Special Issue "Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jun-Ichi Sakagami
E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
Interests: alkaline and acidic stress; genetic diversity; drought; crop modeling; extreme temperatures stress; flooding and oxidative stress; priming; rationing; salinity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of tropical crop science is increasing in response to global environmental change. As our planet gradually warms the ground temperature and affects CO2 fertilization, the crop yield is gradually increasing. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the functionality and yield of tropical crops, and to further study sustainable agricultural management in tropical and subtropical regions. It is generally argued that the increased use of tropical crop resources diversity contributes to higher sustainability, productivity, and resilience of smallholder’s farming systems. This Special Issue is focused on advancing aspects of crop breeding, genetics, physiology, ecology, agronomy, and cropping systems in sustainable tropical crop science and agriculture management under global warming.

Prof. Dr. Jun-Ichi Sakagami
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • abiotic stress
  • agricultural technology
  • crop adaptation
  • crop management
  • cropping system
  • environmental science
  • global warming
  • plant biology

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Article
Assessment on the Suitability of Planting Non-Native Peatlands Species Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & Grimes in Rewetted Peatlands
Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7015; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137015 - 22 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 363
Abstract
Sengon (Falcataria moluccana), a fast-growing timber tree that naturally grows on mineral soils, is currently promoted in peatlands. This study aimed to (1) experimentally test the response of sengon seedlings in waterlogged conditions in the nursery; (2) describe and analyze the [...] Read more.
Sengon (Falcataria moluccana), a fast-growing timber tree that naturally grows on mineral soils, is currently promoted in peatlands. This study aimed to (1) experimentally test the response of sengon seedlings in waterlogged conditions in the nursery; (2) describe and analyze the biophysical condition of a sengon plantation and its growth; (3) describe sengon farm practices on peatlands; and (4) identify key actor’s perception on planting sengon on peatlands. This study combined an experiment in nursery, field measurements, and key-informant interviews. The nursery experiment showed that peat soil affected seedling’s growth: survival rates decreased by 25–33% after 3 months of inundation. Sengon growth at age 1–5-years-old in peat soil was slower than that on mineral soils. Sengon growth in peatland was influenced by peat depth and peat maturity. Sengon plantation in Central Kalimantan was driven by market availability and industrial wood demand. Fourty-three percent of respondents thought sengon does not grow well in peat soils, but 57% of respondents thought that additional soil treatment will enhance site suitability. Based on key-informants’ experience, 64% disagree with sengon development in peatlands. Our study provides evidence that sengon is predominantly not suitable to be planted on peatlands. Therefore, cautions need to be taken when planting sengon on peatland areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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Article
The Integrated Cropping Calendar Information System: A Coping Mechanism to Climate Variability for Sustainable Agriculture in Indonesia
Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6495; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116495 - 07 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 742
Abstract
Climate change and its variability are some of the most critical threats to sustainable agriculture, with potentially severe consequences on Indonesia’s agriculture, such as changes in rainfall patterns, especially the onset of the wet season and the temporal distribution of rainfall. Most Indonesian [...] Read more.
Climate change and its variability are some of the most critical threats to sustainable agriculture, with potentially severe consequences on Indonesia’s agriculture, such as changes in rainfall patterns, especially the onset of the wet season and the temporal distribution of rainfall. Most Indonesian farmers receive support from agricultural extension services, and therefore, design their agricultural calendar based on personal experience without considering global climate phenomena, such as La Niña and El Niño, which difficult to interpret on a local scale. This paper describes the Integrated Cropping Calendar Information System (ICCIS) as a mechanism for adapting to climate variability. The ICCIS contains recommendations on planting time, cropping pattern, planting area, varieties, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, potential livestock feed, and crop damage due to climate extremes for rice, maize, and soybean. To accelerate the dissemination of information, the ICCIS is presented in an integrated web-based information system. The ICCIS is disseminated to extension workers and farmers by Task Force of the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (AIAT) located in each province. Based on the survey results, it is known that the ICCIS adoption rate is moderate to high. The AIAT must actively encourage and support the ICCIS Task Force team in each province. Concerning the technological recommendations, it is necessary to update the recommendations for varieties, fertilizer, and feed to be more compatible with local conditions. More accurate information and more intensive dissemination can enrich farmers’ knowledge, allowing for a better understanding of climate hazards and maintaining agricultural production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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Article
Moisture Content Impact on Properties of Briquette Produced from Rice Husk Waste
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3069; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063069 - 11 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 599
Abstract
An agricultural waste-based source of energy in the form of briquettes from rice husk has emerged as an alternative energy source. However, rice husk-based briquette has a low bulk density and moisture content, resulting in low durability. This study investigated the effect of [...] Read more.
An agricultural waste-based source of energy in the form of briquettes from rice husk has emerged as an alternative energy source. However, rice husk-based briquette has a low bulk density and moisture content, resulting in low durability. This study investigated the effect of initial moisture contents of 12%, 14%, and 16% of rice husk-based briquettes blended with 10 wt% of kraft lignin on their chemical and physical characteristics. The briquetting was done using a hand push manual die compressor. The briquette properties were evaluated by performing chemical (ultimate and proximate analysis, thermogravimetric analysis), physical (density, durability, compressive strength, and surface morphology) analyses. The durability values of all briquette samples were above 95%, meeting the standard with good compressive strength, surface morphology, and acceptable density range. The briquette made from the blend with 14% moisture content showed the highest calorific value of 17.688 MJ kg−1, thanks to its desirable morphology and good porosity range, which facilitates the transport of air for combustion. Overall, this study proved the approach of enhancing the quality of briquettes from rice husk by controlling the moisture content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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Article
Development of Biosorbent Derived from the Endocarp Waste of Gayo Coffee for Lead Removal in Liquid Wastewater—Effects of Chemical Activators
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3050; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063050 - 10 Mar 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 573
Abstract
This study reports the development of bio-based adsorbent by utilizing coffee endocarp (CE) waste as a raw material for lead (Pb) removal from liquid wastewater. The effect of NaOH and HCl as activation precursors on the characteristics and performance of the resulting adsorbents [...] Read more.
This study reports the development of bio-based adsorbent by utilizing coffee endocarp (CE) waste as a raw material for lead (Pb) removal from liquid wastewater. The effect of NaOH and HCl as activation precursors on the characteristics and performance of the resulting adsorbents was investigated. The prepared adsorbents were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Surface Area Analyzer (SAA). The characterization results confirm the positive role of the activation by either NaOH or HCl in enhancing the surface properties of the resulting adsorbents. The chemical activations removed most of impurities leading to smoother surface, pore size enlargement and enhanced surface area to pore volume ratio, which result in an enhanced adsorption capacity and Pb removal efficiency. The raw adsorbent shows 57.7% of Pb removal efficiency and sorption capacity of 174.4 mg/g. On the other hand, after the chemical treatment using HCl and NaOH, the Pb removal efficiencies increased up to 63.9% and 89.86%, with adsorption capacity of 193 and 271.58 mg/g, respectively. Though both activated sorbents demonstrate better adsorption performance compared to the non-activated CE, overall results reveal that the NaOH-activated sorbent offers better characteristic and performance than the HCl-activated sorbent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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Article
Nutrient and Stoichiometric Characteristics of Aggregates in a Sloping Farmland Area under Different Tillage Practices
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020890 - 17 Jan 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 460
Abstract
Sloping farmland is prevalent in hilly red soil areas of South China. Improper tillage patterns induce decreased soil organic matter, soil aggregate breakdown, and nutrient imbalance, thereby restricting crop production. However, the stoichiometric characteristics could reflect the nutrient availability which was mostly studied [...] Read more.
Sloping farmland is prevalent in hilly red soil areas of South China. Improper tillage patterns induce decreased soil organic matter, soil aggregate breakdown, and nutrient imbalance, thereby restricting crop production. However, the stoichiometric characteristics could reflect the nutrient availability which was mostly studied on bulk soil. The stoichiometric characteristics of soil aggregates with multiple functions in farmlands has rarely been studied. The study was to reveal the impact of tillage patterns on the size distribution, nutrient levels, and stoichiometric ratios of soil aggregates after 20 years’ cultivation. Soil samples of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm from five tillage patterns, bare-land control (BL), longitudinal-ridge tillage (LR), conventional tillage + straw mulching (CS), cross-ridge tillage (CR), and longitudinal-ridge tillage + hedgerows (LH) were collected. The elemental content (C, N and P) and soil aggregate size distribution were determined, and the stoichiometric ratios were subsequently calculated. Through our analysis and study, it was found that the nutrient content of >2 mm soil aggregates in all plots was the highest. In the hedgerow plots, >2 mm water-stable soil aggregate content was increased. Therefore, LH plots have the highest content of organic matter and nutrients. After 20 years of cultivation, stoichiometric ratio of each plot showed different changes on soil aggregates at different levels. the C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios are lower than the national average of cultivated land. Among of them, the stoichiometric ratio in the LH plot is closer to the mean and showed better water-stable aggregate enhancement. Therefore, longitudinal-ridge tillage + hedgerows can be recommended as a cultivation measure. This study provides a reference for determining appropriate tillage measures, balancing nutrient ratios, and implementing rational fertilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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Article
Analysis of Non-Structural Carbohydrate in Relation with Shoot Elongation of Rice under Complete Submergence
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020670 - 12 Jan 2021
Viewed by 633
Abstract
Regulation of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important for plants in response to submergence. In this study, the difference in non-structural carbohydrates in relation with shoot elongation between Sub1A and non-Sub1A rice genotypes was investigated. Two rice genotypes, namely Inpari30 (Sub1A genotype) [...] Read more.
Regulation of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are important for plants in response to submergence. In this study, the difference in non-structural carbohydrates in relation with shoot elongation between Sub1A and non-Sub1A rice genotypes was investigated. Two rice genotypes, namely Inpari30 (Sub1A genotype) and IR72442 (non-Sub1A genotype), were submerged completely for 6 days and re-aerated by lowering water level up to stem base for 6 days of post submergence. In addition, non-submerged plants (control) was treated with water level up to stem base during the experiment. Photosynthesis rate decreased in both submerged Inpari30 and IR72442 genotypes 71% and 96% lower than their control, respectively. Submerged IR72442 declined Fv/Fm 15.6% lowest than its control and both control and submerged Inpari30. Investigation of the distribution of starch and soluble sugar content in plant organs suggested that shoot elongation of non-Sub1A genotype led to starch and sugar consumption that distributed faster to the new developed organ during submergence. In contrast, Sub1A genotype of Inpari30, which did not exhibit shoot elongation and showed slower NSCs distribution during submergence, performed better on post submergence by maintaining NSCs and distributing to the new developed organ faster than IR72442. These results suggest that Sub1A genotype managed elongation and NSCs during submergence more efficiently than non-Sub1A genotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Tropical Crop Science and Agriculture Management)
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