Integration of flue gas desulfurized gypsum (FGD-gypsum) with cover crops is expected to improve soil quality (SQ). Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of FGD-gypsum and rye on SQ and the contribution of core indicators to account for SQ variability in a rainfed corn-soybean system. A completely randomized design (CRD) with two FGD-gypsum rates (control vs. 1,120 kg/ha) x two cover crops (control vs. rye) was conducted. Results showed that both FGD-gypsum and cover crop variably affected soil properties; however, their impact on SQ was more pronounced when integrated. Soil bio-efficiency increased via a large microbial biomass (SMB) pool and higher enzyme activities with a decrease (38%) in microbial catabolism (qCO₂). Soil chemical balancing increased 15% by active carbon (AC), 26% by active nitrogen (AN), 50% by particulate organic carbon (POC), 58% by particulate organic nitrogen (PON) and 53% by particulate organic phosphorus (POP) contents. Improved physical stability increased aggregate stability (>250 µm) contributed to higher POC, PON, and POP enrichment within aggregates. The increased bio-efficiency, chemical balancing, and physical stability as impacted by FGD-gypsum and cover crop consequently improved SQ. Principal components analysis (PCA) identified eight indicators to calculate for minimum dataset SQ index (SQI_MDS), which explained for 86% of the variability in generalized SQI (SQI_gen). A lack of non-significant difference between SQI_g and SQI_MDS suggesting that SQI_MDS can be consistently used to quantify, compare, and predict SQ. A greater use of FGD-gypsum with cover crops will be important for proactive recycling of industrial by-products for growing crops.

The russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in extensive environmental damage, significantly affecting the country’s soil quality and raising concerns about long-term agricultural sustainability and environmental health. The war has resulted in soil degradation through contamination by military operations, destruction of farmland, and disruption of natural ecosystems. The objective of the research is to evaluate the environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine, with a particular emphasis on soil degradation and the development of strategies for post-war restoration. The manuscript will entail a comprehensive review of existing literature on soil degradation and post-war environmental restoration, with a particular focus on case studies from conflict zones such as Vietnam, the Balkans, and post-Second World War Europe. Furthermore, an analysis of data from Ukrainian government agencies, environmental organizations, and international bodies will be conducted to assess the extent and nature of soil damage caused by the war. To achieve effective recovery of its soils and ecosystems, Ukraine can draw on global experiences and implement long-term strategies combining modern decontamination technologies, sustainable agricultural practices and policy reforms that promote ecological resilience. Environmental, social, and economic factors must be integrated into the country’s post-war recovery strategy. It is imperative that international cooperation and investment in environmental restoration, in conjunction with community involvement, are pursued in order to guarantee the success of these endeavours and to provide Ukraine with the support it requires in order to achieve a sustainable and resilient agricultural future. The research provides a foundation for the development of integrated strategies that leverage global lessons, thereby ensuring long-term recovery for Ukraine’s soil and agricultural systems.

Tillage practices influence the soil’s capacity as either a sink or source of carbon (C) within agroecosystems. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of no-till (NT) management over 0, 6, 20, and 35 years in a rainfed corn (Zea mays)–soybean (Glycine max) system, incorporating cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) as a cover crop, on soil organic C (SOC) sequestration and total N accumulation across different pools. The results showed significant increases under NT compared to conventional tillage (CT), including SOC (14–69%), total N (16–60%), microbial biomass C (SMB; 44–101%), active C (11–33%), passive C (15–72%), particulate organic C (POC; 43–173%), and particulate organic N (PON; 29–135%). While NT exhibited higher basal respiration (BR) rates, it significantly reduced C loss via the metabolic quotient, calculated as specific maintenance respiration (qCO₂), by 7.9–29.4% compared to CT. Ratios of passive C to active C increased under long-term NT, indicating a higher accumulation of stable SOC fraction, which consequently reduced soil bulk density (ρb) compared to CT. Using the fixed depth approach, SOC, SMB, active C, and POC were sequestered at rates of 587.4 ± 134.1, 10.1 ± 4.1, 5.3 ± 1.8, and 382.2 ± 55 kg ha ⁻ ¹ yr ⁻ ¹ in the 0–15 cm depth, and at 1.6 ± 0.5, 4.1 ± 1.4, 54 ± 8, and 192 ± 64 kg ha ⁻ ¹ yr ⁻ ¹ in the 15–30 cm depth. Likewise, total N and PON accumulation rates were 72.2 ± 18.4 and 14.1 ± 5.5 kg ha ⁻ ¹ yr ⁻ ¹ at 0–15 cm, and 15 ± 5 and 4.3 ± 1.6 kg ha ⁻ ¹ yr ⁻ ¹ at 15–30 cm. Similar but variable rates of SOC sequestration and total N accumulation were observed at both depths when using the equivalent mass approach compared to the fixed depth method. Adjusting for soil mass equivalence to account for ρb variability in fixed depths provides a more realistic estimation of SOC and total N stocks in different pools, as the fixed depth approach tends to overestimate these stocks. Our findings demonstrate that long-term NT consistently facilitates SOC sequestration and total N accumulation in different pools, with these benefits distributed non-linearly across distinct SOC and total N pools at the 0–15 cm depth and linearly at the 15–30 cm depth in rainfed corn-soybean systems.

Wheat is an important global food security commodity; however, its production is affected by abiotic and biotic stresses associated with climate change. Therefore, a study was conducted during 2019-21 at Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Crop Production, Almaty, Kazakhstan to evaluate the effects of salicylic and oxalic acid on the stress tolerance and yield of wheat (cv. Arai). The three-factorial field study was laid out in RBD comprising of different rates of salicylic acid (0, 0.25 and 0.50 mM), and oxalic acid (0, 0.10, and 0.20 mM) which were applied via foliar and seed treatments. Both salicylic and oxalic acid exerted significant main effects on wheat without any interactions. While polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities increased by salicylic acid, polyphenol oxidase activity decreased (by 16%) by oxalic acid. Foliar treatment of both salicylic and oxalic acids increased enzyme activities than the seed treatment. Wheat spikelet (by 14-8%) and grain yield (by 5-8%) were increased by 0.25 and 0.50 mM salicylic acid, compared to the control. Likewise, grain yield significantly increased by 9-19% with 0.10 and 0.20 mM oxalic acid, respectively. Oxalic acid significantly improved the wheat stress tolerance than that of the salicylic acid. Results suggested that 0.50 mM salicylic acid or 0.20 mM oxalic acid, or in combination, can be applied to improve wheat stress tolerance and grain yield.

Agriculture is an industry of great importance that plays a vital role in addressing global food security. However, it faces significant risks due to climate change, such as extreme weather events, water scarcity, soil degradation, which can lead to reduced crop yields. By 2050, it is projected that the need for food security will double, which will require increased reliance on mechanization, chemicals, freshwater, and energy. These changes may have an impact on ecosystem health. To address these challenges, it is important to consider shifting from traditional farming systems to ecological farming systems that employ holistic approaches for sustainable food production. This transition suggests the need for climate-smart agriculture, which involves integrating economic, environmental, and social principles. It includes employing practices such as no-till farming, crop diversity, and precision irrigation to enhance soil health and ecosystem services. Embracing this proactive approach is crucial for adapting agriculture to climate change and meeting future food demands sustainably.