Biological nitrogen fixation and prospects for ecological intensification in cereal-based cropping systems

Field Crops Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 283, P. 108541 - 108541

Published: April 17, 2022

The demand for nitrogen (N) crop production increased rapidly from the middle of twentieth century and is predicted to at least double by 2050 satisfy on-going improvements in productivity major food crops such as wheat, rice maize that underpin staple diet most world's population. will need be fulfilled two main sources N supply – biological (gas) (N2) fixation (BNF) fertilizer supplied through Haber-Bosch processes. BNF provides many functional benefits agroecosystems. It a vital mechanism replenishing reservoirs soil organic improving availability support growth while also assisting efforts lower negative environmental externalities than N. In cereal-based cropping systems, legumes symbiosis with rhizobia contribute largest input; however, diazotrophs involved non-symbiotic associations plants or present free-living N2-fixers are ubiquitous provide an additional source fixed This review presents current knowledge free-living, symbiotic global cycle, examines regional estimates contributions BNF, discusses possible strategies enhance prospective benefit cereal nutrition. We conclude considering challenges introducing planta into cereals reflect on potential both conventional alternative management systems encourage ecological intensification legume production.

Language: Английский

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Belowground processes and sustainability in agroecosystems with intercropping

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 476(1-2), P. 263 - 288

Published: May 28, 2022

Language: Английский

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Plant–soil synchrony in nutrient cycles: Learning from ecosystems to design sustainable agrosystems

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 30(1)

Published: Dec. 12, 2023

Abstract Redesigning agrosystems to include more ecological regulations can help feed a growing human population, preserve soils for future productivity, limit dependency on synthetic fertilizers, and reduce agriculture contribution global changes such as eutrophication warming. However, guidelines redesigning cropping systems from natural make them sustainable remain limited. Synthetizing the knowledge biogeochemical cycles in ecosystems, we outline four that synchronize supply of soluble nutrients by soil biota with fluctuating nutrient demand plants. This synchrony limits deficiencies excesses nutrients, which usually penalize both production regulating services retention carbon storage. In outlined, emerges plant–soil plant–plant interactions, eco‐physiological processes, physicochemical dynamics various reservoirs, including organic matter, minerals, atmosphere, common market. We discuss relative importance these depending pedoclimatic context functional diversity plants microbes. offer ideas about how could be stimulated within improve their sustainability. A review latest advances agronomy shows some practices suggested promote (e.g., reduced tillage, rotation perennial plant cover, crop diversification) have already been tested shown effective reducing losses, fertilizer use, N 2 O emissions and/or improving biomass Our framework also highlights new management strategies defines conditions success nature‐based allowing site‐specific modifications. synthetized should practitioners long‐term productivity while negative impact environment climate.

Language: Английский

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Diversified cropping systems with complementary root growth strategies improve crop adaptation to and remediation of hostile soils

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 9, 2024

Language: Английский

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Microbial biodiversity and plant functional trait interactions in multifunctional ecosystems

Applied Soil Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 105515 - 105515

Published: July 2, 2024

Language: Английский

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Boosting resource use efficiency, soil fertility, food security, ecosystem services, and climate resilience with legume intercropping: a review

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Feb. 21, 2025

Adopting sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity while preserving ecosystem services is essential to ensure food security for a growing global population and address environmental challenges. This review examines the impact of legume intercropping on nitrogen (N) fixation, soil physio-chemical properties, water retention, pest disease control, crop yield across diverse agro-climatic zones cropping systems. The findings consistently demonstrate integrating legumes into system improves health by reducing bulk density, breaking up hardpan layers, erosion, increasing organic matter, fixing atmospheric (~125 kg N/ha/season) need inorganic N fertilizers. It boosts yields 30–35% (in terms main equivalent yield) land per unit area time, mitigates total loss, promotes biodiversity. also use efficiency 20–25% enhances nutrient 25–30%. Additionally, reduces losses from pests diseases compared sole practice bolsters resilience through ecological processes like bio-littering, bio-ploughing, bio-irrigation, bio-pumping (the “4Bs”), which are valuable adapting climate variability. However, research gaps remain, particularly in optimal selection species specific regions, suitable agronomic each system, addressing socio-economic barriers widespread adoption.

Language: Английский

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Strategies to acquire and use phosphorus in phosphorus-impoverished and fire-prone environments

Plant and Soil, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 476(1-2), P. 133 - 160

Published: May 19, 2022

Abstract Background Unveiling the diversity of plant strategies to acquire and use phosphorus (P) is crucial understand factors promoting their coexistence in hyperdiverse P-impoverished communities within fire-prone landscapes such as cerrado (South America), fynbos Africa) kwongan (Australia). Scope We explore P-acquisition strategies, highlighting one that has received little attention: acquisition P following fires temporarily enrich soil with P. This strategy expressed by fire ephemerals well fast-resprouting perennial shrubs. A plant’s leaf manganese concentration ([Mn]) provides significant clues on strategies. High [Mn] indicates carboxylate-releasing but other exudates may play same role carboxylates acquisition. Intermediate suggests facilitation P-mobilising neighbours, through release or functionally similar compounds. Very low no immediate Release phosphatases also represents a P-mining strategy, mobilising organic Some species express multiple depending time since germination fire, position landscape. In severely landscapes, photosynthetic P-use efficiency converges among species. Efficient exhibit rapid rates photosynthesis at concentrations. high P-remobilisation from senescing organs another way efficiently, extended longevity organs. Conclusions Many coexist tend converge. Common which we know are those ephemeral first respond after fire. surmise far more widespread than envisaged so far, likely accumulate metals, exemplified Mn, metalloids, selenium, fluorine, form fluoroacetate, silicon. important consider when restoring sites biodiverse regions cropping systems strongly P-sorbing soils, because some only be able establish themselves next neighbours mobilise

Language: Английский

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Plant diversity and ecological intensification in crop production systems

Journal of Plant Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(6)

Published: May 12, 2023

Abstract Ecological intensification (EI) is the enhancement of ecosystem services to complement or substitute for role anthropogenic inputs in maintaining increasing yields. EI has potential increase farming’s environmental sustainability, e.g. reducing environmentally harmful management activities while sustaining based upon ecological processes which turn are influenced by biodiversity. We review how biodiversity, particularly vascular plant diversity, can regulate relevant at multiple spatial scales. At an individual genotype level, complementarity functional traits a direct impact on productivity. in-field, population mixtures crop types confer resilience minimize risk pest and disease incidence spread. Scaling up field diversity non-crop plants (i.e. weeds) provides resources necessary in-field processes, both below ground (carbon inputs, decomposition) above (resource continuity pollinators natural enemies). landscape scale, mosaics semi-natural managed vegetation provide buffers against extreme events through flood drought mitigation, climate amelioration regulation. Overall this emphasizes importance heterogeneity across scales functions farmland. Major research challenges highlighted our include need: better integrate (from habitat scales) into cropping system design; quantify (likely interactive) contribution effective relative other options; optimize targeted function benefits biodiversity resilient, efficient productive agroecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Cotton-Based Rotation, Intercropping, and Alternate Intercropping Increase Yields by Improving Root–Shoot Relations

Agronomy, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2), P. 413 - 413

Published: Jan. 30, 2023

Crop rotation and intercropping are important ways to increase agricultural resource utilization efficiency crop productivity. Alternate intercropping, or transposition is a new pattern in which two crops intercropped wide strip with planting positions switched annually on the same land. Transposition combines thus performs better than either practice alone. Compared traditional rotation, it can yield net return by 17–21% 10–23%, respectively, land equivalent ratio (LER) 20% 30%. In growth development, balanced root–shoot relation essential obtain satisfactory yields quality. Intercropping, combination alter original changing ecology physiology of both root shoot achieve rebalancing relation. The quality regulated interactions resulting rebalancing. review examines effects above- belowground relations under cotton-based particularly alternate practices combined. importance signaling regulating was also explored as possible focus future research rotation.

Language: Английский

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Maize/alfalfa intercropping enhances yield and phosphorus acquisition

Field Crops Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 303, P. 109136 - 109136

Published: Sept. 23, 2023

Language: Английский

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