Conventional Agricultural Practices Research Articles

Changing pasture management practices on the Greek island of Samothraki: Obstacles and opportunities

ContextOn the Greek island of Samothraki, decades of overgrazing by the large domestic population of small ruminants accelerated soil degradation and surface erosion, with direct consequences for ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services. ObjectiveThis manuscript reports on a 5-year research project to achieve more sustainable pasture management practices among small ruminant farmers on the island, through the introduction of Sown Biodiverse Pastures (SBP). This practice, based on sowing a seed mixture of legumes and grasses that increase pasture productivity, has proven to be a successful tool to overcome degradation of ruminant pastures in Portugal. MethodsLocal small ruminant farmers on Samothraki, a difficult group when it comes to the acceptance of new practices and ideas, were engaged in the transdisciplinary research process, and trained in appropriate management practices of SBP. This led to the adoption and implementation of SBP by nine farmers on 13 parcels. Results and conclusionsQuantitative data on species composition and productivity shows that the performance and persistence of SBP on Samothraki is favourable, if soil preparation and sowing is practiced as recommended, and relevant management practices are adopted. Comparing with conventional agricultural practices, i.e. annual crop – fallow rotation, productivity in SBP outperformed the forage quantity in fallow land, while yield in the annual crop was approximately equal as compared to SBP. The increasing forage capacity of SBP instigates several environmental and economic benefits, such as a reduction of grazing pressure in vulnerable areas, and less expenditure on supplementary feed requirements. However, lack of will and trust in these new practices and seed mixtures among local farmers resulted in discontinuation in almost half of the parcels. The adoption of new management practices by the farming community on Samothraki required continuous efforts, and the short-term framework of the research project did not favour long-term success. SignificanceIt is recommended for any programs aiming at changing farming practices to engage with local stakeholders, especially farmers, and to closely collaborate with local institutional partners who can carry the work forward after scientific researchers have left.

Method and System for Predicting Crop Yields and Recommending Fertilizers using Machine Learning Algorithms

In the recent years ensuring food security plays a major role in the agricultural sector and contributing towards the nations growth. This paper presents a communal system that makes use of elegant machine learning techniques and models to forecast accurate yield of the selected crop and advocates the felicitous fertiliser. By exploiting the agricultural datasets, our system employs the Extra Trees Regressor trees which helps for the prediction of the yield and to analyse the most recommendable fertilizer it makes use of the Gaussian Naïve Bayes algorithm. This dormant system provides the us with powerful insights. Our sight is to reshape the conventional agricultural practices with the help of these powerful insights to redefine the farming practices and to increase the productivity, therefore ensuring the legitimate agricultural practices.

Unveiling the Potential Scope of Nanoparticles in the Current Era of Crop Productivity

Nanotechnology, a revolutionary field encompassing the manipulation of matter on an atomic or molecular scale, holds immense potential for upgrading wide areas, including agriculture. Understanding the scope of nanotechnology, researchers have directed their focus towards addressing the challenges in agriculture and enhancing crop productivity. Nanoparticles offer unique properties, including high surface area and reactivity, that can be harnessed to optimize nutrient delivery, mitigate soil toxicity, and enhance plant growth. Various studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of nanoparticles in increasing crop yields, improving nutrient uptake efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts associated with conventional agricultural practices with sustainable agriculture. Nanotechnology overcomes various challenges encountered in traditional agricultural practices including limited availability of nutrients in the soil, inefficient nutrient uptake by plants, soil degradation, and environmental pollution by providing targeted nutrient delivery, improving nutrient absorption, and mitigating environmental impacts. Also, nanoparticle interactions with plants and microbes and strengthening symbiotic relationships by providing active nutrient supplies to microbes. Furthermore, nanoparticles can improve soil structure and fertility by reducing compaction, increasing water retention, and enhancing soil aggregation. These improvements in soil quality not only benefit crop growth but also contribute to sustainable land management practices.This review paper provides an overview of the current research landscape in the application of nanoparticles in agriculture, highlighting key findings, challenges, and future prospects. By leveraging the principles of nanotechnology, agricultural scientists and practitioners aim to revolutionize crop production, meet the needs of farmers, and ensure food security in the face of evolving environmental and socio-economic challenges.

Accounting of carbon sequestration and tradeoff under various climatic scenarios in alternative agricultural system: a comprehensive framework toward carbon neutrality

IntroductionThe increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration, which mainly is attributed to fossil-fuel combustion and deforestation, is often suggested as one of the prime causative factors toward accelerated global warming. This commends for sequestration of atmospheric carbon under terrestrial systems to partially offset fossil-fuel emissions. Concerning the same, agricultural sector presents an extensive opportunity, especially for countries such as India where over 55% of the population is engaged in the agriculture sector.MethodsSequestering atmospheric carbon in agriculture requires the adoption of climate-resilient alternative agriculture practices without compromising food security. The deliberated study highlights the options of alteration in current conventional farming practices and its economic evaluation for sequestrating carbon under two Climate Change (CC) scenarios, viz., RCP 4.5 and 8.5, over three temporal scales, i.e., 2020, 2030, and 2050. Considering the current land-use pattern and existing growth rate in land-use shifting, three land-use policies, namely, Business as Usual (BaU), Optimistic, and Pessimistic scenario, integrated with CC scenarios were contemplated. Six possible futuristic scenarios were generated for the assessment of carbon sequestration and its valuation following the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoff (InVEST) model.ResultsThe results suggested that across the studied region adopting an optimistic policy over BaU and pessimistic scenario, carbon can sequestrate an additional 0.64 to 1.46 Mt. (2.35 to 5.36 million ton CO2e) having an economic value of 193.4 to 504.8 million USD.ResultsMoreover, the outcomes of the study are advocated for the policy of carbon credit in the agriculture sector, which shall contribute toward meeting various nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) as well.

Ragi Pest Control

The rise of global population has put increasing pressure on the agriculture industry to meet the demand for food. However, the growing use of pesticides and insecticides in conventional farming practices has caused significant harm to the environment and human health. Thus, there is a growing interest in using sustainable agriculture practices that reduce the use of these harmful chemicals. One such practice is pest detection, which enables farmers to detect pests in their crops before they cause significant damage. In this context, this project aims to develop a pest detection system using IoT and Arduino. The system will be designed to detect pests in crops through a combination of sensors and machine learning algorithms. The system will consist of an Arduino microcontroller, soil moisture sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, infrared sensors or camera modules, and a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module. The sensors will collect data on soil moisture levels, temperature, humidity, and pest activity. The data will be sent to a cloud-based server or database for analysis and visualization. The infrared sensor or camera module will detect the presence of pests in the crops. The system will use machine learning algorithms to distinguish between pests and other objects, such as leaves or debris. When pests are detected, the system will alert the farmer through a buzzer or LED connected to the Arduino board. The farmer can then take appropriate action, such as applying pesticide or removing infested plants. The pest detection system has the potential to reduce the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides in agriculture, as farmers will be able to identify pests before they cause significant damage. The system will also provide farmers with real-time information on pest activity, enabling them to take proactive measures to control pests and reduce crop damage. Additionally, the system can track and store the pest detection data over time, allowing farmers to monitor trends and patterns in pest activity. In conclusion, this project proposes the development of a pest detection system using IoT and Arduino that will enable farmers to monitor pest activity in their crops in real-time. The system has the potential to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture and improve crop yield while ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Evaluating the effects of mefenoxam on taxonomic and functional dynamics of nontarget fungal communities during carrot cultivation

Ridomil Gold SL (45.3% a.i. mefenoxam) is a widely used chemical fungicide for the control of oomycetes. However, its impact on fungal communities remains unexplored. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the effects of mefenoxam on the temporal dynamics of fungal taxonomic and functional diversities during carrot cultivation under four treatment groups: mefenoxam application with and without Pythium inoculation, and untreated control groups with and without Pythium inoculation. Our in vitro sensitivity assay showed that the maximum recommended concentration of mefenoxam, 0.24 ppm, did not suppress the mycelial growth of P. irregulare. At 100 ppm, mycelial growth was only reduced by 11.4%, indicating that the isolate was resistant to mefenoxam. MiSeq sequencing data revealed transient taxonomic variations among treatments 2 weeks post-treatment. Mortierella dominated the fungal community in the mefenoxam-Pythium combination treatment, as confirmed through PCR using our newly designed Mortierella-specific primers. Conversely, mefenoxam-Pythium combination had adverse effects on Penicillium, Trichoderma, and Fusarium, and decrease the overall alpha diversity. However, these compositional changes gradually reverted to those observed in the control by the 12th week. The predicted ecological functions of fungal communities in all Pythium and mefenoxam treatments shifted, leading to a decrease in symbiotrophs and plant pathogen functional groups. Moreover, the community-level physiological profiling approach, utilizing 96-well Biolog FF microplates, showed discernible variations in the utilization of 95 diverse carbon sources among the treatments. Notably, arbutin, l-arabinose, Tween 80, and succinamic acid demonstrated a strong positive association with Mortierella. Our findings demonstrate that a single application of mefenoxam at its recommended rate triggers substantial taxonomic and functional shifts in the soil fungal community. Considering this impact, the conventional agricultural practice of repeated mefenoxam application is likely to exert considerable shifts on the soil ecosystem that may affect agricultural sustainability.

Reimagining Agriculture :The Rise of Precision Farming

Precision farming is similar to applying extremely intelligent crop-growing methods. Precision farming approaches a field piece by piece rather than handling the field as a whole. It calculates precisely what each region requires to yield the finest crops possible using sophisticated technology and data. This implies that farmers may make very informed choices about things like the amount of water, fertiliser, or pesticides to apply in certain areas. Why does this matter? Given the growing population, farming needs to become increasingly efficient. We're also running out of clean water and productive farmland. All of it is made possible by precision farming, which increases yield while reducing waste. Additionally, it aids farmers in overcoming by providing them with current information on what's going on in their fields, they may avoid issues like bugs or bad weather. Precision farming benefits farmers by increasing food production and preserving the environment. It maintains our air, water, and soil cleaner by utilising less chemicals and only what is actually necessary. It also contributes to the health of natural regions and wildlife. Precision farming reduces agriculture's ecological imprint, which benefits the environment in addition to its agronomic advantages. Precision farming helps reduce soil erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional farming practices by minimising the use of agrochemicals and optimising resource utilisation. Furthermore, precision farming contributes to the long-term sustainability of rural communities and agricultural landscapes by fostering biodiversity and ecosystem health. To sum up, precision farming offers a comprehensive solution to the many problems of feeding an expanding population and protecting the environment. It is a paradigm change in agricultural production. Precision farming has the potential to make agriculture a more resilient, effective, and sustainable industry by utilising technology, data, and innovation. The sections of this paper that follow will explore the literature on precision farming, looking at important developments, patterns, and directions for this rapidly evolving industry.

Forgotten Gems: Exploring the Untapped Benefits of Underutilized Legumes in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Environmental Sustainability.

In an era dominated by conventional agricultural practices, underutilized legumes termed "Forgotten Gems" represent a reservoir of untapped benefits with the unique opportunity to diversify agricultural landscapes and enhance global food systems. Underutilized crops are resistant to abiotic environmental conditions such as drought and adapt better to harsh soil and climatic conditions. Underutilized legumes are high in protein and secondary metabolites, highlighting their role in providing critical nutrients and correcting nutritional inadequacies. Their ability to increase dietary variety and food security emerges as a critical component of their importance. Compared to mainstream crops, underutilized legumes have been shown to reduce the environmental impact of climate change. Their capacity for nitrogen fixation and positive impact on soil health make them sustainable contributors to biodiversity conservation and environmental balance. This paper identifies challenges and proposes strategic solutions, showcasing the transformative impact of underutilized legumes on agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability. These "Forgotten Gems" should be recognized, integrated into mainstream agricultural practices, and celebrated for their potential to revolutionize global food production while promoting environmental sustainability.

Organic fertilizer substituting 20% chemical N increases wheat productivity and soil fertility but reduces soil nitrate-N residue in drought-prone regions.

Organic fertilizer substitution is an effective measure for increasing both the quantity and quality of wheat grain while reducing chemical fertilizer input. However, the effects of reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer substitution on grain yield, grain protein content and protein yield, plant N accumulation and translocation, N use efficiency, soil fertility, N apparent surplus and nitrate-N residue in rain-fed drought-prone areas remains limited. In this study, field experiments were conducted over four consecutive seasons (2019-2023) at two sites with four treatments: zero N application (ZN), farmer N application (FN), reduced 20% N of FN (RN), and organic fertilizer substituting 20% N of RN (OSN). The results showed that compared with the ZN treatment, the FN, RN and OSN treatments increased grain yield and its components, grain protein content and protein yield, aboveground N accumulation at the anthesis and maturity stages, pre-anthesis N translocation, post-anthesis N accumulation, N use efficiency, soil fertility. Compared with RN and FN, OSN increased grain yield by 17.12% and 15.03%, grain protein yield by 3.31% and 17.15%, grain N accumulation by 17.78% and 15.58%, and N harvest index by 2.63% and 4.45% averaged across years and sites, respectively. Moreover, OSN increased the contents of organic matter, total N, available P and available K in both 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layers, decreased N apparent surplus and nitrate-N residue in 0-100 cm, and pH in both 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil layer. Fundamentally, this study suggests that integrating a 20% reduction N from conventional farmer practices with the utilization of organic fertilizer to replace 20% of the chemical N fertilizer (OSN) represents an effective strategy. This approach shows promise in enhancing wheat grain yield, grain protein yield, and N use efficiency. Additionally, it supports the improvement of soil fertility while simultaneously reducing soil nitrate-N residues and the apparent surplus of N in rain-fed drought-prone regions.

Impact of regenerative farming practices on soil quality and yield of cotton-sorghum system in semi arid Indian conditions.

Regenerative agricultural practices, i.e. organic and natural farming, are rooted in India since ancient times. However, the high cost of production, lack of organic pest control measures and premium price of organic produces in chemical agriculture encourage natural farming. In the present study, the quality improvement of calcareous soils under organic (OGF) and natural (NTF) management was compared with integrated conventional (ICF) and non-invasive (NIF) farming practices with cotton-sorghum crops over three consecutive years. A total of 23 soil attributes were analyzed at the end of the third cropping cycle and subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to select a minimum data set (MDS) and obtain a soil quality index (SQI). The attributes soil organic carbon (SOC), available Fe, pH, bulk density (BD) and alkaline phosphatase (APA) were selected as indicators based on correlations and expert opinions on the lime content of the experimental soil. The SQI was improved in the order of OGF (0.89) > NTF(0.69) > ICF(0.48) > NIF(0.05). The contribution of the indicators to SQI was in the order of available Fe (17-44%) > SOC (21-28%), APA (11-36%) > pH (0-22%), and BD (0-20%) regardless of the farming practices. These indicators contribute equally to soil quality under natural (17-22%) and organic (18-22%) farming. The benefit:cost ratio was calculated to show the advantage of natural farming and was in the order of NTF(1.95-2.29), ICF (1.34-1.47), OGF (1.13-1.20) and NIF (0.84-1.47). In overall, the natural farming significantly sustained the soil quality and cost benefit compared to integrated conventional farming practices.

An assessment of Organic and Conventional Farming Practices for Yield, Pest Management and Soil Health

This study contrasts and compares conventional and organic farming. The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness and impact of each practice before deciding on the best crop-growing approach. Despite their agricultural systems can be categorized as conventional or sustainable depending on the techniques employed. Organic farming which cultivates a range of crops without the use of synthetic manures, the agricultural method that is most sustainable. While producing enough food, organic farming improves soil composition and supports biodiversity by relying on ecosystem services. The review compares the long-term effects of conventional and alternative organic farming practices on yield in which in short term organic yields were found to be 19.2% lower than conventional yield while in long term yields were lower in conventional systems by 31% and 50%, respectively, due to the long-term improvement in soil health. In soil health point of view long term practices of organic farming improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil by increase soil carbon stock by 12 %, more nutrient release and microbial activity. Pest management is effectively controlled by crop rotation, increase beneficial population of pest in organic farming which reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides and maintain the sustainability of soil health and ecology. As a result, organic farming methods are being evaluated in a large number of research worldwide as an alternative due to their better physical, chemical and biological qualities than conventional farming methods.

Sustainable basmati rice yield and quality enhancement through long-term organic nutrient management in the Indo-Gangetic Plains

Context or problemThe extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture, particularly since the green revolution, has led to profound consequences for agricultural ecosystems. This approach, while initially boosting yields, has disrupted soil health, biodiversity, and environmental balance. Moreover, it contributes silently to global climate change by releasing greenhouse gases. These challenges underscore the urgent need for a shift towards sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard soil health, biodiversity, and human nutrition while mitigating the impacts of climate change. Objective or research questionThe primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of the long-term (seventeen years) application of organic nutrient management on the physicochemical properties of basmati rice soil and its nutritional quality. The study aims to understand the effectiveness of different organic nutrient management practices in mitigating the negative consequences associated with conventional agricultural practices. MethodsThe experiment used a strip-plot design with three replications, assigning two cropping systems (basmati rice-wheat-green gram and basmati rice-wheat-sesbania) to vertical strips. Seven nutrient management practices, including control, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, farmyard manure + crop residues, vermicompost + crop residues, farmyard manure + crop residues + biofertilizers, and vermicompost + crop residues + biofertilizers [nitrogen-fixing Azospirillum, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB), and a cellulolytic culture (Aspergillus awamori, Trichoderma viride, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Aspergillus wululens)] were applied to the horizontal strips. ResultsThe findings show that the cropping system with sesbania green manure significantly improved soil physicochemical attributes, nutritional content, and basmati rice yield compared to the green gram-based system. Continued application of organic manures, crop residues, and biofertilizers notably enhanced soil fertility, grain quality, and basmati rice productivity. The combined use of vermicompost, wheat residue, biofertilizers, and sesbania green manure treatment increased organic carbon content by 78.7% over the control, and soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium by 38.3–54.9%, 57.6–143.8%, and 27.9–64.1%, respectively. Additionally, it augmented diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid extractable iron, zinc, manganese, and copper content by up to 44.2%, 28.5%, 57.9%, and 71.0%, respectively. Co-application of the above organic sources also significantly enhanced grain and straw yields by 74.5–80.1% and 46.1–50.0%, respectively, compared to the control. ConclusionsEnhancing Basmati rice yield and quality in the Indo-Gangetic Plains can be sustainably achieved through sesbania green manuring and organic practices. Positive correlations with key soil parameters emphasize the significance of organic farming for long-term sustainability. Implications and significanceThe study suggests that adopting organic practices, including sesbania green manuring and combining organic inputs, can alleviate the adverse effects of conventional farming on soil health, biodiversity, and climate change. This aligns with the broader goal of establishing sustainable production and consumption in basmati rice-based cropping systems.

Expected effects of climate change on the soil organic matter content related to contrasting agricultural management practices based on a crop model ensemble for locations in Czechia

The organic matter stored in soils is a major carbon pool with fundamental importance for the global atmospheric carbon balance. Its decomposition contributes not only to the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere but also to the release of minerals that serve as nutrients for plants growing in these soils. SOC is an indicator of soil fertility, reflecting the influences of agricultural practices on this property. Using crop models, the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) can be simulated under the assumption of different climate scenarios and different agricultural practices. The conventional agricultural practice in Czechia includes short crop rotations of mainly cereals and oil-seed rape, mineral fertilisation and removal of crop residues for technical and energy use. However, the conventional approach is often associated with soil degradation and constant depletion of soil carbon stocks. Based on the standard crop rotation method, we compared the conventional practice (CR1) to an alternative practice (CR2), in which more effort is made towards stabilising soil carbon stocks by including cover crops in the rotation, organic fertilizers and leaving crop residues in the field. We used an ensemble of crop models (APSIM, DAISY, DSSAT, HERMES, and MONICA) to assess the carbon loss from two typical agricultural soils (Chernozem and Cambisol) at three locations in Czechia under current and future climate conditions (RCP 8.5, as represented by five global climate models). The ensemble simulations revealed that using CR2 could lead to an average increase in the SOC content by 15.427 kg/ha for Chernozem and 12.624 kg/ha for Cambisol until 2080. With the use of CR1 the SOC values on average decreased by 34.462 kg/ha for Chernozem and 24.096 kg/ha for Cambisol until 2080. The 1990 value was taken as the SOC reference level. Furthermore, both the increase (CR2) and decrease (CR1) amounts SOC stabilised after 2050. As such, even at the cost of high levels of nitrogen fertilisation and the associated risk of nitrogen leaching (CR2), the additional carbon that can be stored in soils is limited. The differences due to the different climate models are negligible in the case of CR1, while in the case of CR2, the different climate scenarios (baseline vs. future) yielded different SOC equilibrium levels, with a lower level (by 4.400 kg/ha on average) under the RCP 8.5 scenario for both soils. The results showed that carbon can be sequestered by increasing organic inputs. The crop models predicted that CR2 could lead to a higher SOC content, which occurs at the cost of high manure application levels and increased risk of nitrogen leaching.

The stress history of soil bacteria under organic farming enhances the growth of wheat seedlings.

The effects of stress factors associated with climate change and agricultural management practices on microorganisms are often studied separately, and it remains to be determined how these factors impact the soil microbiome and, subsequently, plant growth characteristics. The aim of this study was to understand how the historical climate and agriculture to which soil microbes have been exposed can influence the growth characteristics of wheat seedlings and their associated bacterial communities. We collected soil from organic and conventional fields with different histories of climate conditions to extract microbes to inoculate wheat seeds under agar-based cultivation conditions. Within a growth period of 8 days, we monitored germination rates and time as well as seedling above-ground biomass and their associated bacterial communities. The results showed a positive interaction between conventional farming practices and an ambient climate for faster and higher germination rates. We demonstrate that soil microbial extracts from organic farming with experience of the future climate significantly enhanced above-ground biomass along with the diversity of bacterial communities associated with seedlings than other treatments. Such findings support the idea that organic agricultural practices not only mitigate the adverse effects of climate change but also promote the diversity of seedling-associated bacteria.

Nanotechnology in agriculture: A solution to global food insecurity in a changing climate?

Although the Green Revolution dramatically increased food production, it led to non- sustainable conventional agricultural practices, with productivity in general declining over the last few decades. Maintaining food security with a world population exceeding 9 billion in 2050, a changing climate, and declining arable land will be exceptionally challenging. In fact, nothing short of a revolution in how we grow, distribute, store, and consume food is needed. In the last ten years, the field of nanotoxicology in plant systems has largely transitioned to one of sustainable nano-enabled applications, with recent discoveries on the use of this advanced technology in agriculture showing tremendous promise. The range of applications is quite extensive, including direct application of nanoscale nutrients for improved plant health, nutrient biofortification, increased photosynthetic output, and greater rates of nitrogen fixation. Other applications include nano-facilitated delivery of both fertilizers and pesticides; nano-enabled delivery of genetic material for gene silencing against viral pathogens and insect pests; and nanoscale sensors to support precision agriculture. Recent efforts have demonstrated that nanoscale strategies increase tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stressors, offering realistic potential to generate climate resilient crops. Considering the efficiency of nanoscale materials, there is a need to make their production more economical, alongside efficient use of incumbent resources such as water and energy. The hallmark of many of these approaches involves much greater impact with far less input of material. However, demonstrations of efficacy at field scale are still insufficient in the literature, and a thorough understanding of mechanisms of action is both necessary and often not evident. Although nanotechnology holds great promise for combating global food insecurity, there are far more ways to do this poorly than safely and effectively. This review summarizes recent work in this space, calling out existing knowledge gaps and suggesting strategies to alleviate those concerns to advance the field of sustainable nano-enabled agriculture.

A Comprehensive Review on Harvesting Abundance: Exploring the Tools and Techniques of Zero Budget Natural Farming

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is an innovative and sustainable agricultural paradigm that redefines conventional farming practices. Pioneered by Subhash Palekar, ZBNF promotes a harmonious coexistence with nature by minimizing external inputs and eliminating the use of synthetic chemicals. The approach is rooted in indigenous wisdom, emphasizing the use of locally available resources and traditional farming techniques. Through the judicious application of inputs such as Jeevamrut and Bijamrita, ZBNF aims to enhance soil fertility and plant resilience. ZBNF advocates crop diversification, cover cropping, and agroforestry, fostering biodiversity and mitigating the risks associated with monoculture. The method encourages farmers to adopt natural pest management strategies, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. One of the distinctive features is its "zero budget" approach, wherein farmers aim to meet their agricultural needs without incurring additional costs. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern ecological principles, ZBNF stands as a promising model for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, addressing global concerns about environmental impact and food security.

Biofertilizer and biocontrol properties of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM emphasize its potential application for sustainable agriculture.

Microbial biofertilizers or biocontrol agents are potential sustainable approaches to overcome the limitations of conventional agricultural practice. However, the limited catalog of microbial candidates for diversified crops creates hurdles in successfully implementing sustainable agriculture for increasing global/local populations. The present study aimed to explore the wheat rhizosphere microbiota for microbial strains with a biofertilizer and biocontrol potential. Using a microbial culturing-based approach, 12 unique microbial isolates were identified and screened for biofertilizer/biocontrol potential using genomics and physiological experimentations. Molecular, physiological, and phylogenetic characterization identified Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM as a potential microbial candidate for sustainable agriculture. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM was identified as a coccus-shaped gram-negative microbe having optimal growth at 37°C in a partially alkaline environment (pH 8.0) with a proliferation time of ~67 minutes. The stress response physiology of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM indicates its successful survival in dynamic environmental conditions. It significantly increased (P <0.05) the wheat seed germination percentage in the presence of phytopathogens and saline conditions. Genomic characterization decoded the presence of genes involved in plant growth promotion, nutrient assimilation, and antimicrobial activity. Experimental evidence also correlates with genomic insights to explain the potential of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM as a potential biofertilizer and biocontrol agent. With these properties, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BCM could sustainably promote wheat production to ensure food security for the increasing population, especially in native wheat-consuming areas.

Assessing the Productivity of Forage Based Cropping System under Different Farming Practices in the Western Himalayan Region

A field experiment was conducted at CSK Himachal Pradesh, Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Palampur, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming, College of Agriculture, during 2019-20 to study the effect of conventional, organic and natural farming practices on growth and yield of fodder oat. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications with comprising of 5 farming practices (F0: Absolute control, F1: Organic farming package of practices, F2: Natural farming package of practices (SPNF), F3: 10 t FYM + Natural farming package of practices (SPNF), F4: Recommended fertilizer dose and 3 cropping system (CS1: Oat, CS2: Oat + Fodder Sarson, CS3: Oat + Berseem). The results concluded that, among the farming practices, higher number of shoots per meter square, dry matter accumulation, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield was recorded with recommended dose of fertilizer followed by 10 t FYM + natural farming package of practices (SPNF). In case of cropping systems, significantly higher number of shoots per square meter, dry matter accumulation, green and dry fodder yield was observed with oat + berseem cropping system as compared to oat alone.

Cultivating Sustainability: Quebec’s Living Labs as Ecological Catalysts

Agriculture is often considered a major factor in environmental degradation. This case study delves into the use of sociotechnical experiments—and, more specifically, agroecosystem living labs (ALLs)—to facilitate the transition of conventional agricultural practices toward heightened sustainability. Our research indicates that achieving successful collaboration, such as an experiment, necessitates the alignment of expectations, the establishment of trust, the cultivation of patience, and the allocation of substantial resources. This investigation into agroecosystem living labs contributes to our comprehension of the actors’ networks, their interactions with experimental sites, and the dynamics of open innovation.

What Is the Role of Public History and Environmental Oral History in Supporting Conservation through Agroecology?

Indigenous peoples and local communities are key actors in the preservation of important biodiversity resources around the world. However, the ever-encroaching agricultural frontier and expansion of conventional agricultural practices threaten these communities, their autonomy over the land, and the traditional knowledge and practices associated with biodiverse ecosystems. Agroecology emerges as an important solution to support the continuation of agrobiodiversity, food security, and environmental conservation, but top-down solutions often do not resonate with the lived realities of traditional, Indigenous, and small-scale farming communities. This paper examines a collaborative research and narrative network developed over the past several years around traditional erva-mate agroforestry production in Southern Paraná, Brazil. It offers an example of how oral environmental history and public history can support conservation practices through agroecology. The key outcomes of this interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional research and engagement were the development of a candidacy for the system to be recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the implementation of a Dynamic Conservation Action Plan to address the threats and challenges farmers and communities are facing. The discussion explores two concepts that were integral to these processes, the creation of narrative networks and a focus on plurivocity. Both approaches ensured that the actions, knowledge, and narratives developed through the GIAHS candidacy were not imposed but agreed upon and generative through narrative and dialogue, remaining true to the realities and lived experiences of community members.