Crop Treatments Research Articles

Timing Termination of a Biofumigant Cover Crop for Weed Suppression in Chile Pepper

Overwinter mustard cover crops incorporated into soil may suppress early-season weeds in chile pepper (Capsicum annuum). However, the potential for mustard cover crops to harbor beet leafhoppers (Circulifer tenellus) is a concern because beet leafhoppers transmit beet curly top virus to chile pepper. The objectives of this study were to determine the amounts of a biopesticidal compound (sinigrin) added to soil from ‘Caliente Rojo’ brown mustard (Brassica juncea) cover crops ended on three different days before beet leafhopper flights during spring and to determine the effects of the cover crop termination date on weed densities and hand-hoeing times for chile pepper. To address these objectives, a field study was conducted in southern New Mexico. In 2019–20, the cover crop was ended and incorporated into soil 45, 31, and 17 days before beet leafhopper flights. In 2020–21, cover crop termination occurred 36, 22, and 8 days before beet leafhopper flights. Treatments also included a no cover crop control. Cover crop biomass and sinigrin concentrations were determined at each termination. Chile pepper was seeded 28 days after the third termination date. Weed densities and hand-hoeing times were determined 28 and 56 days after chile pepper seeding. In 2019–20, the third termination (17 days before beet leafhopper flights) yielded the maximum cover crop biomass (820 g⋅m−2) and greatest sinigrin addition to soil (274 mmol⋅m−2). However, only the second termination (31 days before beet leafhopper flights) suppressed weeds in chile pepper. In 2020–21, the third termination (8 days before beet leafhopper flights) yielded the maximum cover crop biomass (591 g⋅m−2) and greatest sinigrin addition to soil (213 mmol⋅m−2), and it was the only treatment that suppressed weeds. No cover crop treatment reduced hand-hoeing times. These results indicate that overwinter mustard cover crops can be ended to evade beet leafhopper flights and suppress weeds in chile pepper.

Guardians of Citrus Groves: An In-Depth Analysis of Neem Leaf Extract's Effects on Asian Citrus Psyllid Attractiveness, Diaphorina citri kuwayama, And its Potential for Integrated Pest Management

Background: The pervasive impact of fungal diseases on wheat crops necessitates the exploration of sustainable and safe pest control alternatives. Neem (Azadirachta indica) is renowned for its medicinal properties and is being investigated for its potential as a biopesticide in agriculture. Objective: To evaluate the antifungal efficacy of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts on fungal pathogens in wheat crops, aiming to offer an environmentally benign alternative to chemical fungicides. Methods: Neem leaves were collected, sterilized, dried, and ground to powder. This powder was subjected to solvent extraction using methanol, diethyl ether, chloroform, petroleum ether, and distilled water. The resulting extracts were tested for antifungal activity against Diaphorina citri kuwayama using the agar well diffusion method. Wheat plants treated with the extracts were monitored for fungal disease incidence and yield changes. Results: Methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica showed a significant zone of inhibition of 34.67 mm against Diaphorina citri kuwayama. Additionally, methanolic extracts displayed a zone of inhibition of 31.6±2.04 mm, while the control showed 31.33±0.58 mm. The MIC values ranged from 35 µg/ml for methanol to 24 µg/ml for distilled water, with the control at 20 µg/ml. Treatment of wheat crops with these extracts resulted in reduced fungal contamination and enhanced yield. Conclusion: The study confirms that Azadirachta indica leaf extracts have substantial antifungal properties, demonstrating potential as a natural and environmentally friendly pest management strategy in wheat production. This approach aligns with sustainable agricultural practices and could have a beneficial impact on human health by reducing harmful chemical residues in food.

Elevated ROS Levels Caused by Reductions in GSH and AsA Contents Lead to Grain Yield Reduction in Qingke under Continuous Cropping.

Continuous spring cropping of Qingke (Hordeum viilgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.) results in a reduction in grain yield in the Xizang autonomous region. However, knowledge on the influence of continuous cropping on grain yield caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced stress remains scarce. A systematic comparison of the antioxidant defensive profile at seedling, tillering, jointing, flowering, and filling stages (T1 to T5) of Qingke was conducted based on a field experiment including 23-year continuous cropping (23y-CC) and control (the first year planted) treatments. The results reveal that the grain yield and superoxide anion (SOA) level under 23y-CC were significantly decreased (by 38.67% and 36.47%), when compared to the control. The hydrogen peroxide content under 23y-CC was 8.69% higher on average than under the control in the early growth stages. The higher ROS level under 23y-CC resulted in membrane lipid peroxidation (LPO) and accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) at later stages, with an average increment of 29.67% and 3.77 times higher than that in control plants. Qingke plants accumulated more hydrogen peroxide at early developmental stages due to the partial conversion of SOA by glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other production pathways, such as the glucose oxidase (GOD) and polyamine oxidase (PAO) pathways. The reduced regeneration ability due to the high oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to GSH ratio resulted in GSH deficiency while the reduction in L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GalLDH) activity in the AsA biosynthesis pathway, higher enzymatic activities (including ascorbate peroxidase, APX; and ascorbate oxidase, AAO), and lower activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) all led to a lower AsA content under continuous cropping. The lower antioxidant capacity due to lower contents of antioxidants such as flavonoids and tannins, detected through both physiological measurement and metabolomics analysis, further deteriorated the growth of Qingke through ROS stress under continuous cropping. Our results provide new insights into the manner in which ROS stress regulates grain yield in the context of continuous Qingke cropping.

Influence of the Long-Term Application of Management Practices (Tillage, Cover Crop and Glyphosate) on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Physical Properties

Soil treatments have a significant influence on the agricultural and environmental productivity of agricultural practices. Arable lands are one of the sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that are influenced by the chemical and physical properties of the soil and are an essential contributor to climate change. We aim to evaluate the long-term management of agricultural practices, such as different tillage systems, cover crops, and glyphosate, on GHG emissions and soil physical properties. The field trial involved three tillage systems (conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and no-tillage (NT)), along with variations in cover cropping (with and without cover crops) and glyphosate application (with and without glyphosate). These treatments were implemented during the cultivation of oilseed rape in 2022 as part of a cropping sequence consisting of five crops: winter wheat; winter oilseed rape; spring wheat; spring barley; and field pea. Greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O)) were directly measured using a closed static chamber system. Through the examination of these management techniques, the soil’s physical properties over the studied period were assessed for their impact on GHG fluxes. The findings of the study reveal that N2O emissions were relatively low during the first month of measurement, with significant differences (p < 0.05) observed in the interaction between cover crop and glyphosate treatments. Additionally, N2O emissions were notably elevated in the reduced (0.079 µg m−2 h−1) and conventional tillage (0.097 µg m−2 h−1) treatments at the second month of measurement. Regarding CH4, increased emissions were observed in the reduced tillage and cover crop treatments. CO2 emissions exhibited variability across all of the investigated treatments. Notably, GHG fluxes spiked at the second measurement, signifying the maximum uptake of nutrients by the main plants during the growth phase. Greenhouse gas emissions leveled off across all of the treatments following the harvest, marking the end of the cultivation period. The influence of the deployed techniques varied across the determined physical parameters of the soil. The incorporation of cover crops contributed to improved water content and, further, to electrical conductivity. Glyphosate use showed no direct impact on physical properties of the soil while the different tillage treatments had varying effects on the distribution of the physical properties of the soil with respect to the degree of disturbance or tillage-induced changes. Additionally, GHG emissions were strongly correlated with precipitation at one week and two weeks before sampling, except for CO2, which showed a weaker correlation at two weeks before GHG sampling. The findings indicate that reduced and conventional tillage methods might adversely affect greenhouse gas emissions and plant functionality, particularly concerning nutrient release and uptake, especially in temperate climate conditions.

Optimization of Parameters of Adaptive Spray System for Agricultural Sprayer

Introduction. When growing tall-growth crops (cereal crops in late the phases of development, corn, sunflower, etc.), there are used boom sprayers equipped with twin-fluid spray cones with fixed angles of inclination to the vertical of the spray cones. The working fluid is applied with such sprays are more intensively on the front side of the plant leaves while the intensity of covering the plants from the back side with the working fluid decreases. The development of the spray system will allow improving the quality of crop treatment with boom sprayers. Aim of the Study. The aim of the research is to determine experimentally the algorithm for changing the angles of inclination of a twin-fluid spray cone that provides the same intensity of applying working liquid to the leaves of high-growth plants. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out on a test bench by applying colored water to the front and rear sides of a tall-growth plant model moving at a specified speed. The experiment was carried out according to the method of optimal planning. The difference between the content of droplets on the front and rear sides of the tall-growth plant model was taken as an optimization parameter. Variable factors were the spray cone inclination angles and the operating speed of the sprayer. Results. The algorithm for changing the optimum values of the spray cone inclination angles depending on the sprayer speed was determined based on the equality of the first derivative of the optimization to zero parameter by the value of these angles. Discussion and Conclusion. According to the algorithm, when the sprayer operating speed increases from 1.2 to 3.2 m/s, the optimal angle of inclination to the front spray cone vertical changes linearly from 25 to 21 degrees, and the rear one ‒ from 46.7 to 57 degrees. This algorithm will allow justifying the technical specifications to develop a processor for automatic control of the spray cone inclination angles cones when the sprayer is operating.

Improving Water Use Efficiency and Economic Benefits of Cropping System Through Intercropping in an Arid Climate

The sustainable increase of total productivity by improving resources use efficiency in arid agricultural farming areas is crucial, and intercropping may be a good practice to be implemented in these arid regions. For this purpose, a three-year field experiment was conducted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station of Gonabad, Gonabad, Iran to assess the agronomic and economic indices of intercropping patterns. The experiment treatments included C1: sole cotton, C2: sole sesame, and intercropping ratios (C3: 20:80, C4: 40:60, C5: 50:50, C6: 60:40, and C7: 80:20 cotton-sesame ratio). The results showed that the leaf chlorophyll content and leaf area index were significantly higher in the intercropped plants compared to the sole cropped plants. The yield components of both crops (such as branches per plant, capsules per plant, seeds per capsule, and 1000-seed weight for sesame, and opened bolls per plant, closed boll per plant, and seed cotton per boll for cotton) significantly improved under intercropping. However, the highest sesame seed yield (2703, 1979, and 1358 kg ha-1, respectively) and seed cotton yield (3749, 2179, and 3426 kg ha-1, respectively) in the three experiment years were observed in the sole cropping treatment. The implementation of intercropping significantly improved the water use efficiency of the cropping system, so that the highest values in the first to third year (0.67, 0.51, and 0.41 kg m-3, respectively) were recorded in the C4, C3, and C7 treatments. The intercropping evaluation indices revealed the advantage of intercropping compared to the sole cropping. The highest value of the land equivalent ration in the first year (1.28) belonged to the C4 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.40 and 1.10, respectively). The calculation of the aggressivity index revealed that in most of the intercropping patterns, especially in the first and second years, cotton showed greater competitive ability than sesame. The highest actual yield loss value in the first year (0.64) belonged to the C3 treatment, while in the second and third years, belonged to the C7 treatment (1.42 and 0.34, respectively). The highest economic advantage in terms of the monetary advantage index in the first year was obtained by the C4 treatment (1140.5), and in the second and third years, was observed in the C7 treatment (940.6 and 265.5, respectively). The intercropping advantage index in the three experiment years was highest (1.41, 3.38, and 0.80, respectively) for the C7 treatment. Eventually, the results of this research show that cotton and sesame are able to adapt well to the intercropping and this cropping system can significantly improve the resources use efficiency (especially water and land) in an arid area enjoying greater economic benefit than sole cropping

Efficiency of weed control in winter pea in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Purpose. To analyze the features of weed control in winter pea in the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine. Methods. The research was conducted at the Salyvonky State Enterprise of the Institute of Bioenergy Crops and Sugar Beet of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (Bila Tserkva district, Kyiv region) in 2020–2023. The agronomic practices used in the experiment were conventional for the zone of insufficient moisture of the Right Bank Forest Steppe of Ukraine, with the exception of the studied elements. Results. The development of the concept of autumn weed control for winter pea from requires a fairly competent selection of herbicides, taking into account weather forecasts, the specifics of the effect of active substances on weeds and cultivated plants, etc., as conditions for sowing winter pea do not allow to effectively apply conventional weed control system with the use of soil tillage and, if necessary, the limited application of herbicides during the vegetation season. This is explained by the fact that the terms for soil preparation and sowing are quite limited, and soil herbicides at high air temperatures work unpredictably and have limited efficiency in case of moisture deficit. Herbicide Corum, developed by combination of active substances bentazone (480 g/l) and imazomox (22 g/l), had better indicators in terms of total efficiency at an increased application rate (1.5 l/ha) – 92.9% in the BBCH 12 and 91.7% in the BBCH 14. At the same time, the efficiency of an application rate of 1.25 l/ha was within 80%. The latter is probably related not only to the autumn conditions of application of the [reparation, but also to the fact that such species as Fumaria officinalis, Sinapis arvensis, Solanum nigrum and thistles sprouted later, when the main mass of weeds was already in a development stage that was less sensitive to low rates of the herbicide. Conclusions. The application of Corum herbicide in the BBCH 12 at an application rate of 1.25 l/ha contributed to the destruction of 73.8% and an application rate of 1.5 l/ha resulted in 86.7% of weeds. When the herbicide was applied in BBCH 14, the total efficiency of crop treatment at an application rate of 1.25 l/ha was higher by 2.4% and at a rate of 1.5 l/ha it was higher by 1.2% compared to application in the BBCH 12. This is due to the fact that Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Polygonum convolvulus, Persicaria maculosa, Solanum nigrum, Polygonum lapathifolium and thistles sprouted in the pea crops, and the herbicide was highly effective against them. On the other hand, weed plants that sprouted earlier continued to vegetate and were already less sensitive even to increased application rates of herbicide. The application of the maximum recommended application rates was, for the most part, the most effective measure to reduce the number of weeds in winter pea crops. At the same time, such rates affected crop plants, causing stress, especially in the late periods of growth and development, which further affected the formation of pea yield. Therefore, the use of herbicides in the late phases of crop development should be avoided.

Effects of cultural practices on weed community and seedbank dynamics in a potato rotation

ContextStagnant yields and declining soil health are common characteristics of high-intensity, low-residue cropping systems, such as potato, particularly in northeastern North America. Incorporating cultural practices including cover cropping and manure application is a way to combat declines in agroecosystem health and potato productivity. However, manure application and the use of cover crops may exacerbate weed issues through seedbank additions. ObjectiveThis study was aimed at investigating how the cultural practices of cover cropping and manure application and their associated management activities can alter weed community dynamics and weed seedbank composition in a northeastern North American potato rotation. MethodsThe study evaluated the use of eight cover crop mixtures—annual and perennial grasses and legumes—grown over two years with/without manure added in year one of the rotation. It also examined the effects of the cover crop mixtures and the presence/absence of manure on the weed community and on seedbank dynamics within a three-year potato rotation between 2019 and 2021. ResultsIn year one of the study and directly after application, manure plots had greater weed seedbank density and species richness; however, this did not result in greater in-season weed biomass. Manure application resulted in a gradual decline in weed seedbank density over time regardless of cover crop treatment. Further, manure application increased the in-season competitive ability of cover crops, resulting in greater weed suppression per unit of cover crop biomass. In contrast, in the absence of manure, weed seedbank density remained largely unchanged through time regardless of cover crop treatment. We found that management practices associated with annual and perennial cover crops had distinct ecological filtering effects throughout the rotation on the weed community and prevented the dominance of any particular species. ConclusionTogether, our results demonstrate that combining the cultural practices of annual or perennial cover cropping and manure application contributes to weed suppression and should be considered an important component of sustainable potato production.

Perspective herbicides for post-sowing use in narrow-leafed lupin crops

Technical and economic efficiency of Pilot herbicide when applied on green leaf in narrow-leafed lupine crops was studied. The research was conducted in field and plot experiments according to the generally accepted methods in the southwestern part of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia. The soil of the experimental field was gray forest light loamy in mechanical composition. The following application rates of the preparation were used: 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 l/ha in the phase of appearance of two true leaves in lupine. The following plants showed high sensitivity even at the minimum application rate: cleavers (Galium aparine L.), wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus L.), lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), one of the types of hemp nettle (Galeopsis sp. L.), shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris L. Medik), field violet (Viola arvensis Murr.), chickweed (Stellaria media L.). Application of GalactAlt graminicide (application rate 1.0 l/ha) after treatment of narrow-leafed lupine crops with Pilot herbicide promoted almost complete destruction of annual grass weeds. Application of Pilot herbicide had a favorable effect on nitrogen content in both dry aboveground mass and root mass of lupine. Reduction of weediness of crops when using Pilot contributed to the increase in lupine yield. In the variant with the application of 1.5 l/ha of the herbicide, the average yield of narrow-leafed lupine seeds exceeded the control by 0.53 t/ha in three years of the trials. The highest increase in seed yield of narrow-leafed lupine (0.96 t/ha) was observed in the variant that involved the application of herbicide Pilot at a concentration of 1.5 l/ha in the phase of one or two true leaves in lupine and herbicide GalactAlt at a concentration of 1.0 l/ha in the phase of lupine budding. Chemical analyses showed an increase in crude protein content in narrow-leafed lupine seeds by 2.3–4.2% when the crops were treated with Pilot herbicide compared to the control variant, where the treatment was not carried out.

Soil Ecoenzymatic Stoichiometry Reveals Microbial Metabolic Limitations in Apple Orchards with Cover Crop and Organic Fertilizer Incorporation

Understanding the stoichiometry of extracellular enzymes in soil, particularly in relation to nutrient acquisition (e.g., carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus), provides valuable insights into microorganisms’ resource requirements. This study investigates the metabolic constraints of soil microorganisms in response to different growth stages of apple trees under various soil management practices. A 14-year long-term experiment with a split-plot design was conducted, where the main plots received different cover crop treatments (bare vs. cover crop), and subplots were subjected to four fertilizer treatments (CK, M, NPK, MNPK). The significant main and interactive effects of cover crops, fertilizer treatment, and growth period on soil nutrients were observed (p < 0.001). Both cover crop and fertilizer treatments significantly increased the soil organic matter content, with implications for orchard resilience to drought. However, the cover factor alone did not notably influence soil carbon–nitrogen ratios or microbial communities. Microbial carbon limitations were driven by soil water dynamics and microbial biomass, while microbial phosphorus limitations were closely linked to total nitrogen levels. The results underscore the combination of cover crops and MNPK fertilizer-enhanced soil nutrient levels and enzyme activities, mitigating microbial carbon and phosphorus limitations. These findings suggest practical strategies for optimizing fertilization practices to improve soil fertility and address nutrient constraints in orchard ecosystems.

Intercropping Chickpea with Durum Wheat Enhances Nutrient Uptake and Grain Yield Under Low Phosphorus Availability

ABSTRACT Intercropping is a traditional farming system that increases crop diversity to strengthen agroecosystem functions while decreasing chemical inputs and minimizing negative environmental effects of crop production. However, the effect of intercropping legume-cereal in enhancing nutrient uptake and use efficiency under low phosphorus (P) soils is poorly understood. Growth, nodulation, P uptake and use efficiency, and changes in inorganic P availability in the rhizosphere of intercropped species were thus investigated in a field experiment with durum wheat and chickpea either grown alone or intercropped. The results showed that both plant biomass and grain yield, and consequently, the amount of P uptake by intercropped durum wheat increased significantly (30%, 12%, and 46%, respectively) compared with sole cropping during the two seasons. P availability increased in the rhizosphere of the two species, either grown as sole crops or as intercrops, and was enhanced by intercropping. Moreover, total biomass, grain yield, and P uptake were significantly improved, as indicated by higher land equivalent ratio (LER > 1) in intercropping over sole cropping treatments. The increased biomass and grain yield for intercropped durum wheat were associated with the stimulation of P absorption and use efficiency. Furthermore, intercropped wheat was more competitive than their respective chickpea over two growing seasons. The results of this study suggest that changes in the intercropped chickpea rhizosphere may enhance plant growth, P uptake, and use efficiency of the intercropped wheat under low-P soils.

Enhancing banana production through effective fertigation frequency management and plastic mulch: Impacts on crop growth and yield

The use of plastic mulch, water-soluble fertilizers, and drip irrigation has grown in popularity recently for banana (Musa acuminata L.) farming. A field experiment was carried out at Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, to examine the impact of different fertigation intervals and plastic mulch on the response of the Grand Naine cultivar of banana. A randomized complete block design with four fertigation intervals both with and without plastic mulch was used in the study. Biometric characteristics including plant height, pseudo stem girth, leaf area, number of suckers, and crop duration were measured. The outcomes demonstrated the superiority of two-day fertigation interval and black plastic mulchtreatment by displaying higher plants height, a greater stem girth, more leaf area, the greatest number of suckers, and a shorter crop duration. For both the main crop and the ratoon crop, the maximum banana production was achieved with a fertigation interval of two days alongwith black plastic mulch (T1), yielding 66.3 t/ha and 52.2 t/ha, respectively. The yield obtained under the T1 treatment was statistically similar to the fertigation intervals of bi-weekly and weekly treatments for both main and ratoon crops. Fertigation intervals of bi-weekly and weekly treatments showed statistically similar values for pulp: peel ratio, TSS, and reducing sugar of banana fruit when compared to the fruit quality parameters of the T1 treatment. Consequently, using fertilizer interval advised at weekly for the banana. The results highlight the significance of systematic fertigation scheduling and mulching procedures, providing insightful information for effective banana growing practices.

A native plant species cover crop positively impacted vineyard water dynamics, soil health, and vine vigor

Cover cropping is associated with multiple ecosystem and agronomic benefits. However, in irrigated orchards and vineyards of the dry, Western United States, cover crop adoption rates are low, often owing to concerns over their uptake of critical soil water. Regional concerns, such as this, must be addressed to identify sustainable agricultural practices that meet unique needs of diverse growing regions. A two-year study was conducted to determine the impacts of cover crops on soil water dynamics, soil health, and crop growth during the establishment of an Autumn King table grape vineyard in a semi-arid, Mediterranean climate, specifically the Central Valley of California. Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), a plant species native to the region, and an introduced species, rye (Secale cereale L. ‘Merced’), were planted as cool season cover crops in the interrow spaces of the grapevines and compared to a standard management practice of no cover crop interrow spaces. The cover crop treatments differentially impacted soil microbial biomass and soil aggregate stability, with the phacelia treatment enhancing both metrics from the first season. The phacelia treatment plots resulted in higher soil moisture beneath the vines in both years, while the rye treatment showed similar benefits only after two consecutive years of cover cropping. Vine vigor was also higher in the phacelia treatment, which was likely consequential of enhanced soil moisture in the rows. Compared to the rye, the phacelia had lower plant tissue carbon to nitrogen ratio and higher above ground plant biomass, which may underpin the soil health benefits associated with the phacelia, although variances in soil total carbon and nitrogen and ammonium and nitrate were not determined for any treatment. Altogether, we present information on cover crop plant traits that show quicker return on investment with regards to soil health improvements and water savings. Further, we demonstrate that cool season cover crops offered benefits for vineyard water productivity. In summary, for Mediterranean vineyards, cover crops can promote vineyard soil quality and be a component of sustainable water management.

Formation of the photoassimilation apparatus of pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops under biostimulants in arid conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

The Southern Steppe of Ukraine is characterised by a range of unfavourable agro-climatic conditions, which leads to inhibition of growth processes, disruption of physiological processes and loss of crop yields. The use of environmentally safe bioregulators stimulates growth processes, optimises nitrogen nutrition, increases the adaptability of legumes to adverse conditions and increases yields. The purpose of this study was to find out the specific features of the influence of biostimulants on the formation of the photoassimilation apparatus of pea of the Oplot variety in the Southern Steppe of Ukraine. A 3-year small-plot study was conducted to determine the leaf area index, total chlorophyll content, and net photosynthetic productivity in pea crops. The biostimulants were used for pre-sowing and foliar treatment of pea crops in the budding phase at concentrations described in the methodology. It was found that Stimpo (25 ml/t + 20 ml/ha) increased the leaf surface index in different stages of vegetation of pea variety Oplot by 1.12-1.54 times and Regoplant (250 ml/t + 50 ml/ha) increased the leaf surface index by 1.18-1.38 times compared to the control. A significant increase in the chlorophyll content in pea stipules was recorded after foliar treatment of crops with biostimulants and exceeded the value of control plants by 9.0-10.4% in the BBCH stages 61(65) – 75(79). Based on 3-year results, the positive impact of biostimulants on net photosynthetic productivity was proven. Thus, Stimpo and Regoplant increased the net photosynthetic productivity of pea crops by 35% and 22%, respectively, in the budding (BBCH 51-61) and flowering (BBCH 55-65) phases. The obtained scientific results contribute to the widespread use of the studied biostimulants in the technology of pea cultivation in the Southern Steppe zone of Ukraine to increase crop productivity and obtain a high-quality crop

30 Ethnobotany applied to ruminant feeding inserted in countryside property redesign

Abstract Adoption of multi-species herbal leys, planting trees and integrating livestock can increase agricultural productivity and carbon storage on ruminant livestock farms. Most of the forage produced in pastures during the year is available in hot and rainy seasons, so the cold and dry season becomes a critical point, where forage production is insufficient. Thus, there is a need to use other complementary feed sources. This study aims to characterize bibliographically the plants that are part of ethnobotanical science, according to their bio compounds, based on the perception of the livestock farmers interviewed, aimed at increasing productivity, and that are used in the feeding of ruminant animals by livestock farmers in the regions between the cities of Araras and Ribeirao Preto in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The research took place in a qualitative way adopting the use of questionnaires and interviews with rural producers, and the answers used by them were characterized in an empirical way, according to occurrences based on the experience and experience of errors and successes in animal nutrition and health, in which it was later possible to perform a textual analysis of what was described by the producers, aligned with the literature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with farmers, involving questions about: i) which plant species exist on the property; - ii) what is the importance, value or function associated with these species. The species to be surveyed will be those: plant species that are in some way related to the production system (present on and/or off pasture), and have been planted or maintained by farmers to: i) provide animal welfare; ii) positively influence forage or soil quality; iii) complement animal nutrition; iv) provide ecosystem services (related to ecological/environmental factors; v) generate complementary income; vi) bring scenic, ornamental or landscape benefit on the pastures. The wisdom of the farmers is in line with the information in the literature, since the purpose of the food has characteristics such as being drought-tolerant, having increased dry matter, a wealth of minerals and vitamins, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, energy and protein, as well as good digestibility by ruminant animals. Therefore, the productive potential of rural properties in Brazil goes beyond grass and crop treatments. It is necessary to explore the species present on rural properties and show farmers the importance of identifying plants and for what purpose they can be used, such as animal feed subsidized by the farm's own ruminants. Especially when there is grazing of the animals and the presence of these foods in the paddock.

Interseeded cover crops in wide‐row corn: An opportunity for northern cropping systems

AbstractCover crops are an effective way to reduce soil erosion and promote soil health. However, in North Dakota and other northern climates where corn (Zea mays L.) is an important commodity crop, killing frosts generally occur before harvest, leaving little opportunity for cover crop planting. By interseeding cover crops into corn during the growing season, the cover crops are given a longer period to establish. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact cover crops interseeded into wide‐row (60‐inch) corn have on soil water content and corn productivity. Two experimental sites were established in 2020 near Leonard and Rutland, ND. Both sites were organized into randomized complete block designs, with three cover crop treatments in Leonard (n = 9) and four cover crop treatments in Rutland (n = 16). Cover crops were no‐till drilled into the corn at the V4 growth stage. The cover crop treatments were diverse mixes developed to either provide pollinator habitat, overwinter, or winter‐kill. Throughout the growing season, soil gravimetric water content and cover crop biomass was monitored. At the end of the growing season, dry cover crop biomass ranged from 189 to 1445 lb ac−1. The presence and type of interseeded cover crops did not have a statistically significant effect on soil water content or corn yield. It is suspected the above average precipitation during the month of July led to adequate amounts of soil water for the entirety of the cover crop growing season, limiting the difference between treatments.

Effect of ultra‐early, early, and normal soybean planting dates and rye cover crop on soybean grain yield

AbstractWith changes to climate and crop insurance, earlier soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planting dates need to be investigated. Additionally, the use of a cover crop prior to soybean is promoted as a sustainable practice though little is known about cover crop and ultra‐early soybean planting (prior to April 15). The objective was to evaluate soybean planting date and cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop termination timing on cover crop biomass, soybean plant population, and yield. The study was conducted in Northeast and West Central Ohio in 2021 and 2022. Treatments included three soybean planting dates (early April, late April, and late May) and three cover crop treatments (termination 1–2 weeks prior to planting or “early,” termination at or after planting or “late,” and no cover crop). Cover crop biomass increased as termination was delayed. Soybean planted in early April resulted in a yield reduction of 1.8 Mg ha−1 when planted into a cover crop compared to the no cover crop control. However, when soybean was planted in late April, grain yield was not different among cover crop treatments. Yield reduction associated with early April planting with a cover crop was likely due to low soybean plant population, especially in Northeast Ohio, where plant population was <55,000 plants ha−1 with a cover crop and >120,000 plants ha−1 without a cover crop. To maximize yield, soybean should be planted by the end of April in Northeast Ohio. In West Central Ohio, soybean can be planted in early April without a cover crop.

Peculiarities of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Use in Crop Production in Russia: A Review

This review article examines the potential for intensifying Russian crop production through digital transformation, particularly through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (1) The importance of this topic is driven by declining food security in some parts of the world and the Russian government’s goal to increase grain exports by 2050. (2) Comparisons of agriculture technologies suggest that the use of UAVs for crop treatment with agrochemicals is economically effective in certain cases. (3) Specifically, UAV treatment is advantageous for plots with irregular shapes, larger than 2 ha, and containing between 9 and 19% infertile land. It is also important to agree on the flight parameters of the UAV, such as speed and altitude, as well as the type of on-board sprayer and agrochemical. In case of insufficient funds or expertise, it is recommended to hire specialized companies. (4) The listed peculiarities of Russian crop production led to assumptions about the regions where the use of UAVs for agrochemical treatment of crops would be economically effective.

Presence of foodborne pathogens and survival of generic Escherichia coli in an organic integrated crop-livestock system

IntroductionIntegrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) use animals to graze crop residues or cover crops before planting fresh produce and provide ecosystem services to support organic vegetable production. However, there is a risk of foodborne pathogen transfer to fresh produce because grazing may introduce enteric foodborne pathogens into the soil via animal feces, which may subsequently be transferred to the produce.MethodsTo examine the effect of cover crop use and the risk of cover crop grazing on the contamination of soil and produce by foodborne pathogens in ICLS, a three-year (2019–2021) experimental study was conducted in organically managed plots, which were assigned three different treatments (fallow without cover crop or grazing, cover crop without grazing, or cover crop with grazing by sheep) in a maize/tomato rotation. During the three years of the experiment, a total of 184 pre- and post-graze fecal samples and 96 samples of tomatoes were collected to test for foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157, non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and Listeria (L.) monocytogenes). Soil samples were collected monthly until 126–171 days after grazing (824 in total) to examine the presence of foodborne pathogens, and generic E. coli (MPN/g) was quantified to compare its persistence among the three treatments.Results and DiscussionWe did not detect any foodborne pathogens from harvested tomatoes in 2020 and 2021. One non-O157 STEC positive soil sample (0.1%, 1/824) was detected in the fallow treatment, and one L. monocytogenes-positive (1.1%, 1/92) was detected from the post-graze fecal samples. When assessing proportions of generic E. coli positive and counts of generic E. coli in the soil samples using mixed effect zero-inflated negative binomial models, soil samples collected in the graze cover crop treatment plot showed significant increases in the counts of generic E. coli until 61–82 days post grazing, but no difference was observed after 96–123 days, compared to the baseline of the fallow treatment. Findings from generic E. coli counts support the use of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) 90- or 120-day interval rule between applying raw manure and harvesting in organic farming into ICLS. Additionally, we confirmed that commercial organic compost application before cover crop seeding in the winter had no significant effect on the proportions and counts of generic E. coli in the soil of the following growing seasons. This longitudinal field trial confirmed that the effect of sheep grazing on foodborne pathogen contamination in ICLS is minimal but further studies comparing the genetic associations between fecal and soil samples would be necessary to distinguish the source of foodborne pathogen contamination.

Perception of Environmental Risks of Phytosanitary Products in the Market Gardening in Douvar Municipality of Mokolo (Far North Region of Cameroon)

Peri-urban market gardening plays an important role in the supply of fresh vegetables in the town of Mokolo (Far North, Cameroon) and its surroundings. This activity is concentrated around the dam supplying drinking water to the Mokolo city. To fight against pests and increase their yield, market gardeners’ resort to pesticides, with the risks they often ignore. The objective of this study is to assess the perception of risks and effects linked to the use of plant protection products on human health and the environment in particular. The study was made through a survey and was carried out among 88 market gardeners using survey sheets. The results obtained show that in the locality of Douvar, market gardening is more practiced by young people under 35 years old. They also use plant protection products which are dangerous for human health and the environment. Market gardeners use 13 different types of pesticides with a dominance of insecticides (60.92%). The survey also showed that 100% of farmers agree that the use of pesticides leads to good yields and also eradicated insects and disease. However, the decision to carry out phytosanitary treatments and the timing of treatment are often conditioned by the availability of the product and the presence of the attack. The majority of market gardeners (83%) are not educated and therefore do not have a good knowledge on the application rates and the frequencies of treatment of crops.