Agro Technologies Research Articles

Quantitative Characteristics of the Microstructure of Typical Chernozems Using Different Agricultural Technologies

The methodological possibilities of micromorphological soil research making it possible to analyze digital images of soil thin sections at a quantitative level are presented in this study. A new software Thixomet Pro has been tested for quantitative micromorphological study of sail on the example of soil thin sections from the surface horizons of Haplic Chernozem. Soil samples for preparing thin sections were collected on the territory of scientific and industrial field test plot for assessing the impact of agro technologies in grain crop rotation on soil properties (Kursk region, Russia). In the field test plot, conventional agro technology (real tillage) and no-till are compared. Soil sampling was carried out in two replications from depth of 10–15 cm. The analysis revealed the variability of microstructure of Haplic Chernozem in the size, shape and orientation of aggregates associated with the use of agricultural technologies with and without plowing in grain crop rotation. In the Сhernozem with no–till, aggregates are generally larger compared to the aggregates of Сhernozem with conventional agro technology. This is noted at all levels of comparison of direct seeding and conventional agricultural technology: in the minimum diameter, the fraction 1–2 mm prevails against 0.25–0.5 mm, respectively, in the average diameter, fractions 1–2, 2–3 and 3–5 mm prevail against 0.5–1 and 0.25–0.5 mm, respectively, in the maximum diameter, fractions 1–2, 2–3 and 3–5 mm prevail against 0.5–1, 0.25–0.5 and 1–2 mm, respectively. It is also shown that less rounded and isometric aggregates are formed during direct seeding. With direct seeding, the proportion of aggregates with a form factor of 0.2–0.4 is higher and the proportion of aggregates with a form factor of 0.4–0.6 is lower than with traditional technology. The proportion of subhorizontal aggregates in direct seeding is higher compared to traditional processing (54.3 and 34.1% respectively).

Scientific bases of principles estimating a state of the vegetation cover in steppe agrocenoses using innovative methods of smart agriculture

The study’s main target is to actualize notions about spatial heterogeneity of steppe agrocenoses in conditions of the current climatic and anthropogenic changes, scientific grounds of instrumental methods estimating a state of the vegetation cover, and to identify optimal phytometric parameters of high productive agrocenoces of crops. Industrial winter wheat plantings and demonstrative seeds of spring wheat, sunflower, barley, maize, soya, winter rye, and winter wheat on the chernozem in Orenburgskaya oblast were objects of the study. High technological agrocenoses of spring wheat on chernozem in Samarskaya oblast and winter wheat on dark-chestnut soils in Saratovskaya and Volgogradskaya oblasts were used in the research. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of crops was measured by a portable device-Green Seeker Handheld Crop Sensor, Model HCS – 100. The assimilating area of plants was estimated by the gravimetric method. Generally accepted practices of the statistical analysis were used in the processing of digital material. As a result of the study, spatial differences in the vegetation cover state of field agrocenoses were detailed by its instrumental examination. It was ascertained that the vegetation cover’s heterogeneity began to show at the start of vegetation and did not level itself. In the following stages, we could see that proved reasonability to examine plantings instrumentally starting from the early stages when the technical correction was possible. Detection of optimal phytometic parameters of agrocenoses of different types of crops in regions of the steppe zone in the European part of Russia by NDVI evaluation on stages of plant development in zonal climatic and soil conditions under high levels of agro technologies was offered to estimate a state of the current plantings and to make technological solutions correcting the course of vegetation.

EFFICIENCY OF RESOURCE SAVING AGRO TECHNOLOGIES FOR INCREASING COTTON YIELD AND FERTILITY OF MEADOW OF SALTIER SOIL

Article considering the productivity of weak and moderately saline meadow soils of the Jizzakh region (Uzbekistan) is estimated at N160P80K48 kg/ha + based on resource-saving agro technologies to produce high-quality cotton (42,3-39,7 kg/ha) under these conditions. Fertilizer consumption of 10 t/ha, N160P112K80 kg/ha + 20 t/ha with using of green manure (rape), reducing the level of groundwater and soil salinization, preventing degradation of ponds and soil structure. KEYWORDS: meadow soil, salinity, cotton, fertilizer.

Ефективність рідких комплексних добрив за різних систем удобрення картоплі в умовах Полісся України

Results of researches on efficiency of use of liquid organomineral fertilizers at the background of different fertilizer systems are provided. Researches were done on light gray forest soil in a 5-field short- crop rotation. Results of three-year stationary researches of medicines Mochevin K No. 1, Mochevin K No. 2, Organik D2M and the Humate of potassium influence on productivity and quality indicators of a potato harvest are analyzed. Thus, the highest productivity on options without introduction of liquid complex fertilizers was received in agro technologies which were based on an organomineral system, – 31.9 t/hectare. At the same time, the gain of relatively biological control made 7.8 t/hectare or 32.2 %. Processing by liquid complex medicines increased efficiency of technology of cultivation, having provided additional increase in productivity by 3.5–8.0 t/hectare or 11.0–27.3 %. Thus, Mochevin K No. 1 was the least effective – the gain depending on a fertilizer system made 3.5–5.1 t/hectare or 11.0–17.5 %. The humate of potassium promoted yield increase on 5.0–6.8 t/hectare or 15.8–23.1 %, Organik D2M – on 5.4–8.0 t/hectare or 17.5–27.3 %, and Mochevin K No. 2 – on 6.3–8.0 t/hectare or 20.2–27.3 %. In general, the organomineral system with use of complex liquid fertilizers of Mochevin K№2 and Organik D2M provided the largest productivity of culture in experience (38.0–38.5 t/hectare) and also increasing in plasticity of a grade, reduced variation of productivity after years. It is established that a determinant factor rendered use of liquid organomineral fertilizers on improvement of quality indicators of a potatoharvest (content of ascorbic acid and starch). This way, processing of potato landings the medicines Organik D2M and the Humate of potassium at the background of an organomineral fertilizer system provided the high content of ascorbic acid in tubers. Organik D2M promoted obtaining the largest content of starch after all fertilizer systems – 15.0–15.2 %. Further researches will be directed to studying of efficiency of complex liquid use of fertilizers in the system of organic production at the increased income levels to the soil of alternative and traditional types of organic fertilizers (straw, green manure crops, manure, vermikompost).

Optimization of Agriculture Land Use Development Basing on Natural-resource Potential (On the Example of the Stavropol Territory)

Natural resources potential of the territory and natural-historical mechanism of its development are pacing factors in agriculture differentiation and AIC-development. Key branches in the Stavropol Territory are crop production, sheep breeding and meat and milk cattle breeding. To meet the market demands “equating” differentiation of agricultural enterprises is implemented. Thus, in Stavropol Territory crop lands have been increased for crops required in the market that disbalanced the crop rotation, disturbed agro technologies and resulted in reduction in yields and grain quality. In the Territory 70 % of tillage is in risky agriculture. About 65 % of crop production (wheat, barley and others) are in draughty areas where out of 141 years (1861–2002) 41 % draughty, which determine high natural-climatic dependence of grain economy [1]. Annual and areal variability of grain production is also determined by topsoil heterogeneity and variety of relief. At present production of the basic market crop – winter wheat, which takes 75 % of acreage for cereals and leguminous crops, the productivity of the cultivated crop is 22.4–39.5 centner/hectare. It results in top soil changes such as compaction, fertilizer impoverishment and organic matter content (organic matter deficit is 400–700 kg/ha). Intensification of agrarian production results in quicker erosion processes, soil properties decline and lower fertility. The total area of eroded lands in the Territory is 1792000 ha [2]. That is why it is important to develop a new model of the economic use of Stavropol Territory. The main methods of study are analysis of the current status and organization of the agricultural zones of the Territory. The data were preceded with the software Statistica.

Dryland Practices for Crop Sustainability and Productivity

The productivity of dryland crops is low because, the onset, intensity and distribution of rainfall is highly unpredictable. To conserve natural resources for enhancing productivity and profitability, five dryland technologies during the rainy season (1. Ridge planting in pearl millet, 2. Compartmental bunding in pearl millet, 3. Pearl millet + Sesame Strip cropping, 4. Pearl millet + Cluster bean strip cropping and 5. Split application of N in pearl millet) and four technologies during the winter season (1. Deep tillage in mustard, 2. Tillage after each effective rains in mustard, 3. Chick pea + Mustard intercropping and 4. Mustard proceeded by green manuring were demonstrated at farmers field in NICRA village Nagla Dulhe Khan, Agra. Improved agro technologies resulted in an overall increase in crop yield from 4.65 to 76.22% over the traditional practices. Higher net return and B: C ratio were also observed with improved practices. The results of the study revealed an increase in yield ranging from 8.35 to 76.22% in pearl millet, 8.33 to 76.22% in sesame, 7.41 to 74.00% in cluster bean, 4.65 to 43.94% in mustard, 14.24 to 43.94% in chick pea and 7.74% in barley under demonstration plots as compared to traditional practices.

Влияние различных агротехнологий на формирование водного режима, урожайность, эколого-энергетическую и экономическую эффективность посевов пшеницы в степной и лесостепной зонах Русской равнины

Влияние различных агротехнологий на формирование водного режима, урожайность, эколого-энергетическую и экономическую эффективность посевов пшеницы в степной и лесостепной зонах Русской равнины

Impact of Improved Dryland Technologies on Sustainable Crop Productivity and Efficient Utilization of Resources in Submontane Punjab

Subsistence rainfed agriculture is widely practiced in submontane Punjab due to high dependency on rainfall. The onset, intensity and distribution of rainfall is highly unpredictable in the region and hence, the productivity of the dryland crops is very low. In order to evaluate and disseminate the improved rainfed agro technologies, on farm trials and demonstrations under different themes viz., rainwater management, cropping systems, energy management, integrated nutrient management and alternate land use systems were conducted at village Naude Majra district Rupnagar (Punjab) during 2010–2015 under All India Coordinated Operational Research Project. Higher seed/grain yields were obtained by adopting all the improved practices for different crops in comparison to farmers’ practices. Improved agro technologies resulted in overall increase in crop production from 33 to 79% over the farmers’ practices. Higher net return and B: C ratios were also obtained with improved practices. Among different agrotechnologies demonstrated across the themes, the per cent increase in yield was highest with high yielding varieties recommended for the domain area (34–80%), followed by energy management i.e. drill sowing of wheat and oil seed crops (18–73%) and rainwater management viz., ridge sowing of maize and supplementary irrigation in wheat (25–51%). The increase in yield with integrated nutrient management in maize and with rhizobium inoculation in legume crops was 16 and 17%, respectively. Hence, on farm trials and demonstrations carried out on farmer's field to show the worth of improved rainfed varieties and management practices for horizontal spread of improved agro-technologies were successful.

Structure of costs and expenditures in agro technologies of different intensity levels

Structure of costs and expenditures in agro technologies of different intensity levels

Agro technologies increasing the productivity of irrigated soils in the desert zone of Uzbekistan

Agro technologies increasing the productivity of irrigated soils in the desert zone of Uzbekistan

Impact assessment of plant protection technologies validated/ demonstrated by KVK, Angul (Odisha) during 2002-2009

A good number of agro technologies have been assessed and demonstrated in the farmers’ field by KVK, Angul during 2002-2009. Impactassessment of plant protection technologies revealed that the technologies are being adopted by the farmers at variable rate over time. Highest adoption rate (65%) was observed with application of Acephate 75 per cent SC twice @ 0.2 per cent at 15 days interval for management of aphid in mustard with horizontal expansion to 382 ha area. On the other hand lower adoption rate (6%) was observed for the technology of release of bio-agent Chrysoperla cornea for management of this insect pest. The IPM technology consisting of removal of affected fruits and shoots followed by alternate spraying of Triazophos@ 0.2 per cent and neem oil @ 0.5 per cent with teepol at 15 days interval for management of shoot and fruit borer was found to be adopted by 52 per cent participants with horizontal spread to 264 ha of additional area. Non-availability of inputs and seeds of high yielding variety of crops, delay in input availability, non-availability of resistant variety, inadequate supply of inputs and poor quality of inputs, non-availability of skilled labours ,high cost of labour and lack of credit facility are the major constraints for low adoption of these technologies. These constraints need to be addressed systematically to improve the adoption percentage of these technologies. How to view point the article : Das, Niranjan and Mishra, R.P. (2016). Impact assessment of plant protection technologies validated/demonstrated by KVK, Angul (Odisha) during 20022009. Internat. J. Plant Protec., 9(1) : 252-255.

High productive plant-microbial systems in legume agrocenoses

The opportunity of creating high-productive vegetative-microbe systems in agrocoenosis of vetch crops has been demonstrated by using presowing seeds bacterization with polyfunctional biopreparations, which permits to raise the productivity of soybean by 1.66 t/ha, chick-pea—by 1.90 t/ha with simultaneous increase of protein contents in seeds by 1–3%. Obtained results allowed for complex assessment of symbiotic efficiency under conditions of using biopreparations, scientific substantiation of principles of their efficient usage for developing and introducing ecologically safe agro technologies of growing those crops in the Central Steppe zone of the Crimea.

VILNIAUS KOLEGIJOS CHEMIJOS LABORATORIJOS MATERIALINĖS BAZĖS MODERNIZAVIMAS

The authors share the experience of creating a modern chemical laboratory. Production of modern la-boratory equipment is developing in the direction of implementing measurement decrease, measurement pre-cision and microprocessor control of instruments. In the faculty of Agro technologies Vilnius College has equipped a modern chemical laboratory with up-to-date central tables, affinity cabinets of new construction, vibration-proof tables, analytical balance, central ventilation and air conditioning systems. Automatic Titrators „METTLER TOLEDO“ are used for classic volume analysis method – titration. „Thermo Spectronic“, spectrophotometer „Genesys”20 UV-VIS“, AAS model „Buck Scientific 210 VGP“ and spectrometer „Varian 640–IR“ are used to determine the molecular composition of a wide range of organic and inorganic materials (testing water, food products, soil and sewage). The authors of the article express special thanks to the administration of Vilnius College and social partner – Company “Fermentas” for help and support. This modern laboratory provides students of chemical biotechnological analysis with the opportunity to gain practical skills, which will make them sough-after on the labour market and which are essential for their career. Key words: chemical analysis technology, chemical laboratory, analytical balance, automatic titrator, spectrophotometer, spectrometer.

Konversi Hutan Menjadi Lahan Usahatani Karet dan Kelapa Sawit serta Pengaruhnya terhadap Aliran Permukaan dan Erosi Tanah di DAS Batang Pelepat

Forest conversion to some land use happened in all watershed, includes Batang Pelepat watershed. The objectives of this research are to know effect of forest conversion to land of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and palm oil (Elaeis guinensis Jack) farming on run off and soil erosion and different of erosion rate on agro technology of rubber and palm oil farming in Batang Pelepat watershed. The research was carried out during 3 months, begin October to December 2006. Run off and soil erosion measured plot with gutter in the lower of plot. Experimental design for this research is randomized complete block design, with land use type as treatment and slope class as replication or block. Data analyzed statistically by variance analysis (F-test) and Duncan New Multiple Range Test on confidence 95% (α = 0.05). The results of this research show that area of forest coverage in Batang Pelepat watershed was decreasing. In 1986 this area still 94,50% of watershed area, but in 1994 area of forest only 78,17% and in 2006 forest area 64,20% of watershed area. Forest conversion was carried out to land of rubber and palm oil farming with some actual agro technologies. Land of monoculture rubber I resulted the highest run off and soil erosion more than the other land use type and showed different of run off and soil erosion on land of secondary forest.

То improve the examination of winter wheat varieties

The expediency of winter wheat varieties examination in the state variety examination is proved at two levels of agricultural backgrounds: at high level - in the presence of intensive agro technologies and at low level, which is typical for majority of producers. Conclusions have been made under the expediency of improvement and making changes to the Guidelines on evaluation of varieties resistance to diseases and crop tillage with a help of retardants.