Literature[edit | edit source]
TODO[edit | edit source]
- Create lists and sub-lists of topics that need to be further reviewed.
Subtopic 1[edit | edit source]
Paper/Website/Source Title[edit | edit source]
Zotero citation field with the URL (DOI preferred).
- Each top-level point should be a clear and concise key item from the source (methodology, info, design, gap, etc.)
- Sub points are to be concise explanations of critical aspects of the key item
- Should not be a copy and paste of info but rather an interpretation of what parts are relevant and why, selective copy & paste of relevant snippets is fine.
Food security[edit | edit source]
Fao, Ifad. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023. FAO ; IFAD ; UNICEF ; WFP ; WHO ;, 2023, [./Https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3017en https://doi.org/10.4060/cc3017en][edit | edit source]
- Because rural households in certain regions rely significantly on food purchases, the affordability of a wide variety of diet becomes the most important issue.
Indoor growing[edit | edit source]
Eldridge, Bethany M., et al. “Getting to the Roots of Aeroponic Indoor Farming.” New Phytologist, vol. 228, no. 4, 2020, pp. 1183–92, https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16780[edit | edit source]
- Abstract: Vertical farming is a type of indoor agriculture where plants are cultivated in stacked systems. It forms a rapidly growing sector with new emerging technologies. Indoor farms often use soil-free techniques such as hydroponics and aeroponics. Aeroponics involves the application to roots of a nutrient aerosol, which can lead to greater plant productivity than hydroponic cultivation. Aeroponics is thought to resolve a variety of plant physiological constraints that occur within hydroponic systems. We synthesize existing studies of the physiology and development of crops cultivated under aeroponic conditions and identify key knowledge gaps. We identify future research areas to accelerate the sustainable intensification of vertical farming using aeroponic systems.
- Aeroponic cultivation could achieve a higher yield compared to hydroponic or soil cultivation for certain crops.
Alternative substrates[edit | edit source]
Mariotti, Barbara, et al. “Coconut Coir as a Sustainable Nursery Growing Media for Seedling Production of the Ecologically Diverse Quercus Species.” Forests, vol. 11, no. 5, May 2020, p. 522, https://doi.org/10.3390/f11050522[edit | edit source]
- Abstract: Peat, a non-sustainable resource, is still predominately used in forest nurseries. Coconut coir might provide an alternative, renewable, and reliable growing media but few studies have evaluated this media type in forest nurseries. We assessed the influence of pure coir, in combination with various fertilization regimes, on the growth and physiology of three ecologically diverse Quercus species seedlings (Q. robur, Q. pubescens, and Q. ilex) during nursery cultivation. Seedlings were grown using peat and pure coir in combination with three fertilization treatments (standard, K-enriched, and P-enriched). Data were collected for: (1) growth and physiological traits; (2) detailed above- and below-ground morphological traits by destructive analysis; and (3) NPK content in leaves, shoot and roots, and in the growing media, following cultivation. Peat and coir in combination with the various fertilization treatments affected above- and below-ground morphology and, to a lesser extent, the physiological traits of Quercus seedlings. Large effects of the substrate occurred for most morphological variables, with peat being more effective than coir in all studied species. Fertilization also produced significant differences. The effect of K-enriched fertilization on plant growth was clear across the three species and the two growing media. P-enriched fertilization in peat was the only combination that promoted a higher amount of this element in the tissues at the end of cultivation. Despite their smaller size, seedlings produced in coir were compatible with standard Quercus forest stocktype size, and showed a proportionally higher root system development and fibrosity. Our results suggest that coir can be used as an alternative substrate to grow Quercus species seedlings, and that fertilization can offset coir deficiencies in chemical properties. As several functional traits drive planting performance under varying environmental conditions. according to the Target Plant Concept, coir might thus serve as an acceptable material for seedling cultivation in some cases.
- Although study shows seedlings from coco coir tend to be smaller compared to peat, it is an economical alternative to peat, which is not a sustainable material.
Barrett, G. E., et al. “Achieving Environmentally Sustainable Growing Media for Soilless Plant Cultivation Systems – A Review.” Scientia Horticulturae, vol. 212, Nov. 2016, pp. 220–34, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.09.030[edit | edit source]
- Abstract: Soilless cultivation is recognized globally for its ability to support efficient and intensive plant production. While production systems vary, most utilize a porous substrate or growing medium for plant provision of water and nutrients. Until relatively recently, the main drivers for the selection of the component materials in growing media were largely based on performance and economic considerations. However, increasing concern over the environmental impacts of some commonly used materials, has led researchers to identify and assess more environmentally sound alternatives. There has been an understandable focus on renewable materials from agricultural, industrial and municipal waste streams; while many of these show promise at an experimental level, few have been taken up on a significant scale. To ensure continued growth and sustainable development of soilless cultivation, it is vital that effective and environmentally sustainable materials for growing media are identified. Here we describe the factors influencing material selection, and review the most commonly used organic materials in relation to these. We summarise some of the renewable, primary and waste stream materials that have been investigated to date, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with their uptake. In response to the need for researchers to better identify promising new materials, we present an evidence-based argument for a more consistent approach to characterising growing media and for a clearer understanding of the practical and economic realities of modern soilless cultivation systems.
- Alternative substrates are being explored such as coco coir, pine bark, and wood fiber. They are mostly derived from waste, and the characteristics are consistent after secondary processing.
Weather on outdoor growing[edit | edit source]
Haile, Menghestab. “Weather Patterns, Food Security and Humanitarian Response in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 360, no. 1463, Oct. 2005, pp. 2169–82, https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2005.1746
- Abstract: Although considerable achievements in the global reduction of hunger and poverty have been made, progress in Africa so far has been very limited. At present, a third of the African population faces widespread hunger and chronic malnutrition and is exposed to a constant threat of acute food crisis and famine. The most affected are rural households whose livelihood is heavily dependent on traditional rainfed agriculture. Rainfall plays a major role in determining agricultural production and hence the economic and social well being of rural communities. The rainfall pattern in sub-Saharan Africa is influenced by large-scale intra-seasonal and inter-annual climate variability including occasional El Niño events in the tropical Pacific resulting in frequent extreme weather event such as droughts and floods that reduce agricultural outputs resulting in severe food shortages. Households and communities facing acute food shortages are forced to adopt coping strategies to meet the immediate food requirements of their families. These extreme responses may have adverse long-term impacts on households' ability to have sustainable access to food as well as the environment. The HIV/AIDS crisis has also had adverse impacts on food production activities on the continent. In the absence of safety nets and appropriate financial support mechanisms, humanitarian aid is required to enable households effectively cope with emergencies and manage their limited resources more efficiently. Timely and appropriate humanitarian aid will provide households with opportunities to engage in productive and sustainable livelihood strategies. Investments in poverty reduction efforts would have better impact if complemented with timely and predictable response mechanisms that would ensure the protection of livelihoods during crisis periods whether weather or conflict-related. With an improved understanding of climate variability including El Niño, the implications of weather patterns for the food security and vulnerability of rural communities have become more predictable and can be monitored effectively. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how current advances in the understanding of climate variability, weather patterns and food security could contribute to improved humanitarian decision-making. The paper will propose new approaches for triggering humanitarian responses to weather-induced food crises.
- Weather induced food crisis can be detrimental to regions where natural phenomenon like rainfall is the major factor on agricultural production and the well being of people
Brown, Molly E., and Varun Kshirsagar. “Weather and International Price Shocks on Food Prices in the Developing World.” Global Environmental Change, vol. 35, Nov. 2015, pp. 31–40, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2015.08.003[edit | edit source]
- Abstract: In the context of a changing climate, there is an urgent need to better understand the impact that weather disturbances have on food affordability in the developing world. While the influence of international markets on local food markets has received considerable attention, in contrast, the potential influence of weather disturbances on local food markets has received much less attention. In fact, local weather disturbances may have an adverse impact on the poorest households in developing countries. Here we quantify the short-run impact of both weather disturbances as well as international price changes on monthly food prices across 554 local commodity markets in 51 countries during the period between 2008 and 2012. We find that almost 20% of local market prices were affected by domestic weather disturbances in the short run, 9% by international price changes and 4% by both domestic weather disturbances and international price changes during the period. An improved understanding of the magnitude and relative importance of weather disturbances and international price changes on rural economies will inform public policies that are designed to mitigate the impact of adverse weather disturbances.
- Natural weather disturbance negatively impact the poorest households the most in developing countries.
- Between 2008 and 2012 among 51 countries, domestic weather disturbances were found to impact local market prices the most compared to international price changes and the combination of domestic weather disturbances and international prices changes.
Regmi, Hem R. “Effect of Unusual Weather on Cereal Crop Production and Household Food Security.” Journal of Agriculture and Environment, vol. 8, Dec. 2007, pp. 20–29, https://doi.org/10.3126/aej.v8i0.723[edit | edit source]
- Abstract: For the third consecutive year, drought conditions have been severely affecting agricultural production in Nepal and in some cases turning traditionally surplus production areas into deficit ones. In addition to the heavily drought affected Mid- and Far-Western Regions, flood exacerbated by hailstones and crop diseases in various VDCs caused extensive crop loss. Drought particularly affected the traditionally food surplus areas of the Eastern Terai, particularly Siraha, Saptari and Dhanusha which reported a decline in paddy production of about 30%. A total of 109,855 hectares of paddy land (7.09%) remained fallow in 2006/07 as farmers were unable to plant due to drought. In addition, yields were lower by almost 6%. Paddy crop production consequently declined by 12.5 % compared to last year. The total food grain shortfall for the year 2006/07 has been calculated at 187,748 Mt assuming favorable weather conditions for the winter crop wheat and barley. The Journal of AGRICLUTURE AND ENVIRONMENT Vol. 8, 2007, pp. 20-29
- Unpredictable and unusual weather poses a huge threat to conventional agriculture production in areas like Neap and other mid and far-western regions.
Random notes[edit | edit source]
- Growbins not equal to vertical farming since not stackable due to ceiling height
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
Insert auto-generated Zotero list
