Response of maize to liming and ameliorative phosphorus fertilization

The field experiment of liming (0 and 10 t ha -1 of powdered hydrated lime) and phosphorus (P) fertilization (monoammonium phosphate or MAP: 12% N + 52% P 2 O 5 ) started in autumn 2008 on acid soil of Laktasi municipality (Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Three doses of P (0, 500, 1000 and 1500 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) on ordinary fertilization were applied. The experiment was conducted in four replicates. Basic plots of liming and P fertilization were 640 m 2 and 40 m 2 , respectively. Maize was grown in monoculture. Under drought stress of 2011 and 2012 yields were considerably lower (mean 3.86 t ha -1 ) than in the remaining two years (mean 9.20 t ha -1 ). As affected by drought and high air-temperature, particularly in August, the 2012 growing season was especially unfavorable for maize growth because mean yield in the experiment was only 2.06 t ha -1 or 22% of yield realized in the 2010 growing season. As affected by liming yield of maize was increased by 31% (4-year mean), while P effect was considerably lower (6.14 and 6.65 t ha -1 , for the control and average of ameliorative P treatments, respectively

Response of maize and wheat to fertdolomite application

Granulated dolomite enriched with NPK (trade name fertdolomite: 24.0% CaO + 16.0% MgO + 3.0% N + 2.5% P2O5 + 3.0% K2O) was applied ( 0, 5 t ha-1, 10 t ha-1, 20 t ha-1, 30 t ha-1 and 40 t ha-1) on standard fertilization. The field experiment was established in spring 2008. In the next years only standard fertilization was applied. In this study results of 3-year investigations (2011 -2013) were tested (rotation: maize – wheat – maize). Maize yields on the control were 10.84 and 10.04 t ha-1, for 2011 and 2013, respectively. Maize in the 2011 responded to fertdolomite up to quantity of 10 t ha-1 by significant yield increases up to 9%, while by the rates 30 and 40 t ha-1 yields were decreased up to 14%. However, in the 2013 effective (up to 17% yield increases) were 20 t ha-1 and the higher doses. As affected by application of 20 t ha-1 and the higher doses of fertdolomite four years ago, yields of wheat in 2012 were decreased compared to the control for 7% (7.47 and 6.96 t ha-1, respectively). Possible explanation of this phenomenon could be too high ears densities (871 vs. 982 ears square m-1) under the highest fertdolomite conditions and water deficit in tillering and stem elongation phases of wheat. Thousand grain weight, hectoliter mass and starch contents were independent on fertdolomite. However, protein-, wet gluten contents and sedimentation in wheat grain were considerably increased as affected by fertdolomite application as follows: 13.8% and 15.7% (protein), 33.5% and 38.1% (wet gluten), 46.5 and 58.1% (sedimentation value), for the control and the highest fertolomite rate, respectively

Response of soybean and barley to Fertdolomite application on acid soil

The stationary field experiment with the application of granulated dolomite (MgCO3 x CaCO3) enriched with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (Fertdolomite: 24.0 % CaO + 16.0 % MgO + 3.0 % N + 2.5 % P2O5 + 3.0 % K2O) in rates 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1 on standard fertilization was started on 13th November 2007 on the acid soil (pH in 1n KCl: 3.90). The trial was conducted by randomized block design in four replicates (basic plot 40 m2). Standard fertilization of trial was applied in the next years for crops in rotation. In this study the response of soybean (2010) and winter barley (2012/2013) was shown. The average grain yield of soybean was 4830 kg ha-1 with variation among the treatments ranging from 4341 to 5361 kg ha-1. At the rates 10 t ha-1 and 20 t ha-1 soybean yields were significant increased for 8% and 16%, respectively and additionally by 6% at the highest rate of fertolomite. Fertdolomite had a moderate positive effect on protein contents in grain, while oil content was independent on the treatments. The average grain yield of barley was quite low (3630 kg ha-1), mainly due to low ears density (average 493 per m2) which was affected by oversupplies of precipitation in winter period under less permeable soil conditions. Extreme variations of precipitation regime are in connection with climatic change. Due to the application of 10 and 20 t ha-1 of Fertdolomite, yields of barley were significantly increased by 20% and 34%,respectively. However, the rates of 40 t ha-1 showed a non-significant difference of the barley yield as compared to the control level. The ear densities were significantly increased by application ≥ 10 t ha-1 Fertdolomite rates. Improvement of soil status by liming, adequate fertilization and similar managements contribute to the alleviation of detrimental effects of soil limitations and recent climate change on field crop yields

Development of soft commodity derivative market in function of the risk management in CEE

This aim of this paper is to analyse possibilities and potential effects of soft commodity derivative market on the development of risk management practice within the CEE. Agricultural producers and other participants in the soft commodity market in CEE are lacking local commodity market. As a consequence, they are relying on hedging strategies on remote derivative markets that results in basis risk. The local soft commodity derivative market with delivery in CEE ports could significantly improve the risk management practice. One of the most important barriers in developing commodity derivatives market is market liquidity. Joint commodity market between different commodity exchanges in the CEE could lead to increase of necessary liquidity. Attempts to develop commodity derivative markets in individual countries within the region were proven to be inefficient lacking the volume of trade. Methodology used in this paper is based on relevant literature review, consultation with experts in commodity tradeand market participants and descriptive statistics applied in order to determine grain price volatility. Results of the research indicate that grain price volatility is high causing the need for application of hedging strategies at the commodity exchanges markets. Second, new EU common regulative is providing improved framework for joint commodity exchange clearing by single clearinghouse. Established market with delivery on Black See ports is of special importance for regional stakeholders

Environmental and hereditary effects in plant nutrition: our collaboration with RISSAC Budapest

Imre Kádár (29th July 1943 - 1st March 2018), a world renowned retired scientist in the field of agrochemistry and plant nutrition from the Research Institute of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry (RISSAC) of the Hungarian Academy of Science (HAS) in Budapest, passed away suddenly in March 2018. Our collaboration has about a 30 year-long tradition. Intensive collaboration started in connection with the beginning of the Homeland war in Croatia (1991-1995). Imre’s broad -minded soul was shown by his offer to make plant and soil analyses in RISSAC agrochemical laboratory for a price covering only the costs of chemicals and sample preparing. He made the offer after visiting Osijek and witnessing the total destruction of lecture rooms in the new building of Faculty and Institute, located on the southern outskirts of Osijek, and distanced only 0.5 km from the frontline. Until the end of 2012, we recorded about 6000 plant and soil samples for elemental analyses sent from the Faculty of Agriculture and Agricultural Institute Osijek to RISSAC Budapest. The outcome of this collaboration is numerous scientific and review articles. Until the end of 2016, Imre was included in 51 scientific, review articles and abstracts in total. Topics of our common articles can be divided into three parts: fertilization and liming effects on soil and plants, heavy metals and harmful elements in soil and plants, and hereditary impacts in maize nutrition. There is still unpublished data from the analyses made in RISSAC. We hope that, in the near future, some of the articles will be published including Imre in our team. Imre may have passed away, but his soul remains with us until our last breath. His rich legacy of development of environmental and genetic aspects of plant nutrition at the Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek and Agricultural Institute Osijek will be inspirational for many generations to come

Assessment of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in the Early Phase of Infection With SARS-CoV-2 Virus

BackgroundWe are facing the outburst of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) defined as a serious, multisystem, disorder, including various neurological manifestations in its presentation. So far, autonomic dysfunction (AD) has not been reported in patients with COVID-19 infection.AimAssessment of AD in the early phase of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 virus).Patients and methodsWe analyzed 116 PCR positive COVID-19 patients. After the exclusion of 41 patients with associate diseases (CADG), partitioned to patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and syncope, the remaining patients were included into a severe group (45 patients with confirmed interstitial pneumonia) and mild group (30 patients). Basic cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CART) were performed, followed by beat-to-beat heart rate variability (HRV) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (BPV) analysis, along with baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS). Non-linear analysis of HRV was provided by Poincare Plot. Results were compared to 77 sex and age-matched controls.ResultsAD (sympathetic, parasympathetic, or both) in our study has been revealed in 51.5% of severe, 78.0% of mild COVID-19 patients, and the difference compared to healthy controls was significant (p = 0.018). Orthostatic hypotension has been established in 33.0% COVID-19 patients compared to 2.6% controls (p = 0.001). Most of the spectral parameters of HRV and BPV confirmed AD, most prominent in the severe COVID-19 group. BRS was significantly lower in all patients (severe, mild, CADG), indicating significant sudden cardiac death risk.ConclusionCardiovascular autonomic neuropathy should be taken into account in COVID-19 patients’ assessment. It can be an explanation for a variety of registered manifestations, enabling a comprehensive diagnostic approach and further treatment

RESPONSE OF MALTING WINTER BARLEY TO AMELIORATIVE NPK-FERTILIZATION

Abstract: Barley covering about 7 % of arable lands in INTRODUCTION Wheat and barley are main small grain field crops in Croatia. In the 3-year period (means 2005-2007) wheat covered close to 20 % (165721 ha/ year) and barley 7 % (56157 ha/ year) ha of arable lands of the country. Mean yields of barley for the three-year period 2005-2007 was 3.56 t/ha with variation among the year from 3.23 to 3.82 t/ha. Close to 50% of barley growing areas have been distributed in the Eastern Croatia region which covering about 22% of the state territor

Response of barley to ameliorative fertilization

Winter barley were grown under field conditions during the 2004 growing season and residual influences of liming with carbocalk (waste of sugar factory) and phosphorus fertilization with MAP (monoammonium phosphate) were tested. By using the lowest lime rate (15 t ha −1 ) barley yield was increased by 30%. Overliming (90 t ha −1 ) resulted by significant yield decreases in comparison with application 15 and 30 t of lime. Using of 45 and more lime per hectare protein contents was significantly increased. In general, liming considerably influenced on grain composition of barley. For example, by application of the lowest lime rate, grain P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mo and Na significantly increased in comparison with the control. Differences of grain composition among lime treatments were mainly non-significant. Ameliorative P fertilization significantly increased grain yields of barley up to 25% in comparison with the control. In general, grain composition differences among applied treatments were mainly non-significant because significant differences only for P and Mn (increasing trend due to P application) as well as for Zn and Mo (decreasing trend) were found