scholarly journals Root traits for low input agroecosystems in Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mame Sokhatil Ndoye ◽  
Jimmy Burridge ◽  
Rahul Bhosale ◽  
Alexandre Grondin ◽  
Laurent Laplaze
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Nutrient Uptake ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
New Cultivars

In Africa, agriculture is largely based on low-input and small-holder farming systems that use little inorganic fertilizers and have limited access to irrigation and mechanization in comparison to modern agricultural systems. Improving agricultural practices and developing new cultivars adapted to these low-input environments, where production already suffers from climate change, is a major priority for ensuring food security in the future. Root phenes improving water and nutrient uptake could represent a solution toward achieving these goals. In this review, we illustrate how breeding for specific root phenes could improve crop adaptation and resilience in Africa using three case studies covering very contrasted low-input agro-ecosystems. We conclude with a discussion on how these phenes could be validated and made available to breeders and agronomists.

scholarly journals Root traits for low input agroecosystems in Africa: lessons from three case studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mame Sokhatil Ndoye ◽  
Jimmy Burridge ◽  
Rahul Bhosale ◽  
Alexandre Grondin ◽  
Laurent Laplaze
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Root Traits ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Root System Architecture ◽  
Low Input ◽  
The Face ◽  
Bean Yield ◽  
Small Holder

In Africa, agriculture is largely based on low-input and small-holder farming systems that use little inorganic fertilizers and have limited access to irrigation and mechanization. Improving agricultural practices and developing new cultivars adapted to these low-input environments, where production already suffers from climate change, is a major priority for ensuring food security in the future. Root traits improving water and nutrient uptake could represent a solution toward achieving these goals. In this review, we illustrate how breeding for specific root traits could improve crop adaptation and resilience in Africa using three case studies covering very contrasted low-input agroecosystems. First, we review how targeted changes in root system architecture allowed a dramatic increase in common bean yield in low input agroecosystems of South East Africa. We next discuss how root traits could be targeted to improve the productivity and resilience of dryland cereals in the face of climate change and soil degradation. Finally, we evaluate how root traits could be mobilized to develop water-saving rice agroecosystems for West Africa. We conclude with a discussion on how to prioritize target root traits, how they could be validated and made available to breeders and farmers through participatory approaches.

scholarly journals Sustainability of the rice-shrimp farming system in Mekong Delta, Vietnam: a climate adaptive model

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huy Duc Dang
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Mekong Delta ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Shrimp Farming ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Integrated Agriculture

PurposeAgricultural systems in Mekong Delta have transformed to cope with climate change. Various researches pointed out that integrated agriculture-aquaculture (IAA) farming systems (i.e., rice-shrimp, rice-fish…) emerged as potential climate adaptive practices. However, limited studies are attempting to assess the sustainability of these agricultural practices. Therefore, it is essential to assess whether or not these systems will be sustainable in the context of climate change and what can be done to make it sustainable. The present study conducted the sustainability assessment of the rice-shrimp system to identify potential areas for improvement as well as policy implication to increase resilience and adaptation of coastal IAA system which could contribute to the understanding of other coastal agricultural deltas around the globe.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a quantitative approach including the assessment protocol of van Asselt et al. (2014), the assessment framework of Vanloon et al. (2005), and the MCA methodology to flexibly and holistically assess the sustainability level of agricultural systems.FindingsResults concluded that rice-shrimp systems have the potential to improve livelihood, food security, and adaptation of coastal farmers. Major improvements should be considered for productivity, efficiency, and equity themes, while minor improvements can be made for stability, durability, and compatibility themes.Originality/valueThis research could be used as a guideline for sustainability assessment in a context-specific case study of IAA, which showed a potential for the application of other climate-smart IAAs in similar contexts around the globe.

scholarly journals Climate Smart Agriculture: A New Approach for Sustainable Intensification

2020 ◽  
pp. 138-147
Author(s):  
Gayatri Sahu ◽  
Pragyan Paramita Rout ◽  
Suchismita Mohapatra ◽  
Sai Parasar Das ◽  
Poonam Preeti Pradhan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Sustainable Intensification ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
World Population ◽  
Resource Degradation ◽  
Security Challenge ◽  
Smart Agriculture

World population is increasing day by day and at the same time agriculture is threatened due to natural resource degradation and climate change. A growing global population and changing diets are driving up the demand for food. The food security challenge will only become more difficult, as the world will need to produce about 70 percent more food by 2050 to feed an estimated 9 billion people. Production stability, agricultural productivity, income and food security is negatively affected by changing climate. Therefore, agriculture must change according to present situation for meeting the need of food security and also withstanding under changing climatic situation. Agriculture is a prominent source as well as a sink of greenhouse gases (GHGs). So, there is a need to modify agricultural practices in a sustainable way to overcome these problems. Developing climate smart agriculture is thus crucial to achieving future food security and climate change goals. It helps the agricultural system to resist damage and recover quickly by adaptation and mitigation strategies. Sustainable Intensification is an essential means of adapting to climate change, also resulting in lower emissions per unit of output. With its emphasis on improving risk management, information flows and local institutions to support adaptive capacity, CSA provides the foundations for incentivizing and enabling intensification. Since climate smart agriculture is defined along three pillars (productivity increases, building resilience and adapting, and GHG emission reduction), key concepts such as productivity, resilience, vulnerability and carbon sequestration provide indicators for future empirical measurements of the climate smart agriculture concept.

scholarly journals İklim Değişikliğinin Tarımsal Gıda Güvenliğine Etkileri, Geleneksel Bilgi ve Agroekoloji

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Murat Türkeş
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

This paper focuses mainly on both impacts of the climate change on agriculture and food security, and multidisciplinary scientific assessment and recommendations for sustainable agro ecological solutions including traditional knowledge responding to these impacts. The climate change will very likely affect four key dimensions of the food security including availability, accessibility, utilization and sustainability of the food, due to close linkage between food and water security and climate change. In one of the most comprehensive model studies simulating impacts of global climate change on agriculture to date, it was estimated that by 2080, in a business-as-usual scenario, climate change will reduce the potential output of global agriculture by more than 3.2 per cent. Furthermore, developing countries will suffer the most with a potential 9.1 per cent decline in agricultural output, for example with a considerable decrease of 16.6 per cent in Africa. Some comprehensive studies pointed out also that all regions may experience significant decreases in crop yields as well as significant increases, depending on emission scenarios and the assumptions on effectiveness of carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization. One of the tools that would ensure the food security by making use of local sources and traditional knowledge is agroecology. Agroecology would contribute to mitigation of the anthropogenic climate change and cooling down the Earth’s increasing surface and lower atmospheric air temperatures, because it is mainly labour-intensive and requires little uses of fossil fuels, energy and artificial fertilisers. It is also necessary to understand the ecological mechanisms underlying sustainability of traditional farming systems, and to translate them into ecological principles that make locally available and appropriate approaches and techniques applicable to a large number of farmers.

scholarly journals Adaptation of agroforestry as a climate smart agriculture technology in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-59
Author(s):  
ZA Riyadh ◽  
MA Rahman ◽  
SR Saha ◽  
T Ahamed ◽  
D Current
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Tree Cover ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Agroforestry Practices

Geographical position makes Bangladesh globally as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. It is observed that climate change has become a burning issue jeopardizing the agricultural production in the country. Considering the issue, adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) is indispensable for mitigating climate change by reducing emissions, capturing the atmospheric carbon and storing it in biomass and soil. The study reviewed the literature to evaluate the potentiality of agroforestry practices as climate smart agriculture to mitigate climate change impacts. Agroforestry has traditionally contributed to climate resilience in Bangladesh by integrating trees and/or crops into different land use practices. Agroforestry systems enhance resilience to climate change through increasing tree cover, carbon sequestration, increasing production, reducing threats to associated crops, creating favourable microclimate to support associated crops, reducing harvest pressure on natural forests, conserving biodiversity and cycling nutrients. Globally 23 countries recognize agroforestry as a mitigation priority, whereas 29 as an adaptation priority. Bangladesh has potential to expand agroforestry practices to mitigate climate change and boost food security. From socioeconomic and ecological point of views as well, agroforestry offers strong potential to evolve climate smart agricultural practices supporting food security, and adaptation and mitigation. Agroforestry practices should increase in climate vulnerable agroecosystems of Bangladesh. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 11(1): 49-59, June 2021

Multidecadal, Continent-level Analysis Found No Impact of Climate Warming on Wheat Aphids

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Sun ◽  
Yumei Sun ◽  
Ling Ma ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Qiyun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Global Environmental Change ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
World Food ◽  
Agricultural Ecosystem ◽  
Agroecosystem Management ◽  
World Food Security

Abstract Temperature drastically determines insect abundances, thus under climate change, identifying major drivers affecting pest insect populations is critical to world food security and agricultural ecosystem health. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis with data obtained from 120 studies across China and Europe from 1970 to 2017 to reveal the roles of climate and agricultural practices in determining populations of wheat aphids. We showed aphid loads on wheat had distinct patterns between these two regions, with a significant increase in China but decrease in Europe over this time period. Although average winter and growing season temperatures increased over this period in both regions, we found no evidence showing climate warming affected aphid loads. Rather, differences in pesticide use, fertilization, land use, and natural enemies between China and Europe may be key factors accounting for differences in aphid pest populations. These findings provide insights for developing effective agroecosystem management under global change. These long-term data suggest that climate change may not be the most important driver of agricultural pest loads. Therefore, under global environmental change, consideration of multiple factors at large spatial-temporal scales will likely provide more insights for developing effective agroecosystem management to safeguard world food security.

scholarly journals G x E Interaction on Yield Stability of Five Sweet Corn Hybrids Grown under Different Agricultural Systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marin ARDELEAN ◽  
Mirela CORDEA ◽  
Voichita HAS ◽  
Agnes BORS
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Yield Stability ◽  
General Level ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Corn Hybrids ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Low Input ◽  
G X E Interaction

Yield stability in sweet corn and its dependence on G x E interaction were investigated in a series of two way experiments. Five Romanian sweet corn hybrids were tested in three years (2008-2010) in three locations of Central Transylvania in different soils and climatic conditions. The experiments were organized in a split plot design in which, on a general level of organic fertilization (40 t/ha manure), four levels of mineral N fertilization were applied (kg/ha, active matter): N0, typical for organic technologies; N50, corresponding to the low-input (sustainable) system; N100 and N150 customary with conventional system of agriculture. Based on ear yield data registered for hybrids in locations x years x cropping system, a phenotypic index (Pi) was computed for each sweet corn hybrid illustrating the stability of their cob yields, with and without husks. The share of genotypic and G x E effects in the total value of Pi have been estimated. In different agricultural systems the tested hybrids were classified differently based on their Pi values. It is concluded that, at least for the time being, the initiation of an organic breeding program for sweet corn, in Romania, is not economically justified since all semiearly and semilate tested hybrids yielded satisfactorily under organic agricultural practices. Moreover, among the recently released sweet corn hybrids one can find certain genotypes highly suitable to organic (i.e. ‘Deliciul verii’, ‘Estival’) or low input (‘Dulcin’, ‘Estival’) agricultural practices. These three hybrids recorded the highes ear yields (with and without husks) over years, locations and agricultural systems.

scholarly journals Resilience Assessment of Swiss Farming Systems: Piloting the SHARP-Tool in Vaud

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4435
Author(s):  
Florence Diserens ◽  
John Choptiany ◽  
Dominique Barjolle ◽  
Benjamin Graeub ◽  
Claire Durand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Resilience Theory ◽  
External Shocks ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Farm System

Farm systems are exposed to predictable and unpredictable shocks and stresses. Such events may affect the functioning of farm systems and threaten their capacity to provide food in adequate quantities and sufficient quality. The capacity of farm systems to recover, reorganize, and evolve following external shocks and stresses is analysed within the framework of resilience theory. The SHARP (self-evaluation and holistic assessment of climate resilience of farmers and pastoralists) tool was developed to assess the resilience of farm systems to climate change in a participatory way. The SHARP was originally designed for developing countries. This paper outlines the process and changes made to adapt the tool for use in the Swiss farming context, including the challenges and trade-offs of the adaptation. Its first application in the Canton of Vaud provides insights on the levels of resilience to climate change for farmers in Switzerland. The results showed that of twenty-five farmers, “environment” and “market” are two groups of farm-system components where the farm systems are least resilient. The paper provides preliminary comments on agricultural systems in the west of Switzerland that could be explored further.

scholarly journals Towards Climate Smart Farming—A Reference Architecture for Integrated Farming Systems

Telecom ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-74
Author(s):  
Georgios Kakamoukas ◽  
Panagiotis Sarigiannidis ◽  
Andreas Maropoulos ◽  
Thomas Lagkas ◽  
Konstantinos Zaralis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
World Population ◽  
Reference Architecture ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Natural Resource Use ◽  
Promising Solution ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Integrated Agricultural Systems

Climate change is emerging as a major threat to farming, food security and the livelihoods of millions of people across the world. Agriculture is strongly affected by climate change due to increasing temperatures, water shortage, heavy rainfall and variations in the frequency and intensity of excessive climatic events such as floods and droughts. Farmers need to adapt to climate change by developing advanced and sophisticated farming systems instead of simply farming at lower intensity and occupying more land. Integrated agricultural systems constitute a promising solution, as they can lower reliance on external inputs, enhance nutrient cycling and increase natural resource use efficiency. In this context, the concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) emerged as a promising solution to secure the resources for the growing world population under climate change conditions. This work proposes a CSA architecture for fostering and supporting integrated agricultural systems, such as Mixed Farming Systems (MFS), by facilitating the design, the deployment and the management of crop–livestock-=forestry combinations towards sustainable, efficient and climate resilient agricultural systems. Propelled by cutting-edge technology solutions in data collection and processing, along with fully autonomous monitoring systems, e.g., smart sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the proposed architecture called MiFarm-CSA, aims to foster core interactions among animals, forests and crops, while mitigating the high complexity of these interactions, through a novel conceptual framework.

scholarly journals Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Small Holder Farmers: A Case of Nyanga District in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terence Darlington Mushore ◽  
Teddious Mhizha ◽  
Moven Manjowe ◽  
Linia Mashawi ◽  
Electdom Matandirotya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
The World ◽  
Small Holder Farmers ◽  
Small Holder ◽  
Adaptation And Mitigation

Climate change encompassing mostly hydro-meteorological hazards is a reality affecting the world in diverse ways. It is manifesting in various ways such as increases in frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. In recent years, climate change has induced droughts, other extreme weather events and meteorological disasters in many countries including Zimbabwe. Effective management of climate change induced challenges require localized strategies which may vary from one part of the world to another and even within a country. In view of the need to understand localized impacts and responses to climate change, the main objectives of the study were to (i) assess the impact of climate change on livelihoods and food security, (ii) identify and evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies that small holder farmers in Ward 17, Nyanga, Zimbabwe have developed. The research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches with data collection methods comprising of questionnaires (56), observations and interviews (8). The tools were used to gather information which included encounters with extreme weather events, climatic trends as well as adaptive responses. The findings showed that climate change had a significant negative impact on the livelihoods and food security status of small holder farmers in ward 17 of Nyanga district. The identified climate change adaptation strategies implemented in the study area included food aid, use of traditional grains and other drought resistant crops, early planting, multiple planting, barter trade and livelihood diversification. The mitigation strategies used included afforestation and reforestation programs, avoiding veld fires and preservation of wetlands. The research identified challenges to climate change adaptation which include lack of markets to sell farming produce, inefficient institutions, poverty and high climate variability and increased uncertainty in the behavior of seasons. The findings of this study indicated the need for similar assessment in other parts of the country as impacts of climate change and responses thereof should vary from place to place.

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