Land resource assessment for agricultural development in Seoni district (Madhya Pradesh), India

The objective of land resource assessment for rainfed agridevelopment in tribal dominated Seoni ditrict, Madhya Pradesh was to assess the suitability of thrity soil mapping units for sorghum-cotton based systems in relation to fertility constraints and for enhancing crop productivity. The arability and suitability analysis showed that fifty six per cent of arable land is suitable for eleven land use systems. The twenty two per cent of arable basaltic lands in northen plateaus were evaluated as suitable for for citrus, sorghum and soybean cropping systems with limitations of low available nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc whereas in southern precipitous zone , fifteen per cent of granitic lands were evaluated as suitable for sorghum and cotton with limitations of stoniness, low water holding capacity, low status of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc and eighteen per cent of area in sagar and hirvi river valleys for rice, citrus, maize, sunflower and vegetables. Out of 44.6 per cent of nonarable land, thirty seven per cent of land was evaluated as suitable for forestry / grazing and 6.8 per cent for wild life.The study advocates agroecological zonation for maximum utilization of land resources for potential cropping systems in improving produvtivity and fertility management.

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Opportunities and conditions of sustainable development of the agricultural industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Bulletin of "Turan" University ◽

10.46914/1562-2959-2020-1-3-78-83 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 78-83

Author(s):

R. N. Zhangirova

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Arable Land ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Index Method ◽

Important Place ◽

The Republic

The article shows aspects of sustainable agricultural development. It summarized modern views on the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The problems of the agricultural sector of the republic are identified, the solution of which will contribute to the successful development of agricultural production. The necessity of increasing the efficiency of resource use is substantiated. An important place in the article is given to the role of state support for the agricultural sector. A comparative analysis of the yield of field cultivation from 1 ha of arable land and crops in the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out. Using the index method, the influence of the structure of crops and crop productivity is calculated. According to statistical data, the current state of the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan is revealed. The reasons for low labor productivity in the agricultural sector of the republic are indicated. The role of science in the qualitative renewal of the country's agricultural sector is emphasized. Promising ways to stimulate the growth rate of agricultural production are proposed. The main directions of sustainable development of the agricultural sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan are determined. It is proved that organic agriculture can act as a point of sustainable agricultural growth.

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Crops for Carbon Farming

Frontiers in Plant Science ◽

10.3389/fpls.2021.636709 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Christer Jansson ◽

Celia Faiola ◽

Astrid Wingler ◽

Xin-Guang Zhu ◽

Alexandra Kravchenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Carbon ◽

Carbon Budget ◽

Carbon Allocation ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Arable Land ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Microbial Consortia ◽

Sink Strength ◽

Soil System ◽

Belowground Carbon Allocation

Agricultural cropping systems and pasture comprise one third of the world’s arable land and have the potential to draw down a considerable amount of atmospheric CO2 for storage as soil organic carbon (SOC) and improving the soil carbon budget. An improved soil carbon budget serves the dual purpose of promoting soil health, which supports crop productivity, and constituting a pool from which carbon can be converted to recalcitrant forms for long-term storage as a mitigation measure for global warming. In this perspective, we propose the design of crop ideotypes with the dual functionality of being highly productive for the purposes of food, feed, and fuel, while at the same time being able to facilitate higher contribution to soil carbon and improve the below ground ecology. We advocate a holistic approach of the integrated plant-microbe-soil system and suggest that significant improvements in soil carbon storage can be achieved by a three-pronged approach: (1) design plants with an increased root strength to further allocation of carbon belowground; (2) balance the increase in belowground carbon allocation with increased source strength for enhanced photosynthesis and biomass accumulation; and (3) design soil microbial consortia for increased rhizosphere sink strength and plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties.

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Land Capability and Land Irrigability Classification in Garakahalli Micro- Watershed of Karnataka

Agropedology ◽

10.47114/j.agroped.2018.jun9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

S.C. Ramesh Kumar ◽

◽

B.P. Bhaskar ◽

M. Chandrakala ◽

K.V. Niranjana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arid Regions ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Arable Land ◽

Land Suitability ◽

Soil Survey ◽

Land Resource ◽

Surface Irrigation ◽

Gis And Remote Sensing ◽

Suitability Maps ◽

Semi Arid

Land suitability for irrigation in semi-arid regions is important for agricultural development and to overcome water scarcity. The detailed soil survey of Garakahalli micro- watershed (447 ha) of Karnataka was carried out and mapped into 85 mapping units. The soil units were evaluated for surface irrigation method. The suitability maps showed 74.06 per cent arable land, out of which 69.19 per cent of land is suitable for surface irrigation and remaining is unsuitable due to the limitation of the topography and stoniness. The detailed land resource data base in association with GIS and remote sensing was highly efficient in modeling and developing land suitability maps which can be used as a planning tool to optimize the agriculture in semi-arid regions of Karnataka.

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Multi-criteria suitability analysis for neglected and underutilised crop species in South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244734

Author(s):

Hillary Mugiyo ◽

Vimbayi G. P. Chimonyo ◽

Mbulisi Sibanda ◽

Richard Kunz ◽

Luxon Nhamo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Arable Land ◽

Model Performance ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Land Suitability ◽

Suitability Analysis ◽

Crop Species ◽

Crop Suitability ◽

Suitability Maps

Several neglected and underutilised species (NUS) provide solutions to climate change and creating a Zero Hunger world, the Sustainable Development Goal 2. Several NUS are drought and heat stress-tolerant, making them ideal for improving marginalised cropping systems in drought-prone areas. However, owing to their status as NUS, current crop suitability maps do not include them as part of the crop choices. This study aimed to develop land suitability maps for selected NUS [sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), amaranth and taro (Colocasia esculenta)] using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in ArcGIS. Multidisciplinary factors from climatic, soil and landscape, socio-economic and technical indicators overlaid using Weighted Overlay Analysis. Validation was done through field visits, and area under the curve (AUC) was used to measure AHP model performance. The results indicated that sorghum was highly suitable (S1) = 2%, moderately suitable (S2) = 61%, marginally suitable (S3) = 33%, and unsuitable (N1) = 4%, cowpea S1 = 3%, S2 = 56%, S3 = 39%, N1 = 2%, amaranth S1 = 8%, S2 = 81%, S3 = 11%, and taro S1 = 0.4%, S2 = 28%, S3 = 64%, N1 = 7%, of calculated arable land of SA (12 655 859 ha). Overall, the validation showed that the mapping exercises exhibited a high degree of accuracies (i.e. sorghum AUC = 0.87, cowpea AUC = 0.88, amaranth AUC = 0.95 and taro AUC = 0.82). Rainfall was the most critical variable and criteria with the highest impact on land suitability of the NUS. Results of this study suggest that South Africa has a huge potential for NUS production. The maps developed can contribute to evidence-based and site-specific recommendations for NUS and their mainstreaming. Also, the maps can be used to design appropriate production guidelines and to support existing policy frameworks which advocate for sustainable intensification of marginalised cropping systems through increased crop diversity and the use of stress-tolerant food crops.

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A multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resource assessment

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-019-8023-x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 192 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Feipeng Li ◽

Wei Liu ◽

Zhibo Lu ◽

Lingchen Mao ◽

Yihua Xiao

Keyword(s):

Evaluation System ◽

Arable Land ◽

Resource Assessment ◽

Land Resource ◽

Land Resources ◽

Evaluation Systems ◽

Multi Criteria Evaluation ◽

Evaluation Scores ◽

Index Evaluation

AbstractThis study proposed a multi-criteria evaluation system for arable land resources by combining the soil integrated fertility index (IFI) with a soil cleanliness index (based on heavy metals and metalloid content). A total of 16 typical arable land units in Chongming District, China, were evaluated using the proposed evaluation system based on 104 collected soil samples in 16 towns. The comprehensive soil evaluation scores of arable lands in 16 towns were in the range of 90.7 to 99.2 with a mean of 96.2, indicating that the arable land in all 16 towns was at the level of excellent (≥ 90.0). Lower cleanliness indices had a significant impact on the final evaluation score. In comparison with single-index evaluation systems (i.e., the IFI or soil cleanliness index), the proposed multi-criteria system better reflects the quality of the soil. In the practice of arable land requisition and subsidy policy, the proposed multi-criteria evaluation system not only encourages farmers to preserve arable lands during farming but also helps agricultural authorities make effective and reliable management decisions.

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Pengembangan Hortikultura Lahan Kering Berbasis Pertanian Organik Dengan Perbaikan Teknologi Budidaya Di Desa Kayangan Lombok Utara

Jurnal Gema Ngabdi ◽

10.29303/jgn.v1i3.54 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 122-133

Author(s):

Jayaputra Jayaputra ◽

IGM Arya Parwata ◽

Bambang Budi Santoso ◽

Komang Damar Jaya

Keyword(s):

Production Management ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Arable Land ◽

Environmentally Friendly ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Added Value ◽

Dry Land ◽

Cropping Patterns ◽

Cultivation Technology ◽

And Training

One important issue of agricultural development in the dry land area of North Lombok Regency is how to increase the Planting Index (IP) supported by the availability of sufficient water, especially for the development of horticultural commodities. The increase in the Planting Index is expected to lead to an increase in community welfare, specifically an increase in farmers' incomes. The development of horticulture is intended to provide added value to farmers' income by applying environmentally friendly Good Agricultural Practices with production management in accordance with the conditions of natural resources. One area of dry land that has sufficient potential for horticultural development in North Lombok Regency is Kayangan Village. Problems faced by dry land farmers include the level of knowledge and skills of farmers, especially in the management of horticultural commodities and the relatively low level of farmer participation. To overcome these problems, innovation technology transfer is needed through the development of environmentally friendly horticultural crops by regulating cropping systems and improving cultivation technology to increase farmers' incomes. Counseling and training, as well as demonstration plots for improved cultivation technology and regulation of horticultural cropping patterns were carried out during May-November 2019. Community service activities were considered quite successful in terms of the enthusiasm and perseverance of participants in participating in counseling and training, as well as demonstration plots (tomato plants, chili peppers, melons, intercropped tomatoes and pachoi). The results of the demonstration plot showed a significant increase both in crop productivity and increased income per unit area of arable land. On going assistance from all parties, especially the local government, is expected to sustainably develop horticultural commodities in order to increase the income of dry land farmers

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Camelina, an ancient oilseed crop actively contributing to the rural renaissance in Europe. A review

Agronomy for Sustainable Development ◽

10.1007/s13593-020-00663-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Federica Zanetti ◽

Barbara Alberghini ◽

Ana Marjanović Jeromela ◽

Nada Grahovac ◽

Dragana Rajković ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cropping Systems ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Soil Health ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Oilseed Crop ◽

Crop Diversification ◽

Pests And Diseases ◽

European Farming ◽

European Agriculture

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.

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The Pitfalls of Relating Weeds, Herbicide Use, and Crop Yield: Don't Fall Into the Trap! A Critical Review

Frontiers in Agronomy ◽

10.3389/fagro.2020.615470 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

Author(s):

Nathalie Colbach ◽

Sandrine Petit ◽

Bruno Chauvel ◽

Violaine Deytieux ◽

Martin Lechenet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crop Yield ◽

Weed Management ◽

Crop Production ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Crop Yields ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Arable Farming ◽

Herbicide Use ◽

The Impact

The growing recognition of the environmental and health issues associated to pesticide use requires to investigate how to manage weeds with less or no herbicides in arable farming while maintaining crop productivity. The questions of weed harmfulness, herbicide efficacy, the effects of herbicide use on crop yields, and the effect of reducing herbicides on crop production have been addressed over the years but results and interpretations often appear contradictory. In this paper, we critically analyze studies that have focused on the herbicide use, weeds and crop yield nexus. We identified many inconsistencies in the published results and demonstrate that these often stem from differences in the methodologies used and in the choice of the conceptual model that links the three items. Our main findings are: (1) although our review confirms that herbicide reduction increases weed infestation if not compensated by other cultural techniques, there are many shortcomings in the different methods used to assess the impact of weeds on crop production; (2) Reducing herbicide use rarely results in increased crop yield loss due to weeds if farmers compensate low herbicide use by other efficient cultural practices; (3) There is a need for comprehensive studies describing the effect of cropping systems on crop production that explicitly include weeds and disentangle the impact of herbicides from the effect of other practices on weeds and on crop production. We propose a framework that presents all the links and feed-backs that must be considered when analyzing the herbicide-weed-crop yield nexus. We then provide a number of methodological recommendations for future studies. We conclude that, since weeds are causing yield loss, reduced herbicide use and maintained crop productivity necessarily requires a redesign of cropping systems. These new systems should include both agronomic and biodiversity-based levers acting in concert to deliver sustainable weed management.

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Effects of conservation agriculture on productivity and Economics of maize-wheat based cropping systems in midwestern Nepal

SAARC Journal of Agriculture ◽

10.3329/sja.v17i1.42761 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 49-63

Author(s):

K Pariyar ◽

A Chaudhary ◽

P Sapkota ◽

S Sharma ◽

CB Rana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Cropping Systems ◽

Cropping System ◽

Conservation Agriculture ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Conventional Tillage ◽

Net Income ◽

Zero Tillage ◽

Higher Plant ◽

Equivalent Yield

The effects of two tillage methods (zero tillage and conventional tillage), two residue managements (residue kept and residue removed) and two levels of cropping system (maize + soybean and sole maize) were studied over 3 years (2015-2017) at Dailekh district of Nepal. Arun-2 and Puja were the varieties of maize and soybean used respectively, followed by winter wheat. The results revealed that the maize + soybean system had significantly higher plant population and ear population (34.83 thousands ha-1 and 34.35 thousands ha-1, respectively), grains per row (37.1), ear length (16.6 cm) and 20.5% higher grain yield as compared to sole maize. The highest maize equivalent yield (7.92 t ha-1) was recorded in maize + soybean as compared to the lower grain yield equivalent (7.06 t ha-1) in sole maize. Zero tillage accounted relatively higher benefits (high net income and B:C ratio) as compared to conventional tillage. The residue kept plot resulted significantly higher B:C ratio (2.41) than the residue removed (2.11) and the maize + soybean recorded 82.5% greater B:C ratio compared to sole maize. Net annual income was significantly higher in zero tillage, residue kept and maize + soybean system (NRs. 223072.00, 222958.00 and 269016.00 ha-1 respectively). Such combinations are recommended for Dailekh district of Nepal to have profitable crop productivity. SAARC J. Agri., 17(1): 49-63 (2019)

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