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

Ultra high diluted arsenic reduces spore germination of Alternaria brassicicola and dark leaf spot in cauliflower

ABSTRACT A major problem in cauliflower crop is the fungus Alternaria brassicicola, which causes dark leaf spot on Brassicaceae family. The current use of copper salts in agriculture is questioned. In fact, these products present some disadvantages, connected mainly with their deposits in the soil and toxicity on plants. This work investigated the effects of arsenic treatments, in ultra high diluted form (UHD), prepared by a process of repeated dilution and succussion (shaking), through: 1) in vitro germination experiments, where spores of A. brassicicola were suspended in the treatments; 2) in planta experiments and 3) a field trial, where cauliflower plants infected by the fungus were sprayed with treatments. The results showed that ultra high dilutions of arsenic (where no more molecules of this substance are present) were effective in all the experiments, inhibiting spore germination by 60.0%, controlling fungal disease in in planta experiments (relative efficacy of 42.1%), and, in field trial, decreasing the mean infection level in cauliflower heads by 45.7% and 41.6% in artificially inoculated and naturally infected plants, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate that ultra high dilutions effectively reduce in vitro spore germination and infection of A. brassicicola in cauliflower plants, both under controlled conditions and in the field. Our research is still very experimental, however, in light of the significant results obtained with ultra-diluted arsenic, and given that its extreme high dilution level precludes any toxicity or accumulation in the environment, the use of UHDs could be considered a potential and reliable approach for sustainable agriculture

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

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

Spatial genetic structure of European wild boar, with inferences on late-Pleistocene and Holocene demographic history

European wildlife has been subjected to intensifying levels of anthropogenic impact throughout the Holocene, yet the main genetic partitioning of many species is thought to still reflect the late-Pleistocene glacial refugia. We analyzed 26,342 nuclear SNPs of 464 wild boar (Sus scrofa) across the European continent to infer demographic history and reassess the genetic consequences of natural and anthropogenic forces. We found that population fragmentation, inbreeding and recent hybridization with domestic pigs have caused the spatial genetic structure to be heterogeneous at the local scale. Underlying local anthropogenic signatures, we found a deep genetic structure in the form of an arch-shaped cline extending from the Dinaric Alps, via Southeastern Europe and the Baltic states, to Western Europe and, finally, to the genetically diverged Iberian peninsula. These findings indicate that, despite considerable anthropogenic influence, the deeper, natural continental structure is still intact. Regarding the glacial refugia, our findings show a weaker signal than generally assumed, but are nevertheless suggestive of two main recolonization routes, with important roles for Southern France and the Balkans. Our results highlight the importance of applying genomic resources and framing genetic results within a species' demographic history and geographic distribution for a better understanding of the complex mixture of underlying processes