Crop Ecosystem Research Articles

Remote sensing-derived combined index for agricultural drought assessment of rabi pulse crops in Bundelkhand region, India

In this study, a novel approach defined for drought severity of Bundelkhand region of India, especially for rabi (winter) season crops using analytical hierarchy process established a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making approach based combined drought index (CDI). The remote sensing multi-sensor derived datasets, as long-term MODIS satellite data, rainfall from CHIRPS datasets and soil moisture from Era Interim datasets, used for quantification for the 2001–2018 period. The CDI is generated by integrated multi-spectral indices as Vegetation Condition Index, Temperature Condition Index, Precipitation Condition Index, Soil Moisture Condition Index using analytical hierarchy process derived weightage with a consistency ratio of 4.2% and consistency index of 0.038 value. The results show that Jalaun, Hamirpur and Banda districts as Northern part affected more as compared to Lalitpur and parts of Jhansi districts as the Southern part of the study area. The statistical analysis illustrated a significant correlation between crop yield anomaly and CDI for all districts for rabi pulses crops. Thus, a geospatial platform-based approach using historical earth observations with analytical hierarchy process integrated expert advice to finalize variables and their weighing will make this methodology more realistic, easier and quicker to apply in future at any region. Eventually, remote sensing can address the drought risk or severity for all kind of crop ecosystem by using cohesive approach derived from multi-sensor satellite datasets.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-weeds interaction in cropping and unmanaged ecosystems: a review

Weeds are the cause of substantial yield loss and extinction of some native species resulting from competition with the associated species for water, sunlight, nutrients and space. Due to the widespread occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and their important role in communities and ecosystems, the interaction between weed species and AMF might have an important role in ecosystem functioning. The present review characterizes AMF-weeds interactions, targeting natural and crop ecosystems. In agroecosystems, AMF have the potential to contribute to weed control (i) directly by suppressing growth of many weeds belonging to families that are non-mycorrhizal, or (ii) indirectly by enhancing competitive ability of crop species to the detriment of both mycorrhizal and non mycorrhizal weeds. Some advantages conferred by AMF-weed interaction to associated species make evidence of the importance to identify weed species that can play an important role in ecosystem performance. In unmanaged ecosystems, AMF could play a crucial role in invasive plants control through enhancing the competitive ability of local species to the detriment of invasive ones. Additional methodologies are required to manage highly mycorrhizal invasive species.

Genetic variability of coccinellid predators in different crop ecosystems of Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Genetic variability of coccinellid predators in different crop ecosystems of Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Perception survey on Nilgai, Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas, 1766) incidence in crop land ecosystems around rural Jaipur, Rajasthan

A study was conducted to understand the crop raiding by the blue bulls, Boselaphus tragocamelus inChomu tehsil of Jaipur Rural district (Rajasthan) through a perception survey on crop damage and management measures practiced. The Socio-cultural sentiments and legislations rendering safety to the blue bulls irrespective of their interface in crop ecosystems revealed more of passive deterrent measures compared to the active deterrent measures followed by farmers during the study

Anti-herbivore activity of soluble silicon for crop protection in agriculture: a review.

Silicon (Si) is considered an important component for plant growth, development, and yield in many crop species. Silicon is also known to reduce plant pests. Although Si, the major component of soil next to oxygen, it is not used as a major nutrient by crop plants. However, extensive literature demonstrate the beneficial effects of soluble silicates, like silicon [orthosilicic acid (Si(H4SiO4)], on reducing biotic stress in crop ecosystems. In general, monocots tend to accumulate substantially more Si in plant tissues than dicots. Si accumulates in plant cell walls, providing protection by increasing the synthesis of lignin and phenolic compounds and activating the endogenous chemical defenses of plants including volatile and non-volatile compounds and other physical structures like trichomes. This review provides an overview of the history of silicon use in agriculture in India, for the management of insect pests. The future research needs in this field of study are also presented.

Evaluating three evapotranspiration estimates from model of different complexity over China using the ILAMB benchmarking system

Land surface models range in complexity of terrestrial evapotranspiration, yet it is unknown how model complexity translates to accuracy of modeled evapotranspiration estimates. Here, we use the International Land Model Benchmarking system to assess ET estimates from three models of varying complexity driven by the same forcing datasets: an earth system model, a terrestrial biosphere model, and a stand-alone ET model. The performance assessment includes both temporal and spatial evaluation, and different plant functional types across China. Our results indicate that the most complex model, an earth system model, performed best against the benchmarking datasets and metrics. Terrestrial biosphere model performed best in simulating inter-annual variability of ET, while earth system model performed best in simulating the seasonal cycle. The more complex models (earth system model and terrestrial biosphere model) perform better in forest, shrub and crop ecosystems, while the simpler model (stand-alone ET model) perform better in grass ecosystems. Our study demonstrates the impact of model complexity on ET estimates and highlights directions for future ET model improvements.

Dissipation Kinetics and Environmental Risk Assessment of Thiamethoxam in the Sandy Clay Loam Soil of Tropical Sugarcane Crop Ecosystem.

Thiamethoxam 75 SG has recently got registered for use against shoot borer and termites of sugarcane. It is the only neonicotinoid having label claim against both the major pests of sugarcane. The dissipation kinetics and environmental risk assessment of thiamethoxam 75 SG were studied in a typical tropical sugarcane crop ecosystem as detailed reports are lacking. Rapid and sensitive method adopted to determine the residues of thiamethoxam in the soil employing HPLC could provide more than 95.5% recoveries. The insecticide was observed to persist in the sandy clay loam soil for 60days and reached below the detectable level of less than 0.01mg/kg (LOQ = 0.01mg/kg) on 75th day when applied @ 120g a.i./ha. The half-life was worked out to be 16.50days. At double the recommended dose (240g a.i./ha), the insecticide persisted up to 75days with the half-life of 16.91days. The risk quotient values indicated medium to low level of risk to earthworms during the course of degradation of thiamethoxam in the soil.

Population dynamics of exotic rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on coconut as influenced by weather factors and natural enemies

The rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin is a new exotic pest occurring in several crops including coconut since 2016 in India. Due to variation in the agro-climatic conditions of different regions, arthropods show varying trends in their incidence also in nature and extent of damage to the crop. Besides, abiotic factors also play a key role in determining the incidence and dominance of a particular pest and their natural enemies in a crop ecosystem. The population dynamics of new exotic whitefly species, A. rugioperculatus and their associated natural enemies was assessed on five-year-old Chowghat Orange Dwarf coconut trees at Coconut Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The study indicated that RSW was found throughout the year on coconut and the observation recorded on weekly interval basis shows that A. rugioperculatus population escalated from the first week of July 2018 (130.8 nymphs/leaf/frond) reaching the maximum during the first week of October (161.0 nymphs/leaf/frond) which subsequently dwindled to a minimum during April. The parasitisation by E. guadeloupae on RSW ranged from 31.60 percent in Aug. 2018 to 57.60 percent in December 2018. The association of biotic and abiotic factors with A. rugioperculatus population showed a negative correlation with E. guadeloupae and C. montrouzieri. There was a significant positive correlation between maximum temperature and minimum temperature as well as relative humidity. However, rainfall showed a negative correlation with A. rugioperculatus population.

REVIEW : PENGARUH PEMANASAN GLOBAL TERHADAP INTENSITAS SERANGAN KUTU KEBUL (Bemisia tabbaci Genn ) DAN CARA PENGENDALIANNYA PADA TANAMAN KEDELAI

Global warming has changed global, regional and local climate conditions. Global climate change is caused, among others, by the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) due to various activities that drive the increase in the earth's temperature. Given that climate is a key element in the metabolic system, plant physiology and crop ecosystems, global climate change will adversely affect the sustainability of agricultural development. The impact of global climate change is the increasing population of pests on agricultural crops. One of the soybean pests whose population is increasing due to the increase in air temperature is the Bemisia tabbaci infestation. Increased pest populations of Bemesia tabbaci infestation in soybean crops cause dwarf leaves of dwarf plants and threatens to increase soybean production. Efforts to overcome the impact of global warming is mainly due to increased pest populations, it is necessary to think and seek breakthroughs to anticipate the explosion of pest populations in soybean crops, among others by: the optimization of natural control, physical and mechanical control and cultivation techniques. The combination of techniques or tactics of the optimal component of soybean pest control technology is established on the basis of appropriate information knowledge about soybean pest, ecosystem and socio-economic based on IPM approach.

Diversity study of aphids and associated predatory fauna occurred in major Kharif and Rabi crop ecosystems of Akola, Maharashtra, India

The present investigation entitled “Aphid diversity and associated predatory fauna in different crop-ecosystems of Akola” was carried out during the year 2017-2018. During study period total 1810 specimens of aphids and 205 specimens of predatory fauna associated with aphids collected from various Kharif and Rabi crops agro-ecosystem. The collected data revealed that total seven species of aphids and sixteen species of predators were collected from different crop agro-ecosystem. In aphids seven species viz; Aphis gossypii (Glover), Aphis craccivora (Koch), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), Aphis (Taxoptera) citricidus (Kirkaldy), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach), Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas) and Uroleucon compositae (Theobald). Aphid’s population varied in the Kharif and Rabi crop season in the various crop fields, maximum population of aphids was observed in the month of November-December. However, moderate to rich species biodiversity of aphids species was noticed as per Shannon Biodiversity Index (H’=1.545) in Akola vicinity during kharif 2017-18. Simpson index value was 0.75. The Evenness index had a value of 0.79. Species wise data of aphids showed rich fauna of U. compositae with 37.24 per cent.

Impact of organic manures on the persistence of imidacloprid in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane crop ecosystem.

Impact of organic manures, viz., composted coir pith, press mud, sugarcane trash, and farmyard manure (FYM) on the persistence of imidacloprid in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane crop ecosystem, was studied by employing rapid sample preparation method and reversed phase HPLC. The recoveries of the method employed to determine the residues of imidacloprid in the soil were in the range of 94.5 ± 7.02-97.3 ± 2.94% across the five levels of fortification ranged between 0.005 and 0.5 μg/g. Imidacloprid was observed to persist in the soil manured with FYM and composted coir pith for 30 days with the half-life of 7.62 and 7.0 days, respectively as against 21 days with the half-life of 6.66 days in the non-manurial soil. The comparatively longer persistence of imidacloprid in the FYM and composted coir pith-applied soils was attributed to reduced leaching from the plow layer due to the adsorption of insecticide molecules by the added organic manures.

Agroterrorism in Indian Context

In the context of change in global scenario of terrorism and economic competition, the risk of deliberate attack on agriculture is increasing. In a country, like India, whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture produce and exports, any such malicious attack can grossly destabilise the socio-economic structure. Additionally, an attack on major food crops can lead to potential threat to food security, subsequently, leading to destabilised law and order situation of a state. It is therefore very important to understand the risks and threats of agroterrorism for a given country in order to be prepared for any such circumstance. In this review we discuss different aspects of agroterrorism, its history, possibilities of such incidences in Indian scenario and mitigation strategies, which can be achieved through regular surveillance of pathogens in vulnerable crop ecosystems. We also describe a recent episode of outbreak of cotton leaf curl disease in the Northwest Indian cotton growing region and discuss it from the perspective of a possible threat on one of the most important economic crops of our country.

Record of nutgrass weevil, Athesapeuta cyperi Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Cyperus rotundus in Jute-based ecosystem

survey for weed killers in jute-based crop ecosystem was conducted at the research farm of ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore during 2018 and 2019 cropping season. The nutgrass weevil, Athesapeuta cyperi caused 46.67 – 85.00% dead heart in Cyperus rotundus in the jute ecosystem. This is the first report of A. cyperi on nutgrass in the jute ecosystem in West Bengal. This study throws a hope of using this weevil as a potential biocontrol agent against the most notorious weed the nut grass, which has been gradually developing resistance against many of the commonly used herbicides. Â

Trade-offs between benefits and costs of forest proximity: farmers' practices and strategies regarding tree–crop integration and ecosystem disservices management

Trade-offs between benefits and costs of forest proximity: farmers' practices and strategies regarding tree–crop integration and ecosystem disservices management

Cost and demand ecosystem of vanilla production In India: Current trends and economic prospects

The crop economy of vanilla, known as the prince of spice, has not fared well in India during the last decade. Though the crop has immense potential for enhancing farm incomes, the high price fluctuations and other unfavourable factors adversely affected the crop economy. In this paper we use the primary data from a sample of 30 vanilla growers from three states to develop and understand the cost ecosystem of the crop and the prospects for its profitability. Secondary data on trade and global production is also use to identify the potential of this crop. The cost ecosystem analysis indicate a healthy profitability margin even in case of substantial adverse movements of key variables like price of output and yield level. The major constraints in production include the skill deficit in pollination, high labour intensity, long gestation period and high incidence of biotic stress. The crop ecosystem analysis indicate the immense latent potential of the crop and suggests that institutional support and sustainable fair price policies for the produce along with small farmer aggregation can bring in a revival of the vanilla crop economy in India.

Genetic variability in predatory stink bug Andrallus spinidens (F.) from north-west Himalaya

Present study deliberates on the geographical distribution and genetic variability of the predatory stink bug Andrallus spinidens (F.) from different crop ecosystems of north west Himalaya. Andrallus spinidens is an important biological control agent as it predates on lepidopteran larvae. Samples of this bug were collected from five locations of plains and hilly areas of Uttarakhand and subjected to RAPD-PCR analysis. The results revealed that of the 12 RAPD primers evaluated 10 primers generated 117 loci with 0.26 polymorphism information content (PIC), 2.75 marker index (MI), 4.67 resolving power (RP). RAPD primer, EF4 was found to be efficient in deciphering the variability with maximum RP values of 7.71 with 4.37 MI and 0.39 PIC values. The samples were found clustered locationwise with 0.26–0.95 similarity coefficient during cluster analysis using UPGMA method. The pairwise comparison analysis (PCA) also supported the clustering pattern obtained. The results reveal that genetically distant populations of A. spinidens prevail in all the five locations studied.

Characterization of Cover Crop Rooting Types from Integration of Rhizobox Imaging and Root Atlas Information.

Plant root systems are essential for sustainable agriculture, conveying resource-efficient genotypes and species with benefits to soil ecosystem functions. Targeted selection of species/genotypes depends on available root system information. Currently there is no standardized approach for comprehensive root system characterization, suggesting the need for data integration across methods and sources. Here, we combine field measured root descriptors from the classical Root Atlas series with traits from controlled-environment root imaging for 10 cover crop species to (i) detect descriptors scaling between distant experimental methods, (ii) provide traits for species classification, and (iii) discuss implications for cover crop ecosystem functions. Results revealed relation of single axes measures from root imaging (convex hull, primary-lateral length ratio) to Root Atlas field descriptors (depth, branching order). Using composite root variables (principal components) for branching, morphology, and assimilate investment traits, cover crops were classified into species with (i) topsoil-allocated large diameter rooting type, (ii) low-branched primary/shoot-born axes-dominated rooting type, and (iii) highly branched dense rooting type, with classification trait-dependent distinction according to depth distribution. Data integration facilitated identification of root classification variables to derive root-related cover crop distinction, indicating their agro-ecological functions.

Food composition of Indian Eagle Owl Bubo bengalensis Franklin (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) from Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu, India

The diet of the Indian Eagle Owl was studied from April to September 2017 in Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu, India. Analysis of 1082 regurgitated pellets yielded 2077 prey items; the mean prey items/ pellet was 1.91. The diet constituted 65.1% of rodent prey and the remaining 34.83% of other groups of both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. The mean percentage of prey composition was 31.15% Millardia meltada Soft-furred Field Rat, 12.95% Bandicota bengalensis Lesser Bandicoot Rat, 10.25% Mus booduga Indian Field Mouse, and 10.24% of other rodent species. Of the 34.83% of non-rodent prey, the owls ingested insects (Rhinoceros beetles, 9.58%), Arachnida (Solifugae or Sun spider, Galeodes sp., 9.58%), reptiles (Calotes sp., 3.7%), amphibians (3.56%), shrews (Suncus murinus, 2.84%), and others (5.57%). The Indian Eagle Owls consumed more than one prey per day and chiefly foraged in agricultural crop fields and consumed both small mammals and insects of agricultural importance under crop ecosystems.

禁牧政策对宁夏盐池县农业生态系统服务影响的能值分析

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 禁牧政策对宁夏盐池县农业生态系统服务影响的能值分析 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201810212275 作者: 作者单位: 中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院 沙漠与沙漠化重点实验室;中国科学院大学,中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院 沙漠与沙漠化重点实验室;中国科学院科技战略咨询研究院,兰州大学 资源环境学院,中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院 沙漠与沙漠化重点实验室 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家重点研发计划项目（2018YFA0606402）；国家自然科学基金项目（41471436，41601587） Emergy analysis of the crop ecosystem services of Yanchi County in Ningxia Author: Affiliation: Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences;University of Chinese Academy of Sciences,Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences;Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences,,College of Earth and Environmental Sciences,Lanzhou University,Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification,Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources,Chinese Academy of Sciences Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:农牧交错区农业可持续发展问题一直是我国区域农业研究的重要课题，以典型北方农牧交错区宁夏盐池县为例，利用农业生态系统能值分析框架，评估盐池县1991-2016年农业生态系统正反服务，揭示禁牧政策对农业可持续发展的影响。研究结果表明：（1）1991-2016年盐池县农业投入能值和农业生态系统正反服务能值一直处于增长的趋势，禁牧政策实施以后增长速度高于禁牧之前，其中农业投入能值的增加主要是由于经济反馈能值投入的增加。（2）根据Pearson相关性分析，盐池县农业生态系统服务和反服务在0.01水平（双侧）呈显著的强正相关，农业生态系统服务和反服务具有相同的变化趋势。（3）生态环境的改善、经济反馈能值和农业灌溉面积的增加，可以增强北方农牧交错区农业抵御气候波动的能力。（4）盐池县农业可持续性高于全国和典型农区的平均水平，禁牧政策实施之前盐池县农业可持续性表现出稳定的下降趋势，而禁牧政策实施以后其可持续性表现为上升的趋势，禁牧政策的实施已初步实现农业生产的生态经济效益。 Abstract:The sustainable development of agriculture in the agro-pastoral ecotone has always been an important topic of regional agricultural research in China. In this paper, Yanchi County in Ningxia was taken as a typical case area of the agro-pastoral transitional zone in north China; a ecosystem services and dis-services of the crop ecosystem in Yanchi County from 1991 to 2016 were evaluated by using the framework of emergy analysis of an agricultural ecosystem, to try to reveal the effects of a grazing-prohibition policy on sustainable development of crops. The results showed that:(1) From 1991 to 2016, the emergy input, ecosystem services and dis-services of the cropping ecosystem in Yanchi County increased. After the implementation of the grazing-prohibition policy, the growth rate increased. The increase of emergy input in cropping was mainly due to the increase of purchased emergy input. (2) According to the Pearson correlation analysis, there was a significant positive correlation between the ecosystem services and anti-services at the 0.01 level (bilateral), and changes in agricultural ecosystem services and dis-services had the same trend. (3) The implementation of the grazing-prohibition policy promoted an improvement in the ecological environment, the increase in the purchased emergy input of the social economic system, and the increase in irrigated area, which can enhance the ability of the semi-arid northern agro-pastoral ecotone to withstand climate fluctuations. (4) The sustainability of crops in Yanchi County was higher than the national average and that of typical agricultural areas, and its sustainability showed a steady downward trend before the implementation of the grazing-prohibition policy, whereas an upward trend was observed after the implementation of this policy. The implementation of the grazing-prohibition policy has led to preliminary ecological and economic benefits for agricultural production. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Cover Crop Mixture Effects on Maize, Soybean, and Wheat Yield in Rotation

Core Ideas Few studies report the effects of cover crop mixtures on crop yields in rotation. Cover crop C/N ratio was negatively correlated with maize yield. Multispecies mixtures did not affect maize, soybean, or wheat yields. Cover crops with high biomass and C/N ratios provide unique ecosystem services. Both mixtures and diverse rotations may enhance cover crop ecosystem services. Despite the popularity of multispecies cover crop mixtures, there is little published evidence of their effects on subsequent crop yields, especially for multiple crops grown in rotation. We examined the effects of fall‐planted cover crops—both mixtures and their component monocultures—on subsequent crop yields in an organically managed maize (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]–winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation in central Pennsylvania. We hypothesized that cover crop biomass C/N ratio would be negatively correlated with crop yields. This held true for maize (R2 = 0.134, p < 0.0001), but there was no cover crop effect on soybean or wheat yields. All multispecies mixtures produced high biomass, and none affected maize yield relative to fallow. Our findings suggest that both multispecies cover crops and diverse crop rotations may increase opportunities to gain the benefits of cover crops with high biomass and C/N ratio—such as erosion control, weed suppression, N retention, and soil C accumulation—without compromising yield.