A new approach to characterising and predicting crop rotations using national-scale annual crop maps.

Cropping decisions affect the nature, timing and intensity of agricultural management strategies. Specific crop rotations are associated with different environmental impacts, which can be beneficial or detrimental. The ability to map, characterise and accurately predict rotations enables targeting of mitigation measures where most needed and forecasting of potential environmental risks. Using six years of the national UKCEH Land Cover® plus: Crops maps (2015-2020), we extracted crop sequences for every agricultural field parcel in Great Britain (GB). Our aims were to first characterise spatial patterns in rotation properties over a national scale based on their length, type and structural diversity values, second, to test an approach to predicting the next crop in a rotation, using transition probability matrices, and third, to test these predictions at a range of spatial scales. Strict cyclical rotations only occupy 16 % of all agricultural land, whereas long-term grassland and complex-rotational agriculture each occupy over 40 %. Our rotation classifications display a variety of distinctive spatial patterns among rotation lengths, types and diversity values. Rotations are mostly 5 years in length, short mixed crops are the most abundant rotation type, and high structural diversity is concentrated in east Scotland. Predictions were most accurate when using the most local spatial approach (spatial scaling), 5-year rotations, and including long-term grassland. The prediction framework we built demonstrates that our crop predictions have an accuracy of 36-89 %, equivalent to classification accuracy of national crop and land cover mapping using earth observation, and we suggest this could be improved with additional contextual data. Our results emphasise that rotation complexity is multi-faceted, yet it can be mapped in different ways and forms the basis for further exploration in and beyond agronomy, ecology, and other disciplines.

Improvement of Maize Productivity and N Use Efficiency in a No-Tillage Irrigated Farming System: Effect of Cropping Sequence and Fertilization Management.

The sequence of the preceding crops in a no-tillage farming system, could interact with the integrated use of mineral and organic nitrogen (N) sources in a way that improves the growth and productivity of the terminal maize crop, meanwhile, enhancing its N use efficiency (NUE). In the current study, six legume-cereal crop sequences, including faba bean, soybean, Egyptian clover, wheat, and maize were evaluated along two experimental rotations that ended up by planting the terminal maize crop. In addition, the effects of applying variable mineral nitrogen (MN) rates with and without the incorporation of farmyard manure (FYM) on the productive performance of maize and its NUE were tested. The field experiments were conducted in a no-tillage irrigated farming system in Northern Egypt, a location that is characterized by its arid, Mediterranean climate. Results revealed that increasing the legume component in the evaluated crop sequences, up to 75%, resulted in improved maize ear leaf area, 1000-grain weight, and harvest index, thus, a higher final grain yield, with the inclusion of Egyptian clover was slightly better than faba bean. Comparing the crop sequences with 50% legume contribution uncovered the positive effects of soybean preceding crop on the terminal maize crop. Substituting 25% of the applied MN with FYM resulted in similar maize yields to the application of the equivalent 100% MN rates. The fertilizer treatments significantly interacted with the crop sequences in determining the maize grain yield, where the highest legume crop contribution in the crop sequence (75%) equalized the effects of the different fertilizer treatments on maize grain yield. The integrated use of FYM with MN in maize fertilization improved the NUE compared to the application of MN alone. Comparing fertilization treatments with similar MN content, with and without FYM, revealed that the difference in NUE was attributed to the additional amount of FYM. In similar conditions to the current study, it is recommended to grow faba bean two years before maize, while Egyptian clover could be grown directly preceding maize growth, with frequent inclusion of soybean in the sequence, this could be combined with the application of an average of 200 kg MN ha-1 in addition to FYM.

Microbial Community Dynamics of Soybean (Glycine max) Is Affected by Cropping Sequence.

The microbial composition of the rhizosphere soil could be an important determinant of crop yield, pathogen resistance, and other beneficial attributes in plants. However, little is known about the impact of cropping sequences on microbial community dynamics, especially in economically important species like soybean. Using 2-year crop sequences of corn-soybean, canola-soybean, and soybean-soybean, we investigated how crops from the previous growing season influenced the structure of the microbiome in both the bulk soil and soybean rhizosphere. A combination of marker-based Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics analyses was used to show that bacterial species richness and evenness in the soybean rhizosphere soil were similar following canola and soybean compared to a previous corn sequence. However, fungal species richness and evenness remained unaffected by crop sequence. In addition, bacterial and fungal species diversity in both the bulk and soybean rhizosphere soil were not influenced by crop sequence. Lastly, the corn-soybean sequence significantly differed in the relative abundance of certain bacterial and fungal classes in both the soybean rhizosphere and bulk soil. While canola-soybean and a continuous soybean sequence did not, suggesting that a preceding corn sequence may reduce the occurrence of overall bacterial and fungal community members. For the present study, crop sequence impacts bacterial diversity and richness in both the bulk soil and soybean rhizosphere soil whereas fungal diversity and richness are resilient to crop sequence practices. Together, these findings could help drive decision making for annual crop and soil management practices.

Crop rotation and sequence effects on temporal variation of CO2 emissions after long-term no-till application.

Production, transport, and emission of CO2 from soil to the atmosphere are directly influenced by soil temperature and moisture conditions, exhibiting a high variability over time due to the influence of climate events and soil management practices. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of summer and off-season crop residues on the temporal variation of soil CO2 emission (FCO2), soil temperature (Tsoil), and soil moisture (Msoil) under a no-till system that has been managed with the same crop arrangement for >16 years. The experiment was conducted in strips with three replications. Treatments consisted of summer crop sequences maize monoculture, soybean monoculture, and soybean-maize rotation, as well as off-season crops maize, millet, pigeon pea, grain sorghum, and crotalaria. Sixteen assessments of FCO2, Tsoil, and Msoil were carried out over 51 days. A significant effect of the interaction between time and summer crop sequences (F = 1.44; p = 0.02) and between time and off-season crops (F = 2.26; p < 0.01) was observed for FCO2. Moreover, a triple interaction was observed between summer crop sequences, off-season crops, and time for Msoil (F = 1.83; p < 0.01) and Tsoil (F = 1.32; p = 0.01). The values of FCO2 and Msoil were high on days 229 and 230 due to precipitations in the study area. The relationship between FCO2 and Msoil was positive in all the assessed management, and about 60% of FCO2 variation over the study period could be explained by soil water content variation.

Previous cultivation of palisade grass and soil correctives: influence on growth and yield of soybean cultivated under various soil compaction levels / Cultivo prévio de braquiarão e corretivos de solo: influência sobre o crescimento e produção da soja cultivada sob vários níveis de compactação do solo

Soil compaction directly interferes on crop yield. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the effect of previous cultivation with palisade grass [Urochloa brizantha (C. Hochstetter ex A. Rich.) R. Webster cv. Marandu] and the use of soil correctives on the growth and yield of soybeans (Glycine max L.) cultivated under various soil compaction levels, in greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in pots (columns) of 0.2 m diameter PVC tubes, composed of two rings: the lower ring, 0.4 m in height, received the soil (dystrophic Red Latosol, clayey texture) without corrective and a density of 1.0 Mg m-3; and the upper ring, 0,2 m in height, received the treatments of soil correctives and density. The experimental design was fully randomized in a 4 x 6 x 2 factorial outline, being four soil density levels (1.0; 1.20; 1.40 and 1.60 Mg m-3), six soil correctives (without corrective, lime, calcium silicate, gypsum, lime + gypsum and calcium silicate + gypsum) and two cultivation systems of the soybean (with and without previous cultivation of palisade grass). Starting from 1.2 Mg m-3 of soil density the soybean growth and yield were decreased. The use of soil correctives and previous soil cultivation with palisade grass decreased the harmful effects of the soil compaction on the soybean growth and yield. For the treatments that received previous cultivation with palisade grass, the soybean growth and yield were higher with application of lime + gypsum and calcium silicate + gypsum.

A compactação do solo interfere diretamente sobre a produção das culturas. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do cultivo prévio do braquiarão e o uso de corretivos do solo sobre o crescimento e produção da soja cultivada sob solo com vários níveis de compactação, em condições de casa de vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos (colunas) de tubos de PVC de 0,2 m de diâmetro, compostos por dois anéis: o anel inferior, de 0,4 m de altura, recebeu o solo (Latossolo Vermelho distrófico de textura argilosa) sem corretivo e densidade de 1,0 Mg m-3; e o anel superior, com 0,2 m de altura, recebeu os tratamentos de corretivos do solo (sem correção, calcário, silicato de cálcio, gesso, calcário + gesso e silicato de cálcio + gesso) e de compactação (1,0; 1,20; 1,40 e 1,60 Mg m-3 de densidade) do solo. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 6 x 2, sendo quatro densidades de solo, seis corretivos de solo e dois sistemas de cultivo da soja, com e sem cultivo prévio do braquiarão. A partir de 1,2 Mg m-3 de densidade de solo, foi observada redução no crescimento e produção de grãos da soja. O uso de corretivos e o cultivo prévio do solo com braquiarão amenizam os efeitos deletérios da compactação do solo sobre o crescimento e produção da soja. Para os tratamentos que receberam cultivo prévio de braquiarão, a mistura de calcário + gesso e silicato de cálcio + gesso foram os corretivos que proporcionaram maior crescimento e produção da soja.

The Effect of Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and Other Cover Crops on Pratylenchus penetrans and on Following Potato Crops.

Root-lesion nematodes (primarily Pratylenchus penetrans) were monitored in two marigold cultivars (Tagetes tenuifolia cv. Nemakill and cv. Nemanon), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. Lemtal), red clover (Trifolium pratense cv. Florex), and soybean (Glycine max cv. Proteus), and in the following potato (Solanum tuberosum cv. Superior) crop during three growth sequences. Meadow fescue (Festuca elatior cv. Miner) and bee plant (Phacelia tanacetifolia cv. Gipha) were added to the trial in the second year. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, unidentified cv.) and two additional marigold cultivars (T. patula ssp. nana, unidentified cv., and T. erecta cv. Crackerjack) were included in the final sequence. Population levels of root-lesion nematodes were consistently lower under marigolds compared to the other cover crops tested. Correspondingly, average potato tuber yields were significantly higher (8-14%) when potato followed marigolds. The highest levels of root-lesion nematodes occurred under red clover and soybean, and the average potato tuber yields were lowest following these crops.

Parasitism of the Nematode Heterodera glycines by the Fungus Hirsutella rhossiliensis as Influenced by Crop Sequence.

The effect of crop sequence on parasitism of second-stage juveniles (J2) of Heterodera glycines by Hirsutella rhossiliensis was investigated. Data were collected from plots of a long-term crop rotation experiment established in 1982. Crop sequences included (i) continuous monoculture of corn and soybean; (ii) annual rotation of the two crops; and (iii) 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years of each crop following 5 years of the other crop. The nematode J2 density and percentage of J2 parasitized by the fungus were determined at planting, midseason, and end of season in 1997 and 1998. A significant effect of the crop sequence on parasitism of J2 was observed at midseason in both years and at end of season in 1998. In plots of first-year soybean following 5 years of corn, fungal parasitism increased from an undetectable level at planting to 2% and 4% of J2 parasitized by ends of season in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Fungal parasitism was similar in plots of second-through-fifth-year soybean after 5 years of corn and in plots of soybean monoculture. Parasitism of J2 in the soybean plots in annual rotation with corn increased from undetectable and 2% at planting to 6% and 23% at midseason in 1997 and 1998, respectively. The effect of crop sequence on the fungal parasitism of J2 may be attributed to a density-dependent relationship between the parasite and its host. Season also affected the fungal parasitism; percentage of J2 parasitized by the fungus was the highest at midseason and the lowest at planting.