Effects of factor reduction in energy crop rotations on weed flora

Opportunities for reductions of fertilization and weed control efforts in energy cropping are frequently posed and contrarily discussed. Beside effects on biomass yields weed flora, increments and increased weed control requirements in subsequent years are in the focus of the discussion. As part of the research project “Siteadapted Cropping Systems for Energy Crops” (EVA), the effects of factor reductions have been analysed in a crop rotation context. The trial consisted of three different crop rotations with three levels of factor reduction: 1 - no reduction, 2 - reduced nitrogen application by 30 kg/ha per crop, 3 - reduced nitrogen application and no weed management. The whole trial was replicated with one year time difference. In order to show effects of input reduction on subsequently grown cash crops, the last crop in the rotation was winter wheat for grain production in which no input reduction was performed over all plots. The field trial has been investigated regarding the effects of: Levels of fertilization and weed control, crop rotation, crop species and year of investigation on weed cover and species composition as target variables.The results suggest that the reduction of weed control efforts showed the main effect on the weed flora. Energy crops, like maize and sorghum, seemed to be highly sensitive to reduced weed control especially during early development stages; they showed the greatest differences between the factor levels. The reduction in fertilization resulted in no or only slight differences in the weed flora. Despite strong effects in single years and crops, there were no or only little cumulative effects observed in the final crop of the crop rotations (winter wheat). Among the differences in weed species composition, the crop species explained the largest part of variance. Keywords: Crop species, nitrogen fertilization, species composition, weeds, weed coverEinfluss der Faktorreduktion in Energiefruchtfolgen auf die BeikrautfloraOptionen für eine Reduktion der Intensität von Düngung und Beikrautmanagement werden insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund einer energetischen Verwertung der Biomasse häufig und auch konträr diskutiert. Neben den Effekten auf die Biomasseerträge der Kulturen wird häufig die Zunahme der Beikrautflora mit ihren potenziellen Folgewirkungen in nachfolgenden Marktfrüchten thematisiert. Im Rahmen des Verbundprojektes „Standortangepasste Anbausysteme für Energiepflanzen (EVA)“ wurden die Effekte der Faktorreduktion im Kontext verschiedener Fruchtfolgen experimentell untersucht. Im hierzu am Standort Ascha durchgeführten Feldversuch wurden drei Stufen der Faktorreduktion in drei verschiedenen Fruchtfolgen analysiert: 1 - ohne Reduktion, 2 – eine um 30 kg/ha je Fruchtart reduzierte Stickstoffdüngung; 3 – reduzierte Stickstoffdüngung und keine Beikrautkontrolle. Der Versuch wurde im Folgejahr des Startjahres als Ganzes wiederholt. Als Abschlussfrucht für alle vierjährigen Fruchtfolgen wurde einheitlich Winterweizen für die Kornnutzung ohne Faktorenreduktion angebaut, um sowohl die kumulativen Fruchtfolgeeffekte als auch die Effekte in nachfolgenden Marktfrüchten darstellen zu können. Hinsichtlich der Zielgrößen Stärke und Zusammensetzung der Beikrautflora wurden folgende Faktoren analysiert: Reduktion der Düngung und des Herbizideinsatzes, Fruchtarten- und Fruchtfolgeeffekte und Jahreseffekte. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass der Verzicht auf die chemische Beikrautregulation die stärksten Effekte auf den Beikrautbesatz verursacht. Insbesondere Mais und Hirsen reagieren empfindlich auf eine extensive Bestandesführung. Beide Pflanzen wiesen die höchsten Unterschiede zwischen den Faktorenstufen auf. Demgegenüber verursachte die Reduktion der Stickstoffdüngung nur geringe oder keine Veränderungen in der Beikrautflora. Trotz gravierender Unterschiede in den Einzeljahren konnten keine kumulativen und Fruchtfolgeeffekte in der Abschlussfrucht Winterweizen festgestellt werden. Die Art der angebauten Fruchtart hatte den stärksten Einfluss auf die Zusammensetzung der Beikrautflora.Stichwörter: Artenzusammensetzung, Beikräuter, Fruchtarten, Herbizid, Stickstoffdüngun

The importance of factors affecting the entry of entrepreneurial subjects to organic farming in the Czech Republic

The aim of the article is to identify the key factors influencing the entry of entrepreneurial subjects into the sphere of organic farming in the Czech Republic. Primary data for the research was obtained from a questionnaire survey carried out in 2016 through an internal communication system of the PRO BIO Association, comprising 481 operators in the field of organic farming in the Czech Republic. The research questions mainly concerned the reason for entering the sphere of organic farming, and what influenced this decision, the motivation of entrepreneurs to stay in organic farming and what could possibly be the reason for their departure from this sector of business. Another part of the research questions related to the knowledge about organic farming in the establishment of their business. a combination of factors that are important in deciding on entry into the industry and subsequent stay was found.O

A case study in phenomenology of visual experience with retinal prosthesis versus visual-to-auditory sensory substitution

The phenomenology of the blind has provided an age-old, unparalleled means of exploring the enigmatic link between the brain and mind. This paper delves into the unique phenomenological experience of a man who became blind in adulthood. He subsequently underwent both an Argus II retinal prosthesis implant and training, and extensive training on the EyeMusic visual to auditory sensory substitution device (SSD), thereby becoming the first reported case to date of dual proficiency with both devices. He offers a firsthand account into what he considers the great potential of combining sensory substitution devices with visual prostheses as part of a complete visual restoration protocol. While the Argus II retinal prosthesis alone provided him with immediate visual percepts by way of electrically stimulated phosphenes elicited by the device, the EyeMusic SSD requires extensive training from the onset. Yet following the extensive training program with the EyeMusic sensory substitution device, our subject reports that the sensory substitution device allowed him to experience a richer, more complex perceptual experience, that felt more “second nature” to him, while the Argus II prosthesis (which also requires training) did not allow him to achieve the same levels of automaticity and transparency. Following long-term use of the EyeMusic SSD, our subject reported that visual percepts representing mainly, but not limited to, colors portrayed by the EyeMusic SSD are elicited in association with auditory stimuli, indicating the acquisition of a high level of automaticity. Finally, the case study indicates an additive benefit to the combination of both devices on the user's subjective phenomenological visual experience

A comparison of the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity of different Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes

Wild greens are considered a rich source of phenolic compounds and antioxidants and an essential part of the so-called Mediterranean diet. In the present study, Cichorium spinosum L. ecotypes, cultivated or collected in situ from wild plants from the eastern Mediterranean, were evaluated regarding their phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed among the various studied ecotypes regarding their phenolic compound content and profile, especially between wild and cultivated ecotypes, as well as the phenolic acid content between commercial products and cultivated plants. The antioxidant activity also varied among the various studied ecotypes and growing conditions, with commercial products having the highest antioxidant activity, whereas wild ecotypes showed lower antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: Cichorium spinosum leaves are a rich source of chicoric and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, while significant differences in total phenolic acids, flavonoids and phenolic compound content and in antioxidant activity were observed among the studied ecotypes, as well as between the tested growing conditions. According to the results of the present study, further valorization of C. spinosum species has great potential, since it could be used as a new alternative species in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio