scholarly journals Can Short-season Grain Legumes Contribute to More Resilient and Productive Farming Systems in Semi-arid Eastern Kenya?

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 81-82
Author(s):  
A. Sennhenn ◽  
D.M.G. Njarui ◽  
B.L. Maass ◽  
A.M. Whitbread
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Short Season ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Understanding growth and development of three short-season grain legumes for improved adaptation in semi-arid Eastern Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 442 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Sennhenn ◽  
D. M. G. Njarui ◽  
B. L. Maass ◽  
A. M. Whitbread
Keyword(s):  
Resource Use ◽  
Growth Habit ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Resource Use Efficiency ◽  
Growing Period ◽  
Plant Densities ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Short Season ◽  
Semi Arid

Short-season grain legumes play an important role in smallholder farming systems as source of food and to improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. However, it is not clearly understood how these diverse legumes contribute to the resilience of such systems in semi-arid environments. We describe the growth, development and resource-use efficiency (focusing on radiation, RUE) of three promising short-season grain legumes: common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet). Two field experiments were conducted during the short rains of 2012–13 and 2013–14 in Eastern Kenya. In the first experiment, the legumes were grown at three plant densities (low, medium, high); in the second experiment, they were subjected to three water regimes (rainfed, partly irrigated, fully irrigated). Phenological development was monitored and biomass accumulation, leaf area index and fractional radiation interception were measured repeatedly during growth; grain yield was measured at maturity. Harvest index and RUE were calculated from these data. Common bean had the shortest growing period (70 days), the most compact growth habit and relatively high RUE but limited grain yield (1000–1900 kg ha–1), thereby proving more suitable for cultivation in areas with restricted cropping windows or in intercropping systems. Cowpea had a longer growing period (90 days) and a spreading growth habit leading to high light interception and outstanding grain yields under optimal conditions (1400–3050 kg ha–1). Lablab showed stable RUE values (0.76–0.92 g MJ–1), was relatively unaffected by limited water availability and had a comparatively long growing period (100 days). Lablab grain yields of ~1200–2350 kg ha–1 were obtained across all water regimes, indicating a high potential to cushion climatic variability. Planting density strongly influenced the production success of cowpea and lablab, with high plant densities leading to vigorous growth habit with low podset establishment. Such information on temporal and spatial differences in growth, development and resource-use efficiency is highly valuable for crop-modelling applications and for designing more resilient farming systems with short-season grain legumes.

The Promise of Flood-Based Farming Systems in Arid and Semi-arid Areas

2017 ◽  
pp. 77-94
Author(s):  
Matthijs Kool ◽  
Frank van Steenbergen ◽  
Abraham Mehari Haile ◽  
Yasir Mohamed Abbas ◽  
Eyasu Hagos
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Semi Arid

Assessment of Yield Loss in Green Gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) Cultivation and Estimation of Weed-Free Period for Eco-Friendly Weed Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Pubudu Kumara ◽  
Kandiah Pakeerathan ◽  
Liyanage P. P. Deepani
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Vigna Radiata ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Green Gram ◽  
Pests And Diseases

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is one of the most economically important grain legumes of the traditional farming systems of Sri Lanka because it is a cheap source of protein and animal feed, and sustains soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Weeds are one of the major problems in green gram cultivation, reducing the yield through competition, interference with harvest and harboring pests and diseases. Controlling of weeds by applying herbicides would definitely cause unexpected damage to human health and the abundant biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Therefore, an investigation was planned to evaluate the yield loss due to weeds and to determine the optimum weed free period to minimize the yield losses. Two experiments were performed. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different weed functional groups on the yield of green gram. In the second experiment, weeds were continuously hand weeded and areas kept weed free. In the third, weeds were allowed to compete with green gram until 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks after cultivation. All the treatments were conducted in randomized complete block design with three replicates. The data collected on types of weed, number of pods and pod weight at 3–6 weeks after planting (WAP) were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, and DMRT was performed to determine the best treatment combination. The results from the first experiment showed that average yield loss due to total weed populations was 54.77%. Yield loss due to grasses alone was 46.56%, far worse than broad leaves (16.49%) and sedges (18.01%) at p < 0.05. Crop stand count at 3–4 WAP was not significantly different among treatments. However, biomass weight of 50 plants, number of pods in 50 plants and grain weight of 10 plants were found to be significantly different after 3–4 WAP in weed free conditions at p < 0.05%. When the weed free period increased, the yield was increased until 3 WAP; thereafter, not significant yield increment was observed. In contrast, yield steeply declined in plots that had weeds until 3 WAP. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the critical weed free period from the planting of green gram is 3 WAP. Maintaining a weed free period for 3–4 weeks is recommended to minimize the yield loss of green gram at minimal weed management cost.

Integration of agri-aqua systems - the Israeli experience.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sagiv Kolkovski ◽  
Gideon Hulata
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Fish Ponds ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Integrated Farming ◽  
Climatic Constraints ◽  
Integrated Farming Systems ◽  
Israeli Experience ◽  
Semi Arid

Abstract Israel is located in the Middle East between Africa, Asia and Europe. Like many semi-arid countries, it faces a water shortage due to limited rainfall and freshwater sources. However, in spite of climatic constraints and overall shortage of water, both agriculture and aquaculture are highly developed. Different methods and solutions to maximize water use were developed to deal with the impediments of water and weather. Agriculture is largely intensive and dependent on irrigation from reservoirs during the dry summer. These irrigation reservoirs are also used for fish culture, in integrated farming systems. Large-scale recirculation systems are in use in which water from fish ponds, and/or tanks in greenhouses or outdoors, is passed through large sediment ponds and water treatment systems before returning to the culture systems. A combination of irrigation reservoirs and fishponds/tanks is also used. Other combinations of fishponds and agricultural crops are also trialed and in use.

Improving the sustainability of farming systems under semi-arid conditions by enhancing crop management

2019 ◽  
Vol 223 ◽  
pp. 105718
Author(s):  
J. García-López ◽  
R. García-Ruiz ◽  
J. Domínguez ◽  
I.J. Lorite
Keyword(s):  
Crop Management ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Semi Arid
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