Short-term changes in soil biochemical properties as affected by subsidiary crop cultivation in four European pedo-climatic zones

Papp, R.; Marinari, Sara; Moscatelli, M.C.; Heijden, Marcel G. A. van der; Wittwer, Raphaël; Campiglia, Enio; Radicetti, Emanuele; Mancinelli, Roberto; Fradgley, Nick; Pearce, Bruce; Bergkvist, Göran; Finckh, Maria R.

doi:10.1016/j.still.2018.02.019

Cited by 20 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…Cover crops are known among others to conserve the nutrients of the previous crop for the following crop, increase the organic matter content, stimulate microbial activity and suppress weeds [1]. Especially leguminous cover crops and cover crop mixtures of brassicas with legumes have shown positive effects on microbial biomass and activities as well as specific enzyme activities independent of the climatic region and weather conditions [9]. Furthermore, the use of cover crops can reduce weed seed banks in minimum tillage systems similar to levels in plough systems [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

Schmidt¹,

Hallmann²,

Finckh³

2020

Preprint

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Reduced nutrient mineralization rates under minimum tillage are usually compensated by mineral fertilizer application. These cannot be applied in organic farming systems, however. We hypothesized that organic minimum tillage based on frequent cover cropping and application of dead mulch will improve soil fertility and can compensate for the potential negative effects of minimum tillage. Two long-term field experiments were set up in 2010 and 2011 comparing plough versus minimum tillage including application of transferred mulch. As second factor, the application of compost versus mineral potassium and phosphorus was compared. In 2019, soils were analyzed for soil pH, organic carbon, macro-, micronutrients, microbial biomass, microbial activity and total nematode abundance. In addition, performance of pea in the same soils was determined under greenhouse conditions. Across both experiments, macronutrients (+52%), micronutrients (+11%), microbial biomass (+51%), microbial activity (+86%), and bacterivorous nematodes (+112%) increased in minimum tillage compared with the plough-based system. In the greenhouse, pea biomass was 45% higher in the soil that had been subjected to minimum tillage compared to the plough. In conclusion, soil fertility can be improved in organic minimum tillage systems by intensive cover cropping and application of dead mulch to levels higher than in a plough-based system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

Schmidt¹,

Hallmann²,

Finckh³

2020

Preprint

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“…To date, few studies have focused on the effect of agro-ecological service crops on CO 2 fluxes in agricultural soils [28], especially during their growing cycle. In fact, as observed by Papp et al [4], the majority of studies investigate the effects of agro-ecological service crops after their suppression and throughout the cultivation of the following cash crop when their residues where managed in different way, such as green manuring or mulching the soil. As a consequence, this approach evaluates the combined effects of agro-ecological service crop residues in terms of rhizo-depositions release due to species cultivation and of residue mineralization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to Jacinthe et al [30], soil CO 2 emissions strongly depend on weather conditions, indeed, the differences among the agro-ecological crop species were low and follow the soil temperature trend. However, the high biomass production in hairy vetch with low shoot/root ratio compared to oat and oilseed rape resulted in high and denser root biomass thus increasing microbial activity near to the soil surface [4]. As a consequence, rhizosphere and root respiration probably contributed significantly to the high soil CO 2 emission values observed in hairy vetch, even if considering the high amount of carbon accumulated on hairy vetch biomass, the input/output ratio resulted more favorable terms of carbon sink.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For these reasons, sustainable soil management is needed in order to enhance SOC in cropland, based on the chemical, physical, and biological properties of the soils [3][4][5]. The reduction of CO 2 emissions by soil carbon sequestration is of primary importance as agricultural activities could remove atmospheric carbon by sequestration and thus mitigate climate change by maintaining and enhancing the amount of carbon stored in the soil and plant material.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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CO2 Flux and C Balance due to the Replacement of Bare Soil with Agro-Ecological Service Crops in Mediterranean Environment

et al. 2019

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Intensive agriculture practices often results in decomposition of organic matter, thus causing soil CO2 emissions. Agro-ecological service crop could be profitably cultivated to improve soil characteristics and reduce CO2 emissions under Mediterranean environment. Two-year field trials were conducted in central Italy. The treatments were three agro-ecological service crops (hairy vetch, oat, and oilseed rape) and a no-service cover. Plant development, soil characteristics, and CO2 emissions were measured. Oat and oilseed rape showed a rapid growth, while hairy vetch started to grow rapidly only after the cold period. Soil CO2 emissions trend was similar among the agro-ecological service crops and tended to decrease during the cold period, then gradually increased until April when warm temperatures were observed. The high soil CO2 emissions and respiration index observed in hairy vetch probably stimulated mineral nutrients, especially nitrogen, to become more available in the soil compared to oat and oilseed rape throughout the decomposition of soil organic matter. These results confirmed that the cultivation of agro-ecological service crops, especially hairy vetch, could represent a suitable strategy for enhancing carbon sequestration and lead to a mitigation of CO2 emissions during the fallow period and could thus contribute to the climate change mitigation.

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“…In developing countries, crop productivity is often limited by soil erosion and by access to inputs such as fertilisers, whereas in high-input systems, inefficient use of inputs by the crop can result in unused nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorus) causing environmental damage (Ascott et al, 2017; Cordell et al, 2009; FAO, 2016). Low-input agriculture may benefit from the principles of conservation agriculture which include tillage practices that minimise soil disturbance and provide several environmental benefits (Hobbs, 2007; Mangalassery et al, 2014; Petersen et al, 2008), promotion of soil microbial activity (Kabir, 2005; Papp et al, 2018), and improved soil structure which limits soil erosion (Zhang et al, 2007). Relatively high-input agriculture, on the other hand, could benefit from high-density cropping systems, where crops with higher plant density may collectively make better use of the available nutrients (Donald, 1968; Marin and Weiner 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of breeding history and crop management on the root architecture of wheat

Fradgley

Evans²,

Biernaskie

et al. 2020

Preprint

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28Aims 29 Selection for optimal root system architecture (RSA) is important to ensure genetic gains in the sustainable production 30 of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here we examine the idea that past wheat breeding has led to changes in RSA and 31 that future breeding efforts can focus directly on root traits to improve adaptation to a target environment. 32 Methods 33We conducted three field trials using diverse wheat varieties, including modern and historic UK varieties and non-UK 34 landraces, tested under contrasting tillage regimes (non-inversion tillage versus conventional ploughing) or different 35 seeding rates (standard rate versus high rate). We used field excavation, washing and measurement of root crowns 36 ('shovelomics') to characterise RSA traits, including: numbers of seminal, crown and nodal roots per plant, and crown 37 root growth angle. 38 Results 39We found large differences among genotypes for all root traits. Modern varieties generally had fewer roots per plant 40 than historic varieties. There were fewer crown roots and root angles were wider, on average, under shallow non-41 inversion tillage compared with conventional ploughing. Crown root numbers per plant also tended to be smaller at a 42 high seeding rate compared with the standard rate. There were significant genotype-by-year, genotype-by-tillage and 43 genotype-by-seeding-rate interactions for many root traits. 44 Conclusions 45Smaller root systems is likely to be a result of past selection and may have facilitated historical yield increases by 46 reducing below-ground competition within the crop. The effects of crop management practices on RSA depend on

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Short-term changes in soil biochemical properties as affected by subsidiary crop cultivation in four European pedo-climatic zones

Cited by 20 publications

References 54 publications

Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

Bacterivorous Nematodes Correlate with Soil Fertility and Improved Crop Production in an Organic Minimum Tillage System

CO2 Flux and C Balance due to the Replacement of Bare Soil with Agro-Ecological Service Crops in Mediterranean Environment

Effects of breeding history and crop management on the root architecture of wheat

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