Cultivated Fields Research Articles

Is Klerksdorp die oudste dorp in Transvaal?

This article refutes the claim that Klerksdorp (and not Potchefstroom) is the Transvaal's oldest town, mainly because the assumption that Klerksdorp was founded in 1837 rests upon memory and tradition. It argues moreover that the history of the Great Trek rules out the probability of White settlement in the Western Transvaal before mid-1838. It concludes by indicating that no archival sources or evidence could be traced to prove that a settlement existed at Schoonspruit before March 1840. The settlement which took place there afterwards was basically not a town but a farm. The word erf was not used until the end of the 1840s and indeed referred to arable land or cultivated fields. Although by 1850 the Schoonspruit-settlement did resemble a town and was called Klerksdorp it bore no resemblance to any early Voortrekker dorp. The founding in 1888 of Nuwe Dorp was therefore not merely an extension of Ou Dorp but in fact the establishment of a separate town to provide for the needs of the new gold-diggings at Klerksdorp.

Comparative histology of abscission zones reveals the extent of convergence and divergence in seed shattering in weedy and cultivated rice.

The modification of seed shattering has been a recurring theme in rice evolution. The wild ancestor of cultivated rice disperses its seeds, but reduced shattering was selected during multiple domestication events to facilitate harvesting. Conversely, selection for increased shattering occurred during the evolution of weedy rice, a weed invading cultivated rice fields that has originated multiple times from domesticated ancestors. Shattering requires formation of a tissue known as the abscission zone (AZ), but how the AZ has been modified throughout rice evolution is unclear. We quantitatively characterized the AZ characteristics of relative length, discontinuity, and intensity in 86 cultivated and weedy rice accessions. We reconstructed AZ evolutionary trajectories and determined the degree of convergence among different cultivated varieties and among independent weedy rice populations. AZ relative length emerged as the best feature to distinguish high and low shattering rice. Cultivated varieties differed in average AZ morphology, revealing lack of convergence in how shattering reduction was achieved during domestication. In contrast, weedy rice populations typically converged on complete AZs, irrespective of origin. By examining AZ population-level morphology, our study reveals its evolutionary plasticity, and suggests that the genetic potential to modify the ecologically and agronomically important trait of shattering is plentiful in rice lineages.

Determination of operation performance indicators of unit for mowing crops with the simultaneous incorporation of their stubble into the soil

When harvesting grain crops and forage grasses using a two-phase method, trailed and/or mounted windrowers are usually used. After their passage, stubble remains on the field, which intensively loses soil moisture under sunlight and wind. To reduce these losses, the stubble, along with the soil, is crushed using disc harrows. Due to the use of two sequentially operating units (harvesting and soil-cultivating), their total operating time increases. This does little to preserve soil moisture in the cultivated field. This article provides an example of a more effective solution to this problem. It consists of using one machine-tractor unit instead of two. The proposed combined unit mows an agricultural crop in one working pass and ensures stubble crushing and incorporation into the top layer of soil. The unit consists of a wheeled tractor with a front hitch linkage, a front windrower and a disc harrow mounted behind the tractor. It has been established that the laboriousness of compiling such a unit, considering the tractor's transformation to reverse, is insignificant and amounts to 1442 person-hours. The use of the new unit assists in reducing soil moisture losses. Over a month, it can reach 4.1–5.2% in absolute terms and 15–45% in relative ones. The combined unit movement velocity should be close to 2.5 m s−1 to ensure such a reduction in soil moisture losses. Combining two technological operations performed by one machine-tractor unit does not impair its reliability. At the same time, there is a reduction in processing time for one field by almost half and a decrease in fuel consumption per unit of performed area by 2.25 times.

Thermal Analysis of Evapotranspiration in Cultivated Fields for the Detection of Archaeological Anomalies

ABSTRACTArchaeological aerial thermography has traditionally focused on bare ground terrain; however, recent developments in drone technology have prompted a reconsideration of thermal analysis on cultivated fields. This study investigates three different sites using drones equipped with thermal, RGB and multispectral sensors to identify archaeological anomalies. This research challenges the traditional focus of thermal cameras on vegetation‐free terrains by investigating cultivated land, where the perceived temperature is influenced by evapotranspiration—a combination of soil evaporation and vegetation transpiration. While agricultural studies have emphasized the ability of thermal sensors to detect varying temperatures in irrigated vegetation, archaeology has mainly used multispectral sensors for vegetated land. The study shows that in wheat‐covered fields, thermal analysis outperforms multispectral and RGB sensors in detecting anomalies associated with archaeological features. Unexpectedly, optimal anomaly detection occurs during mid‐morning and mid‐afternoon flights, challenging traditional ideas about the timing of thermal analysis. The research highlights the need for renewed interest in the use of thermal cameras for archaeological anomaly detection in cultivated fields. However, further comparative studies between thermal and multispectral analyses on different sites are essential to establish the wider effectiveness of thermal sensors. This study challenges established notions of archaeological aerial thermography and argues for a re‐evaluation of sensor selection and flight timing to improve the detection of archaeological features in cultivated fields.

Effects of Conversion of Rubber to Oil Palm Plantations on Soil Properties and Hydrological Dynamics in the Low Country Wet Zone of Sri Lanka

A study was conducted to investigate the impacts of converting rubber plantations into oil palm plantations on soil properties and soil hydrology. Soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density (BD), aggregate stability (AS), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), soil water retention, texture, thermal properties, and pH were determined using soil samples collected from different depths of a twelve-year-old oil palm and rubber cultivated fields located in low country wet zone of Sri Lanka. In each field, volumetric water content (VWC) of soil was continuously measured at four soil depths (0-25, 25-50, 50-75, and 75-100 cm) over a seven-month period. While the study revealed a 40% lower SOC in 0-25 cm soil layer of the oil palm field compared to the rubber field, no significant changes were observed in BD, porosity, pore size distribution, AS, and Ks for the two fields. However, the volumetric heat capacity of rubber grown soil was significantly higher than that of the oil palm grown soil. Oil palm utilized the most water from 25-75 cm soil layer; whereas, rubber extracted more water from deeper soil layers (75-100 cm). Soil water depletion in oil palm field was faster during dry periods than in rubber fields highlighting the need to examine the soil water extraction patterns of oil palm during extended dry spells in future studies. Overall, the conversion of rubber into oil palm plantations showed no significant impact on most of the soil properties and soil hydrology after twelve years of conversion.

A sustainable Poly (deep eutectic solvents) based molecular imprinting strategy with experimental and theoretical elucidation: Application for removal of atrazine in agricultural wastewater

In this research, a fabrication of Poly(deep eutectic solvent) composed of choline chloride-methacrylic acid (ChCl-MAA) was developed to cross-link and polymerize through molecular imprinting technology (MIT). The results were analyzed using a simple syringe solid phase extraction (SPE) device combined with Poly(DES)-MIT strategy, with the aim of specifically removing atrazine (ATZ) from agricultural wastewater. Density functional theory was applied for the rapid prediction of optimal molar ratio (1:4) between the template (ATZ) and monomer (DES), yielding highly consistent results with experimental findings. The electrostatic potential (ESP) distributions and the independent gradient model (IGMH) were employed to investigate the types and strengths of weak interactions in Poly(DES). Due to the participation of DES in the polymerization reaction, Poly(DES) exhibited rapid adsorption equilibrium time (120 min) and excellent specificity recognition ability (selectivity factor of 14.02). The HPLC-DAD analysis system exhibited a good linear response in the range of 0.5∼500 mg L−1, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.26 mg L−1 and a quantitation limit (LOQ) of 0.87 mg L−1. The admirable feasibility for the removal of ATZ (with a recovery rate of 99.93 %) from real agricultural wastewater substantiated the outlook of practical application of Poly(DES)-MIT strategy. In addition, the adsorption rate of Poly(DES) on ATZ only decreased by 5.80 % (from 96.60 % to 90.80 %) after five adsorption–desorption cycles, demonstrating its significant sustainability. This study combined computer-aided design with a novel green DES-mediated polymerization process to construct an environmentally friendly adsorbent with high selectivity for ATZ. From a quantum chemistry perspective, it was demonstrated that Poly(DES) selectively captures ATZ from agricultural wastewater mainly through hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals forces. The combined method of theoretical simulation and experimental verification showed vast potential in the field of safe cultivation of medicinal herbs and crops, opening up new possibilities for the precise monitoring of other pollutants in the environment.

Prediction of Soil Moisture Content for Growth Environment Diagnosis of Soybean Cultivation Field using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) Model

Prediction of Soil Moisture Content for Growth Environment Diagnosis of Soybean Cultivation Field using Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) Model

PEMBIAYAAN MIKRO KREDIT QARD HASAN MELALUI DANA ZAKAT: ANALISIS PELAKSANAANNYA DI NEGERI KEDAH

Qard hasan is an Islamic contract that pertains to interest-free lending in financial transactions. It serves as a means to provide financial assistance to individuals in need without imposing interest charges during loan repayment. This instrument underscores the principles of cooperation (ta'awun) and benevolence (ihsan) as the underlying wisdom behind the implementation of the qard hasan contract as a benevolence-based agreement. Consequently, banking institutions driven by profit perceive this contract as non-commercial in nature. Therefore, the concept of qard hasan holds potential for application through zakat instruments due to their shared purpose and foundation of aiding those in need. This study aims to examine the implementation of microcredit financing through qard hasan using zakat funds by Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah (LZNK) through the Smart Sawah Berskala Besar Asnaf (Smart SBBA) program. Qualitative methods, including library research and field research for data collection, were employed in this study. The research involved the examination of articles, statutes, books, and relevant circulars. From an empirical perspective, field research entailed conducting unstructured interviews with an LZNK officer. The study findings indicate that the Smart SBBA program, organized by LZNK, is an initiative aimed at assisting asnaf groups in augmenting their monthly income by involving them in paddy field cultivation. Throughout the program's duration, participants also received qard hasan loans made possible by zakat funds to support their livelihoods. The program has proven successful in alleviating poverty among the asnaf groups and holds potential for transforming them into zakat payers in the future.

The Progress of Ganoderma Lucidum Cultivation by Utilizing Agricultural and Forestry Wastes

Agricultural and forestry waste is one of the important and abundant biomass resources in China, and it is of great significance to realise the resource utilisation of agricultural and forestry waste through green and low-carbon biological means, which is conducive to achieving the goal of “carbon neutrality” and promoting the sustainable development of the agricultural and forestry industry. Ganoderma lucidum is rich in various active ingredients and has high medicinal value, so the artificial cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum and product research and development have received extensive attention worldwide. With the expansion of Ganoderma lucidum artificial cultivation industry, the use of agricultural and forestry wastes as a substitute material for Ganoderma lucidum cultivation is a hot research topic nowadays. This paper reviews the research results and application cases of various agricultural & forestry waste conversion using in the field of Ganoderma lucidum substitution cultivation and discusses the development potential and advantages of Ganoderma lucidum cultivation and combined cultivation mode of agriculture and forestry. By analyzing the research results on the resource utilization of agroforestry wastes in Ganoderma lucidum cultivation, we focused on the effects of culture media R&D protocols with different culture substrates, and its effect on the growth efficiency, yield and nutrient composition of Ganoderma lucidum. This provides reference for the high-value utilisation of agricultural and forestry wastes and the development of artificial Ganoderma lucidum cultivation industry, as well as the enhancement of carbon sinks in agricultural and forestry ecosystems.

Justification of Optimal Operating Parameters of the Field Cultivator Tool through Determining Traction Resistance

Justification of Optimal Operating Parameters of the Field Cultivator Tool through Determining Traction Resistance

In vitro and in vivo Effect of Weeds (Root) Extracts on Soil Borne Fungal Phytopathogens and Fungal Infected Legume Crop Bengal Gram (Cicer arietinum)

Background: Weed management during growing season has been a serious problem for many years. Worldwide, a 10% loss of agricultural products can be attributed to the competitive effect of weeds, despite their intensive control. Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album L. is an annual weed of cultivated fields. Methods: This investigation was done in 2020-2021. Root parts of both weeds Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album were collected from a nearby area, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. To determine the antifungal potentials of both weeds Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Chenopodium album root extracts were determined by the food poisoning method against fungal phytopathogens. Methane, Ethyl acetate, Butyl alcohol, Benzene and Water-soluble root extracts of both weeds at different concentrations (5%, 10% and 15%) were used against fungal phytopathogens growth in laboratory conditions and also used on fungal infected related attributes of Bengal gram in a pot culture experiment in 1:10 ratio. Antioxidants of both weed extracts were done by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods. Result: Findings showed that application of 15% concentrated extracts has maximum antifungal effects against Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsi (70-80%). In the pot experiment, we find that at increased concentrations of methanolic extract (15%) infected Bengal gram crops show high effectiveness against fungal phytopathogens and improve different parameters such as germination, plant physiology and morphological characteristics. However, higher concentrations of methanol extract promoted these parameters and reduced fungal growth in both in vivo and vitro conditions Results of this study reported highly significant suppressive effects of higher concentrations (10% and 15%).

Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: A Comparative Study of Vegetable Cultivation under Polyhouse and Open Field Conditions in Punjab, India

This study investigated the comparative agricultural performance of cucumber, capsicum and tomato cultivation in polyhouse structures versus open field conditions in Punjab, focusing on yield, market prices, cost of production and overall profitability. The study included 42 polyhouse technology adopters and 60 non-adopters randomly selected from six districts with high polyhouse concentration. Results revealed that cucumber, the most suitable crop under polyhouse conditions, exhibited significantly higher yields (347 q/acre) compared to open field cultivation (166 q/acre). Polyhouse-grown cucumbers also fetched better market prices (Rs. 22-23/Kg) than those cultivated in open fields (Rs. 13/Kg) due to off-season production. Despite higher production costs in polyhouse conditions, the gross and net returns as well as the benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio of 2.84) was considerably better in polyhouse cultivation compared to open field cultivation. Similarly, capsicum and tomato crops demonstrated over 1.5 times higher yields in polyhouse conditions compared to open fields. The market prices for polyhouse grown capsicum and tomato were significantly better, compensating for the higher production costs. The benefit-cost ratios for capsicum and tomato in polyhouse conditions were 2.37 and 2.42 respectively, outperforming open field cultivation. The study ranked cucumber as the most profitable crop under polyhouse structures followed by tomato and capsicum. Extension and technology gaps were identified highlighting the need for capacity building through extension programs to bridge existing gaps. Extension yield gaps ranged from 21.7-32.5 q/acre while technology gaps attributed to cultivation practices, crop varieties and technical knowledge ranged between 38-55 q/acre. In conclusion, polyhouse technology presents a viable strategy for enhancing agricultural productivity particularly for cucumber, capsicum and tomato crops in Punjab. The findings underscored the need for targeted extension programs and improved practices to bridge existing gaps promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Punjab.

Bulb growth parameters of wild geophyte, giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook. f.) in different media and nutrient solution recipes

Giant snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook. f.) is reported on CITES lists as the most important wild-collected export flower bulb of Turkey. After the destruction caused by extensive collecting for many years, collection and trade have been controlled by the government since the late 1980’s. Export quotas are annually set by a technical committee, following field inspections by scientific teams. Small bulbs (under-sized) are also unintentionally collected from nature together with marketable sized bulbs (> 4 cm). Low success rate at cultivation of field grown snowdrop and loss of these small bulbs reveals the necessity of the studies on soilless culture. This study aimed to select the suitable growing media and mineral nutrition for snowdrop bulb production. Under-sized (unmarketable) bulbs of Galanthus elwesii Hook. f. were cultivated in four different growing media (perlite, coco-peat, soil, or spent mushroom compost + perlite) with four different nutrient solutions. The growing media affected most of the investigated parameters (sprouting time, sprouting ratio, total weight and increase ratio, number of harvested bulbs, and bulb grades). No significant effect of nutrient solutions was determined on the parameters. Spent mushroom compost + perlite appeared to be the most effective growing media.

Physiological and biochemical characteristics of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) as affected by some plant growth regulators.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) is a globally and widely used medicinal plant that contains silymarin. This plant has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular-protective, and neuroprotective effects. Plant quality, yield, and phytochemicals, especially silymarin content, change under various conditions like drought stress. Therefore, this research studied plant growth regulators (PGRs) like salicylic acid, spermidine, and brassinosteroid to increase plant tolerance to drought stress. Experimental treatments include different levels of irrigation (25%, 50%, 75%, and 90% field capacity), and foliar spraying including salicylic acid (75 and 150 mg/L), spermine (70 and 140 mg/L), and brassinosteroid (1 and 1.2 μM), separately, and water as a control and a secondary factor. The results revealed that the highest amount of leaf phenolic compounds was observed in the highest drought stress level (25%) and 75 mg/L salicylic acid application. Furthermore, brassinosteroid at different concentrations and salicylic acid (75 mg/L) increased leaf flavonoid content compared to other treatments. In 50% field capacity, foliar application of salicylic acid (150 mg/L) significantly increased seed yield by approximately 75% compared to control under the same stress level. Brassinosteroid application (1 μM) under 75% field capacity significantly increased the seed's taxifolin amount by 159%. Additionally, salicylic acid noticeably increased the silychristin concentration. The concentration of silydianin in the seed has also been increased under drought stress and foliar spraying with PGRs. Compared to the control, using spermidine below 75% field capacity caused an increase in its concentrations by over seven times. The highest silybin A amount was obtained in 50% field capacity and foliar150 mg/L salicylic acid. Taxifolin, silychristin, silydianin, silybinin B, iso-silybinin A, and iso-silybinin B compounds were identified in the seed extract. Generally, foliar spraying using plant growth regulators increased the number of silymarin compounds under drought stress conditions and field cultivation conditions.

Adoption by farmers of modern agricultural practices in the field of cultivation of the jawar crop in North Sinai Governorate

Adoption by farmers of modern agricultural practices in the field of cultivation of the jawar crop in North Sinai Governorate

Lavender Plant: Farming and Health Benefits.

Natural remedies from a range of sources, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and marine life, have made a significant contribution to the treatment of many ailments. Lavender is a Mediterranean shrub from the Lamiaceae family. Lavender flowers (Lavandula flores) include active ingredients (3%), anthocyanins, sugars, phytosterols, minerals, and tannins and are majorly used for herbal applications. Lavender essential oil's descriptive and analytical composition varies depending on genotype, growing region, climatic circumstances, propagation, and morphological characteristics. There are around 300 chemical components in essential oil. Linalool, terpinen-4-ol, linalyl acetate, ocimene, acetate lavandulol, and cineole are the most prominent constituents. Lavender oil has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The lavender extract helps to prevent dementia and may slow cancer cell growth, while lavender oil is used to treat skin problems. This review will cover the recent medical, economic and regional advancements in levander propagation and how the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research Indian Institute of Integrative (CSIR IIIM) aroma mission is actively acting as a bridge between farmers and their economic improvement by attracting them to the field of medicinal plant cultivation.

Compositional and functional succession of soil bacterial communities during long-term rice cultivation on saline-alkali soils: Insights derived from a new perspective of the core bacterial taxa

The conversion of saline-alkali soils into paddy fields for long-term rice cultivation involves multiple disturbances, and as a result, soil microbial communities are altered to adapt to a changing environment. A comprehensive understanding of the succession of soil bacterial communities that occurs during this process, however, is still lacking. In the present study, we utilized data obtained from rice paddies of different cultivation years to investigate the compositional and functional succession of the soil bacterial community. We focused on core bacterial taxa that were specifically enriched at different successional stages. Generalized joint attribute modeling (GJAM) was used to identify core bacterial taxa. Results indicated that bare saline-alkali soils shared few core amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with paddy fields. Longimicrobiaceae from the phylum Gemmatimonadetes was dominant in bare saline-alkali soils, while their dominance was subsequently replaced by Burkholderiaceae and Pedosphaeraceae, phyla affiliated with the Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia, after 5 years and 23 years of rice cultivation, respectively. The abundance of nitrogen metabolism functions in the core bacterial community present in bare saline-alkali soils were higher than they were in other successional stages, while sulfur metabolism functions exhibited the opposite trend. These data indicate that the role of the core bacterial taxa in mediating nutrient cycling also changed and adapted to changing soil conditions as rice cultivation became established. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that the compositions of the core bacterial community in Y0, Y5s, Y10s, and Y20s groups were driven by nitrate-nitrogen content, soil pH, available phosphorus content, and the ratio of total carbon to total nitrogen, respectively. In summary, the present study provides insights into the succession of soil bacterial communities and core bacterial taxa that occur during long-term rice cultivation.

Identification of New Isolates of Phytophthora sojae and Selection of Resistant Soybean Genotypes.

Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRR), caused by Phytophthora sojae, can occur at any growth stage under poorly drained and humid conditions. The expansion of soybean cultivation in South Korean paddy fields has increased the frequency of PRR outbreaks. This study aimed to identify four P. sojae isolates newly collected from domestic fields and evaluate race-specific resistance using the hypocotyl inoculation technique. The four isolates exhibited various pathotypes, with GJ3053 exhibiting the highest virulence complexity. Two isolates, GJ3053 and AD3617, were screened from 205 soybeans, and 182 and 190 genotypes (88.8 and 92.7%, respectively) were susceptible to each isolate. Among these accessions, five genotypes resistant to both isolates were selected. These promising genotypes are candidates for the development of resistant soybean cultivars that can effectively control PRR through gene stacking.

Comparative Growth and Bacoside Production in Diploid and Tetraploid Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. Cultivated Indoors via Hydroponic and Soil Culture Systems

Bacopa monnieri, a cognitive-enhancing herb crucial in health supplements, faces quality variations and contamination by toxic substances in conventional field cultivation, which hinders industrial use. Here, indoor cultivation of diploid (2x) and tetraploid (4x) B. monnieri using hydroponic and soil systems was studied. Soil cultivation promoted longer shoot lengths but resulted in lower biomass and chlorophyll contents compared to hydroponic cultivation. Conversely, soil cultivation significantly elevated total phenolics, total triterpenoids, bacoside A3, and bacopaside X contents in both lines, showing 1.7- to 3.3-fold increases over hydroponic cultivation. Furthermore, 4x plants grown in soil had higher bacopaside II and total bacoside contents than hydroponically grown plants, with 2- and 1.5-fold increases, respectively. Yet, no significant differences were observed in growth and pigment between 2x and 4x lines under the same system. Similarly, no significant differences in bioactive compound productions were found between 2x and 4x hydroponically grown plants. However, in soil, 4x plants exhibited higher total phenolic content, bacopaside II, and total bacoside contents compared to 2x plants. Interestingly, 2x plants grown in soil were the top performers for bacoside production per plant. These findings optimize cultivation practices to meet industry demands, warranting further research into large-scale production techniques.

Optimizing the Battery Management Algorithm of the Agricultural Robot Based on the Workload

This article focuses on optimizing the battery management algorithm to minimize the amount of energy remaining in the battery at the end of the workload.The increasing use of renewable energy to operate agricultural robots increases the autonomy of the robot's energy supply. The volatility of renewable energy in turn increases the need for a smart battery management system. In the case of non-optimized battery management, up to 25% of the energy in the battery may remain unused, depending on the workload. A battery management algorithm was developed, which allows reducing the amount of residual energy remaining in the battery depending on the workload and increasing the time utilization factor of the agricultural robot. The concept was proven with computer models that use data of the energy consumption of the farming robot and the limitations of the workload due to the geometry of the cultivated fields.