Rye (Secale cereale L.) for biogas production – Breeding capability

In den vorliegenden Untersuchungen wurde divergentes Roggenmaterial (Populationssorten mit Körner- und Grünschnittnutzung, Hybriden, aktuelles Zuchtmaterial, Tetraploider Roggen, pflanzengenetische Ressourcen (PGR)) in einem zweijährigen Anbau anhand seiner Biomasseleistung auf seine Eignung zur energetischen Nutzung von Roggen überprüft, die erfassten agronomischen Merkmale wurden auf ihre Relevanz für die Biomasse­bildung beurteilt, verschiedene Schnittzeitpunkte zur Biomassenutzung untersucht und über einen NIRS-Ansatz Aussagen über das Gasbildungsvermögen der untersuchten Roggenformen getroffen. Für die Merkmale Gesamttrockenmasseertrag (GTM-Ertrag) und Biogasausbeute zu zwei Grünschnitt-Zeitpunkten – Mitte Ährenschieben und Milchreife – sowie Kornertrag lagen im untersuchten Material signifikante genotypische Varianzen vor. Bei den Grünschnitten 1 und 2 betrugen die mittleren GTM-Erträge 70,1 und 131,9 dt/ha. Grünschnittroggen-Sorten erwiesen sich im 1. Grünschnitt und Hybriden im 2. Grünschnitt als über­legen, wogegen in der Testkreuzungsleistung beim 2. Grünschnitt mehrere Grünschnittroggen und PGRs sowie eine Populationssorte die höchsten GTM-Erträge zeigten. Bei den Grünschnitten 1 und 2 sowie dem Kornertrag ergaben sich beachtliche Heterosiszuwächse von durchschnittlich 9,3%, 11,6% bzw. 32,3%. Bedeutsame Merkmale für die Biomasseproduktion (Wuchshöhe, Termin Ährenschieben, TS-Gehalt) wurden identifiziert und deren Korrelationen berechnet. Die für das Gasbildungsvermögen wesentlichen Inhaltstoffe konnten mittels NIRS-Untersuchungen quantifiziert und die Biogas­ausbeute rechnerisch bestimmt werden. Korrelationen zwischen dem GTM-Ertrag, der Biogasausbeute und dem Ligningehalt wurden ermittelt. Die Ergebnisse unter­streichen das hohe Biomassepotenzial verschiedener Roggen-Materialgruppen für die Bioenergienutzung.The focal points of the present investigation were to examine the suitability of different rye forms (population varieties with forage grain use, hybrids, current breeding material, tetraploid rye, plant genetic resources) for biomass production, to identify the ideal growing stage for harvesting the biomass of these rye forms, to identify relevant traits for biomass production and to estimate their potential of gas production by NIRS analysis. In a two-year trial, significant genetic variances in both the population per se (pps) performance and the testcross performance were demonstrated for total dry matter (TDM) yield at cutting dates 1 and 2 as well as for grain yield. At cutting dates 1 and 2 the average yields amounted to 70.1 and 131.9 dt/ha TDM, respectively. Forage rye materials were superior with regard to TDM yield at cutting date 1 while forage rye, plant genetic resources and a population variety achieved the highest TDM yield at cutting date 2 in the testcross performance. The heterotic increase averaged a substantial level of 9.3%, 11.6% and 32.3% at cutting dates 1 and 2 and for grain yield, respectively. Traits with high relevance for biomass production were identified (height, date of ear emergence, dry mass content) and correlations were calculated. The biogas production of the rye entries was assessed by quantifying the essential ingredients for biogas production via NIRS. Correlations between the TDM yield, the biogas production and the content of lignin were determined. The high capability of different rye forms for bioenergy recovery was underlined

Chancen und Grenzen der Biofumigation für die Bekämpfung pflanzenparasitärer Nematoden

Biofumigation is considered a promising nematode control alternative. In vitro tests confirmed the high nematicidal properties of isothiocyanates, the driving compounds of biofumigation. Its potential under temperate climate conditions was tested on a commercial farm. The tested biofumigation treatments reduced population densities of Pratylenchus spp. but had little effect on Meloidogyne hapla. The latter was most likely due to the good status of the tested varieties. To further optimize the biofumigation system non-host crops with high concentration of glucosinolates have to be selected

Green manures & cover crops: Advantages & disadvantages (Best4Soil Factsheet)

In general, cover crops have positive effects on soil struc¬ture, soil erosion, reducing nutrient leaching, weed sup¬pression and feeding the soil microbiome. Some species used as cover crops can also fix nutrients (nitrogen by legumes) or make nutrient more available (phosphorus by buckwheat). Used as green manures, they also help to sequester carbon. This tool provides you with the most important thing to consider when using cover crops or green manures in your crop rotation, like choosing the right species mixtures to fit your goals, importance of timing and special benefits. This tool is relevant for all practitioners utilizing, or considering using, cover crops in their crop rotation

Green manures & cover crops: practical information (Best4Soil Factsheet)

Cover crops and green manures are grown with no inten¬tion of harvesting their biomass, either partly or completely, at the end of the cropping season. The difference between these two types of crops is their final use. The above-ground part of green manures is incorporated into the soil at the end of the growing period with the aim of returning accumulated nutrients (e.g., nitrogen) or useful secondary metabolites (e.g., glucosinolates) to the soil. Cover crops are grown for different reasons, such as to reduce leaching of nutrients (e.g., nitrate, then also designated as catch crops), avoid erosion, improve soil structure or suppress weeds. A combined use is also possible, a crop can serve first as cover crop (e.g., for weed control) and then be incorporated as green manure (e.g., for nutrient input). This factsheet explains the power of these crops to control nematodes and provide some potential cover crops species (especially those fast-growing). The information contained in this tool is relevant for any practitioner working, or considering working with, cover crops and/or green manures

Green manures & cover crops: practical information (Best4Soil Video)

Cover crops and green manures are grown with no inten¬tion of harvesting their biomass, either partly or completely, at the end of the cropping season. The difference between these two types of crops is their final use. The above-ground part of green manures is incorporated into the soil at the end of the growing period with the aim of returning accumulated nutrients (e.g., nitrogen) or useful secondary metabolites (e.g., glucosinolates) to the soil. Cover crops are grown for different reasons, such as to reduce leaching of nutrients (e.g., nitrate, then also designated as catch crops), avoid erosion, improve soil structure or suppress weeds. A combined use is also possible, a crop can serve first as cover crop (e.g., for weed control) and then be incorporated as green manure (e.g., for nutrient input). This video explains the power of these crops to control nematodes and provide some potential cover crops species (especially those fast-growing). The information contained in this tool is relevant for any practitioner working, or considering working with, cover crops and/or green manures