Crop Practices Research Articles

Impact of Nutrient Management Practices in Cassava on the Growth and Yield of Red Gram in an Additive Series Intercropping System in the Southern Laterites of Kerala

Cassava-legume intercropping is widely promoted by virtue of the ecological, nutritional and productive benefits and the choice of the intercrop is crucial in realizing the potentials envisaged. The performance of red gram (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) as an intercrop in cassava was evaluated in randomized block design at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala Agricultural University in three replications with different nutrient management practices in the main crop as treatments. Potassium efficient cassava variety Sree Pavithra was tested with varying levels of N, P and K. The treatments included T1 (100 % recommended dose of fertilizers), T2 (100 % RD N and P + 50 % K), T3 (100 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T4 (100 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T5 (50 % RDF), T6 (50 % RDF + PGPR Mix 1), T7 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K), T8 (50 % RD N and P + 25 % K + PGPR Mix 1), T9 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K), T10 (50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1) and control (no fertilizer application). Cassava growth and yield was found to be superior in the treatments involving the consortium biofertilizer PGPR Mix 1 and was the highest in 50 % RD N and P + 0 % K + PGPR Mix 1 liquid application. The performance of red gram as an intercrop was found to be influenced by the canopy growth in cassava and yields were 80-89 per cent less than in sole cropping. The land equivalent ratio was more than one in PGPR included treatments alone indicating that intercropping was not advantageous in other treatments.

Spatiotemporal variation in grain production performance and efficiency of the cultivated landscapes in Upper Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopia: the impact of residual moisture-based farming on water and food security

Analysis of grain production performance can provide reference information to explore multiple cropping options and further improve the resource use efficiency of farming methods. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of grain production performance and efficiency of major crop production systems (CPS) in the Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Basin. The results show that only 39% of the basin is currently cultivated, although a significant cropland expansion (10%) was recorded between 1985 and 2020. The study identified 11 major CPS, mostly practiced in the basin. Of these, single cropping based on the main rainy season (Meher-Only) covers the largest area (26%), followed by Meher-Residual-Intermittent (12%) and Meher-Belg-Dependable (11%). Extended-Meher, Meher-Residual-Dependable, Meher-Residual-Intermittent, and Meher-Belg-Dependable are the four more powerful CPS with higher efficiency. Comparatively, CPS practiced in Wet-Woyna-Dega and Wet-Dega have better overall performance. Findings confirm that agricultural space management (land) and green-water (rainfall) utilization are the most influential factors, followed by land use planning and land use systems (CPS) invention. As landscape suitability for grain production governs future performance, in the low elevation and flood plains parts of the basin, the possibility of creating additional space into the food system is very high. In mountainous and high-altitude regions, the efficiency of grain production will decrease because incorporating additional arable land into the food system is trivial. In the last three decades, in BNB, only 10% of arable land (equivalent to 30 million quintals of food) has been added to the good system, which can support approximately 6 million people. Compared to the population growth of the basin (12 million 1985–2020), its contribution to the food system was less than 50%. This confirms that multiple cropping systems, such as Residual moisture-based CPS, have played a significant role in boosting the food system in the basin. Therefore, improving grain production performance/efficiency requires targeted investments, including the invention of more adaptable crop varieties, efficient cropping practices, and the introduction of advanced agricultural space and water management technologies. The results of the study will help identify important policy gaps and suggest possible options to enhance residual farming and other multiple cropping systems.

For California perennial crops facing climate change, water use stays stable while planting density increases

With climate change, there has been increasing concern over allocations of scarce water supplies in California during times of drought. This study looks at how practices in perennial crops have changed over time, specifically related to application of irrigation water and to planting densities. We use University of California Sample Costs of Production Budgets from 1980 to 2021 for all major perennial crops in California to compile information on the commonly implemented irrigation and planting practices across various crops and regions. After controlling for regional variation in water applied due to agroclimatic factors, irrigation water use per acre has remained largely stable for most crops, while planting densities have increased for many crops, including olives, grapes, avocados, plums, and almonds. A notable exception is pistachios in the South San Joaquin Valley, which experienced an increase in water applied, with stable yields and planting densities. Our methods of calculating significant trends in water use, including yields and density of orchards, give further insight into the use of water in California agriculture.

The LTAR Grazing Land Common Experiment at Platte River High Plains Aquifer.

The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) consists presently of 18 sites within the contiguous United States that are managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and its partners. The LTAR network focuses on developing national strategies for more efficient, resilient, and profitable agricultural production systems, improved environmental quality, and enhanced rural prosperity. The Platte River High Plains Aquifer (PRHPA) LTAR site is managed jointly by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and USDA-ARS and is one of the LTAR sites that conduct research on both integrated cropping and grazing systems. The PRHPA region encompasses multiple land resource areas and diverse agricultural production systems. The PRHPA sites, predominantly located in eastern Nebraska, are designated as an integrated system focused specifically on the region's dominant production practices of row crop (corn and soybean), managed pastures, and beef cattle production. Here, we focus on C3 cool-season smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) pasture grazing systems under prevailing and alternative management practices for the region. The sites evaluate continuous and rotational grazing with and without pasture fertilization (prevailing practices). In an additional treatment, cattle are supplemented with dry distillers grains plus solubles, while manure supplies fertilization (alternative practice). Main measurements at the site evaluate plant and animal productivity, forage quality, greenhouse gas fluxes, and soil physical, chemical, and biological properties. This paper describes the regional characteristics of the PRHPA site, ongoing LTAR research related to pasture and livestock production, stakeholder engagement, and future research plans.

Harnessing the wheat microbiome: unlocking pathways to improved food quality and human health

Harnessing the wheat microbiome: unlocking pathways to improved food quality and human health The WHEATBIOME project gathers 13 partners from academia, industry, food systems and governmental bodies aiming to explore how biotic/abiotic factors impact soil and wheat microbial communities. The project will contribute to the development of novel and healthier food and feed products while enhancing sustainable farming practices for resilient crops and societal perception about microbiomes within food systems.

The potential to reduce runoff generation through improving cropping and tillage practices in a sub-humid continental climate

Agricultural sustainability is threatened by both water deficit and water excess, especially at the presence of extreme meteorological events resulting from climate change. However, there has been lack of demonstrations on management options with long-term values for agricultural adaptation to runoff. Using 20 years of monitoring data (1993‒2012) for two experimental fields in the Canadian Prairies as a case study, we quantified the effects of rainfall characteristics, crop type and biomass, and tillage on growing-season runoff generation using regression analyses and thereafter scenario comparisons. With growing-season gross rainfall ranging between 183 and 456 mm, runoff responses varied between 0 and 59 mm. Over the 20-year study period, 70%‒74% of the growing-season runoff was generated by rainfall events > 100 mm. Compared to high-intensity tillage, long-term conservation tillage reduced both overall runoff and runoff in large events likely by improving water infiltration. Under both tillage methods, growing-season runoff significantly increased with increasing rainfall but decreased with increasing biomass (R2 range: 0.40‒0.58; p range: 0.0007‒0.02). At the event level, the rainfall-runoff relationship followed a piecewise regression model (Cd = 0.82; p < 0.0001; “breakpoint” rainfall event = 105 mm), in which runoff increased slowly before reaching the “breakpoint” but rose sharply afterwards. Due to a greater biomass, canola resulted in less runoff than wheat. Scenario analyses showed that increasing crop biomass by 50% under the current average rainfall conditions could reduce runoff by 81‒86% in wheat and 100% in canola. The reduction may be attributed to the combined effects of crop on interception, evapotranspiration, and infiltration. In conclusion, although in a sub-humid continental climate like the Canadian Prairies there are generally low amounts of rainfall runoff, this study demonstrates significant runoff in some years, especially following large rainfall events. Runoff generation can be significantly reduced through improving cropping and tillage practices, and such effects on regional water retention should be further assessed by considering the past and future changes in climate and management.

Orchard floor management practices in arid and semi-arid fruit crops for quality yield

Orchard floor management practices in arid and semi-arid fruit crops for quality yield

The responsiveness of rural poverty to structural and rural transformations in Ethiopia

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of economic opportunities created by structural transformation, such as income from labor employment and income from nonlabor sources, on the incidence, depth, and severity of rural poverty using the 2018/2019 Ethiopian Socioeconomic Survey data. The effects of rural transformations in terms of nonfarm self‐employment and improved farming systems on poverty are also investigated. Ordinary least square, Probit, Instrumental Variable Probit model, and two stage least square estimation methods are used depending on the nature of outcome variables and the Wald test of exogeneity. The findings show that labor income (especially regular salaried income) and nonlabor income (especially remittance from international sources) are crucial in reducing the incidence of rural poverty. Improvements in crop and livestock practices, on the other hand, reduce the incidence as well as depth and severity of rural poverty. The findings suggest that more attention should be given to enhancing the modernization of crop and livestock sectors by expanding access to farm credit and improved extension systems, among other things.

Effects of Different Tillage Years on Soil Composition and Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Diversity in Gravel-Sand Mulching Watermelon Fields

Arthropods play a crucial role in ecological processes and agricultural productivity. Soil physicochemical properties, indicators of soil health, are closely linked to arthropod communities. Gravel-sand mulching, commonly employed in arid farming, initially enhances water retention and temperature regulation but may contribute to land degradation with prolonged use. This study investigated how varying tillage durations affected soil properties and arthropod diversity under gravel-sand mulching. The analysis employed multiple comparison methods, covariance analysis (ANCOVA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and redundancy analysis (RDA). The results indicated that while soil fertility was better preserved in cultivated fields compared to in the desert grassland, arthropod diversity significantly decreased with longer cultivation periods. A total of 1099 arthropods from 79 species were sampled, by Barber trap. The highest diversity was observed in native grassland (NG), with 305 arthropods from 39 species, while tillage 21 years (GPS-21Y) exhibited the lowest diversity, with only 103 arthropods from 6 species. Dominant species included the carnivores Labidura japonica and Cataglyphis aenes. The analysis revealed low similarity in arthropod communities between GPS-21Y and other fields and high similarity in soil physicochemical properties between NG and the transition zone (STZ). RDA showed available potassium (APP) was negatively correlated with arthropod species diversity and concentration, total Nitrogen (TN) was positively correlated with arthropod species diversity but negatively correlated with species concentration, total phosphorus (TP) was negatively correlated with arthropod species diversity and concentration. This study provides insights into the relationship between maintaining soil fertility and supporting arthropod diversity in grassland agriculture. While soil fertility and arthropod diversity were correlated, continuous cropping practices negatively impacted arthropod diversity, offering valuable information for pest management and sustainable agricultural practices.

What evidence exists on the effect of the main European lowland crop and grassland management practices on biodiversity indicator species groups? a systematic map

BackgroundThe intensification of the agricultural practices in Europe over the last decades has drastically transformed the agroecosystems. The simplification of the landscape, the loss of semi-natural habitats and the application of chemicals on crops led to biodiversity decline in agricultural landscapes, raising substantial concerns about the loss of essential ecosystem services, such as pollination or pest control. Depending on the location, the scale and the regional context, different indicator species groups (ISGs) are regularly surveyed to assess the state and trend of biodiversity changes in agroecosystems. Although the high diversity of these ISGs allows assessing different biodiversity aspects (e.g., trophic levels, bio-physical compartments, scale of indication), it complicates the interpretation of the results and thus their practical application. In addition, species diversity metrics are various, from simple species counts to more complex measurements of diversity indices, sometimes with antagonistic responses. Here, to meet the pressing need for synthesis in this complex topic, we follow a standardized systematic map protocol to collect and summarize the literature reporting field evidence of the effects of the main agricultural management practices (AMPs) in arable crops, grasslands and ecological infrastructures on a set of ISGs in European lowland farming areas.MethodsSearches of literature were made using online publication databases, search engine and specialist websites in English. Gathered publications were screened for relevance following inclusion/exclusion criteria published in a prior protocol. We extracted and mapped information about experimental design, monitoring methods, ISGs and AMPs studied and the diversity measures presented in each included publication. These parameters are structured in available data coding sheets.ResultsThe search gathered 20,162 references from which 1208 remained after full text eligibility screening. Main areas studied are in Western Europe, and the number of studies increased exponentially from 1984 to 2022. Most publications are experimental and on-farm studies which assess AMPs effects at the field scale. Main studied AMPs are fertilization, grazing, organic farming, tillage, mowing and herbicide application. Most ISGs used to study their impacts are flora, carabids, spiders, birds, bees and annelids, often combined with other ISGs. The combinations between AMPs and ISGs studied are detailed as well as monitoring methods. The most used diversity measures are abundance, species richness, Shannon index, evenness, and community composition.ConclusionsWe identified several knowledge clusters: (1) organic farming, fertilization, tillage, grazing and mowing impact on a wide range of ISGs, (2) flora response to agricultural practices, (3) annelids response to agronomic interventions that impact soil structure (e.g., tillage, fertilization, crop rotation, crop residue management), (4) butterflies and orthopterans response to mowing and grazing effects in grasslands, (5) the use of bird monitoring for the impact for assessing the efficiency of AES implementation at the landscape scale. We highlight that further research should be conducted on ISGs that are until now poorly studied regarding agricultural practices, such as amphibians, reptiles, gastropods, millipedes and centipedes. More field evidence of the effects of diversification practices such as intercropping, undersowing, intermediate cropping, and agroforestry are needed to draw conclusions on their benefits on biodiversity.

Consequential versus attributional life cycle optimization of poultry manure management technologies in a food-energy-water-waste nexus

To model the environmental and economic tradeoffs of managing poultry manure wastes in a food-energy-water-waste nexus, this work builds a framework to conduct a combined life cycle and techno-economic optimization and a spatial analysis of poultry manure management technologies. To align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and 13: Climate Action by mitigating the massive water and climate impacts induced by the common practice of fertilizer crops using direct land application of poultry manure, the framework minimizes freshwater eutrophication (FE) impact and climate change impact (GWP). To account for the circular economy, the net present value (NPV) is maximized to measure the economic feasibility of implementing alternative management pathways. A multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programming framework accounts for the selection of direct land application, and waste to energy technologies, spatial variation in manure supply, facility sizing, and the products’ consumption and end-of-life. This optimization framework is evaluated for a case study in New York state. Under an attributional life cycle optimization, anaerobic digestion minimizes FE with an impact of 0.002 kg P-eq/ton manure, while using a consequential life cycle optimization, hydrothermal carbonization minimizes FE with an impact of −0.96 kg P-eq/ton manure. For both life cycle methodologies, pyrolysis with land application of biochar minimizes GWP. At the attributional life cycle assessment tradeoff point for GWP and NPV, minimum carbon credits of US$33/ton CO2-eq are necessary for a pyrolysis plant to have a positive NPV, implying that harnessing economies of scale or robust carbon accounting is necessary for the widespread adoption of pyrolysis as a poultry manure management technology.

To Assess the Knowledge Level of Farmers on ICT Interventions in Agri-Allied Enterprises

Agriculture is a major part of our economy and the related industries that support it are essential to giving farmers more advantages. Modern agriculture depends on timely and reliable information regarding market access, weather forecasting, and agricultural inputs, among other things. But farmers do not receive adequate information about the market, weather forecasts, etc. because of a lack of physical infrastructure, awareness, and information. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is an effective way for develop and raise the agriculture standard. The main objective of this study was to access the knowledge level of ICTs among farmers for getting different Agriculture Information. There in regards, extensive use of information technologies must be promoted to farm level for transfer of technologies. The study was conducted during the year 2019 to assess the attitude of farmers towards information and communication technology tools in two blocks i.e., Balianta and Balipatna of Khurda district of Odisha. Pre-structured interview schedule was used for data collection from the farmers and appropriate statistical tools were used to analyse the collected data. Proportionate random sampling was used in the selection of one hundred and twenty (120) farmers as the sample of the study. The outcomes confirmed that majority of the respondents had good knowledge on television with a mean score of 2.83. Majority of the respondents had awareness on advisory services from Kisan Call Centre and ama krushi with mean score of 2.83. It was observed that majority of the respondents had learned new skill from ICT interventions with a mean score of 2.83 and knowledge gap of 5.57%. majority of the respondents had full information on weather i.e. cyclone with mean score of 3. Majority of the respondents had full information on disease management practices of crop with mean score of 3. Majority of the respondents had good information on MSP with mean score of 2.67, followed by regulated market and unregulated market and local market mandis with mean score of 2.17 and lowest on market incentives. Majority of the respondents had good information on calf, milch and pregnant animal with a mean score of 2.53 and lowest with heifer and bull and bullocks with mean score of 2. Majority of the respondents had good information on breeds, proper feed, different diseases of the animals and veterinary clinic located nearby with mean score of 2.21 and lowest with the vaccination schedule of the animals with mean score of 2.17. There is maximum knowledge gap on Community Radio, tablet and laptop that can be minimized through skill-oriented training programmes, various successful case studies may also be cited to the respondents for motivation and adoption.

Knowledge and adoption gaps of Stylosanthes seed production practices followed by farmers of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

A study was carried out to know the knowledge and adoption levels of recommended practices of Stylosanthes crop by farmers. The study was conducted in 12 randomly selected villages of 3 blocks of Anantapur district by surveying 120 farmers using a structured interview schedule. The results revealed that knowledge levels were poor for the application of fertilizers (00%), seed treatment (7.5%), top dressing (25%) and row spacing (59.17%). Correspondingly, four practices that the respondents did not adopt were use of recommended seed rate, sowing without seed treatment, not following recommended spacing and fertilizer application at the time of sowing. Herd size and the irrigated area had a positive relationship with the knowledge level of respondents. Herd size, herd composition and cropping pattern showed positive and one variable risk orientation showed a negative and significant relationship with the level of adoption of Stylosanthes seed production practices. The study thus brings out the dire need to enhance the knowledge and adoption of critical practices for enhancing seed yield and quality of Styosanthes hamata.

Multivariate Assessment of Variability and Relationships of Soil Parameters Under Semi-Arid Alfisols Using Principal Component Analysis

ABSTRACT Multivariate relationships and variability of initial and post-harvest soil parameters in the North and South Transects of Bengaluru during 2017 and 2018 are assessed. North (South) Transect soils indicated initial pH of 5.9 (7.1), EC of 0.17 (0.16) dS m−1, N of 376.9 (415.3) kg/ha, P2O5 of 83.18 (64.31) kg/ha, K2O of 169.7 (247.3) kg/ha, Fe of 11.78 (10.86) ppm, Zn of 1.59 (1.13) ppm, Cu of 0.71 (0.6) ppm, Mn of 8.24 (7.74) ppm and B of 0.24 (0.21) ppm; compared to post-harvest pH of 6.1 (6.8), EC of 0.26 (0.19) dS m−1, N of 352.5 (383.4) kg/ha, P2O5 of 68.05 (54.14) kg/ha, K2O of 153.5 (222.1) kg/ha, Fe of 9.91 (8.75) ppm, Zn of 1.35 (0.93) ppm, Cu of 0.58 (0.53) ppm, Mn of 6.88 (6.72) ppm and B of 0.20 (0.19) ppm. Four PCs of post-harvest parameters explained a maximum variance of 59.85% in the North compared to 69.94% in the South Transects. Soil pH (−0.623), Fe (0.648), Zn (−0.603) on PC-1; Cu (0.628) on PC-2; EC (0.613) on PC-3; and B (−0.657) on PC-4 were significant in North, while pH (−0.715), Fe (0.891), Zn (−0.624), Mn (0.835) on PC-1; EC (0.771), N (0.618) on PC-2; K2O (0.718), B (0.774) on PC-3; P2O5 (0.673), Cu (0.647) on PC-4 were significant in South Transect. It may be recommended that the package of practices of crops should be modified by considering variability, relationships, loadings, and buildup of soil fertility parameters under semi-arid Alfisols.

Application of geospatial technology on land suitability analysis for wheat and maize farming: In a case of Guder sub-watershed North West Oromia, Ethiopia

Cereal crops like wheat and maize are crucial to providing food security in rural areas of Ethiopia. However, due to population growth, agricultural practices for these cereal crops have been expanded to vulnerable areas, and increasing land degradation. Geospatial technologies are essential for decision-making to reduce land degradation and ensure sustainable agriculture activities. In the Guder sub-watershed, Oromia regional state of Ethiopia, where land degradation has been a persistent issue, agricultural suitability study is crucial. This study is focused on the Guder sub-watershed, which aimed to analyze the land suitability based on ten controlling parameters, including elevation, slope, soil texture, soil depth, soil PH, soil drainage, proximity to the road, temperature, rainfall and land use/land cover, for the two most significant cereal crops (wheat and maize). All of these factors were weighted in accordance with the relative importance of each component for the appropriateness of wheat and maize land suitability using MCDA and AHP method, based on the recommendations of numerous writers and expert opinions. The findings of the study showed that 6 %, 50.58 %, 23.26 %, and 20.26 % of the total study area were highly, moderately, marginally and not suitable for wheat cultivation, respectively, whereas 5.1 %, 57.3 %, 17.3 %, and 20.3 % of the study area were highly, moderately, marginally and not suitable for cultivating maize crop respectively. This result support decision makers to develop land use planning thereby improve productivity and minimize land degradation.

Impact of IPM training on pest management practices in major vegetables in Palpa, Nepal

A study assessed the impact of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training on pest management practices in major vegetable crops in Palpa district. A total of 138 respondents were selected through purposive random sampling from Tansen municipality and the rural municipalities of Bagnaskali and Ribdikot. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews on prevailing IPM practices, pesticide handling, and challenges in IPM adoption. The analysis, employing descriptive and inferential statistics including chi-square tests, revealed that most trained respondents were from Tansen municipality, with more females than males receiving training. Although respondents preferred botanical methods, they predominantly used chemical pesticides due to availability, lack of biopesticides, high costs of IPM, social constraints, and the absence of block farming. Agro-vet stores were the main information source on pesticides. The level of pest control influenced chemical pesticide purchases, with low awareness of pest resistance. Both trained and non-trained respondents sprayed pesticides during pest outbreaks, with few reporting symptoms from exposure. Trained respondents exhibited greater awareness of the impacts of chemical pesticides on beneficial insects and soil health, the importance of waiting periods, safe pesticide disposal, and safety precautions. Significant associations were found between IPM training and chemical pesticide use, awareness of their impacts on beneficial insects, pesticide disposal methods, waiting periods, safety precautions, and perceptions of soil impact. The study highlighted the critical role of training in enhancing pest management practices and awareness of the adverse effects of chemical pesticides, underscoring the need for increased availability of biopesticides and support for IPM adoption.

Micronutrients in the Plant-Soil-Environment Continuum: A Comprehensive Review

Though mostly ignored, micronutrients are most important. Reducing the negative effects of micronutrient shortages requires the use of effective techniques like vitamin supplements and dietary diversification. It is known that when agricultural yields are reduced because of inadequate soil micronutrient concentration, malnutrition may result. Deficits in soil micronutrients can result from a number of variables, such as the use of intensive cropping practices, micronutrient leaching, soil characteristics, and decreased use of farmyard waste. The availability of micronutrients in the soil is determined by a number of factors, including soil pH, and status of the soil organic matters. Numerous factors, including the structure of root hairs, the release of organic acids, sugar, and several root enzymes, as well as interactions between microorganisms and plants, affect how well plants absorb and use micronutrients. Numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the soil's micronutrient absorption and bioavailability. In order to improve crop utilisation of soil nutrients, the discussion also included an analysis of the relationships between plant functions and soil nutrients.

Potential long-term, global effects of enhancing the domestic terrestrial carbon sink in the United States through no-till and cover cropping

BackgroundAchieving a net zero greenhouse gas United States (US) economy is likely to require both deep sectoral mitigation and additional carbon dioxide removals to offset hard-to-abate emissions. Enhancing the terrestrial carbon sink, through practices such as the adoption of no-till and cover cropping agricultural management, could provide a portion of these required offsets. Changing domestic agricultural practices to optimize carbon content, however, might reduce or shift US agricultural commodity outputs and exports, with potential implications on respective global markets and land use patterns. Here, we use an integrated energy-economy-land-climate model to comprehensively assess the global land, trade, and emissions impacts of an adoption of domestic no-till farming and cover cropping practices based on carbon pricing.ResultsWe find that the adoption of these practices varies depending on which aspects of terrestrial carbon are valued. Valuation of all terrestrial carbon resulted in afforestation at the expense of domestic agricultural production. In contrast, a policy valuing soil carbon in agricultural systems specifically indicates strong adoption of no-till and cover cropping for key crops.ConclusionsWe conclude that under targeted terrestrial carbon incentives, adoption of no-till and cover cropping practices in the US could increase the terrestrial carbon sink with limited effects on crop availability for food and fodder markets. Future work should consider integrated assessment modeling of non-CO2 greenhouse gas impacts, above ground carbon storage changes, and capital and operating cost considerations.

Promoting sustainable smallholder farming systems in China

CONTEXTHundreds of millions of smallholder farmers account for 84% of farming households globally. Owing to the limited access to knowledge and resources, smallholder farming systems under sub-optimal management are facing multiple challenges such as adverse environmental impacts and difficulties in meeting growing food demand. Although substantial advanced techniques and practices have been developed, applying these practices on the ground at a large scale remains a great challenge. OBJECTIVESThis study aims to assess the sustainability of typical soil-crop management practices in order to recommend best practice bundles. The study also deploys a farmer survey in order to identify barriers hindering the adoption of sustainable practices and propose ways to overcome these barriers. METHODSTo achieve these aims, we develop a generalizable framework combining technical innovations and social realization pathway for sustainable transformation of smallholder farming systems. We apply this framework in the North China Plain as a case study, propose target-oriented practice bundles and subsequent realization roadmaps from smallholder farmer's perspectives and interests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results show that nitrogen reduction has the greatest positive effect on the overall sustainability of smallholder farming systems (12–14%), followed by formula fertilizer (6–10%) and optimal crop practices (2–4%). Thus, our recommended practice bundles include reducing fertilizer inputs and optimal sowing date and rate. However, our farmer survey shows that the implementation of these recommended practices faces barriers associated with economic costs, labor requirements, and farmer's preferences and acceptance. We suggest ways to overcome these barriers, including multi-stakeholder platforms better connecting smallholders, scientists, government, and industry. SIGNIFICANCEOur framework can be amended to fit different contexts and targets, therefore it can be adopted and tweaked by other regions worldwide dominated by smallholder agriculture to promote sustainable transformation.

Agro-morphological Growth Response of Acha (Fonio) (Digitaria Exilis and Digitaria Iburua [Kippist] Stapf.) Exposed to Colchicine: Leaf Length, Leaf Width and Leaf Area Index

The present study investigated the effects of colchicine treatment on leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area index (LAI) in two species of Acha (fonio), namely Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. Colchicine, a potent mitotic inhibitor, has been widely used to induce polyploidy and in studying the effects of genome duplication on various morphological traits. This study aimed to explore if colchicine treatment could alter the leaf morphology of the two Acha species. Seeds of the two species were treated with colchicine solution at various concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 g/dL), while a control group was maintained without any treatment. Leaf length and width were measured using a meter rule, and LAI was calculated by multiplying the leaf length and leaf width with the constant for both species. Statistical analysis was performed using the Analysis of Variance on SPSS to determine significant differences between treated and control groups. The results showed that colchicine treatment had a significant effect on leaf morphology in both Acha species. Leaf length and width increased significantly in response to colchicine treatment, with the degree of increase depending on the concentration. Moreover, the LAI also exhibited a significant increase in treated plants compared to the control group. Colchicine concentration level of 0.10 g/dL produced the best results that can be exploited to enhance the morphological characteristics of both Acha species. The findings suggest that colchicine-induced polyploidy can enhance leaf growth and overall leaf area in Acha plants, leading to potential implications for agricultural productivity and yield improvement. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects of colchicine-induced polyploidy on other growth parameters, reproductive traits, and yield in Acha. Understanding the genetic and physiological changes associated with polyploidy in Acha species will contribute to the development of improved breeding strategies and cultivation practices for this important cereal crop.