Converting exotic forages to native warm-season grasses (NWSG) such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) offers a sustainable alternative because NWSG may yield comparative livestock gains with less fertilizer, as well as offer habitat for arthropods and declining grassland bird species such as Dickcissels (Spiza americana). In the Southeastern United States, the predominant forage species are exotics such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), so NWSG conversion could substantially improve sustainability and wildlife habitat on private lands in the region. In 2011 and 2012, I studied response of Dickcissels and arthropods to forage origin, diversity, and grazing at the Mississippi State University Prairie Research Unit in Monroe Co., MS, USA. Four treatments were established among 12 pastures representing a gradient in management intensity, including a grazed bermudagrass and tall fescue mix (GMEP), grazed Indian grass monoculture (GINP), grazed mixed native pasture (GMNP), and a non-grazed mixed native pasture (NMNP). Grazed treatments were stocked with steers from May through August each year. I also evaluated the economic implications of each grazing system. In general, there was a positive response to native grasses among Dickcissels and arthropods and a negative effect from grazing. Dickcissel productivity (fledgling/ha) was highest in NMNP and lowest in GMEP, whereas productivity was intermediate and similar among grazed native pastures. This pattern was attributable to availability of suitable nest sites because nest survival and brood size did not vary by treatment. Several arthropod taxa responded positively to greater vegetation density in NMNP, but communities were largely similar among grazed pastures irrespective of forage origin or diversity, suggesting little short-term response to NWSG. In spite of unfavorable growing conditions due to drought, cattle grazing NWSG consistently outperformed conspecifics in GMEP, with 45–72% higher average daily gain. Partial budget analysis indicated that NWSG pastures yielded up to 36% marginal rates of return despite establishment costs. These results suggest NWSG conversion can benefit tall grass specialists such as Dickcissels while offering competitive alternatives to exotic forages, resulting in net benefits for both conservationists and producers.

This Master’s Thesis establishes what motivates a group of Mississippi farmers to participate in sustainable agriculture instead of industrial agriculture. A database of sustainable farmers was constructed in collaboration with the Gaining Ground Sustainability Institute of Mississippi. This research project used social network analysis with 28 farmers and participant observation and semi-structured interviewing with a purposively selected sample of 14 farmers. This project also explores the sustainable agricultural practices of participants. A map of the social network of sustainable agriculturalists in Mississippi is presented and shows that some farmers are well connected, some moderately connected, and others are isolated. As well, grounded qualitative analysis of interviews identified 4 primary motivations among participants: economic, health, self-sufficiency and anti-government. Overall this project found that motivations are numerous, social networks are weak but growing, and diverse demographics are turning to a sustainable model for agriculture in Mississippi.

No description available.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(経済学) / 甲第24775号 / 経博第670号 / 新制||経||303(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院経済学研究科経済学専攻 / (主査)教授 久野 秀二, 教授 田中 彰, 准教授 WANG Tao / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Economics / Kyoto University / DGAM

[ES] La presente investigación se centra en buscar los vínculos entre la práctica artística y la agrícola. Tras el estudio de ambas, se demuestra cómo se apoyan y nutren entre sí. Se realiza una breve revisión histórica de los 10.000 años de agricultura evidenciando cómo ha sido un tema muy relevante en las primeras manifestaciones gráfico-plásticas y el papel que ha ocupado en los movimientos artísticos posteriores hasta centrarnos en el arte contemporáneo. El estudio pretende dar a conocer las posibilidades que ofrece el arte utilizando estrategias artísticas y estéticas para fomentar prácticas agrícolas sustentables. Para ello, se hace uso de una metodología cualitativa y de investigación a través del arte con la elección de un repertorio de proyectos artísticos y su análisis. Finalmente, se eligen cinco casos de estudio actuales donde se trabaja el arte y la agricultura desde diferentes vías de investigación para analizarlos con más profundidad. / [CA] La present investigació se centra en buscar els vincles entre la pràctica artística i l'agrícola. Després de l'estudi d'ambdues, es demostra com se secunden i nodreixen entre si. Es realitza una breu revisió històrica dels 10.000 anys d'agricultura evidenciant com ha sigut un tema molt rellevant en les primeres manifestacions gràfic-plàstiques i el paper que ha ocupat en els moviments artístics posteriors fins a centrar-nos en l'art contemporani. L'estudi pretén donar a conéixer les possibilitats que ofereix l'art utilitzant estratègies artístiques i estètiques per a fomentar pràctiques agrícoles sustentables. Per tant, es fa ús d'una metodologia qualitativa i d'investigació a través de l'art amb l'elecció d'un repertori de projectes artístics i la seua anàlisi. Finalment, es trien cinc casos d'estudi actuals on es treballa l'art i l'agricultura des de diferents vies d'investigació per a analitzar-los amb més profunditat. / [EN] This research focuses on the relationship between artistic and agricultural practice. After studying both, it shows how they support and nourish each other. A brief historical review of the 10,000 years of agriculture is carried out, showing how it has been a very relevant theme in the first graphic-plastic manifestations and the role it has played in later artistic movements and, more recently, in contemporary art. The study aims to highlight the possibilities offered by art using aesthetic strategies to promote sustainable agricultural practices. In order to do so, qualitative methodologies and art based research are used to analyse a series of art contemporany projects. Finally, five case studies where art and agriculture converge are chosen for an in-depth study. / Puerto Espinós, C. (2021). Arte y agricultura: estrategias artísticas para la transición a una agricultura sustentable [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/175569 / TESIS

No description available.

Coffea arabica is a species with far-reaching impacts on the global economy. Nevertheless, climate-related challenges threaten the coffee industry at its source: its growing regions. The coffee industry is a significant economic driver in Guatemala, but farmers are increasingly reporting losses in crop yield and arable land due to climate-related challenges. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) can be employed to make predictions about the current and future suitability of regions for a species by identifying significant biotic or abiotic indicators. An ENM was used to project suitable land into the future using climate change projection models known as representative concentration pathways (RCPs), for the coffee plant and a number of other species. Due to the potential of shade trees to lessen heat stress on coffee plants, common shade trees for the region were modeled. Additionally, a fungus species responsible for detrimental coffee leaf rust was modeled. Results of these models indicated potential for substantial climate-related habitat losses for the coffee plant in the coming decades. Examination of model predictions allow for greater understanding of the climate-related variables affecting the ecology of the coffee plant, and the potential risks to the industry, in a changing climate. Additionally, ENM models for coffee rust and shade trees can help Guatemalan farmers make informed decisions about farm management.

The Corral de Piedra community is located in Chiquimula, Guatemala. The main agricultural activities are corn and bean production, small-scale gardens, and small animal production, such as poultry and pigs. The crop areas are predominantly located on lands with slopes between 12 and 55%, presenting low fertility conditions and poor moisture retention capabilities. In addition, local crop varieties have low productivity potentials and the winter season is characterized by poorly distributed and erratic periods of rain. The Benson Institute introduced a technology transfer model to increase and diversify agricultural production, while preserving current natural resources. An integral part of this model included educating the community on nutrition and health topics. The school was considered to be the most appropriate place to introduce training and education in agriculture among students and community leaders, thus contributing to community development.

Microbial-root associations are important to help plants cope with abiotic and biotic stressors. Managing these interactions offers an opportunity for improving the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. By characterizing the bacterial and archaeal community (via 16S rRNA sequencing) associated with the bulk and rhizosphere soil of sixteen strawberry cultivars in two controlled field studies, we explored the relationships between the soil microbiome and plant resistance to two soilborne fungal pathogens of strawberry (Verticillium dahliae and Macrophomina phaseolina). Overall, the plants had a distinctive rhizosphere microbiome relative to the bulk soil, with higher abundances of known beneficial bacteria such as Pseudomonads and Rhizobium. Plant genotype, biomass, leaf nutrient content and mortality were influenced differently by the rhizosphere microbiome in each of the two trials. In the V. dahliae trial, the rhizosphere microbiome was associated with plant biomass and leaf nutrient content and only indirectly to the disease resistance. In the M. phaseolina trial, the rhizosphere microbiome was associated to plant biomass, but not nutrient content; furthermore, resistant cultivars had larger abundances of Pseudomonas and Arthrobacter in their rhizosphere relative to susceptible cultivars. The mechanisms involved in these beneficial plant-microbial interactions and their plasticity in different environments should be studied further for the design of low-input disease management strategies.

This study compares the energy utilization of two systems for producing cattle of desirable slaughter weight and grade from weanlings. Both systems produce beef cattle as a primary output; various types of baled hay are produced as a secondary output. One system uses generally accepted, "best management practices" while the other uses experimental, sustainable agriculture techniques. Since the adoption of new practices in agriculture often hinges on economics, an economic comparison is also presented. Beef produced in the sustainable system required 32% less energy per kilogram than that produced in the conventional system. However, baled alfalfa produced in the sustainable system required 8% more energy per kilogram than the alfalfa grown in the conventional system. When all types of hay were considered, the sustainable system used 7% more energy to produce one kilogram of baled hay. To compare the energetics of the two systems on a whole farm basis, the amount of energy required to produce one dollar of return was calculated. The sustainable system required 12.4 megajoules to produce one dollar of return, while the conventional system required 17.1 megajoules to produce the same return. Although economic returns on beef and alfalfa production were comparable in the two systems studied, the conventional system showed greater returns on the whole farm, due to a greater export of baled hay. / Master of Science