Pedoclimatic Areas Research Articles

Ex-Situ Induction of Sprouting on Euadenia trifoliolata Cuttings Harvested from Four Pedoclimatic Areas of Côte d'Ivoire

<em>Euadenia trifoliolata</em> (Capparaceae) is a tropical forest plant. It is used in the pharmacopoeia for its medicinal properties and for that it is overexploited. Information on propagation techniques of <em>E. trifoliolata</em> domestication and its wild management are still missing. The study conducted on nurseries aimed to obtain some young plants from cutting stems.

Can pedotransfer functions based on environmental variables improve soil total nutrient mapping at a regional scale?

Numerous pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been developed to predict the soil properties of interest from other soil properties and, less commonly, from environmental variables. However, only a few PTFs have been developed to predict soil nutrients using environmental variables and to extrapolate them to characterize spatial soil variations at a regional scale. In this study, we attempted to develop PTFs for the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) concentrations in three typical pedo-climatic areas of China (Fujian Province, Jiangsu Province and Qilian Mountains) with diverse climate, terrain and soil types. A series of linear PTFs were developed to quantify the effect of terrain and climate on the predictive relations between the soil nutrients and other measured soil properties and environmental variables. In addition, digital soil mapping (DSM) based on the random forest (RF) technique was performed to test the hypothesis that the best-fit PTFs could be extrapolated, based on soil maps and environmental variables, to describe regional soil variations in the soil nutrients. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the best-fit PTFs for TN, TP and TK ranged from 0.21 to 0.79 g kg−1, 0.20 to 0.58 g kg−1, and 3.68 to 5.00 g kg−1, respectively. Different RMSEs were produced by DSM, namely 0.37-1.89 g kg−1, 0.19−0.56 g kg−1 and 3.79-4.83 g kg−1 for TN, TP and TK, respectively. PTFs provided a sound basis for database compilation if the soil properties were highly correlated. However, the extrapolation of best-fit PTFs to regional scales yielded greater errors than those produced by DSM. The comparison results reveal the limitations of PTFs and suggest that their performance could be improved by using environmental covariates or by fitting data in areas with relatively homogeneous soil landscapes. The DSM techniques may provide satisfactory alternatives to predict soil data at both regional and plot scales.

Characterization of mycotoxigenic Alternaria species isolated from the Tunisian halophyte Cakile maritima

Cakile maritima is a typical halophyte of the Mediterranean coasts. In addition to its ecological and industrial properties, C. maritima has antiscorbutic, diuretic and purgative roles in folk remedies. This plant is infected by different fungal species, mainly belonging to Alternaria genus. Two-hundred Alternaria strains were collected from four different pedo-climatic areas in Tunisia, from C. maritima fresh plant tissues showing symptoms of Alternaria infection. Phylogenetic analyses of 79 representative Alternaria strains, were carried out using multi-locus gene sequencing. All the strains clustered in the Alternaria Section: 47 strains had high homology with A. alternata reference strain, 13 grouped with A. arborescens reference strain, 12 grouped with A. mali reference strain, and seven strains were not well defined with A. mali as their closest species. In vitro production of tenuazonic acid (TA), alternariol (AOH), alternariol-monomethyl ether (AME), and altenuene (ALT) was evaluated. Approx. 68% of strains simultaneously produced AOH, AME and TA. Only two A. alternata and one A. mali strains were ALT producing. Pathogenicity tests on leaves of C. maritima were carried out with 41 representative strains. Alternaria arborescens showed the greatest pathogenicity compared to A. alternata and A. mali, although no statistically significant differences in pathogenicity were observed. This is the first study on Tunisian populations of Alternaria species isolated from the extremophile C. maritima.

Innovative system for biochemical monitoring of degraded soils restoration

Inappropriate agricultural practices, combined with adverse environmental and climatic factors, make the soil particularly prone to intense degradation processes, especially in Mediterranean area.The present work was aimed at demonstrating the viability of the addition of stabilized organic matter and the plantation of autochthonous species as an environmental approach to recover and to protect the soil in areas with high risk of degradation processes.Two sites (about 360m2 each), located in two different pedoclimatic areas in Italy (North and South of Italy), have been set up for the experimentation. Each one was divided in four plots and assigned to a different treatment with the aim of evaluating the single and combined effect of plants (Pinus halepensis and Pistacia lentiscus) and organic amendment (compost) on soil quality improvement.Conventional chemical-physical parameters usually related to soil fertility along with more sensitive biochemical and biological indicators of soil quality and functionality have been used as innovative integrated characterization and monitoring methodology.The selected parameters clearly discriminated the two sites and a higher soil quality and functionality was generally observed in Northern with respect to Southern Italy sites. The results of soil characterization showed that microbial metabolism and carbon cycle were strictly interrelated each other and positively affected by the organic matter, immediately after addition (T0). Total C and humic substances content increased, over time, in both the amended soils (OM and OM+P) compared to the control soil without amendment, as well as dehydrogenase and hydrolytic enzymes (β-glucosidase and phosphatase) activities.Compost application was also effective in decreasing the biomarkers of plant oxidative stress. Indeed, SOD, APX and GPX enzyme activities in needles of Pinus halepensis and in leaves of Pistacia lentiscus were reduced in presence of compost.Similarly, after eighteen months from the beginning of the experimentation (T18), the plant remediation strategy has showed its effectiveness in soil quality amelioration in terms of total C, humic substances content and biochemical activities in the North of Italy site. In the South of Italy, the plant treatment without amendment, in spite of the fact that it stimulated the soil functionality, was not able to promote the C sequestration in soil.

Nitrogen soil surface balance of organic vs conventional cash crop farming in the Seine watershed

In major cash crop farming areas like those of the Paris basin, nitrogen surpluses related to the synthetic fertilization of arable soils are the main cause of severe nitrate contamination of the groundwater and river network. Based on farmer interviews and the Nitrogen Soil Surface Balance integrated at the scale of the entire crop rotation cycle, we assessed the current agronomical and environmental performance of 68 organic rotations (with or without livestock) and compared them with those of the dominant conventional crop rotation in the same pedoclimatic areas. We demonstrated that, compared to conventional systems, organic cropping systems receive 12% less of total N inputs (including legume symbiotic fixation) without significant reduction in N yield. Consequently, the N surplus is 26% lower in organic than in conventional cropping systems. Forage legumes are the key component of the organic cropping systems studied, accounting for around 70% of total N inputs and for 52% of N yield. Therefore, the extension of organic farming to a broader scale to reconcile water quality and food production will substantially depend upon local opportunities of valorizing legume fodder cereal by-products. We also evidenced that the provisional N balance approach that has been promoted in the Nitrate Directive does not guarantee the infiltration of sub-root water fluxes meeting the drinking water standard of 11mgN.l−1 without a downward revision of yield objectives.

The Dynamic Of Essential Oil Accumulation In Hop Cones During 2011 Year

The present study includes researches regarding the dynamic accumulation of essential oil in hop cones, in different phenophases: during the formation, ripening and harvesting cones. The study was carried out for three varieties of hop: Magnum (MG), Hüller Bitterer (HB) and Aroma (AR), cultivated in pedo-climatic areas from Transilvania, in the Seleuș farms from Mureș. The essential oils were extracted from all samples using the hydrodistillation technique.

Near Infrared Reflectance Calibration Optimisation to Predict Lignocellulosic Compounds in Sugarcane Samples with Coarse Particle Size

Frequent variations in spectral intensity due to particle size and/or of particle size distribution are observed in plant products processed in powder form and scanned with near infrared reflectance (NIR). In this study, two grinders, with differences in time consumption, practicality and providing homogenates with different particle size range and distribution, were tested to evaluate their effects on NIR spectra. Optimisation of NIR calibration was necessary before predicting lignocellulosic compounds in sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) samples with coarse particle size to supply a pre-existing ecophysiological growth model. Sixty samples from three varieties, grown in four contrasting pedoclimatic areas and from five anatomical parts were scanned and then analysed by biochemical fractionation. Different calibration methods, resulting in a combination of multiple linear regressions (MLR) applied to three calibration sets (fine, coarse and mixed particle sizes) treated with six data pretreatments—first derivative (D), second derivative (D2), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate and detrend (SNVD), standard normal variate and detrend successively followed by first derivative (SNVD-D) or second derivative (SNVD-D2)—were investigated. The best NIR model statistical values were obtained by calibration developed on a mixed calibration set treated by SNVD-D2. Results confirmed that NIR spectroscopy could be an accurate and efficient method to predict lignocellulosic compounds in different botanical parts of sugarcane samples when used as input to an ecophysiological growth model.

Economic Efficiency of Different Weed Control Strategies in Maize

SUMMARY Because the corn crop is cultivated on a very wide surface in different pedo-climatic areas, the weed infestation differs very much in th e country. Variations are bigger if we observe the ratio of certain weed species towards o ther, the monocotyledonous species towards the dicotyledonous, the annual towards the perennial etc.; thus, the selection of the right strategy for weed control has to be made in t he real local conditions and in the real economic and ecological indicators. From the considerations that: the characteristic w eed flora for corn is variable in the territory; the climatic conditions are variable as well; the herbicide effect can vary (is related to their adequate selection, their application tech nique and the weather); safety of the agroecosystem, animal and human health are also variabl e (in relation to many natural and anthropic factors, among other things being the rig ht approach of weed control methods in the agriculture crops); the profit of corn crop farmers varies depending on the fact that the technological steps of crop are correctly applied a nd on the local condition - by these researches, we envisage to clarify certain aspects concerning the efficacy of the pre and postemergence weed control strategies in corn crop for the high meadow area of Alba County and to setting the minimal elements for research extens ion. 38 variants of weed control in maize (grouped in 6 distinctly strategies) were tested in 2004-2007 period in a two factorial stationary expe riment. Four of the strategies were based on post-emergence weed control methods and two of them ‐ on pre-emergent weed control method. After the weed control strategies effective ness determination in corn (by EWRS method) and the yield correlation the profit and ra te of profit were established. These two economic indicators define the strategies or weed c ontrol variants which are recommended for the farmers. The obtained profits vary between 166. 8 and 1685.6 lei/ha, and the rate of profit varies between 36.2 and 86.45%.

A survey on the milk fatty acid composition of forty dairy sheep flocks in Sardinia

A survey was carried out to monitor milk fatty acid (FA) composition during two years (2003 and 2004) on forty dairy sheep flocks, fed pasture based rations, in 5 macro pedoclimatic areas of Sardinia, featured by different i) soil type, (granitic, G; basaltic, B and alluvial, A) ii) average annual rainfall (low, L, 500-600 mm/year; high, H, 600-800 mm/year). Milk FA profile was strongly influenced by year. In particular milk linolenic acid (LN), CLA (conjugated linoeic acid) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) levels increased (by 25, 30 and 14%, respectively, P<0.01) whereas the atherogenicity index (AI) decreased (by 8%, P<0.01) in all areas in 2004 as compared with 2003. Pedoclimatic area affected milk fatty acid composition (P<0.01). In both years milk from AL farms showed the highest levels of LN, CLA and PUFA. AI was lower in BH and GH in year 2003 and in BH, AH and GL in 2004.

Sorbitol and free sugar contents in plums

Analytical data are reported for sorbitol and free sugar contents of thirteen cultivars of plums grown in different pedoclimatic areas of Italy. Two chromatographic systems were compared: one using an amino-bonded silica phase (LiChrosorb-NH 2) and the other using a polymeric phase (Polypore Pb). The second phase yielded a sharper resolution of sorbitol from the other sugars with better sensitivity and reliability without the problems of loss of resolution due to ageing of the column. On average, the tested cultivars of plums had a sorbitol content higher than cultivars growing abroad, which are reported in the literature. The variability among the cultivars and the interrelationship between sorbitol and sugars are discussed. The sorbitol content should be included in criteria of plum suitability for drying processing.

RESEARCH CONCERNING THE WEEDING LEVEL OF CORN CROPS IN CLUJ COUNTY

Processing of weeds control – is a very important aspect of the technologies of crops, and suppose the existence of an update date bank concerning these crops weeding, so that, the control strategies to be established in full knowledge, under the aspect of weeds composition, under the aspect of some specie dominance and weeding evolution on an ecological territory, homogeny, and also under the aspect of pedoclimatic and technological influence in the level of weed incidence in crops and the control methods within the agricultural ecosystem. The present paper presents the results of the determination of weeding level with all its compound, which took place in the 2001-2004 period in 5 pedoclimatic areas in Cluj county, being favorable for the main crops: Ist area – Cîmpia Turzii; IInd area – Ceanu Mare; IIIrd area – Cluj-Dej; IVth-area – Panticeu; Vth- – Huedin-Iara. The stationeries in which the experiments took place in different areas from the five pedoclimatic areas, on different types of soils: in the 1st zone – 4 counties and 3 types of soil, in the 2nd - 6 counties and 3 types of soil, in the 3rd - 8 counties and 3 types of soil, in the 4th – 4 counties and 2 types of soil and in the 5th zone – 6 counties and 3 types of soil. The weeding level is diverse under the aspect of composition and frequency in the 5 areas taken into study, and the influence of the soil type is observed in several cases detailed in the paper.

The Unspecific Fraction Analysis of Romanian Hops Cultivars

The study of the chemical composition of the unspecific bitter resins was carried on for Magnum, Brewers Gold, Hüller Bitterer and Perle hops cultivars, harvest in 2008, in pedo-climatic areas of Transilvania, in the Saschiz and Seleuş farms. &#x0D; The drying and pelletizing of whole hop cones change the composition of unspecific fraction, especially because the oxidation process. The LCV decrese from 13,44% to 9,24% in Magnum cultivar, from 8,50 to 6,99 in Brewers Gold, from 9,84 to 6,07 in Huller Bitterer and from 9,25 to 6,40% in Perle cultivars. The results were statistical analysed with ANOVA test and the results showed that the technological conditions (temperature, time) are the most important factors in bitter substances losses on technological flow of hop pellets production.

RESEARCHES ACHIEVED CONCERNING THE DIRECT SEEDING COMBINER`S DYNAMICS

The minimal work method is a concept that has gained approval in a shorter period of time than the necessary one to adopt maize hybrids 50 years ago. Direct seeding is the most important method of saving power and of preserving the soil’s production capacity. The experimental field was set on the lands of the Didactic Station from B.U.A.S.V.M. Timisoara on a vertic chernozem. The object submitted to experimental research was represented by the aggregate comprising the direct seeding machine Massey Ferguson MF 354 TSB and the tractor U-650 M. The objective of the experimental research regarding the dynamics of the work system tractor – direct seeding machine has led to: the determination of forces which act in the coupling points between machine and tractor (traction power and pressing power); the determination of the twisting moment transmitted to machine through the tractor power take-off shaft; According to the processing and analysis of the data achieved during our experimental researches, could elaborate a series of conclusions, the most important of them being presented synthetically as following: The average traction power Ft med has values of 469,1 daN in the step III L and 530,0 daN in the step IV L; The average pressure force Fa med increases from 285,0 daN in the step II L up to the maximal value of 391,0 daN in the step IV L; The moment resistant to the power take-off shaft Map med is between 1,3 daNm in the step II L and 8,3 daNm in the step IV L. The values of the moment resistant to the power take-off shaft are low, indifferently of the velocity step used, because only the ventilator of the direct seeding machine is hydrostatically acted by the tractor power take-off and the energy required is reduced; The protection and preservation of soil fertility by implementing the direct seeding technology in the maize crop under the conditions of high-level crops with low costs represents a facile solution that may be applied in pedo-climatic areas similar to those from the researched areas