Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-11-24DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100066
Eric Obeng , Augustine K. Obour , Nathan O. Nelson , Ignacio A. Ciampitti , Donghai Wang
{"title":"Cropping sequence influenced crop yield, soil water, and soil properties in wheat-camelina cropping system","authors":"Eric Obeng , Augustine K. Obour , Nathan O. Nelson , Ignacio A. Ciampitti , Donghai Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Integrating camelina (<em>Camelina sativa</em> L. Crantz) into wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum</em> L.) -based cropping systems in the Great Plains Region of the United States could improve soil properties and overall system productivity. However, there is little information on crop yields and soil properties in dryland cropping systems with camelina rotation. This study investigated the effect of replacing fallow with camelina on crop yields, soil water content, and soil properties in dryland wheat-based cropping systems in western Kansas, United States, from 2013 to 2017. Treatments were four crop rotations, wheat-fallow (W–F), wheat-sorghum (<em>Sorghum bicolor</em> (L) Moench) -fallow (W–S–F), wheat-camelina (W–C), and wheat-sorghum-camelina (W–S–C) in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results showed sorghum grain yield was unaffected by camelina in the crop rotation. Wheat grain yield was reduced by 15% when camelina replaced fallow in the rotation. Camelina yield was two-fold greater when planted after wheat (W–C) relative to the yield after sorghum (W–S–C). Increasing cropping intensification increased annualized yield compared to W–F. Soil water content was less in intensified crop rotations compared to rotations with fallow. Soil organic carbon varied among crop rotations and was least in W–F (1.4%). The W–S–C rotation had the greatest microbial biomass carbon, while microbial biomass nitrogen was least in W–C regardless of sampling time. Rotations including camelina had greater potentially mineralizable nitrogen. Increasing cropping intensity increased the proportion of larger water stable soil aggregates, while the less intensified system (W–F) had greater proportion of smaller water stable soil aggregates. Our findings suggest adding camelina to wheat-based crop rotations decreased wheat yields, but improved soil properties and increased the overall system productivity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"2 1","pages":"Article 100066"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949911923000680/pdfft?md5=2ff6f3e51a97ac84272eba10eebc1173&pid=1-s2.0-S2949911923000680-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138396784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100048
Elizabeth A. Meier , Diogenes L. Antille , Santiago Mahimairaja
{"title":"Priorities for narrowing the yield gap and increasing farming systems resilience in the Fiji sugar industry","authors":"Elizabeth A. Meier , Diogenes L. Antille , Santiago Mahimairaja","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sugarcane (<em>Saccharum officinarum</em> L.) is the single most important agricultural industry in Fiji and occupies half of the nation's cropped area while supporting 25% of the labour force. However, the industry is facing comprehensive challenges across the supply chain, underlain by declining productivity and changing climate. The purposes of this study were to: (1) use model simulation to determine the potential of conservation agriculture (CA) practices to narrow yield gaps in sugarcane production systems under historical and projected climates in a case study; (2) identify and rank candidate practices that would contribute to narrowing such yield gaps; and (3) identify the limitations of the modelling approach and make recommendations for improving it. We simulated nine scenarios of CA practices with potential to reduce the estimated yield gap (55 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>) by increasing nitrogen (N) fertiliser rates (30 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>), liming (25 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>), improved weed control (5–9 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>), replacing uncropped fallow with legume crops (2–3 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>), crop cycle duration (0 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>), and retaining crop residues (−2 Mg ha<sup>−1</sup>). The yield benefit of CA practices was similar under projected climates that were warmer and wetter or drier, or hotter and wetter. For a projected climate that was hotter and drier, the greatest yield benefit was obtained from liming, weed control, and retaining crop residues. The study was limited by the availability of daily weather data, and it would be complemented by additional studies incorporating more local crops, evaluation of barriers to mechanisation needed to implement new practices, and economic assessment of scenarios.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100048"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing farm profitability and sustainability through integrated farming systems: A case study of coastal Karnataka, India","authors":"Shripad Bhat , Dinesh Kumar , Venkatesh Paramesh , Parveen Kumar , N. Ravishankar , Sunil Kumar , Poonam Kashyap , V. Arunachalam","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100052","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>India's west coast region is unique due to the co-existence of abundant natural resources and continuous agricultural production. In this region, arecanut is a dominant crop, but due to many factors such as unstable markets, price fluctuations, diseases, etc., the risk faced by farmers has increased. The integrated farming system (IFS) is a viable option for reducing risks and improving productivity and income while also offering multiple benefits to the farm family. Considering these, we collected data from ten farmers' fields in coastal Karnataka, India for the period 2013–2022, to compare arecanut farming with IFS systems where coconut, nutmeg and banana were intercrops with livestock component. Results indicated that IFS had diverse plant species such as plantation crops, fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices, and forest trees offering multiple benefits to the farm families. Various plant species found on the IFS farms were primarily utilized for culinary, ornamental, and religious purposes (benefits worth US$ 421 year<sup>−1</sup>). The arecanut equivalent yield in IFS farms was consistently and significantly higher during the last ten years. The mean net return derived from IFS farms (US$ 7857) was also significantly higher than the arecanut farming (US$ 3990). Energy budgeting indicated that, in IFS, significantly higher direct and renewable energy and lower indirect and non-renewable energy was utilized. Energy output (192,202 MJ ha<sup>−1</sup>), net energy (120,477 MJ ha<sup>−1</sup>), energy use efficiency (2.68), and energy profitability (1.68) were significantly higher under the IFS farm compared to the arecanut farming. Employment generation was also significantly higher in IFS (1236.7 mandays year<sup>−1</sup>) than in control farms (755.2 mandays year<sup>−1</sup>), especially for female laborers (2.05 times higher). This study concludes that the adoption of IFS helps in enhancing farm profitability and generating employment opportunities while improving energy use efficiency. Considering these benefits, promoting IFS through subsidy and policy support would help in sustainable development of agriculture sector in this region.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100052"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100057
Xi Luo , Tian Xia , Jing Huang , Dongliang Xiong , Bradley Ridoutt
{"title":"Radiative forcing climate footprints in the agricultural sector: Comparison of models from the IPCC 5th and 6th Assessment Reports","authors":"Xi Luo , Tian Xia , Jing Huang , Dongliang Xiong , Bradley Ridoutt","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100057","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To achieve the goal in the Paris Agreement of limiting mean global temperature rise to 1.5 °C, total anthropogenic radiative forcing (RF) should be reduced from current 2.7 to around 1.9 W m<sup>−2</sup>. A newly developed RF-based climate footprint (RFCF) indicator, which quantifies the additional contribution to RF associated with current and historical emissions, can support transparent alignment with climate stabilization targets by assessing the profile of RF over time. Nevertheless, RFCF applications to date have been based on parameters and equations from IPCC 5<sup>th</sup> Assessment Report (AR). Considering the latest updates in the IPCC 6<sup>th</sup> AR, we applied the RFCF approach for the first time in a case study involving the Australian agricultural sector. We compared the RF, RFCF and annual changes in RFCF of CH<sub>4</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O and CO<sub>2</sub> using both models. All the results of RF as well as RFCF calculated using the latest model were slightly lower than those obtained using the former model. The agricultural sector's contribution to RF had plateaued in recent years and is projected to reach the point of net zero increase in 2022 (IPCC 6<sup>th</sup> AR model) or 2023 (IPCC 5<sup>th</sup> AR model). Considering the latest updates in emission lifetime, radiative efficiency and indirect effects based on the background concentration (1750–2019), the assessments based on IPCC 6<sup>th</sup> AR model provide more reliable results. However, a dynamic model is required to reflect the additional RF for the pulse emission based on the relevant climate background in the same year. The RF-based footprint approach can support national greenhouse gas emission reduction policy targets, especially for sectors with substantial biogenic methane emissions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100057"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294991192300059X/pdfft?md5=3f5dfd9c17497c2a34ac6093536a8fa4&pid=1-s2.0-S294991192300059X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91959474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changes in soil physical and mechanical properties under different tillage and cropping systems in alfisol soil of southwestern Nigeria","authors":"Funke Florence Akinola , Johnson Toyin Fasinmirin , Olawale Olugbenga Olanrewaju , Babatunde Sunday Ewulo , Idowu Ezekiel Olorunfemi","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100050","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sustainable agricultural strategies such as conservation agriculture (CA) and integrated land management are required to mitigate land degradation and food insecurity. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different cropping systems: sole sorghum (SOR), sole cowpea (COW), sole soybean (SOY), sorghum-cowpea intercrop (SC), and sorghum-soybean intercrop (SS); and tillage practices: conventional tillage (CT), no tillage (NT), and compacted no till (NTc) on physical and mechanical properties of an Alfisol in Southwestern Nigeria. The experimental layout comprised a split plot design accommodating the 3 tillage and 5 cropping systems in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Undisturbed soil samples were collected from 0 to 15 cm, and 15–30 cm soil layers for the determination of soil bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), and unconfined compressive strength (<em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub>). The results showed that bulk density was lower, while total porosity was higher under intercrops than monocrops in all the tillage treatments. Conventional tillage had the least BD compared to no tillage and compacted no till plots. Soil vane shear strength (Ʈ) and unconfined compressive strength (<em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub>) were generally lower under the intercrops than the sole sorghum plots. Averaged over the two soil depths, the mean soil <em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub> of SS intercrop was 1.28 times lower than the mean soil <em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub> of SOR but was 1.06 times higher than the mean soil <em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub> of SOY. SC intercrop had a 14.20% and a 9.15% lower average soil <em>q</em><sub><em>u</em>f</sub> than SOR and COW in 2019. Unconfined compressive strength and vanes shear strength significantly positively correlated with BD and negatively with TP, organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), and total nitrogen (N) in both cropping years. The research demonstrates that farming approaches that integrate soil cover preservation and minimal soil disturbance with diverse cropping systems improve soil physical and mechanical behavior.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100050"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100056
Amanpreet Kaur Sandhu , Ayush Sharma , Navdeep Kaur , Lincoln Zotarelli , Kelly Morgan , Lakesh K. Sharma
{"title":"Evaluate the use of Mehlich-III compared to Mehlich-I as a soil test in Northeast Florida","authors":"Amanpreet Kaur Sandhu , Ayush Sharma , Navdeep Kaur , Lincoln Zotarelli , Kelly Morgan , Lakesh K. Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100056","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Soil laboratories throughout the United States have widely integrated the Mehlich-III (M-III), derived from Mehlich-I (M-I), methodologies to extract soil nutrients. However, there have been concerns regarding its precision. The University of Florida's Hastings Agricultural and Extension Center (HAEC) conducted a soil sampling during the spring of 2021. This research aimed to rigorously compare the extraction efficiencies of M-I and M-III, specifically focusing on critical soil nutrients like phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn). From forty-six meticulously chosen fields, 276 composite soil samples derived from two distinct depth strata (0–15 cm and 15–50 cm) were analyzed using both methods. Our findings highlighted the superior extraction prowess of M-III, which showcased an efficiency almost threefold compared to M-I. Intriguingly, the correlation between M-I and M-III extraction efficiencies weakened with escalating soil nutrient concentrations. The coefficient of determination (r<sup>2</sup>) between M-I and M-III had a high correlation value and was statistically significant (p<0.05) for all macro- and micronutrients. We found that the correlation between M-I and M-III became more robust with an increase in sample size and a higher correlation coefficient. It is noteworthy to mention that the M-III method has the propensity to provide slightly inflated soil nutrient estimations. Since soil labs worldwide use M-III equations derived from M-I, this study proposes that soil labs reinvestigate and possibly adopt new correlation equations to estimate soil nutrients using M-III.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100056"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949911923000588/pdfft?md5=71b92c75b20b72f6cf25a11b5ba058ea&pid=1-s2.0-S2949911923000588-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91686499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100054
Alexander Maas , Kate Binzen Fuller , Patrick Hatzenbuehler , Christopher McIntosh
{"title":"An exploration of preferences for soil health practices in potato production","authors":"Alexander Maas , Kate Binzen Fuller , Patrick Hatzenbuehler , Christopher McIntosh","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100054","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Given the renewed interest in promoting healthy soils in agricultural production via practices such as cover crops, decreased fumigations, or biological fertilizers, this article explores U.S. potato farmers' preferences for soil health-related production practices. We conduct a discrete choice experiment (DCE) under which hypothetical practices varied based on their effect on pests, fertilizer requirements, irrigation needs, additional soil testing/education, and expected net returns. Surveys were deployed to potato growers using convenience sampling online—through practitioner journals—and in person—at industry meetings. Standard descriptive statistics of the sample are presented and the DCE experiment was analyzed using a mixed multinomial logit model. Results suggest that when considering a new practice, farmers are highly sensitive to changes in net returns (p < 0.001), and somewhat responsive to changes in fertilizer requirements, irrigation, and pests (p < 0.01). However, potato growers appear indifferent to changes in workload, education, or soil testing requirements. While potato growers’ responses to the survey suggest they are highly concerned with soil health, conventional practices (e.g., 2–3 years rotations, standard tillage, fumigation) are still common. Additionally, we find that complexity in implementation, uncertainty in economic benefits, and capital constraints are the most common barriers to adopting novel soil health practices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100054"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949911923000564/pdfft?md5=68b554800e4a68518ae37f17b20961ab&pid=1-s2.0-S2949911923000564-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91987552","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100047
Henrique Rasera Raniro , Francielli Oliveira , João Otávio Araujo , Pedro Jacob Christoffoleti
{"title":"Broadcast nitrogen application can negatively affect maize leaf area index and grain yield components under weed competition","authors":"Henrique Rasera Raniro , Francielli Oliveira , João Otávio Araujo , Pedro Jacob Christoffoleti","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Nitrogen (N) application and weed control play critical roles in the development of crops. In maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) cultivation, surface broadcast N application aiming at higher productivities is a common practice. However, N addition under weed competition could promote weeds rather than maize. To investigate this, a field study was developed over a Brazilian eutric nitisol for summer maize. We manipulated the presence (+) or absence (−) of surface broadcast N fertilization (N<sub>S</sub>) at the recommended dose (90 kg ha<sup>−1</sup> N) and weed control (W<sub>C</sub>), obtaining the treatments N<sub>S</sub>+W<sub>C</sub>+, N<sub>S</sub>+W<sub>C</sub>−, N<sub>S</sub>−W<sub>C</sub>+, N<sub>S</sub>−W<sub>C</sub>−. We aimed to determine 1) whether maize could profit from N application even under weed competition, and 2) how treatments would affect maize's leaf area index and all grain yield components (cobs area<sup>−1</sup>, rows cob<sup>−1</sup>, grains row<sup>−1</sup> and individual grain weight). We hypothesized that broadcast N application could jeopardize maize productivity by favoring weed development. Under no weed control, N application increased weed biomass by ∼58%, which resulted in reductions of 57% in leaf area index, 6.9% in rows per cob, 48% in grains per row, and 18.7% in grain weight. Ultimately, the grain yield (8216 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>) of the best performing treatment (N<sub>S</sub>+W<sub>C</sub>+) was 66% higher than that with the worst performance (N<sub>S</sub>+W<sub>C</sub>−), of 2797.3 kg ha<sup>−1</sup>. We conclude that in fertilized areas, weed control should be a priority, since the N applied under weed competition could be detrimental to maize's leaf area index, and affect most yield components and overall productivity.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100047"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100046
Vinod Choudhary, Rajendra Machavaram, Peeyush Soni
{"title":"Optimizing mat quality and transplanter performance using soil mix with vermicompost and farmyard manure in paddy tray nursery: A sustainable smart farming approach in India","authors":"Vinod Choudhary, Rajendra Machavaram, Peeyush Soni","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In order to improve transplanter performance and mat characteristics in mat-type paddy tray nurseries in paddy cultivation and to increase the paddy seedling quality and yield, a soil mix fertilizer with vermicompost and farmyard manure was optimized in different proportions. The investigation provides valuable insights for optimizing paddy cultivation practices, with emphasis on the potential of a specific treatment TC<sub>7</sub>, composed of 50% vermicompost, 30% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, to contribute to more robust and productive paddy cultivation systems. The TC<sub>7</sub> treatment showed notable results, including highest average paddy seed germination (93.00 ± 2.24%), significant paddy seedling height (16.85 ± 1.72 cm), balanced root-to-shoot ratio (0.72 ± 0.013), robust seedling vigour index (1567.05 ± 121.45), substantial biomass production (0.481 ± 0.0010 g), and significant dry matter production (0.0422 ± 0.0029 g). The highest mat thickness of 28.10 ± 0.05 mm and the lowest mat weight per m<sup>2</sup> area of 22.30 ± 1.56 kg/m<sup>2</sup> was recorded in TC<sub>4</sub> treatment containing 44% vermicompost, 44% farmyard manure, and 12% soil. The highest rolling quality of the mat with a rolling score of 10.00 ± 0.027 in TC<sub>8</sub> treatment containing 30% vermicompost, 50% farmyard manure, and 20% soil, and the maximum mat strength of 54.90 ± 3.82 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in TC<sub>10</sub> treatment (soil alone). Mechanical transplanter performance exhibited superiority maximum planted hills per meter run (7 ± 1), optimum seedlings per hill (3), minimum occurrences of missing hills (1), and a maximum plant population per m<sup>2</sup> (116 ± 5) utilizing seedling mats prepared with TC<sub>7</sub> treatment. The highest grain yield of 4180 ± 449 kg/ha and grain straw ratio of 0.88 ± 0.0317 was recorded in the TC<sub>7</sub> treatment. Thus, this study recommends fine-tuning and adopting the TC<sub>7</sub> treatment combination to facilitate sustainable smart farming practices in India. Farmers are encouraged to consider implementing TC<sub>7</sub> treatment combinations to elevate the quality and productivity of paddy cultivation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100046"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Farming SystemPub Date : 2023-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100049
Azeezahmed Shaik , Sukhbir Singh , Thayne Montague , Matthew G. Siebecker , Glen Ritchie , Russell W. Wallace , Richard Stevens
{"title":"Comparison of organic eggplant yields under open-field and high tunnel production systems in Texas","authors":"Azeezahmed Shaik , Sukhbir Singh , Thayne Montague , Matthew G. Siebecker , Glen Ritchie , Russell W. Wallace , Richard Stevens","doi":"10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.farsys.2023.100049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>High tunnel (HT) vegetable cultivation stands out as a superior choice when compared to open field (OF) production due to its numerous production benefits. However, intensive cultivation practices involving excessive use of inorganic fertilizer (IF) in HT production systems may lead to degradation of soil health, and ultimately poor crop yields. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) and IF on growth and yield of eggplant (<em>Solanum melongena</em> L.) cultivars in HT and OF production systems. Two experiments were conducted in a split-split plot design with production systems (HT and OF) as main plot, fertilizers (LOF and IF) as sub-plot, and cultivars (‘Angela’ and ‘Jaylo’) as sub-sub plot factors. Throughout the growing season, daily average temperature and relative humidity were greater by 2 to 4 °C and 2 to 4%, respectively, under HT compared to OF conditions. In contrast, average daily light integral of HT decreased 18 to 24% compared to OF. Results from pooled growth and yield data of both experiments indicate HT produced 61% taller plants with 62% thicker stem diameter compared to OF. However, eggplant height and stem diameter did not differ significantly between fertilizer treatments or between cultivars. Due to a greater fruit count for each plant (63%) and average fruit weight (9%), total yield was 84% greater in HT compared to OF. Eggplant cultivar ‘Jaylo’ yielded 33% greater fruit count for each plant and 38% greater fruit yield compared to ‘Angela’ cultivar. However, no differences in fruit count, fruit weight, and the total yield were observed between LOF and IF. Results indicate that HT production offered a favorable microclimate which encouraged plant growth and greater fruit yield of eggplant compared to OF conditions. LOF and ‘Jaylo’ could be successfully used in organic eggplant production in HT and OF systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":100522,"journal":{"name":"Farming System","volume":"1 3","pages":"Article 100049"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50192534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}