Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Canasta - Crop Niche Selection For Tropical Agriculture, A Spatial Decision Support System, R. O'Brien, M. Peters, R. Corner, S. Cook

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Farmers in the developing world frequently find themselves in uncertain and risky environments, often having to make decisions based on very little information. Risks for smallholder farmers are often critical because of their poverty. In addition, in the tropics and subtropics, the natural environment is spatially and temporally variable and often harsh, thereby increasing the uncertainty faced by these farmers. This research aims to improve forage adoption decisions in the developing world, thereby increasing sustainable intensification and ultimately contributing to increased sustainable world food production and the alleviation of under-nutrition.

An Internet-Based Tool For Use In Assessing The Likely Effect Of Intensification On Losses Of Nitrogen To The Environment, N. J. Hutchings, B. M. Petersen, I. S. Kristensen, N. Detlefsen, M. S. Jørgensen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The EU Nitrates, Habitat and National Emissions Ceilings directives and the Kyoto Agreement mean that agricultural losses of NO₃, NH₃ and N₂O are under scrutiny by national and international environmental authorities. When farmers wish to intensify their operations, the authorities must then assess the likely environmental impact of the change in operation. The FARM-N internet tool was developed to help farmers and authorities agree how the farm will be structured and managed in the future, and to provide an objective assessment of the environmental losses that will result.

Software Ppbb_Mx: Potential Productivity Modelling Of Brachiaria Brizantha (Cultivars Marandu And Xaraés), E. R. Detomini, D. Dourado Neto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Recent improvements in computer capacity and technology allow models to be built to simulate the attributes of many agricultural processes and systems. Although Brachiaria brizantha is the most cultivated tropical grass species in Brazil, there is no single tool to predict its production under optimal conditions. The objective of this paper is to present PPBB_MX software to calibrate and simulate (using a stochastical procedure) the shoot and total biomass potential productivity (output variables) of Brachiaria brizantha as a function of the following input variables: local latitude, season (from cutting date - Julian day), length of regrowth (time, days) and climate …

N-Mineralisation And Phosphorous: Important Elements In Decision Support For Grassland Systems, A. Lisbeth Nielsen, C. C. Hoffmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Leaching of N and P from extensively managed grasslands on organic soils varies considerably. In environmentally sensitive areas it is important to diminish leaching by appropriate agricultural management. In Denmark low grazing intensity and management without fertilisation have been given a high priority. The type of soil has not been equally in focus, and it seems that the effect of cutting, compared to grazing, resulting in a higher removal of nutrients (e.g. Benke et al., 1992) can be used more strategically. The objective of this case study was to combine data from management strategies with data from leaching examinations …

Artturi Assists Finnish Advisers And Farmers To Succeed In Grass-Based Dairy Production, Marketta Rinne, Pekka Huhtanen, Kaisa Kuoppala, H. Nikander, J. Nousiainen, M. Hellämäki, L. Nyholm, J. Helminen, K. Lampinen, M. Maisi, M. Korhonen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Artturi is a collective name for a wide range of services. It is a common tool for different bodies who share an interest in strengthening grass-based dairy production in Finland: research, advisory service and industries. The Service is named after A. I. (Artturi Ilmari) Virtanen, the Finnish scientist who was awarded the Nobel prize in 1945, partly based on his work in developing the ensiling process of grass. The Artturi web site is available in Internet at: http://www.agronet.fi/artturi. Access to Artturi Services is free and no registration is required. The language used is Finnish. During summer 2003, 15,000 visits were …

Involvement Of Maasai Pastoralists In Participatory Rangeland Management Planning And Implementation, Evelyne Kiptot, W, Ego, D. Ochieng, A. Mohamed

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The pastoral Maasai lifestyle was and still is traditionally based on subsistence dairy and meat production. But with population increase, the rangelands can no longer sustainably support livestock production systems. Most of the rangelands which are used for grazing have been subdivided and partially cleared to pave way for cultivation, because of increased population pressure (Ego et al., 1999). This has led to a tendency to overgraze, thus impacting negatively on secondary production from the range. In order to effectively reverse this trend, the users of the rangeland resources were brought together to analyse constraints and opportunities for sustainable …

Management Of Pasture Quality For Sheep On New Zealand Hill Country, D. I. Gray, J. I. Reid, P. D. Kemp, I. M. Brookes, D. Horne, Paul R. Kenyon, C. Matthew, S. T. Morris, I. Valentine

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The control of pasture quality over spring is central to the achievement of high levels of sheep performance on hill country. Despite this, with the exception of the work of Lambert et al. (2000), little is known about how farmers actually manage pasture quality. The purpose of this research was to describe how a high performing hill country farmer manages pasture quality on their sheep area over spring and from this develop a framework that will assist other farmers improve their pasture management.

Decision Support System For Grassland-Based Sheep Production In The Chilean Patagonia, R. R. Vera, S. Morales, C. Aguilar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Temporal decision-making in sheep production systems of the Chilean Patagonia is influenced by forage availability in existing paddocks, which in turn is determined by previous use, localisation, climate and soil. Also, production strategies are evolving, with a trend towards fat lamb production, introduction of new breeds and a reduction in the importance of wool production. The objective of this study was to develop an initial version of a spatial empirical simulation model based on extremely limited information, to predict forage growth and sheep production so that decision-makers can assess alternative production strategies.

Accelerating The Impacts Of Participatory Research And Extension: Lessons From Laos, Joanne E. Miller, Viengxay Photakoun, J. G. Connell

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The role of participatory research and extension in stimulating farmer uptake and adaptation of beneficial technologies has been demonstrated over the last two decades in both developed and developing countries. The challenge is to move beyond simply trialling new technologies with farmers on a small scale to enabling significant livelihood impacts across larger numbers of households, villages and districts. This paper presents results of a project in Lao PDR exploring ways to accelerate and spread localised impacts in complex upland farming systems.

A Decision Support System For Monitoring Livestock Diet Quality And Performance: Verification Study On Cattle, Adami Tulu, Ethiopia, A. A. Jama, G. Tolleson, J. W. Stuth, Abule Ebro, K. Zander, Robert J. Kaitho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fecal profiling technology based on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been widely used in the U.S. to predict the diet quality and performance of free-ranging animals (e.g. Leite & Stuth 1995, Lyons & Stuth 1992, Lyons et al., 1993, Stuth et al., 1999, Tolleson et al., 2001). This technology is linked with the Nutritional Balance Analyzer (NUTBAL-PRO) model to form the core of a nutritional advisory system for livestock producers in the United States. This model predicts changes in body weight and condition for a broad range of livestock classes for cattle, sheep and goats. To test …

Irish Grassland Association: Delivering The Benefits From Grassland, S. Flanagan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Irish Grassland Association (IGA) is Ireland's leading forum for discussing the science of grass and animal production, the economics and finances of dairy, beef cattle and sheep farm enterprises. Membership is 800 and is a lively mix of progressive farmers (70%), research scientists, advisers and agribusiness personnel. The IGA is a member of the European Grassland Federation and has close ties with the Ulster Grassland Society, Fermanagh Grassland Club and the British Grassland Society.

The Role Of The British Grassland Society In Technology Transfer, J. M. Crichton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since its formation in 1945, the British Grassland Society (BGS) has been active in disseminating information to the grassland and associated sectors of agriculture and has adapted to a change from production-based agriculture to its current output mix of private and public goods. The BGS has as its remit: (a) improved production and utilisation of grass and forage crops for the promotion of agriculture and the public benefit, and (b) the advancement of education and research in grass and forage crop production and utilisation, and the publication of results.

The Addition Of Phosphorus And Potassium Fertilizer In The Generative Stage Of Job’S Tears Affects Yield Components, Yield, And Yield Quality, Fiky Yulianto Wicaksono, Salma Khairunnisa, Tati Nurmala, Aep Wawan Irwan

Jurnal Kultivasi

Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is an indeterminate food crop that requires more than one-time application of fertilizer. This study aims to determine the effect of additional doses of phosphorus and potassium at the beginning of the generative phase as side dressing fertilization on yield components, yield, and yield quality of the Job’s tears plant. The research was conducted in dry season March - August 2021 at the Experimental Field of the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran at Jatinangor, Sumedang Regency around 750 m above sea level. The experimental design used randomized block design (RBD) consisting of nine treatments and …

Identification Of Extreme Weather And Their Correlation On Soybean Production In Garut Regency, Ruminta, Fiky Yulianto Wicaksono, Annisa Nurinnida, Agus Wahyudin

Jurnal Kultivasi

The phenomenon of extreme weather events as a result of the impact of climate change can cause threats to agricultural systems, including soybean (Glycine max L.). Soybean is the main source of vegetable protein, which is sensitive and vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, research has been carried out through the identification analysis of changes in extreme weather events and analyzed for their correlation with soybean crops in Garut Regency to determine the effect of extreme weather elements on soybean production. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative, using trend analysis on extreme weather with data on extreme weather …

Testing Of Resistance To Downy Mildew On Several Sweet Corn Inbred Lines Of 7th Generation, Heri Kustanto

Jurnal Kultivasi

Sweet corn is one of the most well-known horticultural crop commodities and can adapt to various climates and environments. Efforts to control downy mildew disease continue to be carried out in collaboration with various parties in different ways, including genetic improvement of the varieties planted. The purpose of this study was to test the resistance of the 7th generation of sweet corn inbred lines to downy mildew and to find out the phenotypic characters that affect downy mildew. The new inbred lines obtained from the results of a long breeding process will be better tested for resistance to downy mildew …

Commercial Mycorrhizal Inoculation Of Non-Sterile Field Soil Does Not Enhance Colonization Or Reduce Nitrate Leaching, Madelyn Schoenberger

Student Research, Papers, and Creative Works

A short-term microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate whether inoculation of corn plants with commercial mycorrhizal fungus can reduce nitrate leaching from soil. Nitrate leaching presents issues for agricultural yields and crop nutrition as well as for nutrient cycling and ecological stability. Mycorrhizal fungi form a mutually beneficial symbiosis with most terrestrial plants wherein the fungus provides nutrients for the plant and receives organic compounds in return. This symbiosis can increase plant nutrient uptake from soil and may be useful for ecological remediation of nitrogen pollution.

Protecting Wa Crops Issue 32 - August 2023, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Protecting WA Crops

Protecting WA Crops Issue 32 - August 2023 contents:

• Sclerotinia management for narrow leaf lupins crops
• Meet Crop Protection team member – Ciara Beard

A Comparison Of Different Stomatal Density Phenotypes Of Hordeum Vulgare Under Varied Watering Regimes Reveals Superior Genotypes With Enhanced Drought Tolerance, Brittany Clare Robertson, Yong Han, Chengdao Li

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Enhancing the water-use efficiency (WUE) of barley cultivars may safeguard yield deficits during periods of low rainfall. Reduced stomatal density is linked to enhanced WUE, leading to improved drought resistance across plant genera. In this study, 10 barley varieties exhibiting a range of stomatal density phenotypes were grown under differing soil water contents to determine whether stomatal density influences the capacity of genotypes to resist low water availability. The low-stomatal-density genotype Hindmarsh showed the least impact on biomass production during early development, with a 37.13% decrease in dry biomass during drought treatment. Low-stomatal-density genotypes additionally outcompeted high-stomatal-density genotypes under water-deprivation …

Pestfacts Wa Issue 13 - August 2023, Rebecca Severtson, Christiaan Valentine, Alan Lord, Benjamin S. Congdon, Cindy L. Webster, Ciara Beard

PestFacts WA

PestFacts WA Issue 13 - August 2023 contents:

• Diamondback moth numbers are low, but growers are reminded to monitor with warming temperatures
• Native budworm caterpillars are appearing in the northern region
• Turnip yellows virus is spreading in canola in Kwinana West and Albany port zones
• Sclerotinia stem rot update

Pestfacts Wa Issue 12 - August 2023, Ciara Beard, Andrea Hills, Geoff J. Thomas, Cindy L. Webster, Kithsiri Jayasena

PestFacts WA

PestFacts WA Issue 12 - August 2023 contents:

• Leaf rust in wheat
• Nodorum blotch and yellow spot in wheat
• Loose smut in barley