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

THE ROLE OF FUZZY LOGIC SYSTEMS FOR CONTROL OF THE PNEUMATIC VALVE OF BOTTLE WASHER IN BEVERAGE COMPANIES, SPECIFICALLY THE KRONES GROUP OF COMPANIES.

Intelligent systems have greatly contributed in automating the process segments that includes the maintenance function in the manufacturing industries. The purpose of this research was to come up with an intelligent monitoring tool to reduce the number of breakdowns in Krones machinery (selected the bottle washer as a study sample). The objective of the research was motivated by an appreciation of considering Human Machine Interface (HMI) and automatic monitoring of the plant while in the office. The case of a local beverage manufacturer (anonymous) was used who has installed a bottle washer of this nature. The research entirely was centred on Krones machinery in order to model around similar operational conditions regarding their design orientation and function embedded within them. The Fuzzy Logic system was derived among other Artificial Intelligent systems to be best appropriate to solve the breakdown challenges automatically. Total breakdown of the bottle washer was realised at any time it would experience a minor failure. The bottle washer is complex so much that it is not easy to carry out a successful troubleshooting. For instance, the pneumatic valve could just stick and cause production to stop immediately. The researchers carried out a company audit, interviews and questionnaires in order to gather relevant data. Different data analysis techniques were used such as Ishikawa diagram. The results of which were used in intelligent condition-based-maintenance modelling to solve the problem using fuzzy logic system. MATLAB software was used as a means for data modelling and manipulation. The researchers recommend the use of this intelligent monitoring tool to all beverage manufacturers who have installed the krones machinery. This will increase productivity, reduce number of breakdowns, increase plant availability and lean maintenance will inevitably be applied to the bottle washer

Quality and turnaround times of viral load monitoring under prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV Option B+ in six South African districts with a high antenatal HIV burden

Background. Barriers to monitoring maternal HIV viral load (VL) and achieving 90% viral suppression during pregnancy and breastfeeding still need to be understood in South Africa (SA).Objectives. To measure quality of VL care and turnaround times (TATs) for returning VL results to women enrolled in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme in primary healthcare facilities.Methods. Data were obtained from a 2018 cross-sectional evaluation of the PMTCT Option B+ programme in six SA districts with high antenatal and infant HIV prevalence. Quality of VL care was measured as the proportion of clients reporting that results were explained to them. TATs for VL results were calculated using dates abstracted from four to five randomly selected facility-based client records to report overall facility ‘short TAT’ (≥80% of records with TAT ≤7 days). Logistical regression and logit-based risk difference statistics were used.Results. Achieving overall short TAT was uncommon. Only 50% of facilities in one rural district, zero in one urban metro district and 9 - 38% in other districts had short TAT. The significant difference between districts was influenced by the duration of keeping results in facilities after receipt from the laboratory. Expected quality of VL care received ranged between 66% and 85%. Client-related factors significantly associated with low quality of care, observed in two urban districts and one rural district, included lower education, recent initiation of antiretroviral treatment and experiencing barriers to clinic visits. Experiencing clinic visit barriers was also negatively associated with short TATs.Conclusions. We demonstrate above-average quality of care and delayed return of results to PMTCT clients. Context-specific interventions are needed to shorten TATs

Optimizing dambo (seasonal wetland) cultivation for climate change adaptation and sustainable crop production in the smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe

Most smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe have low soil fertility and low rainfall, which has continually decreased over the past years. In recent years, most of the smallholder farming areas have experienced perennial droughts, poor rainfall distribution and crop failures and these have been attributed to climate change and variability. Cultivation of dambos, which are seasonal wetlands, presents a climate change and variability adaptation option for smallholder farmers. This synthesis analyses the role of dambo cultivation in climate change and variability adaptation and discusses future directions for sustainable dambo utilization. The data on current dambo farming practices were collected from literature, surveys and field observations. The results showed that farmers grow crops in dambos as an adaptive strategy to climate change and variability and have largely abandoned upland fields where yields are <1 t ha−1 in preference of dambos where yields average 2–3 t ha−1. Dambo cultivation offers a buffer against crop failures and has resulted in improved household food security. We conclude that dambo cultivation is a potentially beneficial farmer-driven climate change and variability adaptation strategy. However, if not properly designed and managed, dambo cultivation may result in their degradation hence there is need for further research to evaluate options for sustainable dambo utilization as intensification of dambo agriculture is important for food security

LAND-USE AND LAND-USE CHANGE EFFECTS ON NITROUS OXIDE EMISSIONS IN THE SEASONALLY DRY ECOSYSTEMS OF ZIMBABWE: A REVIEW

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with a considerable warming potential and involvement in the destruction of stratospheric ozone. The conversion of savannas to agricultural land has the potential of changing the characteristics and gas exchange of the ecosystems dramatically. The savanna woodlands cover over 95% of Zimbabwe\u2019s forest area, and are divided into five woodland types: Acacia, miombo, mopane, teak Baikiaea Plurijuga and Terminalia Combretaceae . This review is aimed at exploring the effects of land-use changes and land management practices on N2O emissions in Zimbabwe. Available data on N2O emission were collected from standing and deforested miombo woodlands, grasslands and agricultural lands. Estimated mean annual N2O emissions from savanna ecosystems in Zimbabwe were 17.1 Gg N2O, while annual fluxes from arable land (cultivated and fallow) was 3.19 Gg N2O. Biogenic N2O emissions were mainly concentrated in the wet season as N2O production is strongly enhanced by high soil moisture. During the dry season pyrogenic emissions were also important sources of N2O, contributing, an estimated 6.7 Gg N2O annually. Land use change in the form of biomass burning and conversion to grassland or arable land may be considerable source of N2O, whereas current agricultural practices do not seem to provide a large source of N2O in Zimbabwe. Seasonally dry savanna ecosystems, thus, constitute an important source of N2O, which should not be ignored in national and regional estimates of emissions of N2O. Land-use change from savanna to agricultural production results in an immediate increase in N2O emissions. However, the emissions will decrease with time. The current estimates are associated with large uncertainties, thus, there is need for more detailed studies on the effects of land-use change on N2O emissions and on spatial and temporal variations in N2O emissions from the different savanna ecosystems.L\u2019oxyde nitreux (N2O) est un gaz \ue0 effet de serre (GES) avec un potentiel de r\ue9chauffement et une implication dans la destruction de la couche stratosph\ue9rique d\u2019ozone. La conversion des savanes en terres agricoles induit le changement radicales des caract\ue9ristiques et \ue9changes gazeux des \ue9cosyst\ue8mes. Les savanes bois\ue9es couvrent plus de 95% de la couverture foresti\ue8re au Zimbabwe et sont subdivis\ue9es en cinq types de boisements : Acacia, miombo, mopane, teak ( Baikiaea Plurijuga ) et Terminalia Combretaceae . Cet article visait \ue0 examiner la contri- bution potentielle des \ue9cosyst\ue8mes \ue0 savanes non perturb\ue9es et les effets des changements dans l\u2019utilisation des terres sur les \ue9missions de N2O. Les donn\ue9es disponibles sur les \ue9missions de N2O \ue9taient collect\ue9es des r\ue9gions bois\ue9es de Miombo, r\ue9gions de bois\ue9es de miombo, les prairies et des terres agricoles. La moyenne des flux de N2O des \ue9cosyst\ue8mes \ue0 savane estim\ue9e \ue0 17.1Gg pendant que les flux annuels \ue0 partir des terres arables (cultiv\ue9es et en jach\ue8re) \ue9tait de 13.9Gg. Les flux \ue9taient principalement concentr\ue9s dans la saison humide du fait que les \ue9missions de N2O sont fortement influenc\ue9es par l\u2019humidit\ue9 \ue9lev\ue9e du sol. Les \ue9missions pyrog\ue9niques de la saison s\ue8che constituaient d\u2019importantes sources de N2O, avec un niveau annuel d\u2019\ue9mission de 6.7Gg. Les \ue9cosyst\ue8mes de savane en saison s\ue8che constituent ainsi une importante source de N2O \ue0 ne pas n\ue9gliger dans des estimations nationales et r\ue9gionales des \ue9missions de gaz. Les estimations actuelles sont associ\ue9es \ue0 de grandes incertitudes, ainsi, la n\ue9cessit\ue9 d\u2019\ue9tudes plus d\ue9taill\ue9es sur les variations spatiales et temporelles des \ue9missions produites dans diff\ue9rents \ue9cosyst\ue8mes \ue0 savane, et les effets du changement dans l\u2019utilisation des terres sur les \ue9missions de N2O

Land-use and land-use change effects on nitrous oxide emissions in the seasonally dry ecosystems of Zimbabwe: A review

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with a considerable warming potential and involvement in the destruction of stratospheric ozone. The conversion of savannas to agricultural land has the potential of changing the characteristics and gas exchange of the ecosystems dramatically. The savanna woodlands cover over 95% of Zimbabwe’s forest area, and are divided into five woodland types: Acacia, miombo, mopane, teak (Baikiaea Plurijuga) and Terminalia-Combretaceae. This review is aimed at exploring the effects of land-use changes and land management practices on N2O emissions in Zimbabwe. Available data on N2O emission were collected from standing and deforested miombo woodlands, grasslands and agricultural lands. Estimated mean annual N2O emissions from savanna ecosystems in Zimbabwe were 17.1 Gg N2O, while annual fluxes from arable land (cultivated and fallow) was 3.19 Gg N2O. Biogenic N2O emissions were mainly concentrated in the wet season as N2O production is strongly enhanced by high soil moisture. During the dry season pyrogenic emissions were also important sources of N2O, contributing, an estimated 6.7 Gg N2O annually. Land use change in the form of biomass burning and conversion to grassland or arable land may be considerable source of N2O, whereas current agricultural practices do not seem to provide a large source of N2O in Zimbabwe. Seasonally dry savanna ecosystems, thus, constitute an important source of N2O, which should not be ignored in national and regional estimates of emissions of N2O. Land-use change from savanna to agricultural production results in an immediate increase in N2O emissions. However, the emissions will decrease with time. The current estimates are associated with large uncertainties, thus, there is need for more detailed studies on the effects of land-use change on N2O emissions and on spatial and temporal variations in N2O emissions from the different savanna ecosystems

Una innovación en el manejo del pastoreo como estrategia para mejorar la producción animal y reducir las emisiones de GEI.

Innovando en ciencias del pastoreo: el concepto de pastoreo “Rotatinuo"; Avances en Colombia;Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security

Closing the gaps to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in South Africa: Understanding MTCT case rates, factors that hinder the monitoring and attainment of targets, and potential game changers

Background. Ninety percent of the world’s HIV-positive pregnant women live in 22 countries. These 22 countries, including South Africa (SA) have prioritised the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (EMTCT). Since 2016 all 22 countries recommend lifelong antiretroviral treatment for all HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women. To measure South African national, provincial and district-level progress towards attaining EMTCT, we analysed the number of in utero (IU) paedatric HIV infections per 100 000 live births (IU case rate), and synthesised factors hindering the monitoring of EMTCT progress and attainment from the viewpoint of provincial and district-level healthcare managers and implementers. We highlight potential innovations to strengthen health systems and improve EMTCT programme delivery. Methods. We reviewed national-, provincial- and district-level birth HIV testing data from routine National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) records between April 2016 and March 2017. To obtain a qualitative perspective from healthcare managers and implementers, we synthesised information from the nine 2016 provincial-level EMTCT stock-taking workshops. These workshops involve key provincial and district-level staff, mentors and supporting partners. Lastly, we highlight potential innovations presented at these workshops to overcome operational challenges. Results. The national IU mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate was 0.9%, which translated to an IU case rate of 245 HIV-positive neonates per 100 000 live births. Provincial IU percent MTCT risk ranged from 0.6% to 1.3%, with IU case rates ranging between 168 and 325 cases per 100 000 live births. District-level IU percent MTCT risk ranged from 0.4% to 1.9%. Potential game changers include: pre-conception counselling to optimise maternal-partner health, weekly dissemination of HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral load reports from the NHLS to specific individuals who trace mothers and infants needing care, use of ward-based outreach teams and community caregivers to trace HIV-infected mothers and their infants to link them into care, inclusion of a unique identifier in patient-held infant Road to Health booklets to facilitate infant tracing and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes within facilities and districts and implementation of an HIV-positive baby tool to understand the characteristics and risks of HIV-positive infants. On an ecological level, provinces and districts using community-based approaches and CQI methodology seemed to have lower MTCT and IU case rates. Conclusions. More quantitative analyses are needed to understand what proportion of the success can be attributed to community-based and CQI approaches and the impact of the potential game changers on progress towards EMTCT

Closing the gaps to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in South Africa : understanding MTCT case rates, factors that hinder the monitoring and attainment of targets, and potential game changers

BACKGROUND. Ninety percent of the world’s HIV-positive pregnant women live in 22 countries. These 22 countries, including South Africa (SA) have prioritised the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (EMTCT). Since 2016 all 22 countries recommend lifelong antiretroviral treatment for all HIV-positive pregnant and lactating women. To measure South African national, provincial and district-level progress towards attaining EMTCT, we analysed the number of in utero (IU) paedatric HIV infections per 100 000 live births (IU case rate), and synthesised factors hindering the monitoring of EMTCT progress and attainment from the viewpoint of provincial and district-level healthcare managers and implementers. We highlight potential innovations to strengthen health systems and improve EMTCT programme delivery. METHODS. We reviewed national-, provincial- and district-level birth HIV testing data from routine National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) records between April 2016 and March 2017. To obtain a qualitative perspective from healthcare managers and implementers, we synthesised information from the nine 2016 provincial-level EMTCT stock-taking workshops. These workshops involve key provincial and district-level staff, mentors and supporting partners. Lastly, we highlight potential innovations presented at these workshops to overcome operational challenges. RESULTS. The national IU mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate was 0.9%, which translated to an IU case rate of 245 HIV-positive neonates per 100 000 live births. Provincial IU percent MTCT risk ranged from 0.6% to 1.3%, with IU case rates ranging between 168 and 325 cases per 100 000 live births. District-level IU percent MTCT risk ranged from 0.4% to 1.9%. Potential game changers include: pre-conception counselling to optimise maternal-partner health, weekly dissemination of HIV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral load reports from the NHLS to specific individuals who trace mothers and infants needing care, use of ward-based outreach teams and community caregivers to trace HIV-infected mothers and their infants to link them into care, inclusion of a unique identifier in patient-held infant Road to Health booklets to facilitate infant tracing and continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes within facilities and districts and implementation of an HIV-positive baby tool to understand the characteristics and risks of HIV-positive infants. On an ecological level, provinces and districts using community-based approaches and CQI methodology seemed to have lower MTCT and IU case rates. CONCLUSIONS. More quantitative analyses are needed to understand what proportion of the success can be attributed to community-based and CQI approaches and the impact of the potential game changers on progress towards EMTCT.The South African Medical Research Council paid for the time of AG, WC and NN, and, in partnership with UNICEF, covered the cost of this publication.http://www.samj.org.zaam2019Paediatrics and Child Healt