scholarly journals Camelina, an ancient oilseed crop actively contributing to the rural renaissance in Europe. A review

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zanetti ◽  
Barbara Alberghini ◽  
Ana Marjanović Jeromela ◽  
Nada Grahovac ◽  
Dragana Rajković ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
European Farming ◽  
European Agriculture

AbstractPromoting crop diversification in European agriculture is a key pillar of the agroecological transition. Diversifying crops generally enhances crop productivity, quality, soil health and fertility, and resilience to pests and diseases and reduces environmental stresses. Moreover, crop diversification provides an alternative means of enhancing farmers’ income. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) reemerged in the background of European agriculture approximately three decades ago, when the first studies on this ancient native oilseed species were published. Since then, a considerable number of studies on this species has been carried out in Europe. The main interest in camelina is related to its (1) broad environmental adaptability, (2) low-input requirements, (3) resistance to multiple pests and diseases, and (4) multiple uses in food, feed, and biobased applications. The present article is a comprehensive and critical review of research carried out in Europe (compared with the rest of the world) on camelina in the last three decades, including genetics and breeding, agronomy and cropping systems, and end-uses, with the aim of making camelina an attractive new candidate crop for European farming systems. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of what is still missing to scale camelina up from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Europe is also provided (1) to motivate scientists to promote their studies and (2) to show farmers and end-users the real potential of this interesting species.

Integrated animal and cropping systems in single and multi-objective frameworks for enhancing the livelihood security of farmers and agricultural sustainability in Northern India

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. K. Behera ◽  
H. Kaechele ◽  
J. France
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Livelihood Security ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Integrated Farming Systems ◽  
Insight Into

Fast degrading and declining land, water availability, biodiversity, environment and other natural resources, together with shrinking farm returns and reduced crop productivity caused by continuous and intensive cultivation of rice-wheat systems, necessitate diversification of farming in Northern India. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involving animals (livestock, fish, etc.) and cropping (cereals, trees, etc.) are recognised as an alternative for preserving ecosystems and enhancing livelihood security. A study was therefore undertaken under Northern Indian conditions to develop IFS models for various sizes of farm and to compare these models with the existing rice-wheat system for sustainability and profitability. The IFS models were developed in single objective (using linear programming) and multi-objective (using compromise programming) frameworks. Multi-objective analysis provides deeper insight into the problem as it caters directly for the multi-faceted needs of the farmers. These parallel methodologies offer a novel approach to modelling IFS to draw different farming scenarios for comparison. The IFS strategies developed show the potential to generate a greater farm income than with existing rice-wheat cropping for all sizes of farm. The study revealed that IFS offer more perspectives for an economically viable and sustainable agriculture for typical farms in Northern India.

Weed management in wide-row cropping systems: a review of current practices and risks for Australian farming systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Peltzer ◽  
A. Hashem ◽  
V. A. Osten ◽  
M. L. Gupta ◽  
A. J. Diggle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Herbicide Resistance ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Species Dominance ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Management Technology

Growing agricultural crops in wide row spacings has been widely adopted to conserve water, to control pests and diseases, and to minimise problems associated with sowing into stubble. The development of herbicide resistance combined with the advent of precision agriculture has resulted in a further reason for wide row spacings to be adopted: weed control. Increased row spacing enables two different methods of weed control to be implemented with non-selective chemical and physical control methods utilised in the wide inter-row zone, with or without selective chemicals used on the on-row only. However, continual application of herbicides and tillage on the inter-row zone brings risks of herbicide resistance, species shifts and/or changes in species dominance, crop damage, increased costs, yield losses, and more expensive weed management technology.

scholarly journals Field Pea in European Cropping Systems: Adaptability, Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Cultivation Practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anestis KARKANIS ◽  
Georgia NTATSI ◽  
Charis-Konstantina KONTOPOULOU ◽  
Aurelio PRISTERI ◽  
Dimitrios BILALIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Pea ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Crop Density ◽  
Fertiliser Use ◽  
European Farming

This article provides an overview of the production and use of field pea in European farming systems. Pea is cultivated in Europe for both human consumption and for animal feeding. For food, pea is consumed as dry seeds, green pods or green seeds (fresh, canned or frozen). Field pea is also used for animal feed. Pea production has declined in the region; however, interest in pea cultivation has recently revived. Pea production provides several agronomic advantages in the Mediterranean region supporting more sustainable cropping systems and reduced nitrogen fertiliser use. Furthermore, peas for animal feed partly substitute for the increasingly expensive imported soybean. In addition to describing the current situation of pea cultivation and the future perspectives, this chapter reports on the adaptability of pea in Europe, cropping techniques with emphasis on modern farming practices and varieties that make their cultivation more profitable and more attractive to growers, and the cropping systems that are commonly used for field pea production. The currently applied cropping practices in the region, including rotation, soil tillage practices, fertilisation, sowing and crop density, weed, pest and disease management, irrigation and harvesting, are outlined.

scholarly journals Toward greater sustainability: how investing in soil health may enhance maize productivity in Southern Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Christian Thierfelder ◽  
Eric Paterson ◽  
Lumbani Mwafulirwa ◽  
Tim J Daniell ◽  
Jill E Cairns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Sandy Soils ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Maize Productivity ◽  
Soil C And N ◽  
C And N ◽  
Residue Retention

Abstract Climate change and soil fertility decline are major threats to smallholder farmers' food and nutrition security in southern Africa, and cropping systems that improve soil health are needed to address these challenges. Cropping systems that invest in soil organic matter, such as no-tillage (NT) with crop residue retention, have been proposed as potential solutions. However, a key challenge for assessing the sustainability of NT systems is that soil carbon (C) stocks develop over long timescales, and there is an urgent need to identify trajectory indicators of sustainability and crop productivity. Here we examined the effects of NT as compared with conventional tillage without residue retention on relationships between soil characteristics and maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in long-term on-farm and on-station trials in Zimbabwe. Our results show that relationships between soil characteristics and maize productivity, and the effects of management on these relationships, varied with soil type. Total soil nitrogen (N) and C were strong predictors of maize grain yield and above-ground biomass (i.e., stover) in the clayey soils, but not in the sandy soils, under both managements. This highlights context-specific benefits of management that fosters the accumulation of soil C and N stocks. Despite a strong effect of NT management on soil C and N in sandy soils, this accrual was not sufficient to support increased crop productivity in these soils. We suggest that sandy soils should be the priority target of NT with organic resource inputs interventions in southern Africa, as mineral fertilizer inputs alone will not halt the soil fertility decline. This will require a holistic management approach and input of C in various forms (e.g., biomass from cover crops and tree components, crop residues, in combination with mineral fertilizers). Clayey soils on the other hand have greater buffering capacity against detrimental effects of soil tillage and low C input.

scholarly journals Sustainable Issues and Crop Diversification of the Rice-Wheat Cropping System for Higher Productivity and Resource Use Efficiency: A Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 9-21
Author(s):  
Kuldeep Singh ◽  
Sachin Dhanda ◽  
Kartik Sharma ◽  
Dheeraj Panghaal
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Resource Use Efficiency ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Nutrient Productivity ◽  
Economics Analysis ◽  
National Food Security

The rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) played a significant role in national food security. This system is having a huge potential to feed the increasing population of India. But with continuous adoption of the rice-wheat system, different issues and challenges have emerged and resulted in the decline or stagnated the productivity of this system. In these conditions’ diversification of the RWCS can be a viable option for higher productivity, profitability and efficient and sustainable use of available natural resources. This review mainly highlighted the major issues associated with the rice-wheat cropping system in India along with the alternate cropping system for crop diversification by substitution various crops viz. legume, maize, oilseed, fodder, vegetables and cash crop to tackle them. The comparison of various cropping system in term their crop productivity, economics analysis, water and nutrient productivity, and maintaining soil health.

A soil health scoring framework for arable cropping systems in Saskatchewan Canada

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianyi Wu ◽  
Kate A. Congreves
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Scoring Functions ◽  
Total N ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Weighting Factors ◽  
The Individual

Farmers are looking for appropriate tools for assessing and interpreting the health status of their soils; however, there is no standardized and prairie-based soil health scoring framework. As such, we focused on developing one for arable cropping systems in Saskatchewan. In 2018, soil samples (0-15, 15-30, and 30-60 cm depths) were collected from 55 arable fields across Saskatchewan, along with native prairie samples. Various soil chemical, physical, and biological attributes were measured (23 attributes in total). Based on the data distribution for each attribute, we developed scoring functions. The results from multivariate analyses were used to determine the weighting factors needed to integrate the individual scores from each soil attribute into a single Saskatchewan Assessment of Soil Health (SASH) score. Soil C and N indices (soil organic C, active C, total N, and soil protein) and total P produced the highest weighting factors. We also tested if there were linkages between the soil health and crop productivity by assessing the cereal yields for the past 10 years as reported from the same rural municipalities where the soil samples were collected. A positive relationship between soil health and yields was most apparent during dry years; thus, we recommend further research to explore this linkage at a finer-scale. Overall, this research forms the foundation of a promising framework that can be built upon, and in due course, lead to the development of a tool for producers who are interested in tracking soil health and using the results to inform management.

Agriculture in central Tibet: an assessment of climate, farming systems, and strategies to boost production

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Paltridge ◽  
Jin Tao ◽  
Murray Unkovich ◽  
Alessandra Bonamano ◽  
Alexandra Gason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Stubble Retention ◽  
Tibet Autonomous Region

In the south of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China there is a network of valleys where intensive agriculture is practiced. Although considered highly productive by Tibetans, farm incomes in the region are low, leading to a range of government initiatives to boost grain and fodder production. However, there is limited information available on current farming practices, yields, and likely yield constraints. The present paper uses available data and farmer interviews to describe the agro-climate and current systems of crop and livestock production, and considers possible strategies to boost production. Although winters in Tibet are cold and dry, summer and autumn provide ideal conditions for crop growth. Cropping systems are characterised by heavy tillage, frequent irrigation, high seeding rates and fertiliser applications, some use of herbicides, and little stubble retention or mechanisation. Spring barley and winter wheat are the predominant crops, followed by rapeseed, winter barley, and minor fodder and vegetable crops. Average yields for the main grain crops are around 4.0 t/ha for spring barley and 4.5 t/ha for winter wheat, significantly lower than should be possible in the environment. Farmers typically keep five or six cattle tethered near the household. Cattle are fed diets based on crop residues but are generally malnourished and rarely produce beyond the needs of the family. It is suggested that research and extension in the areas of crop nutrition, weed control, irrigation, seeding technology, and crop varieties should enable significant increases in grain yield. Increases in cattle production will require increases in the supply of good quality fodder. Cereal/fodder intercrops or double crops sown using no-till seed drills might enable the production of useful amounts of fodder in many areas without jeopardising food grain supply, and allow more crop residues to be retained in fields for improved soil health.

scholarly journals Radiation Dynamics on Crop Productivity in Different Cropping Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
I. Nur Arina ◽  
M. Y. Martini ◽  
S. Surdiana ◽  
R. Mohd Fauzi ◽  
S. Zulkefly
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Crop Canopy ◽  
Crop Failure ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Intercepted Radiation

Global demand for food has always been on the increase due to the increase of the population in this world. Intercropping is one of the alternatives of agronomic practices that is widely practiced in ensuring food security and enhancing yield stability. Strip, mixed, and relay intercropping can be practiced to increase crop production. In addition to achieving a successful intercropping system, factors such as suitable crops, time of sowing, maturity of the crop, and plant density need to be considered before and during planting. Besides, practiced intercropping becomes a useful cropping system to increase efficient resource utilization, enhance biodiversity, promote soil health, enhance soil fertility, erosion control, yield advantage, weed, pest, and disease control, insurance against crop failure, ecosystem and modification of microclimate, market instability, and increase farmers income. Crop productivity in any types of cropping system implemented relies primarily on the interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of crop canopy and conversion of intercepted radiation into biomass or known as radiation use efficiency (RUE). Both PAR and RUE are important measurements that have significant roles in crop growth and development in which the accessibility of these radiation dynamics is connected with the leaf area index and crop canopy characteristics in maximizing yield as well as total productivity of the crop component in intercropping systems.

scholarly journals Resilient rainfed technologies for drought mitigation and sustainable food security

MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-182
Author(s):  
CH. SRINIVASA RAO ◽  
K. A. GOPINATH
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Rainfed Agriculture ◽  
Drought Mitigation ◽  
Drought Preparedness

Even though drought is one of the most common features affecting rainfed agriculture, it is necessary to consider it as an extreme climatological event that requires different types of alleviating strategies for overcoming it. The risk involved in successful cultivation of crops depends on the nature of drought (chronic and contingent), its probable duration, and frequency of occurrence within the season. These aberrations are expected to further increase in future. A significant fall in food production is often noticed with increase in intensity or extension in duration of drought prevalence. Drought affects not only the food production at farm level but also the national economy and overall food security. Location-specific rainfed technologies are available to cope with different drought situations. Much of the research done in rainfed agriculture in India relates to conservation of soil & rainwater and to drought proofing. The key technologies for drought mitigation are in situ moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting and recycling, resilient crops and cropping systems including contingency crop plans, foliar sprays, and integrated farming systems. However, drought preparedness and real time implementation of contingency measures at field level needs well structured institutional support for farmers with strong government policy and convergence among various institutions. Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, needs to facilitate the convergence process of various government schemes such as MGNREGA, RKVY, Mega Seed Project, NFSM, NHM, IWMP, Soil health schemes etc. for drought preparedness. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), one among the missions under the Prime Minister National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) may take a lead role in implementation of contingency, by inclusion of this activity in State Action Plans (SAP) with a dedicated Nodal Institution /officers and budget provision.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Levels of Water Soluble Phosphorus in Complex Fertilizers on Crop Productivity and Soil Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. V. Bhagat ◽  
S. N. Gawade ◽  
R. C. Sharma ◽  
A. P. Kale ◽  
J. A. Shaikh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Product Yield ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Residual Soil ◽  
Soluble Phosphorus

Field experiments were undertaken on sandy soils with three cropping systems at Giridih, Jharkhand, India for two years during 2012-2014. The experiments were executed in split plot design by assigning water soluble phosphorus (WSP) fertilizers in main-plot and recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) in sub-plot with three replications. The maximum economical yield of rice (4705 kg/ha), baby corn (842 kg/ha) and Chickpea (920 kg/ha) were recorded with the application of 30% WSP. The maximum economical yield of successive crops - wheat (3185 kg/ha), mustard (1720 kg/ha) and groundnut (1578 kg/ha) were recorded with the application of 30% WSP and 100% RDP treatment. Almost similar trends were noticed in terms of by-product yield, nutrient uptake and residual soil fertility status.  All the levels of WSP (30% - 89%) in complex fertilizers were found to be equally effective for grain yield, straw yield, nutrient uptake, and residual soil fertility.

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