This paper briefly reviews the current food situation and provides some historical perspectives on its evolution over time. It documents the important effects of agricultural productivity. It also evaluates the role of externalities, uncertainty and policy in the agricultural sector. The analysis stresses the joint role of uncertainty and externalities in the analysis of efficiency issues in the agricultural sector. Implications for farm management and agricultural policy are discussed.

The impact of soil moisture content and temperature on isoproturon (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea [IPU]) mineralization activity was assessed on an agricultural soil regularly exposed to this herbicide. Mineralization of 14C-IPU was monitored on soil microcosms incubated at different temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 28°C) and soil moisture contents (9%, 12%, 15, 18%, 21%, 24%). An increase in temperature and/or soil moisture significantly enhanced the maximum rate and percentage of IPU mineralization while it decreased the lag time before mineralization. The maximum rate and percentage of IPU mineralization respectively ranged from 0.18% day−1 and 9% for the lowest temperature and soil moisture content pair (10°C–9%) to 1.51% day−1 and 27.1% for the highest pair (28°C–24%). Statistics revealed a cross interaction of temperature and soil moisture content on the maximum rate of IPU mineralization. The optimum conditions for IPU mineralization, estimated from the double Gaussian model, were 25.8°C and 24% soil moisture content. The influence of fluctuations in soil moisture content on IPU-mineralization was investigated by subjecting the soil microcosms to drought stress. When IPU was added at the end of the drought stress, it had no statistical effect on IPU mineralization. However, when it was added before the drought stress, two mineralization phases were observed: (1) one corresponding to the drought stress for which mineralization was low and (2) another one observed after restoration of soil moisture content characterized by higher mineralization rate. It can be concluded that climatic fluctuations affect the activity of IPU mineralizing microbial community, and may lead to an increase in IPU persistence.

International audience | The impact of soil moisture content and temperature on isoproturon (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethyl-urea [IPU]) mineralization activity was assessed on an agricultural soil regularly exposed to this herbicide. Mineralization of 14C-IPU was monitored on soil microcosms incubated at different temperatures (10°C, 20°C, 28°C) and soil moisture contents (9%, 12%, 15, 18%, 21%, 24%). An increase in temperature and/or soil moisture significantly enhanced the maximum rate and percentage of IPU mineralization while it decreased the lag time before mineralization. The maximum rate and percentage of IPU mineralization respectively ranged from 0.18% day−1 and 9% for the lowest temperature and soil moisture content pair (10°C–9%) to 1.51% day−1 and 27.1% for the highest pair (28°C–24%). Statistics revealed a cross interaction of temperature and soil moisture content on the maximum rate of IPU mineralization. The optimum conditions for IPU mineralization, estimated from the double Gaussian model, were 25.8°C and 24% soil moisture content. The influence of fluctuations in soil moisture content on IPU-mineralization was investigated by subjecting the soil microcosms to drought stress. When IPU was added at the end of the drought stress, it had no statistical effect on IPU mineralization. However, when it was added before the drought stress, two mineralization phases were observed: (1) one corresponding to the drought stress for which mineralization was low and (2) another one observed after restoration of soil moisture content characterized by higher mineralization rate. It can be concluded that climatic fluctuations affect the activity of IPU mineralizing microbial community, and may lead to an increase in IPU persistence.

An assessment of the off-site migration of pesticides from agricultural activity into the environment in the Neuquen River Valley was performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of pesticides in several compartments of a small agricultural sub-catchment. Soil, surface water, shallow groundwater and drift deposition were analyzed for pesticide residues. Results showed the presence of some pesticide residues in soil, surface water and shallow groundwater compartments. The highest detection frequencies in water (surface and subsurface) were found for azinphos-methyl and chlorpyrifos (>70%). In terms of concentration, the highest levels were observed in shallow groundwater for azinphos methyl (22.5 μg/L) and carbaryl (45.7 μg/L). In the soil, even before the application period had started, accumulation of residues was present. These residues increased during the period studied. Spray drift during pesticide application was found to be a significant pathway for the migration of pesticide residues in surface water, while leaching and preferential flows were the main transport routes contributing to subsurface contamination.

An assessment of the off-site migration of pesticides from agricultural activity into the environment in the Neuquen River Valley was performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of pesticides in several compartments of a small agricultural sub-catchment. Soil, surface water, shallow groundwater and drift deposition were analyzed for pesticide residues. Results showed the presence of some pesticide residues in soil, surface water and shallow groundwater compartments. The highest detection frequencies in water (surface and subsurface) were found for azinphos-methyl and chlorpyrifos (>70%). In terms of concentration, the highest levels were observed in shallow groundwater for azinphos methyl (22.5 μg/L) and carbaryl (45.7 μg/L). In the soil, even before the application period had started, accumulation of residues was present. These residues increased during the period studied. Spray drift during pesticide application was found to be a significant pathway for the migration of pesticide residues in surface water, while leaching and preferential flows were the main transport routes contributing to subsurface contamination.

The role of carrion in food webs is governed by complex competitive interactions among a wide range of taxa. Although this competition is known to be influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, relatively few data are available from highly altered landscapes. We investigated the fate of mouse carcasses in an intensively farmed region in Indiana, USA, using remote cameras. Vertebrates removed 234 of 266 (88%) carcasses within two weeks after placement. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were the predominant scavengers, removing 184 of 197 (93%) carcasses for which a scavenger could be identified. Air temperature influenced carcass removal by vertebrates only at higher temperatures, with fewer carcasses removed as temperatures increased over ∼22°C. Elevated densities of mesopredators, coupled with the reduced search area for carrion due to the sparse distribution of forested habitat, likely were responsible for the rapid discovery and high level of carcass removal by vertebrates compared to previous investigations. Our data suggest that in agricultural landscapes, the competitive balance for carrion can differ substantially from that found in more pristine habitats. Moreover, the monopolization of carrion resources by abundant mesopredators may have negative consequences for other species that use carrion.

Detailed ethnographic studies of individual subaks indicate that subaks are neither as homogeneous nor as harmonious as some other studies have suggested. Their internal workings are complex and often contradictory and contested. Processes of continuity and change co-exist in delicate dynamic equilibrium. These studies signal a need for wariness about generalization and a need for close study of specific cases. This paper is just such a study, not of a subak as such, but of an innovative and (to date) extraordinarily successful localized project to develop rice-cultivation in a more sustainable direction through a shift away from petrochemical-based agriculture toward a more organic approach based on locally produced compost. We use this case also to address questions about the relevance and role of the subak in such developments.

Hidrostal pumps have been successfully employed in live fish transport, yet their effectiveness in fish passage is incompletely understood. This study investigates juvenile salmonid mortality in experimental passage trials through Hidrostal pumps at an agricultural pump facility in Washington State, USA. The effects of impeller pitch, rotational speed and fish body size on passage survival were examined. Hatchery-reared salmonids [Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) and Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum)] were introduced to low- and high-pitch impeller assemblies operating at two speeds. Instantaneous mortality rates ranged from 0 to 4% for high-pitch trials and from 3 to 10% for low-pitch trials. Larger fish experienced sublethal injury at higher rates (approximately 60% injured) than smaller fish (approximately 23% injured) and exhibited greater susceptibility to injury at higher pump speed. Injury between trials was compared by ranking according to severity and summed for each treatment; greater injury severity was found for the low-pitch impeller and from higher rotational speeds. Although injury and mortality rates to fish passing through Hidrostal pumps may be reduced through the use of higher-pitch impellers and lower operational speeds, the use of pump-bypass facilities may be warranted where acceptable impact thresholds are low.