A large portion of the Loess Plateau of China is characterized as “marginal” with serious land degradation and desertification problems. Consequently, two policies, Grain for Green and Western Development Action wer...A large portion of the Loess Plateau of China is characterized as “marginal” with serious land degradation and desertification problems. Consequently, two policies, Grain for Green and Western Development Action were established by the Chinese government in response to the demand for ecological protection and economic development in the Loess Plateau. These policies are designed to increase forest cover, expand farmlands, and enhance soil and water conservation, while creating sustainable vegetation restoration. Perennial grasses have gained attention as bioenergy feedstocks due to their high biomass yields, low inputs, and greater ecosystem services compared to annual crops. Moreover, perennial grasses limit nutrient runoff and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and soil losses while sequestering carbon. Additionally, perennial grasses can generate economic returns for local farmers through producing bioenergy feedstock or forage on marginal lands. Here, we suggest a United States model energy crop, switchgrass（Panicum virgatum L.） as a model crop to minimize land degradation and desertification and to generate biomass for energy on the Loess Plateau.展开更多
Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is one of the most important cropping systems in South Asia. However, sustainability of this system is under threat owing to several factors, of which deficiency of micronutrients par...Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is one of the most important cropping systems in South Asia. However, sustainability of this system is under threat owing to several factors, of which deficiency of micronutrients particularly zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese (Mn) is one of the major problems. Continuous rotation of rice and wheat, imbalanced fertilizer use and little/no use of micronutrient-enriched fertilizers induce deficiencies of Zn, B and Mn in the RWCS of South Asia. Here we review that (i) imbalanced fertilizer use and organic matter depletion deteriorate soil structure resulting in low efficiency of applied macro- and micro-nutrients in RWCS.(ii) The micronutrients (Zn, B and Mn) are essentially involved in metabolism of rice and wheat plants, including chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis, enzyme activation and membrane integrity.(iii) Availability and uptake of Zn, B and Mn from rhizosphere depend on the physico-chemical soil properties (which differ under aerobic and anaerobic conditions) including soil pH, soil organic matter, soil moisture and interaction of these micronutrients with other nutrients.(iv) Plant ability to uptake and utilize the nutrients is affected by several plant factors such as root architecture, root hairs, transport kinetics parameter and root exudates.(v) Crop management and application of these microelements can help correct the micronutrients deficiency and enhance their grain concentration.展开更多
A 12-year cover crops study on the effects on SOC sequestration, storage, retention and loss and corn and soybean yields was conducted in southern Illinois. The use of cover crops for the maintenance and restoration o...A 12-year cover crops study on the effects on SOC sequestration, storage, retention and loss and corn and soybean yields was conducted in southern Illinois. The use of cover crops for the maintenance and restoration of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil productivity of previously eroded soils were evaluated. No-till (NT), chisel plow (CP), and moldboard plow (MP) treatment plots with and without cover crops were established in 2001. The plot area was on sloping with a moderately well drained, eroded soil. The average annual corn and soybean yields were statistically the same for NT, CP, and MP systems with and without cover crops. By 2012, the cover crop treatments had more SOC stock than that without cover crops for the same soil layer and tillage treatment. The NT, CP, and MP treatments all sequestered SOC with cover crops. A pre-treatment SOC stock baseline for rooting zone was used to validate the finding that cover crops sequestered SOC in the topsoil, subsoil and root zone of the NT, CP and MP treatments during the 12-year study. Additional sequestered SOC was lost as a result of being transported off of the plots and retained in lower slopes, transported to the stream or released to atmosphere.展开更多
Agriculture is an important source of economic survival of rural populations, and with great power for poverty reduction in the economy. For this reason farming systems that are most efficient have to be sought. This ...Agriculture is an important source of economic survival of rural populations, and with great power for poverty reduction in the economy. For this reason farming systems that are most efficient have to be sought. This paper explores crop-based and pastoralism farming systems under conflicting land use relations. Incidences of violent conflicts are highlighted, which usually assume a depoliticised expression as inter-group conflicts. Competition for resources (land and water) is an important reason for such conflict, but the role of the state in protection of property rights is also advocated to nurture rivalry. Very wide difference in conception, that to the pastoralists property is cattle, land is common property open to herds, while to crop farmers land is property, which is divided between households, complicates the conflict resolution. State bias exists in the protection of property rights. Mechanisms for the state bias arebriefly cited. This paper suggests a farming systems educational approach as a way to reduce environmentally stressful practice, and strengthen the study of administrative regulation that harmonizes equity in conflicting land use.展开更多
Farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia often plant Eucalyptus on their farmlands. However, growing Eucalyptus, especially on farm- lands suitable for crop production has become a great concern due to its alleged long-te...Farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia often plant Eucalyptus on their farmlands. However, growing Eucalyptus, especially on farm- lands suitable for crop production has become a great concern due to its alleged long-term site effects. Our study was conducted at Koga water- shed, Mecha District, northwestern Ethiopia to investigate whether crop- lands afforested with Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. can be restored for annual crop production after tree harvest. We compared growth and yield of two agricultural crops, barley （Hordeum vulgate L.） and finger millet （Eleusine coracana （L.） Gaertn.）, grown in clear-felled stands of E. camaldulensis and continuously cultivated croplands at twelve paired farmlands under a conventional farming system. Plant height and dry matter production were evaluated as indices of crop growth, while grain weight was evaluated as an index of crop yield. Crop growth and yield measurements averaged over all farmlands differed between land-use types. For both crops, plants grown on clear-felled stands were taller than on croplands. Dry matter production and yield were also significantly greater in crops cultivated on clear-felled stands. Cropland aboveground and belowground dry matter productions were lower by 31.8 and 25.4% for barley and 32.8% and 37% for finger millet, respectively. Clear-felled stands gave an average yield of 2.91 t.ha-1 for barley and 3.27 t.ha-1 for finger millet while cropland gave a yield of 1.97 and 2.31 t.ha-1 for barley and finger millet, respectively. Farmers also responded that farm plots on former eucalypt plantations showed greater crop growth and yield thandid continuously cultivated croplands. Farmers perceived that Eucalyptus plantations improved soil fertility and they preferred clear-felled stands for crop production and wished to plant Eucalyptus on their farmlands. Our results suggest that conversion of agricultural lands to Eucalyptus plantations can increase post-felling yields of cereal crops.展开更多
The present study, conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons, aimed to investigate the effect of IBA on rooting of Piper betle L. stem cuttings (softwood and semi-hardwood). The experiment was undertaken in misting house...The present study, conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons, aimed to investigate the effect of IBA on rooting of Piper betle L. stem cuttings (softwood and semi-hardwood). The experiment was undertaken in misting house field 2 UPM using the sand media to determine the adventitious roots initiation and development using the histological method. The cuttings were treated with different IBA concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L). The nodes explants were used in the development of a protocol for in vitro propagation of P. betle L., with different concentrations of Clorox with different times of immersion (20% Clorox 10 minutes, 30% Clorox 10 minutes, 20% Clorox 20 minutes, and 30% 20 minutes). In multiplication of the plantlets, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/L) were used to investigate the rooting of the explants. The results indicated that the types of the cuttings were different in the rooting capacity and the length of the roots. Moreover, it was found that in comparison with the control treatment, by a rise in the concentrations of the IBA, there was a significant upsurge in the rooting percentage, the root diameter, and the number of the roots. The results indicated that the types of cutting with 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L IBA perform better in the root percentage (100%) in the semi hardwood cuttings. The best results, however, were 2000 mg/L IBA in the semi hardwood cuttings, with the number of the roots to be 35.05, and the fresh weight of the roots to be 3.94 g, the dry weight of the roots to be 0.33 g, the length of the roots to be 391.88 cm, the roots diameter to be 1.21 mm, the surface area of the roots to be 121.83 cm2, and the root volume to be 2.99 cm3. Nonetheless, the optimal concentration of Clorox with the time immersion was 20% with the 20-minute immersion time, which produced a shoot induction percentage of 30% dead explants and a mean number of 70.00 shoots per explant and the optimal concentration of benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 1.0 mg/L. It is of note that a shoot induction percentage of 22.29% and a mean number of 4.1% number of auxiliary bud per treatment. P. betle shoots in MS medium without PGR MS (0.0) yielded a good rooting.展开更多
High tunnels have been used in the United States for more than 50 years, and growers are encouraged to use them more frequently through government cost-share programs. Research on fruits and vegetable production syste...High tunnels have been used in the United States for more than 50 years, and growers are encouraged to use them more frequently through government cost-share programs. Research on fruits and vegetable production systems has focused on high value crops such as tomato, salad greens, and several fruit crops. Maintaining soil quality and controlling insects and diseases are all issues that growers face. This review looks at current research on these issues as well as economic considerations addressed in the scientific literature. Global statistics and reports are also reviewed that complement the North American studies. Gaps in our understanding are identified, and directions for future research are suggested.展开更多
This study sought to establish the compatibility effects of biochar/vermin-compost application on growth and yield of maize and cabbages. Biochar application rate was at 3 to 4% of soil weight. Biochar was mixed in va...This study sought to establish the compatibility effects of biochar/vermin-compost application on growth and yield of maize and cabbages. Biochar application rate was at 3 to 4% of soil weight. Biochar was mixed in various proportions to come up with treatments which were 100% vermicompost, 50/50% biochar： vermicompost, 75/25% biochar： vermicompost and 100% biochar. The experiment was repeated twice and arranged as a completely randomized design and replicated five times. The study established that maize yield increased with application of biochar from 25% to 50%. In the cabbage trial, comparable results in plant height, leaf numbers and final yield was obtained with 100% vermicompost application, 50% and 75% biochar inclusion. When biochar was applied at 100%, noticeable reduction in plant performance was noted. It is recommended to use biochar as a bio-fertiliser at 50/50% biochar： vermicompost in maize and cabbage production.展开更多
This study was conducted to assess the incidence of seed-borne fungi on rice seeds sourced from the major rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria. The rice seeds were collected during the dry seasons between 2009 ...This study was conducted to assess the incidence of seed-borne fungi on rice seeds sourced from the major rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria. The rice seeds were collected during the dry seasons between 2009 and 2010. Four hundred rice seeds randomly collected and surface sterilized by washing in 3% sodium hypochlorite and rinsed two times with sterile distilled water were placed in three circular rings inside the Petri dishes. The incubation was done one after the other for each variety from all the locations. Ten fungi species from eight genera were isolated from the rice seeds in all the rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria. The fungi pathogens vary from one locality to another, as well as the frequency of occurrence. The pathogens isolated include： Fusarium moniliforme, F. solani, F. oxysporium, Aspergillus spp., Botridiploidia spp., Helminthosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Trichoconis padwickii, Curvularia oryzae and Phoma oryzae. Though, there was the presence of some seed-borne fungi in the rice seeds from the areas studied, most of the cultivars experienced up to 90% germination. But some cultivars had very low germination. IR 1416 from Arochukwu and GB90 from Arondiuzogu had less than 1% germination. This study shows that seed-borne organisms are major constraint in rice production in the South-Eastern states of Nigeria as a result of low seed germination stemmed from infestation of fungi organisms in the seeds.展开更多
The emergence of novel phytopathogens and the accelerated spread of plant diseases to new regions,driven by global climate change,constitute significant threats to agricultural resources.Rice,a major tropical staple c...The emergence of novel phytopathogens and the accelerated spread of plant diseases to new regions,driven by global climate change,constitute significant threats to agricultural resources.Rice,a major tropical staple crucial for global food security,possesses six transcription factor superfamilies-AP2/ERF,bHLH,bZIP,MYB,NAC,and WRKY-that function in innate immunity against pathogens.We review their biological functions and regulatory mechanisms in rice immunity.展开更多
Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulc...Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region.Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity.Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas.However,the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage(SOCS),carbon footprint(CF),and economic benefits has received limited research attention.Therefore,we conducted an eight-year study(2015-2022)in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments[urea supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-U),slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-S),urea supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-U),and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-S)]on soil fertility,economic and environmental benefits.The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions(≥71.97%).Compared to other treatments,PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%,water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%,nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%,and net return by 6.21%-29.57%.Furthermore,PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31%and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%.After eight years,PM-S increased SOCS(0-40 cm)by 2.46%,while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%.These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility,economic gains,and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.展开更多
Nitrogen(N)is crucial for maize(Zea mays L.)growth,development and yield.Dysfunction of the maize NIN-like protein 5(ZmNLP5)reduces N assimilation,but the precise mechanism by which ZmNLP5 modulates N metabolism and i...Nitrogen(N)is crucial for maize(Zea mays L.)growth,development and yield.Dysfunction of the maize NIN-like protein 5(ZmNLP5)reduces N assimilation,but the precise mechanism by which ZmNLP5 modulates N metabolism and its contribution to agricultural applications are not well understood.In this study,our transcriptomic profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing(ChIP-seq)analyses reveal 581 ZmNLP5-modulated target genes.We confirmed that ZmNLP5 physically interacted and transactivated contributors to N assimilation,including ZmNRT1.1D,ZmNIR1.1,ZmNR2.1,ZmGS4,ZmAS1,and ZmLBD6.Overexpression of ZmNLP5 upregulated N metabolism genes,and enhanced the enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase.Furthermore,overexpressing ZmNLP5 increased grain yield under both normal-N and low-N conditions.Introgression of the overexpressed ZmNLP5 allele into Zhengdan 958 resulted in comparable yield increases in field trials.Our study unveiled that ZmNLP5 is a potential genetic target for increasing nitrogen use efficiency and grain yield in maize.展开更多
Corn(Zea mays L.)is a very sensitive crop to phosphorus(P)deficiency during the early development phase,which may be a limiting factor for the sustainable production of this crop in P-deficient tropical soils.However,...Corn(Zea mays L.)is a very sensitive crop to phosphorus(P)deficiency during the early development phase,which may be a limiting factor for the sustainable production of this crop in P-deficient tropical soils.However,scientific evidence indicates that inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria can improve the development,uptake,and P-use efficiency of corn plants.In the present study,two contrasting corn hybrids were investigated for their responsiveness to multiple inoculations of Bacillus subtilis,B.megaterium,B.velezencis,and Pseudomonas fluorescens and application of phosphate fertilizer rates in the sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado.Plants from stable(DKB 360 PRO3)and responsive(DKB 255 PRO3)corn hybrids were inoculated with 0 and 2 mL of inoculant containing multiple phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fertilized with low(0 mg P·kg^(-1)),medium(40 mg P·kg^(-1))and high(80 mg P·kg^(-1))levels of phosphate fertilizer using triple superphosphate(46% of P_(2)O_(5)).Treatments were distributed in a randomized block design using 2×2×3 factorial scheme,with four replicates.Plants were grown in 8-L pots for 70 days under greenhouse conditions.Morphological characteristics,leaf P concentration,and P use efficiency of corn plants were evaluated.Our results showed that the multiple inoculations of Bacillus subtilis,B.megaterium,B.velezencis,and Pseudomonas fluorescens are a promising sustainable agricultural practice to be recommended for corn cultivation,especially because it improves the development and P use efficiency of plants fertilized with medium P levels,which reduces the costs associated with mineral phosphate fertilization,a non-renewable fertilizer source.In sandy tropical soilwith low P availability,applying intermediate rates of highly soluble phosphate fertilizer,such as triple superphosphate,is sufficient to maximize plant development and the nutritional status of corn crops for sustainable production with low environmental impact.展开更多
To better understand the effects of ground-level ozone(O_(3))on nutrients and stoichiometry in different plant organs,urban tree species Celtis sinensis,Cyclocarya paliu-rus,Quercus acutissima,and Quercus nuttallii we...To better understand the effects of ground-level ozone(O_(3))on nutrients and stoichiometry in different plant organs,urban tree species Celtis sinensis,Cyclocarya paliu-rus,Quercus acutissima,and Quercus nuttallii were sub-jected to a constant exposure to charcoal-filtered air(CF),nonfiltered air(NF),or NF+40,60,or 80 nmol O_(3)mol^(-1)(NF40,NF60,and NF80)starting early in the summer of the growing season.At the end of summer,net CO_(2)assimila-tion rate(A),stomatal conductance(gs),leaf mass per area(LMA),and/or leaf greenness(SPAD)either were not sig-nificantly affected by elevated O_(3)or were even higher in some cases during the summer compared with the CF or NF controls.LMA was significantly lower in autumn only after the highest O_(3)exposures.Compared to NF,NF40 caused a large increase in gs across species in late summer and more K and Mn in stems.At the end of the growing season,nutri-ent status and stoichiometric ratios in different organs were variously altered under O_(3)stress;many changes were large and often species-specific.Across O_(3)treatments,LMA was primarily associated with C and Mg levels in leaves and Ca levels in leaves and stems.NF40 enriched K,P,Fe,and Mn in stems,relative to NF,and NF60 enhanced Ca in leaves relative to CF and NF40.Moreover,NF resulted in a higher Ca/Mg ratio in leaves of Q.acutissima only,relative to the other O_(3)regimes.Interestingly,across species,O_(3)stress led to different nutrient modifications in different organs(stems+branches vs leaves).Thus,ambient and/or elevated O_(3)exposures can alter the dynamics and distribution of nutrients and disrupt stoichiometry in different organs in a species-specific manner.Changes in stoichiometry reflect an important defense mechanism in plants under O_(3),and O_(3)pollution adds more risk to ecological stoichiometries in urban areas.展开更多
Publisher Correction to:Journal of Forestry Research(2025)36:29 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-025-01823-0 In Fig.4c of this article,the lower part of the figure was unintentionally cropped and incomplete during the p...Publisher Correction to:Journal of Forestry Research(2025)36:29 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-025-01823-0 In Fig.4c of this article,the lower part of the figure was unintentionally cropped and incomplete during the publisher's production process.The published incorrect version and the corrected version of Fig.4 are given below.展开更多
基金supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch Project (1001878)
文摘A large portion of the Loess Plateau of China is characterized as “marginal” with serious land degradation and desertification problems. Consequently, two policies, Grain for Green and Western Development Action were established by the Chinese government in response to the demand for ecological protection and economic development in the Loess Plateau. These policies are designed to increase forest cover, expand farmlands, and enhance soil and water conservation, while creating sustainable vegetation restoration. Perennial grasses have gained attention as bioenergy feedstocks due to their high biomass yields, low inputs, and greater ecosystem services compared to annual crops. Moreover, perennial grasses limit nutrient runoff and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and soil losses while sequestering carbon. Additionally, perennial grasses can generate economic returns for local farmers through producing bioenergy feedstock or forage on marginal lands. Here, we suggest a United States model energy crop, switchgrass（Panicum virgatum L.） as a model crop to minimize land degradation and desertification and to generate biomass for energy on the Loess Plateau.
文摘Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) is one of the most important cropping systems in South Asia. However, sustainability of this system is under threat owing to several factors, of which deficiency of micronutrients particularly zinc (Zn), boron (B) and manganese (Mn) is one of the major problems. Continuous rotation of rice and wheat, imbalanced fertilizer use and little/no use of micronutrient-enriched fertilizers induce deficiencies of Zn, B and Mn in the RWCS of South Asia. Here we review that (i) imbalanced fertilizer use and organic matter depletion deteriorate soil structure resulting in low efficiency of applied macro- and micro-nutrients in RWCS.(ii) The micronutrients (Zn, B and Mn) are essentially involved in metabolism of rice and wheat plants, including chlorophyll synthesis, photosynthesis, enzyme activation and membrane integrity.(iii) Availability and uptake of Zn, B and Mn from rhizosphere depend on the physico-chemical soil properties (which differ under aerobic and anaerobic conditions) including soil pH, soil organic matter, soil moisture and interaction of these micronutrients with other nutrients.(iv) Plant ability to uptake and utilize the nutrients is affected by several plant factors such as root architecture, root hairs, transport kinetics parameter and root exudates.(v) Crop management and application of these microelements can help correct the micronutrients deficiency and enhance their grain concentration.
文摘A 12-year cover crops study on the effects on SOC sequestration, storage, retention and loss and corn and soybean yields was conducted in southern Illinois. The use of cover crops for the maintenance and restoration of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil productivity of previously eroded soils were evaluated. No-till (NT), chisel plow (CP), and moldboard plow (MP) treatment plots with and without cover crops were established in 2001. The plot area was on sloping with a moderately well drained, eroded soil. The average annual corn and soybean yields were statistically the same for NT, CP, and MP systems with and without cover crops. By 2012, the cover crop treatments had more SOC stock than that without cover crops for the same soil layer and tillage treatment. The NT, CP, and MP treatments all sequestered SOC with cover crops. A pre-treatment SOC stock baseline for rooting zone was used to validate the finding that cover crops sequestered SOC in the topsoil, subsoil and root zone of the NT, CP and MP treatments during the 12-year study. Additional sequestered SOC was lost as a result of being transported off of the plots and retained in lower slopes, transported to the stream or released to atmosphere.
文摘Agriculture is an important source of economic survival of rural populations, and with great power for poverty reduction in the economy. For this reason farming systems that are most efficient have to be sought. This paper explores crop-based and pastoralism farming systems under conflicting land use relations. Incidences of violent conflicts are highlighted, which usually assume a depoliticised expression as inter-group conflicts. Competition for resources (land and water) is an important reason for such conflict, but the role of the state in protection of property rights is also advocated to nurture rivalry. Very wide difference in conception, that to the pastoralists property is cattle, land is common property open to herds, while to crop farmers land is property, which is divided between households, complicates the conflict resolution. State bias exists in the protection of property rights. Mechanisms for the state bias arebriefly cited. This paper suggests a farming systems educational approach as a way to reduce environmentally stressful practice, and strengthen the study of administrative regulation that harmonizes equity in conflicting land use.
基金financially supported by Bahir Dar University Research and Community Service
文摘Farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia often plant Eucalyptus on their farmlands. However, growing Eucalyptus, especially on farm- lands suitable for crop production has become a great concern due to its alleged long-term site effects. Our study was conducted at Koga water- shed, Mecha District, northwestern Ethiopia to investigate whether crop- lands afforested with Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. can be restored for annual crop production after tree harvest. We compared growth and yield of two agricultural crops, barley （Hordeum vulgate L.） and finger millet （Eleusine coracana （L.） Gaertn.）, grown in clear-felled stands of E. camaldulensis and continuously cultivated croplands at twelve paired farmlands under a conventional farming system. Plant height and dry matter production were evaluated as indices of crop growth, while grain weight was evaluated as an index of crop yield. Crop growth and yield measurements averaged over all farmlands differed between land-use types. For both crops, plants grown on clear-felled stands were taller than on croplands. Dry matter production and yield were also significantly greater in crops cultivated on clear-felled stands. Cropland aboveground and belowground dry matter productions were lower by 31.8 and 25.4% for barley and 32.8% and 37% for finger millet, respectively. Clear-felled stands gave an average yield of 2.91 t.ha-1 for barley and 3.27 t.ha-1 for finger millet while cropland gave a yield of 1.97 and 2.31 t.ha-1 for barley and finger millet, respectively. Farmers also responded that farm plots on former eucalypt plantations showed greater crop growth and yield thandid continuously cultivated croplands. Farmers perceived that Eucalyptus plantations improved soil fertility and they preferred clear-felled stands for crop production and wished to plant Eucalyptus on their farmlands. Our results suggest that conversion of agricultural lands to Eucalyptus plantations can increase post-felling yields of cereal crops.
文摘The present study, conducted during 2016 and 2017 seasons, aimed to investigate the effect of IBA on rooting of Piper betle L. stem cuttings (softwood and semi-hardwood). The experiment was undertaken in misting house field 2 UPM using the sand media to determine the adventitious roots initiation and development using the histological method. The cuttings were treated with different IBA concentrations (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L). The nodes explants were used in the development of a protocol for in vitro propagation of P. betle L., with different concentrations of Clorox with different times of immersion (20% Clorox 10 minutes, 30% Clorox 10 minutes, 20% Clorox 20 minutes, and 30% 20 minutes). In multiplication of the plantlets, Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of BAP (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/L) were used to investigate the rooting of the explants. The results indicated that the types of the cuttings were different in the rooting capacity and the length of the roots. Moreover, it was found that in comparison with the control treatment, by a rise in the concentrations of the IBA, there was a significant upsurge in the rooting percentage, the root diameter, and the number of the roots. The results indicated that the types of cutting with 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/L IBA perform better in the root percentage (100%) in the semi hardwood cuttings. The best results, however, were 2000 mg/L IBA in the semi hardwood cuttings, with the number of the roots to be 35.05, and the fresh weight of the roots to be 3.94 g, the dry weight of the roots to be 0.33 g, the length of the roots to be 391.88 cm, the roots diameter to be 1.21 mm, the surface area of the roots to be 121.83 cm2, and the root volume to be 2.99 cm3. Nonetheless, the optimal concentration of Clorox with the time immersion was 20% with the 20-minute immersion time, which produced a shoot induction percentage of 30% dead explants and a mean number of 70.00 shoots per explant and the optimal concentration of benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 1.0 mg/L. It is of note that a shoot induction percentage of 22.29% and a mean number of 4.1% number of auxiliary bud per treatment. P. betle shoots in MS medium without PGR MS (0.0) yielded a good rooting.
文摘High tunnels have been used in the United States for more than 50 years, and growers are encouraged to use them more frequently through government cost-share programs. Research on fruits and vegetable production systems has focused on high value crops such as tomato, salad greens, and several fruit crops. Maintaining soil quality and controlling insects and diseases are all issues that growers face. This review looks at current research on these issues as well as economic considerations addressed in the scientific literature. Global statistics and reports are also reviewed that complement the North American studies. Gaps in our understanding are identified, and directions for future research are suggested.
文摘This study sought to establish the compatibility effects of biochar/vermin-compost application on growth and yield of maize and cabbages. Biochar application rate was at 3 to 4% of soil weight. Biochar was mixed in various proportions to come up with treatments which were 100% vermicompost, 50/50% biochar： vermicompost, 75/25% biochar： vermicompost and 100% biochar. The experiment was repeated twice and arranged as a completely randomized design and replicated five times. The study established that maize yield increased with application of biochar from 25% to 50%. In the cabbage trial, comparable results in plant height, leaf numbers and final yield was obtained with 100% vermicompost application, 50% and 75% biochar inclusion. When biochar was applied at 100%, noticeable reduction in plant performance was noted. It is recommended to use biochar as a bio-fertiliser at 50/50% biochar： vermicompost in maize and cabbage production.
文摘This study was conducted to assess the incidence of seed-borne fungi on rice seeds sourced from the major rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria. The rice seeds were collected during the dry seasons between 2009 and 2010. Four hundred rice seeds randomly collected and surface sterilized by washing in 3% sodium hypochlorite and rinsed two times with sterile distilled water were placed in three circular rings inside the Petri dishes. The incubation was done one after the other for each variety from all the locations. Ten fungi species from eight genera were isolated from the rice seeds in all the rice growing areas of South-Eastern Nigeria. The fungi pathogens vary from one locality to another, as well as the frequency of occurrence. The pathogens isolated include： Fusarium moniliforme, F. solani, F. oxysporium, Aspergillus spp., Botridiploidia spp., Helminthosporium spp., Penicillium spp., Trichoconis padwickii, Curvularia oryzae and Phoma oryzae. Though, there was the presence of some seed-borne fungi in the rice seeds from the areas studied, most of the cultivars experienced up to 90% germination. But some cultivars had very low germination. IR 1416 from Arochukwu and GB90 from Arondiuzogu had less than 1% germination. This study shows that seed-borne organisms are major constraint in rice production in the South-Eastern states of Nigeria as a result of low seed germination stemmed from infestation of fungi organisms in the seeds.
基金supported by Research Program for Agricultural Science and Technology Development,Republic of Korea(PJ01570601)the Fellowship Program(PJ01661001)of the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences,Republic of KoreaRural Development Administration,Republic of Korea.
文摘The emergence of novel phytopathogens and the accelerated spread of plant diseases to new regions,driven by global climate change,constitute significant threats to agricultural resources.Rice,a major tropical staple crucial for global food security,possesses six transcription factor superfamilies-AP2/ERF,bHLH,bZIP,MYB,NAC,and WRKY-that function in innate immunity against pathogens.We review their biological functions and regulatory mechanisms in rice immunity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32071980)the Key Projects of Shaanxi Agricultural Collaborative Innovation and Extension Alliance(No.LMZD202201)+1 种基金the Key R&D Project in Shaanxi Province(No.2021LLRH-07)Shaanxi Natural Scientific Basic Research Program project(No.2022JQ-157).
文摘Agricultural practices significantly contribute to greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,necessitating cleaner production technologies to reduce environmental pressure and achieve sustainable maize production.Plastic film mulching is commonly used in the Loess Plateau region.Incorporating slow-release fertilizers as a replacement for urea within this practice can reduce nitrogen losses and enhance crop productivity.Combining these techniques represents a novel agricultural approach in semi-arid areas.However,the impact of this integration on soil carbon storage(SOCS),carbon footprint(CF),and economic benefits has received limited research attention.Therefore,we conducted an eight-year study(2015-2022)in the semi-arid northwestern region to quantify the effects of four treatments[urea supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-U),slow-release fertilizer supplied without plastic film mulching(CK-S),urea supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-U),and slow-release fertilizer supplied with plastic film mulching(PM-S)]on soil fertility,economic and environmental benefits.The results revealed that nitrogen fertilizer was the primary contributor to total GHG emissions(≥71.97%).Compared to other treatments,PM-S increased average grain yield by 12.01%-37.89%,water use efficiency by 9.19%-23.33%,nitrogen accumulation by 27.07%-66.19%,and net return by 6.21%-29.57%.Furthermore,PM-S decreased CF by 12.87%-44.31%and CF per net return by 14.25%-41.16%.After eight years,PM-S increased SOCS(0-40 cm)by 2.46%,while PM-U decreased it by 7.09%.These findings highlight the positive effects of PM-S on surface soil fertility,economic gains,and environmental benefits in spring maize production on the Loess Plateau,underscoring its potential for widespread adoption and application.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32001564,32372031,32272133,and 32372101)the“JBGS”Project of Seed Industry Revitalization in Jiangsu Province(JBGS[2021]012).
文摘Nitrogen(N)is crucial for maize(Zea mays L.)growth,development and yield.Dysfunction of the maize NIN-like protein 5(ZmNLP5)reduces N assimilation,but the precise mechanism by which ZmNLP5 modulates N metabolism and its contribution to agricultural applications are not well understood.In this study,our transcriptomic profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing(ChIP-seq)analyses reveal 581 ZmNLP5-modulated target genes.We confirmed that ZmNLP5 physically interacted and transactivated contributors to N assimilation,including ZmNRT1.1D,ZmNIR1.1,ZmNR2.1,ZmGS4,ZmAS1,and ZmLBD6.Overexpression of ZmNLP5 upregulated N metabolism genes,and enhanced the enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase.Furthermore,overexpressing ZmNLP5 increased grain yield under both normal-N and low-N conditions.Introgression of the overexpressed ZmNLP5 allele into Zhengdan 958 resulted in comparable yield increases in field trials.Our study unveiled that ZmNLP5 is a potential genetic target for increasing nitrogen use efficiency and grain yield in maize.
基金financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil(CAPES)-Finance Code 001financial resources from the Fundacao de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino,Ciencia e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul—FUNDECT(Termo de Outorga:133/2023/SIAFEM:33108).
文摘Corn(Zea mays L.)is a very sensitive crop to phosphorus(P)deficiency during the early development phase,which may be a limiting factor for the sustainable production of this crop in P-deficient tropical soils.However,scientific evidence indicates that inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria can improve the development,uptake,and P-use efficiency of corn plants.In the present study,two contrasting corn hybrids were investigated for their responsiveness to multiple inoculations of Bacillus subtilis,B.megaterium,B.velezencis,and Pseudomonas fluorescens and application of phosphate fertilizer rates in the sandy soil of the Brazilian Cerrado.Plants from stable(DKB 360 PRO3)and responsive(DKB 255 PRO3)corn hybrids were inoculated with 0 and 2 mL of inoculant containing multiple phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and fertilized with low(0 mg P·kg^(-1)),medium(40 mg P·kg^(-1))and high(80 mg P·kg^(-1))levels of phosphate fertilizer using triple superphosphate(46% of P_(2)O_(5)).Treatments were distributed in a randomized block design using 2×2×3 factorial scheme,with four replicates.Plants were grown in 8-L pots for 70 days under greenhouse conditions.Morphological characteristics,leaf P concentration,and P use efficiency of corn plants were evaluated.Our results showed that the multiple inoculations of Bacillus subtilis,B.megaterium,B.velezencis,and Pseudomonas fluorescens are a promising sustainable agricultural practice to be recommended for corn cultivation,especially because it improves the development and P use efficiency of plants fertilized with medium P levels,which reduces the costs associated with mineral phosphate fertilization,a non-renewable fertilizer source.In sandy tropical soilwith low P availability,applying intermediate rates of highly soluble phosphate fertilizer,such as triple superphosphate,is sufficient to maximize plant development and the nutritional status of corn crops for sustainable production with low environmental impact.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(No.42107299).
文摘To better understand the effects of ground-level ozone(O_(3))on nutrients and stoichiometry in different plant organs,urban tree species Celtis sinensis,Cyclocarya paliu-rus,Quercus acutissima,and Quercus nuttallii were sub-jected to a constant exposure to charcoal-filtered air(CF),nonfiltered air(NF),or NF+40,60,or 80 nmol O_(3)mol^(-1)(NF40,NF60,and NF80)starting early in the summer of the growing season.At the end of summer,net CO_(2)assimila-tion rate(A),stomatal conductance(gs),leaf mass per area(LMA),and/or leaf greenness(SPAD)either were not sig-nificantly affected by elevated O_(3)or were even higher in some cases during the summer compared with the CF or NF controls.LMA was significantly lower in autumn only after the highest O_(3)exposures.Compared to NF,NF40 caused a large increase in gs across species in late summer and more K and Mn in stems.At the end of the growing season,nutri-ent status and stoichiometric ratios in different organs were variously altered under O_(3)stress;many changes were large and often species-specific.Across O_(3)treatments,LMA was primarily associated with C and Mg levels in leaves and Ca levels in leaves and stems.NF40 enriched K,P,Fe,and Mn in stems,relative to NF,and NF60 enhanced Ca in leaves relative to CF and NF40.Moreover,NF resulted in a higher Ca/Mg ratio in leaves of Q.acutissima only,relative to the other O_(3)regimes.Interestingly,across species,O_(3)stress led to different nutrient modifications in different organs(stems+branches vs leaves).Thus,ambient and/or elevated O_(3)exposures can alter the dynamics and distribution of nutrients and disrupt stoichiometry in different organs in a species-specific manner.Changes in stoichiometry reflect an important defense mechanism in plants under O_(3),and O_(3)pollution adds more risk to ecological stoichiometries in urban areas.
文摘Publisher Correction to:Journal of Forestry Research(2025)36:29 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-025-01823-0 In Fig.4c of this article,the lower part of the figure was unintentionally cropped and incomplete during the publisher's production process.The published incorrect version and the corrected version of Fig.4 are given below.
