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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2021) | Viewed by 42873

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Małgorzata Szczepanek

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Guest Editor

Department of Agronomy, UTP University of Science and Technology, S. Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: field crops; vegetables; grasses; sustainable agriculture; cropping system; seed production; biostimulants; nutrient management; crop quality; crop storage
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Anna Piotrowska-Długosz

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Soil Science and Biochemistry, Department of Biogeochemistry and Soil Science, UTP University of Science and Technology, 6 Bernardyńska St., 85-029 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: soil; enzymes; chemical properties; respiration; microbial biomass C, N, P; phospholipid fatty acids; biological indicators; soil quality and fertility; agricultural practices; anthropogenic factors; spatial variability of soil properties; geostatistics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Iwona Konopka

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Guest Editor

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Food Science; Chair of Plant Food Chemistry and Processing; 10-726 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: quality of cereal grain and oilseeds; phytochemicals; natural protection against plant pests; biotic and abiotic stresses; processing of plant raw materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A sustainable crop production system is essential for ensuring the healthy resources that are critical for the production of enough of the high-quality food and animal feed that are expected by consumers and industry. The goal of sustainable crop production is not only to satisfy humanity’s need for food and industry’s needs for raw materials, but to enhance the quality of the environment and natural resources. Sustainable crop production practices develop efficient, biological systems and include a variety of approaches that lead to an improvement in nutrient quality by using integrated pest management, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining good soil quality with a high organic matter content and microbial diversity. In order to avoid the potential harmful effects of conventional pesticides, integrated pest management approaches that reduce the amount used pesticides used should be applied. Sustainable agriculture is associated with conservation practices that decrease the rate of soil and nutrient loss, and reduce the amount of chemicals that are leached into the water table. The diversification of crops should also be considered. When possible, pest-resistant crops that are tolerant of the existing soil or site conditions should be selected. In annual cropping systems, crop rotation can be used to suppress weeds, pathogens, and insect pests. In addition, cover crops or intercrops can have a stabilizing effect on the agroecosystem by holding soil and nutrients in place, conserving soil moisture with mulches, and increasing the water infiltration rate and soil water holding capacity.

Fertile, healthy soil is the main component of sustainable crop production. Only this type of soil will produce high-quality healthy crops that are less susceptible to disease and pests. While many crops have key pests that attack even the healthiest plants, proper soil, water, and nutrient management can help prevent some pest and disease problems that are caused by the greater inputs of water, nutrients, pesticides, and/or energy for tillage that are required in order to maintain yields in high-input, resource-intensive production systems. This is why proper soil management will be of great importance for providing sustainable crop production and environmental sustainability, and for achieving food security and ensuring good human health in the future. In sustainable cultivation systems, soil must be protected and developed in order to ensure long-term productivity and stability. Protecting soil resources and improving their fertility and productivity can be achieved by implementing appropriate soil conservation practices, such as using cover crops, compost, and/or manures; reducing tillage; and maintaining soil cover with plants and/or mulches.

In this regard, this Special Issue will deal with the quality of plant raw materials and soil protection in sustainable crop production systems. All types of contributions (original research, reviews, and meta-analysis) that offer new insight into sustainable crop production systems are welcome. This Special Issue will cover recent progress in the most important aspects of sustainable crop production systems, such as the quality and quantity of crops, integrated pest management, water and nutrient management, biodiversification, conservation tillage, and soil quality protection.

Dr. Małgorzata Szczepanek
Dr. Anna Piotrowska-Długosz
Prof. Iwona Konopka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

agronomic traits
crop management
organic farming
conservation tillage
crop diversity
water and nutrient management
integrated pest management
soil quality and fertility
soil organic matter
soil biota and biodiversity

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 187 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials

by Małgorzata Szczepanek, Anna Piotrowska-Długosz and Iwona Konopka

Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1178; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061178 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1865

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is defined in a broad context and includes environmental, economic, and social issues [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

11 pages, 270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fractional Harvest of Fodder Galega for Improved Herbage Nutritive Value

by Stanisław Ignaczak, Jadwiga Andrzejewska, Katarzyna Sadowska and Kenneth A. Albrecht

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030480 - 5 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2326

Abstract

Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a long-lived perennial legume grown for forage and green manure in northern and central Europe. It is distinguished by a high proportion of leaves in the aboveground mass, tall hollow stems, and rhizomes. A method to harvest galega allowing the separation of leaves, upper stem fragments, and inflorescences from the thick, woody parts of the stem is therefore justified. This would significantly expand the possibilities of using galega herbage, including as feed for monogastric animals. A modified flail chopper (MFC), a machine originally used for harvesting green forage, was used for the fractionated harvest of galega. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield potential of various plant fractions of the first and second cut of fodder galega at three development stages and their nutritive value when harvested with an MFC. With this harvest system, 68–78% of the potential dry matter yield of galega was harvested, where leaves accounted for 73% of the dry matter on average, while the proportion of leaves in the yield of galega harvested with a mower (M) ranged from 50% to 60%. In the biomass of the first cut of galega, harvested with the MFC, protein concentration was 215 g kg⁻¹, 11.5% greater than in the biomass of the whole aboveground mass harvested with a mower. In the second cut, this difference, in favor of the MCF, was greater by 14%. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was 7.5% lower and acid detergent fiber 11% lower in galega forage harvested with the MFC compared to with a mower. Furthermore, galega harvested with MFC had 13% greater NDF digestibility and 6% greater in vitro true digestibility. The stubble remaining after MFC harvest accounted for 33% of the total height and 27% of the plant dry mass, and its qualitative composition indicates that it could be used in rations of livestock with low nutritional requirements or for non-forage purposes. Galega harvest with the MFC resulted in greater protein concentrations and overall improved nutritive value of the forage even at advanced development stages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

13 pages, 4542 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Water Needs of Grapevines in Central Poland

by Barbara Jagosz, Stanisław Rolbiecki, Roman Rolbiecki, Ariel Łangowski, Hicran A. Sadan, Wiesław Ptach, Piotr Stachowski, Wiesława Kasperska-Wołowicz, Ferenc Pal-Fam and Daniel Liberacki

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030416 - 25 Feb 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

Climate warming increases the water needs of plants. The aim of this study was to estimate the water needs of grapevines in central Poland. Water needs were calculated using the crop coefficients method. Reference evapotranspiration was assessed by the Blaney–Criddle’s equation, modified for climate conditions in Poland. Crop coefficients were assumed according to the Doorenbos and Pruitt method. Water needs were calculated using the data from four meteorological stations. Rainfall deficit with the probability occurrence of normal years, medium dry years, and very dry years was determined by the Ostromęcki’s method. Water needs of grapevines during the average growing season were estimated at 438 mm. Upward time trend in the water needs both in the period of May–October and June–August was estimated. Temporal variability in the water needs was significant for all of the provinces. These changes were mainly impacted by a significant increasing tendency in mean air temperature and less by precipitation totals that did not show a clear changing tendency. Due to climate change, vineyards will require irrigation in the near future. The use of resource-efficient irrigation requires a precise estimate of the grapevines’ water needs. The study identified the water requirements for grapevines in central Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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24 pages, 5343 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Mycobiome Composition and Diversity under the Long-Term Application of Spent Mushroom Substrate and Chicken Manure

by Magdalena Frąc, Giorgia Pertile, Jacek Panek, Agata Gryta, Karolina Oszust, Jerzy Lipiec and Bogusław Usowicz

Agronomy 2021, 11(3), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11030410 - 24 Feb 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3643

Abstract

Waste exogenous organic matter, including spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and chicken manure (CM), can be used as the basis of a soil-improving cropping system in sustainable agriculture. However, there is—as yet—a lack of information about important quality indicators such as the fungal community relative abundance, structure and biodiversity in soils treated with these additives. In this study, the responses of the soil fungal community composition and mycobiome diversity to SMS and CM application compared to the control soil were evaluated using a combination of the following molecular approaches: quantitative polymerase chain reactions, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism, and next-generation sequencing. The most abundant phylum for both treatments was Ascomycota, followed by Basidiomycota. The application of SMS and CM increased the abundance of fungi, including Tremellomycetes and Pezizomycetes for the SMS additive, while the Mortierellomycetes, Pezizomycetes, and Leotiomycetes levels increased after CM addition. SMS and CM beneficially reduced the relative abundance of several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) which are potential crop pathogens. The results provide a novel insight into the fungal community associated with organic additives, which should be beneficial in the task of managing the soil mycobiome as well as crop protection and productivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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13 pages, 1087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Requirements and Effects of Surface Drip Irrigation of Mid-Early Potato Cultivar Courage on a Very Light Soil in Central Poland

by Roman Rolbiecki, Stanisław Rolbiecki, Anna Figas, Barbara Jagosz, Piotr Stachowski, Hicran A. Sadan, Piotr Prus and Ferenc Pal-Fam

Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010033 - 26 Dec 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3296

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the water needs and results of drip irrigation of mid-early potato cultivar Courage. Studies were carried out in central Poland in 2011–2013 on very light soil. The experiment was designed as two-factorial trials with four replications. The first factor was drip irrigation: O = control (without irrigation), D = drip irrigation. The second factor was the nitrogen fertilization method: P = broadcasting, F = drip fertigation. Nitrogen fertilization was 120 kg N ha⁻¹ on each plot. Crop coefficients for irrigation period were 0.4 in June and 0.6 in July and August. According to calculations based on the crop coefficients and correction coefficients acc. Hargreaves^DA model the water requirement of potato for June–August was 202 mm. Drip irrigation increased the marketable tuber yield by 55%. Irrigation water use efficiency increased from 257 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ in D + P to 264 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ in D + F. The productivity of 1 kg of nitrogen fertilization was 189 kg ha⁻¹ in control non-irrigated plots and 321 kg ha⁻¹ in drip-irrigated plots, and it rose up to 337 kg ha⁻¹ when fertilization was applied by fertigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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22 pages, 8457 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Multi-Component Conditioner with Clinoptilolite and Ascophyllum nodosum Extract for Improving Soil Properties and Zea mays L. Growth and Yield

by Jacek Długosz, Anna Piotrowska-Długosz, Karol Kotwica and Ewelina Przybyszewska

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 2005; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10122005 - 20 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2452

Abstract

The application of various conditioners in agriculture is one of the management practices used to improve soil quality and plant growth and development. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a multi-component conditioner on the selected soil properties and maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield. The effect of a conditioner on a set of soil properties and maize growth and yield was studied in one-year experiments carried out at three study sites, which were under a conventional tillage system. All of the study sites were located on farms in three geographic mezoregions in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Region (Midwestern Poland). The studied soils were Haplic Luvisol (Janocin and Kobylnica) and Albic Luvisols (Krukówko) that were composed of sandy loam. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effect of a conditioner Solactiv on the soil and plant properties. The conditioner significantly affected the soil enzyme activities such as dehydrogenase (DHA), fluorescein sodium salt hydrolysis level (FDAH) and carboxymethylcellulose cellulase (CMC—cellulase); wherein the last one increased by about 16–20%. The application of Solactiv also increased the available K content (about 11%) but not the content of the microbial biomass C and N. Total porosity (TP), which was significantly higher in the soil treated with conditioner than in the control soils, increased the available water capacity (AWC) (about 2.2%). The higher AWC in the treated soil indicated the greater contribution of the mesopores in the TP (about 4%). A significantly higher readily available water capacity (RAWC) and small pores available water capacity (SAWC) was determined in the treated soils compared to the controls. Of the plant properties, only plant height, fresh cob biomass (BBCH 87–89) and fresh plant biomass (BBCH 84–85) were significantly increased by the conditioner. The application of Solactiv is considered to be a promising approach for developing sustainable agriculture by improving the soil’s biological activity and water-related properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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15 pages, 1139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Biostimulants and Storage on Discoloration Potential of Carrot

by Małgorzata Szczepanek, Jarosław Pobereżny, Elżbieta Wszelaczyńska and Katarzyna Gościnna

Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1894; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121894 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3068

Abstract

The application of biostimulants to prevent stress-related losses and increase productivity is becoming an increasingly common practice. A study was carried out to determine the effect of the type and methods of biostimulant application and long-term storage on the content of antioxidant compounds determining the processes of the enzymatic browning of carrot roots. The natural seaweed biostimulant Kelpak and synthetic Asahi were applied as part of the study. A quality assessment of carrot roots was carried out directly after harvest and after six months of storage in air at a temperature of 1 °C and a relative humidity of 95%. A single application of Kelpak seaweed extract in the four-leaf phase (2 or 3 dm³ ha⁻¹) proved to be the most effective for reducing oxidative darkening processes (by 33.5%). The oxidative potential was most strongly dependent on the anthocyanin (r = −0.477) and chlorogenic acid (r = −0.474) contents. The concentration of polyphenols (r = 0.836; r = 0.719) and flavonoids (r = 0.671; r = 0.729) had the greatest effect on the antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ABTS respectively). It was observed that pectin, polyphenol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin concentrations tended to increase after a single application of Kelpak in a dose of 2 dm³ ha⁻¹. A long-term storage period had a stronger effect on the increase in the oxidation potential than on the antioxidant capacity FRAP value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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13 pages, 518 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Effect of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems with Different Tillage on Soil Properties and Enzymatic Activity

by Mirosław Kobierski, Joanna Lemanowicz, Piotr Wojewódzki and Krystyna Kondratowicz-Maciejewska

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111809 - 17 Nov 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5585

Abstract

The chemical properties and enzymatic activity of the surface soil horizon were compared between an organic farm (OF) (crop rotation with legume plants, fertilisation with manure) and a conventional farm (CF) (simplified crop rotation, mineral fertilisation, chemical crop protection products). In the years 2001-2017 on the OF (near the village of Juchowo, northern Poland), a reduced tillage system (ploughless) was used, while plough cultivation was used on a CF located in its immediate vicinity. The parameters used to assess the properties of soils were: particle size composition, pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The activity of dehydrogenases (DEH), catalase (CAT), alkaline phosphatase (AlP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) and the content of easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EEGRSP) were also determined. Sixteen years of soil use in accordance with ecological principles significantly increased the average content of TOC, NT, DOC and DON. Soil samples rich in TOC and DOC showed significantly higher DEH and AcP activity, and EEGRSP content. Statistical analysis showed that the activity of DEH, AlP and CAT in the soil was significantly higher for the OF than for the conventional cultivation system. Limiting soil cultivation procedures on the OF improved the balance of soil organic matter (SOM) and pH value, and significantly increased the content of EEGRSP as compared to the cultivation system used on the CF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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20 pages, 1502 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physicochemical and Enzymatic Soil Properties Influenced by Cropping of Primary Wheat under Organic and Conventional Farming Systems

by Joanna Lemanowicz, Agata Bartkowiak, Robert Lamparski, Piotr Wojewódzki, Jarosław Pobereżny, Elżbieta Wszelaczyńska and Małgorzata Szczepanek

Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1652; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111652 - 26 Oct 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2790

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the content of total organic carbon (TOC), macronutrients (P, K, and Mg), and glomalin (easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EEGRSP)) in soil, micronutrients (Zn and Cu) in soil and wheat, and the number of insects on plots in an organic (OF) and a conventional farming (CF) system, all against the background of alkaline phosphatase (AlP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) activity. The experimental design included two spring wheat species, Triticum sphaerococcum Percival and Triticum persicum Vavilov, and three sowing densities (grains m⁻²): 400, 500, 600. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, η² effect size) showed significant variation in parameters under the influence of experimental factors. In the duration of the field experiment, TOC content in soil had decreased by 61% compared to the content before starting the experiment. The contents of P, K, and Mg and activity of AlP and AcP were higher in soil under T. sphaerococcum. With a sowing density of 600 grains m⁻² under OF and CF, the significantly lowest macronutrient content and the highest AlP and AcP activity were found. The parameters tested (TOC, EEGRSP, P, K, Mg, TZn, TCu, AZn, CU in plant, AlP, AcP) were higher under the CF than under the OF system. The experimental factors (spring wheat species and number of germinating grains) were demonstrated to influence the content of the forms of both microelements in soil and plants. In CF, more content in the amount of Zn and Cu was found than in OF. But the content they had did not exceed the standards set for arable soils. Both wheat species had a significant impact on the concentration of glomalin in the soil from the fields cultivated in the OF system. In CF, a significant difference was caused by sowing density and by interaction between wheat species and sowing density. Insects preferred plants grown in the OF system compared to CF. Regardless of cultivation system, the number of insects was greater on the plots of T. sphaerococcum than on plots of T. persicum. There were more insects at higher sowing densities in plants grown in the OF system only. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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17 pages, 1557 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chemical and Biological Properties of Sandy Loam Soil in Response to Long-Term Organic–Mineral Fertilisation in a Warm-Summer Humid Continental Climate

by Iwona Jaskulska, Joanna Lemanowicz, Barbara Breza-Boruta, Anetta Siwik-Ziomek, Maja Radziemska, Jaskulski Dariusz and Mateusz Białek

Agronomy 2020, 10(10), 1610; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10101610 - 20 Oct 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6240

Abstract

In 2019, 71 years after the establishment of a static fertiliser experiment, the chemical and biological properties of Luvisol soil with sandy-loam grain-size composition were determined. Soil samples were taken from six fertilised treatments: half-dose nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in mineral fertilisers (½ NPK); full-dose nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK); manure fertilisation + nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and liming (FYM NPK Mg Ca); manure + mineral fertilisers without magnesium and liming (FYM NPK); manure + nitrogen and phosphorus (FYM NP); manure + nitrogen and potassium (FYM NK). The soil was tested in two layers at depths of 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm. Soil samples were tested for: pH in 1 M KCl (pH); electrical conductivity (EC); organic carbon content (OC); content of available phosphorus (Pa), potassium (Ka), magnesium (Mga) and sulphate sulphur (S-SO4); total number of bacteria (Bt), cellulolytic microorganisms (Bc), fungi (Ff) and actinomycetes (Ac); and alkaline phosphatase (AlP), acid phosphatase (AcP) and arylsulphatase (ArS) activity. The fertilisation that most favourably affected the chemical and biological properties of the soil was FYM NPK Mg Ca. This fertilisation increased: pH and EC; OC, Ka and Mga contents; Bt and Bc abundance; and AlP activity relative to all the methods of mineral and organic–mineral fertilisation that did not include all the ingredients of mineral fertilisers. On the other hand, the least favourable soil properties were formed by ½ NPK fertilisation in the 0–20 cm layer, and by the long-term use of mineral fertilisers only in the 20–40 cm layer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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8 pages, 236 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and the Use of Biostimulants on the Yield of Two Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) Cultivated for Grain

by Krzysztof Kapela, Anna Sikorska, Marek Niewęgłowski, Ewa Krasnodębska, Krystyna Zarzecka and Marek Gugała

Agronomy 2020, 10(9), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10091408 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2960

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out in 2015–2017 on a family farm in Toczyski Czortki, in the Mazovia voivodeship in Poland. The experiment was set up in a split–split–plot system in three replications. The area of one plot was 30 m⁻². The studied factors were: I—two maize varieties: PR38N86 (medium late hybrid cultivar 280 FAO), P8400 (medium early hybrid cultivar 240 FAO); II—four doses of nitrogen fertilization: 1. control object—without the use of nitrogen (0 kg N·ha⁻¹), 2. nitrogen dose—80 kg N·ha⁻¹ (applied once before sowing), 3. nitrogen dose—120 kg N·ha⁻¹ (applied once before sowing), 4. nitrogen dose—160 kg N·ha⁻¹ (applied once before sowing); III—four types of biostimulants used: 1. control object—without using a biostimulant, 2. Asahi^®SL biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 0.60 dm³∙ha⁻¹, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm³∙ha⁻¹, 3. Improver^® biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 1.00 dm³∙ha⁻¹, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm³∙ha⁻¹, 4. Zeal^® biostimulant: I term—six-leaf phase (BBCH 16) at a dose of 2.00 dm³∙ha⁻¹. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization and the use of biostimulants on the size and quality of yield of two varieties of maize grown for grain. Based on the conducted research, it was found that nitrogen doses influenced the amount of maize grain obtained. The highest yields were obtained using 120 kg N∙ha⁻¹. Nitrogen doses significantly affected the studied maize yield components. The dose of 120 kg N∙ha⁻¹ increased the number of grains in the cob, while the dose—160 kg N∙ha⁻¹ exerted the best effect on obtaining the highest values of a thousand seeds. The biostimulants used in the experiment significantly affected the mass of one thousand seeds and the number of grains in the cob. In addition, Asahi^®SL, Improver^® and Zeal^® biostimulants increased maize yield in each growing season studied. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

11 pages, 433 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Total and True Protein Content in Potato Tubers Depending on Herbicides and Biostimulants

by Krystyna Zarzecka, Marek Gugała, Iwona Mystkowska and Anna Sikorska

Agronomy 2020, 10(8), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081106 - 30 Jul 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5043

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of herbicides and herbicides used with biostimulants on the content of total and true protein in potato tubers. The three-year field experiment was carried out using the random two-way split-plot arrangement in three repetitions. The examined factors were: I—three cultivars of potato: Bartek, Gawin, Honorata; II—five method applications of herbicides and herbicides with biostimulants: 1. Control—mechanical weeding, 2. Harrier 295 ZC (linuron + clomazone), 3. Harrier 295 ZC + Kelpak SL (linuron + clomazone and extract from algae Ecklonia maxima), 4. Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin), 5. Sencor 70 WG + Asahi SL (metribuzin and sodium p-nitrophenolate, sodium o-nitrophenolate, sodium 5-nitroguolacolate). On the plots sprayed with herbicides and herbicides mixed with biostimulants, a significant increase in the content of total and true proteins and the share of true protein in total protein in relation to tubers harvested from the control object was found. Genetic features of cultivars determined the content of total and true protein in potato tubers. The highest total and true protein was accumulated by tubers of the Bartek cultivar, and the least by the Honorata cultivar. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Crop Production Protects the Quality of Soil and Plant Raw Materials)

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