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Special Issue "Cover Crops - Series II"

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A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Systems and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2023) | Viewed by 12507

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Roberto Mancinelli

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Guest Editor

Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
Interests: agro-ecology; fertilizer management; greenhouse gas emissions; carbon cycle
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Dr. Sara Marinari

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Guest Editor

Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-food and Forest systems DIBAF, Tuscia University, Tuscia, Italy
Interests: soil science; pedogenesis; soil processes; biogeochemical cycling; agricultural management
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Dr. Emanuele Radicetti

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences (DOCPAS), University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Interests: sustainable food production; sustainable cultivation; environmental-friendly agricultural practices
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern intensive farming based on high fertilizer rate and agrochemical applications may severely impact the sustainability of cropping systems with increasing problems of reduced soil fertility, loss of biodiversity, soil compaction, and soil erosion. Cover crops could be considered any plant species that are cultivated in the period between two main cash crops, with the main aim to protect soil and support the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. The benefits provided by cover crop cultivation are different and vary depending on the farmers’ objectives. Although cover crops are becoming more accepted by farmers, who are encouraged by the environmental and ecological benefits, many still perceive them to be expensive and complicated in terms of implementing cover crops with agricultural practices.

Therefore, there is a growing need of knowledge regarding their establishment, management, benefits, and utility in different agro-ecosystems.

The main objective of this Special Issue is to collect original research papers or reviews that report on the benefits obtained from the adoption of cover crop and that address the practical problems derived from their utilization under different agro-environmental conditions. To achieve this goal, the submission of relevant articles is welcome and encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Roberto Mancinelli
Dr. Sara Marinari
Dr. Emanuele Radicetti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable agriculture
environmentally friendly strategies
ecological services
agro-ecosystem management
living mulch
green manure
climate resilience
pest management
weed management
crop rotation
soil tillage
crop yield

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Better Performance of the Modified CERES-Wheat Model in Simulating Evapotranspiration and Wheat Growth under Water Stress Conditions

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Agriculture 2022, 12(11), 1902; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12111902 - 11 Nov 2022

Viewed by 730

Abstract

Crop models are important for understanding and regulating agroecosystems. Although the CERES-Wheat model is an important tool for winter wheat research, it has some limitations under water stress conditions. To narrow the gap, this study aimed to improve the performance of the CERES-Wheat model under water stress in arid and semi-arid regions based on the winter wheat experimental data from 2012 to 2014. The Priestley–Taylor (PT) and FAO56 Penman–Monteith (PM) equations were used to calculate the reference crop evapotranspiration and further modified the crop coefficient of the CERES wheat model to improve the simulation accuracy of crop yield and evapotranspiration under water stress conditions. The results showed that: water stress before jointing seriously affected the accuracy of the CERES-Wheat model in simulating biomass and grain yield, so it was necessary to improve the original model. In the original and improved models, the accuracy of the PM equation was lower than that of PT. In addition, the simulation accuracy of the improved model was higher than that of the original model (the average RMAE and RRMSE are less than 30%). In general, among the four scenarios, the PT equation for calculating crop reference evapotranspiration and crop coefficient had the best performance. Water stress occurred at the heading and grain filling stages, and the simulated biomass was in good agreement with the observed results, which better simulated the soil water content under water stress at the later growth stages. Therefore, the change in water stress response function had positive effects on winter wheat growth under simulated water stress conditions. This study provided a reference for applying the CERES-Wheat model in arid and semi-arid areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Open AccessArticle

Mechanical Chiseling and the Cover Crop Effect on the Common Bean Yield in the Brazilian Cerrado

Vagner do Nascimento

Orivaldo Arf

Marlene Cristina Alves

Epitácio José de Souza

Paulo Ricardo Teodoro da Silva

Flávio Hiroshi Kaneko

Arshad Jalal

Carlos Eduardo da Silva Oliveira

Michelle Traete Sabundjian

Samuel Ferrari

Fernando de Souza Buzo

and

Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho

Agriculture 2022, 12(5), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12050616 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1090

Abstract

Core Ideas: (1) Superficial soil compaction in a no-tillage system. (2) Cultivation of cover crops in succession with annual crops. (3) Soil decompression with cultivation of the predecessor soil cover. (4) Unpacking soil with mechanical chiseling. (5) Biological chiseling with the cover crop effect on the common bean yield. Mechanical soil intervention with a chisel in cover crops (CC) is a promising alternative strategy to minimize superficial compaction of soil in a no-tillage system (NTS) of the Brazilian Cerrado. Thus, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical chiseling associated with successor and predecessor cover crops on agronomic components and the grain yield of the common bean in NTS for two consecutive years. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. The treatments consisted of five cover crops (Cajanus cajan, Crotalaria juncea, Urochloa ruziziensis and Pennisetum glaucum and fallow), associated or not with soil mechanical chiseling. The results indicated that cultivation of C. juncea and U. ruziziensis as cover crops increased the initial and the final plant population and the number of pods plant⁻¹ of the common bean. The cultivation of P. glaucum as a predecessor crop with chiseling was observed with greater shoot dry matter and a greater number of grains pod⁻¹ and plant⁻¹ of the common bean while C. cajan and C. juncea have increased leaf N content in the common bean. The predecessor crops of C. juncea and P. glaucum with chiseling increased the grain yield of the “winter” common bean in succession. Therefore, cultivation of C. juncea and P. glaucum as predecessor crops along with chiseling are considered a sustainable strategy for improving the growth and the yield of successive crops in a no-tillage system of the Brazilian Cerrado. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Open AccessArticle

Impact of Farming System on Potato Yield and Tuber Quality in Northern Baltic Sea Climate Conditions

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Agriculture 2022, 12(4), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040568 - 18 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1479

Abstract

For finding more sustainable cropping systems, this study on how the farming system influences the yield and quality of potato tubers was carried out with long-term crop rotation experiment. The long-term five-field crop rotation field trial was established with the following farming system treatments: organic farming system treatments: Org I (organic control), Org II (organic crop rotation with winter cover crops) and Org III (organic crop rotation with winter cover crops and the addition of composted cattle manure); conventional farming system treatments: N0 (conventional system without fertilizers), N50 (conventional system with fertilization, N50P25K95), N100 (conventional system, N100P25K95) and N150 (conventional system, N150P25K95). The average yield (based on 3 trial years) of conventional systems was 25% higher, compared to organic systems. However, in organic systems, the yield was the most stable. The most fluctuating cropping system was the most intensively managed N150. In each trial year, the yield differed statistically and it varied from 4.7 t ha⁻¹ up to 10.9 t ha⁻¹. Org I had the same dry matter yield as the N0 system, where chemicals were used, meaning that using chemicals for plant protection but no fertilizer for growth improvement had no positive effect. In each year, the yield in Org III system was similar to N50 system. Regarding the tubers per plant, there were no differences between farming systems but there was a significant difference between the trial years. The tubers in conventional systems had a lower starch content than the organic systems. It is possible to conclude that if cover crops and manure are used, organic farming practices provide just as good results as the conventional farming with low nitrogen level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Tillage and Fertilization on CO₂ Emission from Soil under Maize Cultivation

Liliana Salinas-Alcántara

Rocio Vaca

Pedro del Águila

Nadia de la Portilla-López

Gustavo Yáñez-Ocampo

Laura A. Sánchez-Paz

and

Jorge A. Lugo

Agriculture 2022, 12(4), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040555 - 13 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1410

Abstract

Agriculture is in a constant state of change. Its new practices and technologies represent impacts that are difficult to predict. The transition from animal traction to tractors and the substitution of manure for synthetic fertilizers are changes that are taking place particularly in developed countries, yet they are increasing in developing ones. However, the effect of these changes on agriculture and soil CO₂ emissions remains controversial. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of two tillage systems and fertilization on the CO₂ emissions from the soil under maize cultivation. Therefore, it consisted of two tillage systems, namely tractor (T) and animal (A) traction, and four fertilization methods. The fertilization treatments tested were: (CH) application of N, P, K chemical fertilizer; (HM) application of horse manure; (CM) application of chicken manure; and (CT) unfertilized control. We found that the soil CO₂ emission rates in the maize growing season was higher than those in the tillage before the harvest season. Soil respiration peaked in June after the second fertilizer application (9394.59–12,851.35 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ at tractor and 7091.89–12,655.86 mg CO₂ m⁻² h⁻¹ at animal traction). The production of corn grain only presented differences between the treatments with and without application of fertilizers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Soil Microbial Activity in Different Cropping Systems under Long-Term Crop Rotation

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Agriculture 2022, 12(4), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040532 - 08 Apr 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1257

Abstract

Soil microbes play a key role in the nutrient cycling by decomposing the organic material into plant-available elements and also by maintaining the soil health. The study of soil microbial hydrolytic activity (SMA) was carried out in a long-term crop rotation (barley undersown (us) with red clover, red clover, winter wheat, pea and potato) experiment in five different farming systems during 2014–2018. There were two conventional systems, with chemical plant protection and mineral fertilizers, and three organic systems, which included winter cover crops and composted manure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the (i) cropping system and (ii) precrops in rotation on the soil SMA. The soil microbial hydrolytic activity was significantly affected by yearly weather conditions, farming system, and crops. In all farming systems, the SMA was the lowest after dry and cold conditions during early spring in 2018. In unfertilized conventional systems, the considerably lower SMA is explained by the side effects of pesticides and low organic residuals, and we can conclude that the conventional system with no added fertilizer or organic matter is not sustainable, considering soil health. In each year, the SMA of organic systems with cover crops and composted manure was 7.3–14.0% higher compared to all farming systems. On average, for both farming systems, the SMA of all the rotation crops was positively correlated with the SMA values of precrops. However, in conventional farming systems, the effect of undersowing on the SMA of the precrop was smaller compared to organic systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Open AccessArticle

Catch Crops in Lower Saxony—More Than 30 Years of Action against Water Pollution with Nitrates: All in Vain?

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Agriculture 2022, 12(4), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12040447 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1715

Abstract

Intensive animal production, vast amounts of biogas plants, and the spreading of manure and digestates, exerts strong pressure on water quality in the German federal state of Lower Saxony. Catch and cover crop (c&c) cultivation is seen as one measure to inhibit nitrate leaching into soils, and to prevent water pollution with nitrates. A document analysis was carried out, covering the time span of 1992 to 2020, and the findings were combined with available quantitative data of the same period, and with GIS analysis. From 1994 to the year 2020, the acreage of subsidized c&cs increased from ca. 10,000 ha to ca. 380,000 ha. In addition, there was an acreage of unsubsidized c&cs of about 100,000 ha declining to 50,000 ha. In comparison, the acreage of arable land remained at approximately 1,880,000 ha. We found that c&cs did not contribute substantially to water protection for the following reasons: the design of the measure, control of farmer’s actions, and the antagonistic trend due to the increase in animal numbers and biogas plants. The development of c&cs over time and space reveals that frame conditions and management requirements of cultivating c&cs need to be well designed to be effective and efficient (with regard to N reduction and reduction of costs). It is vital to coordinate all programs and schemes in one region. From our evaluation, we conclude that a measure such as c&c cultivation, which is simple to introduce and easy to control, should be implemented over winter as a mandatory measure in order to achieve a greater uptake. Additionally, result-based measures could complement this scheme, as there is a strong link between subsidy level and the success of the measure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Review

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Open AccessReview

Opportunities and Challenges for Cover Cropping in Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Southern Australia

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Agriculture 2023, 13(3), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030688 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 950

Abstract

Southern Australian farming systems operate predominantly under Mediterranean climatic conditions, which limit the choice of cover crops suitable for enhancement of ground cover and soil moisture retention, erosion control, atmospheric soil nitrogen (N) fixation, and weed suppression between cash crop rotations. Given that the successful establishment of cover crops is climate-driven and also influenced by edaphic factors such as soil pH and salinity, there has been increased interest by southern Australian producers in identifying potential cover crop species well adapted to specific Australian farming systems, which provide vital ecosystem services and sustainable economic benefits through the improvement of soil properties. This review summarises recent findings on cover crop inclusion in diverse farming systems in southern Australia, including continuous and mixed broadacre cropping as well as viticulture and horticulture systems, to identify opportunities and limitations related to their use. Cover crop inclusion in viticulture and pasture systems with lower moisture stress was observed to benefit the subsequent cash crop through enhanced production potential. Long-term, multi-site field experimentation incorporating summer cover crops in winter crop rotations showed that cover crops enhanced ground cover and soil water infiltration in some locations across southern Australia while sometimes increasing winter crop yield, suggesting that soil type and regional climatic conditions greatly influenced the delivery of multiple cover crop benefits. Collectively, these studies have suggested a need for longer-term field evaluations using multiple cover crop species and investigations of termination options under varying environmental and soil conditions to better quantify the legacy effects of cover crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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Open AccessReview

Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review

Valentina Quintarelli

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Agriculture 2022, 12(12), 2076; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12122076 - 03 Dec 2022

Viewed by 2163

Abstract

Cover cropping is a promising and sustainable agronomic practice to ameliorate soil health and crop performances in agro-ecosystems. Indeed, cover crops (CCs) may regulate several ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, soil fertility, moderation of extreme meteorological events, pollination, and climate and water regulation; in addition, CCs are also used as forage crops and have considerable effects on plant and soil biodiversity. However, to achieve the desired effects on agro-ecosystems, cover cropping should be carefully adopted by considering the specie choice, period of cultivation, and termination method based on site, farm, or purpose-specific. The main objective of this manuscript is to analyze the effects of modern agriculture on soil and environmental health and how cover crops can support sustainable cropping systems and global food security. In addition, it focuses on how the incorporation of cover crops into conventional cropping systems can help in the diversification of crops and assist in mitigating the environmental effects of cropping systems. Finally, this review thoroughly investigates the potential effects of CCs on environmental sustainability, which can be an important source of information for sustainable crop production and food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cover Crops - Series II)

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