Regular Cropping Research Articles (Page 1)

Solar photovoltaic generation has become the dominant global method of producing renewable electricity around the globe. However, solar PV farms require a considerable amount of land. Agrivoltaics has been a promising field of interest recently as this system maximizes the land's utilization by producing crops beneath the photovoltaics panels. This paper proposes a new agrivoltaics system that simultaneously produces crops and electrical power by installing PV panels on agricultural land in such a way that the production of regular crops does not get curtailed and can still grow around and beneath the panels, avoiding any reduction in crop yield. The architectural design of the proposed mounting structure and the installation method are discussed, ensuring full utilization of the land area under the panel with no crop limitations. Bangladesh is considered a case study location as its economy is mostly dependent on agriculture. The country started allocating enormous amounts of farmland for solar photovoltaic farms to mitigate the energy crisis. After a preliminary survey, an agrivoltaics system was designed, developed and installed in the Chuadanga District of Bangladesh. Then a detailed techno-economic analysis was performed to evaluate the feasibility and economic viability of the implemented agrivoltaics project. A comparative analysis of seven different scenarios is demonstrated in terms of equity payback, internal rate of return, modified internal rate of return, net present value, annual life cycle savings, and benefit-cost ratio to determine the optimum agrivoltaics approach as well as to showcase the superiority of the proposed system. The results demonstrate that the proposed agrivoltaics system achieves full land utilization, by producing crops along with electricity generation with the lowest payback period, highest profit margin, and highest benefit-cost ratio over the project lifetime.

A non-traditional Agrophotovoltaic installation and its impact on cereal crops: A case of the BRRI-33 rice variety in Bangladesh

The Jajar Legowo planting system brings many benefits regarding productivity and planting techniques. Applying Jajar Legowo varies depending on the level of understanding and ease of application. This study aims to determine rice production with several planting systems of Jajar Legowo without insertion (legowo) in irrigated paddy fields. This study compared a Legowo planting system in several types of legowo (legowo 2:1, 4:1, and 6:1) with the regular cropping system or squares. Observational data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 95% confidence level, followed by Duncan’s test if there was a significant difference. The results of the analysis showed that the Legowo planting system showed no significant. The highest production of 5.71 tons/ha of milled dry grain (MDG) was obtained in the square planting system, and the lowest was in the legowo 6:1 planting system (5.51 tons MDG per hectar).

The Akkar plain is the second largest agricultural area in Lebanon. This region produces huge amount of regular crops such as maize, fruits, and vegetables. In order to protect the crops, farmers use large quantities of many pesticides (including authorized and prohibited molecules) without respecting the recommended doses. In this work, we wanted to study the evolution of OCP and OPP residues at 3-year intervals in water wells in the Akkar region. Twenty OCPs and 8 OPPs were monitored in eight wells in different villages in the plain and mountains of Akkar. Solid phase extraction (SPE) method was used for pesticide extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed an increasing concentration of OCPs and OPPs in groundwater over the last 3years (between 2017 and 2019-2020). This increase in contamination is due to the uncontrolled and still unregulated (by the authorities) use of pesticides, and also to the introduction of new crops. The concentrations found in groundwater confirm that some banned pesticides are still widely used. The calculation of the theoretical pesticide intake suggests that pesticide concentrations in Akkar represent a greater health risk for the population consuming well water during the rainy season.

Deciduous fruit trees need to be exposed to low winter temperatures for a certain period time to produce regular crops. In addition to the effects of global warming in many other areas, its effect on cold accumulation is also a reason of concern. As a result, many studies have been carried out in important horticultural areas around the world on the impact of climate change on cold accumulation. In this study, historical changes of cold accumulation calculated using five models were examined in 12 locations in Turkey for the first time. Results show that there was no significant trend in cold accumulation in the provinces of Ankara, Bingöl, Diyarbakır, Malatya, and Tunceli. In some locations, the significance, magnitude, and direction of the chilling trend differed according to the model used. All five models used in the study indicated significant decreases in winter chill accumulation in Şanlıurfa, a site with relatively mild winters. In Erzincan, which has relatively cold winters, increasing trends were detected in cold accumulation calculated according to Utah, Modified Utah, and Positive Utah models. Results show that serious consequences may arise related to the chilling requirement of deciduous fruit trees, especially in regions with mild winters.

In perennial fruit crops, bearing can be influenced by various factors, including environmental conditions, germplasm, rootstocks, and cultivation methods. Cherries, one of the most important and popular fruit species from the temperate climate zone, achieve high prices on the market. New agricultural technologies and environmental factors force a change in the approach to cherry cultivation. Old-type cherry orchards, with their high demand for water, nutrients, and manual work, are replaced by orchards of self-pollinating cherry cultivars grown on dwarf rootstocks. These changes make it necessary to search for ways to regulate fruiting, in particular to thin buds, flower, and fruit. In light of environmental regulations and consumer pressure, thinning methods are being sought that either do not involve the use of chemicals or that use eco-friendly chemical agents. This review examines recent progress in understanding the effect of thinning methods on the physiology, tree growth, and fruit quality of cherries; discusses horticultural practices aimed to ensure regular cropping and their influence on fruit quality; and provides suggestions for future research.

Salinity and sodicity have been a major environmental hazard of the past century since more than 25% of the total land and 33% of the irrigated land globally are affected by salinity and sodicity. Adverse effects of soil salinity and sodicity include inhibited crop growth, waterlogging issues, groundwater contamination, loss in soil fertility and other associated secondary impacts on dependent ecosystems. Salinity and sodicity also have an enormous impact on food security since a substantial portion of the world’s irrigated land is affected by them. While the intrinsic nature of the soil could cause soil salinity and sodicity, in developing countries, they are also primarily caused by unsustainable irrigation practices, such as using high volumes of fertilizers, irrigating with saline/sodic water and lack of adequate drainage facilities to drain surplus irrigated water. This has also caused irreversible groundwater contamination in many regions. Although several remediation techniques have been developed, comprehensive land reclamation still remains challenging and is often time and resource inefficient. Mitigating the risk of salinity and sodicity while continuing to irrigate the land, for example, by growing salt-resistant crops such as halophytes together with regular crops or creating artificial drainage appears to be the most practical solution as farmers cannot halt irrigation. The purpose of this review is to highlight the global prevalence of salinity and sodicity in irrigated areas, highlight their spatiotemporal variability and causes, document the effects of irrigation induced salinity and sodicity on physicochemical properties of soil and groundwater, and discuss practical, innovative, and feasible practices and solutions to mitigate the salinity and sodicity hazards on soil and groundwater.

Thinning excessive fruit in apples is an essential but expensive cultural practice and the use of blossom thinners can facilitate this practice. To assess the potential and challenges of branched secondary alcohol ethoxylate (Tergitol TMN-6) and Crocker Fish Oil (CFO) as blossom thinners, their impacts on fruit set, yield, and fruit quality of “Delicious”, ‘Top Export Fuji’ and ‘Early Spur Rome’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh)were studied. Application of Tergitol TMN-6 at all rates reduced fruit set, yield per tree, and fruit weight in ‘Top Export Fuji’. Applications of Tergitol TMN-6 at all rates in “Delicious” and at the rate of 3.12 mL.L-1 in “Top Export Fuji” apples were challenging and caused phytotoxicity, induced fruit russeting in both cultivars and resulted in smaller fruit and lower yield in “Top Export Fuji”. The exent of russeting was diercetly proporotional to the Tergitol TMN-6 rate. The use of CFO at 30 mL.L-1 alone did not have any significant effects on yield per tree, fruit weight, or fruit color, while significantly reduced fruit sunburn and increased fruit russeting in ‘Top Export Fuji’. In ‘Early Spur Rome’ apple, application of Tergitol TMN-6 at or higher than 1.87 mL.L-1reduced fruit set. Despite fruit set reduction, application of Tergitol TMN-6 at the rate of 1.87 mL.L-1 did not reduce total yield per tree, fruit weight, fruit color, or fruit russeting when compared to Un-treated Control and thus, this rate can be recommended for blossom thinning in ‘Early Spur Rome’ apple. Crop Regulation; Fruit thinning; PomeFruit Blossom Thinning; Malus domestica; Regular Cropping

Apple thinning strategy based on a model predicting flower-bud formation

Using the Regional Climate Model version 4.3 (RegCM4.3), this paper investigates the potential effects of reforestation on the regional climate over the Loess Plateau in China with a focus on land-atmosphere interactions. Two land surface schemes are used here: the default Biosphere Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS) and the Community Land Model version 3.5 (CLM3.5). Five simulations using a series of hypothetical reforestation scenarios from 1990 to 2009 have been performed. Results show that in the default BATS simulations, the surface air temperature increases significantly during both summer (June–July-August) and winter (December–January-February) seasons. These patterns are particularly evident over the south-eastern plateau where extensive areas of irrigated crop are converted to forest. In experiments with CLM3.5 and BATS with non-irrigation, in which irrigated crops are specified as regular crops, reforestation generally produces a more pronounced cooling effect in summer, and a slight cooling winter in CLM3.5 but a slight warming in BATS with non-irrigation. The land surface energy balance equation involving latent heat flux (LHF), absorbed solar radiation and downward atmospheric longwave radiation is used to explain the reforestation-induced seasonal responses. In the default BATS simulations, increased temperature induced by reforestation is predominantly driven by the reduced year round LHF. In contrast, the reforestation-induced summer cooling in CLM3.5 and BATS with non-irrigation is caused by the enhanced LHF. This study suggests that the default parameterization of irrigated crop in BATS overestimates soil water content and leading to excessive evapotranspiration (ET) in the Loess Plateau. Hence, non-irrigated cropland would be a more plausible land cover representation for the Loess Plateau, as demonstrated from the reforestation simulations using CLM3.5 and BATS with non-irrigation. An improved description of land characteristics in climate models is highly needed for a more reliable prediction of climate responses to land surface change.

Adapting temperate fruit-tree cultivation to stressful environments is a considerable challenge for the breeder. This is especially true for water restriction (WR) which is likely to occur more frequently in the near future, not only in Mediterranean climates but also in several parts of the middle and high latitudes. Apple was chosen as an example of fruit tree distributed worldwide and also cultivated in semi-arid regions where irrigation is crucial for regular cropping. A range of apple genotypes sourced from a single-cross-population and trained as grafted one-year-old single shoots, grown in 4-L pots in controlled conditions were used. We investigated genotype variations in some morphological and leaf ecophysiological traits of shoots maintained in a severe WR in comparison to well-watered (WW) shoots. A Principal Component Analysis performed on all variables showed that the effects of WR on the two components of vegetative growth (i.e., stem and leaf) and on leaf ecophysiology strongly varied depending on the water regime, and within each water regime on the genotype. From an ecophysiological point of view, well-watered genotypes were better discriminated by leaf “efficacy” (i.e., net photosynthesis, electron transport rate and growth) than by “efficiency” (i.e., water use efficiency), whereas the reverse was true under WR.

The fruiting of 23 apple progenies, in total 756 genotypes grafted on M 9 rootstock, was evaluated for 11 years (2005-2015). The most precocious was the progeny obtained by the crossing of genotype HL1737 and Pink Lady cultivar, seedlings of which achieved fruiting stage just between the first and second year after planting. The least precocious was the progeny Freedom × Antonovka o.p., in which seedlings started fruiting on average just in the 5th and 6th year after planting. The most productive in the study was the progeny HL782 × Topaz, having a mean rating of 5.33 points on a 1-9 scale. Behind this leader, in decreasing order, were the progenies HL782 × HL665, Resista × Pink Lady, Resista × HL2219 and HL665 × HL782. The progenies Resista × Benet and Idleless × HL665 were distinguished with the highest level of biennial bearing (above 81%). The most valuable for utilisation in breeding is the progeny HL665 × HL782. Other noteworthy donors to be considered for distinctly more regular cropping are the cultivars Pink Lady, Discovery and HL2219.

ABSTRACTControl of regular cropping in apple is considered critical for fruit growers to ensure their economical sustainability. Irregular flowering can be mitigated by plant growth regulators thanks to their promotion or inhibition effects. In this study, responses of GA4+7 and ethephon on alternate bearing in ‘Golden Delicious’/M9 were examined. GA4+7 and ethephon were applied on the same trees during three consecutive years (2010–12). Flowering, yield, shoot growth, and also some fruit quality parameters were assessed. GA4+7 appeared to be more effectual to regulate alternate bearing. The alternate bearing index calculated with yield in successive years was high in control (0.91), moderate in ethephon (0.71), and low in GA4+7 treated trees (0.41). Modified alternate bearing index, based on cluster number, indicated moderate intensity in GA4+7 (0.53) and high intensity in the others. Although GA4+7 reduced crop density at about 50%, there was little variation in yield per tree and crop efficiency due to increasing of fruit size. GA4+7 did not increase shot length after establishment of equilibrium between vegetative and generative growth in 2012. Ethephon slightly reduced vegetative growth and relatively increased fruit size due to the decrease of fruit set.

Consistent spring budbreak is an important aspect of regular annual cropping in kiwifruit. In regions with insufficient winter chilling, hydrogen cyanamide is commonly applied to promote even and high budbreak; however, use of this chemical is being phased out around the world because of toxicity concerns. In the absence of hydrogen cyanamide, understanding the factors influencing budbreak and the development of individual shoots is central to creating pruning systems that optimise productivity. To elucidate the effect of bud orientation on budbreak and floral shoot production in ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit, buds were selectively excised from canes based on their orientation (top, side, or bottom), and the behaviour of the remaining buds was compared with that of buds on unmodified control canes. The orientation of buds influenced the percentage budbreak of canes. Buds with a downward orientation had lower budbreak and broke later than those with an upward orientation. When upward-orientated buds were removed, percentage budbreak of downward-orientated buds increased, and they began budbreak earlier. The number of inflorescences per shoot was also altered by bud orientation. Shoots that developed from more upward orientations had greater numbers of inflorescences than shoots that developed from downward-orientated buds. With regard to budbreak and the production of floral shoots, a hierarchy of bud orientation appears to exist within a cane, from top to side to bottom.

Groundwater quality assessment of the shallow aquifers west of the Nile Delta (Egypt) using multivariate statistical and geostatistical techniques

Sour cherry is a light demanding fruit species. As most of the crop is developing from buds on one year old shoots and 2-yearold wood, the formation of bare wood can be seen apparently in a badly maintained canopy. The formation of „whip shoots” indicates the degree of bare wood. Unfortunately in many gardens and commercial orchards sour cherry trees resemble willow trees. Owners often decide to grub old orchards, although the useful cropping lifespan of the trees planted in a correct spacing can be 20-30 years on a move vigorous rootstock. Therefore renewal pruning can contribute to the full renewal of the orchard, but the length of its effect is depending on the growth characteristics and renewal capabilities of the cultivar. The growth characteristics of the cultivars are different. The regeneration capabilities of different aged wood are also different. These differences emphasize the need for cultivar specifi c pruning. Knowing the reactions to renewal pruning, we can ensure regular high crops with excellent quality by applying cultivar specifi c rotation pruning.

Crop load does not increase the photosynthetic rate in Citrus leaves under regular cropping conditions. A study throughout the year

Prickly pear is a widely-known crop in the SE of Spain, where it is currently used for forage, fodder and fruit. Now it is being considered as a potential crop for bioethanol production from its whole biomass. In order to estimate the potential bioethanol production in the province of Almeria (SE-Spain) and the optimal location of bioethanol processing plants, a GIS analysis involving a predictive yield model of prickly pear biomass was undertaken following specific restriction criteria. According to this analysis, the total potential bioethanol production in Almeria would be up to 502,927.8 t dm·year-1 from 100,616 ha maximum that could be cultivated with prickly pear, with a calculated yield ranging between 4.2 and 9.4 t dm·ha-1·year-1. An exclusive suitability analysis and a preferable suitability analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process were performed in order to estimate the optimal location of the subsequent processing plants within Almeria's road network by a discrete location-allocation model.

오늘날 우리나라의 주류문화는 일반주류와 기능성주류로 분류할 수 있는데, 이 연구에서 기능성주류시장이 특용작물 및 과채류 주류시장에서 농작물(곡류)을 원료로 한 발효주류 시장으로 급격하게 변화하고 있는 것을 인식하게 되었다. 현재, 막걸리 수요는 계속 증가하는 반면 기존 막걸리 용기디자인은 소비자의 욕구 및 현 소비시장의 트렌드에 맞지 않는 용기디자인이 난무하고 있는 실정이다. 당장 주류시장에서 다른 상품과 경쟁하려면 막걸리 용기디자인의 개발이 불가피하다. 이에 따른 현재 생산되는 막걸리 용기디자인이 어떠한 종류들이 있으며, 지금까지 어떻게 변화되어 왔고, 얼마나 경쟁력이 갖추고 있는지를 조사 분석하여, 현, 소비자 트렌드에 부합하면서 막걸리라는 주류의 특성을 고려한 기능성과 실용성을 겸비한 용기를 개발하고자 한다. 그러므로 본 연구는 급속한 주류시장의 변화에서 경쟁력을 갖는 디자인적인 형태와 막걸리라는 특성에 맞는 기능적인 형태 구조를 제시하고자 한다. Today's liquor culture in Korea is basically divided into a general liquor culture and a functional liquor culture. In particular, the market of the latter has been going through a rapid change. In the previous days, it was a crop for a special purpose or a fruit which was mostly used to make liquor but now, many other regular crops are being used in the liquor market. At present, while the demand for Makgeolli has risen sharply, the designs of Makgeolli bottles have never satisfied needs from consumers nor the trends in the consumer market. As a result, Makgeolli industry should come up with new designs for the bottles immediately if it dose not want to lose in a competition with other liquor products. The study has looked into existing designs of Makgeolli bottles, investigating how the designs have changed over the past years and how competitive they are in the market. Based on results from the investigation, the study focuses on finding out designs which would fit the trends in the consumer market to develop Makgolli bottles which would be equipped with both functionality and practicality. In other words, to make Makgeolli survive in these rapid changes in the liquor market, the study works on offering a Makgeolli bottle design which is appropriate for certain characteristics of Makeolli and also competitive over other liquor bottles.

Agro-biological traits of common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) genotypes were studied on experimental lots of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Backi Petrovac, Serbia in 2009 and 2010. The study included 16 genotypes of millet grown and used in selection programs in Serbia and abroad. Crops in trials were based on regular and stubble crops. A significant variability appeared during and at the end of growing season in the number of days from emergence to earing of some genotypes of millet, plant height, grain yield, 1000-grain weight and test weight of the test material, and it can be used as a good basis for further work on breeding and improvement of common millet. Cluster analysis identified genotypes with high performance for yield per plant, but also good stability of other studied parameters. Studies have shown that the genetic factor had significant effect on realized values of all tested traits. The difference between the yield of millet in regular and stubble crops was also statistically significant. Out of 9 varieties and lines of millet, 3 of them achieved a higher yield in stubble crops. From the point of agro-biological traits, 2010 was more favourable for the production of millet.