NITROGEN, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, AND FOOD SECURITY

 

NITROGEN, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, AND FOOD SECURITY

Supervisor:

Miss. Nina Mega

 

Member:

1. Ahmad Aminudin                 (18542011002)
2. M. Aiyi Ahlaku Rosat           (18542011024)
3. Prio Ady Nuryanto               (18542011038)
4. Zamani Abdullah                  (18542011054)
5. Dewi Apriliana                      (18542011065)

 

 

 

Foreword

Thank you to God Almighty who gave His blessings to the author to complete an English paper assignment entitled "Nitrogen, sustainable agriculture, and food security".

The author also wants to express deep and sincere gratitude to those who have guided completing this paper. This paper is about the relationship between nitrogen, sustainable agriculture and food security.

Hopefully this paper can help readers to broaden their knowledge of English reading.

 

Author

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of contents

Foreword                                                                                                       ii

Table of contents                                                                                           iii

Chapter I Introduction

1.1.  Background                                                                                            1

1.2.  Formulation of the problem                                                                  1

1.3.  Aim                                                                                                          1

1.4.  Benefits of research                                                                               1

1.5. Writing system                                                                                        2

Chapter II: Literature Review

2.1. Preliminary Research                                                                            3

2.2. Theoretical basis                                                                                     3

2.3. Hypothesis                                                                                               4

Chapter III: Methodology

3.1. Research methods                                                                                  6

3.2. Analysis Tool                                                                                          6

3.3. Population & Sample                                                                             6

Chapter IV: Analysis & Discussion

4.1. Food Security, And Land And Nitrogen Use                                      7

4.2. Nitrogen Use, Crop Growth And Yield                                               7

4.3. Nitrogen Use At The Farm And Global Levels                                   9

4.4. Environment And Management                                                           10

Chapter V: Conclusions

5.1. Conclusions                                                                                             12

Bibliography                                                                                                  13

Chapter I Introduction

1.1.  Background

The impact of modern agriculture on natural resources has become a major global concern. Demand for agricultural products continues to increase on land and air resources. The main thing that concerns many parties Agricultural systems that are regulated with high external inputs are powerful resources, especially for nitrogen. Combination of high by producing environments such as soil degradation, eutrophication, soil air pollution, and ammonia emissions and greenhouse gases. Evidently, there is a need to regulate the current system into very high use of resources efficient system, but at the same time and socially reliable.

1.2.  Formulation of the problem

1. What is the relationship between food safety, soil and nitrogen?
2. What are the uses and roles of nitrogen in plant growth?
3. What is the effect of using nitrogen in the farm and the global level?
4. How is nitrogen management in the environment?

1.3.  Aim

1. To find out the relationship between food safety, soil and nitrogen.
2. To find out the usefulness and role of nitrogen in plant growth.
3. To determine the effect of nitrogen use on the farm and global level.
4. To find out how is nitrogen management in the environment.

1.4.  Benefits of research

We can find out the meaning, the relationship, and the impact of the use of nitrogen in plant growth as well as the use of nitrogen for the fields and the global level. Increase knowledge for those of us who previously did not know to be known so that we become wise in the use of nitrogen.

1.5. Writing system

Chapter I Introduction

Chapter II: Literature Review

Chapter III: Methodology

Chapter IV: Analysis & Discussion

Chapter V: Conclusions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter II: Literature Review

2.1. Preliminary Research

J.H.J. Spiertz * Center for Food Systems Analysis, Wageningen University, PO Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, The Netherlands (Received November 4, 2008)

Abstract - Here, the opportunity to increase nitrogenuse efficiency in cropping and farming systems is analyzed and discussed. In the past and present, increased productivity of the main crops the production system comes from genetic improvement, and from the use of larger external inputs such as energy, fertilizer, pesticides and irrigation water. Aiming to increase the efficiency of resource use, in high input systems the focus must be on more results with less fertilizer N. In low input systems, the use of additional N fertilizer may be needed to increase yield and yield stability. Develop a production system those that meet the goals of sustainable agriculture require research on different scales, from single plants to diverse cropping and farming systems.

It was concluded that supply N must be in accordance with N demand in space and time, not only for single plants but for crop rotation as integrated system, to achieve higher agronomic use efficiency. Combination of quantitative system research, development of best practices and legislation will be needed to develop more environmentally friendly agricultural systems. The complexity that develops in managing N in Sustainable agriculture systems require problem-oriented and interdisciplinary research.

2.2. Theoretical basis

Nitrogen is a key ingredient in plant nutrients and plant yields in many agro-ecosystems, rainfed as well as irrigation systems. Plant photosynthesis is closely related to canopy light capture and leaf N content is highly dependent on nitrogen availability (Lemaire et al., 2007; Hikosaka, 2004). Leaf N content is strongly associated with photosynthesis rates (Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007; Dreccer et al., 2000; Sinclair and Horie, 1989). Early canopy closure and delay in aging canopy will increase the amount of tapped light, while leaves with very high index areas (LAI) increase mutual shadow and therefore decrease the efficiency of light use (Russell et al., 1989).

In plant reproduction, such as cereals and nuts, the duration of photosynthetic canopy is also determined by the functional balance between the strength of the sink and the capacity of the source (Yin and Van Laar, 2005; Sinclair and De Wit, 1975) and by the ability of the roots to capture N at the end planting season (Kicheyet al., 2007; Spiertz and De Vos, 1983). The amount of N in the harvested portion is determined by the strength of the sink from the storage organ and expressed as the N harvest index. This value is usually high in cereals and tuber crops, for example: 0.60-0.80 for wheat (López-Bellido et al., 2008; Spiertz and Ellen, 1978) and 0.70-0.80 for potatoes (Biemond and Vos, 1992)), but somewhat lower in nuts (Chapman et al., 1985). Cereals reallocate N from leaves to grains, while in root plants most N is retained in crop residues. Generally, dry matter and nitrogen partition in wheat differ between old and modern cultivars; however, the two parameters are not always genetically related (Van Ginkel et al., 2001). Martre et al. (2007) found that variation in weather and N treatments also affected the nitrogen index of wheat harvest. Further improvement will require a good understanding of genotype × environmental interactions.

2.3. Hypothesis

1. The relationship between food security, soil and nitrogen is interconnected. because nitrogen is in the soil which will affect the quality of the plants planted. if plants produce good plants, food security will be achieved.
2. The use of nitrogen in plant growth is for the formation or growth of vegetative parts of plants, such as leaves, stems and roots. An important role in the formation of leaf green is very useful in the process of photosynthesis. Form proteins, fats and various organic compounds.
3. The effect of nitrogen use in livestock and globally is to cause environmental pollution which will affect the survival of living things.
4. Nitrogen management in the environment is Nitrogen present in the environment in various chemical forms including organic nitrogen, ammonium (NH4 +), nitrite (NO2–), nitrate (NO3–), and nitrogen gas (N2). Organic nitrogen can be in the form of living organisms, or humus, and in products between decomposition of organic matter or humus is built. The nitrogen cycle process converts nitrogen from one chemical form to another. Many processes carried out by microbes are good for producing energy or accumulating nitrogen in the form needed for growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter III: Methodology

3.1. Research methods

• Descriptive Research Methods is a method that aims to make a description systematically, factually, and accurately on the facts and nature of a particular population or area.
• Developmental Research Methods is a method that aims to investigate patterns and sequences of growth and / or change as a function of time.
• Case Research Method is a method that aims to study intensively about the background of the current state and the interaction of the environment of an object.

3.2. Analysis Tool

• Qualitative analysis is work that aims to investigate and determine the content of compounds contained in a test sample. This qualitative analysis is carried out using standard testing techniques in the laboratory.
• Quantitative analysis is the work done to determine the level of a compound in a sample, it can be a unit of moles, or a percentage in grams. This technique requires high accuracy because errors in measurement will result in data errors in the study. Quantitative analysis is generally carried out after qualitative analysis.

3.3. Population & Sample

• The samples studied were nitrogen, soil, and food security.
• The population studied was the nature of nitrogen in the soil which affected food security.

 

 

Chapter IV: Analysis & Discussion

4.1. Food Security, And Land And Nitrogen Use

Agriculture has expanded and diversified its objectives. Good agricultural practices, where farmers aim ecologically and use economically sustainable resources, should be the principle of achieving sustainability goals. Furthermore, there are various technologies and practices that aim at the conservation of resources, such as: agroforestry, agricultural conservation, integrated aquaculture (fish rice systems), integrated crop management (ICM), integrated nutrition management (INM), integrated pest management (IPM) and harvest water (Pretty, 2008; Hobbs et al., 2008; Gupta and Seth, 2007; Oehme et al., 2007; Tipraqsa et al., 2007; Yang H.S., 2006).

A general consensus states that agriculture is sustainable must focus primarily on:

• Maximize the use of ecological processes, such as: plant-microbial interactions, pests and biological diseases control (IPM), food crop competition, and organic cycling material and nutrition (INM) in agricultural systems and agroecosystem.
• Optimal use of natural resources, e.g. soil fertility, ground water content, biodiversity above and below the ground, and from genetic diversity in plant properties.
• Restrictions on the use of external resources such as synthetic chemicals,

fossil energy and fresh water.

In the food crop system, nitrogen plays a key role, because of that is the main determinant of nutrition. Increase in food production does have a price: more external N inputs and more environmental damage.

4.2. Nitrogen Use, Crop Growth And Yield

The most significant increase in the efficiency of nitrogen use (NUE) comes from improved and agronomic plant genotypes practice.

The opportunity to increase NUE is:

·         Improved genotype, modern and classical plant biotechnology Plant breeding shows an opportunity to increase NUE by selection for certain traits (Laperche et al., 2006; Van Ginkel et al., 2001; Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007).

·         Increased use of resources; better time than nitrogen and water supply with certain time and location management can avoid stress in critical growth stages. Further productivity per water units will cause an increase in yield and thus higher NUE (Peng dan Bouman, 2007).

·         Better cropping systems; farmers can change time sowing / planting and selection of plants in pruning sequence to make a better match of genetic makeup plants and growth conditions that are determined by climate, soil and pests (Hobbs et al., 2008; Ladha et al., 2005).

a.       Nitrogen, photosynthesis, and plant growth

Nitrogen is a key element in plant nutrient-limiting plants growth and yield in many agroecosystems, rainfed as and irrigation systems. Photosynthesis of plants is closely related with light capture by canopy and leaf N content very dependent on nitrogen availability (Lemaire et al., 2007; Hikosaka, 2004). Leaf N content is very related with the rate of photosynthesis Canopy (Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007;

Dreccer dkk., 2000; Sinclair dan Horie, 1989) closure and delay in aging canopy will increase the amount of light tapped, while the leaves are very high the index area (LAI) increases mutual shadow and therefore decreases efficient use of light (Russell et al., 1989).

b. Synchronization of N requests and supplies N

To secure yields and avoid N supply losses N must be in accordance with the N plant demand in dosage and time. That the concept of synlocation and synchronization in plant nutrition proposed by De Willigen and Van Noordwijk (1987) about 20 years ago. However, the implementation of this concept seems difficult. A more general approach to achieving N demand-based plant inventories are based on functional relationships between N uptake and carbon acquisition through photosynthesis canopy from the only plant or several plants system.

This relationship can be illustrated by the following simple equation:

(1) Total acquisition of C =? LI × LUE. Where? LI is the total amount of light that is blocked by single or intercropping canopy (MJ.m - 2) and LUE are efficient use of light (g. MJ - 1). That? LI is mainly determined with the amount of incoming radiation and growth

duration of a single plant or sequence of plants (Keating and Carberry, 1993).

(2) Total absorption of N = f × C-acquisition. Where f is the parameter specified by maximum N biomass content. This parameter depends on species or cultivar-specific plant characteristics (Lemaire et al., 2007).

(3) Total N-supply = a × (N soil reserve + fertilizer + mineralization)

+ b × (N fertilizer) . Where a and b are parameters determined by plant properties, such as: root length, depth rooting, etc., which affects the recovery of applied N (Van Delden, 2001).

4.3. Nitrogen Use At The Farm And Global Levels

The high efficiency of nitrogen use does not guarantee that N losses do not exceed the critical environmental threshold. The most important the determinants of risk of potential loss of N are the total amount of N minerals left after harvest is harvested residue and in the soil.

1. Planting system that can be planted

The main objective is to be ecologically and economically Sustainable agriculture is maintaining soil fertility and increase crop productivity and stability. Management options are: specific location and time nutrition and water management, plant protection measures and adaptation options, high yield cultivars.

Growing special plants in rotation can improve sustainability from the cropping system (Struik and Bonciarelli, 1997); examples are:

• Legumes to increase nitrogen availability,
• Green fertilizer to improve physical and biological soil fertility,
• Close plants to prevent soil erosion and store nutrients susceptible to washing or runoff.

2. Mixed farming system

In addition to crop rotation, integration of crop and animal production on agricultural land and regional scale can be an opportunity to improve eco-efficiency (Wilkins, 2008). Nitrogen is cellular in the soil-plant-animal system and with the necessary N input for high yields and risky intensive livestock production N losses increase (Van Keulen et al., 2000).

3. Organic Agriculture

In Western countries with prosperous societies, organic farming get increased support from citizens and the government over the past three decades, because it is considered ecological services, environmental benefits and human well-being and health (Rembialkowkska, 2007). "The ethos of organic farming is that it forms the basis of an environmentally friendly production system, socially and economically sustainable "(Topp et al., 2007).

4.4. Environment And Management

Concern about intensive environmental impacts agricultural systems need improvement in production technology to maximize the efficiency of resource use, and for minimize environmental impact. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer comprises almost 60% of the global reactive N load for human activities; especially in China (UNEP, 2007). N is used has a major impact on the functioning of the ecosystem and human welfare.

1. Plant-soil atmosphere

Mathematical modeling has made a greater contribution Quantitative understanding of the soil and plant N cycle soil, plant and environmental factors that govern it (Galloway, 1998). Environmental problems are focused on nitrogen loss of land, which can pollute the environment. Leaching is the main route where nitrate enters the soil and surface water, while denitrification and nitrification Nitrogen, sustainable agriculture, and food security. Overview 51 significant source of N2O, an important greenhouse gas. Improved N use efficiency on the field and farm scale, both of which increase yields and quality and reduce losses, depending on dynamic optimization to match N and supply N requirements of plants on a field scale.

2. Scale and system

A system approach can be used as a research tool, but also as an instrument for training students and scientists. Network research and training allows needed development of general language concepts, models and database, and allows frequent interaction among actors (Ten Berge and Kropff, 1995).

A system approach has been applied for studies in different aggregations level, such as:

• Plant level; Genotype × environmental analysis and evaluation interaction in breeding programs,
• Plant level; optimization of nutrition and water management,
• Level of agriculture; prototyping integrated farming system and analyze the flow of nutrients on the farm,
• Watershed and landscape level; optimization of water use and save water,
• Eco-regional level; ex-ante assessment of possibilities the impact of technological change or in socio-economics environment in agricultural development.

3. Making policies and regulations

Management of nutrients that are more sensitive to the environment the level of fields and ponds can reduce nitrogen loss to a certain level which meets the standards (Goulding et al., 2008; Aarts et al., 1992). Decision making related to nutrition management occurs at the strategic, tactical and operational level. In Europe the community demands more accountability from farmers; therefore, more legislation has been implemented by the EU and national government. Legislation cannot be avoided at any time 'Profit' and 'planet' conflicts. In Europe and in particular in the Netherlands, there is a set of rules established by the government to protect environmental compartments. - soil, water and air - against the loss of nutrients from agro-production. Legislation can only succeed when clear motivation and regulatory tools are given to farmers (Schröder et al., 2003)

 

Chapter V: Conclusions

5.1. Conclusions

Two strategies to meet sustainability goals in food production, with a safe and profitable use of N, can be followed:

1. Developing low-input, high-diversity agricultural systems.

Within these systems diversity in crop choice and crop rotation minimizes the risks of yield reductions by abiotic and biotic stresses. Furthermore, the stability of the agroecosystems is enhanced by combining genetic diversity with functional biodiversity at the farm and landscape levels. The supply of nutrients, especially N, relies strongly on maintaining high levels of soil organic matter (SOM). Crop output levels will range from low to moderate; therefore, these systems require more land.

2. Developing high-input, low-diversity agricultural systems.

Within these systems high-yielding, high N-responsive crop cultivars are chosen to achieve a maximum productivity per unit of land. The stability of these agroecosystems depends strongly on the management of genotype × environment × management interactions and soil quality. An optimized N management during the whole crop cycle will control N losses. The advantage of these agroecosystems is a high productivity per unit of land and therefore, less land is needed for food production. As a result, virgin and fragile soils can be saved.

For Southeast Asia the “high-input low-diversity” approach will be unavoidable due to scarcity of land. However, in other regions where more land per capita is available the “low-input high-diversity“ approach is recommended. It would environmentally even be more effective when the different strategies are not applied on a global but on a regional scale.

 

 

 

Bibliography

Pretty, 2008; Hobbs et al., 2008; Gupta and Seth, 2007; Oehme et al., 2007; Tipraqsa et al., 2007; Yang H.S., 2006.

Laperche et al., 2006; Van Ginkel et al., 2001.

Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007.

Peng dan Bouman, 2007.

Hobbs et al., 2008; Ladha et al., 2005.

Lemaire et al., 2007; Hikosaka, 2004.

Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007; Dreccer dkk., 2000; Sinclair dan Horie, 1989.

Russell et al., 1989.

Keating and Carberry, 1993.

Van Delden, 2001.

Struik and Bonciarelli, 1997

Wilkins, 2008

Van Keulen et al., 2000

Rembialkowkska, 2007

Topp et al., 2007

UNEP, 2007

Galloway, 1998

Ten Berge and Kropff, 1995

Goulding et al., 2008; Aarts et al., 1992

Schröder et al., 2003

(Lemaire et al., 2007; Hikosaka, 2004

 

Cabrera-Bosquet, 2007; Dreccer et al., 2000; Sinclair and Horie, 1989).

 

Russell et al., 1989

 

(Yin and Van Laar, 2005; Sinclair and De Wit, 1975)

 

Kicheyet al., 2007; Spiertz and De Vos, 1983

 

López-Bellido et al., 2008; Spiertz and Ellen, 1978)

 

Biemond and Vos, 1992

 

Chapman et al., 1985