Effects of introduced macadamia on soil organic carbon and water stocks in subtropical agroforestry systems of southwestern China
Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia)-based agroforestry systems,widely adopted in Yunnan Province, China since 1981, are critical for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. However, their effects on SOC stocks and coupling mechanisms with soil water dynamics remains poorly understood. This study quantified changes in SOC and soil water stocks following the conversion from primary forest to macadamia monoculture and intercropping systems (dasheen, konjac, and maize) in Yongde […]
Mitigating tropical cyclone susceptibility in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards
The production of tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans is a globally important agricultural industry. Climate risk posed to tree nut orchards was recently brought to light by a series of severe tropical cyclone impacts to the primary pecan-producing areas of Georgia, USA which caused $1.2 billion USD in losses. Understanding how […]
Vegetation Monitoring of Palm Trees in an Oasis Environment (Boudenib, Morocco) Using Automatic Processing of Medium-Resolution Remotely Sensed Data
Oases are part of the natural wealth and heritage of Morocco and contribute to the social, economic, and touristic environment. Morocco has lost more than 2/3 of its oases during the past century due to water scarcity, succession of drought periods, climate change and over-exploitation of groundwater resources. Palm trees are strongly dependent on irrigation […]
Understanding the photosynthesis in relation to climate change in grapevines
Due to predicted global climate change, there have been significant alterations in agricultural production patterns, which had a negative impact on ecosystems as well as the commercial and export prospects for the production of grapevines. The natural biochemistry of grapevines, including their chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm ratio, photorespiration, reduced yield, and quality is […]
Optimization of irrigation on walnut through the IRRIFRAME water balance model
In recent years, reduced summer precipitation frequencies related to climate change have raised the probability of water scarcity, even in the Po Valley of Italy, thus requiring an optimization of the irrigation management for walnut cultivation which has become very present in the area. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, during four […]
Microbial dynamics and agroforestry impact on soil ecosystem multifunctionality following forest conversion to macadamia-based systems
Forest conversion to agroforestry systems has the potential to impact soil ecosystem functions in terrestrial ecosystems and optimize crop management, which may play a critical role in sustaining soil ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF, defined as simultaneously provision of multiple ecosystem functions) in a subtropical agroforestry system. However, the impact of sowing crops on soil EMF and […]
Evaluation of Physiological Changes in Important Dried Apricot Varieties Under Drought Stress
Nearly all of the apricot varieties grown in Malatya are dried apricots and the plantation areas in this region are expanding daily. Due to the impact of climate change, producers are growing apricots mostly under limited irrigation or even dry conditions. Therefore, it is essential to determine the drought resistance characteristics of the varieties commonly […]
Water use dynamics of almond and pistachio crops in the Mediterranean region amid climate change
Almond and pistachio are socio-economically significant tree crops grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Continuing commercial production with efficient irrigation planning under changing climate requires an extensive understanding of their biophysical interactions such as altered phenology, biomass accumulation, transpiration, and other processes. This study examines the phenology and water use (ETc) responses of almonds and […]
Native cover crops enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in hazelnut orchards
Agroecological restoration aims to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function in agricultural landscapes while sustaining crop production. Adopting native plants as cover crops may restore ecological value to cropping systems such as nut orchards. We focused on Oregon hazelnut orchards and compared how four seed mixes (native annuals, native perennials, conventional cover crops and unseeded controls) […]
Intercropping alfalfa during almond orchard establishment reduces winter soil nitrogen and water losses, provides on-farm revenue
The ecosystem benefits linked to intercropping and diversified agroecosystems is an area with increasing research interest, particularly in sustainable food production and farm resilience to extreme climate variability. Interrow cropping of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in almond [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] orchards during the 3–4 non-bearing, establishment years has potential to advance sustainable intensification in […]
Pecan-medicinal crops intercropping improved soil fertility and promoted interactions between soil microorganisms and metabolites
Background: Pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) Koch] is a widely cultivated dried fruit and woody oil tree with high economic value. Continuous sole planting of pecan caused some land to lie idle and deterioration of soil conditions. Tree and medicinal crops intercropping represents an environmental-friendly and economically feasible solution to these issues. Thus, we aimed to […]
Sustainable livelihoods through cashew cultivation: insights from smallholder farmers in the southern region of India
Cashew cultivation has emerged as an important agricultural activity in promoting sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The present study investigates the impacts of cashew cultivation on sustainable livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Southern region of India, addressing a significant research gap in the understanding of how this crop affects various aspects of farmers’ lives. […]
The Effects of Land Fragmentation on Hazelnut Farming in Türkiye: Environmental, Economic, and Policy Perspectives
Land fragmentation is a critical problem that threatens the economic and environmental sustainability of hazelnut farms. The aim of the study was to assess the economic and environmental effects of land fragmentation on hazelnut farming in Türkiye. The primary data for the study were collected through face-to-face questionnaires from 121 randomly sampled hazelnut farms. The […]
Resistance of pistachio grafted on different Pistacia rootstocks against Verticillium wilt under field conditions
Verticillium wilt of pistachio (Pistacia vera), caused by Verticillium dahliae, is one of the most important diseases in this crop. The most effective and economical control measure is the use of resistant rootstocks. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the resistance of five rootstocks commonly used in pistachio against the disease under […]
Dendrochronological Analysis of Pinus pinea in Central Chile and South Spain for Sustainable Forest Management
Pinus pinea is an important Mediterranean species due to its adaptability and tolerance to aridity and its high-quality pine nuts. Different forest types located in Mediterranean native and non-native environments provide the opportunity to perform comparative studies on the species’ response to climate change. The aims of this study were to elucidate growth patterns of […]
Enhancing nutritional status, growth, and fruit quality of dried figs using organic fertilizers in rain-fed orchards: A case study in Estahban, Iran
The majority of Iranian fig production is exported, making it one of the world’s most well-known healthy crops. Therefore, the main objective of the current experiment was to investigate the effects of various types of organic fertilizers, such as animal manure (cow and sheep), bird manure (partridge, turkey, quail, and chicken), and vermicompost, on the […]
Intercropping Systems: An Opportunity for Environment Conservation within Nut Production
Global population growth and intensive agriculture have both contributed negatively to the environment. As a result, there is increasing interest in the use of sustainable alternatives is increasing to promote better use of natural resources and create an equilibrium between agriculture and the environment. Intercropping, the simultaneous cultivation of multiple crops, aims to optimize land […]
Insights into the cashew production system in Guinea-Bissau: implications for agroecosystem sustainability
Introduction: West Africa, particularly Guinea-Bissau, heavily relies on cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) production, which significantly impacts the countries’ economies. Cashew exhibits remarkable adaptability to impoverished and arid soils. Understanding producers’ socio-economic characteristics is crucial due to their potential influence on crop productivity and household income. Methods: This study aims to characterize the socio-economic, productive, […]
Linking Conventional and Organic Rainfed Almond Cultivation to Nut Quality in a Marginal Growing Area (SE Spain)
The need to improve agroecosystem sustainability to secure yields, minimize environmental impacts and improve soil health is widely recognized. Organic production systems are one of the strategies that may be used to alleviate the negative environmental repercussions of conventional agriculture. In the present study, we compared the impact of conventional and organic production systems on […]
Mitigation of salinity stress in ‘Chandler’ walnuts through the application of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts to soil: effects on growth, yield, and its impact on physical and biological soil properties
In Chile most of the walnut orchards are located in semiarid areas prone to saline conditions. Therefore, mitigating salinity stress is a relevant issue for farmers, especially for ‘Chandler’, the most sensitive planted variety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an extract of Ascophyllum nodosum (ANE; Acadian Organic®), applied through […]
Agronomic response, transpiration and water productivity of four almond production systems under different irrigation regimes
In recent years, more intensive production systems have been developed, coinciding with a growing scarcity of water resources. This context underscores the imperative of prioritizing water productivity (WP) as a critical factor in choosing the optimal production system to minimize agricultural water use. This study aims to contribute by evaluating WP in almond orchards under […]
Predictive Neural Network Modeling for Almond Harvest Dust Control
This study introduces a neural network-based approach to predict dust emissions, specifically PM2.5 particles, during almond harvesting in California. Using a feedforward neural network (FNN), this research predicted PM2.5 emissions by analyzing key operational parameters of an advanced almond harvester. Preprocessing steps like outlier removal and normalization were employed to refine the dataset for training. […]
A review to frame the utilization of Eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) cultivars in alley cropping systems
Agroforestry adoptition is gaining considerable traction in the temperate US with growing popularity and government incentives (e.g., the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Project) for systems with greenhouse gas mitigation potential. The identification of complementary species combinations will accelerate the expansion of temperate agroforestry. Since the mid-19th century, European timber plantations have taken advantage of the […]
Large-scale assessment of date palm plantations based on UAV remote sensing and multiscale vision transformer
Timely and efficient mapping of date palm plantations through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing is critical for continuous observation, health and risk evaluation, pest management, resource optimization, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the dates industry. This study presents an efficient and cost-effective transformer-based approach to identify, countify, monitor, and evaluate the overall well-being […]
Alternative fertilization practices lead to improvements in yield-scaled global warming potential in almond orchards
This study investigates the impact of alternative fertilization practices on the yield-scaled global warming potential (YS-GWP) in almond orchards. Almond production is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers. This research aims to identify strategies that reduce the environmental footprint of almond cultivation while maintaining yield. Field experiments were conducted […]
Nut bush pesticide limits: urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address current and emerging insect pests and insecticide options in the Australian macadamia industry
In Australia, macadamia orchards are attacked by four main insect pest groups. Management and control of three of these key pests currently relies on broad-spectrum insecticides whose long-term future is questionable. Of the 23 insecticides registered for use in macadamia in Australia, 19 face issues affecting their availability and 12 are presently not approved in […]
Effect of drought stress and subsequent re-watering on the physiology and nutrition of Pistacia vera and Pistacia atlantica
Arid and semi-arid regions are characterised by extreme conditions including drought stress and salinity. These factors profoundly affect the agricultural sector. The objective of this work is to study the effect of drought and re-watering on leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and mineral nutrition in Pistacia vera and Pistacia atlantica. Water stress was applied to […]
Effect of deficit irrigation on physiological, morphological and fruit quality traits of six walnut tree cultivars in the inland area of Central Asia
Persian walnut, a drought-sensitive tree, exhibits significant genetic variation in functional traits in response to drought—a domain that remains largely unexplored. This study examines the impact of two distinct irrigation regimes—conventional irrigation (CI) and deficit irrigation (DI)—on physiological, morphological, and fruit quality traits across six walnut tree cultivars in a scion orchard during the summer […]
Yield prediction in a peanut breeding program using remote sensing data and machine learning algorithms
Peanut is a critical food crop worldwide, and the development of high-throughput phenotyping techniques is essential for enhancing the crop’s genetic gain rate. Given the obvious challenges of directly estimating peanut yields through remote sensing, an approach that utilizes above-ground phenotypes to estimate underground yield is necessary. To that end, this study leveraged unmanned aerial […]
Cashew gum hydrogel as an alternative to minimize the effect of drought stress on soybean
The use of hydrogels helps the production of plants in drought-stress environments. Thus, this work evaluated using different hydrogels to minimize drought stress in soybean cultivation. The treatments employed two different hydrogels, one already commercialized and the other produced with cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), five levels (0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg pot-1) of […]
Advancements in peanut mechanization: Implications for sustainable agriculture
Context: Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) hold significant global economic and nutritional importance, positioning them as a crucial crop in the realm of sustainable agriculture. In this comprehensive systematic and meta-analytic review, we thoroughly examine the extensive research and innovative strategies related to mechanizing peanut farming, with a specific focus on activities encompassing tilling, sowing, and harvesting. […]
Effects of Supplementary Pollination on Macadamia Nut Set, Retention and Yield in Murang’a County, Kenya
Macadamia is a promising prime dessert nut with the potential of alleviating poverty and enhancing food security in Kenya. Nut set and subsequent development of nuts to maturity is dependent on pollination which is mediated by animals, and honey bees are the dominant macadamia flower visitors. However, macadamia is pollen deficit as not all flowers […]
Land Suitability Assessment for Pistachio Cultivation Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making: A Case Study of Mardin, Turkey
Site selection for pistachio orchards is an important issue for sustainable agricultural policies, crop productivity, agricultural planning, and communities. This study aims to investigate suitable places for pistachio in the Mardin Province (SE Turkey) by considering several variables, such as meteorological data, topographic conditions, economic factors, and soil characteristics, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and […]
Alternative fertilization practices lead to improvements in yield-scaled global warming potential in almond orchards
This study investigates the impact of alternative fertilization practices on the yield-scaled global warming potential (YS-GWP) in almond orchards. Almond production is a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers. This research aims to identify strategies that reduce the environmental footprint of almond cultivation while maintaining yield. Field experiments were conducted […]
Contract farming and the adoption of sustainable farm practices: Empirical evidence from cashew farmers in Ghana
Contract farming has been shown to increase agricultural productivity and thus welfare of farmers in developing countries. However, studies that look at the potential environmental effects of contract farming remain quite scanty. This is however crucial, since contract farming may contribute to intensification in cultivation of the contracted crops, in terms of area and the […]
Application of machine learning to predict of energy use efficiency and damage assessment of almond and walnut production
A study was conducted in Shahrekord city, Iran, focusing on improving the production of almond and walnut crops on rural agricultural lands. The gardeners selected for the study shared similar characteristics and production histories. One of the major challenges in producing these crops was the manual harvesting process, which required a significant amount of human […]
Macadamia Breeding for Reduced Plant Vigor: Progress and Prospects for Profitable and Sustainable Orchard Systems
Vigor control in tree crops plays an important role in increasing orchard efficiency and sustainability. It has enabled high-density plantations to maximize yield efficiency while reducing production costs. Although traditional methods such as frequent hedging and pruning are still used, dwarfing rootstocks and low-vigor cultivars are the most effective and sustainable means of vigor control, […]
Land Suitability Assessment for Pistachio Cultivation Using GIS and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making: A Case Study of Mardin, Turkey
Site selection for pistachio orchards is an important issue for sustainable agricultural policies, crop productivity, agricultural planning, and communities. This study aims to investigate suitable places for pistachio in the Mardin Province (SE Turkey) by considering several variables, such as meteorological data, topographic conditions, economic factors, and soil characteristics, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and […]
Long-term intensive management reduced the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis forest
The evaluation of soil quality can provide new insights into the sustainable management of forests. This study investigated the effects of three types of forest management intensities (non-management (CK), extensive management (EM), and intensive management (IM)), and five management durations (0, 3, 8, 15, and 20 years) on the soil quality of a Carya dabieshanensis […]
Peanut-based Rotation Stabilized Diazotrophic Communities and Increased Subsequent Wheat Yield
The introduction of legumes into rotations can improve nitrogen use efficiency and crop yield; however, its microbial mechanism involved remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the temporal impact of peanut introduction on microorganisms related to nitrogen metabolism in rotation systems. In this study, the dynamics of diazotrophic communities in two crop seasons and wheat […]
Evaluation of hazelnut production in Türkiye in environment, energy and economy using life cycle assessment approach
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the environmental impacts of hazelnut cultivation in Ordu province of Türkiye, which ranks first in world hazelnut production. Thus, a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was implemented to analyze the environmental impact potentials determined as acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and global warming potential (GWP). […]
Chromosome-scale genome assembly of the rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), an endangered North American pollinator
The rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, is an important pollinator in North America and a federally listed endangered species. Due to habitat loss and large declines in population size, B. affinis is facing imminent extinction unless human intervention and recovery efforts are implemented. To better understand B. affinis biology and population genetic and genomic […]
Blue orchard bee (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) origin and orchard growing region affect female retention at artificial nest sites in cherry orchards
The blue orchard bee, Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), is a solitary, cavity-nesting species used for pollinating spring blooming crops. Commercial stocks are sourced from a few locations in the western United States but are sold across the country. However, the existence of local adaptations of these bees is unknown, such as the propensity to […]
Fruit Phenology of Two Hazelnut Cultivars and Incidence of Damage by Halyomorpha halys in Treated and Untreated Hazel Groves
Over the past decade, Halyomorpha halys has become one of the main threats to hazelnut production. Its trophic activity makes kernels inedible due to strongly detrimental effects on the organoleptic quality. Its management in Italy is still tricky due to the lack of effective native biocontrol agents and authorized and effective insecticides. A field test was performed […]
Revised guidance on the risk assessment of plant protection products on bees (Apis mellifera, Bombus spp. and solitary bees)
The European Commission asked EFSA to revise the risk assessment for honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees. This guidance document describes how to perform risk assessment for bees from plant protection products, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 1107/2009. It is a review of EFSA’s existing guidance document, which was published in 2013. The guidance […]
Evaluating heavy metal pollution risks and enzyme activity in soils with intensive hazelnut cultivation under humid ecological conditions
In order to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure food security, it has become more vital to identify the causes of soil pollution in agricultural areas. This study was carried out in order to determine the danger of heavy metal contamination in hazelnut production areas and to take the appropriate actions in accordance with the study’s […]
Smart orchard design improves crop pollination.
More sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, including ecological intensification, are needed to reduce biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. We evaluated the potential of ecological intensification through the enhancement of pollination services in an intensively managed and insect-pollinated crop, Macadamia integrifolia. We compared the effects and importance of agronomic practices that include agronomic input (i.e. […]
Improving and expanding hedgerows—Recommendations for a semi‐natural habitat in agricultural landscapes.
1.Hedgerows provide habitat, shelter and resources for many species including functionally important taxa and threatened species. Hedgerows store carbon both above- and below-ground and provide a range of other ecosystem services. Policies incentivizing increases in the extent and quality of hedgerows require evidence to determine how these increases may best support a wide range of […]
Biology, Genetic Diversity, and Conservation of Wild Bees in Tree Fruit Orchards.
Different species of bees provide essential ecosystem services by pollinating various agricultural crops, including tree fruits. Many fruits and nuts depend on insect pollination, primarily by wild and managed bees. In different geographical regions where orchard crops are grown, fruit growers rely on wild bees in the farmscape and use orchard bees as alternative pollinators. […]
Quantitative analysis of almond yield response to irrigation regimes in Mediterranean Spain.
Almond plantations are expanding worldwide, specifically in Spain; the new orchards are often designed under more intensive systems in comparison to the traditional rainfed orchards frequently found in the Mediterranean Sea basin. In these new areas, water is the main limiting factor, and therefore, the present research is aimed at quantitatively analyzing previous findings obtained […]
Crop rotation increases root biomass and promotes the correlation of soil dissolved carbon with the microbial community in the rhizosphere.
As essential approaches for conservation agricultural practices, straw residue retention and crop rotation have been widely used in the Mollisols of Northeast China. Soil organic carbon, root development and microbial community are important indicators representing soil, crop and microbiota, respectively, and these factors work together to influence soil fertility and crop productivity. Studying their changes […]
Microplastics reduce nitrogen uptake in peanut plants by damaging root cells and impairing soil nitrogen cycling.
Microplastic (MP) pollution severely impairs the sustainable development of modern agriculture. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of MP contaminants on nutrient cycles in agroecosystems are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the impacts of two types of MPs, polypropylene (PP) and rubber crumb (RC), on nitrogen (N) transformation and N cycling in soil-peanut […]
Grazing with trees – A silvopastoral approach to managing and restoring drylands
Trees in dryland forests and wooded areas provide key ecosystem services such as animal feed, timber, fruits and, regulation of soil and water cycles. Equally, the presence of livestock in dryland woody areas can also play an important role in the local ecosystem; not only are they a source of income for local communities, but […]
Seasonal variability in physiology and behavior affect the impact of fungicide exposure on honey bee
Honey bee pollination services are of tremendous agricultural and economic importance. Despite this, honey bees and other pollinators face ongoing perils, including population declines due to a variety of environmental stressors. Fungicides may be particularly insidious stressors for pollinators due to their environmental ubiquity and widespread approval for application during crop bloom. The mechanisms by […]
Assessing the sustainability index of part-time and full-time hazelnut farms in Giresun and Ordu Province, Turkey
The study’s primary purposes were to assess the sustainability of hazelnut farms and explore the effects of part-time and full-time farming types on sustainability in hazelnut production in the Giresun and Ordu Province of Turkey. One hundred fifty-two hazelnut farms were selected using the stratified sampling method, and data were collected by using face-to-face questionnaires. […]
Pecan agroforestry systems improve soil quality by stimulating enzyme activity.
Background: Forest and plantation intercropping are efficient agroforestry systems that optimize land use and promote agroforestry around the world. However, diverse agroforestry systems on the same upper-plantation differently affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Methods: The treatments for this study included a single cultivation (CK) pecan control and three agroforestry systems (pecan + Paeonia suffruticosa + Hemerocallis […]
Selective limb removal pruning and reflective ground covers improve light and crop distributions in the lower zone of ‘Nonpareil’almond trees but not total yield.
Conventional planting and management systems for almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) orchards involve trees trained from an early age to produce multiple large scaffold branches, which in mature orchards form closed light inefficient canopies. Treatments included a single round of selective limb removal pruning applied at the start of the research to remove […]
Sugarcane/peanut intercropping system improves physicochemical properties by changing N and P cycling and organic matter turnover in root zone soil
Background: The sugarcane/peanut intercropping system is a specific and efficient cropping pattern in South China. Intercropping systems change the bacterial diversity of soils and decrease disease rates. It can not only utilized light, heat, water and land resources efficiently, but also increased yield and economic benefits of farmers. Methods: We determined soil nutrients, enzymes and […]
Evaluation of pruning wound protection products for the management of almond canker diseases in California
Almond trunk and branch canker diseases constitute a major cause of tree mortality in California. Numerous fungal pathogens have been associated with these canker diseases and pruning wounds act as major infection courts. Prior to this study, there were no products registered in California for the management of these diseases. In this study, fungicidal products […]
Identification and Evaluation Of Volatile Organic Compounds Evolved During Solarization with Almond Hull and Shell Amendments.
Biosolarization is a fumigation alternative that combines solarization with organic amendments to suppress pests and pathogens in agricultural soils. The generation of volatile biopesticides in the soil, stemming from biodegradation of carbon-rich amendments, contributes to pest inactivation. The purpose of this study was to (1) profile volatiles that may contribute to pest control under field […]