Long-term Impact of sewage sludge application on rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii: an evaluation using meta-analysis

The Long-Term Sludge Experiment (LTSE) began in 1994 at nine UK field sites as part of continuing research into the effects of sludge-borne heavy metals on soil fertility. The long-term effects of Zn, Cu, and Cd on the most probable numbers of cells (MPN) of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii were monitored for 8 yr in sludge-amended soils. To assess the statutory limits set by the UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations, the experimental data were reviewed using statistical methods of meta-analysis. Previous LTSE studies have focused predominantly on statistical significance rather than effect size, whereas meta-analysis focuses on the magnitude and direction of an effect, i.e., the practical significance rather than its statistical significance. Results showed Zn to be the most toxic element causing an overall significant decrease in Rhizobium MPN of −26.6% during the LTSE. The effect of Cu showed no significant effect on Rhizobium MPN at concentrations below the UK limits, although a −5% decrease in Rhizobium MPN was observed in soils where total Cu ranged from 100 to <135 mg kg−1. Overall, there was nothing to indicate that Cd had a significant effect on Rhizobium MPN below the current UK statutory limit. In summary, the UK statutory limit for Zn appears to be insufficient for protecting Rhizobium from Zn toxicity effects

Assessing the feasibility of integrating ecosystem-based with engineered water resource governance and management for water security in semi-arid landscapes: A case study in the Banas catchment, Rajasthan, India

Much of the developing world and areas of the developed world suffer water vulnerability. Engineering solutions enable technically efficient extraction and diversion of water towards areas of demand but, without rebalancing resource regeneration, can generate multiple adverse ecological and human consequences. The Banas River, Rajasthan (India), has been extensively developed for water diversion, particularly from the Bisalpur Dam from which water is appropriated by powerful urban constituencies dispossessing local people. Coincidentally, abandonment of traditional management, including groundwater recharge practices, is leading to increasingly receding and contaminated groundwater. This creates linked vulnerabilities for rural communities, irrigation schemes, urban users, dependent ecosystems and the multiple ecosystem services that they provide, compounded by climate change and population growth. This paper addresses vulnerabilities created by fragmented policy measures between rural development, urban and irrigation water supply and downstream consequences for people and wildlife. Perpetuating narrowly technocentric approaches to resource exploitation is likely only to compound emerging problems. Alternatively, restoration or innovation of groundwater recharge practices, particularly in the upper catchment, can represent a proven, ecosystem-based approach to resource regeneration with linked beneficial socio-ecological benefits. Hybridising an ecosystem-based approach with engineered methods can simultaneously increase the security of rural livelihoods, piped urban and irrigation supplies, and the vitality of river ecosystems and their services to beneficiaries. A renewed policy focus on local-scale water recharge practices balancing water extraction technologies is consistent with emerging Rajasthani policies, particularly Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (‘water self-reliance mission’). Policy reform emphasising recharge can contribute to water security and yield socio-economic outcomes through a systemic understanding of how the water system functions, and by connecting goals and budgets across multiple, currently fragmented policy areas. The underpinning principles of this necessary paradigm shift are proven and have wider geographic relevance, though context-specific research is required to underpin robust policy and practical implementation

Wastewater irrigation: the state of play

As demand for fresh water intensifies, wastewater is frequently being seen as a valuable resource. Furthermore, wise reuse of wastewater alleviates concerns attendant with its discharge to the environment. Globally, around 20 million ha of land are irrigated with wastewater, and this is likely to increase markedly during the next few decades as water stress intensifies. In 1995, around 2.3 billion people lived in water-stressed river basins and this could increase to 3.5 billion by 2025. We review the current status of wastewater irrigation by providing an overview of the extent of the practice throughout the world and through synthesizing the current understanding of factors influencing sustainable wastewater irrigation. A theme that emerges is that wastewater irrigation is not only more common in water-stressed regions such as the Near East, but the rationale for the practice also tends to differ between the developing and developed worlds. In developing nations, the prime drivers are livelihood dependence and food security, whereas environmental agendas appear to hold greater sway in the developed world. The following were identified as areas requiring greater understanding for the long-term sustainability of wastewater irrigation: (i) accumulation of bioavailable forms of heavy metals in soils, (ii) environmental fate of organics in wastewater-irrigated soils, (iii) influence of reuse schemes on catchment hydrology, including transport of salt loads, (iv) risk models for helminth infections (pertinent to developing nations), (v) microbiological contamination risks for aquifers and surface waters, (vi) transfer efficiencies of chemical contaminants from soil to plants, (vii) health effects of chronic exposure to chemical contaminants, and (viii) strategies for engaging the public.<br /

Namibia country climate-smart agriculture program

Agriculture in Namibia plays a critical role in the formal and informal economy supporting 70% of the population directly or indirectly through employment and income generation. The agricultural sector in Namibia contributes over 10% to the GDP of which 75-80% can be attributed to livestock farming. The livestock industry accounts for 90% of all agricultural production in Namibia with approximately 60% of households owning cattle, including nearly 40% of poor households. Crop production activities in Namibia are limited, mainly due to the arid climate and low rainfall patterns. Rain-fed crops include pearl millet, sorghum and maize are the most dominant crops grown in Namibia. The average yield for these crops ranges from 24.7 ton for pearl millet, 72,438 for maize and 14,819 for wheat. The dependence on rain-fed agriculture increases the vulnerability of farming systems and predisposes rural households to food insecurity and poverty. However, the reduction in crop yields will have devastating impacts on food security at both national and household levels. Under the current conditions, the agriculture sector in Namibia needs to grow by 4% a year to meet the food requirements for the expanding population. In light of these challenges, Namibia needs to adapt its agricultural practices and increase the resilience of livelihoods to be able to withstand the challenges posed by climate change to sustain development and growth of the country. The Namibian Country CSA Programme aims to build resilience of agricultural farming systems for enhanced food and nutrition security through six Programmatic Result Areas, namely: Result Area 1: Improved Productivity and incomes– a pro-growth, pro-poor development agenda that supports agricultural sustainability and includes better targeting to address climate change impacts and improve resilience and climate change adaptation. As climate change has a negative impact on agricultural production, achieving any given food and nutrition security target will require greater investments in agricultural productivity increased income. Public and private sectors as well as public-private partnerships will play a critical role. Result Area 2: Building social and environmental resilience and associated mitigation co-benefits – CSA will help reduce vulnerability of Namibia’s agriculture sector by increasing productivity, enhancing adaptation and resilience of the integrated farming systems and reducing emissions intensity in the context of achieving sustainable development and poverty eradication. Result Area 3: Value Chain Integration – This approach is holistic in that it considers input supply, production, agricultural services, marketing and business support services as necessary building blocks. Under the approach, both public and private sector are seen as critical actors in the value chain. Knowledge and capacity building are critical strategic priorities to leverage innovations and increase efficiencies to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions intensity from agriculture and food systems. The approach also provides enabling framework for integrating gender and the needs of the youth across the production value chains. Result Area 4: Research for Development and Innovations for scaling up CSA – The role of research will be reoriented to support innovations that facilitate the transition to climate-smart agriculture by farmers. New and emerging agricultural research partnerships will identify technological advances that respond to the impacts of climate change and climate variability. A major thrust will be the uptake of climate-smart agricultural practices, promoting improved land management and sustainable crop-livestock and fisheries intensification. This is in order to bolster farmers’ adaptive capacity and support the national vision of achieving food security. Result Areas 5: Improving and sustaining agricultural Extension Services – Increase outreach of agricultural extension services to assist farmers to make informed decisions in the face of risks and uncertainties posed by Climate Change. These services will increase the preparedness of the farmers, well in advance, to cope with risks such as drought, floods and pests and diseases and capacitate farmers to be able to adapt and respond. Targeted dissemination of weather advisories and mechanisms for farmer adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices will be enhanced through Public Private Partnerships. Furthermore, robust agricultural extension services will catalyse private sector investment in priority areas such as weather-based index insurance and associated infrastructure. Result Area 6: Improved policy and Institutional Coordination – Improved institutional coordination and knowledge management is crucial for achieving uptake of CSA in Namibia. This requires targeted high level guidance to improve inter-Ministerial coordination and management. The proposed coordination framework will improve communication and knowledge management at both inter-ministerial and regional level

Efficacy of Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) Approach and Partial Processing on Household Utilization of Legumes: A Case Study of Ntcheu and Dedza Districts

This data contains data produced from cross-sectional survey and lab experiment on shelf life of processed legume.IFPRI1; Africa Risin