Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment最新文献

Groundwater contaminants that can negatively impact human health, such as nitrate, uranium, arsenic, and manganese, are common in agricultural areas. The mobility and distribution of these contaminants in groundwater are strongly impacted by oxidation-reduction (redox) processes. Groundwater redox, however, is difficult to determine without conducting time-sensitive geochemical analyses. Prior research demonstrated that areas of low groundwater nitrate concentrations could be identified by the presence of rust on irrigation center pivots. This “rust” is a coating of iron (Fe) oxides formed by the incidental spraying of Fe-rich groundwater on the surface of pivot. Thus, the pivot rust could be a qualitative indicator of reducing conditions where Fe is soluble in groundwater. Nitrate, arsenic, uranium, iron, and manganese from the irrigation wells associated with 29 pivots (16 rusted and 13 non-rusted) in central Nebraska. Results indicate significantly higher concentrations of iron and manganese and significantly lower concentrations of nitrate and uranium in areas with rusted pivots, strongly suggesting a link between pivot rust and redox-sensitive contaminants. Most of the rusted pivots in the study area are along the eastern edge of the subcrop of the Miocene Ogallala Group, where the alluvium overlies the Pierre shale, which could be the source of Fe and other metals in groundwater. These results underscore the utility of pivot rust as a rapid, non-invasive indicator for redox-sensitive elements in groundwater.

Sharma, A. K., Zotarelli, L., & Sharma, L. K. (2025). Interactive study of phosphorus and sulfur application in potato for sandy soils. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment, 8, e70086. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70086

There is a typographical error in the article title. The word “phosphorous” was misspelled and the correct title should appear as “Interactive study of phosphorus and sulfur application in potato for sandy soils.”

We apologize for this error.

The principal agricultural region of alfalfa, maize, and rapeseed was examined for soil nutrients. Primary statistics for a parameter were maximum, minimum, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, skewness, and kurtosis. Some parameters had non-normal distributions and were statistically significant. Sodium has 97% fluctuation, whereas pH has 5%. Datasets for acidity, organic matter, sand, and silt are typically disseminated. The available iron varied from 0.06 to 8.84 mg/kg, and manganese, copper, zinc, and lime from 0.23 to 20.96 mg/kg. Total nitrogen ranged from 0.02% to 0.82%. Highly variable macronutrient variation coefficient. Thus, the critical limits for elements and physicochemical characteristics were 4.5, 6, 0.7, and 0.8 mg/kg. Soil nutrients may be mapped to compare nutritional status and indicate regional strengths and weaknesses. These maps can prescribe fertilizers for different crops without overusing them, incurring financial losses and environmental harm. This study standardizes macronutrient spatial distribution maps and soil physicochemical parameters to calculate the evaluation index. In ArcGIS 10.8, the fuzzy linear membership function was used to standardize these maps within the range of 0–1. The index map is then categorized into four types using Jenks Natural Breaks. This study found severe iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and phosphorus deficiencies in Sharif Abad agricultural soil. Environmental and human causes caused iron deficiency in this region. Manganese shortages were rare, while copper deficits were widespread in the north, west, and southwest, with 37% of the area below the critical level.

Aluminum toxicity, a consequence of acidic soil conditions, is a major challenge for barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) growers in the Jima Zone of Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate tolerance and susceptibility of barley genotypes to soil acidity under field conditions. Note that 300 barley genotypes were used to evaluate under soil aluminum stress and non-stress (lime) conditions in locations Jimma and Kafa in the 2022/2023 growing seasons. Significant genotype variations and interactions with management practices were observed for most traits, indicating considerable variability under stress and non-stressed conditions. The average grain yield under non-stress conditions was 3331.5 kg/ha, while it was 2778.4 kg/ha under stress, reflecting a yield reduction of 19.91%. High heritability (90% and 95.5%) and variation indicate a strong genetic influence on grain yield under non-stressed and acidic soil conditions. A positive correlation of grain yield between stress and non-stress (r = 0.824) indicates a high grain yield advantage for selecting individuals both under stress and non-stress conditions. Additionally, among seven stress indices, stress tolerance index, aluminum adaptation index, geometric mean index, and mean productivity displayed strong positive correlations with grain yield under both stress and non-stress conditions. Hence, based on these stress indices and grain yield, cluster analysis identified three distinct groups of 300 accessions. Cluster C-I (13.66%) tolerant genotypes, Cluster C-II (30.33%) intermediate genotypes, and Cluster C-III (56%) stress-susceptible genotypes. Barley genotypes that combine high yield and acid tolerance were identified, paving the way for further studies on adaptability and breeding line development, and advancing efforts to create improved barley varieties for the region.

Tillage is an integral part of the crop production system and is one of the crucial management decisions producers make to enhance soil health and crop productivity. However, its contribution to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield over time requires further investigation in dryland cropping systems. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of tillage practices on the rate at which winter wheat grain yield changes over time. A long-term tillage experiment established as a winter wheat–fallow in 1970 was used to address the research objective. The tillage treatments included moldboard plow (MP), stubble mulch (SM), and no-till (NT) and were assigned to three blocks arranged as a randomized complete block design. The rate at which grain yield changed over time was studied using data from 1972 to 2010. The rate at which grain yield changed between 1972 and 2010 was not significantly different from zero for all the tillage practices with grain yield decreasing by approximately 10 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The slopes associated with each of these tillage practices did not differ from each other, suggesting that tillage practices did not affect the rate at which grain yield changed over time. In dryland cropping systems without nutrient application, yield trends may remain similar among tillage practices, and the long-term decline in soil fertility or quality possibly decelerates organic crop producers from harnessing the full benefits of improved genotypes.

The nutritional and technological utility of crop biomass is dependent on tissue elemental content. We hypothesized that agronomic practices to improve semiarid crop sustainability impact element concentrations as a function of biomass response (greater biomass = more dilution of elements). Soil and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) tissues (postharvest roots, stems, leaves, and grain) from experimental plots with ∼40% reduction in irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilizer timing (all at planting or split applications) were analyzed for a suite of biologically relevant elements. Irrigation and N timing interactions increased root sulfur (S) under conservation irrigation and split N, and higher cadmium (Cd) with full irrigation and single N. Significant interactions were observed for grain S, calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and molybdenum (Mo). Soils under conservation irrigation had higher sodium (Na) and lower selenium (Se) and Cd concentrations. We measured significantly greater root magnesium (Mg), Ca, vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), Fe, zinc (Zn), and strontium (Sr) under fully irrigated conditions compared to conservation irrigated conditions. Stem potassium (K) and Cd concentrations were higher under full irrigation. Leaf and grain element concentrations were not impacted by the irrigation alone. Split N applications resulted in significant increases of Na, Mg, S, K, Ca, V, Fe, Cu, Sr, Se, and Mo concentration in stems, leaves (all elements), and grain (Na, Mg, and Zn). Several nutrients declined under full irrigation and split N, previously shown to lower N₂O emissions. Our results fit previous reports of significant elemental concentration variation among sorghum varieties and tissues, sorghum element concentrations respond to alterations in water and N inputs, and biomass promoting practices can decrease nutrient concentrations.

Precise, accurate, and reliable crop condition data continues to be in demand for farmers, agribusiness, government agencies, agroclimatologists, and research institutions. This study evaluated the data quality of four major United States field crops: corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybeans (Glycine max L.), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) Gridded Crop Progress and Condition dataset. Upon aggregating the weekly 9 km gridded data to the county level (and further to the state and national level) over the 2015–2023 period, no statistically significant differences emerged between the gridded condition data and the tabular condition data from the USDA NASS Crop Progress and Condition Report (CPCR). In line with state and national-level analyses, a strong linear relationship between crop conditions and yield existed at the county scale. County-level crop condition ratings were a statistically significant covariate of yield during the critical reproduction period through harvest for 90% of corn, 78% of cotton, 90% of soybean, and 96% of winter wheat-producing counties. In addition, intramonthly county-level crop conditions changed accordingly based on the magnitude of temperature and precipitation anomalies during certain phenological stages. In at least 80% of counties for each respective crop, temperatures and precipitation were statistically significant covariates for crop condition changes. The relationships between USDA NASS gridded crop condition data, CPCR data, yield, and climate substantiate the utility and fidelity of this dataset as a representation of confidential crop condition reports, supporting its practical application in research and operational decision-making.

Despite the enormous achievements recorded in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) breeding using traditional and molecular approaches, most cultivars find humid environments highly unfavorable. As a result, fruit production cannot meet the rapidly increasing global demand. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptability of genotypes to humid conditions and estimate gene actions responsible for the inheritance of selected traits that improve tomato yield. Four crosses were made among five morphologically diverse parents: Wild parent—Solanum pimpinellifolium (LA2093) and S. lycopersicum—CLN2498D, CLN2417H, Tima, and UC Dan INDIA using wild parent as a common pollen donor. The generations of F₁s, F₂s, BC₁s, and BC₂s obtained were laid out in a repeated randomized complete block design with three replicates. The analysis of variance was estimated using a linear mixed model. The genetic effects were estimated using the Hayman model using the best linear unbiased prediction values. Significant differences in traits were observed among parental lines and their crosses. The wild parent exhibited superior performance in terms of total number of fruits per plant (TNFrPP, 467.19), number of fruits per truss (NFrPT, 11.1), and delayed fruit spoilage (D100FrSP, 34.45) compared to cultivated varieties. The highest TNFrPP (129.89) was achieved in the BC₂ CLN2498D × Wild cross. Similarly, the highest NFrPT (10.67) was also observed in the BC₂ CLN2498D × Wild cross. For D100FrSP, the BC₂ CLN2417H × Wild cross showed a value of 33 days. Additive and additive–additive gene effects were significant for most of the fruit traits including the weight and yield of the fruit. Additive variation is important for improving tomato yield by selecting the best individuals from the F₂ populations, since reliance on selective gains will only be on gametic variation. Advancement of the segregating populations would involve breeding methods such as single seed descent, pureline selection, pedigree, and gametic or backcross selections. In all generations, CLN2498D × Wild and UC Dan INDIA × Wild crosses expressed the best performance for all traits, including fruit yield. This makes them a good material for selection and exploitation in tomato breeding for increased fruit yield and adaptability to humid environments. These crosses can form a novel source of genetic improvement for future breeding.

Novel approaches that are fast and sensitive are needed to evaluate soil change and integrate soil ecosystem properties. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) extracted from soil with water are associated with plant nutrients and microbial activity but information about change over time in the US Great Plains is sparse. We used cool (20°C) and hot (80°C) water extracts from historic (1947) and contemporary (2018) soil samples collected at Moccasin, MT; Akron, CO; and Big Spring, TX; to examine changes to labile C and N and optical properties after 71 years of dryland cropping. Concentrations of C and N extracted with cool water decreased between 1947 and 2018 in surface (0–15.2 cm) samples from Moccasin, by 52% and 35%, and Big Spring, by 37% and 32%, but remained unchanged at Akron. Conversely, net (hot−cool) extractable C did not change at Moccasin or Big Spring but increased at Akron by 26%. Net extractable N decreased at Moccasin by 22% but did not change elsewhere. Sequential principal component analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis identified three important optical properties. Values of SUVA₂₅₄ (where SUVA₂₅₄ is the specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm) in extracts did not change at Moccasin between 1947 and 2018 but increased at Akron, indicating increased aromaticity. Conversely, SUVA₂₅₄ decreased at Big Spring. Values for Sag_350–400 (where Sag_350–400 is the slope from a nonlinear fit of an exponential function to the absorption spectrum over the wavelength range from 350 to 400 nm), inversely related to extract molecular weight and aromaticity, decreased at Moccasin but not elsewhere. The proportion of recalcitrant to labile compounds, C:T (where C:T is the ratio of fluorescence intensity from Peak C [ex340/em440] to Peak T [ex275/em340]), increased in extracts from all sites but especially at Akron. Together, these methods provided insights into soil change while conserving samples.

Conventional delayed-flood rice (Oryza sativa L.; DFR) cultivation in United States faces increasing challenges such as nutrient losses, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Alternative furrow-irrigated rice (FIR) cultivation is gaining interest for its water use efficiency and production flexibility. Despite FIR's growing adoption, its impacts on soil biological functioning and nutrient cycling remain poorly understood, limiting the ability to optimize management practices for this emerging system. Understanding these impacts is crucial as soil health directly influences nutrient availability, crop productivity, and long-term sustainability. This study aimed to compare soil enzyme activities and other health indicators between DFR and FIR systems. Soil samples were collected from Louisiana DFR and FIR field experiments established in 2020 and 2021 and analyzed for β-glucosidase (BG), β-glucosaminidase (NAG), phosphomonoesterase (PME), arylsulfatase (AST), permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), respiration (CO₂-burst), and alkali-hydrolysable nitrogen (AHN). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct separations between the DFR and FIR systems in different sites. The results showed that the FIR system significantly (p < 0.05) increased NAG by 35%–57% and AST by 35%–113% activities at both sites as well as BG by 35% and PME by 92% at one of the two site-years over the DFR system, indicating improved nutrient cycling. The FIR also had significantly (p < 0.05) higher CO₂-burst by 21%–33% and POXC by 44% at one of the two sites than the DFR. Rice grain yields were significantly and positively related to BG (R² = 0.28, p < 0.05) and PME (R² = 0.18, p < 0.05) in the FIR system across site-years but not in the DFR system, reflecting different sensitivities of these enzymes to the two rice cultivations. This study provides insights into understanding the difference in nutrient cycling between the two rice production systems.