Potato production and utilization in world perspective with special reference to the tropics and sub-tropics

Summary Potato production is increasing rapidly in the tropics and sub-tropics and is declining gradually in the temperate zone. It is not expected that in the near future potato production for ethanol production will become important or that the production for starch or stock feed will increase. Consumption per capita is more or less stable in Western Europe and North America but is increasing in Africa and Asia. On average, energy and protein from potatoes cost the developing-country consumer at least three times as much as from wheat or rice. Better application by farmers of existing and newly developed technologies — including better adapted cultivars, healthy seed tubers, botanical seed and low-cost storage and processing — can reduce costs per unit of output substantially, mainly by increasing yield. Doubling the yield without considerable increases in production costs per hectare would allow the potato to become a cheap vegetable in many tropical or sub-tropical areas and to become a staple food in others with favourable growing conditions. Derived from a paper prepared for the International Symposium ‘Research for the potato in the year 2000’ (CIP, Lima, 1982).     

World trends and patterns in the potato crop: An economic and geographic survey

Summary We examine the changing character of supply and demand for potatoes over time and space with an eye towards implications for agricultural research. Diversification in consumption and specialization in production are our organizing themes. The foundation for comparative analysis is a map of the global distribution of potato growing area. We highlight the adverse impact of price risk on specialization and discuss several sources of uncertainty that condition the size but not the direction of major trends.     

Long-term trends in intersectoral water allocation and crop water productivity in Zhanghe and Kaifeng,China

This paper examines the trends in water allocation among sectors, water use by source, cropped area, crop production and water productivity. The study was undertaken at two sites in China: the Zhanghe Irrigation District in the Yangtze River Basin approximately 200 km west of Wuhan and Kaifeng City Prefecture located just south of the Yellow River in Henan Province. In both areas, water demand for purposes other than irrigation has grown. In the Zhanghe Irrigation District this resulted in a sharp reduction of water availability for irrigation. The decline of water availability for irrigation resulted in adoption of water saving practices and policies that led to a significant gain in water productivity per unit of irrigation water. In the Kaifeng City Prefecture the increased demand from other uses was met by an increase in groundwater extraction without the dramatic cuts in supplies for agriculture as in the Zhanghe Irrigation District. Gains in water productivity were due almost exclusively to higher crop yields. There will be continuing pressure to further reduce diversions to agriculture from the Zhanghe main reservoir in the Zhanghe Irrigation District and from the Yellow River in Kaifeng. Research continues on testing practices that have the potential for further increasing water productivity, some of the results of which are reported in other papers in this volume.     

Intercropping potatoes in early spring in a temperate climate. 3. The influence of planting date, row width and temperature change on the potential for intercropping

Summary The effects of planting date and row width on canopy development, intercepted radiation and yield were studied in two experiments, with the variety Wilja in 1988 and Cara in 1989. Planting dates were between mid March and early May and were combined with row widths of 0.75 and 1.25 m. Increasing the row width decreased intercepted radiation and yields in both years. Delayed planting reduced the yield of Cara, but not of Wilja. Early planting increased radiation use efficiency of Cara. It is argued that intercropping in spring without potentially reducing tuber yield might be favoured by delaying the planting of a determinate variety such as Wilja but by increasing the row width for an indeterminate variety such as Cara. Trends in mean monthly and soil 10 cm temperatures however suggest that opportunities for intercropping potatoes in the spring in a temperate climate may become more restricted.     

Multifunctionality and non-trade concerns: implications for future agricultural policy in Asia

Agriculture's multifunctional role as provider of non-commodity outputs has received increased attention in the debate on the future of agricultural policy. To identify appropriate economic policies, a distinction must be made between concerns involving market failure and a consequent misallocation of resources, and those relating to distributional issues. We argue that it is essential to restrict the concept of multifunctionality to non-commodity outputs involving technical externalities or public goods and for which market failure and the misallocation of resources are important (e.g., amenity values and agricultural pollution). Other non-trade concerns, such as rural incomes and employment and food security, involve distributional issues, but no resource misallocation. This distinction makes it possible to identify different types of domestic policy measures to address them effectively and efficiently. Through reference to an empirical application to Taiwanese paddy rice policy, we illustrate that the most effective way to reconcile non-trade concerns is through policy measures that correct for market failure by valuing non-commodity outputs appropriately and a separate set of measures that address distributional issues.

Yield response,water productivity,and seasonal water production functions for maize under deficit irrigation water management in southern Taiwan

As the challenges toward increasing water for irrigation become more prevalent, knowledge of crop yield response to water can facilitate the development of irrigation strategies for improving agricultural productivity. Experiments were conducted to quantify maize yield response to soil moisture deficits, and assess the effects of deficit irrigation (DI) on water productivity (water and irrigation water use efficiency, WUE and IWUE). Five irrigation treatments were investigated: a full irrigation (I₁) with a water application of 60 mm and four deficit treatments with application depths of 50 (I₂), 40 (I₃), 30 (I₄), and 20 mm (I₅). On average, the highest grain yield observed was 1008.41 g m^?2 in I₁, and water deficits resulted in significant (p < .05) reduction within range of 6 and 33%. This reduction was significantly correlated with a decline in grain number per ear, 1000-grain weight, ear number per plant, and number of grain per row. The highest correlation was found between grain yield and grain number per ear. The WUE and IWUE were within range of 1.52–2.25 kg m^?3 and 1.64–4.53 kg m^?3, respectively. High water productivity without significant reduction in yield (<13%) for I₂ and I₃ compared to the yield in I₁ indicates that these water depths are viable practices to promote sustainable water development. Also, for assessing the benefits of irrigation practices in the region crop water production functions were established. Maize yield response to water stress was estimated as .92, suggesting the environmental conditions are conducive for implementing DI strategies.     

伊犁垦区水稻产业现状、问题及发展对策

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Genetic Variations in Dry Matter Production,Nitrogen Uptake,and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in the AA Genome Oryza Species Grown under Different Nitrogen Conditions

Abstract

To clarify the genotypic variation of nitrogen (N) response in the AA genome Oryza species, we investigated dry matter production, N uptake, N and water use efficiencies (NUE and WUE), bleeding sap rate (BR), and root morphological traits at vegetative stage in 6 cultivars and 4 strains of 6 species (O. sativa, O. glaberrima, O. barthii, O. nivara, O. meridionalis, and O. rufipogon) grown under standard N (SN) and low N (LN) conditions. Some wild Oryza strains and O. glaberrima showed high dry matter production under both N conditions. In most plants, total dry weight decreased and root dry weight increased under the LN condition, resulting in decreased top-root ratio. In japonica cultivars of O. sativa, however, these traits were unaffected by the N condition. There were no significant differences in WUE with plant species or N conditions. In all plants, however, NUE was higher in the LN than SN condition, and was conspicuously high in most wild Oryza species and O. glaberrima. Some of them showed increased capacity of nitrate-N (NO₃-N) uptake under the LN condition. In cultivars and strains with a high NUE, root dry weight, root surface area, and BR were also higher under the LN condition. These results suggest that a high NUE is associated with the development of a root system, increased BR, and probably increased capacity of NO₃-N uptake. This study revealed the presence of superior wild Oryza strains for growth under LN that may be a promising genetic resource for low N-input agriculture.     

Grazing legumes in Europe: a review of their status, management, benefits, research needs and future prospects

In many parts of Europe there has been a net decline in the use of forage legumes since the 1980s, despite the reputed value of legumes for low‐input livestock production systems. The political environment within which livestock farming in much of Europe operates (Common Agricultural Policy) is shifting the balance of economic advantage towards legumes and away from high usage of inorganic fertilizer. This has already been found for legume and grass–legume silages when compared with grass silages with a potential economic gain for farmers averaging 137 € ha^?1, corresponding to an annual benefit for the European livestock farming sector of as much as € 1300 million. Recent literature has shown that legume‐based grazing systems have the ability to reduce environmental problems by increasing the efficiency of N use and by avoiding a high transient surplus of soil mineral N. From the perspective of livestock nutrition, when forage legumes contain moderate levels of secondary compounds, such as condensed tannins and flavonoids, they offer considerable advantages including increased efficiency of N utilization within the digestive tract, reduced incidence of bloat hazard and higher resilience to parasites. Nevertheless, these benefits are partially counterbalanced in both temperate and Mediterranean regions by difficulties in establishment, maintenance and management under grazing. To gain knowledge on mixed grass–legume pastures, further research is required on: (i) the development of sustainable systems of livestock production which can maintain sward persistence and agricultural production under environmental stress; (ii) increasing knowledge of soil–plant–animal relations for a wide range of leguminous species, and under different soil types and climatic situations; and (iii) the benefits for consumers of food produced from low‐input livestock production systems.     

Recent Advances in Exopolysaccharides from Paenibacillus spp.: Production,Isolation, Structure,and Bioactivities

This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most recent developments of various aspects (i.e., production, purification, structure, and bioactivity) of the exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Paenibacillus spp. For the production, in particular, squid pen waste was first utilized successfully to produce a high yield of inexpensive EPSs from Paenibacillus sp. TKU023 and P. macerans TKU029. In addition, this technology for EPS production is prevailing because it is more environmentally friendly. The Paenibacillus spp. EPSs reported from various references constitute a structurally diverse class of biological macromolecules with different applications in the broad fields of pharmacy, cosmetics and bioremediation. The EPS produced by P. macerans TKU029 can increase in vivo skin hydration and may be a new source of natural moisturizers with potential value in cosmetics. However, the relationships between the structures and activities of these EPSs in many studies are not well established. The contents and data in this review will serve as useful references for further investigation, production, structure and application of Paenibacillus spp. EPSs in various fields.     

Soil water dynamics,herbage production and water use efficiency of three tropical grasses: Implications for use in a variable summer‐dominant rainfall environment,Australia

In the moist mid‐latitudes of eastern Australia, soil water dynamics, herbage production and water use efficiency (WUE) were monitored during 2006–2008, for five perennial pastures: digit grass (Digitaria eriantha), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), forest bluegrass (Bothriochloa bladhii), native grass (Bothriochloa macra and Rytidosperma bipartita dominant), lucerne (Medicago sativa); and two forage crops: oat (Avena fatua) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Ground cover formed more quickly in Rhodes grass and lucerne (>70% ground cover in 120 and 175 days after sowing [DAS] respectively) than in forest bluegrass and digit grass (245 and 365 DAS respectively). Values of maximum extractable water (MEW) for Rhodes grass and lucerne were similar (180–242 mm), while values for digit grass and forest bluegrass (129–175 mm) were equal to or greater than those for native grass, and two annual forage crops (77–144 mm). Lucerne expressed the maximum root depth (1.46 m), while values for the tropical grasses (0.96–1.39 m) were greater than native grasses and forage crops (0.87–0.96 m). Native grasses (6.5–12 t DM/ha) had the lowest herbage production, which resulted in values of WUE that were significantly less than most other treatments (16–21 vs. 23–43 kg DM ha^?1 mm^?1). Digit grass (33–34 kg DM ha^?1 mm^?1) had higher WUE compared with the other tropical grasses (20–27 kg DM ha^?1 mm^?1). The data collected here suggest that a forage system comprising digit grass, lucerne and forage oat would provide high production and WUE in this environment.     

Production of seed potatoes in Cyprus: the effects of roguing and planting date on the spread of potato leaf roll virus,tuber yield,and infestation by potato tuber moth

Summary Field experiments during 1984–6 tested the effects of planting date on the development of aphid infestations and the spread of potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) in rogued or unrogued plots of potatoes, cv. Spunta. Plantings were made each month from December to April, the customary time for planting being February. Aphid infestation in early-planted plots was severe throughout the growing season; plots planted in February were also severely infested early in the growing season but the populations later gradually declined to undetectable levels. Nevertheless, the incidence of PLRV in the latter plots was as high as in those planted in December-January. Late-planted crops escaped aphid infestation and PLRV infection, either in part (March planting) or completely (April planting). Such crops, however, were uneconomical due to poor yields and heavy losses from potato tuber moth infestation. Roguing significantly reduced the spread of PLRV in all years but its interaction with planting date was insignificant.     

Optimization of a multiple reservoir system operation using a combination of genetic algorithm and discrete differential dynamic programming: a case study in Mae Klong system, Thailand

A combination of genetic algorithm and discrete differential dynamic programming approach (called GA-DDDP) is proposed and developed to optimize the operation of the multiple reservoir system. The demonstration is carried out through application to the Mae Klong system in Thailand. The objective of optimization is to obtain the optimal operating policies by minimizing the total irrigation deficits during a critical drought year. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the modified genetic algorithm. The results show that the proposed GA-DDDP provides optimal solutions, converging into the same fitness values within a short time. The GA is able to produce satisfactory results that are very close to those obtained from GA-DDDP but required alot more computation time to obtain the precise results. The difficulties in selecting optimal parameters of GA as well as finding a feasible initial trial trajectory of DDDP are significant problems and time-consuming. The significant advantage obtained from GA-DDDP is saving of computational resource as GA-DDDP requires no need for optimizing parameters and deriving feasible initial trial trajectories. Because DDDP is a part of GA-DDDP, the good performance of GA-DDDP is obtained when applied to a small system where numbers of discretizations and variables have no influence to the dimensionality problem of DDDP.     

Soil type,management history and current resource allocation: Three dimensions regulating variability in crop productivity on African smallholder farms

Soil fertility varies markedly within and between African smallholder farms, both as a consequence of inherent factors and differential management. Fields closest to homesteads (homefields) typically receive most nutrients and are more fertile than outlying fields (outfields), with implications for crop production and nutrient use efficiencies. Maize yields following application of 100 kg N ha⁻¹ and different rates and sources of P were assessed on homefields and outfields of smallholder farms in Zimbabwe. Soil organic carbon, available P and exchangeable bases were greater on the homefields than outfields. In each of three experimental seasons, maize yields in homefield control plots were greater than in the outfields of farms on a granitic sandy and a red-clay soil. Application of mineral N significantly increased maize yields on homefields in the first season (2.1–3.0 t ha⁻¹ on the clay soil and 1.0–1.5 t ha⁻¹ on the sandy soil) but the effects of N alone were not significant on the outfields due to other yield-limiting factors. Greatest yields of about 6 t ha⁻¹ were achieved on the clayey homefield with 100 kg N ha⁻¹ and 30 kg P ha⁻¹ applied as single super phosphate (SSP). Manure application gave greater yields (3–4 t ha⁻¹) than SSP (2–3 t ha⁻¹) in the sandy homefield and in the clayey outfield. Maize did not respond significantly to N, dolomitic lime, manure and P on the sandy outfield in the first and second seasons. In the third season, manure application (∼17 t manure ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) on the sandy outfield did result in a significant response in grain yields. Apparent P recovery in the first season was 55–65% when P was applied at 10 kg ha⁻¹ on the clayey homefield (SSP), clayey outfield (SSP and manure) and sandy homefield (manure) with apparent P recovery less than 40% when P was applied at 30 kg ha⁻¹. On the sandy outfield, P recovery was initially poor (<20%), but increased in the successive seasons with manure application. In a second experiment, less than 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was required to attain at least 90% of the maximum yields of 2–3 t ha⁻¹ on the sandy homefield and clayey outfield. N use efficiency varied from >50 kg grain kg⁻¹ N on the infields, to less than 5 kg grain kg⁻¹ N on the sandy outfields. Apparent N recovery efficiency by maize was greatest at small N application rates with P applied. We conclude that blanket fertilizer recommendations are of limited relevance for heterogeneous smallholder farms. Targeted application of mineral fertilizers and manure according to soil type and past management of fields is imperative for improving crop yields and nutrient use efficiencies.     

Nutrient use efficiencies and crop responses to N, P and manure applications in Zimbabwean soils: Exploring management strategies across soil fertility gradients

The spatial variability in crop yields commonly observed in smallholder farms of sub-Saharan Africa is often caused by gradients of declining soil fertility with increasing distance from the homestead. This heterogeneity means that recommendations based on regional soil surveys are of limited value. The variability in soil qualities within farms must be considered when designing management strategies, and their feasibility analysed by integrating results at the farm livelihood scale. For this purpose, we have developed the model FARMSIM, a dynamic bio-economic model for analysis and exploration of trade-offs in resource and labour allocation in heterogeneous smallholder farms. Focusing on farm-scale strategies, the approach to simulation of soil and crop processes in FARMSIM (the sub-model FIELD) is designed to be simple, but to keep the necessary degree of complexity to capture heterogeneity in resource use efficiencies. To test our approach, the sub-model FIELD was calibrated against chronosequences of woodland clearance in three agroecological zones of Zimbabwe (with soil textures of 3, 10, 35% clay), and used to simulate: (i) the creation of soil fertility gradients, and (ii) different strategies of N, P and manure applications to maize and soyabean rotations in homefields and outfields of smallholder farms on clayey and sandy soils. The results of the simulation of management strategies were tested against on-farm experimental data from Murewa, Zimbabwe. The model produced satisfactory predictions (r²: 0.6–0.9) of long-term changes in soil organic C, of crop responses to N and P and of nutrient use efficiencies across a wide range of yields and different field types. This demonstrated the broad applicability of the model despite the sparse data required for initialisation. However, the model results were less accurate in predicting crop responses to N and P applications in the outfields on sandy soils. Experimental evidence indicated yield limitation by Ca and Zn deficiencies in highly depleted outfields on sandy soils, which were not included mechanistically in the current version of FIELD. Repeated applications of 16 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ of manure allowed larger responses to applied N and P after 3 years of experimentation; such a corrective effect of manure was simulated to be due to improved N and P recovery efficiencies in the model. In combination with the experimental data, the simulation results suggested that soil fertility gradients affect nutrient use efficiencies, operating mostly on the efficiencies of nutrient capture rather than conversion. A typology of fields according to the type of management interventions needed is introduced, based on a generic application of FIELD with this parameterisation.     

Root Development,Water Uptake,and Shoot Dry Matter Production under Water Deficit Conditions in Two CSSLs of Rice: Functional Roles of Root Plasticity

Abstract

Root traits that can contribute to drought resistance have not been clearly indentified. We examined the role of root system development in enhancing water uptake and contribution to dry matter production by using the root box-pinboard method, with which quantitative assessment of root system development and the water uptake of root are possible. Chromosome segment substitution lines CSSL45 and CSSL50, and the recurrent parent Nipponbare were grown under continuously waterlogged conditions (control), and various intensities of water deficit in root boxes. There was no significant difference among the genotypes in shoot growth and root development, while CSSL45 and CSSL50 showed greater shoot dry weight than Nipponbare under water deficit conditions. This was due to their abilities to promote root system development as compared with Nipponbare, which facilitated greater water extraction than Nipponbare, especially under the mild water deficit condition of 20–25% w/w soil moisture contents. Furthermore, the increased root length density did not exceed the estimated critical value for water uptake, which indicates that plastic root system development was functionally effective and efficient for the enhancement of water uptake under mild water deficit conditions.     

Irrigated cotton in the tropical dry season. II: Biomass accumulation,partitioning and RUE

Growing cotton during the tropical dry season avoids many insect pests endemic in the wet season. The impact of low mid-season radiation and night temperature that characterise the dry season, on the conversion of radiation to biomass (RUE) and the partitioning of this biomass were measured as these were largely unknown. Over three seasons, two Gossypium hirsutum (upland) cultivars and a Gossypium barbadense cultivar were sown from March to June at the Ord River (15.5°S), Western Australia. For the highest yielding March and April sowings, final biomass was similar to high yielding temperate grown cotton (∼30° latitude) and was generally greater than May or June sowings. However, biomass was accumulated differently: maximum growth rate was 6–12 g/m²/day for 78–134 days compared with 15–25 g/m²/day for 25–60 days reported for temperate grown cotton. RUE changed significantly with ontogeny, peaking between squaring and early flowering. The range in RUE of 1.2–2.0 g/MJ throughout the crop lifecycle for the upland cultivars was similar to temperate climates where biomass was corrected to a glucose equivalent. The RUE of 1.2–2.3 g/MJ measured over the lifecycle of G. barbadense cultivar was the first reported for this species. From first square to first flower the variation in RUE could be explained by a linear decline (p < 0.05) with temperature, which may limit vegetative biomass in May and June sowings and in cooler than average seasons for March and April sowings. Due to favourable temperatures and water supply, sowing in March would have the greatest risk of rank growth. It was concluded the low temperature and radiation during flowering and boll growth combined to reduce crop growth rate but high yields were achieved when the crop boll filling phase was extended. Management must be tailored to ensure a high proportion of boll growth (60–80%) can occur after vegetative growth has terminated.     

Grasslands in ‘Old World’ and ‘New World’ Mediterranean‐climate zones: past trends,current status and future research priorities

Despite their ecological, economic and social importance, grasslands in areas with Mediterranean climates continue to receive limited scientific, political and media attention. The main objectives of this review are to compare and contrast dryland grasslands in the ‘Old World’ regions of the Mediterranean basin (southern Europe, western Asia and North Africa) with those of ‘New World’ regions with Mediterranean climates (Australia and Chile) and to identify common research priorities. The common characteristics and differences in climate, soils, native vegetation, importance of the livestock sector and the socio‐economic background for the different Mediterranean environments are examined. Past trends and the current status of temporary and permanent Mediterranean grasslands are also described. Some common issues between these regions are as follows: (i) adaptation to climate change; (ii) increasing persistence and drought survival of both annual and perennial species; (iii) the important role of forage legumes; (iv) maintaining grassland plant diversity; and (v) improved ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, control of soil erosion and wildfires, and preservation of both wild and domestic biodiversity. The favourable climate in these regions, which allows year‐round grazing and the growth of legumes, should be exploited to improve the sustainability of grassland‐based, extensive farming systems and the quality of their animal products, while at the same time improving ecosystem services. The decreasing support for grassland research and development programmes requires increased international scientific and technical cooperation among the few institutions operating in the different Mediterranean‐climate areas of the World to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to farmers.     

Responsible Research and Innovation Framework,the Nagoya Protocol and Other European Blue Biotechnology Strategies and Regulations: Gaps Analysis and Recommendations for Increased Knowledge in the Marine Biotechnology Community

As the quest for marine-derived compounds with pharmacological and biotechnological potential upsurges, the importance of following regulations and applying Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) also increases. This article aims at: (1) presenting an overview of regulations and policies at the international and EU level, while demonstrating a variability in their implementation; (2) highlighting the importance of RRI in biodiscovery; and (3) identifying gaps and providing recommendations on how to improve the market acceptability and compliance of novel Blue Biotechnology compounds. This article is the result of the work of the Working Group 4 “Legal aspects, IPR and Ethics” of the COST Action CA18238 Ocean4Biotech, a network of more than 130 Marine Biotechnology scientists and practitioners from 37 countries. Three qualitative surveys (“Understanding of the Responsible Research and Innovation concept”, “Application of the Nagoya Protocol in Your Research”, and “Brief Survey about the experiences regarding the Nagoya Protocol”) indicate awareness and application gaps of RRI, the Nagoya Protocol, and the current status of EU policies relating to Blue Biotechnology. The article categorises the identified gaps into five main categories (awareness, understanding, education, implementation, and enforcement of the Nagoya Protocol) and provides recommendations for mitigating them at the European, national, and organisational level.