Agronomy

15 pages, 1274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological Mechanisms of BvCPD Regulation in Sugar Beet Growth

by Xiaotong Guo, Guolong Li, Yaqing Sun, Ningning Li and Shaoying Zhang

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1367; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071367 - 25 Jun 2024

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Sugar beet is an important sugar crop, and its roots are mainly used for processing raw materials to produce products such as sugar, molasses, and saccharin, as well as being used as fodder for livestock. BvCPD, a key enzyme gene for brassinosteroid [...] Read more.

Sugar beet is an important sugar crop, and its roots are mainly used for processing raw materials to produce products such as sugar, molasses, and saccharin, as well as being used as fodder for livestock. BvCPD, a key enzyme gene for brassinosteroid (BR) synthesis, regulates the development of parenchyma cells and vascular bundles by promoting BR synthesis, which promotes the expansion of the sugar beet taproot and influences the growth, development, and yield of sugar beets. This study investigated the impact of BvCPD on the physiological metabolism of sugar beet utilizing BvCPD overexpression, silent, and wild-type (WT) lines. BvCPD increased the chlorophyll content and maximum photochemical efficiency and improved the photosynthetic characteristics of sugar beet leaves. Simultaneously, BvCPD increased the rate of sugar beet taproot respiration and ATP content by enhancing the activities of phosphoglycerate kinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, sucrose synthase, and sucrose synthase catabolism. Moreover, BvCPD induced changes in the sugar fraction content, which increased the sugar yield of a single plant. In addition, BvCPD promoted water absorption, nitrogen accumulation, and lignin/cellulose synthesis activities, facilitated by increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase, cellulose synthase, and protein serine/threonine phosphatases, providing the requisite energy and materials for sugar beet growth. These findings not only provide a new perspective for understanding the physiological mechanisms regulating the growth of sugar beets but also provide a theoretical basis for the future improvement of sugar beet varieties through molecular breeding techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)

12 pages, 872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of the Co-Application of MCPA Herbicide and Urea on Grass Rhizosphere Microcosms

by Marco A. Campos, Graciela Palma, Carlos Faundez and Sebastian Elgueta

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1366; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071366 - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Background: Urea fertilizer and MCPA herbicide are widely used agrochemicals in pastures. Even though urea hydrolysis impacts soil pH, potentially affecting MCPA dissipation, little is known about the effects of their co-application into the rhizosphere. Hence, we aimed to analyze the dynamics of [...] Read more.

Background: Urea fertilizer and MCPA herbicide are widely used agrochemicals in pastures. Even though urea hydrolysis impacts soil pH, potentially affecting MCPA dissipation, little is known about the effects of their co-application into the rhizosphere. Hence, we aimed to analyze the dynamics of urea transformation and MCPA dissipation when both are co-applied to the soil. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted with a planted control and treatments incorporating urea and/or MCPA. Subsequently, pH changes, urea transformation into N‑NH₄⁺ and N‑NO₃⁻, the enzymatic activity of urease and dehydrogenase, and MCPA dissipation were monitored for 30 d. Results: Urea application induced a significant (p < 0.05) pH change, production of N‑NH₄⁺ (from 50 and 250 mg kg⁻¹) and N‑NO₃⁻ (from 206 to 347 mg kg⁻¹), and urease (from 12 to 35 µmol N-NH₄⁺g⁻¹ h⁻¹) and dehydrogenase (from 0.5 to 2.5 mg TPF g⁻¹ h⁻¹) activities. Urea also decelerated MCPA dissipation in the latter half of the experiment, whereas MCPA reduced urease activity when urea and herbicide were co-applied. Conclusions: Urea was the primary factor modifying the properties of the rhizosphere by stimulating the activity of microbial enzymes, shaping the pH changes during its mineralization, and decelerating MCPA dissipation. MCPA did not reduce urea mineralization but slowed urease activity, constituting an insight that requires further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)

17 pages, 2052 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization Management and Soil Factors on the Yield and Quality of Flue-Cured Tobacco in China—A Quantitative Research

by Weiwei Huan, Muhammad Irfan, Solomon Yokamo, Hailong Lu, Dianjun Lu, Xiaoqin Chen, Huoyan Wang and Jianmin Zhou

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1365; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071365 - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Tobacco, a pivotal economic crop in China, faces the challenge of securing high-quality raw materials for its industry due to unbalanced and inefficient nitrogen (N) application. To assess the impact of fertilizer management and soil factors on the yield and quality of flue-cured [...] Read more.

Tobacco, a pivotal economic crop in China, faces the challenge of securing high-quality raw materials for its industry due to unbalanced and inefficient nitrogen (N) application. To assess the impact of fertilizer management and soil factors on the yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco (FCT), a meta-analysis was conducted across 82 peer-reviewed research studies. The findings demonstrated that both fertilizer management and soil properties exerted a significantly greater influence on yield (63.13% and 62.05%, respectively) than the proportion of superior and medium tobacco (PSMT) (23.57% and 23.83%, respectively). Multiple models were conducted to analyze the N application rate for maximum yield and PSMT, respectively, resulting in an optimum range from 90 to 100 kg N ha⁻¹. The highest yield and PSMT increments were observed with fertilizer timing (FT) applied twice, a basal fertilizer ratio (BFR) exceeding 50%, and a soil pH below 6.5. The nicotine content escalated with increasing N application rates (NR) and soil nitrogen content, peaking at NR over 120 kg N ha⁻¹ and soil total nitrogen (TN) above 2 g kg⁻¹. Stepwise regression modeling indicated that nicotine content was positively influenced by fertilizer management factors (including NR, fertilizer timing, and BFR), as well as initial soil nitrogen content (AN and TN). However, it was negatively correlated with available potassium (AK). Therefore, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that effective fertilizer management, slightly acidic soils enriched with AK, and lower N supply capacity are crucial for enhancing leaf quality while reducing nicotine content. This approach promises improved economic and environmental returns for the tobacco industry in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Management and Tillage Practice in Agriculture)

18 pages, 5573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptomic Change in the Effects of Dichloroquinolinic Acid on the Development and Growth of Nicotiana tabacum

by Bingjie Li, Anming Ding, Weifeng Wang, Mengmeng Cui, Yuhe Sun, Jing Lv and Changbo Dai

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071364 - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Dichloroquinolinic acid is a hormone-type herbicide widely used to control barnyard grass during crop cultivation. However, it can seriously inhibit the growth of susceptible crops, including tobacco, because it degrades slowly under field conditions. Additionally, the mechanism by which it damages crops is [...] Read more.

Dichloroquinolinic acid is a hormone-type herbicide widely used to control barnyard grass during crop cultivation. However, it can seriously inhibit the growth of susceptible crops, including tobacco, because it degrades slowly under field conditions. Additionally, the mechanism by which it damages crops is unclear. More specifically, the transcriptional changes in plants induced by dichloroquinolinic acid remain unknown. In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tobacco treated with dichloroquinolinic acid (varying concentrations and durations) were analyzed and validated to explore the global transcriptome changes. The number of DEGs, which were determined according to the FPKM, varied from 758 to 21,340. The KEGG analysis revealed that many DEGs were involved in starch and sucrose metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis, porphyrin and chlorophyll metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that dichloroquinolinic acid can inhibit tobacco growth by inhibiting photosynthesis and storage of energy. We discovered that the toxicity mechanism of the hormone herbicide dichloroquinolinic acid differs from that of high concentrations of IAA (Indoleacetic acid), despite studies confirming that the effects of hormone herbicides are consistent with the physiological disturbances and growth inhibition exhibited by plants in IAA overdose. Particularly, dichloroquinolinic acid suppresses photosynthesis while high concentration IAA stimulates nucleotide synthesis and photosynthesis. More importantly, we found by editing the IAA-responsive gene IAA16, tobacco could develop resistance to dichloroquinolinic acid. The results will help clarify plant responses to hormone-type herbicides at the transcriptional level, thereby providing insights into the diversity in the gene’s response to herbicides, the molecular targets of hormone-type herbicides, and the mechanism underlying the susceptibility of tobacco to dichloroquinolinic acid. Accordingly, this study may be helpful for future research to enhance crop resistance to herbicides residues. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry)

17 pages, 2317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Water-Saving Irrigation on Rice Growth and Comprehensive Evaluation of Irrigation Strategies

by Chen Gao, Meiwei Lin, Liang He, Minrui Tang, Jianing Ma and Weihong Sun

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1363; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071363 - 25 Jun 2024

Viewed by 93

Abstract

To explore the effects of different water-saving treatments on rice plant growth and select suitable water-saving irrigation strategies for aerobic rice varieties, we conducted relevant field experiments from June to October 2023 at Jiangsu Runguo Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., China, which is located [...] Read more.

To explore the effects of different water-saving treatments on rice plant growth and select suitable water-saving irrigation strategies for aerobic rice varieties, we conducted relevant field experiments from June to October 2023 at Jiangsu Runguo Agricultural Development Co., Ltd., China, which is located in a north subtropical monsoon climate where the soil is alkaline sandy loam. Four water treatments were set up, including the control of local conventional irrigation (CK, without water stress), mild water-saving treatment (W1, 20% more water saved than CK), moderate water-saving treatment (W2, 30% more water saved than CK), and severe water-saving treatment (W3, 40% more water saved than CK). The experiment results showed that rice plant heights were inhibited and leaf chlorophyll contents increased under all water-saving treatments compared to CK. Among them, the MDA content in paddy leaves under the W1 treatment decreased, while the activities of SOD and POD were enhanced and the membrane lipid peroxidation capacity of rice was also enhanced. Meanwhile, the results showed that the rice yield and quality under the W1 treatment significantly improved. Based on those experiments, a comprehensive evaluation of rice plant height, chlorophyll content, grain yield, yield components, and rice quality was conducted using the TOPSIS entropy weight method. It was preliminarily concluded that the suitable irrigation scheme for south and central Jiangsu was 20% water-saving irrigation compared with CK. In summary, under the premise of maintaining the economic yield of rice cultivation, an appropriate water irrigation plan helped save water resources and promote rice growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Water Use and Irrigation)

5 pages, 222 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Application of Allelopathy in Sustainable Agriculture

by Nuria Pedrol and Carolina G. Puig

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1362; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071362 - 24 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The urgent call from the European Commission (EC) for an ecological transition in food systems necessitates environmentally friendly inputs for more sustainable agricultural production [1] [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Allelopathy in Sustainable Agriculture)

17 pages, 4160 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Testing of Vehicle-Mounted Crop Growth Monitoring System

by Shanshan Yu, Qiang Cao, Yongchao Tian, Yan Zhu, Xiaojun Liu, Jun Ni, Wenyi Zhang and Weixing Cao

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1361; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071361 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 263

Abstract

The aim of this study was to overcome the impact of vibration generated by agricultural machinery on the monitoring accuracy and performance of vehicle-mounted crop growth monitoring systems during field operation. This paper developed a vehicle-mounted crop growth monitoring system with vibration damping [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to overcome the impact of vibration generated by agricultural machinery on the monitoring accuracy and performance of vehicle-mounted crop growth monitoring systems during field operation. This paper developed a vehicle-mounted crop growth monitoring system with vibration damping capability to achieve this goal. The system consists of a multispectral crop growth sensor, signal conditioning module, and truss-type sensor bracket with self-vibration damping capability. The commercial finite element analysis software ABAQUS 6.10 was used to conduct modal and dynamic simulation analyses of the sensor bracket, which indicate that the truss-type sensor bracket can damp vibrations effectively. The p-values (least significant differences) of crop canopy DNRE (red edge normalized difference vegetation index) under different operating speeds (1.5, 3, and 4.5 km/h) are 0.454, 0.703, 0.81, and 0.838, respectively, for four different crop growth stages. In a comparative experiment between the proposed monitoring system and two similar vehicle-mounted sensors (CropSpec and GreenSeeker RT 200) for measuring agronomic parameters at different stages of crop growth, the proposed monitoring system yielded R2 values of 0.8757, 0.7194, and 0.795, respectively, and RMSE values of 0.7157, 2.2341, and 2.0952, respectively, in the tillering stage, jointing stage, and tillering and jointing stage, outperforming the other two sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Operation Technology and Intelligent Equipment in Farmland—2nd Edition)

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19 pages, 1454 KiB

Open AccessReview

Impacts of Global Climate Change on Agricultural Production: A Comprehensive Review

by Xiangning Yuan, Sien Li, Jinliang Chen, Haichao Yu, Tianyi Yang, Chunyu Wang, Siyu Huang, Haochong Chen and Xiang Ao

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1360; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071360 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 240

Abstract

Global warming is one of the greatest threats to the social development of human beings. It is a typical example of global climate change, and has profoundly affected human production and life in various aspects. As the foundation of human existence, agricultural production [...] Read more.

Global warming is one of the greatest threats to the social development of human beings. It is a typical example of global climate change, and has profoundly affected human production and life in various aspects. As the foundation of human existence, agricultural production is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has altered environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, and affected crop growth cycles, the frequency of extreme weather events, and the occurrence patterns of pests and diseases directly or indirectly, ultimately influencing crop yield and quality. This article reviews the latest research progress in this field, summarizes the impact of global climate change on agricultural production as well as the feedback mechanisms of agricultural activities on climate change, and proposes strategies for agricultural production to cope with global climate change. This paper aims to provide a scientific basis and suggestions for ensuring the sustainable development of agricultural production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)

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16 pages, 5211 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Soil Ecological Stoichiometry Characteristics of the Highest Latitude Areas in the Main Tea-Producing Regions of China

by Ziru Niu, Yang Zhang, Jichang Han, Yutong Zhao, Xiankui Zhu and Peng He

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1359; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071359 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 337

Abstract

To investigate the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in tea plantation soils and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics, as well as their response to environmental factors in high-latitude regions of China, soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth were collected from tea [...] Read more.

To investigate the contents of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in tea plantation soils and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics, as well as their response to environmental factors in high-latitude regions of China, soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth were collected from tea plantations at different altitudes and cultivation years in the main tea-producing areas of Shaanxi Province. These samples were used to determine the soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) contents and to calculate their stoichiometric ratios. The findings revealed the following: the average soil SOC and TN content in tea gardens were 13.15 and 1.30 g·kg⁻¹, respectively, exceeding the national soil average. These values met the Class I tea garden fertility standards. However, the average soil TP content, at 0.45 g·kg⁻¹, fell below the national soil average, meeting the Class II tea garden fertility standards. In tea gardens, the average ratios of carbon to nitrogen (C:N), carbon to phosphorus (C:P), and nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) in the soil were 10.42, 30.98, and 3.32, respectively. These ratios were all lower than the national soil average, indicating relatively high phosphorus availability but nitrogen deficiency in tea garden soils. As altitude increased, there was a decline in soil SOC content, C N, and C P ratios, followed by a subsequent increase. No significant changes were seen in TN, TP, and N P ratio in the soil, but there was an increase in SOC content, TN content, and C P ratio during cultivation. The N-to-P ratio initially increased before decreasing, while the C-to-N ratio decreased before increasing. Soil TP content did not change significantly. The study recommends careful nitrogen fertilizer application in tea garden management to balance nitrogen and phosphorus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)

14 pages, 1770 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of miRNAs Interacting with Abscisic Acid to Regulate Fatty Acid Metabolism

by Zhijun Xu, Zhenxie Yi and Jing Zhao

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1358; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071358 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 243

Abstract

Fatty acids are synthesized and stored in seeds during development in Brassica napus. Understanding the molecular mechanism behind fatty acid biosynthesis during seed development is a crucial research objective. In this study, we proved that exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) to [...] Read more.

Fatty acids are synthesized and stored in seeds during development in Brassica napus. Understanding the molecular mechanism behind fatty acid biosynthesis during seed development is a crucial research objective. In this study, we proved that exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) to the siliques can efficiently improve unsaturated fatty acid content in rapeseeds. Then we identified a total of 97 novel microRNAs (miRNAs) and 211 known miRNAs in the seeds of B. napus by high-throughput sequencing. Among them, a total of 23 differentially expressed miRNAs were observed between siliques treated with ABA and the control group. These 23 miRNAs regulated target genes that were involved in lipid metabolism through the integration of gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations. Moreover, we validated selected members from these miRNAs and their predicted targets through quantitative RT-PCR. Among these, miR172a, miR395a, and novel13 were significantly down-regulated after ABA treatment, while novel3 was significantly up-regulated. Notably, the predicted target genes of miR172a and miR395a, namely, KAS I and DGAT, play crucial roles in fatty acid synthesis and exhibit up-regulated expression in response to ABA. Our findings suggest that a variety of miRNAs interact with ABA to regulate fatty acid biosynthesis, highlighting the important roles played by miRNAs in the process of fatty acid biosynthesis during seed development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry)

17 pages, 3589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fungicides on Fungal Development, Conidiophore Morphology, and Conidial Releases from Single Strawberry Powdery Mildew Colonies Assessed Using an Electrostatic Technique

by Ami Takahara, Shunsuke Asano, Minami Kurokawa, Kanon Shibata, Rina Muto and Teruo Nonomura

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1357; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071357 - 23 Jun 2024

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Abstract

We evaluated the effects of fungicides on strawberry powdery mildew (PM) fungus, Podosphaera aphanis, using an electrostatic technique. Thirty-six fungicides were sprayed on single colonies of P. aphanis on leaves of strawberry seedlings (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier). Colony development [...] Read more.

We evaluated the effects of fungicides on strawberry powdery mildew (PM) fungus, Podosphaera aphanis, using an electrostatic technique. Thirty-six fungicides were sprayed on single colonies of P. aphanis on leaves of strawberry seedlings (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne ex Rozier). Colony development varied depending on the tested fungicides. Particularly, pyraziflumid, triflumizole, triforine, polyoxin, sodium hydrogen carbonate + copper wettable powder, and flutianil + mepanipyrim were highly effective for reducing colony development. P. aphanis colonies were histochemically stained to observe the morphological characteristics of fungal cells forming normal and abnormal conidiophores. Abnormal conidiophores were classified into seven types based on their morphological and cytological characteristics. Finally, asexual conidia were collected from single P. aphanis colonies on the leaves spray-treated with fungicides using a dielectrically polarized insulator plate (electrostatic spore collector); conidia attracted to the insulator plates were counted using a high-fidelity digital microscope. Most tested fungicides highly inhibited the production and/or germination of asexual conidia. The germination of asexual conidia was observed only in thiophanate-methyl (methyl benzimidazole carbamates fungicides; MBC fungicides) and azoxystrobin (quinone outside inhibitors; QoI fungicides). Assessing with the electrostatic technique, we clarified that P. aphanis has developed resistance to both thiophanate-methyl and azoxystrobin. Thus, the methodological assessment analyzing the colony development and the number of conidia released from single colonies will be helpful information for screening effective fungicides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Pathogen, Insect Pest, and Weed Control in Field and Greenhouse Cropping Systems—Volume II)

12 pages, 1243 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Cover Crops into Soybean Systems in the Southern Great Plains: Impacts on Yield and Yield Components

by Josie F. Rice, Anna Zander, Chase Harris, Tori Booker and Josh Lofton

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1356; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071356 - 23 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The implementation of cover crops in crop rotation is a suggested soil health practice. As cover crops are not harvested and sold, they do not directly provide monetary gain to producers. Therefore, it is imperative that planting cover crops does not negatively affect [...] Read more.

The implementation of cover crops in crop rotation is a suggested soil health practice. As cover crops are not harvested and sold, they do not directly provide monetary gain to producers. Therefore, it is imperative that planting cover crops does not negatively affect the subsequent cash crop. However, there is no overall consensus in the literature regarding the effects of cover crops on cash crop yield. To better understand the effects of cover crops on soybean growth and yield in Oklahoma soybean systems, trials were conducted in Bixby, OK, in 2019 and Perkins, OK, in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The objectives of these trials were to (1) determine how different cover crop mixes affect soybean growth parameters and (2) determine if cover crops significantly influence soybean seed yield. Treatments within the trials included six cover crops and a fallow treatment. Soybeans were planted after the termination of the cover crops. Yield and growth parameter data were collected after harvest. No significant differences or consistent trends were detected in the yield among treatments. While cover crops had a significant impact on the number of three- and four-bean pods, no other differences in the growth parameters existed, and they never translated into significant yield differences. Based on our data, cover crops would not benefit the overall cash crop production in the continuous cover crop soybean system in Oklahoma. However, the fact that cover crops did not consistently or significantly reduce soybean yield allows growers to explore other benefits, such as weed management or soil health improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)

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28 pages, 471 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Methods for Data-Driven Irrigation in Modern Agricultural Systems

by Matthew Jenkins and David E. Block

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1355; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071355 - 22 Jun 2024

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Abstract

More than half of global water use can be attributed to crop irrigation, and as the human population grows, so will the water requirements of agriculture. Improved irrigation will be critical to mitigating the impact of increased requirements. An ideal irrigation system is [...] Read more.

More than half of global water use can be attributed to crop irrigation, and as the human population grows, so will the water requirements of agriculture. Improved irrigation will be critical to mitigating the impact of increased requirements. An ideal irrigation system is informed by measurements of water demand—a combination of water use and water status signals—and delivers water to plants based on this demand. In this review, examples of methods for monitoring water status are reviewed, along with details on stem and trunk water potential measurements. Then, methods for monitoring evapotranspiration (ET), or water use, are described. These methods are broken into coarse- and fine-scale categories, with a 10 m spatial resolution threshold between them. Fourteen crop ET technologies are presented, including examples of a successful estimation of ET in research and field settings, as well as limitations. The focus then shifts to water distribution technologies, with an emphasis on the challenges associated with the development of systems that achieve dynamic single plant resolution. Some attention is given to the process of choosing ET and water status sensing methods as well as water delivery system design given site characteristics and agronomic goals. This review concludes with a short discussion on the future directions of ET research and the importance of translating findings into useful tools for growers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Agricultural Water Conservation: Tools, Strategies, and Practices)

22 pages, 2952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Phenotypic Characterization and Yield Screening of Quinoa Germplasms in Diverse Low-Altitude Regions: A Preliminary Study

by Aixia Ren, Zhijun Jiang, Jing Dai, Min Sun, Sumera Anwar, Peng Tang, Rongzhen Wang, Pengcheng Ding, Linghong Li, Xiangyun Wu and Zhiqiang Gao

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1354; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071354 - 22 Jun 2024

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Abstract

In this study, 300 quinoa accessions were systematically screened for adaptation to low-altitude areas using seventeen traits. The experiment was conducted in Taigu District, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, in 2021, at an altitude of 791 m. Out of the 300 genotypes, 107 were [...] Read more.

In this study, 300 quinoa accessions were systematically screened for adaptation to low-altitude areas using seventeen traits. The experiment was conducted in Taigu District, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, in 2021, at an altitude of 791 m. Out of the 300 genotypes, 107 were able to produce flowers and fruit, with yields ranging from 538 to 5132 kg ha⁻¹ and with 1000-grain weights between 1.19 g and 2.37 g. These 107 quinoa genotypes were categorized into four groups based on grain yield: below 1500, 1500–2250, 2250–3000, and above 3000 kg ha⁻¹. These groups consisted of 33, 33, 24, and 17 genotypes, respectively. This study found that the 1000-grain weight ranged from 1.19 g to 2.37 g, with an average of 1.72 g, 1.72 g, 1.83 g, and 1.92 g for the respective yield levels. Among the 107 genotypes, 25 had a 1000-grain weight exceeding 2 g, and 13 of these genotypes also had yields exceeding 2250 kg ha⁻¹. The growth period of quinoa genotypes in the low-altitude area was approximately 138–142 days, with longer growth periods associated with higher yield levels. JQ-00084 is the only genotype with a yield > 3000 kg ha⁻¹ and meets all the growth criteria, including a 1000-grain weight exceeding 2 g and a flowering-to-maturity period of over 80 days. Meanwhile, JQ-00315, JQ-00521, JQ-1029, and JQ-02405 fulfilled at least four criteria. These results highlight the importance of germplasm screening for low altitudes, and a large set of germplasms could be screened using the above criteria of phenology, growth, and yield traits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Crop Breeding and Genetics)

14 pages, 20599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CES-YOLOv8: Strawberry Maturity Detection Based on the Improved YOLOv8

by Yongkuai Chen, Haobin Xu, Pengyan Chang, Yuyan Huang, Fenglin Zhong, Qi Jia, Lingxiao Chen, Huaiqin Zhong and Shuang Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1353; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071353 - 22 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Automatic harvesting robots are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, and precise fruit maturity detection is a fundamental and core technology for efficient and accurate harvesting. Strawberries are distributed irregularly, and their images contain a wealth of characteristic information. This characteristic information includes both [...] Read more.

Automatic harvesting robots are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity, and precise fruit maturity detection is a fundamental and core technology for efficient and accurate harvesting. Strawberries are distributed irregularly, and their images contain a wealth of characteristic information. This characteristic information includes both simple and intuitive features, as well as deeper abstract meanings. These complex features pose significant challenges to robots in determining fruit ripeness. To increase the precision, accuracy, and efficiency of robotic fruit maturity detection methods, a strawberry maturity detection algorithm based on an improved CES-YOLOv8 network structure from YOLOv8 was developed in this study. Initially, to reflect the characteristics of actual planting environments, the study collected image data under various lighting conditions, degrees of occlusion, and angles during the data collection phase. Subsequently, parts of the C2f module in the YOLOv8 model’s backbone were replaced with the ConvNeXt V2 module to enhance the capture of features in strawberries of varying ripeness, and the ECA attention mechanism was introduced to further improve feature representation capability. Finally, the angle compensation and distance compensation of the SIoU loss function were employed to enhance the IoU, enabling the rapid localization of the model’s prediction boxes. The experimental results show that the improved CES-YOLOv8 model achieves an accuracy, recall rate, mAP50, and F1 score of 88.20%, 89.80%, 92.10%, and 88.99%, respectively, in complex environments, indicating improvements of 4.8%, 2.9%, 2.05%, and 3.88%, respectively, over those of the original YOLOv8 network. This algorithm provides technical support for automated harvesting robots to achieve efficient and precise automated harvesting. Additionally, the algorithm is adaptable and can be extended to other fruit crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI, Sensors and Robotics for Smart Agriculture—2nd Edition)

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15 pages, 5489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Planting Density on Growth, Nutrient Characteristics, and Chlorophyll Fluorescence in Silage Maize

by Xinran Han, Xu Xiao, Jiamin Zhang, Mingyu Shao, Yucheng Jie and Hucheng Xing

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1352; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071352 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 236

Abstract

The optimal combination of the nitrogen fertilizer application and planting density with reference to the silage maize yield and quality remains unclear. We hypothesized that increasing both would increase yields following the law of diminishing returns. Yayu26, a silage maize cultivar, was used [...] Read more.

The optimal combination of the nitrogen fertilizer application and planting density with reference to the silage maize yield and quality remains unclear. We hypothesized that increasing both would increase yields following the law of diminishing returns. Yayu26, a silage maize cultivar, was used in a split-plot experiment to investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer and planting density on growth, nutrient characteristics, and chlorophyll fluorescence. The main plots were assigned to three planting densities: 60,000 (A1), 75,000 (A2), and 90,000 (A3) plants hm⁻², and the subplots were assigned to four nitrogen fertilizer rates: 0 (B1), 120 (B2), 240 (B3), and 360 (B4) kg hm⁻². The results showed that increasing the nitrogen application rate and planting density both enhanced silage maize yield. Nitrogen accumulation and agronomic use efficiency peaked at a planting density of 75,000 hm⁻². Structural equation modeling showed that the nitrogen application rate and planting density affected nitrogen accumulation and nutrient properties by influencing chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and nitrogen agronomic efficiency, ultimately resulting in a positive effect on the yield. The A3 × B2 treatments exhibited higher nitrogen accumulation, potentially compensating for any deficiencies in the dry-matter yield. Therefore, the A3 × B2 treatment was evaluated as the optimal treatment to achieve sustainable and economically feasible silage maize production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)

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16 pages, 487 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Gene Action Underlying Post-Harvest Water Loss in Fresh Market Peppers

by Elizanilda Ramalho do Rêgo, Fernando Luiz Finger, Angela Maria dos Santos Pessoa, Anderson Rodrigo da Silva, Aristéa Alves Azevedo, Renata Maria Strozi Alves Meira, André Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva, Ruan dos Santos Silva and Mailson Monteiro do Rêgo

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1351; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071351 - 22 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic effects involved in post-harvest water loss of C. baccatum fruits and to correlate fruit morphological characteristics. Fruits of eight landraces of C. baccatum and their twenty-eight hybrids were evaluated in a randomized, complete [...] Read more.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic effects involved in post-harvest water loss of C. baccatum fruits and to correlate fruit morphological characteristics. Fruits of eight landraces of C. baccatum and their twenty-eight hybrids were evaluated in a randomized, complete block design. Analysis of variance, diallel analysis, phenotypic and genotypic correlation, and path analysis for eight fruit traits were performed. Fruit width, fruit length, dry matter content, and fruit wall thickness were determined by additive gene effects. On the other hand, the non-additive effects played more important role than additive ones, including water loss, cuticle thickness, exocarp thickness, and total soluble solids. The relationship of fruit traits suggested that indirect selection can be carried out from field experiments under different environmental conditions. Overall, genitors 4, 24, 50, and 56 should be selected to form new populations to improve these traits. The Brazilian pepper landraces of C. baccatum species are a source of genetic variability for plant breeders, and the new segregating populations emerging through the crossing of pepper lines with reduced water loss should be developed, opening new ways for conventional breeding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress and Innovations in Breeding Objectives and Technologies for Solanaceae Crops Production)

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15 pages, 1334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Glomus mongioiense, a New Species of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from Italian Alps and the Phylogeny-Spoiling Issue of Ribosomal Variants in the Glomus Genus

by Franco Magurno, Sylwia Uszok, Karolina Bierza, Jawdat Bakr, Zoltan Kende, Mariana Bessa de Queiroz and Leonardo Casieri

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1350; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071350 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Glomus mongioiense, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the family Glomeraceae, was isolated from rhizosphere soil collected from a meadow in the Italian Alps. The novelty of the species and its relationship with other species of the same genus [...] Read more.

Glomus mongioiense, a new species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the family Glomeraceae, was isolated from rhizosphere soil collected from a meadow in the Italian Alps. The novelty of the species and its relationship with other species of the same genus were obtained by morphological and phylogenetic (45S nrDNA + RPB1 gene) analyses. Two glomoid spore-producing AMF isolates from a saltmarsh of the Scottish Highlands and maritime sand dunes of the Baltic Sea in Poland, were also included in this study and later found to be conspecific with G. rugosae. Phylogenetic placement analysis using environmental sequences indicated that G. mongioiense sp. nov. seems to be a rare species. Furthermore, the molecular and phylogenetic analysis provided important insights into the presence of highly divergent ribosomal variants in several Glomus species, with potential negative implication in phylogeny and species recognition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities in Environments Shaped by Anthropogenic Activities)

17 pages, 6130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alfalfa with Forage Crop Rotation Alleviates Continuous Alfalfa Obstacles through Regulating Soil Enzymes and Bacterial Community Structures

by Yanxia Xu, Zhuxiu Liu, Zhongbao Shen, Zhao Yang, Xuepeng Fu, Xiaolong Wang, Shasha Li, Hua Chai, Ruoding Wang, Xiaobing Liu and Junjie Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1349; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071349 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 267

Abstract

Alfalfa is a perennial herbaceous forage legume that is significantly and adversely affected by monocropping. Crop rotation is the most effective measure to overcome continuous cropping obstacles. However, the mechanisms of how bacterial communities are affected and the potential links between these effects [...] Read more.

Alfalfa is a perennial herbaceous forage legume that is significantly and adversely affected by monocropping. Crop rotation is the most effective measure to overcome continuous cropping obstacles. However, the mechanisms of how bacterial communities are affected and the potential links between these effects and cropping systems remain poorly understood. Based on a long-term field experiments with continuous alfalfa and forage crops with alfalfa rotation in the black soil region of the western Songnen Plain in Northeast China, the alterations in soil bacterial community structure using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and soil chemical properties and enzyme activities were analyzed. The alfalfa–forage oats–silage maize–alfalfa and alfalfa–silage maize–forage oats–alfalfa system significantly increase the levels of total phosphorus and available phosphorus, and promote the activities of acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, leucine aminopeptidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase in comparison to continuous alfalfa. While alfalfa crop rotation did not affect the α-diversity of soil bacteria, it significantly altered the bacterial community composition and structure. Some key taxa are significantly enriched in the crop rotation system soils, including Bacillus, Sphingobium, Paenibacillus, Hydrogenispora, Rubrobacter, Haliangium, and Rubellimicrobium. Additionally, crop rotation with alfalfa increased the stability and complexity of the soil bacterial co-occurrence network. Based on our findings, we recommend promoting the alfalfa–forage oats–silage maize–alfalfa and alfalfa–silage maize–forage oats–alfalfa rotation systems as ideal practices for overcoming the challenges associated with continuous cropping of alfalfa. These systems not only enhance soil nutrient content and enzyme activities but also foster a beneficial microbial community, ultimately improving soil functionality and crop performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science)

16 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Degradation Affects Soil Microbial Properties, Organic Matter Composition, and Maize Yield

by Ming Gao, Meng Li, Shuli Wang and Xinchun Lu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1348; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071348 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Land degradation severely affects soil functions, thereby weakening crop productivity. However, the quantitative effects of the soil organic matter (SOM) composition and soil microbial properties on maize yield remain unclear under different levels of land degradation. Here, a gradient of land degradation was [...] Read more.

Land degradation severely affects soil functions, thereby weakening crop productivity. However, the quantitative effects of the soil organic matter (SOM) composition and soil microbial properties on maize yield remain unclear under different levels of land degradation. Here, a gradient of land degradation was selected for sampling in the Horqin Sandy Land in northeast China. The results show that the relative abundances of aliphatic and aromatic groups decreased by 21.51% and 86.01% with increasing land degradation, respectively, and the considerable increase in polysaccharide groups led to a decrease in stability and resistance to SOM decomposition. Microbial properties, such as microbial biomass carbon, basic respiration, qCO₂, and enzyme activities, decreased as a result of land degradation. The phospholipid fatty acid content and the ratio between bacteria and fungi markedly decreased with an increasing level of land degradation, and the ratio of G⁺ to G⁻ markedly increased. Correlation analysis confirmed that the microbial properties were significantly related to the SOM composition, and the random forest model indicated that fungi were key factors affecting maize yield (7.15%, p < 0.05). Moreover, the results of the structure equation modelling revealed that land degradation reduced the soil physiochemical properties, resulting in a decrease in microorganisms, causing variations in the SOM composition and directly leading to a decrease in crop yield. The effect of microorganisms (β = 0.84 ***) on maize yield was greater than that of the SOM composition (β = 0.53 **). Our investigation can provide a theoretical basis for the conservation of the cropland in Horqin Sandy Land. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Arable Farming Measures on Soil Quality)

14 pages, 2461 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Foliar Ca and Mg Nutrients on the Respiration of ‘Feizixiao’ Litchi Pulp and Identification of Differential Expression Genes Associated with Respiration

by Muhammad Sajjad, Hassam Tahir, Wuqiang Ma, Shi Shaopu, Muhammad Aamir Farooq, Muhammad Zeeshan Ul Haq, Shoukat Sajad and Kaibing Zhou

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1347; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071347 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The ‘Feizixiao’ litchi cultivar, predominantly grown in Hainan Province, faces the issue of “sugar receding” during fruit ripening. The application of mixed foliar nutrients containing calcium and magnesium (Ca+Mg) during the fruit pericarp’s full coloring stage was investigated to overcome this issue. Experimental [...] Read more.

The ‘Feizixiao’ litchi cultivar, predominantly grown in Hainan Province, faces the issue of “sugar receding” during fruit ripening. The application of mixed foliar nutrients containing calcium and magnesium (Ca+Mg) during the fruit pericarp’s full coloring stage was investigated to overcome this issue. Experimental trials unveiled significant alterations in litchi pulp physiochemical properties, including the main nutrient and flavor quality, the total respiration rates of the main respiratory pathways, and the activities of some important enzymes associated with Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas (EMP), the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The Ca+Mg treatment showed higher sugar levels than the control (CK) during ripening. Notably, the application of Ca+Mg in litchi pulp inhibited respiration rates through the EMP, TCA, and PPP pathways, resulting in a strong effect. RNA sequencing analysis revealed the impact of Ca+Mg treatment on respiratory pathways, revealing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) such as pyruvate PK1, PK2 (pyruvate kinase), and PDC (pyruvate dehydrogenase complex), validated through qRT-PCR with a significant correlation to RNA-seq results. In general, Ca+Mg treatment during litchi fruit ripening overcame “sugar receding” by inhibiting the expression of respiration key metabolic pathway genes. These findings provide insights for enhancing cultivation and postharvest management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)

15 pages, 969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expounding the Effect of Harvest Management on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Yield and Latent Loss Based on the Accurate Measurement of Grain Data

by Yujia Wang, Wenfu Wu, Jie Xu, Yong Wang, Zidan Wu and Houqing Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1346; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071346 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 234

Abstract

Due to the impact of global environment and climate change, determining how to ensure food production and reduce food loss has become an important research topic for many countries, especially developing countries, and can provide key information for China’s grain harvest management. This [...] Read more.

Due to the impact of global environment and climate change, determining how to ensure food production and reduce food loss has become an important research topic for many countries, especially developing countries, and can provide key information for China’s grain harvest management. This article mainly examines the impact of harvesting period on rice yield, the existence of latent losses, and their management value. From 2019 to 2022, our team conducted experiments on the growth curve of rice grains, plants, and populations to investigate the existence of latent losses by establishing the relationship between the standard moisture weight and the days after heading. The results showed that the weight of the rice gradually decreased as the harvest time was delayed, and there were latent losses, of which the dry matter loss was about 3.5%. With the addition of grain shattering loss, the latent loss rate was about 7.0%. In summary, if rice management is strengthened, including harvesting at the optimal time, 4.67% of the loss can be recovered. The timing of the harvest significantly impacts rice yield. Understanding the process and causes of new types of rice losses, increasing the basis for judging the timely harvest period, and providing the best management measures can prevent the post-harvest losses caused by traditional methods and increase the amount of fertile land available. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)

12 pages, 1423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ECWS: Soil Salinity Measurement Method Based on Electrical Conductivity and Moisture Content

by Weiyi Mu, Ning Han, Zhi Qu, Ming Zheng, Yuyang Shan, Xin Guo, Yang Sun and Yujie Mu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1345; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071345 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

A novel method, ECWS, is proposed for measuring soil initial salinity content (b), based on the soil electrical conductivity EC and soil moisture content WS. This pioneering model rigorously establishes and incorporates the inherent potential correlation among soil bulk conductivity ( [...] Read more.

A novel method, ECWS, is proposed for measuring soil initial salinity content (b), based on the soil electrical conductivity EC and soil moisture content WS. This pioneering model rigorously establishes and incorporates the inherent potential correlation among soil bulk conductivity (

E C_{a}

), soil solution conductivity (

{E C}_{w}

), volume water content (

θ_{c}

), and soil salinity content (SSC). First of all, in order to delve the deeper relationship between

E C_{a}

,

{E C}_{w}

,

θ_{c}

and SSC, the soil salinity conductivity conversion coefficient

ρ_{a}

and soil leaching solution salinity conductivity conversion coefficient

ρ_{w}

were employed based on the formula of parallel conducting channels of the soil–water system, and a new measurement model of salinity content was constructed. After that, a mathematical analysis method was used to transform the coefficients of multiple sets of regression equations into matrices to solve

ρ_{a}

,

ρ_{w}

and b. Finally, to validate the accuracy of the proposed ECWS method, verification tests were conducted by utilizing TDR and PWMER sensors. The results with different salinity contents showed that the b size obtained by ECWS model were

K_{2} {SO}_{4}

(1.84 g/kg), NaCl (1.91 g/kg), and KCl (1.92 g/kg). The maximum deviation was less than 0.08 g/kg (relative error less than 5%). The results showed that the influence of different anions and cations on the measurement of salinity content Cl⁻ is greater than that of

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

, and K⁺ is greater than that of Na⁺. This study revealed the relationship between soil electrical conductivity and soil salinity content to a certain extent, and realized the transformation between them, which provided a new method for the measurement of soil salinity content, and also provided a reference for related research on the measurement of soil salinization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil and Plant Nutrition)

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15 pages, 3190 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Continuous Cropping on Phenolic Acids in Muskmelon Soil and the Colonization of Trichoderma viride

by Ruixiu Yang, Bo Liu, Ao Teng, Lu Zhang, Hongling Wang, Zhijuan Yang, Jinshi Li, Yingjun Xia and Jiaqing Wang

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1344; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071344 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 140

Abstract

The obstacle associated with continuous cropping is an important problem in the production of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). The allelochemicals from root exudates play an active role in root–microbe communication. The primary objective of this study was to delve into the impact [...] Read more.

The obstacle associated with continuous cropping is an important problem in the production of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). The allelochemicals from root exudates play an active role in root–microbe communication. The primary objective of this study was to delve into the impact of root exudates and the continuous cultivation of muskmelon on the growth and colonization patterns of Trichoderma viride T23. It was observed that the root exudates of muskmelon significantly promoted mycelial growth and the sporulation of Trichoderma viride T23 at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1 g·mL⁻¹, while at a concentration of 0.05 g·mL⁻¹, the enzyme activities of β-glucosidase, chitinase and cellulase were 12.34, 13.23, and 17.85 U·mL⁻¹, respectively, which were higher than those of the control. With increasing concentrations of root exudates, the hyphal growth, spore germination, and the three enzyme activities of Trichoderma viride T23 were decreased. The findings from the pot experiments revealed that the total phenolic acid content in the soil of replanted muskmelon demonstrated a trend of escalating over the course of the first growth cycle of continuous cropping to the fourth growth cycle of continuous cropping. The population density in the rhizosphere soil of Trichoderma viride T23 in the first growth cycle and the second growth cycle of continuous cropping shows a significant difference compared with other treatments, which led to statistically significant increments of stem diameter, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight and SPAD index. It is necessary to increase the dose of the beneficial microorganism or degrade the phenolics in the rhizosphere soil to promote effectiveness while increasing the growth cycles of continuous cropping. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)

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13 pages, 1626 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carbon Footprint of Brazilian Agriculture Based on Field Operations

by João P. S. Veiga, Gustavo V. Popin, Carlos E. P. Cerri and Thiago L. Romanelli

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1343; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071343 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 247

Abstract

Agriculture has historically relied on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and exacerbating climate change. Brazil, as the third-largest producer and exporter of agricultural goods globally, plays a pivotal role in the transformation towards [...] Read more.

Agriculture has historically relied on fossil fuels as the primary source of energy, leading to significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and exacerbating climate change. Brazil, as the third-largest producer and exporter of agricultural goods globally, plays a pivotal role in the transformation towards more sustainable practices. To this end, we propose a methodology to estimate CO₂ equivalent (CO₂-eq) emissions in agriculture, leveraging previous research on energy use in 23 crops in Brazil. The methodology aims to facilitate the comparison of emissions across different crops and production systems. Indirect emissions account for 36% of the total, while direct emissions account for 64%. Most direct emissions are due to the consumption of fertilizers and pesticides. The average emission per mass of product was 749.53 kg CO_2-eq Mg⁻¹, with cotton having the highest emissions and eucalyptus having the lowest emissions per product. The results highlight the importance of assessing GHG emissions from crops to identify emission reduction opportunities and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. The study’s findings can inform policy recommendations and contribute to the development of sustainable agriculture practices globally, ultimately leading to a more environmentally friendly and economically viable agricultural sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges and Advances in Sustainable Biomass Crop Production)

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13 pages, 2968 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Quality Complete Genome Resource for Dickeya dadantii Type Strain DSM 18020 via PacBio Sequencing

by Yi Cheng, Jianping Xu, Zhiqiang Song, Wenting Li, Jiayang Li, Zhecheng Xu, Fengming Chen, Huajiao Qiu and Tuhong Wang

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1342; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071342 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Dickeya dadantii is a common pathogen of bacterial soft rot on a wide range of plants, including several crops. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of the D. dadantii type strain DSM18020^T. The genome was assembled using PacBio [...] Read more.

Dickeya dadantii is a common pathogen of bacterial soft rot on a wide range of plants, including several crops. In this study, we present the complete genome sequence of the D. dadantii type strain DSM18020^T. The genome was assembled using PacBio technology, resulting in a 4,997,541 bp circular chromosome with a G+C content of 56.5%. Our sequence analyses predicted 4277 protein-encoding genes, including several associated with known bacterial virulence factors and secondary metabolites. Comparative genomics analysis between Dickeya revealed that the category of ‘metabolism’ is the most important in both the core and accessory genomes, while the category of ‘information storage and processing’ is the most dominant in unique genomes. These findings will not only help us to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of D. dadantii DSM18020^T, but also provide us with useful information for new control strategies against this phytopathogen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research on Diagnosis and Biological Control of Crop Diseases)

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20 pages, 23344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation and Characterization of Native Isolates of Metarhizium sp. as a Biocontrol Agent of Hypothenemus hampei in Rodríguez de Mendoza Province—Peru

by Manuel Oliva-Cruz, Miguel A. Altamirano-Tantalean, Reyna Chuquizuta-Torres, Carlos Oliva-Cruz, Jorge L. Maicelo-Quintana, Santo T. Leiva-Espinoza, Lorenzo Culqui, Lizette Daniana Mendez-Fasabi, Heidel Marcelo Rojas Ventura, Mike Anderson Corazon-Guivin and Lily Juarez-Contreras

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1341; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071341 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 250

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi represent the pinnacle of efficacy among biological control agents when combating insect pests within natural ecosystems, combating them without altering the environment. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the morphology, physiology, and pathogenicity of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. isolated [...] Read more.

Entomopathogenic fungi represent the pinnacle of efficacy among biological control agents when combating insect pests within natural ecosystems, combating them without altering the environment. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the morphology, physiology, and pathogenicity of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. isolated from soil samples from the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza. Eighteen native isolates of Metarhizium sp. were isolated and characterized. Colony coloration varied between yellow-gray, white, brown, and olive, with feathery or wavy edges. As for radial growth, the highest averages were obtained by isolates LLM-M2 and TOR-M16, with 43.15 mm and 42.85 mm, respectively. Conidia production at 15 days was higher for isolate LLM-M2 with 9.8 × 10⁷conidia/mL; in the percentage of germination at 14 h, the treatment that reached 100% germination was TOR-M16. Isolate CMR-M7 reached 97.49% mycelial growth percentage at 288 h, being the best result; in the percentage of mortality in CBB adults, the treatments that reached 100% were TOR-M9, TOR-M16, and MNR-M1. In general, the results demonstrate the entomopathogenic potential of native isolates of Metarhizium sp. acting as biocontrol agents of Hypothenemus hampei, being a low-cost, easily accessible, and environmentally friendly alternative. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pest and Disease Management)

12 pages, 5534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Anti-Infection and Anti-Diabetic Activities in Methanolic and n-Hexane Plant Extracts of Indigenously Cultivated Chenopodium album

by Ijaz Hussain, Muhammad Ramzan Saeed Ashraf Janjua, Atta Ul Haq, Sadaf Ul Hassan, Faisal Miqad K. Albaqami, Meshari A. Alsuwat, Barakat M. Alrashdi, Sarah Alzwain and Syed Ali Raza Naqvi

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1340; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/agronomy14071340 - 21 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The Asian region of earth has a rich agriculture system that provides extensive opportunities to boost pharmaceutical and nutritional research to address the use of food crops for health benefits and potential clinical applications. The traditionally cropped green leaf vegetable indigenously known as [...] Read more.

The Asian region of earth has a rich agriculture system that provides extensive opportunities to boost pharmaceutical and nutritional research to address the use of food crops for health benefits and potential clinical applications. The traditionally cropped green leaf vegetable indigenously known as Bathu and botanically known as Chenopodium album (C. album) is traditionally used as a sedative, blood purifier, hepatoprotectant, diuretic, and antiscorbutic laxative. In this study, we investigated the anti-infection potential, anti-diabetic potential, and mineral composition of indigenously cultivated C. album plant extracts. Methanol and n-hexane solvents were used to extract phytochemicals at different extraction conditions. The maximum yield of 12.72 ± 0.36 g/100 g extract was obtained in methanol with 200 rpm shaking, 200 mL solvent, and an 8 h extraction period. Under the same conditions, n-hexane gave 2.09 ± 0.29 g/100 g extract. Good alpha-amylase inhibition efficiency was shown by the n-hexane extracts, while the methanol extracts showed good urease inhibition potential. The H6 extract had the lowest IC₅₀ (8.16 ± 0.2 ug/mL) as compared to the standard acarbose (9.27 ± 0.6 ug/mL). Similarly, the M6 extract revealed a significant urease inhibitory potential, i.e., IC₅₀ of 18.77 ± 0.6 ug/mL, which was close to the standard thiourea (IC₅₀: 19.09 ± 0.7 ug/mL). Regarding the antibacterial study, the M6 extract showed 16.55 ± 0.57 mm ZOI against E. coli and 15.54 ± 0.55 mm in the case of S. aureus, as compared to the standard ciprofloxacin, which showed 26.08 ± 0.73 mm, and penicillin, which showed 21.12 ± 0.81 mm ZOI. Mineral profiling was investigated by ICP-OES, which showed significant amounts of Mg and Fe in all extracts. Our findings tend to show that systematic harvesting and utilization of this vegetable crop could be recommended as an alternative nutritional therapy in the management of internal infections and diabetes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant-Crop Biology and Biochemistry)

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