Emerging microbiome technologies for sustainable increase in farm productivity and environmental security

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brajesh K Singh ◽  
Pankaj Trivedi ◽  
Saurabh Singh ◽  
Catriona A Macdonald ◽  
Jay Prakash Verma
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Global Biogeochemical Cycles ◽  
Global Population

Farming systems are under pressure to sustainably increase productivity to meet demand for food and fibre for a growing global population under shrinking arable lands and changing climatic conditions. Furthermore, conventional farming has led to declines in soil fertility and, in some cases, inappropriate and excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has caused soil degradation, negatively impacting human and environmental health. The soil and plant microbiomes are significant determinants of plant fitness and productivity. Microbes are also the main drivers of global biogeochemical cycles and thus key to sustainable agriculture. There is increasing evidence that with development of appropriate technologies, the plant microbiome can be harnessed to potentially decrease the frequency of plant diseases, increase resource use efficiencies and ultimately enhance agricultural productivity, while simultaneously decreasing the input of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmental sustainability. However, to successfully translate potential to practical outcomes, both fundamental and applied research are needed to overcome current constraints. Research efforts need to be embedded in industrial requirements and policy and social frameworks to expedite the process of innovation, commercialisation and adoption. We propose that learning from the advancement in the human microbiome can significantly expedite the discovery and innovation of effective microbial products for sustainable and productive farming. This article summarises the emergence of microbiome technologies for the agriculture industry and how to facilitate the development and adoption of environmentally friendly microbiome technologies for sustainable increase in farm productivity.

Limitations to pasture and sheep enterprises and options for improvement in the Victorian Mallee

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 841 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Robertson ◽  
R. K. Wimalasuriya
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Farm Profit ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
On Farm

A survey of 29 sheep producers was conducted to benchmark current sheep production practices and producer attitudes to sheep and pasture management in the Victorian Mallee. This report describes the farming systems, defines current sheep management practices and identifies management issues that are limiting production. It also highlights limitations of adoption, suggests potential adoption rates of specific practices by producers, and estimates increases in productivity achievable. Sheep producers could achieve small gains in farm productivity (an estimated average 0.3% annually) by adopting sheep management practices including using superior genetics, reducing ram numbers and introducing supplementary feeding. Possible reasons why recommended practices have not been adopted are discussed. The difficulty of integrating sheep into current short cropping systems was considered to be a key limitation to the adoption of management that could substantially increase productivity, such as higher stocking rates and winter–spring lambing. Important benefits to both productivity and environmental sustainability may be achieved through the replacement of fallowed land with improved pastures. However, a lack of data on the feed base and sheep production in relation to a changing feed base made it impossible to estimate the size of these benefits. It was concluded that further research is needed to collect data and benchmark pasture and livestock enterprises to allow quantification of the potential impact on farm profit of changes to pasture and sheep management in this region.

scholarly journals Potential for Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) in South Bihar, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3502
Author(s):  
Somnath Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Aviram Sharma ◽  
Satiprasad Sahoo ◽  
Kishore Dhavala ◽  
Prabhakar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Hard Rock ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Aquifer Storage And Recovery ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
Aquifer Storage ◽  
Cropping Season ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Surface Technique

Among the several options of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) techniques, the aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a well-known sub-surface technique to replenish depleted aquifers, which is contingent upon the selection of appropriate sites. This paper explores the potential of ASR for groundwater recharge in the hydrological, hydrogeological, social, and economic context of South Bihar in India. Based on the water samples from more than 137 wells and socio-economic surveys, ASR installations were piloted through seven selected entrepreneurial farmers in two villages of South Bihar. The feasibility of ASR in both hard rock and deep alluvial aquifers was demonstrated for the prominent aquifer types in the marginal alluvial plains of South Bihar and elsewhere. It was postulated through this pilot study that a successful spread of ASR in South Bihar can augment usable water resources for agriculture during the winter cropping season. More importantly, ASR can adapt to local circumstances and challenges under changing climatic conditions. The flexible and participatory approach in this pilot study also allowed the farmers to creatively engage with the design and governance aspects of the recharge pit. The entrepreneurial farmers-led model builds local accountability, creates avenues for private investments, and opens up the space for continued innovation in technology and management, while also committing to resource distributive justice and environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Water Scarcity and Sustainability in an Emerging Economy: A Management Perspective for Future

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 144
Author(s):  
Dianxi Zhang ◽  
Muhammad Safdar Sial ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
António José Filipe ◽  
Phung Anh Thu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Crisis ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Emergency Measures

Water scarcity is rising as a global issue, because the planet earth is facing a global water crisis, which is considered something that can destroy environmental sustainability of our planet. The fact is that humanity’s demand is depleting natural resources faster than nature can replenish itself; if human habits and unsustainable use of water resources do not change, water scarcity will inevitably intensify and become a major cause of conflict among different nations of the world. The water scarcity issue is a crucial issue but unfortunately it has not received due attention in past. Pakistan, which once was a water abundant country, now facing a situation of water scarcity. Pakistan has a poor irrigation system which results 60% loss of its water; Pakistan uses more water for crop production than other countries. Likewise, the country harvests water from rainfall, rivers, snow, and glaciers. The country is facing a serious water crisis that is caused by different factors, such as changing climatic conditions, rising population, poor irrigation system, poor political will, and rapid urbanization. The water crisis of Pakistan is expected to worsen in coming years. This is a drastic situation which calls for emergency measures. With this background, the present study provides a detailed view of the water situation in the country with challenges to water management. The study also suggests some recommendations for policymakers to improve the water crisis situation in the future.

scholarly journals Performance Analyses of Temporary Membrane Structures: Energy Saving and CO2 Reduction through Dynamic Simulations of Textile Envelopes

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela De Vita ◽  
Paolo Beccarelli ◽  
Eleonora Laurini ◽  
Pierluigi De Berardinis
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Co2 Reduction ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Membrane Structures ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Carbon Reduction

The aim of this research, carried out in collaboration with Maco Technology Inc., was to analyse the energy performance of temporary textile structures that are often used to host itinerant events. This paper illustrates the dynamic simulations carried on the Ducati Pavilion, designed by Maco Technology, which hosted Ducati staff during the different stages of the Superbike World Championship. Specific aspects relating to the structural/constructive system of the project were also analysed. The theme of energy saving and carbon reduction is of great importance in temporary and itinerant structures and environmental sustainability in relation to the materials used, storage, re-use, mode of transport and ability to respond efficiently to the climatic conditions of the installation sites is an important aspect. The Ducati Pavilion was modelled and analysed from an energy point of view using Design Builder software. Ways of improving performance were analysed under summer conditions. The paper focuses on the importance of optimizing the performance of textile envelopes: the methodology proposed allows visible savings in terms of energy consumption and achieves good levels of environmental comfort in temporary buildings with low thermal mass structure.

scholarly journals Effects of climate change on environmental sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol 250 ◽  
pp. 01005
Author(s):  
Manuela Tvaronavičienė
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Industrial Pollution ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Adaptation Strategies ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
The World

Adaptation strategies to the climate change include measures that can be taken to take account of the new climatic conditions. This paper aims at assessing the effects of climate change on environmental sustainability. This sustainability constitutes a major problem in many countries and regions around the world that experience industrial pollution, degradation of land as well as natural disasters caused by the global warming. The paper shows that adaptation strategies are often parallel strategies that can be integrated simultaneously with the management of natural resources. They can make resources more efficient and resilient to climate change. The paper shows that reducing the carbon footprint by more than 50 percent by 2030 and eliminating it by 2050 might be a viable solution how to tackle the climate change and support the environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Agroecological optimization of the technology for growing spring barley in the Penza region using the DSS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (46) ◽  
pp. 22-22
Author(s):  
Alexander Saakian ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spring Barley ◽  
Calculated Data ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Complete Set ◽  
Actual Yield ◽  
Program Modules

Abstract The article presents the results of modeling the cultivation of barley on leached chernozems of the Penza region. In order to conduct modeling, the Decision Support System (DSS) for agroecological optimization of adaptive farming systems was modernized. The adaptation of the program modules to the climatic and soil conditions of a particular research area allowed us to reach 7% of the error when modeling the cultivation of agricultural crops in the presence of a complete set of indicators necessary for building the model. Technological calculations of the model made it possible to reduce the number of minimum necessary technological operations, as well as rationally distribute the application of mineral fertilizers for the planned yield. The economic calculations of the model allowed us to achieve a high profitability of production of 66±7%. The constructed model was tested at the experimental field in 2020. Practical verification showed the possibility of using the model in agricultural production under normal climatic conditions and its high correlation with the actual results obtained. Statistical analysis of the calculated data of the model and the actual yield with the achieved economic indicators in the conditions of the model field showed the level of reliability of calculations of 95%. Keywords: AGROECOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION, AGROECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, AGROECOLOGICAL MODELING

Limitations and Impacts of Agricultural Production on the Savanna Belt: the Nigerian Case

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chijioke C. Onyebuchi
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Ecological Principles ◽  
Nigerian Savanna

It is not enough simply to identify the limiting factors to agricultural production, supply the appropriate inputs and then expect to be able to meet food demands. It is essential also to protect the environment in which food is grown, especially in areas of fragile ecosystems and harsh climatic conditions, in order to ensure both increased production and stability of the production base. In the Nigerian savanna belt, traditional and mechanized large-scale farming systems are both practised, and they combine with unfavourable climatic conditions to exert a strong negative impact on the environment. Here, these interactions are examined and the case is made for incorporating fundamental ecological principles and concepts of sustainability into farming systems, in Nigeria and elsewhere.

Conservation agriculture for climate smart agriculture in smallholder farming systems in Kenya.

2022 ◽  
pp. 431-442
Author(s):  
Alfred Micheni ◽  
Patrick Gicheru ◽  
Onesmus Kitonyo
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
Labour Requirement ◽  
Smart Agriculture

Abstract Climate change is any significant change in climatic conditions. Such changes may negatively affect productivity of the rain-fed agriculture practised by over 75% of the smallholder Kenyan farmers. The effect leads to failure to sustainably provide adequate food and revenue to famers. It is on this basis that an almost 8-year field study was conducted to evaluate and scale climate resilient agricultural technological options associated with Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems and practices (no-till; maintenance of permanent soil cover; and crop diversification - rotations and associations), complemented with good agricultural strategies. The activities involved were targeted to sustainably increase productivity of maize-legumes farming systems while reducing environmental risks. The results showed improved soil properties (physical, chemical and health) and consequently increased crop yields and human nutrition by over 30%. Such benefits were attributed to cost savings arising from NT and reduced labour requirement for weed control. This was further based on enhanced crop soil moisture and nutrients availability and use efficiency leading to over 25% yield increase advantage. Apart from the field trials, the study used the Agricultural Production Simulator (APSIM) computer model to simulate CA scenario with the aim of providing potential quick answers to adopting CA practices for farm system productivity. The results were inclusively shared, leading to over 21% increase in the number of farmers adopting the CA practices within and beyond the project sites. The study's overall recommendation affirmed the need to integrate the CA practices into Kenyan farming systems for sustainable agricultural livelihoods and economic opportunities.

scholarly journals The emergent diseases in grapevine nursery: Critical point analysis for developing a protected and sustainable propagation process

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 01026
Author(s):  
E. Battiston ◽  
S. Di Marco ◽  
E. Angelini ◽  
L. Mugnai
Keyword(s):  
Critical Point ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Propagation Process ◽  
Point Analysis ◽  
Propagation Material ◽  
Critical Point Analysis

The diffusion of emergent pathogens in grapevine nursery is increasingly compromising the sanitary quality of the propagation material. The complexity of the problem lies on the plurality of plant diseases involved and on the high environmental and economic impact of the conventional methods applied to comply the phytosanitary standards. By a critical point analysis, the study suggests the development of nursery strategies focused on the sanitary quality of the production and on its long-term environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Development of scientific support and prototype multilevel information resource system for creating digital farming systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 00002
Author(s):  
Vladimir Badenko ◽  
Alexander Fedotov ◽  
Alexander Tarakanov ◽  
Anton Terentev ◽  
Rahul Dev Garg
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yields ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Scientific Support ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Resource System ◽  
Digital Farming

In the context of changing political, socio-economic, natural and climatic conditions, there is a need for effective tools to manage agricultural activities. Such tools are digital farming systems, which are a set of interconnected agrotechnical, reclamation and organizational measures aimed at the effective use of agricultural landscapes, preservation and improvement of soil fertility, and obtaining high crop yields. The paper describes the basics of development of scientific support and a prototype of the multilevel information resource system for creating digital farming systems.

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