Analytical assessment of sunflower production in ukraine

The article considers the current state of sunflower production in Ukraine. The main indicators of the industry, the dynamics of changes in the area of sunflower crops, yield and profitability are analyzed. The main factors influencing the production of sunflower using index analysis have been studied. The regional structure of sunflower production is considered with the separation of groups of enterprises by organizational form. Ukrainian enterprises are provided with proposals to increase the level of industry development and production.

CULTIVABLE LAND WATER SUPPLY AND A PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS YIELD

The maximum use of the potential of Georgia's agriculture and the targeted use of natural resources is vital for the development of the sectoral economy. The main guarantee of achieving a positive result for the country is the implementation of a clearly defined, effective agricultural policy aimed at competitive production, assistance in attracting financial resources, and encouragement of agricultural activities, conducting agrotechnical measures during the growing season of agricultural crops and determining the norms and terms of irrigation.

Silencing of Mannitol Transporter Gene In Phelipanche Aegyptiaca Reduces The Parasite Development On The Host Root

Parasitic weed Phelipanche aegyptiaca, is an obligate plant parasite which causes severe damage to host crops. Agriculture crops mainly belong to Brassicaceae, Leguminosae, Cruciferae and Solanaceae plant families affected by this parasitic weed which leads to devastating loss to crops yield and economic growth. This root specific parasitic plant is not able to complete its life-cycle without a suitable host and is totally dependent on the host plant for organic nutrients. Therefore, flow of organic solute molecules towards parasites is essential for the survival of the parasitic weed and disturbance in this network modulated host-parasitic interaction, which induces resistance in host against these parasitic weeds. To develop host resistance to this parasitic weed, we silenced selected prominent genes associated with P. aegyptiaca using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) methods. Our results demonstrated that the total number of parasite tubercle attached to root of the host plant Nicotiana benthamiana significantly reduced upon silencing of P. aegyptiaca specific gene which encodes mannitol transporter, however silencing of other gene(s), have no significant effects. Thus, our study indicates that mannitol transport plays an important role in host-parasite interaction and silencing of this gene causes development of host resistance against this parasite.

Influences of a Highly Reflective Mulching Membrane on Heat Propagation throughout the Soil

Agro-food chain impacts global greenhouse gas emissions by around 30%. To reduce this score without worsening food crops’ yield, new and more sustainable technologies (i.e., mulching membranes, advanced irrigation systems) were implemented. Within this framework, the present study aims to assess the influences on heat propagation throughout the soil of a highly reflective mulching membrane. An experimental facility was implemented in which the surface temperatures of both the soil and the membrane were monitored together with the temperature of the soil (at three depths). Five statistical days were defined by considering the same amount of percentiles of the monitored temperatures (0th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th percentiles). Then, the attenuation and the phase shift of the thermal wave throughout the soil and the cooling potential of the membrane were calculated. Although negligible variations from the uncovered soil were observed in surface temperature, the membrane enables a greater attenuation of the thermal wave throughout the soil. This can be up to 16 °C cooler than the surface, with potential benefits for plant growth. Furthermore, the membrane optical properties permit to offset carbon emissions from agriculture activities by around 0.1 tCO2-eq m−2.

Climate Variability and Change Affect Crops Yield under Rainfed Conditions: A Case Study in Gedaref State, Sudan

It is projected that, on average, annual temperature will increase between 2 °C to 6 °C under high emission scenarios by the end of the 21st century, with serious consequences in food and nutrition security, especially within semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to investigate the impact of historical long-term climate (temperature and rainfall) variables on the yield of five major crops viz., sorghum, sesame, cotton, sunflower, and millet in Gedaref state, Sudan over the last 35 years. Mann–Kendall trend analysis was used to determine the existing positive or negative trends in temperature and rainfall, while simple linear regression was used to assess trends in crop yield over time. The first difference approach was used to remove the effect of non-climatic factors on crop yield. On the other hand, the standardized anomaly index was calculated to assess the variability in both rainfall and temperature over the study period (i.e., 35 years). Correlation and multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were employed to determine the relationships between climatic variables and crops yield. Similarly, a simple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between the length of the rainy season and crop yield. The results showed that the annual maximum temperature (Tmax) increased by 0.03 °C per year between the years 1984 and 2018, while the minimum temperature (Tmin) increased by 0.05 °C per year, leading to a narrow range in diurnal temperature (DTR). In contrast, annual rainfall fluctuated with no evidence of a significant (p > 0.05) increasing or decreasing trend. The yields for all selected crops were negatively correlated with Tmin, Tmax (r ranged between −0.09 and −0.76), and DTR (r ranged between −0.10 and −0.70). However, the annual rainfall had a strong positive correlation with yield of sorghum (r = 0.64), sesame (r = 0.58), and sunflower (r = 0.75). Furthermore, the results showed that a longer rainy season had significant (p < 0.05) direct relationships with the yield of most crops, while Tmax, Tmin, DTR, and amount of rainfall explained more than 50% of the variability in the yield of sorghum (R2 = 0.70), sunflower (R2 = 0.61), and millet (R2 = 0.54). Our results call for increased awareness among different stakeholders and policymakers on the impact of climate change on crop yield, and the need to upscale adaptation measures to mitigate the negative impacts of climate variability and change.

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON EVAPORATING DEMAND OF THE ATMOSPHERE USING ENERGY BALANCE METHODS

In this study, two models are computed which are modified penman's monteith and Hargreaves – Samani model. The essence is to provide qualitative information related to the antagonistic effect of climate change on sustainable crop production through qualitative understanding of evaporation and transpiration processes in simple term evapotranspiration (ETo). This is computed using climatic parameters obtained from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University; Agro weather station, Bauchi for the period of three years. This describes the two processes of water loss on plants, at first, through transpiration and on another note, on the soil surface by evaporation. The study deduced a comparative analysis on aforementioned Methods to determine the evaporating power of the atmosphere in improving crops yield and production through estimating the amount of water needed at the root zone of the plant and also, the seasonal variation during the study. The result of this study shows a little deviation in the two models. The model based on Modified Penman's Monteith displays optimal evapotranspiration. This makes the model satisfy its creation for estimation of reference evapotranspiration. In May, June, September, and October for 2013-2015, high trends are recorded. While In July and August low trend was recorded between climatic parameter and the estimated evapotranspiration. The statistical analyses also show that there is a linear relationship between the two estimated models. In the above months, it shows that application of water is needed for the healthy growth of crops and improved crops yield

An Inter-District Analysis of Instability and Sustainability for Major Crops in Haryana

Increased volatility in farm production and sustainability of crops is a growing concern issue, and state-level analysis cannot reflect a complete scenario of volatile production behavior of different crops so district level study is taken up in this article. The study has estimated instability and sustainability in three major crops in the last three decades at district levels in Haryana. It was observed that Gram crop area is declining in every district at a very rapid pace. Cotton and mustard have seen facing severe ups and downs throughout the study period. To meet the demand of food and nutritional security, sustainable production is required and selected crops yield sustainability. Udemand of food and nutritional security, sustainable production is required, and selected crops yield sustainability was estimated using several sustainability indices at the district level.

Forecasting grain crop yield based on the integration of ground and satellite data in the subjects of the Southern Federal District

Forecasting grain crop yield based on the integration of ground and satellite data in the subjects of the Southern Federal District / Strashnaya A.I.., Bereza O.V., Klang P.S. // Hydrometeorological Research and Forecasting, 2021, no. 2 (380), pp. 111-137. The results of research on the effect of agrometeorological conditions on the yield of grain and leguminous crops are presented. The role of farming culture in increasing productivity and the importance of meteorological factors in the yield variability are demonstrated. The frequency of droughts of various intensities in the subjects of the Southern Federal District in 2001–2020 is calculated as compared to 1981–2000. The NDVI vegetation index highly correlates with the grain crop yield. The average long-term dynamics of NDVI for the vegetation weeks is calculated, which allows assessing conditions for the yield formation in a particular year in comparison with the average long-term ones. The periods of the most effective use of NDVI in yield forecasts are determined. The developed regression models for yield forecasting based on the joint use of ground-based and satellite data are presented. Keywords: agrometeorological conditions, drought, grain crops, yield, satellite information, forecast

Use of Biofertilizers in Agricultural Production

Most of agricultural production in Latin America consists of smallholder farmers who need the development of sustainable technologies, with costs according to their economic condition. Biofertilizers composed of free-living bacteria promote plant’s growth, improve productivity through the strengthening of its roots, and reduce the amount of synthetic fertilizer applied to the crops. The aims of this chapter are to highlight the microorganisms commonly used in agriculture as biofertilizers and the main researches carried out in several countries of Latin America, and to describe the development of an experimental biofertilizer for maize, based on strains of Azospirillum spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens, in the highlands (Sierra Region) of Ecuador. Seven phylum and 95 genera o microorganism used as biofertilizers or Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are summarized, along with the benefits, challenges and future prospect of their use. The effectiveness of the experimental biofertilizer developed in Ecuador was demonstrated through several experiments at the green house and field, in which it was evident the increase of root’s size, the amount of crocket, the percentage of dry matter, and the crops´ yield. The evaluations, accomplished on farmers’ fields showed 30% of increase in yield and 21% of decrease in the cost of production per kilogram; as a consequence of the use of biofertilizer plus 50% of the recommended chemical fertilization, in comparison with standard farming techniques. Farmers can reduce the application of synthetic fertilizers and sustainably increase crop yield through the use of this technology.