scholarly journals Agronomic options for improving rainfall-use efficiency of crops in dryland farming systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 55 (407) ◽  
pp. 2413-2425 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
Use Efficiency

scholarly journals Circular Bioeconomy Research for Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Innovations, Gaps, and Actions

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiferaw Feleke ◽  
Steven Michael Cole ◽  
Haruna Sekabira ◽  
Rousseau Djouaka ◽  
Victor Manyong
Keyword(s):  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
International Institute ◽  
The Public ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has applied the concept of ‘circular bioeconomy’ to design solutions to address the degradation of natural resources, nutrient-depleted farming systems, hunger, and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Over the past decade, IITA has implemented ten circular bioeconomy focused research for development (R4D) interventions in several countries in the region. This article aims to assess the contributions of IITA’s circular bioeconomy focused innovations towards economic, social, and environmental outcomes using the outcome tracking approach, and identify areas for strengthening existing circular bioeconomy R4D interventions using the gap analysis method. Data used for the study came from secondary sources available in the public domain. Results indicate that IITA’s circular bioeconomy interventions led to ten technological innovations (bio-products) that translated into five economic, social, and environmental outcomes, including crop productivity, food security, resource use efficiency, job creation, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Our gap analysis identified eight gaps leading to a portfolio of five actions needed to enhance the role of circular bioeconomy in SSA. The results showcase the utility of integrating a circular bioeconomy approach in R4D work, especially how using such an approach can lead to significant economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The evidence presented can help inform the development of a framework to guide circular bioeconomy R4D at IITA and other research institutes working in SSA. Generating a body of evidence on what works, including the institutional factors that create enabling environments for circular bioeconomy approaches to thrive, is necessary for governments and donors to support circular bioeconomy research that will help solve some of the most pressing challenges in SSA as populations grow and generate more waste, thus exacerbating a changing climate using the linear economy model.

Introduction: Improving the sustainability of dryland farming systems in the Middle East

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-99
Author(s):  
James F. Parr ◽  
Robert I. Papendick
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
The U.S

Six papers in this issue were presented by Middle Eastern authors at the U.S.-Middle East Conference and Workshop on "Dryland Farming Systems and Technologies for a More Sustainable Agriculture," held at Moscow, Idaho on October 18–23, 1993.

scholarly journals The challenges facing legumes in a dryland environment - a consultant's view

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
C.D. Brown ◽  
R.B. Green
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Feed Quality ◽  
Dryland Farming ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Stocking Rates

The dryland regions of New Zealand suffer from summer moisture deficits in the majority of years. These dryland regions have been developed along the same basis as other farming regions, with increasing fertiliser usage leading to more subdivision and higher stocking rates. Given the exposure to droughts, the production per head of these regions has been extremely variable. Historically, dryland farming systems have been based around breeding ewe systems with all lambs finished if the season allowed. Since the removal of all Government support during adverse events, in the early 1990s, farm systems have become considerably more diverse. Irrigation areas have doubled between 1985 and 1999 to approximately 500 000 hectares. Both sub clover and lucerne have been used extensively in dryland areas, but the main legume is still white clover. Farmers recognise the significant limitations in the ability of white clovers to cope with summer droughts, but have not been able to efficiently utilise other legumes, which require unique management to perform. There are a number of reasons for this. Looking forward, the five key roles that legumes have in dryland farming systems are, to persist within a general purpose pasture, to produce nitrogen, to improve summer feed quality, to improve year round quality feed through specialist crops and pastures and to provide specialist composite feeds (i.e. condensed tannins). With the increased diversity in farming systems, growers require a more diverse range of legumes from perennial species to annuals that will fit a short-term high feed quality niche.

Biomass, persistence and drought resistance of nine lucerne varieties in the dry environment of west China

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng Gang Guo ◽  
Hui Xia Liu ◽  
Suo Min Wang ◽  
Fu Ping Tian ◽  
Guo-Dong Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Drought Resistance ◽  
Root Biomass ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Erosion ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
West China ◽  
Dryland Farming

Forage yield and density are common selection criteria for assessing the suitability of lucerne varieties in high rainfall conditions and under irrigation. However, selection criteria for assessing the suitability of lucerne varieties is not well defined in dryland farming systems. This study combines forage yield, plant density, root biomass and proline content in the plant leaf to compare the suitability of 1 local and 8 introduced lucerne (Medicago sativa) varieties over 3 years in the dry environment of west China. The results of this study indicated that the above measurements significantly differed among the 9 lucerne varieties, and also showed that suitability of lucerne varieties varied based on different indicators. Ameristand 201 and Algonquin performed well in terms of forage yield. Ameristand 201 and Sandili were well-adapted varieties based on root biomass and Ameristand 201 was the first selected variety in terms of drought resistance. Combining initial establishment density and its decline over years indicated that Sandili maintained good persistence. A cluster analysis of 9 lucerne varieties indicated that Ameristand 201 was very suitable for sowing in the dry Loess Plateau, a high water-erosion region in west China.

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 Understanding growth and development of three short-season grain legumes for improved adaptation in semi-arid Eastern Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 442 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sennhenn ◽  
D. M. G. Njarui ◽  
B. L. Maass ◽  
A. M. Whitbread
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Growth Habit ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Resource Use Efficiency ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Short Season ◽  
Semi Arid

Short-season grain legumes play an important role in smallholder farming systems as source of food and to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, it is not clearly understood how these diverse legumes contribute to the resilience of such systems in semi-arid environments. We describe the growth, development and resource-use efficiency (focusing on radiation, RUE) of three promising short-season grain legumes: common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet). Two field experiments were conducted during the short rains of 2012–13 and 2013–14 in Eastern Kenya. In the first experiment, the legumes were grown at three plant densities (low, medium, high); in the second experiment, they were subjected to three water regimes (rainfed, partly irrigated, fully irrigated). Phenological development was monitored and biomass accumulation, leaf area index and fractional radiation interception were measured repeatedly during growth; grain yield was measured at maturity. Harvest index and RUE were calculated from these data. Common bean had the shortest growing period (70 days), the most compact growth habit and relatively high RUE but limited grain yield (1000–1900 kg ha–1), thereby proving more suitable for cultivation in areas with restricted cropping windows or in intercropping systems. Cowpea had a longer growing period (90 days) and a spreading growth habit leading to high light interception and outstanding grain yields under optimal conditions (1400–3050 kg ha–1). Lablab showed stable RUE values (0.76–0.92 g MJ–1), was relatively unaffected by limited water availability and had a comparatively long growing period (100 days). Lablab grain yields of ~1200–2350 kg ha–1 were obtained across all water regimes, indicating a high potential to cushion climatic variability. Planting density strongly influenced the production success of cowpea and lablab, with high plant densities leading to vigorous growth habit with low podset establishment. Such information on temporal and spatial differences in growth, development and resource-use efficiency is highly valuable for crop-modelling applications and for designing more resilient farming systems with short-season grain legumes.

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