Vegetable Agriculture Research Articles

Socioeconomic determinants of modern climate change adaptation of small-scale vegetable farmers in Bohlabela District, Mpumalanga Province

Climate change significantly impacts small-scale agriculture, with limited adaptation capabilities due to lack of access to advanced science and technology. Traditional methods are ideal, but modern adaptations require significant financial investment, affecting the smallholder under-resourced agricultural sector's economic activities. The study analyzed climate change adaptation drivers among small-scale vegetable farmers, using a representative sample of 244 farmers from four villages through face-to-face interviews and semi-structured questionnaires. Using the Logistic regression model, the results showed resources (extension services), institutional (association membership) and societal influence (farm produce theft, and animal trespassing in the farming plots) to be associated with the use of modern climate change adaptation measures in the study area. The study recommends expanding extension services, strengthening community policing, creating community grazing guidelines, and training farmers on climate change causes, social cohesion, and mitigation strategies to address farm produce theft and animal trespassing. The study contributes new knowledge to the discourse of climate change adaptation by providing empirical evidence pointing out the need to consider critical non-climate factors for farmers when making climate change adaptations interventions in the smallholder farming sector.

Early detection of infestation by mustard aphid, vegetable thrips and two-spotted spider mite in bok choy with deep neural network (DNN) classification model using hyperspectral imaging data

Although exclusion measures (e.g., air filters, biosecurity practices) can be employed to prevent occurrence of pest outbreaks, indoors vegetable farms in Singapore are still susceptible to various arthropod pests. Due to strong interest from the industry to pursue pesticide-free production, indoors pest management is often focused on early detection for timely containment and eradication, implying the importance of robust and vigorous pest monitoring programs. In recent years, application of machine vision technologies, especially hyperspectral imaging (HSI), has been studied for their capacity to early detect pest infestation. However, there is a lack of studies conducted in actual indoor environments and on multiple arthropod pests. Thus, this study aimed to non-destructively collect hyperspectral data of bok choy Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis which were healthy or infested with either mustard aphids Lipaphis erisymi, vegetable thrips Echinothrips americanus or two-spotted spider mites Tetranichus urticae in indoor environment to build deep neural network (DNN) classification model for early detection. Based on HSI data of control and infested plants collected daily over a period of two weeks, we found that point percentage change (PPC) values associated with leaf reflectance in 420–440 nm, 500–520 nm, 620–637 nm, 720–800 nm, and 850 nm were sensitive to infestation by the mentioned arthropod pests. Deep Neural Network (DNN) classification models trained on collected HSI data were found to outperform Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification models. DNN models achieved 92.8 ± 0.4 % overall classification accuracy across all days. As early as two days after infestation, DNN models could achieved classification precision values of 96.4 %, 96.9 %, 93.9 % and 100 % for control plants and plants infested with either aphids, spider mites or thrips respectively. These results highlight the feasibility of multiclass early detection of different arthropod pests and the potential of HSI system coupled with DNN classification as an autonomous plant health monitoring tool in indoor crop production.

What do vegetable farmers expect from climate services to adapt to climate change by 2060? A case study from the Parisian region

Climate services are an important tool providing information for many sectors to adapt to climate change. For agriculture, the impacts of climate change vary between regions and between crops, and farmers' needs for climate information are also determined by local context. The purpose of this paper is to identify the climate information needs of vegetable farmers, and to discuss these needs within the specific context of the Parisian region. Based on participatory workshops in three areas of the Parisian region, and using regional downscaled data from the French climate services, this study addresses the following question: what do vegetable farmers of a peri-urban area expect from climate services to adapt to climate change by 2060? Participatory workshops with agricultural expert allowed us to build a preliminary set of climate variables based on crops' vulnerability to high temperatures, mild temperature in winter, late frost, low relative air humidity, low precipitation, and climate extremes such as drought, heat waves and floods. Based on this set of variables climate projection on monthly, seasonal, and annual scales were provided to farmers for the near (2021–2040) and distant (2041–2060) future, as well as for past period (1990–2020) and discussed during 3 participatory workshops. Based on farmer’s feedbacks, we made a synthesis of climate information required by farmers which was validated and further discussed in a last round of workshops involving farmers and agricultural advisers. Three main findings emerge from this participatory study. Our first finding shows the need for both climate and non-climate information for vegetable farming adaptation. Specific needs include information on wind speed peaks and directions, soil moisture, climate analogous spaces (or sites), and urban planning regulations (constraining the possibility to build greenhouses or tunnels to adapt to climate change). Our second finding is that farmers expect from climate services to visualise a comprehensive climatic situation, that is, a whole conjunction of several inter-related variables, rather than precise and detailed variations of a single one. Seasonal and annual time scales seem to be the most relevant for farmers’ adaptation strategies (except for frost requiring more precise information). Our third finding is that these needs remain context-specific and depend on water access, the market demand (here Parisian), and the peri-urban location.

KETERGANTUNGAN PETANI SAYURAN TERHADAP TENGKULAK SEBAGAI PATRON-KLIEN DALAM KEGIATAN PERTANIAN (STUDI KASUS DESA WAKULI KECAMATAN KAPONTORI KABUPATEN BUTON)

The income of vegetable farmers in Wakuli Village comes from production results and the prices received by farmers. Efficient management and increased production should have an impact on farmer welfare. However, in reality the exchange rate and the existence of farmers are often neglected in the economic system, especially in the distribution system for vegetable crops, so they are unable to provide positive profits. The aim of this research is to analyze the role of middlemen from the perspective of vegetable farmers and to determine the type of dependency of vegetable farmers as patron-clients. The informants in this research consisted of 1 key informant from village officials, the main informant consisted of 7 vegetable farmers and 3 middlemen, as well as 1 supporting informant from the head of the farmer group. The data collection techniques used in this research are observation, interviews and documentation. The instruments in this research were an interview guide, writing tools and recording equipment. Data analysis uses the Miles and Huberman interactive data analysis model. The research results show that middlemen in agricultural activities in Wakuli Village have an active role as capital owners, buyers and marketers. There are several types of middleman roles that are considered to be able to help farmers in dealing with economic and social problems. The role of the middleman covers all aspects (production, marketing, financial and social) needed by farmers in Wakuli Village. In the vegetable production process, farmers depend on capital provided by middlemen and in the marketing process the vegetables are sold to middlemen. Of all the farmers who were informants in this research, on average, they channeled their vegetable harvests to middlemen.

Vegetable and potato growing in Kazakhstan as the main direction of agricultural production

The goal is to assess the development of potato and vegetable growing and their impact on the state of domestic and regional agricultural markets, to formulate proposals for stabilizing and improving the situation in the near future. Methods – comparative analysis, economicstatistical and structural approaches. Results – the authors note that in order to achieve the required level of food security, it is necessary to increase the volume of cultivation of these products in large agricultural enterprises, which will contribute to the growth of commercial production of vegetables and potatoes of proper quality. The state and potential of vegetable and potato farms, their regional characteristics, formation of vegetable market, and state support for vegetable growing industry at the national level are considered. The issues of regulating cultivation and sale of vegetable products are analyzed, the level of its consumption in the constituent entities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and factors determining it are shown. Monitoring of the areas of potatoes grown in open ground, tools and mechanisms for stimulating their expansion, the share of gross potato harvest for all categories of farms in the republic, the dynamics of prices of agricultural producers and consumer prices was carried out. Taking into account the scientific views and opinions of researchers, analysis of the category “sustainable development” is presented. Conclusions – it is necessary to carry out reclamation measures related to the involvement of agricultural land in circulation for vegetable and potato growing, increase in state support for agricultural producers, as well as funds to reimburse part of costs incurred for production of greenhouse vegetables, and technical re-equipment of production facilities. The implementation of investment projects is important, which will make it possible in the medium term to achieve complete food independence for vegetables and potatoes and ensure an acceptable price environment for their producers and consumers.

Safeguarding Sustainability: Exploring Safety Practice Adherence among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Ghana

Safeguarding Sustainability: Exploring Safety Practice Adherence among Urban Vegetable Farmers in Ghana

A soil health assessment tool for vegetable cropping systems in tropical soils based on beta-glucosidase, arylsulfatase, and soil organic carbon

Vegetable production is characterized by a strong dependence on external inputs and intense tillage, which can harm soil health (SH) by reducing organic matter levels, soil biota diversity, and overall ecosystem functions. Tools to assess SH affected by organic and conventional vegetable production systems are crucial and still scarce. This study aimed to develop a practical and reliable SH assessment tool for vegetable production systems in tropical soils by integrating Cornell's Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) with the four-quadrant model (4QM). Furthermore, the study evaluated the relationship between management practices and SH status. Arylsulfatase (ARYL) and β-glucosidase (GLU) activities, and soil organic carbon (SOC) were analyzed in 90 soil samples (0 to 10 cm depth) collected from 53 organic and conventional vegetable farms in the Federal District, Brazil. The adoption of practices aimed at improving or maintaining SH was significantly greater on organic farms than on conventionally managed farms, resulting in a SOC content and ARYL activity 27 % and 86 % higher in organic farms than in conventional systems, respectively (P < 0.05). ARYL proved to be more accurate in separating organic and conventional fields than GLU, highlighting its potential for SH evaluation in vegetable production systems. The integration of CASH and the 4QM, along with ARYL, GLU, and SOC measurements, effectively addressed the complexity of both organic and conventional vegetable production systems. This combined approach facilitated differentiation between systems based on varying levels of adoption of best management practices (BMPs). Further research is needed to assess the performance of this approach across different soil types and regions where vegetables are cultivated.

Association of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes and Soil Physicochemical Properties in Tomatoes in Turfloop, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Turfloop constitutes an area in Mankweng, situated in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, where several villages are home to smallholder farmers who specialize in vegetable farming. Among the most crucial crops cultivated in this region is tomato, a fruit that has gained significant commercial importance due to its high demand and versatility in various culinary applications. To determine the relationship of plant-parasitic nematodes and soil physicochemical properties, soil samples were collected from tomato fields. Overall, our results showed that seven nematode genera were in the tomato fields. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of Meloidogyne and potassium (r = 0.903) and a negative correlation with Na (r = −0.684). In contrast, there was no association between the number of Meloidogyne spp. and the pH and texture of the fields. The number of Criconema in the field was negatively correlated with pH (r = −0.732). Soil texture percentages, including clay (r = 0.744), sand (r = −0.744), and silt (r = 0.706), were only correlated with the number of Criconema. The number of dagger nematodes, Xiphinema, was only correlated negatively with NH4+ (r = −0.589) and positively with boron (B) (r = 0.779). None of the soil variables were correlated with the number of Pratylenchus. The principal component analysis (PCA) placed soil samples of tomatoes together, in which the number of Meloidogyne was not correlated to any soil sample site. In conclusion, plant-parasitic nematodes that were associated with tomatoes are of high economic importance as they can reduce the yield. Criconema was found to be sensitive to the soil’s physicochemical properties. In addition, Helicotylenchus was found in all soil samples. Our results suggest that the plant-parasitic nematodes in tomatoes have high diversity with the potential to reduce crop production.

Toward the elimination of NTDs: application of cost-effective and sensitive molecular environmental surveillance tools—a pilot study

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over a billion people worldwide. The 2021–2030 NTD road map calls for innovative and highly efficient interventions to eliminate or significantly reduce the burden of NTDs. These include sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic techniques for disease surveillance. Environmental surveillance has been employed effectively in this regard to measure and track infectious diseases such as polio on a population-wide scale. In this study, environmental surveillance was used as a cost-effective tool for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in Accra, Ghana, in an area that is populated by urban vegetable farmers. The activities of urban farmers expose them to the risk of STH infection, as well as impact the transmission in urban areas since leafy vegetables could carry infective stages of STHs. A total of 32 wastewater samples were collected from eight points on the Nima Creek (the main source of irrigation for the farmers) over a 7-week period. Real-time PCR and melt peak analysis were used to screen four STHs (i.e., Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Trichuris trichiura). This study revealed that A. lumbricoides (17 out of 32 wastewater samples, 53.3%) was the most prevalent STH, followed by A. duodenale (31.2%), T. trichiura (21.9%), and N. americanus (12.5%). Environmental surveillance helps in the detection of the types of STH pathogens circulating within the community and in the design of mass drug administration (MDA) strategies. This surveillance technique can also provide preliminary information for environmental modifications to help reduce STH transmission in line with the One Health approach recommended in the 2021–2030 NTD road map.

BUSINESS ANALYSIS AND VEGETABLE HYDROPONIC MARKETING

The purpose of this research is 1) To find out how much income hydroponic spinach farming is in Percut Sei Tuan District; 2) To determine the feasibility of hydroponic spinach farming in Percut Sei Tuan District; 3) To find out the marketing efficiency of hydroponic spinach farming in Percut Sei Tuan District. This research was conducted in Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency, in December 2022. With a sample of 23 respondents, 8 owned hydroponic businesses, three collectors, five wholesalers, and seven consumers. The data used are primary data from interviews with questionnaires to find the 1st objective by the R/C ratio business feasibility analysis; the share margin analyzed for the 3rd objective. Based on the research, the results obtained: 1) the average income of hydroponic spinach vegetable farmers is IDR. 13,393,328 per planting period with an average land area of 294.50; 2) Farming is feasible with R/C Ratio &gt;1, which is 3.08, Volume BEP Value = 347,98 kg, BEP price value = IDR 8,237, Payback Period (PP) value = 0,33; 3) the three marketing channels are considered efficient, where the efficiency value is &lt; 50%. Channel I is worth 1,47%, Channel II is 1,51%, and Channel III is 1,1%.

Optimising performances of LoRa based IoT enabled wireless sensor network for smart agriculture

The significance of maintaining food security is particularly emphasized in regions such as Malaysia, where there is a substantial reliance on imports of fruits and vegetables. The local farming industry requires advancements in technology to address the complexities of food production. This motivates the exploration of implementing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to reduce reliance on manpower and enhance farming efficiency. However, the current integrated IoT solutions for smart farms can be expensive and complicated, rendering them redundant for small-area farms that do not require advanced technologies or machine learning. This study aims to optimize IoT LoRa parameter settings, focusing on providing affordable solutions tailored for fruit and vegetable farms. The main goal is to address the common issue faced by farmers—investing in expensive IoT-enabled wireless sensors without realizing a return on investment. To overcome this challenge, a simple and cost-effective IoT solution is proposed, utilising sensors and readily available applications to achieve efficient farming practises. The main objective is to develop an integrated IoT solution tailored for fruit and vegetable farms, facilitating improved productivity and growth. The solution incorporates sensors to monitor and control various aspects of crop cultivation, collecting essential data. The research development here also aims to inspire low-cost IoT solutions suitable for small-scale food plantation farms by using the long-range physical communication technique (LoRa) protocol. Leveraging IoT technologies in a simplified manner allows local farming industries to boost productivity, lower operational costs, and effectively address food security concerns. In addition to the IoT technology development for smart farms, the research here also investigates the various factors affecting the performance of LoRa-enabled IoT solutions for smart farms, including LoRa frequency, distance, environment, and the performance of the IoT system under different weather conditions, showed a significant effect on system performance (p ≤ 0.05). This comprehensive approach aims to contribute valuable insights for the development and implementation of cost-effective IoT solutions tailored for small-scale agricultural practices. In conclusion, this project demonstrates the efficiency of LoRa-based IoT in agriculture and highlights areas for improvement. Future directions involve improving scalability, streamlining the user interface, and adding sophisticated features to support the development of productive, networked, and environmentally friendly farming methods.

Analysis of heavy metals and pathogen levels in vegetables cultivated using selected water bodies in urban areas of the Greater Accra Metropolis of Ghana

Open-surfaced water sources have been used to irrigate vegetable farms in cities. Open-surface water often contains unmonitored concentrations of health-threatening contaminants that pose health risks, especially when used to produce vegetables for human consumption. However, information on levels of heavy metals and faecal coliform bacteria in such vegetables in selected sites, especially in Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) of Ghana is rare. This study examines the levels of heavy metals and faecal coliform in two vegetables-lettuce and bell pepper - that were cultivated using open-surface wastewater from drains and constructed reservoirs at different locations of the GAMA. Using concurrent mixed methods, questionnaires were administered to 67 vegetable farmers, followed by the collection of vegetable samples from three urban farm sites, Haatso and Dzorwulu and Weija irrigation scheme site (WISS) for laboratory analysis. The concentrations of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg) and Cadmium (Cd) were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy after microwave digestion of the vegetables while total faecal coliform was quantified using MacConkey-Endo broth method. The results from all three sites showed that the concentrations of Cd (=0.001 μg/mg) and Pb (=0.005 μg/mg) in lettuce were within the World Health Organization's (WHO) permissible levels. However, the Hg (≥0.309 μg/mg) and faecal coliform (>5 count/100 ml) in the vegetables from all three sites exceeded the WHO permissible limits. Therefore, consumers of vegetables from such urban farms are exposed to health risks associated with Hg and faecal coliforms. There is the need to intensify education on the health risks of consuming vegetables produced from open-surface water sources from the observed sites. The enforcement of existing phytosanitary standards to enhance food safety and the quality of urban vegetables is also recommended.

Financial Risk Analysis - Case study Guri I Zi in the Municipality of Shkodër in Albania

Vegetable farmers operating in Guri I Zi, located in the Shkodra district, meet 42% of the vegetable market demand in the region. To identify the most important financing risks faced by these farmers when searching for financial resources, a study was conducted to analyze the financing risks related to their activity. The study used descriptive analysis and multiple regression analysis techniques to determine the main factors influencing the financing risks of these farmers. The study found that farmers perceived low profits, excessive debt, and high-interest rates as critical financing risks. However, the multifactorial analysis revealed that low earnings were statistically insignificant, while excessive debt and high interest rates were statistically significant. Regression analysis showed a strong correlation between financial risk, excessive debt, and high interest rates at 86%. The main objective of the study was to make farmers aware of the importance of financial risks.

Enrichment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risks of Trace Metals in Soils and Leafy Vegetables Grown on the Banks of the Ugandan Lifeline River, River Rwizi

Urban vegetable farming in wetlands and riverbanks are common features of Ugandan cities. However, urbanization has led to various anthropogenic activities that can lead to the pollution of water resources, enrichment of pollutants in soils and, consequently, pollutant bioaccumulation in edible tissues of plants cultivated on such soils. In this study, we report on the levels of six trace metals (TMTs) in 75 samples of leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea L., Spinacia oleracea L., Amaranthus hybridus L., Cucurbita pepo L. and Solanum nigrum L.) and soils (n = 75) grown on the banks of River Rwizi, the second longest river in Uganda only after the Nile River. The concentrations of TMTs (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu) in edible vegetable tissues and soils were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations (in mg kg−1) of the TMTs in the soil samples were 205–373.84 (Mn), 12.72–65.04 (Zn), 0.26–0.42 (Cd), 3.36–16.80 (Pb), 5.96–25.06 (Cr) and 2.83–35.27 (Cu). In vegetable samples, the concentrations ranged from 43.25 to 110.00 (Mn), 1.08 to 1.83 (Cd), 41.06 to 71.20 (Zn), 4.31 to 6.16 (Pb), 0.65 to 0.81 (Cr) and 5.70 to 14.35 (Cu). With the exception of Mn and Cr, the rest of the TMTs were bioaccumulated in the edible vegetable tissues (bioconcentration factors = 1.03 to 10.71). Considering chronic daily intake through ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation of the TMTs in soils from the banks of River Rwizi, there are no potential non-cancer and carcinogenic health effects that could be experienced in both adults and children. Consumption of leafy vegetables could pose both non-cancer health risks (from ingestion of Zn, Pb, Cr, Mn and Cd) and cancer health risks (due to intake of Cd) in both children and adults. There is therefore a need to enforce regulations to mitigate the pollution of River Rwizi for a more sustainable economic development.

Using microbial biocontrol for disease control in French vegetable production: An analysis of the perspectives of farmers and farm advisors

Microbial biocontrol products are increasingly available as alternative solutions to chemical control for the management of vegetable diseases. However, their use is still limited. A study was carried out to analyse this situation and identify the needs and limits encountered by users of biocontrol agents, with the goal of suggesting potential ways of improvement. A survey of French vegetable farmers and farm advisors was therefore conducted. First, online questionnaires were disseminated to more than 500 professionals, with queries on their use of biocontrol products, targeted diseases, and perceived efficacy. In a second step, face-to-face interviews were performed with 42 of the 217 respondents, to obtain in-depth technical information about successes and difficulties encountered by users in the implementation of biocontrol. The answers to the online questionnaires highlighted that only few biocontrol products were known and used, and their efficacy was perceived as low by users. This diagnosis was confirmed by the face-to-face interviews. While users showed awareness of the benefits of applying biocontrol products to manage plant diseases, they also reported that unstable efficacy, together with difficulties in using biocontrol along with other cultural practices, resulted in questionable interest. More than 85 % of the users expressed the need for additional technical benchmarks on the efficacy of marketed biocontrol products and for practical guidelines helping to choose the most adequate products for specific situations and to obtain information about the most efficient way to use biocontrol solution. Propositions are made to address the needs of users and to foster a wider use of microbial biocontrol agents in vegetable crops.

Status quo of fertilization strategies and nutrient farm gate budgets on stockless organic vegetable farms in Germany

Fertilizer management in stockless organic vegetable production is strongly affected by external nutrient purchases due to the high nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) requirements of vegetables. However, the database on nutrient flows and budgets in organic vegetable farming in Europe is very limited. Therefore, a survey based on semi-structured interviews was carried out comprising 12 organic horticultural farms in Germany. The results show that three different main fertilizer categories are used as inputs in different ratios by the inventoried farms: (1) base fertilizers (e.g., composts, solid farmyard manures), (2) commercial organic N fertilizers (e.g., keratins or plant products from food production or fermentation processes), and (3) commercial mineral fertilizers (e.g., potassium sulfate), all of which are approved for organic production. Ninety percent of the total nutrient inputs to the farms came from these fertilizers and biological N2 fixation, with the remaining 10% coming from other inputs, such as seeds or growing media. The estimated yearly average total farm budgets were nearly balanced across all farms with moderate surpluses (67.5 kg N ha−1, 2.06 kg P ha−1, and 0.26 kg K ha−1). However, large imbalances were found for most of the individual farms. These imbalances indicate the risk of nutrient accumulation or nutrient depletion in the soil, depending on the fertilization strategy and productivity of the farm. More specifically, increasing N share from base fertilizers led to increased P and K budgets, while strategies based on the use of large amounts of keratins led to the opposite—K and P depletion. We concluded that balanced nutrient management in organic vegetable production systems requires a thorough calculation and should combine the use of base fertilizers, commercial fertilizers with low P content, and increased N supply via BNF.

Escherichia coli isolates from vegetable farms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Antimicrobial susceptibility profile and associated resistance genetic markers.

The use of animal manure to fertilize soil is an emerging concern contributing to the transfer of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens to vegetables. Hence, assessing antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Escherichia coli in vegetable farms is essential to design appropriate interventions against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food chain. This study assessed antimicrobial resistance profile and associated genetic markers among E. coli isolated from vegetable farms fertilized with animal manure in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 1044 samples were collected using convenience sampling: soil (n = 271), manure (n = 375), and vegetables (n = 398) from 81 vegetable farms in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted for 100 E. coli isolates and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 1044 collected samples, 25.3% were positive for E. coli, with significantly higher prevalence in the manure sample and samples collected from Akaki Kality sub-city (p < .05). The highest resistance rate was recorded for tetracycline (72%), followed by streptomycin (63%), and sulfamethoxazole +trimethoprim (56%). Multidrug resistance was detected in 61% of the E. coli isolates. The aac(3)-IV (76.9%), bla TEM (65.4%), aadA (60.3%), tet(A) (58.3%), and sulI (51.7%) were the commonly detected resistance genes. The current study showed a high burden of antimicrobial resistance among E. coli isolated from manure-amended vegetable farms, with potential of playing a significant role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in the food chain. Efforts should be made to reduce the burden of resistant organisms and ARGs through prudent use of antimicrobials in livestock and application of appropriate composting techniques before using manure as fertilizer.

Dynamic Changes in Vegetation Ecological Quality in the Tarim Basin and Its Response to Extreme Climate during 2000–2022

The Tarim Basin is located in an arid inland area; the ecological environment is fragile, and it is extremely sensitive to climate change. For the purpose of studying dynamic changes in the vegetation response of vegetation in the Tarim Basin to extreme climate, this study used the Vegetation Ecological Quality Index (EQI) as a vegetation indicator and calculated 12 extreme climate indices using Rclimdex. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between EQI values and various extreme climate indices at both inter-annual and intra-annual scales. Additionally, geographic detector analysis was employed to examine the single and interactive effects of extreme climate on the EQI for different vegetation types. The following was found: (1) During 2000–2022, the EQI showed an upward trend in the Tarim Basin, and the increase in agricultural vegetation was the fastest. (2) Since 2000, the extreme warm temperature indices have risen, whereas the extreme cold temperature indices have declined. The warming rate of nighttime temperatures exceeds that of daytime, and the extreme precipitation rises intensively. Simultaneously, continuous dry days have also increased. (3) On an inter-annual scale, the EQI is primarily negatively correlated with the most extreme warm temperature indices, while it is positively correlated with extreme cold temperatures and extreme precipitation indices. On an intra-annual scale, there is an obvious regional concentration in the correlation between the EQI and extreme climate indices. The diurnal temperature range (DTR) and cold daytimes (TX10P) have inhibitory and promoting effects on areas with high and low EQI, respectively. The extremum indices, temperature warm indices, and precipitation intensity indices have a promoting effect on areas with a high EQI and an inhibiting effect on areas with a low EQI. The interaction between extreme climate indices has a greater impact on the EQI than the effect of a single extreme climate index, especially with a significant impact on forests and shrubs. This study provides a reference for the early warning of meteorological disasters, ecosystem protection, and sustainable management in the Tarim Basin.

How Does Specialization in Agricultural Production Affect Soil Health?

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the specialization of agricultural production on selected parameters of soil health, i.e., soil organic carbon content (SOC), soil acidification, soil nutrient status, i.e., total nitrogen content (NT), available forms of phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, and microelements content, as well as the content of selected potentially toxic metals (PTMs). For the study, 18 farms located in the Masovian Voivodeship in Central Poland were selected. They were grouped into six types, and each type was represented by three farms. The study included organic farms; farms specializing in: crop, vegetable, poultry, dairy cattle, and pigs production. A total of 144 soil samples were analyzed. The results showed that the specialization of agricultural production and fertilizer management had a significant impact on most of the tested soil health parameters, except SOC and NT content. Despite the high organic fertilizer doses introduced into soils in poultry (170 kg N per hectare as poultry manure) and pig farms (150 kg N per hectare as pig manure), there was no significant influence of these amendments on SOC content. This may indicate low organic carbon sequestration potential in some Polish agricultural soils. Organic farms had the lowest levels of plant nutrients in the tested soil samples, which may limit soil productivity. All the tested soils were strongly acidified, which could restrict both production and regulatory soil functions. Based on the synthetic index of soil fertility (SSFI), vegetable and poultry farms were characterized by very high fertility, while crop, dairy cattle, and pig farms fell into the medium fertility class. Organic farms were in the lowest fertility class. However, the study suggests that the SSFI may not be the best indicator for assessing soil fertility and health; therefore, further research is needed.

Assessment of concentrations of heavy metals in three leafy vegetables irrigated with wastewater in Hadnet district, Mekelle, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Mekelle is one of the Ethiopian cities suitable for urban and peri-urban agriculture for cultivating leafy vegetables using wastewater. The consumption of unprocessed and processed leafy vegetables is also very high in the city. Wastewater samples collected from four experimental sites (ESs) in Hadnet district of the city had higher concentrations in 4 (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, and Mn) of the 10 heavy metals tested than the permissible limit established by pertinent standards. Spring water samples collected from another site called Kallamino, designated as a comparison site, also had higher concentrations in 4 (i.e., Al, As, Cd, and Cu) of the 10 heavy metals tested. However, the leafy vegetables grown in the least contaminated ES had higher concentrations in 6-7 of the 10 heavy metals tested. The lettuce and spinach samples had elevated concentrations of As and Al, respectively. The wastewater used to irrigate vegetable farms in Hadnet district is not safe enough. More importantly, the soils of the farms might have accumulated far more heavy metals. The cultivated lettuce, spinach, and cauliflower are highly contaminated. Thus, the use of wastewater for irrigating urban and peri-urban farms needs to be regulated.