The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
A systems approach is needed to understand and manage a ‘farm’. This chapter examines the definition and concepts of farm systems, their structure, operation and management, the relationships among internal and external factors, response to changing circumstances, and modifications to deal with change. Study of a system requires definition of goals and objectives, boundaries and the structure and...
This world encompasses an enormous diversity of environments, and farming systems have evolved to fit into many of them. Rainfed farming systems are found in areas as diverse as the Sahelian zone of west and central Africa; eastern and southern Africa; west and central Asia; Afghanistan and Pakistan; central India; western China; semi-arid Australia; northern Mexico; and the prairies and central plains...
Climate is a major source of risk in rainfed farming systems. Systems thinking from natural sciences is used to define and explore concepts of weather, climate and climate change before discussion of how climate data can be used in simulation models of agricultural production systems. We then use systems engineering to consider the nature of climate risk and the use of seasonal climate forecasts in...
There is great diversity in rainfed farming systems with climate and soil type dictating, to a large degree, their primary structure. Profitable crop production requires efficient collection of water and then its effective extraction by the crop with minimal losses to evaporation, runoff, drainage and weed competition. The supply of water for rainfed crop production is primarily controlled by the...
Global population growth and land-use pressure are placing increasing emphasis on expanding crop and animal output in rainfed agriculture. Rainfed areas of the world have some common features, but some unique biophysical and socio-cultural conditions. Rainfed agriculture in the Mediterranean region is characterised by cropping systems that have evolved from antiquity. The limited and seasonally variable...
Soil microflora and fauna are important for organic matter decomposition and hence nutrient cycling, organic matter turnover, disease incidence and suppression, agrochemical degradation and soil structure. Soil moisture, temperature and availability of energy source (carbon) determine the activity of these organisms. Biological activity and plant growth must be synchronised for optimum production...
This chapter examines technological change in agriculture and its implications for the functioning, productivity, stability and sustainability of rainfed farming systems. The need for a systems approach to avoid unintended consequences is considered along with the contribution of plant breeding, changes in tillage practice, crop residue management, use of cover crops, weed, insect and disease management,...
The management of weeds is an important aspect of most farming systems. In rainfed systems, their control is usually critical in making best use of the available precipitation. Weed spectra change over time and with changes in the farming system. The reasons for these changes need to be understood so that integrated and holistic management strategies can be applied. New technologies including weed...
Plant diseases are a major constraint to productivity in rainfed agricultural systems. This chapter examines the nature of diseases in cropping systems, thresholds for management, major management tools, integrated disease management and the challenges for translating knowledge into practice. Inputs for disease management should be based on well-defined thresholds, but these are poorly developed for...
Insect pests are estimated to cause losses of 16% to world attainable crop production with post-harvest losses another 10%, in spite of widespread use of pesticides. Losses due to pests have been estimated for key rainfed crops in different regions of the world. Pest species attack every phenological stage of crop growth; sometimes they are the same species and sometimes different. No one tool can...
The organisation of crop–livestock systems, both on farms (mixed farming) and between farms (integrated businesses), is explored from a world perspective. Over a continuum from semi-arid to humid regions, mixed farming is favoured in intermediate areas, with specialised crop and livestock businesses at the extremes. Tradition, land tenure, government policies and management complexity add further...
Farm systems are designed by humans to produce a desired product; they require a holistic view that considers the impact of the managers of the system. Many factors will influence the goals of farm managers and how they operate their systems. Physical, technical, social and political influences both within and from outside the farm are discussed along with lifecycles, functions and fields of management.
Innovation in cropping systems has been largely through changes in a single aspect of the system, but this cannot provide the outcomes desirable for the future. In future, many players with different and often irreconcilable perspectives may use tools such as multi-criteria analysis and perhaps government intervention in the design process. It is also desirable to join the ‘two solitudes’ of (1) conceptual...
As soil organic carbon is central to the functioning of all soils, we require a more fundamental understanding of the climatic and management factors which influence its storage and persistence. The interest in carbon storage and sequestration has focused attention on changes in soil organic carbon across different regions, climates and management systems. The major components of soil organic carbon...
Set the date range to filter the displayed results. You can set a starting date, ending date or both. You can enter the dates manually or choose them from the calendar.