bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production and processing of organically grown fiber nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and its potential use in the natural textile industry: A review
Authors: Vogl C.R. , Hartl A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn Europe, the perennial stinging nettle was cultivated during the 19th century until the Second World War and has a long history as a fiber plant. Clone varieties dating back to the early 20th century are still maintained at European research institutions. The fiber content of clones ranges from 1.2 to 16% dry matter, and fiber yields range from 0.14 to 1.28 Mg ha−1. Varietal purity of fiber nettle can only be achieved by planting cuttings. The harvesting of fiber starts in the second year of growth and the crop may produce well for several years. Several agronomic practices influence fiber quality, but causal relations are not yet well understood. Various parts of the fiber nettle plant can be used as food, fodder and as raw material for different purposes in cosmetics, medicine, industry and biodynamic agriculture. Organically produced fibers are in demand by the green textile industry and show potential that is economically promising.
In-row residue management effects on seed-zone temperature, moisture and early growth of barley and canola in a cold semi-arid region in northwestern Canada
Authors: Arshad M. (Charlie) A. , Azooz Rahman H. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSpring crop growth is often influenced by water stress and lower soil temperature in the northern Canadian prairies. Tillage system effects on soil temperature, moisture and establishment of barley and canola in silt loam and sandy loam soils in northern British Columbia were investigated in 1992 and 1993. The tillage systems were: no-tillage (NT), modified no-tillage where surface residue was pushed aside from a 7.5cm zone above the planting rows (MNT), and conventional tillage (CT). The MNT and CT had higher weekly maximum and weekly mean seed zone temperatures than NT. Mean weekly maximum seed-zone soil temperature was 1.6°C lower in MNT and 3.7°C lower in NT than in CT during the first 10 weeks after planting (WAP) in 1992. Compared to NT and MNT, barley in CT was slow to establish during the first three WAP in the silt loam in 1992 and 1993, and in the sandy loam in 1992, due to early water stress from low rainfall. Barley emergence was delayed by 6 days in NT and 11 days in CT in 1992 and by 3 days in NT and 7 days in CT in 1993 compared to MNT in the silt loam soil. Early in the growing season, barley growth was retarded more in the CT than NT and MNT at both sites. Canola growth was significantly improved in the MNT over that in the NT and CT in 1993. The MNT was more beneficial for crop establishment during prolonged dry periods than CT, and for emergence and growth compared with NT under extremely wet soil conditions.
Improving the nutrient status of a commercial dairy farm: An integrated approach
Authors: Lynch Derek H. , Jannasch Rupert W. , Fredeen Alan H. , Martin Ralph C. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMinimizing nutrient surpluses and improving efficiency of nutrient use are key challenges for all dairy farming production systems, driven by economic, environmental and increasing regulatory constraints. Our study examined the efficiency of N, P and K use on a commercial dairy farm through an integrated approach that evaluated the nutrient status of all aspects of the production system of the case-study farm, a 75 lactating Holstein cow dairy in Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada. During the decade after 1988, the farm owner implemented a series of changes in production practices, including diversification of the crop rotation, implementation of a management intensive grazing (MIG) regime and adoption of a systematic approach to soil and nutrient management. Milk production, and associated farm exports of N, P and K, increased by 666 kg cow−1 between 1990 and 2000. Purchases of N-P-K fertilizers were eliminated in 1990 and feed nutrient imports were dramatically reduced. Feed costs per liter of milk declined from 14.3 cents (CDN) liter−1 in 1990–92 to 11.6 cents liter−1 in 1998–2000, even as feed prices increased regionally by 10–20% over the same period. Modeling of current whole farm mass N, P and K balance indicated that 25.0% of all N inputs are recovered inform products, milk and meat. Non-legume-derived field N input (67kg Nha−1 before losses) was close to optimum for the predominantly legume/grass-based forage cropping system. Model-determined annual farm nutrient surpluses (outputs-inputs) for P (9.0kgha−1 yr−1) and K (8.2 kg ha−1 yr−1) were significantly lower than those previously reported for regional confinement-based dairy farms, which were more reliant on corn production. However, data from 16 years of soil analysis (1985–2001) indicated an increase in soil-test P levels of approximately 2 mg kg−1 yr−1. Recent refinements in dairy animal dietary P levels have further reduced the farm P surplus (2.6 kg ha−1 in year 2001) and are shown as key to a strategy for reversal of the trend in soil-test P levels. In summary, the combined approach of whole-farm system nutrient management, crop diversification and MIG increased milk production and minimized costs while reducing farm nutrient inputs. The study demonstrates how an approach to dairy farm nutrient management which integrates livestock and crop nutrient requirements may reduce dairy farm nutrient loading while maintaining productivity.
The performance of organic and conventional cropping systems in an extreme climate year
Authors: Lotter D.W. , Seidel R. , Liebhardt W. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe 1999 severe crop season drought in the northeastern US was followed by hurricane-driven torrential rains in September, offering a unique opportunity to observe how managed and natural systems respond to climate-related stress. The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial has been operating since 1981 and consists of three replicated cropping systems, one organic manure based (MNR), one organic legume based (LEG) and a conventional system (CNV). The MNR system consists of a 5-year maize–soybean–wheat–clover/hay rotation, the LEG of a 3-year maize–soybean–wheat–green manure, and the CNV of a 5-year maize-soybean rotation. Subsoil lysimeters allowed quantification of percolated water in each system. Average maize and soybean yields were similar in all three systems over the post-transition years (1985–1998). Five drought years occurred between 1984 and 1998 and in four of them the organic maize outyielded the CNV by significant margins. In 1999 all crop systems suffered severe yield depressions; however, there were substantial yield differences between systems. Organic maize yielded 38% and 137% relative to CNV in the LEG and MNR treatments, respectively, and 196% and 152% relative to CNV in the soybean plots. The primary mechanism of the higher yield of the MNR and LEG is proposed to be the higher water-holding capacity of the soils in those treatments, while the lower yield of the LEG maize was due to weed competition in that particular year and treatment. Soils in the organic plots captured more water and retained more of it in the crop root zone than in the CNV treatment. Water capture in the organic plots was approximately 100% higher than in CNV plots during September's torrential rains.
Growing out of the niche – can organic agriculture keep its promises? A study of two Austrian cases
Authors: Milestad Rebecka , Hadatsch Sonja 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe expansion of organic farming has taken off in the European Union and particularly in Austria, where 9% of farmland is certified organic. The main reasons for this development are subsidies and cooperation with supermarket chains. In Austria, many organic farms are located in the mountainous areas, while lowlands with arable cropping have fewer organic farms than the national average. Exploring two regions as case studies, this paper investigates whether the organic farming movement can keep its promises of environmental safety, economic viability and social justice. There is a high level of environmental concern among those who practice organic farming, but local differences are large. It is the individual farmer who determines whether environmental issues beyond the official organic regulations are considered. The economic situation for organic farms is positive due to the financial support from the government and cooperation with supermarket chains, but processing and marketing operations are still lacking for organic products. Regarding social justice, organic farming enjoys a high esteem among consumers, but relations and cooperation between organic and conventional farm sectors is poor. We conclude that it is crucial for the organic movement to focus on qualitative issues rather than quantitative expansion for further sound development of organic farming in Austria.
Agronomic performance and quality of spring wheat and soybean cultivars under organic culture
Authors: Nass H.G. , Ivany J.A. , MacLeod J.A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSpring milling wheat (Triticum aestivum L em. Thell) and soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars were managed to International Organic Certification Standards on two organically certified farms to evaluate two physical weed control methods, cultivar performance and quality. Nutrients were supplied as manure and compost. There was no difference (P<0.05) between flaming plus fingerweeding versus fingerweeding twice, 10 days apart, on weed control, yield, and protein in both crops. The spring wheat cultivar, AC Barrie, may be particularly well suited to production under an organic system, as indicated by its superior performance to AC Walton at the Springfield site in 2000, when growth conditions were favorable. A severe drought in 2001 limited the mineralization of soil and manure nitrogen, with the result that all spring wheat cultivars at the Springfield site did not make 13.5% grain protein, required to meet milling quality criteria. Also, in 2001 at both sites, soybean yields were reduced by 50% compared to 2000 because of reduced moisture availability and weed competition. Delays in field operations, lack of sufficient soil moisture and reduced mineralization of manure during the 2001 growing season were major factors in influencing crop production, especially at Springfield.
Body weight patterns in a country in transition: a population-based survey in Tirana City, Albania
Authors: Shapo Laidon , Pomerleau Joceline , McKee Martin , Coker Richard , Ylli Agron 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:This paper reports the distribution and determinants of body mass index (BMI) and obesity in Tirana City (Albania).Design:Cross-sectional survey conducted in mid-2001.Setting:Tirana City.Subjects:One thousand one hundred and twenty adults aged 25 years and over (response rate 72.7%), selected using multi-stage cluster sampling.Results:Over three-quarters of male and female respondents had an excess body weight. The overall population prevalence of obesity in Tirana was estimated to be 22.0% in men and 30.9% in women. Obesity affected both genders (age-standardised prevalence in males 22.0%, females 30.9%; age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.89; 99% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–2.67) and all age groups, but most particularly middle-aged women. The age-standardised overall prevalence of central obesity was 21.6% in men and 29.4% in women (age-adjusted OR 1.58; 99% CI 1.11–2.25), increasing with age (P<0.01). In women, the likelihood of being obese was inversely related to educational achievement (trendP= 0.001) and alcohol consumption (trendP= 0.009). Income, smoking and leisure-time physical activity were not associated with obesity.Conclusions:Excess weight and obesity are major public health problems in the adult population of Tirana, but most particularly in middle-aged women. The high obesity prevalence observed along with the recent decrease in physical activity, dietary changes and increase in smoking prevalence make it probable that there will be substantial increases in many non-communicable diseases in Albania in the coming decades. Health promotion strategies are needed that prevent excess weight gain in the Albanian population.
Benefits and barriers to the consumption of a vegetarian diet in Australia
Authors: Lea Emma , Worsley Anthony 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to examine consumers' perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a vegetarian diet.Design:Survey (written questionnaire) that included questions on perceived benefits and barriers to the consumption of a vegetarian diet.Setting:South Australia.Subjects:Six hundred and one randomly selected South Australians.Results:The main perceived barriers to adopting a vegetarian diet were enjoying eating meat and an unwillingness to alter eating habits. This was the case for men, women and all age groups, although there were sex and age differences present in over half of the barrier items. For example, family food preferences were a greater problem for women than for men, while the oldest group was more likely to agree that humans are ‘meant’ to eat meat than the younger groups. The main benefits associated with vegetarian diets were health benefits: increased fruit and vegetable intake, decreased saturated fat intake, weight control. Animal welfare-related benefits and disease prevention were also important. Age and sex differences were apparent, although age differences were more important than sex differences.Conclusions:The majority of respondents perceived there to be health benefits associated with the consumption of a vegetarian diet, but also, predictably, enjoyed eating meat. Given this, it is likely that interest in plant-based diets that contain some meat is higher than that in no-meat diets. An understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers of consuming a vegetarian diet will allow the implementation of strategies to influence meat and vegetarianism beliefs, dietary behaviour and, hence, public health.
Consumption of whole-grain foods by British adults: findings from further analysis of two national dietary surveys
Authors: Lang Rebecca , Thane Christopher W , Bolton-Smith Caroline , Jebb Susan A 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:To assess the consumption of whole-grain foods in different age and sociodemographic groups in Great Britain, using data from two national surveys.Design:Cross-sectional analysis of the consumption of whole-grain foods.Setting:The 1986–87 Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults and the 1994–95 National Diet and Nutrition Survey of people aged 65 years and over.Subjects:In 1986–87, 2086 British adults aged 16–64 years; 1189 British adults aged 65 years and over in 1994–95.Results:In the 1986–87 survey population, consumption of whole-grain foods increased with age. Median consumption of whole-grain foods was 1 serving per week in 16–24-year-olds and 3 servings per week in the 35–64-year-olds (P <0.0001). In 1994–95, median consumption was 5 servings per week in adults aged 65 years and over. Overall, one-third of British adults ate no whole-grain foods on a daily basis, and less than 5% ate 3 or more servings per day. Manual occupation and smoking were consistently associated with a higher proportion of non-consumers and fewer servings per week of whole-grain foods, independent of age, sex, region and season (each P < 0.001). The main sources of whole-grain foods were wholemeal bread and breakfast cereals, which accounted for more than three-quarters of all servings.Conclusions:Consumption of whole-grain foods in the adult UK populations is more prevalent in the non-smoking, higher socio-economic groups. Amongst consumers of whole-grain foods, the frequency is similar to that reported in the USA and Norway.
Vitamin A deficiency in poor, urban, lactating women in Bangladesh: factors influencing vitamin A status
Authors: Ahmed Faruk , Azim Asfia , Akhtaruzzaman Mohammad 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAims:To investigate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among lactating women in a poor urban population of Bangladesh, and to examine the relationship between various factors and vitamin A status.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Maternal and child health clinic in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.Subjects and methods:A total of 120 lactating women aged 17–37 years were randomly selected from women who attended a local maternal and child health clinic in Dhaka City for immunisation of their children. Various socio-economic, personal characteristics, dietary intakes of vitamin A and anthropometric data were collected. Serum retinol (vitamin A) concentration was determined as a measure of vitamin A status.Results:Of the subjects, 37% had low serum vitamin A levels (<30 μg dl−1), with 13.3% having sub-clinical vitamin A deficiency (<20 μg dl−1). Eighty-seven per cent had vitamin A intakes below the recommended dietary allowance. The lactating women who were either illiterate or received only informal education had significantly (P= 0.002) lower serum vitamin A levels compared with those who received formal education. The women whose husbands received formal education had significantly (P= 0.05) higher serum vitamin A levels than those whose husbands were either illiterate or received only informal education. The serum vitamin A levels of women in households with poor sanitation/latrine practice were significantly (P= 0.03) lower than those of women in households with good sanitation/latrine practice. The women with one child had significantly (P= 0.015) lower serum vitamin A levels than those with two or more children. Women with a lactation period of 6 months or more had significantly (P= 0.034) lower serum vitamin A levels than women with a lactation period of less than 6 months. The women who consumed less than the median vitamin A intake (274.8 μg day−1) had significantly (P= 0.01) lower serum vitamin A levels than those who consumed more than the median vitamin A intake. By multiple regression analysis, education level of the women, number of living children, duration of lactation and dietary intake of vitamin A were found to have significant independent relationships with serum vitamin A. The overallF-ratio (6.8) was highly significant (P= 0.000), the adjustedR2was 0.16 (multipleR= 0.44).Conclusion:A significant proportion of poor, urban, lactating women in Bangladesh have vitamin A deficiency. Among the various factors, education level of the women, number of living children, duration of lactation and dietary intake of vitamin A appear to be important in influencing the vitamin A status of these women.
Risk factors for low iron intake and poor iron status in a national sample of British young people aged 4–18 years
Authors: Thane CW , Bates CJ , Prentice A 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:To examine the prevalence and dietary, sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors of low iron intake and poor iron status in British young people.Design:National Diet and Nutrition Survey of young people aged 4–18 years.Setting:Great Britain, 1997.Subjects:In total, 1699 young people provided 7-day weighed dietary records, of which 11% were excluded because the participant reported being unwell with eating habits affected. Blood was obtained from 1193 participants, with iron status indicated by haemoglobin, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation.Results:Iron intakes were generally adequate in most young people aged 4–18 years. However, low iron intakes (below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake) occurred in 44% of adolescent girls (11–18 years), being less prevalent with high consumption of breakfast cereals. Low haemoglobin concentration (<115 gl−1, 4–12 years; <120 or <130 gl−1, 13+ years for girls and boys, respectively) was observed in 9% of children aged 4–6 years, pubertal boys (11–14 years) and older girls (15–18 years). Adolescent girls who were non-Caucasians or vegetarians had significantly poorer iron status than Caucasians or meat eaters, independent of other risk factors. The three iron status indices were correlated significantly with haem, but not non-haem, iron intake.Conclusions:Adolescent girls showed the highest prevalence of low iron intake and poor iron status, with the latter independently associated with non-Caucasian ethnicity and vegetarianism. Risk of poor iron status may be reduced by consuming (particularly lean red) meat or enhancers of non-haem iron absorption (e.g. fruit or fruit juice) in vegetarians.
The burden of disease attributable to nutrition in Europe
Authors: Pomerleau Joceline , McKee Martin , Lobstein Tim , Knai Cécile 
Published: September 2003

AbstractObjective:This review examines the extent to which differences in nutrition could explain the diversity of health in Europe and how dietary patterns might contribute to the overall burden of disease in the region.Setting:Europe.Design:Between-country variations and time trends in dietary and health patterns in Europe are described, taking into account recent evidence on east-west mortality differentials. Existing information on the contribution of dietary factors to the overall burden of disease in Europe and to the burden of cardiovascular diseases and cancer is then reviewed, including a discussion of the methodological challenges that face those seeking to quantify this burden accurately.Results:While evidence from ecological data have long suggested that variations in health patterns in Europe may be at least partly attributed to differences in dietary intake, recent research into the major risks to disease, disability and death is confirming the importance of poor nutrition to major health problems and overall disease burden in Europe. Findings from the Global Burden of Disease 2000 study suggest that 4.4% of the overall burden of disease in the region could be attributed to low fruit and vegetable intake, and 7.8% to overweight and obesity.Conclusions:The burden of disease attributed to poor nutrition in Europe appears to be substantial and probably underestimated. However, better quantification of the contribution of nutrition to the region's burden of disease awaits further research to assess the dietary intake of Europeans and to explore the relationship between nutritional factors and health outcomes in diverse parts of Europe.