Sustainability aspects of vegetable production in the peri-urban environment of Bogotá, Colombia

Although the peri-urban region around Bogotá, Colombia contains a diversified horticulture sector, local vegetable production suffers from a critical lack of research and availability of un-biased, scientifically validated information on crop management. In this study, we identify current trends and deficiencies in fertilisation and pest management for local vegetable production. We relate pesticide type with target pests, evaluate temporal patterns in pesticide and fertiliser use for a key crop (i.e. spinach) and conduct basic nutrient budget accounting. Personal interviews with vegetable growers were combined with a detailed follow-up of management activities and soil nutrient profiles on pilot farms in two different peri-urban municipalities. Most (84%) vegetable growers relied on personal experience, and indicated a lack of unbiased information on fertiliser effectiveness and pesticide action spectra. The majority of farmers used pesticide mixtures on a calendar basis and commonly applied products below recommended doses. Soil nutrient accounts indicate insufficient fertilisation and a progressive depletion of key nutrients. Extraction rates for the principal vegetable crops exceeded by 33.6%, 20.5% and 93.0% soil nutrient availability of N, P and K, respectively. Organic products are included in local fertilisation schemes, with chicken manure as the principal source, at an average application rate of 6 t ha^?1. Our findings could help policymakers and local institutions set a research and extension agenda to promote sustainable peri-urban vegetable production and help secure peri-urban livelihoods while ensuring healthy and safe horticultural production.     

Shift in Trophic Level of Mediterranean Mariculture Species

The mean trophic level of the farmed fish species in the Mediterranean has been increasing. We examined the farming‐up hypothesis (i.e., the increase in the production of high‐trophic‐level species) in the Mediterranean by determining the trophic level of the aquafeeds (i.e., what the fish are fed) of 5 species of farmed marine fishes: common dentex (Dentex dentex), common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and red porgy (Pagrus sp.). The mean trophic level of aquafeed used in mariculture from 1950 to 2011 was higher (3.93) than the prey farmed fish consume in the wild (3.72) and increased at a faster rate (0.48/decade) compared with that based on their diets in the wild (0.43/decade). Future expected replacement of the fishmeal and oil in aquafeeds by plant materials may reverse the farming‐up trend, although there are a number of concerns regarding operational, nutritional, environmental, and economic issues. The farming‐up reversal can be achieved in an ecologically friendly manner by facilitating the mariculture of low‐trophic‐level fishes and by promoting high efficiency in the use of living marine resources in aquafeeds. Cambios en el Nivel Trófico de las Especies de Maricultura Mediterránea     

Blue–green water utilization in rice–fish cultivation towards sustainable food production

Integrated rice–fish culture is a competitive alternative to rice monoculture for environmental sustainability and food productivity. Compared to rice monoculture, rearing fish in rice field ecosystems could increase food (rice and fish) production from this coculture. Moreover, the water productivity of rice–fish coculture is considerably higher than that of rice monoculture, because of double cropping. Despite these benefits, rice–fish coculture has not yet been broadly practiced. One of the potential challenges for the wider adoption of rice–fish coculture is water management. There are two forms of water involved in rice–fish cultivation: (1) blue water–surface and groundwater, and (2) green water–soil water from rainfall. The aim of this article is to focus on key factors determining the adoption of rice–fish cultivation through the effective utilization of blue–green water. We suggest that the efficient application of blue and green water in rice–fish coculture could help confronting water scarcity, reducing water footprint, and increasing water productivity.     

规模化畜禽养殖产污系数研究

随着畜禽养殖逐渐走向规模化,畜禽养殖污染已成为农村污染的重要来源。以规模化畜禽养殖产生的废水和固体废弃物为监测对象,对规模化畜禽养殖产污系数进行研究,给出单位畜禽从出生到出栏的产污系数计算方法。以四川省内江市为实例,计算了不同季节、不同规模的规模化养猪场产污系数,并与第一次污染源普查数据进行比较。     

Agricultural reuse of the digestate from low-cost tubular digesters in rural Andean communities

This research aimed at assessing the properties of guinea pig manure digestate from low-cost tubular digesters for crops fertilization in rural Andean communities. To this end, field trials were carried out to evaluate the effect of the digestate on two common Andean crops: potato (Solanum tuberosum) and forage (Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium pratense L.). The potato yield (20-25 tha(-1)) increased by 27.5% with digestate, by 15.1% with pre-compost and by 10.3% with the mixture, compared to the control. The forage yield (20-21 tha(-1)) increased by 1.4% with digestate - 50% dose, and by 8.8% with digestate - 100% dose and digestate - 150% dose, compared to the control. The results suggest that the digestate is an appropriate substitute of manure pre-compost for potato fertilization. The results with forage indicate that it can be applied in a range of doses, according to the amount produced by the digester. Currently, manure is either used for cooking or as fertilizer. With low-cost tubular digesters implementation, it could be used to feed the digester, using the digestate for crops fertilization and biogas for cooking; improving household living conditions and protecting the environment. Since soil properties in rural Andean communities differ from experimental layouts, the effect of fertilizers should be re-evaluated in-situ in future research studies.     

Weed Seedbank Evaluating Method to Generate Spatial Distribution Maps

Abstract

The objective of this work was to develop a fast and practical method of weed seedbank evaluation to generate spatially distributed maps for use in site-specific weed management. Soil cores were collected at 0.20 m depth, air-dried, and then submitted to seedling growth in greenhouse. The sampling grid of 20 by 20 m was georeferenced by Global Positioning System, obtaining 73 soil cores with three replicates. During the greenhouse trial, there were two peaks of weed seedling growth: one in 119 days after water irrigation and another after KNO₃ application. Weeds seedbank maps were obtained at different stages of seedling growth. The Pearson correlation was 0.99 for Brachiaria plantaginea seedbank map, 0.95 for Commelina benghalensis, and 0.85 for Cyperus rotudus generated at 119 days compared with 392 days after seedling growth in the greenhouse. The Brachiaria plantaginea seedbank map evaluated at 35 days presented correlation of 0.97 with 392 days. It was concluded that, for site-specific weed seedbank management, the evaluation of seedling growth in greenhouse until the first emergence peak is enough to generate weed seedbank maps.     

Assessment of susceptibility of olive cultivars to the Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin, 1790) and Camarosporium dalmaticum (Thüm.) Zachos & Tzav.-Klon. attacks in Calabria (Southern Italy)

Within the framework of research concerning the application of techniques alternative to chemical pesticides for control of parasites, the C.R.A. Experimental Institute for Olive Growing for many years has been performing a large investigation in order to detect sources of genetic resistance in olive germplasm. In the present study we observed the behavior related to the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) infestation and Camarosporium dalmaticum infection of ten olive cultivars farmed under the same agronomic and climatic conditions in Calabria, Southern Italy. The sampling and the data collecting were carried out in three different ripening times.The drupe amount of oleuropein and cyanidine was detected by laboratory analyses in order to verify a possible correlation between these molecules and the level of infestation/infection of the above-mentioned parasites. The obtained data were submitted to analysis of variance. In relation to the fungal infection the results displayed that cvs Tonda nera dolce showed the lowest susceptibility, while the cv Giarraffa turned out to be the most susceptible. The less susceptible cultivars to the phytophagous were Tonda nera dolce and Bhardi Tirana. Since the less susceptible cultivar to olive fly attacks are the same observed in relation to the susceptibility to olive fruit rot, it is suggested a relation between the olive fly infestation and the fungal infection. It suggests the utility to achieve these results both to transfer directly to the farmers' world and to emphasize ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.     

Dynamics of Policy Networks. The Case of Organic Farming Policy in the Czech Republic

To better understand the potential for successful and long-term establishment of environmental policy, the aim of this paper is to explore the network dynamics of a policy field that has become well established in the EU: organic farming. We look at the dynamics of the organic farming policy network in the Czech Republic over a period of 10 years by applying a comparative formal network analysis. We focused in particular on the distribution of power between actors and how capacities of policy actors have evolved between 2004 (its year of accession to the EU) and 2014. We conclude that the organic farming policy network in the Czech Republic has been highly dynamic and has changed from one that was decidedly influenced by organic sector organizations to a network centralized around the Ministry of Agriculture. However, the organic farming organization managed to maintain its good reputation for competence in organic farming policy, which creates opportunities for the organization to remain active in the policy debate.     

分布式认知理论框架下农户土地转出意愿影响因素研究——基于SEM模型的武汉城市圈典型地区实证分析

基于分布式认知理论,从"个人力"、"地域力"、"文化力"三个层次构建农户土地流转认知的影响因素理论框架,利用"武汉城市圈"典型地区土地流转调查数据构建结构方程模型(Structural Equation Model,SEM),定量分析各影响因素在农户土地流转认知中的作用。研究证实:不同农户认知群体之间存在不同流转认知偏好,"无文化的老农民"相对于"有文化的年轻职业者"在土地流转认知中更加保守;农户对土地的需求普遍偏向土地的资产属性和财产权利,农村土地流转具备内在动力;然而,出于对土地社会保障功能的需求,农户不会因为其家庭生产方式和经济来源明显脱离土地而产生强烈的土地转出愿意,农户的家庭生计条件及"土地情节"在一定程度上制约了土地流转;村镇干部"取信于民"是农户获得"安全感",克服风险规避心理促进土地流转认知的最重要因素;流转价格是对农户在土地流转中物质与精神"双重损失"的资金补偿,两者的匹配程度对农户的认知具有重要作用。在此基础上,得出要规范流转程序、健全流转监督机制、保护农民利益,加强农村社会保障制度建设以确保农民获得公平的社会保障,加快推进和支持农村教育以提高农村劳动力素质,建立和完善土地流转制度保障和农业经营扶持机制等政策启示。     

浅谈新疆“十二五”畜禽养殖业主要污染物的减排

结合主要污染物"十二五"总量控制规划编制工作经验,对新疆畜禽养殖业主要污染物的减排潜力及途径进行分析,宏观测算出新疆畜禽养殖业"十二五"期间的减排潜力,并提出新疆畜禽养殖业的减排途径及方法,为新疆主要污染物"十二五"减排工作提供合理化建议。