Biological Farming Research Articles

Application of oligoagars as elicitors for field aquaculture of Pyropia haitanensis

Oligosaccharides can elicit a defense-related response in marine algae or seaweeds. This study aimed to investigate the possible application of oligosaccharides as biological elicitors for algal farming by measuring their antirotting effects on Pyropia haitanensis. The concentration of oligoagars and the time of treatment were optimized by examining their effects on the percentage of rotting in thalli. Oxidative burst and expression of defense-related genes were examined. The optimized conditions obtained were then applied in an aquaculture setting for P. haitanensis. Elicitation with oligoagars at 100 μg mL−1 for 2 h produced the optimal rot resistance effect, and oligoagars delayed the severe rotting of thalli by more than 13 days. Oligoagars elicited rapid respiration in thalli. The expression levels of Phrboh and Phhsp70 genes were up-regulated whereas Phsod was down-regulated. During aquaculture, treatment with oligoagars when thalli were 30 days old and when conchospores adhered to nets improved growth, increased yield of products, and delayed the maturation of thalli. However, treatment when conchospores adhered to nets had better results and was more convenient and practical. Overall, we found that oligoagars have potential applications as elicitors for biological farming and can be applied in the aquaculture of P. haitanensis with promising results.

Основные факторы формирования урожая семян овсяницы луговой на серых лесных почвах республики Татарстан

The basis of biological farming is expanding the acreage of perennial grasses, which in the coming years should occupy at least 25% of the arable land of our Republic instead of 18-20% currently. To solve this problem annually more than 9 thousands tons of seeds of perennial grasses is reguired, including meadow fescue 0.7 thousands tons. The study revealed that despite the higher production costs of the two-phase method of harvesting and threshing, the profitability of seed production is higher to 7-21%, than the direct harvesting. In traditional two-phase harvesting (mowing in rolls, then threshing rolls), and seed moisture content of 12-14%, the loss of biological crop production reduces by almost twice, comparing with direct harvesting, but it is inferior to in two-phase threshing. The reason is very simple, the fescue panicles on the top reach harvest maturity faster, than the on the bottom. In the case of rainfall, they crumble, which is clearly manifested in the growth of grain dropping after threshing rolls. The each hectare of investigated variants of meadow fescue brings about 10-12 thousand rubles of net profit. Thus, in order to obtain from each hectare of crop 380-400 kg of low-cost uncoated, it is recommended to sow it with row spacing of 30 cm and organize two-phase threshing of harvest.

A cost-benefits analysis for risk management in a biological farm

A cost-benefits analysis for risk management in a biological farm

Essential oils and their applications in animal nutrition

Plant essential oils (EOs) and their compounds have proven in vitro efficacy as antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunodulating and anti-inflammatory agents. These substances deserve an important place as feed additives that are generally considered as safe. The available in vivo data show that EOs could find use as natural growth promoters in animal diets. However, the available evidence on the possible positive effects of these substances on nutrient digestibility and the function of the gut is rather limited. Also, the benefits of EOs’ applications in animal’s diets depend on diverse parameters. These parameters can be, on the one hand, the unstable composition and the different levels of addition in the diet, and on the other hand, variable animal genetic factors. A better understanding of the gastrointestinal tract microflora composition and activity is needed in order to maximize the use of EOs and to manufacture effective products. Essential oils could find application in cases where approved drugs or chemical substances are unwanted, for example, biological farming.

Effects of season calving and managements on lactating curves in two different farms (organic vs conventional) in buffalo cows

A total of 5852 records concerning daily milk yield, content of protein and fat, and somatic cell count was recorded in two farms (organic and conventional). Somatic cell count was log10- transformed before analysis because was not normally distributed. The mixed model methodology was used according to a repeated-measures scheme, as the restricted maximum likelihood method to estimate lactation curves at different season of calving and at different calving order. Calving order affected milk yield only in the first three calving order with the lowest production levels in the first six months of the year for both farm; no effect could be observed on fat and protein contents. The organic farm shows the minor milk production (7.77 vs8.10 kg/day/head organic and traditional respectively), but good qualitative characteristics of milk, and minor content of Somatic Cell Count. The milk production is major, in traditional farm, in summer respect the winter (10.4 vs6.34 kgof milk/day/ head). In biological farm no difference between seasons were observed. Peak milk yield occurs, for both farms, at around the 6th - 7th wk of lactation.

Determination of acrylamide in local and commercial cultivar of potatoes from biological farm

This paper reports the results of a preliminary study on the characterization of parameters influencing formation of acrylamide in fried potatoes, from biological cultivation. The formation of acrylamide was investigated in relation to frying in biological extra virgin olive oil and commercial seed oil. Three different cultivars (Rossa di Colfiorito, Quarantina bianca genovese and Kennebec) were chosen. Asparagine, glucose, fructose and sucrose concentrations were determined in potato slice before frying, while acrylamide content was analysed by LC–ESI-MS/MS in the slices fried in seed and extra virgin olive oil. The Kennebec cultivar showed differences in its potential for acrylamide formation, which was primarily related to its relatively high asparagine and reducing sugars contents, respect the other local cultivars (particulary Quarantina). Values of acrylamide below detection limit (LOD) were found in Quarantina bianca genovese cultivar samples fried in extra virgin olive oil and peanuts seed oil and higher in peanuts seed oil fried potatoes of Kennebec cultivar.

Biochemical Impact of Fodder Galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) on Agro-ecosystems

Multifunctional allelochemicals activities stimulate an increase in an employment spectrum of biologically active compounds in biological farming. The understanding of the allelochemical action mechanisms makes it possible to use these compounds to enhance crop production and develop a more sustainable agriculture, including weed and pest control through crop rotations, residue management and a variety of approaches in bio-control. The aim of this research was to establish and to compare the total amount of phenolic compounds and allelopathic activity of the aqueous extracts produced of different shoot parts (leaves, stems, blossoms and seed) and roots of new crop, namely fodder galega at their different growth stages. Biochemical impact of the aqueous extracts produced of fodder galega ground part and roots on the germination data of the test–object subjected significantly on the galega growth stage and extract concentration. The biochemical effect of all tested extracts and concentrations had the same tendency to inhibit the test–object seed germination. The extracts of the ground part were more toxic than those of roots and had a stronger suppressive effect on the test–plant germination. Phenols concentration and conventional coumarine unit (CCU) content increased evenly in dependence on total phenols concentration at all plant development stages accordingly to the extracts concentration gradient. Phenols concentration as well as their activity of ground part and roots increased from shooting to flowering stage.

Impact of Management Systems on Soil Properties and Their Relationships to Kiwifruit Quality

Crop quality depends on several factors, among which soil properties play a great role. The use of organic products as sources of plant nutrients to improve crop quality has been established. The use of biological nutrient sources to improve crop quality as well as improve soil physical, chemical, and biological properties could be a viable alternative to organic and/or conventional farming. However, there is little information available on how soil properties and kiwifruit quality are affected by the use of a biological farming system. Therefore, research was conducted with the objective of comparing the response of conventional, organic, and biological management systems on soil properties and kiwifruit quality in respect to Actinidia deliciosa (Hayward) and A. chinensis (Hort16A). Greatest soil bulk density and lowest gas phase, maximum water-holding capacity, gravitational drainage, and hygroscopic moisture were observed in Hayward in both biological and conventional management systems. The variations in soil properties for total pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and aluminium (Al) were linked to management practices, and electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B) were linked to cultural species. The Ca/Mg ratio of these orchards was more than 7:1, and the Mg/K ratio was less than 2:1, indicating application of dolomitic limestone is recommended over high-Ca liming materials. The greatest yield, total soluble solids, and ionic strength were obtained in Hort16A from conventional management. Greater P, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu levels were recorded in organic Hayward than in other management systems. However, greater total N, K, Mg, S, Na, Mn, and B contents were observed in conventional Hort16A than in organic, biological, or conventional Hayward. The results of this study indicated that all macronutrients flux in Hort16A better than in Hayward. On the other hand, flux of micronutrients in Hayward was greater than in Hort16A. The cost/benefit ratio is the most favorable, that is, lowest, for organic Hayward on volcanic soils in the Bay of Plenty.

Agricoltura sostenibile e conservazione del suolo. Il progetto SoCo: risultati e considerazioni

Sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. The SoCo project: results and considerations - The EU Parliament is promoting and financing the ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation’ project coordinated and implemented by the EU Commission (DG for Agriculture and the Joint Research Centre). The project analyses the processes of soil degradation in Europe and aims to lay down laws and policies that, to varying degrees, may contribute to offsetting these. Special attention has been paid to assessing the practices of sustainable agriculture, such as conservation and biological farming. A focus on local problems has produced 10 case studies divided according to European geographical area. The Italian one was carried out by the Region of the Marche.

Review: The War on Bugs

Review: The War on Bugs By Will Allen Reviewed by Byron Anderson Northern Illinois University, USA Allen, Will. The War on Bugs. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008. xxix, 268 pp. ISBN 9781933392462. US$35.00, paper. Printed on chlorine-free, 20-percent post-consumer-waste old- growth-forest-free recycled paper, using soy-based ink whenever possible. The book’s premise is “that advertising and propaganda campaigns have historically played, and continue to play, a very important role in guiding a farmer’s choice in which products to buy” (p. xxi). The content proceeds chronologically from the 1840s to the 2000s. For the past 160 years, farm magazines have advocated for chemical use in agriculture through editorials, testimonials from both scientists and farmers, and saturation advertising. Farm magazines have had undue influence on farmer decisions, especially in convincing them to use chemical-based solutions in declaring a war on bugs, weeds, and declining soil fertility. Early magazines had a near monopolistic advantage with no media competition and free subscriptions. Use of toxic pesticide on a large scale started in the 1860s with the use of arsenic to control potato bugs. There was notable farmer resistance to adopting chemicals through the 19 th century, but by playing on fear of loss of crops and profits, chemical companies, government agencies, and farm magazines convinced farmers to use chemicals in place of biological farming strategies. By the early 1900s, cyanide had replaced arsenic, and later came synthetic nitrogen, hormones, antibiotics, and more recently, genetically modified organisms. Use of farming chemicals reach a phenomenal growth rate, for example, in the 1930s, 3.5 percent of farm acreage used fertilizer with synthetic nitrogen, by the 1990s, it was used by 90 percent. Through the nineteenth and early twentieth century, farmers did not see chemicals as synthetic poisons and did not know how dangerous they were. Heavy reliance on chemicals did produce, in many cases, short-term benefits, for example, eradication of unwanted bugs. This would last only until the bugs became resistant to the pesticide, a fact well documented in the book. Marketers pictured farmers as being engaged in a war, and this is reinforced by the fact that some of the chemicals used by farmers, for example, parathion and malathion, were also used in war, in this case as nerve poison. The book contains dozens of copies of advertisements from farm magazines that were used to promote chemical usage over time. Even Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel) becomes involved. The chapter, Pesticide Spray Devices, Household Poisons, and Dr. Seuss, reproduces a number of cartoons by him and others which helped to promote the myth that poisonous chemicals were necessary and not to be feared. The chapter Liebig and the Industrialists provides a good overview of agricultural chemistry and chemists and the emergence of agricultural science. The chapter Twentieth-First-Century Populism: Organic Farming and the Anti-factory-farm Movement ushers in a more hopeful future. The author ends by calling for “an agricultural policy that emphasizes sustainability” (p. 240) with the goal to “be able to buy safe food wherever we live” (p. 241). Will Allen has a doctoral degree in anthropology and co-manages a large organic farm in Vermont. The book has two useful timelines covering 1865 to 2007, and numerous photos and illustrations ably supplement the text. An appendix outlines the amount of pesticide use on certain crops from California. Notes, a bibliography, and index complete the book. Recommended for public libraries, undergraduate collections, agriculture collections, and anyone interested in the history or expansion of agricultural chemicals. Byron Anderson , Acting Associate Dean, Northern Illinois University Libraries, DeKalb, IL 60115 USA. TEL: 815-753-9804, FAX: 815-753-9803.

Daily dynamics of cellulase activity in arable soils depending on management practices

The daily dynamics of cellulase activity was studied during 27 days by the cellophane membrane method on soils managed using the conventional high-input farming system (application of mineral fertilizers and pesticides) and the biological conservation farming system (application of organic fertilizers alone) in a microfield experiment. The regular oscillatory dynamics of the cellulase activity were revealed and confirmed by the harmonic (Fourier) analysis. The oscillatory dynamics of the cellulase activity had a self-oscillatory nature and was not directly caused by the disturbing impacts of both the uncontrolled (natural) changes in the temperature and moisture (rainfall) and the controlled ones (the application of different fertilizers). The disturbing impacts affected the oscillation amplitude of the cellulase activity but not the frequency (periods) of the oscillations. The periodic oscillations of the cellulase activity were more significant in the soil under the high-input management compared to the soil under the biological farming system.

Concentration des LTP dans la peau et la pulpe des fruits

The principal allergens of Rosaceae (Prunoideae) fruit consist of Pathogenesis-Related proteins (PR proteins) which are essentially expressed in response to attacks on the plant by a phythopathogenic fungus. They include Lipid Transfer Proteins (LTP) of the PR-14 family, 1,3β-glucanases of the PR-2 family, and Thaumatin-Like Proteins (TLP) of the PR-5 family. Apple LTP (Mal d 3) is mainly located in the skin of apple, including the skin of several apple cultivars, i.e., Granny Smith, Golden delicious, and Fuji, which are particularly rich in LTP; the pulp of this fruit contains much less LTP. The LTP of the peach, Pru p 3, essentially concentrates in the downy hairs covering the fruit. As a practical consequence, peeling this fruit reduces considerably the amount of LTP to which sensitized individuals would be exposed. Conversely, cooking the fruit is of no interest because of the extreme resistance of LTP to thermal denaturation. In other Prunoideae fruits, e.g., plum (Pru d 3) and apricot (Pru ar 3), the LTP content of the skin and pulp of these fruits is very similar, so that peeling them does not reduce their allergenicity. Preliminary results suggest that fruit produced in biological farming have a higher LTP content compared to fruit produced in conventional farming. In Mediterranean countries, especially Spain and Italy, allergy to peach (Pru p 3) is often responsible for severe anaphylactic reactions.

APPLICATION OF LIGNOSILICONIN GROWING OF RED CLOVER (TRLFOLIUM PRA TENSE L.)

Red clover Trifolium pratense is one of the most popular legumes feed crops in North America and Europe. It is being sown in field and forage shifts of crops as such and mixed with cereals. Among the cultivated clover types (white, rose, crimson and red) the red one is the most widespread in Latvia. The field tests of lignosilicon (LSi), biologically active compound developed and synthesized in the Latvian state institute of Wood Chemistry has shown its favorable action when used in biological farming for oats and rye growth with red clover undersow. Years 2004-2006 tests in field conditions have proved LSi prolonged influence on red clover growth and development: green mass, dry matter content in it and protein content in crop significantly increase beginning with the first year of LSi application. Chemical analysis of roots and aboveground part of plants has shown increase in boron content in buds on the background o f240 kg/ha of LSi. At the same time, increase in silicon, iron, manganese and copper content has been observed in roots. After one year cultivation of clover “Divaja” brand on the background of LSi, an enrichment of soil with organic substances and nitrogen in comparison with control was observed.

Pesticide and plasticizer residues in biological citrus essential oils from 2003–2004

AbstractContamination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides, phosphorated plasticizers, chloroparaffins and phthalate, adipate and sebacate ester in citrus essential oils produced in Sicily in the crop years 2003–2004 was studied by HRGC in connection with FPD, ECD and MS detectors. All the samples, 40 from 2003 and 10 from 2004, were grown using biological cultivation and were industrially produced. Biological farming is based on the abolition of chemicals and produces food free from contaminants. Unfortunately, residues of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides were found in some of the analysed citrus essential oils from both the crop years. Also, plasticizers residues were found in some of the studied oils, probably as a result of the use of different types of plastic components during the extraction process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Examination of biological activity in chernozems

Introduction The intensive farming system of the last decades had an unfavourable effect on the soil biological activity so on the quantity and quality of yield. Several specialists direct their attention to the biological farming system studying its effect on the yield and soil life. Experimental results from the long-term trial, comparing organic and conventional farming systems, showed that the activity of soil micro-organisms was higher in organic system, which helped to recycle nutrients faster and improve soil structure (Fliessbach et al., 2000). Stevlikova et al. (2002) found more intensive nitrification and higher microbial biomass-C content in an ecological farming system than in an intensive one. In the experiment of Lutzow et al. (1994) the microbial biomass-C content showed higher values in the ecological than in the traditional farming system. The aim of our paper was to study the effect of culture and liming within the ecological farming system, as well as the culture and fertilizer within the traditional farming system on some soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass-C content. These are considered the indicators of soil biological activity. We compare the biological activity of two farming systems too.

Organic Farming

Organic Farming is recognized by FAO as suitable for sustainable agriculture. The reasons for adopting Organic Farming world wide are discussed in the paper. It is explained how in the Indian context Organic Farming is most suited for small and marginal farmers. A brief description is also given of the various Organic Farming protocols. Economic implications and export potentials are also discussed. Exponents of Organic Farming have given it various names such as Biological Farming, Regenerative Farming, Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Steiner's Biodynamic Farming. Mollison's ‘Permaculture’, Fukouka's Natural Farming and late Prof D. Dabholkar's ‘Paryag Pariwar’ and the Vedic based Homa Farming. The Underlying principle behind all of them is providing integrated efforts to maintain the agro eco-system in a sustainable manner. The FAO's Codex Alimentarius Commission (June 1999) stated “Organic Agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil, biological activity’ The founder of Cuba's Organic Farming Association has beautifully described Organic Farming. ’Many people think that farming is a simple and mundane act, but they are wrong. It is the soul of any great culture, because it requires not only a great deal of accumulated knowledge but also putting this knowledge to use every single day. Knowledge of the weather, the soil, plants, animals, the cycles of nature: all of this is used everyday by a farmer to make decisions that have to be made in order to produce the food that we eat. To us it may seem like food comes from a factory, but in reality it comes from a culture that generations have created to produce that food”.

Analysis of strategic planning of Dutch pig farmers using a multivariate probit model

This paper analyses the factors underlying the probability that Dutch pig farmers have plans to (a) stop, (b) to increase farm size and/or (re)build a barn, (c) to improve the quality of the production process and (d) to make manure processing facility at the own farm. A computer-based questionnaire was carried out among pig farmers in 1999 and 2000. Farmer plans were analysed using a multivariate probit model. The results show that farm size and life cycle are important variables explaining the probability of farmers having plans. Furthermore, risk averse farmers more frequently have plans to improve the quality of the production process, whereas farmers with a negative attitude towards biological farming search for opportunities to make a manure processing facility at their own farm. Results also reveal that most plans are significantly correlated and that the explanatory power of the model is relatively low, with the latter finding suggesting that more study is required to obtain a good understanding of strategic planning.

Emission of methane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia from dung windrows

Gaseous emissions from livestock waste composting were measured within a project aiming at the determination of the nitrogen balance in biological farming. Gas was collected from windrows of animal waste using gas flux chambers (cover boxes). The gas analysis was performed by a high resolution FT-IR spectrometer. The results showed that ammonia and methane emissions dropped down within two to three weeks, whereas nitrous oxide was emitted mainly in the middle of the composting periods. The mean values of the total emissions per composting period were 57.6 g m−2 for ammonia, 12.8 g m−2 for nitrous oxide, and 1346 g m−2 for methane. The mean ratios of the total gas fluxes related to the carbon dioxide flux were 2.6 10−3 for NH3, 5.9 10−4 for N2O and 6.2 10−2 for CH4. Both of these factors (total gas flux and mean ratios of total gas fluxes) can serve as indicators to quantify impacts on the environment.

Long‐term developments in the carabid and staphylinid (Col., CArabidae and Staphylinidae) fauna during conversion from conventional to bilogivcal farming

In two field experiments over periods of 6 and 8 years the activity density and diversity of carabids and staphylids were measured in pitfalls traps during the conversiion fron conventional to biological farming. Positive effects of the conversion were observed for many carabid species; among them Harpalus rufipes and several Amara, Bembidion and Pterostichus species, and the staphylinid fly parasitoid Aleochara bipistulata. The increased number of weed species present could at least partly explain the rise. Negative effects of the conversion were observed for several staphylinid species, among them Philonthus cognatus and Tachyporus species, and the carabid Trechus quadristriatus. It is hypothesized that the reduction in stapjylinids could partly be due to competition from the rising numbers of carabids.

Conversion from Conventional to Biological Dairy Farming: Economic and Environmental Consequences at Farm Level

ABSTRACTBiological dairy farming is often advocated as a solution for environmental problems caused by Dutch dairy farming. At the same time, biological farming can improve animal welfare and increase income due to a higher milk price. In this paper the central issue is to quantify economic and environmental consequences for dairy farms when converting to biological dairy farming. A linear programming model is used to model an extensive and an intensive dairy farm typical for the Province of Utrecht, The Netherlands. The objective function of the model maximizes labour income of the farm. From the results it appears that the extensive farm benefits from conversion while the intensive farm loses income. The environmental consequences are quite diverse. The nitrogen surplus after conversion is much lower than before because nitrogen fixation by legumes is omitted from the calculation. On the other hand, ammonia emission is higher after conversion to biological farming due to a higher number of animals. On the extensive farm the phosphate surplus in the biological situation is much higher than in the conventional situation due to the fact that a shortage of nitrogen in the biological situation can only be made up by applying animal manure (slurry) from other farms with consequential overfertilization of phosphate. When environmental legislation is introduced, the biological farms appear to lose more income than the conventional farms. From the sensitivity analysis it appears that assumptions about milk yield per cow and milk price are crucial for the economic results of biological farms.