Farming Conditions Research Articles

Soil Microbial Properties of Durum Grown after Camelina, Carinata, Cover Crops, and Fallow

Novel crop rotation is an important factor influencing the composition of soil microorganisms. However, the effect of introducing oilseed and cover crops (CCs) into monoculture durum rotations on soil microbial communities is not clear in the Northern Great Plains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2-year durum (Triticum durum D.) rotations with Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata A.) or camelina (Camelina sativa L.) or a 10-species forage/CC mix planted to replace fallow rotations with wheat on soil microorganisms. This study was designed as a randomized complete block with three replications in a no-tillage system. The results showed that total bacterial proportion was significantly higher in durum following fallow and camelina compared to durum following CC and carinata. Total fungal proportion was significantly higher in durum following CC compared to durum following oilseed crops and fallow. The fungal-to-bacterial ratio was significantly higher in durum following CC compared to durum following camelina and fallow. The crop species, soil pH and highly variable rainfall influenced the microbial community dynamics. The abundance of specific microbial groups due to crop-related changes might play a key role in the yield of subsequent crops and soil biological health. This study provides valuable insights into the use of CC mix and oilseeds as an alternative crop for fallow in a wheat–fallow system under dryland farming conditions. Future work is required to elucidate the biological mechanisms and functions of the soil microbial communities in the preceding and subsequent crop relative to soil health and crop productivity.

Способ улучшения зоогигиенических условий выращивания цыплят-бройлеров

Abstract. The purpose of the study is to study the effect of bedding material on the physiological parameters of broiler chickens. Since the most important condition for optimizing the microclimate in the poultry house is compliance with the physiological state of the livestock and maintaining its vital activity at an optimal level. Research methods. The experiment was carried out in the industrial conditions of a poultry farm on broiler stock of the Arbor Acres+ cross in the experimental workshop, where four sections were formed. The growth and development of broilers was monitored daily, livestock records were carried out, and a weekly veterinary report was compiled on the causes of mortality. Also, laboratory studies were carried out according to approved methods for the following indicators: ammonia content, sanitary and hygienic indicators of bedding material, volume, weight and moisture content of bedding material, as well as productivity and basic blood parameters of broiler chickens. Results. Trends in the positive effect of the sorbent in the form of modified diatomite on the productivity of broiler chickens due to the improvement of zoohygienic growing conditions have been identified. In particular, the content of the total number of microorganisms, mold spores and ammonia content in the production experimental workshop is examined in detail. During the work, the volume and weight of bedding material was calculated, including at the exit from the poultry house. We tried to pay special attention to blood biochemistry, which made it possible to assess the physiological state of broiler chickens and draw conclusions about the quality of feeding rations. At the same time, problematic issues associated with feeding poultry were identified, which affect the content of mineral elements in the blood. When determining the performance criterion, calculations were carried out using the EPEF index. Scientific novelty. For the first time, it was proven that the use of diatomite with a bulk layer height of 0.5–1 cm with a granule size of at least 5 mm as bedding material leads to improved zoohygienic conditions for raising broiler chickens without additional capital investments in the form of installation of expensive ventilation equipment or the use of additional technological operations. This replacement option has a positive effect on the health of young poultry.

Comprehensive Husbandry Protocol for Corydoras Catfish and Many Other Amazonian Species.

A variety of fish species have proven instrumental in the investigation of evolution, behavior, ecology, and physiology, among many other fields. Many model systems (e.g., zebrafish, guppies, and three-spined sticklebacks) have been maintained by institutions and have had protocols written with respect to their husbandry. Here we present the protocols we have developed to maintain and breed a variety of Corydoras catfish species, which are native to the tropical Americas. Corydoras species are excellent systems for investigating behavior, ecology, and other topics, and our husbandry protocols would be suitable for nearly every species in the genus. In addition, these protocols are appropriate for a variety of softwater Amazonian species, and we present options for a variety of housing and husbandry conditions. On the whole, we suggest that, in a scientific laboratory setting, the use of remineralized reverse osmosis water is most appropriate and that in context, a single measure, total dissolved solids, can be used to monitor the water chemistry for water introduced to fish enclosures.

Psyllium husk mucilage as a novel seed encapsulant for agriculture and reforestation

AbstractIntroductionAn efficient, economical, and flexible reforestation system capable of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) deployment is a global necessity. Hydrogels have been previously investigated for their use in agriculture, however, research is limited in terms of UAV deployment. Psyllium Husk Mucilage (PHM) a natural hydrogel seed mucilage, has been previously investigated in other agricultural settings and shows promise in fulfilling the needs of UAV seeding.Materials and MethodsA greenhouse trial was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using two soil conditions 50% and 90% field capacity. PHM and bentonite clay blends containing dextran (DEX) and sodium alginate (SA) were tested for efficacy for two agricultural crops Green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Lebanese cucumber (Cucumis sativus), as well as three Australian native species Acacia stenophylla, Cymbopogon refractus, and Eucalyptus coolabah. Agricultural Trials were conducted across a 4‐week period, whilst A. stenophylla was 8 weeks, and C. refractus and E. coolabah was 12 weeks.ResultsUtilisation of PHM had varying effectiveness based on seed and soil moisture. In nonagricultural seed trials, PHM hydrogel succeeded with A. stenophylla but dried out and rotted in the extended trials with C. refractus and E. Coolabah, leading to plant death. The encapsulated agricultural seeds were largely outperformed in growth trials by C‐Planted at 50% FC, and C‐Surface at 90% FC.ConclusionPHM exhibits potential for successful UAV seeding in low‐moisture agricultural conditions and is promising for fast‐germinating plants or other riverbank species with high water content requirements. Without extending degradation time PHM is not suitable for slow‐growing species.

Combining Masculinizing Resistance, Rotation, and Biocontrol to Achieve Durable Suppression of the Potato Pale Cyst Nematode: A Model.

The pale cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, is a pest that poses a significant threat to potato crops worldwide. The most effective chemical nematicides are toxic to nontarget organisms and are now banned. Alternative control methods are therefore required. Crop rotation and biological control methods have limitations for effectively managing nematodes. The use of genetically resistant cultivars is a promising alternative, but nematode populations evolve, and virulent mutants can break resistance after just a few years. Masculinizing resistances, preventing avirulent nematodes from producing females, might be more durable than blocking resistances, preventing infection. Our demo-genetic model, tracking both nematode population densities and virulence allele frequencies, shows that virulence against masculinizing resistance may not be fixed in the pest population under realistic agricultural conditions. Avirulence may persist despite the uniform use of resistance. This is because avirulent male nematodes may transmit avirulent alleles to their progeny by mating with virulent females. Additionally, because avirulent nematodes do not produce females themselves, they weaken the reproductive rate of the nematode population, leading to a reduction in its density by at least 20%. This avirulence load can even lead to the collapse of the nematode population in theory. Overall, our model showed that combining masculinizing resistance, rotation, and biocontrol may achieve durable suppression of G. pallida in a reasonable time frame. Our work is supported by an online interactive interface allowing users (i.e., growers, plant health authorities, researchers) to test their own control combinations.

The coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the "homestead-cultivated land system" in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region of China: A farmer perspective

Homesteads and cultivated land are crucial elements of the rural territorial system. Their coupling characteristics and changing patterns are essential for understanding the evolution of rural human-land systems and for developing coordinated rural development strategies. This study takes Huilong Village and Pingba Village in the TGRR, employing methods such as GIS spatial analysis, comprehensive index evaluation, coupling coordination degree model, and geographic detector model. The analysis focuses on the coupling characteristics and influencing factors of the “HCS” in these villages and proposes optimization strategies to provide scientific guidance for village planning, selection of high-quality rural development paths, and strategy design. The main findings are as follows: (1) The spatial distribution of homesteads and cultivated land in typical villages exhibits clear traffic directionality. The spatial coupling of the “HCS” demonstrates significant convergent evolution and adjacent distribution characteristics. (2) The utilization coupling of the “HCS” in Huilong Village and Pingba Village is predominantly high, with 98.72% and 94.62% of farmers, respectively, being highly coupled. However, the degree of coupling coordination is mostly barely coordinated. (3) The primary factors influencing the coordinated development of the “HCS” in the study area include the utilization conditions of homestead and cultivated land, labor status, and economic status. These factors can be categorized into four types: labor factor restrictions, nonagricultural development disturbance, agricultural development, and lagging farming conditions. Differentiated development strategies are proposed for each type. This research enhances the understanding of the coupling between homestead land and cultivated land, offering valuable insights for regional village planning, high-quality development path selection, and government decision-making.

Adapting rural communities to climate change: The undervalued potential of agricultural land

Rural municipalities in the Czech Republic (central Europe) are important owners of agricultural land, which, if managed appropriately, can be a means of reducing the local impacts of climate change. Previous research has not paid enough attention to rural municipal approaches to farmland management and their role in addressing local climate impacts. The aim of this paper is thus to capture the possible approaches and roles of municipalities in reducing the local impacts of climate change and to show how municipalities, as significant landowners, respond to these impacts. The research is based on semistructured interviews with representatives of rural municipalities and these results are further triangulated through focus groups with farmers in three model areas with different climatic and natural conditions for agriculture. The results showed that rural community leaders are generally unwilling to farm their agricultural land. They mostly lease land to farmers but at the same time do not understand the potential of tenancy agreements to influence farming to mitigate the impacts of climate change locally. Although the communities do not have a systematic and strategic approach to climate adaptation measures, the findings showed the implementation of a range of activities that effectively respond to climate change. Finally, the potential for strengthening governance and consequently rural sustainability lies in systematic counselling to leaders and communities and institutional support.

Climate-smart agricultural practices and its implication in Ethiopia: a systematic review

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the adoption of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and its implication on improving the farming household food security status, their resilience and livelihood risk management of farmers. Design/methodology/approach This systematic review has followed procedures to accomplish the review, including literature searches, screening studies, data extraction, synthesis and presentation of the data. Findings Based on the result of the review, the determinants of CSA adoption can be categorized into five categories, including demographic factors (age, sex, family size, dependency ratio, education), economic factors (land size, household income, livestock ownership), institutional factors (extension services, training access, credit services, farm input, market distance), environmental factors (agroecology, change in precipitation, slope of land) and social factors (cooperatives membership, farmers perception). The result also shows that applying CSA practices has an indispensable role on increasing productivity, food security, income, building resilient livelihoods, minimizing production risk and alleviating poverty. This concluded CSA practice has a multidimensional role in the livelihood of agrarian population like Ethiopia, yet its adoption was constrained by several factors. Originality/value This review mainly emphasizes on the most commonly practiced CSA strategies that are examined by different scholars.

Regional analysis of agricultural bank liquidity

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to determine the regional economic factors and bank characteristics that significantly contribute to changes in bank liquidity. We also seek to identify regions that may be most susceptible to liquidity tightening.Design/methodology/approachFor this article we use data on deposits from commercial banks, Federal Reserve survey data and indicators of regional and agricultural economic conditions. We specify a panel regression with fixed effects to model how liquidity at agricultural banks has changed and to identify the most significant drivers.FindingsOur results suggest that small banks and banks with branch networks located in areas more concentrated in agricultural production bear the greatest risk of reduced liquidity.Practical implicationsPrior to the pandemic and more recently, lower deposit growth, combined with strong demand for agricultural loans, has led to reductions in liquidity at agricultural banks. Lower liquidity could reduce credit availability for farm borrowers and increase risks for banks that must rely on alternative sources of funding to meet loan demand.Originality/valuePrevious research has shown that exogenous shocks from other economic sectors, such as energy, can significantly affect bank liquidity, but research is limited on how agricultural bank liquidity is affected by downturns in the agricultural economy and other regional economic factors. Another contribution is this paper’s analysis of regional disparities in bank liquidity.

Daily rhythm in feeding behavior and digestive processes in totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) under commercial farming conditions

To identify daily changes in the digestive physiology of Totoaba macdonaldi, the feed intake, activity (pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase, and L-aminopeptidase), and gene expression (aminopeptidase and maltase-glucoamylase) of key digestive enzymes were measured in the intestine and the pyloric caeca. Fish were fed for three weeks every four hours during the light period to apparent satiation, and samples were taken every four hours throughout a 24-h cycle under a 12:12 L:D photoperiod. The feed consumption steadily increased until the third feeding (16:00 h, ZT-8) and decreased significantly towards the end of the day. The activity of pepsin and alkaline enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, amylase, and L-aminopeptidase) exhibited a pattern dependent on the presence of feed, showing a significant reduction during the hours of darkness (ZT-12 to ZT-24). Expression of the intestinal brush border enzyme (L-aminopeptidase) increased during the darkness period in anticipation of the feed ingestion associated with the subsequent light period. The cosinor analysis used to estimate the feed rhythms for all tested enzymes showed that activity in the intestine and pyloric caeca exhibited significant rhythmicity (p < 0.05). However, no rhythmicity was observed in the intestinal expression of maltase-glucoamylase. Our results demonstrate that some of the behavioral and digestive physiology features of totoaba directly respond to rhythmicity in feeding, a finding that should be considered when establishing optimized feeding protocols.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of the Potato Rot Nematode, Ditylenchus destructor, Parasitizing Garlic in Korea

A survey of plant parasitic nematodes was carried out in 650 garlic fields in Korea from 2020 to 2022. Migratory endoparasite nematodes (Ditylenchus sp.) were recovered from 6% of the garlic samples, with an average density of 494 individuals per garlic bulb. The morphological characteristics of males and females from the 2022 survey were very similar to D. destructor, but D. dipsaci was not found. The Korean population traits have a lateral field containing six incisures, and the posterior esophagus part overlaps the intestine dorsally. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for the D2/D3 region of the ribosomal DNA 28S and the ITS region, and the phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the monophyly of D. destructor. This is the first report of D. destructor parasitizing garlic in the Republic of Korea. In Korea, due to changes in agricultural or environmental conditions, the most damaging potential PPNs changed from D. dipsaci to D. destructor in garlic cultivation.

Antioxidant capacity and phenolic profile of defatted seed powder derived from organically grown vine crops

Grape seeds derived from winemaking pomace represent a significant waste stream with potential for valorization due to their rich phenolic content. The present study aimed to assess the phenolic composition and antioxidant potency of defatted grape seeds powder (DP) resulting after oil extraction through three different methods (i.e., cold stirring (ST), ultrasound-assisted extraction (US), and microwave-assisted extraction (MW)) from two grape varieties (i.e., Fetească Regală and Merlot) grown under organic farming conditions. The phenolic profile was determined using High-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and mass spectrometry operating in electrospray ionization positive mode, while the total phenolic content was determined using an adapted Folin-Ciocalteu technique, The samples' antioxidant properties were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging ability assessments, as well as Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The phenolic qualitative profile differed between the two varieties and was unaffected by the defatting method. Instead, at the level of each variety, significant variations (p&lt;0.05) were observed in the quantity of phenolic compounds, depending on the defatting method. Moreover, the total phenolic content was significantly higher in the MW-DP compared to ST-DP and US-DP (p&lt;0.05), particularly from Fetească Regală grape seeds. The DPPH assay demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity in MW-DP from Fetească Regală. The study underscores the importance of the extraction methods and grape variety on the phenolic profile and antioxidant potency of DP. These findings suggest potential applications in pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and cosmetics, offering sustainable solutions for grape pomace utilization.

Determination of Factors Affecting the Cumin Production Decision of Agricultural Enterprises: The Case of Konya Province

Turkey has vast agricultural lands and diverse climatic conditions, and different plant species can be cultivated. Especially, Konya province, located in the Central Anatolia Region, is an important agricultural centre in Turkey. Konya province, which has a polyculture production pattern, stands out in the production of medicinal and aromatic plants due to its favourable climatic conditions and soil structure. In Turkey, 26.33% of cumin, which is among the medicinal and aromatic plants, is produced in Konya province. This study aims to determine the factors affecting cumin production. For this purpose, 65 cumin producers determined by proportional sampling method were interviewed. The data obtained through these interviews were analysed by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to determine the weights of the criteria affecting the cumin production decision of the agricultural enterprises. In the process of determining the criteria influencing the cumin production decision, the opinions of subject experts working in universities, public institutions and organizations and producers were taken. Among the criteria determined as yield, price, labour requirement, water requirement, ease of marketing, mechanisation, input costs, cultivation knowledge, soil structure and subsidies, the most important criterion was found to be price with 28.11%. Price criterion is followed by input cost 22.57%, water requirement 12.13%, yield 8.71%, cultivation knowledge 8.43%, subsidies 6.82%, ease of marketing 4.74%, soil structure 3.63%, mechanisation 2.54% and labour requirement 2.25%. It is thought that the solution of the mechanisation problem will make a significant contribution to cumin production as it will reduce the need for labour force.

Fermented sunflower meal in diets for Atlantic salmon under commercial-like farming conditions promotes gut lactic acid bacteria and controls inflammation in the distal intestine

The global increase of aquaculture production has caused an escalating demand for alternative protein feed ingredients. Agro-industrial by-products such as sunflower meal are relatively abundant and cheap, but the content of antinutritional factors and fiber in the raw products reduce nutritional value and limit the inclusion levels in the feed for nutritionally demanding species, including salmonids. Solid-state fermentation is a microbial processing method with the potential to reduce the content of fiber and antinutritional factors and improve nutritional value in plant protein raw materials. In this study, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at two commercial-like fish farms were fed experimental diets containing either 5 % non-fermented sunflower meal (as a control diet), 5 % fermented sunflower meal or 10 % fermented sunflower meal. The aim was to compare the effects of fermented sunflower meal on growth performance, gut microbiota, distal intestine histology and gene expression of Atlantic salmon under different environmental conditions. The field trial lasted for 8 and 11 months in a coastal and fjord location, respectively. The findings revealed that diets with fermented sunflower meal sustained growth performance, improved intestinal health by reducing the prevalence of prominent inflammation and ectopic goblet cells, as well as down-regulated the expression of physiological pathways related to tissue damage and cell division. Additionally, 10 % fermented sunflower meal promoted the relative abundance of gut lactic acid bacteria Lactiplantibacillus and Lactobacillaceae after long-term feeding. Our results suggest that fermented sunflower meal is a suitable protein source for Atlantic salmon when included at a level of up to 10 % in the diet.

Comparison of fish biological indicators of Clarias gariepinus hybrids grown in ras and pond farming conditions

To improve technologies in the field of commercial cultivation of aquaculture objects and further development of the warm-water aquaculture sector in Russia, we previously undertook breeding methods and approaches to obtain high-quality planting material for a promising commercial object — the African catfish Clarias gariepinus. This article presents, in a comparative aspect, the experience of growing hybrid offspring of African catfish, obtained from crossing two breeds — Mikhailovskaya and Tamanskaya, in a closed water supply system and in a pond farm in the Astrakhan region in the summer. It was shown that hybrid individuals of clariid catfish bred in a pond farm during the feeding period under consideration (from July to September) were characterized by a high specific growth rate and low feed ratio compared to hybrids grown in a recirculation system, respectively, 11.4% versus 9.87% and 0.96 versus 1. Also, based on the results of fishing, over two months of cultivation in a pond farm, hybrids of clariid catfish increased the total biomass by 13 times, while in a recirculating system it increased by 15 times, but the final biomass of fish turned out to be greater when reared in open reservoir (46.875 versus 10.87 kg). It was shown that the final individual mass of hybrid fish cultured in pond conditions was 11.0% higher than the final mass of individuals in the recirculation system. The conducted studies showed that in the climatic conditions of the Astrakhan region (VI fish-breeding zone), a promising direction for aquaculture of African catfish is the feeding cultivation of hybrid juveniles in pond farms. It should be taken into account that in order to obtain marketable fish products (i.e. individuals weighing over 1000 g), it is necessary to use fish seeding material with an average weight of at least 100 g.

Developing a new methodology for determining typologies of peri-urban agriculture: A case study of the Jakarta Bandung Mega Urban Region Indonesia

Peri-urban agriculture (PUA) has different ecological, socio-institutional, and economic conditions. The dynamic characteristics of PUA are driven by the location in a rural-to-urban transitional zone. In this context, a new approach should be developed for identifying PUA typologies to facilitate more effective and relatively quick policy management and planning. Therefore, this study aims to develop new categories and a set of methodologies to determine PUA typologies using statistical approaches such as variable simplification (Principal Component Analysis), cluster analysis (K-means), and village-based spatial characterization mapping. A structured selection was conducted to determine the case studies, and two adjacent suburban districts in the Jakarta Bandung Mega Urban Region (JBMUR) corridor were obtained. The results show that there is a new insight into the use of spatial approaches and the relationship between empirical conditions at the local level and policies related to PUA. The developed typology approach describes significant variations in agricultural conditions based on the intensity. Strategies and recommendations for PUA development based on typology are also proposed.

Configuration design methodof hybrid electric agricultural machinery system based on layered two-dimensional matrix

The working environment and objects of agricultural machinery are different from those of automobiles, andagricultural machinery is greatly affected by the working environment and working conditions, and the power output systemismore complex. Agricultural machinery not only has drive output, but also PTO output and hydraulic output, whichtogetherconstitute the output system of agricultural machinery. Agricultural machinery conditions can be dividedintoroadtransportation working conditions and field operation working conditions. The working conditions of agricultural machinerycan be divided into different load conditions according to the different traction tools and whether the hydraulic andPTOwork,such as ploughing, rotary tillage, fertilization, and transportation. Therefore, developing hybrid electric agricultural machinerysystems that are suitable for various complex working conditions holds great theoretical significance and practical value. Giventhe complex working conditions of agricultural machinery systems in agricultural work and the intricate challengesindesigning hybrid agricultural machinery systems. In this paper, the two-dimensional matrix is used to represent thephysicalstructure and dynamics of the multi-channel power output agricultural mechanism. A hierarchical two-dimensional matrixmethod for the generation and screening of hybrid electric agricultural machinery systems with multi-power output powerisproposed. The components of agricultural machinery are divided into an input layer and an output layer, and these componentsare coded and defined, and then transformed into a matrix. The hierarchical two-dimensional matrix method is usedtogenerateand screen the hybrid electric agricultural mechanism type. Through the stratification of the matrix, the complexityoftheconfiguration generation is reduced, and the constraints are applied to the basic screening of the generated configurations. Therationality of the configurations obtained after generation and screening is verified by Simulink simulation. The resultsshowthat the configuration screened by this method can meet the performance requirements of agricultural machinery.

Profiling and Improvement of Grain Quality Traits for Consumer Preferable Basmati Rice in the United States.

Basmati rice is a premium aromatic rice that consumers choose primarily because of its distinct aroma and excellent grain quality. The grain quality of Basmati rice (GQBR) reflects the perspectives of producers, processors, sellers, and consumers related to the production, processing, marketing, and consumption of Basmati rice. Consumers, an invaluable part of the production demand and value chain of the Basmati rice industry, have the freedom to choose from different types of aromatic rice. Consumers expect their preferred Basmati rice to possess all superior rice grain qualities, including the physical, biochemical, and physiological properties. Gene functional analysis explained that a 10-base pair deletion in the promoter region of the OsSPL16 gene causes the slender grains in Basmati rice, whereas an 8-base-pair deletion in exon 7 of the OsBadh2 gene (located in the fgr region on rice chromosome 8) results in the distinct aroma. Furthermore, a combination of the genetic characteristics of the gw8 and gs3 genes has led to the creation of a long-grain Basmati-type rice cultivar. It has also been demonstrated that agricultural, genetic, and environmental conditions significantly influence GQBR. Hence, research on improving GQBR requires a multidimensional approach and sophisticated elements due to the complexity of its nature and preference diversity. This review covers the basic definitions of grain quality traits, consumer preference criteria, influencing factors, and strategies for producing superior-quality Basmati rice in the United States. This knowledge will be useful in improving the grain quality of Basmati and Basmati-type rice, as well as developing appropriate breeding programs that will meet the preferences of different countries and cultures.

Productivity of young pigs in rearing when the use of feed additives ActivSorbent and PolyActiv as feed adsorbents of mycotoxins

Intensification of pig farming is directly related to the need to provide pig-producing farms with their own feed. Modern conditions of industrial pig farming impose increased requirements on the organization of complete feeding of pigs based on the use of high-quality feed, feed and biologically active additives. The purpose of the research was to study the productivity of young pigs during rearing when use feed additives ActiveSorben and PolyActive adsorbents of mycotoxins in feed. Research to identify the optimal dosage of mycotoxin adsorbents of feed ActiveSorbent and PolyActive and their effect on the metabolism and productive indicators of young pigs was carried out on fi rst-generation hybrid piglets (Large White × Landrace) during rearing, in the production conditions of the pig-breeding complex of Tavla LLC in the Kochkurovsky district of the Republic of Mordovia with a capacity of 12,000 heads per year. It has been found according to the results of industrial testing of the feed mycotoxin adsorbents ActiveSorbent and PolyActive that their use in doses of 1.750 kg/t of compound feed reduced the costs of producing 1 kg of live weight gain by 10.31 and 8.51 rubles, respectively. The level of profi tability in the experimental groups increased compared to the control group when using the additive ActiveSorbent by 18.93 abs.% and PolyActive by 15.24 abs.%. Thus, the inclusion of feed additives ActiveSorbent and PolyActive of feed mycotoxin adsorbents in the diet of rearing piglets under industrial pig farming conditions when recalculated for the resulting products contributes to increased productivity, reduced cost of production and an increase in the level of production profitability.

Spatial and temporal variability of meteorological droughts including atmospheric circulation in Central Europe

Drought is one of the natural phenomena influencing many aspects of human activities like water scarcity, food production, agriculture, industry and ecological conditions of the environment. For decades, drought has caused huge financial losses in Europe and around the world. In the area of the Polish Carpathians, there are periods with a deficit of rainwater and increasing frequency of dry months especially in the cold half-year. However, only a limited number of studies exist about the spatial and temporal variability of meteorological drought and the main mechanisms determining its performance in Central Europe. The aim of this work is to perform the spatial and temporal analysis of drought, expressed as SPI, in a heterogenous area of the Polish Carpathian and the highland region in the East-Central part of Europe based on long-term precipitation data. Moreover, for the first time in this work drought characteristics assessed by means of the SPI were discussed considering the atmospheric circulation calendar. In this work monthly precipitation from 55 rainfall stations were analysed from 1961 to 2022. The 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used as indicators of meteorological drought. For the 3-month SPI, the main climatic mechanisms determining extreme droughts were defined based on the calendar of synoptic circulations. The Mann-Kendall test was used to detect the trend of extreme droughts. Statistically significant trends of SPI were observed on 52.7% of all analyzed stations and, in most cases, a positive trend was observed, indicating an increase in water resources in the Upper Vistula Basin. Statistically significant trends were more frequently observed in stations located in the western part of the analyzed region. Long-term droughts, represented by the 12-month SPI, occurred in all stations but not in all years. Short-term droughts (3-month SPI) were most frequent in the winter season, 6- and 9-month SPI in winter and spring, and 12-month SPI in winter and autumn. The spatial distribution of droughts was highly diverse. The most intensive drought occurred in 1984, with the 6-month SPI covering 98% of the analyzed region, and the 9- and 12-month SPI covering 90% of the entire region. Droughts exhibit a seasonal pattern, with a dominant 10-year periodicity for all analyzed variants of SPI. Additionally, Fourier analysis revealed a 2-year periodicity for the 3-, 6-, and 9-month SPI and a 31-year periodicity for the 12-month SPI. The results provide insights into the typical climatic conditions in Poland, with strong seasonality in precipitation. The study highlighted that short-term extreme droughts, represented by the 3-month SPI, are often caused by anticyclonic situations with high-pressure wedges Ka and Wa, as observed in 52.3% of cases. These findings are crucial for understanding the spatial and temporal variability of short and long-term extreme droughts in Central Europe, particularly for the agriculture sector which is dominant in the northern part of the analyzed region, where drought frequency is highest.