Vegetation Season Research Articles

Analysis of Land Use Land Cover and Land Surface Temperature in Karst Area: A Case Study Wonogiri Regency

<p class="Abstract">Urban development and global climate change drive increased Land Surface Temperature (LST). Wonogiri Regency is an area that is within the development range of Surakarta City. Analysis of land surface temperature has become Important in Wonogiri Regency as a mitigation measure for urban heat islands. This study aims to measure Land Surface Temperature (LST) in Wonogiri Regency and determine the controlling factor in the form of Land Use Land Cover (LULC), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), seasons, and zones by landform. Using the Google Earth Engine platform, LST calculations, LULC classifications, and NDVI calculations can compute imagery. The dataset used is USGS Landsat 8. The analytical technique used in this study is comparative descriptive, which compares other controlling factors. The analysis results show the vital role of LULC, NDVI, seasonality, and landform on LST. LULC types of built-up land, low NDVI values, dry season, and southern zone (karst) tend to have higher LST than other factors.</p>

Vegetative and reproductive phenology in seasonal climate vegetation: phenological complementarity between woody and herbaceous plants in the Brazilian Chaco

Plant growth and reproduction patterns may be closely associated with environmental seasonality, but the high diversity of plant strategies has revealed complex phenological patterns. Here, we evaluate the occurrence, duration, and seasonality of vegetative and reproductive phenophases of the Brazilian Chaco vegetation. In addition, we summarize the results of a systematic literature review about the phenology of herbaceous and woody plants in different types of seasonal vegetation in the South American Dry Diagonal. Woody plants have a high intense leaf fall and low leaf flush during the dry season in the Brazilian Chaco, whereas in herbaceous plants these phenophases have more fluctuations. In both types, flowering and fruiting are continuous, not uniform, and mainly concentrate during the rainy season. However, woody species present two intensity peaks independent of rainfall, mean temperature, photoperiod, or soil water availability. In turn, in herbaceous species, flowering and fruiting responded to local climatic variables and photoperiod, presenting a peak of intensity during the rainy season. The rainy season plays an important role in plant growth and reproduction in seasonal climates around the world, mainly due to the energetic demand for plants. Like other vegetation types with seasonal climates, particularly in the South American Dry Diagonal, the Brazilian Chaco presents a wide range of phenological patterns, with generally different patterns between woody and herbaceous species. Community-level phenological studies conducted in areas with a seasonal climate have globally focused only on reproduction in relation to vegetative phenology, mostly ignoring herbaceous flora. Here, we emphasize that the phenological complementarity between the woody and herbaceous components is of great importance in maintaining the availability of resources.

Red‐deer dung increases species diversity but does not influence species composition of open grasslands

AbstractQuestionsFree‐ranging herbivores are often seen as important endozoochorous dispersal vectors for plant propagules. Dispersal by free‐ranging animals, in contrast to domestic animals, and its effects on vegetation have rarely been studied. We ask what are the effects of deposition of dung on open landscape vegetation, how does it influence vegetation development after disturbance by soil removal, and does it change species richness or composition?LocationThe Doupov Mountains, Czech Republic.MethodsWe established a six‐year experiment in 2015 to study the effects of dung deposition on vegetation of an open grassland landscape. The experiment comprised 300 plots distributed across five fenced site locations and treatments were implemented in partially crossed design, with soil removed (disturbance) and dung pellets deposited; treatments were applied once to five replicates, from June to October 2015. We recorded plant species cover at the beginning of the vegetation seasons of 2016, 2017 and 2021.ResultsDung deposition increased species richness and Ellenberg Indicator Values for nutrients, and these effects were stronger in disturbed plots; however, these effects diminished with time. There were no effects of dung deposition on species composition. In contrast, disturbance affected species diversity, composition, Ellenberg Indicator Values for nutrients, proportion of dung‐dispersed species, but not species richness. Surprisingly, there were no effects of timing of dung deposition.ConclusionsOur results indicate that endozoochorous seed dispersal by red deer impacts vegetation dynamics of this open grassland landscape, but effects are weak and diminish with time. Considering the large seed load in dung, it is possible that endozoochorous seeds from wild herbivores are incorporated into the soil seed bank, where they persist until appropriate ecological conditions for germination arise.

Sensory characteristics of powdered-fiber drinks using CATA (check-all-that-apply) method

Dietary fiber is crucial in the human diet. This nutrient has been reported to be able to prevent overweight and obesity by improving satiety levels. However, the intake of fiber remains low, and the use of fiber supplementation is recommended. Dietary fiber in the form of powdered drinks has been recently launched and become popular in the market with different types, flavors and brands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory characteristics of powdered fiber drink products. Six commercial powdered fiber drink samples were selected representing the powdered fiber drink products that are available in the Indonesian market. The sensory characteristic was evaluated using CATA (Check-All-That-Apply) method by 121 consumers (mean age 20.3 ± 3.2-year-old). In addition, consumer acceptability was also measured. The results indicated that the fiber drink samples have different characteristics due to the different flavors. Fruity flavors such as berries, passion fruits, and citrus were preferred as compared to vegetable flavors, and this was significant for aroma liking (p=0.017). Interestingly, the addition of bird nests in the ingredient of the fiber drink did not influence the liking nor the sensory characteristics of the samples. This study can be used to develop a powdered fiber drink product with good acceptability by considering the sensory characteristics.

The Influence of Arctic Conditions on the Formation of Algae and Cyanobacteria Diversity and on the Water Quality of Freshwater Habitats on Kotelny Island, Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve, Yakutia

The significant interest in the islands in the Russian Arctic has been in terms of available oil reserves, which determine the direction of economic development and associated environmental risks for this sector of the Arctic in the near future. Kotelny Island is the largest island of the New Siberian Islands Archipelago included in the protected zone of the Lena Delta Nature Reserve, which is located at 76° N, washed from the west by the Laptev Sea, washed from the east by the East Siberian Sea in a permafrost zone, and characterized by harsh climatic conditions defined by the northeast winds that prevail in vegetative season. January sees temperatures ranging from −32 to −35 °C, and July from +6 to +8 °C, which causes a short growing season. Samples were taken between August 3 and 8, 2018 in 12 freshwater bodies where 210 taxa were revealed. Aquatic communities were dominated by zygnematophycean and diatom algae, grouped in the basins of two rivers and associated with the position on the island’s landscape, which suggests the influence of cold north-east winds, leading to the avoidance of habitats in open and high places, which was revealed by statistical methods and also confirms the high individuality of taxa composition. Bioindication methods showed that water bodies are slightly alkaline, with low ion concentrations, with the presence of sulfides in low-lying habitats, and average saturation with organic matter. The mesotrophic status of the studied water bodies was evaluated through an assessment and the type of nutrition in the communities of algae and cyanobacteria indicates they formed there as true autotrophs, which corresponds to the status of a protected area and can serve as a reference level for monitoring anthropogenic impact.

The Observed Changes in Climate Characteristics in the Trebinje Vineyard Area (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

The productivity and quality of grapes and wine are significantly influenced by changing climate conditions in vineyard regions worldwide. This study assesses changes in temperature, precipitation, and viticultural indices between the periods of 1971–1990 and 2000–2019 in Trebinje, a vineyard area located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Between the two periods, mean annual temperature increased by 2 °C and mean vegetational temperature by 2.4 °C, while mean precipitation remained within the range of climatological variability, with annual values increasing by 6% and vegetational values decreasing by 4.6%. Warming resulted in a longer duration of the vegetation season by 23.7 days, a reduced risk of late spring frosts, and an increased risk of very high temperatures during summer. These changes led to the reclassification of Trebinje vineyards’ climate from Region III to Region V, based on the Winkler index values, from a “temperate warm” to a “warm” category, based on the Huglin heliothermic index, and from “cool nights” to “temperate nights” based on the cool nights index. The category of the dryness index remained unchanged between the two periods. The findings emphasize the necessity for a renewal of the viticultural zoning and the development of climate change-adaptation plans for this region.

Sustainable use of composted sewage sludge: Metal(loid) leaching behaviour and material suitability for application on degraded soils

Composted sewage sludge was investigated as a promising material for the reclamation or remediation of degraded sites. Using sewage sludge as soil amendment provides environmental benefits and risks while supporting circularity and waste minimisation. This study aims to comprehensively assess the suitability of locally available low-cost sludge treatment for sustainable and environmentally safe topsoil disposal in a brownfield area affected by coal mining. A nine-month composting was conducted before field application to the soil environment. The objectives were to assess: (i) composting time-dependent and pH-dependent metal(loid) leachability from composted sludges, (ii) the effect of sludges on metal(loid) leachability from soil over the first six months, and (iii) metal(loid) plant uptake during the first vegetation season as well as the bioaccumulation and translocation factors. The set of standardised leaching experiments confirmed the positive effect of compost maturity, i.e. despite some fluctuations over time, metal(loid) availability from the final composts was very low. Some metals showed unusual pH-dependent behaviour with the highest leachability at pH 8 due to excessive release of dissolved organic matter from the not-yet-stabilised matrix. Ecotoxicity testing confirmed the safety of the final composts for further soil application. The sludge-amended plots displayed similar metal(loid) leaching and pH evolution in time compared to the control biomass-amended plot. However, plant species (Artemisia vulgaris L.) that formed the natural vegetation cover of the experimental plots showed cumulative metal(loid) uptake. Cadmium and zinc were identified as the critical metals possibly related to the applied sludges, yielding high bioaccumulation and translocation factors. Yet, the quality of the compost feedstock, heterogeneity, and background values of the brownfield site need to be considered. Nevertheless, soil respiration indicated no adverse effects on soil health six months after sludge application. Overall, the composted material demonstrated potential suitability for remediation application in the studied area.

Feeding ration of yaks of the Kyrgyz population and its influence on the biochemical composition of milk

Yaks are the large herbivorous ruminants that live in high mountain pastures at altitudes from 2,000 to 4,000 m above sea level. This environment is quite harsh, and yaks calmly tolerate extreme cold — down to minus 40 ºС. The main food of yaks are herbaceous plants, the vegetation season of which in a cold mountain climate is short, about 3–4 months, and therefore they feed mostly on wilted pasture, which is, in principle, sufficient for these animals. At the end of winter, when the amount of pasture feed decreases, the animals become malnourished and lose weight. Therefore, yak farmers often face the need to feed their animals in winter. A complete ration of an animal, along with other factors, has a significant impact on the composition of milk and its productive ability. The aim of the work is to study the chemical composition, in particular the protein fraction, of the milk of yaks living in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan in comparison with the milk of yaks from different regions of the world. The object of the study was milk of yaks inhabiting the highland regions of Naryn province of Kyrgyzstan. Samples were collected and tested according to standard methods. Studies have shown that the milk of yaks from the Kyrgyz population contains more protein (5.66%) than milk from yaks in the mountains of China, Russia and Mongolia (4.95, 4.55 and 5.3%, respectively). Milk we studied is high in amino acids such as methionine, lysine, proline, phenylalanine, and alanine. Seasonal (spring, summer) changes in the protein composition (whey proteins, casein proteins), amino acid profile, total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen of yak milk were also studied. The total content of amino acids in the milk of Kyrgyz female yaks is noticeably higher in spring (6189.96 mg/100 g) than in summer (5101.47 mg/100 g). The research results presented in this article showed that the milking season and the associated feeding ration of yaks affects the composition of milk, which is associated with the nutritional value of grass feed and its nutrient content. Spring milk contains more proteins and amino acids than summer milk, which is due to the high protein content of plants in the spring period before the flowering phase. Milk of Kyrgyz yak with proven high nutritional and biological value is an alternative to cow milk.

Foliar application of commercial humic substances for possible increase of nutrient status and yield of oilseed rape

Inconsistent results on the effects of humic substances (HS) on yield and nutrient status of important food crops, including oilseeds, confirm the need for further research on different HS products to match their use to actual field conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of commercially produced peat- and vermicompost-derived HS preparations on nutrient status and yield of spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus). The field experiment was carried out in Stende State Cereals Breeding Institute, Latvia, during the vegetation season of 2012, using the spring oilseed rape cultivar ‘Perfect’. Although foliar sprays of HS were applied during the critical stages of crop development from rapid growth to flowering, they were ineffective in improving the supply of the deficient nutrients (N, K, B, Zn, Cu) in leaves. Moreover, both tested HS products caused a decrease in Cu and B content in the seeds, which resulted in a negative trend in oilseed rape seed yield. Therefore, the conducted experiment demonstrated that foliar application of both HS preparations was ineffective to promote nutrient status and did not contribute to spring oilseed rape yield.

Response of vulnerable karst forest ecosystems under different fire severities in the Northern Dinaric Karst mountains (Slovenia)

BackgroundThis study deals with wildfires in marginal areas of the Mediterranean climatic and biogeographical regions (Northern Mediterranean) where fires were not common. The aim of the research was to determine the differences in floristic composition and traits at different intensities of fire damage and to analyze the changes in forest ecosystems during the wildfires that took place in the summer of 2022. The study included both the zonal forests and non-native black pine (Pinus nigra) forests. Remote sensing techniques linked to the vegetation data sampled in the field during the 2023 vegetation season, the very first season after the fires, were also used in the fire assessment.ResultsThe study confirmed that satellite data analysis, orthophoto interpretation, and on-site vegetation sampling provide equivalent information on fire severity, opening up the possibility of transferring knowledge to similar post-fire sites without field sampling in the future. TWINSPAN classification analysis divided the sampled plots into clusters based on tree species prevalence and fire severity. The diagnostic species of the clusters were calculated using a fidelity measure. Ordination revealed that the first axis on the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) correlated with wildfire severity. Ecological conditions and strategies, life forms, chorotypes, seed dispersal classes, and regeneration traits were analyzed along this gradient. We found that post-fire sites became warmer, drier, and lighter, which favored the growth of ruderal, theropytic, cosmopolitan, anemochorous and post-fire emergent species. After the fire, a “wave” of annual ruderal species was observed.ConclusionsThe results indicate that post-fire recovery can be left to natural processes without human intervention, except in the case of non-native pine stands where planting or seeding may be necessary. Otherwise, it is essential to control the possible occurrence of invasive species. Isolated adaptations of species to fire have also been observed, such as heat-stimulated germination. Such adaptations could develop in regions exposed to frequent fires and where fires act as an evolutionary factor.

UAVs for improving seasonal vegetation assessment in arid environments

In the last few decades, revegetation strategies for ecosystem restoration have received great attention in dryland studies, especially those related to the restoration and revegetation of native desert plants to combat land degradation. Long-term monitoring and assessment are critical for the restoration programs to track the progress of the restoration program goals. The effectiveness and success of monitoring depend on the selected methods with respect to spatial and temporal scales. Traditional methods for vegetation monitoring are time-consuming, expensive, and require considerable labor efforts (manpower) in terms of field measurements, collecting samples, lab analysis, and the difficulty of accessing some study areas. Thus, satellite remote sensing images have been widely used to monitor land degradation and restoration programs using multispectral and hyperspectral sensors and indices such as NDVI, which is the most popular index for vegetation monitoring. However, such techniques showed many limitations when used in arid ecosystems, especially for seasonal vegetation assessments, which could mislead the monitoring and assessment of the restoration projects. This paper discusses lessons learned from previous research work, including the limitations of using satellite remote sensing in arid ecosystems and the use of UAV methods to overcome these issues and challenges to provide more accurate outcomes for seasonal assessment of vegetation in arid landscapes.

Addition of Biochar and Fertiliser Drives Changes in Soil Organic Matter and Humic Substance Content in Haplic Luvisol

Humic substances (HSs) constitute a primary component of soil organic matter (SOM) and play a crucial role in soil formation and fertility. However, comprehensive information regarding quantitative and qualitative changes in HS following biochar’s application to soil still needs to be improved. This study reports on the impact of biochar application at rates of 0, 10, and 20 t ha⁻1 (B0, B10, B20), both with and without nitrogen fertilisation at varying levels (N0, N1, N2), on SOM and HS contents throughout the cropping seasons between 2014 and 2019. The findings reveal changes in SOM and HS contents due to biochar addition and fertilisation. Notably, the most substantial increase in soil organic carbon content was observed in the B20N1 and B10N1 treatments, in stark contrast with the reference B0N0 treatment. A decrease in humification of SOM was noted across all treatments involving biochar, whether alone or combined with different N fertilisation levels. An interesting positive change in HS contents was observed in B10N2, where an increase in humic acids and a decrease in fulvic acids enhanced HS stability and improved HS quality. These findings shed light on the intricate dynamics of SOM and HSs in response to biochar application and nitrogen fertilisation over multiple vegetation seasons of crops on loamy Haplic Luvisols in Central Europe.

Climate Change Impacts on Potato Storage.

In this study, we present a comprehensive literature review of the potential impacts of climate change on potato storage. Potato preservation can help reduce food loss and waste while increasing long-term food security, as potatoes are one of the most important crops worldwide. The review's results suggest climate change can negatively affect potato storage, especially tuber sprouting and diseases in storage chambers. Lower Sielianinov coefficient values (indicating dry and hot conditions) during the vegetative season of potato growing can lead to earlier sprouting. For instance, a decrease of 0.05 in the Sielianinov coefficient during the growing season results in tubers stored at 3 °C sprouting 25 days earlier and tubers stored at 5 °C experiencing a 15-day reduction in dormancy. This is due to the fact that the dry and hot climate conditions during the vegetation period of potato planting tend to shorten potato tubers' natural dormancy, which further leads to earlier sprouting during storage. Furthermore, high Sielianinov coefficient values may lead to worse disease situations. The results also suggest that research about the impacts of climate change on potato storage is very limited at the current stage, and further studies are needed to address the key knowledge gaps identified in this study.

The Effects of Several Forms of Leaf Area Management and Different canopy heights with vertical shoot positioning on Berry Ripening and Wine Quality

The goal of this research was to investigate different canopy heights and canopy management approaches in VSP-trained vineyards on the production of sugar and other substances present in berries and must, as well as on the resulting wine quality. Two sites, one high vigor and one low vigor, were selected for this study, with the following treatments tested: [1] ‘control’, shoots were topped according to standard practices; [2] ‘without lateral shoots’, all lateral shoots were removed; [3] ‘low canopy’, the canopy was shortened to 50 cm below the height of the ‘control’; [4] ‘twisted shoots’, shoots were not hedged, but instead were horizontally twisted along the upper wires. The ‘low canopy’ treatment revealed little effect on grape ripening parameters, especially in the low vigor trials. Upon sensory analysis, the quality of wine derived from this treatment did not score higher than the control, but rather repeatedly lower. Furthermore, ‘low canopy’ wines exhibited atypical aging notes, and in certain vintages more Berry shrivel was observed during the vegetative season. The ‘twisted shoots’ treatment displayed repeatedly higher YAN values in the must, especially in vineyards with higher vigor, which led to an increase in potential vine fertility. Thus, shortening the canopy was not found to be a suitable technique to delay ripening or improve wine quality.

Optimized Nitrogen Application Rate Significantly Increases Total Economic Value and Quality of Flue-Cured Tobacco due to the Improvement of Superior Tobacco Yield

Summary With the improvement of irrigation and transportation infrastructures, single tobacco cultivation has been converted into tobacco–vegetable double cultivation in Yunnan Province. High residual nitrogen (N) levels in soil before tobacco transplanting induced by the excessive N input during the vegetable cultivation season resulted in a reduction of economic income and the quality of flue-cured tobacco. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to describe the optimization of N management and to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of optimal N application rate on the economic benefit and quality of tobacco. A field experiment with six N application rates (0, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 kg N ha−1) was carried out with a randomized block design in 2021 and 2022 in Yunnan Province. The economic value and yield, intrinsic chemical and processing quality, leaf growth rate and agronomic characters were determined. Compared with the currently recommended 105 kg N ha−1 rate, 75 kg N ha−1 significantly increased the total economic value and superior tobacco yields, improved the integrated grade of chemical compounds and resulted in leaf midrib proportions in an appropriate range. The total economic value positively correlated with the superior tobacco leaf yields (R2 = 0.91, p < 0.001), while not with medium and inferior leaf yield. The daily leaf growth rate in prosperous growth stage significantly correlated with the yield of superior tobacco and reached its maximum at a N rate of 75 kg N ha−1. The sum of N application rate and soil residual N before transplanting correlated with the total economic value (R2 = 0.66, p < 0.05) and superior leaf yield (R2 = 0.64, p < 0.05), respectively. Based on the amount of soil residual N before transplanting, the optimal N application rate was 66 kg N ha−1 which was 39 kg N ha−1 lower than the currently recommended N rate (105 kg N ha−1). Our results highlighted that the technical consultants and farmers should adjust the N application rate appropriately according to the residual N amount before transplanting and optimize the water and fertilizer management especially in the prosperous growth stage. An optimized N rate is not only of economic benefit and the improvement of quality of tobacco cultivation, but also environment friendly.

Effects of Seasonal Variations in Seagrass Density and Storms on Sediment Retention and Connectivity Between Subtidal Flats and Intertidal Marsh

AbstractBoth submerged aquatic vegetation and salt marsh are important coastal ecosystems known for their effectiveness in sediment trapping and carbon burial. However, their proximity can lead to competition for limited sediment resources, potentially compromising their capacity to facilitate sufficient sediment deposition to withstand sea‐level rise. Here we applied the Delft3D flow and sediment transport model in a shallow coastal bay to assess how seasonal variations in seagrass density and storms modulate sediment retention and connectivity between subtidal flats and intertidal marsh. Results show that submerged seagrass meadows acted as temporary storage for fine sediment and altered the timing of sediment transport to an adjacent marsh through seasonal growth cycles. When seagrass occupied subtidal flats, sediment flux to the marsh was controlled by seasonal seagrass density variations, with peak fluxes during winter senescence. In contrast, wave‐induced sediment resuspension on the flats was the major contributor for marsh sediment input in the simulation with no seagrass, with peak storm‐driven fluxes in summer/autumn. Overall, seagrass meadows significantly increased annual sediment accumulation on the vegetated subtidal flats by tenfold, while reducing annual marsh sediment flux and edge erosion by 20%. Seagrass meadows and marsh were both able to maintain a sediment deposition rate comparable to the rapid sea‐level rise at the study site despite the absence of terrestrial sediment sources. Our findings highlight the strong seasonal control subtidal aquatic vegetation has in the vertical and horizontal dynamics of tidal flat‐marsh systems and provide insights that can inform wetland restoration and management strategies in similar systems.

Synergistic digestibility effect by planktonic natural food and habitat renders high digestion efficiency in agastric aquatic consumers

A digestibility enhancing effect of natural food on stomachless fish model (Cyprinus carpio) was verified by fluorogenic substrate assays of enzymatic activities in experimental pond carp gut flush and planktonic food over a full vegetative season. Then compared with size-matched conspecific grown artificially (tank carp) and an advanced omnivore species possessing true stomach (tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus). Results suggested activities of digestive enzymes (except amylolytic) were significantly higher in pond carp (p ≤ 0.05) than in the size-matched tank carp. Even compared to tilapia, pond carp appeared superior (p < 0.05; proteolytic or chitinolytic activities) or comparable (p > 0.05; phosphatase or cellulolytic activities). Amylolytic, chitinolytic, and phosphatases activities in pond carp gut significantly increased (p ≤ 0.01) over season. Several orders-of-magnitude higher enzymatic activities were detected in planktonic natural food than expressed in carp gut. Amino acid markers in planktonic food revealed a higher share of zooplankton (microcrustaceans), but not phytoplankton, synchronized with higher activities of complex polysaccharide-splitting enzymes (cellulolytic and chitinolytic) in fish gut. Periods of clear water phase low in chlorophyll-a and nutrients, but high in certain zooplankton (preferably cladocerans), may create a synergistic digestibility effect in pond carp. We conclude aquatic ecosystem components (natural food, water, microbiota) enhance fishes' hydrolyzing capabilities of C/N/P macromolecules and even their complex polymers such as cellulose, chitin, and maybe phytate (to be validated), to the extent that being stomachless is not an issue. Aquatic nutritional ecologists may consider that laboratory-based understandings of digestibility may underestimate digestion efficiency of free-ranging fish in ponds or lakes.

Dynamics of alkaloid accumulation in Narcissus cv.Hawera: a source of Sceletium-type alkaloids.

The Sceletium-type alkaloids, known for their anxiolytic and antidepressant activities, have been recently found to be biosynthesized in Narcissus cv. Hawera, which is largely used as an ornamental plant. An alkaloid fraction enriched with Sceletium-type alkaloids from the plant has shown promising antidepressant and anxiolytic activities. In the present study, qualitative and quantitative analyses of the alkaloids in the plant organs were performed during one vegetation season by GC-MS. The alkaloid pattern and total alkaloid content was found to depend strongly on the stage of development and plant organ. The alkaloid content of bulbs was found to be highest during the dormancy period and lowest in sprouting bulbs. The leaves showed the highest alkaloid content during the intensive vegetative growth andlowest during flowering. In total, 13 alkaloids were detected in the methanol extracts of Narcissus cv. Hawera, six Sceletium-type and seven typical Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Major alkaloids in the alkaloid pattern were lycorine, 6-epi-mesembrenol, mesembrenone, sanguinine, and galanthamine. The leaves of flowering plants were found to have the highest amount of 6-epi-mesembrenol. Mesembrenone was found to be dominant alkaloid in the leaves of sprouting bulbs and in the flowers. Considering the biomass of the plant, the dormant bulbs are the best source of alkaloid fractions enriched with 6-epi-mesembrenol. Theflowers and the young leaves can be used for preparation of alkaloid fractions enriched with mesembrenone. Theresults indicates that Narcissus cv. Hawera is an emerging source of valuable bioactive compounds and its utilization can be extended as a medicinal plant.

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.

The Effects of Incorporating Caraway into a Multi-Cropping Farming System on the Crops and the Overall Agroecosystem

The scientific aim of this article is to investigate the potential benefits of implementing a multi-cropping system, specifically focusing on the incorporation of caraway, to improve soil agrochemical and biological properties, prevent soil degradation and erosion, and ultimately enhance soil quality and health to better adapt to climate change. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the comparative analysis of various soil parameters and biological indicators to showcase the promising perspectives and importance of perennial crop production for improving soil quality and agricultural sustainability. These crops are designed to provide multiple benefits simultaneously, including improved yields, enhanced ecosystem services, and reduced environmental effects. However, an integrated assessment of their overall effects on the agroecosystem is crucial to understand their potential benefits and trade-offs. The field experiment was conducted over three consecutive vegetative seasons (2017 to 2021) at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) in Kaunas district, Lithuania. The experimental site is located at 54°53′7.5″ N latitude and 23°50′18.11″ E longitude. The treatments within a replicate were multi-cropping systems of sole crops (spring barley (1), spring wheat (2), pea (3), caraway (4)), binary crops (spring barley–caraway (5), spring wheat–caraway (6), pea–caraway (7)), and trinary crops (spring barley–caraway–white clover (8), spring wheat–caraway–white clover (9), pea–caraway–white clover (10)) crops. However, an integrated assessment of their impact on the agroecosystem is needed to understand their potential benefits and processes. To determine the complex interactions between indicators, the interrelationships between indicators, and the strength of impacts, this study applied an integrated assessment approach using the comprehensive assessment index (CEI). The CEI values showed that integrating caraway (Carum carvi L.) into multi-cropping systems can have several positive effects. The effect of the binary spring barley and caraway and the trinary spring barley, caraway, and white clover crops on the agroecosystem is positively higher than that of the other comparative sole, binary, and trinary crops. Caraway, after spring wheat together with white clover, has a higher positive effect on the agroecosystem than caraway without white clover. Specifically, this study addresses key aspects, such as soil health, nutrient cycling, weed management, and overall agricultural sustainability, within the context of multi-cropping practices. By evaluating the effects of these cropping systems on soil agrochemical properties and ecosystem dynamics, the research provides valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices that promote environmental conservation and long-term soil health.