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Agronomy
Special Issues
Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture
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Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 14990

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sushil Thapa

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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA
Interests: agronomy; cropping systems; soil nutrient management; soil–water management; soil health; precision agriculture
Dr. Qingwu Xue

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
Interests: crop physiology; water use efficiency; soil–water–environment interactions; variety/hybrid selection; drought management
Dr. Ghulam Abbas Shah

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agronomy, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab 10370, Pakistan
Interests: soil–plant interactions; tillage; organic agriculture; composting and organic waste management; soil health; soil fertility; biochar and coated fertilizers; greenhouse gas emissions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Healthy soil is the foundation of productive, profitable, and sustainable agriculture. Good soil and crop management practices can help to reduce erosion, maximize water infiltration, improve nutrient cycling, reduce input costs, and finally improve the resilience of ecosystem services. Minimizing soil disturbances, maximizing soil cover and biodiversity, crop rotation, and crop-livestock integration are some of the vital approaches to soil health and crop management in conservation agriculture. Conservation agriculture practices further restore soil organic matter and increase beneficial soil microbial populations, ensuring both economic and environmental benefits. Adoption of soil-health-building regenerative farming systems based on the principles of conservation agriculture can also help to reclaim degraded soils and farmlands.

Agricultural practices that protect soils, restore soil productivity, increase water and nutrient use efficiency, and sustain crop production are the needs of the 21st century. We therefore invite research and review articles on various soil and crop management practices, cropping systems, water and nutrient use efficiency, soil organic matter, soil carbon, and soil health. This Special Issue also entertains papers on conservation agriculture (minimum tillage, crop diversification, crop rotation, multiple cropping, etc.) and innovative crop management practices that improve ecosystem services, while simultaneously increasing crop yields and farm profits.

Dr. Sushil Thapa
Dr. Qingwu Xue
Dr. Ghulam Abbas Shah
Guest Editors

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

  • cropping systems
  • crop rotation
  • cover crops
  • soil nutrient management
  • organic agriculture
  • soil health
  • soil moisture
  • soil organic matter
  • water use efficiency
  • crop stress/drought management

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

4 pages, 176 KiB  
Editorial
Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture
by Sushil Thapa, Ghulam Abbas Shah and Qingwu Xue
Agronomy 2024, 14(10), 2291; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14102291 - 5 Oct 2024
Viewed by 922
Abstract
With the global population projected to rise from 8 billion today to 9 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

13 pages, 1829 KiB  
Article
French Bean Production as Influenced by Biochar and Biochar Blended Manure Application in Two Agro-Ecological Zones of Rwanda
by Solange Uwingabire, Shaban Athuman Omar Chamshama, Jean Nduwamungu and Gert Nyberg
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2020; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092020 - 5 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1038
Abstract
Biochar (B) has low nutrient content and is recalcitrant to biodegradation. Supplementing B with a fast-releasing nutrient source may improve soil fertility and physical conditions and increase crop productivity. A three-season field study was conducted on sandy loam and sandy clay loam textured [...] Read more.
Biochar (B) has low nutrient content and is recalcitrant to biodegradation. Supplementing B with a fast-releasing nutrient source may improve soil fertility and physical conditions and increase crop productivity. A three-season field study was conducted on sandy loam and sandy clay loam textured soils to investigate the effect of B mixed with livestock manure (LM) on soil properties (pH, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total Nitrogen (TN), available Phosphorus (Avail P)), and French bean yield (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Rwanda. The study used a factorial randomized block design with four replications. Treatments comprised three levels of B (0, 1, and 3 t/ha) and three levels of LM (0, 1, and 3 t/ha). Biochar was used from S. sesban, G. sepium, A. angustissima, Eucalyptus, and Grevillea sp., prepared using a drum kiln, while LM was prepared using the pit method. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Tukey (HSD) function at p < 0.05, and linear mixed-effects model were performed in R software version 4.3.3 (R Core Team, 2024). The analysis showed that the treated plots significantly increased French bean yield compared to the control plots, with the highest value found in plots treated with 3 t/ha. The combined plots showed an increased yield compared to sole Biochar or manure. The seasonal increase has been observed, with percentage increases recorded as follows: 16%, 33.56%, 173.06% in sole B plots; 40.28%, 14.43%, and 11.76% in sole LM plots and 125%, 156%, and 209.8% in B + LM plots for season 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Furthermore, the results indicated that the application of B alone or combined with LM significantly enhanced soil pH, OC, TN, avail P, and CEC with the pH ranging from 6.77 to 5.43 for B alone, 6.7–5.35 for LM alone, 8.53–6.06 for B-LM plots, and 4.34–3.78 for control plots. Applying Biochar, either alone or in combination with LM, at a low rate demonstrated positive effects on French bean yield and soil nutrients in smallholder farmers. This study encourages using natural materials such as B and LM to improve soil fertility and increase vegetable production while reducing chemical fertilizers that can cause pollution and damage the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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14 pages, 1350 KiB  
Article
Pasture Recovery Period Affects Humic Substances and Oxidations of Organic Matter in Eastern Amazon
by Carlos Augusto Rocha de Moraes Rego, Juan López de Herrera, Paulo Sérgio Rabello de Oliveira, Luciano Cavalcante Muniz, Jean Sérgio Rosset, Eloisa Mattei, Lucas da Silveira, Marinez Carpiski Sampaio, Marcos Gervasio Pereira, Karolline Rosa Cutrim Silva and Ismênia Ribeiro de Oliveira
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 1937; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14091937 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 614
Abstract
Land management practices that overlook soil limitations and potential have led to varying degrees of degradation. This study evaluates the carbon content in chemical and oxidisable soil fractions across different pasture recovery periods, comparing them to secondary forests. The management practices assessed include [...] Read more.
Land management practices that overlook soil limitations and potential have led to varying degrees of degradation. This study evaluates the carbon content in chemical and oxidisable soil fractions across different pasture recovery periods, comparing them to secondary forests. The management practices assessed include the following: secondary forest (SF), perennial pasture (PP), perennial pasture recovered five years ago (P5), and perennial pasture recovered eight years ago (P8), all on Plinthosols. We analysed carbon levels in oxidisable fractions and humic substances at depths of 0–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, 0.20–0.30 m, and 0.30–0.40 m. The SF and P8 areas showed the highest organic matter content within the humic fractions, compared to the PP and P5 areas. Additionally, the P8 area demonstrated an increase in the labile and moderately recalcitrant fractions of organic matter, standing out among the different fractions evaluated. The multivariate principal component analysis indicated that P8 has the greatest impact on soil quality, followed by FS, P5, and PP. The pasture recovery over the past eight years has significantly improved soil carbon accumulation, highlighting the benefits of land restoration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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19 pages, 2064 KiB  
Article
Response of Soil Microorganisms to and Yield of Spelt Wheat following the Application of Bacterial Consortia and the Subsequent Effect of Cover Crops in Organic Farming
by Rafał Górski, Robert Rosa, Alicja Niewiadomska, Agnieszka Wolna-Maruwka and Anna Płaza
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040752 - 5 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1304
Abstract
In modern agriculture, more and more attention is being paid to the use of microorganisms that can increase crop productivity and quality even under adverse weather conditions. Due to the declining biodiversity of crops and the occurrence of soil erosion and nutrient losses, [...] Read more.
In modern agriculture, more and more attention is being paid to the use of microorganisms that can increase crop productivity and quality even under adverse weather conditions. Due to the declining biodiversity of crops and the occurrence of soil erosion and nutrient losses, the introduction of cover crops (CC) can be a positive crop management technique. In the field study presented here, the effect of growing spring barley with CCs applied simultaneously with bacterial consortia on the ratio of the total number of bacteria to actinobacteria (B/A) and the number of fungi in the soil was evaluated. The biomass yield of CCs and the subsequent effect on the yield of spelt wheat grown with the application of bacterial consortia were also evaluated. The bacterial consortia applied included consortium 1, comprising Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and consortium 2, comprising Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Azotobacter chroococcum. The CCs were red clover, red clover + Italian ryegrass, and Italian ryegrass. The most favorable B/A ratio and the highest number of fungi were obtained after growing spring barley with a CC consisting of a mixture of red clover and Italian ryegrass when using bacterial consortium 2. These conditions additionally had the most favorable influence on spelt wheat. The combination of such a forecrop with the application of bacterial consortium 2 resulted in the highest yields of spelt wheat. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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19 pages, 1657 KiB  
Article
Cover Crop Termination Methods and Custom Residue Manager Effects on Collard Production
by Corey M. Kichler, Ted S. Kornecki, H. Allen Torbert, Dexter B. Watts and Rishi Prasad
Agronomy 2023, 13(10), 2595; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13102595 - 11 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1593
Abstract
Producers are looking for more sustainable methods of producing fresh vegetables. No-till systems that use cover crops to keep the soil surface covered can increase sustainability by reducing soil erosion, reducing weed pressure, and retaining soil moisture compared to bare soil cropping systems. [...] Read more.
Producers are looking for more sustainable methods of producing fresh vegetables. No-till systems that use cover crops to keep the soil surface covered can increase sustainability by reducing soil erosion, reducing weed pressure, and retaining soil moisture compared to bare soil cropping systems. Cover crop termination methods along with planting equipment modifications required to work in high residue planting systems are often areas of interest to farmers prior to adopting no-till systems. The objectives of this experiment are to compare the effects of two different cover crops, iron clay pea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), using three different termination methods (rolled/crimped, mowed, and mowed + incorporated via tillage) and two no-till transplanter configurations (with and without residue manager) on soil properties and collard (Brassica oleracea L. var. viridis) yield. Results show that biomass production for pearl millet was greater, with a three-season average of 8461 kg ha−1 compared to 6465 kg ha−1 for iron clay pea. Rolled cover crops under drier weather conditions retained more volumetric soil moisture compared to other methods for both cover crops. Increases in total soil carbon and nitrogen concentration in the top 15 cm ranged from 8 to 11% and 23 to 35%, respectively. Collards grown in an iron clay pea cover crop produced greater weight and height per plant for all growing seasons compared to those grown in pearl millet. Collard yield was affected by cover crop type as reported with iron clay peas ranging from 2881–13,168 kg ha−1 compared to lower yield for the pearl millet cover crop with a range of 1354–8943 kg ha−1. Overall, both cover crops showed the ability to improve soil health by increasing total soil carbon, but collard production was better in the iron clay pea cover crop. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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16 pages, 1728 KiB  
Article
Biochar and Polyhalite Fertilizers Improve Soil’s Biochemical Characteristics and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Yield
by Muhammad Abdullah Aziz, Fahad Masoud Wattoo, Faheem Khan, Zeshan Hassan, Imran Mahmood, Adeel Anwar, Muhammad Fazal Karim, Muhammad Tahir Akram, Rabia Manzoor, Khalid Saifullah Khan and Mosaed A. Majrashi
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 483; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020483 - 7 Feb 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3849
Abstract
Biochar (BC) applications have multiple impacts on crops’ nutrient availability, growth and yield depending on the feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions. Pot and field experiments were conducted to examine the effects of biochars (BCs) prepared from three different feedstocks, Acacia modesta wood biochar [...] Read more.
Biochar (BC) applications have multiple impacts on crops’ nutrient availability, growth and yield depending on the feedstock type and pyrolysis conditions. Pot and field experiments were conducted to examine the effects of biochars (BCs) prepared from three different feedstocks, Acacia modesta wood biochar (AWB), Dalbergia sissoo wood biochar (DWB) and poultry litter biochar (PLB), on soil’s nutrient availability, uptake by wheat (Triticum aestivum) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus) crops and their yield attributes. All BCs were applied at the rate of 10t ha−1 in each treatment in both experiments, and pot and field trials were designed according to a two-factor factorial completely randomized design (CRD) and two-factor factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD), respectively. The concentration of soil NO3-N, NH4-N, Olsen P and extractable K increased by 98.5, 296, 228 and 47%, respectively, in the pot experiment with the application of PLB+polyhalite (PH) treatments. Similarly, in field experiments, NO3-N, NH4-N and Olsen P contents increased by 91, 268 and 156% under the PLB+PH treatment, respectively. However, in both experiments, soil’s microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP) was significantly higher after AWB+PH treatment, and the increments were 127 and 109% while microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) contents were 16 and 14% higher than the control under DWB+PH and AWB+PH treatments, respectively, in the field experiment. Similarly, combined PLB+PH increased the total organic carbon (TOC) of soil by 193%. Moreover, PLB+PH co-applications with PH significantly increased sunflower grain yields by up to 58% and the harvest index by 45%. Overall, no negative impact with respect to BCs was observed on the soil’s nutrient content and plant growth. Hence, for immediate crop benefits and soil health, using nutrient biochar (PLB) alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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Review

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20 pages, 3034 KiB  
Review
Conservation Tillage Improves Soil Quality and Crop Yield in Hungary
by Gergő Péter Kovács, Barbara Simon, István Balla, Boglárka Bozóki, Igor Dekemati, Csaba Gyuricza, Attila Percze and Márta Birkás
Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030894 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3363
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the progress of tillage in Hungary. The local and international impacts on the national practice are summarized, and some adoption of the conservation tillage results is presented concerning Hungary. The interest in conservation agriculture in Hungary dates [...] Read more.
This paper provides an overview of the progress of tillage in Hungary. The local and international impacts on the national practice are summarized, and some adoption of the conservation tillage results is presented concerning Hungary. The interest in conservation agriculture in Hungary dates back almost 120 years; however, any significant changes only occurred in the last 50 years. Interestingly, the factors of progress and restraint in tillage have appeared simultaneously over the years. Among the factors restraining tillage progress, the most retarding were the beliefs that have existed for many decades, as soil conservation was not considered nor was the need to mitigate climate-related hazards. Progress was driven by the commitment to soil protection, the opportunity to raise farming standards, and the need to mitigate climate-related threats. Since the average yield in Hungary was usually sufficient for the domestic need, the main objective of crop production was to avoid yield loss. Long-term experimental data and monitoring results were considered for this study. The impacts of new tillage solutions, elaborated in foreign countries, on tillage modernization were reviewed. The experiences and first results in no-till (direct drilling) and strip-tillage showed that difficulties can gradually be reduced through site-specific technology solutions. The need for subsoiling is not a matter of debate nowadays but rather the timing of operation and the investigation of the duration of the effects. Due to its complex advantages, tine tillage occupies an increasing rank among soil conservation systems. The area of ploughed soils has decreased; however, improved implementation is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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Other

10 pages, 2055 KiB  
Perspective
Deep Vertical Rotary Tillage: A Sustainable Agricultural Practice to Improve Soil Quality and Crop Yields in China
by Wenlong Zhang, Jinhua Shao, Kai Huang, Limin Chen, Guanghui Niu, Benhui Wei and Guoqin Huang
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092060 - 9 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1071
Abstract
Deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) is an innovative soil tillage technology that has been widely adopted in China and shown significant potential in enhancing soil quality, optimizing water use efficiency, and increasing crop yields across diverse ecological and agronomic conditions. DVRT utilizes a [...] Read more.
Deep vertical rotary tillage (DVRT) is an innovative soil tillage technology that has been widely adopted in China and shown significant potential in enhancing soil quality, optimizing water use efficiency, and increasing crop yields across diverse ecological and agronomic conditions. DVRT utilizes a vertical spiral drill bit for deep plowing, which preserves soil structure, reduces soil compaction, and improves water retention, making it particularly effective in regions facing climatic challenges such as drought. This review synthesizes the effects of DVRT on soil’s physical and chemical properties, crop root systems, photosynthesis, and water use efficiency, demonstrating its advantages in promoting robust root development and improving nutrient utilization. Although the technology has been applied successfully across various crops and regions, its nationwide adoption remains limited. This paper emphasizes the need for further research to refine the theoretical framework of DVRT and develop tailored strategies for different local conditions. Additionally, integrating DVRT with other agronomic practices and advancing machinery design, supported by policy measures, is essential for maximizing its benefits. In conclusion, DVRT presents a promising approach for sustainable agriculture in China, contributing to improved soil quality, increased crop yields, and enhanced food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Soil Health and Crop Management in Conservation Agriculture)
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