• Authors:
    • Rawat, A. K.
    • Sahu, R. K.
    • Rao, D. L. N.
  • Source: AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
  • Volume: 200
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Farmers in Central India practice a unique rain water management system ('Haveli') based on impounding rain water in the fields during three months monsoon season (June-September) and draining out in October. Winter crops, mainly grain legumes are then grown that utilize the soil moisture conserved in the soil profile. We monitored the soil physico-chemical and fertility properties, C and N mineralization, microbial populations and biomass and soil enzymes in the 0-30 cm soil layer at ten sites over three years at four stages viz., prior to submergence in summer (PS), during water-logging (WL), after drainage (AD) and after legume cropping (AC). Anaerobic conditions during water-logging (for 11 weeks) led to extensive losses of soil carbon amounting to 1900 mg C kg -1 soil but no significant change in soil N. Post-drainage and decomposition of weeds (for 6 weeks), there was an increase in soil C of 3700 mg C kg -1 and soil N of 74.1 mg N kg -1 soil. Overall in 17 weeks, there was a net increase of 1800 mg C kg -1 (+30.5%) and 87.5 mg N kg -1 (+20.1%) amounting to soil C and N accretion rate of 15.1 mg C kg -1 soil day -1 and 0.74 mg N kg -1 soil day -1. Microbial biomass decreased by 19.7% during 11 weeks of water logging and improved by 54% in the 6 weeks aerobic phase; an overall increment of 23.5% (31 mg microbial C kg -1) in 17 weeks. Prolonged water-logging induced severe stress on microbial processes. However, post-drainage, there was significant improvement in microbial populations, nitrogen mineralization, soil enzymes and soil fertility. There were strong relationships between soil enzymes and microbial carbon; and, nitrogen mineralization and soil carbon. Results unequivocally demonstrated the benefits of rain-water conservation in Vertisols for carbon sequestration and nitrogen accretion and improvement of soil biological quality.
  • Authors:
    • Kumar, P.
    • Varadan, R. J.
  • Source: CLIMATIC CHANGE
  • Volume: 129
  • Issue: 1-2
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Vulnerability of a system is determined not only by the severity of climate change that occurs over the system but also by the system's own sensitivity and adaptive capacity to cope with new change in climatic condition. This study while examining the agricultural vulnerability of Tamil Nadu State in India to climate change, tries to improve upon the vulnerability assessment methodology. It chooses the growth and instability of certain performance indicators to capture the relative vulnerability positioning of the districts of Tamil Nadu. The normalized indicators are assigned weights based on the proportional acreage of major crops in each district with respect to the State. The weighted component indicators are then aggregated into a single index by merely adding them. In addition this study also categorizes the districts beyond ranking to have a meaningful characterization of the different stages of vulnerability. The results thus obtained reveal the fact that all districts in an agro climatic zone does not fall under the same category of vulnerability which exemplifies the need for the State to prioritize research and development issues and effective decision making through "Location-Performance-Vulnerability" based adaptation strategies. In doing so, one must take into account the local community's understanding of climate change.
  • Authors:
    • Baruah, K. K.
    • Bhattacharya, S. S.
    • Saikia, J.
  • Source: Journal
  • Volume: 203
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Management of soil in agricultural ecosystem is considered to be important in maintaining soil health and soil carbon storage. Various combinations of inorganic fertilizers, FYM and crop residues were assessed in a wheat crop grown in alluvial soil for two consecutive years. We studied several attributes like soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total carbon (TC), soil carbon storage (SCS), soil moisture content (SMC), easily mineralizable N along with above ground and below ground biomass, photosynthetic rate and grain yields during various growth stages. Wheat biomass yield was increased with application of organic amendments, while carbon assimilation by plant photosynthesis during the reproductive stages enhanced with increment of SOC. We recorded about ~10.88% and 10.52% organic SCS in soil depth of 0-15 cm and about ~11.50% and 12.46% in soil depth of 15-30 cm under 100% NPK + CR + FYM and 80% NPK + CR + FYM treatments, respectively. Hence, CR and FYM in combination can maintain SOC stock considerably and 80% NPK + CR + FYM substitutes 20% inorganic fertilizer without compromising crop growth and development.
  • Authors:
    • Pal, M.
    • Chakraborty, D.
    • Sehgal,V. K.
    • Saha, S.
  • Source: Agriculture Journal
  • Volume: 203
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Experiments on chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) were performed in open-top chambers during 2010-11 and 2011-12 to assess effects of atmospheric CO 2 enrichment on the quality of seeds. Although no physical modification was observed, an increase in seed water uptake was recorded in plants grown under enriched atmospheric CO 2 condition. Germination of seeds reduced by 45-47%, while seed leachate conductivity increased by 10-17%. Seedling vigor decreased, although root and shoot lengths and seedling biomass showed negligible changes. Similarly, atmospheric CO 2 enrichment reduced field emergence of seedlings with no change in root characteristics of the emerged seedlings. A decrease in protease activity supports the reduced seed viability, although no change in grain phosphatase and alpha-amylase activities were recorded. Increase in carbon content in germinating seed-cotyledon along with decrease in N in cotyledon resulted in large increase in C:N ratio for the plants grown under enriched CO 2 condition. The starch content increased with no change in soluble sugar in germinating seed-cotyledons. This indicates more carbonaceous seeds from plants grown under enriched CO 2 environment. Results suggest that rising atmospheric CO 2 might have adverse impact on viability and germination of chickpea seeds, and cause nutritional imbalance through increase in C with dilution of N contents in germinating seed-cotyledons.
  • Authors:
    • Yang, J.
    • Ren, W.
    • Lu, C.
    • Tao, B.
    • Tian, H.
    • Banger, K.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 79
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: To the best of our knowledge, no attempts have been made to understand how environmental changes that occurred in the 20th century have altered soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in India. In this study, we applied a process-based Dynamic Land Ecosystem Model (DLEM), to estimate the magnitude as well as to quantify the effects of climate change and variability, land cover and land-use change (LCLUC), carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, atmospheric nitrogen deposition (NDEP), and tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution on SOC stocks in India during 1901-2010. The DLEM simulations have shown that SOC stocks ranged from 20.5 to 23.4 Pg C (1 Pg = 1015 g), majority of which is stored in the forested areas in the north-east, north, and few scattered regions in the southern India. During the study period, soils have sequestered SOC by 2.9 Pg C. Elevated CO2 concentration has increased total SOC stocks over the country by 1.28 Pg C, which was partially offset by climate change (0.78 Pg C) and tropospheric O3 pollution (0.20 Pg C) during 1901-2010. Interestingly, LCLUC increased SOC stocks by 1.7 Pg C thereby suggesting that SOC loss from deforestation was offset by the conversion of low productive fallow lands and other lands to croplands that received irrigation along with N fertilizers. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition (NDEP) has increased biomass production and SOC by 0.5 PgC over the country. This study has demonstrated that the benefits from elevated CO2 concentration, cropland management practices, and NDEP in sequestering SOC stocks were offset by climate change and tropospheric O3 pollution which should be curbed in India. © Soil Science Society of America, 5585 Guilford Rd., Madison Wl 53711 USA.
  • Authors:
    • Normand,F.
    • Lauri,P. E.
    • Legave,J. M.
  • Source: Acta Horticulturae
  • Volume: 1075
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Climate change is becoming an observed reality, very likely due to the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentration. Since a few decades, several research teams around the world carry out a huge work to model the future climatic change during the 21st century, based on several scenarios of greenhouse gas emission. We have to expect rise in average temperatures, in atmospheric CO 2 concentration, in soil salinity in some areas, and lower and more irregular rainfall. The climate variability and the frequency of extreme events (scorching heat, heavy rainfall, drought, hurricane) are also expected to rise. Climate change is therefore a great concern for agriculture. Mango is one of the most widely cultivated and popular fruits in these regions for its economic and nutritional values. It is the fifth most cultivated fruit in the world. It is consequently justified to wonder about the impact of climate change on the mango tree and about the consequences on mango production and cultivation. The lack of crop model for mango prevents the prediction of the effects of climate change on mango tree development and production. They are then assessed on the basis of our current knowledge on the influence of climatic variables on mango tree development and production. We describe the influence of climatic variables on processes of agronomical importance for the mango tree: photosynthesis, vegetative and reproductive development, fruit quality. We then review the climate changes predicted for two areas of mango production and draw the possible consequences for mango cultivation. Finally, we propose some research ways to adapt mango cultivation to climate change in the coming decades, such as cultivar and rootstock selection, and improvement of cultural practices. The interest of developing a mango crop model is discussed.
  • Authors:
    • Rati Mukteshawar
    • Shehrawat,P. S.
  • Source: Annals of Biology
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: As we know, that agriculture has been an important profession for Indian as well as for the people of the world. The world's population is growing at an alarming rate with corresponding increase in demand for food goods and natural resources, so it directly burdens the agriculture to meet the consumption needs, farmers really more depend upon inorganic farm inputs. As a consequence of increase in inorganic farm inputs consumption, vast quantities of gases and effluents are discharged that may change the climate composition of the atmosphere and its capacity to regulate its temperature that's why world agriculture is facing numerous newly emerged challenges, the most prominent challenges are such as climate change and effect of greenhouse gases on agricultural practice. Mostly scientists now agree that rising atmospheric concentrations of GHG threaten to have severe impacts on food production, natural ecosystems and human health. Now-a-days, the agricultural scientists and extension clienteles have preference for demand driven and participatory approaches. The need to provide up-to-date information by the extension workers regarding to causes of GHG emissions and how it affects the agricultural production. Due and focuses efforts have to be made regarding the transfer of new agricultural technologies efficiently and effectively. A total number of eight villages were selected randomly. From each village, 15 farmers were selected randomly. Hence, a total number of 120 farmers were interviewed. The study revealed that farmers had awareness about GHG (65.00%), followed by knowledge about GHG (39.16%), major source of GHG emissions (73.33%), livestock also emit GHG (35.83%) and losses due to GHG in agriculture (68.33%). Whereas farmers were not aware regarding attending any meeting/workshop/training regarding sequestration of GHG (67.50%), farmers changed their cropping patterns (50.00%) and observation regarding deterioration in quality of crop produce (42.50%). The study further revealed that farmers were found agreed about change in current farm management practices (85.00%), change in season length (89.16%), altering the farming practices of field operations (97.50%), change in seasonal temperature (91.66%), changes in time of precipitation (82.00%), increase in flood and drought (72.50%) and 'fluctuation in ground water table' (88.33%). Whereas farmers were found undecided about emission of GHG which is not a problem for agricultural practices (82.50%), no effect of GHG emission on crop production (64.16%) and no effect of GHG emission on livestock production (70.00%). Farmers' were found disagreed regarding no effect of GHG emission on bio-diversity (33.33%), change in timing of precipitation (17.50%) and increase the incidence of falling hail (14.16%).
  • Authors:
    • Singh,R. J.
    • Ahlawat,I. P. S.
  • Source: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
  • Volume: 187
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Two of the most pressing sustainability issues are the depletion of fossil energy resources and the emission of atmospheric green house gases like carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The aim of this study was to assess energy budgeting and carbon footprint in transgenic cotton–wheat cropping system through peanut intercropping with using 25–50 % substitution of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) of cotton through farmyard manure (FYM) along with 100 % RDN through urea and control (0 N). To quantify the residual effects of previous crops and their fertility levels, a succeeding crop of wheat was grown with varying rates of nitrogen, viz. 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1. Cotton + peanut–wheat cropping system recorded 21 % higher system productivity which ultimately helped to maintain higher net energy return (22 %), energy use efficiency (12 %), human energy profitability (3 %), energy productivity (7 %), carbon outputs (20 %), carbon efficiency (17 %), and 11 % lower carbon footprint over sole cotton–wheat cropping system. Peanut addition in cotton–wheat system increased the share of renewable energy inputs from 18 to 21 %. With substitution of 25 % RDN of cotton through FYM, share of renewable energy resources increased in the range of 21 % which resulted into higher system productivity (4 %), net energy return (5 %), energy ratio (6 %), human energy profitability (74 %), energy productivity (6 %), energy profitability (5 %), and 5 % lower carbon footprint over no substitution. The highest carbon footprint (0.201) was recorded under control followed by 50 % substitution of RDN through FYM (0.189). With each successive increase in N dose up to 150 kg N ha-1 to wheat, energy productivity significantly reduced and share of renewable energy inputs decreased from 25 to 13 %. Application of 100 kg N ha-1 to wheat maintained the highest grain yield (3.71 t ha-1), net energy return (105,516 MJ ha-1), and human energy profitability (223.4) over other N doses applied to wheat. Application of 50 kg N ha-1 to wheat maintained the least carbon footprint (0.091) followed by 100 kg N ha-1 (0.100). Our study indicates that system productivity as well as energy and carbon use efficiencies of transgenic cotton–wheat production system can be enhanced by inclusion of peanut as an intercrop in cotton and substitution of 25 % RDN of cotton through FYM, as well as application of 100 kg N ha-1 to succeeding wheat crop. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
  • Authors:
    • Prasad,J. V. N. S.
    • Rao,Ch S.
    • Ravichandra,K.
    • Jyothi,Ch N.
    • Babu,M. B. B. P.
    • Babu,V. R.
    • Raju,B. M. K.
    • Rao,B. B.
    • Rao,V. U. M.
    • Venkateswarlu,B.
    • Devasree Naik
    • Singh,V. P.
  • Source: Journal of Agrometeorology
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: Carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4) and nitrous oxide (N 2O) are important biogenic green house gases (GHGSs) from agricultural sector contributing to global warming. Temperature and rainfall play an important role in GHGS fluxes and information on their role in rainfed crops and systems is very scanty. Field studies were conducted at Hyderabad, India during 2012 rainy season to quantify GHGSs fluxes from two important food crops grown widely in rainfed regions viz. sorghum and pigeonpea. Quantum of fluxes ranged from 26-85 mg CO 2 - C m -2 h -1 in case of CO 2 and 18-68 g N 2O-N m -2 h -1 in case of N 2O at different stages of crop growth. Cumulative seasonal fluxes are 1.18 and 1.24 Mg CO 2-C ha -1 and 0.78 and 0.94 kg N 2O-N ha -1, in sorghum and pigeonpea, respectively. Ambient temperature and rainfall significantly influenced CO 2 fluxes. CO 2 fluxes increased with increase in temperature from 25.9°C to 31°C and fluxes were highest at 28.4°C in pigeonpea and at 27.7°C in sorghum. Quantum of CO 2 fluxes were highest at grain filling stage in sorghum and grand growth period in pigeonpea. N 2O fluxes increased with increase in temperature and moisture availability. These results provide evidence that rainfed crops in semi-arid regions contribute significant CO 2 and N 2O fluxes which are influenced by temperature and rainfall, thus warrant further studies.
  • Authors:
    • Sharma,R.
    • Chauhan,S. K.
    • Tripathi,A. M.
  • Source: Agroforestry Systems
  • Volume: 90
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2015
  • Summary: India is a large developing country with more than seventy per cent population earning their livelihood from diverse land use activities. Changing climate is a worry for the nation but the country cannot afford to slow down the developing/developmental activities. Landuse activities in irrigated agro-ecosystems have started shifting from traditional agriculture to smart agriculture to meet the country’s food requirements and secure livelihood security. But this shift has been achieved at the cost of natural resources and degradation of environment. Realizing the benefits of climate smart agriculture in the changing scenario, farmers are adapting slowly to it but appropriate details of climate vulnerability and package of climate smart agriculture including tree-crop interaction are very limited for adoption. It is important to assess the strengths and weaknesses of carbon sequestration (CS) projects with respect to their practical potential rather than biophysical potential for registration under clean development mechanism for additional income. There is a need to address the technical, economic, legal and social issues of the adopters because they have to lock their land for long time for CS projects, therefore confidence building measures are essentially required to make them aware/motivate for adoption of trees on their farms for mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and adaptation against changing climate. However, the potential of agroforestry (AF) systems has not been reflected in registration of CS projects due to lack of best practices in AF, procedures and methodologies for carbon accounting, etc., which requires thorough review to develop appropriate models for payments of environmental benefits. Poplar based AF has been considered here as an example to understand the process of accounting CS and its practical applicability for environmental payments. © 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht