Harvest Cycle Research Articles

Enhancing the energetic potential of sugarcane biorefinery exchanging vinasse and glycerol in sugarcane off-season in an anaerobic reactor

Anaerobic digestion is a viable process to recover bioenergy through sugarcane vinasse in the form of methane. However, interruptions in the anaerobic reactors operation during the sugarcane off-season is clearly a challenge to the anaerobic systems’ performance, which potentially negatively compromise the energy balance in a sugarcane biorefinery. Glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production, is a viable option for vinasse replacement in the off-season period. Anaerobic co-digestion of these wastewaters can promote improvements in operational conditions and enhance energy recovery. Thus, this study evaluated the exchange of substrates, vinasse and glycerol, in an anaerobic structured bed reactor (AnSTBR), using glycerol as substrate in off-season and vinasse in the following harvest season, in mono- and co-digestion processes. The AnSTBR operation showed promising results regarding the organic matter removal (higher than 80%, in terms of chemical oxygen demand) and methane yields (higher than 225 NmLCH4.g−1CODrem). The methane produced, for a cycle of harvest, off-season and harvest again, can improve approximately 17.5% the energy generation in the sugarcane biorefinery, using glycerol as substrate, instead of shutting down the anaerobic reactor in off-season, resulting in a positive economic balance. Furthermore, the operational strategy of gradually exchanging substrates ensured the system stability throughout the operation.

Screening and selection of Brachiaria brizantha accessions for forage values under irrigation at Wondo Genet, Sidama, Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to evaluate different Brachiaria brizantha accessions at the Wondo genet agricultural research center to identify species/accessions so as to use the better performing ecotype for wider distribution among livestock producer communities in the country. Seven Brachiaria grass accessions (B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550; B. humidicola, 9222; B. brizantha, 13379 and B. mutica,) were used as treatments in randomized complete block design with three replications. The overall dry matter yield for B. humidicola, 9222 (5.95t/ha), and B. mutica, (5.61t/ha) accessions didn’t show a significant difference (p > 0.05) but significantly (p < 0.05) lower than all other accessions. Mean plant heights for the accessions were significantly different (p < 0.05) throughout the harvesting cycle period and overall yield with a lower plant height of B. mutica (63.2 cm) while non-significant (p > 0.05) overall mean height was recorded among other accessions. B. brizantha, 13151; B. brizantha, 13368; B. brizantha, 13653; B. brizantha, 16550 and B. brizantha, 13379 accessions outperformed in terms of overall dry matter yield. Further studies on agronomic performances of promising B. brizantha accessions under on-farm conditions and nutritional evaluation involving live-animal experiments are recommended.

Impacts of Harvesting Age and Pricing Schemes on Economic Sustainability of Cassava Farmers in Thailand under Market Uncertainty

This paper involves an analysis to determine appropriate cassava harvest practices and choose a pricing scheme between farmers and factories, cassava yards, and collectors in Thailand. Harvest practices represent all activities from land preparation to harvest. A key decision that governs the amount of resources required during cassava life cycle is the cassava’s harvesting age. The harvesting age can be from eight to 18 months in two patterns: fixed age, e.g., harvest every 12 months, and variable age, e.g., harvest at an age between 10 and 14 months. After harvesting, there are two common pricing schemes to consider, which are weight-based and starch-content-based. Factors that affect the two decisions made by Thai farmers at a given time are the market price, which highly varies within a season and between seasons, and yields in terms of weight and starch content, both of which change with cassava’s age and/or harvest month. Economic sustainability measure for Thai farmers is the average monthly profit that the farmers gain over cassava harvest cycle under uncertain market price. To handle uncertainties, a simulation model is constructed to imitate cassava planting activities from cultivation to harvest. The purpose is to evaluate various harvesting ages and two pricing schemes under uncertain cassava market prices. Market prices in 15 seasons (2006–2021) are grouped using the k-mean clustering into four price scenarios. As cassava grows in the simulation, the required resources are consumed until the decisions on harvesting time and pricing scheme are made with estimated selling probability under different price scenarios and uncertainty in cassava yield. Through simulation, harvesting age and pricing scheme that are most profitable and robust-to-system-variation are determined. Finally, a guideline for Thai farmers to choose a pricing scheme is developed based on the sensitivity analysis of the simulation model.

Impact of organic soil amendments in antibiotic levels, antibiotic resistance gene loads, and microbiome composition in corn fields and crops

The potential spreading of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) into agricultural fields and crops represent a fundamental limitation on the use of organic fertilization in food production systems. We present here a study of the effect of spreading four types of organic soil amendments (raw pig slurry, liquid and solid fractions, and a digested derivative) on demonstrative plots in two consecutive productive cycles of corn harvest (Zea mays), using a mineral fertilizer as a control, following the application of organic amendments at 32–62 T per ha (150 kg total N/ha) and allowing 5–8 months between fertilization and harvest. A combination of qPCR and high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing methods showed a small, but significant impact of the fertilizers in both ARG loads and microbiomes in soil samples, particularly after the second harvesting cycle. The slurry solid fraction showed the largest impact on both ARG loads and microbiome variation, whereas its digestion derivatives showed a much smaller impact. Soil samples with the highest ARG loads also presented increased levels of tetracyclines, indicating a potential dual hazard by ARG and antibiotic residues linked to some organic amendments. Unlike soils, no accumulation of ARG or antibiotics was observed in corn leaves (used as fodder) or grains, and no grain sample reached detection limits for neither parameter. These results support the use of organic soil amendments in corn crops, while proposing the reduction of the loads of ARGs and antibiotics from the fertilizers to greatly reduce their potential risk.

A Solution Management in Handling Economic Inequality Among Agrarian Communities

Agriculture has been an inherent part of human civilization for centuries. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationship between agricultural production and agricultural community income. The pattern of their relationship followed the dynamics of the Lotka-Volterra model. Two of the six critical phenomena that might occur: first, if the farmer's crop were abundant, the farmers' income would increase rapidly; second, if the farmers' yields decreased, the farmer's income would automatically decrease. Low and unstable farmer income could lead to poor productivity and low economic growth. Thus, monitoring and early warning were essential to effectively prevent possible negative impacts on agricultural product production, consumption, and changes in market prices. Sustainable agricultural systems included maintenance or enhancement of environmental natural resources, food supply, and social welfare. In brief, good agricultural management could maintain the balance of the ecosystem, contribute to the economy continuously, and increase agrarian communities' economic resilience. Keywords: agrarian community; ecosystem; harvest cycle; income; Lotka-Volterra

Different managements in conventional sugarcane reform in sandy soils: effects on physical properties and soil organic carbon

Sugarcane culture in Brazil has expanded the planting area to degraded pastures and sandy soils. Sugarcane field reform is carried out after five or more harvest cycles, with conventional tillage, followed by planting sugarcane, or growing soybeans or a cover crop. This study aimed to analyze the effects of these different managements in the conventional sugarcane reform on the physical properties and organic carbon in an Argissolo Vermelho distrófico arênico (sandy Ultisol), located at latitude 21° 13’ 40” south, [...]

Productivity of sago palms on smallholder plantations after rewetting in previously drained peatland: a case study on Tebing Tinggi Island, Riau Province, Indonesia

Sustainable land use through rewetting is becoming increasingly important in drained peatlands. We assessed the recovery of productivity of smallholder paludiculture using sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) in a rewetted peatland on Tebing Tinggi Island, Riau Province, Indonesia, which had been drained and burned in 2014. Stand structure and productivity of sago palms in smallholder plantations were measured in December 2016, November 2017, and March 2020. The sago stands were divided into three stands structure groups (pre-harvest stands, mid- to post-harvest stands, and growing period stands) according to gaps in the harvesting cycle, which were distributed in a mosaic pattern. Only those sago palms that had reached their maximum size were harvested, and as a result the mosaic pattern varied over time (spatial variation). The estimated harvest trunk height after rewetting was 8.9±1.5 m (mean±SD), which was not significantly different from that before drainage (9.7±0.4 m). The average annual yield of sago was 26.8 trunks ha－1, and there was large annual variation. Annual yield of paludiculture conducted after rewetting recovered to the same yield as that before drainage (26.0 trunks ha－1). Such size distribution patterns and large fluctuations in yield are characteristic of semi-traditional smallholder sago cultivation. Despite fluctuations in annual yield, harvesting only suitable individuals allows sago palms to be supplied every year. The findings obtained in this study will contribute to national and regional efforts to initiate paludiculture using sago palms.

A parametric logistic equation with light flux and medium concentration for cultivation planning of microalgae.

Microalgae are considered to be promising producers of bioactive chemicals, feeds and fuels from carbon dioxide by photosynthesis. Thus, the prediction of microalgal growth profiles is important for the planning of cost-effective and sustainable cultivation–harvest cycles. This paper proposes a mathematical model capable of predicting the effect of light flux into culture and medium concentration on the growth profiles of microalgae by incorporating these growth-limiting factors into a logistic equation. The specific form of the equation is derived based on the experimentally measured growth profiles of Monoraphidium sp., a microalgal strain isolated by the authors, under 16 conditions consisting of combinations of incident light fluxes into culture and initial medium concentrations. Using a cross-validation method, it is shown that the proposed model has the ability to predict necessary incident light flux into culture and initial medium concentration for harvesting target biomass at a target time. Finally, model-guided cultivation planning is performed and is evaluated by comparing the result with experimental data.

Research on Forest Utility for Maximizing Forest Value

In order to measure forest carbon sequestration and make decisions on forest management, three models were established in this paper. Firstly, in Model I, we use ARIMA model and CBEF model to obtain the total biomass stored in the forest area and annual carbon sequestration of different dominant species in the same year. Then in Model II, the study classifies the value of forest ecosystem into carbon sink value, economic value and ecological benefit value. Then determine the weight of different forest values to obtain total forest value. Ultimately, In Model III, this paper defines the forms of economic benefits after tree harvesting based on economic principles, Tietenberg model and empirical equation, so as to obtain the optimal harvesting intensity and cycle of different tree species. So the optimal forest management plan can be determined. In this paper, the optimal management plan for forest value maximization in Palau within a certain period is given based on the above multidimensional measurement of forest value. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out, which shows there was little difference in the total value of forests calculated by the model when average log prices remained stable.

Evaluation of improved plantain type of banana (Musa spp.) varieties at Mechara on Station, Eastern Ethiopia

Fruit crops are widely grown in west Hararghe by small households and plays significant role for income generation and nutrition. Plantains are cooking type’s banana producing fruits that remain starchy at maturity and need processing before consumption. Even though the environment is suitable for the production of fruit, the productivity of the crop is highly influenced by low yielding variety and low moisture. Therefore, the trail was conducted to evaluate high yielding, drought and disease resistant/tolerant Plantain types of Banana varieties at Mechara onstation. Four plantain varieties were brought from Melkasa Agricultural Research Center and evaluated for agronomic and yield and yield related traits using Completely Randomized Block Design in three replications. The Analysis of variance results revealed significant variation among plantain varieties for all traits over both harvesting cycles except Fruit diameter (cm), number of fruit per bunch and unmarketable yield. The highest bunch weight, number of hands per bunch, number of fruits per bunch, marketable yield and total yields had recorded from Nijiru variety followed by kardaba. Nijiru variety was resistance to banana disease (sigatoka and panama disease) as compared to the other varieties. Whereas the lowest bunch weight, number of fruits per bunch, marketable yield, total yields was observed from Matokke variety. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that average bunch weight, Fruit diameter, number of finger per hand and Marketable yield were positively correlated to total yield. It is, therefore, concluded that Nijiru variety was well performed and can be recommended for the growers for Mechara and similar agro ecology of the area.

Post-harvest recovery of soil methane oxidation on skid trails and landings in a managed northern hardwood forest

Skid trails and landings are features within managed forest landscapes where soils are moderately to extremely disturbed by forestry vehicles. They have been found to exhibit reduced methane (CH4) oxidation or CH4 emissions six months to a year after a harvest has ended, but little is known about when these changes begin to occur (either during or after harvests) or how they recover over a longer timeframe. We took periodic measurements of soil CH4 flux from skid trails and landings during a harvest, and also quantified CH4 flux rates from sites that had been harvested up to 15 years prior to form a replicated chronosequence of soil recovery. In the thirteen-week period of active harvesting soil CH4 oxidation steadily declined, with small emissions occurring by the end of the measurement period. The chronosequence measurements revealed high rates of CH4 emissions the first year after harvest followed by a decrease in the following years. Emissions were particularly strong from landings and skid trails that had experienced high amounts of traffic and were located on lower slopes. By the end of the 15-year chronosequence landing and skid trail soils had returned to acting as CH4 sinks; however, the rates of oxidation remained lower than undisturbed forest soils. Further, integration of models created to predict CH4 flux over time indicates that CH4 flux from these soils are unlikely to reach a full recovery within a 20-year period - the average length of time of a harvest cycle in this region. On landings the change from emissions back to oxidation was correlated with soil temperatures, which decreased over time. On some skid trails CH4 flux was correlated with soil moisture content, which initially increased from buried wood’s increased water holding capacity and then decreased over time. The results suggest that remediation measures ought to be implemented immediately after harvest to avoid the high emissions that occur in the following few years and should prioritize the removal or prevention of incorporation of wood fragments.

Sensitivity of Four Indices of Meteorological Drought for Rainfed Maize Yield Prediction in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico

In the state of Sinaloa, rainfall presents considerable irregularities, and the climate is mainly semiarid, which highlights the importance of studying the sensitivity of various indices of meteorological drought. The goal is to evaluate the sensitivity of four indices of meteorological drought from five weather stations in Sinaloa for the prediction of rainfed maize yield. Using DrinC software and data from the period 1982–2013, the following were calculated: the standardized precipitation index (SPI), agricultural standardized precipitation index (aSPI), reconnaissance drought index (RDI) and effective reconnaissance drought index (eRDI). The observed rainfed maize yield (RMYob) was obtained online, through free access from the database of the Agrifood and Fisheries Information Service of the government of Mexico. Sensitivities between the drought indices and RMYob were estimated using Pearson and Spearman correlations. Predictive models of rainfed maize yield (RMYpr) were calculated using multiple linear and nonlinear regressions. In the models, aSPI and eRDI with reference periods and time steps of one month (January), two months (December–January) and three months (November–January), were the most sensitive. The correlation coefficients between RMYob and RMYpr ranged from 0.423 to 0.706, all being significantly different from zero. This study provides new models for the early calculation of RMYpr. Through appropriate planning of the planting–harvesting cycle of dryland maize, substantial socioeconomic damage can be avoided in one of the most important agricultural regions of Mexico.

Short rotation woody crops as a source of bioactive compounds depending on genotype and harvest cycle

Short rotation woody crops (SRWC) are one of the available sources of renewable feedstock which can be used in the medical, chemical and power industries. The current study evaluated the usability of the bark from different SRWC genotypes as a source of bioactive compounds. The specific objectives were to determine the concentrations of six bioactive substances in bark, bark yield and potential bioactive substance yield. A two-factorial field experiment was carried out in north-eastern Poland and comprised 14 SRWC genotypes, including one Robinia genotype, five Populus genotypes, seven clones and one variety of the genus Salix and two cycles of biomass harvest: annual and quadrennial. The genetic variability had a significant impact on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the bioactive substances in the bark of the studied SRWC, whereas the biomass harvest cycle determined the quantitative concentration of individual bioactive substances. Extending the biomass harvest rotation decreased the mean concentration of the substances under analysis by ca. 20%. The highest total concentration of bioactive substances was found in poplar bark obtained from P. balsamifera. Among the six studied bioactive substances, the highest mean concentration was determined for salicin (20.61 mg g−1 d.m.), followed by salicortin (12.58 mg g−1 d.m.). A significantly lower concentration was determined for salicylic acid (2.74 mg g−1 d.m.) and salireposide (2.51 mg g−1 d.m.), whereas kaempferol and quercetin were determined in trace amounts. The total potential yield of the analyzed bioactive compounds varied significantly, both with respect to genetic variability and biomass harvest cycle.

Squeezing More Juice out of Dielectric Elastomer Generators.

Dielectric elastomer generators are soft structures capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Here, we develop a theoretical model of the triangular harvesting cycle that enables the harvesting of most of the available electrical energy while not requiring active monitoring of the charge-voltage state on the DEG. This cycle is therefore interesting for small-scale generators for which a monitoring circuit would be energetically too costly. Our model enables the identification of the optimal value of the circuit’s parameters such as storage capacitor and priming voltage values and show that for capacitance swings up to 6, 94% of the available electrical energy can be harvested. The model is experimentally validated with a conical generator, and the effect of non-constant deformation amplitudes is examined. Energy densities up to 46 mJcm−3 were obtained for an electric field of 50 V µm−1.

A Bayesian belief data mining approach applied to rice and shrimp aquaculture.

In many parts of the world, conditions for small scale agriculture are worsening, creating challenges in achieving consistent yields. The use of automated decision support tools, such as Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs), can assist producers to respond to these factors. This paper describes a decision support system developed to assist farmers on the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, who grow both rice and shrimp crops in the same pond, based on an existing BBN. The BBN was previously developed in collaboration with local farmers and extension officers to represent their collective perceptions and understanding of their farming system and the risks to production that they face. This BBN can be used to provide insight into the probable consequences of farming decisions, given prevailing environmental conditions, however, it does not provide direct guidance on the optimal decision given those decisions. In this paper, the BBN is analysed using a novel, temporally-inspired data mining approach to systematically determine the agricultural decisions that farmers perceive as optimal at distinct periods in the growing and harvesting cycle, given the prevailing agricultural conditions. Using a novel form of data mining that combines with visual analytics, the results of this analysis allow the farmer to input the environmental conditions in a given growing period. They then receive recommendations that represent the collective view of the expert knowledge encoded in the BBN allowing them to maximise the probability of successful crops. Encoding the results of the data mining/inspection approach into the mobile Decision Support System helps farmers access explicit recommendations from the collective local farming community as to the optimal farming decisions, given the prevailing environmental conditions.

Carbon nanotubes decorated hollow metal–organic frameworks for efficient solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting

• Hollow MIL-101(Cr) is formed by etching for fast water capture and release. • Carbon nanotubes decorated hollow MIL-101 promotes photothermal performance. • The hierarchical porous structure enhances the water affinity under low humidity. • The water uptake and release rates are the highest among those reported. High equilibrium uptake capacity and rapid adsorption/desorption kinetics are essential to achieve efficient atmospheric water harvesting. In this work, carbon nanotubes decorated hollow MIL-101(Cr) particles (HMC-2) are prepared and utilized for solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting with nice water adsorption capacity and fast kinetics. The hierarchical porous hollow MIL-101(Cr) particles formed by post-etching show highly active defect sites and low mass transfer resistance, which promotes the adsorption and diffusion of water molecules. The resulted HMC-2 demonstrates a maximum water uptake of 1.074 g/g at 25 °C, 90% RH. Notably, the water adsorption capacity of HMC-2 in low humidity (40% RH) are increased by 113% and 202.6% compared to pure MIL-101(Cr) and carbon nanotubes decorated MIL-101(Cr). Due to the synergistic effect of CNTs and hollow MIL-101(Cr), the HMC-2 composites generate sufficient solar thermal heat and improve the desorption kinetics. The maximum adsorbed water of HMC-2 can be completely desorbed within 90 min under one sunlight. A single cycle of sorption–desorption of HMC-2 can be achieved within 210 min. This means that if the water harvesting cycle is performed three times daily, it is possible to harvest 3.22 L of water per kilogram of adsorbent at the area with high humidity. The water uptake and release rates of HMC-2 are competitive with even superior to most those reported. This may demonstrate a promising potential for atmospheric water generators.

Improving sustainable tropical forest management with voluntary carbon markets

Due to a rapidly changing climate, voluntary carbon markets are gaining momentum and should be leveraged to improve and expand tropical sustainable forest management plans, limiting carbon emissions and enhancing critical carbon sinks. By sequestering more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem — ~1 Pg C yr−1 — tropical forests provide crucial natural climate solutions and opportunities in the evolving voluntary carbon market. Here, we argue that some issues with the current sustainable management of tropical forests can be addressed using carbon-focused sustainable forest management (SFM + C) to leverage financial resources for tropical forest carbon storage and sequestration. We suggest an extended harvest cycle in SFM + C and calculate an associated potential increase in aboveground carbon stocks of commercial timber of 1.26 Mg C ha−1 after each cycle in the Brazilian Amazon. The additional carbon storage due to a longer harvest cycle can generate carbon credits worth 152.6 (SD 9.2) US dollars per hectare in 40 years. Considering an average cost of 180 BRL per m3 of commercial timber delivered to the sawmill, an SFM + C plan with a 40-year cycle could generate 28.7% (SD 2.5) more profit than 35-year cycles by combining timber and carbon revenues. A robust carbon price could incentivize the further extension of harvest cycles, providing a monetary return that offsets the opportunity cost intrinsic to harvesting under longer cycles. Finally, we highlight research needs to support tropical SFM + C, which can be part of a global collective effort to limit global warming to below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels.

A mathematical model to study the dynamics of carbon capture in forest plantations

Fast-growing forest plantations play an important role in reducing global warming and have great potential for carbon capture. In this study, we aimed to model the dynamics of carbon capture in fast-growing plantations. A mathematical model is proposed consisting of a tridimensional nonlinear system. The variables involved are the amount of living biomass, the intrinsic growth of biomass, and the burned area by forestry fire. The environmental humidity is also considered, assumed as a parameter by simplicity. The solutions of the model are approximated numerically by the Runge-Kutta fourth-order method. Once the equilibria of the model have been obtained and its local stability determined, the analysis of the model reveals that the living biomass, as well as the stored carbon, decreases in each harvest cycle as a consequence of the negative effects of fire on soil properties. Furthermore, the model shows that the maximum area burned is attained always after the maximum volume of biomass is obtained. Numerical simulations show that the model solutions are reasonable for the growth dynamics of a plantation, from a theoretical perspective. The mathematical results suggest that a suitable optimal management strategy to avoid biomass losses in the successive regeneration cycles of the plantation is the prevention of fires together with soil fertilization, applied to fast-growing plantations.

Compatibilidade e variabilidade fenotípica de acessos de goiabeira enxertados em porta-enxerto BRS Guaraçá: características vegetativas e de produção de frutos

ABSTRACT One of the main problems faced by guava production is the decline caused by the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne enterolobii), which has a wide distribution in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the productive and morphological compatibility and variability of guava accessions grafted on BRS Guaraçá, a rootstock with resistance to the root-knot nematode. The experiment was conducted with 83 accessions from the Psidium Germplasm Bank (Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil). The evaluated traits were stem diameter, canopy diameter I and II, plant height, total number of fruits, total fruit weight, mean fruit weight, seed weight, pulp weight, fruit width and length. Except for the stem diameter ratio, all variables showed significant diferences (p < 0.05), indicating phenotypic variability. The evaluated accessions showed no incompatibility symptoms, e.g., cracks, exudations and diferences for stem diameter in the grafted area, indicating high compatibility. The accessions formed vigorous plants in the second harvest cycle, with mean canopy diameter of 2.3 m and mean plant height of 2.2 m, also indicating high compatibility. The accessions Gua64BA, Gua181ES, Gua06MA, Pedro Sato and Gua99AM showed the highest values for pulp and fruit weight (around 160 g), whereas Gua96AM, Gua70RO, Gua192ES, Gua01MA and Gua183ES showed the highest fruit production values (around 20 kg plant−1), being recommended for grafting in BRS Guaraçá or as potential parents for population development.

Enhanced Atmospheric Water Harvesting with Sunlight-Activated Sorption Ratcheting.

The global challenge of clean water scarcity needs to be confronted with novel sustainable, climate neutral solutions, over the entire spectrum of possible clean water availability. Atmospheric moisture represents a major untapped resource that can be harvested by sorbents, enabling water production in dry inland regions where it is needed. While benefiting from the utilization of an important renewable energy source, solar-driven, sorbent-based atmospheric water harvesting systems are inseparably based on a single water harvesting cycle per day, which severely limits the daily water productivity and the competitiveness of this very promising technology. Here, we rationally design an atmospheric water harvesting strategy, using durable hydrogel sorbents, that operates with sorption "ratcheting"─a large sequence of rapid adsorption and subsequent desorption steps─activated by direct sunlight. Employing theoretical considerations, we tailor the ratcheting timescales to the inherent sorption properties of the hydrogels, optimally exploiting their natural harvesting capabilities, while maintaining the sustainable utility of the daily cycle. Amplified by the favorable sorption properties and ratcheting stability of the sorbent, this strategy demonstrates an impressive ∼80% increase in water harvesting yield over the daily cycle systems. The generic nature of the ratcheting concept shows great potential to advance the water harvesting capabilities of a range of related systems.