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Precision management (PM) aims to reduce inputs while increasing land productivity and economical return and enhancing cropping system resiliency to climate change. This study evaluated how climate (precipitation) and management influenced yields and soil nutrients in a dryland agricultural system. We compared an "aspirational" (ASP) system (no‐till, 4‐year rotation of winter wheat [Triticum aestivum L.], corn [Zea mays L.], proso millet [Panicum miliaceum L.], and fallow/flex) to a traditional "business‐as‐usual" (BAU) system (reduced tillage, 2‐year rotation of winter wheat and fallow: W–F). Phases of each rotation were included yearly throughout the study period (2018–2022) with three replications. The ASP system incorporated PM by dividing each ASP field into three zones (high‐, medium‐, and low‐PM) according to prior yield and topography. Nitrogen was applied at high, medium, or low application rates within those zones. Under favorable precipitation, wheat, corn, and millet yields responded to PM treatments, with yields increasing proportional to N addition. Years with low in‐season precipitation had a significant reduction in wheat and corn yields (2020 and 2022) and complete millet yield failures (2020 and 2021). Low soil organic matter accumulation (0.1%–0.5%) and a reduction in soil macro‐ and micronutrient status suggested that soil nutrient additions are needed to prevent soil‐nutrient degradation. The ASP treatment added a third crop every 4 years and did so without significantly decreasing wheat yield following fallow. The ASP management shows promise as an alternative to BAU in the Great Plains dryland production region. Core Ideas: Precision management could provide resilient cropping, maximize resources, and increase returns in dryland cropping.Dryland crop yields increased in response to in‐season precipitation and timing.Nitrogen responses were amplified/more notable in years with higher in‐season precipitation.Low soil organic matter accumulation and crop nutrient removal showed a potential to reduce soil nutrients status.Crop diversification and management could improve yields and mitigate climate variability of the Plains region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton is an important source of fiber and used as main input in the textile industries throughout the world. Pakistan is 4th in terms of cotton production and 10th in terms of yield. There is a serious decline in production of cotton since last few years in Pakistan due to untrained farmers. The aims of this study were to address the skill gap of the farmers and how to bridge those gaps. Random sampling technique was used to determine sample size. The total sample size of the study was 300 respondents. The collected data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results showed that most of the cotton growers had skill gap in production practices and control of factors involved in low production and poor quality. Majority of the production practices have a significant relationship with the educational level of the respondents. Highest significance relationship was found between the biological control of pests and educational level of the respondents. It appeared that there is no relationship between knowledge regarding production practices of cotton and age of the respondents. Yield per acre of the respondents is directly proportional to the educational level of the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to explore the role of date palm in improving livelihoods of farmers in Dera Ghazi Khan district of South Punjab at the Institute of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2010-11. For this purpose structured interview schedule was prepared to collect quantitative data from randomly selected respondents whereas qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews. The results indicate that most of the trees in study area were in scattered pattern. Moreover, no or little attention was paid by the farmers regarding production technology and marketing potential of date palm. The data showed that date palm was the third major source of income for 62.5 percent of respondents. About 76, 72.5 and 67.5 percent of the respondents prepared bed frames, mates and manual fans, from date palm, respectively for household purpose while 45, 33.3 and 33.3 percent of respondents prepared these items for commercial purpose. The usage of a wide range of both commercial and household date palm products in the study area was found which indicates the considerable role of date palm in sustainable livelihoods of farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the adaptation level of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices among the farmers and the factors influencing the adoption of CSA practices in the Fujian Province, China. In this study, questionnaire survey data was analyzed, and 600 respondents were randomly selected as sample through randomly sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, adoption level index (ALI), and binary logit model were used for data analyses. These results indicated a moderate adoption level of CSA practices in the Fujian Province. Use of improved varieties, conservation tillage, fallow cropping, new technology, and intercropping were prevalent CSA practices among the farmers in the study area. In addition, farmers were not very interested in using herbicides on their farmlands, and only 20% of the respondents used herbicides in the Fujian Province. Except for Nindge village in the Fujian Province, all other studied villages have adapted to using organic fertilizer (around 50% of total respondents). However, more than 60% of respondents have claimed they still use chemical weed/insect/disease control in their farmlands. Age and working experience of farmers were the most influencing factors affecting the increase in the adoption of CSA practices among the farmers, and to the results of the binary logit model, education was not significant. Landholding, loan access, and access to agricultural extensions and organizations considerably impacted the adoption level of CSA practices among the farmers in the Fujian Province. Finally, this study will be helpful to decision-makers to make appropriate decisions to minimize the impact of climate change on agriculture and improve the standard of human life and food security., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The objectives of this study were to analyze the clinical features and laboratory profiles and risk factors associated with critical illness of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)., Methods: One hundred and sixty-six coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Iranian pediatric patients were recruited through a collaborative research network between March and May 2020. Demographics, clinical, laboratory, and radiological results were obtained from patient files., Results: Of 166 patients, 102 (61%) and 64 (39%) were males and females, respectively. Ninety-six (57.8%) and 70 (42.2%), had moderate and severe conditions, respectively. Thirty (18%) of patients died. The common symptoms were fever (73%), cough (54%), and shortness of breath, headache decrease in neutrophil and platelet counts; increase values in lactate dehydrogenase, decrease in the blood pH and HCO 3 were significantly associated with the disease severity. 54% and 56% of patients showed abnormal radiographic appearance in Chest X-ray and in chest computed tomography scan, respectively. Sixty-one (36.7%) of patients were referred to intensive care unit (ICU). The coexistence of comorbidity was the main factor associated with ICU admission, shock, arrhythmia, acute kidney injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute cardiac injury, and death., Conclusions: We describe a higher than previously recognized rate of COVID-19 mortality in Iranian pediatric patients. Epidemiological factors, such as the relatively high case fatality rate in the country and the presence of underlying diseases were the main factors for the high death rate., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic in southeast Iran. In this study we present the epidemiological features of CCHF and its relationship with climate factors in over a 13-year span., Methodology: Surveillance system data of CCHF from 2000 to 2012 were obtained from the Province Health Centre of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in southeast Iran. The climate data were obtained from the climate organization. The seasonal auto-regression integrated moving average (SARIMA) model was used for time series analysis to produce a model as applicable as possible in predicting the variations in the occurrence of the disease., Results: Between 2000 and 2012, 647 confirmed CCHF cases were reported from Sistan-va-Baluchistan province. The total case fatality rate was about 10.0%. Climate variables including mean temperature (°C), accumulated rainfall (mm), and maximum relative humidity (%) were significantly correlated with monthly incidence of CCHF (p <0.05). There was no clear pattern of decline in the reported number of cases within the study's time span. The first spike in the number of CCHF cases in Iran occurred after the first surge of the disease in Pakistan., Conclusions: This study shows the potential of climate indicators as predictive factors in modeling the occurrence of CCHF, even though it has to be appreciated whether there is any need for a practically applicable model. There are also other factors, such as entomological indicators and virological finding that must be considered.