bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation tools for decision support to adaptive forest management in Europe
Authors: Muys Bart , Hynynen Jari , Palahi Marc , Lexer Manfred J. , Fabrika Marek , Pretzsch Hans , Gillet François , Briceño Elemer , Nabuurs Gert-Jan , Kint Vincent
Published: December 2011

In forest management there is a tendency towards measuring less and simulating more. In this context the development of reliable, user friendly forest simulators has become economically relevant. The objective of this perspective paper is to highlight the recent trends in forest simulation and to identify the remaining challenges to make forest simulation a reliable tool for forest policy and management. Experiences with forest simulators for various purposes in different geographical contexts illustrate how the important challenges of forest decision support can be addressed through flexible customization for different end-user categories, offering spatially explicit approaches at the landscape scale, and integrating empirical and mechanistic models in hybrid and bayesian simulation approaches. Recent development trends in forest simulation for decision support are mainly related to the ever increasing calculation speed and capacity of computers, facilitating the development of robust tools with comfortable user interface and realistic functions and options. Another trend is the combination of simulation tools with optimization and choice algorithms fading away the difference between simulators and decision support systems. The remaining challenges are basically in the high expectations of stakeholders concerning the ability of simulators to predict a range of outcomes in terms of ecosystem services and sustainability indicators, as well as the quality of their outcome in terms of output credibility to stakeholders. Need for accepted and realistic model validation and verification methods preferably using empirical data is crucial in this matter.
Simulating wood quality in forest management models
Authors: Mäkelä Annikki , Grace Jennifer , Deckmyn Gabrielle , Kantola Anu , Kint V.
Published: December 2011

The raw material properties of wood develop as the tree grows, laying down wood cells with specific properties, and forming the stem structure that is focal for timber quality. This development is influenced by genetic and environmental factors and forest management practices. It is desirable in growth and yield models intended for the economic assessment of management practices to include some indication of wood quality and how it is affected by genetics, environmental factors and silvicultural measures. This paper reviews approaches and models that allow us to consider the development of wood quality in combination with tree growth, and thus to include wood quality in the assessment of the value of the yield. We present such models as classified into three categories based on their complexity and information needs: quality indicators, static quality models, and dynamic quality models. We illustrate three advanced dynamic quality models and their applications with example case studies. These include empirical, hybrid, and mechanistic models applied to predictions of both sawn timber and fibre properties. Finally, we consider the current challenges for wood quality modelling in connection with growth models.
Growth and nutrition of Quercus petraea underplanted in artificial
Authors: Noack M.
Published: December 2011

This study presents results on the growth and nutritional status of Quercus petraea trees underplanted in an artificial pine stand as a conversion strategy. A total of 162 plots of 400 to 800 m2 were established in underplanted pine stands (130 plots), naturally regenerated oaks in pine stands (23 plots) and pure oak plantations (9 plots). The age of the oak stands was 7 to 14 years where they were planted, and 25 to 60 years in the natural regenerations. Biomass growth and nutrition of the oaks was studied by means of foliar analysis, soil analysis, biomass evaluation and regression techniques, considering site variables, meteorological parameters and pine cover as explicative variables. The vegetation structure of the stands in the forest-transforming areas is still dominated by the species spectrum of the original pure pine stands. As the quality of a site decreases, so the dominance of a few species increases and the diversity decreases. The manipulative effect upon the vegetation of underplanting with oaks is less severe than that of underplanting with beeches. With the progressing development of the ecological system, more demanding deciduous tree types replace the undemanding pine forest vegetation. On principle, the pine-tree canopy influences the supply of nutritional elements to the under-planted oaks. However, neither in average weather periods nor during droughts could any symptoms of nutrient deficiency or growth-impeding nutritional element disharmonies be detected by the naked eye. Only in the «Summer of the Century», 2003, did the laboratory analysed macro-element leaf-index reveal slight deficiencies of Ca- und S. The modelling of the above-ground increase in oak biomass growth, differentiated according to site and depending on time and the canopy of pine trees revealed increasing increment losses the greater the canopy cover, which even lead to stagnation in growth as the quality of the site deteriorates.
Thinning effects on forest productivity and site characteristics
Authors: Novak J. , Slodicak M. , Dusek D.
Published: December 2011

A clear-cutting system with soil preparation before replanting is usual for Scots pine stands in many European countries. Additionally, thinning regimes are applied during the rotation. Thus, forest floor is recreated in each rotation and can be influenced by thinning regime. The present study aimed to determine possible effects of thinning on production (evaluated by basal area) and forest-floor status (evaluated by dry mass, carbon and nitrogen content) in pine stands. We used data from four experiments established in 1962 in 25- to 45-year-old pine stands. In 2008, we analysed forest-floor characteristics under the observed stands. The results from basal area evaluation showed different development in treatments on all experiments during and at the end of observation. We observed substantial, but statistically non-significant, differences between treatments in quantity of dry mass (and of carbon and nitrogen) accumulated in humus horizons under Scots pine stands more than 40 years after first thinning.
Influence of the soil storage method on soil enzymatic activities
Authors: Andrés Abellan M. , Wic Baena C. , García Morote F.A. , Picazo Cordoba M.I. , Candel Pérez D. , Lucas-Borja M.E.
Published: December 2011

Soil storage method may alter enzymatic activity being storage conditions of the soil samples prior to analysis decisive for the results. Studies made on freshly collected soils are generally preferred. However it is always not possible due to practical reasons since for example sampling is often restricted to short period of the year or because a great quantity of microbiological analyses must be made on time and by few people. On this context, soil storage methods are needed, being cold at 4°C the most widely used although sometimes alternative storage methods are also utilized. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of two alternative storage methods of soil samples (freezing at –20°C and air drying conservation methods) in comparison to cold at 4°C on the enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease soil enzymes). Samples of two forest ecosystems (pine and holm oak forest stand) were taken in two different season of the year (winter and spring 2009). Results showed that enzymatic activities differed when freezing or air drying conservation methods were used in comparison with cold soil samples. Generally, alternative soil storage methods presented lower enzymatic activity than cold at 4°C. However, these changes depend on season and sampling location.
Aboveground soil C inputs in the ecotone between Scots pine
Authors: Diaz-Pines E. , Rubio A. , Montes F.
Published: December 2011

Aboveground litterfall from Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd. a semi-deciduous species), mixed Pyrenean oak-pine and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest stands was surveyed in two sites in a Mediterranean mountain area during a period of 36 and 29 months, respectively. Separation in different litterfall fractions was performed, and C content of each fraction was measured to calculate the C flux to the soil due to litterfall. Our results showed that litterfall input was higher in pine stands than in Pyrenean oak stands (1.8-2.4 Mg C ha–1 year–1 at pine plots and 0.9-1.4 Mg C ha–1 year–1 at oak plots) and mixed plots showed intermediate values. Needles or leaves contributed about 50% to total litterfall, underpinning the importance of the rest of materials in the soil C input. The seasonal pattern showed a maximum in Pyrenean oak stands in autumn-early winter, while the pine stands had the maximum in summer, which is in consonance with the physiology of fall of broadleaves and coniferous trees in these latitudes , but clearly differs from needle-shed in Central and Northern Europe. A dry-spring year corresponded to a lower leaf fall during the following autumn, and leaf abscission came some weeks earlier than a year with a rainy spring.
Estimación del índice de área foliar en pinares de repoblación con LAI-2000 bajo radiación solar directa: relación con variables de inventario e hidrológicas
Authors: Molina A. , Del-Campo A. D.
Published: December 2011

El índice de área foliar (LAI) es una variable clave en los procesos de intercepción de la lluvia y la luz en masas forestales y por tanto tiene gran potencial en la práctica de la selvicultura adaptativa al cambio climático, de ahí la necesidad de establecer tanto metodologías sencillas para su estimación, como su relación con las principales variables de gestión forestal. Este trabajo tiene un doble objetivo: 1) determinar la viabilidad del sensor LAI-2000 para estimar el LAI en condiciones de radiación directa aplicando una corrección angular y 2) conocer la utilidad del LAI en el estudio de trascolación de la lluvia (T) en una masa de pino carrasco con distintas intensidades de clara así como sus relaciones con el área basimétrica (G), la densidad de arbolado (D) y la fracción de cabida cubierta (FCC). Los resultados indican que la corrección angular estabiliza los valores LAI-2000 tomados bajo radiación solar directa, permitiendo una mayor operatividad del sensor en condiciones mediterráneas, donde la nubosidad uniforme resulta poco frecuente e imprevisible. La variable FCC fue la que presentó un mayor poder predictivo del LAI (R2 = 0,98; S = 0,28), seguida de G (R2 = 0,96; S = 0,43) y D (R2 = 0,50; S = 0,28). En el aspecto hidrológico, la trascolación aumentó con la intensidad de clara, siendo G la variable más correlacionada (R2 = 0,81; S = 3,07) y LAI la que menos (R2 = 0,69; S = 3,95). Los resultados evidencian la versatilidad de trabajar con LAI estimado de forma sencilla o bien a partir de inventarios disponibles, para su uso en modelos de mayor ámbito espacial.
Modelling silviculture alternatives for managing Pinus pinea L.
Authors: Piqué-Nicolau Míriam , Del Río Miren , Calama Rafael , Montero Gregorio
Published: December 2011

A yield model was developed to simulate silviculture alternatives for Pinus pinea L. in north-east Spain (Catalonia). The model uses several functions to estimate the main silvicultural parameters at stand level and a disaggregation system to predict diameter distributions. From a network of 75 temporary plots a system of equations to predict stand variables was simultaneously fitted for two stand density types, namely low and high density stands, using the threestage least-squares method (3SLS). The diameter distributions were estimated by the Weibull distribution function using the parameter recovery method (PRM) and the method of moments. Based on this yield model, two silviculture alternatives were simulated for each stand density type and site class, resulting in 16 silviculture scenarios. The yield model and silviculture alternatives offer a management tool and a guide for the sustainable forest management of evenaged Pinus pinea forests in this region.
Identification of the genealogy of interspecific hybrids between Castanea sativa, Castanea crenata and Castanea mollissima
Authors: Fernández-López Josefa
Published: December 2011

The massive mortality of Castanea sativa in southwestern Europe, which was caused by different species of Phytophthora spp., led to the introduction of seeds of the Asiatic species Castanea crenata and Castanea mollissima and to hybridization to breed for resistance to Phytophthora spp. In Spain, two programmes were developed: one programme, focussed mainly on obtaining first generation hybrids by controlled pollinations, and the other programme, based on selection among open-pollinated progenies collected from first and second generation hybrids, in both cases between sweet and Japanese chestnut. A clone collection of 194 of the clones obtained is conserved at the Lourizán Forest Reseach Centre, and 32 of these were approved as basic material for forest reproduction. A sample of 356 individuals was genotyped using 13 isozyme loci, including the clone collection and several stands of Asiatic species. Only three loci were identified as being diagnostic among these species. The diversity of stands of both Asiatic species was reduced compared to that of C. sativa. Genotype inspection of diagnostic loci and two Bayesian procedures (STRUCTURE and NEWHYBRIDS) were used to classify all individuals into genealogical classes and, thus, reconstruct the history of chestnut hybridization in Spain.
Implications in the design of a method for visual grading and mechanical testing of hardwood structural timber for designation within the European strength classes
Authors: Riesco Muñoz Guillermo , Remacha Gete Andrés , Pedras Saavedra Francisco
Published: December 2011

The international strength class system (EN 338:2003) is based on a testing standard (EN 408:2004) that is not easy to use with hardwoods, although some of this type of timber, such as European oak (Quercus robur L.), is highly appreciated for construction purposes. This study proposes specifications for sampling design, visual grading and mechanical testing of oak wood. With this aim, 27 adult oaks were felled and sawn into pieces. A sample of quarter-sawn planks was selected, then air-dried and planed to 50x100x2,000 mm. The beams were visually graded in accordance with ten standards, and were mechanically tested, at an average wood moisture content of 21%. The Spanish visual grading standard UNE 56544:2007 was the most effective for categorizing the pieces. According to this standard, 39% of the sampled beams were suitable for structural use. The mean value of modulus of elasticity (11,702 N mm-2) and characteristic density (714 Kg m-3) enable preliminary designation of the wood in visual grade ME-2, to European strength class D40. However, the bending strength was too low for inclusion of the timber in the European strength classes. Criteria are proposed for elaborating visual grading rules for oak wood and for structural beam testing in order to allocate oak visual strength grades into strength classes.
Fatty acid composition of selected varieties of Spanish dry-cured ham. Surveys from 1995 and 2007
Authors: Campo M. M. , Sierra I.
Published: December 2011

A total of 94 dry-cured white hams were purchased in the North-East of Spain in two years: 1995 and 2007, belonging to three different varieties: ‘Jamón Serrano’Traditional Speciality Guaranteed with a minimum of 7 months of curing time (JS), a common non-labelled inexpensive dry-ham and less than 6 months of curing time (J6m) and ‘Jamón de Teruel’ Protected Designation of Origin with a minimum of 12 months of curing time (JT). From these samples, the leg was deboned and a slice of the Biceps femoris was obtained which was then vacuum packaged and kept frozen until the fatty acid composition was analyzed. Only those fatty acids detected in 1995 have been taken in consideration for the comparison in 2007. Significant interactions between the year of the survey and the type of ham appeared only in minor fatty acids. The type of ham influenced most fatty acids, with JT showing the highest proportion of C16:0 and the lowest of C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3 (p < 0.001) in both surveys. The highest percentage of oleic acid found in all hams in 2007 implied a significantly higher monounsaturated fatty acids composition in this year than in 1995. All types of hams and year of survey could be separated through a principal component analysis, which demonstrates the different quality of these hams in terms of fatty acid composition and that the dry-cured ham industry is in constant development towards a healthier fatty acid composition.
Grain characteristics and composition of maize specialty hybrids
Authors: Zilic S. , Milasinovic M. , Terzic D. , Barac M. , Ignjatovic-Micic D.
Published: December 2011

Improved nutritive and technological maize grain value is very important for its use in diets. In this work, the chemical composition and potential beneficial components, including total and soluble proteins, tryptophan, starch, sugars (sucrose and reducing sugars), and fibres were investigated in flour of eight specialty maize hybrids from Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje (ZP): two sweet, popping, red, white, waxy, yellow semiflint and yellow dent maize hybrids. In addition, digestibility of grain dry matter and viscosity of maize flour were determined. The highest nutritive value was recorded in sweet maize hybrids ZP 504su and ZP 531su which had the highest content of total protein, albumin, tryptophan, sugars and dietary fibres. Besides, low content of starch (55.32% and 54.59%, respectively) and lignin (0.39% and 0.45%) affected the highest dry matter digestibility (92.69% and 91.07%) of sweet maize flour. However, functional properties of ZP sweet hybrids were not satisfactory for food and industrial applications. In contrast, flour of ZP waxy maize hybrid was characterised by a clear and a high peak viscosity. All hybrids could be classified according to the sucrose content in three groups: a) > 4% (sweet and red hybrids-ZP 504su, ZP Rumenka), b) from 3 to 4% (waxy, standard dent and semi flint hybrids-ZP 704wx, ZP 434, ZP 633) and c) from 2 to 3% (sweet, white and popping maize hybrids-ZP 531su, ZP 74b, ZP 611k).α-Zein was the dominant protein fraction in all genotypes except the sweet maize hybrids, making 22.45% to 29.25% of the total protein content.
Modeling of moisture diffusivity, activation energy and specific energy consumption of high moisture corn in a fixed and fluidized bed convective dryer
Authors: Amiri Chayjan R. , Amiri Parian J. , Esna-Ashari M.
Published: December 2011

Thin layer drying characteristics of high moisture corn under fixed, semi fluidized and fluidized bed conditions with high initial moisture content (66.82% wb) in a laboratory fluidized bed convective dryer was studied at air temperatures of 50, 65, 80 and 95°C. In order to find a suitable drying curve, seven thin layer-drying models were fitted to the experimental data of moisture ratio. Among the applied mathematical models, Midilli et al. model was the best for drying behavior prediction in corn thin layer drying. This model presented high values for correlation coefficient (R2). Fick´s second law was used to compute moisture diffusivity with some simplifications. Computed values of moisture diffusivity varied at the boundary of 4.87 × 10–11 – 2.90 × 10–10 m2 s–1 and 1.02 × 10–10 – 1.29 × 10–9 m2 s–1 during the first and second drying falling-rate, respectively. Values of effective moisture diffusivity for corn were also increased as input air temperature was increased. Value of activation energy varied from a minimum of 18.57 to a maximum of 50.74 kJ mol–1 from 50 to 95°C with drying conditions of fixed to fluidized bed. Specific energy consumption (SEC) for thin-drying of high moisture corn was found to be in the range of 0.33 × 106 – 1.52 × 106 kJ kg–1 from 50 to 95°C with drying condition of fluidized and fixed bed, respectively. Increase in air temperature in each air velocity caused decrease in SEC value. These corn properties would be necessary to design the best dryer system and to determine the best point of drying process.
Electroactivation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) eggs
Authors: Cardona-Costa J. , Perez-Camps M. , Garcia-Ximenez F.
Published: December 2011

In zebrafish, initial egg activation by water after being discharged from the ovarian stroma is followed by normal cleavages only in inseminated eggs. When sperm (genetically active or not) is not used as activating agent, reproductive techniques (as either nuclear transplant or intracytoplasmic sperm injection are ineff icient. In this work, three experiments of egg activation by electric stimuli were performed: In the first, six activation treatments were compared (Voltage × Pulses: 2.76 × 1; 2.76 × 2; 2.76 × 3 and 5.40 × 1; 5.40 × 2; 5.40 × 3). The group 5.40 × 3 showed the best results (32% activated). In the second experiment, an electrical treatment of 20 min was carried out. It consisted in a sequence of three equal electrical stimuli every 10 min (of 1 or 3 consecutive direct current square pulses for 20 μs each and applied at two voltage levels, 2.76 V or 5.4 V). It was observed that the number of pulses negatively affected the rates of damaged and lysed eggs. Moreover, only the 20 min treatment with the combination of 3 consecutive pulses at 2.76 V showed significant differences with their respective control group (43% vs 18% activated eggs, p < 0.05). In the third experiment, negative effects of egg ageing were observed. In conclusion, the best activation treatment for intact (non manipulated) zebrafish eggs concerns sequence B3. The electro-activation stimulus proposed here would be the only one available once the egg has already been activated by water.
Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to seed priming with NaCl and salinity stress
Authors: Bakht J. , Shafi M. , Jamal Y. , Sher H.
Published: December 2011

Salinity is one of the biggest limitants for agriculture in semi-arid areas of the world. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of seed priming with 6 dS m–1 NaCl on growth and yield responses of two maize cultivars (Azam and Sarhad yellow) exposed to three levels of salinity (0, 6, 8 dS m–1). Statistical analysis of the data revealed that cultivars, seed priming with saline water (6 dS m–1) and subsequent exposure to salinity stress had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on germination, days to emergence, plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, leaf area, shoot Na+, K+, proline, abscisic acid contents and yield variables. The results suggested that increasing salinity level had a negative effect on the growth and development of both cultivars under study. Analysis of the data also revealed that maize cv Azam performed better than cv. Sarhad yellow when exposed to different levels of salinity. Priming of cv Azam with NaCl resulted in earlier emergence (2 days) and germination rate (31.92%), plant height (12%), shoot proline (950.33 μg g–1 fresh weight) and ABA levels (0.983 and 1.203 μg g–1 fresh weight) and yield (36% than the non-primed treatment). These results suggest that priming of maize seeds with NaCl before sowing induces physiological and biochemical changes, which resulted in better performance when subsequently exposed to different levels of salinity.
Effect of pre-grazing herbage mass and daily herbage allowance on perennial ryegrass swards structure, pasture dry matter intake and milk performance of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows
Authors: Roca-Fernandez A. I. , O’Donovan M. A. , Curran J. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez A.
Published: December 2011

To maximize milk output and milk solids per hectare from grazing dairy cows it is necessary to identify the level of grazing swards in order to achieve high pasture dry matter intake (PDMI). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-grazing herbage mass (HM) and daily herbage allowance (DHA) on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) swards structure, PDMI and milk performance. Sixty-four spring-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were balanced and randomly assigned to one of four (n = 16) grazing groups (LL, LH, HL and HH) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The treatments consisted on two pre-grazing HM, low (L- 1,600 kg DM ha–1) or high (H- 2,400 kg DM ha–1) and two DHA, low (L- 15 kg DM cow–1day–1) or high (H- 20 kg DM cow–1 day–1). Swards structure, PDMI and milk performance were examined across the grazing season. The low HM groups completed 9.5 rotations of average 22 days length compared to 6.5 rotations of 32 days for the high HM groups. Herbage utilization was greater (p < 0.001) when animals offered the low DHA (98.0%) compared to the high DHA (89.9%). Stem and dead DM yield (> 4.0 cm) were lower (p < 0.001) for the low HM (221 and 170 kg ha–1, respectively) than for the high HM (388 and 303 kg ha–1, respectively). The high DHA had higher (p < 0.001) milk output (19.5 kg day–1) and milk solids (1.46 kg cow–1). The highest milk output per ha and per cow was achieved by LH, with low post-grazing residuals and high sward quality.
Characterization of genetic resources of onion (Allium cepa L.) from the Spanish secondary centre of diversity
Authors: Mallor C. , Carravedo M. , Estopañan G. , Mallor F.
Published: December 2011

Onions are the second most-valuable vegetable in the world. Despite its global culinary and economic significance, the knowledge of genetic diversity and resources is limited. The aim of this study was to morphologically and physico-chemically characterize eighty-six onion landraces from Spain, part of the secondary Mediterranean Centre of diversity. The evaluated traits in the bulb included: weight, shape, firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), pungency and sugars content (glucose, fructose and sucrose). The results evidenced a great variability in all the evaluated traits. Correlations were significant between pungency and SSC (r = 0.34), firmness (r = 0.32), and sucrose content (r = 0.34); between fructose and glucose contents (r = 0.79); between sucrose content and SSC (r = 0.57); between SSC and weight (r = –0.35); between fructose and sucrose contents (r = –0.22); and between weight and sucrose content (r = –0.43). the combination of cluster and discriminant analyses resulted in a classification into four clusters (95.3% fit). Cluster 1 is represented by firm, pungent and large-sized bulbs; cluster 2 consists of large-sized, mild and sweet onions; cluster 3 is constituted by pungent, high-SSC and small-sized bulbs and cluster 4 is made up by elongated bulbs. The variability in important agronomical traits found point out that these onion accessions could be candidates for future breeding programs. In addition, the clustering could make the initial plant material selection easier and the correlations among the evaluated traits found could help to establish adequate selection strategies.
A new species of Echthistatus Pascoe, 1862 and considerations on synonymy of Edechthistatus Monné, 2006 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Authors: Esteban Duran J. R. , Santos-Silva A.
Published: December 2011

Echthistatus cobosinew species is described based on two males from Celaque Mountain (Honduras) and one female from Chiapas (Mexico). Edechthistatus Monné, 2006 (a replacement name to Parechthistatus Giesbert, 2001) is considered a synonym of Echthistatus. The identification of the specimen figured in Chemsak & Linsley (1983) as Echthistatus spinosus Pascoe, 1862 is questioned. A key to the species of Echthistatus is added.
What do agri-environmental measures actually promote? An investigation on AES objectives for the EU 2000-2006 rural development program
Authors: Bartolini F. , Gallerani V. , Viaggi D.
Published: December 2011

This paper provides an analysis of the importance implicitly attached by local stakeholders to different environmental objectives in agri-environmental schemes in Europe. For at least 20 years, increasing the sustainability of agriculture has been a major policy concern in Europe. However, the relative importance of specific objectives of agri-environmental schemes is rarely quantified, and this strongly affects the ability to assess the actual effectiveness of such schemes. This paper adopts a methodology based on the use of the concept of «weight» as a quantitative measure of the importance of each objective. The objectives have been identified using a hierarchical grid of indicators based on the EU framework for the mandatory evaluation of agri-environmental schemes. The quantification of weights was based on a questionnaire submitted to more than 70 stakeholders in 10 case study regions in different EU countries. The results highlight different regional profiles, denoting strategies with very different objective-related agri-environmental scheme specialisations, with some programs focusing on specific individual environmental issues such as landscape and biodiversity, and others focusing on several environmental objectives. Such results emphasise the need to integrate academic and institutional evaluation exercises in the measurement of the policy priorities, hence enabling to provide robust evaluations of policy effectiveness.
Estimation of vineyard leaf area by linear regression
Authors: Sanchez-de-Miguel P. , Junquera P. , De la Fuente M. , Jimenez L. , Linares R. , Baeza P. , Lissarrague J. R.
Published: December 2011

Vineyard leaf area is a variable that must be determined when assessing the productive potential of a vineyard and for characterizing the light and thermal microenvironments of grapevine plants. The aim of the present work was to validate the Lopes and Pinto method for determining vineyard leaf area in the vineyards of central Spain and with the area’s cultivars. The results obtained were compared to those provided by a traditional and accurate —but much more laborious— non-destructive direct method. Experiments were performed over three years in six vineyards growing either cvs. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot or Tempranillo. Good agreement was found between the two methods both in the determination of primary and lateral shoot leaf areas for all cultivars and vineyards. The simplicity of the Lopes and Pinto method means much larger sample sizes can be examined in the same period of time, increasing the accuracy of final vineyard leaf area values. In fact, regression analysis of the data collected for the Lopes and Pinto method showed that only three field-measured variables need to be recorded for the inspected shoots of either type: the area of the largest leaf, the area of the smallest leaf, and the number of leaves.
Optimization of the malting process of oat (Avena sativa L.) as a raw material for fermented beverages
Authors: Muñoz-Insa A. , Gastl M. , Zarnkow M. , Becker T.
Published: December 2011

The influence of the three malting parameters (germination time, germination temperature, and degree of steeping)on the quality of two oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars was investigated applying response surface methodology. Eachpredictor variable was tested at three levels, germination of 6 to 8 days; germination temperatures of 12, 15, or 18°C; and degrees of steeping of 43%, 45% or 47%. All analyses were based on methods described in EBC or MEBAK. The oats used were obtained in 2007 from Nordsaat Saatzucht GmbH, Böhnshausen, Germany. A series of malt quality attributes were evaluated including extract, apparent attenuation limit, Kolbach index, α-aminonitrogen, color, β-glucan, and viscosity. Oat malt was optimized based on barley malt specifications, which are considered appropriate in the beverage production industry for optimal processing. For cv. Ivory, the optimal malting program was achieved after 8 days of germination with moisture content of 46%, and at 17°C. Similarly, cv. Typhon required a germination period of 8 days, a moisture content of 47% and temperature of 16°C. The models showed that the value of R2 was high and p- value was significant. Therefore it can be said that the model is highly significant. This project demonstrates that oat is an alternative cereal with potential to be used as raw material in malting and brewing purposes
Effects of organic and biological fertilizers on fruit yield and essential oil of sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce)
Authors: Moradi R. , Rezvani Moghaddam P. , Nasiri Mahallati M. , Nezhadali A.
Published: December 2011

In order to evaluate the effects of different organic and biological fertilizers on quantity and quality of fennel essentialoil, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications. The experimentaltreatments included two organic (compost and vermicompost) and two biological (Pseudomonas putida and Azotobacterchroococcum) fertilizers, their all twin combinations (Ps. putida + A. chroococcum, Ps. putida + compost, Ps. putida + vermicompost, A. chroococcum + compost, A. chroococcum + vermicompost and compost + vermicompost) and control (non fertilized). There were significant differences between treatments in terms of seed essential oil percentage, essential oil yield; anethole, fenchone, limonene and stragole content in seed essential oil. Results showed that the highest and the lowest percentages of essential oil were obtained in control (2.9%) and A. chroococcum + vermicompost (2.2%) treatments, respectively. The highest essential oil yield (29.9 L ha–1) and anethole content of essential oil (69.7%) and the lowest contents of fenchone (6.14%), limonene (4.84%) and estragole (2.78%) in essential oil were obtained in compost + vermicompost treatment. It seems that compost + vermicompost treatment compared to other treatments supplied the highest equilibrium of nutrients and water in the root zone of sweet fennel which is led to increasing the anethole content, there upon, decreasing other compounds. Essential oil yield and percentage of anethole content in essential oil were significantly higher in all organic and biological treatments compared with control.
Postharvest quality and chilling injury of plums: benefits of 1-methylcyclopropene
Authors: Candan A. P. , Graell J. , Larrigaudiere C.
Published: December 2011

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on the development of chilling injury (CI) symptoms in four plum cultivars and to determine the relationship between the climacteric behaviorof the cultivar and its sensitivity to this disorder. Significant differences in ripening pattern were found between thecultivars after long-term storage. Among the climacteric cultivars, ‘Royal Zee’ plums showed a higher ethylene production rate than ‘Linda Rosa and ‘Friar’ cultivars. On the other hand, the ‘Angeleno’ cultivar behaved as a suppressed climacteric type. The development of translucency symptoms was higher in ‘Royal Zee’ than in ‘Linda Rosa’ and ‘Friar’ plums, and was almost absent in the suppressed climacteric cultivar. 1-MCP treatment significantly reduced ethylene production and the percentage of fruit affected by translucency in all climacteric cultivars. This treatment also delayed the ripening of the fruit during shelf life. In contrast, 1-MCP treatment did not affect the quality of ‘Angeleno’ plums. Collectively these results suggest that the development of chilling injury in plums is related to the climacteric behavior of the cultivar and demonstrated the beneficial effects of 1-MCP maintaining plum quality during storage.
Dimensional analysis of soil properties after treatment with the rotary paraplow, a new conservationist tillage tool
Authors: Albiero D. , Maciel A. J. S. , Gamero C. A. , Lanças K. P. , Mion R. L. , Viliotti C. A. , Monteiro L. A.
Published: December 2011

This study examined a new conservation tillage tool, the “rotary paraplow”. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the tool’s conservation potential using dimensionless graph analysis. The dynamic conditions of the soil were investigated in terms of physical soil properties. Having determined the variables to be measured, dimensional analysis was used to plan the experiments. Two variations were considered for each dependent variable (linear speed, working depth, and rotation velocity), totaling eight treatments, allotting in each an experimental strip with five data collection points. This arrangement totaled 16 experimental strips, with 80 data collection points for all variables. The rotary paraplow generates a trapezoidal furrow for planting with a very wide bottom and narrower at the top. The volumetric subsoiling action generates cracks on the sides of the band. Because of their specific geometry the blades of rotary paraplow generate a soil failure according to its natural crack angle, optimizing the energy use, while preserving the natural soil properties. Results showed the conservation character of the rotary paraplow, capable of breaking up clods for planting without changing the original physical soil properties.
Clustering of grape yield maps to delineate site-specific management zones
Authors: Arno J. , Martinez-Casasnovas J. A. , Ribes-Dasi M. , Rosell J. R.
Published: December 2011

Zonal management in vineyards requires the prior delineation of stable yield zones within the parcel. Among the different methodologies used for zone delineation, cluster analysis of yield data from several years is one of the possibilities cited in scientific literature. However, there exist reasonable doubts concerning the cluster algorithm to be used and the number of zones that have to be delineated within a field. In this paper two different cluster algorithms have been compared (k-means and fuzzy c-means) using the grape yield data corresponding to three successive years (2002, 2003 and 2004), for a ‘Pinot Noir’ vineyard parcel. Final choice of the most recommendable algorithm has been linked to obtaining a stable pattern of spatial yield distribution and to allowing for the delineation of compact and average sized areas. The general recommendation is to use reclassified maps of two clusters or yield classes (low yield zone and high yield zone) and, consequently, the site-specific vineyard management should be based on the prior delineation of just two different zones or sub-parcels. The two tested algorithms are good options for this purpose. However, the fuzzy c-means algorithm allows for a better zoning of the parcel, forming more compact areas and with more equilibrated zonal differences over time.
Dead mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum protects transplanted cotton plants agains fungal wilts in a saline field
Authors: Zhang H. J. , Dong H. Z. , Li W. J.
Published: December 2011

Previous studies have shown that the dead mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum at 900-1,500 kg ha–1 effectively  controlled Fusarium and Verticillium wilt of cotton. Our objective was to determine if the dead mycelium is also  effective at lower rates under a cotton seedling transplanting system. Columned soil blocks (500 g each), made of  fertile soil alone in the first experiment, and both soil and dead mycelium at varying rates in the second experiment,  were sown with cotton seeds in 2006 and 2007. Seedlings in the mycelium-free blocks were drenched with aqueous  extract of the dead mycelium after full emergence, and then transplanted to a saline field. The disease severity of  Fusarium oxysporum f.sp vasinfectum and Verticillium dahliae, leaf chlorophyll and malondialdehyde concentrations,  leaf photosynthetic rate and lint yield of the transplanted plants were determined. The aqueous extract at a rate of 1  to 5% provided 18.6 to 25.6% protection against Fusarium wilt but not against Verticillium wilt. Lint yield was slightly  increased with the aqueous extract in 2006, but not in 2007. The incorporation of the dead mycelium to soil blocks  before sowing was effective in controlling both the Fusarium and Verticillium wilts of cotton. Dead mycelium applied  at 1 to 3% (w/w) provided 26-30% protection against Fusarium wilt and 48-50% protection against Verticillium wilt,  and increased lint yield by 13-14%. Such incorporation also delayed leaf senescence as indicated by the increased leaf  photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content, and reduced malondialdehyde concentrations. Incorporation of the dead  mycelium of P. chrysogenum into soil blocks at a relatively lower rate (270 kg ha–1) would be an effective application  mode for wilt control in sustainable cotton production.
Impact of climate change on maize’s water needs, yields and profitability under various water prices in Spain
Authors: Rey D. , Garrido A. , Mínguez M. I. , Ruiz-Ramos M.
Published: December 2011

Available water resources are expected to diminish in the Iberian Peninsula as a result of climate change (CC). Agricultural water use represents about 70% of all water uses in Spain. This paper uses a combination of an ensemble of climate change and crop models to analyze the impacts on maize’s water needs, yields and economic profitability under various water prices. Maize’s evapotranspiration (ET), irrigation needs and yield projections under CC are compared with those of current climate in nine sites of Spain. With these simulated data, maize’s and water’s prices are included in a stochastic model to simulate the crop’s net margin, both under CC and current climate conditions. An adaptation strategy potentially useful for maize in Spain is also studied. Results show that such adaptation can reduce negative CC impact on yields. However, decreases in ET and irrigation needs will be lower with than without adaptation. This creates an ambiguous situation which can be affected or solved with water pricing policies. With higher water tariffs, crop’s profitability can drop to negative levels, which may result in the abandoning of the crop in many areas. CC and water policies must be closely coordinated to ensure efficient water use and crops’ profitability.
Valuing drought information for irrigation farmers: potential development of a hydrological risk insurance in Spain
Authors: Quiroga S. , Garrote L. , Fernandez-Haddad Z. , Iglesias A.
Published: December 2011

Drought events in the Mediterranean impact ecosystems and society. When meteorological drought leads to water scarcity river basin authorities and farmers are likely to be affected. The economic value of drought information and the resulting decisions that are made are of interest to these two stakeholder groups and the information providers. Here we focus on farmers’ decision-making process to cope with drought consequences on crop production. The understanding of the dynamics of droughts and water scarcity is being improved continuously and new indicators are used to link science to policy actions. This paper analyses the effects of drought management plans on maize production in the Ebro river basin to compute the willingness to pay of the farmers for hypothetical hydrological risk insurance. We also compute the value of more accurate information about drought probability that would allow for better decision-making. If runoff is reduced, farmers can consider contracting hydrological risk insurance in order eliminate the risk of water scarcity. Alternately farmers can take the risk of water reduction maintaining their activities and accept a reduction of water supply reliability. The methodology and results presented are relevant to analyse climate change since drought events in the Mediterranean are likely to increase in frequency, duration and intensity. This information is also relevant for the revision of River Basin Management Plans of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) within the context of climate change.
Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and an improving growth bacterium on Cd uptake and maize growth in Cd-polluted soils
Authors: Malekzadeh E. , Alikhani H. A. , Savaghebi-Firoozabadi G. R. , Zarei M.
Published: December 2011

In a pot experiment, the effects of the bacterium strain Micrococcus roseus, native soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the fungus Glomus mosseae on the growth, P, N, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cd uptake of maize in a soil polluted with Cd were investigated. A three-factor experiment was set up in a randomized complete design with three replicates of each treatment. The factors in the experiment were as follows: 1) AMF with two levels, G1 (native AMF) and G2 (G. mosseae + G1); 2) bacterium promoting plant growth with two levels, B0 (no inoculation) and B1 (inoculation with M. roseus); and 3) cadmium with three levels (0, 100 and 200 mg Cd kg–1soil). G2 significantly increased root colonization, plant biomass, shoot nutrients and Cd uptake of plants in comparison with G1 in Cd polluted conditions. The single presence of AMF contributed to the stabilization of Cd in roots and soil. Shoot and root dry weights, and shoot nutrients uptake of plants co-inoculated with bacterium and AMF were higher than mycorrhizal plants in the soil polluted with Cd. Plants co-inoculated with bacterium and G2 had higher amount of shoot Cd uptake, root Cd uptake, Cd phytoextraction, translocation, and uptake efficiencies under both Cd concentrations than only mycorrhizal plants. The results showed that, most of the Cd was sequestered in roots of plants co-inoculated with bacterium and native AMF in the soil with 100 and 200 mg Cd kg–1.
PCA versus ICA for the reduction of dimensions of the spectral signatures in the search of an index for the concentration of nitrogen in plant
Authors: Rodriguez-Moreno F. , Llera-Cid F.
Published: December 2011

The vegetation spectral indices have been widely used as estimators of the nutritional status of the crops. This study has evaluated if it is possible to improve the effectiveness of these indices to estimate the nitrogen concentration using dimension reduction techniques to process the spectral signatures. It has also demanded that the model is valid in a wide range of growing conditions and phenological stages, thus increasing the predictive power guarantee and reducing the implementation effort. This work has been done using an agronomic trial with dual-purpose triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) whose design included plots with different planting densities, number of grazing and fertilizer doses. The spectral signatures of the leaves were recorded with the ASD-FieldSpec3 spectroradiometer and the nitrogen concentrations were determined by Kjeldahl method. The factors with effect on nitrogen concentration were identified by the analysis of variance and pairwise comparisons and, then, the mean spectral signature was calculated for each of the groups formed. The dimensional reduction was performed with both PCA and ICA. The analysis of the relationships between components and nitrogen concentration showed that only the components obtained with PCA generated a significant model (p = 0.00) with a R2 = 0.68. The best spectral vegetation index in this test, the reflectance in green, obtained a R2 = 0.31. Although further confirmation is needed, this study shows that the PCA may be a viable alternative to spectral vegetation indices.