scholarly journals Quantifying the impact of land degradation on crop production: the case of Senegal

Solid Earth ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. J. S. Sonneveld ◽  
M. A. Keyzer ◽  
D. Ndiaye
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Land degradation has been a persistent problem in Senegal for more than a century and by now has become a serious impediment to long-term development. In this paper, we quantify the impact of land degradation on crop yields using the results of a nationwide land degradation assessment. For this, the study needs to address two issues. First, the land degradation assessment comprises qualitative expert judgements that have to be converted into more objective, quantitative terms. We propose a land degradation index and assess its plausibility. Second, observational data on soils, land use, and rainfall do not provide sufficient information to isolate the impact of land degradation. We, therefore, design a pseudo-experiment that for sites with otherwise similar circumstances compares the yield of a site with and one without land degradation. This pairing exercise is conducted under a gradual refining of the classification of circumstances, until a more or less stable response to land degradation is obtained. In this way, we hope to have controlled sufficiently for confounding variables that will bias the estimation of the impact of land degradation on crop yields. A small number of shared characteristics reveal tendencies of "severe" land degradation levels being associated with declining yields as compared to similar sites with "low" degradation levels. However, as we zoom in at more detail some exceptions come to the fore, in particular in areas without fertilizer application. Yet, our overall conclusion is that yield reduction is associated with higher levels of land degradation, irrespective of whether fertilizer is being applied or not.

scholarly journals Quantifying the impact of land degradation on crop production: the case of Senegal

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1797-1825 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. J. S. Sonneveld ◽  
M. A. Keyzer ◽  
D. Ndiaye
Keyword(s):  
Land Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Long Time ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Land degradation has been a persistent problem in Senegal for a long time and by now has become a serious impediment to long term development. In this paper, we quantify the impact of land degradation on crop yields using the results of a nation-wide land degradation assessment. For this, the study needs to address two issues. First, the land degradation assessment comprises qualitative expert judgments that have to be converted into more objective, quantitative terms. We propose a land degradation index and assess its plausibility. Second, observational data on soils, land use and rainfall do not provide sufficient information to isolate the impact of land degradation. We, therefore, design a pseudo-experiment that for sites with otherwise similar circumstances compares the yield of a site with and one without land degradation. This pairing exercise is conducted under a gradual refining of the classification of circumstances, until a more or less stable response to land degradation is obtained, In this way, we hope to have controlled sufficiently for confounding variables that will bias the estimation of the impact of land degradation on crop yields. A small number of shared characteristics reveal tendencies of "severe" land degradation levels being associated with declining yields as compared to similar sites with "low" degradation levels. However, as we zoom in at more detail some exceptions come to the fore, in particular in areas without fertilizer application. Yet, our overall conclusion is that yield reduction is associated to higher levels of land degradation, irrespective of whether fertilizer is being applied or not.

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

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.

scholarly journals Smallholder African farms in western Kenya have limited greenhouse gas fluxes

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 15301-15336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Pelster ◽  
M. C. Rufino ◽  
T. Rosenstock ◽  
J. Mango ◽  
G. Saiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Few field studies examine greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from African agricultural systems resulting in high uncertainty for national inventories. We provide here the most comprehensive study in Africa to date, examining annual CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions from 59 plots, across different vegetation types, field types and land classes in western Kenya. The study area consists of a lowland area (approximately 1200 m a.s.l.) rising approximately 600 m to a highland plateau. Cumulative annual fluxes ranged from 2.8 to 15.0 Mg CO2-C ha−1, −6.0 to 2.4 kg CH4-C ha−1 and −0.1 to 1.8 kg N2O-N ha−1. Management intensity of the plots did not result in differences in annual fluxes for the GHGs measured (P = 0.46, 0.67 and 0.14 for CO2, N2O and CH4 respectively). The similar emissions were likely related to low fertilizer input rates (≤ 20 kg ha−1). Grazing plots had the highest CO2 fluxes (P = 0.005); treed plots were a larger CH4 sink than grazing plots (P = 0.05); while N2O emissions were similar across vegetation types (P = 0.59). This case study is likely representative for low fertilizer input, smallholder systems across sub-Saharan Africa, providing critical data for estimating regional or continental GHG inventories. Low crop yields, likely due to low inputs, resulted in high (up to 67 g N2O-N kg−1 aboveground N uptake) yield-scaled emissions. Improving crop production through intensification of agricultural production (i.e. water and nutrient management) may be an important tool to mitigate the impact of African agriculture on climate change.

Agroresource potential and rationale for irrigation North-Central Steppe of Ukraine

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (90) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Y. Soroka ◽  
Y.A. Tarariko ◽  
R.V. Saydak
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Hydrothermal Conditions ◽  
North Central ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of research - a comprehensive assessment of the potential agroresource North-Central Steppe of Ukraine, set limitipuyuschie factors to improve the productivity of agriculture. During the robot conventional research methods were used: field, laboratory, analytical, comparative, kompyuternoy simulation modeling, and system generalization of the results. Experiental part held in a stationary field experiment Zaporozhye experimental station Of Institute oil culture NAAS Studies have shown that the systematic application of fertilizers on a range of agro, chemical, physical, agrohimichesih indicators studied soil has Visokiy potential fertility. Surfacing Systems of soil on crop rotation productivity impact is immaterial. One can only note the trend for the most minor ways of loosening the soil with mulch. The test crop rotation composition simulates one of the most intensive farming options. Indicators of productivity and the variation coefficient of variation it indicates a fairly low level of realization of the potential fertility of chernozem ordinary, which is explained on the one hand, the steady downward trend in the annual water balance, on the other hand, promotion of a balance of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers at the studied systems. The dependence of the yield of the agro-climatic conditions considered by the example of the main cereal region - winter wheat. It was found that the greatest impact on the implementation of crop production potential are hydrothermal conditions of May - June. Analysis of the results of research allowed to evaluate the potential agroresource North Steppe and to establish the impact of the major factors in the formation of crop yields. Irrigation in this zone is the most important factor for improving productivity of crops, and its implementation in 70% of rotations may increase the productivity of not less than 1.8 times.

THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE IN WEST AFRICA: A BIO-ECONOMIC MODELING APPROACH

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (04) ◽  
pp. 1950015
Author(s):  
BORIS O. K. LOKONON ◽  
AKLESSO Y. G. EGBENDEWE ◽  
NAGA COULIBALY ◽  
CALVIN ATEWAMBA
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Impact Of Climate Change ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

This paper investigates the impact of climate change on agriculture in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). To that end, a bio-economic model is built and calibrated on 2004 base year dataset and the potential impact is evaluated on land use and crop production under two representative concentration pathways coupled with three socio-economic scenarios. The findings suggest that land use change may depend on crop types and prevailing future conditions. As of crop production, the results show that paddy rice, oilseeds, sugarcane, cocoa, coffee, and sesame production could experience a decline under both moderate and harsh climate conditions in most cases. Also, doubling crop yields by 2050 could overall mitigate the negative impact of moderate climate change. The magnitude and the direction of the impacts may vary in space and time.

scholarly journals Introduction: food crops in a changing climate

2005 ◽  
Vol 360 (1463) ◽  
pp. 1983-1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M Slingo ◽  
Andrew J Challinor ◽  
Brian J Hoskins ◽  
Timothy R Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Climate Variability And Change ◽  
Regional Impacts ◽  
Complex Models ◽  
The Impact

Changes in both the mean and the variability of climate, whether naturally forced, or due to human activities, pose a threat to crop production globally. This paper summarizes discussions of this issue at a meeting of the Royal Society in April 2005. Recent advances in understanding the sensitivity of crops to weather, climate and the levels of particular gases in the atmosphere indicate that the impact of these factors on crop yields and quality may be more severe than previously thought. There is increasing information on the importance to crop yields of extremes of temperature and rainfall at key stages of crop development. Agriculture will itself impact on the climate system and a greater understanding of these feedbacks is needed. Complex models are required to perform simulations of climate variability and change, together with predictions of how crops will respond to different climate variables. Variability of climate, such as that associated with El Niño events, has large impacts on crop production. If skilful predictions of the probability of such events occurring can be made a season or more in advance, then agricultural and other societal responses can be made. The development of strategies to adapt to variations in the current climate may also build resilience to changes in future climate. Africa will be the part of the world that is most vulnerable to climate variability and change, but knowledge of how to use climate information and the regional impacts of climate variability and change in Africa is rudimentary. In order to develop appropriate adaptation strategies globally, predictions about changes in the quantity and quality of food crops need to be considered in the context of the entire food chain from production to distribution, access and utilization. Recommendations for future research priorities are given.

scholarly journals RESILIENCE OF AGRICULTURE FARMERS FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON SOUTH-EASTERN COAST OF BANGLADESH

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-37
Author(s):  
Prabal Barua ◽  
Syed Hafizur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Dual Culture ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Adaptation Options

Coastal people of Bangladesh have been experiencing from lower crop productivity and fewer cropping intensity because of different climatic vulnerabilities. The research work was carried out in Banskhali upazila of Chattogram district and Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar district to assess the impact of climate change on crop production process and to suggest suitable coping strategies and adaptation options for advancing the coastal agriculture for increased agricultural production. To attain the objectives of the research, the author were collected randomly 240 sampled respondents using pre-tested interview schedule. Long-term data/information on climate change showed that there is a trend of temperature rise and erratic rainfall. Participants stated that the current climate in the study area behaving differently than in the past on a number of climate risk factors like increased temperature, frequent drought, changes in seasonal rainfall pattern, long dry spells, increase of soil salinity, increase of tidal surges affecting crop production. The study showed that the main reasons of yield reduction (20-40 % yield loss) in T. aman crop are erratic rainfall, increased intensity and frequency of drought, salinity, floods, cyclone, use of local varieties, increased incidences of pests & diseases etc in the context of climate change. Average yield level of HYV Boro is being affected (20-40 % yield loss) by high temperature and salinity and that of T.Aus/Aus crop is being affected (20-40 % yield loss) by tidal surge. Vegetables, pulses and oilseed crops are being affected (40-60 % yield loss) by soil wetness, excessive rainfall and water-logging in the selected areas. Sorjan system of cropping, rice-fish dual culture, utilization of bunds as vegetables/spices production in gher areas, floating bed agriculture and homestead gardening with introduction of salt-tolerant & drought tolerant crop varieties have been identified as potential adaptation options for development of coastal agriculture for increased agricultural production in attaining food security.

scholarly journals Fertilizer effect on some basil bioactive compounds and yield

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teofil Gavrić ◽  
Josip Jurković ◽  
Drena Gadžo ◽  
Lejla Čengić ◽  
Emina Sijahović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Oil Content ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Fertilizer Treatment ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an annual plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is used as an aromatic and medicinal plant. Basil is grown in different regions with varying climates; the productivity and quality are influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors. This study was aimed to determine the impact of the application of different types of fertilizers on the yield and contents of some bioactive components in basil. The treatments consisted of three different types of fertilizers (mineral, organomineral, and organic) and control (without fertilization). The yield per plant and the essential oil content with fertilizer treatment were better than that in control. The highest fresh yield (450.9 g per plant) and oil content (0.94 mL 100 g-1) were recorded in basil cultivated using mineral fertilizers. Furthermore, the fresh yield (333.9 and 327.8 g per plant) and oil content (0.87 and 0.85 mL 100 g-1) were higher after the application of organic and organomineral fertilizers compared to that in the control treatment. There was no significant effect of fertilizer application on the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity. This study demonstrated a suitable practical application of organomineral fertilizers as a nutrient source in basil crop production in areas where the use of mineral and organic fertilizers is limited.

scholarly journals Influence of mineral fertilizers on growth, development and yield of sunflower in conditions of Luhansk region

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
S.V. Masliev ◽  
I.I. Yarchuk ◽  
V.V. Stepanov ◽  
S.V. Shkvar
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Environmental Safety ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Fertilizer Efficiency ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Natural Fertility ◽  
Fertilizer System

One of the main factors of intensification in crop production is the effective using of mineral fertilizers. There must be a clear and correct approach to the development of the crop fertilizer system, in the context of the current reduction of the soil’s natural fertility and high environmental burden. A scientifically sound fertilization system must ensure not only high crop yields with optimum product quality indicators, but also the preservation or different increase of soil fertility while maintaining environmental safety. The effectiveness of mineral fertilizers depends on both the ratio of nutrients and their forms. With the same amount of active substance, different forms of fertilizers provide different results, due to the physiological characteristics of fertilizers and plants. The rational application of fertilizers is only possible when understanding the deep connection between soil agrochemistry and plant physiology. The highest yield of sunflower hybrids was obtained in the case of fertilizer application at a dose of N60P90. The application of mineral fertilizers with different doses increases the yield of sunflower hybrids by 0.16-0.43 t / ha. However, the level of mineral fertilizer efficiency varies and depends on other factors. Therefore, the question of the effectiveness of the application of mineral fertilizers during the cultivation of sunflower in the conditions of the zone of insufficient moistening of the Steppe of Ukraine needs more systematic study. Key words: sunflower, mineral fertilizers, mineral nutrition, cultivation technology, yield, plant density, biological yield.

scholarly journals The Water Footprint Assessment of Agriculture in Banjar River Watershed

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-488
Author(s):  
J Himanshu Rao ◽  
Mahesh Kumar Hardaha ◽  
Hardikkumar Mansukhbhai Vora
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Total Water ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
On Farm

The water footprint (WF) is a spatially explicit character of water use in terms of consumption or pollution for producing a product, commodity or service. The WF of a crop may be defined as the amount of water required for producing the crop over the complete growing season. The present study was carried out to assess the WF of agriculture in Banjar river watershed (BRW) over the period 2000 - 2013. The WF of crops were evaluated and their further multiplication with production (ton/yr) in the watershed yielded the water footprint of crop production (WFCP) in Banjar river watershed whose further summation gave WF of agriculture in BRW. The findings depicted that the water footprint of rice was maximum (7848 m3/ton) followed by gram (5782 m3/ton) and wheat (5417 m3/ton). The crop with least WF was maize (2886 m3/ton). These values of WF are much higher than the national average WF for different crops grown in India. Lower crop yields due to improper irrigation practices, low fertilizer application rates and improper on farm water management practices are the primary reasons of such high values of WF of crops in BRW. The water footprint of agriculture in BRW was 690.37 million m3/yr with 59.74 % WFgreen, 39.69 % WFblue and 0.56 % WF grey. Rice was having maximum share in water footprint of agriculture in BRW with 87.38 % of total water footprint followed by gram (4.97 %), wheat (4.33 %) and maize (1.31%).

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