• Authors:
    • Paza, A.
  • Source: Biuletyn Instytutu Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roslin
  • Issue: 257/258
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The objective of the investigations carried out in the years 2002-2005 was to assess the influence of stubble catch crops on yielding of potato. The following combinations of stubble catch crop fertilization applied: control object (without stubble catch crop fertilization), farmyard manure, white mustard, white mustard-mulch, phacelia, phacelia-mulch. Table potatoes were cultivated in the first year after applying the intercrop. During harvest the total yield of fresh mass of tubers was assessed, and after harvest the structure of tuber yield was determined. The results showed that stubble catch crops, compared with farmyard manure, introduced into the soil significantly smaller amount of dry matter and macroelements. The weather conditions in the period of the study significantly influenced the potato yield. The highest yield of tubers was obtained in the combination in which fertilization with phacelia plowed down the previous autumn was applied. Stubble catch crops, with the exception of white mustard left in the form of mulch till spring can completely substitute for farmyard manure fertilization.
  • Authors:
    • Krolikowska, M.
    • Gasiorowska, B.
    • Ceglarek, F.
    • Paza, A.
    • Prochnicka, M.
  • Source: Biuletyn Instytutu Hodowli i Aklimatyzacji Roslin
  • Issue: 257/258
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of investigations carried out in 2003-2006 aimed to assess the influence of intercrops, stubble catch crops and spring barley straw on some chemical constituents of potato tubers. The experiment included: I. Intercrop fertilization: control object (without intercrop fertilization), farmyard manure, undersown crop (birdsfoot trefoil, birdsfoot trefoil+Italian ryegrass), stubble catch crop (oil radish) and II. Straw fertilization: without straw, with straw. Plants of potato table cultivar Fianna were cultivated in the first year after organic fertilization. In the collected samples of tubers contents of the following constituents were measured: starch, reducing sugar, total sugar and total protein. The results indicated that intercrop fertilization significantly influenced the contents of the all the four constituents, whereas straw fertilization only affected the contents of starch and total protein. The highest starch content characterized the potatoes fertilized with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil with Italian ryegrass, or with oil radish, both in combinations with or without straw. The highest content of total protein was found in the potatoes fertilized with birdsfoot trefoil alone or in combination with straw. The lowest content of reducing sugars and of total sugar was recorded with potatoes fertilized with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil with Italian ryegrass with or without the addition of straw.
  • Authors:
    • Ceglarek, F.
    • Paza, A.
    • Krolikowska, M.
  • Source: Journal of Central European Agriculture
  • Volume: 11
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of research carried out over 1999-2002 with the aims to determine the influence of intercrops and farmyard manure fertilization on consumption value of potato tubers in changeable weather conditions. The following combinations of intercrops fertilization were taken into account: the control plot (without intercrop fertilization), farmyard manure, undersown crop (birdsfoot trefoil, birdsfoot trefoil+Italian ryegrass, Italian ryegrass), stubble crop (oleiferous radish, oleiferous radish - mulch). The results pointed that, the conditions of vegetation period, significantly modified the consumption values of potato tubers. The consumption value of potato tubers which were fertilized with intercrops was formed on approximated level, as the potato which was fertilized with farmyard manure. The best consumption features, especially taste, had potatoes which were fertilized with birdsfoot trefoil and with the mixture of birdsfoot trefoil and Italian ryegrass.
  • Authors:
    • Soszynski, J.
    • Paza, A.
  • Source: Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis, Agricultura, Alimentaria, Piscaria et Zootechnica
  • Volume: 276
  • Issue: 13
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The paper presents the results of researches carried out over 2001-2005 which aimed at describing the sequent impact of undersown crops which were plowed down in autumn, stubble catch crops plowed down in autumn and left in the form of mulch till spring on yielding of winter triticale. The following combinations of intercrops were taken into account: control object (without intercrop), undersown crop - biomass plowed down in autumn (red clever, red clover+Italian ryegrass, Italian ryegrass), stubble catch crop - biomass plowed down in autumn (white mustard), stubble catch crop - biomass left in the form of mulch till spring (white mustard). Undersown crops were sown into spring barley which was cultivated on grain, and stubble catch crops were sown after its harvest. In the first year after catch crops applying the table potatoes were cultivated, in the second year winter triticale was cultivated. The results pointed that, catch crops with exception of red clover inserted into the soil the similar number of biomass. The highest number of nitrogen and phosphorus was supplied by red clover and by the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass, the highest number of potassium was supplied by white mustard, the highest number of calcium was supplied by red clover, the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass and white mustard, the highest number of magnesium was supplied by red clover. The conditions of the growing season significantly modified the yield of winter triticale. The highest grain yield and total protein from grain were achieved from the object where under the forecrop of winter triticale the mixtures of red clover with Italian ryegrass and Italian ryegrass were plowed down.
  • Authors:
    • Hucl, P.
    • Matus-Cádiz, M. A.
  • Source: Crop Science
  • Volume: 50
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Recent research has addressed the potential for gene flow in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, there is scant information on the fate of introgressed genes in the subsequent crop rotation. The objective of this study was to quantify spring wheat volunteers potentially arising from gene flow. A total of 152 wheat fields that had been used to measure gene flow at distances of up to 10 km were surveyed for blue aleurone volunteers for 3 yr postharvest. No blue aleurone seed was detected in samples from the 152 fields surveyed. A single blue aleurone volunteer plant was detected in a pollen donor field subsequently sown to wheat in the third year postharvest. The absence of blue aleurone wheat volunteers in the postharvest crop rotation was not unexpected as only four of the original 152 fields had shown evidence of gene flow. Under the environmental and crop management practices encountered in this study, the risk of a gene flow-based adventitious event in spring wheat being detected at significant levels in subsequent crops appears low.
  • Authors:
    • Varrelmann, M.
    • Buhre, C.
    • Kluth, C.
  • Source: Plant Pathology
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The susceptibility of intercrop species (Raphanus sativus, Brassica juncea, B. rapa, Sinapis alba and Phacelia tanacetifolia) to the sugar beet pathogen Rhizoctonia solani was investigated in vitro, in the greenhouse and in the field with artificial inoculation. Disease severity in subsequently cultivated sugar beet was monitored in the field. Differences in susceptibility between species were found to be consistent in all experimental systems. All intercrop species were susceptible to R. solani. Brassica rapa and R. sativus were less susceptible than P. tanacetifolia. Compared to fallow, the cultivation of B. rapa and R. sativus reduced disease severity in subsequently grown sugar beet (median ratings of up to 3.0 and 3.5, respectively, depending on environmental conditions). This resulted in higher white sugar yield compared to fallow (up to 210% and 157% for B. rapa and R. sativus, respectively). This study demonstrates that in vitro and greenhouse resistance tests are suitable systems to predict the effects of intercrop species susceptibility in the field on disease severity and white sugar yield in subsequently grown sugar beet. Intercrop breeding programmes might profit from fast and efficient screening tests to provide Rhizoctonia-resistant intercrops as an additional control measure against R. solani in sugar beet.
  • Authors:
    • Karcauskiene, D.
    • Koncius, D.
  • Source: Žemdirbystė (Agriculture)
  • Volume: 97
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Camelina saliva (L.) Crantz is one of the most promising crops for biofuel production, which can be grown on less fertile soils than oilseed rape. To validate this proposition, research was carried out in the crop rotation of the Vezaiciai Branch of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture and Forestry during 2008-2009 on a Bathihypogleyi-Dystric Albeluvisol (ABd-gld-w). We explored the effects of nitrogen fertilisers (N(0), N(30), N(60), N(90) and N(120)), sowing time (as soon as soil conditions allow, 5 days later and 10 days later) and seed rates (6,8 and 10 kg ha(-1)) on Camelina seed yield and yield components. Camelina seed yield was found to depend on nitrogen fertilisation, sowing time and weather conditions. During 2008-2009, the seed yield of the Camelina variety 'Borowska' ranged from 0.38 t ha(-1) in unfertilised plots to 0.83 t ha(-1) in the plots applied with N(60). Nitrogen fertilisation increased the yield by 1.1-1.6 times (in 2008) and by 1.4-2.2 times (in 2009), compared to that in unfertilised plots. The highest seed yield (0.67 and 0.74 t ha(-1)) was achieved for the first (28 04 and 08 04) sowing date with a seed rate of 8 kg ha(-1), due to the highest number of plants m(-2) (in 2008) and the highest number of branches per plant and 1000 seed weight (in 2009). Increased seed rate did not cover the decrease in seed yield when sowing had been delayed. The relatively low Camelina seed yield in Western Lithuania region resulted from the unfavourable weather conditions, i.e. droughts which persisted throughout the spring season.
  • Authors:
    • Maeder, P.
    • Niggli, U.
    • Wiemken, A.
    • Burger, D.
    • Berner, A.
    • Krauss, M.
  • Source: Soil Use and Management
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: To promote conservation tillage in organic farming systems, weed control and ley removal within arable-ley rotations need to be optimized. A long-term field trial was thus established in Frick, Switzerland in 2002 on a clayey soil and with a mean precipitation of 1000 mm/year. The tillage experiment distinguished between conventional tillage with mouldboard ploughing (CT, 15 cm depth) and reduced tillage (RT), including a chisel plough (15 cm) and a stubble cleaner (5 cm). Results of a 2-year grass-clover ley (2006/2007) and silage maize (2008) are presented. Due to dry conditions, mean grass-clover yields were 25% higher in RT than in CT, indicating better water retention of RT soils. Clover cover and mineral contents of the fodder mixture were also higher in RT. The ley was successfully removed in autumn 2007 in RT plots, and a winter pea catch crop was sown before maize. In CT, ploughing took place in spring 2008. Maize yields were 34% higher in RT than in CT, despite a two- to three-fold higher but still tolerable weed infestation. Maize in RT plots benefited from an additional 61.5 kg of easily decomposable organic N/ha incorporated into the soil via the pea mulch. Measurement of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization of maize roots indicated a similar mechanical disturbance of the topsoil through the reduced ley removal system compared with ploughing. It is suggested that RT is applicable in organic farming, even in arable-ley rotations, but long-term effects need further assessment.
  • Authors:
    • Suuster, E.
    • Sepp, K.
    • Roostalu, H.
    • Noormets, M.
    • Muiste, P.
    • Astover, A.
    • Kukk, L.
  • Source: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B - Soil & Plant Science
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The current study locates and quantifies abandoned agricultural areas using the Geographic Information System (GIS) and evaluates the suitability of abandoned fields for bio-energy production in Tartumaa (Tartu County) in Estonia. Soils of abandoned areas are generally of low quality and thereby limited suitability for crop production; as a result soil-crop suitability analyses could form the basis of knowledge-based bio-energy planning. The study estimated suitable areas for bio-energy production using willow (Salix sp), grey alder [Alnus incana (L.) Moench], hybrid aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.xPopulus tremula L.), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and Caucasian goat's rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) in separate plantations. A combined land-use strategy is also presented as these crops are partially suitable to the same areas. Reed canary grass and grey alder have the highest energy potentials and each would re-use more than 80% of the available abandoned agricultural land. Energy grasses and short-rotation forestry in combined land-use strategy represents the opportunity of covering approximately a quarter of county's annual energy demand. The study estimates only agronomic potential, so further bio-energy analysis should take into account technical and economic limitations. Developed framework supports knowledge-based decision-making processes from field to regional scale to achieve sustainable bio-energy production.
  • Authors:
    • Honeycutt, C. W.
    • Griffin, T. S.
    • Larkin, R. P.
  • Source: Plant Disease
  • Volume: 94
  • Issue: 12
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Seven different 2-year rotations, consisting of barley/clover, canola, green bean, millet/rapeseed, soybean, sweet corn, and potato, all followed by potato, were assessed over 10 years (1997-2006) in a long-term cropping system trial for their effects on the development of soilborne potato diseases, tuber yield, and soil microbial communities. These same rotations were also assessed with and without the addition of a fall cover crop of no-tilled winter rye (except for barley/clover, for which underseeded ryegrass was substituted for clover) over a 4-year period. Canola and rapeseed rotations consistently reduced the severity of Rhizoctonia canker, black scurf, and common scab (18 to 38% reduction), and canola rotations resulted in higher tuber yields than continuous potato or barley/clover (6.8 to 8.2% higher). Addition of the winter rye cover crop further reduced black scurf and common scab (average 12.5 and 7.2% reduction, respectively) across all rotations. The combined effect of a canola or rapeseed rotation and winter rye cover crop reduced disease severity by 35 to 41% for black scurf and 20 to 33% for common scab relative to continuous potato with no cover crop. Verticillium wilt became a prominent disease problem only after four full rotation cycles, with high disease levels in all plots; however, incidence was lowest in barley rotations. Barley/clover and rapeseed rotations resulted in the highest soil bacterial populations and microbial activity, and all rotations had distinct effects on soil microbial community characteristics. Addition of a cover crop also resulted in increases in bacterial populations and microbial activity and had significant effects on soil microbial characteristics, in addition to slightly improving tuber yield (4% increase). Thus, in addition to positive effects in reducing erosion and improving soil quality, effective crop rotations in conjunction with planting cover crops can provide improved control of soilborne diseases. However, this study also demonstrated limitations with 2-year rotations in general, because all rotations resulted in increasing levels of common scab and Verticillium wilt over time.