19982015
  • 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:
    • Nevenimo, T.
    • Quartermain, A.
    • Kurika, L.
    • Moxon, J.
  • Source: Science in New Guinea Journal
  • Volume: 30
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Papua New Guinea has over 200 crop species that are being utilized, but information in terms of quantity and quality is extremely variable and sparse for most of these crops. The crop species of interest as crops for the future are determined by growing conditions in agro-ecological zones but about 11 indigenous and 25 exotic species of fruits, nuts and vegetables have been identified. Future research needs to include evaluation of these crops for biodiscovery or biofuels, identification of those that are high yielding and of high nutritive value for food, assessment of those meeting domestic or export demand, pest and disease tolerance or resistance and suitability for crop rotations or intercropping. Post-harvest factors are also seen as important in the development of underutilized crops. The priority species include the major staples (aroids and sweet potato), galip nut ( Canarium indicum), noni ( Morinda citrifolia), okari ( Terminalia kaernbacchii), sago ( Metroxylon sagu), aibika ( Abelmoschus manihot), aupa ( Amaranthus spp.), pitpit ( Sacchurum edule), pandanus ( Pandanus spp.) and kava ( Piper methysticum). Galip nut is highlighted as an excellent example of where progress has been made in development for commercialization. Many factors are important for success but public-private partnerships are possibly one of the major factors.
  • Authors:
    • Harbaoui, Y.
    • Jeddi, F.
    • Sahli, A.
    • Rezig, M.
  • Source: Options Mediterraneennes. Serie A, Seminaires Mediterraneens
  • Issue: 95
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The adoption of intercropping systems in the irrigated perimeters can constitute an "agronomic way" to increase the added value by used m 3 of water. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping potatoes with green bean compared to monoculture potatoes. Intercropped potatoes showed no significant reduction in yield when compared to monoculture potatoes. Green beans yields were reduced when concurrently intercropped. The relative yield total (RYT), a measure of intercropping productivity, was 1.55 indicating that it would require 55% more land for separate monoculture plantings of potatoes and beans to produce a yield equivalent to the intercropping system. On the other hand, the intercropping system engendered an increase in the water and in the radiation use efficiencies (WUE MST and RUE MST) from 8.69 kg/m 3 to 10.15 kg/m 3 and from 4.47 g/MJ to 4.77 g/MJ, respectively. Finally, a linear relation between the accumulated absorbed radiation and the accumulated evapotranspiration was able to be revealed. Intercropping potatoes with green beans increases output per unit area and enables growers to take full advantage of the available natural resources.
  • Authors:
    • Prakash, H.
    • Dabbas, M.
    • Singh, R.
    • Singh, D.
  • Source: International Journal of Agricultural Sciences
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 1
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The study was carried out during 1997-98 to 2003-04 under Diversified Agricultural Support Project-a-World Bank Funded Project of Uttar Pradesh. The objective of this study was to increase the income and improve the cash flow system of small-marginal farmers, residing in the vicinity of town and urban. The pilot area was selected at Kaimganj in Farrukhabad district, having sandy loam to loam soils and maximum area cover with plantation crops viz., mango, ber and guava. Five to seven year old mango fields were selected for two tier cropping system. The alleys of mango tree intercropped with important vegetable crops like potato, brinjal, pumpkin, vegetable pea, garlic and onion, because the local market is available for the disposal of these vegetable crops. Generally, farmers planted Dashari mango at the distance of 8*8 m in rows. The associated crop of potato planted at the distance of 50 cm apart on 12 ridges between two rows of mango and adjusted 75% plant stand. Onion planted in 40 rows at 15 cm apart in the interspaces of two rows of mango and 75% plant stand was adjusted. Three rows of pumpkin were planted between two rows of mango at 200*50*75 cm apart and adjusted 75% plant population. Vegetable pea planted in 20 rows at 30 cm apart between two rows of mango and plant stand was adjusted 75%. Brinjal planted at 60 cm apart in 10 rows between two rows of mango and adjusted 72% plant population in interspaces of mango. The 75% plant stand of garlic was adjusted with plantation of 40 rows at 15 cm apart between two rows of mango. Potato, brinjal, green fruits of pumpkin, green pods of vegetable pea, garlic and onion yield 225, 218, 278, 92, 73, and 255 q/ha, respectively. The mango based cropping systems have maintained cash flow system and improved the economic status of farming community. The standards of living of small and marginal farm families scaled up and created eco-friendly environment.
  • Authors:
    • Singh, I.
    • Singh, P.
    • Yadav, D.
    • Yadav, R.
    • Singh, S.
  • Source: Experimental Agriculture
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Field experiments were conducted for the three consecutive cropping seasons of 2003-05, 2004-06 and 2005-07 at the Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India, to explore the feasibility of planting sugarcane in autumn as a relay intercrop in standing rice. The cropping systems evaluated were: (i) rice-potato-spring sugarcane; (ii) rice+autumn sugarcane (planted as a relay intercrop in every sixth row devoid (skipped) of transplanted rice)+potato after rice; (iii) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted without preparatory tillage)+potato; and (iv) rice-autumn sugarcane (planted with preparatory tillage)+potato. In each case, sugarcane was planted in rows 90 cm apart. Rice was transplanted in rows at 20-cm row spacing when followed by potato or sugarcane, but at 18-cm row spacing when intended for sugarcane planting as a relay intercrop in late September. The germination (60.4%) of cane buds, tillers (323 000 ha -1) and number (149 000 ha -1), length (225 cm), girth (2.44 cm) and weight (747 g) of millable canes were markedly better when autumn sugarcane was planted with rice as a relay intercrop in comparison to other cropping systems. Similarly, this cropping system produced the maximum cane (111.4 t ha -1) and sugar (13.2 t ha -1) along with sugarcane equivalent yield (216.4 t ha -1). In turn, relay intercropping system with maximum cane production efficiency of 420 kg ha -1day -1 fetched the highest economic returns (Rs. 258 ha -1day -1) and benefit:cost ratio (1.5). Compared with the rice-potato-spring sugarcane cropping system, the relay intercrop of autumn sugarcane in standing rice produced 35.4% more cane and 38.3% more sugar with 24.1% higher returns besides 79.1% energy saving. This practice will not only benefit cane growers and sugar mill owners in tropical and sub-tropical India, but also in other parts of the world where rice and sugarcane are extensively cultivated.
  • Authors:
    • Mohd, M.
    • Tahir, S.
  • Source: Agricultural and Biological Research
  • Volume: 26
  • Issue: 2
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: The experiment on intercropping of potato with turnip, radish, rutabaga and kale was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Sub-Station SKUAST-K Kargil during 2006-2007 to study the agronomic and economic productivity as well as advantages of intercropping as compared to sole crops. The potato equivalent yield was found to be significantly higher when potato was intercropped with Kale (279 q/ha.) while as potato equivalent yields of all other intercrop combinations was considerably lower compared to sole potato crop (248 q/ha.). Economic analysis of sole and intercrop association indicated that potato in combination with Kale gave higher economic returns (Rs. 191500) than other intercrop combinations and sole crops.
  • 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.
  • Authors:
    • Miah, M. N. A.
    • Paul, G. C.
    • Siddique, M. A. B.
    • Amanullah, A. S. M.
  • Source: Pakistan Sugar Journal
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 4
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: An experiment was conducted at Regional Sugarcane Research Station (RSRS), Thakurgaon during 2005-06 and 2006-07 cropping seasons to assess effects of different levels of irrigation and split application of N-K fertilizers in sugarcane (var. Isd 36) intercropped with potato (var. Dimond). The intercrop, potato received recommended fertilizer as usual. Application of Urea and Potash (N-K fertilizers) in two splits (B 1) produced highest number of tiller, millable cane and also highest yield in both levels of irrigation in both years. Though the difference was not significant over B 2 and B 3. But irrigation level A 1 (six light irrigation with 65 mm effective rainfall) had significant difference over A 2 (five comparatively deep irrigation with same effective rainfall). Highest number of tiller (215.3*10 3 ha -1), millable cane (114.7*10 3 ha -1) and cane yield (109.9 t ha -1) were produced by the treatment B 1 under A 1 level of irrigation in the crop year 2006-07. Hence split application of N-K fertilizers with two equal splits applied at plantation and at 145 days after plantation and also light irrigation, 6 to 7 number with total amount of 460-500 mm including effective rainfall may be preferred for loamy and sandy loam soils.
  • Authors:
    • Boydston, R. A.
  • Source: American Journal of Potato Research
  • Volume: 87
  • Issue: 5
  • Year: 2010
  • Summary: Managing weeds without herbicides requires an integration of methods and strategies and a change in how weeds are perceived. Weeds should be managed in a holistic, intentional and proactive manner. Understanding the interactions between the cropping system and the weed community and managing the cropping system to prevent and discourage weeds and maintain a low weed seedbank is necessary for successful weed management in organic systems. Cultural practices, including a well-planned crop rotation, planting cover crops, sanitation practices, and optimum row spacing and timing of planting are important aspects of managing weeds in organic systems. Multiple, well timed shallow cultivations or flaming can eliminate many early season weeds. Once emerged, many crops are fast growing and produce a canopy able to suppress weeds. New technologies for detecting crop rows and weeds coupled with precision cultivation, flaming, and application of nonselective organic herbicides are being developed and hold promise to reduce the need for hand weeding.