Guidelines on extending on-going experiments with additional measurements to support crop modelling – Field experimental protocol

The input data necessary for crop model simulations and data for their calibration/validation (and thus requirements for observations and measurements in suitable experiments) are listed. A list of possible seasonal observations/measurements that could be carried out in existing experiments to increase their potential for crop modelling studies is also provided. The general methodology suitable to be used is outlined, but in all cases the selected method depends strongly on the experimental set-up and facilities/instruments at the disposal of the experimentalists. Such methodologies needs to be documented and preferably benchmarked against standard methods.

Small engine combusting alcohol fuels

katedra: KVM; přílohy: 1 CD; rozsah: 56 s. (51 949 znaků)The thesis deals with general area of using alcohol fuels in combustion engines. The aim of the thesis is theoretical and experimental investigation of possibilities of small combustion engines operating with butanol and blends of butanol and gasoline of various concentrations. Further it describes startability of engine at low temperatures and examines the compatibility of alcohol fuels and materials used in the engine.Diplomová práce se zabývá obecnou problematikou použití alkoholových paliv v zážehových motorech. Cílem práce je teoretické a experimentální vyšetření možnosti provozu malých spalovacích motorů na butanol a směsi butanolu s benzínem různých koncentrací. Dále je popsána startovatelnost motoru za nízkých teplot a zkoumána kompatibilita alkoholových paliv s materiály použitými v motor

Cross-sectoral and trans-national interactions in national-scale climate change impacts assessment—the case of the Czech Republic

Assessing the combined impacts of future climate and socio-economic change at the country level is vital for supporting national adaptation policies. Here, we use a novel modelling approach to study the systemic impacts of climate and socio-economic changes on the Czech Republic, taking account of cross-sectoral interactions between agriculture, water, forestry, land-use and biodiversity, and, for the first time, trans-national interactions. We evaluate the national-level baseline results, scenario-neutral model sensitivities, and climate and socio-economic scenario impacts using a European-scale integrated modelling tool. Consistently across most climate and socio-economic scenarios, the Czech Republic is projected to have increasing importance as a crop-growing region in Europe, due to an increased competitive advantage within the continent. Arable land in the Czech Republic expands, at the expense of livestock farming and forestry, with associated impacts of increased water scarcity and reduced biodiversity for the country. Accounting for trans-national interactions in national-scale assessments provides more realistic assessments of impacts and helps to identify the changing role of the country within its regional and continental domain. Such improved understanding can support policy-makers in developing national adaptation actions that reduce adverse impacts and realise opportunities

Trends in Air Temperature and Precipitation in Southeastern Czech Republic, 1961-2020

This study presents a summary of sixty years of air temperature and precipitation measurements at the Žabčice weather station, located in the southeastern Czech Republic and operated by Mendel University in Brno. An instrumental dataset spanning two climatological normal periods (1961-1990 and newly established 1991-2020) is analyzed for long term linear trends with monthly data presented in full span in Appendices. In the new climate normal period, the mean annual temperature increased from 9.3 oC to 10.3 oC with growing trend of 0.34 oC/10 years (p < 0.001). Every calendar month of year is warmer, with the highest and fastest increase in August (+2.0 oC, 0.64 oC/10 years, p < 0.001) and the lowest in October (+0.2 oC). Annual precipitation sum increased negligibly (+11.1 mm), however, the quarterly distribution significantly changes towards drier second quarter (-22.9 mm, p < 0.05) and wetter third quarter (+37.1 mm, p < 0.05). Number of tropical days (maximum daily air temperature > 30 oC) significantly increased (+4.44/10 years, p < 0.001), whereas number of frost days is negligibly decreasing (-0.88/10 years). Temperature derived Huglin index for vineyards increased by 369 oC to a seasonal sum 2062 oC (+84 oC/10 years, p < 0.001). This study provides evidence of the rate of changing climate at this southern Moravia lowland site.O

Úprava malého zážehového motoru pro provoz na alkoholová paliva

Most of the effort to decrease dependency on fossil fuels is taking place in vehicular applications. There are relatively few studies aimed to investigate possibilities and results of usage of alternative, mainly alcohol-based, fuels in small engines used for propulsion of small garden machinery. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of alcohol fuels, n-buthanol and E85, on the operation of small spark ignition engine without any modification and with simple carburetor modification. The test results of an unmodified engine show a remarkable mixture enleanment with increasing alcohol share accompanied by decrease in maximum torque, limitation of stable engine regimes, increased nitrogen oxides production and lowered production of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Simple carburetor modification suppressed all the above mentioned negative impacts and thus allowed combustion of selected alcohol fuels

Description of the compiled experimental data available in the MACSUR CropM database

The input data necessary for crop model simulations and data for their calibration/validation (and thus requirements for observations and measurements in suitable experiments) have been collected through out the project together with data for additional analysis of abiotic factors influencing yields. A list of possible dataset was collated in the first year of project however very few of the existing datasets were found usable for the crop model simulation as they fell short of the requirements defined in the part 2.3. However database has been populated as planned with the results of the ongoing MACSUR studies and will serve in the same way for the MACSUR 2 duration

Adverse weather conditions for UK wheat production under climate change

Winter wheat is an important crop in the UK, suited to the typical weather conditions in the current climate. In a changing climate the increased frequency and severity of adverse weather events, which are often localised, are considered a major threat to wheat production. In the present study we assessed a range of adverse weather conditions, which can significantly affect yield, under current and future climates based on adverse weather indices. We analysed changes in the frequency, magnitude and spatial patterns of 10 adverse weather indices, at 25 sites across the UK, using climate scenarios from the CMIP5 ensemble of global climate models (GCMs) and two greenhouse gas emissions (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). The future UK climate is expected to remain favourable for wheat production, with most adverse weather indicators reducing in magnitude by the mid-21st 17 century. Hotter and drier summers would improve sowing and harvesting conditions and reduce the risk of lodging. The probability of late frosts and heat stress during reproductive and grain filling periods would likely remain small in 2050. Wetter winter and spring could cause issues with waterlogging. The severity of drought stress during reproduction would generally be lower in 2050, however localised differences suggest it is important to examine drought at a small spatial scale. Prolonged water stress does not increase considerably in the UK, as may be expected in other parts of Europe. Climate projections based on the CMIP5 ensemble reveal considerable uncertainty in the magnitude of adverse weather conditions including waterlogging, drought and water stress. The variation in adverse weather conditions due to GCMs was generally greater than between emissions scenarios. Accordingly, CMIP5 ensembles should be used in the assessment of adverse weather conditions for crop production to indicate the full range of possible impacts, which a limited number of GCMs may not provide

Predicted climate change will increase the truffle cultivation potential in central Europe.

Climate change affects the distribution of many species, including Burgundy and Périgord truffles in central and southern Europe, respectively. The cultivation potential of these high-prized cash crops under future warming, however, remains highly uncertain. Here we perform a literature review to define the ecological requirements for the growth of both truffle species. This information is used to develop niche models, and to estimate their cultivation potential in the Czech Republic under current (2020) and future (2050) climate conditions. The Burgundy truffle is already highly suitable for cultivation on ~ 14% of agricultural land in the Czech Republic (8486 km2), whereas only ~ 8% of the warmest part of southern Moravia are currently characterised by a low suitability for Périgord truffles (6418 km2). Though rising temperatures under RCP8.5 will reduce the highly suitable cultivation areas by 7%, the 250 km2 (3%) expansion under low-emission scenarios will stimulate Burgundy truffles to benefit from future warming. Doubling the moderate and expanding the highly suitable land by 352 km2 in 2050, the overall cultivation potential for Périgord truffles will rise substantially. Our findings suggest that Burgundy and Périgord truffles could become important high-value crops for many regions in central Europe with alkaline soils. Although associated with uncertainty, long-term investments in truffle cultivation could generate a wide range of ecological and economic benefits