The damage caused by soil-borne diseases in Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook (Cupressaceae), commonly called the Chinese fir, has become increasingly severe in China in recent years. Due to the strong seasonal dependence of the occurrence and severity of these diseases, the ecological processes influencing changes in the composition and function of the plant microbiome during different seasons of pathogen infection have been rarely studied. This study compared the seasonal variations in soil physicochemical properties between the rhizosphere soils of healthy and diseased C. lanceolata in major production areas in China. It further explored the effects of root rot on the composition, structure, and ecological functions of rhizosphere microorganisms. The results demonstrated that seasonal variations significantly influenced the physicochemical properties and microbial composition of the rhizosphere soil in C. lanceolata affected by root rot. Microbiome analysis further confirmed that, within the same season, healthy C. lanceolata contained a greater abundance of ecologically beneficial microbial taxa in the rhizosphere soil compared to diseased trees. These microorganisms may function as bioprotectants. This study enhances our understanding of the structural and functional changes in the rhizosphere soil microbiome associated with soil-borne diseases and provides potential ecological management strategies to improve plant resistance to root rot.

The global impacts of agricultural land conversion on soil erosion and pollution, particularly in tobacco cultivation areas, are well-recognized as significant contributors to soil degradation. These areas are identified as hotspots for environmental concerns due to practices that lead to increased erosion and pollution. From this perspective, this case of study explores fine sediment samples from two areas with tobacco cultivation under different tillage systems and seasonal variations, transport into a headwater, and evaluates, on a local scale: (1) the impact of tillage systems on the geochemical signature of sediments; (2) if whether crop seasonality affects these sediment geochemical signatures. The Conventional Ridge Tillage (CRT) system involves extensive soil exposure and machinery for soil management, while the Mulch Ridge Tillage (MRT) system prioritizes soil conservation and relies on herbicides for weed control. The analytical methodology used to assess the sample element characteristics was Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). It was applied on the twenty fine sediments (ten of harvest and ten of inter-harvest season of tobacco) to quantitatively assess their inorganic composition. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were applied on the EDXRF data to highlight the similarities and, thus, providing information to assess the complex data clustering patterns. As a result, the sediment compositions from the two studied soil systems are not similar. The PCA showed that the CRT sediments are characterized by the P, S, K, Ca, and Mn content, presenting a geochemical signature related to manure and fertilizer compared to the MRT, which is correlated with Al, Ti, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents, exhibiting a geochemical signature characterized by the natural soil composition. Therefore, the sediment geochemical signatures might be affected by two phases in the study area: a) tillage system characteristics and b) seasonal soil erosion. These findings underscore the importance of managing soil nutrients to mitigate soil pollution and nutrient exportation to aquatic systems. Moreover, the results emphasize the recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices in tobacco-growing areas to protect environmental quality.

Allium tuberosum, commonly known as garlic chives, is an underutilized Allium species despite its significant culinary value for its mild garlic flavor and therapeutic potential due to the presence of sulphur-containing compounds with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study assessed the cultivation potential of A. tuberosum in the non-traditional agro-climatic region of the Western Ghats, focusing on the effects of cultivars and seasonal variations on growth, yield, and quality in two-year field trials. Among the accessions tested, A. tuberosum Kazakhstan CGN-1587 demonstrated the highest yield, producing 157.01 tons of green foliage per hectare. Bright sunshine seasons positively influenced both yield and quality, while the monsoon season induced morphological changes such as increased stem length, reduced leaf width, and decreased stem girth, traits generally considered inferior for market quality. The monsoon also led to increased waste generation, highlighting the need for careful management during this period. Nutritional analysis revealed high concentrations of potassium (5355 mg/kg), phosphorus (691 mg/kg), and sulphur (2484 mg/kg), while biochemical profiling identified bioactive compounds such as flavonoids (3.19 mg/g) and organosulfur compounds, including Allyl Methyl Thiosulfinate (269.00 mg/kg), which contribute to the plant's notable health benefits. These findings support the suitability of A. tuberosum for year-round cultivation in the Western Ghats and its potential for commercialization, especially in regions with similar climatic conditions.

In cocoa agroforestry systems, cycling of leaves, pods, and branches are key for organic matter sustenance. We investigated annual total litterfall, annual nutrient stocks in total litterfall, cocoa pods and beans, as well as cocoa leaf decomposition rates in cocoa agroforestry systems under conventional and organic management in Suhum Municipality, Eastern Region of Ghana. The study was conducted using six cocoa agroforests for each management selected from a total of four villages. Litterfall was collected monthly using litterboxes and a litterbag technique was employed to study the rates of leaf decomposition and nutrient release for 12 months. In June and July, total litterfall in organic farms were 94% and 65%, respectively, higher than in conventional farms, but management had no effect on average annual total litterfall of 8.8 t ha-1 yr-1 litterfall. Due to the trees' reduced transpiration, 61% of the annual total litterfall occurred during the dry season. Whereas average leaf litter nitrogen (N) concentration was 17% higher in the rainy season than dry season, potassium (K) concentration was 38% higher during the dry season than rainy season. This likely reflected the contribution of N rich green leaves to litterfall in the rainy season and plant coping strategy to drought leading to K accumulation. Cocoa leaf decomposition was not affected by management. Annual potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) stocks in cocoa pod husk were four and nine-fold, respectively, higher than in cocoa beans. We conclude that organic versus conventional management had no effect on litterfall and cocoa leaf decomposition rather season influenced litterfall quantity and chemistry. Irrespective of management the spreading of cocoa pod husk after harvest will improve internal nutrient cycling in cocoa agroforestry systems.

Irrigation has distinct impacts on extreme temperatures. Due to the carryover effect of soil moisture into other seasons, temperature impacts of irrigation are not limited to irrigated seasons. Focusing on the North China Plain, where irrigation occurs in both spring (March-April-May) and summer (June-July-August), with a higher proportion of irrigation water applied during spring, we investigate the impact of spring irrigation on summer extreme heat events. Based on partial correlation analysis of data products, we find positive correlations between spring and summer soil moisture, suggesting that spring irrigation-induced water surplus persists into the following summer and affects regional climate by impacting surface energy partitioning. Regional climate simulations confirm cross-seasonal climatic effects and show that spring irrigation reduces the frequency and intensity of summer extreme heat events by approximately -2.5 days and -0.29 degrees C, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of the cross-seasonal climatic effect of irrigation in mitigating climate extremes. Irrigation exerts a stronger impact on extreme temperatures than on mean temperatures. The North China Plain (NCP) is a typical winter wheat-summer maize rotation planting area, where irrigation is necessary in both spring and summer, but with a higher proportion of irrigation water applied during spring. The climatic effects of spring and summer irrigation in the NCP are intertwined due to the carryover effects of soil moisture. Recently, the climatic effect of irrigation in the NCP has been extensively explored, whereas the cross-seasonal effects of irrigation on summer extreme heat events have never been quantified. In this study, we employ the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with a demand-driven irrigation algorithm to discern the effects of spring and/or summer irrigation on summer extreme heat events by means of idealized climate simulations. The results show that spring and summer irrigation significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of summer extreme heat events by approximately -6.5 days and -1.0 degrees C, of which spring irrigation contributes about 38% and 30%, respectively. Our findings underline the importance of irrigation-induced climate impacts in mitigating extreme heat events and emphasize that climate change adaptation planning in terms of irrigation must account for cross-seasonal climatic effects. Effect of multi-seasonal irrigation on summer extreme heat events is investigated Spring irrigation is beneficial for reducing summer extreme heat events Irrigation modulates the relationship between spring and summer soil moisture

Forest degradation, driven by human and natural factors, diminishes ecological functions and carbon storage. Understanding the complex dynamics of soil carbon pools is crucial for the global carbon cycle, although these dynamics are poorly understood. This study examines how different thinning intensities influence seasonal soil carbon cycling in degraded forests. ANOVA revealed significant differences in soil properties across treatments (p < 0.05). Redundancy analysis and random forest analyses were used to explore relationships among thinning intensities, soil properties, and carbon sequestration. Thinning significantly altered soil attributes, as revealed by field experiments and data analysis. Moderate thinning (20% intensity) significantly enhanced litter retention and soil nutrient levels year-round (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations affected soil carbon dynamics and lower thinning intensities improved carbon sequestration in spring and summer. Conversely, higher thinning intensities led to carbon loss in autumn and winter. Litter carbon, fine root carbon, and correction factor significantly respond to thinning intensities year-round as examined through redundancy analysis and random forest analyses. Findings indicate moderate thinning effectively enhances soil carbon sequestration in degraded forests. Strategically planned thinning could aid climate change mitigation by boosting forest soil carbon storage, influencing forest management and conservation.