Water scarcity and soil degradation pose major challenges to traditional rice. This two-year field study (2019–2020) in northern Iran evaluated the potential of direct seeding as an alternative to transplanting to reduce water. The study examined four different irrigation methods (sprinkler, I1; flooding, I2; wet & dry, I3; tape, I4) and three cultivation techniques (direct seeding, C1; direct seedling, C2; traditional transplanting, C3). The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with three replications. Throughout the season, applied water, yield, yield components and water productivity were measured and calculated. Overall, the results indicate that the direct cultivation method of rice (C1 and C2) consumed significantly less water than the traditional transplanting method (C3). However, the direct method also resulted in a lower rice yield compared to the traditional method. The highest yield (8206 kg/ha) was recorded in I2C3. In C3, changing from I2 to I1, I3, and I4, led to yield decreases of about 14%, 9%, and 11%, respectively. The highest water use was recorded for I2C1 (12490 m3/ha). Transitioning from I2C3 to I4C2 led to a 24% decrease in yield and a 45% decrease in water consumption. In this scenario, physical and economic water productivity reached 0.9 kg/m3 and 0.45 $/m3, respectively. The study suggests that direct seeding of rice, compared to the traditional method, can significantly reduce non-beneficial water usage. To address the reduction in yield and adopt water-saving methods, it is important to offer encouraging incentives.

This study aimed to compare the pre-defoliation heights of Marandu palisade grass (MPG) grown in full sun conditions versus those grown in a silvopastoral system with varying levels of shading over two years of pasture management. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, and the treatments were arranged in a split-plot design, with different shading levels implemented between the silvopastoral system rows. The shading treatments included silvopastoral with 55-60%, 50-55%, 45-50%, and 40-45% shading, obtained as a function of the spacing between eucalyptus trees, along with an additional treatment of MPG grown in full sun (monoculture). In the subplots, four pre-defoliation management heights for MPG were tested: 30 cm, 40 cm, 50 cm, and 60 cm. The results revealed that the total number of tillers was higher in the full sun treatment, showing an average of 12.5% more tillers per m2 over the two years compared to the highest shading treatment in the silvopastoral system. Additionally, pre-defoliation heights of 40 cm and 50 cm demonstrated the highest total chlorophyll indices in the MPG plants. The greatest dry mass productivity of MPG was also observed at pre-defoliation heights of 40 cm and 50 cm. Increasing shading levels negatively impacted the productivity of the MPG. However, MPG managed at pre-defoliation heights of 40 cm and 50 cm exhibited better adaptation to the shaded system. This reinforces its suitability for silvopastoral systems due to its good shade tolerance (40–45%) and the flexibility it provides in pasture and livestock management.

The aim of this study was to determine soil quality index (SQI) for hazelnut gardens managed under organic and conventional agricultural systems. Additionally, the predictability of soil quality was evaluated using the XGBoost algorithm. To determine soil quality, a multi-criteria decision-making process was applied to the total dataset (TDS) using standard scoring functions (linear and non-linear). Additionally, the minimum dataset (MDS) was obtained using principal component analysis (PCA). Then, the model verification process was performed using SQI and yield data. According to the results, although SQI values in conventional agriculture were statistically significantly higher, the correlation between yield and soils under organic agriculture was higher than in conventional agriculture. The SQI averaged 0.4576 in conventionally farmed soils and 0.4417 in organically farmed areas. RMSE values obtained for SQI estimation with the XGBoost algorithm using basic soil properties ranged from 0.038 to 0.065. The mean error rate was approximately 8%. Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients for the SQI estimated by MDS and TDS were 0.60 and 0.61, respectively. The most effective basic soil properties for estimating SQI with the XGBoost algorithm were N, K, OM, and P. It was concluded that the XGBoost algorithm can be evaluated for soil quality prediction. In addition, the spatial distribution patterns of the values predicted by this algorithm and of the observed values were similar. The exclusive use of soil analyses in the study can be considered a limiting factor for the model. More comprehensive studies are planned using reflectance measurements from remote sensing technologies.

Different cutting intervals can influence crop development. Therefore, knowledge of the interaction between growth factors and soil-plant-atmosphere conditions can contribute to the efficient cultivation of forage cactus. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphophysiological characteristics, production, and water and economic indicators in forage cactus clones subjected to different cutting interval. The study was conducted in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, in a 3x4 factorial arrangement, with three forage cactus clones (‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana, OEM’ – Opuntia stricta; ‘Miúda’ and ‘IPA Sertânia’ – Nopalea cochenillifera) and four cutting intervals (6, 9, 12+6 and 18 months) in randomized blocks, with four replications. Biometric and productive measurements were performed to determine the phenophases and cutting times. The components of the soil water balance (SWB) were considered at a depth of 0.60 m and the indicators were analysed. The Absolute Growth Rate - AGR and Relative Growth Rate - RGR were higher for the OEM clone at a interval of 18 months. The highest productions of fresh mass (FM) (286.4 Mg/ha) and dry matter (DM) (21.4 Mg/ha) occurred in the OEM clone regardless of the cutting interval. The MIU clone presented three phenophases. The water use efficiency indicator (*WUEc, 1.5 kg/m3) and crop water productivity (*WPc, 1.3 kg/m3) were improved in treatments with the OEM clone, as well as the gross economic productivity of water via irrigation (PBEAi, 2.98 US$/m3). It is recommended to cultivate the OEM clone of forage cactus, regardless of the cutting interval, to provide greater productivity and economic benefits.