Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica Online (Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra)
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Compost mulch no-tillage systems in organic vegetable production
Get PDFWith growing agricultural demands from both conventional and organic systems comes the need for sustainable practices to ensure long-term productivity. In Hungary small scale vegetable growers face challenges in producing their crops due to the lack of effective weed control practices and viable methods of sustainable soil fertility management based on local or regional soil amendment resources. There is a demand for cultural practices that reduce hand labor requirements and black plastic mulches whereas long-term productivity is held or increased. To identify effective alternative weed control and soil fertility management options for the management of intensive organic vegetable systems, our research focuses on the evaluation of compost and paper mulches, in conjunction with reduced-tillage practices. In 2015 determinate tomato (cv. Roma) is grown in five different soil treatments using yard waste compost (YWC) mulch and combination of YWC and paper mulch (PM) plus bare ground control under intensive and reduced tillage variants to evaluate their effectiveness on organic tomato marketable yield and weed suppression. Since most organic tomatoes at present are grown on small acreage in Hungary, and are direct-marketed, the application of organic mulches can be assumed financially feasible. Our results will show if the combination of organic mulching materials together with reduced tillage may be a viable option for organic vegetable growers.Keywords: alternative weed control, compost, compost mulch, paper mulch, organic, no tillage, vegetable, tomat
Weed infestation of maize grown in sustainable farming systems
Get PDFThe main aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and development of weed species in maize grown in sustainable farming systems. The work deals with the impact of climate variables (temperature and precipitation) on the actual weed infestation of maize in the period of 2012–2014; the dynamics of occurrence of individual weed species in ecological and integrated farming systems; the effect of fertilizers and year of growing on incidence of weed species in maize. The specific conclusions and recommendations for the implementation of integrated and ecological farming system in practice were drawn from the results. The dynamics of occurrence of individual weed species of maize was different in ecological and integrated farming systems. The most important weed species for maize crop were: Amaranthus retroflexus, Chenopodium album, Persicaria lapathifolia, Echinochloa crus galli and Cirsium arvense. There was significant difference between fertilizers and no fertilizers variants in integrated farming system during spring. Manure did not affect actual weed infestation in ecological farming system. Effectiveness of herbicides in integrated farming system and effectiveness of inter-row weeding in ecological farming system were analyzed in this study. In applying prevention, direct and indirect measures of weed regulation are environmentally friendly and fully integrated viable in the cultivation of maize.Keywords: weed infestation, maize, organic farming syste
Changes of locomotion activity in the Holstein dairy cows during estrus
No full textThe objective of this study was the evaluation of the locomotion activity in heifers and Holstein dairy cows during estrus. We have analysed the locomotion activity using the Heatime RuminAct device on 99 dams (68 dairy cows and 31 heifers) and we evaluated a total of 213 estrus cycles during the reference period of 3 days before estrus, 3 days after estrus and on the day of the estrus occurrence. The data was analysed using the DataFlowTM II program. The locomotion of cows was expressed in the units of locomotion activity in 24 hours (u/24h). During the reference period, 3 days before estrus the cows showed locomotion activity 602.7 u/24h, with an increase in the locomotion activity on the day of estrus of 876 u/24h and during the reference period 3 days after estrus the level of locomotion activity decreased to 566 u/24h, what is the similar locomotion activity to the reference period before estrus
Emmer wheat – Production parameters
Get PDFThe objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of growing season and variety on quantitative parameters (the total number of stems per m2 (pcs), the number of productive tillers per m2 (pcs), the average length of the stem and spike (cm), the number of fertile spikelets (pcs), the number of grains per spike (pcs), weight of grains per spike (g), the weight of thousand grains (g), the share of glumes (%), harvest index, the theoretical yield (t ha-1) of four emmer wheat varieties (Agnone, Farvento, Guardiaregia, Molise sel Colli) grown under the conditions of organic farming in the south of Slovakia. The experiment was established on Scientific Research Base Dolna Malanta near Nitra during 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 growing seasons. Seven quantitative parameters were significantly influenced by the weather conditions. Tasted varieties showed lower influence on quantitative parameters. Only four out of twelve parameters were influenced by the variety. The best adaptable emmer wheat varieties to growing conditions of the south region of the Slovak Republic were Agnone and Guardiaregia which were characterized by the highest theoretical yield and other parameters. Emmer wheat is suitable, advantageous and profitable crop when cultivated under conditions of organic agriculture from the point of its agronomic characters.Keywords: emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccon Schrank, organic production, quantitative parameter
Analytical methods in dairy cows nutrition and their application in creation of production health
Get PDFReceived: 2015-07-14 | Accepted: 2015-11-24 | Available online: 2016-03-24dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2016.19.01.07-10The effect of quantity of nutrients on rumen fermentation and the level of metabolic markers in blood serum were simultaneously analysed in groups of dairy cows 21 days before and 21 days after parturition with aim to diagnose disorders in milk production in the transition period of dairy cows. Results of analysis of health disorders confirmed the following: low energy concentration in the diet insufficiently saturated with fibrous carbohydrates, followed with rapid change to concentrate type of diet after delivery resulted in insufficient adaptation of the rumen metabolism before and after rapid transition to production feeding rations after calving; the level indicative of acidification of the rumen environment. Investigation of intermediary metabolism confirmed pre- and post-partum lipomobilization, with increased values of NEFA in 68 % and 54 % of animals respectively, with liver load manifestation in 37 % and 69 % of animals, respectively. Keywords: lipomobilization, non-esterified fatty acid, rumen, intermediary metabolism References ALLEN M.S. and BRADFORD B.J. (2008) Optimizing Transition Cow Diets. Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference, April 22 and 23, 2008, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana., pp. 37-44. DRACKLEY, J. K, OVERTON, T. R. and DOUGLAS, G. N (2001) Adaptations of glucose and long-chain fatty acid metabolism in liver of dairy cows during the periparturient period. J Dairy Sci, 84(E Suppl):E100-E112, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(01)70204-4 DRACKLEY J.K. (2010) Feeding transition cows: An apdate and re-interpretation. Minnesota dairy health conference 2010, St. Paul, Minnesota United States of Minnesota, pp. 28-40. [Online]. Retrieved November 14, 2015 from https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/57203/Drackley.pdf?sequence=1 HARMON D. L. (1992) Dietary influences on carbohydrates and small intestinal starch hydrolysis capacity in ruminants. J. Nutr., vol.122, no.1, pp.203-210., MEIJER R. and PEETERS K. (2010) The use of precision dairy farming in feeding and nutrition. The first north American conference on precision dairy management 2010 [Online]. Retrieved November 14, 2015 from http://www.deboerenveearts.nl/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Meijer_The-Use-of-Precision-Dairy-Farming-in-Feeding-and-Nutrition.pdf OSPINA, P.A. et al. (2010) Association between the proportion of sampled transition cows with increased nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate and disease incidence, pregnancy rate, and milk production at the herd level. J. Dairy Sci., vol. 93, pp.595-3601. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3074 OVERTON, T. R. and WALDRON, M. R. (2004) Nutritional management of transition dairy cows: Strategies to optimize metabolic health. J. Dairy Sci., vol.87, pp.105–119. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(04)70065-X OWENS, F. N. et al. (1998) Acidosis in cattle: A review. J. Anim Sci., vol. 76, no.1,pp. 275-286. doi:http://dx.doi.org//1998.761275x SANTOS J.E.P. et al. (2012) Impacts of Metabolism and Nutrition During the Transition Period on Fertility of Dairy Cows. High Plains Dairy Conference , Amarillo, Texas, pp. 97- 112. KNEGSEL Van, A. T. M. et al. (2007) Dietary energy source in dairy cows in early lactation: Metabolites and metabolic hormones. J. Dairy Sci., vol.90, no. 3, pp. 1477-1485. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(07)71633-8VARGA G.A. (2007) Dietary energy density for the close-up. Dry cow – postpartum performance. Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, January 30-31, 2007, Best Western Gateway Grand, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 1-14
Analysis of cytogenetic differentiation in selected species of the family Camelidae: Vicugna pacos and Vicugna vicugna
No full textThe aim of this study was to analysis of cytogenetic differentation in two species: Vicugna pacos and Vicugna vicugna. Cytogenetic analysis based on blood culture technique. Blood culture were set up in culture medium Limphogrow and Lymphochrome. The cells growth, after 71 hours, was kept in metaphase using colcemid. Metaphase chromosomes were treated with hypotonic solution (KCl) for 30 minutes and fixed in a mixture of methanol and glacial acetic acid (3:1). After that, chromosomes were stained with Giemsa. Chromosomes were analyzed under microscope using Optica Vision pro-3 and MultiScan programs. Both species have 2n=74 and showed close homology between autosomes and sex chromosomes. Analysed karyotypes consist of 19 pairs acrocentric, 9 pairs metacentric, 5 pairs subtelocentric and 3 pairs submetacentric autosomes. Sex chromosomes X was metacentric and Y was acrocentric.
Production capabilities of catch crops
Get PDFWithin the period of 2011–2014, production capabilities of catch crops were evaluated after two dates of their sowing. The field experiment was established on the field experimental station in Žabčice (South Moravia, Czech Republic). The station is situated in a maize-growing region that is one of the warmest and the driest regions in the Czech Republic. The experiment was performed with the following six species of catch crops: Sinapis alba, Raphanus sativus v. oleifera, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Secale cereale v. multicaule, Malva verticillata and Phalaris canariensis. Catch crops were sown in August and in September, after the harvest of winter wheat. The growth of catch crops was affected by weather conditions. Higher yields were obtained in variants with the first date of sowing. It was concluded that August was the optimum date of their sowing. In this case the plants could maximally manifest their production potential. This concerned above all plants of Phacelia tanacetifolia and those belonging to the family Brassicaceae.Keywords: catch crops, sowing date, yields, weather condition
Effect of different temperatures on body weight gain in chinchillas
Get PDFIn fur animals especially important is the size of the skin, which is a determinant of its value. In studies carried out by different authors at finn racoons, foxes and mink shown that there is a positive correlation between the body weight and the size of the skin of animals. Some authors reported that thermoregulatory mechanisms are susceptible to modification by early postnatal experience. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in body weight gain in dependence on temperature. Animals were divided into 2 groups in dependence on temperature. The 1st group was kept in temperature 17°C and 2nd group was kept in temperature 24°C. To calculate basis statistic characteristics, to determine significance of differences and to compare results t-test were performed at P<0.05 level. The packed SAS 9.3 of SAS Enterprise Guide 5.1 was used. The highest body weight gain of chinchillas was found in group of animal, which were breed in conditions with highest temperature (24°C). In this group body weight was 0.4972 kg in average. The effect of different temperature on body weight gain was significant in male chinchillas
Earthworm diversity and ecosystem services in agriculture – Choosing appropriate taxon indicators and measurements
Get PDFAgriculture and biodiversity are strongly linked. Whilst agriculture is a main driver impacting biodiversity, farmers could benefit from ecosystem services linked to biodiversity. Hence, indicators of functional biodiversity are needed. However, finding correct indicator values is not trivial. Earthworms were sampled on nine German farms with a combined method. In total 3205 earthworms from 10 species were collected. Six measurements applicable as taxon indicators were calculated for the data.Keywords: soil diversity, interpolation, extrapolation, biodiversity indices, biodiversity estimator
Comparative analysis of the external and internal egg quality in different pure chicken breeds
Get PDFThe present study was conducted to evaluate some parameters of external and internal egg quality of some pure dual chicken breeds. A total of 500 eggs (100 eggs from each breed) were collected to study for egg (weight, shape index), albumen (weight, percentage), yolk (weight, percentage) and shell (weight, percentage, thickness, strength) quality. The eggs were analysed in the laboratory of Department of Poultry Science and Small Animal Husbandry of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The results showed that the egg weight and egg length of New Hampshire were significantly higher (P0.05). Differences in albumen weight, albumen percentage, yolk weight and yolk percentage of tested dual chicken breeds were statistically no significant (P>0.05). Albumen height was significantly higher (P0.05) in egg shell thickness and strength