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Background: This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance, biomass production and nutrient accumulation of three abundant leguminous weeds, namely Crotolaria micans Link., Aeschynomene indica L. and Calopogonium mucunoides Desv., found in Mizoram, India, to assess their potentiality as green manure crops. Methods: The field experiment was conducted using a randomized block design. After 90 days of sowing, the growth performance of the plants and biomass accumulation was assessed. Accumulation of nutrients was estimated by analyzing the nutrient content using standard methods and multiplying it with dry biomass. Result: The result revealed that Crotolaria micans showed higher growth and biomass accumulation. C. micans accumulates higher N, P, K, Zn, Cu and Fe contents in the shoot and root biomass while A. indica accumulates higher Ca in the root biomass. We conclude that Crotolaria micans was the most promising leguminous weed species in terms of growth performance, biomass production and nutrient accumulation and has better potential to be utilized as a green manure crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Green manure application is an effective management practice for enhancing soil nutrient levels and organic matter, but pest management in green manure fields has traditionally been ignored. The beet webworm, a polyphagous insect, is currently experiencing an outbreak in northern China, and represents a significant migratory pest. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of green manure crops on beet webworm by measuring its growth, development, fecundity, and flight ability on Chenopodium album (a suitable host), as well as three major legume green manure crops in China: Pisum sativam, Vicia sativa, and Vicia villosa. Our findings indicate that V. villosa does not serve as a host plant for the beet webworm, which experiences 100% mortality during its larval stage. This indicates that the large-scale cultivation of V. villosa as a green manure crop in northern China will not increase the risk of the beet webworm outbreaks. Although the beet webworm has a significantly lower host adaptability to P. sativam and V. sativa compared to C. album, it is still well adapted to these two green manure crops. Our research provides a foundation for selecting appropriate green manure varieties and implementing effective pest control measures during their cultivation. The application of green manure is crucial for achieving sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, but pest management is often overlooked. Conducting a risk assessment for insect pests in green manure is essential. The beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis, a polyphagous insect, is currently experiencing an outbreak in northern China, and represents a significant migratory pest. A two-sex life table and flight mill test approach was used to comprehensively evaluate the effects of three major legume green manure crops (Pisum sativam, Vicia sativa, and Vicia villosa) on the growth, development, fecundity, and flight ability of L. sticticalis in China. Our findings indicate that L. sticticalis cannot utilize V. villosa for generational development. L. sticticalis shows reduced performance on P. sativam and V. sativa compared to its suitable host Chenopodium album. However, both the population parameters (R0, r, λ, and T) and the population prediction results suggest that L. sticticalis can adapt to P. sativam and V. sativa. In the process of promoting green manure, careful consideration should be given to the selection of appropriate green manure varieties and the implementation of effective pest control measures during their planting. Our findings lay the groundwork for the promotion of green manure and implementation of an ecological management plan for L. sticticalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure crops intercropping is an effective agricultural practice to alleviate water and nutrient deficit by improving soil properties in the Loess Plateau of China. However, green manure crops intercropping could cause water and nutrient competition, but the effects of different green manure crops intercropping on soil water and nutrient status are rarely evaluated. Thus, we conducted a field experiment to investigate the responses of soil moisture, nitrogen, and yield to green manure crops intercropping. Three intercropping patterns, apple–ryegrass (AR), apple–spring rape (AS), and apple–alfalfa (AA), were set up with a blank control (CK), which employed clean tillage in the inter-row and row. All treatments had no significant difference on evapotranspiration. At maturity, AR, AS, and AA treatments reduced soil organic matter content by 4.2%, 6.5%, and 18.8%, and total nitrogen content by 0.01%, 1.3%, and 20.3%, relative to CK, respectively. The water competition degree in AR, AS, and AA were 38.4%, 48.8%, and 64.6%, respectively. Ryegrass, spring rape, and alfalfa's nitrogen use efficiency were 19.71%, 29.24%, and 39.42%, respectively. AR and AS treatments increased the apple yield by 11.7% and 5.7%, and water-use efficiency (WUE) by 14.4% and 7.5%, relative to CK, respectively. AA treatment reduced the apple yield by 6.9% and WUE by 6.8%, relative to CK. All treatments had no significant difference on apple quality. Therefore, in normal water years, we suggest adapting the ryegrass–apple tree intercropping pattern for apple production on the Plateau Loess, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of green manure is crucial for achieving sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, but pest management is often overlooked. Conducting a risk assessment for insect pests in green manure is essential. The beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis, a polyphagous insect, is currently experiencing an outbreak in northern China, and represents a significant migratory pest. A two-sex life table and flight mill test approach was used to comprehensively evaluate the effects of three major legume green manure crops (Pisum sativam, Vicia sativa, and Vicia villosa) on the growth, development, fecundity, and flight ability of L. sticticalis in China. Our findings indicate that L. sticticalis cannot utilize V. villosa for generational development. L. sticticalis shows reduced performance on P. sativam and V. sativa compared to its suitable host Chenopodium album. However, both the population parameters (R0, r, λ, and T) and the population prediction results suggest that L. sticticalis can adapt to P. sativam and V. sativa. In the process of promoting green manure, careful consideration should be given to the selection of appropriate green manure varieties and the implementation of effective pest control measures during their planting. Our findings lay the groundwork for the promotion of green manure and implementation of an ecological management plan for L. sticticalis.

[Objectives] This paper aimed to clarify the change of nutrient content in Leguminous green manure crops and its impact on soil fertility with none extra chemical fertilizer. [Methods] The experiments were conducted to study the growth and development of four Leguminous green manure crops from October 2021 to May 2022 in field. They were Chinese milk vetch(Astragalus sinicus L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), broad bean (Vicia faba L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), respectively. The nutrient contents of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P)and potassium (K) in green manure crops as well as the soil nutrient content were measured. [Results] The changes in N, P, K nutrient content of different Leguminous green manure crops during the seedling stage and later growth stage were similar. Four Leguminous green manure crops had significantly higher nutrient content at the later growth stage than at the seedling stage, with biomass of dry weight of over 1800 kg·hm-2, making them suitable for flipping. In later growth period, the total N content (3.34%) and total P content (0.29%) of hairy vetch were significantly higher than the others, while the total K content of Chinese milk vetch (3.58%) was the highest and the difference displayed a significant level. The accumulation of N, P and K nutrients in Chinese milk vetch and hairy vetch was relatively high, while that in broad bean and common vetch was relatively low. The pH value of soil did not change with green manure application. After growing Leguminous green manure, the organic carbon content in soil as well as total N, available P and available K contents increased, with a range of 2.71%-29.50%. Among them, the application of Chinese milk vetch to the field could significantly improve soil fertility, and the organic carbon, total N, available P and available K contents increased by 4.04%, 3.40%, 29.50% and 8.22% compared to fallow cultivation, respectively. [Conclusions] Under the condition of disappeared application of chemical fertilizer, Chinese milk vetch was conducive to improving soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ascertain the possibility of cultivating maize using biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by leguminous green manure crops in maize/leguminous green manure intercropping systems, BNF and nitrogen (N) transfer were studied in Xining and Wuwei, two typical northwestern Chinese cities. The experimental treatments included monocultured maize, monocultured green manures (hairy vetch and common vetch), and their intercropping systems. The proportions of N derived from the atmosphere (%Ndfa) in intercropping systems were not significantly different from that in monocultured green manure systems at either experimental site, except for that in hairy vetch (HV) in Xining. The amount of N derived from the atmosphere (Ndfa) of common vetch (CV) significantly decreased from 1.16 and 1.10 g/pot in monoculture to 0.77 and 0.55 g/pot when intercropped with maize, in Xining and Wuwei, respectively, and the Ndfa of HV when intercropped significantly decreased from 1.02 to 0.48 g/pot in Xining. In the intercropping systems in Xining and Wuwei, the amounts of N transferred (Ntransfer) from CV to maize were 21.54 and 26.81 mg/pot, accounting for 32.9 and 5.9% respectively of the N accumulation in maize, and the values of Ntransfer from HV to maize were 39.61 and 46.22 mg/pot, accounting for 37.0 and 23.3%, respectively, of the N accumulation in maize. Path analysis showed that soil nutrient and green manure biomass were mainly related to Ndfa, and that δ15N had a primary relationship with Ntransfer. We found that 5.9–37.0% of N accumulation in maize was transferred from green manures, and that the N transfer ability to maize of HV was higher than that of CV. In conclusion, intercropping with leguminous green manures provided a feasible way for maize to effectively utilize biologically fixed N.

Maize, being a nutrient exhaustive crop and also grown as a monocrop season after season, is leading to drastic deterioration of the soil fertility status. Hence green manure legumes initially grown in situ and later incorporated before flowering stage into the soil will help to rejuvenate the soil health. An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram for three consecutive years during kharif 2015, 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the effect of green manures on soil health, nutrient bioavailability and yield attributes of the succeeding maize crop. Three green manure legumes viz., sunhemp, dhaincha and green gram were grown in situ and incorporated into the soil before sowing of the maize crop in the respective treatments and different doses of fertilizer levels were applied to study the cumulative effect of green manures and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield attributes, economics and nutrient uptake of succeeding maize. Pooled data of all three years proved that the grain and straw yield was found to be the highest in the treatment of in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 100% RDF (65.2 q/ha and 74.0 q/ha). Moreover, the soil available nitrogen was also found highest in the same treatment (230 kg/ha), whereas the available P2O5 (73 kg/ha) and K2O (318 kg/ha) was found highest in the treatment with in situ incorporation of sunhemp with 100% RDF, but these treatments are at par with in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 75% RDF. The soil available Fe was found high in the treatment with in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 100% RDF (12.98 ppm), whereas soil available Mn was found highest in the treatment with in situ incorporation of sunhemp with 100% RDF (12.43 ppm) but at par with in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 100% RDF and in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 75% RDF. The N and K uptake by maize plant was found highest in the treatment with in situ incorporation of dhaincha with 100% RDF (110.0 kg/ha and 87.5 kg/ha) whereas the uptake of P was found highest in the treatment with in situ incorporation of sunhemp with 100% RDF (39.1 kg/ha), but both the treatments are at par with each other in the uptake of N, P and K nutrients and significantly higher than sole crop of maize with 100% RDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure crops intercropping is an effective agricultural practice to alleviate water and nutrient deficit by improving soil properties in the Loess Plateau of China. However, green manure crops intercropping could cause water and nutrient competition, but the effects of different green manure crops intercropping on soil water and nutrient status are rarely evaluated. Thus, we conducted a field experiment to investigate the responses of soil moisture, nitrogen, and yield to green manure crops intercropping. Three intercropping patterns, apple–ryegrass (AR), apple–spring rape (AS), and apple–alfalfa (AA), were set up with a blank control (CK), which employed clean tillage in the inter-row and row. All treatments had no significant difference on evapotranspiration. At maturity, AR, AS, and AA treatments reduced soil organic matter content by 4.2%, 6.5%, and 18.8%, and total nitrogen content by 0.01%, 1.3%, and 20.3%, relative to CK, respectively. The water competition degree in AR, AS, and AA were 38.4%, 48.8%, and 64.6%, respectively. Ryegrass, spring rape, and alfalfa’s nitrogen use efficiency were 19.71%, 29.24%, and 39.42%, respectively. AR and AS treatments increased the apple yield by 11.7% and 5.7%, and water-use efficiency (WUE) by 14.4% and 7.5%, relative to CK, respectively. AA treatment reduced the apple yield by 6.9% and WUE by 6.8%, relative to CK. All treatments had no significant difference on apple quality. Therefore, in normal water years, we suggest adapting the ryegrass–apple tree intercropping pattern for apple production on the Plateau Loess, China.

Studying green manure in several returning methods to enhance soil fertility and crop benefits is a strong foundation for cropland nutrient management. However, how different types of green manures and their variable doses affect the efficacy of applied manures, either buried or mulched, remain overlooked. The objective of this study was to optimize green manure management to enhance soil fertility and maize biomass using five types of green manures (white mustard, forest rye, fiddleneck, sufflower, and pea) in two different doses (low, 5 g per pot, and high, 10 g per pot), which were either buried or mulched before and after maize sowing. Results revealed that total carbon content increased due to green manure treatments, representing a 10% increase over control, particularly through buried w. mustard (10% increase before maize cultivation) and mulched safflower and pea (12% and 11% increase after maize cultivation over control). Dry maize aboveground biomass yields also improved across all variants, with buried mustard yielding 18.4 g·plant−1 (compared to 8.6 g·plant−1 in the control), mulched mustard yielding 16.4 g·plant−1, and buried pea yielding 17.8 g·plant−1. Green mulching generally acidified the soil (pH 5.71 compared to 6.21 in the control), except for buried fiddleneck (pH 6.39 after maize cultivation) at a high dose of manures. Carbon-mineralizing enzyme activities (dehydrogenase and β-glucosidase) were significantly increased by green manures, with buried fiddleneck showing a 22.6% and 20.6% increase over the control, and mulched fiddleneck showing a 24.5% and 22.4% increase under high doses. The study suggests that partially decomposed and mineralized mulched biomass may induce a negative priming effect on carbon-mineralizing enzymes due to a decrease in the C/N ratio of the soil. It emphasizes that the nutrient content and stoichiometry of green manures, alongside soil characteristics such as the C/N ratio, are critical factors for sustainable soil management and carbon sequestration. These findings underscore the need for careful selection and management of green manures to optimize soil health and carbon-storage outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the issues of the poor stability of the furrow opener depth, large soil backfill depth, and inconsistent furrow shape on a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards in South Xinjiang, a double-disc, corrugated furrow opener is designed. This paper analyzes the law of soil movement between corrugated double-disc and traditional double-disc furrow openers using the discrete element method (DEM) and concludes that the corrugation width and number of corrugations on the corrugated double-disc furrow opener are the primary factors affecting furrowing operation. When the number of corrugations is sixteen, the forward speed is six kilometers per hour, and when the corrugation width is seventeen and a half millimeters, the simulation operation parameters are optimal. The soil-bin validation experiment results are as follows: Under the condition of an 80 mm furrow depth, the stability of the average furrow depth is enhanced by 3.54%, the working resistance and the average disrupted soil area are increased by 26.16 N and 220 mm2, respectively, and the backfill depth is decreased by 10.98 mm. The operation effect of a double-disc furrow opener with corrugated discs is enhanced by the high stability of the furrow depth, low working resistance, and small backfill depth. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of the furrow opener components of a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards.

Green manure is a kind of bio-organic fertilizer, and its process of mineralization and decomposition produces substances that plants can directly use and affect the soil Cd availability upon decomposition by microorganisms in the soil. Green manures have different effects on Cd availability; however, there is no simple linear relationship between them. In this study, the effect of dissolved organic matter, pH and Eh, iron reduction, and microbial communities on Cd availability and accumulation in green manure crops were reviewed. Results showed that upon application of green manure decomposed by microorganisms in soil, the soil dissolved organic matter, pH and Eh, iron reduction and microbial communities influenced the migration of Cd（soil heavy metal）, which could be immobilized in the soil or precipitated on the ground of plant roots. Above-ground part of Cd decreased after many interceptions by miscellaneous cells, and only a very small amount of Cd finally reached the edible part of crop. However, there was an uncertain effect of green manure on soil Cd repaired, which was disturbed by other factors such as green manure dosage, crop varieties, and soil physical and chemical properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of green manure on different soil conditions, and green manure was disturbed by other factors in clarifying the mechanism of its effect on Cd availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an essential crop worldwide, and the application of fertilizers is a vital management strategy that significantly enhances its yield. The objective of this investigation was to assess the impact of green manure and mineral fertilization on the yield of maize. The experiments were conducted in an experimental field at Agricultural Research and Development Station Braila during the first decade of September 2021 to the second decade of October 2022. A bifactorial experiment was carried out based on the formula A × B, where A represents the green manure crops (a1- control - without green manure crop; a2- winter pea (Pisum sativum L. var. arvense); a3- white mustard (Sinapis alba L.); a4- winter rye (Secale cereale L.); a5- white mustard (Sinapis alba L) + rapeseed (Brassica napus L.); a6- rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and B represents the mineral fertilization (b1- N0 unfertilized; b2- N60 (60 kg/ha of N); b3- N90 (90 kg/ha of N); b4- N120 (120 kg/ha of N)). The results of this study show the benefits of integrated fertilization with green manure and mineral fertilizer. Maize grain yield was found to be enhanced by using green manure crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving the green development of agriculture requires the reduction of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer input. Previous studies have confirmed that returning green manure to the field is an effective measure to improve crop yields while substituting partial chemical N fertilizer. However, it remains unclear how to further intensify the substituting function of green manure and elucidate its underlying agronomic mechanism. In a split-plot field experiment in spring wheat, different green manures returned to the field under reduced chemical N supply was established in an oasis area since 2018, in order to investigate the effect of green manure and reduced N on grain yield, N uptake, N use efficiency (NUE), N nutrition index, soil organic matter, and soil N of wheat in 2020-2022. Our results showed that mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch can substitute 40% of chemical N fertilizer without reducing grain yield or N accumulation. Noteworthily, mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch under reduced N by 20% showed the highest N agronomy efficiency and recovery efficiency, which were 92.0% and 46.0% higher than fallow after wheat harvest and conventional N application rate, respectively. The increase in NUE of wheat was mainly attributed to mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch, which increased N transportation quantity and transportation rate at pre-anthesis, enhanced N harvest index, optimized N nutrition index, and increased activities of nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase of leaf, respectively. Meanwhile, mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch under reduced N by 20% improved soil organic matter and N contents. Therefore, mixed sown common vetch and hairy vetch can substitute 40% of chemical N fertilizer while maintaining grain yield and N accumulation, and it combined with reduced chemical N by 20% or 40% improved NUE of wheat via enhancing N supply and uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manuring is the process by which vegetative crops are incorporated into the soil, and it plays a good substitutable role in reducing chemical fertilizer applications while enhancing soil fertility. Field experiments were conducted at Lingao City of Hainan Province in 2020 and 2021, to evaluate the effects of in situ incorporation of different green manures (fallow (as control), rice, sesbania, and stylosanthes) on soil physical and chemical properties, nitrogen (N) uptake, grain yield, and the grain anthocyanin content in colored rice. Treatments included colored rice cultivated with previous fallow (T0), with previous rice straw manure (T1), with previous sesbania manure (T2), and with previous stylosanthes manure (T3). The seedlings of the colored rice variety Suixiangheinuo were transplanted 23 days after the incorporation of green manure. Our results indicated that both the grain yield and grain anthocyanin content of colored rice were significantly increased when green manure was incorporated into the soil compared to that of the control. Therein, grain yields of T1, T2, and T3 were increased by an average of 12.7%, 29.0%, and 24.5%, respectively, across 2 years in comparison with those of T0. And grain anthocyanin content in colored rice under T1, T2, and T3 was increased by 7.2%–7.5%, 13.9%–24.2%, and 9.8%–20.6%, respectively. In addition, in situ incorporation of leguminous green manure in the soil significantly increased soil fertility and partial factor productivity for N fertilizer. The above results suggested that colored rice crops should be followed in rotation with leguminous green manure, which was beneficial to increasing both grain yield and grain anthocyanin content of colored rice. This research elucidated that the incorporation of leguminous green manure sustained the production of colored rice in tropical regions, which was beneficial to reconcile the relationship between rice production and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To provide scientific basis for rational utilization of green manure and nutrient management of farmland, the characteristics of decomposition rules and nutrients release of green manure were studied. [ Method] Net bag method was used to simulate the decomposition dynamics of summer leguminous green manure of Mucuna pruriens and Vigna umbellata under straw mulching treatment and soil coverage treatment, and the decomposition characteristics of dry matter and the release of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were analyzed. [Result] The results indicated that the green manure decomposition speed was fast in the first 20 days, and slowed down later in both treatments. When returning to the field for 100 days, the accumulated decomposition rates of dry matter of M. pruriens and V. umbellata under straw mulching treatment reached 40. 1 1 % and 37.25 % respectively, and 70.71 % and 66.87 % under soil coverage treatment. After returning to the field for 100 days, the accumulated decomposition rates of C,N,P and K of M. pruriens under straw mulching treatment were 20.44 % ,15.64 % ,45.28 % and 83.49 % respectively, and 65.24 % ,63.78 % ,84.36 % and 92.48 % undersoil coverage treatment. The accumulated decomposition rates of C,N,P and K of V. umbellata under straw mulching treatment were 17.66 % ,13.33 % ,40.33 % and 79.49 % ,respectively, and 60.06 % ,58.88 % ,79.56 % and 88.20 % under soil coverage treatment. [Conclusion]The accumulated decomposition rates of dry matter and nutrients such as C,N,P and K in green manure under soil coverage treatment were higher than that of straw mulching treatment, and the decomposition speed was also faster under soil coverage treatment. And the sequence nutrient release rates was K > P > C > N. The decomposition and nutrient release rate of M. pruriens stalk was higher than that of V. umbellata. As a summer green manure, the effect of M. pruriens returning to the field is better than that of V. umbellata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure is the whole or part of the fresh plant matter generated during the growth and development of a given crop and applied directly or indirectly to the soil as fertiliser. The cultivation of green manure crops is an important technological tool to reduce the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, improving cropland quality and crop rotation. The green manure area in China has increased from about 2 million hectares in 2007 to 4.12 million hectares in 2022 (24 provinces, municipalities and regions) and remains relatively stable, but there is still a big difference from the peak of 14 million hectares in the 1970s. This paper describes relevant research in recent years related to the collection and conservation of genetic resources of green manure crops in Heilongjiang Province, the evaluation and selection, and also the breeding of new varieties of green manure crops to provide a technical basis for the development of the green manure industry. Fund projects: Project for Operating Expenses of Research Institutes in Heilongjiang Province (CZKYF2024-1-C015); Project under the Key Research and Development Programme in Heilongjiang Province (Project No. GA23B004); National Green Manure Industry Technological System (CARS-22). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure crops are biological fertilizer sources that also fertilize the soil. It contributes to agricultural production by enhancing quality, boosting yield, fertilizing fields, and improving soil. Starting with the necessity and urgency of developing green manure production, this paper describes the development of main green manure crops in Inner Mongolia, including their varieties, planting area, yield and current state of green manure production, the cultivation and utilization methods, research progress of the main green manure crops, as well as the development potential of green manure industry in Inner Mongolia. Proposed green manure crops development direction and suggestion, providing a reference for relevant green manure crop research and green manure industry development in Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the traditional farming systems, the excessive application of chemical fertilizers to boost crop yields has resulted in a range of issues, such as soil quality degradation, soil structure deterioration, and pollution of the farmland ecological environment. Green manure, as a high-quality biological fertilizer source with rich nutrient content, is of great significance for enhancing the soil quality and establishing a healthy farmland ecosystem. However, there are few studies on the effects of different green manures on the soil nutrient levels, enzyme activities, and soil bacterial community composition in the rice–wheat rotation areas in southern China. Thus, we planted Chinese milk vetch (MV; Astragalus sinicus L.), light leaf vetch (LV; Vicia villosa var.), common vetch (CV; Vicia sativa L.), crimson clover (CC; Trifolium incarnatum L.), Italian ryegrass (RG; Lolium multiflorum L.), and winter fields without any crops as a control in the Taihu Lake area of Jiangsu. The soil samples collected after tilling and returning the green manure to the field during the bloom period were used to analyze the effects of the different green manures on the soil nutrient content, enzyme activity, and the structural composition of the bacterial community. This analysis was conducted using chemical methods and high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the green manure returned to the field increased the soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), sucrose (SC), urease (UE), and neutral phosphatase (NEP) contents compared to the control. They increased by 1.55% to 10.06%, 0.26% to 9.31%, 20.95% to 28.42%, 20.66% to 57.79%, 12.38% to 37.94%, 3.11% to 58.19%, 6.49% to 32.99%, and 50.0% to 80.36%, respectively. In addition, the green manure field increased the relative abundance of the genera Proteobacteria and Haliangium while decreasing the relative abundance of Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, SBR1031, and Anaeromyxobacter in the soil bacteria. Both the number of ASVs (amplicon sequence variants) and α-diversity of the soil bacterial communities were higher compared to the control, and the β-diversity varied significantly among the treatments. Alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen and neutral phosphatase had the greatest influence on the soil bacterial community diversity, with alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen being the primary soil factor affecting the soil bacterial community composition. Meanwhile, the results of the principal component analysis showed that the MV treatment had the most significant impact on soil improvement. Our study provides significant insights into the sustainable management of the soil quality in rice–wheat rotations. It identifies MV as the best choice among the green manure crops for improving the soil quality, offering innovative solutions for reducing chemical fertilizer dependence and promoting ecological sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the issues of the poor stability of the furrow opener depth, large soil backfill depth, and inconsistent furrow shape on a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards in South Xinjiang, a double-disc, corrugated furrow opener is designed. This paper analyzes the law of soil movement between corrugated double-disc and traditional double-disc furrow openers using the discrete element method (DEM) and concludes that the corrugation width and number of corrugations on the corrugated double-disc furrow opener are the primary factors affecting furrowing operation. When the number of corrugations is sixteen, the forward speed is six kilometers per hour, and when the corrugation width is seventeen and a half millimeters, the simulation operation parameters are optimal. The soil-bin validation experiment results are as follows: Under the condition of an 80 mm furrow depth, the stability of the average furrow depth is enhanced by 3.54%, the working resistance and the average disrupted soil area are increased by 26.16 N and 220 mm2, respectively, and the backfill depth is decreased by 10.98 mm. The operation effect of a double-disc furrow opener with corrugated discs is enhanced by the high stability of the furrow depth, low working resistance, and small backfill depth. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of the furrow opener components of a no-till seeder for planting green manure between rows of orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green manure and fertilization practices have substantial impacts on soil chemical and biological properties over time. A field experiment was conducted on Cumulic Haplustoll to investigate the effects of leguminous green manure (LGM) crops and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on dry‐stable soil aggregate distributions and stability, the concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and N in the bulk soil and separated aggregate fractions, and soil enzyme activities in dry croplands on the Loess Plateau of China. Species tested as LGM crops were Huai bean (Glycine ussuriensis Regel et Maack.), soybean (G. max (L.) Merr.) and mung bean (Phaseolus radiatus L.). Two rates of N fertilizer (0 and 162 kg N ha−1) applied to winter wheat sown after LGM was incorporated into surface soil. Results showed that the inclusion of LGM crops for 6 years significantly increased the total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate‐associated N and OC concentrations, enhanced the values of aggregate content with >0.25 mm size (R0.25) and mean weight diameter (MWD), and boosted soil enzyme (invertase, urease, dehydrogenase and aryl‐sulfatase) activities at the 0–20‐cm depth compared to the bare fallow system under dryland conditions. The long‐term application of N fertilizer substantially increased the proportion of macroaggregates (>5.0 mm), MWD and N contents in the 0.25–5‐mm size aggregates, and promoted the relative activities of invertase, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase and aryl‐sulphatase, but decreased the urease activity. The correlations among macroaggregate fractions and soil chemical properties, aggregate stability and enzyme activities were significant and positive; however, the correlations between small aggregate fractions (<2 mm) and corresponding parameters were negative, or there were no correlations. Overall, combining green manuring practices with suitable N fertilizer application should be recommended to improve the soil quality in dryland regions similar to the Loess Plateau of China. Highlights: Green manure crops significantly increased soil enzyme activities, SOC and total N contents.Green manure crops increased macroaggregate (>5 mm) formation and stability.Application of N fertilizer significantly increased the proportions and stability of macroaggregates.Green manure crops along with N fertilizer helped to build better soil quality in a dry loess cropland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regularities of the growth and development of corn plants of hybrids NK Thermo and NK Lemero according to the use of straw together with the green manure crops in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe are theoretically justified. The maximum use of the organic mass of plant residues, other secondary products of agriculture and plant growing, green manure crops is now becoming an effective and reliable reserve for the provision of soil in the conditions of the Western Forest-Steppe by organic substance, an essential material for soil formation, in particular the accumulation of humus and essential nutrients for plant nutrition and soil microorganisms. The works were carried out during 2013‒2015 on the experimental field of the branch of planting and selection department of the Podilskyi State Agricultural and Technical University in the private firm “Bogdan and K” in the Sniatynskyi district of the Ivano-Frankivsk region (western part of the Forest-Steppe). The biological preparation Vermistym-D (6 l/ha) was used for decomposition of straw and plant residues. In all variants, where the decomposition of straw was carried out, a solution of 10 kg/ha of carbamide was added to the destructor. White mustard as green manure crop was sown at a rate of 3 million of germinable seeds per hectare, oil radish ‒ 2.5 million of germinable seeds per hectare, mixture of white mustard ‒ 1.8 million of germinable seeds per hectare and oil radish ‒ 1.5 million of germinable seeds per hectare. The hybrids of corn NK Thermo and NK Lemero were sown with the norm of 80 thousand of germinable seeds per hectare. The combined application of straw and green manure crops in the experiments carried out significantly influenced the agrophysical, agrochemical properties of the soil and its biological activity. In particular, with respect to control, the number of blocky (

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The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), is an invasive pest of cereal crops that now inhabits southern China year-round. Cultivation of crops unsuitable as host plants has been an effective pest management strategy for some insect pests, but the effects of green manure crops on S. frugiperda have not been investigated. An age-stage two-sex life table and tethered flight performance of S. frugiperda reared on different green manure species were obtained, and a population dynamics model established. Developmental durations of stages, survival rates, and fecundities of S. frugiperda differed significantly depending on host plant. Larvae fed Astragalus sinicus L. did not complete development. Although some larvae fed Vicia villosa Roth and Vicia sativa L. completed development, generation time was significantly prolonged, egg production was halved, and net reproductive rate decreased to 31% and 3% of those reared on corn, respectively. Survival rates of early-instars fed V. villosa and V. sativa were significantly lower than those fed corn. Population dynamics projections over 90 d showed the number of generations of S. frugiperda fed on V. villosa and V. sativa was reduced compared to those reared on corn. Flight performance of S. frugiperda reared on V. villosa decreased significantly compared to corn. Our results show that the three green manure species are unsuitable host plants for S. frugiperda. Therefore, reduction of corn production in southern China through rotation with these green manure crops may be a feasible method of ecological management of this major corn pest in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]