Effect of agricultural extension on cotton farmer's efficiency in arid and semi-arid areas of Burkina Faso

This study shows that farmers in arid and semi-arid land can improve their efficiency if they have access to agricultural extension services. An exhaustive survey was used to obtain data from 423 cotton producers in the arid zones and 144 of wetlands in Burkina Faso. The method of the directional distance function modeling a multi-output technology was used. The results show that cotton farmers in the arid zones are not technically more inefficient than those in wetlands. On average, arid zone producers have a technical inefficiency of 0.056 while that of wetland producers is around 0.052. The agricultural extension, defined as receiving visits and advice from technical agents, is important for producers because it helps farmers choose soil and water conservation techniques and fertilizers adapted to the Agro-climatic conditions of their respective zones. Agriculture extension also helps farmers of the arid zones to reduce their technical inefficiency by advising them to cultivate small agricultural plots. On average, in these zones, the size of an agricultural plot is around 1.03 ha compared to those of wetlands which is about 1.6 ha.     

The radioactivity measurements in soils and fertilizers using gamma spectrometry technique

Because of their mineral content, soils are naturally radioactive and one of the sources of radioactivity other than those of natural origin is mainly due to the extensive use of fertilizers. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the fluxes of natural radionuclides in local production of phosphate fertilizers to determine the content of radioactivity in several commercial fertilizers produced in Algeria and to estimate their radiological impact in a cultivated soil even for the long-term exposure due to their application.For these purposes, virgin and fertilized soils were collected from outlying Setif region in Algeria and from phosphate fertilizers used in this area.Gamma spectrometry was exploited to determine activity concentration due to naturally occurring ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in five types of samples (two different sorts of fertilizers, virgin and fertilized soils and well water used for irrigation) taken from Setif’s areas.The results show that these radionuclides were present in an average concentration of 134.7 ± 24.1, 131.8 ± 16.7, 11644 ± 550 Bq/kg for the first fertilizer NPK and 190.3 ± 30, 117.2 ± 10.3, 5312 ± 249 Bq/kg for the second fertilizer (NPKs). For the virgin and the fertilized soils, the corresponding values were respectively 47.01 ± 7.3, 33 ± 7, 329.4 ± 19.7 Bq/kg and 53.2 ± 10.6, 50.0 ± 7, 311.4 ± 18.7 Bq/kg. For well water, the values were 1.93 and 0.12 Bq/kg; however the third value was below the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA).The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and the representative level index I_γr for all samples were also calculated. The data were discussed and compared with those given in the literature.     

The Potential of Soil Carbon Sequestration Through Improved Management Practices in Norway

The study was conducted to assess the potential of Norwegian agricultural ecosystems to sequester carbon (C) based on the data from some long-term agronomic and land use experiments. The total emission of CO₂ in Norway in 1998 was 41.4 million metric ton (MMT), of which agriculture contributed only 0.157 MMT, or <0.4% of the total emissions. With regards to methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) gases, however, agricultural activities contributed 32.5% and 51.3% of their respective emissions in Norway. The soil organic carbon (SOC) losses associated with accelerated soil erosion in Norway are estimated at 0.475 MMTC yr^–1. Land use changes and soil/crop management practices with potential for SOC sequestration include conservation tillage methods, judicious use of fertilizers and manures, use of crop residues, diverse crop rotations, and erosion control measures. The potential for SOC sequestration is 0.146 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting conservation tillage, 0.011–0.035 MMTC yr^–1 for crop residue management, 0.026 MMTC yr^–1 for judicious use of mineral fertilizer, 0.016–0.135 MMTC yr^–1 for manure application, and 0.036 MMTC yr^–1 for adopting crop rotations. The overall potential of these practices for SOC sequestration ranges from 0.591 to 1.022 MMTC yr^–1 with an average value of 0.806 MMTC yr^–1. Of the total potential, 59% is due to adoption of erosion control measures, 5.8% to restoration of peat lands, 21% to conversion to conservation tillage and residue management, and 14% to adoption of improved cropping systems. Enhancing SOC sequestration and improving soil quality, through adoption of judicious land use and improved system of soil and crop management, are prudent strategies for sustainable management of soil, water and environment resources.Readers should send their comments on this paper to: bhaskarn ath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

青霉素菌渣肥对土壤环境及萝卜品质的影响

青霉素菌渣具有较高的营养价值,菌渣肥料化技术将成为解决菌渣处置问题的重要手段.为了评估青霉素菌渣肥肥效,通过田间小区试验,采用6种不同施肥方式[① CK,不施肥;② CF,常规量化肥;③ MF,化肥与菌渣肥1:1混施(混合肥);④ PF1,常规量青霉素菌渣肥;⑤ PF2,2倍常规量青霉素菌渣肥;⑥ PF4,4倍常规量青霉素菌渣肥],考察菌渣肥对土壤环境及萝卜品质的影响.结果表明:青霉素菌渣肥的施入相对于不施肥处理可以提高土壤营养成分的含量,其中w(速效钾)和w(速效磷)在PF2处理下增加最多,w(速效钾)增加了23.7%,w(速效磷)增加了17.9%,之后是MF;在萝卜的整个生长期,土壤中微生物的含量与青霉素菌渣肥施加量呈正相关,在发芽期微生物数量最高;此外,在发芽期各处理方式相对于不施肥处理,均能提高蛋白酶和蔗糖酶的活性,随着青霉素菌渣肥施入量的增加,脲酶活性变化不明显,蔗糖酶活性逐渐增大.在萝卜品质方面,施加青霉素菌渣肥可提高萝卜的品质,如根质量最高提高了73.57%,w(维生素C)提高11.28%~148.20%,w(可溶性糖)提高12.00%~58.60%;施加菌渣肥也会增加萝卜中硝酸盐的含量,但过量施加菌渣肥会增加硝酸盐含量,存在一定的风险.      

MODELING PREVENTION ALTERNATWES FOR NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AT A WELLFIELD IN FLORIDA1

ABSTRACT: Agricultural and urban activities in the West Wellfield Interim Protection Area (WWIPA), located in West Dade County in South Florida, have the potential to impact both the environmentally sensitive Everglades and the Biscayne Aquifer. The Hydrological Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) is used to simulate surface runoff, ground water recharge, and transport of sediments, nutrients, and pesticides in the WWIPA, as a basis to quantify impacts and evaluate alternatives. Presented are four model test runs that consider current conditions, the effect of future urbanization of the agricultural land, as well as two preventive actions to minimize pollution levels. Preventive actions include application of minimum required rates of fertilizers and replacement of fertilizers by sewage sludge. Model results show that under current practices, sediments, nutrients, and pesticides are present in surface runoff and nutrients enter the ground water, and that both urbanization and preventive actions result in pollutant reductions.     

Copolyester-coated mineral fertilizers – preparation,characterization, and nutrient release

Two different copolyesters, aliphatic poly(butylene succinate-co-dilinoleate) and aliphatic-aromatic poly(ethylene succinate-co-terephthalate), were used in the preparation of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs). The properties of the resulting polymer-coated materials were examined via scanning electron microscopy and strength testing machinery, whereas nutrient release was measured in water and soil with the use of photometric method. Both polymer-coated materials meet the criteria of CRFs when their polymer content is higher than 18 wt %. Differences in the results of the experiments performed in soil and water were explained by the discrepancies in the structure and composition of both copolymers and their degradation tendencies. Both polymer-coated materials were proven to be more resistant toward crushing strength than the initial fertilizer. For interpretation of the experimental kinetic data, a sigmoidal equation was successfully applied.     

几种改性磷肥的X射线衍射特征初报

运用X射线衍射技术对改性磷肥的结构进行研究,发现其晶体结构发生了较大的变化;这种晶体结构的变化减少了改性磷肥中有效磷在土壤中的固定,从而大大提高了其生物有效性,是生物量增加的主要原因。     

北京市水溶肥料重金属元素分析与评价

研究分析北京地区水溶肥料中的重金属元素,为农产品质量安全生产提供基础依据.对2012—2019年水溶肥料样品中Hg、As、Pb、Cr和Cd等有害元素进行调查统计,参照中国农业行业标准和内梅罗综合污染指数法进行分析与污染评价.结果表明,水溶肥料中Hg、As、Pb、Cr和Cd平均质量分数分别为0.04、3.8、3.9、4....     

钝化与叶面阻控对不同基因型红菜苔镉累积的影响

为探索中轻度重金属镉(Cd)污染农田安全利用技术,实现农产品安全生产,以两种不同镉累积基因型红菜苔为供试作物,采用盆栽试验的方法,分别于两种作物上设置相同的6个处理:对照(CK)、添加3%(质量分数)生物质炭(BC)、添加0.17%钙镁磷肥(CMP)、叶面喷施3 mg·L~(-1) Na_2SeO_3的水溶液(Se)、 BC+Se和CMP+Se,研究不同处理土壤镉有效性变化及植株不同部位镉累积特征.结果表明:①相同处理下,低镉累积基因型金秋红三号红菜苔根部土壤有效态镉含量均显著低于高镉累积基因型十月红.BC和CMP两种钝化剂对金秋红三号根部土壤中的镉钝化效果显著,且BC效果更佳,钝化处理的效果显著优于叶面阻控.②金秋红三号红菜苔根系较十月红对镉有更强的富集能力,其富集的镉倾向于囤积在根部.叶面施硒与两种钝化剂对抑制镉向红菜苔可食部位转移富集无协同效果.③在BC和CMP钝化处理下,金秋红三号红菜苔可食部位镉含量低于GB 2762-2017中镉限量值(0.10mg·kg~(-1)).本研究表明,针对中轻度镉污染农田土壤,通过施加生物质炭、钙镁磷肥等绿色钝化剂,种植弱吸收低积累作物品种,可以实现受镉污染农田的安全利用和农产品的安全生产.     

长期施肥对旱地红壤及作物中砷累积的影响

以湖南祁阳农田生态系统国家野外试验站的土壤为研究对象,分析了长期施肥措施对砷在土壤及作物籽粒和秸秆中累积的影响.供试土壤选择了4个不同施肥处理：不施肥（CK）、单施化肥（NPK）、单施有机肥（M）和化肥有机肥配施（NPKM）.结果表明,与不施肥相比,长期（26 a）施肥措施（NPK、M和NPKM）均显著增加了红壤中总砷（As）和有效态砷含量,其中,NPK处理的红壤中砷含量超过国家标准值（40 mg·kg^-1）.长期施肥处理对非专性吸附态As影响最大,其次为残渣态As,晶型氧化物结合态As,但对专性吸附态As和无定型铁铝氧化物结合态As的影响较小.与CK、NPK、M处理相比,NPKM处理能显著降低土壤中As（Ⅲ）和As（Ⅴ）含量.此外,施用有机肥（猪粪）会导致玉米籽粒和秸秆中As的累积,而不会导致小麦籽粒和秸秆中的As累积.同步辐射红外显微成像和微束X射线荧光谱图显示了红壤样品中As、黏土矿物和有机官能团在微空间尺度上的高度异质性特征,表明As的有效性主要受铁氧化物和羟基碳的影响.