Food Environmental Research Articles

Contribution of greenness, air pollution, and residential food environment to excess gestational weight gain: A cross-sectional study in Wuhan, China

ObjectivesOur goal was to explore how greenness, air pollution, and residential food environment were linked to excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG), and to estimate their combined effects on this condition. MethodThis cross-sectional analysis included 51,507 pregnant women from the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System between 2016 and 2019. Generalized linear mixed regression models were employed to explore the relationships between greenness, air pollution, residential food environmental exposure, and EGWG; and the combined effects were further estimated by cluster analysis and principal components analysis. ResultWe only found a significant association between convenience store density within the 250 m buffer zone (OR = 1.03 and 95% CI: 1.01,1.05) and EGWG. In terms of air pollution, sulfur dioxide(SO2), particulate matter with a diameter of 10 μm or less(PM10), and particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less(PM2.5) were substantially correlated with a higher prevalence of EGWG and higher GWG, with (OR = 1.16 and 95% CI: 1.12,1.21; OR = 1.12 and 95% CI: 1.08,1.16; OR = 1.17 and 95% CI: 1.14,1.21, respectively) per interquartile range(IQR) increase. Cluster analysis revealed the presence of three clusters representing urban exposures. In contrast to urban environment clusters characterized by favourable conditions, those exhibiting elevated air pollution levels, high-density residential food environment and low levels of greenness were found to have increased odds of EGWG (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.19). ConclusionThis study emphasizes that exposure to elevated air pollution, high-density residential neighbourhood food environments, and low levels of greenness is a neighbourhood obesogenic environment for pregnant women.

Preface: 2nd International Conference on Food Biotechnology and Environmental Technology (FBET 2024)

The 2024 2nd International Conference on Food Biotechnology and Environmental Technology (FBET 2024) was held on February 24-25, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. This event was attended by researchers from various area with papers mainly focused on food chemistry, nutritional science, agricultural technology, biotechnology, eco-technology, clean technologies, pollution control and environmental sustainability. The primary goal of FBET 2024 is to promote research and developmental activities in food biotechnology and environmental sciences. Another goal is to promote scientific information interchange between researchers, developers, engineers, students, and practitioners working worldwide. The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in related areas. A total of 78 papers were submitted to FBET 2024, and most of them were approved by the conference committee members and international reviewers in a double-blind evaluation process. The conference was held entirely online over two days, which included the four session, four 30-minute keynote speeches, and twelve author presentation sessions. From the talks and presentations, it was evident that our research community remains active and produces cutting-edge research. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the entire conference committee. Their advice and support were fundamental to preparing for the conference. Likewise, a special thanks to the speakers and authors for considering FBET 2024 as a means of dissemination of their researchers, and to the invited researchers, whose talks and discussions brought us countless ideas for further discussion and development. Conference Committee of FBET 2024 Istanbul, Turkey

Food Environments and Cardiovascular Disease: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

IntroductionResidential food environments are one of the important determinants of cardiovascular health. However, past literature has been limited by short-term follow-ups, time-invariant environmental measurements at baseline, and/or not investigating both healthy and unhealthy aspects of the food environment. This study examines the effects of time-varying healthy and unhealthy food environments on incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) over ten years, extracting data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2016; N=10,413). MethodsCox proportional hazards modeling was performed with inverse probability weighting to assess the association between time-varying food environmental measures (i.e., densities of grocery stores, supercenters/club stores, full-service restaurants, and fast-food restaurants) and incident CVD over 10 years. Education level and race/ethnicity were tested as potential moderators. Analyses were conducted in 2022-2023. ResultsRace/ethnicity had a significant interaction effect with supercenters/club stores and indicated that a 1-standard-deviation increase in the density of supercenters/club stores was associated with a 6-8% lower risk of incident CVD in non-Hispanic Black (HR=0.78, 95% CI=0.70-0.87) and Hispanic older adults (HR=0.69, 95% CI=0.50-0.96), but not non-Hispanic White older adults. Additionally, education had a significant interaction effect with full-service restaurants, indicating that a 1-standard-deviation increase in the density of full-service restaurants was associated with a 10% lower risk of incident CVD in individuals with 13+ years of schooling, but not those with zero to 12 years of schooling. ConclusionsFindings suggest that public policymakers should be aware of the benefits and nuances of varying food environment components as they can contribute to positive or negative cardiovascular health.

Xavante Food Practices, Environmental Challenges and Food Sovereignty

Xavante Food Practices, Environmental Challenges and Food Sovereignty

Response of castor (Ricinus communis L.) to organic fertilizer application and sowing date in the humid tropics

There is limited information on the appropriate agronomic practices for castor in the humid tropics. This study evaluated the effects of organic fertilizer (OF) and sowing date (SD) on the agronomic performance of castor during late cropping season (June − Dec.) of 2021 and 2022 at the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Two factors: OF − control and organic fertilizer (main plot) and SD − eight sowing dates (SD1-SD8 i.e., from June 18 to August 5) at 7-day intervals (sub plot) were laid in a split-plot arrangement fitted into Randomized Complete Block Design in three replicates. Data were collected on agronomic traits of castor. Organic fertilizer significantly (P < 0.05) expedited days to flowering and increased height to primary raceme in 2021. SD had significant (P < 0.05) effect on days of flowering, seed yield, and yield attributes of castor. Castor sown at SD1 and SD2 in 2022 produced high seed yield of 773.7 and 799.1 kg/ha higher by 498.8% and 503.0% than SD8 yield of 129.2 kg/ha. It is concluded that for optimum castor seed production, sowing should be done from June 18 to latest July 2 with or without organic fertilizer in the humid tropics.

Funding of geological exploration during transformation of the Russian economic system

Background. The mineral resource base is a strategic component of Russia’s economic security, being a critically important tool for strengthening the country’s position in the international arena. At the same time, economic shocks and geopolitical tensions negatively affect the investment attractiveness of geological exploration projects, which are highly important for the continuous reproduction of the country’s mineral resource base.Aim. Consideration of funding possibilities for geological exploration activities in Russia.Objectives. 1) To analyze the structure and state of geological exploration funding in Russia over the past five years; 2) to study the prospects and possibilities of attracting investments for different geological exploration stages in Russia; 3) to offer new methods and tools for optimizing the funding of geological exploration activities under the conditions of transformation of the Russian economic system.Materials and methods. The research materials included domestic and foreign scientific publications; reports and publications of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency; the results of the “Geology, Revival of a Legend” initiative; McKinsey and OECD Global Forum on International Investment analytical materials. The materials were analyzed using a set of general and specialized scientific methods. Among them are statistical modeling and forecasting to assess the state and prospects of geological exploration funding in Russia; comparative analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction to study international experience in attracting alternative investments for geological research.Results. Proposals concerning the possibility of attracting additional funding at various stages of geological exploration through the creation of direct investment trust funds are formulated. Attention is also paid to such methods as streaming and acquisition of a fixed interest rate from production in exchange for an advance payment, which can be applied at later stages of exploration.Conclusion. New approaches and best international practices should be used to attract funding for various stages of geological exploration activities in Russia. This will make it possible to attract non-governmental resources, diversify methods of financial support, as well as to increase the investment attractiveness of geological exploration projects.

Why does Listeria monocytogenes survive in food and food-production environments?

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the most dangerous food-borne pathogens and is responsible for human listeriosis, a severe disease with a high mortality rate, especially among the elderly, pregnant women and newborns. Therefore, this bacterium has an important impact on food safety and public health. It is able to survive and even grow in a temperature range from -0.4°C to 45°C, a broad pH range from 4.6 to 9.5 and at a relatively low water activity (aW < 0.90), and tolerates salt content up to 20%. It is also resistant to ultraviolet light, biocides and heavy metals and forms biofilm structures on a variety of surfaces in food-production environments. These features make it difficult to remove and allow it to persist for a long time, increasing the risk of contamination of food-production facilities and ultimately of food. In the present review, the key mechanisms of the pathogen's survival and stress adaptation have been presented. This information may grant better understanding of bacterial adaptation to food environmental conditions.

Analysis of phthalate acid esters in butter and cheese samples using MSPE‐GC/MS method: A health risk assessment study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of six phthalate acid esters (PAE) and associated health risks in butter and cheese samples, using the magnetic solid‐phase extraction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (MSPE‐GC/MS) technique. In this study, the limit of detection (LODs), limit of quantifications (LOQs) and the recovery percentages were 0.26–1.02, 0.78–3.06 μg/kg and 98.6–102%. The results showed that in all samples, the mean total PAEs was 9.76 ± 2.39 μg/kg (in the range of 6.33–14.49 μg/kg) and the average of Bis (2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was 2.9 ± 0.88 μg/kg (in the range of 1.84–4.24 μg/kg), which is lower than the standard level (EFSA set PAE standard levels between 0 and 50 μg/kg in food and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set 6 μg/L for DEHP in drinking water). Moreover, the average total PAEs in all butter samples were 11.52 ± 2.03 μg/kg (in the range of 7.82–14.49 μg/kg) and the average of DEHP was 3.53 ± 0.73 μg/kg (in the range of 2.05–4.24 μg/kg) and the average total PAEs in all cheese samples were 8.00 ± 1.02 μg/kg (in the range of 6.33–9.91 μg/kg) and the average of DEHP was 2.26 ± 0.43 μg/kg (in the range of 1.84–3.04 μg/kg). The rank order of the estimated THQ (target hazard quotient) values based on the 95% percentile (in all samples) was DEHP &gt; DBP (dibutyl phthalate) &gt; BBP (butylbenzyl phthalate) &gt; DEP (diethyl phthalate). The ILCR (Incremental Life Cancer Risk) assessment found that phthalates (DEHP) in dairy product samples are not of concern to humans. Finally, since the amount of these pollutants was less than the existing standards, it can be concluded that it does not pose any danger to Iranian consumers.

Dietitians as change agents for promoting healthy and sustainable food systems

Dietitians as change agents for promoting healthy and sustainable food systems

Individual and food environment factors associated with the diet of disadvantaged adults in Flanders

Abstract Background Health inequalities partially remain due to differences in diet between socioeconomic groups. Examining the association between socio-ecological factors and the diet of socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) individuals can enhance the development of interventions to decrease health inequalities. Methods In total, 278 SED adults residing in two Flemish municipalities completed a survey addressing sociodemographics, diet, health and their perceptions of the food environment. The objective food environment was examined by assessing food retailer information in street network-based buffers of 500m and 1000m around participants’ addresses. Linear regression was used to test assumptions. Results Individual factors such as poor subjective health (OR0.58;CI 0.34-0.97), food insecurity (OR0.60;CI 0.38-0.94) and living alone (OR0.86;CI 0.75-0.98) were negatively associated with healthy dietary habits such as daily fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Positive perceptions on the availability of FV were positively associated (OR1.09;CI 1.02-1.17) with daily FV consumption. Objective food environmental factors showed a stronger association with unhealthy dietary habits. A greater amount of retailers within 1000m walking distance was negatively associated with fast-food (OR0.96;CI 0.94-0.99) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) consumption (OR0.93; CI 0.88-0.98). More supermarkets within 500m distance was negatively associated (OR0.77;CI 0.58-0.97) with SSB consumption, while more convenience stores within a 1000m distance was positively associated (OR1.48;CI 1.17-1.88) with SSB consumption. Conclusions Our findings suggest that factors associated with the diet of SED adults differ according to food and drink items. Interventions focused on this population should take these differences into account. Key messages

Preface: 2022 International Conference on Food Biotechnology and Environmental Technology (FBET 2022)

The 2022 International Conference on Food Biotechnology and Environmental Technology (FBET 2022) was held on June 18-19, 2022 in Chongqing, China. This event was attended by researchers from various area with papers mainly focused on food chemistry, nutritional science, agricultural technology, biotechnology, eco-technology, clean technologies, pollution control and environmental sustainability.&#x0D; The primary goal of FBET 2022 is to promote research and developmental activities in food biotechnology and environmental sciences. Another goal is to promote scientific information interchange between researchers, developers, engineers, students, and practitioners working worldwide. The conference will be held every year to make it an ideal platform for people to share views and experiences in related areas.&#x0D; A total of 56 papers were submitted to FBET 2022, and most of them were approved by the conference committee members and international reviewers in a double-blind evaluation process. The conference was held entirely online over two days, which included the six session, four 30-minute keynote speeches, and twelve author presentation sessions.&#x0D; From the talks and presentations, it was evident that our research community remains active and produces cutting-edge research despite the conditions of restriction circumstances, strongly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of the entire conference committee. Their advice and support were fundamental to preparing for the conference. Likewise, a special thanks to the speakers and authors for considering FBET 2022 as a means of dissemination of their researchers, and to the invited researchers, whose talks and discussions brought us countless ideas for further discussion and development.&#x0D; Conference Committee of FBET 2022&#x0D; Chongqing, China

An Indicator Measuring the Influence of the Online Public Food Environment: An Analytical Framework and Case Study.

The online public food environment (OPFE) has had a considerable impact on people's lifestyles over the past decade; however, research on its exposure is sparse. The results of the existing research on the impact of the food environment on human health are inconsistent. In response to the lack of food elements in the definition of the food environment and the lack of a clear method to assess the health attributes and the impact degree of the food environment, we proposed a new analytical framework based on the latest disease burden research, combining the characteristics of China's current food environment, from the perspective of environmental science. We redefined the food environment and proposed that food and its physical space are two core elements of the food environment. Accordingly, we extracted four domains of characteristics to describe the basic components of the food environment. Using the sales records, we designed an approach by referring to the standard process of environmental health indicators, including the health attributes and the impact degree of the food environment, to measure the OPFE of takeaway food outlets. Further, we conducted a case study and extracted three domains of characteristics for more than 18,000 effective takeaway meals from 812 takeaway food outlets located in 10 administrative subdivisions in the Haidian District and Xicheng District of Beijing Municipality. The results showed that more than 60% of single meals sold by takeaway food outlets were considered as healthy, and only 15% of takeaway food outlets sold healthy meals exclusively. Additionally, there were significant differences in health effects among different types of food environments, and high-risk areas of different types of food environments can be spatially identified. Compared with the counting method in the availability of food environment, the proposed new approach can depict food environment characteristics not only in the macro-scale like the counting method but also in the meal-scale. The indicators could be useful for large-scale and long-term monitoring of food environmental changes due to their simple calculation and design depending on the food delivery platform.

Socioeconomic, intrapersonal and food environmental correlates of unhealthy snack consumption in school-going adolescents in Mumbai

BackgroundUnhealthy snacking habits in adolescents are typically triggered by obesogenic food environments and possibly perpetuated through interactions between socio-environmental factors and personal perceptions, attitudes, and motivations to change eating behaviors. This study attempted to address the knowledge gap regarding the association of intrapersonal, socioeconomic, and food environmental characteristics with unhealthy snack consumption in Indian adolescents, presenting several targets for effective interventions.MethodsA representative sample of 10–12 years old adolescents (n 712) completed a cross-sectional survey including eating habits, characteristics of school and home food environments, and perceptions related to affordability, convenience, and barriers within the food environments. The frequency of unhealthy snack consumption was assessed using a validated qualitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate regression analyses determined the associated factors of unhealthy snack consumption in adolescents attending private and public schools.ResultsThe mean age of adolescents was 10.9 (1.1) years, 48.2% were girls and 53.9% attended private schools. The most frequently consumed unhealthy snacks were biscuits/ cookies (5.2d/wk) followed by wafers (3.4d/wk) and Indian fried snacks- samosa/ vada pav (2.8 d/wk). Among the public-school adolescents, the odds of unhealthy snack consumption were 0.89 times lower when meals were had frequently at the dinner table and 4.97 times higher when the perceived barriers related to the affordability of healthy snacks were greater. Maternal education (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.66–0.82, p < 0.001), family income (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.98–2.32, p < 0.001), availability of unhealthy snacks (OR 2.98, 95% CI 1.36–3.46, p < 0.001) and fruits (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.69, p < 0.001) at home, having evening meals together (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.63–0.81, p 0.031), and perceived parental control during mealtimes (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.62–0.72, p < 0.001) were associated with unhealthy snack consumption in adolescents attending private schools.ConclusionsThe results highlighted a pervasiveness of unhealthy snacks in adolescents’ food environments. Improving provisions and affordability of fruits and healthy snacks at schools, encouraging family mealtimes, and limiting the availability of unhealthy snacks at home whilst addressing the perceived barriers within food environments, and inculcating self-efficacy skills can improve snacking habits in Indian adolescents, irrespective of socioeconomic backgrounds.

A System Dynamics Perspective of Food Systems, Environmental Change and Global Catastrophic Risks

A System Dynamics Perspective of Food Systems, Environmental Change and Global Catastrophic Risks

Categorizing Foods by Relative Healthfulness: A Scoping Review of Front of Pack Labelling

Worksites are a suitable platform for employees to engage in behavioral change towards a healthy lifestyle by the modification of the food environment. Grading canteen foods at worksites into categories of relative healthfulness is an important indicator in the planning of food environmental interventions. However, in the absence of mandatory front of pack (FOP) labelling in South Africa, categorizing packaged and cooked food at worksite canteens is challenging. A scoping review was conducted on FOP labelling schemes to inform the selection of a FOP labelling scheme best suited for canteen foods at worksites in South Africa. The results of the scoping study, tabulated into a narrative summary, showed that there are several well-developed approaches to classifying foods by relative healthfulness through nutrient profiling and different forms of expression. It is recommended that because worksite canteen food sales in South Africa include both packaged and cooked food, and that a general test of various labelling schemes should be conducted to determine if a directional change is made towards purchasing healthier foods. Grading foods using interpretational aides such as an adapted FOP nutrition label to the South African context into categories of relative healthfulness can be a practical tool to inform food environmental interventions at worksite canteens and beyond.

The Food Equity and Environmental Data Sovereignty (FEEDS) Project: Protocol for a Quasi-Experimental Study Evaluating a Digital Platform for Climate Change Preparedness.

BackgroundDespite having the tools at our disposal to enable an adequate food supply for all people, inequities in food acquisition, distribution, and most importantly, food sovereignty, worsen food insecurity. The detrimental impact of climate change on food systems and mental health is further exacerbated by a lack of food sovereignty. We urgently require innovative solutions to enable food sovereignty, minimize food insecurity, and address climate change–related mental distress (ie, solastalgia). Indigenous communities have a wealth of Traditional Knowledge for climate change adaptation and preparedness to strengthen food systems. Traditional Knowledge combined with Western methods can revolutionize ethical data collection, engagement, and knowledge mobilization.ObjectiveThe Food Equity and Environmental Data Sovereignty (FEEDS) Project takes a participatory action, citizen science approach for early detection and warning of climate change impacts on food sovereignty, food security, and solastalgia. The aim of this project is to develop and implement a sustainable digital platform that enables real-time decision-making to mitigate climate change–related impacts on food systems and mental well-being.MethodsCitizen science enables citizens to actively contribute to all aspects of the research process. The FEEDS Project is being implemented in five phases: participatory project planning, digital climate change platform customization, community-led evaluation, digital platform and project refinement, and integrated knowledge translation. The project is governed by a Citizen Scientist Advisory Council comprising Elders, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, key community decision makers, youth, and FEEDS Project researchers. The Council governs all phases of the project, including coconceptualizing a climate change platform, which consists of a smartphone app and a digital decision-making dashboard. Apart from capturing environmental and health-related big data (eg, weather, permafrost degradation, fire hazards, and human movement), the custom-built app uses artificial intelligence to engage and enable citizens to report on environmental hazards, changes in biodiversity or wildlife, and related food and mental health issues in their communities. The app provides citizens with valuable information to mitigate health-related risks and relays big data in real time to a digital dashboard.ResultsThis project is currently in phase 1, with the subarctic Métis jurisdiction of Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, Canada.ConclusionsThe FEEDS Project facilitates Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination, governance, and data sovereignty. All citizen data are anonymous and encrypted, and communities have ownership, access, control, and possession of their data. The digital dashboard system provides decision makers with real-time data, thereby increasing the capacity to self-govern. The participatory action research approach, combined with digital citizen science, advances the cocreation of knowledge and multidisciplinary collaboration in the digital age. Given the urgency of climate change, leveraging technology provides communities with tools to respond to existing and emerging crises in a timely manner, as well as scientific evidence regarding the urgency of current health and environmental issues.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/31389

Preface

2nd International Conference Earth Science and Energy (ICESE) 20202nd International Conference Earth Science and Energy (ICESE) 2020We are glad to introduce you the proceedings of the first 2nd International Conference Earth Science and Energy (ICESE) 2020. The 2nd ICESE 2020 addresses challenges and innovations the field of Food Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science and Environmental Issue. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, educators and practitioners to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of science, Energy, Food Science, Forest Science and environmental issue related.As we may aware, the World Health Organization officially declared the novel coronavirus COVID-19 a pandemic. Governments around the world are now issuing restrictions on travel, gatherings, and meetings in an effort to limit and slow the spread of the virus. The health and safety of the author and reseacher community is our first priority and we are supporting these efforts. Therefore, the ICESE 2020 conference was held virtually on 11 November 2020.List of Chair of the Organizing Committee, Editors, Host Organizer, Committee are available in this pdf.

Development of the Food Related Environments at School and Home Questionnaire (FRESH-Q)

ObjectivesDelineating determinants of food choice within the school and home environments of adolescents might help to translate advocacy efforts to effective interventions. However, this will require the development of valid instruments that measure school and home food environmental factors systematically. We conducted a cross-sectional study to develop a valid questionnaire that evaluates the food-related environments at schools and homes (FRESH- Q) of adolescents aged 10–15 years in Mumbai, India. MethodsA preliminary draft was developed based on a review of literature, eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescents (n = 36) and parents (n = 27), and eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) with school supervisors followed by the identification of school food (SFE) and home food environment (HFE) constructs and an item pool generation. The content validity was evaluated by an expert panel and the item-wise content validity indices (I-CVI) for clarity and relevance were calculated. The questionnaire was pretested in 42 adolescents for face validity and further administered among 315 adolescents (mean age 13.2 (2.1) years) for psychometric evaluation. The principal axis method of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) established the construct validity and the internal consistency was determined using Cronbach alpha values > 0.7. A sub-sample (n = 108) completed FRESH-Q twice to estimate test-retest reliability. ResultsContent analysis of FGDs and IDIs revealed six SFE and eleven HFE constructs. The I-CVI for the majority of items were satisfactory (0.72–0.96) and the Cronbach alpha values were 0.88 for SFE and 0.92 for HFE items. The intra-class correlation coefficients ranged from 0.78–0.96 indicating good to excellent reliability. Four factors – availability, and affordability of school foods, adolescents’ perceptions of SFE, and cafeteria policies explained 76.2% of the variance in SFE items. The EFA model identified five underlying constructs for HFE items – availability, accessibility and visibility of foods at home, family dietary habits, food purchasing behaviors, parents’ perceptions and consumption patterns. ConclusionsA valid 36 item self-reported questionnaire was developed to evaluate the school and home food environments of urban adolescents in India. Further investigations in different settings are recommended. Funding SourcesNone.

Foliar fertilization of organic sunflower, enhanced yield components and seed yield in the humid tropics

Abstract In a two year experiment carried out on the organic research plots of the Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research, Nigeria. Two liquid organic fertilizers (ARATI NAWOZ {2.01% N} and ARATI BAJA {1.01% N}) and control were applied to four sunflower varieties (SAMSUN 1, SAMSUN 2, SAMSUN 3 and SAMSUN 4) during the late cropping season (July – Nov.) of 2016 and 2017 to evaluate their agronomic response. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design using a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement in three replicates. Data were collected on plant height at maturity, head diameter and weight, weight and number of seeds per head, 100 seed weight and seed yield. The varietal effect was significant (P &lt; 0.05) on head diameter and weight, and number and weight of seeds per head, and seed yield in 2016. However, during the markedly dry 2017, the varietal effect was not significant for any trait measured. Foliar application of ARATI NAWOZ significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased height at maturity, the weight of seeds and head per plant and seed yield relative to the control in both years. Significant Variety × Fertilizer interaction effect was also recorded on the height at maturity, head diameter and weight, and seed yield in 2016. SAMSUN 4 (975.6 kg/ha) produced significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher seed yield than SAMSUN 1 (789.82 kg/ha) and SAMSUN 2 (778.54 kg/ha) in 2016. The efficacy of the application of both fertilizers was on par for most traits in both years. On average, the application of organic fertilizers resulted in a 15.76 and 69.02% increase in seed yield relative to the control in 2016 and 2017, respectively. ARATI NAWOZ and ARATI BAJA appeared promising for sunflower production in the humid tropics.

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria