Ā. Jansons, S. Šēnhofa, M. Zeps, U. Neimane, R. Kāpostiņš, A. Kārkliņa, L. Ķēniņa
{"title":"Intra–annual height growth of hybrid poplars in Latvia. Results from the year of establishment","authors":"Ā. Jansons, S. Šēnhofa, M. Zeps, U. Neimane, R. Kāpostiņš, A. Kārkliņa, L. Ķēniņa","doi":"10.15159/AR.17.073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.17.073","url":null,"abstract":"Fast growing hybrid poplars (Populus spp.) could be successfully used for bioenergy as well as wood production. Productivity of clones had been studied in Baltic States recently, however, little is known about the impact of weather conditions on poplar height growth, thus the potential effect of climate change. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the intra annual height growth of hybrid poplar clones in Latvia. Height increment of 12 hybrid poplar clones was measured on average with an 11 day interval in the first vegetation season in 2016. Annual shoot height was on average 81.0 6.8 cm, significantly (p < 0.001) depending on the poplar clone. Use of long (0.5 m) instead of short (0.3 m) cuttings leaded to larger annual height increment during the year of establishment of the plantation. From June to September the mean growth intensity was 10 to 15 mm day-1. The trend of height growth intensity, described by Gompertz model, indicated that the poplar clones with largest height had relatively fast increase of the growth intensity from June to July. Changes of growth intensity was linked both with the temperature and sum of precipitation. This tendency was not so pronounced for clones with largest height increment, emphasizing the importance of the phenotypic plasticity in selection of clones for plantations.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"24 1","pages":"254-262"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
F. D. Borso, C. Marzo, Fabio Zuliani, F. Danuso, M. Baldini
{"title":"Harvest time and ensilage suitability of giant reed and miscanthus for bio-methane production and characterization of digestate for agronomic use","authors":"F. D. Borso, C. Marzo, Fabio Zuliani, F. Danuso, M. Baldini","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"22-40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of PTO-driven tillage machines on soil particles transfer","authors":"M. Buřič, J. Hůla, P. Novák","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.150","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"1607-1613"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. S. G. Joughi, E. Hervan, A. S. Rad, G. Noormohamadi
{"title":"Fatty acid composition of oilseed rapeseed genotypes as affected by vermicompost application and different thermal regimes","authors":"E. S. G. Joughi, E. Hervan, A. S. Rad, G. Noormohamadi","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.002","url":null,"abstract":"Vegetable oils with a high relative amount of unsaturated fatty acids are of great significance for human health. Hence, in a 2-year factorial split plot experiment, the effects of different sowing date (optimum (October 17) and late (October 27)), vermicompost (0 and 20 ton ha-1) and genotypes (BAL104, DIE710.08, BAL102, FJL330, FJL290 and Okapi) on the fatty acid composition of rapeseed were evaluated. Rapeseed genotypes and the combination of sowing date and vermicompost application were randomized to sub and main-plots, respectively. The present results revealed that yield, oil percentage and fatty acids composition is affected by sowing dates along with genotypes. However, the unsaturated fatty acid, eicosanoic acid was not affected by interaction sowing date and genotype. Vermicomposting increased the yield, oil percentage, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids and decrease erucic unsaturated fatty acid. The FJL290 and BAL102 genotypes produced the highest values of grain yield (5,853 and 5,763 kg ha , respectively), oil percentage (43.98% and 43.85%, respectively), linoleic % acid (20.51 and 20.37% respectively), oleic % acid (65.23 and 64.93% respectively) and linolenic % acid (7.20 and 7.09% respectively) in comparison to the other genotypes, when they were sown at the optimum sowing date. The FJL290 and BAL102 also accelerated their growth period at the late sowing date. Consequently, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids had the highest direct and indirect effect influence on grain oil percentage indicating their importance as selection criteria to improve yield and oil quality of rapeseed. Concluding the combination of sowing date, vermicompost and FJL290 and BAL102 lines may be the most favourable cropping strategy for rapeseed production in Iran.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"230-242"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Strawberry leaf surface temperature dynamics measured by thermal camera in night frost conditions","authors":"E. Kokin, V. Palge, M. Pennar, K. Jürjenson","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.010","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the study was to define the strawberry leaf surface and ambient air temperature differences in night frost conditions. The study was carried out at the commercial strawberry field in late autumn at a specific natural climatic situation, corresponding to night frost conditions. Thermal camera FLIR P660 was used for obtaining thermal images and corresponding visual colour images of the strawberry leaves. The images were taken at ten-minute interval. The ambient air temperature, relative humidity, dew point, solar radiation and wind speed data were obtained by Davis Vantage Pro2 weather station. It was estimated that the surface temperature of the specific leaf is comparatively similar at different parts of the specimen and changes noticeably with the variation of solar radiation intensity. The speed of temperature changes was also analysed. During all the measurement period, the considerable difference between the temperature of the leaf and the ambient air temperature was established, especially in absence of solar radiation. The difference of the leaf surface and ambient air temperature reached 8 study showed that in night frost conditions the plants might be endangered by low temperatures even at the air temperatures above 0 to the sky. It is suggested that the thermal imaging or infrared radiation measurement should be used simultaneously with air temperature measurements for more exact timing of night frost prevention measures at strawberry cultivation.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"122-133"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Energy consumption of milking pump controlled by frequency convertor during milking cycle.","authors":"P. Vaculík, M. Přikryl, J. Bradna, L. Libich","doi":"10.15159/ar.18.016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/ar.18.016","url":null,"abstract":"The article deals with selected parameters affecting the energy consumption of a vacuum pump in a milking system during the whole milking cycle in variants with and without regulation by a frequency convertor. When put into practice, the latest research of creation, control and stabilization of vacuum in milking devices allows dairy farmers to obtain a vacuum system that ensures maximum stability of milking pressure, which is a basic requirement affecting the health of dairy cows. The choice of vacuum system prioritizes in particular high performance, maximum operational reliability, minimum maintenance, long service life, environmental friendliness and economy. The vacuum pump was a Roots vacuum pump with a rotary piston which is typical for this use. Use of a frequency convertor significantly affected the efficiency of this pump for control of vacuum pressure level and pump performance by varying the rotation frequency according to the actual airflow requirement. Using this control system, only as much vacuum pressure is produced as necessary. By measurement of an experimental setup, it was found that the average power requirement of a setup with a control valve was 3.8 kW compared to 1.7 kW in the case of the variant with frequency convertor. Measurements and calculations have shown that this system is capable of saving more than 50% of electric energy.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"297-306"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Typological analysis of the sustainability of dairy cattle farming in the Chelif valley (Algeria)","authors":"H. Ikhlef, K. Ouakli, S. Ikhlef, M. Benidir","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.023","url":null,"abstract":"To identify production systems that could increase local milk production in a sustainable manner, a study was conducted on 135 dairy farms in the three main plains of the Chelif Valley, Algeria. These have been evaluated for environmental, social and economic sustainability based on the IDEA (Farm Sustainability Indicators) method. The Principal Component Analysis identified 4 different types dairy production systems, namely Type 1: Medium-size dairy farms with cereal crop production; Type 2: Small-size dairy farms; Type 3: Medium-size dairy farms diversified crop production, and Type 4: Large-size dairy farms with diversified crop production. Comparative analysis of ecological sustainability showed better results for medium-size dairy farms with cereal crop production (52.3 10.17 / 100 points) and for large-size dairy farms with diversified crop production (51.6 10.38 / 100 points), while the economic sustainability was better for medium-size dairy farms with diversified crop production (51.6 19.20 / 100 points). On the other hand, social security was the weak point for all farm types. On the regional level, it appeared that agri-environmental scores were better in Middle and Low Chelif valley while the best economic performances were recorded in High Chelif valley. On the regional level, it appears that the scores of agri-environmental scales are better in the middle and low Chelif while the economic performances are comparable between the three localities.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"198-211"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Soonberg, M. Kass, T. Kaart, R. Leming, D. Arney
{"title":"Additional concentrates do not affect feeding times of cows, but social positions of cows do.","authors":"M. Soonberg, M. Kass, T. Kaart, R. Leming, D. Arney","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.165","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"1877-1884"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. Sartori, F. Marinello, G. Armentano, T. Yezekyan
{"title":"Analysis of cost and performances of agricultural machinery: reference model for sprayers","authors":"L. Sartori, F. Marinello, G. Armentano, T. Yezekyan","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.049","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.049","url":null,"abstract":"Management of agricultural operations is currently rapidly changing caused by increased attention to the concepts of sustainable development and sustainable intensification. Enhancement of productivity and efficiency of agricultural machinery are the leading factors in sustainable agriculture. The complete application and exploitation of engineering advances require the revision of traditional agricultural machinery management process. The definition of the farm fleet (tractors and implements), as well as machinery planning and management, must consider different parameters, including not only the cost of the machines but also their dimensions, weight, working width, needed power, etc. All of this information related to an agricultural machine is eventually influencing the impact on productivity, on the return on the investment, and also on the environment. The present work is aimed at identifying the most relevant parameters which are influencing costs and performances of sprayers, including tank volume, maximum flow, needed power, weight and price. The different parameters are analysed in a correlation matrix, in order to allow identification of dependencies and to extract reference models. The study is based on linear and multiple linear regression analysis carried out on technical specifications of about 700 models of sprayers. Relevant correlations were highlighted between price and weight, between weight and tank capacity and in some cases between power and weight. Following such correlations, models have been proposed, which can be implemented in order to support the decision making phases.","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"604-614"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Criteria of design for deconstruction applied to dairy cows housing: a case study in Italy","authors":"L. Leso, L. Conti, G. Rossi, M. Barbari","doi":"10.15159/AR.18.085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.085","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7924,"journal":{"name":"Agronomy research","volume":"16 1","pages":"794-805"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66966551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}