Alternative Farming Systems, Biotechnology, Drought Stress and Ecological Fertilisation (eBook)

Eric Lichtfouse (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2011 | 2011
IX, 354 Seiten
Springer Netherland (Verlag)
978-94-007-0186-1 (ISBN)

Infos

Sustainable agriculture is a rapidly growing field aiming at producing food and energy in a sustainable way for our children. This discipline addresses current issues such as climate change, increasing food and fuel prices, starvation, obesity, water pollution, soil erosion, fertility loss, pest control and biodiversity depletion. Novel solutions are proposed based on integrated knowledge from agronomy, soil science, molecular biology, chemistry, toxicology, ecology, economy, philosophy and social sciences. As actual society issues are now intertwined, sustainable agriculture will bring solutions to build a safer world. This book series analyzes current agricultural issues, and proposes alternative solutions, consequently helping all scientists, decision-makers, professors, farmers and politicians wishing to build safe agriculture, energy and food systems for future generations.

Inhalt

Contents 6
Contributors 8
Thinking by Connections and the Dynamics of Nature for Food Production 11
1 Introduction 12
2 Environment: State of Art 12
3 Possible Solutions 13
4 Systemic Design to Apply to Industry the Dynamics and Cycles of Nature 15
5 Case Study 17
5.1 Fruit Growing: Current Situation 17
5.2 Fruit Growing: Systemic Approach Application 19
6 Conclusion 21
References 22
Transgenic Bt Corn Hybrids and Pest Management in the USA 25
1 Introduction 26
2 Insect Pests of Corn 27
2.1 Stalk Tunneling and Leaf/Ear Feeding Insects 27
2.2 Seed and Root Feeding Insects 29
3 Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) 31
3.1 Mode of Action of B. Thuringiensis 31
3.2 Bt Hybrids 32
4 Insect Resistance Management 33
4.1 High-Dose Toxin and Refuge Strategy for Single EventBt Hybrids against Corn Borers 35
4.2 Moderate-Dose Toxin and Refuge Strategy for Single Event Bt Hybrids against Corn Rootworms 36
4.3 Refuge Planting for Stacked Bt Hybrid against Corn Borers and Corn Rootworms 37
4.4 Limitations with the High-Dose Toxin and Refuge Strategy 38
5 Resistance Monitoring 39
6 Role of Insecticides after Stacked Bt Hybrids 40
7 Conclusion 42
References 42
Marker-Assisted Breeding in Higher Plants 48
1 Introduction 49
2 Benefits of Marker Assisted Selection 50
3 Pre-requisite for Marker Assisted Selection 50
4 Utility of DNA Markers for Improving Crop Genomes 51
4.1 Family: Poaceae 51
4.1.1 Maize 51
4.1.2 Rice 59
4.1.3 Wheat 61
4.1.4 Barley 63
4.1.5 Sorghum 64
4.2 Family: Malvaceae 65
4.2.1 Cotton (Gossypium sp.) 65
4.3 Family: Solanaceae 67
4.3.1 Tomato 67
4.3.2 Potato (Solanum sp.) 68
4.4 Family: Fabaceae 69
4.4.1 Soybean 69
4.4.2 Common Beans 71
4.4.3 Peas 71
4.4.4 Chickpea 72
4.5 Family: Brassicaceae 72
4.5.1 Brassica 72
4.6 Family: Cucurbitaceae 73
4.6.1 Cucumber 73
5 Conclusion 74
References 74
Phytoremediation Techniques for Pesticide Contaminations 86
1 Introduction 88
2 Environmental Pollution 89
2.1 Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) 89
2.2 Atrazine 93
2.3 DDT/Atrazine Comparison 95
3 Remediation of the Environment 96
3.1 Remediation Processes 96
3.1.1 Physico-Chemical Methods 96
3.1.2 Biological Methods 96
3.2 Phytoremediation 97
3.2.1 Rhizodegradation 97
3.2.2 Phytoextraction 98
4 Protection of the Environment 101
4.1 Vegetative Filter Strips (VFS) 102
4.2 Constructed Wetlands 103
5 Choice of Plants 103
5.1 Depuration Capacity 103
5.2 Phytotoxicity Problems 107
5.3 Transgenic Plants 107
6 Conclusion 108
References 109
Sustainable Land Use and Agricultural Soil 115
1 Introduction 116
2 Sustainability 119
2.1 Land-Use Functions 122
2.2 Evaluation Indexes/Indicators for Sustainable Land Use 123
3 Land Use and Soil 126
3.1 Soil Quality 129
4 Land Use and Agriculture 133
4.1 Sustainable Soil Management in Drylands 136
4.2 Sustainable Soil Management and Climate Change 139
4.3 Cropland and Soil-Carbon Sequestration 141
4.4 Soil Management for Sustainable Use 144
5 Land-Use Change 152
5.1 Soil Organic Carbon Loss and Land Managementto Restore Organic Carbon 155
5.2 Effects of Land-Use Change on Soil and Water 159
5.3 Impact of Land-Use Change on Biodiversity 162
5.4 Land-Use Change and Driving Forces 163
5.4.1 Agricultural- and Forest-Policy Drivers 166
6 Towards Sustainable Soil Use by Agriculture 167
6.1 Conservation Tillage and Sustainable Soil Use 167
6.2 Soil Biodiversity as the Key for Sustainable Soil Usein Agriculture 170
6.2.1 The Benefits of Appropriate Soil-Biota Management 173
6.3 Organic Farming for Sustainable Soil Use by Agriculture 176
6.3.1 Organic Farming and the Environment and Economy 177
7 Concluding Remarks 178
References 180
Drought Stress Effect on Crop Pollination, Seed Set, Yield and Quality 201
1 Introduction 202
2 Effect of Drought Stress on Crop Pollination 203
2.1 Effect of Drought on Pollen Grain Viability 203
2.2 Effect of Drought on Ovary Development 204
2.3 Effect of Drought on Flower Characteristics 207
2.4 Effects of Drought on Flower Attractiveness to Pollinators and Nectar Production 207
3 Effects of Drought on Seed Set 210
4 Effects of Drought on Seed Yield 212
5 Effect of Drought Stress on Seed Quality 213
6 Conclusion 215
References 216
Ecological Fertilization 222
1 Principle of Ecological Fertilization 222
2 Realization of the Principle 224
2.1 Accurate Matching of Nutrients to Crop Requirements 224
2.2 Optimal Conditions in Soil 225
2.2.1 Accurate Determination of Soil Nutrient Supply 225
2.2.2 Consideration of Subsoil Nutrient Content 226
2.2.3 Maintain Optimal pH 227
2.2.4 Increasing Organic Matter 229
2.2.5 Mobilization of Nutrient Stock 229
2.3 Favourable Fertilizer Use 230
2.3.1 Critical Value Concept 230
2.3.2 Calculation of Nutrient Balance 232
2.3.3 Nutrient Management Plan 233
2.3.4 Using Crop Models 234
2.3.5 Recycling Organic Materials 235
2.4 Reducing Nutrient Losses 236
2.4.1 Reducing Nitrate Leaching by Cover Crops 236
2.4.2 Crop Rotation 237
2.4.3 Buffering Strips 238
2.4.4 Expanded Fertilizer Margin 238
2.4.5 Drainage Manipulation 238
2.4.6 Use of Slow-Release Fertilizers 238
2.4.7 Key Environmental Indicators 239
3 Legislations, Regulations 240
3.1 Nitrate Directive 240
3.2 Waste Directive and Sewage Sludge Directive 241
3.3 Good Agricultural Practice 241
3.4 Soil Protection Strategy 242
4 Practical Systems 242
4.1 Integrated Farming 242
4.2 Site Specific Fertilization 243
4.3 Organic Farming 246
5 Conclusion 247
References 247
Tropical Homegardens in Bangladesh: Characteristics and Sustainability 251
1 Introduction 251
2 Bangladesh: Country Overview 253
2.1 Location and Climate 253
2.2 Landuse Systems and Forest Resources 254
3 Structure and Characteristics of Homegardens 255
3.1 Size, Typology and Spatial Configuration of Homegardens 255
3.2 Vertical Stratification 256
4 Species Composition and Biodiversity 257
5 Management 259
6 Socioeconomic Role 259
7 Marketing of Products 260
8 Sustainability of the System 263
8.1 Sustainability: Concept and Indicators 263
8.2 Characteristics of Homegardens as Sustainable Agroforestry System 263
8.3 Threats to Sustainability 264
9 Conclusion 265
References 265
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium to Control Plant Fungal Diseases 269
1 Introduction 270
1.1 Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) Fungi 270
1.2 Root-Nodulating Bacteria 272
2 Mechanism of Fungal Disease Suppression 273
3 Reason for Reduced Damage of Fungal Pathogens by AM Fungi 274
3.1 Improved Nutrient Status of the Host Plant 274
3.2 Change in Root Growth and Morphology 282
3.3 Competition for Colonization Sites and Host Photosynthates 283
3.4 Microbial Changes in the Mycorrhizosphere 283
3.5 Activation of Plant Defense Mechanisms 284
4 Reason for Reduced Damage for the Fungal Pathogens Caused by Root-Nodule Bacteria 285
4.1 Physiological and Biochemical Changes 285
4.2 Change in Root Growth and Morphology 286
4.3 Activation of Plant Defence Mechanisms 286
5 Inoculum Production 287
6 Conclusion 289
References 289
Sustainable Crop Production using Saline and Sodic Irrigation Waters 299
1 Introduction 300
2 Salinity and Sodicity 301
2.1 Consequences of Salinity and Sodicity 303
3 Managing Saline and Sodic Waters 307
3.1 Salt Tolerance and Crop Selection 307
3.2 Use of Amendments 309
3.2.1 Chemical Amendments 309
3.2.2 Gypsum Beds 311
3.2.3 Organic Materials 311
3.3 Fertilizer Management 312
3.4 Irrigation Management 313
3.4.1 Leaching Requirement for Maintaining Root Zone Salinity 313
3.5 Conjunctive Use of Poor and Good Quality Waters 314
3.6 Irrigation Intervals 317
3.7 Method of Irrigation 317
4 Social Aspects and Cost of Sustaining Irrigation with Saline and Sodic Waters 318
5 Conclusion 320
References 320
Climate Change Impact on Forestry in India 325
1 Introduction 326
2 Ecological Impacts of Climate Change 327
2.1 Species’ Range Shifts 327
2.2 Tree Line Migration 328
2.3 Community Composition Change 328
2.4 Invasion of Exotics 329
2.5 Changes in Phenology 329
3 Climate Change and Forests 330
4 Indian Forest Types and Area 330
4.1 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetation 331
5 Projected Changes in Climate over India and Impacton Forests 331
6 Climate Change Under Greenhouse Gas Forcing 332
6.1 Temperature 332
6.2 Rainfall 334
6.3 Length of Dry Season 334
6.4 Soil Moisture 334
6.5 Interannual Variablility 334
7 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Forests Under Hulme and Viner (1995) Scenario 335
7.1 Southern Indian forests 335
7.2 Coastal areas 336
7.3 Central Indian forests 339
7.4 Northwest Indian forests 339
7.5 Northeast India 339
7.6 Impact of Climate Change on Phenology of Tropical Forests 342
7.7 North Indian Forests 343
8 Recent Assessments of Climate Change Impact on Indian Forests 345
9 Conclusion 345
References 348
Index 351

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 19.1.2011
• Reihe/Serie: Sustainable Agriculture Reviews
• Zusatzinfo: IX, 354 p.
• Verlagsort: Dordrecht
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Studium ► 1. Studienabschnitt (Vorklinik) ► Biochemie / Molekularbiologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Themenwelt: Weitere Fachgebiete ► Land- / Forstwirtschaft / Fischerei
• Schlagworte: Agriculture • Agroecology • climate change • Entomology • Environment • soil science
• ISBN-10: 94-007-0186-1 / 9400701861
• ISBN-13: 978-94-007-0186-1 / 9789400701861