Strategies to improve quality and safety and reduce cost of peroduction in organic and low-input crop production systems

Organic crop production seeks to produce high quality foods while reducing the inputs in order to promote environmental quality and conserve resources. This necessitates optimal production systems in terms of soil fertility and plant health. Studies in QLIF subproject 3 have shown that soils may gain an improved potential to release N from badded amendments through adaptation of management practices. Likewise, long-term management strategies may influence suppressiveness of soils to economically important diseases. Application of manures and other organic soil fertility inputs do not pose any additional safety risk in ready-to-eat vegetables, such as head lettuce, if good farming practice is applied. Even under experimental worst-case conditions, pathogen transfer from soil treated with farmyard manure to vegetables was not substantial. Pest and disease control was studied both at seed and field levels, and it was shown, e.g., that ß-amino-butyric acid was efficient in controlling downy mildew in lettuce under field conditions. Finally, for organic wheat production systems, an integrated assessment indicated that yields and protein contents can be increased by improved cultivar choice and fertility management regimes promoting biological N fixation in the soil

On the Syntax of Logic and Set Theory

We introduce an extension of the propositional calculus to include abstracts of predicates and quantifiers, employing a single rule along with a novel comprehension schema and a principle of extensionality, which are substituted for the Bernays postulates for quantifiers and the comprehension schemata of ZF and other set theories. We prove that it is consistent in any finite Boolean subset lattice. We investigate the antinomies of Russell, Cantor, Burali-Forti, and others, and discuss the relationship of the system to other set theoretic systems ZF, NBG, and NF. We discuss two methods of axiomatizing higher order quantification and abstraction, and then very briefly discuss the application of one of these methods to areas of mathematics outside of logic.Comment: 34 pages, accepted, to appear in the Review of Symbolic Logi

Could phosphite be a new fungicide for organic farming?

Quote from the article "Potassium phosphite, also called «phosphonate», is a salt of phosphonic acid with the formula K2HPO3. It should not be confounded with phosphates, nor with the organophosphorous insecticides which are also called «phosphonates». Potassium phosphite can be used as a fungicide against oomycetes in various crops. In the early 1990ies, it was extensively tested on organically grown grapevines in Switzerland. It was effective against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), and blocked the disease up to 3 days after infection. Phosphite was mobile and very persistent in plants and could be detected in grapes harvested one year after the last application. Analyses of 53 wine samples reveiled that the treatment inevitably leads to phosphite residues in wine, usually ranging between 5000 – 10000 ppb phosphite. Phosphite residues were also found in other crops (e.g. potato, celery) treated with potassium phosphonate. From a toxicological point of view, these residues are of no concern. However, consumers of organic wine expect to buy a «natural» product, and we assume that they would not approve the presence of such quantities of fungicide residues in organic wine. Currently, potassium phosphonate is not authorized as a fungicide for organic farming in the EU, and we do not recommend its use in the future”

The rise, development and internationalization of Japan's motor industry : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Geography at Massey University

The rise of Japan's motor industry to world prominence has been one of the most spectacular developments of modern times and has come to epitomize Japan's 'economic miracle' in the postwar era. The industry's phenomenal growth was the result of various factors. During its infant and developing phases these included: a legacy in terms of industrial expertise from before the War; a much improved labour relations climate; and the favourable economic conditions that prevailed both at home and abroad that provided the framework for an era of high-speed growth. The most significant factor though, was the support given by the government which considered the industry as economically 'strategic' and 'nurtured' it to growth — along with many of its supporting industries — with a wide range of industrial policies. Notwithstanding the contribution of these factors, however, the industry showed a remarkable resourcefulness and creativity of its own. Borrowing engineering and management techniques from abroad such as Quality Control, and experimenting with new indigenous concepts such as Just-in-Time, the industry was able to dramatically raise the quality of its products and its levels of productivity. Based on these strengths the Japanese automakers became, during the 1970s, major exporters of motor vehicles and were able to capture ever larger shares of foreign markets. In recent years, however, confronted with increased international trade friction, the erection of trade barriers in its major foreign markets, and the rising value of the yen, the industry has inceasingly sought to move operations abroad. These moves to overseas locations are on such an unprecedented scale that they are contributing to create a new international geography of motor vehicle production

Verunreinigungen von biologisch erzeugten Nahrungsmitteln mit chemisch-synthetischen Pestiziden: Fallstudie Biowein

Bioprodukte können nur so rein sein wie die Umwelt, in der sie produziert werden. Dies gilt auch für die Bioweine. Den Biowinzern gelingt es trotz schwierigem Umfeld, qualitativ hochstehende, rückstandsarme Weine zu produzieren. Erste Voraussetzung, damit diese Höchstleistung erbracht werden kann, ist dass die nicht-biologisch wirtschaftenden Winzer die vom Gesetzgeber vorgeschriebene gute landwirtschaftliche Praxis einhalten (Problem Abdrift als Folge von unsorgfältigem Umgang mit Pestiziden). Die Untersuchung zeigte, dass viele nicht-biologisch bewirtschaftende Produzenten sich professionell und fair verhalten. Die Praxis zeigte aber auch, dass sich einzelne Produzenten nicht an die Regeln des gutnachbarlichen und respektvollen Umgangs halten. Hier sind konsequente Massnahmen von Branchenorganisationen und Vollzug gefordert. Zudem zeigten unsere Resultate, dass trotz der eingeführten Massnahmen mit einer allgemeinen Hintergrundbelastung im Spurenbereich gerechnet werden muss. Hintergrundkontaminationen sind eine Tatsache und können nur durch ein Verbot von chemisch-synthetischen Fungiziden reduziert werden. Biologische Weine werden auch in Zukunft Spuren von Fungiziden aufweisen. Ohne sorgfältigen Umgang mit dem Biotraubengut und ohne konsequente Reinhaltung von Gerätschaften nützt die beste Arbeit im Wingert nichts. Das ist keine leichte Aufgabe, denn der Teufel steckt oft im Detail. Probleme ergaben sich häufig dort, wo Risikofaktoren kumuliert wurden. Mit konsequenter Einhaltung der beschriebenen Massnahmen sollten überhöhte Werte vermieden werden können. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse sind in der Praxis umgesetzt worden, fliessen in die Qualitätssicherung der Bioweine ein und werden bei der Kontrolle auch berücksichtigt. Die Bioweinbaubranche und der Vollzug haben in einer exemplarischen Zusammenarbeit vorhandene Schwachstellen identifizieren können und entsprechende Massnahmen entwickelt

Lucius Chittenden\u27s journey to the inside of the earth transcribed and annotated by Michael N. Stanton.

Occasional paper (University of Vermont. Center for Research on Vermont) ; #17. Introduction -- A note on the text -- [ To the inside of the Earth! ] -- The nebular hypothesis -- Chambers makes planets -- They plan the expedition -- Las diablos del Volcan -- A discussion concerning air and heat -- Appendix : the discussion -- A note on the transcriber and annotater

Efficacy of Armicarb (potassium bicarbonate) against scab and sooty blotch on apples.

A novel formulation of potassium bicarbon-ate (Armicarb) was evaluated in 2004 and 2005 as agent against apple scab and sooty blotch in several field trials. Armicarb controlled scab equally well as the reference treatments sulphur and copper. Armi-carb showed also excellent activity against sooty blotch. However, potential side-effects such as lenti-cell spot development need further investigation. At present, potassium bicarbonate is considered by the Swiss registration authorities as non-toxic to humans and in consequence, no residue levels have been specified. Armicarb has very interesting properties as a plant protection agent and its composition and risk profile are expected to fulfil the IFOAM standards for acceptance of novel plant protection agents to a very large extent