Impact Of Agriculture Research Articles

Effect of conservation agriculture on soil organic carbon, soil physical properties and yield of different cropping systems in Vertisols of central India

Intensive agriculture coupled with mechanization has become a threat to agricultural sustainability and hence, novel changes like conservation agriculture or regenerative agriculture are required to achieve desirable productivity and upkeep of natural assets. Around the world, conservation agriculture (CA), is gaining acceptance as an innovative and sustainable farming method that can improve the health of the soil, reduce the effect of climate change, enhance organic carbon in the soil, and increase agricultural production. The present research study examined the impact of conservation agriculture in the form of no-tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate stability, soil penetration resistance (SPR), and yield of different cropping systems in terms of soybean grain equivalent yield (SGEY). The study was carried out in the Vertisols of central India during the kharif season (July-October) and rabi season (November-April) of 2022-23 on the existing long-term CRP-CA research project at the research farm of the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, (M.P.), India, initiated way back in 2010. The field experiment was set up using a factorial randomized block design with two tillage systems, no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), and three cropping systems, namely, soybean-wheat, maize-gram, and maizewheat with four replications. Results revealed that CA-based NT plots have significantly higher SOC (0.93%), mean weight diameter (1.29 mm), and water-stable aggregate (82.12%) compared to the CT plots on the surface soil (0-10 cm). Tillage had no significant impact on the surface of the soil (0-15 cm) to soil penetration resistance, but in lower depths (15- 30 and 30-45 cm), SPR was significantly higher in CT compared to NT. The crop yield of NT in terms of SGEY (34.74 quintal ha-1) is significantly higher than CT (32.28 quintal ha-1). Thus, in the present era, CA techniques could be promoted as sustainable farming methods to increase agricultural yields and the physical health of the soil.

The impact of non-renewable energy and agriculture on environmental sustainability in Nigeria

The impact of non-renewable energy and agriculture on environmental sustainability in Nigeria

The Impact of Organic Agriculture on the Development of Green Economy: The Case of Turkiye

This study investigates the influence of organic agriculture on the sustainable economy in Turkiye. The green economy is an economic framework that seeks to enhance long-term human well-being by mitigating environmental hazards and promoting social equity. The strategy plan devised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Turkiye outlined seven objectives for the green economy, with five specifically targeting organic agriculture. This study has investigated the global expansion of organic agriculture and found a significant rise in the size of organic farming regions in recent years. An analysis of the progress of organic agriculture in Turkiye, revealing a notable expansion in organic agricultural areas. However, it was observed that this trend has declined over the past five years. The analysis revealed a rise in the backing for organic farming in Turkiye, along with noticeable diversification. The level of support for organic agriculture is established based on the product certificate, and the amount supplied varies by product category. Therefore, organic agriculture plays a vital role in the development of Turkiye’s green economy. To advance organic agriculture, it is crucial to enhance consumers’ and producers’ understanding of the concept of the green economy. Furthermore, it is imperative to broaden the scope of the existing assistance and offer monetary aid to farmers as they transition to organic farming.

Coupling GEDI LiDAR and Optical Satellite for Revealing Large‐Scale Maize Lodging in Northeast China

AbstractWind‐induced crop lodging can reduce agricultural production and impact food security. However, a systematic evaluation of large‐scale crop lodging and its drivers is lacking, mostly due to the limited observations available. Such knowledge gaps hinder the application of effective management practices to mitigate yield losses. Here, we quantify maize‐lodging induced by three consecutive typhoons in Northeast China in 2020 using direct crop canopy height observations from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigations (GEDI) instrument and optical satellite imagery. We show that the canopy water‐related vegetation index provides a robust wall‐to‐wall mapping of crop lodging, supported by changes in GEDI canopy height. Our spatially contiguous lodging maps show that lodging intensity is mainly due to typhoon intensity (64.34%), with maize plantation fraction (11.94%) and phenology (7.94%) as secondary factors. The shelterbelt forest may partly alleviate the lodging risk, but its effect requires further investigation. Considering the recent expansion of maize cultivation and the poleward shift of landfalling typhoons alongside climate change, the lodging risk may increase for maize and further threaten China's food security.

The Agricultural and Economic Impacts of Massive Water Diversion

The Agricultural and Economic Impacts of Massive Water Diversion

The human touch: a meta-analysis of anthropogenic effects on plant-pollinator interaction networks.

Anthropogenic activities significantly impact natural ecosystems, leading to alterations in plant and pollinator diversity and abundance. These changes often result in shifts within interacting communities, potentially reshaping the structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks. Given the escalating human footprint on habitats, evaluating the response of these networks to anthropization is critical for devising effective conservation and management strategies. We conducted a comprehensive review of the plant-pollinator network literature to assess the impact of anthropization on network structure. We assessed network metrics such as nestedness measure based on overlap and decreasing fills (NODF), network specialization (H2'), connectance (C), and modularity (Q) to understand structural changes. Employing a meta-analytical approach, we examined how anthropization activities, such as deforestation, urbanization, habitat fragmentation, agriculture, intentional fires and livestock farming, affect both plant and pollinator richness. We generated a dataset for various metrics of network structure and 36 effect sizes for the meta-analysis, from 38 articles published between 2010 and 2023. Studies assessing the impact of agriculture and fragmentation were well-represented, comprising 68.4% of all studies, with networks involving interacting insects being the most studied taxa. Agriculture and fragmentation reduce nestedness and increase specialization in plant-pollinator networks, while modularity and connectance are mostly not affected. Although our meta-analysis suggests that anthropization decreases richness for both plants and pollinators, there was substantial heterogeneity in this regard among the evaluated studies. The meta-regression analyses helped us determine that the habitat fragment size where the studies were conducted was the primary variable contributing to such heterogeneity. The analysis of human impacts on plant-pollinator networks showed varied effects worldwide. Responses differed among network metrics, signaling nuanced impacts on structure. Activities like agriculture and fragmentation significantly changed ecosystems, reducing species richness in both pollinators and plants, highlighting network vulnerability. Regional differences stressed the need for tailored conservation. Despite insights, more research is crucial for a complete understanding of these ecological relationships.

Avaliação da filosofia ecológica da agricultura tradicional chinesa e do desenvolvimento rural sustentável

Abstract: China’s traditional agricultural ecological philosophy, rooted in principles like intensive planting and diversified management, has historically minimized the ecological impact of agriculture. This study explores their application in rural sustainable development, providing theoretical insights and policy recommendations to balance economic growth and environmental conservation. The excellent ecological tradition of intensive planting, the combination of utilization and cultivation, and the diversified management passed down for thousands of years have played a very good role in alleviating the damage of agricultural farming to the ecological environment. Applying these concepts to the sustainable development of rural areas can balance rural economic development and environmental protection, regulate land use, maintain ecological balance and, finally, achieve harmonious coexistence. By analyzing China’s traditional agricultural ecological philosophy, this study identifies valuable ideological resources and provides methodological guidance for promoting sustainable rural development. It proposes strategies to balance economic growth with environmental protection, thereby ensuring the long-term ecological balance and harmonious coexistence in rural areas.

Ecological networks as a means for maintaining the sustainability of agroecosystems in Bryansk Oblast

Bryansk Oblast is one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of agricultural and industrial activities resulting in ecosystems’ sustainability decreasing. For the last decade, agricultural sector has been developing rapidly and now overtakes the industrial one. The dynamics of agricultural lands has positive trends in spite of the rising fragility of agroecosystems exposing them to further degradation. The goal of the study is to show a spatial distribution of the most vulnerable ecosystems involved in agricultural use on the territory of Bryansk Oblast and to propose an optimal structure of ecological networks that is able to support landscape sustainability during agricultural activity. Based on the technique for identifying the combination of agroecosystems with destabilizing features and protective properties, four ecological belts that form ecological networks were revealed. These belts consist of 65 sites of high nature concentration. The results of this research correlate well with the modern territorial planning scheme of Bryansk Oblast. Ecological networks are viewed as a necessary element of this scheme, as they will be able to mitigate the environmental impact of agriculture and to maintain the sustainability of agroecosystems at both the regional and intraregional level.

Assessment of physicochemical and microbiological quality using the SEQ-Eau approach for groundwater in the Saïss basin (Fez-Meknes region, Morocco)

The Saïss water table is one of Morocco's major agricultural regions. Its water resources satisfy domestic, agricultural, industrial, and tourist needs. The present work focuses on the technique used to detect spatiotemporal variations in the overall physicochemical, microbiological, and heavy metal quality of groundwater in the Saïss basin, as assessed by the SEQ-Eau water quality system. A total of 28 samples were collected during high and low water periods, respectively. The results show that 25% of the stations present average quality during the dry season, and are located mainly in the southern part of the Meknes plateau in the El Hajeb, Boufekrane, and Agouray regions, while this pollution is reduced during the wet season with a percentage of 7.14%. However, the poor quality of groundwater indicates that 75% and 92.85% occupy almost the entire rest of the basin during the dry and wet seasons. Mapping of nitrate pollution of groundwater indicates that the lowest nitrate concentrations were recorded in the southwest part of the aquifer. The highest values were recorded in the center of the study area, with a maximum value of 118 mg/l, which exceeds the Moroccan standard due to the anthropogenic impact of agriculture and water use.

Exploring the impact of agriculture and physical geography on poverty in the East Coast of Malaysia: A spatial analysis

Poverty is one of the most significant issues facing humanity in the 21st century. In Malaysia, awareness of poverty was more heavily weighted toward developing a prosperous lifestyle. Hence, the objectives of this study were to explore the spatial pattern of poverty and the effects of agricultural growth and physical geography on poverty in East Coast, Malaysia. Secondary data on the heads of poor households from 2020 were obtained from the e-Kasih database. The dependent variable was the number of poor household heads in each district, which count variable and acts as an indicator for measuring poverty. Therefore, a Generalised Linear Model (GLM) was used. Since a spatial autocorrelation was detected in the model using Moran’s I statistic, a Poisson Log Linear Leroux Conditional Autoregressive was fitted to the data. RStudio software was used to analyze the data. The results of this study indicate that the variables of the number of people without education, number of female heads of households, number of government servants, total land area for cash crops, and slope significantly influence the number of poor household heads in each district. The estimated poverty risk in each district was measured. ArcMap software created the poverty distribution map in Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu. The estimated poverty risk map shows a nearly similar spatial pattern to the Standardised Poverty Rate (SPR) map. This research adds new literature on poverty models in Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu for other researchers studying poverty factors in these regions.

Epics on the Great Silk Road: the influence of agriculture on literature and culture

This article explores the intricate relationship between agriculture, literature, and culture along the Great Silk Road. The Silk Road, a historical network of trade routes that spanned from East Asia to the Mediterranean, served as a conduit for not only goods but also the exchange of ideas, stories, and artistic expressions. Focusing on the profound impact of agriculture on this epic journey, the study delves into how the cultivation of crops and the rural way of life influenced the development of literature and the formation of cultural identities along this ancient trade route. By examining the interplay of agricultural practices, folk traditions, and epic narratives, this article sheds light on the synergy between the tangible and intangible aspects of life on the Silk Road. It discusses how agricultural abundance and the rhythms of rural existence shaped the storytelling traditions, beliefs, and cultural expressions of the diverse communities inhabiting this vast trade network. Drawing from historical records, literary works, and cultural artifacts, we identify the recurring motifs, characters, and themes that emerged from the agricultural roots of Silk Road societies and their lasting impact on global culture. Through a comprehensive analysis of the historical and cultural context, this article underscores the lasting influence of agriculture on literature and culture along the Great Silk Road, highlighting the enduring significance of this unique intersection of trade, agriculture, and storytelling.

Assessment of the impact of agriculture on the regional socio-economic development

Assessment of the impact of agriculture on the regional socio-economic development

Termites Onslaught in Pakistan: An In Depth Review of Agricultural Impacts

Termites Onslaught in Pakistan: An In Depth Review of Agricultural Impacts

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables Commonly Consumed in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Inadequate Agricultural Practices and Potential Impacts for Public Health

Pesticides residues in food pose a serious risk to children and adults consuming pesticide-contaminated food. The aim of present study was to assess pesticide residues in vegetables in the Kinshasa and Lubumbashi cities of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The levels of three pesticide residues were determined by gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector (ECD) or mass spectrometer-time of flight detector (GC–ECD or GC-MS-TOF) in 96 samples of four vegetables amaranth, spinach, sorrel and sweet potato-leaves purchased from wholesale markets. The Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane with its metabolites (3-DDTs), endosulfan and malathion residues were found in 100% of the vegetable samples from Lubumbashi and in 62.5% to 87.5% of all vegetable samples from Kinshasa. Risks were mainly associated with the residues of DDTs pesticides in vegetables. The HQ and HI estimations revealed a serious potential risk to consumers, children particularly. Due to multiple pesticide residues exceeding the MRLs for single residue levels, the consumers are exposed to pesticides, heavily in Lubumbashi. Due to increasing trend in pesticide use, continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables and other food is recommended in order to develop the base line data on which pesticide regulations could be enhanced in DRC.

Assessing the Nexus between Climate Change and Public Health in Nepal: A Comprehensive Exploration of Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Adaptive Strategies

Climate change and variability exert a global influence, affecting individuals and regions across the world. However, its impact is particularly pronounced in specific geographical areas and their inhabitants. Nepal, a globally recognized mountainous country, encompasses 18 percent of the world's mountainous terrain and spans 4.3 million km2 across eight Asian countries: Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan. These Asian regions are experiencing a warming trend that surpasses the global average, accompanied by a significant increase in precipitation over the past six decades, leading to heightened frequency and intensity of specific extreme events. The alterations in temperature and precipitation have already impacted and are expected to continue affecting various climate-dependent sectors such as hydrology, agriculture, biodiversity, and human health. This paper aims to document the historical and anticipated impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of Nepal's population, providing adaptation and mitigation strategies to alleviate these effects. Additionally, the study assesses the indirect impact of agriculture and other human-related issues on human health and well-being. Utilizing narrative review processes, the research concludes the outlined issues. In Nepal, climate change contributes to complex challenges, resulting in the proliferation of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), malnutrition, and injuries, as evident from this review. Consequently, the prompt implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures is imperative to protect the vulnerable populations residing in the country.

The impact of agriculture and industry sectors on environmental pollution: an econometric application in selected OECD member countries

İnsanoğlu yaradılışından bu yana çevre ile sürekli etkileşim halinde olmuştur. Tarım ve sanayi sektörlerinde yaşanan gelişmeler; yaşamı daha konforlu hale getirirken, ekonomik büyüme ve refah düzeyinde artışlar sağlanmış ancak, doğaya daha fazla müdahale edildiğinden, çevre üzerinde baskılar artmış, yaşam alanlarının bozulmasına yol açmıştır. Gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan ülkelerde hızlı sanayileşme süreci ile enerji kullanımındaki artışlar CO2 salınımını artırarak çevresel tahribatlara neden olmuştur. Çevresel tahribattaki artışlara paralel çevre kalitesindeki düşüşler ülkelerin, endişelerini artırdığından bu konulardaki araştırmalar öncelenmiş, sürdürülebilir çevre dostu ekonomik büyüme hedefleri ortaya konulmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacını tarım ve sanayi sektöründeki gelişmelerin çevre kirliliği üzerindeki etkisini seçilmiş OECD üyesi ülkelerinde (Fransa, Almanya, ABD, Birleşik Krallık, Danimarka, Hollanda, Belçika, Japonya, İtalya ve İspanya) araştırmak olmuştur. Çalışmada 2000-2019 dönemine ait veri setinden hareketle panel veri analizi uygulanmıştır. Çalışmada uygulanan FMOLS analizi bulgularına göre; uzun dönemde tarımsal katma değerdeki 1 birimlik artış CO2 emisyonlarını 0.12 birim; sanayileşmedeki 1 birimlik artış CO2 emisyonlarını 0.31 birim ve tarımsal arazi alanındaki 1 birimlik artış CO2 salınımlarını 0.92 birim artırdığı belirlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte çalışmada uygulanan panel DOLS analizinden elde edilen sonuçlara göre; uzun dönemde tarımsal katma değerdeki 1 birimlik artış CO2 salınımlarında 1.02 birim; tarımsal arazi alanındaki 1 birimlik artış ise CO2 emisyonlarında 1.41 birimlik artışa neden olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

A Platform for GHG Emissions Management in Mixed Farms

This research introduces an innovative platform designed to manage greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in mixed farms. Emphasizing the urgent need to address GHG emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), the platform targets mixed farming systems where the interplay of livestock and crop production significantly contributes to environmental impacts. Our methodology is grounded in comprehensive data collection, encompassing soil data, energy consumption, and detailed livestock information. Utilizing the Agricultural Internet of Things (AIoT), it facilitates real-time data acquisition and analysis, providing insights into various farm activities’ GHG emissions. This approach allows for precise monitoring and management of emissions from different sources, including enteric fermentation in livestock and fertilizer use in crop production. Results from the application show its effectiveness in offering a clear and interactive visualization of GHG emissions, aiding farmers in making informed decisions for sustainable farm management. The platform’s user management system, coupled with advanced data processing and visualization capabilities, underscores its potential as a vital tool for sustainable farming. Conclusively, Solution4Farming represents a significant advancement in digital agriculture, combining IoT technology with sustainable practices. Though initially designed for Romanian cattle farming, Solution4Farming’s anticipated expansion to various farming environments suggests a broader impact and relevance in sustainable agriculture.

Explaining yield dynamics during vineyard conversion to organic farming

Numerous studies have emphasized the necessity for major transitions in agriculture. Organic farming is presented as a way to limit the environmental impact of agriculture and produce healthier food. While studies often compare the performance of organic farming to that of conventional farming, there is a lack of knowledge on the conversion period. The present work explores the dynamics of practices employed during the conversion to organic farming and the impact of this transition on various compartments of the agrosystem. From 2013 to 2016, a regional agronomic diagnosis was performed on a network of 48 vineyard plots * year situations in southern France that are either under conventional management or are transitioning to organic farming. An inventory of practices was performed, and various indicators for the agrosystem status were monitored to investigate the changes that occur during the conversion to organic farming. The results of this study showed that the conversion involves a transitional period during which practices change and are adjusted from year to year. All the compartments of the agrosystem studied are impacted by these changes. Yield reductions observed in the first and second years of conversion could be related to the dynamics of pest and disease severity, decreases in nitrogen status and increases in water stress. Pest and disease control and soil management are key practices that must be mastered to limit the impact of conversion on production. This study shows that knowledge and in-depth support are needed before and during conversion to limit the impact of this transitional period and make the conversion successful.

Validation of a sensor-system for real-time measurement of mineralized nitrogen in soils

When reducing the negative impact of agriculture on the environment, one major approach is to substantially decrease the nitrate contamination of the groundwater originating from mineral and organic fertilization. However, efficient plant production relies on sufficient nutrient supply. Finding the balance between appropriate plant nutrition and ground water conservation is a challenge. Appropriate nitrogen fertilization relies on the measurement of mineralized nitrogen (Nmin) - the total amount of nitrate and ammonium - in the soil. Taking soil samples with an auger and subsequent chemical analyses in a laboratory is state of the art. However, this process is time-consuming and often time-delayed. The Stenon FarmLab, a sensor spade, is a new device which claims to measure soil Nmin and other soil parameters in real-time with spectral methods. The aim of this study was to validate the Nmin measurements of the Stenon FarmLab with the common laboratory method. The authors conducted a series of 20 measurements consisting of a varying number of individual values per measurement. In total, 211 individual values on 15 different field sites in three regions in Bavaria, Germany were analyzed. Reference samples for laboratory analysis were taken simultaneously with a sampling auger. Only 181 of the 211 individual values were considered in the evaluation as Nmin contents of less than 42 kg N ha−1 and greater than 189 kg N ha−1 exceeded FarmLab's measurement range. The results showed that the Stenon FarmLab overestimated Nmin in 75 % of the cases in comparison to the laboratory analysis. On average, the mean values of the sampled sites differed by 38 kg N ha−1 showing a 69 % mean deviation from the laboratory. The overall coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.3 for individual measurements and 0.66 for the mean values of a site. In conclusion, the Stenon FarmLab is a good approach for a more time-saving method regarding relative differences within or between fields. However, absolute values measured with the Stenon FarmLab, which are required for demand-driven fertilization, are not accurate enough: the system needs to be further improved to match reference methods.

Enduring Legacies of Agriculture: Long-term Vegetation Impacts of Ancestral Menominee Agriculture, Wisconsin, USA

Agriculture significantly reshapes soils and ecology, often with lasting ecological impacts. For over a millennium, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin have practiced maize agriculture in the upper Great Lakes. Though the vast majority of ancestral Indigenous agricultural sites have been destroyed in the American Midwest, the Menominee have documented numerous archaeological, raised garden bed sites at their Reservation, enabling an investigation into the lasting vegetation impacts of ancestral Menominee agricultural practices. Here, we report findings from our pilot vegetation surveys of three ancestral raised garden bed sites. Results show that all sites surveyed are high quality ecosystems. We observed differences in species richness between agricultural and non-agricultural places, although findings varied based on location. Overall, our surveys illustrate the complexity of these anthropogenic, biologically diverse landscapes shaped by past and contemporary Menominee land use and illustrate how today’s ecology is in part an enduring legacy of past practices.