scholarly journals Postharvest Management Practices of Grains in the Eastern Region of Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia W. Njoroge ◽  
Ibrahim Baoua ◽  
Dieudonne Baributsa
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Stored Grain ◽  
Primary Methods ◽  
Postharvest Management ◽  
Seed Crops ◽  
Storage Technologies ◽  
Semi Arid ◽  
Made In

Cereals and legumes play a major role in the production systems and diets of farmers in the semi-arid eastern region of Kenya. Efficient postharvest management can tremendously contribute to food security in these regions. A study was carried out in three counties in eastern Kenya to assess pre and postharvest management practices among farmers. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires designed and administered using Kobo Toolbox via android tablets. Results showed that farmers cultivated three main crops: maize (98%), beans 66%), and pigeon peas (28%). The most saved seed crops were beans (80%) and pigeon peas (50%). Majority of the farmers (80%) experienced pre-drying losses due to insects (48%), rodents (40%) and birds (39%). Farmers stored grain for consumption (80%) and for sale (19%). About 48% of farmers stored the grain for more than 9 months. Challenges during grain storage were insects (57%) and rodents (43%). Primary methods of grain preservation included hermetic methods (61%) followed by insecticides (33%). While progress is being made in addressing storage challenges, there still a need to continue building awareness about improved storage technologies and find solutions for pest infestations in the field and drying after harvest.

scholarly journals Sistemas Tradicionais de Produção de Palma Forrageira ‘Gigante’ em Agroecossistemas do Semiárido Baiano

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 554
Author(s):  
Laudiceio Viana Matos ◽  
Sérgio Luiz Rodrigues Donato ◽  
Marcos Koiti Kondo ◽  
João Luiz Lani
Keyword(s):  
Mass Production ◽  
Arid Region ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Cactus Pear ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

A produtividade e a qualidade nutricional da palma forrageira são afetadas pelas inter-relações entre as características edafoclimáticas do ambiente de cultivo, com as práticas de manejo e o potencial genético da planta. Ao articular a caracterização dos solos dos agroecossistemas, o detalhamento dos sistemas de produção de palma forrageira, mais o levantamento dos atributos estruturais e rendimento das plantas, com a qualidade do cladódio para uso como forragem, espera-se estabelecer a melhor relação planta-ambiente-homem. Assim, é possível identificar e/ou desenvolver tecnologias viáveis e apropriadas para a otimização da produção da palma forrageira em quantidade e qualidade, com práticas condizentes às especificidades locais. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho realizar a caracterização dos sistemas tradicionais de produção de palma forrageira e inter-relacioná-la com os rendimentos das plantas e composição mineral e bromatológica dos cladódios em cinco agroecossistemas do semiárido baiano. Constatou-se que as características dos agroecossistemas afetaram mais o comprimento e largura dos cladódios, a matéria orgânica e o material mineral na planta. Os sistemas de produção estabelecidos afetaram, maiormente, a produção de massa de cladódios por planta, a produtividade de massa verde, a área total de cladódios, o número de cladódios produzidos por planta, teores de matéria seca, teores de nitrogênio, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro. Os componentes mais afetados pelo efeito da planta (genótipo) foram os teores de gordura ou extrato etéreo na planta, a capacidade de produção de massa por cladódio e os teores de fibra em detergente neutro nos tecidos dos cladódios. Espera-se disponibilizar as informações geradas de forma mais acessível e possível de serem incorporadas aos sistemas de produção de palma forrageira na perspectiva de torná-los mais sustentáveis.Palavras-chave: Opuntia, ambiente, conhecimento local, qualidade da forragem, rendimento, manejo. Traditional systems of ‘Gigante’ cactus pear production in agroecosystems of Bahia semi-arid region A B S T R A C TThe productivity and nutritional quality of the cactus pear are affected by the interrelationships between the edaphoclimatic characteristics of the cultivation environment, with the management practices and the genetic potential of the plant. By articulating the characterization of agroecosystem soils, detailing the production systems of cactus pear, plus the survey of structural attributes and plant yield, with the quality of the cladodes for use as forage, it is expected to establish the best plant-environment-man relationship. Thus, it is possible to identify and / or develop viable and appropriate technologies to optimize the production of cactus pear in quantity and quality, with practices consistent with local specificities. The objective of the present work was to characterize the traditional systems of production of cactus pear and to interrelate it with plant yields and mineral and chemical composition of the cladodes in five agroecosystems in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Brazil. It was found that the characteristics of agroecosystems most affected the length and width of the cladodes, the organic matter and the mineral material in the plant. The established production systems most affected the mass production of cladodes per plant, the productivity of green mass, the total area of cladodes, the number of cladodes produced per plant, dry matter content, nitrogen content, crude protein and fiber in neutral detergent. The components most affected by the effect of the plant (genotype) were the levels of fat or ether extract in the plant, the capacity for mass production by cladode and the levels of neutral detergent fiber in the tissues of the cladodes. It is hoped that the information generated will be made available in a more accessible and possible way to be incorporated into their cactus pear production systems with a view to making them more sustainable.Key words – Opuntia, environment, local knowledge, forage quality, yield, management.

Nitrate Leaching to a Shallow Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain Aquifer as Influenced by Conventional No-Till and Low-Input Sustainable Grain Production Systems

1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (3-5) ◽  
pp. 691-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Craig ◽  
R. R. Weil
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Atlantic Coastal Plain ◽  
Grain Production ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Low Input ◽  
No Till

In December, 1987, the states in the Chesapeake Bay region, along with the federal government, signed an agreement which called for a 40% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loadings to the Bay by the year 2000. To accomplish this goal, major reductions in nutrient loadings associated with agricultural management practices were deemed necessary. The objective of this study was to determine if reducing fertilizer inputs to the NT system would result in a reduction in nitrogen contamination of groundwater. In this study, groundwater, soil, and percolate samples were collected from two cropping systems. The first system was a conventional no-till (NT) grain production system with a two-year rotation of corn/winter wheat/double crop soybean. The second system, denoted low-input sustainable agriculture (LISA), produced the same crops using a winter legume and relay-cropped soybeans into standing wheat to reduce nitrogen and herbicide inputs. Nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater were significantly lower under the LISA system. Over 80% of the NT groundwater samples had NO3-N concentrations greater than 10 mgl-1, compared to only 4% for the LISA cropping system. Significantly lower soil mineral N to a depth of 180 cm was also observed. The NT soil had nearly twice as much mineral N present in the 90-180 cm portion than the LISA cropping system.

scholarly journals Legumes increase grassland productivity with no effect on nitrous oxide emissions

2019 ◽  
Vol 446 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlete S. Barneze ◽  
Jeanette Whitaker ◽  
Niall P. McNamara ◽  
Nicholas J. Ostle
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Grassland Productivity

Abstract Aims Grasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition. Methods This was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions. Results Above-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils. Conclusions This study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.

Understanding the dairy production systems in rural settlements in the Brazilian semi-arid region: characterization, typology, and holistic perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Samires Martins Castro ◽  
Delano de Sousa Oliveira ◽  
Raquel Oliveira dos Santos Fontenelle ◽  
Ana Paula Araújo do Nascimento ◽  
Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Rural Settlements ◽  
Holistic Perception ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Pollination Potential in Portugal: Leveraging an Ecosystem Service for Sustainable Agricultural Productivity

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 431
Author(s):  
Caroline Wentling ◽  
Felipe S. Campos ◽  
João David ◽  
Pedro Cabral
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Pollinator Abundance ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Administrative Boundary

As urbanization and agriculture increase worldwide, habitats and food sources for wild pollinators are often fragmented or destroyed. As wild pollinators contribute both resilience and variety to agricultural fields, it is desirable to implement land management practices that preserve their well-being and ability to contribute to food production systems. This study evaluates continental Portugal for its change in suitability to host bee’s pollinator species (Apis mellifera) from 1990 to 2018. It uses the InVEST crop pollination modeling tool and CORINE Land Cover, as well as parameterization to produce pollinator abundance and supply maps. These are generalized to municipality boundaries to provide actionable insights to farmers and policymakers and strengthen land management practices. It finds that the potential for pollination services is growing, with averages of both pollinator abundance and supply indices improving by 8.76% across the continental territory in 28 years. The study results are validated using another pollination index derived from a study that is based on expert opinion and field sampling in a sub-region of Portugal. This method of aggregation of model results and comparison of the percent difference by administrative boundary has the potential to better inform both policymakers and farmers about the pollination potential on a local level, as well as inspire interventions for future productivity.

scholarly journals 395 Impact of pig mortality on U.S. pig producers

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 184-185
Author(s):  
Caleb M Shull
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Functional Approach ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Significant Challenge ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Step

Abstract Swine producers in the U.S. face a significant challenge. On top of the ever-changing market dynamics that lead to wide swings in profitability or loss, is an underlying issue of pig mortality that the industry must address. While significant improvements in total piglets born per litter have been achieved over the last 10 years, pig mortality has seen no improvement or has worsened (Figure 1). When expressed as a percentage of piglets born (excluding mummies), a total of 7.9% were recorded as stillborn and 13.4% died prior to weaning in 2019. Assuming a typical mortality range of 7–10% from weaning to harvest, a typical U.S. producer could expect to lose around 27–30% of all piglets born. In addition, the average producer had around 12% annual sow mortality (Figure 1). Litter size and post-weaning growth rate and feed efficiency will always factor heavily into research priorities due to the economic impact associated with those traits; however, the opportunity to drive value through reduction in pig losses across the production cycle is staggering. In defense of the industry, improving pig survival is not an easy task for a number of reasons. The sample size (i.e., number of pigs) required to do mortality research correctly is often a limiting factor for many production systems. Furthermore, a cross-functional approach is likely required to make significant improvements in mortality. Specifically, the relationship between genetics, health, and management practices warrant consideration. Recent collaboration across the industry to improve mortality is a positive step forward and this collaboration should continue moving forward.

A Survey of Glyphosate-Resistant Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) in Missouri Soybean Fields and Prediction of Glyphosate Resistance in Future Waterhemp Populations Based on In-Field Observations and Management Practices

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 656-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin K. Rosenbaum ◽  
Kevin W. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Glyphosate Resistance ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Field Observations ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Herbicide Treatment ◽  
Amaranthus Rudis

A survey of soybean fields containing waterhemp infestations was conducted just prior to harvest in 2008 and 2009 to determine the frequency and distribution of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp in Missouri, and to determine if there are any in-field parameters that may serve as indicators of glyphosate resistance in this species in future crop production systems. Glyphosate resistance was confirmed in 99 out of 144, or 69%, of the total waterhemp populations sampled, which occurred in 41 counties of Missouri. Populations of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp were more likely to occur in fields with no other weed species present at the end of the season, continuous cropping of soybean, exclusive use of glyphosate for several consecutive seasons, and waterhemp plants showing obvious signs of surviving herbicide treatment compared to fields characterized with glyphosate-susceptible waterhemp. Therefore, it is suggested that these four site parameters, and certain combinations of these parameters, serve as predictors of glyphosate resistance in future waterhemp populations.

DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION OF CAUSES OF CAMEL CALF LOSSES BETWEEN PASTORALISTS AND SCIENTISTS

2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. KAUFMANN
Keyword(s):  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Knowledge Systems ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Calf Mortality ◽  
Management Changes ◽  
Calf Rearing

Management deficiencies on the part of the pastoralists were claimed to be one of the major causes of the high losses of camel (Camelus dromedarius) calves contributing to low productivity of camel herds. In the present study, calf deaths, and the causes thereof, were analysed in connection with pastoral calf management in order to assess possible relationships. Progeny history data on 1506 Rendille, 789 Gabra and 1206 Somali calves born between 1980 and 1995 provided quantitative information on losses and the underlying causes. Assessment of the causes of death, and analysis of related management practices, led to suggestions for management changes. In feedback seminars with pastoralists, however, it became apparent that these management changes would not be adopted because they contradicted the pastoralists' assumptions on the causes of calf mortality. The discussions revealed that differences between pastoralists' and scientists' perceptions determined different opinions on proper calf-rearing management practices. Combining different knowledge systems offers the possibility of a more complete understanding, which is required for the derivation of adoptable calf mortality-reducing interventions that are compatible with the knowledge and production systems of the pastoralists.

A technique for assessing environmental impact risks of agricultural systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Sydorovych ◽  
Charles W. Raczkowski ◽  
Ada Wossink ◽  
J. Paul Mueller ◽  
Nancy G. Creamer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Organic System ◽  
Conventional Agriculture ◽  
Tillage System

AbstractConventional agriculture often aims to achieve high returns without allowing for sustainable natural resource management. To prevent environmental degradation, agricultural systems must be assessed and environmental standards need to be developed. This study used a multi-factor approach to assess the potential environmental impact risk of six diverse systems: five production systems and a successional system or abandoned agronomic field. Assessment factors were soil quality status, amount of pesticide and fertilizer applied and tillage intensity. The assessment identified the best management practices (BMP)–conventional tillage system as a high-risk system mostly because of extensive tillage. The certified organic system was also extensively tilled and was characterized by P build-up in the soil, but performed well based on other assessment factors. Conversely, the BMP–no tillage and the crop–animal integrated system were characterized as low risk mainly because of reduced tillage. The paper discusses assessment strengths and weaknesses, ways to improve indicators used, and the need for additional indicators. We concluded that with further development the technique will become a resourceful tool to promote agricultural sustainability and environmental stewardship and assist policy-making processes.

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