The Role of Agroforestry in Soil Conservation and Sustainable Crop Production: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examines the pivotal role of agroforestry in promoting soil conservation and sustainable crop production. The introduction sets the foundation by elucidating the significance of agroforestry in addressing environmental challenges and ensuring food security. Subsequent sections delve into various agroforestry practices and techniques employed for soil conservation. The review also explores the influence of agroforestry on soil properties and microbial diversity, highlighting its positive impact on soil health. Additionally, the role of agroforestry in enhancing nutrient cycling and soil fertility is discussed, showcasing its potential to improve crop productivity. The paper culminates with case studies and insights that demonstrate the successful integration of agroforestry systems to support sustainable agriculture and land management practices.

The Key Benefits and Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture

The science of controlling materials at the nanoscale is known as nanotechnology. Working with the smallest particles conceivable gives rise to aspirations for increasing agricultural production by running into issues that can't be solved traditionally. In the management aspects, attempts are made to restore soil fertility by releasing fixed nutrients, as well as to boost the efficacy of applied fertilizer with the aid of nano clays and zeolites. With the aid of nano biosensors and satellite systems, the input requirements for crops are determined in controlled environments for agriculture and precision farming based on needs, and the necessary quantities are given at the appropriate times and locations. To combat the issues of managing perennial weeds and depleting the weed seed bank, nano herbicides are being developed. By using targeted delivery, slow/controlled release, and conditional release mechanisms, nanostructured formulations could more accurately time the release of their active ingredients in response to biological needs and environmental cues. According to studies, using nano fertilizers improves the efficiency with which nutrients are used, lessens soil toxicity, reduces the frequency of treatment, and minimizes any potential side effects from overdosing. Because of this, nanotechnology, especially in underdeveloped nations, has tremendous potential for attaining sustainable agriculture. To increase agricultural productivity, new technologies are frequently used in agriculture. Employing nanoparticles in agriculture is known as "nanoagriculture," and these particles will have positive effects on crops.

Effect of Organic Mulches on Yield, Water Productivity and Economy of Garden Pea Cultivars

Mulching techniques that are adaptive and extremely successful may be able to reduce the detrimental impacts of crop production and water stress on different varieties of peas in a climate change scenario. Field experiment was carried out in the Umroi region of Meghalaya during the rabi season (2020–2021) for this reason. This study used a split-plot design with three organic mulches as the main plot treatment and four pea types as the sub-plot treatments, which was replicated three times. The field trial showed that paddy straw mulch significantly outperformed both weed mulch and no mulch in terms of green pod yield, water productivity, and benefit cost ratio, with values of 89.33, 54.14 kg ha-1 mm-1, and 3.16, respectively.VM 12 greatly topped other cultivars in terms of green pod yield, water productivity, and benefit-cost ratio (BCR), with values of 89.78 kg ha-1, 54.41 kg ha-1 mm-1 and 3.33, respectively. The investigation showed that the best alternative agronomic strategy for achieving the maximum yield output of garden pea was paddy straw mulch, followed by weed mulch and un-mulch.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Production Using Crop Simulation Model

Annie Mangshatabam, Pal Raj kumar, Gawai Anjusha Sanjay, Sharma Aman

Crop succession and its reflections on soybean performance

The fluctuations in yield and consequently in production occurred due to climatic adversities in the main producing states of Brazil. Farming has changed over time, and past scenarios have shown high exploitation of natural resources focusing on soil tillage and conventional seeding methods. This study aimed to determine the yield performance of soybean grown under 10 consolidated crop succession systems. The experiment was conducted during the 2018/2019 crop season, before the research project entitled "Sustainable production systems with better use of biological and natural resources, with treatments arranged in a randomized block design and four replications". The treatments consisted of the following predecessor crops: Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, Brassica napus, Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa + Raphanus sativus + Vicia sativa, Fallow, Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum, and Triticum aestivum ­ Fodder. Soybean was subsequently sown across winter crops. The succession that showed superior yield was Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum. This attribute was established by associating taller plants with the maximization of the number of grains per pod, hundred-grain mass, grain mass, and plant dry mass; in contrast, there was a lower emphasis on plant residue. The determining attributes for soybean yield were plant stand, plant height, the number of pods per plant, and total grain mass, with contrasts among groups composed of the succession of Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Triticum aestivum, Secale cereale, and Brassica napus, distanced from Raphanus sativus, Avena strigosa + Raphanus sativus + Vicia sativa, Fallow, Avena strigosa + Lolium multiflorum, and Triticum aestivum - Fodder.

Climate change impacts on agriculture sector: A case study of Pakistan / Impactos das mudanças climáticas no setor agrícola: um estudo de caso do Paquistão

ABSTRACT: The current article looks at the effects of climate change on agriculture, especially crop production, and influence factors of agricultural development in terms of their rational use in Pakistan. Due to the dependence of economic development, and agriculture in the South Asian region on access to renewable national resources and the associated vulnerability to climate change, the limited financial and professional resources of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan require a clear definition of national priorities in this area. In the preparation of this article, general scientific cognition methods, in particular, empirical-theoretical methods were used. Grouping and classification methods have been used to process and systematize the data. The ability to change productivity, depending on the variation of the average annual air temperature and the average annual precipitation rate, was considered using a two-factor regression model. The main finding of the study is that temperature and precipitation have a negative impact on agricultural production. This study can provide a scientific justification for the specialization of agricultural production in the regions of Pakistan as well as the execution of the necessary agricultural activities.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste artigo é examinar os efeitos das mudanças climáticas na agricultura, especialmente a produção agrícola e os fatores de influência do desenvolvimento agrícola em termos de uso racional no Paquistão. Devido à dependência do desenvolvimento econômico e da agricultura na região do sul da Ásia do acesso a recursos nacionais renováveis ​​e à vulnerabilidade associada às mudanças climáticas, os recursos financeiros e profissionais limitados da República Islâmica do Paquistão exigem uma definição clara das prioridades nacionais nessa área. Na preparação deste artigo, foram utilizados métodos gerais de cognição científica, em particular métodos teórico-empíricos. Os métodos de agrupamento e classificação foram utilizados para processar e sistematizar os dados. A capacidade de alterar a produtividade, dependendo da variação da temperatura média anual do ar e da taxa média anual de precipitação, foi considerada usando um modelo de regressão de dois fatores. A principal descoberta do estudo é que a temperatura e a precipitação têm um impacto negativo na produção agrícola. Este estudo pode fornecer uma justificativa científica para a especialização da produção agrícola nas regiões do Paquistão, bem como a execução das atividades agrícolas necessárias.

Climate Variability and Food Crop Production in Rural Cameroon: The Case of Ejagham Community - Manyu Division

This study set to establish the relationship between rainfall and temperature variabilities and food crop production in the Ejagham community, Cameroon. Data were collected for crop production in the area from 2006-2015, and for rainfall and temperature from 1975 – 2015. Variance means was used to analyse the trend in climatic conditions of rainfall and temperature while correlation coefficient was used to establish the relationship between climatic conditions and food crop production. Findings revealed that the trend in rainfall has been fluctuating. Clearly, rainfall dropped in the years 1986, 2001, 2003 and 2015. Overall, there has been a decrease in annual rainfall from about 3,000 mm in 1975 to almost 2,000 mm in 2015. The highest temperature was recorded in the 2010 with 29.0°C, followed by the year 2013 with 28.2°C. 2015 recorded the least temperature which had an average of 26.0°C. Furthermore, there exist a relationship between rainfall and temperature variabilities and food crop production in Ejagham area. This is indicated in the almost negative coefficients both for rainfall and temperature. It can therefore be concluded that there is a statistically significant relationship between rainfall and temperature variabilities and food crop production in Ejagham area.

Impact of Climate Change on the Production of Major Food and Commercial Crops in India: A Five Decadal Study

Climate change is posing a great threat to agriculture and food security, especially in the agriculture oriented and developing countries like India. The present study was carried out to critically study the impact of climate change on productivity of major cereal and commercial crops by statistically analyzing the time series data. The analysis inferred that crop production of both food and commercial crops in India has increased since 1960-61. It was observed that major food crops (rice & wheat) were adversely affected by increase in maximum temperature and decrease in rainfall. The alternative measures such as area under cultivation, irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide consumption were observed to be nullifying that negative impact of climate change by enhancing the overall production. However, the commercial crops were observed to be positively affected by the increasing temperature. The study suggested that although the agriculture sector is able to withstand the adverse impact of climate change till now, but in near future this situation can become reversed. This necessitates the implementation of appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures to deal with the problems of climate change and to ensure the food security and food safety along in long run.

Significados y usos que los habitantes de una vereda en Chigorodó, Antioquia, Colombia, dan a los alimentos que producen / Significance and Uses of Foods Cultivated by Rural Inhabitants of Chigorodó, Antioquia, Colombia

Antecedentes: la agricultura familiar se reconoce como una práctica importante para que las poblaciones mejoren el acceso a alimentos propios y los ingresos, y contribuyan a la seguridad alimentaria en su región. Objetivo: conocer los significados y usos dados por los habitantes de una vereda del municipio de Chigorodó, Antioquia, a los alimentos que producen. Materiales y métodos: investigación cualitativa basada en etnografía enfocada. Los datos se recolectaron mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas a 14 participantes, observación participante y elaboración de mapas de los predios. La información obtenida se transcribió, leyó y codificó, identificando aspectos significativos, relaciones entre los datos, hasta conformar categorías preliminares y emergentes, que fueron validadas con los participantes. Resultados: las razones para cultivar incluyen vocación, tradición familiar y necesidad del sustento. Vivir en el campo se relaciona con felicidad, tranquilidad y salud. Los alimentos más cultivados son plátano, mango, limón, coco, guayaba; además se crían animales. Los participantes dan a lo producido usos alimentarios, cosméticos, medicinales y de aseo; algunos productos también se venden o intercambian. Conclusión: los alimentos producidos aportan a la soberanía alimentaria y a la economía familiar, tienen usos que reflejan diversos saberes; se resalta el papel protagónico de la mujer en la agricultura familiar.

Background: Family farming is a practice that makes it possible for the population to obtain food and income while contributing to the food security of their region. Objective: To understand the significance and uses that the inhabit¬ants of a rural settlement, located in the Chigorodó municipality in the Department of Antioquia, place on the food they grow. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study, based on focused ethnography, in which data were collected via active observation, semi-structured interviews administered to 14 participants, and property mapping. The data were transcribed, read and coded. Significant aspects and data relationships were identified. Preliminary and emergent categories were consolidated and the results were validated with the participants. Results: Among the reasons for growing food, the following stand out: vocation, tradition, and need to support one's family. Additionally, living in the countryside is associated with happiness, tranquility and health. The most common types of food produced are: plantain, mango, lime, coconut and guava. In addition, they also raise animals. Household use the foods and products they cultivate for food, cosmetics, medicine, and cleaning. Outside the household these products are sold and traded. Furthermore, people express diverse knowledge on the medicinal and cosmetic uses of plants as well as on how to grow them. Conclusions: Growing food contributes to the food security of these households and their family economy. Likewise, the leading role of women is highlighted in this activity. Finally, a diverse body of everyday knowledge was observed in this study.

Randomized branch sampling to estimatefruit production in Pecan trees cv. ‘Barton’ / Amostragem aleatória de ramos para estimative de produção de frutos de Nogueira-pecã (cv. ‘Barton’)

ABSTRACT: Sampling techniques to quantify the production of fruits are still very scarce and create a gap in crop development research. This study was conducted in a rural property in the county of Cachoeira do Sul - RS to estimate the efficiency of randomized branch sampling (RBS) in quantifying the production of pecan fruit at three different ages (5,7 and 10 years). Two selection techniques were tested: the probability proportional to the diameter (PPD) and the uniform probability (UP) techniques, which were performed on nine trees, three from each age and randomly chosen. The RBS underestimated fruit production for all ages, and its main drawback was the high sampling error (125.17% - PPD and 111.04% - UP). The UP was regarded as more efficient than the PPD, though both techniques estimated similar production and similar experimental errors. In conclusion, we reported that branch sampling was inaccurate for this case study, requiring new studies to produce estimates with smaller sampling error.

RESUMO: Técnicas de amostragem para quantificar a produção de frutos ainda são muito raras e geram uma lacuna no desenvolvimento das culturas. O presente estudo foi realizado em uma propriedade rural no município de Cachoeira do Sul - RS, com o objetivo de verificar a eficiência da amostragem aleatória de ramos (AAR) para estimar a produção de frutos de nogueira-pecã com três diferentes idades (5, 7 e 10 anos). Foram testadas duas técnicas de seleção: probabilidade proporcional ao diâmetro (PPD) e probabilidade uniforme (PU), aplicadas em nove árvores, sendo três de cada idade escolhidas através de sorteio. A AAR subestimou a produção de frutos nas idades avaliadas, sendo sua principal desvantagem o alto erro amostral (125,17% - PPD e 111,04% - PU). A PU foi considerada mais eficiente que a PPD nas árvores amostradas, mas com estimativas de produção e erros experimentais semelhantes. Conclui-se que a amostragem em ramos Foi imprecisa para o caso estudado, sendo necessária a realização de novos estudos para geração de estimativas com menor erro de amostragem.

Prevalência de agravos de pele e fatores associados em trabalhadores de uma empresa agropecuária do sul do Brasil / Prevalence of skin disease and associated factors in workers of an agricultural company in Southern Brazil

Contexto: Apesar da proteção conferida à saúde pela pele e anexos, há fatores que podem atingir esse órgão, provocando nele importantes agravos. Entre tais fatores estão os ocupacionais. Objetivo: Descrever a prevalência e analisar os fatores associados com problemas de pele, em geral autorrelatados, causados pelo trabalho. Métodos: O presente estudo, de corte transversal, entrevistou trabalhadores de uma empresa agropecuária do sul do Brasil. O instrumento da pesquisa foi um questionário semiestruturado com questões abertas e fechadas, aplicado por meio de entrevistas. Resultados: Dos 326 trabalhadores da empresa, foram entrevistados 273 (83,8%), e foi encontrada uma prevalência de agravos de pele de 15,2%. Houve maior ocorrência de problemas de pele em homens (16,8%), faixa etária dos 41 aos 50 anos (20,3%), associados com exposições ocupacionais, especialmente a poeiras. Conclusão: Conclui­se que é importante o gerenciamento dos riscos ambientais, uma vez que podem estar associados ao surgimento de problemas de pele relacionados ao trabalho.

Context: Despite the health protection provided by the skin and appendages, there are factors that can affect this organ, causing major skin injuries. Among such factors are the occupational ones. Objective: To describe the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with generally self-reported skin problems caused by work. Methods: This cross-sectional study interviewed workers from an agricultural company in Southern Brazil. The research instrument was a semi-structured questionnaire containing opened and closed questions. Results: Out of the 326 employees in the company, 273 (83.8%) were interviewed. A prevalence of skin disorders of 15.2% was found. There was a greater occurrence of skin problems in men (16.8%), who were aged between 41 and 50 years (20.3%). These problems were associated with occupational exposures, especially to dust. Conclusion: It can be concluded that environmental risk management is important, as it may be associated with the occurrence of work-related skin problems.

Bioprospecting of plant growth promoting psychrotrophic Bacilli from the cold desert of north western Indian Himalayas.

The plant growth promoting psychrotrophic Bacilli were investigated from different sites in north western Indian Himalayas. A total of 247 morphotypes were obtained from different soil and water samples and were grouped into 43 clusters based on 16S rDNA-RFLP analysis with three restriction endonucleases. Sequencing of representative isolates has revealed that these 43 Bacilli belonged to different species of 11 genera viz., Desemzia, Exiguobacterium, Jeotgalicoccus, Lysinibacillus, Paenibacillus, Planococcus, Pontibacillus, Sinobaca, Sporosarcina, Staphylococcus and Virgibacillus. With an aim to develop microbial inoculants that can perform efficiently at low temperatures, all representative isolates were screened for different plant growth promoting traits at low temperatures (5-15°C). Among the strains, variations were observed for production (%) of indole-3-acetic acid (20), ammonia (19), siderophores (11), gibberellic acid (4) and hydrogen cyanide (2); solubilisation (%) of zinc (14), phosphate (13) and potassium (7); 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity (6%) and biocontrol activity (4%) against Rhizoctonia solani and Macrophomina phaseolina. Among all the strains, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus muralis, Desemzia incerta, Paenibacillus tylopili and Sporosarcina globispora were found to be potent candidates to be developed as inoculants as they exhibited multiple PGP traits at low temperature.

Produção de biomassa aérea, teor e rendimento de extrato das folhas de crajiru [ Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl. ) B. Verl. ] em função de adubação orgânica em Manaus, estado do Amazonas, Brasil / Aerial biomass production, content and yield of crajiru leaf extract [Arrabidaea chica (Bonpl. ) B. Verl. ] as a function of organic fertilizer in Manaus, state of Amazonas, Brazil

RESUMO A espécie Arrabidaea chica pertencente à família Bignoniaceae é também conhecida popularmente como crajiru. É Utilizada tradicionalmente no tratamento de enfermidades da pele, inflamações, infecções, dentre outros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de biomassa aérea, teor e rendimento de extrato de crajiru em função de diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico em Manaus, AM. As mudas foram formadas através de estacas e mantidas por 60 dias em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 5x3 com delineamento em blocos casualizados onde os níveis dos fatores foram as diferentes fontes de adubo orgânico: composto (5,0 kg/m2), esterco de aves (3,0 kg/m2), casca de guaraná (4,0 kg/m2), esterco de gado (4,0 kg/m2) e controle (ausência), e os três morfotipos de crajiru. Obedeceu-se o espaçamento de 1,0x1,0 m entre planta e 2,0 m entre blocos. Após 240 dias foram avaliadas a produção de folhas e caules, relação folha/caule, teor de extratos hexânico concentrado em evaporador rotativo obtido pela fórmula: (massa do extrato/massa da amostra total)x100; e o rendimento de extrato estimado pela equação: (%extrato x massa seca total das folhas)/100. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias ao Teste de Tukey (p<0,05). As fontes de adubo orgânico promoveram melhor desenvolvimento das plantas de, exceto para o morfotipo 1. O esterco de aves proporcionou maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos. Dessa forma, sugere-se que a adubação orgânica propicia maior produção de biomassa, teor e rendimento de extratos de A. chica.

ABSTRACT The Arrabidaea chicaspecies belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and is also popularly known as crajiru. It is traditionally used to treat skin diseases, inflammations and infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass production, the content and the yield of crajiru extract in face of different sources of organic fertilizer in Manaus, AM. The seedlings were formed by cuttings and kept for 60 days in a greenhouse. The trial was conducted in a 5x3 factorial design with randomized block organization where the factor levels were different sources of organic fertilizer: compound (5.0 kg / m 2), chicken manure (3.0 kg / m 2), bark guarana (4.0 kg / m2), cattle manure (4.0 kg / m 2) and control (absence), and the three morphotypes of crajiru. It was obeyed the spacing between the plants (1,0 x1,0m) and the blocks (2,0m) . After 240 days it were evaluated the production of leaves and stems, the leaf / stem ratio, and the content of hexane extracts concentrated by rotary evaporation obtained by the following formula: (mass of extract / mass of total sample) x100; and the yield estimated by the equation extract: (% extract x total dry mass of leaves) / 100. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and means to the Tukey"s test (p <0.05). The sources of organic fertilizer promoted better development of plants, except for the morphotype 1. The poultry manure provided higher biomass, content and yield of extracts. Thus, it is suggested that the organic fertilizer provides greater biomass production, content and yield of A. chica extracts.