Irrigation Of Vegetables Research Articles

Microbiological water quality monitoring of four ponds from Lagoa do Sino Farm located in São Paulo State, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of the water of four ponds used for irrigation on the Lagoa do Sino Farm, as well as to perform the genotypic characterization of virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolates. Sampling was conducted for 11 months, between 2015 and 2016. Samples were analyzed for the presence of thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli and heterotrophs. DNA was extracted from E. coli isolates, followed by genotypic characterization by polymerase chain reaction. Agricultural activities and pesticides used in the sampling period were documented in order to assess possible relationships between agricultural activities and microbiological water quality. The absence of suitable riparian vegetation around all the ponds was observed, benefiting the entry of organic matter and contaminants in the water body. A high index of thermotolerant coliforms in some months indicated the possibility of the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms in these ponds. The values found in some months were above the regulatory limits for water potability and water intended for irrigation. The agrochemicals used in the period seem to influence the results obtained. All 17 E. coli isolates showed at least one of the virulence genes estA, stx1, stx2, and aatA, indicating enterotoxigenic, enterohaemorrhagic or enteroaggregative nature. The presence of E. coli in the waters may be associated with the presence of animals. The water samples analyzed are not suitable for irrigation of vegetables that are consumed raw and/or low lying fruits ingested without skin removal. It is essential to broaden the control of the use of chemicals, as well as the preservation of riparian vegetation to improve the quality of water used in the farm's agricultural activities.

Exploring climate-resilient and risk-efficient cropping strategies using a new pond irrigation system: An experimental study in northern Ghana

CONTEXTThe planned interventions to enhance adaptation and build resilience of predominantly rainfed and vulnerable smallholder production systems to climate change in African drylands include small-scale irrigation using rainwater harvesting reservoirs. However, the required technological improvement, participatory breakthroughs, institutional settings, farm risk management, and investment justification are rarely established comprehensively and integrated into adaptive planning. OBJECTIVESTo develop and assess new reservoir-based climate-resilient and risk-efficient irrigation cropping strategies synthesizing technological, participatory, institutional, managerial, and investment capabilities. METHODSWe crafted an innovative rice and vegetable pond irrigation system together with governance arrangements and cropping schedule adjustments tailored to the system. The system was validated through a five-year participatory on-farm experiment in northern Ghana. Using agronomic, hydrological, and socioeconomic data obtained from the experiments and surveys, we constructed and extended empirical bioeconomic models through simple risk programming to identify irrigation cropping strategies that are the most efficient in securing smallholders' food and income and resilient to interannual climate fluctuations. The net present values were computed to determine the financial effects of the identified strategies on the investment payback of the pond system. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSShifting sowing dates allowed smallholders to irrigate timely, albeit sparingly, without compromising their autonomous adaptations in rainfed systems. Supplementary irrigation and improved weed control increased the average rice yield by 23%, more than doubled the profitability, and lowered the coefficients of its variation compared to that of rainfed rice (from 48% to 38%). Vegetable irrigation in the dry season was even more profitable. The risk-efficient cropping strategies identified by empirical models mostly combined multiple rainfed crop choices with balanced irrigation allocation between rice and vegetables, enabling food self-sufficiency and increased income level and stability. A 5000 m3 pond storage capacity was sufficient to secure these benefits under the observed climate fluctuations. The cropping strategy found to produce sufficient financial increments to achieve mid-term (8-to-12-years) payback of pond investment under the same level of risk that smallholders accepted under rainfed systems is among the most advisable. SIGNIFICANCEWe addressed multidimensional challenges underlying planned adaptation through reservoir irrigation. The innovative pond system established can offer promising alternatives and complement smallholder autonomous adaptations to secure food and income under a changing climate. The identified strategic compromise between farm risk management and investment payback can reconcile local intention and policy guidance to develop concerted adaptation actions.

The quality of the Treated effluent, Raw Influent and Wastewater-polluted Water sources Used for Irrigation of Vegetables in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Nairobi County, Kenya

The quality of the Treated effluent, Raw Influent and Wastewater-polluted Water sources Used for Irrigation of Vegetables in Urban and Peri-Urban Areas of Nairobi County, Kenya

RESPOSTA DA CULTURA DO RABANETE SOB CULTIVO ORGÂNICO AOS FATORES DE PRODUÇÃO ÁGUA E COBERTURA DO SOLO

RESPOSTA DA CULTURA DO RABANETE SOB CULTIVO ORGÂNICO AOS FATORES DE PRODUÇÃO ÁGUA E COBERTURA DO SOLO ANTONIO VANKLANE DE ALMEIDA1; ALEXSANDRO OLIVEIRA DA SILVA1; JENYFFER DA SILVA GOMES SANTOS2; JANIQUELLE DA SILVA RABELO3; VALSERGIO BARROS DA SILVA1 E ALFREDO MENDONÇA DE SOUSA1 1 Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Federal do Ceará, UFC, Av. Mr. Hull, s/n, Pici, CEP:60356-001, bloco 804, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. E-mail: vanklaneprece@hotmail.com, alexsandro@ufc.br, valsergiobarros@hotmail.com, alfredomendonca121@gmail.com 2 Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, UNICAMP, Av. Cândido Rondon, 501 - Cidade Universitária, CEP: 13083-875, Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil. E-mail: jnfgomes@gmail.com 3 Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, UFC, Av. Mr. Hull, s/n, Pici, CEP:60356-001, bloco 805, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil. E-mail: janekellyrabelo@hotmail.com 1 RESUMO Em regiões com limitações de recursos hídricos, como semiárido cearense, o uso eficiente da água torna-se a cada dia imprescindível para a produção de hortaliças irrigadas nestas regiões. Neste sentido, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo a avaliação técnica e econômica do efeito dos fatores de produção água e níveis de cobertura do solo da bagana de carnaúba sobre a produtividade da cultura do rabanete. A pesquisa foi conduzida no período de junho a agosto de 2018 em dois ciclos de produção em área pertencente ao Prece (Programa de Educação em Células Cooperativas), localizado no município de Pentecoste-CE. O experimento foi conduzido em um delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos por cinco lâminas de irrigação (50%; 75%; 100%; 125% e 150% da evapotranspiração das culturas localizada, ETcloc) e cinco diferentes níveis de cobertura morta constituída de bagana de carnaúba: 25%; 50%; 75% e 100% além da testemunha com o solo sem cobertura 0%, totalizando 100 parcelas experimentais. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a bagana de carnaúba apresentou potencial para utilização como cobertura morta no cultivo de rabanete, proporcionando incremento no rendimento da cultura em condições de estratégia de irrigação com déficit para o uso de 16 t ha-1 de cobertura morta. A cultura rabanete responde de forma crescente às diferentes lâminas de irrigação até a ETcloc de 100%, podendo-se obter ganhos econômicos quando associadas à utilização de cobertura morta no solo. Palavras-chave: Cobertura do solo. Manejo da irrigação. Função de produção. Raphanus sativus L. ALMEIDA, A. V.; SILVA, A. O.; SANTOS, J. S. G.; RABELO, J. R.; SILVA, V. B.; SOUSA, A. M. RESPONSE OF RABANET CULTURE UNDER ORGANIC CULTIVATION TO PRODUCTION FACTORS WATER AND SOIL COVERAGE 2 ABSTRACT In regions with limited water resources, such as the semi-arid region of Ceará, the efficient use of water becomes indispensable every day for the production of irrigated vegetables in this region. In this sense, this research had as objective the technical and economic evaluation of the effect of the factors of production water and levels of the cover of the soil of the bagana on the productivity of the radish culture. The research was conducted in the period from June to August 2018 in two production cycles in area belonging to Prece (Cooperative Cell Education Program), located in the municipality of Pentecoste-CE. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of five irrigation depth (50%, 75%, 100%, 125% and 150% of crop localized evapotranspiration, ET cloc) and five levels of ground cover consisting of carnauba bagana: 25%; 50%; 75% and 100% beyond the control with the soil without 0% coverage, totalizing 100 experimental units. The results allowed to conclude that the carnauba bagana presented potential for use as ground cover in the cultivation of radish, providing an increase in the yield of the crop under conditions of deficit irrigation strategy to use 16 t ha-1 of ground cover. The radish crop significantly responds to the different irrigation depth, up to 100% ET cloc, and economics gains can be obtained when associated with the use of ground cover in soil. Keywords: Soil cover. Irrigation management. Production function. Raphanus sativus L.

Association between irrigation thresholds and promotion of soil organic carbon decomposition in sandy soil

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a significant effect on the carbon cycle, playing a vital role in environmental services and crop production. Increasing SOC stock is identified as an effective way to improve carbon dioxide sequestration, soil health, and plant productivity. Knowing soil water is one of the primary SOC decomposition driver, periods in the crops growth stages with increased water movement might influence the SOC dynamics. Here, we evaluate the temporal effect of four precision irrigation thresholds (-15, -30, -45, and -60 kPa) in potato crop on SOC dynamics using the Partial Least Square algorithm and the Tea Bag Index in a sandy soil under potato production. The difference of SOC decomposition rate between the precision irrigation thresholds is developed in the second quarter of the growing season, between 38 and 53 days after planting. This critical period occurred in a stage of strong vegetative growth and rapid irrigation cycles. The precision irrigation threshold affected the decomposition rate of SOC. A faster decomposition of labile organic carbon was promoted by water excess (-15 kPa). The dryer (-30, -45, and -60 kPa) precision irrigation thresholds did not show any differences. The advancement of this knowledge may promote soil health conservation and carbon sequestration in agricultural soil.

Industrial pollution and vegetable farming in sharada industrial layout of Kano municipal area council

This work examined the effects of industrial effluents on surface water used for vegetable irrigation in Kano City of Kano State. As the population of Kano increases, more demand is placed on these industries for products thus leading to the generation of large volumes of effluents that are discharged directly into nearby streams without treatment. The usage of this surface water for vegetable irrigation by a significant number of vegetable farmers is a matter of major concern due to the presence of pollutants. Some of the field measurements were carried out insitu while others were taken to the laboratory for analysis. Groundwater samples were taken from a borehole and two hand-dug wells while surface water was taken from point of discharge and two other points along the Challawa River which is the main source of water for vegetable irrigation. Composite soil samples were taken from four points within the vegetable farms. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Ministry of Environment standards were used as baseline standards for limits. Results show that presence of Fe, Pb, Mn, Cr and Cd were found to be above the FMEnv limits in the soil, the presence of SO4, Cu and K were also found to be above the FMEnv limits as well in groundwater while BOD, NO2 and Cr were above the FEPA limit for surface water. Some of the recommendations include constant monitoring for the presence of heavy metals in soils and irrigation water and that the need for the construction of both primary and secondary treatment plants has become essential.

Accumulation of heavy metals and bacteriological contaminations in carrots and okra irrigated with tertiary wastewater

AbstractThe present study investigates the accumulation of heavy metals (mg L−1) and bacteriological contaminations (log10 coliform forming units (CFU) 100 mL−1) in Daucus carota subsp. Sativus (carrot) and Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) irrigated with tertiary effluent. Chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) concentrations in the leaves of carrots were higher than the concentrations in the roots. Arsenic (As), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zin (Zn) had higher concentrations in the roots than in leaves. Arsenic, chromium, lead, and zinc bioaccumulation factors in the roots were 6.4 ± 1.20, 1.8 ± 0.25, 1.23 ± 0.07, and 2.16 ± 0.76, respectively. The highest bioaccumulation factors were 1.03 ± 0.05 and 2.38 ± 1.40 for chromium and zinc, respectively, in the okra fruit. The health risk indices in adults and children were 1.4E−01 and 2.0E−01, respectively, for consuming carrots and 5.2E−02 and 7.9E−02, respectively, for okra consumption by adults and children. Average log10 counts of the bacteriological contaminations in irrigation water were 1.3, 1.6, and 1.4 log10 CFU 100 mL−1 for E. coli, total coliforms, and fecal coliforms, respectively. The corresponding counts in the edible inner carrot flesh were 0.78 log10, 0.95, and 0 log10 CFU 100 m L−1, respectively. Monitoring of both irrigation water and vegetables should be conducted regularly.

Assessing the quality of water used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

This paper assesses water quality that is used for vegetable irrigation in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. A mixed-method of research design was employed in this study to collect and analyze the data based on survey instruments. The paper found that Escherichia coli (E. coli) that is usually used as an indicator of water contamination and heavy metals exist in all taken water samples. The mean concentrations of nutrients such as ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate were recorded as 0.022 mg/l to 5.98 mg/l for ammonia, 1.06 mg/l to 7.52 mg/l for nitrate, 0.031 mg/l to 0.056 mg/l for nitrate and 0.037 mg/l to 0.069 mg/l for phosphate. E. coli and Total Coliforms levels for Sanghani, Kamina and Waterworks from the laboratory analysis were recorded as 3.2 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 5.5 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, 4.0 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 1 × 102 CFU 100 m/l, and 2.1 × 103 CFU 100 m/l and 4.6 × 102 CFU 100 m/l respectively. To conclude, based on the measured parameters, water used for irrigation in the Tamale Metropolitan is polluted and may cause potential health risks. Therefore, farmers, traders and consumers need to apply further safety measures to make the vegetables safe.

Heavy Metals Contamination of Agricultural Land and Their Impact on Food Safety

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the heavy metals pollution status and health risks assessment of the vegetables grown at Danbatta irrigation lands.
 Study Design: The research involved the collection of soil, water and cultivated vegetable from irrigation lands as well as analyzing their heavy metals pollution status.
 Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from Danbatta irrigation lands of Kano state, Nigeria. The research study covered a period of one year.
 Methodology: This study investigates the prevalence of heavy metals pollution and related health risks associated with the vegetables grown at Danbatta local government of Kano state. This was achieved by collecting irrigation soil, water and vegetables (onion, spinach and lettuce) from the irrigation sites, which were subsequently assayed for several heavy metals such as; Pb, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn and Co using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).
 Results: The results obtained show that the concentrations of Pb, Cu and Zn in water samples to be 0.033, 0.8, and 0.89 mg/ml, respectively, while Mn and Co were not detected. Even though concentrations of these metals in water are within FAO/WHO limits, the soil was found to be contaminated with Cu (12.17 mg/kg), Fe (152.29 mg/kg) and Zn (55.75 mg/kg). Furthermore, both spinach, lettuce and onion were contaminated with Pb, and Mn. However, only lettuce and spinach were contaminated with Cu, Fe and Zn. Health risk assessment of both adults and children show that Pb, Mn, Co and Cu, posed a significant health risk to the population as their health risk index (HRI) is greater than one. The result shows that poor agricultural practices could be responsible for contaminating the soil with heavy metals, which eventually gets accumulated in the edible parts of the plants and posed a great risk to its consumers. Impacts of heavy metals pollution is on the rise across the globe. As such, it becomes necessary to monitor our environment to checkmate the threat of these contaminants and implement a reliable strategy and stable treatment of the pollution to ensure food safety.

Adaptation to and mitigation of climate change in the Bangsri Micro-watershed, East Java, Indonesia

Land use change in the Bangsri sub-catchment of the Brantas basin in East Java during the past three decades has increased both local and global climate vulnerability, by degrading soils and contributing to net greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Our study aimed to estimate land use change and its impact on net carbon emissions, as well as to formulate strategies for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change downstream of a National park. We analyzed land cover changes from satellite imagery and measured carbon stocks in biomass, necromass and soil (0 to 30 cm) pools. Satellite imagery of land cover in 1994, 2001, 2011 and 2017 showed a decrease in natural forest area and an increase in the area of shrubs, agroforestry, production forests and annual crop land. Net CO2 emission increased from 2.4 to 6.4 Mg ha−1 year−1 in the periods 2001 to 2011 and 2011 to 2017, respectively. Sand mining is the most destructive land use pattern in the area, as it leaves soil profiles stripped of their topsoil. Vulnerability to less reliable rainfall has been addressed by the common creation of small reservoirs and the abundant use of irrigation for vegetables growing under partial shade in the agroforestry zone.

Determination of the Level of Metallic Contamination in Irrigation Vegetables, the Soil, and the Water in Gondar City, Ethiopia

Determination of the Level of Metallic Contamination in Irrigation Vegetables, the Soil, and the Water in Gondar City, Ethiopia

Исследование мелиоративного воздействия препарата «Биосольвент» на засоленные почвы при промывке и орошении

Purpose: to study the effect of the desalinator “Biosolvent” on the processes of soil desalinization during the washing and vegetative irrigation. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan at experimental sites. The objects of research are saline soils of irrigated fields under cotton. Field observations and soil analyzes were carried out according to generally accepted methods: granulometric composition – by sedimentation method, salinization – by electrical conductivity and water extract, phenological observations – by the SoyuzNIKHI method. Statistical processing was performed in Excel. Results: when spraying soil of strong and medium salinity with 10% Biosolvent preparation before washing and watering cotton, the leaching of ions toxic to plants is higher compared to conventional washing, more harmful ions are washed out: chlorine by 35–42 %, sulfates by 13–16 %, calcium by 21–28 %, sodium by 21–23 %. When treating the surface of furrows with a 10% solution before watering cotton, a more significant decrease in the content of harmful salts was also found than with conventional irrigation. Salts were washed out along the treated furrows by 18–23 % more, and chlorine, sulfate and calcium ions, respectively, by 17, 18 and 14 %. As a result of improved conditions in the root zone of cotton, an increase in yield of 7.5 c/ha was obtained. Conclusions. To increase the efficiency of washing saline soils and regulate the salinity of the root layer of soil during the growing season, it is advisable to apply preliminary spraying of the soil with a 10% solution of the “Biosolvent” preparation. The use of Biosolvent in comparison with traditional technologies contributes not only to a decrease in soil salinity, positive changes in chemical composition of salts in the soil, but also to an increase in cotton yield.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in irrigated fruits and vegetables cultivated in selected farms around Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study assessed heavy metals levels in water, soil, fruits (banana, pawpaw) and vegetables (cucumber, cabbage and garden egg) from Bashama, Danmani and Danbushiya farms within Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 63 samples (water (9), soil (9), fruits and vegetables (45)) were randomly collected, processed and analyzed for heavy metals using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer. The heavy metal concentration in soil was found to be highest for Fe (57.30–63.51) mg/kg and the least was observed for Cu (0.45–1.45) mg/kg. High levels of Pb (0.02–0.03) mg/l, Cd (0.07–0.1) mg/l and Fe (3.23–3.42) mg/l were determined in the irrigation water exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Some of the heavy metals (Fe, Zn and Cu) found in the various fruits and vegetables were essentials metals. Toxic metals like Pb and Cd were also present with concentrations above the World Health Organization permissible limit of 0.2 and 0.1, respectively. In the fruits and vegetables examined, the average mean concentration of metals showed significant variations with Fe having highest concentration of (7.82 mg/kg) in most of the samples from the farms. Health risk assessment of heavy metals from the fruit and vegetable samples indicated that all metals are within hazard quotient limit of less than 1 except for Cd, while for the hazard index, all the metals surpass limit of 1 which showed that the samples are likely to be of health concern. For permissible maximum tolerable daily intake in the metals studied, Cd has the highest concentration. The activities around these farms play a significant role in elevating the concentration of Cd and Pb in the fruits and vegetables a little above the WHO set standard of 0.3 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively. Measures to reduce the concentration of heavy metals in fruits and vegetables should be carried out in further works to avoid their health risk in human.

Evaluation of rotation of Ficus benjamina types in growing environments

This article presents the results of research on the evaluation of rooting performance in the growing media of Ficus species in the interior. In the propagation of Ficus species, the vegetative method was selected and experimental work was carried out in growing media of 4 species. Sand (control), soil, Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) (4,000 mg/l) was obtained as cultivation media. The room temperature at which the experiments were placed was monitored and controlled. During rooting of cuttings, the room temperature was maintained at 18–24 ° C. Humidity was maintained at 40-50%. Soil and sand moisture were maintained at 30-40 degrees depending on temperature (based on the readings of the soil moisture meter). Observations were made and recorded every 3–5 days to determine the vegetative rooting rate of the Ficus Benjamin plant. Taking into account the transpiration of the plant and the evaporation of water into the air, 3-5 ml of water was poured in 10-12 days. As a result of these observations, the timing of vegetative rooting and irrigation norms were determined. Rooted plants were planted in peat, soil, humus feed, coarse sand substrate in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. In selecting these plants, a number of important indicators such as their growth patterns, leaf shape, habitat, drought tolerance, shade tolerance, soil moisture and composition were analysed and conclusions were drawn based on the findings.

МЕЛИОРАТИВНЫЕ СИСТЕМЫ И ЦИФРОВАЯ ИДЕНТИЧНОСТЬ КАК МЕХАНИЗМ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ РЕСУРСОМ

The purpose of the study is to establish an analytical relationship between the irrigation norm and the sum of positive temperatures which will allow optimizing and rationalizing the use of natural resource potential without affecting the productivity of forage crops. There is established that the dynamics of soil moisture during the vegetation season on the meadow-alluvial soils of the Aral Sea region and sierozem soils of the south of Kazakhstan with the sum of positive temperatures is greater than 10°C.To justify the period of vegetation irrigation according to the indicators of the sum of effective temperatures,field studies were conducted and the materials obtained were analyzed. In addition, the establishment of pre-irrigation antecedent soil moisture based on preliminary calculations allows you to stabilize the microclimate of the irrigated area and increase the gross crop yield, save irrigation water. On cotton crops, irrigation must be carried out when the sum of the effective temperatures is 500…550°C, 800…850°C,1100-1150°C and 1400°C from the beginning of sowing. At the same time, the excess yield control of raw cotton in production conditions is about 4.9 c/ha. On forage crops, watering should be carried out according to the accumulation of the sum of effective temperatures of 400°C, subsequent watering every 200°C-250°C.It follows from the calculations that the maize irrigation season should start from the second decade of May and end in late June with a watering rate of 650 to 800 m3/ha. Carrying out irrigation in accordance with the sum of positive temperatures allows you to save up to 2-3 watering with a total irrigation rate of 1400 to 2400 m3/ha. and increases the gross yield of agricultural crops.

Heavy Metal and Microbial Contaminants of Some Vegetables Irrigated With Goo Reservoir Water, Navrongo, Ghana

Globally, the safety of vegetables for consumption is becoming an increasing concern to consumers because of the risk associated with eating of vegetables contaminated with heavy metals and microbial organisms. An assessment of the extent of microbial contamination and also levels of heavy metals and the risk associated with the consumption of the vegetables irrigated with polluted Goo reservoir water in the Navrongo municipality was carried out. Site A used the channel flooding irrigation method whilst site B used watering cans for watering during the latter part of the dry season when the pressure of the water is low. A total of 128 vegetables samples were taken for microbial and heavy metals determination each. Samples of leafy vegetable and fruit vegetables were randomly taken from the two sites for microbial and heavy metal analysis. The reservoir was divided to North, South, East and West and water samples taken from each location. The concentrations of heavy metals in the reservoir exceeded the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) recommended levels of metals in water for irrigation. Site B recorded the highest microbial counts likewise heavy metal contaminants in the sampled vegetables. Levels of cadmium in the vegetables exceeded the World Health Organization/FAO permissible levels. Copper (Cu) had the highest concentration in both sites. Faecal Coliform (FC) levels in the vegetables were above the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Food (ICMSF) allowable limits. The high quantities of Total Coliform, Faecal Coliform, E. coli, helminthes eggs and salmonella contamination of the vegetables indicate high risk of getting diseases through the consumption of these vegetables. The hazard quotient of all the metals exceeded one in both sites except Zinc (Zn). The hazard index (HI) of heavy metals studied was above one in both sites, indicating they could have adverse health effect to human life. The analysis showed there was significant difference in microbial counts and levels of heavy metals in the vegetables in the two different sites. The consumers of these vegetables were at risk of contracting water-borne diseases like typhoid fever, cholera among others and also a high risk of heavy metal poisoning especially from cadmium.

Evaluating Irrigation and Farming Systems with Solar MajiPump in Ethiopia

Small-scale irrigation in Ethiopia is a key strategy to improve and sustain the food production system. Besides the use of surface water for irrigation, it is essential to unlock the groundwater potential. It is equally important to use soil management and water-saving systems to overcome the declining soil fertility and the temporal water scarcity in the region. In this study, the solar MajiPump was introduced to enable dry season crop production in Ethiopia using shallow groundwater sources. The capacity of the MajiPumps (MP400 and MP200) was tested for the discharge head and discharge using three types of solar panels (150 W and 200 W rigid, and 200 W flexible). Besides, drip irrigation and conservation agriculture (CA) farming systems were evaluated in terms of water productivity and crop yield in comparison to the farmers’ practice (overhead irrigation and tilled farming system). Results indicated that the maximum discharge head capacity of the MajiPumps was 18 m, 14 m, 10 m when using MP400 with 200 W rigid, MP400 with 200 W flexible, and MP200 with 150 W rigid solar panels, respectively. The corresponding MajiPump flow rates ranged from 7.8 L/min to 24.6 L/min, 3 L/min to 25 L/min, and 3.6 L/min to 22.2 L/min, respectively. Compared to farmer’s practice, water productivity was significantly improved under the CA farming and the drip irrigation systems for both irrigated vegetables (garlic, onion, cabbage, potato) and rainfed maize production. The water productivity of garlic, cabbage, potato, and maize was increased by 256%, 43%, 53%, and 9%, respectively, under CA as compared to conventional tillage (CT) even under overhead irrigation. Thus, farmers can obtain a significant water-saving benefit from CA regardless of water application systems. However, water and crop productivity could be further improved in the combined use of MajiPump with CA and drip irrigation (i.e., 38% and 33% water productivity and 43% and 36% crop productivity improvements were observed for potato and onion, respectively). Similarly, compared to CT, the use of CA significantly increased garlic, cabbage, potato, and maize yield by 170%, 42%, 43%, and 15%, respectively under the MajiPump water-lifting system. Overall, the solar-powered drip irrigation and CA farming system were found to be efficient to expand small-scale irrigation and improve productivity and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Ethiopia.

Comparison of Thermal Infrared-Derived Maps of Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Vegetation in Urban and Non-Urban Areas of Southern California

It is important to understand the distribution of irrigated and non-irrigated vegetation in rapidly expanding urban areas that are experiencing climate-induced changes in water availability, such as Los Angeles, California. Mapping irrigated vegetation in Los Angeles is necessary for developing sustainable water use practices and accurately accounting for the megacity’s carbon exchange and water balance changes. However, pre-existing maps of irrigated vegetation are largely limited to agricultural regions and are too coarse to resolve heterogeneous urban landscapes. Previous research suggests that irrigation has a strong cooling effect on vegetation, especially in semi-arid environments. The July 2018 launch of the ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) offers an opportunity to test this hypothesis using retrieved land surface temperature (LST) data in complex, heterogeneous urban/non-urban environments. In this study, we leverage Landsat 8 optical imagery and 30 m sharpened afternoon summertime ECOSTRESS LST, then apply very high-resolution (0.6–10 m) vegetation fraction weighting to produce a map of irrigated and non-irrigated vegetation in Los Angeles. This classification was compared to other classifications using different combinations of sensors in order to offer a preliminary accuracy and uncertainty assessment. This approach verifies that ECOSTRESS LST data provides an accurate map (98.2% accuracy) of irrigated urban vegetation in southern California that has the potential to reduce uncertainties in regional carbon and hydrological cycle models.

Evaluating the health risks of heavy metals from vegetables grown on soil irrigated with untreated and treated wastewater in Arba Minch, Ethiopia

Available freshwater scarcity significantly affects sustainable food production for the rapidly growing population. This problem has forced people in most parts of the world to use wastewater as a viable solution. However, wastewater reuse has some deleterious effects on human and environmental health. This study was designed to investigate the health risks (HRs) of heavy metals (HMs) from vegetables irrigated with untreated and treated wastewater. The composite wastewater was collected at various sites in Arba Minch town and subjected to aerobic-anoxic treatment. Treated and untreated wastewater (UTW) was used to irrigate vegetables (lettuce, cabbage and tomato), and HM results were compared with the control (tap water) and standards. Water, soil and vegetables were investigated for various physical and chemical properties. Human health effects due to vegetable consumption were analyzed using HR- index (HRI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). The results revealed that most of the water quality indexes were significantly enhanced after aerobic-anoxic treatment, suggesting that wastewater collected from different sites was suitable for biodegradation. Soil physicochemical analyses also showed that pH, cation exchange capacity, organic carbon and organic matter were higher for UTW irrigated soil. Heavy metal concentrations were relatively greater in soils than water used for irrigation purposes and vegetables. The HM concentration in vegetables was higher for UTW than for treated and tap water irrigated vegetables. In vegetables, the order of HM content was Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. Tomato followed by cabbage and lettuce accumulated significant amount of HMs (Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd) in their different organs (fruit/leaf>root>stem). The individual and combined health indexes (HRI, THQ and HI) showed that Pb and Cd have values greater than unity for wastewater irrigated vegetables, which could result in non-carcinogenic disease for short/lifetime exposure in adults and children. Overall, consumption of vegetables can be safer when grown with treated effluent than with UTW.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in irrigation water, soil and vegetables from different farms in Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in irrigation water, soil and vegetables from different farms in Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia