scholarly journals Quantification and analysis of surface macroplastic contamination on arable areas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolas Stefano ◽  
Daniel Pleissner
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Optical Methods ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Field Sampling ◽  
Degree Of Contamination ◽  
Compost Application ◽  
Size Of Particles

Abstract Purpose The present study provides quantitative data on the degree of macroplastic contamination of two conventionally treated arable areas in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), which differ only in the use of organic fertilizers (e.g., compost). Methods The plastic contamination of both areas was determined by means of field sampling. The study areas were divided into edge and central areas to minimize and identify direct influences from the boundaries. After cleaning and drying, the collected macroplastic particles were analyzed by phototechnical and optical methods for number and size of particles. Results The arable area with compost fertilization showed a substantially higher macroplastic pollution with 9247 particles per hectare compared to the 220 particles per hectare found on the arable land without compost application. Furthermore, the differences in plastic forms and types on both areas, the presence of plastic directly related to household and garden products, and the homogeneous distribution of plastic particles on the arable area with compost application allow to conclude that compost can be regarded as reason for substantially higher pollution. Areas close to a road showed a higher degree of contamination and differences in the found plastic products compared to the center areas, which indicates littering as a further considerable entry path. Conclusions The causes of plastic contamination of the investigated arable areas (e.g., contaminated compost by improper waste management and littering) are predominantly external to agricultural practices. The knowledge gained contributes to the knowledge about quantities, impacts, and fate of plastic in the environment.

scholarly journals Sourse degradation - global environmental problem

2017 ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myroslav Voloshchuk
Keyword(s):  
Soil Degradation ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Complex Situation ◽  
Erosion Processes ◽  
Fertile Soil ◽  
Catchment Areas

Based on generalization of literary sources, normative legal, stock materials and experimental data, the complex situation of soil degradation is highlighted. Different types and intensity of the manifestation of soil degradation, their distribution and characteristics are described. The threatening situation of manifestation of degradation processes in some regions of Ukraine is shown, among which soil erosion occupies the leading place. More than 4.5 million hectares are occupied by medium and strongly ground soils, including 68 thousand hectares completely lost their humus horizon. Particularly large areas of eroded soils are distributed on arable land in the Vinnytsia, Luhansk, Donetsk, Odesa, Chernivtsi and Ternopil regions, where the average annual ground wash is 24.5–27.8 t/ha with a tolerance of 2.5–3.7 t/ha. As a result of erosion processes from the total area of agricultural land, about 500 million tons of fertile soil layer is washed out on average annually, which contains about 24 million tons of humus, 0.96 million tons of nitrogen, 0.68 million tons of phosphorus and 9.4 million tons of potassium equivalent to 320–333 million tons of organic fertilizers, and ecological and economic losses due to erosion exceed 9 billion UAH. Flat soil was associated with linear erosion. The main indicators characterizing the degree of damage to land by linear erosion are the density of ravines, the distance and area between them, the slope, the properties of soils and rocks, the morphometric parameters of the ravines and their catchment areas. According to various estimates, the area of land affected by linear erosion in the country increases by 5–10 thousand ha annually. The effect of the ravines on the complete destruction of the land, deformation of the soil cover is highlighted. Information on various types of soil pollution by poison chemicals, industrial waste is given. According to the prediction of scientists in such a situation, 120–150 years on the planet can destroy the fertile soil layer. Key words: erosion, dehumidification, pollution, waterlogging, acidity, degraded land.

Heterogeneous Effects of Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Micro-evidence from Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-374
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Maggio ◽  
Solomon Asfaw
Keyword(s):  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Heterogeneous Effects ◽  
Hybrid Seeds ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Temperature Records ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Abstract Are the effects of sustainable agricultural practices heterogeneous across agro-ecology and wealth in Malawi? Would a wealth-enhancing policy be associated with increased effectiveness of these practices? Focusing on a nationally representative set of Malawian agricultural households, the article answers the above questions by employing plot-level panel data matched with a set of geo-referenced rainfall and temperature records. The findings suggest a positive correlation between aggregate yield and the adoption of organic fertilizer. A similar result holds for legume intercropping and for hybrid seeds, which are associated to reductions in yield volatility between the two waves. Nevertheless, these effects appear heterogeneous across the agro-ecological zone of adoption, since a reduced number of farmers in selected locations can improve yields through the adoption of these practices. Further exploration suggests that less wealthy households show higher returns when adopting hybrid seeds or legume intercropping. Wealthier households, in contrast, report high yield only when treated with technology-enhancing practices, such as organic fertilizers and soil erosion control measures.

ANALYSIS OF CROP ROTATION SYSTEMS ORGANIZATION OF AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES OF TYUKALINSKY DISTRICT OF OMSK REGION ON THE LANDSCAPE AND ENVIRONMENTAL BASIS

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Маракаева ◽  
Tatyana Marakaeva ◽  
Ноженко ◽  
Tatyana Nozhenko
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Ecological Condition ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Ecological Stability ◽  
Agricultural Organizations ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Moment

Results of the three-year analysis of the organization of systems of crop rotations on a landscape and ecological basis in large-scale enterprises of Tyukalinsky district of the Omsk region are presented in article. In the territory of the agricultural organizations the assessment of ecological condition of lands on the basis of an assessment of the main components of a landscape was carried out: climatic, a relief, vegetation, soils, ground waters, the spreading breeds. It is established that in farms the following types of soils prevail: meadow, marsh, solonetzic soils, malt, meadow and chernozem solonetzic and chernozem and meadow solonetzic. Therefore, there are an average ecological intensity of lands in ООО “Atrachi” - 45.8%, ООО “Chistoe” - 58.9%, ООО “Agrokom” - 1%, and also strong manifestation of processes of remoistening and salinization is revealed (27%, 41,1% and 90% of the total area of an arable land in farms). Critical condition of arable lands is noted in ООО “Atrachi” (27.2%), at the moment they actually aren´t used and aren´t demanded. The analyzed agricultural organizations cultivate grain crops (24.7% - 41.0%), one-year (3.9%-21.4%) and long-term herbs (33.6% - 43.4%). In this regard two types of crop rotations are used: field and fodder. As a result of ecological justification of crop rotations, calculation of balance of a humus has shown that completion of its deficiency requires introduction of a certain amount of organic substances and implementation of replacement of a fallow land on sideralny with a zapakhivaniye of elevated mass of plants to the soil as additional organic fertilizers. After the carried-out analysis us it is recommended to include in crop rotations phytoameliorants, steady against salinization (the tributary white), to make replacement of long-term herbs on steady against remoistening of soils (a ribbon grass reed or a herd grass meadow). The use of correctly designed crop rotations, taking into account all complex of landscape and ecological conditions, will allow to stabilize negative natural and anthropogenous processes, to provide their big ecological stability.

Soil quality audit for resource conservation in Indian agriculture

Social Change ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 75-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. V. Raman ◽  
Saroja Raman
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
High Input

Indian agricultural enterprise is one of the largest in terms of human capital and area of operation. It covers approximately 144 mha arable land, more than 60% of the population, and accounts for 40 % of the GDP. Hence its role in overall economic ecological and social development is very critical. Indian agricultural scene is a mix of traditional, low input, subsistence agriculture by the resource-poor farmer and science-based, high-input intensive farming by the rich farmers. Both of them have a share in the impairment of the environment. Because pockets of very high input cultivation are still limited, the pollution due to agricultural waste, excess fertilizers and pesticides are still not as wide-spread and alarming as they are in the west. Soil loss and degradation is the most serious environmental concern generated by the harsh geographical features of the country and by agricultural enterprises, both exacerbated by over-straining animal and human population. Almost 70% of the geographical area is prone to water and wind erosion and other stresses. 5334 million tonnes of soil is eroded annually and 5.3-8.4 million tonnes of the plant nutrients are lost. If this trend continues, one-third of the arable land is likely to be lost. For the fragile and slopy lands, soil conservation measures are being taken up on an extensive scale through water shed approach. These, however, have not been very effective or friendly for over 78% of the small and marginal farmers. Soil Quality, a holistic concept encompassing productivity, environmental quality, and human and animal health, has been developed recently for validating and auditing sustainable agriculture. Several physical, chemical and biological indicators like pH, EC, nutrient status, infiltration rate, soil structure, soil organic carbon etc. have been identified as indicators for measuring soil quality. This approach can be initiated in some places in India to monitor the negative impacts of certain currently prevailing agricultural practices, and facilitate sustainable agriculture through alternate farming protocols. Locale specific, farmer-friendly and conducive packages should be evolved monitored and evaluated in collaboration with the small farmer so that soil resources are conserved or upgraded for future generations.

scholarly journals Dynamism of Landscape Transformation in Ibiono-Ibom, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38
Author(s):  
Orimoogunje Oluwagbenga O. Isaac ◽  
Adeleke Benjamin Olufemi ◽  
Dada Emmanuel ◽  
Shote Adebola Adekunle ◽  
Eudoxie-Okafor Aniefiok Nene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Remotely Sensed ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Landscape Transformation

Abstract Studies have shown that information on landscape transformation is an important benchmark data set because of its value as an environmental change indicator. Therefore, dynamism of landscape transformation over a 34-year period are analysed for a case study in Ibiono-Ibom, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The study adopted a mixed method consisting of remote sensing and GIS-based analysis, and semi-structured interviews covering 400 households while factors contributing to landscape structures and changes are studied. The results point out three main driving factors responsible for the landscape transformation in the study area: agricultural practices which lead to intensification of forest resources, riparian vegetation, vegetated wetlands and non-vegetated wetlands; urbanization which modifies the structure and morphology of the landscape, and finally, population growth directly related to massive infrastructural development which encroached on all other land spaces. GIS-based analysis of remotely-sensed data showed that built-up area had increased by 7535.2 ha between 1986 and 2020; shrub and arable land by 1343.9 ha and light forest decreased by 4998.3 ha. While bare-land reduced by 1522.1 ha; vegetated wetland reduced by 1092 ha; water body coverage reduced by 168 ha and non-vegetated wetland size also reduced by 2029.4 ha. Analysis of household survey results revealed that the perceptions of respondents validate the observed patterns during the remotely-sensed data analysis phase of the research, with 54 % (n=400) of respondents reporting a decline in agricultural land use, and 19.3 % (n=400) observing a decline in forest areas in the study area. Furthermore, agricultural intensification, urban development, timber exploitation, firewood collection and increase in settlements were identified as the proximate drivers of these observed landscape transformation dynamics in the study area. The study concluded that the variation in landscape transformation of the study area are clear indication of the extent of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in the study area.

scholarly journals Charcoal and compost application induced changes in growth and yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal Nasar ◽  
Ashfaq Alam ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Khan ◽  
Bilal Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Compost Application

The utilization of organic fertilizers in farmlands to enhance crop productivity and soil health is increasing globally. Compost and charcoal obtained from the decomposition and slow pyrolysis (respectively) of plants and animals wastes. Here we evaluated the effect of charcoal and compost on the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Agriculture Research Farm Peshawar, Pakistan during 2014-2015. Results showed that the application of compost and charcoal as sole or in combination significantly affected the yield and yield attributes of wheat. Data divulged that the maximum numbers of plant tillers (337 m-2), number of productive tillers per plant (313 m-2), number of grains per spike (56 spike-1) and 1000 seeds weight (50.2 g) were produced by the combined application of compost and charcoal at 5+5 Mg ha-1 while plant height (95.3 cm) was enhanced with the application of charcoal at 10 Mg ha-1. The gain (4106.7 kg ha-1) and biological yield (8473.3 kg ha-1) was significantly increased with the compost application at the rate of 10 Mg ha-1. These results proved that charcoal and compost can be used as organic fertilizers for boosting growth and yield performance of wheat under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar, Pakistan.

scholarly journals Phosphorus Budget for a Forested-Agricultural Watershed Influenced by East-Asian Summer Monsoon

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif Reza ◽  
Jaesung Eum ◽  
Sungmin Jung ◽  
Youngsoon Choi ◽  
Changwon Jang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asian Summer Monsoon ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Drainage Water ◽  
Agricultural Watershed ◽  
Compost Application ◽  
Asian Summer ◽  
P Balance ◽  
P Budget ◽  
Total P

Despite increased awareness of and attention to the need for sustainable agriculture, fertilizers and compost application in excess of crop requirements remain common agricultural practices in South Korea, causing eutrophication of freshwater and coastal ecosystems. In this study, a phosphorus (P) budget was developed to quantify P inputs, outputs, and retention in a forested- agricultural watershed. The P budget showed that chemical fertilizers and organic compost were the largest source of P (97.6% of the total) followed by atmospheric deposition (2.1% of the total P), whereas forest export (0.2% of the total) and sewage treatment plants (STPs) (0.1% of the total) were negligible. The dominant P outputs were crop harvesting and hydrologic export to surface water. The P balance showed a significant accumulation of P in the watershed; approximately 87% of the total P input was retained in the soils within the watershed. However, P concentrations in drainage water were still high enough to cause eutrophication of downstream reservoirs. The results provide useful information on the proportion of P export and retention in soils and will help support efforts to improve water quality and design better management of agricultural non-point source pollution.

scholarly journals The Effects of Mineral and Organic Fertilizers on

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mignon ȘANDOR ◽  
Cristina OPRUÅ¢A
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Soil Co2 ◽  
Soil Organism ◽  
Organic Fertilization ◽  
Soil Co2 Emission ◽  
Fertilized Soil ◽  
Dynamic Chamber

Soil respiration is the production of carbon dioxide from soil as a result of soil organism metabolic processes. One of the most important sources of CO 2 emission is from agricultural fields. Agricultural practices can influence soil organic carbon inputs and outputs being determinant for CO 2 emission. We studied the effects of mineral and organic fertilization on CO 2 emission in a potato field. During the growing season (April - October) the soil respiration was measured with a closed dynamic chamber in a field experiment where 100 kg of nitrogen was applied as mineral and organic fertilizers. The average CO 2 fluxes did not registered significant differences between treatments, mean estimated values were of 4.8 g/m 2/h in control treatment, 4.63 g/m2/h in organically fertilized soil and 4.2 g/m 2/h in mineral fertilized soil. The highest soil CO2 emission was measured during summer, while similar values of soil respiration were observed in spring and autumn.

scholarly journals Integrated application of drones for soil management and precision agriculture in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-30
Author(s):  
Agbakoba Augustine Azubuike ◽  
Ema Idongesit Asuquo ◽  
Agbakoba Victor Chike
Keyword(s):  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Information And Communication

The recent push for precision agriculture has resulted in the deployment of highly sophisticated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets in various agricultural practices and methods. The introduction of ICT devices has been linked to significant improvements in agricultural activities. These devices have been shown to enhance the optimal management of critical resources such as water, soil, crop and arable land. Again, ICT devices are increasingly attractive due to their flexibility, ease of operation, compactness and superior computational capabilities. Especially when in comparison to the mundane methods previously used by most small- and large-scale farmers. For instance, ICT devices such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) also referred to as drones, are increasingly being deployed for remote sensing missions where they capture high quality spatial resolution images. The data generated by these UAVs provide much needed information that aids in early spotting of soil degradation, crop conditions, severity of weed infestation and overall monitoring of crop yield variability. This enables farmers to acquire on-the-spot information that will enhance decision making within a short period of time, which will in turn contribute to reduction in running cost and potentially increase yield. It is safe to say that full potentials of drones are yet to be fully utilized in the Nigerian agricultural sector. This is due to several factors; most notably are the numerous challenges that accompany the introduction and adoption of much new technologies. Other factors; include high cost of technology, inadequate or total lack of skilled labour, poor awareness and low-farmer literacy. Therefore, this review work highlights the global progress recorded as a result of the recent application of drones for soil management and efficient crop production. Furthermore, key discussions surrounding the application of drones for precision agriculture and the possible drawbacks facing the deployment of such technology in Nigeria has been covered in this work.

scholarly journals Response of Microbial Activities in Soil to Various Organic and Mineral Amendments as an Indicator of Soil Quality

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakub Elbl ◽  
Jana Maková ◽  
Soňa Javoreková ◽  
Juraj Medo ◽  
Antonín Kintl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Basal Respiration ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Individual

The presented paper deals with the analysis of potential differences between organic waste compost (CBD), vermicompost (CVER) and mineral fertilizer (MF; 27% of N) applications affecting the quality of arable soil by influencing microbial activity therein. The selected types of compost represent alternatives to conventional organic fertilizers, which are, however, not available to Czech and Slovak farmers in sufficient amounts. Their mutual comparison and the comparison with organic fertilizers aim to provide farmers further information about their influence on arable land and thus to give them the possibility of deciding on the most suitable amendments. To demonstrate the effect of these amendments, six variants were prepared: one without the addition of fertilizers; two variants with the addition of 40 Mg/ha of CVER and CBD; one variant with the addition of double dosed CVER (80 Mg/ha), and the remaining two variants were fertilized only with MF (0.22 Mg/ha) and with the combination of CVER (0.20 Mg/ha) and MF (0.11 Mg/ha). Substrate induced respiration (SIR), basal respiration (BS), microbial carbon (Cmic) and enzymatic activities (hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate—FDA, dehydrogenase activity—DHA, and phosphatase activity—PA) were used to evaluate the effect of CBD, CVER and MF application on the soil quality. Both organic and mineral amendments affected BS and SIR. The highest BS and SIR rates were found in variants with compost application (CVER and CBD). All variants treated with the mineral fertilizer showed the lowest level of enzyme activities; lower by about 30% in comparison with variants where CVER, CBD and the combination of MF and CVER were applied. We found insignificant differences between the individual types of compost. More importantly, we compared the situation at the beginning of the experiment and after its end. It was found that the application of mineral fertilizers automatically led to the deterioration of all enzymatic parameters, on average by more than 25%, as compared with the situation at the beginning of the experiment. However, when the mineral fertilizer dose was supplemented with organic amendments (CVER), this negative effect was eliminated or significantly reduced. Furthermore, both composts (CVER and CBD) positively affected plant biomass production, which reached a level of production enhanced by the MF. Results clearly showed that the application of both compost types could be used to improve soil quality in agriculture.

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