The commercial plantation of agar trees has been increasing in the Brahmaputra floodplain under the greater Mymensingh region of Bangladesh. Agar plantation in the plainland allows enough space for cultivating different crops in between the two rows of agar trees. The present field study transformed a commercial agar (Aquilaria malaccensis Roxb.) plantation into agroforestry systems, where the performance of winter vegetables (radish, spinach, broccoli, and tomato) and the annual crop papaya were evaluated at different distances from the tree row. Afterward, it was compared with their respective non-agroforestry sole crops planted in open-field (control) conditions. The findings of the investigation revealed that the yield reduction for radish, spinach, broccoli, and tomato was 40%, 58%, 37%, and 40%, respectively, in agroforestry systems compared to the control. The yields of the seasonal crops were boosted with increasing planting distances from tree rows. These findings also indicated that the light intensity, which is indispensable for crop production, was highly interfered with in the agroforestry system by the straight canopy structure of agar trees. Though having some adverse impacts on yield performances of seasonal crops, the net return, benefit–cost ratio (BCR), and land equivalent ratio (LER) were greatly higher in agar-based agroforestry systems compared to non-agroforestry systems. Compared to non-agroforestry control plots, the total nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content in agroforestry systems was 41%, 27%, and 150% higher, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the Aquilaria plantation can be transformed into an agroforestry system to ensure higher income, optimum land use, and soil fertility status, and sustain food security.
Tag: crops
The multidimensional performance of agroecology: what we know and what we are yet to learn
This opinion article argues that the debate surrounding the effectiveness of agroecology should move beyond questions of whether evidence exists and instead focus on identifying the remaining knowledge gaps needed to support evidence-based agroecological transitions. Drawing on a growing body of reviews, meta-analyses, and field studies, the authors highlight substantial evidence that agroecological practices, including crop rotation, intercropping, agroforestry, mulching, composting, cover cropping, and integrated crop–livestock systems, contribute positively to food security, agricultural productivity, farmers’ incomes, climate-change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and climate-change mitigation. Recent studies demonstrate that agroecological practices often outperform conventional systems in terms of soil carbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, income stability, and resilience while simultaneously contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
Alternative crops to deter wildlife – SWM Community Conservancy Project, KAZA sites (Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Planting crops that are unpalatable or repellent to wildlife can reduce crop raiding and damage. These alternative crops either deter animals because of their taste, smell or physical characteristics, or are simply not preferred by certain species.
Uncovering genetic diversity and population structure of the multipurpose tree species Moringa oleifera: insights from DArTSeq SNP markers
Moringa oleifera, native to the Himalayas and now widespread in the tropics, is valued for its rich nutrient and antioxidant content. Despite its global presence, its genetic diversity remains underexplored. 3968 SNP markers derived from DArTSeq technology were filtered to 1913 informative markers and used to investigate the genetic makeup of Moringa oleifera. Results showed reasonable genetic diversity, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.05056 to 0.5008 (average 0.3069). Unweighted neighbour joining phylogeny and principal coordinate analyses identified four geographic clusters: West Africa/Caribbean, East Africa, Southern Africa, and Southeast Asia. Malawi samples clustered distinctly from African samples while Philippine samples clustered separately and farthest, indicating separate introductions. Analysis of Molecular variance showed higher gene flow within populations (77%) than between them (23%). Bayesian modelling in structure confirmed unique clustering in Southern Africa and highlighted significant admixture, suggesting human-mediated introductions. The findings contribute to our understanding of the genetic resources of this important plant species and have implications for germplasm collection, improvement, conservation, utilisation strategies and policies. Further research utilising advanced genomic tools will enhance our knowledge of Moringa oleifera and support its sustainable utilisation for various applications.
Root distribution of trees and crops: competition and / or complementary
Desirable root architecture for trees differs between sequential and simultaneous agroforestry systems. In sequential systems extensive tree root development may enhance nutrient capture and transfer to subsequent crops via organic pools. In simultaneous systems tree root development in the crop root zone leads to competition for resources.
Environmental footprints of crop use allocation: Food, feed and non-food pathways for major global crops
Food systems are essential for human food security and nutrition. They are also the source of roughly one third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, making them a central topic for climate mitigation. Focusing on five crops that dominate global agriculture—wheat, maize, rice, soybean and barley––, the study analyzes how their allocation across food, feed, bioenergy and other industrial (non-food) uses affects land, carbon and water footprints. Together, these crops occupy more than half of the world’s arable land and form the backbone of food supply and bio-based economic activities. Drawing on FAOSTAT data and harmonized environmental footprint global datasets, the paper documents current crop-specific production and allocation patterns across different uses and their impacts on sustainability outcomes. It shows how these patterns differ across crops and demonstrates that environmental outcomes depend not only on how crops are produced but also on how they are allocated among competing uses. The analysis then explores four illustrative scenarios: closing yield gaps; reducing food loss and waste; shifting dietary patterns away from high animal-source consumption; and promoting second-generation biofuels. These scenarios allow the identification of significant leverage points for reducing land, carbon and water footprints. Overall, the study shows that crop allocation decisions are a critical yet often overlooked factor in food-system sustainability. By linking environmental footprints to crop uses, it offers a framework for identifying policy priorities and guiding transitions toward more resource-efficient and resilient food systems.
Interactions between regenerative strategies and edaphic, climatic and topographic factors mediate mitigation or exacerbation of soil and crop toxicity in global cadmium contaminated lands
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agroecosystems is a global concern, due to its negative influence on soil health and crop performance. Regenerative strategies have been widely recognised as vital to improve soil quality and crop yields. Yet strategies are needed that also mitigate rather than exacerbate the impacts of Cd contamination. In this context, interactions between regenerative strategies, and edaphic, climatic and topographic factors are poorly understood. This study presents a meta-analysis with effect size statistics, evaluating the interactions between regenerative strategies (biochar, manure and compost), non- regenerative strategies (sewage-sludge and fertilizer), soil properties (pH, SOM and Cd levels), climatic factors (temperature and precipitation), and elevation. In acidic or high SOM soils, fertilizer increased Cd uptake by 50% to 76%. However, biochar or compost addition in these soils reduced Cd uptake. Under high Cd contamination, biochar application increased shoot biomass, but fertilizer application decreased shoot-biomass. The application of fertilizer or sewage-sludge under higher temperatures increased Cd uptake, whereas biochar reduced Cd uptake. At wet sites, fertilizer addition increased soil Cd accumulation. At high elevations, biochar was more effective than manure at reducing Cd accumulation. We conclude that there are complex interactions between regenerative strategies and environmental conditions; determining impacts on soil and crop health. The interactions between environmental factors and use of sewage-sludge or fertilizer could exacerbate soil and plant Cd toxicity. Regenerative strategies, especially biochar, could mitigate Cd toxicity in agroecosystems.
Legume integration in smallholder farming systems for food security and resilience to climate change
A random sample of 847 households (HHs) in southern Ethiopia was used to assess the impact of HH characteristics, land and livestock ownership, seasonal variations, and agricultural challenges on cereals and legumes, crucial to community livelihoods. A structured survey was integrated into the ODK data collection tool, validated, and used with trained agricultural agents, and analyzed using an R statistical package. Farm productivity was significantly influenced by gender, since male headed HHs produced 25.5% more yield than female headed HHs. Livestock ownership, land cultivation, farm productivity and product utilizations were also varied among the HHs. Furthermore, agricultural practices like labor utilization, fertilizer and composite application, and use of improved seed varieties significantly affected the farm productivity. Besides, maize was identified as the principal and top-priority crop, while common bean (legume) was the second-priority crop for local people. This shows that legumes were important in the region’s agricultural systems, but some farmers experienced reduced productivity due to poor agronomic practices. Consequently, a substantial proportion of farmers (>50%) faced food shortages from February to June, representing the peak of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season (April to May). Integrating early-maturing legumes in the farming system would help to escape the food shortage periods. Many farmers disclosed that the cost of chemical fertilizers’ was unaffordable, indicating a need for options like use of rhizobia inoculants and showed interest to use on their farms for improved productivities.
Draft genome sequence of Kei apple, an underutilized African tree crop
To address food and nutrition security in the face of burgeoning global populations and erratic climatic conditions there is a need to include nutrient dense, climatic resilient but neglected indigenous fruit trees in agrifood systems. Here we present the draft genome sequence of Kei Apple, Dovyalis afra, a neglected indigenous African fruit tree with untapped potential to contribute to nutrient security and improved livelihoods. Our long-read-based genome assembly comprises 440 Mbp sequence across 1190 contigs with a N50 and L50 of 13.3 Mbp and 11, respectively. We also annotated the genome and identified 27,449 protein-coding genes. Our genome assembly provides a valuable resource for unlocking the food security and nutraceutical potential of Kei apple.
Integrating crop and livestock in smallholder production systems for food security and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa
The resource base that ensures food supply and the socio-economic component which depends on this resource base are the two major components that make up the food system in sub-Saharan Africa. The sequence of the food system is organized in a spatial flow framework of biomass base. The components of rural production system consist of food production biomass at homestead and farm level, and often at the communal base non-food production lands. The degree of integration between these resources base determines flows such as material cycle, energy, food and cash, and influences how the entire production system needs to be managed. The management system influences resource use efficiency and economic returns at different levels, at individual household, communities, and national levels. Efforts to developing agriculture and reducing poverty remained sectoral and focused mainly on a specific crop or individual animal level, failed to see interconnections among sub-systems and across space and time. The concept of the integrated food system has not been adequately adopted, in many sub-Saharan African countries and the agricultural system in the region continues to exhibit a low level of productivity and resource use efficiency. Hence, food insecurity and poverty remained high among smallholder farming communities producing crop and livestock despite the availability of arable land and abundance of another natural resource. This review focuses on the significance of integrated crop-livestock system in the tropics and suggests a framework to begin understanding and addressing complex problems in smallholders’ production system.