Selection of native trees for intercropping with coffee in the Atlantic Rainforest biome

A challenge in establishing agroforestry systems is ensuring that farmers are interested in the tree species, and are aware of how to adequately manage these species. This challenge was tackled in the Atlantic Rainforest biome (Brazil), where a participatory trial with agroforestry coffee systems was carried out, followed by a participatory systematisation of the farmers experiences. Our objective was to identify the main tree species used by farmers as well as their criteria for selecting or rejecting tree species. Furthermore, we aimed to present a specific inventory of trees of the Leguminosae family. In order to collect the data, we reviewed the bibliography of the participatory trial, visited and interviewed the farmers and organised workshops with them. The main farmers' criteria for selecting tree species were compatibility with coffee, amount of biomass, production and the labour needed for tree management. The farmers listed 85 tree species; we recorded 28 tree species of the Leguminosae family. Most trees were either native to the biome or exotic fruit trees. In order to design and manage complex agroforestry systems, family farmers need sufficient knowledge and autonomy, which can be reinforced when a participatory methodology is used for developing on-farm agroforestry systems. In the case presented, the farmers learned how to manage, reclaim and conserve their land. The diversification of production, especially with fruit, contributes to food security and to a low cost/benefit ratio of agroforestry systems. The investigated agroforestry systems showed potential to restore the degraded landscape of the Atlantic Rainforest biome

Agroforestry systems can mitigate the impacts of climate change on coffee production: A spatially explicit assessment in Brazil

Climate change may impose severe challenges to farmers to maintain agricultural production levels in the future. In this study we analysed the effect of projected changes in climate on the area suitable for coffee production in 2050, and the potential of agroforestry systems to mitigate these effects in a major coffee production region in southeast Brazil. We conducted a spatially explicit analysis with the bioclimatic model MaxEnt to explore the area that is suitable for coffee production in 2050 when coffee is grown in unshaded plantations and in agroforestry systems. The projected climate in 2050 was assessed using 19 global circulation models, and we accounted for the altered microclimate in agroforestry systems by adjusting the maximum and minimum air temperature. The climate models indicated that the annual mean air temperature is expected to increase 1.7 °C ± 0.3 in the study region, which will lead to almost 60 % reduction in the area suitable for coffee production in unshaded plantations by 2050. However, the adoption of agroforestry systems with 50 % shade cover can reduce the mean temperatures and maintain 75 % of the area suitable for coffee production in 2050, especially between 600 and 800 m altitude. Our study indicates that major shifts in areas suitable for coffee production may take place within three decades, potentially leading to land conflicts for coffee production and nature conservation. Incentives that contribute to the development of coffee agroforestry systems at appropriate locations may be essential to safeguard coffee production in the southeast of Brazil.</p

Adherence to the planetary health diet index and obesity indicators in the Brazilian longitudinal study of adult health (ELSA-Brasil)

The EAT-Lancet Commission has proposed a model diet to improve the health of human beings and that of the planet. Recently, we proposed the Planetary Health Diet Index (PHDI) to assess adherence of the population to this model diet. In this study, we aimed to evaluate adherence to the PHDI and obesity outcomes using baseline data from 14, 515 participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). The dietary data were assessed using a 114-item FFQ. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were both used continuously and cat-egorized. Linear and multinomial regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors were performed to assess the relationship between adherence to PHDI and outcomes. An inverse association was observed between adherence to PHDI and obesity indicators. Individuals with high adherence to the PHDI had lower BMI (ß-0.50 95% CI-0.73:-0.27) and WC (ß-1.70 95% CI-2.28:-1.12) values. They were also 24% less likely to be overweight (OR 0.76 95% CI 0.67:0.85) or obese (OR 0.76 95% CI 0.65:0.88), and they were 14% and 27% less likely to have increased WC (OR 0.86 95% CI 0.75:0.98) or substantially increased WC (OR 0.73 95% CI 0.64:0.83) than those with lower adherence. Our results showed that higher adherence to the PHDI may decrease obesity in-dicators. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Rock Powder Can Improve Vermicompost Chemical Properties and Plant Nutrition: an On-farm Experiment

Together with farmers, we evaluated nutrient availability from vermicomposted gneiss powder, assessed its influence on growth promotion, nutrition and heavy metal accumulation in maize plants and the effect on soil chemical properties in the field. Three soil treatments were applied: fertilization with vermicompost with gneiss powder, fertilization with vermicompost without gneiss powder, and soil without fertilization (control), in a randomized block design with five replicates. The dry weight of shoots and the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, chrome and lead in the dry matter of maize were higher with vermicompost with gneiss powder. In the soil, the potential of hydrogen and phosphorus, potassium and calcium concentrations were higher with vermicompost with gneiss. There were no detectable levels of heavy metal wastes in the soil after the experiment. We conclude that vermicomposted gneiss powder has potential for use in agriculture as a nutrient source and can improve soil chemical properties

From managing transitions towards building movements of affect: Advancing agroecological practices and transformation in Brazil

Policy and scholarly efforts to foster sustainable transformations focus on the contribution of practices and institutions; thus far, however, the affects that encourage and enable people to mobilise for and establish these transformative practices and institutions have received less attention. Drawing on the example of the agroecology movement in Brazil, this article examines how affects foster the creation of new farming, community and market relations. It argues that affects play a decisive role in mobilising people and encouraging them to identify and challenge unsustainable relations and practices, develop alternatives, and translate local concerns into policy proposals. It also shows that affects support the establishment of transformative practices by enabling caring relations with nature, and by fostering knowledge and institutional arrangements that support human and non-human others. We conclude that mainstream approaches to sustainability transformations should focus more on building movements of affect, as these not only address sustainability issues but also build and draw on the potential of people to bring about transformation

Sistema acuapónico con humedal subsuperficial para producción de carpa (Cyprinus carpio L.), fresa (Fragaria x ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) y canola (Brassica napus L.)

Objective: a greenhouse pilot aquaponic system was installed, operated, and evaluated to produce carps-strawberry-canola. Design / methodology / approach: the proposed aquaponics system was made of 4 modules: 1) module for the production of carp (Cyprinus Carpio comunis), 2) hydroponic module, deep flow type for the production of duckweed (Lemna minor L.) used to feed the carps, 3) hydroponic module for the strawberry production (Fragaria × ananassa), 4) hydroponic module with substrate (medium gravel) for the canola production (Brassica napus). The carps (Cyprinus carpio) had an average weight of 0.92 g at the beginning of the study (July 2018), the density was 500 carps/ 0.7 m3 of water. From September to December, a sample of 5% was taken to quantify their growth (length and weight) employing a Vernier, and a triple beam balance (OHAUS®). The carps were fed only with duckweed (Lemna minor L.). The carps were fed daily with 1.5% of duckweed as fresh matter concerning the average live weight of the 500 carps. Module 2 had an area of ??0.26 m2. The dry matter of duckweed was quantified using a PVC cylinder that had an area of ??0.010 m2, and then the fresh sample was weighed and dried at 105º C until constant weight. Module 3 (0.42 m2) had 23 plants in a vegetative state, the growth of 5 plants was evaluated by measuring the size of the root (cm), the height of the plant (cm), the length and width of the leaves (cm) and the foliar area (cm2). Module 4 had 0.42 m2, canola seed was sown at a density of 1.2 g/m2 that represented 185 seedlings. The growth of 9 plants was evaluated by measuring the same variables of strawberry plants. Results: in module 1, an average weight per carp of 17.7 g was obtained, representing an average weight increase of 16.8 g in the period from September to December. Module 2 produced 12 kg of duckweed in a fresh basis with 5.6% of dry matter. duckweed production was maintained using the nutrients from the effluent of module 1. In module 3, it was observed that strawberry plants presented an increase of 2.5 g in the fresh weight, 1 cm in root size, 0.9 cm in plant height, 0.2 cm in leaf length, 0.2 cm in leaf width and 0.4 cm2 in the leaf area. In module 4, there was an increase of 8.1 g in plant height, 0.2 cm in the leaf length, 0.2 cm in the leaf width and 0.1 cm2 in the leaf area. Limitations of the study/ implications: for the canola crop, only results of the vegetative growth were reported. For the carps, only three months were reported. However, there was evidence of the feasibility of the system. Findings/ Conclusions: an aquaponic system was installed, operated, and evaluated to produce carps-strawberry-canola. The duckweed was the only source of dry matter for carps. The effluent from the carp module provided nutrients for strawberry growth, bearing fruits of the right color. Canola plants developed adequately, although they had a purple color on the leaves, indicating a possible phosphorus deficiency.Objetivo: se instaló, opero y evaluó un sistema acuapónico piloto bajo invernadero para la producción de carpa-fresa-canola utilizando lenteja de agua como única fuente de alimento. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: el sistema acuapónico propuesto consistió en 4 módulos: 1) módulo para la producción de carpa (Cyprinus Carpio comunis), 2) módulo hidropónico tipo flujo profundo para la producción de lenteja de agua (Lemna minor L.) que se utilizó para alimentar a las carpas, 3) módulo hidropónico tipo raíz flotante para el cultivo de fresa (Fragaria × ananassa), 4) módulo hidropónico con sustrato (grava media) para el cultivo de canola (Brassica napus). En el módulo 1 se crio carpa (Cyprinus carpio) con peso promedio inicial de 0.92 g, a una densidad de 500 peces/0.7 m3 de agua en el mes de julio de 2018. De septiembre a diciembre del mismo año se tomó una muestra del 5% de la población para medir su crecimiento (longitud y peso) empleando un vernier de campo, y se obtuvo el peso (g) por carpa con una balanza granataria. Las carpas se alimentaron solamente con lenteja de agua (Lemna minor L.), se les ofreció 1.5% de peso fresco de Lemna con respecto al peso promedio de las 500 carpas. El módulo 2 tuvo un área de 0.26 m2, se cuantifico la producción de materia seca de la lenteja de agua mediante un cilindro de PVC con un área de 0.010 m2, la muestra fresca se pesó al momento del muestreo y posteriormente se secó a 105º C hasta peso constante. En el módulo 3 de 0.42 m2 se cultivaron 23 plantas de fresa en estado vegetativo, se monitoreó el crecimiento de 5 plantas mediante la medición del tamaño de la raíz (cm), la altura de la planta (cm), el largo y ancho de las hojas (cm) y el área foliar. El módulo 4 tuvo una superficie de 0.42 m2, se sembró semilla de canola a una densidad de 1.2 g/m2 que representó 185 plántulas. Se monitorio el crecimiento de 9 plantas y se evaluaron las mismas variables para las plantas de fresa. &nbsp; Resultados: en el módulo 1 se obtuvo un peso promedio por carpa de 17.7 g representando un incremento de peso promedio de 16.8 g en el periodo de septiembre a diciembre. En el módulo 2 se produjo 12 kg de lenteja de agua fresca en un área de 0.26 m2 con 5.6% de materia seca. La producción de lenteja de agua se mantuvo utilizando los nutrientes del efluente del módulo 1. En el módulo 3 se observó que las plantas de fresa se adaptaron al sistema hidropónico tipo raíz flotante. En promedio se cuantifico un incremento de 2.5 g en el peso fresco de la planta, 1 cm en el tamaño de raíz, 0.9 cm en la altura de planta, 0.2 cm en el largo de hoja, 0.2 cm en el ancho de hoja y 0.4 cm2 en el área foliar. En el módulo 4 se cuantifico en promedio un incremento de 8.1 g en la altura de planta, 0.2 cm en el largo de hoja, 0.2 cm en el ancho hoja y 0.1 cm en el área foliar. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: se reportan resultados del crecimiento vegetativo para la canola, para las carpas solamente se reporta el crecimiento en tres meses, no obstante, se muestra evidencia de la factibilidad del sistema. Hallazgos/conclusiones: se instaló, operó y evaluó un sistema acuapónico recirculante para la producción de carpa-fresa-canola. La lenteja de agua funcionó como la única fuente de alimento para el crecimiento de la carpa. El efluente del módulo carpa proporcionó nutrientes para el crecimiento de la fresa, dando frutos de buen color. Las plantas de canola se desarrollaron adecuadamente, aunque presentaron un color purpura en las hojas, lo que indicó una posible deficiencia de fosforo