scholarly journals Contour Ridge Tillage for Improved Crops and Fodder Trees Production in the Villages of Kani and Noumpinesso, Southern- Mali

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Cheick Oumar Dembele ◽  
Kalifa Traore ◽  
Moussa Karembe ◽  
Birhanu Zemadim ◽  
Fotigui Cisse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Gliricidia Sepium ◽  
Fodder Trees ◽  
Fast Growing

In rural Mali shortage of livestock feed is a challenging phenomenon worsening day by day, particularly in the villages of Kani and Noumpinesso. The significant decrease in crops yield and livestock are due to persistent and continuous land degradation and over grazing. Soil water erosion and inappropriate or ineffective farming systems led to land degradation over the many years. A purposeful growing of fodder plant (fast growing trees species) and crops in interacting combinations for a range of benefits would be required using a technology that is easily adaptable by the rural farming communities. Contour ridge (CR) technology is a holistic approach that protects farmlands from erosion; increases soil moisture, nutrient availability for crops and associated fast growing trees. The CR technology in combination with forage and improved crop production systems were applied in Kani and Noumpinesso villages of southern Mali and resulted indicated that at the end of rainy season of 2017 and 2018 the application of CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) Gliricidia sepium and Leucaena leucocephala growth and development. Similar to 2017, in 2018 CR technology significantly increased (p < 0.05) sorghum, millet, maize, and cotton growth, yield, and economic benefit. At Kani during 2017 and 2018 season soil moisture was always significantly higher (p < 0.05) under fodder planted area than non-fodder planted area, and the difference was high with respect to farmlands without CR.

scholarly journals Socio-ecological factors determine crop performance in agricultural systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Libère Nkurunziza ◽  
Christine A. Watson ◽  
Ingrid Öborn ◽  
Henrik G. Smith ◽  
Göran Bergkvist ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Crop Performance ◽  
Latent Structures

AbstractAgricultural production systems are affected by complex interactions between social and ecological factors, which are often hard to integrate in a common analytical framework. We evaluated differences in crop production among farms by integrating components of several related research disciplines in a single socio-ecological analysis. Specifically, we evaluated spring barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) performance on 34 farms (organic and conventional) in two agro-ecological zones to unravel the importance of ecological, crop and management factors in the performance of a standard crop. We used Projections to Latent Structures (PLS), a simple but robust analytical tool widely utilized in research disciplines dealing with complex systems (e.g. social sciences and chemometrics), but infrequently in agricultural sciences. We show that barley performance on organic farms was affected by previous management, landscape structure, and soil quality, in contrast to conventional farms where external inputs were the main factors affecting biomass and grain yield. This indicates that more complex management strategies are required in organic than in conventional farming systems. We conclude that the PLS method combining socio-ecological and biophysical factors provides improved understanding of the various interacting factors determining crop performance and can help identify where improvements in the agricultural system are most likely to be effective.

scholarly journals Pathogens in crop production systems irrigated with low-quality water in Bolivia

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 980-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Fernando Perez-Mercado ◽  
Cecilia Lalander ◽  
Abraham Joel ◽  
Jakob Ottoson ◽  
Mercedes Iriarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Risk Management Strategies ◽  
Shallow Wells

Abstract In dry areas, the need for irrigation to ensure agricultural production determines the use of all available water sources. However, the water sources used for irrigation are often contaminated by untreated or minimally treated wastewater. Microbial risks from reusing wastewater for vegetable irrigation can be addressed by installing environmental barriers that pathogens must cross to reach humans in the reuse system. Knowledge of pathogen flows inside the system and pathogen removal potential is the first step towards devising a risk management strategy. This study assessed microbe prevalence in farming systems in the Bolivian highlands that use wastewater-polluted sources for irrigation of lettuce. Samples of soil, lettuce and different water sources used in the farming systems were taken during one crop season and concentrations of coliphages, Escherichia coli and helminth eggs were measured. The results showed high spread of these microorganisms throughout the whole system. There was a significant correlation between microbial quality of water and of the harvested produce for several microorganisms. The microbial prevalence in protected shallow wells was found to be significantly lower than in other water sources. These findings can help formulate feasible risk management strategies in contexts where conventional technologies for microbial removal are not possible.

New Technologies and Approaches for Weed Management in Sustainable Agriculture Systems

1994 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald L. Wyse
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Agriculture Systems

Weed science has a long history of solving weed management problems for farmers. Over the last four decades most of the solutions to weed problems have been based on herbicide technology. Thus, most crop production systems in the United States rely heavily on herbicides as the primary method of weed management. During the last decade environmentalists, farmers, agricultural scientists, policy makers, and the general public have begun to question the long-term sustainability of conventional farming systems. The sustainability of these systems is being questioned because of environmental, social, and economic concerns caused by global competition, cost of production, soil erosion, water pollution, and concern over the quality of rural life. Weeds are the major deterrent to the development of more sustainable agriculture systems. Since weeds dictate most of the crop production practices (e.g., tillage, herbicides, cultivation, row spacing) weed scientists must become the leaders of collaborative integrated approaches to agriculture systems research. New crop production systems must be developed that are less destructive to the environment, are profitable, conserve energy, and support rural community development. The goal is to facilitate the development of ecologically based alternative methods of weed management that will support crop production systems that require less tillage and herbicide inputs. To accomplish this goal, research efforts must be radically expanded in weed/crop ecology and in the development of ecologically based technologies for weed management.

Integrating crop and livestock production in Inland Northwest farming systems

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda H. Hardesty ◽  
James A. Tiedeman
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Residues ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Domestic Demand ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Inland Northwest ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Crop And Livestock Production

AbstractThe demand for more ecologically and economically sustainable agriculture arises because we currently integrate products economically in a fashion that distorts ecologica I relationships. Earfy farms were ecologically integrated through feeding of forage crops and crop residues to livestock, with livestock contributing draft power and manure for crops. Today we have almost entirely uncoupled plant and animal production, eliminating the contribution that each can make to the productivity of the other. Barriers to integrating farming systems include the large volume of information needed for sophisticated production systems and the lack of infrastructure. Also, many chemicals used on crops have not been evaluated for their safety in food animals. Winter feeding and calving may conflict with crop production cycles; balancing year-round forage supplies is another obstacle. Opportunities include using the Conservation Reserve Program to shift land to livestock production. Domestic demand for meat is changing, and range livestock production is seen by some people as more humane than confinement. Animals fed less grain may be more acceptable in some markets. As agriculture responds to changes in society, ecologica I integration may become more compatible with economic integration.

scholarly journals ADAPTATION PROCESSES IN AGRICULTURE VS. MARKET REQUIREMENTS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-463
Author(s):  
Wojciech Ziętara
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Farming System ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Production Scale ◽  
Environmental Objectives ◽  
Food Economy ◽  
Organic Farming System

This paper presents changes in the structure of the national economy in Poland, mainly in the post-war period, manifested through a dramatic decline in the share of agricul- ture in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment and a decrease in household food expenses. However, this does not represent a decline in the importance of agriculture, which is the first link in the food economy. As a result of tech- nical and biological progress, the level of intensity of agricul- tural production and land productivity increased, which made it possible to satisfy food needs. Given that, attention started to be paid to other agricultural functions related to the protec- tion of the environment, including landscape. The economic objectives of farmers striving to further increase the level of production intensity and farm area (market and production scale) started competing with environmental protection ob- jectives. The purpose of this paper is to present agricultural production systems that differ in the degree of accounting for measures related to environmental protection. To this end, the following farming systems were evaluated: conventional, or- ganic, integrated and precision farming systems, taking into account the principles of the Common Agricultural Policy. The systems assume a holistic approach to the organization of farms and the commitment to circular economy. These expec- tations are met to the greatest extent by the organic farming system. However, this system will not dominate due to exist- ing limitations (in knowledge and markets). It is the integrated farming system that should prevail, as it makes it possible to the greatest extent to meet the farmers’ economic and social objectives while addressing the environmental protection ob- jectives. Also, the fulfillment of environmental objectives by farmers gives legitimacy to supporting their activities from the state budget.

scholarly journals Effect of different soil moisture regimes and salinity level on growth and yield in mustard

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagbir Singh ◽  
S. K. Varma ◽  
J. N. Bhatia ◽  
Lekh Raj
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Salinity Level ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Soil Moisture Stress ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
Moisture Regimes ◽  
Almost All

Soil moisture stress and salinity resulted reduction in almost all the growth, yield and yield attributes in mustard var. RH-30. Salinity behaved similarly to soil moisture stress and the magnitude of reduction increased with the increase in their level accordingly. Chloride type of toxicity was found to be more harmful than that of sulphate toxicity. The results obtained in the present study suggested that maintenance of wetter irrigation under salinity could go a long way in maximizing the crop production in mustard

scholarly journals Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Gourav Sharma ◽  
Swati Shrestha ◽  
Sudip Kunwar ◽  
Te-Ming Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

Weeds are among the major constraints to any crop production system, reducing productivity and profitability. Herbicides are among the most effective methods to control weeds, and reliance on herbicides for weed control has increased significantly with the advent of herbicide-resistant crops. Unfortunately, over-reliance on herbicides leads to environmental-health issues and herbicide-resistant weeds, causing human health and ecological concerns. Crop diversification can help manage weeds sustainably in major crop production systems. It acts as an organizing principle under which technological innovations and ecological insights can be combined to manage weeds sustainably. Diversified cropping can be defined as the conscious inclusion of functional biodiversity at temporal and/or spatial levels to improve the productivity and stability of ecosystem services. Crop diversification helps to reduce weed density by negatively impacting weed seed germination and weed growth. Additionally, diversified farming systems are more resilient to climate change than monoculture systems and provide better crop yield. However, there are a few challenges to adopting a diversified cropping system, ranging from technology innovations, government policies, farm-level decisions, climate change, and market conditions. In this review, we discuss how crop diversification supports sustainable weed management, the challenges associated with it, and the future of weed management with respect to the diversification concept.

scholarly journals Farmer Perception and Adaptation Strategies on Climate Change in Lower Eastern Kenya: A Case of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Madegwa Yvonne ◽  
Onwonga Richard ◽  
Shibairo Solomon ◽  
Karuku George
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Finger Millet ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Random Number Generator ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Smallholder Farming

Eastern Kenya, a semi-arid region, is characterized by low and erratic rainfall, high temperatures, and low soil fertility. Climate change has further worsened the situation leading to frequent droughts and hence increased food insecurity. Traditional crops like finger millet are possible solutions to combating changing climate due to their drought resistance nature, ability to produce high yields with little inputs and high nutritional content. It is against this backdrop that a survey was carried out in Mwala and Katangi divisions of Machakos and Kitui counties, respectively, to assess farmer’s perception on climate change, coping and adaptation mechanisms in finger millet production systems in smallholder farming systems of lower eastern Kenya. Data was collected, using semi-structured questionnaire, from 120 farmers i.e. 60 in each division. A stratified random sampling procedure, with location as a stratum was used to select respondent’s households. A computer random number generator was used to select number of households in each stratum. Maize and beans were the most popular crops grown by over 98% of the farmers in both sub-counties. Farmers also grew drought tolerant legumes; cow peas, green grams pigeon peas and cereals; sorghum and finger millet. Temperature rise was ranked highest with 88% and 98%, followed by prolonged drought with 70% and 72%, irregular rainfall at 69% and 81% and increased wind intensity at 22% and 28% at Machakos and Kitui, respectively, as aspects of climate change perceived by farmers. Farmers had taken up early planting at 88.6% and 93.7%, use of organic inputs at 89% and 92%, introduced new tillage practices, by applying ridges and furrows and tied ridges at 45% and 54%, and by adopting irrigation at 13%, and 9%, as coping strategies to climate change in Machakos and Kitui, respectively.It can be concluded that farmers in Machakos and Kitui are aware of climate change and its negative effects on crop production. In a bid to minimize crop loss and food insecurity, they have taken up various soil moisture conservation and soil fertility enhancement technologies.

scholarly journals Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gourav Sharma ◽  
Swati Shrestha ◽  
Kunwar Sudip ◽  
Te Ming Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

Weeds are among the major constraints to any crop production system, reducing productivity and profitability. Herbicides are among the most effective methods to control weeds, and reliance on herbicides for weed control has increased significantly with the advent of herbicide-resistant crops. Unfortunately, over-reliance on herbicides leads to environmental-health issues and herbicide-resistant weeds, causing human-health and ecological concerns. Crop diversification can help manage weeds sustainably in major crop production systems. It acts as an organizing principle under which technological innovations and ecological insights can be combined to manage weeds sustainably. Diversified cropping can be defined as the conscious inclusion of functional biodiversity at temporal and/or spatial levels to improve the productivity and stability of ecosystem services. Crop diversification helps to reduce weed density by negatively impacting weed seed germination and weed growth. Additionally, diversified farming systems are more resilient to climate change than monoculture systems and provide better crop yield. However, there are a few challenges to adopting a diversified cropping system, which ranges from technology innovations, government policies, farm-level decisions, climate change, and market conditions. In this review, we discuss how crop diversification supports sustainable weed management, the challenges associated with it, and the future of weed management with respect to the diversification concept.

scholarly journals Sustainability os small ruminant population on the Adja Plateau (South Benin)

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
A. Van Den Broek ◽  
I.T. Gbégo
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Feed Production ◽  
Animal Feeding ◽  
On Farm

Since 1986 the RAMR project (Recherche Appliquee en Milieu Reel) has conducted on-farm research on the Adja Plateau in Mono Province (South Benin). In this article, technical and socio-economic aspects of small ruminant production systems on the Adja Plateau are described. Monitoring of small ruminant flocks showed that about 25% of the small ruminants were sold annually. Export of nutrients as a result of the sale of animals (85 g N. 23 g P. 12 g K and 46 g Ca per hectare) was low compared with export through crop production. In-depth studies at village level showed that farmers mainly collected oil palm leaves, constituting 75% of the small ruminant rations, to feed their animals. Nutrients in collected oil palm leaves represented a substantial fraction (about 10%) of available nutrients in fields under oil palm. Proposals for future research on small ruminant production systems have to contribute to the sustainability of farming systems. Emphasis will be put on animal feeding and feed production integrating small ruminant and crop production.

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