High Tunnel Coverings Alter Crop Productivity and Microclimate of Tomato and Lettuce

The implementation of high tunnels has shown to increase marketability and/or yield of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) crops compared with open-field systems. These structures provide the opportunity to alter light intensity and spectral quality by using specific polyethylene (poly) films and/or shadecloth, which may affect microclimate and subsequent crop productivity. However, little is known about how specific high tunnel coverings affect these parameters. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of various high tunnel coverings on the microclimate and crop productivity of tomato and lettuce. The coverings included standard, ultraviolet (UV)-stabilized poly film (standard); diffuse poly (diffuse); full-spectrum clear poly (clear); UV-A/B blocking poly (block); standard + 55% shadecloth (shade); and removal of standard poly 2 weeks before initial harvest to simulate a movable tunnel (movable). Microclimate parameters that were observed included canopy and soil temperatures, canopy growing degree-days (GDD), and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and crop productivity included yield and net photosynthetic rate. Hybrid red ‘BHN 589’ tomatoes were grown during the summer, and red ‘New Red Fire’ and green ‘Two Star’ leaf lettuce were grown in both spring and fall in 2017 and 2018. Increased temperature, GDD, and PAR were observed during the spring and summer compared with the fall. The soil temperatures during the summer increased more under the clear covering compared with the others. For tomato, the shade produced lower total fruit yield and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) compared with the other treatments, which were similar (P < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The greatest yield was 7.39 kg/plant, which was produced under the clear covering. For red leaf lettuce grown in the spring, the plants under the clear, standard, and diffuse coverings had significantly greater yield than the movable and shade coverings (P < 0.001). The coverings had less effect on the yield during the fall lettuce trials, which may have been attributed to the decrease in PAR and environmental temperatures. The findings of this study suggest that high tunnel coverings affect both microclimate and yield of lettuce and tomato.

Interaction of Inherited Microbiota from Cover Crops with Cash Crops

Cover crops (CC) provide important ecosystem services that are demanded to achieve more sustainable agrosystems. However, the legacy effects of CC on the microbial community structure and its interactions with the subsequent cash crops (CaC) are still poorly understood, especially when CC mixtures are involved. In this work, five CC (3 monocultures and 2 mixtures) were selected in an experiment under semi-controlled conditions to investigate if CC monocultures and mixtures differed in their effects on soil and crop variables and if the identity of the subsequent crop modulates these effects. The two most consumed crops worldwide, wheat and maize, were sown separately after CC. The legacy effects of CC on the studied microbial variables largely depended on the interaction with the CaC. The vetch and the barley-vetch mixture stood out by providing the microbial conditions that enhanced the absorption of macro- and micronutrients, to finally seek the highest wheat biomass (>80% more than the control). In maize, the effects of CC on soil microbiota were more limited. The soil microbial responses for CC mixtures were complex and contrasting. In wheat, the barley-vetch mixture behaved like barley monoculture, whereas in maize, this mixture behaved like vetch monoculture. In both CaC, the barley-melilotus mixture differed completely from its monocultures, mainly through changes in archaea, Glomeromycota, and F:B ratio. Therefore, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge on the CC-CaC-microbial interactions to select the CC that most enhance the sustainability and yield of each agrosystem.

Sustainable intensification of maize and wheat cropping system through pulse intercropping

The intercropping of legumes with cereals help to achieve sustainable intensification by their mutual complementarity at efficiently using radiation, nutrients, etc. Several studies indicated such beneficial effects on the other component crop however, little research has been conducted to quantify their effects on the subsequent crop in a cropping system. In this study, the effect of the legume intercropping on the entire cropping system, particularly the maize + legume-wheat system was studied. Four legumes intercropped to maize followed by wheat crop were studied for intensification measures such as wheat equivalent yield (WEY), land equivalent ratio (LER), sustainable value index (SVI), and economic returns. N saving effect of legumes on the subsequent wheat crop was quantified with two N levels. Maize + cowpea-wheat combination was the most productive and economic intercrop combination (LER = 1.71, SVI = 0.96) with an increase in net economic return (43.63%) with a B:C ratio of 1.94. An additional 25% N (37.5 kg ha−1) was saved in the wheat crop when the legume intercropping was undertaken with maize. The results suggest that intercropping is the key to diversification and reduces the risk of crop failures by enhancing land-use efficiency, soil fertility, and economic returns under weather vagaries. This will be beneficial to small and marginal farmers of many countries.

Strategic directions of increase of bean production in Ukraine

Goal. Based on the results to substantiate the need for a significant increase in legume crops in Ukraine on the basis of analysis of food and feed indicators of their seeds, the impact on soil quality and the environment. Material and methods. Field – determination of features of growth and development of plants, elements of seed productivity; biometric and measuring-weight – accounting of yield and total biomass; biochemical – determination of protein, fat and other components of seeds; statistical – variation, regression and analysis of variance. Results and discussion. The significant nutritional value of legume seeds, which is rich in high-quality protein with a high content of essential amino acids, isoflavones, essential micronutrients, is substantiated. It is distinguished by high taste, quickly swells and boils, has a pleasant aroma. This group of crops is able to fix nitrogen from the air, provide for their own needs and leave a significant amount of it in the soil for subsequent crop rotations. Legumes should be considered in the crop rotation system together with winter wheat as fallow crops. Their synergistic effect on subsequent crop rotations is explained by the peculiarity of the microflora of the root zone, where symbiotic and free-living bacteria are concentrated. Observations indicate the need to increase crops of pea, chickpea and lentil in Ukraine, as there are all the necessary conditions - adapted to insufficient moisture varieties, developed technology for their cultivation, accumulated positive experience for obtaining high yields. Conclusions. Based on our own results and analysis of the experience of many countries around the world revealed the importance of legumes for our country. Their role in providing high-quality food, improving soil quality, increasing the country’s export potential is noted

Improved nutrient uptake in three Crotalaria species inoculated with multifunctional microorganisms

HIGHLIGHTS Multifunctional microorganisms promote the nutrient enrichment in Crotalaria plants. Cover crop residues are vital in managing soil fertility. Nutritionally improved cover crops increase soil nutrient levels for the subsequent crop.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on the Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Chickpea - forage Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Cropping Sequence

Background: The ameliorating effect of legumes on the soil is considered to be the most important factor for increasing productivity of non-legume crops grown in rotation. The contribution of preceding legumes is often studied by measuring the yield of subsequent crop. The success of any cropping system depends upon the appropriate management of resources including balanced use of manures and fertilizers.Methods: A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India during Rabi - Summer seasons of the years 2017-18 and 2018-19 on chickpea-forage sorghum cropping system.Result: Results showed that the growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea were significantly influenced by the integrated nutrient management. On the basis of two year and pooled data, the results revealed that the plant height, dry matter production, dry root biomass, number of pods plant-1, seed yield and stover yield of chickpea were increased with application of 50% RDF + 2 t VC ha-1 + Bio NP (Rhizobium+PSB) than any other treatments. The ameliorating effect of legumes on the soil is considered to be the most important factor in improving the production of non-legume crops grown in rotation. The contribution of preceding legumes is often studied by measuring the yield of subsequent crop. The success of any cropping system depends upon the appropriate management of resources including balanced use of manures and fertilizers. It can be concluded that growth and yield of chickpea was significantly increased with combine application of chemical fertilizers, organic manure and bio-fertilizers.