Article
Environmental Sciences
Qianyu Chang, Simon Zwieback, Ben DeVries, Aaron Berg
Summary: This study evaluated the sensitivity of ALOS-2 data to vegetation in the Northwest Territories of Canada, finding a strong sensitivity of the VH/VV ratio to aboveground biomass and LAI of dwarf birch. Results showed that dwarf birch intercepted a significant portion of incoming rainfall in the watershed, highlighting the importance of shrub rainfall interception for regional water balance. These findings demonstrate the untapped potential of L-band SAR observations for quantifying the impact of shrub expansion on Arctic ecosystem processes.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martin Beland, Hideki Kobayashi
Summary: Terrestrial lidar data are useful for estimating leaf area distribution in forests, with potential to model canopy reflectance and light interception. This study explores the potential and limits of lidar data in dense forests, finding that increasing scan position density can minimize occlusion effects and recommending specific scan densities for different leaf area densities. This work provides initial guidelines for terrestrial lidar survey protocols in mapping leaf area density in forests. The 3D leaf area density voxel arrays derived are among the most accurate plot-level characterizations of foliage arrangement.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Yun Kong, Joseph Masabni, Genhua Niu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effect of different spectra of three commercial LEDs on the growth, morphology, and mineral content of two leafy vegetables under different temperatures. Results showed that temperature treatment had a significant influence on most parameters. In conclusion, the 5% far red light did not impact the yield or biomass of either crop, and plant responses to different spectra varied with temperature and species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bohdan Konopka, Vlastimil Murgas, Jozef Pajtik, Vladimir Seben, Ivan Barka
Summary: This study developed allometric models for total biomass and its components (leaves, branches, stem under bark, bark, and roots) in young silver birch trees, which is crucial for accurate estimation of forest biomass and carbon sequestration.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Han Wang, Wangfei Zhang, Guijun Yang, Lei Lei, Shaoyu Han, Weimeng Xu, Riqiang Chen, Chengjian Zhang, Hao Yang
Summary: In this study, a novel method for field monitoring of maize ear height (EH) and ear-plant height ratio (ER) was proposed based on the relationship between ear position and vertical leaf area profile. The method was validated using data collected from 128 field plots. The results of this study provide important insights for maize breeding and molecular breeding of maize cultivars.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wenping Deng, Xiling Zheng, Shengsheng Xiao, Qi Chen, Yaoyao Gao, Ling Zhang, Jiahui Huang, Tianjun Bai, Songhua Xie, Yuanqiu Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the interception process and influencing factors of litter for six tree species. The results showed that the interception process of litter can be divided into three phases. Different tree species and rainfall characteristics significantly affected the first phase, but litter mass had no impact. Litter mass and rainfall intensity significantly influenced the maximum interception capacity and minimum storage capacity of litter, and their interaction had the largest contribution to the maximum interception capacity.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Laura Sofie Harbo, Chiara De Notaris, Jin Zhao, Jorgen E. Olesen
Summary: The comparison between organic and conventional cropping systems revealed that while organic systems may have higher accumulated intercepted PAR (AIPAR), this does not necessarily translate into higher cereal crop yields. Grass-clover plants in organic systems had a significant impact on AIPAR, while cover crops significantly increased aboveground biomass (AGB) and AIPAR in organic systems.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Qi Wang, Jianping Guo
Summary: Canopy interception plays a significant role in effective rainfall for plant growth. While previous studies have mainly focused on trees, this study examines the impact of leaf area index (LAI) and rainfall characteristics on soybean canopy interception. The results indicate that LAI, rainfall intensity, and duration are the key factors affecting canopy interception. A linear relationship is observed between canopy interception and LAI, as well as between canopy interception and rainfall amount.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jian Lu, Ke Liu, Jun Deng, Xiangqian Feng, Xin Xiong, Liying Huang, Xiaohai Tian, Yunbo Zhang
Summary: The study found that under different nitrogen and density conditions, hybrid rice had advantages over inbred rice in terms of yield, interception percentage, photosynthetically active radiation utilization efficiency, especially at the mature stage. High density and reduced nitrogen fertilization can promote early canopy closure, ultimately increasing biomass production and grain yield in hybrid rice.
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Lijun Su, Wanghai Tao, Yan Sun, Yuyang Shan, Quanjiu Wang
Summary: This paper analyzes the relationship between Leaf Area Index (LAI) and crop biomass production and yields. The researchers established universal models for LAI and accurately predicted LAI changes in extremely arid grape-growing areas using various models. The Michaelis-Menten model and quadratic polynomial function were used to predict dynamic changes in grapevine LAI, biomass, yields, and harvest index. This study provides insights for improving water use efficiency and determining optimal irrigation quotas in grape cultivation.
Article
Agronomy
Elvis F. Elli, Jode Edwards, Jianming Yu, Slobodan Trifunovic, Douglas M. Eudy, Kevin R. Kosola, Patrick S. Schnable, Kendall R. Lamkey, Sotirios V. Archontoulis
Summary: This study quantified historical changes in maize leaf angle and identified the factors affecting it. The research found that over a century of breeding, there has been a consistent trend towards more vertical leaves in maize hybrids. However, the genetic gain in leaf angle is slowing down in recent decades. Breeding and plant density have similarly contributed to leaf angle changes in the middle canopy, while changes in the bottom and top canopy leaves were mainly attributed to breeding. Vertical leaves at the top and horizontal leaves at the bottom were found to be beneficial for the yields of modern maize hybrids.
Article
Forestry
Shimpei Oikawa
Summary: The leaf area index (LAI) of a plant canopy in reality is higher than the optimal LAI for maximizing canopy photosynthesis, as each individual can increase its light interception by unilaterally producing more leaf area. The invasive woody vine Pueraria lobata (kudzu) has one of the highest LAIs among plant species, casting heavy shade over neighboring plants and decreasing its own photosynthesis processes due to self-shading. A study conducted in Japan investigated the influence of the high LAI on light interception, canopy photosynthesis, and inter-specific competition in a roadside P. lobata vegetation. The results showed that the actual LAI was 2.2-3.0 times higher than the optimal LAI and even with a nearly optimal LAI, P. lobata was outcompeted by a competing alien weed.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yingnan Wang, Yang Wang, Fei Yu, Xianfeng Yi
Summary: The variation in seed mass is influenced by various plant functional traits and phylogeny. Plant height, leaf area, and genome size consistently show a positive relationship with seed mass, regardless of phylogeny. Controlling for phylogeny, growth form and leaf N are associated with seed mass, but this association disappears when considering phylogeny. Phylogeny explains a large proportion of the variance in seed mass, more than other plant functional traits.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Shubing Chen, Jinlong Li, Jun Sun, Quanlin Zhong, Dandan Hu, Dongliang Cheng
Summary: By studying 28 subtropical fern species at different elevations in Mount Wuyi National Park in Jiangxi Province, China, it was found that the scaling relationship between leaf area and leaf biomass supports the diminishing returns hypothesis (DRH), with the leaf area scaling exponent being less than 1. This relationship holds true at both individual plant and species levels, indicating that the DRH applies to ferns.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Yancheng Qu, Yihang Jiang, Hanyue Chen, Yuxin Hu, Quang Cao, Anli Luo, Jianguo Zhang, Xiongqing Zhang
Summary: Leaf area is an important variable for assessing tree productivity, but measuring it completely is challenging due to a large number of leaves. This study developed accurate leaf area models for Chinese fir based on different tree measurements. The models based on diameter at crown base performed the best, and these findings can be applied to other tree species for predicting leaf area.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Harmen den Braber, Gerrie van de Ven, Esther Ronner, Wytze Marinus, Antoine Languillaume, Dennis Ochola, Godfrey Taulya, Ken E. Giller, Katrien Descheemaeker
Summary: The study found that there is a high demand for potassium in banana cultivation, which cannot be met by the current supply of manure alone. Therefore, for sustainable intensification, supplementing manure with potassium-based fertilizers is a better option.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Wajiha M. Abdullahi, Mahamadi Dianda, Ousmane Boukar, Ibnou Dieng, Gaya S. Mohammed, Nouhoun Belko, Abou Togola, Hayat Muhammad, Fred Kanampiu, Ken E. Giller, Bernard Vanlauwe
Summary: The integrated use of Striga-resistant cowpea lines, basal phosphorus fertilizer, and elite bradyrhizobium inoculants is a promising approach to mitigate Striga infection and increase cowpea productivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dennis Ochola, Bastiaen Boekelo, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Godfrey Taulya, Jerome Kubiriba, Piet J. A. van Asten, Ken E. Giller
Summary: This study aimed to map the distribution of banana cultivation in Uganda and understand changes in cultivated areas over the past fifty years. Using an online survey and high-resolution satellite images, combined with independent covariates, machine learning was used to predict the current distribution of bananas. Results showed that banana cultivation was concentrated in the western and central regions, with smaller proportions in the eastern and northern regions. There have been geographic shifts in cultivated areas over the past fifty years, which are associated with soil characteristics, climate, and topography.
Article
Development Studies
Arouna Dissa, Jos Bijman, Maja Slingerland, Ousmane Mama Sanogo, Ken E. Giller, Katrien Descheemaeker
Summary: This study aims to understand the coordination among multiple product transactions by smallholder farmers in developing countries and to identify ways to remove barriers to market participation. It develops an adapted transaction cost framework, considering contract types and forms of market participation as building blocks for coordination structures. Findings from the application of the framework in southern Mali show that using different coordination structures allows smallholders to obtain inputs and services, pursue different income sources, and balance flexibility and security. Policy implications include supporting collective organizations of smallholder farmers to improve their financial and managerial capacities and considering institutional innovations such as crop insurance and long-term credit to balance risks for smallholders and buyers.
DEVELOPMENT POLICY REVIEW
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Eva S. Thuijsman, Harmen J. den Braber, Jens A. Andersson, Katrien Descheemaeker, Frederic Baudron, Santiago Lopez-Ridaura, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller
Summary: This study examines the differentiated impacts of agricultural technology interventions on poor and relatively better-off users. The findings show that the number of studies assessing impact differentiation is limited, with absolute benefits being larger for the better-off and relative benefits among the poor often due to low baseline performance. The study also highlights the lack of consideration for household interconnections and the explanations for impact differentiation are mainly based on existing distributions of structural household characteristics. Future research should focus on recognizing the poor among the poor, acknowledging unequal impacts, and mitigating negative consequences.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
E. K. Huet, M. Adam, B. Traore, K. E. Giller, K. Descheemaeker
Summary: This research provides decision support and effective risk management strategies for cereal production in southern Mali by analyzing production risks and quantifying yield losses. The study highlights the importance of farm diversity and flexibility in response to different management strategies and risks for maize, sorghum, and millet.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
E. Mugi-Ngenga, L. Bastiaans, N. P. R. Anten, S. Zingore, K. E. Giller
Summary: Intercropping of maize with grain-legume crops is a common practice on smallholder farms in East Africa. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fertilizer on the growth and development of maize-pigeonpea and maize-lablab intercropping systems, as well as the residual effects of two seasons of intercrops on a succeeding maize crop. The results showed that fertilizer application significantly increased maize productivity, particularly with nitrogen (N) fertilization. However, legume crops in the intercrops produced less biomass and grain yield compared to their respective pure stands. Maize-legume intercropping systems had greater land-equivalent and area-time-equivalent ratios, indicating higher productivity than sole maize. Furthermore, the maize yield following two seasons of legumes was consistently larger than continuous maize. The study suggests that maize-legume intercropping with fertilizer application can enhance smallholder cropping systems.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fred Gould, Richard M. Amasino, Dominique Brossard, C. Robin Buell, Richard A. Dixon, Jose B. Falck-Zepeda, Michael A. Gallo, Ken E. Giller, Leland L. Glenna, Timothy Griffin, Daniel Magraw, Carol Mallory-Smith, Kevin V. Pixley, Elizabeth P. Ransom, David M. Stelly, C. Neal Stewart
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Gatien N. Falconnier, Louise Leroux, Damien Beillouin, Marc Corbeels, Robert J. Hijmans, Camila Bonilla-Cedrez, Mark van Wijk, Katrien Descheemaeker, Shamie Zingore, Francois Affholder, Santiago Lopez-Ridaura, Eric Malezieux, David Makowski, Jairos Rurinda, Martin K. van Ittersum, Bernard Vanlauwe, Ken E. Giller, Sabine-Karen Lammoglia, Katharina Waha
Summary: This study estimated the impact of increasing maize yields with mineral fertilizer on household food security and regional/national maize supply in Uganda and Tanzania. Results showed that increasing fertilizer input could significantly improve food security in both countries, but the regions with the highest potential for increased maize supply did not align with the regions where household food security was most improved.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gabriel Y. K. Moinet, Renske Hijbeek, Detlef P. van Vuuren, Ken E. Giller
Summary: The role of soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration as a 'win-win' solution to both climate change and food insecurity is critically examined in this article. The inclusion of SOC saturation in estimations significantly reduces the potential contribution of SOC sequestration to climate change mitigation, and the observed yield effects of increasing SOC are inconsistent. The article argues for a shift towards soil-smart agriculture that takes into account specific local conditions and quantifies multiple soil functions for land sustainability and food security.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ilse de Jager, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Ken E. Giller, Inge D. Brouwer
Summary: This study examines the gap between food availability and dietary needs in rural sub-Saharan Africa during the 'hunger season'. Findings highlight the importance of considering seasonality in nutrition-sensitive farming and the necessity of increasing yields of staple crops to free up space for nutritious foods like vegetables. Additionally, small farms rely on income from agriculture and other sources to meet their dietary needs. Overall, the results emphasize the value of modeling dietary effects from agricultural interventions in specific contexts, considering a local feasible nutritious diet and seasonality.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannington Bukomeko, Godfrey Taulya, Antonius G. T. Schut, Gerrie W. J. van de Ven, Jerome Kubiriba, Ken Giller
Summary: Banana weevil is a major pest in East African Highland Banana, but the relationship between crop nutritional status and weevil damage is not well understood. In this study, the effect of insecticides alone and in combination with fertilisers on weevil damage was evaluated using data from two experiments in Uganda. The results showed that chlorpyrifos reduced weevil damage, while N increased damage. Also, application of K and Si reduced weevil damage compared to the control. These findings suggest that combining chlorpyrifos with K and Si fertilisers can help control weevil damage in bananas with low nutrient availability.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Wilson C. Wilson, Maja Slingerland, Frederick P. Baijukya, Ken E. Giller, Simon Oosting
Summary: The demand for chicken meat and eggs in Tanzania exceeds production capacity due to low productivity of the sector. This study examines the yield gap in chicken production in Tanzania and explores the potential for increased production by addressing feed deficiencies. The findings highlight inadequate feed quantity and quality, lack of awareness about aflatoxin contamination, and the need for improved feeding strategies to ensure suitable and safe feed formulations.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Urcil Papito Kenfack Essougong, Maja Slingerland, Syndhia Mathe, Ken E. Giller, Cees Leeuwis
Summary: This study assessed cocoa farmers' access to, demand for, and satisfaction with five innovation support services in Central Cameroon. The results showed that farmers mostly received training and advice, while inputs, credit, and equipment were the most demanded services. Farmers' satisfaction with service outcomes increased with the number of services received, and location, certification involvement, seniority, and leadership position in farmers' organizations significantly influenced access and demand for services.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION & EXTENSION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
James Sumberg, Ken E. Giller, Dominic Glover
Summary: This paper explores the different definitions and meanings of principles and practices in agronomy literature. Understanding the use of these terms provides valuable insights into ongoing debates and politics about the future of agriculture and food. Furthermore, proclaiming and defining principles is a way to exercise discursive power and establish authority in a crowded marketplace.
OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE
(2023)