Evaluation of Productive Plant Landscapes in Cold Regions Based on a Multiple Cropping Model

Four varieties of each rapeseed and buckwheat were planted in different sowing periods to explore a variety of planting patterns.A theoretical foundation was provided for the innovative application of cold region productive plant landscapes.The analytic hierarchy process was employed to develop a model for the evaluation of multiple cropping systems.A comprehensive evaluation was conducted to study 10 indicators in plant type,flower color,flowering period,flower volume,branch coverage,plot average yield,number of grains per plant,yield per plant,thousand-grain quality and ecological adaptability in four different varieties of each rapeseed and buckwheat.The results indicated that flower color,ecological adaptability,plot average yield and flower volume were the most important indicators for the value of productive plant landscapes in cold regions.Concerning the sowing period,the optimal combination of varieties and planting times were March 31 for Qingza No.5(rapeseed)and July 18 for Xinong T1211(buckwheat).

Spatial Exploration of Multiple Cropping Efficiency in China Based on Time Series Remote Sensing Data and Econometric Model

This study explored spatial explicit multiple cropping efficiency （MCE） of China in 2005 by coupling time series remote sensing data with an econometric model - stochastic frontier analysis （SFA）. We firstly extracted multiple cropping index （MCI） on the basis of the close relationship between crop phenologies and moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer （MODIS） enhanced vegetation index （EVI） value. Then, SFA model was employed to calculate MCE, by considering several indicators of meteorological conditions as inputs of multiple cropping systems and the extracted MCI was the output. The result showed that 46% of the cultivated land in China in 2005 was multiple cropped, including 39% double- cropped land and 7% triple-cropped land. Most of the multiple cropped land was distributed in the south of Great Wall. The total efficiency of multiple cropping in China was 87.61% in 2005. Southwestern China, Ganxin Region, the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River and Huanghuaihai Plain were the four agricultural zones with the largest rooms for increasing MCI and improving MCE. Fragmental terrain, soil salinization, deficiency of water resources, and loss of labor force were the obstacles for MCE promotion in different zones. The method proposed in this paper is theoretically reliable for MCE extraction, whereas further studies are need to be done to investigate the most proper indicators of meteorological conditions as the inputs of multiple cropping systems.

Comparative Water Efficiency Analysis of Sole and Multiple Cropping Systems under Tunnel Farming in Punjab-Pakistan

Water scarcity is the growing concern of present times, requiring its efficient utilization deemed as necessity. Rapidly growing population has significantly exerted pressure on its demand, in Pakistan. In order to fulfill it, all factors of production are required to be used in the possibly most efficient way. Good quality and quantity of water are the growing concerns of producers in Pakistan and around the globe. The efficient water utilization is crucial to optimize the farm returns under the selected sole and multiple cropping systems. This study considered the water efficiency analysis of multiple and sole cropping systems, with the aim of finding out cropping patterns more efficient in terms of water utilization in Pakistan. In order to estimate the water efficiency analysis, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is run to find out the water efficient cropping systems among sole and multiple cropping systems. The Tobit analysis is also used to find out the factors affecting the water efficiency of selected farms in the study area. The results of the study report an inefficient water usage in terms of irrigation, the inefficient use of water instigates the wastage of one of the most important as well as scarce farm inputs especially water, in case of multiple cropping system. Around 51% and 13% of water inefficiency are present under multiple and sole cropping systems, respectively. Basin irrigation is the method for irrigation, used by the farmers of the study area approximating to be 95% - 97%. It is one of the most conventional and least efficient methods of irrigation. Only 2.67 and 4.67 percent of farms were using the Furrow irrigation method, which is way more efficient and steady as compared to Basin irrigation method, respectively. It appears as a requirement that the most efficient methods regarding water application in Pakistan should be recognized. Lack of management in water application on both selected cropping systems resulted in over utilization of water and depletion of one of the fundamental natural resource. In order to overcome the inefficiency in water management, farmers’ farming knowledge, adoption of new irrigation techniques, efficient application of inputs is needed.

Contribution of Multiple Cropping Systems to Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in the Municipality of Abomey-Calavi in Southern Benin

In the world at large, while agricultural yields are increasing with constant land area, in Sub-Saharan Africa, more land is needed to increase production. In this region of Africa, agriculture therefore remains essentially extensive and contributes to environmental degradation, especially deforestation. Thus, the objective of this research is to assess and compare the quantities of greenhouse gases produced by multiple and mono-specific cropping systems. To this end, the quantity of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced by several cropping systems installed on an experimental farm in Kpotomey in the municipality of Abomey-Calavi (Benin) was estimated. The estimation of GHG quantities was made on the basis of IPCC work and data from the experiments carried out. Comparisons were made between mono-specific crops and multiple crops. The results show that the quantities of GHG emitted per ton of production are more or less identical and vary on average from 0.6 to 0.11 teqCO2. However, the advantage of multiple cropping systems is that they reduce the clearing of new land and thus avoid about 31.5 tons of CO2 if the plant formation to be replaced was a forest. Multiple cropping with moderate fertilization in the presence of organic matter increases production while preserving the environment.

Multiple cropping and soil fertility in sustainable production of paddy fields

Multiple cropping has been popularized on morethan two thirds of the total area of paddy fields inSouth China.It demands more nutrients due tohigher cropping index.Therefore,how to keepmoderately higher yields of multiple crops and to

Spatiotemporal differences and influencing factors of multiple cropping index in China during 1998-2012

Raising the level of the multiple cropping index （MCI） plays a critical role in food production of China. Therefore, exploring the spatiotemporal differences and factors of the MCI in China is of important practical significance. This paper examines the trend of multiple cropping index （MCI） changes in China at the national, regional and provincial levels during 1998-2012. Based on the Theil index, this paper explores the spatiotemporal differences of the MCI in China. Additionally, a spatial econometric model is used to identify the determi- nants of the spatiotemporal differences of the MCI from a behavioral perspective. The results are summarized as follows： （1） From the national perspective, the MCI shows an increasing trend year by year, rising from 120.1% in 1998 to 134.26% in 2012; （2） at the regional level, the northeastern region is the fastest growing area in terms of MCI, whereas the central region is the slowest growing area. The central region has the highest MCI level, whereas the northeastern region is connected to the lowest MCI level; （3） according to the Theil index value, the differences in the MCI show a narrowing trend from 0.11 in 1998 to 0.03 in 2012, which is primarily attributed to the differences among the four regions; （4） the MCI shows differences among China＇s 31 provinces, and the gap that it shows is great; and （5） the proportion of non-agricultural population has a significant negative effect on the MCI. However, the proportions of non-agricultural industry, agricultural policy, per capita operating arable land area and rural household per capita net income have a significant positive impact on the MCI. Therefore, the following policies are suggested to increase the level of China＇s cultivated land MCI： transferring rural surplus labor, increasing the farmers＇ income, accelerating the transfer of the use rights of arable land, developing the scale effect of land use, providing further support and benefits to farmers in less developed regions and major grain-producing areas, and strengthening the role of the national agricultural policy.

A comparative study on different multiple cropping patterns of Bupleurum chinense

Bupleurum chinense is a genuine medicinal material in Shanxi Province,and planting B.chinense is one of the main sources for local farmers to increase their income.In B.chinense cultivation,wheat-B.chinense,maize-B.chinense and soybean-B.chinense are commonly used as multiple cropping patterns.In the present study,we studied the effects of three different multiple cropping patterns on N,P and K levels of soil,photosynthetic parameters,agronomic characteristics,saikosaponin A,C and D contents,yield and economic benefits of B.chinense.The results showed that the soybean-B.chinense multiple cropping pattern was beneficial to the enrichment of N in the soil,thus promoting photosynthetic parameters,growth,saikosaponin accumulation,yield and economic benefits of B.chinense.It is suggested that soybean-B.chinense multiple cropping was an appropriate multiple cropping pattern for local cultivation of B.chinense.

Comprehensive evaluation of multiple cropping systems on upland red soil

According to the principles and methods of ecology and system engineering,we set up an evaluation indicator system for multi-component and multiple crop-ping systems,evaluated the comprehensive benefits of multi-component and multiple cropping systems using grey relation clustering analysis and screened out the optimized model based on research done in the upland red soil in Jiangxi Agricultural University from 1984 to 2004.The results show that the grey relation degree of"cabbage/potato/maize-sesame"was the highest among 23 multi-component and multiple cropping systems and was clustered into the optimized system.This indicates that"cabbage/potato/maize-sesame"can bring the best social,economic and ecological benefits,increase product yield and farmers’income and promote sustainable development of agricultural production.Therefore,it is suitable for promotion on upland red soil.The grey relation degree of"canola/Chinese milk vetch/maize/mung bean/maize"was second,which is suitable for imple-mentation at the city outskirts.In conclusion,these two planting patterns are expected to play important roles in the reconstruction of the planting structure and optimization of the planting patterns on upland red soil.

Agrobiodiversity for Livelihood Security： A Case Study of Agroforestry Technologies in Mexico

The present article examines the livelihood benefits associated with agrobiodiversity in Veracruz, Mexico. Citrus-based agriculture is the principal economic activity in the agricultural sector of the state of Veracruz. It is practiced in mono-crop plantations by the majority of farmers, who are rendered vulnerable to price depreciation resulting from simultaneous harvest and over-supply of a single commodity. Some farmers have associated multiple crops in citrus farms （agroforestry techniques） as a strategy to improve their livelihoods. Farmers who increased agrobiodiversity in their farms have significantly improved their livelihoods compared to mono-crop plantation owners. The research shows that increased agro-biodiversity can be a strategy to improve the livelihoods of citrus producers in the state of Veracruz, with significant economic benefits depending on the crop combination： maize-citrus is the least economically profitable combination （providing 21% in terms of internal rate of return）, while pineapple-citrus, banana-citrus and vanilla-citrus give higher returns （41%, 44% and 221% respectively）. The citrus-vanilla crop combination also has the highest benefit-cost ratio, relative to citrus monocrop （1.91） as well as the highest net present value （MX$579,635.73）. The choice of crop ultimately depends on the farmer＇s priorities. The associated benefits can be classified in three ways which correspond to the tripartite goal of sustainable development： （i） ecological sustainability （through increased ecosystem resilience）, （ii） economic stability （through diversified, less risk-prone sources of income）, and （iii） social well-being （through lower）.

Nitrogen use in double cropping soybean with non-fertilized winter oilseed crops

Sustainable intensification of cropping systems is a strategy to increase productivity and reduce disservices of conventional agroecosystems.Camelina[Camelina sativa(L.)Crantz]and field pennycress(Thlaspi arvense L.)are winter annual oilseed crops well suited to fill the fallow period between corn(Zea mays L.)and soybean[Glycine max(L.)Merr.]in the U.S.northern Corn Belt,but their inclusion may be limited by resource use limitations.A 2-year study was conducted from 2015 to 2017 in the U.S.upper Midwest to evaluate the effect of double cropping on winter oilseed crops and soybean productivity and economic performance.Treatments included relay-and sequential-cropped soybean with winter camelina and field pennycress,and monocrop soybean as control.Biomass and grain yield of winter oilseed crops were not affected by cropping system.Averaged over years and cropping systems,winter camelina resulted in more biomass,nitrogen(N)uptake and grain yield by 240,186 and 139% respectively,compared to field pennycress.Soybean biomass,N uptake and yield were higher in relay relative to sequential cropping.Relay soybean resulted in similar total grain yield(soybean+winter oilseed crop)compared to monocropped soybean.Double cropping soybean could maintain net return compared to monocropped soybean.Results indicate that double cropping winter oilseed crops with soybean can be economically viable in the U.S.upper Midwest.Yet,research aimed at optimizing yield through N and water use while improving ecosystem services is needed.

Glyphosate-Resistant Giant Ragweed(Ambrosia trifida L.):2,4-D Dose Response and Control with Postemergence Herbicides in Soybean

Glyphosate resistant giant ragweed is an increasing problem in glyphosate resistant cropping systems in southwestern Ontario. The postemergence herbicides registered for use in soybean in Ontario do not provide consistent control of glyphosate resistant giant ragweed. There is limited research on the lowest effective rate of 2,4-D for the control of glyphosate resistant giant ragweed. Consequently, the objectives of this study were a) to determine the efficacy of herbicides applied postemergence for the control of glyphosate resistant giant ragweed in glyphosate resistant soybean, and b) to determine the lowest effective rate of 2,4-D for the control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed. Ten postemergence herbicide combinations and seven rates of 2,4-D were evaluated in field studies conducted in 2011 and 2012 at six locations confirmed with glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed. The post emergence herbicides evaluated did not provide acceptable/consistent control. Of the herbicides evaluated, glyphosate plus cloransulam-methyl provided 26% to 70% control 8 WAA of glyphosate resistant giant ragweed, which was the best of the herbicides combinations evaluated. The doses of 2,4-D required to reduce giant ragweed shoot dry weight by 50, 80 and 95% were 142, 310 and 1048 g a.e. ha-1, respectively.

ENABLING CROP DIVERSIFICATION TO SUPPORT TRANSITIONS TOWARD MORE SUSTAINABLE EUROPEAN AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS

European cropping systems are often characterized by short rotations or even monocropping,leading to environmental issues such as soil degradation,water eutrophication,and air pollution including greenhouse gas emissions,that contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss.The use of diversification practices(i.e.,intercropping,multiple cropping including cover cropping and rotation extension),may help enhance agrobiodiversity and deliver ecosystem services while developing new value chains.Despite its benefits,crop diversification is hindered by various technical,organizational,and institutional barriers along value chains(input industries,farms,trading and processing industries,retailers,and consumers)and within sociotechnical systems(policy,research,education,regulation and advisory).Six EU-funded research projects have joined forces to boost crop diversification by creating the European Crop Diversification Cluster(CDC).This Cluster aggregates research,innovation,commercial and citizen-focused partnerships to identify and remove barriers across the agrifood system and thus enables the uptake of diversification measures by all European value-chain stakeholders.The CDC will produce a typology of barriers,develop tools to accompany actors in their transition,harmonize the use of multicriteria assessment indicators,prepare policy recommendations and pave the way for a long-term network on crop diversification.