Over the past thirty years, price relativities and technological development have motivated an increase in the area of land allocated to cropping, as opposed to pasture production, throughout the central wheat belt of Western Australia. Nevertheless, reducing the proportion of pasture in these rotations has challenged the future productivity of farming systems in this area. First, the frequent application of selective herbicides for weed control in extended cropping rotations has promoted the development of herbicide resistance in a number of major agricultural weeds. Second, the primary use of annual plants has promoted the development of soil salinisation by allowing a significant proportion of rainfall to recharge saline water tables. The inclusion of perennial pasture phases between extended periods of cropping may mitigate or delay these constraints to production through (a) allowing the use of costeffective forms of non-selective weed control, and (b) through creating a buffer of dry soil that absorbs leakage occurring beneath subsequent crops. This study consequently explores the value of including perennial pasture phases in dryland agricultural systems in the eastern-central wheat belt of Western Australia, accounting for benefits related to herbicide resistance and water table management. A novel computational algorithm for the solution of multiple-phase optimal control problems is developed and used to conduct a conceptual analysis of the value of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pasture for managing annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin), the primary weed in wheat belt cropping systems. The competitiveness and fecundity of annual ryegrass provide strong economic incentives to maintain a low weed population, irrespective of herbicide-resistance status. Consequently, the ineffectiveness of selective herbicides primarily reduces the profitability of cropping by motivating the adoption of more costly non-selective forms of weed control. The inclusion of lucerne in land-use rotations is only optimal in the presence of severe herbicide resistance given (a) the low efficiency of alternative weed-management practices available during the pasture phase, relative to selective-herbicide application; (b) the significant cost of establishing this perennial pasture; and (c) the high relative profitability of cereal production in the absence of resistance. The value of lucerne, relative to annual pastures, for weed management is explored in greater detail through the use of compressed annealing to optimise a sophisticated simulation model. The profitability of candidate rotations is also manipulated to account for the long-term production losses accruing to the recharge of saline groundwaters that occurs beneath them. Sequences incorporating lucerne are only more profitable than those that include annual pasture at the standard set of parameter values if (a) annual ryegrass is resistant to all selective herbicides, (b) the water table is so shallow (approximately less than 3.5 m deep) that frequent rotation with perennials is required to avert soil salinisation, or (c) sheep production is highly profitable. The value of perennial pasture is sufficient under these circumstances to overcome its high establishment cost. Consistent with intuition, these benefits are reinforced by lower discount rates and higher rates of leakage occurring beneath annual-based systems. Formulation of an effective communication strategy to report these results to producers is justified given the complexity involved in determining the true magnitude of these intertemporal benefits through alternative means, such as field trials.

Herbicides have become a key component in modern agricultural production. Meanwhile, there is a concern that some herbicides persist past the growing season of the treated crop, and negatively influence the production of the subsequently planted crops. Amongst various herbicides used in western Canada, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides warrant special attention given their residual properties and acute plant toxicity at low concentrations in soil. Soil residual AHAS inhibitors have the potential to influence both leguminous host plants and their bacterial symbiotic partners; consequently, the use of an AHAS inhibitor in a given year can negatively influence the inoculation success and grain yield of legumes cropped in the following year. <p>The present thesis project focused on one of the AHAS inhibiting herbicides (flucarbazone) and studied its potential for carryover injury and negative influence on the success of inoculation in field pea. A series of growth chamber and field experiments were conducted to test the following null hypothesis: the presence of residual flucarbazone in soil does not affect nodulation of field pea by inoculum rhizobia. <p>A growth chamber experiment clearly demonstrated the susceptibility of field pea to the presence of flucarbazone in soil where the lowest concentration of flucarbazone amendment (5 ìg kg1) significantly reduced the crop growth. In contrast, a field study failed to reveal any negative effects of flucarbazone use on crop growth and N2 fixation. <p>It was concluded that if the weather and soil conditions favour decomposition of flucarbazone as described in the present study, flucarbazone applied at the recommended field rate will not persist into the following season at high enough concentrations to negatively influence field pea growth, grain yields, and inoculation success. To ensure safety of rotational crops, it is important to strictly adhere to the herbicide application guidelines. Additionally, producers are cautioned to be particularly aware of the environmental and soil conditions that may reduce the rate of herbicide degradation.

Herbicides have become a key component in modern agricultural production. Meanwhile, there is a concern that some herbicides persist past the growing season of the treated crop, and negatively influence the production of the subsequently planted crops. Amongst various herbicides used in western Canada, acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS)-inhibiting herbicides warrant special attention given their residual properties and acute plant toxicity at low concentrations in soil. Soil residual AHAS inhibitors have the potential to influence both leguminous host plants and their bacterial symbiotic partners; consequently, the use of an AHAS inhibitor in a given year can negatively influence the inoculation success and grain yield of legumes cropped in the following year. <p>The present thesis project focused on one of the AHAS inhibiting herbicides (flucarbazone) and studied its potential for carryover injury and negative influence on the success of inoculation in field pea. A series of growth chamber and field experiments were conducted to test the following null hypothesis: the presence of residual flucarbazone in soil does not affect nodulation of field pea by inoculum rhizobia. <p>A growth chamber experiment clearly demonstrated the susceptibility of field pea to the presence of flucarbazone in soil where the lowest concentration of flucarbazone amendment (5 ìg kg1) significantly reduced the crop growth. In contrast, a field study failed to reveal any negative effects of flucarbazone use on crop growth and N2 fixation. <p>It was concluded that if the weather and soil conditions favour decomposition of flucarbazone as described in the present study, flucarbazone applied at the recommended field rate will not persist into the following season at high enough concentrations to negatively influence field pea growth, grain yields, and inoculation success. To ensure safety of rotational crops, it is important to strictly adhere to the herbicide application guidelines. Additionally, producers are cautioned to be particularly aware of the environmental and soil conditions that may reduce the rate of herbicide degradation.

The effect of organic and mineral fertilizers on biological activity of different genesis soils in long-term crop rotation trials was determined. Biological activity was diverse in the soils of different genesis and it activity correlated with some soil chemical properties. Organic and mineral fertilizers and their combinations more increased biological activity in the soil than only mineral fertilizers. Mineral fertilizers suppressed dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity (180 kg ha-1) with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The relationship between the crops grown, their yield and enzyme activity and respiration intensity in the soil was investigated.

No description available.

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaça de novilhos superprecoces submetidos a alturas de manejo de pastos de aveia preta e azevém anual (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) e uma testemunha sem pastejo, bem como avaliar os efeitos dessas alturas de manejo sobre o estabelecimento e o rendimento da cultura de soja subseqüente. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda do Espinilho, município de Tupanciretã, entre julho de 2004 e maio de 2005. Animais jovens com idade média de dez meses e peso inicial de 190 kg foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. As ofertas diárias de forragem para os tratamentos 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm foram, respectivamente, 8,8, 14,7, 29,0 e 48,9 kg de matéria seca/100 kg de peso vivo (PV). O ganho de peso por hectare foi superior nos tratamentos com menor altura de manejo, em decorrência da maior carga animal empregada, sendo 529,7, 489,5, 320,9 e 201,6 kg de PV/ha, para os respectivos tratamentos. O ganho médio diário e peso ao abate apresentaram resposta quadrática (P<0,05) conforme o incremento na altura do pasto. A deposição de gordura apresentou média de 3,8 mm e o rendimento médio de carcaça fria foi de 53,3% (P<0,05). As alturas reais do pasto ficaram próximas daquelas pretendidas, havendo um aumento linear da massa de forragem com o aumento das alturas de manejo do pasto. A taxa de acúmulo não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. A taxa de lotação apresentou resposta linear decrescente com o aumento da altura do pasto. A massa de forragem remanescente aumentou na medida em que houve incremento na altura de manejo do pasto. Foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos para palhada residual e estande inicial de plantas de soja, porém, essas diferenças não afetaram o rendimento de grãos da cultura. Concluiu-se que novilhos superprecoces atingem peso de abate e grau de acabamento adequados quando terminados em pastagem de inverno e suplementados no terço final do ciclo de pastejo. O melhor ganho médio diário foi obtido em altura entre 25 a 30 cm e a maior produção por área em 10 cm de altura. A utilização de pastos durante o inverno não prejudica o rendimento de grãos na cultura de soja subseqüente, possibilitando aumento da renda do produtor pela oportunidade de gerar receitas durante a entressafra da soja. / This trial aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass quality of “superprecoce” steers grazing oat and annual ryegrass pastures managed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm with a no grazing reference, as well as sward height management effects on soybean establishment and grain yield. The experiment was carried at Fazenda do Espinilho, Tupanciretã municipality, from July 2004 until May 2005. Young animals with 10 months on average and initial live weight of 190 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with three replicates. The daily herbage allowances were 8.8, 14.7, 29.0 and 48.9 kg of dry matter/100kg of live weight, respectively treatments. The live weight gain per hectare was superior in treatments with lower management heights, due to the greater stocking rate employed, being 529.7, 489.5, 320.9 and 201.6 kg of LW, respectively for the treatments 10, 20, 30 and 40cm height. The average daily gain and slaughter weight increased with pasture height being fitted by a quadratic model (P<0.05). The fat deposition and the medium dressing of cold carcass averaged 3.8mm and 53.3%, respectively (P<0.05). The actual sward heights were very similar to those previously intended. There was a linear increase in herbage mass with the increase of sward height. The pasture accumulation rate was not influenced by treatments. The stocking rate showed a decreased linear response with increasing sward height. Post grazing herbage mass increased with increasing sward height. Treatments had effect on initial soybean stand, but not in soybean yield. It was concluded that “superprecoce” steers can reache slaughter weight and adequately finishing degree when finished in winter cultivated pasture supplemented in final third of the grazing cycle. Better individual animal performance is obtained when pasture height ranges from 25 to 30 cm and animal production per hectare when the pasture was managed at 10 cm height. Results suggest grazing animals do not damage succeeding soybean crop, allowing farmers profitability enhancement during soybean intercropping.

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaça de novilhos superprecoces submetidos a alturas de manejo de pastos de aveia preta e azevém anual (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) e uma testemunha sem pastejo, bem como avaliar os efeitos dessas alturas de manejo sobre o estabelecimento e o rendimento da cultura de soja subseqüente. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda do Espinilho, município de Tupanciretã, entre julho de 2004 e maio de 2005. Animais jovens com idade média de dez meses e peso inicial de 190 kg foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. As ofertas diárias de forragem para os tratamentos 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm foram, respectivamente, 8,8, 14,7, 29,0 e 48,9 kg de matéria seca/100 kg de peso vivo (PV). O ganho de peso por hectare foi superior nos tratamentos com menor altura de manejo, em decorrência da maior carga animal empregada, sendo 529,7, 489,5, 320,9 e 201,6 kg de PV/ha, para os respectivos tratamentos. O ganho médio diário e peso ao abate apresentaram resposta quadrática (P<0,05) conforme o incremento na altura do pasto. A deposição de gordura apresentou média de 3,8 mm e o rendimento médio de carcaça fria foi de 53,3% (P<0,05). As alturas reais do pasto ficaram próximas daquelas pretendidas, havendo um aumento linear da massa de forragem com o aumento das alturas de manejo do pasto. A taxa de acúmulo não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. A taxa de lotação apresentou resposta linear decrescente com o aumento da altura do pasto. A massa de forragem remanescente aumentou na medida em que houve incremento na altura de manejo do pasto. Foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos para palhada residual e estande inicial de plantas de soja, porém, essas diferenças não afetaram o rendimento de grãos da cultura. Concluiu-se que novilhos superprecoces atingem peso de abate e grau de acabamento adequados quando terminados em pastagem de inverno e suplementados no terço final do ciclo de pastejo. O melhor ganho médio diário foi obtido em altura entre 25 a 30 cm e a maior produção por área em 10 cm de altura. A utilização de pastos durante o inverno não prejudica o rendimento de grãos na cultura de soja subseqüente, possibilitando aumento da renda do produtor pela oportunidade de gerar receitas durante a entressafra da soja. / This trial aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass quality of “superprecoce” steers grazing oat and annual ryegrass pastures managed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm with a no grazing reference, as well as sward height management effects on soybean establishment and grain yield. The experiment was carried at Fazenda do Espinilho, Tupanciretã municipality, from July 2004 until May 2005. Young animals with 10 months on average and initial live weight of 190 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with three replicates. The daily herbage allowances were 8.8, 14.7, 29.0 and 48.9 kg of dry matter/100kg of live weight, respectively treatments. The live weight gain per hectare was superior in treatments with lower management heights, due to the greater stocking rate employed, being 529.7, 489.5, 320.9 and 201.6 kg of LW, respectively for the treatments 10, 20, 30 and 40cm height. The average daily gain and slaughter weight increased with pasture height being fitted by a quadratic model (P<0.05). The fat deposition and the medium dressing of cold carcass averaged 3.8mm and 53.3%, respectively (P<0.05). The actual sward heights were very similar to those previously intended. There was a linear increase in herbage mass with the increase of sward height. The pasture accumulation rate was not influenced by treatments. The stocking rate showed a decreased linear response with increasing sward height. Post grazing herbage mass increased with increasing sward height. Treatments had effect on initial soybean stand, but not in soybean yield. It was concluded that “superprecoce” steers can reache slaughter weight and adequately finishing degree when finished in winter cultivated pasture supplemented in final third of the grazing cycle. Better individual animal performance is obtained when pasture height ranges from 25 to 30 cm and animal production per hectare when the pasture was managed at 10 cm height. Results suggest grazing animals do not damage succeeding soybean crop, allowing farmers profitability enhancement during soybean intercropping.

O aparecimento de plantas daninhas resistentes ao glifosato tem colocado em risco a utilização de culturas que têm a tecnologia RR. A fim de verificar o desenvolvimento de plantas daninhas resistentes ao glifosato, um experimento de campo foi realizado na estação experimental AgroMarochi localizada em Ponta Grossa, estado do Paraná, de 2009 a 2012, com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes sistemas de produção, incluindo a rotação de culturas, culturas de cobertura e aplicação de herbicidas com diferentes mecanismos de ação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com dezesseis tratamentos e três repetições. Em função dos resultados, conclui-se que: (i) a rotação de culturas e de ingredientes ativos de herbicidas proporcionam melhor desempenho agronômico e econômico (menor risco de aparecimento de plantas daninhas resistentes e maiores produtividades), (ii) os sistemas 3 (soja/ trigo/ soja/ aveia /milho /trigo) e 4 (soja/ azevém/ soja/ azevém/ milho/ aveia), com 33% da área com rotação de cultura com milho na safra de verão, são os mais rentáveis independentemente dos cenários 1 e 2 do VPL (Valor Presente Líquido), (iii) os tratamentos com manejo padrão de herbicidas contribuíram no aumento da população das plantas daninhas (leiteiro, guanxuma, erva-quente, azevém - resistente e não resistente ao Glifosato e buva - resistente e não resistente ao Glifosato), e apresentaram menor rentabilidade, (iv) os manejos com rotação de herbicidas propiciaram a redução da população de plantas daninhas, (v) a cultura de aveia contribui para a redução de plantas daninhas, como azevém e buva resistentes e não resistentes ao glifosato, principalmente, (vi) área em pousio contribui para o aumento da população de plantas daninhas, como azevém e buva resistentes e não resistentes ao glifosato, principalmente, e (vii) a aplicação de Glifosato associado a Atrazina em pós emergência (tratamentos 6, 7, 11 e 14: sistemas de rotação de culturas 2, 3, 4 e 5, respectivamente) não diferiu da aplicação de Tembotrione associado a Atrazina (tratamentos 8, 9, 12 e 15: sistemas de rotação de culturas 2, 3, 4 e 5, respectivamente) na cultura de Milho RR sobre a população de azevém e buva resistente e não resistente ao glifosato. / The emergence of weeds resistant to Glyphosate has been putting at risk the use of crops that have the RR technology. In order to check the development of weeds resistant to Glyphosate, a field experiment was carried out at AgroMarochi experimental station located in \'Ponta Grossa\', State of Paraná, from 2009 to 2012, with the purpose of evaluating different agricultural production systems, including crop rotation, cover crops and application of herbicides with different mechanisms of action. The experimental design was a randomized blocks, with sixteen treatments and three replications. In light of the results, it is concluded that: (i) rotation of crops and of active ingredients of herbicide provides better agronomic and economic performance (lower risk of emergence of resistant weeds and higher yields), (ii) the systems 3 (soybean/ wheat/ soybean/ oat/ maize/ wheat) and 4 (Soybean/ ryegrass/ soybean/ ryegrass/ maize/ oat), with 33% of the area with crop rotation with maize in the summer season, are the most profitable regardless of the scenarios 1 and 2 of the NPV (Net Present Value), (iii) treatment with standard management of herbicides contributed in increasing the population of weeds (Euphorbia heterophylla, Sida sp., Spermacoce latifolia, Lolium multiflorum - resistant and not resistant to Glyphosate, Conyza spp. - resistant and not resistant to Glyphosate), and had lower profitability, (iv) the management with rotation of herbicides favored reducing weed populations, (v) the oat crop helps in reducing weeds, as ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and Conyza spp. resistant and not resistant to Glyphosate, mainly, (vi) fallow area contributes to the increasing population of weeds, as ryegrass and Conyza spp. resistant and not resistant to Glyphosate, mainly, and (vii) the application of Glyphosate associate to atrazine in post emergency (treatments 6, 7, 11 and 14: crop rotation systems 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively) not differ from application of Tembotrione associate to Atrazine (treatments 8, 9, 12 and 15: crop rotation systems 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively) in RR maize crop over weed population of ryegrass and Conyza spp. resistant and not resistant to Glyphosate.

No description available.

The project examines the possibilities to develop a local and sustainable model for food production in Uppsala with focus on diet, farming methods and different types of greenhouse installations. With the simulation software VIP energy 3.1.1 the energy balance and temperature development of greenhouses of different materials were calculated for different operating cases. The results were also compared when the greenhouse was installed stand-alone or integrated to the wall of a small standard or passive house. With a starch based diet and biological farming methods research suggests it is possible to produce food efficiently without compromising the environment or our health. The yearly food needs for a family of four that follows the suggested diet was estimated to 4362 kg and the outdoor land required to produce it was calculated to 4676 m2 through organic yield statistics. The area could however be reduced to 2813 m2 if the only starch staple in production was potatoes. The tender growing season in a greenhouse constructed with a covering of 5 mm glass or 5-16Ar-5 mm was calculated to 85 and 148 days respectively. The energy use required for year round production of mushrooms in the respective greenhouses was calculated to 53 or 16 kWh/m2,year. Half hardy plants required 399 or 173 kWh/m2,year and tender plants 953 or 358 kWh/m2,year. When the greenhouses were connected to the wall of a small house the heating demand could be reduced by up to 22 % depending on the operating case.