The Potential Contribution of Subsurface Drip Irrigation to Water-Saving Agriculture in the Western USA

Water shortages within the western USA are resulting in the adoption of water-saving agricultural practices within this region. Among the many possible methods for saving water in agriculture, the adoption of subsurface drip irrigation （SDI） provides a potential solution to the problem of low water use efficiency. Other advantages of SDI include reduced NO3 leaching compared to surface irrigation, higher yields, a dry soil surface for improved weed control, better crop health, and harvest flexibility for many specialty crops. The use of SDI also allows the virtual elimination of crop water stress, the ability to apply water and nutrients to the most active part of the root zone, protection of drip lines from damage due to cultivation and tillage, and the ability to irrigate with wastewater while preventing human contact. Yet, SDI is used only on a minority of cropland in the arid western USA. Reasons for the limited adoption of SDI include the high initial capital investment required, the need for intensive management, and the urbanization that is rapidly consuming farmland in parts of the western USA. The contributions of SDI to increasing yield, quality, and water use efficiency have been demonstrated. The two major barriers to SDI sustainability in arid regions are economics （i.e., paying for the SDI system）, including the high cost of installation; and salt accumulation, which requires periodic leaching, specialized tillage methods, or transplanting of seedlings rather than direct-seeding. We will review advances in irrigation management with SDI.

RESEARCH & PRACTICE OF WATER-SAVING AGRICULTURE

China is one of the world’s major agricultural countries. About 80% of its annual water consumption is used for fanning undertakings. On the other hand, China is a country deficient in water resources and in particular, the water shortage is embarrassingly serious in the north. So the current development of water-saving agriculture (WSA) is a way of easing the strain between the supply and demand of water. This article expounds the WSA’s status in the development of the national economy, its research and implementation, and suggests an institutional system of WSA to be established in this country.

A Review on Water-Saving Agriculture in Europe

This paper aims to analyze the research on the current situation of water-saving agriculture development in Europe. Water-saving agriculture in Europe started early, governments and farmers in various countries have a strong awareness of water-saving in agriculture and have achieved certain results. Due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of up-to-date field research, the complexity of various agricultural disciplines and categories, and the lack of information sharing, the current cognition of recent progress in the development of water-saving agriculture in Europe is not comprehensive enough. This paper selects four representative European countries: Spain, Germany, Italy, and Denmark as the research objects. Based on the existing research of Chinese and Western scholars, this paper analyzes and studies the current situation of water-saving agriculture in Europe. It has far-reaching significance for other countries in the world to have further development in water-saving agriculture and to protect water resources.

A Review on Development Water-Saving Agriculture in Asia

The development of water-saving agriculture is of great significance not only for increasing farmers’ production and income, but also for protecting water resources. The purpose of this paper is to learn from the experience of Israel, Japan, Korea and Singapore, improve the low efficiency of agricultural water use in China, and solve the problem of water shortage, promote the development of agriculture. This article concludes that the experience of water-saving agriculture in Israel is advanced irrigation technology, sound laws and regulations, and emphasis on science and technology. Japan’s water-saving agriculture is characterized by an efficient irrigation program and a strict agricultural water management policy. Korea’s experience in water-saving agriculture is that it has a strict water management system, with the government subsidizing the cost of irrigation projects and integrating water into agricultural development planning. Singapore’s experience in water-saving agriculture is to raise awareness of water conservation and to use step water prices. In order to promote the sustainable development of water-saving agriculture in China, the research on water-saving agriculture in the future can be carried out from the aspects of agricultural production or related agricultural technology.

Nano/Micro-Structural Supramolecular Biopolymers: Innovative Networks with the Boundless Potential in Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture plays a crucial role in meeting the growing global demand for food while minimizing adverse environmental impacts from the overuse of synthetic pesticides and conventional fertilizers.In this context,renewable biopolymers being more sustainable offer a viable solution to improve agricultural sustainability and production.Nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers are among these innovative biopolymers that are much sought after for their unique features.These biomaterials have complex hierarchical structures,great stability,adjustable mechanical strength,stimuli-responsiveness,and self-healing attributes.Functional molecules may be added to their flexible structure,for enabling novel agricultural uses.This overview scrutinizes how nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers may radically alter farming practices and solve lingering problems in agricultural sector namely improve agricultural production,soil health,and resource efficiency.Controlled bioactive ingredient released from biopolymers allows the tailored administration of agrochemicals,bioactive agents,and biostimulators as they enhance nutrient absorption,moisture retention,and root growth.Nano/micro-structural supramolecular biopolymers may protect crops by appending antimicrobials and biosensing entities while their eco-friendliness supports sustainable agriculture.Despite their potential,further studies are warranted to understand and optimize their usage in agricultural domain.This effort seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by investigating their applications,challenges,and future prospects in the agricultural sector.Through experimental investigations and theoretical modeling,this overview aims to provide valuable insights into the practical implementation and optimization of supramolecular biopolymers in sustainable agriculture,ultimately contributing to the development of innovative and eco-friendly solutions to enhance agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impact.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA) Instruction to Authors

Aims and Scope Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA),formerly Agricultural Sciences in China(ASC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinsese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAAsS).The latest IF is 4.8.JIA seeks to publish those papers that are influential and will significantly advance scientific understanding in agriculture fields worldwide.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA)Instruction to Authors

Aims and Scope Journal of IntegrativeAgriculture(JIA),formerly Agricuiltural Sciences in China(ASC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinsese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAAsS).The latest IF is 4.8.JIA seeks to publish those papers that are influential and will significantly advance scientific understanding in agriculture fields worldwide.JIA publishes manuscripts in the categories of Commentary,Review,Research Article,Letter and Short Communication,focusing on the core subjects:Crop Science Horticulture·Plant ProtectionAnimal Science·Veterinary Medicine·Agro-ecosystem&Environment·Food Science·Agricultural Economics and Management·Agricultural Information Science.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA)Instruction to Authors

Description Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA),formerly Agricultural Sciences in China(ASC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAASS).

Journal of Integrative Agriculture Instruction to Authors

Description Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA),formerly Agricultural Sciences in China(ASC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAASS).JIA is a peer-reviewed and multi-disciplinary international journal and published monthly in English.JIA Editorial Board consists of 289 well-respected scholars of agricultural scientific fields.

Spatio-Temporal Agricultural Drought Quantification in a Rainfed Agriculture, Athi-Galana-Sabaki River Basin

This study employs a quantitative approach to comprehensively investigate the full propagation process of agricultural drought, focusing on pigeon peas (the most grown crop in the AGS Basin) planting seasonal variations. The study modelled seasonal variabilities in the seasonal Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Agricultural Drought Index (SADI). To necessitate comparison, SADI and SPI were Normalized (from −1 to 1) as they had different ranges and hence could not be compared. From the seasonal indices, the pigeon peas planting season (July to September) was singled out as the most important season to study agricultural droughts. The planting season analysis selected all years with severe conditions (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2022) for spatial analysis. Spatial analysis revealed that most areas in the upstream part of the Basin and Coastal region in the lowlands experienced severe to extreme agricultural droughts in highlighted drought years. The modelled agricultural drought results were validated using yield data from two stations in the Basin. The results show that the model performed well with a Pearson Coefficient of 0.87 and a Root Mean Square Error of 0.29. This proactive approach aims to ensure food security, especially in scenarios where the Basin anticipates significantly reduced precipitation affecting water available for agriculture, enabling policymakers, water resource managers and agricultural sector stakeholders to equitably allocate resources and mitigate the effects of droughts in the most affected areas to significantly reduce the socioeconomic drought that is amplified by agricultural drought in rainfed agriculture river basins.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA)Instruction to Authors

Description Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA),formerly Agricultural Sciences in China(AsC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAASS).JIAis a peer-reviewed and multi-disciplinary international journal and published monthly in English.JIA Editorial Board consists of 289 well-respected scholars of agricultural scientific fields.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA)

Instruction to Authors Aims and Scope Journal of Integrative Agriculture(JIA),formerlyAgricultural Sciences in China(ASC),founded in 2002,is sponsored by Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS),co-sponsored by Chinsese Association of Agricultural Science Societies(CAAsS).

Review of IoT and electronics enabled smart agriculture

The population increases at an exponential rate as human society advances,and pollution is increasingly depleting the availability of resources such as water and land.All these problems are thought to require the use of smart agriculture.By reducing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides,smart agriculture could mitigate land pollution and increase the sustainability of agricultural practices while also greatly enhancing the agro-ecological environment,yield,and quality of crops.The steps to make agriculture smart are made possible through data and communication technology,which helps with automatic operation and cultivation.Moreover,advances in wireless communication protocols will bring agriculture to a more intelligent stage.This study provides an overview of IoT technology and its application in the smart agriculture industry to make crop production automatic and intelligent by assessing their architecture(IoT devices,communication technologies,and processing),their applications,and research timelines.The communication protocols that have established uses in agriculture are reviewed first in this article.Various wireless communication protocols such as WiFi,ZigBee,SigFox,LoRa,RFID,NFMI,Terahertz,and NB-IoT were summarized,and their applications in various fields were also studied.These protocols in smart agriculture can effectively and efficiently address environmental data,water saving,monitoring of animal behavior,accuracy,power efficiency,cost reduction due to low power consumption,accuracy,wide transmission,simple in operation and cost effective.The most commonly used microcontrollers are Arduino(to develop autonomous machines),Raspberry Pi(to store data),and 8-bit microcontroller(to process data).In addition,it is important to take advantage of modern communication technology to enhance crop production.This study also examines the future opportunities and trends for IoT applications in smart agriculture,along with the ongoing challenges and issues that need addressing.Furthermore,it provides crucial insights and guidance for future research and the development of IoT solutions.These advancements aim to improve agricultural productivity and quality while facilitating the transition to a more sustainable agroecological future.

Security Analysis in Smart Agriculture: Insights from a Cyber-Physical System Application

Smart agriculture modifies traditional farming practices,and offers innovative approaches to boost production and sustainability by leveraging contemporary technologies.In today’s world where technology is everything,these technologies are utilized to streamline regular tasks and procedures in agriculture,one of the largest and most significant industries in every nation.This research paper stands out from existing literature on smart agriculture security by providing a comprehensive analysis and examination of security issues within smart agriculture systems.Divided into three main sections-security analysis,system architecture and design and risk assessment of Cyber-Physical Systems(CPS)applications-the study delves into various elements crucial for smart farming,such as data sources,infrastructure components,communication protocols,and the roles of different stakeholders such as farmers,agricultural scientists and researchers,technology providers,government agencies,consumers and many others.In contrast to earlier research,this work analyzes the resilience of smart agriculture systems using approaches such as threat modeling,penetration testing,and vulnerability assessments.Important discoveries highlight the concerns connected to unsecured communication protocols,possible threats from malevolent actors,and vulnerabilities in IoT devices.Furthermore,the study suggests enhancements for CPS applications,such as strong access controls,intrusion detection systems,and encryption protocols.In addition,risk assessment techniques are applied to prioritize mitigation tactics and detect potential hazards,addressing issues like data breaches,system outages,and automated farming process sabotage.The research sets itself apart even more by presenting a prototype CPS application that makes use of a digital temperature sensor.This application was first created using a Tinkercad simulator and then using actual hardware with Arduino boards.The CPS application’s defenses against potential threats and vulnerabilities are strengthened by this integrated approach,which distinguishes this research for its depth and usefulness in the field of smart agriculture security.

Irrigated Agriculture Facing the Challenge of Climate Change: Adaptation Strategies for Farmers in the Irrigated Perimeters of Môle Saint-Nicolas, Haiti

Môle Saint-Nicolas, like all other communes in the Republic of Haiti, faces increasing climate variability, impacting agricultural production and water resources. Consequently, there is a pressing need for adaptation to these climatic changes. This research aims to showcase the adaptation strategies deployed by farmers to cope with the increasing climate variability. Surveys were conducted through group and individual discussions with a randomly selected cohort of 150 farmers. Two types of analysis were performed: quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings reveal that farmers have perceived changes in rainfall patterns, temperature, wind, and their environment. These changes manifest as irregular rainfall, higher temperatures, prolonged drought periods, violent winds accompanied by rain, premature cessation of rains, and reduced flow from water sources. In response, the most common adaptation strategies adopted include selecting new cultivars, early-maturing varieties, crop rotation and diversification, canal dredging, new soil preparation methods, upstream water source protection, and micro-watershed management. The significance of this research lies in its contribution to enhancing farmers’ adaptive capacities by alerting stakeholders in the irrigated perimeters about the consequences of climate change, thereby incorporating the real needs of farmers in future projects.

Sorghum Productivity and Its Farming Feasibility in Dryland Agriculture:Genotypic and Planting Distance Insights

Sorghum(Sorghum bicolor L.Moench)is an essential food crop for more than 750 million people in tropical and sub-tropical dry climates of Africa,India,and Latin America.The domestic sorghum market in Indonesia is still limited to the eastern region(East Nusa Tenggara,West Nusa Tenggara,Java,and South Sulawesi).Therefore,it is crucial to carry out sorghum research on drylands.This research aimed to investigate the effect of sorghum genotype and planting distance and their interaction toward growth and sorghum’s productivity in the Gunungkidul dryland,Yogyakarta,Indonesia.In addition,the farm business analysis,including the feasibility of sorghum farming,was also examined.The research used a randomized complete block design(RCBD),arranged in a 5×4 factorial with 3 replicates.The first treatment consisted of 5 varieties(2 high-yielding varieties(Bioguma 1 and Kawali)and 3 local sorghum varieties(Plonco,Ketan Merah,and Hitam Wareng)).The second treatment consisted of 4 levels of planting distance,namely 50×20 cm,60×20 cm,70×15 cm,and 70×20×20 cm.Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data,where Duncan’s multiple range test(DMRT)was used post hoc.Plant height,panicle height,panicle width,panicle weight,stover weight,grains weight/plot,and productivity were significantly affected by sorghum varieties(p<0.05).However,there was no significant effect from the planting distance treatment and no interaction between planting distance and varietal treatments.Ketan Merah had the highest height,panicle length,and panicle width,while Bioguma 1 had the highest stover weight,panicle weight,grain weight/plot,and productivity.There was a significant linear regression equation,i.e.,productivity=0.0054–0.0003 panicle height+0.4163 grains weight/plot.Our findings on farm business analysis suggested that four out of five tested sorghum varieties were feasible to grow,except for the Ketan Merah variety.The most economically profitable sorghum variety to grow in Gunungkidul dryland was Bioguma 1.

Application of the Electrical Resistivity Method in Precision Agriculture of Coffee Cultivation, in the Kabiri Area, Ícolo e Bengo Township, Luanda, Angola

The electrical resistivity method is a geophysical tool used to characterize the subsoil and can provide an important information for precision agriculture. The lack of knowledge about agronomic properties of the soil tends to affect the agricultural coffee production system. Therefore, research related to geoelectrical properties of soil such as resistivity for characterization the region of the study for coffee cultivation purposes can improve and optimize the production. This resistivity method allows to investigate the subsurface through different techniques: 1D vertical electrical sounding and electrical imaging. The acquisition of data using these techniques permitted the creation of 2D resistivity cross section from the study area. The geoelectrical data was acquired by using a resistivity meter equipment and was processed in different softwares. The results of the geoelectrical characterization from 1D resistivity model and 2D resistivity electrical sections show that in the study area of Kabiri, there are 8 varieties of geoelectrical layers with different resistivity or conductivity. Near survey in the study area, the lowest resistivity is around 0.322 Ω·m, while the highest is about 92.1 Ω·m. These values illustrated where is possible to plant coffee for suggestion of specific fertilization plan for some area to improve the cultivation.

Understanding factors affecting non-participants’interest in community-supported agriculture

Community-supported agriculture(CSA)has emerged as a viable solution for addressing the agricultural challenges faced by countries like Indonesia.This study uses the wellestablished unified theory of acceptance and use of technology(UTAUT2)model to examine the interest in CSA of potential customers in Indonesia.A standardized questionnaire was distributed to 1200 respondents,and the data were analyzed using structural equation model-partial least square(SEM-PLS)in SmartPLS 4.0 software.The results capture potential CSA consumer interest and will help to improve CSA development strategies in Indonesia.The model explains 44.4%of customers’intentions,and identifies performance expectancy as the decisive factor in customers’willingness to participate in CSA.Performance expectancy(0.292),hedonic motivation(0.262),social influence(0.259),and facilitating conditions(0.086)positively influence customers’interest in participating in a CSA program.The adoption of CSA programs by both farmers and customers could be increased by implementing regulations that provide tax incentives and subsidies,offering training on sustainable farming practices,facilitating the establishment of distribution channels,and establishing guidelines for fair price and quality standards.This study shows the high potential for the implementation of CSA in Indonesia.It could also be used as a foundation for the development of new policies regarding sustainable agriculture markets in Indonesia.

Planetary health risks in urban agriculture

Urban agriculture is gaining recognition for its potential contributions to environmental resilience and climate change adaptation,providing advantages such as urban greening,reduced heat island effects,and decreased air pollution.Moreover,it indirectly supports communities during weather events and natural disasters,ensuring food security and fostering community cohesion.However,concerns about planetary health risks persist in highly urbanized and climate-affected areas.Employing electronic databases such as Web of Science and PubMed and adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines,we identified 55 relevant papers to comprehend the planetary health risks associated with urban agriculture,The literature review identified five distinct health risks related to urban agriculture:(1)trace metal risks in urban farms;(2)health risks associated with wastewater irrigation;(3)zoonotic risks;(4)other health risks;and(5)social and economic risks.The study highlights that urban agriculture,while emphasizing environmental benefits,particularly raises concerns about trace metal bioaccumulation in soil and vegetables,posing health risks for populations.Other well studied risks included wastewater irrigation and backyard livestock farming.The main limitations in the available literature were in studying infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance associated with urban agriculture.

Fertilization and Soil Ploughing Practices under Changing Physical Environment Lead to Soil Organic Carbon Dynamics under Conservation Agriculture in Rice-Wheat Cropping System: A Scoping Review

Ploughing and fertilization practices in rice-wheat system have deteriorated the soil carbon (C) pools. Conservation agriculture (CA) based management approaches have proven to enhance C sequestration and reverse the loss of soil-organic-carbon (SOC), which further enhances soil fertility. Different fractions of SOC pools react to the alterations in management practices and indicate changes in SOC dynamics as compared to total C in the soil. Higher SOC levels in soil have been observed in case of reduced/no-till (NT) practices than conventional tillage (CT). However, between CT and zero tillage/NT, total SOC stocks diminished with an increase in soil depth, which demonstrated that the benefits of SOC are more pronounced in the topsoil under NT. Soil aggregation provides physical protection to C associated with different-sized particles, thus, the improvement in soil aggregation through CA is an effective way to mitigate soil C loss. Along with less soil disturbance, residual management, suitable crop rotation, rational application of manures and fertilizers, and integrated nutrient management have been found to be effective in not only improving soil C stock but also enhancing the soil health and productivity. Thus, CA can be considered as a potential method in the build-up of SOC of soil in rice-wheat system.