• Authors:
    • Tennigkeit, T.
    • Woelcke, J.
  • Source: Rural21: The International Journal for Rural Development
  • Issue: 01
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The smallholder agricultural sector in East Africa can substantially contribute to climate change mitigation, generate carbon revenues for farmers, and enhance agrobiodiversity, while reducing farmers' vulnerability to climate change. Currently a demonstration project is being developed with support of the World Bank which will generate emission reductions based on the adoption of sustainable agricultural land management practices.
  • Authors:
    • Hunt, J. R.
    • Dalgliesh, N. P.
    • McCown, R. L.
    • Whish, J. P. M.
    • Robertson, M. J.
    • Foale, M. A.
    • Poulton, P. L.
    • Rees, H. van
    • Carberry, P. S.
    • Hochman, Z.
  • Source: Crop & Pasture Science
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Crop simulation models relevant to real-world agriculture have been a rationale for model development over many years. However, as crop models are generally developed and tested against experimental data and with large systematic gaps often reported between experimental and farmer yields, the relevance of simulated yields to the commercial yields of field crops may be questioned. This is the third paper in a series which describes a substantial effort to deliver model-based decision support to Australian farmers. First, the performance of the cropping systems simulator, APSIM, in simulating commercial crop yields is reported across a range of field crops and agricultural regions. Second, how APSIM is used in gaining farmer credibility for their planning and decision making is described using actual case studies. Information was collated on APSIM performance in simulating the yields of over 700 commercial crops of barley, canola, chickpea, cotton, maize, mungbean, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat monitored over the period 1992 to 2007 in all cropping regions of Australia. This evidence indicated that APSIM can predict the performance of commercial crops at a level close to that reported for its performance against experimental yields. Importantly, an essential requirement for simulating commercial yields across the Australian dryland cropping regions is to accurately describe the resources available to the crop being simulated, particularly soil water and nitrogen. Five case studies of using APSIM with farmers are described in order to demonstrate how model credibility was gained in the context of each circumstance. The proposed process for creating mutual understanding and credibility involved dealing with immediate questions of the involved farmers, contextualising the simulations to the specific situation in question, providing simulation outputs in an iterative process, and together reviewing the ensuing seasonal results against provided simulations. This paper is distinct from many other reports testing the performance and utility of cropping systems models. Here, the measured yields are from commercial crops not experimental plots and the described applications were from real-life situations identified by farmers. A key conclusion, from 17 years of effort, is the proven ability of APSIM to simulate yields from commercial crops provided soil properties are well characterised. Thus, the ambition of models being relevant to real-world agriculture is indeed attainable, at least in situations where biotic stresses are manageable.
  • Authors:
    • Shankar, M. A.
    • Murukannappa
    • Gajanan, G. N.
    • Ganapathi
  • Source: Environment and Ecology
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A long term field experiment was conducted on cereal-legume cropping sequence leaving summer fallow at Bangalore during 1993 to 2006 in light textured red sandy loam soil to study the effect of long term use of glyricidia, farm yard manure and NPK fertilizers on soil fertility, crop productivity and nutrients losses. Plots of 3,000 m 2 each and having 2.5% slopes were delineated for each treatment. Appropriate instrumentation was done to quantity the nutrients loss. Continuous use of glyricidia to supply recommended N+50% recommended NPK recorded 16.8 and 142.6% higher yield followed by FYM and NPK in equal proportion (3.22 and 88.6%) in fingermillet and maize respectively as compared to recommended NPK (2,572 kg/ha and 1,150 kg/ha). FYM and 50% NPK recorded 35.8% higher soybean yield followed by FYM with 25.6% as compared to recommended NPK (453 kg/ha). Highest loss of OM, N, P and K were recorded under control and lowest losses were recorded in FYM and NPK in equal proportion, but least P loss (0.39 kg/ha) was recorded with 50% N with through glyricidia+50% NPK. In soybean, highest loss of OM, N, P and K were recorded in control and least loss of OM, P and K in FYM to supply 50% N+50% NPK. But least loss of N was in glyricidia to supply 50%+50% recommended NPK. In maize, highest loss of OM, N, P and K were recorded in control followed by recommended NPK. Irrespective of the crops the mean of seven years indicated that highest loss of OM, N, P and K were under control treatment Least loss of OM and N occurred under glyricidia to supply 50%+50% recommended NPK. But least losses P and K were recorded in NPK. Analysis of surface soil samples (0-15 cm) indicated that continuous addition of FYM or glyricidia to supply recommended N alone or along with NPK over a period of 13 years increased OC, biomass carbon and mean weight diameter as compared to NPK alone. Reduction in soil pH in recommended NPK from 5.6 to 4.5 and improvement in organics, increased available N, available K, sulfur, Zn, Cu Mn and Fe in organics alone or along with NPK as compared to recommended NPK.
  • Authors:
    • Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The DNDC model is a process-base model of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry in agricultural ecosystems. This document describes how to use the PC Windows versions of the DNDC model for predicting crop yield, C sequestration, nitrate leaching loss, and emissions of C and N gases in agroecosystems. Part I provides a brief description of the model structure with relevant scientific basis. Part II describes how to install the model. Part III and IV demonstrate how to conduct simulations with the site and regional versions of DNDC, respectively. Part V provides basic information for uncertainty analysis with DNDC. Part VI contains six case studies demonstrating the input procedures for simulating crop yield, soil C dynamics, nitrate leaching loss, and trace gas emissions. A list of relevant publications is included in Part VII. These publications provide more information about the scientific background and applications of DNDC far beyond this User's Guide. DNDC9.3 can run in two modes: site or regional. By selecting the mode, the users will open a corresponding interface to manage their input information for the modeled site or region.
  • Authors:
    • Lal, R.
    • Blanco-Canqui, H.
  • Source: Soil Science Society of America Journal
  • Volume: 73
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Franzluebbers (2009) is right about the need for a more intensive soil sampling, "repeated sampling with time,"and "stratified sampling" as well as for the use of multiple fields and collection of larger number of pseudoreplicates to overcome the high field variability in soil organic carbon (SOC) pools within each Major Land Resource Area (MLRA). The selected fields were representative of each MLRA in terms of soil type, slope, and management, but it is correct that a single soil would not capture all the variability in soil and management for the whole MLRA. This study was not intended to relate the data from the single soil to the whole MLRA but rather to emphasize the differences in SOC sequestration rates among the three management systems within each soil.
  • Authors:
    • Gajbhiye, K. S.
    • Ray, S. K.
    • Prasad, J.
    • Singh, S. R.
  • Source: Agropedology
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Detailed soil survey of Selsura KVK research farm of Dr. P.D.K.V., Akola in Wardha district, Maharashtra was carried out using 1:6000 scale cadastral map. There were nine soil series and thirteen mapping units. The soils were very dark gray to very dark grayish brown in hue 10YR, calcareous and clayey but differed in depth and are classified under Entisols, Inceptisols and Vertisols. In general, pH (8.0-9.2) increased with depth whereas reverse trend was observed for organic carbon. Soils of Selsura-1 are prone to sodicity problems. DTPA-Zn and Fe were deficient in these soils but DPTA-Mn and Cu were optimum. The mapping units were grouped under II to IV land capability classes and 2 to 4 land irrigability classes. Except soils of Selsura-7 series (very shallow), others are moderately or marginally suitable for one or more commonly growing rainfed kharif crops viz. cotton, sorghum, pigeonpea, soybean and groundnut.
  • Authors:
    • Jajoo, S. B.
    • Kamble, P. O.
    • Shinde, K. J.
  • Source: Green Farming
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 1 (Special 1)
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: A study was conducted to suggest optimal resources allocation for crop plan to net benefit maximization using linear programming model for Akola district in Maharashtra state. Resources management plan was developed with allocation of land and water for different crop activities to maximize the net return taking into account land capability classification, availability of water in different season, crop water requirements, food requirement and affinity towards the crops of the peoples in district. In existing crop plan during kharif season major area is under cotton (43.45%) followed by jowar (17%) whereas in proposed optimal crop plan without capital constraints major area was allocated under soybean (30%), cotton+tur (20%) of the total cultivable area of the district. In rabi major area in existing is under gram (5.2%) whereas in proposed plan area is allocated to wheat (20%), gram (20%). In existing summer area is 0.18% and annual was nil whereas in proposed plan is 3% and 4.13% respectively. In existing gross investment and net return per hectare was 10341 and 5203 Rs/ha whereas in proposed plan is 14864 and 8833 Rs/ha. In proposed plan net return per hectare increases by Rs. 3630.
  • Authors:
    • Takle, S. R.
    • Kunte, A. P.
    • Bhise, V. B.
  • Source: Resource-use efficiency in irrigated Indian agriculture 2009
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: The present study was conducted on irrigated farms to study the resource use efficiency and returns to scale in the command area of Penganga irrigation project. A sample of 310 farmers was scientifically chosen out of which 94 were from head-reach, 100 from middle reach and 116 belonged the tail reach location of the command area and the study was conducted during the agricultural year 2004-05. The study was confined to three foodgrains, i.e. green gram, kharif Jowar and Wheat, and four cash crops, viz., cotton, sugarcane, banana and soyabean. A Cobb-Douglas production function was fitted to estimate the resource-use efficiency and returns to scale in the crop production in irrigated Indian agriculture. The study observed that some of the resources have been either under-utilised or over-utilised; hence to increase the agricultural production all the resources should be used efficiently. Along with the efficient use of all the resources, new technology should also be adopted for increasing productivity. The ratio of marginal value product to factor cost for some resources (human labour, bullock labour, fertilisers and seeds) was found to be more than one, indicating the operation of increasing factors returns. In general for cash crops, the study suggests to increase the use of resources viz. bullock labour, working capital, seeds and irrigation so as to increase the production of the cultivated cash crops.
  • Authors:
    • Monteiro, J. E. B. A.
  • Source: Agrometeorologia dos cultivos: o fator meteorológico na produção agrícola
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: This book brings together a broad base of information on 32 major Brazilian agricultural crops and their relations with climate. The focus of the book is not on the methodologies and applications of agrometeorology per se, but rather restricts its focus to crops and traits that determine yield as a function of the environment. The crops included are rice, castor oil, sunflowers, pineapples, soyabeans, triticale, maize, potatoes, barley, peanuts, oats, onions, canola, wheat, cotton, beans, sugarcane, Pinus, black wattle ( Acacia mearnsii), tropical and temperate grapes, coconuts, citrus, bananas, sisal, cocoa, coffee, apples, Jatropha, Eucalyptus and the fodder plants Cynodon, Brachiaria and Panicum. The contents of the book are divided into three main parts, I. Introduction, II. Temporary crops and III. Permanent crops, with each chapter within parts II and III dedicated to a particular crop, and covering: (1) the main features of farming and phenology; (2) agrometeorological productivity constraints - water availability, temperature, solar radiation, photoperiod and wind; and (3) adverse events - hail and rainstorms, droughts and dry spells, winds and gales, frost, and too much rain and over-prolonged drought. The book was organized by the National Institute of Meteorology and had the collaboration of 105 researchers from 37 Brazilian institutions (federal and state), research centres, institutes and universities.
  • Authors:
    • Tom, C. T.
    • Ngwuta, A. A.
    • Ibeawuchi, I. I.
    • Ogoke, I. J.
    • Onweremadu, E. U.
  • Source: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2009
  • Summary: Soil nutrient and physical status in small holder farms in southeastern Nigeria are subjected to debilitating effects of continuous cropping without adequate efforts towards replenishment and conservation to ensure sustainability of soil resources. Although inorganic fertilizers are quick acting for soil nutrient enhancement, to guarantee soil health they must be used within the context of integrated soil fertility management relative to soil type and other climatic conditions. On the other hand, apart from maintaining required nutrient levels, the use of appropriate crop combinations and arrangements in farmers' fields can improve soil health. Leguminous plants including tree, shrub and annual species have been determined to be useful components in such systems. These species can contribute immensely to soil carbon and other mineral contents in addition to improving soil physical properties. Apart from their high edible protein content, some leguminous seeds also have high phytate content, which should enhance the bioavailability of Zn, making them good nutrient sources in human and animal nutrition. However, indigenous leguminous tree, shrub, and grain legume species are currently underutilized in the common cropping systems on smallholder farms. While tree species are lost through logging, with very limited research toward their improvement, research on grain legumes has been limited in this zone resulting in the loss of indigenous grain species. Low available soil P is another constraint to legume cultivation in this region that has to be addressed through well coordinated agronomic research. Increased and sustainable food production on small holder farms in southeastern Nigeria is possible with improved practices within the prevailing cropping systems. This is achievable with intensive breeding, agronomic and utilization studies on legume species in the cropping systems.