2013

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Agriculture
Sixth Annual International
Conference on Agriculture
15-18 July 2013, Athens, Greece
Edited by Gregory T. Papanikos

THE ATHENS INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

1

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book2

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Agriculture Abstracts
6th Annual International
Conference Agriculture
15-18 July 2013, Athens,
GreeceEdited by Gregory T. Papanikos

36th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

First Published in Athens, Greece by the Athens Institute for Education andResearch.
ISBN: 978-618-5065-11-9
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored,
retrieved system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without thewritten permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form ofbinding or cover.
8 Valaoritou Street
Kolonaki, 10671 Athens, Greece
www.atiner.gr©Copyright 2012 by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. The
individual essays remain the intellectual properties of the contributors.

46th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

TABLE OF CONTENTS(In Alphabetical Order by Author's Family name)
Preface
Conference Program
1 Effect on Sugar Beet Yield of Partial Root Zone Fertilizer
Applications under Partial Root Zone Irrigation Conditions by
Drip Irrigation
Ramazan Topak, Bilal Acar, Refik Uyanöz and Ercan Ceyhan
2 Water Stress Imposed at Different Growth Stages of Barley
Ayad Ali Almaeini
3 The Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation Responses on the
Success of Farm Businesses in Western Australia
Anderton Lucy, Ross Kingwell, David Feldman, Vilaphonh Xayavong,
Jane Speijers, Angela Wardell-Johnson & Nazrul Islam
4 Influence of Soil Modification on Mineral Nutrition of Highbush
Blueberries
Jana Apse & Aldis Karklins
5 Water Use in a 58 Year-Old Even-Aged Stand of Invasive Woody
Juniperus Virginiana L. In the Nebarska Sandhills, USA
Tala Awada
6 Phylogenetic Screening for Antibiotic Producing Actinomycetes
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
7 Implications of CAP Reform for Greek Agriculture
David Blandford & Katharina Hassapoyannes
8 Biological Activity Attributed to Tannins and Saponins in two
Tropical Legumes
Arturo F. Castellanos-Ruelas, L. Sanchez-Solano, L. Chel-Guerrero & D.
Betancur-Ancona
9 Effects of Different Fat Sources on Fatty Acid Composition and
Cla Content of Eggs of Laying Hens
Ozcan Baris Citil, Mehmet Sezgin, Abdurrahman Aktumsek & Gokhan
Zengin10 Influence of Mycorrhiza Inoculation on Plant Growths of Triticale(x Triticosecale Wittmack) and Clover (Medicago sativa) in Sterileand non-Sterile Soils
Ali Coskan, Onder Ozal & Ali Ozden
11 Effects of Different Growing Mediums on Nutrient Concentrationof Eggplant in Soilless Culture
Ibrahim Erdal, Hakan Aktasm, Zeliha Kucukyumuk, Selda Daler, Ozden
Ozen & Kemal Gencer
12 Influence of Temperature and Residence Time of Main Liming
Process on the Reduction of α-Amino Acids during Beet Juice
Purification
Amin Farshchi, Mohammad Elahi & Shabnam Imani

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The Impact of Virtual Water Trading on the Water andAgricultural Policies in the Semi-arid Regions; The case study ofCyprusNora Fayssal & Christos Anastasiou
Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli: Farm trends andimplications for raw dairy products consumption
Alvaro Garcia
Testing of Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch (TPS)
Films
Krzysztof Golacki, Bozenna Gladyszewsk, Pawel Kolodzie, & Zbigniew
Stropek
Using a New Integrated Model to Assess the Effects of Thinningand Prescribed Fire on Pinus Palustris Carbon Sequestration
Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke
Evolution Patterns of Western Himalayan Artemisia L.
(Asteraceae)
Muhammad Qasim Hayat & Muhammad Ashraf & Catherine Kidner
Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Tropical Crops andAlternative Control Studies in the North and Atlantic Region in
Costa Rica
Tomas de Jesus Guzman Hernandez
Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Bread Wheat (Triticum
Aestivum L.) Via in Vitro Conditions
Bita Hedayat Alimir
Bio-diversity of Bacillus Megaterium as a Brilliant Bacterium for
Human Life
Vahid Jafari, Ahmad Asgharzadeh & Kazem Khavazi
Antimicrobial Activity of Bacillus Spp. in the Biocontrol ofDifferent Phytopathogenic Agrobacterium Isolates
Zarko Ivanovic, Jovana Blagojević, Veljko Gavrilović, Tatjana Popović,
Researcher, Svetlana Živković, Slaviša Stanković & Đorđe Fira
Strategic Assessment and Restoration Approach for Mangrove
Ecosystem in Vietnam
Satoshi Kameyama, Chiharu Miyamoto, Seiji Suda, Tetsumi Asano &Seiichi Nohara
Periphyton Community Dynamics at Lake Couchiching, Orillia,
Ontario: Influence of Water Depth
Nandakumar Kanavillil, CA Chantler, D. Balika & Sreekumari Kurissery
Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Sectors ofAgriculture, Water and Nature Management-A Review for Cool
Temperate Regions
Eleni Karali, Claire Vos, Mark Rounsevell & Pytrik Reidsma
Examining The Influence of Psychological Factors on Global
Climate Change Perceptions Held by Farmers in the Northeast of
ThailandSuthirat Kittipongvises, Takashi Mino

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

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Analysis of Merapi Mount’s Post-Eruption Soil and Volcanic
Deposit Amended with Organic Matter and Mulch on Manihot
Esculenta C. Growth
Komariah, Dwi Priyo Ariyanto & Arief Noor Rachmadiyanto
Spatial Heterogeneity in Periphyton Colonization: Edge Effect a
Myth or Reality?
Sreekumari Kurissery, D. Balika & Nandakumar Kanavillil
Comparison of Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Agroforestry, Organic,
and Conventional Farming Systems
Hung-Chun Lin, Julia Huber & Kurt-Jurgen Hulsbergen
Crop Architecture: Investigating ‘Strigolactones’ A New Plant
Hormone Present In Branching and Non-Branching Varieties ofSome Horticultural Species
Sarina Manandhar, David Woolley & Keith A. Funnell
A Sustainable Model for Producing the Yearly Vegetable andFruit Needs for a Family in their Home LandscapePete Melby, Sylvia Byrd & Andrew Fruge
Black Carbon and Gases from Biomass burning in Mexico
Violeta Mugica, José de Jesús Figueroa & Naxieli Santiago
Plant Acclimation to Elevated CO2: Impacts on Multitrophic
Interactions with Insects
Adriana Najar-Rodriguez, Jeannine Klaiber & Silvia Dorn
Universality, Urbe and University: A Transversal Environmental
Thematic.
Luiz Antonio Cesario de Oliveira & Simony Aparecida Do Rego Barros
Barbosa Cesário De Oliveira
General Status of Mushroom Production Buildings and View of
the Neighboring Families Mushroom Production Buildings – The
Case of Korkuteli
Hasan Oz, Atilgan Atilgan, Zekai Gumus & Orhan Kurt
SEBAL Methodology for Estimating Crop Evapotranspiration in
CyprusGiorgos Papadavid, S. Perdikou, N. Neophytou & D. Hadjimitsis
Precision Fertigation for Sustainable Agriculture in Saudi Arabia
V.C. Patil
Exploration of Genetic Variability of 'Mirasol' Chili (Capsicum
Annum L.) Accessions through ISSR Markers
Margarita Gisela Pena-Ortega, Juan Enrique Rodriguez-Perez & Juan
Martinez-Solis
Copper-Citrate as a Possibility for Control of Some
Phytopathogenic Bacteria
Tatjana Popovic
Drinking Water Distribution Systems Characteristics on Biofilm
Development: A Kernel Based Approach
Eva Ramos Martinez, Manuel Herrera, Joaquín Izquierdo & Rafael Pérez
García

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Productivity Studies Utilizing Recombinant CHO Cells in StirredTank Bioreactors: A Comparative Study Between Pitched-Bladeand Packed-Bed Bioreactor Systems
Kamal Rashid, Taylor Hatton & Shaun Barnett
Effect of Increased Subcutaneous Fat Stores on Fatty Acid
Composition of Blood Lipid Fractions and Productive
Performance in Periparturient Dairy Holstein Cows
Pedram Rezamand
Using Vigor Tests for Predicting Seedling Emergence ofVegetable Seeds Under Greenhouse Conditions
Juan Martinez-Solis, Margarita Gisela Pena-Ortega & Juan Enrique
Rodriguez-Perez
Development of the Use of Sensors Technology for the
Fertilization of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Mexicali, Baja
California, Mexico
Jesus Santillano-Cazares, Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio & William Ratin
Oilseed Crops for Biofuel Production in Wheat-Based Cropping
Systems in the Pacific Northwest, USA
William Schillinger
Use of Rhizobacteria for the Management of Soft rot Disease of
PotatoAhmad Ali Shahid
In Vitro Propagation of Musa ‘Kluai Namwa Mali Ong’
Chamchuree Sotthikul, Parichat Choomporn & Kadsarin Getphayak
Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Breeding Behaviour, Mating
Systems and Relatedness of Family Groups in the Co-operatively
Breeding Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus Temporalis
Kate Stevens, Katherine Harrisson, Raylene Cooke, Rohan Clarke, Andrew.
F. Bennett & Fiona Hogan
Applicability of Weibull, Log-Logistic and Cox Regression
Models on Agricultural Data
Adile Tatliyer, Ozgur Koskan & Deniz Alic Ural
Pineapple “Trat Si Thong” Production Technology in Eastern
Cultivated Areas, Thailand
Phenchan Thardphaiboon
Home Range and Habitat Use of the Tawny Frogmouth in Urban
Environments
Marian Weaving, Kara Hower, Raylene Cooke & John White
Consumer Attitudes and Labeling Regimes as Determinants of theMarket Success of Food Nanotechnology
Emie Yiannaka, Van Tran & Konstantinos Giannakas
Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge
Blanket Reactor for Reject Water Treatment
Ivar Zekker
Managing Limited Irrigation for Maximizing Grain Production in
the North China Plain
Xiying Zhang, Suying Chen, Hongyong Sun & Liwei Shao

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

PrefaceThis abstract book includes all the abstracts of the papers presented
at the 6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013,
organized by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. In total
there were 53 papers and 64 presenters, coming from 29 different
countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cyprus,
Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Latvia,
Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA). The
conference was organized into 15 sessions that included areas such as
Genetics & Animal Production, Water & Soil, Land Use & Agricultural
Policy, Ecology etc As it is the publication policy of the Institute, thepapers presented in this conference will be considered for publicationin one of the books of ATINER.
The Institute was established in 1995 as an independent academicorganization with the mission to become a forum where academics andresearchers from all over the world could meet in Athens and exchange
ideas on their research and consider the future developments of theirfields of study. Our mission is to make ATHENS a place where
academics and researchers from all over the world meet to discuss thedevelopments of their discipline and present their work. To serve thispurpose, conferences are organized along the lines of well establishedand well defined scientific disciplines. In addition, interdisciplinary
conferences are also organized because they serve the mission
statement of the Institute. Since 1995, ATINER has organized more than
150 international conferences and has published over 100 books.
Academically, the Institute is organized into four research divisions andnineteen research units. Each research unit organizes at least one
annual conference and undertakes various small and large research
projects.
I would like to thank all the participants, the members of theorganizing and academic committee and most importantly theadministration staff of ATINER for putting this conference together.
Gregory T. Papanikos
President

96th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

FINAL CONFERENCE PROGRAM
6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013,
Athens, Greece
PROGRAM
Conference Venue: Titania Hotel (52 Panepistimiou Avenue)
ORGANIZING AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos, President, ATINER.
Dr. George Poulos, Vice-President of Research, ATINER & Emeritus Professor,
University of South Africa, South Africa.
Dr. Nicholas Pappas, Vice-President Academics, ATINER & Professor, Sam
Houston University, USA.
Dr. Costas Stathopoulos, Deputy Head, Environment and Agriculture Research
Unit of ATINER & Lecturer, University of Newcastle, Australia.
Dr. Tala Awada, Professor, University of Nebraska, USA.
Dr. Konstantinos Giannakas, Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.
Dr. Emie Yiannaka, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.
Dr. Timothy Howe, Academic Member, Environment and Agriculture Research
Unit of ATINER & Associate Professor of History and Ancient Studies, Saint Olaf
College, USA.
Dr. John Hayes, Professor, Clemson University, USA.
Dr Amitava Rakshit, Faculty Member, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, UP,
India.
Dr. Salah Mohammed Hassan Afifi, Professor, Assiut University, Egypt.
Dr. Reha Onur Azizoglu, Postdoctoral Research Associate, College of Veterinary
Medicine, North Carolina State University, USA.
Dr. Salah Er-Raki, Professor, University of Cadi Ayyad, Morocco.
14. Ms. Lila Skountridaki, Researcher, ATINER & Ph.D. Student, University ofStrathclyde, U.K.
Mr. Vasilis Charalampopoulos, Researcher, ATINER & Ph.D. Student, Universityof Stirling, U.K.
Administration
Fani Balaska, Stavroula Kiritsi, Eirini Lentzou, Konstantinos Manolidis,
Katerina Maraki & Celia Sakka

10

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract BookC O N F E R E N C E
P R O G R A M(The time for each session includes at least 10 minutes coffee break)Monday 15 July 2013
08:00-08:30 Registration
08:30-08:35 Welcome and Opening Remarks
1. Dr. George Poulos, Vice-President of Research, ATINER & Emeritus
Professor, University of South Africa, South Africa.
2. Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos, President, ATINER.
08:35-10:00 Session I (Room A): Water & Soil
Chair: George Poulos, Vice-President of Research, ATINER & Emeritus Professor,
University of South Africa, South Africa.
1.

2.
3.

*Tala Awada, Professor, University of Nebraska, USA. Water Use in a 58 YearOld Even-Aged Stand of Invasive Woody Juniperus Virginiana L. In the
Nebarska Sandhills, USA.
Ayad Ali Almaeini, Assistant Professor, AL-Qassim Green University, Hilla, Iraq.
Water Stress Imposed at Different Growth Stages of Barley.
Nora Fayssal, PhD Student, Lebanese University / American University ofBeirut, Lebanon & Christos Anastasiou, Assistant Professor, Frederick University,
Cyprus. The Impact of Virtual Water Trading on the Water and Agricultural
Policies in the Semi-arid Regions; The Case Study of Cyprus.

10:00-12:00 Session II (Room A): Land Use &Agricultural Policy
Chair: Nicholas Pappas, Vice-President
Academic Affairs, ATINER & Professor,
Sam Houston University, USA.

10:00-12:00 Session III (Room B): Ecology
Chair: *Tala Awada, Professor,
University of Nebraska, USA.

1.

1. *Sreekumari Kurissery, Associate
Professor,
Lakehead
University,
Canada,D.
Balika,Lakehead
University, Canada & Nandakumar
Kanavillil,
Associate
Professor,
Lakehead University, Canada. Spatial
Heterogeneityin
Periphyton
Colonization: Edge Effect a Myth orReality? (Ecology)
2. *Carlos
Gonzalez-Benecke,
Researcher, University of Florida,
USA. Using a New Integrated Modelto Assess the Effects of Thinning and
Prescribed Fire on Pinus Palustris
Carbon Sequestration.
3. *Satoshi
Kameyama,
SeniorResearcher, National Institute forEnvironmental
Studies,
Japan,
Chiharu
Miyamoto,
SeniorResearcher, Action for Mangrove
Reforestation: NGO, Japan, Seiji Suda,
Representative, Action for Mangrove
Reforestation: NGO, Japan, Tetsumi
Asano, Senior Researcher, Action for
Mangrove Reforestation: NGO, Japan& Seiichi Nohara, Leader, National
Institute for Environmental Studies,2.

3.

David Blandford, Professor, The
Pennsylvania State University, USA& Katharina Hassapoyannes, Policy
Advisor,EuropeanParliament,
Greece. Implications of CAP Reformfor Greek Agriculture.
Pete Melby, Professor, Mississippi
State University, USA, Sylvia Byrd,
Professor,
Mississippi
State
University, USA & Andrew Fruge,
Professor,
Mississippi
State
University, USA. A Sustainable
Model for Producing the Yearly
Vegetable and Fruit Needs for a
Family in their Home Landscape.
Hung-Chun Lin, PhD Student,
Technical University of Munich,Germany, Julia Huber, PhD Student,
Technical University of Munich,Germany & Kurt-Jurgen Hulsbergen,
Professor,
Chairof
Organic
Agriculture
andAgronomy,
Technical University of Munich,Germany. Comparison of Nitrogen
Use Efficiency of Agroforestry,
Organic, and Conventional Farming
Systems.

11

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Japan. Strategic Assessment andRestoration Approach for Mangrove
Ecosystem in Vietnam.
4. *Nandakumar Kanavillil, Associate
Professor,
Lakehead
University,
Canada, CA Chantler, Lakehead
University, Canada, D. Balika,
Lakehead University, Canada &Sreekumari
Kurissery,
Associate
Professor,
Lakehead
University,
Canada.
Periphyton
Community
Dynamics at Lake Couchiching,
Orillia, Ontario: Influence of Water
Depth. (Ecology)
12:00-13:30 Session IV (Room A): Crop
Study
Chair: David Blandford, Professor, The
Pennsylvania State University, USA.

12:00-13:30 Session V (Room B): Climate
ChangeChair: *Satoshi Kameyama, SeniorResearcher, National Institute forEnvironmental Studies, Japan.

1.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Jesus Santillano-Cazares, Professor,
Universidad Autonoma de Baja
California, Mexico, Ivan OrtizMonasterio & William Ratin.
Development of the Use of Sensors
Technology for the Fertilization of
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
Juan Martinez-Solis, Faculty andResearcher, Chapingo Autonomous
University,
Mexico,Margarita
Gisela Pena-Ortega, Faculty &Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous
University, Mexico & Juan Enrique
Rodriguez-Perez,
Faculty&
Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous
University, Mexico. Using Vigor
Tests for Predicting Seedling
Emergence of Vegetable Seeds
Under Greenhouse Conditions.
Giorgos Papadavid, Researcher,
Agricultural Research Institute,
Cyprus,M.
Hadjimitsis,
Agricultural Research Institute,
Cyprus, S. Perdikou, Agricultural
Research Institute, Cyprus, N.
Neophytou, Agricultural ResearchInstitute, Cyprus & D. Hadjimitsis,
Agricultural Research Institute,
Cyprus. SEBAL Methodology for
Estimating Crop Evapotranspiration
in Cyprus.
Hasan Oz, Research Assistant,
Suleyman
DemirelUniversity,

2.

3.

12

Suthirat
Kittipongvises,
Ph.D.
Candidate, The University of Tokyo,
Japan, Takashi Mino, Professor, The
UniversityofTokyo,
Japan.
Examining
The
Influenceof
Psychological Factors on Global
Climate Change Perceptions Held byFarmers in the Northeast of
Thailand.
*Anderton
Lucy,
Economist,
Department of Agriculture andFood, Australia, Ross Kingwell,
Chief
Economist,
Professor,
Australian Export Grains Innovation
Centre, Australia, David Feldman,
Senior Economist, Department ofAgriculture and Food, Australia,
Vilaphonh Xayavong, Economist,
Department of Agriculture andFood, Australia, Jane Speijers,
Biometrician, Private Consultant,
Australia, Angela Wardell-Johnson,
Social Scientist, University of theSunshine Coast, Australia & Nazrul
Islam, Senior Economist, Departmentof Agriculture and Food, Australia.
The Impact of Climate Change andAdaptation Responses on the Successof Farm Businesses in Western
Australia.
Eleni Karali, Research Associate, The
University of Edinburgh, UK, ClaireVos, Senior Researcher, Alterra
Wageningen, The Netherlands, Mark6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Turkey, Atilgan Atilgan, Associate
Professor,
Suleyman
DemirelUniversity, Turkey, Zekai Gumus,
Assistant Professor, Mustafa Kemal
University, Turkey & Orhan Kurt,
Graduate
Student,
Suleyman
DemirelUniversity,
Turkey.
General Status of Mushroom
Production Buildings and View oftheNeighboring
Families
Mushroom Production Buildings –The Case of Korkuteli.

Rounsevell,
Professor,
The
University of Edinburgh, UK &Pytrik Reidsma, The University of
Edinburgh, UK. Climate Change
Adaptation Measures in the Sectorsof Agriculture, Water and NatureManagement-A Review for Cool
Temperate Regions.

13:30-14:30 Lunch (details during registration)
14:30-16:00 Session VI (Room A): Plants
Chair: Juan Martinez-Solis, Faculty andResearcher, Chapingo Autonomous
University, Mexico.

14:30-16:00 Session VII (Room B): Biofuel &Oceanography
Chair: *Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke,
Researcher, University of Florida, USA.

1. Ibrahim Erdal, Professor, Suleyman
Demirel University, Turkey, Hakan
Aktasm, Associate Professor, Turkey,
ZelihaKucukyumuk,
Research
Assistant, Turkey, Selda Daler, MSc.
Student, Turkey, Ozden Ozen, MSc.
Student, Turkey, Kemal Gencer, MSc.
Student, Turkey. Effects of Different
Growing Mediums on Nutrient
Concentration of Eggplant in Soilless
Culture.
2. Sarina Manandhar, PhD Student,
Massey University, New Zealand,David Wooley, PhD supervisor,
Massey University, New Zealand &Keith A. Funnell, Scientist, Plant andFood Research, New Zealand. Crop
Architecture:
Investigating‘Strigolactones’
A
New
Plant
Hormone Present In Branching and
Non-Branching Varieties of Some
Horticultural Species.
3. Ali Coskan, Associate Professor,
Suleyman
DemirelUniversity,
Turkey, Onder Ozal, Associate
Professor,
Suleyman
DemirelUniversity, Turkey & Ali Ozden,
Associate
Professor,
Suleyman
Demirel University, Turkey. Influenceof Mycorrhiza Inoculation on Plant
Growths of Triticale (x Triticosecale
Wittmack) and Clover (Medicago

1.

2.

3.

4.

13

WilliamSchillinger,
Professor,
Washington State University, USA.
Oilseed Crops for Biofuel Productionin Wheat-Based Cropping Systems
in the Pacific Northwest, USA.
(Ecology)*Adriana Najar-Rodriguez, Research
Associate, ETH Zurich, Switzerland,
Jeannine Klaiber & Silvia Dorn. Plant
Acclimation to Elevated CO2:
Impacts on Multitrophic Interactions
with Insects. (Ecology)
Luiz Antonio Cesario de Oliveira,Professor, USP Universidade de Sao
Paolo, Brazil & Simony Aparecida,
Do Rego Barros Barbosa Cesário De
Oliveira,
Professor,
University
Paulista, Brazil. Universality, Urbeand University: A Transversal
Environmental Thematic.
Bita Hedayat Alimir, Lecturer,
Institute of Technical Agriculture,
Iraq.
EvaluationofDrought
Tolerance in Bread Wheat (Triticum
Aestivum
L.)
Via
in
Vitro
Conditions.

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

sativa) in Sterile and non-Sterile Soils.
4. Muhammad Qasim Hayat, AssistantProfessor & Muhammad Ashraf,
Professor, Atta-ur-Rahman School ofApplied Biosciences (ASAB), National
Universityof
SciencesandTechnology (NUST), Pakistan &Catherine
Kidner,Lecturer,
UniversityofEdinburgh,UK.
Evolution Patterns of Western
Himalayan Artemisia L. (Asteraceae).
5. Zarko Ivanovic, Researcher, Institutefor Plant Protection and Environment,
Serbia, Jovana Blagojević, Researcher,
Institute for Plant Protection andEnvironment,
Serbia,VeljkoGavrilović, Researcher, Institute for
Plant Protection and Environment,
Serbia, Tatjana Popović, Researcher,
Institute for Plant Protection andEnvironment,
Serbia,SvetlanaŽivković, Researcher, Institute for
Plant Protection and Environment,
Serbia, Slaviša Stanković, Researcher,
Faculty of Biology, University ofBelgrade, Serbia & Đorđe Fira,
Researcher, Faculty of Biology,
University of Belgrade, Serbia.
Antimicrobial Activity of Bacillus
Spp. in the Biocontrol of Different
Phytopathogenic
Agrobacterium
Isolates.
16:00-17:30 Session VIII (Room A): Bacteriology and Mycology
Chair: *Adriana Najar-Rodriguez, Research Associate, ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
1. Alvaro Garcia, Professor, South Dakota State University, U.S.A. Salmonella,Campylobacter, and E. coli: Farm trends and implications for raw dairy products
consumption.
2. *Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Associate Professor, North West University, South
Africa. Phylogenetic Screening for Antibiotic Producing Actinomycetes.
3. Vahid Jafari, Master of Science in Soil Microbiology, Soil and Water ResearchInstitute, Iran, Ahmad Asgharzadeh, Scientific Staff of Soil Biology Department,
Soil and Water Research Institute, Iran & Kazem Khavazi, Head of Soil
Microbiology Research Department, Soil and Water Research Institute, Iran. Biodiversity of Bacillus Megaterium as a Brilliant Bacterium for Human Life.
4. Tatjana Popovic, Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment,
Serbia, Zoran Milićević, Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection andEnvironment, Serbia, Nenad Dolovac, Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection
and Environment, Serbia, Žarko Ivanović, Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection
and Environment, Serbia & Predrag Milovanović, Researcher, GalenikaFitofarmacija, Serbia. Copper-Citrate as a Possibility for Control of Some
Phytopathogenic Bacteria.

146th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

17:30-19:00 Session IX (Room A): Marketing
Chair: *Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Associate Professor, North West University,
South Africa.
1. Eva Ramos Martinez, PhD Student, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain,
Manuel Herrera, Researcher, University Libre of Bruxelles, Belgium, Joaquín
Izquierdo, Professor, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain & Rafael Pérez
García, Professor, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain. Drinking Water
Distribution Systems Characteristics on Biofilm Development: A Kernel BasedApproach.
2. Amin Farshchi, Researcher, University of Leeds, UK, Mohammad Elahi, Professor,
Ferdowsi University, Iran & Shabnam Imani, Lecturer, Islamic Azad UniversitySofian Branch, Iran. Influence of Temperature and Residence Time of Main Liming
Process on the Reduction of α-Amino Acids during Beet Juice Purification.
3. *Krzysztof Golacki, Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland,
Bozenna Gladyszewsk, Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland,
Pawel Kolodziej, Associate Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland& Zbigniew Stropek, Associate Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin,
Poland. Testing of Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Films.
21:00–23:00 Greek Night (Details during registration)
Tuesday 16 July 201308:30-10:00 Session X (Room A): Agricultural
Technology
Chair: *Arturo F. Castellanos-Ruelas,
Professor-Researcher, Autonomous
University of Yucatan, Mexico.

08:30-10:00 Session XI (Room B): Nutrition
Chair: *V.C. Patil, Professor, King Saud
University, Saudi Arabia.

1. *Kamal Rashid, Professor, Utah State
University, USA, Taylor Hatton, Ph.D.
Student, Utah State University, USA &Shaun Barnett, Researcher, Utah State
University, USA. Productivity Studies
Utilizing Recombinant CHO Cells in
Stirred-Tank
Bioreactors:
A
Comparative Study Between PitchedBlade and Packed-Bed Bioreactor
Systems.
2. Emie Yiannaka, Associate Professor,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA,
Van Tran, University of NebraskaLincoln, USA & Konstantinos Giannakas,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA.
Consumer Attitudes and Labeling
Regimes as Determinants of the Market
Success of Food Nanotechnology.
3. Chamchuree Sotthikul, Lecturer, Chiang
Mai University, Thailand, Parichat
Choomporn, Chiang Mai University,
Thailand & Kadsarin Getphayak, Chiang
Mai University, Thailand. In Vitro
Propagation of Musa ‘Kluai Namwa Mali

1. Ozcan Baris Citil, Professor, University
of Selcuk, Turkey, Mehmet Sezgin,
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey,
Abdurrahman Aktumsek, Professor,
University of Selcuk, Turkey & Gokhan
Zengin, Professor, University of Selcuk,
Turkey. Effects of Different Fat Sources
on Fatty Acid Composition and Cla
Content of Eggs of Laying Hens.
2. Pedram Rezamand, Assistant Professor,
University of Idaho, USA & Cynthia
Scholte, Graduate Student, Universityof Idaho, USA. Effect of Increased
Subcutaneous Fat Stores on Fatty Acid
Composition of Blood Lipid Fractions
and Productive Performance in
Periparturient Dairy Holstein Cows.
3. Jana Apse, National Botanic Garden,
Latvia & Aldis Karklins, Latvia
University of Agriculture, Latvia.
Influence of Soil Modification on
Mineral NutritionofHighbush
Blueberries.

15

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ong’.
10:00-11:30 Session XII (Room A): Herbal
Medicine, Phytopathology
Chair: *Kamal Rashid, Professor, Utah
State University, USA.

10:00-11:30 Session XIII (Room B): Land
Escape & Rural Development
Chair: Pedram Rezamand, AssistantProfessor, University of Idaho, USA.

1. *Arturo
F.
Castellanos-Ruelas,
Professor-Researcher,
Autonomous
University of Yucatan, Mexico, L.
Sanchez-Solano,
Autonomous
University of Yucatan, Mexico, L.
Chel-Guerrero,
Autonomous
University of Yucatan, Mexico & D.
Betancur-Ancona,
Autonomous
University of Yucatan, Mexico.
Biological Activity Attributed toTannins and Saponins in two Tropical
Legumes.
2. Tomas de Jesus Guzman Hernandez,
Professor, Technological Institute of
Costa Rica, Costa Rica. Parasitic
Nematodes Associated with Tropical
Crops and Alternative Control Studies
in the North and Atlantic Region in
Costa Rica.
3. *Ramazan Topak, Professor, Facultyof Agriculture, University of Selçuk,
Turkey,Bilal
Acar,
Associate
Professor, Dr., Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Selçuk, Turkey, Refik
Uyanöz,Professor,
Facultyof
Agriculture, University of Selçuk,
Turkey, Ercan Ceyhan, Associate
Professor, Dr., Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Selçuk, Turkey. Effect on
Sugar Beet Yield of Partial Root Zone
Fertilizer Applications under Partial
Root Zone Irrigation Conditions by
Drip Irrigation.
4. AhmadAli
Shahid,Assistant
Professor, Institute of Agricultural
Sciences University of the Punjab,
Pakistan. Use of Rhizobacteria for theManagement of Soft rot Disease of
Potato.

1. Phenchan
Thardphaiboon,
Agricultural
Research
Officer
Professional Level, Ministry ofAgriculture
andCooperatives,
Thailand. Pineapple “Trat Si Thong”
Production Technology in Eastern
Cultivated Areas, Thailand.
2. Kate Stevens, PhD Candidate, Deakin
University,
Australia,
Katherine
Harrisson,
DeakinUniversity,
Australia, Raylene Cooke, Seniorlecturer, Deakin University, Australia,
Rohan Clarke, Lecturer, Monash
University, Australia, Andrew. F.
Bennett, Associate Head of School(Research),
DeakinUniversity,
Australia & Fiona Hogan, Lecturer,
Monash University, Australia. Effects
of Habitat Fragmentation on Breeding
Behaviour, Mating Systems andRelatedness of Family Groups in the
Co-operatively
Breeding
Greycrowned
Babbler
Pomatostomus
Temporalis. (Ecology)
3. Marian Weaving, Ph.D. Student,
Deakin University, Australia, Kara
Hower, Professor, Deakin University,
Australia, Raylene Cooke, Professor,
Deakin University, Australia & JohnWhite, Professor, Deakin University,
Australia. Home Range and Habitat
Use of the Tawny Frogmouth in
Urban Environments.
4. Adile Tatliyer, Researcher, Suleyman
Demirel University, Turkey, Ozgur
Koskan,Assistant
Professor,
Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey& Deniz Alic Ural, Professor, Adnan
Menderes
University,
Turkey.
Applicability of Weibull, Log-Logistic
and Cox Regression Models on
Agricultural Data.

16

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

11:30-13:00 Session XIV (Room A): Irrigation and Cultivation
Chair: *Ivar Zekker, Chemist, University of Tartu, Estonia.
1.
2.

3.

4.

*V.C. Patil, Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Precision Fertigationfor Sustainable Agriculture in Saudi Arabia.
Xiying Zhang, Principal Investigator, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China,
Suying Chen, Professor, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, HongyongSun, Professor, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China & Liwei Shao, Professor,
The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. Managing Limited Irrigation for
Maximizing Grain Production in the North China Plain.
*Komariah, Lecturer, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia, Dwi Priyo Ariyanto,
Lecturer, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia & Arief Noor Rachmadiyanto,
Ph.D. Student, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia. Analysis of Merapi Mount’s
Post-Eruption Soil and Volcanic Deposit Amended with Organic Matter andMulch on Manihot Esculenta C. Growth.
Violeta Mugica, Researcher, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco,
Mexico, José de Jesús Figueroa, Researcher, Universidad Autónoma
Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco, Mexico & Naxieli Santiago, Student, Universidad
Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco, Mexico. Black Carbon and Gases from
Biomass burning in Mexico. (Ecology)

13:00-14:00 Lunch (Details during registration)
14:00-15:30 Session XV (Room A): Genetics & Animal Production
Chair: Dwi Priyo Ariyanto, Lecturer, Sebelas Maret University.
1. *Ivar Zekker, Chemist, University of Tartu, Estonia. Anaerobic Ammonium
Oxidation in Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor for Reject Water
Treatment. (Water)
2. Margarita Gisela Pena-Ortega, Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous
University, Mexico, Juan Enrique Rodriguez-Perez, Faculty & Researcher,
Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico & Juan Martinez-Solis, Faculty &Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico. Exploration of Genetic
Variability of 'Mirasol' Chili (Capsicum Annum L.) Accessions through ISSR
Markers.
17:30-20:30 Urban Walk (Details during registration)
21:00-22:00 Dinner (Details during registration)
Wednesday 17 July 2013
Cruise: (Details during registration)
Thursday 18 July 2013
Delphi Visit: (Details during registration)17

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ramazan TopakProfessor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Selçuk, Turkey
Bilal Acar
Associate Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey
Refik Uyanoz
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey
Ercan Ceyhan
Associate Professor, Dr., Faculty of Agriculture, University of Selçuk,
TurkeyEffect on Sugar Beet Yield of Partial Root Zone
Fertilizer Applications under Partial Root Zone
Irrigation Conditions by Drip Irrigation
This research was designated for two years and first year wascompleted in 2012 growing season. The results giving this paper were
for the first year. Research was conducted at Konya-Turkey and aimed
to determine the effects of partial root zone irrigation applications andpartial root zone fertilizer applications on sugar beet yield and quality.
In this respect, 3 irrigation and 3 nitrogen levels were performed.
Irrigation treatments were full irrigation (FI), 50% of the full irrigation
namely alternative partial root zone draying (APRD), and fix partial
root zone drying (FPRD). Nitrogen treatments were amount of 100%
(N100), 75% (N75) and 50% (N50) of the nitrogen requirements
determined amount by experimental soil analysis. In first year of study,
65 kg N/ha pure nitrogen was determined in experimental soil. In thisrespect, 155 kg N/ha, 116 kg N/ha and 77.5 kg N/ha were applied to
the N100, N75 and N50 plots, respectively. Before the sowing, 35 kg
N/ha was applied to the all plots and rests dividing into four parts
were applied by fertigation technique. The results showed that among
partial root drying treatments the highest root yields were obtained
from different nitrogen applied by APRD method.

18

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ayad Ali Almaeini
Assistant Professor, AL-Qassim Green University, Hilla, Iraq

Water Stress Imposed at Different Growth Stages ofBarleyAfield experiment was conducted during winter season of 2011 –2012 to study the effects of water stress imposed ( by skipping irrigation) at different growth stages of barley ( Hordeum vulgare spp. Vulgare )which was grown under different planting methods . A split blockarrangements with completely randomized block design ( RCBD ) for
three replicates involving four planting methods in the main blocks
were broadcasting ( irrigated with flat basin ) , broadcasting (irrigatedwith furrow ) , drilling (irrigated with flat basin ) and row spacing on
bed – furrow while four skipping irrigation treatments in the subplots
were ; full irrigation ( re irrigation when 50 % of available water was
depleted ) as a control , and another three treatments involving
skipping only one irrigation ( depletion about 85 – 90 % of available
water ) at either tillering , late booting and grain filling . The depletionof soil moisture was measured by gravimetric method .
The results indicates that water stress caused reduction in grain yieldby 26 , 22 and 14 % in plant stressed at grain filling , tillering and latebooting respectively . The planting in row spacing on bed – furrow
given higher grain yield ( 6.92 t.ha-1 ) while other methods ( drilling ,furrow and broadcasting respectively 5.22 , 5.14 and 4.08 t.ha-1 . The
highest value of water use efficiency ( WUE ) of barley grain was withrow spacing on bed – furrow when stressed at late booting stages (2.38 kg m-3 ) and the lowest with broadcasting stressed of grain filling (1.16 kg m-3) skipping irrigation at tillering stages caused a significant
reduction in plant height , flag leaf area and it’s weight , spike weightnumber of tillers , biological yield and number of spikes .
There was a significant reduction in chlorophyll content , number ofgrain per spike at late booting stage treatment while skipping irrigation
at grain filling caused a significant reduction in grain weight , biologicalyield and harvest index .
Planting in row spacing on bed – furrow improved the roots growthwhich was reflected in a good shoot growth and then a high grain yield.
The results showed that water stress at grain tillering stages had themost depressing effect on barley followed by at tillering and the row
spacing on bed furrow is the best planting method for barley
production .

19

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Anderton Lucy
Economist, Department of Agriculture and Food, Australia
Ross Kingwell
Chief Economist, Professor, Australian Export Grains Innovation
Centre, Australia
David Feldman
Senior Economist, Department of Agriculture and Food, Australia
Vilaphonh Xayavong
Economist, Department of Agriculture and Food, Australia
Jane Speijers
Biometrician, Private Consultant, Australia
Angela Wardell-Johnson
Social Scientist, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia&
Nazrul Islam
Senior Economist, Department of Agriculture and Food, Australia

The Impact of Climate Change and Adaptation
Responses on the Success of Farm Businesses inWestern Australia
This study examines ten years of financial and production data of
242 farm businesses operating in south-western Australia. It also
identifies the behavioral characteristics of the farm operators through acomprehensive socio-managerial survey of each farm business.
The study area has a Mediterranean climate, where three quarters of
the rainfall is received during the growing season from April andOctober. Growers have learned to produce 2 tonne per hectare wheat
crops on less than 200 ml of growing season rainfall.
Australia is the driest continent in the world and is renowned for its
climate variability. In addition, evidence is emerging that its southernparts, like south-western Australia, are experiencing a warming, drying
trend in their climate. In the study region, average annual rainfall overthe last thirty years in the study area has declined and averageminimum and maximum temperatures have risen. Moreover, in the lastten years a number of droughts have occurred.
This multidisciplinary study examines the business performance of
242 farms from 2002 to 2011 and identifies the strategies farm managers
have adopted to adapt to their dying, warming environment. Farms are
categorised according to their performance and their characteristics,
including socio-managerial characteristics, are compared andcontrasted. We find many significant differences between farm
performance categories and the adaptation strategies used by farmers

20

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Bookin those groups.
There are alsocharacteristics of farmers in those groups.

21

differentsocio-managerial6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Jana Apse
National Botanic Garden, Latvia&
Aldis Karklins
Latvia University of Agriculture, Latvia

Influence of Soil Modification on Mineral Nutritionof Highbush Blueberries
Blueberry cultivation is becoming more and more popular in Latvia
and several commercial plantations were established recently.
Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are perennial thatcan grow without replanting for 50 years, therefore a choice of soil andits preparation has a great role. This article summarizes results ofresearch carried out in commercial blueberry plantation established in
2004 on loamy Haplic Cambisol. Soil reaction was determined
potentiometrically, organic matter in mineral soil according to the
Tyurin’s method, in organic materials – by wet digestion, total nitrogenby the Kjeldahl method. Phosphorus and potassium in organic
materials – by dry combustion, but in mineral soil – by Egner–Riehm
method. Berry yield of 4 blueberry cultivars, soil properties andnitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in growing plant leaves
was determinate. Soil properties, especially reaction and organic matter
content initially were not suitable for blueberry cultivation therefore
deep tillage and application of soil conditioner (acid sphagnum peat)
was done before planting and similar peat mulch was applied every
second year. Obtained results showed that sphagnum peat is aneffective material for lowering of soil pH in plant root layer (0 – 40 cm)
and provides an optimal environment for blueberries. Soil was not thedeterminant factor that limits a productive establishment of blueberry
plantation in Latvia. Soil properties adjusted accordingly to therequirements of highbush blueberry, gives a possibility to establish
plantations also in typical mineral soils that has developed on low
calcareous moraine.

22

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Tala Awada
Professor, University of Nebraska, USA

Water Use in a 58 Year-Old Even-Aged Stand of
Invasive Woody Juniperus Virginiana L. In the
Nebarska Sandhills, USA
We investigated the intra-annual variability and environmental
controls over transpiration (E) in a planted, even-aged (58 yrs; 537 treesha-1), experimental forest of invasive native Juniperus virginiana in the
Nebraska Sandhills, with three canopy classes (dominant, co-dominant,and suppressed) using sap flux techniques, in a year where drought
was absent (2008, 34 % above average precipitation). Daily E wasclosely linked to growing-season length and variability in theenvironment. Minimum and average daily air temperatures,photosynthetically active radiation, and precipitation explained the
majority of the intra-annual daily variability in E. Vapor pressure deficit
was a significant factor in spring and summer, shallow volumetric soil
water content (VSWC 0.2 m) was important during summer
particularly June, and deep VSWC (0.6 m) was a significant factor in
January and August. E was highest in the dominant trees andcontributed to the majority (~ 77 %) of stand transpiration (Ec) on site
due to their larger canopy size, greater tree density, more leaf area, andaccessibility to water resources compared to the co-dominant andsuppressed tree canopies which contributed to 16 and 7 % of E,
respectively. Ec averaged ~ 413 mm yr-1, corresponding to ~ 24 % of
potential evapotranspritaion. Soils were significantly drier in the J.
virginiana stand than in adjacent C4-dominated grasslands, which
could be due to the longer growing-season over which physiologicalactivity extends in J. virginiana compared to C4-dominated grasslandsin the region, and precipitation interception by the canopy and forest
floor which evaporates before reaching the soil.

23

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Associate Professor, North West University, South Africa

Phylogenetic Screening for Antibiotic Producing
Actinomycetes
In this study, we isolated Streptomyces from rhizospheric soils
collected from Ngaka Modiri Molema district in South Africa. These
isolates were screened for antibacterial activity against ten test
microorganisms. Six isolates (NWU4, NWU91, NWU100, NWU110,
NWU204, NWU339) which exhibited antibacterial activity against atleast six of the test organisms were characterized by conventional andmolecular methods. All the isolates exhibited broad spectrum ofantibacterial activity against both Gram positive pathogens such as
Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, B.
cereus, and Enterococcus faecalis and Gram negative pathogens such as
Shigella boydii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Campylobacter jejuni and Proteus miribilis. The results showed that all
the isolates were active against Bacillus subtilis, S. aureus, S. pyogenes
and C. jejuni with a zone of inhibition ranging between 10 to 35 mm.
A 1.5 kb fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of all the six potent isolates
was sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of partial sequence
confirmed that all the potent isolates formed closed phylogenetic
cluster with known members of Streptomyces species with a (97-99%)
sequence identity. The results suggest that Streptomyces in rhizosphericsoils may represent a vast unexplored resource for biotechnology.
These isolates may be capable of producing compounds of interest
importance to medicine or agriculture. However, further investigationon the isolation and characterization of the antibacterial compounds
produced will be necessary to ascertain if it is novel and/or ofcommercial value.

24

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

David Blandford
Professor, The Pennsylvania State University, USA&
Katharina Hassapoyannes
The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Implications of CAP Reform for Greek Agriculture
The history of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a one ofgradual but slow adjustment to developments in the EU and the rest of
the world. Problems appearing in the course of the operation of thepolicy were mainly the result of delayed adjustment to conditions thatnecessitated immediate action and radical change.
The imminent CAP reform (2014-2020) faces new challenges,
including loss of competitiveness of the European agricultural sector,
greater world market volatility, deteriorating terms of trade, climatechange and loss of biodiversity, other environmental pressures, andgrowing consumer and public concerns.
Commission proposals for CAP reform are currently being
negotiated within the Council and the European Parliament. Key issues
are how to strengthen competitiveness while securing environmental
sustainability. The main changes proposed by the Commission include
regionalization, "greening", promotion of innovation and best practices,enhancement of the farm advisory system, and risk management.
Political challenges include convergence of payments between old andnew Member States, capping, and the definition of active farmers forreceipt of payments.
Greek agriculture has a poor record of performance under the CAP,
despite a generous inflow of European funds for more than three
decades. Failure to follow the rationale of the CAP and tocommunicate this to Greek farmers reflects weak institutions, a politicalsystem with an inherent aversion to change, and the lack of a strategy
for the agricultural sector.
Greek agriculture is expected to play an important role in the
country’s economic recovery. This paper will examine the evolution of
the CAP and the implications of the Commission’s reform proposals
with respect to Greek agriculture from both positive and normative
perspectives. Since the extent to which the proposed reforms will be
adopted is currently unclear, we also consider the implications oflimited reform scenarios.

25

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Arturo F. Castellanos-Ruelas
Professor-Researcher, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico
L. Sanchez-Solano
Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico
L. Chel-Guerrero, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico&
D. Betancur-Ancona
Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico

Biological Activity Attributed to Tannins andSaponins in two Tropical Legumes
The most important inconvenience of the use of legumes in humannutrition is the content of anti-nutritional factors. Among them, tannins
and saponins may cause a reduction in protein digestibility andbloating, respectively. Recently important biological activities were
found, where tannins have an antioxidant activity and saponins may
participate in the prevention of thrombotic cases. This information has
being obtained basically working with temperate legumes. Tropicallegumes have been poorly investigated. Therefore, the objective of thistrial was to determine the biological activity of tannins and saponins in
Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Mucuna pruriens in whole grains andin their fractions (hulls, dehulled kernels and protein concentrates).
Samples were analyzed to estimate their content of antioxidant andantithrombotic activities. The variables were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and by the GLM procedure to detect effects of the type oflegume, the fraction studied and their interaction. The highest
antioxidant activity was observed in Vigna (5093 Trolox equivalent
units, TEAC) (P<0.05); as in the fractions, the highest concentration was
found in hulls (5937 TEAC) (P<0.05). These values are considered high.
The antithrombotic activity was similar in both legumes (P>0.05); themost abundant amount was found in dehulled kernels of both legumes(P<0.05). In all cases values of antithrombotic activity was consideredlow. No interaction was found between main factors. It is concluded
that the content of tannins and saponins in Vigna unguiculata and
Mucuna pruriens led to a high antioxidant activity, especially Vigna
hulls; antithrombotic activity of dehulled kernels was also found in alesser extent. These fractions may be useful in the development offunctional foods.

266th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ozcan Baris Citil
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey
Mehmet Sezgin
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey
Abdurrahman Aktumsek
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey&
Gokhan Zengin
Professor, University of Selcuk, Turkey

Effects of Different Fat Sources on Fatty Acid
Composition and Cla Content of Eggs of Laying
Hens
Effects of different fat sources on fatty acid composition and CLA
contents of eggs of laying hens were investigated by gas
chromatographic method. Total 30 different fatty acids were
determined in fatty acid compositions of eggs. These fatty acids werevaried between C 8 to C 22. When animal fats especially tallow fat
added to ratios of laying hens, toplam CLA contents of eggs weresignificantly increased. CLA content of eggs analysed were found to behigher percentages in 90th day than those of 30th nd 60th day.

27

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ali Coskan
Associate Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey
Onder Ozal
Associate Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey&
Ali Ozden
Associate Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey

Influence of Mycorrhiza Inoculation on Plant
Growths of Triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) andClover (Medicago sativa) in Sterile and non-Sterile
Soils
A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effects ofmycorrhiza inoculation on mycorrhizal infection, spore abundance aswell as micronutrient contents of clover (Medicago sativa) and triticale(x Triticosecale Wittmack) plants. Clover and triticale was sown on
sterile or non-sterile soils either with or without mycorrhiza spore
applications.
Results revealed that root and shoot weights of clover and triticale
were increased by mycorrhizal inoculation in both sterile and nonsterile conditions. The positive effect of mycorrhizal inoculation on
biomass yield was considerable higher in sterile condition. Not
surprisingly, mycorrhizal inoculation increased the mycorrhizal
infection rate. However, the highest infection rate was observed in nonsterilized and non mycorrhiza applied variant as 86% at clover whereas
the highest value in triticale was observed at -sterile +mycorrhiza
application as 79%. Results related the nutrient contents of the bothplants, represented the effectiveness of mycorrhiza. Therefore
inoculation by mycorrhiza enhanced the plant nutrient uptake
capability.

28

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ibrahim Erdal
Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey
Hakan Aktasm
Associate Professor, Turkey
Zeliha Kucukyumuk
Research Assistant, Turkey
Selda Daler
MSc. Student, Turkey
Ozden Ozen
MSc. Student, Turkey, Kemal Gencer
MSc. Student, Turkey

Effects of Different Growing Mediums on Nutrient
Concentration of Eggplant in Soilless Culture
Study was conducted to examine the relations among some iron
related parameters such as plant growth, total and active iron,chlorophyll content and SPAD index in tomato leaf. For this, tomato
seedlings were planted in perlite and watered with the nutrient solution
containing 7.5 µmol/l (Fe1), 15 µmol/l (Fe2), 30 µmol/l (Fe3) and 60µmol/l (Fe4) iron in growth chamber for two mounts. According toresults, all parameters, except chlorophyll a, significantly affected byincreasing levels of iron and examined parameters increased with ironlevels. Also positive significant interactions were seen among the someparameters.

29

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Amin Farshchi
Researcher, University of Leeds, UK
Mohammad Elahi
Professor, Ferdowsi University, Iran&
Shabnam Imani
Lecturer, Islamic Azad University-Sofian Branch, Iran

Influence of Temperature and Residence Time ofMain Liming Process on the Reduction of α-Amino
Acids during Beet Juice Purification
During beet raw juice purification, an appreciable reduction in thecontent of α-amino acids results from destruction reactions, i.e.
saponification of amides, which chiefly occur during the main liming
process owing to alkaline conditions at elevated temperatures. Hence,from the point of view of optimum degradation conditions in main
liming, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence oftemperature (i.e. 80, 85 and 90˚C) and duration (i.e. 15, 25, 35 and 45
minutes) on α-amino acid degradation. In this research, the classicalmethod was used to purify the beet raw juice. The α-nitrogen content ofboth raw and thin juices was measured using a Betalyser analysing
system. In this study, invert sugar content of thin juices was also
evaluated since reducing sugars not only give rise to formation ofcoloured and acid products during main liming process but also tend toreact with amino acids to form browning products in technical juices.
The resultant thin juices were concentrated in an atmospheric pressure
evaporator until a brix of 60 was obtained. Limed juices heated at 80˚C
exhibited larger α-amino nitrogen content than those at higher main
liming temperatures and the greatest residual α-amino nitrogen content(13.14%) of the original level in raw juice was found at 80˚C and theminimum residence time (15 min). Higher temperatures and longer
residence times of main liming decreased the residual α-amino nitrogencontent, although they resulted in increased colour of thin juices.
Nevertheless, these juices subsequently exhibited a lower colour
formation in beet thick juice during evaporation compared with thinjuices subjected to milder conditions of main liming.

30

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Nora Fayssal
PhD Student, Lebanese University/American University of Beirut,
Lebanon&
Christos Anastasiou
Assistant Professor, Frederick University, Cyprus

The Impact of Virtual Water Trading on the Water
and Agricultural Policies in the Semi-arid Regions;
The case study of Cyprus
Most Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean countries
are facing chronic and severe water shortage problems. Such problems
are exacerbated by increasing populations and growing economic
activity. Although many semi-arid countries have been taking a seriesof technical measures to safeguard their water supply such as buildingof reservoir dams and introducing new irrigation techniques, or todevelop new water supply sources such as desalination and brackish
water treatment, few countries are taking enough steps in curbing theirwater demand. Taking the island of Cyprus as a case study, this paper
investigates the impact that virtual water trading can have on the water
management and agricultural policies of such semi-arid countries. This
study presents a complete fresh-water, including both natural andartificial sources, balance for Cyprus, examines various water saving
techniques already implemented or proposed for the country, a virtualwater trade map and finally it re-examines the water balance for theisland while taking virtual water trade into account. The results of thisstudy lead to various suggestions, including an increase of the net
virtual water imports in Cyprus, different water allocation scenariosthat connect the agricultural, domestic, industrial, and tourism sectorsof the economy, while considering the respective economic and social
benefits and costs for the country.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Alvaro Garcia
Professor, South Dakota State University, USA

Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli:
Farm trends and implications for raw dairy products
consumption
In 1938 raw milk was responsible for 25% of all foodborne outbreaks in
the U.S. Chicago passed the first milk pasteurization law in 1908.
Between 1973 and 1992 raw milk-originated outbreaks were 2.4 yearly
whereas between 1993 and 2006 they more than doubled (5.2). One of
the largest raw milk-originated outbreaks of recent times happened in
Pennsylvania in 2012. More than 71 cases of Campylobacter wereconfirmed in a four-state area. Ironically, the milk came from a farmcalled “The Family Cow” and was sold by a store named the “Healthy
Grocer”. Campylobacter is a common inhabitant of the intestine of the
cow and other animal species, not a haphazard event. The U.S. Animal
Health Monitoring System has determined that 92.6% of the dairies and33.7% of the cows are positive to this pathogen. Producers unaware ofmilk pathogens are two-fold more likely to drink raw milk. Primaryfactors cited were taste (72%) and convenience (60%). A European
Union Commission Regulation of July 2010 laid down the particularveterinary certification requirements for raw milk and dairy products
destined for human consumption. Regulations and policies haveprotected the consumers’ from diseases that can be transmitted throughraw dairy products. This fact has created a partnership of trust amongproducers, industry, and consumers, that if broken can take a long time
to be reinstated. This presentation will address the current raw milkbacteriological status with special emphasis place on Salmonella, E. coli,
and Campylobacter and its implications for raw dairy products
consumption.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Krzysztof Golacki
Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland
Bozenna Gladyszewsk
Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland
Pawel Kolodziej
Associate Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland&
Zbigniew Stropek
Associate Professor, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland

Testing of Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic
Starch (TPS) Films
The serious environmental pollution due to the usage of packaging
materials made from synthetic polymers and plastic materials encourages
producers to look for environmental friendly solutions. Thermoplastic starchis one of the most promising fully biodegradable raw materials for productionof elastic and rigid packaging. However to use this material they must meetthe requirements of clients and producers as regard e. g. static, dynamic, creep
and stress relaxation strengths and other mechanical properties.
This paper presents and discusses the study of mechanical tests toinvestigate the TPS films. There were applied tensile, stress relaxation andcreep as well as special designed cyclic force and impact tests. In all kinds oftests, the time-force response curves were recorded. From the tensile test, thecritical values of tensile stress, yield stress and elastic modulus were obtained.
Coefficients of elasticity and viscosity of generalised Maxwell model wereobtained as a result of stress relaxation and creep test. Thermoplastic film
resistance to cyclic loading was achieved as a result of cyclic force test.
Loading used in this test was a combination of ramp step and sine function of
the force acting on the sample for 60 seconds.
Impact test consist in the drop of the spherical impactor on the film sample
fixed in a rectangular frame which ensures appropriate pressing the fixing
force. The aim of this test was to obtain sample breaking stress. The influenceof drop height and a diameter of the impactor on the kind of sample bursting
was also studied.
Thermoplastic films were prepared by the extrusion cooking method fromthe potato starch granulate.
In order to study the influence the additives on mechanical properties ofthermoplastic starch film two sets of samples witch polymer alcohol (5%), andkeratin (0.5%) were investigated.
The results presented in the form of graphs and tables were discussed.
“This work was supported by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education,
Project no. NN313 704740”

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke
Researcher, University of Florida, USA

Using a New Integrated Model to Assess the Effectsof Thinning and Prescribed Fire on Pinus Palustris
Carbon Sequestration
From an ecologic, economic and social point of view, Pinus taeda
and Pinus elliottii are the most important tree species in SE UnitedStates, accounting for more than 13 million hectares planted. About 58%
of the total U.S. timber harvest is from the SE U.S., making this region
one of the most prolific timber production zones in the world. Becauseof their large area and high productivity, southern forests are asignificant portion of the U.S. carbon budget, containing 12 Pg of C,
36% of the sequestered forest carbon (C) in the conterminous U.S.
Climate change will likely have important impacts on managed
southern pine systems. Some future climate scenarios predict, by end of
the century, a rising in average temperature of 2.5 to 5º. Precipitation
predictions indicate that summertime precipitation will decline by 10%
to 30%. In addition, elevated temperatures will increase vapor pressure
deficits, making it likely that soil water deficits will become morecommon. All of these factors will likely negatively impact southern pine
C sequestration. The stand-level C balance model 3-PG wasparameterized for both species and used to predict forest productivity
under changing management and environmental conditions forrepresentative sites in SE U.S. Future climate scenarios were obtained
from regional future monthly mean temperature and total precipitation
scenarios obtained from the National Center for Atmospheric Research
GIS Climate Change Scenarios.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Muhammad Qasim Hayat
Assistant Professor
Muhammad Ashraf
Professor, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB),
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan
Catherine Kidner
Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK

Evolution Patterns of Western Himalayan Artemisia
L. (Asteraceae)
Westren Himilyan region of the world hosts rich biodiversity including
42 species of genus Artemisia (Asteraceae). Current study reveals theevolution patterns of this economically important vegetation. For its
phylogeny, the data obtained, covered morphology, leaf epidermal
anatomy, palynology and Phytogeography. Above all, additional
support to study was given by molecular phylogeny. 52 morphologicalcharacters of 42 taxa were selected for phylogenetic analysis of thegenus and the resulted cladogram validated Artemisia as amonophyletic assemblage. Our data analysis envisages that the
Seriphidium clade somehow over the years, under different climaticcondition has evolved from Artemisia. Therefore, it is contended that it
can be treated as a section of Artemisia instead of a separate genus.
Micromorphology in 24 taxa was studied using light microscopy (LM)and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The glandular andnonglandular trichomes are classified into 16 main types along with six
stomata types. This study suggests that leaf epidermal features arevaluable taxonomic and evolutionary traits. The palynological study of
22 taxa was completed by LM and SEM. Eight characters of pollen
grains were subjected to analysis. The phylogeny of pollen traits isindicative of evolutionary associations among four classical sections of
the Artemisia and confirms the reunion of genus Seriphidum with
Artemisia. The molecular studies using internally transcribed spacer(ITS) and externally transcribed spacer (ETS) sequences of nuclear
ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (nrDNA) were conducted to know thephylogeny of 26 local species. The molecular data has verified first timethat western Himalayan Artemisia species are the distant migrants fromthe neighboring areas. Current research further confirms thephylogenetic relationships of Seriphidium with Artemisia which has
established in the evolution of both. Therefore, genus Seriphidium must
be considered as a section of genus Artemisia. This research also hasrevealed that section Artemisia is polyphyletic in origin.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Tomas de Jesus Guzman Hernandez
Professor, Technological Institute of Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Tropical Crops
and Alternative Control Studies in the North andAtlantic Region in Costa Rica
The development of nematodes in agroecosystems can be regarded
as a variety of interactions between the host population and thenematode, influenced by environmental factors and cultural practices.
Models of population dynamics of nematode help formalize andquantify the possibly control of these interactions.
During the years 2008-2012 numerous samplings were applied totropical crops such as rice, bananas, banana plantain, roots and tubers(yam, taro, potato and cassava), melon, tomato and coffee, in the
Northern and Huetar Atlantic regions of Costa Rica, determining
population dynamics, mathematical models and microorganisms
associated with these parasitic. These samplings intended to seek
alternative options to control chemical nematicides.
The most important nematodes found in crops under conditions of
Costa Rica were Pratylenchus spp, Meloidogyne spp, Helicotylenchus
spp, Tylenchorhynchus spp, Tylenchus spp, Paratylenchus spp ,Heterodera spp, Xiphinema spp, Aphelenchoides spp, Criconemoides
spp, Tylenchorhynchus spp, Paratylenchus spp, Hoplolaimus spp, andfree-living nematodes due to the high content of organic matter andmicroorganisms in the soil.
Microorganisms which may be used as biological control associatedwith these parasites found in the soil, correpond to: Trichoderma spp,
Gliocadium spp, Paecilomyces spp, Penicillium spp, Gongronella spp,
Fusarium spp, Metarhizium spp, Beauveria spp, Streptomyces spp,
Arthrobotrys spp.
Other tests have been conducted in the laboratory and research in thegreenhouse at all fungi found is in progress. Some nematodes were
subjected to natural extracts derived from plants of the region. On theother hand, generating promising results “in vitro” or at laboratorylevel succeed to determine the pathogenicity of fungi found is inprogress.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Bita Hedayat Alimir
Lecturer, Institute of Technical Agriculture, Iraq

Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Bread Wheat(Triticum Aestivum L.) Via in Vitro Conditions
In order to evaluate the response of twenty genotypes of bread wheat(Triticum aestivum L.) to callus induction and in vitro drought stress. A
completely randomized design (CRD) with six replications was used for
callus induction and a 20 × 2 factorial experiment based on CRD design
with three replications was carried out for response of genotypes to in
vitro drought stress. Analysis of variance revealed high significant
differences (P<0.01) between genotypes for callus relative growth(CRG), callus relative growth rate (CRGR), callus growth rate (CGR),
percentage of callus chlorosis (PCCH) and percentage of callus watercontent (PCWC) at different drought levels indicating the presence ofgenetic variability, different responses of genotypes to different
drought intensities and in vitro selection of drought-tolerant genotypes
using immature embryos. The stress × genotype (G × S) interaction was
significant for CRG, CGR, PCCH and PCWC except for CRGR
displaying different responses of characters to different levels ofdrought (PEG), while CRGR was stable and independent of different
drought levels. Mean comparison for the effect of different stress (PEG)
levels indicated that the effect of stress levels on CRG, CGR, PCWC andin vitro tolerance (INTOL) were decreased with increment of drought
percentage. Mean comparisons between genotypes indicated thatmaximum CRG, CGR, CRGR, PCWG, PCCH and INTOL were
attributed to genotypes 5, 16, 17, 2, 3 and 20 (drought tolerant),
respectively. While the lowest amount of CRG, CGR, CRGR, PCWC,
PCCH and INTOL were belonged to genotypes 13, 10, 15, 4, 15 and 15(drought sensitive), respectively. Screening drought tolerant genotypes
and in vitro indicators of drought tolerance using biplot analysis andrank sum, discriminated genotypes 6, 16, and 5 as the most droughttolerant genotypes, repectively. While genotypes 15, 17 and 10 as themost sensitive to drought, therefore they are recommended for crossing
and genetic analysis of drought tolerance using diallel mating design or
generation mean analysis and also for the QTLs (quantitative trait loci)mapping and marker assisted selection.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Vahid Jafari
Master of Science in Soil Microbiology, Soil and Water ResearchInstitute, Iran
Ahmad Asgharzadeh
Scientific Staff of Soil Biology Department, Soil and Water ResearchInstitute, Iran&
Kazem Khavazi
Head of Soil Microbiology Research Department, Soil and Water
Research Institute, Iran

Bio-diversity of Bacillus Megaterium as a Brilliant
Bacterium for Human Life
Bacillus megaterium is a spore-forming bacterium showing theunusual ability to produce enzymes and proteins which has very wideusage in industry, agriculture, bioremediation and pharmacology. This
work was performed to study the Isolation Bacillus genus andbiochemical Identification of B. megaterium and it`s ecologicaldistribution from some Iranian soils and also introducing soil as astrength source of this bacterium. Using a standard isolation methodwith specific medium, B. megaterium was isolated from all out of 30
soil samples collected in the Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI) of
Iran. The bacillus population percentage mean of samples` total bacteria
population was (44.44%) and B.megaterium population percentage
mean of total bacteria population was 19.64%. And also B.megaterium
population percentage mean of total bacillus population was 26.17%.
Maximum and minimum B.megaterium population logarithms were
5.71and 3.52for sample number 762 and 7775, respectively. Using
Muller Hilton agar for total bacteria population and Hicrome Bacillus
Agar for bacillus genus population and then biochemical Identificationof bacillus isolates showed a great biodiversity among soil samples,
which were distributed among different species, including subtilis,
polymixa and cereus etc. As well the correlations between
B.megaterium population and soil chemical and physical properties
were studied. We found variable percentages of B.megaterium isolates
among soil samples and knew about soil as a valuable source of thisbacterium to use in bio fertilizers, bioremediation, biotechnology, soil
aggregates bio flocculation, food industry and leather industry.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Zarko Ivanovic
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Jovana Blagojević
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Veljko Gavrilović
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Tatjana Popović
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Svetlana Živković
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Slaviša Stanković
Researcher, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, SerbiaĐorđe Fira
Researcher, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Antimicrobial Activity of Bacillus Spp. in the
Biocontrol of Different Phytopathogenic
Agrobacterium Isolates
The genus Agrobacterium consists of Gram-negative, soil-borne bacteria,
both pathogenic and non-pathogenic for plants. Pathogenic strains
include bacteria causing crown gall and hairy-roots diseases. Crown
gall disease could cause fatal infection of young plants, and it is related
to reduction in crop yield. Disease management in fruit crops
worldwide is heavily dependent upon the application of synthetic
fungicides for pathogen control. The use of microorganisms as
biological control agents may represent an alternative method tocontrol phytopathogenic bacteria. In this study we tested theantagonistic effect of Bacillus spp. on Agrobacterium isolates originatedfrom sour cherry, plum, blackberry, and grapevine.
The bacteria were isolated from collected samples of diseased sourcherry, plum, blackberry, and grapevine plants using young galls.
Pathogenicity of the strains isolated from tumors was tested onsterilized and aseptically cut carrot disks by inoculation with bacterial
suspension. The presence of galls was checked after four weeks.
Different Bacillus spp. strains were tested for the production ofcompounds inhibitory to Agrobacterium strains using In vitro bioassay.
A strain was scored positive if a clear inhibiton zone of at least 2 mm indiameter was observed.
Agrobacterium spp. were diagnosed as a pathogens of sour cherry, plum,
blackberry, and grapevine using conventional methods based on theisolation on selective media, followed by pathogenicity tests on carrot
disks. In vitro tests all of Bacillus spp. strains showed their antibacterial
activity against different Agrobacterium isolates.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

This study showed that Bacillus spp. Strains have potential as a agent incontrol of Agrobacterium spp.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Satoshi Kameyama
Senior Researcher, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
Chiharu Miyamoto
Senior Researcher, Action for Mangrove Reforestation: NGO, Japan
Seiji Suda
Representative, Action for Mangrove Reforestation: NGO, Japan
Tetsumi Asano
Senior Researcher, Action for Mangrove Reforestation: NGO, Japan&
Seiichi Nohara
Leader, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan

Strategic Assessment and Restoration Approach for
Mangrove Ecosystem in Vietnam
We have tried on strategic assessment to detect potential mangrove
restoration sites based on remote sensing and GIS on shrimp farmingarea in northern Vietnam. The various ecological services of mangrove
wetland which include 1) conservation of biodiversity, 2) stable supplyof fisheries resources and wood, 3)filtering effect on sediment run-off,4)risk reduction of natural hazards (ex. Tsunami), 5)buffer to reduce theeffects of ocean waves and currents on estuaries have been re-realized.
Since the 1980s in Vietnam however, mangrove wetland and its
ecosystem are critically endangered by rapidly increasing of shrimp
aquaculture industry and deforestation. In recent years, furthermore,mangrove wetland is pointed out as most vulnerable ecosystem to sea
level rise by climate change.
On the other hand, present shrimp farming system is very difficult tokeep sustainable management. As a result, abundant shrimp ponds
those are economically inefficient are increasing.
Our study area is Quảng Ninh province that is located along thenortheastern coast of Vietnam. In the Dong Rui region we focused,shrimp ponds construction was started from an early stage in 1980s. So
some shrimp ponds have finished their cultivate activity already. The
main plant mangrove species are ( Kandelia obovata ), Red mangrove (rhizophora stylosa ) and Black mangrove ( Bruguiera gymnoritza ).
The objective of our research is to support nature restoration ofmangrove ecosystem by tree-planting program on abundantaquaculture ponds.
The objectives of our study focused on mangrove restoration are next
three.
GIS database construction of present shrimp ponds using highresolution satellite data (IKONOS etc.).

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

A detection of potential mangrove area based on image analysis
between Landsat MSS data and 1/50,000 land-use map in 1960s
Final evaluation of target mangrove restoration sites that integrated
result of 1) and 2) into consensus building of stake holders.
Through this process, we highly developed the analysis between
satellite images and spatio-temporal data.
To detect original
mangrove zone using remote sensing, ISO Unsupervised Classification(Supervised Classification in sub-process) to MSS image (Landsat_1, 29Dec-1973, Path 135, Row 045) and interpretation of past land-use map
was done.
In according with these steps, we assessed some proposed sites for
mangrove restoration in Northern Vietnam.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Nandakumar Kanavillil
Associate Professor, Lakehead University, Canada
CA Chantler
Lakehead University, Canada
D. Balika
Lakehead University, Canada
Sreekumari Kurissery
Associate Professor, Lakehead University, Canada

Periphyton Community Dynamics at Lake
Couchiching, Orillia, Ontario: Influence of Water
Depth
Periphyton community development is a function of biological andphysical properties of water column. Their development and species
composition have been used as indicators of water quality by many
workers. However, studies on periphyton development from temperate
freshwater systems are sparse. In this study, periphyton community
development and its variation with depth were studied at Lake
Couchiching, a perennial lake in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, during fall2012. Clean glass slides (10x3x0.3 cm) were suspended with the help ofwooden rigs at two depths at the Port of Orillia, one just below thewater surface and the other at ~2m depth (just above the bottom).
Replicate glass slides were removed at fixed time intervals(1,3,5,10,15,20,25 and 30 days after slide exposure) for a maximum
duration of 30 days. The parameters monitored include microalgal
species composition (especially diatoms), density, biomass, biofilm
thickness and protozoan grazers. Water parameters such astemperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a,nutrients such as total phosphorus, nitrate and nitrite, and totalsuspended load were monitored on each sampling day. While thelowest number of species was observed in the surface sample on day 1with only 8 species, the highest number of species was observed on day
20 in the bottom sample with 24 species. Biofilm thickness increased
continuously up to day 20 and then decreased. The density of diatoms
on glass slides also exhibited a similar trend, a gradual increase up to
day 20 in the bottom sample and then decreased to day 30. Thus, thisstudy showed the influence of water depth, light penetration and waterparameters on the periphyton community development. A definite
relationship between the periphyton parameters and water quality inthe area collected over a prolonged time interval could help us todesign a periphyton based water quality index for this area.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Eleni Karali
Research Associate, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Claire Vos
Senior Researcher, Alterra Wageningen, The NetherlandsMark Rounsevell
Professor, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Pytrik Reidsma
The University of Edinburgh, UK

Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Sectorsof Agriculture, Water and Nature Management-A
Review for Cool Temperate Regions
Land managers’ capacity to implement autonomous adaptation
strategies is largely dependent on access to resources and thepossession of skills and knowledge. Given that climate change will
increase the rate, scale and magnitude of climatic uncertainty, it isimportant to a) identify adaptation strategies that will reduce thenegative impacts of climate change and exploit the opportunities
arising from it in different regions and b) make this knowledge
available to land managers and policy makers in order to minimise thepotential for mal-adaptation. To contribute to this aim, we conducted asystematic review of the literature on adaptation measures that are
already or likely to be applied in cool temperate regions. Systematic
reviews offer a transparent and comparable method for literaturesearches. The scope of the review included the sectors of agriculture,
water and nature management. The five capitals (i.e. human, social,manufactured, natural and economic capital) were used as a framework
to classify the identified measures. This classification allowed a sectoraland cross-sectoral comparison of the adaptation measures, and theidentification of trade-off and synergy situations. This information cancontribute to the holistic enhancement of the capacity of socioecological systems to adapt to climate changes.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Suthirat Kittipongvises
Professor, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Takashi Mino
Professor, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Examining The Influence of Psychological Factors
on Global Climate Change Perceptions Held byFarmers in the Northeast of Thailand
Global climate change is considered one of the clearest
manifestations of socio-ecological challenges of the 21st century. Several
extreme weather events have increased in Thailand and in other partsof the world. In most cases, climatic variability has always been
associated with agricultural dimension. To date, however, there isinconclusive evidence to support the understanding of farmers’
capacity to detect climate change and its potential impact. Thus, fromthis perspective, this paper aims to understand how global climatechange was perceived by Thai local farmers and, further, to examine theinfluence of psychological factors on their perceptions. It drew upon the
combination of mixed research methods from both qualitative andquantitative approaches. Questionnaires were distributed to 70
randomly selected agricultural households in Village 4 of the
Nongbuasala sub district, Nakorn Ratchasima, Thailand. Survey results
found that the majority of respondents view climate change as anextreme high temperatures and flooding. Regression analysis also
indicated that there were positive correlations between the perceptionsof climate change and six psychological variables of awareness ingeneral and mitigation, belief in reality of climate change and humancauses, the feelings of worry, and self-efficacy (.111 ≤ r ≤ .538; p<0.05).
Conversely, regarding the perceived barriers, three components ofcognitive dissonance (r = -.831), belief in limitation of lifestyle changes(r = -.305), and fear (r = -.283) were found to be negatively correlatedwith climate change perceptions by Thai local farmer. Further
recommendations to deal with those perceived barriers were also
discussed.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Komariah
Lecturer, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia
Dwi Priyo Ariyanto
Lecturer, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia
Arief Noor Rachmadiyanto
PhD Student, Sebelas Maret University, Indonesia

Analysis of Merapi Mount’s Post-Eruption Soil andVolcanic Deposit Amended with Organic Matterand Mulch on Manihot Esculenta C. Growth
Agricultural lands were covered with pyroclastic and volcanic
material deposits during Merapi Mount eruption at October toNovember, 2010. Those volcanic deposits contain nutrients which
potentially increase soil fertility. But, their existences on different radius(distance from mount’s peak) are varies, hence it is necessary to study
their properties. This research was aimed at determining the physicaland chemical properties of volcanic deposits amended with organic
material and mulch and the effects on cassava’s (Manihot esculenta C.)
growth. A completely randomized factorial design was conducted in
the three levels of planting media (soil, sand and volcanic ash takenfrom Kaliadem, Kopeng dan Karanglo), two levels of organic materialusing fine compost, and two levels of organic mulch. The analysis
included physical and chemical properties of planting media (initialand final), also crop observations included vegetative growth, root,
stem and leaf weight. The results showed that the physical andchemical characteristics of the soils and volcanic deposits weredifferent. The synergetic interaction between organic material andorganic mulch with planting media resulted in better moisture content
of 2 mm, available water, silt percentage, organic matter content, leaf
number, the dry weight of roots, stems, and leaves at planting media
from all locations.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Sreekumari Kurissery
Associate Professor, Lakehead University, Canada
D. Balika
Lakehead University, Canada
Nandakumar Kanavillil
Associate Professor, Lakehead University, Canada

Spatial Heterogeneity in Periphyton Colonization:
Edge Effect a Myth or Reality?
Heterogeneity in the colonization of periphytons on substratum
surfaces exposed to freshwater habitats is not well understood. The
development of periphyton community on substratum surfaces put infreshwater habitat is thought to be influenced by factors such as
biological (initial colonizers, bacterial population, competition,
predation etc.) and physical (nature of the substratum surface, water
current pattern etc.) acting on the surface and the availability of
propagules in the water column.
In this study we have investigated the variation in colonization
pattern of microalgae, especially diatoms (Bacillariophyta), on inert
glass surfaces (10x3x0.1cm) suspended in the littoral zone of Lake
Simcoe, near Orillia, Ontario, Canada for a maximum period of 30 days
with intermittent sampling (5 day interval). The retrieved replicate
slides were observed under a microscope for species composition,
microalgal density and biofilm thickness measurements along the edges
and centre. We hypothesized that the centre of glass slides would havea higher species density and diversity and contain more loosely
attached diatoms than the edges because of the variation in micro
currents between these two locations on the same surface. The
observations were made from fifteen (15) predetermined viewing
points on each slide, six along the edges and nine from the centre.
Results indicated that the microalgal colonization pattern vary
between centre and edges. Biofilm thickness was significantly higher at
the centre than at the edges. More number of loosely attached andmotile diatoms (e.g. Amphora ovalis, Gyrosigma acuminatum) was
found at the centre of the glass slides, which along with a thicker
biofilm and lower species diversity indicated an advanced successional
stage of biofilm development than that was observed at the edges. The
lower biofilm thickness combined with higher species diversity andincreased number of firmly attached diatom species (attached at thevalve face e.g. Cocconeis placentula) indicated an early successional
stage of periphyton community development at the edges. Therefore,
these study results did not fully support the hypothesis tested, which
was also reported earlier by Sekar et al (1997). A study involving

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

microcurrent measurement at the surface and collecting data on the
predation and competition would prove beneficial in understanding theheterogeneity of periphytons on substratum surfaces exposed to natural
aquatic habitats.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Hung-Chun Lin
PhD Student, Chair of Organic Agriculture and Agronomy, Technical
University of Munich, Germany
Julia Huber
PhD Student, Chair of Organic Agriculture and Agronomy, Technical
University of Munich, Germany&
Kurt-Jurgen Hulsbergen
Professor, Chair of Organic Agriculture and Agronomy, Technical
University of Munich, Germany

Comparison of Nitrogen Use Efficiency ofAgroforestry, Organic, and Conventional Farming
Systems
The increasing world population leads to higher food demand.
Improving resource use efficiency of farming systems could be one of
the solutions to this situation. In this study, the nitrogen use efficiency(NUE, N output / N input) of four farming systems (organic farming,
conventional farming, organic agroforestry, and conventional
agroforestry) was analyzed. Experiments were done in the experimental
farm Scheyern, whichlocated in southern Germany, 500 m asl in a hilly
landscape. The organic crop rotation was grass-clover-alfalfa (GCA) –potato – wheat – sunflower – GCA – wheat - rye, the conventional crop
rotation was maize – wheat – potato - wheat. Tree species of the forestry
subsystem were poplar, willow, black locust, and alder.
Results showed that the organic farming and both the organic as wellas the conventional forestry were low input systems with 87, 78, and 84
kg N ha-1 yr-1 input, respectively. The conventional farming was a highinput system with an input of 199 kg N ha-1 yr-1. However, organic
farming was also a low output system having a yield of only 2.5 ton
DM ha-1 yr-1 (N output 45 kg N ha-1 yr-1) while conventional farming
had a yield of 10.1 ton DM ha-1 yr-1 (N output 171 kg N ha-1 yr-1). This
was low even compared to the previous survey (Küstermann et al.,2010) and was due to the GCA in organic crop rotation, which was notharvested but used as green manure to improve soil fertility and tooffer N for the following crops. The yield of organic and conventional
forestry subsystem was 8.5 and 7.6 ton DM ha-1 yr-1, respectively. The
NUE was calculated with consideration of soil organic nitrogen
depletion or accumulation (Δ SON). The NUE of organic andconventional farming was 0.7 and 0.8, whereas the organic andconventional forestry subsystem had a better NUE of 0.9. With this, theN surplus (N loss potential) of the forestry subsystems was much lower

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

(organic: 1 kg N ha-1 yr-1, conventional: 2 kg N ha-1 yr-1) compared to
the farming systems (organic: 22 kg N ha-1 yr-1, conventional: 48 kg N
ha-1 yr-1). The NUE of organic and conventional agroforestry became
0.7 and 0.8, and N surplus became 18 and 36 kg N ha-1 yr-1,
respectively.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Sarina Manandhar
PhD Student, Massey University, New ZealandDavid Wooley
PhD supervisor, Massey University, New Zealand&Keith A. Funnell
Scientist, Plant and Food Research, New Zealand

Crop Architecture: Investigating ‘Strigolactones’ A
New Plant Hormone Present In Branching and NonBranching Varieties of Some Horticultural Species
Crop architecture, which is important for crop productivity, ismainly determined by shoot branching. Recently, a new hormone has
been postulated as being a strigolactone-type compound that controls
shoot branching. Strigolactones in branching and non-branchingvarieties of some horticultural species were investigated using a specificgermination assay based on the parasitic weed seed Orobanche minor,
which requires strigolactones for its germination. Strigolactones were
found in all horticultural crop species studied but not in all varieties
within the species. Branching varieties showed little or no strigolactonesuggesting that strigolactones may influence branching inhibition. In
Zantedeschia, a commercially important cut flower, a good correlation
between strigolactone content and branching was observed during theearly vegetative phase but not in other phases: the branching variety
also produced high levels of strigolactones in later growth stages. As
there are many different strigolactones a specific branching assay is
being developed, in addition to physico-chemical methods like mass
spectrometry, in order to identify the strigolactone or related
compound responsible for branching inhibition. Production of
strigolactones in later stages of development also indicates thatstrigolactones may have other physiological roles.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Pete Melby
Professor, Mississippi State University, USA
Sylvia Byrd
Professor, Mississippi State University, USA&
Andrew Fruge
Professor, Mississippi State University, USA

A Sustainable Model for Producing the Yearly
Vegetable and Fruit Needs for a Family in their
Home LandscapeThe objective of this research garden was to evaluate if raised bed
gardening of vegetables and fruit and the inclusion of fruiting trees,
bushes, and vines can produce a sufficient amount of food servings fora family of four for a year in the home landscape. The experimentalhomefood production garden consisted of four 0.9 m by 12 m raised beds
filled with a commercially available friable soil composed of sand andorganic matter. Additional food servings would be provided by 10 fruit
trees, 8 blueberry bushes, and grapes and muscadines on an arbor. The
four raised beds produced 4230 food servings for the year, and thefruiting trees, bushes, and vines would produce 3200 food servings fora total of 7430 food servings for the year.
This ismore than enough to provide 5 vegetable and fruit servings per day fora family of 4.
As a part of food garden management and keeping soil ideal for foodproduction, composted leaves and pine straw along with garden plantmatter was regularly converted into finished compost and 2 inches wasadded around garden transplants and emerging seedlings in the spring,summer, and fall gardens. In the Southeastern United States hot-humid
climate zone, three food gardens can be planted per year. The seasonal
addition of compost maintained an ideal
soil texture and produced other beneficial soil properties in addition
to keeping yard waste out of the community waste stream.
It was concluded that the area of the four raised beds, and thefruiting trees, bushes and vines were able to produce more than 100%of the vegetables and fruit needed by the family for a year in a foodgarden that would fit into a home landscape design.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Violeta Mugica
Researcher, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco,
MexicoJosé de Jesús Figueroa
Researcher, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco,
Mexico&Naxieli Santiago
Student, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco, Mexico

Black Carbon and Gases from Biomass burning in
MexicoBiomass burning represents an important source of atmospheric
black carbon and greenhouse gases which contribute to global
warming. Every year, more than 1,000 forest fires are reported in thesurrounding of Mexico City during the dry season, in addition, there isa practice of burning the agriculture wastes. These fires and biomassburning contribute not only to the air pollution of this megacity, butalso to the production of chemical species which increase of radiative
force in the atmosphere. For assessing the environmental impact, it isnecessary the generation of reliable inventories due to burning biomass
around the city. In this work, a burning device consisting of a container
with a table and an inverted funnel-like steel hood with a 3 m chimney
was built in order to determine the emission factors under controlledlaboratory conditions from different types of burning biomass such as
corn crops wastes, vegetable wastes, dry pine leaves, wood, among
others. The apparatus employed was placed on a balance that
registered the mass loss and the aerosol and effluent gases were
measured with an isokinetic device; and several emission factors ofCO2, CO, particles and black carbon were determined. These factors
can be applied during the application of air quality models and formore consistent emission inventories of Mexico City and other cities
which have similar biomass.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Adriana Najar-Rodriguez
Research Associate, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Jeannine Klaiber&
Silvia Dorn

Plant Acclimation to Elevated CO2: Impacts on
Multitrophic Interactions with Insects
Elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), a
consequence of anthropogenic global change, may profoundly interferewith tritrophic interactions, involving plants and insects, what has
rarely been investigated. This contribution provides a synopsis of the
key findings from our recent experiments in an agricultural systemcomprised of a Brassica plant, a specialist insect herbivore (the cabbage
aphid) and its parasitoid. We investigated how plants might acclimate
to elevated CO2 and how both herbivore and natural antagonist might
respond to CO2-mediated changes in plant characteristics, including
chemical traits. Our findings indicate that plant acclimation to elevated
CO2 resulted in changes in plant growth-related characteristics,
particularly size and biomass. Whereas there was no significant change
in primary metabolites (carbon and nitrogen), we detected a decrease involatile emission and an increase in secondary metabolites, specificallyin the defense-related glucosinolates. The colonization ability and theperformance of the aphid (development time, fecundity and bodymass) were impaired when grown on CO2-acclimated plants. Similarly,
the performance and efficiency of the parasitoid was impaired underelevated CO2. As plant secondary metabolites play an important role inplant-insect interactions, due to their defensive function, the increase inplant glucosinolates and the decrease in plant volatile emission may
have been the driving force behind the changes in herbivore insect
behavior and performance under elevated CO2. The CO2-effect on theparasitoid is likely related to a decrease in host quality, particularly inbody mass, caused by the CO2-mediated alterations in plant chemistry.
Our results illustrate how CO2-mediated changes in plantcharacteristics might enhance plant direct defense by decreasing
herbivore performance. However, it might also lead to a reduction inplant indirect defense, by decreasing parasitoid performance andefficiency. A conflict between bottom-up and top-down herbivore
control under elevated CO2 is here shown for the first time.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Luiz Antonio Cesario de Oliveira
Professor, USP Universidade de Sao Paolo, Brazil
Simony Aparecida Do Rego Barros Barbosa Cesário De Oliveira
Professor, University Paulista, Brazil

Universality, Urbe and University:
A Transversal Environmental Thematic
It is urgent and unavoidable addressing environmental issues invarious areas of education, from pre-school, elementary school, highschool, undergraduate and graduate, that is, on all levels. Only thensociety will be able to transform the existing actions that degrade thestrikingly natural resources and the environment.
The lack of knowledge of the environmental area is huge and growing
mainly in academia.
Due to the recent perception by some sectors of society urgency ofaddressing the complex challenges that exist in this area is essentiallymultidisciplinary university that has great importance regarding theprocessing capacity of the existing values that are promoting andexpanding environmental problems.
It is increasingly urgent to increase teacher knowledge about this theme
as well as the creativity and dynamism in dealing with students in theclassroom.
Environmental issues are systemic in nature and there is no separate
disciplinary knowledge, because it comes from many different factors,
multidimensional. Can and should be addressed in different
disciplines, even if the term environmental (or relative) does not appear
to directly and explicitly in the syllabus. It is up to the educator to
identify the contents of each field of knowledge regarding
environmental implied, motivating and interactively with students
performing links. This encourages groups and creates new possibilities
for the development of critical thinking and participatory.
Within this process, groups of students can pass to perceive moreclearly how social participation dimension that includes each society.
Finally, we emphasize that the social sciences discipline to beintercourse, is present in all courses of private university. Henceanother important choice in the discipline, to be comprehensive, there is
the potential to achieve different natural formations. Thus, theconstructive suggestions can be constituted by origin, transverse andinterdisciplinary.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Hasan Oz
Research Assistant, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey
Atilgan Atilgan
Associate Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey
Zekai Gumus
Assistant Professor, Mustafa Kemal University, Turkey&
Orhan Kurt
Graduate Student, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey

General Status of Mushroom Production Buildings
and View of the Neighboring Families Mushroom
Production Buildings – The Case of Korkuteli
In this study, the current situation of enterprises engaged
in mushroom farming which damages the environment and productionbuilding, mushroom production facilities of the manufacturer's viewof families and the neighboring state of health effects have been studiedin Korkuteli district of Antalya Province. For this purpose,
mushroom farming of the 134 enterprises were selected which is also to
determinetheeffects ofproduction
facilities
neighboring
to these enterprises. Korkuteliismushroom cultivationand compost production center ofTurkey's
cultural state.
Approximately 50% of fresh mushroom production in Turkey and morethan 50% the production of compost takes place in Korkuteli. Result of
this research, 70.1% of the farmers', they think that cultivationof mushrooms any
harm thebuilding.
Vastmajority of
producers reported that any illness undergone after the start ofproduction. Business owners said they are suffering from leg andarm pain due to the fact that constantly working with humid
environment. In a survey study of the neighboring families, 59.7% of
people think that the facilities are not damage themselves. Adjacentto the damaged from facilities 73.1% of families' said they
are uncomfortable odor emitted from the production facility.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Giorgos Papadavid
Researcher, Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus
M. Hadjimitsis, Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus
S. Perdikou
Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus
N. Neophytou
Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus&
D. Hadjimitsis
Agricultural Research Institute, Cyprus

SEBAL Methodology for Estimating Crop
Evapotranspiration in Cyprus
Water allocation to crops has always been of great importance inagricultural process. In this context, and under the current conditions,where Cyprus is facing a severe drought the last five years, purpose ofthis study is basically to estimate the needed crop water requirements
for supporting irrigation management and monitoring irrigation on asystematic basis for Cyprus using remote sensing techniques. The use ofsatellite images supported by ground measurements has provided quite
accurate results. Intended purpose of this paper is to estimate the
Evapotranspiration (ET) of specific crops which is the basis for
irrigation scheduling and establish a procedure for monitoring andmanaging irrigation water over Cyprus, using remotely sensed datafrom Landsat TM/ ETM+ and a sound methodology used worldwide,
the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL).

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

V.C. Patil
Professor, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia

Precision Fertigation for Sustainable Agriculture in
Saudi Arabia
Agriculture in Saudi Arabia is dependent on finite water resources.
Efficient use of depleting water resources is a dire necessity to attainsustainability. Precision fertigation technology helps in optimizing
input use in agricultural activities. Investigations were carried out tostudy the response of crops such as wheat, alflalfa and Rhodes grass toprecision fertigation. Proximal and Remote Sensing technologies wereused in monitoring the performance of the test crops. ASTER satellite
imagery was used to determine the spatial variability in crops. Groundtruth data on NDVI and LAI were collected and regressed against
NDVI derived from satellite images. The models that have beendeveloped can be used for developing site specific irrigation andfertilizer recommendations under similar conditions. Results of thestudies have indicated that it is possible to save 20 to 30 per cent ofwater used in the production of these crops without sacrificing theyield. The findings of these studies on precision fertigation in wheat,
alfalfa and Rhodes grass will be presented in the conference.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Margarita Gisela Pena-Ortega
Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico
Juan Enrique Rodriguez-Perez
Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico&
Juan Martinez-Solis
Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico

Exploration of Genetic Variability of 'Mirasol' Chili(Capsicum Annum L.) Accessions Through ISSR
Markers
Chili is an important crop that has not been subjected to intensive
breeding; therefore, there are not enough outstanding improved
varieties available for producers. Then, exploration of genetic
variability available for this crop results a valuable approach to identify
useful materials that could enrich genetic diversity of the existing
breeding programs. In this study, 30 chili landraces collected from two
Mexican provinces were evaluated in order to estimate genetic diversity
among them through their genomic fingerprints obtained from ISSR
(Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. Nine ISSR primers produced atotal of 51 bands, and 43 of them were polymorphic (representing 84.3
percentage of polymorphism). UBC841, LOL12, and LOL10 primers
showed high polymorphic information content, and therefore they
could be very useful in further genetic studies in this crop. Gower's
distances between pairs of accessions were used to define four groups
according to their molecular diversity. The results obtained from thisstudy proved the existence of important genetic variability among chili
landraces collected at distinct geographical locations, and allow
establishing the basis for conservation and utilization of evaluatedmaterials for breeding purposes. ISSR molecular markers were able todifferentiate genetically chili accessions even though their expectedhigh genetic homogeneity due to its self pollination nature.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Tatjana Popovic
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Zoran Milićević
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Nenad Dolovac
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, SerbiaŽarko Ivanović
Researcher, Institute for Plant Protection and Environment, Serbia
Predrag Milovanović
Researcher, Galenika-Fitofarmacija, Serbia

Copper-Citrate as a Possibility for Control of Some
Phytopathogenic Bacteria
Copper citrate is a complex compound of copper, which ischaracterized by a high degree of dissociation in relation to othercopper compounds that have applied so far and can be used in lower
concentration. This compound had no toxic effects on fish, birds,
mammals and bees in his introduction of the application and can beused as a environmentally acceptable agent in plant protection. The aimof this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of copper-citrate applied
to six economically important plant pathogenic bacteria.
Agar diffusion disk method has been used in the determination of
Growth Inhibition Pathogens and the Minimum Inhibitory
Concentration. Dilution series of copper-citrate was prepared from theinitial concentration of 1% to 0.01% from the end. In this study wetested efficiency of copper-citrate on the following pathogenic bacteria:
Erwinia amylovora, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, Pseudomonassavastanoi pv. phaseolicola, Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris,
Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli and Xanthomonas campestris
pv. vesicatoria.
Obtained results showed that the copper-citrate had bactericidal effectto all tested bacteria. Tested concentrations of 0.5-1% formed inhibitionzone around the diameter of 15 mm, a concentration of 0.07-0.4% zone
diameter of about 10 mm. Concentrations that are not inhibited colony
growth in tested isolates were ≤ 0.06%.
Based on these results, we can conclude that the copper-citrate can beused as an effective agent for control of plant pathogenic bacteria.

606th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Eva Ramos Martinez
PhD Student, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain
Manuel Herrera
Researcher, University Libre of Bruxelles, Belgium
Joaquín Izquierdo
Professor, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain&
Rafael Pérez García
Professor, University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain

Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Characteristics on Biofilm Development: A Kernel
Based Approach
Biofilms develop in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) as
layers of microorganisms bound by an organic matrix and attached topipe walls. The presence of substantial and active attached biomass canlead to a decrease in water quality by generating bad tastes and odours,
proliferation of macroinvertebrates, operational problems, biocorrosion,and residual chlorine consume, among others problems. Recently, it has
also become evident that biofilms can serve as an environmental
reservoir for pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in a potential healthrisk for humans if left unnoticed. Various studies have been performedin relation to the influence that a number of characteristics of the
DWDSs have in biofilm development. Nevertheless, their joint
influence, apart from few exceptions, has beenscarcely studied, due tothe complexity of the community and the environment under study.
This research aims to study the effect that the interaction of the physicaland hydraulic conditions of the DWDSs has on biofilm development.
To achieve this goal we have compiled biofilm data from different
sources and pre-processed it, applying some machine learning
methods, to get an extent and complete database. Kernel methods areproposed for the study of biofilm behaviour in this database. They givea systematic and principled approach to training learning machines andare able to manage different types of data, detect data out of range, andachieve a good generalisation performance. Their accuracy andsimplicity to approach complex problems has been a decisive factor
when choosing this form of address the study of biofilm behaviour in
DWDSs. As a result, we are going to achieve a deeper understanding of
the consequences that the interaction of the relevant hydraulic andphysical factors of DWDSs has on biofilm development. Thus, theeffectiveness of the DWDSs management and the quality of the
distributed water would increase.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Kamal Rashid
Professor, Utah State University, USA
Taylor Hatton
Ph.D. Student, Utah State University, USA&
Shaun Barnett
Researcher, Utah State University, USA

Productivity Studies Utilizing Recombinant CHO
Cells in Stirred-Tank Bioreactors: A Comparative
Study Between Pitched-Blade and Packed-Bed
Bioreactor Systems
A recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary (rCHO) cell line designatedas CHO SEAP was utilized in this investigation to optimize protein
production. Two bench top stirred tank bioreactors, namely a pitchedblade and a packed-bed basket bioreactor, were utilized for acomparative study to determine which bioreactor would produce thebest results in terms of protein production. The objective of thisresearch project was toprovide basic data that shows cells cultured in apacked-bed basket bioreactor in perfusion mode will generate more
protein product than cells in batch mode suspension culture with apitched-blade bioreactor. The packed-bed bioreactor creates ahomeostatic environment similar to the environment found in vivo,
where waste products are constantly removed and fresh nutrients are
replenished. Closed batch cultures do not provide a homeostatic
environment. In batch culture systems, nutrients are depleted andwaste products accumulate. The results from these experiments could
help investigatorsinvolved in protein and/or animal vaccine
production facilities select the appropriate bioreactor and mode ofoperation to optimize cell productivity for generation of a specificprotein product. CHO cells have been used for the production of
vaccines, recombinant therapeutic proteins, and monoclonal antibodies,and these cells are now the cell line of choice in the biotechnology
industry. Traditional vaccine production methods in egg embryos are
slow and outdated, whereas roller bottle-based cell culture techniques
are time consuming and have limited scalability. These limitations
justify the need for development of stirred tank bioreactors. Cells
cultured in a packed-bed bioreactor arenot exposed to hydrodynamic
forces, as is the case with pitched-blade bioreactors, allowing for
maximum growth and protein expression. This mode of operation
involves the constant removal of media depleted of nutrients and the
addition of fresh media with more nutrients to keep the cells growing.

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Long run times decrease the constant need for re-seeding cells and reestablishing seed cultures, thus, reducing setup time and labor
dramatically. Secreted products are automatically separated from cells
in perfusion, eliminating filtration and membrane fouling. A detailed
description of both modes of operation will be highlighted in thispresentation.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Pedram Rezamand
Assistant Professor, University of Idaho, USA&
Cynthia Scholte
Graduate Student, University of Idaho, USA

Effect of Increased Subcutaneous Fat Stores on Fatty
Acid Composition of Blood Lipid Fractions andProductive Performance in Periparturient Dairy
Holstein Cows
In high producing dairy cows, lipid mobilization takes place during
early lactation in order to meet the energy requirement that is not met
via diet. This results in a massive release of fatty acids (FA) into theblood as non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). The objective of this study
was to determine the effects of subcutaneous fat stores, as assessed bybody condition score (BCS) around the time of calving, and thesubsequent lipomobilization during early lactation on FA profile ofserum NEFA fraction and on productive performance. During thisobservational experiment with 22 primiparous and multiparous cows,
plasma samples were obtained at -28, -7, +8, +18, and +28d relative toparturition and analyzed for changes in the FA profile of plasma NEFA
lipid fraction. Cows were retrospectively dichotomized, based BCS at 7d, into two groups including over-conditioned (BCS ≥ 3.25) andcontrol cow groups (BCS ≤ 3.0). Data were analyzed as repeatedmeasures by using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC)
and significance was declared at P < 0.05. As expected, overconditioned cows had greater total plasma NEFA concentrations anddecreased daily dry matter intake. Milk yield and composition did not
differ between groups. More importantly however, several fatty acidsin the NEFA fraction of plasma lipids varied significantly, including
Myristoleic acid (C14:1), Palmitic acid (C16:0), Strearic acid (C18:0) andEicosatrienoic acid (C20:3 N3) by BCS around the time of calving.
Further investigation is warranted to fully elucidate mechanistic
relationship underlying the effects of over conditioning of dairy cows
on early postpartum alteration of FA profile in other fractions of plasma
lipids including phospholipids as this may directly affect FA profile ofcirculating immune cells and subsequently their functionality.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Juan Martinez-Solis
Faculty and Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico
Margarita Gisela Pena-Ortega
Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico&
Juan Enrique Rodriguez-Perez
Faculty & Researcher, Chapingo Autonomous University, Mexico

Using Vigor Tests for Predicting Seedling
Emergence of Vegetable Seeds Under Greenhouse
Conditions
Standard germination test is used in seed industry to evaluate seed
quality; however, since is conducted under laboratory conditions,sometimes the estimated results are quite different from those observed
at field conditions. This study was developed with the objective to
identify the vigor test highly correlated to seedling emergence at field
conditions. Five vegetable crops were established in standard
germination test, five vigor test, and emergence test at greenhouseconditions. A completely randomized experimental design with four
repetitions of 100 seeds was used for each crop. The variables evaluatedwere: germination and emergence percentage, speed of germinationand emergence, shoot and root length, and seedling dry weight. The
cold test was associated to tomato and cucumber emergence ingreenhouse, meanwhile the accelerated ageing test predicted onion andlettuce emergence. Summer squash emergence it was predicted for
immersion in hot water and ammonium chloride vigor tests.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Jesus Santillano-Cazares
Professor, Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexico
Ivan Ortiz-Monasterio&
William Ratin

Development of the Use of Sensors Technology for
the Fertilization of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in
Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
Around 80 thousand hectares of wheat are planted annually in thevalley of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, being this activity importantdue to the economics and employment that derive from it. Despite its
importance, wheat production is at risk of disappearing due to the low
profitability of this activity. One of the causes of low profitability of thecrop could reside in the possibility of being using more nitrogen (N)fertilizer than necessary in its production. In addition, the N that is notrecovered by the crop is lost, accentuating the problems ofenvironmental contamination. The objective of this study was tocompare an innovative technology based on an optical sensor(GreenSeeker™) versus traditional fertilization practiced by local
farmers. There were established validation field trials in small areas (3ha) and transfer technology field trials in complete commercial fields inrelatively large areas (10-20 ha) with participant local farmers. In thevalidation fields it was determined the difference in fertilizer doses,
yields and costs of fertilization with the traditional management by
farmers compared to the use of sensor technology. In general, withsimilar yields between the two fertilizer application criteria, fertilization
applied according with the sensor technology was in average 68 kg de
N ha-1 lower than that applied by farmers with their traditional
practice. These savings represented an average of $ 107 USD ha-1 ($ 2
140 USD per 20 ha field). It is concluded that in the valley of Mexicali,Baja California, Mexico, it is possible to obtain substantial savings inwheat crop production costs, so contributing to increase theprofitability of the activity and reduce environmental impacts by
avoiding the application of fertilizers in excess to what is necessary.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

William Schillinger
Professor, Washington State University, USA

Oilseed Crops for Biofuel Production in WheatBased Cropping Systems in the Pacific Northwest,
USA
The volatility and uncertain price of petroleum products combinedwith the need to reduce carbon emissions has created a worldwide
interest in renewable fuels to provide “green energy”. The United States
has set a goal of producing 136 billion liters of biofuel by 2022. The
objective of our research was to evaluate three promising oilseed crops
in the eastern region of the state of Washington. These oilseed crops arecanola (Brassica napus L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L. Crantz), andsafflower (Carthamus tinctorious L.). Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is
the principal crop grown throughout the region, thus any oilseed cropneeds to successfully fit into a wheat-based cropping system. For thatpast 15 years we have evaluated the performance of canola, camelina,
and safflower in numerous single-component experiments as well as
long-term cropping systems studies. During our oral presentation, we
will provide bulleted highlights of several key findings from thesestudies as well as the prognosis for oilseed crop production in the US
Pacific Northwest region in future years.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ahmad Ali Shahid
Assistant Professor, Institute of Agricultural Sciences University of the
Punjab, Pakistan

Use of Rhizobacteria for the Management of Soft rot
Disease of Potato
Potato is an important vegetable crop all over the world. It is vulnerable
to many pathological problems, among these, potato soft rot caused by
Erwinia carotovora has been reported to be most prevalent anddestructive. Controlling the plant diseases by pollution free bio-control
antagonists (Rhizobacteria) is desirable now a days. Samples of potato
wilting plants were collected from different locations. Erwinia carotovora
pv Carotovora was isolated, purified and identified. Rhizobacteria werealso isolated using serial dilution method. Purified isolates were
evaluated for their ability to antagonize the rot pathogen in vitro. Thesebacteria were selected for further biochemical and tests. Aftercompletion of the tests, these bacteria were evaluated for their possible
ability for percentage disease reduction under storage conditions byapplying Rhizobacteria as bio-control agents. Moreover, percentage loss
in weight was calculated and change in the disease level and growth ofthe plant in the presence of pathogen and Rhizobacteria were also
computed. The application of Rhizobacteria in combinations wasproved to be the best one, which was represented by the reduction in
the disease of potato.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Chamchuree Sotthikul
Lecturer, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Parichat Choomporn
Chiang Mai University, Thailand&
Kadsarin Getphayak
Chiang Mai University, Thailand

In Vitro Propagation of Musa ‘Kluai Namwa Mali
Ong’
A study on in vitro propagation of banana: Musa ‘Kluai Namwa Mali
Ong’ was carried out by culturing shoot tip, 2 cm in size, in liquid
modified MS supplemented with 5 mg/L BA for 3 weeks to obtained
clump of shoots. The clump was divided in half and cultured onto
modified solid MS medium with 1 mg/L BA for 4 weeks to obtainabout 6-7 plantlets/explant. Separated plantlets, cut to 3.5 cm in heightor longitudinally divided into halves, were cultured onto modified
solid MS media supplemented with 50, 100, and 150 mg/L ascorbic acidfor 4 weeks. It was found that the size of explants affected height andnumbers of plantlets. The undivided explants produced
0.31plantlets/explant having 5.51 cm in height while the divided
explants could produce 1.64 plantlets/explant, having 3.14 cm inheight. Ascorbic acid had no effect on height, number of plantlets andsize of leaves but the plantlets showed greener leaves. Clumps of 4-5
plantlets that leaves were cut off into stumps of 0.5 x 1.0 cm in size werealso used as explants in another experiment. It was found thatmodified solid MS medium with 6 mg/L BA gave highest number of
new shoot i.e. 4.25 shoots/explant, having highest diameter and heightof shoot, 0.39, 5.40 cm respectively, with 5.08 leaves and 5.68 roots.
Media supplemented with 0.1-1.0 mg/L adenine induced higher
number of shoots, with increased diameter, than those of control. A
study on induction of embryogenic calli was also conducted. Shootmeristematic tissues were cultured onto modified MS supplemented
with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 µM 2,4-D under dark condition for 6 weeks. The
concentration at 5 µM induced the biggest callus of 1.21 in diameter
which 80% could be embryogenic calli. Histological study on callus
was also performed.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Kate Stevens
PhD Candidate, Deakin University, Australia
Katherine Harrisson
Deakin University, Australia
Raylene Cooke
Senior lecturer, Deakin University, Australia
Rohan Clarke
Lecturer, Monash University, Australia
Andrew. F. Bennett
Associate Head of School (Research), Deakin University, Australia&
Fiona Hogan
Lecturer, Monash University, Australia

Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Breeding
Behaviour, Mating Systems and Relatedness ofFamily Groups in the Co-operatively Breeding
Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus Temporalis
Ecosystems that were once naturally connected have suffereddrastically from anthropogenic landscape modification. Agricultural
systems particularly, have radically modified almost one third of theworld’s terrestrial habitats, resulting in landscapes of remnant habitat
patches within fragmented ecosystems. Critical wildlife habitat
continues to be a dwindling resource, profoundly effecting species'
experiencing large-scale habitat destruction. Many species are leftconfined to isolated patches, threatening their persistence in thelandscape. This project aimed to identify the effects of habitat
fragmentation on the genetic structure of a declining bird, the cooperatively breeding Grey-crowned Babbler, in northern Victoria,
Australia.
The Grey-crowned Babbler is a woodland bird clearly affected fromhabitat loss and fragmentation, suffering population losses of up to 94%
in some areas. Requiring close proximity to other groups for theirbreeding ecology, the combined effects of habitat loss andfragmentation have led to disparate and isolated populations. Recent
studies have suggested that social networks and population
connectivity are critical to Babbler persistence. Restricted suitable
habitat availability as a result of anthropogenic landscape modification
brings increasing negative pressures on Grey-crowned genetic
variability, breeding integrity, and dispersal opportunities, for a species
already suffering alarming population losses.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

DNA extracted from blood samples taken across a large-scale study
area provided genotypic data, used to determine the differences ingenetic structure relating to population size and isolation. Data wasanalysed to specifically investigate fragmentation effects on breeding
behaviour, mating systems and relatedness of family groups. This was
conducted by employing a stratified field design of two population
sizes; large and small, and two isolation levels; near and far, between
groups. We tested the hypotheses that (1) relatedness is higher amongst
connected and more closely located groups than more isolated groups,and (2) smaller populations will have higher levels of relatedness
amongst individuals than larger populations. We also examined if a
combined effect of population size and group isolation on Babbler
demographics and genetic structure was apparent.
Increasing knowledge in these areas, not previously investigated, isfundamental for managing biodiversity in the face of climate change,
and natural ecosystem shrinkage, loss and degradation, which
threatens species worldwide.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Adile Tatliyer
Researcher, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey
Ozgur Koskan
Assistant Professor, Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey&
Deniz Alic Ural
Professor, Adnan Menderes University, Turkey

Applicability of Weibull, Log-Logistic and Cox
Regression Models on Agricultural Data
Survival analysis are widely used analyses in health related fields. In
recent years, survival analysis started being used in many fields
involved in living such as biology, agriculture and forestry. As it is
known the Cox regression model is the most widely used model forsurvival data. In this study, preconditions of Cox regression model andhow the Cox regression model is implemented on data are shown. In
addition to Cox regression model, Weibull and Log logistic regression
are introduced. In addition, how parametric (Weibull, Log Logistic
regression) and semiparametric (Cox regression) regression models canbe used in analyzing agricultural data are discussed.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Phenchan Thardphaiboon
Agricultural Research Officer Professional Level, Ministry ofAgriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand

Pineapple “Trat Si Thong” Production Technology
in Eastern Cultivated Areas, Thailand
Pineapple ‘Trat Si Thong’ is significant local economic crop in eastern
Thailand. The fresh fruits and other products have great potential in thedomestic and international market. This study aims to determine somepersonal background of pineapple growers, their existing production
technology and constraints and recommendations on production andmarket aspects. The research methodology was done through in-depth
interviews schedule with stakeholders and 70 pineapple growers inTrat province, eastern Thailand, Crop Year 2011. Descriptive statistics
were presented in arithmetic means, percentage, frequency, andstandard deviation. The findings revealed that average cultivated area
was 10.26 hectares per household. The major occupation of mostgrowers was Hevea brasiliensis plantation. Most land tenure status freeof charge land. Majority cultivation pattern was intercropping in Hevea
brasiliensis. Double row planting with spacing was 30 cm x 50 cm x 100
cm. Basal application was organic fertilizers. Most side dressing wascompound fertilizer, NPK 15-15-15 that was applied twice after
planting. Foliar application was applied after flowering. Forced
flowering, ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid) was applied to 8 –month – old plants. The harvesting indices were including age of fruitand color and characteristics of fruit eyes. Most pineapple fruits werewholesale to the dealer. Average net profit was 54,390.25 baht (US$1,813.01, 1 US $=30 baht) per hectares per crop. Most production
constraints were weed distribution. Most marketing constraints werelimitation of marketing channels and unstable price. Recommendations
were production and marketing data should be urgent served in orderto support growers’ production planning, and research anddevelopment on production and marketing should be supported tosolve the existing problems and to increase the value of products formore marketing channels.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Marian Weaving
Ph.D. Student, Deakin University, Australia
Kara Hower
Professor, Deakin University, Australia
Raylene Cooke
Professor, Deakin University, Australia&
John White
Professor, Deakin University, Australia

Home Range and Habitat Use of the Tawny
Frogmouth in Urban Environments
This study compares home range sizes and habitat selection of tawny
frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) at sites of varying degrees ofurbanization. The tawny frogmouth is a nocturnal cryptic species
endemic to Australia. While the species appears to have relatively highdensities in urban environments, very little is known about theirnocturnal movements and spatial ecology. Therefore, this study, for the
first time, aimed to determine the home range size of the tawny
frogmouth and the potential influence of sex and weight on home range
size; the influence of habitat type on home range size and position
within the landscape and whether or not tawny frogmouths have theability to use anthropogenic structures within their home range. To
determine this, twelve birds, seven males and five females were radiotracked in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
To determine home range size and core use within the home range
minimum convex polygons (MCP), 95% fixed-kernel isopleths and 50%
fixed-kernel isopleths were calculated. The mean kernel home range formales was 18.92 ± 4.83 ha and the mean kernel home range for females
was 6.42 ± 1.53ha. Home range size was dependent on both how urban
the habitat was and the sex of the bird. Males increased the size of theirhome range as the landscape became increasingly urban, whilst females
did not. This suggests that males and females were influenced indifferent ways by urbanization and males are potentially mating withmultiple females distributed more widely throughout urban
environments. Tawny frogmouths showed a preference for trees andgrass and avoided impervious surfaces, but showed flexibility in theirability to utilize artificial perches in urban environments. This tendency
to use natural areas suggests a reliance on natural habitat, whichindicates that remnant native vegetation should be preserved if tawny
frogmouths are to continue to persist in urban environments.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Emie Yiannaka
Associate Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
Van Tran
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA&
Konstantinos Giannakas
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

Consumer Attitudes and Labeling Regimes as
Determinants of the Market Success of Food
Nanotechnology
The use of nanotechnology in all phases of the food cycle – from farm
to fork – has the potential to revolutionize the agri-food sector byincreasing food supply and enhancing food quality and safety. Current
and potential food nanotechnology applications include; the use ofnanosensors for monitoring crop growth and pest control andidentifying animal and plant diseases; the use of nanoencapsulated
additives and ingredients that enable changes in food texture, taste,
processability and quality; packaging material that is more durable,
light, can repair tears, can respond to environmental conditions (e.g.,
moisture, light), improve food safety, signal whether food iscontaminated or spoiled or release preservatives that can extend foodlife (Sekhon 2010).
While the potential benefits of food nanotechnology can be immense,
its potential risks are not well understood. Concerns involve thepotential toxicity of nanoparticles whose chemical and physicalproperties can be very different from those of macro particles of thesame composition, thus, while the latter may be harmless, the former
could be toxic to humans and/or the environment (NanoBio-Raise
2011). According to some estimates, hundreds of nanofoods and foodpackaging applications are already in the market (NanoBio-Raise 2011)and given current regulations labeling of these products is not required.
The paper examines the market and welfare effects of theintroduction of food nanotechnology innovations under different
labeling regimes. We develop an analytical framework ofheterogeneous consumers who differ in their attitude towards
interventions in the production process and imperfectly competitive
producers (processors and and specify the exact conditions underwhich food nanotechnology innovations will end up being (a)ineffective, (b) non-drastic, and (c) drastic. We show that, even when all
consumers are averse to nanotechnology, the introduction of foodnanotechnology innovations that offer enhanced attributes can be75

6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

welfare enhancing for all consumers while welfare is in most cases
lower for non-adopting producers when the technology isnot
ineffective.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Ivar Zekker
Chemist, University of Tartu, Estonia

Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation in Upflow
Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor for Reject Water
Treatment
Rapid and robust start- up of anaerobic ammonium oxidation(anammox) process from various seeding materials for treatment of Nrich waste streams is needed for development of cost and energy saving
technologies. In the current study rapid anammox start-up (eliminationof NH4+ and NO2-) was achieved by inoculation with not anammoxspecific UASB sludge treating industrial SO42-- and N-rich yeast
factory wastewater. Increasing frequency when reactor biomass is
fluidized by means of feeding with a higher flow rate, improved TN
removal rate, but also NOBs activity. Maximum TN removal rates of
500 g m-3d-1 with removal efficiency of 70 % were achieved atmoderate temperature of 20ºC after a one year operation period. As aresult of PCR on anammox uncultured Planctomycetes clone
07260064(4)-2-M13-_A01 (GenBank: JX852965) was identified from thereactor. qPCR conducted with the SRB dsrA-gene specific primers
showed a rapid decrease in SRB/16S ratios in the reactor, compared toinoculum.

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6th Annual International Conference on Agriculture, 15-18 July 2013: Abstract Book

Xiying Zhang
Principal Investigator, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Suying Chen
Professor, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Hongyong Sun
Professor, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China&
Liwei Shao
Professor, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Managing Limited Irrigation for Maximizing Grain
Production in the North China Plain
The North China Plain (NCP) is one of the main grain production
areas in China, its water shortage problem is a serious concern. To copewith scarce supplies, deficit irrigation scheduling has been widelyadopted to winter wheat in NCP. Good results have been achieved that
irrigation can be reduced up to 30% by adopting deficit irrigation
scheduling without yield loss. The improved grain production undermoderate water deficit for winter wheat was related to the longer grain
filling duration and higher dry matter mobilization efficiency that
improved harvest index. Wheat under water stress tended to flower
earlier and thus gain several days during the grain filling stage, before
high temperature in June limited further grain fill and accelerated crop
maturity in NCP. The senescence and mobilization promoted by water
deficits during the grain filling period are coupled processes in wheat.
Even with less than maximum biomass accumulation, the higher
harvest index compensated this loss and the final yield was improved.
Effective measures to increase the utilization of stored soil water
could improve crop performance under conditions of limited watersupply in the NCP. Recent measurements showed that the bulky
density was increased under the tillage layer and soil pan is becoming
thick and moving upwards with the application of minimum tillage
practices in the NCP. The increase both in bulk density and thickness ofthe soil pan significantly affected the distribution of root length density(RLD), resulting in greater RLD in the tillage layer and smaller RLD indeep soil profile. Results showed that changing cultivation practices
were possible ways to break the soil pan to improve root growth in the
deeper soil layers that will benefit soil water use.

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