No effect of cropping system on the greenhouse gas N2O

Organic farming is comparable to conventional in terms of field emissions of the strong greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Our study points to the need for increased yields in organic farming as measure to reduced emissions per unit of produce

High Root Biomass FOR cereal crops increases carbon sequestration in organic Arable systems

In agroecosystems, soil organic carbon (C) inputs come from applied manures, plant roots and retained shoot residues. Several reasons, associated with root measurements, limit current knowledge on root C input.This study aimed at evaluating root responses to nutrient management and fertility building measures (e.g. catch crops). We made use of one inorganic fertilizer-based and two organic systems in an 11-year-old field experiment on sandy loam soil. At anthesis, soil cores (5 cm dia.) were sampled from 0-30 cm depth within and between rows of winter wheat and spring barley. Roots were separated from soil and washed with tap water, the dry matter (DM) biomass was determined. Dry matter biomass was also measured in shoots.The spring barley root DM was at least 30% higher in the organic compared to the inorganic fertilizer-based system. The organic system that included catch crops had 17% higher spring barley root DM than where catch crops were absent. In the inorganic fertilizer-based system, the biomass shoot-to-root ratio for spring barley was double that in the comparable organic system. High root DM biomass in organic compared to the inorganic fertilizer-based systems, implies higher C sequestration in the former, especially considering the slow decomposition rate of root residues

Results on life cycle assessments to determine impacts of agronomic management choices in the Cauca and Honduras CSV

The intense management of the crops, that characterizes current agricultural cropping systems, has resulted in increased concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). In this study, we used the field-scale agricultural assessment model - Cool Farm Tool (CFT), to model GHG emissions and uptake estimates (Hillier et al., 2011). This tool combines different algorithms that integrate climate, soil and crop data and presents outputs on carbon footprints in a format that is accessible to non-experts. Furthermore, the CFT provides the possibility to compare GHG emissions and uptake estimates from different production sites and systems. Finally, the tool CFT enables crop producers and stakeholders to take a more informed and holistic approach to environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector

An exploration of the motivation and opportunity seeking behaviours of social entrepreneurs in Cape Town

This research study of the motivation and opportunity-seeking behaviours of social entrepreneurs in Cape Town was conducted among fifteen social entrepreneurial organisations in Cape Town during the months of June, July and August 2010. The results of this qualitative research show that there are various factors that motivate people to become social entrepreneurs, such as the desire to make a difference in other peoples? lives and provide innovative solutions to existing social problems

Ingen effekt af dyrkningssystem på drivhusgassen N2O

Økologisk jordbrug er sammenligneligt med det konventionelle, når det gælder udledning af den stærke drivhusgas lattergas (N2O) fra dyrkningsjorden. Vores undersøgelse viser, at økologisk jordbrug bør tilstræbe højere høstudbytter som et middel til at reducere N2O-udledningen per produceret enhed

Effects of organic matter input on soil microbial properties and crop yields in conventional and organic cropping systems

Unlike conventional cropping systems, which are characterised by targeted short-term fertility management, organic farming systems depend on long-term increase in soil fertility and promotion of soil biodiversity. This study sought to investigate long-term effects of organic matter inputs on various cropping systems in a 10-year-old experiment. Results show that in the long-term high C and N inputs enhance microbial activity. Microbial biomass N and the potential nitrification rate were higher in cropping systems based on green manure than in those reliant on inputs from animal manure and mineral fertilizer. Soil microbiological properties were affected by the individual crops in the rotation. The high microbial activity with increased organic matter inputs did not transform to enhanced crop productivity

Teaching methods in grade 7 in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe

The research study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the instructional methods, particularly the lecture-discussion instructional method as a teaching and learning method at grade 7 level, in Shurugwi district, Zimbabwe. The subject taught being English language. The experimental method (quasi-experimental) used at the twenty chosen schools was the pre-test and post test group method. It was found that the lecture-discussion instructional method produced better results in more cases than the discussion method alone. It was also found that work produced by the lecture-discussion instructional method was more refined than work produced by the discussion method alone. Guided learners were more work focused than learners discussing alone without a teacher. Average and below average learners did not enjoy learning without the presence of the teacher talk. The learners, during teacher absence, seemed hesitant and confused at times. The lecture-discussion method seems to cater for all the learners and their learning styles. The importance of the teacher in the class was clearly demonstrated by the work and results produced by the learners at the twenty selected primary schools in Shurugwi district, Midlands province, Zimbabwe. All the learners that received treatment from the experiment produced better results than their control groups that did not receive the treatment. However, conclusions and generalisations can not be made because the samples used and the areas covered were too small in size. The learners studied were too few to make meaningful generalisations and conclusions for the country. Further researches should be carried out in future.Curriculum and Instructional StudiesM. Ed. (Didactics