Characterisation of the National Network of Silos and Granaries in Castilla y León, Spain: A Case Study

[EN] In 1995, Spain’s National Network of Silos and Granaries was divided into a basic network and a secondary network. Of the total storage units identified, 541 are vertical units or silos forming part of the secondary network. Unlike the silos of the basic network, many of the secondary network silos, which were primarily reception units sited near the areas where the grain was grown, have been repurposed. This article describes a methodology developed to inventory silos based on their general features, construction and technological facilities, and its application to the 123 silos in the secondary network in the Spanish region of Castilla y León. The exercise was conducted in conjunction with a socioeconomic analysis of the communities where the silos are located. All the silos studied are located in the most productive areas and close to farms, have small storage capacities and include all but one silo typology, the transition macro-silo. Some are still used for grain storage, whilst others have been converted into multi-purpose warehouses, gymnasiums, community centres or other specialised facilities. Ideas for silo repurposing implemented in other regions of Spain and other countries might well be applied in Castilla y León. In addition, this methodology has proved useful to identify proposals that are viable in the more highly populated communities.S

The Origin and Architectural and Technological Characteristics and Opportunities for the Reuse of Portugal’s EPAC Silo Network

[EN] Portugal’s EPAC (Empresa Pública do Abastecimiento dos Cereais) silo network, initially planned in the 1930s but constructed and utilised primarily in the 1970s, consisted of 31 silos with a total capacity of 841,100 t. The network’s usage declined, however, due to market liberalisation and Portugal’s accession to the European Economic Community in 1985. This study focuses on adapting a methodology to inventory and analyse the 31 silos in the EPAC network, considering their general features, construction, technological facilities, and socioeconomic aspects. The silos are situated in 30 cities and towns, predominantly in the country’s key grain-growing regions, particularly the Alentejo region. While there are variations in design and construction, most EPAC silos contain two or three rows of circular reinforced concrete cells and use the spaces between cells for storage. Their capacities range from 6000 to 35,000 t. Some are inland grain reception and storage silos, while others are larger-capacity port silos designed to unload grain rapidly onto ships using mechanical or pneumatic unloaders. These structures are a significant part of Portugal’s agro-industrial heritage and have, in some cases, been repurposed as museums or event venues. Compared to other agro-industrial buildings, silos pose unique conversion challenges due to their height and design complexities. Examples of successful reuse in countries like Spain and Italy may provide insights for potential silo projects in Portugal. However, analysis suggests that such proposals and similar initiatives may be viable only in the more highly populated towns.S

Delineating vineyard zones by fuzzy K-means algorithm based on grape sampling variables

[EN] This study describes a method for delineating management zones using interpolated maps of grape characteristics recorded in 2013 and 2014 in a Godello vineyard located in the Bierzo Denomination of Origin (León, Northwest Spain). Ten variables were analyzed and recorded for the sampled vines (50 vines/ha). Interpolated maps reflecting each variable and year were created by spatial interpolation (kriging) from the sampled points. Principal component analysis was used to detect relationships between variables and to select the variables to be used to create the cluster classification. Using the fuzzy k-means classification algorithm implemented in the Management Zone Analyst (MZA v.1.0.0) software, several zones were delineated by combining the studied variables. The results delineated 2 different management areas composed of 3 zones each based on winery objectives: (1) to increase grape production (combining the yield for 2013 and 2014); and (2) to improve grape composition (combining the pH for 2013 and 2014).SIThis work was supportedby the Universidad de León, Spain [grant number 2016/00145/001-T102]. The authors acknowledge the assistance of the Bodegas y Viñedos Bergidenses, SAT. suppor

Análisis de la variación temporal de parámetros de calidad de la uva y madera de poda de cuatro variedades de viñedo en la D.O. Bierzo

Conocer la variabilidad de parámetros relacionados con la calidad de uva en un viñedo es fundamental par la producción de vino. Las características ambientales y culturales dentro de una viña son simlares, pero la uva producida difiere en cantidad y calidad. Se han estudiado los parámetros relacionados con la calidad y producción de cuatro variedades de uva a lo largo de tres campañas. Los resultados han mostrado que la variadad Mencía presentó, en general, los valores más elevados en los Coeficientes de Variación para los parámetros de mosto y de madera de poda, y los más bajos para los de baya. Las características del mosto fueron mejores en el año 2009, además, en dicho año se obtuvo mayor producción que los otros años. Las interacciones demuestran que las variedades Mencía y Merlot reaccionan de forma diferente a los estímulos medioambientales

Spain’s national network of silos and granaries: architectural and technological change over time

[EN] Aim of study: To analyse the 670 silos in Spain’s NNSG (National Network of Silos and Granaries), along with the changes in typologies and degree of mechanisation taking place over time. Area of study: Spain. Material and methods: Research began in 2014, collecting NNSG grain storage data across Spain further to the methodology developed by the authors. In a first stage the information was gathered from the FEGA’s general archives in Madrid and the archives of the departments of agriculture in the 13 regions where silos were built. In the second stage of the study, 665 silos were explored in situ. Photographs were taken and information was gathered on their characteristics (general features; architectural features; technological facilities). Main results: This paper discusses the architectural and typological changes taking place over time, from the earliest small, local, richly adorned brick silos to larger, more modern and austere reinforced concrete structures. The machinery with which they are fitted is also addressed, with the progression from basic grain storage to more sophisticated equipment designed to clean, refrigerate or disinfect the grain. Some facilities were used exclusively to select and condition seed for subsequent sowing. The most modern structures, known as macrosilos, are highly mechanised affairs. Research highlights: Spain’s national network of silos and granaries was 41 years in the building. The inventory of the 665 existing silos identified 20 types or subtypes. Early richly adorned units gradually gave way to more austere, functional structures. The machinery in place in silos varied with type/purpose and period of construction.SIThe authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by the staffs of the general FEGA archives at Madrid and the archives of the regional Departments of Agriculture and city governments throughout Spain where silos are site

Leaf water content estimation by functional linear regression of field spectroscopy data

11 p.Grapevine water status is critical as it affects fruit quality and yield. We assessed the po-tential of field hyperspectral data in estimating leaf water content (Cw) (expressed as equivalent water thickness) in four commercial vineyards of Vitis vinifera L. reflecting four grape varieties (Mencı´a, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo). Two regression models were evaluated and compared: ordinary least squares regression (OLSR) and functional linear regression (FLR). OLSR was used to fit Cw and vegetation indices, whereas FLR considered reflectance in four spectral ranges centred at the 960, 1190, 1465 and 2035 nm wavelengths. The best parameters for the FLR model were determined using cross-validation. Both models were compared using the coefficient of determination (R2) and percentage root mean squared error (%RMSE). FLR using continuous stretches of the spectrum as input produced more suitable Cw models than the vegetation indices, considering both the fit and degree of adjustment and the interpretation of the model. The best model was obtained using FLR in the range centred at 1465 nm (R2 ¼ 0.70 and %RMSE ¼ 8.485). The results depended on grape variety but also suggested that leaf Cw can be predicted on the basis of spectral signature.S

Influencia de la técnica de siembra en los daños producidos por la mosca de los sembrados (Delia platura [Meigen] en la alubia (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

El establecimiento de la alubia se ve afectado, entre otras causas, por los ataques de la mosca de los sembrados. Este trabajo se realizó en 1997 con un diseño de parcelas subdivididas, en el que el factor principal fue la variedad, el secundario fue el sistema de aplicación de fitosanitarios para la protección de la semilla y el terciario fue la técnica de siembra. Se observaron diferencias altamente significativas entre variedades y entre tratamientos y significativas entre técnicas de siembra; así como interacción significativa entre aplicación de fitosanitarios y técnica de siembra

Short communication. Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to soil zinc application

The response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to Zn nutrition was studied in pot experiments under natural conditions using four acid soils of northwest Spain during 2007 and 2008. Five concentrations of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg Zn pot�1) were added to the pots as Zn chelate. Chickpea responded to the soil Zn applications and there were highly significant differences between soils. At maturity plants fertilized with Zn had greater total dry matter production mainly due to increments in pods weight. The lowest yield (2.65 g plant�1) was obtained from 0 mg Zn pot�1, while the highest yield (3.52 g plant�1) was recorded at 4 mg Zn pot�1. The increased yields in Zn applied plants was the result of increased number of pods per plant. Furthermore, this yield component was closely correlated with the seed yield.Se estudió la respuesta del garbanzo cultivado en macetas al aire libre a las aplicaciones de Zn usando cuatro suelos del noroeste de España durante 2007 y 2008. Cinco concentraciones de Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 y 8 mg Zn maceta�1) fueron añadidas a las macetas. El garbanzo respondió a las aplicaciones de Zn al suelo, existiendo diferencias altamente significativas entre los suelos. A la madurez, las plantas de las macetas fertilizadas con Zn tenían una mayor producción total, principalmente por el incremento del peso seco de las vainas. El menor rendimiento (2,65 g planta�1) se obtuvo en las macetas con 0 mg Zn maceta�1, mientras que el mayor rendimiento (3,52 g planta�1) se alcanzó con 4 mg Zn planta�1. El incremento del número de vainas por planta fue el responsable del incremento de rendimiento. El número de vainas por planta fue el componente del rendimiento más directamente correlacionado con el rendimiento en semilla por planta

Response of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) yield to zinc, boron and molybdenum application under pot conditions

Spain is the main chickpea (Cicer arietinum) producing country in Europe, despite there are few studies on micronutrient application to chickpea. The response of chickpea to the applications of Zn, B and Mo was studied in pot experiments with natural conditions and acidic soils in northwest Spain from 2006 to 2008 following a factorial statistical pattern (5 × 2 × 2) with three replicates. Five concentrations of Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mg Zn pot�1), two concentrations of B (0 and 2 mg B pot�1), and two concentrations of Mo (0 and 2 mg Mo pot�1) were added to the pots. Chickpea responded to the Zn, B and Mo applications. There were differences between soils. The mature plants fertilized with Zn, with B and with Mo had a greater total dry matter production. Harvest Index (HI) improved with the Zn application and with the Mo application. The highest HI was obtained with the Zn4× B2 × Mo2 treatment (60.30%) while the smallest HI was obtained with the Zn0 × B0 × Mo0 treatment (47.65%). The Zn, B and Mo applications improved seed yield, mainly due to the number of pods per plant. This was the yield component that had the most influence on, and the most correlation with seed yield. The highest seed yield was obtained from the Zn4 × B2 × Mo2 treatment (4.00 g plant�1) while the lowest was obtained from the Zn0 × B0 × Mo0 treatment (2.31 g plant�1). There was a low interaction between the three micronutrients. The Zn application was more efficient when it was applied with both B and Mo.España es el principal productor de garbanzo en Europa, pese a ello hay pocos estudios sobre la aplicación de micronutrientes. Se estudió desde 2006 a 2008 la respuesta del garbanzo cultivado en macetas al aire libre a las aplicaciones de Zn, B y Mo, usando tres suelos ácidos, según un diseño factorial (5 × 2 × 2) con tres repeticiones. Cinco concentraciones de Zn (0, 1, 2, 4 y 8 mg Zn maceta�1), dos de B (0 y 2 mg B maceta�1) y dos de Mo (0 y 2 mg Mo maceta�1) fueron añadidas a las macetas. El garbanzo respondió a las aplicaciones de Zn, de B y de Mo, existiendo diferencias entre suelos. En la madurez, las plantas fertilizadas con Zn, B y Mo tuvieron mayor producción de materia seca. El índice de cosecha (IC) mejoró con la aplicación de Zn y de Mo. El IC más alto se obtuvo con el tratamiento Zn4 ×B2 ×Mo2 (60,30%) y el IC más bajo con el tratamiento Zn0 × B0 ×Mo0 (47,65%). Las aplicaciones de Zn, de B y de Mo mejoraron el rendimiento de semilla, principalmente debido al número de vainas por planta, componente del rendimiento más influyente y más estrechamente correlacionado con el rendimiento. El rendimiento más alto se obtuvo con el tratamiento Zn4 × B2 ×Mo2 (4,00 g planta�1) y el más bajo con el tratamiento Zn0 × B0 ×Mo0 (2,31 g planta�1). Existió una interacción poco significativa entre los tres micronutrientes, siendo la aplicación de Zn más eficaz cuando se aplicó con B y Mo

Effect of different times and techniques of molybdenum applicationon chickpea (Cicer arietinum) growth and yield

Molybdenum (Mo) plays an important role in increasing chickpea yield. In 2009, we studied the effects of different Mo application times and techniques on the response of the Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum) to Mo nutrition. Pot experiments were conducted under natural conditions using two different soils from northwest Spain and following a factorial statistical pattern (7 × 2) with six replicates for each soil. A treatment of 2 mg Mo pot�1 was added to the pots at six different moments, 1 to 6 weeks after emergence (WAE), using two different application techniques (soil and foliar). Both growth and yield were affected by Mo application, but yield was more affected than total dry matter. The response was greater in the medium acid soil than in the neutral-slightly basic soil. At maturity, plants fertilized at 4 WAE produced a greater seed yield, mainly due to an increase in the number of pods per plant. Foliar Mo application was more effective, and soil Mo application should be carried out earlier in the cycle. An interaction was found between time and technique of Mo application, with the highest yield being obtained when Mo was applied at 4 WAE using foliar fertilizatio