Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment最新文献

Lemon balm is a medicinal and aromatic plant which is commonly known for its antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antianxiety and anti-inflammatory activities. Literature reports that the intrinsic traits of this species can be greatly affected by several factors, producing relevant variations. Particularly, the crop yield and synthesis of secondary metabolites are affected by abiotic factors, such as temperature, drought and salt stresses. The application of biostimulants, complementing the conventional agronomic practices, allows to reduce the impact of stress conditions on yield and enhance the quality standards of the plant. With this in mind, a 2-year study was carried out with the aim to investigate the effects of three different biostimulant formulations such as Ascophyllum nodosum, fulvic acids, and vegetal protein hydrolysate, with two intervals of application, on morphological traits, biomass yield and chemical parameters of lemon ball. The experimental setup was a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The foliar application and application interval, as main factors, significantly affected almost all parameters in the study. In general, all biostimulants improved plant growth. The best results in terms of fresh and dry biomass were observed in plants treated with fulvic acids every 14 days. An increase of over 5 t ha⁻¹ for fresh yield and over 1 t ha⁻¹ for dry yield were recorded. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were positively affected by biostimulant and interval of application. The results highlight that few applications of biostimulants can greatly improve the yields of lemon balm and, in some cases, enhance the properties of its extracts.

The quality of green forage is crucial in pasture grazing, influencing both animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and production yield. Traditionally, the evaluation of forage composition requires time-consuming and costly chemical analysis. In this context, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) emerges as a promising alternative. This study adopted Fourier transform NIR (FT-NIR) spectroscopy to predict nutritional characteristics of green forages. A total of 324 samples were collected from pastures in central Italy. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models were then developed, applying variable selection methods to improve PLS model accuracy. The interval PLS (iPLS) variable selection method gave the best results for fresh forage, while the genetic algorithm (GA) performed best for dried samples. The best results from the PLS models were obtained for dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). The DM model for fresh forage yielded an R²_P of 0.96 and an RMSEP of 2.95 g 100 g⁻¹ FW, while the CP model for dried forage yielded an R²_P of 0.94 and an RMSEP of 1.84 g 100 g⁻¹ DW, with a normalised root-mean-square error of cross-validation (NRMSECV) of 3.8% and 5.6%, respectively. The results for the neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) were acceptable. NIR spectroscopy has proven to be a useful tool for assessing forage nutritional quality. Variable selection through iPLS also enabled the identification of “core” spectral regions for the development of compact and portable NIR sensors. Future research should further investigate sample preparation and moisture content effects and expand sampling to different geographical areas to enhance model robustness.

Measuring agricultural growth and variability is key to tracking output changes. East African wheat production is below its potential, with limited data and analysis over time. As a result, this study examines the growth patterns, variability, and instability of wheat production in East Africa, specifically in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, between 1993 and 2023. To analyse and estimate wheat production trends, instability with regional disparity, and decomposition across East Africa's top wheat-producing countries, a 30-year data series with different secondary data, mostly the FAOSTAT database, was divided into three sub-periods: Period I (1993/94-2002/03), Period II (2003/04-2012/13) and Period III (2013/14-2022/23), even though compound growth rates, a semi-logarithmic trend model, a differential equation approach for decomposition analysis, and the Cuddy-Della Valle Index were utilised. Wheat production and productivity in Eastern Africa exhibited a general upward trend, primarily attributed to land expansion rather than breakthroughs in yield. Ethiopia became the leading producer, whereas Uganda has shown consistent and significant growth. Conversely, Kenya and Tanzania experienced decreasing trends in productivity within cultivated areas. Instability analysis indicates that Uganda exhibited the highest stability in production at 7.32%, whereas Rwanda and Tanzania taught greater volatility, with rates of 46.74% and 32.15%, respectively. The decomposition analysis reveals that the increase in farming areas contributed to 73.1% of the recent production growth. East African countries must prioritise productivity-enhancing wheat production by implementing modern farming technologies, employing improved varieties, increasing irrigation, and encouraging climate-resilient practices to ensure sustainability and improve regional food security, regional trade connectivity and for further encroachment of East Africa community.

The apple carposphere harbours a diverse community of microorganisms that could play a crucial role in fruit health and postharvest preservation. While culture-independent techniques have advanced our understanding of the apple microbiome, a substantial portion of this community remains unexplored due to cultivation limitations. In this study, a culturomics approach was adopted using culture media enriched with apple-derived nutrients to recover and characterise the epiphytic and endophytic bacterial and fungal communities of apple fruits. Aiming to analyse the effects of the altitude and developmental stage of the fruit on these microbial communities. To do this, the impact of altitude (Pyrenees mountain vs. Ebro valley), fruit developmental stage (30 days before harvest vs. harvest) and tissue type (epiphytes vs. endophytes) was assessed on microbial diversity and composition across four orchards in Catalonia, Spain. Using 13 distinct culture media, 50% more microbial genera were recovered than conventional laboratory media, yielding over 919 isolates, consisting of 489 bacteria, 222 filamentous fungi and 208 yeasts. The results showed that altitude, developmental stage and type of culture media influenced microbial diversity and composition. Richness of endophytic fungi was more influenced by altitude and developmental stage than epiphytic fungal and bacterial communities. On the other hand, bacterial community composition was strongly influenced by the type of culture medium used. Functional characterisation of isolates revealed potential biocontrol agents and plant pathogens, with some genera displaying altitude-specific distributions. Our findings demonstrate that culturomics provides an essential tool to unlock the hidden diversity of fruit-associated microbiomes, paving the way for future applications in sustainable agriculture and postharvest disease management.

Regenerative agriculture (RA) uses nature-friendly farm practices to nurture soil microbial communities. This study compared the fungal communities in RA plots with those in conventional agriculture (CA) and barren land (BL) plots (comprising completely barren- BL and with Eucalyptus - BL-Euc). Two crops - finger millets and vegetables (tomato/beans) were considered here. The RA farms identified for this study used diverse organic mulch applications such as farm manure, cow dung, cover-crop mulch, green-mulch, vermicompost, and so forth, for soil management. Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) amplicon sequencing analysis of soil DNA samples obtained from RA, CA and BL plots was done to identify fungal composition in each of the study plots. The fungal communities in RA finger millet and RA vegetable were compared with respective CA finger millet and CA vegetable and with BL plots. The fungal community in finger millet and vegetable RA plots showed high levels of diversity as well as species evenness. The RA plots in both crops showed a significant reduction in plant pathogenic fungal genera - Bipolaris and Pyrenochaetopsis. Furthermore, the RA finger millet plots contained specific Plant Growth Promoting Fungi (PGPF) – Rhizophlyctis and Agrocybe (saprotroph) and Acrocalymma (biotic and abiotic stress tolerance and plant growth and yield inducer), which were absent in finger millet CA and BL plots. Similarly, in RA vegetable plots, we found PGPFs including Mortierella (a biocontrol agent and plant nutrient solubilizer), Phoma (bioherbicide and plant growth promoter), and Pseudorobillarda and Torula (saprotroph), which were absent in the vegetable CA plots and BL plots. Results indicate that regenerative agriculture involving the use of organic mulch as soil amendment enriches beneficial fungi in soil, including saprotrophs, which in turn subdue the pathogenic fungal genera for healthier crop outcomes. The study points to the need for in-depth experimentation on individual organic mulches, through years of application and the associated development of microbial communities to identify best practices for agricultural sustainability.

In vineyards facing soil degradation and biodiversity loss, crop diversification may improve sustainability, but its effects on the soil microbiome remain unclear. In a 3-year field study, we examined how diversifying the plant row under grapevine with aromatic plants affected topsoil properties (0–10 cm) in an organically farmed, steep-sloped vineyard. Specifically, we investigated the effects of diversification with oregano and thyme on microbial biomass, respiration, prokaryotic and fungal community compositions, enzyme activities, potential nitrification, and abiotic soil properties, including total and particulate organic carbon (TOC, POC), nutrient status, pH, and soil moisture. Grapevines alone with mechanical tillage served as control. The aromatic plants competed with grapevines by lowering soil nutrient contents and moisture. Aromatic plant litter had a small, mostly non-significant but consistent effect on POC contents, and POC stocks determined in the final year showed a slight increasing trend in the order control (10.9 ± 2.8 t POC ha⁻¹) < thyme (12.6 ± 3.1) < oregano (13.1 ± 4.1). Surprisingly, these changes coincided with a significant decrease in microbial biomass compared to control, indicating aromatic plant-microbe competition. Concomitant decreases in respiration and the activity of C-cycling enzymes but also the metabolic quotient, suggest lower carbon mineralisation but more efficient microbial carbon use. Multivariate statistics revealed that the prokaryotic community was primarily structured by abiotic soil properties, such as organic matter, nutrient and water availability. In contrast, the fungal community exhibited a stronger plant-specific response, with changes in composition likely driven by root-associated interactions, suggesting a more direct biotic influence. Especially, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and potential nitrification were promoted under both aromatic plants, which may benefit grapevine growth. Overall, we show that diversifying perennial agroecosystems such as vineyards with aromatic plants increases soil habitat heterogeneity with benefits for microbial diversity, carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling, demonstrating its positive impact on soil biodiversity and functioning.

Climate change-induced heat stress significantly threatens cotton production in the Southern United States, reducing yields and farm revenue. This study quantifies the impact of rising temperatures using a multilevel regression model applied to historical climate and yield data (1980–2018) from key cotton-growing regions. The analysis examines how maximum and minimum temperatures, precipitation, and growing degree days influence yield at different growth stages. Results show that a 1°C increase in maximum temperature during the flowering stage (TmaxGS2) reduces cotton yield by 5.5%, leading to revenue losses of up to $219 per acre. Conversely, higher precipitation during critical growth periods increases yield by 183 lb/acre, partially offsetting heat stress effects. Given these findings, adaptation strategies are essential. We recommend the development of heat-tolerant cotton varieties, improved irrigation management, and expanded financial support programmes, including climate-based crop insurance. Additionally, optimising planting schedules and adopting precision agriculture can help mitigate yield losses. These measures will strengthen the resilience of cotton farming against escalating climate risks, ensuring long-term sustainability. This study provides valuable insights for farmers, policymakers, and researchers working to safeguard cotton production in a changing climate.

Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made by the pyrolysis of organic material from agricultural and forestry waste. While biochar is well documented for altering soil physicochemical conditions, few studies have investigated its possible effects on the management of arthropod pests. Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW) are specialist and generalist insect herbivores respectively, that can cause significant defoliation in natural and agricultural ecosystems. In this study, we examined whether walnut shell biochar can affect growth and development of these herbivores. Specifically, we investigated how biochar influences parameters such as mass gain, length of pupation, pupal mass, pupal volume, deformity, duration of eclosion, wingspan, body length, thorax mass and survival. Laboratory experiments were conducted by allowing caterpillars to feed on a modified artificial diet and pupate in a pupation medium mixed with biochar. This was followed by allowing the insects to complete pupation and eclose. We found that in the generalist pest FAW, caterpillars feeding on biochar treated diet gained significantly lower mass and had lower pupal volume compared to their conspecifics feeding on normal control diet. Our results also show that biochar treatment on M. sexta pupae led to a reduction in pupal mass, and increased pupal deformity compared to the control, and these negative effects cascaded to significant reduction in adult mass. We also found that adult wingspan, body length, and survival were significantly lower in the biochar treatment when compared to the control for both species. In addition, the biochar treatments also prolonged the time to eclosion of adult moths and decreased their overall survivability. Based on these findings, we conclude that biochar negatively impacts the growth, pupation and eclosion of lepidopteran herbivores, indicating its potential use in sustainable pest management strategies.