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Agronomy
Special Issues
Crop Productivity and Energy Balance in Large-Scale Fields II
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Crop Productivity and Energy Balance in Large-Scale Fields II

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 6127

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Meisam Zargar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, RUDN University, Moscow 117198, Russia
Interests: weed management; sustainable crop production; field crop production; management practices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the extent and output of agriculture continues to reach new global records, so does the awareness of societies concerning the multiple contributions that land ecosystems make to human wellbeing. Modern theories of economic growth rely on the assumption that natural resources have to be used effectively and with a higher proportion of renewable resources in the process of satisfying consumer demand. In this regard, the maximization of crop productivity in large-scale fields represents the main strategy in global farming systems. To date, the spread of large-scale farming systems has led to the enhancement of production but has also caused substantial environmental degradation; indeed, this enhanced production has mostly been based on expansion into natural areas, greater use of external inputs, and other forms of intensified use. In this regard, agroecology has developed and become highly successful in small-scale family farming, which contributes roughly more than half of the food consumed by humans by one estimate, covering farming on <30% of the agricultural land. Large-scale farming, which occupies the majority of the global agricultural area, is defined here as the highly mechanized, commercial cropping and livestock-keeping activities that take place in privately owned or rented land by an individual farmer, company, or family enterprise. This sector is responsible for 70% of current deforestation, the largest share of agriculture and agricultural water use, and widespread habitat disruption, each of which have resulted in biodiversity loss.

In this Special Issue, we aim to exchange knowledge on any aspect related to crop productivity and energy balance in large-scale fields, taking stock of the knowledge available and identifying key open research questions critical for the transition of large-scale farming systems to agroecology. Contributions should draw from and engage with the realms of agronomy, ecology, and social sciences.

Dr. Meisam Zargar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • crop productivity
  • energy balance
  • farming system

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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16 pages, 5217 KiB  
Article
Application of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles from Oak Fruit Exudates against Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum Causing Postharvest Soft Rot Disease in Vegetables
by Meysam Soltani Nejad, Neda Samandari Najafabadi, Sonia Aghighi, Meisam Zargar, Gani Stybayev, Aliya Baitelenova and Gulden Kipshakbayeva
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1624; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061624 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
The main goal of our study was to determine whether biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) could be used as a novel antibacterial material in order to control soft rot in vegetables. Exudates from oak fruit were used in the green synthesis of SNPs. Postharvest [...] Read more.
The main goal of our study was to determine whether biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (SNPs) could be used as a novel antibacterial material in order to control soft rot in vegetables. Exudates from oak fruit were used in the green synthesis of SNPs. Postharvest soft rot disease in vegetables has resulted in significant crop losses all over the globe. Because managing Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), the causal agent of soft rot disease, is difficult due to its wide host range, developing innovative disease-management methods that do not involve the use of hazardous chemicals is a top priority for maintaining sustainable agriculture. The current research has found that silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have a detrimental effect on the progression of Pcc and soft rot disease in in vitro conditions. At SNPs’ sub-MIC, the greatest levels of inhibition against tissue maceration were 22, 19.8, 21.5, and 18.5 percent in potato, zucchini, carrot, and eggplant, respectively. SNP treatment of tubers and fruits had a noteworthy suppressive impact on soft rot disease symptoms as compared to controls. SNPs may be able to replace chemical pesticides in the management and prevention of soft rot disease in vegetables in postharvest settings, according to this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Productivity and Energy Balance in Large-Scale Fields II)
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21 pages, 21192 KiB  
Article
Transformation of Paddy Field Use in Intermountain-Type Basins Using Evidence from the Structure and Function Perspective of Karst Mountain Areas in Southwest China
by Mei Chen, Yangbing Li, Fang Tang, Qian Xu, Meng Yu, Han Zhang and Xue Li
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061552 - 5 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1869
Abstract
China’s southwestern karst area exhibits many mountains and little flat lands, and intermountain basins (IBs) (locally named “bazi”) are one of their typical landform types. Comparative studies on land use in the core of typical landforms in karst mountain areas are relatively lacking. [...] Read more.
China’s southwestern karst area exhibits many mountains and little flat lands, and intermountain basins (IBs) (locally named “bazi”) are one of their typical landform types. Comparative studies on land use in the core of typical landforms in karst mountain areas are relatively lacking. Studying the evolution and transformation patterns of intermountain basin paddy fields use (IBPFU) to optimize land resources in mountainous areas is important. Based on structural and functional perspectives, this study established a research framework on the evolution and transformation of IBPFU in karst mountainous areas, and analyzed the evolution and transformation patterns of IBPFU in Guizhou Province from 1966 to 2020 by measuring land use change and applying the moving window method and morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) model. The study showed that the evolution of IBPFU is characterized by reversibility and irreversibility, diversity, and stages. The transition of IBPFU requires a trade-off among regional socioeconomic development, ecological protection, and food security. The commonality of land use transitions in IB and sloped land (SL) is reflected in the diversity of their land use functions. This study provides a reference for a comprehensive understanding of land use transitions and sustainable development in the mountainous karst regions of southwest China by providing in-depth examinations of the land use transition of IB, which is different from SL, via the long time series evolution of core land use types. The research framework and research method constructed here also apply to other regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Productivity and Energy Balance in Large-Scale Fields II)
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11 pages, 1961 KiB  
Article
Spring-Planted Cover Crop Impact on Weed Suppression, Productivity, and Feed Quality of Forage Crops in Northern Kazakhstan
by Gani Stybayev, Meisam Zargar, Nurlan Serekpayev, Zhenis Zharlygassov, Aliya Baitelenova, Adilbek Nogaev, Nurbolat Mukhanov, Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Elsergani and Aldaibe Ahmed Abdalbare Abdiee
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1278; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051278 - 28 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1824
Abstract
Integrating cover crops into crop rotation could provide options for herbicide-resistant weed control in farming systems. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of spring-planted cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) on weed suppression, productivity, and feed quality of annual forage crops as sole [...] Read more.
Integrating cover crops into crop rotation could provide options for herbicide-resistant weed control in farming systems. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of spring-planted cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) on weed suppression, productivity, and feed quality of annual forage crops as sole crops and intercrops in order to determine the best agroecological technique, two-year experiments were laid out under arid conditions in the Akmolinsk region in northern Kazakhstan. Three annual forage crops, namely, (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) (control), common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.), and three annual intercropping systems, i.e., 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); 40% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 30% (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense) + 30% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); and 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% (Piper) Stapf.-sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense), as well as the six mentioned treatments with the sole crops and intercrops plus cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) were used. Japanese millet is a promising newly introduced crop in northern Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the cover crop significantly reduced weed density in the forage sole crops and their intercrops. In all cases, integrating the cover crop with annual forage crops showed higher quality and productivity than non-covered treatments. A highly productive annual crop grown with and without cover intercrop was Sudan grass. The highest yield among the three intercropping systems was recorded with the intercrop constituting 40% pea + 30% Sudan grass + 30% barley. The crude protein content was higher in biomass from sole crops and intercrops constituting cover crops. The overall view was that the use of oats as a cover crop on sole annual forage crops and their intercrops including methods that could be integrated with chemical and non-chemical methods in the field could be a valuable way to reduce weed pressure and improve quality and productivity during the vegetation period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Productivity and Energy Balance in Large-Scale Fields II)
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