scholarly journals Re-thinking erosion on Java.

1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 213-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.H. Diemont ◽  
A. Smiet ◽  
N. Nurdin

Although the unproductive uplands ('dead lands') in Java are now reafforested or terraced, the crop productivity is still low in particular on volcanic soils. Sources of erosion are briefly discussed. It was concluded that the low productivity of upland farming systems was caused by low inputs and not by surface erosion and a redirection of soil conservation policy, planning and research is required. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
Filiberto Altobelli ◽  
Marco Napoli ◽  
Anna Benedetti ◽  
Ronald Vargas ◽  
Giuseppe Corti

According to European Landscape Convention, the term Landscape means an area whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and human factors. The equilibrium between these forces is mandatory to preserve this heritage implementing a good land protection and conservation policy that implies many professional figures like agronomists and soil scientists. Italian territory includes different physiographic regions in which many human activities, especially agriculture, differently operated through the time...


2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Zanetti ◽  
Barbara Alberghini ◽  
Ana Marjanović Jeromela ◽  
Nada Grahovac ◽  
Dragana Rajković ◽  
...  

AbstractPromoting crop diversification in European agriculture is a key pillar of the agroecological transition. Diversifying crops generally enhances crop productivity, quality, soil health and fertility, and resilience to pests and diseases and reduces environmental stresses. Moreover, crop diversification provides an alternative means of enhancing farmers’ income. Camelina (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz) reemerged in the background of European agriculture approximately three decades ago, when the first studies on this ancient native oilseed species were published. Since then, a considerable number of studies on this species has been carried out in Europe. The main interest in camelina is related to its (1) broad environmental adaptability, (2) low-input requirements, (3) resistance to multiple pests and diseases, and (4) multiple uses in food, feed, and biobased applications. The present article is a comprehensive and critical review of research carried out in Europe (compared with the rest of the world) on camelina in the last three decades, including genetics and breeding, agronomy and cropping systems, and end-uses, with the aim of making camelina an attractive new candidate crop for European farming systems. Furthermore, a critical evaluation of what is still missing to scale camelina up from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Europe is also provided (1) to motivate scientists to promote their studies and (2) to show farmers and end-users the real potential of this interesting species.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiferaw Feleke ◽  
Steven Michael Cole ◽  
Haruna Sekabira ◽  
Rousseau Djouaka ◽  
Victor Manyong

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.


Author(s):  
Boris Aparin ◽  

Most of the arable soils that became deposits at the turn of the 21st century have lowered their agroecological potential. This is due to degradation processes, which manifest in various forms depending on the structure of the soil cover, types of anthropogenic impact, and farming systems used. Assessing theagroecological potential of degraded soils is becoming more complicated due to global climate change. Thus, the problem arises of developing rehabilitation soil-conservation farming systems adapted to climate change and modern socio-economic conditions.


1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Gandhiv Kafle ◽  
Mohan K Balla

The study was carried out in Paundi Khola Sub-watershed of Lamjung District, with the objective of evaluating the effectiveness of root system of grasses used in soil conservation. Different root parameters were recorded through direct field measurement. Key informant's survey, semi-structured walk and focus group discussions were also undertaken to acquire relevant information on pattern of retaining grasses, insect/pest condition, local uses of grasses, perceived weeds and perception of farmers on different issues. Stylo and Molasses are most effective in armouring the slope against surface erosion from both runoff and rain splash due to their dense surface cover, low canopy and small leaves. Broom Grass and Napier are most effective in reinforcing the soil by providing a network of strong roots that increases the soil's resistance to shear. Broom Grass can moderately support the soil mass by its strong and long fibrous roots. Broom Grass can bind average 3.8 cu. m. soil, and that for napier, stylo, and molasses are 0.37 cu. m., 0.45 cu. m. and 0.04 cu. m. soil respectively. It was found that farmers plant the improved varieties of grasses primarily for forage due to high foliage content. Soil conservation is second priority. A combination of improved varieties of grasses and natural grasses helps to conserve soil and moisture more effectively than single-use of grass species on marginal land. Key Words: Effectiveness, Improved grass species, Root, Soil conservation, Napier, Molasses, Stylo, Broom grass. DOI: 10.3126/init.v2i1.2533 The Initiation Vol.2(1) 2008 pp121-129


1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Dilshad ◽  
JA Motha ◽  
LJ Peel

Most soils suitable for dryland agriculture in north-west Australia occur in the Daly Basin. These are sesquioxidic soils which include red, yellow and grey earths, and soils related to yellow and red earths. The potential, for these arable soils to be degraded by highly erosive rainfalls, common to the region, is high. Farming practices strongly influence the soil surface characteristics (vegetation cover, roughness, soil strength), which in turn control surface runoff, and sediment detachment and transport. In studies conducted during 1984-89 in the Daly Basin, conventionally tilled catchments, produced 1.5-2 times more runoff and lost 1.5-6 times more soil than their no-tillage counterparts (all catchments were within soil conservation banks). In these conventionally tilled catchments, soil loss was <8.1 t/ha.year. Other studies in the region have shown that, without soil conservation banks, soil loss can be around 100/ha.year under conventional tillage. Little work, however, has been undertaken on farms in the Australian semi-arid tropics to study the movement of nutrients and herbicides (in ionic and adsorbed forms) and further research is warranted.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. K. Behera ◽  
H. Kaechele ◽  
J. France

Fast degrading and declining land, water availability, biodiversity, environment and other natural resources, together with shrinking farm returns and reduced crop productivity caused by continuous and intensive cultivation of rice-wheat systems, necessitate diversification of farming in Northern India. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involving animals (livestock, fish, etc.) and cropping (cereals, trees, etc.) are recognised as an alternative for preserving ecosystems and enhancing livelihood security. A study was therefore undertaken under Northern Indian conditions to develop IFS models for various sizes of farm and to compare these models with the existing rice-wheat system for sustainability and profitability. The IFS models were developed in single objective (using linear programming) and multi-objective (using compromise programming) frameworks. Multi-objective analysis provides deeper insight into the problem as it caters directly for the multi-faceted needs of the farmers. These parallel methodologies offer a novel approach to modelling IFS to draw different farming scenarios for comparison. The IFS strategies developed show the potential to generate a greater farm income than with existing rice-wheat cropping for all sizes of farm. The study revealed that IFS offer more perspectives for an economically viable and sustainable agriculture for typical farms in Northern India.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
Ligia Maria Lucas Videira ◽  
Paulo Ricardo Teodoro Silva ◽  
Diego dos Santos Pereira ◽  
Rafael Montanari ◽  
Alan Rodrigo Panosso ◽  
...  

In no-tillage (NT) and minimum tillage (MT) areas, spatial variability of soil physical properties may affect crop yield. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of soil physical properties, as well as the yield components and grain yield of soybean (GY), based on the mapping of areas under soil conservation farming systems. We assessed yield components, GY and the physical properties of an Oxisol, under NT and MT using the t-student test, and geostatistics to assess spatial variability. The largest population of NT plants showed no spatial dependence and did not influence GY, but the components related to plant height and soil properties differed between systems. From a spatial standpoint, the kriging maps demonstrated that mass of one thousand grains (MOG), total porosity (TP) and soil bulk density (BD) influenced GY under NT, whereas TP1 exerted the most influence under high soil moisture conditions and MT. The maps make it possible to assess the spatial distribution of soil physical properties and the influence on GY, making them an important tool for more accurate production planning in soil conservation systems.


Author(s):  
Fidelis W. Githua ◽  
Winnie Ntinyari ◽  
Nicholas K. Korir ◽  
Joseph P. Gweyi-Onyango

Phosphorous is a limiting mineral element in crop productivity due to its less availability and fixed form in the soil. Due to its agricultural benefit, most farmers seek for alternative method to supply phosphorous in sufficient amount in the farming systems. Although the soluble P is relatively expensive for the peasant farmers, rock phosphate has proved to be quite efficient due to availability among the small scale holders. However, rock phosphate is faced with insolubility challenges hence is not readily available in the soils to promote crop growth.  Therefore, this study sought to establish the influence of various acidulating agents in dissolution of phosphorus in to rock phosphate. The study was carried out in a laboratory environment in Completely Randomized Design consisting of the following treatment: control (bare soil); Mijingu Rock Phosphte (MRP) and soil; MRP, soil and oxalic acid; MRP, soil and phosphoric acid; phosphoric acid and soil; MRP, soil and elemental sulphur and replicated three times. The incubation period was 90 days and the phosphorous dissolution rate was measured at interval of 30 days. The result revealed that the treatments had significant (P≤0.05) influence on the dissolution of the phosphorus from both rock phosphate and soil. Elemental sulphur was superior in increasing the rate of phosphorus dissolution form rock phosphate.  At 30 days, elemental sulphur had elicited release of a total of 37.5 ppm phosphorus while the control had the least, recording 5.37 ppm. A similar trend was observed in both 60 and 90 days. Regression analysis also exhibited positive relationship between the acidulating agents and the phosphorous dissolution rate from the rock phosphate. Therefore, elemental sulphur can be recommended to be used by in agricultural fields to enhanced solubilisation of rock phosphate and enhance supply of phosphorous.


1991 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Segarra ◽  
R.Terry Ervin ◽  
Michael R. Dicks ◽  
Daniel B. Taylor

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