This study seeks to benchmark financial efficiencies for vegetable food crop production and to demonstrate that local vegetable food crop growing is a viable option. The work identifies techniques for communities to increase sustainability on small land plots in Wales [UK]. Initial research shows limited availability of systematic data on harvest quantities and financial returns for small scale growing of vegetable food crops. When interviewed, 37 growers from an initial total of 40 were either reluctant to provide, or had failed to keep, written records of vegetable production, their costs and sales statistics. The information provided by the 37 for comprehensive personal interview questionnaires is mainly derived from memory. Organic registered growers are notionally required to keep precise production and other details by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Analysis of the memorised data showed in most instances that outputs generated were not sufficient to support inputs. This study highlights the difficulties of collecting and collating sufficient accurate data and systematic to establish reliable benchmarks for small agricultural enterprises. Data Envelopment Analysis software initially identifies efficient and inefficient producers from the data collected but a simpler more readily understandable analysis system is now used which identifies changes in input variables needed to gauge efficiency. This study is set against a theoretical examination of global economic events that combine to discourage localisation. The overall aim is to show that in a global production framework there are hidden, deferred and obscured costs that make those processes unsustainable. Study of the produce of smallholdings and allotments in Wales allows some tentative conclusions to be drawn about appropriate benchmarks for local vegetable food crop production. This study is more important however, for the light it sheds on the current quality of data available for analysing small scale agricultural production and the general difficulties of conducting a survey to collect robust data, the analysis of which has policy implications for production, consumption and lifestyle.

The current study aimed at investigating the sustainability of KwaZakhele's Permaculture Project and was conducted in the Eastern Cape Province within the Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality at Ward 22 according to Municipal Ward demarcations. The researcher was motivated to carry out this study due to the fact that many food production projects in the NMMM are not sustainable and thus contribute to food insecurity and a high rate of unemployment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of permaculture projects in solving some of the food insecurity and unemployment issues in the NMMM. The KwaZakhele Permaculture Project (KPP) is a vegetable garden which produces different types of vegetables for marketing purposes and for household consumption. The KPP is supported financially by overseas-based organisations and have created ten direct work opportunities for KwaZakhele community. All the project members of the KPP are women. A qualitative research approach was employed in this study, with the emphasis of collecting primary data from the project participants as well as consulting secondary data from sources such as academic journals, books and government policy documents. The study reveals that permaculture design training and project monitoring are the most important developmental support permaculture projects need before and after implementation. The study also determined that the costs of establishing permaculture project can be higher or lower depending on the project size. Consultation and co-ordination fees account for a greater portion of the funding followed by permaculture infrastructure. The results of the study also indicate that permaculture design principles and ethics are seen as a strength for the sustainability of KPP.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1971. / Accompanied by Supplement (1 v. 27 cm.) 1971. Copies of published papers by the author. Mimeographed. Also available on microfilm.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 104 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-104).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1948. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [24]-26).

A região Sudoeste do Paraná se caracteriza por apresentar no meio rural significativa participação de agricultores familiares. Nesse contexto, a olericultura tem se destacado como importante alternativa de renda para estes agricultores e, assim, reveste-se de importância para a região. Entretanto, para que esta atividade desenvolva todo seu potencial, é preciso desenvolver tecnologias adaptadas às condições locais, especialmente no sentido de reduzir a dependência de insumos externos e de reduzir os custos de produção. Nesse sentido, propôs-se o presente estudo com vistas a avaliar a produção de mudas de abobrinha e de beterraba em recipientes coletivos e a produção das culturas implantadas com estas mudas, como alternativa à semeadura direta nos próprios canteiros normalmente empregada na região. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na UTFPR – Campus Pato Branco, com a utilização de diferentes substratos formulados com resíduo de carvão, húmus e vermiculita, misturados em diferentes proporções, tendo como testemunha o substrato comercial Húmus Fértil®, acondicionados em bandejas de 128 e 200 células. O estudo envolveu a realização de quatro experimentos, sendo que no primeiro avaliou-se a qualidade das mudas de abobrinha produzidas com estes substratos e bandejas; no segundo, avaliou-se a produção de mudas de beterraba incluindo a semeadura direta como testemunha; no terceiro, avaliou-se a produção de abobrinha a partir das mudas obtidas no primeiro experimento; e, no quarto experimento, avaliou-se a produção de beterraba. Nos experimentos 01 e 03, inicialmente, foram avaliadas a porcentagem de emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência. Depois, aos 30 dias após a semeadura, as mudas foram avaliadas pelas variáveis altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, área foliar, fitomassa fresca e seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular. Para os experimentos 02 e 04, o transplantio ocorreu 30 dias após a semeadura. No experimento 02, os frutos de abobrinha foram colhidos quando atingiram o ponto de comercialização (comprimento de 15 a 20 cm), colhendo-os a cada dois dias, até que finalizasse a produção. Avaliaram-se as variáveis diâmetro do fruto, número de frutos e produção total de frutos (expressa em Mg ha-1). No experimento 04, as avaliações foram realizadas aos 55 dias após o transplantio, determinando-se a altura da planta, o número de folhas, a área foliar e fitomassa seca da parte aérea, o diâmetro e o peso das raizes tuberosas. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que as características químicas dos substratos influenciaram significativamente a qualidade das mudas produzidas, especialmente o pH e a relação álcio/magnésio no caso da abobrinha, e o teor de Mn e a relação fósforo/zinco, no caso da beterraba. Observou-se, ainda, que o volume de substrato utilizado na produção das mudas interferiu significativamente sobre a qualidade das mudas produzidas, sendo que a bandeja de 128 células (volume maior) produziu mudas de melhor qualidade que a bandeja de 200 células. A qualidade da muda utilizada afetou significativamente a produtividade da cultura sendo que no caso da abobrinha observou-se produtividade entre 7,9 e 24,1 Mg ha-1 e, no caso da beterraba, entre 22,3 e 59,0 Mg ha-1. / The Southwest Parana region is characterized by presenting the significant participation of family farmers. In this context, horticulture has emerged as an important alternative source of income for these farmers, and thus is of importance to the region. However, for this activity to evelop their full potential, we must develop technologies suited to local conditions, particularly to reduce dependence on external inputs and to reduce production costs. In this sense, it was proposed this study in order to evaluate the production of seedlings of zucchini and beet on trays and the production of crops with these seedlings implanted as an alternative to direct sowing in their own beds usually employed in the region. The experiment was carried at UTFPR – campus Pato Branco, with the use of different substrates formulated on the waste coal, humus and vermiculite mixed in different proportions, and as shown by the commercial substrate Húmus Fertil®, packed in trays of 128 and 200 cells. The study involved the performance of four experiments, and at first we evaluated the quality of seedlings of zucchini grown with these substrates and pans, in the second evaluated the production of beet seedlings including direct seeding as a witness, in the third, evaluated the production of squash seedlings from the first experiment, and in the fourth experiment, we evaluated the production of sugar beet. In experiments 01 and 03 were initially evaluated the percentage of emergence speed rate of emergence. Then at 30 days after sowing, the seedlings were evaluated for the variables plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots. For the trials 02 and 04, the transplant was done 30 days after sowing. In experiment 02, the fruits of zucchini were harvested when they reached the point of sale (length 15-20 cm), harvesting them every two days until finalize the production. We evaluated the variables: the diameter of the fruit, fruit number and total yield (in Mg ha-1). In experiment 04, were examined 55 days after transplanting, determining plant height, leaf number, leaf area and dry weight of shoots, the diameter and the weight of tuberous roots. The results showed that the chemical characteristics of substrates significantly influenced the quality of plants, especially the pH and the calcium/magnesium in the case of zucchini, and the ratio of manganese and phosphorus/zinc, in the case of beet. It was noted also that the volume of substrate used in the nursery significantly affect the quality of plants, and the 128 trays (larger volume) produced seedlings of better quality than the tray 2001 cells. The quality of the switches used significantly affected the yield and in the case of zucchini yield was observed between 7,9 and 24,1 Mg ha-1 and in the case of beet, between 22,3 and 59,0 Mg ha-1.

A região Sudoeste do Paraná se caracteriza por apresentar no meio rural significativa participação de agricultores familiares. Nesse contexto, a olericultura tem se destacado como importante alternativa de renda para estes agricultores e, assim, reveste-se de importância para a região. Entretanto, para que esta atividade desenvolva todo seu potencial, é preciso desenvolver tecnologias adaptadas às condições locais, especialmente no sentido de reduzir a dependência de insumos externos e de reduzir os custos de produção. Nesse sentido, propôs-se o presente estudo com vistas a avaliar a produção de mudas de abobrinha e de beterraba em recipientes coletivos e a produção das culturas implantadas com estas mudas, como alternativa à semeadura direta nos próprios canteiros normalmente empregada na região. O trabalho foi desenvolvido na UTFPR – Campus Pato Branco, com a utilização de diferentes substratos formulados com resíduo de carvão, húmus e vermiculita, misturados em diferentes proporções, tendo como testemunha o substrato comercial Húmus Fértil®, acondicionados em bandejas de 128 e 200 células. O estudo envolveu a realização de quatro experimentos, sendo que no primeiro avaliou-se a qualidade das mudas de abobrinha produzidas com estes substratos e bandejas; no segundo, avaliou-se a produção de mudas de beterraba incluindo a semeadura direta como testemunha; no terceiro, avaliou-se a produção de abobrinha a partir das mudas obtidas no primeiro experimento; e, no quarto experimento, avaliou-se a produção de beterraba. Nos experimentos 01 e 03, inicialmente, foram avaliadas a porcentagem de emergência e o índice de velocidade de emergência. Depois, aos 30 dias após a semeadura, as mudas foram avaliadas pelas variáveis altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, área foliar, fitomassa fresca e seca da parte aérea e do sistema radicular. Para os experimentos 02 e 04, o transplantio ocorreu 30 dias após a semeadura. No experimento 02, os frutos de abobrinha foram colhidos quando atingiram o ponto de comercialização (comprimento de 15 a 20 cm), colhendo-os a cada dois dias, até que finalizasse a produção. Avaliaram-se as variáveis diâmetro do fruto, número de frutos e produção total de frutos (expressa em Mg ha-1). No experimento 04, as avaliações foram realizadas aos 55 dias após o transplantio, determinando-se a altura da planta, o número de folhas, a área foliar e fitomassa seca da parte aérea, o diâmetro e o peso das raizes tuberosas. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que as características químicas dos substratos influenciaram significativamente a qualidade das mudas produzidas, especialmente o pH e a relação álcio/magnésio no caso da abobrinha, e o teor de Mn e a relação fósforo/zinco, no caso da beterraba. Observou-se, ainda, que o volume de substrato utilizado na produção das mudas interferiu significativamente sobre a qualidade das mudas produzidas, sendo que a bandeja de 128 células (volume maior) produziu mudas de melhor qualidade que a bandeja de 200 células. A qualidade da muda utilizada afetou significativamente a produtividade da cultura sendo que no caso da abobrinha observou-se produtividade entre 7,9 e 24,1 Mg ha-1 e, no caso da beterraba, entre 22,3 e 59,0 Mg ha-1. / The Southwest Parana region is characterized by presenting the significant participation of family farmers. In this context, horticulture has emerged as an important alternative source of income for these farmers, and thus is of importance to the region. However, for this activity to evelop their full potential, we must develop technologies suited to local conditions, particularly to reduce dependence on external inputs and to reduce production costs. In this sense, it was proposed this study in order to evaluate the production of seedlings of zucchini and beet on trays and the production of crops with these seedlings implanted as an alternative to direct sowing in their own beds usually employed in the region. The experiment was carried at UTFPR – campus Pato Branco, with the use of different substrates formulated on the waste coal, humus and vermiculite mixed in different proportions, and as shown by the commercial substrate Húmus Fertil®, packed in trays of 128 and 200 cells. The study involved the performance of four experiments, and at first we evaluated the quality of seedlings of zucchini grown with these substrates and pans, in the second evaluated the production of beet seedlings including direct seeding as a witness, in the third, evaluated the production of squash seedlings from the first experiment, and in the fourth experiment, we evaluated the production of sugar beet. In experiments 01 and 03 were initially evaluated the percentage of emergence speed rate of emergence. Then at 30 days after sowing, the seedlings were evaluated for the variables plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass of shoots and roots. For the trials 02 and 04, the transplant was done 30 days after sowing. In experiment 02, the fruits of zucchini were harvested when they reached the point of sale (length 15-20 cm), harvesting them every two days until finalize the production. We evaluated the variables: the diameter of the fruit, fruit number and total yield (in Mg ha-1). In experiment 04, were examined 55 days after transplanting, determining plant height, leaf number, leaf area and dry weight of shoots, the diameter and the weight of tuberous roots. The results showed that the chemical characteristics of substrates significantly influenced the quality of plants, especially the pH and the calcium/magnesium in the case of zucchini, and the ratio of manganese and phosphorus/zinc, in the case of beet. It was noted also that the volume of substrate used in the nursery significantly affect the quality of plants, and the 128 trays (larger volume) produced seedlings of better quality than the tray 2001 cells. The quality of the switches used significantly affected the yield and in the case of zucchini yield was observed between 7,9 and 24,1 Mg ha-1 and in the case of beet, between 22,3 and 59,0 Mg ha-1.

Experiments were conducted with tomato under shade netting and with lettuce in a vertical hydroponic system at the Hatfield Experimental Farm, University of Pretoria. The objectives of the study were: 1. To evaluate the effect of different types of shade netting on tomato production 2. To develop a vertical hydroponic system for lettuce production which would be suitable for use by small-scale farmers. In the tomato trial the highest number of fruit per plant (47) was produced under 12% white shade and 40% black shade nets, and the lowest fruit number (35) was produced under 30% black net. The highest yield of 6.2 kg per plant was obtained under the 18% white net while 30% black net produced the lowest yield of 3.9 kg per plant. The test yield of lettuce grown in plastic tubes with eight vertically arranged plant positions were obtained with a continuous high flow rate of the nutrient solution. However, a simplified manual system where the nutrient solution was delivered by gravity from a small reservoir tank resulted in comparable yields. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Agronomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Thesis. 1975. M.Arch.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / Bibliography: leaves 72-76. / by John G. Bemis. / M.Arch.