About Book

Sustainability and food security are the major challenges faced by third world countries for the past several decades. Most of the third world countries are also facing problems of climate change, increasing population and overexploitation of natural resources. Hence there is an urgent need for identifying potential alternative farming strategies to achieve long term sustainability and food security as indicated by several leading workers in the field. Alternative farming traces the background and evolution of alternative farming systems with their scope and importance. A sustainable food system is one that does not require chemicals, conserves energy and water, emphasizes local production, decreases inputs and utilizes resources more efficiently on site, values biodiversity and ecology, and works within our global natural resource limitations. Unlike intensive agriculture, alternative farming has a great potential for benefiting the environment and preserving natural resources. This book analyzes current agricultural issues, knowledge and then proposes alternative solutions. It explores various aspects of rain intensity, water conservation, organic agricultural practices, sorbent materials, harvesting, post-harvest decay, organic fertilizers and weed control methods. It is a compilation of chapters that discuss the most vital concepts in the field of alternative farming. It attempts to understand the multiple branches that fall under the discipline of. It studies, analyses and upholds the pillars of the subject and its utmost significance in modern times. It will therefore help all scientists, decision-makers, professors, farmers and politicians who wish to build a safe agriculture, energy and food system for future generations.

Preface............................................................................................................ v

Chapter 1 Comparative Assessment of Shrimp Hydrolyzates as Alternative

Organic Fertilizers for Legumes..............................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Materials and methods........................................................................3

3. Results and discussion.........................................................................9

4. Conclusions..........................................................................................21

Acknowledgements.............................................................................22

Conflict of interest..............................................................................22

Chapter 2 Application Potentials of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

and Fungi as an Alternative to Conventional Weed Control

Methods.......................................................................................................24

Abstract.................................................................................................24

1. Introduction..........................................................................................25

2. Weed control options.........................................................................27

3. PGPR and stimulation of plant growth.........................................32

4. Bacteria in biological weed control.................................................34

5. Fungi (mycoherbicides) in biological weed control.....................39

6. Conclusion and future strategy........................................................40

Acknowledgements.............................................................................41

Chapter 3 Alternative Eco-Friendly Methods in the Control of Post-Harvest

Decay of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits..........................................55

Abstract.................................................................................................55

1. Introduction..........................................................................................56

2. Fruit industry: importance in the world........................................56

3. Post-harvest losses: tropical and subtropical fruit.......................57

4. Chemical methods: applications for post-harvest disease

management.........................................................................................58

5. Alternative methods in the control of post-harvest decay of

tropical and subtropical fruit............................................................60

6. Conclusions..........................................................................................72

Chapter 4 Sustainable Sorbent Materials Obtained from Orange Peel as an

Alternative for Water Treatment...........................................................85

Abstract.................................................................................................85

1. Introduction..........................................................................................85

2. Orange fruit..........................................................................................87

3. Orange peels........................................................................................88

4. Sorbent materials obtained from orange peels.............................90

5. Preparation and characterization of orange peel-activated

carbon....................................................................................................98

6. Sustainable materials........................................................................101

7. Conclusion..........................................................................................101

Acknowledgements...........................................................................102

Chapter 5 Planting and Harvesting Decisions: A Review and Extension to the

Case of Two Alternative Tree Species...............................................106

Abstract...............................................................................................106

1. Introduction........................................................................................106

2. Basic Wicksell’s and Faustmann’s rotation lengths...................108

3. Two-tree harvesting model.............................................................111

4. Choosing between two alternative tree species with rising timber

prices: An extension of Faustmann’s problem............................112

5. Choosing between two alternative tree species with stochastic

timber prices: An extension of Wicksell’s problem...................115

6. Choosing between two alternative tree species with stochastic

timber prices: An extension of Faustmann’s problems.............117

7. Conclusion..........................................................................................119

Acknowledgements...........................................................................119

Chapter 6 Losses of Soil and Nutrients from a Purplish Soil on Slopping

Lands as Affected by Rain Intensity and Farming Practices.......122

1. Introduction........................................................................................122

2. Materials and methods....................................................................123

3. Results and discussion.....................................................................125

4. Conclusion .........................................................................................138

5. Acknowledgement.............................................................................139

Chapter 7 Organic agricultural practices among small holder farmers in

South Western Nigeria..........................................................................142

1. Introduction........................................................................................142

2. Organic agriculture...........................................................................145

3. Methodology......................................................................................147

4. Results and discussions...................................................................148

5. Conclusions........................................................................................153

Chapter 8 Alternative Management Practices for Water Conservation in

Dryland Farming: A Case Study in Bijar, Iran...............................162

1. Introduction........................................................................................162

2. Materials and methods....................................................................167

3. Result and discussions.....................................................................169

4. Conclusions .......................................................................................180

Citation......................................................................................................187

Index...........................................................................................................189

About Author

Alistair Wei obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Biotechnology from Science University, Sydney. He is a Guest Lecturer at Public College, Otago. He has written numerous articles, journals, and research papers on crop diversity, contemporary agriculture, subsistence farming, and intensive farming, and intensive farming. He has worked in various aspects of plant sciences for over fifteen years and given his views about technology to alternative farming. Wei is on the editorial board of several renowned agricultural sciences and organic farming journals.