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Optimizing the Amount of Nitrogen and Seed Inoculation to Improve the Quality and Yield of Soybean Grown in the Southeastern Baltic Region
The cultivation of soybeans, especially where this species has not been grown in large areas, requires the determination of the optimal mineral nitrogen fertilization and seed inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal dose of mineral N fertilization and seed inoculation treatments with B. japonicum under field conditions in the southeastern Baltic region. The objective of this study was to achieve nitrogen supply and/or inoculation with B. japonicum: check-0 kg N ha−1, 30 kg N ha−1, 60 kg N ha−1, HiStick® Soy + 0 kg N ha−1, Nitroflora + 0 kg N ha−1, HiStick® Soy + 30 kg N ha−1, HiStick® Soy + 60 kg N ha−1, Nitroflora + 30 kg N ha−1, Nitroflora + 60 kg N ha−1. Higher yields of seeds, protein and fat were found after application HiStick® Soy compared to Nitorflora. The inoculation with B. japonicum together with nitrogen fertilization improved crude protein content in seeds, biometrical features, yield components and especially the seed yield of ‘Aldana’ soybean. The highest seed yield was found after the application of HiStick® Soy and nitrogen fertilization in doses 30 kg N ha−1 or 60 kg N ha−1. Compared to the control, combined B. japonicum inoculation and nitrogen fertilization in soybean cultivation proved to be a significant factor in improving the productivity of this species in southeastern Baltic conditions.
Wpływ nośników w postaci krzemionki i ligniny na różnorodność mikrobiomu bakteryjnego oraz wydajność fermentacji metanowej
Assessment of lupine seed fodder quality depending on the variety and tillage system used as factors for sustainable agriculture
Quantitative Determination of Nitrogen Fixed by Soybean and Its Uptake by Winter Wheat as Aftercrops Within Sustainable Agricultural Systems
The future of agricultural production involves sustainable production systems with a balance between nutrients in soil–plant systems. These production systems are based on limiting the use of mineral fertilizers while introducing natural sources that increase soil fertility. The best example of such a system is plant rotation, including legumes as a forecrop for cereal plants. For this reason, the goal of the present study was to determine the possibility of obtaining nitrogen from the air using 15N isotopes and to determine the quantity of nitrogen biologically fixed and taken up by winter wheat cultivated as a succeeding plant. In field experiments, we investigated the cycle of nitrogen fixed by legume plants in rotation under sustainable conditions, as follows: soybean–winter wheat–winter wheat. After soybean seedling emergence, a mineral fertilizer (15NH4)2SO4 containing 20.1 at% 15N (a dose of 30 kg∙ha−1) was applied, with summer wheat as a reference plant. The yield of soybean reached 2.48 t∙ha−1 for seeds and 8.73 t∙ha−1 for crop residue (CR), providing a total yield of 11.21 t∙ha−1. The total biomass of soybean contained 149.1 kg∙ha−1 of total nitrogen, with 108.1 kg∙ha−1 in the seeds and 41.0 kg∙ha−1 in the residue, of which 34.0 kg∙ha−1 in the seeds and 11.4 kg∙ha−1 in the residue was biologically fixed. CR was ploughed into the soil. Plots with winter wheat cultivated after soybean (2017) were divided into two sub-plots for the application of 0 and 100 kg∙ha−1 of mineral N. The scheme was repeated in 2018. Overall, winter wheat cultivated for two subsequent years took up 8.12 kg∙ha−1 of the total nitrogen from the CR from the control sub-plot and 15.51 kg∙ha−1 from the fertilized sub-plot, of which 2.61 and 2.98 kg∙ha−1 was biologically fixed by soybean plants, respectively. The dose of fertilizer contained 5.920 kg∙ha−1 of 15N, of which 3.024 kg∙ha−1 was accumulated in soybean. In wheat cultivated as the first subsequent crop, the accumulation of 15N was as follows: 0 kg N (control)—0.088 kg∙ha−1; 100 kg N—0.158 kg∙ha−1. Meanwhile, in winter wheat cultivated as the second aftercrop, 0.052 and 0.163 kg∙ha−1 of 15N was accumulated, respectively. This study demonstrates that biological nitrogen fixation in soybeans is an underappreciated solution for enhancing crop productivity within sustainable agricultural systems. It holds significant implications for planning rational fertilizer management, reducing the application of chemical fertilizers, and improving nitrogen use efficiency within crop rotation systems.
Mint Plants (Mentha) as a Promising Source of Biologically Active Substances to Combat Hidden Hunger
Hidden hunger, also known as micronutrient deficiency, is a form of undernutrition, which is exacerbated when food security is fragile. However, the amount of phytonutrients in the diet can be increased by using underutilized species, such as fresh mint greens (Mentha). These plants have a high biological value due to the high content of biologically active substances. Plants of the genus Mentha, however, differ significantly in their chemical composition and, thus, nutritional value. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the content of phytonutrients in different Ukrainian species of mint: peppermint (Mentha piperita), horsemint (Mentha longifolia L.), silver-leaved horsemint (Mentha longifolia S.), and spearmint (Mentha spicata L.), and to determine their stability after drying and freezing. After studying the chemical composition of fresh, dried, and frozen plants of these species, it was established that Ukrainian mint species offer a robust set of phytonutrients and can be used as ingredients of the so-called “functional foods.” The biologically active substances in mint are concentrated during drying. Moreover, such raw materials are easily stored and used as an ingredient. However, the losses of ascorbic acid due to drying mint reach 70%; of carotenoids—approximately 10–15%; of chlorophylls—21–38%; and of phenols—19–29%. Peppermint and spearmint were observed to have higher stability of biologically active compounds. As for the freezing, the best stability of the chemical composition was demonstrated by field mint and spearmint samples. Therefore, a targeted selection of mint types and varieties prior to processing will allow preserving maximal preservation of a maximum amount of biologically active substances, increasing the content of phytonutrients in finished products, and preventing the development of hidden hunger.
Sustainable Methods of Soybean Cultivation in Poland
Many countries in Europe are struggling with a shortage of feed protein; moreover, efforts are being made to limit the import of post-extraction soybean meal, most often from GMO crops. To achieve the above assumptions, varietal progress is necessary and, above all, breeding work should aim at greater adaptation to regional conditions. This study was designed to evaluate the potential for growing Ukrainian soybean ‘Annushka’ in the southeastern Baltic Sea area, in accordance with the application of mineral nitrogen fertilizer and the inoculation of seeds with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Soybean ‘Annushka’ yielded 0.98–1.68 t ha−1 in the conditions of central Poland. Our experiments have shown significant variations in seed, protein, and fat yields over the years. The maximum amounts of these characteristics were recorded in 2017. Nitrogen fertilization combined with seed inoculation with B. japonicum has proven to be an important factor in improving soybean yields; however, it slightly modified the content of organic compounds in seeds. Improvement in seed and protein yields relative to the control amounted, respectively, to Nitragina + 30 kg N ha−1 (58.8%; 72.6%), HiStick® Soy + 30 kg N ha−1 (57.6%; 68.3%), and Nitroflora + 60 kg N ha−1 (57.6%; 71.9%).
The Influence of Sowing Density and Nitrogen Fertilization on the Yielding and Main Technological Features of Some Hemp Varieties
Optimizing Soybean Productivity: A Comparative Analysis of Tillage and Sowing Methods and Their Effects on Yield and Quality
Quantitative Changes in Selected Soil Health Indices as a Result of Long-Term (23-Year) Cultivation of Winter Wheat in Various Crop Rotations: Case Study for Sandy Soil
Effects of Seed Fraction on Sowing Quality and Yield of Three-Line Hybrid Maize
Maize is one of the most productive cereal crops, and is increasingly being grown over large areas. Using the right cultivar of high-quality selected seeds for sowing can be crucial for its productivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of kernel fraction on the seed quality, seed vigor, morphological traits, and seed yield of the trilinear hybrid maize cv. ‘Lokata’. The research factor was the kernel fraction, categorized based on the thousand-kernel weight (TKW) into four groups: I—small; II—medium; III–large; and IV–very large. A three-year experiment showed that increases in the TKW resulted in increases in germination and vigor up to fraction III (large seeds) in maize. Sowing maize seeds with a higher TKW resulted in plants with higher fresh and dry weights in the early stages of maize development; however, this response decreased as growth progressed. The seed yield was significantly correlated with plant height and the number of kernels per cob for all fractions sown, but the fraction did not significantly modify the seed yield of ‘Lokata’ maize.
The Use of Fungi of the Trichoderma Genus in Anaerobic Digestion: A Review
Plant waste biomass is the most abundant renewable energy resource on Earth. The main problem with utilising this biomass in anaerobic digestion is the long and costly stage of degrading its complex structure into simple compounds. One of the promising solutions to this problem is the application of fungi of the Trichoderma genus, which show a high capacity to produce hydrolytic enzymes capable of degrading lignocellulosic biomass before anaerobic digestion. This article discusses the structure of plant waste biomass and the problems resulting from its structure in the digestion process. It presents the methods of pre-treatment of lignocellulose with a particular focus on biological solutions. Based on the latest research findings, key parameters related to the application of Trichoderma sp. as a pre-treatment method are discussed. In addition, the possibility of using the digestate from agricultural biogas plants as a carrier for the multiplication of the Trichoderma sp. fungi, which are widely used in many industries, is discussed.
Phytostimulator Application after Cold Stress for Better Maize (Zea mays L.) Plant Recovery
Phytostimulators are attracting considerable attention for replacing mineral fertilizers, which are of environmental concern, being especially forbidden in organic farming. The benefit of applying such products based on microorganisms (e.g., algae extract) or minerals of nano-meter-sized particle (e.g., nanofertilizers) is that plants can uptake them faster than soil fertilizers, targeting plant growth by regulating their phytohormones, as well as improving plant tolerance to unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., cold stress). The aim of this study was to test and evaluate the effects of three commercial phytostimulators, called biostimulants (a seaweed-based extract—Kelpak®, mineral nanoparticles—Nano Active®, zinc nanoparticles—Dynamic Cresco®) on yield, chlorophyll content, level of CO2 assimilation and the effectiveness of PSII under cold stress. The values of all chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthetic parameters significantly decreased under cold, which indicated a strong inhibition of light-phase photosynthesis in maize leaves. Predicted by the regression analysis minimum, 20 days was enough for maize plants to recover from the inhibition caused by stress damages in their photosynthetic apparatus. At the final measurement in maize growth stage BBCH 65, all the tested phytostimulators showed significant effects in increased values of effective quantum yield of photosystem II, maximum photosynthetic efficiency of PSII and electron transport rate. At this stage, Dynamic Cresco® and Nano Active® treatment significantly increased the value of maximum net photosynthetic rate (15.37% and 18.85%, respectively) and leaf chlorophyll content (7.8% and 8.7%, respectively). The application of Dynamic Cresco® significantly promoted total dry weight by 43.4% in comparison to control under stress growth conditions with cold. These phytostimulators can be used to enhance yield and physiological status of plants after abiotic stress (such as cold) to improve crop productivity, especially in organic farming.
The effect of inoculation of Bradyrhizobium sp. Lupinus on plant development and yielding of narrow leaved lupin
A field experiment was conducted in the Wielkopolska region at the Gorzyń Research Station, Poland (52.34°N, 15.54°E) in Central Europe. The study was conducted over a 3-year period (2017, 2018, 2019) as a two-factorial desingn with four replications in the randomised plots. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of the cultivar (‘Bolero’, ‘Tytan’) and the inoculation (Nitragina–seeds inoculation, Nitroflora I–seeds inoculation, Nitroflora II–soil inoculation, HiStick® Lupin–seeds inoculation) on plant development, seeds chemical composition and yielding of narrow-leaved lupin. The weather conditions and experimental factors significantly influenced on productivity of narrow-leaved lupin ‘Tytan’. Drought during the growing season reduced seeds and protein yields. After inoculation of HiStck the seeds yield was significantly greater by 12.4% and the protein yield after application of Nitroflora I or HiStick by 13.9% and 19.2%, respectively. Correlation coefficients showed strong relations between number of pods and seeds per plant in both cultivars regardless of the inoculation variant, however the strongest relations in both cultivar were proved on HiStick treatment.