Evaluation of a new cropping option using a participatory approach with on-farm monitoring and simulation: a case study of spring-sown mungbeans

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Robertson ◽  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
M. Lucy
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Systems Simulation ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Winter Fallow

In the northern Australian cropping region, mungbean is commonly sown as an opportunity crop, usually on low soil water after a winter cereal, and consequently has a reputation for being a low yielding, high risk crop. Yield prospects could be improved and risks reduced if it was sown on soils with a higher soil water content, for instance in spring after a winter fallow. However, there is a lack of experience and confidence in alternative roles for mungbean in the farming system. This paper describes a research approach involving researchers, farmers, advisers, and grain traders in which on-farm monitoring of spring-sown commercial crops and cropping systems simulation with APSIM were used to explore yield prospects for a spring-sown crop after a winter fallow. The key elements of the approach are: (1) identification of possible options through simulation of scenarios, (2) testing the new practice with innovative farmers, and (3) monitoring of the management and performance of commercial crops and comparing yields with benchmarks estimated with a model. In this case, after 2 years of on-farm testing, spring-sown mungbean has been shown to have a potential for high returns in the northern cropping systems.

Do spring cover crops rob water and so reduce wheat yields in the northern grain zone of eastern Australia?

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 517 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. M. Whish ◽  
L. Price ◽  
P. A. Castor
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
On Farm

During the 14-month-long fallow that arises when moving from summer to winter crops, stubble breakdown can denude the soil surface and leave it vulnerable to erosion. Cover crops of millet have been proposed as a solution, but this then raises the question, how often is there sufficient water in the system to grow a cover crop without reducing the soil water reserves to the point of prejudicing the following wheat crop? An on-farm research approach was used to compare the traditional long fallow (TF) with a millet fallow (MF) in a total of 31 commercial paddocks over 3 years. Each treatment was simulated using the simulation-modelling framework (APSIM) to investigate the outcomes over a longer timeframe and to determine how often a millet fallow could be successfully included within the farming system. The on-farm trials showed that early-sown millet cover crops removed before December had no effect on wheat yield, but this was not true of millet cover crops that were allowed to grow through to maturity. Long-term simulations estimated that a spring cover crop of millet would adversely affect wheat yields in only 2% of years if planted early and removed after 50% cover had been achieved.

Farmer Experimentation as a Basis for Cropping Systems Research: A Case Study Involving True Potato Seed

1992 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Potts ◽  
Greta A. Watson ◽  
R. Sinung-Basuki ◽  
N. Gunadi
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Potato Production ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Potato Seed ◽  
True Potato Seed ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Wide Range

SummaryThe radical concept of potato production from true potato seed (TPS) was adopted as a component of their farming system within three seasons by 23 farmers from Cibodas, West Java. The farmers showed an ability to conceptualize and experiment and desired concepts from which they could develop, through research, appropriate principles and field techniques. Information received solely as detailed practices or techniques hindered their progress, since they first needed to repeat the technique in order to understand the concepts and principles involved. Farmer experimentation resembled closely that of experimental station researchers, with the use of replication in space, often neighbouring farmers' plots, and time. Initial experiments covered a wide range of factors but within three seasons farmers had identified similar areas of concern which coincided with those of experiment station researchers worldwide. Farmer experimentation and the role of the researcher in this methodology for technology development are discussed.

Participatory research in dryland cropping systems — monitoring and simulation of soil water and nitrogen in farmers' paddocks in Central Queensland

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Foale ◽  
M. E. Probert ◽  
P. S. Carberry ◽  
D. Lack ◽  
S. Yeates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Behaviour ◽  
On Farm

Collaboration of researchers and service-providers with farmers in addressing crop and soil management, using on-farm experiments and cropping system simulation, was negotiated in 2 districts in Central Queensland, Australia. The 2 most influential variables affecting crop productivity in this region (soil water and mineral nitrogen contents) and the growth of sown crops, were monitored and simulated for 3 years beginning in December 1992. Periodic soil sampling of large experimental strips on 3 farms, from paddocks that differed in cropping history and soil properties, provided robust datasets of change, over time, of soil water and mineral nitrogen status. Farmers participated in twice-yearly discussions with researchers, informed by the accumulating data, which influenced thinking about soil behaviour and possible new management strategies. As the study period coincided with a prolonged drought, so that cropping opportunities were few, the objectives of the work were modified to concentrate almost exclusively on the soil variables.The contribution of the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator, which was used to simulate the measured changes in soil water and mineral nitrogen, was found by all participants to be useful. The APSIM output generally demonstrated close correspondence with field observations, which raised confidence in its applicability to local cropping systems. Exploration of hypothetical situations of interest to farmer participants, in the form of what-if scenarios, provided insights into the behaviour of the production system for a range of soil and seasonal conditions. The informed speculation of the simulator became a substitute for the farmers' own, more tentative, efforts.The regular participative review sessions proved to be highly effective in stimulating the learning of both farmers and researchers. The farmers were able to feel comfortable as owners of the collaborative experiments and custodians of the learning environment. Clear evidence for the ongoing learning of these farmers appeared in post-collaboration practices and experiences.

scholarly journals Farm nitrogen balances in six European agricultural landscapes – a method for farming system assessment, emission hotspot identification, and mitigation measure evaluation

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 8859-8904 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dalgaard ◽  
J. F. Bienkowski ◽  
A. Bleeker ◽  
J. L. Drouet ◽  
P. Durand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Livestock Farms ◽  
N Management ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Measure Evaluation ◽  
On Farm

Abstract. Six agricultural landscapes in Poland (PL), the Netherlands (NL), France (FR), Italy (IT), Scotland (UK) and Denmark (DK) were studied, and a common method was developed for undertaking farm inventories and the derivation of farm nitrogen (N) balances and N surplus from the in total 222 farms and 11 440 ha of farmland. In all landscapes, a large variation in the farm N surplus was found, and thereby a large potential for reductions. The highest average N surpluses were found in the most livestock-intensive landscapes of IT, FR, and NL; on average 202 ± 28, 179 ± 63 and 178 ± 20 kg N ha−1yr−1, respectively. However, all landscapes showed hotspots, especially from livestock farms, including a special UK case with landless large-scale poultry farming. So, whereas the average N surplus from the land-based UK farms dominated by extensive sheep grazing was only 31 ± 10 kg N ha−1yr−1, the landscape average was similar to those of PL and DK (122 ± 20 and 146 ± 55 kg N ha−1yr−1, respectively) when landless poultry were included. However, the challenge remains how to account for indirect N surpluses and emissions from such farms with a large export of manure out of the landscape. We conclude that farm N balances are a useful indicator for N losses and the potential for improving N management. Significant correlations to N surplus were found, both with ammonia air concentrations and nitrate levels in soils and groundwater, measured during the landscape data collection campaign from 2007–2009. This indicates that farm N surpluses may be used as an independent dataset for validation of measured and modelled N emissions in agricultural landscapes. However, no significant correlation was found to N measured in surface waters, probably because of the short time horizon of the study. A case study of the development in N surplus from the landscape in DK from 1998–2008 showed a 22 % reduction, related to statistically significant effects (p < 0.01) of measures targeted at reducing N emissions from livestock farms. Based on the large differences between the average and the most modern and N-efficient farms, it was concluded that N-surplus reductions of 25–50 % as compared to the present level were realistic in all landscapes. The implemented N-surplus method was thus effective at comparing and synthesizing results on farm N emissions and the potentials of mitigation options, and is recommended for use in combination with other methods for the assessment of landscape N emissions and farm N efficiency, including more detailed N sink and N source hotspot mapping, measurements and modelling.

ON-FARM ASSESSMENT OF CONSTRAINTS TO CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM) PRODUCTION IN MARGINAL AREAS OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. M. WHISH ◽  
P. CASTOR ◽  
P. S. CARBERRY ◽  
A. S. PEAKE
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
Action Research Approach ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
On Farm ◽  
And Storage

Chickpea production in marginal (<600 mm annual rainfall) areas of the northern cropping region in eastern Australia is considered to be constrained by low rainfall, soils with low plant available water capacity (PAWC), subsoil salinity, low plant stature and poor fruit set. This study examines these constraints to assess the magnitude of their impact and if agronomic practices can improve potential production. Over three years a total of 42 commercial chickpea crops were monitored following a participatory action research approach focusing on perceived production constraints. Subsoil salinity significantly reduced PAWC for chickpea compared to wheat. However, PAWC for chickpeas from the majority of sites monitored was comparable to other areas. The supply of water between flowering and maturity was significantly related to yield. The agronomic practice of levelling following deep planting improved the lowest pod height by 10 cm and plant stresses experienced during flowering caused a 50 % loss of potential fruit. Constraints impacting on the supply and storage of soil water could be minimized by selecting paddocks with low chloride levels in the upper layers and sowing crops when the available soil water is greater than 100 mm. Reducing fruit loss at flowering has the potential to improve yields significantly. The mechanisms behind this loss were not identified but are worthy of further research.

scholarly journals Impacts of Rice-Prawn Farming System on Farm Productivity, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh: A Case Study in Khulna District

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basanta Kumar Barmon
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Modern Variety ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Farm Survey ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Selection Of

The present study was undertaken to assess the impacts of rice-prawn gher (RPG) system on farm productivity, food security and poverty reduction in Bangladesh. In this study, farm survey data, extracted from a comprehensive questionnaire from two study villages viz. Bilpabla (RPG farming) and Chanchra (year-round modern variety–YRMV) located in Khulna and Jessore district, respectively were analyzed deliberately. This study consists of a random selection of ninety farmers from Bilpabla Village and one-hundred farmers from Chanchra. The study indicates that RPG farming system has significant impacts on farm productivity. On an average, yield of modern variety (MV) was reasonably higher in RPG farming system than that of YRMV farming system. In addition, the households engaged in RPG farming system (Bilpabla Village) have simultaneously generated more household income and per capita income (more than twice), relative to YRMV farming system (Chanchra Village). Moreover, the households of Bilpabla are superior to those households residing in Chanchra in terms of physical, social and economic access (purchasing power) which permits them to acquire and consume well-balanced food as well as sufficient calorie intake. Therefore, the RPG farming system had significant impacts on food security and poverty reduction.The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 126-136

scholarly journals Management profile diagnosis of the Product Systems. A case study in Aguascalientes

2019 ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Roxana Montero-Mendoza ◽  
Rebeca Hernández-Torres ◽  
Soren Héctor De Velasco-Galván
Keyword(s):  
Added Value ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Product System ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Product Systems ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
And Performance

Our society and its organizations demand an effective management, being the role of managers essential for success, in particular at the Product System created to increase the quality and competitiveness of the agrifood chains of strategic products. This project aims to identify the degree to which managers in Aguascalientes cover the profile required to face the challenges that demand promoting the integration of agrifood chains of added value and achieve the sustainability of the Product System Committee. The process was developed under a mixed research approach (qualitative and quantitative) of descriptive scope, as a case study, with the application of specific tools from the position and performance analysis, to 50% of managers, with a non-sampling probabilistic for convenience. The diagnostic results indicate a high average (90%) in the position-person profile affinity, placing planning less than 75% as the main areas of opportunity, which negatively influences the achievement of sustainability, and on the other hand the level of mastery (33%) of the guidelines and strategies of integration and operation of the Committees. Derived from the analysis of results, recommendations related to talent management and managerial development were outlined.

Manure for Cropping: A Case Study from Central Nigeria

1986 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mark Powell
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Traditional Management ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Full Benefit ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Savanna Zone

SUMMARYThe traditional management of cattle manure in a cropping system in the savanna zone of central Nigeria is discussed in conjunction with the agronomic benefits and problems of manure use. Nitrogen and phosphorus contents of the manure varied seasonally. On-farm trials showed that maize grain yields were about 1 t ha−1 more and weed growth 90% greater in manured than in non-manured areas. It is important to reduce the competition between crops and weeds if grain crops are to obtain the full benefit of manure in such cropping systems.

Soil water storage, drainage, and leaching in four irrigated cotton-based cropping systems sown in a Vertosol with subsoil sodicity

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 652 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. R. Hulugalle ◽  
T. B. Weaver ◽  
L. A. Finlay
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Soil Water Storage ◽  
Experimental Treatments ◽  
Winter Fallow

Comparative studies of drainage and leaching in irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) based cropping systems in Australian Vertosols are sparse. Our objective was to quantify soil water storage, drainage, and leaching in four cotton-based cropping systems sown on permanent beds in an irrigated Vertosol with subsoil sodicity. Drainage was inferred using the chloride mass-balance method, and soil water storage and leaching were measured with a neutron moisture meter and ceramic-cup water samplers, respectively, from September 2005 to May 2011 in an ongoing experiment. The experimental treatments were: CC, cotton monoculture, summer cotton with winter fallow; CV, cotton–vetch (Vicia benghalensis L.) rotation with vetch stubble retained as in-situ mulch; CW, cotton–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), with wheat stubble incorporated and a summer–winter fallow; and CWV, cotton–wheat–vetch, with wheat and vetch stubbles retained as in-situ mulch and summer and spring fallows. Soil water storage was generally highest under CW and CWV and least under CV. An untilled short fallow (~3 months) when combined with retention of crop residues as surface mulch, as in CWV, was as effective in harvesting rainfall as a tilled long fallow (~11 months) with stubble incorporation, as in CW. Drainage under cotton was generally in the order CW ≥ CWV > CC = CV, all of which were considerably greater than drainage during fallows. Except for very wet and dry winters, drainage under wheat rotation crops was greater than that under vetch. During wet winters, saturated soil in the 0–0.6 m depth of treatments under fallow resulted in more drainage than in the drier, cropped plots. No definitive conclusions could be made with respect to the effects of cropping systems on salt and nutrient leaching. Leachate contained less nitrate-nitrogen, magnesium, and potassium, but leachate electrical conductivity was ~6 times higher than infiltrated water. The greater salinity of the leachate may pose a risk to groundwater resources.

scholarly journals THE PERCEPTION OF THE IMPORTANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNCTIONS DELIVERED BY THE FARMING SYSTEM – A CASE STUDY OF THE HORTICULTURE SECTOR IN POLAND

2020 ◽  
Vol XXII (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133
Author(s):  
Vitaliy Krupin ◽  
Katarzyna Bańkowska
Keyword(s):  
Farming System ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
System A ◽  
Price Levels ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
State And Local ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Method Analysis

The aim of the article is to present the method and results obtained by the SURE-Farm project in the process of evaluating the Polish horticulture farming system through the prism of the importance and performance of private and public functions delivered by it. Based on the FoPIA-Surefarm method, analysis proceeds with an evaluation of the importance and performance of functions delivered by the farming system. According to the method, four private and four public functions were assessed, while respondents included farmers, state and local authorities, as well as other actors relevant for the development of agriculture. Stakeholder opinions reveal price levels and income as being the most important indicators for the assessment of private functions delivered by the horticulture farming system in Poland, yet assess their performance as lower than average, with a tendency for being poor. Public functions of the farming system, on the contrary, are perceived by stakeholders as less important, yet satisfaction from their delivery is greater compared to private functions.

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