Search

At present plants had to face adverse climatic fluctuations which are often detrimental for their growth in order to cope up with this situation, they develop certain adaptive tactics like synthesis of new proteins, micro RNAs, compatible solutes/osmolites and radical release to avoid its adverse effects. Of these study on compatible solutes such as polyamines (PAs) gained popularity among researchers. In plant, they are involved in a wide variety of regulatory and cellular processes under normal conditions. During these stresses they acts by activating biosynthesis of signaling molecules like NO, H2O2; affects abscisic acid synthesis; Ca2+ homeostasis; ion channel signaling or even apoptosis in severe conditions. Over expression of PAs is reported in various stresses due to the presence of stress-responsive elements in the promoters of PA biosynthetic genes. This review paper, summarizes the effect of polyamines in boosting plants growth during abiotic stress and its mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declining per capita land, water and other resources triggered by changing climate and increasing population need resource conservation technologies (RCTs) for agricultural sustainability. This paper has presented findings from recent research on resource conservation technologies that have been attempted in different regions of India. The superiority of resource conservation technologies (RCTs) such as laser land leveling, zero tillage, bed planting, direct seeded rice, leaf colour chart, green seeker and crop diversification over conventional methods of cultivation practices is evaluated in terms of saving of energy, water and labour, increase in crop yield, water productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, net returns and making agriculture climate smart. Zero tillage with residue retention increase soil organic carbon sequestration, conserve soil moisture and lower soil temperature thus making agriculture climate smart. Direct seeded rice is solution for labour scarcity, excessive water and fuel use in transplanted rice. Use of leaf colour chart saves nitrogenous fertilizers. Laser land leveling and bed planting practices increase water productivity and crop yield over conventional practices. But the machinery required for adoption of RCTs are heavy and costly, so the study has suggested the use of machines on co-operative basis and also the wider scale testing of new technologies under diverse production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial revolution and fast deforestation in 20th century pushes the earth to face climate change. Climate change became one of the most important global environmental challenges of the 21st century. Besides other weather abnormalities it is potential threat to world food security as agriculture production is directly dependent on various weather parameters. Even a small alteration in climate, adversely affects agriculture by decreasing the production. Global temperatures have already increased by 0.70°C over the past century and prediction of more rise of temperature is there. Possible changes in temperature, precipitation and CO2 concentration are expected to significantly impact crop growth. India could experience a 40% decline in agricultural productivity by the 2080s. Various food grain crops are going to affect badly under the temperature rise situation. It has been projected that under the scenario of a 2.50°C to 4.90°C temperature rise, rice yields will drop by 32% to 40% and wheat yields by 41% to 52%. This paper summarized study related to climate change projections and its impact on production of various crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global demand for animal products is extremely increasing in the future period, which mainly because of improvement in the global standard of living. In the meantime, global climate change is a pressure to animal production due to the impact on quality of forages, water availability, animal and milk production, animal health, animal reproduction and biodiversity. This paper reviews the impacts of climate change on animal production and converse contributions of animal production sector to global climate variation and specific climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in animal production sector. Global climate change will affect animal production and consequently food security mainly in tropical regions. This paper also reviewed that, converse contribution of animal production sector in emission of GHGs to the atmosphere for global climate change. Therefore, global climate change adaptation, mitigation practices and policy frameworks are critical to protect animal production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several coastal regions in Vietnam have been suffered from salinity intrusion as a consequence of global climate change. However, there are limited studies on saline intrusion in Vietnam. This paper aimed to investigate the salinity intrusion of water and soil samples in paddy fields along Tam Giang lagoon, Thua Thien Hue province and clarify the factors affecting the salinity level. Methods: We measured the salinity concentrations (EC, Electrical conductivity) of water and soil samples in paddy fields at different distances (400, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 m) from Tam Giang lagoon. The multiple regression analysis was performed to figure out the factors affecting the salinity concentrations. Result: The salinity concentrations of water were assessed as 48% high saline (10-25 dS m-1), 34% moderately saline (2-10 dS m-1), 2% slightly saline (0.7-2 dS m-1) and 15% non-saline (<0.7 dS m-1). As for surface soil in paddy field, 14.3% moderately saline (4-8 dS m-1), 35.4% slightly saline (2-4 dS m-1) and 50.3% non-saline (0-2 dS m-1) were measured. A significantly positive correlation was found between salinity concentrations of water and soil (n=175, r=0.886, p<0.01). The distances from salinity sources, Tam Giang lagoon and shrimp pond, were major factors affecting the salinity concentrations. The paddy fields near Tam Giang lagoon and shrimp pond have higher salinity concentrations compared to those areas close to the residential area. The surface water in the paddy field within 1000 m from the salinity source was assessed as saline that might harm the paddy soil and rice production. The results of this study provide highly useful information for local policymakers and farmers about the status of salinity intrusion in paddy land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Niño events are large climate disturbances which are originated within the equatorial Pacific, and occur in every 2 to eight years. The developed phase of El Niño is characterized by unusual warm waters at the ocean surface, from the coasts of Peru and Ecuador to the middle of the equatorial Pacific. This phenomenon is caused by strange weakening of the trade winds blowing westward, which allows warm surface waters to reverse their direction eastward. The climatic impacts of El Niño are amplifying throughout the planet which may show several effects on regional weather. it’s related with wide-ranging changes within the climate system and may cause prominent socio-economic impacts affecting infrastructure, agriculture, health and energy sectors. albeit El Niño appears within the region of tropical Pacific; it’s impact on the worldwide climate and weather phenomena like drought/flooding and tropical storms. the traditional status within the equatorial Pacific is modified due to the raise in greenhouse gases which in turn leads to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) changes. we are able to assure that ENSO variations will endure and influence the worldwide climate within the coming decades and centuries. Hence, forecasting and interpreting ENSO conditions are essential to both the scientists and therefore the public. during this paper, the occurrence of El Niño and its impact on global climate and socio-economic status has been studied and reviewed from literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is land-use systems and technologies where woody perennials are deliberately used on equivalent land management units as crops and/or animals. Its systems combine tree growing with the assembly of different crops or animals. Hence, developing positive ecological and economic interactions between components, agroforestry systems aim to produce a variety of environmental, economic and social advantages to farming communities. It plays a major role in soil conservation and global climate change mitigation particularly due to its tree component. Trees control soil degradation through their roots and accumulate greenhouse emission (GHG) in their biomass. What is more, it conjointly helps in global climate change adaptation. It's a long-time undeniable fact that despite our gift effort at global climate change mitigation (GHG reduction), there is an additional pressing ought to address the impact of global climate change (adaptation). Peoples ought to be acutely aware regarding the scope and advantages of agroforestry and that they ought to participate in the implementation and development of agroforestry within the country. Thus, this paper reviews different analysis findings on the opportunities and challenges for scaling up agroforestry practices. Therefore, the agroforestry system is economically and ecologically sound practices with an improvement of overall farm productivity, soil enrichment through litterfall, maintaining environmental services like international global climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration), phytoremediation, watershed protection and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a recent challenge on crop production and productivity in the world. The objective of this paper is to review the major effects of climate change on the production and productivity of wheat in the high lands of Ethiopia. Effects of climate change on wheat would be mainly through changes in [CO2], temperature, rainfall, length of growing period, actual growth rate and increased evapo-transpiration, which may lead to reduce yield or complete crop failure. Moreover, flower fertilization and grain set are highly sensitive to heat stress during mid-anthesis. In C3 crops like wheat, the elevated CO2 level is expected to increase productivity as a result of higher CO2 diffusion through stomata leading to a higher photosynthesis rate. But, elevated [CO2] may have negative effects on the grain-quality of wheat in terms of protein, lipids, number of mitochondria and nitrogen contents. Unlike CO2, elevated temperature affects crop production negatively by increasing rate of respiration; hastening plant growth and development; increasing photorespiration of wheat, reducing photosynthetic efficiency due to O2 interrupts the photosynthetic path way instead of CO2, increasing rate of water loss by increasing evapo-transpiration and decreasing nutrient use-efficiency through increased rate of decomposition and mineralization. As a result, wheat area is forecast to be displaced by other crop types. In order to tackle this issue, major mitigation and adaptation measures for example promoting area closures and conservation agriculture-based (CA), agroforestry practices, efficient use of energy sources, etc. should be practiced and given special attention by the communities as well as the government to solve the effects of climate change on wheat production and productivity in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High input costs, environmental degradation and climate change have generated new challenges in the agriculture, horticulture and forestry sector. The objective of this paper is to identify the main horticultural agroforestry systems useful for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Agri-horticulture, Horti-olericulture, Silvi-olericulture, Horti-pasture, Horti/Silvo-medicinal, Horti/Silvo-ornamental, Hortisilviculture, Horti-entomoforestry and Horti-Pisciculture are horticultural agroforestry systems recommended. Agroforestry systems in comparison with monoculture systems, have better use of water, soil and light, can help reduce the application of herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, fertilizers, increasing food security, biodiversity protection and climatic change adaptation. We recommended national politics, subsidies, technical support and credits for global farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in the Czech Republic is one of major sectors of the economy, as it provides a substantial share of the basic food requirements of the population. An important part of agricultural companies' production consists of livestock, especially because of the effective use of crop production as a source of all kinds of animal feed. It is also proven that livestock production plays a significant role in the creation and cultivation of the landscape. Czech agriculture has shown a profit since joining the EU thanks to a significant increase in subsidies. The aim of this paper is to show the impacts of the globalization of the economy and climate change on the economic performance of agricultural companies in the Czech Republic. Serious consequences of global climate change are already evident, and their intensity will grow with the ongoing warming of the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In post-conflict South Sudan, as in many other places, climate variability extreme events are already undermining communities' livelihoods by causing adverse socioeconomic and environmental impacts. However, few studies have paid little attention to the extent to which climatic shocks have disturbed the community's livelihood and resilience strategies built by communities. Quantitative methodological review using a systematic protocol to select scientific literature was employed. A total of twenty-five articles were extracted and analyzed. The findings indicated that climatic shocks such as flood, drought, have resulted in disruptive changes in cropping pattern, reduction in the crop production, erosion of social assets, exacerbate resource-based conflicts, resulting in large losses of livestock and disturbed the physical topography of the area leading to extinction of flora and fauna that constituted the livelihoods of the communities. Results also showed that: (1) crop farming and livestock rearing, (2) diversification of livelihood assets and, (3) switching to alternative offfarm businesses are pursued by households. This review paper recommends that policymakers should focus on building livelihood assets and investing in and outside the agriculture sector in order to promote sustainable livelihoods development and income diversification while providing pathways for communities to recover and adapt to climate variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endowment of fertile Gangetic alluvial soil and abundant water resources, particularly groundwater resources altogether constitute core components for development of agriculture in Bihar. Efforts have been made in this paper to analyze factors responsible for changes in land use pattern, especially increase in current fallows, shrinking net sown area and shifting of land for non-agricultural purposes in the state. A larger concentration of current fallow lands was accounted for in Gaya, Patna, Purnea, Munger, Jehanabad and Kishanganj districts. The rainfall and road length have significant impact on the level of current fallows. Erratic monsoon and labour scarcity during the study period of present century resulted in accumulation of current fallow lands. It was further observed that the non-agricultural use of land was identified as the dominant factor for changes in common lands as it affected the current fallows negatively. It is a challenging task for policy makers to maximize the income of farmers from a continuously declining in net sown area, deteriorating climatic conditions as well as labour scarce conditions, thereby resulting in aggregation of current fallows. In order to boost the production and enhance farmer's income, it is necessary to discourage the rising tendency in current fallows or to bring current fallows under cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is reported sporadically in different countries of the world including India that climate change has adverse effect on livestock productivity, particularly on milk production and growth which is reflected in meat production indirectly. Climate Change poses formidable challenge to the development of livestock sector in India. The rise in temperature between 2 to 3 °C over the entire country together with increased humidity resulting from climate change is likely to aggravate the heat stress in dairy animals resulting in reduced growth and milk production. Quantification of these potential impacts of climate on livestock production allows producers to gain a better understanding of the magnitude of the changes in production levels and potential indicators of livestock response, on which managemental actions depend. Economic losses resulting from temperature-induced reductions in production may justify adaptation and mitigation of adverse impact of climate change on animal. So in this paper impact of climate change on feed intake, production, reproduction, physiology, disease occurrence in livestock, poultry etc were discussed. Moreover different adaptive and mitigation measures were discussed to reduce adverse negative effect of climate change for sustainable livestock production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

8Background: Agroforestry is a kind of land use system that has been practiced since long in many parts of the world. Even if agroforestry is contributing a lot for the farmers, no study has been conducted which acknowledges the socio-economic importance of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. Therefore, this may create a problem to expand and adapt the practices to another area for the cope and mitigate climate changes and achieve food security. Methods: The study used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. It ascertained the role of agroforestry practices in Harari regional state. A sample of 350 farmers was interviewed and selected using two-stage random sampling techniques. Result: The results showed that 100% of the sample respondents practiced agroforestry as a land use for income source, shade, soil improvement, fodder, firewood, construction material, medicinal purposes etc. The components of the agroforestry system adopted by the local community were pulse, root, cereal crops and vegetables. Khat, Eritia, Acacia, Cordial, Zeziphus were the fodder species used. 78.57% of the respondents used a stallfeeding technique to feed their animals. The respondents obtained annual income of 32,199.16 Ethiopian birrs on average. In general, the agroforestry system helps the local communities to diversify their income, fulfill animal feed and cope with and mitigate climate change. To sustain the local people with the climate change, decision-makers and researchers should give more attention to the preferred agroforestry species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate and agriculture are intensely interrelated global processes and therefore a change in climate affects agricultural production. One such change is global warming which is projected to have significant impacts on environment affecting agriculture, including higher carbon dioxide emission, rise in atmospheric temperature, higher glacial run-off, changed precipitation and the interaction of these elements. These conditions determine the carrying capacity of the biosphere to produce enough food for the human population and domesticated animals. The present paper might help to anticipate and adapt farming to maximize agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is inflicting a huge impact in all the corners of biosphere. The insects, one of the early inhabitants of the biosphere are well known for their co-evolution with the plants and adaptation to the diverse environments. The power of flight makes the insect community to occupy new habitats and hence insect migration is one of the predominant areas for investigation in the perspective of climate change. The insect migration is a complex science that involves thorough understanding of insect bio-ecology along with knowledge of meteorology, aerodynamics, remote sensing and climatology. The various abiotic parameters that influence the insect migration and the effects of these parameters under the changing climatic scenario are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity, particularly in regions with limited water availability. Maize, a staple crop worldwide, is highly susceptible to drought stress, leading to reduced seed germination, stunted growth and ultimately diminished yields. Addressing this issue, in this study various phytohormones and polyamines were used as priming agents for seeds to evaluate its performance to mitigate drought stress in maize seed germination and vigour. It plays crucial roles in regulating plant growth and development, as well as responses to various environmental stresses, including drought. These hormones modulate physiological and biochemical processes, leading to adaptive changes that helps maize plants to cope with water scarcity. Methods: The experiment was conducted by exposing maize seeds primed with different phytohormones and polyamines in optimum along with non primed seeds (control) to various levels of PEG concentration ranging from -0.2 MPa to -1.0 MPa for creating drought stress. Primed seeds subjected to a germination test. The seedling growth parameters and seed vigour were evaluated to analyse better performing seed priming treatment to mitigate drought stress. Result: From the experiment it is concluded that increase in concentration of PEG (from -0.2 Mpa to -1.0 MPa) decreased the seed germination and seed vigour traits in maize. Among seed priming treatments, seeds primed with melatonin 150 μM showed greater performance seedling vigour and its related traits even under water deficit stress condition. In conclusion, seed priming with melatonin exhibited superior efficacy in mitigating drought stress in maize. This finding highlights the potential of melatonin as a promising seed priming agent for enhancing drought tolerance in maize seeds. As seed priming is simple, easy and cost effective method, farmers can use this technology as one of their practice to eliminate the effect of drought stress in maize crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, climate change is one of the most challenging environmental issues as it poses potential threat to different sectors of economy at global level. Agriculture being an open activity is primarily dependent on climatic factors and change in climatic conditions affects the production, quality and quantity of crop production in an area. This paper attempts to study effects of only two parameters of climate i.e. temperature and rainfall on agricultural production in northwest region of India. Northwest region comprising of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir states is the greatest food bowl of India contributing to its food security. The analysis of mean monthly rainfall and maximum and minimum temperatures (1901-2006) shows no significant change in temperature and rainfall conditions from 1901 to 1960; but afterward the change is more pronounced. On the whole any significant change in climatic conditions will not only challenge the food production of the region but also challenge the country's food security situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anticipated climate change will adversely affect the productivity of livestock directly due to increased heat stress, indirectly it will affect the livestock by causing feed and fodder shortages, reducing biodiversity, water availability and increasing the incidences of vector-borne livestock diseases. On the other hand, the livestock keeping farm households mainly small farm households will be affected directly as they rear livestock for their livelihood. Interestingly, over the years, the livestock keeping households have increased at a tremendous rate for the small and marginal, medium and semi-medium farm household categories as they reduce the risk arising from extreme climate conditions. So, it becomes imperative to adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of climate change on livestock given their importance in smallholder farmers' livelihood in India. Some of researchers in past have recommended certain adaptation and mitigation strategies for reducing the climate change impact on livestock. But, are these adaptation and mitigation strategies applicable or viable in the context of smallholder farmers in India? This remains an unsolved puzzle. This paper tries to demystify certain myths associated with these strategies as well as explore the ground realities. The present policy of indiscriminate crossbreeding of local cattle with exotic cattle should be reviewed and reoriented for smallholder dairy farmer especially, in dry and rainfed regions where there is scarcity of fodder and water which are required heavily by crossbred cattle. The study clearly reflects that the adaptation research should be country specific as the strategies suitable for one country may not be viable for the others as there is considerable difference in local conditions of different countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change such as rising temperature, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, rainfall variability and altering soil physical, chemical and biological properties are observed all around the world. A review over impacts of clim ate change with relation to crops and soil health was done at Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS HAU Hisar. IPCC, 2021 provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach. Impacts of climate change on soil properties are long time process as weather elements induce Physio-chemical reaction with soil which happens slowly in relation to weather elements. Climate change is generally expected to increase the crop yields due to CO2 fertilization, radiation use efficiency and longer growing season but on the other hand, beyond a critical limit it may develop stress conditions like water stress, sun burns, scorching, bark cracking, closure stomata, leaf senescence and abscission etc. that can decrease crop production. Acidification, sodicity and salinization problem can develop in soil due to increase in temperature and acidic rainfall. So it can be held that, climate change would have intensive impacts on cereal and horticulture crops health and production as well as on soil properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture always faces the risks due to various reasons. Among that climatic risks are the most important one as they are unavoidable and unexpected. Increased temperature, changed precipitation conditions and increased CO2 content in the atmosphere are the major climatic factors affecting crop production. Rise in atmospheric temperature will lead to loss of soil moisture and will increase the crop demand for water. The amount and availability of water stored in the soil will be affected by changes in both the precipitation and seasonal and annual evapotranspiration regimes. Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration can cause uncertainty in crop yields. So-lar radiation also has considerable effect on photosynthesis and crop yield. The effect of interrelationship between the climatic factors like temperature, rainfall, solar radiation, CO2 concentration, etc and crop yield need to be understood to take necessary adaptation measures to maintain the crop production. This paper presents an overview of the impacts of various climatic factors on crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An effort was made by the Ethiopian government to increase the level of technical efficiency of farmers across the country. However, due to climate change, smallholder farmers were facing challenges to increase technical efficiency in crop production. Adaptation to climate change is crucial to uphold and increase food crop productivity. This study analysis the impact of climate change adaptation and policy issues on food crop production efficiency in Kellem Wollega, Ethiopia. Methods: The data was gathered from 400 randomly selected food crop smallholder farmers. The Cobb-Douglas production function was used by including the climate change adaptation measures as explanatory variables in technical inefficiency. Simulation was made to adaption measures that can be influenced by the policy variables to see their impact on the level of technical efficiency. Result: The finding show that the use of adaptive practices (multiple crop type, improved crop varieties, adjusting planting dates and irrigation) had a significant and positive effect on technical efficiency whereas land fragmentation reduces efficiency level. Regarding simulation of policy variables the result show that the mean technical efficiency would increase with rising level of improved crop varieties, adjusting planting dates and irrigation practices. The results of the simulation of land fragmentation climate change adaptation variables show that the mean technical efficiency declines as a result of land fragmentation. Empirical results reveal that with appropriate policy intervention (climate change adaptation measures) the technical efficiency level of food crop farmers can be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within West Africa (WA), poverty, population growth rate and food insecurity are high and most agriculture is conducted at an unmechanised level, reliant on rain-fed conditions. As with elsewhere around the world, there is a clear fingerprint of climate change on WA, with increasing temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns. As the century progresses and climate change intensifies, so too will the impact on rain-fed horticulture. This creates an urgent need to understand and synthesis the responses of horticultural crops to climate change and identify adaptation options. This review provides an overview of climate change across WA and the impacts on key horticultural crop groups (vegetables, plantations, fruits and root and tubers) and identifies regions within WA where these crops may be more or less vulnerable to changing conditions. Adaptation actions and strategies-ranging from education, introduction of new cultivars and development of effective cropping systems, to transference of skills from other regions and expansion of farmer-government-NGO collaborations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In contemporary world food crop production is under pressure due to change in climate. In developing nation climate change is a treat both in food crop production and food security. Analysing farmers' climate change adaptation measures and understanding the barriers provides clear guidance to address constraints that impede food crop producers' adaptation. Methods: A stratified random sampling technique was used to sample 200 food crop producers for primary data gathering. The multinomial logit model was used to determine the factors that affect the selection of adaptation measures to climate change and factor analysis was used to identify factors that impede food crop producers' ability to adapt to climate change. Result: The result of the multinomial logit model shows that various socio-economic factors (family size, education, climate change awareness, farming experience, nonfarm income, farm size, distance to farmland, extension services and access to credit) influence farmers' choices regarding climate change adaptation strategies in the study area. The result of the varimax rotate principal component analysis found four factors that are detrimental to food crop producers in adapting to climate change. These principal constraints are institution and government, technology and inputs, information and knowledge and belief, culture and participation as factors that hinder farmers from adapting to climate change. Thus, there is room for government and development partners to strengthen the adaptive capacities of farmers by resolving problems related to institutions, government policy, technology, inputs availability and information regarding climate change to minimize the potential impact and loss in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Historical records and increased scientific consensus provide strong evidence that the global climate is changing. Future climate change would lead to an increase in climate variability and the frequency and intensity of extreme events. Agriculture that is dependent on climate conditions is inherently sensitive to climate changes. Today's world agriculture has gone through challenges from population growth and has adapted to changing economic conditions, technology and resource availabilities. But uncertainty remains concerning the ability of agricultural systems to adapt to climate change. Thus, climate change adaptation of the essence for a resilient food crop production system requires economic transformation by arrangement of institutional and technology. Methods: This study uses the Ricardian model to examine the economic impact of climate change on agriculture in Kellem Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. The net farm revenue is regressed against climate variable (temperature and precipitation), soil and socio-economic variables to help determine the factors that influence variability in net farm revenues. The study was based on the data from a survey of 400 smallholder farming households interviewed across the zone. Result: The Ricardian model analysis shows the coefficients of summer, autumn and winter temperature are positive whereas the coefficient of spring temperature is negative. Regarding the precipitation, the coefficients of summer and spring precipitation are positive while coefficients of autumn and winter precipitation are negative. The marginal impact analysis results show an increase in summer and spring temperatures has mostly negative effects on net farm revenues implying that further temperature increases would be harmful to agricultural activities while increases in autumn temperatures increase net farm revenues in the study area. The summer and spring precipitation would increase the net farm revenue but the autumn precipitation reduces the farm revenue. The elasticity results show that net farm revenues are highly sensitive to changes in climate and the elasticity is relatively high for both summer temperature and precipitation. The impacts of climate change under the three special Reports on Emission Scenarios, (Canadian General Circulation Model, Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research and Parallel Climate Model) predicted that by 2100 net farm revenues would decrease across all farms per hectare by US$ 942.83, US$ 1048.16 and US$ 1024.32 respectively. The finding suggests there is a great need for the concerned bodies to provide up-to-date information about climate change and rainfall patterns in the forthcoming season so that the farmers make informed decisions and develop adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wetlands are the highly complex ecosystems due to various interactions between the components, where, the most iconic of ecological changes are the water birds. The current study was aimed to examine the interactions between the water birds diversity, abundance and the abiotic factors in Sebkhet Bazer. Methods: The investigation was conducted between March 2013 and December 2014 in Sebkhet Bazer (Sétif, Algeria, 36Ä05ÄN and 5Ä45ÄE), by monitoring water birds abundance (grouped into 4: Anatidae, Rallidae, Phoenicopteridae and Shorebirds) and measuring the physico-chemical water parameters (depth, temperature, pH, salinity and vegetation cover). All statistical analysis was performed using the InfoStat software (2017), it was carried out in two steps, by testing of fixed linear models; first of the seasonal differences in water body variables and second of the seasonal differences in bird abundance for the 4 water bird groups. Result: The results showed that the physico-chemical parameters of water varied considerably from season to season. The four groups of birds reached their lowest abundance in summer, with Rallidae and Phonicopteridae being more abundant in spring, Anatidae in winter and Shorebirds in autumn, suggesting that this variation is attributed to changes in water body characteristics between the four seasons. Therefore, the abundance of the different water bird group could be used as an ecological indicator of this wetland's characteristics. If these features are altered by climate change, the water bird community would be also affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined perceptions and adaptations to climate variability and change in subsistence agriculture. A multi-stage random sampling technique was employed to elicit information from 90 respondents. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares techniques. Perception of farmers on long-term changes in temperature revealed that 24.62 percent of the perceived temperature to be on the increase while 18.10 percent perceived rainfall to be on the increase. The number of farmers who have not noticed changes in temperature and precipitation were few 3.04 per cent and 4.89 per cent respectively. In specific terms, 11.74 per cent of the respondents adopted the use of different varieties in response to changes in climate while the use of irrigation (3.12 per cent) was the least adopted strategy. The regression result showed that farming experience and access to credit were the significant variables determining adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in Bundelkhand region is highly vulnerable to risks and uncertainties. Marginal and small farmers among all farm groups are most vulnerable to the effects of climatic variability. The impact of extreme weather events and natural resources on which farmers are dependent aggravates their vulnerability. The present study uses field surveyed data and IPCC- vulnerability approach, to assess the livelihood vulnerability status of two districts of Bundelkhand region, India. Data was collected using a multistage sampling technique including 200 households. The study concluded that 90% of farmers perceived (exposed) that Kharif season remained hotter and frequencies of droughts have increased over the last five years. Sample households were also highly sensitive due to lack of basic amenities. The lower adaptive capacity due to agriculture as a sole income source, lack of non-farm employment opportunities, monoculture and income diversification and illiteracy are responsible for livelihood vulnerability in the region. From the policy perspective, water conservation through rainwater harvesting, construction of new ponds and check dams would be a possible solution to the present water crisis in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxin poisoning is not restricted to pets and farm animals, it causes diseases and death in humans. Mycotoxin producing fungi are common components of the epiphytic and endophytic microflora in crops resulting in natural crop contamination in the field and during storage. The level of contamination is influenced by the genetics of the plant and fungi, management practices and prevailing climatic conditions. The Global movement of maize products necessitates global as well as country-specific surveys on mycotoxin occurrence. Significant differences in the concentrations of deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone were found in commercial maize for the seven years under review but no significant difference was detected between white and yellow maize types with regards to fumonisins and zearalenone concentrations. The absence of Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin-A, T2-toxin and HT-2 toxin in the commercial maize samples from 2010/2011 to 2016/2017 seasons is a food safety advantage for South Africa maize producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Variety development is a continuous process that caters for the ever changing farmer crop growing conditions. Changing climatic conditions, soil fertility conditions, crop disease and pest regimes as well as farmer agronomic practices require that new varieties adapted to new practices be availed to growers so that they continue to get high yields. Initial variety development processes are carried out by the breeder, usually on station and usually involves aggregation of traits of interest into a genotype with little or no information about the response of the genotype to different farmer cropping situations. However, before the varieties can be recommended to growers, they need to be evaluated in multi-environment trials (MET) in order to identify varieties with broad adaptation for general recommendation and those with specific adaptation for targeted environment production. Methods: In order to evaluate the adaptation and stability of newly developed tobacco varieties to three growing locations in Zimbabwe, seven varieties were evaluated in a randomised complete block design with three replicates at Kutsaga Research Station near Harare, Trelawney and Tengwe over three seasons ranging from 2013 to 2015. Result: The study results showed significant differences among the varieties and locations tested for saleable yield (P<0.05). Of all the varieties tested, T76 was the most stable showing consistently high performance across the seasons and locations tested followed by T75. However, ETH03 was the least stable variety of them all. Unlike what is currently believed in the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe, the variety K RK26 is no longer the most broadly adapted. Based on the study results, the varieties, T76, T75 and ETH06 are stable and, therefore, recommended for growing across the whole of the tobacco farming belt in Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to WMO (World Meteorological Organization), 2018 was the fourth warmest year on record and average global temperature reached approximately 1°C above pre-industrial level portraying climate change. Changing weather had an impact on lives and sustainable development especially in developing countries. Agriculture is the human enterprise that is most vulnerable to climate change. Large percentage of the population of developing countries depends upon agriculture for their livelihoods. Agroforestry, is an age old management system practiced by farmers to provide shade, a steady supply of food throughout the year, arrest degradation and maintain soil fertility, diversify, increase and stabilize income sources, enhance use efficiency of soil nutrients, water and radiation and provide regular employment thereby increasing system resilience. Agroforestry, thus provides an example of a set of innovative practices designed to enhance productivity in a way that often contributes to climate change mitigation and can also strengthen system's ability to cope with adverse impacts of changing climate conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moringa oleifera, commonly known as miracle tree, has been suggested to be rich in its nutritional, pharmacological and immunological values in animals and humans globally. The tree is a promising option for farmers, especially in the rural areas in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region, for the sources of food and organic fertilizers and as the tools of climate change adaptation and mitigation. The purpose of the current review is to describe the nutraceutical and immunopharmacologic values of Moringa and its critical role in food security and climate change situation in the Himalayan countries including Nepal, India, Pakistan, China and others. Besides, the article presents few recommendations to upgrade the practical and theoretical approaches of conservation of this plant in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) is one of the important underground vegetable crops grows vegetatively in various parts of India as well as in Africa. But there are few standard cultivars available for commercial cultivation and local germplasms across various parts of the world have a lot of genetic variation. For any crop improvement programme, aimed to achieve maximum productivity, a detailed knowledge of facts such as genetic variability, genetic diversity, heritability, genetic advance, correlation and path coefficient of various quantitative traits and their contribution towards yield is essential. Studies in this direction are very less and can not to be generalized for every climatic condition and with other genetic materials. Hence, the information in a collection of some indigenous genotypes of taro in order to formulate a sound breeding plan for its improvement has been reviewed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to explore the role of extension personal suggestions to mitigate the effect of climate change in agriculture. Study area was four districts from southern and northern zone of Haryana namely Karnal, Kurukhestra, Rewari and Bhiwani. The results showed that vast majority of respondents suggested about new technology like laser land leveler, zero tillage, seed treatment technique, water conservation technology, micro irrigation technology and poly house. Whereas, suggestions about enhancing the farmer knowledge about different subsidy plan guide about crop insurance, soil/water testing and advice to come in Kissan Mela were maximum to mitigate the impact of climate change. Data further revealed that maximum extension personnel agreed on that they suggest strategies like guidance about crop insurance, to lower down the input cost and for better adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is conducted to determine the appropriate irrigation water amount for three main cropping seasons (TMCS) of rice in the Long Xuyen Quadrangle, Vietnam (LXQ). In the work, the Cropwat crop model was used to calculate irrigation water amount for winter-spring (WS), summer-autumn (SA) and autumn-winter (AW) crops based on meteorological data collected in period from 1998 to 2017. Simulation results carried out that WS crop was needed more irrigation water than SA and AW crops. The highest irrigation water requirement (IWR) of WS, SA and AW crops occurred on development stage with approximately values 207.1 mm, 205.8 mm and 102.3 mm respectively. The results showed that the proposed model is successfully applied to define crop water requirement (CWR) and irrigation requirement in the context of climate change leading to irrigation water scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is causing negative impact on the rice production which is a staple food worldwide. Among cereal crops, rice is the most sensitive crop plant for salt stress. The distribution of salt-affected lands is closely related to environmental factors in particularly arid and semi-arid climates. High soil salinity is the main cause of reduction of growth and crop productivity. It is widely believed that the inhibitory effects of salt stress on plant growth are due to salt-induced osmotic stress, specific ion toxicity (Na+ and Cl- are main toxic ions), nutritional imbalance, oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance in a variety of plants, managed by independent genes at different growth stages. SalTol is a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) and was identified in the salt-tolerant cultivar Pokkali. Its location was detected on chromosome 1. Molecular analysis on the basis of physiological responses due to salt stress has led to identification of large number of genes induced by salt. This review will focus on salt stress environment which affect adversely to rice crop and its physiological and its related polygenic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern intensive monocropping system is becoming unproductive, pest ridden, loss incurring, and resource depleting and hence turning out to be untenable. Lack of discrimination in input use by farm managers and overall poor management are accelerating degradation and desertification processes, and loss of biodiversity particularly add in endangered regions. While, properly designed diverse and strategically located tree/seasonal crop based land use systems can contribute to ecologic services by mitigation land degradation, climate change and desertification, while conserving natural resources and biodiversity. Besides providing, diverse goods and services, on-farm diversity can be considered as an adoptive strategy in areas climatically and biologically vulnerable. Being a potential C sink, tree based land use systems can also mitigate negative impacts of CO2 emission. As green belt/bank these have an important role in maintaining air, water and soil quality in mining and industrial areas. The so-called cellulosic feedstocks can be grown on marginal land, enhance soil fertility by promoting the growth of various soil organisms, and provide a climate- friendly source of energy. There are plenty of underexploited but potential plant species which can find niche in the existing agroecosystems with substantial addition to total production while contributing sufficiently to ecological services. These needs to be identified and useful models are developed for specific situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has an adverse effect on climate sensitive livestock sector. A well-structured interview schedule was used to collect the practices adopted by the livestock farmers at farm-level in irrigated and rainfed areas of Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu. Practices adapted to mitigate the effects of climate change were documented from 320 livestock farmers, 160 from irrigated and 160 from rainfed areas. Providing shade during day time was the major practice adapted in housing, cooling animals by washing, alteration in the grazing time, cooling and not allowing for grazing after insemination, deworming animals two to three days prior to insemination, feeding lemon after insemination, feeding mineral mixture during summer, soaking concentrate feed in water, feeding aloevera and neem oil for 15 days before insemination and shifting from buffalo to white cattle were the practices adapted by the livestock farmers to mitigate the effect of climate change. Further, the field experts opined that feeding mineral mixture (100%), alteration in grazing time (100%), cooling animals after insemination (97.22%), deworming of animals two or three days prior to insemination (91.67%) had effect at field level. Field experts suggested that feeding lemon after insemination, feeding mineral mixture during summer and feeding aloevera and neem oil for 15 days before insemination were the practices need further scientific research for up-scaling of practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of greenhouse gases has increased as a result of anthropogenic activities, which resulted in the warming of the earth atmosphere. The agriculture sector contributes to emission of greenhouse gases and is also worst affected from the global warming. The increasing concentration of carbon dioxide may have fertilization effect on the productivity of rice-wheat system, but this effect will be negated by the simultaneous increase of temperature. The rise in the day-time maximum temperature has positive effect on the rice yield but negatively affected the wheat yield. While rise in the nighttime minimum temperature decreased the yield of rice. Our goal here is to discuss the possible effects of shift in the climatic variables on the productivity of rice-wheat system that will provide important insights for adapting to it. Various options to mitigate the negative impacts of climatic shift on the productivity of rice-wheat system have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our major sources of information in the past decades were print media, radio and TV, but as a result of the telecommunications revolution, the information and technology has reached to the households at village level. Information and technology has evolved through the years' hard work, which has important effect on modern societies. Technical progress at the global level has exalted human life to act at its highest level of flexibility and speed. Male and female farmers are generally curious to know their crop management and livestock management, but the lack of extension workers & due to their negligence of duty, the information does not reach farmers' at right time and untimely rain and climate change result in the event of yield loss or crop losses. The Government of India in 2009, started farmer portal to spread agricultural information and technology to ensure access. In the same sequence, through the Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the 'early message service' for farmers' in Hindi by the mobile on Agriculture, Home Science and other important information was made available for farmers, women farmers over time began immediately. In survey, 5% male farmers' and 15% female farmers participants reported to have no benefit from this scheme. It was noted that the 25-40 year old male farmers (95%) and women farmers (85%) were found to agree to get benefit from the scheme. The sequence of the various villages in the districts of Gwalior and Datia, 25 male farmers and 25 women farmers' in the survey found that 90% of the participants (male farmers) and 83% (women farmers) participants agreed with the quality of the message. 85% (male farmers) and 70% (women farmers) of the participants agreed with the statement that the information in their daily lives through mobile provides ease of doing things in their daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emission of greenhouse gases has become a matter of major concern; nations are struggling to lower the greenhouse gas emissions because of its adverse effects on life. There is dire need to lower the source size and enlarge the sinks of green house gases. Reducing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere by enhancing the rates of removal of the atmospheric CO2 through carbon sequestration is considered as one of the best climate change mitigation strategy. Carbon sequestration is the issue of international interest due to its potential impact on agriculture and climate change. Oceans, soils, geological formations, mangroves, bogs, agriculture and agro forestry serves carbon sequesters. Although intensive agriculture is a source of carbon emission, it can be converted to sink with proper management. Policies to reduce climate change using natural ecosystems to sequester and store carbon should be accompanied by technological solutions to further reduce the impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazing lands are one of the most important ecosystems and forms of land use in India. They are crucial for food and fodder production and deliver ecosystem services. However, particularly when used for livestock production, they are also a significant source of pollution including the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. Energy inputs into grazing lands agriculture, particularly fertilizers, also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. A considerable amount of research has focused on emissions from Grazing lands: how to measure them and management strategies for mitigation. Similarly, there have been a number of studies on the role of grazing lands in terms of carbon sequestration. However, less work has been carried out exploring ways in which genetic improvement of grazing lands crops can reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. Plant breeding has been successful at increasing the yield, persistency and stress tolerance of the major grasses and legumes of many grazing lands in India. These same approaches have considerable potential in altering plant traits to enhance the ecological efficiency of grazing lands agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock sector plays a significant role in the rural economy and provides essential commodities and services to the majority of the rural population. Environmental issues are one of the most serious long-term challenges, facing farmers and livestock owners around the word. In many situations, livestock is the major source of land based pollution, emitting nutrients and organic matter, pathogens and drug residues into rivers, lakes and coastal seas. Animals and their wastes emit gases, some of which contributes to climate change, as do land-use changes caused by demand for feed grains and grazing land. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop suitable institutional and policy frameworks at local, national and international level for the suggested changes to occur. This will require strong political commitment, increased knowledge, awareness of the environmental risks of continuing "business as usual" and the environmental benefits of actions in the livestock sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]