Crop Year Research Articles

Environmental stimulus in lettuce genotype in agroecological cultivation system

Vegetable production system has presented and developed strategies to increase the level of sustainability of production, adding information that expands agroecological production, resulting in better use of different components necessary for production. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different coverages in relation to the expression of the genotype in three crops of different agricultural years, enabling the best use of natural resources, bringing effective subsidies for a more sustainable production. The study was conducted in three growing seasons, in 2017, 2018 and 2019 crop years, in a randomized block design with four replications, using three soil covers (corn silage residue, elephant grass straw and soil without vegetation cover) and a lettuce cultivar (Lettuce “Iceberg”). It was possible to observe through the analysis of variance that only the year variable promoted alterations on the analyzed characters, with no effect of the different coverages. The highest production occurred in 2019 for all variables analyzed. Regarding the estimate of Pearson's linear correlation, it was possible to obtain significance at 0.01% of probability for the variables average total weight and productivity, with a significance of 1% of probability for the variables average diameter, average longitudinal diameter and productivity. There was no effect of soil cover for the variables of lettuce production and productivity, possibly related to excess water from precipitation in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In addition, the complementary effect of irrigation in the years of the experiment was, possibly, superior to the demand of the crop by reducing the effect of ground cover on soil water dynamics.

Impact of agro-geotextiles on soil aggregation and organic carbon sequestration under a conservation-tilled maize-based cropping system in the Indian Himalayas

Although agro-geotextile (AGT) emplacement shows potential to mitigate soil loss and, thus, increase carbon sequestration, comprehensive information is scanty on the impact of using agro-geotextiles on soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, aggregate-associated C, and soil loss in the foothills of the Indian Himalayan Region. We evaluated the impacts of Arundo donax AGT in different configurations on SOC sequestration, aggregate stability, and carbon management index (CMI) since 2017 under maize-based cropping systems on a 4% land slope, where eight treatment procedures were adopted. The results revealed that A. donax placement at 0.5-m vertical-interval pea–wheat (M + AD10G0.5-P-W) treatment had ∼23% increase in SOC stock (27.87 Mg·ha−1) compared to the maize–wheat (M-W) system in the 0–30-cm soil layer. M + AD10G0.5-P-W and maize–pea–wheat treatments under bench terracing (M-P-W)BT had similar impacts on SOC stocks in that layer after 5 years of cropping. The total SOC values in bulk soils, macroaggregates, and microaggregates were ∼24, 20, and 31% higher, respectively, in plots under M + AD10G0.5-P-W treatment than M-W in the topsoil (0–5 cm). The inclusion of post-rainy season vegetable pea in the maize–wheat cropping system, along with AGT application and crop residue management, generated additional biomass and enhanced CMI by ∼60% in the plots under M + AD10G0.5-P-W treatment over M-W, although M + AD10G0.5-P-W and (M-P-W)BT had similar effects in the topsoil. In the 5–15-cm layer, there was no significant effect of soil conservation practices on CMI values. Under the M + AD10G0.5-P-W treatment, the annual mean soil loss decreased by ∼92% over M-W treatment. We observed that CMI, proportion of macroaggregates, aggregate-associated C, labile C, total SOC concentration (thus, SOC accumulation rate), and mean annual C input were strongly correlated with the mean annual soil loss from 2017 to 2021. The study revealed that the emplacement of an A. donax mat and incorporation of a legume in a cropping system (M-W), conservation tillage, and crop residue retention not only prevented soil loss but also enhanced C sequestration compared to farmers’ practice (M-W) in the Indian Himalayas. The significance of this study is soil conservation, recycling of residues and weeds, and climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as increasing farmers’ income.

Stem borer herbivory dependent on interactions of sugarcane variety, associated traits, and presence of prior borer damage.

Herbivory risk is mediated by plant traits related to nutrition and defense that can vary within a species by genotype and age. Prior herbivore damage accrued by a plant can also interact with these traits to alter future herbivory potential by changing plant quantity or quality. Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a perennial crop where aboveground biomass is harvested annually and with varieties differing in nutrition and defenses, making it conducive to evaluating varietal resistance mechanisms. Using data from 16 sugarcane varieties and 28 years, we assessed damage from the primary pest in Louisiana, the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis, SCB), relative to variety, crop year (ratoon), plant traits, and incidence of prior herbivory. SCB damage differed among varieties but not crop year, mostly following previously established classifications of SCB resistance, and correlated with select nutritional and defense traits. Within a crop year, the probability of SCB damage increased with prior conspecific damage on the same stalk. However, the strength of this prior damage effect did not match known resistance patterns but still differed with variety. Interactions of plant variety, traits, and prior pest damage but not age impacted sugarcane borer risk. Borer damage was associated with nutritional traits of fiber and sugar content, but not consistently with defensive traits like high stalk wax or hair density, indicating there may be additional resistance traits or indirect impacts of these traits on predators. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Crop mapping through a hybrid machine learning and deep learning method

A major function of satellite imagery is crop identification and separation, which is of key importance in acreage estimation, yield estimation, and agricultural management. This study aimed to examine the capability of the object-based method and machine learning and deep learning algorithms in combining optical and radar images to generate crop-type maps. For this purpose, Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellite images were used for the 2019 crop year in the northwest of Ardabil, Iran. Image segmentation was performed through the multiscale method and various spectral, textural, and radar backscattering characteristics. The main features were identified using Random Forest feature selection and fed to support vector machine, random forest, and convolutional neural network algorithms. The results of these algorithms were combined via the majority voting method. The results showed that the convolutional neural network algorithm performed better than other methods with an overall accuracy of 88.03% and a kappa coefficient of 85.99%. Meanwhile, the support vector machine method showed poor performance compared to the other two methods. According to the findings, combining the results of these algorithms through the majority voting method yielded the best crop identification result with an overall accuracy of 90.34% and a Kappa coefficient of 88.72%.

Effect of Continuous Cropping on the Physicochemical Properties, Microbial Activity, and Community Characteristics of the Rhizosphere Soil of Codonopsis pilosula

Effects of continuous cropping on rhizosphere soil physical and chemical properties, soil microbial activity, and community characteristics of Codonopsis pilosula were investigated. The C. pilosula plot(CK) fallow for five years and C. pilosula fields with different years of continuous cropping were studied using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology combined with soil physical and chemical properties analysis. The response of rhizosphere soil physical and chemical properties, microbial activities, and microbial community characteristics to continuous cropping years of C. pilosula were investigated. The results were as follows:the contents of organic carbon, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and salt in rhizosphere soil of C. pilosula increased with the extension of continuous cropping years. However, soil pH value decreased with the extension of continuous cropping years. Compared with that in the CK treatment, rhizosphere soil organic carbon content of C. pilosula in continuous cropping for one, two, three, and four years increased by 11.1%, 80.5%, 74.9%, and 78.2%, respectively. Total phosphorus content increased by 11.8%, 52.9%, 66.7%, and 78.4%, and total nitrogen content increased by 31.3%, 68.8%, 52.1%, and 56.3%, respectively. Soil salt content increased significantly under continuous cropping of three and four years, and soil conductivity increased by 54.2% and 84.7% compared with that in the CK treatment, respectively. The C/N ratio of microbial biomass in rhizosphere soil exhibited an increasing trend with the extension of continuous cropping years. Soil respiration entropy and microbial entropy showed a decreasing trend. With the increase in continuous cropping years, the diversity and abundance of bacteria in soil decreased, whereas the diversity and abundance of fungi increased. In addition, with the increase in continuous cropping years, the antagonistic effect between bacterial communities was enhanced, whereas the synergistic effect between fungal communities was mainly observed. Correlation analysis showed that soil total phosphorus, available potassium, carbon to nitrogen ratio of microbial biomass, soil respiration entropy, microbial biomass carbon, and electrical conductivity were the main factors affecting the changes in soil bacterial community characteristics. Soil total nitrogen, available potassium, available phosphorus, and soil respiration entropy were the main factors affecting the changes in fungal community characteristics. In conclusion, continuous cropping significantly changed the physical and chemical properties of soil and microbial activity and affected the abundance and diversity of bacteria and fungi in soil. This changed the interaction between microorganisms, which disrupted the stability of microbial communities in the soil.

Water and soil quality respond to no-tillage and cover crops differently through 10 years of implementation

Addressing the global problem of eutrophication will require better management of inorganic nitrogen (N) on the agricultural landscape. This study investigates the impacts of no-tillage (NT), no tillage with winter cereal rye (NTr), and conventional tillage with rye (CTr), and a perennial (P) in comparison to a control system of conventional tillage without a cover crop (CT). All plots are individually drained and, except for P, in a corn/soybean rotation which dominates much of the Midwestern U.S. Drainage quantity and nitrate-N concentration were measured from individually drained plots 2011–2020. Treatments P, CT, and CTr began in 2004 and we report on years 7–11 (phase 1) and years 12–16 (phase 2). Treatments NT and NTr began in 2010 and we report on years 2–6 (phase 1) and 7–11 (phase 2). CTr and P functioned similarly throughout with consistent reductions in NO3-N concentration in leachate and loading. In contrast to initial expectations, when comparing NT to CT, there were consistent reductions in NO3-N concentration in leachate and loading in phase 1, but not in phase 2. Similarly, NTr did not reduce NO3-N concentration compared to NT in phase 1, but it did in phase 2. These results both indicate that there were possible changes to soil properties in the NT and NTr systems that influenced N cycling that could be unique to high carbon artificially drained environments. Soil quality improvements were detected in these mollisols after 15 years of cover crops in the conventional system, and after 10 years of NT and NTr. In this study, CTr was more consistent at improving water quality and maintaining cash crop yields than NTr. Both NTr and CTr had greater cover crop growth when the cover crop seeding method changed from drill-seeding after harvest in phase 1 to broadcast seeding in a standing crop in phase 2 due to a longer growth period. That water and soil quality responses changed over the years emphasizes the need for long-term studies.

Lignocellulosic Composition Not Associated with Stem Borer Resistance in Select Louisiana Sugarcane Cultivars

The two most economically damaging insect pests of sugarcane in Louisiana are the sugarcane borer (SCB) and the newly invasive Mexican rice borer (MRB), both of which can be managed in part with cultivar resistance. High stalk fiber levels is a well-documented aspect of stem borer resistance but is inversely correlated with recoverable sugar levels. However, lignocellulosic components such as hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin are associated with resistance to other borer species in poaceous crops, potentially indicating mechanisms that may provide resistance without substantial trade-offs in yield. The goal of this study was to determine whether lignocellulosic composition varied among four cultivars—HoCP 85-845, HoCP 04-838, Ho 07-613, and HoCP 00-950—selected based on known variation in SCB and MRB resistance and total fiber content. We estimated lignocellulosic composition as well as Brix throughout the growing season and the total stalk fiber and recoverable sugar content at harvest for both plant cane and first ratoon crop years. We found that the Brix content throughout the growing season, as well as total fiber and sugar content at harvest, were significantly associated with the cultivar, aligning with previously documented trends in borer resistance (i.e., higher Brix and lower total fiber indicate a more susceptible cultivar). While lignocellulosic composition during the growing season was not associated with cultivar or resistance to either borer species, it was significantly impacted by sampling month and crop year. These data indicate the potential influence of alternative resistance mechanisms and interactions with abiotic conditions.

Effect of Nutrient Management Practices on Carbon Pools Following 13 Year of Cropping with Soybean (Glycine max) Based Cropping Systems in Vertisol of Central India

Organic manure application has its significant impact on the soil health. Low organic matter in tropical soils is a major factor contributing to their poor productivity. Soil properties have been continuously influenced by the management practices and land uses, in which latter one has been, identified as profound influence on soil properties especially on soil organic carbon. A thirteen year experiment on soybean based cropping system in a vertisol of central india under organic farming was used for this investigation An investigation was carried out on “Soil organic carbon dynamics under long-term nutrient management in soybean based cropping system” at the Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal on an on-going research project on organic farming. The effect of organic, integrated and inorganic nutrient management was assessed in three cropping systems viz. soybean (JS 335)-wheat (Malwa Shakti), soybean-mustard (Pusa Bold) and soybean-gram (JG 130) on aggregate size fractions, carbon content in aggregate as well as soil organic carbon pools dynamics on a split plot experimental design with three replications. The study relevant to dynamics of soil organic carbon pools revealed higher content of soil organic carbon, labile carbon, water soluble carbon, SMBC as well as dehydrogenase activity that varied between 1.04 and 0.86 percent; 440 and 538 mg kg-1, 52.97 and 70.43; 288 and 375 mg kg-1, 88 and 137 µg TPF g-1 soil d-1, respectively in surface 0-15 cm soil under organic nutrient management.

Comparative study of univariate and multivariate selection strategies based on an integrated approach applied to oilseed rape breeding

AbstractChoosing the right method to discover superior genotypes is always one of the major challenges that oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) researchers deal with. This work aimed to compare the univariate and multivariate selection indices utilizing variance‐based, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction based, best linear unbiased prediction based, and genotype × environment/trait based strategies to determine the best‐performing (regarding stability, yield, and agronomic traits) oilseed rape genotypes. Utilized indices were categorized into five general methods, including univariate performance selection index (UPSI: mean performance), univariate stability selection indices (USSIs: environmental variance, Shukla's stability variance, AMMI stability value, modified AMMI stability value, modified AMMI stability index, and weighted average of absolute scores), multivariate performance selection indices (MPSIs: genotype by trait [GT], genotype by yield × trait [GYT], and ideotype‐design index [FAI‐BLUP]), univariate performance and stability selection indices (UPSSIs: coefficient of variability, harmonic mean of genotypic value [HMGV], relative performance of genotypic value [RPGV], WAASBY [WAASB and mean performance {Y}], and genotype + genotype × environment interaction [GGE]), and multivariate performance and stability selection index (MPSSI: MTSI). Data from 18 oilseed rape genotypes and two checks were obtained from trials conducted at eight locations in Iran during two consecutive crop years from 2018 to 2020. The grain yield (GY) and agronomic traits were evaluated. The significant genotype × environment interaction was found for GY and agronomic traits in the combined analysis of variance. In terms of GY, the selection indices GGE, HMGV, and RPGV (6.51), GYT (6.43), GT (5.35), MTSI (4.95), FAI‐BLUP (4.64), and WAASBY (3.97) achieved better‐than‐average genetic gains (GSs). Using an optimized model of USSIs (O‐USSIs), GS increased from −0.15 to 3.26 on average, which shows the efficiency of O‐USSIs in high‐yielding and stable genotypes selection. Based on Spearman's ranking correlation, a positive relationship was found among MPSIs, MPSSI, UPSSIs, and UPSIs, but not for USSIs. Based on an integrated model of selection indices, genotypes G2, G10, G11, G14, and G20 were detected as superior genotypes with high‐yielding, high‐stability, and desirable agronomic traits. It could be concluded that combining different approaches of genotype selection based on an integrated model can provide better answers to oilseed rape breeders.

Study on the Cultivation of ‘Marcela’ and ‘Timijan’ Thyme Varieties in the NFT System

The research was done in the Hortinvest greenhouses, which belong to the Quality Research Center Control of Agri-food Products, Faculty of Horticulture, UASMV - Bucharest. Two varieties of Thyme were studied, ‘Marcela’ and ‘Timijan’. Seedlings for the establishment of culture in the NFT system. Insignificant discrepancies between the two research groups’ results were found at the height of the thyme plants. Years 2020, 2021, between the Marcela, Timijan, and control varieties of thyme, and the control variation regarded as the average of the experiments, respectively. The height of the wild thyme plants (Thymus vulgaris) in 2020 was higher for the Timijan variety (37.5 cm) compared to the Marcela variety (34.55 cm). In 2021, in the case of both varieties, the height of the plants was lower compared to that of 2020, i.e. of 31.83 cm for the Timijan variety and of 30.87 cm for the Marcela variety. The average for the two years of crops (2020-2021) was found to be for the plant height of 34.67 cm for the Timijan variety and of 32.71 cm for the Marcela variety. After 30 days from planting in the NFT system, as an average for two years of testing, the fresh wild thyme plants had average weights between 179.7 g for the Timijan variety and 176.9 g for the Marcela variety. We found that in 2020, the plants had a higher average weight compared to 2021. In 2021, the average weight obtained was of 186.25 g for the Marcela variety and of 183.84 g for the Timijan variety. during two years (2020 and 2021) are valuable due to their biochemical composition in the leaves, as well as in the leaves and inflorescences, and can be advised to be grown in the NFT system.

PSVI-20 Trends in Mycotoxin Contamination of the 2022 United States Corn Crop

Abstract Mycotoxins are harmful secondary fungal metabolites detrimental to animal health, even at reduced quantities. Focus on clinical signs such as decreased feed intake and vomiting overlook impacts of mycotoxicosis, including increased disease incidence and severity, immune modulation, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders. This study was conducted to compare mycotoxin contamination of initial samples of the 2022 corn crop with previous year trends. Samples were analyzed utilizing the liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for six major mycotoxin groups: aflatoxins (Afla), type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The 2022 crop year data were compared with the prior four harvest years using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with harvest year as fixed effect and sample as the experimental unit. A limited number of samples is available thus far (n = 44) as harvest is still progressing, therefore the risk profile of this crop year is likely to change as the sample pool expands. Contamination levels in corn for the tested toxin groups have remained consistent over the survey period. To date, 97% of the samples evaluated contained at least one mycotoxin, compared with 90% that was observed in 2021. The percentage of Afla contaminated samples increased (P < 0.05) in 2022 corn compared with the 2020 and 2021 harvest years (42 vs. 5 and 7%). The percentage of FUM contaminated samples in 2022 corn is greater (P < 0.05) compared with 2020 and 2021 (88 vs. 64 and 64%). The preliminary results of the 2022 US corn crop survey indicate mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels are similar or greater (Afla and FUM) to the prior crop year and will continue to challenge animal health and performance as these ingredients are fed out.

203 Effects of Feeding Varying Levels of Mycotoxin-Containing Corn Fines on Diet Choice and Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs

Abstract Mycotoxins in feed are known to negatively affect growth and other physiological processes in pigs. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding diets with varying levels of mycotoxins and boron (a nutrient reported to mitigate some aspects of mycotoxicosis). Screenings from the 2020 crop year corn contained mycotoxin levels of 23,038 ppb total fumonisin, 1,446 ppb zearalenone, and 5,032 ppb total deoxynivalenol (DON)l. The corn fines were added into a corn-soybean meal diet formulated to meet or exceed NRC (2012) nutrient requirements as a replacement for corn at 0, 10, and 20% for Diets 1-3. Diets 4-6 were Diets 1-3, respectively, plus 40 ppm boron from sodium tetraborate decahydrate (11.34% B). Diets 3 and 6 were formulated to approximate the cautionary levels of fumonisin and DON stated by the FDA. Exp. 1 used crossbred pigs (n = 144; mean initial BW = 10.20 ± 0.23 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to dietary treatments for a total of 6 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day growth performance trial. On day 21, serum was collected from the heaviest and lightest pig in each pen for clinical chemistry assessment. Exp. 2 used crossbred pigs (n = 48; mean initial BW = 9.18 kg ± 0.12 kg) blocked by sex and BW and randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment comparisons including: Comparison 1) Diet 1 vs. Diet 2; Comparison 2) Diet 1 vs. Diet 3; and Comparison 3) Diet 2 vs. Diet 3. There were a total of 4 replicates (4 pigs/pen) for a 21-day preference trial. Performance and clinical chemistry data were analyzed by ANOVA using the GLM procedure of SAS with pen as the experimental unit. Preference data were evaluated via t-test. Increasing mycotoxin levels in Exp. 1 had no effect on overall ADG, ADFI, and GF (Table 1; P = 0.16, 0.53, and 0.92, respectively). The increasing mycotoxin levels did effect glucose and cholesterol (P = 0.03, and P < 0.01, respectively). There was no effect of boron on the same performance measures (P = 0.81, 0.59, and 0.76, respectively) although it did decreaser serum glucose (P = 0.02). Exp. 2 demonstrated the barrows ability to discern between diets in Comparisons 2 and 3 (P < 0.01) for each week while gilts only started to exhibit that ability during Week 3 for Comparison 2 (P = 0.06). In conclusion, pigs can differentiate and choose between diets containing these mixed mycotoxins but when not given a choice, the pigs do not have different growth performance using the particular mycotoxins and within the framework of this assessment.

Performance of Vegetable Based Cropping Sequence under INM in Protected Conditions

The field experiment was conducted in a naturally ventilated arched saw teeth polyhouse department of vegetable science, faculty of horticulture, BCKV, Kolkata, West Bengal. Vegetable crops were produced in appropriate cropping rotations under integrated nutrient management with acceptable cultural methods in the current study. Four different cropping sequences and five various levels of nutrition supplies were used in the experiment. With four replications, the experiment was set up in a Split plot design. Plant height [at first harvesting], number of leaves, number of primary branches, days required for first harvesting, fruit yield per plant and yield per square metre of component crops did not show any significant variation over the two-year cropping cycle, but observed a gradual improvement in consecutive years of cropping. All growth and reproductive characters of component crops in the cropping sequence differed statistically from the first to the second year cropping under the influence of different levels of combined nutrient management, with the highest values for these characters obtained under L1 (100 percent Recommended dose of fertilizer (R.D.) through inorganic source), but results are statistically comparable to L2 (application of 50 percent R.D. of NPK + Vermicompost) and L3 (application of 50 percent R.D of NPK + FYM). However, there was no substantial variation in growth and yield parameters when cropping sequence and nutrient management were combined. It can be concluded Supplementation of organic fertilisers along suitable cropping sequences with short duration vegetable crops would be beneficial for long term soil fertility and crop vigour point of view.

Impact of tillage and crop rotations on soil organic matter content in Northern Kazakhstan's chernozem soils: A 10-year study (2011-2021)

This extensive 10-year study conducted in Northern Kazakhstan investigates the intricate relationship between soil management techniques, crop rotations, and soil organic matter (SOM) content in Chernozem soils, an essential agricultural resource in the region. The experiments were established at the Karabalyk Agricultural Experimental Station, characterized by a arid continental climate. The study systematically examined the impact of two primary soil management techniques, conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT), in combination with various crop rotations. The crop rotations tested included grain-fallow rotations, fruit-exchange crop rotations, and an eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation. The results provide valuable insights into the sustainable management of Chernozem soils in arid conditions, underscoring the role of crop rotation strategies in preserving SOM content. The findings reveal that among the crop rotations tested, the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation exhibited the most favorable outcomes for SOM preservation. This rotation helped maintain relatively stable SOM levels over the 10-year study period, contributing to soil health and fertility. In the context of the region's arid climate, the choice of soil management technique (CT or NT) had a limited impact on SOM content. The stability of SOM levels across diverse crop rotations and years highlights the dominant influence of crop management practices in this distinctive agricultural environment. This research serves as a valuable reference for tailored approaches to ensure soil health and organic matter preservation in the unique conditions of Northern Kazakhstan. It promotes the adoption of diversified crop rotations, with particular emphasis on the effectiveness of the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation, as a powerful strategy to mitigate organic matter loss, enhance soil quality, and optimize soil fertility in arid agricultural landscapes. The insights gained from this study are vital for sustainable land management in the region and underscore the importance of region-specific, holistic investigations to guide effective agricultural practices. The findings offer a solid foundation for the development of strategies that address soil health and safeguard the integrity of essential soil resources in these unique environments. The study conducted at the Karabalyk Agricultural Experimental Station in Northern Kazakhstan between 2011 and 2021 provides critical insights into the relationship between soil management techniques, crop rotations, and SOM content in Chernozem soils. The research suggests that diversified crop rotations, particularly the eight-field fruit-exchange crop rotation, represent a promising approach for mitigating organic matter loss and enhancing soil quality in arid regions.

Vulnerability to seasonal food insecurity as an exposure to risk: the case of the Southern Province of Zambia

BackgroundSeasonality is an important aspect of food security for subsistence households in developing countries. Among the multidimensional aspects of food security, this paper focuses on how unexpected negative harvest shocks would affect the seasonal food consumption of households. This is particularly important because, with the increasing threat of climate change, the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods is expected to increase; this would adversely affect crop yields.MethodsGiven seasonal price changes of staple foods, some households buy them when prices are low and store them for the hunger season (not buy high (NBH) households), while others run out of staple foods before the next harvest and therefore buy them when prices are high (buy high (BH) households). Using three years of weekly household panel data for the Choma and Sinazongwe Districts of the southern province of Zambia, we assess the ability of seasonal consumption smoothing separately for NBH and BH households.ResultsNBH households successfully smooth their consumption over the 12 months of the crop year. In contrast, BH households, especially for households with few assets, reduce total consumption in response to harvest shocks, just after the harvest and during the “hunger season” just before the next harvest. However, in spite of this, the consumption of staple foods is generally insensitive to harvest shocks. Instead, they reduce consumption only of non-staple food items, such as vegetables and meats.ConclusionsSeasonal food insecurity is exacerbated by negative harvest shocks. We emphasize the significance of policies aimed at increasing public awareness of healthier food choices, empowering households to avoid purchasing maize at high prices, and reducing seasonal price disparities.

Effect of cultivar and environment on chemical composition and geographical traceability of Spanish olive oils

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the influence of cultivar and environment on the chemical composition of Arbequina and Empeltre olive oils, and their contribution to geographical identification of olive oils from Aragon. A total of 260 olive oil samples from different cultivars (Arbequina, Empeltre, Royal de Calatayud, Alquezrana, and Royeta de Asque) from the three main oil‐producing areas of Aragon, located in northeast Spain, were selected. Fatty acid and sterol composition were analyzed in the course of three crop years (2017, 2018, and 2019). Cultivar was found the main factor influencing the variability of palmitic, palmitoleic, and linolenic fatty acid content, whereas geographic origin was the main contributor to variation in oleic and linoleic fatty acids in Arbequina and Empeltre olive oils. Cultivar also had a significant impact on sterol composition, although the effect of the production area also showed a significant effect on these oils. Crop year showed limited relevance, except for oleic and linoleic fatty acids. The interaction between the environment (e.g., crop year and geographical factors) and the cultivar (Arbequina and Empeltre) exerted a significant influence on oleic/linoleic (O/L) ratio and Δ7‐stigmastenol content, particularly in the southeast area of Aragon during the crop year with higher temperatures and drier conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) confirmed the discriminative potential of the geographic production zone as a factor enabling the differentiation of olive oils from Aragon based on the major fatty acids and sterols.

Residual effects of composted sewage sludge on nitrogen cycling and plant metabolism in a no-till common bean-palisade grass-soybean rotation.

In the context of increasing population and decreasing soil fertility, food security is one of humanity's greatest challenges. Large amounts of waste, such as sewage sludge, are produced annually, with their final disposal causing environmental pollution and hazards to human health. Sludge has high amounts of nitrogen (N), and, when safely recycled by applying it into the soil as composted sewage sludge (CSS), its residual effect may provide gradual N release to crops. A field study was conducted in the Brazilian Cerrado. The aims were to investigate the residual effect of successive applications of CSS as a source of N in the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. BRS Estilo)-palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha (A.Rich.) R.D. Webster)-soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation under no-tillage. Additionally, N cycling was monitored through changes in N metabolism; the efficiency of biological N2 fixation (BNF) and its implications for plant nutrition, development, and productivity, was also assessed. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design comparing four CSS rates (10, 15, 20, and 25 Mg ha-1, wet basis) to a control treatment (without adding mineral or organic fertilizer) over two crop years. Multiple plant and soil analyses (plant development and crop yield, Falker chlorophyll index (FCI), enzymatic, biochemical, 15N natural abundance, was evaluated, root and shoot N accumulation, etc.) were evaluated. Results showed that CSS: i) maintained adequate N levels for all crops, increasing their productivity; ii) promoted efficient BNF, due to the stability of ureide metabolism in plants and increased protein content; iii) increased the nitrate content and the nitrate reductase activity in soybean; iv) affected urease activity and ammonium content due to changes in the plant's urea metabolism; v) increased N accumulation in the aerial part of palisade grass. Composted sewage sludge can be used as an alternative source to meet crops' N requirements, promoting productivity gains and N cycling through forage and improving N metabolism.

Longer cutting intervals on the characteristics of Guinea grass: morphogenetic, productive, and nutritional traits

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of longer cutting intervals on morphogenetic and structural traits, herbage production, nutritional value, and in vitro digestibility of Guinea grass cv. Mombaça (Mombaça grass). Four cutting intervals (49, 63, 77, and 91 days) were evaluated in two crop years (2015-2016 and 2016-2017) during the rainy season, in two replicates. Cutting intervals influenced structural and morphogenetic traits, except for number of live leaves (4.35 leaves tiller-1) and final leaf length (72.94 cm) in the 2015-2016 crop year. As the cutting intervals increased, dry matter yield and stem percentage increased, whereas leaf percentage and leaf-to-stem ratio declined. Regardless of the evaluated crop year, the dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and lignin contents increased linearly; however, the neutral detergent fiber content was unaffected. Cutting intervals affected the crude protein content and in vitro digestibility. Considering leaf appearance rate, stem appearance rate, and leaf-to-stem ratio, the recommended harvest age for Mombaça grass for optimum yield and nutritional value is 77 days.

Impact of organic fertilization on establishing an agroforestry system in a semi-arid Brazilian region

Improving soil fertility with organic sources is crucial, particularly in degraded regions. Organic fertilizers, when integrated into systems, provide cost-effective solutions. This study aimed to assess the impact of various organic fertilizers on the establishment of an agroforestry system in Planosol in a semi-arid region of Ceará State, Brazil. We used a randomized block design arranged in split plots. Four organic fertilizer sources (sheep manure, cattle manure, carnauba palm straw, and control) were assigned to the main plots. Evaluation years for annual crops (2015, 2017, and 2019) and for trees (2015 through 2017, and 2019) were allocated to subplots, with three replicates. All organic fertilization sources received an annual rate of 10 t ha-1, broadcasted uniformly. Experimental plots, spanning 18 x 7 m, were intercropped with maize and cowpea between rows of trees (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Spondias mombin). We examined soil fertility, tree growth, and crop grain yield. Soil chemistry, notably P and K, showed marked improvement with sheep manure. Organic fertilization did not enhance tree growth in the newly established agroforestry system. However, organic fertilization elevated maize and cowpea grain yields by over 60% and 90%, respectively, compared to the control. In conclusion, the use of sheep manure, cattle manure, and carnauba palm straw can significantly boost maize and cowpea grain yields in an agroforestry system found in the semi-arid region of Ceará, Brazil.

The impact of two bacterial species and five aqueous plant extracts on yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and surof (Echinochloa crus-galli L.)

Chemical exudates from some plants to the environment have been reported as causative agents of adverse effect on growth of neighboring plants and thus affecting normal growth in their natural environment. The mode of action of Chemical exudates on plants is involves a large number of biochemical reactions. This research aimed to investigate the effect of foliar application of different levels of two bacterial species and five aqueous plant extracts on the yield and yield components of Oryza sativa L. and Echinochloa crus-galli L. This research was conducted as a factorial based on randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three factors with three replications during the 2017–2018 crop year. The main factor included aqueous extracts of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica), Nettle (Urtica dioica), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.), and Streptomyces sp-albos containing thaxtomin, Xanthomonas campestris, and control (without aqueous plant extracts and surfactant). The sub-factor includes foliar application treatment with different levels of zero (control), 5, 10, and 15% of extracts, and the third experimental factor included Oryza sativa L. and E. crus-galli L. The results indicated the plant height, leaf area index (LAI), grain yield, biological yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and grain protein content decreased, and the grain starch content increased with increasing the extract concentration; the highest effect was obtained at 15% of extracts. The lowest value of leaf area index (3.13) were found in higher concentration of X. campestris followed by Elderberry extract (5%, 10% and 15%) and Nettle (10%) extracts. It was also found that using extract reduced yield characteristics and components of Oryza sativa L., E. crus-galli L., and Elderberry extract showed the highest negative effect. According to the results, Oryza sativa L. had higher plant height, LAI, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index, chlorophyll, grain protein content, and grain starch content than E. crus-galli L. In all extractions, control treatment had the highest number of panicles plant−1 in both plants (rice and E. crus-galli L., 260.1 and 117.1 mg g−1 FW). The results suggested that various extracts, especially Nettle, and 15% of Elderberry can control E. crus-galli L. at the germination stage under field conditions.