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Agronomy
Special Issues
Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality
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Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovative Cropping Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 6913

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Angela Libutti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Interests: water quality and irrigation; saline irrigation water; nitrate leaching; biochar; biochar application to agricultural soil; organic soil amendment
Dr. Michele Andrea De Santis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Science of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering, University of Foggia, Via Napoli, 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy
Interests: crop quality; protein composition; abiotic stress; nitrogen fertilization and use efficiency; crop phenotyping; wheat; legumes; sustainable food production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern and future agriculture must face the challenges associated with the increasing food demand due to the increasing world population, as well as those associated with climate change mitigation. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) indicates a pathway for increasing crop food productivity, resilience and mitigation. To achieve these goals, it is necessary to integrate sustainable practices coupled with smart solutions, including digital farming and biotechnologies. Suggested agronomic solutions could include conservative agriculture, soil amendments from circular economy (biochar, compost, zeolite, etc.), water-saving and efficient irrigation strategies, and inoculation with plant-growth-promoting (PGP) microorganisms and biostimulants. The use of low-emission fertilizers could also help in mitigation and climate-neutral food production. However, these applications should be verified on different herbaceous crops, and the effects of quality are still unclear.

The aim of this Special Issue is to contribute to the scientific knowledge on the effectiveness of climate-smart agronomic solutions to improve sustainability, in terms of resource use efficiency (water, nutrient, genetic) and quality. Environmental variability, particularly abiotic stresses such as heat and drought, often strongly interacts with resource use efficiency. These aspects are particularly relevant in the climate change scenario. Studies that include applications of CSA techniques in relation to the environment are welcome, as well as those in relation to food quality, both for food industry requirements and consumer health. Manuscripts describing the use of nondestructive smart digital applications to assess crop physiological status and predict sustainability/quality traits are encouraged.

Dr. Angela Libutti
Dr. Michele Andrea De Santis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Agronomy 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 2600 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

  • crop yield and quality
  • organic amendment
  • resource use efficiency
  • conservative agriculture
  • plant biostimulants

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1571 KiB  
Article
Physiological Mechanisms of Titanium Regulation of Growth, Photosynthesis, and Mineral Absorption in Tartary Buckwheat
by Anyin Qi, Zhengshan Wang, Liangzhen Jiang, Qiang Wang, Yuanhang Ren, Chenggang Liang, Yan Wang, Changying Liu, Xueling Ye, Yu Fan, Qi Wu, Xiaoyong Wu, Lianxin Peng, Dabing Xiang, Laichun Guo, Gang Zhao, Liang Zou, Jingwei Huang and Yan Wan
Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040720 - 31 Mar 2024
Viewed by 720
Abstract
Titanium has been reported to have positive effects on crop growth and production in various species. However, the impact of titanium on the Tartary buckwheat crops has not yet been studied. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of spraying different [...] Read more.
Titanium has been reported to have positive effects on crop growth and production in various species. However, the impact of titanium on the Tartary buckwheat crops has not yet been studied. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of spraying different concentrations of ionic titanium on the growth, photosynthesis, and uptake of mineral nutrients in Tartary buckwheat. The results showed that the application of titanium significantly improved dry matter accumulation, internode diameter, main stem node, root length, root average diameter, root surface area, root volume, grains per plant, and weight of grains per plant. Additionally, chlorophyll and photosynthetic parameters showed improvement regardless of the concentration of titanium used. The study found that titanium accumulation was mainly in leaves. The content of titanium in leaves showed a significant positive correlation with K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B. This suggests a potential synergistic relationship between titanium and minerals in Tartary buckwheat leaves. Furthermore, the study also observed a significant increase in the total accumulation of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B in Tartary buckwheat plants. Overall, this study provides evidence for the positive effects of titanium on Tartary buckwheat and offers a theoretical foundation for practical production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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18 pages, 1752 KiB  
Article
Agricultural Technology Innovation and Food Security in China: An Empirical Study on Coupling Coordination and Its Influencing Factors
by Chuansong Zhao, Ran Geng, Tianhao Chi, Chatchai Khiewngamdee and Jianxu Liu
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010123 - 03 Jan 2024
Viewed by 845
Abstract
The coupling coordination of agricultural technology innovation with food security is of great significance for high-quality agricultural development. By identifying the coupling coordination relationship between the two systems and the influencing factors, this paper aims to promote the virtuous cycle of coordinated development [...] Read more.
The coupling coordination of agricultural technology innovation with food security is of great significance for high-quality agricultural development. By identifying the coupling coordination relationship between the two systems and the influencing factors, this paper aims to promote the virtuous cycle of coordinated development between regional agriculture and technology, as well as accelerate the realisation of high-quality development of Chinese agriculture. Therefore, this paper explores the spatial and temporal coupling characteristics of the two using the entropy value method, coupling coordination degree model, and exploratory spatial data analysis, and it screens for important influencing factors using the grey correlation model. The main results show that ① the coupling coordination relationship between agricultural technology innovation and food security in China is at a dissonant stage, but the value of the coupling coordination degree increases from 0.2076 to 0.3437 during the period of study, and the level of coordination gradually improves. ② The degree of coupling coordination in the provincial space exhibits a distribution pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. The areas of high value are primarily situated in the provinces of Shandong, Jiangsu, and other provinces along the southeastern coast of China, while the areas of low value are mainly located in the provinces of Qinghai, Ningxia, and other provinces in inland northwest China. ③ The Moran’s index of provincial coupling coordination is greater than 0, showing a certain positive correlation, and there is a significant pattern of spatial aggregation. ④ The correlation coefficients between the influencing factors and the degree of coupling coordination are all greater than 0.35, indicating a moderate or high correlation, but the significance of technological support capacity and food distribution security increased over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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17 pages, 656 KiB  
Article
Woody Biochar Rate and Water Shortage Impact on Early Growth Stages of Chenopodium quinoa Willd.
by Anna Rita Rivelli, Muhammad Zubair Akram and Angela Libutti
Agronomy 2024, 14(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14010053 - 23 Dec 2023
Viewed by 763
Abstract
The application of biochar to agricultural soils has been proven to have many advantages, including the improvement of soil water holding capacity and plant growth, particularly under limiting conditions of water supply. The response of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) to water shortage [...] Read more.
The application of biochar to agricultural soils has been proven to have many advantages, including the improvement of soil water holding capacity and plant growth, particularly under limiting conditions of water supply. The response of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) to water shortage occurring during the vegetative growth stages is not well known. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of three wood chip biochar rates (0%, 2% and 4%) and two water regimes (100 and 50% evapotranspiration losses restitution) on the vegetative development and water status of quinoa (cultivar Titicaca). The results showed that the treatment with 2% wood chip biochar improved plant height, leaf and branch number and stem diameter during the vegetative growing cycle compared to the 0% (control) and 4% biochar treatments, which were not different from each other. At the end of the experiment, when the plants were at the flowering initiation stage, increases of 23% in leaf area, 22% in fresh biomass, 27% in main panicle length and 36% in sub-panicle number were observed. The application of woody biochar at a 4% rate, although improving the plant water status with increases of 10% in RWC and 18% in Ψ, did not enhance the vegetative development of the quinoa. The water shortage negatively affected both the growth performance and plant water status. The best growth response of quinoa was observed only when the plants were treated with a 2% biochar rate and were fully irrigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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19 pages, 1263 KiB  
Article
Protein Hydrolysates from Crambe abyssinica Seed Cake as Potential Biostimulants for Root Development
by Luisa Ugolini, Lorena Malaguti, Roberto Matteo, Eleonora Pagnotta, Romina Beleggia and Laura Righetti
Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2755; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112755 - 31 Oct 2023
Viewed by 951
Abstract
Crambe abyssinica Hochst defatted seed meals were used to produce protein hydrolysates through a mild enzymatic two-step hydrolysis process. The resulting hydrolysates were rich in free amino acids, low-molecular-weight peptides, and potential bioactive compounds such as phenols, glucosinolates, or their derivatives. These hydrolysates [...] Read more.
Crambe abyssinica Hochst defatted seed meals were used to produce protein hydrolysates through a mild enzymatic two-step hydrolysis process. The resulting hydrolysates were rich in free amino acids, low-molecular-weight peptides, and potential bioactive compounds such as phenols, glucosinolates, or their derivatives. These hydrolysates were tested in bioassays, performed under controlled conditions, on mung bean (Vigna radiata) cuttings, to investigate a possible auxin effect, and on maize (Zea mays L.) in an aeroponic/hydroponic system during the first two weeks of growth. In both assays, crambe hydrolysates revealed a stimulating effect on root development at a dose corresponding to nitrogen concentration of 4.8 mM, promoting lateral root formation and altering root architecture. Furthermore, they exhibited a positive impact on nitrogen content in both maize roots and shoots, along with an increase in the chlorophyll SPAD index. Notably, the observed effects were similar to those induced by a commercial biostimulant based on an animal-derived hydrolysate, tested under the same conditions on maize. The present work underscores the potential of crambe seed by-products for new sustainable and environmentally safe agro-inputs aimed at enhancing crop performance within the framework of a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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17 pages, 2500 KiB  
Article
Agronomic Response to Irrigation and Biofertilizer of Peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) Grown under Mediterranean Environment
by Michele Andrea De Santis, Daniela Campaniello, Damiana Tozzi, Luigia Giuzio, Maria Rosaria Corbo, Antonio Bevilacqua, Milena Sinigaglia and Zina Flagella
Agronomy 2023, 13(6), 1566; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13061566 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1786
Abstract
Peanut is a staple crop suitable for mechanized harvest and a source of plant proteins and fatty acids. It is widespread in Asia and North America, while there is limited cultivation in Europe despite potentially favorable climatic conditions. To test the adaptability of [...] Read more.
Peanut is a staple crop suitable for mechanized harvest and a source of plant proteins and fatty acids. It is widespread in Asia and North America, while there is limited cultivation in Europe despite potentially favorable climatic conditions. To test the adaptability of peanut in the Mediterranean area, a two-year field trial was carried out with one Spanish-type and one Virginia-type genotype cultivated under two water regimes (full irrigation and half irrigation supply). In order to test the response to fertilization management, three treatments were carried out, including an unfertilized control, a N-fertilized treatment, and a N-fertilized treatment inoculated with a commercial mixture of plant-growth promoting microorganisms, including two Bacillus species, Trichoderma and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Microbiological soil analysis assessed the robustness of bacilli and their viability in soil. The Virginia-type genotype showed a better adaptability, with a positive response to irrigation and biofertilization. In particular, the inoculated treatment led to the highest agricultural crop water productivity, with important implications for sustainability. The impact of agronomic strategies was evaluated also in relation to storage proteins. The expression of 7s vicilin fraction showed a variability associated with water supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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21 pages, 1691 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Vegetative Development of Quinoa under Water Stress by Applying Different Organic Amendments
by Muhammad Zubair Akram, Angela Libutti and Anna Rita Rivelli
Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1412; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051412 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1234
Abstract
Prolonged drought periods, increasingly occurring worldwide due to global climate change, could affect the growth and productivity of both traditional and climate-resilient crops, including quinoa. Specifically, the vegetative growing cycle of this species is highly sensitive to drought conditions. In this context, using [...] Read more.
Prolonged drought periods, increasingly occurring worldwide due to global climate change, could affect the growth and productivity of both traditional and climate-resilient crops, including quinoa. Specifically, the vegetative growing cycle of this species is highly sensitive to drought conditions. In this context, using organic amendments could help plants cope with drought due to their ability to enhance soil water status. So, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of different organic amendments, i.e., two biochars (from woodchips and vineyard prunings) and a vermicompost (from cattle manure), applied to the soil alone and mixed at 2% rate (w/w), on the vegetative development of quinoa (cv. Titicaca), during which a period of water stress was imposed from the twelve-leaf stage to the bud stage. A set of growth-related parameters were measured both during and at the end of the experiment, along with a set of water-related parameters, at the end of the water-stress period and after soil re-watering. The results showed that woodchip biochar, both alone and mixed with vermicompost, significantly affected plant growth during the water-stress period, also allowing a quicker recovery once drought conditions ended. Indeed, the leaf number and area, SPAD index, leaf and stem fresh weight, and dry matter content in plants treated with woodchip biochar, alone and mixed with vermicompost, were higher than vineyard pruning biochar, alone and mixed with vermicompost and similar to the well-watered control plants. Similar results were observed considering the yield contributing traits detected at the end of the experiment, including the main panicle length, number of sub-panicle, as well as fresh weight and dry matter content of both panicle and sub-panicles. Additionally, the water-related parameters, especially the low turgid weight to dry weight ratio of woodchip biochar treated plants, showed evidence of better growth than vineyard pruning biochar. At the end of the experiment, the WUE of plants treated with woodchip biochar and vermicompost, both alone and mixed, was higher than vineyard pruning biochar alone and mixed with vermicompost. Among the tested organic amendments, woodchip biochar alone and mixed with vermicompost positively affected the vegetative growth response of quinoa under water-stress conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Resource Management for Crop Production and Quality)
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