Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Climate change in relation to agriculture: A review
No full textClimate change is among the most crucial concerns of the world. It is a serious threat to the global agriculture and its overall impact on global agriculture is yet not clear. A rise of 2.5-4.5◦C is expected in the global temperature until the end of 21st century. The amount of greenhouse gases particularly CO2 is increasing at an alarming rate and is enhancing the plant photosynthesis and productivity. However, this increase in productivity is counteract by the more negative effects of climate change on agriculture like increased evapotranspiration, drought, floods, changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall, higher pest infestations and more irrigation demand. Climate change also affects the nutrients availability and efficiency by influencing microbial activities and population in the soil. Therefore, adaptation of agriculture sector to the changing climate is indispensable because of its sensitivity and size. This review is aimed to document the possible impacts of climate change on agriculture, its causes and future projections. Some strategies are also advised to mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases, to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture and to make new policies keeping in view their broader consequences on agriculture
Short communication: Feed conversion efficiency of male and female Awassi lambs fed on dried olive (Olea europaea) leaves
No full textAim of study: To estimate the changes in daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE; DFI/DWG) of male and female Awassi lambs fed on dried olive leaves for six months growing period.
Area of study: Deir-Al-Hajar area, Syria.
Materials and methods: Twenty Awassi lambs (10 males and 10 females) were randomly allocated to four equal groups (n=5 animals/group, average weight 23.7 ± 2.4 kg). The control groups were fed 250 g/kg wheat straw and 750 g/kg concentrate mixture. For the two other experimental groups, the total amount of wheat straw was replaced by dried olive leaves, i.e. the rations contained 250 g/kg dried olive leaves, 520 g/kg concentrate mixture and 230 g/kg barley. The rations of control and experimental groups were isocaloric and isonitrogenous.
Main results: DWG values varied (p<0.05) according to the sex of lambs, reaching 161 g/d for male lambs as compared to 136 g/d for female lambs. Ration type had no effect (p>0.05) on DWG, with a mean value of 148 g/d. FCE value was better in male (7.21) compared to female (9.09) lambs. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in the FCE values due to the effect of ration type (8.08 on average).
Research highlights: Replacement of wheat straw by dried olive leaves in the rations of male and female Awassi lambs had no effect on FCE and could be used as alternative forage for Awassi lambs nutrition
A thermal forecasting model for the overwintering generation of cotton bollworm by remote sensing in the southeast of Caspian Sea
No full textAim of study: Cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is a key pest of cotton all around the world. The Degree-Day (DD) model, as a reliable forecasting approach, is based on the cumulatively effective temperature which must be received by the pests to complete their life cycle. The main objective of the current research was the feasibility of using two accessible thermal data to predict the emergence time of the first generation of H. armigera.
Area of study: Golestan province of Iran
Material and methods: The lower temperature threshold (T0) and the thermal constant (k) were calculated by separately incubating batches of 10 pupae (≥24 h) at a wide range of temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 ) in laboratory conditions. The thermal requirements of the overwintering generation were estimated via two types of thermal data sources, i.e., Land Surface Temperature (LST) of Terra® satellite and synoptic meteorological stations from January 21st, 2020 to the end of May 2020.
Main results: T0 and k of the pupal stage were found to be 9.75±1.41°C and 250.57±4.66 (DD), respectively, via the linear regression and 10.26±1.09°C and 240.85±6.71 (DD) through Ikemoto & Takai’s model. The time series of satellite thermal data (LST-day and LST-night) modified through laboratory DD parameters was validly identified to determine high-risk areas and predict the emergence times of the first generation of cotton bollworm. This was in agreement with the reports of the governmental Plant Protection Organization.
Research highlights: If there is a lack of meteorological synoptic stations in some agricultural areas, the LST data of Terra® satellite could be replaced by the meteorological data for DD forecasting models
Effect of potato contact parameters on seed metering performance using discrete element method
No full textAim of study: To study the effect of potato surface with or without sandy loam soil on seed metering performance, we investigated the motion behaviour of the potato seed particles during the seed metering process using a self-designed across-bridge metering device by discrete element method (DEM).
Area of study: Tonganyi Town, Dingxi, Gansu, China
Material and methods: First, the contact characteristics of potatoes were measured using some novel devices. Second, simulations were performed under the same experimental conditions to verify the reliability of the contact parameters. Finally, the velocity and angular velocity of the seed in the seed box and the number of seeds taken by the large spoon during the taking and clearing process were analysed using ANOVA.
Main results: The coefficients of static friction (SF) and rolling friction (RF) of seed particles with soil were smaller than those without soil and had the highest values between particles and plastic, followed by between particles and steel, and between particles. Further, the rates of metering single seed particle in simulation and experiment were 98.17% and 97.57%, respectively. The rate of missing seed particles was 1.83% and 2.43%, respectively; it was found to significantly decrease as RF increased from 0.01 to 0.06 to 0.12, and the resultant angular velocity and velocity also significantly decreased as SF increased from 0.1 to 0.5 to 1.0. In addition, the number of seeds taken by the large spoon also reduced.
Research highlights: Therefore, potato seed particles surface with or without soil can significantly affect the seeding performance and highlight the need for surface treatment using mechanised metering
Short communication: The mosquito yew wood: Survey and analysis of Mediterranean Taxus baccata L. woods (Habitat 9580*)
No full textAim of study: To survey a yew tree grove and to evaluate its conservation status to ascertain whether its proposal to class it as Habitat 9580* is appropriate.
Area of study: Eastern end of Central Mountain Range, Spain.
Material and methods: We conducted a field survey collecting data of UTM coordinates, altitude, orientation, companion woody species, height, stem perimeter, sex and browsing evidence. Individuals were classified in four age groups, considering height and stem perimeter: 1) seedling, 2) juvenile, 3), adult and 4) old. Companion species were analysed to assess the presence of habitat 9580* according to the Habitats Directive. Population structural complexity, stability and compactness were analysed to assess the conservation status.
Main results: We registered 8,304 yews along with seventeen distinctive accompanying species, thus confirming the presence of priority habitat of community interest 9580* "Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods”. Population analysis leads us to appreciate a favourable conservation status for the whole habitat in the study area.
Research highlights: We have described the largest T. baccata grove registered to date in the Central Mountain Range of the Iberian Peninsula. We confirm the presence of priority habitat of community interest 9580* "Mediterranean Taxus baccata woods", being the first description of this habitat in the Community of Madrid. As the study area is located within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), we propose its inclusion on the SAC habitats list
Simulation modelling of mechanical systems for intra-row weeding in a precision farming approach
No full textAim of study: To test new approaches to perform mechanical weeding inside the row in horticulture and tree fruit fields. The idea is to weed the row by skipping the crop by means of a rotating system instead of a traditional crosswise one.
Area of study: North of Italy.
Material and methods: Numerical models have been developed to simulate mechanical weeding over time by generating numerical maps to quantify the different kind of worked areas.
Main results: Considering the efficiency of weed control on the row, the rotating plant-skipping system with vertical axis (RPSS-VA model) with two working tools gives the best performance index (1.1.RWA% = 95.9%). A similar performance can be obtained by the crosswise displacement plant-skipping system, but with very high crosswise translation velocity (with va/vr ratio = 1/5, 1.1.RWA% = 94.5%). With regard to the outwards worked area the RPSS-VA models give the best performances (2.2.%OWAR index from 127.2% up to 282.3%). To reduce the worked area outside the row, the FBTS models give lower index (2.1.OWAR%), while the RPSS-HA works only on the row, but with the lower 1.1.RWA% index among all tested models (55.8%).
Research highlights: Rotating systems resulted more efficient than traditional ones, and provide considerations on the use of electric drive power instead of hydraulic one. This study highlights also the need of new approaches in designing lighter working tools. Lastly, the proposed classification of the worked areas could be used as reference standard
Nutritional value, feeding behavior, physiological parameters, and performance of crossbred Boer goat kids fed butterfly pea hay and cactus pear meal
No full textAim of study: To evaluate diets with different proportions of butterfly pea hay (BH) and cactus pear meal (CM) on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, productive performance, feeding behavior and physiological parameters of crossbred Boer kids.
Area of study: Northwest of Brazil.
Material and methods: 32 crossbred Boer intact male goats were distributed in a randomized block design, with four treatments with different proportions of BH and CM in the diets, partially replacing elephant grass on a total dry matter (DM) basis: 0% BH + 0 % CM as a control, 83% BH + 17% CM, 67% BH + 33% CM, and 50% BH + 50% CM. Each treatment group included eight animals. The experiment lasted 84 days preceded by 15 days of adaptation.
Main results: Kids fed the control diet had the greatest intake of neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, water intake via food, time to feed and the lowest feed conversion (p<0.05) compared to BH+CM diets. Diet 83% BH+17% CM provided less digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, greater efficiency of DM intake and lower efficiency of DM and neutral detergent fiber rumination (p<0.05) compared to other diets. Diet 67% BH+33% CM resulted in greater digestibility of dry and organic matter, weight gains and longer (p<0.05) chewing time (seconds/cud) compared to other diets. Diet 50% BH+50% CM showed lower (p<0.05) intake of acid detergent fiber, time for rumination, efficiency of ingestion of neutral detergent fiber and rectal temperature, and longer (p<0.05) idle times compared to other diets.
Research highlights: Partial substitution of elephant grass with 67% BH and 33% CM increased digestibility and weight gain of crossbred Boer kids, without changing nutrient and water intake in the finishing
Short communication: Basic wood density and moisture content of 14 shrub species under two different site conditions in the Chilean Mediterranean shrubland
No full textAim of the study: The aim of this study is to provide information on species-specific basic wood density (g cm-3) and moisture content (%) in Mediterranean shrublands.
Area of study: The study covers two sites of the sclerophyllous shrubland in central Chile, Cortaderal (34°35’S 71°29’W) and Miraflores (34°08’S 70°37’W), characterized by different climatic and topographic conditions.
Material and methods: The sampling area covers 4,000 m2 over four plots at two sites. Shrub species were identified and size-related attributes such as height and crown size measured. A total of 322 shrubs were sampled at 0.3 m aboveground to determine basic wood density and moisture content. Species-specific differences and similarities were analyzed by multiple pairwise comparisons (post-hoc tests) and by ordination and hierarchical clustering.
Main results: We found high variation across species in wood density (0.46-0.77 g cm-3) and moisture content (41.6-113.1%), with many significant differences among species in wood density and among sites in moisture content. Because intraspecific variability could not be explained by shrub size and pronounced differences in wood density (0.49-0.64 g cm-3) also occurred between species of the same genus (e.g., Baccharis linearis and Baccharis macraei), our results suggested that phylogenetic affinity may be less important than adaptation to local conditions.
Research highlights: The values presented here were variable according to the type of species and environmental conditions, necessitating the determination of basic wood density (BWD) and moisture content at site – and species-specific level. The provided BWD estimates allow converting green volume to aboveground biomass in shrubland areas and are an essential source of information for estimating the carbon stocks
Tree species with potential for reforestation in coastal zones of the humid tropics
No full textAim of study: The native species of warm humid climates Ceiba pentandra, Tabebuia rosea, Gliricidia sepium, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Brosimum alicastrum are often included in Mexican reforestation programs. We evaluated the growth response in sandy soils of these species that could serve as pioneers in the restoration of coastal areas.
Area of study: Alluvial plain in Frontera, Tabasco, Mexico.
Material and methods: A total of 1080 plants were planted in 2014 and evaluated for 23 months in 30 plots under a randomized block design with six replications. The sample plots each occupied 36 m2 (each with 16 plants). Survival percentage, stem height (SH), basal diameter (BD) and basal area (BA) were quantified. Survival and growth variables were analyzed using logistic regression and ANOVA for repeated measures, respectively.
Main results: At the end of the experiment (2016), high survival was demonstrated in G. sepium (88 %) and in C. pentandra (86 %), while B. alicastrum presented total mortality at six months. The highest values of SH and BD were presented in C. pentandra (2.9 m and 7.8 cm, respectively) and in G. sepium (2.6 m and 4.2 cm, respectively). Gliricidia sepium differed significantly from C. pentandra in terms of BA (5.9 vs. 23 m2 ha-1, respectively).
Research highlights: The native species C. pentandra and G. sepium presented high survival and growth in the sandy soils; G. sepium showed strong adaptation to the environment and C. pentandra offered suitable coverage, characteristics that are necessary for the success of reforestation and restoration programs