• Authors:
    • Hartmann, G.
    • Gessendorfer, B.
    • Wieser, H.
    • Koehler, P.
  • Source: European Food Research and Technology
  • Volume: 232
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A method to determine the celiac disease-specific peptidase activity of different germinated cereals was developed. Kernels of common wheat, spelt, emmer, einkorn, rye, and barley were germinated, lyophilized, and milled into flour and bran. The latter was extracted at pH 4.0 to obtain a solution enriched with peptidases. The synthetic alpha-gliadin peptide with the amino acid sequence PQPQLPYPQPQLPY (peptide IV), which has been shown to be toxic for celiac disease patients, was selected as substrate for bran peptidases. It was quantified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on C 18 silica gel. For kinetic studies, rye bran extract was incubated with peptide IV at 50°C and pH 6.5. The peptide was degraded continuously, and only 30.2% of the original peptide was detected after 90 min. Accordingly, the bran extracts of all cereals were investigated. The incubation time was set to 60 min at 50°C, and the degradation of peptide IV was performed at pH 4.0 and 6.5, respectively. Except for rye, peptide degradation was faster at pH 4.0 than at pH 6.5. At pH 4.0, emmer extract was most active, followed by spelt, common wheat, and einkorn extracts. The activity of rye and barley extracts was significantly lower. In conclusion, the method is easy to perform, quick, and provides reproducible results. It can be applied to other peptidase sources such as bacterial or fungal cultures to optimize peptidase preparations suitable for detoxifying gluten-containing food or for drugs to treat celiac disease.
  • Authors:
    • Golinowska, M.
  • Source: Journal of Research and Applications in Agricultural Engineering
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In early 2010, in Lower Silesia, there were 1,025 organic farms, including 47% of households had a status of "inconversion". Most of them, up to 23% of organic farms were located in the county Kodzko and 16% in the district of Wroclaw. The diversity of organic farms in various districts of Lower Silesia was high and ranged from 1 (Strzelin district) to 235 (Kodzko district). Lot of factors had an influence on such a large diversity of organic farms deployment and the most important included the quality of agricultural production surface. A characteristic feature of organic farms of Lower Silesia is that about 80% of the main type of organic production are meadows and pastures (package 58A) and fodder crops for animal feed (pack 50A to 57A). Cereal Organic-grown consisted of wheat and spelled (from 3% to 30% of producers) quite a lot consisted of more than 20% rye, oats, from 7.5% to 28.6% and buckwheat. Production of vegetables and fruits is listed only in a few percent of the farms. Due to the possibility of high subsidies for orchards planted with walnut, this package (A 67) has become the direction of production of several agricultural producers. Organic farms of Lower Silesia are mainly focused on plant production. Only in about 20% of organic farms production is carried out by organic livestock, which provides cow's milk, goat cheese, veal, beef and eggs. In tourist areas the equines were bred in many organic farms for recreational purposes.
  • Authors:
    • Mueller-Warrant, G.
    • Dick, R.
    • Banowetz, G.
    • Griffith, S.
    • Whittaker, G.
  • Source: Agronomy Journal
  • Volume: 103
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Understanding the impact of crop rotation and residue management in grass seed production systems on soil quality and, in particular soil C dynamics, is critical in making long-term soil management decisions supporting farm sustainability. The effects of a 6-yr rotation and residue management (high vs. low residue) on soil quality were investigated at three locations in Oregon, each contrasting in soil drainage classification. The crop rotations were continuous perennial grass seed production, grass/legume seed production, and grass/legume/cereal seed production. The grass species grown at each location were different and represented those most commonly produced in each environment; perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue [ Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub], and creeping red fescue ( Festuca rubra L.). All three grass seed crop rotations and residue methods maintained high soil quality in conventional or direct seeded soils, but under some situations, soil quality was higher with continuous grass rotation and high residue. Data suggest that straw removal for value-added use, like bioenergy production, can be accomplished in the Pacific Northwest Marine climate without appreciably affecting soil quality. Furthermore, grass seed cropping systems play an important role in soil C storage and enhancement, a valuable ecosystem service in this region where grass seed is produced on land that is not suitable for production of conventional crops that require better-drained soil. We conclude that by nature perennial grass seed crops promote high soil fertility and enriched soil C pools and consequently contribute to the tolerance of these systems to the use of less conservation-oriented crop management methods at times when crop loss could be potentially high. This attribute provides producers greater latitude in selecting soil and crop management options to address issues of soil fertility, pest, weed, or seed certification to minimize economic crop yield losses.
  • Authors:
    • Silue, D.
    • Barra, A.
    • Guei, R.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) conducted two projects in Cameroon on strengthening rice, and sorghum, maize and millet seed production by smallholder seed enterprises (SSEs). Farmer groups (respectively, 25 SSEs and 114 SSEs) were formed or strengthened and trained. Sixty-six selected lead farmers were trained on the administering and managing of revolving funds. The groups were then linked to the Extension Service (for continuous technical advice), Agriculture Research for Development Institution (continuous supply of needed seed), National Seed Service (seed certification) and to financial institutions (financial support). The results obtained showed that 60 and 59.6 per cent, respectively, of the groups sustained their activities two to three years after the projects ended. Total certified rice seed produced increased to 800 tonnes (t) against 267t at the beginning. For the other cereal project, the total certified seed produced was 719.2t against 497t at its beginning. The use of quality seed rice together with good agronomic practices increased yields (up to 8.0t/ha against a scant 2t/ha before). All interviewed farmers stressed that the seed business was profitable and helped achieve higher living standards and diversify their activities. Seasonal incomes were more than US$1,783.31. Finally, both FAO projects helped generate farmers' income to about US$2,114.871, produced 447,954t of cereal grain and thus improved food security and alleviated poverty. The Cameroonian success could be repeated elsewhere.
  • Authors:
    • Ahmadi, A.
    • Maafi, Z.
    • Hajihassani, A.
    • Taji, M.
  • Source: International Journal of Agriculture and Biology
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Cereal cyst nematodes are one of the most important soil-borne pathogens of cereals throughout the world. This group of nematodes is considered the most economically damaging pathogens of wheat and barley in Iran. In the present study, a series experiments were conducted during 2007-2010 to determine the distribution and population density of cereal cyst nematodes and to examine the biology of Heterodera latipons in the winter wheat cv. Sardari in a microplot under rain-fed conditions over two successive years in Markazi province in central Iran. Results of field survey showed that 40% of the fields were infested with at least one species of either Heterodera filipjevi or H. latipons. H. filipjevi was most prevalent in Farmahin, Tafresh and Khomein, with H. latipons being found in Khomein and Zarandieh regions. Female nematodes were also observed in Bromus tectarum, Hordeum disticum and Secale cereale, which are new host records for H. filipjevi. Also, H. filipjevi and H. latipons were found in combination with root and crown rot fungi, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium culmorum, F. solani and Gaeumannomyces graminis, in some fields. Results of the biology study showed that H. latipons developed only one generation in each wheat growing season and its developmental stages are closely related to the climate conditions and the host plant growth. Immature females were first evident on roots in the third week of March to early April, with soil temperatures of 11.8-13.3degreesC. The mature females containing eggs with embryo were observed in third week of April until early May, when the soil temperature was 14.2-15.3degreesC. H. latipons completed its life-cycle in about 145-150 days in wheat.
  • Authors:
    • Ward, G.
    • Jacobs, J.
  • Source: Animal Production Science
  • Volume: 51
  • Issue: 12
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Limitations to the current perennial ryegrass-based pasture system on dryland dairy farms in southern Australia has led to research into alternatives that can produce either additional DM, out of season feed or can improve nutritive characteristics. The use of winter annual crops followed by a summer crop have the potential to achieve these goals but often result in considerable periods where new crops are establishing and feed is not available for consumption. Companion cropping offers an option to overcome these limitations. The experiment reported in this paper examines the DM yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of companion cropping wheat or triticale at different sowing rates into an existing chicory monoculture over a 2-year period. We hypothesised that oversowing cereal crops in autumn into an existing stand of chicory would result in improvements in nutritive characteristics at ensiling, without adversely affecting DM yield or subsequent chicory DM yields following harvesting, thus negating the need to sow a new summer forage crop each year. Total DM yields for the chicory and cereal monocultures were similar over the experimental period, while DM yields for all triticale mixtures were higher than the chicory only treatment. Chicory produced lower DM yields for silage but higher DM yields at most grazing events. The crude protein and estimated metabolisable energy content of the chicory only treatment was higher than the cereal monocultures and all triticale/chicory mixtures at both silage harvests with wheat/chicory mixes being intermediate. The proportion of chicory in the mixed swards declined over the course of the experiment. The use of chicory with cereals resulted in no adverse effects on total DM yields, some improvements in nutritive characteristics and mineral content and a more continuous supply of DM compared with double cropping with annual species in winter and summer. This experiment has highlighted the potential of oversowing cereal forages into an existing chicory sward to contribute to DM production on dairy farms in southern Australia. Such forage mixes can provide flexibility into forage systems through the provision of forage for grazing in early winter, the production of high DM yield silage harvests and then subsequent feed supply over summer and early autumn.
  • Authors:
    • Ji, H.
    • Song, T.
    • Han, O.
    • Lee, H.
    • Ju, J.
  • Source: Journal of the Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Soil fertility different depend on application rate of manure and compost for many years. While each crop has different adaptability depend on soil fertility, crop and species or varieties should be chosen depending on the adaptability and productivity. These experiments were carried out to compare the five winter cereal crops for whole crop silage on growth, yield and feed value as affected by soil organic content. The rate of increase on no. of spikes at high fertile soil compared with medium fertile soil was sequently high Samhan (Oat's variety) > Cheongwoo (Wheat) > Gogu (Rye) > Youngyang (Barley) > Shinyoung (Triticale). The rate of decrease at low fertile soil compared with medium fertile soil was sequently high Youngyang > Gogu > Cheongwoo > Shinyoung > Samhan. The triticale was lower variation of no. of spikes as affected by soil organic content than that of other winter cereals. The variations of dry matter yield as affected by soil fertility was higher oat and barley and lower triticale. Forage yield of triticale was higher about 69 percent than that of barley at low fertile soil. Forage yield was the highest in triticale and the lowest in rye in all soil fertility. In high fertile soil, rate of increasing digestible dry matter (DDM) yield compared with medium fertile was high in Samhan and Youngyang. Rate of reduced DDM yield in low fertile soil compared with medium fertile was low in Shinyoung and Cheongwoo.
  • Authors:
    • Deveikyte, I.
    • Sarunaite, L.
    • Kadziuliene, Z.
  • Source: Ratarstvo i Povrtarstvo
  • Volume: 48
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The advantage of intercropping is beneficial biological interactions between crops and their different use of growth resources. Our experiment aimed at investigating the effects of pea intercropping with cereals on the improvement of cereal supply with nitrogen and protein content in grain on a loamy soil in organic farming conditions. It was carried out during 2007-2009 at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in Dotnuva. Pea ( Pisum sativum L.) and spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), oats ( Arena sativa L.), and triticale (* Triticosecale Wittm.) were sown as intercrops 50:50 or as a sole crop. The results obtained during the experimental years showed that the productivity and quality of spring cereal sole crops or intercrops depended on the species of cereals and varied between different year's cultivation conditions. Grain productivity in some cases was estimated to be higher in the intercrops, however it was not stable in three experimental years. The protein content and yield in the grain of cereals grown in intercrops was positively affected by pea intercrops.
  • Authors:
    • Kovacs, V.
    • Boldizsar, A.
    • Szalai, G.
    • Soltesz, A.
    • Pal, M.
    • Kocsy, G.
    • Janda, T.
  • Source: Acta Agronomica Hungarica
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Low temperature stress results in significant yield losses in cereals. Cereals of subtropical origin like maize and rice are severely damaged at temperatures below 10°C and are killed at subzero temperatures. This stress effect is called chilling. In contrast, cereals originating from the temperate zone (wheat, barley, rye and oat) may survive short periods even between -10 and -20°C, depending on the species and varieties, so they are freezing-tolerant to various extents. For the winter type of these cereals a gradual decrease in temperature up to -4°C results in cold acclimation, which increases their freezing tolerance. In addition, it fulfils their vernalization requirement, which is necessary for the correct timing of the vegetative to generative transition. During both chilling and freezing, oxidative stress is induced. Although the accumulation of high concentrations of reactive oxygen species may be lethal, a moderate increase in their level may activate various defence mechanisms. In this review the role of reactive oxygen species, antioxidants, carbohydrates, free amino acids, polyamines and hormones in the response to low temperature stress in cereals will be described. The effect of light and the use of the model plant Brachypodium distachyon L. to reveal the biochemical and molecular biological background of this response will also be discussed.
  • Authors:
    • Hyovela, M.
    • Hurme, T.
    • Niskanen, M.
    • Laine, A.
    • Kontturi, M.
    • Peltonen-Sainio, P.
  • Source: Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section B-Soil and Plant Science
  • Volume: 61
  • Issue: 7
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Locally produced crop protein is urgently needed in Europe. Pea is a good protein source and is well adapted to northern conditions. Pea can fix nitrogen that the following crop in rotation can benefit from. In cereal-dominated cropping systems pea is a break crop disrupting the life cycle of cereal diseases, leading to less fungicide application and thereby minimizing off farm inputs and benefiting the environment. Grain legumes provide animals with protein and energy, and the seeds of pulse crops are complementary to those of cereals. Field peas can be cultivated in most parts of Scandinavia and interest in peas has increased for inclusion in organic farming. Growing pea as a sole crop is a challenge since its stem is prone to lodging thereby resulting in harvesting difficulties, reduced yield and decreased profits. Intercropping of pea with oat could minimize the above listed problems but to our knowledge proportion of seeds mixture of the two crops and selection of pea cultivars without compromising the pea yield, especially protein production, at high latitudes conditions is limited. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate performance of sole cropped pea (Karita, Perttu, Hulda) and oat (seed proportions 7.5% and 15%) and their intercrop combinations and establish an appropriate seed mixture for a pea-oat intercropping systems that prevents lodging without markedly reducing pea yield. Field experiments were conducted at three locations (Jokioinen, Mietoinen, Ylistaro) of the Agrifood Research Finland in 2002-2004. Intercropping peas with oats prevented peas from lodging and made their harvest easier. Optimal numbers of oats in pea intercrops were difficult to determine, varying according to pea cultivar and local growth conditions. Excess oats in the seed mixture or conditions favouring oat growth prevented peas from lodging but pea yield was decreased.