Harnessing soil bacteria and their benefits for sustainable agriculture with changing climate.

Author(s):  
Rohini Mattoo

Abstract Soil bacteria contribute effectively to key biogeochemical reactions in the soil rhizosphere. They support plants in the rhizosphere to adapt quickly to changing climatic conditions. Differences in root exudates, trace gas chemistry, chemical compounds and nutrient exchange contribute to the recruitment of diverse microorganisms by plant roots. This review highlights the importance of characterizing novel microorganisms to support sustainable agricultural practices. We discuss about tools for characterizing microbes and agricultural practices that influence microbial diversity, and have reviewed how microorganisms may have important but unidentified roles in climate change. Beneficial microbes could improve the turnover of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals thereby avoiding the use of chemical inputs, which are not only causing serious environmental harm but also pose danger to human and animal health.

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Paola Baldivieso-Freitas ◽  
Francisco Sans Serra

Optimization of the nitrogen (N) inputs and minimization of nutrient losses strongly affect yields in crop rotations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agricultural practices on yield and N use in a 4-year cereal-legume rotation in organic farming and to identify the best combination of these practices. The following treatments were compared: conventional plough (P) vs. reduced chisel (RC) tillage; composted farmyard manure (F) vs. unfertilized control (NF); and green manure (GM) vs. no green manure (NoM). No significant differences were found for N use efficiency between P and RC in each crop. The results suggested that legumes in the tested rotation do not need supplemental N fertilization, particularly if combining GM and F. The use of composted farmyard manure should be considered in a long-term fertilization plan for cereals, to allow a higher efficiency in N use. The residual effect of fertilization over time, along with the site-specific pedo-climatic conditions, should also be considered. In both tested tillage approaches, soil N surplus was the highest in plots combining GM and F (i.e., more than 680 kg N ha−1 in combination with RC vs. about 140 kg N ha−1 for RC without fertilization), with a risk of N losses by leaching. The N deficit in NoM–NF both combined with P and RC would indicate that these treatment combinations are not sustainable for the utilized crops in the field experiment. Therefore, the combination of the tested practices should be carefully assessed to sustain soil fertility and crop production.


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Vineet Tirth ◽  
Ram Karan Singh ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Irfan Anjum Badruddin ◽  
Rini Asnida Binti Abdullah ◽  
...  

Sustainability of agricultural practices depends on economic, environmental, and social conditions. The Rajasthan state of India has arid climatic conditions where kharif crops are commonly grown. In this work, the four major criteria are considered such as the farm area, crop yield per unit area, the cost prices, and the market sales price. Merged analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy techniques have been employed to give reasonable weight coefficients for the objective and subjective weights to each criterion. Multiple attribute-based decision-making models (MADM) have been developed using three proven techniques, namely the Exprom2, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). The crop Pennisetum glaucum emerged as the most productive kharif crop in the arid climatic conditions of Rajasthan, India under the given criteria. The sensitivity analysis of the three methods identifies the most significant criteria and validates that Pennisetum glaucum is the first ranked crop despite the interchange of the weights. The methodology used in this study may be applied across the globe to select appropriate crops for maximizing the profit, optimizing the natural resources, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This study may be used to enhance the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) to make the agriculturalists self-sufficient and to help the state policymakers in making effective regional policies.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Magdalena Polak-Śliwińska ◽  
Beata Paszczyk

Trichothecene mycotoxins are sesquiterpenoid compounds primarily produced by fungi in taxonomical genera such as Fusarium, Myrothecium, Stachybotrys, Trichothecium, and others, under specific climatic conditions on a worldwide basis. Fusarium mold is a major plant pathogen and produces a number of trichothecene mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (or vomitoxin), nivalenol, diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin. Monogastrics are sensitive to vomitoxin, while poultry and ruminants appear to be less sensitive to some trichothecenes through microbial metabolism of trichothecenes in the gastrointestinal tract. Trichothecene mycotoxins occur worldwide however both total concentrations and the particular mix of toxins present vary with environmental conditions. Proper agricultural practices such as avoiding late harvests, removing overwintered stubble from fields, and avoiding a corn/wheat rotation that favors Fusarium growth in residue can reduce trichothecene contamination of grains. Due to the vague nature of toxic effects attributed to low concentrations of trichothecenes, a solid link between low level exposure and a specific trichothecene is difficult to establish. Multiple factors, such as nutrition, management, and environmental conditions impact animal health and need to be evaluated with the knowledge of the mycotoxin and concentrations known to cause adverse health effects. Future research evaluating the impact of low-level exposure on livestock may clarify the potential impact on immunity. Trichothecenes are rapidly excreted from animals, and residues in edible tissues, milk, or eggs are likely negligible. In chronic exposures to trichothecenes, once the contaminated feed is removed and exposure stopped, animals generally have an excellent prognosis for recovery. This review shows the occurrence of trichothecenes in food and feed in 2011–2020 and their toxic effects and provides a summary of the discussions on the potential public health concerns specifically related to trichothecenes residues in foods associated with the exposure of farm animals to mycotoxin-contaminated feeds and impact to human health. Moreover, the article discusses the methods of their detection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4B) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vineet Tirth ◽  
◽  
Ram Karan Singh ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Ali Algahtani ◽  
...  

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Wheat, Barley, fruits, vegetables, and fodders are the most common agricultural products. Agricultural sustainability depends on socioeconomic and climatic conditions. Proper crop selection is vital to maximize productivity, yielding more revenue to the farmer at a lower cost. To rank the crop alternatives based on the available natural resources and cost, a multicriterion based decision-making model (MCDM) may be applied to identify the best suitable crop, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. To make the agricultural activities sustainable, most of the critical criteria are taken into account. Four criteria linked to sustainability are included in this study. The research focuses on developing a model for sustainable agricultural practices in KSA employing MCDM. Three MCDM techniques were employed to evaluate the most suitable crop,and the results are compared and validated. The results from all three methods gave consistent results. Fruits emerged as the most productive crop, followed by Wheat, vegetables, fodders, and Barley. Such methodology shall be further extended across the other regions and over various crops for sustainable agricultural practices. The study is expected to help the Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture, KSA, draft a suitable agricultural policy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerasekar Palaniappan Sambasivam ◽  
Gowtham Thiyagarajan ◽  
Golam Kabir ◽  
Syed Mithun Ali ◽  
Syed Abdul Rehman Khan ◽  
...  

Owing to the sudden changes in climatic conditions, monsoon failure, and scarce availability of resources because of population hike, yielding a minimum profit has become a challenge for Indian farmers. This is a severe problem for India, as a major part of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on agriculture. To change this dreadful situation, Indian farmers must employ sustainable agricultural practices in farming, as it will help them to meet their agricultural needs and economic stability. Here, we have built a framework for selecting the ideal crop pattern for Winter Cropping Season (Rabi Season), as crop pattern plays a vital role in the effective function of sustainable agricultural practices. We have used the rough AHP-TOPSIS (Analytical Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method for finding the best crop pattern for the Rabi season, by considering all the influential criteria in terms of agriculture sustainability. Our study demonstrates an overall idea to the farmers and stakeholders about attaining maximum crop productivity with optimum use of available resources, without compromising the economic, social, and ecological aspects of agriculture.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Kagot ◽  
Sheila Okoth ◽  
Marthe De Boevre ◽  
Sarah De Saeger

Fungal contamination and the consequent mycotoxin production is a hindrance to food and feed safety, international trade and human and animal health. In Africa, fungal contamination by Fusarium and Aspergillus is heightened by tropical climatic conditions that create a suitable environment for pre- and postharvest mycotoxin production. The biocontrol of Fusarium and its associated fusariotoxins has stagnated at laboratory and experimental levels with species of Trichoderma, Bacillus and atoxigenic Fusarium being tested as the most promising candidates. Hitherto, there is no impetus to upscale for field use owing to the inconsistent results of these agents. Non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus have been developed to create biocontrol formulations by outcompeting the aflatoxigenic strains, thus thwarting aflatoxins on the target produce by 70% to 90%. Questions have been raised on their ability to produce other mycotoxins like cyclopiazonic acid, to potentially exchange genetic material and to become aflatoxigenic with consequent deleterious effects on other organisms and environments. Other biocontrol approaches to mitigate aflatoxins include the use of lactic acid bacteria and yeast species which have demonstrated the ability to prevent the growth of Aspergillus flavus and consequent toxin production under laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, these strategies seem to be ineffective under field conditions. The efficacy of biological agents is normally dependent on environmental factors, formulations’ safety to non-target hosts and the ecological impact. Biocontrol agents can only be effectively evaluated after long-term use, causing a never-ending debate on the use of live organisms as a remedy to pests and diseases over the use of chemicals. Biocontrol should be used in conjunction with good agricultural practices coupled with good postharvest management to significantly reduce mycotoxins in the African continent.


1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (4II) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eshya Mujahid Mukhtar ◽  
Hanid Mukhtar

Agricultural production depends upon certain crucial inputs e.g., water, fertilizer etc. In the less developed regions of South Asia in general, and the indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, the use of these inputs depends not only upon the financial affordability but also upon the institutional accessibility of farmers to these inputs. Besides high economic costs, bureaucratic controls and corruption regarding the distribution of inputs have created problems of limited accessibility, especially to the small farmers. In the absence of any credit, information and/or input distribution networks, the use of these inputs, and related productivity gains, become confined to that class of farmers which not only has better access to these inputs but is capable of using them in the best possible way e.g. use of water and fertilizer in the appropriate amount and at the appropriate time. This paper attempts to study how input use and input productivity vary across farm sizes, with some reference to the infrastructural and institutional factors, whose development play an important role in improving the distribution and productivity of inputs. For such an analysis, a comparison of the two Punjabs i.e. Pakistani and Indian Punjabs, presents an ideal framework, Separated by a national boundary since 1947, the two Punjabs enjoy a common history and culture, similar agricultural practices and agro-climatic conditions, Government policies in the two Punjabs, however, have not only differed between the two provinces at the same time, but also over time in the same province. It may be noted that due to certain policy measures, land distribution, tenancy conditions, promotion of agricultural co-operatives and provision of infrastructural features, such as roads and electricity, are relatively more improved in Indian than Pakistani Punjab.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Suman

The highest yield (420 kg/ha) was recorded in the year 2011-12. In Front-Line Demonstration, it was 27.27 percent more over the farmers practice (320 kg/ha), however, the lowest yield (350 kg/ha) was recorded in the year 2010-11 under Front-Line Demonstration and 310 kg/ha in farmers' practice. Increase in the yield (27.27%) under Front-Line Demonstration over farmers practice was obtained during the year 2011-12. The variation in the percent increase in the yield was found due to variation in agro climate parameter under rainfed condition. Under sustainable agricultural practices, with this study it is concluded that the Front- LineDemonstration programme was effective in changing attitude, skill and knowledge of improved / recommended practices of High Yielding Varieties of peas included adoption. This also improved the relationship between farmers and scientist and built confidence between them.


2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
DHANANJAI SINGH ◽  
A.K. PATEL ◽  
S.K. SINGH ◽  
M.S. BAGHEL

Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down Front Line Demonstration in the year 2010-11 and 2011-12 introducing new, high yielding and scented variety “Pusa Sugandha-3” and applying scientific practices in their cultivation. The FLDs were carried out in village “Dainiha” of Sidhi district in supervision of KVK scientist. The productivity and economic returns of paddy in improved technologies were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmer's practices (local check). Improved practices recorded higher yield as compared to farmer's practices. The improved technology recorded higher yield of 30.83 q/ha and 32.65 q/ha in the year 2010-11 and 2011-12, respectively than 22.13 and 24.21 q/ha. The average yield increase was observed 37.15 per cent. In spite of increase in yield of paddy, technology gap, extension gap and technology index existed. The improved technology gave higher gross return (37020 and 39180 Rs./ha), net return (16820 and 18920 Rs./ha) with higher benefit cost ratio (1.83 and 1.93) as compared to farmer's practices. The variation in per cent increase in the yield was found due to the poor management practices, lack of knowledge and poor socio economic condition. Under sustainable agricultural practices, with this study it is concluded that the FLDs programmes were effective in changing attitude, skill and knowledge of improved package and practices of HYV of paddy adoption.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document