19722015
  • Authors:
    • Iordache, M.
    • Borza, I.
  • Source: Journal of Food Agriculture & Environment
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 2 part 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The influence of several physical indices of soil (bulk density, total porosity and compaction degree) on earthworm numerical abundance and biomass in a Chernozem (FAO System) was investigated in a six years crop rotation: Zea mays L., mixture of Medicago sativa L. and Dactylis glomerata L. (ratio 1:1), Triticum aestivum L., mash of Avena sativa L. and Pisum sativum L. (ratio 1:1), Zea mays L., mixture of Medicago sativa L. and Dactylis glomerata L. (ratio 1:1). The experimental field belongs to the Didactic and Experimental Station of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Banat, Timisoara, Romania. The experimental treatments consisted of control plots and plots organically fertilized with cattle manure in dose of 40 t ha -1. This fertilizer has been applied once every three years, as follows: in Zea mays culture in the first year and mixture of Avena sativa and Pisum sativum in the fourth year. Earthworms were extracted in mixed culture of Medicago sativa and Dactylis glomerata, in control and in experimental treatments, using 2% formaldehyde solution, according to specific methodology enounced by the standard ISO 23611-1/2006. The pedological descriptors of the soil profile were described according to the FAO System. Soil bulk density, total porosity and compaction degree were determined at two soil depths, 7-12 cm and 26-31 cm, respectively, reflecting the levels preponderantly populated by earthworms. Organic fertilization played a positive role not only in improving the physical properties of soil, but also in increasing the earthworm number. Thus, earthworm number increased with the decrease of the bulk density and compaction degree and became lower when the total porosity of soil decreased. Statistical relationships between all researched factors were investigated using the Pearson's method of correlation and the SPSS software. Both soil depths showed significant correlations ( p
  • Authors:
    • Moffet, M.
    • Menalled, F.
    • Miller, Z.
    • Ito, D.
    • Burrows, M.
  • Source: Plant Disease
  • Volume: 96
  • Issue: 8
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Wild grasses, crops, and grassy weeds are known to host Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and its vector, the wheat curl mite (WCM). Their relative importance as a source of WSMV was evaluated. A survey of small-grain fields throughout Montana was conducted between 2008 and 2009. Cheatgrass was the most prevalent grassy weed and the most frequent viral host, with 6% infection by WSMV in 2008 ( n=125) and 15% in 2009 ( n=358). By mechanically inoculating plants with WSMV in the greenhouse, the highest susceptibility was found in rye brome (52.1%), jointed goatgrass (80.9%), and wild oat (53.9%). Quackgrass, not previously reported as a host, was susceptible to WSMV (12.7%). Mite transmission efficiency from susceptible grass species was lower than from wheat, and grass species must be a host for both WSMV and the WCM to serve as a virus source. WCM transmission was more efficient than mechanical transmission. Overall, results indicate that grass species can serve as a viral reservoir, regional variation in a weed species' susceptibility to WSMV cannot explain geographic variation in epidemic intensity, and crop species and closely related weeds (e.g., jointed goatgrass) remain the best reservoirs for both WSMV and the WCM.
  • Authors:
    • Jaskulski, D.
    • Osinski, G.
    • Jaskulska, I.
    • Madry, A.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Drawing on the statistical survey performed over 2010-2011 on 155 farms in the Kujawy and Pomorze region, there was evaluated cultivar diversity for basic field crops and it was compared in the sown crops of winter wheat, spring barley, winter triticale, rye, maize, winter rape, sugar beet and potato. The following were determined: the knowledge of crop cultivars sown by farmers on production plantations and the most frequently grown cultivars, their number to the number of plantations of that species, diversity and domination defined using the Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices. It was found that on 15.8-43.4% plantations the cultivars were not known to the farmers, most in the sown crops of spring barley. The best knowledge was recorded for the cultivars of winter wheat, winter rape and potato. A high richness of cultivars, expressed with the number of cultivars to the number of plantations, concerned the crops of potato, sugar beet and maize and the lowest richness - rye. The highest cultivar diversity of crops occurred in the sown winter wheat, winter triticale, winter rape, corn and spring barley. The lowest diversity, however, at the same time, the highest cultivar dominance, was recorded for sugar beet, potato and rye. The highest share of a single cultivar in the sown crop of the species was reported for 'Californium' winter rape, 'Dankowskie Zote' rye and 'Lord' potato.
  • Authors:
    • Reicosky, D.
    • Porter, P.
    • Baker, J.
    • Ochsner, T.
    • Krueger, E.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 104
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Recent proliferation of large dairies has prompted concern regarding environmental impacts of associated corn silage production and high-rate manure application. Our objectives were to compare environmental impacts and forage production of monocrop corn ( Zea mays L.) silage and rye ( Secale cereal L.)-corn silage double-crop systems with multiple corn planting dates and high-rate manure application near Morris, MN. From 2007 to 2009, corn for silage was seeded into a silt loam as a monocrop in early and mid-May and as a double-crop after rye in mid-May and early June. Manure was fall applied annually at average total N and P rates of 393 and 109 kg ha -1, respectively. Double-cropping reduced total forage dry matter (DM) yield 2 of 3 yr and reduced corn DM yield 15 to 25%. Soil NO 3-N to 90 cm accumulated at an average rate of 71 kg N ha -1 yr -1 with monocropping, but accumulation was not observed with double-cropping. Soil organic C concentration from 0 to 5 cm increased in the monocrop (18%) and double-crop (26%) systems over 3 yr. Average soil solution NO 3-N concentration was high with monocropping (52 mg L -1) and double-cropping (37 mg L -1), but estimated leaching load averaged only 8 kg ha -1 yr -1. Fall and spring ground cover was often less than 10% with monocropping but was usually greater than 30% with double-cropping. The primary environmental concerns identified for monocrop corn silage were soil NO 3-N buildup and inadequate ground cover. Double-cropping addressed each concern but often decreased forage production.
  • Authors:
    • Polyanskaya, N.
    • Suslov, S.
    • Kuchin, N.
  • Source: Ekonomika Sel'skokhozyaistvennykh i Pererabatyvayushchikh Predpriyatii
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: In 2009, production of leguminous and cereal grain crops in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' totalled 1 432 400 tonnes, and the average crop yield was 2.44 tonnes/ha - the highest yield in 50 years. However extremely hot and dry weather conditions in 2010 caused a sharp reduction in harvest volumes, so that Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' had a total harvest of just 541 500 tonnes and an average crop yield of 1.36 tonnes/ha. 2010 harvest figures for the region were significantly lower than in 2006, when the total harvest volume was 1 169 900 tonnes and the average crop yield 2.05 tonnes/ha. Crop yields in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' vary significantly between years, with yields being highly dependent on climate conditions. The greatest variation in yields occurs with maize, millet, and buckwheat crops. Strong variation in yields is also evident for wheat and leguminous crops, and moderate variation occurs in yields of rye, barley, and oats. For agricultural enterprises, the most significant factor influencing their production volumes and incomes is the structure of crops produced. The structure of crops produced in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast' has changed significantly since the pre-reform period, with a marked shift towards cultivation of food grade cereal grains, and away from production of feed crops. In 2010, wheat accounted for 56.8% of the region's total harvest, barley 21.9%, oats 10.7%, rye 7.6%, legumes 2.5%, triticale 0.4%, and groats crops 0.1%. Agricultural organizations continue to be the main cereal grain producers, despite increases in land areas used for cereal grain cultivation by private (peasant) farmers. In 2010, agricultural enterprises accounted for 92.2% of cereal grain production. Individual secondary farms account for only an insignificant proportion of grain crop production. Problems faced by enterprises operating in the region's cereal grain segment include a poor technical base, low rates of fertiliser application, and difficulties in securing suitably qualified workers. Approximately 80% of machines used by these enterprises have been in use for longer than their intended operating life. These problems have adverse effects on the efficiency of harvesting operations and on crop yields. It is important to address these issues if higher and more stable production volumes are to be achieved, and the profitability of crop production activities improved.
  • Authors:
    • Lindedam, J.
    • Bruun, S.
    • Larsen, S.
  • Source: Biomass & Bioenergy
  • Volume: 45
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Straw is a by-product from cereal production which constitutes a considerable biomass resource, for instance for 2G ethanol production. Straw yield per hectare and straw quality in terms of ethanol production are both important factors for the available biomass resource and the potential ethanol production per hectare. In a series of field trials on three locations in 2009, we compared straw and grain yield from the winter cereal species triticale, winter barley, winter rye, and winter wheat. Grain yield did not differ significantly between the species, but winter rye yielded up to 59% more straw dry matter than the other species. The release of glucose and xylose after pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis i.e. the saccharification potential was used to indicate the potential for ethanol production. The saccharification potential did not differ between species, but due to the differences in straw yield, areal saccharification potential (i.e. potential sugar production per hectare) was from 29% to 78% higher for winter rye than for other species. In a series of winter wheat cultivar trials on two locations in 2008 and three locations in 2009, straw yield differed significantly between cultivars in both years and across years. The highest yielding cultivar yielded up to 57% and 37% more straw than the lowest yielding cultivar in the two years, respectively, even among cultivars with non-significant differences in grain yield. The saccharification potential was measured from straw of winter wheat cultivar trials harvested in 2009. The potential varied largely but was not significantly affected by neither cultivar nor location. Due to cultivar differences in straw yield, however, areal saccharification potential differed significantly between cultivars with up to 38% difference in glucose yield and up to 35% in xylose yield. Straw yield increased with increasing grain yield, but the straw:grain ratio differed significantly between cultivars and was not consistent across years and locations. This has implications for straw resource estimates when these are based on the relationship between grain yield and straw yield. In conclusion, it appears possible to choose species and cultivars with higher straw yield and consequently larger potential for ethanol production per hectare without compromising grain yield. This may provide a means of increasing the overall straw resource, as long as increased straw yield is not accompanied by negative effects such as increased tendency to lodging.
  • Authors:
    • Lemanczyk, G.
  • Source: Journal of Plant Protection Research
  • Volume: 52
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Winter cereals (wheat, triticale, rye, barley) grown in experimental fields were assessed for sharp eyespot. Preceding crops (spring cereals and fallow) and weed control (herbicides application, no control) were taken into account. The health status evaluation was carried out at the stem elongation phase and at the milk maturity stage. The macroscopic estimation was accompanied by the analysis of fungal species identified on stem bases and roots, which showed various disease symptoms. The analysis of fungal species from the genus Rhizoctonia were especially noted. Mycological analysis of roots was carried out at the seedling growth and stem elongation phase, and stem bases at the seedling growth and milk maturity stage. Infection caused by Rhizoctonia spp. was confirmed by polymeraze chain reaction (PCR) assay. The highest infection was noted on wheat followed by triticale, rye and barley. Occurrence of sharp eyespot depended more on weed control than on what the preceding crop had been. At the milk maturity stage, lower severity of sharp eyespot of triticale, rye and barley was noted on plots not treated with herbicides, and on wheat with herbicide application. The research showed a significant effect of the preceding crop only on the health status of wheat. At the milk maturity stage, the highest infection was noted after spring triticale and the lowest after oats. Stems of cereals with sharp eyespot symptoms and healthy stems were settled mainly by Rhizoctonia cerealis (wheat - 25.6%, triticale - 12.0%, rye - 22.2%, barley - 11.3%), rarely by R. solani (respectively 6.0, 4.0, 2.9 and 1.8%). Rhizoctonia solani was isolated more often from roots with true eyespot and Fusarium foot rot symptoms. It may suggest that R. cerealis was the main causal agent of sharp eyespot on all tested cereals. The preceding crop did not affect the composition of Rhizoctonia species.
  • Authors:
    • Pietrusiewicz, J.
    • Horn, R.
    • Lipiec, J.
    • Siczek, A.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 121
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Soil compaction affects pore structure and thereby plant root growth. Elongation and anatomy of seedling roots of wheat ( Triticum aestivum), barley ( Hordeum vulgare), rye ( Secale cereale), triticale ( Triticosecale Wittmack) and maize ( Zea mays) grown in uncompacted bulk field (U) and compacted headland (C) Orthic Luvisol developed from loess of the same field were compared. The seedlings were grown in a growth chamber for 7 days, in cores with undisturbed silt loam taken from 5 to 10 cm depths at compacted and uncompacted sites. Transverse root sections were taken from 25 to 30 mm behind the apex following imbedding in resin. Areas of cortex and vascular cylinder in the sections were determined using the Zeiss LSM Image Examiner. Total root length was smaller in C compared with U by, approximately, 50% for barley to 79% for triticale. Anatomical responses of the roots to soil compaction were related to the general shape of roots (circular or flattened), likely induced by the shape of pores. In the circular roots of wheat, rye and maize the primary anatomical response to soil compaction were the invaginations and associated cell deformation in the cortex. This was mostly pronounced in maize, with greater inherent root diameter. However, in the flattened roots of barley and triticale deformation of root cells was observed both in the cortex and vascular cylinder with less pronounced invaginations. Depending on plant species, the area of cortex and/or vascular cylinder decreased or increased in response to soil compaction. Total cross section area of roots increased in C compared to U among the small-grain cereals, from 9.5 in wheat to 132% in rye, while no differences could be detected in maize. The results indicate that the root elongation and anatomy exhibit considerable plasticity in response to soil compaction and strength of the local environment around the roots.
  • Authors:
    • Dziamba, S.
    • Martyniak, D.
    • Szydowska, A.
    • Mauszynska, E.
    • Dziamba, J.
  • Source: Biuletyn Instytutu Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roslin
  • Issue: 263
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate germination capacity after seed treatment with three formulations containing effective microorganisms: EM-Farming, Ema Plus, ISD. The experimental material were the seeds of spring wheat, barley, oats, phacelia, serradella, yellow lupine and blue lupine from organic farming. Germination capacity was evaluated in accordance with the ISTA Rules (2010). Seed treatment with effective microorganisms had no effect on germination capacity of wheat and barley. Only for one variety of oat, (Polar), from four tested, germination capacity was improved after seed treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. After soaking in the solution of Ema Plus and ISD germination capacity of serradella seed was higher, but the difference was also not statistically significant. After application of each seed treatment the blue lupine germinated slightly better than the control seeds. Seeds of lacy phacelia showed higher germination after application the solution of the ISD. The three formulations with effective microorganisms did not cause significant increase in seed germination, but there were less abnormal seedlings and dead seeds.
  • Authors:
    • Dobrovolny, P.
    • Brazdil, R.
    • Mozny, M.
    • Trnka, M.
  • Source: Climatic Change
  • Volume: 110
  • Issue: 3/4
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Cereal crop harvests reflect the weather patterns of the period immediately preceding them, and thus the dates at which they begin may be used as a source of proxy data on regional climate. Using systematic phenological observations in the Czech Lands (now known as the Czech Republic) after 1845, together with exploration of further surviving documentary evidence (chronicles, diaries, financial accounts etc.), it has proved possible to create series of winter wheat harvest dates for the period 1501-2008. Employing linear regression, the harvesting dates of the main cereal species (wheat, rye, barley, oats) were first converted to winter wheat harvest days and then normalised to the same altitude above sea level. The next step consisted of using series of winter wheat harvest dates to reconstruct mean March-June temperatures in the Czech Republic, applying standard palaeoclimatological methods. Series reconstructed by linear regression explain 70% of temperature variability. A profound cold period corresponding with late winter wheat harvests was noted between 1659 and 1705. In contrast, warm periods (i.e. early winter wheat harvests) were found for the periods of 1517-1542, 1788-1834 and 1946-2008. The period after 1951 is the warmest of all throughout the entire 1501-2008 period. Comparisons with other European temperature reconstructions derived from documentary sources (including grape harvest dates), tree-rings and instrumental data reveal generally close agreement, with significant correlations. Lower correlations around A.D. 1650 and 1750 may be partly related to deterioration of socio-economic conditions in the Czech Lands resulting from prolonged wars. The results obtained demonstrate that it is possible to use widely-available cereal harvest data for climate analysis and also that such data constitute an independent proxy data series for the region of Central Europe crucial to further studies of the potential impact of climatic variability and climate change on agriculture.