Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) fodder yield and quality as affected by cutting frequency

Teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a well-adapted, fast-growing crop with competitive forage quality as its nutritive value for livestock fodder is similar to other grasses utilized as hay or ensiled feeds. Two field experiments were conducted from May to October 2017 in order to determine the effect of cutting frequency on yield and quality of teff (Eragrostis tef) as fodder crop under Mediterranean climatic conditions. The agronomic performance and nutritive value of teff was analyzed in order to define alternatives to local forages for animal feeding in the Mediterranean region. The experiments conducted at two sites (Western and Central Greece) were laid out in a completely randomized design with three replicates and three cutting frequencies (10, 20, 30 days’ interval between cuttings - F10, F20, and F30, respectively). The results of this study demonstrate that the cutting interval has a marked effect on the fodder yield and quality. The highest total dry matter yield (6,322–6,778 kg ha-1) was found in F10 treatment. In terms of qualitative characteristics, the highest fat levels and lowest ADF levels was found in F30 treatment, the highest protein levels and the lowest NDF levels in F10 treatment, and the highest levels of fibrous substances, ADF and NDF, in F20 treatment. Data suggest that teff could be successfully integrated into Mediterannean grasslands with the prospect for improving their nutritional quality and the possibility for increasing protein yield through the application of frequent cuttings

Collagen distribution in the tissue of the earthworm octodrilus complanatus: (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

Octodrilus complanatus (Lumbricidae) is a relatively large earthworm species widespread in the Hellenic territory and beyond. The main objective of our study was the histological description of O. complanatus and the determination of collagen distribution in its tissues. The histological study was carried out by means of hematoxylineosin staining in paraffin sections. The distribution of collagen was examined by histochemical techniques: CAB and Trichrom masson. The paraffin sections were examined by a light microscope after staining and the internal organs of the earthworm (alimentary canal, nervous, excretory, circulatory, and reproductive systems) were described. Most of the collagen was found in the cuticle, in the muscles under the epidermis and in the nervous system. © Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg

Integrated weed management in winter cereals in southern Europe

Winter cereals are important crops in Southern Europe. Nowadays, the main objective of cereal growers is to reduce production cost and maximize seed yield. Weeds are the main factors associated with increased production costs and reduced yields. Weed control is carried out by cultural methods, but also by applying herbicides. The most common methods used to manage the weeds in cereals are crop rotation, planting a dense crop, mulching and intercropping with legumes. Moreover, wheat cultivars differ in their competitive ability against weeds. The cultural methods cannot alone control the weeds, but rather reduce the weed population in the crops. In many cases, the chemical method is the most effective weed control method. It is also the method that is widely adopted by farmers and an important tool of integrated weed management strategies. In the case of organic agriculture, the role of several cultural practices such as crop rotation, competitive crops and cultivars, change of sowing time and density, false seed bed technique, use of clean certified seed and intercropping is crucial for the overall weed management. © 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved

Effects of cropping system (organic and conventional) on the fiber quality index, spinning consistency index and multiplicative analytic hierarchy process of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Markets for organically produced high quality cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are projected to increase. Field experiments were conducted in Palamas, Karditsa in Central Greece, to compare the effects of two cropping systems on fiber quality of three cotton cultivars. The experiments, conducted during three years, were laid out in a split plot design with four replicates, two main plots (organic and conventional system) and three sub-plots (cotton cultivars). Findings suggest that fiber quality index (FQI), spinning consistency index (SCI) and multiplicative analytic hierarchy process (MAHP) are three indices that could be integrated in a useful protocol for the evaluation of different cropping systems for cotton cultivation. In particular, our results indicate that in general there was not any superiority of conventional compared to the organic cropping system regarding fiber quality as shown by the above mentioned indices. Regarding the length of the cotton fiber, this was positively correlated with micronair and the uniformity index of the cotton fiber. The organic system resulted to higher values of SCI than the ones of the conventional (1547.9 and 1522.3, respectively). The present 3-years study shows that organic cultivation of cotton can ensure high fiber quality and this was clearly confirmed by means of the several important indices