Changes in the Soil Microbial Hydrolytic Activity and the Content of Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen by Growing Spring Barley Undersown with Red Clover in Different Farming Systems

The experiments were carried out during 2012–2017. There were 5 crops in rotation: Red clover, winter wheat, pea, potato and barley undersown (us) with red clover. There were 5 cropping systems in the experimental setup: 2 conventional systems with chemical plant protection and mineral fertilizers; 3 organic systems which included winter cover crops and farm manure. The aim of the present research was to study the e_ect of cultivating barley undersown with red clover and the preceding winter cover crop on the soil microbial hydrolytic activity, the change in the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (Ntot) compared to the same parameters from the field that was previously under potato cultivation (forecrop of barley in the rotation). The cultivation of barley with red clover (barley (us)) had a positive impact on the soil micro-organisms activity. In organic systems the soil microbial hydrolytic activity increased on average by 19.0%, compared to the conventional systems. By cultivating barley (us) the soil microbial hydrolytic activity had a significant e_ect on the SOC content only in organic systems where winter cover crops were used. Organic cultivation systems had positive impact on the soil nitrogen content; Ntot in samples taken before sowing the barley (us) was higher by 17.4% and after the cultivation of barley (us) by 14.4% compared to conventional systems, as an average of experimental years. After cultivation of barley (us) with red clover the soil microbial hydrolytic activity had no e_ect on the soil Ntot content in either cultivation systems

Testing microbial inoculants and precrop effect on organic potato in Hungary

ÖMKi takes part in WP3 „Novel agroecosystem management strategies and tools” of the SolACE project, in which we examine the effects of rotation and inoculation treatments on organic potato under a combination of stress conditions. The same experiment is also performed by Agroscope in Switzerland, in a conventional farming system

Potential of line varieties of winter oilseed rape within organic growing technology

Different responses of winter oilseed rape (WOSR) varieties to various growing locality conditions as well as to the intensity of technological inputs are known. Organic grower-need varieties provide sufficient yield even within extensive growing conditions. Ten commonly grown line varieties in the Czech Republic were tested using extensive organic growing technology. These varieties were evaluated for the occurrence of fungal diseases by ripening and seed yield. Some of OSR tested varieties proved to have higher resistance to fungal diseases as well as significantly higher seed yields. Higher resistance against Phoma lingam proved varieties Caracas, Ontario, Liprima, Cando and Manitoba. Higher resistance against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum proved varieties Ontario, Smart and Oponent. The highest yield within a two-year average was produced by the Caracas, Manitoba and Ontario varieties. These varieties are more likely to be recommended for practical organic growing

The effect of pro-ecological procedures and insect foraging on the total content of phenol compounds in winter wheat

In laboratory conditions, the effect of pro-ecological procedures (application of effective microorganisms and Asahi SL biostimulator) and foraging by insects [cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopa L.) and bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi (L.)] on the total content of phenolic compounds in winter wheat, was studied. Correlations between the total content of phenolic compounds (determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method) expressed as the amount of pyrogallol in wheat plants: undamaged, damaged by O. melanopa, damaged by R. padi, the length of feeding scar left by cereal leaf beetle and the number of pricks made by actively feeding insects of bird cherry-oat aphid were analysed. The wheat was treated by EM inoculant and a biostimulator. The mode of application of the preparations used had a significant effect on level the total phenolic compounds in the undamaged wheat and the wheat exposed to foraging by the above-mentioned insects. The plants not exposed to insects foraging contained greater amounts of phenolic compounds than those exposed to the insects. The correlation between the total content of phenols in the wheat damaged by the insects in the ‘no-choice’ conditions, proved insignificant

THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN INPUT ON POLARISED SUGAR PRODUCTION AND QUALITATIVE PARAMETERS OF SUGAR BEET

During 1998-2002, the application of different forms and doses of nitrogen on quantitative (polarised sugar production)and qualitative parameters (digestion, molasses forming components - potassium, sodium and α-amino nitrogen content) of sugar beet in vulnerable zones (Nitrate directive) was studied. Calculated input of nitrogen ranged from 12 kg up to 240 kg N.ha-1. By increasing input of N from FYM application into the soil causes an increases of α- amino nitrogen content in root, which in consequence causes a decreases the sugar content (negative correlation r= -0.8659+). The application of straw instead FYM of analogues treatments caused significant decrease (straw versus FYM) and highly significant decrease (straw plus N fertilizers versus FYM plus N fertilizers) of α-amino nitrogen content in sugar beet root living the productive parameters unchanged. The content of α-amino nitrogen in root of sugar beet indicate an environmentally friendly management practices with causal relation to water protection from nitrate

The profitability of millet cultivation on heavy soils

Between years 2013 and 2015, field treatments with millet variety Biserka was carried out in locality Milhostov, where experimental place of Agroecology Research Institute is situated. Two soil tillage technologies (conventional and reduce tillage) and two fertilization variants (control and soil conditioner PRP SOL) were examined. The economic effectiveness of individual variant of millet growing was evaluated. In experimental years 2013 – 2015 the highest costs (more than 560 € ha-1) were determined for conventional tillage at variant with soil conditioner PRP SOL. The lowest costs, on level 330 € ha-1, was on control variant under reduce tillage. In year 2015 the weather was very severe, which was the cause of the lowest millet yields and so the lowest gains were achieved, too. The highest profitability was determined for control variants under reduce tillage. Lower gains from variants with application of PRP SOL soil conditioner will be compensate in next years, when impact of this conditioner on soil environment will be more significant and will be effected of consecutive crops