Search Results (120)

Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. is a species of annual plant that has been gaining importance in recent years. Initially, it was treated as an ornamental plant and valuable only to bees. Over the years, this species has become more widely known, and many more of its advantages have been discovered. The aim of this study was to learn about the contemporary economic importance of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. The extraordinary, rapid increase in the plant’s biomass means that it is valued as a fodder plant and at the same time is included in the group of leaders among catch crops. It is characterized by low requirements for soil quality. The main advantage of this plant is its high resistance to drought and frost. A great advantage of this plant is its high drought resistance. It is recommended for sowing both in monoculture and in mixtures with other species. In the light of current standards and assumptions, it fits perfectly into the framework of sustainable development. It is a valuable link in the biodiversity chain, as well as support for a number of ecosystem services such as CO₂ sequestration, retention of nutrients in the soil or protection of its structure. Phacelia is seen as having great potential as a plant that provides food for a number of pollinators. The latest research also focuses on assessing the possibility of using it for energy purposes (biogas). Efforts are being made to introduce phacelia on a wider scale to eliminate crop monocultures and significantly strengthen biodiversity in a given area. Phacelia plays an important role in various agronomic systems and effectively supports the protection of the natural environment. The contribution of this species to the development of ecosystem services to date is undeniable. It should be assumed that this plant will continue to significantly support a number of activities for sustainable development. Full article

Since its introduction into the USA, the spotted lanternfly (SLF), Lycorma delicatula, (White) (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) has spread across the landscape relatively unchecked. With a wide host range, it is considered a serious pest of native forest species, as well as agricultural crops. Circle traps placed on Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle (Sapindales: Simaroubaceae) are passive traps collecting SLF as they walk up and down the tree trunk. These traps are successful at detecting new populations of SLF, but this can be challenging to implement at a large scale due to costs and host availability. To improve and facilitate SLF trapping practices, we investigated three key trapping components: improved collection containers, placement on alternative hosts, and lure (methyl salicylate) impact. In initial trials comparing collection jars to removable plastic bags, the adult SLF catch was four times higher using the bag design. In a multi-state survey at varying population densities, the bag traps were comparable to the jar traps but were significantly more effective than BugBarrier^® tree bands, especially during the adult stage. Catch and detection in circle traps placed on alternative hosts, Acer spp. L. (Sapindales: Sapindalaceae) and Juglans nigra L. (Fagales: Juglandaceae), were comparable to those placed on the preferred host A. altissima, especially in the earlier life stages. Additionally, detection rates of methyl salicylate-baited traps on all three hosts were comparable to those on non-baited traps. These results suggest that circle traps fitted with bags provide higher trap catch and an improvement in sample quality. In addition, circle traps were equally effective when placed on maple and black walnut, while methyl salicylate lures do not enhance trap catch or detection. Full article

Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) are common predators found in agricultural ecosystems. They feed on crop pests and help reduce pest population. Additionally, they are used as bioindicators to determine the impact of human activities on entomofauna and habitat conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the ground beetles that inhabit chemically protected (CP) and non-chemically protected (NCP) potato crops and to assess the impact of pesticide use on these beneficial insects. This study was conducted in Poland, on potato fields where ground beetles were caught during four-year crop rotation cycles in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. Two fields with potato crops were chosen: one without chemical protection and the other with chemical protection. Soil traps were used to catch insects, resulting in 7095 individuals of Carabidae, belonging to 41 species, caught throughout the study. The abundance and species richness of ground beetles fluctuated depending on the year of the study and the type of crop protection. Results showed that pesticide use in potato crops decreased ground beetle abundance while species richness remained unaffected. Furthermore, the use of chemical plant protection (CP) induced changes in some life traits of the carabids, leading to a decrease in the abundance of hemizoophages and autumn-breeding carabids. The abundance of the other ecological groups of Carabidae was also year-dependent. Full article

Cover crops are becoming widely integrated into many farms as tools for improving sustainability. However, the decisions by growers for planting follow several objectives/criteria, many of which overlap. This review orders these sowing rationales into a practical framework for land management guidance. Prioritised by cover crop performance objectives, the optimal species and their environmental requirements are discussed. A key consideration of this review is that cover crops are used as part of a rotation strategy. Here, farmers’ primary objectives are to maintain or enhance biomass not of the cover plants themselves but for the following commercial crop. For example, a large cover crop biomass may be beneficial for reducing field-nutrient losses but are counterproductive if nutrient immobilisation or offtake then results in subsequent nutrition stresses and yield declines. Furthermore, species selection and management practices must be integrated if these negative impacts are to be mitigated. This review has found a strong research focus on cover crop nitrogen dynamics but limited research on nutrient recycling more broadly. Moreover, there is growing evidence that regionality plays a critical role in cover crop and land management partnering due to variations in edaphic and climatic influences, but there is a shortfall in research to inform strategies for many important agricultural centres such as Northern Ireland. Full article

Sustainability in food production is a pressing priority due to environmental and political crises, the need for long-term food security, and feeding the populace. Food producers need to increasingly adopt sustainable practices to reduce negative environmental impacts and food waste. The ocean is a source for sustainable food systems; deforestation, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions burden traditional, terrestrial resources. Our oceans contain the largest unexploited resource in the world in the form of mesopelagic fish species, with an estimated biomass of 10 billion metric tons. This resource is largely untapped due in part to the difficulties in harvesting these species. To ensure sustainability of this resource, management of fish stocks and fish processing practices must be optimised. Generation of fish protein hydrolysates from by-catch/underutilised species creates high-value, functional ingredients while also reducing waste. Marine hydrolysates offer a renewable source of nutrition and align with the principles of the circular economy, where waste is minimised and resources are reused efficiently. Ocean-derived solutions demand fewer inputs, generate less pollution, and have a smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional agriculture. This review collates clearly and succinctly the current and potential uses of FPHs for different market sectors and highlights the advantages of their use in terms of the scientifically validated health benefits for humans and animals and fish, and the protection and crop yield benefits that are documented to date from scientific studies. Full article

Comprehensive studies are needed to investigate the diversity, abundance, and seed bank of weeds in winter wheat, spring barley, and spring oilseed rape crops due to a lack of experimental studies. Tillage has a long-term impact on agroecosystems. Since 1999, a long-term field experiment has been conducted at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University. The soil of the experimental site is classified as Epieutric Endocalcaric Planosol (Endoclayic, Episiltic, Aric, Drainic, Endoraptic, Uterquic), according to the World Reference Base. Treatments were arranged using a split-plot design. According to the factorial field experiment, the straw was removed from one part of the experimental field, and on the other part of the field, the straw was chopped and spread at harvesting (factor A). Six tillage systems, conventional (deep) and shallow plowing, shallow loosening, shallow rotovation, catch cropping and rotovation, and no tillage, were used as a subplot (factor B). The current study results show that the number of annual, perennial, and total weeds and the dry matter biomass decreased in shallow-plowed plots compared to deep-plowed plots. Different applied tillage treatments had different effects on perennial weeds. In the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer studied, the number of annual, perennial, and total weed seeds decreased in the fields where the straw was chopped and spread compared to the fields where the straw was removed. In the deeper soil layer (10–25 cm), no tillage with cover crops and direct seeding without cover crops reduced the number of annual and perennial weed seeds compared to deep tillage. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effects of long-term tillage of different intensities and straw retention systems on weeds in crop fields. The results were obtained in 2019 and 2021 (winter wheat, spring barley, spring oilseed rape). Full article

Rhizosphere microbes, particularly bacteria, are essential for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) through various mechanisms. However, the plant’s age and the genetic composition of nematode populations can significantly influence the inhibitory effectiveness of these microbes against the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. In this study, rhizosphere microbes were isolated from 39-day-old and 69-day-old resistant oilseed radish plants to evaluate their impact on the penetration of the second-stage juveniles (J2s) originating from four genetically distinct H. schachtii populations. The suppression of J2s penetration by the attached microbes varied across the nematode populations, which displayed differing levels of aggressiveness toward the resistant oilseed radish. Furthermore, differences in the alpha and beta diversity of rhizosphere bacteria were observed between the 39-day-old and 69-day-old plants, leading to variations in the bacterial attachment among the four nematode populations. In summary, the effectiveness of resistant catch crops against H. schachtii is influenced by the pathogenicity of the nematode populations and their interactions with the rhizosphere microbial community shaped by the plant’s age. Full article

Reducing soil tillage with the application of catch-crop green mass as a mulch is a conservation practice that is used in agriculture to improve soil ecosystem functioning. Such a cultivation method enhances soil organic matter quantity and quality through the improvement of soil biological activity and nutrient availability, while reducing soil disturbance. Therefore, a three-year field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 to evaluate the effect of three tillage methods (TMs) (conventional, CT; reduced, RT; and strip tillage, ST) on soil microbial and specific enzyme properties (microbial C and N content, the activity of dehydrogenases—DHA, the rate of fluorescein sodium salt hydrolysis—FDAH, CMC-cellulase—Cel and β-glucosidase—Glu) and certain basic soil properties. The study was performed in a field; it was a one-factor experiment that was carried out in a randomized block design. The soil samples were collected from the upper soil layer five times a year: in April (before the sowing of soybean), May, June, August and September (before soybean harvesting). The tillage methods or sampling dates used had no significant effect on the organic carbon and total nitrogen levels. Most of the C-related properties (the content of microbial biomass and the C-cycling enzymatic activity such as Cel and Glu) and microbial activity bioindicators (DHA activity, FDAH rate) revealed significant seasonal changes, whereby each variable was affected in a different order (e.g., the Cel activity was significantly higher in April and September than in other months—22%, while the DHA activity was significantly higher in June and August compared to other months—18%). RT significantly increased the enzymatic activity as compared to CT and ST, and the difference was between 8 and 33% (with a mean of 18%). The exception was the β-glucosidase activity as determined in 2019, which was significantly higher in the case of CT (1.02 mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and ST than in RT (0.705 mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹). However, the explanation for such phenomenon could not possibly be based on the available data. Our results suggested that the response of the enzyme activities toward the same factor may be due to the inherent variability in enzyme response associated with the spatial variability in soil properties as well as the properties of the enzyme itself and changes in the periodic occurrence of its substrates in the soil. Generally, the reduced tillage combined with plant residues return could be recommended for enhancing soil health and quality by improving its microbial and enzymatic features. The findings above suggest that a reduced tillage system is an important component of soil management in sustainable agriculture. Full article

The repeated application of herbicides has led to the development of herbicide resistance. Models are useful for identifying key processes and understanding the evolution of resistance. This study developed a spatially explicit model at a landscape scale to examine the dynamics of Lolium rigidum populations in dryland cereal crops and the evolution of herbicide resistance under various management strategies. Resistance evolved rapidly under repeated herbicide use, driven by weed fecundity and herbicide efficacy. Although fitness costs associated with resistant plants reduced the resistance evolution, they did not affect the speed of its spread. The most effective strategies for slow resistance involved diversifying cropping sequences and herbicide applications. Pollen flow was the main dispersal vector, with seed dispersal also making a significant contribution. Strategies limiting seed dispersal effectively decreased resistance spread. However, the use of a seed-catching device at harvest could unintentionally enrich resistance in the area. It would be beneficial to optimize the movement of harvesters between fields. The model presented here is a useful tool that could assist in the exploration of novel management strategies within the context of site-specific weed management at landscape scale as well as in the advancement of our understanding of resistance dynamics. Full article

Winter catch crops are promoted in the European Union under the Common Agricultural Policy to improve soil health and reduce nitrate leaching from agricultural fields. Currently, Member States often monitor farmers’ adoption through on-site inspections for a limited subset of parcels. Because of its potential for region-wide coverage, this study investigates the potential of Sentinel-2 satellite time series to classify catch crops at the field level in Flanders (Belgium). The first objective was to classify catch crops and identify the optimal model and time-series input for this task. The second objective was to apply these findings in a real-world scenario, aiming to provide reliable early-season predictions in a separate target year, testing early-season performance and temporal transferability. The following three models were compared: Random Forest (RF), Time Series Forest (TSF), and a One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN). The results showed that, with a limited field-based training dataset, RF produced the most robust results across different time-series inputs, achieving a median F1-score of >88% on the best dataset. Additionally, the early-season performance of the models was delayed in the target year, reaching the F1-score threshold of 85% at least one month later in the season compared to the training years, with large timing differences between the models. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term catch crop application on the structural properties of humin, which is considered the most recalcitrant fraction of soil organic matter. Soil samples from a 30-year field experiment on triticale cultivated with and without catch crops were analysed to determine the total organic carbon content and fractional composition of humic substances. Meanwhile, humin isolated from bulk soil was analysed to determine its elemental composition and spectroscopic properties measured with UV-Vis, fluorescence, and ¹³C-CPMAS-NMR. It was found that catch crop farming enhanced the formation of highly reactive humus substances, like low-molecular-weight fractions and humic acids, while decreasing the humin fraction. The higher H/C and O/C atomic ratios of humin and the UV-Vis, fluorescence, and ¹³C-CPMAS-NMR results confirmed a higher share of oxygen-containing functional groups in humin isolated from the soil with catch crop rotation, also corroborating its greater aliphatic nature. Under the conditions of our field experiment, the results indicated that organic residues from catch crops quickly undergo the decay process and are transformed mainly into highly reactive humus substances, which can potentially improve soil health, while mineral fertilisation alone without catch crops favours the stabilisation and sequestration of carbon. Full article

Catch crops are intermediate crops sown between two main crop cycles. Their adoption into the cropping system has increased considerably in the last years due to its numerous benefits, in particular its potential in carbon fixation and preventing nitrogen leaching during winter. The growth period of catch crops in Germany is often marked by dense cloud cover, which limits land surface monitoring through optical remote sensing. In such conditions, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) emerges as a viable option. Despite the known advantages of SAR, the understanding of temporal behavior of radar parameters in relation to catch crops remains largely unexplored. Hence, in this study, we exploited the dense time series of Sentinel-1 data within the Copernicus Space Component to study the temporal characteristics of catch crops over a test site in the center of Germany. Radar parameters such as VV, VH, VH/VV backscatter, dpRVI (dual-pol Radar Vegetation Index) and VV coherence were extracted, and temporal profiles were interpreted for catch crops and preceding main crops along with in situ, temperature, and precipitation data. Additionally, we examined the temporal profiles of winter main crops (winter oilseed rape and winter cereals), that are grown parallel to the catch crop growing cycle. Based on the analyzed temporal patterns, we defined 22 descriptive features from VV, VH, VH/VV and dpRVI, which are specific to catch crop identification. Then, we conducted a Kruskal–Wallis test on the extracted parameters, both crop-wise and group-wise, to assess the significance of statistical differences among different catch crop groups. Our results reveal that there exists a unique temporal pattern for catch crops compared to main crops, and each of these extracted parameters possess a different sensitivity to catch crops. Parameters VV and VH are sensitive to phenological stages and crop structure. On the other hand, VH/VV and dpRVI were found to be highly sensitive to crop biomass. Coherence can be used to detect the sowing and harvest events. The preceding main crop analysis reveals that winter wheat and winter barley are the two dominant main crops grown before catch crops. Moreover, winter main crops (winter oilseed rape, winter cereals) cultivated during the catch crop cycle can be distinguished by exploiting the observed sowing window differences. The extracted descriptive features provide information about sowing, harvest, vigor, biomass, and early/late die-off nature specific to catch crop types. In the Kruskal–Wallis test, the observed high H-statistic and low p-value in several predictors indicates significant variability at 0.001 level. Furthermore, Dunn’s post hoc test among catch crop group pairs highlights the substantial differences between cold-sensitive and legume groups (p < 0.001). Full article

In light of the growing plastic waste problem worldwide, including in agriculture, this study focuses on the usefulness of both conventional, non-degradable plastics and environmentally friendly bioplastics in the agricultural sector. Although conventional plastic products are still essential in modern, even ecological agriculture, the increasing contamination by these materials, especially in a fragmented form, highlights the urgent need to search for alternative, easily biodegradable materials that could replace the non-degradable ones. According to the literature, polymers are widely used in agriculture for the preparation of agrochemicals (mostly fertilizers) with prolonged release. They also play a role as functional polymers against pests, serve as very useful super absorbents of water to improve crop health under drought conditions, and are commonly used as mulching films, membranes, mats, non-woven fabrics, protective nets, seed coatings, agrochemical packaging, or greenhouse coverings. This widespread application leads to the uncontrolled contamination of soil with disintegrated polymeric materials. Therefore, this study highlights the possible applications of bio-based materials as alternatives to conventional polyolefins or other environmentally persistent polymers. Bio-based polymers align with the strategy of innovative agricultural advancements, leading to more productive farming by reducing plastic contamination and adverse ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. On the other hand, advanced polymer membranes act as catching agents for agrochemicals, protecting against environmental intoxication. The global versatility of polymer applications in agriculture will not permit the elimination of already existing technologies involving polymers in the near future. However, in line with ecological trends in modern agriculture, more “green” polymers should be employed in this sector. Moreover, we highlight that more comprehensive legislative work on these aspects should be undertaken at the European Union level to guarantee environmental and climate protection. From the EU legislation point of view, the implementation of a unified, legally binding system on applications of bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics should be a priority to be addressed. In this respect, the EU already demonstrates an initial action plan. Unfortunately, these are still projected directions for future EU policy, which require in-depth analysis. Full article

Yellow sticky traps (YSTs) are common tools for monitoring the greenhouse whitefly (GWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), which can cause significant yield reduction in different greenhouse crops such as cucumber and tomato. In recent years, sticky traps equipped with green light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have also been (successfully) tested for catching GWFs. However, no study has observed GWF population dynamics at low population densities using such LED traps for early pest detection in crop stands. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted aiming to investigate the correlation between GWF populations on tomato crops (Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae)) and the numbers caught on yellow sticky traps and green LED traps, respectively. A small number of whiteflies was released into two pest-free greenhouse cabins, and populations on plants and traps were monitored for the duration of two months. The results show that the GWFs caught on LED traps correlate significantly positive with the population density on the tomato crops. Such a correlation was not found for standard YSTs. Moreover, the results indicate the possibility of early pest detection using LED traps. The findings are discussed in the context of the whiteflies’ ecology and population dynamics in greenhouses. Full article

Myzus persicae and Brevicoryne brassicae are the main aphid pests and vectors of viruses that attack many crops, including oilseed rape, the most commonly grown dicotyledonous crop in the Czech Republic. In this study, we analysed the flight activity of both aphids from five suction traps over 20 years (2004–2023). We focussed on (i) the influence of the ban on seed dressing with neonicotinoids on aphid catches, (ii) the influence of the average temperature on flight activity, and (iii) the number of males/females caught in the suction traps. We compared the data on aphid flight activity at the coldest and warmest sites and found that migration starts about 10 days earlier at the warmest site than at the coldest site and that aphid populations are more numerous here. The number of catches in suction traps was observed for both aphids after the ban on neonicotinoids was significantly increased. For M. persicae, it was about 9 times higher, while for B. brassicae, it was about 1.3 times higher. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in the number of males in M. persicae with a simultaneous increase in the number of females (in autumn), which could be an indication of the formation of anholocyclic populations. Overall, our results showed a significantly high abundance of both aphid species depending on the observed locations, which seems to be related to the ban of neonicotinoids. Therefore, an effective alternative is needed to improve the control of aphid vectors that can ensure the stability of crops against aphid-transmitted virus diseases. Full article