Lowland Farming Research Articles

A computer vision-based weed control system for low-land rice precision farming

<span>Agricultural sector is one of the economic pillars of developing nations, because it provides means of boosting gross domestic profit. However, weeds pose a threat to food crop by competing with it for nutrients and undermining the profit to be made from it. The treatment of these weeds is necessary, but at minimal impact on the actual food crop. Herbicide usage is one major means of weed control, owning to the expensive and labour-intensive nature of hand weeding. Recently, the need for site specific spraying has been on the rise because of health concerns which have been raised on the effect of herbicides on food crops and the effect on the environment. Most research on the field focuses on accurately identifying the weeds whilst neglecting the weed control. In this research, we apply fuzzy logic-based expert system to control how herbicide is sprayed on low-land rice in order to reduce excessive herbicide usage. The system supplies the control with weed density (Box size) and confidence level. The values of both are then passed to the fuzzy logic control for spray decision. The Sugeno as well as Mamdani models were tested using generated values for detected weed box size and confidence levels of the computer vision. The mean absolute error obtained was 0.9 for both, and 0.3 and 0.2 respectively, for the mean square error. The error shows how accurate the system can be and with low error value, it shows that the system implementation is capable of providing control for spraying of herbicides which in turn will yield more returns for low-land rice farmers.</span>

Promoting Climate Smart Sustainable Agriculture for Enhancing The Resilient of Soil Health, Rice Productivity and Food Security in Indonesia

Indonesia is facing magnificent dilemma for providing food and other agricultural product to meet the food requirement of rapidly growing population and preserving land resources, health of soil ecosystem and mitigating and adapting to climate change (CC). About 70% of agricultural soils in Indonesia has been exhausted and over mined and categorized as sick soils. The impacts of CC has already hit Indonesia and caused the rise of temperature about 0.2-0.3 °C per decade and sea level (SRL) about 5 mm per year, drought and floods occur more frequently, the change of rainfall intensity and rainfall pattern, the shifting of planting season and lead to the decreasing of crops yield or yield loss significantly. The CC along coastline (95,181 km) increases and cause a severely more consequence on the livelihoods inhabitants (40% of total population) and decreasing of lowland agriculture. The paddy fields in coastal area until 2050 will decrease around 174,461 ha in Java, 8,095 ha in Bali, 78,701 ha in Sulawesi, 25,372 ha in Kalimantan, 3,170 ha in Sumatera and 2,123 ha in Lombok Island. The effort to restore and maintain the health of soil ecosystem, enhance the productivity and to mitigate and adapt to the climate change can be done by adopting climate smart sustainable agricultural (CSSA). The main objectives of CSSA are to increase the productivity and income (economically viable), improve and maintain the health soils ecosystem, build and strengthen the resilience to climate change and mitigate to reduce the GHGs. The integrated of CSSA in a climate smart sustainable farming village (CSSFV) is expected to more effective for building the resilient the soils ecosystem and farmers, mitigating and reduce the GHGS, increasing the productivity and income of the farmer and enhancing the food security in sustainable ways.

Field Adaptation for Watermelon Cultivation under Shallow Ground Water Table in Tidal Lowland Reclamation Area

<p> </p><ul><li>Agriculture productivity of tidal lowland reclamation areas in South Sumatra is still low. It leads to the increasing of agricultural land conversion into plantation areas. Controlling the water table is the main factor in the tidal lowlands; this research aimed to develop micro drainage system in tertiary block for controlling water table under wet condition. Watermelon was used as a crop indicator and planted in mid- March 2015. The location of the research was in a tidal lowland agriculture with land typology B, where the tide can only be as irrigation during the rainy season. The method of this research was surveying and monitoring. Groundwater observation, measurement value hydraulic conductivity and land drainage applications were included in the field activities. The design of land drainage used an<strong> </strong>intensive shallow drainage concept; the effect of the depth of the water table to water status was evaluated by the UPFLOW model. A micro drainage on tertiary block was used by 8 m drain spacing, with channel depth of 20 cm. The results showed that the tertiary gate operation was maximum drainage option. The water table depth was 25 cm in soil depth.The watermelon crops grew well and production reached 20 t ha-1</li></ul><pre>. </pre><p> </p>

ЭПИЗООТОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ТЕЧЕНИЕ МОНИЕЗИОЗА МЕЛКОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА В РАВНИННЫХ РАЙОНАХ ЧЕЧЕНСКОЙ РЕСПУБЛИКИ.

The invasion of small cattle by moniezio-sis in the Russian Federation occurs every-where and causes great economic damage to sheep farms, leading to the death of lambs and to decrease of meat and wool quality. In lambs infected with monieziosis, there is a lack in weight gain of 1.5 – 3 kg, as well as a decrease in the production of quality wool from a sheep to one kilogram. Damage from intestinal helminthozises, in particular ces-todosis, leads to death and forced slaughter, poor-quality wool and non-viable offspring. The dynamics of the epizootological process, patterns of the spread and course of the inva-sion in the North Caucasus region remain poorly studied, especially of the intestinal cestodes, namely monieziosis of small cat-tle. Taking into account the climate condi-tions of the Chechen Republic, and the lack of the knowledge of invasion, it is nec-essary to study natogeorgia and species com-position of causative agents of monieziosis of small ruminants, particularly sheep. The purpose of our research was to study the ecology and prevalence of monieziosis of sheep of different age groups in the plains of the Chechen Republic, to identify the species and age groups of monieziosis. In the flat areas of the Chechen Republic, infection with monieziosis determines the ecological balance of the parasitic structures of the ces-todes. The extensiveness and intensity of M. exports are compared with M. benedeni more. In lowland farms, lambs of small cat-tle have an EI of 12.9 – 16.7% with an EI of 2.2 ECZ / head.; young animals 9.1-11.1% and 2.1 ex/head.; in sheep, 4, 9 – 6.1% and 1.0-1.3 ex / head. EI M. benedeni lambs 7,3 – 8,1, AI-1,2 – 1,3 ex/goal.; young EI-5.6 -6.5% II-1ekz / goal. M. expansa was not found in mature sheep. In lowland areas, sheep monieziosis is observed with focal prevalence in all the farms studied by us during the year.

The Сonsumption Level in the Impoverished Center of Russia and the Causes of the Russian Revolution

The article shows that the general dynamics of consumption was oscillatory in nature and there were significant provincial differences. Two methods are used to identify these differences. The first method is based on a direct calculation of the grain remaining in the provinces by taking into account the crop, import and export. The second method is based on anthropometry data, on data on the growth of recruits in various provinces. This second method allows you to determine the dynamics of the standard of living in various provinces in the half-century before the revolution as well. Both methods indicate the existence of a large area of low consumption in the Central Black Earth region, and the standard of living in this area has a downward trend. These results are consistent with the findings of the 1901 Commission, which characterized the region as an “area of impoverishment”. Correlation analysis shows that “impoverishment” was due to the fact that in the first half of the 19th century this region had the largest percentage of serfs; it was an area of distribution of corvée latifundia. During the liberation, serfs received small allotments, which decreased with population growth. At the same time, the remaining large landowners exported their bread to other regions and outside the country. The combination of peasant low land and export-oriented large farms led to agrarian conflicts. Here was the epicenter of peasant uprisings in 1905 and 1917, and these provinces became Bolshevik “fortresses” during the Civil War.

Effect of Cassava Intercropping with Legume Crops Followed by Sorghum on Growth, Yield and Yield Parameters of Cassava-Based Double Cropping System

Some lowland farmers of eastern Harerghe survive with some grain support from government and different NGOs due to shortage of rainfall and prevalence of drought. In Harerghe, intercropping is well practiced and most of farmers intercrop Khat with sorghum and groundnut, but single production per year. To these gaps the experiment was proposed and conducted under rainfed conditions at Fedis Agricultural Research Center of Oromia Agricultural Research Institute (OARI) at Boko sub-site, eastern Ethiopia to determine the compatibility of crops in double cropping system and efficient land use for the component crops. Experimental was conducted in two phases: cassava (Variety Kello) with legumes (soybean, haricot bean and cowpea) and cassava based sorghum varieties (Hormat, Gedo and Birhan) in one cropping season. The treatments were arranged as intercropping and sole cropping. A total of 7 treatments for preceding and 7 treatments for cassava-based succeeding treatments were arranged in completely randomized block design with three replications. Variety Kello was used for the experiment. The results revealed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences for cassava average root weight, number of roots per plant, root diameter and root yield due to cassava-legumes intercropping. Soybean-cassava intercropping increased average root weight, root numbers and root enlargement of cassava by 39, 33.6 and 27.7% as compared to cassava- cowpea intercropping. Cowpea intercropping in cassava was significantly affected cassava root yield as compared to other legumes intercrop. Cassava-soybean intercropping was increased root yield by 41.7 and 21.3% as compared to cassava-cowpea and cassava-haricot bean, respectively. Cassava-soybean intercropping improved land use efficiency by 16.4 and 19.3% as compared to cassava-cowpea and cassava-haricot bean intercropping, respectively. Accordingly, pure stands could required 74, 40 and 46% more land i.e. the mixture cropping gives 74, 40 and 46% yield advantage, for soybean, haricot bean and cowpea, respectively, as intercropped in cassava than the pure stand. Following the harvest of legumes, sorghum was sown as double crop for additional yield advantage. The highest organic matter and total nitrogen was recorded for the pure stand plot of cassava followed by cassava-soybean intercropping. Therefore, from this result view, cassava-soybean intercropping following cassava-based early maturing sorghum was recommended for the study area and similar agro ecologies.

Resilience of Rainfed Lowland Farming Communities on the Threat of Food Insecurity due to Climate Change (A Case in South Lampung)

Rain-fed lowland has a risk of drought, flooding, nutrient imbalance, and increasing pest and weed disturbance. These conditions will get worse when experiencing climate change. This can cause a decrease in production, so the community needs to develop strategies to survive in facing the threat of food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to analyze the resilience of rain-fed farming communities against the threat of food insecurity due to climate change. The study was conducted in the Marga Kaya Village, Lampung Province. Data was collected using a survey method by taking 100 respondents with simple random sampling. The results showed that the rain-fed farming community has been resilient to face the threat of food insecurity due to climate change. Rain-fed farming community through a network of adaptive capacity, especially social capital and manage available resources can maintain the existence of institutional barns to face the threat of food insecurity.

Do Dairy Farming Systems Differ in Antimicrobial Use?

Simple SummaryThe overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in dairy farming may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance and thus to the reduction of the antimicrobial treatment efficacy against animal or human bacterial diseases. This study aims to investigate antimicrobial use differences in four farm groups: mountain farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production, and lowland farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production. From the results, we found a significant difference between mountain farms with dual-purpose breeds and lowland farms with specialized breeds for the overall antimicrobial use and for the use of those antimicrobial classes that are most important in human medicine. Mountain farms have a generally lower milk production and smaller herd size than lowland farms, provide cows with access to pasture, and limit concentrates in the diet. These management practices and the use of local/dual-purpose breeds could reduce the risk of production diseases and the consequent need for antimicrobial use.The quantitative assessment of antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals contributes to the provision of essential information for developing relevant and effective policies to reduce use and to control antimicrobial resistance. Information on AMU is available mainly for intensive dairy farming systems and specialized high-yielding breeds. The aim of this study is to investigate AMU in different dairy farming systems by comparing the treatment incidence in mountain farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production to the treatment incidence in lowland farms with specialized high-yield dairy breeds or with dual-purpose breeds raised for milk production. Significant differences were found only between the overall treatment incidence, as well as the treatment incidence of highest-priority critically important antimicrobials for human medicine, in lowland farms with high-yielding breeds and mountain farms with dual-purpose breeds. Mountain farms have a generally lower milk production and smaller herd size than lowland farms, provide cows with access to pasture, and limit concentrates in the diet. These management practices and the use of local/dual-purpose breeds could reduce the risk of production diseases and the consequent need for AMU.

Water Table Dynamics Control Carbon Losses from the Destabilization of Soil Organic Matter in a Small, Lowland Agricultural Catchment

The biogeochemistry of soil organic matter (SOM) is driven by a combination of stabilization and destabilization mechanisms. Among the various ways in which SOM is lost, soil moisture controls the leaching of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC) and CO2 fluxes (FCO2). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of naturally occurring water table dynamics on the couplings between these three types of C losses. The DIC and DOC concentrations in the soil solutions and the FCO2 values at the soil surface were collected fortnightly over a nine-month period at four sampling points located along two topographic transects characterized by different water table dynamics. The water table depth, soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS) were monitored at each site. Linear and nonlinear regressions were used to explore the couplings between C losses, WFPS and soil temperature. The dynamics of the water table seem to drive DOC solubilization, diffusion, and export mechanisms in addition to microbial processes and the equilibrium between DIC and CO2. The main descriptors of this water table dynamic were the residence time, return time and number of oscillations of the water table. Considering both transects, FCO2 was positively correlated with DOC, which highlights the importance of substrate accessibility for SOM mineralization. This paper emphasizes the importance of the water table dynamic for the coupling between SOM carbon losses.

Soil Erosion Impact Assessment using USLE/GIS Approaches to Identify High Erosion Risk Areas in the Lowland Agricultural Watershed of Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Erosion map of a watershed offers a wealth of knowledge and can be crucial for implementing site-specific management interventions. Thus, watershed-based soil erosion assessment was conducted to recognize erosion hotspot areas, while aiming to roughly calculate the average annual soil loss in Genda-wuha watershed, with a total area of 154,548.5 ha located in the northwest lowland of Blue Nile basin Ethiopia using USLE/GIS approach. Sixteen years of rainfall data, 53 soil sample data, a 30m by 30m digital elevation model (DEM), a land-use/land-cover map, and support practice factor were used to determine high erosion risk areas. The USLE parameters were integrated and analyzed using a raster calculator in the ArcGIS platform to predict and map the mean annual soil loss of Genda-wuha watershed. The result showed that the annual soil loss of the watershed extends from none in the lower and middle part of the watershed to 75.36 Megagram (Mg) ha-1yr-1 in the steeper parts of the watershed with a mean annual soil loss of 7.9 Mg ha-1yr-1. Most of the soil erosion affected areas are spatially situated in the upper steep slope parts of Genda-wuha watershed, which could be as a result of an increased slope gradient and length in the specified location. However, the majority of the watershed (82.62%) was estimated to be low erosion rates varying from 0 to 5 Mg ha–1 yr–1 and these areas correspond primarily to nearly flat landscapes of the watershed.

Evidence of low response of soil carbon stocks to grassland intensification

Grasslands cover more than a third of the European agricultural area and are often intensively managed to support the livestock-farming sector. Despite grassland intensification can greatly influence soil carbon (C) cycling, changes in soil C stocks both across years and at increasing soil depths remain difficult to quantify simultaneously. Here we measured spatial and temporal changes in soil C stocks to assess C stocks’ response to intensive grassland management. We measured soil C stocks (a) in a long-term nutrient fertilization experiment on permanent grassland (established in 1970), and (b) in 126 grassland fields distributed across 11 lowland farms in Northern Ireland (UK), which are associated with different frequencies of soil tillage. Using 45 years of data from the plot-scale grassland experiment we found evidence that significant changes in soil C stocks mainly occurred in the soil top 20 cm (not in deeper soils) and only between ‘extreme’ nutrient treatments (i.e. unfertilized vs. highly fertilized soils). Soil physical fractionation, radiocarbon and stable nitrogen isotope analyses all suggest that new C has accumulated in these soils but perhaps not fast enough to affect C stocks in deeper soil layers. Results at the field-scale from intensively managed grasslands show how the frequency of soil tillage neither affected soil C stocks between 0–20, 20–40 or 40–60 cm depth layers nor the C pool of different soil physical fractions at increasing soil depths. Our findings demonstrate how the response of soil C stocks to grassland intensification (i.e. C stocks response to different rates of nutrient fertilization or frequency of soil tillage) can be very slow both in time and space under cool and humid climate conditions. We suggest how the persistence of these soil C stocks under intensive grassland management offers the unique opportunity to improve nutrient use efficiency and cycling thus promoting the delivery of multiple ecosystem processes.

WorldView-2 Data for Hierarchical Object-Based Urban Land Cover Classification in Kigali: Integrating Rule-Based Approach with Urban Density and Greenness Indices

The emergence of high-resolution satellite data, such as WorldView-2, has opened the opportunity for urban land cover mapping at fine resolution. However, it is not straightforward to map detailed urban land cover and to detect urban deprived areas, such as informal settlements, in complex urban environments based merely on high-resolution spectral features. Thus, approaches integrating hierarchical segmentation and rule-based classification strategies can play a crucial role in producing high quality urban land cover maps. This study aims to evaluate the potential of WorldView-2 high-resolution multispectral and panchromatic imagery for detailed urban land cover classification in Kigali, Rwanda, a complex urban area characterized by a subtropical highland climate. A multi-stage object-based classification was performed using support vector machines (SVM) and a rule-based approach to derive 12 land cover classes with the input of WorldView-2 spectral bands, spectral indices, gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture measures and a digital terrain model (DTM). In the initial classification, confusion existed among the informal settlements, the high- and low-density built-up areas, as well as between the upland and lowland agriculture. To improve the classification accuracy, a framework based on a geometric ruleset and two newly defined indices (urban density and greenness density indices) were developed. The novel framework resulted in an overall classification accuracy at 85.36% with a kappa coefficient at 0.82. The confusion between high- and low-density built-up areas significantly decreased, while informal settlements were successfully extracted with the producer and user’s accuracies at 77% and 90% respectively. It was revealed that the integration of an object-based SVM classification of WorldView-2 feature sets and DTM with the geometric ruleset and urban density and greenness indices resulted in better class separability, thus higher classification accuracies in complex urban environments.

Spatial variability in specific discharge and streamwater chemistry during low flows: Results from snapshot sampling campaigns in eleven Swiss catchments

AbstractCatchments consist of distinct landforms that affect the storage and release of subsurface water. Certain landforms may be the main contributors to streamflow during extended dry periods, and these may vary for different catchments in a given region. We present a unique dataset from snapshot field campaigns during low‐flow conditions in 11 catchments across Switzerland to illustrate this. The catchments differed in size (10 to 110 km2), varied from predominantly agricultural lowlands to Alpine areas, and covered a range of physical characteristics. During each snapshot campaign, we jointly measured streamflow and collected water samples for the analysis of major ions and stable water isotopes. For every sampling location (basin), we determined several landscape characteristics from national geo‐datasets, including drainage area, elevation, slope, flowpath length, dominant land use, and geological and geomorphological characteristics, such as the lithology and fraction of quaternary deposits. The results demonstrate very large spatial variability in specific low‐flow discharge and water chemistry: Neighboring sampling locations could differ significantly in their specific discharge, isotopic composition, and ion concentrations, indicating that different sources contribute to streamflow during extended dry periods. However, none of the landscape characteristics that we analysed could explain the spatial variability in specific discharge or streamwater chemistry in multiple catchments. This suggests that local features determine the spatial differences in discharge and water chemistry during low‐flow conditions and that this variability cannot be assessed a priori from available geodata and statistical relations to landscape characteristics. The results furthermore suggest that measurements at the catchment outlet during low‐flow conditions do not reflect the heterogeneity of the different source areas in the catchment that contribute to streamflow.

Assessment of lowland rice-based organic farming in selected municipalities of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

This study aimed to assess lowland rice-based organic farming system in selected municipalities of Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. It was conducted in Magsaysay, San Jose and Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines from June 2016 up to March 2017. This study employed descriptive method of research utilizing pre-constructed questionnaire administered to 133 farmer-respondents using an interview schedule. Key informant interviews, focus group discussion and observation were also utilized to gather data. Descriptive statistics, as well as costs and returns analysis were used to present the results. Results showed that lowland rice-based organic farmers are old, predominantly male and literate. They have an average household size, with long farming experience, in general but with short engagement to organic farming practices. Farmers are owners of their farm land and affiliated to organizations, and had experience availing credit. They have high awareness on organic agriculture, while farmers have moderate adoption of it. Lowland rice-based organic farms are less productive but more profitable as compared to conventional farms. Farmers encountered problems in production, certification and marketing aspects of organic agriculture.

Contrasting biogeochemical processes revealed by stable isotopes of H2O, N, C and S in shallow aquifers underlying agricultural lowlands.

Lowland coastal areas as the Po Delta (Italy) are often intensively cultivated and affected by nitrogen imbalance due to fertilizers leaching to groundwater and export via run-off. To address this issue several agricultural best practices have been proposed, like limiting the amount of fertilizers and increasing soil organic matter content. In this study, groundwater samples were analysed for major ions and stable isotopes of H2O, C, N and S using multi-level sampler (MLS) from two contrasting depositional environments, one representative of alluvial plain (AP) and the other representative of a reclaimed coastal plain (RCP). In each site, controlled plots with different agriculture practice including fertilizers and tillage and compost amendment and no tillage were considered in the study. Tracer test results highlight that recharge water infiltrated at the start of the controlled study has not yet reached the saturated zone, thus current groundwater concentrations are representative of former agricultural practices. Stable isotopes show a clear distinction between different sources of nitrogen in both sites, from synthetic fertilizers to sedimentary nitrogen pool and atmospheric input. The main source of sulphate in groundwater is pyrite and fertilizers. Denitrification, sulphate reduction and methanogenesis were involved in the C, N and S cycle in the RCP site characterized by low hydraulic conductivity sediments and high SOM. These processes were not relevant in the AP site characterized by oxic condition and low SOM, but some evidence of denitrification was found in one of the AP sites. High resolution monitoring was a key tool to identify the different redox zones responsible for N, C and S cycling in these aquifers. This study shows that a clear understanding of transit times in the vadose zone is a key prerequisite to evaluate the effect of controlled agriculture practice on the quality of shallow groundwater.

Determination of Planting Time of Watermelon Under a Shallow Groundwater Table in Tidal Lowland Agriculture Areas of South Sumatra, Indonesia

AbstractWatermelon cultivation is one of the appropriate alternatives in order to increase farmers' income from tidal lowland agriculture. Research into crop adaptation to wet soil conditions is required to enable farmers to decide the best planting time under various conditions within the existing land classification. The research to determine crop physiological response during the initial growth period was conducted in a greenhouse. This was combined with field treatments based on groundwater table depths at 15, 10 and 5 cm‐surface, respectively. Analysis of crop potential based on the water status conditions in the root zone was conducted by using secondary and primary data (daily records). Results of crop adaptation at shallow groundwater table depth showed that the treatments with groundwater table depth of 10 and 5 cm‐surface were not significantly different in terms of plant height, with a size of 12.6 and 12.3 cm, having three leaves. However, it had a significant effect on root length, with a length of 11.9 and 3.1 cm, respectively. Maximum plant height of 15.2 cm and four leaves were found for the treatment with a groundwater table depth of 15 cm‐surface. It may be concluded that it is best for farmers to plant at a groundwater table depth of 10 cm‐surface. © 2019 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Refugia: what are they and how can they be managed?

The word refugia appears commonly in the veterinary literature in relation to anthelmintic resistance, however it has its origins in ecology and crop protection. In the context of veterinary therapeutics, the reduction in exposure of target parasites, essentially through fewer treatments, can have bystander benefits too for non-target organisms, thus reducing the potential for environmental impact. Large refugia are intrinsic features of some livestock systems, for example extensive beef suckler farms, where treatments are typically infrequent, however on lowland sheep farms for instance, parasiticide treatments are typically more frequent and may involve both lambs and ewes, so management may need to be changed, for example through targeted selective treatment (TST), in order to enhance the refugia. Precision livestock farming and pen-side diagnostics can facilitate and extend the adoption of TST and other methods of refugia management.

Effects of Summer Transhumance of Dairy Cows to Alpine Pastures on Body Condition, Milk Yield and Composition, and Cheese Making Efficiency.

Simple SummarySummer transhumance of dairy cows is a seasonal pastoral system practiced in many European countries from ancient times. This practice provides additional forage supply for mountain dairy farms and plays a role in the preservation of landscape, biodiversity, and natural habitats and conservation of local traditional dairy products, but it may affect cows’ physiological and nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the effects of transhumance of Brown Swiss cows to summer pastures on the yield, composition, and coagulation properties of milk, and on cheese yield. For this study, twelve multiparous cows from a mountain lowland permanent farm were divided into two groups of six cows: One group stayed at the permanent farm while the other moved to the alpine pasture (1860 m above sea level). Cows at the alpine pasture had reduced milk yield and body condition, and greater fat and lower protein contents in milk compared to cows at the permanent farm. Conversely, neither milk coagulation properties nor cheese yield were affected by summer transhumance. In conclusion, summer transhumance did not affect the cheese making efficiency of milk compared to permanent farm, but the negative effect on milk yield depressed daily cheese yield, which was 2 kg/d lower in cows moved to Alpine pasture.Summer transhumance to alpine pastures (ALP) is widespread in dairy systems of alpine regions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of transhumance of Brown Swiss cows to ALP on the yield, composition, and coagulation properties of milk (MCP), and on cheese yield (CY). The study involved 12 multiparous cows kept at a mountain lowland permanent farm (PF), which were divided into two equal groups: One remained at the PF, the other was moved to the ALP (1860 m above sea level) from July to September. Every month (June to October), daily milk yield (MY) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, and individual milk samples (n = 60, 2000 mL each) were collected to assess milk composition, MCP, and CY. Compared with PF, ALP cows had a reduced MY and BCS, which was maintained on return to the PF, greater fat and lower protein contents of milk. Neither MCP nor CY were affected by summer transhumance. In conclusion, summer transhumance did not affect the cheese making efficiency of milk but depressed MY and consequently daily cheese yield, which was nearly 2 kg/d lower for the ALP than the PF cows and was only partially recovered after returning to the PF in autumn.

In-stream microhabitat mosaic depicts the success of mitigation measures and controls the Ecological Potential of benthic communities in heavily modified rivers

The positive effect of mitigation measures on in-stream habitat conditions and the benthic community is recognised. In heavily modified rivers, though, the response of aquatic invertebrates to mitigation measures and habitat mosaic changes is scarcely documented.We used non-metric multidimensional scaling to explore the benthic community of leveed rivers in the agricultural lowlands of Northern Italy. The relevance of in-stream substrate microhabitat for the benthic community was assessed, together with the impact of mitigation measures. We proposed a straightforward approach to quantify similarity of microhabitat mosaic between sites testing its statistical significance based on Bayesian statistics. We hypothesised that changes of microhabitat mosaic would reflect the level of implementation of mitigation measures and benthic invertebrates would respond accordingly. Alpha, beta diversity and benthic metrics used to classify ecological status/potential were considered and their variation tested against different levels of measure implementation. Lastly, ecological potential classification was paralleled to both the level of measure implementation and habitat attributes.The microhabitats found at sites where measures were fully implemented differed from those observed elsewhere and they clearly mirrored morphological alteration and mitigation measures. Moreover, alongside morphological alteration, microhabitat diversity and mosaic were the main factors for benthic community structure. While benthic beta diversity strictly reflected microhabitat diversity, alpha diversity and ecological status metrics copied the mosaic gradient. Microhabitat attributes and most benthic metrics showed significant changes following measure implementation and they were accompanied by a gradual shift in ecological potential classes.We demonstrated the importance of in-stream substrate microhabitats as a bridge between mitigation measures and the benthic community. Particularly when ecological classification is under focus, microhabitat mosaic should be evaluated for achieving a better understanding of biological responses. The huge amount of data available worldwide could support a straightforward use of river mosaic information for river management.

Effect of irrigation-drainage unit on phosphorus interception in paddy field system

In lowland agriculture, paddy fields are present in the form of irrigation-drainage unit (IDU), which consists of paddy fields and natural ditches around the fields. Phosphorus (P) export from IDUs significantly impacts water quality in adjacent water bodies. In this study, we explored the characteristics and behavior of P in a typical IDU in Jianghan Plain, China. From 2012 to 2015, we measured P concentrations in different water components of the IDU, i.e., rainwater, irrigation water, field ponding water, runoff water and ditch water, and accounted for spatial and temporal variabilities of the P concentrations. Across the rice growing season, the highest total P (TP) concentration was observed in the field ponding water. Total P concentration in ditch water gradually declined and it reached 0.06 mg L−1 at the rice maturation stage. The concentration was lower than that of incoming irrigation water (0.13 mg L−1) and rainwater (0.17 mg L−1). Although both paddy soil and ditch sediment had low degree of P saturation, the ditch sediment had greater P binding energy (1.58 L mg−1) and larger maximum P sorption (526 mg kg−1) than the soil (0.88 L mg−1 and 455 mg kg−1, respectively). The P mass balance for the rice season over the four consecutive years showed a net depletion of 3.36–8.11 kg P ha−1 yr−1. Overall, IDUs substantially reduced the P concentrations in outputs from the IDUs as compared to inputs through irrigation and rainfall. The IDUs functioned for P retention by extending P settling time and natural degradation of P in the system. Optimizing the IDU management by controlling water discharge during fertilization and disturbance periods can be popularized for its cost saving and environmental benefits.