Cereal Stands Research Articles

Mineral composition of alfalfa, alfalfa-cereal, and cereal feed agrophytocenoses biomass

The relevance of the results of these studies lies in the fact that until recently, changes in the mineral composition of different types of meadow agrophytocenoses under the influence of symbiotic alfalfa and mineral nitrogen in the content of macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and nitrates in feed biomass have not yet been sufficiently investigated, which hinders the development and implementation of feed production findings in agricultural production. The purpose of the study is to establish changes in the accumulation of various meadow agrophytocenoses in dry feed biomass on various agricultural zones of mineral elements during cultivation on dark grey soils of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe. During this study, field and laboratory methods were used, and an analytical method was used to determine the mineral composition of dry feed biomass. The results of studies on the accumulation of alfalfa, alfalfa-cereals, and cereal stands in in dry feed mass on various backgrounds of fertilisation and liming of raw ash, macro- and microelements, heavy metals, and nitrate nitrogen are presented. It is shown that under the action of symbiotic nitrogen in alfalfa and alfalfa cereal stands, compared with cereals in the dry mass of feed, raw ash accumulates more macroelements, trace elements, and heavy metals by 0.6-0.8%, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus increases by 0.11-0.26, and potassium to the sum of calcium and magnesium decreases by 0.11-0.26. Under the action of mineral nitrogen in the case of the introduction of N90 in the cereal stand, the content of nitrates increases from 0.02 to 0.04%, zinc – from 9.1-9.2 to 12.4-12.6 or by 3.2-3.5 mg/kg, copper – from 3.4-3.7 to 5.3-5.5 mg/kg, as well as manganese, lead, nickel, cadmium in the dry mass of the feed of the cereal stand. It is proved that the content of macro- and microelements in the dry mass of feed corresponds to zootechnical standards for feeding cattle, and nitrates and heavy metals do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. The results of these studies can be used in the development of recommendations on technologies for growing perennial cereals for feed purposes and in the educational process

Features of growth and development of alfalfa-cereal grass stands depending on the species composition and fertiliser

The results of studies on the influence of the species composition of herbage, the level of fertiliser, and growth stimulator Fumar on the density and botanical composition of plants are presented. The experimental part of the study was performed in the scientific laboratories of the Department of feed production, land reclamation and meteorology in the production division of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station". The territory of the station is located in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe and is part of the Bilotserkivsky agro-soil district. Experimental plots were laid on chernozems of typical low-humus large-dusty light loamy mechanical composition, which are characterised by a high content of nutrients. The climate of the region is characterised by unstable humidity and moderate temperature conditions. The average annual air temperature is 6-8°C. The annual amount of precipitation reaches 562 mm, during the growing season – 354-394 mm (63-70% of the annual norm), which falls unevenly throughout the year. Based on the conducted studies, it was identified that sown herbage is formed with a density of 686-1250 shoots per 1 m2 and a height of 58-148 сm. Alfalfa-cereal and cereal stands are denser than alfalfa ones. For the period from 1 to 3 years of use of herbage, the density of alfalfa shoots decreases, while that of orchard grass and smooth brome increases, and more intensively with the introduction of N60. During the first three years of use, grass stands are formed with the dominance of sown components with a share of alfalfa in single-species sowing of 85-98%, in alfalfa – cereal mixtures – 30-58%. For the period from the 1st to the 3rd year of use of alfalfa-cereal stands, the share of alfalfa decreases by 11-24%, and more intensively with the introduction of N60. In addition, between the two cereal components, there is a change of co-dominant – from meadow fescue to eastern fescue, eastern fescue to orchard grass, perennial ryegrass to smooth brome, like in the cereal stand, eastern fescue to smooth brome. In the 3rd year of use, ryegrass thins out, reducing the involvement rate to 5-14%

Quality evaluation of three brands of type 1 wheat flour commercialized in Belém, Pará, Brazil

Wheat is a crop rich in nutrients. In Brazil, about 130,000 properties produce the cereal, involving 800,000 people. Due to its rheological properties, that is, the extensibility capacity of this cereal stands out in the manufacture of breads, in addition to the increasing use of flour in the food industry. Thus, the use of some physical-chemical analysis to determine the quality of wheat flour according to the normative instruction from Agriculture, Livestock and Storage Ministry (MAPA) document nº 8/2005. Wheat flour samples of type 1 (A, B and C) were acquired in a supermarket located in the city of Belém / PA, posteriorly sent to the Centro de Tecnologia Agropecuária - CTA at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA), to determine granulometry, grease acid, protein, humidity and ashes. Regarding to granulometry analysis, samples A and C were above the tolerance values proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock - MAPA. Grease acid and humidity were inside to MAPA tolerance standards for all samples. In ashes determining, the values showed that all three samples were out of the quality standard, in addition, about protein content, the samples were also characterized as out of type. Therefore, there is a need for better inspection by the responsible authorities, since cultivation conditions until the final quality control of the product.

Analysis of the Heterogeneity of Weed Infestation in Cereal Stands

The aim of this study was to evaluate the heterogeneity of the incidence of individual weed species on a selected experimental field. This field was situated in the cadastre of the village Žabčice (South Moravian Region, Czech Republic). To evaluate the intensity of weed infestation, a field experiment was established. In 2011, altogether 33 weed species were identified in a stand of spring barley. In the next year, the total number of weeds in a stand of winter wheat was 22. Basing on results of the evaluation of infestation heterogeneity it was possible to detect the following trends: The first one concerned the incidence of significantly dominant species Chenopodium album and Veronica hederifolia in stands of spring barley and winter wheat, respectively. The second one expressed the incidence of the so-called sub-dominant species. Regarding the character of the incidence of these weed species it would be suitable to kill them by means of a targeted application of herbicides. Finally, the third trend concerned the incidence of that group of weeds that occurred in the major part of the experimental plot but in low numbers only. The abundance of these species was minimal and the total number of weed plants did not exceed the limit of 100 specimens. This group of weeds involved also those species that were markedly more frequent on plots situated closer to the margin of the experimental field. The targeted application of herbicides can be performed on plots with a lower level of weed infestation; another possibility, however, seems to be a targeted intervention that helps to control the incidence of a certain weed species and/or that is performed along the margin of the field where the different weed species are more frequent.

Cropmarks in stands of cereals, legumes and winter rape indicate sub-soil archaeological features in the agricultural landscape of Central Europe

Small-scale variability in biomass production of crops (cropmarks) can be used for mapping of former human activity in the agricultural landscape. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of the most frequently planted crop species for identification of sub-soil archaeological features in the agricultural landscape in the NW of the Czech Republic. During 17 years of aerial surveys, 635 archaeological localities were discovered based on cropmarks. The mean number of archaeological features in each locality was approximately 30, ranging from 1 to more than 300. The age of the features ranged from 7500 years (Neolithic) to the modern day, the latter having no archaeological importance. In the contemporary agricultural landscape, the density of archaeological localities was 0.59 per km 2. Over all discovered localities, 95% of archaeological features were positively cropmarked and only 5% were negatively cropmarked. Point features like settlement pits, semi-sunken buildings and graves were substantially more frequent than linear features such as ditches, palisade fortifications and dikes. Negative and positive cropmarks were the best developed in stands of cereals, especially in barley, followed by wheat, rye and oat from tillering up to full ripeness. Lucerne was the best crop for indicating sub-soil archaeological features during the dry summer. Cropmarks in winter rape were substantially less conspicuous than those in cereals. Sugar beet, potatoes and maize did not indicate the presence of any archaeological features.

Vegetation development and human occupation in the Damascus region of southwestern Syria from the Late Pleistocene to Holocene

Rockshelter Baaz in the Damascus region of Syria provided a variety of botanical remains from the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene period. These remains provide new information about the vegetation evolution in this region. The earliest occupational levels correspond with a moisture peak during the Late Pleistocene, between ca. 34–32 kyr b.p., when pine expanded. The next occupations took place during extreme arid conditions, ca. 23–21 kyr b.p., and probably during the Last Glacial Maximum when a steppe vegetation was established. The occupation level of the Younger Dryas, represented by Natufian remains, suggests that the area had been covered by almond-pistachio steppe, similar to later periods of the Early Holocene, and was probably located just outside the range of dense wild cereal stands. There is no drastic impact of the Younger Dryas visible on the vegetation in the botanical remains. The lack of fruits and seeds at Baaz indicates that the site was more likely to have been a temporary hunting post rather than a plant processing site for much of its history. It is ideally suited to this purpose because of its location over the Jaba′deen Pass and the associated springs. However, archaeological remains from the Natufian period, suggest that the site was more permanently occupied during this time.

Weed occurrence in Finnish coastal regions: a survey of organically cropped spring cereals

Weed communities of organically cropped spring cereal stands in the southern and the northwestern coastal regions of Finland (= south and northwest, respectively) were compared with respect to number of species, frequency of occurrence, density and dry weight. Regional specialization of agricultural production along with differences in climate and soil properties were expected to generate differences in weed communities between south and northwest. Total and average numbers of species were higher in the south than in the northwest (33 vs. 26 and 15.6 vs. 10.0, respectively). Some rare species (e.g. Papaver dubium) were found in the south. Fumaria officinalis and Lamium spp. were found only in the south. The densities and dry weights of Lapsana communis, Myosotis arvensis, Polygonum aviculare, Tripleurospermum inodorum and Vicia spp. were higher in the south, while the densities and dry weights of Elymus repens, Persicaria spp. and Spergula arvensis were higher in the northwest. Total density of weeds did not differ between south and northwest (average = 565 vs. 570 shoots m-2, respectively). Total dry weight of weeds was higher in the northwest compared with the south (average = 1594 vs. 697 kg ha-1, respectively), mainly due to the high dry weight of E. repens. The only variable that was dependent on the duration of organic farming was weed density in the south. The abundance of nitrophilous in relation to non-nitrophilous weed species was higher while the abundance of perennial ruderal and grassland weed species was lower compared with previous weed surveys. This can be regarded as the result of increasing cropping intensity on organic farms in Finland. Different weed communities call for the application of specific target-oriented weed management in the respective coastal regions.;

Body size and the temporal sequence in the reproductive activity of two species of aphidophagous coccinellids exploiting the same resource

The hypothesis that small species of aphidophagous coccinellids need lower aphid population densities for reproduction than large species (Dixon, 2007) was tested in the field. In 2006 we compared seasonal changes in the oviposition behaviour of two coccinellid species regularly found in cereal stands in central Europe, the large Coccinella septempunctata L. and the small Propylea quatuordecimpunctata (L.). Adults of both species were collected at 2-3 day intervals from stands of winter wheat and spring barley, females were allowed to deposit eggs for 24 h following collection and the percentage that laid eggs and the number of eggs were recorded. Both species colonized the cereal crop simultaneously in the middle of May. After colonization of the crop, while the aphid density was still low, few females of C. septempunctata oviposited and laid only a few eggs. Oviposition increased up to a maximum c. 1 month later and was closely associated with prey abundance. Of the females of P. quatuordecimpunctata, whose mass is about one quarter of that of the former species, the percentage ovipositing and number of eggs laid varied less in time and was less associated with prey abundance than in C. septempunctata. As predicted by theory, the small P. quatuordecimpunctata was more effective at exploiting the lower prey densities as it produced proportionally more of its eggs during the early stages of the aphid infestation than the larger C. septempunctata.

The historical perspective of dryland agriculture: lessons learned from 10 000 years of wheat cultivation

Wheat is one of the founder crops of Western agriculture. This study reconstructs agronomic conditions, potential yields, and kernel weight in the beginnings of cultivation of domesticated free-threshing wheat, c. 8000 BC. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions and the dimensions of fossil grains of naked wheat (Triticum aestivum/durum) were analysed. Samples were collected in Tell Halula and Akarçay Tepe, two Neolithic archaeological sites from the Middle Euphrates (the claimed core area for wheat domestication). The samples analysed include the oldest reported remains of naked wheat. Consistently wetter conditions but lower kernel weights were found in the Neolithic compared with the present day. Besides, the estimated yields were clearly beyond what is expected from the gathering of wild stands of cereals. Patterns of phenotypic adaptation achieved by wheat after its diffusion through the Mediterranean were also assessed. On the one hand, the study looked at variation in morphophysiological traits as related to local climate in a set of 68 durum wheat landraces from the Middle Euphrates. On the other hand, an assessment was made of regional adaptation around the Mediterranean Basin in a set of 90 landraces, traditional varieties, and modern cultivars from different origins by characterizing agronomic and morphophysiological variability. Significant relationships were observed between phenotypic variation among landraces from the Middle Euphrates and both minimum temperatures and the ratio of precipitation to potential evapotranspiration of the sites of origin. In addition, consistent differences in grain yield, plant structure, and water status were found among genotypes following both north-south and east-west gradients across the Mediterranean. These differences are associated with contrasting environmental and selection pressures.

The epidemiology of Wheat dwarf virus in relation to occurrence of the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus in Middle-Germany

Occurrence of the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus Dahlb. and its infectivity with Wheat dwarf virus (WDV) were studied in cereal crops in Saxony-Anhalt (Middle-Germany) in 2000 and 2001. The leafhoppers were collected with a sweep net and/or a cage trap and their WDV infectivity was determined by transmission to test plants. In 2000, adult leafhoppers were caught from the second week of May to the third week of December, whereas in 2001 they were trapped from the fourth week of May to the second week of December. Nymphs and adults were caught in spring in young actively growing crops and in summer in maturing crops and also in self-sown cereal stands. However, only adults were found in autumn in newly sown crops. The peak population density of adult leafhoppers was in self-sown cereal plants in September when there were 25 individuals per m 2 in 2000 and 15 in 2001. The proportion of leafhoppers that were infective with WDV when transferred to barley test plants ranged from 5 to 79% in 2000 and from 0 to 56% in 2001. Two leafhoppers collected in June 2000 in a crop of maturing winter barley each infected both barley and wheat plants with WDV. It is concluded that the same leafhoppers are able to acquire both virus strains and transmit them to cereals.

Silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti [L.] Beauv.) – a new host and reservoir of wheat dwarf virus

Wheat dwart virus (WDV) was detected by serological assays and transmission tests in samples of silky bent grass (Apera spica-venti [L.] Beauv.) that were taken in the field and showed signs of dwarfing, leaf yellowing and inflorescence reduction. This grass species is a new WDV host, not described until now. Transmission tests indicated that this grass is an efficeint source of infection for the vector of the virus, the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus Dahlb. Surveys at nine localities revealed a medium to high incidence of WDV in silky bent grass, which is a weed species frequently infesting cereal stands in the Czech Republic. As a natural reservoir of the virus this grass can play an important role in its epidemiology.

Factors affecting the distribution of larvae of aphid predators (Col., Coccinellidae and Dipt., Syrphidae) in cereal stands

AbstractCoccinellids (Coccinella septempunctata, C. quinquepunctata, Propylaea quatuordecimpunctata), and the complex of syrphid larvae (mainly Epistrophe balteata) were sampled out from small areas placed within selected field cereal stands, and their abundance was realated to plant density and aphid abundance. These factors accounted together for up to 49.0% of variance in abundance of particular species. Plant density substantially affected predator abundance. The effects were perhaps due to microclimatic differences between stands. Significant (at p < 0.1) partial correlations between predator abundance and plant density were obtained in 9 out of 12 predator species x year sets of data. The Coccinella species were negatively influenced by increasing plant density and the larvae were limited mostly to sparse stands. P. quatuordecimpunctata and especially syrphids preferred dense plant stands. Thermal requirements of Coccinella, and preference for increased relative humidity in Syrphidae determined perhaps these differences. The effects of aphid density were, in most cases, less conspicuous. Significant partial correlations were obtained only in 4 out of 12 predator species x year sets of data, and appeared in C. septempunctata, P. quatuordecimpunctata, and Syrphidae, while C. quinquepunctata was insensitive to aphid density. The time of maximum growth in C. septempunctata larvae was well synchronized with peak density of aphid populations. The retarded larvae suffered from hunger and gave rise to small adults. In 1982 only about 1% of total resulting adult population suffered from conquences of heavy starvation.ZusammenfassungZur Verteilung der Larvenstadien von Blattlaus‐Prädatoren (Col., Coccinellidae und Dipt., Syrphidae) in GetreidefeldernIn den Jahren 1980–1982 wurden die Verteilung und Populationsdichte der Entwicklungsstadien der wichtigsten Blattlaus‐Prädatoren in Getreidefeldern in Mittelböhmen untersucht. Die Larven und Puppen von 3 Marienkäferarten (Coccinella septempunctata, C. quinquepunctata und Propylaea quatuordecimpunctata) und des Komplexes der Schwebfliegen (vor allem von Epistrophe balteata) wurden auf kleinen Parzellen inmitten ausgewählter Getreidefelder gesammelt. Der Einfluß der Dichte des Pflanzenbestandes und der Abundanz der Blattläuse auf die Abundanz der Prädatoren wurde mit Hilfe der Korrelationsanalyse untersucht. Beide Faktoren haben in einzelnen Fällen (Kombinationen von Prädatorenart × Jahrgang) bis 49,0% Varianz entsprochen. Der wichtigste Faktor, der die Populationsdichte der Prädatoren beeinflußte, war die Pflanzendichte. Diese Wirkung wurde wahrscheinlich durch das unterschiedliche Mikroklima in dichteren oder dünneren Pflanzenbeständen verursacht. Statistisch signifikante (p < 0,1) Partialkorrelationen zwischen der Abundanz von Prädatoren und der Pflanzendichte wurden in 9 von 12 Fällen festgestellt. Die Arten der Gattung Coccinella wurden mit zunehmender Pflanzendichte negativ beeinflußt; sie lebten fast ausschließlich in sehr dünnen Pflanzenbeständen. P. quatuordecimpunctata und besonders die Schwebfliegenlarven bevorzugten dagegen dichte Pflanzenbestände. Diese Unterschiede sind vermutlich durch die Thermo‐Preferenz der Coccinella‐Arten sowie die Luftfeuchtigkeits‐Preferenz der Schwebfliegenlarven zu erklären. Die Wirkung der Blattlausabundanz war meistens wenig sichtbar. Statistisch signifikante Partialkorrelationen wurden nur in 4 von 12 Fällen festgestellt, und zwar bei C. septempunctata, P. quatuordecimpunctata und Schwebfliegen — bei C. quinquepunctata aber niemals. Die Periode des größten Wachstums der Larven der Prädatoren fiel mit der Periode der größten Populationsdichte der Blattläuse zusammen. Die in der Entwicklung verspäteten Larven hungerten in den letzten Stadien der larvalen Entwickung und wandelten sich schließlich in kleinere Vollkerfe um. 1982 wurden in der Imaginalpopulation der neuen Generation nur etwa 1% solcher vom Hunger betroffenen Individuen festgestellt.

SEEDING CEREALS BY AIR AND GROUND

In this trial, oats (Avena sativa ’Alma’), wheat (Triticum aestivum ’Opal’) and barley (Hordeum vulgare ’Loyola’) seeded extra early by air did not compare favorably with these cereals seeded by ground methods 2–3 wk later. Cereals sown by air did not penetrate the soil and were unevenly dispersed. Because covering operations were not possible, much of the exposed seed was eaten by birds and germination was low. This resulted in reduced cereal stands and grain yields, and increased weed population. The conventional drill seeder was the best machine to seed cereals, in terms of the above parameters. The broadcast fertilizer spreader followed immediately by alight harrowing was a close second. Passage of the spring-tooth harrow before drilling or after seeding by broadcast methods greatly enhanced population and yield and reduced weed numbers. Because broadcast seed must be covered, date of seeding, even by air, will be determined by the date at which the soil is dry enough to permit harrowing.