• Authors:
    • Gantner, O.
    • Meissner, S.
    • Reller, A.
    • Moedinger, M.
  • Source: Brauwelt International
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: This article introduces a study on greenhouse gas emissions associated with beer production using the example of a brewery in Bavaria, Germany. The amount of beer-related greenhouse gases and the measures to reduce CO 2 emissions in each of the unit operations in beer production (agriculture, malting, hop processing, consumables used in the brewery, brewing, packaging and transportation) are discussed. A systematic climate protection strategy is described.
  • Authors:
    • Dechow, R.
    • von Haaren, C.
    • Saathoff, W.
    • Lovett, A.
  • Source: Regional Environmental Change
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from agricultural farming practice contribute significantly to European GHG inventories. For example, CO2 is emitted when grassland is converted to cropland or when peatlands are drained and cultivated. N2O emissions result from fertilization. Enabling farmers to reduce their GHG emissions requires sufficient information about its pressure-impact relations as well as incentives, such as regulations and funding, that support climate-friendly agricultural management. This paper discusses potentials to improve the supply of information on: farm-specific climate services or impacts, present policy incentives in Germany and England that support climate-friendly farm management and related adaptation requirements. Tools which have been developed for a farm environmental management software (to be added after review because of potential identification) are presented. These tools assess CO2 emissions from grassland conversion to cropland and peatland cultivation, as well as N2O emissions from nitrogen fertilization. As input data, the CO2 tool requires a classification of soil types according to soil organic carbon storage. The input data based on soil profile samples was compared with reference data from the literature. The N2O tool relies on farm data concerning fertilization. These tools were tested on three farms in order to determine their viability with respect to the availability of required data and the differentiation of results, which determines how well site-specific conservation measures can be identified. Assessing CO2 retention function of grassland conservation to cropland on the test farms leads to spatially differentiated results (similar to 100 to similar to 900 potentially mitigated t CO2 ha(-1)). Assessed N2O emissions varied from 0.41 to 1.1 t CO(2)eq. ha(-1) a(-1). The proposed methods support policies that promote a more differentiated funding of climate conservation measures. Conservation measures and areas can be selected so that they will have the greatest mitigation effects. However, even though present policy instruments in Germany and England, such as Cross Compliance and agri-environmental measures, have the potential to reduce agricultural GHG, they do not appear to guide measures effectively or site-specifically. In order to close this gap, agri-environmental measures with the potential to support climate protection should be spatially optimized. Additionally, the wetland restoration measures which are most effective in reducing GHG emissions should be included in funding schemes.
  • Authors:
    • Thomas,Amy R. C.
    • Bond,Alan J.
    • Hiscock,Kevin M.
  • Source: Global Change Biology Bioenergy
  • Volume: 5
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2013
  • Summary: Reduction in energy sector greenhouse gas GHG emissions is a key aim of European Commission plans to expand cultivation of bioenergy crops. Since agriculture makes up 1012% of anthropogenic GHG emissions, impacts of land-use change must be considered, which requires detailed understanding of specific changes to agroecosystems. The greenhouse gas (GHG) balance of perennials may differ significantly from the previous ecosystem. Net change in GHG emissions with land-use change for bioenergy may exceed avoided fossil fuel emissions, meaning that actual GHG mitigation benefits are variable. Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling are complex interlinked systems, and a change in land management may affect both differently at different sites, depending on other variables. Change in evapotranspiration with land-use change may also have significant environmental or water resource impacts at some locations. This article derives a multi-criteria based decision analysis approach to objectively identify the most appropriate assessment method of the environmental impacts of land-use change for perennial energy crops. Based on a literature review and conceptual model in support of this approach, the potential impacts of land-use change for perennial energy crops on GHG emissions and evapotranspiration were identified, as well as likely controlling variables. These findings were used to structure the decision problem and to outline model requirements. A process-based model representing the complete agroecosystem was identified as the best predictive tool, where adequate data are available. Nineteen models were assessed according to suitability criteria, to identify current model capability, based on the conceptual model, and explicit representation of processes at appropriate resolution. FASSET, ECOSSE, ANIMO, DNDC, DayCent, Expert-N, Ecosys, WNMM and CERES-NOE were identified as appropriate models, with factors such as crop, location and data availability dictating the final decision for a given project. A database to inform such decisions is included.
  • Authors:
    • Rodionov, A.
    • Nii-Annang, S.
    • Bens, O.
    • Trimborn, M.
    • Schillem, S.
    • Schneider, B. U.
    • Huttl, R. F.
    • Raab, T.
  • Source: Pedosphere
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Opencast lignite mining in the Lusatia region of Germany has resulted in large scale landscape disturbances, which require suitable recultivation techniques in order to promote plant growth and establishment in the remaining nutrient-poor substrates with low water-holding capacity. Thus, the effects of two commercial soil additives (CSA), a hydrophilic polymer mixed with volcanic rock flour and bentonite (a-CSA), and digester solids from biogas plants enriched with humic acids and bentonite (b-CSA), on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, plant yields and root biomass were assessed after cultivating perennial crops ( Dactylis glomerata L.) in monoculture and Helianthus annuus L.- Brassica napus L. in crop rotation systems. The CSA were incorporated into the top 20 cm soil depth using a rotary spader. The results indicated that a-CSA led to a significant increase in plant yield during the first year, and improved root biomass in the following year. As a result, SOC stocks increased, especially in the 0-10 cm soil layer. No significant sequestration of additional SOC was observed on b-CSA-amended plots at the end of both years. Bulk density values decreased in all treatments under the monoculture system. It can be concluded that application of a-CSA enhanced soil water availability for plant uptake and consequently promoted plant growth and organic carbon sequestration. The relative enrichment of organic matter without effects on water-holding capacities of b-CSA treatments suggested that it was not suitable for rapid land reclamation.
  • Authors:
    • Roger-Estrade, J.
    • Basch, G.
    • Moreno, F.
    • Soane, B. D.
    • Ball, B. C.
    • Arvidsson, J.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 118
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Recent literature on no-till is reviewed with particular emphasis on research on commercial uptake and environmental concerns in northern, western and south-western Europe. Increased interest in no-till, and minimum or reduced tillage, results from changes in the economic circumstances of crop production, the opportunity to increase the area of more profitable autumn-sown crops and increased concern about environmental damage associated with soil inversion by ploughing. Highly contrasting soil and climate types within and between these regions exert a strong influence on the success of no-till. While no-till may often result in crop yields which equal or exceed those obtained after ploughing, modest reductions in yield may be tolerated if production costs are lower than with ploughing. The relative costs of fuel and herbicides have changed appreciably in recent years making no-till more attractive commercially. While effective weed control is an essential aspect of no-till, current herbicide technology may not yet fully achieve this. In northern regions no-till usually allows earlier drilling of winter-sown crops but will give lower soil temperature and higher moisture content in spring, causing delayed drilling of spring-sown crops. No-till soils have greater bulk density and bearing capacity than ploughed soils with a pronounced vertical orientation of macroporosity allowing penetration of roots and water, especially in view of the increased population of deep-burrowing earthworms. Particular care must be taken with no-till to minimise soil damage at harvest and to ensure the even distribution of crop residues prior to drilling. Reduced erosion and runoff after adoption of no-till are widely observed and are of particular importance in southwestern Europe. No-till reduces losses of phosphorus in runoff and, in some cases, reduces the loss of nitrate through leaching. Emissions of greenhouse gases CO 2 and N 2O from no-till soils are highly variable and depend on complex interactions of soil properties. Emission of CO 2 from fuel during machinery usage is always appreciably reduced with no-till. Increased soil organic carbon in surface layers of no-till soils is widely found but may not be associated with increased carbon sequestration throughout the profile. The evaluation of the relative carbon balance for no-till and ploughing depends upon complex inter-relationships between soil and climate factors which are as yet poorly understood. Adoption of no-till could be encouraged by government financial assistance in recognition of environmental benefits, although future restrictions on the use of herbicides may be a deterrent. Opportunities for further research on no-till are outlined.
  • Authors:
    • Gerhards, R.
    • Brust, J.
  • Source: Julius-Kuhn-Archiv
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue: 434
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Lopsided oat ( Avena strigosa) has been cultivated for many years, especially in Brazil, as a summer annual cover crop. Experiments were conducted in Stuttgart-Hohenheim in 2010 to estimate the capability of lopsided oat, yellow mustard ( Sinapis alba), phacelia ( Phacelia tanacetifolia) and a cover crop mixture to suppress weeds and volunteer wheat. A pot experiment was conducted to analyze the emergence and growth of the different cover crop species. Twelve weeks after planting, lopsided oat produced 20.7 dt/ha of shoot- and 5.5 dt/ha of root dry matter. A field experiment was established in the summer after harvest of winter wheat. The soil was cultivated with a disc harrow and the cover crops were sown one day later. At four week intervals, the plant density and dry matter of cover crops, weeds and volunteer wheat were determined. Twelve weeks after planting, lopsided oat produced 17.8 dt/ha shoot- and 6.2 dt/ha root dry matter. In the lopsided oat plots, shoot dry matter of weeds and volunteer wheat were reduced by 98% compared with control plots without cover crops. This was the highest weed reduction of all cover crops studied. The root dry matter of weeds and volunteer wheat was reduced by 55% to 97% in all cover crops, compared to the control plots. Lopsided oat reduced the plant density of weeds and volunteer wheat. While there were 54.5 plants/m 2 in the control plots, only 5.5 plants/m 2 were counted in the lopsided oat plots. The results showed that lopsided oat has a high potential for suppression of weeds and volunteer wheat in autumn. It also enlarges the number of cultivated cover crops in Central Europe.
  • Authors:
    • Bjornstad, A.
    • He, X.
  • Source: Theoretical and Applied Genetics
  • Volume: 125
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Oat is an important crop in Nordic countries both for feed and human consumption. Maintaining a high level of genetic diversity is essential for both breeding and agronomy. A panel of 94 oat accessions was used in this study, including 24 museum accessions over 100- to 120-year old and 70 genebank accessions from mainly Nordic countries and Germany, covering different breeding periods. Sixty-one polymorphic SSR, 201 AFLP and 1056 DArT markers were used to evaluate the past and present genetic diversity of the Nordic gene pool. Norwegian accessions showed the highest diversity, followed by Swedish and Finnish, with German accessions the least diverse. In addition, the Nordic accessions appeared to be highly interrelated and distinct from the German, reflecting a frequent germplasm exchange and interbreeding among Nordic countries. A significant loss of diversity happened at the transition from landraces and old cultivars to modern cultivars. Modern oat originated from only a segment of the landraces and left the remainder, especially black oat, unused. However, no significant overall diversity reduction was found during modern breeding periods, although fluctuation of diversity indices was observed. The narrow genetic basis of the modern Nordic gene pool calls for increasing genetic diversity through cultivar introduction and prebreeding based on neglected sources like the Nordic black oat.
  • Authors:
    • Gruber, S.
    • Pekrun, C.
    • Möhring, J.
    • Claupein, W.
  • Source: Soil & Tillage Research
  • Volume: 121
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: The study provides information to more reliably estimate the value of conservation tillage in a temperate climate. Tillage effects on yield and weeds were evaluated in field experiments at two sites in SW Germany between 1999 and 2010. Tillage varied at site Ihinger Hof from mouldboard plough (P), chisel plough (CP), rototiller (RTT), varying P and CP (VAR), to no tillage (NT), partially combined with stubble tillage (S). Tillage at site Meiereihof was S/P, S/CP, and NT. Crop rotations included winter wheat (WW, Triticum aestivum), triticale (TR, Triticosecale), oat (OA, Avena sativa), silage maize (SM, Zea mays) and oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus) at Ihinger Hof, and winter wheat, spring barley (SB, Hordeum vulgare), silage maize, sugar beets (SBE. Beta vulgaris) and faba bean (FB, Vicia faba) at Meiereihof. At Ihinger Hof, tillage had an effect on yield (P > F = 0.0049), but no effects were found on crop emergence and crop density. Tillage effects on yield were consistent across crops though differences between crops appeared to exist. The yield of S/P, the standard tillage, was 8.5 (WW), 7.7 (TR), 4.7 (OA), 18.3 (SM) and 4.1 (OSR) t DM ha(-1) at Ihinger Hof, with yield under NT always significantly lower than S/P by 7.3% on average for all crops. At Meiereihof, yields ranged from 7.2 to 8.0 (WW), 3.3 to 4.2 (SB), 19.8 to 21.5 (SM) and 3.1 to 3.2 (FB) t DM ha(-1), and 61.3 to 67.6 FM ha(-1) for SBE. Yield was reduced by 4.5% from S/P to S/CP (P > F = 0.0516), and by about 10% from S/P to NT (P > F = 0.0009). Weed density ranged between 0.5 and 44 plants m(-2) at Ihinger Hof and was higher in treatments without stubble tillage and under non-inversion tillage, though significance differed for the different classes of weeds. NT led to weed infestation about 2-20 times higher than S/P. The interaction crop x treatment indicated that factors other than tillage influenced weed infestation. It is unlikely that weed infestation and reduced yield will be problems in temperate climates if soil disturbance through tillage is reduced. Non-inversion tillage can easily replace inversion tillage, and stubble tillage can be added to primary tillage if needed to reduce weeds. Since no specific tillage method was unequivocally superior to another one, any method well suited to specific regional and farm conditions can be adopted successfully.
  • Authors:
    • Homa, U.
    • Erdei, I.
    • Larelle, D.
    • Becker, J.
  • Source: Julius-Kuhn-Archiv
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 434
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: POLAR* (GF-2463=Dow 24630 H) contains the active ingredients florasulam and clopyralid both well known substances found in commercial products such as Primus *3 (florasulam), Starane XL* (florasulam, fluroxypyr), Ariane C* (florasulam, fluroxypyr, clopyralid) or Lontrel* (clopyralid). POLAR* has a broad dicotyledonous weed spectrum and controls Galium aparine, Matricaria spp., Centaurea cyanus, Stellaria media, cruciferous weeds ( Brassica spp. and others), Polygonum spp., Solanum nigrum and other weeds when applied post-emergence in spring. Increasingly important weeds in cereal production such as C. cyanus as well as G. aparine and Matricaria spp. at late growth stages can be controlled very efficiently at BBCH 13 to 32 in winter cereals and at BBCH 13 to 30 in spring cereals. POLAR* is formulated as a Suspension Concentrate (SC) with a target dose rate of 200 ml/ha (60 g ai/ha clopyralid+5 g ai/ha florasulam) in winter and spring cereals. It combines two modes of action: Auxin-like (clopyralid) and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors (florasulam) and can be safely applied in spring (soft and hard) and winter wheat, spring and winter barley, spring oats, winter rye, winter triticale and spelt.
  • Authors:
    • Bontenbroich, J.
  • Source: Julius-Kuhn-Archiv
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 434
  • Year: 2012
  • Summary: Trinity is a new herbicide for the control of silky-bent grass, annual meadow grass and annual dicotyledonous weeds in cereals in autumn. The registration covers the use in winter barley, winter wheat, winter rye and winter triticale at a maximum dose rate of 2.0 l/ha Trinity as a post-emergence application (autumn, GS 10-13). Trinity is the first registered three-way mixture of the three established ingredients diflufenican (40 g/l), pendimethalin (300 g/l) and chlortoluron (250 g/l). All ingredients have a different mode of action according to HRAC classification: F1 (diflufenican), K1 (pendimethalin) and C2 (chlortoluron). This unique three-way mixture in Trinity leads to a very high efficacy against Apera spica-venti and Poa annua and against a broad spectrum of dicotyledonous weeds including less sensitive weeds like Papaver rhoeas, Centaurea cyanus und Geranium spp. Due to the optimal balanced amount of ingredients, Trinity has also a very good selectivity in all registered cereals. Furthermore, the advantageous regulatory restrictions of Trinity increase the attractiveness for practical use. Based on the results of multi-annual German field trials, this paper shows the efficacy and the selectivity of Trinity.