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 […]
Management strategies to optimize peanut yields in Argentina under restrictive environmental conditions
Peanut production in Argentina is predominantly rainfed, with considerable variability in rainfall patterns within and between seasons. This variability results in droughts of varying duration and severity, which can significantly reduce yields. Water availability is, therefore, a critical factor in determining the optimal sowing date. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess the effects of sowing […]
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 […]
Carbon Sequestration Potential of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Plantations Across Climatic Gradients in Togo
The current study seeks to estimate the carbon sequestration capability of a cashew plantation in Togo as a function of climate gradient. The research was conducted in the Guinean and Sudanian climatic zones, on farmers’ cashew plantations. The study was run from March to October 2023. This study was carried out in ten (10) cashew […]
Halotolerant Pseudomonas-induced alleviation of salt stress and promotion of growth in peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Salinity stress is a major abiotic factor limiting crop productivity, particularly in sensitive crops like peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). This study evaluated the potential of Pseudomonas geniculata ND09 in alleviating salt stress impacts on peanut growth under controlled and field conditions. In pot experiments, salt stress significantly reduced root and shoot lengths, biomass, and pod yield while increasing […]
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 […]
Improved Straw Decomposition Products Promote Peanut Growth by Changing Soil Chemical Properties and Microbial Diversity
The ameliorative effects of straw decomposition products on soil acidification have been extensively studied. However, the impact of chemically treated straw decomposition products on crop productivity and the underlying microbial mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two dosages of Ca(OH)2-treated straw decomposition products of peanuts on red soil acidity, fertility, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Maize/peanut rotation intercropping improves ecosystem carbon budget and economic benefits in the dry farming regions of China
Monoculture is widely practiced to increase crop productivity, but long-term adaptation has drawbacks as it increases the depletion of soil nutrients and reduces soil quality, especially in dryland areas. Conversion from traditional maize monoculture to intercropping improves sustainable production. However, maize/peanut intercropping, especially rotation of planting strips impacts of maize/peanut intercropping in dryland on carbon […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Forest-based adaptation: transformational adaptation through forests and trees.
Forest-based adaptation is an ensemble of climate actions that employ forests and trees in support of climate change adaptation and resilience, including sustainable forest management, forest conservation and restoration, reforestation and afforestation. Forest-based adaptation can help address the gaps between current adaptation actions and the adaptation needed for reducing climate-related risks and impacts, while contributing […]
Developing sustainable land-use patterns at watershed scale using nexus of soil, water, energy, and food.
Aside from the many services that soil provides, it also stores water and makes it available to crops, which is critical for food security. However, the necessity of further studies for overcoming the existing gap in relation to the role of soil in the water, energy, and food nexus system has been preoccupying the experts […]
The effect of nut growth limitation on triose phosphate utilization and down-regulation of photosynthesis in almond.
There is a controversy regarding when it is appropriate to apply the irrigation restriction in almond trees (Prunus dulcis Mill.) to save water without penalizing yield. We hypothesized that knowing when plants demand fewer photoassimilates would be a good indicator of less sensitivity of the crop to water deficit. One parameter that defines the photosynthetic […]
Halting deforestation from agricultural value chains: the role of governments.
This paper summarizes the current state of concepts and approaches for addressing deforestation in the trade, marketing, and production of agricultural commodities that have a disproportionate impact on forests at international, national, and landscape level. To date, predominant attention has been directed towards the role of the private sector and “consumer countries” that shape market […]
Salinity of irrigation water selects distinct bacterial communities associated with date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) root.
Saline water irrigation has been used in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) agriculture as an alternative to non-saline water due to water scarcity in hyper-arid environments. However, the knowledge pertaining to saline water irrigation impact on the root-associated bacterial communities of arid agroecosystems is scarce. In this study, we investigated the effect of irrigation sources […]
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 […]
Dryland irrigation increases accumulation rates of pedogenic carbonate and releases soil abiotic CO2
Agricultural fields in drylands are challenged globally by limited freshwater resources for irrigation and also by elevated soil salinity and sodicity. It is well known that pedogenic carbonate is less soluble than evaporate salts and commonly forms in natural drylands. However, few studies have evaluated how irrigation loads dissolved calcium and bicarbonate to agricultural fields, […]
Activated Carbon from Palm Date Seeds for CO2 Capture.
The process of carbon dioxide capture and storage is seen as a critical strategy to mitigate the so-called greenhouse effect and the planetary climate changes associated with it. In this study, we investigated the CO2 adsorption capacity of various microporous carbon materials originating from palm date seeds (PDS) using green chemistry synthesis. The PDS was […]
Improved fertiliser management to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions and ensure yields in a wheat-peanut relay intercropping system in China.
Over the last century, anthropogenic greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions have changed the global climate, and agriculture plays an important role in the global flux of GHG. Agricultural management practices, such as split N applications and the use of controlled-release fertilisers have significantly increased the crop yield and N-use efficiency by balancing the N demand of crops […]
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 […]
Nutshells as Efficient Biosorbents to Remove Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury from Contaminated Solutions
The release of potentially toxic elements into the environment, and their effects on aquatic ecosystems still present a real threat. To avoid such contamination, the use of biological sorbents as an alternative to conventional and expensive water remediation techniques has been proposed. The present study evaluated the potential of 0.5 g L-1 of peanut, hazelnut, […]