scholarly journals Connecting the Dots Between Sustainable Diets and Biocultural Systems in a Rural Indigenous Community of the Ecuadorian Andes (OR20-07-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Andres Gallegos ◽  
William Waters ◽  
Amaya Carrasco ◽  
Mabel Pintag ◽  
Martha Caranqui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Systems ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Soil Restoration ◽  
Seed Selection ◽  
Sustainable Diets ◽  
Control Seed ◽  
Crossover Analysis ◽  
Household Heads

Abstract Objectives Characterize the psychosocial and agroecological dimensions of sustainable diets and their roles in an Andean biocultural system. Methods A participatory mixed-methods design: 1) focus groups (n = 39) and key informant interviews (n = 7) were recorded, translated, transcribed, and analyzed using three-staged coding; 2) information was triangulated with participant observations, local records, and descriptive statistics from a survey to female household heads (n = 57); 3) rural appraisal activities for agronomic calendars and yields; 4) ten sites, purposively selected, prospected with local informants to obtain a Margelef-Shannon's K Diversity Index; 5) a subset of five sites for agroecological parameters with MO-Dirt methods for soil health and laboratory analysis; 6) a crossover analysis of agrobiodiversity, land-family size ratios and diet; and 7) four community-based system dynamics sessions to elucidate causal-loop diagrams. Results A psychosocial dimension was centered in indigenous identity, customary institutions, and agrarian knowledge. Identity was grounded in Mother Earth (Pachamama) and traditional foods. Customary institutions reinforce trust and reciprocity, mobilize labor-intensive tasks and food production and processing. Traditional knowledge includes agrarian calendars, pest control, seed selection, and soil restoration measures. An agroecological dimension is characterized by a pre-Hispanic system of terraces, trenches, and contention walls, as well as ecological richness. Combined analysis of both dimensions, including ethnographic testimonials, archeological research, and local records, reveal that the community is a remarkable biocultural space, which seems to promote sustainable crop yields through the generations. Conclusions This study suggests the viability of a reinforcement loop in indigenous-based agri-food systems, in which sustainable diets support a stable biocultural space and where the dynamic interaction between psychosocial and agroecological factors assure the stability of biocultural space. Research on biocultural systems represents an opportunity to elucidate ideas for present and future sustainability and food security challenges. Funding Sources Funded by the Brown School's International Dissertation Award.

scholarly journals Toward Sociocultural Indicators of Sustainable Healthy Diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7226
Author(s):  
Jill Nicholls ◽  
Adam Drewnowski
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Sustainable Diets ◽  
The Social ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
Development Goals

Balancing the social, economic and environmental priorities for public health is at the core of the United Nations (UN) approaches to sustainable development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The four dimensions of sustainable diets are often presented as health, society, economics, and the environment. Although sustainable diet research has focused on health and the environment, the social and economic dimensions of sustainable diets and food systems should not be forgotten. Some research priorities and sociocultural indicators for sustainable healthy diets and food systems are outlined in this report. The present goal is to improve integration of the social dimension into research on food and nutrition security.

scholarly journals Customized Fertilizers- All in One a Review

2020 ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
S. K. Choudhary ◽  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
Arun Kumar ◽  
Rakesh Deo Ranjan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Nutrient Use ◽  
Fertilizer Recommendations ◽  
Use Efficiency

Blanket fertilizer recommendations for different crops have caused poor nutrient supply, low nutrient use efficiency and limited crop response. Customized fertilizers may help to sustain soil health by ensuring appropriate fertilization. Hence, specific customized fertilizers should be promoted to counteract the problem of expanding multi-nutrient deficiencies in soils. In India, among the nutrients, NPK remain the major ones for increased and sustained productivity. However, the development of high yielding systems will likely exacerbate the problem of secondary and micronutrient deficiencies, not only because larger amounts are removed, but also because the application of large amounts of N, P and K to achieve higher yield targets, as a result in the intensive systems there is every possibility to build up of negative balance and deficiency of secondary and micronutrients. To attain high future targets, customized fertilizers will play a very important role. The development of site and crop specific readymade customized fertilizers based on scientific principles may prove to be more effective to meet the plant requirement and enhance nutrient use efficiency. Such an approach is also likely to boost crop yields and arrest soil fertility decline in a long-run. Thus, this article discusses the manufacturing methodologies, eligibility criteria, success in Indian fertilizer industry, adoption of fertilizer recommendations and problems in marketing of customized fertilizer.

scholarly journals Diversitas Tumbuhan Liar Pada Lahan Jagung (Zea mays L.) di Desa Bungbungan Kecamatan Bluto Kabupaten Sumenep

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
Khoiratul Hasanah ◽  
Ari Hayati ◽  
Hasan Zayadi
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Wild Plants ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Wild plants are plants whose presence on agricultural land can reduce crop yields. Losses due to wild plants to cultivated plants vary depending on the type of plant cultivated, climate, species of wild plants and technical cultivation applied. This study aims to determine the diversity of wild plants in the land of maize (Zea mays L.) in Bung-bungan Village Bluto District Sumenep Regency. This method uses a descriptive exploratory method, for each wild plant found in ± 3600 m2 of corn land. Sampling of wild plants using a 4x4 m plot method. The measured data includes the number of species and the number of individuals calculating important values ​​and diversity indices. The results of the study showed that the Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index analysis of the highest value in maize plants in plantations was found in land II, which was 2.678 indicating moderate diversity, categorized as moderate because there were not too many wild plants on maize.  Keywords: Corn, diversity, wild plants,  ABSTRAK Tumbuhan liar merupakan tumbuhan yang kehadirannya pada lahan pertanian dapat menurunkan hasil tanaman. Kerugian akibat tumbuhan  liar terhadap tanaman budidaya beragam bergantung dari jenis tanaman yang diusahakan, iklim, jenis tumbuhan  liar dan teknis budidaya yang diterapkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui diversitas tumbuhan liar di lahan jagung (Zea mays L.) di Desa Bung-bungan Kecamatan Bluto Kabupaten Sumenep. Metode ini menggunakan metode deskriptif eksploratif, terhadap setiap tumbuhan liar yang ditemukan pada lahan jagung seluas ±3600 m2. Pengambilan sampel tumbuhan liar menggunakan metode plot berukuran 4x4 m. Data yang diukur meliputi jumlah spesies dan jumlah individu menghitung nilai penting dan indeks diversitas. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan analisis Indeks Keanekaragaman Shannon-Wienner tumbuhan liar nilai tertinggi pada tanaman jagung di lkebun terdapat pada lahan II yaitu 2,678 menunjukkan keanekaragaman sedang, di kategorikan sedang karena jenis tanaman liar yang ada pada lahan jagung tidak terlalu banyak. Kata kunci: Jagung, Diversitas, Tanaman liar

Reduced tillage, cover crops and organic amendments affect soil microbiota and improve soil health in Uruguayan vegetable farming systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Cerecetto ◽  
Kornelia Smalla ◽  
Joseph Nesme ◽  
Silvia Garaycochea ◽  
Pablo Fresia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crop ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Restoration ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Organic C ◽  
Soil Microbiota ◽  
Vegetable Farming

ABSTRACT Conventional tillage and mineral fertilization (CTMF) jeopardize soil health in conventional vegetable production systems. Using a field experiment established in Uruguay in 2012, we aimed to compare the soil restoration potential of organic fertilization (compost and poultry manure) combined with conventional tillage and cover crop incorporated into the soil (CTOF) or with reduced tillage and the use of cover crop as mulch (RTOF). In 2017, table beet was cultivated under CTMF, CTOF and RTOF, and yields, soil aggregate composition and nutrients, as well as soil and table beet rhizosphere microbiota (here: bacteria and archaea) were evaluated. Microbiota was studied by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from total community DNA. RTOF exhibited higher soil aggregation, soil organic C, nutrient availability and microbial alpha-diversity than CTMF, and became more similar to an adjacent natural undisturbed site. The soil microbiota was strongly shaped by the fertilization source which was conveyed to the rhizosphere and resulted in differentially abundant taxa. However, 229 amplicon sequencing variants were found to form the core table beet rhizosphere microbiota shared among managements. In conclusion, our study shows that after only 5 years of implementation, RTOF improves soil health under intensive vegetable farming systems.

Diversity of Crops in Rotation: A Key Factor in Soil Health and Crop Yields

2021 ◽  
pp. 149-161
Author(s):  
Boris Boincean ◽  
Marin Cebotari ◽  
Lidia Bulat
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Key Factor

scholarly journals From Farm to Fork: Assessing the Sustainability of Traditional Culinary Preparations to Promote Healthy and Sustainable Diets in Chile's Metropolitan Region (P03-005-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Kanter ◽  
Viviana Azúa ◽  
Mariana León Villagra
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Climate Change Signal ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Sustainable Diets ◽  
Sustainable Diet

Abstract Objectives The high prevalences of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Chile, with increasing climate change, signal an urgent need for novel analyses to characterize sustainable diets. Therefore, the study objective was to describe the sustainability of 24 highly consumed and liked traditional Chilean culinary preparations (dishes) as perceived by those in the Metropolitan Region (RM). Methods Pre-existing methods on documenting traditional food systems were adapted, and combined with the FAO's 5 criteria for sustainable diets (culture, nutrition, environment, physical, and economic access). In 2018, 40 individual semi-structured interviews were done by an ethnographer/anthropologist, 8 per age (25–45 y, 45–64 y, > 65 y) or ethnic (first nations or not) group. Each interview involved tasks about 24 traditional dishes (card sort exercises per sustainable diet criteria; and brief surveys to assess diet and taste preferences), was recorded, and transcribed. Based on the positive associations between a dish and the 5 sustainable diet criteria, an average sustainability score (0–100%) was calculated by dish. ATLAS.ti v. 8.3.1 was used to conduct the study analyses. Results The traditional dishes identified as the most sustainable were: fruits (91%); salads (90%); scrambled eggs with tomato/onion (82%); vegetable soup (78%), and legumes (78%). With fish soup (52%), shredded beef (48%) and empanadas (39%) as the least sustainable. Of the 5 sustainable diet criteria, the environment dimension was the most difficult for participants to think about in relation to diet, and thus, verbally expound upon. Two-thirds of participants thought that no dish produced any environmental impact. Others erroneously confused environmental impact with health problems or with household contamination from cooking fried foods. The livestock and fishing industries were often cited as having negative environmental impacts. Conclusions Chileans in the RM can identify traditional dishes, largely based on primary agricultural products that are both healthy and sustainable. The finding that many lacked an understanding of how diet may be linked to the concept of sustainability; and more specifically, to environmental impacts signals an important need for more education and awareness regarding how sustainability relates to diet. Funding Sources CONICYT-FONDECYT Initiation Project.

scholarly journals Modelling Environmental Burdens of Indoor-Grown Vegetables and Herbs as Affected by Red and Blue LED Lighting

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 4063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Pennisi ◽  
Esther Sanyé-Mengual ◽  
Francesco Orsini ◽  
Andrea Crepaldi ◽  
Silvana Nicola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Led Lighting ◽  
Life Cycle Perspective ◽  
Electronic Elements

Notwithstanding that indoor farming is claimed to reduce the environmental pressures of food systems, electricity needs are elevated and mainly associated with lighting. To date, however, no studies have quantified the environmental and economic profile of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lighting in indoor farming systems. The goal of this study is to quantify the effect of varying the red (R) and blue (B) LED spectral components (RB ratios of 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4) on the eco-efficiency of indoor production of lettuce, chicory, rocket and sweet basil from a life cycle perspective. The functional unit of the assessment was 1 kg of harvested fresh plant edible product, and the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) method was employed for impact assessment. Even though most of the materials of the LED lamp and electronic elements were imported from long distances (14,400 km), electricity consumption was the largest contributor to the environmental impacts (with the LED lamps being the main electricity consumers, approximately 70%), apart from the resources use indicator, where the materials of the lamps and the mineral nutrients were also relevant. RB0.5 was the most energy-efficient light treatment but had the lowest eco-efficiency scores due to the lower crop yields.

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