55 research outputs found

    Vegetable Crops

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    In ancient times, people benefited from ingesting different parts of various weeds (root, stem, shoot, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, etc.) to maintain a healthy life. People have obtained the vegetables we grow today by succeeding in cultivating these weeds. This book explains the health benefits of vegetable crops, organic vegetable growing, greenhouse management, and principles of irrigation management for vegetable crops

    Sensor technology for precision weeding in cereals. Evaluation of a novel convolutional neural network to estimate weed cover, crop cover and soil cover in near-ground red-green-blue images

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    Precision weeding or site-specific weed management (SSWM) take into account the spatial distribution of weeds within fields to avoid unnecessary herbicide use or intensive soil disturbance (and hence energy consumption). The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel machine vision algorithm, called the ‘AI algorithm’ (referring to Artificial Intelligence), intended for post-emergence SSWM in cereals. Our conclusion is that the AI algorithm should be suitable for patch spraying with selective herbicides in small-grain cereals at early growth stages (about two leaves to early tillering). If the intended use is precision weed harrowing, in which also post-harrow images can be used to control the weed harrow intensity, the AI algorithm should be improved by including such images in the training data. Another future goal is to make the algorithm able to distinguish weed species of special interest, for example cleavers (Galium aparine L.).Sensor technology for precision weeding in cereals. Evaluation of a novel convolutional neural network to estimate weed cover, crop cover and soil cover in near-ground red-green-blue imagespublishedVersio

    Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources

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    The papers included in this Special Issue address a variety of important aspects of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, including definitions, descriptions, and illustrations of different components and their value for food and nutrition security, breeding, and environmental services. Furthermore, comprehensive information is provided regarding conservation approaches and techniques for plant genetic resources, policy aspects, and results of biological, genetic, morphological, economic, social, and breeding-related research activities. The complexity and vulnerability of (plant) biodiversity and its inherent genetic resources, as an integral part of the contextual ecosystem and the human web of life, are clearly demonstrated in this Special Issue, and for several encountered problems and constraints, possible approaches or solutions are presented to overcome these

    Remote Sensing in Mangroves

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    The book highlights recent advancements in the mapping and monitoring of mangrove forests using earth observation satellite data. New and historical satellite data and aerial photographs have been used to map the extent, change and bio-physical parameters, such as phenology and biomass. Research was conducted in different parts of the world. Knowledge and understanding gained from this book can be used for the sustainable management of mangrove forests of the worl

    Integrated nematode management

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    This book outlines the economic importance of specific plant parasitic nematode problems on the major food and industrial crops and presents the state-of-the-art management strategies that have been developed to reduce specific nematode impacts and outlines their limitations. Case studies to illustrate nematode impact in the field are presented and future changes in nematode disease pressure that might develop as a result of climate change and new cropping systems are discussed.illustrato

    Plants and Environment

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    Changing environmental condition and global population demands understanding the plant responses to hostile environment. Significant progress has been made over the past few decades through amalgamation of molecular breeding with non-conventional breeding. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms to stress tolerance has received considerable scientific scrutiny because of the uniqueness of such processes to plant biology, and also its importance in the campaign "Freedom From Hunger". The main intention of this publication is to provide a state-of-the-art and up-to-date knowledge of recent developments in understanding of plant responses to major abiotic stresses, limitations and the current status of crop improvement. A better insight will help in taking a multidisciplinary approach to address the issues affecting plant development and performance under adverse conditions. I trust this book will act as a platform to excel in the field of stress biology

    Development of a sensor-based harrowing system using digital image analysis to achieve a uniform weed control selectivity in cereals

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    Using intelligent sensor technology for site-specific weed control can increase the efficacy of traditional weed control implements. Several scientific studies successfully used intelligent sensors for automatic harrow control by taking many different parameters into account such as weed density, soil resistance factor, and plant growth. However, none of the systems was practically feasible because these factors made the control system too complex and unattractive for farmers. Defining only one parameter (crop soil cover) instead of many provides a new and simple approach which was investigated in this work. The first scientific publication focuses on the development, practical implementation and testing of the automatic harrow control system. Two RGB-cameras were mounted before and after the harrow and constantly monitored crop cover. The CSC was then computed out of these resulting images. The image analysis, decision support system and automatic control of harrowing intensity by hydraulic adjustment of the tine angle were installed on a controller which was mounted on the harrow. Eight field experiments were carried out in spring cereals. Mode of harrowing intensity was changed in four experiments by speed, number of passes and tine angle. Each mode was varied in five intensities. In four experiments, only the intensity of harrowing was changed. Modes of intensity were not significantly different among each other. However, intensity had significant effects on WCE and CSC. Cereal plants recovered well from 10% CSC, and selectivity was in the constant range at 10% CSC. Therefore, 10% CSC was the threshold for the decision algorithm. If the actual CSC was below 10% CSC, intensity was increased. If the actual CSC was higher than 10%, intensity was decreased. The new system was tested in an additional field study. Threshold values for CSC were set at 10%, 30% and 60%. Automatic tine angle adjustment precisely realised the three different CSC values with variations of 1.5% to 3%. The next publication discussed and assessed the site-specific field adaptation of the development in cereals. In 2020, three field experiments were conducted in winter wheat and spring oats to investigate the response of the weed control efficacy and the crop to different harrowing intensities, in southwest Germany. In all experiments, six levels of CSC were tested. Each experiment contained an untreated control and an herbicide treatment as a comparison to the harrowing treatments. The results showed an increase in the WCE with an increasing CSC threshold. Difficult-to-control weed species such as Cirsium arvense (L.) and Galium aparine (L.) were best controlled with a CSC threshold of 70%. With a CSC threshold of 20% it was possible to control up to 98% of Thlaspi arvense (L.) The highest crop biomass, grain yield, and selectivity were achieved with an CSC threshold of 2025% at all trial locations. With this harrowing intensity, grain yields were higher than in the herbicide control plots and a WCE of 6898% was achieved. The last scientific article compares pairwise a conventional harrow intensity with automatic sensor-based harrowing intensity. Five field experiments in cereals were conducted at three locations in southwestern Germany in 2019 and 2020 to investigate if camera-based harrowing resulted in a more homogenous CSC and higher WCE, biomass, and crop grain yield than a conventional harrow with a constant intensity across the whole plot. For this purpose, pairwise comparisons of three fixed harrowing intensities (10 °, 40 °, and 70 ° tine angle) and three predefined CSC thresholds (CSC of 10%, 20%, and 60%) were realized in randomized complete block designs. Camera-based adjustment of the intensity resulted in 6-16% less standard deviation variation of CSC compared to fixed settings of tine angle. Crop density, WCE, crop biomass and grain yield were significantly higher for camera-based harrowing than for conventional harrowing. WCE and yields of all automatic adjusted harrowing treatments were equal to the herbicide control plots. In this PhD-thesis, a sensor-based harrow was developed and successfully investigated as an alternative to conventional herbicide application in cereals. A permanent, equal replacement of chemical weed control in arable farming systems can only be achieved using modern, sensor-based mechanical weed control approaches. Therefore, the efficacy of the mechanical weed control method can be improved and increased continuously. It has been shown that the precise adjustment of mechanical weed control methods to site-specific weed conditions allows similar WCE results as an herbicide application without causing yield losses. These findings contribute towards modern plant protection strategies to reduce the herbicide use and to establish the acceptance of technical progress in society.Durch den Einsatz von Sensortechnik bei der mechanischen Unkrautbekämpfung, kann die Effektivität und Auslastung der Maschinen gesteigert werden. Die automatische Anpassung der Striegelintensität durch Sensoren, wurde bereits in zahlreichen wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten untersucht, jedoch hat sich keines der Systeme auf dem Markt etablieren können. Bei diesen Striegel-Prototypen wurden verschiedenste Parameter wie beispielsweise die Unkrautdichte, der Bodenwiderstand oder das Pflanzenwachstum berücksichtigt. Allerdings konnten bisherige Systeme nur einzelne Einflussfaktoren berücksichtigen und sie eigneten sich daher nicht für den großflächigen praktischen Einsatz. Dieses Problem kann umgangen werden, wenn der Fokus auf die gezielte Verschüttung von Unkräutern und Kulturpflanze (CSC) gerichtet wird. Diese neue Vorgehensweise bei der sensorgesteuerten Striegeltechnik bietet einen einfachen und zugleich umfangreichen Ansatz, der alle Pflanzen-, Boden- und Unkrautrelevanten Parameter berücksichtigt und abdeckt. Die erste wissenschaftliche Veröffentlichung befasst sich mit der Entwicklung und einem praktischen Test der automatischen Striegelsteuerung. Hierzu wurden zwei RGB-Kameras vor und hinter dem Striegel angebracht, um den tatsächlichen CSC-Wert zu messen, berechnen und mit einem vorgegebenen CSC-Schwellenwert abgleichen zu können. Die Ansteuerung erfolgte im Anschluss hydraulisch, durch elektrische Signale an das Magnetventil. Wurde der vorgegebene CSC-Schwellenwert unterschritten, wurde die Striegelintensität erhöht. War der tatsächliche, gemessene CSC-Wert über dem vorgegebenen Schwellenwert, wurde die Intensität verringert. In einem ersten Feldexperiment wurde das neue System auf Genauigkeit getestet und mit einem manuell eingestellten Zinkenwinkel verglichen. Hierbei wurden für das automatische System CSC-Schwellenwerte von 10%, 30% und 60% und für die manuelle Ansteuerung drei äquivalente Zinkenwinkel, festgelegt. Es konnten die voreingestellten, automatischen CSC-Schwellenwerte mit einer Präzision bzw. Standardabweichung von 1,5-3% realisiert werden, während die manuell eingestellten Zinkenwinkel eine Standardabweichung zwischen 18-20% aufwiesen. Die nächste Veröffentlichung befasst sich mit der standortspezifischen Feldanpassung des sensorbasierten Striegels im Getreide. Drei Feldexperimente wurden durchgeführt, um die Auswirkungen der Feldanpassung sowohl im Sommer-, als auch Wintergetreide zu untersuchen. In allen Experimenten wurden sechs verschiedene CSC-Schwellenwerte (CSC von 5, 15, 20, 25, 45 und 70%) getestet. Jedes Experiment enthielt eine unbehandelte Kontrolle und eine Herbizidbehandlung als Vergleich. Die Ergebnisse zeigten einen Anstieg des WCE mit einem steigenden CSC-Schwellenwert. Schwer zu bekämpfende Unkrautarten wie Cirsium arvense (L.) und Galium aparine (L.) wurden am besten mit einem CSC-Schwellenwert von 70% kontrolliert. Mit einem CSC-Schwellenwert von 20% war es möglich, bis zu 98% von Thlaspi arvense (L.) zu bekämpfen. Die höchste Kulturpflanzenbiomasse und Kornertrag konnte mit einem CSC-Schwellenwert zwischen 20-25% erzielt werden. Kornertrag war sogar höher als in der Herbizidparzelle. Der letzte wissenschaftliche Artikel vergleicht paarweise eine konventionelle Striegelintensität mit einer automatischen, sensorbasierten Striegelsteuerung. In den Jahren 2019 und 2020 wurden dafür fünf Feldversuche in Getreide an drei Standorten in Südwestdeutschland durchgeführt. Zu diesem Zweck wurden paarweise Vergleiche von drei festen Striegelintensitäten (10 °, 40 ° und 70 ° Zinkenwinkel) und drei vordefinierten CSC-Schwellenwerten (CSC von 10%, 20% und 60%) durchgeführt. Die automatische Anpassung der Intensität führte zu einer 6-16% geringeren Standardabweichung des CSC im Vergleich zu den festen Einstellungen des Zinkenwinkels. Pflanzendichte, WCE, Pflanzenbiomasse und Kornertrag waren beim kamerabasierten Striegeln signifikant höher als beim konventionellen Striegeln. WCE und Erträge aller automatisch eingestellten Striegelbehandlungen waren vergleichbar mit den Herbizid-Kontrollparzellen. In dieser Dissertation wurde ein sensorbasiertes Striegelsystem entwickelt und als erfolgreiche Alternative zur konventionellen Herbizidanwendung und zur Effektivitätssteigerung herkömmlicher Striegel, im Getreide aufgezeigt. Durch eine präzise Anpassung an standortspezifische Unkraut- und Bodensituationen waren nicht nur die Bekämpfungserfolge vergleichbar mit denen einer Herbizidanwendung, sondern es entstanden auch nur geringfügige Pflanzen- bzw. Ertragsverluste. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit haben das Potential Einfluss auf zukünftige Pflanzenschutzstrategien zu nehmen, da sie die Möglichkeiten der mechanischen Unkrautbekämpfung erweitern, den Herbizideinsatz reduzieren und die Akzeptanz des technischen Fortschritts in der Gesellschaft fördern

    Biological Invasions in South Africa

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    This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions

    Herbicides

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    Weeds severely affect crop quality and yield. Therefore, successful farming relies on their control by coordinated management approaches. Among these, chemical herbicides are of key importance. Their development and commercialization began in the 1940's and they allowed for a qualitative increase in crop yield and quality when it was most needed. This book blends review chapters with scientific studies, creating an overview of some the current trends in the field of herbicides. Included are environmental studies on their toxicity and impact on natural populations, methods to reduce herbicide inputs and therefore overall non-target toxicity, and the use of bioherbicides as natural alternatives
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