Search Results (50)

This study presents the evaluation of tools for weed analysis and management to support agroecological practices in organic farming, emphasizing agriculture digitalization, and remote sensing. The main aim was to provide techniques for monitoring and predicting weed spread using multispectral satellite and drone data, without the use of chemical inputs. Key findings indicate that VV and VH channels of Sentinel-1 and B2, B3, B4, and B8 channels of Sentinel-2 are not different regarding tillage, herbicide use, or sowing density. However, RE and NIR channels of drone detected significant variations and proved effectiveness for weediness monitoring. The NIR channel is sensitive to agrotechnical factors such as cultivation type, making it valuable for field monitoring. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that B2, B3, B8 channels of Sentinel-2, and RE and NIR drone channels are the most reliable for predicting weed levels. Conversely, Sentinel-1 showed limited predictive utility. Random effect models confirmed that Sentinel-2 and drone channels can accurately account for site characteristics and timing of weed proliferation. Taken together, these tools provide effective organic weed monitoring systems, enabling rapid identification of problem areas and adjustments in agronomic practices. Full article

This paper presents research on the impact of vibrations on the hand–arm and body system of agricultural tractor operators as ergonomic indicators in relation to certain operational parameters. The measurements were conducted on a LANDINI POWERFARM 100 tractor on agricultural production areas and access roads of the Agricultural and Veterinary School in Osijek. The measurements followed the ISO 5008:2015 standard, which describes the creation of test tracks: a smooth track of 100 m in length and a rough track of 35 m in length. Body vibration measurements were conducted according to the prescribed standards HRN ISO 2631-1: 1999/A1:2019 and HRN ISO 2631-4:2010. Hand–arm system vibration measurements were performed according to the prescribed standards HRN ISO 5349-1:2008 and HRN ISO 5349-2:2008/A1:2015. After the measured data were processed, a three-factor analysis of variance was performed, where some operational parameters were designated as A—agrotechnical surfaces (6 types), B—tractor speed (6 speeds), and C—tire air pressure (3 pressures), along with multiple regression analysis and the AHP (analytical hierarchical process). This research determined that none of the measured hand–arm system vibrations exceeded the warning (2.5 ms⁻²) or limit (5 ms⁻²) values of daily exposure. Furthermore, vibrations affecting the operator’s body in the x-axis at higher speeds and pressures C2 and C3, in the y-axis at higher speeds and pressures C1 and C2, and in the z-axis at the highest speed and pressures C1 and C2 were found to exceed the daily exposure warning value of 0.5 ms⁻². It was concluded that the operator’s health is at risk, and it is recommended that the seat’s air suspension system be inspected to prevent further complications in a timely manner. Full article

This study examines the impact of noise inside the cabin of an agricultural tractor on the operator, focusing on operational parameters: agrotechnical surfaces, speed of movement, and tire pressure. Noise measurements were conducted on a LANDINI POWERFARM 100 tractor on agricultural fields and access roads. The tests followed HRN ISO 5008:2015 standards for smooth and rough tracks, and the noise was measured with a Metrel Multinorm device using an “A” filter, positioned according to HRN ISO 6396:2018 and ISO 5131:2018 standards. A two-factor analysis of variance was performed, considering tractor speed (“B”) and tire pressure (“C”). The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to group the agronomic surfaces (“A”) into smooth and rough categories. By conducting a one-way ANOVA on the mean values of the dependent variables grouped by AHP, significant differences in noise were found. On the right side of the operator, significant noise differences were found between speeds B2, B3, and B4 (from 73.60 dB(A) to 73.99 dB(A)), with a decrease in noise as speed increased at C2. The coefficient of determination decreased from 78.99% to 44.93% with increasing speed. On the left side, significant differences in noise were found at tire pressure C1 at lower speeds, with increasing R² values up to 50.89%, and similarly for C3 at higher speeds, reaching 72.61%. Full article

Due to the high yield potential, suitable agrotechnical properties, and nutritional value of the grain, the interest in growing triticale is increasing due to the high yield potential, suitable agrotechnical properties, and nutritional value. This species is primarily grown for fodder purposes, but numerous studies suggest its potential for human consumption, including bread production. Additionally, triticale is known for its greater resistance to adverse environmental conditions compared to other crops, even under varying agronomic practices. A field experiment was conducted in southeastern Poland from 2019 to 2022. The study involved two cultivation systems (conventional and integrated) as one factor and three winter triticale cultivars (Belcanto, Meloman, and Panteon) as the other. The conventional system is based on the intensive cultivation of plants through the use of large amounts of fertilizers and crop protection products. The integrated system of cultivation is an alternative to the conventional system. This system aims to reduce the use of industrial inputs and, as a result, minimize the negative impact of agriculture on the natural environment. Cultivation under the conventional system resulted in higher grain yields and improved physiological parameter values. There was an increase in the leaf area index (LAI), relative chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and gas exchange parameters (photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (E)). The highest yields were achieved with the cv-Panteon and cv-Belcanto under the conventional system. The yields of these cultivars in the integrated system did not differ significantly from those of cv-Meloman under the conventional system. In the 2021/2022 season, the weather conditions were the most favorable during the triticale vegetation period, which resulted in the highest grain yield. The conventional system also resulted in higher thousand-grain weight (TGW), crude protein content, and grain test weight while lowering the falling number (FN) value. However, the cultivation systems did not significantly affect the grain uniformity, crude fat, fiber, or ash content, as well as wet gluten and gluten index (GI). The cv-Panteon exhibited the highest level of crude protein, crude fiber, and crude ash in its grain, suggesting its strong nutritional value and potential for use in human consumption. The cultivation of triticale in the integrated system, although associated with lower yields, causes less environmental pollution than cultivation in the conventional system. The appropriate selection of efficient cultivars grown in the integrated system allows for high grain yields with good quality parameters. Full article

Sowing density and row spacing of barley affect the crop efficiency, resource use and final yield, with different genotypes likely to respond differently to this agrotechnical factor. The effect of sowing density on the barley yield, as shaped by structural yield elements such as the number of ears, number of grains per ears and thousand grain weight, depends on the interaction of this factor with the genotype and the growing conditions. Two spring barley genotypes with a black grain color (H. vulgare L. var. nigricans and H. vulgare L. var. rimpaui), differing in ear structure and affiliation to the original wild forms, were studied. Two independent, two-year field experiments were conducted in 2019–2020 and 2021–2022 at two locations with contrasting soil conditions. The effects of genotype and sowing density interactions on the yield, harvest index and structural elements of the yield were assessed. The arley yield was dependent on the interaction of genotype and sowing density but also varied by location. H. v. var. nigricans yielded better at higher densities, while H. v. var. rimpaui showed greater tillering potential at low densities. Environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature and soil composition affected the number of fertile ears, number of grains per ear and thousand grain weight. Full article

Hill number per unit area and seedling number per hill are foundational agrotechnical factors shaping the growth and development of rice plants. This study aimed to determine the effects of decreasing the hill number per unit area combined with increasing the seedling number per hill on grain quality in hybrid rice. Field experiments were performed in Hengyang, Hunan Province, China, in 2022 and 2023 using the hybrid rice variety Huazheyou 261, as well as in Liuyang, Hunan Province, China, in 2023 using the hybrid rice varieties Yueyou 2646 and Zhenliangyouyuzhan. Treatments (combining hill number per unit area and seedling number per hill) encompassed a combination of 24 hills per m² and one seedling per hill (H24S1) and a combination of 14 hills per m² and three seedlings per hill (H14S3) in Hengyang, as well as a combination of 28 hills per m² and two seedlings per hill (H28S2) and a combination of 14 hills per m² and four seedlings per hill (H14S4) in Liuyang. There were no significant differences in the leaf area index at the heading stage, as well as no significant differences in canopy light transmittance during the grain-filling period between H24S1 and H14S3 in Hengyang, or between H28S2 and H14S4 in Liuyang. The differences in grain quality traits, including milling traits (brown, milled, and head rice rate), appearance traits (rice length, rice length-width ratio, chalky grain rate, and chalkiness degree), amylose and protein content, and pasting characteristics were also not significant between H24S1 and H14S3 in Hengyang, nor between H28S2 and H14S4 in Liuyang. This study indicates that the grain quality in hybrid rice is unaffected by decreasing the hill number per unit area integrated with increasing the seedling number per hill. Full article

Organic agriculture represents an alternative system of agricultural production that is included in the so-called sustainable agricultural practices. Development strategies in almost all countries today highlight the problem of environmental degradation, which is partly caused by the application of agrotechnical measures used in conventional agriculture. Consequently, organic production is gaining more and more importance, affecting the trend of its development. Considering the status of the Republic of Serbia as a candidate country for the European Union, it is of particular importance to understand the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU and the position that organic producers and production have. The aim of this research was to analyze the attitudes of organic producers towards the CAP and the agrarian policy of the Republic of Serbia and their expectations following the Republic of Serbia’s entry into the EU. Statistical data processing involved descriptive statistical analysis followed by binary logistic regression. The results of the research showed that organic producers are not sufficiently familiar with the CAP, they believe that the agricultural policy of the Republic of Serbia is not favorable for organic producers and that their situation will not change significantly with entry into the EU, but that the position of organic production in the EU is better in comparison to that of the Republic of Serbia. In conclusion, the authors state that such attitudes and thoughts of organic producers are a limiting factor in the further development of organic agriculture and that it is necessary to work on them through continuous measures developed by competent ministries, local self-governments and advisory services. Full article

Research was carried out to assess the yield and quality of fruits from the new Polish apple tree ‘Chopin’—a ‘green peel’, scab-resistant cultivar under grass living mulch management. Blue fescue and red fescue were tested in experiment no. 1. In experiment no. 2, meadow grass and perennial ryegrass were used. Every species of grass was sown in two doses of 50 and 150 kg per ha. Herbicide fallow was introduced as a control in both experiments. Strongly variable temperatures and precipitations in the years of evaluation made it possible to estimate year—a function of variable environmental conditions—as an additional experimental factor. An unexpected effect of the presence of living mulch was its significant impact on the appearance of blush on the ‘green peel’ fruit. However, living mulches had little effect on weight and fruit size. Cool days during apple ripening enhanced the process of fruit skin red coloration. The effect of both agrotechnical and environmental factors on fruit quality was more visible in the case of less vigorous trees, which were more susceptible to experimental, stressful conditions. However, increasing the sowing dose of each grass seed did not influence red blushing, weight, or fruit size. An additional difficulty for the trees was the competition caused by the early germination of these living grass mulches, reinforced by the presence of Trifolium repens L. Full article

In sustainable cultivation technologies, the method of managing crop residues and the microbiological activity of the soil, supported by the application of effective microorganisms, is of particular importance. Unfortunately, wheat monocultures are still common. Therefore, there is also a need to introduce elements of sustainable agrotechnics to such crops. The aim of the research was to compare the effect of 18 spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation technologies in a monoculture. Therefore, a four-year two-factor experiment was carried out with a spring wheat monoculture. Six ways managing the organic matter before sowing and tillage (first factor) and the application of microbiological preparations (second factor) were tested, leasing to a total of 18 experimental objects. The parameterized weed infestation, chlorophyll index, and leaf area index, elements of the yield structure, and spring wheat yield were determined through tillage technology. In most cases, the application of biopreparations was not found to have a significant impact on the tested features. The highest yields of spring wheat were obtained through the following technologies: application of EM or UG_max microbiological preparations on the shredded straw of the forecrop; mixing the forecrop with the soil using a grubber immediately after harvest; sowing the white mustard catch crop; winter plowing. Full article

Organic farming is often seen as a sustainable alternative to intensive agricultural systems. The studies conducted in this direction analyze various factors, as well as their assemblies, and show contradictory results. In order to assess the impact of the organic method of soil cultivation on the stable composition of the most important mineral and organic substances in the production process, the organic agriculture procedure was implemented with an agrochemical analysis for 12 years. The content of mobile phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and humus in the soil was determined. An elemental analysis of soil samples was conducted for a more in-depth analysis of its composition. It was established that the soils of the farm contained a sufficient amount of exchangeable potassium and humus. The content of these components remained stable during the study period. It was discovered that the soils of the farm have a low content of mobile phosphorus, which also remained stable during the study period. In the studied farm, the applied farming technologies contribute to the stable content of the main nutrient components of the soil. But to correct the content of mobile forms of phosphorus, additional agrotechnical measures are required. Full article

The aim of this study was to see how purchases of new agricultural machinery affected fuel consumption on farms. This study, conducted in the Małopolska region in Poland, covered two reporting periods (before and after the purchase of machinery). The analysis included factors relevant to the indicators analyzed, including changes in fuel consumption, changes in the area of agrotechnical treatments, changes in working time, and changes in installed power. To study how fuel consumption evolves under different conditions, the following variables were used as grouping variables: area of farms, power of the largest tractor, index of technological modernization (ITM), groups of crops, groups of agrotechnical treatments, and groups of machinery. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the analyzed groups. The research showed that the purchases of new agricultural machinery increased fuel consumption on farms. In the population studied, the volume increased by 8% compared to the initial period. The increase in consumption after modernization was mainly due to the purchase of more powerful tractors, while the increase in productivity and the changes in technology due to more modern ones did not compensate for the increase in power demand. Full article

CO₂ emissions are one of the greenhouse gases that significantly contribute to climate change. The use of reduced soil tillage practices could contribute to the mitigation of CO₂ emissions from soils under ongoing climate change conditions. The use of reduced and no-tillage practices in the summer period, the most critical period for CO₂ and for water loss from soils, would contribute to the mitigation of CO₂ emissions that is required by the European Union. The aim of this research was to contribute to the specification of CO₂ emission factors, following different soil tillage practices in the summer period under variations in weather. Gentler tillage practices were defined in terms of reducing CO₂ emissions from the soil. This research was carried out as a long-term field experiment. The effects of soil tillage practices on CO₂ emissions were studied over a six-year period as a long-term field experiment and concerned the use of different soil tillage practices for over 20 years (established in 1995), with these including conventional tillage (CT; plowing to 20–22 cm), reduced tillage (RT; chiseling to 10 cm), and no-tillage (NT; without tillage). The crop rotation was winter wheat–winter oilseed rape–winter wheat–pea. CO₂ emissions were measured at least 7–10 times during the summer–autumn period in the years 2017–2022 after agrotechnical operations following the winter wheat harvest. Soil moisture was determined in all the treatments. Weather conditions were measured by means of the meteorological station of the Crop Research Institute. The CO₂ emissions were the highest in the summer period under CT in comparison with RT and NT. Reduced tillage and no-tillage practices, with mulch on the surface of the soil, decreased CO₂ emissions by a 6-year average of 45% and 51%, respectively. The mean CO₂ emissions were 6.1, 3.1, and 2.9 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ for CT, RT, and NT. The highest CO₂ emissions and the largest differences among different tillage practices were measured in 2019, with high temperatures and repeated rainfall. CO₂ emissions under CT reached 22 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹, which was 7.5 and 5.8 times higher than under RT and NT, respectively. Current weather conditions, mainly temperature and precipitation, played an important role in CO₂ emissions. The hot and dry weather in 2018 decreased overall CO₂ emissions, with CO₂ emissions, even under conventional tillage, reaching only 2.5 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ on average. As a result of climate change, the temperatures also gradually increased in the later stages of the year, with more summer days being expected during autumn and higher CO₂ emissions from soils being expected as a result. Full article

The aim of the study was to assess the yield of three soybean varieties of different earliness classes (Merlin, Coraline, and Viola) grown using two sowing dates (early vs. optimal) and different technologies (soil protected with biodegradable film vs. without soil protection–conventional cultivation). A three-year (2019–2021) field experiment was conducted at the Bayer Technical Advisory Center in Chechło, Poland (50°23′ N 18°44′ E). The three-factor experiment was set up in a randomized split-plot design in three replicates. The experimental factors were (i) sowing date, (ii) cultivar, and (ii) cultivation technology. The effect of agrotechnical factors and their interaction with the weather on selected biometric traits and seed yield was assessed. The results indicated that the weather conditions and its interaction with agrotechnical factors significantly influenced the biometric traits and seed yield of soybean. Optimal hydrothermal conditions significantly increased analyzed parameters and seed yield. However, too much rainfall in August had negative effects on biometric traits. It was proved that, early sowing adversely affected soybean yield. Sowing at the optimal date, i.e., the end of April, resulted in a yield of 3.8 t ha⁻¹. The use of biodegradable film in the year with more rainfall increased soybean yield by 1 t ha⁻¹ compared to the year with less rainfall. The early ‘Merlin’ cultivar grown in the system with biodegradable film produced significantly more pods and seeds per plant and a higher pod weight per plant. The cultivars with a longer growing season (‘Viola’ and ‘Coraline’) responded negatively to cultivation in the modern technology. The use of biodegradable film is recommended for cultivars with a short growing season, sown at the optimal time and in regions with moderate to high rainfall totals during the growing season. Full article

Sugar beet is an important root crop with a biennial life cycle. In the first year of its life cycle, it produces huge amounts of leaf and root mass used for the production of sugar and bioethanol, livestock feed, confectionery and pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and soil restoration. Normally, after exposure to cold temperatures during winter storage, in the second year of its life cycle, it enters its reproductive phase. However, during the first year of growth, sugar beet plants may be susceptible to producing flowering shoots, or “bolting”, due to vernalization and long-day conditions. Bolting reduces both the yield and the sugar content of roots. Here, we review the published research works that study the environmental factors influencing bolting, the genetic (including epigenetic) and physiological mechanisms that regulate the transition to the reproductive phase, and the agrotechnical and breeding practices used to prevent bolting. Models of gene networks that regulate the transition to flowering are presented. Methods for selecting non-bolting plants using conventional, marker-assisted, and genomic breeding are demonstrated. Attention is also paid to the speed breeding technology that stimulates bolting and flowering sugar beet plants in an artificial climate. Growing sugar beet plants “from seed to seed” can potentially accelerate the breeding and seed production of sugar beet. This review compares different conditions for inducing bolting in sugar beet in climatic chambers and greenhouses. It examines parameters such as temperature, duration of light exposure, and light intensity during the pre-vernalization, post-vernalization, and vernalization periods. The present review may be useful for specialists in sugar beet cultivation, breeders working on developing cultivars and hybrids that are resistant to bolting, and molecular biologists studying the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying the transition of plants into the flowering stage. Full article

Currently, the most important task of stubble catch crops, as an element of sustainable agriculture, is to provide the soil with organic matter. The basic problem in the implementation of this task is the shortage of precipitation during the sowing period, which, combined with high temperatures in Europe in August, results in the loss of soil water and, consequently, weakening of germination and delay in plant emergence. The development of agrotechnics to increase the reliability of germination of seeds of plants grown as a catch crops is very important for the use of this valuable source of organic matter in regions with low and irregular rainfall, especially in the case of light soils with low water retention capacity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the response to furrow sowing of plants from various botanical groups grown as a stubble catch crop. Field studies were carried out on lessive soil in 2013–2015 at the Research Station in Mochełek near Bydgoszcz. The subject of the research was the sowing method (factor I): furrow sowing versus traditional (row) sowing. Sowing methods were tested for four crops (factor II): white mustard, tansy phacelia, common buckwheat, and common vetch. Certain plants reacted differently to the use of furrow sowing, and this reaction was different in various years of the study. In years with average soil moisture during the sowing period, furrow sowing made it possible to increase the yield of green mass and post-harvest residues of catch crop. In a year with very low soil moisture in this period, the desired effect of this method was not obtained. Furrow sowing allows seeds to be placed in a deeper, more moist soil layer, which can contribute to the acceleration of plant emergence. However, it requires refinement in terms of the precision of covering the sown seeds with soil. Full article