Sustainability

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14 pages, 4751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Determining the Anti-Erosion Efficiency of Forest Stands Installed on Degraded Land

by Mircea Moldovan, Ioan Tăut, Florin Alexandru Rebrean, Bartha Szilard, Iulia Diana Arion and Marcel Dîrja

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15727; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315727 - 25 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1148

Abstract

Erosion caused by human activities is one of the reasons for forest soil degradation worldwide, with a direct impact on forest stands development, including reduced forest productivity. Therefore, in order to establish sustainable stand management practices, it is essential to assess soil losses [...] Read more.

Erosion caused by human activities is one of the reasons for forest soil degradation worldwide, with a direct impact on forest stands development, including reduced forest productivity. Therefore, in order to establish sustainable stand management practices, it is essential to assess soil losses in various forestry activities. Moreover, this phenomenon is studied little in stands, especially those established on degraded land. In Romanian geographical conditions, where sloping land is up to 67% of the territory and is influenced by natural factors as well as intense human activities, the soil and vegetation suffer serious ecological imbalances. In order to achieve the proposed objectives regarding the evaluation of stands in terms of anti-erosion effectiveness, we analyzed the consistency and the number of trees on the surface, the weight of the seedlings, and the surface runoff from the perspectives of rainfall and soil retention. In the two stands included in this study, the influence of rain intensity was 39% in compartment 49 and 38% in compartment 73, directly influencing surface runoff. The ground retention’s influence on surface runoff was 28% in both compartments. The indirect surface runoff was influenced by the consistency of the stands and by the degree of proximity of the crowns, which directly influenced the intensity of rain. In addition to analyzing these two parameters (rain intensity and ground retention), it was also observed that the degree of proximity to the crowns directly influenced the intensity of the rainfall within the forest, which, in turn, indirectly affected the runoff. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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23 pages, 16174 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Innovative Internet Solutions for Suburban Community Farm Practices: A Study in Lowland Communities of Hangzhou, China

by Jianren Shi, Qiaoyun Guo and Xiumin Zhao

Sustainability 2022, 14(22), 15445; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215445 - 21 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1777

Abstract

The development of permaculture follows the principle of respecting nature and protecting ecology, which is of great significance to the development of modern urban agriculture. Community planning combines urban life with traditional agricultural production, so that agricultural development and suburban urban life have [...] Read more.

The development of permaculture follows the principle of respecting nature and protecting ecology, which is of great significance to the development of modern urban agriculture. Community planning combines urban life with traditional agricultural production, so that agricultural development and suburban urban life have symbiosis and complement each other. On the one hand, it alleviates the contradiction between the city and ecological environment protection and guides ecological and green development in the suburbs of the city. On the other hand, it creates a better living environment for the city and promotes the sustainable development of urban–rural integration. This paper combines the sustainable design concept of permaculture with the resource conditions and advantages of the comprehensive project base and applies the concept of permaculture to the development of the “air vegetable plot” urban farm. At the same time, we use the integration strategy of agriculture and tourism, through the “Internet + Agriculture” path, to build a multi-functional industry of life, production and ecology; to promote the sustainable development of rural industries with the digitization of agricultural industries; to promote the common prosperity of rural areas; and to open a new model of “Internet + Future Agriculture”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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17 pages, 492 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Seed Soaking and Foliar Application Using Ozonated Water on Two Sweet Pepper Hybrids under Cold Stress

by Mohamed A. Sharaf-Eldin, Khalid S. Alshallash, Khadiga R. Alharbi, Mesfer M. Alqahtani, Abdelwahab A. Etman, Ali M. Yassin, Enas S. Azab and Samira A. F. El-Okkiah

Sustainability 2022, 14(20), 13453; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013453 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1314

Abstract

The harmful impacts of ozone (O₃) on plant development and productivity have been excessively studied. Furthermore, the positive influences of its low concentrations still need to be explored further. The present study was performed to assess the impact of low concentrations [...] Read more.

The harmful impacts of ozone (O₃) on plant development and productivity have been excessively studied. Furthermore, the positive influences of its low concentrations still need to be explored further. The present study was performed to assess the impact of low concentrations of O₃ on two sweet pepper hybrids under cold stress. The ozonated water was utilized for seed soaking or foliar application at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 ppm. Seed soaking using ozonated water for 1 h was compared to soaking in distilled water as a control. Moreover, exogenously ozonated water was sprayed thrice at three-day intervals compared with untreated control. The differences between the applied methods (seed soaking and foliar application using ozonated water) were not statistically detected in most of the evaluated parameters. On the other hand, the evaluated hybrids displayed significant differences in the studied parameters, with the superiority of the Lirica evident in most germination and seedling growth parameters. Both applied methods significantly improved germination and seedling growth parameters. In particular, the concentration of 40 ppm displayed the highest enhancement of the germination index, coefficient velocity, and seedling quality. In addition, it promoted the seedling maintenance of high relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll, proline, and ascorbate peroxidase activity under cold stress conditions. Moreover, it protected the cell wall from damage by decreasing membrane permeability (MP). Generally, the best results were obtained from 40 ppm followed by 30 ppm of O₃ as seed soaking or foliar spray. The results pointed out the possible use of O₃ in a low concentration to protect the plants from cold stress during germination and early plant growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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17 pages, 745 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic of Ecological Agriculture Certification in Romania Facing the EU Organic Action Plan

by Andy Felix Jităreanu, Mioara Mihăilă, Alexandru-Dragoș Robu, Florin-Daniel Lipșa and Carmen Luiza Costuleanu

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 11105; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711105 - 5 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1998

Abstract

Approaching the ecological agriculture topic in the context of European Policies to accelerate the conversion to those policies is an interdisciplinary challenge. The motivation to develop this subject is based on the longitudinal observation that the ecological agriculture evolution in Romania has been [...] Read more.

Approaching the ecological agriculture topic in the context of European Policies to accelerate the conversion to those policies is an interdisciplinary challenge. The motivation to develop this subject is based on the longitudinal observation that the ecological agriculture evolution in Romania has been very slow, despite the policies aimed to accelerate the transition from the conventional to the ecological agriculture have been supported since the 2000s. The goal of the paper is to reframe the available data to evidence the slow dynamics of the organic farms’ certification. The methods used are descriptive and numerical analysis, supplemented by a qualitative-transversal interpretation. The research work has been carried out on the dynamic analysis of the ecological agriculture progress in Romania, based on the data with the ecological certification of the specialized companies (2019–2021). The main hypothesis: the slow dynamics are caused by subjective barriers. The results confirm the slow dynamics of ecological certifications due to some limits and barriers to understand the real role and benefits from the ecological agriculture. In this context, the European Union Organic Action Plan for 2021–2030 proves to be a stimulus for the Romanian ecological agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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25 pages, 1313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Environmental Factors, Satisfaction with Life, and Ecological Education: An Impact Analysis from a Sustainability Pillars Perspective

by Andy Felix Jităreanu, Mioara Mihăilă, Ciprian-Ionel Alecu, Alexandru-Dragoș Robu, Gabriela Ignat and Carmen Luiza Costuleanu

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10679; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141710679 - 27 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2375

Abstract

The paper analyzes the link between three concepts: environmental values, ecological behavior, and satisfaction with life. Various studies indicate the links between environmental values and ecological behavior, satisfaction with life, and pro-ecological behavior, but no connection between these three concepts. The paper aimed [...] Read more.

The paper analyzes the link between three concepts: environmental values, ecological behavior, and satisfaction with life. Various studies indicate the links between environmental values and ecological behavior, satisfaction with life, and pro-ecological behavior, but no connection between these three concepts. The paper aimed to develop such a research direction, namely sustainability as an integrative concept. The existence of a complex conceptual model between three specific constructs is analyzed. A questionnaire to 267 students from the universities of Iasi, Romania, was applied. To identify the existence of some equations between components, PLS-SEM and PLS-MGA methods were used, through SmartPLS3.9 and SPSS 18. The final model was a reflective-formative one on two hierarchical levels, being made up of 5 latent variables and 18 observed ones. Only the existence of significant equations between knowledge of environmental values and pro-ecological behavior and between knowledge of environmental values and satisfaction with life was highlighted. The multi-group analysis: although higher values are obtained among students from the rural compared to urban, there are no significant differences. The influence of knowledge of environmental values and ecological behavior on life satisfaction among students was highlighted. The results encourage the continuation of research on a larger population, from an extended area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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15 pages, 2253 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact Assessment of Seed Village Programme by Using Difference in Difference (DiD) Approach in Telangana, India

by Gottemukkula Bhavani, Middhe Sreenivasulu, Ravinder V. Naik, M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Ashwini S. Darekar and Anugu Amarender Reddy

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9543; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159543 - 3 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3592

Abstract

Seed village programmes are becoming popular in developing countries due to their potential to supply of affordable seed to farmers in a timely manner. Under the programme, the profitability of seed growing farmers is important as it incentivizes them to grow more seed [...] Read more.

Seed village programmes are becoming popular in developing countries due to their potential to supply of affordable seed to farmers in a timely manner. Under the programme, the profitability of seed growing farmers is important as it incentivizes them to grow more seed for distribution of seed to other farmers. This paper tried to analyze the impact of the seed village programme on profitability of seed growing farmers of paddy crop by using Difference-in-Difference approach. The study was conducted during the year 2020 in India. A significant increase in profitability of seed growing farmers compared to non-seed farmers was noticed due to the SVP scheme. It was observed that after the introduction of SVP, there was about 69.01% increase in profits of seed-farmers compared to only 5.63% among non-seed-farmers. Age, education, acreage under seed production and farming experience contributed 71.6% of the total variation in the higher profits through SVP in paddy crop, leaving the rest to extraneous factors. The difference-in-difference regression results showed that, with the introduction of the SVP in India, there was an increase in the profits of seed growing farmers by INR 13,032/acre (186 USD). These results show that most of the seed growing farmers are in favor of the growing seed under SVP and benefited from this programme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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19 pages, 1366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Alternative Fertilization and Irrigation Practices on the Energy Use and Carbon Footprint of Canning Peach Orchards

by Persefoni Maletsika, Chris Cavalaris, Vasileios Giouvanis and George D. Nanos

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8583; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148583 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1582

Abstract

Throughout peach orchards in Greece, plant protection, fertilization and irrigation are often conducted empirically, negatively affecting energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions). The aim of this study was to apply alternative fertilization and irrigation practices in canning peach orchards to [...] Read more.

Throughout peach orchards in Greece, plant protection, fertilization and irrigation are often conducted empirically, negatively affecting energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions). The aim of this study was to apply alternative fertilization and irrigation practices in canning peach orchards to improve nutrient and irrigation water management and to assess yield, energy input–output and the carbon footprint of the alternative cultivation practices for three important clingstone cultivars of different ripening periods. Energy use analysis revealed that the cultivation practice with the highest energy use was almost always irrigation, followed by fertilization, plant protection, weed control and pruning. Electricity, fuels, fertilizers and machinery presented the highest energy requirements. Alternative fertilization, in combination with deficit irrigation (DI), was more energy efficient compared to farmers’ practices in all cultivars based on energy use efficiency, energy productivity and specific energy. Irrigation was the cultivation practice with the highest impact on GHG emissions due to electricity and, secondly, to fuel consumption. Alternative fertilization and DI decreased the intensity (kg CO₂eq kg⁻¹) of the emitted GHG compared to farmers’ practices. In conclusion, alternative fertilization and irrigation practices improved energy use efficiency and decreased the carbon footprint of the canning peach orchards by improving yield and decreasing fertilizer and irrigation water input. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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22 pages, 5342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Labour Implications on Agricultural Production in Romania

by Valentina Constanta Tudor, Toma Adrian Dinu, Marius Vladu, Dragoș Smedescu, Ionela Mituko Vlad, Eduard Alexandru Dumitru, Cristina Maria Sterie and Carmen Luiza Costuleanu

Sustainability 2022, 14(14), 8549; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148549 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2544

Abstract

Throughout this paper, the theoretical concepts from the above areas were combined with the analysis and interpretation of statistical data from the same areas of interest, resulting in a detailed analysis of how the agricultural labour force influences the yields of the five [...] Read more.

Throughout this paper, the theoretical concepts from the above areas were combined with the analysis and interpretation of statistical data from the same areas of interest, resulting in a detailed analysis of how the agricultural labour force influences the yields of the five most important crops in the Romanian agricultural sector, namely, wheat, maize, sunflower, rapeseed and soybean. The analysis was carried out within the eight NUTS-listed development regions. A bibliometric analysis of the importance of the academic environment for agricultural labour force research was previously carried out using VOSviewer software. The content of this document aims to determine the impact that the agricultural labour force has on the productivity of the five main crops cultivated in Romania over large areas during the period 2015–2019, where, although the population employed in agriculture has decreased, the yields of these crops have increased due to the technological development process started in agriculture. As of 2019, only 9% of the total Romanian population is represented by the population employed in agriculture and 39.41% and 61.37% of the total area of the country are represented by arable/agricultural area, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Good Practices of Sustainable Development in Agriculture)

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