Additional Irrigation Research Articles

Influence of Planting Date on Potato Yield in Gircha Highland, Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Potatoes are the world's fourth most important food crop, with climate, variety, seed quality, planting timing, nutrition, irrigation, pests, illnesses, and weeds all influencing its growth and productivity. Planting timing is critical for maximizing yields since it regulates temperature and light. Planting date effects on potato development and yield were investigated in an experiment at Gircha Farmland, Arba Minch, from February 8, 2020 to August 19, 2020. The impact of planting dates on potato production response was investigated using the Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) model software application program. The experiment used Gudene cultivar potato root crops in Gircha highland plot areas, with gross plot area, rows per plot, length, and spacing. Harvest area was 2.3 m<sup>2</sup>, with two rows, and soil depth was 15 cm. No additional irrigation was supplied, and 150 kg/ha N and 80 kg/ha P fertilizer was applied. Eight planting dates—February 8, February 18, February 28, March 9, March 19, March 29, April 8, and April 18—were selected for this investigation. The relationship between observed and simulated potato yield performance, with RMSE (7.256), IOA (0.842), and R<sup>2</sup> (0.962), and validation values (19.658), IOA (0.827), and R<sup>2</sup> (0.974), indicating good agreement. The latest planting date of April 18 marked the pinnacle of potato output. Furthermore, on April 18, 2020, the planting date that was closest to March 30, 2020, the maximum tuber fresh weight of 48.73 mg/ha was recorded, while on February 8, 2020, the minimum tuber fresh weight of 16.08 mg/ha was acquired. Similar to this, the planting date of April 18<sup>th </sup>yielded the maximum potato production (9746 kg/ha), while February 8<sup>th</sup> yielded the lowest yield (3215 kg/ha). Gircha's higher rainfall, lowest solar radiation, and warmer temperatures may have contributed to the crop's increased production. Potato planting date significantly affects growth and yield, with April 18, 2020 being the best date for highest yield. Delays in planting led to increased crop growth and production, influenced by rainfall, solar radiation, and mean temperature.

Barley vulnerability to climate change: perspectives for cultivation in South America.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a globally significant cereal crop, widely used in both food production and brewing. However, it is particularly vulnerable to climate change, especially extreme temperature fluctuations, which can severely reduce yields. To address this challenge, a detailed climate zoning study was conducted to assess the suitability of barley production areas across South America, considering both current conditions and future climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The study utilized historical climate data along with projections from the CMIP6 IPSL-CM6A-LR model for the period 2021-2100. Several indices, such as evapotranspiration, were calculated, and factors like soil composition and topography were integrated into the classification of regions based on their agricultural potential. Critical variables in this assessment included temperature, precipitation, and water or thermal excess. The results showed that 6.59% of South America's territory is currently suitable for barley cultivation without additional irrigation, with these regions concentrated primarily in temperate southern areas. In contrast, 18.62% of the region is already unsuitable due to excessive heat. Projections under future climate scenarios indicate a shrinking of suitable areas, alongside an expansion of unsuitable regions. In the worst-case scenario, only 1.48% of the territory would remain viable for barley farming. These findings emphasize the crop's vulnerability to climate change, underscoring the urgency of developing agricultural adaptation strategies. The predicted contraction in suitable barley cultivation areas demonstrates the profound impact of climate change on agriculture and highlights the need for proactive measures to ensure sustainable barley production in South America.

Safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection with gel immersion technique for superficial esophageal neoplasms.

Gel immersion (GI) endoscopy provides a good visual field in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD); however, its clinical outcomes are poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes between esophageal gel immersion endoscopic submucosal dissection (GI-ESD) and conventional ESD (C-ESD) to determine the safety and efficacy of GI-ESD. The data of 71 consecutive patients who underwent esophageal ESD between April 2021 and March 2023 at a Japanese tertiary center were retrospectively reviewed. GI was achieved using an additional irrigation tube. The treatment outcomes between the GI-ESD and C-ESD groups were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to control for confounding factors. A total of 75 superficial esophageal epithelial neoplasms (41 in the C-ESD and 34 in the GI-ESD groups) were treated using ESD. The mean procedure time in the GI-ESD group was significantly shorter than that in the C-ESD group (59.2±36.2 vs 85.3±45.7min, P=0.008). After IPTW adjustment, the mean procedural times were 62.6±36.6 and 82.9±41.7min in the GI-ESD and C-ESD groups, respectively (P=0.037), and the incidence rate of muscle layer damage was 4.2% in the GI-ESD group and 30.6% in the C-ESD group (P=0.001). In the multivariate analysis, specimen size ≥30mm (odds ratio [OR]: 9.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.46-36.30, P=0.001) was positively correlated with longer procedural time (≥90min), whereas GI-ESD (OR: 0.19, 95%CI: 0.05-0.68, P=0.011) showed a negative association. Esophageal GI-ESD may be useful in terms of safety and time efficiency. The GI technique could be an option for esophageal ESD.

Automated calibration of Noah-MP land surface model for improved irrigation representation in the North China Plain

Irrigation significantly impacts the terrestrial water and energy cycle. Yet, due to insufficient agriculture management data, omitting important processes in models, and suboptimal model configuration, realistically representing irrigation processes in land surface models remains challenging. In this study, we employed the Noah-MP land surface model with a more realistic irrigation map and irrigation parameterization to replicate irrigation consumption over the North China Plain. For irrigation map, three different irrigation area maps are evaluated using prefecture-level census data. The best-performing, the Global Map of Irrigation Areas (GMIA), was chosen as the input of irrigation area to Noah-MP. Based on a widely-used calibration method, the Shuffled Complex Evolution method developed by the University of Arizona (SCE-UA), we constructed an automatic calibration framework for Noah-MP. The census data of irrigation water amount at the prefectural level was used to calibrate three key parameters in the flood irrigation module, namely, irrigation triggering point, flood irrigation loss, and flood application rate factor. Results show the calibrated irrigation parameters help mitigate the underestimation of irrigation water amount in the default simulation in good agreement with census data (R2 = 0.71, N = 624). The calibrated irrigation simulation increases latent heat flux (+20.8 %) and decreases sensible heat flux (−34.5 %), and cools the land surface (−0.89 K), roughly proportional to irrigation amount. Furthermore, the additional irrigation water in calibrated simulation is partitioned into evaporation (58.5 %), followed by total runoff (39.8 %) and soil moisture storage change (1.7 %), significantly impacting hydrology, land–atmosphere coupling, and regional climate.

Optimizing yield and water productivity in summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) through crop residue management and irrigation strategies

A multi-season research trial entitled ‘crop residue management effects on yield and water productivity of summer mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) under different irrigation regimes in Indian Punjab’ was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Regional Research Station (RRS), Bathinda, during rabi 2020 and 2021. The field experiment was conducted in a split-plot layout with nine treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of T1 (no wheat residue along with tillage), T2 (leftover wheat residue with zero tillage), and T3 (incorporated wheat residue along with tillage) in main plots and irrigation regimes viz., I1 (vegetative growth and flowering stage), I2 (vegetative growth, flowering, and pod filling stage) and I3 (vegetative growth, flowering, pod formation and pod filling stage) in sub-plots, respectively. The growth and yield attributing characters were significantly higher under T3 than T1 but statistically at par with T2 during both years. An increase of 24.1% and 19.0% in grain yield was found in residue incorporation (T3) and residue retention (T2) over residue removal (T1), respectively. Maximum crop and irrigation water productivity was observed under T3 due to reduced water use and increased yield. Among the irrigation regimes, the I3 recorded significantly higher grain yield (0.70 and 0.79 t ha− 1) than I1. It was at par with I2 during both years due to higher irrigation frequency at the pod formation and pod filling stage. Crop water productivity (CWP) was higher under I3, whereas irrigation water productivity (IWP) was higher under I1 during both years. Additional irrigation at the pod-filling stage increased the grain yield by 36.5%, and two additional irrigations at the pod-formation and pod-filling stage further increased yield by 46.2% compared to only two irrigations at the vegetative and flowering stages. The treatment combinations of T2I2 and T3I2 outperformed T1I3 in terms of growth and yield attributing characters viz. plant height, dry matter accumulation (DMA), leaf area index (LAI), pods plant− 1, seeds pod− 1, and 1000-seed weight, which resulted in higher grain yield in these treatment combinations over T1I3. Applying crop residue can help minimize water use and increase crop water productivity. So, retaining crop residue in summer mung bean resulted in saving irrigation water due to lesser evapotranspiration from the soil surface.

Taurolidine Irrigation Reduces Relapse and Recurrence of Hemodialysis Access Infection

Infection of hemodialysis access is a clinically important concern and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality among patients on hemodialysis. In this study, we aimed to determine whether using taurolidine as an irrigating antiseptic after drainage of pus or removal of infected tissue and graft during surgery decreases the relapse and recurrence of infection. Between January 2016 and December 2023, 48 episodes in 38 patients hospitalized and treated for hemodialysis access infections were examined. Relapse, recurrence, and mortality of infection were analyzed in patients who received additional taurolidine irrigation versus those who did not. After drainage alone or after total or partial graft removal, all patients received massive irrigation with normal saline. The episodes of infection were examined consecutively during follow-up. The majority (97.9%) of hemodialysis access infections was arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) or interposed grafts from native veins. In AVGs, infections occurred primarily after a median of 523days from the first needling. All prosthetic materials that were the infection foci were removed in 58.3% of the cases, with partial resection and bypass or drainage performed in the remaining cases. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (45.8%). After surgical intervention, relapse was observed in 12.5% of the cases and recurrence in 20.8% of the cases. The relapse occurrence was significantly reduced by taurolidine irrigation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.02-0.98, P=0.05) and the total resection of prosthetic material (OR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.70, P=0.02). Recurrence was significantly decreased by taurolidine irrigation (OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.02-0.56, P=0.01) and increased dramatically in cases with relapse history (OR: 8.50, 95% CI: 1.69-42.76, P<0.01). Finally, male sex (hazard ratio: 7.01, 95% CI: 1.19-41.40, P=0.03) and AVG (hazard ratio: 4.49, 95% CI: 1.01-20.01, P=0.05) were significantly associated with increased overall mortality in infected hemodialysis access. Additional taurolidine irrigation after surgical resection significantly reduced the relapse and recurrence of infection in hemodialysis access. Taurolidine appears to be a safe and useful antiseptic for the control of hemodialysis access infection.

Establishing the water resources implications for closing the land and water productivity gaps using remote sensing – A case study of sugarcane

ContextTwo of the key limitations for sustainably increasing agricultural production are the scarcity of land and fresh water resources. Establishing land and water productivity gaps is, therefore, essential for measuring how efficiently these resources are being utilised and assessing the scope for increasing feed and food production. Monitoring the productivity gaps at large scales or over time using field data is challenging and expensive. Remote sensing offers an alternative data source to reveal spatial and temporal variations in productivity. ObjectiveThis paper presents a framework that integrates remote sensing derived data and field data to assess (1) land and water productivity gaps, (2) bright spots – fields exhibiting land- and water productivity equal to or higher than the target, and (3) net irrigation water demand for increasing production. MethodsThe framework is developed and applied to the Xinavane sugarcane estate in Mozambique, demonstrating its practical application through systematic evaluation on a 6637 ha section of the estate divided by different irrigation application methods. ResultsThe results reveal that the productivity gap is the highest on fields irrigated by furrow (13.1 tonnes (ton) per ha), followed by sprinkler (12.6 ton/ha) and centre pivot (9.4 ton/ha). Bridging the productivity gap on the same cropland results in an increased sugarcane production of 12.5 % requiring 8.5 % additional irrigation water, whereas achieving the same production increase through irrigation expansion requires more blue water. ConclusionsThe analyses show that remote sensing provides a viable source of information to diagnose the productivity constraints and how bright spots can provide insights into the best field management practices to overcome them. The framework demonstrates its usefulness for policy makers and stakeholders to make informed decisions on the scarce blue water allocation for enhancing agricultural production.

Effects of long-term saline water irrigation on soil salinity and crop production of winter wheat-maize cropping system in the North China Plain: A case study

Fresh water shortage is a major problem for grain production in the low plain around Bohai Sea in the North China Plain. Relative abundance of shallow saline groundwater could serve as an alternative water resource for use during dry seasons. A continuous 8-year field study was conducted from 2015 to 2023 to assess the effects of salt content in irrigation water on soil salt accumulation and crop production. Fresh water (FW) with electrical conductivity (EC) at 1.6 dS/m and three levels of saline water (SW) with EC at 4.7 (SW1), 6.3 (SW2) and 7.8 dS/m (SW3) were used for irrigation. Results showed that a single irrigation event at the jointing stage of winter wheat increased grain production averagely by 18.6 %, 22.5 %, 12.9 % and 9.5 % compared with a rain-fed treatment (RF) under FW, SW1, SW2 and SW3, respectively. With an additional irrigation applied at flowering stage, both irrigations using FW increased the yield by 28.6 %, and both irrigations using SW2 increased the yield by 19.3 % compared with RF. Negative effects of salt on winter wheat overshadowed the positive effects of increased water supply under two irrigations both using SW. With an irrigation at maize sowing and the subsequent summer rainy season, the yield of maize following winter wheat was not affected by a one-time SW irrigation to the previous crop, but showed a 5.3 % yield reduction when two irrigations of SW were applied. There was no apparent salt accumulation in the top 1 m of the soil profile, but a slight increasing trend in the salt content in the 1–2 m layer of the soil profile under SW2 and SW3 irrigation. No apparent changes in soil physical properties were observed for continuous application of SW. It was suggested that SW with EC not exceeding 6.3 dS/m should be applied for a single irrigation during the winter wheat season. This practice could alleviate the fresh water shortage in this region and allow for the maintenance of a relatively stable yield of winter wheat and maize without the risk of salt accumulation in the soil.

К ВЫБОРУ РАСТВОРА ДЛЯ КАВИТАЦИИ В КОМПЛЕКСНОМ ЛЕЧЕНИИ ПОСЛЕРОДОВОГО ЭНДОМЕТРИТА

Relevance. Postpartum endometritis is an infectious and inflammatory process in the endometrium with possible involvement of the myometrium. The main components of the treatment of the disease are antibiotic therapy and removal of necrotic contents of the cavity of the postpartum uterus. From the point of view of caring for the organ, ultrasonic cavitation looks preferable. To increase its effectiveness, various solutions with antiseptic, immunomodulatory or other properties can be used. Aim. The purpose of our study was a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the use of various liquids during ultrasonic cavitation in the treatment of postpartum endometritis. Materials and methods. 80 patients with mild and moderate severity of the disease were examined and treated. The patients were divided into 4 groups of 20 women: 1) patients of the 1st group received treatment according to the clinical recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; 2) patients of the 2nd group underwent ultrasound cavitation of the uterine cavity using 0.9% sodium chloride solution; 3) patients of the 3rd group underwent ultrasound cavitation followed by additional irrigation of the uterine cavity 0.25% sodium deoxyribonucleate solution; 4) ultrasound cavitation of the uterine cavity was performed in patients of the 4th group using 0.9% furacilin solution. Results. On the 7th day of treatment for postpartum endometritis, all patients showed an improvement in well-being and objective indicators. At the same time, incomplete reduction of uterine soreness during palpation by the 7th day in patients of the 1st and 3rd groups led to an increase in bed days in these groups. In patients of group 1, there was a slower dynamics of blood parameters such as leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The degree of reduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 was the lowest in group 1 and the highest in group 4. The bed day turned out to be the smallest in group 4 and the largest in group 1. Conclusions. Ultrasound cavitation of the uterine cavity significantly increases the effectiveness of complex therapy of postpartum endometritis and shortens the duration of treatment of patients, enhances the positive effect of ultrasonic cavitation by using 0.9% furacilin solution in a dilution of 1: 5000 as a cavitation liquid. Irrigation of the uterine cavity with a solution of sodium deoxyribonucleate does not significantly affect the healing process.

Design of Rain Water Harvesting System for Efficient Water Scarcity and Flood Management in India

Areas experiencing extensive floods during the rainy season and water scarcity in winter require efficient water resource management. Economical water-harvesting structures such as drystone masonry and upstream-wall cement masonry, with heights ranging from 1 to 2.5 meters, are constructed for catchments smaller than 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 hectares, respectively, utilizing locally sourced materials. These constructions offer significant cost-effectiveness for the location, boasting a B:C ratio of 3.5:1. In certain areas of Assam, Garh structures are constructed, featuring large and lengthy embankments on both sides with an open central section for water flow. Within paddy fields, the entire area is partitioned into small square segments, creating small embankments known as "Dara." which store rainwater for cultivation. Across the entire Western Himalayan region, encompassing Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Northern Uttaranchal, Guhl serves as a standardized water harvesting technique. Notably, in Akola and Chittoor districts, the establishment of farm ponds has significantly boosted crop and livestock productivity, along with farm income. Additional irrigation has notably enhanced the yield of various rainfed crops such as pigeon pea, chickpea, groundnut, cotton, and vegetables, as well as mango and coconut plants, with improvements ranging from 5 to 72%. With the availability of harvested rainwater for supplemental irrigation, farmers have also planted additional fruit trees, resulting in increased productivity of existing fruit trees, such as mango (39%) in Chittoor district and coconut (51%) in Vellore district. Expanding the number of rainwater harvesting structures could potentially reduce runoff within the basin by up to 60%. The implementation of Doha Models, involving percolation tanks dug along the length of lower-order seasonal streams in Jalna district of Maharashtra, has increased cropping intensity from 129% to 132%. Remarkably, five out of seven crops have demonstrated a relatively higher percentage increase in yields. The optimal productivity of harvested water is achieved when efficient application methods such as micro-irrigation are employed, targeting high-value crops.

Application of Hydrus-2D Model in Subsurface Drainage of Saline Soil in Coastal Forest Land—A Case Example of Fengxian, Shanghai

The study aims to explore saline drainage modeling in coastal saline soils, particularly focusing on subsurface pipe drainage in the Shanghai coastal area. Utilizing Hydrus-2D/3D-2.05 software, dynamic changes in soil–water–salt under various subsurface pipe laying conditions in forested areas were simulated to identify optimal schemes. Indoor and outdoor experiments demonstrated the Hydrus model’s ability to effectively simulate soil–water–salt transport processes under complex conditions. Subsequent simulations under different parameters of underground pipe laying, including burial depths (D = 0.5/0.7/0.9/1.1/1.3/1.5 m) and pipe diameters (Ø = 8/10/12 cm), further corroborated model validation. Among the analyzed schemes, those with burial depths around 0.7 m and pipe diameters under 12 cm exhibited the most substantial salinity improvement. Regression analysis highlighted a significant impact of burial depth D on cumulative salt discharge, with a coefficient of 12.812, outweighing that of pipe diameter Ø. Furthermore, subsurface pipe laying schemes demonstrated long-term benefits and cost advantages, obviating the need for additional irrigation infrastructure. These findings underscore the significance of subsurface pipe drainage in enhancing soil quality, reducing construction expenses, and optimizing land utilization, providing a valuable foundation for the Shanghai Green Corridor development and related initiatives.

Deficit irrigation interacting with biochar mitigates N2O emissions from farmland in a wheat–maize rotation system

Biochar application to agricultural fields is an effective carbon sequestration measure that has the potential to reduce N2O emissions and increase soil water holding capacity. However, the interaction mechanisms of biochar under deficit irrigation on N2O emissions remain unclear. A two-year field experiment is conducted in the Guanzhong Plain, China, in order to quantify the effects of biochar and deficit irrigation on N2O emissions from winter wheat–summer maize crop rotation and to investigate the potential mechanisms of nitrification and denitrification. According to the combination of biochar application and actual evapotranspiration-based irrigation scheduling, four treatments are designed (B1W100: biochar 30 t·ha−1 + ET; B1W80: biochar 30 t·ha−1+ 0.8 ET; B0W100: no biochar + ET; B0W80: no biochar + 0.8ET). The soil N2O flux, soil physical and chemical properties, and key functional gene abundance related to N2O emissions in nitrification and denitrification at different growth stages are investigated and discussed. Results show that the interaction between deficit irrigation and biochar significantly reduces soil N2O emissions. During the wheat and maize season, the application of biochar reduces the N2O emissions by an average of 12.9% and 15.2%, respectively. Deficit irrigation also reduces the N2O emissions by an average of 17.4% and 15.5%, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis shows that soil N2O is significantly correlated with soil water-filled pore space during the phase with intense N2O emissions. Soil functional gene abundance is determined at different growth stages for both wheat and maize. Maximum soil denitrification functional gene abundance is observed at the time when wheat and maize enter the stage of their peak growth at the jointing stage. With biochar addition and deficit irrigation, the abundance of nirK and nosZ genes increases and AOB amoA genes decreases. These results suggest that biochar with deficit irrigation is a better solution to reduce N2O emissions from agricultural soils.

New challenges for Uruguayan viticulture

Climate scenarios in the medium and long term (2010-2070) foresee increased summer rainfall for Uruguay and the region, with increased water deficits and excess episodes. Although at the international level irrigation in viticulture has a long experience and tradition, at the local level (Uruguay), only 10% of the vineyard surface area implements a fixed or complementary system for water supply in their crops. This work aimed to model the crop water requirements for a vineyard in southern Uruguay based on pedo-climatic variables. In addition, the plant response to controlled deficit irrigation was evaluated in two consecutive seasons. The experiment was conducted in a 1.1 ha commercial vineyard in Canelones, Uruguay (34°36'S, 56°14W), during two successive seasons (2020-2021). The additional irrigation (I) treatment was compared against a control (C) without irrigation. A controlled water deficit was established from flowering to harvest. The adjustment in the demand was made as a function of a percentage of crop evapotranspiration. The Kc of the crop was estimated using digital tools. The simulation of the water balance made it possible to evaluate the vineyard water needs. Plants subjected to controlled deficit irrigation showed higher vegetative growth, positively impacting yield and the accumulation of sugars and anthocyanins in the berry. Based on our results, a supplementary water supply, at the right doses and time, allows us to face water deficit situations, positively impacting the productive and economic variables. Knowing the variability in a vineyard is necessary to achieve proper irrigation scheduling and optimize water use. New technologies applied to irrigation are an opportunity for winegrowers to obtain more sustainable vineyards and production.

Simulated soil water distribution patterns and water use of Alfalfa under different subsurface drip irrigation depths

Alfalfa is one of the major perennial forage crops in California, vital for the livestock industry, and provides environmental benefits to the ecosystem in the state. Information on subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) practices on alfalfa is limited particularly in areas related to drip tape spacings and installation depths and their impacts on topsoil profile wetting patterns and alfalfa productivity. The objective of this study was to compare three different depths of drip lines: 15, 30, and 45 cm on topsoil profile wetting patterns and identify the optimum depth for achieving sustainable management practices for alfalfa production under SDI. Crop water requirements were determined using Tule Technologies system. Volumetric soil water contents from twelve cuts were simulated using HYDRUS-2D. Initial volumetric soil water contents from Watermark sensors were used in the model and measured volumetric soil water distributions were used for hydraulic conductivity calibration. Simulated results showed that there was no significant difference between root water uptake (RWU) among the various drip depths. RWU was 171.6, 170.0, and 168.2 cm at drip line depths of 15, 30, and 45 cm, respectively. Applied irrigation water during the study period was 195.1 cm while rainfall was 4.1 cm. A 10% reduction in topsoil volumetric soil water content was observed for drip lines at 30 cm depth as compared with 15 cm depth, while a 20% reduction in topsoil volumetric soil water content was observed for drip lines at 45 cm depth as compared with 15 cm depth. Drip lines at 30 cm depth are likely the optimal for RWU and free drainage; however, drip lines at 45 cm depth may allow growers to provide additional irrigation events (without increasing the topsoil volumetric soil water content) closer to the harvest date, potentially resulting in higher yield and water use efficiency.

Cost‐effectiveness of management strategies in a nucleation experiment in a tropical dry forest

Cost‐effective, large‐scale strategies are needed to restore degraded ecosystems worldwide. Applied nucleation is one technique that can accelerate succession in tropical forests. However, the effectiveness of irrigation and fertilization in the context of large‐scale applied nucleation in tropical dry forests (TDFs) has not yet been tested. To this end, we established a large‐scale experiment in southwestern Colombia on abandoned pastures. We planted 11,382 seedlings of 11 native species coupled with six management treatments that varied in the amounts of fertilizer and water. We monitored survival, height, and resprouting ability seedlings over 2 years. We also estimated the cost of seedling production, planting procedures, management, and monitoring, and assessed their cost‐effectiveness using seedling survival as an indication of effectiveness. After 2 years, 73% (8,266) of seedlings planted survived, and species survival ranged from 5 to 99%. Individuals that received the lowest amount of fertilizer (25 g of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium [NPK]) with additional irrigation had the highest survival rates (&gt;76%). Final height ranged from 52 to 330 cm across species. Seedlings that received the highest amount of fertilizer (50 g of NPK) without additional irrigation had the highest mean final height (174 ± 9.0 cm). The control was cheapest ($7313/ha) and the most cost‐effective method in terms of seedling survival. Our findings suggest that the best way to establish cost‐effective, large‐scale restoration projects in TDFs is to plant native species mixtures of locally adapted species without fertilization and irrigation and to invest in long‐term monitoring.

Smallholder aquaculture diversifies livelihoods and diets thus improving food security status: evidence from northern Zambia

BackgroundMuch has been made of the potential for aquaculture to improve rural livelihoods and food and nutrition security in Africa, though little evidence exists to back such claims. This study, conducted in northern Zambia, assessed the benefits of adopting aquaculture by comparing a sample of households with (n = 177) and without fishponds (n = 174).ResultsOn-farm food production was assessed by summing all crop and livestock activities and calculating a production diversity score (PDS) of key food groups. Aquaculture households had greater crop diversification and were more associated with key nutritious foods grown on the farm, possibly due to additional water irrigation capabilities. A greater diversity of cultivated crops led to better household dietary diversity scores (HDDS). We further assessed the frequency of consumption of 53 food items (including 30 fish species) over a period of 4 weeks via a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Using the Simpson’s Index, aquaculture households had greater diversity and evenness in the distribution of foods and fish species consumed, particularly for foods grown on the farm. Using livelihood and dietary factors in a multilevel probit regression on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), we found that adopting aquaculture gave households almost two times more likelihood of improving their food security status. Households could further improve their food security outcomes by growing and consuming certain vegetables, especially those that could be integrated along pond dykes.ConclusionsThe study suggests three clear pathways to food security. (1) Increasing wealth and income from the sale of fish and integrated vegetables and/or crops, which can be used to purchase a diversity of foods. (2) Increasing food and nutrition security via the direct consumption of fish and vegetables grown on the farm. (3) Improving irrigation capabilities in integrated aquaculture–agriculture systems that has direct impact on pathways 1 and 2. Aquaculture should be promoted in the region for its crop diversification and food security benefits, so long as it fits the local farming system and livelihood context. Moving away from productivist approaches to nutrition-sensitive aquaculture widens the scope of uncovering the many benefits of pond farming in smallholder systems.

Effectiveness of ozone in the management of chronic periodontitis: A clinico-microbiological study

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of ozonated water with NSPT compared with scaling and root planing (SRP) alone in treating chronic periodontitis. Settings and Design: The current study is a double-masked, randomized clinical trial. Methods and Material: A total of 30 patients aged 25 to 55 years were divided randomly into two groups having probing pocket depths of ≥ 5 mm. Full mouth SRP were performed in group 1 followed by additional sub-gingival irrigation of ozonated water in group 2. Assessment of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment levels (CAL) was performed at baseline and six months. Microbiologic assessment with real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for Dialister pneumosintes and Micromonas micros by collecting plaque samples. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were subjected to statistical analysis with IBM SPSS Software version 21. The results were presented under the headings of various parameters considered for this study. Results: The results revealed that there was a reduction in PI, GI, PD, CAL, and microbiologic parameters in both groups following SRP; the results were more significant in group 2 treated by sub-gingival irrigation with ozonated water, when compared with SRP alone in group 1. Also, it was noted that there was a statistically significant reduction of M. micros compared to D. pneumosintes in the ozone-treated group. Conclusions: The Subgingival irrigation of ozonated water in conjunction with SRP has beneficial effects in treating patients with chronic periodontitis.

ASSESSMENT OF IRRIGATION WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLES, PEARS, AND PLUMS IN THE KOLUBARA AND MORAVA DISTRICTS UNDER CHANGING CLIMATE CONDITIONS

Climate change, which manifests through shifts in temperature, rainfall patterns, and the frequency of extreme events like droughts and floods, has a substantial impact on agricultural production and food security. This study investigates the influence of climate change on the irrigation needs of apple, pear, and plum crops in two fruit-growing districts in western Serbia, specifically in the Kolubara and Morava districts. This research aims to provide valuable insights for farmers to plan and adapt their production strategies in response to evolving climate conditions. To estimate the water requirements, crop evapotranspiration (ETc), effective rainfall (Pe), and water deficit (In) were determined using historical climate data from meteorological stations in Valjevo (Kolubara district) and Požega (Morava district) for the observed period (1961 - 2021). For projecting future water requirements (2021 - 2040), we employed data from eight regional climate models within the EURO – CORDEX project. The analysis of water requirements for apple, pear, and plum was conducted for both grassed and non-grassed orchards.&#x0D; In the Kolubara district, the average seasonal water deficit during the observed period was 356 mm in grassed orchards and 191 mm in non-grassed orchards, with the most significant irrigation requirements occurring in July and August, representing 60 - 70% of the seasonal water requirement. Looking ahead to the future period (2021 - 2040), the average water deficit increases to 401 mm in grassed orchards and 202 mm in non-grassed orchards, marking a 13% and 6% rise, respectively, compared to the observed period. This signifies a need for 1 to 2 additional irrigation sessions. In the Morava district, the average seasonal water deficit during the observed period was 403 mm in grassed orchards and 236 mm in non-grassed orchards, with the highest irrigation requirements in June, July, and August, accounting for 80 - 90% of the seasonal water requirement. Due to an anticipated increase in total precipitation in the future period (2021 - 2040) in the Morava district, there is a decrease in the seasonal water deficit by 3% in grassed orchards and 16% in non-grassed orchards. However, even with reduced water requirements in the future, there remains a significant requirement for irrigation in May, June, July, and August when rainfall is limited.

Treatment experience with continuous local antibiotic perfusion for periprosthetic joint infection

BackgroundAntibiotic concentrations 100–1000 times higher than the minimum inhibitory concentration are necessary for eradicating biofilms in periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). Achieving this with intravenous antibiotics is challenging, but continuous local antibiotic perfusion (CLAP) can increase the local concentration of antibiotics. Although there are several reports on CLAP therapy in the fracture-related infection, there are only few reports on its application in PJI. Here, we report our experience with CLAP therapy for PJI. MethodsEight patients with PJI (two males and six females, with mean age of 73.5 years [±11.6]) were treated at our department, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. The parameters considered were the classification of PJI, surgical procedure, duration of CLAP, duration of transvenous antibiotic administration, time of CRP-negative status, whether the infection resolved or recurred, and whether there were complications due to CLAP. ResultsInitial surgery included total knee arthroplasty in five cases, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in one case, and total hip arthroplasty in two cases. There were four cases of early postoperative infection, two of acute delayed infection, and two of chronic delayed infection. The surgical procedures performed were two-stage revision for two patients, and debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) for the other six. The mean durations of CLAP and transvenous antibiotic administration were 8.5 (±2.4) and 22.4 days (±13.7), respectively, and the mean time to CRP-negative status was 23.3 days (±10.7). All eight patients successfully resolved without additional irrigation or debridement, and no recurrence was observed at the last follow-up after discontinuation of oral antibiotics. No systemic side effects of gentamicin or other complications associated with CLAP were observed. ConclusionAll patients achieved infection resolution with the combined use of CLAP. This suggests that CLAP is a useful treatment option for PJI.

Developing managed aquifer recharge (MAR) to augment irrigation water resources in the sand and gravel (Crag) aquifer of coastal Suffolk, UK

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) offers a potential innovative solution for addressing groundwater resource issues, enabling excess surface water to be stored underground for later abstraction. Given its favourable hydrogeological properties, the Pliocene sand and gravel (Crag) aquifer in Suffolk, UK, was selected for a demonstration MAR scheme, with the goal of supplying additional summer irrigation water. The recharge source was a 4.6 km drainage channel that discharges to the River Deben estuary. Trialling the scheme in June 2022, 12,262 m3 of source water were recharged to the aquifer over 12 days via a lagoon and an array of 565 m of buried slotted pipes. Groundwater levels were raised by 0.3 m at the centre of the recharge mound with an approximate radius of 250 m, with no detrimental impact on local water features observed. The source water quality remained stable during the trial with a mean chloride concentration (133 mg L−1) below the regulatory requirement (165 mg L−1). The fraction of recharge water mixing with the groundwater ranged from 69% close to the centre and 5% at the boundary of the recharge mound, leading to a reduction in nitrate-N concentration of 23.6 mg L−1 at the centre of the mound. During July–September 2022, 12,301 m3 of recharge water were abstracted from two, 18 m boreholes to supplement surface irrigation reservoirs during drought conditions. However, the hydraulic conductivity of the Crag aquifer (∼10 m day−1) restricted the yield and thereby reduced the economic viability of the scheme. Construction costs for the MAR system were comparatively low but the high costs of data collection and securing regulatory permits brought the overall capital costs to within 18% of an equivalent surface storage reservoir, demonstrating that market-based mechanisms and more streamlined regulatory processes are required to incentivise similar MAR schemes.