55 results on '"Van Ittersum M"'
Search Results
2. Circular food system approaches can support current European protein intake levels while reducing land use and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Author
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Simon WJ, Hijbeek R, Frehner A, Cardinaals R, Talsma EF, and van Zanten HHE
- Subjects
- Humans, Europe, Dietary Proteins analysis, Agriculture methods, Animals, Food Supply, Diet, Greenhouse Effect prevention & control, Greenhouse Gases analysis
- Abstract
Protein transition and circular food system transition are two proposed strategies for supporting food system sustainability. Here we model animal-sourced protein to plant-sourced protein ratios within a European circular food system, finding that maintaining the current animal-plant protein share while redesigning the system with circular principles resulted in the largest relative reduction of 44% in land use and 70% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with the current food system. Shifting from a 60:40 to a 40:60 ratio of animal-sourced proteins to plant-sourced proteins yielded a 60% reduction in land use and an 81% GHG emission reduction, while supporting nutritionally adequate diets. Differences between current and recommended total protein intake did not substantially impact minimal land use and GHG emissions. Micronutrient inadequacies occurred with less than 18 g animal protein per capita per day. Redesigning the food system varied depending on whether land use or GHG emissions were reduced-highlighting the need for a food system approach when designing policies to enhance human and planetary health., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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3. Phosphorus applications adjusted to optimal crop yields can help sustain global phosphorus reserves.
- Author
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McDowell RW, Pletnyakov P, and Haygarth PM
- Subjects
- Agriculture methods, Phosphorus metabolism, Crops, Agricultural growth & development, Crops, Agricultural metabolism, Fertilizers analysis, Soil chemistry
- Abstract
With the longevity of phosphorus reserves uncertain, distributing phosphorus to meet food production needs is a global challenge. Here we match plant-available soil Olsen phosphorus concentrations to thresholds for optimal productivity of improved grassland and 28 of the world's most widely grown and valuable crops. We find more land (73%) below optimal production thresholds than above. We calculate that an initial capital application of 56,954 kt could boost soil Olsen phosphorus to their threshold concentrations and that 28,067 kt yr
-1 (17,500 kt yr-1 to cropland) could maintain these thresholds. Without additional reserves becoming available, it would take 454 years at the current rate of application (20,500 kt yr-1 ) to exhaust estimated reserves (2020 value), compared with 531 years at our estimated maintenance rate and 469 years if phosphorus deficits were alleviated. More judicious use of phosphorus fertilizers to account for soil Olsen phosphorus can help achieve optimal production without accelerating the depletion of phosphorus reserves., (© 2024. The Author(s).)- Published
- 2024
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4. Food system by-products upcycled in livestock and aquaculture feeds can increase global food supply.
- Author
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Sandström V, Chrysafi A, Lamminen M, Troell M, Jalava M, Piipponen J, Siebert S, van Hal O, Virkki V, and Kummu M
- Abstract
Many livestock and aquaculture feeds compete for resources with food production. Increasing the use of food system by-products and residues as feed could reduce this competition. We gathered data on global food system material flows for crop, livestock and aquaculture production, focusing on feed use and the availability of by-products and residues. We then analysed the potential of replacing food-competing feedstuff-here cereals, whole fish, vegetable oils and pulses that account for 15% of total feed use-with food system by-products and residues. Considering the nutritional requirements of food-producing animals, including farmed aquatic species, this replacement could increase the current global food supply by up to 13% (10-16%) in terms of kcal and 15% (12-19%) in terms of protein content. Increasing the use of food system by-products as feed has considerable potential, particularly when combined with other measures, in the much-needed transition towards circular food systems., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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5. Time management governs climate resilience and productivity in the coupled rice-wheat cropping systems of eastern India.
- Author
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McDonald AJ, Balwinder-Singh, Keil A, Srivastava A, Craufurd P, Kishore A, Kumar V, Paudel G, Singh S, Singh AK, Sohane RK, and Malik RK
- Abstract
India will need to produce 30% more wheat by 2050, and these gains must principally come from intensification in eastern India where low productivity is common. Through a dense network of on-farm surveys for the rice-wheat system in this region, we show that contemporary wheat sowing dates have a central influence on achieved and attainable yields, superseding all other crop management, soil and varietal factors. We estimate that untapped wheat production potential will increase by 69% with achievable adjustments to wheat sowing dates without incurring undesirable trade-offs with rice productivity, irrigation requirements or profitability. Our findings also indicate that transformative gains in wheat yields are only possible in eastern India if rice and wheat are managed as a coupled system. Steps taken to 'keep time' through better management of the annual cropping calendar will pay dividends for food security, profitability and climate resilience now and as a foundation for adaptation to progressive climate change., (© 2022. Crown.)
- Published
- 2022
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6. Southeast Asia must narrow down the yield gap to continue to be a major rice bowl.
- Author
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Yuan S, Stuart AM, Laborte AG, Rattalino Edreira JI, Dobermann A, Kien LVN, Thúy LT, Paothong K, Traesang P, Tint KM, San SS, Villafuerte MQ 2nd, Quicho ED, Pame ARP, Then R, Flor RJ, Thon N, Agus F, Agustiani N, Deng N, Li T, and Grassini P
- Abstract
Southeast Asia is a major rice-producing region with a high level of internal consumption and accounting for 40% of global rice exports. Limited land resources, climate change and yield stagnation during recent years have once again raised concerns about the capacity of the region to remain as a large net exporter. Here we use a modelling approach to map rice yield gaps and assess production potential and net exports by 2040. We find that the average yield gap represents 48% of the yield potential estimate for the region, but there are substantial differences among countries. Exploitable yield gaps are relatively large in Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand but comparably smaller in Indonesia and Vietnam. Continuation of current yield trends will not allow Indonesia and Philippines to meet their domestic rice demand. In contrast, closing the exploitable yield gap by half would drastically reduce the need for rice imports with an aggregated annual rice surplus of 54 million tons available for export. Our study provides insights for increasing regional production on existing cropland by narrowing existing yield gaps., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2022
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7. Circularity in animal production requires a change in the EAT-Lancet diet in Europe.
- Author
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van Selm B, Frehner A, de Boer IJM, van Hal O, Hijbeek R, van Ittersum MK, Talsma EF, Lesschen JP, Hendriks CMJ, Herrero M, and van Zanten HHE
- Abstract
It is not known whether dietary guidelines proposing a limited intake of animal protein are compatible with the adoption of circular food systems. Using a resource-allocation model, we compared the effects of circularity on the supply of animal-source nutrients in Europe with the nutritional requirements of the EAT-Lancet reference diet. We found the two to be compatible in terms of total animal-source proteins but not specific animal-source foods; in particular, the EAT-Lancet guidelines recommend larger quantities of poultry meat over beef and pork, while a circular food system produces mainly milk, dairy-beef and pork. Compared with the EAT-Lancet reference diet, greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by up to 31% and arable land use reduced by up to 42%. Careful consideration of the feasible substitutability between animal-source foods is needed to define potential roles of animal products in circular human diets., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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8. Fertilizer and grain prices constrain food production in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Author
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Bonilla-Cedrez C, Chamberlin J, and Hijmans RJ
- Abstract
Crop yields across sub-Saharan Africa are much lower than what is attainable given the environmental conditions and available technologies. Closing this 'ecological yield gap' is considered an important food security and rural welfare goal. It is not clear, however, whether it is economically sensible for farmers to substantially increase crop yields. Here we estimate the local yield response of maize to fertilizer across sub-Saharan Africa with an empirical machine-learning model based on 12,081 trial observations and with a mechanistic model. We show that the average 'economic yield gap'-the difference between current yield and profit-maximizing yield-is about one-quarter of the ecological yield gap. Furthermore, although maize yields could be profitably doubled, the economic incentives to do so may be weak. Our findings suggest that agricultural intensification in sub-Saharan Africa could be supported by complementary agronomic approaches to improve soil fertility, lowering the fertilizer cost, and by spatial targeting of fertilizer recommendations., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2021
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9. Spatial frameworks for robust estimation of yield gaps.
- Author
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Rattalino Edreira JI, Andrade JF, Cassman KG, van Ittersum MK, van Loon MP, and Grassini P
- Abstract
Food security interventions and policies need reliable estimates of crop production and the scope to enhance production on existing cropland. Here we assess the performance of two widely used 'top-down' gridded frameworks (Global Agro-ecological Zones and Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project) versus an alternative 'bottom-up' approach (Global Yield Gap Atlas). The Global Yield Gap Atlas estimates extra production potential locally for a number of sites representing major breadbaskets and then upscales the results to larger spatial scales. We find that estimates from top-down frameworks are alarmingly unlikely, with estimated potential production being lower than current farm production at some locations. The consequences of using these coarse estimates to predict food security are illustrated by an example for sub-Saharan Africa, where using different approaches would lead to different prognoses about future cereal self-sufficiency. Our study shows that foresight about food security and associated agriculture research priority setting based on yield potential and yield gaps derived from top-down approaches are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and would benefit from incorporating estimates from bottom-up approaches., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
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10. Principles, drivers and opportunities of a circular bioeconomy.
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Muscat A, de Olde EM, Ripoll-Bosch R, Van Zanten HHE, Metze TAP, Termeer CJAM, van Ittersum MK, and de Boer IJM
- Abstract
A circular, bio-based economy could provide the pathway to a sustainable future. Here we present five ecological principles to guide biomass use towards a circular bioeconomy: safeguarding and regenerating the health of our (agro)ecosystems; avoiding non-essential products and the waste of essential ones; prioritizing biomass streams for basic human needs; utilizing and recycling by-products of (agro)ecosystems; and using renewable energy while minimizing overall energy use. Implementing these principles calls for a transformation of our current economic system, including fundamental changes to policies, technologies, organizations, social behaviour and markets., (© 2021. Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2021
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11. Cognition of agriculture waste and payments for a circular agriculture model in Central China.
- Author
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Atinkut HB, Yan T, Zhang F, Qin S, Gai H, and Liu Q
- Abstract
An integrated model combining multi-layer cradle to cradle approach: cost effective, technically sound, and bioenvironmental cutting-edge agricultural waste assessment technologies are lacking; to address this gap, the study proposes circular agriculture model (CAM) to support an integrated, bio-based, sustainable and broadly applicable rural society. CAM is an innovative, quasi-public product, bio-commodity, and concept. This study uses survey data on the Chinese province of Hubei to consider the returning of crop residues to the soil and manure for compost or biogas production (first-generation biorefinery). It explores farmers' environmental understanding and their willingness to pay (WTP) under a "polluter pays" principle. Factors, including education, infrastructure, trust in family-neighbors, and environmental attitudes, have a significant effect on WTP. Moreover, income, sustainability-recycling behavior, environmental perception, perceived usefulness-easiness, and trust-in-government positively affect farmers' WTP, whereas environmental attitude, intention, and selfishness have a negative effect. It, therefore, calls for the integration and cooperation of private, government, business, R&D and public welfare to value the combined rural traditions, religion, philosophy and belief, socio-psychological and altruistic values of local communities, which are essential for building trust and providing ecological security, tech spill-over, thereby indirectly helping farmers to restore their livelihoods.
- Published
- 2020
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12. Trade-offs in the externalities of pig production are not inevitable.
- Author
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Bartlett H, Zanella M, Kaori B, Sabei L, Araujo MS, de Paula TM, Zanella AJ, Holmes MA, Wood JLN, and Balmford A
- Subjects
- Animals, Swine, Brazil, United Kingdom, Animal Welfare, Greenhouse Gases, Agriculture economics, Animal Husbandry methods
- Abstract
Farming externalities are believed to co-vary negatively, yet trade-offs have rarely been quantified systematically. Here we present data from UK and Brazilian pig production systems representative of most commercial systems across the world ranging from 'intensive' indoor systems through to extensive free range, Organic and woodland systems to explore co-variation among four major externality costs. We found that no specific farming type was consistently associated with good performance across all domains. Generally, systems with low land use have low greenhouse gas emissions but high antimicrobial use and poor animal welfare, and vice versa. Some individual systems performed well in all domains but were not exclusive to any particular type of farming system. Our findings suggest that trade-offs may be avoidable if mitigation focuses on lowering impacts within system types rather than simply changing types of farming., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2024
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13. Global food loss and waste estimates show increasing nutritional and environmental pressures.
- Author
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Gatto A and Chepeliev M
- Subjects
- Food, Africa South of the Sahara, Income, Food Loss and Waste, Environment
- Abstract
Accurate global food losses and waste (FLW) quantification remains challenging owing to limited harmonized global estimates, a lack of comprehensive quantification approaches and an absence of frameworks for addressing FLW challenges. Here we compile a country-level database that assesses FLW across global value chains and quantifies the nutritional and environmental impact of FLW for 121 countries and 20 composite regions. Between 2004 and 2014, FLW increased by a quarter, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where increasing nutritional losses of ~550 cal per capita per day impact food security. Growing food imports in high-income countries and fast-growing economies worsened FLW and related environmental footprints in exporting low-income regions. Reducing overconsumption and FLW in high-income countries may have positive effects in middle- and low-income countries, where food exports largely drive farm-level losses. Policies should focus on promoting the profitable reuse of unavoidable FLW while enhancing agricultural production efficiency to improve water use and nutritional security., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2024
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14. Global spatially explicit yield gap time trends reveal regions at risk of future crop yield stagnation.
- Author
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Gerber JS, Ray DK, Makowski D, Butler EE, Mueller ND, West PC, Johnson JA, Polasky S, Samberg LH, Siebert S, and Sloat L
- Subjects
- Edible Grain, Agriculture, Zea mays, Crops, Agricultural, Oryza
- Abstract
Yield gaps, here defined as the difference between actual and attainable yields, provide a framework for assessing opportunities to increase agricultural productivity. Previous global assessments, centred on a single year, were unable to identify temporal variation. Here we provide a spatially and temporally comprehensive analysis of yield gaps for ten major crops from 1975 to 2010. Yield gaps have widened steadily over most areas for the eight annual crops and remained static for sugar cane and oil palm. We developed a three-category typology to differentiate regions of 'steady growth' in actual and attainable yields, 'stalled floor' where yield is stagnated and 'ceiling pressure' where yield gaps are closing. Over 60% of maize area is experiencing 'steady growth', in contrast to ∼12% for rice. Rice and wheat have 84% and 56% of area, respectively, experiencing 'ceiling pressure'. We show that 'ceiling pressure' correlates with subsequent yield stagnation, signalling risks for multiple countries currently realizing gains from yield growth., (© 2024. The Author(s).)
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- 2024
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15. Preserving global land and water resources through the replacement of livestock feed crops with agricultural by-products.
- Author
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Govoni C, D'Odorico P, Pinotti L, and Rulli MC
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Crops, Agricultural, Animal Feed analysis, Water, Livestock, Water Resources
- Abstract
While animal-source foods contribute to 16% of the global food supply and are an important protein source in human diets, their production uses a disproportionately large fraction of agricultural land and water resources. Therefore, a global comprehensive understanding of the extent to which livestock production competes directly or indirectly with food crops is needed. Here we use an agro-hydrological model combined with crop-specific yield data to investigate to what extent the replacement of some substitutable feed crops with available agricultural by-products would spare agricultural land and water resources that could be reallocated to other uses, including food crop production. We show that replacing 11-16% of energy-rich feed crops (that is, cereals and cassava) with agricultural by-products would allow for the saving of approximately 15.4-27.8 Mha of land, and 3-19.6 km
3 and 74.2-137.8 km3 of blue and green water, respectively, for the growth of other food crops, thus providing a suitable strategy to reduce unsustainable use of natural resources both locally or through virtual land and water trade., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2023
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16. Global insight into understanding wheat yield and production through Agro-Ecological Zoning.
- Author
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Dadrasi A, Chaichi M, Nehbandani A, Soltani E, Nemati A, Salmani F, Heydari M, and Yousefi AR
- Subjects
- City Planning, Edible Grain, Soil, Triticum, Agriculture
- Abstract
Global food security requires food production to be increased in the future decades. Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) methodology is a successful approach used in land evaluation studies to support sustainable agricultural development. This approach can facilitate finding suitable areas for wheat production on a global scale. This study was conducted based on a climate zone map, soil data, wheat cultivation area, yield, and production under irrigated and rainfed conditions, worldwide. The results for irrigated wheat indicated that there is an area of 59.5 Mha with an average yield of 4.02 t/ha which leads to the production of about 239.6 Mt of grain yield. Furthermore, climate zones (CZs) of 8002, 5203, 5302, 5403, and 8102 have the highest wheat production with an average of 20.7, 14.2, 13.3, 11.8, 11.5 Mt, respectively. The highest amount of irrigated wheat production has been achieved in soil type code 17 (Loam LF120), which has a cultivation area of around 23.6 Mha and a production of about 106.8 Mt. Rainfed wheat production is 410 Mt, and the cultivation area is 160.2 Mha. The highest rainfed wheat production with an average of 17 Mt was related to the 3702 CZ, followed by the other CZs (3802, 1303, 1203, 3602, 4602, etc.). The soil codes 11 (Loam HF120), 10 (Loam HF180), and 14 (Loam MF120) showed the highest rainfed wheat production. The findings of this study can be useful for agricultural scientists, authorities, and decision-makers around the world to find suitable lands to expand wheat cultivation and also to find new locations for increasing global wheat production to feed the increasing population in the world., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2023
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17. Postharvest starch and sugars adjustment in potato tubers of wide-ranging dormancy genotypes subjected to various sprout forcing techniques.
- Author
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Haider MW, Nafees M, Iqbal R, Asad HU, Azeem F, Ali B, Shaheen G, Iqbal J, Vyas S, Arslan M, Rahman MHU, Elshikh MS, and Ali MA
- Subjects
- Glucose, Death, Fructose, Genotype, Starch, Sucrose, Sugars, Solanum tuberosum genetics
- Abstract
The development of an efficient, safe, and environment-friendly technique to terminate tuber dormancy in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) is of great concern due to the immense scope of multiple cropping all over the globe. The breakage of tuber dormancy has been associated with numerous physiological changes, including a decline in the level of starch and an increase in the levels of sugars during storage of freshly harvested seed potatoes, although their consistency across genotypes and various dormancy-breaking techniques have not yet been fully elucidated. The purpose of the present research is to assess the efficacy of four different dormancy-breaking techniques, such as soaking in 90, 60, or 30 mg L
-1 solutions of benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 30, 20, or 10 mg L-1 gibberellic acid (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; cold pre-treatment at 6, 4, or 2 °C; electric shock at 80, 60, 40, or 20 Vs; and irradiation at 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.5, or 1 kGy on the tuber dormancy period and sprout length of six genotypes. Furthermore, the changes that occurred in tuber weight and endogenous starch, sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents in experimental genotypes following the application of these techniques were also examined. Overall, the most effective technique to terminate tuber dormancy and hasten spout growth was the combined application of BAP and GA3 , which reduced the length of dormancy by 9.6 days compared to the untreated control, following 6.7 days of electric current, 4.4 days of cold pre-treatment, and finally irradiation (3.3 days). The 60 mg L-1 solution of BAP greatly reduced the dormancy period in all genotypes but did not affect the sprout length at all. The genotypes showed a weak negative correlation (r = - 0.4) (P < 0.05) of endogenous starch contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss or a moderate (r = - 0.5) correlation with sprout length, but a strong positive correlation (r = 0.8) of tuber glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents with dormancy breakage and weight loss. During 3 weeks of storage, sprouting commencement and significant weight loss occurred as tuber dormancy advanced towards breakage due to a reduction in starch and an increase in the sucrose, fructose, and glucose contents of the tubers. These findings could be advantageous for postponing or accelerating seed potato storage as well as investigating related physiological research in the future., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2023
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18. Pesticide reduction amidst food and feed security concerns in Europe.
- Author
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Schneider K, Barreiro-Hurle J, and Rodriguez-Cerezo E
- Subjects
- Europe, European Union, Policy, Food, Pesticides
- Abstract
Recent studies have estimated the potential yield impacts of pesticide reductions in the European Union. While these estimates guide policy design, they are often based on worst-case assumptions and rarely account for positive ecological feedbacks that would contribute to sustainable crop yields in the long term., (© 2023. European Union.)
- Published
- 2023
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19. Low-opportunity-cost feed can reduce land-use-related environmental impacts by about one-third in China.
- Author
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Fang Q, Zhang X, Dai G, Tong B, Wang H, Oenema O, van Zanten HHE, Gerber P, and Hou Y
- Subjects
- Animals, Humans, Environment, Animal Feed analysis, China, Refuse Disposal, Greenhouse Gases
- Abstract
Feeding animals more low-opportunity-cost feed products (LCFs), such as food waste and by-products, may decrease food-feed competition for cropland. Using a feed allocation optimization model that considers the availability of feed sources and animal requirements for protein and energy, we explored the perspectives of feeding more LCFs to animals in China. We found that about one-third of the animal feed consisted of human-edible products, while only 23% of the available LCFs were used as feed during 2009-2013. An increased utilization of LCFs (45-90 Mt) could potentially save 25-32% of feed-producing cropland area without impairing livestock productivity. Parallelly, about one-third of feed-related irrigation water, synthetic fertilizer and greenhouse gas emissions would be saved. Re-allocating the saved cropland could sustain the food energy demand of 30-185 million people. Achieving the potentials of increased LCF use requires improved technology and coordination among stakeholders., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2023
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20. Using microsatellite data to estimate the persistence of field-level yield gaps and their drivers in smallholder systems.
- Author
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Paliwal A, Balwinder-Singh, Poonia S, and Jain M
- Abstract
One way to meet growing food demand is to increase yields in regions that have large yield gaps, including smallholder systems. To do this, it is important to quantify yield gaps, their persistence, and their drivers at large spatio-temporal scales. Here we use microsatellite data to map field-level yields from 2014 to 2018 in Bihar, India and use these data to assess the magnitude, persistence, and drivers of yield gaps at the landscape scale. We find that overall yield gaps are large (33% of mean yields), but only 17% of yields are persistent across time. We find that sowing date, plot area, and weather are the factors that most explain variation in yield gaps across our study region, with earlier sowing associated with significantly higher yield values. Simulations suggest that if all farmers were able to adopt ideal management strategies, including earlier sowing and more irrigation use, yield gaps could be closed by up to 42%. These results highlight the ability of micro-satellite data to understand yield gaps and their drivers, and can be used to help identify ways to increase production in smallholder systems across the globe., (© 2023. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2023
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21. Economic, social and environmental spillovers decrease the benefits of a global dietary shift.
- Author
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Gatto A, Kuiper M, and van Meijl H
- Subjects
- Agriculture, Biomass, Greenhouse Effect, Diet, Greenhouse Gases, Food Supply
- Abstract
Dietary shifts are key for enhancing the sustainability of current food systems but need to account for potential economic, social and environmental indirect effects as well. By tracing physical quantities of biomass along supply chains in a global economic model, we investigate the benefits of adopting the EAT-Lancet diet and other social, economic and environmental spillovers in the wider economy. We find that decreased global food demand reduces global biomass production, food prices, trade, land use and food loss and waste but also reduces food affordability for low-income agricultural households. In sub-Saharan Africa, increased food demand and higher prices decrease food affordability also for non-agricultural households. Economic spillovers into non-food sectors limit agricultural land and greenhouse gas reductions as cheaper biomass is demanded more for non-food use. From an environmental perspective, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions increase as lower global food demand at lower prices frees income subsequently spent on non-food items., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2023
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22. Balancing rice supply and demand in Africa.
- Author
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van Oort P
- Subjects
- Africa epidemiology, Oryza
- Published
- 2023
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23. Low-energy shock wave therapy ameliorates ischemic-induced overactive bladder in a rat model.
- Author
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Kimura S, Kawamorita N, Kikuchi Y, Shindo T, Ishizuka Y, Satake Y, Sato T, Izumi H, Yamashita S, Yasuda S, Shimokawa H, and Ito A
- Subjects
- Rats, Male, Animals, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A metabolism, Urinary Bladder metabolism, Ischemia, Guanylate Cyclase, Urinary Bladder, Overactive, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
- Abstract
This study was to evaluate whether Low-energy shock wave therapy (LESW) improves ischemic-induced overactive bladder in rats and investigate its therapeutic mechanisms. Sixteen-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: arterial injury (AI), AI with LESW (AI-SW), and control groups. LESW was irradiated in AI-SW during 20-23 weeks of age. At 24 weeks of age, conscious cystometry was performed (each n = 8). The voiding interval was shortened in AI (mean ± SEM: 5.1 ± 0.8 min) than in control (17.3 ± 3.0 min), whereas significant improvements were observed in AI-SW (14.9 ± 3.3 min). The bladder blood flow was significantly increased in AI-SW than in AI. Microarray analysis revealed higher gene expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) α1 and β1 in the bladder of AI-SW compared to AI. Protein expression of sGCα1 and sGCβ1 was higher in AI-SW and control groups than in AI. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was elevated in AI-SW. As an early genetic response, vascular endothelial growth factor and CD31 were highly expressed 24 h after the first LESW. Suburothelial thinning observed in AI was restored in AI-SW. Activation of sGC-cGMP may play a therapeutic role of LESW in the functional recovery of the bladder., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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24. Global trends of cropland phosphorus use and sustainability challenges.
- Author
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Zou T, Zhang X, and Davidson EA
- Subjects
- Farms, Nutrients metabolism, Internationality, Socioeconomic Factors, Databases, Factual, Crop Production methods, Crop Production trends, Crops, Agricultural classification, Crops, Agricultural metabolism, Phosphorus metabolism, Sustainable Development trends
- Abstract
To meet the growing food demand while addressing the multiple challenges of exacerbating phosphorus (P) pollution and depleting P rock reserves
1-15 , P use efficiency (PUE, the ratio of productive P output to P input in a defined system) in crop production needs to be improved. Although many efforts have been devoted to improving nutrient management practices on farms, few studies have examined the historical trajectories of PUE and their socioeconomic and agronomic drivers on a national scale1,2,6,7,11,16,17 . Here we present a database of the P budget (the input and output of the crop production system) and PUE by country and by crop type for 1961-2019, and examine the substantial contribution of several drivers for PUE, such as economic development stages and crop portfolios. To address the P management challenges, we found that global PUE in crop production must increase to 68-81%, and recent trends indicate some meaningful progress towards this goal. However, P management challenges and opportunities in croplands vary widely among countries., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2022
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25. Pollen beetle offspring is more parasitized under moderate nitrogen fertilization of oilseed rape due to more attractive volatile signal.
- Author
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Zolotarjova V, Remmel T, Kännaste A, Kaasik R, Niinemets Ü, and Veromann E
- Subjects
- Animals, Fertilization, Nitrogen metabolism, Pollen, Brassica napus, Coleoptera metabolism
- Abstract
Biocontrol providing parasitoids can orientate according to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of their host's plants, the emission of which is potentially dependent on the availability of soil nitrogen (N). This paper aimed at finding the optimal N fertilization rate for oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) to favor parasitism of pollen beetles (Brassicogethes aeneus Fab. syn. Meligethes aeneus Fab.) in a controlled environment. Pollen beetles preferred to oviposit into buds of plants growing under higher N fertilization, whereas their parasitoids favored moderate N fertilization. As a part of induced defense, the proportion of volatile products of glucosinolate pathway in the total oilseed rape VOC emission blend was increased. Our results suggest that the natural biological control of pollen beetle herbivory is best supported by moderate N fertilization rates., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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26. A systematic review of the impact of food security governance measures as simulated in modelling studies.
- Author
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Teeuwen AS, Meyer MA, Dou Y, and Nelson A
- Abstract
To effectively address food security, we need tools that assess governance measures (for example, strategic storage reserves, cash transfers or trade regulations) ex ante. Simulation models can estimate the impact of such measures via scenarios with differently governed food systems. On the basis of a systematic review of 110 simulation studies published over 2000-2021, we examined how food security governance has been represented, and identified needs for future simulation model development. We found that studies commonly used agent-based, system dynamics, and computable general equilibrium models; tended to be production, trade or consumption centric; assessed the impact of a wide variety of mostly treasure- or authority-based measures; and applied diverse food security indicators, mostly of access or availability. We also identified blind spots (for example, simulation of nodal measures) and proposed how to address these blind spots (for example, telecoupling) and to make food security governance simulation studies fit for meta-analyses (for example, harmonizing food security indicators for comparison)., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
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27. A sustainable future for Africa through continental free trade and agricultural development.
- Author
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Janssens C, Havlík P, Boere E, Palazzo A, Mosnier A, Leclère D, Balkovič J, and Maertens M
- Abstract
Developing and integrating agricultural markets may be key to addressing Africa's sustainability challenges. By modelling trade costs from farm gate to potential import markets across eight African regions, we investigate the impact of individual components of continental free trade and the complementary role of domestic agricultural development through increased market access for farmers and agricultural intensification. We find that free trade would increase intra-African agricultural trade sixfold by 2030 but-since it does not address local supply constraints-outside food imports and undernourishment would reduce only marginally. Agricultural development could almost eliminate undernourishment in Africa by 2050 at only a small cost of increased global greenhouse gas emissions. While continental free trade will be enabled in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area, aligning this with local agricultural development policies is crucial to increase intra-African trade gains, promote food security and achieve climate objectives., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2022
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28. Global wheat production could benefit from closing the genetic yield gap.
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Senapati N, Semenov MA, Halford NG, Hawkesford MJ, Asseng S, Cooper M, Ewert F, van Ittersum MK, Martre P, Olesen JE, Reynolds M, Rötter RP, and Webber H
- Abstract
Global food security requires food production to be increased in the coming decades. The closure of any existing genetic yield gap (Y
ig ) by genetic improvement could increase crop yield potential and global production. Here we estimated present global wheat Yig , covering all wheat-growing environments and major producers, by optimizing local wheat cultivars using the wheat model Sirius. The estimated mean global Yig was 51%, implying that global wheat production could benefit greatly from exploiting the untapped global Yig through the use of optimal cultivar designs, utilization of the vast variation available in wheat genetic resources, application of modern advanced breeding tools, and continuous improvements of crop and soil management., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2022
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29. Raising wheat yield ceiling.
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Hasegawa T and Wilson LT
- Published
- 2022
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30. Crop harvests for direct food use insufficient to meet the UN's food security goal.
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Ray DK, Sloat LL, Garcia AS, Davis KF, Ali T, and Xie W
- Abstract
Rising competition for crop usage presents policy challenges exacerbated by poor understanding of where crops are harvested for various uses. Here we create high-resolution global maps showing where crops are harvested for seven broad use categories-food, feed, processing, export, industrial, seed and losses. Yields for food crops are low relative to other crop-use categories. It is unlikely, given current trends, that the minimum calorie requirement to eliminate projected food undernourishment by 2030 will be met through crops harvested for direct food consumption, although enough calories will be harvested across all usages. Sub-Saharan African nations will probably fall short of feeding their increased population and eliminating undernourishment in 2030, even if all harvested calories are used directly as food., (© 2022. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
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- View/download PDF
31. Incorporation of novel foods in European diets can reduce global warming potential, water use and land use by over 80.
- Author
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Mazac R, Meinilä J, Korkalo L, Järviö N, Jalava M, and Tuomisto HL
- Abstract
Global food systems face the challenge of providing healthy and adequate nutrition through sustainable means, which is exacerbated by climate change and increasing protein demand by the world's growing population. Recent advances in novel food production technologies demonstrate potential solutions for improving the sustainability of food systems. Yet, diet-level comparisons are lacking and are needed to fully understand the environmental impacts of incorporating novel foods in diets. Here we estimate the possible reductions in global warming potential, water use and land use by replacing animal-source foods with novel or plant-based foods in European diets. Using a linear programming model, we optimized omnivore, vegan and novel food diets for minimum environmental impacts with nutrition and feasible consumption constraints. Replacing animal-source foods in current diets with novel foods reduced all environmental impacts by over 80% and still met nutrition and feasible consumption constraints., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2022
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32. Establishing long-term nitrogen response of global cereals to assess sustainable fertilizer rates.
- Author
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van Grinsven HJM, Ebanyat P, Glendining M, Gu B, Hijbeek R, Lam SK, Lassaletta L, Mueller ND, Pacheco FS, Quemada M, Bruulsema TW, Jacobsen BH, and Ten Berge HFM
- Abstract
Insight into the response of cereal yields to nitrogen fertilizer is fundamental to improving nutrient management and policies to sustain economic crop benefits and food sufficiency with minimum nitrogen pollution. Here we propose a new method to assess long-term (LT) regional sustainable nitrogen inputs. The core is a novel scaled response function between normalized yield and total net nitrogen input. The function was derived from 25 LT field trials for wheat, maize and barley in Europe, Asia and North America and is fitted by a second-order polynomial (R
2 = 0.82). Using response functions derived from common short-term field trials, with soil nitrogen not in steady state, gives the risks of soil nitrogen depletion or nitrogen pollution. The scaled LT curve implies that the total nitrogen input required to attain the maximum yield is independent of this maximum yield as postulated by Mitscherlich in 1924. This unique curve was incorporated into a simple economic model with valuation of externalities of nitrogen surplus as a function of regional per-capita gross domestic product. The resulting LT sustainable nitrogen inputs range from 150 to 200 kgN ha-1 and this interval narrows with increasing yield potential and decreasing gross domestic product. The adoption of LT response curves and external costs in cereals may have important implications for policies and application ceilings for nitrogen use in regional and global agriculture and ultimately the global distribution of cereal production., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2022
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33. Global nutrient equity for people and the planet.
- Author
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Kahiluoto H, Pickett KE, and Steffen W
- Abstract
The industrial world has converted inert soil and atmospheric nutrients into reactive fertilizer flows that endanger water quality, biodiversity and climate. Simultaneously, poor nations starve because of the shortage of these nutrients in agricultural soils. Here we propose a redistribution of accumulated nutrients to enhance food security while counteracting the current degradation of critical Earth system processes. Residue and sediment nutrients could be processed and transported to food-insecure regions through the opposite logistics used to ship rock phosphate across the globe. Financing through trading accumulated rights could trigger the required innovations in processing, logistics and thinking. Such a socially just 'one Earth currency' could leverage a transformation towards resilience, equity and dignity across the critical Earth system processes., (© 2021. Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2021
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34. More efficient phosphorus use can avoid cropland expansion.
- Author
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Mogollón JM, Bouwman AF, Beusen AHW, Lassaletta L, van Grinsven HJM, and Westhoek H
- Abstract
Global projections indicate that approximately 500 Mha of new arable land will be required to meet crop demand by 2050. Applying a dynamic phosphorus (P) pool simulator under different socioeconomic scenarios, we find that cropland expansion can be avoided with less than 7% additional cumulative P fertilizer over 2006-2050 when comparing with cropland expansion scenarios, mostly targeted at nutrient-depleted soils of sub-Saharan Africa. Additional P fertilizer would replenish P withdrawn from crop production, thereby allowing higher productivity levels. We also show that further agronomic improvements such as those that allow for better (legacy) P use in soils could reduce both P outflows to freshwater and coastal ecosystems and the overall demand for P fertilizer., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Optimization of China's maize and soy production can ensure feed sufficiency at lower nitrogen and carbon footprints.
- Author
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Liu Z, Ying H, Chen M, Bai J, Xue Y, Yin Y, Batchelor WD, Yang Y, Bai Z, Du M, Guo Y, Zhang Q, Cui Z, Zhang F, and Dou Z
- Abstract
China purchases around 66% of the soy that is traded internationally. This strains the global food supply and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Here we show that optimizing the maize and soy production of China can improve its self-sufficiency and also alleviate adverse environmental effects. Using data from more than 1,800 counties in China, we estimate the area-weighted yield potential (Y
pot ) and yield gaps, setting the attainable yield (Yatt ) as the yield achieved by the top 10% of producers per county. We also map out county-by-county acreage allocation and calculate the attainable production capacity according to a set of sustainability criteria. Under optimized conditions, China would be able to produce all the maize and 45% of the soy needed by 2035-while reducing nitrogen fertilizer use by 26%, reactive nitrogen loss by 28% and greenhouse gas emissions by 19%-with the same acreage as 2017, our reference year., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. Isolation and screening of multifunctional phosphate solubilizing bacteria and its growth-promoting effect on Chinese fir seedlings.
- Author
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Chen J, Zhao G, Wei Y, Dong Y, Hou L, and Jiao R
- Subjects
- Bacteria genetics, Bacteria metabolism, Bacterial Proteins metabolism, Carbon-Carbon Lyases metabolism, Cunninghamia metabolism, Endophytes physiology, Indoleacetic Acids metabolism, Nitrogenase metabolism, Phosphorus metabolism, RNA, Ribosomal, 16S, Seedlings metabolism, Seedlings microbiology, Siderophores metabolism, Soil chemistry, Agricultural Inoculants physiology, Cunninghamia growth & development, Cunninghamia microbiology, Phosphates metabolism, Seedlings growth & development
- Abstract
Phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms is a microbial fertilizer with broad application potential. In this study, 7 endophytic phosphate solubilizing bacteria were screened out from Chinese fir, and were characterized for plant growth-promoting traits. Based on morphological and 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the endophytes were distributed into 5 genera of which belong to Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Paraburkholderia, Novosphingobium, and Ochrobactrum. HRP2, SSP2 and JRP22 were selected based on their plant growth-promoting traits for evaluation of Chinese fir growth enhancement. The growth parameters of Chinese fir seedlings after inoculation were significantly greater than those of the uninoculated control group. The results showed that PSBs HRP2, SSP2 and JRP22 increased plant height (up to 1.26 times), stem diameter (up to 40.69%) and the biomass of roots, stems and leaves (up to 21.28%, 29.09% and 20.78%) compared to the control. Total N (TN), total P (TP), total K (TK), Mg and Fe contents in leaf were positively affected by PSBs while showed a significant relationship with strain and dilution ratio. The content of TN, TP, TK, available phosphorus (AP) and available potassium (AK) in the soil increased by 0.23-1.12 mg g
-1 , 0.14-0.26 mg g-1 , 0.33-1.92 mg g-1 , 5.31-20.56 mg kg-1 , 15.37-54.68 mg kg-1 , respectively. Treatment with both HRP2, SSP2 and JRP22 increased leaf and root biomass as well as their N, P, K uptake by affecting soil urease and acid phosphatase activities, and the content of available nutrients in soil. In conclusion, PSB could be used as biological agents instead of chemical fertilizers for agroforestry production to reduce environmental pollution and increase the yield of Chinese fir.- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. The application of a biostimulant based on tannins affects root architecture and improves tolerance to salinity in tomato plants.
- Author
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Campobenedetto C, Mannino G, Beekwilder J, Contartese V, Karlova R, and Bertea CM
- Subjects
- Adaptation, Physiological drug effects, Gene Expression Profiling, Solanum lycopersicum genetics, Solanum lycopersicum growth & development, Plant Roots genetics, Plant Roots growth & development, Plant Roots physiology, Stress, Physiological drug effects, Stress, Physiological genetics, Tannins chemistry, Solanum lycopersicum drug effects, Solanum lycopersicum physiology, Plant Roots drug effects, Salinity, Tannins pharmacology
- Abstract
Roots have important roles for plants to withstand adverse environmental conditions, including salt stress. Biostimulant application was shown to enhance plant resilience towards abiotic stresses. Here, we studied the effect of a tannin-based biostimulant on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown under salt stress conditions. We investigated the related changes at both root architecture (via imaging and biometric analysis) and gene expression (RNA-Seq/qPCR) levels. Moreover, in order to identify the main compounds potentially involved in the observed effects, the chemical composition of the biostimulant was evaluated by UV/Vis and HPLC-ESI-Orbitrap analysis. Sixteen compounds, known to be involved in root development and having a potential antioxidant properties were identified. Significant increase of root weight (+ 24%) and length (+ 23%) was observed when the plants were grown under salt stress and treated with the biostimulant. Moreover, transcriptome analysis revealed that the application of the biostimulant upregulated 285 genes, most of which correlated to root development and salt stress tolerance. The 171 downregulated genes were mainly involved in nutrient uptake. These data demonstrated that the biostimulant is able not only to restore root growth in salty soils, but also to provide the adequate plant nourishment by regulating the expression of essential transcription factors and stress responsive genes.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Limits to food production from the sea.
- Author
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van der Meer J
- Published
- 2020
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39. Game-changing potential of the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy.
- Author
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Schebesta H and Candel JJL
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Leaf versus whole-canopy remote sensing methodologies for crop monitoring under conservation agriculture: a case of study with maize in Zimbabwe.
- Author
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Gracia-Romero A, Kefauver SC, Vergara-Díaz O, Hamadziripi E, Zaman-Allah MA, Thierfelder C, Prassana BM, Cairns JE, and Araus JL
- Subjects
- Agriculture methods, Chlorophyll analysis, Crops, Agricultural chemistry, Crops, Agricultural growth & development, Plant Leaves chemistry, Plant Leaves growth & development, Zea mays chemistry, Zimbabwe, Nitrogen analysis, Remote Sensing Technology methods, Zea mays growth & development
- Abstract
Enhancing nitrogen fertilization efficiency for improving yield is a major challenge for smallholder farming systems. Rapid and cost-effective methodologies with the capability to assess the effects of fertilization are required to facilitate smallholder farm management. This study compares maize leaf and canopy-based approaches for assessing N fertilization performance under different tillage, residue coverage and top-dressing conditions in Zimbabwe. Among the measurements made on individual leaves, chlorophyll readings were the best indicators for both N content in leaves (R < 0.700) and grain yield (GY) (R < 0.800). Canopy indices reported even higher correlation coefficients when assessing GY, especially those based on the measurements of the vegetation density as the green area indices (R < 0.850). Canopy measurements from both ground and aerial platforms performed very similar, but indices assessed from the UAV performed best in capturing the most relevant information from the whole plot and correlations with GY and leaf N content were slightly higher. Leaf-based measurements demonstrated utility in monitoring N leaf content, though canopy measurements outperformed the leaf readings in assessing GY parameters, while providing the additional value derived from the affordability and easiness of using a pheno-pole system or the high-throughput capacities of the UAVs.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. Revealing soil legacy phosphorus to promote sustainable agriculture in Brazil.
- Author
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Pavinato PS, Cherubin MR, Soltangheisi A, Rocha GC, Chadwick DR, and Jones DL
- Abstract
Exploiting native soil phosphorus (P) and the large reservoirs of residual P accumulated over decades of cultivation, namely "legacy P", has great potential to overcome the high demand of P fertilisers in Brazilian cropping systems. Long-term field experiments have shown that a large proportion (> 70%) of the surplus P added via fertilisers remains in the soil, mainly in forms not readily available to crops. An important issue is if the amount of legacy P mobilized from soil is sufficient for the crop nutritional demand and over how long this stored soil P can be effectively 'mined' by crops in a profitable way. Here we mapped the spatial-temporal distribution of legacy P over the past 50 years, and discussed possible agricultural practices that could increase soil legacy P usage by plants in Brazil. Mineral fertiliser and manure applications have resulted in ~ 33.4 Tg of legacy P accumulated in the agricultural soils from 1967 to 2016, with a current annual surplus rate of 1.6 Tg. Following this same rate, soil legacy P may reach up to 106.5 Tg by 2050. Agricultural management practices to enhance soil legacy P usage by crops includes increasing soil pH by liming, crop rotation, double-cropping, inter-season cover crops, no-tillage system and use of modern fertilisers, in addition to more efficient crop varieties and inoculation with P solubilising microorganisms. The adoption of these practices could increase the use efficiency of P, substantially reducing the new input of fertilisers and thus save up to 31.8 Tg of P fertiliser use (US$ 20.8 billion) in the coming decades. Therefore, exploring soil legacy P is imperative to reduce the demand for mineral fertilisers while promoting long-term P sustainability in Brazil.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Determining effects of water and nitrogen input on maize (Zea mays) yield, water- and nitrogen-use efficiency: A global synthesis.
- Author
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Li Y, Cui S, Zhang Z, Zhuang K, Wang Z, and Zhang Q
- Subjects
- Crop Production, Dehydration, Nitrogen metabolism, Water metabolism, Zea mays metabolism, Zea mays physiology, Zea mays growth & development
- Abstract
A major challenge in maize (Zea mays) production is to achieve high grain yield (yield hereafter) by improving resource use efficiency. Using a dataset synthesized from 83 peer-reviewed articles, this study mainly investigated the effects of water and/or nitrogen (N) input on maize yield, water productivity (WP), and N use efficiency (NUE); and evaluated the effects caused by planting density, environmental (temperature, soil texture), and managerial factors (water and/or N input). The input of water increased maize yield, WP, and NUE only when the input was less than 314, 709, and 311 mm, respectively; input of N increased maize yield, WP, and NUE until input was greater than 250, 128, and 196 kg ha
-1 , respectively. Additionally, results of the mixed-effects model and random forest analysis suggested that mean annual temperature (MAT) was the most critical factor for narrowing gaps (between the actual and attainable variable, which was indicated as response ratio of the treatment relative to the control) of yield (RRY ), WP (RRWP ), and NUE (RRNUE ), respectively. Specifically, RRY , RRWP , or RRNUE were negatively correlated to MAT when MAT was higher than 15 °C. Additionally, the structural equation model showed that water input and RRWP with the higher coefficient were more important than N input and RRNUE in improving RRY . These findings provide new insights into the causes and limitations of global maize production and offer some guidances for water and/or N managements.- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Network resilience of phosphorus cycling in China has shifted by natural flows, fertilizer use and dietary transitions between 1600 and 2012.
- Author
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Liang S, Yu Y, Kharrazi A, Fath BD, Feng C, Daigger GT, Chen S, Ma T, Zhu B, Mi Z, and Yang Z
- Abstract
The resilience of the phosphorus (P) cycling network is critical to ecosystem functioning and human activities. Although P cycling pathways have been previously mapped, a knowledge gap remains in evaluating the P network's ability to withstand shocks or disturbances. Applying principles of mass balance and ecological network analysis, we examine the network resilience of P cycling in China from 1600 to 2012. The results show that changes in network resilience have shifted from being driven by natural P flows for food production to being driven by industrial P flows for chemical fertilizer production. Urbanization has intensified the one-way journey of P, further deteriorating network resilience. Over 2000-2012, the network resilience of P cycling has decreased by 11% owing to dietary changes towards more animal-based foods. A trade-off between network resilience improvement and increasing food trade is also observed. These findings can support policy decisions for enhanced P cycling network resilience in China., (© 2020. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) can be grown safety on human consumption in slight Hg-contaminated soils across China mainland.
- Author
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Yang B, Gao Y, Zhang C, Han J, Liu Y, and Zheng X
- Subjects
- China, Crop Production standards, Crops, Agricultural chemistry, Crops, Agricultural growth & development, Crops, Agricultural metabolism, Crops, Agricultural standards, Foodborne Diseases etiology, Foodborne Diseases prevention & control, Humans, Mercury metabolism, Mercury standards, Mercury toxicity, Plant Tubers chemistry, Plant Tubers growth & development, Plant Tubers metabolism, Plant Tubers toxicity, Soil chemistry, Soil Pollutants metabolism, Soil Pollutants standards, Soil Pollutants toxicity, Solanum tuberosum growth & development, Solanum tuberosum metabolism, Solanum tuberosum standards, Bioaccumulation, Environmental Pollution adverse effects, Mercury analysis, Soil Pollutants analysis, Solanum tuberosum chemistry
- Abstract
Mercury (Hg) exposure poses serious health risks to humans, resulting in extensive investigations examining Hg accumulation, biotransformation and uptake in crops. In this investigation, Hg accumulation in potato tubers due to bioaccumulation processes was determined and bioconcentration factors affecting bioaccumulation were identified using a greenhouse experiment. Our results showed that the percentage of available Hg concentrations from total Hg in soil samples were less than 1.2%, indicating that soils used in our experiment exhibited a high binding strength for Hg, with alkaline soil recording the lowest available Hg/total Hg ratio. Results indicated that soil type and Hg treatment, as well as their interactions, significantly affected Hg accumulation in potato tubers (P < 0.01). Importantly, our results also indicated that potatoes grown in soil with a Hg concentration two times higher than the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard exhibited no obvious toxic effects on humans; Bioconcentration factors (BCF) values (<0.04) suggested that potatoes can be considered as a low Hg accumulating species and suitable for human consumption. Potato yields in acidic soil were lower than those in neutral or alkaline soils, making this medium unsuitable for growth.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Sulfur-enriched leonardite and humic acid soil amendments enhance tolerance to drought and phosphorus deficiency stress in maize (Zea mays L.).
- Author
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Kaya C, Şenbayram M, Akram NA, Ashraf M, Alyemeni MN, and Ahmad P
- Subjects
- Acid Phosphatase metabolism, Adaptation, Physiological, Antioxidants metabolism, Biomass, Catalase metabolism, Chlorophyll metabolism, Electrolytes metabolism, Fluorescence, Hydrogen Peroxide metabolism, Malondialdehyde metabolism, Oxidative Stress, Peroxidase metabolism, Plant Leaves metabolism, Plant Shoots growth & development, Superoxide Dismutase metabolism, Water, Zea mays growth & development, Droughts, Humic Substances analysis, Minerals chemistry, Phosphorus deficiency, Soil chemistry, Stress, Physiological, Sulfur chemistry, Zea mays physiology
- Abstract
Soil amendments are known to promote several plant growth parameters. In many agro-ecosystems, water scarcity and drought induced phosphorus deficiency limits crop yield significantly. Considering the climate change scenario, drought and related stress factors will be even more severe endangering the global food security. Therefore, two parallel field trials were conducted to examine at what extent soil amendment of leonardite and humic acid would affect drought and phosphorus tolerance of maize. The treatments were: control (C: 100% A pan and 125 kg P ha
-1 ), P deficiency (phosphorus stress (PS): 62.5 kg P ha-1 ), water deficit stress (water stress (WS): 67% A pan), and PS + WS (67% A pan and 62.5 kg P ha-1 ). Three organic amendments were (i) no amendment, (ii) 625 kg S + 750 kg leonardite ha-1 and (iii) 1250 kg S + 37.5 kg humic acid ha-1 ) tested on stress treatments. Drought and P deficiency reduced plant biomass, grain yield, chlorophyll content, Fv /Fm , RWC and antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase), but increased electrolyte leakage and leaf H2 O2 in maize plants. The combined stress of drought and P deficiency decreased further related plant traits. Humic acid and leonardite enhanced leaf P and yield in maize plants under PS. A significant increase in related parameters was observed with humic acid and leonardite under WS. The largest increase in yield and plant traits in relation to humic acid and leonardite application was observed under combined stress situation. The use of sulfur-enriched amendments can be used effectively to maintain yield of maize crop in water limited calcareous soils.- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Rice fields along the East Asian-Australasian flyway are important habitats for an inland wader's migration.
- Author
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Kasahara S, Morimoto G, Kitamura W, Imanishi S, and Azuma N
- Subjects
- Animals, Asia, Australia, Conservation of Natural Resources, Female, Male, Oryza, Animal Migration, Charadriiformes physiology, Ecosystem, Farms
- Abstract
To maintain and recover populations of migratory waders, we must identify the important stopover sites and habitat use along migration routes. However, we have little such information for waders that depend on inland freshwater areas compared with those that depend on coastal areas. Recent technological developments in tracking devices now allow us to define habitat use at a fine scale. In this study, we used GPS loggers to track both spring and autumn migration along the East Asian-Australasian flyway of the little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) as birds moved to and from their breeding grounds, gravel riverbeds in Japan. The birds we tracked overwintered in the Philippines and made stopovers mainly in Taiwan and the Philippines. The most important habitat during the non-breeding season was rice paddy fields. Our findings imply that changes in agriculture management policy in the countries along the migration route could critically affect the migration of waders that depend on rice paddy fields. To maintain populations of migrant inland waders that move within the East Asian-Australasian flyway, it is necessary not only to sustain the breeding habitat but also wetlands including the rice paddy fields as foraging habitat for the non-breeding season.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. A Novel in situ Approach to Studying Detrusor Smooth Muscle Cells in Mice.
- Author
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Serdinšek T, Lipovšek S, Leitinger G, But I, Stožer A, and Dolenšek J
- Subjects
- Animals, Calcium metabolism, Cells, Cultured, Mice, Microscopy, Confocal, Muscle Contraction physiology, Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ultrastructure, Urinary Bladder ultrastructure
- Abstract
The aim of our study was to develop a novel approach to investigating mouse detrusor smooth muscle cell (SMC) physiological activity, utilizing an acute tissue dissection technique and confocal calcium imaging. The bladder of a sacrificed adult female NMRI mouse was dissected. We used light and transmission electron microscopy to assess morphology of SMCs within the tissue. Calcium imaging in individual SMCs was performed using confocal microscopy during stimulation with increasing concentrations of carbamylcholine (CCh). SMCs were identified according to their morphology and calcium activity. We determined several parameters describing the SMC responses: delays to response, recruitment, relative activity, and contraction of the tissue. CCh stimulation revealed three different SMC phenotypes: spontaneously active SMCs with and without CCh-enhanced activity and SMCs with CCh-induced activity only. SMCs were recruited into an active state in response to CCh-stimulation within a narrow range (1-25 µM); causing activation of virtually all SMCs. Maximum calcium activity of SMCs was at about 25 µM, which coincided with a visible tissue contraction. Finally, we observed shorter time lags before response onsets with higher CCh concentrations. In conclusion, our novel in situ approach proved to be a robust and reproducible method to study detrusor SMC morphology and physiology.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Survey data on factors that influence the adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices in Western Kenya.
- Author
-
Kanyenji GM, Ng'ang'a SK, and Girvetz EH
- Abstract
The data described in this paper were collected in Western Kenya, specifically in Kakamega and Vihiga Counties. The data were collected from 334 households with the aim of assessing factors that facilitate or constrain the adoption of practices that enhance the sequestration of soil carbon. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire that was designed in SurveyCTO. The data were later downloaded from SurveyCTO servers and exported to STATA version 14 for cleaning and analysis. This data can be used by researchers to assess the probability and extent of adoption of specific soil carbon enhancing practices in the two counties of Western Kenya. Additionally, it can be utilized to access the impact of adopting soil carbon enhancing practices on maize and beans yield at both the plot and the farm level.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Changes of oxygen isotope values of soil P pools associated with changes in soil pH.
- Author
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Pfahler V, Macdonald A, Mead A, Smith AC, Tamburini F, Blackwell MSA, and Granger SJ
- Abstract
Field data about the effect of soil pH on phosphorus (P) cycling is limited. A promising tool to study P cycling under field conditions is the
18 O:16 O ratio of phosphate (δ18 OP ). In this study we investigate whether the δ18 OP can be used to elucidate the effect of soil pH on P cycling in grasslands. Soils and plants were sampled from different fertilisation and lime treatments of the Park Grass long term experiment at Rothamsted Research, UK. The soils were sequentially extracted to isolate different soil P pools, including available P and corresponding δ18 OP values were determined. We did not observe changes in plant δ18 OP value, but soil P δ18 OP values changed, and lower δ18 OP values were associated with higher soil pH values. At sites where P was not limiting, available P δ18 OP increased by up to 3‰ when lime was applied. We show that the δ18 OP method is a useful tool to investigate the effect of pH on soil P cycling under field conditions as it highlights that different soil processes must govern P availability as pH shifts. The next challenge is now to identify these underlying processes, enabling better management of soil P at different pH.- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Closing yield gaps in China by empowering smallholder farmers
- Author
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Zhang, Weifeng, Cao, Guoxin, Li, Xiaolin, Zhang, Hongyan, Wang, Chong, Liu, Quanqing, Chen, Xinping, Cui, Zhenling, Shen, Jianbo, Jiang, Rongfeng, Mi, Guohua, Miao, Yuxin, Zhang, Fusuo, and Dou, Zhengxia
- Subjects
Crop yields -- Research ,Agricultural research ,Small farms -- Management ,Company business management ,Environmental issues ,Science and technology ,Zoology and wildlife conservation - Abstract
Author(s): Weifeng Zhang [1]; Guoxin Cao [1]; Xiaolin Li [1]; Hongyan Zhang [1]; Chong Wang [1]; Quanqing Liu [2]; Xinping Chen [1]; Zhenling Cui [1]; Jianbo Shen [1]; Rongfeng Jiang [...]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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