Integrating simulation data from a crop model in the development of an agri-environmental indicator for soil cover in Switzerland

Agriculture generates important impacts on the environment, which can be evaluated with agri-environmental indicators. A key element of environment protection in agriculture is the maintenance of a dense soil cover for the longest possible period. Notably, soil cover is known to diminish erosion risks and nitrate leaching. In this study, an agri-environmental indicator for soil cover is presented, which integrates data from the crop model STICS to quantify vegetation growth dynamics. Simulations were conducted with STICS for the major crops cultivated in Switzerland across several contrasting pedoclimatic situations. They were then integrated with data for crop residue cover to evaluate soil cover at the field and farm levels in the framework of a farm network survey. At the field level, for the period from the harvest of the previous crop through the harvest of the main crop, the highest soil cover was achieved by silage maize and winter barley. A high variability between fields was observed, due to the diversity of cultural practices during the period preceding the seeding of the main crops. Some crops, winter wheat in particular, showed a high number of days with insufficient soil cover (under 30%), leading to potential environmental risks. This shows the crucial need of promoting conservation agriculture principles (permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance, diversification of crop rotation) in arable systems to better protect the soils and the environment. The soil cover indicator presented here provided a continuous quantification of soil cover, whereas most of the currently used indicators provide qualitative or roughly quantitative results.     

Effects of residue mulch and tillage on soil moisture conservation

The effects of selected soil management practices (conventional tillage, tied ridges and crop residue mulching) on soil moisture conservation in a semi-arid area of Kenya were studied during the short rains period, 1988, and long rains period, 1989. Three treatments, mulching, tied ridges and conventional tillage with three replications of each practice under a completely randomized block design, were used in the study. Nine experimental plots, each 4 m × 10 m were set up on a slope of 2%. During the study period, soil moisture was monitored on a weekly basis using the neutron probe at predetermined depths to a maximum depth of 120 cm. Calibration of the neutron probe was done for the soil at two depth ranges: 0–90 cm and 90–120 cm. The need to calibrate the probe for the 90–120 cm depth arose due to the presence of iron concretions within this depth range. The results obtained from this study showed that overall, crop residue mulching did result in more moisture down the profile throughout the two seasons within 2 years than the other two tillage practices. The tied ridged plots had the lowest amount of soil moisture in the soil profile during the two seasons. Thus the application of surface crop residue mulch seems to be the best soil management practice for increased soil moisture conservation and improved crop performance in rainfall marginal areas of Kenya.     

Intercropping maize and wheat with conservation agriculture principles improves water harvesting and reduces carbon emissions in dry areas

In arid and populated areas or countries, water shortage and heavy carbon emissions are threatening agricultural sustainability with food security severely, and becoming a major issue. It is unclear whether improved farming systems can be developed to tackle those issues through a sustainable agriculture. Here three farming practices that have proven to be essential and successful, which were: (a) crop intensification through strip intercropping, (b) water harvesting through conservation tillage; and (c) carbon sequestration through improved crop residue management options, were integrated in one cropping system. We hypothesize that the integrated system allows the increase of crop yields with improved water use efficiency, while reducing carbon emissions from farming. The hypothesis was tested in field experiments at Hexi Corridor (37°96′N, 102°64′E) in northwest China. We found that the integrated system increased soil moisture (mm) by 7.4% before sowing, 10.3% during the wheat–maize co-growth period, 8.3% after wheat harvest, and 9.2% after maize harvest, compared to the conventional sole cropping systems. The wheat/maize intercrops increased net primary production by 68% and net ecosystem production by 72%; and when combined with straw mulching on the soil surface, it decreased carbon emissions by 16%, compared to the monoculture maize without mulch. The wheat/maize intercrops used more water but increased grain yields by 142% over the monoculture wheat and by 23% over the monoculture maize, thus, enhancing water use efficiency by an average of 26%. We conclude that integrating strip intercropping, conservation tillage as well as straw mulching in one cropping system can significantly boost crop yields, improve the use efficiency of the limited water resources in arid areas, while, lowering the carbon emissions from farming. The integrated system may be considered in the development of strategies for alleviating food security issues currently experienced in the environment-damaged and water-shortage areas.     

Performance and sensitivity of the DSSAT crop growth model in simulating maize yield under conservation agriculture

With the practice of conservation agriculture (CA) soil water and nutrient dynamics are modified by the presence of a mulch of crop residues and by reduced or no-tillage. These alterations may have impacts on crop yields. The crop growth model DSSAT (Decision Support Systems for Agrotechnology Transfer) has recently been modified and used to simulate these impacts on crop growth and yield. In this study, we applied DSSAT to a long-term experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) grown under contrasting tillage and residue management practices in Monze, Southern Province of Zambia. The aim was (1) to assess the capability of DSSAT in simulating crop responses to mulching and no-tillage, and (2) to understand the sensitivity of DSSAT model output to input parameters, with special attention to the determinants of the model response to the practice of CA. The model was first parameterized and calibrated for the tillage treatment (CP) of the experiment, and then run for the CA treatment by removing tillage and applying a mulch of crop residues in the model. In order to reproduce observed maize yields under the CP versus CA treatment, optimal root development in the model was restricted to the upper 22 cm soil layer in the CP treatment, while roots could optimally develop to 100 cm depth under CA. The normalized RMSE values between observed and simulated maize phenology and total above ground biomass and grain yield indicated that the CA treatment was equally well simulated as the CP treatment, for which the model was calibrated. A global sensitivity analysis using co-inertia analysis was performed to describe the DSSAT model response to 32 model input parameters and crop management factors. Phenological cultivar parameters were the most influential model parameters. This analysis also demonstrated that in DSSAT mulching primarily affects the surface soil organic carbon content and secondly the total soil moisture content, since it is negatively correlated with simulated soil water evaporation and run-off. The correlations between the input parameters or crop management factors and the output variables were stable over a wide range of seasonal rainfall conditions. A local sensitivity analysis of simulated maize yield to three key parameters for the simulation of the CA practice revealed that DSSAT responds to mulching particularly when rooting depth is restricted, i.e., when water is a critical limiting crop growth factor. The results of this study demonstrate that DSSAT can be used to simulate crop responses to CA, in particular through simulated mulching effects on the soil water balance, but other, often site-specific, factors that are not modeled by DSSAT, such as plough pan formation under CP or improved soil structure under CA, may need to be considered in the model parameterization to reproduce the observed crop yield effects of CA versus CP.     

Physiological traits and cereal germplasm for sustainable agricultural systems

Plant breeding is not a discipline that readily comes to mind when agricultural sustainability is being considered. Sustainability is normally associated with farming practices such as stubble retention, direct-drilling, or amelioration practices such as contour farming or liming, or rotation practices for nutrient management and disease control. The contribution of plant breeding will be in providing germplasm for these changed practices and devising new methods of selection. This paper reviews opportunities where plant breeding can contribute to improvements in sustainable farming practices. The emphasis is on rainfed cropping systems and cereal improvement. The main contribution for breeding is to (i) increase crop water and nutrient use so that less escapes from the root profile; and (ii) preserve the soil resource with conservation farming systems by developing cultivars specifically adapted to changed farming systems and competitive cultivars that reduce herbicide use. To achieve these outcomes identification of desirable traits, suitable selection methods and development of appropriate germplasm are discussed.     

Exploring integrated crop–livestock systems in different ecoregions of the United States

Large-scale, energy-intensive, specialized production systems have dominated agricultural production in the United States for the past half-century. Although highly productive and economically successful, there is increasing concern with unintended negative environmental impacts of current agricultural systems. Production systems integrating crops and livestock have potential for providing additional ecosystem services from agriculture by capturing positive ecological interactions and avoiding negative environmental outcomes, while sustaining profitability. A diversity of ecologically sound integrated crop-livestock systems have been and can be employed in different ecoregions: sod-based crop rotations, grazing cover crops in cash-crop rotations, crop residue grazing, sod intercropping, dual-purpose cereal crops, and agroforestry/silvopasture. Improved technologies in conservation tillage, weed control, fertilization, fencing, and planting, as well as improved plant genetics offer opportunities to facilitate successful adoption of integrated systems. This paper explores the use and potential of integrated crop-livestock systems in achieving environmental stewardship and maintaining profitability under a diversity of ecological conditions in the United States.     

Effects of input management and crop diversity on non-renewable energy use efficiency of cropping systems in the Canadian Prairie

Although producers’ prime objective may be to increase net returns, many are also interested in conserving and enhancing the quality the soil, water and air resources through adopting more environmentally friendly production practices. This study compared non-renewable energy inputs, energy output, and energy use efficiency of nine dryland cropping systems comprised of a factorial combination of three methods of input management [high (HIGH), i.e., conventional tillage plus full recommended rates of fertilizer and pesticides; reduced (RED), i.e., conservation tillage plus reduced rates of fertilizer and pesticides; and organic (ORG), i.e., conventional tillage plus N-fixing legumes and non-chemical means of weed and pest control]; and three crop rotation systems with varying levels of cropping diversity [a fallow-based rotation with low crop diversity (LOW); a diversified rotation using annual cereal, oilseed and pulse grains (DAG); and a diversified rotation using annual grains and perennial forages (DAP)]. The study was conducted over the 1996–2007 period on a Dark Brown Chernozemic soil (Typic Boroll) in the Canadian Prairies. As expected, total direct plus indirect energy input was the highest for the HIGH and RED input treatments (3773 MJ ha^?1 year^?1), and 50% less for ORG management. Most of the energy savings came from the non-use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides in the ORG management treatments. Further, total energy use was the highest for the DAG treatments (3572 MJ ha^?1 year^?1), and similar but about 18% lower for the DAP and LOW crop diversity treatments compared to DAG. Thus, overall, the HIGH/DAG and RED/DAG systems had the highest energy requirements (4409 MJ ha^?1 year^?1) and ORG/DAP had the lowest (1806 MJ ha^?1 year^?1). Energy output (calorimetric energy content) was typically the highest for the HIGH input treatments (26,541 MJ ha^?1 year^?1), was about 4% less with RED, and 37% less with ORG management. The latter reflected the lower crop yields obtained with organic management. Similarly, energy output was the highest for the DAP treatments (25,008 MJ ha^?1 year^?1), about 5% less for DAG, and 20% less for the LOW crop diversity treatments. The higher energy output with the DAP treatments largely reflected that the entire harvested biomass of the forage crops was included in energy output, while for grain crops only the seed was included. The straw and crop residues from annual crops were returned to the land to protect the soil from erosion and to maintain soil organic matter as this is the recommended practice in this semi-arid region. In contrast to energy output and to net energy produced, energy use efficiency (measured as yield of grain plus forage produced per unit of energy input or as energy output/energy input ratio) was the highest for the ORG input treatments (497 kg of harvested production GJ^?1 of energy input, and an energy output/energy input ratio of 8.8). We obtained lower, but generally similar energy use efficiency for the HIGH and RED input treatments (392 kg GJ^?1 and ratio of 7.1). Thus, overall, ORG/DAP was the most energy efficient cropping system, while RED/LOW and RED/DAG generally ranked the lowest in energy use efficiency. Our findings support the current movement of producers toward ORG management as a means of reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy inputs and improving overall energy use efficiency of their cropping systems. Our results also suggest that moving away from traditional monoculture cereal rotations that employ frequent summer fallowing, toward extended and diversified crop rotations that use reduced tillage methods, although resulting in an increase in energy output, will not significantly reduce the overall reliance on non-renewable energy inputs, nor enhance energy use efficiency, unless perennial legume forages and/or legume grain crops are included in the cropping mix.     

Soil Conservation Tillage Effects on Yield and Water Use Efficiency on Irrigated Crops in Central Italy

Despite possible agronomic and environmental benefits, the diffusion of soil conservation tillage systems in Italy is currently rather low. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of different soil tillage techniques, in an effort to identify suitable soil management options for irrigated crops in Central Italy. An experiment was carried out on maize and soybean from April to October in two consecutive years (1993 and 1994) in Maccarese (a coastal location near Rome). The systems compared were: conventional mouldboard ploughing (CT), minimum tillage, ridge tillage and no-tillage (NT). In 1993, actual crop evapotranspiration was measured throughout the growing season on NT and CT soybean, using a micrometeorological technique.
No significant differences due to soil tillage were found for grain yield and yield irrigation water use efficiency (IWUEy), except for soybean in 1994, in which yields and IWUEy were 59 % higher on conservation tillage treatments compared with CT. In 1994 soybean yield water use efficiency was 10.1 and 9.5 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ for NT and CT respectively. The results suggest that the adoption of soil conservation tillage is feasible, for the specific cropping system, with equivalent or better performances as conventional tillage.     

Breeding crops for reduced-tillage management in the intensive, rice–wheat systems of South Asia

The importance of reduced tillage in sustainable agriculture is well recognized. Reduced-tillage practices (which may or may not involve retention of crop residues) and their effects differ from those of conventional tillage in several ways: soil physical properties; shifts in host–weed competition; soil moisture availability (especially when sowing deeply or under stubble); and the emergence of pathogen populations that survive on crop residues. There may be a need for genotypes suited to special forms of mechanization (e.g. direct seeding into residues) and to agronomic conditions such as allelopathy, as well as specific issues relating to problem soils. This article examines issues and breeding targets for researchers who seek to improve crops for reduced-tillage systems. Most of the examples used pertain to wheat, but we also refer to other crops. Our primary claim is that new breeding initiatives are needed to introgress favourable traits into wheat and other crops in areas where reduced or zero-tillage is being adopted. Key traits include faster emergence, faster decomposition, and the ability to germinate when deep seeded (so that crops compete with weeds and use available moisture more efficiently). Enhancement of resistance to new pathogens and insect pests surviving on crop residues must also be given attention. In addition to focusing on new traits, breeders need to assess germplasm and breeding populations under reduced tillage. Farmer participatory approaches can also enhance the effectiveness of cultivar development and selection in environments where farmers’ links with technology providers are weak. Finally, modern breeding tools may also play a substantial role in future efforts to develop adapted crop genotypes for reduced tillage.     

Management of Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) – A review

Broomrapes ( Orobanche spp.) are phanerogamic holoparasites that subsist upon the roots of many important crops thus causing considerable yield losses, especially in the drier and warmer areas of Europe, Africa and Asia.
The major principles of reducing the seed bank and controlling the weed in the germination and parasitic/ reproductive phases are critically reviewed. Practices to control broomrape include physical methods (weeding, soil tillage, flooding, irrigation, solarization, flaming), chemical methods (soil fumigation, herbicide application, use of germination stimulants) and biological methods (use of resistant or tolerant varieties, cropping systems with trap and catch crops, intercropping, biological control with insects or fungi). Cultural practices which help to avoid germination, infection or strong reproduction of the weed or improve the crop's tolerance should be optimized.
However, no single cheap method can control the weed, so integrated management practices are required. Integrated control strategies are site- and cropping-system specific but have in common that measures are taken to kill part of the seed bank, induce the conditioned seeds to germinate in the absence of the commercial crop, kill emerging Orobanche shoots before seed set during growth of the commercial crop and further reduce or avoid damage to the commercial crop.     

作物种植模式对土壤微生物和农田有害生物的影响

土壤是联系地上和地下生态系统的纽带,土壤微生物在土壤养分循环和作物吸收中起关键作用,被称为土壤质量的指标。土壤微生物通过分解土壤有机物,促进养分循环利用,并调控植物生长发育,随着现代农业种植结构的变化,特别是种植制度的改变,地上植物种类和生长状况常常影响土壤中微生物的群落结构和多样性,调控着作物生长发育,农田有害生物的发生,而影响农作物生产。综述了现代农业中几种主要种植模式,如轮作、连作和覆盖等对土壤微生物群落结构及与农作物有害生物的影响,强调科学合理选择种植模式的重要性,最后,讨论了这些种植模式有待深入研究的一些关键问题。     

Crop-livestock integration,from single practice to global functioning in the tropics: Case studies in Guadeloupe

Agricultural systems will have to produce more and better in a changing world. Mixed crop livestock systems (MCLS) are sound alternative ways to progressively achieve these goals through crop-livestock integration (CLI). CLI exploits the synergies between cropping and livestock systems, for example, through organic fertilization and the use of crop residues to feed livestock, and offers many opportunities to improve productivity, as well as to increase resource use efficiency and improve the resilience of the whole farming system. In the scientific literature, authors advocate the interest of MLCS and CLI, based on theoretical considerations, modelling and empirical evidence from local case studies. But these studies do not clearly identify the respective roles of the diversity of activities and CLI management practices in improving performances at the level of the whole farming system. The aim of this study was thus to assess CLI at farm scale in a range of MCLS and to explain farm performances by analyzing the combination of activities and the level of integration. This study was conducted in Guadeloupe, (French West Indies), where MCLS and CLI are complex but important challenges for local agricultural. Ecological network analysis was used to study the structure, functioning and performance of agrosystems. To this end, a range of eight farms was selected to characterize CLI as practices, and as a network of nitrogen flows at farm level. The land and labor productivity were then assessed along with the resilience, efficiency, productivity and self-sufficiency of the network of flows. Results show that CLI only applies to certain types of production, including feeding pigs with a wide range of crop residues (crop residues provide from 16 to 45% of the N supply to pigs) or organic fertilization of small market gardens and plots used to grow tubers (manure provides 24–100% of the N supply to plots). But at whole system level, CLI remains low: in seven cases, the N circulating within the system – ICR- represent only between 0.7 to 3.5% of the total N circulating through the system; only one farm presents a higher intensity of CLI, with an ICR of 18.9%. Consequently, performances and especially efficiency and productivity, depend more on the nature of the activity than on CLI management practices.     

Sustainability of dairy farming system in Tuscany in a changing climate

It is widely accepted that our climate is changing due to the increasing atmospheric concentrations of the ‘greenhouse gases’, and these changes may exercise strong impacts on different economic sectors. In particular for agricultural systems, such a change may have significant impacts on crop yield, cattle breeding and related management practices. Accordingly, the economic viability of agricultural production systems in future scenarios is a main concern especially for policy-making purposes. Up until now, the impact of climate change on agriculture has focused on change in crop yield, whereas a ‘holistic’ approach, considering both benefits (in terms of direct economic income) and detrimental environmental impacts of agricultural practices (soil loss, nitrogen leaching, water balance) has not been considered. On these premises, the objective of the present article was to assess agricultural sustainability on a farm level in Tuscany (central Italy) under the climate change regime, considering both conventional and organic farming systems (CFS and OFS, respectively). In particular, an ecological–economic optimisation model was run for both the present and future scenarios to perform an integrated assessment of sustainability of CFS and OFS on the case-study farm.     

Recent Advances in the Enhancement of Agroecosystem Services and Functioning by Cotton-based Intercropping Systems

Cotton-based intercropping systems are one of modern agriculture farming systems aiming at improving overall economic profitability of cotton field, which not only release the competition for land between other crops and cotton and increase growing area and yield of both crops, but also represent a mechanistic approach to reconciling crop production and biodiversity conservation. Recently, cotton-based intercropping systems have been widely focused and applied. Here, we reviewed the potential of cotton-based intercropping systems to reinforce agroecosystem services and functioning, including promoted plant biodiversity, improved overall productivity and economic profits, increased light use efficiency, improved cotton quality, reduced pest and disease occurrence, and suppressed weed growth. Further, the underlying mechanisms behind the enhancement of agroecosystem services and functioning by cotton-based intercropping systems through niche complementarity, interspecific facilitation, and allelopathy between intercropped species were summarized in the paper. Finally, the research prospects were also pointed out.     

A survey on actual agricultural practices and their effects on the mineral nitrogen concentration of the soil solution

In intensive integrated crop-livestock farming systems, the surplus of N at the farm scale may be large and reflects on the N balance at the field scale. A study was conducted to assess the N fertilizer efficiency in four private farms in intensively cropped areas of NW Italy, and to monitor the effects of agricultural practices on the mineral N concentration of the soil solution, sampled every 2 weeks for 2 years and considered as an indicator of potential leaching. Two cultivation systems were compared in each farm, one involving continuous maize rotation, the other assuring a continuous soil cover (permanent meadow or winter cereal-maize double cropping system). The fertilization level in the arable crops was high (369–509 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) compared to the crop removals, and resulted in a low efficiency, as indicated by the four examined efficiency indexes (calculated N surplus, N removal-fertilizer ratio, N apparent recovery, N use efficiency). The soil-water-nitrate concentration showed large temporal variations in the range of 1–150 mg l⁻¹ for five out of the eight cropping situations, while concentrations smaller than 10 mg l⁻¹ were always recorded in the meadows and in one of the four soils (Aeric epiaquept). The fertilizer management that characterized each cropping system affected the soil-mineral-nitrate content in shallow arable soils. The longer soil cover duration in double-cropping systems did not result in a reduction of soil N compared to maize as a single crop, not even in winter (the bare-soil intercropping period in maize-based systems). However, the temporal oscillations of the concentration were buffered by the crop cover duration and by the presence of a shallow water table (1 m deep) in the soil profile. The average nitrate content of the soil could be predicted by the N uptake of the crop, the N removal–fertilizer ratio, the soil pH and sand content, however no simple explanatory relationship was found with the experimental factors. Hence, in farm conditions, in the absence of sufficient data for a deterministic model approach, the target of reducing the risk of leaching should be achieved by maximizing the fertilizer efficiency.     

Seasonal and crop effects on soil loss and rainfall retention probabilities: An example from the U.S. Southern Piedmont

Soil loss from and rainfall retention on cropland during individual seasons vary from year to year. To quantify this variability for evaluation of soil and water related risks for different seasons and crops, probability distributions of soil loss and rain water retention are needed. In this study, probability distributions of soil loss and rainfall retention rates were computed using rainfall, runoff, and soil loss data from three field watersheds with Cecil-Pacolet soil (Typic Hapludults) in the Southern Piedmont of the United States. Long-term (34-year) rainfall records from a nearby gage were included in the computations. Resulting probability distributions were compared to evaluate risks of soil loss and low rainfall retention for different seasons and crops. Risks due to watershed differences in slope and in terrace and waterway conservation practices were also compared. These comparisons showed that soil loss risks are greater for the summer than for the winter crop season and greater for soybean (Glycine max. L. Merr.) than for corn (Zea mays L.). Considerable soil loss risk reduction was also observed for watersheds with less land slope and with terrace and grassed waterway installation. Risk of low rainfall retention was found to be less for the winter crop season than for the summer season. Rainfall retention risks for the winter crop season appeared to be unaffected by crop and watershed differences. For the summer crop season, however, risk of low rainfall retention was observed to be slightly higher for soybean than for corn and slightly lower for fields with terraces, grassed waterways, and lesser slopes. Soil loss and rainfall retention risks computed in this study can be coupled with economic costs for crop production and conservation planning.     

Agroecological principles for the redesign of integrated crop–livestock systems

Combining crops and livestock within integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) represents an opportunity to improve the sustainability of farming systems. The objective of this paper is to analyse how agroecological principles can help farmers to redesign and improve the resilience, self-sufficiency, productivity, and efficiency of ICLS. Relying on case studies from Brazil and France, we examine how the transformation of two conventional, specialised systems into more integrated-production systems illustrates the different dynamics towards agroecological ICLS. The French case study, based on self-sufficient farming systems belonging to a sustainable agriculture network, highlights that cost-cutting management led to a win–win strategy comprising good economic and environmental performances. The farms decreased their dependence on external inputs and had only a limited loss of production. The past trajectories of the farms illustrate how increasing the interactions between subsystems improved the self-sufficiency and efficiency of the farms. The Brazilian case study compares slash-and-burn agriculture in the Amazonian region with the recovery of degraded grazing area by ICLS. A small increase in chemical inputs linked to a diversification of productions led to a large increase in production and a large decrease in environmental impacts (deforestation). The Brazilian case study also illustrates how the diversification of production increased the resilience of the system to market shocks. Reconstructing the links among soil, crops, and animals following agroecological principles could improve the different performances of ICLS. New agroecological ICLS, benefiting from diversified productions and increased interactions between subsystems, are likely to offset the trade-off between agricultural production and environmental impacts observed in current ICLS.     

河南传统农业作物起源与耕作制度演变

河南传统农业有着悠久的历史和丰富的内涵。河南传统农业作物种植历史悠久,其耕作制度以精耕细作为主要特征,以多熟种植和间、混、套作为主要方式。从野生植物驯化为粮食作物到农作物育种;从传统农具的发明创造到精耕细作这种北方旱地典型耕作制度的建立和演变,河南传统农业长盛不衰,许多方面都处于当时全国乃至世界领先地位。河南传统农业作物起源以及耕作制度的演变过程,为当今保护性耕作技术的发展和农业资源环境高效利用,为新时期粮食安全和农业现代化建设提供了有益思考。     

The Exploitation of Crop Allelopathy in Sustainable Agricultural Production

Crop allelopathy may be useful to minimize serious problems in the present agricultural production such as environmental pollution, unsafe products, human health concerns, depletion of crop diversity, soil sickness and reduction of crop productivity. Several crops including alfalfa, buckwheat, maize, rice, rye, sorghum, sunflower, wheat, etc. are affected either by their own toxicity or phytotoxin exudates when their residues decompose in the soil, that show strong suppression on weed emergences. Allelopathic crops when used as cover crop, mulch, smother crops, green manures, or grown in rotational sequences are helpful in reducing noxious weeds and plant pathogen, improve soil quality and crop yield. Those crop plants, particularly the legumes, incorporated at 1–2 tons ha⁻¹ (alfalfa, buckwheat, rice by-products), which can give weed reduction and increase of rice yield by 70 and 20 %, respectively, are suggested for use as natural herbicides. Allelochemicals from allelopathic crops may aid in the development of biological herbicides and pesticides. Cultivating a system with allelopathic crops plays an important role in the establishment of sustainable agriculture. The introduction of allelopathic traits from accessions with strong allelopathic potential to the target crops will enhance the efficacy of crop allelopathy in future agricultural production.     

Genetic resources in breeding for adaptation

Summary A crop's ability to productively exploit its environment depends on many adaptive features which are controlled by multiple genes, interacting among themselves and with the environment in complex ways.To promote widespread adoption, breeders frequently seek to develop broad adaptation in their varieties, often through the use of genes having a large effect on a single adaptive feature. Such genes may occur within the crop, its wild relatives, or unrelated taxa. Genes for many adaptive features (e.g. temperature tolerance) may be found in extreme environments. Others (e.g. photoperiod insensitivity) may have evolved away from primary centres of origin.Well characterized and documented ex situ germplasm collections aim to serve plant breeders' need for genes. Molecular marker and geographic information system (GIS) techniques are proving useful for locating and characterizing genetic diversity. New techniques (e.g. core collections and electronic information systems) are adding to the value of collections. Ex situ and in situ conservation of wild crop relatives are receiving increased attention. With all organisms becoming a potential source of genes for breeding, in situ ecosystem conservation is assuming added significance.Farmers, particularly in diverse, marginal environments in developing countries, continue to breed landraces adapted to their specific circumstances. In areas of high ecological diversity, a multitude of adaptive gene complexes have been selected within small geographic areas. Conventional breeding frequently neglects such farmers, and participatory methods based on locally adapted diversity, coupled with appropriate technical and policy support, may prove more effective in meeting their needs. Such dynamic, on-farm conservation and management systems would also enable genetic diversity to continue to evolve as a resource for conventional breeding.For genetic resources to remain a foundation for future sustainable agricultural development, complementary conservation and breeding strategies are needed.