CREA Journals (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l’analisi dell’economia agraria)
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Assessment Of Sensor Based Precision Nitrogen Management For Enhancing Productivity And Profitability Of Maize In Godavari Delta Of Andhra Pradesh
Full text linkA field study was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, Kakinada Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India during kharif 2018 and 2019 on a sandy loam soils to assess effect of sensor-based nitrogen application on growth, yield and economics of maize. The precision nutrient management practices had significant effect on the growth and yield attributes of maize. It was observed that in second year, higher yield level obtained in all treatment and corresponding increase in the N dose under GS guided N application was also observed which shows that this tool optimizes the N application as per yield target/potential. The green seeker (GS) based precision nutrient management practice increased grain yield of maize to the tune of 3.4-5.6 per cent over recommended doses of fertilizers( RDF).The adoption of GS guided nitrogen application increased the net returns by Rs. 4,257-6,273 ha-1 over RDF by saving money on costly fertilizer inputs. These GS based treatments gave 7.1to 10.5 % higher net returns along with 29% to 49% increased agronomic N use efficiency and saving of 23.5 to 61.5 Kg N /ha over blanket RDF of 200 kg N/ha. Our experimental results disclosed that in-season N management based on green seeker sensor-based technology could be a better strategy towards higher yield with optimized N use efficiency and thereby reducing the cost of cultivation than blanket recommendations in maize
Growth analysis of an aged Turkey oak coppice under conversion into high forest
Full text linkMost Italian research concerning the conversion of coppices analyse growth response at the stand level and adopt absolute growth as reference metric. Nonetheless, inter-individual interactions are lost when averaging tree level information at the stand level. Moreover, absolute growth ignores the initial size of individuals under comparison, the growth of large trees will thus always outperform that of small trees, and nothing can be inferred about tree-to-tree competition.We modelled the growth response after conversion thinning at the tree level using relative growth rate as a function of the initial diameter of individuals, stand density and time. Twenty years later, thinned treatments still yielded larger growth than the reference unthinned aged coppice. In the first 10-year period, the relative growth rate in all treatments decreased with increasing tree size. In the second 10-year period, the relative growth rate still decreased with increasing tree size in thinned treatments, whereas in the unthinned aged coppice, it increased with increasing tree size.The model we applied shows to what extent released individuals have grown in relation to their size and, at same time, provides information on their competitive state in relation to the overall density of stands over time
Dataset of tree inventory and canopy structure in poplar plantations in Northern Italy
Full text linkThe dataset reports data collected in 38 square (50 x 50m) 0.25 ha plots representative of poplar plantations in Lombardy Region (Northern Italy), which were used to calibrate optical information derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite (Sentinel-2) sensors.In each plot, the diameter at breast height was measured using a caliper; height, stem and crown volume of each tree were then derived from diameter using allometric equations developed in an independent study. Additional canopy attributes (foliage and crown cover, crown porosity, leaf area index) were derived in each plot from 12-20 optical images collected using digital cover photography (DCP).The collected data allows characterizing the assessment of structure of these plantations, along with their variation over the rotation time. Canopy and crown data also enable the evaluation of optimal rotation and tree spacing, as well as the relationship between stand and canopy structure.The raw datasets consist of 2,591 records (trees) associated with inventory measurements and 616 records (images) associated with optical canopy measurements. An R code was also provided to calculate plot-level attributes from raw data.Dataset and associated metadata are freely available at http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/ycr7w5pvkt.1
Effects of Four Afforestation Stands on Some Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil in Northern Iran
Full text linkSelected species for afforestation have different effects on soil quality in addition to differences in their growth. The aim of current study was to investigate the effects of afforestation with four tree species, including chestnut-leaved oak, loblolly pine, black alder and Persian maple on the soil properties in the northwest of Iran. For this purpose, eight sample plots of 400 m2 were conducted in the study area and diameter and total height of the trees were measured. Then, eight soil samples were taken from a depth of 0 to 30 cm of each stand and transferred to the soil laboratory to be investigated some physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Hence, a total number of 16 different soil parameters of the four stands were measured and compared using ANOVA. Besides, the correlation between different soil properties and their relationship with tree species was analyzed, using principal components analysis (PCA). The results showed that among the studied stands, the loblolly pine had a higher mean diameter, mean height, basal area and volume. Regarding soil properties, alder stand possessed the highest porosity and the lowest bulk density. The pine stand, however, was estimated to possess the highest value of basal respiration, substrate induced respirations, microbial carbon biomass, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ration, absorbable potassium and the lowest pH value. Finally, the maple stand possessed the highest amount of absorbable phosphorus. Based on the results of this study, pine species due to its high diameter growth and positive effects on most soil properties is recommended for afforestation in Hyrcanian region and similar habitats in west Asia
Towards a comprehensive development of eco-innovation indicators in forestry sector: an application in the Italian Alps
Full text linkThe concept of “eco-innovation” has been increasingly used in environmental policy to analyze an innovation system taking into account social, ecological and economic pillars of sustainability. The aim of this study is to develop a set of eco-innovation indicators suitable to analyze the forest-wood chain at local level. The study was structured in three steps: literature review on eco-innovation indicators; defining a set of eco-innovation indicators suitable for the forestry sector; testing of eco-innovation indicators in a pilot area (Province of Trento, Italy). Eight indicators and sixteen sub-indicators suitable for the forestry sector were identified. The eco-innovation indicators were quantified using official statistics and new data collected by administering a questionnaire to 114 forest-wood chain actors. The results show an average efficiency of the timber processing and a medium-high level of enhancement of the wood residues generated by production process. Conversely, the level of collaboration between actors of forest-wood chain and institutional actors (universities, research institutes, R&D agencies) could be improved with the aim of increasing the diffusion of eco-innovation knowledge and information. The eco-innovation indicators developed by this study emphasize environmental impacts and negative externalities of innovation process in the forestry sector
Volume Equations for Abies borisii-regis Mattf. and Fagus sylvatica L. in central Greece
Full text linkIn the mixed stands of Fagus sylvatica - Abies borisii-regis in Aspropotamos (central Greece), 90 firtrees and 87 beech trees were randomly selected. Breast height diameter, total tree height and formfactor were measured to the sampled trees, while 14 single-entry and 18 double-entry volumemodels were fitted to data. No double-entry model is selected for either species. The selected singleentrymodels for the estimation of the A. borisii-regis and F. sylvatica volume fit very well (R2>0.8),while the comparison of the two volume estimation curves reveals that fir has a larger volume thanbeech, when their diameter is the same. Fir has a mean form factor of 0.331, while beech has a meanform factor of 0.315. The observed form factor differences and different patterns in form factorsbetween the two species can be the result of the differences in their growth (form and ecology)
Forests for the world
Full text linkStarting from five significant events that have occurred in the past two years, this note provides an overview of the global situation regarding forests and forestry. Specifically, it highlights the need to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation through sustainable forest management, afforestation, reforestation, and ecosystem restoration programs, while also promoting the adaptation and resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. To achieve these goals, the importance of science-based innovation, silvicultural knowledge, and effective communication of cultural perspectives is emphasized
Mapping of QTL Conferring Resistance to Turcicum Leaf Blight using Microsatellites in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Full text linkTurcicum Leaf Blight (TLB), caused by Exserohilum turcicum is a foliar disease of maize. This study was conducted to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TLB resistance in maize. A mapping population constituting 185 F2:3 populations was developed by crossing two inbred lines viz., CM 212 (susceptible) and V 336 (resistant), and was evaluated in two environments to generate phenotypic data for QTL mapping. A polymorphic survey of 183 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers between the two parents helped in identification of 101 polymorphic markers. Data on four disease severity traits viz., Percent Disease Index (PDI), Area Under Disease Progress Curve based on PDI (AUDPC-PDI), Lesion Area (LA), and Area Under Disease Progress Curve based on LA (AUDPC-LA) were generated for QTL mapping. Eight QTL intervals for resistance to TLB were located on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9. Out of the eight QTL; one QTL was reported for LA on chromosome 4 flanking phi019 and bnlg2162 markers at the low disease-pressure environment (E1), six QTL at high disease-pressure environment (E2) and one QTL across pooled environments. Out of the six QTL identified at high disease-pressure environment, one QTL for AUDPC-PDI was identified on chromosome 9 flanked by markers phi065 and phi016 while the remaining five QTL for LA were identified on chromosomes 2, 3, 5 and 7. One QTL for PDI was identified across environments analysis on chromosome 3 flanked by markers mmc0071 and bnlg1160. For these QTL, the LOD values ranged from 2.70 to 14.84 and corresponding R2 (% variation explained) ranged from 12.96 to 18.98 % in the individual environments. All QTL showed overdominance gene action except QTL 4 (dominance) at their respective chromosome
A co-registration approach between terrestrial and UAV laser scanning point clouds based on ground and trees features
Full text linkAccurate co-registration of terrestrial and aerial point clouds can provide a high-resolution description of tree components across large forest areas. However, a semi-automatic approach for co-registering point clouds is still needed, given the challenges in geospatial data processing, particularly in complex topographical conditions. The main objective of this study is to present the application of a novel procedure for the co-registration of point clouds obtained from terrestrial and UAV surveys in Mediterranean forests. The proposed methodology proves to be promising and will constitute the basis for experimentation on a larger scale
Visualization Analysis of Research on Maize or Corn Intercropping System Based on Web of Science
Full text linkBased on the Web of Science, this study analyzed 3,103 research article and review article of maize or corn intercropping system research from 1952 to 2022. Results showed that papers mainly written in English (2,925, 94.264%), were from 9,814 authors, 114 countries/territories and 2,201 organizations, listed in 496 Journals and two Book Series. The top five journals were Field Crops Research (181, 5.833 %), Agronomy Journal (107, 3.448 %), Agroforestry Systems (103, 3.319 %), Plant and Soil (97, 3.126 %) and Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences (80, 2.578 %). Top five countries and regions were Peoples R China, USA, Brazil, India and Kenya, each more than 221 papers. The top three affiliations were China Agr Univ, Sichuan Agr Univ, and Wageningen Univ. Top 5 authors are Yang Wenyu, Yang Feng, Chai Qiang, van der Werf Wopke, Liu Weiguo, each published more than 36 papers. Based on the analysis of network map of VOSviewer, there is cooperation for authors, organizations and countries or regions. Visualizations offer exploratory information on the current state in a scientific field or discipline as well as indicate possible developments in the future. The analysis of all keywords showed that maize and corn fertilizer research were separated ten clusters. So, authors can choose their ideal journal with a high impact factor or Q1 in Category to publish their papers in the English language related to their research field.