Cucumber is a widely cultivated vegetable crop valued for its nutritional and economic importance. However, the intensive use of conventional fertilisers can negatively affect soil health and the environment. Therefore, developing efficient nutrient management strategies that maintain productivity while reducing dependence on chemical inputs remains an important research focus. Despite growing interest in plant-based biostimulants and nanofertilisers, limited information exists on their combined effects on cucumber growth, yield and quality. This study evaluated the individual and interactive effects of oak leaf extract (OLE) and potassium nanofertiliser (KNPs) on cucumber performance under greenhouse conditions. Plants were treated with OLE (3 and 6 g/L) and KNPs (300 and 600 mg/L), applied alone and in combination. Growth traits, yield components, photosynthetic pigments, biochemical quality parameters, antioxidant activity and mineral nutrient contents were measured, and multivariate analyses were performed. The combined application, particularly OLE at 3 g/L with KNPs at 600 mg/L, significantly enhanced root development, photosynthetic pigments, nutrient uptake, fruit quality and total yield compared with the other treatments. Strong positive associations were observed among yield, nutrient status and physiological traits. These findings indicate that integrating plant extracts with nanofertilisers can enhance cucumber productivity and quality while promoting efficient, environmentally friendly vegetable production.
The potential of dense Sentinel-2 time series to serve as a basis for operational crop monitoring systems is hindered by cloud cover, especially at high latitudes. Sentinel-1 data can overcome this limitation, but similar to optical data, are prone to saturation, i.e. when changes in vegetation biomass are not reflected in the remote sensing signal. Time-integration is a strategy commonly used in optical remote sensing to mitigate saturation effects. In this pilot study, we tested whether this approach can also improve the relationship between Sentinel-1 backscatter and maize traits, using Sentinel-1 A and B backscatter data. Our test site consisted of a forage maize experimental field in Sweden. Evaluated plant traits included the number of leaves, the phenological stage, the leaf area index, the dry matter yield and the dry matter content. Linear and logistic models were adjusted between time-integrated values of the backscattering coefficient ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) and field-measured traits. Our results indicate a good agreement between Sentinel-1 time-integrated signal and maize traits, with [Formula: see text] of 0.97, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95 and 0.86 for phenological stage, leaf number, leaf area index, dry matter yield and dry matter content, respectively, and systematically outperformed models built with non-cumulative [Formula: see text] values. Our findings also indicate that the time-integrated models perform equally well with data acquired from a single Sentinel-1 satellite. These results, if confirmed for a wider range of geographical extent and management conditions, could pave the way for a remote sensing-based, weather-independent and saturation-insensitive decision support tool.
Urban horticulture offers opportunities for sustainable local vegetable production, but the effects of reducing peat substrates on crop yield and quality in both urban and rural settings in the Baltic climate remain poorly understood. This study investigated the growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) in open-air container systems with partial peat replacements across urban and rural sites. Substrate treatments included peat: perlite (4: 1), peat: coconut coir (1: 1), peat: hempseed sheaves (1.5: 1, in 2023), and peat: leaf compost (4: 1, in 2024). Results showed that substrate composition significantly affected both crop yield and plant morphology, while the urban versus rural location had a smaller, year-dependent impact. Lettuce produced the highest yields in peat: leaf compost and peat: coconut coir substrates. Radish yields were highest in peat: perlite and peat: leaf compost substrates. Peat: hempseed sheaves did not support adequate growth. Substrate type also influenced plant nutrient content, with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels varying between substrates and years, while calcium, magnesium, and sulfur remained relatively constant. The study demonstrates that reducing peat content by 20% is feasible using alternative materials without compromising crop yield or quality.
We computationally explored how structurally different factors can control groundwater levels in peat soils. Groundwater levels emerged from the combined impact of different factors. The impact of the factors was in the same order of magnitude. The drainage parameters (median impact -0.22–0.28 m) and terrain slope scenarios (−0.10–0.18 m) affected groundwater levels more than peat thickness (−0.01–0.07 m) in simulations with regular drainage. Drainage control parameters (control depth and schedule) affected groundwater levels more (median impact 0.12–0.32 m) than the drainage parameters (drain depth and spacing, 0.05–0.25 m) in the controlled drainage scenarios. Differences in the control schedule scenarios affected groundwater levels more than the adjustments of the control depth. The impact of controlled drainage was higher in thick (range 0.05–0.45 m) than in thin (0.01–0.33 m) peat soil. The groundwater levels in the different scenarios typically deviated less from each other during the growing seasons (except for the control schedule scenarios and steep upslope conditions), which highlights the challenge of controlling the groundwater levels during growing seasons and the role of the control schedule. Controlled drainage can increase groundwater levels (median ≤0.3 m) in different conditions.
This study investigated whether intercrops from different botanical families can mitigate soil degradation in a continuous maize cultivation system. Maize was grown together with species from the Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Brassicaceae families, while inter-row loosening and weed mulching were used as control treatments. The results showed that soil aggregate stability was influenced more by meteorological conditions than by the intercrop rotations. The most consistent positive effect on aggregate stability was observed in the rotation of blue-flowered alfalfa, common oat, and spring camelina. Over the three-year period, soil chemical properties remained stable. The content of mobile phosphorus increased by 20-45%, potassium slightly decreased, and magnesium remained at a high fertility level. The comprehensive evaluation index identified weed mulching and diversified intercrop rotations - particularly blue-flowered alfalfa-common oat-spring camelina, crimson clover-annual ryegrass-spring oilseed rape, and Persian clover-spring barley-oilseed radish - as the most effective treatments for improving soil quality. Maize and intercrop rotation systems were found to maintain soil fertility under continuous cropping conditions, although climatic variability remained the dominant factor influencing soil structure. Earlier establishment of intercrops is recommended to improve moisture utilisation and canopy development, and future research should explore a broader range of species combinations to enhance long-term soil sustainability.
Water scarcity and land degradation are increasingly constraining agricultural production, and phytotechnology is a promoted sustainable solution. This study investigated Capparis spinosa L. capacity in growing in a saline accentuated environment. The effects of different NaCl concentrations (0 to 200 mM) on growth, leaf physiology and ion selectivity and transport in a caper subspecies native to Tunisia (thorny caper) were evaluated, and plant salinity regulation and resistance mechanisms were characterised. The results showed significant differences in most quantitative morpho-physiological and growth indicators as well as ion accumulation and transport. Under salinity, plants showed some tolerance and physiological plasticity, with a notable development starting from root biomass increase (25%), length (27%), and extending to leaf biomass (18%), area (17%) and blade thickness (60%). Salinity causes a decrease in major cations absorption and a sharp increase in the toxic ions load in leaf tissues, but with a stable Transport rate that characterises caper tolerance through maintaining appropriate selective transport. Indeed, caper plants can grow under saline stress and reduce toxic effects through morpho-physiological adaptation associated with vacuolar compartmentalisation, cation selectivity, and ion selective transport from roots to leaves. Given its plasticity mechanisms, caper stands as a promising sustainable native resource suitable for damaged and saline lands.
Farm typologies, such as those employed by the European Commission, are commonly used to guide farm operations toward desired outcomes. While these typologies are valuable tools for assessing the economic performance of farms and informing policy development, those based solely on economic criteria may fall short in explaining why farms with similar structures and economic conditions make significantly different strategic decisions. Moreover, attempts to identify reproducible behavioural patterns among farmers encounter the challenge of a highly heterogeneous population, where behaviours and objectives are profoundly shaped by diverse geographical, ecological, social, cultural, and institutional contexts, as well as temporal and territorial factors. Addressing this complexity necessitates moving beyond static typologies and categories. This paradigm shift is crucial for uncovering the dynamic processes of change, which encompass micro-level factors (such as individual, family, and farm dynamics), meso-level influences (including social, cultural, and ecological environments), and macro-level determinants (such as policies and market systems). Our contribution is grounded in a social science approach, utilising the case study method, which broadens rather than constrains the range of features explored within each case. This methodology facilitates the discovery of unexpected findings, including those not directly aligned with the original research questions, thereby offering insights that might otherwise remain overlooked. The overarching aim of this research is to address the complexity inherent in the empirical cases under investigation.
Apple replant disease is commonly associated with soil degradation and microbial imbalance in aged orchards. This study investigated the effects of sequential intercropping on soil properties and microbial communities during orchard renovation. One year before replanting, Tagetes patula, Brassica juncea and Triticum aestivum were successively intercropped between tree rows, followed by the removal of aged trees and the replanting of young apple saplings. Intercropping increased urease, sucrase, phosphatase and catalase activities, reduced phlorizin and phloretin accumulation, increased cultivable bacterial abundance and decreased fungal populations, resulting in a higher bacteria-to-fungi ratio. Sequencing analysis showed a shift in fungal community composition, with reduced relative abundance of pathogenic genera and enrichment of beneficial taxa. Brassica root exudates inhibited four Fusarium spp. by 10.8-32.4% and pot experiments showed improved seedling biomass and root development in intercropped soil. In the field, replanted trees under sequential intercropping had greater plant height and stem diameter than the non-intercropped control. These results indicate that sequential intercropping improved soil biological properties and supported early growth of replanted apple trees.
Optimising phosphorus (P) fertiliser formulations and application rate is crucial for efficient P use in onion (Allium cepa L.). Biostimulants and pH-modifying fertilisers have been proposed to enhance soil P availability, remain poorly quantified. A greenhouse pot experiment with spring onion was conducted to evaluate the effects of (i) P fertiliser types (monoammonium phosphate (MAP), triple superphosphate (TSP), and ammonium polyphosphate (APP)) at 0-40 kg P.ha-& sup1;, (ii) three pH-modifying fertilisers (ammonium sulphate, elemental sulphur, calcium nitrate), and (iii) a commercial biostimulant (IPE) on soil nutrients, pH, physiological response, biomass and yield. APP was most effective at increasing plant growth and soil P content. Biomass yield response curve steadily increased with increasing rates of APP and MAP, without reaching a plateau. P uptake and soil P increased with rising P rates across P fertilisers, while phosphorus use efficiency declined. Soil pH was unaltered by P fertiliser types, rates, and pH-modifying fertilisers. The biostimulant had no significant impact on plant or soil parameters. These results indicate that fertiliser formulation strongly influences P availability, onion growth and P uptake, while pH-modifying fertilisers and biostimulant application did not show significant effect, underscoring the need for further assessment before integration into onion P-management strategies.
Field pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a key grain legume in cool-temperate organic and conventional systems, but its performance depends strongly on soil organic matter and C-N-P balance. We used a long-term experiment on a Stagnic Luvisol at Eerika, Estonia, to compare organic (Org 0-II) and conventional (Con 0-III) systems with contrasting histories of winter cover crops, composted cattle manure and mineral fertilisation. Pea yield (standardised to 140 g kg-1 grain moisture) from 2012-2016 was related to topsoil (0-20 cm) sampled in mid-April 2013-2017 for soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and plant-available phosphorus (P-AL); C/N, C/P and N/P ratios were calculated. Organic systems had 11.7% higher SOC and 23.8% higher TN than conventional systems, while P-AL differed little. Organic treatments showed lower C/N and higher N/P, consistent with N-richer organic matter and potentially stronger P-related constraints. Pea yields were broadly similar (Org 1.89-2.85 vs Con 1.80-2.79 t ha-1). Yield-soil relationships were stronger in the conventional system, especially for SOC, TN and P-AL, and C/N and N/P provided additional indicators of nutrient-related risks. Mean C/N and N/P were 12.0 and 12.5 in organic treatments versus 13.2 and 10.8 in conventional systems.
Soil salinity is a major limitation for rice production in arid regions, reducing plant growth, yield, and grain quality. This study assessed the effect of halotolerant strains of Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida on the growth, productivity, and soil chemical properties of Oryza sativa L. INIA 515 'Capote & ntilde;a' under initial soil salinity of 4.75 dS m(-)& sup1;. Eight treatments were evaluated, including bacterial consortia, and non-inoculated control. The selected strains exhibited high salt tolerance, with B. subtilis BacF and P. putida P4 growing at up to 10% NaCl. Although most physiological and agronomic variables did not differ significantly among treatments, treatment T5 (BacF + P4) showed a moderate tendency towards better values, particularly in panicle number, aerial biomass, total biomass, grain yield, and SPAD across the growth cycle. At the edaphic level, T5 significantly increased soil pH and promoted a slightly synergistic mobilisation of K, Mg, and Na. Structural equation modelling indicated that magnesium strongly enhanced total plant biomass, while organic matter positively influenced grain yield. These findings indicate that native halotolerant consortia may influence soil-plant interactions under controlled conditions, but agronomic benefits remain limited and require field validation.
Consumer interest in vegetable crops as sources of functional and health-promoting compounds has markedly increased in recent years. However, knowledge regarding the seasonal dynamics of chemical composition in perennial Allium species remains limited, representing a gap in understanding the nutritional optimisation of these species. This study aimed to characterise the seasonal variation in chemical properties of five perennial Allium species cultivated under uniform field conditions in Lithuania during 2023-2024. The concentrations of total sugars, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, dry matter, and nitrates were determined using standard analytical methods. The results showed that the highest levels of total sugars, ascorbic acid, soluble solids, and dry matter were recorded in spring, followed by gradual declines in summer and autumn. A. schoenoprasum L. and A. ursinum L. exhibited the highest dry matter (14.9-15.9%), total sugars (5.4-5.7%), and total soluble solids (11.5-12.0%). A. ursinum L. exhibited the highest ascorbic acid content (97.0 mg 100 g(-)& sup1; FW) and the lowest nitrate concentration. These findings emphasise the importance of harvest timing in maximising the nutritional and functional potential of perennial Allium species and provide valuable information for breeding and cultivation strategies aimed at diversifying high-value vegetable crops under temperate climatic conditions.
Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) is an important African legume valued for its high nutritional quality, drought tolerance, and ability to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, its productivity is often limited by invasive weeds such as Lantana camara, which releases allelochemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of surrounding plants. This study evaluated the allelopathic effects of L. camara leaf extracts on the germination and early seedling development of Bambara groundnut under both in vitro (laboratory) and microplot (semi-natural) conditions. Aqueous leaf extracts were prepared at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g) and evaluated for their effects on germination percentage, germination speed, mean daily germination, radicle length, chlorophyll content, shoot and root growth, stem diameter, and biomass. Results showed that L. camara extracts significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed germination and seedling growth in a concentration-dependent manner. The 5 g extract completely inhibited germination, while higher concentrations further reduced seedling vigour and growth performance. In microplot trials, increasing extract levels caused significant declines in chlorophyll content, plant height, root and shoot length, and dry mass. These findings confirm the strong allelopathic potential of L. camara, highlighting the need for effective management to prevent crop establishment losses in infested areas.
Different grassland types may interact with the soil depending on the season. The study, therefore, aimed to investigate seasonal changes in plant and soil properties associated with diverse grasslands. A randomised block design with four blocks of six plots containing grass types of ryegrass and clover, herbal ley, wildflower, brassica and native grass species at Hartpury University Farm was sampled in two replicates. A total of 288 individual samples were collected, each for soil and plant. The samples were collected at the same time and location during spring and autumn, from 24 grassland plots over a three-year period from 2022 to 2024. Samples collected were scanned using mobile near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as soon as possible after collection. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effects of season and grass type on soil and plant properties. The study found that season affected more of the plant and soil properties studied compared to the grass type. Autumn conditions led to shorter swards with higher plant herbage mass and density, plant dry matter, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein contents, soil organic matter, moisture and carbon to nitrogen ratio compared to the spring. Plant properties of sward height, dry density, oil, crude protein contents and soil total nitrogen were different among the grass types studied.
Throughout the last 50 years, 16 agricultural fields in Sweden have been monitored for nutrient leaching losses and water chemistry via subsurface drainage water and groundwater. The fields represent various climatic regions, soil types, and farming practices. Twelve fields were equipped with groundwater pipes. Typically, the shallow (1-2 m) groundwater varied due to weather and agricultural management, whilst the deeper (4-5 m) groundwater stayed at a steadier level. Long-term mean annual losses of total nitrogen (N) ranged between 2.8 and 58.0 kg N ha-1 yr-1 across the 12 fields operated with flow-proportional water sampling. This variation was primarily due to the location in Sweden, as higher losses of N could be monitored in the southern part compared to further north in the country. For the same 12 fields, the mean annual losses of total phosphorus (P) ranged between 0.01 and 1.48 kg P ha-1 yr-1. Here, the variation was mainly due to soil type, with higher losses from clay soils and lower losses from sandy soils, but with apparent exceptions. The well-known sites with long-term monitoring that the observation fields offer is a profound opportunity for assessing and understanding current nutrient losses and making predictions of water quality in the face of climate change.
Fine root morphology plays a key role in helping perennial crops like cacao (Theobroma cacao) cope with compacted soil conditions. However, how soil physical constraints such as penetration resistance and macroporosity influence fine root traits in perennial agroforestry systems remains poorly understood, especially under tropical field conditions. This study investigates how soil penetration resistance (SPR) and macroporosity influence fine root morphological and biomass traits under three cacao land-use systems in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. We combined measurements of SPR and soil water content collected in 2015 with previously obtained data on root traits and macroporosity from 2014 field activities to explore their associations. Results show that SPR differed significantly across land-use systems, with the highest values found in cacao monocultures (∼2.5 MPa) and lower values in agroforestry systems (<2.0 MPa). The root length-to-weight ratio was positively correlated with SPR (p < 0.05), suggesting that fine-root assemblages within cacao systems may respond to compacted conditions by developing finer roots. In contrast, no clear association was found between root development and macroporosity. These observations point to SPR as a more influential factor than macropore abundance in determining root morphology and underline the potential benefits of agroforestry in mitigating compaction-related constraints in cacao-based systems.
This study investigates the effects of capsaicin, a natural alkaloid in Capsicum species, on the seed storage biology of five crops: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Seeds were treated with 0.18% capsaicin and stored for 1, 4, and 7 years under ambient conditions. Post-storage germination parameters, including germination percentage, speed, and mean germination time, were evaluated. Results revealed species-specific responses: cowpea and wheat showed higher germination, up to 68% and 69%, with faster germination after 4 and 7 years. Barley and common bean exhibited reduced germination, as low as 0.75% and 18%. Maize responses were variable and generally low, likely due to initial seed quality rather than capsaicin. These findings suggest capsaicin may act differently depending on species physiology and seed quality and may serve as a natural bioregulator to enhance seed longevity in sensitive species. This study is among the first to evaluate capsaicin vapour as a biostimulant for long-term seed storage, providing insights for seed banks and plant genetic resource conservation.
This study assesses the environmental and economic sustainability of bread production chain using an ancient soft wheat (var. Verna), cultivated under conventional and organic farming systems. A Life Cycle Assessment from wheat cultivation through baking to bread production was conducted using the CML 2001 method, alongside an economic analysis covering production, milling, and baking stages. Results revealed that the organic system, despite yielding 45% less grain than conventional (1,524 vs. 2,815 kg ha−¹), exhibited lower environmental impacts in key categories per kg of bread: global warming (0.95 vs. 1.47 kg CO₂eq), freshwater ecotoxicity (0.02 vs. 0.06 kg 1,4-DBeq), and eutrophication (0.01E-1 vs. 0.04E-1 kg PO₄eq). The processing phase – particularly baking – accounted for the largest share of impacts across both farming systems (>70% of greenhouse gas emissions). Economically, organic bread production costs were 11% higher (5.00–5.20 € kg−1 vs. 4.40–4.60 € kg−1), with the milling stage showing a > 100% cost increase in organic due to smaller scale and certification requirements. Despite modest profit margins, especially at the farm level, European Union subsidies contribute to maintaining the viability of the organic model. Findings highlight the importance of energy-efficient processing and targeted agronomic strategies to enhance the sustainability of traditional cereal-based food systems.
Crop growing with multifunctional companions can maintain soil fertility and agrotechnological inputs, but the combinations of multi-crops are still not sufficiently investigated. For this reason, in Lithuania (54°53′7.5″ N, 23°50′18.11″ E), in humid continental climate conditions (Dfb), maize, technical hemp and faba bean were grown as single, binary and ternary crops. The aim was to determine their effect on the variation of soil structural proportion, penetration resistance, macronutrient contents and enzymatic activity continuously over three years. In most multi-crops soil aggregates stability decreases by 16–23%, NPK levels by 1–20% and urease activity by 70–87%, compared to the initial conditions. In the ternary crop the amounts of the main macronutrients in the soil decreased the most (about 2.7 times), because its biomass was 2–2.5 times higher, compared to other diversified crops. The maize-faba bean binary crop had the lowest negative influence or sometimes positive change in the soil parameters studied. Results suggest the cultivation of multi-crops during a single vegetative period, by including them in existing crop rotations or growing them continuously with more frequent fertilisation.
The cultivation of cover crops brings a number of benefits and a range of species that can be used as cover crops is relatively wide. In our research, we studied the growth and development of six cover crop species: purple tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum L.), Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica Crantz.) and cultivated rye (Secale cereale L. var. multicaule) in a field experiment carried out in 2021–2024 on a conventional farm. The main goals were (a) to assess the cover crops in terms of their emergence rate, phenological development, height and growth intensity, stand closure and weed infestation, production of above-ground biomass and damage by cold, and (b) to answer the question what performance can be expected from the investigated species in terms of biomass production, ensuring soil cover and reduced occurrence of weeds. The cover crop species exhibited significant (P < 0.05) differences in the phenological development, growth intensity, rate of stand closure, weed infestation and production of biomass. The most rapid growth and development was shown by buckwheat which achieved the stage of fruit development and ripening. Height of plants ranged as of the last evaluation date on average from 76.4 mm in crimson clover up to 538.8 mm in purple tansy, and 555.2 mm in buckwheat. The best stand closure was recorded in purple tansy (99.2% of leaf coverage). The greatest production of above-ground fresh biomass was recorded in purple tansy (41.4 Mg ha−1) and safflower (26.4 Mg ha−1), but the greatest production of above-ground dry biomass was in purple tansy (4 Mg ha−1) and rye (3.82 Mg ha−1). With respect to effective good stand closure and competitiveness, rye and purple tansy are suitable for being grown as pure crops.
