Smart Agrochemicals for Sustainable Agriculture


Book Description

Smart Agrochemicals for Sustainable Agriculture proposes products that fulfill the need for chemicals that provide a sustainable delivery system for nutrients necessary to maximize the production of agricultural animals and plants while producing the smallest possible environmental footprint. This book addresses all aspects related to the production process, including chemical formulas, stability of formulations, and the application of the effect of its utilization. Over the past decade, biobased chemicals have received significant attention as candidate resource materials in fertilizers and agrochemicals production due to their renewability. Substitution of conventional raw materials with biobased requires a new approach towards the development of technology. On the other hand, the use of biobased chemicals, such as biostimulants, bioregulators and biofertilizers offers a new palette of products that are natural, thus their application does not pose an impact on the environment (residues) or cultivated plants. - Presents ideas for new products that provide appropriate nutrition while limiting environmental footprints - Includes a full range of the production process, from chemical formulas to establishing the stability of formulations, applications and effects - Offers a host of new products that are natural and whose applications do not negatively impact the environment nor cultivated plants




Sustainable Intensification


Book Description

Continued population growth, rapidly changing consumption patterns and the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are driving limited resources of food, energy, water and materials towards critical thresholds worldwide. These pressures are likely to be substantial across Africa, where countries will have to find innovative ways to boost crop and livestock production to avoid becoming more reliant on imports and food aid. Sustainable agricultural intensification - producing more output from the same area of land while reducing the negative environmental impacts - represents a solution for millions of African farmers. This volume presents the lessons learned from 40 sustainable agricultural intensification programmes in 20 countries across Africa, commissioned as part of the UK Government's Foresight project. Through detailed case studies, the authors of each chapter examine how to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems and how to scale up these systems to reach many more millions of people in the future. Themes covered include crop improvements, agroforestry and soil conservation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, horticulture, livestock and fodder crops, aquaculture, and novel policies and partnerships.




Smart Fertilizers and Innovative Organic Amendments for Sustainable Agricultural Systems


Book Description

Sustainable agricultural practices are needed to provide food security for a growing global population. Food production is usually associated with high nutrient inputs in the form of mineral fertilizers. Since the beginning of agriculture, such practices have led to soil degradation and the release of environmental contaminants. In this Special Issue, we will focus on innovations in organic and inorganic fertilizer production. We welcome studies concerning new approaches for smart fertilizer development, including bioformulations with mineral particles, nanomaterials, and plant growth promoting microorganisms. We especially encourage authors taking advantage of ecological interactions to improve plant nutrient-use efficiency. Moreover, we would like to include contributions that focus on organic amendments to increase or propitiate the terrestrial C sequestration and stabilization, in order to contribute to mitigating climate change at the same time increasing food security by soil fertility, thus making win-win-win scenarios. Such techniques may concern, but are not limited to, innovative organic waste recycling procedures and new applications of mycorrhizae, rhizobioms, or free living soil bacteria and fungi.




Predictive Analytics in Smart Agriculture


Book Description

Predictive Analysis in Smart Agricultureexplores computational engineering techniques and applications in agriculture development. Recent technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, big data, and machine learning are focused on for smart agricultural engineering. The book also provides a case-oriented approach for IoT-based agricultural systems. This book deals with all aspects of smart agriculture with state-of-the-art predictive analysis in the complete 360-degree view spectrum. The book includes the concepts of urban and vertical farming using Agro IoT systems and renewable energy sources for modern agriculture trends. It discusses the real-world challenges, complexities in Agro IoT, and advantages of incorporating smart technology. It also presents the rapid advancement of the technologies in the existing Agri model by applying the various techniques. Novel architectural solutions in smart agricultural engineering are the core aspects of this book. Several predictive analysis tools and smart agriculture are also incorporated. This book can be used as a textbook for students in predictive analysis, agriculture engineering, precision farming, and smart agriculture. It can also be a reference book for practicing professionals in cloud computing, IoT, big data, machine learning, and deep learning working on smart agriculture applications.




Artificial Intelligence, Engineering Systems and Sustainable Development


Book Description

An analysis of different concepts and case studies in engineering disciplines such as chemical, civil, electrical, telecommunications and mechanical engineering, demonstrating how engineering systems and processes can leverage the power of AI to drive and achieve the UN SDGs.




Smart Technologies for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture


Book Description

Smart Technologies for Sustainable Smallholder Agriculture: Upscaling in Developing Countries defines integrated climate smart agricultural technologies (ICSAT) as a suite of interconnected techniques and practices that enhance quantity and quality of agricultural products with minimum impact on the environment. These ICSAT are centered on three main pillars, increased production and income, adaptation and resilience to climate change, and minimizing GHG emissions. This book brings together technologies contributing to the three pillars, explains the context in which they can be scaled up, and identifies research and development gaps as areas requiring further investigation. It stresses the urgency in critically analyzing and recommending ICSAT and scaling out the efforts of both developing and disseminating these in an integrated manner. The book discusses, synthesizes, and offers alternative solutions to agriculture production systems and socio-economic development. It brings together biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines in evaluating suitable ICSAT in an effort to help reduce poverty and food insecurity. - Highlights the research gaps and opportunities on climate smart agricultural technologies and institutional arrangements - Provides information on institutional engagements that are inclusive of value chain actors that support partnerships and the development of interactive platforms - Elaborates some of the effects of climate extremes on production and socioeconomic development on small farms whose impact has potentially large impact




Controlled Release of Pesticides for Sustainable Agriculture


Book Description

This book ​presents an introduction to the concept and need of sustainable agriculture, the mechanisms of conventional and controlled release of pesticides, herbicides and plant hormones. It also contains the carriers which supply controlled release including polymers and nanoparticles. A full chapter is devoted to the theory and simulation aspects.




Advances in Nano-Fertilizers and Nano-Pesticides in Agriculture


Book Description

Advances in Nano-fertilizers and Nano-pesticides in Agriculture: A Smart Delivery System for Crop Improvement explores the use of nanotechnology for the controlled delivery of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that improve the safety of products while also increasing the efficiency of food production and decreased environmental pollution. The development of nanodevices such as smart delivery systems to target specific sites, as well as nanocarriers for chemical controlled release are currently important aspects in novel agriculture and require a strong foundation of understanding, not only the technology, but also the resulting impacts. - Fills key knowledge- gaps of bio-nanotechnology, how they interact with plant cells and their biological consequences - Focuses on agro-nanotechnology which can be utilized for developing healthy seeds - Explores the possibilities of macronutrient nano-based fertilizers




Microbiomes for the Management of Agricultural Sustainability


Book Description

This volume discusses innovative advancements in soil and crop microbiome technology and methods to support agricultural sustainability and reduce soil degradation. As climate change impacts agricultural productivity and soil health in impacted regions throughout the world, potential alternatives to find balance between soil health and crop yield are increasingly needed. Therefore, this book provides a timely, global perspective with a collection of expert authors to address how microbiomes can be used to achieve agricultural sustainability in threatened and degraded areas, while also covering related matters including soil health, pest management, waste disposal, environmental contamination, biofertilizer production, composting, and microbial engineering. The book is meant to serve as a reference for agriculturalists, environmentalists, graduate and post-graduate students, researchers, and professors of sustainability and agricultural management.




Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization: A Framework for Africa


Book Description

This framework presents ten interrelated principles/elements to guide Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization in Africa (SAMA). Further, it presents the technical issues to be considered under SAMA and the options to be analysed at the country and sub regional levels. The ten key elements required in a framework for SAMA are as follows: The analysis in the framework calls for a specific approach, involving learning from other parts of the world where significant transformation of the agricultural mechanization sector has already occurred within a three-to-four decade time frame, and developing policies and programmes to realize Africa’s aspirations of Zero Hunger by 2025. This approach entails the identification and prioritization of relevant and interrelated elements to help countries develop strategies and practical development plans that create synergies in line with their agricultural transformation plans. Given the unique characteristics of each country and the diverse needs of Africa due to the ecological heterogeneity and the wide range of farm sizes, the framework avoids being prescriptive.