Slovak Agricultural Research Articles

The Development of the Slovak Agricultural Landscape in a Changing World

The agricultural landscape, which serves as a space for food production and a habitat for all kinds of living organisms, is under constant pressure to use the land in various different ways, causing constant changes in the environment. Various socio-economic, technical or political drivers have caused land use changes, which are linked to a number of socio-economic and environmental problems, e.g., different possible land uses competing with each other, changes of landscape character, increasing anthropisation of the territory and disruption of spatial ecological stability, threatening the environmental quality and causing overexploitation of natural resources. The aim of this paper is to evaluate land use changes in Slovakia since the 18th century, to identify key periods of land-management practices and prevailing drivers, and to specify the socio-economic and environmental impacts of land-use change. We organized a workshop with guided brainstorming to identify individual eras of agricultural development and their impacts. In total, we identified five main periods of agricultural landscape development and specified the characteristic landscape structure. Knowledge of the basic drivers of land use change as well as of its effects on the land is important for development of effective policies and for ensuring effective protection of the values of traditional agricultural landscape.

The Role of Banks in Financing the Slovak Agricultural Sector

A well-developed financial system plays an important role in financing individual sectors in the country. In this paper, we analyse credit development in the agricultural sector in the Slovak Republic from various perspectives. We examine the relationship between the agricultural sector's characteristics and the volume of funding at the regional level. The paper's methodology is based on a k-means algorithm for clustering the Slovak regions with four criteria. Then we examine the relationship between financial development and agricultural growth by employing the Cobb-Douglas production function. This study uses annual data covering the period from 2008 to 2019. The results reveal that financial development has a significant and positive effect on agricultural production and agricultural growth.

International network AgroBioNet in the implementation of the scientific program «Agrobiodiversity to Improve Nutrition, Health and Quality of Life»

Within the framework of the Convention on the Conservation of Biodiversity and the implementation of the program “Agrobiodiversity for the improvement of nutrition, health and quality of life” by joint research of the Department of Acclimatization of Fruit Plants of the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra created the International Network AgroBioNet. The scientific and organizational activities of the network are focused on the development of international cooperation in the field of non-traditional, neglected, and underutilized plant species that contribute to food security. AgroBioNet has more than 50 registered researchers and 250 experts, and unites research institutions, educational institutions, research stations, and farms from 21 countries. Five scientific conferences and 435 published articles for the period 2005–2020 (20 to 50 publications per year) on agrobiodiversity conservation, information on new, non-traditional, neglected, and underutilized plant species have contributed to the expansion of research on their bioecological, biochemical and medicinal properties (including antioxidants) properties, technologies of cultivation and reproduction, practical use and introduction in farms and private gardens.

Financing climate change in the conditions of the Slovak agricultural sector

Research background: Globalization is a powerful engine of structural changes in national, regional and global economies. Except for positive economic effects, globalization also has negative effects. One of them is the deterioration of the global environmental situation and the ongoing global climate change. Purpose of the article: The paper focuses on the current global financing trends to mitigate the effects of climate change. Generally financial funds come from international, national and regional actors. Governments have a range of funding mechanisms and resources at their disposal. Within the EU, these are the Structural Funds, investment funds and the financing from European Investment Bank. At the national level, it is financial assistance from state budgets and local government budgets. Methods: The paper provides literature review of the possibilities of financing climate change at the national and international level and, using analysis and synthesis, points to future trends and sources of financing climate change. We also analyse the proposal of Common agricultural policy 2021-2027 and effects on Slovak agriculture. European Commission wants member states to use up to 40% of the budget for environmental goods and climate change. Slovakia might have problems to spend the allocation due to the fact, that most of the money will be voluntary schemes. Farmers will have the option to participate. Findings & Value added: Agriculture is seriously exposed to the adverse effects of climate change as agricultural activities are directly depending on climate conditions. The article analyses in detail the possibilities and sources of financing adaptation measures in the Slovak agricultural sector.

Comparison of Public Risk Management Tools in Slovak Agriculture

Research background: Risk in agriculture is a difficult concept to recognize, because farmers are exposed to different types of risks that influence their agricultural activity. The stability of farmer´s income is threatened by various factor interconnected to each other, such as market risks (price volatility, market shocks), financial risks (indebtedness, loans and credits), production risks (climate change, pests and diseases, biosecurity), technological risk (digitization, technological progress), institutional risk (regulations, environment and tax policy), and human resource risk (physical and mental health). Therefore, for the farmers it is very challenging to implement appropriate and effective risk management tools, in order to stabilize their income. Purpose of the article: Risk management offers a variety of strategies and instruments on the farm or aggregate level to copy with the risk. Also in the Pillar II of CAP 2014-2020 were introduced new risk management tools, as a response to greater price and yield variability among European countries. In the paper, we decided to analyse and compare several public risk management tools that can farmers use to increase their welfare and stabilize income. Methods: The national agricultural policies, as well as CAP are aimed at compensating farmers for the negative effects, however it is not so easy to govern and implement the tools on the farm level. The paper provides a comparative analysis of selected tools that are the most suitable for Slovak agricultural producers. Findings & Value added: The results of the paper can give the farmers ability to compare and choose between public risk management tools that could be used for risk exposure.

Selected qualitative parameters above-ground phytomass of the Lenor-first Slovak cultivar of Festulolium A. et Gr.

Article Details: Received: 2018-10-04 | Accepted: 2018-11-06 | Available online: 2019-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2019.22.01.13-16 The aim of this experiment was to compare selected qualitative parameters in above-ground phytomass of the first Slovak cultivar of Festulolium A et. Gr. cv. Lenor in compare earlier registered cultivars Felina and Hykor. The pot experiment was conducted at the Demonstrating and research base of the Department of Grassland Ecosystems and Forage Crops, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra (Slovak Republic) with controlled moisture conditions (shelter) in 2017. Content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, crude fiber and water soluble carbohydrates were determined from dry above-ground phytomass of grasses. The significantly highest (P<0.05) nitrogen content in average of cuts was in above-ground phytomass of Felina (30.3 g.kg -1 ) than Hykor (25.4 g.kg -1 ) and new intergeneric hybrid Lenor (25.0 g.kg -1 ). At the least content of phosphorus was found out in hybrid Lenor (3.4 g.kg -1 ). In average of three cuts was the least concentration of potassium in new intergeneric hybrid Lenor (5.8 g.kg -1 ). At least content of calcium was found out in hybrid Lenor (7.0 g.kg -1 ). Magnesium concentration of was from 5.0 g.kg -1 (Hykor) to 6.1 g.kg -1 (Felina). Higher (P<0.05) fiber content in average of cuts was in above-ground phytomass of Lenor (27.0 %) and Hykor (26.5%) than Felina (24.0%). The highest concentration of water soluble carbohydrates has in Hykor and Lenor (3.5%). Keywords: grass hybrids, festulolium, quality

Can a single dose of biochar affect selected soil physical and chemical characteristics?

Abstract During the last decade, biochar has captured the attention of agriculturalists worldwide due to its positive effect on the environment. To verify the biochar effects on organic carbon content, soil sorption, and soil physical properties under the mild climate of Central Europe, we established a field experiment. This was carried out on a silty loam Haplic Luvisol at the Malanta experimental site of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra with five treatments: Control (biochar 0 t ha−1, nitrogen 0 kg ha−1); B10 (biochar 10 t ha−1, nitrogen 0 kg ha−1); B20 (biochar 20 t ha−1, nitrogen 0 kg ha−1); B10+N (biochar 10 t ha−1, nitrogen 160 kg ha−1) and B20+N (biochar 20 t ha−1, nitrogen 160 kg ha−1). Applied biochar increased total and available soil water content in all fertilized treatments. Based on the results from the spring soil sampling (porosity and water retention curves), we found a statistically significant increase in the soil water content for all fertilized treatments. Furthermore, biochar (with or without N fertilization) significantly decreased hydrolytic acidity and increased total organic carbon. After biochar amendment, the soil sorption complex became fully saturated mainly by the basic cations. Statistically significant linear relationships were observed between the porosity and (A) sum of base cations, (B) cation exchange capacity, (C) base saturation.

Growth-Production Parameters of the First Slovak Cultivar of Festulolium A. et Gr.

The aim of this experiment was to compare growth and production parameters of the first Slovak cultivar of xFestulolium with Felina and Hykor. The experiment was conducted at the Demonstrating and research base of Department of Grassland Ecosystems and Forage Crops, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra (Slovak Republic) with controlled moisture conditions (glass house) in 2017 (one year pot experiment). We compared new intergeneric hybrid Lenor with Felina and Hykor. In the experiment were evaluated average height (mm) and dry matter (DM) yields (g). New intergeneric hybrid Lenor was in every cut highest (P < 0.05) (59.57 mm) in compare with controlled varieties Felina (47.89 mm) and Hykor (47.07 mm). Lenor had higher dry matter yields than Felina and Hykor in the first and second cut. In the 3rd cut were not observed significant differences in dry matter yields. The highest DM yields were measured by Hykor (2.82 g). In sum of three cuts reached Lenor highest dry matter yield (4.99 g). This measured value was higher (P < 0.05) compared with Felina’s production.

Weed infestation in the stand of milk thistle and infestation in sustainable crop rotation

Weed infestation in the stand of milk thistle and infestation in sustainable crop rotation

The weed seed bank assessment in two soil depths under various mineral fertilising

The field trial at the experimental station of Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra - Kolíňany (Slovak Republic, maize growing region, Haplic Luvisol and Stagni-Haplic Luvisol) in 1997 year was established. Experiments were based on 14 ha area (424 x 432.2 m) by long strips method. The impact of different mineral fertilisers on six model crops was observed: winter wheat, spring barley, sunflower, winter oilseed rape, maize and sugar beet. Weed infestation of winter wheat, spring barley, maize and sugar beet as well as weed seed bank composition since 2000 year till 2002 year were detected. Three variants of mineral fertilisation were applied: variant 1 – without fertilisers, variant 2 – N-P-K fertilisation, steady state soil nutrients balance, variant 3 – high doses of N-P-K fertilisers (positive soil nutrients balance). Soil weed seed bank was analysed once per year before crop germination (on February) from depths 0–0.05 m and 0.20–0.25 m in five replicates. From the depth 0–0.05 m 26 weed species were found, from the depth 0.20–0.25 m 23 weed species, from late spring group mainly. Chenopodium album, Stellaria media and Amaranthus spp. (77.57 % from intact seeds in total) were the most occurred weeds in both depths. The year, depth of soil sampling and fertilisation did not have statistically significant impact on weed seeds number in the soil.

COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY 2007 – 2013 VS. 2014 -2020

Slovakia is perceived as a leader among the European countries due to its size of farms. Despite of a high concentration of farms - up to 95.1% of the utilized agricultural land are farmed by large farms - the Slovak agriculture is considerably less productive. The reform of Common Agriculture Policy tries to develop not only the traditional role of agriculture, a food production, but shapes the face of country, affects the quality of environment and also helps to increase the potential of tourism development through the cooperation of direct payments system, capping and greening. To make a right decision in allocation of this support, it is necessary to become familiar with its advantages and disadvantages especially in Slovak agricultural conditions: Direct payments system – the use of objective criteria would ensure a more equitable and efficient use of budgetary resources in comparison to e.g. EU flat rate, where Slovakia is paid with lower direct payments than the other Member States. Objective criteria reflect the dual role of direct payments in providing income support and public goods. Capping - The primary objective of capping is to increase the downward nature of employment in animal production, or at least to maintain its current state in Member States like Slovakia, Czech Republic or Germany, where the biggest farms are located due to the historical development. In previous years, the animal production has been forgotten regarding to higher payments paid to the crop production. This unbalance could be changed by reform of Common Agriculture Policy. Greening – opponents of green rules, which should ensure the maintaining of the permanent pastures; diversification and maintaining the ecological landscape” highlight their possible negative impacts like reduction in the competitiveness of Slovak agricultural products; decrease of potential output growth; increased costs in crop production; etc. But one of its indisputable advantage hides in the opportunity to spread the crop of soybeans and pulses that could be a rewarding alternative of possible farms losses in these increasingly hotter summers.

Studenti Slovenskej poľnohospodárskej univerzity v Nitre ako objekt skúmania výsledkov zdokonaľovania cudzojazyčného písomného prejavu

Writing in the foreign language is one of the most important language skills students develop and improve at the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra. Strong writing skills are essential to their future success, whether they are related to writing general reports on agricultural issues at home or in the world as well as to working-out some research papers aimed at agriculture, but also at some other areas of the business world. We have to state that writing is perhaps one of the most difficult skills students can develop and improve at our University. They learn how to write effectively, they are encouraged to develop an awareness of themselves as students - writers and essay authors. This paper deals with the essay writing analysis in teaching foreign languages at the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra, particularly from the point of their final results. The research was carried out in the Department of Languages and we present in our paper the results students achieved in writing essays in the two compared years, 2007 and 2010.

Soil Environmental Index For Slovak Agricultural Land

The soil environmental index (SEI), which is a four digit code system, represents relatively homogenous spatial unit with specific soil capacity to provide ecological or non-production functions. This work aimed to present information on rating and economic evaluation of SEI, which is a spatial identifier used for expressing heterogeneity of Slovak agricultural soil to support analysis of soil ecological functions. In this study, SEI index expressed the capacity of soil to accumulate water, immobilise the risk elements and substances and transform risk substances (organic pollutants). Partial evaluations of soil capacity to provide above mentioned functions were used to derive final SEI values. Within the agricultural soils of Slovakia there were 493 combinations of soil environmental index. Each index was expressed through rating (point) value and economic value. Average value of Slovak agricultural land to provide selected ecological soil functions was 55.3 points, which corresponded to 35.946 billion € per agricultural land or approximately 1.42 € per square meter. Spatial identification of SEI codes and relevant database were developed in vector form via geographical information systems of Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Bratislava. In addition to using the national soil database system, a strategy was presented for evaluating and pricing of soil ecological function, and the development of an soil environmental index. Assessment and evaluation of vitally important soil functions expressed by SEI can significantly contribute to planning and protection of the soil, and can regulate indiscriminate anthropic interventions in land use decisions.

Výučba odbornej angličtiny a nemčiny poľnohospodárskych inžinierov – cesta k lepším pracovným príležitostiam na potravinárskom trhu

We deal in this paper with teaching foreign languages for specific purposes (LSP) the future agricultural graduates, which plays a major role at the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra as part of its language education system. Besides specialized terms and definitions, it also covers mastering the specific functional style of a given foreign language. Graduates from this university have shown their competence in various agricultural fields of study, as well as foreign language use in professional placement abroad. To be good at one´s specialization means to follow the latest news and the newest forms of research constantly, to read professional magazines proficiently, to be able to write scientific papers and present them in public, and to be ready to lead international teams in various agricultural projects. Our paper deals with the research we have provided at the Department of Languages. The goal of research was the four year monitoring of the group of 156 students of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra who were supposed, within their language UNIcert®, level III (C1) exam, to write their projects on varied specific topics of their own choices, to prepare and perform their presentations in the English or German languages, as well as evaluation of their results. The mentioned research was carried out in the years 2007 – 2010. The students were, through this exam, verified their complex skills in creating their own texts as well as their ability to present them in public.

Changes in Slovakian Beekeeping

This is the second in a series of articles taking a look at centres of bee excellence around the world. Robert Chlebo is based at the Slovak Agricultural University and is involved with the education of beekeepers nationally.

OCCURRENCE OF SPECIES FAMILY CARABIDAE (COLEOPTERA) INDEPENCE ON THE INPUT OF ORGANIC MATTER INTO SOIL

The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of different rates of organic fertilizers (farmyard manure and bio sludge) on occurrence of soil organisms with focus to species of family Carabidae. During 2001-2003, samples of biological material were collected using the earth trap method. Samples were taken from five treatments (i) unfertilized, (ii) 25 t ha-1 farmyard manure, (iii) 50 t ha-1 bio sludge, (iv) 50 t ha-1 farmyard manure, (v) 100 t ha-1 bio sludge) which cover area of 9 000 m2 at experimental farm of Slovak Agricultural University Koliňany. Totally 59 054 individuals of soil edaphon belong to 23 epigeic groups was collected from which 25 species totally 21 189 individuals belong to the target group Carabidae. The attributes of specific identity according Jaccard (IA) ranged from 45.45 to 71.43 % and those of dominant identity (ID) from 94.20 to 97.72 %. The attributes of diversity (d) achieved a level from 0.5406 to 0.8986. Harpalus rufipes (De Geer, 1774) occurring on arid to damp soil, mostly in light places, was determined as the dominant species. The attributes of individual treatments are influenced by the quantity of organic mater inputs into soil that affects the formation of well-defined communities with the characteristic species composition. A comparison of individual treatments in terms of the occurrence of zooedaphon showed that application of 100 t ha-1 bio sludge create the most suitable soil condition for zooedaphon development.

THE NUTRIENTS BALANCE OF CROP ROTATION AS AN INDICATOR OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING ON ARABLE LAND

The nutrient balance of five crop rotation systems under conventional and minimal tillage with interaction of different fertilization treatments was investigated at the experimental station of Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra Dolna Malanta, during 2004-2005. The five-field crop rotation of maize (Zea mays L.) - winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) - spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) underseeded with red clover - red clover (Trifolium pratense) - common pea (Pisum sativum L.) and mustard as catch crop was used. The most serious deficit of nitrogen (- 62.2 kg.ha-1.yr-1), phosphorus (- 24.0 kg.ha-1.yr-1) and potassium (- 89.2 kg.ha-1.yr-1) was on control treatments. Deficit of nitrogen was also found-out in treatments with mineral fertilizers application. However higher deficit of nitrogen (- 25.4 kg.ha-1.yr- 1) was registered under conventional tillage. In treatment fertilized with mineral fertilizers together with by - product of pre - crop incorporation into soil (PZ), small balance surplus of nitrogen (8 kg.ha-1.yr-1 - B1, 11.5 kg. ha-1.yr-1 - B2, respectively) was calculated. The positive balance of phosphorus achieved in treatments with into soil incorporated by - products of pre - crops (in both systems of soil cultivation amounting value of 3.9 kg.ha-1.yr-1) can contribute to good supply of phosphorous in soil. The negative balance of potassium fluctuating from - 89.2 kg.ha-1.yr-1 (control treatment) to - 22 kg.ha-1.yr-1 (PZ) is acceptable owing to high content of available potassium in soil of experimental stand.

Soil tillage and fertilization of Orthic Luvisol and their influence on chemical properties, soil structure stability and carbon distribution in water-stable macro-aggregates

We studied the influence of different soil tillage and fertilization on chemical parameters, soil structure stability and carbon distribution in water-stable macro-aggregates (WSA ma) of loamy Orthic Luvisol. In 1994, the Department of Plant Production of the Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra established a long-term field experiment in locality Dolná Malanta. In 1994–2007, the soil samples were collected from the depth 0–0.3 m. The field experiment included two types of soil tillage (conventional tillage—CT and reduced tillage—RT) and three variants of fertilization (1. C o—without fertilization, 2. PR + NPK—crop residues together with added NPK fertilizers, 3. NPK—with added NPK fertilizers). Different tillage and fertilization had statistically significant influence on changes of the soil pH and soil sorptive complex. The values of pH were more favourable in RT than in CT. In NPK (by 26%) and in PR + NPK (by 21%) decreased values of hydrolytic acidity. On the other hand it increased the sum of basic cations. This led to the increase of cation exchangeable capacity. In comparison to CT, a higher total carbon concentration ( C t) was determined in RT. According to vulnerability coefficient ( K v), the soil structure stability was better in RT (4.64 ± 1.54) than in CT (5.15 ± 1.75). Average value of WSA ma was higher by 9% in RT and it led to increasing of the sum of mean weight diameters of water-stable aggregates (MWD-WSA) by 11% and increasing of index stability ( S w) by 12%. We determined linear dependences between C t and critic level of soil organic matter concentration ( S t) in CT and RT as well as in PR + NPK and NPK. The negative correlation between Ca 2+ and S t (−0.507 **) and positive correlation between Ca 2+ and crusting index (0.525 **) were detected in CT. The values of Ca 2+ were in positive correlation with crusting index (0.363 *) in RT. We observed higher concentrations of C t and labile carbon content ( C L) in water-stable micro-aggregates (WSA mi) and WSA ma in the size fractions from 25 × 10 −4 to 3 × 10 −3 m in RT. There were also higher concentrations of C t and C L in WSA ma in the size fractions >3 × 10 −3 m in CT. The application of crop residues together with NPK fertilizers increased the concentration of C t in all fractions of WSA ma. On the other hand, C t concentration decreased by 7% in WSA mi. In PR + NPK, the highest concentration of C L was observed in WSA ma in the size fraction 2 × 10 −3 to 3 × 10 −3 m.

Soil water movement modelling in hapllicc luvisols (HMm) and albi hapllic luvisols (HMl) under Slovak climatic conditions

Abstract The aim of the research paper is simulation by the Global Model on the basis of investigation of Slovak Agricultural University (SAU) on two localities (Kolinany and Malanta). The soil moisture was measured by a time domain transmissometry instrument and compared with simulated outputs of the Global Model on Kolinany locality. Measurement of the soil moisture using the gravimetric method was applied on Malanta locality. Sugar beet was grown in Kolinany and, on the other hand, there was no plant on Malanta soil during the experiment. The experiment took three years (2002–2004). Measured and simulated courses of water content were consequently tested by correlation analysis in MS Excel. Result differences between simulated and measured values should reach according to 15 % difference at least 80 % of equality. Correlation between measured and simulated values had a high significance on Kolinany locality (in the range of 0,62–0,90) Equality between measured and simulated values was from 33 % to 75 %...

SOIL WATER MOVEMENT MODELLING IN HAPLLICC LUVISOLS (HMM) AND ALBI HAPLLIC LUVISOLS (HML) UNDER SLOVAK CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

The aim of the research paper is simulation by the Global Model on the basis of investigation of Slovak Agricultural University (SAU) on two localities (Kolínany and Malanta). The soil moisture was measured by a time domain transmissometry instrument and compared with simulated outputs of the Global Model on Kolínany locality. Measurement of the soil moisture using the gravimetric method was applied on Malanta locality. Sugar beet was grown in Kolínany and, on the other hand, there was no plant on Malanta soil during the experiment. The experiment took three years (2002–2004). Measured and simulated courses of water content were consequently tested by correlation analysis in MS Excel. Result differences between simulated and measured values should reach according to 15 % difference at least 80 % of equality. Correlation between measured and simulated values had a high significance on Kolínany locality (in the range of 0,62–0,90) Equality between measured and simulated values was from 33 % to 75 % according to difference of 15 %.