Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
Not a member yet
2067 research outputs found
Sort by
Technologies used at advanced dairy farms for optimizing the performance of dairy animals: A review
No full textSuperior germplasm, better nutrition strategies, health care facilities and improved dairy husbandry practices have boosted milk yield and its quality with a rapid rate. Per cow productivity has risen up sharply with considerable increase in the population of dairy animals. Recent era has witnessed the extension of large dairy farms around the world. Demand for high quality and increased quantity of milk is of the prime concern for all the dairy farms. With an increase in the size of animals in a farm, the labour requirement also rises up. Availability of skilled labour at low wage rate is becoming difficult. In last couple of decades, the cost of microprocessors has been reduced to an affordable level. The economic availability of engineered processors, artificial intelligence, improved data statistics combined with expert suggestions has created a revolution in livestock farming. Advanced engineered devices have become alternative to reduce high labour cost. This review focuses on latest knowledge and emerging developments in animal’s welfare focused biomarker activities and activity-based welfare assessment like oestrus, lameness and others. Use of enhanced sensors and data technologies with expert based solutions is anticipated to bring out a substantial improvement in existing dairy farming practices
Managerial capabilities and generic business strategies in the wineries of the 'Cava' protected designation of origin
No full textAim of study: Cava is Spain’s largest wine exporter. However, in the last 20 years, the growth of exports from Cava protected designation of origin (PDO) wineries has been lower than that of other Spanish PDO wines, and Cava’s domestic market share has fallen. From the point of view of strategic management, it could be said that it seems that the wineries of the Cava PDO are losing their competitive advantage. It is therefore fundamental to perform an analysis of the wineries that maintain a better performance to understand the elements that give them a competitive advantage. In this article, to analyse competitive advantage, both management capabilities and Robinson and Pearce’s generic business strategies are studied. The objective is twofold; on the one hand, we pursue the level of the managerial capabilities in the wineries of Cava PDO, while on the other hand, we seek to know the influence of the managerial capabilities and the strategies as reflected in their business performance.Area of study: Spanish wineries of the Cava PDO.Material and methods: Sixty-six wineries were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U Test and Bayesian regression to determine the relationship between the managerial capabilities, strategy, and business performance.Main results: The results show a lower level of managerial capabilities in Cava PDO wineries as compared with Rioja PDO wineries, a strong relationship between management capabilities and performance.Research highlights: These results are highly applicable since they show what resources and what strategies should be promoted to achieve a competitive advantage
Quantity-to-intensity (Q/I) relationships can efficiently characterize intensively cultivated agricultural soils in Bangladesh for better potassium supplying capacity
No full textAim of the study: Firstly, to evaluate the K dynamics of soils through a quantity-intensity isotherm study; and secondly, to characterize the soils on the basis of quantity-intensity (Q/I) parameters.Area of study: Gazipur, BangladeshMaterial and methods: Eleven soils collected from major agro-ecological zones in Bangladesh were evaluated for their varying K dynamics parameters, and K supplying capacities of these soils were described.Main results: The Q/I plot showed both linear and polynomial relationships for soils in the study. The eleven soils had labile K ranging from 0.022 in Palashbari clay loam to 1.35 cmol kg-1 in Barisal clay. The latter soil had the highest equilibrium K activity ratio (0.003 mol L-1)1/2 and potential buffering capacity (PBC) (460.4 (cmol kg-1) (mol L-1)1/2). The PBC of soils for non-exchangeable pool (PBCne) was much higher than that of exchangeable pool (PBCe) in most soils. The largest amount of PBCne and PBCe occurred in Barisal clay, Gopalpur clay, Jhalokathi clay and Nachol loam which had a higher K desorption rate than all the other soils. The equilibrium exchangeable K, critical exchangeable K and equilibrium solution K of the soils varied widely (0.0006-0.035, 0.06-0.61 and 0.06-0.604 cmol kg-1, respectively). The added K was converted almost equally for the respective soils, with specific reference to the respective exchangeable and non-exchangeable pool for Barisal clay and Nachol loam.Research highlights: All the studied parameters revealed wide variations among the soils. The linear and polynomial relationships for soils can efficiently characterize intensively cultivated soils in Bangladesh
The role of promotion tools used in the Spanish campaign to promote new lamb meat cuts
No full textAim of study: The first purpose of the present study was to investigate the level of recall of the adverting campaign promoting the new lamb meat cuts. The second objective was to investigate which promotion tools are more important to consumers and retailers.Area of study: This study took place in the city of Zaragoza, where lamb meat promotional activities have been conducted at three different levels: generic promotion of the sector, Regulatory Council of Ternasco de Aragón promotion campaign and producer brand promotion.Material and methods: Data was collected through personal questionnaires (401 consumers and 55 retailers).Main results: Results suggest that the promotion campaign has not contributed as much as expected to spread the knowledge of the new lamb cuts among consumers. Both consumers and retailers attached more importance to in-store marketing promotional tools. Three consumers segments were identified based on promotion tools preferences. Comparing between consumers and butchers’ opinion the only significant difference was found in using internet and social network as a promotional tool.Research highlights: A general trend has been observed since the majority of consumers and retailers consider that the most important promotions tools are those conducted inside the point of sale. On the view of these results, it could be better for future campaigns to increase promotional effort inside the point of sale, where consumers make their final purchase choice
Covid-19 lockdown and wine consumption frequency in Portugal and Spain (Article replaced)
No full textThis article was published on 6 June 2021. It was replaced on 28 June 2021 in: https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2021192R-17697Aim of study: This study aims to analyse how psychological factors related to the Covid-19 lockdown affected the frequency of wine consumption among Iberian consumers.Area of study: To achieve this goal, we used data collected from an online survey in Europe comprising 4489 observations from Portuguese and Spanish samples.Material and methods: Using an ordered probit model, we analysed the wine consumption frequency as a function of a set of explanatory variables related to psychological factors and also sociodemographic variables, motivation-related variables and consumption characterisation.Main results: For Spanish respondents the fear of isolation was a decisive factor in increasing the probability of a higher frequency of wine consumption. Meanwhile, in Portugal, the fear of an economic crisis was the psychological factor leading to a higher consumption frequency.Research highlights: In both countries, psychological factors influenced the frequency of wine consumption during the lockdown due to Covid-19. However, the impact of the Covid-19 crisis has been felt differently in Spain and Portugal. Differences can be observed in both psychological and behavioural attitudes that have influenced the frequency of wine consumption and could also indicate significant cultural differences
Genetic variation among selected pure lines from Turkish barley landrace 'Tokak' in yield-related and malting quality traits
No full textAim of study: Improvement of barley cultivars for malting traits suffers from narrow genetic pool in barley for these traits. Landraces are resources that could be used for this purpose. The present study was conducted to determine the variation for malting quality traits within a Turkish barley landrace.
Area of study: The study was undertaken in Tokat, a province in Black Sea Region of Turkey.
Material and methods: Twenty-five diverse lines, out of 42 unique genotypes previously identified in ‘Tokak’ landrace (PI 470281) based on DNA markers, were evaluated for malting quality traits along with the malting barley cv. ‘Tokak 157/37’ in four field trials. Thousand-seed weight, test weight, grain yield, lodging, malt extract percentage, diastatic power, alpha amylase and malt beta glucanase activities, malt protein and starch contents were determined.
Main results: Principal component analysis of malting quality traits revealed that thousand-seed weight, alpha amylase activity, beta glucanase activity and diastatic power were the most discriminatory traits for the lines. As the average of four trials, 15 of the 25 lines evaluated had higher grain yields and 10 of 25 lines had higher malt extract percentages than the standard cultivar ‘Tokak 157/37’. Malt extract was highest in Line 59 in all environments, and this line also had the highest values for beta glucanase activity and starch content. Line 215 had highest values for alpha amylase activity. Lines 59 and 215 clearly had superior malting quality.
Research highlights: These lines could harbor novel alleles for these traits to be used in malting barley improvement
Optimal germination conditions for monitoring seed viability in wild populations of fescues
No full textAim of study: Germination assays are vital in the management of material preserved in germplasm banks. The rules published by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) are generally those followed in such assays. In wild species, seed dormancy and inter-population variability increase the difficulty in estimating seed viability. The aim of the present work was to determine the germination requirements of the seeds from different wild populations of pasture grasses species.Area of study: Northwestern SpainMaterial and methods: Seeds from eight wild populations of different species of Festuca, all from northwestern Spain, were studied. Germination assays were performed under constant and alternating temperature conditions. Treatments for removing seed dormancy (cold stratification and gibberellic acid application) were also applied. A full parametric time-to event model was used for data analysis.Main results: In general, the optimum environmental temperature for germination was around 15°C for the populations of Festuca group ovina, F. gr. rubra and F. gigantea; temperatures of 20-30ºC had a negative effect. All the examined populations, except that of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum), showed non-deep physiological dormancy at suboptimal germination temperatures, but this was breakable by the application of gibberellic acid and by cold stratification.Research highlights: There are clear inter- and intra-specific differences in germination requirements that might be associated with place of origin. The ISTA germination assay recommendations for wild members of fescues may not be the most appropriate
Active-passive and passive-passive configurations of combined tillage implements for improved tillage and tractive performance: A review
No full textProper selection of energy-efficient agricultural machinery helps to reduce drudgery, increase cropping intensity and reduce time required for field preparation. With conventional tillage implements, multiple passes are required to obtain desired seedbed which increase soil compaction due to repeated movement of tractor in field. With combined tillage implements two or more tillage implements are combined to reduce time and fuel energy required for seedbed preparation. In this paper, various researches on active-passive and passive-passive configurations of combined tillage implements have been discussed along with their working principles. It was found that these were associated with less draft, specific energy, and tire slippage compared to conventional implements which provides a sound basis for using them with suitable engine power to improve the power utilization of tractors. Hence, use of these implements could help to reduce soil compaction, labour, fuel cost as well as save time in preparing seedbed. More analytical studies and classical approaches are needed to predict energy requirements of these implements from the knowledge of individual energy requirements of conventional implements to help in proper matching of tractor-implement and also to develop decision support systems. Considering their promising outcomes, they will emerge as effective tools to improve agricultural mechanization
Analysis of chicken and turkey meat consumption by segmentation of Spanish consumers using food-related lifestyle
No full textAim of study: Commercially, chicken meat has a similar positioning to turkey meat, as both are healthy and low-fat meats. For this reason, we proposed analysing consumer behaviour with respect to each of these meats based on market segmentation.Area of study: Spain.Material and methods: We carried out a telephone survey with an error of ± 4.0% at a confidence level of 95.5%, using the food-related lifestyle (FRL) instrument as part of the questionnaire. The statistical analysis techniques employed were different depending on the objective pursued: univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.Main results: Five segments were obtained: “Manager cook” (24.5%), “Healthy cook” (20.8%), “Concerned with food, but not cooks” (22%), “Total detachment” (11.9%) and “Rational shopper with little interest in cuisine” (20.8%). Notwithstanding the similar positioning of chicken and turkey meats, there are significant differences in purchasing and consumption habits between FRL segments. Specifically, there were significant differences in the frequency of purchase, the usual shopping location, purchasing criteria and preparation methods.Research highlights: Knowing the profile of these segments allows us to adapt the marketing mix (product, place, price and promotion) to each one. This is very useful for the companies due to the wide demand they face. First, they can choose the FRL segments to target and, second, they can define an appropriate marketing strategy according to these segments. In this way, market segmentation strategy based on food-related lifestyles may ensure companies a greater likelihood of success in the market
Effect of soil particle-size distribution (PSD) on soil-subsoiler interactions in the discrete element model
No full textAim of study: This work investigated the significance and mechanism for the effect of particle-size distribution (PSD) under different nominal radii using the discrete element method (DEM) and validated using the laboratory soil-bin results to accurately determine PSD.Area of study: Yangling, ChinaMaterial and methods: The experimental soil was Lou soil. Soil disturbance characteristics (soil rupture distance ratio, height of accumulated soil, soil density change rate) and cutting forces (draft and vertical) under different treatments were predicted and measured respectively.Main results: The ANOVA outputs showed that PSD significantly affected draft and vertical forces (