Effective Crop Management Practices In Agricultural Production

Impact of Environmental Factors on Agricultural Production

Question:

Discuss about the Tolerance Of Genetic Modification And Engineering Of Crops.

The crops case study plots have shown how the intensity in wheat production have been gearing. Growth of wheat has been fairly straight forward however the management practices have played key role in ensuring management strategies influences yield output, (Rossi et al. 2014, 45). In the case studies, aspects of best variety selections, rate of growth, weed control and disease control were investigated.

Various researches have put in best trials and experimental plot to assess the tolerance of genetic modification and engineering of crops to suit various aspects of crop growth with an aim of improving output, (Pergamo et al 2016). Investigation on high yielding cultivars has been investigated as observed in Dion Bennet breeding site. Wheat disease such as yellow spot disease has been investigated, with techniques adopting newer genes on crops and ensuring they give in best genes to enable high yield production.

Other case study site has adopted to cropping system with livestock management practices with an aim of building the symbiotic relationships of animal husbandry and crop production practices. And in the Merdian field, research has geared towards adopting gene resistant and tolerant wheat varieties while the DIPRD site has focussed on how environmental factors impacts on crop production and yield. All this has been success courtesy of incorporating technology into farming practices in agricultural practices.

 It is important to note that there are various aspects which influence agricultural production. Production is not an absolute measure, but rather, a mirror of the ration of inputs and outputs. Crops field that produces twice as much of crops in a certain period cannot be compared twice its productivity. A case example is that if the farmers spent as much on that field, then the net change in productivity is expected to be zero, (Borches & Bewley, 2015, 4200).

Climatic factors have played crucial role in agricultural production. A temperature range which is minimum of 6⁰C for crops to grow and rainfall range of at least 250mm to 500mm have influenced various types of crops grown. Hot, wet tropical areas favours rice production while cooler environmental aspects favour wheat output, (Alvim & Kozlowski, 2013).

However increase in temperature and carbon monoxide CO2 has an impact of increasing crop yields. However to get hold of this key aspects there is need to focus on nutrient levels, soil moisture and water availability for crops to yield. Crop farming capacity has an impact on crop production. Soil has its own elasticity to support production to certain levels, (Koal et al 2015). However utilization of other cropping systems such as proper use of fertilizer to improve soil nutritive value has an impact on crop production. Hence in large production, farming techniques have been adopted to improve yields.

Drought Mitigation Measures in Crop Management

Drought mitigation measures have incorporated large number of actions which include supply increase, demand reduction of water and drought impact minimisation approaches. This has called for earlier preparation for both long term actions oriented to reduce the vulnerability of water supply. Hence the role of rain monitoring system is crucial is effective in drought management so as to reduce the impact of drought, (Smith,  2000, 102).

In crop management systems, farmers are advised to practice conservation efforts with regard to minimizing soil structure, composition and biodiversity thus reducing soil degradation, surface runoff and water pollution, (Wilhite et al 2007, 570). Some of the recommended avenues include crop rotation, contour structuring, effective tillage practices, erosion management practices and reclamation of salt affected soils, (Pereira et al 2002, 200).

Frost management in crop farming has been brought about by the amount of injury caused on crops due to reduced temperature which reaches a specific level referred to critical damage temperature, (Barlow et al 2015, 105). Frosty increases injury as the temperature levels fall. For effective crop management practices, there are passive methods which have been adopted to mitigate this factor. They include appropriate site selection, cold air management, proper pruning, removing cover crops, bacteria control, minimal soil cultivation and appropriate planting periods. Active approaches include use of heaters, wind machines, sprinklers, surface irrigation and other combination measures.

In animal management, there is need for mitigation measures which cushion the farmer’s against the adverse effects of performance survival and livestock performance. Low rainfalls have shown to reduce both the amount of water received, thus the critical aspect is to try to manage the little water as much as possible. Low rainfall patterns have shown to reduce both the quality and quantity of farmland. The grass pasture reduces prematurely and their nutritive values are hampered, (Wilhite, 2005).

For animal husbandry it is prudent, to practice padlocking practices with regard to pasture regulation of animals, secondly it is crucial to ensure that appropriate timing for culling of animals is practices. Meaning that farmers have to look what you can dispose when drought begin or strike. Further farmers need to act proactively and not reactively. Many farmers tend to dispose off their animals when it is too late, thus hampering the quality output of culling, (Iglesius et al 2003, 220).

Aluminium toxicity in pants has been the most common cause of growth reduction and linked to strong acid soils. The primary effect of effective management is to reduce root growth management is to reduce root development, (Rout & Samantarary, 2001, 20). Root hair development needs to be suppressed when the concentrations of aluminium increases, the down ward extension of the roots needs to be restricted. Adoption of tolerant mechnaims in plant growth has been the exclusion of Aluminium in root apex mechanism and to allow the plant to tolerate in plant cells. Another avenue used is to ensure production of organic acid so as to achieve Aluminium toxicity, (Ali et al 2008, 155).

Practices for Animal Husbandry in Crop Management

The soil Ph has been used as a measure of relative acidity and alkalinity in soil solution. Soil pH affects many crucial aspects of crop production, which include nutrition availability, metal toxicity and efficacy use of herbicides applications. Regular usage of lime applications in crops is essential in preventing crops from acidic environment. Lime application will be determined by the lime quality, soil type and tillage depth, (Khan et al, 2009).

Herbicide usage has been used increasingly around the world, and has been used for weed control process. Hand weeding or machinery weeding has never been an efficient way of crop management, hence adoption of herbicides use to increase crop yields, (Heap, 2014). Herbicides has been adopted worldwide to replace tillage farming and to improve environmental conditions, (Fernarndez, 2012). Herbicide has been found to reduce soil erosion, fuel use, green house emissions and nutrient run off. In gavins’ hoogbooms farm and field pea , soil treatment has been adopted.

High levels of salinity levels in plants have found an impact in crop germination and nutrient release in plants. Salinity acts as a drought on plants limiting water and nutrients, (Mamo, Wortmann & Shapiro, 2009). Effective management approaches has incorporated the use of drainage systems to provide leaching effects of salt beyond the crop rooting area. Other measures which can be used include, scrapping methods, flushing of soils and leaching practices for the soil, (Mallarino et al, 2013).

Farming designs needs to focus on conservation agriculture which is geared towards, achieving a sustained and profitable livelihood to farmers. Integrating these principles of livestock management and crop production in conservation practices is an incoming approach which creates a common sustenance for both, (Abrol, 2005).

The future of design options needs to focus on adapting key principles of integrated crop management systems which adopts local agro-ecological aspects using a tailored made approach process, (FAO, 2009). Engaging in collaborative management should be geared towards participatory process. There is need for the new systems to focus on innovative and usage of indigenous knowledge and the use of incentives and subsidies to cushion farmers, (Landers & Weiss, 2008). The need for creating awareness for crop management practices and adaption approaches for climate changes are key towards enabling sustainable crop and livestock practices and to improve the overall agronomy aspects of agriculture (Verburg et al 2004).  

Conclusion

thus it is crucial to employ effective crop management practices in farming practices. Adoption of effective practices is key towards reducing barriers to wheat growth management. With the advancement of technology, wheat production practices is set to improve and give farmers value outputs on the wheat farms.

Conservation Agriculture in Crop Management

References

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