A randomized block field experiment was conducted in the irrigated area of northern Xinjiang, China, to clarify the effects of biochar (0, 30 × 10³ kg·hm⁻² (B)) combined with nitrogen (0, 150 (N1), and 300 kg·hm⁻² (N2)) on soil fertility, which was represented by CK, B, N1, N2, BN1, and BN2, respectively. The performance of eleven indices related to soil chemical, physical, and biological properties was evaluated by factor analysis and cluster analysis to determine the most appropriate mode for soil fertilization and to identify the main soil environmental factors affecting wheat yield under biochar combined with nitrogen. The results indicated that the first factor was the activity factor, including the Shannon index, McIntosh index, and Simpson index. The second factor was the available nutrient factor, including organic matter, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Factor 3 can be taken as the nutrient-supplying and retaining factor containing total phosphorus, total potassium, and bacterial quantity. The highest score of soil quality was observed in the BN1 treatment, followed by the BN2 and B treatments, which were almost in line with the results of wheat yields. Cluster analysis classified six treatments into four main groups on the basis of the measured parameters, which was mostly consistent with the results of soil quality scores. Considering both economic and environmental benefits, 30 × 10³ kg·hm⁻² biochar combined with 150 kg·hm⁻² nitrogen was the best combination to restore crop productivity and soil quality and to achieve nitrogen decrease and benefit increase. This study provided the scientific basis for the rational fertilization and scientific management of biochar combined with nitrogen fertilizer in the irrigated area of northern Xinjiang, China. Full article

Small changes in soil aggregates-associated organic carbon and soil nitrogen (N) can induce huge fluctuations in greenhouse gas emissions and soil fertility. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the responses to long-term continuous rotation systems, especially in N-fixing and non-N-fixing crop wheat in terms of the distribution of soil aggregates and the storage of soil carbon (C) and N in aggregates in the semiarid calcareous soil of Central China. This information is critical for advancing knowledge on C and N sequestration of soil aggregates in rainfed crop rotation systems. Our aim was to determine which legume (soybean (Glycine max)– or mung bean (Vigna radiata)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation practice is more conducive to the formation of good soil structure and C and N fixation. A 10-year field experiment, including a soybean (Glycine max)–winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation (SWR) with yield increments of 2020 compared to 2010 achieving 18.28% (soybean) and 26.73% (wheat), respectively, and a mung bean (Vigna radiata)–winter wheat rotation (MWR) achieving 32.66% (mung bean) and 27.38% (wheat), as well as farmland fallow, was conducted in Henan Province, China. The soil organic carbon (SOC), N content in the soil, and the soil aggregates were investigated. Legume–wheat rotation cropping enhanced the proportion of the >2 mm soil fractions and reduced the <0.053 mm silt + clay in the 0–40 cm soil profile. In the 0–30 cm soil layer, the SWR had a greater increment of the >2 mm aggregate fractions than the MWR. Two legume–winter wheat rotations enhanced the C and N sequestration that varied with soil depths and size fractions of the aggregate. In contrast, the MWR had greater SOC stocks in all fractions of all sizes in the 0–40 cm soil layers. In addition, the greater storage of N in the macro-, micro-, and silt + clay fractions was observed in the 0–30 cm layers; the MWR enhanced the C/N ratios in most of the size aggregates compared with the SWR. The MWR cropping system is more beneficial to the formation of good soil structure and the increasement of C and N reserves in soil. Thus, these findings show that mung bean, in contrast with soybean in the legume–wheat rotation system of a semiarid temperate zone, may offer soil quality improvement. Full article

Most phosphorus (P) in soil exists in nonlabile forms, leading to poor soil P supply capacity and limiting crop growth. This study evaluated the effect of 10 years of rice straw return on rice yield, soil P budget, P fractions, and phosphatase activity to establish the relationship between soil P fractions and related microbial communities. Four treatments, i.e., no rice straw return (S0), low amount of rice straw return (S1), high amount of rice straw return (S2), and abandoned farmland (AL), were used in the evaluation. The results showed that rice straw return had no effect on the rice yield and P uptake, and the P budget was positive in the S2 treatment. Rice straw return increased the phosphatase activity and content of soil Olsen-P, total P, NaHCO₃-, and NaOH-extractable P, and the phosphatase activity and P fractions were both increased with the amount of straw returned. There was a positive correlation between most soil P fractions and active organic carbon fractions. Rice straw return changed the composition and abundance of soil phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). The findings showed that straw return decreased the proportion of soil nonlabile P, enhancing the soil P supply capacity, and they further showed that the abundance of PSB was not consistent with soil P content. Full article

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are influenced by physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic factors. The objective of the study is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the emissions of three important agricultural GHGs (CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄) in both rows and alleys of a vineyard (1) and to understand their interactions with the agricultural operations carried out in the experimental plot, namely tillage, inter-row management, application of mineral and organic fertilizers, and irrigation and pruning, as well as the agroclimatic conditions of the plot (2). The study was conducted in a vineyard of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo blanco in the DOCa. Rioja grape-growing region, during 2017, 2018, and 2019. Cumulative CO₂ emissions were highest in 2018, reaching 934.7 ± 66.5 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the alleys and 926.8 ± 76.5 kg ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the rows, in agreement with the wetter year and organic matter decomposition at the end of 2017. N₂O emissions during the three-year study were mainly affected by mineral fertilizer application, with increases of 41.1 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the alleys and 49.3 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the rows during 2018, and 33.1 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the alleys and 39.6 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the rows in 2019. Regarding CH₄, anaerobic soil conditions in 2018 (the year with the highest rainfall) led to the highest flux of CH₄ emissions to the atmosphere, with 215.5 ± 51.0 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the corridors and 238.4 ± 54.9 g ha⁻¹ day⁻¹ in the rows. This study emphasizes the complex interplay of physical, chemical, biological, and human-related factors affecting GHG emissions in viticultural soils. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing sustainable vineyard practices that minimize emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation. Full article

Intercropping orchards with cover crops is an important practice for achieving sustainable soil management. However, little research has addressed the development of a soil quality index (SQI) to evaluate cover crop effects on orchard soil quality. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether cover cropping improves soil quality and fruit yield of Goji (Lycium barbarum L.) while reducing or replacing organic fertilizer application. The main treatments were the traditional management of L. barbarum as a monocrop (M) and intercropping Goji with radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as an annual cover crop (I). Within the main treatments, different levels of organic fertilizer were applied at 0 kg·plant⁻¹ (M₀), 2 kg·plant⁻¹ (M₁), and 4 kg·plant⁻¹ (M₂). After six years of planting, we analyzed the changes in soil quality caused by cover cropping with different organic fertilizer levels based on the SQI method. Goji yields were used for validation of the SQI derived from a minimum data set of soil quality indicators. In contrast with traditional monocropping, cover cropping increased soil total nitrogen, available nitrogen, and available phosphorus contents (by 78.60%, 30.30%, and 138.08%, respectively). There were also increased microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents (by 79.01% and 184.01%, respectively), enhanced urease and sucrase activities (by 41.02% and 56.81%, respectively), and reduced bulk density (by 1.92%) in the soil as a result of cover cropping. Compared with IM₀ treatment, soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen contents considerably increased under IM₁ treatment, whereas soil available nitrogen and potassium contents as well as electrical conductivity increased under IM₂ treatment. The SQI, which varied among treatments in the order IM₁ > IM₂ > MM₂ > MM₁ > IM₀ > MM₀, was positively correlated with Goji yield. From the soil quality and Goji yield perspective, cover cropping with a medium level of organic fertilizer is the optimal soil management practice for the L. barbarum planting system in arid areas of Ningxia, Northwest China. Full article

Legumes provide important benefits in rotations. Interseeding cover crops (CCs) allows an additional legume CC in case of a short window after the main crop. However, legume input level and management could modify the expected benefits. In a Mediterranean irrigated agroecosystem, we evaluated the responses of topsoil (0–10 cm) and early maize development to increasing legume CC input in a biannual maize–wheat rotation under traditional tillage (TT; CC incorporated) and minimum tillage (MT; CC rolled-crimped). In the third year, at two early maize stages, we tested three legume input levels: (i) R0, non-CC; (ii) R1, barley–vetch CC; (iii) R2, vetch interseeded into maize in addition to the CC mixture. Overall, MT enhanced soil properties, but frequently conditioned to legume input level. The tillage system affected R1 the most, with MTR1 showing the better overall soil response while TTR0 showed the poorest. MTR2 was the best combination for early maize development, but not for soil health. Moreover, a better overall soil health did not lead to a better early maize performance in the short term. In this alkaline soil, CC favored early maize growth, whereas mycorrhization, enhanced under TT, favored crop nutrition. Increased legume input under MT should be monitored to avoid negative effects in soil in the mid–long term. Full article

The intercropping patterns of protected cultivations have been widely used to increase productivity and sustainability in modern agriculture. However, there have been few studies of wolfberry intercropping cultivated by clean tillage. We introduced 10 forages into wolfberry cultivation through land productivity and an interspecific competitiveness analysis, and we screened out the appropriate intercropping modes to provide a scientific basis for wolfberry green cultivation and pasture production. The results showed that the wolfberry–forage intercropping land equivalent ratio (LER) of greenhouse and field tests increased from 29% to 59% and from 62% to 170%, respectively, when compared with the monoculture weighted mean, showing significant yield advantages (p < 0.05), particularly in wolfberry–mangold, wolfberry–ryegrass, wolfberry–alfalfa, and wolfberry–clover. The aggressivity of interspecific competitiveness analysis showed that the forage introduction did not affect the dominant competitive position of wolfberry. In addition, wolfberry–forage intercropping could promote the monetary advantage index (MAI). Wolfberry–mangold, wolfberry–ryegrass, and wolfberry–alfalfa performed well, with MAI values of 827.63, 994.18, and 1918.57 for fruit and 2106.54, 1706.27, and 3103.13 for biomass, respectively. Finally, wolfberry–mangold, wolfberry–ryegrass, and wolfberry–alfalfa were screened out, which can form a new mode of wolfberry and forage production. Full article

Soil quality, nitrogen, and organic matter content are increasingly being researched due to their impact on the environment. We assessed the effects of different soil management practices on the distribution and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in a durum wheat–faba bean rotation system cultivated in a Mediterranean-type area of Southern Italy, over six years. The effects of three levels of soil disturbance—conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (RT), and no tillage—(NT) on the SOC and nitrogen (N) content at soil depths of 0–15, 15–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm were compared in a long-term experiment starting in the 2009–2010 growing season. The three soil management systems showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the surface layer (0–15 cm depth) in SOC content and total nitrogen, with the largest accumulation occurring in the conservation system (NT). In the deep layers (30–60 and 60–90 cm), however, no significant differences were found between the three tillage systems. The ascending order of the tendency to accumulate SOC and N in the soil in the 0–15 cm layer was NT > CT > RT. In addition, the C/N ratio showed a more equilibrated rate in the NT system. The conservation tillage (NT) gave the best results in terms of the physical characteristics of the soil, showing a higher stability index compared to CT and RT. Conservation tillage is therefore recommended for wheat cultivation in the dry areas of Southern Italy, due to its benefits in terms of both crop yield improvements and environmental protection. Full article

Soil salinization is a significant obstacle to agricultural development in arid and semiarid regions. While short-term experiments have demonstrated the effective improvement of saline soils through biochar amendment, the long-term efficacy in sustainably ameliorating such soils remains uncertain. Addressing this knowledge gap, this study investigated the long-term effects of biochar amendment in a field setting by applying different rates of biochar to a salt-affected soil and cultivating silage maize for three consecutive years. The comprehensive assessment includes not only maize growth but also changes in soil physical and chemical properties over the study period. The results reveal a notable elevation in maize above-ground dry matter, directly correlated to the enhanced uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Additionally, biochar application improves saline soil physical properties, including reduced bulk density (1–23%), increased soil large pores (0.7–12%), and macroaggregates (24–141%), and chemical properties, including a decrease in exchangeable sodium percentage (35–48%), and an increase in soil total organic carbon (112–857%), total nitrogen (9–198%), available nitrogen (12–49%), phosphorus (141–538%) and potassium (57–895%). These improvements ultimately resulted in better maize growth. However, the amelioration effect of biochar on these soil properties gradually diminished over the three-year study. Consequently, this study suggests that biochar is a promising soil amendment that can enhance maize growth in saline soil for at least three years in a field experiment, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices in salt-affected regions. Full article

As a widely implemented irrigation regime for paddy fields, water-saving irrigation (WSI) is capable of ensuring water resource security and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Higher gaseous nitrogen losses (GNL) lead to a low recovery rate of basal nitrogen, and this is the primary reason that restricts further improvements in the NUE under WSI. The deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer (DPN) is considered an efficient agricultural management measure to reduce GNL. However, the effects of WSI combined with the deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer on NUE, GNL, and rice yield in paddy fields remain largely unknown. In this study, a 2-year field experiment was conducted to measure GNL (N₂O emissions and NH₃ volatilization), NUE, and rice yield. Four treatments were utilized: (i) conventional flooding irrigation + broadcast of nitrogen fertilizer (110 kg N hm⁻², CFN); (ii) water-saving irrigation + deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer (110 kg N hm⁻², WSN); (iii) water-saving irrigation + deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer (99 kg N hm⁻², WSN1); (iv) water-saving irrigation + deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer (88 kg N hm⁻², WSN2). The results showed that the GNL in paddy fields under treatment ranged from 5.29 to 10.67 kg hm⁻². Deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer mitigated the GNL of the paddy fields under WSI. The GNL of CFN was significantly higher than those of WSN1 and WSN2 by 26.9% and 54.0% in 2021 and 14.4% and 23.3% in 2022, respectively (p < 0.05). Under WSI, the deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer reduced the GNL primarily via the reduction of NH₃ volatilization. NH₃-N of CFN was higher than those treatments under WSI. The rice yield of CFN was significantly lower than those of WSN and WSN1 by 22.4% and 21.6% in 2021 and 4.6% and 1.5% in 2022, respectively. (p < 0.05). Moreover, the NUE of each treatment under WSI was higher than that of CFN. These changes exhibited similar trends in 2021 and 2022. These results demonstrated that deep placement of basal nitrogen fertilizer is an effective practice to ensure food and environmental security under WSI. Full article

Sugar beet production is threatened by beetroot rot, which can be triggered by consecutive monoculture. Previous studies have shown the beneficial function of microbes affiliated with different plant compartments in inhibiting various plant pathogens. However, whether sugar beet root can recruit particular microbes at the risk of beet rot is still unclear. Therefore, this study explored the composition and community structure of bacteria and fungi of the different compartments (endosphere root, rhizosphere, bulk soil) under two farming modes (monoculture and rotation). Our result showed that the farming mode significantly affected the community structure of bacteria and fungi in bulk soil. In the rhizosphere, the community structures of bacteria between the two varieties were similar under rotation mode, and markedly different under monoculture mode. The bacterial and fungal diversity in the rhizosphere and endophytic root of the rot-suppressive variety was higher than in the rot-conducive variety. Under monoculture mode, the beneficial microbes as biomarkers were enriched in the rot-resistant variety, e.g., operational taxonomic units (OTUs) affiliated to the genus of Sordariomycetes, Cordycipitaceae, Lecanicillium, Plectosphaerellaceae, S085, Pedosphaeraceae in the rhizosphere and the genus of Actinobacteria, and Pseudonocardia, Exobasidiomycetes in the endophytic root, while for the rot-conducive variety, OTUs affiliated to the genus of Chitinophagaceae, Flavisolibacter in the rhizosphere and the Novosphingobium, Sphingobacterium, Tilletiopsis_washingtonensis, and Flavobacterium in the endophytic root. The network analysis showed that OTUs affiliated to the order of Saccharimonadales, Anaerolineae, the family of Saprospiraceae, the genus of Subgroup_10 (belonging to the family of Thermoanaerobaculaceae), Lysobacter, and AKYG587 were the keystone taxa in the rot-suppressive variety, while both beneficial and harmful microbes in the rot-conducive variety, such as Pedobacter, Ferruginibacter, and P3OB-42, were present. The variation in soil pH was shown to be the critical contributor to the microbial difference. In summary, the farming mode is critical in shaping bulk soil microbial structure by changing soil pH. Under monoculture mode, the rot-suppressive variety has more microbial diversity in both the rhizosphere and endophytic root, and enriched different beneficial microbes relative to the rot-conducive variety; the underlying mechanisms and associations of critical microbes are worth further investigation. Full article

Huang-Huai-Hai Plain is the most important region for grain production in China. In this area, long-term rotary tillage in winter wheat and no tillage in summer maize have significantly increased soil bulk density, which impede maize root growth and reduce the grain yield. Subsoiling tillage is an effective practice to improve soil properties and crop growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the integrated effects of subsoiling tillage in both winter wheat and summer maize seasons on soil bulk density, maize root growth and spatial distribution. A two-year field experiment was conducted in winter wheat–summer maize rotation system. Tillage treatments included rotary tillage (RT) and subsoiling tillage (ST) in wheat season, and no tillage (NT), inter–row subsoiling tillage (STIR), and on–row subsoiling tillage (STOR) in maize season. It was found that in the second year, i.e., in 2018, ST decreased soil bulk density by 3.87% and increased porosity by 5.86% at 30–40 cm soil depth at maize maturity. Meanwhile, maize root length density at 40–50 cm depth increased by 30.00% and grain yield increased by 4.70% under ST. In maize season tillage treatments, STOR decreased soil bulk density by 4.52% and increased soil porosity by 6.96% at 20–30 cm soil depth. Compared with NT, the STOR significantly increased maize root length density at 20–30 cm soil depth by 78.45%, and increased root length density in a horizontal area 0–10 cm for both years, with a significant increase of 58.89% in 2018. Therefore, this study demonstrated that in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain, which has a tidal soil type, subsoiling tillage in winter wheat season and on–row subsoiling tillage in maize season can loosen the soil and improve vertical extension of maize root system in the soil. Full article

The cropping system conversion, from rice to vegetable, showed various influences on the greenhouse gases (GHG) emission with conversion time and fertilizer/irrigation management. In this study, we evaluated the DeNitrification-DeComposition (DNDC) model for predicting carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and crop yields as rice converted to vegetable cropping system under conventional or no fertilization from 2012 to 2014. Then, we quantified the long-term (40 years) impacts of rice-vegetable cropping system conversions and fertilization levels (0, 50, 100 and 150% conventional fertilization rate) on GHGs emissions and global warming potentials (GWP) using the calibrated model. The DNDC model-simulated daily GHG emission dynamics were generally consistent with the measured data and showed good predictions of the seasonal CH₄ emissions (coefficient of determination (R²) = 0.96), CO₂ emissions (R² = 0.75), N₂O emissions (R² = 0.75) and crop yields (R² = 0.89) in response to the different cropping systems and fertilization levels across the two years. The overall model performance was better for rice than for vegetable cropping systems. Both simulated and measured two-year data showed higher CH₄ and CO₂ emissions and lower N₂O emissions for rice than for vegetable cropping systems and showed positive responses of the CO₂ and N₂O emissions to fertilizations. The lowest GWP for vegetable without fertilization and highest the GWP for rice with fertilization were obtained. These results were consistent with the long-term simulation results. In contrast to the two-year experimental data, the simulated long-term CH₄ emissions increased with fertilization for the rice-dominant cropping systems. The reasonable cropping systems and fertilization levels were recommended for the region. Full article

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a sustainable approach to improving soil fertility that not only provides nitrogen to subsequent crops but also reduces the impacts of synthetic fertilizers. Here, a field experiment was established within the faba bean (Vicia faba L.), cv Prothabat 69-durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum (Desf)), cv Iride rotation framework of a long-term experiment in southern Italy to quantify BNF over two consecutive years (2012/13–2013/14). The effect of tillage systems (reduced, conventional, and no tillage) on faba bean N₂ fixation was estimated at the flowering and maturity stages via the natural abundance technique, using wheat as a reference crop. The effect of tillage on the percentage of nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere (Ndfa) and the amount of N₂ fixed (kg ha⁻¹) were higher under a no-tillage system in both years and at both growth stages, with values of 66.5% at flowering and 81.7% at maturity. The same trend was reported for the amount of N₂ fixed (kg N ha⁻¹) at both faba bean growth stages. The N balance was positive in both years, with a mean value of 40.4 kg N ha⁻¹, across all tillage systems; this value was greater in the no-tillage systems (45.7 kg N ha⁻¹) with respect to the others. The values for the organic matter content and stability index were higher under the no-tillage system, which provided favourable conditions that improved N₂ fixation by faba beans. The overall results indicate that no-tillage soil management represents a sustainable strategy for improving soil quality and fertility, therefore reducing the dependency of agriculture on synthetic fertilizers. Full article

Wheat/soybean rotation is an important double-cropping system in the Huang-Huai-Hai plain of China. Continuous soybean cropping could cause soil quality deterioration and plant growth inhibition. However, the effects of continuous wheat/soybean cropping on soybean rhizosphere microbes remain largely unknown. In this study, we compared the soybean yield and rhizosphere soil microbial community between continuous winter wheat/summer soybean (W/S) with two harvests in one year and winter wheat/summer soybean-winter wheat/summer maize (W/S-W/M) with four harvests in two years. The results showed that the soybean yield in the W/S group significantly (p < 0.05) declined within the first two years. The W/S-W/M showed higher soybean yield and soil fertility index than the W/S group. The sequencing results revealed that cropping rotation had a higher impact on the fungal community than the bacterial community. The W/S group showed 22.08–23.01% higher alpha diversity of the fungal community, but the alpha diversity of the bacterial group did not vary significantly in this group. The fungal community composition in the W/S and W/S-W/M groups differed significantly. In the W/S-W/M group, a higher relative abundance of plant growth-promoting fungi (e.g., Mortierella), nematophagous fungi (e.g., Plectosphaerella), and biological control fungi (e.g., Coniothyrium) was observed. In the W/S group, a higher relative abundance of lignocellulose-degrading fungi (e.g., Trechispora, Myceliophthora, Botryotrichum, and Coniochaeta) and pathogenic fungi (e.g., Pyrenochaetopsis and Cyphellophora) was observed. LEfSe analysis demonstrated that Mortierella, Myceliophthora, and Trechispora could serve as crucial biomarkers. Mortierella was positively associated with available P levels and negatively associated with NO₃⁻-N levels and pH while Trechispora showed the opposite trend. The findings of this study could enhance the current understanding of the mechanisms associated with the continuous wheat/soybean cropping obstacles and ensure the sustainability of agricultural production. Full article

The root restriction of protected cultivation has been widely used to increase productivity and sustainability in modern agriculture. However, there have been few studies of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) root restriction, and it is cultivated mostly by clean tillage. In this study, we measured the growth of Lycium barbarum and the composition and diversity of the bacterial community and soil properties of L. barbarum under different cultivation methods with root restriction. The results showed that the X60 root-restriction treatment significantly increased the canopy size (east–west), leaf length, leaf width, the number and length of new branches, and the concentrations of chlorophyll and K in L. barbarum. The concentrations of N, P, and K in the root-restriction groups were all higher than those in CK. However, the ratio of N:P was greatest in the CK plants and least in X80, indicating that X80 had a relatively weak effect on the balance of N:P. In addition, root restriction improved fruit quality by increasing soil organic matter and organic carbon and also improved fertilization efficiency to promote plant growth. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing showed that the abundance of soil bacteria under root-restriction cultivation was significantly higher than that in CK. Furthermore, the total abundance of the top 10 bacterial genera was greatest in the X60 treatment. Redundancy analysis showed that total N, total P, total K, and total organic matter were the major soil factors that affected the bacterial community. A comprehensive comparison showed that root-restriction cultivation improved the growth of L. barbarum but reduced the abundance and diversity of the soil bacteria. The X60 treatment yielded the best results on plant growth. Our findings provide an empirical reference for root-restriction cultivation of L. barbarum of an appropriate width. Full article

Intercropping plays an indispensable role in sustainable agriculture. The response of bandwidth row ratio configuration to crop interspecific relationships and land productivity in the maize–soybean intercropping system (MSI) is still unclear. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS), two different bandwidths (2.4 m (B1), 2.8 m (B2)), two different maize and soybean row ratios (2:3 (R1), and 2:4 (R2)) for MSI. The results showed that intercropping had advantages for land productivity compared with sole planting. Intercropping cropping had significant differences on crop yield under different intercropping treatments. The 2-yr average land equivalent ratio (LER, 1.59) and group yield under the intercropping patterns of B1R2 were significantly higher than other intercropping treatments (p < 0.05). With a bandwidth of 2.4 m and planting four rows of intercropped soybean, the total LER and group yield increased by 7.57% and 10.42%, respectively, compared to planting three rows of soybean. Intercropped maize was the dominant species and also had a higher nutrient aggressivity than intercropped soybean. The complementarity effect was higher than the select effect in the MSI system, and intercropping advantage was mainly derived from the complementarity effect, which was significantly correlated with intercropped maize yield. Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient aggressivity in intercropped maize showed significant correlations with group yield and intercropped maize yield. In conclusion, bandwidth 2.4 m, row ratio 2:4 was a reasonable planting pattern because of its superior land productivity, crop nutrients uptake advantage, and harmonious interspecific relationship, which could provide a reference for MSI promotion and application research. Full article

Intensive tillage coupled with imbalanced nutrient management in maize–wheat systems in low-carbon calcareous soils often results in poor productivity vis-à-vis degradation in soil health. Conservation tillage viz. permanent bed planting (PB) and zero tillage (ZT)/direct seeding with residue retention coupled with precision nutrient management might improve soil properties and yield of crops. Concerning this, a long-term experiment was conducted from 2014–2015 to 2020–2021 with a maize–wheat cropping system at TCA, Dholi farm of RPCAU, Pusa. Treatments consisted of three main plots of different tillage practices, viz. PB, ZT, and conventional tillage (CT) and three sub-plots of nutrient management options, viz. farmers’ fertilization practice (FFP), site-specific nutrient management with Nutrient Expert^® (NE) software, and GreenSeeker (GS) based nitrogen-management. From this study, it was observed that both the PB and ZT resulted in about 31–33% and 43–45% improvement in SOC and water-soluble aggregates (WSA), respectively, comparing them under CT. These two conservation tillage practices also improved the other soil bio-chemical properties. Better soil properties under PB and ZT helped in the improvement of system yield by about 13–18% comparing yield under CT. Moreover, both these tillage practices showed an additional net return of USD 330–USD 400 over CT. PB was found a bit better over ZT concerning soil properties, yield, and economics. Comparing nutrient management options, precision nutrition using NE and GS showed significant improvement in the soil bio-chemical parameters, yield, and economics of the cropping system over FFP. SSNM using NE showed slightly better results than GS. Thus, from this long-term study, it can be concluded that the permanent bed system with residue retention and precision nutrition using Nutrient Expert^® software are the best options concerning tillage and nutrient management, respectively, for improvement of the soil properties of problematic calcareous soils, thereby, enhancing the yield and economics of the maize–wheat cropping system. Full article

The aim was to improve the fertilizer utilization efficiency and alleviate environmental pollution risk under a wheat-maize rotation system. Here, the combinations of different nitrogen stabilizers and phosphorus activators were used to reduce nitrogen loss and phosphorus fixation in the field experiment. Compared to the control, the combination of 1.5%HQ + 0.5%DMPP + biochar showed the most significant effect on the retention of alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (Nah), the highest with an increase of 22.6% at the 0~20 cm layer soil; and the combination of 1.5%HQ + 3.5%DCD + CMFs (compound microbial fertilizers) showed the most significant effect on the maintenance of available phosphorus (Pa), with the highest increase of 41.3%. N, P synergists combined with a basal fertilizer could effectively slow down the transformation from ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$ to ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$, and keep ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$ at an increase of 7.38%~19.6%. Moreover, the N, P synergists could efficiently lock the available nutrients around the roots, preventing the migration of ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$, ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$, Nah, and Pa to the deeper layers. Especially for ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$, the total accumulation at 0~60 cm decreased by 32.1%, and the activation of Pa was mainly concentrated at 0~40 cm. Under the same nutrient inputs, the combination of 0.3%NBPT + 0.5%DMPP + CMFs obtained the highest wheat yield. The combination of 1.5%HQ + 0.5%DMPP+ biochar gained the highest maize yield. Overall, the application of N, P synergists could increase the effective duration of Nah, Pa, and ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_4^{+}$ in the surface soil, and reduce the accumulation of ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{O}}_3^{-}$ in the 0~60 cm soil layer. The capacity of holding and keeping nutrients from leaching rose obviously; simultaneously, the assimilative capacity of crops for nitrogen and phosphorus increased distinctly, which could lower the eutrophia risks from nitrogen and phosphorus. Full article

A systematic understanding of nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission and grain yield in winter wheat–summer maize rotation, one of the most important cereal cropping systems in China, is still lacking. The primary aim of this study was to quantify the N₂O emissions and grain yield, as well as responses to mitigation strategies, in this intensively managed agroecosystem. We conducted a pairwise meta-analysis by compiling a comprehensive dataset of annual N₂O emissions (n = 530) and grain yields (n = 352) from peer−reviewed publications. The N₂O emissions increased with nitrogen (N) fertilizer input rates following a linear model (r² = 0.295, p < 0.001), giving a specific emission coefficient and background emission of 0.71% and 0.5 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. The grain yields responded to the N input rates following a linear-plateau model (r² = 0.478, p < 0.001), giving an optimal N input rate and maximum grain yield of 405 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ and 15.5 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. The meta-analyses revealed that reducing N fertilizers (approximately 50% of the full N input), water-saving irrigation, reduced or no tillage, and applying enhanced efficiency fertilizers significantly decreased N₂O emissions (range: −45% to −9%) and increased or did not impact grain yields (range: −1% to 3%). We recommend that reducing agricultural inputs (i.e., N fertilizers, irrigation, and tillage) is a feasible N₂O mitigation strategy in the intensively managed winter wheat–summer maize rotation that can be employed without additional environmental risks. Full article

The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effect of the cultivation system, cultivars and pre-sprouting of potato on soil quality. Materials for the research were obtained from a three-year (2016–2018) field experiment in Central-Eastern Poland. The experiment was established using the randomized sub-blocks method, in a dependent system which was as follows: split-split-plot in three replications. The first order factor was the type of cultivation system of organic (E), and sustainable (S). The second order factor was the selection of the six potato cultivars (‘Denar’, ‘Gwiazda’, ‘Jurek’, ‘Satina’, ‘Tajfun’, ‘Jelly’) and the third order factor was the pre-planting treatments of (A) sprouted seed potatoes, and (B) non-sprouted seed potatoes. The organic cultivation system, in comparison to the sustainable system, contributed to changes in the chemical properties of the soil by increasing the content of organic C and total N, thereby narrowing the C:N ratio, reducing the content of mineral N forms, changing soil acidity, and changing in the enzymatic activity of Adh, AFs, and APs in the soil. Germination of seed-potatoes contributed to the increase in total N and nitrate N in the soil, to extend the C:N ratio. The sustainable development of agriculture in the soil and climate conditions of Central-Eastern Poland can be achieved by maintaining soil fertility and improving its productivity, and reducing the risk of the agricultural system by increasing the flexibility of integrated agriculture. Full article

Forage grasses cultivation in production system with soybean and maize is an alternative to improve tropical weathered soils quality in Brazil. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects in the production systems involving cultivation of Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã, in monoculture or in succession with soybean and maize crops, on organic matter and structuring of soil in Brazilian savanna. The experiment was implemented in the 2010/2011 season. The treatments consisted of nine production systems and a native forest (savanna) as a reference area. In March 2017, soil sampling was carried out for C and N analysis, physical and chemical fractionation of SOM and aggregate stability. Production systems influenced total organic carbon (TOC) and aggregate stability, mainly in the surface layers, leading to changes in SOM quality. TOC was 31% lower in monoculture soybean production system, when compared to native savanna area, in the 0.00–0.20 m layer. The agricultural production systems influence organic matter quality and soil aggregates stability. For the Brazilian savanna conditions, grain cultivation systems under no-tillage that integrate Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã contribute to the soil quality improvement. Soybean monoculture generally provides worse soil quality indices compared to other agricultural production systems. Full article

Soil nutrients in deep soils are important for nutrient cycling and plant growth. Organic amendments have been widely used for enhancing soil health and crop yield. However, little is known about the effects of organic amendments on the vertical distributions of soil nutrients. Based on a 32-year long-term organic amendment experiment, the objective of this study was to evaluate changes in the vertical distribution of nutrients in a soybean–wheat system Vertisol. The results showed that NPK with manure or straw application significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, total P, alkali-hydrolyzable N, available P and available K above the 40 cm soil layer. Variations in soil micronutrients primarily occurred above the 20 cm soil layer, and the highest contents were observed for NPKWS and NPKPM, respectively. Nevertheless, large amounts of NO₃⁻−N contents accumulated in the 120–200 cm depth with manure but not straw application, indicating a high potential risk of nitrate leaching in manure treatments. These findings suggested that the application of organic amendment (manure or straw) could be recommendable for improving soil nutrients along the soil profile. Straw incorporation could be used as an alternative option for sustainable agriculture in regions with inadequate manure resources or severe nitrate leaching. Full article

Earthworms (EWs) could be a viable indicator of soil biology and agri-food system management. The influence of climate-smart agriculture (CSA)-based sustainable intensification practices (zero tillage, crop rotations, crop residue retention, and precision water and nutrients application) on earthworms’ (EWs) populations and soil physico-biochemical properties of rice-wheat cropping system in the Indo-Gangetic plains of South Asia was investigated. This study investigates the effect of 10-years adoption of various CSA practices on the abundance of earthworms and physical and biochemical properties of the soil and EWs’ casts (EWC). Five scenarios (Sc) were included: conventionally managed rice-wheat system (farmers’ practices, Sc1), CSA-based rice-wheat-mungbean system with flood irrigation (FI) (Sc2) and subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) (Sc3), CSA-based maize-wheat-mungbean system with FI (Sc4), and SDI (Sc5). Results revealed that EWs were absent under Sc1, while the 10-year adoption of CSA-based scenarios (mean of Sc2–5) increased EWs’ density and biomass to be 257.7 no. m⁻² and 36.05 g m⁻², respectively. CSA-based maize scenarios (Sc4 and Sc5) attained higher EWs’ density and biomass over rice-based CSA scenarios (Sc2 and Sc4). Also, SDI-based scenarios (Sc3 and Sc5) recorded higher EWs’ density and biomass over FI (Sc2 and Sc4). Maize-based CSA with SDI recorded the highest EWs’ density and EWs’ biomass. The higher total organic carbon in EWC (1.91%) than in the bulk soil of CSA-based scenarios (0.98%) and farmers’ practices (0.65%) suggests the shift of crop residue to a stable SOC (in EWC). EWC contained significant amounts of C and available NPK under CSA practices, which were nil under Sc1. All CSA-based scenarios attained higher enzymes activities over Sc1. CSA-based scenarios, in particular, maize-based scenarios using SDI, improved EWs’ proliferation, SOC, and nutrients storage (in soil and EWC) and showed a better choice for the IGP farmers with respect to C sequestration, soil quality, and nutrient availability. Full article

Soil biochemical properties shaping soil fertility and agro-ecosystem productivity depend on the reduced tillage system and the dose and method of application of fertilizer; therefore, the research hypothesis put forward proposes that under reduced tillage system conditions, the subsurface application of a multi-component mineral fertilizer would increase soil enzymatic activity, thus favourably influencing the biodiversity of the soil environment. The objective of the three-year study was to evaluate the impact of subsurface application of varying mineral fertilizer rates on soil enzymatic activity under reduced tillage system conditions in soybean, winter wheat and maize rotations. The field experiment was set up as a split-plot design in four replicates. The first experimental factor included two methods of mineral fertilization application: fertilizer broadcast over the soil surface (S); fertilizer applied deep (subsurface placed) using a specially designed cultivator (Sub-S). The other factor was the rates of the mineral fertilizer (NPKS): 85 kg∙ha⁻¹ (F85) and 170 kg∙ha⁻¹ (F170). The method of application and rate of mineral fertilizer did not have a significant effect on the organic carbon and total nitrogen content in the soil of the plots with all rotational crops. Subsurface application of fertilizer significantly increased available phosphorus content in soil under soybean and winter wheat crops; however, it significantly decreased soil pH_KCl values within sites with all crops in the rotation compared to surface application. At the same time, deep application of mineral fertilizer significantly stimulated dehydrogenase activity in the soil under the winter wheat crops and acid phosphatase activity in the soil under all rotation crops. The higher level of mineral fertilization contributed to reduction of soil pH_KCl under winter wheat and maize, and promoted an increase in the soil P content. Additionally, significant increases of dehydrogenases and urease activity in the soil under winter wheat and maize crops, alkaline phosphatase activity in the soil under all the studied crops, and acid phosphatase activity in the soil under the soybean crops were found, compared to mineral fertilizer in the amount of 85 kg NPKS∙ha⁻¹. The results of the present study have demonstrated a positive effect of subsurface application of compound mineral fertilizer on the soil biochemical parameters in reduced tillage. This may be a recommendation for the subsurface use of multicomponent mineral fertilizers in sustainable agriculture. However, a full objective characterization of the soil environment processes induced by in-depth application of mineral fertilizer in reduced tillage requires long-term monitoring. Full article

Labile soil organic matter pools (LSOMp) are believed to be the most sensitive indicator of soil quality when it is changed rapidly with varied management practices. In sub-tropical climates, the turnover period of labile pools is quicker than in temperate climates. Organic amendments are of importance in improve the LSOMp for a temperate climate and may be helpful in sub-tropical climates as well. Hence, the status of LSOMp was studied in long term farmyard manure (FYM) amended soils under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) cropping systems in sub-tropical arid conditions. At the same time, we also attempt to determine the impact of mineral nitrogen (N) application in these pools. In this study, dissolved organic matter (DOM), microbial biomass (MB), and light fraction (LF) were isolated in the management practices involving different modes and rates of FYM applications along with the application of nitrogenous fertilizer. C and N contents of the labile pools were analyzed in the soil samples at different periods after FYM applications. Among the different pools, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were changed significantly with different rates and modes of FYM application and mineral N application. Application of FYM at 15 Mg ha⁻¹ in both the seasons + 120 kg ha⁻¹ mineral N resulted in significantly higher MBC and DOC as compared to all of the other treatments. This treatment also resulted in 13.75% and 5.8% more MBC and DOC, respectively, as compared to the amount of MBC and DOC content in the control plot where FYM and mineral N were not applied. Comparing the labile organic matter pools of 45 years of FYM amendment with initial values, it was found that the dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and light fraction carbon were increased up to the maximum extent of about 600, 1200, and 700 times, respectively. The maximum amount of DOM (562 mg kg⁻¹ of DOC and 70.1 mg kg⁻¹ of DON), MB (999 mg kg⁻¹ of MBC and 158.4 mg kg⁻¹ of MBN), LF (2.61 g kg⁻¹ of LFC and 154.6 g kg⁻¹ of LFN) were found in case of both season applied FYM as compared to either summer or winter applied FYM. Concerning the different rates of FYM application, 15 Mg ha⁻¹ FYM also resulted in a significantly higher amount of DOM, MB, and LF as compared to other FYM rates (i.e., 5 Mg ha⁻¹ and 10 Mg ha⁻¹). Amongst different pools, MB was found to be the most sensitive to management practices in this study. From this study, it was found that the long-term FYM amendment in sub-tropical soil along with mineral N application can improve the LSOMp of the soil. Thus, it can be recommended that the application of FYM at 15 Mg ha⁻¹ in summer and winter with +120 kg ha⁻¹ mineral N can improve SOC and its labile pools in subtropical arid soils. Future studies on LSOMp can be carried out by considering different cropping systems of subtropical climate. Full article

Although nitrogen (N) is the most limiting nutrient for agricultural production, its overuse is associated with environmental pollution, increased concentration of greenhouse gases, and several human and animal health implications. These implications are greatly affected by biochemical transformations and losses of N such as volatilization, leaching, runoff, and denitrification. Half of the globally produced N fertilizers are used to grow three major cereals—rice, wheat, and maize—and their current level of N recovery is approximately 30–50%. The continuously increasing application of N fertilizers, despite lower recovery of cereals, can further intensify the environmental and health implications of leftover N. To address these implications, the improvement in N use efficiency (NUE) by adopting efficient agronomic practices and modern breeding and biotechnological tools for developing N efficient cultivars requires immediate attention. Conventional and marker-assisted selection methods can be used to map quantitative trait loci, and their introgression in elite germplasm leads to the creation of cultivars with better NUE. Moreover, gene-editing technology gives the opportunity to develop high-yielding cultivars with improved N utilization capacity. The most reliable and cheap methods include agronomic practices such as site-specific N management, enhanced use efficiency fertilizers, resource conservation practices, precision farming, and nano-fertilizers that can help farmers to reduce the environmental losses of N from the soil–plant system, thus improving NUE. Our review illuminates insights into recent advances in local and scientific soil and crop management technologies, along with conventional and modern breeding technologies on how to increase NUE that can help reduce linked N pollution and health implications. Full article

In the context of climate change, agricultural cultivation, as one of the most vulnerable sectors, is under threat. Extreme weather and climate conditions have caused a series of problems, such as yield loss, more serious pests and diseases, and declining biodiversity. Conservation tillage is considered a potential method to improve climate resilience, yet the intrinsic mechanism of how conservation tillage functions to improve the climate resilience of agriculture is uncertain. Here, we performed document analysis to explore how conservation tillage stabilizes and increases crop yield and reduces greenhouse gases. We reviewed the definition of resilience and proposed the practice of conservation tillage. Our research found that conservation tillage has the potential of improving soil health and reducing greenhouse gases to enhance climate resilience. Although there is some evidence demonstrating that conservation tillage has a negative impact on crop yield and greenhouse gases, we still advocate the adoption of conservation tillage according to local conditions. We suggest that choosing proper practices, such as crop rotation, the use of cover crops, and holistic grazing, when used along with conservation tillage, can maximize the benefits of conservation tillage and alleviate the possible negative effects of this practice. Full article