Weed Content Research Articles

Growth and quality of the seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma denticulatum) in different inter croppings and planting distances using the longline method

Abstract Seaweed cultivation is currently being extensively practiced to boost productivity. This research aimed to determine the optimal Daily Growth Rate (DGR) and planting distance for enhancing the growth and quality of K. alvarezii (KA) and E. denticulatum (ED), specifically the dry weight (DW) to wet weight (WW) ratio and Clean Anhydrous Weed (CAW) content. The 45-day experiment used a 2-factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with planting distance (J) and intercropping planting pattern (R) as the two factors. The results showed that ED (R3) at planting distances of 7 and 14 cm achieved the highest DGR, ranging from 3.46%/day (J2, R3) to 4.55%/day (J1, R3) and 9.92%/day (J1, R3) to 10.91%/day (J2, R3). The intercropping between KA and ED had the second highest DGR, ranging from 3.81%/day (J3, R1) to 8.21%/day (J2, R1). The highest DW: WW ratio was observed in ED (1:4.59; J2, R3). The highest CAW levels were found in the KA treatment (53.63 %; J1, R2). The intercropping treatment showed CAW levels from 48.70 (J2, R1) to 50.56 (J1, R1). In conclusion, ED planted at a distance of 7-14 cm had the most favorable effect on daily growth rate, dry weight to wet weight ratio, and CAW. Additionally, the intercropping method used for the first time in this research between KA and ED can also be employed to increase seaweed production.

Species Choice Influences Weed Suppression, N Sharing and Crop Productivity in Oilseed Rape–Legume Intercrops

Increasing crop trait diversity in oilseed rape (OR, Brassica napus L.) cropping systems by introducing frost-sensitive legume species could improve weed suppression and crop productivity. Intercrops and sole crops were compared over two years in the field in Western France. Winter OR was intercropped simultaneously with either spring faba bean (Vicia faba L.) or common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in a row replacement design without herbicides. Each species was sown at 50% of the recommended sole crop density in alternate rows. Due to the high values of faba bean aboveground traits (height, leaf area, and biomass) and the strong competitive ability for soil N of OR, both species appeared complementary in resource utilization, and thus less soil N and light were available for weeds. The OR–faba bean intercrop was able to reduce weed biomass by 41% compared to the OR–common vetch intercrop. Furthermore, growth and competitive ability of OR for soil N were increased when intercropped with faba bean. Both grain yield and number per plant were three times higher in OR–faba bean intercrops compared to OR sole crops. Under high weed infestation, the presence of faba bean with OR reduced weed aboveground biomass by 35% and weed N accumulation by 11% compared to the OR sole crop. No change was observed in the weed community composition. We observed that a level of aboveground biomass greater than 2 t ha−1 and a soil N uptake at approximately 80 kg ha−1 was needed to reduce biomass and N content of weeds.

Linkages between traits and decomposition of weed communities along a soil management and pedoclimate gradient in Mediterranean vineyards.

Decomposition is a major ecosystem process which improves soil quality. Despite that, only a few studies have analysed decomposition in an agricultural context, while most agrosystems (e.g. vineyards) are facing decreasing soil quality. The objective of this study is to understand the impacts of both pedoclimate and weed management on the mass loss of vineyard weed communities during the early stages of the decomposition process through their functional properties. In 16 Mediterranean vineyards representing both a pedoclimate and a soil management gradient, we measured the mass loss of green above-ground biomass of 50 weed communities during decomposition in standard conditions and key leaf traits of dominant species [e.g. leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and leaf lignin to nitrogen ratio (lignin:N)]. Both the mean [i.e. community-weighted mean (CWM)] and diversity (i.e. Rao index) were computed at the community level. Path analysis was used to quantify the effects of agro-environmental filters on the mass loss of weed communities through their functional properties. Tillage and mowing filtered more decomposable communities than chemical weeding (16 and 8 % of higher mass loss after 2 months of decomposition). Path analysis selected weed management practice type as the main factor determining mass loss through its effect on functional properties, while soil and climate had minor and no effects, respectively. Chemical weeding favoured communities with higher investment in resistant leaves (e.g. 38 % higher lignin:N, 22 % lower leaf nitrogen content) which resulted in lower mass loss compared with tilled and mowed communities. Mowing favoured communities with 47 % higher biomass and with 46 % higher nitrogen content. Weed management significantly influenced weed mass loss, while the pedoclimate had little effect. Our results suggest that mowing is a promising alternative to herbicide use, favouring higher biomass, nitrogen content and decomposability potential of weeds.

Analytical purity of old New Zealand forage seed samples and detection of fungal and insect contaminants including ryegrass endophyte and Argentine stem weevil

ABSTRACT Pasture seed samples that were harvested around 1917 in New Zealand were analysed for purity, Epichloë endophyte and insects. Samples consisted of 13 packets of seed varying from 2.2 to 15.0 g and comprising, Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). These findings show that in the period prior to modern seed testing laboratories only four of the 13 samples (31%) could possibly have met today’s seed certification standards as it relates to seed purity. When compared with published purities and weed content of seed of the era these samples appear typical. Endophyte testing on the four ryegrass seed samples and the ryegrass contaminants found in the Chewings fescue and cocksfoot samples showed sample-to-sample variation in endophyte infection from nil to 91%. One cocksfoot sample, most likely harvested from the Banks Peninsula, contained an Argentine stem weevil. Subsequent checking of entomological collection records also revealed specimens being present in the Wellington region from 1916. Together these occurrences precede the earliest published record for the species in New Zealand by ten years and suggest that it may have been widespread at that time.

Soil respiration during three cropping cycles of durum wheat under different tillage conditions in a Mediterranean environment

AbstractThis study analysed respiration from soil cultivated with wheat under a Mediterranean climate and submitted to two tillage treatments: no tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were measured by static chambers in three growing seasons (2015–18) in the framework of a long‐term experiment of different tillage systems established in 2002. Tillage management remained the same throughout the trial, while chemical weed control was carried out in response to the actual weed content. Environmental variables were monitored, including the soil total organic carbon (TOC) content, water‐extractable organic carbon (WEOC), soil temperature and water content. Total CO2 emission, as mean of the studied seasons, did not significantly differ between NT and RT (2.35 and 2.24 t CO2‐C ha1 for NT and RT, respectively), although differences were found at the growth cycle scale. Total annual CO2 emission from NT was stable, being the same along the three cycles, while total RT CO2 emission decreased from the first to the third cycle. The TOC content was almost stable, while WEOC showed large variability that could explain the variability of CO2 emissions for RT over short time scales and was probably because of weed control in the middle of the second growing cycle. CO2 emissions were driven by soil water content via the impact on water filled pore space, and soil temperature range, that is daily maximum minus minimum temperature. In conclusion, for this winter wheat NT did not improve the balance of soil CO2 emissions with respect to RT.

Diversity, Species, and Plant Growth Regulator and Nutrient Content of Local Weeds in Tawaeli Sub-District, Palu City, Indonesia

Each area has a variety and different types of weeds, the differences in each weed are caused by natural factors and human actions, including excessive pesticide spraying. This action can cause the chemical content, namely plant growth regulators and the nutrients in the weed plant to change and cause the quality of a soil to decrease. The research objective was to determine the level of diversity, species, and content of plant growth regulators and nutrient element measurements for local weeds. The research design was an exploration method in community agricultural land areas by recording the number of weeds found in agricultural land areas, trails, and irrigation edges in Tawaeli District, Palu City. Diversity analysis was using the exploration method, and the diversity index of medicinal plants was calculated using Shannon Wiener. The identification of weeds was carried out by UPT Herbarium (Tadulako University), plant growth regulators and nutrient content analysis were carried out using existing methods in the laboratory using local weed samples taken in the field. The results showed that there were 27 species of weeds grew on agricultural land in Tawaeli Sub-District, Palu City. These weed species belonging to 17 different plant families. Based on the category of diversity index, it was known that the biodiversity of weeds at the observation sites belongs to the low class (H' <1.00) and the medium class (H' >3.00). The conclusion was that in general, the high number of species and weed diversity were in the medium class H' category. Good nutrient content in weeds shows the potential of weeds as a source of important nutritional elements may benefit the growth and development of cultivated plants.

Effectiveness of Three Terminating Products on Reducing the Residual Moisture in Dwarf Castor Plants: A Preliminary Study of Direct Mechanical Harvesting in Central Greece

The contribution of castor oil for reaching the targets set by RED1 and RED2 in Europe can be tangible if the problem related to the mechanical harvesting is overcome. Dwarf hybrids suitable for mechanical harvesting are already available on the market but the residual moisture of plants and capsules has to be lowered in order to allow mechanization. In the present case of study, three common terminating products (Glyphosate GLY, Diquat DIQ and Spotlight DEF) were tested on Kaiima C1012 hybrid in a complete randomized block design to assess the effectiveness of using chemical products to decrease residual moisture in castor plants. Plants were harvested via combine harvester equipped with cereal header to evaluate seed loss (due to dehiscence, impact and cleaning shoe) and the dehulling capacity of the combine harvester’s cleaning shoe. DIQ decreased significantly moisture content of capsules (7.32%) in comparison to the other treatments, while the lowest plant moisture was recorded in DIQ (62.38%) and GLY (59.12%). The use of DIQ triggered the highest impact seed loss (61.75%) in comparison with GLY (46.50%) and DEF (29.02%). Control plants could not be harvested mechanically due to the high residual moisture content and high density of weeds. The present case of study provides highlights regarding the need to further investigate the best practice to terminate castor plants and to develop a specific combine header to reduce seed loss from impact.

Оценка способов использования пастбищ полупустынной зоны Западного Казахстана

Abstract. The authors presented research materials on the study of ways to use pastures in semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan. Purpose. Study of ways of grazing farm animals to increase productivity and rational use of pastures. The research object is the pasture lands of “Miras” farm in West Kazakhstan region. The research tasks were to select the most effective way of grazing, ensuring preservation and improvement of quantitative and qualitative indicators of semi-desert zone pastures. The research scientific novelty is in the fact that the determined grazing methods allow rational use of pasture resources and increase feed capacity of pasture lands. The studies were carried out in a semi-desert zone of West Kazakhstan on a relief and sandy area of pastures. Results. Unsystematic use of pastures reduces quantitative and qualitative indicators. In summer studies, the highest content of weeds and poisonous plants (9 %) was found on a pasture of unsystematic grazing. When using this method, the proportion of cereals in the phytocenosis was at least 9 %. In the composition of the phytocenosis used in an unsystematic way, an increase in the proportion of wormwood was noted up to 15 %. Here, in comparison with the 2nd seasonal pastures, the share of herbs (poorly eaten) is also high – 21 %. On the pastures used in a unsystematic way in the spring, the yield of herbage reached only 3.81 c/ha, which is less than the seasonal pastures by 2.50–4.28 c/ha or 65.6–112.3 %. In a semi-desert zone, to provide agricultural animals with high-grade and high-quality fodder, as well as to create a stock and reduce the shortage of fodder, it is advantageous to use seasonal pastures with the inclusion of a distant pasture area in the pasture rotation. The use of distant areas for seasonal use of pastures, increasing the duration of the pasture period by 120 days, allows the farm to additionally create the volume of actual feed storage at the level of 5 499.5 centners, reducing the level of feed deficit by 2 119.7 centners or 81.03 %.

Bioherbicidal Activity and Metabolic Profiling of Potent Allelopathic Plant Fractions Against Major Weeds of Wheat-Way Forward to Lower the Risk of Synthetic Herbicides.

The productivity of major field crops is highly compromised due to weed infestation. Inefficient weed management practices and undue and excessive use of chemical herbicides have drastically contaminated the environment and human health, in addition to resistance development in weed species. Therefore, utilization of allelopathic plants to explore phytochemicals as potent organic alternatives to such chemical herbicides has become indispensable. The current study evaluates the comparative bio-herbicidal potential of methanolic extracts of castor (Ricinus communis), artemisia (Artemisia santolinifolia), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) to suppress growth of major weeds, i.e., wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), and carrot grass (Parthenium hysterophorus). The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent effect on weeds’ growth. Overall, in vitro seed germination was reduced from 60 to 100% in response to 5% (w/v) extract concentration. Significant reduction in radicle length, hypocotyl length, and fresh biomass of the weeds was also observed. A strong inhibitory effect was seen in in vivo pot experiments, revealing that application of 10–20% methanolic extracts induced permanent wilting and substantial reduction in the chlorophyll content of weeds along with 20–80% increase in oxidative stress. Artemisia showed the most significant allelopathic effect, on account of highest phenolic and flavonoid contents, followed by castor, wheat, and sorghum, against S. arvensis, L. multiflorum, and P. hysterophorus, respectively. Phytochemical analysis, through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), also exhibited a correlation between extract’s phytotoxicity and their antioxidant potential due to their major constituents (rutin, quercetin, catechin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid), among the total of 13 identified in methanolic fractions. Comprehensive profiling of allelochemicals with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) determined 120, 113, 90, and 50 derivates of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, reported for the first time through this study, demonstrating significant allelopathic potential of the targeted plant fractions, which can be explored further to develop a sustainable bio-herbicidal formulation.

The effects of lime on pasture composition and production in western Waikato hill country

A 4-year lime rate trial was established on a hill country sheep and cattle property near Te Akau to determine lime effects on pasture utilisation. Four rates of lime were applied (1.25 t/ha, 2.5 t/ha, 5 t/ha and 10 t/ha) to 2 m × 2 m plots, from which soil Al, Ca and pH, pasture grazing heights, dry matter production, pasture species composition, feed quality and brix levels were measured. Lime application reduced soil Al (14.6 to 1.1 mg/kg), and increased Ca and pH (5.0 to 6.2) over time in the highest application rate. Dry matter production responded to all rates of lime in each year, and by the fourth year it was 27% greater (1.25 t/ha treatment), 35% greater (2.5 t/ha treatment), 69% greater (5 t/ha treatment), and 97% greater (10 t/ha treatment) than in the un-limed plots. Ryegrass and subterranean clover content increased with lime rate, whereas chewings fescue and dicot weed content declined. There were no sustained differences in pasture grazing heights, feed quality or brix levels between the control and rates of lime. On this site, all rates of lime were economic to apply by truck or plane when the benefits were spread over 4 years, with the greatest cost-benefit from thelower rates of lime.

Diet, Cooking and Cosmology - Interpreting the Evidence from Bronze Age Plant Macro fossils

The aim of the article is to discuss how the composition of Bronze Age macrofossil samples reflects different aspects of daily life like diet and cooking. The article argues that the increasing weed content in the Late Bronze Age macrofossil samples should partly be regarded as a new resource that was used in the cooking process. The contemporaneous increase in hulled barley at the expense of naked barley and wheat, might reflect a diminished interest in baking leavened bread and a stronger preference for cooked cereal-based dishes. These changes in the domestic sphere should be regarded as intimately connected with changes in the Late Bronze Age cosmology, in particular with the development of the Urnfield culture.

Efficient synthesis and characterization of non-toxic glyphosate derivatives as eco-friendly herbicides

The present work was designed to synthesize a chain of ester derivatives of glyphosate along with their structure analysis using FTIR, 1H NMR, 31PNMR, and mass spectroscopy. Further, their herbicidal, anti-microbial and toxicological studies were carried out, and the obtained results confirmed good herbicidal effects of these derivatives on the common weed Parthenium hysterophorus. Moreover, these derivatives were also able to reduce the chlorophyll content of weeds, and their results were statistically evaluated using one-way ANOVA. In order to investigate the impact of ester derivatives on Eisenia fetida, toxicity evaluation was performed, and interestingly these derivatives were proved to be non-toxic. Additionally, the synthesized derivatives of glyphosate were found to be less polar in contrast to their parent molecule. They were easily degraded by soil bacteria and undeniably may prove beneficial in curbing the problem of their leaching into the water bodies and soil ecosystems.

An Alternative Phase-Sensitive THz Imaging Technique for Art Conservation: History and New Developments at the ENEA Center of Frascati

In recent years, THz imaging techniques have been used in several fields of application. At the beginning of the century, the low availability of powerful THz sources was one of the limiting factors to the advancement of THz technology. At the ENEA center in Frascati, two Free Electron Lasers (FELs) operating in the THz spectral region were available at that time, making it possible to exploit all the features of THz imaging. In this paper, we will describe an alternative THz imaging technique, developed over 15 years of studies at the ENEA center of Frascati, and its application in the art conservation field, reporting the latest results of such studies on the optical properties of pigments in the GHz-THz region of the spectrum, on the possibility of detecting biological weeds under mosaic tiles and on the THz analysis of ancient leather wallpapers. This alternative technique was first developed in the framework of a bilateral collaboration between Japan and Italy, the THz-ARTE Project, which involved NICT (Tokyo), NNRICP (Nara), ENEA (Frascati) and IFAC-CNR (Florence). Most of the THz imaging techniques at that time were based on THz-Time Domain (THz-TD) devices. In the paper will be described how this alternative technique is able to measure the phase of the reflected radiation, thus providing information on the optical properties of the materials under study, such as mural paintings and mosaics. This makes it possible to detect the presence of hidden artworks, additional elements under paint layers, and dielectric materials. To describe the potential and the limits of this alternative imaging technique we will start from a description of the first THz imaging setup at the ENEA center of Frascati, based upon a THz Free Electron Laser. A description of the theoretical principle underlying this technique will be given. The first results in the field of art conservation are summarized, while the new results of a systematic study on the optical properties of pigments are reported and the realization of a portable THz imaging device, and its application “on site” for the analysis of frescoes are shown. The success of this prototype lead to the identification of different types of artworks as possible targets to be studied. New results about the ability of detecting water, and possibly the water content of biological weeds, under mosaic tiles are described, while new experimental measurements on Leather Wallpapers, both “in situ” and in a laboratory environment, are discussed later. A final analysis on the pro and the cons of this alternative imaging technique and on its possible utilization with the developed prototype is carried out together with the considerations on possible future developments and its potential use as an extension of other imaging techniques.

Aeromechanical purification of freshly harvested seed heaps of desert fodder plants

It is stated in the paper that the difficulty in cleaning freshly harvested seed heaps of desert fodder plants and in the creation of cultivation equipment for their sowing is due to specific features of the physical-mechanical properties of seed heaps of desert fodder plants. The high content of weeds (up to 70%) in the composition of freshly harvested seed heaps collected manually or by mechanized methods makes them loose, leading to the impossibility to sow these seeds without preliminary cleaning. A proposed technological process of aeromechanical cleaning of freshly harvested seed heaps of desert fodder plants is as follows. First of all, it is necessary to provide for the enrichment of the heaps by separating the coarse-sized fractions. The enriched heaps of seeds are subjected to stage-by-stage separation. At the first stage, coarse impurities are singled out by a mechanical working body, and at the second stage - separation of seeds and small impurities is conducted by an airflow. A technological process of aeromechanical separation of freshly harvested seed heaps of desert fodder plants was investigated, as a result, the final velocities of particle motion along the working surfaces which have the form of a straight line, a parabola, and a semicircle were determined. The most acceptable form of the working body was identified — a circular semi-ring installed in an aeromechanical separator. The effectiveness of seed cleaning by an aeromechanical separator was determined.

Effects of nitrogen and integrated weed management treatment on bulb quality in onion

The present investigation entitled "Effects of nitrogen and integrated weed management on onion quality and NPK content of weeds" was conducted at Horticulture Farm, Dept. of Horticulture, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) during rabi season of 2016-17 and 2017-18.

Allelochemicals change macromolecular content of some selected weeds

Allelochemicals are eco-friendly and play a significant part in weed control. In this regard, an in-vitro investigation was performed to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of Nicotiana. plumbaginifolia Viv. on Senna sophera (L.) Roxb., Chenopodium album L., Senna tora (L.) Roxb. and Setaria viridis L. The experiment is aimed to assess the impact of leaf leachate of the allelopathic plant on the biochemical parameters (chlorophyll, carbohydrate, protein and proline content) of recipient weeds. The treatments showed a retarding effect on the biochemical events. Carbohydrate and proline content were increased in test plants whereas protein and chlorophyll content declined in comparison to the control. Aqueous leachates proved to be more suppressive than organic fractions on weeds viz; S. sophera and C. album were suppressed more as compared to S. tora and S. viridis. The GC–MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry) analysis showed the incidence of different phytochemical entities in the leaf methanolic extract of leaf of N. plumbaginifolia. Forty three compounds were identified representing 98.98% of total methanolic extract composition. The main chemical components were Palmitic acid (17.50%), Palmitoleic acid (14.32%), Oleic acid (13.83), Phytol (8.46%), Neophytadiene (5.47%) and Solasodine (4.23%). The allelopathy of the volatile allelochemicals may perform a vital part in inhibiting the competitive ability of weed species and be one of the alternatives to control weed infestation.

Engineering and Environmental Support for Weed Control

Better fi eld operations are performed result in lower weed contamination of crops, which means less chemical protection is required. This makes a positive eff ect on soil fertility, crop quality and the ecological situation in general. (Research purpose) To study weed circulation in mechanized farm technologies for cereal production and propose ways of reducing the weed content at all stages of cultivation, taking into account the favorable environmental response of the agricultural background. (Materials and methods) The authors have revealed the fundamental criteria for the implementation of fi eld operations based on a multifactorial model of crop cultivation: reduction of the weed content, reduction of soil compaction sites and re-processing, and environmenta response. They have demonstrated weed circulation in traditional cereal production technologies, identifi ed the development dynamics of weeds and their distribution in the agricultural background. (Results and discussion) The authors controlled weed seeds on spring wheat fi elds under production conditions during the harvest seasons of 2016 and 2017. They experimentally found an increased content of miliary weed seeds in the selected threshing products, the mass of which ranged from 5 to 16 grams per m2. The share of weed seeds in grain hopper amounted to 2.9 percent. It was revealed that weed seeds isolated by a combine remain viable after autumn tillage. Transverse tillage increases the area of contamination in 2 times or more. The authors propose a comprehensive system of weed control at all stages of fi eld operations, taking into account the environmental response of the agricultural background. It is shown that the separation and destruction of weed seeds at the harvest stage is of particular importance. The authors present technical and technological solutions to reduce weeds and ensure a favorable ecological situation. (Conclusions) The authors have designed a comprehensive system to reduce weed contamination, thus reducing the overall impact of plant protection remedies by 30 percent.

НАУКОВІ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ІЗ ЗЕМЛЕРОБСТВА В УМАНСЬКОМУ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКОМУ ІНСТИТУТІ (КІНЕЦЬ ХIX – ДРУГА ПОЛОВИНА XX СТ.): ДО 175 - Ї РІЧНИЦІ ЗАСНУВАННЯ

The article presents the historical and scientific analysis of the process of formation and development of scientific research on agriculture at Uman Agricultural Institute in the historical context. It was established that scientific research on agriculture dates back to 1868, when the Main School of Horticulture was reorganized in the Uman College of Agriculture and Horticulture. It was found that the first studies on soil cultivation and fertilization were conducted in the period from 1886-1912 by Professor M.K. Vasyliev. In 1912 Professor M.K. Vasyliev published the first Ukrainian textbook on plant growing and forestry called «Private agriculture or the study of field and meadow crops». It was established that the activity of V.V. Pashkevych at Uman School contributed to the further development of fruit and ornamental horticulture and viticulture in the Russian Empire, and later in Ukraine. It is noted that S.M. Vukolov, while working at Uman School of Horticulture and Agriculture, for the first time first organized teaching of vegetable growing on a scientific basis. It is emphasized that P.G. Shytt was the first school teacher who began to study the root system and nutrition of the fruit trees, the patterns of growth and cycling of their ontogenetic development. Great attention is paid to the exploratory works of Professor F.V. Zamorskyi, who, on the basis of the study of content and species composition of weeds in rye and wheat seeds, proposed wholly justified measures of weed control. It has been established that the personal contribution of the scientists and teachers of Uman School to the formation of scientific principles of agriculture is undoubtedly significant and contributes to the provision of high and stable crops of agricultural products. Particular attention is paid to the main scientific achievement of the prominent scientist-agronomist – Professor S.S. Rubin in horticulture and field agriculture. It was investigated that the main directions of his scientific and research work were: soil maintenance and fertilization in fruit plantations, crop rotation and soil cultivation under field crops.

Comparative effects of grazing, herbicide or forage conservation on barley grass content in Trifolium subterraneum L. clover-based pasture

Barley grass (Hordeum spp.) is a relatively short lived annual that provides high quality grazing early in the season, but its seed heads cause contamination of wool and carcasses, and may irritate the mouth, eyes and nose of sheep. Treatments were imposed on established subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) annual pasture in the same plots for three consecutive years (2015 to 2017) to evaluate changes in barley grass content. Treatments included: grazing alone (G), herbicide followed by grazing (HG), or a forage conservation harvest in early October, late October or early November consistent with an early silage harvest (ES), late silage harvest (LS) or hay cut (H). Grazing plus herbicide markedly reduced (P < 0.05) barley grass numbers compared with all other treatments, but increased (P < 0.05) the growth of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum L.). ES reduced (P < 0.05) barley grass and increased (P < 0.05) subterranean clover compared with H, but broadleaf weed content benefitted by LS in contrast to either ES or H. Although herbicide application was the most effective method for barley grass control, forage harvest timing could be used to beneficially manipulate pasture composition.

Nutrient dynamics, soil properties and microbiological aspects in an irrigated olive orchard managed with five different management systems involving soil tillage, cover crops and compost

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to determine the short-term effects (three years) of four sustainable management systems including different carbon inputs (compost, pruning residues and cover crops, applied solely or combined) on the mineral content of soil, olive trees and weeds, on some specific groups of soil microorganisms, and on weed mycorrhizal colonization in an olive orchard compared to a conventional system involving soil tillage and only mineral forms of fertilizers. The study was performed between 2013 and 2015 in a 40-year-old olive plantation. The results showed that soil organic matter, as well as main macro- and micronutrients, were markedly improved following three years of increased biomass inputs. Data related to the mycorrhizal colonization of spontaneous weed flora and to actinobacteria, Azotobacter and proteolytic bacteria suggest favourable effects on soil biology and agro-ecosystem complexity. Sowing a mixture of winter cover crops for three successive years also contributed to soil enrichment in biological as well as mineral nutrient aspects. Adoption of the sustainable management here applied practices is in complete agreement with the European policy on the transition from a linear to a circular economy and would provide significant benefits for rural stakeholders and ecosystems in the long term.