Why 0.5-1.0 hectares are frequently used by corn farmers?5 answersCorn farmers frequently use 0.5-1.0 hectares due to various reasons supported by the research data. The study by Bahtiar et al. demonstrated that farmers engaged in producing hybrid corn seeds in a 1.0 ha area, indicating the practicality and effectiveness of this size for seed production. Additionally, the study by Borines and Gravoso highlighted that farmers in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, were cultivating at least a hectare of corn, showcasing the common farm size among corn farmers. Furthermore, Tsyhanskyi's research emphasized the use of modern biological products on a scale suitable for enhancing corn productivity, which could be efficiently applied on a 0.5-1.0 hectare farm area. Therefore, the utilization of 0.5-1.0 hectares by corn farmers is supported by practicality, common farm sizes, and suitability for implementing productivity-enhancing techniques.
Why is foxtail millet considered to be a good forage crop?4 answersFoxtail millet is considered to be a good forage crop because of its nutritional traits, stress tolerance, and sustainability in dryland agriculture. It has high protein, fiber, carbohydrate, calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin, and lipid content, making it an excellent dietary staple. Additionally, foxtail millet has been found to have therapeutic benefits, including antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive activities. These qualities make foxtail millet a valuable crop for improving food and nutrition security, especially in regions with limited resources and adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, foxtail millet has been shown to have stable protein content and a good essential amino acid index, providing nutritional value for both humans and animal feedstock. Overall, the nutritional traits and stress tolerance of foxtail millet make it a suitable choice for forage crop production.
What are the prospects of perenial crop with forages for livestock?4 answersPerennial forages have the potential to enhance agricultural sustainability and ecological integrity by improving soil health, conserving nutrients, and enhancing biodiversity. They can be integrated into crop-livestock systems to internalize nutrient cycling, provide cultural control of pests, and share resources in a circular-based agroecosystem. The inclusion of tanniferous forages in these systems can further enhance ecosystem services and potentially benefit human health. Livestock producers in Burkina Faso have shown a willingness to pay for improved forages, indicating that producing these forages as cash crops can help meet the growing feed demand. Ecologically-based crop production practices that focus on forage crops in farming systems offer the greatest potential benefits in terms of profitability, environmental sustainability, and resilience. Introducing selected perennial forage species in Ethiopia has the potential to improve soil quality and microbial activity, which is currently degraded due to intensive grazing.
What is a forage fish?4 answersForage fish are small, low trophic level, pelagic fish that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems as prey for higher trophic level species. They include species such as herrings, sardines, and anchovies. Forage fish are important energy conduits, transferring primary and secondary productivity to higher trophic levels. They form hierarchical patch structures and aggregate in surface-level forage fish aggregations (FFAs), which provide concentrated prey sources for surface- and shallow-foraging marine predators. Forage fish are often managed using precautionary principles, targeting catch limits below the maximum sustainable yield. However, the influence of forage fish abundance on predator populations is debated, with limited evidence of prey abundance positively impacting predator productivity. More information on forage fish is needed for ecosystem-based fisheries management, including knowledge gaps in noncommercially exploited species, life history stages, diets, migration, and the effects of climate pressures. The impact of forage fish fisheries on predator populations may be less significant than previously thought, and moderate to high levels of exploitation may help prevent the collapse of piscivorous predators.
Pasture Vegetation of an agricultural open area?5 answersPasture vegetation in agricultural open areas is an important aspect of livestock production and biodiversity conservation. The vegetation composition and diversity of grasslands play a crucial role in determining their forage value and ecological function. Studies have shown that the number of species and the Shannon-Wiener index, which measure diversity, are positively correlated with the proportion of other forbs in the vegetation, while the forage value decreases. Grasslands are influenced by grazing and mowing practices, which can impact their flora and fauna. Permanent pastures, which are not subjected to tillage and are important for fodder production, can be monitored using remote sensing techniques such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Traditional wood pastures have been found to be important refuges for threatened bird species and biodiversity in general. Different methodologies, such as empirical approaches using Vegetation Indices (VIs) and Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA), can be used to retrieve Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) from satellite data.
What are the factor that can affect the growth and quality of forage under silvopastoral system?5 answersThe factors that can affect the growth and quality of forage under a silvopastoral system include forage availability and quality, feeding behavior of animals, and the presence of trees in the system. Seasonal variations in forage availability and quality can impact the preference of indigenous goats for different plant species. Woody species are often more selected by animals, regardless of the season. The crude protein content of forage can vary depending on the plant species and season. Silvopastoral systems can also affect soil nutrient status, potentially improving it compared to sole tree/crop systems. Additionally, competition for resources, such as solar radiation, can influence forage growth in silvopastoral systems. However, further improvements are needed in modeling the effects of flowering, animal trampling, and resource competition in these systems.