The yield, height and content of protein of field peas (Pisum sativum L.) in Estonian agro-climatic conditions

ArticlePisum sativum L. is important protein crop in the world. The purpose of this investigation was to see whether pea varieties differ in their yield, height and content of protein. Another aim was to select the best varieties suitable for production. Field experiments with different varieties of peas (‘Bruno’, ‘Capella’, ‘Clara’ and ‘Vitra’) were carried out at the Estonian Crop Research Institute in 2014 and in 2015. Yields (t ha-1 ) in 2014 and 2015 did not differ much, while yield from variety ‘Bruno’ was very different between years 2014 and 2015 and was much higher in 2015. The most suitable height of field peas is in a range of 60...100 cm, because the plants with such a height are most effectively suppressing weeds. It can be concluded that varieties with suitable height in our investigation were: ‘Bruno’, ‘Capella’ and ‘Clara’. Variety ‘Vitra’ was too high, is lodging easily and is therefore hard to harvest. Crude protein content (% in dry matter) was lowest in ‘Clara’; all other varieties had a higher content of protein, within much the same range. Based on the results of present investigation it can be concluded that out of those four varieties the most suitable varieties for production are ‘Bruno’ and ‘Capella’. Choice of the right variety for pea cultivation is very important, but depends on the local agro-climatic conditions. As in Baltic – Nordic countries and in north of America the agro-climatic conditions are more or less similar the results are useful for those countries

Short communication: the effect of silicon on the organically grown leaf lettuce growth and quality

ArticleSaabunud / Received 30.08.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 11.10.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 15.10.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: [email protected] purpose was to assess the effect of silicon on the leaf lettuce production. The experiments in the greenhouse were carried out in the spring 2014 at the Estonian Crop Research Institute. Treatments: 1) stabilized silicic acid treatment; 2) control. Si treatment (2 mL L–1 of silicic acid): First spray, when 1 true leaf was present; second spray was two weeks after spray 1; third spray was two weeks after spray 2. The pH of spray solution was 5.5. pH of spray solution was 5.5. Control plants were treated with water. The plants were 26% higher in Si variant. The width of leaf lettuce was 32% larger in Si variant. In leaf lettuce the phosphorus content was 14% higher, the content of calcium was 32% higher, the content of magnesium was 12% higher in Si variant than in control

Short communication: The improvement of the quality, and nutrient content of leaf celery transplants by effective microorganisms

ArticleSaabunud / Received 07.01.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 12.03.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 05.04.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: [email protected] microorganisms (EM) comprise a mixture of live natural cultures of microorganisms isolated from fertile soils that are used to improve crop production. The purpose was to assess the influence of EM on the growth and nutrient content of leaf celery transplants. Two treatments were compared: 1) EM treatment comprised of seed soaking in EM 1:500 solution, sowing in EM treated peat and watering the plants weekly with EM solution. 2) Control treatment included similar treatments with water. Leaf celery transplants grown with EM were significantly shorter and had thicker stems than those grown without EM. The contents of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium increased in transplants grown with EM compared to those grown without EM. The contents of nitrates and magnesium did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusion: EM improves the growth and increases nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium contents of leaf celery transplants

Review : vermicompost, its importance and benefit in agriculture

Saabunud / Received 05.08.2019 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 23.12.2019 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 25.12.2019 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Margit Olle e-mail: [email protected] is described as "bioxidation and stabili zation of organic material involving the joint action of earthworms and mesophilic micro-organisms". Under appropriate conditions, worms eat agricultural waste and reduce the volume by 40 to 60%. Vermicompost produced by the activity of earthworms is rich in macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipase, cellulase and chitinase and immobilized microflora. The enzymes continue to disintegrate organic matter even after they have been ejected from the worms. Reduced use of water for irrigation, reduced pest attack, reduced termite attack, reduced weed growth; faster rate of seed germination and rapid seedlings growth and development; greater numbers of fruits per plant (in vegetable crops) and greater numbers of seeds per year (in cereal crops) are only some of the beneficial effects of the vermicompost usage in agricultural production. Earthworms and vermicompost can boost horticultural production without agrochemicals. In spite of the benefits associated with vermicompost, its use is not widespread yet. This review attempts as increasing awareness of this local soil amendment

The effect of vermicompost and K+amino on the winter rape growth

Vermicompost contains a high concentration of macro- and micronutrients, vitamins, growth hormones, enzymes such as proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and chitinases, as well as immobilized microflora. Vermicompost improves plant germination, growth, biomass, and yield. K+amino is a biologically active liquid soil amendment that is suitable for organic gardens of all types. It is a 100 % veganic growth- and health-promoting liquid microbial inoculant for all plant types, particularly fast-growing crops like vegetables, fruits, and blooms. The purpose of investigation was to look the effect of vermicompost and k+amino on the winter rape germination and growth. Methods: There were six treatments: 1. A rape (means a rape crop in Aru Agricultural Ltd. soil), 2. A rape+YaraBela AXAN 0.3g per pot, 3. A rape+vermicompost 7.9 g per pot in the soil+the vermiextract is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 1:30, 33 ml extract per 1 L water, 4. A rape+vermicompost 7.9 g per pot in the soil, 5. A rape+vermiextract is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 1:30, 33 ml extract per 1 L water, 6. A rape+K+Amino biostimulator is sprayed on the plants 1 week after sowing, 2 weeks after sowing, both treatments 5 ml K+Amino per 1 L water. Results: Rape plants were elongated in treatment with YaraBela AXAN. Stem diameter was largest in K+Amino treatment. Root length was lowest in treatment with vermicompst extract (soil was too moisty and compacted). Conclusions: Vermicompost tended to improve plant growth, while stem diameter was largely increased by using k+amino fertilizer. It turns out both actually are good sources of mineral nutrients and also different enzymes and microbes, which help plants gro

The influence of foliar applied silicic acid on N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in field peas*

Silizium (Si) ist nach Sauerstoff das zweithäufigste Element in der Erdkruste. Dennoch belegen viele Feldversuche, dass eine zusätzliche Zufuhr von Si in Form von fein dispersem SiO2 · n H2O (= in Wasser „gelöster“ Kiesel­säure) Pflanzenkrankheiten und Schädlinge unterdrücken und die Wirkung von Umweltstress lindern und die Produktivität von Pflanzen steigern kann. Ziel dieser Unter­suchung war es, den Einfluss ballapplizierter Kieselsäure auf die Versorgung von Erbsen der Sorte Mehis mit den Nährstoffen N, P, K, Ca und Mg als möglichen Wirkungspfad zu prüfen. Die Kieselsäure wurde in wässriger Dispersion in unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen zwei­wöchentlich beginnend mit dem 2 bis 3-Blattsta­dium der Pflanzen appliziert. Die Behandlung verbesserte die Qualität der Erbsen und erhöhte deren Gehalte an Phosphor und Kalium. Eine verbesserte Phosphor- und Kaliumversorgung könnte daher eine der Ursachen für positive Wirkungen von Kieselsäureapplikationen sein. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2016.01.02, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2016.01.02Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element after oxygen in soil. However, many field studies have shown that supplying crops with extra Si in form of finely dispersed SiO2 · n H2O (= silicic acid “dissolved” in water) suppresses plant disease, reduces insect attack, improves environmental stress tolerance, and increases crop productivity. The purpose of this investigation was to look at the influence of foliar applied silicic acid on the chemical content of field peas of variety Mehis. Silicic acid was applied as an aqueous spray applied in different concentrations from the 2–3 true leaf stage at two-week intervals from 21 May to 2 July 2014, in total 108 g ha–1 Si. Silicic acid partially improved the quality of field peas of variety Mehis by increasing phosphorus and potassium concentrations in the peas. It is suggested that foliar applied silicic acid may improve root growth through an improved phosphorus supply and also the water status of the plants through an improved potassium supply. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2016.01.02, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2016.01.0

The effect of foliar applied silicic acid on growth and chemical composition of tomato transplants

Silizium (Si) ist ein für das Wachstum zahlreicher Pflanzen nicht essentielles, aber dennoch nützliches Element. Ziel der Untersuchungen war es, den Effekt einer zusätzlichen Si Zufuhr über das Blatt in Form von fein dispersem SiO2 • n H2O (= in Wasser „gelöster“ Kieselsäure) auf das Wachstum und die chemische Zusammensetzung junger Tomatenpflanzen zu prüfen. Die Kieselsäure wurde in wässriger Dispersion in unterschiedlichen Konzen­trationen dreimal im Abstand von zwei Wochen beginnend mit dem Erscheinen des ersten Vollblattes auf die Pflanzen appliziert. Insgesamt wurden 108 g/ha Si verabreicht. Die Behandlung erhöhte das Längen- und Dicken­wachstum der Stängel und führte zu erhöhten Gehal­ten an NO3, N, P, K und Ca. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2016.08.04, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2016.08.04Silicon (Si) is not an essential element for plant growth but considered as beneficial for the growth and development of most plants. The objective of this investigation was to investigate the effect of an extra supply of Si with foliar applied finely dispersed SiO2 • n H2O (= silicic acid “dissolved” in water) on early growth and elemental composition of tomato transplants. Silicic acid was applied as an aqueous spray applied in different concentrations from the first true leaf stage three times at two-week intervals in total 108 g/ha Si. Tomato transplants were taller with larger stem diameters when treateted with Si and NO3, N, P, K and Ca concentrations enhanced. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2016.08.04, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2016.08.0