Citrate-promoted dissolution of nanostructured manganese oxides: Implications for nano-enabled sustainable agriculture

Nanostructured manganese oxides (nano-MnO_x) have shown great promises as versatile agrochemicals in nano-enabled sustainable agriculture, owing to the coupled benefits of controlled release of dissolved Mn²⁺, an essential nutrient needed by plants, and oxidative destruction of environmental organic pollutants. Here, we show that three δ-MnO₂ nanomaterials consisting of nanosheet-assembled flower-like nanospheres not only exhibit greater kinetics in citrate-promoted dissolution, but also are less prone to passivation, compared with three α-MnO₂ nanowire materials. The better performance of the δ-MnO₂ nanomaterials can be attributed to their higher abundance of surface unsaturated Mn atoms–particularly Mn(III)–that is originated from their specific exposed facets and higher abundance of surface defects sites. Our results underline the great potential of modulating nanomaterial surface atomic configuration to improve their performance in sustainable agricultural applications.     

海南岛热带农业光能资源利用率研究

本文通过绿色植物能量转化的生理机能,即光合作用过程中太阳能的投入、转化和产出的内在联系,定量地描述了海南岛各地实际光能利用率;地区性农业生产潜力;潜在光能利用率及其与实际光能利用率的绝对差值。结果表明,全岛实际光能利用率低于全国平均水平,只及一年两熟地区的一半,高值区接近一年一熟地区;潜在光能利用率与世界热带地区差距不大;潜在与实际光能利用率之差全岛平均达5.1％,具有较大的增产潜力。文中还针对海南的实际粗略地探讨了岛内光能利用率不高的原因和提高光能利用率的相应途径。     

Climate change: linking adaptation and mitigation through agroforestry

Agriculture is the human enterprise that is most vulnerable to climate change. Tropical agriculture, particularly subsistence agriculture is particularly vulnerable, as smallholder farmers do not have adequate resources to adapt to climate change. While agroforestry may play a significant role in mitigating the atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG), it also has a role to play in helping smallholder farmers adapt to climate change. In this paper, we examine data on the mitigation potential of agroforestry in the humid and sub-humid tropics. We then present the scientific evidence that leads to the expectation that agroforestry also has an important role in climate change adaptation, particularly for small holder farmers. We conclude with priority research questions that need to be answered concerning the role of agroforestry in both mitigation and adaptation to climate change.     

Impacts of Global Climate Change on Mediterranean Agrigulture: Current Methodologies and Future Directions. An Introductory Essay

Current trends in Mediterranean agriculture reveal differences between the Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries as related to population growth, land and water use, and food supply and demand. The changes in temperature and precipitation predicted by general circulation models for the Mediterranean region will affect water availability and resource management, critically shaping the patterns of future crop production. Three companion papers analyze in detail future impacts of predicted climate change on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) production in Spain, Greece, and Egypt, and test farm- level adaptation strategies such as early planting and cultivar change with the aid of dynamic crop models. Strategies to improve the assessment of the potential effects of future climate change on agricultural production are discussed.     

持续农业：内涵,定义及反思

持续农业带来现代农业的新方向，但仅局限于物理环境的改善不能实现农业的持续性。只有重视环境问题的社会性因素，寻求解决社会与环境问题的新方法，才能真正保持农业的持续发展。     

Analysis and improving ways for water condition in winter wheat field of dryland in subhumid areas of the Loess Plateau

Based on the soil moisture data from the locating experiments from 1986—1990, and using the water balance method, the water supply and demand state in the field of winter wheat, and the ways for improving water condition in dryland of dry subhumid area of the Loess Plateau were studied. The results suggested that a low precipitation satisfying ratio of 42.9%—58.8% appears in the growing period of winter wheat, and the yield, to a great extent depended on the water that was stored in deep soil layer in the previous rainy season. The filed trial results showed that tillage in the summer fallow period,straw cover, soil moisture regulation with adequate fertilization, crop rotation and proper cropping system could be the efficient ways for improving the water condition,and for the exploitation and utilization of natural water resources(both precipitation and soil water) in the winter wheat field of dryland.      

生态农业的给排水循环系统的探讨

生态农业的发展，是经济、社会和环境保护协调发展的产物。作者提出生态农业的给排水循环系统作为现有模式的延伸和补充，让生态农业在经济、社会、环境的协调发展中发挥更大的作用，最大限度地消除农业污染，为农业可持续发展提供技术支持和可靠保证。     

17α-Ethinylestradiol in Lakes of Hanoi and its effect on seed germination

Abstract

The lakes of Hanoi are important water resources for urban agriculture. The concentrations of 17α-ethinylestradiol in the water of three major lakes were found to range from 0.1 to 9.1?ng/L, peaking during the rainy season. Effects at levels from 1?ng/L to 1?µg/L on the germination of mung bean (Vigna radiata) and bok choy (Brassica rapa) were studied. Soaking the seeds in solutions containing 17α-ethinylestradiol at 10?ng/L and higher increased the germination rate of mung bean but not of bok choy. For the latter, irrigation after sowing with solutions containing 17α-ethinylestradiol at 10?ng/L and higher accelerated germination.

Abbreviations: MNRE: Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; PE₆₀: Population equivalent; USGS: U.S. Geological Survey; SPE: Solid phase extraction; EDTA: Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate; HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography; ELISA: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; DOM: Dissolved organic matter; EEQ: Estradiol equivalent     

揭阳市生态农业发展的思路

分析了揭阳市生态农业发展的现状、有利条件及制约囚素，总结了对该市发展生态农业有积极影响的揭东县塔西种养场生态种养模式，最后提出了该市生态农业的发展模式、发展思路和对策。     

NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION POTENTIAL IN AN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA1

ABSTRACT: A 155,947 ha portion of the Shenango River watershed in western Pennsylvania was evaluated as to the potential impact of agriculture drainage on water quality. Approximately a third of the area is being used as either cropland or pasture with approximately an equal percentage in forest lands. Eleven subwatersheds were evaluated as to their potential for nonpoint source pollution according to the criteria established by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources for the Chesapeake Bay Pollution Abatement Program. The individual components and overall rating for each subwatershed were then evaluated as to their correlation with four water quality variables based on 104 samples collected at 26 sampling stations throughout the watershed. There was a significant correlation between the overall rating factor for each subwatershed and each of the four water quality variables. In general, the watershed delivery factor, animal nutrient factor, and management factors were correlated with fecal coliform and phosphorus in the receiving streams, whereas the ground water delivery factor appeared to be more important in determining nitrate concentrations in these streams. These results indicate that manure and nutrient management, along with the exclusion of livestock from streams and the enhancement and/or replacement of riparian wetlands, are important approaches in reducing agricultural impacts in fresh water ecosystems.