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Assessing soil quality (SQ) post-land use changes is crucial for sustainable land and soil management. This study was conducted in the Fereydan region, Isfahan province, Iran. One hundred soil samples were collected from irrigated croplands, dry land farms, and pasture lands to form the total data set (TDS). Eighteen soil properties were assessed using three soil quality indicators (SQI): additive (SQIa), weighted additive (SQIw), and Nemoro (SQIn). Principal component analysis (PCA) identified six key parameters to construct a minimum data set (MDS), including clay, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD), and reference bulk density (BDref). The studied area is classified according to soil quality metric as follows: 2.78% very good, 11.11% good, 41.67% medium, 25.00% poor, and 19.44% very poor, indicating an overall moderate soil quality. Linear relationships analysis between TDS and MDS for SQIa-L, SQIa-NL, SQIw-L, SQIw-NL, SQIn-L, and SQIn-NL showed R2 values of 0.61, 0.58, 0.79, 0.67, 0.59, and 0.52, respectively. SQIw-L provided a better estimation, suggesting that using MDS with a linear approach and weighted additive indexing saves time and reduces expenses. These findings have practical applications in managing soil quality in hilly regions and similar agroecological areas, contributing to sustainable agriculture practices and resource conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of environmentally safe products is a pressing issue for many countries worldwide. In the post-war period, Ukraine's agricultural sector will require new, science-based technologies to restore production and ensure the production of ecologically safe cow's milk. A study was conducted to assess the ecological state of Ukraine's forest-steppe zone, steppe, and woodlands, along with an analysis of organic and biological agriculture. The findings were supported by experimental research on producing ecologically safe milk. The experiment involved dairy cows of the black and red-speckled breeds, adhering to methods commonly accepted in zootechnical practice. For each sample, the average value (M) and standard deviation (SD) were calculated, with estimates presented as M ± SD. Differences between mean values were considered statistically significant at P<0.05, and the calculations were performed using the STATISTICA software package version 10.0. Environmental pollution by cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), resulting from industrial activities and mining, has negatively impacted agroecosystems. There are successful examples of organic and biological farming in Ukraine, with dairy products from agricultural enterprises meeting both national and international quality standards. The experiment tested methods to improve the technology of producing eco-safe milk by feeding dairy cows a special mineral-vitamin premix combined with a phytobiopreparation, which enhanced the excretion of toxicants through excrement and resulted in the production of ecologically safe milk in compliance with EC Regulation No. 853/2004 and No. 1881/2006. The use of manure as an organic fertilizer in organic farms necessitates systematic monitoring of pollutant migration in the soils of livestock farms. Further research is needed to understand the impact of pollutants on the somatic cell content in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Agricultural pests' is a locution used to indicate those wild species considered as dangerous to crops. The crested porcupine Hystrix cristata is a semi–fossorial rodent considered as one of the main agricultural pests by farmers in Italy. Assessing the role of agriculture in shaping the porcupine's space use is of great importance to develop proper management and conservation strategies. The goal of this study was to quantify the degree of habitat selection by and suitability for porcupines in Central Italy to assess the potential influence of agricultural fields on the ecology of this rodent. The habitat suitability analysis was realized using presence–only data implemented in the MAXENT Software, while the habitat selection analysis was carried out using the Jacobs' selectivity index. Our research revealed that croplands have an important role in the overall habitat suitability for porcupines. However, during the warm period, all habitats were used according to their availability. Conversely, orchards, vineyards, and olive groves were preferred during the cold period. Our findings suggest that the use of agricultural crops in accordance with their availability during the warm season and the preference shown for orchards, vineyards, and olive groves during the cold one, highlight that porcupine–famer negative interactions may occur in the area. The implementation of proper prevention measures is therefore strongly suggested, especially during the cold period, to reduce the potential impacts on agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study represents the first investigation of soil ciliate diversity and community structure in the Marche region, Italy, encompassing both natural sites and agro-ecosystems. The main aims were (i) to assess the ability of ciliates to discriminate between different types of land uses, i.e., arable lands and possible farming management practices [organic (ORG) vs. conventional (CON)], and forest (FOR) sites; and (ii) to investigate the relationships among ciliate communities and abiotic parameters at the studied sites. Soil samples were collected twice from 10 sites (5 forest (FOR) (natural soils) and 5 arable lands under different agricultural management systems (3 ORG (minimum tillage) and 2 CON (sod seeding)). Ciliate communities were studied using qualitative (non-flooded Petri dish) and quantitative methods (ciliate counts from permanent slides). Soil chemical–physical (texture, CEC, N, OM, C/N) parameters were also measured. Qualitative ciliate analysis allowed us to identify a total of 59 species representing 33 genera, 20 families, 13 orders, and 7 classes. ORG sites were the richest in species followed by CON and FOR. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between natural sites (FOR) and agricultural sites, and between ORG and CON management farming systems. CCA analysis revealed a positive correlation between the ciliate species and silt, clay, and pH in ORG sites, and sand, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and CEC (cation exchange capacity) in FOR sites, suggesting the significance of these parameters in shaping the ciliate communities. Altogether, these results showed the bioindicative potential of ciliate communities in discriminating between natural sites (FOR) and arable lands, and their capacity to discriminate, at least preliminarily, between different soil management systems (ORG vs. CON). Furthermore, this study highlights the high diversity of soil ciliates and their response to habitat variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild boar (Sus scrofa), an abundant species across Europe, is often subjected to management in agro-ecosystems in order to control population size, or to scare them away from agricultural fields to safeguard crop yields. Wild boar management can benefit from a better understanding on changes in its space use across the diel cycle (i.e., diel space use) in relation to variable hunting pressures or other factors. Here, we estimate wild boar diel space use in an agro-ecosystem in central Belgium during four consecutive "growing seasons" (i.e., April–September). To achieve this, we fit generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to camera trap data of wild boar aggregated over 1-h periods. Our results reveal that wild boar are predominantly nocturnal in all of the hunting management zones in Meerdaal, with activity peaks around sunrise and sunset. Hunting events in our study area tend to take place around sunrise and sunset, while non-lethal human activities occur during sunlight hours. Our GAMM reveals that wild boar use different areas throughout the diel cycle. During the day, wild boar utilized areas in the centre of the forest, possibly to avoid human activities during daytime. During the night, they foraged near (or in) agricultural fields. A post hoc comparison of space use maps of wild boar in Meerdaal revealed that their diurnal and nocturnal space use were uncorrelated. We did not find sufficient evidence to prove that wild boar spatiotemporally avoid hunters. Finally, our work reveals the potential of GAMMs to model variation in space across 24-h periods from camera trap data, an application that will be useful to address a range of ecological questions. However, to test the robustness of this approach we advise that it should be compared against telemetry-based methods to derive diel space use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests face a variety of threats in the modern era. Agroforestry systems, both traditional and introduced, have a tremendous capacity for providing sustainable resources and combating the impact of global climate change. Indigenous agroforestry and forest land-use systems are important reservoirs for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, providing a potential contribution to livelihood security for rural communities. This study aimed to assess the tree diversity and carbon stock of agroforestry and adjoining forests along altitudinal gradients, ranging between 700 and 2200 masl (i.e., lower, middle, and upper altitudes) by laying sample plots randomly of a size of 20 × 20 m2. In the forest land-use system, the maximum Importance Value Index (IVI) included Dalbergia sissoo (71.10), Pyrus pashia (76.78), and Pinus roxburghii (79.69) at the upper, middle, and lower elevations, respectively, whereas, in the agroforestry land-use system, the IVI reported for Ficus semicordata was 43.05 at the upper, while for Grewia optiva it was at 53.82 at the middle and 59.33 at the lower altitudes. The below-ground biomass density (AGBD) was recorded as 1023.48 t ha−1 (lower), 242.92 t ha−1 (middle), and 1099.35 t ha−1(upper), while in the agroforestry land-use system, the AGBD was 353.48 t ha−1 (lower), 404.32 t ha−1 (middle), and 373.23 t ha−1 (upper). The total carbon density (TCD) values recorded were 630.57, 167.32, and 784.00 t ha−1 in forest land-use systems, and 227.46, 343.23, and 252.47 in agroforestry land-use systems for lower, middle, and upper altitudes, respectively. The Margalef's Index values for agroforestry and forests ranged from 2.39 to 2.85 and 1.12 to 1.30, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock recorded 45.32, 58.92, and 51.13 Mg C ha−1 for agroforestry and 61.73, 42.65, and 71.08 Mg C ha−1 for forest in lower, middle and upper elevations, respectively. The study suggests that selecting land use patterns can be an effective management system for tree species at different elevations for carbon storage, helping to mitigate climate change and aiding in sustainable management of ecosystems in the Garhwal Himalayas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild boar (Sus scrofa), an abundant species across Europe, is often subjected to management in agro-ecosystems in order to control population size, or to scare them away from agricultural fields to safeguard crop yields. Wild boar management can benefit from a better understanding on changes in its space use across the diel cycle (i.e., diel space use) in relation to variable hunting pressures or other factors. Here, we estimate wild boar diel space use in an agro-ecosystem in central Belgium during four consecutive “growing seasons” (i.e., April–September). To achieve this, we fit generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) to camera trap data of wild boar aggregated over 1-h periods. Our results reveal that wild boar are predominantly nocturnal in all of the hunting management zones in Meerdaal, with activity peaks around sunrise and sunset. Hunting events in our study area tend to take place around sunrise and sunset, while non-lethal human activities occur during sunlight hours. Our GAMM reveals that wild boar use different areas throughout the diel cycle. During the day, wild boar utilized areas in the centre of the forest, possibly to avoid human activities during daytime. During the night, they foraged near (or in) agricultural fields. A post hoc comparison of space use maps of wild boar in Meerdaal revealed that their diurnal and nocturnal space use were uncorrelated. We did not find sufficient evidence to prove that wild boar spatiotemporally avoid hunters. Finally, our work reveals the potential of GAMMs to model variation in space across 24-h periods from camera trap data, an application that will be useful to address a range of ecological questions. However, to test the robustness of this approach we advise that it should be compared against telemetry-based methods to derive diel space use.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the research conducted on the detection, characterization, and management of plant pathogens. It emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate identification of plant pathogens to ensure agricultural sustainability and prevent economic losses. The article covers various aspects of plant pathology, including the diversity, emergence, evolution, distribution, and transmission of plant pathogens. It also discusses the inclusion of beneficial microorganisms in agroecosystems. The article summarizes several studies on specific plant pathogens, their impact on crop yields, and management strategies. The findings contribute to our understanding of plant-microorganism interactions and offer insights into innovative approaches for disease prevention and control. The article also highlights the challenges in accurately diagnosing and characterizing plant parasitic nematodes and the development of molecular techniques for field diagnosis. It mentions the use of molecular tools, such as long-read sequencing technologies, for the identification and characterization of plant pathogens. The article acknowledges the ongoing debate surrounding genetically modified crops and biological control agents and explores sustainable solutions for disease management. Overall, this compilation of research aims to increase public knowledge, enhance monitoring systems, and enable better control of plant diseases in agricultural and natural settings. [Extracted from the article]

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This editorial titled "Mechanisms and practices for the management of plant-soil biota interaction" discusses the importance of soil biota for agricultural production and ecosystem management. It emphasizes the need for research on the management of soil biota, particularly in sustainable cropping systems and natural soil management. The editorial provides a summary of studies on the role of microbes in phosphorus availability and the impact of plant introductions on soil microbiomes. It concludes by highlighting the importance of understanding the distribution patterns of rhizosphere-associated microbial species to enhance our understanding of plant-microbe interactions. The document also explores the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and the effects of different microorganisms on crops like soybean and rice. It suggests that further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and best practices for managing plant-soil biota on a larger scale, particularly for herbaceous crops like legumes and C3 cereals. [Extracted from the article]

This study represents the first investigation of soil ciliate diversity and community structure in the Marche region, Italy, encompassing both natural sites and agro-ecosystems. The main aims were (i) to assess the ability of ciliates to discriminate between different types of land uses, i.e., arable lands and possible farming management practices [organic (ORG) vs. conventional (CON)], and forest (FOR) sites; and (ii) to investigate the relationships among ciliate communities and abiotic parameters at the studied sites. Soil samples were collected twice from 10 sites (5 forest (FOR) (natural soils) and 5 arable lands under different agricultural management systems (3 ORG (minimum tillage) and 2 CON (sod seeding)). Ciliate communities were studied using qualitative (non-flooded Petri dish) and quantitative methods (ciliate counts from permanent slides). Soil chemical–physical (texture, CEC, N, OM, C/N) parameters were also measured. Qualitative ciliate analysis allowed us to identify a total of 59 species representing 33 genera, 20 families, 13 orders, and 7 classes. ORG sites were the richest in species followed by CON and FOR. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences between natural sites (FOR) and agricultural sites, and between ORG and CON management farming systems. CCA analysis revealed a positive correlation between the ciliate species and silt, clay, and pH in ORG sites, and sand, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and CEC (cation exchange capacity) in FOR sites, suggesting the significance of these parameters in shaping the ciliate communities. Altogether, these results showed the bioindicative potential of ciliate communities in discriminating between natural sites (FOR) and arable lands, and their capacity to discriminate, at least preliminarily, between different soil management systems (ORG vs. CON). Furthermore, this study highlights the high diversity of soil ciliates and their response to habitat variability.

Agricultural productivity is constantly being forced to maintain yield stability to feed the enormously growing world population. However, shrinking arable and nutrient-deprived soil and abiotic and biotic stressor (s) in different magnitudes put additional challenges to achieving global food security. Though well-defined, the concept of macro, micronutrients, and beneficial elements is from a plant nutritional perspective. Among various micronutrients, selenium (Se) is essential in small amounts for the life cycle of organisms, including crops. Selenium has the potential to improve soil health, leading to the improvement of productivity and crop quality. However, Se possesses an immense encouraging phenomenon when supplied within the threshold limit, also having wide variations. The supplementation of Se has exhibited promising outcomes in lessening biotic and abiotic stress in various crops. Besides, bulk form, nano-Se, and biogenic-Se also revealed some merits and limitations. Literature suggests that the possibilities of biogenic-Se in stress alleviation and fortifying foods are encouraging. In this article, apart from adopting a combination of a conventional extensive review of the literature and bibliometric analysis, the authors have assessed the journey of Se in the “soil to spoon” perspective in a diverse agroecosystem to highlight the research gap area. There is no doubt that the time has come to seriously consider the tag of beneficial elements associated with Se, especially in the drastic global climate change era.

Soil microbial characteristics are considered to be an index for soil quality evaluation. It is generally believed that organic amendments replacing chemical fertilizers have positive effects on changing microbial activity and community structure. However, their effects on different agro-ecosystems on a global scale and their differences in different environmental conditions and experimental durations are unclear. This study performed a meta-analysis based on 94 studies with 204 observations to evaluate the overall effects and their differences in different experimental conditions and duration. The results indicated that compared to chemical fertilizer, organic amendments significantly increased total microbial biomass, bacterial biomass, fungal biomass, Gram-positive bacterial biomass and Gram-negative bacterial biomass, and had no effect on the ratio of fungi to bacteria and ratio of Gram-positive bacteria to Gram-negative bacteria. Meanwhile, land use type, mean annual precipitation and soil initial pH are essential factors affecting microbial activity response. Organic-amendment-induced shifts in microbial biomass can be predominantly explained by soil C and nutrient availability changes. Additionally, we observed positive relationships between microbial functionality and microbial biomass, suggesting that organic-amendment-induced changes in microbial activities improved soil microbial functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium (U) and fluoride (F−) contamination in agricultural products, especially vegetable and cereal crops, has raised serious concerns about food safety and human health on a global scale. To date, numerous studies have reported U and F− contamination in vegetable and cereal crops at local scales, but the available information is dispersed, and crop-wise differences are lacking. This paper reviews the current status of knowledge on this subject by compiling relevant published literatures between 1983 and 2023 using databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Medline, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Based on the median values, F− levels ranged from 0.5 to 177 mg/kg, with higher concentrations in non-leafy vegetables, such as Indian squash "Praecitrullus fistulosus" (177 mg/kg) and cucumber "Cucumis sativus" (96.25 mg/kg). For leafy vegetables, the maximum levels were recorded in bathua "Chenopodium album" (72.01 mg/kg) and mint "Mentha arvensis" (44.34 mg/kg), where more than 50% of the vegetable varieties had concentrations of >4 mg/kg. The concentration of U ranged from 0.01 to 17.28 mg/kg; tubers and peels of non-leafy vegetables, particularly radishes "Raphanus sativus" (1.15 mg/kg) and cucumber "Cucumis sativus" (0.42 mg/kg), contained higher levels. These crops have the potential to form organometallic complexes with U, resulting in more severe threats to human health. For cereal crops (based on median values), the maximum F− level was found in bajra "Pennisetum glaucum" (15.18 mg/kg), followed by chana "Cicer arietinum" (7.8 mg/kg) and split green gram "Vigna mungo" (4.14 mg/kg), while the maximum accumulation of U was recorded for barley "Hordeum vulgare" (2.89 mg/kg), followed by split green gram "Vigna mungo" (0.45 mg/kg). There are significant differences in U and F− concentrations in either crop type based on individual studies or countries. These differences can be explained mainly due to changes in geogenic and anthropogenic factors, thereby making policy decisions related to health and intake difficult at even small spatial scales. Methodologies for comprehensive regional—or larger—policy scales will require further research and should include strategies to restrict crop intake in specified "hot spots". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has an impact on agricultural activity because of its direct reliance on climate. The understating of their relationship is extremely important, particularly for developing and underdeveloped or low-income countries, which rely heavily on agriculture for subsistence and lack adaptation infrastructure when compared to developed countries. Geographically high-latitude places that already have low temperatures might benefit from a prolonged growing season when temperatures rise due to climate change. GHG emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane have an impact on agricultural lands. Gases have an impact on climate through emitting greenhouse gases. Emissions are mostly caused by tillage operations, fossil fuels, fertilized agricultural soils, and farm animal waste, and have a significant impact on the agriculture industry. Agriculture, on the other hand, might be a solution to climate change by lowering emissions and extensively implementing mitigation and adaptation measures. Best management approaches such as use of microbial inoculants to reduce fertilizer inputs, carbon sequestration and methane oxidation has potential to reduce greenhouse gases from agro-ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests face a variety of threats in the modern era. Agroforestry systems, both traditional and introduced, have a tremendous capacity for providing sustainable resources and combating the impact of global climate change. Indigenous agroforestry and forest land-use systems are important reservoirs for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services, providing a potential contribution to livelihood security for rural communities. This study aimed to assess the tree diversity and carbon stock of agroforestry and adjoining forests along altitudinal gradients, ranging between 700 and 2200 masl (i.e., lower, middle, and upper altitudes) by laying sample plots randomly of a size of 20 × 20 m2. In the forest land-use system, the maximum Importance Value Index (IVI) included Dalbergia sissoo (71.10), Pyrus pashia (76.78), and Pinus roxburghii (79.69) at the upper, middle, and lower elevations, respectively, whereas, in the agroforestry land-use system, the IVI reported for Ficus semicordata was 43.05 at the upper, while for Grewia optiva it was at 53.82 at the middle and 59.33 at the lower altitudes. The below-ground biomass density (AGBD) was recorded as 1023.48 t ha−1 (lower), 242.92 t ha−1 (middle), and 1099.35 t ha−1(upper), while in the agroforestry land-use system, the AGBD was 353.48 t ha−1 (lower), 404.32 t ha−1 (middle), and 373.23 t ha−1 (upper). The total carbon density (TCD) values recorded were 630.57, 167.32, and 784.00 t ha−1 in forest land-use systems, and 227.46, 343.23, and 252.47 in agroforestry land-use systems for lower, middle, and upper altitudes, respectively. The Margalef’s Index values for agroforestry and forests ranged from 2.39 to 2.85 and 1.12 to 1.30, respectively. Soil organic carbon (SOC) stock recorded 45.32, 58.92, and 51.13 Mg C ha−1 for agroforestry and 61.73, 42.65, and 71.08 Mg C ha−1 for forest in lower, middle and upper elevations, respectively. The study suggests that selecting land use patterns can be an effective management system for tree species at different elevations for carbon storage, helping to mitigate climate change and aiding in sustainable management of ecosystems in the Garhwal Himalayas.

Increasing nutrient inputs affect plants and soil. Long-term, repeated mineral fertilizer applications may alter the agro-ecosystem. The application of the right amount of fertilizer is primordial to maintaining and improving sustainable plant productivity. The physiological response of the plant provides meaningful information on yield and makes it possible to better choose the doses of fertilization amendments. In order to determine the adequate dose of NPK fertilizer under economically profitable and more environmentally sustainable conditions, we investigated the impact of the chemical fertilizer amended at different NPK fertilizer doses (15, 20, and 25 kg ha-1) on the growth parameters, oxidative metabolism, and yield of Solanum lycopersicum. A complete random block experimental set-up with three doses and four replicates was performed for a greenhouse tomato crop. The results showed that NPK fertilizer influences morphological parameters, and phenolic compounds with the best data correlated to the medium treatment. Likewise, the content of flavonoids, lycopene, and β-carotene in tomato fruits displays a similar trend of variation with all treatment doses. The biochemical responses of plants to mineral fertilizer indicate that a medium dose is suitable, without overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, to reduce the negative impact on the agro-ecosystem.

Increasing nutrient inputs affect plants and soil. Long-term, repeated mineral fertilizer applications may alter the agro-ecosystem. The application of the right amount of fertilizer is primordial to maintaining and improving sustainable plant productivity. The physiological response of the plant provides meaningful information on yield and makes it possible to better choose the doses of fertilization amendments. In order to determine the adequate dose of NPK fertilizer under economically profitable and more environmentally sustainable conditions, we investigated the impact of the chemical fertilizer amended at different NPK fertilizer doses (15, 20, and 25 kg ha-1) on the growth parameters, oxidative metabolism, and yield of Solanum lycopersicum. A complete random block experimental set-up with three doses and four replicates was performed for a greenhouse tomato crop. The results showed that NPK fertilizer influences morphological parameters, and phenolic compounds with the best data correlated to the medium treatment. Likewise, the content of flavonoids, lycopene, and ß-carotene in tomato fruits displays a similar trend of variation with all treatment doses. The biochemical responses of plants to mineral fertilizer indicate that a medium dose is suitable, without overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, to reduce the negative impact on the agro-ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bees play key roles in savannah ecosystems but face myriad threats. A combination of flower sweep netting and visual observations was used to determine bee-species diversity and preferred nesting sites in five villages in Nyamakate communal area, northern Zimbabwe. Almost 2000 bees were collected comprising two bee families and five species with diversity of Shannon-Weiner index (H') = 0.45 (0.19). Apis mellifera scutellata was widely distributed and the dominant bee species; it has a wide choice of nesting sites and high adaptation ability. Effective conservation of nesting habitats such as forest, woody vegetation, and riverine water sources is required to maintain bee-species diversity in an agro-based savannah ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South Asia, the long-term provision of agro-ecosystem services is threatened by accelerating climate change and undesirable farming practices. Conservation farming could help ensure sustainable ecosystem services and food security. This study was conducted in nine purposively selected districts in west and northwest Bangladesh. Data on conservation farming practices were collected from 540 farmers and 63 professionals, directly or indirectly involved with conservation farming, using two interview schedules and face-to-face interviews between July and November 2019. Multiple regression modeling (OLS) and path analyses were performed to identify the contribution of selected predictors of the direct and indirect effects of using conservation farming practices. Each conservation farming practice, including the system of rice intensification under permanent raised-beds, crop residue incorporation, and cover crops, affected components of farmers' food security. These conservation practices had moderately positive effects on agro-ecosystem services and food security for 82.2% of farmers studied. The effects of using conservation farming practices were significantly impacted by farmers' educational qualifications, training experience, and their knowledge about the conservation farming practices. The food security status of farmers was significantly impacted by their annual family income and knowledge about conservation farming practices. Regulation of soil fertility and water, soil structure, soil retention, nutrient cycling, and zero-tillage were important components of agro-ecosystems that improved food security by increasing crop yield. This study showed that conservation practices have a positive influence on agro-ecosystem services and food security in Bangladesh, individually and in combination. We suggest that further support to conservation farming is an important policy option for decision-makers given the vulnerability of ecosystem services and a need to ensure food security in South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to approach the concept of agrarian archaeology, an epistemological framework that allows the investigation of agrarian landscapes favouring new historical narratives far from traditional paradigms and, at the same time, the proposal of innovative forms of cultural heritage management in rural areas. The working methodology and some examples of both empirical work (archaeology) and research-action approaches to cultural heritage are presented. As a result, agrarian archaeology opens up a perspective of experimental research, which permits the problematization of conceptual languages, questions historical narratives and causes the rethinking of personal practices, in addition to promoting an open science close to citizens. Cultural heritage here is to be understood as a social process of meaningful construction, a space of debate and transformation for social innovation.

Considerable interest is being shown in using biochar production from waste biomass with a variety of disciplines to address the most pressing environmental challenges. Biochar produced by the thermal decomposition of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions is gaining popularity as a low-cost amendment for agro-ecosystems. The efficiency of biochar formation is affected by temperature, heating rate, feedstock type, particle size and reactor conditions. Properties such as pH, surface area and ash content of produced biochar increases with increasing temperatures. Biochar produced at lower heating rates may have high porosity and be beneficial for morphological changes in the soil. Biochar can help to enhance soil health and fertility as well as improve agricultural yield. As a result, biochar can assist in increasing food security by promoting sustainable agricultural systems and preserving an eco-friendly environment. Biochar is also widely being used as a sorbent for organic and inorganic pollutants, owing to its large surface area, allowing it to be immobilized from soil with ease. The functional groups and charges present on the surface of biochar play an important role in pollutants removal. This review focuses on the mechanisms of biochar production using different waste materials as a feed stock, factors that influence biochar quality as well as application of biochar in agricultural soil and their reclamation as well. This article also discusses knowledge gaps and future perspectives in the field of biochar-based toxic-pollution remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has an impact on agricultural activity because of its direct reliance on climate change. There are two types of relationships between agriculture and climate change, and they are extremely important, particularly for developing and underdeveloped or low-income countries, which rely heavily on agriculture for subsistence and lack adaptation infrastructure when compared to developed countries. Geographically high-latitude places that already have low temperatures might benefit from a prolonged growing season when temperatures rise due to climate change. GHG emissions such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane have an impact on agricultural lands. Gases have an impact on climate through emitting greenhouse gases. Emissions are mostly caused by tillage operations, fossil fuels, fertilized agricultural soils, and farm animal waste, and have a significant impact on the agriculture industry. Agriculture, on the other hand, might be a solution to climate change by lowering emissions and extensively implementing mitigation and adaptation measures. Best management approaches such as use of microbial inoculants to reduce fertilizer inputs, carbon sequestration and methane oxidation has potential to reduce greenhouse gases from agro-ecosystem.

【Objective】The study was conducted to promote the high-quality development of agriculture at county level in the Yellow River basin, deepen the understanding of agricultural inputs and outputs, and improve the increasingly tight constraints on agricultural resources and the deterioration of agricultural ecological environment, and to propose optimized development ideas and countermeasures.【Method】The land use changes of Dali County, Shannxi Province were analyzed by the land use transfer matrix, then the emergy analysis (EMA) method was used and an index system was constructed, several indexes based on the emergy flow were defined and calculated, the operational characteristics of agroecosystems in 2014 and 2019 and the sustainability of development were characterized and measured, the emergy values of inputs and outputs in agro-ecosystems were quantitatively analyzed and evaluated output emergy, then the key factors that constrain the sustainable development of agro-ecosystems were identified.【Result】Compared with the base period of 2014, the emergy self-sufficiency rate of the agro-ecosystem in 2019 (year of land use planning) decreased from 18% to 13%, and the net emergy output rate decreased from 2.10 to 1.27, the sustainability index decreased from 0.90 to 0.35, the emergy value investment rate increased from 4.51 to 6.71, the environmental load rate increased from 2.33 to 3.61, the emergy value density from 1.93×1012 sej/m2 to 2.69×1012 sej/m2, and the emergy consumption per capita from 1.03×1016 sej/person to 1.41×1016 sej/person. In 2019, compared with 2014, the area of forest land, artificial land and water bodies decreased by 5.75%, 0.60% and 60.06% respectively, and the area of grassland, cultivated land and wetland increased by 19.80%, 1.44% and 21.15%, respectively.【Conclusion】Land use change is not the main factor influencing the change of agricultural output emergy, the overall development level of agriculture in Dali County is also increasing while the costs of agricultural production are also increasing, and the process of agricultural modernization is relatively rapid, which is a consumer-oriented economic system. The investment in non-renewable industrial auxiliary energy values represented by pesticides, diesel and chemical fertilizers has increased significantly, increasing the pressure on the agricultural ecological environment.

The aim of this paper is to approach the concept of agrarian archaeology, an epistemological framework that allows the investigation of agrarian landscapes favouring new historical narratives far from traditional paradigms and, at the same time, the proposal of innovative forms of cultural heritage management in rural areas. The working methodology and some examples of both empirical work (archaeology) and research-action approaches to cultural heritage are presented. As a result, agrarian archaeology opens up a perspective of experimental research, which permits the problematization of conceptual languages, questions historical narratives and causes the rethinking of personal practices, in addition to promoting an open science close to citizens. Cultural heritage here is to be understood as a social process of meaningful construction, a space of debate and transformation for social innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides have become integral parts of cocoa cultivation for the management of insect pests and fungal pathogens which cause significant damage to the crop. However, continuous pesticide usage in the cocoa agro-ecosystem is of concern due to perceived adverse effects on non-target organisms. In this study, mushrooms and associated termites were used to elucidate the possible effect of fungicides and insecticides on nontarget organisms in the cocoa agro-ecosystem. The vegetative phase of Pleurotus sajor- caju (Oyster mushroom), Volvariella volvacea (Paddy straw mushroom), Termitomyces globulus, and Termitomyces robustus (Termite mushrooms) were subjected to concentrations of commercially formulated fungicides (metalaxyl 12 % + copper (I) oxide 60 % and cupric hydroxide 77 %) and insecticides (imidacloprid 20 % and bifenthrin 2.7 %) to observe their growth rates on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Worker termites, Macrotermes bellicosus, were also exposed to the pesticides in Petri dishes for 24 h to observe their mortality. The manufacturer's recommended concentration of 245 ppm for bifenthrin completely inhibited mycelial growth of all the mushrooms and caused 100% mortality of termites. At 0.0245 ppm, the insecticide caused 60% mortality of termites, but it had no inhibitory effect on the mushrooms. Except for P. sajor-caju, mycelial growth of all the other mushrooms was completely inhibited by metalaxyl + copper (I) oxide at the manufacturer's recommended concentration of 2400 ppm. However, mycelial growth rate of the mushrooms at 0.24 ppm of the fungicide was similar to the control plates. Although the recommended concentrations of the pesticides inhibited mushroom activity under controlled conditions, mushroom survival in the cocoa agro-ecosystem amidst pesticides could be due to diluted pesticide concentrations that result in the soil after application which is usually directed at the pods, trunk, and foliage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of new symbiotic interactions between introduced species may facilitate invasion success. For instance, tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva Mayr) is known to be an opportunistic tender of honeydew producing insects and this ants' symbiotic interactions have exacerbated agricultural damage in some invaded regions of the world. The invasive sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi Theobald) was first reported as a pest in the continental United Statesin Texas and Louisianaas recent as 2013, and tawny crazy ant (TCA) was reported in Texas in the early 2000s. Although these introductions are relatively recent, TCA workers tend sorghum aphids in field and greenhouse settings. This study quantified the tending duration of TCA workers to sorghum aphids and the impact of TCA tending on aphid biomass. For this study aphids were collected from three different host plant species (i.e., sugarcane, Johnson grass, and sorghum) and clone colonies were established. Sorghum is the main economic crop in which these aphids occur, hence we focused our study on the potential impacts of interactions on sorghum. Quantification of invasive ant-aphid interactions, on either stems or leaves of sorghum plants, were conducted in greenhouse conditions. Our results show that although these two invasive insect species do not have a long coevolutionary history, TCA developed a tending interaction with sorghum aphid, and aphids were observed excreting honeydew after being antennated by TCA workers. Interestingly, this relatively recent symbiotic interaction significantly increased overall aphid biomass for aphids that were positioned on stems and collected from Johnson grass. It is recommended to continue monitoring the interaction between TCA and sorghum aphid in field conditions due to its potential to increase aphid populations and sorghum plant damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decoding the fundamental taxa that decompose crop rhizodeposits (rhizo-C) and/or straw residue (straw-C) is crucial for understanding the role of plant-derived carbon (C) in driving microbial community assembly and consequent C decomposition. Here, a parallel 13C-labeling design, DNA-SIP, and metagenomics techniques were combined to separate maize rhizo-C utilizers from straw-C utilizers in agriculture soils containing both C sources. Also, by comparing bacterial utilizers and their C metabolisms in soils amended with a single C source (e.g., straw-13C only) and two C sources (e.g., straw-13C and rhizo-12C), we investigated the shift of composition and metabolisms of soil bacterial utilizers responding to C sources shift (e.g., compositional and metabolic changes of straw-13C utilizers from soil containing straw-13C to soil containing both straw-13C and rhizo-12C). We revealed i) Proteobacteria predominantly utilized rhizo-13C, while Firmicutes dominated the community specializing in straw-13C decomposition in soil containing both straw-C and rhizo-C; ii) the planted maize (i.e. rhizo-C input) changed community composition and metabolisms of straw-C utilizers, which shifted from K-strategists characterized by an enrichment of lignin-degrading genes to r-strategists which exhibited an enrichment of genes related to polysaccharide degradation. This metabolic shift of straw-C utilizer ultimately reduced straw-13C mineralization by 25.6% when maize was planted. This study identified the distinct utilizers of rhizo-C and straw-C in soils containing both C sources, and shed light on the shift of bacterial community and their metabolic activities responding to the changes of maize-derived C sources. • Core utilizers of residue-C or rhizo-C were identified by parallel SIP-metagenome. • Rhizo-C decreased residue-C minerlization by altering bacterial functional profile. • Residue-C inhibited rhizo-C mineralization by reducing bacterial diversity. • Bacterial utilizers and their metabolisms responded to changes in C sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial characteristics are considered to be an index for soil quality evaluation. It is generally believed that organic amendments replacing chemical fertilizers have positive effects on changing microbial activity and community structure. However, their effects on different agro-ecosystems on a global scale and their differences in different environmental conditions and experimental durations are unclear. This study performed a meta-analysis based on 94 studies with 204 observations to evaluate the overall effects and their differences in different experimental conditions and duration. The results indicated that compared to chemical fertilizer, organic amendments significantly increased total microbial biomass, bacterial biomass, fungal biomass, Gram-positive bacterial biomass and Gram-negative bacterial biomass, and had no effect on the ratio of fungi to bacteria and ratio of Gram-positive bacteria to Gram-negative bacteria. Meanwhile, land use type, mean annual precipitation and soil initial pH are essential factors affecting microbial activity response. Organic-amendment-induced shifts in microbial biomass can be predominantly explained by soil C and nutrient availability changes. Additionally, we observed positive relationships between microbial functionality and microbial biomass, suggesting that organic-amendment-induced changes in microbial activities improved soil microbial functionality.

Rewilding modern agricultural cultivars by reintroducing beneficial ancestral traits is a proposed approach to improve sustainability of modern agricultural systems. In this study, we compared recruitment of the rhizosphere microbiome among modern inbred maize and wild teosinte to assess whether potentially beneficial plant microbiome traits have been lost through maize domestication and modern breeding. To do this, we surveyed the bacterial and fungal communities along with nitrogen (N)-cycling functional groups in the rhizosphere of six modern domesticated maize genotypes and ancestral wild teosinte genotypes, while controlling for environmental conditions and starting soil inoculum. Using a combination of high-throughput sequencing and quantitative PCR, we found that the rhizosphere microbiomes of modern inbred and wild teosinte differed substantially in taxonomic composition, species richness, and abundance of N-cycling functional genes. Furthermore, the modern versus wild designation explained 27% of the variation in the prokaryotic microbiome, 62% of the variation in N-cycling gene richness, and 66% of N-cycling gene abundance. Surprisingly, we found that modern inbred genotypes hosted microbial communities with higher taxonomic and functional gene diversity within their microbiomes compared with ancestral genotypes. These results imply that modern maize and wild maize differ in their interaction with N-cycling microorganisms in the rhizosphere and that genetic variation exists within genus Zea to potentially “rewild” microbiome-associated traits (i.e., exudation, root phenotypes, and so on).

The genus Crotalaria, belonging to the botanical family Fabaceae, is represented by plants with strong performance in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, being recommended especially for areas that need green manuring. Crotalaria ochroleuca is one of the species of this group used the most, since it an easy to plant, and produces abundant forage. It promotes erosion control as well as in soil enrichment, and is used as green manure in several crops: beans, cotton, sugarcane and various vegetables, among others. It is a bushy, erect plant, with an annual cycle, with racemose inflorescences having yellow flowers. Additionally, it is an important plant for bees, by providing food resources such as nectar and pollen. The visitation of bees to the inflorescences contributes to the pollination of the plant and the consequent production of seeds. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of native bees visiting the inflorescences of Crotalaria ochroleuca in a pasture area. The study was carried out between April 2020 and February 2021 in a pasture area, located in Rive, district of Alegre, south of Espírito Santo state. Two monthly collections were performed between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., totaling a sampling effort of 66 hours. The samplings were carried out using the transect method with capture of flowers with an entomological net, where the inflorescences were observed for 10 minutes and the visiting bees were collected, transferred to a killing flask containing ethyl acetate. In the laboratory, the bees were sorted, dried, identified, labeled, and deposited with the Caparaó Museum of Zoology, at Federal Institute of Espírito Santo – Alegre Campus. Ninety-two specimens were collected, representing seven species of bees, distributed in three tribes grouped into two families: Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier, 1789); Xylocopa grisescens Lepeletier, 1841; Xylocopa nigrocincta Smith, 1854; Xylocopa hirsutissima Maidl, 1912; belonging to Xylocopini, Apidae; Epanthidium tigrinum (Schrottky, 1905), belonging to Anthidiini, Megachilidae; Megachile sp.1 Latreille, 1802 and Megachile sp.2 Latreille, 1802, belonging to Megachilini, Megachilidae. Xylocopa frontalis was the most abundant species, accounting for 40% of all individuals collected, followed by Megachile sp.1 with 25%, Xylocopa grisescens with 14%, Xylocopa nigrocincta with 9%, Megachile sp.2 with 6%, and Xylocopa hirsutissima and Epanthidium tigrinum, with 3% each. Four species were found for the genus Xylocopa, and it was represented by large and robust bees, which have generalist feeding behavior, visiting several botanical species, including plants of agricultural interest. These bees nest, especially in tree trunks and dry branches. They are usually solitary, but some species may present some level of sociability. Although, in the study area there were few target trees for Xylocopa bees to use for nesting, the species richness may have been influenced by the proximity to a forest fragment, with the two areas being approximately 300 meters apart. Female Megachilidae bees, in addition to collecting pollen grains, also use floral fragments to build their nests, and resins to maintain the nests and close the brood cells. They can nest in branches, preexisting cavities in wood and holes in the ground. In fact, some species can build their nests in rock cavities. Bees of the genus Xylocopa had a higher rate of visitation to Crotalaria inflorescences, about 70%, between 10:00 and 12:00, while the bees of the genera Megachile and Epanthidium were better represented, about 63%, between 12:00 and 13:00. Crotalaria ochroleuca is a botanical species exploited as a food source by native bees, which can be indicated for planting and rational management in agricultural environments and/or in environmental recovery areas.

The establishment of new symbiotic interactions between introduced species may facilitate invasion success. For instance, tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva Mayr) is known to be an opportunistic tender of honeydew producing insects and this ants’ symbiotic interactions have exacerbated agricultural damage in some invaded regions of the world. The invasive sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi Theobald) was first reported as a pest in the continental United States–in Texas and Louisiana–as recent as 2013, and tawny crazy ant (TCA) was reported in Texas in the early 2000s. Although these introductions are relatively recent, TCA workers tend sorghum aphids in field and greenhouse settings. This study quantified the tending duration of TCA workers to sorghum aphids and the impact of TCA tending on aphid biomass. For this study aphids were collected from three different host plant species (i.e., sugarcane, Johnson grass, and sorghum) and clone colonies were established. Sorghum is the main economic crop in which these aphids occur, hence we focused our study on the potential impacts of interactions on sorghum. Quantification of invasive ant-aphid interactions, on either stems or leaves of sorghum plants, were conducted in greenhouse conditions. Our results show that although these two invasive insect species do not have a long coevolutionary history, TCA developed a tending interaction with sorghum aphid, and aphids were observed excreting honeydew after being antennated by TCA workers. Interestingly, this relatively recent symbiotic interaction significantly increased overall aphid biomass for aphids that were positioned on stems and collected from Johnson grass. It is recommended to continue monitoring the interaction between TCA and sorghum aphid in field conditions due to its potential to increase aphid populations and sorghum plant damage.

Sustainability assessing on agricultural production systems has developed rapidly over the last two decades, and various models are formulated from different perspectives. However, a comprehensive evaluation model that involved both efficiency of system output and environmental impact has not yet been fully explored. Here, we combined the emergy method with life cycle assessment to construct a coupled model for sustainability evaluation, taking an intensive winter wheat–summer maize cropping system in Huantai County, China, as a case study, which was examined before and after the Project of Soil Testing and Fertilizer Recommendation (PSTFR). Our results showed that compared with 1996, the sustainability index (SI) of this cropping system in 2012 increased by 50.37%, indicating that the sustainability of the target system was further enhanced. The emergy yield ratio (EYR) increased by 21.8% in 2012, while the potential damage to human health (HH) and the potential damage to ecosystem health (ESH) in 2012 were lower than those in 1996, by 22.38% and 15.17%, respectively; and the environmental impact index (EII) decreased by 19.00%. Though there was a remarkable improvement in the SI, the proportion of irrigation water in total emergy input was still as high as 46.0%, followed by nitrogen fertilizer, accounting for 23.60%. According to the coupled model, reducing irrigation water and electricity consumption, and reducing the application of nitrogen fertilizer, could contribute the most to further improvements in sustainability. Furthermore, this novel coupled model has high potential to measure sustainability of an agro-system, while needs further improvement and modification in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporadic rainfall and limited surface water sources have increased dependency on groundwater in semi-arid region of Punjab. The present paper is comprehensive study carried out in an intensive agricultural region of southwest Punjab to examine the quality and extent of contamination due to trace elements and nitrate in the aquifer system. Total 15 toxic elements are analyzed in groundwater samples (N = 129) covering both the shallow (<60 m) and deeper aquifers (>60 m). Elements such as As, B, Cd, Li, Mn, Pb, Sr, and Se exceed the prescribed limits. Overall, 68 and 13% of samples exceed the NO3− permissible limit (45 ppm) in shallow and deep aquifers, respectively. Contaminants concentration increases toward groundwater flow direction, that is, from northeast to southwest possibly due to arid climatic conditions. Relatively, shallow aquifer is more contaminated than deeper aquifer due to fertilizers input and irrigation return flow. Drinking water quality indices (DWQI) reveal that groundwater is unfit for drinking at most locations. Further, health risk indicate that comparatively, children are at higher risk in terms of non-carcinogenic risk posed by nitrate, and higher carcinogenic risk for As, Cr, and Cd is seen in all age groups. Multivariate analysis reveals the influence of anthropogenic activities on NO3−, Mn, Ni, and Zn levels, while geogenic factors control the, As and Mo concentrations. Present findings suggest regular monitoring of wells to lower the public health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry manure is widely used as organic fertilizer in agriculture during the cultivation of crops, but the persistent high-level use of antibiotics in poultry production has raised concerns about the selection for reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Previous studies have shown that the addition of poultry manure can increase the abundance of genes associated with resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, and macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin in soil and plants. Understanding the microbial populations that harbor these ARGs is important to identify microorganisms that could enter the human food chain. Here, we test the hypothesis that environmental exposure to poultry manure increases the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in plant endophytes using selective culture, phenotypic Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST), phylogenetic analysis, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Endophytes from poultry manure treated Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench plant root and stem samples showed increased phenotypic and genotypic resistance against multiple antibiotics compared to untreated controls. Comparison of AMR phenotype-to-genotype relationships highlighted the detection of multi-drug resistant (MDR) plant endophytes, demonstrating the value of genomic surveillance for emerging drug-resistant pathogens. The increased occurrence of ARGs in poultry manure-exposed endophytes highlights the need for responsible antibiotic use in poultry and animal farming to reduce contamination of ecological niches and transgression into endophytic plant microbiome compartments. It also emphasizes the requirement for proper manure management practices and vigilance in monitoring and surveillance efforts to tackle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for human and veterinary medicine., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Apple orchards constitute an important agro-ecosystem across Kashmir Himalayan Region (KHR), but estimates of their soil organic carbon (SOC) are unavailable. We investigated 174 apple orchards for estimating SOC spatial distribution across KHR at regional scale and evaluate accuracy of five interpolation methods. The selected orchards were representative of varied size, age, and management practices prevalent across KHR. Soil samples were collected from both tree rows and alleys between tree rows by digging pits at three depth intervals of 0–10; 10–20 and 20–30 cm. A total of 1044 soil samples were collected. The interpolation methods used included, ordinary kriging (OK), inverse distance weighing, empirical bayesian kriging, radial basis functions and local polynomial interpolation. Cross validation was used to assess the comparative performance of each method by measuring interpolation bias and accuracy. The soils were structurally less stony, with weak granular to moderate crumb at surface and sub-angular to angular blocky structure at sub-surface. The soils exhibited lowest co-efficient of variation for soil acidity and highest for soil electrical conductivity. With mean value of 12.33 ± 3.98 g kg−1 on concentration basis and 48.45 Mg C ha−1 on stock basis, the SOC declined with increasing soil depth, so much that near surface (0–10 cm) SOC content could explain well over 64% and 35% of second (20–30 cm) and third layer (20–30 cm) variation respectively. Exponential model best described SOC content across all depths. Semi-variograms of SOC at topsoil exhibited larger nugget effect while nugget sill ratios of 43% suggested moderate SOC spatial dependence. Cross validation exhibited better accuracy for OK in terms of indicating good match between observed and predicted SOC. This study exemplifies that apple orchards across KHR are significant carbon pool, improves our understanding of spatial distribution of SOC and help in evaluating soil health by providing site specific maps.

The Ebinur Lake Basin is an important ecological area in China. The sustainable development of the basin is imperative, particularly the coupling and coordination between the agro-ecological environment and economy. Six counties in the Ebinur Lake Basin were studied and CRITIC—the entropy weight method used in the construction of regional agro-ecosystem and economic evaluation index systems for 2001–2021. The entropy weight method and coupling coordination were used to evaluate and analyze the systems. The results indicate that: (1) The integrated index grew slowly, increasing from 0.15 in 2000 to 0.18 in 2020. The agro-economic integrated index grew rapidly, increasing from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.25 in 2020. (2) High quality coupling was achieved from 2000 to 2010, with 50% superior coupling in 2010, which then decreased to reach 17% in 2020. (3) The agro-ecological–economic system coupling was high at 0.8; however, the coordination degree was low, at 0.36. (4) Most counties suffered from economic lag before 2010, with an average U e / U s of 0.93 in 2010. Ecological lag has dominated since 2010, and the average U e / U s value reached 1.48 in 2015. Coupling and coordinating the agro-ecological and economic systems is important for the sustainable development of local agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to invasive weeds in pasturelands may result in significant losses and toxicity in forage crops. These species may also contain a compound that may be toxic as well as beneficial depending upon the effect induced. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea has now recognized Solanum carolinense (Horsenettle)—an invasive weed species—as a potential threat to forage crops in pasturelands and to the entire agro-ecosystem. As a forage crop, Festuca arundinacea (Tall fescue) is one of the major economical crops and diets of livestock; in this study, the competition patterns of Solanum carolinense and Festuca arundinacea were examined with respect to their seeding ratios and growth periods. In addition, an extract from the root of Solanum carolinense (SCE) was prepared and treated at 2500 ppm and 5000 ppm in a Festuca arundinacea plant to observe its effect. The experimental results showed that as the growth period of the Horsenettle and the SCE treatment increased, the germination rate, plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of the tall fescue were significantly decreased. Moreover, the SCE treatment significantly increased the quantities of reactive oxygen species (O2− and H2O2), antioxidants (Catalase and Peroxidase), and endogenous phytohormones (Abscisic acid and Salicylic acid), and simultaneously decreased the superoxide dismutase content in the tall fescue shoots. Furthermore, we identified several glycoalkaloids from the SCE extract, among which Solanidan-3-ol, (3β,5α)' possessed a higher number (52%). Based on these results, we predicted that the Solanidan-3-ol, (3β,5α)' present in horsenettle has a major role in imposing phytotoxicity on agricultural crops. The glycoalkaloids in the Solanum species have been reported to possess both phytotoxic and therapeutic uses. Based on this concept, we believe that the compound available in Solanum carolinense could be used in developing crop protection or medicinal products through broader research. Conversely, our findings also showed the probable risk of horsenettle to the agro-ecosystem, especially in terms of forage production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation was carried out during two consecutive Rabi season 2020-21 and2021-22 at Research farm, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi. A total of six species (Lipaphis erysimi, Bagrada helaris, Pieris Bracicae, Dysdercus,cingulatus,Plutella xylostella,Anasa tristis) of insect pests beloging to four orders,six species (Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis, Menochellus sexmaculata, Diaeretiella rapae, Ischiodon scutelaris, Chrysoperla carnea) of natural enemies on insect pests of mustard and nine species(Apis dorsata,Apis cerena indica,Apis melifera, Apis florae, Trigona eridipenis, Ischiodon scutelaris, Syntomoides imaon, Chrysomya megacephala, Stomorhinasub apicalis) of pollinator have been reported. The order Hymenoptera occupied the largest number of species of fauna(33%) followed by Coleoptera (24%), Hemiptera (22%), Diptera (12%) and Lepidoptera (9%). Among the various insect fauna associated with mustard but mustard aphid Lipaphid erysimi (Kalt.) and painted bug have been reported to be major insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies show that semi-natural habitats within agricultural landscapes benefit native pollinating insects and increase resultant crop pollination services. More recently, evidence is emerging that agricultural diversification techniques on farms, as well as increased compositional and configurational heterogeneity within the cropped portion of landscapes, enhance pollinator communities. However, to date, only a few studies have investigated how diversifying the crops within the farm field itself (i.e., polyculture) influences wild pollinator communities and crop pollination services. In the Central Coast of California, we investigate how local crop diversification within fields, crossed with the proportion of natural habitat in the surrounding landscape, jointly affect pollinator communities and services to strawberry. On 16 organic farms varying in farm type (monoculture vs. polyculture) and proportion of natural land cover, we find that both factors enhance pollinator abundance and richness, although neither affect honey bee abundance. Further, natural cover has a stronger effect on pollinator richness on monoculture (vs. polyculture) farms. Although strawberry can self-pollinate, we document experimentally that pollinator exclusion doubles the probability of berry malformation, while excluding both pollinators and wind triples malformation, with corresponding effects on berry marketability. Finally, in post-hoc tests, we find that berry malformation is significantly higher with greater visitation by honey bees, and observed a trend that this reduction was mitigated by increased native bee richness. These results suggest that both polyculture and semi-natural habitat cover support more abundant and diverse pollinator communities, and that ambient levels of pollinator visitation to strawberry provide an important crop pollination service by improving berry marketability (i.e., by reducing berry malformation). Although further confirmation would be needed, our work suggests that honey bees alone do not provide sufficient pollination services. Prior work has shown that honey bees tend to visit only the top of the strawberry flower receptacle, while other native bees often crawl around the flower base, leading to more complete pollination of the achenes and, consequently, better formed berries. If honey bee visits reduced native bee visitation in our system, this could explain the unexpected correlation between increased honey bee visits and malformation.