A strategy that has the potential to contribute to the achievement of the targets established under SDG 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”) involves the development of sustainable tourism to create productive job and livelihood opportunities and to promote local culture and products. In the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia, ikat weaving is an integral part of the cultural heritage of the region, with ikat characterized by unique design motives and the use of natural dyes. Unfortunately, in some areas, the use of natural dyes is diminishing as a result of competition with synthetic dyes and the limited availability of raw materials, particularly for the production of blue dye. The development of Indigofera spp. to produce natural, plant-based blue dye has significant potential to contribute to community incomes and employment. This study outlines a strategy for developing the use of Indigofera spp. as a natural dye and describes its potential for contributing to community incomes, especially on Timor Island, NTT. The study shows that weavers currently use indigo plants that grow naturally in gardens and yards. Although the community has a tradition of using these plants, informed by local wisdom, to develop the cultivation and processing of this plant through the application of the appropriate techniques, including innovative approaches to producing indigo paste, could enable the development of Indigofera spp. cultivation on a larger scale. The study shows that the availability of suitable land is high (±370 thousand ha), with 80% of the suitable land being categorized as critical. The study proposes a development based on the analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to assess the manner in which these opportunities could be leveraged with the support and participation of local communities and other stakeholders by leveraging the culture and wisdom of the community regarding the use of Indigofera spp.
Tag: cultivation
Volume estimation models for avocado fruit
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an important horticultural crop and proved to be a very profitable commercial crop for both local consumption and export. The physical characteristics of fruits are an important factor to determine the quality of fruit produced. On the other hand, estimation of fruit volume is time-consuming and impractical under field conditions. Thus, this study was conducted to devise cultivar-specific and generalized allometric models to analytically and non-destructively determine avocado fruit volume of five wildly distributed avocado cultivars. A significant relationship (P ≤ 0.01) was found between fruit diameter, length, and volume of each cultivar. Our best models (VM2 –for cultivar specific, and VM7-generalized model) has passed all the rigorous cross-validation and performance statistics tests and explained 94%, 92%, 87%, 93%, 94% and 93% of the variations in fruit volume of Ettinger, Fuerte, Hass, Nabal, Reed, and Multiple cultivars, respectively. Our finding revealed that in situations where measurements of volume would be inconvenient, or time-consuming, a reliable volume and yield estimation can be obtained using site- and cultivar-specific allometric equations. Allometric models could also play a significant role in improving data availability on avocado fruit physical appearance which is critical to assess the quality and taste of fresh products influencing the purchase decision of customers. Moreover, such information can also be used as a ripeness index to predict optimum harvest time important for planned marketing. More importantly, the models might assist horticulturists, agronomists, and physiologists to conduct further study on avocado production and productivity through agroforestry landuse system across Ethiopia.
The nutrition, cultivation and biotechnology of Stropharia rugosoannulata
Stropharia rugosoannulata contain polysaccharides, sterols, lectins, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. Various bioactivities are reported from this mushroom, such as antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antitumor, immunomodulatory and suppressing osteoclast formation properties. The mushroom has also been cultivated to increase rural and urban incomes and remediate soils. Soils contaminated by organic pollutants have been remediated by fungal extracellular enzymes, such as laccase and manganese peroxidase. The present review summarizes the nutritional value of the mushroom, bioactive compounds, cultivation methods and biotechnology. This review also provides suggestions for its future applications.
Blue footprint: Distribution and use of indigo-yielding plant species Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze
Background: Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is an important medicinal, edible, and indigo-yielding plant species. It has been cultivated for centuries and it is often the only natural dye still used in many places of East and Southeast Asia. Although S. cisia is extensively cultivated and widely used, the ecological factors of its environmental demands are poorly understood. Moreover, with the increasing demand and growing habitat degradation, its wild populations are in sharp decline. It is therefore imperative to understand the socio-ecological interactions of this species regarding its climatic niche, ethnobotanical importance, and human relations in order to meet its demand. Methods: We first collected S. cusia occurrences from plant species databases, literatures and ethnobotanical surveys. 244 wild occurrences and 10 variables were used to predict its suitable habitats using the MaxEnt model. Furthermore, for a better understanding of socio-ecological interactions regarding its distribution and use, we also collected use reports and calculated the relative importance level (RIL). Results: Strobilanthes cusia is valued for many reasons, as it contains numerous health benefits as a medicinal plant and use in tea alongside its indigo dying and tattooing properties. Indigo dye, Southern Banlangen, and Indigo Naturalis are its most important usages. Its suitable habitats are chiefly located in Western and Central Himalayas, Southern China, and Southern Japan. The ‘temperature seasonality (standard deviation × 100)’ (bio4), the ‘precipitation of coldest quarter’ (bio19), and the human footprint index showed the strongest association with the relative contributions of 38.5%, 32.4%, and 9.1%, respectively. © 2021
Mushroom cultivation for soil amendment and bioremediation
Intensive crop production, use of pesticides, and unsustainable farming practices are known to cause land degradation and soil contamination. Both have led to a decline in biodiversity and changes in the functional groups of soil microorganisms. Although physicochemical methods have been used to apply soil amendments to agricultural land, mushroom cultivation in agricultural land for soil improvement have been poorly studied. In-field mushroom cultivation is considered a good strategy for improving soil quality by reducing the input of chemical fertilizers. In this paper, we list the edible mushroom species suitable for growing in fields and summarize the important role that mushroom field cultivation can play in soil erosion control, nutrient cycling, and the bioremediation of contaminants. Decomposition, symbiosis, assimilation, degradation, bioweathering, oxidation, biosorption, and bioconversion are all critical components of mushroom field cultivation. Research has shown that field mushroom cultivation contributes to nutritional bioavailability while also promoting the degradation of pollutants and formation of soil aggregates. Through soil amendment practices, a portion of agricultural waste can be converted into high-quality food and nutraceutical sources, and the remaining organic matter improves soil quality via fungal mycelial networks and the re-use of spent mushroom substrates. Only a small number of mushroom species have been used in the application of soil amendments in field conditions. This review shows the need for further research into specific mushroom species for achieving different soil amendment goals in order to balance agricultural development with sustainable land management.
Preliminary evidence for domestication effects on the genetic diversity of Guazuma crinita in the Peruvian Amazon
Guazuma crinita, a fast-growing timber tree species, was chosen for domestication in the Peruvian Amazon because it can be harvested at an early age and it contributes to the livelihood of local farmers. Although it is in an early stage of domestication, we do not know the impact of the domestication process on its genetic resources. Amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) fingerprints were used to estimate the genetic diversity of G. crinita populations in different stages of domestication. Our objectives were (i) to estimate the level of genetic diversity in G. crinita using AFLP markers, (ii) to describe how the genetic diversity is distributed within and among populations and provenances, and (iii) to assess the genetic diversity in naturally regenerated, cultivated and semi-domesticated populations. We generated fingerprints for 58 leaf samples representing eight provenances and the three population types. We used seven selective primer combinations. A total of 171 fragments were amplified with 99.4% polymorphism at the species level. Nei’s genetic diversity and Shannon information index were slightly higher in the naturally regenerated population than in the cultivated and semi-domesticated populations (He = 0.10, 0.09 and 0.09; I = 0.19, 0.15 and 0.16, respectively). The analysis of molecular variation showed higher genetic diversity within rather than among provenances (84% and 4%, respectively). Cluster analysis (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) and principal coordinate analysis did not show correspondence between genetic and geographic distance. There was significant genetic differentiation among population types (Fst = 0.12 at p < 0.001). The sample size was small, so the results are considered as preliminary, pending further research with larger sample sizes. Nevertheless, these results suggest that domestication has a slight but significant effect on the diversity levels of G. crinita and this should be considered when planning a domestication program.
Measuring household legume cultivation intensity in sub-Saharan Africa
Legumes form part of an ecological-based solution to intensification in areas with limited access to external inputs. Despite a number of decades of intervention, uptake of legumes has been slow within smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa. We explore the drivers behind the adoption of legumes by developing an indicator of household legume cultivation (HLC) from a bespoke survey of small-scale farm households in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A beta regression framework identifies the range of intensities across sites and farms, indicating a limited influence of agro-ecological zones and formal institutions on uptake. Age, income and gender have positive but very marginal effects. Intensive legume cultivations were less driven by commercial growth objectives or access to market oppourtunities indicating lack of legume markets to incentivize production. There was little interest in expanding farm area, which reflects the lack of assets available to these farmers and leads to the use of legumes for providing home nutrition, or supporting farm fertility and livestock feed. Further development of this HLC metric would be enabled by consistent data gathering across regions, or at least equally detailed studies of legume uptake. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Adaptation and growth performance of five avocado cultivars in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has diverse agroecology with vast areas, suitable for growing subtropical and tropical fruits. Despite this potential, the avocado industry in Ethiopia is still in its infancy. This study assessed the adaptation of five avocado cultivars: Ettinger, Fuerte, Hass, Nabal, and Reed, survival rate, growth performances, fruit yield, and household contributions in Lemo district Ethiopia. The results revealed that there were significant differences in tree growth performance and yield among avocado cultivars (P < 0.05). The highest vegetative growth performance was demonstrated by Nabal, Fuerte, Ettinger, and Hass, while Reed was the lowest. In 2020, Nabal had the highest fruit yield (96 kg tree1), followed by Hass (47 kg tree1), while Fuerte had a relatively low fruit yield (39.43 kg tree1). Due to its larger fruit size, the Nabal was used for sale, while the Hass cultivar, which has a sweet taste, was mainly used for home consumption. The findings demonstrated that significant difference in management practices applied by male and female farmers. Overall, the study concluded that the Nabal, Hass, and Ettinger cultivars had a great potential for fruit production, which could improve smallholder farmers livelihood. As a result, it is necessary to scale up these avocado cultivars in the midland agroecological zone of the country.
Mushroom as a means of sustainable rural development in the Chin State, Myanmar
Restricted access to quality crops and markets limits the capacity of rural communities to generate income in the mountainous regions of South and Southeast Asia, often resulting in the exploitation of forest systems, a subsequent decline in forest health, and the need for alternative means of income generation as well as forest restoration programmes. Cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms has been shown to be a feasible alternative source of income and also contributes to the household nutrition of rural and impoverished communities. There are a number of ongoing programmes in South and Southeast Asia currently implementing trainings and demonstrative practices for the cultivation of mushrooms at the village level. In this context, we implemented different cultivation strategies in selected rural areas in the Chin State, Myanmar. The cultivation strategies were to 1) introduce mushroom cultivation using locally sourced raw materials as substrates for rural communities unfamiliar with mushroom cultivation; and 2) improve the technical knowledge of those already experienced in mushroom cultivation in order to increase yield and minimize challenges in production systems. We introduced Pleurotus sp. cultivation to mushroom growers in the Chin state, Myanmar. These cultivation strategies will help further improve and develop mushroom industries in rural areas and contribute to rural development. In addition, we focused on cultivation systems that incorporate the use of crop residues and woody substrates in order to ensure a sustainable, integrated approach.
Edaphic and climatic factors affecting phenology of naturally growing calotropis procera in semi-arid regions of Kenya
Background and Objective: Cultivating Calotropis procera for fiber supply to the textile industry can improve the livelihoods of communities in arid and semi-arid regions. This study determined edaphic and climatic factors affecting phenological traits of C. procera in the semi-arid regions of Kenya. Materials and Methods: Repeated measure research design was used with multistage sampling technique to monitor activity indices, number of flowers and fruits and phenophase intensities. Climatic and edaphic factors of study sites were also monitored. Data was analyzed using linear, Poisson log linear regression based on Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) and Mixed Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: High Soil Organic Carbon (OC) content (3%) and exchangeable Na (112.5 ppm) at (0-20) cm soil depth were recorded in Tharaka. High mean monthly rainfall (160.37 mm) was recorded in Makueni. Flowering activity indices in (June-August, 2018) were 64.97% and 69.6% in Tharaka and Makueni, respectively . Available P, average monthly rainfall and temperature had significant association with flowering and fruiting activity indices (p<0.05). The mean number of flowers and fruits per stem were significantly associated with soil available P, exchangeable Na and OC content (p<0.05). Though edaphic factors were not significantly associated with phenophase intensities of C. procera, average monthly rainfall and temperature were positively and negatively associated with phenophase intensities, respectively . Conclusion: Available P, exchangeable Na, available K and OC content noticeably affect phenological traits of naturally growing C. procera. Rains and temperatures are critical climatic factors affecting phenological traits of C. procera.