bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro rumen methane output of forb species sampled in spring and summer
Authors: Purcell Peter James , Boland Tommy M. , O'Brien Martin , O'Kiely Pádraig
Published: July 2018

The chemical composition, in vitro rumen fermentation variables and methane (CH4) output of a range of common forb species sampled in spring and summer, and grass silage (14 treatments in total), were determined in this study. Dried, milled herbage samples were incubated in an in vitro rumen batch culture with rumen microbial inoculum (rumen fluid) and buffered mineral solution (artificial saliva) at 39 °C for 24 hours. All herbage chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation variables were affected (p<0.001) by treatment. Rumex obtusifolius (in spring and summer), Urtica dioica (summer) and Senecio jacobaea (summer) had lower (p<0.05) CH4 outputs relative to feed dry matter incubated compared with grass silage, reflecting their lower extent of in vitro rumen fermentation.
Use of semi-leafless peas (Pisum sativum L) in laying hen diets
Authors: Koivunen Erja , Tuunainen Petra , Valkonen Eija , Valaja Jarmo
Published: July 2018

The study was conducted to evaluate an appropriate inclusion level of white-flowered semi-leafless green spring peas in diets for laying hens. Egg production and egg quality variables (specific weight, Haugh unit, shell strenght) were determined with 576 hens in a 52-week feeding experiment, which comprised of three feeding phases. The hens were offered one of the four cereal and soybean meal (SBM) based experimental diets. Peas were tested in proportions of 0, 100, 200 or 300 g kg-1 in the diet. Pea inclusion had no effects on production performance, feed consumption or feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the hens during the entire trial. The pea inclusion impaired FCR during the second feeding phase (p < 0.05) and increased birds’ live weight in a linear manner during the second and the third feeding phases (p < 0.05). Pea inclusion had no effects on egg quality. It can be concluded that at least 300 g kg-1 of the studied peas can be used in the diets of laying hens without negative effects on production performance or egg quality.
Commercial cultivars and farmers’ access to crop diversity: A case study from the Nordic region
Authors: Solberg Svein Oivind , Breian Line
Published: July 2018

Agricultural diversification is one way of meeting the future challenges associated with climate change and population growth, making farmers’ access to a diversity of high-yielding, good quality cultivars critical. In this paper we provide an overview of the seed system in the Nordic region from the 1950 to the present. The emphasisis on breeding businesses and their production of cultivars. Key primary sources have been the national variety lists, other written sources on plant breeding, and a survey. We document how enterprises have merged and how this consolidation process has affected the production of new cultivars and led to an emphasis on major crops, resulting in the abandonment of breeding activities for several other crops. The results are discussed in relation to structures and in the broader context of agrobiodiversity issues in peripheral regions of the world.
Changes in antagonistic activity of lactic acid bacteria induced by their response to technological factors
Authors: Jonkuviene Dovile , Šalomskienė Joana , Abraitienė Asta , Mačionienė Irena , Repečkienė Jūratė , Stankienė Jūratė , Vaičiulytė-Funk Lina
Published: July 2018

This study examined the changes in antagonistic activity of selected lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in response to technological factors used in food production. The antimicrobial activity of 12 selected LAB strains was assessed against the bacterial and fungal strains using the agar well diffusion method. Sodium chloride (NaCl) 6.5–8.0%, glucose 20-30% and pH 4.0, pH 8.0 and higher were the most crucial factors in reducing the spectra of the microorganisms antagonized. Heating at 80 °C or 100 °C had a greater negative impact than 63 °C on the antifungal activity of LAB. Freezing at –72 °C eliminated the antifungal activity, or it changed from fungicidal to fungistatic. Although each LAB demonstrated the ability to retain antimicrobial activity induced by various technological factors, Lactococcus lactis 768/5 was superior in retaining high antimicrobial activity against tested indicator strains.
The content of dietary fiber, amino acids, dihydroxyphenols and some macro- and micronutrients in grain of conventionally and organically grown common wheat, spelt wheat and proso millet
Authors: Kwiatkowski Cezary A , Haliniarz Małgorzata , Tomczyńska-Mleko Marta , Mleko Stanisław , Kawecka-Radomska Małgorzata
Published: July 2018

The effects of conventional and organic farming system on some quality parameters of grains were studied in winter and spring common wheat, spelt wheat and proso millet. Under organic farming conditions, spelt wheat was characterized by the most favorable grain chemical composition (essential amino acids index [EAAI] 85.3, o-dihydroxyphenol 2.00 g kg-1, nitrogen [N] 23.5 g kg-1, magnesium [Mg] 705, zinc [Zn] 32.9 mg kg-1), followed by millet (total dietary fiber [TDF] 185.3 g kg-1, Mg 904, copper [Cu] 6.27, iron [Fe] 57.0 mg kg-1). The above-mentioned cereals also showed a satisfactory yield level under the organic system (spelt wheat 2.69, proso millet 1.42 t ha-1). Both in winter and spring common wheat organic farming led a significant reduction in productivity, but the content of chemical components in grain (dihydroxyphenols—spring wheat 1.68 g kg-1, winter wheat 1.74 g kg-1; selenium [Se]—spring wheat 53.4 mg kg-1, winter wheat 40.5 mg kg-1; some amino acids—spring wheat valine [Val] 5.11, methionine [Met] 2.09, tryptophan [Trp] 0.40 g kg-1, winter wheat glutamate [Glu] 41.9, proline [Pro] 15.3, glysine [Gly] 5.24, arginine [Arg] 5.04, [Trp] 0.97 g kg-1) was more favorable compared to the conventional system. The present study showed that the organic farming system does not result in reduced productivity neither in spelt wheat or proso millet, but contributes to an improvement in their grain quality parameters. On the other hand, common wheat performed better under the conventional system.
Evaluating adaptation and the production development of Finnish agriculture in climate and global change
Authors: Lehtonen Heikki Sakari
Published: July 2018

Agricultural product prices and policies influence the development of crop yields under climate change through farm level management decisions. On this basis, five main scenarios were specified for agricultural commodity prices and crop yields. An economic agricultural sector model was used in order to assess the impacts of the scenarios on production, land use and farm income in Finland. The results suggest that falling crop yields, if realized due to low prices and restrictive policies, will result in decreasing crop and livestock production and increasing nutrient surplus. Slowly increasing crop yields could stabilise production and increase farm income. Significantly higher crop prices and yields are required, however, for any marked increase in production in Finland. Cereals production would increase relatively more than livestock production, if there were high prices for agricultural products. This is explained by abundant land resources, a high opportunity cost of labour and policies maintaining current dairy and beef production.
Spatial and temporal variation in weather events critical for boreal agriculture: III Frost and winter time fluctuation
Authors: Peltonen-Sainio Pirjo , Pirinen Pentti , Laapas Mikko , Mäkelä Hanna M. , Ojanen Hannu , Venäläinen Ari
Published: July 2018

In the boreal zone of Europe, differences between the four seasons are considerable. Also, the within-season variation in climatic conditions is substantial. This has many impacts on agriculture that are exceptional when compared to any other environmental zone in Europe. All the meteorological data were based on weather observations made by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Likelihood (%) for soil frost (≤ 0 °C at 20 cm soil depth) at nine weather stations, and late snow cover (> 1 cm) (10 km × 10 km grid) were estimated for late spring. Probabilities (%) of night frost at the ground surface (March-September) were calculated at nine weather stations by frequencies of the lowest observed night-time temperature: a) between –2 and –5 °C (mild), b) ≤ –5 °C (moderate) and c) ≤ –9 °C (severe). Also, the probabilities (%) of night frost in mid-summer were estimated (≤ –1 °C for at least five hours). Furthermore, a significant shift from mild to below-freezing conditions was measured in winter as a period of at least ten days with daily maximum temperatures above 0°C followed by at least a 10-day period with daily mean temperatures below –5°C in order to characterize high fluctuating winter conditions. All these except late snow cover constitute high risks to crop production. Deep soil frost may postpone sowings, while in advanced springs, night frost may cause damage. For winter crops and perennials, shifts from mild to cold spells outside the growing season are particularly detrimental. Again the data may have many other applications beyond the assessments highlighted in this paper.
Nutrient solution aeration and growing cycles affect quality and yield of fresh-cut baby leaf red lettuce
Authors: Conesa Encarnación , Fernández Juan A. , Niñirola Diana , Egea-Gilabert Catalina
Published: July 2018

The objective of this research was to study the effects of nutrient solution aeration [no aeration (NA), low aeration (LA) or high aeration (HA)] and growing cycle (autumn, winter and summer) on the yield, quality, and shelf life of red lettuce as a fresh-cut product grown in a floating system. The specific leaf area, yield and root diameter were affected by the growing cycle. The percentage of dry matter and the nitrate content were affected by growing cycle and aeration, total phenolics and mesophilic microorganism by aeration and storage time, hue angle and chromacity by growing cycle and storage time, and antioxidant capacity, vitamin C, lightness and psychrophilic microorganisms were affected by all three factors. NA conditions increased the antioxidant capacity in summer and vitamin C content in winter. The lowest mesophilic and psychrophilic count was observed in autumn. The effect of aeration on most of the quality parameters measured was influenced by the growing cycle.
Acknowledgements
Authors: Puhakainen Tuula
Published: July 2018

Acknowledgements to the referees and a member of Advisory Board
Nitrogen and phosphorus losses in surface runoff and drainage water after application of slurry and mineral fertilizer to perennial grass ley
Authors: TURTOLA E. , KEMPPAINEN E.
Published: July 2018

Losses of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from perennial grass ley on a fine sand soil were studied with five treatments: no fertilizer (1), cow slurry applied in autumn (2), winter (3) or spring (4), and mineral fertilizer applied in spring (5). For N, the total amounts applied (1992-96) were 0, 772, 807, 805 and 510 kg ha-1 and for P 0, 141, 119, 143 and 107 kg ha-1, respectively. In the first year (establishment of the ley, 1992-93), N losses (drainage + surface runoff) were slightly higher after application of slurry in autumn (with immediate ploughing, treatment 2) than in treatments 1, 4 and 5 (21 kg ha-1 vs. 17 kg ha-1), but the respective P losses (0.7-0.9 kg ha-1) were not affected. During the ley years (1993-96) the N and P losses were increased by surface application of fertilizers and by abundance of surface runoff (83-100% of the total runoff). Nutrient losses were extremely high after slurry application in autumn and winter, accounting for 11% and 33% of the applied N and 17% and 59% of the applied P, respectively. The N losses during the ley years from treatments 1-5 were 13, 62, 191, 23 and 24 kg ha-1, where the proportion of NH4-N was 21, 49, 56, 33 and 39%. The respective P losses were 0.73, 16, 54, 4.2 and 4.0 kg ha-1, where the proportion of PO4-P was 52, 85, 77, 68 and 64%.;
Wild rice - a potential new crop for Finland
Authors: MÄKELÄ P. , ARCHIBOLD W. O. , PELTONEN-SAINIO P.
Published: July 2018

Wild rice (Zizania palustris L.), an aquatic grass that grows naturally in lakes and slowly flowing rivers in North America, has been used as a food for thousands of years by some aboriginal tribes. In natural stands, the seeds mature in the autumn and overwinter on the lake bed. They germinate in May, with growth to maturity requiring approximately 100 days. The similarity of growing conditions between North America and Finland suggests that wild rice might succeed in northern Europe. The wild rice plant and the production of both organically grown Canadian wild rice and paddy-grown wild rice in the USA are briefly described in this review article together with the results of preliminary growth trials and an assessment of its agricultural role in Finland.
Effect of anionic salts in concentrate mixture on some blood and urine minerals, acid-base balance and feed intake of dry pregnant cows on grass silage based feeding with high calcium intake
Authors: TAURIAINEN S. , SANKARI S. , SYRJÄLÄ-QVIST L.
Published: July 2018

The objective was to study the effects of anionic salts in a concentrate mixture on some blood and urine minerals, acid-base balance and intake of Ayrshire cows fed a grass silage based diet. Eighteen nonlactating, pregnant Ayrshire cows were divided randomly into two groups according to their expected calving date. Dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB), calculated as milliequivalents [(Na+ + K+) - (Cl- + S2-)] of the two diets was +410 mEq/kg of dietary dry matter (DM) in the high DCAB group and +81 mEq/kg of the dietary DM in the low DCAB group, respectively. The DCAB was formulated using NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4 and MgCl2 as anionic salts. Cows received grass silage (5.2 kg DM), hay (0.8 kg DM) and a concentrate mixture (1.7 kg DM) until calving. Both diets were supplemented with 100 g CaCO3 to achieve a high Ca intake (82 g Ca/d). Blood and urine samples were collected 4, 3, 2 and 1 week before the expected calving date, at calving, the day after calving and 1 week following calving. Current data indicated that it may be difficult to formulate a diet with a negative DCAB, if the K content of grass silage is over 30 g/kg DM. As a result, no increase in blood Ca2+ and a relatively high urinary pH were observed. Furthermore, it may advantageous to increase Mg intakes above current Finnish recommendations when dietary Ca concentrations are high, since 28% of experimental cows experienced hypomagnaesemia at parturition.;
Infrared drying of herbs (Research Note)
Authors: PÄÄKKÖNEN K. , HAVENTO J. , GALAMBOSI B.
Published: July 2018

Drying experiments on peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum L.), parsley (Petroselinum crispum L.) and garden angelica (Angelica archangelica L.) were conducted using near infrared drying, operating at a product temperature of 35-50°C. The oil content, composition and residual water content of the dried herbs were determined. The microbiological quality of the fresh and the dried material was determined for total bacterial count and coliforms, moulds and yeasts. The results indicate that infrared radiation is has potential for drying herbs since it is gentle and shortens the processing time.
Effects of cattle slurry and cultivation on air exchange in sandy and silty soils from northern Norway
Authors: HARALDSEN T.K.
Published: July 2018

Gas diffusivity and permeability, and air-filled porosity, were measured in undisturbed soil cores at four water potentials between -1.5 kPa and -60 kPa. Virgin (never ploughed) and cultivated sandy and silty soils from two sites in northern Norway were used in the investigation. The cultivated soils had lower air-filled porosity and gas diffusivity than the virgin ones. Application of slurry (50 Mg ha-1) decreased gas diffusivity and changed the relationship between relative diffusivity and air-filled porosity for both the virgin and cultivated sandy soils and the virgin silty soil. The gas permeability of both the virgin and cultivated silty soil was low, and the relative diffusivity at field capacity less than the limit below which plant growth is affected. ;
Occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in different cropping systems at Cochabamba, Bolivia (Research Note)
Authors: VESTBERG M. , CARDOSO M. , MÅRTENSSON A.
Published: July 2018

The occurrence of arbuscule-forming fungi in different cropping systems was investigated at Cochabamba in the province of Cercado, Bolivia. The cropping systems included grain and mixed pasture systems, with or without fertilization and agrochemicals. Geographically, the soils studied were situated at 17°23'9'' southern latitude and 66°9'35'' western longitude and a mean height of 2600 m above sea level. Spores of four arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi-forming genera were observed; Glomus Tul. & Tul., Entrophospora Ames & Schneider, Sclerocystis Berk. & Broome emend. Almeida & Schenck and Scutellospora Walker & Sanders. Glomus was the dominating genus, followed by Sclerocystis; Scutellospora and Entrophospora were observed occasionally. A cropping system consisting of a native pasture without any fertilization or other plant or soil treatments had the highest numbers of spores and the highest species richness, i.e. eight out of nine species identified. The mycorrhizal diversity measured with the Shannon-Wiener index did however not differ very much between cropping systems. ;
The environmental effectiveness of alternative agri-environmental policy reforms: theoretical and empirical analysis
Authors: LANKOSKI J. , OLLIKAINEN M.
Published: July 2018

This paper analyzes alternative agri-environmental policy reforms to reduce nutrient runoff when the government has price support, fertilizer tax, buffer zone subsidy and acreage subsidy as available instruments. To promote environmental goals, the government is assumed to adjust the tax and subsidyrates so as to keep the farmers profits constant. This instrument switch reduces the prices of less-polluting inputs and the farmer re-optimizes his production so that it becomes more environmentally friendly. The four alternative reforms under study are the following: a reduction of the producer price support or acreage subsidy compensated for by a higher buffer zone subsidy, and an increase in the fertilizer tax which is compensated for by either a higher acreage subsidy or a buffer zone subsidy. We show theoretically that although all reforms reduce the nutrient runoff, the last one is the most efficient. Our simulations show that at a 30 % abatement level of nitrogen runoffs all policy mixes decrease the average farmers profits after the re-adjustment, if the end price is not allowed to in-crease due to decreased production. The smallest loss in the farmers profits results from a policy mix which compensates for the higher fertilizer tax by a higher acreage subsidy.;
The total material requirement -concept applied to agriculture: a case study from Finland
Authors: RISKU-NORJA H.
Published: July 2018

In connection with the concept of sustainability emphasising the interaction of the economy and nature the material flow accounting (MFA) approach has in recent years obtained new relevance and is presently under vivid development. In this study, the concept of the total material requirement (TMR) of the MFA methodology has been applied to agriculture in Finland. The present level and development trends in use of natural resources since the beginning of the 1970s are described. The objective is to show the feasibility of the approach, to point out the reduction possibilities within the agriculture and to provide tools to set clear quantitative goals for reduction. There appears to be an urgent need to develope new methods, because several of the TMR-based indexes cannot be applied within the agricultural sector as such. Three indexes -direct material input (DMI)/energy consumption, .DMI/use of commercial fertilisers, .DMI/use of biocides  are suggested to measure the resource efficiency and the tempo of change towards sustainability. Some of the problems are directly related to the lack of adequate and internationally comparable data. The study is part of the national ecoefficiency-project with the overall aim to analyse the dependence of the natural resource use from the structure and growth of the economy, to localise the strategic targets of dematerialisation of the economy and to create a coherent and internationally comparable database to be used in developing environmental indicators.;
Phosphorus content of ditch sediments as indicator of critical source areas (Research Note)
Authors: JANSSON H. , MÄNTYLAHTI V. , NÄRVÄNEN A.
Published: July 2018

An inexpensive method for identifying high phosphorus (P) loads on ditches carrying water from critical source areas ("hot spots", i.e. manure-affected areas) was tested. Water flowing from the hot-spot areas is rich in dissolved nutrients (e.g. P) and nutrient-rich eroded material. In this study the water from hot spots contained an average of 2.2 mg/l dissolved reactive P but field ditch water 0.14 mg/l. We selected 62 ditches with varying P-load levels for sediment analysis. Five ponds and 16 lakes were also studied. The sediment samples were analysed by the AAAc-extraction (0.5 M ammonium acetate, 0.5 M acetic acid, pH 4.65) method used for routine soil testing in Finland. The analysis of sediment AAAc-P proved to be a useful method for identifying ditches carrying high P waters from hot spots. Half of the ditch sediments in the hot spot ditches showed high or excessive P concentrations. AAAc extraction of the sediment is less expensive than water analysis and the sampling can be extended to periods when no water flows in the ditches.;
Three mechanical weed control techniques in spring cereals
Authors: LÖTJÖNEN T. , MIKKOLA H. J.
Published: July 2018

An inter-row hoe suitable for cereals was developed for the study, and field experiments were conducted to compare inter-row hoeing with weed harrowing, rotary hoeing and chemical control. The treatments were performed once during the growing season. Inter-row hoeing was studied at row spacings of 180 mm and 250 mm. The weeding effect of the different methods was measured by weighing the weeds remaining just before harvesting. Inter-row hoeing was the most effective of the mechanical methods. Weed harrowing was as good as hoeing in silty clay soil but less effective in mull soil. Rotary hoeing was the least effective. Herbicide spraying was more effective than the mechanical methods in both soils. Increasing the spacing between rows from the standard 125 mm to 250 mm decreased the yield of barley by 12-13%. Inter-row hoeing affected the yield very slightly. The yield decreasing was lower at a row spacing of 180 mm than at 250 mm. Weed harrowing and rotary hoeing decreased the yield 5-10%. Although inter-row hoeing seems to be a fairly effective method for weed control, it may be difficult to compensate for the yield loss due to the increase in row spacing.;
Quantification of fine root responses to selenium toxicity
Authors: HARTIKAINEN H. , PIETOLA L. , SIMOJOKI A.
Published: July 2018

The morphological changes of lettuce and ryegrass roots in response to Se toxicity were quantified by image analysis. Based on the assumption that soil stresses increase endogenous ethylene production in plants, changes indicating higher construction costs for roots, such as decreased specific root length, were expected. As lettuce roots in soil without Se addition (control) became older, their width increased whereas their specific length, specific surface area and specific volume decreased. In younger lettuce, large Se additions induced changes resembling those identified in the control plant upon senescence. In older plants, Se fertilisation reversed these changes or made them smaller. Ryegrass roots were not as sensitive to added Se as lettuce roots; a lower dosage stimulated root growth but a higher one reduced it. ;
Maize and winter wheat production with different soil tillage systems on silty loam
Authors: KOSUTIC S. , FILIPOVIC D. , GOSPODARIC Z.
Published: July 2018

From 1996 to 1998 five different tillage systems were compared in maize (Zea mays L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production on one experimental field (silty loam - Albic Luvisol) located in north-west Slavonia, Croatia. The compared tillage systems were as follows: conventional tillage (CT), reduced conventional tillage (RT), conservation tillage I (CP), conservation tillage II (CM), no-tillage system (NT). The aim of the research was to determine the influence of those tillage systems on the energy and labour requirement, and on the yield of the maize and of the winter wheat. Comparing the energy requirement to CT system, RT system required 16.1% less, CP system 26.9% less, CM system 40.8% less, while NT system required even 85.1% less energy per hectare. The labour requirement showed that RT system saved 16.4%, while CP system required 20.5% less, CM system 39.5% less labour respectively. NT system saved 82.1% of labour in comparison to CT system. The first year greatest maize yield of 7.78 Mg ha-1 was achieved with CT system, while other systems in comparison to CT system, except RT, achieved not significantly lower yields. The second year greatest winter wheat yield of 5.89 Mg ha-1 achieved CM system, while other systems in comparison to CM, except RT, achieved not significantly lower yields.
Freezing and low temperature photoinhibition tolerance in cultivated potato and potato hybrids
Authors: SEPPÄNEN M.M. , NISSINEN O. , PERÄLÄ S.
Published: July 2018

Four Solanum tuberosum L. cultivars (Nicola, Pito, Puikula, Timo) and somatic hybrids between freezing tolerant S. commersonii and freezing sensitive S. tuberosum were evaluated for their tolerance to freezing and low temperature photoinhibition. Cellular freezing tolerance was studied using ion leakage tests and the sensitivity of the photosynthetic apparatus to freezing and high light intensity stress by measuring changes in chlorophyll fluorescence (FV/FM) and oxygen evolution. Exposure to high light intensities after freezing stress increased frost injury significantly in all genotypes studied. Compared with S. tuberosum cultivars, the hybrids were more tolerant both of freezing and intense light stresses. In field experiments the mechanism of frost injury varied according to the severity of night frosts. During night frosts in 1999, the temperature inside the potato canopy was significantly higher than at ground level, and did not fall below the lethal temperature for potato cultivars (from -2.5 to -3.0°C). As a result, frost injury developed slowly, indicating that damage occurred to the photosynthetic apparatus. However, as the temperature at ground level and inside the canopy fell below -4°C, cellular freezing occurred and the canopy was rapidly destroyed. This suggests that in the field visual frost damage can follow from freezing or non-freezing temperatures accompanied with high light intensity. Therefore, in an attempt to improve low temperature tolerance in potato, it is important to increase tolerance to both freezing and chilling stresses.
Chlormequat chloride and ethephon affect growth and yield formation of conventional, naked and dwarf oat
Authors: PELTONEN-SAINIO P. , RAJALA A.
Published: July 2018

Department of Plant Production, PO Box 27, FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. Current address: MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Plant Production Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland. e-mail: pirjo.peltonen-sainio@mtt.fi Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are not usually applied to oat (Avena sativa L.) crops. This study was designed to test whether the antigibberellin chlormequat chloride (CCC) and ethylene-releasing ethephon sprayed on to oat foliage represent potential agents for manipulation of yield formation under northern growing conditions. Effects of these PGRs on yield components and tiller growth and productivity were examined in detail. This study included a long-strawed landrace, a modern standard height cultivar, two naked (A. sativa ssp. nuda L.) and two dwarf oats. Field experiments were conducted at Viikki Experimental Farm, University of Helsinki, in 1995 and 1996. Chlormequat chloride was sprayed at the two-node stage and ethephon when the flag leaf ligule was just visible on the main shoot. Various traits characterizing growth and yield formation were assessed. Chlormequat chloride increased grain yield by 0% to 13% depending on cultivar and year, while ethephon most often decreased it by up to 17%. No lodging occurred and the recorded increase in grain yield of CCC treated plants was not therefore due to prevention of lodging. However, CCC treatment resulted in more panicles per square meter and in 1995 tillers contributed more to grain yield. Ethephon treated plants had less grains per main shoot panicle, lower panicle filling rate (PFR) and parallel decreased harvest index (HI). Stem elongation of dwarf oat was enhanced by CCC, in contrast to that of conventional and naked cultivars.;
Composition, ileal amino acid digestibility and nutritive value of organically grown legume seeds and conventional rapeseed cakes for pigs
Authors: PARTANEN K. , VALAJA J. , JALAVA T.
Published: July 2018

Eight white-flowered pea (Pisum sativum) and two white-flowered field bean (Vicia faba) cultivars grown organically were analysed for proximate composition and amino acid content. In vivo ileal amino acid digestibilities and faecal energy digestibility were predicted from the in vitro enzymatic digestibility of nitrogen and organic matter, respectively. The crude protein (CP) content of the pea and field bean cultivars ranged from 244 to 279 and from 320 to 347 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. The concentrations of several essential amino acids in protein decreased as the CP content increased. In peas, predicted in vivo digestibilities did not correlate with chemical composition, and in field beans were lower than in peas. A digestibility trial was carried out on six cannulated barrows according to a 6 ´ 5 cyclic change-over design to determine the faecal and ileal nutrient digestibilities of organically grown leafed peas (cv. Sohvi, 199 g CP/kg DM), semileafless peas (cv. Karita, 240 g CP/kg DM), field beans (cv. Kontu, 320 g CP/kg DM), narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius cv. Pershatsvet, 220 g CP/kg DM), and conventional warm- and cold-pressed rapeseed cakes (360 and 313 g CP/kg DM, respectively). The net energy contents of the leafed and semileafed peas, field beans, lupins, and cold- and warm-pressed rape seed cakes were 10.8, 11.2, 9.8, 9.7, 9.4 and 12.3 MJ/kg DM, respectively. The apparent ileal digestibilities of lysine and threonine were similar, but the digestibility of methionine was poor in all legume seeds. Cystine digestibility was highest in lupins and lowest in field beans. With the exception of phenylalanine, there was no difference in apparent ileal amino acid digestibilities between rapeseed cakes.;
Land use response to agricultural policy and market movement on Finnish dairy-farms
Authors: NIEMI J.K. , PIETOLA K.
Published: July 2018

MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Economic Research, PO Box 3, FIN-00411 Helsinki, Finland, e-mail: jarkko.niemi@mtt.fi This study estimates an econometric model for land allocation on Finnish dairy-farms in 1989-1997. Land allocation equations are estimated jointly with the demand of purchased feeds and the supply for milk. The model is used to test how agricultural policy reforms have changed land allocation, animal feeding, and the supply for milk on Finnish dairy-farms. The results suggest that land allocations respond inelastically to the changes in income subsidies paid through the land areas. The use of feed concentrates in milk cows' diet has increased mainly because feed concentrate prices have decreased, rather than through the effects of acreage-based income subsidies on land allocations. At the same time, feed grain production has decreased. Farm size has an important effect on dairy-farm land use. Farmers, who have expanded milk production, have specialised in roughage production. The diet of cows has been intensified by purchasing more feed concentrates. The results also suggest that tradable milk quotas have allowed for a significant re-allocation of milk output between farms. The milk output turned out to be endogenous over the period of tradable milk quotas (1994-1997).;
Production of a cellulosic substrate susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis from prehydrolyzed barley husks
Authors: MOLDES A.B. , CRUZ J.M. , DOMÍNIQUEZ J.M.
Published: July 2018

An effective process for the chemical-biotechnological utilization of barley husks is reported. A first treatment with sulfuric acid (prehydrolysis) allowed the solubilization of hemicelluloses to give xylose-containing liquors (suitable to make fermentation media for xylitol production) and a solid phase containing cellulose and lignin. The solid residues from prehydrolysis were treated with NaOH in order to increase their cellulase digestibility. In the alkaline treatments, the effects of temperature (in the range, 50-130ºC), reaction time (10-60 min) and NaOH concentration (3-10 weight percent of solution) on the composition of solid residues were assessed by means of an experimental plan with factorial structure. The cellulose content increased with temperature and NaOH concentration, whereas the duration of treatments was not influential within the range tested. The treated samples showed high susceptibility toward the enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulases, leading to almost quantitative glucose yields under selected operational conditions.
Efficiency of split nitrogen fertilization with adjusted irrigation on potato
Authors: KUISMA P.
Published: July 2018

The split application of fertilizer nitrogen and adjusted irrigation were studied at Potato Research Institute in Lammi in 1993-1995. Independent of year, variety or irrigation, the split application of nitrogen had no benefit on yield or yield quality compared to a single dose at planting on the levels of recommended nitrogen fertilization. The highest yields were received with the highest dose 110 kg ha-1 N, given all at planting, followed by 80, 50+30+30, 50+30 and 50 kg ha-1 N. The yields without fertilizer nitrogen averaged 24.8 t ha-1. The adjusted irrigation increased tuber yields 17%. The utilization of fertilizer and organic soil nitrogen was good on potato crop if water supply was taken care of. Some values of apparent fertilizer nitrogen recovery exceeded 1.0 thus suggesting that the moderate fertilization improved the ability of potato crop to utilize the natural nitrogen sources in soils.
Apparent ileal amino acid digestibility and the nutritive value of the triticale cultivars Moreno and Ulrika for growing-finishing pigs
Authors: PERTTILÄ S. , SILJANDER-RASI H. , PARTANEN K.
Published: July 2018

Both digestibility and performance experiments were carried out to evaluate the nutritive value of triticale for growing-finishing pigs.In experiment 1,the apparent ileal and faecal digestibility of nutrients in barley (Hordeum vulgare cv.Viivi)and two triticale (Tritico secale cultivars, Moreno and Ulrika, were measured using six cannulated barrows with a body weight (BW)of 82-107 kg.In experiment 2,132 pigs were used over 25-100 kg BW to study the effects of replacing barley in a barley-soyabean meal-based diet with graded amounts of triticale cv.Moreno (25,50,75,or 100%) and cv.Ulrika (50 or 100%).The apparent ileal and faecal digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter were higher for both triticale cultivars than for barley (P 0.05).The apparent ileal digestibility of lysine averaged 65.6, 70.8, and 70.5% for barley and triticale cv.Moreno and Ulrika,respectively.The net energy content of triticales (11.5 MJ kg-1 DM)was 0.4 MJ kg -1 DM higher than that of barley.The replacement of barley with the triticale cultivars Moreno and Ulrika exerted a positive quadratic effect on daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio of pigs from 50 to 100 kg and from 25 to 100 kg BW (P
Effects of group size and space allocation on physiological, behavioural and production-related welfare parameters in farmed silver fox cubs
Authors: AHOLA L. , MONONEN J. , PYYKKÖNEN T.
Published: July 2018

Traditionally farmed silver fox cubs are raised after weaning either in pairs or singly in a traditional fox cage (1.2 m2). However, this way of housing foxes has been criticised because the foxes may have limited chance to exercise and to show social behaviour. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different social and spatial conditions on the welfare of silver fox cubs. The cubs were housed singly, in pairs or in quartets with space allocation of either 0.6 or 1.2 m2 per animal. Behavioural, physiological and production-related welfare parameters were assessed. The results revealed that space allocation had only minor effects on the measured welfare related parameters. With regard to social conditions, the results showed that the possibility for social behaviour is important for the welfare of young cubs. However, the welfare of the cubs may be jeopardised if they are kept in quartets beyond their natural dispersal time. Therefore, the welfare of silver fox cubs could be enhanced by allowing the cubs to enjoy of social companionship during the first months of their lives and by separating them into pairs in later autumn.
Dissolved reactive phosphorus in runoff assessed by soil extraction with an acetate buffer
Authors: UUSITALO R. , JANSSON H.
Published: July 2018

Agronomic soil test phosphorus (STP) data is, in addition to fertility studies, increasingly utilised in environmental risk assessment. We compared relationships between soil P extracted by acid ammonium acetate (AAAc-P) and water-soluble P (Pw) in laboratory, and AAAc-P and dissolved molybdatereactive P (DRP) in field runoff. The laboratory study suggested a close relationship (R2 = 0.87, n = 64) between AAAc-P and soluble P concentration in 1:100 (w/v) soil-to-water extracts, described by a linear equation:Pw (mg l1) =0.021 × AAAc-P (mg l1 soil) 0.015 (mg l1). In Lake Rehtijärvi cathcment, dominated by clayey soils, the AAAc-P content of field Ap horizon in a similar manner influenced the flow-weighted DRP concentration in surface runoff and drainflow:a 1 mg l1 increase in soil AAAc-P corresponded to 0.015 and 0.018 mg l1 increase in surface runoff and drainflow DRP, respectively. When the AAAc-P vs.Pw relationship obtained in the laboratory test was used to predict the average DRP concentration in edge-of-field runoff, the precision of the DRP estimates inferred from STP data was in 95% of the cases ± 0.10 mg l1. In the L. Rehtijärvi catchment, 50% of the diffuse DRP loading risk was assigned to an area that corresponded to less than 20% of the fields and the situation may be similar in the national scale.;
Effect of conservation tillage and peat application on weed infestation on a clay soil
Authors: VANHALA P. , PIETOLA L.
Published: July 2018

Amendment of soil with peat is an attempt to avoid crop yield variation in the transition to conservation tillage, as it improves seedbed conditions and crop growth in drought-sensitive clay soils. Weed infestations were compared in 1999-2000 between the original and peat-amended clay (Typic Cryaquept, very fine, illitic or mixed) under different autumn tillage systems in an oats-barley rotation. In a field experiment, sphagnum peat (H = 4) had been spread (0.02 m 3 m -2 ) on the soil surface in August 1995. Tillage treatments included mouldboard ploughing (to 20 cm) and stubble cultivations of different working depths (8 or 15 cm) and intensity (once or twice). Weed biomass and density were assessed by an area of 1 m 2 per field plot in August 1999-2000 and June 2000. The 1999 season was dry, but soil moisture conditions were more favourable in 2000. Peat application tended to increase the number of volunteer oats and Chenopodium album in 1999, while decreasing Galium spurium biomass. Ploughing significantly increased the abundance of Chenopodium album and Lamium purpureum in barley (Hordeum vulgare) in 1999. Weed infestation was much lower in 2000, and tillage effect on Chenopodium album was minor in oats (Avena sativa). Growth of Lamium purpureum and Fumaria officinalis was stimulated in ploughed soils both years. Intensity and working depth of stubble cultivation had no significant effect on weeds.;
Cointegration and error correction modelling of agricultural commodity trade: The case of ASEAN agricultural exports to the EU
Authors: NIEMI J.
Published: July 2018

The objecti e of this study is to increase our understanding of the specification and estimation of agricultural commodity trade models as well as to provide instruments for trade policy analysis. More specifically,the aim is to build a set of dynamic,theory-based econometric models which are able to capture both short-run and long-run effects of income and price changes,and which can be used for prediction and policy simulation under alternati e assumed conditions.A relati ely unrestricted,data determined,econometric modelling approach based on the error correction mechanism is used,in order to emphasise the importance of dynamics of trade functions.Econometric models are constructed for se en agricultural commodities cassa a,cocoa,coconut oil,palm oil,pepper, rubber,and tea exported from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)to the European Union (EU).With the aim of providing broad commodity co erage,the intent is to explore whether the chosen modelling approach is able to catch the essentials of the behavioural relationships underlying the specialised nature of each commodity market. The import demand analysis of the study examines two key features:(1)the response of EU s agricultural commodity imports to income and price changes,and (2)the length of time required for this response to occur.The estimations of the export demand relationships provide tests whether the exporters  market shares are influenced by the le el of relati e export price,and whether exports are affected by ariations in the rate of growth of imports.The export supply analysis examines the relati e influence of real price and some non-price factors in stimulating the supply of exports.The lag distribution (the shape and length of the lag)is found to be ery critical in export supply relationships,since the effects of price changes usually take a long time to work themselves through and since the transmission of the price effects can be complex.The set of dynamic econometric models estimated in the study are then used to simulate the effects different types of trade policies.More specifically,attempts are made to quantify the effects of a unilateral tariff remo al by the EU,an imposition of export subsidies and taxes by the ASEAN countries as well as exchange rate adjustments on ASEAN agricultural exports to the EU. The results suggest that concepts such as cointegration and error correction specification are well suited for the study of agricultural trade flows,which are typically non-stationary time series.The error correction specification is found to provide a good representation of the data-generating process for agricultural commodity flows from ASEAN countries to the EU.Furthermore,the study shows the importance of inspection of the time series properties and the examination of both short-and long-run adjustment when studying trade functions.The different dynamic responses are often critical to the outcomes of the types of trade policies considered.;
Nutrient uptake and biomass accumulation for eleven different field crops
Authors: HAKALA K. , KESKITALO M. , ERIKSSON C.
Published: July 2018

Oil hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), false flax (Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz), caraway (Carum carvi L.), dyers woad (Isatis tinctoria L.), nettle (Urtica dioica L.), reed canary grass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea L.), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown under uniform conditions in pots containing well fertilised loam soil. Dry matter (DM) accumulation was measured repeatedly, and contents of minerals N, P, K, Ca and Mg at maturity. Annual crops accumulated above-ground biomass faster than perennials, while perennials had higher DM accumulation rates below ground. Seeds had high concentrations of N and P, while green biomass had high concentrations of K and Ca. Stems and roots had low concentrations of minerals. Concentrations of K and P were high in quinoa and caraway, and that of P in buckwheat. Hemp and nettle had high Ca concentrations, and quinoa had high Mg concentration. N and P were efficiently harvested with seed, Ca and K with the whole biomass. Perennials could prevent soil erosion and add carbon to the soil in the long term, while annuals compete better with weeds and prevent erosion during early growth. Nutrient balances in a field could be modified and nutrient leaching reduced by careful selection of the crop and management practices.;
Supply chain integrated LCA approach to assess environmental impacts of food production in Finland
Authors: USVA K. , SAARINEN M. , KATAJAJUURI J-M.
Published: July 2018

A process was started in the late 1990s to produce comprehensive environmental data on particular aspects of Finnish food production with the aim of analyzing the environmental impacts (at least climate change, acidification and eutrophication and some other impacts) of products and locating hot spots in production chains. A supply chain integrated life cycle assessment was carried out on fodder barley, hard cheese, oat flakes, potato flour, cream cheese potato gratin, beer, honey-marinated/sliced broiler fillet and greenhouse cucumber. Methodological improvements in assessing environmental impacts of food products were evaluated in relation to ISO14040 and 14044 standards. Methods improved, especially regarding quality of cultivation data and previously reported data from the literature, impact assessment and calculations for assessment of leaching from agriculture. As a generic conclusion on the share of contributions of the various phases of production chains to environmental impact: agriculture was the most important phase, especially in terms of eutrophication potential. Work in food LCA methodology has provided a sound base for future development in assessing environmental impacts of food products. In the future providing more and more environmental information on products for customers and consumers is setting new challenges for research.;
The effects of three silage inoculants on aerobic stability in grass, clover-grass, lucerne and maize silages
Authors: Jatkauskas Jonas , Vrotniakiene Vilma , Ohlsson Christer , Lund Bente
Published: July 2018

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of homofermentative and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants on fermentation and aerobic stability in a variety of crops and dry matter concentrations. The experiments were conducted with lucerne, ryegrass, ryegrass-timothy, red clover-ryegrass and whole crop maize using three additives in laboratory scale conditions. Each treatment and crop was replicated 5 five times when determining the chemical composition and aerobic stability in the silage. The data were statistically analyzed as a randomized complete block by using the GLM procedure of SAS. Additive application reduced pH and formation of butyric acid, alcohols and ammonia-N in all crops compared with the untreated silage (p < 0.05). The use of additives increased the content of lactic acid except heterofermentative LAB in maize with 276 g kg-1 DM and increased the content of acetic acid except homofermentative LAB in ryegrass-timothy and maize with 276 g kg-1 DM compared with the untreated silage (p < 0.05). It was observed that the aerobic stability of silages was improved significantly (p < 0.05) by using homofermentative and heterofermentative LAB inoculants.