Cultivation Practices Research Articles

Biodiversity, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Potential of Medicinal Plants of Mozambique

Mozambique possesses great biological diversity, with approximately 5500 plant species. Around 90% of its population uses natural resources for food and traditional medicine, being miombo forests serving as key providers for rural communities. The trade of medicinal plants also constitutes a significant economic activity for both rural and urban households. This study aims to review ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies on medicinal plants in Mozambique and explore their agricultural and conservation potential. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 were included and identified 472 medicinal plant species, 400 of which were classified to species or genus level, spanning 277 genera and 93 botanical families. The most cited families include Leguminosae (61 species), Euphorbiaceae (20), and Combretaceae (17). Notable species are Momordica balsamina, Sclerocarya birrea, Annona senegalensis, and Cassia abbreviata. Sixteen in vitro studies explored medicinal plants’ antibacterial, antimycobacterial, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antimalarial properties. Prominent results were shown by Maerua edulis (tuberculosis), Tabernaemontana elegans (malaria), and Momordica balsamina (cancer). This work underscores the critical role of natural resources in Mozambique’s primary healthcare system and highlights their agricultural and economic potential. As the first comprehensive compilation of commonly used medicinal plants in the country, it calls for sustainable cultivation practices and further research to enhance their use and benefits.

Planting flowers for the bees: spirituality, emotion, and embodied subjectivities through relational practices of socioecological care

This research highlights the ways by which processes of caring for our environments can contribute to health and well-being for the minded body. Drawing upon rich ethnographic accounts of urban cultivation practices and experiences, this research unfolds in the birthplace of the ‘Healthy City’ concept—Kuching, Malaysia—which is an ethnically diverse city home to Chinese, Malay, and Indigenous groups. Building from situated political ecologies—and more specifically, emotional political ecology and the political ecology of religion—I examine the relational values produced through practices of urban cultivation and related benefits for mind-body-environments. I find spirituality, religion, gender, generation, class, and ethnicity are embodied in socionatural relationships facilitated through urban agriculture. Through affective encounters with non-human animals, spiritual meanings inferred from the materiality of plants, and strengthened socionatural relationships with friends, family, even strangers, and the divine, practices of urban cultivation can nurture minds, bodies, and environments in deeply interconnected ways. This adds to a growing literature that reveals the importance of relational values for well-being and argues that socionatural relationships of care can contribute to a meaningful life. With a careful attention to relational dynamics and differentiated embodied experiences, I show that cultivators engage in the production of ecologies of care that confront neoliberal modes of interacting with themselves and others. Recognizing that care is embodied, situated and political can foster more nuanced understandings of the politics of socioecological transformation.

Climate, soil, and viticultural factors differentially affect the sub-regional variations in biochemical compositions of grape berries

Terroir leaves its influence on the flavor build-up in grape berries by triggering biochemical reactions that ultimately shape the typicality of the produced wines. However, the complex relationship between terroir, carbon stable isotopic composition, and the biochemical composition of grapes remains poorly understood. To fill these gaps, grape berries were harvested at maturity from two grape cultivars, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (Vitis vinifera L.), across 32 sites within the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains region over two vintages. The climate and soil data for these sites were collected, and cultivation practices were surveyed. In parallel, the grape quality indicators were measured at maturity to explore their variations among sub-regions and the correlations between terroir factors and grape quality. Moreover, the carbon stable isotopes (δ¹³C) were measured to evaluate the water status of vines at different sites. Results indicated that organic acids and anthocyanins exhibited a strong vintage effect, with the cooler vintage exhibiting higher levels of these compounds relative to the warmer vintage. Specifically, the Hongsipu sub-region, with a cooler climate, consistently demonstrated higher anthocyanin concentrations than other sub-regions in both vintages of the study. Further analysis revealed that the cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon displayed a higher ratio of di-hydroxylated to tri-hydroxylated anthocyanins in the cooler year, whereas Merlot exhibited the opposite trend. The Mantel test identified several critical factors influencing anthocyanin concentration, including total soil phosphorus (Tp), total soil potassium (Tk), soil thickness (Thickness), precipitation (April-September precipitation, Pre4–9), April-September average temperature (4–9 Tave), April-September active accumulated temperature (4–9 Aa), April-June active accumulated temperature (4–6 Aa), July-September active accumulated temperature (7–9 Aa), temperature diurnal range (May, July, August, September, DR-5 and DR 7–9), trellis system, vine density, and δ13C. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze and summarize the relationships between terroir factors, anthocyanin concentration, and δ¹³C. The results indicated that June and September precipitation had a positive impact on anthocyanin concentrations, while soil total potassium content had a negative impact. On the other hand, the July to September temperature diurnal range, trellis system, vine perimeter, and canopy height were the main drivers of δ¹³C, which further influenced grape anthocyanin concentrations. This research contributes to a scientific foundation for grape cultivation in the Eastern Foothills of the Helan Mountains and provides valuable insights for practices in other regions.

Exploring cultural ecologies of the Karbi Tribe in Assam, India, through traditional ecological knowledge and skills (TEKS)

ABSTRACT The present study explores the cultural ecologies of the Karbi Tribe in Magursila village of Assam, India, through their Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including field observations, household surveys, oral interviews, and participatory methodologies, the research investigates different aspects of Karbi TEKS, including water resource management, crop cultivation, biodiversity conservation, and traditional practices related to costume creation. The results reveal that traditional methods such as managing human-made canals (dongs) and ponds, organic farming, and biodiversity conservation practices demonstrate a holistic approach to maintaining ecological balance and cultural heritage. However, challenges from modernization and urbanization threaten the sustainability of these practices and disrupt the ecological balance. Thus, the manuscript argues that Karbi TEKS are vital living systems that sustain both ecological balance and cultural identity, warning that their loss would undermine sustainable resource management and the tribe’s connection to the environment.

Effect of Auxins on Growth Enhancement of Cell Suspension Culture of Tongkat Ali Hitam (Polyalthia bullata)

Polyalthia bullata, a Southeast Asian plant, is valued for its bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potential. To prevent overharvesting and extinction, cell suspension culture offers a sustainable method for the mass production of these compounds. Despite its effectiveness, no studies on Polyalthia bullata cell suspension culture have been established. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the culture by evaluating growth and biomass production. To achieve the objective, leaf derived callus of Polyalthia bullata was multiplied on Murashige and Skoog (MS) + 30 µM dicamba medium. Subsequently, cell suspension initiation and multiplication were carried out using half-strength MS basal medium (½ MSO) supplemented with 5, 15, 25, and 30 µM of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), respectively. In this study, suspension cells in the ½ MSO recorded the highest increment in fresh (4.455 ± 1.170 g FW) and dry weight (0.220 ± 0.033 g DW) but produced dark brown cells. Meanwhile, cells grown on ½ MS medium supplemented with 30 µM NAA recorded the highest increase in fresh weight (3.472 ± 0.694 g FW) and dry weight (0.190 ± 0.012 g DW), displaying a light yellowish-brown cell. Although the ½ MSO yielded the highest biomass, the cell suspension cultures supplemented with 30 µM NAA showed promising results, achieving higher biomass compared to other auxin treatments and exhibiting a light yellowish-brown cell. This suggests that 30 µM NAA is a more efficient auxin utilization in reducing the occurrence of dark brown cells. In conclusion, optimizing auxin concentrations is crucial for high-quality Polyalthia bullata cell suspension culture. This study can provide insight into sustainable cultivation practices for the plant, serving as a potential bio-factory for mass-producing bioactive compounds.

Nutritional Value and Therapeutic Benefits of Dragon Fruit: A Comprehensive Review with Implications for Establishing Australian Industry Standards

Dragon fruit, which is native to northern South America and Mexico, has become a significant crop in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Vietnam, China, and Australia. The fruit (Hylocereus spp.) is rich in various bioactive phytochemical compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and pigments such as betalains and anthocyanins, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. This comprehensive review introduces the origin, classification, and global production of dragon fruit, with a particular focus on its bioactive phytochemicals and therapeutic potential. Additionally, it critically evaluates the current industry standards for fresh dragon fruit production across key producing countries. While these standards primarily focus on quality, classification, and grading criteria, they lack focus on parameters related to the fruit’s bioactive content. The absence of established quality standards for fresh produce in the Australian dragon fruit industry presents a unique opportunity to develop guidelines that align with both international benchmarks and the therapeutic potential of the fruit. By addressing this gap, this review can potentially help Australia to position its dragon fruit industry to achieve greater consistency, competitiveness, and consumer appeal. As the demand for functional foods continues to rise, aligning Australian production practices with global standards becomes critical to meeting domestic market expectations. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of dragon fruit’s nutritional and therapeutic significance and highlights its potential role in establishing a robust standard for the Australian dragon fruit industry. A review of global industry standards reveled that Australian standard could incorporate classifications of dragon fruits, including external factors like appearance, size, and defect tolerance. Future research is needed to prioritize understanding of the impact of cultivation practices and environmental factors on the bioactive composition of dragon fruit, enabling the development of best practices for growers. Additionally, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of these bioactive properties through clinical trials, particularly their potential in preventing chronic diseases. The advancement of analytical methods for quantifying bioactive compounds will provide deeper insights into their health benefits and support the establishment of bioactive-oriented industry standards. Moreover, investigations of post-harvest handling and processing techniques could optimize the preservation of these valuable compounds, enhancing dragon fruit’s role as a functional food.

Planting date and maturity groups effects on soybean yield in Wisconsin

AbstractSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planting date (PD) and maturity group (MG) selection are critical decisions for optimizing crop development and enhancing yield potential. This study examines the interaction effects of PDs and MGs on soybean yield in southern Wisconsin, utilizing a fractional replication experimental design across two growing seasons (2022 and 2023). Five PDs in 2022 and six in 2023 were tested, with 50 soybean cultivars per PD, encompassing MGs ranging from 0.3 to 2.9. Results reveal that optimal soybean yield occurred with early planting, particularly before May 20, with MGs between 1.5 to 2.9 performing best. Delayed planting led to diminished significance in MG selection for yield, but overall yield declined consistently, roughly 20 bu/acre, every 20 days beyond the May 20 PD. Practical implications suggest early planting to maximize sunlight capture and extend the seed fill period, alongside the selection of cultivars within the appropriate MG range. While this study is limited to a single location and 2‐year duration, future collaborative efforts across multiple sites could provide a more comprehensive understanding of PD and MG interactions, benefiting soybean cultivation practices in diverse environments. Overall, our findings offer valuable insights for southern Wisconsin soybean farmers seeking to optimize yield and profitability in their operations.

Three-Dimensional Phenotyping Pipeline of Potted Plants Based on Neural Radiation Fields and Path Segmentation

Precise acquisition of potted plant traits has great theoretical significance and practical value for variety selection and guiding scientific cultivation practices. Although phenotypic analysis using two dimensional(2D) digital images is simple and efficient, leaf occlusion reduces the available phenotype information. To address the current challenge of acquiring sufficient non-destructive information from living potted plants, we proposed a three dimensional (3D) phenotyping pipeline that combines neural radiation field reconstruction with path analysis. An indoor collection system was constructed to obtain multi-view image sequences of potted plants. The structure from motion and neural radiance fields (SFM-NeRF) algorithm was then utilized to reconstruct 3D point clouds, which were subsequently denoised and calibrated. Geometric-feature-based path analysis was employed to separate stems from leaves, and density clustering methods were applied to segment the canopy leaves. Phenotypic parameters of potted plant organs were extracted, including height, stem thickness, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area, and they were manually measured to obtain the true values. The results showed that the coefficient of determination (R2) values, indicating the correlation between the model traits and the true traits, ranged from 0.89 to 0.98, indicating a strong correlation. The reconstruction quality was good. Additionally, 22 potted plants were selected for exploratory experiments. The results indicated that the method was capable of reconstructing plants of various varieties, and the experiments identified key conditions essential for successful reconstruction. In summary, this study developed a low-cost and robust 3D phenotyping pipeline for the phenotype analysis of potted plants. This proposed pipeline not only meets daily production requirements but also advances the field of phenotype calculation for potted plants.

Agency in sedimented situations featuring farmer experiences of climate disruptions in the Mekong Delta

ABSTRACT Climate instability and devastation pose global threats to human security. Place-based approaches to psychology offer useful orientations towards situating people in time and place, and for advancing research into climate disruptions. Informed by assembling thinking, this article explores the emplaced experiences and emergent agentive responses to climate change among farmers in four sites in the Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam. In August 2023, 20 farmers (5 each from 4 communal sub-regions) took part in interviews where they emplaced their experiences of climate disruptions by drawing their farms, what had changed, and how they were responding. With government and cooperative support, farmers report building water levees, regenerating soil compositions, seeding alternative crops, and changing cultivation practices. These efforts are restrained by the share scale of changes, increased debt burdens, and resource limits. Findings foreground the importance of culture, interconnected identities and emergent agency in the assemblaging of, and changes within local farmscapes and continuing familial legacy place attachments in the region.

High-throughput 3D shape completion of potato tubers on a harvester

Potato yield is an important metric for farmers to further optimize their cultivation practices. Potato yield can be estimated on a harvester using an RGB-D camera that can estimate the three-dimensional (3D) volume of individual potato tubers. A challenge, however, is that the 3D shape derived from RGB-D images is only partially completed, underestimating the actual volume. To address this issue, we developed a 3D shape completion network, called CoRe++, which can complete the 3D shape from RGB-D images. CoRe++ is a deep learning network that consists of a convolutional encoder and a decoder. The encoder compresses RGB-D images into latent vectors that are used by the decoder to complete the 3D shape using the deep signed distance field network (DeepSDF). To evaluate our CoRe++ network, we collected partial and complete 3D point clouds of 339 potato tubers on an operational harvester in Japan. On the 1425 RGB-D images in the test set (representing 51 unique potato tubers), our network achieved a completion accuracy of 2.8 mm on average. For volumetric estimation, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was 22.6 ml, and this was better than the RMSE of the linear regression (31.1 ml) and the base model (36.9 ml). We found that the RMSE can be further reduced to 18.2 ml when performing the 3D shape completion in the center of the RGB-D image. With an average 3D shape completion time of 10 ms per tuber, we can conclude that CoRe++ is both fast and accurate enough to be implemented on an operational harvester for high-throughput potato yield estimation. CoRe++’s high-throughput and accurate processing allows it to be applied to other tuber, fruit and vegetable crops, thereby enabling versatile, accurate and real-time yield monitoring in precision agriculture. Our code, network weights and dataset are publicly available at https://github.com/UTokyo-FieldPhenomics-Lab/corepp.git.

Spatiotemporal assessment of the cumulative exergy demand of agricultural greenhouse production with industrial symbiosis

While agricultural greenhouses facilitate out-of-season production, they face criticism due to their considerable resource consumption and consequential negative environmental repercussions. Resource use varies based on location, meteorological conditions, agricultural practices, and greenhouse technology. This study evaluates resource consumption of greenhouse systems by quantifying the cumulative exergy demand (CExD) of 1 kg of greenhouse tomatoes for every production month, considering geographical locations of projected greenhouses in Switzerland, cultivation practices (staggered and non-staggered), and seasonal weather variations throughout the year. Moreover, the effect of implementing Industrial Symbiosis (IS) opportunities on potential CExD reduction is explored. The findings indicate that in case of a planting and growing period from September to July instead of February to November, the annual average CExD of 1 kg tomato increases by 43 % in the Mittelland region (e.g. Bern). Furthermore, depending on cultivation periods, the CExD for a kilogram of tomatoes harvested in the same area in November could reach 14 times higher than in July, showing the temporal variability of resource consumption in greenhouse agriculture. Utilizing waste heat and CO2 from nearby potential suppliers can reduce the CExD by 60 % compared to conventional greenhouses heated by fossil fuels. Policymakers can use the presented outcomes to assess local policies in relation to resource efficiency, quantified as life cycle exergy in this paper.

Advancing Seaweed Cultivation: Integrating Physics Constraint in Machine Learning for Enhanced Biomass Forecasting in IMTA Systems

Monitoring seaweed growth rates and biomass is crucial for optimizing harvest strategies in aquaculture systems. While such a task can be managed manually on a small farm with a few seaweed tanks, it is not feasible on a commercial farm with 1000s of tanks. To this end, an Internet of Things (IoT) based seaweed growth monitoring system is being developed at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Using the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system at HBOI as the test site, the project aims to develop a solution that allows farm managers to monitor seaweed growth remotely using automated sensors. An important component of this IoT solution is the machine learning-based prediction model. This study introduces an advanced Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)-based approach for forecasting seaweed growth and biomass. In particular, an algae growth mathematical model driven by readily available environmental and aquaculture conditions has been integrated as a physical constraint in the LSTM model. This design addresses a principal challenge in this study—the lack of continuous ground truth measurements, as the biomass is recorded only at discrete intervals (e.g., initial, weekly partial harvests, and final harvest). The LSTM models are trained and evaluated for their predictive performance using experimental and synthetic data. Compared with the LSTM models with MSE loss function alone, the results showed that the model with a loss function under physics constraint achieved a significantly lower error in predicting seaweed growth. The rationale behind choosing LSTM over other state-of-the-art models is presented in the paper. This study highlights the potential of integrating machine learning with physical models to optimize seaweed cultivation and support sustainable aquaculture practices. The proposed methodology can seamlessly extend to the remote sensing data in other aquaculture settings.

Cropping and soil management systems effects on soil organic matter fractions in diversified agricultural fields in the Cerrado

ABSTRACT Soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics can be significantly influenced by various cultivation practices, particularly under environmental and edaphic conditions that enhance and accelerate the transformations of organic materials such as straw, root biomass, and organic fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different cultivation and soil management systems on SOM fractions in agricultural areas of the Cerrado Goiano region. The research was conducted across three areas with diverse production systems: 1) BV area, including soybean monoculture (SM01), integrated crop-livestock-forest (ICLF01), pasture (PA01), and Cerrado vegetation (NV01); 2) ML area, featured soybean-corn monoculture succession (SMS02), agroforestry (AF02), pasture (PA02), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV02); and 3) IF area, comprised soybean-corn succession (SMS03), integrated livestock-forest (ILF03), pasture (PA03), and native Cerrado vegetation (NV03). Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected from two layers: 0.00-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m. Samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, carbon storage, and SOM physical (granulometric and densimetric) and chemical (fulvic acid, humic acid, and humin) fractionations of soil organic matter (SOM). Additionally, water-floatable light organic matter (LOM), the carbon management index, and its components were determined. Soil organic matter fractions were similarly influenced by the characteristics of cultivation and management systems. However, there were more pronounced differences between systems in the BV area compared to the ML and IF areas. Among the parameters studied, LOM proved to be the most efficient and effective in distinguishing SOM input across different cultivation and soil management systems, particularly in pasture systems.

Integrative transcriptomic analysis reveals the molecular responses of tobacco to magnesium deficiency

IntroductionMagnesium (Mg) is a crucial macronutrient for plants. Understanding the molecular responses of plants to different levels of Mg supply is important for improving cultivation practices and breeding new varieties with efficient Mg utilization.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a comprehensive transcriptome analysis on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seedling leaves to investigate changes in gene expression in response to different levels of Mg supply, including Mg-deficient, 1/4-normal Mg, normal Mg, and 4×-normal Mg, with a particular focus on Mg deficiency at 5, 15 and 25 days after treatment (DAT), respectively.ResultsA total of 11,267 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the Mg-deficient, 1/4-normal Mg, and/or 4×-normal Mg seedlings compared to the normal Mg seedlings. The global gene expression profiles revealed potential mechanisms involved in the response to Mg deficiency in tobacco leaves, including down-regulation of genes–two DEGs encoding mitochondria-localized NtMGT7 and NtMGT9 homologs, and one DEG encoding a tonoplast-localized NtMHX1 homolog–associated with Mg trafficking from the cytosol to mitochondria and vacuoles, decreased expression of genes linked to photosynthesis and carbon fixation at later stages, and up-regulation of genes related to antioxidant defenses, such as NtPODs, NtPrxs, and NtGSTs.DiscussionOur findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying how tobacco responds to Mg deficiency.

Forecasting rice blast disease severity using weather-dependent regression and time series models

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food crucial for food security and economic stability, especially in developing countries. However, rice cultivation faces significant challenges, with rice blast disease, caused by the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, being one of the most severe threats, potentially leading to yield losses of up to 30 %. This study aims to develop and apply regression models, including stepwise regression, multiple linear regression (MLR) and ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average), to predict the severity of rice blast disease based on weather parameters. Weekly data over 7 years (2017-2023) were collected from the Paddy Breeding Station at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, encompassing various weather factors such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and solar radiation. Data pre-processing included handling missing values, detecting outliers and creating time-lagged variables. The study revealed distinct seasonal patterns in rice blast incidence, with peak occurrences observed from mid-November to late January. Among the regression models, the ARIMA model incorporating weather variables as external regressors demonstrated superior performance with an R-squared value of 0.92, compared to 0.55 for stepwise regression and 0.57 for MLR. Accurate predictions of rice blast outbreaks could enable farmers and agricultural managers to implement timely and targeted disease management strategies, reducing dependence on broad-spectrum fungicides and minimizing crop losses. This study contributes to data-driven agriculture and disease management, potentially leading to more effective, economically viable and environmentally sustainable rice cultivation practices.

Development of a Knowledge Assessment Tool to Measure Farmers' Understanding of Improved Groundnut Cultivation Practices

This study focused on assessing farmers' knowledge of improved cultivation practices in groundnut farming. An initial pool of 40 knowledge-related items was developed, drawing from various sources such as literature, input from field extension personnel, insights from relevant specialists, and the researchers' own expertise. After applying statistical procedures to ensure the reliability and validity of the knowledge test, the final set was refined to 21 items. This standardized knowledge test serves as a tool for evaluating the extent of farmers' understanding of advanced groundnut cultivation practices.

Assessment of Sugarcane Cultivation Practices in Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh, India

The success of sugarcane farming hinges on the intricate interplay of various the adoption of advanced technological practices. The study was conducted during the year 2022-2023 in Machhrehta and Gondlamau blocks of Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh to study the extent of adoption of Sugarcane growers on improved sugarcane cultivation practices. A sample size of 120 respondents was selected based on random sampling procedure. Personal interviews with the help of a structured schedule were taken for data collection. The study revealed that majority of the respondents (51.67%) had medium level of adoption of improved sugarcane cultivation practices followed by 19.17% high and 29.16% low level of adoption of Sugarcane cultivation practices by the respondents. The study analyzed that high adoption found in Field Preparation Sugarcane with 94.78 MPS and respondents had less adoption of seed treatment in Sugarcane crop with 34.89MPS.

Effects of Integrated Management Strategies on Pepper Yield and Quality: A Study of Cultivation and Nutrient Management Practices

Effects of Integrated Management Strategies on Pepper Yield and Quality: A Study of Cultivation and Nutrient Management Practices

Insights into carbon and nitrogen footprints of large-scale intensive pig production with different feedstuffs in China

Through the whole process of large-scale pig production, feed production puts great environmental pressure in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nitrogen (N) emission. Additionally, different feedstuffs will have different results. While previous studies seldom analyzed carbon footprint and nitrogen footprint from feed components or diet choices. Thus, we selected China, the largest producer and consumer of pork in the world, to analyze both nitrogen footprint and carbon footprint through the life cycle of pig production with different feed components. We used life-cycle environmental footprint and scenario analysis to compare carbon footprints, nitrogen footprints, and feed prices of large-scale pig production with different feedstuffs in China. The life cycle of the pig production includes feed crop cultivation, feed processing, pig raising, and manure management. The functional unit is the weight of 1 kg of live pig. The results showed that the carbon footprints, nitrogen footprints, and feed prices ranged from 1.67 kg CO2-eq FU−1 to 1.70 kg CO2-eq FU−1, 35.3 g Nr FU−1 to 38.9 g Nr FU−1, and 1.42 CNY kg −1 to 2.15 CNY kg −1, respectively. Feed crop production and manure management contributed the largest carbon footprint (54%) and the largest nitrogen footprint (64%), respectively. The four scenarios exhibited various results. Scenario 3 (S3), substituting soybean meal in the original feed with distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS), presented a more favorable outcome with respect to carbon and nitrogen footprints as well as feed prices. This was mainly attributed to feed crop cultivation, manure management, crude protein contents of feeds, and prices of the feed crops. Concerning the uneven feed crop production, number of pig farrowed, feed consumption, and inter-provincial transportation across China, we conducted the spatial analysis under the optimal S3. It revealed that the northern provinces in China exhibited both higher carbon and nitrogen footprints than the southern provinces, due to the northern regions cultivating the crop feed. Finally, we proposed recommendations from perspectives of cultivation practice, feed adjustment, manure management, and strategic zoning. The study not only highlighted the importance of environmental footprint for analyzing environmental impacts of pig production, but also provided the implications for enhancing the sector’s environmental sustainability from perspective of feed adjustment.

A Scale to Analyse the Societal Attitude of Farmers towards Adoption of Scientific Water Efficient Practices in Command Areas

Water is an essential yet limited natural resource, vital for sustaining life on Earth. Command areas refer to regions supplied by irrigation systems, such as canal networks or reservoirs, which deliver water to agricultural lands. Effective water management in these regions is crucial for optimizing resources, ensuring fair distribution, and enhancing crop production and productivity. While many scales exist to measure farmers' attitudes, none specifically assess attitudes toward adopting scientific, water-efficient practices in command areas. This study attempts to address this gap by developing and standardizing a scale to evaluate farmers' societal attitudes toward such practices. The resulting scale, which has demonstrated high reliability and validity, consists of 40 statements divided into six categories: (a) maintenance of field channels and distributaries, (b) on-farm water management, (c) water-saving techniques, (d) crop selection and cultivation practices, (e) excess water management techniques, and (f) policy, administration, and extension. An Ex-post facto research design was adopted, and the scale was administered to 40 farmers using a simple random sampling technique in the Tungabhadra command area of Karnataka during the 2023-24 period. Findings reveal that a significant majority of farmers (80%) exhibited attitudes ranging from less favourable to favourable toward scientific water-efficient practices, whereas only one-fourth (20%) displayed a more favourable attitude toward these practices.