Showing papers in "Zemdirbyste-agriculture in 2014"
TL;DR: Performance index leaf ratio is suggested as the simple parameter for the rapid evaluation of the wheat photosynthetic performance and an early indicator of insufficient nutrition level in conditions of a moderate nutrient deficiency.
Abstract: Nitrogen deficiency strongly influences crop photosynthetic performance and biomass production. In this study, we applied rapid, non-invasive records of chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics for evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaf photosynthetic performance. Plants were grown during the whole season in big pots filled with the soil substrate and they were supplied by different doses of nitrogen nutrition. The plant nitrogen and leaf chlorophyll content as well as the plant aboveground biomass were analyzed after chlorophyll fluorescence records in three growth stages. Our results confirmed that the maximum quantum yield of photochemistry frequently used in previous studies was almost insensitive to nitrogen treatment, if measured in young, non-senescent leaves. On the contrary, the performance index was much more responsive. The performance index values derived from parallel measurements in the youngest and third leaf from the top were used to calculate performance index leaf ratio, which correlated well with the plant nitrogen content. Moreover, this parameter was not sensitive to midday depression, which significantly affected the values of other chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Although the optimum performance index leaf ratio values decreased continuously in the second part of the growing season, the optimum and critical values for each growth stage can be easily identified. Thus, we suggest performance index leaf ratio as the simple parameter for the rapid evaluation of the wheat photosynthetic performance and an early indicator of insufficient nutrition level. Unlike some other approaches, suggested method seems to be useful also in conditions of a moderate nutrient deficiency.
51 citations
TL;DR: The results of this study show that HWEOC is much more informative indicator of soil organic matter quality than CWEOC, and this thin soil layer to be defined as soil stress-sensitive zone is suggested.
Abstract: The content of labile, especially water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) is a sensible indicator of soil organic matter quality. The main objectives of this study were: i) to investigate the profile changes of cold and hot water extractable organic carbon in forest and arable soils; ii) to evaluate the correlation between these labile fractions of soil organic matter and total organic carbon content. The experiments were carried out on a Gleyic Albeluvisol (ABg) in the upper part of Dniester basin, Western Ukraine. The soil samples were taken from 50-cm depth soil profile with 5-cm step. Total organic carbon (TOC), cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC) and hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC) contents in soil were determined as well as pH (H 2 O) and electrical conductivity of soil:water suspensions. The results of this study showed that in 0–50 cm layer of arable soil TOC content decreased by 32%, CWEOC – by 23% and HWEOC – by 74% compared to forest soil that confirmed a high informative role of HWEOC fraction. The profile changes of WEOC percentage were analysed. They also show that HWEOC is much more informative indicator of soil organic matter quality than CWEOC. The most prominent changes of soil chemical properties, TOC, CWEOC and HWEOC contents in response to deforestation were observed in the top 5-cm soil layer. We suggested this thin soil layer to be defined as soil stress-sensitive zone.
36 citations
TL;DR: Research showed that large seeds were characterized by a higher field germination capacity and generally seedlings had greater weight compared to those obtained from small seeds, which raised the question whether such fractionation would promote plant yield improvement.
Abstract: Fractionation of seeds is a process commonly used by breeding and seed production companies. Separation of seeds into small, medium and large size fractions depends on a thousand kernel weight and thus on the content of the endosperm of the seeds, which is used in the process of embryo germination. Research showed that large seeds were characterized by a higher field germination capacity and generally seedlings had greater weight compared to those obtained from small seeds. The question then arises whether such fractionation would promote plant yield improvement. Yields of maize (Zea mays L.) plants of cv. ‘Boruta’ obtained from different size fractions (of different thousand kernel weight) were evaluated in the years 2005–2007. A three-year field experiment showed that yielding of the plants depended on the seed size fraction and decreased with an increase in the size of maize seeds sown. Moreover, in the experiment the germination value of seeds was assessed in cold (10°C) and warm (25°C) tests. The highest germination capacity in both the warm and the cold test (79.0% and 74.0%, respectively) was observed in the small seed size fraction. Germination of large seeds in the cold test was by 6.71% lower (a significant difference) than that of small seeds. The amylolytic activity of three fractions was also examined as indicated by dry and swollen seeds. The results showed the highest activity of amylases in small seeds (7.33 mg maltoze g dry matter -1 min -1 ) and the lowest in large seeds (4.12 mg maltoze g dry matter -1 min -1 ).
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of soil pH (or liming) and nitrogen (N) fertilization on the common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatium L.) dry mass (DM) yield, calorific value and mechanical properties were investigated.
Abstract: The research was carried out to determine the effects of soil pH (or liming) and nitrogen (N) fertilization on the common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatium L.) dry mass (DM) yield, calorific value and mechanical properties. Field experiments were set up in 2008 in Western Lithuania on a naturally acid (pH 4.2–4.4) moraine loam. According to the averaged data of four experimental years, the highest DM yield 4100 kg ha-1 of common mugwort was established in 2009, which significantly decreased in the subsequent years. And, conversely, the highest cup plant DM yield 17980 kg ha-1 was obtained in 2011. An increase in soil pH from 4.2–4.4 up to 5.6–5.7, resulting from 6.0 t ha-1 CaCO3 application, increased cup plant DM yield by 27.4%. Fertilization with 120 kg ha -1 N significantly increased common mugwort and cup plant DM yield by 34.5% and 26.7% respectively, compared with the treatment without N fertilization. We also studied the chopping quality of common mugwort and cup plant and chaff fractional composition using sieves with different mesh sizes. The chaff of cup plant was finer and more even, and thus more suitable for use for energy purposes. Plant milling quality showed cup plant particles to be smaller and more even too, and thus better suited for pressing and combustion. The highest calorific value of common mugwort (17.97 MJ kg-1) was obtained in 2010 and that of cup plant (17.48 MJ kg-1) in 2012. The calorific values of common mugwort and cup plant were influenced most by the year of cultivation and 120 kg ha-1 N application.
22 citations
TL;DR: The evidence for the effect was inconclusive and the 505 nm light, being intermediate between blue and green wavelengths, had a significant positive effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments, higher NAR value thus also might be beneficial for supplemental baby leaf lettuce illumination.
Abstract: aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting on the growth of lettuce variety 'Multigreen 3' in a greenhouse. Supplemental blue light had an impact on the efficiency of photosynthetic performance in lettuce; however, different blue light wavelengths had uneven effect. The 470 nm light also had a positive impact on chlorophyll a to b ratio and higher specific leaf area (SLA) value and resulted in increased plant mass per leaf area. The overall growth performance, higher contents of soluble saccharides and higher growth rates, represented by net assimilation rate (NAR) value were determined in lettuce, cultivated under blue 455 nm light. The 505 nm light, being intermediate between blue and green wavelengths, had a significant positive effect on the content of photosynthetic pigments, higher NAR value thus also might be beneficial for supplemental baby leaf lettuce illumination. Green 535 nm light stimulated accumulation of soluble saccharides in lettuce and had controversial effect on photosynthetic pigment contents and assimilative indices, thus the evidence for the effect was inconclusive.
19 citations
TL;DR: High level of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, high level of yeasts and variable level of filamentous fungi with a low diversity were found in all sapropel samples tested, and there was no correlation between the number of bacteria and plant growth-stimulating activity.
Abstract: A positive effect of organic-rich sediments sapropels on plant growth has been suggested in general, but has not been proven on an experimental basis. The aim of the present investigation was to study biological activity of freshwater sapropel and its product including analyses of plant growth-affecting activity and cultivable microorganisms. Besides mineral nutrients, sapropel contained unspecified substances promoting plant growth in a seedling growth test with beetroot, Swedish turnip, carrot and tomato. Summed plant growth-affecting activity of sapropel and sapropel-containing substrate BioDeposit Agro had a relatively high growth-enhancing component together with an extremely low growth-inhibiting component. Substrate amendment with BioDeposit Agro resulted in a significant increase in dry matter accumulation only in lettuce plants but not in winter rye plants. High level of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria, high level of yeasts and variable level of filamentous fungi with a low diversity were found in all sapropel samples tested. Plant growth-stimulating activity negatively correlated with the number of colony forming units of both yeasts and fungi. There was no correlation between the number of bacteria and plant growth-stimulating activity.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors quantify the effect of the application of organic fertilizers: farmyard manure, vermicompost, spent mushroom compost, under two different ground cover management systems (black polyethylene and wheat straw mulch) on soil nutrient levels and strawberry yield during a two-year production cycle.
Abstract: The objective of this research was to quantify the effect of the application of organic fertilizers: farmyard manure, vermicompost, spent mushroom compost, under two different ground cover management systems (black polyethylene and wheat straw mulch) on soil nutrient levels and strawberry yield during a two-year production cycle. The application of organic fertilizers, in the amounts equivalent to 170 kg ha -1 N, had the greatest impact on the concentration of available phosphorus, which was significantly higher on fertilized plots than on the control even two years after the application. The plots fertilized with farmyard manure and mushroom compost had higher concentrations of available potassium than the control, while the application of vermicompost did not affect the concentration of available potassium in the soil. The application of composts did not affect the concentration of available microelements in the soil, while the concentrations of Fe, Zn and Cu in the year of the organic fertilizers application were significantly higher on farmyard manure fertilized plots than on the control. The application of all three organic fertilizers had a significant effect on the mineral N concentration in the soil only in the year of the application and the following spring. However, the plots covered with polyethylene mulch had a higher mineral N concentration than the control at all sampling times. The concentration of available microelements was significantly higher in soil covered with black polyethylene mulch than in soil covered with straw mulch. Preplant application of organic fertilizers led to increase of yield, ranging from 14.3% in vermicompost treatmet to 17.3% in the farmyard manure treatment in relation to the control, only in the 1 st fruiting year. However, the application of polyethylene mulch facilitated a higher strawberry yield than straw mulch in both fruiting years.
18 citations
TL;DR: The studied indices of microbial biomass were significantly correlated with chemical soil properties and chemical properties were not significantly affected by catch crops and inorganic N fertilization treatments.
Abstract: The estimation of soil microbial activity has been an important research issue because of the significant role that microorganisms play in nutrient cycling in soil. In a 3-year (August 2005 – August 2008) experiment, the effect of catch crops: oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus var. olifera L.) and field pea (Pisum sativum L.) vs. plots without a catch crop, and inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilization at 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg ha -1 year -1 on soil dehydrogenase (DH), catalase (CAT) and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis (FDAH) activities were investigated on albic, cutanic Luvisols (LVab, LVct). The catch crops were sown at the beginning of August and ploughed in autumn in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Then the main crop, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), was grown in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Soil samples were taken twice a year, before spring wheat sowing (March or April) and after harvesting (August). Generally, catch crops significantly influenced DH and CAT activities in all of the years of the investigation, while FDAH activity was affected only in 2007. There were higher DH and FDAH activities in catch crop treatment versus the control and only in some cases in field pea than in oilseed radish when both catch crops treatments were compared. DH and CAT activities were always higher in August than in March or April. Nitrogen fertilization influenced DH and FDAH activities only in 2007, while CAT activity was influenced during the entire experimental period (2006– 2008). Generally, the highest CAT activity was noted at N rates of 80 or 120 kg ha -1 year -1 . Chemical properties (organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH 1 M KCl) were not significantly affected by catch crops and inorganic N fertilization treatments. The studied indices of microbial biomass were significantly correlated with chemical soil properties.
16 citations
TL;DR: Six AFLP fragments, identified as being prevalent in drought tolerant genotypes, together with the high degree of genetic homogeneity found, could provide a choice of selecting genotypes from this perennial ryegrass collection for a drought tolerance breeding program.
Abstract: Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is a widely grown species in temperate regions as forage grass as well as for recreational and bioenergy production purposes. Information on perennial ryegrass genetic background facilitates breeding programs by providing an assessment of genetic diversity in exotic material. Genetic diversity of 104 genotypes of perennial ryegrass was evaluated using phenotypic drought traits and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data. A high variation was observed for the drought tolerance traits. Chlorophyll fluorescence (F v /F m ) explained 88.8% of the whole variation observed in the collection, while re-growth accounted for 9.1% of all variation. A principal component analysis on the basis of phenotypic drought tolerance traits classified perennial ryegrass collection into three clusters. Three AFLP primer pairs produced a total of 210 fragments, 202 of which were polymorphic among all accessions. The genetic diversity of the collection was high with an average similarity coefficient of 0.46 and the average polymorphic information content of 0.29. The principal component analysis based on AFLP data did not cluster genotypes into any major group. A total of six AFLP fragments, identified as being prevalent in drought tolerant genotypes, together with the high degree of genetic homogeneity found, could provide a choice of selecting genotypes from this perennial ryegrass collection for a drought tolerance breeding program.
16 citations
TL;DR: The current study hypothesizes that false flax (Camelina sativa L.), as a high-value biofuel feedstock, could be grown under humid conditions of western Lithuania and that nitrogen fertilisation could influence its seed yield and oil content.
Abstract: The current study hypothesizes that false flax (Camelina sativa L.), as a high-value biofuel feedstock, could be grown under humid conditions of western Lithuania and that nitrogen fertilisation could influence its seed yield and oil content. The following objectives were pursued: 1) to determine the optimum nitrogen fertiliser rate for winter (N0, N50, N100, N150) and summer (N0, N30, N60, N90, N120) types of false flax, 2) to estimate false flax seed oil content, its composition and feasibility to use it for the production of biodiesel fuel. The experiments were conducted in 2008–2011 at the Vėžaičiai Branch of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. It was revealed that the highest (1.28 t ha-1, in 2010) and (1.29 t ha-1, in 2011) as well as cost-efficient summer false flax seed yield was produced having fertilised with 90 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. Significantly highest (1.2 t ha-1, in 2011 and 1.6 t ha-1, in 2010) winter false flax seed yield was obtained having fertilised with N100. In our study, the seed oil content of summer false flax amounted to 40.3% and that of winter false flax was lower – 37.0%. Nitrogen fertilisation (N150 and N120) increased protein content in winter false flax seed from 22.98% to 26.97% and in summer false flax seed from 20.53% to 23.23% and did not reduce seed oil content. Methyl esters of false flax oil have a high iodine value and an especially high content of polyunsaturated linolenic acid: it reached 38.2% in winter false flax oil and 34.3% in summer false flax oil. Therefore false flax methyl esters can be used as fuel for diesel engines only in mixtures containing 40–50% of methyl esters of animal origin (used frying oil or pork lard). The most effective antioxidant Ionol BF200 (optimal dosage – 500 ppm) as well as the most effective depressants Wintron XC-30 (optimal dosage – 1500 ppm) and Infineum R-442 (optimal dosage – 1200 ppm) were selected for improvement of oxidation stability and cold flow properties of esters.
15 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that the interrelationship between grain yield and its components differed between N fertilization levels, and the growth and development of spring triticale responded to meteorological conditions more sensitively at single N60-180 and split N90, N150 levels than at N0 level.
Abstract: Grain yield is a result of an organized interplay of several yield components, which are highly susceptible to environmental fluctuations. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the relationship between grain yield and factors governing it. Experiments were conducted during the period 2008–2011 at the Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in Central Lithuania (55023′50′′ N and 23051′40′′ E) on an Endocalcari-Endohypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-n-w-can). The correlation coefficients and path coefficient analysis was done: i) to study the interrelationship between spring triticale grain yield and its components under different N fertilization regimes, ii) to establish the impact of meteorological factors on them, iii) to explain the causality of associations between the mentioned parameters through direct and indirect effects. Three nitrogen levels were used: i) without nitrogen (N0), ii) N applied as basic fertilization shortly before sowing (N60-180), iii) N90 and N150 rates split in two and three applications. Grain yield, yield components (ears m-2, grains ear-1, thousand grain weight) and meteorological factors were investigated. The results demonstrated that the interrelationship between grain yield and its components differed between N fertilization levels. Under single N60-180 fertilization, grain yield of spring triticale depended on ears m-2 and a thousand grain weight. Under split N90, N150 level the yield depended on ears m-2. The correlation matrix between spring triticale grain yield and yield components did not reveal significant causality at N0 level. The character of interaction of grain yield components influenced the grain yield by 17.2% and 28.3% at single N60-180 and split N90, N150 fertilization levels, respectively. However, such interaction was insignificant at N0 level. The growth and development of spring triticale responded to meteorological conditions more sensitively at single N60-180 and split N90, N150 levels than at N0 level. At all N regimes, the weather conditions caused 72.6–83.5% of ears m-2, 46.6–94.1% of grains ear-1 and 84.5–92.7% of thousand grain weight data variation. The interaction of all meteorological factors influenced the grain yield by 25.6% and 40.7% at N60-180 and split N90, N150 levels, respectively.
TL;DR: In this paper, complex investigations designed to explore the impact of extensive, organic-sustainable and conventional-chemical farming systems on changes of soil chemical, physical and microbiological properties of sandy loam Haplic Luvisol (LVh) were performed at the Vokė Branch of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry during 2003-2012.
Abstract: Complex investigations designed to explore the impact of extensive, organic-sustainable and conventional-chemical farming systems on changes of soil chemical, physical and microbiological properties of sandy loam Haplic Luvisol (LVh) were performed at the Vokė Branch of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry during 2003–2012. The studies were carried out employing different crop rotations, where the plant sequence was laid out in four treatments so that the plant residues in the soil would accumulate more organic matter and nitrogen. Research evidence showed that different farming systems and plant sequences in rotations did not affect soil acidity, but significantly increased the contents of total nitrogen and organic carbon and reduced the contents of available phosphorus and potassium. Soil physical properties changed accordingly. Higher moisture levels were determined in soil under extensive and conventional-chemical farming systems. At the lower soil layers the impact of green manure on the reduction of soil bulk density and increase of total and air-filled porosity was evident. Extensive and conventional-chemical farming systems favoured the distribution of fungi in the soil. With the application of organic farming system, the balance between the number of ammonifying and mineral nitrogen assimilating bacteria was maintained.
TL;DR: A significant effect of the type of the crop rotation on the content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and sulphur considering a selected hydrolases activity is demonstrated.
Abstract: The aim of the paper was to determine the effect of crop rotation and different fertilisation with manure and nitrogen on the content of phosphorus and sulphur against the activity of phosphatase and arylsulphatase. The soil was sampled from a long-term field experiment carried out in a three-factor design, which covered two crop rotation types (A – enriching and B – depleting the soil from organic matter), manure fertilisation (0, 20 and 60 t ha -1 ) and nitrogen fertilisation (N 0 , N 1 and N 2 ). The experiment was performed on a Haplic Luvisol (LVha). The soil was sampled in each year during a 4-year (2009–2012) rotation. There was found a significant effect of the experiment factors on the content of available forms of the elements. According to the criteria provided for in Chemical and Agricultural analysis – determination of the content of available phosphorus in mineral soils (PNR-04023:1996) the soil represented the second highest class of richness with available phosphorus. The activity of the hydrolytic enzymes depended both on the application of manure and ammonium nitrate. The synthesis of the results demonstrated a significant effect of the type of the crop rotation on the content of total organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and sulphur considering a selected hydrolases activity. Growing crops in a crop rotation enriching the soil with organic matter increased the richness of the soil with available forms of phosphorus and sulphur and increased the activity of acid phosphatase and arylsulphatase.
TL;DR: Biomass productivity, quality and its suitability for processing under more northern climatic conditions are important factors to be considered, and the composition of major components of synthetic fuel from Miscanthus biomass was very similar to that of mineral diesel.
Abstract: the suitability of raw material of lignocellulotic, non-food plants such as Miscanthus, whose biomass has a good energy potential. Biomass productivity, quality and its suitability for processing under more northern climatic conditions are important factors to be considered. Experiments were aimed to estimate quality and technological parameters of Miscanthus growing, harvesting and processing into synthetic diesel, to evaluate chemical, physical and mechanical properties of biomass and to determine energy consumption necessary for biomass preparation for conversion into synthetic diesel. The study object was biomass of Miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deu) produced under Lithuanian and German climate conditions. Miscanthus harvested in the autumn produced up to 9.42 t ha -1 dry matter (DM) yield, which was significantly higher in the treatments fertilised with a higher nitrogen rate. The content of cellulose (413–456 g kg -1 DM) and hemicellulose (204–236 g kg -1 DM) was very similar at all fertilisation levels. The highest content of lignin (117 g kg -1 DM) was established in the treatments fertilised with 120 kg ha -1 N. The spring-harvested Miscanthus biomass had significantly lower moisture content and the yield was significantly lower, too. While preparing the biomass as feedstock for synthetic diesel the greatest reduction in moisture content (to 8.59 ± 1.38%) occurred when Miscanthus biomass was chopped, pre-dried and milled, and particles larger than 2 mm accounted for the largest share. The energy use for chopping of autumn-harvested biomass was lower and chopping efficiency was higher compared with the spring-harvested biomass. The composition of major components of synthetic fuel from Miscanthus biomass was very similar to that of mineral diesel.
TL;DR: Phylogenetic analysis of CP gene sequence showed Lithuanian TBRV isolates to be more similar to Polish TBRv isolates than to English ones, which suggests that a few relatively distinct strains of this virus might be present in Lithuania.
Abstract: Tomato black ring virus (TBRV) was first detected on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants in Lithuania in 2012. During 2013, additional eleven isolates of this virus were found on ornamental and food plants in different regions of Lithuania. The virus was identified by double antibody sandwich-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA), electron microscopy and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Up to date, full genome sequences of only two different TBRV isolates have been available at GenBank. Comparison of these sequences enabled us to derive PCR primers for amplifying full length copy of TBRV coat protein (CP) gene sequence. With these primers we successfully amplified and sequenced CP gene of all 12 TBRV isolates that we found. The obtained nucleotide sequences have been submitted to the GenBank database. Phylogenetic analysis of CP gene sequence showed Lithuanian TBRV isolates to be more similar to Polish TBRV isolates than to English ones. It also suggests that a few relatively distinct strains of this virus might be present in Lithuania.
TL;DR: A comprehensive comparative proteomic analysis of red, berseem and white clover pollen using handcollected pollen of different clover species for total protein extraction and detected over 30 protein spots whose quantitative levels were most divergent in investigatedClover pollen proteome map.
Abstract: Clovers are widely distributed, but their pollen proteome still has not been completely elucidated. In this study we performed a comprehensive comparative proteomic analysis of red, berseem and white clover pollen. Handcollected pollen of different clover species were used for total protein extraction. Proteins isolated from red clover cvs. ‘Kirsiniai’ and ‘Vyciai’, berseem clover cv. ‘Faraon’ and white clover cv. ‘Medūnai’, populations Nos. 2295 4n and 2196 4n, were subjected to fractionation by one-dimensional electrophoresis. Some quantitatively different protein groups were characterized in protein maps typical of analyzed clover pollens. For the detailed proteomic analysis we chose pollen of red clover cv. ‘Vyciai’, berseem clover cv. ‘Faraon’ and white clover cv. ‘Medūnai’. Proteins isolated from the pollen were fractionated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and stained for visualisation by using Coomassie blue. Each of the 2DE images indicated over 200 protein spots. Computational methods developed by us were applied for characterization and comparison of proteins isolated from the pollen of the three clover species. The computational methods enabled the evaluation of protein expression variations in red, berseem and white clover pollen proteome maps. By using computer-assisted image analysis of the gels, the expression levels of the proteins were evaluated and their molecular weight and isoelectric point were precisely characterized. We detected over 30 protein spots whose quantitative levels were most divergent in investigated clover pollen proteome map. They were analyzed by mass spectrometry and identified. The fold changes of identified proteins representing red clover cv. ‘Vyciai’, berseem clover cv. ‘Faraon’ and white clover cv. ‘Medūnai’ were calculated using computer-assisted methods.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of grassland management and years with periods of low precipitation on herbage dry matter (DM) yield were studied in two-long term grassland experiments with different cutting and fertilization regimes for the period 2000-2012.
Abstract: Climatic changes have led to extreme weather events, with longer dry periods affecting forage production in mesic grasslands. The effects of grassland management and years with periods of low precipitation on herbage dry matter (DM) yield were studied in two-long term grassland experiments with different cutting and fertilization regimes for the period 2000–2012. In both experiments, the annual herbage DM yields had high correlations with the amount of precipitation. The correlation was stronger in frequent cuttings regimes. The management type and the year significantly affected the herbage DM yield in both experiments. There was also a significant management × year interaction. On average, over the whole observation period, the herbage DM yield of equally fertilized treatments in experiment I was higher in treatments with two cuts per season than in treatments with more cuts. Furthermore, longer periods of low precipitation exerted fewer effects on the DM yield of the two cuts treatments compared to higher cutting frequencies. However, the increase in herbage productivity in years following seasons with low precipitation was higher in the treatments with higher cutting frequencies than in those with two cuts per season. When the treatment, cut four times per year, received a higher amount of fertilizer than the treatment, cut twice per year (experiment II), the long-term average annual herbage DM yield was higher and the yield was less decreased by longer periods of low precipitation than the two cuts per year treatment. Despite the fact that the effects of different treatments were proved in both experiments, the differences in the DM yields among the treatments in low precipitation years were not high enough to recommend best-management practices for forage production on mesic grasslands in areas subject to increasing periods of low precipitation.
TL;DR: The results confirm that potato early blight has become a serious problem in North-East European organic potato fields and thus susceptible potato cultivars cannot be recommended for growing in an organic farming system, but it is possible to influence the development severity of early blight by selecting the proper growing technology.
Abstract: Nowadays, organically produced products have become more popular than ever and interest in them is still
growing fast. The early blight causal pathogen Alternaria solani has not been considered a great threat to potato in
northern climate conditions in the past and has not been routinely sprayed against. During our study early blight
was evaluated in 2010 and 2011 on the plants of a potato cultivar ‘Reet’ in an organic farming experiment. In our
study, both growing seasons were very favourable for early blight development. Significant differences between
the two cultivation technologies were found (F1,12 = 4.84, p = 0.048). In 2010, the area under disease progress curve
(AUDPC) value was 303 on cover crop (CC) plots and 990 on CC + M (manure) plots that is three times higher,
whereas in 2011, the AUDPC value was 967 on CC plots and 1195 on CC + M plots. Our results confirm that potato
early blight has become a serious problem in North-East European organic potato fields and thus susceptible potato
cultivars cannot be recommended for growing in an organic farming system. However, it is possible to influence
the development severity of early blight by selecting the proper growing technology. Since, in the changing climate
conditions and in susceptible cultivars, early blight is a potato disease that can cause early defoliation of plants and crop death, there is a need for resistant potato cultivars.
TL;DR: Field experiments designed to explore weediness of hemp crops of industrial varieties were carried out at the Upytė Experimental Station of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2010–2012 and identified 31 weed species – 26 species of broad-leaf and grass weeds and 5 species of perennial weeds.
Abstract: Field experiments designed to explore weediness of hemp crops of industrial varieties were carried out at the Upytė Experimental Station of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2010–2012. Eight monoecious industrial hemp varieties from France (5), Poland (2) and Ukraine (1) were grown in a conventional crop rotation after winter wheat. Hemp was sown at a seed rate of 50 kg ha -1 with 10 cm interrows at the beginning of May and harvested when the first matured seeds appeared. No mechanical or chemical weed control was applied during hemp growth period. Density of weeds at full hemp emergence was relatively high, with the highest average value of 202 plants m -2 in 2011, the year with relatively high air temperatures at the end of May – beginning of June and adequate rainfall. At hemp harvesting, the highest weed density and above-ground biomass was found in 2010, the year characterised by high temperatures in July and August, in the plots of the USO 31, the variety with the shortest growth period and the lowest plant height. A total of 31 weed species were identified in hemp experiments – 26 species of broad-leaf and grass weeds and 5 species of perennial weeds. At full hemp emergence, weeds typical of spring crops of the region were most abundant: Chenopodium album L. dominated in 2010, Veronica arvensis L. in 2011, while in 2012 the domination was shared by the four weed species Lamium purpureum L., Thlaspi arvense L., V. arvensis and Poa annua L. At harvest, in total 8 weed species were found; however, only C. album and partly Polygonum aviculare L. were relatively abundant in all years.
TL;DR: Assessment of the usefulness of satellite data retrieved from a moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the determination of the growth and development of winter oilseed rape in the climatic conditions of Central Europe finds no statistically significant covariance was found in the case of rape plant height after flowering and the onset of ripening.
Abstract: Satellite remote sensing permits the determination of the state of vegetation of plants simultaneously in distant areas. The paper focuses on the assessment of the usefulness of satellite data retrieved from a moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) for the determination of the growth and development of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) in the climatic conditions of Central Europe. The study is based on values of five vegetation indices – normalised difference vegetation index, enhanced vegetation index, leaf area index, fraction of photosynthetically active radiation and gross primary production – from the period 2000–2012, as well as results of measurements of rape plant height before winter and after flowering, and the onset of flowering and ripening. Low values of the standard error of the estimate (SEE) were obtained in models in relation to plant height before winter (SEE < 6 cm) and the onset of flowering (SEE < 3 days). This suggests the possibility of application of vegetation indices from the period preceding measurements and field observations in forecasting of those two characteristics of winter oilseed rape. No statistically significant covariance was found in the case of rape plant height after flowering and the onset of ripening.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors determined changes in anthocyanin content of 17 selected Klcov's clones of honeyberry (Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast) Pojark) during freezing at −18°C for 6 months and found out the relationship between Anthocyanins and dry matter, sugar, organic acids and ascorbic acid content in fresh fruits.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to determine changes in anthocyanin content of 17 selected Klcov’s clones of honeyberry (Lonicera kamtschatica (Sevast) Pojark) during freezing at −18°C for 6 months and find out the relationship between anthocyanins and dry matter, sugar, organic acids and ascorbic acid content in fresh fruits by cluster analysis Clones of honeyberry can be divided into three clusters according to dry matter, sugar, organic acids and total anthocyanin content and total antioxidant capacity The total anthocyanin level measured in fresh samples was 596–1980 mg 100 g -1 of fresh mass (FM) The scavenging effect of acidified 80% ethanol extracts on DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical ranged from 3003% to 4113% Anthocyanins displayed a negative weak correlation with total antioxidant capacity (R = −0585)
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of the cropping method and weed control methods on the content of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in maize biomass and their uptake by maize were examined.
Abstract: Strip cropping is a form of intercropping used in both tropical and temperate climate zones. Maize is a species often grown in strip cropping, because it responds to the edge effect with a substantial increase in yield. In the experiment, strip cropping of maize with blue lupin and oat was compared to sole cropping of maize in the conditions of mechanical and chemical weed control. A field experiment was conducted in 2008–2010 at the Experimental Station in Zamośc, University of Life Sciences in Lublin (50°42′ N, 23°6′ E). The study examined the effects of the cropping method and weed control methods on the content of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in maize biomass and their uptake by maize. The impact of the position of the row in the strip and of the adjacent plant species on the content and uptake of these micronutrients was analysed as well. Strip cropping significantly increased Zn and Fe content in maize biomass, reduced Mn content, and did not significantly affect the accumulation of Cu. In the strip cropping, interspecific facilitation between neighbouring plant species was also observed. Placement adjacent to the oat strip contributed to higher Cu content in the maize, while placement next to blue lupin increased the content of Fe and Zn. The highest Mn content was noted in maize grown in the centre row. The results indicate that appropriate selection of plant species for strip cropping can affect the chemical composition of the plants. This makes it possible to eliminate or mitigate mineral deficiencies in the plants.
TL;DR: It is shown that climatic conditions in the northern part of Central Europe are favourable for the spread of Leptosphaeria spp.
Abstract: Airborne sexual spores of Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa are primary inoculum of fungi causing phoma stem canker of oilseed rape. In this study ascospore release of these two species was compared between Lithuania (of autumn 2010 and 2011) and Poland (autumns of 2009 till 2012), using identical equipment and methods. Dynamics of L. maculans and L. biglobosa ascospore dispersal was investigated using volumetric samplers followed by microscopic and molecular methods of detection. In Lithuania, the earliest detection of Leptosphaeria ascospores, using microscopy was on 1 st September (2010) and on 2 nd September (2011), whereas in Poland the earliest detection was on 5 th September (2009 and 2010) and the latest on 11 th October (2011), which demonstrates that differences between the seasons may exceed a month (36 days). In the case of molecular detection performed for the Polish samples, the dates of the earliest and the latest release of the first ascospores ranged from 5 th September to 15 th October (40 days). The number of days with ascospores detected in the air samples ranged from 6 (2012) to 25 (2009). At earliest, the detection of the highest concentration of ascospores was on 6 th September (2010) and the latest – on 28 th October (2009). These results demonstrate big differences between the results of spore monitoring between the years and the importance of aerobiological studies to follow the development of the pathogen in natural infection. The fluctuations in quantities of spores and fungal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strongly depended on the weather conditions, mainly rainfall, air temperature and relative humidity. Ascospore release was observed immediately after the rainfall events, but not later than two days after the rainfall. On days without rain, spores were present in the air samples when average relative air humidity exceeded 90% and day temperature was below 15°C. In 2009, molecular detection revealed the presence of both fungal species in the air samples, whereas in 2010–2012 only L. biglobosa DNA was found. Molecular detection with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was identified as a fast and accurate method of pathogen detection and identification from air samples. The highest coefficient of correlation between microscopic and molecular detection of Leptosphaeria species was 0.828 (2009) and the lowest was 0.483 (2011); in all years both techniques of detection were statistically correlated. We have demonstrated that the correlation coefficient highly depended on the number of ascospores in air samples. Based on the studies performed in Lithuania and Poland, we have shown that climatic conditions in the northern part of Central Europe are favourable for the spread of Leptosphaeria spp. by ascospores; however, the patterns of ascospore release greatly differ between the both countries.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the energy biomass productivity and biogas production from silage of different perennial grasses with evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions through the entire process from biomass cultivation to processing.
Abstract: The research was aimed to investigate the energy biomass productivity and biogas production from silage of different perennial grasses with evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions through the entire process from biomass cultivation to processing. The experiments with perennial grasses – cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Scherb.) and reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) were carried out at Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2008–2010. The swards were grown in an Endocalcari-Endohypogleyic Cambisol (CMg-n-w-can), which contained: organic carbon – 1.61–1.75%, available P – 145–224 mg kg-1 and K – 128–158 mg kg-1, soil pH ranging between 6.7–7.0. The three perennial grass species with varying yields of biomass were used to ensure a steady operation of the selected biogas plant of 500 kWe electric power. The different quantities of biomass feedstock and varying energy input are required for such biogas plant. Therefore all data correspond to a biogas cogeneration plant of 500 kWe electric power. Required land area for the same amount of energy produced depends on species of perennial grasses, rates of fertilization and number of cuts. These results mainly depended on the biomass productivity and biogas yield from dry mass. Biomass yield from dry matter in the first year of use of tall fescue cut twice per vegetation season was higher compared to that cut three times, while cocksfoot and reed canary grass yielded better cut three times compared to cut twice. The highest yield was obtained in tall fescue swards cut twice and fertilized with N180. The total balance of greenhouse gas emissions showed their mitigation and ranged from 0.206 to 0.298 kg CO2 eq kWh -1.
TL;DR: It was demonstrated that after the UV-B exposure the plant height of early potato cultivars reduced, however, fresh and dry biomass of leaves, the concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids in potato cultivar remained unchanged after UV- B exposure compared to the control.
Abstract: The impact of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on most cultivated plants is negative It reduces plant height and leaf area, increases leaf thickness and affects plant growth and development The aim of this research was to compare the effects of UV-B on growth, photosynthetic pigments in potato cultivars and determine the activity of antioxidative enzymes in response mechanisms to the UV-B Five Lithuania-bred potato (Solanum tuberosum L) cultivars (three early, one medium and one late) were studied The plants were treated with a UV-B radiation dose of 6 kJ m-2 d-1 The research demonstrated that after the UV-B exposure the plant height of early potato cultivars reduced However, fresh and dry biomass of leaves, the concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and carotenoids in potato cultivars remained unchanged after UV-B exposure compared to the control Increased activity of antioxidative enzymes in potato cultivars after the UV-B radiation suggested an active plant response to UV-B-induced stress which depended on the plant genotype
TL;DR: It is concluded that night frosts common in northern regions do not damage Colorado potato beetle adults or eggs to the extent that might threaten the survival of the population.
Abstract: The cold tolerance of different seasonal groups (pre-diapause, diapauses and post-diapause) of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) was assessed by exposing them either to a constant temperature of –3°C for 48 to 624 h, or to –3, −4, −5, −6 or −7 °C for a constant 24 h. Cold survival was affected by the length of exposure, by the temperature rates and by seasonality. The least cold-tolerant were pre-diapause beetles in August with a mean lethal temperature (Ltemp50) of −4.4°C for 24 h exposure and with a lethal time (Ltime50) of 106.8 h at −3°C. Cold tolerance was significantly higher in the diapause group in January and in the post-diapause group in March; it did not differ significantly between these groups of beetle for 24 h exposure, the lethal temperature being −5.8°C for both groups. Seasonality had a greater influence on survival of these groups after longer exposure to constant mild sub-zero temperature (−3°C); in diapause group, all the beetles survived 624 h exposure, but in post-diapause group the survival limit decreased to 216 h and lethal time was 153.9 h. Colorado potato beetle eggs tolerated 24 h exposure to sub-zero temperatures from −3°C to −5°C or longer exposure at −3°C for 72 h without a reduction in hatchability. The mean lethal time for 50% mortality of eggs was 76.5 h and mean lethal temperature was −5.8°C. Thus, we conclude that night frosts common in northern regions do not damage Colorado potato beetle adults or eggs to the extent that might threaten the survival of the population.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Gibbs free energy change was used to evaluate the availability and potential availability of micronutrients in the Wielkopolska region, Western Poland, after harvesting of winter triticale, winter wheat, winter barley, grass mixtures, winter oilseed rape and sugar beet.
Abstract: Investigations were undertaken on an agricultural farm (52 ha) located at the Wielkopolska region, Western Poland. Soil samples (294) were collected at 0–30 cm depth from 6 fields after harvesting of winter triticale, winter wheat, winter barley, grass mixtures, winter oilseed rape and sugar beet. The following properties were determined: silt and clay, organic carbon (C org ), pH (in 0.01 moles CaCl 2 dm -3 ), cation exchange capacity (CEC). Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were extracted by aqua regia test (total content) and 0.005 moles diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), pH 7.3 (active and potentially available forms). Potential availability and soil physical as well as chemical changes of these micronutrients were evaluated by using availability factors and thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs free energy change, ∆G°). Data show that 83% of all tested soil samples were characterised by C org 7.8), ca 1/6 of investigated soils (16%) were acid, but on the other hand, 82% exhibited pH > 5.5. The mean CEC value amounted to 12.0 cmol (+) kg -1 , with 71% of soils representing CEC Cu > Fe > Mn, with respective indices 22.9 > 19.8 > 5.5 > 0.42. Next, linear relationships established for the pairs C org vs DTPA Cu,Zn,Fe,Mn resulted in the following correlation coefficients (r): C org vs DTPA Cu , r = 0.67**; C org vs DTPA Zn , r = 0.60**; C org vs DTPA Fe , r = 0.56*; C org vs DTPA Mn , r = 0.50*. It appeared that in the case of increasing or decreasing pH, the reactions of Cu, Mn and Fe in the soil solution should be similar, i.e. progressive unavailability or progressive availability, respectively. Thermodynamic changes (ΔG° values) calculated for Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn were the basis for establishing the following operational ranges: −5.0 ≤ ∆G°, readily available (for Zn); −5.0 ≥ ∆G° ≥ −10.0, moderately available (for Cu); −10.0 ≥ ∆G° ≥ −15.0, slightly available (for Fe); ∆G° ≤ −15.0, hardly available (for Mn). The ∆G°-based values showed that micronutrient availability criteria should not be restricted to quantitative evaluation only.
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to determine the fatty acid profile of seeds of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars and the relations between fatty acid profiles, seed germination and vigour at various temperatures (15, 25 and 35 °C).
Abstract: The present study was undertaken to determine the fatty acid profile of seeds of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars ‘Yag’, ‘Cetinel-150’ and ‘Bagci Carliston’ as well as the relations between fatty acid profile, seed germination and vigour at various temperatures (15, 25 and 35 °C). In this study, the germination percentage and vigour, total oil and the fatty acid profile of seeds of pepper cultivars were determined. There were significant differences in seed germination and vigour among the cultivars. Linoleic (C18:2n-6) acid was the principal fatty acid followed by palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1n-9) and stearic (C18:0) acids in all cultivars. The highest concentrations of linoleic (77.8%), oleic (10.4%), palmitic (10.6%) and stearic (2.5%) acids were determined in the cultivars ‘Cetinel-150’, ‘Yag’ and ‘Bagci Carliston’, respectively, and miristic, margaric, gadoleic and behenic acids at an even lower content (<1%). In addition to simple correlation coefficients (r) between the total oil, fatty acid composition, and germination percentage and vigour of the pepper cultivars, similar results were obtained in stepwise multiple regression analysis. According to the stepwise multiple regression analysis, although results for vigour were similar to the results of germination, in addition to linoleic acid, the indirect effect of miristic, margaric, palmitoleic and gadoleic acids were determined for vigour. Research results demonstrated that the low or high amount of fatty acids in the tested cultivars may play a major role on germination and vigour at various temperatures. Moreover, the role of linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) on germination and vigour associated with temperature was more explicit than that of the other fatty acids.
TL;DR: Wheat lines which possess resistance to leaf rust were developed from the cultivar crosses between bread wheat and wild cereal species and revealed that leaf rust resistance was conferred by a combination of several genes.
Abstract: Wheat lines which possess resistance to leaf rust were developed from the cultivar crosses between bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild cereal species: jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host), tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.), wild emmer (Triticum dicoccoides Koern.) and synthetic species Triticum erebuni Gandil. Resistance of breeding lines was examined at the seedling stage of wheat plants after artificial inoculation. Resistance genes Lr21, Lr22a, Lr24 (T1BL.1BS-3Ae#1L), Lr32, Lr34, Lr39, Lr42, Lr53 and T1AL.1RS were identified by a molecular analysis using sequence-tagged sites (STS) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Comparison of data of phytopathological evaluation and molecular-genetic analysis of breeding lines revealed that leaf rust resistance was conferred by a combination of several genes. The combination of genes Lr24+Lr34+T1AL.1RS conferred resistance, Lr24+Lr34+Lr21, T1AL.1RS+Lr24 and Lr21+T1AL.1RS+Lr24 conferred resistance and moderate resistance.
TL;DR: It is concluded that nitrogen and potassium leaching are affected by sward botanical composition and the leaching of both elements was the lowest from grass-clover sward.
Abstract: The leaching of nutrients in regions where annual precipitation considerably exceeds evaporation needs to be minimised. Our objective was to study the dependence of leached nitrogen and potassium on botanical composition of grassland sward. Mini-lysimeters filled with loamy sand were embedded in three swards (a mixture of three grass species, grasses mixed with white clover and grasses mixed with lucerne). Annual nitrogen application rates (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha -1 ) in conjunction with three fertilizers (mineral fertilizer, cattle slurry and sewage sludge) were applied. The nitrogen and potassium leaching was measured monthly during three years. We concluded that nitrogen and potassium leaching are affected by sward botanical composition. The leaching of both elements was the lowest from grass-clover sward.