Intercropping fava bean with broccoli can improve soil properties while maintaining crop production under Mediterranean conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariano Marcos-Pérez ◽  
Virginia Sánchez-Navarro ◽  
Raúl Zornoza
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
External Fertilization ◽  
Fava Bean

<p>Including legumes in intercropping systems may be regarded as a sustainable way to improve soil quality, fertility and land productivity, mostly due to facilitation processes and high rhizospheric activity which can mobilize soil nutrients for plants. Improvements in production and soil quality depend on inherent soil properties, climatic conditions, adopted management practices and fertilization, among others. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the association between broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) and fava bean (Vicia fava) grown under different intercropping patterns on crop production, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (Nt), soil aggregate stability (SAS) and soil fertility, compared to a broccoli monocrop. We defined a randomised block field experiment with three replications assessing the effect of monocropping, row 1:1 intercropping, row 2:1 intercropping and mix intercropping, with 30% reduction in fertilization in intercropped systems compared to monocrop. Soil sampling took place at harvest in February 2019. Results showed that the broccoli-fava bean intercropping significantly increased the general land production, with similar broccoli yield of 20000 kg ha<sup>-1 </sup>in all treatments, plus 8000 kg ha<sup>-1</sup> coming from fava bean. Crop diversification and fava bean cultivation even in monocrop significantly increased SOC and Nt compared to broccoli monocrop. SOC and Nt were 1.06% and 0.09%, respectively, for broccoli monocrop, while they had average values of 1.29% and 0.12%, respectively for the intercropped systems. SAS was also significantly affected by crop diversification, with increases in the proportion of the macroaggregates (size >2 mm) with intercropping. Broccoli monocrop showed an average proportion of these macroaggregates of 9.19%, while they increased up to 17.51% in intercropped systems. CEC was not significantly affected by intercropping SAS showing almost same percentage of aggregates independently of the treatment. Available P significantly increased in intercropped systems, likely due to increased microbial activity with the simultaneous growth of the two crop species. However, no significant effect of intercropping was observed with any other nutrient (Ca, Mg, K, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and B), suggesting that microbial communities activated by the crop association are highly related to P mobilization but not so intensively involved in other nutrients. Thus, intercropping systems like broccoli-fava bean association can be regarded as a viable alternative for sustainable crop production while increasing soil fertility despite reducing the addition of external fertilization. However, more crop cycles are needed to confirm this trend.</p>

scholarly journals Impact of Sustainable Land Management Practices on Soil Properties: Example of Organic and Integrated Agricultural Management

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Rok Mihelič ◽  
Jure Pečnik ◽  
Matjaž Glavan ◽  
Marina Pintar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Modified Method ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
River Terraces ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

Maintaining good soil quality is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the visual soil assessment (VSA) method by testing it on two soil types and two agricultural management practices (AMP) (organic and integrated) that are considered to protect soil quality. We selected two farms with plots on two river terraces with different soil properties. The test was based on the modified method Annual Crops Visual Quality Assessment developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and supported by a standardized soil physical and chemical analysis. This study showed that the assessed score is highly dependent on the type of farming practice and how soils are managed. The soil type also plays an important role. The results for Calcaric Fluvisol showed that the effects of selected agricultural management practices on the visual assessment of soil quality could be almost undetectable. The time of assessment also plays a significant role in VSA scoring. Different crops and agricultural activities with significant impacts on the soil occur throughout the year (especially in vegetable production). It was observed that a higher score for the soil cover indicator had a beneficial effect on the total VSA rating.

scholarly journals Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1349
Author(s):  
John Havlin ◽  
Ron Heiniger
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

Increasing crop productivity per unit of land area to meet future food and fiber demand increases both soil nutrient removal and the importance of replenishing soil fertility through efficient nutrient management practices. Significant progress in enhancing nutrient-use efficiency in production agriculture requires improved estimates of plant-available nutrients in the root zone, enhanced crop response to applied nutrients, and reduced offsite nutrient transport. This special issue, Soil Fertility Management for Better Crop Production, presents 15 manuscripts that advance our knowledge of interrelated soil, plant, and management factors important to increasing the nutrient availability and crop recovery of applied nutrients.

scholarly journals A Review on Agricultural Problems and Their Management in Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 1189
Author(s):  
Bulti Merga ◽  
Abdulatif Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Human Welfare

Ethiopia’s agricultural production has been challenged by waterlogging, salinity, acidity, parasitic weed, and irrigation scheduling problems which has resulted in lower yields than the potential. Waterlogging is the main drainage problem in the small scale irrigation schemes in the Vertisols dominated highland areas while salinity and salinization is a common phenomenon in the large and medium scale irrigation schemes located in the lowlands of the country’s major river basins with predominantly salt affected soils. Soil acidity and associated low nutrient availability is one of the constraints to crop production on acid soils. Lime requirement for crops grown on acid soils is determined by the quality of liming material, status of soil fertility, crop species and varieties, crop management practices, and economic considerations. A considerable loss in growth and yield of many food and fodder crops is caused by root-parasitic flowering plants. Globally, Striga and Orobanche have a greater impact on human welfare than any other parasitic angiosperms because their hosts are subsistence crops in areas marginal for agriculture. In irrigated agriculture, efficient water management is an important element. Such practices can help bust sustainable production and maintain farm profitability in which there is limited water resource.

Digital soil mapping of soil fertility index for agricultural lands in tropical environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ozias Hounkpatin ◽  
Aymar Bossa ◽  
Mouinou Igué ◽  
Yacouba Yira ◽  
Brice Sinsin
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Soil Maps ◽  
Fertility Index ◽  
Bioclimatic Variables ◽  
Soil Fertility Index ◽  
Digital Soil Maps

<p>Indicators of soil production function such as soil fertility index can potentially be a key decision tool in spatial planning for sustainable land management. The establishment of such soil fertility index requires basic soil properties which can be modelled for spatial mapping. The objective of this study was to take advantage of the soil legacy data of Benin to produce a digital soil map of soil fertility index at a national scale based on 8 soil properties (soil organic carbon matter, nitrogen, pH, exchangeable potassium, assimilable phosphorus, sum of base, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). Specific research aims were: (1) to model and develop digital soil maps; (2) to identify important factors influencing soil nutrients; (3) to establish soil fertility potentials using digital soil maps. For each soil property, modelling procedures involved the use of different covariates including soil type, topographic, bioclimatic and spectral data along with the comparative assessment of the Cubist and Quantile Random Forest model. Results revealed that apart from N and exchangeable K, significant models can be produced for most of the soil properties with R-square varying between 28% and 72% with the Quantile Random Forest presenting a more accurate prediction interval coverage probability. The analysis revealed that the distance to the nearest stream has strong predictive ability for all the soil properties along with the bioclimatic variables. Visualisation of the soil fertility map showed that most of the soils in Benin have low fertility level suggesting that the use of fertilizers and organic materials will be critical in sustaining crop productivity. A limited number of high and average fertility level soils were found in the low elevation areas of southern Benin and policy could advocate for their sole use for agriculture purpose as well as promote sustainable management practices.</p>

scholarly journals Diversification and Management Practices in Selected European Regions. A Data Analysis of Arable Crops Production

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 297
Author(s):  
Rosa Francaviglia ◽  
Jorge Álvaro-Fuentes ◽  
Claudia Di Bene ◽  
Lingtong Gai ◽  
Kristiina Regina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
No Tillage ◽  
Organic Fertilization

In the European Union, various crop diversification systems such as crop rotation, intercropping and multiple cropping, as well as low-input management practices, have been promoted to sustain crop productivity while maintaining environmental quality and ecosystem services. We conducted a data analysis to identify the benefits of crop associations, alternative agricultural practices and strategies in four selected regions of Europe (Atlantic, Boreal, Mediterranean North and Mediterranean South) in terms of crop production (CP). The dataset was derived from 54 references with a total of 750 comparisons and included site characteristics, crop information (diversification system, crop production, tillage and fertilization management) and soil parameters. We analyzed each effect separately, comparing CP under tillage management (e.g., conventional tillage vs. no tillage), crop diversification (e.g., monoculture vs. rotation), and fertilization management (e.g., mineral fertilization vs. organic fertilization). Compared with conventional tillage (CT), CP was higher by 12% in no tillage (NT), in fine- and medium-textured soils (8–9%) and in arid and semiarid sites located in the Mediterranean Region (24%). Compared to monoculture, diversified cropping systems with longer crop rotations increased CP by 12%, and by 12% in soils with coarse and medium textures. In relation to fertilization, CP was increased with the use of slurry (40%), and when crop residues were incorporated (39%) or mulched (74%). Results showed that conversion to alternative diversified systems through the use of crop rotations, with NT and organic fertilization, results in a better crop performance. However, regional differences related to climate and soil-texture-specific responses should be considered to target local measures to improve soil management.

scholarly journals Physical soil quality indicators for monitoring British soils

Solid Earth ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Corstanje ◽  
Theresa G. Mercer ◽  
Jane R. Rickson ◽  
Lynda K. Deeks ◽  
Paul Newell-Price ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Aggregate Stability ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Soil Quality Indicators ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
Soil Water Retention

Abstract. Soil condition or quality determines its ability to deliver a range of functions that support ecosystem services, human health and wellbeing. The increasing policy imperative to implement successful soil monitoring programmes has resulted in the demand for reliable soil quality indicators (SQIs) for physical, biological and chemical soil properties. The selection of these indicators needs to ensure that they are sensitive and responsive to pressure and change, e.g. they change across space and time in relation to natural perturbations and land management practices. Using a logical sieve approach based on key policy-related soil functions, this research assessed whether physical soil properties can be used to indicate the quality of British soils in terms of their capacity to deliver ecosystem goods and services. The resultant prioritised list of physical SQIs was tested for robustness, spatial and temporal variability, and expected rate of change using statistical analysis and modelling. Seven SQIs were prioritised: soil packing density, soil water retention characteristics, aggregate stability, rate of soil erosion, depth of soil, soil structure (assessed by visual soil evaluation) and soil sealing. These all have direct relevance to current and likely future soil and environmental policy and are appropriate for implementation in soil monitoring programmes.

scholarly journals Influence of straw mulch application on the properties of a soil affected by a forest wildfire

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alba Lombao ◽  
Montserrat Díaz Raviña ◽  
Ángela Martín ◽  
Ana Barreiro ◽  
María Teresa Fontúrbel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Microbial Biomass C ◽  
Total N ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Minor

Mulching treatment is often recommended <ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:22">in order </ins>to reduce post-fire erosion and sediment<del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:45"></del> yields<ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:45">,</ins> but information concerning their effects on soil properties and hence on soil quality is scarce. In the present investigation<ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:22">,</ins> the influence of straw application on soil quality was evaluated <ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:22">on</ins><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:22"></del><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46"> </del>hillslope shrubland <del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46"></del>in Saviñao (Lugo, NW Spain)<ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:47"> </ins><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:47"></del><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46"></del><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46">th</ins><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:02">a</ins><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46">t is </ins>susceptible to <del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:46"></del>post-fire erosion (38% slope). In this area, <ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:04">which was </ins>affected by a medium-high severity wildfire in September 2012, different treatments with wheat straw <ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:03">were </ins>applied to the burnt soil in mulch strips (0.8 and 1 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>) <del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:03"></del><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:50"></del><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:50">using </ins>quadruplicate <ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:51">10 m x 40 m </ins><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:49">plots </ins><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:51"></del><del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:49"></del>and compared with the corresponding burnt untreated control. Soil samples were collected from the A horizon (0-2.5 cm depth) at different sampling times <del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T17:15"></del><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T17:15">for 12 months</ins> after the wildfire<del cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T16:03"></del><ins cite="mailto:Michele%20Francis" datetime="2015-01-23T15:48">,</ins> and a wide range of physicochemical, chemical and biochemical soil properties (water retention, pH, electric conductivity, total C, <sup>13</sup>C, extractable C, water soluble C, soluble carbohydrates, total N, <sup>15</sup>N, microbial biomass C, soil respiration, bacterial activity, b-glucosidase, urease and phosphatase activities) were analyzed. The results showed that the application of straw mulch had a minor influence on the post-fire soil quality but, in contrast, the sampling time showed a significant influence attributed to short- and medium term changes in soil properties induced by both fire and climatic conditions.

scholarly journals Effects of topographic variability and forest attributes on fine-scale soil fertility in late-secondary succession of Atlantic Forest

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Cristina Rodrigues ◽  
Pedro Manuel Villa ◽  
Walnir Gomes Ferreira-Júnior ◽  
Carlos Ernesto R. G. Schaefer ◽  
Andreza Viana Neri
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Forest Restoration ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Forest Attributes ◽  
Topographic Variability

Abstract Background Understanding how soil fertility changes due to topographical conditions and forest attributes is an essential premise for local-scale forest management practices. We evaluated the effects of topographic variables and forest attributes on soil fertility along a local topographical gradient in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We hypothesised that soil fertility is positively affected by topographic variability and forest attributes (structure and diversity). We used tree species richness, composition, abundance, and aboveground biomass as forest attributes. We analysed two 1-ha forest patches with contrasting topographical conditions. We used different linear mixed effects models (LMMs) to test the main effects of different forest attributes and topography variables on soil fertility. Results The results showed that higher topographic variability determines soil fertility along a fine-scale gradient. The first two axes of the PCA explained 66.8% of the variation in soil data, with the first axis (PCA1) explaining 49.6% of the variation in soil data and positively correlating with fertility-related soil properties. The second axis (PCA2) explained 17.2% of the variation in topographical data and positively correlated with convexity (the elevation of a plot minus the average elevation of all immediate neighbour plots) and elevation. Our best models showed that topographic variables (elevation and convexity) are the main predictors that affect fine-scale soil fertility. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that the topographic variability, mainly elevation and convexity, determines fine-scale soil fertility in an Atlantic Forest. These results advance our understanding that context-dependent conditions based on topography and soil properties have a high variability at a fine scale, which can influence variations in forest attributes (i.e., species distribution, diversity and structure of tree communities). In addition, the information generated in this research may be important for planning forest restoration activities (passive and active) based on the high variability of environmental variables at a fine scale.

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