Increase Food Production Research Articles

Planting date and tillage effects on yield and nutrient uptake of two sorghum cultivars grown in sub-humid and semi-arid regions in South Africa

IntroductionSorghum is emerging as a viable crop option to increase food production under changing climate due to its resilience to drought and marginal soils. Appropriate planting date, crop cultivars, type of tillage and rotations, under contrasting climatic conditions, could make significant contribution on the effective management of sorghum under changing climatic conditions. A short-term study was carried out to investigate the effects of planting date, crop cultivar, tillage type and rotations on the growth and primary nutrient uptake of sorghum in contrasting climatic regions.MethodsThe study was conducted in Free State - (FS) and KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Provinces of South Africa over two seasons (2020/21 and 2021/22). The two cultivars (Pan8816 and Macia) were sown in December (PD1) and in January (PD2) under conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) and with two rotations (Sorghum-Cowpea-Sorghum and Sorghum-Sorghum-Sorghum) resulting in 2×2×2×2 factorial experiment.Results and discussionIn KZN, in both the first (2020/21) and second (2021/22) seasons, the effects of all the factors, except cultivar in the second season, were not significant on yield, and uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). In the second season, Pan8816 (4.40 t/ha) produced 3.3 times higher yield than Macia (1.32 t/ha), and took up higher N, K and P. In FS, the early planted sorghum (1.15 t/ha for season one; 3.39 t/ha for season two) had significantly higher yield than late planted sorghum (0.434 and 0.91 t/ha for seasons one and two, respectively). Furthermore, the early-planted crops took up higher N, K and P than when planted late, while Pan8816 took up 1.74 times more P than Macia. Plants grown under CT (2.61 t/ha) produced significantly higher yield than under NT (1.70 t/ha), with plants under CT taking up significantly more K than those grown on NT. These findings suggest that in the drier FS, early planting under conventional tillage, while in the wetter KZN, selecting the appropriate cultivar (PAN8816), are essential for sorghum grain yield, at least in the short-term.

Enhancement of Production and Food Security Through Sustainable Shallot Cultivation

Abstract Increasing food production and security has become the main focus in facing global challenges. In this context, cultivating shallots (Allium cepa var. aggregatum) with a sustainable approach is critical to meeting sustainable food needs. Shallot is one of the horticultural crops that contribute significantly to farmers’ food needs, income, economy, and food supply in Indonesia. However, conventional shallot cultivation practices often face problems such as soil degradation, ecosystem damage, and dependence on synthetic chemicals. Therefore, sustainable shallot cultivation is vital to increase productivity, yield quality, and environmental sustainability. This article provides information and examines a sustainable systems approach in shallot cultivation involving organic farming practices, efficient water management, integrated weed control, and biological protection against diseases and pests. The use of varieties that are resistant to diseases and pests, as well as adaptive to climate change, are also important factors in sustainable shallot cultivation. In this case, technology and innovation in plant breeding can provide solutions to produce more resilient and productive shallot varieties. Sustainable shallot cultivation offers economic benefits for farmers and maintains environmental sustainability and food availability for the community. Therefore, collaboration between the government, farmers, research institutions, and the private sector is key in encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices in shallot cultivation.

Preface

This significant increase in population has caused food availability in the world. Food is to become increasingly limited and it is not surprising that the world will experience a food crisis. There are many things that cause a food crisis, including increasing population growth, environmental damage, land conversion and a decline in the quality of agricultural land, changes in consumption patterns. The mindset of farmers which is completely practical and not in accordance with market predictions as well as the conversion of agricultural land into residential and industrial areas are several factors for the occurrence of a food crisis in the future. Efforts to fulfill food needs have been made by the government. Starting with the green revolution. It was used as a way to increase food production. Then continued with the blue revolution in order to meet human needs, especially the need for protein originating from fish. Apart from the two efforts above, efforts continue to be made to search for superior seeds, which is one of the efforts to increase agricultural production, using genetic engineering technology. Based on this, Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro would like to address issues around resilience of the agricultural sector in the global food crisis. It is our hope that the results from this seminar may form the basis for the decisions that policy makers and other stakeholders need to consider to improve food sovereignty in global world system. This seminar also places to discuss the solutions on achieving resilience of agricultural sector in the global food crisis. Therefore, on behalf Universitas Diponegoro, we believe that this conference will be a good place to share recent discoveries in the respective fields, to build partnership, so that we can move closer to answer the world feeding challenge, together. We would like to congratulate the committee for a job well done preparing this seminar. Special gratitude goes to keynote speakers, all participants, and all other parties supported this event. List of Committee and Participants of the 6th International Seminar on Agribusiness are available in this Pdf.

The role of commercial agriculture in meeting sustainable development goals in South Africa: Evidence from municipal-level total factor productivity analysis

Improving agricultural productivity is critical, both locally and globally, particularly in the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating poverty (SDG 1), increasing food production for food security (SDG 2), and promoting efficient use of agricultural resources and sustainable farming practices (SDG 12). This study examines and compares total factor productivity efficiency (TFPE) in the South African commercial agricultural sector, along with its drivers, using local municipal-level data. We used the Färe-Primont index to assess municipalities' TFPE levels, considering both traditional (economic) factors (labour, land, and operating expenses) and environmental variables (temperature, rainfall, and soil moisture index). Our TFPE index results are not only lower, but they show more variation across municipalities than the economic TFPE index, which is commonly used in agricultural productivity research. This implies that ignoring environmental variables may bias analysis; therefore, future studies should consider including environmental factors in their analyses. We then used hierarchical clustering to group municipalities with similar TFPE levels and components, followed by fractional regression to identify the drivers of efficiency levels. The cluster analysis results reveal that the best-performing municipalities are in cluster 4, comprising municipalities from the Western Cape Winelands specialising in horticulture production, municipalities near urban areas with better market proximity, those engaged in the global value chain, and those with a high proportion of farmers who own most of their farmland. Furthermore, the fractional regression results show that age, gender, race, market proximity, land use types, and production diversification are significant drivers of TFPE and its components. Our study offers insights into the divergent agricultural TFPE performance among municipalities and the underlying factors causing these disparities. The findings can inform the development of targeted strategies, particularly at the local level, aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and making significant contributions to achieving the SDGs.

An overview of chemical fertilizers and their use in crops!

Chemical fertilizers are the essential ingredients in raising crops and increasing food production. Due to environmental changes and increasing food grains demand, chemical fertilizers are becoming one of the critical and scarce factors for assured crop production. The basic level of knowledge about chemical fertilizers needed by agricultural graduates, farmers and other concerned people has not been fulfilled so far although there have been many forays in this direction. The author hopes that this article succeeds in its mission of illustrating the basic information on chemical fertilizers to agriculture students, teachers, researchers, extension workers, farmers and all those related to agriculture.

Policy-driven food security: investigating the impact of China’s maize subsidy policy reform on farmer’ productivity

IntroductionChina is the largest producer, consumer, and trader of grain. Changes in China’s agricultural policies will affect global food trade and thus impact food security. In this paper, we use China’s maize subsidy system reform (MSSR) as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the impact of market-oriented reforms in price support policy on the productivity of grain.MethodsWe use official Chinese government panel data on farm households and a PSM-DID model to overcome the endogeneity problem of policy change.Results and discussionThe empirical results show that MSSR can increase maize productivity. The MSSR is divided into two phases: eliminating the maize purchase price and implementing maize producer subsidies. The policy effect of eliminating the purchase price exceeds the implementation of producer subsidies. Further analysis reveals that for farmers with a larger scale of cultivation, higher level of specialization, and higher degree of part-time employment, the MSSR enhances their productivity more significantly. In the high quartile, the MSSR reduces farmers’ productivity. In the low quartile, the MSSR raises farmers’ productivity, suggesting that the MSSR reduces the productivity differences among farmers. The results of our study suggest that market-based reform of price subsidies is an effective institutional arrangement to mitigate resource mismatch and increase food productivity, and point to the need to continue to improve the MSSR, explore diversified maize producer subsidy policies, and take into account the impact of other subsidies on farmers’ maize production behavior.

Can board funds, bank credit, and economic development improve food production? Evidence from South Asia

PurposeThis study investigates the impact of board funds, banking credit, and economic development on food production in the context of South Asian economies (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal).Design/methodology/approachThis study used data from the World Development Indicators covering the years 1991–2019. To investigate the relationship between the variables of the study, we employed the panel unit root test, panel cointegration test, cross-sectional dependence test, fully modified least squares (FMOLS), and panel dynamic least squares (DOLS) estimators.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that board funding significantly increase food production; however, banking credit had a negative impact. Furthermore, the findings indicate that economic development, Arable land, fertilizer consumption, and agricultural employment play a leading role in enhancing food production. The results of the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test also show substantiated the significance of the causal relationship among all variables.Practical implicationsSouth Asian countries should prioritize board funding, bank credit, and economic development in their long-term strategies. Ensuring financial access for farmers through micro-credit and public bank initiatives can spur agricultural productivity and economic growth.Originality/valueThis study is the first to combine board funding, banking credit, and economic development to better comprehend their potential impact on food production. Instead of using traditional approaches, this study focuses on these financial and developmental aspects as critical determinants for increasing food production, using evidence from South Asia.

Effects of alternate wetting and drying irrigation on yield, water-saving, and emission reduction in rice fields: A global meta-analysis

With limited natural resources and uncertain climate, increasing food production must mitigate the environmental impacts. Rice, a water-intensive grain crop, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural systems. Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) Irrigation stands out as the prevailing water-saving irrigation technique in rice fields worldwide. Nonetheless, the effects of AWD on yield variation, water conservation, and emissions reduction as well as the synergies and trade-offs between the effects remain unclear. Here a global meta-analysis of 437 literature sources covering 93 % of global rice production was conducted to quantify changes in yield, water utilization, and GHG emissions following AWD implementation. Results show that, on a global scale, AWD reduces irrigation water usage by 33.88 % and enhances water use efficiency, irrigation water use efficiency, and water productivity by 20.27 %, 47.58 %, and 29.63 %, respectively. However, there is a minor decrease in yield by 1.56 %. Notably, AWD leads to a noteworthy 47.47 % reduction in methane emissions, counterbalanced by a 52.20 % rise in N2O emissions, ultimately resulting in a decrease in global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) by 39.38 % and 38.06 %, respectively. The AWD threshold is the most significant predictive factor, adopting a suitable threshold can greatly improve the accuracy of AWD implementation. Soil properties also play a pivotal role, with pH levels > 7 or soil organic carbon (SOC) < 12 g/kg correlating to more pronounced yield losses. Implementing reasonable field management measures, such as suitable rice varieties and straw incorporation can effectively increase rice productivity. Approximately 60.36 % of the data falls within the “win–win” zone, demonstrating simultaneous in yield increases, water conservation, and emissions reduction. AWD is more suitable for acidic soils with high SOC (>12 g/kg) and a light texture. This study introduces novel insights for analyzing the synergies and trade-offs within the food–water–climate nexus.

Technological frontier in Uruguay's beef cattle production: An analysis of technical efficiency and its main drivers

AbstractGlobally, livestock grazing is a major land occupier and is often criticized for its environmental impact. To address these concerns, enhancing livestock productivity is crucial to mitigate these impacts, boost farm competitiveness, and increase food production. The understanding of production variability is key to this endeavor. This paper assesses the technical efficiency of cow‐calf beef production units in Uruguay, excluding dairy and feedlot operations. Using data from the 2016 National Livestock Survey and Wang's frontier model, we estimate a translog stochastic production frontier, incorporating bovine livestock units, land area, and equivalent working units as key inputs. This model also controls soil productivity, improved grazing areas, productive orientation (beef‐cattle systems or beef cattle‐ovine mixed systems), beef production system (cow‐calf, full cycle, and fattening operation), access to electric power, and agroecological regions. Furthermore, it explores factors affecting technical inefficiency, such as ownership (individual, corporate without contract, and corporate with contract) and land tenure types (owner, tenant, or other types), besides the presence of third‐party owned cattle, technical assistance (including veterinarian and agronomic), and specific beef cattle technologies (such as continuous bull presence, artificial insemination, ovarian activity diagnosis, pregnancy diagnosis, use of scales for classifying females, temporary and early weaning, and cows and heifers grazing together). Findings indicate an average technical efficiency of 71.3%. Notably, factors such as agronomic and veterinary assistance, artificial insemination, weaning practices, third‐party‐owned cattle presence, pregnancy diagnosis, land tenure, and ownership type significantly impact technical efficiency. Our findings suggest that within the specific segment of cow‐calf operations in Uruguay, there is a potential to enhance beef production by 40.2% through improvements in farm management. [EconLit Citations: Q12, D24].

Rock Phosphate and Biochar Effects on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Fertility in Southern Alberta Potato Field

The application of biochar soil amendment and rock phosphate fertilizer to the soil could lead to achieving net zero emissions and food security; however, the effectiveness of using biochar and rock phosphate in southern Alberta brown chernozemic soil is not yet assessed. In the first trial of this study, varying levels of urea (N), with varying levels of biochar (B) were applied. The same level of rock phosphate (RP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) were applied to compare efficiency of the two fertilizers. The second trial involved applying the same nutrients, but with higher levels than the first trial. The results indicated that the fertilizer application rates did not affect the growth and yield of potatoes because of the application rates of the fertilizer and fertility status of the soil, whereas in the second trial, TSP and RP treatments had the same growth and yield. Furthermore, the high application rate of nitrogen fertilizer and RP with or without biochar in the potato plot emitted high nitrous oxide gas emissions while the low application rate of nitrogen fertilizer and RP kept the carbon dioxide in the soil. Nevertheless, in the second experiment, the application of biochar and rock phosphate reduced nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. We observed high residual nitrogen and manganese nutrients after harvest in the plot treated to rock phosphate and biochar. Therefore, rock phosphate and biochar have the potential to increase food production and mitigate climate change.

Biofortification of Plant- and Animal-Based Foods in Limiting the Problem of Microelement Deficiencies-A Narrative Review.

With a burgeoning global population, meeting the demand for increased food production presents challenges, particularly concerning mineral deficiencies in diets. Micronutrient shortages like iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, and magnesium carry severe health implications, especially in developing nations. Biofortification of plants and plant products emerges as a promising remedy to enhance micronutrient levels in food. Utilizing agronomic biofortification, conventional plant breeding, and genetic engineering yields raw materials with heightened micronutrient contents and improved bioavailability. A similar strategy extends to animal-derived foods by fortifying eggs, meat, and dairy products with micronutrients. Employing "dual" biofortification, utilizing previously enriched plant materials as a micronutrient source for livestock, proves an innovative solution. Amid biofortification research, conducting in vitro and in vivo experiments is essential to assess the bioactivity of micronutrients from enriched materials, emphasizing digestibility, bioavailability, and safety. Mineral deficiencies in human diets present a significant health challenge. Biofortification of plants and animal products emerges as a promising approach to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies, necessitating further research into the utilization of biofortified raw materials in the human diet, with a focus on bioavailability, digestibility, and safety.

PESTI GUARD: FARMER-FRIENDLY PESTICIDE ROBOT

Agriculture is the primary source of revenue for India's population, which accounts for nearly 60% of the country's total. Farmers work in their fields to cultivate various crops based on the environment and resources available. Farmers must use large quantities of pesticides to increase food production in order to meet such high food demand for such a large population. Traditional manual pesticide spraying operations is full of direct exposure to the pesticide liquid work environment, great harm to human body and when this pesticide may come into contact with the farmer during spraying, which may trigger skin cancer and asthma illnesses. Increased pesticide spraying can impact consumer health as it enters the food chain. The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture presents significant health risks to both farmers and consumers. The pesticide spraying robot is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors to record real-time temperature and humidity levels, providing crucial environmental data for optimized pesticide application. Farmers can remotely control the robot using a user-friendly interface, instructing it to perform specific spraying tasks while maintaining a safe distance from potentially hazardous chemicals. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a Pesticide Spraying Robot designed to minimize human contact during operation while prioritizing human health through advanced environmental monitoring and remote-control capabilities.

Analysing multi-class pesticide residues in tilapia fish: development and validation of LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods

ABSTRACT Pesticides are an integral part of increasing food production and have remarkable agricultural benefits such as an increase in crop yield. However, they have been identified as some of the most hazardous substances in food, particularly in fish, posing a risk to both ecosystems and human health. Therefore, this study focuses on the development and optimisation of an analytical technique to detect multiple pesticide residues in fish products. The method involves liquid-liquid extraction, followed by analysis using both liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A total of 411 pesticides were selected (e.g.: insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides) and the concentrations of their residues in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were determined. The samples were processed according to the optimised QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method, including extraction and clean-up procedures. Lipid co-extracts were successfully minimised before instrumental analysis using optimised cleanup. Matrix-matched calibrations were performed at two different levels (0.05,0.01 mg/kg) in tilapia fish to compensate for signal enhancement/suppression. The validation procedure was performed to assess accuracy, precision, limit of quantification (LOQ), and uncertainty according to the SANTE guidelines. The LOQs of this method were 0.01 mg/kg for all selected pesticides except Cyazofamid, Dodine, Fenpyrazamine, Methomyl, Oxadiargyl, Parathion ethyl, Parathion methyl, Prothioconazole Desthio, and Tolylfluanid were 0.05 mg/kg. The suggested method was implemented to investigate the levels of pesticide residues in fresh fish samples (n = 15) procured from local markets in Egypt. Only two samples had residues of the targeted analytes. In light of our findings, the devised methodology was effectively utilised for the detecting and measurement of pesticide residues present in fish samples.

Qualitative evaluation of nine agricultural methods for increasing soil carbon storage in Norway

AbstractCarbon content is a key property of soils with importance for all ecosystem functions. Measures to increase soil carbon storage are suggested with the aim to compensate for agricultural emissions. In Norway, where soils have relatively high carbon content because of the cold climate, adapting management practices that prevent the loss of carbon to the atmosphere in response to climate change is also important. This work presents an overview of the potential for carbon sequestration in Norway from a wide range of agricultural management practices and provides recommendations based on certainty in the reported potential, availability of the technology, and likelihood for implementation by farmers. In light of the high priority assigned to increased food production and degree of self‐sufficiency in Norway, the following measures were considered: (1) utilization of organic resources, (2) use of biochar, (3) crop diversification and the use of cover crops, (4) use of plants with larger and deeper root systems, (5) improved management of meadows, (6) adaptive grazing of productive grasslands (7) managing grazing in extensive grasslands, (8) altered tillage practices, and (9) inversion of cultivated peat with mineral soil. From the options assessed, the use of cover crops scored well on all criteria evaluated, with a higher sequestration potential than previously estimated (0.2 Mt CO2‐equivalents annually). Biochar has the largest potential in Norway (0.9 Mt CO2‐equivalents annually, corresponding to 20% of Norwegian agricultural emissions and 2% of total national emissions), but its readiness level is not yet achieved despite interest from industry to apply this technology at large scale. Extensive grazing and the use of deep‐rooted plants also have the potential for increasing carbon storage, but there is uncertainty regarding their implementation and the quantification of effects from adapting these measures. Based on the complexities of implementation and the expected impacts within a Norwegian context, promising options with substantial payoff are few. This work sheds light on the knowledge gaps remaining before the presented measures can be implemented.

Assessing the environmental pesticides impact of river sediments from a basin in western Mexico: Spatiotemporal distribution, risk assessment of aquatic invertebrates and pesticides prioritization

The intensive use of pesticides in Mexican agriculture has contributed significantly to the increase in food production, but at the same time represents potential risk to biota. This situation creates a dilemma between the need to increase food production and the preservation of the environment and human health. Aquatic invertebrates play a vital role in the balance of aquatic ecosystems but are sensitive to pesticides contamination. The sensitivity of aquatic invertebrates to pesticides contamination has led them to be used to assess the potential impact of this contamination on aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, conducted in the Ayuquila-Armería basin, the following aims were achieved: 1) quantifying the presence of 20 pesticides in river sediments, 2) assessing the spatiotemporal distribution of pesticides in river sediments, 3) determining the potential risk to aquatic invertebrates, and 4) prioritizing pesticides based on their potential risk. Twelve pesticides were consistently quantified in 192 river sediments samples. The pesticides with the highest concentrations were ametrine, malathion and picloram. The temporal analysis showed seasonality in pesticide concentrations, with higher detection frequencies during the wet season. The risk assessment showed that aquatic invertebrates may be affected by the concentrations of carbofuran, malathion, diazinon and ametrine. Pesticides prioritization identified ametrine, carbofuran, and diazinon as major concerns based on the methodology that considers the Frequency and Extent of Exceedance. This study provides valuable insights into the current pesticides scenario in the Ayuquila-Armería River sediments. The findings underscore the need for sustainable alternatives to mitigate the ecological risks associated with pesticides contamination in this aquatic ecosystem.

Reimagining Agriculture :The Rise of Precision Farming

Precision farming is similar to applying extremely intelligent crop-growing methods. Precision farming approaches a field piece by piece rather than handling the field as a whole. It calculates precisely what each region requires to yield the finest crops possible using sophisticated technology and data. This implies that farmers may make very informed choices about things like the amount of water, fertiliser, or pesticides to apply in certain areas. Why does this matter? Given the growing population, farming needs to become increasingly efficient. We're also running out of clean water and productive farmland. All of it is made possible by precision farming, which increases yield while reducing waste. Additionally, it aids farmers in overcoming by providing them with current information on what's going on in their fields, they may avoid issues like bugs or bad weather. Precision farming benefits farmers by increasing food production and preserving the environment. It maintains our air, water, and soil cleaner by utilising less chemicals and only what is actually necessary. It also contributes to the health of natural regions and wildlife. Precision farming reduces agriculture's ecological imprint, which benefits the environment in addition to its agronomic advantages. Precision farming helps reduce soil erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional farming practices by minimising the use of agrochemicals and optimising resource utilisation. Furthermore, precision farming contributes to the long-term sustainability of rural communities and agricultural landscapes by fostering biodiversity and ecosystem health. To sum up, precision farming offers a comprehensive solution to the many problems of feeding an expanding population and protecting the environment. It is a paradigm change in agricultural production. Precision farming has the potential to make agriculture a more resilient, effective, and sustainable industry by utilising technology, data, and innovation. The sections of this paper that follow will explore the literature on precision farming, looking at important developments, patterns, and directions for this rapidly evolving industry.

Intelligent technologies and their transformative role in modern agriculture: A comparative approach

The escalating global demand for food, propelled by a burgeoning population and the unpredictable shifts in climatic conditions, presents a challenge that traditional plant breeding alone struggles to address. In response to this pressing need, the infusion of intelligent technologies emerges as a pivotal solution, poised not only to boost production but also to meet the burgeoning demand. This transformative approach encompasses a spectrum of cutting-edge tools, including Remote Sensing and GIS, Aeroponics, Drone Technology, Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and, ultimately, Robotics. The synergistic integration of these technologies will enhance agricultural monitoring by facilitating precise crop surveillance, early detection and mitigation of diseases and pests, optimization of water resources, accurate mapping of land use and crop types, comprehensive environmental monitoring, real-time weather and climate tracking, efficient nutrient management, precise irrigation and spraying practices, reliable yield prediction, advanced demand forecasting, genetic analysis, and informed decision-making processes. The amalgamation of intelligent technologies with modern plant breeding methodologies signifies a significant advancement towards achieving more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. This convergence not only addresses the immediate need for increased food production but also sets the stage for a resilient and future-ready agricultural landscape. In this era of integration, we witness the harmonious coexistence of tradition and innovation, paving the way for a more abundant and secure agricultural future.

Temperature influence on the sensitivity of Artemia franciscana to globally used pesticides – Oxyfluorfen and copper

Climate change further the world's human population increase is a mainstream political issue, and it's critical to search for solutions to produce enough food to feed everyone. Pesticides and fertilizers have been used as an easy solution to prevent pests and increase food production. Nevertheless, their overuse has dangerous effects on the ecosystems and communities. Oxyfluorfen (Oxy) and copper (Cu) based formulations are used as pesticides and widely applied on agricultural fields for crop protection. However, they have shown negative effects on non-target species. So, this work proposes to: a)determine the lethal concentration of Oxy and Cu to the zooplankton, Artemia franciscana, at different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C); b)understand the biochemical impacts of these chemicals at the different temperatures scenarios, on A. franciscana and c)evaluate the impact of the climate changes, particularly the temperature increase, on this species sensitivity to the tested pesticides. Acute and sub-lethal bioassays with Oxy and Cu were performed at different temperatures to determine the lethal concentration of each chemical and to understand the effects of the compounds at different temperatures on the biochemical profiles of A. franciscana. Results showed an increase in chemicals toxicity with the temperature, and Oxy was revealed to be more noxious to A. franciscana than Cu; at a biochemical level, significant differences were observed among temperatures, with the biggest differences between the organisms exposed to 15 °C and 25 °C. Overall, a decrease in fatty acids (FA) and sugars was observed with the increase in Cu and oxyfluorfen concentrations. Different trends were observed with temperature increase, with FA increase in the organisms exposed to Cu and the opposite was observed in the ones exposed to oxyfluorfen. Sugar content decreases in the organisms exposed to oxyfluorfen with temperature increase and showed a non-linear behaviour in the ones exposed to Control and Cu treatments.

Biochemical Characterization of Microsymbionts Associated with Zornia gibbosa Span. in Central Aravalli Range

In current scenario, with increasing world population there is a strong demand to enhance crop productivity to feed the population. Characterization of indigenous rhizobia is very crucial for developing biofertilizers tailored to local climatic conditions, with the goal of increasing food production without excess use of chemical fertilizers. In the present investigation 44 root nodule bacterial strains or microsymbionts were isolated from root nodules of Zornia gibbosa growing in Central Aravalli region. These isolated RNB strains were examined for their phenotypic and biochemical activities such as salt tolerance, pH tolerance, bromo thymol blue (BTB) reaction, catalase activity, oxidase activity, cellulase activity, amylase production, indole production, citrate utilization and gelatin hydrolysis. All tested isolates showed significant diversity in their phenotypic and biochemical activities. The majority of the strains were limited to a tolerance of up to 3% NaCl concentration; however, strains Z2, Z13, Z14, Z15, Z21, and Z22 demonstrated tolerance up to a 5% NaCl concentration. A total of 29 isolates were able to grow within the pH range of 5-10. Few isolates showed positive results for citrate utilization (Z4, Z18, Z22, Z32 and Z44) and amylase production (Z4, Z6, Z21, Z25 and Z42). In this study only one isolate Z22 showed indole production. Conversely, when assessing various enzyme activities such as cellulase, catalase, protease, and gelatinase, all the isolates demonstrated considerable diversity. This type of study is essential for developing superior biofertilizers containing indigenous bacterial strains to enhance production.

Design of a local strategy for strengthening food sovereignty: the case of the el Pedregal municipal property of Villagarzón Putumayo.

Introduction: The article discusses the evolution of global food systems, highlighting how advances in science, technology, and international markets have led to an automated food model. This model has increased food production to combat food insecurity, but has also generated significant negative impacts on the environment, communities, and human health. The persistence of food insecurity, the deterioration of arable land and the intensive use of agrochemicals are central issues. In Colombia, and specifically in Putumayo, agriculture is crucial to the economy, but faces challenges due to globalization and dependence on agrochemicals.Methods: The study focused on the department of Putumayo, Colombia, specifically in the municipality of Villagarzón and the El Pedregal farm. Adopting a social critical approach, a non-experimental and descriptive design with a cross-sectional scope was employed, using interviews to collect qualitative data. The selection of key informants was based on criteria related to economic dependence on agriculture and recognition of agroecology as an alternative method.Results: The interviews revealed a perception of food sovereignty as an expression of independence in agricultural and livestock production. Challenges identified include the need for investment and incentives, overcoming cultural barriers and the importance of effective technical advice. Technology transfer, focusing on integrated pest management and the use of on-farm inputs, was highlighted as crucial for the transition to agroecological practices. Challenges include overcoming cultural and economic constraints and the need for committed, quality advice.Conclusions: Strengthening food sovereignty in Villagarzón, Putumayo, requires a local strategy that promotes producer independence, encourages internal production, and ensures the commitment and active participation of both producers and technicians. Complementarity, understood as collective work to obtain and govern resources and capacities, emerges as a key to the sustainable development of the agricultural community. The importance of quality technical assistance and a focus on agroecology is emphasized.