A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems. Performance and operationa...A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems. Performance and operational-based challenges misconstrued to cause incorrect comparison between the two systems were considered. Ten multiple-livestock species system with five ruminant species-based and five monogastric species-based combinations were categorised. Poultry, pig, fish, goats and sheep kept in both the 3 and 4-species combinations were considered. Over 80% of the families are male dominated, smallholder and occupying > 1.0 Ha of land. Exotic and crossbred breeds were adopted away from less productive and noncommercial local species. Mixed monogastric-fish systems with monogastric species dominated (P 1000) stock per farm. Stalls dominate pig management systems with 15% of the farmers upgraded to commercial level with (>50) stock per farm. Ineffective livestock policies contribute to inefficient performance of 55% of livestock farmers. In conclusion, mixed livestock systems should be upgraded to integrated livestock systems with input resource synergy for improved production and sustainability.展开更多
Urban agriculture has been increasingly popular as a form of modern agriculture in urban settings. It includes community gardens, fruit orchards, home gardens, veggie patches, public open spaces, reserves, urban fores...Urban agriculture has been increasingly popular as a form of modern agriculture in urban settings. It includes community gardens, fruit orchards, home gardens, veggie patches, public open spaces, reserves, urban forest, and recreational landscaping. However, irrigation using urban water supply has been identified as a major constraints for the development of urban agriculture. This study presents a sustainable water management trial at Butler, a northern sub-urban development in Perth, Western Australia, for urban irrigation. The trial system consists of a number of water saving features including untreated fit-for-purpose groundwater supplied via a third pipe network, drip irrigation, local weather station, soil moisture sensors connected with a local weather station, night time irrigation, soil enhancement with conditioning and mulching, and use of native plants and vegetation. The trial outcome was compared against controlled areas in terms of irrigation efficiency and sustainable water management for urban agriculture. The study demonstrated that a fit-for-purpose irrigation along with water sensitive land management could be a sustainable alternative for urban agriculture that would achieve a significant water saving and irrigation efficiency at urban settings. However, quality of untreated groundwater can be an issue while utilizing it for irrigation, but the research has shown that it can be managed with innovative irrigation techniques. This indicates that the fit-for-purpose irrigation system with water sensitive land management practices would be highly supportive in sustainable development of urban agriculture, vegetation and recreational landscaping.展开更多
Drylands of the world cover 41%of the Earth＇s land surface and are a direct source of livelihood for 6.5 billion people, especially in developing countries. However, nearly all drylands are at risk of land degradatio...Drylands of the world cover 41%of the Earth＇s land surface and are a direct source of livelihood for 6.5 billion people, especially in developing countries. However, nearly all drylands are at risk of land degradation as a result of human activities. Poverty and desertification in dryland areas are major problems threatening sustainable agriculture and rural development in dryland areas. Several topics that are significant for sustainable agriculture and rural development for food security and environmental rehabilitation in dryland areas were stressed in this paper.展开更多
The development of new strategies of integrate pest management to improve processing tomato yield and sustainable quality, are requested by the market. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of foliar appl...The development of new strategies of integrate pest management to improve processing tomato yield and sustainable quality, are requested by the market. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of foliar applications of glucosinolates and certain medicinal plant essential oils in open field cultivation management. Tomato yield from plots treated with rosemary oil and glucosinolates resulted, on average, significantly higher, until 28%, than that of the control plots. However thyme and oregano oil treated plots showed statistically lower values. Plant vegetative status, including phytosanitary aspects, had the same trend as the production as showed by the exponential regression between two parameters. Findings allow us to conclude that foliar spray of glucosinolates and rosemary essential oils prove to be highly effective treatments inducing increases of tomato yield through plant health improvement.展开更多
Biopesticides are derivatives of plants, microorganisms and insects. Substances from plants and animals have been used to manage diseases in crops, animals and humans. Reliance on nature to heal nature is a practise f...Biopesticides are derivatives of plants, microorganisms and insects. Substances from plants and animals have been used to manage diseases in crops, animals and humans. Reliance on nature to heal nature is a practise for many people around the world. Use of natural products was overtaken by synthetic chemicals due to their efficacy, reliability and quick knock down effect. However, synthetic pesticides have become a health hazards for humans and environment due to their toxicity and pollution. Biopesticides are potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Sources of biopesticides are readily available, easily biodegradable, exhibit various modes of action, are less expensive and have low toxicity to humans and non-target organisms. Neem, pyrethrum, cotton and tobacco are known sources of botanical pesticides and have already been commercialized. Other sources of botanical pesticides include garlic, euphorbia, citrus, pepper among others. Species of Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Beauveria have been commercialized as microbial pesticides. Biopesticides are however faced with challenges of formulation, registration, commercialization, acceptance and adoption. This paper describes several aspects of biopesticide development, including but not limited to, their sources, production, formulation, commercialization, efficacy and role in sustainable agriculture.展开更多
The southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) can cause a significant reduction in the photosynthesis potential and the growth of new coffee plants (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae). Studies sugge...The southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) can cause a significant reduction in the photosynthesis potential and the growth of new coffee plants (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae). Studies suggest that the leaf spraying of silicon (Si) leads to increase plants resistance in order to reduce infestations of insect pests such as herbivores, borers, sucking insects and mites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf spraying of potassium silicate (K2SiO3) to control the southern red mite in coffee plants. Experiments were conducted in coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.), grown in a greenhouse, by means of completely randomized design with six treatments: Dose 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 liters of silicate potassium ha-1 and five replications. Plants treated with potassium silicate, regardless of the applied dose, had a lower O. ilicis infestation compared to the control, not allowing the population increase, thus a smaller damage in coffee leaves. The silicon content in leaves was higher in plants treated with the highest dose of potassium silicate. It was observed that there was induction of defense molecules such as tannins and lignin in plants sprayed with potassium silicate. It was concluded that the potassium silicate applied in leaf spraying had positive effect on reducing O. ilicis attack in coffee plants, even being a dicot. Therefore, the applications of potassium silicate by leaf spraying can be used in programs of integrated management of the southern red mite in coffee, with a view to sustainable management and environmental protection.展开更多
Weedy rice is a species of <i>Oryza</i>,<span> </span>and is a wild relative of cultivated rice. The weed possess</span><span style="font-family:"">es</span><...Weedy rice is a species of <i>Oryza</i>,<span> </span>and is a wild relative of cultivated rice. The weed possess</span><span style="font-family:"">es</span><span style="font-family:""> unique hardiness that allows them to thrive in dynamic and stressful environments. These characteristics suggest that weedy rice is a stored source of novel genes for competitive traits. One such trait is allelopathy, where a species releases secondary metabolites that suppress the growth and development of neighboring species. Weed competition is a limiting factor in rice production systems;therefore, it is critical to identify specific allelopathic weedy rice accessions to determine the genetic pathways and mechanisms associated with allelopathy to be used in breeding programs. Due to the complex nature of allelochemical production and the lack of knowledge of allelopathy mechanisms in weedy rice, phenotypic traits, particularly root traits, can be used to overcome this limitation and serve as target characteristics for breeding weed suppressive rice varieties. Five weedy rice accessions were chosen from preliminary screenings of larger sample sizes with the ability to suppress barnyardgrass weed seedling growth. Another five weedy rice with low barnyardgrass suppression was selected for the current root phenotypic study. Five cultivated rice lines were used as a comparison. All plants were propagated in a transparent germination pouch for four weeks. Roots were scanned and analyzed for root length and area covered. No differences were found in the seedling root area among weedy rice and rice accessions;however, allelopathic weedy rice plants exhibited a 14% increase in root length than non-allelopathic weedy rice plants. The allelopathic weedy rice accession B2 possessed the most extended root system (22.4 cm root length). The highly allelopathic weedy rice accessions (including B2) screened and phenotyped in this study are ideal candidates for identifying the genetic controls of early root length, a possible trait contributing to underground allelopathic production and competitive advantage.展开更多
文摘A cross-sectional study of 150 purposively selected multiple livestock species farmers was conducted in Central Uganda aimed at distinguishing between mixed and integrated livestock systems. Performance and operational-based challenges misconstrued to cause incorrect comparison between the two systems were considered. Ten multiple-livestock species system with five ruminant species-based and five monogastric species-based combinations were categorised. Poultry, pig, fish, goats and sheep kept in both the 3 and 4-species combinations were considered. Over 80% of the families are male dominated, smallholder and occupying > 1.0 Ha of land. Exotic and crossbred breeds were adopted away from less productive and noncommercial local species. Mixed monogastric-fish systems with monogastric species dominated (P 1000) stock per farm. Stalls dominate pig management systems with 15% of the farmers upgraded to commercial level with (>50) stock per farm. Ineffective livestock policies contribute to inefficient performance of 55% of livestock farmers. In conclusion, mixed livestock systems should be upgraded to integrated livestock systems with input resource synergy for improved production and sustainability.
文摘Urban agriculture has been increasingly popular as a form of modern agriculture in urban settings. It includes community gardens, fruit orchards, home gardens, veggie patches, public open spaces, reserves, urban forest, and recreational landscaping. However, irrigation using urban water supply has been identified as a major constraints for the development of urban agriculture. This study presents a sustainable water management trial at Butler, a northern sub-urban development in Perth, Western Australia, for urban irrigation. The trial system consists of a number of water saving features including untreated fit-for-purpose groundwater supplied via a third pipe network, drip irrigation, local weather station, soil moisture sensors connected with a local weather station, night time irrigation, soil enhancement with conditioning and mulching, and use of native plants and vegetation. The trial outcome was compared against controlled areas in terms of irrigation efficiency and sustainable water management for urban agriculture. The study demonstrated that a fit-for-purpose irrigation along with water sensitive land management could be a sustainable alternative for urban agriculture that would achieve a significant water saving and irrigation efficiency at urban settings. However, quality of untreated groundwater can be an issue while utilizing it for irrigation, but the research has shown that it can be managed with innovative irrigation techniques. This indicates that the fit-for-purpose irrigation system with water sensitive land management practices would be highly supportive in sustainable development of urban agriculture, vegetation and recreational landscaping.
基金Supported by Global COE Program (Global Center of Excellence for Dryland Science) Funded by MEXTCore-University Program Funded byJSPS
文摘Drylands of the world cover 41%of the Earth＇s land surface and are a direct source of livelihood for 6.5 billion people, especially in developing countries. However, nearly all drylands are at risk of land degradation as a result of human activities. Poverty and desertification in dryland areas are major problems threatening sustainable agriculture and rural development in dryland areas. Several topics that are significant for sustainable agriculture and rural development for food security and environmental rehabilitation in dryland areas were stressed in this paper.
文摘The development of new strategies of integrate pest management to improve processing tomato yield and sustainable quality, are requested by the market. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of foliar applications of glucosinolates and certain medicinal plant essential oils in open field cultivation management. Tomato yield from plots treated with rosemary oil and glucosinolates resulted, on average, significantly higher, until 28%, than that of the control plots. However thyme and oregano oil treated plots showed statistically lower values. Plant vegetative status, including phytosanitary aspects, had the same trend as the production as showed by the exponential regression between two parameters. Findings allow us to conclude that foliar spray of glucosinolates and rosemary essential oils prove to be highly effective treatments inducing increases of tomato yield through plant health improvement.
文摘Biopesticides are derivatives of plants, microorganisms and insects. Substances from plants and animals have been used to manage diseases in crops, animals and humans. Reliance on nature to heal nature is a practise for many people around the world. Use of natural products was overtaken by synthetic chemicals due to their efficacy, reliability and quick knock down effect. However, synthetic pesticides have become a health hazards for humans and environment due to their toxicity and pollution. Biopesticides are potential alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Sources of biopesticides are readily available, easily biodegradable, exhibit various modes of action, are less expensive and have low toxicity to humans and non-target organisms. Neem, pyrethrum, cotton and tobacco are known sources of botanical pesticides and have already been commercialized. Other sources of botanical pesticides include garlic, euphorbia, citrus, pepper among others. Species of Trichoderma, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Beauveria have been commercialized as microbial pesticides. Biopesticides are however faced with challenges of formulation, registration, commercialization, acceptance and adoption. This paper describes several aspects of biopesticide development, including but not limited to, their sources, production, formulation, commercialization, efficacy and role in sustainable agriculture.
文摘The southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) can cause a significant reduction in the photosynthesis potential and the growth of new coffee plants (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae). Studies suggest that the leaf spraying of silicon (Si) leads to increase plants resistance in order to reduce infestations of insect pests such as herbivores, borers, sucking insects and mites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf spraying of potassium silicate (K2SiO3) to control the southern red mite in coffee plants. Experiments were conducted in coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.), grown in a greenhouse, by means of completely randomized design with six treatments: Dose 0 (control), 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 liters of silicate potassium ha-1 and five replications. Plants treated with potassium silicate, regardless of the applied dose, had a lower O. ilicis infestation compared to the control, not allowing the population increase, thus a smaller damage in coffee leaves. The silicon content in leaves was higher in plants treated with the highest dose of potassium silicate. It was observed that there was induction of defense molecules such as tannins and lignin in plants sprayed with potassium silicate. It was concluded that the potassium silicate applied in leaf spraying had positive effect on reducing O. ilicis attack in coffee plants, even being a dicot. Therefore, the applications of potassium silicate by leaf spraying can be used in programs of integrated management of the southern red mite in coffee, with a view to sustainable management and environmental protection.
文摘Weedy rice is a species of <i>Oryza</i>,<span> </span>and is a wild relative of cultivated rice. The weed possess</span><span style="font-family:"">es</span><span style="font-family:""> unique hardiness that allows them to thrive in dynamic and stressful environments. These characteristics suggest that weedy rice is a stored source of novel genes for competitive traits. One such trait is allelopathy, where a species releases secondary metabolites that suppress the growth and development of neighboring species. Weed competition is a limiting factor in rice production systems;therefore, it is critical to identify specific allelopathic weedy rice accessions to determine the genetic pathways and mechanisms associated with allelopathy to be used in breeding programs. Due to the complex nature of allelochemical production and the lack of knowledge of allelopathy mechanisms in weedy rice, phenotypic traits, particularly root traits, can be used to overcome this limitation and serve as target characteristics for breeding weed suppressive rice varieties. Five weedy rice accessions were chosen from preliminary screenings of larger sample sizes with the ability to suppress barnyardgrass weed seedling growth. Another five weedy rice with low barnyardgrass suppression was selected for the current root phenotypic study. Five cultivated rice lines were used as a comparison. All plants were propagated in a transparent germination pouch for four weeks. Roots were scanned and analyzed for root length and area covered. No differences were found in the seedling root area among weedy rice and rice accessions;however, allelopathic weedy rice plants exhibited a 14% increase in root length than non-allelopathic weedy rice plants. The allelopathic weedy rice accession B2 possessed the most extended root system (22.4 cm root length). The highly allelopathic weedy rice accessions (including B2) screened and phenotyped in this study are ideal candidates for identifying the genetic controls of early root length, a possible trait contributing to underground allelopathic production and competitive advantage.
