Agroecological Farming Research Articles

Combining Genetic Gain and Diversity in Plant Breeding: Heritability of Root Selection in Wheat Populations

To increase the resilience of agroecological farming systems against weeds, pests, and pathogens, evolutionary breeding of diversified crop populations is highly promising. A fundamental challenge in population breeding is to combine effective selection and breeding progress while maintaining intraspecific diversity. A hydroponic system was tested for its suitability to non-destructively select root traits on a population level in order to achieve genetic gain and maintain diversity. Forty wheat progenies were selected for long seminal root length (SRL) and 40 for short SRL from a wheat composite cross population grown in a hydroponic system. Wheat progenies were multiplied, and a subset evaluated again in a hydroponic system. Preliminary tests in soil and competition experiments with a model weed were performed. The hydroponic selection for long SRL led to an increase of SRL by 1.6 cm (11.6%) in a single generation. Heritability for selection of SRL was 0.59. Selecting for short SRL had no effect. The preliminary soil-based test confirmed increased shoot length but not increased SRL. Preliminary competition experiments point to slightly improved competitive response of wheat progenies but no improved competitive effect on mustard. These results indicate a heritable selection effect for SRL on a population level, combining genetic gain and intraspecific diversity.

Reflexive monitoring in action: setting up a monitoring system for learning effectiveness in agroecological farm innovation

ABSTRACT Purpose We defined a methodological framework to monitor and evaluate farmer’s knowledge exchange and learning processes. Our proposed methodology can help farm advisors during the set-up, facilitation and evaluation of interactive activities with farmers, enabling the learning environment for adopting agroecological measures. Approach We used a monitoring approach to monitor and improve learning effectiveness during project activities. We based our monitoring approach on Reflexive Monitoring in Action (RMA) consisting of alternating stages of observation, analysis, reflection and action. We developed a methodological framework combining several theories on learning processes and behavioral change. Theories were translated into practical monitoring tools. Findings We describe the process of installing these monitoring tools. Qualitative data from interviews and a focus group indicate the challenges we encountered when monitoring learning effectiveness and lessons learnt. The conceptual framework of RMA had added value to strengthen collective learning processes and reflexivity. Practical implications Our study offers a methodology to monitor and reflect on learning effectiveness in a multi-actor context. This will support farm advisors in setting up productive learning environments. Theoretical implications Our study reveals additional insights on how to create a learning environment to support the transition to agroecology. Originality/value We translated the conceptual framework of RMA into a methodological framework and implemented it in a real-life setting. By iterative cycles of monitoring, reflection and adaptation, we enable an adaptive learning environment for the implementation of innovative agroecological practices.

Incorporation of the Sociocultural Heritage as an Essential Component in the Emergy Asessment Of Agroecological Systems in the Central Region Of Valle del Cauca-Colombia

In Valle del Cauca, a wide range of agroecological production systems havebeen preserved, withstanding the expansionist onslaught of sugar cane monoculture. The study performed the emergy assessment to three agroecological farms in the municipalities of Andalucia, Sevilla and Buga, incorporating a novel flow of emergy called Sociocultural Heritage (H), which is determinant for the functioning of the agroecological farms in the Colombian context, which includes the contribution of internal family labor given by their permanent residence in the agroecosystem, the family's activity to promote agroecological culture with external actors to the farm, the memory of information, and the appropriation of knowledge. The identity architecture and management of the agrosystem were expressed by the total emergy (U), computing the emergy flows of: renewable natural resources (R), nonrenewable (N), Sociocultural Heritage (H), purchased materials (M), and contrated services (S). The efficiency of agroecological farms, involved inclusive emergetic indices that contain the Sociocultural Heritage (H): Percentage of Sociocultural Heritage (%H), Inclusive Renewability (%RH) and Inclusive Environmental Burden Index (ELRH). The H flow gave results between 6,95 and 42,19 E + 17 sej / year, representing 45,47% and 55,07% of total emergy as %H. The %RH index gave values higher than 91%, indicating that the farms have a high renewability. The ELRH index presented values between 0,05 and 0,09, indicating a low environmental load of agroecological systems and low pressure of agroecological farms on local ecosystems. The results of inclusive emergetic indixes from this study show that agroecological systems are more sustainable in the long term. This would not be so evident with results obtained through an emergy assessment without the inclusion of the H.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Diverse Farm Systems in Tanzania and South Africa

Emerging information on the interactions between the COVID-19 pandemic and global food systems have highlighted how the pandemic is accentuating food crises across Africa. Less clear, however, are how the impacts differ between farming systems. Drawing on 50 key informant interviews with farmers, village leaders and extension officers in South Africa and Tanzania, we identify the effects of COVID-19 and associated measures to curb the spread of the disease on farming production systems, the coping mechanisms adopted by farmers, and explore their longer-term plans for adaptation. We focus on a diverse range of production systems, from small-scale mixed farming systems in Tanzania to large-scale corporate farms in South Africa. Our findings highlight how COVID-19 restrictions have interrupted the supply chains of agricultural inputs and commodities, increasing the storage time for produce, decreasing income and purchasing power, and reducing labour availability. Farmers’ responses were heterogeneous, with highly diverse small-scale farming systems and those less engaged with international markets least affected by the associated COVID-19 measures. Large-scale farmers were most able to access capital to buffer short-term impacts, whereas smaller-scale farms shared labour, diversified to subsistence produce and sold assets. However, compounded shocks, such as recent extreme climate events, limited the available coping options, particularly for smaller-scale and emerging farmers. The study highlights the need to understand the characteristics of farm systems to better equip and support farmers, particularly in contexts of uncertainty. We propose that policy actions should focus on (i) providing temporary relief and social support and protection to financially vulnerable stakeholders, (ii) job assurance for farmworkers and engaging an alternative workforce in farming, (iii) investing in farming infrastructure, such as storage facilities, digital communication tools and extension services, and (iv) supporting diversified agroecological farming systems.

English

Inter cropping which is also known as mixed cropping has ability of increasing usage of nutrient and water efficiently, enhancing crop productivity, and plasticity to abiotic and biotic stress resulted by change in climate. In this agroecological farming method, two or more crops are cultivated together on the same farm area. Cereal with legume is a common combination. Crop selection is not profitable unless characteristics useful in intercrops, such as intercropping in legume and cereal cultivars, are considered. Inter cropping can result in enhanced soil fertility and structure, improved weed suppression, the conservation of soil moisture, and comparatively better control of diseases and pests, resulting greater yield and increased profitability. The biggest benefit of intercropping systems is the fact that they combine above-ground and below-ground benefits: these benefits include both short and tall plant components, which helps them to harness sunlight for photosynthesis, as well as deep and shallow rooted plant components, which assists them in using water and nutrients for crop production. Intercropping is popular in areas of the world including China, Mali, Indonesia, India, Ethiopia, and Niger due to its high growing popularity in agriculture. General & Specific Combining Ability principles in hybrid breeding have been applied for crop combinations and cultivars, and their impacts are recognized as General/ Specific Mixing Ability. The other considerable advantages of intercropping include greater land use efficiency, competitive ability towards weed, favorable exudates from the component legumes, and greater yield stability which cannot be achieved in monocropping. Plant breeding enables intercropping systems to better use their genetic diversity by conducting plant breeding research and harnessing this variability to cross-crop adaptability. High labor inputs in harvesting, higher cost of maintenance and reduction of the main crop are some disadvantages of intercropping.

Amplifying Agroecological Farmer Lighthouses in Contested Territories: Navigating Historical Conditions and Forming New Clusters in Japan

Individual agroecological farms can act as lighthouses to amplify the uptake of agroecological principles and practices by other farmers. Amplification is critical for the upscaling of agroecological production and socio-political projects emphasizing farmer sovereignty and solidarity. However, territories are contested spaces with historical, social, cultural, and economic contexts that can present challenges to the effectiveness of farmer lighthouses in catalyzing localized agrarian change. We explore these amplification dynamics through fieldwork in a particular region of Japan employing interviews and data derived from an assessment of nine farms using ten amplification indicators. The indicators include social organization, participation in networks, community leadership, and degrees of dependency on policies or markets among others, as well as degree of adoption of on-farm agroecological practices, all of which capture farmer lighthouses' potential to amplify territorial upscaling. At the same time, we trace the historical development of a previous generation of Japanese farmer lighthouses practicing organic agriculture in alignment with agroecological principles that experienced, to varying degrees, push-back, co-option, and successful territorialization in rural communities. We find that many of the same social and cultural territorial dynamics are still influential today and affecting the amplifying effect of agroecological farmer lighthouses, but also find examples of new clustering around lighthouses that take advantage of both the historical vestiges of the previous generation's efforts as well as contemporary shifts in practice and agrarian orientation. This research calls for a detailed dissection of the dynamic and contrasting processes of agroecological territorialization and the ways in which diverse contexts shape agroecological upscaling.

How agroecological farming practices reshape cattle farmers’ working conditions

ABSTRACT Concerns for the future of the French livestock sector are growing, amongst others due to the profession’ low attractiveness which is partly related to its difficult working conditions. Agroecology in its search for social sustainability could offer better working conditions to farmers. The objectives of this study are; i) to understand whether expected changes in working conditions are taken into consideration when cattle farmers decide to adopt or not agroecological practices, ii) to study the impact of these practices on their working conditions and ii) to discuss the use of a multidimensional framework to study farmers’ working conditions. A framework addressing seven dimensions known to impact farmers’ working conditions was used to interview 22 French cattle farmers adopting agroecological practices. Improving working conditions was rarely the main motivation of farmers to adopt agroecological practices. Although never completely anticipated, all farmers experienced an impact of the adoption of agroecological practices on their working conditions (e.g. changes in work organization, health or pleasure derived from work). Across farms, all dimensions were impacted but consequences on working conditions were situation specific. The framework allowed a comprehensive understanding, from farmers’ point of view, on how working conditions are constituted and showed that farmers make trade-offs between different dimensions.

The methodological strategies of agroecological research and the values with which they are linked

The characteristic features of some of the methodological strategies adopted in scientific research in agroecology are discussed. They reflect that agroecology, as an approach to scientific research, is inextricably entangled with the other strands of agroecology (farming practice, social movement, political project); and that adopting agroecological strategies, and upholding the values of environmental sustainability, food sovereignty, social justice and democratic participation, mutually reinforce each other. After outlining the kinds of questions that agroecological research addresses so that it can produce knowledge that informs agroecological farming practices and the long term aspiration of agroecological movements to create an alternative agricultural/food system, and then making summary remarks about methodological strategies in general, three characteristic features of some agroecological strategies are introduced and discussed. The paper concludes with comments on the value of agroecological research.

Farm robots: ecological utopia or dystopia?

Farm robots may lead to an ecological utopia where swarms of small robots help in overcoming the yield penalties and labor requirements associated with agroecological farming - or a dystopia with large robots cultivating monocultures. Societal discussions and policy action are needed to harness the potential of robots to serve people and the planet.

Correction to: Livestock farmers’ working conditions in agroecological farming systems. A review

Correction to: Livestock farmers’ working conditions in agroecological farming systems. A review

Food sovereignty and property in Cuba and the United States

ABSTRACT Food sovereignty promotes agroecological farming methods and the reduction of food insecurity through changing political relations between people, land and food policy. Market orientations to land and private property in liberal democracies restrict access to food, and thus for food sovereigntists, reframing the social relationship to land through property is key to making food more available. This paper examines the case of usufruct land rights in Cuba as a framework for reworking land rights. We identify key limitations that impair producer autonomy, suggesting how different orientations toward property present unique problems and potential solutions towards the goal of food sovereignty.

Toward sustainability of local development in rural areas: New alternative productive scenarios in General Pueyrredon District, Argentina

ABSTRACT Argentine intensive and extensive agricultures industry has stood out in recent decades for its accelerated expansion processes linked to the technology package. In this context, there is a growing consensus, among different social and institutional actors, on the need to find sustainable productive alternatives. Some proposals, such as “sustainable agriculture”, “organic agriculture” or “agroecological agriculture”, provide ideas to contribute to local development, promoting harmonious relations between social actors and nature. This article explores alternative proposals for extensive agricultural and horticultural farming in the district of General Pueyrredon, Buenos Aires, Argentina, inquiring about the continuities, controversies and conflicts generated by its coexistence. Previous research was collected and semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants and farmers. The “alternative” proposals promote the maintenance of ecological foundations, the well-being of society and individual and collective peace. The development of solutions meets some proposals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030.

The ties that bind? Agroecology and the agrarian question in the twenty-first century

ABSTRACT This paper argues, firstly, that the notion that a resolution of the agrarian question requires the dissolution of small-scale farming is not what Marx thought. It argues, secondly, that extractivist capitalist agriculture is not developing the productive forces. It argues, thirdly, that contemporary agroecological farming is a knowledge-intensive form of production that can maximize the productivity of energy flows, which are central to the productive forces. Cumulatively, it is suggested, the terms and conditions by which the contemporary agrarian question can be resolved is through an agroecological agrarian transition.

Effects of application of plant growth promoters, biological control agents and microbial soil additives on photosynthetic efficiency, canopy vegetation indices and yield of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

ABSTRACT Microbial soil additives and plant biostimulants contain substances and microorganisms that can enhance stress tolerance in plants and increase the yield and quality of the crop. The interest in such inputs for sustainable and agroecological farming systems has led to the development of a range of products. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of some microbial soil additives (MSADs), plant growth promoters (PGPs) and biological control agents (BCAs) on photosynthetic efficiency, canopy vegetation indices and yield of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), an under-utilised nutraceutical crop. The study showed that soaking the seeds in the BCAs Pythium oligandrum and Bacillus subtilis, on their own, had significant effects on the yield of the buckwheat. Increases in chlorophyll a fluorescence indices were observed in plants grown from seeds soaked in a solution containing P. oligandrum (ET0/RC) and also in soil treated with the MSAD UG Max (ABS/RC, TR0/RC). Treatment with either of the two MSADs also increased the normalised differential vegetation index (NDVI). Soaking the seeds in PGPs combined with BCAs affected only the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters, whereas the combined treatment of spraying the plants with PGPs and treating the soil with MSADs affected not only the chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (FV/FM, ET0/RC, DI0/RC), but also indicated a tendency for a decrease in the leaf area index (LAI) (p = 0.058) and the NDVI (p = 0.186). The correlations between grain yield, chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and vegetation indices of the canopy were discussed.

Intercropping in Rice Farming under the System of Rice Intensification—An Agroecological Strategy for Weed Control, Better Yield, Increased Returns, and Social–Ecological Sustainability

Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population. In South Asia, rice farming systems provide food to the majority of the population, and agriculture is a primary source of livelihood. With the demand for nutritious food increasing, introducing innovative strategies in farming systems is imperative. In this regard, intensification of rice farming is intricately linked with the challenges of water scarcity, soil degradation, and the vagaries of climate change. Agroecological farming systems like the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) have been proposed as water-saving and sustainable ways of food production. This study examines the effect of intercropping beans with rice under SRI management on the growth of weeds and on the different plant growth parameters. Intercropping led to a 65% decrease in weed infestation on average, which is important given that weed infestation is stated as a criticism of SRI in some circles and is a major factor in limiting yield in rice-producing regions. In addition to the water savings of about 40% due to the SRI methodology, the innovation led to an increase in rice yield by 33% and an increase in the net income of farmers by 57% compared to the conventional rice farming method. The results indicate that intercropping can be a positive addition to the rice farming system, hence contributing to social–ecological sustainability.

The Potent Reliant of Agro-ecological Farming: A Review

ABSTRACT Agro-ecological farming and conventional farming are two methods to food production. The word ‘agro-ecological farming’ refers to a diversity of agricultural methods that seek to provide food by using available natural and local resources rather than off-farm inputs that is sustainable, socially and environmentally acceptable. Recent debate about the advantages of agro-ecological farming over conventional systems has centred on each method’s capability to increase output in the background of several and diverse biophysical and social limitations. An appraisal of the literature suggests that agro-ecological farming can offer some benefits to small-scale farmers, but that precise methods must be tailored to soil-climatic conditions, local climate, labour availability, training as well as organic inputs availability.

Collective design of innovative agroecological cropping systems for the industrial vegetable sector

CONTEXTThere is an urgent need to reduce the use of phytosanitary products in industrial vegetables due to environmental and health concerns. However, as in many industrial sectors, vegetables production is characterised by strong constraints related to the expectations of consumers, the profitability of distributors and the processing steps of industrial companies. These constraints impact farming systems through the elaboration of production contracts that hamper innovation and reduce farmers' latitude to evolve toward agroecology. OBJECTIVEThis study was initiated by a French distributor of frozen products, and aimed to create innovative agroeocological cropping systems by circumventing lock-ins of the sector thanks to a co-design methodology. METHODSAn existing methodology of innovative cropping systems design for fresh vegetable crops was adapted to the context of industrial production, considering the 3-year deadline granted to the project. Four farmers were involved, who were part of a working group consisting of a distributor, a processing company, a cooperative and a research team, all involved in the production of frozen vegetables. Four cropping systems were designed, consisting in combinations of agroecological farming practices, and tested on farm for two years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSFarmers reduced their Treatment Frequency Index by 15% on average, thanks to the combination of a wide range of agroecological farming practices. A multi-criteria analysis showed that there was no clear improvement in overall cropping system sustainability, due to economic weaknesses. Although these results were somewhat disappointing, especially with respect to the expectations of public policies, they represent a significant progress given the difficulty to reduce the use of chemical pesticides in industrial systems. Farmers underlined the importance of economic security but were nevertheless highly motivated to continue the transformation of their systems, and the working group collectively approved the methodology. Four methodological aspects are discussed, identified as key elements for consideration in this type of study: farm system scale, collective work, farm system flexibility, and farm system uniqueness. Based on these principles, the working group decided to extend the study to a larger scale, with the aim of recruiting more farmers from the sector. SIGNIFICANCEThis study shows that making cropping systems with industrial vegetables evolve toward agroecology is possible thanks to a co-design methodology. In the long term, such initiatives could support the transition of the whole agrifood system toward the production of healthier products, reducing negative environmental impacts of cropping systems.

Current Status and Prospect of Halotolerant Biofilm PGPR (Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria) as Bioagent to Increase Crops Growth on Saline Soils

Intensive crops farrmings Indonesia is higly depend on inorganic fertilizers and other agrochemical product that contribute to acceleration of land and environment degradation. Effort to alleviate the problems can be done by adopting the agro ecological agriculture approach that relies on environmentally friendly biofertilzers. This article is aimed to inventarize, review the current status and to promote the prospect of biofilm biofertilizer (BB) for improving the soil health and increasing the productivity of crops under salin Ecosystem. The research method was done by tracking, collecting and analyzing the secondary data from international journal and other reputable references. The reviewed results revealed that BB was introduced in and now is gaining more attention internationally. The beneficial microbes of BB are belong to group of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. The application of BB has shown the prospective in increasing the fertilizers efficiency and crops productivity on different agricultural soils. The growth of the crops were increased by root length by 57% and significant increases in dry biomass in roots, shoots, and spike by 92.3%, 40.7%, and 69.2 %. This study concludes that BB is highly prospective as a new era of biofertilizers for increasing the crops growth under saline soils.

Evidence for soil pesticide contamination of an agroecological farm from a neighboring chemical-based production system

The global chemical-based agriculture (CBA) production system brought social and environmental consequences such as the contamination of soils, waters, bottom sediments and food, as well as negative effects on non-target species. As an alternative, a new paradigm emerged: agroecology-based agriculture (ABA), based on ecosystem services and the reduction of chemical inputs. More and more establishments have adopted this form of production; however, they are located next to crops to which pesticides are applied. The objective of this work was to study, through the spatio-temporal characterizations of pesticides in soils, how an ABA production system can be affected by the CBA fields around it. Two sampling campaigns were conducted and soil samples were obtained from "La Aurora", an agricultural establishment located in the Argentine pampa and recognized by the FAO for its agroecological practices, and from neighboring fields with CBA productions. The samples were tested for 19 herbicides (including 3 metabolites) and 3 fungicides by UPLC-MS/MS, of which we detected glyphosate and its metabolite AMPA, 2,4-D, atrazine, acetochlor, metsulfuron-methyl, desethyl-atrazine, epoxiconazole, and tebuconazole. Three or more pesticides co-occurred in 93% and 32% of the CBA and ABA samples, respectively. Glyphosate and AMPA, with the highest detection frequency, also accounted for 90% of the total pesticide load in both systems. The maximum concentrations (μg kg−1 dry weight) in the CBA/ABA fields, respectively, were glyphosate (1268.92/98.93), AMPA (2919.17/114.01), followed by 2,4-D (38.52/31.12), and epoxiconazole (13.35/18.41). No significant temporal differences were found in glyphosate concentration within each establishment, corroborating its pseudo-persistence in CBA establishments, and establishing it in ABA field. Moreover, glyphosate was found in the ABA field more than 300 m from the limit with the CBA fields. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations are in the order of those reported to cause sublethal and lethal effects in soil organisms. These results highlight the mobility of pesticides, as the ABA establishment is affected by its surroundings where pesticides are used, even at sites far from the interface between them. Given their higher detection frequencies and environmental concentrations in comparison to the other pesticides, glyphosate and AMPA are proposed as environmental tracers of conventional agroproductive activities.

People, nature and large herbivores in a shared landscape: A mixed‐method study of the ecological and social outcomes from agriculture and conservation

Abstract In this exploratory study, we employ an interdisciplinary approach to explore potential synergies and trade‐offs between the needs of people and nature in the context of agroecological farming and nature conservation. Ecological field studies and management surveys from six sites were combined with a participatory‐deliberative appraisal exercise using the Multi‐Criteria Mapping (MCM) method. All six study sites and all four land use options in the appraisal were characterised by the use of large herbivores for agricultural and/or conservation purposes, to varying degrees, and were located in South‐East England. MCM participants identified habitat and species diversity, soil health, food production, provision of education and recreational access, as the principal benefits associated with successful management of such sites. Taken overall, their appraisals indicated that a combination of land uses may be best suited to delivering these diverse benefits, but with agroecological (While organic and biodynamic agriculture are subject to legal definition, agroecology offers a more flexible approach and can be viewed as ‘a development pathway from input‐intensive industrial systems through to highly sustainable, ecological systems’—see Laughton, R. (2017) ‘A Matter of Scale’, Land Workers Alliance and Centre for Agroecology, Coventry University) farming being perceived as a particularly effective multi‐purpose option. Five of the six sites were used for recreational purposes, and in total we recorded five times more humans than wild mammals. Ecological data from the sites indicated that the most conservation‐oriented sites performed best in terms of species richness and activity (birds, mammals, bats and invertebrates) and number of species of conservation concern. However, beta diversity metrics indicated important variation in the species assemblages recorded within and between sites. Whereas both agroecological farms in our study produced the greatest weight of saleable meat per unit area, the site that produced the most meat also demonstrated consistently strong performance across many biodiversity metrics. Overall, expert perspectives and the performance of our study sites suggests that combinations of diverse approaches to the management of large herbivores, within a ‘wildlife‐friendly’ envelope, are consistent with providing for the diverse needs of people and nature within shared landscapes. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.