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Xiaoping Wu

Bio: Xiaoping Wu is an academic researcher from Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mulch & Soil quality. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 9 citations.

Papers
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TL;DR: Organic mulching practices increased the soil microbiological functional diversity related to the carbon and nitrogen cycle, while inorganic mulching practice reduced them.

29 citations

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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the pollution control aspect of gaseous mitigation and heavy metal passivation as well as their associated bacterial communities driven by apple tree branch biochar (BB) during sheep manure composting.

28 citations

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TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the influence of different grass mulches among aggregates and found that legumes had a more significant impact on the distribution of aggregate and organic matter content than gramineae grass mulching.

Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The influence of spray programs on the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia XIV and its relation to the natural control of the oyster shell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi L.
Abstract: B6nassy, C., 1955. R6marques sur deux Aphelinid6s: Aphelinus mytilaspidis Le Baron et Aphytis proclia Walker. Annls l~piphyt. 6: 11-17. Lord, F. T. & MacPhee, A. W., 1953. The influence of spray programs on the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia II. Oyster shell scale. Can. Ent. 79: 196-209. Pickett, A. D., 1946. A progress report on long term spray programs. Rep. Nova Scotia Fruit Grow. Ass. 83 : 27-31. Pickett, A. D., 1967. The influence of spray programs on the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia XIV. Can. Ent. 97: 816-821. Tothill, J. D., 1918. The predacious mite Hemisarcoptes malus Shimer and its relation to the natural control of the oyster shell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi L. Agric. Gaz. Can. 5 : 234-239.

1,506 citations

01 Oct 2018
TL;DR: In this article, the authors quantitatively synthesized different ecosystem services provided by cover crops (e.g., erosion control, water quality regulation, soil moisture retention, accumulation of soil organic matter and microbial biomass, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, weed and pest control, as well as yield of the subsequent cash crop) using data from previous publications.
Abstract: The maintenance of soil health in agro-ecosystems is essential for sustaining agricultural productivity. Through its positive impacts on various soil physical and biological processes, cover cropping can be an important component of sustainable agricultural production systems. However, the practice of cover cropping can be complex, and possible trade-offs between the benefits and side effects of cover crops have not been examined. To evaluate these benefits and potential trade-offs, we quantitatively synthesized different ecosystem services provided by cover crops (e.g., erosion control, water quality regulation, soil moisture retention, accumulation of soil organic matter and microbial biomass, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, weed and pest control, as well as yield of the subsequent cash crop) using data from previous publications. We used a simple indicator (δ), defined as the ratio of an observed variable (i.e., ecosystem service) under cover crop and under fallow condition, to evaluate the impacts of cover crops on a given ecosystem service. Our results showed that cover crops provided beneficial ecosystem services in most cases, except for an increase in GHG emission (δCO2 = 1.46 ± 0.47 and δN2 O = 1.49 ± 1.22; x ¯ ± SD) and in pest (nematode) incidence (δnematode abundance = 1.29 ± 1.61). It is also important to highlight that, in some cases, tillage could offset the extent of ecosystem service benefits provided by cover crops. Based on this synthesis, we argue that cover crops should be incorporated into modern agricultural practices because of the many environmental benefits they offer, particularly the maintenance of soil and ecosystem health. More importantly, there was generally an increase in cash crop yield with cover cropping (δyield = 1.15 ± 0.75), likely due to improvement in various soil processes. Despite its benefits, the complexity of cover crop management should not be overlooked, and site-specific factors such as climate, soil type, cover crop species and tillage practices must be considered in order to optimize the benefits of cover cropping. In addition to crop yield, detailed economic analyses are needed to calculate the direct (e.g., reduction in the amount of chemical fertilizer) and indirect monetary benefits (e.g., the improvement of soil quality) of cover crops. Such a comprehensive analysis could serve as incentive for producers to integrate cover crops into their management practices.

80 citations

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TL;DR: In this article , a review of manure management is presented, which includes bioenergy generation and resource recovery strategies, their current scenario, opportunities, challenges, and prospects for future researches along with global regulations and policies.

47 citations

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TL;DR: In this article , a comprehensive and recent mechanistic approach of engineered biochar synthesis and its further application in the field of energy and the environment is discussed. But, the review provided a glimpse of the knowledge gaps and challenges associated with application of biochar in various fields, which needs urgent attention in future research.

46 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the short-term effects of the partial substitution of chemical fertilizers with organic manure on the physicochemical properties, microbial community, and enzyme activities in the rhizosphere soil of a maize field were reported.

36 citations