Production Strategies Research Articles

Impacts of Global Climate Change on Agricultural Production: A Comprehensive Review

Global warming is one of the greatest threats to the social development of human beings. It is a typical example of global climate change, and has profoundly affected human production and life in various aspects. As the foundation of human existence, agricultural production is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which has altered environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, and affected crop growth cycles, the frequency of extreme weather events, and the occurrence patterns of pests and diseases directly or indirectly, ultimately influencing crop yield and quality. This article reviews the latest research progress in this field, summarizes the impact of global climate change on agricultural production as well as the feedback mechanisms of agricultural activities on climate change, and proposes strategies for agricultural production to cope with global climate change. This paper aims to provide a scientific basis and suggestions for ensuring the sustainable development of agricultural production.

Production systems and strategies of peri-urban goat and sheep farmers for dry season feeding: a case study from Benin (West-Africa)

Production systems and strategies of peri-urban goat and sheep farmers for dry season feeding: a case study from Benin (West-Africa)

Superior fast-charging Ni-rich cathode via promoted kinetic-mechanical performance

The sluggish Li-ion kinetics restrict the rapid charging capabilities and contribute to the structural deterioration of Ni-rich cathode materials. Notably, crack propagation during repeated charging cycles deteriorates the electrochemical stability, which hinders the further development of high-energy-density batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). In this paper, we proposed a simple yet effective method to enhance the Li-ion diffusion and mechanical properties of Ni-rich cathodes via straightforward Zr doping. In-situ high-rate XRD reveals that the detrimental uneven delithiation under the fast-charging process has been largely alleviated. Particularly, a robust structure with higher modulus and fracture strength is constructed owing to the higher Zr-O bond. By mitigating the kinetic hindrance and increasing the particle’s stiffness, the proposed Ni-rich cathode shows an impressive 97.6 % capacity retention under a 5 C rate current. This work provides a facile and efficient strategy for large-scale production of fast-charging Ni-rich cathode materials.

Boosting Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction at Low Concentrations Through Simultaneous Electronic States Regulation and Proton Provision.

Electrochemically converting nitrate (NO3 -) into ammonia (NH3) has emerged as an alternative strategy for NH3 production and effluent treatment. Nevertheless, the electroreduction of dilute NO3 - is still challenging due to the competitive adsorption between various aqueous species and NO3 -, and unfavorable water dissociation providing *H. Herein, a new tandem strategy is proposed to boost the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) performance of Cu nanoparticles supported on single Fe atoms dispersed N-doped carbon (Cu@Fe1-NC) at dilute NO3 - concentrations (≤100ppm NO3 --N). The optimized Cu@Fe1-NC presents a FENH3 of 97.7% at -0.4V versus RHE, and a significant NH3 yield of 1953.9mmolh-1gCu -1 at 100ppm NO3 --N, a record-high activity for dilute NO3RR. The metal/carbon heterojunctions in Cu@Fe1-NC enable a spontaneous electron transfer from Cu to carbon substrate, resulting in electron-deficient Cu. As a result, the electron-deficient Cu facilitates the adsorption of NO3 - compared with the pristine Cu. The adjacent atomic Fe sites efficiently promote water dissociation, providing abundant *H for the hydrogenation of *NOx e at Cu sites. The synergistic effects between Cu and single Fe atom sites simultaneously decrease the energy barrier for NO3 - adsorption and hydrogenation, thereby enhancing the overall activity of NO3 - reduction.

New management systems for northern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood Tylenchida: Heteroderidae) in daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) ornamental plant production fields

Michigan has the third largest floriculture industry in the United States, with the production of daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) a top commodity. Daylily is one of the most economically important ornamental plants, yet their production is plagued by plant-parasitic nematodes, especially the northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla. Seven treatments in combination with a high-carbon, cow manure compost were selected for a three-year field trial at a commercial nursery in Zeeland, MI to discern the best M. hapla management strategies in daylily field production for its entire production cycle. Treatments included the compost manure by itself, Indemnify as a soil drench and as a pre-plant dip both together and separately, AzaGuard, TerraClean 5.0, and an untreated control. Additionally, a similar multi-year greenhouse trial was conducted and included a new treatment: Majestene 304. Results showed that the high-carbon, cow manure compost + Indemnify as a soil drench by itself and in combination as a pre-plant dip were the most effective treatments in reducing M. hapla population levels; in the greenhouse experiment, Indemnify reduced population levels by 83%. Majestene 304 provided the next best control of M. hapla, yet it had the highest gall ratings; the compost by itself was not effective, having higher M. hapla populations than the control in both experiments. Lastly, both trials emphasize the importance of applying these management strategies every year for the best M. hapla management. These results give the ornamental plant industry new, effective management systems to control M. hapla in ornamental plant field production.

Specific settlement strategies for two exploited limpet species (Patella aspera and P. ordinaria) using coralline algae and conditioned seawater

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are strong settlement inducers for two exploited limpets, Patella aspera and Patella ordinaria (Patellogastropoda: Patellidae). This study evaluates CCA-conditioned seawater (CSW) as a settlement inducer for the same species through nine assays aimed at its concentration, preservation, production, and as a settlement enhancer for sub-optimal substrates. Two additional assays tested the affinity of limpet larvae to settle on CCA surfaces. Each limpet species showed specific requirements. Settlement of P. aspera was higher in CCA than in CSW, whereas the settlement of P. ordinaria was similar between CCA and CSW. Inductive properties of CSW were nullified by filtration (2.7 μm) and weakened by dilution, but little affected by different preservation methods up to 48 h (room temperature, refrigerated, and autoclave). CSW can be produced serially from different CCA assemblages and preserved frozen during several days. Each limpet species responded differently to CCA and CSW when combined with diatom biofilms. Specific strategies for post larval production are recommended. P. aspera could use CCA-coated structures as collectors designed for limpet settlers in animal production and recruits in the wild; while P. ordinaria may employ movable plates for settlement induction based on CSW. Settlers would require transport to nursery grounds for grow-out.

Transient Pressure Behavior of CBM Wells during the Injection Fall-Off Test Considering the Quadratic Pressure Gradient.

Conventional coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir models for injection fall-off testing often disregard the quadratic pressure gradient's impact. This omission leads to discrepancies in simulating the transient behavior of formation fluids and extracting critical reservoir properties. Accurate determination of permeability, storability, and other properties is crucial for effective reservoir characterization and production forecasting. Inaccurate estimations can lead to suboptimal well placement, ineffective production strategies, and ultimately, missed economic opportunities. To address this shortcoming, we present a novel analytical model that explicitly incorporates the complexities of the quadratic pressure gradient and dual-permeability flow mechanisms, prevalent in many CBM formations where nanopores are rich, presenting a kind of natural nanomaterial. This model offers significant advantages over traditional approaches. By leveraging variable substitution, it facilitates the derivation of analytical solutions in the Laplace domain, subsequently converted to real-space solutions for practical application. These solutions empower reservoir engineers to generate novel type curves, a valuable tool for analyzing wellbore pressure responses during injection fall-off tests. By identifying distinct flow regimes within the reservoir based on these type curves, engineers gain valuable insights into the dynamic behavior of formation fluids. This model goes beyond traditional approaches by investigating the influence of the quadratic pressure gradient coefficient, inter-porosity flow coefficient, and storability ratio on the pressure response. A quantitative comparison with traditional models further elucidates the key discrepancies caused by neglecting the quadratic pressure gradient. The results demonstrate the proposed model's ability to accurately depict the non-linear flow behavior observed in CBM wells. This translates to more reliable pressure and pressure derivative curves that account for the impact of the quadratic pressure gradient.

Identification, Synthesis, and In Vitro Activities of Antimicrobial Peptide from African Catfish against the Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Escherichia coli.

The global surge in multi-drug resistant bacteria, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has led to a growing need for new antibacterial compounds. Despite being promising, the potential of fish-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in combating ESBL-producing E. coli is largely unexplored. In this study, native African catfish antimicrobial peptides (NACAPs) were extracted from the skin mucus of farmed African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, using a combination of 10% acetic acid solvent hydrolysis, 5 kDa ultrafiltration, and C18 hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Peptides were then sequenced using Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid Mass Spectrometry. The identified peptides were screened for potential antibacterial activity using Random Forest and AdaBoost machine learning algorithms. The most promising peptide was chemically synthesized and evaluated in vitro for safety on rabbit red blood cells and activity against ESBL-producing E. coli (ATCC 35218) utilizing spot-on-lawn and broth dilution methods. Eight peptides ranging from 13 to 22 amino acids with molecular weights between 968.42 and 2434.11 Da were identified. Peptide NACAP-II was non-hemolytic to rabbit erythrocytes (p > 0.05) with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 22.7 ± 0.9 mm and a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 91.3 ± 1.2 μg/mL. The peptide is thus a candidate antibacterial compound with enormous potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry. However, further studies are still required to establish an upscale production strategy and optimize its activity and safety in vivo.

Techno-economic assessment of solar photovoltaic electrification and calcium looping technology as decarbonisation pathways of alumina industry

Aluminium industry stands out as a significant source of CO2 emissions, due partially to the high energy demand of the alumina extraction stage. Accordingly, this study explores the implementation of direct resistive heating of mid-temperature processes in alumina production as an alternative to decrease CO2 emissions. Additionally, two different strategies are evaluated to decarbonize alumina industry: the generation of renewable electricity through solar photovoltaic panels and the integration of a CO2 capture plant based on calcium looping technology. This work comprehends the modelling and sizing of these plants and the assessment of their economic performance through the calculation of their Net Present Value and their respective payback periods. The integration of both strategies into an alumina refinery model reveals that electrification of low and mid-temperature processes yields a 15 % reduction in CO2 direct emissions, whereas calcium looping demonstrates the potential to capture 97 % of emissions with a 7 % energy penalty. Also, economic assessments indicate substantial potential for improvement through in-site electricity generation via solar photovoltaic panels, exhibiting a payback time of 4.5 years. Conversely, the feasibility of a calcium-looping plant is hindered by high capital expenses, necessitating a longer payback period of 19–24 years. Sensitivity analyses underscore the suitability of in-site renewable electricity generation, whereas carbon emission taxes emerge as crucial in incentivizing carbon-neutral processes, with thresholds around 95–125 €/tonne of CO2. Despite potential deviations from real industrial settings, this study provides evidence for environmentally friendly strategies in alumina production that demonstrate limited adverse effects on economic performance.

Mandelonitrile lyase MDL2-mediated regulation of seed amygdalin and oil accumulation of Prunus Sibirica

BackgroundThe Prunus sibirica seeds with rich oils has great utilization, but contain amygdalin that can be hydrolyzed to release toxic HCN. Thus, how to effectively reduce seed amygdalin content of P. sibirica is an interesting question. Mandelonitrile is known as one key intermediate of amygdalin metabolism, but which mandelonitrile lyase (MDL) family member essential for its dissociation destined to low amygdalin accumulation in P. sibirica seeds still remains enigmatic. An integration of our recent 454 RNA-seq data, amygdalin and mandelonitrile content detection, qRT-PCR analysis and function determination is described as a critical attempt to determine key MDL and to highlight its function in governing mandelonitrile catabolism with low amygdalin accumulation in Prunus sibirica seeds for better developing edible oil and biodiesel in China.ResultsTo identify key MDL and to unravel its function in governing seed mandelonitrile catabolism with low amygdalin accumulation in P. sibirica. Global identification of mandelonitrile catabolism-associated MDLs, integrated with the across-accessions/developing stages association of accumulative amount of amygdalin and mandelonitrile with transcriptional level of MDLs was performed on P. sibirica seeds of 5 accessions to determine crucial MDL2 for seed mandelonitrile catabolism of P. sibirica. MDL2 gene was cloned from the seeds of P. sibirica, and yeast eukaryotic expression revealed an ability of MDL2 to specifically catalyze the dissociation of mandelonitrile with the ideal values of Km (0.22 mM) and Vmax (178.57 U/mg). A combination of overexpression and mutation was conducted in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of PsMDL2 decreased seed mandelonitrile content with an increase of oil accumulation, upregulated transcript of mandelonitrile metabolic enzymes and oil synthesis enzymes (involving FA biosynthesis and TAG assembly), but exhibited an opposite situation in mdl2 mutant, revealing a role of PsMDL2-mediated regulation in seed amygdalin and oil biosynthesis. The PsMDL2 gene has shown as key molecular target for bioengineering high seed oil production with low amygdalin in oilseed plants.ConclusionsThis work presents the first integrated assay of genome-wide identification of mandelonitrile catabolism-related MDLs and the comparative association of transcriptional level of MDLs with accumulative amount of amygdalin and mandelonitrile in the seeds across different germplasms and developmental periods of P. sibirica to determine MDL2 for mandelonitrile dissociation, and an effective combination of PsMDL2 expression and mutation, oil and mandelonitrile content detection and qRT-PCR assay was performed to unravel a mechanism of PsMDL2 for controlling amygdalin and oil production in P. sibirica seeds. These findings could offer new bioengineering strategy for high oil production with low amygdalin in oil plants.

Predictive Study on the Occurrence of Wheat Blossom Midges Based on Gene Expression Programming with Support Vector Machines.

This study addresses the challenges in plant pest and disease prediction within the context of smart agriculture, highlighting the need for efficient data processing techniques. In response to the limitations of existing models, which are characterized by slow training speeds and a low prediction accuracy, we introduce an innovative prediction method that integrates gene expression programming (GEP) with support vector machines (SVM). Our approach, the gene expression programming-support vector machine (GEP-SVM) model, begins with encoding and fitness function determination, progressing through cycles of selection, crossover, mutation, and the application of a convergence criterion. This method uniquely employs individual gene values as parameters for SVM, optimizing them through a grid search technique to refine genetic parameters. We tested this model using historical data on wheat blossom midges in Shaanxi Province, spanning from 1933 to 2010, and compared its performance against traditional methods, such as GEP, SVM, naive Bayes, K-nearest neighbor, and BP neural networks. Our findings reveal that the GEP-SVM model achieves a leading back-generation accuracy rate of 90.83%, demonstrating superior generalization and fitting capabilities. These results not only enhance the computational efficiency of pest and disease prediction in agriculture but also provide a scientific foundation for future predictive endeavors, contributing significantly to the optimization of agricultural production strategies.

Dual-loaded nano pesticide system based on industrial grade scaleable carrier materials with combinatory efficacy and improved safety

Repeated and widespread use of single chemical pesticides raises concerns about efficiency and safety, developing multi-component synergistic pesticides provides a new route for efficient control of diseases. Most commercial compound formulations are open systems with non-adjustable released rates, resulting in a high frequency of applications. Meanwhile, although nano pesticide delivery systems constructed with different carrier materials have been extensively studied, realizing their actual scale-up production still has important practical significance due to the large-scale field application. In this study, a boscalid and pyraclostrobin dual-loaded nano pesticide system (BPDN) was constructed with industrial-grade carrier materials to facilitate the realization of large-scale production. The optimal industrial-scale preparation mechanism of BPDN was studied with surfactants as key factors. When agricultural emulsifier No.600 and polycarboxylate are used as the ratio of 1:2 in the preparation process, the BPDN has a spherical structure with an average size of 270 nm and exhibits superior physical stability. Compared with commercial formulation, BPDN maintains rate-stabilized release up to 5 times longer, exhibits better dispersion and spreading performance on foliar, has more than 20% higher deposition amounts, and reduces loss. A single application of BPDN could efficiently control tomato gray mold during the growing period of tomatoes due to extended duration and combinatory effectiveness, reducing two application times and labor costs. Toxicology tests on various objects systematically demonstrated that BPDN has improved safety for HepG2 cells, and nontarget organism earthworms. This research provides insight into creating safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly pesticide production to reduce manual operation times and labor costs. Accompanied by production strategies that can be easily scaled up industrially, this contributes to the efficient use of resources for sustainable agriculture.

Analysis of production decision-making evolution of steel enterprises under carbon border adjustment mechanism

This work explored the changes in production decision-making trends of Chinese steel enterprises under the influence of the carbon border adjustment mechanism. First, using evolutionary game theory, the interactive mechanism of complex production strategies among steel enterprises considering the carbon border adjustment mechanism was studied, including the impact of government subsidy coefficients, additional profits and carbon tax prices on enterprise decision-making. Second, the influence of key parameters on the dynamic evolutionary process was analysed. On this basis, the empirical simulation method was used to verify the game model and the main conclusions. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of the selected parameters was determined using Matlab software. The results showed that additional profits from green investment, government subsidy coefficients, input-output values and carbon tax prices had a higher impact on the evolution of enterprise production strategies. The results of this study provide a decision-making basis for the selection of future production methods for steel enterprises.

A hybrid strategy for growth-associated production of sophorolipid using a reconstructed genome-scale metabolic model for the fructophilic yeast Starmerella bombicola

Metabolic modeling of Starmerella bombicola as a model yeast of the Wickerhamiella/Starmerella (W/S) clade is advantageous for studying the characteristics of this clade and to apply for the metabolic engineering of this industrial yeast. A genome-scale metabolic network named iEM759 was reconstructed for S. bombicola using the information from databases, literature, and experimental data generated in this research. iEM759 was evaluated using the growth phenotypic data and experimental data for respiration. It appropriately predicted batch growth of S. bombicola on glucose with the final biomass concentration of 1.16 g/l which is close to the experimental value of 1.1 g/l and the predicted biomass growth yield for ATP and P/O ratio was also comparable with the reported experimental data. The model was then applied to investigate the fructophily of this yeast as well as the effect of by-products on growth and sophorolipid production under oxygen-limited conditions. In agreement with experimental reports, iEM759 correctly predicts the production of mannitol on fructose under oxygen shortage and the preference of glycerol over ethanol by S. bombicola. Finally, the model was used to couple sophorolipid and biomass production, which, using nine knockouts, resulted in a strong envelope with non-zero sophorolipid production and maximum sophorolipid and biomass production rates of 0.97 mmol/gDCW/h and 0.0062 1/h, respectively. The knockout strategy found is a hybrid strategy that combines multiple approaches including increasing the need for redox balance, controlling growth, and providing more precursors for sophorolipid.

FORMAL VS INFORMAL CONTRACTS (NETWORKS) AND SUSTAINABILITY OF RASPBERRY FARMS IN WEST SERBIA – AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Serbia has gained international recognition for its fruit production, particularly establishing itself as one of the top five global producers and exporters in the raspberry sector. Given the highly intensive nature of raspberry production and the diverse range of producers, spanning from small farms to large corporate entities, research on the sustainability of production and future strategies has become increasingly important. The study explores the significance of economic, environmental, and social factors influencing raspberry producers’ practices. It also delves into their future production strategies, examining these aspects from the perspective of farmers. The findings derived from interviews with farmers reveal statistically significant differences between the two subsamples, namely formal and informal, across basic socio-economic and sustainability indicators, as well as in their anticipated future production strategies. The specific approaches and measures in achieving overall sustainability were emphasised in the concluding remarks.

An optimal combined slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and urea can enhance the decomposition rate of straw and the yield of maize by improving soil bacterial community and structure under full straw returning system.

Under a full straw returning system, the relationship between soil bacterial community diversity and straw decomposition, yield, and the combined application of slow-release nitrogen and urea remains unclear. To evaluate these effects and provide an effective strategy for sustainable agricultural production, a 2-year field positioning trial was conducted using maize as the research object. Six experimental treatments were set up: straw returning + no nitrogen fertilizer (S1N0), straw returning + slow-release nitrogen fertilizer:urea = 0:100% (S1N1), straw returning + slow-release nitrogen fertilizer:urea = 30%:70% (S1N2), straw returning + slow-release nitrogen fertilizer:urea = 60%:40% (S1N3), straw returning + slow-release nitrogen fertilizer:urea = 90%:10% (S1N4), and straw removal + slow-release nitrogen fertilizer:urea = 30%:70% (S0N2). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between treatments for Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Myxococcota, and Actinobacteriota at the jointing stage; Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Myxococcota, Bacteroidota, and Gemmatimonadota at the tasseling stage; and Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Myxococcota, Methylomirabilota, and Proteobacteria at the maturity stage. The alpha diversity analysis of the soil bacterial community showed that the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the Chao1 index were higher in S1N2, S1N3, and S1N4 compared with S0N2 at each growth stage. Additionally, the alpha diversity measures were higher in S1N3 and S1N4 compared with S1N2. The beta diversity analysis of the soil bacterial community showed that the bacterial communities in S1N3 and S1N4 were more similar or closely clustered together, while S0N2 was further from all treatments across the three growth stages. The cumulative straw decomposition rate was tested for each treatment, and data showed that S1N3 (90.58%) had the highest decomposition rate. At the phylum level, straw decomposition was positively correlated with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Myxococcota, and Bacteroidota but significantly negatively correlated with Acidobacteriota. PICRUSt2 function prediction results show that the relative abundance of bacteria in soil samples from each treatment differed significantly. The maize yield of S1N3 was 15597.85 ± 1477.17 kg/hm2, which was 12.80 and 4.18% higher than that of S1N1 and S0N2, respectively. In conclusion, a combination of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer and urea can enhance the straw decomposition rate and maize yield by improving the soil bacterial community and structure within a full straw returning system.

Consumption Expenditure Patterns and Food Security Dynamics in Nigeria

Food insecurity remains a critical issue globally, as highlighted by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2). In 2023, nearly 25 million Nigerians faced food insecurity due to factors like insurgency affecting agricultural activities. This, therefore, worsens the food insecurity in the country. Thus, this study investigates the dynamics between household consumption expenditure patterns and food security in Nigeria over a decade (2010-2019). This was done by analysing four waves of secondary panel data of 4,000 nationally representative households of the Nigeria General Household Survey GHS - Panel collected by the National Bureau of Statistics in four waves over ten years from 2010 to 2019. Analytical tools used were descriptive statistics and the Food Security Index. The results of the consumption patterns of the respondents showed that the majority of the respondents were in the lowest band of per capita total expenditure and sectoral expenditures. The ratio of food secure to food insecure averages around 30% to 70% with a food security (surplus) index of 1.26 and food insecurity (shortfall) index of 0.53. Nigeria was food insecure during the period. The analysis concludes that boosting agricultural productivity, improving infrastructure, and addressing corruption are essential to enhance food security in Nigeria. The government is recommended to prioritize long-term strategies for food production, support vulnerable households, and leverage technological advancements to increase agricultural productivity. This study underscores the need for comprehensive policies to address the multifaceted challenges of food insecurity in Nigeria.

Zero-defect manufacturing in the textile industry: a review of current advances and challenges

With the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) and advances in digital technology, zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM) has become a transformative and attractive concept that has the potential to reshape the manufacturing landscape. In this structured literature review, recent developments in ZDM in the textile industry from 2004 to 2023 are examined, with a focus on detection, repair, prediction, and prevention. Through bibliometrics analysis and evaluation of the current situation of ZDM technology, four main shortcomings are highlighted, to be specific, limitations in automated defect detection, incomplete artificial intelligence (AI)-based repair strategies, restricted predictive research, and focused prevention mechanism. Meanwhile, open challenges that require urgent attention are explored, that is systematic ZDM strategy integration, data management complexity, and demand for flexible ZDM frameworks. To address these shortcomings and challenges, three further prospectives are proposed, including addressing research imbalance, vision for an integrated ZDM system, and evolutionary predictive models. These prospectives aim to advance the field and drive the holistic development of ZDM technologies in the textile industry by promoting a more intelligent production strategy with higher quality and less waste.

Strategi Nafkah (Livelihood Strategies) Petani Sawah Tadah Hujan pada Era Pandemi Covid-19 di Desa Kalampadu Kabupaten Ogan Ilir

Each household has a livelihood strategy. The livelihood strategy model carried out is related to the livelihood assets they have, but not all assets can be maximized well in farming household livelihood engineering. Livelihood assets are natural capital, physical capital, financial capital, human capital, and social capital. This study analyses livelihood strategies in the COVID-19 pandemic for rainfed rice farmers in Kalampadu Village, Muara Kuang District, Ogan Ilir Regency. This study will discuss research issues through the theory of livelihood strategies from Herbon and Manig through engineering farmers' livelihood assets. Researchers used descriptive research with a qualitative approach because the issue of rural livelihoods requires farmer subjectivity and in-depth data analysis. Data collection techniques used were participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and literature studies. Researchers use phenomenological research strategies to explore the true meaning of livelihood strategies in identifying social, cultural, economic, and ecological farmers. The results showed that there were seven livelihood strategies for farmer households, namely 1) acquisition strategies, 2) allocation strategies, 3) production strategies, 4) social relation structure, 5) transformation strategies, 6) consumption strategies, and 7) reproduction strategies. The livelihood model of the farmer's household depends on the farmer's livelihood assets that are adaptive to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Airlift bioreactor–based strategies for prolonged semi-continuous cultivation of edible Agaricomycetes

Submerged cultivation of edible filamentous fungi (Agaricomycetes) in bioreactors enables maximum mass transfer of nutrients and has the potential to increase the volumetric productivity of fungal biomass compared to solid state cultivation. These aspects are paramount if one wants to increase the range of bioactives (e.g. glucans) in convenient time frames. In this study, Trametes versicolor (M9911) outperformed four other Agaricomycetes tested strains (during batch cultivations in an airlift bioreactor). This strain was therefore further tested in semi-continuous cultivation. Continuous and semi-continuous cultivations (driven by the dilution rate, D) are the preferred bioprocess strategies for biomass production. We examined the semi-continuous cultivation of T. versicolor at dilution rates between 0.02 and 0.1 h−1. A maximum volumetric productivity of 0.87 g/L/h was obtained with a D of 0.1 h−1 but with a lower total biomass production (cell dry weight, CDW 8.7 g/L) than the one obtained at lower dilution rates (12.3 g/L at D of 0.04 and vs 13.4 g/L, at a D of 0.02 h−1). However, growth at a D of 0.1 h−1 resulted in a very short fermentation (18 h) which terminated due to washout (the specific D exceeded the maximum growth rate of the fungal biomass). At a D of 0.04 h−1, a CDW of 12.3 g/L was achieved without compromising the total residence time (184 h) of the fermentation. While the D of 0.04 h−1 and 0.07 h−1 achieved comparable volumetric productivities (0.5 g/L/h), the total duration of the fermentation at D of 0.07 h−1 was only 85 h. The highest glucan content of cells (27.8 as percentage of CDW) was obtained at a D of 0.07 h−1, while the lowest glucan content was observed in T. versicolor cells grown at a D of 0.02 h−1.Key points• The highest reported volumetric productivity for fungal biomass was 0.87 g/L/h.• Semi-continuous fermentation at D of 0.02 h−1 resulted in 13.4 g/L of fungal biomass.• Semi-continuous fermentation at D of 0.07 h−1 resulted in fungal biomass with 28% of total glucans.