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Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture
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Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 November 2024) | Viewed by 41098

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Steven G. Pueppke

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, Center for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, Michigan State University, Okemos, MI, USA
Interests: water-energy-food; agriculture; food security; food systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture, is designed to publish well written, high-quality reviews that critically examine all aspects of the relationship between water and food, especially poorly understood and under-appreciated aspects of the subject.  It will encompass both food production on land (agriculture) and food production in water (aquaculture). Researchers are most welcome to contribute comprehensive review papers for consideration and publication in this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Steven G. Pueppke
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • water-energy-food
  • agriculture
  • food security
  • food systems

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Review

17 pages, 2726 KiB  
Review
Rethinking Freshwater Cage Aquaculture: A Case in Ghana
by Philip Kwasi Banini, Kofi Ferni Anyan, Jacob Zornu, Mabel Ackah, David Narteh Batsa, Kwame Issifu, Abigail Amankwah, Shimaa E. Ali, Samuel Addo and Kofitsyo S. Cudjoe
Water 2024, 16(21), 3054; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16213054 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1310
Abstract
Lakes around the world, including Ghana’s Lake Volta, are facing insidious threats from pollutants due to high dependency on aquatic ecosystems. Cage aquaculture is expanding across Africa because of its potential to address food insecurity, provide livelihoods, and boost local economies. However, the [...] Read more.
Lakes around the world, including Ghana’s Lake Volta, are facing insidious threats from pollutants due to high dependency on aquatic ecosystems. Cage aquaculture is expanding across Africa because of its potential to address food insecurity, provide livelihoods, and boost local economies. However, the uncontrolled expansion of cage aquaculture can have significant negative impacts on water resources, including environmental footprints that threaten biodiversity. Given the intensification of cage aquaculture for tilapia farming on Lake Volta, we advocate for a transition to inland-integrated aquaculture systems that promote circularity. Strengthening stakeholder collaboration is essential for enhancing competence in mapping inland aquaculture areas, identifying eco-friendly alternatives and reinforcing aquaculture regulations, with particular emphasis on cage culture on Lake Volta. These strategies can reduce the pressures imposed by tilapia cage farms on the lake while promoting best management practices. Additionally, capacity building must be an ongoing process to address knowledge gaps, including the development of effective preparedness plans executed during emergencies. The ongoing pollution from illegal mining in the Black Volta River, a tributary of Lake Volta, along with endemic diseases in the lake, further compounds fish health and welfare issues. This underscores the urgent need to implement inland transition strategies to protect the lake, mitigate disease spread, and ensure safe fish food production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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26 pages, 1248 KiB  
Review
Irrigation Performance Assessment, Opportunities with Wireless Sensors and Satellites
by Brian Carthy, Ben Somers and Guido Wyseure
Water 2024, 16(13), 1762; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131762 - 21 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1119
Abstract
Irrigation is an essential component of our food production system and a large user of freshwater. Pressure on irrigated agriculture is likely to increase with growing populations and climate uncertainty. Efforts to ensure sustainable water use in this sector have had mixed results. [...] Read more.
Irrigation is an essential component of our food production system and a large user of freshwater. Pressure on irrigated agriculture is likely to increase with growing populations and climate uncertainty. Efforts to ensure sustainable water use in this sector have had mixed results. Some of these efforts have been used in the interest of political or financial gain. The situation is complicated by the vulnerability of irrigating farmers, locally within irrigation schemes and in the global agricultural supply chain. An opportunity exists in the form of increasing the accessibility of open-source remote sensing products and wireless sensor networks. Irrigating farmers can define and assess their irrigation performance at different spatial and temporal scales. A review of irrigation performance assessment approaches and the available products and sensors is presented. Potential implementations for sensing and monitoring, as well as irrigation performance, are presented. The possibilities at different time scales and the influence on performance of different groups within the irrigation scheme are discussed. The particular circumstances of specific irrigation schemes need to be assessed with a cost–benefit analysis. The implementation of irrigation performance analysis tools should be led by irrigating farmers, as it directly impacts this group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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36 pages, 4275 KiB  
Review
Aquaponics: A Sustainable Path to Food Sovereignty and Enhanced Water Use Efficiency
by Lubna A. Ibrahim, Hiba Shaghaleh, Gamal Mohamed El-Kassar, Mohamed Abu-Hashim, Elsayed Ahmed Elsadek and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud
Water 2023, 15(24), 4310; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244310 - 18 Dec 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 15490
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores aquaponics as an environmentally friendly solution aligned with SDGs and food sovereignty, assessing various aspects from system design to automation, and weighing social, economic, and environmental benefits through literature and case studies. However, challenges persist in obtaining organic certification [...] Read more.
This comprehensive review explores aquaponics as an environmentally friendly solution aligned with SDGs and food sovereignty, assessing various aspects from system design to automation, and weighing social, economic, and environmental benefits through literature and case studies. However, challenges persist in obtaining organic certification and legislative recognition, hindering its growth. Achieving remarkable water use efficiency, up to 90%, relies on adaptable fish species like Nile tilapia and carp. Nutrient-rich fish feeds notably benefit low-nutrient-demanding greens. Ensuring water quality and efficient nitrification are pivotal, supported by IoT systems. Despite its efficiency, integrating Industry 4.0 involves complexity and cost barriers, necessitating ongoing innovation. Economies of scale and supportive horticultural policies can bolster its viability. Aquaponics, known for its efficiency in enhancing crop yields while minimizing water use and waste, is expanding globally, especially in water-scarce regions. Aquaponics, pioneered by the University of the Virgin Islands, is expanding in Europe, notably in Spain, Denmark, Italy, and Germany. Asia and Africa also recognize its potential for sustainable food production, especially in water-limited areas. While it offers fresh produce and cost savings, challenges arise in scaling up, managing water quality, and meeting energy demands, particularly for indoor systems. Egypt’s interest in desert and coastal regions highlights aquaponics’ eco-friendly food production potential. Despite the associated high costs, there is a quest for practical and affordable designs for everyday integration. Research in arid regions and industry advancements are crucial for aquaponics’ global food production potential. Deeper exploration of intelligent systems and automation, particularly in large-scale setups, is essential, highlighting the industry’s promise. Practical application, driven by ongoing research and local adaptations, is a key to fully harnessing aquaponics for sustainable food production worldwide. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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17 pages, 695 KiB  
Review
Aquaculture Development in Nigeria: The Second Biggest Aquaculture Producer in Africa
by Johnny Ogunji and Sven Wuertz
Water 2023, 15(24), 4224; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244224 - 7 Dec 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 12405
Abstract
Today, fish farming has become one of the fastest-growing farming businesses, turning Nigeria into the second biggest aquaculture producer in Africa. Also, Nigeria is the leading country in the production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus [...] Read more.
Today, fish farming has become one of the fastest-growing farming businesses, turning Nigeria into the second biggest aquaculture producer in Africa. Also, Nigeria is the leading country in the production of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and African bonytongue (Heterotis niloticus). The great quantity of land, inland water surface, and coastland, which are suitable for fish farming, have placed Nigeria at a very advantaged position to develop aquaculture further. Here, the development of brackish and marine aquaculture represents a promising field for future expansion. An adaptation of aquaculture development has to reduce the impact of climate change as outlined. Furthermore, disease management has to be urgently improved. Among others, the availability of commercial feed pellets is a bottleneck that has to be overcome. Unfortunately, Nigeria is far from self-sufficiency in its fish supply, with a deficit of about 2.5 million tons being imported, but national initiatives envision an expansion in the future to increase the supply of the population with high-quality protein and the prevention of malnutrition. This study identifies challenges and opportunities of the aquaculture subsector and tries to give some recommendations for future development, highlighting potential governmental interventions and support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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20 pages, 1783 KiB  
Review
Silicon Nutrition in Plants under Water-Deficit Conditions: Overview and Prospects
by Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Aamer Maqsood, Hafeez ur Rehman, Wajid Mahboob, Nadeem Sarwar, Osama Bin Abdul Hafeez, Saddam Hussain, Sezai Ercisli, Muhammad Akhtar and Tariq Aziz
Water 2023, 15(4), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15040739 - 13 Feb 2023
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6101
Abstract
Drought is one of the major constraints for sustainable crop production worldwide, especially in arid and semiarid regions. The global warming and climate change scenario has worsened the dilemma of water scarcity, creating an immediate threat to food security. Conserving water resources and [...] Read more.
Drought is one of the major constraints for sustainable crop production worldwide, especially in arid and semiarid regions. The global warming and climate change scenario has worsened the dilemma of water scarcity, creating an immediate threat to food security. Conserving water resources and exploiting various strategies that enable plants to withstand water deficits need to be urgently addressed. Drought adversely affects plant growth by modulating a range of physio-chemical, metabolic, and molecular processes inside the plant body, which ultimately reduces crop productivity. Besides developing drought-tolerant cultivars, better nutrient management could be a promising strategy to enhance drought tolerance in crop plants. Silicon, a quasi-essential element, is known to play a vital role in improving crop performance under a range of biotic and abiotic stresses. This review discusses the potential of Si application in attenuating the adverse effects of water-deficit stress. Silicon enhances plant growth by improving seed germination, cell membrane stability, carbon assimilation, plant–water relations and osmotic adjustment (by accumulating soluble sugars, proline and glycine betaine). It triggers the activity of antioxidants, promotes the biosynthesis of phytohormones, enhances nutrient acquisition and regulates the activity of vital enzymes in plants under drought stress. Silicon also induces anatomical changes in the plant cell wall through the deposition of polymerized amorphous silica (SiO2-nH2O), thereby improving stem and leaf erectness and reducing lodging. Further, Si-mediated physiological, biochemical and molecular mechanisms associated with drought tolerance in plants and future research prospects have been elucidated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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22 pages, 3554 KiB  
Review
The Changing Dynamics of Kazakhstan’s Fisheries Sector: From the Early Soviet Era to the Twenty-First Century
by Norman A. Graham, Steven G. Pueppke, Sabyr Nurtazin, Talgarbay Konysbayev, Farid Gibadulin and Meiirli Sailauov
Water 2022, 14(9), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091409 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3487
Abstract
Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic that is now independent, lies near the center of arid Eurasia. Its sparse hydrographic network includes a small number of large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, many ponds and smaller streams, as well as littoral zones bordering the Caspian [...] Read more.
Kazakhstan, a former Soviet republic that is now independent, lies near the center of arid Eurasia. Its sparse hydrographic network includes a small number of large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, many ponds and smaller streams, as well as littoral zones bordering the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea. A diverse fisheries sector, initially based on wild fish capture and later including aquaculture, developed in these waters during the Soviet era, when animal agriculture was unable to meet the protein needs of Soviet citizens. The sector, which was originally centered on the Volga–Caspian basin, was tightly managed by Moscow and benefitted from coordinated investments in research, infrastructure, and human resources, as well as policies to increase the consumption of fish products. Independence in 1991 administered a political and economic shock that disrupted these relationships. Kazakhstan’s wild fish harvests plummeted by more than two-thirds, and aquaculture collapsed to just 3% of its previous level. Per capita consumption of fish products also declined, as did processing capacity. Favorable recent policies to define fishing rights, incentivize investments, prevent illegal fishing, and make stocking more effective have helped to reverse these trends and stabilize the sector. Continued recovery will require additional steps to manage water resources sustainably, prioritize the use of water for fish habitats, and minimize the effects of climate change. This comprehensive assessment of Kazakhstan’s fisheries sector over the past century provides the basis to understand how long-term dynamic interactions of the environment with the political economy influence fisheries in Eurasia’s largest country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Review Papers of Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture)
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