Open Access Publications

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Open access publications by faculty, postdocs, and graduate students in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

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U.S. cereal rye winter cover crop growth database
(Scientific Data, 2024-02-13) Huddell, Alexandra M.; Thapa, Resham; Marcillo, Guillermo S.; Abendroth, Lori J.; et. al
Winter cover crop performance metrics (i.e., vegetative biomass quantity and quality) affect ecosystem services provisions, but they vary widely due to differences in agronomic practices, soil properties, and climate. Cereal rye (Secale cereale) is the most common winter cover crop in the United States due to its winter hardiness, low seed cost, and high biomass production. We compiled data on cereal rye winter cover crop performance metrics, agronomic practices, and soil properties across the eastern half of the United States. The dataset includes a total of 5,695 cereal rye biomass observations across 208 site-years between 2001–2022 and encompasses a wide range of agronomic, soils, and climate conditions. Cereal rye biomass values had a mean of 3,428 kg ha−1, a median of 2,458 kg ha−1, and a standard deviation of 3,163 kg ha−1. The data can be used for empirical analyses, to calibrate, validate, and evaluate process-based models, and to develop decision support tools for management and policy decisions.
Early-season biomass and weather enable robust cereal rye cover crop biomass predictions
(Agricultural & Environmental Letters, 2024-02-13) Huddell, Alexandra; Needelman, Brian; Law, Eugene P.; Ackroyd, Victoria J.; Bagavathiannan, Muthukumar V.; Bradley, Kevin; Davis, Adam S.; Evans, Jeffery A.; Everman, Wesley Jay; Flessner, Michael; Jordan, Nicholas; Schwartz-Lazaro, Lauren M.; Leon, Ramon G.; Lindquist, John; Norsworthy, Jason K.; Shergill, Lovreet S.; VanGessel, Mark; Mirsky, Steven B.
Farmers need accurate estimates of winter cover crop biomass to make informed decisions on termination timing or to estimate potential release of nitrogen from cover crop residues to subsequent cash crops. Utilizing data from an extensive experiment across 11 states from 2016 to 2020, this study explores the most reliable predictors for determining cereal rye cover crop biomass at the time of termination. Our findings demonstrate a strong relationship between early-season and late-season cover crop biomass. Employing a random forest model, we predicted late-season cereal rye biomass with a margin of error of approximately 1,000 kg ha−1 based on early-season biomass, growing degree days, cereal rye planting and termination dates, photosynthetically active radiation, precipitation, and site coordinates as predictors. Our results suggest that similar modeling approaches could be combined with remotely sensed early-season biomass estimations to improve the accuracy of predicting winter cover crop biomass at termination for decision support tools. Core Ideas - Cereal rye winter cover crop biomass modeled on data from 35 site-years. - We found a strong relationship between early and late-season biomass. - Random forest model with early-season biomass and weather data performed well. - Similar approach could improve decision support tools for cover crop management. Graphical Abstract available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ael2.20121 Effect size estimates from the generalized linear mixed effects model prediction late-season cereal rye cover crop biomass. All covariates were standardized, and significant relationships are indicated by *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001. Abbreviations CGDD cumulative growing degree days GLMM generalized linear mixed effects model PAR photosynthetically active radiation
Post-harvest drone flights to measure weed growth and yield associations
(Agricultural & Environmental Letters, 2022-06-14) Miller, Jarrod O.; Shober, Amy L.; VanGessel, Mark J.
Drone flights are often only performed during the growing season, with no data collected once harvest has been completed, although they could be used to measure winter annual weed growth. Using a drone mounted with a multispectral sensor, we flew small plot corn (Zea mays L.) fertility, cover crop, and population studies at black layer and 0–14 d after harvest (DAH). Yields had positive correlations to normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) at black layer but often had negative correlations to corn yields 0–14 DAH. After harvest, NDVI could be associated with weed growth, and negative correlations to yield could point to reduced corn canopy allowing light to reach late-season weeds. In fertility studies, excess nitrogen appears to increase weed biomass after harvest, which can be easily identified through drone imagery. Flights should be performed after corn harvest as weed growth may provide additional insight into management decisions. Core Ideas: - Corn yields can be correlated to post-harvest weed biomass by using NDVI. - Drone flights efficiently mapped weeds and made correlations to yield and management. - Fall weed control can be prioritized using drone mapping. Abbreviations: DAH days after harvest LAI leaf area index NDVI normalized difference vegetation index
Monitoring winter wheat growth at different heights using aerial imagery
(Agronomy Journal, 2021-02-09) Miller, Jarrod O.; Adkins, James
Drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) provide another system to mount sensors for measuring plant characteristics. For winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) this can include evaluating stands and making nitrogen (N) recommendations. Timing these flights and adequate camera resolution (based on flying height), must be known before applying tasks. This study observed six winter wheat planting populations (222, 297, 371, 445, 494, and 544 seeds m–2) at three different heights above ground level (30, 60, and 120 m) over three growing seasons. Plant populations could be separated at all growth stages and heights flown but were easier to separate right after emergence (GS11). In the spring, additional tillering caused the higher populations (371–544 seeds m–2) to have similar normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), much like the final yields. Comparing changes in NDVI between flights was also successful in separating high and low planting populations, with inverse relationships in the fall and spring. A random forest classification of tiller counts by NDVI measurements ranked change in NDVI between stages as the most important compared to single flights. As separation and classification was successful at the lowest camera resolution (120 m), it can be possible for scouts to collect whole field imagery for analyses prior to deciding on split N applications.
Sensor-based measurements of NDVI in small grain and corn fields by tractor, drone, and satellite platforms
(Crop and Environment, 2024-02-01) Miller, Jarrod O.; Mondal, Pinki; Sarupria, Manan
The use of sensors for variable rate nitrogen (VRN) applications is transitioning from equipment-based to drone and satellite technologies. However, regional algorithms, initially designed for proximal active sensors, require evaluation for compatibility with remotely sensed reflectance and N-rate predictions. This study observed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data from six small grain and two corn fields over three years. We employed three platforms: tractor-mounted active sensors (T-NDVI), passive multispectral drone (D-NDVI), and satellite (S-NDVI) sensors. Averaged NDVI values were extracted from the as-applied equipment polygons. Correlations between NDVI values from the three platforms were positive and strong, with D-NDVI consistently recording the highest values, particularly in areas with lower plant biomass. This was attributed to D-NDVI's lower soil reflectance and its ability to measure the entire biomass within equipment polygons. For small grains, sensors spaced on equipment booms might not capture accurate biomass in poor-growing and low NDVI regions. Regarding VRN, S-NDVI and D-NDVI occasionally aligned with T-NDVI recommendations but often suggested half the active sensor rate. Final yields showed some correlation with landscape variables, irrespective of N application. This finding suggests the potential use of drone or satellite imagery to provide multiple NDVI maps before application, incorporating expected landscape responses and thereby enhancing VRN effectiveness.
How manganese affects rice cadmium uptake and translocation in vegetative and mature plants
(Plant and Soil, 2024-04-19) Hu, Ruifang; Limmer, Matthew A.; Seyfferth, Angelia L.
Background and aims Rice is prone to Cd uptake under aerobic soil conditions primarily due to the OsNramp5 Mn transport pathway. Unlike Cd, Mn availability in rice paddies decreases as redox potential increases. We tested whether increasing Mn concentrations in solution would decrease Cd accumulation in rice through competition between Mn and Cd for uptake and/or suppression of OsNramp5 expression. Methods Rice was grown to maturity under Mn concentrations that spanned three orders of magnitude (0.30 to 37 μM) that corresponded to free Mn2+ activities of 10–7.9 to 10–5.0 M while free Cd2+ activity was held as constant as achievable (10–10.2 to 10–10.4 M). Plant biomass and elemental concentrations were measured in roots and shoots at each stage. Fold changes in the expression of OsNramp5, OsCd1, OsHMA3, OsCCX2, and OsYSL6 genes in vegetative and grain-filling stages of rice plants were determined. Results Competition between Mn and Cd for root uptake and accumulation in shoots was observed at the highest concentration of Mn tested. OsNramp5 expression was significantly higher in rice plants at the vegetative stage compared to the grain-filling stage, while OsCd1 and OsHMA3 showed the opposite. Solution Mn concentrations previously thought to be tolerable by rice grown to the vegetative stage led to Mn toxicity as plants matured. Conclusions Mn competes with Cd during uptake into rice with OsNramp5 expression unaffected. Different translocation paths may occur for Mn and Cd within the rice plant and over the rice life cycle, with OsCCX2 correlated with shoot Cd concentration.
A Bacillus velezensis strain shows antimicrobial activity against soilborne and foliar fungi and oomycetes
(Frontiers in Fungal Biology, 2024-02-23) Wockenfuss, Anna; Chan, Kevin; Cooper, Jessica G.; Chaya, Timothy; Mauriello, Megan A.; Yannarell, Sarah M.; Maresca, Julia A.; Donofrio, Nicole M.
Biological control uses naturally occurring antagonists such as bacteria or fungi for environmentally friendly control of plant pathogens. Bacillus spp. have been used for biocontrol of numerous plant and insect pests and are well-known to synthesize a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites. We hypothesized that bacteria isolated from agricultural soil would be effective antagonists of soilborne fungal pathogens. Here, we show that the Delaware soil isolate Bacillus velezensis strain S4 has in vitro activity against soilborne and foliar plant pathogenic fungi, including two with a large host range, and one oomycete. Further, this strain shows putative protease and cellulase activity, consistent with our prior finding that the genome of this organism is highly enriched in antifungal and antimicrobial biosynthetic gene clusters. We demonstrate that this bacterium causes changes to the fungal and oomycete hyphae at the inhibition zone, with some of the hyphae forming bubble-like structures and irregular branching. We tested strain S4 against Magnaporthe oryzae spores, which typically form germ tubes and penetration structures called appressoria, on the surface of the leaf. Our results suggest that after 12 hours of incubation with the bacterium, fungal spores form germ tubes, but instead of producing appressoria, they appear to form rounded, bubble-like structures. Future work will investigate whether a single antifungal molecule induces all these effects, or if they are the result of a combination of bacterially produced antimicrobials.
The unexplored role of preferential flow in soil carbon dynamics
(Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2021-08-28) Franklin, Shane M.; Kravchenko, Alexandra N.; Vargas, Rodrigo; Vasilas, Bruce; Fuhrmann, Jeffry J.; Jin, Yan
Water is a crucial factor controlling the fate and processing of soil organics. Water commonly flows through the vadose zone via preferential flow pathways, resulting in nonuniform and rapid infiltration. Hence, a large portion of the soil matrix is bypassed. Preferential flow paths, often associated with well-connected macropore networks (>300 μm Ø), offer a unique balance between water availability, nutrient delivery, and re-oxygenation upon drainage. The heightened concentrations of moisture, nutrients, and oxygen make these locations optimal for high rates of microbial activity. Flow paths often display temporal stability. This stability results in repeated wetting and biogeochemical reactivation through time creating a lasting impact on micro-environmental conditions relevant to microbial functioning and carbon cycling in soil. Despite decades of research on preferential flow, there is still a need to link flow paths and the resultant heterogeneous moisture distributions to soil function. In this review, we discuss how preferential flow can serve as a framework of reference for the spatially and temporally heterogeneous biogeochemical cycling of soil carbon. We highlight the importance of combining current knowledge of pore-scale carbon dynamics with an appreciation of connected networks of hydraulically active pores/paths within the soil profile. Such combination opens new possibilities for upscaling pore-scale processes with the inclusion of resource heterogeneity at the macroscale. Working within this hydraulically connected framework can provide insight for the mechanistic representation of hot moments, which are temporally isolated large pulses of CO2 after rewetting or thawing events. We conclude with suggestions on knowledge gaps and stress the critical need of linking soil physics with biology to mechanistically understand soil functions. Highlights • Preferential flow paths play a key role in soil carbon dynamics. • Pore-scale carbon dynamics could be upscaled using hydraulic connectivity. • A conceptual model is presented that considers how soil pores function from hydrological and microbial perspectives.
Soil nitrogen cycling in forests invaded by the shrub Rosa multiflora: importance of soil moisture and invasion density
(Biogeochemistry, 2024-03-23) Moore, Eric R.; Pouyat, Richard V.; Trammell, Tara L. E.
Invasive plants often alter ecosystem function and processes, especially soil N cycling. In eastern United States forests, the shrub Rosa multiflora (“rose”) is a dominant invader, yet potential effects on N cycling are poorly understood. Moreover, invasive plant management can impact soil N cycling by decreasing plant N uptake and disturbing the soil. The objectives of this study were to evaluate N cycling along a gradient of rose invasion (observational) and investigate potential changes to N cycling (manipulative) under four different management strategies: (1) do nothing (the control), (2) invasive plant removal, (3) removal followed by native seed mix addition, (4) removal, native seed mix, and chipped rose stem addition. We selected three forest sites experiencing a Low, Medium, or High amount of shrub invasion, and measured N cycling in the early (June) and late (September) growing seasons. We found N was immobilized in June and mineralized in September. One year after experimental management, removal alone had no effect on N cycling compared to control plots, but addition of native seed mix and chipped stems reduced early-season nitrification in our Medium invasion site. Our findings suggest that rose invasion may increase N cycling rates when soils are dry, which may occur more frequently with future climate change. In addition, N cycling responds differentially to management in the year following invasive plant removal, but most noticeably under moderate rose invasion.
Far-red Light and Nitrogen Concentration Elicit Crop-specific Responses in Baby Greens under Superelevated CO2 and Continuous Light
(Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 2024-03-05) Kennebeck, Emily J.; Meng, Qingwu
Baby greens are becoming increasingly popular in the consumer market because of their desired flavor and leaf size. The short life cycles and fast response times to environmental stimuli make baby greens ideal for testing environmental conditions for space crop production. Additionally, far-red (FR) light has been used for microgreen and baby green research to enhance stem elongation, leaf expansion, and biomass; however, how it interacts with nutrient solution nitrogen (N) concentrations remains unclear. During this ground-based study, we characterized how FR light and N concentrations influenced the growth and morphology of Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. chinensis cv. Tokyo Bekana) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica cv. Red Russian) baby greens under similar superelevated CO2 and low relative humidity to levels observed in spaceflight. Plants were subject to combinations of four sole-source light spectra and three N concentrations (75, 125, and 175 mg⋅L−1). At the same total photon flux density (PFD) of 200 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1, we maintained the same blue and green PFDs at 25 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 each; the remaining 150 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 comprised four red (R) and FR PFD combinations (FR: 0, 25, 50, and 75 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1). Increasing the FR PFD enhanced the typical shade-avoidance morphology of Chinese cabbage ‘Tokyo Bekana’ and kale ‘Red Russian’, exhibiting leaf length increases of 20% to 26% and 31% to 61%, respectively. Edible biomass did not increase with increasing FR PFDs for either species, regardless of the N concentration. Increasing the N concentration increased the Chinese cabbage ‘Tokyo Bekana’ fresh mass and dry mass by 32% to 59% and 37% to 74%, respectively, except under 25 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 of FR light, with which shoot fresh mass increased by 55% with an increasing N concentration from 75 to 125 mg⋅L−1; however, the shoot dry mass was unaffected. Increasing the N concentration did not affect kale ‘Red Russian’ growth under various FR PFDs. We conclude that partially substituting incremental FR light for R light elicits the shade-avoidance response, with little influence on the growth, of Chinese cabbage ‘Tokyo Bekana’ and kale ‘Red Russian’ baby greens under superelevated CO2 and continuous light, and that the former, but not the latter, crop can benefit from increased N fertilization.
Continuous light can promote growth of baby greens over diurnal light under a high daily light integral
(Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2024-02-23) Meng, Qingwu; Severin, Stefanie N.
Sole-source lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) incurs high operating expenditure in indoor vertical farms, where crops are typically grown under diurnal light at a fixed photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Under the same daily light integral (DLI), continuous light lowers the needed PPFD, thereby decreasing the initial capital investment on high-output LEDs and operating expenditure by lighting in the nighttime, when electricity rates are lower than in the daytime in some areas. However, little is known about how temporal light patterns influence baby green growth at varying DLIs. We performed an indoor experiment on baby greens of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) ‘Rouxai’, kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) ‘Red Russian’, and arugula (Eruca sativa) ‘Astro’ at ≈ 21 ºC air temperature and ≈ 70% relative humidity. At each of two DLIs (8.64 and 17.28 mol∙m–2∙d–1), each crop was grown under warm-white LEDs with three light patterns [100%, 75%, and 50% daytime DLI (first half of a 24-hour cycle), followed by 0%, 25%, and 50% nighttime DLI, respectively]. The 0% nighttime DLI treatments delivered diurnal light with a 12-h photoperiod, whereas the 25% and 50% nighttime DLI treatments delivered alternating light and continuous light, respectively, both with a 24-h photoperiod. Lettuce and kale generally had more pronounced growth responses to the light pattern under the higher DLI, whereas arugula growth was unaffected by the light pattern. Compared to diurnal light, continuous light increased lettuce shoot mass at both DLIs, but increased kale shoot mass only under the higher DLI. Compared to continuous light, alternating light decreased lettuce shoot mass only under the higher DLI, but did not influence most parameters of kale or arugula. Doubling the DLI increased the shoot dry mass of all crops by 44–150% and the shoot fresh mass of arugula by 38–73% across light patterns. The shoot fresh mass of lettuce and kale increased with an increasing DLI under continuous or diurnal light. We conclude that the light pattern and DLI had interactive and crop-specific effects on the growth of baby greens. Under the same DLI, continuous light can increase growth of lettuce and kale, but not arugula, baby greens over diurnal light, especially under a high DLI.
Mustard ‘Amara’ Benefits from Superelevated CO2 While Adapting to Far-red Light Over Time
(HortScience, 2024-01-05) Kennebeck, Emily J.; Meng, Qingwu
Compared with the ambient Earth carbon dioxide concentration (≈415 μmol⋅mol–1), the International Space Station has superelevated carbon dioxide (≈2800 μmol⋅mol–1), which can be a stressor to certain crops. Far-red light can drive plant photosynthesis and increase extension growth and biomass. However, the effects of far-red light under superelevated carbon dioxide are unclear. We grew hydroponic mustard (Brassica carinata) ‘Amara’ seedlings in four growth chambers using a randomized complete block design with two carbon dioxide concentrations (415 and 2800 μmol⋅mol–1), two lighting treatments, and two blocks at temperature and relative humidity set points of 22 °C and 40%, respectively. Each growth chamber had two lighting treatments at the same total photon flux density of 200 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1. Under the same blue and green light at 50 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 each, plants received either red light at 100 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 or red + far-red light at 50 μmol⋅m–2⋅s–1 each. At day 15 after planting, far-red light did not influence shoot fresh or dry mass at 415 μmol⋅mol–1 carbon dioxide, but decreased both parameters by 22% to 23% at 2800 μmol⋅mol–1 carbon dioxide. Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration increased shoot fresh and dry mass 27% to 49%, regardless of the lighting treatment. Far-red light decreased leaf area by 16% at 2800 μmol⋅mol–1 carbon dioxide, but had no effect at 415 μmol⋅mol–1 carbon dioxide. Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration increased leaf area by 21% to 33%, regardless of far-red light. Regardless of the carbon dioxide concentration, far-red light promoted stem elongation and decreased chlorophyll concentrations by 39% to 42%. These responses indicate far-red light elicited a crop-specific shade avoidance response in mustard ‘Amara’, increasing extension growth but decreasing leaf area, thereby reducing light interception and biomass. In addition, carbon dioxide enrichment up to 2800 μmol⋅mol–1 increased the biomass of mustard ‘Amara’ but decreased the biomass of other crops, indicating crop-specific tolerance to superelevated carbon dioxide. In conclusion, mustard ‘Amara’ seedlings benefit from superelevated carbon dioxide, but exhibit growth reduction under far-red light under superelevated carbon dioxide.
Blue Photons from Broad-Spectrum LEDs Control Growth, Morphology, and Coloration of Indoor Hydroponic Red-Leaf Lettuce
(Plants, 2023-03-02) Meng, Qingwu; Runkle, Erik S.
For indoor crop production, blue + red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have high photosynthetic efficacy but create pink or purple hues unsuitable for workers to inspect crops. Adding green light to blue + red light forms a broad spectrum (white light), which is created by: phosphor-converted blue LEDs that cast photons with longer wavelengths, or a combination of blue, green, and red LEDs. A broad spectrum typically has a lower energy efficiency than dichromatic blue + red light but increases color rendering and creates a visually pleasing work environment. Lettuce growth depends on the interactions of blue and green light, but it is not clear how phosphor-converted broad spectra, with or without supplemental blue and red light, influence crop growth and quality. We grew red-leaf lettuce ‘Rouxai’ in an indoor deep-flow hydroponic system at 22 °C air temperature and ambient CO2. Upon germination, plants received six LED treatments delivering different blue fractions (from 7% to 35%) but the same total photon flux density (400 to 799 nm) of 180 μmol·m−2·s−1 under a 20 h photoperiod. The six LED treatments were: (1) warm white (WW180); (2) mint white (MW180); (3) MW100 + blue10 + red70; (4) blue20 + green60 + red100; (5) MW100 + blue50 + red30; and (6) blue60 + green60 + red60. Subscripts denote photon flux densities in μmol·m−2·s−1. Treatments 3 and 4 had similar blue, green, and red photon flux densities, as did treatments 5 and 6. At the harvest of mature plants, lettuce biomass, morphology, and color were similar under WW180 and MW180, which had different green and red fractions but similar blue fractions. As the blue fraction in broad spectra increased, shoot fresh mass, shoot dry mass, leaf number, leaf size, and plant diameter generally decreased and red leaf coloration intensified. Compared to blue + green + red LEDs, white LEDs supplemented with blue + red LEDs had similar effects on lettuce when they delivered similar blue, green, and red photon flux densities. We conclude that the blue photon flux density in broad spectra predominantly controls lettuce biomass, morphology, and coloration.
Multiple physiological mechanisms involved in reproduction could be targeted for breeding heat tolerance in lima bean
(Crop Science, 2024-01-24) Ernest, Emmalea; Wisser, Randall J.
With global warming, the impact of high-temperature stress on crop production is one of the major issues facing agriculture. Combining a series of field and controlled environment experiments, the current study aimed at understanding causes of yield loss due to heat stress in lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) in order to guide breeding for heat tolerance. A growth-stage analysis of multi-year field trials suggested that yields were reduced by sensitivity to heat during floral transition. High nighttime temperatures during this period were also associated with delayed pod set and subsequent harvest. These effects were validated in controlled environments, with additional tests revealing how nighttime heat stress generally reduces seeds per pod but can also reduce the number of pods set. Using an intra-plant dual temperature treatment design for vegetative and reproductive organs, it was determined that effects on pollen viability and release are primary factors underlying heat stress-associated yield losses in lima bean. Elevated nighttime temperatures did not reduce aboveground biomass, indicating the physiological basis for temperature sensitivity was not driven by a photosynthate deficit, but instead could be attributed to changes in source–sink dynamics. Still, the basis for sensitivity to heat differed among genotypes, opening new targets for a multi-mechanistic breeding approach for heat tolerance. Abbreviations BFB ‘Bush Florida Butter’ CelSel ‘C-elite Select’ FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FH242 ‘Fordhook 242’ GDD growing degree days HSI heat susceptibility index PGM pollen germination medium UAN urea ammonium nitrate
Dynamics of short-term ecosystem carbon fluxes induced by precipitation events in a semiarid grassland
(Biogeosciences, 2023-06-22) Delgado-Balbuena, Josué; Loescher, Henry W.; Aguirre-Gutiérrez, Carlos A.; Alfaro-Reyna, Teresa; Pineda-Martínez, Luis F.; Vargas, Rodrigo; Arredondo, Tulio
Infrequent and small precipitation (PPT) events characterize PPT patterns in semiarid grasslands; however, plants and soil microorganisms are adapted to use the unpredictable small pulses of water. Several studies have shown short-term responses of carbon and nitrogen mineralization rates (called the “priming effect” or the Birch effect) stimulated by wet–dry cycles; however, dynamics, drivers, and the contribution of the priming effect to the annual C balance are poorly understood. Thus, we analyzed 6 years of continuous net ecosystem exchange measurements to evaluate the effect of the PPT periodicity and magnitude of individual PPT events on the daily/annual net ecosystem C exchange (NEE) in a semiarid grassland. We included the period between PPT events, previous daytime NEE rate, and previous soil moisture content as the main drivers of the priming effect. Ecosystem respiration (ER) responded within a few hours following a PPT event, whereas it took 5–9 d for gross ecosystem exchange (GEE; where −NEE = GEE + ER) to respond. Precipitation events as low as 0.25 mm increased ER, but cumulative PPT > 40 mm infiltrating deep into the soil profile stimulated GEE. Overall, ER fluxes following PPT events were related to the change in soil water content at shallow depth and previous soil conditions (e.g., previous NEE rate, previous soil water content) and the size of the stimulus (e.g., PPT event size). Carbon effluxes from the priming effect accounted for less than 5 % of ecosystem respiration but were significantly high with respect to the carbon balance. In the long term, changes in PPT regimes to more intense and less frequent PPT events, as expected due to the effects of climate change, could convert the semiarid grassland from a small C sink to a C source.
High soil carbon sequestration rates persist several decades in turfgrass systems: A meta-analysis
(Science of The Total Environment, 2023-02-01) Phillips, Claire L.; Wang, Ruying; Mattox, Clint; Trammell, Tara L.E.; Young, Joseph; Kowalewski, Alec
Highlights • Turfgrass can sequester C and may influence emissions stemming from urbanization. • We summarized soil C sequestration rates from 63 datasets, most in the U.S. • Initial C sequestration exceeded rates for many soil conservation practices. • On average turfgrass stopped accruing soil C by 50 years after establishment. Abstract Managed turfgrass is a common component of urban landscapes that is expanding under current land use trends. Previous studies have reported high rates of soil carbon sequestration in turfgrass, but no systematic review has summarized these rates nor evaluated how they change as turfgrass ages. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of soil carbon sequestration rates from 63 studies globally, comprised mostly of C3 grass species in the U.S., including 24 chronosequence studies that evaluated carbon changes over 75 years or longer. We showed that turfgrass established within the last ten years had a positive mean soil C sequestration rate of 5.3 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 (95% CI = 3.7–6.2), which is higher than rates reported for several soil conservation practices. Areas converted to turfgrass from forests were an exception, sometimes lost soil carbon, and had a cross-study mean sequestration rate that did not differ from 0. In some locations, soil C accumulated linearly with turfgrass age over several decades, but the major trend was for soil C accumulation rates to decline through time, reaching a cross-study mean sequestration rate that was not different from 0 at 50 years. We show that fitting soil C timeseries with a mechanistically derived function rather than purely empirical functions did not alter these conclusions, nor did employing equivalent soil mass versus fixed-depth carbon stock accounting. We conducted a partial greenhouse gas budget that estimated emissions from mowing, N-fertilizer production, and soil N2O emissions. When N fertilizer was applied, average maintenance emissions offset 32% of C sequestration in recently established turfgrass. Potential emission removals by turfgrass can be maximized with reduced-input management. Management decisions that avoid losing accrued soil C—both when turfgrass is first established and when it is eventually replaced with other land-uses—will also help maximize turfgrass C sequestration potential. Graphical abstract available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159974
Root responses to abiotic stress: a comparative look at root system architecture in maize and sorghum
(Journal of Experimental Botany, 2024-01-10) Hostetler, Ashley N.; de Sousa Tinoco, Sylvia Morais; Sparks, Erin E.
Under all environments, roots are important for plant anchorage and acquiring water and nutrients. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding how root architecture contributes to stress tolerance in a changing climate. Two closely related plant species, maize and sorghum, have distinct root system architectures and different levels of stress tolerance, making comparative analysis between these two species an ideal approach to resolve this knowledge gap. However, current research has focused on shared aspects of the root system that are advantageous under abiotic stress conditions rather than on differences. Here we summarize the current state of knowledge comparing the root system architecture relative to plant performance under water deficit, salt stress, and low phosphorus in maize and sorghum. Under water deficit, steeper root angles and deeper root systems are proposed to be advantageous for both species. In saline soils, a reduction in root length and root number has been described as advantageous, but this work is limited. Under low phosphorus, root systems that are shallow and wider are beneficial for topsoil foraging. Future work investigating the differences between these species will be critical for understanding the role of root system architecture in optimizing plant production for a changing global climate.
Improving targeting of farmers for enrollment in agri-environmental programs
(Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 2023-05-18) Duke, Joshua M.; Johnston, Robert J.; Shober, Amy L.; Liu, Zhongyuan
Agricultural cost-share research and planning tend to focus on one program at a time, and hence overlook additional efficiencies that might be obtained by considering the possibility that enrollment decisions are related across different programs. Models of multiple-program participation decisions enable these relationships to be considered as part of conditional enrollment predictions, providing more complete and accurate understanding of enrollment behavior. Analysis of data from farmer surveys in Maryland and Ohio show complementary drivers across program participation. Results are consistent with economies of scale and/or scope among different agri-environmental programs. The data also show the gains in prediction accuracy when the model accounts for participation in other programs, thereby enabling improved targeting and program design. For instance, enrollment in commodity-type programs causes a much larger marginal increase (12.6%) in the probability of Maryland cover crops participation than does the increase from Conservation Reserve Program enrollment (4.4%).
Nutrient Solution Application of a Calcium-mobilizing Biostimulant Mitigates Tipburn without Decreasing Biomass of Greenhouse Hydroponic Lettuce
(HortScience, 2024-01-01) Biradar, Kishan; Meng, Qingwu
Lettuce tipburn is a physiological disorder characterized by marginal necrosis and curling of inner, younger leaves caused by localized calcium deficiency, especially in low evapotranspiration environments that restrict mass flow and thus calcium mobility. Severe tipburn negatively affects the marketability and quality of greenhouse-grown hydroponic lettuce. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a chemical-based, calcium-mobilizing biostimulant for mitigating lettuce tipburn when applied in hydroponic nutrient solutions. Butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa ‘Rex’) was grown indoors under warm-white light-emitting diodes at a mean photosynthetic photon flux density of 300 μmol⋅m−2⋅s−1 for 11 days. Subsequently, we transplanted seedlings into deep-water-culture hydroponic trays in a greenhouse at an air temperature of 24.6 ± 1.2 °C, relative humidity of 76.2% ± 7.4%, and 20-hour photoperiod with supplemental lighting from high-pressure sodium lamps. The plants were grown in nutrient solutions with and without the biostimulant codenamed CC US-2105 at two concentrations (22 and 220 μL⋅L−1). Data were collected from plant samples at three harvests at 14, 21, and 28 days after transplant (DAT). At 14 DAT, there was no tipburn under any treatments. Compared with the control, the biostimulant at 22 μL⋅L−1 increased shoot dry mass by 31%. At 21 DAT, the biostimulant at 220 μL⋅L−1 eliminated tipburn, and the biostimulant increased shoot fresh weight by 28%, irrespective of the concentration. At 28 DAT, despite sufficient calcium in the whole plant and the remaining nutrient solution, severe tipburn still occurred in plants that did not receive the biostimulant (control). Compared with the control, the biostimulant at the higher concentration of 220 μL⋅L−1 decreased the tipburn rating by 88% and the number of leaves with tipburn by 85%, increased the plant diameter by 11%, increased the total leaf number by six, and accumulated higher levels of manganese and zinc. In contrast, these parameters remained unaffected at the lower biostimulant concentration of 22 μL⋅L−1. At 28 DAT, shoot biomass was unaffected by the biostimulant. In conclusion, the calcium-mobilizing biostimulant is an effective strategy to mitigate hydroponic lettuce tipburn without decreasing biomass accumulation in greenhouse conditions.
Effects of forest thinning on sap flow dynamics and transpiration in a Japanese cedar forest
(Science of the Total Environment, 2023-12-20) Iida, Shin'ichi; Noguchi, Shoji; Levia, Delphis F.; Araki, Makoto; Nitta, Kyohei; Wada, Satoru; Narita, Yoshito; Tamura, Hiroki; Abe, Toshio; Kaneko, Tomonori
Historically, forest thinning in Japan was conducted to obtain high-quality timber from plantations. Today, in contrast, thinning is also motivated by forest water balance and climate change considerations. It is in this context that the present study examines the effects of thinning on the ecophysiological responses of remaining trees, which are inadequately understood, especially in relation to changes in the magnitude and duration of transpiration. Sap flux densities were measured in both outer and inner sapwood to obtain stand-scale transpiration for two years in the pre-thinning state and three years post-thinning. The effects of thinning on transpiration were quantitatively evaluated based on canopy conductance models. The larger increases in outer sap flux density were found in the first year after the treatment, while those in inner sap flux density were detected in the second and third years. The remaining trees required a few of years to adjust to improved light conditions of the lower crown, resulting in a delayed response of inner sap flux density. As a result of this lag, transpiration was reduced to 71 % of the pre-thinning condition in the first year, but transpiration recovered to the pre-thinning levels in the second and third years due to compensating contributions from inner sap flow. In terms of more accurately chronicling the thinning effect, the distribution of sap flux density with respect to its radial pattern, is necessary. Such measurements are key to more comprehensively examining the ecophysiological response of forest plantations to thinning and, ultimately, its effect on the forest water balance. Highlights • Transpiration (TR) was measured for two years before and three years post thinning. • Outer sap flux increased immediately, while inner increase was delayed. • TR decreased to 71 % just after thinning, returning to initial levels in 2–3 years. • Delayed but substantial increase of inner sap flow is a main factor for TR variation. • Both outer and inner sap fluxes must be quantified to evaluate thinning effects. Graphical abstract available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169060

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