Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment最新文献

{"title":"Microbial community restructuring under crop rotation: A sustainable strategy to counteract potato monoculture-induced soil degradation in arid ecosystems","authors":"Zhitao Li ,&nbsp;Jinyong Zhu ,&nbsp;Tianbin Shi ,&nbsp;Chengwei Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaoqiang Qiu ,&nbsp;Minmin Bao ,&nbsp;Yuanming Li ,&nbsp;Zhenzhen Bi ,&nbsp;Panfeng Yao ,&nbsp;Chao Sun ,&nbsp;Huaijun Si ,&nbsp;Yuhui Liu ,&nbsp;Zhen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Continuous potato monoculture induces soil degradation and yield reduction. While crop rotation alleviates continuous cropping obstacles, its microbial regulatory mechanisms underlying soil quality improvement remain poorly understood. Through field trials in arid and semi-arid regions of Northwest China, we systematically analyzed the effects of five rotation systems (potato - broad bean rotation, PB; potato - maize rotation, PM; potato - fallow, PF; potato - oil flax rotation, PO; and potato - quinoa rotation, PQ) on soil microbial community structure and soil quality, along with tuber yield, with continuous potato cropping (PP) as the control. A Soil Quality Index (SQI) was developed through principal component analysis by integrating multiple soil physicochemical indicators. All rotations significantly increased SQI (21.5 %-37.7 %) and tuber yields by 2.1 %-16.2 % compared to PP, with PO achieving the peak yield enhancement (16.2 %). Random forest modeling identified available phosphorus (AP), potassium (AK), and soil organic matter (SOM) as primary SQI influencing factors. Microbial analysis revealed rotations enriched Acidobacteriota (6.1 %-38.5 %) while reducing Anthophyta abundance (8.8 %-154.2 %). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis demonstrated bacterial networks exhibited higher node complexity but lower connectivity than fungal networks. Key bacterial family (1.1 % of taxa) including Pyrinomonadaceae (positively correlated with TK/AP, <em>r</em> &lt; -0.50, <em>P</em> = 0.01) and Chitinophagaceae (yield-associated, <em>r</em> = 0.52, <em>P</em> = 0.03) were identified by <em>Zi-Pi</em> analysis as microbial indicators of soil fertility and productivity. The superior performance of the potato-oil flax rotation is attributed to enhanced SOM accumulation, improved nutrient availability (AP, AK), and the selective stimulation of functional bacterial groups promoting nutrient cycling. This work advances understanding of rotation-mediated soil remediation by systematically characterizing microbial interaction networks, providing actionable insights for sustainable potato cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110245"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145974675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temperature-dependent modulation of soil organic carbon by earthworm (Pheretima guillelmi) bioturbation in a subtropical forest: Topsoil versus Subsoil","authors":"Yufeng Qiu ,&nbsp;Minshen Ying ,&nbsp;Ronggui Tang ,&nbsp;Tanja Trakić ,&nbsp;Yihong Liu ,&nbsp;Youchao Chen ,&nbsp;Xie Wang ,&nbsp;Yanjiang Cai ,&nbsp;Scott X. Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Earthworms play a crucial role in pedogenesis through bioturbation, shaping soil structure and driving the sequestration of soil organic carbon (SOC). Although extensive studies have documented earthworm-mediated carbon cycling in croplands and forestlands under optimal temperatures, their impact on carbon dynamics under suboptimal temperatures remains poorly understood, particularly in forest soils. This study conducted a one-year field experiment in a bamboo forest across different temperature phases (warm and cool conditions) to investigate the density-dependent effects of earthworms (<em>Pheretima guillelmi</em>) on soil carbon preservation capacity (CPC), quantified as sequestered SOC, in both topsoil (0–15 cm) and subsoil (15–30 cm). Results indicated that earthworm bioturbation significantly increased coarse particulate organic carbon (by 8.5–24.9 %), fine particulate organic carbon (by 11.3–19.7 %), and mineral-associated organic carbon (by 11.9–22.9 %). Under warm conditions, earthworm bioturbation significantly increased the proportion of large macroaggregates (&gt; 2 mm) by 35.1–62.8 % and promoted aggregate stability (mean weight diameter and geometric mean diameter) in the topsoil. However, under cool conditions, there were no significant changes in aggregate in the topsoil and subsoil. Earthworm-mediated CPC exhibited significant temperature dependence: CPC significantly increased by 12.3–25.3 % under warm conditions but only by 6.0–15.9 % under cool conditions. Notably, earthworms enhanced CPC mainly through improving aggregate stability and promoting SOC fractions during warm conditions. In contrast, the efficacy of earthworm bioturbation diminished as temperatures dropped, with CPC variation becoming primarily affected by SOC fractions. This mechanistic understanding establishes earthworm bioturbation as a temperature-sensitive driver of carbon stabilization and provides theoretical insights into the potential of earthworms to enhance soil carbon protection under climatic variability in agroforestry ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110240"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Grazing intensity, microtopography, and soil properties mediate the relationship between soil seed banks and aboveground vegetation in grazed wetlands in a semi-arid region","authors":"Mingye Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuchen Liu ,&nbsp;Shouzheng Tong ,&nbsp;Yu An ,&nbsp;Ming Jiang ,&nbsp;Haitao Wu ,&nbsp;Guodong Wang ,&nbsp;Dongjie Zhang ,&nbsp;Geng Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110210","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110210","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil seed banks (SSBs) serve as the fundamental basis for natural vegetation regeneration, and their relationship with aboveground vegetation (AV) plays an important role in achieving natural rehabilitation of wetlands. Grazing is the predominant form of wetland resource utilization in semi-arid regions, significantly influencing biodiversity and ecological functions. Although the response of wetland SSBs to grazing is an important focus area in ecology research and microtopography is extremely common in semi-arid wetlands, the mediating role of microtopography in regulating the impact of herbivores on SSB dynamics remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, this long-term field study (2000–2023) investigated the effects of four grazing intensities (no, slight, moderate, and heavy grazing) and three microtopographic conditions (hummock apex, hummock brae, and hummock interspace) on SSBs. Results revealed that the interaction between grazing and microtopography significantly influenced SSBs and their association with AV. The density and richness of SSBs decreased with an increase in grazing intensity and significantly varied with microtopographic heterogeneity. The similarity between SSBs and AV initially increased and subsequently decreased with increasing grazing intensity, with the similarity level being higher for the hummock apex than for other positions. Electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solid levels, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻-N) levels were significantly negatively correlated with the density and richness of SSBs and the density of AV. Redundancy analysis indicated that EC and NO₃⁻-N significantly influenced SSB properties across all grazing intensities, and that EC was a key driver of changes in the structural attributes of AV. Furthermore, a structural equation model indicated that grazing and microtopography directly affected SSB properties. In particular, microtopography mediated the process through which grazing disturbed AV, thereby affecting SSBs. Altogether, these findings suggest that grazing and microtopography profoundly affect the structural attributes of wetland SSBs through multiple pathways. These findings enhance the understanding of the ecological functions of microtopography and provide valuable insights into the near-natural restoration and sustainable utilization of grazed wetland ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110210"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145902260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of anti-hail netting on pollinator activity, fruit quality, and economic yield in kiwifruit","authors":"Camila Corti ,&nbsp;Facundo R. Meroi Arcerito ,&nbsp;María Belén Lezcano ,&nbsp;Facundo Ramos ,&nbsp;Leonardo Galetto ,&nbsp;Matías Maggi","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110217","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Protective anti-hail nets are increasingly used in kiwifruit orchards, yet their integrated effects on pollination and yield are unclear. We compared two prevalent management systems: a netted system (anti-hail net with manual pollination, no on-site hives) versus an open-field system (no net, manual pollination with honey bee hives). Across seven commercial kiwifruit orchards, we assessed pollinator communities, visitation rates, fruit quality (weight and seed number), and economic yield. The management system significantly altered pollinator composition (PERMANOVA: F=4.58, R² = 0.48, p = 0.029). <em>Apis mellifera</em> dominated (&gt;60 % of visits) in open fields but was nearly absent under nets, where syrphid flies prevailed. A complementary analysis on the wild pollinator assemblage (excluding <em>A. mellifera</em>) indicated that netting itself explained 31.5 % of the variation (F = 2.30, R²=0.315, p = 0.086), suggesting a substantial, albeit marginally non-significant, filter effect independent of hive management. Visitation frequency was 47 % lower in the netted system. Fruits from the netted system were 30 % lighter and had 45 % fewer seeds. Gross revenue per hectare was 31.5 % lower under nets (USD 47,385 vs. 69,213). The netted management system explained 46.0–64.6 % of the variance in fruit quality and 58.0 % in economic yield. Our results demonstrate that the netted system creates a substantial pollination deficit not compensated by standard manual pollination, directly reducing fruit quality and profitability. Integrating pollinator-friendly practices is needed to balance crop protection with sustainable production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110217"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Within-field variability in nitrogen losses: A case study in Denmark","authors":"Jingru Yin ,&nbsp;Takashi S.T. Tanaka ,&nbsp;Yeying Zhou ,&nbsp;Vita Antoniuk ,&nbsp;Octavian P. Chiriac ,&nbsp;Marco Canicattì ,&nbsp;Martina Ludovica Careddu ,&nbsp;Davide Cammarano","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110201","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110201","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitrogen (N) losses from agricultural fields, through nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching, pose environmental risks and reduce agricultural productivity. Understanding the spatial variability within fields is crucial for effective N management. This study aimed to quantify and explain spatial variability in N₂O emissions and NO₃⁻ leaching within a typical agricultural field in Denmark, identifying the key factors influencing this variability. Field measurements were conducted across two growing seasons (2023 and 2024), involving soil, plant, and environmental data collection at 24 and 48 sampling points, respectively. Random forest modeling was employed to analyze feature importance of predictor variables. The study revealed significant spatial variability in N losses. The key influencing factors included topographical features, plant N uptake, and climatic conditions. An inverse relationship was observed between N₂O emissions and NO₃⁻ leaching, indicating a trade-off in N loss pathways. Random forest models explained approximately 30 % of variability for NO₃⁻ leaching (RMSE = 11.32; MAE = 8.89) and N₂O emissions (RMSE = 0.71; MAE = 0.21). These findings underscore the complexity of N loss dynamics and difficulty of the adoption of site-specific management strategies to mitigate environmental impacts and improve N use efficiency.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110201"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Appropriate straw return approaches can improve soil properties and crop yield of Mollisol farmlands with various degradation degrees","authors":"Shukun Xing ,&nbsp;Guanghui Zhang ,&nbsp;Yatong Zhang ,&nbsp;Yi Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110248","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110248","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Straw return, as a traditional conservation tillage practice, has been widely applied; however, the suitability of different straw return approaches has rarely been evaluated under various land degradation degrees. In this study, three straw return approaches (strip mulching, rotary tillage and deep plowing) were applied to Mollisols with four degrees of degradation (non-degradation, light, moderate and severe degradation). Soil physical, biological and nutrient properties as well as crop growth characteristics were monitored at different soybean growth stages in 2023. Crop yield was also measured for different treatments. Compared to control (straw removal), the suitability of different approaches was assessed. The results showed that the benefits of straw return were strongly regulated by land degradation. With land degradation intensified, the advantages of rotary tillage in promoting microbial activity and nutrient availability were gradually replaced by the approach of strip mulching. Compared to straw removal, straw return by strip mulching increased soybean yield from 3.1 % in non-degraded cropland to 20.8 % in severely degraded cropland, whereas the yield increases of rotary tillage and deep plowing declined from 15.4 % to 7.1 % and from 12.6 % to 1.3 %, respectively. Changes in soil structure and hydrothermal conditions were the main drivers of yield variation under different straw return approaches. For non-degraded Mollisols, straw incorporation or deep plowing is recommended to alleviate low-temperature stress in cool and humid regions, while for degraded Mollisols, straw return by strip mulching is preferable to improve topsoil aggregate stability, erosion resistance and water retention. This study offers critical insights into optimizing straw return approach under various soil degradation degrees, contributing to sustainable agricultural productivity in response to global challenges of land degradation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110248"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant available nitrogen varies with crop rotation due to legacy effects of legume and poultry litter inputs","authors":"Kathryn E. White ,&nbsp;Michel A. Cavigelli ,&nbsp;Harry H. Schomberg ,&nbsp;Steven B. Mirsky","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Poultry litter (PL) is used by grain farmers in poultry producing regions to supply nitrogen (N). Knowledge of the effects of long-term applications on plant available N (PAN) is limited, particularly when combined with historical inputs from legume cover crops and forages. Previous research at the Farming Systems Project (FSP) in Maryland, USA found that historical inputs from legumes and PL increased PAN, likely reducing maize PL requirements. We quantified the effects of three reduced PL application rates on PAN and the effects of PAN and weeds on maize yields in three organically managed rotations at FSP. We established PL application rate microplots in two-year hairy vetch (<em>Vicia villosa</em> Roth) plus rye (<em>Secale cereale</em> L.) cover crop–maize <em>(Zea mays</em> L.)–rye cover crop–soybean (<em>Glycine max</em> L.), three-year hairy vetch plus rye–maize-rye cover crop–soybean–wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.), and six-year maize–rye cover crop–soybean–wheat–alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) –alfalfa–alfalfa rotations. Rotational diversity increased microbially active carbon, N, and PAN concentrations, eliminating maize PL requirements in the six-year rotation. In the two- and three-year rotations, eliminating PL decreased yields by 1645 and 1009 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. However, application rates could be reduced by 43 % and 58 % without affecting maize yields. Weeds reduced yields in the two-year rotation by 1394 kg ha⁻¹. Results indicate that long-term PL and legume inputs increase N storage, N cycling, and soil PAN sufficient to support maize yields, but rates are rotation-dependent. Reducing PL recommendations in comparable rotations, whether organic or conventional, would reduce fertility costs and likely lower N loss risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110239"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological nitrogen availability in vineyards: Assessing the influence of soil particle size fractions and spatial distribution","authors":"Bangwei Zhang ,&nbsp;David L. Burton ,&nbsp;Keith D. Fuller ,&nbsp;Andrew M. Hammermeister ,&nbsp;Gordon W. Price","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurately assessing soil nitrogen (N) supply (SNS) in perennial <em>Vitis vinifera</em> systems is essential yet challenging, often leading to over-fertilization and environmental degradation. Moreover, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding how soil particle size fractions interact with organic N pools (labile vs. stable) to influence SNS and spatial distribution across vineyard. This study is the first to validate the Biological N Availability (BNA) method in vineyard soils, demonstrating its field applicability as a rapid, cost-effective tool for quantifying in-season SNS and supporting N management decisions. Here we examined soil N dynamics in 11 vineyards by implementing BNA method to estimate growing season soil N mineralization (GSN) and analyzing N content in distinct soil fractions (&gt;53 µm, &lt;53 µm, and soluble organic N). The stable N pool was close related to the sand-sized fraction, while N in the micro-fraction was more closely associated with the labile N pool and exerted a stronger influence on GSN. Furthermore, the labile N pool was more sensitive to vineyard location and soil depth than the stable N pool, highlighting the importance of site-specific soil management practices. Topsoil in primary grape-growing areas of Nova Scotia could supply approximately 218 kg N·ha⁻¹ of GSN. By quantifying vineyard SNS using the BNA method and elucidating its interactions with soil fractions and spatial distribution, this study offers novel insights into N dynamics in vineyard soils and provides a foundation for optimizing N use efficiency, enhancing soil health, and reducing environmental risks in perennial cropping systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110264"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146090178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Weed control provided by seed predators saves 20 % crop yield in cereal fields","authors":"Lucile Muneret ,&nbsp;Benjamin Carbonne ,&nbsp;Bruno Chauvel ,&nbsp;Alexandre Dosset ,&nbsp;Chantal Ducourtieux ,&nbsp;Nicolas Henon ,&nbsp;Emeline Felten ,&nbsp;Emilien Laurent ,&nbsp;Annick Matejicek ,&nbsp;Sandrine Petit","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110196","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2025.110196","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although many herbicide active substances have been banned, and while weed infestation is a major threat to crop productivity, the extent to which natural weed control provided by seed predators can help farmers manage weed communities remains unknown. The contribution of seed predators to crop productivity through weed control was quantified, and it was assessed whether farming systems such as conservation agriculture played a role in bolstering their impact. A total of 112 seed predator-exclusion cages were set up in 28 cereal fields in France (14 pairs of plots, in which one plot was managed under conservation agriculture and the other under conventional agriculture). Weed emergence and biomass were surveyed, crop yield was measured, and the main seed predators—carabid beetles and rodents—were sampled. A 20 % reduction in yield loss due to weeds was found to be caused by seed predator activity, which was extrapolated to an economic gain of 285 €/ha. However, a whole 60 % of the maximum crop yield potential reached in the absence of weeds remains lost. Moreover, while conservation agriculture enhances weed control, this does not translate into increased crop yield. This study demonstrates the tangible importance of considering seed predators for weed control but highlights the need to combine this approach with other weed control practices or to substantially redesign cropping systems to enhance the beneficial effects of biodiversity on crop productivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110196"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145941074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bromus inermis forage production and quality under long-term rotational grazing and nutrient enrichment in Eastern Nebraska, U.S.","authors":"Hassan Shehab ,&nbsp;Makki Khorchani ,&nbsp;Anastasios Mazis ,&nbsp;Jeremy Hiller ,&nbsp;Galen Erickson ,&nbsp;Marty Schmer ,&nbsp;Brian Wardlow ,&nbsp;Andy Suyker ,&nbsp;Xiangmin Sun ,&nbsp;Lidong Li ,&nbsp;Rebecca McDermott ,&nbsp;Ariel Freidenreich ,&nbsp;Girma Birru ,&nbsp;Virginia Jin ,&nbsp;Tala Awada","doi":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.agee.2026.110216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rising food and feed demand, coupled with climate uncertainties, poses a growing threat to the sustainability and resilience of pasture and agriculture lands in the Great Plains. Smooth bromegrass (<em>Bromus inermis, Lyess</em>), a C₃ cool-season grass, dominates cattle grazing pastures in eastern Nebraska and is valued for its productivity and nutritional quality. However, nitrogen fertilization of smooth brome pastures carries nitrate leaching risks, and potential water degradation. Dry Distiller Grains plus Solubles (DDGS), a by-product of corn ethanol production, has emerged as an alternative to mineral fertilization. This study investigated the interactive effects of long-term (2005–2023) pasture management (fertilization and rotational grazing) and climate variability on smooth bromegrass performance over four years (2020–2023). Treatments included mineral nitrogen fertilization, DDGS supplementation, and no fertilization, each under grazed and ungrazed conditions. Biomass (total and live), leaf area index, chlorophyll content, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and soil moisture were measured seasonally and across years. Results showed that fertilization consistently produced higher biomass, leaf area index, and crude protein, relative to other treatments, reinforcing its role in sustaining forage productivity. DDGS, while offering a reduced environmental footprint, showed potential in enhancing forage production and quality under average or above average precipitation and soil moisture. However, its efficacy declined during dry years. While long-term fertilization treatment remained the most consistent strategy for sustaining productivity under both ungrazed and rotational grazing systems, DDGS supplementation emerged as a strategic option for regions with adequate growing season precipitation, reducing reliance on mineral fertilizers without compromising yields. These findings emphasize the value of adaptive practices that integrate fertilization and grazing to maintain smooth bromegrass productivity under increasing climate variability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7512,"journal":{"name":"Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment","volume":"400 ","pages":"Article 110216"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}