Winter Cultivation Research Articles

Assessment of house sparrows passer domesticus damage to single and double winter cultivations under field conditions

The ultimate goal of this study is to find out the most suitable combinations of adjacent crops that reduce house sparrows damage. The experiments were established using single and double combinations of four wintery crops. Namely, soft wheat, hard wheat, sunflower, and barley. The double cultivations were designed by growing varying crops nearby a fixed one crop as follows 1- (soft wheat alone), (soft wheat- near sunflower), ( soft wheat near – barley), and (soft wheat near – hard wheat) 2- (barley alone),(barley- near soft wheat), (barley near - hard wheat), and (barely- near sunflower) 3-(hard wheat alone),( hard wheat- near barley), (hard wheat near – sunflower), and ( hard wheat near – soft wheat). The experimental results revealed the following; the damage percentage of house sparrows to soft wheat was 25.9 %, but when grown nearby sunflower, barley, and hard wheat the soft wheat damage reached 5.9 %, 25.9 %, and 33.3 %, respectively. In single cultivation of barley, house sparrows damage was 8.2 %, but when grown nearby soft wheat, hard wheat and sunflower, the barley damage reached 13.5 %, 1.7 % and 1.2 %, respectively. Single cultivation of hard wheat house sparrows damage was 0.0 %, while when grown adjacent to barley, sunflower, and soft wheat, the hard wheat damage reached 0.0 %,0.0 % 3.8 %, respectively. In single cultivation of sunflower, house sparrows damage was 20.2 %, while when grown nearby, barley, soft wheat , and hard wheat, the sunflower damage reached 9.5 %, 10.2 % and 36.3 %, respectively. Results obtaine from this study revealed the following: 1- sunflower could be grown nearby barley and / or soft wheat, but away from hard wheat; 2- barley could be grown nearby sunflower and /or soft wheat, but away from hard wheat; 3- soft wheat could be grown nearby sunflower, but away from hard wheat; 4- hard wheat could be grown nearby barley or sunflower, but away from soft wheat. These concomitant cultivations can be successfully practiced be small growers to protect their main crops from house sparrows attack naturally and effectively without using any pest control compounds and without any extra costs as well.

24-Epibrassinolide promotes NO3\u2212 and NH4+ ion flux rate and NRT1 gene expression in cucumber under suboptimal root zone temperature

BackgroundSuboptimal root zone temperature (RZT) causes a remarkable reduction in growth of horticultural crops during winter cultivation under greenhouse production. However, limited information is available on the effects of suboptimal RZT on nitrogen (N) metabolism in cucumber seedlings. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) on nitrate and ammonium flux rate, N metabolism, and transcript levels of NRT1 family genes under suboptimal RZT in cucumber seedlings.ResultsSuboptimal RZT (LT) negatively affected on cucumber growth and proportionately decreased EBR contents, bleeding rate, root activity, enzyme activities of nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT), nitrate (NO3−) influx rate, ammonium (NH4+) efflux rate, and transcript levels of nitrate transporter (NRT1) encoding genes. However, exogenous EBR reduced the harmful effects of suboptimal RZT and increased endogenous EBR contents, bleeding rate, root activity, enzyme activities of NR, NiR, GS, and GOGAT, NH4+ and NO3− flux rates and contents, and N accumulation. EBR-treated seedlings also upregulated the transcript levels of nitrate transporters CsNRT1.1, CsNRT1.2A, CsNRT1.2B, CsNRT1.2C, CsNRT1.3, CsNRT1.4A, CsNRT1.5B, CsNRT1.5C, CsNRT1.9, and CsNRT1.10, and downregulated CsNRT1.5A and CsNRT1.8. LT treatment upregulated the expression level of CsNRT1.5A, while exogenous BZR application downregulated the expression level of NRT1 genes.ConclusionThese results indicate that exogenous application of EBR alleviated the harmful effects of suboptimal RZT through changes in N metabolism, NH4+ and NO3− flux rates, and NRT1 gene expression, leading to improved cucumber seedlings growth. Our study provides the first evidence of the role of EBR in the response to suboptimal RZT in cucumber, and can be used to improve vegetable production.

Is phosphorus a limiting factor to regulate the growth of phytoplankton in Daya Bay, northern South China Sea: a mesocosm experiment.

Previous field investigations implied a potential phosphorus (P)-limitation on the growth of phytoplankton in Daya Bay, a mesotrophic bay in the northern South China Sea. Using a total of 15 mesocosms (3 × 3 × 1.5 m, with ~10.8 m3 natural seawater containing phytoplankton assemblages for each), we found P-enrichment caused no obvious effect on phytoplankton (Chl a) growth across 8-day's cultivation in neither winter nor summer, while nitrogen (N)-enrichment greatly increased Chl a in both seasons. N plus P-enrichment further increased Chl a content. The N- or N plus P-enrichments increased the allocation of nano-Chl a but decreased micro-Chl a in most cases, with no obvious effect by P-alone. Coincided with nutrients effect on Chl a content, N- or N plus P-enrichments significantly enhanced the maximum photochemical quantum yield of Photosystem II (FV/FM) and maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), but declined the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), as well as the threshold for light saturation of electron transport (EK); again, P-enrichment had no significant effect. Moreover, the absorption cross section for PSII photochemistry (σPSII) and electron transport efficiency (α) increased due to N- or N plus P-enrichments, indicating the increased nutrients enhance the light utilization efficiency through promoting PSII light harvesting ability, and thus to enhance phytoplankton growth. Our findings indicate that N- or N plus P-enrichments rigorously fuel phytoplankton blooms regardless of N:P ratios, making a note of caution on the expected P-deficiency or P-limitation on the basis of Redfield N:P ratios in Daya Bay.

Сontrolled breeding of the psychrophilic strain G-034 VIZR of Trichoderma asperellum for fast crop residues’ polymers utilization and soil enhancement

Genus Trichoderma strains as the natural plant residues’ biodestructors, highly active antagonists of soil phytopathogens and phytoregulators with the widest range of optimum conditions for their development, are widely used in biologics development. Of particular importance in Russia’s northern regions, especially in winter crop cultivation, is the ability of a microorganism’s strain used in agro-technologies to maintain viability and target biological activity at low temperatures. In this connection, this work purpose is to select a psychrotolerant strain of T. asperellum for the rapid crop residues’ polymer utilization and soil enhancement at low temperature, as well as to evaluate its activity under laboratory and field conditions. In the work process, the following tasks were addressed: selecting psychrotolerant strains of T. asperellum with high cellulolytic activity; further controlled breeding of psychrophilic strains capable of rapid growth, active colonization of plant substrates and high sporulation at 4–8 °C; evaluating the target activity of the selected psychrophilic strain as a cellulolytic as well as antagonistic activity against cereal pathogens; obtaining laboratory samples of bioformulations by deep-surface cultivation on non-sterile peat and multirecycled wastes from the edible mushrooms production and assessing their efficacy in field small-plot trials. The methods for inoculum cultivation, sporulation capacity determination, modified wet chamber, estimating antagonistic activity and biologics’ quality, field small-plot trials management, quantitative estimates of biomass losses, cellulose and lignin content were used in the work. The active psychrophilic strain for the rapid crop residues’ polymer utilization and soil enhancement controlled breeding was selected during a four-step screening of 29 T. asperellum strains from All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection (VIZR) State Microorganisms’ Collection with high cellulolytic and antagonistic activities. In terms of linear growth rate, antagonistic and hyperparasitic activities at 4–8 °С, a high rate of wheat and maize stubble residues’ colonization, a perspective psychrophilic strain G-034 of T. asperellum was selected for developing the laboratory samples of biologics and for running field trials. In small-plot trials, the active maize crop residues’ decomposition under the T. asperellum G-034 influence was revealed, resulting in the complete loss of plant intact state in 12 months due to more than 80 % cellulose and 20 % lignin biodestruction. The maximum loss of maize crop residues biomass for 12 months was more than 70 %. The T. asperellum strain G-034 was active after field hibernation in an amount of ×104 cfu/g, resulting in a titer increase with seasonal temperature rising and the trophic base bioavailability growth.

Mechanical Damage in the Tillering, Development and Productivity of Wheat

Wheat has great economic importance, especially in the Southern states of Brazil, is a good option for winter cultivation period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mechanical damages in the induction of tillering, development and productivity of wheat. Treatments were two methods of mechanical damages (kneading and cutting) combined with five induction time of damages (seedling emergence, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after emergence) and one control (no mechanical damages). Variables evaluated were: tillering, final height of plant, final length of spikes, final number of spikes per m2, number of spikelets per spike and grain yield. The mechanical damages caused by the cutting method did not have positive effects on tillering, development and productivity of the wheat grain at any time of the cut. The kneading method did not increase tillers and productivity, nor did it reduce the number of tillers and productivity. The results, despite not being conclusive, demonstrate to be of the potential of cultivating wheat in an integrated crop-livestock system.

Down-Selection and Outdoor Evaluation of Novel, Halotolerant Algal Strains for Winter Cultivation.

Algae offer promising feedstocks for the production of renewable fuel and chemical intermediates. However, poor outdoor winter cultivation capacity currently limits deployment potential. In this study, 300 distinct algal strains were screened in saline medium to determine their cultivation suitability during winter conditions in Mesa, Arizona. Three strains, from the genera Micractinium, Chlorella, and Scenedesmus, were chosen following laboratory evaluations and grown outdoors in 1000 L raceway ponds during the winter. Strains were down-selected based on doubling time, lipid and carbohydrate amount, final biomass accumulation capacity, cell size and phylogenetic diversity. Algal biomass productivity and compositional analysis for lipids and carbohydrates show successful outdoor deployment and cultivation under winter conditions for these strains. Outdoor harvest-yield biomass productivities ranged from 2.9 to 4.0 g/m2/day over an 18 days winter cultivation trial, with maximum productivities ranging from 4.0 to 6.5 g/m2/day, the highest productivities reported to date for algal winter strains grown in saline media in open raceway ponds. Peak fatty acid levels ranged from 9 to 26% percent of biomass, and peak carbohydrate levels ranged from 13 to 34% depending on the strain. Changes in the lipid and carbohydrate profile throughout outdoor growth are reported. This study demonstrates that algal strain screening under simulated outdoor environmental conditions in the laboratory enables identification of strains with robust biomass productivity and biofuel precursor composition. The strains isolated here represent promising winter deployment candidates for seasonal algal biomass production when using crop rotation strategies.

Application of Cadastre Maps, Agricultural Database and MODIS Satellite Images for Monitoring Cultivated Areas

This study has combined the 16-day NDVI (250-m) of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer remote sensing data and cadastre maps for monitoring cultivated areas during 2000–2013 in downstream of Doroodzan dam agricultural lands, Fars province, Iran. There are three regions in dams’ downstream including Marvdasht, Shiraz and Kharameh which were mainly irrigated by this reservoir. In the surveyed period, 300 artificial bounds of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were used. Then, the cadastre maps of each region were crossed over the NDVI bounds and the fluctuation of NDVI time series in each farmland were determined. Also, based on the ground observations through the Fars Comprehensive Agricultural Database (FCADB), the NDVI more than 0.2 throughout the time series was specified as the cultivation area. Therefore, on each farmland the history of cultivation was achieved. Also, the relationships between NDVI fluctuation and monthly mean temperature, precipitation and its anomaly (standardized precipitation) in various lags were analyzed. Results exhibited two crop cultivations including in both winter (mainly wheat and barley crops) and summer season types (majority paddy and maize). However, during droughts and shortages, just winter cultivation was detected from 2008 to 2010 in Shiraz and Kharameh farmlands. Also, the summer crop cultivation areas in Marvdasht region decreased during these years. Moreover, Kharameh in 2009 had no crop cultivation. With regard to cultivation areas with temperature, the most correlations were found between temperature and cultivation area in the third lag months equal to 0.73, 0.68 and 0.44 for Shiraz, Marvdasht and Kharameh, respectively. For precipitation, the most correlation with cultivation area appeared in 9 lag months equal to 0.44, 0.43 and 0.28 for Shiraz, Marvdasht and Kharameh, respectively. Although temperature and precipitation play an exclusive role in the fluctuation of NDVI over the study area, the lack of exact data, mainly cadastre one, has been the main source of non-efficient water allocation systems over the farmlands. Based on the new data provided by FCADB based on the cadastre maps, the managers and decision makers can have a stronger irrigation planning over the agricultural lands.

PECULIARITIES OF TOMATO GROWING TECHNOLOGY IN TRANSITION TURNOVER IN THE CONDITIONS OF PROTECTED GROUND OF DAGESTAN

The purpose of the research was to study and optimize the timing of growing tomatoes in conditions of transitional turnover, taking into account the natural and climatic conditions of Dagestan, biological features of culture, lighting conditions, market demand for vegetable products, profitability of production. Experimental studies were carried out in 2015-2016 in the greenhouse farm Niva. The technology of tomato cultivation in winter and film greenhouses in the transitional turnover of the 6th and 7th light zone of the country is shown, its economic efficiency is shown in the light conditions of Dagestan. The studied F 1 hybrids were distinguished by a good harvest yield from December to April, the highest yields were scored by hybrids: Tomimaru Mucho F 1 , Pink Paradise F 1 , providing 15.68 and 14.98 kg. The economic evaluation of the studied hybrids and varieties of tomato showed that during planting sowing and planting cannot be delayed, since plants fall into conditions of limited illumination by young ones that have not yet entered the phase of mass fruiting, and the harvest in the winter months is sharply reduced, profitability decreases. According to the average market price for the sale of tomato fruits in the winter months of 200 and 210 rubles per kg, depending on the timing of harvesting and marketing, the profitability of production of hybrids was in %%: Tomimaru Mucho F 1 – 120-170, Tiwai F 1 – 125-170, Pink Paradise F 1 – 123-174, Revermun F 1 – 90-110, Lvovich F 1 – 123-159. Such profitability of cultivation of the studied varieties indicates that their growing in the transitional turnover is economically profitable.

Effect of drought stress on qualitative characteristics of canola cultivars in winter cultivation

To determine the appropriate canola cultivars for winter cultivation under late-season drought stress conditions, a factorial split-plot test was conducted in a complete randomized blocks design with three replications for two cultivation years (2014–2016) in Karaj, Iran. In this work, cultivations at two levels included fall cultivation (Oct. 7) and winter cultivation (Feb. 4). The irrigation was conducted at three levels including routine irrigation (control), irrigation interruptions from flowering and pod formation stage in factorial status in main plots and five Brassica napus L. cultivars including Sarigol, Delgan, Jacomo, Jerumeh and Hyola 401 in subplots. The interaction effect of cultivation date × irrigation × cultivar on the features of palmitic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, glucosinolate and oil yield was significant at the level of 1%. The results indicated that Delgan cultivar with the highest oil yield (1582 kg/ha) in the winter cultivation date and normal irrigation conditions as well as with standard levels of erucic acid and glucosinolate can be effective in canola cultivation in the new stage of winter cultivation. Moreover, in winter cultivation and in the late-season drought stress conditions, hybrids Hyola 401 with the highest seed yield, and standard oligosaccharide and glucosinolate can also be recommended in late-season drought stress conditions.

Impact of Magnetized Water Irrigation, Soil Mineral Fertilization and Foliar Spraying with Nanomaterial on Potato Plants.

The present work was conducted at the Experimental Station Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Egypt, during the two successive winter (critucal) cultivation of 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 to investigate the impact of irrigation water (normal water - magnetized water), levels of soil mineral fertilizers and foliar spraying with nano-material (without - Lithovit) as well as their interactions on growth, yield, chemical composition and quality of potato cv. Spunta. Obtained data cleared that irrigation with magnetized water produced the highest significant values of plant growth, chlorophylls, yield, chemical composition and quality parameters except nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2) contents compared to normal water treatments. Meanwhile, fertilized potato plants with 100% NPK from recommended dose gave the maximum values of all studied parameters, except nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2) concentrations which increased compared to other treatments. Moreover, foliar spraying with Lithovit as a nono material increased significantly all studied characters, except nitrate and nitrite, which gave the lowest values in both seasons. It could be recommended that irrigation potato plants with magnetized water, 50% NPK from the recommended dose and foliar spraying with Lithovit (1g/L) in order to maximize productivity, quality parameters and limiting the environmental pollution comparing to plant irrigated with normal water + 100% NPK.

Supplemental lighting with LEDs improves the biochemical composition of two Valerianella locusta (L.) cultivars

In recent years, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been introduced as a new source of supplemental lighting in winter greenhouse crop production to improve yield and quality. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of light supplementation with LEDs on the yield and the concentration of several health-promoting compounds in two cultivars of lamb’s lettuce (Valerianella locusta, L.), ‘Noordhollandse’ and ‘Hollandisher’ in a greenhouse cultivation in winter. Four different LED spectra used to extend the photoperiod (16 h day/8 h night) were tested: 10R:0B (100% red), 9R:1B (90% red, 10% blue), 8R:2B (80% red, 20% blue), and 7R:3B (70% red, 30% blue). The control plants were illuminated by high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps. The photosynthetic photon flux density at the plant canopy level was approximately 200 μmol·m -2 ·s -1 in all treatments. The plants were harvested on the 45 th day of light treatment (60 days after sowing). In both cultivars, the 10R:0B LED light treatment resulted in the highest yield, but low concentrations of ascorbic acid, xantophylls, and phenolic compounds. Supplemental lighting with HPS lamps resulted in high concentrations of nitrate and carotenoids, but low fresh mass, ascorbic acid, and total phenols content. The addition of blue light in the spectrum increased antioxidant properties; however, certain effects were cultivar-dependent. High yields with the most satisfactory composition of soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols, as well as high antioxidant properties and reduced nitrate levels, in the leaves of the tested cultivars were obtained with 8R:2B LED lighting. Thus, supplemental lighting with 80% red and 20% blue light may be advantageous in greenhouse-cultivated V. locusta ‘Noordhollandse’ and ‘Hollandisher’ cultivars.

English

Some winter crops sown in no-tillage system can represent an important alternative to nutrient cycling. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of dry matter (DM) and accumulation of nutrients for winter cultivation in the West of Parana. The experimental design was a randomized block, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments were represented by four different winter crops (oat IPR 126, crambe FMS Brilhante, radish common cultivar and wheat BRS Taruma), and the DM, the contents of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and C/N ratio in DM and nutrients accumulation were determied The dry matter production was higher for radish with 4.929,14 kg ha-1. The different winter crops used influenced the contents of C, N and C/N ratio. The other studied characteristics were not influenced. Among the four winter cultivation the radish presented larger production of dry matter. The chemical composition was influenced by the cultivations, the contents of C, N and C/N ratio, consequently in the contribution differentiated in the area. The winter cultivation in the studied conditions influences the accumulation of magnesium. Key words: Nutrient cycling, decomposition, mineralization.

In vitro oral bioaccessibility and total content of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn from transgenic (through cp4 EPSPS gene) and nontransgenic precursor/successor soybean seeds.

In this paper, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents in transgenic (T - MSOY7122RR) and non-transgenic (NT - MSOY8200) soybean seeds, sown at summer and winter cultivation periods are investigated using four microwave decomposition methods. Student's t tests demonstrate significant differences (p=0.05; n=4), for Cu, Mn and Zn (namely, 8, 9 and 26% higher concentrations in T compared to NT seeds, respectively). Through principal component analysis, precursor and successor soybean seeds are identified. Cu is demonstrated to play an important role in the differentiation of the cultivars, whereas Fe and Zn are of particular relevance in the classification of seeds cultivated in winter against those in summer. Using in vitro extraction based on the Unified Bioaccessibility Method, the bioaccessibility of the above nutrients is proven to differ in both the gastric and gastrointestinal phases on the basis of the transgenesis and the cultivation periods.

Genome-Wide Identification of QTL for Seed Yield and Yield-Related Traits and Construction of a High-Density Consensus Map for QTL Comparison in Brassica napus.

Seed yield (SY) is the most important trait in rapeseed, is determined by multiple seed yield-related traits (SYRTs) and is also easily subject to environmental influence. Many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for SY and SYRTs have been reported in Brassica napus; however, no studies have focused on seven agronomic traits simultaneously affecting SY. Genome-wide QTL analysis for SY and seven SYRTs in eight environments was conducted in a doubled haploid population containing 348 lines. Totally, 18 and 208 QTLs for SY and SYRTs were observed, respectively, and then these QTLs were integrated into 144 consensus QTLs using a meta-analysis. Three major QTLs for SY were observed, including cqSY-C6-2 and cqSY-C6-3 that were expressed stably in winter cultivation area for 3 years and cqSY-A2-2 only expressed in spring rapeseed area. Trait-by-trait meta-analysis revealed that the 144 consensus QTLs were integrated into 72 pleiotropic unique QTLs. Among them, all the unique QTLs affected SY, except for uq.A6-1, including uq.A2-3, uq.C1-2, uq.C1-3, uq.C6-1, uq.C6-5, and uq.C6-6 could also affect more than two SYRTs. According to the constructed high-density consensus map and QTL comparison from literatures, 36 QTLs from five populations were co-localized with QTLs identified in this study. In addition, 13 orthologous genes were observed, including five each gene for SY and thousand seed weight, and one gene each for biomass yield, branch height, and plant height. The genomic information of these QTLs will be valuable in hybrid cultivar breeding and in analyzing QTL expression in different environments.

Starch accumulation and agronomical performance of Syrah under winter cycle: responses to pruning and ethephon management

In the Brazilian Southeast, 'Syrah' grape harvested during the winter reaches better quality index than those from summer harvest. However, the management of annual double pruning to produce two grapevine growth cycles (vegetative cycle: spring – summer; reproductive cycle: autumn – winter) has increased the vineyard production costs and the vine reserve accumulation can be compromised. This study had two main objectives to improve the winter cultivation: i) to validate single pruning carried out only in summer (February) (experiment 1); to increase the reserve accumulation by ethephon (ethrel) sprayed two months before yield pruning (experiment 2). Both experiments were carried out in south of Minas Gerais State using three years old field-grown 'Syrah' grapevines grafted onto '1103 Paulsen' and trained in a vertical shoot position. The results from experiment 1 showed that grapevines pruned in summer also need to be pruned during the winter after grape harvest to avoid bud infertility during the following autumn-winter season. Single pruning reduced the starch contents in shoots, trunks and roots sampled before yield pruning and the commercial grape harvest was completely unavailable due to unfruitful shoots. On the other hand, the autumn-winter cycle was improved by ethephon sprayed in the previous vegetative growing cycle (summer cycle). During the autumn-winter cycle, sprayed grapevines showed higher starch content in trunks, high vegetative vigor and the yield and grape quality were not negatively affected.

English

The existing literature for the recommendation of fertilizers and diagnosis of the nutritional status of the carrot crop is outdated because it contemplates productivities lower than those currently obtained. The objective of this research was to characterize the nutritional demand of the carrot crop by estimating the dry matter content of the roots, the coefficient of biological utilization of the nutrients and the harvest index of dry matter and of the mineral nutrients, in order to indicate fertilizers according to the desired productivity for winter and summer cultivations. We sampled 210 carrot plots located in the Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil, during 2012 and 2013. We determined the content of dry matter of the roots, the coefficient of biological utilization of the nutrients in the roots and leaves and the harvest index of dry matter and nutrients in the crop. Data were grouped in two groups of cultivations: Winter and summer. The harvest index of dry matter and of nutrients was bigger for the winter cultivars. Regardless of the growing season, the N, P, K, Mg and B were retained in greater amounts in the roots. Phosphorus had the highest harvest index, and the Cu, the lowest. The differences were insignificant in the nutritional demand of N, P, Ca, S, B, Cu and Zn between winter and summer cultivars for the average productivity obtained in each season. In the summer cultivars, the carrot accumulates greater amounts of Fe and lower of K, Mg and Mn when compared to winter. The modeling of the nutritional demand of the carrot crop can be carried out depending on the desired productivity and growing season. Key words: Nutrients balance, Daucus carota, nutritional demand, nutrients recommendation.

Cultivation Features Using Meteorological and Satellite Data from 2001 to 2010 in Dakhla Oasis, Egypt

The differences between the oasis region and the regions of the Nile delta and Nile valley in Egypt are due mainly to the regions’ access to water. The oasis region depends on underground water, while the other regions rely on the Nile River. Numerous studies on cultivation in the Nile delta have been accumulated. However, few studies have addressed cultivation in the oasis region. This study examines cultivation throughout the government and local well districts using meteorological and satellite data from 2001 to 2010, and the interview in Rashda Village, Dakhla Oasis. Since the reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is lower in winter than in summer, cultivation in winter makes sense from the viewpoint of saving irrigation water. Evapotranspiration is highest in the order of date palm, rice paddy, winter wheat, and clover hay under sufficient wet conditions in Rashda Village. Cultivation features and water requirements were examined using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI). Results indicated a distinct difference in cultivation systems between the summer and winter seasons in the government well district. Water requirements for date palm in the local well district were 2.6 times those for winter plants in the government well district, using the accumulated NDWI value.

Maize–Velvet Bean Rotation in Summer and Winter Milpas: A Greener Technology

In Central America, the traditional cropping system milpa de año (summer season) and tornamilpa (winter season) were compared over 3 yr (2007–2009). Our experimental objectives were to measure the performance of a maize (Zea mays L.)–velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. subsp. utilis (Wight) Burck] milpa system throughout the summer and winter cultivation, to detect any problems associated with velvet bean use, and to determine the contribution of this tropical legume to soil fertility and maize productivity. In each crop season (separated in space and time) we used a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with five repetitions each: without velvet bean and without fertilizer (–V–F), with velvet bean and without fertilizer (+V–F), without velvet bean and with fertilizer (–V+F), and with velvet bean and with fertilizer (+V+F). Results showed that in the winter milpas the presence of velvet bean significantly increased the soil pH, organic matter content, total N, and decreased soil bulk density. In both cycles (winter and summer), treatment with velvet bean (+V) produced higher grain yield, while the treatment without velvet bean (–V) had a lower production. We concluded that the use of velvet bean in the winter milpa contributed to the restoration of soil fertility and increased yield maize in agricultural systems of the small‐holder farmers based on low external input.

Changes in soluble and insoluble carbohydrates of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) influenced by supplemental irrigation and super absorbent polymer

The present investigation studied the effects of supplemental irrigation, the application of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) on seed yield, and the physiological characteristics relevant to water stress in leaves and roots of safflower. Supplemental irrigation was implemented at 4 levels including dry-farming; supplemental irrigation was implemented at late vegetative, flowering, and filling of seeds phases as main factors. Super absorbent polymer (SAP) at two levels (Control and 200kg/hectares) and 6 safflower varieties were used in winter cultivation in the factorial form as sub-factors. The results indicated that supplemental irrigation can prevent a reduction in seed yield by improving physiological parameters like soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. At the flowering stage, supplemental irrigation increased seed yield an average of 35% compared with dry-farming, thereby producing the maximum rate of seed yield in both test years. soluble carbohydrate rate was reduced under the influence of supplemental irrigation, but insoluble carbohydrates concentration was increased. Leaves and roots varied similarly in respect to any parameters, but their concentrations were different. Employing SAP can affect all studied parameters and lead toward a reduction of drought stress. It is suggested that supplemental irrigation together with an application of SAP be used for the safflower in its flowering phase in order to reduce drought stress loss and to increase yield in dry-farmed cultivations.

English

The canola constitutes an excellent option for cultivation in winter in Brazil, besides being an alternative for the production of biodiesel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenological characteristics of hybrid canola sown at different dates in Vicosa, MG. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of Horta Velha, belonging to the Federal University of Vicosa (UFV). Seeds of four hybrids of canola: Hyola 432, 433, 401 and 61 were used. From 26 May, 2009 was held the first sowing date and the other every 15 days, a total of four sowing dates. Seedling emergence (%), duration of the vegetative phase (days), duration of flowering stage (days), number of days to the end of flowering, number of days from emergence to maturity (total cycle), bedding plants (%) and disease reaction (%) were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement with four replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test (p<0.01). The results showed that Vicosa (MG) have promising characteristics for growing canola. The most suitable time for sowing canola corresponds to the month of May. Hyola 61 is the hybrid that, presents faster seedling emergence and uniform, is the material that showed greater adaptation to the region of Vicosa, based on all traits, regardless of sowing dates. The delay of sowing decreased the duration of the vegetative and reproductive phases, the days to the end of flowering and duration of emergence to maturity (total cycle) for all hybrids. Variables lodging and disease reaction of canola plants were not affected by local conditions and factors considered in this experiment. Key words: Brassica napus L., development cycle, phenology, management, tropicalization, adaptability, Vicosa (MG).