Lentil-barley mixed cropping with different lentil varieties and sowing dates

In den letzten 50 Jahren gab es nahezu keinen Linsenanbau mehr in Deutschland. Die Stickstofffixierung der Leguminose Linse, der Mischanbau und die hohe ernährungsphysiologische Wertigkeit machen den Linsenanbau attraktiv für den ökologischen Landbau. Anbautechnisch bereitet die Linse noch Probleme, z. B hinsichtlich geeigneter Sorten und optimaler Saatzeiten. Eine frühe Aussaat könnte die Vegetationsperiode verlängern und den Ertrag erhöhen, doch entfällt damit die Beikrautregulierung durch mehrfaches Abschleppen vor der Saat Auf der Versuchsstation für Ökologischen Landbau Kleinhohenheim der Universität Hohenheim wurden daher im Jahr 2009 vier Genotypen im Mischanbau mit Nacktgerste und drei Saatzeiten im Frühjahr geprüft. Linsen und die Stützfrucht Gerste erzielten den höchsten Ertrag (bis 3 t Trockenmasse (TM) ha-1 Linsen und rund 1 t TM ha-1 Gerste) bei frühestmöglichem Aussaattermin. Der Beikrautdruck war an diesem Termin mit rund 30 g TM m-2 signifikant niedriger als bei den späteren Saatterminen. Die im Versuch ertragreichste Sorte ist derzeit schon in Süddeutschland im Anbau, eine frühe Aussaat wäre in Erwägung zu ziehen

Entwicklung des Unkrautaufkommens bei unterschiedlicher Stoppelbearbeitung im Ausschnitt einer ökologischen Fruchtfolge

A long-term experiment at the Experimental Station for Organic Farming Kleinhohenheim should determine effects of stubble tillage on weed density and weed communities. The treatments were stubble tillage by a chisel plough (10 cm), a modified skimmer plough (7 cm), a rotary hoe (5 cm) and a control, previous to primary tillage by a mouldboard plough in autumn. The results presented here refer to the weed density of dicotyledonous-annual plants, monocotyledonous plants and lucerne volunteers in the years 8 and 9 of the experiment, i.e. the first two years after perennial lucerne grass. There were no significant differences found between the treatments for weeds, volunteers and crop yield of winter wheat and oats. These results confirm and continue the observations of the years 1999-2003 in the long run. Stubble tillage had no visible effect on the density of annual weeds in a diverse, 8-year organic crop rotation with focus on cereals if a plough was used for primary tillage

Screening von Senf-Genotypen zur Körnernutzung im ökologischen Anbau in Mitteleuropa

Information is rare about mustard (Sinapis alba, Brassica nigra, B. juncea) varieties and their characteristics for a suitable performance under organic conditions. 30 accessions were grown at the organic Research Station Kleinhohenheim in SW Germany in the year 2011. Highest grain yield was obtained by S. alba (10.5 g/plant) which was about four times the yield of B. nigra, and ten times the yield of B. juncea, mainly because of higher thousand kernel mass and high number of pods. B nigra and B. juncea were heavily damaged by pests so that only S. alba seems a suitable mustard species for German organic farming at the moment

Der Anbau von Linsen und Erbsen im Gemenge

In Germany, lentils (Lens culinaris) are traditionally grown in mixture with cereals to reduce lodging and weed pressure. To test semi-leafless pea (Pisum sativum) as an alternative companion crop instead of dwarf oat (Avena sativa), a field trial was conducted in 2015 at the organic research station of the University of Hohenheim, south-west Germany. The three crops were cultivated in pure stands and in ratios of 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 (lentil : pea or oat). Focus was on comparing lodging resistance, weed suppression, and grain yield. Lodging was low in all mixtures but high in lentil pure stands. Yields were very high for lentils and peas but rather low for oats (3.2 t ha-1, 4.9 t ha-1, and 3.2 t ha-1, in pure stands). Similarly, high lentil yields were achieved in the mixtures lentil-pea 3:1 (3.0 t ha-1), lentil-oat 3:1 (2.9 t ha-1), and lentil-oat 1:1 (2.7 t ha-1). Compared with pure stands, land use efficiency was up to 20 % higher in lentil-pea mixtures and up to 33 % higher in lentil-oat mixtures. When compared with lentil pure stands, weed biomass was up to 26 % (lentil-pea 1:3) lower in mixtures with pea and up to 61 % (lentil-oat 1:1) lower in mixtures with oat. Overall, semi-leafless pea is a good alternative to dwarf oat as a companion crop for lentils

Entwicklung von Anbausystemen für Linsen im ökologischen Landbau

After commercial cropping of lentils (Lens culinaris) expired in Germany 50 years ago, a revival was observed on a small regional scale. Several field trials aimed at the development of lentil cropping systems to make lentils a more popular crop in German organic farming. One of the trials was set up to identify suitable companion crops and cropping ratios for lentils in mixed cropping systems. Suitable cropping systems in terms of yield (up to 1.8 t ha-1) were combinations with barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in a ratio of 180 : 60 seeds ha-1 (lentil:companion crop), and with wheat or oats (Avena sativa, 1 : 3) in terms of lodging. As lentil and wheat grains were difficult to separate after harvest, other varieties with shape and thousand grains mass more different from each other might allow the combination of wheat and lentils. According to the results of other trials, development of modern lentil cropping systems has to include the issues of sowing time (early sowing date), weed control, and varieties adapted to local conditions

Mixed cropping with lentils increases grain protein of wheat and barley

Sommerweizen (Triticum aestivum) und Sommergerste (Hordeum vulgare) wurden im Gemenge mit Linsen (Lens culinaris) in fünf Mischungsverhältnissen (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) auf der Versuchsstation für Ökologischen Landbau Kleinhohenheim (SW-Deutschland) in den Jahren 2009 und 2010 angebaut. Ziel der Studie war zu prüfen, welchen Einfluss der Mischanbau auf den Rohproteingehalt im Korn und die Tausendkornmasse hat. Der Rohproteingehalt im Getreidekorn stieg signifikant mit steigendem Linsenanteil in der Mischung. Bei Weizen nahm der Rohproteingehalt von der Reinsaat (10,3% in 2009, 11,0% in 2010) bis zur Mischsaat mit hohem Linsenanteil auf 11,5% (2009) bzw. 15,1% (2010) zu. In ähnlicher Weise stieg der Rohproteingehalt der Gerste von 13,7% auf 15,8%, während der Rohprotein­gehalt der Linsen bei allen Mischungspartnern und -verhältnissen unbeeinflusst blieb. Die Tausendkornmasse aller Kulturarten stieg, je geringer ihr jeweiliger Anteil an der Mischung war. Im Mischanbau war der gesamte Proteinertrag je Fläche generell höher als bei den Reinsaaten. Der Mischanbau mit Linsen kann besonders im Ökologischen Landbau eine Möglichkeit darstellen, den Proteingehalt von Weizen zu steigern und hohe Back­qualitäten zu erzielen. Auch für Futtergerste ist dieser Effekt gewünscht und möglich; Braugerste scheint allerdings ungeeignet für den Mischanbau mit Linsen, und möglicherweise auch nicht mit anderen Leguminosen, da hier vergleichsweise niedrige Rohproteingehalte gefordert sind.    Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare) were mixed cropped with lentils (Lens culinaris) in five seeding ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) at the Experimental Station for Organic Farming Kleinhohenheim, SW Germany in the years 2009 and 2010. Aim of the study was to test the effect of different mixing ratios on seed quality (crude protein: CP, thousand kernel mass: TKM) of cereals and lentils. Seed crude protein of cereals increased significantly when their proportion was reduced in the mixture with their companion crop lentil. Wheat crude protein increased from 10.3% DM (2009) and 11.0% DM (2010) in monocropping to 11.5% DM (2009) and 15.1% DM (2010) in mixed cropping with 75% lentils. Barley crude protein increased in the same way from 13.7% DM in monocropping to 15.8% DM in mixed cropping with 75% lentils. The percentage of CP in lentils, however, did not differ significantly across all mixing ratios. The TKM of cereals and lentils increased significantly when their share in the mixture was decreased. Generally, the total crude protein yield in mixtures (one cereal crop plus lentils) was significantly higher than that in cereal or lentil monocropping. Mixed cropping with lentils can thus be an option to obtain a high protein content of wheat which is important for a suitable bread-making quality, particularly in organic farming. If barley is used for feed or food, a high protein content in mixed cropping with lentils is also welcome. On the other hand, malting barley seems not a suitable partner for a mixed cropping system with lentils as the protein content might be too high.   &nbsp

Does conversion to conservation tillage really increase soil organic carbon stocks in organic arable farming?

Aggravation of weather extremes increases awareness of climate change consequences. Mitigation options are in demand which aim to reduce the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. Amongst others, conversion from ploughing to conservation tillage is argued to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Yet, main findings of reviews and meta-analyses comparing SOC stocks between tillage systems show different results: from a significant increase of SOC stocks to the question if there is any effect at all. Reasons are a sampling bias as in many campaigns only topsoil layers are assessed and horizons thickness is not considered adequately, different methods for SOC and bulk density determination, and the comparison of SOC stocks based on equivalent soil masses instead of equal sampling depths. In order to address these limitations, we initiated the SOCORT consortium (Soil Organic Carbon in Organic Reduced Tillage) – an international network of nine agronomical long-term trials. All trials represent common mixed organic farming systems of the respective region with organic fertilisation and crop rotations including leys. Climatic conditions are similar, but age and soil texture vary (7 to 21 years and sandy to clayey soils). A common sampling campaign was consequently elaborated to answer the question if the combination of conservation tillage and organic farming can really increase SOC stocks. Undisturbed soil cores were taken with driving hammer probes (8 cm in diameter) to a maximum depth of 100 cm. Each core was divided in the increments 0-30, 30-50, 50-70, 70-100 cm. The topsoil layer (0-30 cm) was further divided into the different tillage depths of the respective trial. All samples were analysed in the same laboratory for bulk density, organic carbon content, pH and texture. We compiled the yields for each trial to assess carbon inputs. The SOCORT consortium in combination with the common sampling campaign will entangle the driving factors of carbon sequestration through reduced tillage and add important knowledge on carbon dynamics in agro-ecosystems

Bewältigungsstrategien alternativen Wirtschaftens: Wertrationalität und soziale Einbettung am Beispiel Solidarischer Landwirtschaft

Wie setzt man einen Kontrapunkt zum Kapitalismus? Die Solidarische Landwirtschaft verfügt über Bewältigungsstrategien, mit denen die Widersprüche zwischen sozialen und ökonomischen Anforderungen überbrückt werden können. Sie kann ihre Mitglieder binden und sich vom Wettbewerbsdruck unabhängiger machen. Darin unterscheidet sie sich von historischen Gegenbewegungen. Die empirische Arbeit baut auf einer Gesamterhebung in Deutschland auf. Der wirtschaftssoziologische Zugang fasst Wirtschaften als soziales Handeln auf und fragt nach dem intendierten Sinn, den Umsetzungskonflikten sowie nach den Lösungsstrategien. In dieser Weise werden Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten innerhalb des Kapitalismus sichtbar gemacht.How do you set a counterpoint to capitalism? Community supported agriculture has developed coping strategies which enable it to bridge the contradictions between social and economic requirements. It can thus bind its members and make itself less dependent on competition and price pressure. In this way, it differs from historical countermovements. This empirical study is based on a survey in Germany. Its economic-sociological approach focuses on economic action as social action and asks about the intended meaning of this, the conflicts in this respect and the strategies for resolving them. Therefore, the work shows alternative modes of action within capitalism

The Role of Interleukin 6 and Obesity in the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Obesity is a constantly increasing health burden affecting more than 30% of the population of westernized countries. In addition to classical associated disorders, obesity was also previously reported to increase the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, in part through activation of obesity-associated pro-inflammatory signaling and the release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-6, both known as tumor-promoting cytokines. Nevertheless, how these inflammatory cytokines trigger HCC development is currently not fully un- derstood. The current work reports that abrogation of IL-6Rα signaling in lean mice pro- tects against DEN-induced HCC development. This HCC protection occurs via destabilization of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1, thus promoting hep- atocyte apoptosis. In lean mice IL-6 regulates the stability of Mcl-1 via inhibi- tion of PP-1α expression which promotes GSK-3β inactivation by serine 9 residue phosphorylation. In addition, IL-6 suppresses expression of the Mcl-1 E3 ligase Mule. Consequently, IL-6Rα deficiency activates PP1-α and Mule expression re- sulting in increased Mcl-1 turnover and protection against HCC development. In contrast, in obese mice inhibition of PP1-α and Mule expression leading to Mcl-1 stabilization occurs independent from IL-6 signaling. Furthermore, the current work could demonstrate that IL-6Rα signaling in T cells is essential for the development of HCC indicated by the protective effect of IL-6Rα deficiency on T cells. Collectively, this study provides evidence that IL-6 and obesity inhibit hepato- cyte apoptosis through Mcl-1 stabilization thus promoting liver carcinogenesis

Germination, emergence and pyrrolizidine-contents of common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris)

Die Aufnahme von Gemeinem Kreuzkraut (Senecio vulgaris) über Lebensmittel kann wegen des Gehalts an Pyrrolizidinalkaloiden (PA) zu gesundheitlichen Schäden führen. Daher werden pflanzenbauliche Ansätze gesucht, um Beimischungen mit S. vulgaris zu vermindern. In Klimaschränken wurde der Einfluss von Temperatur und Lichtverhältnissen sowie einer vorgeschalteten Einwirkung von Frost oder Trockenstress auf das Keimvermögen von S. vulgaris geprüft. Weiterhin wurden im Sommer 2016 vier Sätze von S. vulgaris auf der Versuchsstation Kleinhohenheim, Stuttgart, ausgesät, um den PA-Gehalt in den verschiedenen Pflanzenteilen und zu verschiedenen Jahreszeiten zu analysieren. Bei Licht und ohne Vorbehandlung keimten die Samen bei 5 °C, 10 °C und 20 °C zu 84 bis 87 %, im Dunkeln lagen die Werte etwas darunter. Eine Vorbehandlung mit Frost führte bei anschließender Keimtemperatur von 5 °C zu signifikant mehr ungekeimten, intakten Samen (75 %) gegenüber der Kontrolle (20 %) oder der Variante mit Trockenstress (8 %). Die Blüte von S. vulgaris enthielten bis zu 7600 mg PA/kg in der luftgetrockneten Biomasse und damit signifikant höhere PA-Summengehalte (Σ Retrorsin, Senecionin, Seneciphyllin, Senecivernin sowie deren korrespondierende N-Oxide) als Stängel und Blätter. Mit späterer Saatzeit stieg der Gehalt an PA in Blättern signifikant. PA-Gehalte in Nutzpflanzen durch Kontamination mit S. vulgaris könnten effektiv reduziert werden, wenn keine Blüten in das Erntegut gelangten. Niedrige Temperaturen und Frost scheinen die unerwünschte Samenüberdauerung von S. vulgaris zu fördern. Unter diesem Gesichtspunkt sind Blütenbildung und Aussamen gegen Ende der Vegetationsperiode besonders kritisch. Späte Ernteschnitte von Heil- und Gewürzpflanzen oder Schnittsalaten sind zu vermeiden, um Blüten- und Samenbildung von S. vulgaris kurz vor dem Winter einzuschränken, und um Beimischungen mit saisonal erhöhten PA-Gehalten zu verhindern.The uptake of food contaminated with common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is a considerable health risk because of the occurrence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in parts of the plant. Agronomical approaches are needed to minimize potential contamination with S. vulgaris. Different temperatures, light conditions and seed pre-treatments were tested during the germination of S. vulgaris to identify the optimum environment for germination. In addition, four sets of S. vulgaris were sown in a field trial at the research station Kleinhoheneim/South West Germany in 2016 to determine the PA pattern and any shift in PA contents in during the year in flowers, leaves and stems. Germination rates were highest (84-87%) when seeds germinated in light without pre-treatment, and a little lower in darkness, at any of the three trial temperatures of 5 °C, 10 °C und 20 °C. Pre-treatment with frost, particularly in combination with cool germination temperatures, lead to significantly higher numbers of intact, ungerminated seeds (75%) compared to the control (20%) or a drought stress pre-treatment (8%). Flowers of S. vulgaris contained up to mg total PA/kg in the air dried plant material (Σ of retrorsine, senecionine, seneciphylline, senecivernine and their corresponding N-oxides) and thus the contents were significantly higher than those in stems or leaves. The PA content in leaves increased significantly during the season. As flowers seem to be the main source of PA, their removal or avoidance in harvested crops is most desired. For avoidance of seed production before winter (with risk of seed persistence due to cold temperatures), herbs and medical plants or lettuce contaminated with S. vulgaris should not be harvested in late summer or autumn. This approach would additionally avoid contamination with S vulgaris with increased PA contents in the harvested product at the end of the season