Major Cereal Production Research Articles

Biodiversity–production feedback effects lead to intensification traps in agricultural landscapes

Intensive agriculture with high reliance on pesticides and fertilizers constitutes a major strategy for ‘feeding the world’. However, such conventional intensification is linked to diminishing returns and can result in ‘intensification traps’—production declines triggered by the negative feedback of biodiversity loss at high input levels. Here we developed a novel framework that accounts for biodiversity feedback on crop yields to evaluate the risk and magnitude of intensification traps. Simulations grounded in systematic literature reviews showed that intensification traps emerge in most landscape types, but to a lesser extent in major cereal production systems. Furthermore, small reductions in maximal production (5–10%) could be frequently transmitted into substantial biodiversity gains, resulting in small-loss large-gain trade-offs prevailing across landscape types. However, sensitivity analyses revealed a strong context dependence of trap emergence, inducing substantial uncertainty in the identification of optimal management at the field scale. Hence, we recommend the development of case-specific safety margins for intensification preventing double losses in biodiversity and food security associated with intensification traps.

English

An experiment was conducted on farmer's fields during the main cropping season of 2016/2017 in Adiyo district, Southwestern Ethiopia to optimize fertilizer rate recommendation for major cereal production systems by using bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as test crop. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications for sixteen treatments. The grain yield and yield components were all elevated remarkably by applying different rates and types of fertilizers; five levels of N (0, 23, 46, 69 and 92 kg ha-1); four levels of P (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1); and four levels of K (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1). In addition, the last three diagnostic treatment foliar applications 45 days after planting and compared with control (absolute zero) treatment was done. Yield and yield components were measured using the SAS statistical package program version 9.3. The least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability level was used to establish the difference among the means. To investigate the economic feasibility of the fertilizers, partial budget, dominance analysis and marginal rate of return were used. There was significant difference in grain yield and yield components of bread wheat (danda‘a variety) among the treatments. As the results showed high biological yield response recorded under 92N20P20K kg ha-1 (5.62 t ha-1) and the lower yield response was under control treatment (4.09 t ha-1); but high economic yield response recorded under 23N20P kg ha-1 (5.20 t ha-1). In conclusion, the fertilizers containing nutrient rate of 23N20P (kg ha-1) had brought the higher economic net benefit (27409.99 ETB/ha) with MRR (92.61%) and showed efficient use of fertilizer. Therefore, based on the biological yield response and economic net benefit, it is recommended to apply 23N20P (kg ha-1) fertilizers at Adiyo district, Southwestern Ethiopia and areas with the same soil conditions and agro-ecology. Key words: Economic analysis, foliar application, wheat yield, nutrient type, rate.

Exogenous Spermine Mitigate Adversities of Salinity Induced Oxidative Stress through Antioxidant Metabolites in Wheat

Change in climatic scenarios due to global warming is characterized by extreme climate variability, land and water degradation which resulted in water scarcity. Accumulation of salts at the surface and sub-surface layers of soils affect crop production of major cereals which is a constraint in sustainable food production. Salinity is a major challenge to tackle wheat cultivation and harness productivity in arid and semi-arid regions of India. In the present investigation, mitigation of salinity induced oxidative stress through exogenous application of spermine (Spm) in four wheat genotypes was studied in relation to antioxidant metabolites. The levels of O2.- increased with increasing levels of salinity in wheat flag leaves. DBW 88 showed the levels of O2.- of 11.75 nmol g-1 FW and 15.74 nmol g-1 FW (at 8 dSm-1 and 12 dSm-1 respectively) at 21 Days After Sowing (DAS) and application of Spm decreased the O2.- content under control and saline stressed conditions at 8 dSm-1 and 12 dSm-1. Hydrogen peroxide content was increased with increasing levels of salinity in all the wheat varieties at 21 DAS. However, the increase was more in the case of DBW 88 when compared with HD 3086. Treatment of Spm decreased the H2O2 content when compared with control and saline stressed wheat varieties. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased with increasing levels of salinity at 21 DAS. The highest increase in MDA content was seen in DBW 88 whereas the lowest increase was found in Kharchia 65. Application of Spm decreased the MDA content under control at both levels of salinity treated wheat varieties. The carotenoid content decreased with increasing levels of salinity in all four wheat varieties. However, the decrease was more in DBW 88 when compared with other varieties viz. HD 3086, Kharchia 65 and KRL 210 at 21 DAS. Exogenous Spm increased the carotenoids content in all four wheat varieties irrespective of the salinity. The leaves of Kharchia 65 and KRL 210 had higher levels of ascorbic acid as compared to that of DBW 88 and HD 3086. Increased content of carotenoid was observed in Spm-treated wheat. Exogenous application of Spm increased the ascorbic acid content in control at both levels of salt stress. The glutathione content increased with an increase in salinity treatment in all the varieties however, a higher increase was observed in Kharchia 65. Exogenous Spm increased the glutathione content in all the varieties irrespective of salinity stress. The results presented in the study indicated that the exogenous application of Spm improved their tolerance levels under salinity.

The Impact of Farmland Transfer on Rural Households’ Income Structure in the Context of Household Differentiation: A Case Study of Heilongjiang Province, China

Farmland transfer is an important factor affecting rural households’ income and sustainable development of rural areas in developing countries. However, recent studies have reached controversial conclusions on how farmland transfer affects rural households’ income because of ignoring the household differentiation and the difference in the impacts of farmland transfer-in and transfer-out on the income structure. Taking the Heilongjiang province, the major cereal production area in China, as the study area, the paper aims to estimate the impacts of farmland transfer-in or transfer-out of different rural households on income structure based on the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model. Results showed that the total income of all rural households transferring-in farmland increased significantly while the income decreased after transferring-out farmland, and I part-time households have the largest increase, followed by pure-agricultural households and II part-time households, whereas I part-time households has the smallest reduction, followed by pure-agricultural households and II part-time households. Because the increase in the agricultural income and subsidies was greater than the decrease in the outworking income for I part-time households transferring-in farmland, while the outworking income not increasing but decreasing when II part-time households transferring-out farmland. We can conclude that (1) encouraging pure-agricultural and I part-time households to transfer farmland in and II part-time households to transfer out of farmland, and develop mutual assistance for the aged in rural areas should be strengthened. (2) Improving the farmland transfer market and promoting non-agricultural employment of surplus-labor need to be synchronized. (3) Agricultural subsidies should be provided to cultivators.

Growth performance of Major Indian cereals: State level analysis

Cereals are the major staple food, covering about 80 percent of the cropped area in India. In this study, the trends and growth in the area, production, and productivity of major cereals in major producing states of India were analyzed by using secondary data for a period of 22 years from 1994-95 to 2015 16. Compound annual growth rate and instability index were worked out which revealed that among total cereals, not only area under fine cereals (Rice and Wheat) has shown tremendous increase but their share has also increased from 68 to 75 percent, whereas on the other hand coarse cereals (Maize, Jowar, and Bajra) area has declined at -1.12 per cent during the study period. Maize had shown a positive growth rate in the area whereas Jowar and Bajra showed a negative growth rate in the study period. The productivity of major cereals in all states increased significantly. Required production to meet the expected demand is possible only through productivity improvement, as the possibility of area expansion under cultivation is almost nil. Hence, there is greater potential to improve the yield of major cereals crops through biotechnology and genetic engineering, and thus improve farmers’ income.

Cost efficiency of principal crops in Bihar (India) – A stochastic frontier approach

In the present study, an attempt has been made to test the cost efficiency of cereal crops like paddy, wheat and maize separately in the state of Bihar using Stochastic Cost Frontier model. It has been tried to determine the determinants of cost inefficiencies. The study is also aimed to know the factors affecting the cost inefficiencies in production of major cereals of the state so as to ascertain proper steps to increase cost efficiency in production. Most important observation emerged that there existed non-linear relationship between cost inefficiency and farm category. Cost inefficiency first increased with the increase of farm size then it decreased. In case of paddy mechanization could negatively affect the cost inefficiency and proportion to family labour in total labour was found positive implying increase in cost inefficiency. But in wheat, family labour showed positive value, indicating thereby increase in cost inefficiency. In case of maize, coefficient of fertilizer use was observed positive indicating increase in cost inefficiency. Coefficients of land holding size were positive in all the crops for all categories of farms. This advocated non-linear relation between farm category and cost inefficiency which showed larger farms were less cost efficient. The cost inefficiency depends on proportion of family labour, mechanization, type of seed used. The result enables to identify the determinants of cost inefficiency, which will certainly guide the state to adopt suitable policies. Farmers may be made aware about rational allocation of resources to reduce cost and make farming cost efficient.

A SNP-Based Genome-Wide Association Study to Mine Genetic Loci Associated to Salinity Tolerance in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.).

Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilzeck var. radiata) is a protein-rich short-duration legume that fits well as a rotation crop into major cereal production systems of East and South-East Asia. Salinity stress in arid areas affects mungbean, being more of a glycophyte than cereals. A significant portion of the global arable land is either salt or sodium affected. Thus, studies to understand and improve salt-stress tolerance are imminent. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to mine genomic loci underlying salt-stress tolerance during seed germination of mungbean. The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) mungbean minicore collection representing the diversity of mungbean germplasm was utilized as the study panel and variation for salt stress tolerance was found in this germplasm collection. The germplasm panel was classed into two agro-climatic groups and showed significant differences in their germination abilities under salt stress. A total of 5288 SNP markers obtained through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to mine alleles associated with salt stress tolerance. Associated SNPs were identified on chromosomes 7 and 9. The associated region at chromosome 7 (position 2,696,072 to 2,809,200 bp) contains the gene Vradi07g01630, which was annotated as the ammonium transport protein (AMT). The associated region in chromosome 9 (position 19,390,227 bp to 20,321,817 bp) contained the genes Vradi09g09510 and Vradi09g09600, annotated as OsGrx_S16-glutaredoxin subgroup II and dnaJ domain proteins respectively. These proteins were reported to have functions related to salt-stress tolerance.

Trend and Pattern of Cereal Crops: Production, Productivity and Area Coverage in Nepal

This study conducted to examine growth trends and pattern in area, production and productivity of major cereal crops over the six fiscal years. Time series data of cereal crops coverage of annual yield were used for the study. This study was based on descriptive nature and used secondary sources of information on production, productivity and area coverage of major cereals (Paddy, Maize, Wheat, Millet, Buckwheat and Barley) covering the six fiscal years (2011/12-20116/17) data. Trends of crop's productivity were analyzed using graphical methods. Ratio and percentage were used to measure productivity (yield) growth rate of the selected crops of study. The yielding trend of cereal production is not satisfactory in Nepalese economy. Pattern of agricultural production in Nepal is affected by multiple factors including rugged topography, monsoon, insignificant investment in infrastructure, and research and development. Production and productivity would be helpful to develop the future plans and take the appropriate decisions to uphold the situation for the sustainability in food production.

Prevalence and Genome Characterization of Field Isolates of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) in Nigeria.

Maize and sugarcane are two economically important crops often grown in adjacent fields or co-cultivated in the northern guinea savannah agroecological zone, a major cereal production region of Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of mosaic disease in sugarcane and maize fields in the northern guinea savannah agroecological zone and to molecularly characterize the associated sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV, genus Potyvirus) isolates. Surveys were conducted from June to July 2015, and sugarcane mosaic disease (SCMD) incidence was assessed across 21 farmer's fields. Mean SCMD incidence varied across states with ∼82% (308/376), ∼66% (143/218), and ∼67% (36/54) recorded in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states, respectively. RT-PCR analysis of 415 field-collected samples using genus-specific primers confirmed potyvirus infection in 63.7% (156/245) of sugarcane, 29.7% (42/141) of maize crops, and 45% (13/29) of itch grass samples. Cloning and sequencing of gene-specific DNA amplicons from a subset of 45 samples (sugarcane = 33, maize = 9, itch grass = 3) confirmed their specificities to SCMV. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial gene sequences showed that they all belong to a single monophyletic clade of SCMV. These results were supported by analysis of complete polyprotein sequences of representative maize and sugarcane isolates from Nigeria. Both isolates shared 94.9%/97.3% complete polyprotein nucleotide (nt)/amino acid (aa) identities with each other and 75.2%/97.6% nt/aa identities with corresponding sequences of global SCMV isolates. The detection of identical populations of SCMV isolates in both crop species and a weed host suggests possible vector mediated interspecies spread within cereal landscapes in the study area with implications for the integrated and sustainable management of SCMD in cereal cropping systems in Nigeria.

Dynamics of Major Cereals Productivity in Nepal

Cereal crops have played major roles in addressing food security issues in Nepal. In recent years there have been fluctuations in crop production and demands situations due to various reasons. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the dynamics of major cereals productivity in Nepal from 1995 to 2014. Focus group discussions were done in mid-hills and tarai of Nepal in 2015. Percentage change, compound growth rate, annual rate of change, coefficient of variation, instability index were calculated to analyze results. The result shows that the area, production and productivity of major cereals had an increasing trend over the study period. The major factors contributing on productivity increase in cereal crops were irrigation facilities, use of improved and hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizer and better technical knowhow among the farmers. For effective adoption of research outputs to improve the productivity emphasis should also be given on promotion of public private partnership (PPP) in research and development.

India's Position on the food security front: A case of poverty in plenty

Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy contributing to nearly 14 per cent of the total GDP and 10 per cent of the total exports. The country is blessed with bountiful natural resources and diverse agro-climatic conditions. It has the second largest arable and the highest irrigated land in the world. It is amongst the top five countries in terms of area and production of major cereals, pulses, beverages and spices, fruit and vegetable crops, milk and other animal products. Way back in the 1960s the green revolution was introduced with an objective of achieving self-sufficiency in food grains. The introduction of HYV seeds of wheat and other grains combined with the use of plant protection chemicals and irrigation boosted the agricultural production. This was followed by a series of colour revolutions in the sector viz. blue, white, silver, pink, rainbow and so on with the latest being the evergreen revolution started in the 11thplan. Unfortunately, even today Indian farmers are in distress and India is faced with chronic hunger and malnutrition. This calls for some serious deliberation for addressing the underlying issues in the sector. The key issue by far for Indian agriculture is increasing productivity. So far as India's agriculture sector is concerned there is a need to augment productivity by growing food in a sustainable way i. e. by adopting practices that produce more with less in the same area of land i. e. improving the resource use efficiency. It also means reducing food losses before the retail stage through a number of initiatives including better harvesting, storage, packing, transport, infrastructure, value addition as well as institutional and legal frameworks. Moreover, there is a need for measures such as price stabilization, incentives to farmers, agriculture diversification, effective supply chain management, food and nutritional safety as well as climate change research to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Scenario of changing dynamics in production and productivity of major cereals in India

Cereals occupy prime position in diet composition of all human beings, with rice, wheat and maize being the major staple cereals with more than 70% share among all the food grains. With the inception of green revolution, India from being a food deficit and net importer of food grains not only became self reliant but also one of the major exporters of food grains with the adoption of modern wheat and rice varieties. Thus the present study was undertaken to analyze the trends in area, production and productivity of rice, wheat and maize for the period 1990-91 to 2012-13 obtaining data from the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) and coefficient of variation were also used to see the growth patterns and instability in the production and productivity of these cereals overtime. The results showed that in both rice and wheat instability increased in area, production and productivity but most of the states registered an increasing growth trends during the period. Notably Maize showed increase in area, yield and production since 2000 due to its increasing demand for industrial usage and had significant growth in the decade due to its growing commercial value with emergence of promising new hybrids. The study points out to the significant intervention of policy to helpmaintain stability in case of major cereals of India’s food security.

Optimization of Fertilizer Recommendations for Bread Wheat at Sinana District of Bale Zone, Southeastern Oromia, Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted during the “Bona” season of 2016 at Bale highland agro ecology and environment to optimizing fertilizer rate recommendation for major cereal production systems by using wheat as test crop. Experiment was laid out in a randomized complete-block (RCBD) design with three replications for sixteen (16) treatments were conducted. It was found that the amount of N application in plants had significant difference between treatments applied with nitrogen fertilizer. The grain yield and yield components were all elevated remarkably by applying different rate and type of fertilizer; four level of N (0, 23, 46, 69, 92) three levels of P (0, 10, 20), and three level of K (0, 10, 20) in addition the last three treatment foliar application 45 days after planting and comparing with control (absolute zero) treatment. There was significant difference in grain yield and yield components of Madda walabu (bread wheat) among the treatments. The results showed in addition to significant difference among the treatments, high yield response recorded under 46N-20P-0K-0S kg ha -1 (5, 3 t ha -1 ) and followed by 69N-20P-0K-0Skg ha -1 (4.5 t ha -1 ) the lower yield response was under control treatment (2.3. t ha -1 ). In conclusion, fertilizer rate containing nutrient combination of rate of 46 N 20 P (kg ha -1 ) had brought the higher grain yield and showed efficient use of fertilizer combination. The result indicted that the optimum fertilizer applications for bread wheat 46 N 20 P (kg ha -1 ) were brought maximum yield for selka site of sinana district.

Farmers' perceptions of climate change and the proposed agriculture adaptation strategies in a semi arid region of south India

Climate change is recognised as one of the leading challenges affecting the performance of agriculture and the livelihood of people. Farmers are the hardest hit as they have to continuously respond to climatic variations. In order to understand farmers' perceptions of climate change and its impacts, and to identify adaptation needs, focus group discussions and semi-structured questionnaire surveys were carried out at the end of the south-west monsoon season in 2012 (Kharif cropping season in India). This helped to gather their immediate responses soon after the poor performance of south-west monsoon 2012. Khariff cultivation is locally known as ‘Kuruvai’ and is always under the influence of the south-west monsoon rainfall. Farmers' have perceived climate variability, and identified increasing temperature, delayed onset, intermittent dry spells and decreasing soil moisture as the critical factors affecting their cultivation. Some of them have started to adapt to these changes by cultivating only short-duration crops such as pulses, vegetables and flowers especially jasmine, but there is also a trend to put more land under fallow and abandoning the major cereal production. This study reveals that the farmers' perceptions are in accordance with the real trends analysis done on meteorological variables using Mann–Kendall test and Sens's slope estimator test, but not exactly matches with rainfall. Farmers have indicated their specific adaptation needs, a number of which could be incorporated into site-specific adaption strategies and policies.

Valuing Water Used for Food Production in India

With an estimated water footprint of 790 billion cubic metres for food production in India in the year 2007–08 and given the high average requirement of producing one kilogram of the major staples consumed in the country, assuring the sustainability of the national water resources is a matter of concern in the country. The present research study attempts to provide an analytical estimate of the water footprint along with the average quantity of water required for the production of major cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and sugarcane. The economic value of the water used in their production is estimated to serve as a pointer to the optimal use of water. A value added approach has been used to do so and water requirements for different crops have been estimated using the crop water requirement model.

Climate Change And Food Security In Nepal

Climate change is posing a threat on present and future food security in low income countries. But, the actual effect of the climate change on food security is not known. Using secondary data reported by the government, the paper examines the effects of climate change on food security in Nepal in the context of policies of commercialization of farm production. Statistical analysis is used to delineate the situation of food security in the country and regression analysis for exploring the effects of global warming on domestic production of major cereals. The results are discussed at global, national, household and individual levels empirically and qualitatively. The results suggest that a rise in minimum temperature decreases the productivity of rice increasing threat of food insecurity. The paper suggests some policy measures for improving food security situation in the country and open up some areas for further research. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment Vol:13, Jun.2012, Page 9-19 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/aej.v13i0.7582

Closing yield gaps through nutrient and water management

In the coming decades, a crucial challenge for humanity will be meeting future food demands without undermining further the integrity of the Earth's environmental systems. Agricultural systems are already major forces of global environmental degradation, but population growth and increasing consumption of calorie- and meat-intensive diets are expected to roughly double human food demand by 2050 (ref. 3). Responding to these pressures, there is increasing focus on 'sustainable intensification' as a means to increase yields on underperforming landscapes while simultaneously decreasing the environmental impacts of agricultural systems. However, it is unclear what such efforts might entail for the future of global agricultural landscapes. Here we present a global-scale assessment of intensification prospects from closing 'yield gaps' (differences between observed yields and those attainable in a given region), the spatial patterns of agricultural management practices and yield limitation, and the management changes that may be necessary to achieve increased yields. We find that global yield variability is heavily controlled by fertilizer use, irrigation and climate. Large production increases (45% to 70% for most crops) are possible from closing yield gaps to 100% of attainable yields, and the changes to management practices that are needed to close yield gaps vary considerably by region and current intensity. Furthermore, we find that there are large opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture by eliminating nutrient overuse, while still allowing an approximately 30% increase in production of major cereals (maize, wheat and rice). Meeting the food security and sustainability challenges of the coming decades is possible, but will require considerable changes in nutrient and water management.