Agriculture In Semi-arid Regions Research Articles

Bringing the “social” into sociohydrology: Conservation policy support in the Central Great Plains of Kansas, USA

AbstractIdentifying means of empirically modeling the human component of a coupled, human‐water system becomes critically important to further advances in sociohydrology. We develop a social‐psychological model of environmental decision making that addresses four key challenges of incorporating social science into integrated models. We use the model to explain preferences for three conservation policies designed to conserve and protect water resources and aquatic ecosystems in the Smoky Hill River Basin, a semiarid agricultural region in the Central U.S. Great Plains. Further, we compare the model's capacity to explain policy preferences among members of two groups in the River Basin: agricultural producers and members of nonfarming communities. We find that financial obligation is the strongest and most consistent explanation of support for conservation policies among members of both groups. We also find that policy support is grounded in cultural values—deeply held ideas about right and wrong. Environmental values are particularly important explanations of policy support. The constellations of values invoked to make decisions about policies, and the social‐psychological pathways linking values to policy support, can vary across policies and types of agents (farmers and nonfarmers). We discuss the implications of the results for future research in sociohydrology.

Coupling biophysical processes and water rights to simulate spatially distributed water use in an intensively managed hydrologic system

Abstract. Humans have significantly altered the redistribution of water in intensively managed hydrologic systems, shifting the spatiotemporal patterns of surface water. Evaluating water availability requires integration of hydrologic processes and associated human influences. In this study, we summarize the development and evaluation of an extensible hydrologic model that explicitly integrates water rights to spatially distribute irrigation waters in a semi-arid agricultural region in the western US, using the Envision integrated modeling platform. The model captures both human and biophysical systems, particularly the diversion of water from the Boise River, which is the main water source that supports irrigated agriculture in this region. In agricultural areas, water demand is estimated as a function of crop type and local environmental conditions. Surface water to meet crop demand is diverted from the stream reaches, constrained by the amount of water available in the stream, the water-rights-appropriated amount, and the priority dates associated with particular places of use. Results, measured by flow rates at gaged stream and canal locations within the study area, suggest that the impacts of irrigation activities on the magnitude and timing of flows through this intensively managed system are well captured. The multi-year averaged diverted water from the Boise River matches observations well, reflecting the appropriation of water according to the water rights database. Because of the spatially explicit implementation of surface water diversion, the model can help diagnose places and times where water resources are likely insufficient to meet agricultural water demands, and inform future water management decisions.

English

Agroforestry adoption as a drought adaptation option has an omnibus of opportunities for smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions. This study assessed the severity and frequency of drought and the determinants of agroforestry adoption in Nakasongola District. The episodes were examined using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) set at 3, 6 and 12 months timescales. A cross-sectional survey using semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informants were adopted. A total of 200 farmers were randomly selected and studied. The adoption was determined using a binary logistic regression. The SPI results showed that the extreme drought years recorded were 1980, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1999 and 2000; while the wettest years were 2014, 2012, 2013, 2009 and 2010 as per the 3-time scales. The average return period of severe droughts was 4 years.  The levels of agroforestry uptake were higher (85%) between July and June drought period. Agrisilviculture, agrosilvopastoral, silvopastoral and apiculture were the most adopted agroforestry systems by the farmers. The household age, level of education and income were the major significant determinants of agroforestry adoption (p<0.05) in adaptation to drought by the smallholder farmers. The potential benefits of agroforestry adoption included the provision of food, fodder, erosion control and soil fertility enrichment, however, the farmers were mainly constrained by inadequate funds, shortage of tree planting stock, limited extension services and information on agroforestry production. Thus, carrying out massive awareness campaigns on agroforestry practices is more likely to increase the uptake.     Key words: Drought, agroforestry, determinants, standardised precipitation index (SPI), adoption, smallholder farmers.

Religiousness/spirituality do not necessarily matter: Effect on risk perception and adaptive strategies in the semi-arid region of NE Brazil

The impact of environmental changes is a major threat to livelihoods, especially for small farmers in semi-arid regions. Therefore, local communities undertake efforts to cope with these new environmental conditions and researchers try to understand the limits of possible adaptive strategies. Religiousness/spirituality are two important factors that can influence environmental awareness and adaptive responses to risks caused by natural phenomena. However, studies addressing the relationship between such factors are either scarce or based on anecdotal information. This article discusses the influence of religiousness/spirituality on the perception of environmental risks by farmers in a rural community in Brazil's northeast region, and their knowledge of adaptive strategies to deal with such concerns. Religiousness/spirituality can positively or negatively influence the perception of risk and knowledge of adaptive strategies when facing environmental uncertainty. We note that dimensions of religiousness/spirituality such as religious history, values/beliefs, commitment, and daily spiritual experiences influence wealth and the sharing of natural perceived risks, as well as adaptive strategies. Based on our results, we conclude that religiousness/spirituality dimensions exert both positive and negative effects on the perception of environmental risks and ways of coping with the impacts of rapid environmental changes.

Impacts of supplemental irrigation as a climate change adaptation strategy for maize production: a case of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Dry spells and climatic hazards are responsible for maize output decline, sometimes to levels below potential yield levels. There is a pressing need to reduce the gap between actual and potential maize yield/ha, especially among farmers in semi-arid regions. This present study examines the potential role of supplemental irrigation and its differential impact on maize yield in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this study, maize yield data were generated from information recorded over a period of 20 years by farmers in Ntabankulu through cross-sectional interviews with 124 randomly-selected farming households. Maize yields for interviewed farmers were analysed for each of the experienced climatic hazards, for yield decline per ha and preferable adaptation strategies. Maize yield analyses show a maximum ceiling/attainable yield of 0.234 t/ha and average farm yield of 0.146 t/ha. Floods or hailstorms cause 75% decline in maize yield/ha and there was no significant difference between farmers practising irrigation and those practising dryland farming ( P > 0.05). Low/no rains throughout the season; delay or low onset of rainfall and a rain-break for a week or more in a season results in 75%; 54% and 50.5% decline in maize yield/ha, respectively. On a scale of 1 to 10, farmers highly rank practicing supplementary irrigation (8.4) and change of planting date (7.8) as important adaptation strategies. Rescheduling planting date from the traditional planting times to earlier or later planting dates, assisted by use of weather reports and forecasting, to some extent curbs the impact of delays or slow onset of rainfall on yield. Supplemental irrigation is instrumental in reducing the impact of mid-season drought (rains break for a week) and light rainfall throughout the season. Analyses of actual yields and yield decline against each of the experienced climatic hazards provided insight into management possibilities to stabilize maize output. Keywords: agronomic practices, climatic hazards, supplemental irrigation, semi-arid areas

Existing cattle husbandry practices followed by the farmers in semi-arid region of central Gujarat

An extensive survey was made to collect the information on cattle husbandry practices followed by the farmers in semi-arid region of central Gujarat through personal interview using a well-structured questionnaire. Majority of cattle keepers practised semi stall feeding system (57.08%) followed by stall feeding (42.92%). The majority of respondents (65.42%) fed readymade concentrate mixture to their animals followed by mixture of home prepared and readymade (28.33%) and home prepared (6.25%). Only 28.75 and 23.75% of the farmers regularly fed common salt and mineral mixture, respectively. Majority (67.50%) of the respondent fed concentrate to lactating cows after the milking and 81.25% respondent fed concentrate mixture as a special ration to their dairy animals during last 2 months of pregnancy. All the respondents followed heat detection practice regularly based upon behavioural signs of estrus, majority (80.00%) of farmers believed on mucus discharge and bellowing as the symptoms of heat. Majority of farmers (90.42%) used artificial insemination for breeding their dairy animals and 80.42% inseminate their cows at mid heat stage. Majority (81.67%) farmers’ believed in quick treatment for anestrous/repeater animals and 69.58% cattle rearers followed pregnancy diagnosis.

Impact of operational research project for dryland agriculture in Semi-Arid region of Haryana

Impact of operational research project for dryland agriculture in Semi-Arid region of Haryana

EN

Dairy Co-operative Societies (DCS) in India are an important entity in linking smallholder livestock producers with external market. This helps smallholder producer(s) in occupational diversification and gainful income. These economically important institutions also serve social purposes. Co-operative member farmers get an opportunity to interact among themselves as well members outside their society. In semiarid regions, the nature of dependence on these institutions among communities for their livelihood becomes particularly more important. The present study appreciates behaviour of farmers to supply milk to dairy society in Panchmahal district, a semiarid region of Gujarat state, India. The relationship pattern of socioeconomic variables viz., age, education, land size and total milk production were assessed towards linkage of farmers with this particular village institution. The nature of such linkage by society with local institutions often determines technological refinement, intervention and adoption. The study did not find any significant relationship for variables like age, education and total milk production in respect to farmers approaching milk cooperative societies. However, land holding size among respondents appeared to be a significant factor towards supply of milk to societies/society. This clearly demonstrates importance of identifying and understanding variables that can influence livestock interventions through dairy societies. The developmental intermediations must take this into account for welfare of farmers in semiarid region.

P.1.g.009 - Synergistic anticonvulsant effect of gidazepam and novel esters based on GABA and monoterpenes

Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus daenensis Celak from mint family (Lamiacae) traditionally being used as source of the essential oil and phenolic components derived from their different parts. Growth, oil yield and chemical components of T. vulgaris and T. daenensis grown in different regions in south-central of Iran were investigated. The hydro-distillated oils obtained from wild and cultivated thyme species were analyzed by GC–MS. Twenty four components in total were identified representing more than 85–98% of the oil composition, with thymol (33.9–70.3%), carvacrol (4.0–24.8%), γ-terpinene (3.9–10.4%) and p-cymene (4.8–8.6%) in T. daenensis, and thymol (35.5–44.4%), carvacrol (4.4–16.1%), γ-terpinene (10.5–11.9%) and p-cymene (8.5–16.1%) in T. vulgaris as major constitutes. Location had no significant effect on growth characteristics of the two thyme species, but the quantity and quality of their essential oils were different in different regions. T. daenensis cultivated in Saman region produced highest thymol (70.3%), whereas those cultivated in Shahrekord region produced highest oil yield (1.16%, v/w). T. daenensis wild growing produced highest carvacrol (24.8%). The results indicated that essential oils and their chemical compositions of Thymus species are strongly affected by environmental conditions and agronomic management practices. Cultivation of thyme, especially T. daenensis proved to be superior in both oil content and quality, in terms of substantial contents of phenolic monoterpenoids (thymol). Results of this study suggest that wild growing of T. daenensis in semiarid condition is not rich in essential oil and thymol, therefore farmers in semiarid regions should grow cultivated species for producing highest economic amount of extracted essential oil and thymol for pharmaceutical, therapeutic and food purposes.

Spatially governed climate factors dominate management in determining the quantity and distribution of soil organic carbon in dryland agricultural systems.

Few studies describe the primary drivers influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and the distribution of carbon (C) fractions in agricultural systems from semi-arid regions; yet these soils comprise one fifth of the global land area. Here we identified the primary drivers for changes in total SOC and associated particulate (POC), humus (HOC) and resistant (ROC) organic C fractions for 1347 sample points in the semi-arid agricultural region of Western Australia. Total SOC stock (0–0.3 m) varied from 4 to 209 t C ha−1 with 79% of variation explained by measured variables. The proportion of C in POC, HOC and ROC fractions averaged 28%, 45% and 27% respectively. Climate (43%) and land management practices (32%) had the largest relative influence on variation in total SOC. Carbon accumulation was constrained where average daily temperature was above 17.2 °C and annual rainfall below 450 mm, representing approximately 42% of the 197,300 km2 agricultural region. As such large proportions of this region are not suited to C sequestration strategies. For the remainder of the region a strong influence of management practices on SOC indicate opportunities for C sequestration strategies associated with incorporation of longer pasture phases and adequate fertilisation.

Enhancing Carbon Sequestration Potential, Productivity and Sustainability of Mustard Under Conservation Agriculture in Semi-arid Regions of India

Maintaining and building up of soil organic carbon (SOC) is very critical for sustaining soil health and crop productivity. Declining SOC is a major concern in semi-arid regions and can be addressed by alteration in the establishment method, involving reduced tillage, bed planting and residue management. For standardizing these crop establishment methods, a field experiment was conducted at Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur, India from 2009–10 to 2012–13. The effect of conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage, zero tillage (ZT), and permanent furrow irrigated raised beds (FIRB) on carbon sequestration potential (CSP), sustainability and productivity of Indian mustard under five mustard-based cropping systems, viz, fallow-mustard, green manure-mustard, brown manure-mustard, cluster bean-mustard, and pearl millet-mustard was studied. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with three replications. The variable tillage practices under different cropping systems significantly affected the soil physical properties and organic carbon dynamics, besides improving mustard productivity and sustainability. An increase of 50 and 16.1 %, respectively was recorded in SOC and infiltration rate under ZT over CT. Likewise, 1.4 and 8.4 folds increase was recorded in mass of soil organic carbon and CSP, respectively in ZT over CT. The bulk density was reduced by 37.3 % in ZT over CT. The highest seed yield was obtained under FIRB (2765 kg ha−1, 23.6 % higher over CT), followed by ZT (2533 kg ha−1, 17.5 % higher over CT). The highest growth, yield, sustainability indices and improved bulk density, infiltration rate, SOC and CSP were recorded under green manure-mustard system followed by brown manure-mustard system.

Characterizing Drought in Irrigated Agricultural Systems: The Surface Water Delivery Index (SWDI)

Quantifying surface water shortages in arid and semiarid agricultural regions is challenging because limited water supplies are distributed over long distances based on complex water management systems constrained by legal, economic, and social frameworks that evolve with time. In such regions, the water supply is often derived in a climate dramatically different from where the water is diverted to meet agricultural demand. The existing drought indices which rely on local climate do not portray the complexities of the economic and legal constraints on water delivery. Nor do these indices quantify the shortages that occur in drought. Therefore, this research proposes a methodological approach to define surface water shortages in irrigated agricultural systems using a newly developed index termed the Surface Water Delivery Index (SWDI). The SWDI can be used to uniformly quantify surface water deficits/shortages at the end of the irrigation season. Results from the SWDI clearly illustrate how water shortages in droughts identified by the existing indices (e.g., SPI and PDSI) vary strongly both within and between basins. Some surface water entities are much more prone to water shortages than other entities based both on their source of water supply and water right portfolios.

Analysis of the contribution of groundwater to evapotranspiration in an arid irrigation district with shallow water table

Groundwater from the shallow aquifers can supply substantial water for evapotranspiration of crops and other vegetation (the groundwater supported evapotranspiration). Regional scale evapotranspiration and the groundwater contribution to evapotranspiration were estimated by the soil water balance equation in Jiefangzha sub-district (JFZSD), a sub-district with shallow aquifers in Inner Mongolia, China. Estimates used an 8-year (2006–2013) hydrological dataset including soil moisture, the depth to water table, irrigation amounts, rainfall data, and drainage water flow. Soil moisture and the groundwater depth varied substantially with irrigation, the fluctuations in rainfall, and the stage of crop growth. The soil moisture with very shallow groundwater depth was greater than it was with groundwater at greater depth. The 8-year mean evapotranspiration was estimated to be 664mm, the mean section evapotranspiration were ranged from 538mm to 899mm during the crop growth period in JFZSD. The mean groundwater supported evapotranspiration (ETg) was estimated to be 228mm, with variation from 145mm to 412mm during the crop growth period in JFZSD. Analysis of the positive correlation between evapotranspiration and the sum of irrigation and rainfall, and the analysis of the negative correlation between ETg/ET and the sum of irrigation and rainfall, reflect the need of groundwater to meet the evapotranspiration demand. Approximately 20% to 40% of the evapotranspiration is from the shallow aquifers in JFZSD. With the policy of decreasing the amount of Yellow River water diverted to the HID in the future, the more groundwater would be used. However, the local groundwater in return depends on irrigation. Besides, the fraction of drainage to irrigation is already low, suggesting that future decreases in water deliveries will lead to soil salinization and loss of productivity in the sub district. These results could be useful for the government to understand the significant role of the groundwater and make reasonable water use policy in the semiarid agricultural regions.

NUTRIENT CONTENT IN SUNFLOWERS IRRIGATED WITH OIL EXPLORATION WATER

ABSTRACT: Irrigation using produced water, which is generated during crude oil and gas recovery and treated by the exploration industry, could be an option for irrigated agriculture in semiarid regions. To determine the viability of this option, the effects of this treated water on the nutritional status of plants should be assessed. For this purpose, we examined the nutritional changes in sunflowers after they were irrigated with oil-produced water and the effects of this water on plant biomass and seed production. The sunflower cultivar BRS 321 was grown for three crop cycles in areas irrigated with filtered produced water (FPW), reverse osmosis-treated produced water (OPW), or ground water (GW). At the end of each cycle, roots, shoots, and seeds were collected to examine their nutrient concentrations. Produced water irrigation affected nutrient accumulation in the sunflower plants. OPW irrigation promoted the accumulation of Ca, Na, N, P, and Mg. FPW irrigation favored the accumulation of Na in both roots and shoots, and biomass and seed production were negatively affected. The Na in the shoots of plants irrigated with FPW increased throughout the three crop cycles. Under controlled conditions, it is possible to reuse reverse osmosis-treated produced water in agriculture. However, more long-term research is needed to understand its cumulative effects on the chemical and biological properties of the soil and crop production.

Towards Climate-Smart Agricultural Approach: Prospect for Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Regions

Towards Climate-Smart Agricultural Approach: Prospect for Smallholder Farmers in Semi-Arid Regions Lavhelesani Rodney Managa, Nolitha Nkobole-Mhlongo Abstract Climate change has become a major threat to human developmental sectors in recent times. Agriculture is particularly vulnerable sector because it is highly dependent on climate variables. General decrease in total seasonal rainfall, accompanied by more frequent in-season dry spells are pervasive to sub-Saharan Africa, and significantly impact on crop and livestock production, and hence hamper food security in the region. The hardest hit by climate change is the rural smallholder farmers in the drier areas, owing to adaptive capacity and limited resources. As to carter the adaption needs of smallholder farmers to climate change, climate-smart agricultural approach provides much needed potential. However, to efficiently achieve climate-smart agriculture, evidence-base, and location specific framework that unpack complexity and define precise implementation pathway is urgently needed. This paper therefore, reviewed prospect of present and future climates change implications to smallholder farmers in developing countries. Thereafter, it drew upon a variety of current adaptation strategies within concept of climate smart agriculture, and assess the required support to increase the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers’ in semi-arid regions Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jaes.v4n2a5

Sustaining higher mustard productivity through conservation agriculture in semi-arid regions of India

The field experiments were conducted at Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research (DRMR), Bharatpur, India to evaluate the effect of crop establishment methods on crop productivity, soil properties and economics of mustard in a cropping system mode. Conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), zero tillage (ZT) and permanent furrow irrigated raised beds (FIRB) were tested for five mustard-based cropping systems viz., fallow-mustard, green manure-mustard, brown manure-mustard, clusterbean-mustard and pearl millet-mustard in split-plot design replicated thrice. The seed, stover, total biological yields, sustainability indices and economics of mustard were significantly influenced by various crop establishment methods and cropping systems. Soil carbon footprints and bulk density of semi-arid regions improved under conservation agriculture. The average increase in the seed yield of mustard after four years of the experimentation was 32.4 and 20.7%, respectively, under FIRB and ZT. The highest sustainability yield index (0.85) and production efficiency (16.01 kg/ha/day) were also observed under FIRB. An increase of 1.30 g/kg and 2.57 Mg/ha in soil organic carbon and mass of soil organic carbon, respectively, was recorded in ZT over CT. The highest mustard yield was obtained under green manure-mustard cropping system (2549 kg/ha) followed by clusterbean-mustard system (2348 kg/ha). The net returns, profitability and B: C ratio were recorded highest with FIRB and green manure-mustard cropping systems.

Long-term effects of management history on carbon dynamics in agricultural soils in Northwest China

Human activities and climate change have substantial effects on soil ecosystems. The historical variations in soil organic carbon (SOC) in Northwest China were investigated in this paper. Using an agro-ecosystems database, a process-based model, Denitrification-Decomposition (DNDC), was used to support a regional SOC simulation. Over the 1980s and 1990s, the SOC storage (0–50 cm) reduced slightly from 1.25 PgC (pentagrams of carbon, 1 PgC = 1015 gC) and stabilized at 1.23 PgC. SOC significantly differed in Northwest China farmland both temporally and spatially. Climatic variability magnified the response of the spatially heterogeneous region to climate and greatly influenced the vegetation and soil. The SOC increase appeared in areas with a mild and humid climate in the east, including Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and south Xinjiang. Management practices greatly affect SOC dynamics through straw C input, increased 46.31 % C budget and 20.52 % total SOC (TSOC) through 60 % crop residue incorporation. Reducing human disturbance to the surface soil through conservative tillage and improving soil fertility through reasonable nutrient input and water-use efficiency have important implications for C sequestration, emission reduction and soil productivity improvement in arid or semiarid agricultural farmland regions.

Estimating groundwater use patterns of perennial and seasonal crops in a Mediterranean irrigation scheme, using remote sensing

This work explores the use of satellite-based vegetation indices (VI) to study groundwater use in a semi-arid agricultural irrigated area. The objective is to obtain insight in spatial and temporal patterns and differences in groundwater usage of perennial (mainly fruit trees) and seasonal crops (mainly row vegetable crops) under varying climatic conditions. Cropping intensities of seasonal crops are derived for each sector and irrigation water applied (IWA) is calculated using VI-based (NDVI from MODIS) actual evapotranspiration estimates and local efficiency factors. Groundwater use is then derived as the residual of total IWA and surface water supplies for each sector and crop type. The results of IWA following this methodology were compared with survey-based results for two crop types. Results correlated well, but deviate most during drought period, likely due to salt leaching practices. Monthly groundwater use patterns and spatial and temporal differences during normal water availability and drought conditions are reported. On average, about 50% of irrigation water is extracted from aquifers, but during droughts this percentage increases considerably. Perennial crops show sharper increases in groundwater use under such conditions than seasonal crops. Overall, seasonal crops put more pressure on the groundwater resource than perennial crops. Our results and methodology will be useful for water resource managers, and policy makers concerned with the role of groundwater resources on the sustainability of semiarid agricultural regions.

Blue Water Demand for Sustainable Intensification

The agricultural challenge of meeting global food demand requires an increase in the level of agricultural water productivity and some increases in global water use. But many arid or semiarid agricultural regions of the world are facing declining water availability for irrigation. Examples of declining groundwater availability are seen throughout arid and semiarid areas of North America, Africa, and Asia. Relevant to water demand for sustainable intensification of agriculture, this paper touches on concepts where policy can work toward improving water productivity, including: (i) assessing crop water use and productivity, (ii) promoting cultural practices for increasing crop water productivity, (iii) improving efficiency of green water use, and (iv) protecting agricultural water supplies. Developing a paradigm of assessing crop water productivity and comparing with potential water‐limited yields is a valuable diagnostic tool leading to improved management and water use. Similarly, water footprinting is a water accounting tool that should be applied toward improvements in agricultural water productivity. These assessment tools can prioritize how and when agronomic practices and plant genetic improvements can best be employed. This paper also overviews some cultural practices that can improve water productivity in dryland, rainfed, and irrigated systems. Several examples of policies that influence the supply of water for irrigation are given. Innovative policy structures are needed that allow sharing of water among agricultural, municipal, and environmental users while also rewarding conservation and efficient use. Specific policies that are designed to protect water supplies for agricultural use are needed.

Sowing dates and crop replacements strategies to adapt climate change impact on traditional rain fed agriculture in semi arid regions: A case of North Kordofan in Sudan

Sowing dates and crop replacements strategies to adapt climate change impact on traditional rain fed agriculture in semi arid regions: A case of North Kordofan in Sudan