Biochar is a technology proposed to mitigate climate change, improve soil fertility, energy production, and organic waste treatment. Scientists Müller et al. showed how a place-based assessment and a local knowledge analysis allow designing sustainable biochar systems in South India. Combined with agronomical and biogeochemical evaluations of the biochar effect on soil, this new approach will improve biochar development in tropical regions and beyond.
Sustainable nutrient management requires timely diagnostic of crop nutrition status to support yield while avoiding over- and under-fertilization and their associated environmental impacts. Lemaire et al. reviewed the concept of N, P, and K accumulation in proportion to crop growth and their allocation within plants and canopies. They show their potential usage to diagnose crop nutrition status, to analyze genotype-environment-management interactions driving crop yield and to phenotype crops.
In tropical agroforestry systems, the appropriate nutrient prescription is a challenge due to natural environmental heterogeneity and variable nutrient acquisition strategies between species. Scientists Borden and Isaac used a novel approach to monitor root response of cocoa to fertilizers. They showed that the analysis of root trait expression can be used to improve nutrient management in agroforestry systems.
The immature (i.e. unproductive) period of rubber tree plantations is the most critical period for nutrient management and a key determinant of future yields. Scientists Vrignon-Brenas et al. reviewed current fertilization practices, soil management and nutrient dynamics in immature plantations. Improvement is possible by use of agroecological practices such as intercropping and the development of a nutrient budget approach.
Fertilisers based on recovered phosphorus from secondary raw materials can provide an alternative to mined rock phosphate fertilisers in line with the circular economy. Scientists Huygens and Saveyn found that agronomic efficiency of selected fertilisers derived from secondary raw materials may compare with mined rock phosphate and processed fertilisers, in settings relevant for European agriculture.
Identifying optimum nitrogen fertilizer application rate is critical for sustainable farm management. Scientists Mesbah et al. developed a method, called Identifying NEMO, to diagnose an environmentally friendly optimum rate using crop models. They tested the method in the predominant Canadian corn production region where there exists a gradient of agroclimatic conditions. Eventually, they suggest novel strategic N recommendations.
Wheat – legume temporary intercropping consists in sowing cereal and legume crops in alternate and spaced rows. In late winter, the legume is incorporated into the soil to improve the nitrogen nutrition of wheat. Scientists Guiducci et al. studied temporary intercrops of three leguminous species with soft wheat and showed that such technique can increase yield quality.
Half of the world population fulfills 20% of the body daily energy requirement with rice. However, soil micronutrient deficiencies, such as boron, threaten rice productivity. Scientists Atique-ur-Rehman et al. recently reviewed the effects of boron deficiency. They reckon that application of boron-based fertilizers as seed priming, soil or foliar treatments can improve rice productivity in different production systems.
Actual practice of growing tea trees utilizes high amounts of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Qiao et al. evaluated the effects of those fertilizers on soil chemistry and the production and quality of tea shoots. They concluded that synthetic nitrogen fertilizers can acidify soils, unbalance their nutrient contents and strongly alter the quality of tea shoots.
Sustainable crop production requires the efficient use of agronomic inputs in order to increase yield without causing a negative environmental impact. In such a context, the choice of the crop succession influences the amount of fertilizers used. Scientists Jacobs et al. studied the preceding crop effects on input efficiency for sugar beet cultivation. They propose a method to assess these effects, for decision makers.
