crop productivity Articles
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Nitrogen economy of pulse crop production in the northern great plains
Previously published data were used to examine the N economy of pulse crops typically grown on the Northern Great Plains with the goal of assessing the potential contribution of field pea (Pisum sativum L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to soil N accretion. Incremental changes in soil N associated ...
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Temporal and spatial changes of water footprint of maize production in Jilin Province
Quantitation of the green, blue and grey water footprints (WFs) of crop production can distinguish the water types and amount in crop production, as well as the degree of freshwater pollution. This paper calculates the WF of maize production and assesses the temporal variability and spatial distribution of WFs in different types of rainfall years over Jilin Province from 1998 to 2012. The ...
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Estimating water use efficiencies for water management reform in Southern Alberta irrigated agriculture
Water use technical efficiency (WUTE) and three definitions of water use economic efficiency (WUEE) were estimated for the four river sub-basins that encompass the 13 irrigation districts in Southern Alberta over a 5-year period: 2004–08. The average level of WUTE varied from 3.5 to 6.2 Mt dam−3. The gross economic value of crop production varied from Canadian (C)$345 to ...
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The Environmental Impact of Arable Crop Production in the European Union: Practical Options for Improvement
The purpose of the studies is to explore the relationship generally between agricultural sectors and practices and the environment. The sectoral studies describe the environmental relationship, the practical possibilities to improve that relationship and the various options (with agri-environmental measures) to establish environmental gains. They should contribute to an informal debate and ...
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Risk considerations in the economic assessment of low–input crop production techniques: an example from Swiss wheat production
The role of risks in the adoption of low–input wheat production in Switzerland is investigated using farm–level panel data. Due to governmental support with environmental payments, low–input wheat production is found to be on average more profitable. However, low–input production is also more risky, in particular due to higher yield variability. The here presented analysis reveals that these ...
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Lighting Strategies for Vine Crop Production
Pepper, tomato and cucumber crops require consistent levels of light for year round production. There are many things to consider before investing in a lighting solution and understanding your growing environment – and the goals you want to achieve – will help in choosing a system that best suits your needs. Having a reliable and efficient lighting system is important not only for ...
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Lighting Strategies for Ornamental Crop Production
The ornamental horticultural industry is diverse and made up of flowering potted plants, cut flowers and bedding plants. Ornamentals have specific lighting requirements needed to grow high quality and consistent crops. Since many bedding plant varieties are started in winter, lighting becomes important for managing early growth stages and to ensure products are in a condition ready to be shipped ...
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The commercialisation of the indigenous economy and its impact on the environment of Modhupur Garh, Bangladesh
The level of destruction of the natural sal (shorea robusta) forest of Modhupur Garh in Bangladesh has pushed the forest-dwelling indigenous Garo community into cash crop production, forcing them to move away from their traditional subsistence economy. Cash crop production started in Modhupur region with pineapple cultivation which, in recent years, has been superceded by Banana monoculture. ...
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Extension workers' attitude towards usefulness of an integrated soil fertility and nutrient management approach in Bangladesh
The main focus of this study was to determine extension workers' attitude towards usefulness of Integrated Soil Fertility (ISF) and Nutrient Management (NM) approach for sustainable crop production. Data were collected from 64 extension workers from four districts in Bangladesh using face-to-face interview from December 2005 to January 2006. Findings indicated that more than two-thirds (68%) of ...
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Vermicompost production and its use for crop production in the Philippines
Vermicompost was produced with Perionyx excavatus and Eudrilus eugeniae using animal manures, leguminous leaves, grass and agro-forestry wastes. Yields of corn fertilised with vermicompost at 5t/ha and rice at 2t/ha of vermicompost were comparable with those for corn fertilised with 100% chemical fertilisers and 40% increase over the control for rice. Chinese cabbage and eggplant fertilised with ...
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A Global Assessment of the Water Footprint of Farm Animal Products
The increase in the consumption of animal products is likely to put further pressure on the world’s freshwater resources. This paper provides a comprehensive account of the water footprint of animal products, considering different production systems and feed composition per animal type and country. Nearly one-third of the total water footprint of agriculture in the world is related to the ...
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Marginal value of natural water in agriculture: a study in the suburbs of Mekelle City, Ethiopia
In areas where markets for natural water are lacking, information on its marginal value can be an important tool for proper pricing to achieve efficient allocation of the resource. This article investigates the marginal value of natural water (rainwater used as a proxy) in agricultural crop production in the suburbs of Mekelle City, Ethiopia, by econometrically estimating individual value ...
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Crop productivity and economics during the transition to alternative cropping systems
Many environmental benefits accrue from reducing tillage and increasing crop diversity; however, economic factors often encourage the continued use of intensive tillage and specialized crop production. This study examined crop yields, input costs, and economic returns during the transition to a range of cropping system alternatives in the northern Corn Belt region, including different system ...
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Mining and harnessing natural variation: A little magic
The success of a breeding program depends on having adequate diversity in the germplasm. However, as advanced breeding stocks and materials are generated, one casualty is the diversity itself. As a result, breeding programs in many crop species have reached a point of diminishing returns and it is feared that unless new diversity is infused into the breeding germplasm, we face catastrophic ...
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Organic and mineral input management to enhance crop productivity in Central Kenya
Organic resources (ORs) are important nutrient inputs in tropical agriculture. Combined with mineral fertilizers, they form the backbone of integrated soil fertility management. This study was conducted to determine the medium- to long-term influence of OR quality and quantity on maize productivity and to evaluate the occurrence of additive benefits in terms of extra grain yield produced by the ...
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Important to know what`s going on in the slabs
Daily measurements of the slab by hand meter give essential information on what is going on in the slabs. This is important to confirm the readings of any fixed sensors and to show the standard deviation across the glasshouse. This data will give more potential control over the crop to increase yield and quality as well as more efficient use of water and fertilisers. The substrate manufacturer ...
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Biotechnology in developing countries: opportunities in solid state fermentation applied in the agricultural industry
This paper summarises the experiences in Israel and elsewhere of the biotechnological processing of organic matter experiences that could be applied in developing countries. Emphasis is given to relatively simple technologies, and the applications include preservation of forage crops and by-products, mushroom cultivation and recovery of plant cell contents. These technologies might increase milk ...
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Climate change and wheat production in Argentina
The aim of this work is to assess the impact of past and future climate changes on wheat productivity in the Pampas region of Argentina. The study was based on long-term climatic and crop productivity data, regional climatic scenarios and a crop simulation model. Our results demonstrate that the potential wheat yield has been declining at increasing rates since 1930 mainly due to minimum ...
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Accounting for adaptation in assessing impact of climatic variations on crop yields: an empirical study of Arizona
The goal of this paper is to analyze the impacts of climatic variation around current normals on crop yields and explore corresponding adaptation effects in Arizona, using a unique panel data. The empirical results suggest that both fertilizer use and irrigation are important adaptations to climate change in crop production. Fertilizer use has a positive impact on crop yields as expected. ...
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Simulated effects of Nitrogen management and soil microbes on soil Ntrogen balance and crop production
Searching for environmentally friendly N management practices in the midwestern United States is an ongoing task in the agricultural community. Many practices have shown promise in reducing N in tile drainage that may contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. In this study, an agricultural system in central Iowa, managed using a corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation from ...
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