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18 pages, 1193 KiB  
Article
The Importance of Native Trees and Forests: Smallholder Farmers’ Views in South-Western Rwanda
by Franklin Bulonvu, Gérard Imani, Myriam Mujawamariya, Beth A. Kaplin, Patrick Mutabazi and Aida Cuni-Sanchez
Forests 2025, 16(8), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16081234 - 26 Jul 2025
Viewed by 637
Abstract
Despite increasing interest in including indigenous and local people in forest restoration initiatives, their views on which species are most useful, or reasons behind not planting native tree species are often ignored. Focused on south-western Rwanda, this study addressed these knowledge gaps. We [...] Read more.
Despite increasing interest in including indigenous and local people in forest restoration initiatives, their views on which species are most useful, or reasons behind not planting native tree species are often ignored. Focused on south-western Rwanda, this study addressed these knowledge gaps. We carried out 12 focus group discussions with village elders to determine the following: main benefits provided by native forests, the native species they prefer for different uses, and the main barriers to species’ cultivation. Then, considering other key information from the literature, we performed a ranking exercise to determine which native species had the greatest potential for large-scale tree planting initiatives. Our results show that native forests provide 17 benefits to local communities, some of which cannot be replaced by plantations with exotic species. Among the 26 tree species identified as most useful for timber, firewood, medicine and fodder, ten were ranked as with the greatest potential for restoration initiatives. Of these, two had not been included in recent experimental plantations using native species in Rwanda, and none were considered among the priority species for domestication in Africa. Overall, our study highlights the need to better connect the ecological and social dimension of forest reforestation initiatives in multiple contexts. Full article
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30 pages, 5180 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Fertilization with Antibiotic-Contaminated Manure on Microbial Processes in Soil
by Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Dariusz Mikulski, Agata Borowik, Magdalena Zaborowska, Jan Kucharski, Krzysztof Kozłowski, Magdalena Bilecka, Anna Gajda, Konrad Pietruk, Piotr Jedziniak, Katarzyna Ognik and Jan Jankowski
Agriculture 2025, 15(9), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15090979 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 651
Abstract
Antibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production [...] Read more.
Antibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production can have adverse consequences for the natural environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of manure from turkeys administered monensin (M), enrofloxacin (E), and doxycycline (D) as soil fertilizer and to determine the impact of these antibiotics on the physicochemical, microbiological, and biochemical properties of soil in a pot experiment. The following treatments were established: unfertilized soil (S), soil fertilized with turkey manure free of antibiotics (C), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing only M (M), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M and E (ME), and soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M, E, and D (MED). The experimental plant was Zea mays. The study demonstrated that the soil application of turkey manure containing all three antibiotics (MED) did not inhibit the growth of Zea mays, did not lead to adverse changes in the physicochemical properties of soil, and did not disrupt the abundance or diversity of culturable microorganisms, despite the fact that these antibiotics were identified in both the soil and Zea mays roots. The application of manure containing M, E, and D in the cultivation of Zea mays contributed to the transfer and presence of E and D in soil and maize roots. Antibiotics were not detected in above-ground plant parts. Monensin was not identified in soil or plant samples. The tested manure induced significant changes in the biochemical index of soil quality and in the microbiome of non-culturable bacteria and fungi at both phylum and genus levels. These results indicate that manure from turkeys administered M, E, and D should be used with caution to avoid permanent changes in the microbiome and biochemical properties of soil. Manure contaminated with antimicrobials can be used in the production of fodder crops that do not accumulate antibiotics in above-ground parts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Soils)
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16 pages, 2162 KiB  
Article
Certain Physiological and Chemical Indicators Drive the Yield and Quality of Cladode Mucilage in Three Fodder Nopal Morphotypes (Opuntia spp.) Under Different Soil Water Content Conditions
by Aurelio Pedroza-Sandoval, Luis Ángel González-Espíndola, Isaac Gramillo-Ávila and José Antonio Miranda-Rojas
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060593 - 11 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 801
Abstract
Nopal cladode mucilage is a product of great importance in fodder, agri-food, industry, and health areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three soil moisture contents on some physiological and chemical variables associated with the mucilage yield and quality of three [...] Read more.
Nopal cladode mucilage is a product of great importance in fodder, agri-food, industry, and health areas. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three soil moisture contents on some physiological and chemical variables associated with the mucilage yield and quality of three morphotypes of fodder nopal (Opuntia spp.). A randomized block experimental design in a split–split plot arrangement with three replicates was used. The large plots represented the following soil moisture contents (SMC): optimum soil moisture content (OSMC) from 22 to 27%; suboptimum soil moisture content (SSMC) from 16 to 21%; and deficient soil moisture content (DSMC) from 10 to 15%. The subplots consisted of three cactus pear genotypes identified by the following IDs: C-CH, -C-NA, and C-HE. The relative water content (RWC) was significantly higher in the C-HE morphotype across each soil moisture content, and the lowest value was recorded in C-NA with OSMC; -C-CH had the lowest values in SSMC and DSMC, with 71.3% and 44.3%, respectively. There were slight variations in chlorophyll with SSMC; the C-NA and C-CH morphotypes had significantly higher chlorophyll contents, with values of 10.3 mg g−1 100 FW of chlorophyll a. and 5.87 mg 100 g−1 FW of chlorophyll b. The C-CH morphotype had the best mucilage yield, with 800 mL kg−1 FW and 712.6 mL kg−1 FW in OSMC and SSMC, respectively; DSMC showed the lowest yield at 552.3 mL kg−1 FW. The quality of cladode mucilage by treatment did not vary by soil moisture content or among nopal morphotypes. Additionally, there was a positive correlation among the relative water content and the chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll contents with the yield of the nopal cladode mucilage, but not with the ash content or total solids as variables of mucilage quality vs. yield. Full article
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13 pages, 1443 KiB  
Article
Sowing Rates and Methods Affect Yield and Forage Quality of American Jointvetch in the Southwestern Area of Japan
by Manabu Tobisa and Yutaka Nakano
Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2963; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122963 - 12 Dec 2024
Viewed by 937
Abstract
This research aimed to assess how different sowing methods and seeding rates influenced the growth, yield characteristics, and forage nutritional value for establishing American jointvetch, a tropical forage legume known for its high productivity and quality, in grasslands in southwestern Japan. The experimental [...] Read more.
This research aimed to assess how different sowing methods and seeding rates influenced the growth, yield characteristics, and forage nutritional value for establishing American jointvetch, a tropical forage legume known for its high productivity and quality, in grasslands in southwestern Japan. The experimental treatments involved two sowing methods, row sowing (RS) and broadcast sowing (BS), and combinations of four different seeding rates (SR, 5, 10, 20, or 30 kg ha−1). The sowing methods affected dry matter yield (DMY): BS resulted in higher DMY (11.3 vs. 8.7 t DM ha−1) and leaf area index (LAI, 7.2 vs. 5.3) than RS, respectively. However, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein (CP) concentrations were not influenced by the sowing methods. The SR affected LAI, particularly RS, and LAI increased with increasing SR. Contrary to expectations, SR did not affect DMY, IVDMD, CP, digestible DMY, or CP yield. The findings of this investigation indicate that broadcast sowing is the superior method for planting, and even when using a reduced seeding rate of 5 kg ha−1 of seed-in-pod, there was no significant impact on the yield or forage quality of American jointvetch under the conditions examined in this study. This information will contribute to the proper management of its cultivation to ensure higher productivity for use as livestock fodder. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Managing the Yield and Nutritive Value of Forage and Biomass Crops)
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12 pages, 11356 KiB  
Article
Problems of Sustainable Agriculture with Regard to the Destruction of the European Corn Borer in Maize Plantations
by Marcin Zastempowski, Robert Lamparski, Andrzej Bochat, Jerzy Kaszkowiak, Sebastian Sendel and Łukasz Gierz
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 9685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229685 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1232
Abstract
This article describes the results of the studies related to the occurrence of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn) pest carried out at the Technical University of Bydgoszcz. The studies concerned the real occurrence of the pest in corn stubble [...] Read more.
This article describes the results of the studies related to the occurrence of the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn) pest carried out at the Technical University of Bydgoszcz. The studies concerned the real occurrence of the pest in corn stubble (cultivated variety SY Collosseum). The research issue undertaken is in line with an IPM (integrated pest management) system and is important since the feeding of the European corn borer can lead to large, direct yield losses estimated nationally at an average of up to about 20%, which does not differ significantly from that of world crops. Corn, for the purposes of this study, was harvested for green fodder in September, and for grain in November 2022, using a John Deere X9 1110 harvester. The average stubble height when cut for green fodder was 280 mm, while for grain it was 265 mm. The experimental studies conducted clearly showed that European corn borer larvae colonized as much as 12% of corn samples harvested for grain at an average stubble height of 155 mm, and 19% of corn samples harvested for grain at an average height of 75 mm. The conducted studies also showed that the average diameter of the stems at the height of the residence of the corn borer larvae when harvested for green fodder is 19.80 mm, and 21.80 mm for grain. The studies conducted by the authors showed the randomness of the locations of the pest larvae, which clearly indicates that the generally known and used mechanical methods of its control are not fully effective. Therefore, the authors presented their own design of a machine construction (filed with the patent office of the Republic of Poland) for destroying the European corn borer in a mechanical way without the use of crop protection chemicals. The presented research problem in this paper is of national and global importance considering the fact that corn is grown on an area of nearly 162 million hectares, where we have to deal with the European corn borer pest. In the case of implementing the design of the construction of a machine for destroying the pest, there will be no need to use chemical pesticides, which will significantly contribute to environmental protection. Full article
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25 pages, 5711 KiB  
Article
Optimization of Productivity of Fodder Crops with Green Conveyor System in the Context of Climate Instability in the North Kazakhstan Region
by Altyn Shayakhmetova, Aldiyar Bakirov, Inna Savenkova, Beybit Nasiyev, Murat Akhmetov, Azamat Useinov, Akerke Temirbulatova, Nurbolat Zhanatalapov, Askhat Bekkaliyev, Fariza Mukanova and Mariya Auzhanova
Sustainability 2024, 16(20), 9024; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209024 - 18 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1489
Abstract
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 [...] Read more.
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
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sustainable Agricultural Crop Production)
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19 pages, 2038 KiB  
Article
Harnessing Lignocellulosic Crops for Phytomanagement of Contaminated Soils: A Multi-Country Study
by Giorgio Testa, Barbara Rachele Ciaramella, Ana Luisa Fernando, Danai Kotoula, Danilo Scordia, Leandro Augusto Gomes, Salvatore Luciano Cosentino, Efthymia Alexopoulou and Eleni G. Papazoglou
Plants 2024, 13(19), 2671; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192671 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1156
Abstract
The dwindling availability of agricultural land, caused by factors such as rapid population growth, urban expansion, and soil contamination, has significantly increased the pressure on food production. To address this challenge, cultivating non-food crops on contaminated land has emerged as a promising solution. [...] Read more.
The dwindling availability of agricultural land, caused by factors such as rapid population growth, urban expansion, and soil contamination, has significantly increased the pressure on food production. To address this challenge, cultivating non-food crops on contaminated land has emerged as a promising solution. This approach not only frees up fertile soil for food production but also mitigates human exposure to contaminants. This work aimed to examine the impact of soil contamination with Cd, Pb, Ni, and Zn on the growth, productivity, metal accumulation, and the tolerance of five lignocellulosic non-food crops: switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), biomass sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench), giant reed (Arundo donax L.), African fodder cane (Saccharum spontaneum L. spp. aegyptiacum Willd. Hackel), and miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu.). A two-year pot experiment was conducted in Greece, Italy, and Portugal, following the same protocols and applying various levels of metals: Cd (0, 4, 8 mg kg−1), Pb and Zn (0, 450, 900 mg kg−1), and Ni (0, 110, 220 mg kg−1). The experimental design was completely randomized, with three replicates for each treatment. The results showed that switchgrass and sorghum generally maintained their height and productivity under Cd and Pb stress but were adversely affected by high Zn and Ni concentrations. Giant reed and African fodder cane showed reduced height and productivity at higher Ni and Zn levels. Miscanthus exhibited resilience in height but experienced productivity reductions only at the highest Zn concentration. Heavy metal uptake varied among crops, with switchgrass and sorghum showing high Cd and Pb uptake, while giant reed accumulated the most Cd and Zn. Miscanthus had the highest Ni accumulation. The tolerance indices indicated that switchgrass and sorghum were more tolerant to Cd and Zn at lower concentrations, whereas miscanthus had lower tolerance to Cd but a higher tolerance to Zn at higher concentrations. Giant reed and African fodder cane demonstrated stable tolerance across most heavy metals. Accumulation indices highlighted the effectiveness of switchgrass and sorghum in Cd and Pb uptake, while miscanthus excelled in Ni and Zn accumulation. The cluster analysis revealed similar responses to heavy metal stress between African fodder cane and giant reed, as well as between sorghum and miscanthus, with switchgrass displaying distinct behavior. Overall, the study highlights the differential tolerance and accumulation capacities of these crops, indicating the potential for phytoremediation applications and biomass production in heavy metal-contaminated soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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14 pages, 1549 KiB  
Article
Modification of the Protein Amino Acid Content in Hen Eggs as a Consequence of Different Concentrations of Lupine and Soy in Feed
by Aneta Tomczak, Magdalena Zielińska-Dawidziak, Piotr Klimowicz, Marcin Hejdysz, Sebastian Kaczmarek, Aleksander Siger and Adam Cieślak
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3727; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163727 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2005
Abstract
The effect of the diet modification (soybean and lupine addition) on the content of protein and amino acids (AA) in eggs was studied. Both the sampling day and the diet influenced the total protein content. In albumen, the lowest protein content (10.6%) was [...] Read more.
The effect of the diet modification (soybean and lupine addition) on the content of protein and amino acids (AA) in eggs was studied. Both the sampling day and the diet influenced the total protein content. In albumen, the lowest protein content (10.6%) was noted after administering a diet containing 25% lupine; in the same egg the yolk contained the most proteins (16.7%). In the content of nonessential AA (NAA) in egg yolks, differences were noted only for cysteine, with its the highest content in the yolks of the control group. The stable content of essential yolk amino acids (EAA) was observed only for isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan and phenylalanine. The highest contents of EAA and NAA were recorded in the yolks of the control group (~47 and ~53 g/100 g of protein, respectively) and in the group with 25% additions of lupine (~42 and ~51 g/100 g of protein, respectively). AA with constant content in the tested albumens were methionine, tryptophan and alanine. The highest content of EAA (>~42 g/100 g of protein) and NAA (>~62 g/100 g of protein) were determined in albumen of eggs determined in the group with at least 20% additions of lupine. The highest content of EAA for humans delivered eggs from groups 4–6 (with the addition of soy into the diet ≤5%). The protein sources used in the hen diet significantly influenced the content of protein and individual AA in the produced eggs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Chemistry)
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22 pages, 2979 KiB  
Article
Application of Irrigation Management and Water-Lifting Technologies to Enhance Fodder Productivity in Smallholder Farming Communities: A Case Study in Robit Bata, Ethiopia
by Misbah A. Hussein, Fikadu T. Riga, Melkamu B. Derseh, Tewodros T. Assefa, Abeyou W. Worqlul, Amare Haileslassie, Abera Adie, Chris S. Jones and Seifu A. Tilahun
Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 1064; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14051064 - 17 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1930
Abstract
Small-scale cultivation of irrigated fodder is emerging as a vital production system in mixed farming communities. Efficient water management plays a key role in enhancing forage production, especially in the face of changing climate. A field-scale experimental study was conducted in Robit Bata [...] Read more.
Small-scale cultivation of irrigated fodder is emerging as a vital production system in mixed farming communities. Efficient water management plays a key role in enhancing forage production, especially in the face of changing climate. A field-scale experimental study was conducted in Robit Bata kebele, Ethiopia, with the following objectives: (1) to examine the effects of conventional farmers’ irrigation scheduling versus climate-based irrigation scheduling; and (2) to assess the influence of water-lifting technologies (manual pulley and solar Majipump) on dry matter yield (DMY), water productivity (WP), irrigation labor productivity (ILP), and water productivity in terms of crude protein and metabolizable energy (WP.CP and WP.ME) of Napier grass. The experiment used 10 farmers’ plots each with a size of 100 m2. Half of the plots were treated using farmers’ scheduling while the other half were treated using climate-based irrigation scheduling. Monitoring of irrigation water use and crop yield took place over two irrigation seasons from November 2020 to June 2021. Results showed there was an interaction effect of irrigation management (p = 0.019) and water-lifting technologies (p = 0.016) with season on DMY. The highest DMY occurred in the first irrigation season with climate-based scheduling and solar Majipump use. The interaction effect of irrigation management and season affected WP (p = 0.047). Climate-based scheduling had a higher WP in the first season, while farmers’ scheduling had a higher WP during the second season. On average, the solar Majipump outperformed the pulley, achieving 5 kg m−3 WP compared to the pulley’s 4 kg m−3 (p = 0.018). Emphasizing the seasonal impact, it is recommended to promote full irrigation (climate-based) in the first season for maximum yield and WP. Conversely, in the second season, advocating only deficit irrigation is advised due to water scarcity and sustainability concerns. Statistical parity in DMY and lower WP with full irrigation in the second season supports this recommendation, addressing the challenge of optimizing water use in the context of a changing climate and ensuring sustainable smallholder agriculture practices. Therefore, implementing appropriate irrigation management alongside efficient water-lifting technologies holds the potential to enhance fodder productivity and bolster smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. Future research should explore the comparative benefits of irrigated fodder versus other crops and the overall advantages of investing in irrigated fodder over vegetables. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Water Use and Irrigation)
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20 pages, 14112 KiB  
Article
Mapping Maize Planting Densities Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Multispectral Remote Sensing, and Deep Learning Technology
by Jianing Shen, Qilei Wang, Meng Zhao, Jingyu Hu, Jian Wang, Meiyan Shu, Yang Liu, Wei Guo, Hongbo Qiao, Qinglin Niu and Jibo Yue
Drones 2024, 8(4), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/drones8040140 - 3 Apr 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2923
Abstract
Maize is a globally important cereal and fodder crop. Accurate monitoring of maize planting densities is vital for informed decision-making by agricultural managers. Compared to traditional manual methods for collecting crop trait parameters, approaches using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing can enhance [...] Read more.
Maize is a globally important cereal and fodder crop. Accurate monitoring of maize planting densities is vital for informed decision-making by agricultural managers. Compared to traditional manual methods for collecting crop trait parameters, approaches using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing can enhance the efficiency, minimize personnel costs and biases, and, more importantly, rapidly provide density maps of maize fields. This study involved the following steps: (1) Two UAV remote sensing-based methods were developed for monitoring maize planting densities. These methods are based on (a) ultrahigh-definition imagery combined with object detection (UHDI-OD) and (b) multispectral remote sensing combined with machine learning (Multi-ML) for the monitoring of maize planting densities. (2) The maize planting density measurements, UAV ultrahigh-definition imagery, and multispectral imagery collection were implemented at a maize breeding trial site. Experimental testing and validation were conducted using the proposed maize planting density monitoring methods. (3) An in-depth analysis of the applicability and limitations of both methods was conducted to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the two estimation models. The study revealed the following findings: (1) UHDI-OD can provide highly accurate estimation results for maize densities (R2 = 0.99, RMSE = 0.09 plants/m2). (2) Multi-ML provides accurate maize density estimation results by combining remote sensing vegetation indices (VIs) and gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture features (R2 = 0.76, RMSE = 0.67 plants/m2). (3) UHDI-OD exhibits a high sensitivity to image resolution, making it unsuitable for use with UAV remote sensing images with pixel sizes greater than 2 cm. In contrast, Multi-ML is insensitive to image resolution and the model accuracy gradually decreases as the resolution decreases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue UAS in Smart Agriculture: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 2905 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Trifolium alexandrinum Varietal Performance in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: A Comparative Yield and Economic Analysis
by Phool Singh Hindoriya, Rakesh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar Meena, Hardev Ram, Ashwani Kumar, Suryakanta Kashyap, Bisworanjita Biswal, Kanika Bhakuni, Prasanna S. Pyati, Kamal Garg, Simran Jasht, Ghous Ali, Birbal and Subhradip Bhattacharjee
Agronomy 2024, 14(2), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14020339 - 7 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
The importance of selecting an appropriate berseem variety and implementing effective nutrient management practices is crucial for maximizing both the production and economic potential of forage crops. This was clearly demonstrated in a field experiment conducted during the rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and [...] Read more.
The importance of selecting an appropriate berseem variety and implementing effective nutrient management practices is crucial for maximizing both the production and economic potential of forage crops. This was clearly demonstrated in a field experiment conducted during the rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. The experimental setup was a factorial randomized block design incorporating five berseem varieties (Mescavi, HB-1, HB-2, BL-10, and BL-42) and five integrated nutrient management practices: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) or NM-1, 75% RDF + plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) or NM-2, 75% RDF + municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) or NM-3, 75% RDF + farmyard manure (FYM) + PGPR or NM-4, and 50% RDF + MSWC + PGPR or NM-5. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the physio-morphological responses, biomass yield, and economic efficiencies of different berseem varieties under various nutrient management practices. The experimental results highlighted the superior performance of the BL-42 variety in terms of growth and yield attributes compared to the other tested berseem varieties. Specifically, BL-42 showed an enhancement in total green fodder yield by 17.10%, 26.60%, 37.75%, and 28.04% over the varieties BL-10, HB-2, HB-1, and Mescavi, respectively. Moreover, the application of the 75% RDF + FYM + PGPR treatment (NM-4) significantly boosted the total green fodder yield by 13.08%, 14.29%, 34.48%, and 39.02% over the 75% RDF + MSWC, 100% RDF, 75% RDF + PGPR, and 50% RDF + MSWC + PGPR treatments, respectively. In terms of economic returns, BL-42 achieved a significantly higher gross return (GR) and net return (NR) of 194,989 ₹/ha and 145,142 ₹/ha, respectively, compared to the GR and NR of BL-10 (166,512 and 116,665 ₹/ha, respectively). Similarly, the nutrient management practice of 75% RDF + FYM + PGPR recorded the highest GR and NR (191,638 and 137,346 ₹/ha, respectively) compared to the 100% RDF treatment (167,593 and 120,716 ₹/ha, respectively). These findings underscore the critical role of variety selection and tailored nutrient management in optimizing both the yield and economic gains in forage crop cultivation. The significant differences in production and returns highlight the potential of targeted agronomic strategies to enhance the profitability and sustainability of forage farming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Grassland and Pasture Science)
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18 pages, 7012 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation and Main Identification Indexes of Herbicide Resistance of High-Quality Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)
by Xi’e Song, Hao Wang, Qianhui Dong, Tian Qiu, Chongyan Shi, Xiaorui Li, Shuqi Dong, Juan Zhao, Pingyi Guo and Xiangyang Yuan
Agronomy 2023, 13(12), 3033; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13123033 - 11 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1669
Abstract
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important crop grown worldwide as a food and fodder crop owing to its potential nutritional and feed values. High-efficiency herbicide varieties is crucial to achieving efficient weeding and ensuring successful foxtail millet production. Herbicides affect [...] Read more.
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) is an important crop grown worldwide as a food and fodder crop owing to its potential nutritional and feed values. High-efficiency herbicide varieties is crucial to achieving efficient weeding and ensuring successful foxtail millet production. Herbicides affect several morphological and physiological indicators of foxtail millet. In this study we aimed to evaluate the damage caused by herbicides, improve their effectiveness, and select indicators that accurately reflect herbicide resistance in foxtail millet. Jingu 21, which has the largest planting area in Shanxi province and even the whole of China, is selected as the experimental material to be sown in the field in 2022. A total of 31 herbicides were applied, and 21 traits, including morphological, physiological, and yield-component traits, were measured to assess millet resistance. Principal component analysis was employed to transform these 21 conventional traits into seven independent and comprehensive indexes. These indexes were screened using regression analysis, resulting in the selection of the following indicators: the surface area of the second leaf from the top, peroxidase activity, catalase activity, malondialdehyde content, chlorophyll (a + b), grain weight per ear, and yield. Through membership function and cluster analyses, the resistance of Jingu 21 to 31 herbicides was divided into five categories: extremely weakly resistant, weakly resistant, moderately resistant, strongly resistant, and extremely strongly resistant. Jingu 21 exhibited extremely strong resistance to lactofen, butachlor, and anilofos. After an investigation into the effectiveness of herbicides, it was found that eight herbicides had good effects. Full article
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18 pages, 2233 KiB  
Article
Participatory On-Farm Evaluation of Improved Groundnut Genotypes in the Guinea Savannah Agro-Ecological Zone of Ghana
by Ophelia Asirifi Amoako, Richard Oteng-Frimpong, Julius Yirzagla, Yussif Baba Kassim, Theophilus Kwabla Tengey, Desmond Sunday Adogoba, Mercy Mingle, Ramatu Alhassan and Abdul Aleem Ibrahim
Agriculture 2023, 13(12), 2249; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13122249 - 7 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1904
Abstract
The on-farm mother–baby trial experimental approach was employed to evaluate the performance of elite groundnut genotypes on farmers’ fields in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana in the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. Analysis of the data from the mother trial revealed significant [...] Read more.
The on-farm mother–baby trial experimental approach was employed to evaluate the performance of elite groundnut genotypes on farmers’ fields in the Guinea savannah agroecology of Ghana in the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons. Analysis of the data from the mother trial revealed significant (p < 0.05) genotypic differences for the traits measured over the two years. The genotype ICGV-IS 13842 reached physiological maturity in 88 days and was identified as the genotype with the shortest maturity period. However, in terms of pod yield and its associated components, genotype ICGV-IS 13864 emerged as the best from the mother trial. During farmer evaluation of the materials, genotype ICGV-IS 13979 was selected as the most preferred in addition to genotypes ICGV-IS 13864 and ICGV-IS 131090. The genotypes ICGV-IS 13864 and ICGV-IS 131090 were observed to combine both high pod yield and high haulm yield. These two traits were identified as very important by the farmers who participated in the study as the haulms serve as fodder for their animals and fetch additional household income when sold with the pods harvested. The preference for genotype ICGV-IS 13842, an early maturing genotype, can be seen as an indication of farmers responding to the changing growing season due to erratic rainfall. However, if genotypes ICGV-IS 13864 and ICGV-IS 131090 are combined with some water management practices in the future, they could potentially withstand the changing growing season. Economic analysis showed that the improved genotypes had a greater net return on investment and higher cost–benefit ratio ranging from 2.74 to 4.84 across both years. Full article
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7 pages, 2797 KiB  
Proceeding Paper
Enhancing Sorghum Productivity with Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin Plant Growth Regulators
by Victoria Anatolyivna Tsygankova, Iryna Valeriivna Voloshchuk, Stepan Hryhorovych Pilyo, Svitlana Viktorivna Klyuchko and Volodymyr Serhiyovych Brovarets
Biol. Life Sci. Forum 2023, 27(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/IECAG2023-15222 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Sorghum is one of the most important foods, fodder, and technical crops grown in the world. Global climate change and environmental pollution with toxic industrial and agricultural waste are the most unfavorable environmental factors affecting the growth and development of sorghum, which leads [...] Read more.
Sorghum is one of the most important foods, fodder, and technical crops grown in the world. Global climate change and environmental pollution with toxic industrial and agricultural waste are the most unfavorable environmental factors affecting the growth and development of sorghum, which leads to a decrease in product quality. The development of new environmentally friendly plant growth regulators to improve growth and increase the productivity of sorghum is an urgent task of modern agriculture. Currently, considerable attention is paid to the development of new environmentally friendly plant growth regulators based on 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine sodium and potassium salts (Methyur and Kamethur) and N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin). Thanks to the use of plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin, it is possible to increase the productivity of agricultural crops and their adaptive properties to stress factors of abiotic nature. This work examines the use of plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin to increase the productivity of sorghum. Field experiments were carried out on grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) cv. Yarona and sweet sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum L.) cv. Favorite. Seeds sterilized with 1% KMnO4 solution were treated either with distilled water (control sample) or with solutions of any plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, or Ivin, applied at a concentration of 10−7 M for 24 h (experimental sample). Each control and experimental sample contained 50 plant seeds; the experiments were carried out in triplicate. Then the soaked seeds were planted in the soil. Yield indicators such as panicle length (in cm) and fresh weight of grain (in grams), determined in experimental samples of sorghum plants, were calculated as % in relation to similar indicators determined in control samples of sorghum plants. It was shown that the yield indicators of sorghum plants grown for 4 months in the field, treated with Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin at a concentration of 10−7 M exceeded those of control plants. Panicle length (in %) of experimental grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cv. Yarona increased by 7%—in plants treated with Kamethur, 20%—in plants treated with Methyur, and 17%—in plants treated with Ivin, compared to the control. Panicle length (in %) of experimental sweet sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum (L.) Moench) cv. Favorite increased by 36%—in plants treated with Kamethur, 37%—in plants treated with Methyur, and by 25%—in plants treated with Ivin, compared to the control. Grain fresh weight (in %) of experimental grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cv. Yarona increased by 22%—in plants treated with Kamethur, 26%—in plants treated with Methyur, and 13%—in plants treated with Ivin, compared to the control. Grain fresh weight (in %) of experimental sweet sorghum (Sorghum saccharatum (L.) Moench) cv. Favorite increased by 24%—in plants treated with Kamethur, 38%—in plants treated with Methyur, and 35%—in plants treated with Ivin, compared to the control. Based on the results obtained, a conclusion was made about the high growth-stimulating effect of plant growth regulators, similar to the phytohormones auxins and cytokinin, and the dependence of their effect on their composition. It is proposed to use new environmentally friendly plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin to improve growth and increase the productivity of sorghum while reducing the use of environmentally toxic agrochemicals for plant protection and improving the environmental condition of the entire agricultural system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Agronomy)
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18 pages, 18910 KiB  
Article
Structural Strength Analysis of a Rotary Drum Mower in Transportation Position
by H. Kursat Celik, Ibrahim Akinci, Nuri Caglayan and Allan E. W. Rennie
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(20), 11338; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132011338 - 16 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1954
Abstract
A rotary drum mower is a tractor-mounted harvester used for harvesting green fodder plants in agricultural fields. During transportation, it experiences significant dynamic road reaction forces that can cause deformation and functional failures. This study focuses on analysing the deformation behaviour of the [...] Read more.
A rotary drum mower is a tractor-mounted harvester used for harvesting green fodder plants in agricultural fields. During transportation, it experiences significant dynamic road reaction forces that can cause deformation and functional failures. This study focuses on analysing the deformation behaviour of the machine during transportation to test the machine’s failure condition. To conduct the strength analysis, a total work cycle scenario reflecting actual load conditions and design challenges was created. Experimental strain-gauge-based stress analysis and advanced computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation methods were employed. The study successfully conducted experimental stress analysis, 3D solid modelling, and validated finite element analysis (FEA). A comparison between experimental and simulation results showed an average relative difference of 24.25% with a maximum absolute difference of approximately 5 MPa. No functional failure issues were observed during physical experiments. The study also revealed that the mean dynamic loading value, when compared to the static linkage position, was calculated as 3.65 ± 0.40. Overall, this research provides a valuable approach for future studies on complex stress and deformation evaluations of agricultural machinery and equipment. Full article
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