Rainfed Crop Research Articles

Impact of Soil Rejuvenating Scheme on Income of Cotton Farmers – An Evidence from Kalaburagi District of Karnataka

Rainfed areas are not only thirsty but also hungry for nutrients and are hotspots of poverty, malnutrition, and degradation of natural resources. Looking into these aspects, the Government of Karnataka has implemented a mission mode project called “Bhoochetana” meaning “reviving the soils” to benefit dryland farmers for sustainable use of natural resources in Karnataka. This scheme aimed at enhancing the yield level of major dryland crops through integrated crop management (ICM) practices. The study has been conducted in the Kalaburagi District of Karnataka State, where the majority of the area under agriculture is rainfed and cotton is one of the major rainfed crops grown on a large scale. The study revealed that the yield of the main product from cotton production for Bhoochetana beneficiary farmers was higher with 23.18 quintals per hectare compared to non-beneficiary farmers with 21.36 quintals. The results of partial budgeting showed that, a net gain of ₹ 4660 per hectare was obtained by Bhoochetana scheme beneficiaries over non-beneficiary farmers. The study highlighted that, there is a positive significant effect of the scheme on the production of cotton. Therefore, the policies must focus on long-term soil, water, and other natural resource conservation practices to achieve sustainability in agriculture.

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

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

Two-dimensional numerical simulations of soil-water and heat flow in a rainfed soybean field under plastic mulching

Abstract Numerical simulation can help understanding water- and heat-flow systems through plastic-mulched soils. An effective simulation approach is crucial to know the role of plastic mulch in a soil ecosystem, which can save water in agriculture. A field experiment was conducted at Gifu University in a rainfed soybean cultivation under plastic mulch and bare soil treatments to clarify the soil water and heat flow mechanism. Furthermore, the two-dimensional numerical software HYDRSUS-2D model with different boundaries at the soil surface was used to simulate water and heat flows. Firstly, soil hydraulic parameters were estimated by inverse solution using laboratory-measured data and then coupled soil-water and heat flows were simulated by optimizing soil thermal parameters by inverse solution. The HYDRUS-2D model simulated water and heat flow through the root zone depths satisfactorily. The root-mean square error (RMSE) was 0.015–0.030, and 0.046–0.055 cm3 cm−3 for the plastic mulch, and bare soil, respectively, in estimating soil moisture and 0.66–1.28, and 0.70–1.54 °C, respectively in estimating soil temperature. Water infiltration was 61% lower in the plastic-mulched soil, which reduced soil evaporation as well as soil-moisture storage changes compared to bare soil. This study can be applied to design and manage different plastic mulching patterns in rain-fed crop cultivation.

Building Resilience: The Gendered Effect of Climate Change on Food Security and Sovereignty in Kakamega-Kenya

Climate change is a global threat, affecting the food security and food sovereignty of many depending on agriculture for their livelihoods. This is even more pronounced in Kenya, given their over-reliance on rain-fed crops and the frequency of floods and droughts in the country. Through qualitative interviews, this study set out to establish how climate change not only affects the food security, production and consumption of rural women farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya, but their response to climate shocks. Using resilience theory as a lens, we established that women use different pathways to mitigate the effects of climate change on their livelihoods. The study found that initially women adopt coping strategies that are reactive and not sustainable, but soon adapted their farming strategies, using their indigenous knowledge to exercise some control over both their food security and food sovereignty. Besides this, they use their human and social capital to expand their networks of support. By linking up to other organizations and gaining access to government support, they are able to challenge patriarchal relations that perpetuate poverty and inequality and bring about more transformative and sustainable responses to climate change.

Review of crop‐specific tolerance limits to acidity, salinity, and sodicity for seventeen cereal, pulse, and oilseed crops common to rainfed subtropical cropping systems

AbstractSoil constraints limit crop water and nutrient extraction and lead to yield loss globally. In rainfed agriculture, the selection of crop species more likely to yield well under constrained conditions is an important management tool. However, information on the most appropriate crops is often difficult to access due to its publication in a wide range of disparate sources and the various measures of crop tolerance used. This study aimed to improve our ability to identify crops for constrained areas in rainfed subtropical cropping systems by compiling published information that had assessed the grain yield response to acidic, saline, or sodic conditions of 17 cereal, pulse, and oilseed crops. This information was used to develop a 'traffic light' system for salinity and acidity to provide guidance on when soil pH or the electrical conductivity of a saturated soil extract (ECe) is likely to be 'good', 'potentially limiting', or 'poor' for grain yield. Crops were also ranked according to their likely ability to yield well under saline, acidic, or sodic conditions. For all crops, the point at which grain yield was affected by soil constraints was variable and there was often only a small amount of published information available to help guide the identification of tolerance limits and rankings, particularly for sodicity. Many studies were also conducted under experimental conditions that differed from rainfed farming, which can affect the transferability of results. Confidence in the tolerance limits and rankings is thus only moderate and further work is required to confirm their applicability.

Rainfall and Temperature Trend Analysis by Mann–Kendall Test and Significance for Rainfed Cereal Yields in Northern Togo

This study investigates the trend in monthly and annual rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature (Tmin and Tmax) using the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope (SS) method and evaluates the significance of their variability for maize, sorghum and millet yields in northern Togo employing multiple regression analysis. The historical data of Kara, Niamtougou, Mango and Dapaong weather stations from 1977 to 2012 were used. Four non-parametric methods—Alexandersson’s Standard Normal Homogeneity Test (SNHT), Buishand’s Range Test (BRT), Pettitt’s Test (PT) and Von Neumann’s Ratio Test (VNRT)—were applied to detect homogeneity in the data. For the data which were serially correlated, a modified version of the MK test (pre-whitening) was utilised. Results showed an increasing trend in the annual rainfall in all four locations. However, this trend was only significant at Dapaong (p < 0.1). There was an increasing trend in Tmax at Kara, Mango and Niamtougou, unlike Dapaong where Tmax revealed a significant decreasing trend (p < 0.01). Similarly, there was an increasing trend in Tmin at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, unlike Niamtougou where Tmin showed a non-significant decreasing trend (p > 0.05). Rainfall in Dapaong was found to have increased (7.79 mm/year) more than the other locations such as Kara (2.20 mm/year), Niamtougou (4.57 mm/year) and Mango (0.67 mm). Tmax increased by 0.13, 0.13 and 0.32 °C per decade at Kara, Niamtougou and Mango, respectively, and decreased by 0.20 per decade in Dapaong. Likewise, Tmin increased by 0.07, 0.20 and 0.02 °C per decade at Kara, Mango and Dapaong, respectively, and decreased by 0.01 °C per decade at Niamtougou. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed nonlinear yield responses to changes in rainfall and temperature. Rainfall and temperature variability affects rainfed cereal crops production, but the effects vary across crops. The temperature has a positive effect on maize yield in Kara, Niamtougou and Mango but a negative effect on sorghum in Niamtougou and millet in Dapaong, while rainfall has a negative effect on maize yield in Niamtougou and Dapaong and millet yield in Mango. In all locations, rainfall and temperature variability has a significant effect on the cereal crop yields. There is, therefore, a need to adopt some adaptation strategies for sustainable agricultural production in northern Togo.

Resistance against Orobanche crenata in Bitter Vetch (Vicia ervilia) Germplasm Based on Reduced Induction of Orobanche Germination

Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.) is a legume well adapted to cultivation in marginal areas, being an important source of protein for animal feed in low input cropping systems. Surprisingly, it is an underutilized crop as it could be a good alternative to increase the sustainability of extensive rainfed cropping systems. In Mediterranean rainfed cropping systems, the productivity of bitter vetch is severely reduced by the parasitic weed species Orobanche crenata (Forsk). To date, few resistant bitter vetch genotypes have been identified. O. crenata infection process initiates with the recognition of germination factors exuded by roots of susceptible hosts. In this work, the interaction of a collection of bitter vetch accessions and O. crenata has been analyzed in order to discover accessions with low germination induction activity. Through a combination of field and rhizotron experiments, two bitter vetch accessions were selected showing low germination-induction activity, which resulted in less infection. In addition, in vitro germination assays revealed that the low germination activity was due to low exudation of germination factors and not due to the exudation of germination inhibitors. The selected low germination-inducers genotypes could be the basis for a new breeding program generating locally adapted alternatives with resistance to O. crenata.

Algorithms for weather‐based management decisions in major rainfed crops of India: Validation using data from multi‐location field experiments

AbstractCrop weather calendars (CWC) serve as tools for taking crop management decisions. However, CWCs are not dynamic, as they were prepared by assuming normal sowing dates and fixed occurrence as well as duration of phenological stages of rainfed crops. Sowing dates fluctuate due to variability in monsoon onset and phenology varies according to crop duration and stresses encountered. Realizing the disadvantages of CWC for issuing accurate agromet advisories, a protocol of dynamic crop weather calendar (DCWC) was developed by All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology (AICRPAM). The DCWC intends to automatize agromet advisories using prevailing and forecasted weather. Different modules of DCWC, namely, Sowing & irrigation schedules, crop contingency plans, phenophase‐wise crop advisory, and advisory for harvest were prepared using long‐term data of ten crops at nine centers of AICRPAM in eight states in India. Modules for predicting sowing dates and phenology were validated for principal crops and varieties at selected locations. The predicted sowing dates of 10 crops pooled over nine centers showed close relationships with observed values (r2 of .93). Predicted phenology showed better agreement with observed in all crops except cotton (Gossypium L.; at Parbhani) and pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] (at Bangalore). Predicted crop phenology using forecasted and realized weather by DCWC are close to each other, but number of irrigations differed, and it failed for accurate prediction in groundnut at Anantapur in drought year (2014). The DCWCs require further validation for making it operational to issue agromet advisories in all 732 districts of India.

Climatic and non-climatic risks in rainfed crop production systems: insights from maize farmers of western Kenya

ABSTRACT Impacts of climatic and non-climatic risks are on the rise in the major maize-growing counties of western Kenya. We conducted a questionnaire survey of sampled maize farmers in Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties, achieving 210 responses. We used a stepwise regression model to evaluate the factors influencing farmers’ perceptions of farming risks. Results show that most of the sampled farmers were aware of the risks, and perceived reduced rainfall with erratic patterns to be the major climatic risk in crop production. The non-climatic factors were identified as inadequate farm size, limited extension services, land degradation and low soil fertility. The determinant factors that influence farmers’ perception of climatic and non-climatic risks affecting crop production were age, farm size, income, crop production cost, marital status, the highest level of education and farming experience. Understanding the risks faced in crop production and determinants of farmers’ perceptions can be important in the development and dissemination of sustainable agronomic strategies tailored towards improving crop production.

Water use efficiency, grain yield, and economic benefits of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under four soil tillage systems in Mukono District, Uganda

With the increasing climate change impacts and variabilities, water is becoming a limiting factor for rainfed crop production in Uganda. Conservation tillage practices could improve soil and water conservation in croplands. Field experiments were conducted for three consecutive seasons from April 2019 to June 2020. The experiments evaluated the effect of soil tillage treatments on soil water storage, water use efficiency, grain yield, and economic benefits of the common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in two sub-counties of Mukono District, central Uganda. The soil tillage treatments were: no-tillage, stubble-mulching, deep tillage, and conventional tillage. The no-tillage and stubble-mulching improved soil water storage by 46 and 45%, respectively, compared with the conventional tillage in the 0–100 cm soil depth over the 14 months. Soil tillage treatments significantly (p < 0.05) affected the water use efficiency, with water use efficiency values generally higher under no-tillage and stubble-mulching than under deep tillage and conventional tillage treatments. The grain yield was highest under no-tillage and stubble-mulching than deep tillage and conventional tillage treatments, with over 5, 38, and 43% higher grain yield under no-tillage than under stubble-mulching, deep tillage, and conventional tillage treatments, respectively. Although no-tillage and stubble-mulching improved soil water storage and grain yield, seasonal precipitation distribution had a greater influence on the final grain yield, soil water storage, and water use efficiency. The net profit was 3 and 5 times higher under no-tillage than under conventional tillage and deep tillage treatments, respectively. The overall results showed that no-tillage and stubble-mulching were the optimum tillage treatments for increasing soil water storage and common bean yield, enhancing water use efficiency, and improving economic returns in central Uganda.

Effects of different tillage practices and nitrogen application rate on carbon dioxide emissions and carbon balance in rain-fed maize crops

Effects of different tillage practices and nitrogen application rate on carbon dioxide emissions and carbon balance in rain-fed maize crops

GIS-Based Drought Assessment in Climate Change Context: A Case Study for Sone Command, Bihar

Indian economy by far is primarily agro-based which in turn depends on the monsoon showers. Seasonal variations in monsoon lead to dry and wet spells. Inadequacy in rainfall for different needs leads to drought, and drought indicators are generally used to describe different drought conditions. In this paper, an attempt has been made to assess meteorological drought in the climate change context in Sone Command, Bihar. Three different statistical downscaling techniques, namely Wavelet decomposed neural network (WNN), feed-forward neural network and support vector machine, are used, and their performance is compared in this study. Rainfall is projected for eight raingauge stations for the period 2015–2045. The model performance is evaluated using different metrics, and the outperformance of WNN is found in projecting the rainfall variability. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is calculated using the best performed model rainfall for future conditions. An attempt has also been made for the spatial drought analysis during the projected period of 2015–2045. It is found that stress on drought is prevalent during November–May for the projected period. The areas covered under different drought zones in the Sone Command ranges from near normal to severely dry. For rain-fed crops, such spatial distribution maps are useful for better crop yield with minimum chances of crop water stress. In addition, the rainfall data are projected for the period 2015–2045 from two selected GCMs: MPI-ESM-MR (for RCP 2.6 scenario) and CMCC-CMS (for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios) using bilinear interpolation method of downscaling. The SPI is calculated for the projected rainfall data, and the results are compared with that of the best performed statistical downscaling model. The results reveal the occurrence of drought of higher severity in the projected period.

Pod Morphology, Primary and Secondary Metabolite Profiles in Non-grafted and Grafted Carob Germplasm Are Configured by Agro-Environmental Zone, Genotype, and Growing Season.

Carob is a predominantly rainfed tree crop of high nutritive value and a long history of adaptation to the edaphoclimatic stress conditions of the Mediterranean. However, declining attention to the carob tree in recent decades has aggravated genetic erosion. The extant in situ germplasm varies both in terms of pod morphology and composition, reflecting the genetic and physiological divide chiefly among grafted and non-grafted material, and possibly the impact of variable agro-environments. Accordingly, the present study aimed to establish a systematic categorization of the genetic and phenotypic diversity encountered across carob germplasm identified in situ throughout Cyprus, a historical center of production and genetic diversity for the species. Linking pod morphology, primary and secondary metabolite profiles with genotyped source material originating in different agro-environments and crop seasons would provide a framework for interpreting (a) the interaction of these factors in configuring carob pod physicochemical constitution, and (b) the relative stability of phenotypic traits against environmental and seasonal variation. Microsatellite analysis discriminated 36 genotypes out of the 124 trees located in nine traditional agro-environmental zones and revealed low genetic diversity within the grafted germplasm. Two landraces were identified: “Tillyria,” which is widespread and predominant, and “Kountourka,” which is mainly localized to the northeastern peninsula of Karpasia. Morphological traits, such as seeds-to-pod weight ratio, pod width and thickness were principally under genetic control. Contrarily, compositional traits, particularly total phenolic content—including condensed tannins, in vitro antioxidant capacity and to a lesser extent gallic acid, organic acids and minerals were under agro-environmental control. Agro-environmental zone also modulated principally fructose and glucose; sucrose was modulated equally by genotype and agro-environment, while total sugars were under genetic control. Statistically significant differences between seasons were detected for all traits except for the seeds-to-pod weight ratio, pod length and width. Hierarchical cluster analysis corroborates that Cyprus may be divided into two major agro-environmental zones modulating the compositional properties of the carob pulp. The present study provides a comprehensive insight into the extant carob genetic resources of Cyprus and advances our understanding of how genetic, agro-environmental and seasonal factors interact in shaping carob pod morphology and composition.

Effect of Planting Density in Two Thistle Species Used for Vegetable Rennet Production in Marginal Mediterranean Areas

In Mediterranean cropping systems, it is important to utilize marginal lands for the cultivation of non-food crops. Spontaneous thistle genera such as Cynara cardunculus L. and Onopordum tauricum Willd. are native to southern Europe. Previous research has focused on their spontaneous growth in the environment or ability to supply biofuel. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of two different planting densities on the flower differentiation, vegetable rennet production and weed control of O. tauricum Willd. and C. cardunculus L. in rainfed unfertilized Mediterranean cropping systems. The results showed that plant density influenced most of the biomass parameters for O. tauricum Willd. but no significant differences were observed for C. cardunculus L. Higher densities of both species were beneficial for weed control. We recommend the use of C. cardunculus L. and O. tauricum Willd. as suitable species for vegetable rennet production in Mediterranean organic cropping systems.

Influence of Protective Sprinkler Irrigation on Yield and Water Productivity of Kharif Grown Rain Fed Crops

Background: The food grain and non-food grain crops occupy 48 and 68% area respectively under rain fed condition. Due to uneven rainfall, the rainfed crop suffers for want of adequate soil moisture at critical growth stages. Under such situation, protective irrigation ensures adequate soil moisture which results higher production. Crops like tomato, maize, groundnut and red gram are predominantly grown during kharif as rain fed crops. Relieving the soil moisture stress during the critical crop growth stages with more efficient irrigation system assumes importance in rain fed farming. Methods: An experiment was conducted for three years during kharif 2008, 2009 and 2010 at the College Farm, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agril. University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad on a sandy loam soil to study the yield advantage of protective sprinkler irrigation to kharif grown rain fed tomato, maize, groundnut and red gram crops. The trial was conducted in strip plot design with protective sprinkler irrigations as main plots and rainfed kharif crops as sub-plots and replicated thrice. The three main treatments comprised of - one protective sprinkler irrigation at flower/peg/tassel initiation, two protective sprinkler irrigations at flower and fruiting, tassel and grain filling, peg formation and pod filling and flowering and pod filling stages and rain fed (control). The sub treatments consisted of four crops- tomato, maize, groundnut and red gram. Result: There was an increase in yield with one and two protective sprinkler irrigations by 16.7 and 27.9; 17.7 and 44 5; 26.4 and 34.5 and 21.1 and 28.9% over their corresponding rain fed crops of tomato, groundnut, maize and red gram, respectively. There was an increase of 20.4 and 31.6% in Maize Equivalent Yield (MEY) with one and two protective irrigations as compared to rain fed crop. The water productivity was lower in all the crops grown under rain fed conditions (0.77 kg MEY m-3) as compared to that of one and two protective irrigations.

Sustainability of nutrient management in grain production systems of south-west Australia

Balancing nutrient inputs and exports is essential to maintaining soil fertility in rainfed crop and pasture farming systems. Soil nutrient balances of land used for crop and pasture production in the south-west of Western Australia were assessed through survey data comprising biophysical measurements and farm management records (2010–15) across 184 fields spanning 14 Mha. Key findings were that nitrogen (N) inputs via fertiliser or biological N2 fixation in 60% of fields, and potassium (K) inputs in 90% of fields, were inadequate to balance exports despite increases in fertiliser usage and adjustments to fertiliser inputs based on rotations. Phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) balances were positive in most fields, with only 5% returning losses &gt;5 kg P or 7 kg S/ha. Within each of the three agroecological zones of the survey, fields that had two legume crops (or pastures) in 5 years (i.e. 40% legumes) maintained a positive N balance. At the mean legume inclusion rate observed of 20% a positive partial N budget was still observed for the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of 2.8 kg N/ha.year, whereas balances were negative within the Central Agricultural Region (CAR) by 7.0 kg N/ha.year, and the Southern Agricultural Region (SAR) by 15.5 kg N/ha.year. Hence, N budgets in the CAR and SAR were negative by the amount of N removed in ~0.5 t wheat grain, and continuation of current practices in CAR and SAR fields will lead to declining soil fertility. Maintenance of N in the NAR was achieved by using amounts of fertiliser N similar to other regions while harvesting less grain. The ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil in the NAR was twice that of the other regions. Across all regions, the ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil averaged ~4.0:1, a major change from earlier estimates in this region of 1:20 under ley farming systems. The low contribution of legume N was due to the decline in legume inclusion rate (now 20%), the low legume content in pastures, particularly in the NAR, and improved harvest index of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), the most frequently grown grain legume species. Further quantifications of the effects of changing farming systems on nutrient balances are required to assess the balances more accurately, thereby ensuring that soil fertility is maintained, especially because systems have altered towards more intensive cropping with reduced legume production.

Soil moisture, dryland sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) growth and grain yield responses to in-field rain water harvesting tillage methods

Dryland Sorghum, which is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world, is grown in Zimbabwe typically as a rain-fed crop in areas receiving low, erratic and highly variable rainfall. A two-se...

Economics of Biofuel Production: A Case of Sorghum and Pearl Millet in India.

Reduction of fossil fuels at an alarming rate has attracted increasing attention to blending biofuels worldwide. India's energy demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4-5 times over the next couple of decades. With self-sufficiency levels in crude oil becoming a distant dream, there is growing interest to look out for alternative fuels and the biofuels are an important option for policy makers in India. In this context, this paper reviews the experiences in India in the last two decades with respect to biofuel cultivation and its impact on land use, environment, and the livelihoods of rural communities. The objective of this paper is to assess the economics of biofuel production using Sorghum and Pearl millet feedstocks in India using a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) approach. Baseline study was conducted during the year 2013 in the Madhya Pradesh state of India covering five districts and 333 sample farmers to understand the farmers perception about the various issues related to the production of biofuels using Indian staple food crops Sorghum and Pearl millet. Empirical data from the multi-locational trials conducted during the years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in farmers' fields was used to conduct the LCA analysis. Sorghum and Pearl millet feedstocks which are rain-fed crops are considered for bioethanol production with different pretreatment methods. Net Energy Ratio (NER), Net Energy Balance (NEB), Net Carbon Balance (NCB), and % Carbon reduction were some of the key parameters used for analysis and the results are evaluated based on the environmental impacts through the Life Cycle Assessment at 5% blending. Findings reveal that, dilute alkali pretreatment process is most energy intensive due to consumption of alkali consumption. Whereas dilute acid pretreatment has higher conversion efficiency than the other pretreatment processes which is due to higher glucan and xylan conversion efficiencies.The study concludes that Sorghum feedstock is more energy intensive than Pearl millet feedstock due to higher water requirement and yield. Biofuels, either conventional or advanced, should not been couraged without a comprehensive outlook on the overall impact that will ultimately have on the society, environment, or on the countries' energy security. Efforts should be made toward encouragement of research and development in the field as well as in formulating a comprehensive and effective biofuel policy for India.

New challenges for sunflower ideotyping in changing environments and more ecological cropping systems

As a rainfed spring-sown crop, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is increasingly exposed to negative impacts of climate change, especially to high temperatures and drought stress. Incremental, systemic and transformative adaptations have been suggested for reducing the crop vulnerability to these stressful conditions. In addition, innovative cropping systems based on low-input management, organic farming, soil and water conservation practices, intercropping, double-cropping, and/or agroforestry are undergoing marked in agriculture. Because of its plasticity and low-input requirements (nitrogen, water, pesticides), sunflower crop is likely to take part to these new agroecological systems. Aside from current production outputs (yield, oil and cake), ecosystem services (e.g. bee feeding, soil phytoremediation…), and non-food industrial uses are now expected externalities for the crop. The combination of climatic and societal contexts could deeply modify the characteristics of genotypes to be cultivated in the main production areas (either traditional or adoptive). After reviewing these changes, we identify how innovative cropping systems and new environments could modify the traits classically considered up to now, especially in relation to expected ecosystem services. Finally, we consider how research could provide methods to help identifying traits of interest and design ideotypes.

The Future of Rain-Fed Horticultural Crops Production in a Changing West African Climate

The Future of Rain-Fed Horticultural Crops Production in a Changing West African Climate