Diverse approaches to crop diversification in agricultural research. A review

Agronomy for Sustainable Development, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 40(2)

Published: April 1, 2020

Abstract Agricultural intensification increased crop productivity but simplified production with lower diversity of cropping systems, higher genetic uniformity, and a uniformity agricultural landscapes. Associated detrimental effects on the environment biodiversity as well resilience adaptability systems to climate change are growing concern. Crop diversification may stabilize reduce negative environmental impacts loss biodiversity, shared understanding including approaches towards more systematic research is lacking. Here, we review use ‘crop diversification’ measures in research. We (i) analyse changes studies over time; (ii) identify practices based empirical studies; (iii) differentiate their by country, species experimental setup (iv) target parameters assess success diversification. Our main findings that (1) less than 5% selected refer our search term ‘diversification’; (2) half focused rice, corn or wheat; (3) 76% experiments were conducted India, USA, Canada, Brazil China; (4) almost any arable was tested its suitability for diversification; (5) 72% diversification, at least one additional agronomic measure (6) only 45% analysed agronomic, economic ecological variables. show high variability lack consistent theoretical concept. For better comparability ability generalise results different primary studies, suggest novel conceptual framework. It consists five elements, definition problem existing farming potential need characterisation baseline system be diversified, scale area, description design variables (v) expected impacts. Applying this framework will contribute utilizing benefits efficiently.

Language: Английский

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Global systematic review with meta-analysis reveals yield advantage of legume-based rotations and its drivers

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Aug. 22, 2022

Abstract Diversified cropping systems, especially those including legumes, have been proposed to enhance food production with reduced inputs and environmental impacts. However, the impact of legume pre-crops on main crop yield its drivers has never systematically investigated in a global context. Here, we synthesize 11,768 observations from 462 field experiments comparing legume-based non-legume systems show that legumes enhanced by 20%. These advantages decline increasing N fertilizer rates diversity system. The benefits are consistent among crops (e.g., rice, wheat, maize) evident across pedo-climatic regions. Moreover, greater (32% vs. 7%) observed low- high-yielding environments, suggesting increase low Africa or organic agriculture). In conclusion, our study suggests rotations offer critical pathway for enhancing production, when integrated into low-input low-diversity agricultural systems.

Language: Английский

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Review: Alternative and novel feeds for ruminants: nutritive value, product quality and environmental aspects

animal, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 12, P. s295 - s309

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Ruminant-based food production faces currently multiple challenges such as environmental emissions, climate change and accelerating food–feed–fuel competition for arable land. Therefore, more sustainable feed is needed together with the exploitation of novel resources. In addition to numerous industry (milling, sugar, starch, alcohol or plant oil) side streams already in use, new ones vegetable fruit residues are explored, but their conservation challenging often seasonal. temperate zones, lipid-rich camelina (Camelina sativa) expeller an example oilseed by-products has potential enrich ruminant milk meat fat bioactive trans-11 18:1 cis-9,trans-11 18:2 fatty acids mitigate methane emissions. Regardless lower methionine content alternative grain legume protein relative soya bean meal (Glycine max), lactation performance growth ruminants fed faba beans (Vicia faba), peas (Pisum sativum) lupins (Lupinus sp.) comparable. Wood most abundant carbohydrate worldwide, agroforestry approaches nutrition not common areas. Untreated wood poorly utilised by because linkages between cellulose lignin, utilisability can be improved various processing methods. tropics, leaves fodder trees shrubs (e.g. cassava (Manihot esculenta), Leucaena sp., Flemingia good supplements ruminants. A food–feed system integrates on-farm grass feeding. It improve animal sustainably at smallholder farms. For larger-scale production, detoxified jatropha (Jatropha a noteworthy source. Globally, advantages single-cell (bacteria, yeast, fungi, microalgae) aquatic biomass (seaweed, duckweed) over land crops independence from weather. The chemical composition these feeds varies widely depending on species conditions. Microalgae have shown both lipid Schizochytrium Spirulina platensis) To conclude, underexploited replace supplement traditional rations. short-term, N-fixing legumes, oilseeds increased use and/or fuel greatest especially zones. long-term, microalgae duckweed high-yield well may become economically competitive options worldwide.

Language: Английский

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Grain legume-cereal intercropping enhances the use of soil-derived and biologically fixed nitrogen in temperate agroecosystems. A meta-analysis

European Journal of Agronomy, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 118, P. 126077 - 126077

Published: May 18, 2020

Grain legumes are known for their benefits to deliver ecosystem services on provisioning of protein-rich food and feed, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the symbiotic nitrogen fixation function diversification cropping systems. Intercropping is an agroecological practice in which two or more crop species grown simultaneously same field, thereby maximizing use resources enhance yields low input systems resilience We quantified effect grain legume-cereal intercropping N temperate agroecosystems, focusing dinitrogen (N2) soil-derived acquisition using a meta-analysis 29 field-scale studies. estimated compared effects different intercrop compositions (proportion each intercrops), fertilization rates, species, soil properties, other management practices N2 by cereals legumes. The proportion derived from was average 14 % (95 CI = [11, 16]) higher intercropped (76 %) legume sole crops (66 %). On hand, reduced amount fixed (kg ha−1) about 15 %, when inter- cropped expressed at equivalent density compensating sown intercrops relative sowing rate. results were mainly influenced composition, method used quantify fixation. Soil-derived significantly (−47 95 [−56, −36]) legumes, density, while acquired much (+61 [24, 108]) than cereals. Total (legume + cereal) (+25 [1, 54]), there no significant difference between cereal crops. confirms highlights that consistently stimulates complementary increasing Based this analysis it would be suggested via can simultaneous production both N-sources external inputs fertilizers, enhancing sustainability agriculture.

Language: Английский

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Biological nitrogen fixation and prospects for ecological intensification in cereal-based cropping systems

Field Crops Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 283, P. 108541 - 108541

Published: April 17, 2022

The demand for nitrogen (N) crop production increased rapidly from the middle of twentieth century and is predicted to at least double by 2050 satisfy on-going improvements in productivity major food crops such as wheat, rice maize that underpin staple diet most world's population. will need be fulfilled two main sources N supply – biological (gas) (N2) fixation (BNF) fertilizer supplied through Haber-Bosch processes. BNF provides many functional benefits agroecosystems. It a vital mechanism replenishing reservoirs soil organic improving availability support growth while also assisting efforts lower negative environmental externalities than N. In cereal-based cropping systems, legumes symbiosis with rhizobia contribute largest input; however, diazotrophs involved non-symbiotic associations plants or present free-living N2-fixers are ubiquitous provide an additional source fixed This review presents current knowledge free-living, symbiotic global cycle, examines regional estimates contributions BNF, discusses possible strategies enhance prospective benefit cereal nutrition. We conclude considering challenges introducing planta into cereals reflect on potential both conventional alternative management systems encourage ecological intensification legume production.

Language: Английский

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Carbon farming: Are soil carbon certificates a suitable tool for climate change mitigation?

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 330, P. 117142 - 117142

Published: Jan. 4, 2023

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in agricultural soils removes dioxide from the atmosphere and contributes towards achieving neutrality. For farmers, higher SOC levels have multiple benefits, including increased fertility resilience against drought-related yield losses. However, increasing requires management changes that are associated with costs. Private certificates could compensate for these In schemes, farmers register their fields commercial certificate providers who certify increases. Certificates then sold as voluntary emission offsets on market. this paper, we assess suitability of an instrument climate change mitigation. From a soils' perspective, address processes enrichment, potentials limits, options cost-effective measurement monitoring. farmers' likely to increase SOC, discuss synergies trade-offs economic, environmental social targets. governance requirements guarantee additionality permanence while preventing leakage effects. Furthermore, questions legitimacy accountability. While is cornerstone more sustainable cropping systems, private fall short expectations mitigation sequestration cannot be guaranteed. Governance challenges include lack long-term monitoring, problems ensure additionality, safeguard effects, accountability if stored re-emitted. We conclude soil-based unlikely deliver offset attributed them benefit uncertain. Additional research needed develop standards metrics better understand impact term, non-permanent removals peaks atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations probability exceeding climatic tipping points.

Language: Английский

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Circular economy in agriculture: unleashing the potential of integrated organic farming for food security and sustainable development

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: July 24, 2023

Food is a basic human requirement which sustains the dynamics of Earth's inhabitants by satisfying hunger, providing nutrition and health, catering to culture, tradition, lifestyle. However, rising global population coupled with climate change including calamities, diseases, conflicts, as well poor agricultural practices put huge constraint on quantity quality food. Modern agriculture propelled green revolution has somehow been able meet food requirements ever-increasing heavily dependent chemical fertilizers, pesticides, machinery, reducing food, simultaneously posing great risk environmental degradation genetic diversity reduction. The Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) novel approach that holds potential in addressing challenge reconciling production preservation. As this embraces zero or minimal use, adopting reprocessing reuse residues led sustainable system can be viewed closest nature circular economy. certain constraints need addressed, such ascertaining effectiveness organic complexities associated weed management, inadequacy proficiency, financial resources, technical expertise required implement IOFS. Therefore, study emphasizes comprehensive benefits could derived from IOFS, particularly agroforestry, efficient production, improved quality, biodiversification crops adoption lesser-known cater cultural capital input achieve sustainability carbon neutral

Language: Английский

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Legume-based rotation enhances subsequent wheat yield and maintains soil carbon storage

Agronomy for Sustainable Development, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 43(5)

Published: Sept. 4, 2023

Language: Английский

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Legume-rice rotations increase rice yields and carbon sequestration potential globally

One Earth, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 101170 - 101170

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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The Role of Neglected Grain Legumes in Food and Nutrition Security and Human Health

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(1), P. 350 - 350

Published: Jan. 6, 2025

Increasing demand for nutritious, safe, and healthy food, including the need to preserve biodiversity other resources, signifies a prodigious challenge agriculture, which is already at risk from climate change. Diverse plant-based diets may significantly reduce food insecurity, malnutrition, diet-related diseases, health-related issues. More attention agricultural systems diversity mandatory improve economic, environmental, ecological, social sustainability of production in developing countries. In this context, neglected legume could provide nutritional benefits people while adhering principles. However, contribution legumes nutrition security still limited due socio-economic challenges faced by farmers that contribute underutilization legumes, leading overreliance on few with poor resilience climatic perturbations, thus posing sustainable production. While major offer higher economic returns more developed value chains, they also environmental degradation resource depletion. Neglected hand, ecosystem services, promote biodiversity, but face market underdeveloped chains. Consequently, insecurity human health concerns remain prevalent, especially There an urgent through policy change implementation, genetic improvement, development, fostering international cooperation share knowledge, technologies, best practices utilization legumes. This review comprehensively explores utility security, health. It identifies knowledge gaps should be prioritized as part research strategies future sub-Saharan Africa.

Language: Английский

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