scholarly journals Recent trends in soil fertility across the farms of East Gippsland

Soil Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
D. M. Crawford ◽  
B. Mitchard ◽  
W. R. Burton
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Selected Subset ◽  
Legacy Data ◽  
On Farm

Current data are needed to manage our soil resources but there are few recent purpose-built surveys of soil fertility, a critical asset for natural resources management. Instead, data collected for other purposes are re-used as has been the case in our area of interest here: managing the threat of soil erosion on farm land in East Gippsland. The dynamic nature of soil fertility challenges this approach, so we conducted a new survey using 234 paddocks selected at random. These new data were compared to re-purposed legacy data. Plant tissue samples from a selected subset were used to assess micronutrients. Separately, 27 paddocks that had been sampled during 1975–89 were re-tested to examine temporal changes. We concluded that many paddocks are now strongly or very strongly acidic and deficient in molybdenum (Mo) and boron (B). More specifically, those under dairying, cropping and horticulture are likely to have adequate phosphorus (P) while those grazed for meat and wool are likely to be deficient in P. We concluded that grazing enterprises need to either re-adopt soil testing and fertiliser treatment or adopt management practices suitable for acid soils deficient in P, Mo and B, if their paddocks are to support sustainable productive agriculture. Data from the re-tested paddocks suggest that, in general, many were once less acidic, highlighting the difficulties in using legacy data. Also, contrasts in soil pH and available P between paddocks under different management regimes, highlighted the difficulties in using re-purposed data. We concluded that a statistically designed survey is a preferable basis for natural resource management.

scholarly journals Farmers Integrated Management Challenges of Plantains Product at Cauvery Delta, Thanjavur District

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S4) ◽  
pp. 691-695
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Cauvery Delta ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Relationship

In recent trends Farmers had been striving on farm management strategies to make their farming profitable. Farming activities are interdependent with various functions and strong inter-relations with production, finance and marketing. The Indian farmers were not acquainted with the modern management practices. Indian farmers plagued by various management challenges in their farming. However there is upward concern about the gap between the farmer’s potential and their actual earnings. The farmers are not obtaining the profit for their hard work and challenges towards farming. This paper explores the integrated farming challenges of production, finance and marketing factors pertaining plantain product growers. The research area is Cauvery Delta, Thanjavur District. Convenient sampling technique method is used in collecting the data. The data obtained from 315 samples are investigated using descriptive statistics. The correlation tool was used to find out the relationship among the variables. The Multiple Regression tool was used to find out the probable variables that influence the factors. Then, the reliability test was employed to check the reliable of the collected data. The SPSS IBM 20 package was used for data analysis. The outcome of the research will facilitate the researchers, agricultural extension, government and farmers for the agricultural sustainable growth.

scholarly journals Soil Acidity and its Management Options in Ethiopia: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboytu Sisay Golla
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Acid Soil ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Ethiopian Highlands ◽  
Amend Soil

Soil acidity is one of the chemical soil degradation problems which affect soil productivity in the Ethiopian highlands. This paper tries to put together soil acidity concept, causes, extent and management practices. Soil acidity is the problem of agricultural activities in Ethiopian highlands (cultivated lands) and is getting an increase. Farmers require simple and sustainable techniques to amend acid soils and improve yields of crops of their choices. Recommendations on reclamation of acid soils need to change with new developments, such as liming, use of acid-tolerant crop varieties, integrated soil fertility management, and using of organic fertilizers. Liming has played an important role in raising soil pH and enhancing crop productivity. In Ethiopia, the gap between potential and actual yield is very wide because of soil acidity and associated nutrient availability. Acidic soils are not responsive to the application of inorganic fertilizers without amendments-it is simply wastage of resources. Thus, developing effective and efficient acid soil management practices is indispensable for enhancing crop productivity and thereby sustaining yield gains. This review focuses on the causes and managements of soil acidity and its subsequent effect on soil fertility and crop yield. It also provides important information on management options to amend soil acidity and improve the entire fertility of soils, and other organic amendments that can be applied to remedy soil acidity to the desired pH level and improve soil quality. Integrated acid soil management enhances the stability of yields and maximizes nutrient use efficiency.

On-farm udder health monitoring

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
J. C. van Veersen ◽  
O. Sampimon ◽  
R. G. Olde Riekerink ◽  
T. J. G. Lam
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Control Points ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Critical Control Points ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Clinical Problems

SummaryIn this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.

A steady-state N balance approach for sustainable smallholder farming

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (39) ◽  
pp. e2106576118
Author(s):  
Yulong Yin ◽  
Rongfang Zhao ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
Qingfeng Meng ◽  
Hao Ying ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Application Range ◽  
High Yields ◽  
N Management ◽  
On Farm

Hundreds of millions of smallholders in emerging countries substantially overuse nitrogen (N) fertilizers, driving local environmental pollution and global climate change. Despite local demonstration-scale successes, widespread mobilization of smallholders to adopt precise N management practices remains a challenge, largely due to associated high costs and complicated sampling and calculations. Here, we propose a long-term steady-state N balance (SSNB) approach without these complications that is suitable for sustainable smallholder farming. The hypothesis underpinning the concept of SSNB is that an intensively cultivated soil–crop system with excessive N inputs and high N losses can be transformed into a steady-state system with minimal losses while maintaining high yields. Based on SSNB, we estimate the optimized N application range across 3,824 crop counties for the three staple crops in China. We evaluated SSNB first in ca. 18,000 researcher-managed on-farm trials followed by testing in on-farm trials with 13,760 smallholders who applied SSNB-optimized N rates under the guidance of local extension staff. Results showed that SSNB could significantly reduce N fertilizer use by 21 to 28% while maintaining or increasing yields by 6 to 7%, compared to current smallholder practices. The SSNB approach could become an effective tool contributing to the global N sustainability of smallholder agriculture.

scholarly journals Can Organic Sources of Nutrients Increase Crop Yields to Meet Global Food Demand?

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagadish Timsina
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Food Demand ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Organic Nutrients ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Global Food

Meeting global demand of safe and healthy food for the ever-increasing population now and into the future is currently a crucial challenge. Increasing crop production by preserving environment and mitigating climate change should thus be the main goal of today’s agriculture. Conventional farming is characterized by use of high-yielding varieties, irrigation water, chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides to increase yields. However, due to either over- or misuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in many agro-ecosystems, such farming is often blamed for land degradation and environmental pollution and for adversely affecting the health of humans, plants, animals and aquatic ecosystems. Of all inputs required for increased agricultural production, nutrients are considered to be the most important ones. Organic farming, with use of organic sources of nutrients, is proposed as a sustainable strategy for producing safe, healthy and cheaper food and for restoring soil fertility and mitigating climate change. However, there are several myths and controversies surrounding the use of organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients. The objectives of this paper are: (i) to clarify some of the myths or misconceptions about organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients and (ii) to propose alternative solutions to increase on-farm biomass production for use as organic inputs for improving soil fertility and increasing crop yields. Common myths identified by this review include that organic materials/fertilizers can: (i) supply all required macro- and micro-nutrients for plants; (ii) improve physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soils; (iii) be applied universally on all soils; (iv) always produce quality products; (v) be cheaper and affordable; and (vi) build-up of large amount of soil organic matter. Other related myths are: “legumes can use entire amount of N2 fixed from atmosphere” and “bio-fertilizers increase nutrient content of soil.” Common myths regarding chemical fertilizers are that they: (i) are not easily available and affordable, (ii) degrade land, (iii) pollute environment and (iv) adversely affect health of humans, animals and agro-ecosystems. The review reveals that, except in some cases where higher yields (and higher profits) can be found from organic farming, their yields are generally 20–50% lower than that from conventional farming. The paper demonstrates that considering the current organic sources of nutrients in the developing countries, organic nutrients alone are not enough to increase crop yields to meet global food demand and that nutrients from inorganic and organic sources should preferably be applied at 75:25 ratio. The review identifies a new and alternative concept of Evergreen Agriculture (an extension of Agroforestry System), which has potential to supply organic nutrients in much higher amounts, improve on-farm soil fertility and meet nutrient demand of high-yielding crops, sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, provide fodder for livestock and fuelwood for farmers and has potential to meet global food demand. Evergreen Agriculture has been widely adapted by tens of millions of farmers in several African countries and the review proposes for evaluation and scaling-up of such technology in Asian and Latin American countries too.

Linking on-farm dairy management practices to storm-flow fecal coliform loading for California coastal watersheds

2005 ◽  
Vol 107 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 407-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Lewis ◽  
E. R. Atwill ◽  
M. S. Lennox ◽  
L. Hou ◽  
B. Karle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fecal Coliform ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Management ◽  
Coastal Watersheds ◽  
Storm Flow ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Crop Yield and Soil Fertility Status of Long-Term Rice-Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
Nabin Rawal ◽  
Rajan Ghimire ◽  
Devraj Chalise
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Available Phosphorus

Balanced nutrient supply is important for the sustainable crop production. We evaluated the effects of nutrient management practices on soil properties and crop yields in rice (Oryza sativa L.) - rice - wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system in a long-term experiment established at National Wheat Research Program (NWRP), Bhairahawa, Nepal. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block experiment with nine treatments and three replications. Treatments were applied as: T1- no nutrients added, T2- N added; T3- N and P added; T4- N and K added; T5- NPK added at recommended rate for all crops. Similarly, T6- only N added in rice and NPK in wheat at recommended rate; T7- half N; T8- half NP of recommended rate for both crops; and T9- farmyard manure (FYM) @10 Mg ha-1 for all crops in rotation. Results of the study revealed that rice and wheat yields were significantly greater under FYM than all other treatments. Treatments that did not receive P (T2, T3, T7, T8) and K (T2, T4) had considerably low wheat yield than treatments that received NPK (T5) and FYM (T9). The FYM lowered soil pH and improved soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (P), and exchangeable potassium (K) contents than other treatments. Management practices that ensure nutrient supply can increase crop yield and improve soil fertility status.Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 5(1): 42-50

scholarly journals Farmers’ Perceptions about the Effect of Farm Land Management Practices and Soil Depth on the Distribution of Major Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Eroded Soils of Aboy Gara Watershed, Gidan District, North Wollo Zone

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195
Author(s):  
Gebeyaw Tilahun Yeshaneh
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Drainage ◽  
Fertility Status ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Black Color

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about the effect of farm land management practices and soil depth on the distribution of major soil physico-chemical properties in eroded soils of Aboy Gara watershed. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 64 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods were used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. According to farmers response, farmers’ fields were characterized as fertile where it comprise black color, cracks during dry season, good crop performance, vigorous growth of certain plants and presence of plants in a dry environment whereas the infertile is where it shows yellow/white and red colors, compacted soils, stunted plant growth, presence of rocks and stones and wilting or dying of crops in a hot environment. A total of eight indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home, type of weeds grown and cultivation intensity) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility. The results of administered questions showed that the principal indicators mentioned by farmers as very important were soil colour (82.8%), continuous cropping land (72.2%), soil texture (62.8%), distance from home (61%), type of weeds grown (56%), soil depth (55.6%), topography (51.1%), and soil drainage (28.7%) as very important. So, among sixty four interviewed farmers: deep soil (60 farmers), soils near to home (60 farmers), forest soil (59 farmers), smooth fine soil (59 farmers), black color soil (58 farmers) and gentle slope soil (57farmers) are categorized as fertile whereas 59, 57, 56, 55, and 44farmers said that Sandy/coarse soil, shallow soil depth, steep slope soils and yellow/white, red soils and continuously cultivated soils are infertile, respectively. The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators. The soil laboratory analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to-day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.

scholarly journals Analisis Serapan Hara Nitrogen dan Fosfor Tanaman Kedelai

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Asrijal Asrijal ◽  
Ambo Upe
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Rice Field ◽  
Treatment Level ◽  
Field Sample ◽  
Treatment Unit ◽  
Morphology Characteristic ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Soil Sciences

Experimental research will be executed on farm of rice field sample in BPP Palaguna at Wajo Regency. Obstetrical nutrients Analysis of crop and soil will be done in soil Fertility Laboratory, soil sciences department of Faperta Unhas. This Research aim to analyze the ability of nutrients absorption of soy and maize with the mulch application on rice field rainfed. Research will be done/conducted by using Factorial Device in Group ( RDG). First Factor that is crop type with three treatment level that is L1 = Soy; L2 = Maize; and L3 = Maize + Soy. Second Factor is with mulch (M1) and without mulch (M0). Every treatment unit repeated by 3 times, so there are 18 plot, added a plot which is not cultivated as control for the perception of dynamics of Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P) without palawija cultivation. Reason of the crop election for example because both types of the crop have their own system of root and different morphology characteristic which their possibility will influence the ability of conservation N. Result of analysis indicate that ability of absorption of N and P of maize and soy is better with the mulch application on rice field rainfed

scholarly journals Awareness of Integrated Soil Fertility Management Practices in the Savelugu Municipal of the Northern Region of Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (338) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Ammal Abukari ◽  
Rahamatu Abukari
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Inorganic Fertilizer ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Integrated Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Fertility Management

AbstractIn sub-Saharan Africa intensifying small-scale farming is essential in addressing poverty related issues in rural communities and the degradation of natural resources. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) are the best practices used to improve the productivity of crops whilst maximizing agronomic efficiency of inputs applied and hence contributing to sustainable intensification. ISFM usually include the appropriate use of inorganic fertilizer and organic resources, good agronomic practices and appropriate use of germplasm. The survey was carried-out on the awareness of Integrated Soil Fertility Management practices in the Savelugu Municipal of Northern Ghana to study the awareness of integrated soil fertility management practices amongst farmers through the administration of questionnaires. A multistage method of sampling was used in selecting thirty (30) respondents randomly from five (5) selected communities namely Jana, Yapalsi, Diari, Nabogu and Gushie to make up a total sample size of 150 respondents. Frequency distribution and percentages were used to represent the data. Correlation analysis was used to test for the relationship between awareness, educational level and household size. The survey showed that majority of the respondents at ages between 21 and 30 years were married and majority with household size of 3 to 5 as well as primary and secondary education. Farming activities were carried-out by hand (80%). Majority of the respondents (43.3%) were informed about ISFM through demonstrations and 20% of the farmers apply inorganic fertilizer. About 85.5% of the respondents were aware of ISFM. The research also revealed that ISFM improves production and supports finances of respondents. The assessment of respondents’ perception of ISFM revealed a positive agreement of the effect of ISFM on soil health as well as improved production. In conclusion, it is thus suggested that it is needful for the involvement of the government on the adoption of ISFM via Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) locally and or internationally for a suitable advancement and to guarantee a sustainable environment with a world-wide corporation for improvement.

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