Systems Biology for Enhanced Plant Nitrogen Nutrition

Nitrogen (N)–based fertilizers increase agricultural productivity but have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Research is generating improved understanding of the signaling components plants use to sense N and regulate metabolism, physiology, and growth and development. However, we still need to integrate these regulatory factors into signal transduction pathways and connect them to downstream response pathways. Systems biology approaches facilitate identification of new components and N-regulatory networks linked to other plant processes. A holistic view of plant N nutrition should open avenues to translate this knowledge into effective strategies to improve N-use efficiency and enhance crop production systems for more sustainable agricultural practices.

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Nanobiotechnology for Agriculture: Smart Technology for Combating Nutrient Deficiencies with Nanotoxicity Challenges

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13041781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1781

Author(s):

Gaurav Chugh ◽

Kadambot H. M. Siddique ◽

Zakaria M. Solaiman

Keyword(s):

Targeted Delivery ◽

Plant Cells ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Nutrient Deficiencies ◽

Holistic View ◽

Synthesis Of Nanoparticles ◽

Toxicity Potential ◽

Stimulate Plant Growth ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Nanobiotechnology in agriculture is a driver for modern-day smart, efficient agricultural practices. Nanoparticles have been shown to stimulate plant growth and disease resistance. The goal of sustainable farming can be accomplished by developing and sustainably exploiting the fruits of nanobiotechnology to balance the advantages nanotechnology provides in tackling environmental challenges. This review aims to advance our understanding of nanobiotechnology in relevant areas, encourage interactions within the research community for broader application, and benefit society through innovation to realize sustainable agricultural practices. This review critically evaluates what is and is not known in the domain of nano-enabled agriculture. It provides a holistic view of the role of nanobiotechnology in multiple facets of agriculture, from the synthesis of nanoparticles to controlled and targeted delivery, uptake, translocation, recognition, interaction with plant cells, and the toxicity potential of nanoparticle complexes when presented to plant cells.

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Application of Extremophiles in Sustainable Agriculture

10.4018/978-1-7998-9144-4.ch011 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 233-250

Author(s):

Julius Eyiuche Nweze ◽

Justus Amuche Nweze ◽

Shruti Gupta

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Agriculture ◽

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Crucial Role ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Production Plant ◽

Physiological Conditions ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

With the increasing demands for foods and other agriculture-based products, sustainable agricultural practices are the cornerstone for improving low-input agricultural production. In contrast to crop production, plant-microorganism interaction (PMI) plays a crucial role. PMI significantly raises productivity as well as maintaining the overall health of the crop. During harsh and extreme physiological conditions, plant-associated extremophilic microbes (PAEM) are known to contribute to crop production, survivability, and fitness. Thus, the application of extremophiles either in the form of biofertilizer or biopesticides is highly beneficial. Extremophiles have been adapted to withstand diverse harsh environmental conditions. They possess unique mechanisms at the molecular level to produce enormous potential extremozymes and bioactive compounds. Consequently, extremophiles represent the foundation of efficient and sustainable agriculture. This chapter introduces the significance and application of plant-associated extremophilic microbes in sustainable agriculture.

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Nitrogen Utilization in a Cereal-Legume Rotation Managed with Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy9030113 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Mariangela Diacono ◽

Paola Baldivieso-Freitas ◽

Francisco Sans Serra

Keyword(s):

Green Manure ◽

Crop Production ◽

Farmyard Manure ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Residual Effect ◽

N Fertilization ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

N Losses ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽

N Use

Optimization of the nitrogen (N) inputs and minimization of nutrient losses strongly affect yields in crop rotations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agricultural practices on yield and N use in a 4-year cereal-legume rotation in organic farming and to identify the best combination of these practices. The following treatments were compared: conventional plough (P) vs. reduced chisel (RC) tillage; composted farmyard manure (F) vs. unfertilized control (NF); and green manure (GM) vs. no green manure (NoM). No significant differences were found for N use efficiency between P and RC in each crop. The results suggested that legumes in the tested rotation do not need supplemental N fertilization, particularly if combining GM and F. The use of composted farmyard manure should be considered in a long-term fertilization plan for cereals, to allow a higher efficiency in N use. The residual effect of fertilization over time, along with the site-specific pedo-climatic conditions, should also be considered. In both tested tillage approaches, soil N surplus was the highest in plots combining GM and F (i.e., more than 680 kg N ha−1 in combination with RC vs. about 140 kg N ha−1 for RC without fertilization), with a risk of N losses by leaching. The N deficit in NoM–NF both combined with P and RC would indicate that these treatment combinations are not sustainable for the utilized crops in the field experiment. Therefore, the combination of the tested practices should be carefully assessed to sustain soil fertility and crop production.

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Extracellular DNA: Insight of a Signal Molecule in Crop Protection

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10101022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1022

Author(s):

Ireri Alejandra Carbajal-Valenzuela ◽

Gabriela Medina-Ramos ◽

Laura Helena Caicedo-Lopez ◽

Alejandra Jiménez-Hernández ◽

Adrian Esteban Ortega-Torres ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Crop Protection ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Extracellular Dna ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Plant Metabolism ◽

Signal Molecule ◽

Molecular Pattern ◽

Trade Offs

Agricultural systems face several challenges in terms of meeting everyday-growing quantities and qualities of food requirements. However, the ecological and social trade-offs for increasing agricultural production are high, therefore, more sustainable agricultural practices are desired. Researchers are currently working on diverse sustainable techniques based mostly on natural mechanisms that plants have developed along with their evolution. Here, we discuss the potential agricultural application of extracellular DNA (eDNA), its multiple functioning mechanisms in plant metabolism, the importance of hormetic curves establishment, and as a challenge: the technical limitations of the industrial scale for this technology. We highlight the more viable natural mechanisms in which eDNA affects plant metabolism, acting as a damage/microbe-associated molecular pattern (DAMP, MAMP) or as a general plant biostimulant. Finally, we suggest a whole sustainable system, where DNA is extracted from organic sources by a simple methodology to fulfill the molecular characteristics needed to be applied in crop production systems, allowing the reduction in, or perhaps the total removal of, chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and insecticides application.

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Bio-Green Foliar Spray Enhances Rice Growth and Productivity in Cambodia

AGRITROPICA Journal of Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.31186/j.agritropica.4.1.1-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tak Tha ◽

Ply Preap ◽

Seyha Sorl ◽

Pao Srean ◽

Visalsok Touch

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Rice Variety ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Ammonium Phosphate ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Growing Period

The use of bioproducts as biostimulants to stimulate plant growth and to increase yields as an alternative to chemical fertilizers are currently being promoted for cost-effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices of crop production systems. The objective of the study was to determine plant growth and productivity of rice responded to Bio Green application. A short growing period (90 – 95 days) OM-5451 rice variety was used in this study. The rice plants were cultivated in the randomized-completed block with two treatments and six replications in the plot of 2 m * 2 m. Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer was applied once at a rate of 100 kg/ha. For treatment, Bio-green with a solution of 1% (v/v) was weekly applied as foliage spray; and without Bio-Green as control. The results showed the grain yield was 3.7 t/ha in the treatment and 2.83 t/ha in the control, indicating that 36.4% of the grain yield was increased. The Bio-Green could be significantly used as plant biostimulants to promote plant growth and grain yield in rice in Cambodia.

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Global Dimensions of Plant Virus Diseases: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Annual Review of Virology ◽

10.1146/annurev-virology-092818-015606 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 387-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Roger A.C. Jones ◽

Rayapati A. Naidu

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Viral Disease ◽

Current Status ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Viral diseases provide a major challenge to twenty-first century agriculture worldwide. Climate change and human population pressures are driving rapid alterations in agricultural practices and cropping systems that favor destructive viral disease outbreaks. Such outbreaks are strikingly apparent in subsistence agriculture in food-insecure regions. Agricultural globalization and international trade are spreading viruses and their vectors to new geographical regions with unexpected consequences for food production and natural ecosystems. Due to the varying epidemiological characteristics of diverent viral pathosystems, there is no one-size-fits-all approach toward mitigating negative viral disease impacts on diverse agroecological production systems. Advances in scientific understanding of virus pathosystems, rapid technological innovation, innovative communication strategies, and global scientific networks provide opportunities to build epidemiologic intelligence of virus threats to crop production and global food security. A paradigm shift toward deploying integrated, smart, and eco-friendly strategies is required to advance virus disease management in diverse agricultural cropping systems.

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A scoping review on incentives for adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and their outcomes

Nature Sustainability ◽

10.1038/s41893-020-00617-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (10) ◽

pp. 809-820 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Valeria Piñeiro ◽

Joaquín Arias ◽

Jochen Dürr ◽

Pablo Elverdin ◽

Ana María Ibáñez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Technical Assistance ◽

Production Systems ◽

Policy Instruments ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Target Population ◽

Sustainable Practices ◽

Global Food Security ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Abstract The increasing pressure on agricultural production systems to achieve global food security and prevent environmental degradation necessitates a transition towards more sustainable practices. The purpose of this scoping review is to understand how the incentives offered to farmers motivate the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and, ultimately, how and whether they result in measurable outcomes. To this end, this scoping review examines the evidence of nearly 18,000 papers on whether incentive-based programmes lead to the adoption of sustainable practices and their effect on environmental, economic and productivity outcomes. We find that independent of the incentive type, programmes linked to short-term economic benefit have a higher adoption rate than those aimed solely at providing an ecological service. In the long run, one of the strongest motivations for farmers to adopt sustainable practices is perceived benefits for either their farms, the environment or both. Beyond this, the importance of technical assistance and extension services in promoting sustainable practices emerges strongly from this scoping review. Finally, we find that policy instruments are more effective if their design considers the characteristics of the target population, and the associated trade-offs between economic, environmental and social outcomes.

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Sustainable Agriculture: Farmers’ Perspectives on Transition to Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Rural Review: Ontario Rural Planning, Development, and Policy ◽

10.21083/ruralreview.v3i1.6016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Paige Allen

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Agriculture ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Sustainable Policy ◽

Policies And Programs ◽

Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽

Policy Discussion ◽

Agricultural Production Systems

The role of sustainability in Canadian agricultural production systems is a complex and evolving topic. In 2018 Canada announced the launch of a five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership which is a $3 billion funding initiative between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Innovation and sustainability is one of the key elements of the initiative. The purpose of this research is to increase policy discussion in relation to sustainable agriculture through the engagement of farmers in Southern Ontario. This research will help improve the sustainable policies and programs by investigating farmers’ views on the inclusion and transition to sustainable farming practices, factors influencing farmers’ decisions to make the transition, as well as identifying deficits in current sustainable policy and programming in Ontario. It is essential to develop research which is representative of farmers’ viewpoints on as they are the stakeholders directly impacted by the policies and programs which are developed and enacted.

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Examining Farmers’ Adoption Decisions towards Precision-Agricultural Practices in Greek Dairy Cattle Farms

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su14010411 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 411

Author(s):

Georgios Kleftodimos ◽

Leonidas Sotirios Kyrgiakos ◽

Christina Kleisiari ◽

Aristotelis C. Tagarakis ◽

Dionysis Bochtis

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Precision Agriculture ◽

Crop Production ◽

Production Systems ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Adoption Decisions ◽

Alternative Practices ◽

Cattle Farms

Nowadays, the sustainability of Greek dairy cattle farms is questionable due to low competitiveness and high GHG emissions. In this context, the BIOCIRCULAR project, funded by the EYDE ETAK, developed a series of alternative practices focusing on precision agriculture principles. However, the adoption of any practice from farmers is not a given, and depends on several determinants. Hence, the objective of this study is to examine farmers’ adoption decisions regarding precision-agricultural practices in Greek dairy production systems, as well as the economic and environmental impacts of this adoption. In order to achieve this, a bio-economic model was developed based on mathematical programming methods. The proposed model simulates a large number of dairy cattle farms with or without crop production, including different management strategies and their relevant costs, and provides an environmental assessment of the adopted practices based on GHG emissions. Moreover, in order to analyze farmers’ adoption decisions, different policy measures, linked to various environmental outcomes, were examined. The results highlighted that the adoption of precision-agricultural practices led to significantly better economic and environmental outcomes. Furthermore, it was found that different levels of incentives can be efficiently targeted to encourage the adoption of new feeds and, more broadly, to secure the sustainability of the sector.

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