Deforestation and declining soil fertility are major obstacles for productive cocoa production in West Africa. To improve sustainability of this production system, countries like Ghana promoted agroforestry technologies and introduced organic certification of cocoa agroforests. However, for West Africa, which produces 70% of the world’s cocoa, studies comparing soil fertility under conventional and organic management, which is an important factor for sustainable cocoa production, are rare. Hence this study aimed at investigating differences in soil physico-chemical and microbial properties at 0–10 cm and 10–30 cm depth of traditional cocoa agroforests under organic versus conventional management in four villages with each three farms in Suhum Municipality, Eastern Region of Ghana. Electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N), SOC/total N, and extractable potassium (K) in the topsoil were 51%, 35%, 30%, 11%, and 47% respectively, lower (p < 0.05) under conventional than under organic management. On average, topsoil under conventional management recorded 29% higher NH4+-N concentration and 27% lower NO3−-N concentrations than topsoil under organic management. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in the topsoil of farms under organic management were 48% and 57%, respectively, greater than under conventional management. Contrarily, conventional management significantly increased the metabolic quotient (qCO2) in topsoil compared with organic management, indicating a higher demand of soil micro-organisms for maintenance energy due to the use of herbicides and pesticides. In cocoa agroforests, conventional management has adverse effects on soil chemical and microbial properties. Hence transitioning from conventional management to organic management is beneficial to maintain soil fertility.

In the Highlands of Madagascar, where rice is the main staple food, explosive demographic growth has driven the need for the development of upland rice. In that context, a Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) program conducted by the FOFIFA-Cirad partnership, aims to develop upland rice varieties adapted to farmers’ needs, with superior agronomic performances, and with high grain zinc concentration. In the area, where ferralitic soils with N and P deficiencies prevail, limited fertilizer usage persists due to elevated costs, and upland rice varieties must adapt to these low fertility environments. Thus, this paper aims to identify the adequate selection conditions and methods that allow combining the above-mentioned criteria for selection. So, 56 rice breeding lines, including high-zinc genotypes, were evaluated in field trials with contrasting fertility conditions. A relative selection efficiency analysis demonstrated that selection for yield should be done in moderate fertility environments, while selection for grain zinc concentration could be done across a diverse range of conditions. Through participatory evaluations, we identified that, for this case, grain appreciation was the most important character for deciding whether to select a line, followed by productivity and earliness. We also noted that farmers were more willing to accept a variety if it had higher grain zinc concentration. Finally, we proposed a selection index that combines agronomic, farmers’ and nutritional criteria, with the purpose of selecting lines that fulfill the expectations on these areas. Overall, this paper proposes an adapted methodology for the combination of PPB and biofortification in marginal environments.

SPAD combined with hyperspectral sensors can be an alternative approach to traditional laboratory methods for determining the physiological status of trees. The aim of this work was to assess whether the effectiveness of SPAD predictive models using hyperspectral data might be influenced by where the measurements were carried out. Leaves of apricot trees of two varieties (Farbaly and Farlis) were analysed with SPAD and spectroradiometer, and the data were organized in two different ways: (i) overall dataset (OD), collecting total measurements of trees in each variety; (ii) subset of overall datasets (SOD), collecting the measurements performed on the cardinal points of trees in each variety. Prediction models were built using as regressors: (i) spectral data transformed with Continuum Removal (CR) methodology (CR indices); (ii) vegetation indices (VI) linked to chlorophyll and nitrogen content; (iii) reflectance values associated with chlorophyll content and to wavelengths ranges where (CR) methodology was applied; (iv) reflectance values of full spectrum. The best performances belonged to models using wider ranges of spectrum both in ODs and in SODs. The north cardinal point showed prediction models with the best performances in both varieties. No VI and CR indices showed reliable models. All the reliable prediction models were associated with compounds involved in physiological state and metabolism of leaves in apricot tree.

Manual rainfed rice sowing is laborious and time-consuming, leading to delayed crop establishment due to labour shortage. To increase production and productivity, we proposed introducing single-row rotary seeders (for dibbling seeds) and fertiseeders (for simultaneous dibbling seeds and fertilizer) for smallholders. We evaluated ‘CFFAMMA seeder’ (already developed seeder by CFFAMMA), ‘New seeder’ (a newly designed seeder), and a fertiseeder in terms of sowing time, crop establishment, and yield in Madagascar. We also obtained farmers’ feedback on the machines’ effectiveness, desirability, their willingness to use, and to pay for it (farmer participatory approach). Finally, we evaluated the profitability of using these machines under rainfed conditions. On-farm experiments across four locations in the central highlands of Madagascar revealed up to 82% time savings using seeders and fertiseeder over two seasons compared with manual methods. The CFFAMMA seeder outperformed the other two, with similar numbers of missing hills, yield, and benefit–cost (B:C) ratios to manual sowing. Despite farmers’ desire to adopt seeders (96%), high cost of equipment acquisition remains a significant obstacle: farmers’ willingness to pay per unit of the equipment (US$8–11); actual price ($68–81). Addressing this financial burden is crucial for wider adoption. Though the seeders and fertiseeder achieved >80% time reduction for sowing and comparable yields to manual methods, fine-tuning of the tools for technical efficiency is also required for wider adoption.

An innovative methodological approach combining statistical typologies and stochastic frontier analysis was applied to data collected from 1840 mixed crop-livestock farms in six districts of Zimbabwe, representative of semi-arid areas of the country. The average annual cereal production was 362 kg farm–1, and the average annual livestock offtake was 0.64 ± 1.32 Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) farm–1. Our results demonstrate there is scope to increase cereal and livestock production by 90.7% and 111.9% relative to current production levels, respectively, with more efficient use of existing resources and technologies. Rainfall was found to have a strong effect on cereal production, highlighting the need for climate-smart practices. Livestock mortality (0.59 ± 1.62 TLU farm–1) was found to be in the same order of magnitude as livestock offtake (0.64 ± 1.32 TLU farm–1). Cereal production was supported by livestock, demonstrating the importance of crop-livestock interactions in these mixed farming systems. Three farm types were identified in our analysis. Crop-oriented mixed farms (31%) are likely to be the ones most responsive to crop-specific interventions e.g., crop rotation and integrated pest management. Livestock-oriented mixed farms (34%) are likely to benefit the most from livestock-specific interventions, e.g., home feed. Mixed farms dependent on off-farm activities (36% of the sample) may require nutrition-sensitive and labour-saving sustainable intensification technologies to benefit from their limited resources. Reducing cattle mortality is a priority for all three farm types. The method proposed here could be adapted to other contexts characterized by heterogeneous farming populations to target interventions.

Sugarcane varieties differ in their ratooning ability (RA), and it is hypothesized that soil types and harvest seasons impact varieties’ RA. However, the effects of these factors on varieties’ RA remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the RA of different commercial sugarcane varieties (NCo376, N19, N23, N25, and N36), and establish the effects of soils and seasons on ratoon yields of these varieties in Eswatini. Fifteen years data on tons cane per ha per annum (TCHA) and tons sucrose per ha per annum (TSHA) achieved by plant cane and seven ratoon crops were collected from four commercial growers and analysed using linear regression models. The varieties significantly differed in RA. Variety N25, which had the highest plant cane yields (121.3 TCHA and 16.7 TSHA), had the sharpest yield decline over ratoon crops (–2.74 TCHA and −0.33 TSHA), suggesting that this variety is more suitable for short crop cycles. Variety N36 had second highest plant cane yields (111.7 TCHA and 16.4 TSHA) and a lower ratoon yield decline (–1.38 TCHA and −0.16 TSHA) than N25, suggesting that it is suitable for longer ratoon crop cycles. While soil type and harvest season significantly affected the relative yields of varieties, they did not significantly impact their RA, indicating that differences in varieties’ RA were driven by genotype and were relatively stable across environments. This suggests that tests to assess the adaptability of varieties should be conducted in multiple environments, while testing the RA of varieties may be conducted in fewer environments.

The choice of tree species planted with cacao trees is essential for ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of cacao farming systems. This raises the question of the long-term impact of associated tree legumes (ATLs) on cacao bean yields and biomass accumulation. This study was carried out in accordance with four-block randomised experimental design in Divo (Ivory Coast, West Africa). The study involved cacao-Albizia lebbeck (Cacao-Alb) and cacao-Acacia mangium (Cacao-Aca) intercrops and unshaded cacao plots (Control). After 20 years of intercropping, we assessed cacao dendrometry (height, circumference, biomass, and biomass C-stock) and production (number of pods per tree and bean yield at the plot level) as well as soil fertility (soil organic matter (SOM) concentration) at various distances from ATLs (D1:0–1.75 m; D2:3.25–5 m; D3:7–9 m). The distance from the ATLs had no significant effect on the measured cacao dendrometric parameters, except for cacao height. In contrast, the Cacao-Aca association had a negative impact on the SOM concentration (−22%), cacao tree height (−6.15%), and productivity parameters (biomass: −12.4%; bean yield: −43%). However, Cacao-Alb and the Control had no significant differences in terms of SOM, tree biomass, or bean production. Intercropping cacao with the tested tree legumes did not enhance cacao productivity and, in some cases, hindered it, depending on the ATL species. This study highlighted the importance of identifying appropriate shade tree legume species that could be promoted in cacao-based agroforestry systems.

Cover crops and conservation soil tillage are reconsidered in cropping systems for their several agronomical and ecosystem services. In this frame, an important role is played by cover crop termination and seedbed preparation, which are crucial for a timely and successful establishment of the following cash crop. This work was aimed at testing a disc chain harrow for terminating a cover crop of hairy vetch and preparing a seedbed for soybean and defining its operational characteristics. A total of three trials were carried out to (1) compare two types of discs in two different front + rear combinations and two different working speeds (8 vs. 14 km h−1) in terms of efficacy of hairy vetch termination; (2) evaluate the seedbed preparation by the disc chain in terms of soybean establishment as a following cash crop; (3) evaluate operational characteristics (working speed, fuel consumption, absorbed power, etc.) of the disc chain at the two different speeds. Results demonstrate that the disc chain is a valid tool for cover crop termination and seedbed preparation in a conservation tillage approach. The quality of work was affected by the type of disc and the working speed. The disc chain showed good operating performance, with low mechanical pulling force, low energy requirement for traction, and low fuel consumption as compared to alternative conservation practices for cover crop termination and/or shallow soil tillage.

Understanding trait variation in response to temperature is important to predict how crops respond to rising temperature. Although we have a sound understanding of the effects of increasing temperature on growth and development of crops, a robust assessment of how crop reproductive processes are affected by climate warming is still lacking. In this study, we experimentally investigate how the growth temperature affects the cardinal temperatures of in vitro pollen germination of widely distributed tree crop species Cocos nucifera L. (cultivar Sri Lankan Tall). We hypothesize that temperature optima for pollen germination and pollen tube growth would be determined by the growth temperature. Our results showed that the temperature optima of pollen germination and pollen tube growth were higher at relatively warmer sites (sites where the mean annual temperature ∼ 28°C) compared to the cooler sites (sites where the mean annual temperature ∼ 22°C). The two processes were better coordinated at warmer sites. We speculate that tropical tree species that are currently growing in relatively cooler environments may have the capacity to perform their reproductive physiological functions in future warmer climates without any substantial negative impacts. Findings of this study should prove useful in quantifying the potential impacts of climate warming on tropical agro-ecosystems, improving the representation of plant reproduction in crop models.

Land degradation and declining productivity in the Ethiopian Highlands are primarily caused by soil fertility decline due to erosion, nutrient depletion, and soil acidity. An integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) project operating over a six-year period aimed to combat this and boost yields through participatory demonstrations. Despite high levels of yield variability expected from a farmer-managed observational study over a wide area, results show that crop yields increased with increased use of ISFM. Detailed statistical analysis using multiple linear regression models explained the contribution of individual practices. Use of improved varieties and line-seeding rather than broadcasting were consistently and highly significant. The contribution of inorganic blended fertiliser was less clear, probably due to low soil organic matter and use on acidic soils, although response to nitrogen was highly significant. The contribution of organic fertilisers was less than expected, possibly due to soil disturbance from farmer practices of multiple ploughing. Responses to crop residue management and agroforestry practices were significant on most crops reflecting their importance in improving soil water management, soil organic matter and recycling nutrients. Response to lime application on acid soils was highly significant confirming the importance of correcting acidity. Unexplained differences are attributed to the additive effects of using several ISFM treatments as well as unrecorded beneficial farmer management practices. It can be concluded that ISFM can play an essential role in improving productivity, addressing food insecurity and the challenges of climate change. Further expansion will require advocacy, awareness-raising, field-level extension and involvement of the private sector.

Fruit quality is a key factor – beginning with the producer, continuing through the supply chain, and ending with the consumer. It is described by multiple indicators and varies during the growth and ripening of the fruit. This study focused on two main aspects of Cogshall mango (Mangifera indica L.) quality: (i) the physical properties of the fruit with fresh mass (FM), pulp dry matter content (DMC), and pulp coloration; and (ii) the chemical properties with pulp sugar content and pulp acidity. These indicators were monitored on on-tree fruit, from about 60 days after bloom until full maturity. The same indicators were also monitored on fruit stored in cold storage rooms during ripening. The effects of leaf-to-fruit ratio (manageable by pruning or fruit thinning), maturity stage of fruit at harvest (manageable by harvest date), and storage temperature on the kinetics of quality traits of on-tree and stored fruit were assessed. In addition, a change-point analysis was applied to the sweetness index kinetics (used as a proxy of fruit ripening) to study fruit ripening induction. The leaf-to-fruit ratio mainly influenced fruit growth in terms of FM and pulp DMC, whereas it had less impact on the evolution of fruit chemical properties. The maturity stage of the fruit at harvest was a key factor in determining the potential quality at the ripe stage. Ripening occurs naturally at the mature green stage for on-tree fruit, but ripening at an earlier stage can be induced by harvesting the fruit. During the ripening phase, a low leaf-to-fruit ratio and a cold storage temperature tended to slow down the daily rate of sweetness increase. The use of cold temperatures during storage slowed down starch degradation and sucrose accumulation, while almost stopping the variation in fruit coloration and acidity.

Optimizing fertilizer use in intensively cropped soils is essential, but knowledge of related issues among farmers is lacking. The present study assessed farmers’ perceptions of fertilizers and practices of fertilizer use in intensive cereal production in rural areas of Evros in northern Greece. In total, 250 cereal farmers were chosen for this study, and more than half of the farmers (53.6%) perceived that chemical fertilizers are hazardous, corroborating a general perception of chemophobia. Nevertheless, almost all farmers (98.8%) stated that they applied fertilization in their cereal production. Among them, 82.8% applied inorganic fertilizers, 9.2% applied green manure, 4.4% applied animal manure, and 3.6% applied commercial organic fertilizers. Most farmers used rates within the recommended rates in cereal production, while 12.9% and 6.2% of the farmers reported fertilization rates that were significantly lower or higher than those recommended for the area, respectively. Almost half of the farmers (48.8%) stated that they often use slow-release fertilizers and 30.8% stated that they frequently use foliar-applied fertilizers in cereals. Most farmers (57.2%) never kept records of annual fertilizations, while two-thirds of the farmers (66.4%) never asked for a soil analysis. Overall, most farmers (52.0%) showed traditional behavior, while only 5.2% showed innovative behavior in fertilizer use. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the innovative behavior was promoted by large-scale farmers, farmers who applied crop rotation, and farmers who perceived inorganic fertilizers as harmful. Moreover, large farm size and favorable attitudes concerning organic fertilizers were significantly associated with organic fertilizers use.

Farm mechanization promises to help raise labor productivity and reduce the heavy toil of farming on the world’s millions of smallholder farms, hence contributing to socioeconomic development in the Global South, in particular in Africa. While mechanization is therefore high on the African development agenda, there are heavy – at times dogmatic – debates on which technological pathway toward farm mechanization – animal traction, two-wheel tractors, and four-wheel tractors – should be supported by African governments and development partners. One discussion area relates to the future of animal traction. Proponents see a continued scope for the use of draught animals, whereas opponents see animal traction as old-fashioned and see a potential to leapfrog this mechanization stage. There are also debates on the potential of two-wheel tractors, with proponents arguing that such walk-behind tractors are more affordable and suitable for smallholder farmers, and opponents believing that such tractors lack efficiency and power and still come with a high drudgery. This paper argues that there are no blueprint answers on which technological pathway is ‘best’ but only answers on which one ‘best fits’ the respective conditions. Based on this premise, this paper introduces a ‘best-fit’ framework that allows for assessing the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the three technological pathways in different agroecological and socioeconomic conditions. The results suggest that all three forms of mechanization are associated with areas where they ‘best fit’. All three farm mechanization pathways hinge on public policies and investments to create an enabling environment for private markets, as, ultimately, innovation processes should be market driven. The ‘best-fit’ framework enables governments and development partners to focus efforts to support farm mechanization on solutions that ‘best fit’ their country’s farming systems and not on those that are politically most attractive, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural mechanization and development.

Incorporating the dominant male sterile gene, Ms44, in new maize varieties results in 50% non-pollen producing (FNP) varieties. This makes the varieties more nitrogen efficient and increases yield directly by an average of 200 kg ha−1 across yield levels. However, as half of the plants do not shed pollen, the presence of Ms44 in an FNP variety is clearly visible. This technology can improve food production and security in the African maize-based agri-food systems, but only if accepted by farmers. Farmers were therefore invited to 11 on-farm, researcher managed trial sites of FNP varieties in Kenya over 2 years. They were asked to identify the traits they find important in evaluating maize varieties and to score the FNP varieties, as well as their conventional counterparts, on these criteria (including yield, resistance to pests, and cob size) and overall, using a five-point hedonic scale. In total, 2,697 farmers participated, of which 62% were women. Farmers mentioned many traits they find important, especially yield and related traits, early maturity, and drought resistance, but also tassel and pollen formation. In 2017, mid-season, participants scored FNP varieties lower than conventional varieties on tassel and pollen formation, indicating that farmers could distinguish the trait. FNP varieties still received higher scores for yield and overall evaluation. In mid-season 2018, participants no longer scored FNP varieties lower for pollen formation as they now understood the technology. In both years, at the end-season evaluation, scores for tassel formation were not different, but participants scored FNP varieties higher for yield and overall. We conclude that farmers recognized the FNP trait but did not mind it as they clearly favored its yield advantage. The FNP technology, therefore, has high potential not only to increase maize yields, food production, and food security in the agricultural systems of Africa but also to increase varietal turnover and the adoption of new, high-yielding, climate-smart maize hybrids.

This study examines the extent to which wheat varieties supplied by the formal seed system align with the varieties demanded and used by farmers in Ethiopia. The framework of stated and revealed preferences drawn from the consumer preference theory is used to analyze farmer demand for different wheat varieties. We used official data from the formal seed sector and representative survey data from wheat farm households in Ethiopia. The survey data allow to contrast the farmer reported varietal use with genotyping by sequencing (also known as DNA fingerprinting). Farmers’ reliance on informal seed sources and own saved seed, among others, contributes to the misidentification of the varieties they grow. Consequently, farmers are likely to misinform the formal seed demand assessment leading to either an over- or underestimation of actual seed demand for specific wheat varieties. Genotyping by sequencing, as opposed to farmer reports, established the persistence of old varieties. This also implies vulnerability of wheat production to disease dynamics depending on the longevity of disease resistance by the variety in use. Apart from narrowing the gap between the actual and stated demand and ensuring timely replacement of wheat varieties, genotyping-assisted estimates can save seed carry-over cost. Genotyping by sequencing is increasingly used as the new benchmark and gold standard for identifying and tracking the adoption of crop varieties. The technique has potential to enhance the performance of the seed sector through effective planning that can optimize resource commitments and accelerate the rate of varietal replacement.

Insect-proof net tunnels can help reduce virus infection of clean virus-tested sweetpotato seed produced by decentralized seed producers. However, optimal management is required to maintain both quality and quantity of seed produced. This study investigated the effect of the ratoon cropping technique on vine production in net tunnels and open fields. Virus-tested planting material of two varieties, Kabode and Mataya, were grown in net tunnels and open fields. Each variety had 80 plants per plot, with 40 following the ratooning technique and 40 a replanting technique. The ratooned crop was harvested six times, comprising the initial harvest and five regrowths. This covered 14 months representing six generations of vine production. The number of vines, number of nodes per vine, and vine length were recorded. The number of plants showing virus symptoms was also recorded. The ratoon cropping technique produced more vines compared with the replanting technique in both net tunnels and open fields. Cv. Kabode produced more vines in open fields compared with net tunnels regardless of cropping technique. On the other hand, cv. Mataya produced relatively equal numbers of vines in net tunnels and open fields. Despite ratooning leading to more vine production compared with replanting, the technique led to higher virus incidences on plants grown in the open. This also varied with variety with the highest virus disease incidences being recorded on cv. Mataya. We recommend the ratoon cropping technique for sweetpotato vine production in net tunnels. Replanting technique should be adopted for vine production in the open fields because it acts as a key control strategy for virus infections even for susceptible varieties.

Farmers around the world are increasingly vulnerable: climate variability is identified as the primary stressor, but unfavorable biophysical circumstances and disturbances in the socioeconomic domain (labor dynamics and price volatility) also affect farm management and production. To deal with these disturbances, adaptations are recognized as essential. Antifragility acknowledges that adaptations and volatility are inherent characteristics of complex systems and abandons the idea of returning to the pre-disturbance system state. Instead, antifragility recognizes that disturbances can trigger reorganization, enabling selection and removal of weaker system features and allowing the system to evolve toward a better state. In this study, we assessed the vulnerability of different types of smallholder farms in Bihar, India, and explored the scope for more antifragile farming systems that can ‘bounce back better’ after disturbances. Accumulation of stocks, creation of optionality (i.e., having multiple options for innovation) and strengthening of farmer autonomy were identified as criteria for antifragility. We had focus group discussions with in total 92 farmers and found that most expressed themselves to be vulnerable: they experienced challenges but had limited adaptive capacity to change their situation. They mostly made short-term decisions to cope with or mitigate urgent challenges but did not engage in strategic planning driven by longer-term objectives. Instead, they waited for governmental support to improve their livelihoods. Despite being confronted with similar challenges, four positive deviant farmers showed to be more antifragile: their diverse farming systems were abundant in stocks and optionality, and the farmers were distinguished in terms of their autonomy, competence, and connectedness to peers, the community, and markets. To support antifragility among regular farmers, adaptations at policy level may be required, for example, by shifting from a top-down toward a bottom-up adaptation and innovation regime where initiative and cooperation are encouraged. With a more autonomous orientation, farmers’ intrinsic motivation is expected to increase, enabling transitions at the farm level. In this way, connected systems can be developed which are socioeconomically and biophysically adaptive. When practices, knowledge, and skills are continuously developed, an antifragile system with ample stocks and optionality may evolve over time.

User-oriented research is important in breeding improved genotypes, for developing and validating product concepts (mostly involving trait prioritisation), as well as evaluating breeding products in use situations (mostly involving participatory variety evaluation). This paper examines key aspects that enable cumulative learning in user-oriented research for root, tuber and banana (RTB) crop breeding. We reviewed empirical user-oriented studies on RTB crops published between 1996 and 2020. We examined the ability of user-oriented research to foster cumulative learning by examining four key aspects: spatial and temporal coverage; gender aspects; the range of traits considered and publishing practices as evident in reports and datasets. We conclude that user-oriented studies have received attention in RTB breeding but fall short of enabling cumulative learning. Substantial investments in methodology development and capacity are needed to bring greater coherence to this field and enable cumulative learning about user perspectives to iteratively increase the fit between improved genotypes and user preferences.

In Madagascar, upland rice cropping is constrained by soil acidity and low phosphorus (P) bioavailability. Given their role in plant P nutrition, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may improve crop yield in nutrient-poor tropical soils. In the Vakinankaratra region, a field experiment was conducted at 908 m asl on an acidic Ferralsol during the 2019–2020 growing season. The aim was to test the ability of four promoted rice varieties to respond to AMF seed-coating inoculation with a commercial strain of Rhizophagus irregularis in the absence or presence of P fertilizer (20 kg ha−1 of P2O5) under no expected nitrogen (N) limitation. In absence of P fertilization, both at tillering and at maturity and irrespective of the rice varieties, AMF inoculation significantly improved plant performance and finally grain yield, grain N, and grain P amounts by an average of 28%, 30%, and 39%, respectively. In contrast, when P fertilizer was supplied, no significant effect of AMF inoculation was observed. Rice growth variables were significantly higher with the application of P fertilizer than with AMF inoculation both at tillering and at maturity. P fertilizer without inoculation provided an average grain yield improvement of 85%. At tillering, mycorrhizal parameters for root colonization assessment were not positively linked with rice growth variables suggesting an early effect of AMF inoculation. We concluded that, with no P fertilization, AMF seed coating inoculation at the field scale significantly improved upland rice plant performance in a limited soil P environment. Our rice genetic variability did not interfere significantly both with mycorrhizal parameters and crop AMF inoculation benefits.

Management strategies such as nitrogen (N) topdressing and clipping can be used to optimize a cover crop for the dual purpose of soil cover and forage. The present study tested oat (Avena sativa) for a holistic provision of soil cover and forage under various levels of clipping frequency and N topdressing. Effects on root and above-ground biomass, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein (CP) were evaluated. Clipping frequency had four levels, namely clipped only at termination (C1), clipped at 28 days after emergence (DAE) and termination (C2), clipped at 28, 42 DAE, and termination (C3), and clipped at 28, 42, 56 DAE, and termination (C4). Nitrogen topdressing had two levels, namely with (N1) and without (N0) the recommended N topdressing. Increasing clipping frequency reduced the root and aerial biomass and did not affect the forage quality harvested before termination. However, N topdressing increased biomass and CP content across the clipping frequencies. Results suggest clipping thrice combined with N topdressing (C4 + N1) provides the best option to satisfy both soil cover and livestock demands. The treatment (C4 + N1) gave > 2 t ha−1 of biomass during the growing period and 6 t ha−1 at termination which can be used for livestock forage and soil cover, respectively. Clipping thrice without N topdressing (C4 + N0) was the best option for resource-constrained farmers.