Ha Of Crops Research Articles

The formation of a crop of fodder and semi-sugar beet under irrigation in conditions of global warming

Relevanse. To reduce the negative impact of drought on the production process of agrocenoses of field crops, the entire complex of agrotechnical and reclamation measures should be used to ensure increased drought resistance of crops in the structure of crop rotations for various purposes.The purpose of our research was to study the dynamics of the growth of the raw mass of root crops and the collection of dry matter by the periods of growth and development of fodder and semi-sugar beet at different moisture levels of the root layer of the soil.Material and methodology. The research was carried out in a specially built arid zone, which is a 3x20 m plot, isolated from soil moisture to a depth of 1.5 m by a clay castle along the periphery and a dense reinforced polyethylene film between the variants. The arid area was divided into four plots, each with an area of 15 m2 (3x5 m), in which a different level of moisture supply was maintained throughout the growing season. The variety of fodder beet Eckendorf yellow and semi–sugar beet – Semi-sugar pink variety were used as the object of research.Results. It has been established that at all values of humidity, the maximum accumulation of the raw mass of root crops in both varieties was noted in the second period of growth and development of plants, which lasts an average of 60 days and lasts from the beginning of closing of crops in rows to the beginning of opening in row spacing. Among the studied irrigation regimes, the option should be recognized as optimal, where during the growing season the relative humidity of the root layer at a depth of 1 m is maintained at the level of 70-75% of the WPV. With such moisture, the yield of root crops for fodder beet is 855 centners/ha, for semi-sugar beet – 679 centners/ha, and the collection of dry matter – 120.54 and 156.33 centners/ha, respectively. With a further increase in humidity to 75-80% of the FPV, the increase in yield and collection of dry matter per 1 ha of crops for both beet varieties is within the statistical error of the experiment, however, the cost of irrigation water for the formation of 1 q of dry matter increases by an average of 2.2 times, which negatively affects the cost of grown products. It has been proven that the optimal regime of soil moisture is provided by the irrigation scheme according to the periods of growth and development of plants 1 3 1; irrigation rate – 400 m3/ha, irrigation rate – 2000 m3/ha.

State support for agriculture in Ukraine in the post-war period

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to assess the level and trends of state support for agriculture in Ukraine, to determine its post-war measures and programmes and to improve the method of allocating funds among state support programmes at the stage of drafting budget declarations and requests by central and regional executive bodies that implement the agricultural policy.
 Methodology / approach. Analysis and synthesis were used to determine the level of state support for agriculture and its impact on its development. Assessment of the effectiveness of financing individual agricultural support programs was made using regulatory, calculation and constructive methods. Mathematical modelling methods were used to optimise the distribution of budget funds in various areas of state support for rural commodity producers aimed at forming fixed capital. Techniques of the abstract and logical toolkit allowed formulating intermediate and final conclusions. 
 Results. The study focuses on the directions of support for the agricultural sector of Ukraine in wartime and in the post-war period. It was established that in order to resume the operation of agricultural enterprises in the liberates territories, which produce grain and cultivate oil crops, about USD 1.370–1.500 of fixed capital are needed for 1 ha of crops and USD 1.340–1.400 of working capital. It was estimated that in 2023 the lack of working capital in Ukraine for the cultivation of grain and oil crops, with the area of their crops being at the level of 2022, will amount to about UAH 41.5 billion. It is established that support programmes for Ukrainian producers of agricultural products should be developed on the basis of the Roadmap for the Recovery in Ukraine in order to achieve the indicators of the Strategy for Ukraine’s Agro-Industrial Complex Development.
 Originality / scientific novelty. The scientific value of the study is in conducting a comparative assessment of the support of agriculture in Ukraine and the EU in 2019–2021, highlighting measures of state support for the agricultural sector of Ukraine in wartime and in the post-war period. The method of allocation of funds among state support programmes at the stage of drafting budget declarations and requests by central and regional executive bodies that implement the agricultural policy has been improved.
 Practical value / implications. The practical value of this study is the fact that it can be used as a source and tool in the development of relevant plans and programs aimed at the development of agriculture in Ukraine.

Trenches reduce crop foraging by elephants: Lessons from Kibale National Park, Uganda for elephant conservation in densely settled rural landscapes.

Crop loss to wildlife, particularly elephants, threatens livelihoods and support for conservation around many protected areas in Africa and Asia. Low-cost elephant barriers have been successfully deployed in savannas but seldom tested around isolated forest parks where the stakes are high for local farmers and isolated elephant populations. We measured the effectiveness of a series of ≥3 m deep trenches dug by farmers neighboring Kibale National Park, Uganda. We monitored trench quality and crop loss to elephants weekly for a year across 47 transects in four park-adjacent communities, and conducted controlled, before-and-after comparisons of verified damage. Elephants damaged or destroyed >4 ha of crops during 48 independent foraging events, the majority <220m from the forest boundary. The frequency of damage varied significantly between and within communities. The majority of trenches were not breached by elephants but five suffered ≥4 breaches. Elephant-breached trenches and their neighboring trenches were lower quality than those not breached in the same week (Wilcoxon test: p<0.001). Trenches were also more likely to be breached where people had planted more crops favored by elephants (Wilcoxon test: p = 0.014). Thus, trench quality and the draw of palatable crops both appeared to influence elephant damage. Although trenches may deter elephants, challenges include heavy labor and difficulties of digging in rocky and swampy areas. Trenches alone will not prevent conflict but this strategy holds promise for hot-spots of conflict at forest edges. Given the stakes for farmers and biodiversity, we call for systematic assessment of crop losses and offer recommendations on monitoring and analysis. Such data will allow for stronger inference about effectiveness before investment of effort and resources in interventions.

Application of Participatory Methods to Explore Changes in Land Use of a Tropical Dry Forest Basin

Tropical hydrographic basins have undergone significant land use change processes in recent decades and correspond to areas of high population growth and development of economic activities. This article explores the causes of land use change in a tropical dry forest watershed, taking the Canalete river basin as a case study. For this purpose, stakeholder analysis techniques and participatory methods were applied. The results showed that the main causes of land use change in pastures were associated with biophysical factors, while forestsshrubs and crops were associated with direct and subyacents socioeconomics factors respectively. The participatory mapping allowed obtaining a desired land use scenario for the year 2030, observing a decrease of more than 16.2 ha of pasture, compensated by an increase of almost 2.4 thousand ha of crops and 13.8 thousand ha of forests and shrubs. Similarly, the hydrological impact of changes in land use was observed, especially in terms of flooding.

Assessment of the Vulnerability of the Southwestern Coast of Benin to the Risk of Coastal Erosion and Flooding

The coastal zone of Benin is inherited from the last marine oscillations of the Quaternary. A rich and very fragile environment, it presented until the 1960s, a shoreline in dynamic equilibrium over the entire 125 km of coastal line. Since the 1960s, with the construction of important development infrastructures (ports, dams, groins), the Beninese coast is now subject to risks of coastal erosion and seasonal flooding due to the overflow of lagoon water bodies. The present study, based on socio-economic surveys in the communes of Ouidah, Comè and Grand Popo, exposes the extent of coastal risks and socio-economic and environmental damage in the southwestern coastal zone of Benin. The results show that in terms of land, 2.9 ha and 5.7 ha of land have been permanently lost to coastal erosion in the communes of Ouidah and Grand Popo respectively. Similarly, 212 ha of crops of all types were affected by the flooding, including 35 ha destroyed, i.e. 6.67 ha, 11.3 ha in Comè, 4.67 ha Ouidah and 14 ha Grand Popo. Also, 6435 buildings were affected, and 4235 huts were damaged. In addition, working tools, food stocks and other items are counted among the losses recorded by coastal hazards with their corollaries of diseases. The cost of losses and damages in the 08 districts amount to 418,000,000f cfa of which 266,000,000f cfa of damage and 152,000,000f cfa of loss.

Cultivation of corn for grain: the state of the industry, labor productivity, work efficiency

Large-scale cultivation of corn for grain is an urgent task of the functioning of Belarusian agricultural organizations. For this purpose, technological methods of growing this crop have been worked out and tested in production conditions. The biological features of local maize varieties are determined taking into account natural and climatic conditions.In Belarus, the sown area of corn harvested for grain increased by more than 1,7 times in 2016– 2018, the gross grain harvest increased by 45 %. The average yield of 1 ha of crop during this period fluctuated in significant aisles – from 5 to 6,5 tons of grain. Such a low indicator indicates an insufficient level of intensity of the industry, especially in agricultural organizations.An in­depth study of the production, economic and financial results of the work of the corn industry was carried out on the example of the agricultural production cooperative “Progress-Vertelishki” of the Grodno region for 2016–2018. Considerable attention in the APC is paid to the cultivation of corn for grain. In 2018, corn accounted for up to 32 % of the gross grain harvest in this agricultural organization. Among the production and economic indicators, labor productivity occupies an important place, therefore, considerable attention is paid to it in the article. In the APC “Progress-Vertelishki” during the study period, positive results were obtained when selling corn grain: the sale of products turned out to be sustainably profitable with fluctuations from 41,3 to 83,1 %.

Selection of the main parameters of tractors for direct sowing of grain crops according to various optimization criteria

The article discusses the questions of optimization of parameters and operating modes of the tractor as a part of the arable unit by various criteria of optimization. The following parameters have been chosen for consideration. These are minimum total energy costs, taking into account the energy of the lost crop; minimum emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; minimum fuel consumption per 1 ha of crops; maximum performance; maximum traction efficiency of the tractor. The optimal weight of the tractor, the power of its engine, the width of the sowing unit and its working speed were determined by carrying out computational experiments with a change in the resistivity of the sowing complex. It was revealed that the optimal parameters of the tractor and the sowing unit do not coincide according to all optimization criteria with an increase in the specific resistance of the soil to the working bodies of the seeder, the optimal value of the tractor weight and the power of its engine grow. The optimal weight of the tractor should be 120 kN with the possibility of loading up to 150 kN, it is desirable to have a two-level engine of 500 and 600 hp. The working width of the seeder must be able to change from 14 to 18 m.

Урожайность и кормоемкость сортов люцерны в условиях Западно-Казахстанской области

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to conduct the comparative assessment of variable alfalfa varieties and to identify the most productive and adapted varieties to the conditions of the region with a view to their further zoning. The results of research on the study of alfalfa varieties – Karabalykskaya 18, Rambler, Ural’skaya sinyaya, Semirechenskaya mestnaya, Krasnovodopadskaya 8 are presented in this article. Data of the seed germination and plant preservation by years of life, yield and forage capacity of crops are given. Methods: field and calculation (to determine the feed capacity). Results. In the 2011 crops, according to the field germination, the variety of Karabalykskaya 18 (45.8 %) and Semirechenskaya mestnaya (42.8 %) were distinguished. According to 4-year data, the highest percentage of preservation in the variety of Karabalykskaya 18 (14.2 %) and Ural’skaya sinyaya (13.9 %). And the smallest number of preserved plants was noted in the alfalfa variety of Krasnovodopadskaya 8, it is amounted to 10.4 %. The crops produced more mass shoots in next year, due to somewhat high rates of spring precipitation and air temperature. And in terms of the percentage of preservation, the 2012 crops surpassed the previous ones. Thus, in the variety of Karabalykskaya 18 and Rambler, this indicator was equal to 15.1 % and 13.7 %, and in the zoned variety Ural’skaya sinyaya, 15.7 % of the herbage was preserved. The data of green mass yield determination and hay shows that three of the four varieties evaluated were exceed to the standard variety from 1.6 to 8.5 per 1 ha for the collection of green mass and from 0.2 to 2.4 c/ha for the hay harvest. In terms of feed capacity, the highest indicators are in the Karabalykskaya variety 18, and the lowest – in Krasnovodopadskaya 8. So, at the 5th year of life (sowing 2011), 48 cattles can be fed on 10 ha of crops of the first variety for a month, and the second – 41. On the grass stands of the zoned Ural’skaya sinyaya variety, the content of 43 cattles are permissible.

Food market’s state, opportunities and reserves of the Kazakhstan rural regions

The article analyzes the state regulation measures system of the agricultural production and food development in the regions of the state. This research purpose is the development of proposals for the economic component’s systematization of the production of export-oriented agricultural products and assessment of the state support level for the influence on the efficiency of the production of export-oriented agricultural products. The authors evaluated the efficiency indicators system of state support for the production’s export-oriented agricultural products and food as well as reserves for the food market’s development in rural regions of Kazakhstan. The research shows that for the agricultural production’s development Kazakhstan has a significant resource potential (land, labor and materialtechnical), which allows to ensure the population’s food security, increase exports and reduce imports. For this, it is necessary to improve the forms and methods of state financial support and, above all, export-oriented products and food, with considering republic regions strategic development. Efficiency indicators of the regional state support for the agricultural sector of the economy are characterized by the following: gross production, revenue, profit, level of profitability, financial stability, labor productivity. Considering the methodological approaches to the state support funds distribution, three principal directions for inter-budgetary regulation of the agro-industrial complex are suggested using the following methodology: per capita, covering the estimated financial gap, and equalizing budget provision. Subsidies in crop production (per hectare) for 1 ha of crops were canceled in 2018, and stock raising – from 2020.

New Polish Oilseed Hemp Cultivar Henola – Cultivation, Properties and Utilization for Bioethanol Production

ABSTRACT In recent years, the cultivation of hemp for seed has been gaining significant importance. Intensive breeding work resulted in the registration of a new oilseed hemp variety with high seed yield called Henola. Hemp of this variety is characterized by a vegetation period shorter by about a month, almost twice shorter technical length of plants and significantly larger inflorescences than fibrous hemp of the standard variety (Białobrzeskie). This work analyzes the efficiency of the second-generation bioethanol production process derived from the processing of waste biomass remaining after deseeding the panicles of the Henola variety. The research material consisted of biomass samples obtained from three variants of the fertilization experiment carried out at the IWNiRZ Experimental Farm in Stary Sielec in temperate climate conditions. In order to find out about the properties of the raw material, the chemical composition of hemp straw was tested and the bioethanol yield per 1 ha of crops was determined. Henola oilseed hemp straw yield was the lowest (10.6 Mg∙ha−1) in the case of the control and the highest (11.3 Mg∙ha−1) with the use of complex phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen fertilization. The average content of cellulose in the analyzed samples was 35.5%, holocellulose 68%, and hemicellulose 32%. The amount of lignin, in turn, was independent of the type of fertilization. The lowest bioethanol content, in the amount 7.11 g∙L−1, was found in case of hemp fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and the highest content amounting to 9.93 g∙L−1 – for hemp fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, for which the ethanol yield, converted into straw yield was 2.7 m3∙ha−1. The conducted research covers both the identification of pro-environmental solutions in the economy for the management of waste biomass and the implementation of the RED II Directive on the promotion of energy from renewable sources.

Efficiency of using complex fertilizers for pre-sowing treatment of seeds and growing plants of buckwheat

The paper presents the results of three years of research on the use of various organic and mineral fertilizers for foliar feeding of Druzhina variety buckwheat in the Oryol region. It is noted that the use of complex organic and mineral fertilizers of LLC Polydon Agro: Alfastim, Polydon Boron, Polydon Potassium Plus, Polydon Bio, Polydon NP for pre-treatment of seeds and leaf fertilizing provides an increase in grain yield by 0.19-0.40 t/ha. The share of this factor influence was 12.8-16.9%, depending on weather conditions during the growing season. The positive effect of seed treatment with the biological stimulant Alfastim on buckwheat yield is shown: grain harvest from 1 ha of crops increased by 0.04-0.31 t/ha.It is established that foliar fertilization with organic fertilizers of LLC Polydon Agro is economically justified: with a small consumption (1.6-5.6 t/ha), additional grain collection provides income from 4.90 to 6.02 thousand rubles/ha.

INCREASING SOIL FERTILITY AS A RESULT OF THE ACCUMULATION OF NITROGEN BY LEGUMINOUS CROPS

Analysis of literary sources shows that legume-rhizobial systems annually fix nitrogen from the atmosphere in the amount of from 40 to 300 kg of per 1 ha of crop. Crops of legumes by Nitrogen fixation capabilities play an important role in saving and improvement of the natural soil fertility. It is known that in the process of the crop rotation with legumes the species composition of soil microorganisms is restored, as a result stable soil fertility rate is supported. Legumes plants are valuable siderata. Green legume fertilizer has a positive effect on increasing the productivity of plants, causes to the conservancy and increase of soil fertility. The plowing of the siderates leads to an increase in the humus content in the soil and the availability of phosphate treatment, a reduction in nitrogen gas losses from the soil. After decomposition and mineralization of leguminous siderata, the soil is replenished with nutritious macro- and microelements. Siderata is able to loosen heavy soils, improve their structure, and inhibit the growth of weeds that create water deficiency and reduce the content of minerals in the soil. Growing of peas leads to increased of the absorption efficiency of organic fertilizers by the following crops. The article approves the results of increasing the nitrogen-fixing ability of sowing pea with applying of the microbial preparation Bioinoculant and plant growth regulator Mars EL, and their role in increasing of biological nitrogen content for repair of soil fertility. It was established that the symbiotic activity of pea plants depends on the growth phase of the crop. The highest indexes of active nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots of pea plants were found in the budding phase after pre-sowing seed complex treatment with Bioinoculant and growth regulator Mars EL. It was researched that he combined use of Bioinoculant and plant growth regulator Mars EL provided the increase of the mass of active nodules at the roots of the plant by 33% (phase of formation of 5-6 leaves), 38,8% (budding phase) and 22,8% (flowering phase) compared to the control. It was found that the use of inoculant and plant growth regulator with N30P30K30 fertilizer background leads to the greatest concentration of nodules on the main roots of the plants. The nodules had a pink color. In the technological process, the pre-sowing treatment of pea seeds with Bioinoculant and plant growth regulator Mars EL is an important perspective for improving the symbiotic activity of culture. This induces the reproduction of the soil's natural fertility. It is advisable to investigate the effect of inoculation and growth regulators with the different mechanism of action on the symbiotic activity of winter peas. Key words: soil fertility, legumes, siderata, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, inoculant, plant growth regulator

THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF GROWING SWEET POTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS L. [LAM.]) IN POLISH SOIL AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS

The aim of this research was to determine the economic efficiency of sweet potato production in Polish conditions (49°49′ N, 21°50′ E). The study was based on the results of a 3-year (2017–2019) field experiment conducted in slightly acidic brown earth. The experiment used the random subblocks method, in which the main experimental factors were cultivation technologies: A) traditional, with no cover, B) with the use of PP spunbond nonwoven. Secondary factors included 5 cultivars of sweet potato of all earliness classes (Goldstar, Carmen Rubin, Satsumo Imo, Beauregard, White Triumph). Constant organic and mineral fertilization was used, and cultivation was carried out in accordance with normal agricultural practice. The propagating material included rooted cuttings of sweet potato from in vitro propagation, planted with 50 x 75 cm spacing. The economic effect of production was determined by all experimental factors. The profitability of production was increased by the use of PP spunbond nonwoven. The most beneficial economic factors were achieved when growing the Beauregard cultivar, and the least – when growing White Triumph. The largest cost of sweet potato commercial production were sweet potato cuttings, which amounted to 56%, and the smallest – plant protection products – 1% of direct costs per 1 ha of crops. Sweet potato production in Polish soil and climate conditions between 2017–2019 turned out to be cost-effective.

Efectos del cambio climático en la planificación hidrológica: propuesta de actuación en la cuenca del río Guadalhorce

The Fifth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates an increase in average temperatures and a 10–20% precipitation decrease for the Mediterranean region, which will likely generate drought events in the Guadalorce River watershed. This study attempts to determinate the potential impacts that climate change may have on water resources. The Guadalhorce River basin is the most important in Malaga (southern region of Spain) and supplies water to more than 10 000 ha of crops and Malaga city. The degree to which climate change-driven droughts will alter water resource supplies and demands were evaluated. Resulting social and environmental implications were also determined.

PROFITABILITY OF APPLICATION BIOSTIMULATORS IN WINTER RAPE CROP

The aim of the study was to conduct an economic analysis of winter rape, depending on the use of biostimulators four ways: control, Asahi SL, Silvit and Tytaniy. The data came from the Agricultural Experimental Station Zawady belonging to the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce. Seed yield stood at Asahi SL – 4.16 t/ha, Silvit – 3.96 t/ha: Titanit – 3.91 t/ha, control (without biostimulator) – 3.80 t/ha. Income from 1 ha of crops including direct payments ranged from 3449 PLN/ha (control – without biostimulator) to 3827 PLN/ha (biostimulator – Asahi SL). The largest share in the structure of direct costs incurred had the cost of fertilizer 31.1-33.0%.

Habitat and Time Are More Important Predictors of Weed Seed Predation than Space on a Diversified Vegetable Farm in Maine, USA

Postdispersal weed seed predation is a significant source of weed mortality in agroecosystems. The magnitude of seed predation, however, is variable. Understanding the relative importance of factors driving variability in seed predation rates will increase the potential utility of seed predation to farmers. We conducted landscape-scale field experiments to quantify and compare the effects of space, time of sampling, and habitat on weed seed predation. Seed predation assays, with and without vertebrate exclosures, measured seed predation rates at spatially explicit sample sites across 8.5 ha of crop and noncrop habitats on a diversified organic vegetable farm in Maine. Total and invertebrate seed predation averaged 8% and 3% d−1, respectively. Vertebrate seed predators detected by motion-sensing cameras included small mammals and birds. A ground beetle,Harpalus rufipes, was highly dominant in pitfall traps, comprising 66% of invertebrate seed predators captured within crop fields. Seed predation was randomly distributed in space. However, time of sampling and habitat were highly significant predictors of seed predation. Variance partitioning indicated that habitat factors explained more variation than did time of sampling. Total seed predation was greater in crop and riparian forest habitats than in mowed grass, meadow, or softwood forest. Generally, invertebrate seed predation was greatest at sites with an intermediate degree of vegetative cover, whereas habitat type was the chief biotic determinant of vertebrate seed predation rates. These results suggest cover cropping and wetland conservation as practices that may bolster seed predation rates.

A methodological proposal for Life Cycle Inventory of fertilization in energy crops: The case of Argentinean soybean and Spanish rapeseed

Fertilization is one of the agronomic practices that generates the highest environmental burdens in energy crops. However, this practice is essential, since its omission could entail long term processes of soil degradation, endangering the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems. In most of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of energy crops found in the scientific literature, the inputs and outputs of nutrients are not calculated and the environmental impacts of nutrient loss are ignored as well. In this paper, a methodological approach to calculate the balance of nutrients that occurs during annual crop production in the context of the Life Cycle Inventory phase of LCA is proposed and applied to two study cases of energy crops: rapeseed (Brassica napus) in Cádiz, Spain, and soybean (Glycine max) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results show that when rational fertilization is carried out, rapeseed fertilization in Spain generates more severe environmental impacts than soybean in the Argentinean Pampas when 1 ha of crop per year is used as the functional unit.

Prairie Restorations can Protect Remnant Tallgrass Prairie Plant Communities

Tallgrass prairie is the most endangered ecosystem in North America, with less than one percent of its original extent remaining. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has restored over 9000 ha of crop and fallow lands adjacent to native prairie with a primary goal of buffering remnant prairies to maintain plant community composition and reduce invasion by nonnative plants. We tested the efficacy of this approach by measuring plant community parameters at four TNC prairie restoration sites in Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana. We tested whether restorations protected remnant prairies from nonnative plants by comparing the effect of neighboring land use on community composition along transects running from the prairie edges toward the interior. Nonnative dominance increased from interior to edges by 78% when adjacent to roads/abandoned lands and by 29% when adjacent to crops, but remained even (and low) when adjacent to prairie restorations (nonsignificant increase of 5–11% for high and low diversity restorations). Native plant richness was maintained in prairies adjacent to restorations (nonsignificant losses of 0.03 species/0.25 m2 for low species richness restorations and 1.1 species/0.25 m2 for high species richness restorations from interior to edge), significantly less than the 3.8 species/0.25 m2 lost from interior to edge next to roads/abandoned lands. The change in native richness next to cropland was intermediate, but nonsignificant, with a loss of 1.4 species/0.25 m2. These results suggest that managers may be able to buffer remnant prairies against nonnative species invasion and protect native plant diversity by targeting restorations of roadsides, abandoned lands, and other adjacent areas dominated by non-native plants.

Development and Evaluation of a Combined Cultivator and Band Sprayer with a Row-Centering RTK-GPS Guidance System

Typically, low-pressure sprayers are used to uniformly apply pre- and post-emergent herbicides to control weeds in crop rows. An innovative machine for weed control in inter-row and intra-row areas, with a unique combination of inter-row cultivation tooling and intra-row band spraying for six rows and an electro-hydraulic side-shift frame controlled by a GPS system, was developed and evaluated. Two weed management strategies were tested in the field trials: broadcast spraying (the conventional method) and band spraying with mechanical weed control using RTK-GPS (the experimental method). This approach enabled the comparison between treatments from the perspective of cost savings and efficacy in weed control for a sugar beet crop. During the 2010–2011 season, the herbicide application rate (112 L ha−1) of the experimental method was approximately 50% of the conventional method, and thus a significant reduction in the operating costs of weed management was achieved. A comparison of the 0.2-trimmed means of weed population post-treatment showed that the treatments achieved similar weed control rates at each weed survey date. Sugar beet yields were similar with both methods (p = 0.92). The use of the experimental equipment is cost-effective on ≥20 ha of crops. These initial results show good potential for reducing herbicide application in the Spanish beet industry.

Diseño y evaluación de sistemas de polinización entomológica (passiflora edulis) en el Valle del Magdalena, Tolima

&lt;p&gt;El maracuyá Passiflora edulis es una fruta que se utiliza en fresco para la preparación de jugos, helados o en la agroindustria como materia prima de un sin número de productos. En los últimos dos años en la zona del Valle del Magdalena en los municipios de El Espinal, Guamo y Coello se han instalado cerca de 500ha, del cultivo de maracuyá utilizando la tecnología desarrollada en el Valle del Cauca, esto ha generando ocupación de mano de obra importante para la economía de la región.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sin embargo, factores como el clima, los suelos y la condición de auto esterilidad del maracuyá, han causado problemas en los flujos de caja de los cultivos por la baja producción. Por lo tanto, se ha requerido la polinización manual de los cultivos buscando incrementar el volumen de producción pero se ha observado que la eficiencia de polinización es baja, lo que causa poca formación de frutos o que se formen con bajo peso, además de los sobre costos que ello implica.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;La información científica está disponible y observaciones de campo conducen a que los mejores sistemas de polinización del maracuyá, debe ser con insectos (entomología). Al hacer la revisión de la literatura, al respecto, en fuentes primarias y secundarias se determinó que la abeja carpintera del género Xilocopa lachnea y la abeja africanizada Apis mellifera, son los polinizadores naturales del cultivo.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Por lo tanto, se diseñaron dos sistemas de polinización con dichos insectos para compararlos con el método manual y se evaluarán eficiencia de polinización, calidad de frutos, peso y costos de implementación y manejo de cada sistema para incrementar la productividad del maracuyá en la región.&lt;/p&gt;