Quality parametres of emmer wheat landraces

Emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccum SCHUEBL, is an old variety of cereals which has been traditionally grown in aride areas. Nowdays, it is mainly grown in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria and in the Czech republic. This article deals with a study of quality parametres and selected economic parametres of 6 varieties coming from the genetic resources of emmer wheat. High crude protein content in grain was proved during the trials. Nevertheless, such a characteristic is not suitable for the classical bakery processing (production of leavened products). Low figure of the harvest index is supposed to be the most problematic economic character. However, emmer wheat is a suitable variety for organic farming system. Growing of emmer wheat contributes to an extension of the agrobiodiversity in the countryside and to the suistainable development of a region

Baking Quality of Winter Wheat Varieties in Organic Farming

The technological value of wheat is negatively influenced by organic methods of cultivation. The critical factor is the crude protein content and quality. The aim of this paper is to identify diferences in the quality of eight varieties and two strains of wheat recommended in conventional or organic conditions. Correlation analysis of the qualitative parameters of wheat shows a clear relationship between crude protein content, wet gluten content and Zeleny - sedimentation value. According to the test results, it is appropriate to use the content and quality of protein as selective criteria for the selection of varieties. The Level of baking quality is never reduced below the quality level of the worstquality varieties grown in the same conditions. On the other hand, the best quality varieties provide grains characterized by better baking quality, but lower yield level, than the others

Ancient Wheat Species Can Extend Biodiversity of Cultivated Crops

Wheat genetic resources may be grown in organic farming systems or in less favourable areas for bread wheat species. Characteristics of hulled wheat species (23 varieties of einkorn, emmer wheat, spelt wheat) were studied and evaluated within a two-year trial period (which was executed on certified organic fields) and they were compared to characteristics of landraces and modern bread wheat varieties. The main aim of our study was to evaluate the potential uses of genetic resources of wheat in organic farming. The hulled wheat species were resistant to mildew and brown rust. Their grains were less contaminated with DON than the grains of the control varieties. The grain yield rate was reduced. Per hectare crude protein yield was higher in spelt and emmer wheat species than in the control varieties. High protein proportion in grain was an important advantage of the hulled wheat species. Spelt wheat is suitable for production of products similar to bread wheat (they have similar technological qualities). Einkorn and emmer wheat contain worse-quality gluten and therefore are suitable for the production of unyeasty products, that is pasta, mush, traditional unyeasty bread, etc

Perennial grasslands and agroenvironmental programme effects

Farming on grasslands is an important part of organic faming. There is a perceptible trend of increasing acreages of grasslands in organic farming in the Czech republic too. Adjustment of subventions has an inconsiderable influence on this trend. Subventions should be balanced in a sufficient measure for supporting of organic farming in all directions, nevertheless in current situation the increasing of acreage of grasslands is too strong and share of grasslands in organic farming is too high. It provokes a degradation of production function of organic farming and insufficient utilization of arable land. This article is focused on the analysis of farming of selective file of farms with accent on farming on grasslands and use of the agroenvironmental programmes

Distribution and use of grasslands in the Czech Republic and biodiversity of invertebrates

In the Czech Republic the major focus of organic farming lies in permanent grasslands management. Animal production is mostly focused on non-milk pasture beef-raising on almost the whole farm area. By contrast conventional farms do not grass sufficiently, even in areas with higher elevation. This fact is influenced by subvention programmes motivating farmers to fulfil the agroenvironmental function of agriculture using grassing, however there is no support for agriculture on arable land. Permanent grasslands are predominantly used for beef grazing. Large areas are harvested too, which affects biodiverzity. Grasslands utilized for pasture are rich in biodiversity which enhance ecosystem services. The effect of grassland management on the different taxa and assamblages is discussed. This work is focused on permanent grasslands utilization and distribution and invertebrate abundance

Spike productivity in relation to yield as criterion for emmer wheat breeding

Landraces, which are unbred cereal species, and include in particular the tetraploid emmer wheat, have become an important focus for the activities of local or organic farmers, processors and consumers of organic products. This study is based on analyses of the spike productivity, harvest index and grain yield of six emmer wheat landraces. It aims to find suitable criteria for the selection of cultivars and varieties which may contribute to the increase in the productivity of the emmer wheat. The cultivars and varieties most commonly used have short dense spikes which have a negative effect on the grain yield, as the spike density is negatively correlated with the weight of thousand grains (TGW), the weight of the grains in the spikes, the number of grains in spikelets and the proportion of hulls to the weight of the grains. Therefore, the selection of cultivars and varieties should focus on material having long lax spikes, and a high TGW, both of which would have a positive effect on the harvest index

Major problems of organic farming – experience transmission

As a very particular agricultural system organic farming encounters many problems. Some of these problems are common to several countries where organic farming is applied. On that ground it might be useful to compare condition and levels of organic farming in more countries, find its common problems and thanks to experience transmission try to eliminate some of these problems preventively. Mutual comparison of organic farming in the Czech Republic with organic farming in Austria and actual conditions assessment provide to determine main problems of organic farming in both countries. Within the framework of analysis of organic farming several general problems of organic farming in both countries were defined, e. g. lower yields and higher costs per production unit or legislative restrictions. At the same time for the Czech republic were defined major problems related to agricultural and socioekonomic differences (e. g. dual characteristics of farm size, high share of imported bioproduction) and for Austria (high prices of bioproducts, lower rate of conversion to organic farming) and proposed suitable solutions based on experience of partnership country. If the number of partnership countries with differentially developed organic farming was broaden and there was defined common problems and aims for organic farming in general it might be a very important step for simplification and acceleration of its development

Emmer wheat using and growing in the Czech Republic

Emmer wheat [(Triticum dicoccum Schrank (Schuebl)] is after bread, durum and spelt wheat further species of wheat used for economic purposes. Organic farmers and producers have become more and more interested in marginal crops such as the tetraploid emmer wheat because of its suitability for organic farming. In spite of its historical role, present distribution of emmer is very limited. The work analyzes the problem of growing possibilities of emmer and its suitability for cultivation in organic farming. In the Czech Republic it is grown only a few farms, but in Austria is more popular now. Possible candidates for the cultivation of emmer has several options about where to obtain a suitable variety. The best option appears to be the choice of legally protected variety Rudico. Another option would be to obtain seed from abroad or multiplication of seed of its own genetic resources. Among important properties of emmer belongs e.g. considerably high resistance to some fungal diseases, which make it advantageous in organic system of growing. Hulled grain requires procedure of peeling. High grain quality, first of all high protein content, predetermines emmer wheat for preparation of healthy dishes in bio quality. The grains are suitable for the production of unyeasted products because of their specific quality. As the emmer wheat is grown especially in the organic farming system, the processing of grains has to respect the individuality of this obsolete cereal species. It may be used for the production of healthy regional food products

Differences in the Morphological Characteristics of the Land Races of the Soft and Emmer Wheat in Relation to the Modern Varieties

For the organic farmers there is important question which varieties of wheat are right for organic farming in Less Favoured Areas. Modern varieties of wheat are bred in the conditions of conventional (high imput) farming. That is why the organic farmers asked about the suitability of land races of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or different species like emmer wheat grown in the past (Triticum dicoccum SCHUEBL). The paper results from the study of fourty land races, two intermediate and ten modern varieties of soft wheat in comparison to ten land races of emmer wheat at two locations in the Czech Republic. We evaluated tuft shape, length of plant, length and width of flag leaf, length and density of spike and awnedness. The modern varieties of soft wheat are characterised by a high level of uniformity. Their tuft shape is erect or semi-erect and length of plant is 60-70 cm, it does not rise the weed competitiveness. On the other hand, they have a medium or long flag leaf whose width is narrow or medium. Length of spike is medium or long. On the other hand, emmer wheat land races have the same tuft shape as forgoing modern varieties. Length of plant (89-119 cm) is the positive aspect of the weed competitiveness. Their flag leaf is narrow, but it is compesated by its length. The spike is shorter than the spike of modern varieties of soft wheat, but it is effectivelly compensated by an increased density. Intermediate wheat land races are characterised by looselly spreading tuft shape which puts the weeds down, but on the other hand, it favours the mildew because of the microclimate of soil. Its flag leaf is very short and narrow. Length of spike is medium and it is lax dense. The group of land races of soft wheat is characterised by a high diversity. The tuft shape is most frequently semi-erect. The length of plant varies from 60 to 120 cm, it usually ranges from 90 to 110 cm. Flag leaf is usually long or very long, but its width is very narrow or narrow. The spike is often long, but lax dense. Some of the evaluated varieties of landraces are proved to be suitable for organic farming from the point of view of the morphological characteristics

Current situations in organic cereal seed offer in the Czech Republic

Organic farmers are obliged, in compliance with the valid legislation, to use seed originating from the organic production when establishing the crop stands. In a survey we found certified organic cereal seed is used on 6 %, conventional untreated seed on 37 %, and farm seed on 57 % (of the organically farmed area in the Czech Republic). The main reasons for that are as follows: the insufficient surface of land intended for the reproduction of organic seed, the low proportion of accepted seed coming from the accepted reproduction surface. Therefore, low-quality farm seed is used on a large proportion of organically farmed land, which has a negative effect on the yield level of the cereals. These observations were also confirmed by results obtained in a farmer survey. Farmers indicated that they are interested in certified organic seed if it is available. However, the sufficient supply and favourable prices are important for them