Role Of Agricultural Research Research Articles

Smart sprayer a technology for site-specific herbicide application

Reducing the use of chemical-synthetic herbicides with site-specific application technology will play an important role in agricultural research and practice in the coming years and decades. This paper presents a sprayer for site-specific weed control in row crops using weed detection technology based on image analysis and spot application using weed detection data. Two small plot trials in sugar beet and maize in 2021 and seven On-farm field trials in sugar beet, sunflower and maize in 2022 are presented. A pair-wise comparison of broadcast application, untreated control and spotting application were realized. A zero-tolerance strategy for weeds was used as a spotting application in all experiments. Herbicide savings from 10% to 55% were realized without a significant decrease in efficacy in weed control for the spotting application compared to the broadcast application. The weed control efficacy for broadcast application varied from 70 to 100%, while for the spotting application 72–99%. Weed control between broadcast and spotting did not differ significantly within a trial, except one experiment. Application mistakes caused the partly observed weed control of under 80%. Yield tends to be higher for all spotting treatments compared to broadcast application. The presented system provides a robust spotting technology for effective weed management with lower environmental risk and a positive effect on biodiversity.

Genetic dissection of seasonal vegetation index dynamics in maize through aerial based high-throughput phenotyping.

Plant phenotyping under field conditions plays an important role in agricultural research. Efficient and accurate high-throughput phenotyping strategies enable a better connection between genotype and phenotype. Unmanned aerial vehicle-based high-throughput phenotyping platforms (UAV-HTPPs) provide novel opportunities for large-scale proximal measurement of plant traits with high efficiency, high resolution, and low cost. The objective of this study was to use time series normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) extracted from UAV-based multispectral imagery to characterize its pattern across development and conduct genetic dissection of NDVI in a large maize population. The time series NDVI data from the multispectral sensor were obtained at five time points across the growing season for 1,752 diverse maize accessions with a UAV-HTPP. Cluster analysis of the acquired measurements classified 1,752 maize accessions into two groups with distinct NDVI developmental trends. To capture the dynamics underlying these static observations, penalized-splines (P-splines) model was used to obtain genotype-specific curve parameters. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) using static NDVI values and curve parameters as phenotypic traits detected signals significantly associated with the traits. Additionally, GWAS using the projected NDVI values from the P-splines models revealed the dynamic change of genetic effects, indicating the role of gene-environment interplay in controlling NDVI across the growing season. Our results demonstrated the utility of ultra-high spatial resolution multispectral imagery, as that acquired using a UAV-based remote sensing, for genetic dissection of NDVI.

The curious case of C-88: impacts of a potato variety on farmers in Yunnan, China

BackgroundLimited analysis has been conducted of the role of agricultural research in promoting Chinese agricultural growth in less-favored areas. This paper analyzes how a particular potato variety generates benefits to producers and discusses how these benefits may have contributed to poverty reduction in Yunnan province. Cooperation 88 (C88) is a high-yielding, late blight-resistant variety that was developed through a partnership between the International Potato Center and Yunnan Normal University in Kunming, China.MethodsQualitative and quantitative methods are used to analyze determinants of adoption of C88, and to estimate impacts of adoption on producer well-being. A unique farm-household database is used to document the determinants of C88 adoption and disadoption. The quantitative assessment is supplemented with a qualitative analysis of the potato value chain to understand how seed availability and concern for processing attributes contributed to and eventually constrained diffusion. Market-level information was used in an economic surplus model to quantify the substantial economic impact of C88 over 20 years since its release.ResultsC88 spread rapidly in Yunnan following its release and was widely adopted by commercially oriented farmers. Disadoption began after 2010 with limited seed availability driving the shift toward newer varieties. Farmers, however, appreciate the ease of marketing, the 15% higher yields, and late-blight resistance associated with C88 suggesting that seed constraints are countervailing the economic benefits of the variety. Total impact on Yunnan potato farmers of the variety was estimated to be around $2.5 billion for the 1996–2015 period.ConclusionsOn per-person terms among C88 growing farm households, the economic advantage of the variety is likely to have contributed to poverty reduction. The aggregate impact of C88 diffusion occurred during a period of rapid poverty reduction in Yunnan and yield and disease-resistance benefits of C88 likely contributed to this reduction.

The Role of Research and Innovation in the Transformation of Agri-Food Systems

Abstract Agri-food systems include branching ramifications, which connect in the upstream the input suppliers with farmers, and downstream farmers, processors, retailers and consumers. In the last decades, at the level of the regions, food systems have undergone rapid transformation as a result of technological progress. The paper analyzes the changes made to the structure, behavior and performance of the agri-food system and the impact on farmers and consumers. Also, the role of agricultural research as a determinant factor of transformation of agri-food system is analyzed. The research objective is to develop technologies that cover the entire food chain (from farm to fork) and meet the specific requirements of consumers (from fork to farm) through scientific solutions in line with the principles of sustainable agriculture and ensuring the safety and food safety of the population.

Status of World Food Security and its Future Outlook, and Role of Agricultural Research and Education

Status of World Food Security and its Future Outlook, and Role of Agricultural Research and Education

A comparative analysis of agricultural research and extension reforms in China and India

Purpose– There is growing interest from the global development community in the role of agricultural research and extension (AR & E) systems to achieve development targets. Despite this interest, many smallholders in developing countries continue to lack access to updated agricultural information and reliable services. In an effort to increase the effectiveness, impact, and reach of AR & E programs, many governments have attempted to reform their national systems. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– This paper systematically compares the systems and reforms of AR & E in China and India in order to draw out lessons applicable to developing countries. This paper first reviews the existing literature on AR & E systems and their role in agricultural and economic development. The authors then provide a detailed review and comparative analysis of the reforms and approaches implemented in the AR & E systems of China and India. The authors apply this comparative analysis to draw out lessons that can be applied to inform the reformation of AR & E systems in developing countries.Findings– The authors find that although both countries face similar agricultural development challenges, each took a different approach in the reformation of AR & E to address these challenges. Each country’s approaches had different impacts on the effectiveness of the system. Lessons from the reformation of the AR & E systems in China and India can be used to inform and improve the impact of AR & E in developing countries.Originality/value– The paper examines two systems together using a set of common indicators and factors. The paper’s value comes from its usefulness in informing future AR & E reforms in other developing countries in order to increase the impact of these reforms on development outcomes.

SEGMENTATION OF UNHEALTHY REGION OF PLANT LEAF USING IMAGE PROCESSING TECHNIQUES: A SURVEY

A segmentation technique is used to segment the diseased portion of a leaf. Based on the segmented area texture and color feature, disease can be identified by classification technique. There are many segmentation techniques such as Edge detection, Thresholding, K-Means clustering, Fuzzy C-Means clustering, Penalized Fuzzy C-Means, Unsupervised segmentation. Segmentation of diseased area of a plant leaf is the first step in disease detection and identification which plays crucial role in agriculture research. This paper provides different segmentation techniques that are used to segment diseased leaf of a plant.

Expansion policy and the role of agricultural research in Nazi Germany

Agricultural science played a prominent role in Nazi research policy. During the Second World War, German science commandeered research results and materials from occupied Europe. This process advanced individual careers. It also had a decided influence on research practice and problem choice, both during and after the war. This essay explores the significance of wartime developments for an understanding of Nazi policy and the history of agricultural research.

The Role of Analytical Chemistry in Agricultural Research: Main goals, Challenges, Demands

Analytical chemistry has always played an important role in agricultural research, but its objectives and contributions have changed over time. In this paper a description of the historical development is given. Particularities of agricultural analytical chemistry are characterised and the currently used methods for inorganic and organic trace analysis as well as examples of their applications are reported.

Role of agricultural research in poverty reduction: lessons from the Asian experience

The poor spend much of their income on food, depend primarily on labour earnings, and tend to reside in marginal agricultural areas. To reduce poverty, agricultural research should aim to ensure adequate food supplies by developing yield-increasing technologies, to increase labour demand by developing labour-using technologies and to develop technologies suitable for marginal areas. This article seeks to identify “appropriate” technologies that agricultural research should generate for poverty reduction. The identification is based on a review of the experience of the Green Revolution in rice production in Asia and an assessment of the changing structure of income sources among rural households in the Philippines.

Agricultural Research in Ghana: the role of the Animal Research Institute Library

Libraries play an important role in agricultural research by supplying the researchers with the needed information and literature. This paper reports on how the available materials and services at Animal Research Institute Library have been supporting the research work at the Institute. The quantitative method through the use of questionnaires was adopted. The results revealed that the services performed are partially active and researchers were fairly satisfied with it. The materials available were found to be inadequate and outdated to support the research work of the Institute and researchers were grossly dissatisfied with it. The conclusion was that Animal Research Institute library’s role in supporting research work at the Institute was found to be unsatisfactory and there was therefore the need to improve the services and materials.

Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture: Participatory Learning and Adaptive Management in Times of Environmental Uncertainty

Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture: Participatory Learning and Adaptive Management in Times of Environmental Uncertainty

Agricultural Research in a Centrally Planned Economy: The Case of Rapeseed Research in the People's Republic of China (PRC)

AbstractRapeseed has played an important role in the agriculture of the PRC for millennia as a source of edible oil, industrial products, organic fertilizer and, recently, animal feed. For the last 46 years, the PRC has experienced several dramatic shifts in the political and social environment for rapeseed research. This paper examines the scientific and technical literature on rapeseed since 1949 and identifies the relationship between agricultural research activities and major political and economic transitions in China. The analysis of the rapeseed literature shows: (1) how vulnerable agricultural research in the PRC has been to fluctuations in the political and economic environment, and (2) how the foci of rapeseed research shifted from the pre-reform to the post-reform era. This paper concludes with: (1) some observations about the differences in the role of agricultural research in a socialist and capitalist country, (2) implications about the relationship between political and economic reforms, and agricultural research.

Wêreldmededingendheid en die landbou

Against the background of a changing environment in which market factors and greater world trade and competitiveness are increasingly becoming the only criteria for success, a framework for the analysis of world competitiveness is initially developed. This is followed by a discussion on the growth of productivity in agriculture, as well as an exposition of the role of agricultural research. Thirdly, price factors and the terms of trade are discussed, followed by a summary of policy implications.

Information for agriculture in Kenya

Outlines the aims of the Kenya government with regard to agricultural development and describes the role, aims, structure, and problems of the Agricultural Extension Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The role of agricultural research and methods of disseminating research information to farmers are described. The Agricultural Extension Services Division is responsible for the Agricultural Information Services, comprising a National Agricultural Documentation Centre, an Agricultural Information Centre and a central Library with ninety-three branches in provincial and district offices, Agricultural Institutes and Farmer Training Centres. In addition, there are thirty- two libraries in agricultural research stations. The aims, activities and problems of these services are described. More attention needs to be paid to communicating information directly to farmers.