Conceptualizing Multiple Stressors and Their Consequences in Agroforestry Systems

Abstract

The natural environment of crops is exposed to a complex collection of biotic and abiotic pressures. Abiotic stresses cover a diversity of environmental elements that cannot be avoided, such as temperature, drought, salinity, cold, heat, light, and water stress. Biotic stress is caused by living organisms with which plants coexist and interact. Pathogens and herbivores are examples of biotic stressors that can threaten food security and result in significant economic losses. Agricultural production systems differ in the extent of stress towards cultivated crops; agroforestry is considered to provide a protective function against environmental stress. The concept of this review was to assess the impact of environmental change and the atmospheric variability on the plants in agroforestry systems. The application of trees in field crop production has become more and more involved in practice, especially in areas with an extreme climate and unfavorable soil conditions. The main reasons for the rising interest are the effects of climate change, soil degradation, and erosion. Most of the trees are used as hedgerows or farm boundaries, or as scattered planting on the farm to control soil erosion as well as to improve farm productivity, which requires a thorough understanding of each stress element.

Spatial Distribution of Citrus Pseudocercospora Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease and Shade Effect on Disease Intensity

“…However, the development of infection depends on the presence and susceptibility of the host. In the case where neighboring trees are sensitive hosts, the infection is favored and the epidemiological cycle continues [37,38]. On the other hand, if the neighbors are not very sensitive, or if they are not host plants (case of an agroforestry plot), the evolution of the epidemic can be slowed down or even stopped.…”

Medicinal Plant Growth in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils: Responses to Metal Stress and Induced Risks to Human Health

“…Usually, these changes of whatever nature are biotic stressors (viruses, fungi, rust, bacteria, fungi, etc.) and abiotic stressors (extreme temperatures, too much or too little light, ozone, lack or low amounts of water, high salinity, pesticides, excessive UV radiation, and last but not least heavy metals) [107,108].…”

Agroforestry potential for adaptation to climate change: A soil‐based perspective

“…Agroforestry encompasses a range of practices, ranging from alley cropping to silvopastoralism. The premise of AFS is that interactions between vegetation layers (e.g., trees and crops) for soil resources are complementary or facilitative rather than competitive, thereby increasing the use of natural resources (Schoeneberger et al, 2012) and providing a buffer against environmental stress (Mustafa et al, 2022). Evidence gathered globally over at least 40 years has shown the capacity of AFS to increase effective soil depth (deeper and more dense rooting systems) and water-use efficiency (more rainfall water is used by the system) while improving soil physical, chemical and biological quality (Dollinger & Jose, 2018).…”