Use Of Agricultural Chemicals Research Articles

Does fiscal expenditure matter for agricultural development? Examining the impact of technological progress on food production

AbstractRice is a staple food for vast population of China and it remarkably contributes toward China's food security. Several fiscal programs have been implemented by Chinese central government for sustainable agriculture production. In this study, we examine the long‐run influence of agricultural public investment (API) and (agro)chemical inputs use (i.e., fertilizer and pesticide) on rice yield in main rice‐producing provinces of China. Second‐generation panel unit root tests, Westerlund error correction model cointegration test, Augmented‐Mean Group (AMG) and Common Correlated Effect Mean Group (CCEMG) estimation techniques have been used in this article. The co‐integration test results reveal strong evidence of the existence of the long‐run co‐integrating link between the considered series. The results of the AMG and CCEMG methods show that (i) API, (ii) fertilizer use, and (iii) power consumption for agricultural machinery positively and significantly impact rice productivity, whereas pesticide usage affects it negatively. Panel quantile regression showed that API, fertilizer use, power consumption, and sown area are significant and positive at 0.10–0.90 quantiles. The results also indicate that pesticide usage increases rice production at 0.10–0.30 quantiles but decreases rice production at 0.40–0.90 quantile levels. Based on these findings, we derive pertinent implications for China's food security.

Phytobial remediation advances and application of omics and artificial intelligence: a review.

Industrialization and urbanization increased the use of chemicals in agriculture, vehicular emissions, etc., and spoiled all environmental sectors. It causes various problems among living beings at multiple levels and concentrations. Phytoremediation and microbial association are emerging as a potential method for removing heavy metals and other contaminants from soil. The treatment uses plant physiology and metabolism to remove or clean up various soil contaminants efficiently. In recent years, omics and artificial intelligence have been seen as powerful techniques for phytobial remediation. Recently, AI and modeling are used to analyze large data generated by omics technologies. Machine learning algorithms can be used to develop predictive models that can help guide the selection of the most appropriate plant and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria combination that is most effective at remediation. In this review, emphasis is given to the phytoremediation techniques being explored worldwide in soil contamination.

Ragi Pest Control

The rise of global population has put increasing pressure on the agriculture industry to meet the demand for food. However, the growing use of pesticides and insecticides in conventional farming practices has caused significant harm to the environment and human health. Thus, there is a growing interest in using sustainable agriculture practices that reduce the use of these harmful chemicals. One such practice is pest detection, which enables farmers to detect pests in their crops before they cause significant damage. In this context, this project aims to develop a pest detection system using IoT and Arduino. The system will be designed to detect pests in crops through a combination of sensors and machine learning algorithms. The system will consist of an Arduino microcontroller, soil moisture sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, infrared sensors or camera modules, and a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module. The sensors will collect data on soil moisture levels, temperature, humidity, and pest activity. The data will be sent to a cloud-based server or database for analysis and visualization. The infrared sensor or camera module will detect the presence of pests in the crops. The system will use machine learning algorithms to distinguish between pests and other objects, such as leaves or debris. When pests are detected, the system will alert the farmer through a buzzer or LED connected to the Arduino board. The farmer can then take appropriate action, such as applying pesticide or removing infested plants. The pest detection system has the potential to reduce the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides in agriculture, as farmers will be able to identify pests before they cause significant damage. The system will also provide farmers with real-time information on pest activity, enabling them to take proactive measures to control pests and reduce crop damage. Additionally, the system can track and store the pest detection data over time, allowing farmers to monitor trends and patterns in pest activity. In conclusion, this project proposes the development of a pest detection system using IoT and Arduino that will enable farmers to monitor pest activity in their crops in real-time. The system has the potential to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in agriculture and improve crop yield while ensuring sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.

Vermicompost Rate Effects on Soil Fertility and Morpho-Physio-Biochemical Traits of Lettuce

The use of agricultural chemicals has adversely affected soil health and the environment. Organic farming practices, particularly vermicompost (VC), are gaining attention for their potential to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. This study investigated VC rate applications on lettuce growth, yield, soil fertility, nutrient dynamics, enzyme activity, biological parameters, and biochemical aspects under greenhouse conditions in Samsun, Turkey during 2022–2023. Experimentally, VC was applied at rates of V1: 1%, V2: 2%, and V3: 4% w/w, with a control group without VC application, V0: 0% w/w. Batavia lettuce, which is sensitive to environmental conditions and nutrient deficiency, was subjected to these treatments in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Results showed consistent improvements in plant dry weight across all VC treatments, with the 2% application rate (V2) yielding the highest increase in lettuce yield (56.43%). Soil pH varied across treatments, with V1 being slightly alkaline and V3 showing high electrical conductivity and increased nitrogen content. Phosphorus content increased in all treatments, while potassium varied, with V3 having the highest values. Soil enzyme activities increased with VC concentrations, with V3 showing the highest urease activity. Pearson correlations confirmed positive associations with growth parameters and soil enzymatic activity. These findings highlight vermicompost as a sustainable solution for lettuce production and soil improvement.

Characterization of three novel stem rot pathogens and their antagonistic endophytic bacteria associated with Cistanche deserticola.

Cistanche deserticola is a precious Chinese medicinal material with extremely high health care and medicinal value. In recent years, the frequent occurrence of stem rot has led to reduced or even no harvests of C. deserticola. The unstandardized use of farm chemicals in the prevention and control processes has resulted in excessive chemical residues, threatening the fragile desert ecological environment. Therefore, it is urgent to explore safe and efficient prevention and control technologies. Biocontrol agents, with the advantages of safety and environment-friendliness, would be an important idea. The isolation, screening and identification of pathogens and antagonistic endophytic bacteria are always the primary basis. In this study, three novel pathogens causing C. deserticola stem rot were isolated, identified and pathogenicity tested, namely Fusarium solani CPF1, F. proliferatum CPF2, and F. oxysporum CPF3. For the first time, the endophytic bacteria in C. deserticola were isolated and identified, of which 37 strains were obtained. Through dual culture assay, evaluation experiment and tissue culture verification, a biocontrol candidate strain Bacillus atrophaeus CE6 with outstanding control effect on the stem rot was screened out. In the tissue culture system, CE6 showed excellent control effect against F. solani and F. oxysporum, with the control efficacies reaching 97.2% and 95.8%, respectively, indicating its great potential for application in the production. This study is of great significance for the biocontrol of plant stem rot and improvement of the yield and quality of C. deserticola.

Enhancing Farmer’s Income and Farmer Producer Organizations’ (FPOs) in India

The agriculture sector in India has spent the last few decades primarily focusing on expanding agricultural output and enhancing food security. This approach included the following steps: first is, enhancing production through the use of high-quality seeds, agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, and irrigation. Second is, providing subsidies for farm inputs and paying fair prices for crops. Third is, Public investments in agriculture, and last is institutions that facilitate trade. Mid through the 1960s, the nation experienced a food shortage. In India, the green revolution overcome the path to address the food crisis that had persisted for the previous fifty years. India's population increased by 2.55 times while production of food increased by 3.7 times, which has made India a self-sufficient country in the food industry and able to export the net food to other countries. The strategy had no impact on the rise of farmers' income and had no provisions for their welfare. Several studies demonstrate that an increase in output should increase a farmer's income, but this was not always true. The Government of India (GoI) has announced in the union budget to double the income of farmers by 2022. Various grass root institutions are existing in India such as self-help groups, farmer's groups, farmer's interest groups, cooperatives, common interest groups, and Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). The GOI has suggested FPO as a tool, In order to mobilize the farmers and bring them under one umbrella to achieve the goal and double the farmers' income. Farmer Producer Organizations offer small and marginal farmers institutional support, assure a stable income for their agricultural output, and ultimately improve their standard of living. The main objective of this paper is to examine the structure of farmers' income in the country and how Farmer producer organizations empower the farmer's income to assess the possibility of enhancing the farmers’ income and discuss the FPO's tools for increasing the farmers’ incomes. The study is based on secondary data and the study is primarily exploratory. This paper addresses the issue of farmers' income and FPOs. This paper is based on 70th and 77th round NSSO Situation Assessment Surveys. The data pertains to the years 2012 and 2018-19. The information was gathered from different secondary sources, such as data on policies and other government sources, including NGOs, National and international management journals, and online sources are included. The study concludes that although boosting farmers' real earnings in six years is a challenging challenge, it may not be entirely unachievable if appropriate techniques are used. The study finds that increases over five to six years in nominal terms are already occurring. The instruments should be multifaceted and focus on increasing returns, lowering costs, and creating sustainable incomes while taking into account the dwindling natural resource base. For tracking the development, we should periodically have access to trustworthy income statistics. The income described in this paper is the gross cost of production. It can be concluded that FPOs form a core part of the strategy to sustain the life of small and marginal farmers out of poverty and enhance their income and competitiveness in agricultural markets. The expected result of this effort is to provide a single window for farmers to increase their income from farm produce through direct marketing and to gain collective bargaining power. So, the purpose of this study is to illustrate how smallholder farmers might raise their income through FPOs, which may help the farmers in doubling their income and empower them.

ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ОЦЕНКА ВЛИЯНИЯ ПИЩЕВЫХ ПРЕДПРИЯТИЙ НА КОМПОНЕНТЫ ОКРУЖАЮЩЕЙ СРЕДЫ (НА ПРИМЕРЕ ВИНОДЕЛЬЧЕСКОГО ПРОИЗВОДСТВА)

Agriculture has a negative impact on environmental components. This exposure is mainly due to the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other toxic agricultural chemicals. And wine production is no exception, the process of growing grapes and processing them into wine also contributes to these effects. Using a method called life cycle assessment (LCA), the impact on environmental components of the life cycle of various products can be assessed and compared. In this article, we present some of the main stages of the wine's life cycle. To determine the environmental impact of an agricultural product, it is necessary to conduct a life cycle analysis of an individual product. The life cycle of wine production is divided into the following stages: production, transportation, storage, processing and completion of the product life cycle – consumption. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of the winery on the environment. In the course of the research, methods were used to assess the impact of the life cycle of food products on environmental components: the method of balance schemes and the method of relevant tables (ABC-analysis), which allow taking into account incoming (raw materials, resources, including fuel and energy), outgoing (solid waste, gas emissions, wastewater) and risky environmental aspects. For comparative analysis, methods have been developed to assess the impact of the life cycle of wine products obtained by traditional and biodynamic methods on environmental components. It has been revealed that solid and liquid waste products have the greatest negative impact on the environment. The results obtained are aimed at improving the environmental safety of the enterprise and reducing its harmful effects on the environment. Key words: LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT, BALANCE CHARTS, RELEVANT TABLES, ABC-ANALYSIS

Biotic interactions in soil and dung shape parasite transmission in temperate ruminant systems: An integrative framework.

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites undergo part of their life cycle outside their host, such that developmental stages interact with the soil and dung fauna. These interactions are capable of affecting parasite transmission on pastures yet are generally ignored in current models, empirical studies and practical management. Dominant methods of parasite control, which rely on anthelmintic medications for livestock, are becoming increasingly ineffective due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasite populations. Furthermore, consumer and regulatory pressure on decreased chemical use in agriculture and the consequential disruption of biological processes in the dung through nontarget effects exacerbates issues with anthelmintic reliance. This presents a need for the application and enhancement of nature-based solutions and biocontrol methods. However, successfully harnessing these options relies on advanced understanding of the ecological system and interacting effects among biotic factors and with immature parasite stages. Here, we develop a framework linking three key groups of dung and soil fauna-fungi, earthworms, and dung beetles-with each other and developmental stages of helminths parasitic in farmed cattle, sheep, and goats in temperate grazing systems. We populate this framework from existing published studies and highlight the interplay between faunal groups and documented ecological outcomes. Of 1756 papers addressing abiotic drivers of populations of these organisms and helminth parasites, only 112 considered interactions between taxa and 36 presented data on interactions between more than two taxonomic groups. Results suggest that fungi reduce parasite abundance and earthworms may enhance fungal communities, while competition between dung taxa may reduce their individual effect on parasite transmission. Dung beetles were found to impact fungal populations and parasite transmission variably, possibly tied to the prevailing climate within a specific ecological context. By exploring combinations of biotic factors, we consider how interactions between species may be fundamental to the ecological consequences of biocontrol strategies and nontarget impacts of anthelmintics on dung and soil fauna and how pasture management alterations to promote invertebrates might help limit parasite transmission. With further development and parameterization the framework could be applied quantitatively to guide, prioritize, and interpret hypothesis-driven experiments and integrate biotic factors into established models of parasite transmission dynamics.

Bacillus Species: Excellent Biocontrol Agents against Tomato Diseases.

Tomatoes encounter many pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, which reduce the yield and quality of plants and lead to large losses in production. The application of plant protection products (PPPs) is still an important and most effective measure to control plant diseases. However, the use of chemicals in agriculture contributes to environmental pollution and biodiversity loss, and it can also threaten non-target living organisms. Biological control is a widely accessible, environmentally safe, and cost-efficient alternative for the prevention and suppression of plant diseases. Bacillus species with antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting effects are most frequently used as biocontrol agents to increase the resilience of agricultural production against biotic stresses. The present review discusses the antagonistic mechanisms and the biocontrol potential of Bacillus spp. against tomato diseases caused by different pathogens. The main mechanisms of Bacillus spp. include the production of antimicrobial compounds (antibiotics, extracellular enzymes, siderophores, and volatile compounds), competition for nutrients and space, and induced systemic resistance (ISR). Although Bacillus-based PPPs have been developed and commercialised worldwide for various crops and pathogens, the efficiency issues are still subject to debate. Additionally, a combined strategy for controlling tomato diseases based on Bacillus spp. and other available methods (conventional or natural-based) is a promising research field.

Processing Plant Diseases Using Transformer Model

Agriculture faces challenges in achieving high-yield production while minimizing the use of chemicals. The excessive use of chemicals in agriculture poses many problems. Accurate disease diagnosis is crucial for effective plant disease detection and treatment. Automatic identification of plant diseases using computer vision techniques offers new and efficient approaches compared to traditional methods. Transformers, a type of deep learning model, have shown great promise in computer vision, but as the technology is still new, many vision transformer models struggle to identify diseases by examining the entire leaf. This paper aims to utilize the vision transformer model in analyzing and identifying common diseases that hinder the growth and development of plants through the plant leave images. Besides, it aims to improve the model's stability by focusing more on the entire leaf than individual parts and generalizing better results on leaves not in the image center. Added features such as Shift Patch Tokenization, Locality Self Attention, and Positional Encoding help focus on the whole leaf. The final test accuracy obtained is 89.58%, with relatively slight variances in precision, accuracy, and F1 score across classes, as well as satisfactory model robustness towards changes in leaf orientation and position within the image. The model's effectiveness shows the vision transformer's potential for automated plant disease diagnosis, which can help farmers take timely measures to prevent losses and ensure food security.

Processing Plant Diseases Using Transformer Model

Agriculture faces challenges in achieving high-yield production while minimizing the use of chemicals. The excessive use of chemicals in agriculture poses many problems. Accurate disease diagnosis is crucial for effective plant disease detection and treatment. Automatic identification of plant diseases using computer vision techniques offers new and efficient approaches compared to traditional methods. Transformers, a type of deep learning model, have shown great promise in computer vision, but as the technology is still new, many vision transformer models struggle to identify diseases by examining the entire leaf. This paper aims to utilize the vision transformer model in analyzing and identifying common diseases that hinder the growth and development of plants through the plant leave images. Besides, it aims to improve the model's stability by focusing more on the entire leaf than individual parts and generalizing better results on leaves not in the image center. Added features such as Shift Patch Tokenization, Locality Self Attention, and Positional Encoding help focus on the whole leaf. The final test accuracy obtained is 89.58%, with relatively slight variances in precision, accuracy, and F1 score across classes, as well as satisfactory model robustness towards changes in leaf orientation and position within the image. The model's effectiveness shows the vision transformer's potential for automated plant disease diagnosis, which can help farmers take timely measures to prevent losses and ensure food security.

A Comparative Study Between Organic Agriculture for Vegetables and Fruits Production in Lao PDR and the MRL Approach Used by Other Countries in the Mekong Region

Food safety and the reduction of chemical use in agriculture, in particular, are common issues that reflect consumer concerns in many developing countries. This paper summarizes the history of the development of Organic Agriculture (OA) in Lao PDR, followed by the outline of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Clean Agriculture Development Project (CADP) which supports organic vegetables and fruits production under the clean agriculture policy promoted by the Lao government. Next, the relevant policies of its neighboring countries in the Mekong region (Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia) are also summarized. The policies in these countries focus mainly on reducing chemical residues based on the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) rather than promoting OA, which has recently been included in their national policies in response to social demands for chemical reduction in agriculture. Finally, the paper compares the approach of Lao PDR and other countries in the Mekong region. As a result, the Lao approach can contribute to improving both food safety and income generation of farmers. In contrast, the MRL-based approach has some limitations due to its insufficient operations under the regulatory systems in these countries. This suggests that the Lao approach should be taken into consideration by other developing economies where small-scale farmers are the majority.

Harnessing the Synergy of the Cyanobacteria-Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria for Improved Maize (Zea mays) Growth and Soil Health

Intensive use of chemicals in agriculture harms the soil, disrupts the ecological balance, and impacts microorganisms. Biofertilizers are gaining traction due to their eco-friendly and cost-effective benefits. This study evaluates the potential of the cyanobacterium MACC-612 (Nostoc piscinale) and plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) (Azospirillum lipoferum, Pseudomonas fluorescens) in enhancing crop growth, yield, and soil health. A two-year field study was conducted using a factorial approach and a completely randomized block design, comprising four replications. The three levels of the cynobacterium (0, 0.3, or 1 g/L of N. MACC-612) and different bacteria strains were used in the experiments. The results demonstrated substantial enhancements in seed number per ear, kernel weight, and yield when using N. piscinale and PGPB, whether used individually or in combination. The soil pH, humus, (NO3− + NO2−)-nitrogen, and soil microbial biomass showed significant increases across both years. The combining application of the N. piscinale (0.3 g/L) with A. lipoferum increased grain yield by 33.20% in the first year and 31.53% in the second. The humus and (NO3− + NO2−)-nitrogen content significantly rose in treatments involving N. piscinale at 0.3 g/L combined with A. lipoferum at about 20.25% and 59.2%, respectively, in comparison to the untreated control. Hence, the most effective approach was the combined use of N. piscinale and A. lipoferum, which enhanced maize growth and soil fertility.

The Good Life: Agriculture Transformation and the Pursuance of Goals in Two Rural Villages of Northeastern Thailand

Agricultural transformation of the developing world encompasses a broad set of subjects, usually revolving around the change in the mode of production and related aspects of production. However, the extent to which the transformation shapes subjective wellbeing is largely under explored. This paper examines how the constructed life goals of local people are shaped by the process of agricultural transformation and how they strive to attain wellbeing. We are especially interested in the ways rural dynamics are changing as a result. The empirical data is based on a two-village study using qualitative methods. The good life of rural people is classified into five types of life goals, including good health, decent quality of education and future employment opportunity for youth, good family relationships, having enough for living and eating, and self-sufficiency. Good health encompasses both the strength of the physical body and spiritual. The agricultural transformation has emerged new challenges to health, particularly the chemical use in agriculture that deteriorated the quality of the environment. The decent quality of education and future employment are attributed to education qualification and jobs with monthly salary. The high competition and the lack of social and political networks have lowered the expectation of rural people from getting government jobs. The transformation resulted in sprit types of family due to migration, while rural people remain highly valued good family relationships, in which modern technology such as cell phone play a part in maintaining distance interaction and good relations. Having enough for eating and living reflects the high priority that rural people giving on foods and housing. This is associated with the growing indebtedness that is threatening the loss of lands and property that are used for debt collateral. Finally, the self-sufficiency that was initiated by King Bhumipol is seen and adopted as a promising means to achieve a good life, however, self-sufficiency is variously defined.

Countermeasures against Pulmonary Threat Agents.

Inhaled toxicants are used for diverse purposes, ranging from industrial applications such as agriculture, sanitation, and fumigation to crowd control and chemical warfare, and acute exposure can induce lasting respiratory complications. The intentional release of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) during World War I caused life-long damage for survivors, and CWA use is outlawed by international treaties. However, in the past two decades, chemical warfare use has surged in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, with a shift toward lung toxicants. The potential use of industrial and agricultural chemicals in rogue activities is a major concern as they are often stored and transported near populated areas, where intentional or accidental release can cause severe injuries and fatalities. Despite laws and regulatory agencies that regulate use, storage, transport, emissions, and disposal, inhalational exposures continue to cause lasting lung injury. Industrial irritants (e.g., ammonia) aggravate the upper respiratory tract, causing pneumonitis, bronchoconstriction, and dyspnea. Irritant gases (e.g., acrolein, chloropicrin) affect epithelial barrier integrity and cause tissue damage through reactive intermediates or by direct adduction of cysteine-rich proteins. Symptoms of CWAs (e.g., chlorine gas, phosgene, sulfur mustard) progress from airway obstruction and pulmonary edema to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which results in respiratory depression days later. Emergency treatment is limited to supportive care using bronchodilators to control airway constriction and rescue with mechanical ventilation to improve gas exchange. Complications from acute exposure can promote obstructive lung disease and/or pulmonary fibrosis, which require long-term clinical care. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Inhaled chemical threats are of growing concern in both civilian and military settings, and there is an increased need to reduce acute lung injury and delayed clinical complications from exposures. This minireview highlights our current understanding of acute toxicity and pathophysiology of a select number of chemicals of concern. It discusses potential early-stage therapeutic development as well as challenges in developing countermeasures applicable for administration in mass casualty situations.

Quantification and driving mechanism of cultivated land fragmentation under scale differences

Cultivated land fragmentation (CLF) has received widespread attention, which often leads to increased planting costs, the excessive use of agricultural chemicals, and hinders agricultural mechanization and modernization. This study investigated the severity of CLF in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD), one of China's economic growth poles, where land use conflict is prominent. First, the cultivated land fragmentation index (CLFI) was calculated and visualized on a grid scale of 15 km and an administrative scale of counties. Second, the variance inflation factor was analyzed to verify collinearity of six potential drivers, which were gross domestic product density (GD), population density (PD), road density (RD), Slope, Elevation and Precipitation. Finally, multiple geographically weighted regressions (MGWR) were applied to explore driving mechanisms of CLF on two different scales, and their differences have been fully demonstrated. The results showed that the average value of CLFI on the grid scale was 0.32, which was lower than 0.36 on the county scale. There were also significant differences in the spatial distribution of CLFI on the two scales. Among the driving factors under two scales, PD had the largest variance inflation factor (VIF), with a value of 8.142 (<10). All driving factors had the required VIF values of MGWR and passed the significance test (pvalue<0.05). The bandwidths of PD, Slope and Precipitation on the grid scale are 47, 47, 163, respectively, and bandwidths of Elevation and Precipitation on the county scale are 44 and 43, respectively. GD and RD on both scales had a weak positive effect on CLF. On the grid scale, the maximum value of the regression coefficient of PD was 1.67, and the minimum value was −2.33, which had the most drastic effect. PD had an obvious negative effect on CLF on the county scale, and its regression coefficient distribution was around −0.3. Elevation and Precipitation had the widest range of regression coefficients (2.86 and 2.37, respectively), indicating that they had the most dramatic impact on the county scale. The regression coefficients of RD, Slope and Elevation had little difference in spatial distribution on different scales, while the differences of GD, PD and Precipitation were obvious. These findings can enrich research on CLF, highlighting differences in scale and providing valuable insights into the formulation of cultivated land governance policies at different scales.

Blockchain-enabled smart agriculture: Enhancing data-driven decision making and ensuring food security

Agriculture plays a vital role in global food security, but conventional practices have led to environmental degradation and health risks due to excessive use of agricultural nutrients and chemicals. In this era of increased consumer awareness and preference for organic food, the challenge lies in making informed choices amidst various crop production options. To address this, the present research introduces a groundbreaking study that utilizes blockchain technology to record and trace information on crop production from seeds to end-user consumption, enabling easy consumer choices. This study introduces a model that integrates Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor the impact of selected chemicals and nutrients used in agriculture to enhance production yields. To ensure sustainability, the study employs the low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) protocol, which optimizes energy consumption and network stability, thereby avoiding disruptions. Results indicate that different fertilizers affect soil physical properties such as temperature and moisture. These parameters are monitored using the Agriculture Vercel App, equipped with temperature, moisture, and light sensors in agricultural fields. The app provided threshold readings via alert notifications, revealing significant fluctuations in temperature (12%–43%) and moisture (83%–41%) concentrations upon the application of specific fertilizers like “Agricultural lime” and “Calcium Ammonium Nitrate.” Our IoT-based model is linked with private blockchain technology to prioritize consumer choice and facilitate transparency. This integration enhances food security while mitigating environmental degradation risks. By providing a comprehensive record of crop production practices, our model empowers consumers to make informed decisions aligned with their health and environmental concerns. This research demonstrates the potential of combining IoT and blockchain technologies to revolutionize agriculture, ensure sustainable practices, and promote food security. The findings offer significant implications for policymakers, farmers, and consumers, fostering a more sustainable and health-conscious approach to agriculture worldwide.

Emission Factors for Crop Residue and Prescribed Fires in the Eastern US During FIREX‐AQ

AbstractAgricultural and prescribed burning activities emit large amounts of trace gases and aerosols on regional to global scales. We present a compilation of emission factors (EFs) and emission ratios from the eastern portion of the Fire Influence on Regional to Global Environments and Air Quality (FIREX‐AQ) campaign in 2019 in the United States, which sampled burning of crop residues and other prescribed fire fuels. FIREX‐AQ provided comprehensive chemical characterization of 53 crop residue and 22 prescribed fires. Crop residues burned at different modified combustion efficiencies (MCE), with corn residue burning at higher MCE than other fuel types. Prescribed fires burned at lower MCE (&lt;0.90) which is typical, while grasslands burned at lower MCE (0.90) than normally observed due to moist, green, growing season fuels. Most non‐methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) were significantly anticorrelated with MCE except for ethanol and NMVOCs that were measured with less certainty. We identified 23 species where crop residue fires differed by more than 50% from prescribed fires at the same MCE. Crop residue EFs were greater for species related to agricultural chemical use and fuel composition as well as oxygenated NMVOCs possibly due to the presence of metals such as potassium. Prescribed EFs were greater for monoterpenes (5×). FIREX‐AQ crop residue average EFs generally agreed with the previous agricultural fire study in the US but had large disagreements with global compilations. FIREX‐AQ observations show the importance of regionally‐specific and fuel‐specific EFs as first steps to reduce uncertainty in modeling the air quality impacts of fire emissions.

Optimalisasi Pemberdayaan Sumber Daya Lahan Berbasis Kearifan Lokal dalam Mendukung Ketahanan Pangan yang Berkelanjutan Melalui Taman Edukasi Green House

Environmentally friendly agriculture is an increase in food production followed by environmental sustainability which is the principle of implementing a sustainable environmentally friendly agricultural system. The issue of eco-friendly agriculture involves order in maintaining sustainable agricultural production while maintaining environmental sustainability. The use of pesticides and chemicals in agriculture can have negative impacts on the environment, including water, soil and air pollution. Solutions to this involve using organic farming practices, integrated pest management, and crop diversification to reduce dependence on pesticides. The potential for resilience and local wisdom owned by the Kertosari Village Community is the main capital in developing an educational park area to improve welfare and independence. The purpose of this service is to create a sustainable community empowerment model based on food security and local wisdom in developing agro-tourism.&#x0D;

Number of White Stork Ciconia ciconia Nests in Latvia Between 1934 and 2014

Abstract The article summarises the results obtained during the 7th International White Stork Census 2014 in Latvia as well as analyses of changes since 1934. More than 2000 participants were involved in the census. About 14,000 pairs of white storks (WS) were found nesting in Latvia in 2014, i.e. about 52% more than in 1934, and about 25% more than in 1994 and 2004. The breeding density was one of the highest in the breeding area — on average, 21.7 occupied nests/100 km2 territory and 60.8 nests/100 km2 agricultural lands. The proportion of occupied nests in 2014 was 90.1%, and the proportion of successful ones — 95.7%. The average number of raised chicks decreased from 2.7 in occupied nests and 2.8 in successful nests in 1934 to 2.1 and 2.4 in 2014, correspondingly. The main reasons for this decrease were deterioration of feeding conditions (amount and availability of food, as well as the regionally growing use of agricultural chemicals). Since 1934, considerable changes in WS nest location and human aid in their construction have been observed. Eighty years ago, an absolute majority of nests (about 80%) were built with human aid (artificial nest support) on trees; whereas in 2014, only 3.5% such nests were registered. Most nests (64.8%) in 2014 were built on electric poles without artificial support. According to observations after 2014, the growth of the breeding population of WS in Latvia has come to an end, and even a slight regional decrease has been observed. Nevertheless, at present, there are no reasons to consider the local breeding population of the WS as being endangered and vanishing.