Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
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In vitro characterisation of the rumen fermentation pattern of the cell wall fraction from several fibrous sources
No full textAim of study: To isolate fibre effect from other factors when comparing fibrous sources, the rumen fermentation pattern of extracted cell walls was studied.Material and methods: Cell wall fractions from soybean hulls (SH), sugarbeet pulp (BP), palm kernel cake (PK), oat hulls (OH), dehydrated alfalfa meal (DA) and barley straw (BS) were incubated in four 48 h series.Main results: Cell wall extraction efficiency was ± 0.07 units over the neutral detergent fibre content, except for PK, which recovery was 0.20. Gas produced from BP and SH was higher (p<0.05) from 6 h. PK behaved similarly to SH from 6 to 24 h but maintained constant thereafter, whereas gas volume from OH was the lowest from 24 to 48 h (p<0.05). All substrates recorded a maximum rate of gas production at 12 h, except OH, for which fermentation was constant on time. The organic matter disappearance after 48 h incubation agreed with these results, being higher with BP and SH, whereas OH was the lowest (p<0.05). The proportion of methanein total gasproduced was higher in OH than BP at 36 and 48 h (p<0.05). The highest total VFA concentration was recorded with BP (p<0.05). Propionate proportion was enhanced from BP, BS and SH, and that of butyrate was higher with PK and OH, whereas no differences among substrates were recorded in acetate proportion.Research highlights: Fermentation of the cell wall fraction of fibrous feeds is not directly linked to its chemical composition, not even to its lignin proportion.
Short communication: A predictive model for the time course of seedling emergence of Phalaris brachystachys (short-spiked canary grass) in wheat fields
No full textAim of study: A predictive model of the seedling emergence pattern of Phalaris brachystachys Link (short-spiked canary grass) was developed, aimed to contribute to support a more efficient management of this troublesome, competitive weed in winter cereal crops around its native Mediterranean range and in different areas of the world where it is introduced.Area of study: Southern (Andalusia) and northern Spain (Navarra).Material and methods: A model describing the emergence pattern of P. brachystachys in cereal fields based on accumulation of hydrothermal time in soil was developed and validated. For model development, cumulative emergence data were obtained in an experimental field, while an independent validation of the model was conducted with data collected in two commercial wheat fields from climatically contrasting regions of Spain.Main results: The relationship between cumulative emergence and cumulative hydrothermal time (CHT) was well described by a Logistic model. According to model predictions, 50% and 95% seedling emergence takes place at 108 and 160 CHT above base water potential for seed germination, respectively. The model accurately predicted the seedling emergence time course of P. brachystachys in the two commercial wheat fields (R2 ≥ 0.92).Research highlights: This model is a new tool that may be useful to improve the timing of control measures to maximize efficiency in reducing P. brachystachys infestations in cereal crops.Phalaris brachystachys Link (short-spiked canary grass) is a competitive weed that affects winter cereal crops around its native Mediterranean basin and in different areas of the world where it is introduced. The development of a predictive model of the seedling emergence pattern may contribute to support a more efficient management of this species. In this work, a model describing the emergence time course of P. brachystachys in cereal fields based on accumulation of hydrothermal time in soil was developed and validated. For model development, cumulative emergence data were obtained in an experimental field, while an independent validation of the model was conducted with data collected in two commercial wheat fields from climatically contrasting regions of Spain. The relationship between cumulative emergence and cumulative hydrothermal time (ΘCHTT) was well described by a Logistic model. According to model predictions, 50% and 95% seedling emergence takes place at 108 and 160 ΘCHTT above base water potential for seed germination, respectively. The model accurately predicted the seedling emergence time course of P. brachystachys in the two commercial wheat fields (R2 ≥ 0.92).Research highlights: This model is a new tool that may be useful for fine-tuning the timing of control measures to maximize efficiency in reducing P. brachystachys infestations in cereal crops.
Short Communication: Performance of steers fed on pasture receiving different seeding rates of vetch in an integrated crop-livestock system
No full textAim of study: To evaluate the performance of beef calves fed black oat and Italian ryegrass pasture seeded with several different seeding rates (SR) of common vetch in a crop-livestock integrated system.Area of study: The experiment was carried out in Dois Vizinhos city, Paraná, Brazil.Material and methods: An area of 8.3 ha was used, which was divided into 11 paddocks, 0.75 ha each. Nellore calves (n = 22), 7 ± 2 months old and with initial body weight of 134 ± 27 kg were used for the tests. The experimental design was completely randomised. Vetch (Vicia sativa L., ‘Amethyst’) SR treatments included 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha-1, in a mixture with black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb. ‘IPR 61’ and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures.Main results: There was no effect of SR on pasture productivity parameters. The increase in vetch seed in the seed mixture resulted in an increase in crude protein and neutral detergent fibre, but decreased in vitro digestibility of vetch. However, these changes did not affect the nutritional value of the pasture. Vetch SR of 30 kg ha-1 or higher allowed greater share of the legume in the pasture, thereby enhancing greater individual animal performanceResearch highlights: Vetch SR of 30 kg ha-1 or higher allowed greater share of the legume in the pasture, thereby enhancing greater individual animal performance
Mathematical model-based redesign of chickpea harvester reel
No full textAim of study: This paper presents a mathematical modeling approach to redesign the reels of chickpea harvesters for harvest efficiency.Area of study: A prototype chickpea harvester was designed and evaluated on the Dooshan farm of the University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.Material and methods: The strategy used for reducing harvesting losses derived from the dynamic study of the reel applied to the chickpea harvester. The machine was designed such that bats of a power take-off (PTO)-powered reel, in conjunction with passive fingers, harvest pods from anchored plants and throw the pods into a hopper. The trochoid trajectory of the reel bats concerning reel kinematic index, and plant height and spacing was determined for redesigning the reel.Main results: This kinematic design allowed an estimation of the reel orientation at the time of impact. The experimentally validated model offers an accurate and low computational cost method to redesign harvester reels.Research highlights: The new chickpea harvester implemented with a four fixed-bat reel, a height of 40 cm above the ground for the reel axis, and featuring a kinematic index of 2.4 was capable of harvesting pods with harvesting efficiency of over 70%; a significant improvement in harvesting performance
Using theory of consumption values to predict organic food purchase intention: Role of health consciousness and eco-friendly LOHAS tendency
No full textAim of study: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between eco-friendly LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) tendency, health consciousness, perceived value of organic food and organic food purchase intention in the framework of personality-perception-behavioral intention.Area of study: Turkey.Material and methods: Data were collected from consumers using structured questionnaires. The research model was analyzed with the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling technique.Main results: Results show that eco-friendly LOHAS tendency (β= 0.292, p<0.01), health consciousness (β=0.140, p<0.05), emotional value (β=0.282, p<0.01), and social value (β=0.099, p<0.05) positively influence intention to purchase organic food, whereas financial value and functional value were not significantly related to intention to purchase organic food. Furthermore, eco-friendly LOHAS tendency and health consciousness are positively related to all dimensions of perceived value of organic food.Research highlights: Findings point out that affective dimension of perceived value of organic food is more considerable than cognitive dimension in a developing country. Emotional value of organic food is more important for consumers who have high level of eco-friendly LOHAS tendency while functional value of organic food is more essential for consumers who a have high level of health consciousness
Sampling redesign of soil penetration resistance in spatial t-Student models
No full text Aim of study: To reduce the sample size in an agricultural area of 167.35 hectares, cultivated with soybean, to analyze the spatial dependence of soil penetration resistance (SPR) with outliers.Area of study: Cascavel, BrazilMaterial and methods: The reduction of sample size was made by the univariate effective sample size ( ) methodology, assuming that the t-Student model represents the probability distribution of SPR.Main results: The radius and the intensity of spatial dependence have an inverse relationship with the estimated value of the . For the depths of SPR with spatial dependence, the highest estimated value of the reduced the sample size by 40%. From the new sample size, the sampling redesign was performed. The accuracy indexes showed differences between the thematic maps with the original and reduced sampling designs. However, the lowest values of the standard error in the parameters of the spatial dependence structure evidenced that the new sampling design was appropriate. Besides, models of semivariance function were efficiently estimated, which allowed identifying the existence of spatial dependence in all depth of SPR.Research highlights: The sample size was reduced by 40%, allowing for lesser financial investments with data collection and laboratory analysis of soil samples in the next mappings in the agricultural area. The spatial t-Student model was able to reduce the influence of outliers in the spatial dependence structure
Effect of Asiatic mangrove plant (Rhizophora mucronata) extract on the growth and virulence of Vibrio harveyi causing bioluminescence disease in Penaeus monodon larviculture
No full textAim of the study: Vibrio harveyi bacteria are affecting shrimps during grow-out practices. The application of chemicals to control V. harveyi has resulted in antibiotic‐resistance among bacteria. An extract of the leaves of Rhizophora mucronata was tested to control the growth and virulences of V. harveyi.
Area of study: This study was conducted in the Crustacean Culture Division of ICAR-CIBA, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu State, India.
Material and methods: R. mucronata plants were collected from the Pitchavaram area, and the leaves contents extracted. The resultant extract was prepared and tested against the growth of V. harveyi and its virulence factors. The various functional compounds of R. mucronata were screened and volatile compounds were analyzed.
Main results: When R. mucronata extract was treated against V. harveyi (350 µg/mL) an inhibitory zone of 14 ± 0.1 mm was observed. At 300 µg/mL, the extract was found to be active in decreasing the luciferase to a maximum of 76 counts per second in 30 days and a similar level of bioluminescence was reduced in 15 days. During, shrimp larviculture a reduction in the cumulative percent of mortality 15.70% (p<0.033) was observed when treated with the extract of R. mucronata.
Research highlights: When extract (200 μg/mL) of R. mucronata was tested against V. harveyi during Penaeus monodon larviculture, the V. harveyi counts decreased (p<0.049). Volatile compounds viz, tetramethyl-6,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-5H-naphthalene-1-one (38.63%), squalene (31.19%), α-amyrin, (7.07%) and β-amyrin (8.75%) were detected. It would be desirable to use crude extracts of R. mucronata during shrimp culture to control V. harveyi
Assessing knowledge and engagement on sustainable development goals: exploratory research in the agri-food departments of Ibero-American universities
No full textAim of study: To offer an overview of current knowledge and civic engagement in the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) applied to agriculture sector.Area of study: Members of university communities from agri-food field departments at universities from three Ibero-American countries (Spain, Colombia and Brazil).Material and methods: 631 on line surveys from different Ibero-American faculties of the area. Descriptive, quantitative and qualitative analysis was performed. The level of knowledge and engagement of SDGs related to agriculture sector as Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) were investigated.Main results: The level of knowledge about the SDG Agenda, the priority rating for the implementation of each goal and the level of engagement varied significantly between countries. While Spain obtained the highest values in most of the variables relating to knowledge of the SDGs, followed by Brazil, Colombia showed the highest levels of engagement and willingness to apply specific actions in the agri-food sector to promote the implementation of the SDGs.Research highlights: The knowledge and engagement must be improved if we are to achieve the SDGs, and education and research play a vital role in bridging the SDG implementation gap in agri-food field. In the area the best-known SDG strategies are those related to sustainable farming systems and the least-known are the concept of 'degrowth' as a possible efficient strategy, 'permaculture' and 'local production and consumption'. Big differences exist between countries in terms of public knowledge and engagement with SDGs
The structure of consumer decision-making and sensory innovations in wine labeling
No full textAim of study: To understand how a consumer’s decision-making process on wine choice varies when faced with labels introducing either a scratch-and-sniff strip or a Thermo-sensitive indicator as a novelty.
Area of study: Navarre (Spain).
Material and methods: This study applies the laddering survey method based on means-end chain theory to link product attributes to consumption benefits and values pursued.
Main results: In the context of these sensory innovations in labeling, the brand name of a product ceases to be of importance in this sector, with the new label becoming the relevant issue, associated with quality and aspects related to social wine consumption. In addition to this, these innovations make the decision-making process more complex by including more aspects of consumers’ personalities.
Research highlights: For innovative labeling introducing sensory cues, the complexity of consumers’ selection process increases, the wine brand loses importance and the label design gains importance as a signal of quality. Labeling innovations could be a great opportunity for wine companies with low marketplace positioning to improve their position and obtain better results in a highly competitive market
Prioritization of olive breeding objectives in Spain: Analysis of a producers and researchers survey
No full textAim of study: Trait prioritization of potential olive (Olea europaea L.) breeding objectives has been evaluated in this work from two surveys to researchers working on olive and olive producers / orchard managers.Area of study: Olive growing area in Andalusia (South of Spain)Material and methods: Twenty-five breeding objectives were associated to plant growth, fructification, oil content and composition, resistance to pest and disease and tolerance to soil and climatic conditions. Two assessment methods were applied (ranking and rating), showing similar results in both the researchers and producers surveys.Main results: Higher productivity was the objective with the highest score, followed by Verticillium wilt resistance and higher oil content. After them, tolerance to water stress and resistance to Xylella fastidiosa were among the preferred objectives. Conversely, the least preferred objectives were late harvesting, high fruit size and tolerance to water lodging and calcareous soils. In the producers’ survey, results have been consistent among the different types of orchards and farmers’ characteristics. It is also interesting to notice that more than 50% of the producers expressed their willingness to orchard enlargement or renewal in the three coming years and 25% of them would change the olive cultivar. They would be willing to pay an average 43% overprice for new cultivar fulfilling their requirements and 75% would support the use of genetic modified olives.Research highlights: These results should be considered to analyze the scope of current breeding programs and define the main criteria to be considered for future works aiming at developing new olive cultivars