scholarly journals Agroforestry for ruminants: a review of trees and shrubs as fodder in silvopastoral temperate and tropical production systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vandermeulen ◽  
Carlos Alberto Ramírez-Restrepo ◽  
Yves Beckers ◽  
Hugues Claessens ◽  
Jérôme Bindelle
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Airborne Pollutants ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Salix Spp ◽  
Feeding Systems

Among the oldest agroforestry systems, silvopastoralism uses shrubs and trees to feed ruminants. The practice is common in extensive livestock production systems, whereas the intensification of grass-based systems in the past century has led to the removal of woody species from agricultural temperate landscapes. In Europe however, woody species are promoted again on grasslands through environment-friendly policies due to the ecosystem services they provide such as carbon sequestration, control of soil erosion, limitation of airborne pollutants and biodiversity conservation. Positive effects of browse on rumen digestion and parasite control have also been documented across different plant species and regions. Under optimal conditions, feeding ruminants from woody fodder sustains animal production. Nonetheless, limitations can restrict the use of woody forage into animal diets, such as the presence of anti-nutritive and toxic compounds. The incorporation of this resource in ruminant feeding systems raises the question of the management of the interface between the plant and the animal. Various management systems are practiced. Temperate species such as Salix spp. and Populus spp. are fed to sheep and cattle in fodder blocks or by pruning trees in New Zealand, and Fraxinus spp. or Corylus avellana in hedgerows supply forage to livestock in Belgium, whereas Leucaena leucocepahala and Desmanthus spp. browsing is common in Australia. Nowadays, ensiling and pelleting techniques are being developed as a way to store browse forage. As the renewed interest in using shrubs and trees to feed ruminants is recent, especially in temperate regions, additional research about the optimal introduction of this resource within systems is needed.

scholarly journals Assessment of biodiversity and agronomic parameters in two Agroforestry vineyards

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 01013
Author(s):  
Josépha Guenser ◽  
Emilie Bourgade ◽  
Marc Vergnes ◽  
Thierry Dufourcq ◽  
Séverine Mary
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Ndvi Index ◽  
Empoasca Vitis ◽  
The Social ◽  
Water Nutrients ◽  
Agricultural Production Systems

Sustainability of agricultural production systems is nowadays considered as a major challenge to face. Viticulture is particularly affected by environmental issues, especially because of its consumption in pesticides. Besides, the social demand in environment-friendly products is increasing, and the reputation of wines produced under Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) is also built on the specificity of natural characteristics and resources such as soil, which has to be preserved. Biodiversity loss is largely admitted among the scientific community, and landscape simplification is known as a major driver in this process. Agroforestry, which combines trees with crops, could be a seducing response to biodiversity loss in agro-ecosystems, but the possibility of negative interactions between trees and vines (competition for water, nutrients, light) has to be considered. The Vitiforest project aims to assess south west of France agroforestry vineyard plots by spatializing different parameters in the domain of agronomy, ecology, micro-climate and economy. Field measurements were undertaken at different distances from the intercropped lines of trees in two agroforestry vineyard plots, in order to test potential effects of the trees. Arthropods were collected periodically with pitfall traps (for ground-dwelling individuals) and with D-vac system (aspiration of vine leaves). Pest insects (Empoasca vitis) were collected by specific yellow sticky traps. Data collected to describe biodiversity in these agroforestry systems was total arthropods abundances, abundances per order, carabidae richness and abundances. Nitrogen status was assessed by using Greenseeker® device, through the NDVI index. Our observations show that intercropped trees have no direct effects on vine nutrition. Slight effects on pests insects repartition were found, but these effects are inconstant according to experimental site and year of observation. The same trend is observed for arthropods abundances in the plots.

scholarly journals Environmental assessment of the Tung cultivation through life cycle analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Bern�l ◽  
Rosana Schneider ◽  
�nio Machado
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Life Cycle Management ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Family Farms ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ecosystem Changes ◽  
Poor Soil

Over the past few decades, conventional agriculture has been facing serious crises caused by numerous factors, including poor soil management and the excessive application of pesticides. Thus, alternative production systems have been developed, including agroforestry systems, especially those that produce both energy and food. The objective of this study was to environmentally evaluate the culture of Aleurites fordii Hemls. (Tung) using the Life Cycle Assessment method with the SimaPro 7.3.2 software. The results revealed that in family farms that use less mechanization to harvest crops, the primary category of environmental impact was land use, which included the removal of animal and vegetable species and ecosystem changes. The full impact of this category was 1741.21 m2yr PDF (potentially disappeared fraction). Subsequently, prognostics were established for the reduction of such impacts, and we conclude that Tung has a high potential for agricultural installation with high responsibility to the environment. Keywords: Environmental factors, Aleurites fordii Hemls, Life Cycle Management, Tung.

scholarly journals Projections of Local Knowledge-Based Adaptation Strategies of Mexican Coffee Farmers

Climate ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Patricia Ruiz-García ◽  
Cecilia Conde-Álvarez ◽  
Jesús David Gómez-Díaz ◽  
Alejandro Ismael Monterroso-Rivas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Local Knowledge ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Coffee Farmers ◽  
Extreme Hydrological Events ◽  
Adaptation Policies

Local knowledge can be a strategy for coping with extreme events and adapting to climate change. In Mexico, extreme events and climate change projections suggest the urgency of promoting local adaptation policies and strategies. This paper provides an assessment of adaptation actions based on the local knowledge of coffee farmers in southern Mexico. The strategies include collective and individual adaptation actions that farmers have established. To determine their viability and impacts, carbon stocks and fluxes in the system’s aboveground biomass were projected, along with water balance variables. Stored carbon contents are projected to increase by more than 90%, while maintaining agroforestry systems will also help serve to protect against extreme hydrological events. Finally, the integration of local knowledge into national climate change adaptation plans is discussed and suggested with a local focus. We conclude that local knowledge can be successful in conserving agroecological coffee production systems.

Estratégias para promoção do diálogo de saberes entre agricultores familiares e educandos sobre o bioma Pampa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201
Author(s):  
Ketlin Vitoria Espinosa Sandim ◽  
Stefany Areva Severo ◽  
Cláudio Becker ◽  
Adriana Carla Dias Trevisan
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Family Farmers ◽  
Pampa Biome ◽  
Local Species ◽  
Young Students ◽  
Ecological Importance

Este estudo buscou promover a disseminação de informações entre distintos sujeitos sociais sobre a importância ecológica da paisagem nos sistemas produtivos, tendo como tema gerador o conhecimento e reconhecimento de espécies botânicas nativas pelos agricultores familiares e educandos em Sant’Ana do Livramento-RS. Foram realizadas dezesseis entrevistas com os agricultores, que, depois de sistematizadas, delimitaram as estratégias de disseminação dos conteúdos aos jovens educandos. Os resultados demonstram que os agricultores entendem a importância da conservação do Pampa para seus cultivos e criação animal, percebem e utilizam o potencial econômico das espécies em sistemas tradicionais e agroflorestais. Quanto aos jovens educandos, foi possível avaliar a importância de oportunizar novos conteúdos e novas práticas pedagógicas. Além disso, os resultados permitem a reflexão da importância de conectar a pesquisa com a extensão universitária, bem como os saberes de adultos do campo com os saberes de jovens da cidade. Conclui-se que a troca de saberes é uma estratégia de valorização e conservação do bioma Pampa. Palavras-chave: Agroecologia; Biodiversidade; Juventude; Agroflorestas   Strategies for promoting knowledge dialogue between family farmers and students about the Pampa biome Abstract: This study sought to promote the dissemination of information between distinct social subjects about the ecological importance of the local flora in production systems. The generative theme is knowledge and recognition of native botanic species by family farmers and students in Santana do Livramento in the Rio Grande do Sul state (Brazil). Interviews with sixteen farmers were systematized and used to align strategies to disseminate content to young students. The results show that the farmers understand the importance of conservation of the Pampa for their crops and animal husbandry, perceiving the economic potential of various local species in traditional and agroforestry systems. In terms of the young students, it was possible to evaluate the importance of offering new pedagogical content and practices. The results allow a reflection on the importance of connecting research with university extension and linking the knowledge of adult farmers with young urban students. It was concluded that knowledge exchange is an important strategy for valorizing and conserving the Pampa biome. Keywords: Agroecology; Biodiversity; Youth; Agroforests

scholarly journals Levaduras: probióticos y prebióticos que mejoran la producción animal

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilce Castro ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Antagonistic Effect ◽  
Animal Production ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Adhesive Effect ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Growth Of Animals ◽  
Action Inhibition ◽  
Stimulation Of

<p>A fin de reducir el uso indiscriminado de antibióticos en la producción animal, se ha explorado el uso de diversas alternativas entre las que se encuentran probióticos, prebióticos y simbióticos los cuales representan un avance terapéutico potencialmen­te significativo y seguro. Los probióticos son microorganismos vivos que agregarse como suplemento en la dieta, favorecen la digestión y ayudan al mantenimiento del equilibrio de la flora microbiana en el intestino. Los prebióticos son ingredientes no digeribles de la dieta que estimulan el crecimiento o la actividad de uno o más tipos de bacterias benéficas en el colon. Los simbióticos combinan en sus formulaciones principios prebióticos y probióticos que actúan sinérgicamente. Estos productos al ser suministrados directamente a los animales mejoran su metabolismo, salud y produc­ción. Entre los probióticos se cuentan las levaduras que inducen efectos positivos en términos de desempeño productivo en especies monogástricas, pero no pueden colo­nizar el tracto digestivo. En monogástricos los principales efectos de la suplementación con levaduras y sus derivados (mananos) son la estimulación de las disacaridasas de las microvellosidades, el efecto antiadhesivo frente a patógenos, la estimulación de la inmunidad no específica, la inhibición de la acción tóxica y el efecto antagonista frente a microorganismos patógenos. Por otra parte, las enzimas, minerales, vitaminas y otros nutrientes o factores de crecimiento que producen las levaduras inducen respuestas benéficas en la producción animal. Por todo esto los probióticos, prebióticos y sim­bióticos ofrecen la posibilidad de mantener el crecimiento de animales alimentados con dietas sin antibióticos y bajo condiciones de estrés. Esta revisión versa sobre los mecanismos mediante los cuales las levaduras y sus biomoléculas derivadas afectan de manera positiva los componentes celulares, tejidos y sistemas de los animales, lo cual tiene influencia sobre los niveles de producción y la salud del huésped.</p><p> </p><p class="Default"><strong>Yeast: probiotics and prebiotics to improve animal production systems</strong></p><p class="Default">To decrease the indiscriminate use of anti­biotics in animal production, different alternatives like probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics have been explored and represent a potentially significant therapeutic and safe advance. The probiotics are living microor­ganisms that added as a diet supplement, favor the digestion and help to maintain the microbial flora equilibrium in the intestine. The prebiotics are non digestible ingredients of the diet that stimulate the growth or the activity of one or more types of bacteria in colon. The symbiotics combine in their for­mulations prebiotic and probiotic principles, which allows to take advantage from the benefits of this union. These products being formulated directly to the animals improve their metabolism, health and production. Yeast are among the probiotics that induce positive effects in terms of productive perfor­mances in monogastric species, but cannot colonize the digestive tract. In monogastric species the main effects of yeast supplemen­tation and their derivates (mannans) are the stimulation of the brush border disacchari­dases, the anti-adhesive effect against patho­gens colonization, the stimulation of non specific immunity, a toxin action inhibition, and the antagonistic effect against pathogenic microorganisms. Likewise enzymes, mine-rals, vitamins and other nutrients or growth factors that produce yeast trigger beneficial production responses in animal production. Probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics there­fore offers the possibility to maintain growth of animals fed with antibiotic-free diets or in conditions of high stress. This minireview discusses the mechanisms by which yeasts and their biomolecules can affect in a posi­tive manner animals’ cellular, tissular and systemic components and their influence on the level of production and health of the host.</p>

scholarly journals The Use of Homegarden Agroforestry Systems for Climate Change Mitigation in Lowlands of Southern Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Gebru Eyasu Siyum ◽  
Tuemay Tassew
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Climate Change Mitigation ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Woody Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Carbon Stocks ◽  
Change Mitigation

Mitigation of climate change is one of the major environmental challenges facing the globe. In this context, homegarden agroforestry systems (HGAFs) have large potential for climate change mitigation. Therefore, this study was initiated to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stocks of HGAFs in relation to adjacent Natural Forest (NF). It also analyzed the relationship between woody species diversity, evenness and richness with biomass and soil carbon stocks. Three sites were purposely selected on the basis of the presence of HGAFs and NF adjacent to each other. Random sampling was used to select representative homegardens from the study population. In NF, a systematic sampling technique was employed. A total of 60 plots with a size of 10 m x 20 m were used to collect vegetation and soil data in both land uses. Soil samples were collected from each plot of the samples laid for vegetation sampling. Accordingly, 120 composite and 120 undisturbed soil samples from 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm soil depths were collected for soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density analysis respectively. Biomass estimation for each woody species was analyzed by using appropriate allometric equations. The result showed that the total amount of carbon stocks was 148.32±35.76 tons ha-1 and 157.27±51.61 tons ha-1 in HGAFs and adjacent NF respectively which did not vary significantly between the two studied land uses (P > 0.05). The finding also shows a positive but non-significant (P>0.05) relationship between carbon stocks and woody species diversity, richness, and evenness. Specifically, in NF lands, woody species diversity with SOC (r=0.36) and in HGAFs species richness with biomass carbon (r=0.39) was correlated positively and significantly (P=0.05). We concluded that HGAFs have the same potential as the NF for carbon stock accumulation and to counteract the loss of biomass.

scholarly journals Use of waste material in cultivation substrates

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-52
Author(s):  
Petr Salaš
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Waste Material ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Cultivation Technology ◽  
Mutual Relations ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Special Soil

Gardeners' practical experience and experimental work prove the affirmation that the used substrate is a very important base for the production of quality nursery products. It is important to emphasis the complexity and synergy of all factors influencing the ecosystem and there mutual relations. Physical, chemical and biological properties do not separately affect the growth and development of plants. In addition, the relations are not statical but differ in relation with other factors changes. This article is dealing with the possibility to use waste material from timber processing in cultivation substrates. The large scale use of such substrates would enable people to reach a relative independence from peat substrates, of which the global reserve is gradually decreasing.Our research activities focus on the use of bark. The basic problems of a bark substrate are easy dehydration and unbalanced nutrition of trees and shrubs. The suggested and experimented cultivation technology solves these problems. It is based on the cultivation of woody species in bark substrates, using modern irrigation systems, slow release fertilisers (Silvamix Forte) and special soil conditioners (TerraCottem). This technology was tested on the following species of trees and shrubs:MalusandBuxus.

scholarly journals The Current and Future Uses of Biotechnology in Animal Agriculture

Ceiba ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81
Author(s):  
Alison L. Van Eenennaam
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Genetic Improvement ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Genetic Modifications ◽  
Genomic Tools

Biotechnologies have been an integral part of improvements in animal genetics, nutrition and health over the past century. Many biotechnologies have become fundamental components of efficient livestock production systems. The genetic improvements that have been enabled by biotechnologies have dramatically decreased the environmental footprint of animal protein production in many parts of the world, and continued innovation is required to address the projected increase in demand for animal products in the future. Breeding programs increasingly utilize a combination of advanced reproductive technologies and genomic tools to accelerate the rate of genetic gain by manipulating components of the breeder’s equation. The use of these biotechnologies and breeding methods has met with little public opposition. In contrast, the use of modern biotechnologies, defined as those that employ the use of in vitro nucleic acid techniques, have been highly controversial, especially those involving the use of genetic engineering. This modern biotechnology distinction is somewhat arbitrary as there are a number of biotechnologies that involve the use of in vitro processes, and many result in genetic modifications that are indistinguishable from the naturally-occurring variation that is the driver of both traditional breeding programs and evolution. A number of useful traits including disease resistance and animal welfare traits have been successfully introduced into various livestock species using both genetic engineering and gene editing techniques. Ultimately these techniques complement the genetic improvement that can be accomplished using traditional selection techniques and, if judged acceptable, offer an opportunity to synergistically accelerate genetic improvement in food animal species.

Cacao, Shade, and Agroforestry

2021 ◽  
pp. 138-145
Author(s):  
Dale Walters
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Shade Trees ◽  
Forest Trees ◽  
And Function ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

In its natural habitat, cacao grows in the shade of larger trees. In fact, 70 percent of the world’s cacao is grown with some level of shade. This comes mostly from native forest trees, thinned out to provide space for cacao seedlings to be planted, or to a lesser extent, from trees specially planted to provide shade. This mixture of shade trees and shrubs creates a three-tier canopy, resulting in a multi-species system similar in structure and function to a forest, known as an agroforest. Cacao agroforestry systems include full-sun cacao, diversified-shade cacao, and specialized-shade cacao. Achieving an appropriate level of shading for cacao is important, since it affects yield and can influence pest and disease outbreaks. Shade in cacao also helps to maintain biodiversity, so getting shade right in cacao agroforestry is important. This chapter examines the benefits and problems associated with growing cacao with and without shade.

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