Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment最新文献

{"title":"Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Can Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Aerobically Grown Rice Under Water-Limited Conditions","authors":"Alison R. Gill,&nbsp;Thi Diem Nguyen,&nbsp;Nathaniel Jewell,&nbsp;Chris Brien,&nbsp;Stephanie J. Watts-Williams","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70190","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Rice is a vital staple crop for more than half of the global population, but water limitations threaten its production under flooded conditions. A transition to aerobic production of rice would ease water limitations but may increase nutrient management issues. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi could help by boosting nutrient and water uptake, but little is known about nitrogen (N) dynamics in these systems. We used a precision irrigation platform to apply watering treatments in combination with three soil N application treatments (160 kg urea ha⁻¹, 320 kg urea ha⁻¹ or split applications of 160 kg urea ha⁻¹ twice each) inoculation with AM fungi (<i>Rhizophagus irregularis</i>), and three commercial rice varieties: Reiziq, Topaz, and Viand. Water availability was a stronger determinant of grain biomass production than N application or AM fungal inoculation. Inoculation with AM fungi led to increased grain N concentration and N use efficiency in some varieties under water-limiting conditions. Nitrogen availability determined how much water was used by the plants, and a mid-development N application triggered increased plant water use, stomatal conductance and carbon assimilation, regardless of water availability. We conclude that AM fungal inoculation may support aerobic rice production, but that the benefits will likely be limited under low N availability.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70190","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148467144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complete Chloroplast Genome of Indonesian Sugarcane (Saccharum ‘Bululawang’): Comparative, Structural, and Evolutionary Analysis of Photosystem I-Encoding Genes","authors":"Widhi Dyah Sawitri,&nbsp;Dwi Kusuma Wahyuni,&nbsp;Triono Bagus Saputro,&nbsp;Denianto Agung Wicaksono,&nbsp;Muhammad Rafi Fairuza,&nbsp;Tiara Putria Judith,&nbsp;Ganies Riza Aristya","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70187","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Sugarcane is one of the most important crops, providing the majority of global sugar production and serving as a major feedstock for bioenergy. Increasing demands for sustainable sugar production under climate and productivity constraint have intensified the need for molecular-level characterization of elite cultivars. Indonesia, as a country with a long history of sugarcane cultivation, has several superior sugarcane cultivars. The domestic sugarcane ‘Bululawang’ is currently dominant due to its advantageous agronomic parameters. Molecular investigations, particularly genome sequencing and functional analysis of photosystem I, are essential to understand the mechanisms underlying photosynthesis and biomass formation. This study aimed to perform comparative plastome analysis of sugarcane ‘Bululawang’ against other species from <i>Saccharum</i> and <i>Zea</i>; and specifically characterise the <i>psa</i> genes in terms of gene organization, protein structure and codon usage bias. Methods included sample collection, high molecular weight DNA isolation, library preparation, long-read sequencing, chloroplast genome assembly and annotation, followed by gene classification and data analysis. The analysis covered comparative chloroplast genome analysis, phylogenetic and selection pressure analysis, gene structure, conserved motifs, protein structure and codon usage bias analysis. The results showed that the plastome of <i>Saccharum</i> ‘Bululawang’ exhibited high conservation across species within <i>Saccharum</i> genus. The concatenated sequences provided sufficient phylogenetic resolution at the genus level. Each of the five photosystem I-encoding genes feature a single-exon structure without introns and possess highly conserved functional motifs (<i>p</i>-value 2.29 × 10⁻⁵⁵ to 0.00 × 10⁰). Protein analysis revealed high stability (ipTM &gt; 0.95) in PsaA and PsaB subunits, with structural similarity nearly identical to the reference (RMSD &lt; 1.0 Å). Codon usage profiling indicated a bias towards TTA (RSCU 3.01) and CGG (RSCU 3.00) codons. In conclusion, sugarcane ‘Bululawang’ possesses a conserved photosystem I structure, warranting further investigation into its functional relevance for photosynthetic efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70187","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Glomus iranicum var. Tenuihypharum as a Biofertilizer Modulates Soil Microbial Community Composition and Enhances Soil Carbon Dynamics in Nectarine Cultivation","authors":"María Patiño-García,&nbsp;Rafael López-Follana,&nbsp;Jose Joaquín Saorín,&nbsp;Pedro Casas,&nbsp;Alfonso Vera,&nbsp;Emilio Nicolás,&nbsp;José A. Siles,&nbsp;Felipe Bastida","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70176","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70176","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The development of biofertilization strategies based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) represents a promising approach to enhance crop productivity and soil health while reducing the environmental footprint of conventional fertilization. This study evaluated the effects of <i>Glomus iranicum</i> var. tenuihypharum inoculation on soil physicochemical properties, abundance and diversity of soil microbial communities, and physiological performance of nectarine (<i>Prunus persica</i> var. <i>nucipersica</i>) under Mediterranean field conditions. Soil inoculation with <i>G. iranicum</i> var. tenuihypharum significantly increased soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, and basal respiration, together with enhanced plant photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. These improvements were accompanied by early, but transient shifts in soil microbial community composition. The structure of the fungal community exhibited a marked alteration at the initial sampling point (30 days after application). Nevertheless, the differences in fungal community composition between inoculated and control soils diminished by the second sampling (90 days after application). This trend suggests a transient shift in plant–soil communication dynamics. Bacterial assemblages also responded, showing a reduction in Actinobacteria (e.g., <i>Rubrobacter</i>, <i>Solirubrobacter</i>) and an increase in Acidobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. Additionally, the abundance of the ammonia-oxidizing archaeon <i>Nitrososphaera</i> increased following inoculation, suggesting potential effects on nitrification processes. Overall, <i>Glomus iranicum</i> var. tenuihypharum enhanced soil carbon storage and microbial activity, while stimulating plant physiological performance, without causing long-lasting alterations to the native microbiome. These results highlight the potential of products containing <i>Glomus iranicum</i> var. tenuihypharum as biofertilizers as part of a sustainable strategy to improve soil functionality, nutrient cycling, and crop productivity in Mediterranean fruit agroecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70176","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466721","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Biostimulants Improve Germination, Growth and Nutrient Availability of Ornamental Kale in Sustainable Peat-Free Cultivation","authors":"Ruvini Ranasingha,&nbsp;Anya Perera,&nbsp;Kambiz Baghalian,&nbsp;Chungui Lu","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70186","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ornamental kale (<i>Brassica oleracea</i> var. <i>acephala</i> ‘Frost Byte’) is valued for both ornamental and edible use, but its successful establishment depends on suitable growing substrates. While peat-based media provide favourable water retention and aeration, environmental concerns over peat extraction have driven interest in peat-free alternatives, which may have limitations in nutrient buffering and structural stability. Microbial biostimulants containing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a potential solution by enhancing nutrient availability, improving substrate conditions and stimulating early root development.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigated the combined effects of microbial biostimulant application and substrate composition on germination, growth, pigmentation and nutrient dynamics in ornamental kale. A factorial glasshouse experiment compared two peat-based substrates (JF, VT) and two peat-free substrates (PF, MP), each with or without the microbial biostimulant Vitalnova TriBoost (0.5 g L⁻¹). Plant growth parameters and substrate physicochemical properties were analysed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microbial biostimulants improved plant establishment across substrates, although responses were strongly substrate dependent. In peat-based media (JF, VT), germination showed only minor changes, increasing by 10% in JF while VT remained unchanged, with 7%–17% increases in crown diameter and plant height and up to 25% more leaves. In peat-free substrates, germination increased by about 13% in PF and 80% in MP, despite more limited gains in vegetative growth. Biostimulant application also enhanced substrate properties, increasing phosphorus by about 50% and potassium by 70%–125% in peat-based media, while in peat-free substrates it reduced bulk density by up to 18% and increased phosphorus by 33%–50% and potassium by 90%–95% indicating improved nutrient availability and structural conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, microbial biostimulants can enhance the performance of peat-free growing media, partially mitigating their structural and nutritional limitations, highlighting their potential to support more sustainable peat-free horticultural production.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70186","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial Biostimulants Improve Germination, Growth and Nutrient Availability of Ornamental Kale in Sustainable Peat-Free Cultivation","authors":"Ruvini Ranasingha,&nbsp;Anya Perera,&nbsp;Kambiz Baghalian,&nbsp;Chungui Lu","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70186","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70186","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ornamental kale (<i>Brassica oleracea</i> var. <i>acephala</i> ‘Frost Byte’) is valued for both ornamental and edible use, but its successful establishment depends on suitable growing substrates. While peat-based media provide favourable water retention and aeration, environmental concerns over peat extraction have driven interest in peat-free alternatives, which may have limitations in nutrient buffering and structural stability. Microbial biostimulants containing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) offer a potential solution by enhancing nutrient availability, improving substrate conditions and stimulating early root development.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigated the combined effects of microbial biostimulant application and substrate composition on germination, growth, pigmentation and nutrient dynamics in ornamental kale. A factorial glasshouse experiment compared two peat-based substrates (JF, VT) and two peat-free substrates (PF, MP), each with or without the microbial biostimulant Vitalnova TriBoost (0.5 g L⁻¹). Plant growth parameters and substrate physicochemical properties were analysed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Microbial biostimulants improved plant establishment across substrates, although responses were strongly substrate dependent. In peat-based media (JF, VT), germination showed only minor changes, increasing by 10% in JF while VT remained unchanged, with 7%–17% increases in crown diameter and plant height and up to 25% more leaves. In peat-free substrates, germination increased by about 13% in PF and 80% in MP, despite more limited gains in vegetative growth. Biostimulant application also enhanced substrate properties, increasing phosphorus by about 50% and potassium by 70%–125% in peat-based media, while in peat-free substrates it reduced bulk density by up to 18% and increased phosphorus by 33%–50% and potassium by 90%–95% indicating improved nutrient availability and structural conditions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, microbial biostimulants can enhance the performance of peat-free growing media, partially mitigating their structural and nutritional limitations, highlighting their potential to support more sustainable peat-free horticultural production.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70186","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond Topography: Climate-Based Functional Zoning for Adaptive Cotton Management in Arid Regions","authors":"Pengfei Wu,&nbsp;Zhongli Liu,&nbsp;Zhancheng Zhao,&nbsp;Jian Huang","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70184","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Background&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Climate change is exacerbating vulnerabilities in industrial cotton systems of arid regions. Effective agricultural zoning is therefore crucial for implementing targeted management practices that mitigate climate risks and optimise cotton productivity. However, traditional topography-based zoning fails to capture the spatial heterogeneity of key hydrothermal factors, thus limiting precision in adaptive management.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;We integrated 2010–2021 climate data and county-level cotton yield records from 91 counties in Xinjiang, China. Functional cultivation zones were delineated using consensus clustering of 10-day precipitation and accumulated temperatures above 10°C and above 15°C. Key discriminants among zones were identified via empirical Bayes shrinkage of linear models. Zone-specific climate–yield relationships were modelled using random forest and polynomial regression to validate agroecological coherence, which informs differentiated adaptive strategies.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Three newly delineated functional zones were identified: Dispersed Class, Tianshan Northern Piedmont, and Basin-Desert. Accumulated temperatures above 15°C during critical phenological windows was the primary discriminator. Climate–yield relationships diverged markedly: Basin-Desert yields were predominantly precipitation-sensitive, whereas Tianshan Northern Piedmont and Dispersed Class yields were heat-associated, with peak sensitivity during flowering-to-boll and pre-sowing/pre-harvest periods, respectively. While the traditional North-South Xinjiang topographic zoning provides a conventional geographical framework, the hydrothermal functional zoning achieved a 2.9-fold higher multi-year mean η&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and showed a lower weighted CV than the traditional scheme (17.9% vs. 20.3%), indicating improved explanatory power and within-zone homogeneity. Collectively, these findings reveal climate–yield dynamics that transcend conventional topographic boundaries, highlighting how functional zoning, underpinned by superior temporal robustness, captures agroecological heterogeneity more effectively than static geographic classifications for guiding adaptive management.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;This study demonstrates a paradigm shift from static geographic zoning to dynamic functional zoning based on hydrothermal patterns. The framework is transferable to other warm-climate crops and serves as a decision-support tool for precision agriculture, enabling e","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70184","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond Topography: Climate-Based Functional Zoning for Adaptive Cotton Management in Arid Regions","authors":"Pengfei Wu,&nbsp;Zhongli Liu,&nbsp;Zhancheng Zhao,&nbsp;Jian Huang","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70184","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Background&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Climate change is exacerbating vulnerabilities in industrial cotton systems of arid regions. Effective agricultural zoning is therefore crucial for implementing targeted management practices that mitigate climate risks and optimise cotton productivity. However, traditional topography-based zoning fails to capture the spatial heterogeneity of key hydrothermal factors, thus limiting precision in adaptive management.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Methods&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;We integrated 2010–2021 climate data and county-level cotton yield records from 91 counties in Xinjiang, China. Functional cultivation zones were delineated using consensus clustering of 10-day precipitation and accumulated temperatures above 10°C and above 15°C. Key discriminants among zones were identified via empirical Bayes shrinkage of linear models. Zone-specific climate–yield relationships were modelled using random forest and polynomial regression to validate agroecological coherence, which informs differentiated adaptive strategies.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Results&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;Three newly delineated functional zones were identified: Dispersed Class, Tianshan Northern Piedmont, and Basin-Desert. Accumulated temperatures above 15°C during critical phenological windows was the primary discriminator. Climate–yield relationships diverged markedly: Basin-Desert yields were predominantly precipitation-sensitive, whereas Tianshan Northern Piedmont and Dispersed Class yields were heat-associated, with peak sensitivity during flowering-to-boll and pre-sowing/pre-harvest periods, respectively. While the traditional North-South Xinjiang topographic zoning provides a conventional geographical framework, the hydrothermal functional zoning achieved a 2.9-fold higher multi-year mean η&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and showed a lower weighted CV than the traditional scheme (17.9% vs. 20.3%), indicating improved explanatory power and within-zone homogeneity. Collectively, these findings reveal climate–yield dynamics that transcend conventional topographic boundaries, highlighting how functional zoning, underpinned by superior temporal robustness, captures agroecological heterogeneity more effectively than static geographic classifications for guiding adaptive management.&lt;/p&gt;\u0000 &lt;/section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;section&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;h3&gt; Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;\u0000 \u0000 &lt;p&gt;This study demonstrates a paradigm shift from static geographic zoning to dynamic functional zoning based on hydrothermal patterns. The framework is transferable to other warm-climate crops and serves as a decision-support tool for precision agriculture, enabling e","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70184","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148324050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No-Tillage History and Residue Application Methods Regulate Net Carbon Balance via Contrasting Priming Responses in Andosols","authors":"Daniel Asiamah Aboagye,&nbsp;Han Lyu,&nbsp;Hideaki Yasuno,&nbsp;Rahmatullah Hashimi,&nbsp;Masakazu Komatsuzaki,&nbsp;Haruo Tanaka,&nbsp;Soh Sugihara","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70178","url":null,"abstract":"<p>No-tillage (NT) is promoted as a climate-change mitigation practice for its potential to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. Yet the effects of long-term NT legacies and residue application methods on new C stabilization, priming effects (PE), and net C balance in humid Andosols remain unclear. Here, we conducted a 1-year field incubation experiment using ¹³C-labelled plant residue (C/N = 25.8) in an Andosol collected from long-term NT and conventional tillage (CT) sites in Japan. Residues were applied under three treatments (n = 4): surface application on intact NT soil (NTSA), surface application on CT soil with disrupted structure due to both tillage and sampling effects (CTSA), and incorporation into CT soil with similarly disrupted structure (CTMIX), and controls without residue additions (NTCK and CTCK). Soil- and residue-derived CO₂ emissions were measured over 375 days. Soils were collected at days 28, 91, 183, and 375 to quantify residue-derived C remaining and microbial biomass C. PE and net C balance were also assessed. Surface residue application (NTSA and CTSA) resulted in greater residue mineralization than CTMIX, indicating that surface-application-driven CO₂ emissions were stimulated regardless of tillage history. PEs were greater in CTSA (+2690 mg C kg⁻¹ soil) than in NTSA or CTMIX (+154 and −518 mg C kg⁻¹ soil, respectively). In the surface layer (0–2.5 cm), the ratio of microbially immobilized residue-derived C to the total MBC was higher in CTSA than in NTSA, indicating that long-term NT may reduce microbial responses and consequently suppress PE. Accordingly, NTSA and CTMIX showed a more favourable net C balance than CTSA. These results indicate that long-term NT promotes SOC retention through soil structural preservation and microbial adaptation to surface C inputs, whereas residue mixing may compensate tillage-induced SOC losses. Overall, long-term NT legacies and residue application methods regulated SOC dynamics through distinct mechanisms in humid Andosols.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70178","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No-Tillage History and Residue Application Methods Regulate Net Carbon Balance via Contrasting Priming Responses in Andosols","authors":"Daniel Asiamah Aboagye,&nbsp;Han Lyu,&nbsp;Hideaki Yasuno,&nbsp;Rahmatullah Hashimi,&nbsp;Masakazu Komatsuzaki,&nbsp;Haruo Tanaka,&nbsp;Soh Sugihara","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70178","url":null,"abstract":"<p>No-tillage (NT) is promoted as a climate-change mitigation practice for its potential to enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration. Yet the effects of long-term NT legacies and residue application methods on new C stabilization, priming effects (PE), and net C balance in humid Andosols remain unclear. Here, we conducted a 1-year field incubation experiment using ¹³C-labelled plant residue (C/N = 25.8) in an Andosol collected from long-term NT and conventional tillage (CT) sites in Japan. Residues were applied under three treatments (n = 4): surface application on intact NT soil (NTSA), surface application on CT soil with disrupted structure due to both tillage and sampling effects (CTSA), and incorporation into CT soil with similarly disrupted structure (CTMIX), and controls without residue additions (NTCK and CTCK). Soil- and residue-derived CO₂ emissions were measured over 375 days. Soils were collected at days 28, 91, 183, and 375 to quantify residue-derived C remaining and microbial biomass C. PE and net C balance were also assessed. Surface residue application (NTSA and CTSA) resulted in greater residue mineralization than CTMIX, indicating that surface-application-driven CO₂ emissions were stimulated regardless of tillage history. PEs were greater in CTSA (+2690 mg C kg⁻¹ soil) than in NTSA or CTMIX (+154 and −518 mg C kg⁻¹ soil, respectively). In the surface layer (0–2.5 cm), the ratio of microbially immobilized residue-derived C to the total MBC was higher in CTSA than in NTSA, indicating that long-term NT may reduce microbial responses and consequently suppress PE. Accordingly, NTSA and CTMIX showed a more favourable net C balance than CTSA. These results indicate that long-term NT promotes SOC retention through soil structural preservation and microbial adaptation to surface C inputs, whereas residue mixing may compensate tillage-induced SOC losses. Overall, long-term NT legacies and residue application methods regulated SOC dynamics through distinct mechanisms in humid Andosols.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70178","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Solar Energy and Conservation to Support Resilient Agricultural Landscapes","authors":"Adam Gallaher,&nbsp;Matthew A. Sturchio,&nbsp;Ivy Jean Reynolds","doi":"10.1002/sae2.70181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/sae2.70181","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Across the globe, agricultural systems face intensifying economic, ecological, and societal pressures as climate change accelerates soil degradation, production risks, and destabilizes rural livelihoods. In the United States (US), small family farms are operating on increasingly thin margins as net-zero energy commitments accelerate ground-based solar deployment, amplifying concerns over competition for limited agricultural land. By intentionally integrating ecological principles into solar siting, ecovoltaics can, under appropriate design and management conditions, restore biodiversity, improve soil health, and enhance water retention while generating renewable energy. These multifunctional landscapes can offer small family farmers stable off-farm income, potentially reducing financial vulnerability and supporting farmland preservation. Coupled with intentional policies, ecovoltaics can diversify rural tax bases, providing predictable revenue streams for essential services while reducing dependence on volatile industries. We argue that rather than viewing solar as a potential threat to agricultural communities, policymakers should consider it one of many potential tools for building resilience by advancing net-zero goals while simultaneously revitalizing rural communities and regenerating degraded ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":100834,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment","volume":"5 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/sae2.70181","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148282309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}