ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF USING MULCH FROM MULTI-PURPOSE TREES IN MAIZE-BASED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

1999 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Kormawa ◽  
A. Y. Kamara ◽  
S. C. Jutzi ◽  
N. Sanginga
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Shifting Cultivation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Maize Grain

Cutting and carrying of mulch from established tree plots is an alternative to in situ mulch in agroforestry systems. Through the cut-and-carry method, the undesirable effects of tree-crop competition characterized by in situ mulching can be avoided. An economic evaluation of the cut-and-carry method of providing nutrients for maize production was carried out based on investigations in south-western Nigeria. The results showed that the use of mulch from multi-purpose trees (MPTs) through the cut-and-carry method contributed to higher maize grain yields than those obtained with fertilizer or in the untreated controls. However, because of high labour requirements and scarcity of land in the study area, providing nutrients for crop production by this method is unprofitable both in the short and the long term. This may serve as a constraint for the adoption of this technology by farmers. Alternative options requiring less labour and land requirements should be investigated in the quest to replace shifting cultivation.

scholarly journals Drought-tolerant Varieties as an Adaptation Strategy in the Context of Climate Change: Insight from Maize Production Systems in Benin

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mohamed Nasser Baco
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Drought Tolerant ◽  
Agro Ecological Zones

Previous studies suggested that maize is set to become a cash crop while ensuring food security better than any other crop. However, climate change has become one of the key production constraints that are now hampering and threatening the sustainability of maize production systems. We conducted a study to better understand changes here defined as adaptations made by smallholder farmers to ensure food security and improve income through maize production in a climate change context. Our results show that maize farmers in northern Benin mainly rely on traditional seeds. Drought as abiotic stress is perceived by farmers in many agro-ecological zones as a disruptive factor for crop production, including maize. When drought is associated with pest damages, both the quantity (i.e. yield) and the quality (i.e. attributes) of products/harvests are negatively affected. The adverse effects of drought continue to reduce production in different agro-ecological zones of the country, because of the lack of widespread adoption of tolerant varieties. The study suggests actions towards the production of drought-tolerant maize seeds, a promotion of seed companies, the organization of actors and value chains. Apart from climate change, the promotion of value chains is also emerging as one of the important aspects to take into account to sustain maize production in Benin.

scholarly journals Biological Approaches for Control of Root Pathogens of Strawberry

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (12) ◽  
pp. 1356-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. N. Martin ◽  
C. T. Bull
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Growth Response ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Root Pruning ◽  
Microbial Inoculants ◽  
Pathogen Control ◽  
Production Problems

Soil fumigation with methyl bromide plus chloropicrin is used as a preplant treatment to control a broad range of pathogens in high-value annual crop production systems. In California, fumigation is used on approximately 10,125 ha of strawberry production to control pathogens ranging from Verticillium dahliae to root pruning pathogens such as Pythium, Rhizoctonia, or Cylindrocarpon spp. In addition to pathogen control, fumigation also causes an enhanced growth response of the plant and reduces weed pressure. The development of successful, long-term cost effective biocontrol strategies most likely will require the development of an integrated systems approach that incorporates diverse aspects of the crop production system. Although application of single microbial inoculants may provide some level of control for specific production problems, it will be a challenge to provide the broad spectrum of activity needed in production fields.

Reliability of production of quick to medium maturity maize in areas of variable rainfall in north-east Australia

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Birch ◽  
K. Stephen ◽  
G. McLean ◽  
A. Doherty ◽  
G. L. Hammer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Early Maturity ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
North East ◽  
Grain Crop

Maize may assume a more significant role in grain crop production systems in north-east Australia if the probability of producing low yields associated with given amounts of available water can be reduced. Growing hybrids with very early maturity provides a possible way to achieve this. Simulation studies of dryland maize production in areas of highly variable rainfall in north-east Australia were undertaken using long-term weather data input to the APSIM model configured for quick to medium maturity maize. The studies focussed on sowing time options, population density, cultivars, and water availability at sowing. Simulation outputs included predicted mean and median yield, measures of yield variability, and the probability of producing low to very low yield (<2 t/ha). The study showed that optimum sowing date varied with location, and that low populations gave more reliable production, despite some potential yield losses in favourable years. The results of the simulation study provide estimates of yield and thus economic viability of maize production that are interpreted in terms of seasonal variability. They indicate that maize is a viable dryland cropping option provided that cultivar, sowing time and starting water conditions are optimised. Non-optimal conditions of water supply at sowing should be avoided, as greater variability in yield and reduced viability are predicted.

scholarly journals Soil-Biodegradable Plastic Mulches Undergo Minimal in-Soil Degradation in a Perennial Raspberry System after 18 Months

Horticulturae ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Markus Flury ◽  
Carol Miles ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
Lisa DeVetter
Keyword(s):  
Production System ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Biodegradable Plastic ◽  
Perennial Crop ◽  
Soil Burial Test ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
Soil Exposure

Soil-biodegradable plastic mulches (BDMs) are made from biodegradable materials that can be bio-based, synthetic, or a blend of these two types of polymers, which are designed to degrade in soil through microbial activities. The purpose of BDMs is to reduce agricultural plastic waste by replacing polyethylene (PE) mulch, which is not biodegradable. Most studies have evaluated the breakdown of BDMs within annual production systems, but knowledge of BDM breakdown in perennial systems is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the deterioration and degradation of BDMs in a commercial red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) production system. Deterioration was low (≤11% percent soil exposure; PSE) for all mulches until October 2017 (five months after transplanting, MAT). By March 2018 (10 MAT), deterioration reached 91% for BDMs but remained low for PE mulch (4%). Mechanical strength also was lower for BDMs than PE mulch. In a soil burial test in the raspberry field, 91% of the BDM area remained after 18 months. In-soil BDM degradation was minimal, although the PSE was high. Since mulch is only applied once in a perennial crop production system, and the lifespan of the planting may be three or more years, it is worth exploring the long-term degradation of BDMs in perennial cropping systems across diverse environments.

scholarly journals COCOA AND TOTAL SYSTEM YIELDS OF ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL AGROFORESTRY VS. MONOCULTURE SYSTEMS IN A LONG-TERM FIELD TRIAL IN BOLIVIA

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. SCHNEIDER ◽  
C. ANDRES ◽  
G. TRUJILLO ◽  
F. ALCON ◽  
P. AMURRIO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Trial ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Total System ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Faster Development ◽  
Term Field

SUMMARYCocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is produced in systems of varying complexity ranging from monoculture with temporary shade to highly diverse agroforests. Producers have to weigh high cocoa yields in the short to medium term in monocultures against higher total system yields in the short term and sustainable production systems in the long term in conjunction with ecosystem services in agroforestry systems (AFs). More long-term data on the comparative agronomic, economic and ecological performance of differently managed cocoa production systems is required to make sound recommendations to farmers. This paper describes the only long-term field trial worldwide comparing different cocoa production systems under conventional and organic management. The factors (i) crop diversity (monoculture vs. agroforestry), (ii) management practice (conventional vs. organic) and (iii) cultivar are being tested in a full-factorial, randomized complete block design with four replications. First, results showed significantly faster development of trunk circumferences in monocultures (+21%) compared to AFs. Cocoa yields were 47% lower in the organic compared to the conventional monoculture. In the AFs, however, the organic–conventional yield gap was less pronounced (−16%) and statistically insignificant. The cumulative yields of all products harvested were significantly higher in the AFs (+161%) compared to the monocultures. The productivity of cocoa by-crops in AFs may contribute to local food security and risk distribution in smallholder contexts.

scholarly journals Long-Term Monitoring of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Woody and Herbaceous Bioenergy Crop Production Systems on Marginal Lands in Southern Ontario, Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Behzad Bazrgar ◽  
Aeryn Ng ◽  
Brent Coleman ◽  
Muhammad Waseem Ashiq ◽  
Andrew Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
System Level ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Marginal Lands ◽  
Biomass Crops

Enhancement of terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration on marginal lands in Canada using bioenergy crops has been proposed. However, factors influencing system-level C gain (SLCG) potentials of maturing bioenergy cropping systems, including belowground biomass C and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation, are not well documented. This study, therefore, quantified the long-term C sequestration potentials at the system-level in nine-year-old (2009–2018) woody (poplar clone 2293–29 (Populus spp.), hybrid willow clone SX-67 (Salix miyabeana)), and herbaceous (miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus var. Nagara), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)) bioenergy crop production systems on marginal lands in Southern Ontario, Canada. Results showed that woody cropping systems had significantly higher aboveground biomass C stock of 10.02 compared to 7.65 Mg C ha−1 in herbaceous cropping systems, although their belowground biomass C was not significantly different. Woody crops and switchgrass were able to increase SOC significantly over the tested period. However, when long term soil organic carbon (∆SOC) gains were compared, woody and herbaceous biomass crops gained 11.0 and 9.8 Mg C ha−1, respectively, which were not statistically different. Results also indicate a significantly higher total C pool [aboveground + belowground + soil organic carbon] in the willow (103 Mg ha−1) biomass system compared to other bioenergy crops. In the nine-year study period, woody crops had only 1.35 Mg C ha−1 more SLCG, suggesting that the influence of woody and herbaceous biomass crops on SLCG and ∆SOC sequestrations were similar. Further, among all tested biomass crops, willow had the highest annual SLCG of 1.66 Mg C ha−1 y−1.

The Development of Integrated Arable Production Systems to Meet Potential Economic and Environmental Requirements

1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.W.L. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Ecological Interactions ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Life Project ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Environmental Requirements ◽  
Crop Management Systems ◽  
On Farm

The development of less intensive crop management systems is being increasingly recognized as the long-term objective for arable crop production. Such systems must be economically sound, environmentally acceptable and sustainable in the long term, with the flexibility necessary to meet the varying requirements in different agro-ecosystems. The Less-Intensive Farming and Environment (LIFE) Project builds upon a sound base of ecological research aimed at understanding and optimizing the ecological interactions within the system, with effort focused on the need to resolve the conflicting requirements for control of pests, diseases and weeds and to minimize the environmental impact of crop production. The major consideration in this approach is the stepwise replacement of ‘off-farm’ inputs by integration of natural regulation processes, on-farm alternatives and management skills, in order to maintain species diversity, minimize pollution and losses, provide a safe and wholesome food supply, and to sustain income.

Trends in maize grain yields in a long-term fertilizer trial

1996 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Nel ◽  
R.O. Barnard ◽  
R.E. Steynberg ◽  
J.M. de Beer ◽  
H.T. Groeneveld
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yields ◽  
Maize Grain

Maize grain and straw yields over 14 consecutive years in burned and mulched Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and Pueraria phaseoloides relay cropping systems

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Stefan Hauser ◽  
Jacqueline Henrot ◽  
Samuel Korie
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Pueraria Phaseoloides ◽  
Humid Forest ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
Slash And Burn ◽  
Natural Fallow ◽  
Maize Grain

Abstract The cover crops Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and Pueraria phaseoloides were introduced to African farmers to improve crop production on degraded soils, yet they appear not to be adopted at scale. In the humid forest zone of West and Central Africa, the dominant Acrisols and Nitisols are inherently poor even when not degraded through agriculture. In this zone, sole maize cropping and vegetable production systems are gaining importance, yet both suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Cover crops were often introduced along with a system change, requiring biomass retention, mainly for nutrient retention reasons. Farmers in the zone commonly use slash and burn systems due to added weed control and ease of operations on clean fields. This study evaluated mucuna and pueraria with and without burning the fallow biomass in an annual sole maize crop relay system against the burned and retained natural fallow. Over 14 consecutive years, biomass burning did not cause lower maize grain yields in any of the fallow types, on the contrary, the economically important marketable cob yields were higher when biomass was burned (mulched 2.10 cobs m−2 vs. 2.26 cobs m−2 when burned, p < 0.07). After cover crop fallow, maize grain yields were significantly higher than after natural fallow (1.92 Mg ha−1) over the 14 years, with maize yields in the pueraria treatment (2.63 Mg ha−1) out yielding those in the mucuna treatment (2.28 Mg ha−1). Maize produced 1.92 cobs m−2 in natural fallow, significantly less than in the mucuna (2.23 m−2, p < 0.013) and the pueraria (2.39 m−2, p < 0.001) fallow. Introducing mucuna or pueraria cover crops into slash and burn systems appears as a suitable measure to increase yields without changing the land preparation approach.

scholarly journals Encapsulation of Plant Biocontrol Bacteria with Alginate as a Main Polymer Material

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11165
Author(s):  
Roohallah Saberi Riseh ◽  
Yury A. Skorik ◽  
Vijay Kumar Thakur ◽  
Mojde Moradi Pour ◽  
Elahe Tamanadar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Modern Agriculture ◽  
Biocontrol Bacteria ◽  
New Formulation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Bacterial Encapsulation

One of the most favored trends in modern agriculture is biological control. However, many reports show that survival of biocontrol bacteria is poor in host plants. Providing biocontrol agents with protection by encapsulation within external coatings has therefore become a popular idea. Various techniques, including extrusion, spray drying, and emulsion, have been introduced for encapsulation of biocontrol bacteria. One commonly used biopolymer for this type of microencapsulation is alginate, a biopolymer extracted from seaweed. Recent progress has resulted in the production of alginate-based microcapsules that meet key bacterial encapsulation requirements, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and support of long-term survival and function. However, more studies are needed regarding the effect of encapsulation on protective bacteria and their targeted release in organic crop production systems. Most importantly, the efficacy of alginate use for the encapsulation of biocontrol bacteria in pest and disease management requires further verification. Achieving a new formulation based on biodegradable polymers can have significant effects on increasing the quantity and quality of agricultural products.

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