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Modeling the intricate interactions between fruit trees, their environments, soils, and economic factors continues to be a significant challenge in agricultural research globally, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Despite advances in agricultural technology and algorithms, significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding and modeling these interactions. This review explores basic concepts related to modeling for tropical fruit production. It explains modeling development from sensor technologies, image analysis, databases, and algorithms for decision support systems while considering climate changes or edaphoclimatic limitations. We report the current fruit modeling tendencies showing a significant increase in publications on these topics starting in 2021, driven by the need for sustainable solutions and access to large agricultural databases. This study emphasizes inherent challenges in tropical fruit modeling, such as fruit tree cycles, costly and time-consuming experimentation, and the lack of standardized data. These limitations are evident in tropical fruit, where few models have been reported or validated for cocoa, avocado, durian, dragonfruit, banana, mango, or passion fruit. This study analyzes the classification of the algorithms related to tropical fruit into three main categories: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, each with specific applications in agricultural management optimization. Crop classification and yield prediction use supervised models like neural networks and decision trees. Unsupervised models, like K-Means clustering, allow pattern identification without prior labels, which is useful for area segmentation and pest detection. Automation of irrigation and fertilization systems employs reinforcement learning algorithms to maximize efficiency. This multidisciplinary review discusses recent approaches to 1) Modeling Soil health and plant-soil interaction, 2) Yield prediction in tropical fruit orchards, 3) Integrating meteorological models for enhanced tropical fruit production, and 4) Economics of tropical fruit business through modeling. Furthermore, this review illustrates the complexity and multidisciplinary research on models for tropical fruit and platforms using agricultural models. Further opportunities to advance fruit modeling frameworks are indicated, requiring technical knowledge about the fruit crop requirements with user-friendly platforms to collect and access fruit tree data and site-specific agroecological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement Summary Oil palm is native to the west African forest, where industrial production is expanding. We assessed differences in plant biodiversity, vegetation structure and provisioning services across 54 forest, community agriculture and oil palm plots in Sinoe County, Liberia. Traditional cultivation systems have lower ecological impacts in terms of species richness, composition, canopy height and structural complexity compared with industrial production, though yields per hectare are likely to be lower. Traditional systems can inspire improved management of industrial plantations, including choice of cover crop, intercropping with locally valued species and reduced clearance and pesticide regimes, increasing biodiversity and local food security. Tropical agriculture contributes to national and global food security, but the conversion of natural habitats to agriculture has severe consequences for biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and society. Significant research efforts have focussed on improving the sustainability of palm oil production in Asia, but less research has been conducted in the African forest zone, where oil palm is native and production is expanding. Working within the Sustainable Oil Palm in West Africa (SOPWA) Project (Sinoe County, Liberia), we surveyed canopy trees and understorey plants in 54 plots distributed equally across three ecological systems ‐ rainforest, traditionally‐cultivated oil palm (“country palm”) and industrially‐managed oil palm ‐ to assess differences in plant biodiversity, vegetation structure and provisioning services. Traditionally‐cultivated oil palm systems had intermediate plant biodiversity (species richness, weighted endemism) and structure (canopy height, complexity) compared with industrial production or rainforest. Provisioning services (proportion of species supplying non‐timber forest products) did not differ by the system on average, though the absolute number of useful species recorded was highest for the forest. Of surveyed plant species, 81% had a local name (Sapo or Kru); a smaller proportion of forest species were named compared with either traditional or industrial oil palm systems. Our study emphasises the higher ecological value per hectare of traditional oil palm production compared with industrial production methods, though yields are likely to be lower, leading to implications for industrial management such as growing alternative cover crop species, intercropping with non‐timber forest products or locally valued crops and implementing reduced clearance and pesticide regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a Bengali tradition of consuming palm "jaggery" (unrefined sugar made from the sap of Indian date palms, Phoenix sylvestris) as a sweetener. To obtain jaggery, people tap Indian date palms to extract the energy-rich phloem sap during the winter. In Bangladesh, people commonly cultivate Indian date palms in traditional agroforestry. We explored which bird species capitalize on the jaggery tradition by consuming sap from tapped Indian date palms on Nijhum Dweep, an island in the Bay of Bengal. Once each day for 30 d between December 2019 and February 2020, we quantified the presence of birds on 120 tapped palms along a 1 km transect. We observed 37 bird species in the palms, and 18 of them (49%) were seen to consume sap. Seven species had not previously been recorded as sap feeders. Among the 18 sap-consuming species, we categorized 5 species (Chestnut-tailed Starling Sturnia malabarica, Asian Pied Starling Gracupica contra, Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus, Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer, and Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus) as constant consumers of date palm sap; 11 species as accidental sap consumers, and 2 species as accessory sap consumers. Insectivorous and omnivorous species accounted for 78% of the sap consumers (39% each), with granivorous and frugivorous species accounting for the remaining 22%. This study highlights date palm sap as a potentially significant winter food source for resident birds, and demonstrates birds' ability to utilize tapped palms as an anthropogenic food resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing land quality in a tropical agroecosystem of Jember Regency, East Java, Indonesia, using a minimum data set approach. A principal component analysis (PCA) approach was employed to derive a minimum data set from various land parameters, including soil texture, bulk density, soil depth, pH, CEC, SOC, available P, available K, drainage, slope, surface rock, irrigation infrastructure, erosion hazard, flood hazard, annual temperature, and climate type. Data from 105 sampling locations were analyzed to calculate the land quality index (LQI). The study found that six parameters significantly represent land quality: SOC (30.4%), effective soil depth (19.8%), available P (17.0%), available K (13.0%), erosion hazard (10.7%), and pH (8.9%). Long-term use of organic fertilizer can enhance land quality and prevent degradation. The study was limited to the Jember Regency and may not apply directly to other regions without adaptation. The findings can guide sustainable agricultural practices and land management in tropical regions, particularly in areas facing similar climatic and soil conditions. This study provides a quantitative assessment of land quality using a minimum data set in a tropical agroecosystem, filling a gap in the literature and offering a model for other regions to adopt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Societe et Environnement is the property of Les Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Modeling the intricate interactions between fruit trees, their environments, soils, and economic factors continues to be a significant challenge in agricultural research globally, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Despite advances in agricultural technology and algorithms, significant knowledge gaps persist in understanding and modeling these interactions. This review explores basic concepts related to modeling for tropical fruit production. It explains modeling development from sensor technologies, image analysis, databases, and algorithms for decision support systems while considering climate changes or edaphoclimatic limitations. We report the current fruit modeling tendencies showing a significant increase in publications on these topics starting in 2021, driven by the need for sustainable solutions and access to large agricultural databases. This study emphasizes inherent challenges in tropical fruit modeling, such as fruit tree cycles, costly and time-consuming experimentation, and the lack of standardized data. These limitations are evident in tropical fruit, where few models have been reported or validated for cocoa, avocado, durian, dragonfruit, banana, mango, or passion fruit. This study analyzes the classification of the algorithms related to tropical fruit into three main categories: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, each with specific applications in agricultural management optimization. Crop classification and yield prediction use supervised models like neural networks and decision trees. Unsupervised models, like K-Means clustering, allow pattern identification without prior labels, which is useful for area segmentation and pest detection. Automation of irrigation and fertilization systems employs reinforcement learning algorithms to maximize efficiency. This multidisciplinary review discusses recent approaches to 1) Modeling Soil health and plant-soil interaction, 2) Yield prediction in tropical fruit orchards, 3) Integrating meteorological models for enhanced tropical fruit production, and 4) Economics of tropical fruit business through modeling. Furthermore, this review illustrates the complexity and multidisciplinary research on models for tropical fruit and platforms using agricultural models. Further opportunities to advance fruit modeling frameworks are indicated, requiring technical knowledge about the fruit crop requirements with user-friendly platforms to collect and access fruit tree data and site-specific agroecological conditions.

Understanding the influence of crop management practices on maize yield is crucial amidst the changing environmental conditions. Smallholder farming in tropical regions has long puzzled decision-makers in terms of maize management. Balancing alternative management practices, environmental factors, and economic outcomes is essential. In this study, we examine the relationships between maize yield and various factors including climate variables, soil quality parameters, cultivars, tillage practices, and fertilizer usage in Chiapas, Mexico. Pearson's correlation coefficient and T-test were employed to determine the statistical significance of the correlations. Our findings reveal strong positive associations between maize yields and factors such as planting, cultivar, vapor pressure, temperature, solar radiations and fertilizer inputs for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in lower elevation farms. Conversely, there is a negative correlation with elevation, slope, and system. Extensive data analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of different crop management practices on yield, utilizing both data visualization and analytics. Additionally, maize yield prediction was performed using six hybrid machine learning (ML) models, employing Grid Search and Random Search optimization techniques. Based on evaluation, Grid Search-based XGBoost exhibited the most accurate prediction results. Furthermore, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) was employed to assess the individual impact of each input parameter on the ML model output.

Abstract Background The tropical rainforest biome plays a significant role in providing habitats for terrestrial biodiversity and delivering ecosystem service values, contributing to agricultural production. However, the increasing demand for tropical commodities with high economic value threatens this humid ecosystem and its biodiversity. To our knowledge, no studies have systematically mapped the relationship between the impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and the effects of biodiversity on agricultural production in tropical rainforest areas. Methods Since we were interested in systematically mapping the evidence measuring the impact of tropical agriculture on biodiversity (Map 1), and the vice versa relations, the influence of biodiversity on tropical agriculture production (Map 2), we developed a respective set of search strings, eligibility criteria, and subsequently performed independent searching, screening, and data coding processes. We searched articles from six peer-reviewed databases and 22 gray literature sources. Articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Individual articles that passed full-text screening were coded and synthesized to create heatmaps. Selected information of interest was also extracted and visualized in the graphics which were clustered based on the year of publication, geographical distribution, type of rainforest, exposure, outcome, farm commodity, and study comparators. Review findings Two heatmaps were generated from a contrasting number of references, with heatmap 1 extracted from 222 studies and heatmap 2 derived from 10 times fewer references (n = 20). In heatmap 1, impacts of land conversion to aboveground biodiversity and wild species and ecosystem functions in natural ecosystems were the most common relationships examined, with 115 articles and 62 articles, respectively. Conversely, heatmap 2 showed evidence that focused predominantly on the examination of the links between the impacts of genetic resource diversity on environmental factors and soil management in tropical agricultural production, with four articles each exploring these relations. Conclusions These systematic maps reveal that while studies investigating the impacts of tropical agricultural production on biodiversity were abundant, studies examining the impacts of biodiversity on tropical agricultural production were lacking despite both systematic maps experiencing an increasing trend of publication during 2000–2020. Map 1 emphasized the examination of the effects of land conversion on aboveground biodiversity, and on wild species and ecosystem functions. Map 2 highlighted the influence of crop genetic resources on environmental factors, and on soil management as the most frequently studied. The evidence cluster identified here can be the starting point for further systematic review study (to assess, for example, their cause–effect significance).

Azolla microphylla, a rapidly growing aquatic fern with the unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, presents significant potential for sustainable agriculture. Despite its nitrogenfixing prowess, challenges persist in optimizing biomass production, prompting a detailed exploration of influential factors in this study. This paper addresses the persistent challenge of optimizing nitrogen-rich biomass production in Azolla cultivation. Employing a split-plot experimental design, the study investigates the influential factors of shading percentage (N) and water depth (G) in Azolla growth, systematically ranging from 0% (full sunlight/N1) to 75% (N3) shading percentages and 2.5 cm (G1), 5.0 cm (G2), and 7.5 cm (G3) water depths. In addition to assessing growth and production outcomes, this study explores the nitrogen content in Azolla under three different conditions: fresh, dried, and composted Azolla. Findings unveil the significant influence of shading percentage and water depth on Azolla growth, with the N1G2 treatment identified as the optimal condition for achieving maximum biomass production. Set against the backdrop of tropical agriculture, specifically within the high temperatures in Indonesia, our study underscores the resilience of Azolla to elevated temperatures, highlighting its potential as a nitrogen-fixing agent. Notably, fresh Azolla closely matches urea in nitrogen content, suggesting its potential as an organic fertilizer substitute for urea. This research sheds light on the critical challenges surrounding nitrogenrich biomass production from fresh Azolla, emphasizing the necessity of temperature resilience and water depth optimization. The insights provided hold significance for tropical agriculture practices seeking to harness the potential of Azolla as a free-air nitrogen fixator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of a no-till system presents difficulties in maintaining the potential crop yield under long-term conditions when compacted soil layers are observed in the field. The research objective was to assess the benefits of soil intervention in a traditional area of no-till system while considering the production parameters of corn (Zea mays L.) under tropical conditions. The area was installed considering 24 experimental units, including 6 treatments, a 3 × 2 scheme, and 4 repetitions (3 soil management systems and 2 crop hybrids). The soil scarification was carried out at two depths, 0.15 m and 0.30 m, to compare its influence on corn yield. The number of days of plants' emergence, seed depth, longitudinal distribution of seedlings, phytotechnical parameters, and crop yield in the field were evaluated. The dataset was subjected to the F Test and Tukey test (p < 0.05) to compare the means by each attribute and treatment. The adopted hybrids, as well as soil-management systems in the experimental area, did not interfere with the quality of the sowing and quantitative parameters of the crop (CV = 15% for normal distribution on plants' spacing within rows). So, there is no need to scarify soil with the aim of increasing corn yield under the evaluated field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm (OP) plantations have replaced large areas of forest in the tropical landscape of Southeast Asia and are major emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). To move towards more environmentally friendly plantation management, a hopeful approach is to implement strategies to increase vegetation complexity. These options include relaxed management of understory vegetation to increase complexity in productive plantations, passive restoration of forest areas around rivers by leaving mature oil palm during replanting, and active forest restoration along river margins with planting of forest trees. These practices have the potential to deliver a range of benefits such as soil protection, reduced erosion and sedimentation in rivers, pest control and support for biodiversity, but little is known about their impact on greenhouse gas fluxes. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of improved understory growth management and the use of riparian forestry on GHG fluxes in OP plantations, making use of two long-term experiments (the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Tropical Agriculture Understory Vegetation (BEFTA UV) Project; the Riparian Ecosystem Restoration in Tropical Agriculture (RERTA) Project) in Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. We measured nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and ecosystem respiration (CO2) from mature OP sites with different levels of understory vegetation and different riparian buffer restoration treatments using the static chamber method. We used linear mixed effects models to test for treatment effects, whilst accounting for soil moisture and experimental design factors (time and space). The understory vegetation treatments (normal, reduced and enhanced complexity of understory) had no effect on N2O and CH4 flux. Regarding differences in ecosystem respiration, effects attributable to the understory vegetation treatments were not strong. For the riparian restoration treatments, the fixed effects variables in the models explained little variation in the fluxes of all GHGs. Therefore, given the proven benefits of more complex understory vegetation for supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystem functioning, plus the potential for restored riparian buffers to support biodiversity and services and to reduce GHG emissions over time, our findings reinforce the concept that these features bring environmental benefits in OP landscapes, with no measurable effects on GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tropical rainforest biome plays a significant role in providing habitats for terrestrial biodiversity and delivering ecosystem service values, contributing to agricultural production. However, the increasing demand for tropical commodities with high economic value threatens this humid ecosystem and its biodiversity. To our knowledge, no studies have systematically mapped the relationship between the impacts of agricultural production on biodiversity and the effects of biodiversity on agricultural production in tropical rainforest areas. Methods: Since we were interested in systematically mapping the evidence measuring the impact of tropical agriculture on biodiversity (Map 1), and the vice versa relations, the influence of biodiversity on tropical agriculture production (Map 2), we developed a respective set of search strings, eligibility criteria, and subsequently performed independent searching, screening, and data coding processes. We searched articles from six peer-reviewed databases and 22 gray literature sources. Articles were screened based on the inclusion criteria at the title, abstract, and full-text levels. Individual articles that passed full-text screening were coded and synthesized to create heatmaps. Selected information of interest was also extracted and visualized in the graphics which were clustered based on the year of publication, geographical distribution, type of rainforest, exposure, outcome, farm commodity, and study comparators. Review findings: Two heatmaps were generated from a contrasting number of references, with heatmap 1 extracted from 222 studies and heatmap 2 derived from 10 times fewer references (n = 20). In heatmap 1, impacts of land conversion to aboveground biodiversity and wild species and ecosystem functions in natural ecosystems were the most common relationships examined, with 115 articles and 62 articles, respectively. Conversely, heatmap 2 showed evidence that focused predominantly on the examination of the links between the impacts of genetic resource diversity on environmental factors and soil management in tropical agricultural production, with four articles each exploring these relations. Conclusions: These systematic maps reveal that while studies investigating the impacts of tropical agricultural production on biodiversity were abundant, studies examining the impacts of biodiversity on tropical agricultural production were lacking despite both systematic maps experiencing an increasing trend of publication during 2000–2020. Map 1 emphasized the examination of the effects of land conversion on aboveground biodiversity, and on wild species and ecosystem functions. Map 2 highlighted the influence of crop genetic resources on environmental factors, and on soil management as the most frequently studied. The evidence cluster identified here can be the starting point for further systematic review study (to assess, for example, their cause–effect significance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective This study reflects certain ecological development concept in the field of scientific journals, so as to promote the quality and influence of tropical agricultural scientific journals in China with ecological ideas. Method Based on the niche theory, we analyzed the present situation of Chinese journal of tropical agricultural science and technology from three aspects of column setting, authors' units and fund paper ratio based on niche overlapping theory. Some ecological strategies were put forward from three aspects of space niche, nutrition niche and reality niche. Result] The authors' units were mainly colleges and scientific research institutions. National funding funds accounted for a large number of papers; there was great competition in the resources of authors and readers. Conclusion People should build suitable space niche, strengthen nutrition niche and explore reality niche in order to avoid homogenization of tropical journals and to form a development idea of scientific journals in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-Columbian food production in the Maya Lowlands was long characterized as reliant on extensive, slash-and-burn agriculture as the sole cultivation system possible in the region, given environmental limitations, with maize as the dominant crop. While aspects of this "swidden thesis" of Maya agriculture have been chipped away in recent years, there has been an underappreciation of the many forms of long-term capital investments in agriculture made by ancient Maya people. Here, we review the last three decades of research that has overturned the swidden thesis, focusing on long-term strategies. We demonstrate long-lasting agricultural investments by Maya people, in social capital including multigenerational land tenure, in cultivated capital including long-lived trees, and in landesque capital including soil amendments and landscape engineering projects, such as terracing and wetland modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of selenium (Se) on plant metabolism have been reported in several studies triggering plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, yet, the effects of Se on coffee plants under chilling stress are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar Se application on coffee seedlings submitted to chilling stress and subsequent plant recovery. Two Coffea species, Coffea arabica cv. Arara, and Coffea canephora clone 31, were submitted to foliar application of sodium selenate solution (0.4 mg plant-1) or a control foliar solution, then on day 2 plants were submitted to low temperature (10°C day/4°C night) for 2 days. After that, the temperature was restored to optimal (25°C day/20°C night) for 2 days. Leaf samples were collected three times (before, during, and after the chilling stress) to perform analyses. After the chilling stress, visual leaf injury was observed in both species; however, the damage was twofold higher in C. canephora. The lower effect of cold on C. arabica was correlated to the increase in ascorbate peroxidase and higher content of starch, sucrose, and total soluble sugars compared with C. canephora, as well as a reduction in reducing sugars and proline content during the stress and rewarming. Se increased the nitrogen and sulfur content before stress but reduced their content during low temperature. The reduced content of nitrogen and sulfur during stress indicates that they were remobilized to stem and roots. Se supply reduced the damage in C. canephora leaves by 24% compared with the control. However, there was no evidence of the Se effects on antioxidant enzymatic pathways or ROS activity during stress as previously reported in the literature. Se increased the content of catalase during the rewarming. Se foliar supply also increased starch, amino acids, and proline, which may have reduced symptom expression in C. canephora in response to low temperature. In conclusion, Se foliar application can be used as a strategy to improve coffee tolerance under low-temperature changing nutrient remobilization, carbohydrate metabolism, and catalase activity in response to rewarming stress, but C. arabica and C. canephora respond differently to chilling stress and Se supply.

Root-knot nematodes are detrimental to agricultural crops and hard to control once established in the field. The objective of this research was to evaluate the growth, sporulation, and capture in vitro of asexual fungi against Meloidogyne sp. Molecular identification of the asexual fungi included in the study was performed by sequencing the ITS1 region of rDNA. The growth and sporulation of Arthrobotrys sp., Dactylellina sp. and Dactylaria sp. was evaluated in five culture media and two types of substrates (rice husks and ground corn). For the evaluation of attraction and capture of the nematodes, second stage juveniles of Meloidogyne sp. All the evaluated fungal isolates grew and sporulated in the culture media and substrates. The fungi Arthrobotrys sp. (C19-1-1) and Dactylellina sp. (C19-48) showed greater effectiveness in attracting and capturing Meloidogyne sp. The evaluated fungal isolates have the potential to colonize different culture media and substrates. In addition, they can form modified and specialized hyphae that control juvenile Meloidogyne sp. nematodes. Therefore, future studies should focus on evaluating fungal isolates against root-knot nematodes under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Land-use and local field management affect pollinators, pest damage and ultimately crop yields. Agroecology is implemented as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices, but little is known about its potential for pollination and pest management. Sub-Saharan Africa is underrepresented in studies investigating the relative importance of pests and pollinators for crop productivity and how this might be influenced by surrounding landscapes or agroecological practices. In Malawi, we selected 24 smallholder farms differing in landscape-scale shrubland cover, implementation of manual pest removal as an indicator of an agroecological pest management practice, and the number of agroecological soil practices employed at the household level, such as mulching, intercropping and soil conservation tillage. We established pumpkin plots and assessed the abundance and richness of flower visitors and damage of flowers (florivory) caused by pest herbivores on flowers. Using a full-factorial hand pollination and exclusion experiment on each plot, we investigated the relative contribution of pollination and florivory to pumpkin yield. Increasing shrubland cover decreased honeybee abundance but increased the abundance and richness of non-honeybee visitors. Manual removal of herbivores considered to be pests reduced flower visitors, whereas more agroecological soil management practices increased flower visitors. Neither shrubland cover nor agroecological management affected florivory. Pollinator limitation, but not florivory, constrained pumpkin fruit set, and increasing visitor richness decreased the relative differences between hand- and animal-pollinated flowers. We recommend improved protection of shrubland habitats and increasing agroecological soil practices to promote pollinator richness on smallholder farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of a no-till system presents difficulties in maintaining the potential crop yield under long-term conditions when compacted soil layers are observed in the field. The research objective was to assess the benefits of soil intervention in a traditional area of no-till system while considering the production parameters of corn (Zea mays L.) under tropical conditions. The area was installed considering 24 experimental units, including 6 treatments, a 3 × 2 scheme, and 4 repetitions (3 soil management systems and 2 crop hybrids). The soil scarification was carried out at two depths, 0.15 m and 0.30 m, to compare its influence on corn yield. The number of days of plants’ emergence, seed depth, longitudinal distribution of seedlings, phytotechnical parameters, and crop yield in the field were evaluated. The dataset was subjected to the F Test and Tukey test (p < 0.05) to compare the means by each attribute and treatment. The adopted hybrids, as well as soil-management systems in the experimental area, did not interfere with the quality of the sowing and quantitative parameters of the crop (CV = 15% for normal distribution on plants’ spacing within rows). So, there is no need to scarify soil with the aim of increasing corn yield under the evaluated field conditions.

Soil properties can be influenced by slope location due to erosion, deposition, and mass movement. There are conflicting findings regarding the impact of the slope position on soil properties and elemental concentrations. This study aimed to examine the influence of slope position on the variability of soil properties and elemental concentrations along a hillslope landscape, using different multivariate approaches. This research was conducted in three distinct locations within the Cross River State, Nigeria: Ishibori in Ogoja, Agoi Ibami in Yakurr, and Mfamosing in Akamkpa. Three profile pits were dug on the crest, two on the middle slope, and three on the valley bottom, resulting in eight pits representing these locations. Fifty-three soil samples were collected from these pits and subjected to laboratory analyses. The lowest values were obtained for Bd, sand, and pH at all three slope positions. At the same time, the highest values were obtained for AP, SOC and Mn at the three different slope positions (crest, middle slope, and valley bottom). Soil properties, such as exchangeable acidity, bulk density, clay content, sand content, and soil organic carbon, were positively or negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with soil depth and elemental concentrations, depending on the location in the landscape. Exploring the interrelationship via a structural equation model (SEM), we observed that clay showed a strong positive correlation with sand and a moderate to weak negative correlation with sand and silt. The correlation coefficients between the studied slope positions were –0.88, –0.78, and –0.51, respectively. These results indicate that as the soil material at the crest decreased, there was a corresponding decrease in the materials at the middle slope and valley bottom. In the ANOVA, bulk density values in the crest and middle slope were comparable, but higher than those in the valley bottom soil. The potassium concentration was significantly different between the crest and middle slopes. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that topography significantly affects soil properties and that these differences should be considered when selecting and managing land for agricultural purposes. To improve soil fertility and productivity, it is recommended to implement proper soil management practices, such as nutrient management and erosion control, to reduce the impact of topographical differences on soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the role of Se supply in improving osmotic stress tolerance in coffee seedlings while also evaluating the best timing for Se application. Five times of Se foliar application were assessed during induced osmotic stress with PEG-6000 using the day of imposing stress as a default, plus two control treatments: with osmotic stress and without Se, and without osmotic stress and Se. Results demonstrated that osmotic stress (OS) promoted mild stress in the coffee plants (ψw from −1.5MPa to −2.5 MPa). Control plants under stress showed seven and five times lower activity of the enzymes GR and SOD compared with the non-stressed ones, and OS was found to further induce starch degradation, which was potentialized by the Se foliar supply. The seedlings that received foliar Se application 8 days before the stress exhibited higher CAT, APX, and SOD than the absolute control (−OS-Se)—771.1%, 356.3%, and 266.5% higher, respectively. In conclusion, previous Se foliar spray is more effective than the Se supply after OS to overcome the adverse condition. On the other hand, the post-stress application seems to impose extra stress on the plants, leading them to reduce their water potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biotropica is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a key pest of soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae), and recently became an economically important pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae), in Brazil. This stink bug has two allopatric strains, one prevalent in southern Brazil (SS), and another in the north (NS). The two strains hybridize in central Brazil. Knowledge of host preferences and host suitability of these strains may clarify the contribution of the various gene pools to contemporary adaptive features such as the ability to harm cotton crops. We tested the attraction of the E. heros strains and reciprocal hybrids – ♀N × ♂S (HNS) and ♀S × ♂N (HSN) – to soybean and cotton leaves and reproductive structures, and evaluated the nymph development and survivorship of the two strains and reciprocal hybrids fed on soybean or cotton. We conducted host‐choice experiments with fourth instars and adult females and evaluated the survival of immatures on soybean and cotton plants under laboratory conditions. The SS strain preferred soybean over cotton. Hybrid and NS strains chose randomly between soybean and cotton plants. All strains developed on soybean, with similar survival rates. On cotton, pure strains did not reach adulthood; however, hybrids developed on cotton but with a survival rate of <1%. Our results showed that the SS strain of E. heros was more attracted to soybeans, and NS and hybrid strains had a polyphagous choice behavior, suggesting that current host selection has been mediated by historical and, mainly, contemporary relationships of E. heros strains with these hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. Digital transformation in agriculture is an important trend for sustainable practices and governance. In recent years, various sensors have been used in agriculture to collect large volumes of data that allows faster and more complex analysis. This paradigm shift has led to data-driven agricultural management, which aids farmers in the decision-making process. Digital platforms for data storage, organization, and management are important tools used by companies to generate better solutions for end users. However, there are challenges related to the acquisition time and retrieval of scalable and accurate data. To address these challenges, this paper presents the AgroAPI platform that provides access to data and models for the agricultural sector through Application Programming Interface (API). This is an initiative from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and its partners. The AgroAPI's APIs focus on agricultural productivity, indication of planting dates, soil classification, weather, bio-input catalog, and vegetation indices obtained from satellite images. This study showed that the AgroAPI platform, its available APIs and the applications developed with them contribute to reaching SDGs, particularly those related to agriculture.

Abstract The expansion of oil palm agriculture across Southeast Asia has caused significant biodiversity losses, with the reduction in habitat heterogeneity that accompanies the conversion of forest to oil palm being a major contributing factor. However, owing to their long commercial lifespan, oil palm plantations can support relatively high levels of vegetation complexity compared to annual crops. There is therefore potential for the implementation of management strategies to increase vegetation complexity and associated within‐plantation habitat heterogeneity, enhancing species richness and associated ecosystem functioning within productive oil palm landscapes. This study focusses on two species of asassin bugs Cosmolestes picticeps and Sycanus dichotomus, which are important agents of pest control within oil palm systems. Using a Before‐After Control‐Impact experimental manipulation in Sumatra, Indonesia, we tested the effect of three alternative herbicide spraying regimes and associated vegetation complexity treatments on assassin bug numbers. Our treatments encompass a range of current understory vegetation management practices used in oil palm plantations and include removing vegetation only in areas key to harvesting (“Normal”), removing all understory vegetation (“Reduced”), and allowing native vegetation to regrow naturally (“Enhanced”). We assessed both the long‐term (18 months) and short‐term (within 2 weeks) effects of our treatments following herbicide spraying. Pre‐treatment, we found high numbers of assassin bugs of both species in all plots. Long‐term post‐treatment, the abundance of both C. picticeps and S. dichotomus declined in reduced understory plots, although this decline was only significant for C. picticeps (98%). In contrast, there were no significant differences in the post‐treatment abundance of either species in the short‐term. These results suggest that the long‐term decline in assassin bug abundance was likely to be caused by loss of vegetation, rather than any immediate effects of the herbicide spraying. Our findings have clear management implications as they demonstrate that maintaining vegetation in oil palm understories can benefit an important pest control agent.

Brazil has emerged as the world's largest soybean producer and exporter in recent years. In the Brazilian Amazon Biome, the state of Pará has become a new agricultural frontier over the last two decades due to a significant increase in soybean cultivation throughout its territory. However, it is essential to understand the associated effects on the environment at every point in the supply chain. This research aims to measure the effects on the environment of the soybean supply chain of two production poles utilising openLCA software and the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in the northeast (Paragominas) and south (Redenção) of the state of Pará in Brazil. In addition, we determine which is the most efficient route between the shipment port and the ultimate destination. The Recipe Midpoint (H) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) methods of environmental impact categories were used in accordance with the cradle-to-grave scope. The BRLUC regionalised model (v1.3) was used to quantify land use change (LUC). According to the observed results, LUC was primarily responsible (between 3.8 and 32.69 tCO2 Eq·ha−1·year−1) for the global warming potential (GWP) of the soybean supply chain when rainforest-occupied land was converted into cropland. The soybean harvest in the Redenção pole is better loaded through the port of Itaqui (TEGRAM), which is in São Luis (state of Maranhão), due to the use of multiple modes of transport (lorry + train), allowing for better logistical performance and less impact on the environment, despite the longest distance (road + railway = 1306 km). Due to the short road distance (approximately 350 km) and consequently lower environmental impact, soybean harvested in the Paragominas pole is better loaded through the ports around Barcarena in the state of Pará. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of available germplasm is a necessary step to facilitate breeding programs worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize twenty accessions of Cowpea from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria. The accessions were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The morphological characters of seedlings were assessed following the International Board for Plant Genetic Resource cowpea descriptor list (IBPGR) and twenty-nine descriptors were used. Eighteen accessions showed semi-erect habits while two showed erect plant growth habits. The number of Days to first flowering among the selected accessions was 35-45 while the number of days to first pod was 37-47. Peduncle length was observed to be 12-35 cm, Pod length was 10.61-22.81 cm while seed length was 6.10-9.93 cm among sampled accessions. Morphological assessment of the accessions showed a dendogram of three clusters with six (A), nine (B) and four (C) accessions respectively. One accession TVu-12501 formed an outgroup owing to the uniqueness of its terminal petiole length. The cluster analysis substantiated the existence of diversity among the twenty accessions for the morphological traits studied and posits TVu-12501 accession as a morphologically superior accession to be studied further for selection in breeding programmes in the West African region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is increasingly facing major challenges, such as climate change, the scarcity of natural resources, environmental degradation, labor shortages, and changing societal demands. To meet these challenges, there is an urgent need to move towards more sustainable agricultural practices. The aim of this research was to construct the evaluation index system for the sustainable development of tropical agriculture and evaluate the sustainable development level of tropical agriculture in China's Hainan Province from 1988 to 2020. Eighteen indicators were selected from the four aspects of agricultural resources, the ecological environment, economic conditions, and social conditions to establish an evaluation index system for the sustainable development of tropical agriculture. A combination of the Coefficient of Variation Method (CVM) and the Index Weighted Method (IWM) was applied to evaluate the comprehensive index of the sustainable development of tropical agriculture. The results of our research indicate that there were significant differences in the level of sustainable agricultural development in Hainan in 2020 across counties and cities, with a downward trend from the central mountainous areas to the surrounding coastal areas. The cities and counties of Wuzhishan, Lingshui, and Qiongzhong had a high level of sustainable development, while Sanya, Dongfang, Wenchang, Qionghai, Ding'an, Danzhou, and Haikou had a low level. From 1988 to 2020, the sustainable development level of tropical agriculture in the province gradually improved, with the highest improvement value of the sustainability index (SI) in Wuzhishan, Wanning, Chengmai, Linggao, and Lingshui and the lowest improvement value of the SI in Baisha, Haikou, and Sanya. Indicators such as the use of agricultural mechanization, construction of farmland infrastructure, improvement of crop productivity, investment in science and technology, and investment in agricultural insurance played a positive role in promoting sustainable development. However, the high use of fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural films per unit area and the increase in agricultural input prices were not conducive to the sustainable development of tropical agriculture. It is suggested to strengthen the construction and protection of farmland quality, improve the farmland ecological environment, promote agricultural scientific and technological innovation, and formulate feasible policies for the sustainable development of tropical agriculture. The results provide a basic theoretical and methodological reference for achieving Hainan's sustainable development goals and for assessing the sustainable development capacity of tropical agriculture in similar regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supplementation of grazing cattle with native and naturalized forages using silvopastoral systems has been suggested as an affordable strategy to reduce methane production and improve nutrition, diminishing the environmental impact of cattle production. Objective: To evaluate the effect of three tropical forage species in a silvopastoral arrangement on methane production and fermentation parameters using an in vitro ruminal simulation system (RUSITEC). Methods: Four diets were evaluated. The control treatment was a basal diet of colosuana grass (COL; Bothriochloa pertusa), while the other diets consisted of 70% COL complemented with 30% shrub forage from either Leucaena leucocephala (CL), Guazuma ulmifolia (CG), or Crescentia cujete (CT). A randomized complete block design with repeated measurements over time was used. Results: The inclusion of shrub forage did not affect pH, organic matter degradation (OMD) or volatile fatty acids (VFA). The inclusion of shrub forage affected the degradation of structural components. The concentration of N-NH3 increased in the CL diet compared to COL (p

The security of Earth’s food systems is challenged by shifting regional climates. While agricultural processes are disrupted by climate change, they also play a large role in contributing to destabilizing greenhouse gases. Finding new strategies to increase yields while decreasing agricultural environmental impacts is essential. Tropical agriculture is particularly susceptible to climate change: local, smallholder farming, which provides a majority of the food supply, is high risk and has limited adaptation capacity. Rapid, inexpensive, intuitive solutions are needed, like the implementation of genetically modified (GM) crops. In the Latin American tropics, high awareness and acceptance of GM technologies, opportunities to test GM crops as part of local agricultural educations, and their known economic benefits, support their use. However, this is not all that is needed for the future of GM technologies in these areas: GM implementation must also consider environmental and social sustainability, which can be unique to a locality. Primarily from the perspective of its educators, the potential of a rural Colombian university in driving GM implementation is explored, including the role of this type of university in producing agricultural engineers who can innovate with GM to meet regionally-dependent environmental and cultural needs that could increase their sustainability.

Context: Intercropping maize with tropical forages is known to provide multiple benefits for the agricultural sustainability in the Brazilian savanna. Despite that, more studies are needed to define strategies to improve soil quality and increase crop yield of subsequent crops. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of cultivating maize in monoculture or in double- and triple-intercropping with brachiaria and crotalaria on the chemical and microbiological attributes of soil, nutritional status of soybean, and the productivity of soybean and millet in succession in the cerrado of eastern Maranhão. Methods: The intercropping systems implemented in 2017 were as follows: maize (Zea mays) + Urochloa ruzizienses (brachiaria); maize + Crotalaria juncea (crotalaria); maize + brachiaria + crotalaria; and monoculture maize as a control. In 2018 and 2019, soybean and millet were cultivated on the same plots. Key results: The triple-intercropping promoted immediate improvement in the biological and chemical attributes of the soil, especially when compared with monoculture maize. Intercropping maize with brachiaria, with or without crotalaria, increased soybean productivity by 21% and millet by 44% in the subsequent year, compared with monoculture maize system. Intercropping maize with brachiaria, with or without crotalaria, increased the leaf concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur of the subsequent soybean crop, suggesting improved nutrient cycling with intercropped forages. Conclusions: Intercropping maize + forage, especially brachiaria, can be recommended for crop rotation and succession systems in the Brazilian savanna. Implications: These results quantified the benefits of crop rotation following intercropping with maize and forage, which can be an alternative for farmers in the Brazilian savanna. The sustainability of grain production systems is especially challenging under tropical conditions, where high temperatures and moisture in the rainy season accelerate biogeochemical processes and soil degradation. Despite the lack of technological options for enabling sustainable grain production systems in agricultural frontiers, in this study, we showed that intercropping maize with braquiaria and crotalaria increases soil microbial activity, nutrient cycling, and grain yield of subsequent soybean and millet crops. Our results have provided a feasible option for sustainable grain production systems in eastern Maranhão. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Grass intercropping under no-till is an option to increase crop residues on the soil surface and crop diversity. Urochloa spp. is frequently selected for intercropping to improve land use and agricultural production because of its high residue production, slow residue decomposition, as well as its vigorous, abundant, and deep root system. However, the effects of intercropping Urochloa and maize, especially the effects of Urochloa residues, on subsequent crops in rotation have not been established. To address this knowledge gap, a field experiment was carried out over 5 years (from 2014 to 2018) comprising 2 years of maize monocropping or intercropping and 3 years of crop rotation (common bean-wheat-common bean-wheat-maize). We evaluated the medium-term effects of monocropped maize or maize intercropped with Urochloa brizantha on soil fertility and the development, yields, and grain nutrient accumulation of subsequent common bean, wheat, and maize crops. The cultivation of U. brizantha in the intercropping system improved soil fertility over at least 4 years, with increases in soil pH; soil organic matter (SOM); phosphorus (P); exchangeable potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg); sulfur (S–SO42−); cation exchange capacity (CEC); and base saturation (BS) at all soil depths. The benefits of U. brizantha extended to root dry matter and distribution; 70–77% of the total roots were concentrated within a soil depth of 0.0–0.2 m. The intercropping system improved the root dry matter mass, yield components, and grain yields of subsequent common bean, wheat, and maize crops in all cultivation years. These findings indicate that intercropping maize and U. brizantha provides medium-term benefits for subsequent common bean, wheat, and maize crops, and improves nutrient cycling to increase soil P; exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg; S–SO42−; and organic matter content.

Coffee (Coffea species) and Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) are important cash crops grown in the tropics but traded globally. This study was conducted to apply the ALMANAC model to these crops for the first time, and to test its ability to simulate them under agroforestry management schemes and varying precipitation amounts. To create this simulation, coffee was grown on a site in Kaua'i, Hawai'i, USA, and cocoa was grown on a site in Sefwi Bekwai, Ghana. A stand-in for a tropical overstory tree was created for agroforestry simulations using altered parameters for carob, a common taller tropical tree for these regions. For both crops, ALMANAC was able to realistically simulate yields when compared to the collected total yield data. On Kaua'i, the mean simulated yield was 2% different from the mean measured yield, and in all three years, the simulated values were within 10% of the measured values. For cocoa, the mean simulated yield was 3% different from the mean measured yield and the simulated yield was within 10% of measured yields for all four available years. When precipitation patterns were altered, in Ghana, the wetter site showed lower percent changes in yield than the drier site in Hawai'i. When agroforestry-style management was simulated, a low Leaf Area Index (LAI) of the overstory showed positive or no effect on yields, but when LAI climbed too high, the simulation was able to show the detrimental effect this competition had on crop yields. These simulation results are supported by other literature documenting the effects of agroforestry on tropical crops. This research has applied ALMANAC to new crops and demonstrated its simulation of different management and environmental conditions. The results show promise for ALMANAC's applicability to these scenarios as well as its potential to be further tested and utilized in new circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the consequences of sustainable farming practices ("Best Management Practices") on oil palm fruit production on 40 smallholder farms in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, and whether maintaining vegetation cover, which is linked to environmental sustainability and higher biodiversity, results in a trade-off with oil palm production. We found considerable variation in yield among farms (6.9–37.4 t ha−1 yr−1), but little evidence for any trade-offs between yield and farming practices. This finding has important implications for livelihoods if farmers can minimize agricultural inputs, reducing costs and supporting the environmental sustainability of oil palm smallholder farms whilst maintaining crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep tropical soils with net anion exchange capacity can adsorb nitrate and might delay the eutrophication of surface waters that is often associated with many temperate croplands. We investigated anion exchange capacity and soil nitrate pools in deep soils in the Southern Brazilian Amazon, where conversion of tropical forest and Cerrado to intensive fertilized soybean and soybean-maize cropping expanded rapidly in the 2000s. We found that mean soil nitrate pools in the top 8 m increased from 143 kg N ha−1 in forest to 1,052 in soybean and 1,161 kg N ha−1 in soybean-maize croplands. This nitrate accumulation in croplands aligned with the estimated N surpluses in the croplands. Soil anion exchange capacity explained the magnitude of nitrate accumulation. High nitrate retention in soils was consistent with current low levels of streamwater nitrate exported from croplands. Soil exchange sites were far from saturation, which suggests that nitrate accumulation can continue for longer under current cropping practices, although mechanisms such as competition with other anions and preferential water flowpaths that bypass exchange sites could reduce the time to saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new fungus, Viscospora peruviscosa, was detected in a Theobroma cacao plantation in the Huallaga province of San Martín State in Peru. The fungus was propagated in the greenhouse on Sorghum vulgare and Brachiaria brizantha. The fungus is similar to V. viscosa as it has two spore wall layers and also a viscose outer spore surface, but its spores are smaller ((30-)44-56(-65) × (25-)44-54 µm) and the subtending hyphae generally are more pronounced funnel-shaped. Also, the walls of the spores and subtending hyphae are thinner than in V. viscosa. Phylogenetically, both species form two well separated sister clades in the genus Viscospora. Based on the partial nrDNA gene, the two species have 90-91% maximum identity (MI). So far, the fungus is only known from the cacao plantation in Huallaga. No environmental sequences in the public data bases suggest that the fungus has already been found elsewhere in the neotropics or worldwide. This is the second species in the genus Viscospora (Glomeraceae) described, hence Viscospora is no longer monospecific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the physical indicators of the quality of soils subjected to four different land uses in Lixisols from La Sabana in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Nine variables were evaluated in soil samples from Lixisols located in La Sabana, Huimanguillo: infiltration rate, resistance to penetration, bulk density, total porosity, aggregate stability, thinning, depth of the horizon, volume and weight of soil loss. We used a completely randomized sample design, with a factor with four levels (each land use: pasture, rubber tree, rubber-cacao and rubbermahogany), and five treatment repetitions; each sampling point of the plot with the five-of-golds method, with the exception of the use with pasture, which was linear. Results: The reference soil group (RSG) corresponds to a Ferric Lixisol (Cutanic, Endoloamic, Epiarenic, Humic, Profondic), whose RSG has not been reported for the study area. The quality indicators are within acceptable limits. In soil loss, the pasture has conserved more over time, storing greater volume and weight of soil per hectare; the use with rubber (monoculture) has lost a greater amount of soil from the A horizon, evidenced by the decrease in its depth, volume and weight per hectare. Limitations on study/implications: Until a few years ago, in the study area within La Sabana in Huimanguillo, Acrisol had been described as the dominant RSG. Findings/conclusions: The presence of Acrisol in the study area is ruled out. Soil quality for all uses is acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]