0-20 cm vineyard layer (380 kg ha(-)& sup1;), followed by the 20-40 cm layer (315 kg ha(-)& sup1;). However, both layers in the FCR system exhibited the lowest values (119 and 131 kg ha(-)& sup1;, in the 0-20 and 20-40 cm layers, respectively). The upper 20 cm of vineyard soil also showed the greatest SOC content (44.1 Mg ha(-1)), in contrast to the vineyard subsoil and both FCR depths (average 34.1 Mg ha(-1)). SO4 & sup2;(-) content and distribution in the soil profile differed between systems: vineyard soil displayed the highest content (similar to 653 kg ha(-)& sup1; in the 0-40 cm) and surface SO4 & sup2;(-) enrichment, reflecting recurrent sulfur-based disease-control applications, whereas FCR soil accumulated lower SO4 & sup2;(-) (similar to 27 kg ha(-)& sup1; in the 0-40 cm) with a significantly higher content (64.4%) in the 20-40 cm layer, likely due to plow-mediated redistribution. The two compared organically managed cropping systems differently shape macro- and micro-nutrient dynamics. The high Cu accumulation in vineyard soil, related to a prolonged application to control fungal disease, likely impacts soil fertility, nutrient availability, and environmental sustainability.
Nitrogen fertilisation remains a major challenge in the transition towards more sustainable cropping systems. Despite decades of research, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is still low in many agricultural contexts, while reactive nitrogen losses continue to affect air quality, water quality and climate targets. Within this broader search for innovation, nano-urea has emerged as one of the most visible cases of nano-enabled agriculture, although its agronomic value remains debated. This mini-review examines the current evidence on nano-urea in conventional cropping systems and places it within a broader regulatory and strategic context. A PRISMAinformed literature search was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for the period 2015-2026, complemented by bibliometric mapping. After screening and de-duplication, 194 relevant records were retained. The literature is recent, strongly India-centred, and increasingly dominated by field-oriented studies. The agronomic evidence shows a consistent pattern: first-generation nano-urea does not replace soilapplied urea, but it can support moderate reductions in soil N input, generally around 20-25%, when combined with adequate basal fertilisation and correctly timed foliar sprays. Attempts to replace 50% or more of conventional urea usually led to yield penalties or weaker N uptake. Reported gains in NUE and emission-related indicators are modest and appear to depend more on lower N rates and improved management than on a distinctly nano effect. Overall, nano-urea is best regarded not as a breakthrough substitute for conventional urea, but as an early test case within the wider nitrogen transition in agriculture.
The study compared the response of one landrace (Russello Priziusa), one ancient variety (Senatore Cappelli), and two modern genotypes under conventional management, slow-release nitrogen fertilisation, and organic management in a semi-arid Mediterranean environment characterised by Xerofluvent soil. Agronomic traits, including grain yield, protein content, grain quality (white starchy kernels, WS; shrunken kernels, SK), and nitrogen apparent recovery efficiency (NARE), were evaluated. The wheat landrace and the ancient variety were suited to multiple management strategies, particularly organic and slow-release fertilisation. These genotypes exhibited significantly lower SK values than the modern varieties, while maintaining comparable NARE, despite their lower yield under conventional management. Overall, the results highlight the importance of optimising management practices for both modern and traditional wheat systems to enhance food security and promote sustainable production in the Mediterranean region.
Improving land and water productivity with low inputs is a long-term challenge, and intercropping may serve as a sustainable production strategy to address this challenge and increase crop yields. However, the optimal land proportion and row ratio for maximum productivity in wheat (W)-chickpea (Cp) intercropping systems is still unclear. This study investigates different planting configurations (two rows of wheat with two rows of chickpea, equal row ratio, 2W2Cp; two rows of wheat with four rows of chickpea, unequal row ratio and land proportion, 2W4Cp; and four rows of wheat with two rows of chickpea, equal land proportion, 4W2Cp) in wheat/chickpea intercropping comparing them to their sole systems to evaluate impacts on grain yield, water use efficiency, land productivity, nitrogen uptake, chickpea nodulation, and economic returns. Our results indicate that 4W2Cp significantly increased wheat grain yield by 68% compared to 2W2Cp, primarily due to enhanced nitrogen uptake (57%), greater dry matter accumulation (10%), and improved partitioning into kernel number (19%) and 100-seed weight (13%). In contrast, chickpea grain yield in 4W2Cp decreased by 13%, attributed to reduced nitrogen uptake (9%), dry matter accumulation (23%) and its partitioning into seed number (17%), and 100-seed weight (6%) relative to 2W2Cp. Wheat/chickpea intercropping also improved chickpea nodulation, with 4W2Cp increasing nodule number by 14%, nodule dry weight by 30%, and proportion of pink nodules by 19% compared to sole chickpea. On average, intercropped wheat and chickpea in 4W2Cp achieved 66% and 62% of their sole crop yields, respectively. Wheat exhibited stronger competition for water, with a water use efficiency of 5.2 kg ha-1 mm-1 , compared to chickpea's 1.6 kg ha-1 mm-1 . System level water-and land-productivity, measured as the water-and land-equivalent ratios, were 1.10 and 1.28 in 4W2Cp, respectively, which increased the net economic profit by 53% compared to 2W2Cp. Overall, these findings suggest that wheat/ chickpea intercropping with equal land proportion could be a viable strategy for enhancing resource productivity and improving soil health while reducing input requirements, especially under arid-irrigated conditions.
The light spectrum plays a fundamental role in modulating plant growth and the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds in crops such as basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). This study evaluated the influence of different LED light spectra on the agronomic and functional parameters of two basil cultivars (green and purple) grown in a vertical hydroponic system. Four spectral treatments with varying Red:Blue (R:B) ratios were tested: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1, maintained at a constant light intensity of 250 & micro;mol m-2 s-1 . Evaluations were performed at three phenological stages: seedling, juvenile, and adult. Measured parameters included biomass, dry matter content, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and anthocyanins. Results indicated a cultivar-dependent response; in green basil (GB), R:B ratios of 2:1 and 3:1 significantly enhanced biomass production and photosynthetic efficiency, particularly at advanced growth stages. Conversely, purple basil (PB) exhibited a higher accumulation of bioactive compounds under red-dominant spectra (3:1 and 5:1 ratios). Furthermore, the impact of light quality was dependent on the phenological stage; significant differences were minimal during early stage but became pronounced as plants developed, with higher red light proportions favouring bioactive compound accumulation in the adult stage. These findings highlight the importance of adjusting light recipes according to the specific cultivar and growth stage to optimize both biomass yield and functional quality in vertical farming.
Glyphosate withdrawal is a significant issue in many European countries. Yet, stopping glyphosate use is difficult and still uncommon on commercial farms. Understanding the practices of farmers who have successfully reduced pesticide use has proven to be an effective method to produce action-oriented knowledge to support pesticide reduction. This study aims to produce agronomic knowledge that characterizes what matters to farmers in the selection and adaptation of in-row weed management practices in orchards to inform the formulation of technical recommendations for glyphosate-free orchards. Using a farmers’ practices tracking approach, we uncovered practices developed in 27 different cropping systems by French fruit growers who stopped using glyphosate. We then analysed the rationale of these practices from the farmer’s perspective, using the action logic framework. Our study shows that the interviewed farmers implemented an array of weed management practices, steered by individual satisfaction criteria, and framed by specific features of the orchard, the farm resources and its local environment. These practices were shaped over time, following a step-by-step evolution of the farmer’s action logic. From the cross-analysis of these various farmers’ experiences, we formulated four types of action logics and their specific conditions for success, which could serve as a basis for formulating technical advice better aligned with farmers’ expectations and situations. Comparing the key components of the farmers’ rationale with available technical recommendations for glyphosate-free orchards, we discuss the weaknesses of the most common formulations of technical advice.
This study evaluated the potential of a softwood biochar (B, added to soil at 5% w/w) to improve the chemical and biological properties of an acidic soil (pH=5.2) of a typical Mediterranean subhumid dryland silvopastoral ecosystem. Our hypothesis was that biochar can be a complementary or alternative material to lime to buffer soil acidity, thereby enabling the establishment and growth of acid-sensitive but drought-tolerant forage legumes in Mediterranean grazed grasslands. The experiment also included treatments with lime (L, added at 0.2% w/w), a combination of B+L (added at 4.8% + 0.2% w/w respectively) and an untreated control soil (Ctr). Soil pH increased by 1.0 unit after biochar addition and significant increases were also recorded for cation exchange capacity, dissolved organic carbon, and available phosphorus. The urease, beta-glucosidase and phosphatase activities increased in B-treated soil by similar to 2.20, 1.03 and 1.06-fold respectively vs Ctr, while the dehydrogenase activity decreased by similar to 30%. Biochar (alone and with lime) increased soil microbial biomass and basal respiration (on average by similar to 2.75 and 1.6-fold vs Ctr, respectively) and had a significant impact on soil culturable microorganisms and community structure as assessed with Biolog Ecoplates. Sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene showed that all amendments augmented the bacterial alpha-diversity, with biochar increasing the relative abundance of taxa including several potential plant growth-promoting bacteria. The results from a pot experiment and a field trial showed that biochar, alone and with lime respectively, promoted significant increases in the growth and forage production of Sulla coronaria, an acid-sensitive, drought resistant perennial forage legume. Over two growing seasons, the forage production in the field trial was + 50% higher for B+L (4700 kg ha(-1)) vs Ctr (3100 kg ha(-1)) highlighting the suitability of biochar, in combination with lime or as possible alternative, to improve soil health and productivity of acidic dryland environments.
This study explores how hyperspectral sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) may assist in maize nitrogen status monitoring and yield prediction using traditional regression and machine learning models. Three field experiments were conducted with three soil types (alluvial soil, black soil, and aeolian sand soil) and various nitrogen (N) fertilizer treatments (0, 168, 240, 270 and 312 kg N/ha) in Lishu County, Northeast China. Hyperspectral images obtained from sensors mounted on UAVs were collected to monitor the nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) at the jointing, silking, and maturity stages and the grain yield of maize in 2019 and 2020. In comparison to the prediction performance of the partial least squares regression (PLSR) and random forest (RF) regression models, 13 narrowband vegetation indices (VIs) and N application rates were employed as predictors to determine N status at the field scale. The results revealed that most VIs were significantly correlated with the NNI and yield at different stages and that the Maccioni index was the most influential predictor for both the NNI and yield estimation based on the relative importance calculation results of the different predictors. Compared with the PLSR model, the NNI and yield were better estimated by the RF model, except for yield estimation at the jointing and silking stages. The best performance for maize NNI and yield estimation was achieved at the silking stage and maturity stage, respectively. Based on the relationships between the NNI and yield, the NNI intervals were 0.91-1.30 for alluvial and black soil and 0.67-0.72 for aeolian sandy soil, with the goal of achieving the target yield. This study highlights the significance of introducing UAV technologies in providing a field-scale data-driven approach for crop nitrogen monitoring and yield prediction information to farmers and policymakers for better precision crop management.
Sustainable cereal production requires genotypes that have enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The aim of this study was to compare a new cytoplasmatic male-sterility (CMS) wheat hybrid with a conventional pure line cultivar to assess its agronomic and productive performance and its NUE, under several N-fertilization rates (20 top dressed N fertilization strategies, from 0 to 231 N ha-1) applied between tillering and the stem elongation growth stage). Field experiments were carried out in the North West of Italy over two growing seasons (2023 and 2024). The grain yield of the CMS hybrid outperformed the conventional cultivar by 6 % and 16 % in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The lower rainfall in 2023 increased the N availability, due to reduced leaching. This reduced the yield performance of the hybrid genotype, due to the higher incidence of lodging. The grain yield advantage of the hybrid was linked to a higher number of kernels per ear (+11%) and heavier grain weight (+36%), although the ear density was on average 6% lower than that of the conventional wheat, as a consequence of lower seeding density. The yield gain of the CMS hybrid was more consistent at the reduced N rate, and this genotype exhibited a superior NUE compared to the conventional genotype. However, the higher NUE of the CMS hybrid needs to be enhanced through tailored fertilization management, which could lead to both economic and environmental advantages for cereal cropping systems. This study highlights how the rational adaptation of fertilization strategies, in accordance with the key drivers for the cereal cropping system management, is required to overcome the drawbacks and to fully exploit the potential of this genetic innovation.
The practice of cereal-legume temporary intercropping, with the legume devitalization in late winter, offers promising benefits for fall-sown organic cereal crop production, where nitrogen (N) availability is often limiting. This 3-year field experiment was focused on legume termination methods. The devitalization efficiency, operational characteristics and implications for wheat N availability, grain yield and quality of a novel non powertake-off (PTO) based front roller multi-disk harrow prototype (RMH) were compared to those of a conventional PTO-based split rotary hoeing (SRH) system. The results demonstrate that temporary intercropping significantly improves the Partial Factor Productivity of N as compared to traditional sole-crop wheat, with an average yield increase of 35 kg per kg of applied N. The RMH prototype was found to have no impact on the grain yield (3.82 vs. 3.73 Mg ha- 1), quality or N uptake (80.3 vs. 80.2 kg ha- 1) of wheat compared to SRH. Our research shows that the RMH prototype is as effective as the SRH in terms of devitalization efficacy of the legume component and N supply to wheat. Overall, the prototype appears to be a suitable tool for management of cereallegume temporary intercropping in Mediterranean farming systems, with lower fuel consumption (-17.3 kg ha- 1) than PTO machines.
As the widespread use of nitrogen fertilization is causing serious environmental issues, new eco-friendly cultivation practices are being investigated by researchers involved in agronomic studies. Microbial biostimulants, specifically plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPBs), could represent a cutting-edge methodology to minimize the need for chemical fertilizers while boosting mineral uptake, productivity and quality of crops. We tested two PGPBs (A. brasilense and B. subtilis) on open field-grown fennel to assess their activity under both optimal or reduced nitrogen (N) application (0, 45, 90 or 180 kg ha−1). Data underlined that longitudinal and transversal bulb diameters, number of swollen leaf bases, total yield, dry matter, nitrogen concentration, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, total sugars, antioxidant activity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and nitrogen utilization efficiency (UE) were higher during the first year compared to the second year. Our study showed that both PGPBs enhanced growth traits and total yield compared to the control, as well as plant qualitative traits. Azospirillum brasilense reduced N concentration in the bulbs (-14.0 % compared with the control). Our research also indicated that A. brasilense gave the highest NUE index (+7.7 % compared with the control), whereas B. subtilis revealed the highest UE index (+4.7 % compared to control). Overall, this study underlined that A. brasilense gave better results than B. subtilis when it was combined with 45 or 90 kg ha−1 of N, while B. subtilis was efficient at the highest N rate (180 kg ha−1). The variable responses of plants to PGPB inoculation could be related to nitrogen fixation capacity. Azospirillum brasilense likely acted more effectively when plants were cultivated under low N input, in contrast to the action of Bacillus subtilis which had a greater impact under N optimal availability.
Water scarcity is driving the need for alternative irrigation strategies that reduce dependence on freshwater while maintaining crop productivity. This study investigated the combined effects of treated wastewater (TWW) and Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on the growth and yield of two tomato cultivars (Bobcat and Galilea) under controlled greenhouse conditions. Five TWW levels (0 %, 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, and 100 % TWW) were applied with or without fungal inoculation. Seventeen agro-morphological traits were assessed, covering vegetative growth, leaf characteristics, root system, and yield. Treated wastewater (TWW) significantly improved plant performance, and the effect was amplified by T. harzianum. The highest concentration (100 % TWW + inoculation) produced the strongest response, increasing plant height, leaf number, root volume, and fruit yield. In this treatment, the Galilea variety reached a height of 115.7 + 0.60 cm with 21.3 + 0.38 branches and 219.3 + 0.60 leaves; whereas Bobcat attained 99 + 0.47 cm, with 18.66 + 0.38 branches and 206 + 0.47 leaves. Leaf area was similar for both cultivars, averaging approximately 190 cm2. However, Bobcat exhibited a root volume of 15.6 + 0.38 cm3, which is slightly higher compared to Galilea 14 + 0.47 cm3. Bobcat outperformed Galilea, producing a high number of fruits (12.3 + 0.54 vs. 10.33 + 0.38), greater average fruit weight (156.4 + 1.40 g vs. 83.64 + 0.98 g), and a significantly higher total yield per plant (1934.22 + 8.15 g/plant vs 863 + 2.56 g/plant). This yield represented an increase for Bobcat of more than 520 % compared to the untreated control (Tr-). Principal component Analysis (PCA) confirmed a synergistic interaction between TWW and fungal inoculation across most measured traits. The combined use of TWW and T. harzianum enhances nutrient availability, stimulates root development, and substantially improves crop yield. This integrated strategy reduces reliance on freshwater and synthetic fertilizers, representing a promising agroecological strategy for vegetable crop production under water scarcity conditions.
Land degradation is a critical issue globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Agroecological practices in northern Ethiopia have been implemented to address this, but the combined effects of these practices on soil and grain nutrient status remain underexplored. This study examines the impact of farmland management, cropping patterns, and tillage systems on soil properties and the availability of soil and grain micronutrients in teffgrowing areas of semiarid regions in Ethiopia. This study examined the impact of two farmland management systems (farm exclosure vs. unmanaged), two cropping patterns (mono-cropping of teff vs. rotation with legumes), and three tillage frequencies (2-3, 4-5, 6-7 plows) on soil and grain nutrients in teff-growing sites. A Randomized Complete Block Design was employed across 10 sites, resulting in 360 observations. Results showed that management, cropping pattern, and tillage frequency significantly affected bulk density, pH, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, spore density, root colonization, and soil and grain micronutrient content (P < 0.05). Farmland exclosure combined with teff-legume rotation and a tillage frequency of 2-3 times per year reduced bulk density by 45 % and increased soil organic carbon (206 %), nitrogen (263 %), soil zinc (379 %), iron (200 %), selenium (291 %), and grain zinc (221 %). These findings suggest that optimal farmland management, particularly farmland exclosure, crop rotation, and moderate tillage, improves soil quality to support crop growth, and crop nutritional quality. Enhancing land and crop management is crucial for soil health and crop nutrition, especially in arid and semiarid regions with limited micronutrient availability in cereal-based systems, highlighting a strategy to combat soil degradation and malnutrition.
Agroforestry is globally recognized as a sustainable land management practice that enhances productivity and ecological stability. Among its various models, the cotton tree-crop system is gaining attention in semiarid and tropical regions because it increases productivity, improves soil fertility, diversifies income, and mitigates environmental degradation. However, limited research has been conducted on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)-based agroforestry systems in Bangladesh. This two-year field study aimed to evaluate the yield, economic performance, and environmental impact of cotton-tree agroforestry systems under an irrigated system managed through conventional farming practices. A single-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and three replications was used. The treatments included the following: T0 = sole Gossypium hirsutum cropping, T1 = Gossypium hirsutum-Swietenia macrophylla agroforestry system, T2 = Gossypium hirsutum-Mangifera indica agroforestry system, and T3 = Gossypium hirsutum-Psidium guajava agroforestry system. The systems were established in 4-year-old plantations with a 2 m x 2 m spacing agroforestry model. The results revealed that the highest seed cotton yield (4.94 Mg ha-1) was obtained in T0, whereas the lowest yield (3.61 Mg ha-1) was observed in T3. The T2 treatment achieved the highest net profit (US$3967 per hectare), benefit-cost ratio (2.19), and land equivalent ratio (1.67). The T1 treatment had the largest amount of carbon sequestration (42.20 Mg ha-1 yr-1) but the lowest profitability. While the T3 treatment had the lowest carbon sequestration (24.78 Mg ha-1 yr-1), it did not negatively affect the environmental quality. Based on these results, both the Gossypium hirsutum-Mangifera indica (T2) and Gossypium hirsutum-Psidium guajava (T3) agroforestry systems provided greater environmental benefits, higher economic returns, and superior land equivalent ratios than cotton cultivation alone, although the magnitude of these effects varied between systems.
