• Authors:
    • Bobrecka-Jamro, D.
    • Jarecki, W.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In years 2000-2004 the statistics included only the sale of selected crop protection products allowed for use hence their maximum sale in commodity mass amounted to 26578 tones in 2002. Since 2005 full research concerning the sale of pesticides was started. As a result their recorded sale in commodity mass increased to 53347 tones. It will only be possible to specify the long time trend of the sale of crop protection products after the analysis of full statistics of subsequent years. In Poland in years 2000-2009 selling of certified seeds of wheat, barley, rye and oat and potato seedlings dropped considerably. The level of dropping varied. Only in case of triticale the increase of certified sale was noticed. It was considered necessary to widespread the information concerning the benefits resulting from the exchange of seed material. In agricultural practice it will allow to use variety progress and to secure financial means (license fees) for further creative research in planting.
  • Authors:
    • Jastrzebska, M.
    • Wanic, M.
    • Kostrzewska, M.
    • Nowicki, J.
  • Source: Fragmenta Agronomica
  • Volume: 28
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: The studies were conducted in the closed static field experiment established in 1990 at the Production-Experimental Enterprise in Bacyny. The experiment was established on the medium typical grey-brown podzolic soil. The paper presents the results of 3 years of studies (2002-2004) on the role of Italian ryegrass in development of the communities of weeds in spring barley sown after different previous crops (potato, spring wheat, spring barley). Every year at the stage of tillering and before harvest of spring barley the composition of species in the community and density of individual species as well as additionally, during that later period, the biomass of weeds were determined. The number of species and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index were assumed as parameters for evaluation of the diversity of the weeds community. Additionally, the Simpson domination index was determined. Comparisons of communities were conducted applying the Sorensen similarity index. The intercrop of Italian ryegrass had minor influence on limiting the weeds in spring barley by reducing their numbers and biomass of the weeds. Its positive influence was more pronounced in case of cultivating spring barley after spring barley and after potato than after spring wheat. The communities of weeds in spring barley consisted of similar numbers of species and their share in the total population or biomass of phytocenoses was subject to only minor diversifications under the influence of the experimental factors. The population of Chenopodium album was characterised by the largest population and dry mass among the weeds. Additionally, in the spring, numerous sprouts of Thlaspi arvense and at the end of spring barley vegetation a significant density of Fallopia convolvulus were recorded. On the other hand, as concerns "shapeliness" Fallopia convolvulus, Stellaria media and Sonchus arvensis were the complementary taxa. Before spring barley harvest the domination indexes were higher than in the spring and the diversity indexes lower. Presence of Italian ryegrass and choice of previous crop had minor influence on changes in the values of indexes at the analysed times of evaluation of weeds in spring barley. The communities of weeds were more similar in their composition of species and populations of individual species than in their dry mass.
  • Authors:
    • Liu, Y.
    • Ma, L.
    • Li, X.
  • Source: Acta Phytophylacica Sinica
  • Volume: 38
  • Issue: 3
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: In order to fully understand the regular pattern of the population dynamics of Lithocolletis ringoniella Matsumura in the apple production region of the Loess Plateau, the distribution pattern and the ecological niche index were determined and the clustering analysis was conducted to describe the dynamic change of L. ringoniella population. The results showed that the leaf insect spot caused by L. ringoniella was visible in June; the number of the insect increased in July, with the damage symptom severe in August; and the quantity of the population number was in surge in September and October. The relative abundance of the temporal sequence was in a strong rising trend since August. Population distribution in the crown was uniform in early July and aggregative after that. The spatial distribution among the vertical positions of the tree crown showed significant difference, population number following the order of lower > middle > upper parts, whereas distribution among horizontal directions had no significant difference. The general distribution within the crown appeared in cluster, with individuals attractive to each other. The ecological niche occupation of this pest in vertical and horizontal directions as well as in temporal sequences are 0.179, 0.371 and 0.594, respectively. The resource utilization rate in the lower part of the crown reached 53.73% and almost nothing utilized in the upper part, indicating a more horizontal expansion potential. Viewing from the four directions, the maximum utilization of resources was in the north and east, up to 27.90% and 21.66% respectively. The ecological niche overlap index of L. ringoniella with hawthorn spider mite in vertical and horizontal directions reached 92.65 and 64.95, respectively, in addition to temporal sequence to be 66.36, indicating that hawthorn spider mite is the most intense space-temporal competitor for the limited resources of apple's crown leaves. The dominance degree index of L. ringoniella in the young apple orchard in different intercropping patterns increased over time since August and largest increase happened in the middle of August. The highest dominance degree index was found in soybean-apple intercropping pattern and the lowest index with sweet potato-apple intercropping pattern. The index fluctuated in the orchard with weeds unwell-managed.
  • Authors:
    • Zeng, Y.
    • Li, W.
    • Liang, H.
    • Nong, M.
    • Yang, W.
    • Liu, Y.
  • Source: Guizhou Agricultural Sciences
  • Issue: 11
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A non-tillage intercropping test of potato varieties of Qingshu series was conducted in mulberry garden in winter to seek a fine intercropping pattern and to screen the suitable potato varieties. The results showed that compared with potatoes of conventional non-tillage cultivation, growth traits of the five potato varieties of Qingshu series were better in different growth periods, such as plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, and the yield structure was improved. Potato weight and potato number per plant were increased by 21.14% and 16.32%, respectively. Potato production and the proportion of larger potatoes were raised by 5.92% and 11.94%, respectively. The yield of Qingshu 8 was the highest (37 070.37 kg/hm 2), 8.98% higher than CK. Therefore, mulberry intercropping potatoes was a new cultivation way to be generalized and applied in the production practice. Qingshu 8 was an ideal potato variety for non-tillage intercropping in mulberry garden.
  • Authors:
    • Beauvallet, G.
    • Gaucher, D.
    • Loison, R.
    • Jaunatre, V.
  • Source: 4eme Conference Internationale sur les Methodes Alternatives en Protection des Cultures. Evolution des cadres reglementaires europeen et francais. Nouveaux moyens et strategies Innovantes, Nouveau Siecle, Lille, France, 8-10 mars 2011
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Black scurf affects tubers' quality of presentation and can cause seedlings if the seed tuber or soil is infested. It is causing severe economic losses. Chemical control exists but is not 100% effective. Under the plan ECOPHYTO 2018, we are looking for new cropping systems that tend to reduce the use of pesticides at the expense of alternative products. Since 2006, in order to fight against this disease, we have tested various products such as plant defenses stimulators, antagonistic microorganisms, extracts of plants, animals and minerals. Some alternative products either alone or with a reduced dose of fungicide show encouraging results. Finally, tests biofumigation using mustard intercropping have been underway since 2009.
  • Authors:
    • Nedunchezhiyan, M.
  • Source: Indian Journal of Agronomy
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted at Dumduma, Bhubaneswar, for three consecutive years (2006-2008) to assess the sweet potato based strip intercropping systems with respect to productivity, nutrient uptake, competition and economic parameters. Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.)+pigeonpea [ Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] strip intercropping system recorded significantly higher root equivalent yield (13.53 t/ha) compared to other cropping systems except sole sweet potato. The total yield gain in sweet potato+pigeonpea system was 28.8% and 24.7% over sweet potato+rice ( Oryza sativa L.) and sweet potato+ragi ( Eleusine coracans L.) strip intercropping system. Root equivalent yield of sole sweet potato was significantly higher than the sole stand of other crops and strip intercropping systems except sweet potato+pigeonpea. Competition indices like land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), aggressivity (A) and monetary advantage index (MAI) values were higher for sweet potato+pigeonpea strip intercropping system. Sweet potato appears more competitive than companion crops like rice or ragi. Partial competition ratio value of companion crops like maize ( Zea mays L.) and pigeonpea had an edge over sweet potato in sweet potato+maize and sweet potato+pigeonpea strip intercropping systems. The uptake of N, P and K were observed to be more when sweet potato, maize and pigeonpea were included in the strip intercropping systems. The root equivalent yield and competition indices and economic parameters indicated that the strip intercropping of sweet potato with pigeonpea is biologically sustainable and economically viable.
  • Authors:
    • Rao, K.
    • Laxminarayana, K.
    • Nedunchezhiyan, M.
    • Satapathy, B.
  • Source: Acta Agronomica Hungarica
  • Volume: 59
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted at the Regional Centre of the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Dumduma, Bhubaneswar for three consecutive years (2006-2008) under rainfed conditions on Alfisols to quantify the effects of strip intercropping on crop yields and yield components. A significantly higher yield was obtained from sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) border rows when pigeonpea ( Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) was intercropped. Analyses of sweet potato yield components indicated that the number of roots/plant, root length and root diameter were significantly higher in border rows when rice ( Oryza sativa L.), finger millet ( Eleusine coracana L.) and pigeonpea were used as intercrop compared to monoculture sweet potato. The number of tubers/plant of sweet potato in border rows was significantly lower when maize ( Zea mays L.) was intercropped, but the root length and root diameter were found to increase compared to sole sweet potato. The yields of rice, finger millet, maize and pigeonpea in inside rows in strip cropping were a little higher than in monoculture. The yield difference was mainly due to an increase in the number of seeds/panicle or cob. Sweet potato was the dominant crop when grown with rice or finger millet, but it was the subordinate crop when grown along with maize or pigeonpea. Sweet potato yields were consistently higher in strip intercropping than in monoculture when calculated across all the strips on an equal area basis. A strip intercropping system involving sweet potato+pigeonpea resulted in a higher land equivalent ratio (1.31) and net return ($623.9) compared to the other forms of intercropping and to monocropping.
  • Authors:
    • Okonmah, L.
  • Source: Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
  • Volume: 2
  • Issue: 6
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A study was carried out during the 2005, 2006 and 2007 cropping seasons at the Research and teaching Farm of the Agronomy Department of the Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba Nigeria to evaluate the effects of populations (0, 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 population/ha) and fertilizer levels (0, 200 and 400 kg/ha) on the yield of three low growing crops (groundnut, egusi-melon and sweet potato) with a view to recommending the crop(s) with the highest yield to farmers in the area. The experiment was a split-split factorial experiment fitted into a randomized complete block design and replicated four times. The results showed that the three low growing crop grown in NPK treated soils performed significantly (P≤0.05) higher when compared with the control sub-plots without fertilizer treatment. The yield followed this trend sweet potato
  • Authors:
    • Amanullah, A.
    • Islam, M.
    • Bashar, M.
    • Ahmed, T.
    • Rahman, M.
  • Source: International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Technology
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: A field experiment was conducted during 2008 to 2009 cropping season at Panchbibi upazilla of Joypurhat district in Bangladesh to study the productivity of sugarcane with five selected winter crops as first and sesame as second intercrop in paired row planting system under Tista Meander flood plain soils of Bangladesh. Five different winter crops namely, lentil, onion, mustard, potato, garlic as first intercrops followed by sesame as second intercrop were grown with sugarcane variety Isd 26. The highest tiller (212.49*10 -3 ha -1), highest millable cane (108.32*10 -3 ha -1) and highest cane yield (103.98 t ha -1) were obtained in T5 (T1+Potato-sesame) treatment. The highest second intercrop sesame yield found in T4 (T1+Mustard-sesame) treatment (0.44 t ha -1). The highest equivalent cane yield was as intercrop (82.09 t ha -1) and the highest total adjusted cane yield (186.07 t ha -1) were found in T5 (T1+Potato-sesame). The highest Brix (%) was obtained in T1 (paired row cane) treatment (20.30%). The highest total production cost T5 (T1+Potato-sesame) treatment (Tk. 95,000.00 ha -1). The highest gross return and highest gross margin were obtain in T5 (T1+Potato-sesame) treatment (Tk. 3,28,971.76 ha -1) and (Tk. 2,33,971.76 ha -1), respectively. The highest benefit cost ratio (3.46) was found in T5 (T1+Potato-sesame) treatment and lowest (2.38) in T1 (paired row cane only) treatment. It is concluded that the potato as first and sesame as the second intercrop grown in paired row transplanted sugarcane seems to be profitable intercropping combinations for sugarcane farming.
  • Authors:
    • Alam, M.
    • Islam, M.
    • Bashar, M.
    • Rahman, M.
  • Source: International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Technology
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2011
  • Summary: An experiment was conducted at farmers' field at Kapasia upazila of Gazipur district in Bangladesh during 2002-2003 cropping season to the profitability of chewing sugarcane intercropping in Modhupur Tract soils of Bangladesh. Three selected winter crops namely, potato, gardenpea and tomato as intercrops were grown with chewing sugarcane promising clone Amrita. The highest tiller production at 150 DAT was recorded in T4 (Paired row cane+Tomato) treatment (281.07*10 -3 ha -1) and lowest in T1 (Paired row cane) treatment (248.43*10 -3 ha -1). The highest millable cane, highest cane yield and highest Brix (%) were obtained in T2 (Paired row cane+Potato) treatment. The highest price of millable cane, highest price of intercrop, highest total price, highest equivalent millable cane, highest total adjusted millable cane, highest total production cost, highest gross return and highest gross margin were obtained in T2 (Paired row cane+Potato) treatment. The highest benefit cost ratio (BCR) was found in T2 (Paired row cane+Potato) treatment (10.05) and lowest in T1 (paired row cane) treatment (8.95). Results indicated that strong possibilities of chewing sugarcane Amrita with potato intercrop cultivation in Gazipur district of Bangladesh.