scholarly journals Selection of Winter Season Crop Pattern for Environmental-Friendly Agricultural Practices in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veerasekar Palaniappan Sambasivam ◽  
Gowtham Thiyagarajan ◽  
Golam Kabir ◽  
Syed Mithun Ali ◽  
Syed Abdul Rehman Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Winter Season ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Rabi Season ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
Agriculture Sustainability ◽  
Order Preference ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Owing to the sudden changes in climatic conditions, monsoon failure, and scarce availability of resources because of population hike, yielding a minimum profit has become a challenge for Indian farmers. This is a severe problem for India, as a major part of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) depends on agriculture. To change this dreadful situation, Indian farmers must employ sustainable agricultural practices in farming, as it will help them to meet their agricultural needs and economic stability. Here, we have built a framework for selecting the ideal crop pattern for Winter Cropping Season (Rabi Season), as crop pattern plays a vital role in the effective function of sustainable agricultural practices. We have used the rough AHP-TOPSIS (Analytical Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method for finding the best crop pattern for the Rabi season, by considering all the influential criteria in terms of agriculture sustainability. Our study demonstrates an overall idea to the farmers and stakeholders about attaining maximum crop productivity with optimum use of available resources, without compromising the economic, social, and ecological aspects of agriculture.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Utilization in a Cereal-Legume Rotation Managed with Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Paola Baldivieso-Freitas ◽  
Francisco Sans Serra
Keyword(s):  
Green Manure ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farmyard Manure ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
N Fertilization ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
N Use

Optimization of the nitrogen (N) inputs and minimization of nutrient losses strongly affect yields in crop rotations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of agricultural practices on yield and N use in a 4-year cereal-legume rotation in organic farming and to identify the best combination of these practices. The following treatments were compared: conventional plough (P) vs. reduced chisel (RC) tillage; composted farmyard manure (F) vs. unfertilized control (NF); and green manure (GM) vs. no green manure (NoM). No significant differences were found for N use efficiency between P and RC in each crop. The results suggested that legumes in the tested rotation do not need supplemental N fertilization, particularly if combining GM and F. The use of composted farmyard manure should be considered in a long-term fertilization plan for cereals, to allow a higher efficiency in N use. The residual effect of fertilization over time, along with the site-specific pedo-climatic conditions, should also be considered. In both tested tillage approaches, soil N surplus was the highest in plots combining GM and F (i.e., more than 680 kg N ha−1 in combination with RC vs. about 140 kg N ha−1 for RC without fertilization), with a risk of N losses by leaching. The N deficit in NoM–NF both combined with P and RC would indicate that these treatment combinations are not sustainable for the utilized crops in the field experiment. Therefore, the combination of the tested practices should be carefully assessed to sustain soil fertility and crop production.

Carbon Transformations of Biochar Based Co-Composting - A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balaganesh Pandiyan ◽  
Vasudevan Mangottiri ◽  
Natarajan Narayanan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Morphological Transformations

Abstract:: Biochar-Amended Composting (BAC) plays an integral role in sustainable agricultural practices due to its multiple benefits in crop production, soil nutrient retention, carbon sequestration and environmental protection. Although accepted as a traditional method, there is lack of understanding in defining its suitability and efficiency on various base-materials and conditions. Being two carbon-based entities with plentiful nutrients and surface activity, biochar and compost find application in agricultural fields together or separately for improving the soil properties and crop productivity. Recent studies focus on defining the optimum conditions for their preparation, mixing, application and monitoring under various feed, soil, crop and climatic conditions. However, due to the complexity and specificity of the system, many influencing aspects of their interaction are yet unknown in detail. In this review, we analyze the recent advancements in the selection and preparation of new materials for BAC, and explain the mechanisms of Organic Matter (OM) degradation/sequestration happening in soil based on possible chemical/morphological transformations of organic carbon. Most of the performance results are in agreement with the previous records, but a few contradictions observed under diverse experimental conditions. In general, BAC enhanced the mineralization of carbon and sequestration of heavy metals, and stabilized labile fraction of OM due to the development of carbonyl, phenolic and aromatic functional groups on its surface. In addition, aging of biochar resulted in stable N-C=O and amino groups for the adsorption of nitrogen compounds thus decreasing the potential greenhouse gas emissions. The study further identifies potential future research gaps in this area.

scholarly journals Kharif Crops Selection for Sustainable Farming Practices in the Rajasthan-India Using Multiple Attribute-Based Decision-Making

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 536
Author(s):  
Vineet Tirth ◽  
Ram Karan Singh ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Irfan Anjum Badruddin ◽  
Rini Asnida Binti Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pennisetum Glaucum ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Multiple Attribute ◽  
Objective And Subjective Weights ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Given

Sustainability of agricultural practices depends on economic, environmental, and social conditions. The Rajasthan state of India has arid climatic conditions where kharif crops are commonly grown. In this work, the four major criteria are considered such as the farm area, crop yield per unit area, the cost prices, and the market sales price. Merged analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy techniques have been employed to give reasonable weight coefficients for the objective and subjective weights to each criterion. Multiple attribute-based decision-making models (MADM) have been developed using three proven techniques, namely the Exprom2, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), and the VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). The crop Pennisetum glaucum emerged as the most productive kharif crop in the arid climatic conditions of Rajasthan, India under the given criteria. The sensitivity analysis of the three methods identifies the most significant criteria and validates that Pennisetum glaucum is the first ranked crop despite the interchange of the weights. The methodology used in this study may be applied across the globe to select appropriate crops for maximizing the profit, optimizing the natural resources, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This study may be used to enhance the agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) to make the agriculturalists self-sufficient and to help the state policymakers in making effective regional policies.

scholarly journals Optimal selection of agricultural crops for sustainable farming in nutrient-rich Wadi areas of Saudi Arabia using MCDM

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4B) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vineet Tirth ◽  
◽  
Ram Karan Singh ◽  
Saiful Islam ◽  
Ali Algahtani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Crop Selection ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
Decision Making Model ◽  
Selection Of

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Wheat, Barley, fruits, vegetables, and fodders are the most common agricultural products. Agricultural sustainability depends on socioeconomic and climatic conditions. Proper crop selection is vital to maximize productivity, yielding more revenue to the farmer at a lower cost. To rank the crop alternatives based on the available natural resources and cost, a multicriterion based decision-making model (MCDM) may be applied to identify the best suitable crop, encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. To make the agricultural activities sustainable, most of the critical criteria are taken into account. Four criteria linked to sustainability are included in this study. The research focuses on developing a model for sustainable agricultural practices in KSA employing MCDM. Three MCDM techniques were employed to evaluate the most suitable crop,and the results are compared and validated. The results from all three methods gave consistent results. Fruits emerged as the most productive crop, followed by Wheat, vegetables, fodders, and Barley. Such methodology shall be further extended across the other regions and over various crops for sustainable agricultural practices. The study is expected to help the Ministry of Water, Environment, and Agriculture, KSA, draft a suitable agricultural policy.

Navigating the (yet) unseen waters of Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (81) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Coleoni ◽  
Tomas Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
South American ◽  
Water Abundance ◽  
Groundwater Availability ◽  
Cerrado Biome ◽  
Deforestation Rates ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Surface And Groundwater

Home to the headwaters and the largest portion of South American watersheds and the upper catchments of large Amazon tributaries, the Cerrado biome plays a vital role in Brazil’s surface and groundwater availability. Agribusiness expands at the cost of Cerrado’s biodiversity, leading to ever-increasing deforestation rates that favour a ‘water scarcity’ narrative despite the biome’s ‘water abundance’ potential. Water-related conservation efforts, such as the Water Producer Programme, are underway to align ecosystem services maintenance with sustainable agricultural practices in the Cerrado biome.

scholarly journals Climate-smart agriculture for sustainable agricultural sectors: The case of Mooifontein

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Mathews ◽  
Leandri Kruger ◽  
Gideon J. Wentink
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Livelihoods ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Farming Communities ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Climate Risks ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Climate change is an environmental phenomenon with the potential to exacerbate existing disaster risks and cause extensive human, financial and environmental losses. The Mooifontein agricultural region in South Africa is considered to be a region vulnerable to climate change– associated risks. These climate risks would pose a substantial threat to the livelihoods of farmers in the Mooifontein area. This article aims to explore climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as a resilience-building tool to ensure sustainable agricultural practices. A qualitative research approach was utilised to gain insights into climate change and the lived experiences of farmers and agricultural experts in Mooifontein. The findings revealed that agricultural communities should focus on the identification and application of adaptation strategies like CSA. The adoption of appropriate CSA practices will play a vital role in ensuring sustainable livelihoods and improved community resilience for farming communities in the Mooifontein region.

Harnessing soil bacteria and their benefits for sustainable agriculture with changing climate.

2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (002) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohini Mattoo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Bacteria ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Environmental Harm ◽  
Soil Rhizosphere ◽  
Chemical Inputs ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus

Abstract Soil bacteria contribute effectively to key biogeochemical reactions in the soil rhizosphere. They support plants in the rhizosphere to adapt quickly to changing climatic conditions. Differences in root exudates, trace gas chemistry, chemical compounds and nutrient exchange contribute to the recruitment of diverse microorganisms by plant roots. This review highlights the importance of characterizing novel microorganisms to support sustainable agricultural practices. We discuss about tools for characterizing microbes and agricultural practices that influence microbial diversity, and have reviewed how microorganisms may have important but unidentified roles in climate change. Beneficial microbes could improve the turnover of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other minerals thereby avoiding the use of chemical inputs, which are not only causing serious environmental harm but also pose danger to human and animal health.

Comparative Advantage of Using Biopesticides in Ukrainian Agroecosystems

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasrat Arjjumend ◽  
Konstantia Koutouki ◽  
Olga Donets
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Protection ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Soil Biology ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Irreversible Damage

The use of unsustainable levels of chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals has resulted in a steady decline in soil and crop productivity the world over. Soil biology has undergone irreversible damage, coupled with a high concentration of toxic chemical residues in plant tissues and human bodies. Agricultural practices must evolve to sustainably meet the growing global demand for food without irreversibly damaging soil. Microbial biocontrol agents have tremendous potential to bring sustainability to agriculture in a way that is safe for the environment. Biopesticides do not kill non-target insects, and biosafety is ensured because biopesticides act as antidotes and do not lead to chemical contamination in the soil. This article is part of a larger study conducted in Ukraine by researchers at the Université de Montréal with the support of Mitacs and Earth Alive Clean Technologies. The responses of farmers who use biofertilizers (“user farmers”) and those who do not (“non-user farmers”), along with the responses of manufacturers or suppliers of biofertilizers, and research and development (R&D) scientists are captured to demonstrate the advantages of applying microbial biopesticides to field crops. Participants reported a 15-30% increase in yields and crop production after the application of biopesticides. With the use of biopesticides, farmers cultivated better quality fruits, grains, and tubers with a longer shelf life. Moreover, while the risk of crop loss remains high (60-70%) with chemically grown crops, this risk is reduced to 33% on average if crops are grown using biopesticides. The findings indicate that a large proportion of farmers would prefer to use biopesticides if they are effective and high quality products. In this context, the quality and effectiveness of products is therefore very important. Despite their benefits to soil, human health, and ecosystems, biopesticides face significant challenges and competition vis-à-vis synthetic pesticides for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the development of biopesticides must overcome the problems of poor quality products, short shelf life, delayed action, high market costs, and legal/registration issues.

Input Use and Productivity across Farm Sizes: A Comparison of the Two Punjabs

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (4II) ◽  
pp. 595-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eshya Mujahid Mukhtar ◽  
Hanid Mukhtar
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Land Distribution ◽  
Input Use ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Ideal Framework ◽  
Productivity Gains

Agricultural production depends upon certain crucial inputs e.g., water, fertilizer etc. In the less developed regions of South Asia in general, and the indo-Pakistan sub-continent in particular, the use of these inputs depends not only upon the financial affordability but also upon the institutional accessibility of farmers to these inputs. Besides high economic costs, bureaucratic controls and corruption regarding the distribution of inputs have created problems of limited accessibility, especially to the small farmers. In the absence of any credit, information and/or input distribution networks, the use of these inputs, and related productivity gains, become confined to that class of farmers which not only has better access to these inputs but is capable of using them in the best possible way e.g. use of water and fertilizer in the appropriate amount and at the appropriate time. This paper attempts to study how input use and input productivity vary across farm sizes, with some reference to the infrastructural and institutional factors, whose development play an important role in improving the distribution and productivity of inputs. For such an analysis, a comparison of the two Punjabs i.e. Pakistani and Indian Punjabs, presents an ideal framework, Separated by a national boundary since 1947, the two Punjabs enjoy a common history and culture, similar agricultural practices and agro-climatic conditions, Government policies in the two Punjabs, however, have not only differed between the two provinces at the same time, but also over time in the same province. It may be noted that due to certain policy measures, land distribution, tenancy conditions, promotion of agricultural co-operatives and provision of infrastructural features, such as roads and electricity, are relatively more improved in Indian than Pakistani Punjab.

Increasing Productivity Of Vegetables Through Front-line Demonstrations

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Suman
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Rainfed Condition ◽  
Percent Increase ◽  
Recommended Practices ◽  
High Yielding Varieties ◽  
Climate Parameter ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices ◽  
The Relationship

The highest yield (420 kg/ha) was recorded in the year 2011-12. In Front-Line Demonstration, it was 27.27 percent more over the farmers practice (320 kg/ha), however, the lowest yield (350 kg/ha) was recorded in the year 2010-11 under Front-Line Demonstration and 310 kg/ha in farmers' practice. Increase in the yield (27.27%) under Front-Line Demonstration over farmers practice was obtained during the year 2011-12. The variation in the percent increase in the yield was found due to variation in agro climate parameter under rainfed condition. Under sustainable agricultural practices, with this study it is concluded that the Front- LineDemonstration programme was effective in changing attitude, skill and knowledge of improved / recommended practices of High Yielding Varieties of peas included adoption. This also improved the relationship between farmers and scientist and built confidence between them.

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