LEAF AREA INDEX IN WINTER WHEAT: RESPONSE ON SEED RATE AND NITROGEN APPLICATION BY DIFFERENT VARIETIES

The most important photosynthesis acceptor – leaf area vary among cultivation measures and it is limited factor for creating exact growth models in common winter wheat. The objective of this study was to investigate changes of leaf area index (LAI) affected by agricultural treatments – 4 sowing rates and 9 nitrogen treatments based on fertilising rates, target values based on soil mineral nitrogen and plant sap tests target values including different varieties. Increasing sowing rates from 350 to 800 viable seeds m-2 increased LAI at EC 75 stage from 2.9 to 5.5, where LAI 4.1 at 500 seeds m-2 did not vary between lower and higher rates; also at EC 85 stage LAIs did not differ significantly. At EC 75 stage LAI differed among control and nitrogen treatments from 1.0 to 6.5 and at EC 85 stage from 0.1 to 2.4, with differences in interaction among varieties. Higher nitrogen rates for first and second top dressing increased LAI in both stages compared without dressing treatments. Due to significant differences among LAI as consequence of production system, we suggest to take this into account in every prediction and modelling of growth in winter wheat.Listna površina, kot najpomembnejši fotosintetski akceptor je odvisna od pridelovalnih ukrepov in je omejitveni dejavnik za izdelavo natančnih rastnih modelov navadne ozimne pšenice. Cilj te študije je preveriti spremembe indeksa listne površine (LAI) pod vplivom agrotehničnih ukrepov – 4 gostot setve, 9 odmerkov dušika temelječih na odmerkih gnojil in temelječih na ciljnih vrednostih Nmin-a ter hitrih nitratnih rastlinskih testov vključujoč različne sorte. Povečevanje setvene norme od 350 do 800 kalivih semen m-2 povečuje LAI v fazi EC 75 od 2.9 do 5.5, medtem ko med njima in 500 kalivimi zrni m-2 značilnih razlik med LAI ni bilo; tudi v fazi EC 85 med LAI nismo ugotovili značilnih razlik. V fazi EC 75 je LAI variral od 1.0 v kontrolnem obravnavanju do 6.5 v gnojilnih obravnavanjih, v fazi EC 85 pa od 0.1 do 2.4, s tem da so bile značilne razlike tudi v interakciji s sortami. Višji odmerki dušika za prvo in drugo dognojevanje povečujejo LAI v obeh fazah v primerjavi z obravnavanji brez dognojevanja. Zaradi značilnih razlik med LAI kot posledica agrotehnike, priporočamo upoštevati razlike med LAI pri vsakem načrtovanju ali modeliranju rasti ozimne pšenice

Bilan et perspectives de la Recherche en Agriculture Bio-dynamique

L’Agriculture Biodynamique (BD) a été l’objet de nombreux efforts de recherches durant les dernières décennies, bien qu’une partie de la communauté scientifique regarde les méthodes biodynamiques avec scepticisme et les considère comme dogmatiques. Néanmoins, comme cela est montré dans cet article de synthèse, une part non négligeable des résultats présentés dans des revues scientifiques à comité de lecture et issus d’expérimentations contrôlées de plein champ, ou d’étude de cas, montrent des effets des préparations biodynamiques sur le rendement, la qualité du sol et la biodiversité. De plus, les préparations biodynamiques ont un impact environnemental positif en termes d’utilisation et d’efficacité énergétique. Cependant, le mode d’action mécanique des préparations biodynamique est toujours en cours d’investigation en sciences naturelles. Par ailleurs, les méthodes d’évaluations de la qualité basées sur des approches globales (holistiques) sont de plus en plus étudiées et reconnues. L’agriculture BD s’efforce également, comme cela est montré dans plusieurs publications, d’influencer positivement le paysage culturel. La synthèse des données montre le besoin de poursuivre les recherches dans le domaine de la qualité des aliments, de la sécurité alimentaire, des performances environnementales (par ex. l’empreinte écologique), et sur l’influences des pratiques BD sur les animaux d’élevage

Quaternary glacial history of the Mediterranean mountains

Glacial and periglacial landforms are widespread in the mountains of the Mediterranean region. The evidence for glacial and periglacial activity has been studied for over 120 years and it is possible to identify three phases of development in this area of research. First, a pioneer phase characterized by initial descriptive observations of glacial landforms; second, a mapping phase whereby the detailed distribution of glacial landforms and sediments have been depicted on geomorphological maps; and, third, an advanced phase characterized by detailed understanding of the geochronology of glacial sequences using radiometric dating alongside detailed sedimentological and stratigraphical analyses. It is only relatively recently that studies of glaciated mountain terrains in the Mediterranean region have reached an advanced phase and it is now clear from radiometric dating programmes that the Mediterranean mountains have been glaciated during multiple glacial cycles. The most extensive phases of glaciation appear to have occurred during the Middle Pleistocene. This represents a major shift from earlier work whereby many glacial sequences were assumed to have formed during the last cold stage. Glacial and periglacial deposits from multiple Quaternary cold stages constitute a valuable palaeoclimatic record. This is especially so in the Mediterranean mountains, since mountain glaciers in this latitudinal zone would have been particularly sensitive to changes in the global climate system. © 2006 Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd

ALTERNATIVNI POLJSKI USJEVI KAO EKOLOŠKI PROIZVODI PREGLED ISTRAŽIVAČKIH I RAZVOJNIH AKTIVNOSTI U SLOVENIJI

Introduction, production and marketing in alternative (underutilized, neglected, disregarded, rare) crops is a very complex system, but very helpful for producers and consumers. Based on eighteen years of Slovenian experiences since establishment of certification of organic agriculture, research on under-utilized field crops and publisi materials we can conclude that many additional activities are needed to establishing an effective production system and market for underutilized field crops. Primari, high by efficient organic production must follow professional knowledge of production, guidelines for organic production and post harvest technology including food processing. Special attention must be paid to production of introduced species in the region. For example, our research project on four oil crops grown under dry conditions, including greenhouse experiments is a contribution to how to include less sensitive crops into rotation systems because of climate changes. Activities such as expansion of the knowledge on organic products, and especially about nutritional and health value of crops are very important. Organizing projects why and how to use this kind of food in the kindergartens, schools, old people’s homes and hospitals shows promising results, especially when the culinary presentation includes explanation of beneficial effects on human health. On the other side the useful research is obligatory; for example an explanation how to prepare tasty and highly essential amino-acid valued bread made from grain amaranth and whole meal spelt. Also the models for decission support are developed, but due to the lack of data, their use is not often in accordance with the needs in practice.Uvođenje, proizvodnja i prodaja alternativnih (zapostavljenih) usjeva je vrlo složen, ali i vrlo koristan proces za proizvođača i za potrošača. Na temelju osamnaestogodišnjeg slovenskog iskustva od pokretanja i certificiranja ekološke poljoprivrede, istraživanja malo korištenih poljskih usjeva i publiciranih radova možemo zaključiti da su potrebne još mnoge dodatne aktivnosti kako bi se uspostavio efikasan proizvodni sistem i tržište za nedovoljno korištene poljske usjeve. Visoko učinkovita ekološka proizvodnja treba se temeljiti na stručnom znanju o tehnologiji proizvodnje, stručnim uputama, te tehnologijama spremanja i prerade uroda nakon žetve. Posebnu pažnju traži proizvodni sistem za svaku novouvedenu vrstu usjeva u određenom uzgojnom području. Npr. naš projekt istraživanja uzgoja četiriju uljarica u uvjetima suše, uključujući pokuse u stakleniku, prilog je uključivanju u proizvodnju manje osjetljivih usjeva – vezano uz klimatske promjene. Od posebne je važnosti širenje znanja o ekološkoj proizvodnji, posebno o nutritivnoj i zdravstvenoj vrijednosti takvih proizvoda. Projekti s ciljem uključivanja ekoloških proizvoda u dječje vrtiće, škole, staračke domove i bolnice dali su obećavajuće rezultate, posebno ako su kulinarske prezentacije bile praćene isticanjem pozitivnog učinka na zdravlje. S druge strane neophodna su korisna istraživanja, npr. kako načiniti hranidbeno visokovrijedan (bogat esencijalnim aminokiselinama) i ukusan kruh od štira i cjelovitog brašna krupnika (T. spelta). Također, razvijen je model podrške u donošenju odluke, no zbog nedostatka podataka, njegovo korištenje nije u skladu s potrebama u praksi

ALTERNATIVNI POLJSKI USJEVI KAO EKOLOŠKI PROIZVODI PREGLED ISTRAŽIVAČKIH I RAZVOJNIH AKTIVNOSTI U SLOVENIJI

Introduction, production and marketing in alternative (underutilized, neglected, disregarded, rare) crops is a very complex system, but very helpful for producers and consumers. Based on eighteen years of Slovenian experiences since establishment of certification of organic agriculture, research on under-utilized field crops and publisi materials we can conclude that many additional activities are needed to establishing an effective production system and market for underutilized field crops. Primari, high by efficient organic production must follow professional knowledge of production, guidelines for organic production and post harvest technology including food processing. Special attention must be paid to production of introduced species in the region. For example, our research project on four oil crops grown under dry conditions, including greenhouse experiments is a contribution to how to include less sensitive crops into rotation systems because of climate changes. Activities such as expansion of the knowledge on organic products, and especially about nutritional and health value of crops are very important. Organizing projects why and how to use this kind of food in the kindergartens, schools, old people’s homes and hospitals shows promising results, especially when the culinary presentation includes explanation of beneficial effects on human health. On the other side the useful research is obligatory; for example an explanation how to prepare tasty and highly essential amino-acid valued bread made from grain amaranth and whole meal spelt. Also the models for decission support are developed, but due to the lack of data, their use is not often in accordance with the needs in practice.Uvođenje, proizvodnja i prodaja alternativnih (zapostavljenih) usjeva je vrlo složen, ali i vrlo koristan proces za proizvođača i za potrošača. Na temelju osamnaestogodišnjeg slovenskog iskustva od pokretanja i certificiranja ekološke poljoprivrede, istraživanja malo korištenih poljskih usjeva i publiciranih radova možemo zaključiti da su potrebne još mnoge dodatne aktivnosti kako bi se uspostavio efikasan proizvodni sistem i tržište za nedovoljno korištene poljske usjeve. Visoko učinkovita ekološka proizvodnja treba se temeljiti na stručnom znanju o tehnologiji proizvodnje, stručnim uputama, te tehnologijama spremanja i prerade uroda nakon žetve. Posebnu pažnju traži proizvodni sistem za svaku novouvedenu vrstu usjeva u određenom uzgojnom području. Npr. naš projekt istraživanja uzgoja četiriju uljarica u uvjetima suše, uključujući pokuse u stakleniku, prilog je uključivanju u proizvodnju manje osjetljivih usjeva – vezano uz klimatske promjene. Od posebne je važnosti širenje znanja o ekološkoj proizvodnji, posebno o nutritivnoj i zdravstvenoj vrijednosti takvih proizvoda. Projekti s ciljem uključivanja ekoloških proizvoda u dječje vrtiće, škole, staračke domove i bolnice dali su obećavajuće rezultate, posebno ako su kulinarske prezentacije bile praćene isticanjem pozitivnog učinka na zdravlje. S druge strane neophodna su korisna istraživanja, npr. kako načiniti hranidbeno visokovrijedan (bogat esencijalnim aminokiselinama) i ukusan kruh od štira i cjelovitog brašna krupnika (T. spelta). Također, razvijen je model podrške u donošenju odluke, no zbog nedostatka podataka, njegovo korištenje nije u skladu s potrebama u praksi

New simple mathematical model to help evaluating the extent of the late-Quaternary valley glacier in the Upper Soča Region (NW Slovenia)

A simple mathematical model was developed that enables an evaluation of a valley glacier extent independently of any geological data. Based on glaciological criteria and on quantitative analysis of the glacier’s accumulation-, and ablation-areas the modeloffers an opportunity for an independent test of paleoenvironmental interpretations that are traditionally based on (often vague and difficult-to-interpret) geomorphological and sedimentological information. The model is presented here through a case study from theUpper Soča River Region

Mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais adults to wheat from integrated and alternative production systems

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of the production systems of wheat from different production systems on the mortality, progeny production and preference of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The factors tested were production system (integrated [INT], organic [ORG], biodynamic [BD] and control), which differed in plant protection and fertiliser procedures during plant growth and development; exposure interval (7, 14 and 21 d); relative humidity (r.h.) (55% and 75%) and temperature (20°C, 25°C and 30°C). Mortality after 7 d increased with the temperature increase and decreased with the increase in r.h. in most of the tested combinations. The mortality of weevils was higher in ORG compared to INT-produced wheat after 7 d. Progeny production was recorded 56 d after removal of parental adults and was higher at 75% r.h. in comparison to 55% r.h. At 55% r.h. and 20°C, progeny was 60.8% higher when S. zeamais were exposed to ORG in comparison to INT-produced wheat. Wheat from different production systems influenced mortality rates which were higher in alternative compared to INT production systems under optimal conditions for wheat storage (low temperature and r.h.). The reverse was recorded for temperature and r.h. increase. Progeny was not affected by wheat from various production systems. Significantly more S. zeamais adults were found in traps containing wheat from BD and control in comparison to INT. An understanding of the agricultural processes, biotic and abiotic factors which alter the post-harvest response of storage pests could be useful for the development of efficient post-harvest strategies for ORG and BD farms and the processing industry. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group