Multidisciplinary teams to conduct integrated research on farming systems - a challenge

Soil Research ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 659 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ French
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Cooperative Effort ◽  
Soil Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Groups And Teams

This paper reviews changes in farming practices that helped farmers to reduce soil erosion, and increase water-use efficiency and yield on their specific soils and climate. The program initially involved working with Soil Conservation Boards and conducting research on farmers' properties and on research stations. This work then extended from evaluating single factor effects to assessing the combined factors limiting yield in specific crop and pasture rotations. Benchmarks were established for different soils and climates as guides for farmers to measure their success. These included yield and water use efficiency, adequate and lower limit levels of soil organic nitrogen, and the need to maintain a nutrient input-output balance to provide a sustainable agriculture. The paper highlights the need for future research to adopt an integrated systems approach to overcome the major limitations to growth. This will require a cooperative effort between farmer groups and teams of soil scientists and agronomists to conduct multifactor research in farmers' paddocks.

scholarly journals Effect of Ploughing Techniques on Water Use and Yield of Rice in Maugo Small-Holder Irrigation Scheme, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-117
Author(s):  
Pius Kipchumba Cheboi ◽  
Shahida Anusha Siddiqui ◽  
Japheth Onyando ◽  
Clement Kiprotich Kiptum ◽  
Volker Heinz
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Experimental Site ◽  
Irrigation Scheme ◽  
Shopping Centre ◽  
Tillage Practices ◽  
Rice Season ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Small Holder

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of paddy rice ploughing techniques on water use and the yield of rice crop, as well as water use efficiency for rice growing in small-holder irrigation schemes. The study was conducted at a farmer’s field in Powo B sub-block of Maugo Irrigation Scheme. The period of study was from July 2019 to January 2020, which is the rice season. The experimental site was located in the vicinity of Olare Shopping Centre, Kamenya Sub-location, Kochia East Location, Kochia Ward, Rangwe Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Nyanza Region, Kenya in Maugo rice scheme in Kenya. In the study, four irrigation tillage practices were applied: ox-plough, conventional ox-plough, hand hoe and tractor ploughing. The results showed that conventional ox-ploughing consumed the highest amount of water at 1240 mm. The highest water use efficiency of 0.49 kg/m3 and highest yield of 5.7 tons/ha were observed for hand hoe ploughing. Use of the hand hoe ploughing technique increased yields by 20 percent, as compared to the conventional ox-ploughing. Therefore, the use of water for ploughing is not necessary in the study area. Future research will be needed to see how farmers are adopting the technology before scaling up to full mechanization, as partial mechanization was not profitable.

A systems approach to understanding the connection between farm systems resilience and pasture resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Stevens ◽  
Marie Casey ◽  
Paul Edwards ◽  
Thomas Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Future Growth ◽  
Animal Consumption

Farm systems resilience in New Zealand pasture-based farming is influenced by external drivers such as environmental regulation, and internal drivers such as existence, expressed as profitability. We examine ten published case studies of farm systems change to provide insight into management interventions to these drivers and their impacts on pasture resilience. Nutrient supply was key to increasing pasture longevity, water use efficiency and animal feed supply. Manipulating water use efficiency through irrigation and legume (predominantly lucerne) use increased nitrogen use efficiency and added pasture supply for animal consumption. Monitoring the pasture supply and animal response ensured both animal feed requirements and pasture conditions for future growth were met. Theresilience of pastures was improved when monitoring guided adaptive management application to ensure whole-farm resilience.

scholarly journals Eucalyptusand Water Use in South Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine M. Albaugh ◽  
Peter J. Dye ◽  
John S. King
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Wood Products ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Use Studies

TheEucalyptusgenus yields high rates of productivity and can be grown across a wide range of site types and climates for products such as pulp, fuelwood, or construction lumber. In addition, many eucalypts have the ability to coppice, making this genus an ideal candidate for use as a biofuel feedstock. However, the water use ofEucalyptusis a controversial issue, and the impacts of these fast-growing trees on water resources are well documented. Regardless, the demand for wood products and water continues to rise, providing a challenge to increase the productivity of forest plantations within water constraints. This is of particular relevance for water-limited countries such as South Africa which relies on exotic plantations to meet its timber needs. Research results from water use studies in South Africa are well documented and legislation restrictions limit further afforestation. This paper outlines techniques used to quantify the water use of eucalypt plantations and provides recommendations on where to focus future research efforts. Greater insights into the water use efficiency of clonal material are needed, as certain eucalypt clones show fast growth and low water use. To better understand water use efficiency, estimates should be combined with monitoring of stand canopy structure and measurements of physiological processes.

scholarly journals Towards Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production—Yield Gaps and Water Use Efficiency in Farming Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 710
Author(s):  
Anita Ierna
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Production Yield ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
Use Efficiency

The primary objective of any cropping system continues to be increasing the productivity and profitability of crops [...]

Nitrogen fixation by lablab (Lablab purpureus) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) rotation crops in an irrigated cotton farming system

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. McDonald ◽  
P. Wright ◽  
D. A. MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Biomass Production ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Use Efficiency

Cotton producers in Australia are interested in including legume green manure crops in their farming systems. Lablab and lucerne are 2 crops that have been considered for this role. The object of this study was to determine their biomass production, nitrogen fixation, water use and water-use efficiency within a 1-year out-of-cotton rotation. Both species were grown under full irrigation, and partial irrigation, where periods of moisture stress occurred. During the period of the rotation, lablab produced more biomass and fixed more nitrogen than lucerne. Its biomass production was increased (from 9655 to 16 024 kg/ha) by full irrigation compared with partial irrigation, while lucerne biomass similarly increased (from 6563 to 8040 kg/ha). Lablab also fixed more nitrogen (177 kg N/ha) than lucerne (111 kg N/ha). Lucerne used more water than lablab and thus lablab had higher water-use efficiency of biomass production and nitrogen fixation. The study indicates that lablab produces more green manure with greater water-use efficiency than lucerne within a 1-year out-of-cotton rotation.

Water-use efficiency of alternative pig farming systems in Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 104926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Thi Thu Huong ◽  
Yoshifumi Takahashi ◽  
Hisako Nomura ◽  
Luu Van Duy ◽  
Cao Truong Son ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Pig Farming ◽  
Use Efficiency

scholarly journals Improving Water use Efficiency of Annual Crops in the Rainfed Farming Systems of West Asia and North Africa

1987 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. M. Cooper ◽  
P. J. Gregory ◽  
D. Tully ◽  
H. C. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
On Farm

SummaryFarming systems in west Asia and north Africa have evolved to cope with the problems of highly variable and, frequently, chronically deficient rainfall. Cereals (mainly wheat and barley) are the dominant arable crops with food legumes (chickpea, lentil and faba bean) occupying only 5 to 10% of the area planted to cereals. Livestock is closely integrated into the farming system and crop production practices often reflect the importance of animals as a major source of income, particularly on the smaller farms. Soils of the region are predominantly calcareous, frequently phosphate deficient, and their depth and texture are important in determining the maximum amount of water that can be stored which, in turn, may determine the effective length of the growing season.Rain falls mainly during the winter months so that crops must often rely on stored soil moisture when they are growing most rapidly. Analysis of equations relating crop growth and water use shows that there are three ways in which the ‘water use efficiency’ of dry matter production can be increased. First, the amount of dry matter produced per unit of water transpired might be increased; second, if the water supply is limited, the amount of water transpired might be increased relative to evaporation from the soil surface; and third, the total amount of water used might be increased to produce extra growth provided that this results in increased transpiration rather than simply increasing evaporation from the soil surface.These three possible routes to increased crop growth are reviewed in relation to possible improvements in water management and crop genotypes in the Mediterranean environment. Scope for improving transpiration efficiency is limited although genotypic differences exist and may be useful in the future. More immediately, changes in crop management, such as applications of fertilizer, improved tillage and better weed control, will all increase the amount of water transpired. Application of mulches will also reduce evaporation from the soil surface but crop residues are usually eaten by livestock and are, therefore, often unavailable.The barley/livestock farming system of west Asia is used as a case study to illustrate how the Fanning Systems Programme of ICARDA has developed on-farm research programmes of direct relevance to current farming systems. Research on experimental sites directed at improving water use efficiency has been developed into on-farm trials and into collaborative trials with the Syrian Soils Directorate.

scholarly journals Soil and Crop management relation with water use efficiency in Dryland agriculture

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
pp. 75-89
Author(s):  
Attia El Gayar
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Crop Management ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Use Efficiency

The problem of shortage of water to crops can be resolved by increasing total water supply available to plants, increasing water use relative to other losses and efficient management of scarce water. Biophysically, solutions to many of the problems will require the improvement of soil, water, and crop management at the field, plot, and farm level: first, to increase the capture and retention of incoming (rain) water; and second, to maximize the proportion of that water productively transpired by the crop. Dry land agriculture under rain fed conditions is found mainly in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. In the harsh environments of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and West Asia and North Africa (WANA), water is the principal factor limiting crop yield. A review has been carried out on soil and crop management research that can increase the water use efficiency. The WANA production systems are dominated by cereals, primarily wheat in the wetter and barley in the drier areas, in rotation with mainly food legumes such as chickpea, lentil and forage legumes. The SSA production systems are generally characterized by cereal/legume mixed-cropping dominated by maize, millet, sorghum, and wheat. The major constraints in both regions to crop production are low soil fertility, insecure rainfall, and low-productive genotypes, low adoption of improved soil and crop management practices, and lack of appropriate institutional support. Different cropping systems and accompanying technologies are discussed. Results indicate that there is an advantage to apply these technologies but being function of socio-economic and bio-physical conditions. It is recommended that future research focuses on integrated technology development while taking into account also different levels of scale such as field, village, and watershed.

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