Cover crops play an important role in low-input cropping systems, increasing the use of agro-ecosystem services. Due to the lack of information about the impact of cover crops and bio-fertilizers on ...popcorn maize (
Sturt.) growth and yield quality, especially the popping volume and nutritive quality, such as concentrations of protein and mineral elements, this research aimed to provide essential information. The interrelation between popcorn maize productivity and quality with important groups of soil microorganisms presents additional novelty. The results demonstrated that field pea is a beneficial cover crop, especially when combined with a bio-fertilizer, supporting the accumulation of maize biomass, chlorophyll, yield potential, and the concentrations of protein, Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn. In addition, field pea residues promoted N-fixing bacteria, and the number of total microorganisms, especially actinomycetes and decomposing bacteria, which could promote nutrient uptake and grain quality. Residues of cover crop mixtures, common vetch + winter oats and field pea + winter oats, promoted the total number of microorganisms in the soil, and up to the end of vegetation, a greater number of decomposition and ammonification microorganisms were found, especially when the bio-fertilizer was applied, which consequently could support greater maize biomass. Popping volume, as a main trait of popcorn maize, had the highest value in the common vetch + winter oats variant, supporting again the statement that quality traits could be enhanced in sustainable production. Unlike living cover crops, mulch mainly affected soil microbial communities and promoted the development of actinomycetes and cellulolytic microorganisms during the growing season. The results of this research could contribute to the development of sustainable popcorn maize production for improved grain quality. They could also serve as a basis for isolating beneficial soil microorganisms to develop new bio-fertilizers that could improve maize production in synergy with cover crops.
The radioactive fission product 90Sr has a sufficient half-life (28.8 years) to be detected long after its appearance in the environment. After its uptake into the soil-edible plant system, it enters ...the food chain and represents a potential source of contamination that threatens human health. Due to these facts, tracking the distribution of the artificial radionuclide 90Sr in the soil–edible plant system is a subject of intense research. The tracking of the 90Sr radionuclide distribution in the soil profile, as well as in the crops on the long-term experimental fields was carried out using beta radiation spectrometry. The radiochemical analytical method was used to analyze the 90Sr content in cultivated soil and crops. The conducted study focused on the experimental substantiation of the developed model for predicting the behavior of 90Sr in the cultivated soil–crop system. The results of using the applied radioecological model for the transfer of 90Sr from the soil to the above-ground part of crops showed a relatively good agreement with the experimentally determined values of the soil–crop transfer factor, which indicates that the used model can be successfully applied for the prediction of the behavior of 90Sr in the soil–soil solution–crop system.
Cover crops (CC) are an important low-input strategy in sustainable agricultural systems. The impact of different CC (common vetch, field pea, winter oats, fodder kale, common vetch + winter oats and ...field pea + winter oats), organic mulch, control treatment-fallow, and bio-fertilizer (BF) application, on yield and quality of sweet maize kernel was evaluated. CC biomass was higher in mixtures: field pea + winter oats, and common vetch + winter oats, as well as in fodder kale. Kernel yield and its chemical composition varied significantly by CC, BF, year, and their interaction. Organic mulch enhanced the concentration of sugars and glutathione in maize kernel. BF increased kernel yield, the concentration of sugars, vitamin C, Mg, Fe, Zn, and reduced phytate concentration. The highest Mg and Mn concentration in maize kernel was achieved with fodder kale, Zn concentration with common vetch + winter oats + BF, and Fe concentration with winter oats. The same treatments expressed the highest impact on variability in concentration of the phytate, phenolics, and yellow pigment, thus affecting further bio-availability of essential elements. Results indicate that in a semi-arid climate, under rain-fed conditions, CC such as fodder kale and winter oats + common vetch could enhance sweet maize productivity and kernel quality, serving as an important part of a sustainable cropping system, to facilitate food security.
A two-year field trial was conducted to study the effects of biohumus, biofertiliser, and soil conditioner application on spelt grain yield in different regions (plain, hilly, and mountainous ...regions) in Serbia. An analysis of economic efficiency indicators of spelt production in organic farming systems was also performed. The field experiment had a randomised complete block design with three replicates in each of the three regions. One winter spelt cultivar was also studied. The largest differences in spelt yield compared to control were found in the plain region in the biohumus + biofertiliser treatment (28.0%) and the hilly region in the organic fertiliser + zeolite treatment (28.8%). The differences in grain yield between control and treatment conditions in the mountain region were insignificant. Analysis of the economic effects of organic spelt production found a significantly lower gross margin in treatments with expensive organic fertilisers (3955.05 and 1104.75 € ha–1) than the control (5094.31 and 1833.85 € ha–1), leading to the conclusion that their application was not economically justified despite the increases in grain yield. The highest production costs (3569.71 € ha–1) were observed in treatments in the hilly region, resulting in the lowest benefit-cost ratio (0.1), while the greatest benefit-cost ratio was recorded in treatments in the mountainous region (2.1). Following the economic analysis results, a significant negative correlation between the benefit-cost ratio and the total production costs (r= –0.91**) was determined and a positive correlation between the gross margin and grain yield (r=0.66*). These results lead to the conclusion that the management strategy of spelt production in organic farming systems should be harmonised with the soil and agro-ecological characteristics of the region and directed at decreasing the costs and share of external inputs. In this case, organic spelt production can be economically profitable.
Highlights - Organic fertilisers and soil conditioners affect spelt grain yield. - The analysis of the economic effects of organic spelt production concluded that fertiliser application was not economically justified despite the increases in grain yield. - Treatments in the plain region displayed the best production results compared to mountain region treatments, but these did not have the best benefit-cost ratio. - Knowledge of production costs is an important element in improving the economic efficiency of organic farming systems.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of two foliar fertilizers applied on five maize (Zea mays L.) lines. Fertilizers were applied at different growth stages of maize, during three ...consecutive years (2010–2012) at the experimental field of the Maize Research Institute “Zemun Polje”, Serbia. Maize growth parameters such as fresh matter, height, leaf area and grain yield were recorded. Foliar fertilizer with amino acids (FAA) was more advantageous to maize plants compared to fertilizer containing phosphorus (FP) as a main component. Applied FAA has shown positive effects by increasing fresh matter, leaf area index, and plant height in all three years. In 2012, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, grain yield and harvest index were very low, compared to the previous two years, although, positive effects on morphological traits were observed 21 days after treatments (DAT), as well as in the anthesis stage. The best results of 30% of grain yield and harvest index increase were recorded in line L1 in 2010 and 2011. The same line had an increase of more than 40% of fresh matter and leaf area on average for all three years. The positive effects that have been noticed in this research could recommend foliar fertilizing with fertilizer containing N in a form of an amino acids complex.
With the greening of agriculture, there is a need to better link the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and organic agriculture in developing countries. However, in Serbia, there is a huge gap ...between the potential of their implementation and the actual situation. This paper assessed the strengths and weaknesses of SDGs and organic agriculture in Serbia and how their relationship can contribute in the development of sustainable agriculture. Key data and indicators of the economic, agricultural and social development of Serbia from international and national databases, as well as recent publications related to the selected topic, were assesed. The results showed that the restricted development of organic agriculture in Serbia stems from the undeveloped awareness of consumers, slower acceptance of alternative agricultural systems and the volatility of mainstream conventional agricultural production. The integration of organic agriculture into the largest conceptual and strategic frameworks, such as the SDGs, can offer a true transformation of local food systems and could result in positive feedback to the environment and society. In the long term, the SDGs framework can help connect various dimensions of sustainable agriculture, stakeholders and policymakers. The future focus should be on how to create entry points for agricultural transformation based on certified organic methodologies and how to integrate agricultural heritage into the realisation of SDGs.
Tillage methods and intensity can be used as means of improving macronutrient and trace element concentration in soil and crops. A two-year field experiment was conducted to examine the impact of two ...cropping systems—intensive (ICS) and conservation (CCS), on the macro- and microelements in the soil and their accumulation in the grain of two cultivars of winter wheat. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications of each tillage treatment. The results showed that the content of available N (0.7 kg ha−1) and organic matter (0.04%) slightly increased in CCS compared to ICS. The concentrations of Ca, K, and S macroelements and microelements such as Ba, Cr, Hg, and Sr in the soil were significantly higher in CCS than in ICS. Higher concentrations of macroelements K and P, microelements such as Fe, Zn, and As, and the greater value of the bioaccumulation factor for elements essential to humans such as P, Cu, Fe, and Zn, were also found in CCS compared to ICS. On the other hand, wheat cultivars grown in ICS were more efficient at accumulating macroelements and some trace elements than ones grown in CCS. While it is not without challenges, the conservation cropping system could represent an important part of the long-term strategy to sustainably improve soil fertility and the nutritional quality of the wheat grain.
Delivery of micronutrients to plants through seed priming improves seedling vigour and increases crops yields. Two-year filed trial was conducted in Pančevo, Serbia, with aim to study the effect of ...seed priming with zinc (Zn) on field performance of three maize hybrids on calcareous chernozem deficient in plant available Zn. Seed priming treatments were: control (without priming), water priming and priming with 4 mM zinc sulphate water solution. Seed priming had significant effect on early plant growth, plant height, yield components, grain yield and grain Zn concentration. Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height. Across two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation and three tested maize hybrids, Zn-priming resulted in an average increase of grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming. A significant relationship between plant growth parameters, grain yield components and grain yield was detected. Grain Zn concentration was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids in the season with less precipitation and in one hybrid in the second season. The results imply that using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem. Highlights - Seed priming with Zn resulted in an average increase of maize grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming. - Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height of three maize hybrids. - Overall experiment plant growth parameters were correlated with grain yield components and grain yield.- Overall effect of seed priming on grain Zn concentration was significant, but it was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids. - Using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem.
This examination aims to determinate influence of fertilizers toward
weed infestation, morphological and productive traits of different
alternative small grains, as well as to examine the correlation ...of the
studied traits of alternative small grains with weed infestation in
organic production. The field experiment was conducted on luvic
chernozem in completely randomized blocks, repeatad four times, in
the three year period (2013/2014-2015/2016). Examination was
carried out on one winter cultivars of naked barley, spelt, durum,
compactum wheat and triticale, and the experiment included
fertilization with microbiological fertilizer (5.0 L ha-1) as well as the
combined application of microbiological (5.0 L ha-1) and organic
fertilizer (3.0 t ha-1). Results obtained pointed out that examined
factors have important influence toward number and the dry weed
weight, but the influence toward diversity weeds is negligible. The
smallest the total number of weeds (12.7 plants m-2), as well as the
dry weight of weeds (18.5 g m-2) was noted in the spelt (P˂0.01).
The considerably significant smaller the total number of weeds on
the variant F2 (14.7 plants m-2) compared to F1 (15.4 plants m-2) and
F0 (15.5 plants m-2), while dry weed weight on the variants F1 (23.7
g m-2) and F2 (23.8 g m-2) significant higher comparing to control F0
(20.7 g m-2). The use of fertilizers have significatly influenced the
increase of the stem height (5.5-10.0%), spike length (6.4-9.9%),
weight of the plant (9.5-20.8%) and the weight of grains in the spike
(7.8-16.9%). The negative dependence of the weeds number
(r= -0.69) and its dry weight (r= -0.39) relаted to the height of
stem, and, also, negative dependence between weight of grains in
the spike with the weed number (r= -0.32) has been perceived.
These results of examination showed that proper selection of the
genotypes with the application of fertilisers could have a significant
effect on the weeds in the organic production alternative small
grains.
The rhizosphere is a dynamic environment in which many parameters may
influence biogenicity. The important factors determining the microbial
community in the rhizosphere are plant and soil nutrient ...supply. The aim of
this paper was to determine the abundance of basic microbiological groups in
the rhizosphere of four wheat subspecies, in three fertilization treatments
in the organic farming system. A field experiment was conducted using a
randomized complete block design with four replicates. It was carried out on
the leached chernozem soil type. There was significant variability in the
abundance of the studied physiological groups of microorganisms between the
wheat subspecies, as well as between the fertilization treatments. The
rhizosphere of common wheat had the greatest abundance of fungi (24.37 x 103
g-1). The rhizosphere of compactum wheat had the largest abundance of
oligonitrophilic bacteria (361.47 x 105 g-1) and amonificators (119.27 x 105
g-1). There were no significant differences in the abundance of
actinomycetes between the cultivars of common, compactum and durum wheat,
but their lowest number was found in the spelt wheat cultivar (11.25 x 103
g-1). The combined application of biofertilizer and organic fertilizer
resulted in a significantly greater abundance of amonificators (56.6%),
fungi (28.2%) and oligonitrophiles (14.6%) than in the control treatment.
The results show that the crop variety and application of appropriate
fertilizer formulations can influence the abundance of the studied groups of
microorganisms. This is particularly the case in organic farming, which
relies completely on natural resources and processes.
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