• Authors:
    • Kvarno, S.
  • Source: Variability and uncertainty in soil physical properties: effects of data source on functional criteria
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: This thesis aims to quantify variability in soil physical properties on arable land, uncertainties related to data sources, and effects of variability and uncertainty on selected functional criteria. The study was conducted in the Skuterud catchment in South-east Norway, representative of agricultural areas with cereal production on marine deposits. Data collected in other parts of Norway were used. Two soils for aggregate stability measurements were collected from a small catchment located in the municipality of Nes, Akershus county, to represent soils with assumed lower aggregate stability than found for the clay soils in the Skuterud catchment: an artificially leveled soil with clay loam texture, and a Gleyic Cambisol with silt texture. For pedotransfer function (PTF) performance evaluation, data from many parts in Norway were collected to form a database. Marine deposits, brackish flood sediment, fluvial deposits and glacial till are represented, all common parent material for arable soils in Norway. Textural compositions of the samples varied from sandy to heavy clay. Two point PTFs developed for soils in Norway, and six parameter PTFs developed for soils in Europe and USA, were evaluated using multiple statistical indicators. The point PTFs showed overall good performance. The parameter PTFs showed variable performance. The class PTFs showed poorer performance than the continuous PTFs, especially if organic matter was not an input to the PTF. Implications of variability, uncertainty and data source were investigated for selected functional criteria in the Skuterud catchment. This study also showed that differences related to choice of data source could be larger than differences as a result of different risk of runoff and erosion (crop covered situation versus "worst case" situation with reduced soil stability and without crop cover). The major conclusion of this work is that inadequate choice of input data sources can significantly underestimate or overestimate optimum workability (W opt), number of days until W opt is obtained, surface discharge and soil loss, and consequently the effect of e.g. climate change and measures.
  • Authors:
    • Lupwayi, N.
    • Lemke, R.
    • Holzapfel, C.
    • May, W.
    • Lafond, G.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Including grain-legumes in cropping systems contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and enhances agronomic and economic performance of cropping systems. The objective was to examine the potential for increasing the frequency of field pea ( Pisum sativum L.) (FP) in a spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) (W)-based cropping system. Three crop rotations, continuous pea (C-Pea), W-FP, and W-W-FP, were evaluated over a 10-yr period (1998-2007) at Indian Head, SK. During the FPphase of C-Pea and W-FP, three starter N rates (5, 20, 40 kg N ha -1) were applied. One rate of N (80 kg N ha -1) was used in W. Rotation and N had similar effects on plant densities in either crop. Field pea grain yields were 25% lower with C-Pea than W-FP or W-W-FP but similar between W-FP and W-W-FP. Starter N had some effect on FP grain yields at the higher N rate in W-FP but not C-Pea. Spring wheat grain yields were 3% greater on FP than W stubble. Grain protein in FP was 3.1% higher on C-Pea than W-P or W-W-FP while grain protein in W was 1 g kg -1 higher on FP than W stubble. Crop water use efficiency in FP and W was not affected by crop rotation. Based on the results of this study, we conclude that the frequency of FP in cropping systems in the subhumid and semiarid areas can be increased intermittently with only a 1-yr cereal break between FP crops when combined with proper integrated crop management practices.
  • Authors:
    • Majchrzak, L.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The present studies were aimed at determine the allopathic interspecies interactions of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) mixture with winter triticale ( Triticale L.) and winter rye ( Secale cereale L.), spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) with spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and winter triticale ( Triticale L.) on germination and seedling growth. The preliminary intercrop influences were done in a laboratory using developing dishes. These tests allowed us to determine the allelopathic effect of tested grain species on the germinating ability of seeds of other grain crop species as well as on the length of root, coleoptiles length, fresh and air dry matter of roots and coleoptiles. The results showed that neighboring of wheat reduced germinating ability about 11%, reduced root system about 26%, and fresh matter of coleoptiles 42% as compared to the treatment with pure sowing of barley grain. There was no inhibiting influence allelopatic potential of triticale root exudates in his mixture relation with barley and wheat in grounds of analyses features. The research showed growth of germinating ability of winter wheat in mixture with winter triticale, but difference was not significant.
  • Authors:
    • Olson, B.
    • Curtis, T.
    • Chanasyk, D.
    • Miller, J.
  • Source: Journal of Environmental Quality
  • Volume: 40
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Application of beef cattle ( Bos taurus) manure based on nitrogen (N) requirements of crops has resulted in elevated concentrations of soil test phosphorus (P) in surface soils, and runoff from this cropland can contribute to eutrophication of surface waters. We conducted a 3-yr field study (2005-2007) on a Lethbridge loam soil cropped to dryland barley ( Hordeum vulgare) in southern Alberta, Canada to evaluate the effect of annual and triennial P-based and annual N-based feedlot manure on P and N in runoff. The manure was spring applied and incorporated. There was one unamended control plot. A portable rainfall simulator was used to generate runoff in the spring of each year after recent manure incorporation, and the runoff was analyzed for total P, total dissolved P, total particulate P, dissolved reactive P, total N, total dissolved N, total particulate N, NO 3-N, and NH 4-N. Annual or triennial P-based application resulted in significantly ( p≤0.05) lower (by 50 to 94%) concentrations or loads of mainly dissolved P fractions in runoff for some years compared with annual N-based application, and this was related to lower rates of annual manure P applied. For example, mean dissolved reactive P concentrations in 2006 and 2007 were significantly lower for the annual P-based (0.12-0.20 mg L -1) than for the annual N-based application (0.24-0.48 mg L -1), and mean values were significantly lower for the triennial P-based (0.06-0.13 mg L -1) than for the annual N-based application. In contrast, other P fractions in runoff were unaffected by annual P-based application. Our findings suggested no environmental benefit of annual P-based application over triennial P-based application with respect to P and N in runoff. Similar concentrations and loads of N fractions in runoff for the P- and N-based applications indicated that shifting to a P-based application would not significantly influence N in runoff.
  • Authors:
    • Osetrov, D.
  • Source: Ekonomika Sel'skokhozyaistvennykh i Pererabatyvayushchikh Predpriyatii
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In 2006-2009, total annual production of food and feed grain crops in Russia's Volgograd Oblast' averaged 3 652 300 tonnes, of which the main food crops (winter and spring wheat, rye, buckwheat and millet) accounted for 85.8%, the main feed crops (barley, oats, cereal maize and legumes) 14.1%, and other food and feed crops 0.1%. In 2001-2005, the region's total annual production of food and feed grain crops averaged 3 075 500 tonnes, of which the main food crops accounted for 78.9%, the main feed crops 21.1%, and other food and feed crops 0.0%. Total production of food grains, increased significantly (29.1%) between the 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 periods, with this growth largely attributable to higher harvests of winter wheat (up 50.1%). Total production of feed grains fell by 20.4% between the 2001-2005 and 2006-2009 periods, with harvests of barley, oats and legumes falling by 45.9%, 34.8% and 37.2% respectively, although cereal maize output more than quadrupled. On average in the 2006-2009 period, 1 755 000 tonnes/year of cereal grains were exported outside the region, and 112 000 tonnes/year were imported. Analysis of actual consumption of cereal grains in Volgograd Oblast' shows that total regional consumption averaged 1 919 000 tonnes/year in 2006-2009, of which 19.3% was used for seeds, 62.1% for animal feeds, 13.0% for food purposes, and 2.4% for other industrial processing, with 3.2% losses. A very similar usage pattern was recorded in 2001-2005. It is anticipated that demand for feed grains will rise as a result of implementation of government agricultural policies aimed at stimulating animal production, including the priority national programme "Development of the agro-industrial complex". While 62.1% of cereal grains consumed in Volgograd Oblast' in 2006-2009 were used in animal feeds (1 191 000 tonnes/year), feed crops accounted for only 14.1% of the region's cereal grain output (515 200 tonnes/year). Consequently many enterprises in the animal production segment were forced to use significant volumes of food grains, particularly wheat, for production of animal feeds. This pushes up the price of feeds, and also causes imbalances in the nutrient composition of feeds. Production of food grains in Volgograd Oblast' significantly exceeds demand, and the percentage of total cereal grain production accounted for by food grains is continuing to rise. However the region's food industry still suffers from shortages of some types of cereal grain. In order to correct the problems that have been identified with regard to cereal grains production in Volgograd Oblast', a strategy based on formation of clusters of cereal grain producers, processors and end users is recommended. Recommendations for improvements to the structure of cereal grain production in the region are also presented. These include significant increases in volumes of production of feed crops, in particular oats, maize, legumes and triticale.
  • Authors:
    • Postolache, A.
  • Source: Lucrari Stiintifice, Universitatea de Stiinte Agricole Si Medicina Veterinara "Ion Ionescu de la Brad" Iasi
  • Volume: 54
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Consumption needs for agricultural and food products evolve with the economic and social development. Providing optimum standards of food consumption is a difficult problem because of influences of different factors, including diversity and mobility needs of the consumer and the great variety of possibilities to meet them. For local producers to compete with producers of other districts and particularly those of foreign markets with competitive bidding, local producers must be to develop new elements of competitiveness (Brands, marketing innovations, supply services, adapting to the single market, major investment efforts, etc.). And adapt quality standards in production and marketing. This paper aims to analyze the results of the production of cereal grains in related communities perirbane area of Iasi in the period 2009-2011 as well as highlighting research on culture and territorial distribution of cereal grains in the same area. The analyze of the indicator' system pointed out that in Iasi, corn is the best profitable culture, followed by: barley, wheat, rye and oat.
  • Authors:
    • Mikkola, H.
    • Rajaniemi, M.
    • Ahokas, J.
  • Source: Agronomy Research
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: Special Issue I
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oats, barley, spring wheat and rye production in Finland. The GHG emissions were analyzed in a conventional production chain, direct drilling chain and reduced tillage chain. The greenhouse gases were analyzed per kilogram grain (kg CO 2-eq. kg -1) and hectare (kg CO 2-eq. ha -1). The main part of the GHG emissions of the grain production chain originated from fertilizer manufacturing and soil. Soil emissions were a result of using N-fertilizer which induced N 2O emission and liming which induced CO 2-emission. GHG emissions from soil were about half of all emissions of grain production. Therefore, the N-fertilizer application rate had a strong direct and indirect effect on the GHG emissions. Wheat (2,330 kg CO 2-eq. ha -1) and rye (2,270 kg CO 2-eq. ha -1) had higher GHG emissions per hectare than oats and barley. The main reason for this was the higher application rate of N-fertilizer. The emissions of oats and barley were 1,800 and 1,930 kg CO 2-eq. ha -1. The yield had a strong impact on the emissions per kilogram of grain. Oats (570 g CO 2-eq. kg -1), barley (570 g CO 2-eq. kg -1) and wheat (590 g CO 2-eq. kg -1) had lower greenhouse emissions than rye. A low grain yield together with high N-fertilizer application rate caused higher greenhouse gas emission for rye (870 g CO 2-eq. kg -1). Direct drilling and reduced tillage resulted in some lower GHG emissions than conventional tillage. However, differences between production chains were minor.
  • Authors:
    • Kulig, B.
    • Ropek, D.
  • Source: Progress in Plant Protection
  • Volume: 51
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The occurrence and harmfulness of pest in field bean cultivated in pure sowing and in faba bean mixed with naked oat was evaluated in field experiment carried out in 2006-2008. Faba bean plants in pure sowing were more severely infested with Aphis fabae and Bruchus rufimanus than in intercrops. The cultivation method had only slight effect on the occurrence of pea weevil. It is recommended to sow faba bean in mixture with naked oat in organic farms.
  • Authors:
    • Kadziuliene, Z.
    • Sarunaite, L.
  • Source: Grassland farming and land management systems in mountainous regions. Proceedings of the 16th Symposium of the European Grassland Federation, Gumpenstein, Austria, 29th-31st August, 2011
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The potential of white clover to supply winter cereals with biologically fixed N was investigated in an experiment conducted on a loamy Cambisol. Spring barley, white clover as pure-sown crops, and clover with barley cover crops were established in the spring of the first experimental year. In the autumn, wheat was direct drilled into differently sown and managed clover to form a bi-cropping system. In other treatments wheat was conventionally sown after ploughing in of pre-crops. In the autumn of the second year, winter rye was conventionally drilled into the plots. The N content of pre-crop residues incorporated into the soil was higher in clover treatments with the barley cover crop. The wheat grain yield was higher (5.3-6.0 t ha -1) after ploughing in clover. The grain yield was significantly lower in the bi-cropping system and varied depending on the treatments (1.3-4.7 t ha -1); however, the yield was high for an organic crop rotation. The highest N concentrations in wheat grain yield were observed in bi-cropping. The winter rye grain yield was higher after differently direct drilled wheat (2.7-3.5 t ha -1) compared with that of conventionally drilled wheat (1.7-2.05 t ha -1). N concentration in rye grain was higher after a bi-cropping system had been used.
  • Authors:
    • Serban, G.
    • Ittu, M.
    • Ciuca, M.
    • Ittu, G.
    • Saulescu, N. N.
    • Mustatea, P.
  • Source: Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue: Special Issue
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Rye has already proven to be a good donor of genes for improving important traits and diversity in wheat breeding. The agronomic advantages of wheat-rye translocations, as well as their detrimental pleiotropic effects, were shown to be dependent on the source of the transferred rye chromatin. This justifies continued effort for introgression of rye genes from various sources into various wheat backgrounds. There are still many genes of interest for wheat improvement, not yet transferred, that are available in the rye genome. This paper describes the strategy applied at the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute Fundulea (Romania), to take advantage of the existence of intensive breeding programs in both winter wheat and triticale, and presents some of the results obtained so far by applying this strategy, in obtaining lines with common bunt, barley yellow dwarf (BYDV) and other diseases resistances, as well as improved seedling vigour and crop spectral reflectance.