Search Results (22)

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. is a species of annual plant that has been gaining importance in recent years. Initially, it was treated as an ornamental plant and valuable only to bees. Over the years, this species has become more widely known, and many more of its advantages have been discovered. The aim of this study was to learn about the contemporary economic importance of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. The extraordinary, rapid increase in the plant’s biomass means that it is valued as a fodder plant and at the same time is included in the group of leaders among catch crops. It is characterized by low requirements for soil quality. The main advantage of this plant is its high resistance to drought and frost. A great advantage of this plant is its high drought resistance. It is recommended for sowing both in monoculture and in mixtures with other species. In the light of current standards and assumptions, it fits perfectly into the framework of sustainable development. It is a valuable link in the biodiversity chain, as well as support for a number of ecosystem services such as CO₂ sequestration, retention of nutrients in the soil or protection of its structure. Phacelia is seen as having great potential as a plant that provides food for a number of pollinators. The latest research also focuses on assessing the possibility of using it for energy purposes (biogas). Efforts are being made to introduce phacelia on a wider scale to eliminate crop monocultures and significantly strengthen biodiversity in a given area. Phacelia plays an important role in various agronomic systems and effectively supports the protection of the natural environment. The contribution of this species to the development of ecosystem services to date is undeniable. It should be assumed that this plant will continue to significantly support a number of activities for sustainable development. Full article

An annual relay intercropping of grasses and legumes (LGI) (50:50) was compared with the sole crops, respectively, to determine the effect of the mixtures on the yield and quality of them as fodder in the Mediterranean region. The treatments were sole Rye (Secale cereale; G1), Ryegrass (Lolium perenne; G2), Faba bean (Vicia faba L.; L1), Berssem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.; L2), inoculated Clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.; L3), and all the combinations of grasses and legumes. The experiment used a randomized block design with three blocks. ANOVA showed significant effects of intercropping on the biomass yield (BY) and the forage quality. Monocrops L2 and L3 showed better fodder quality than LGI and L1. The relative land-use efficiency (RLI) was higher for four out of six intercrops, while G2L1 and G2L3 had an RLI < 1, indicating lower efficiency than their monocrops. The Aggressivity Index (AG) showed that L1 was competitive against the grasses. The Relative Yield Maximization (RYM) demonstrated that intercropping significantly improved the biomass yield. The competition indices revealed that G1 with legumes had the highest efficiency and economic viability (ELER > 1), while the G2 combinations were less profitable. The study highlights the importance of selecting species based on soil fertility and climatic conditions to optimize intercropping outcomes. Full article

There is an increasing demand for low-maintenance public garden models, and environmental stress on plants due to climate change is growing. As a result, the demand for developing new plant varieties based on native species for use in gardens in response to climate change has increased significantly. Many plants in the Poaceae family are applied for various purposes, including food crops, fodder grasses, ornamental plants, and medicinal plants. Additionally, native plants provide economic and ecological benefits, making them advantageous for use in gardens. However, there are some difficulties in Poaceae breeding studies and the utilization of wild native plants for breeding. Model plants can be utilized in breeding studies of Poaceae plant species. In this study, to identify Korean native Poaceae species with the potential for use not only as garden materials but also as model plants for breeding research in response to climate change, candidate species were selected from the Korean Plant Names Index (KPNI). A total of three Korean native plants in the Poaceae family, including Brachypodium sylvaticum, Setaria viridis, and Zoysia japonica, were selected, and their properties and genome information were compared with the existing representative model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Brachypodium distachyon. The current research status of B. sylvaticum, S. viridis, and Z. japonica has been summarized, and the genome size and other characteristics of these model plants have been compared and discussed. As a result, both A. thaliana (2n = 2x = 10) and B. distachyon (2n = 2x = 10) are annual C₃ plants, but B. sylvaticum (2n = 2x = 18) is a perennial C₃ plant, and S. viridis (2n = 2x = 18) is an annual C₄ plant. Thus, B. sylvaticum and S. viridis can be utilized as model plants for perennial C₃ plants and annual C₄ plants, respectively. Z. japonica (2n = 4x = 40) is a perennial C₄ plant, but it can be unsuitable as a model plant because it is an allotetraploid. The application of these newly selected candidate plants in breeding research can build a foundation for breeding native Poaceae plants in Korea in the new climate regime. Full article

One of the main challenges in modern animal husbandry in North Kazakhstan is ensuring an uninterrupted supply of sufficient fodder crops. This research, conducted from 2019 to 2023, aimed to develop strategies for cultivating environmentally sustainable fodder crops capable of providing a stable fodder crop base under the changing climatic conditions of the North Kazakhstan region. The studies included analysis of air temperature and precipitation data as well as monitoring of fodder grass mixtures within a green fodder conveyor system. Different sowing dates for fodder crops and mixtures were selected for the development of the conveyor system. The range of experimental variants included fodder crops and their mixtures from various botanical families. The experiment involved both perennial (alfalfa and festulolium) and annual (corn, pea, sunflower, Sudan grass, oats, and rapeseed) crops. The highest green mass yields were achieved by the following variants: fodder crops of corn + pea—74.40 c/ha; mixtures of annual legume–grass crops in the pea + oats variant of the first sowing date—43.64 c/ha; Sudan grass + pea—45.72 c/ha; mixtures of perennial grasses in the second utilization term of alfalfa + festulolium—64.9 c/ha; and rapeseed sown at the first sowing date—46.61 c/ha. In terms of crude and digestible protein content, the best among the annual grass variants was the mixture of Sudan grass and pea (crude protein—33.59 g/kg, digestible protein—24.5 g/kg), and the best among the perennials was the variant of the first utilization term (crude protein—50.42 g/kg, digestible protein—38.2 g/kg). Regarding metabolizable energy content, the annual crop variant of corn + pea had a yield of 1.92 MJ/kg, and in the perennial variant, the mixture of alfalfa and festulolium in the first utilization term had a yield of 2.68 MJ/kg. Such an approach to creating green fodder conveyors can be crucial for developing effective strategies for adapting agriculture to climate change, including the selection of promising fodder crops and optimization of their placement. The results obtained can contribute to enhancing the productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in the North Kazakhstan region. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most demanded grain crops in the world. Currently, production has exceeded one billion tons and is increasing by 3–5% annually. Such growth is due to the genetic potential of the crop and the use of heterosis F1 hybrids in production. However, the need to produce first-generation seed annually poses significant challenges and is an economically costly technology. A solution to this problem may be the transfer of the asexual (apomictic) mode of reproduction to maize from its wild relative, eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.). In this work, we report the production of 56-chromosome apomictic hybrids of maize (Zea mays L.) with eastern gamagrass (T. dactyloides L.) with restored anther fertility. The mode of reproduction of the plant was confirmed by counting chromosomes and sequencing the nuclear gene (Pox3) and chloroplast tRNA-Leu (trnL) gene. These apomictic hybrids had karyotypes of 2n = 56 = [(10Zm(573MB) + 36Td) + 10Zm(611CB)] and 2n = 56 = [(10Zm(611CB) + 36Td) + 10Zm(611CB)]. The resulting hybrids can be widely used as a fodder crop. Full article

Annual Medicago species contribute significantly to improved fodder production in Algeria. The leguminous plant model is Medicago truncatula Gaertner. Because of its high protein content, this plant is essential for natural soil fertilization as well as good quality nutrition for animals and humans. However, abiotic stresses such as salinity are the leading cause of land degradation and crop productivity limitations worldwide, and they have an impact on legume physiology and metabolism. We investigated the pollen tube growth behavior in two contrasting Medicago truncatula ecotypes under salt stress (Tru 42, tolerant, and Tru 242, sensitive) with different NaCl concentrations (68, 102, and 137 mM) because pollen tube growth mechanisms can be affected by environmental stresses such as water and salt stress. According to the data, the Tru242 ecotype has a pollen tube elongation of 1.41 to 8.45 um, whereas the high pollen tube elongation of the Tru 42 ecotype is between 2.8 and 18.83 um. It is crucial to comprehend the physiological reactions of male gametophytes in order to reproduce, as salinity stress can hinder their ability to do so. It is intriguing to include the tolerant genotype in a selection program for leguminous breeding, as the analysis revealed that the tolerant ecotype has better pollen tube elongation than the sensitive one. in fact, there is not enough knowledge about pollen tolerance mechanism to salt stress of Medicago truncatula or other Medicago species. Full article

Integrating cover crops into crop rotation could provide options for herbicide-resistant weed control in farming systems. To evaluate the potential effectiveness of spring-planted cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) on weed suppression, productivity, and feed quality of annual forage crops as sole crops and intercrops in order to determine the best agroecological technique, two-year experiments were laid out under arid conditions in the Akmolinsk region in northern Kazakhstan. Three annual forage crops, namely, (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) (control), common millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), and Japanese millet (Echinochloa frumentacea L.), and three annual intercropping systems, i.e., 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); 40% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 30% (Piper) Stapf.-Sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense) + 30% barley (Hordeum vulgare L.); and 50% pea (Pisum sativum L.) + 50% (Piper) Stapf.-sudan grass (Sorghum Sudanense), as well as the six mentioned treatments with the sole crops and intercrops plus cover crop oats (Avena sativa L.) were used. Japanese millet is a promising newly introduced crop in northern Kazakhstan. It was revealed that the cover crop significantly reduced weed density in the forage sole crops and their intercrops. In all cases, integrating the cover crop with annual forage crops showed higher quality and productivity than non-covered treatments. A highly productive annual crop grown with and without cover intercrop was Sudan grass. The highest yield among the three intercropping systems was recorded with the intercrop constituting 40% pea + 30% Sudan grass + 30% barley. The crude protein content was higher in biomass from sole crops and intercrops constituting cover crops. The overall view was that the use of oats as a cover crop on sole annual forage crops and their intercrops including methods that could be integrated with chemical and non-chemical methods in the field could be a valuable way to reduce weed pressure and improve quality and productivity during the vegetation period. Full article

Agricultural intensification has resulted in the depletion of groundwater resources in many regions of the world. A prime example is Saudi Arabia, which witnessed dramatic agricultural expansion since the 1970s. To explore the influence of policy interventions aimed to better manage water resources, accurate information on the changes in the number and acreage of center-pivot fields is required. To quantify these metrics, we apply a hybrid machine learning framework, consisting of Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise, Convolutional Neural Networks, and Spectral Clustering, to the annual maximum Normalized Differential Vegetation Index maps obtained from Landsat imagery collected between 1990 to 2021. When evaluated against more than 28,000 manually delineated fields, the approach demonstrated producer’s accuracies ranging from 83.7% to 94.8% and user’s accuracies ranging from 90.2% to 97.9%. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) between framework-delineated and manually delineated fields was higher than 0.97. Nationally, we found that most fields pre-dated 1990 (covering 8841 km${}^2$ in that year) and were primarily located within the central regions covering Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, and Wadi ad-Dawasir. A small decreasing trend in field acreage was observed for the period 1990–2010. However, by 2015, the acreage had increased to approximately 33,000 fields covering 9310 km${}^2$. While a maximum extent was achieved in 2016, recent decreases have seen levels return to pre-1990 levels. The gradual decrease between 1990 to 2010 was related to policy initiatives designed to phase-out wheat, while increases between 2010 to 2015 were linked to fodder crop expansion. There is evidence of an agricultural uptick starting in 2021, which is likely in response to global influences such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the conflict in Ukraine. Overall, this work offers the first detailed assessment of long-term agricultural development in Saudi Arabia, and provides important insights related to production metrics such as crop types, crop water consumption, and crop phenology and the overarching impacts of agricultural policy interventions. Full article

Agroecology is an agricultural, holistic, and innovative approach, which aims to increase the effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of agricultural systems. This approach is very rewarding for agriculture in developing countries, mainly in arid zones where water resources are in sharp decline. In this study, we examined farmers’ knowledge by studying existing agricultural production systems and agricultural practices in Moulay Driss Zerhoun (S1) and the Middle Atlas (S2) in central Morocco, to assess the gap between them and the principles and recommendations of agroecology. Data were collected through a survey of 64 farmers, and through field trips and observations. Collected data were analyzed with Chi-square tests and canonical correspondence analysis. Most farms (63.3% in S1 and 52.9% in S2) have an area between 0 and 5 ha. Both areas frequently opt for agroforestry. Olive trees and annual crops (85%), olive trees and fodder crops (10%), and olive trees and market garden crops (5%) are the most recorded associations. Olive trees were used frequently in association with other fruit trees, such as almond trees (15%), carob trees (13%), and fig trees (5%). Of farmers practicing agroforestry, 70% use only organic fertilizers. Thus, 53% of the farmers interviewed at the level of the S2 zone cultivate vegetable crops, against 17% at the level of S1, and only 40% of the farmers of S1 use irrigation, while 60% depend on rainfall. On the other hand, 83.3% of farmers in S1 adopted a two-year rotation—cereals and legumes—against 30% in S2. Tillage or plowing is considered by farmers a necessary procedure before sowing, and, only in S2, 71% of farmers opt for annual tillage of their land for agroforestry. Based on multivariate analysis, the choice of crops was significantly influenced by region and type of organization. However, it was not influenced by topography or farmland size, and the land and area played an important role in the selection of crop types. Raising awareness and introducing agroecological practices in the two study areas based on local knowledge seems essential, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of agroecosystems, respecting the environment, and guaranteeing the sustainability of small farmers through the diversification of their productions. The obtained results from this work are the first in this field of study and constitute a basis for comparative investigations. Full article

Nowadays, the lack of cattle feed, particularly green fodder, has become a key limiting factor in the agricultural economy. Switchgrass appears to offer a viable solution to the feed shortage. An improved cultivation practice might be needed to boost switchgrass forage production all season long. This study was conducted to quantify the positive effects of introducing different legume crops (vetch and pea), optimally fertilized, on the production and quality of mixed harvested switchgrass–legumes hay in late spring (May) and switchgrass hay harvested once more in early fall (September). The studied intercropping systems, independently of the legume species used, increased forage productivity (almost threefold), reaching 7.5 t ha⁻¹ and quality characteristics, with protein content almost rising threefold, reaching 12.5%. The aforementioned practice can assist the perennial crop (switchgrass) in providing a high hay production during the early fall harvest, even without fertilization. The overall annual economic benefit for the farmers may be increased by 90–720 € per ha, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Overall, it may be concluded that the suggested cropping system produces a significantly higher yield of cattle feed compared to traditional monocultures, improving the agricultural economy while reducing the negative effects of modern agriculture on the environment. Full article

Efficient use of available resources in agricultural production is important to minimize carbon footprint considering the state of climate change. In this context, the current research was conducted to identify carbon and energy-efficient fodder cropping systems for sustainable livestock production. Annual monocropping, perennial monocropping, annual cereal + legume intercropping and perennial cereal + legume intercropping systems were evaluated by employing a randomized complete block design with three replications under field conditions. The lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) monocropping system recorded significantly lower carbon input (274 kg-CE ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and showed higher carbon indices viz., carbon sustainability index (165.8), the carbon efficiency ratio (166.8) and carbon efficiency (347.5 kg kg-CE⁻¹) over other systems. However, higher green fodder biomass led to statistically higher carbon output (78,542 kg-CE ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) in the Bajra–Napier hybrid (Pennisetum glaucum × Pennisetum purpureum) + lucerne perennial system. Similar to carbon input, lower input energy requirement (16,106 MJ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and nutrient energy ratio (25.7) were estimated with the lucerne perennial system. However, significantly higher energy output (376,345 and 357,011 MJ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and energy indices viz., energy use efficiency (13.3 and 12.2), energy productivity (5.8 and 5.3 kg MJ⁻¹), net energy (327,811 and 347,961 MJ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and energy use efficiency (12.3 and 11.2) were recorded with Bajra–Napier hybrid + legume [lucerne and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)] cropping systems, respectively. However, these systems were on par with the lucerne monocropping system. Additionally, Bajra–Napier hybrid + legume [cowpea, sesbania (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.) and lucerne] cropping systems also showed higher human energy profitability. Concerning various inputs’ contribution to total carbon and energy input, chemical fertilizers were identified as the major contributors (73 and 47%), followed by farmyard manure (20 and 22%) used to cultivate crops, respectively, across the cropping systems. Extensive use of indirect (82%) and non-renewable energy sources (69%) was noticed compared to direct (18%) and renewable energy sources (31%). Overall, perennial monocropping and cereal + legume cropping systems performed well in terms of carbon and energy efficiency. However, in green biomass production and carbon and energy efficiency, Bajra–Napier hybrid + legume (lucerne and cowpea) cropping systems were identified as the best systems for climate-smart livestock feed production. Full article

The integrated farming system (IFS) is a comprehensive farm practice to improve small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods. The IFS enhances nutrient recycling and food security and promotes greater efficiency of fertilizers and natural resources. To improve livelihood, profits, and employment generation holistically through an IFS method, a study was conducted over four years, from 2016 to 2019, to define the farming condition in 1036 households in the Muzzafarnagar district of Western Uttar Pradesh. Crop + dairy was the most frequent farming method (68%) followed by crop + dairy + horticulture + goatary. Compared to older cultivars, improved rice, maize, wheat, and barley cultivars enhanced crop yield by 17 to 42%. Transplanting sugarcane and intercropping of mustard increased system yield from 58.89% to 86.17% compared to the sole sugarcane crop. Nutritional kitchen gardening resulted in an average saving of $20 to $25 during the Kharif season and $20 to $27 during Rabi season. Exotic vegetables such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cherry tomato, kale, parsley, and lettuce were introduced, which increased regular income. With the adoption of a multi-tier-based system, the net returns from the system improved from 0.6 lakh to 2.20 lakhs per ha. Enhancing the fodder availability resulted in a 27.5% milk yield improvement. The study’s outcomes demonstrated that a five-member family’s annual protein (110–125 kg) and carbohydrate (550 to 575 kg) requirements can be easily met using the IFS technique. According to the study, IFS approaches combined with better technical interventions can ensure the long-term viability of farming systems and improve livelihoods. Full article

The odors and dust emitted from hen houses affect human health and the condition of crops. The source of fumes is an element of the poultry house environment that affects the level of dust (litter and feed), the concentration of volatile compounds and the composition of the microflora (litter, dust and fodder). The research carried out as part of this study is a comprehensive assessment of the microbiological contamination (Pseudomonas, Enterobacteriaceae, and microscopic fungi) of all the elements that make up the environment of the poultry house (feed, litter, dust pollution and the atmosphere of the poultry house) in an annual cycle. The air from both types of farms is tested in terms of the quantity and quality of volatile compounds. Two types of laying hens reared on litter were compared: commercial and backyard farms. It was found that the seasons of the year and the system of keeping hens have a significant impact on the microbiological contamination with volatile compounds of the environment and the atmosphere of the hen houses. The obtained results of chemical, microbiological and questionnaire tests show that commercial farms carry a lower microbiological risk to the environment than backyard farm. Full article

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz. is an annual oilseed crop within the Brassicaceae family. C. sativa has been grown since as early as 4000 BCE. In recent years, C. sativa received increased attention as a climate-resilient oilseed, seed meal, and biofuel (biodiesel and renewable or green diesel) crop. This renewed interest is reflected in the rapid rise in the number of peer-reviewed publications (>2300) containing “camelina” from 1997 to 2021. An overview of the origins of this ancient crop and its genetic diversity and its yield potential under hot and dry growing conditions is provided. The major biotic barriers that limit C. sativa production are summarized, including weed control, insect pests, and fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. Ecosystem services provided by C. sativa are also discussed. The profiles of seed oil and fatty acid composition and the many uses of seed meal and oil are discussed, including food, fodder, fuel, industrial, and medical benefits. Lastly, we outline strategies for improving this important and versatile crop to enhance its production globally in the face of a rapidly changing climate using molecular breeding, rhizosphere microbiota, genetic engineering, and genome editing approaches. Full article

Livestock grazing occupies ca. 25% of global ice-free land, removing large quantities of carbon (C) from global rangelands (here, including grass- and shrublands). The proportion of total livestock intake that is supplied by grazing (GP) is estimated at >50%, larger than the proportion from crop- and byproduct-derived fodders. Both rangeland productivity and its consumption through grazing are difficult to quantify, as is grazing intensity (GI), the proportion of annual aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) removed from rangelands by grazing livestock. We develop national or sub-national level estimates of GI and GP for 2000–2010, using remote sensing products, inventory data, and model simulations, and accounting for recent changes in livestock intake, fodder losses and waste, and national cropland use intensities. Over the 11 study years, multi-model average global rangeland ANPP varied between the values of 13.0 Pg C in 2002 and 13.96 Pg C in 2000. The global requirement for grazing intake increased monotonically by 18%, from 1.54 in 2000 to 1.82 Pg C in 2010. Although total global rangeland ANPP is roughly an order of magnitude larger than grazing demand, much of this total ANPP is unavailable for grazing, and national or sub-national deficits between intake requirements and available rangeland ANPP occurred in each year, totaling 36.6 Tg C (2.4% of total grazing intake requirement) in 2000, and an unprecedented 77.8 Tg C (4.3% of global grazing intake requirement) in 2010. After accounting for these deficits, global average GI ranged from 10.7% in 2000 to 12.6% in 2009 and 2010. The annually increasing grazing deficits suggest that rangelands are under significant pressure to accommodate rising grazing demand. Greater focus on observing, understanding, and managing the role of rangelands in feeding livestock, providing ecosystem services, and as part of the global C cycle, is warranted. Full article