bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of farming systems on the relationship of corn root growth to grain yields
Authors: Goldstein Walter A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial has been comparing different farming systems on two farm sites in southern Wisconsin since 1989. Inexplicable differences in the yields of corn grown in three systems stimulated research on the relationship between yield and the dynamics of root growth. The three systems were continuous corn with mineral fertilizer (CS1), corn—soybean—winter wheat—red clover (CS3), and corn—oat + alfalfa—alfalfa with dairy manure applied (CS5). Four or five sequential root samplings were taken each growing season on two sites for 3 years. Soil monoliths were taken from around the base of the plant and washed out over a 1-mm sieve. Estimates were obtained of the length and health of roots from different nodes that were attached to the crown of the plant. The seasonal accumulation of root length was estimated by summing the maximal root length produced at each root node. Corn grown in monoculture averaged 7.5 Mg of grain/ha, which was similar to corn grown after red clover green manure (7.3 Mg/ha) but less than corn grown after alfalfa with manure (8.5 Mg/ha). Contrary to expectations, corn grown in monoculture averaged 26% more root length over the season than CS3 and 12% more length than CS5. The differences were mostly due to increased production of later sets of roots (nodes 6–9) for the corn in monoculture. However, for the first sets of nodes (seminal—node 5) the percentage of healthy roots was lower in the monoculture system (59%) than in CS3 (63%) or CS5 (76%). The increased root growth associated with corn grown in monoculture may be a response to poor root health. Regressions with root growth accounted for a large amount of the variation in grain yields. Corn grown after alfalfa with manure achieved higher yields with less roots than did corn grown in monoculture. Yields in the former system plateaued at root lengths of 1 cm/cm3 and greater, producing grain yields that ranged from 8 to 10 Mg/ha. Corn grown in CS1 and CS3 showed curvilinear responses with calculated yield maxima of 8.7 and 9.9 Mg/ha at root lengths of 2.12 and 1.74 cm/cm3, respectively. Intensifying the use of rotations and organic manures seemed to increase the ability of the corn rooting system to support grain yields. The cause for this greater efficiency is not yet clear, though root health may be an important factor.
The meaning of sustainable agriculture: Reflections of some Kansas practitioners
Authors: Norman D. , Bloomquist L. , Janke R. , Freyenberger S. , Jost J. , Schurle B. , Kok H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this paper we report on what “sustainable agriculture” means to farmers who seek to develop more sustainable farming systems. Group interviews were conducted with two groups of sustainable farmers in Kansas to learn how they developed their respective approaches, the kinds of parameters they have used to evaluate success and progress, and what other evaluation tools would be helpful to them. For the farmers we interviewed, the central meaning of sustainable agriculture is its holistic approach to assets management. It also means an alternative perspective on what constitutes success in farming. While economic considerations are important, they are balanced by other considerations such as environmental quality, quality of life, and the contributions the farmers can make to their communities. Sustainable agriculture also means an approach to agriculture that entails “thinking risks” as much as financial risks. Lastly, sustainable agriculture means whole farm planning; the farmers we interviewed were more interested in applying whole-farm planning principles based on their local knowledge, than in evaluation tools based on the expert knowledge of researchers and other scientists. The implications of what sustainable agriculture means to these farmers for research and educational programs are discussed.
Soil salinity, a major constraint to irrigated agriculture in the Punjab region of Pakistan: Contributing factors and strategies for amelioration
Authors: Davidson Andrew P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSalinity is widely perceived to have severe effects on farmers in Pakistan. However, to date there is little direct evidence on how salinity specifically affects farm operations and the patterns of agricultural activity, and how farmers seek to overcome the effects of salinity. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the causes of soil salinity and to consider possible remedial actions whereby farmers might reduce its adverse effects. Correlation analysis was used to determine whether farmers responded to soil salinity in identifiable patterns of socioeconomic activity and behavior. Throughout these analyses, it was assumed that salinity was the primary force driving the farming systems. Soil salinity was found to pose real constraints to agricultural productivity and the economic livelihoods of Pakistani farmers. With few notable exceptions, no discernible patterns in responses to soil salinity have emerged. Aside from the more traditional and costly methods for dealing with the problem, no new technologies to combat soil salinity have been widely disseminated, due to socioeconomic limitations of most farmers and general lack of awareness. Yet, the data indicate that in order to increase agricultural productivity, alternative technologies are needed, such as trees and shrubs to lower the water table, more effective water management to prevent waterlogging, and salt-tolerant and -resistant strains of edible crops. Without these measures, it is likely the situation will worsen in the coming years.
Integrated crop management: The other precision agriculture
Authors: Padgitt Steve , Petrzelka Peggy , Wintersteen Wendy , Imerman Eric 
Published: October 2009

Abstract“Precision agriculture” was a favorite buzzword in agricultural discussions in the 1990s. Proponents of precision agriculture note its promises are twofold: economic benefits for the producer and environmental benefits for society. These benefits are to be achieved by improving the efficiency of input use, based on data obtained with global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies. Although fulfillment of these promises has been mixed to date, it appears that “precision agriculture” will continue in the agriculture vernacular into the 21st century. In this article, we propose another sense of the term, and argue that precision agriculture, or at least long strides in that direction, is possible short of these highly complex methods and capital investments, through integrated crop management (ICM). As practiced by the producer and/or provided by independent crop consultants, ICM is one alternative to providing information-intensive management on the farm, and has proven efficiency of input use. That is, the promise of economic and environmental benefits holds true in a manner that makes it possible for any producer to implement “precision agriculture.” Using data from users and nonusers of independent crop consultants implementing ICM, this study reveals that several economic and environmental benefits are gained from the information and management recommendations provided by consultants. Pest and nutrient management recommendations have led to decreases in pesticide and commercial fertilizer use. For the majority of users, these input reductions have resulted in an increase in profits since hiring a consultant. Users attributed changes in total cost of production to their consultant's effectiveness, and some reported receiving double or greater return for every dollar invested in consultant services. The results confirm the important role that Iowa's independent crop consultants could play in agricultural production and environmental protection through their promotion of ICM activities. However, the scarcity of consultants in Iowa, and possibly elsewhere, presents a challenge within the industry. Addressing this issue may help in contributing to rural development, economic benefit for the producer, and environmental benefit for all of society.
Use of soil tests among organic farmers in New England
Authors: Kozower Claire A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis research explores the soil testing practices and interests of organic farmers in New England. Data were collected through telephone surveys conducted between December 1998 and January 1999 with 81 certified organic farmers. Organic farmers' commitment to the maintenance of healthy soils necessitates the use of soil evaluation tools. However, it is becoming increasingly understood that a complete picture of soil quality cannot be created solely through the use of laboratory soil tests. For example, many of the soil's critical physical characteristics are more suited to in-field assessment than to laboratory analysis. For this reason, utilization of both laboratory and on-farm tests was investigated. The use of evaluation tools can be influenced by the degree to which laboratory and farming services help organic farmers put test results into practice. Thus, additional questioning focused on the ease of understanding test results, the usefulness of soil test results and recommendations to organic farmers, and the likelihood of turning to expert help when soil management issues arise. Results indicate that in managing their soils, organic farmers in New England rely heavily on laboratory tests provided by public institutions. Most farmers were satisfied with laboratory services and found test results easy to interpret. Over one-quarter (31%) of the farmers surveyed were employing on-farm tests, but very few of these tests assessed physical or biological characteristics of the soil. Organizations most often sought by organic farmers for information on soil quality management were Extension services, followed by local organic certifying agencies, and state agriculture departments.
Beyond profitability: Using economic indicators to measure farm sustainability
Authors: Freyenberger S. , Levins R. , Norman D. , Rumsey D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractUnited States farm policy has a long tradition of subsidizing farmers in order to achieve national goals. The issue of agricultural subsidies poses a particular challenge in terms of relevant policy design. This paper explores the potential for economic indicators to guide policies that encourage sustainable agriculture through alternative-oriented approaches. We begin by reviewing several indicators of sustainable agriculture that have been proposed previously. We then suggest a set of three economic indicators: energy and machinery use, creation of local jobs, and feed balance, and apply them to two groups of farmers: conventional farmers and those with an explicit orientation towards sustainable agriculture. Though our survey groups cannot be compared statistically, it appears that these three indicators are capable of distinguishing between the two farmer groups. We conclude with some suggestions for further research and application.
Agriculture's mission: Finding a partner
Authors: Zimdahl R.L. , Speer R.L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWhat is the mission of agriculture and what techniques are used to accomplish the mission? This paper examines mission statements of agribusiness companies, agricultural producers, and environmental groups. One hypothesis is that agricultural producer groups share missions and objectives with environmental groups and their mission statements should demonstrate shared goals. A second hypothesis is that agricultural producer groups do not share missions or objectives with agribusiness companies and their respective mission statements should demonstrate their lack of common interests. The paper also asks which of these three groups will be the best sources of intellectual and other support as land-grant universities strive to fulfill their respective missions. It is not obvious from the mission statements that the three groups studied share missions or objectives. The mission statements neither reveal clear information on the second hypothesis, that agricultural producers do not share missions or operational objectives with agribusiness companies, nor do the mission statements demonstrate their lack of common interests. Analysis of mission statements is one place to learn which groups have common goals and should work together. But this is only a beginning.
Performance evaluation and impact assessment of a small water-harvesting structure in the Shiwalik foothills of northern India
Authors: Sur H.S. , Bhardwaj Anil , Jindal P.K. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractConstruction of small water-harvesting structures (WHS) across seasonal streams, in the vicinity of cultivated areas, has proved to be a viable technique of water harvesting in the Shiwalik foothills of northern India. This paper reports on the performance and impact of one such structure in this area. Sufficient rainwater was available for harvesting because 86 ± 5.4% of monsoon rainstorms were runoff producing, resulting in collection of 29 ± 5% of the total monsoon rainfall. Out of this harvested water around 62% was available for irrigation at the start of the Rabi season (i.e., the dry season starting around 1 November). With time the water losses from the WHS declined from 66% in the first year of construction (1985) to 18% in 1996, because of sealing of soil pores from siltation of the reservoir bed. The life of the WHS was estimated to be 65 years at the observed average siltation rate of 47 Mg/ha/year. After construction of the WHS, the area under cultivation increased from 17 ha to 20 ha and the cropping intensity by 170 to 200%. The Rabi crop yields were approximately doubled. Assured availability of water and fodder increased milk production by 103%. Additional annual income of Rs. 7,015 per year was generated through fish culture. A rise in the groundwater level and higher growth of vegetation around the WHS were also observed. On the basis of increased crop production alone, the WHS proved to be an economically viable venture resulting in a benefit:cost ratio of greater than one. Socioeconomic considerations in the management of the WHS were also studied and showed that community involvement was essential to the success of this project.
Integrated nutrient management for resource-poor farming systems: A case study of adaptive research and technology dissemination in Uganda
Authors: Wortmann Charles S. , Ssali Henry 
Published: October 2009

AbstractResource-poor farmers often have diverse but small quantities of materials available that might be used to manage soil fertility. Opportunity costs of money are very high and farmers often opt to invest their scarce financial resources elsewhere rather than in fertilizer. This paper presents an approach to adaptive research and technology dissemination that was applied in Uganda and is applicable for improvement of integrated nutrient management (INM) in resource-poor farming systems. While little information may be available from research conducted in a particular agroecological zone (AEZ), information on INM components from diverse sources may be applicable for major crops in that AEZ. This information must be compiled and subjected to agronomic and economic analysis. A conceptual framework, e.g., in the form of a tentative decision guide, is then constructed, with consideration of interactions among nutrient sources, given the farmers' situations. Researchers estimate the most likely rates of application and substitution ratios, and then judge their confidence in the estimates. Priority actions are then identified for research and extension. When confident of their estimates, researchers formulate recommendations for promotion through extension means. If confidence is lacking, on-farm verification trials or other research may be needed. The approach is illustrated by work done for one AEZ in Uganda for maize and dry bean production, but is intended for application to other resource-poor farming systems in eastern Africa.
Species interactions and community ecology in low external-input agriculture
Authors: Gliessman Stephen R. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractLow external-input agriculture seeks to optimize interactions between species that permit processes at the ecological community level to shift inputs away from nonrenewable or synthetic sources. This goal can be reached through the study of the ecological basis of an array of plant-plant and plant-insect interactions, especially in intercropping systems where particular plant mixtures are of benefit to the entire crop community. These polyculture systems can be managed for nutrient cycling efficiency and pest and disease regulation using knowledge of multi-trophic level interactions and application of recent developments in mutualism and competition theory. A mechanistic model of additive and removal reactions on the environment is proposed as a means of studying species interactions.
Scampanata at the widows' windows: a case-study of sound and ritual insult in cinquecento Florence
Authors: COLLERAN KATE 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:This article presents the tale of a serial flirt, punished for making a noisy, lewd nuisance of himself outside a widows' residence in Florence in 1553. Close study of this vivid episode uncovers some of the sonic strategies of ritual insult and abuse available to early modern city-dwellers, and is also an opportunity to explore the connections between aurality and spatiality in late Renaissance Florence.
Industry, political alliances and the regulation of urban space in Los Angeles
Authors: HISE GREG 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT:The formation of industrial districts and the role that development played in shaping the pattern of American cities has become a standard for urban history. This has not been the case for Los Angeles. Despite its centrality for a metropolitan economy that has led California for a century and that today leads the nation in manufacturing employment, scholars and pundits have overlooked production in favour of consumption. Little is known about how firms, business associations and city officials created space for industry during the late nineteenth century when manufacturers' locational decisions contributed to spatial concentration in the city's core. A case study of the Cudahy Packing Company reveals why such sites were favoured, how a sectoral-specific district emerged and the processes through which Angelenos transformed a Yankee pueblo into an industrial city. Two factors, the local state's enablement of manufacturing via policy and regulation and the use of industrialization as an immigrant removal strategy, emerge as significant. Neither has been prominent in the literature on the growth of Los Angeles while the latter, the linking of race-ethnicity with land use, has been less prominent in prior studies of industrial districts.
Religious Practices among Indian Hindus: Does that Influence Their Political Choices?
Authors: KUMAR SANJAY 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe article focuses on the issue of patterns of religious engagement among Indian Hindus during last decade. It tries to look at both the issue of private religion practiced in the form of offering puja at home and public religion seen in terms of participation in Katha, Satsang, Bhajan-Kirtan etc. by Indian Hindus. Sizeable numbers of Indian Hindus offer puja every day; sizeable numbers of them are also engaged in public religious activities. This is more prevalent among the urban, educated, upper-caste, upper-class Hindus compared to their counterpart. Along with factors, which influence religious practices, is gender. Hindu women are more religious compared to the Hindu men. Similarly, upper-caste Hindus practice religious activities more regularly compared to other Hindus. There is hardly any change in patterns of engagement in religious activities among Hindus over the last five years. The levels of engagement in religious activities also have an impact on voting behavior. The higher the engagement in religious activities, the greater is the support for the BJP and vice versa. Between the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections, there had been a decline in the vote share of BJP due to its declining popularity amongst all the Hindu voters, but the decline in the support for the BJP is much sharper amongst highly religious Hindus compared to those who are not so religious. Along with other factors, this may be one of the important factors that led to the defeat of BJP in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The article draws evidence from the National Election Study 2004 and 2009 conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies during these two elections.
Analysis, gene cloning and expression of two α-amylases from Bacillus cereus
Authors: Lin-lin Zhang , Qi Wang , Rong-xi Li , Yong-jun Wang , Ru-hong Mei 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBacillus cereus can produce α-amylase, which has important industrial production value and can endure high temperatures. The enzymatic characteristics of two α-amylases from B. cereus (B905 and B904) were studied. The results showed that both preserved their activity at 90–100°C. Their thermal stability and enzymatic activity did not depend on Ca2+. However, their protein molecular weights were obviously different. The structural genes of amy905 and amy904 were cloned successfully using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and expressed in Escherichia coli. The amy904 and amy905 genes were 1362 bp and 1761 bp long and their protein molecular weights were about 55 kDa and 68 kDa, respectively.
Identification of resistance to corn-borer of transgenic maize inbred lines and hybrids with GFM Cry1A gene
Authors: Ying Yuan , Xiao-Hui Li , Xiang-Mei Kong , Zhi-Lei Jiang , Chun-Jing Lin , Cong-Cong Li , Na Liu , Chuan-Bo Sun , De-Pu Liu 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSix transgenic maize lines with the fully modified gene GFM Cry1A were obtained and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of their T5 generation plants indicated that foreign genes could be stably inherited. Three hybrids (Simi25Bt, Tongdan24Bt and Jidan209Bt) were created using the transgenic lines and combined with regular maize inbred lines. The results of resistance identification of the transgenic inbred lines and hybrids showed that the difference of resistance among transgenic lines was very significant; there also existed a difference among individuals of the same line and among the three hybrids. Compared with the control inbred line (CK), the average of four transgenic inbred lines in the number of tunnels per stalk, larval tunnel length per plant and length of surviving larvae were decreased by 70%, 80% and 70%, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing showed that the average of Bt Cry1A protein expression level for six transgenic inbred lines was 0.16% total protein and the highest expression level was 0.19%. At maturity, compared with the control variety (CK), the larval tunnel length per plant of the three hybrids (Simi25Bt, Tongdan24Bt and Jidan209Bt) was decreased by 39.97%, 36.20% and 53.83%, respectively, which was a decrease of 43.36% on average. The investigation of agronomic characters showed that there was no significant difference between the improved hybrids and the control in plant height, ear length, row number per ear, kernel number per row and 100-kernels weight. It is thought that the GFM Cry1A gene can be applied to improve resistance to corn-borer, and maize inbred lines with the Bt gene can be directly applied to conventional maize breeding.