Small Farming Systems Research Articles

Trend of raw milk collection, milk processing constraints and opportunities in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is awarded from nature with cattle resource that brings it to the first stage from Africa and fifth from the world. Dairy production in Ethiopia is mainly rural small farming system with low productive indigenous cattle breed and an animal having multipurpose usage. Modern dairy product processing industries still infant and mostly dominated by traditional milk and milk products processing, due to regardless attention is given for dairy processing sector in the Ethiopia. Although modern dairy processing industries emerged in different part of the country, there is no constant in number of dairy processing industries which is up and down throughout different years due to disintegrated milk supply chain, poor milk quality, informal marketing, limit milk product processing technology, limited infrastructure and sociocultural impacts etc. are some of the limitation factors. Traditional milk product produced in Ethiopia are fermented yoghurt, traditional butter and butter milk, ghee and Cottage cheese. Whereas, modern milk and milk products are pasteurized milk, different type of yogurt and different kind of cheeses. Although, there are milk collection and milk product processing development constraints in Ethiopia, unexploited livestock resources in the country will an opportunities of milk and milk products processing investment. There for, this review paper is attempt to indicate the available dairy products processing investments opportunities and technical and non- technical constraints of milk collection and milk products processing in Ethiopia.

Characterizing the diversity of smallholder farming systems and their constraints and opportunities for innovation: A case study from the Central Region, India

Typologies may be used as tools for dealing with farming system heterogeneity. Small holder farming system into a few farm types particularly achieved by classifying farms into groups that have common characteristics, i.e. farm types, which can support the implementation of a more tailored approach to agricultural development. This article explored patterns of farming system diversity through the classification of 60 smallholder farm households in Nagpur districts of two blocks (Tahsils) Katol (High productive) and Narkhed (Low productive) of India’s Central Region. Based on 2017 survey data, the typology was constructed using the multivariate statistical techniques of principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Results proposed three farm types, stratified on the basis of household, labor, land use, livestock and income variables, explaining the structural and functional differences between farming systems. Types 1 was characterized by relatively high levels of resource endowment and oriented towards other-farm enterprises and crop sales with bullock pair, Types 2 were characterized by relatively low levels of resource endowment and oriented towards other-farm enterprises, dairy (livestock) and crop sales and Types 3 was characterized by crop + Horticulture + Dairy and Bullock pair, respectively. The most salient differences among farm types concerned rearing of bullock pair (income from bullock pair), degree of legume integration, household size and hired labor, degree of diversification into off/non-farm activities and severity of resource constraints (Type 2 was most constrained with a small farm area and herd comprised mainly of livestock particularly cow and under Type 3 crop + Horticulture + Dairy and Bullock pair). It was found that livelihood strategies reflected the distinctive characteristics of farm households; with economic benefit from the farming. This study clearly demonstrates that using the established typology as a practical framework allows identification of type-specific farm household opportunities and constraints for the targeting of agricultural interventions and innovations, which will be further analyzed in the research-for-development project. Conclude that a more flexible approach to typology construction, for example through the incorporation of farmer perspectives, might provide further context and insight into the causes, consequences and negotiation of farm diversity. The three type of farming system studied with some scientific incorporation of intervention and found 34 percent increase over benchmark in field crop + dairy farming system.

In highly-biodiverse tropical landscapes, multiple-objective optimization reveals opportunities for increasing both conservation and agricultural production

In humid tropics, small and medium farming systems are important for producing food but also because they retain rainforest patches with high conservation value. Forest conservation and agricultural production strongly compete for land in Tropical Farming Systems (TFS). Finding solutions that synergize increasing conservation areas and agricultural production is an issue that has yet to be resolved in human-modified tropical landscapes. Achieving this objective requires analyzing how farms could be reorganized to relieve the pressure for production on the land. Pareto-based genetic algorithms that produce a set of solutions that satisfy apparently opposed objectives may tackle multi-objective problems. We explored trade-offs and synergies to increase the profits by sustainable intensification and maintain or increase rainforest areas in five TFS. There was a strong trade-off between conservation and economic profits in all TFS. However, depending on the total farming area, initial configurations and the amount of external inputs used, TFS showed low (two out of five) or high (three out of five) potential to increase forest conservation and profits. In low potential areas, the expansion of conservation areas and profits was only possible by increasing external inputs, primarily due to the limiting farming area and intensification status in those areas. In contrast, in high potential areas it was possible to increase conservation areas and profits through sustainable intensification practices, such as increasing maize silage, changing high for low use-pesticides crops but also reducing variable costs by minimizing cost-supply uses or external feeds. Alternative management and resource allocation options were specific for each TFS. The multi-objective simulation yielded novel results showing that it is possible to overcome the conservation-production antagonism (a regional-global scale issue) by adjusting management at farm (local) scale.

New species and records of earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta: Crassiclitellata) in small holder farming systems in the Peruvian Amazon

We examined external characters and internal anatomy, after dorsal dissection, of 11 species of Oligochaeta from the Peruvian Amazonia Loreto department. Four new species of families Glossoscolecidae and Rhinodrilidae and genera Righiodrilus and Martiodrilus are described here. Righiodrilus omagua, sp. nov., differs from other Righiodrilus by the presence of tubercula pubertatis in segments ½15, 15- ½18, 18; male pores located in intersegment 16/17; large seminal vesicles in segment 12 that extend until segment 24. Martiodrilus (Maipure) yurimaguensis, sp. nov., has a saddle-shaped clitellum in 14-1/4 25 and tubercula pubertatis between segments 1/318 -1/2 25. Martiodrilus (Maipure) tapiai, sp. nov., is differentiated from the others by the position of the tubercula pubertatis in 19-24, and the shape and size of spermathecae, common setae, ornamentation of genital setae and the location of male pores in intersegment 18/19. Martiodrilus (Martiodrilus) alegrei sp. nov., differs from other species of the genus by extension of tubercula pubertatis from 21 to 26, the number and shape of spermathecae. It is the only species of the genus that presents a single pair of spermathecae in segment 6. Additional records for the Peruvian Republic and the Amazonian region are also reported for Martiodrilus (Maipure) pano, Periscolex yuya, Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus, Rhinodrilus lavellei, Rhinodrilus pahanasii, Dichogaster (Diplothecodrilus) modiglianii and Ocnerodrilus occidentalis. With these new records, the earthworm fauna of Perú recorded so far increases to 36 species (21 native and 15 exotic), including eight native from Peruvian Amazonia Region. Many more species are still expected to be found.

Simulating risk management strategies for specialized farming systems: the potential impact of the EU income stabilization tool

PurposeThis study assesses the potential impact of the European Income Stabilization Tool (IST – a whole farm income risk management [RM] tool) within a farm cooperative specializing in vineyards and operating in a small area of production. The authors assess the conditions under which IST could improve the well-being of the associated farmers and, at the same time, improve financial sustainability. Financial aspects are of particular relevance since the characteristics of the cooperative cause the management of the tool to become potentially risky.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis relies on a balanced panel dataset to report the production and economic characteristics of individual associated farms. This is the basis for simulating the implementation of the IST as described in the current European regulation. The expected utility approach is then used to assess the potential impact on farmers' well-being under different levels of risk aversion and premiums. The analysis of the IST annual cash flow allows for an accurate assessment of its financial sustainability.FindingsThe results suggest that the IST can improve farmers' well-being under plausible levels of risk aversion and premiums, making most farmers willing to support its implementation. Furthermore, the tool could be financially sustainable even if implemented in a specialized and geographically concentrated group of farms. In addition, the results suggest that the use of strategies such as the IST could help cope with negative annual balances by treating the financial sustainability of the fund.Originality/valueThe analysis adds to previous research on the IST by accounting for farmers' risk aversion. Furthermore, it is the first analysis that simulates the implementation of this tool in a sector-specific and concentrated group of farms. The results provide useful evidence for those subjects planning to implement the IST in small and specialized farming systems.

Ecosystem services from smallholder dairy based integrated farming system vis-a-vis double cropping

ABSTRACT The focus toward specialized double cropping in the recent past and the resultant stagnant farm productivity, natural resource degradation, improper by-product recycling, and declining resource use efficiency warranted renewed efforts toward dairy-based integrated farming systems (IFS) approach. The small holder dairy-based integrated farming system (IFS) under present study resulted in production of 323% more wheat equivalent yield (27358 kg ha−1) and diverse provisioning services (grains, fruits, straw, green fodder, milk) as compared to groundnut–wheat double cropping system. The dairy-based IFS generated 82.7% more net return (2501 US$ ha−1year−1) with 1.52 benefit cost ratio, resulted in uniform distribution of income throughout the year (US$ 529 to 909 every month) and generated 251% more employment (418 man-days ha−1year−1) than double cropping. It provided regulating services in the form of improved soil fertility (19% more soil organic carbon), enhanced saturated infiltration capacity, higher carbon sequestration (552%) and was more dependent on indirect and renewable energy sources. The dairy-based IFS recorded more soil biodiversity (earthworm, fungal, and bacterial count) and better nutrient (100 Kg N, 45 Kg P, and 80 Kg K ha−1 year−1), and by-product recycling (20.4 tonnes farm yard manure and 1.98 tonnes farm-compost) vis-a-vis double cropping system (supporting services) besides providing many cultural services. The study concluded that systems transformation through greater crops-livestock integration provides number of provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural services, and leads to sustainable food systems.

The effects of restrictive measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic on the extensive farming system of small ruminants.

Vigorous restrictive measures were imposed worldwide to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effects those measures had on livestock production systems have not yet been sufficiently clarified. The literature has focused mainly on the impact of COVID-19 on the intensive livestock production system, especially the meat and milk supply chain, as well as the welfare of animals, highlighting its fragility, but failed to address the way the restrictive measures affected the extensive farming system of small ruminants. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the restrictive measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the parameters of sheep and goat extensive farming systems. We used a survey and personal interviews to record the breeders' profile and the structural characteristics of the holdings, and we showed that the restrictive measures had no effect on the parameters of small ruminant extensive farming systems, except for the daily work routine of breeders, which was negatively affected in holdings with a high number of sheep. We expect this study to be helpful to policy makers regarding formulating interventions for the resilience and the stability of the sheep and goat extensive farming system in future situations of emergency.

Insecticidal potency of mixtures of plant powders and Actellic SuperTM (Pirimiphos-methyl + Permethrin) on Callosobruchus chinensis F. and Sitophilus zeamais Motch

Insect pests still cause substantial quantitative and qualitative grain loss ranging from 20 to 100% in small holder farming systems in tropical countries. Synthetic pesticides are recommended as stop gap measures for the management of stored product insect pests. However, their application has not been fully exploited in small scale farming due to environmental, health, and economic concerns. As a result, new researches have shifted focus to exploiting pesticidal plants as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Therefore, the current study evaluated mixtures of plant powders and reduced amount of Actellic superTM (pirimiphos-methyl + permethrin) as alternative insecticide formulation against Callosobruchus chinensis and Sitophilus zeamais. Green grams and wheat grains were mixed with a mixture of plant powders in the ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:9 to obtain four rates (0.0, 2.0, 6.0 and 10%w/w). Grains and plant powders were also mixed with reduced amount (10, 25, and 50 %) of recommended rate of Actellic SuperTM to obtain dosages as above. Twenty unsexed adults, 1-5 day old S. zeamais and C. chinensis were introduced into treated grains. The mixture of C. lusitanica: T. vogelii powders in the ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:9 caused mortality in C. chinensis of 55, 95 and 85%, respectively. At the same ratio, E. saligna: L. camara mixture produced mortality in S. zeamais of 77, 82, and 85% respectively. In mixture of C. lusitanica and T. vogelii and reduced amount of Actellic SuperTM by 50% the mortality of C. chinensis was 85 and 80 % respectively. Similarly, E. saligna and L. camara and reduced amount of Actellic SuperTM by 50% caused a mortality of S. zeamais of 48 and 97% respectively. The application of plant powders and reduced amounts of synthetic insecticide has the potential to be applied in stored product pest control

Development of mobile based technology transfer application system to empower the small ruminant farmers

Mobile app is one of the means to strengthen the bridge between research system and farming system. Hence, the present study has focused to identify and prioritize the information needs of small ruminant farmers to develop mobile based application software. Data were collected from 40 researchers of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, 60 extension personnel of the State Animal Husbandry Department and 100 small ruminant farmers of Tirunelveli district by questionnaire method. The responses for each item were measured on a five point continuum, i.e. most needed, more needed, needed, less needed and least needed. The mean was calculated and the item above the mean, i.e 24 items were considered as the identified needs that include topics on breed and breeding (three), feeding (five), management (five), disease control (six) and marketing (five). Based on the identified and prioritized needs, the contents were framed in Tamil and English languages which includes, video clipping and photos collection. Accordingly, a mobile based application software was developed in android platform in order to impart the scientific knowledge of small ruminant farming system in local language to the end users. Perception on the usefulness of developed android based mobile app was captured among 60 randomly selected small ruminant farmers and 60 extension personnel who had android mobile phone that constituted a sample size of 120. The overall perception of the extension personnel (4.1) and farmers (4.0) on the mobile app ranged from most satisfactory to satisfactory.

Exploring the nexus between agriculture and greenhouse gas emissions in BIMSTEC region: The role of renewable energy and human capital as moderators

Agriculture and the food system emit a considerable amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere. Hence, current researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders are calling for improving the environmental performance of agriculture. This study utilizes the countries of The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to investigate the effect of agriculture value-added, pesticide use, renewable energy adoption, human capital, and economic growth on greenhouse gas emissions. The moderation effect of renewable energy use and human capital is also introduced to see whether they can offset agriculture's emissions in these BIMSTEC economies. Having reported a state-of-the-art literature review, the econometric procedure applies the second-generation unit root tests, panel cointegration and panel quantile regression for three preferred model specifications. The result from the Panel quantile regression method reveals a U-shaped relationship between agriculture value-added and greenhouse gas emissions, suggesting the significance of a small farming system. Human capital has a negative effect, whereas pesticide use has a positive effect on greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the moderation effect of human capital and pesticide use suggests that human capital is not significant enough to offset the effect of pesticide use on the greenhouse gas emissions, whereas the interaction of renewable and pesticide use suggests that renewable energy adoption in the agriculture sector can mitigate the effect of pesticide use on GHG emissions. Finally, the conclusions of the study support the achievement of few sustainable development goals.

Immediate impact of COVID-19 pandemic on farming systems in Central America and Mexico

CONTEXTThe COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sectors and human activities around the World. OBJECTIVEIn this article we present a first attempt to understand the immediate impact of COVID-19 and the sanitary measures taken by governments on farming systems in Central America and Mexico (CAM). METHODSThrough a review of information generated in these initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic (webinars, blogs, electronic publications, media) and 44 interviews with key informants across the region, we have identified the main impacts felt by different types of farming systems in the region. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSFrom corporate agricultural production systems, to small and medium scale entrepreneurs and smallholder subsistence farm households, all types of farming systems were impacted, more or less severely, by the different measures implemented by governments such as reduced mobility, closure of public and private venues and restrictions in borders. Larger corporate farming systems with vertical market integration and high level of control or coordination within the supply chain, and smallholder or subsistence farming systems with important focus on production for self-consumption and little external input use, were both relatively less impacted and showed greater adaptive capacity than the medium and small entrepreneurial farming systems dependent on agriculture as their primary income and with less control over the upstream and downstream parts of their supply chain. All types of farming systems implemented a series of mechanisms to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic including the development of alternative value chains, food and agricultural products delivery systems and the exponential use of digital means to communicate and maintain the viability of the different agricultural systems. Collective action and organization of farmers also proved to be an important coping mechanism that allowed some farmers to acquire inputs and deliver outputs in the context of restricted mobility, price volatility, and general uncertainty. Some features of the CAM region played an important role in mediating the impact of COVID-19 and associated sanitary measures. We identify as particularly relevant the nature of agricultural exports, the current structure of the agricultural sector, the diversified livelihood strategies of rural households, and the importance of mobility for rural livelihoods. SIGNIFICANCEThe results presented focus only in the immediate effect of COVID-19 pandemic and the mechanisms implemented by farmers in the first months. Whether these impacts and response mechanisms will result in a transformation of the farming systems towards greater resilience and sustainability is still an open question.

Local and scientific methods of soil fertility assessment in the tropics: a review

ABSTRACT Soil characteristics over time have been fundamentally influenced by farming practice especially where small and medium-scale farming and fallow system are predominant in the tropics. To provide a solution to the problem of soil nutrient degradation calls for scientific soil fertility assessment to complement local system. Determining the best of these methods calls for comparative study between the indigenous and scientific methods of soil assessment. It was also observed that using modern methods of soil assessment alone may not provide a realistic solution to the soil management problem. This study recommends periodic soil assessment and mapping for sustainable food production.

Antifungal activities of methanol extracts of some medicinal plants against germination and growth of Colletotrichum destructivum O’Gara in culture

Abstract. Authors. 2021. Antifungal activities of methanol extracts of some medicinal plants against germination and growth of Colletotrichum destructivum O’Gara in culture. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 19: 25-29. Cowpea is an important grain and leafy vegetable in many tropical locations. Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum destructivum O’Gara is one of the several factors constraining the economic production of the crop in warm humid areas. Use of resistant varieties and synthetic pesticides for control of the disease in the crop are disadvantaged for variability of the pathogen, leading to resistance failure of cultivars in many cowpea growing areas; and pesticide residues in the treated crops which ultimately engender mammalian toxicity respectively. This study evaluated the effects of Alchornea cordifolia, Tabernaemontana pachysiphon and Lantana camara as eco-friendly fungicides against the pathogen in culture. The results showed that the extracts inhibited the fungus in a dose-wise manner. At 75 and100 % concentrations, L. camara strongly inhibited the spore germination and radial growth of the fungus better than all concentrations of T. pachysiphon and A. cordifolia; whereas A. cordifolia extracts exhibited the lowest inhibition at all concentrations. Generally, the fungitoxicity of benomyl was found higher which inhibited 90.15 % spore germination and 96.32 % radial growth of the pathogen. However, at 75%, 100% L. camara and 100% T. pachysiphon which significantly (P?0.05) inhibited (80.02%, 84.21 % and 80.91%) spore germination and (87.33%, 90.87 % and 85. %) radial growth of the fungus respectively compared well with inhibition effects recorded from benomyl. Therefore these plants can be used as viable protectants of cowpea against anthracnose (C. destructivum) in small holder farming systems of the humid tropics; to enhance its production and farm economy.

Enhancement in yield and nutritive qualities of strawberry fruits by the application of organic manures and biofertilizers

The present study was carried out to elucidate the effects of organic manures (FYM, vermicompost and forest litter) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) on plant growth, yield and fruits quality of strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Chandler) under field conditions. Sixteen treatments (including a control) were used in this study. Among these, treatment T13 (50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost + Azotobacter + Pseudomonas) was found most effective to enhance plant growth parameters viz. plant height, plant spread, leaf area per plant, and induced early flowering. Maximum increase in yield per plant and yield per plot were achieved by the application of 50 % FYM + 50 % Vermicompost + Pseudomonas (T12), which was at par of T13. However, fruit quality parameters including ascorbic acid, total sugar, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity were found significantly higher in T13. Higher availability of nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in soil was also recorded in this treatment. Principle component analysis revealed that different treatments (T9 -T13, T15 and T16) showed positive effects on plant growth, yield and fruit quality parameters. Among these, T13 and T15 were found most effective to increase yield and fruit quality parameters. The PCA analysis also revealed that ‘Days to flowering’ was independent and negatively correlated to other planting value parameters. Similarly, total acid content in fruit did affect other fruit quality parameter, including antioxidant capacity. The combination of manures and biofertilizers has shown potential to increase crop yield and its nutritive properties under field conditions. Therefore, we concluded that the combination of biofertilizers with organic manures (especially, FYM and vermicompost) should be used for sustainably higher production of quality strawberries especially under organic farming system. Such approaches have a higher rationale with small farm or hill agriculture system where farmers are generally resource poor and have low input capacity.

Evaluation of Sustainability Determinants of Small Farming Systems via Participatory Modeling and Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Processes: The Case Study of Heliciculture in Greece

Feasibility and sustainability of small-scale farming systems are the most critical factors that determine future investments of urban agro-farming while promoting eco-systematic livelihood development and biodiversity. The determination and the diversification of the ambivalent and heterogeneous factors that affect the investment decision making of small farming systems is studied in this work via the application of participatory modeling methodology of regional stakeholders. Defuzzification of the participants' categorical feedback is succeeded applying Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) to set the pairwise weight matrix of the determinants suggested by the stakeholders. At a second phase, an innovative Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) model is utilized to determine the weighted inter-causalities between all agricultural, environmental, and socio-economic criteria from the F-AHP output. Apart from the concept circumscription, we use the FCM to provide an in-depth scenario analysis including steady state and dynamic evaluation of driver concepts to receiver concepts in the model. The methodology is applied for the case study of heliciculture farming systems in Greece. Results show that sustainability is affected primarily by agricultural and inventory factors and secondarily by social and environmental factors identifying such cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment to be of low carbon footprint.

Resilience of the pastoral component of Moroccan small ruminant systems in mountain areas

Small ruminant farming is the main rural occupation in mountain areas of Morocco. This activity is subject to numerous pressures, including repeated climatic hazards that modify pastoral resource availability and trigger changes in production systems. This study aimed to identify and analyse changes in availability and utilisation of pastoral resources acknowledged by farmers over the past 40 years for the small ruminant farming systems of the Central High Atlas region of Morocco. We hypothesised, on the basis of previous research, that resilience of the pastoral component of such systems increases with elevation. We interviewed 50 farmers in three municipalities of Azilal province, at moderate (800–1400 m), medium (1400–1800 m) and high (1800–3000 m) elevations. In the 1970–1980s, pastoral resources were abundant and mobile flocks grazed collective rangelands. Subsequently, repeated droughts and the increased stock numbers promoted by agricultural policies led to the deterioration of resource abundance and quality, especially palatable plants. At moderate elevations, wooded areas and phytomass declined; erosion occurred at high elevations. Traditional systems diversified by including agricultural activities. At moderate elevations, livestock farming intensified, with the adoption of a productive breed, concentrate distribution and the grazing of fallow land. Currently, flock mobility is limited and rangelands provide less than 60% of sheep requirements. At high elevations, the pastoral component persisted at the cost of a diversification of pastoral areas and greater flock mobility. Rangelands are still collectively managed and provide almost 90% of sheep requirements. Since rangelands remain a major feed source, changes in pastoral resources can be considered as a major driver of change in livestock systems. The sustainability of small ruminant farming systems at these elevations thus depends on the conservation of rangeland.

Effects of Different Management Methods for Sunn-Hemp Cover Crop on Corn Production in a No-Till System in Cambodia

Highlights Soil type, operational speed, machinery weight, and power size affected corn seeding rate and seeding efficiency Corn growth and yield was affected by seeder type, so utilization of appropriate machinery is very important Having cover crop residue on the land can maintain soil moisture for a longer time than tilled land Abstract.Conservation agriculture (CA) is gaining popularity in Cambodia to sustain soil fertility, productivity, and profits. However, the adoption remains slow due to the low engagement so far of local services into CA machinery and technology. Therefore, this paper aimed to compare different no-till seeders and residue retention methods for corn (Zea mays L.) sowing and to determine their effects on growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Rattanak Mondul District, Battambang Province, in the wet season of 2019. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) was grown as a cover crop for 74 days prior to corn. Each main plot was 14 × 34 m and was subdivided lengthwise with 4.0-m buffers for operations of two different seeders, namely one-row Morrison seeder mounted on 14 kW Oggun tractor and four-row Brazilian seeder mounted on 56 kW John Deere tractor. The results show that using Brazilian seeder saved around 50% of seed and 80% of time, when compared with Morrison seeder. Plant population, plant diameter, and kernel characteristics were also significantly greater with Brazilian seeder, when compared to the Morrison seeder. A combination of the Brazilian seeder and Cambodia made crimper plots had larger ear size and weight. Volumetric Moisture Content (VMC) was significantly affected by residue retention with higher VMC for rolled and crimped residue compared to disked/incorporated residue. The study demonstrates that using no-till equipment such as roller crimpers and no-till planters is feasible in Cambodia’s small farming systems although more research is needed to study long-term effects on crop yields and soil health. Keywords: Battambang Province, Conservation agriculture, Green manure, Soil improvements

Nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa fodder in a crop-livestock farming system

Two experiments were conducted to investigate and compare the nutritive attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) in a crop-livestock farming system. In Experiment 1, the feeding attributes of Sesbania parchycapa (SP) fodder was investigated with 15 West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep, by feeding Panicum maximum (PM) alone and P. maximum supplemented with S. parchycapa (SP) in the ratio of 70:30. The study lasted 28 days, during which feed intake was monitored daily. In Experiment 2, the nutritive value of SP was investigated with WAD sheep and goats by feeding them as sole diets. The study lasted 15 days consisting of 10 days adjustment and 5 days of data collection using 5 each of bucks and rams in a completely randomised design. In the first trial, DM intake (99.5g/kgBW0.75) was higher for the control PM and least (72.8g/kgBW0.75) for SP. Total DM intake followed similar trend. In the second trial, DM (185g/kgBW0.75), CP (40%) and NDF (645g/kgBW0.75) intakes were generally higher (p<0.05). for sheep than for goats. DAM (562), CP (421) and NDF 680g/kg digestibility coefficients were also higher (p<0.05)for sheep than for goats. The N balance and retention (g/h/d) was higher in sheep. Results indicated that intake, digestibility and N- utilisation of S. parcyhcapa by sheep is better than goats although both had a positive N-balance. It could be concluded that apart from the well known positive impact of S. Parchycapa in agro forestry and alley farming systems, it can effectively serve as protein supplement in a small holder crop-livestock farming system.

Equipment Development for Small and Urban Conservation Farming Systems

The number of local small farms in the USA is on the rise due to a consumer demand for locally grown produce such as tomatoes. These farms often use small walk-behind tractors, but most field activities are still performed by hand requiring heavy physical labor. Recent efforts from USDA have been encouraging producers to adopt no-till techniques using cover crops for benefits such as reduced runoff and soil erosion, increased infiltration and water holding capacity, increased soil organic carbon, decreased soil compaction and improved weed control. However, lack of specialized no-till equipment inhibits widespread adoption of cover crops. To help small farms reduce hand labor and adoption of conservation systems with cover crops, no-till equipment such as a no-till drill, powered roller/crimper, and no-till transplanter have been developed for walk-behind tractors at the National Soil Dynamics Laboratory in Auburn (AL, USA). A replicated three-year field test (2017–2019) was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of the experimental powered coulter drill to plant cereal rye cover crop (Secale cereale, L.), patented powered roller/crimper to terminate rye, and transplanting cash crop tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedlings with a patented no-till transplanter. These three pieces of equipment were compatible with BCS 853 walk-behind tractor. The experiment was conducted on two different soils: Hiwassee sandy loam soil and Davidson clay to determine the performance of developed machines under different soil types. Results have shown that the powered coulter drill generated effective rye seed emergence (83%) for optimum biomass production. The experimental powered roller/crimper generated 95% rye termination rate three weeks after rolling, and the no-till transplanter performed as anticipated providing less than 10% variation of plant spacing uniformity. Tomato yield varied among years ranging from 15.9 Mg ha−1 to 28.3 Mg ha−1 and was related to different soil and weather conditions at each growing season. Numerically higher tomato yield on Davidson clay might be associated with less insect/pathogen pressure, higher plant available water, and reduced weed pressure due to greater cereal rye biomass production. Results from this experiment indicate that developed experimental equipment can be a practical solution for small no-till farming operations with cover crops.

Do the importations of crop products affect the genetic diversity from landraces? A study case in garlic (Allium sativum L.)

The increase in importations of elite garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Brazil to meet the local demand in many cities may affect the cultivation of garlic landraces in small family farming systems by driving to the reduction of the harvested area and genetic diversity. The landraces are fundamental sources of genetic variability and adapted germplasm that could be potentially be implemented in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the patterns of genetic diversity in landraces cultivated in family farming systems after three decades of competitiveness with imported garlic. Three landraces of garlic currently cultivated on family farms in the Picos municipality and immediate regions (7° 04′ 55.5″ S 41° 28′ 04.2″ W) and a landrace collected in the same region in the 1970s, before the increase of imports of garlic in Brazil, were selected for this study. Additionally, six garlic accessions from the Garlic Germplasm Bank from ESALQ/USP (Sao Paulo—Brazil) were selected to parallel the genetic diversity present in landraces with other varieties collected in Brazil, completing a set of ten accessions. A randomized block design was used to evaluate nine agro-morphological traits and rank the landraces according to the economically important agronomic traits. The potential changes in genetic diversity patterns and population structure in these populations were also evaluated at a molecular level using eight microsatellite markers. The agro-morphological evaluation indicates that there is genetic diversity in the garlic populations, and it is structured between Picos landraces and ESALQ/USP accessions. There is also evidence of genetic structure between the landraces and populations of the ESALQ/USP accessions (K = 3) based on a Bayesian clustering approach. The moderate genetic differentiation (FST = 0.09) accessed by the microsatellite markers may be associated with the existence of these two different gene pools: Picos landraces and ESALQ/USP accessions. The results indicate that the reduction in harvested areas in the past decades did not affect most morphological characteristics in the landraces, but there was a reduction in the quality of the bulbs. The garlic landraces cultivated nowadays in Picos municipality present a higher number of cloves per bulb, an undesirable characteristic that may affect its commercial value. However, we demonstrate that even with such reduction in harvested areas due to the lack of competitiveness of landraces, there was no reduction in the molecular genetic diversity in these landraces accessed by the microsatellite markers. These are promising results since there is genetic diversity to implement these landraces in genetic breeding programs.