Aerobic rice production is a newly evolved concept used to obtain higher yields with less water, with a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Aerobic rice without standing water has a higher density of weeds compared to the conventional method, posing a stronger threat for crop growth, yield and sustainability. Among the different weed management practices, herbicides had gained wider acceptance as they ensure better weed control and lesser labour work and even reduce the cost of cultivation significantly compared to other methods. However, the herbicide residues left in the field had a significant negative impact on the succeeding crop, soil microbiota and overall surrounding environment. Integrated weed management practices, including hand weeding (HW) and mechanical weeding (MW), along with herbicides, were tested for effective weed control and herbicide residues in aerobic rice. Pre-emergent (PE) herbicide pyrazosulfuron ethyl and early post-emergent herbicide (EPoE) bispyribac sodium were combined with HW and MW methods and evaluated against the common practices of using only HW, MW or weedy check. Among the nine treatments, PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl (at 3 DAS) fb EPoE bispyribac sodium (at 12 DAS) fb one round of MW (at 45 DAS) led to a higher weed control efficiency (WCE) of 91.19% and grain yield of 3544 kg ha^-1, which increased the net returns to INR 29,244 ha^-1. Additionally, the integration of HW and MW methods increased herbicide degradation in all the plots with herbicide applied, thus reducing their levels below the detectable limit in soil, at 30 DAS, except pendimethalin (0.11 mg kg^-1). However, even with reduced retention periods, the integration of different methods was found to be successful in controlling weed issues, especially during the critical crop–weed competition period. Therefore, this method ensured a competition-free environment for aerobic rice growth. Overall, the integration of weed management practices could reduce the dependency on labour and the chemical load on the ecosystem and simultaneously enhance WCE, making aerobic rice cultivation an eco-friendly and sustainable approach.

The global population including Nigeria is growing at alarming rate and to meet the demand for food, production must be increased. One of the veritable means of improving the production capacity is agroforestry. Proposition of any tree for agroforestry purpose requires the assessment of its compatibility with a test crop. This study assessed the allelopathic effect of Elaeis guineensis on germination and growth of Zea mays with a view to recommending it for agroforestry. This study took place in David Okali Laboratory in the department of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design by preparing the leachate from the leaf extract of E. guineensis in 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations and control with four replications. A petri dish within which 5 maize seeds were sown served as a replicate while 2ml of the leachate was administered every 2 days for 9 days and distilled water was added to the control experiment. Germination and growth variables such as shoot length, root length, shoot and root fresh and dry weight were assessed. The data analysis was done using one-way ANOVA, correlation and Descriptive statistics. Control treatment had the lowest germination percentage of 60% while both the 5% and 10% leachate concentration ha the highest but equal germination of 85%. Shoot length varied from 5.71cm (control) to 8.66cm (10% leachate). The effect of the leachate was significant (p<0.05) on all the growth variables except for the shoot length. Correlation coefficient between Seed Vigor Index and Mean Germination Percentage, Days of First Seed Germination was highest with coefficient value of 0.428 and 0.424 respectively compared to other growth and germination variables. It was concluded that E. guineensis has a positive allelopathic with maize, but field test experiment is recommended to affirm this claim.

Ecofriendly amendments are willing to maintain crops productivity because they are a good source of organic carbon for promoting soil biology. However, there are some counteractions led might by inputs of ecotoxicological elements to soil-plant environments. This study evaluated the effects of poultry manure (PM), rock phosphate (RP), and their combination (PMRP) on the growth, nutrient uptake, and heavy metal (HM) accumulation in ryegrass grown in two soil types: moderately acid and alkaline. A growth chamber experiment was conducted over seven weeks to assess the impact of these amendments on nutrient and heavy metals concentrations in soil, shoots, and roots. Results indicated significant increases in potassium concentrations in both shoots and roots with the PMRP treatment, particularly in moderately acid soil. In alkaline soil, PM treatment led to substantial increased in copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc concentrations, raising concerns about heavy metal accumulation. The principal component analysis further highlighted the enhanced nutrient availability and potential risks of heavy metal accumulation with PM and PMRP treatments. The findings underscore the importance of balanced fertilization strategies that optimize nutrient uptake while minimizing environmental risks. This study contributes to the understanding of integrated fertilization strategies, emphasizing the need for careful management to ensure sustainable and safe agricultural practices.

Coal char (CC) is a porous carbon material prepared from the pyrolysis of coal, which burns off the volatile matter of coal, leaving behind a high-carbon solid material. Adding porous material to the soil will directly affect the soil's physical properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of CC concentrations on soil bulk density (Db)and water-holding capacity (WHC) on sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils with CC concentrations of 0 (control), 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40% by soil weight (w/w) in a greenhouse pot experiment. Results indicate that soil Db is significantly different (p<0.01) in CC-treated soils compared to non-treated soil. Regression analysis results suggest that an increase in CC concentration reduced soil bulk density in both soils (Figure 2b), and there was a high correlation between the CC concentrations and soil Db with R2 values of 0.8171 and 0.9050 on sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils, respectively. Soil WHC on both soils was significantly different (p<0.01) after 5% CC treatments compared to the control treatment. There was a linear response between WHC and CC concentrations and a greater correlation between soil WHC and CC application rates with R2 values of 0.9871 and 0.9472 on sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils, respectively. Micro pores of CC can have contributed to higher water holding in both soils.

This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by examining the interplay between ecosystems, environment, and climate change, specifically in agriculture within the Ejura-Sekyedumase District of Ghana. Unlike previous studies covering various regions, this research focuses on a district known for its diverse ecosystems, including both savanna and forest vegetation. By narrowing the geographical scope, the study provides a localized perspective on farmers' views in the district.

The research employs a comprehensive approach with structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, offering a holistic understanding of farmers' perspectives, their understanding of climate change, and their adaptation strategies. Using purposive sampling, the study ensures representation from different sub-districts and farming practices, enhancing the robustness and generalizability of the findings. The sample consisted of 40 farmers, with 30 males and 10 females, representing 75% and 25%, respectively. Key findings highlight significant shifts in local ecosystems and the direct impact of climate change on farming practices and crop yields. The study reveals farmers' appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and agriculture, along with their commitment to sustainable practices. Notably, 69% of farmers (45% males and 24% females) were dedicated to adopting sustainable agricultural practices. The emphasis on agroecological approaches, such as agroforestry and integrated pest management, reflects their innovative strategies for resilience and mitigating climate change effects. The study underscores the importance of government intervention, suggesting policy support, financial aid, and technical knowledge dissemination to facilitate the broader adoption of sustainable practices. Although focused on the Ejura-Sekyedumase District, the insights are relevant to other regions with similar challenges. Policymakers and agricultural extension services can use these findings to design strategies that enhance climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic well-being.

Ensuring a sufficient food supply while preserving ecosystem health is crucial for researchers and agricultural stakeholders. Agroecology offers a framework for developing biodiverse agroecosystems that sustain their functionality. This study investigates how agroecological practices such as crop diversification, agroforestry, and intercropping can improve the sustainability of food systems. Through a systematic literature review, this research assesses the impact of these practices on soil productivity, water use, pollution reduction, and economic viability for farmers. It also explores how agroecology can promote social equity by supporting small-scale farmers, integrating indigenous knowledge, and fostering participatory decision-making, thereby advancing food sovereignty and community resilience. Furthermore, by combining a literature review with data analysis from major academic databases, this review aims to identify current knowledge gaps and suggest future research directions. The findings will highlight agroecology’s potential as a transdisciplinary principle to transform agricultural practices and address critical issues such as food sovereignty, nutrition quality, hunger, environmental degradation, climate change, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, rural poverty, the viability of small-scale farming, social inequalities, and the erosion of traditional agricultural knowledge, among others.

The integration of cover crops and no-tillage practices is gaining attention due to its potential to improve soil health and sustainability in agricultural systems. This study investigated the impact of cover crops and no tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC) in sandy soils, which are typically low in organic matter and prone to erosion. A field experiment was conducted over two growing seasons in a traditional olive orchard located in a semi-arid region in central eastern Tunisia. Legume-seeded (faba bean, vetch, and fenugreek) and non-tilled plots were compared with conventionally plowed plots.

The results demonstrated that cover crops and no tillage significantly increased SOC levels in the 0-30 cm soil depth and exhibited significantly higher enzymatic and microbial activity than the control plots. This increase in SOC was attributed to the aggregation of organic residues from cover crops and reduced soil disturbance, which enhanced microbial activity and carbon sequestration. Cover crops and no tillage also improved soil structure, reduced erosion, and increased water retention, contributing to overall soil health.

Consequently, the integration of cover crops and no tillage in sandy soils can effectively enhance SOC levels, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and mitigate climate change. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts and optimization of cover crop species and management practices for different soil types and climatic conditions

The genus Cylindrocladium includes phytopathogenic species that affect many crops around the world. In Argentina, it has been found to cause the black spot of yerba mate (YM) (Ilex paraguariensis), producing defoliation and large crop yield losses. I. paraguaiensis, a small tree native to South America, has economic and social importance since its leaves and branches are used to prepare a popular infusion called “mate”. In search of natural strategies to control the black YM spot, the objective of this work was to evaluate the use of peppermint (Mentha x piperita), oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) and marigold (Tagetes minuta) essential oils for Cylindrocladium sp. (Cy) control. The essential oils (EOs) were characterized by GC-MS. Cy 14-day culture grown in YM agar medium was used as inoculum; a 4 mm disc was placed at the center of the Petri dish. For each EO treatment, two EO-embedded paper discs were placed near the edge of the Petri dish. Discs with sterile water were used as control. The fungus colony diameter was measured on days 5, 7, 10 and 15. Conidium production was analyzed on day 15. The assays were made in three replicates and the results analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Oregano EO (OEO) was composed mainly of trans-sabinene hydrate and thymol, marigold EO (MEO) of dihydrotagetone and verbenone, and peppermint EO (PEO) of menthol and menthone. OEO and PEO inhibited fungal growth, showing significant differences with the control from day 5 to 10. However, on day 15, only OEO showed statistical differences (p=0.0188), suggesting that PEO could reduce the inhibition effectiveness with time. MEO showed no fungal growth inhibition. Conidium production resulted in 7.27 x 10⁶ conidia in the control while no conidia were observed in the OEO and PEO treatments. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of OEO and PEO as natural control agents against Cy.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant risk to crop productivity and food safety, highlighting the need for effective mitigation strategies. This study introduces a novel approach to alleviate Cd-induced stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by applying zinc (Zn) to the soil, aiming to enhance both crop resilience and grain Zn content. Conducted at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad during the winter season of 2022-23, the experiment utilized a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement and three replicates. Treatments included combinations of three Cd levels (0 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, and 15 mg/kg) and three Zn levels (0 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg).

The findings reveal that Cd stress markedly inhibited wheat growth, with the most severe impacts on plant height, biomass, grain yield, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic rate observed at 15 mg/kg Cd. Remarkably, Zn application effectively counteracted these effects, particularly at high Cd levels. Specifically, Zn improved plant height by 24%, shoot biomass by 10%, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate by 6.4% and 80%, respectively, and grain yield by 41%, while increasing biological yield by 11%. Notably, Zn application at 60 mg/kg not only elevated grain Zn content by 20% and protein content by 9% but also reduced grain Cd content by up to 38% compared to the control with 15 mg/kg Cd.

This study underscores the innovative use of Zn to simultaneously mitigate Cd-induced stress and improve the nutritional quality of wheat grains. The significant improvement in both growth parameters and grain quality with Zn application highlights its potential as a dual-purpose strategy for enhancing crop resilience and nutritional value, offering new insights into sustainable soil management and biofortification practices.

Introduction

Tree crops are facing increasing challenges due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Climate change exacerbates these issues, especially in Mediterranean regions such as Southern Italy. To address these issues, it is beneficial to design agricultural systems that maximize resilience, meaning the ability to withstand and recover from traumatic events or periods of difficulty. In this regard, both compost (rich in organic matter and nutrients) and mycorrhizae (symbiotic fungi with plants) can be valuable tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between these two potential strategies.

Methods

Twenty-four grapevine plants were divided into four groups treated as follows: inoculation with mycorrhizae, fertilization with compost, inoculation with commercial mycorrhizae and fertilization with compost, with no additions. The compost used was derived from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW-compost). Leaf pigmentation analyses were performed using reflectance spectrophotometry, and the percentage of mycorrhization in the roots was analyzed using methyl blue root staining and microscopy.

Results

The compost, regardless of mycorrhizal inoculation, caused a delay in leaf senescence and a higher presence of photosynthetic pigments even at the end of the growing season. The compost significantly stimulated the symbiosis with the native mycorrhizae in the soil used, with effects comparable to those under the addition of a commercial mycorrhizal inoculum.

Conclusions

The addition of MSW-compost improves the health of grapevine plants and stimulates symbiosis with native mycorrhizae. Therefore, it can be used in vineyards both as an organic fertilizer and to implement management strategies aimed at enhancing ecological interactions with beneficial soil microorganisms.