Phosphorus fertilization reduces zinc concentration of cereals

Picture copyright Zhang et al.

Zhang et al. highlighted recently that phosphorus fertilizer application reduces grain Zinc (Zn) concentration by 16.6% for wheat and 20.2% for maize. However, Zn content in grain of wheat and rice increases with increasing P fertilization. They ascribe this effect to a mere ‘dilution effect’ (i.e., same abundance in greater biomass) because grain biomass increases in response to P applications while root Zn uptake efficiency declines. They reckoned that attempts for increasing grain Zn concentration by biofortification should consider these effects carefully.

Camelina, an emerging oilseed crop for Europe

Picture copyright UNIBO

Crop diversification is an effective lever for the agroecological transition by enhancing crop productivity and quality, soil health and fertility, system resilience, and farmers’ income. Diversification-wise, the ancient oilseed crop camelina is particularly interesting because of its broad environmental adaptability, low-input requirements, resistance to many pests and diseases, and multiple uses. Scientists Zanetti et al. reviewed 30 years of European research on camelina and consider this crop a good alternative to oilseed or sunflower in European farming systems.

Novel insights in cassava NPK nutrition

Picture copyright Adiele et al.

Fertilizing cassava improves productivity and fulfills the rising demand for food, feed or raw materials in processing industries. For cassava field crops, Scientists Adiele et al. determined crop growth dynamics, NPK demand, and nutrient allocation to organs. They developed nutrition indices for N, P and K using a “dilution curve” approach. Their novel insights help to identify sustainable management practices to optimize fertilizer application, develop nutrient-limited crop models and improve cassava production.

Understanding German farmer’s intention to adopt mixed cropping systems

Picture copyright Bonke and Musshoff

Mixed cropping with several main crops increases biodiversity. However, pure stands are still favored, and mixed cropping is a challenge for farmers. Scientists Bonke and Musshoff analyzed the psychological factors motivating the adoption of mixed cropping in Germany. They highlight the importance of farmers’ attitudes towards mixed cropping, perceived behavioral control, and several social group norms. They suggest that adoption depends on both the willingness to adopt and economic reasoning.

Tractors will change the face of African farming

Picture copyright Thomas Daum

Agricultural mechanization is on the rise across Africa. Researchers Daum et al. reckon it is changing the face of African farming and rural areas. On the upside, mechanization can reduce poverty and enhance food security. On the downside, however, mechanization may enhance deforestation, soil erosion, land-use conflicts, and gender inequalities. Mechanization strategies have to consider environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability to ensure a sustainable transformation of African agriculture.

Mirid bug – fungal pathogen interactions on crop plants

Picture copyright Ratnadass and Deguine

The Miridae are a vast insect family, comprising both well-known plant pests and natural enemies. They interact often with plant fungal infections on many crops. Scientists Ratnadass and Deguine reviewed the bug – fungal pathogen – crop frameworks. They showed that their interactions are mainly shaped by the necrotrophic status of mirid bugs and by the biotrophic or necrotrophic status of fungal pathogens. They propose agroecological options to manage both types of aggressors.

Multi-criteria decision analysis methods in agri-food research

Picture copyright Gésan-Guiziou et al.

The assessment of agri-food system sustainability requires a multi-criteria approach based on multidisciplinary efforts. Scientists Gésan-Guiziou et al. analyzed the diversity and potentiality of multi-criteria decision analysis techniques in agri-food research. They showed a strong influence of scientific disciplines on the methods used and suggested potential improvements. To become more effective, these methods must extend to ecosystem services and include participatory science actors in the construction and decision processes.

By dispersing seeds, bats generate essential ecosystem services

Picture copyright Enríquez-Acevedo et al.

When frugivorous bats forage for fruits in forests or agricultural lands, they serve the important ecological function of seed dispersal. In the Colombian Andean region, researchers Enríquez-Acevedo et al. studied how seed dispersal by fruit bats can generate important ecosystem services for agroecosystems, mixed-crops being more impacted than extensive livestock agroecosystems, and eventually for society.

Insights from 40 years of research on mycorrhiza – walnut tree root interactions

Picture copyright Mortier et al.

Walnut trees strongly depend on arbuscular mycorrhizae for their mineral nutrition. In return, these fungi obtain from the trees, sugars and lipids to sustain their growth and reproduction. Scientists Mortier et al. surveyed 40 years of scientific literature on the relationships between arbuscular mycorrhizae and walnut tree roots. The root colonization process leads to enhanced seedling survival and quality. The knowledge of positive and negative feedbacks between walnut planting and the fungi allows developing sustainable walnut agroforestry systems.

Fertilization strategies for integrated crop-livestock systems

Picture copyright Carie van Ravenswaay

Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems are nature-inspired food production systems, seeking sustainable intensification. They count on diversity and nutrient cycling to deliver ecosystem services, although their current fertilization practices follow a conventional per crop basis. Scientists Farias et al. evaluated several systems growing soybean in rotation with pastures for sheep. They showed that adopting a system fertilization strategy and integrating crops with livestock saved on fertilization, thereby decreasing costs and pollution while retrieving autonomy at the farm level.