Evaluating Success Factors and Challenges Among Small-Scale Agricultural Producers: A Texas Case Study

Literature on small farms in the U.S. is limited though they are the most numerous farm type, generate over twenty percent of agricultural production, and are more likely to be operated by historically underserved (i.e., beginning, minority, veteran, women, young) farmers than large-scale farms. This article details an online survey study of small-scale agricultural producers using a purposive sample from Texas. We used cross tabulations to evaluate qualitative operational and demographic (e.g., age, gender) factors of success, finding several significant variables with moderate effect sizes. Generally, producers regarded quality of life as more important to success than profitability. Producers’ top challenges were capital, production, marketing, legal, financial, informational, and social, in that order. While results may not be representative of all small producers, in Texas or otherwise, they provide an important look at an understudied population who contribute meaningfully to sustainable production, local and regional food systems, and overall agricultural structure

The Water Infiltration, Hydraulic Conductivity and Water Retention Effects of Ground Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.) Root as a Soil Surfactant

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns and intensity; increasing regional drought conditions and increasing runoff, respectively. The use of soil surfactants presents an opportunity to improve soil water content and infiltration in soils. As aridity and drought vulnerability increase globally, improving water infiltration and retention is becoming increasingly important for agriculture as water resources are scarce and climate change shifts precipitation patterns. While surfactants are widely available for agricultural use, most or all are unapproved in sustainable and organic production. Ground soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.) root produces saponins, natural surfactants used in several industrial applications, including soap manufacturing and soil contaminant recovery.  To determine its potential to improve soil water interactions its effects on soil hydraulic conductivity, water content, infiltration and drainage rates were tested in washed sand, heavy clay soil and clay loam soil. When compared to untreated soils, drainage and infiltration was slowed (P < 0.05) in sand and loam with soapwort applications while no significant differences in any variable were present in clay soil compared to any treatment. Soil water content was not significantly different in any treatment. While soapwort did not increase infiltration rates it did markedly slow drainage rates in sand and loam. The benefit of this may be realised as longer opportunity for plant available water in the root zone. &nbsp

Effects of Organic Acids Application on Olsen- extractable P and Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Yield

This study investigated two low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOA), oxalic and citric acid, ability to mineralize fixed P in soils and the effects on production of eggplant when compared to conventional triple superphosphate fertilizer (TSP). Two calcareous soils were used: An alkaline (pH 7.6-7.8) Vertisol in the Houston Black soil series and a slightly acidic (pH 6.5-6.8) Mollisol in the Tarpley soil series. The Houston Black soil test indicated no significant difference in extractable P when comparing treatments of oxalic, citric acid or applied triple superphosphate (TSP) fertilizer (P > 0.05). Similarly, eggplant yields indicated no significant difference (P > 0.05) between treatments for this soils series. In the Tarpley series, LMWOA treatments produced significantly less extractable P and eggplant yield (P < 0.05) when compared to applied TSP fertilizer. &nbsp

What Makes a Small Farm Successful? A Review of Success Factors, Needs, and Challenges

Small-scale farmers face unique challenges. In this review, we conceptualize small farm success by aggregating and categorizing results from recent (post-2000) literature on small farm success factors and producer needs assessments. Our findings suggest that small farm success is multifaceted and not limited to profitability. We find that small farms have a diverse range of needs, though little has been done to rank their importance. We conclude that future research would benefit from increased methodological transparency and a systematic approach to needs evaluation. We consider the role of Extension professionals regarding the continued success of small farms

Growth, Nutrient Accumulation, and Drought Tolerance in Crop Plants with Silicon Application: A Review

Plants take up silicon (Si) from the soil which impacts their growth and nutrient accumulation. It increases plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal, diseases, and pest infestation. However, until recently, research of Si application on the crop is limited. This article reviews the recent progress of research on Si application on crop growth and yield, nutrient availability in soil and accumulation, and drought tolerance of crop plants. The review’s findings show that Si improves crop development and output under stressful environmental conditions. Silicon increases the availability and accumulation of both macronutrients (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and sulphur) and micronutrients (iron and manganese). It improves drought resistance by increasing plant water usage efficiency and reducing water loss during transportation. Silicon application is a crucial aspect of crop productivity because of all of these favorable attributes. The gaps in current understandings are identified. Based on the outcome of the present research, future scopes of research on this field are proposed

Growth, Nutrient Accumulation, and Drought Tolerance in Crop Plants with Silicon Application: A Review

Plants take up silicon (Si) from the soil which impacts their growth and nutrient accumulation. It increases plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal, diseases, and pest infestation. However, until recently, research of Si application on the crop is limited. This article reviews the recent progress of research on Si application on crop growth and yield, nutrient availability in soil and accumulation, and drought tolerance of crop plants. The review’s findings show that Si improves crop development and output under stressful environmental conditions. Silicon increases the availability and accumulation of both macronutrients (nitrogen, potassium, calcium, and sulphur) and micronutrients (iron and manganese). It improves drought resistance by increasing plant water usage efficiency and reducing water loss during transportation. Silicon application is a crucial aspect of crop productivity because of all of these favorable attributes. The gaps in current understandings are identified. Based on the outcome of the present research, future scopes of research on this field are proposed

Marine microfossil compilation up to 2021

This dataset includes a global compilation of new and published 14C measurements of benthic foraminifera and deep-sea corals (from 0-to 49872 years BP). We synthesized this new dataset into basin-average 14C ventilation age values over the 25,000 years, along density surfaces associated with the upper and lower cells of global ocean overturning circulation (27.5 and 28 kg m^-3, respectively). The published datasets are from all ocean basins, even those not utilized in our synthesis. We also provide the basin-average estimates for the Atlantic, Southern, and Pacific Oceans as produced by the Rafter et al. 2022 study

Erythropoietic stress and anemia in diabetes mellitus

Original article can be found at : http://www.nature.com/ Copyright Nature Publishing Group [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]Anemia is one of the world's most common preventable conditions, yet it is often overlooked, especially in people with diabetes mellitus. Diabetes-related chronic hyperglycemia can lead to a hypoxic environment in the renal interstitium, which results in impaired production of erythropoietin by the peritubular fibroblasts and subsequent anemia. Anemia in patients with diabetes mellitus might contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease and aggravate diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Anemia occurs earlier in patients with diabetic renal disease than in nondiabetic individuals with chronic kidney disease. Although erythropoietin has been used to treat renal anemia for nearly two decades, debate persists over the optimal target hemoglobin level. Most guidelines recommend that hemoglobin levels be maintained between 105g/l and 125g/l. The suggested role of anemia correction—to prevent the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with diabetes mellitus—is yet to be established. However, an emphasis on regular screening for anemia, alongside that for other diabetes-related complications, might help to delay the progression of vascular complications in these patients.Peer reviewe