Plants

2024

Jump to: 2023

22 pages, 5009 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Productivity and Quality of Three Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars and Their Mixture in Response to Nitrogen Fertilization and Grass-Legume Mixtures

by Gintarė Šidlauskaitė, Monika Toleikienė and Žydrė Kadžiulienė

Plants 2024, 13(22), 3130; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13223130 - 7 Nov 2024

Viewed by 424

Abstract

We conducted a four-year cutting experiment on herbage yield, with three years focused on testing the effect of perennial ryegrass (PR) cultivars ‘Elena DS’, ‘Raminta’, and ‘Verseka’, along with a cultivar mixture and compositions with white clover (WC) and red clover (RC) diversity, [...] Read more.

We conducted a four-year cutting experiment on herbage yield, with three years focused on testing the effect of perennial ryegrass (PR) cultivars ‘Elena DS’, ‘Raminta’, and ‘Verseka’, along with a cultivar mixture and compositions with white clover (WC) and red clover (RC) diversity, on crude protein (CP), modified acid detergent fibre (MADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and dry matter digestibility (DMD) content. PR cultivars and cultivar mixtures were sown alone (N₁₅₀), and the PR ‘Elena DS’ and PR cultivar mixtures were also sown with each WC, or WC and RC (N₀). The average four-year herbage productivity was the lowest in PR ‘Elena DS’ the and cultivar mixture/WC, followed by all of the pure PR swards, and the highest in PR ‘Elena DS’ and the cultivar mixture/WC+RC; however, the PR ‘Elena DS’/WC+RC mixture had the highest legume proportion and CP content. There was less NDF but also WSC in swards with legumes, but higher CP content than in pure PR swards; however, the highest CP content was in mixtures with RC. Among the grasses, PR ‘Verseka’ had lower NDF contents and a higher WSC than PR ‘Elena DS’, ‘Raminta’, and the cultivar mixture. Overall, this study revealed significant differences in the productivity of PR cultivars with a potential yield difference of up to 1.7 t ha⁻¹. Full article

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16 pages, 2337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Characterization of Rhizobium spp. Strains in an Organic Field Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Field in Lithuania

by Justina Kaziūnienė, Francesco Pini, Arman Shamshitov, Kristyna Razbadauskienė, Birutė Frercks, Audrius Gegeckas, Raimonda Mažylytė, Laura Lapinskienė and Skaidrė Supronienė

Plants 2024, 13(14), 1888; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141888 - 9 Jul 2024

Viewed by 867

Abstract

Biological nitrogen fixation in legume plants depends on the diversity of rhizobia present in the soil. Rhizobial strains exhibit specificity towards host plants and vary in their capacity to fix nitrogen. The increasing interest in rhizobia diversity has prompted studies of their phylogenetic [...] Read more.

Biological nitrogen fixation in legume plants depends on the diversity of rhizobia present in the soil. Rhizobial strains exhibit specificity towards host plants and vary in their capacity to fix nitrogen. The increasing interest in rhizobia diversity has prompted studies of their phylogenetic relations. Molecular identification of Rhizobium is quite complex, requiring multiple gene markers to be analysed to distinguish strains at the species level or to predict their host plant. In this research, 50 rhizobia isolates were obtained from the root nodules of five different Pisum sativum L. genotypes (“Bagoo”, “Respect”, “Astronaute”, “Lina DS”, and “Egle DS”). All genotypes were growing in the same field, where ecological farming practices were applied, and no commercial rhizobia inoculants were used. The influence of rhizobial isolates on pea root nodulation and dry biomass accumulation was determined. 16S rRNA gene, two housekeeping genes recA and atpD, and symbiotic gene nodC were analysed to characterize rhizobia population. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 46 isolates were linked to Rhizobium leguminosarum; species complex 1 isolate was identified as Rhizobium nepotum, and the remaining 3 isolates belonged to Rahnella spp., Paenarthrobacter spp., and Peribacillus spp. genera. RecA and atpD gene analysis showed that the 46 isolates identified as R. leguminosarum clustered into three genospecies groups (B), (E) and (K). Isolates that had the highest influence on plant dry biomass accumulation clustered into the (B) group. NodC gene phylogenetic analysis clustered 46 R. leguminosarum isolates into 10 groups, and all isolates were assigned to the R. leguminosarum sv. viciae. Full article

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11 pages, 997 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of White Cabbage Intercropping with Aromatic Plant on Yield, Mineral and Biochemical Composition

by Armina Morkeliūnė, Neringa Rasiukevičiūtė, Lina Dėnė, Edita Dambrauskienė, Laisvūnė Duchovskienė and Alma Valiuškaitė

Plants 2024, 13(13), 1870; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13131870 - 6 Jul 2024

Viewed by 851

Abstract

The growing demand for higher-quality food production in smaller soil areas points to optimized land use. Intercropping has the potential to increase yield, reduce pests and diseases, and boost biodiversity. This study, conducted at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture [...] Read more.

The growing demand for higher-quality food production in smaller soil areas points to optimized land use. Intercropping has the potential to increase yield, reduce pests and diseases, and boost biodiversity. This study, conducted at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, from 2017 to 2019, aimed to determine the effect of white cabbage intercropping with aromatic plants, calendula, French marigold, thyme, and sage on yield, mineral and biochemical composition. Aromatic plants are known to reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases, so this study aimed to determine whether aromatic plants affect the yield, mineral, and biochemical composition of white cabbage. The two-year observations demonstrated that aromatic plants did not affect or slightly affect the mineral composition of cabbage’s primary macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, and Ca). Cabbage’s dry matter, sugars, and ascorbic acid content vary when grown intercropped with aromatic plants compared to monoculture. Although the results were comparable, sugar concentration was lower in all cabbage combinations than in monoculture. Lower nitrate levels were detected in cabbage monoculture, probably due to agro-meteorological circumstances. The highest cabbage yield was achieved by intercropping with thyme (7.25 t/ha) compared to monoculture (6.81 t/ha) in 2018. It was found that intercropping with aromatic plants had little effect on the biochemical composition of white cabbage. The study results suggest that French marigold and thyme can be grown together with white cabbage to improve the phytosanitary of vegetables without compromising the biochemical quality of the cabbages. However, the influence on biochemical composition, especially on the nitrate and glucosinolate levels, should be examined further, providing valuable insights for future research in this field. Full article

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20 pages, 1562 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Soil Microbial Consortia in Sustainable Cereal Crop Residue Management

by Arman Shamshitov, Gražina Kadžienė and Skaidrė Supronienė

Plants 2024, 13(6), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060766 - 8 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1591

Abstract

The global escalation in cereal production, essential to meet growing population demands, simultaneously augments the generation of cereal crop residues, estimated annually at approximately 3107 × 10⁶ Mg/year. Among different crop residue management approaches, returning them to the soil can be essential [...] Read more.

The global escalation in cereal production, essential to meet growing population demands, simultaneously augments the generation of cereal crop residues, estimated annually at approximately 3107 × 10⁶ Mg/year. Among different crop residue management approaches, returning them to the soil can be essential for various ecological benefits, including nutrient recycling and soil carbon sequestration. However, the recalcitrant characteristics of cereal crop residues pose significant challenges in their management, particularly in the decomposition rate. Therefore, in this review, we aim to summarize the influence of different agricultural practices on enhancing soil microbial decomposer communities, thereby effectively managing cereal crop residues. Moreover, this manuscript provides indirect estimates of cereal crop residue production in Northern Europe and Lithuania, and highlights the diverse roles of lignocellulolytic microorganisms in the decomposition process, with a particular focus on enzymatic activities. This review bridges the knowledge gap and indicates future research directions concerning the influence of agricultural practices on cereal crop residue-associated microbial consortia. Full article

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2023

Jump to: 2024

14 pages, 839 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Seed Banks and Their Relation to Soil Properties in Hilly Landscapes

by Regina Skuodienė, Vilija Matyžiūtė and Gintaras Šiaudinis

Plants 2024, 13(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010104 - 29 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1437

Abstract

For the prevention of hilly soils from erosion, a smart selection of crop rotations is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different agrophytocenoses on seed numbers in the soil runoff sediments and soil seed banks’ relations [...] Read more.

For the prevention of hilly soils from erosion, a smart selection of crop rotations is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different agrophytocenoses on seed numbers in the soil runoff sediments and soil seed banks’ relations to soil properties in hilly landscapes. This study analyzes long-term monitoring data from three different agrophytocenoses (permanent grassland, cereal–grass crop rotation and crop rotation with a row crop) set up on slopes of 9–11° steepness with collectors for soil and water installed. The soil of the southern exposition slope was a slightly eroded Eutric Retisol. In the soil of permanent grassland, the number of seeds was 4036 seeds m⁻², 6.0 and 3.2 times smaller compared to cereal–grass crop rotation and crop rotation with a row crop. The seeds found in the soil runoff sediments composed, on average, 0.9% of the soil seed bank, and the number of seeds depended on the number of days with heavy precipitation during the plant vegetation period, as well as on the plant communities grown in a particular rotation. Correlation analysis showed the seed numbers’ dependence on the soil’s chemical and physical properties. Hill slopes were not affected by water erosion, when agrophytocenoses were based on perennial grassland and also cereal–grass crop rotation, where reduced soil tillage was applied. Full article

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17 pages, 4003 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can a Forest Tree Species Progeny Trial Serve as an Ex Situ Collection? A Case Study on Alnus glutinosa

by Rita Verbylaitė, Filippos A. Aravanopoulos, Virgilijus Baliuckas, Aušra Juškauskaitė and Dalibor Ballian

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3986; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233986 - 27 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1165

Abstract

Scientifically informed decisions for the long-term conservation of extant genetic diversity should combine in situ and ex situ conservation methods. The aim of the present study was to assess if a progeny plantation consisting of several open pollinated (OP) families and established for [...] Read more.

Scientifically informed decisions for the long-term conservation of extant genetic diversity should combine in situ and ex situ conservation methods. The aim of the present study was to assess if a progeny plantation consisting of several open pollinated (OP) families and established for breeding purposes can also serve as an ex situ conservation plantation, using the case study of a Lithuanian progeny trial of Alnus glutinosa, a keystone species of riparian ecosystems that warrants priority conservation actions. We employed 17 nuclear microsatellite (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers and compared the genetic diversity and copy number of the captured alleles of 22 OP progeny families from this plantation, with 10 wild A. glutinosa populations, originating from the two provenance regions of the species in Lithuania. We conclude that the progeny plantation could be used as an ex situ plantation for the A. glutinosa populations from the first provenance region (represented by eight genetic conservation units (GCU)). Based on the present study’s results, we can expect that the A. glutinosa progeny plantation harbors enough genetic diversity of wild A. glutinosa populations from the first provenance region. This progeny plantation can serve as a robust ex situ collection containing local alleles present in at least one wild population with at least 0.05 frequency with 25 replications. Full article

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21 pages, 3866 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growing of Phalaroides arundinacea L. and Bromopsis inermis Leyss for Biofuel Using Sewage Sludge Compost as a Fertilizer

by Jelena Ankuda, Eugenija Bakšienė and Almantas Ražukas

Plants 2023, 12(23), 3939; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12233939 - 22 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 935

Abstract

Bromopsis inermis and Phalaroides arundinacea are increasingly grown not only for feed but also for other purposes, such as obtaining energy. Composting sewage sludge and using such compost to fertilize various plants is also becoming more popular. Therefore, the aim of our study [...] Read more.

Bromopsis inermis and Phalaroides arundinacea are increasingly grown not only for feed but also for other purposes, such as obtaining energy. Composting sewage sludge and using such compost to fertilize various plants is also becoming more popular. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate how the fertilization of the mentioned plants with sewage sludge compost (SSC) affects the biomass yield and biomass quality of these plants. It was also important to determine whether fertilization with SSC is possible in low-yielding soils of light texture without harming these soils There are no similar studies in Lithuania, and there are very few in Europe and the world. It was found that investigated grasses formed a small biomass DM yield (6.6 t/ha within three years). The biomass of B. inermis and Ph. arundinacea had a very high ash content and concentrations of nitrogen and potassium. This greatly reduced the quality of the biomass of these grasses as a solid biofuel. SSC performed poorly as a fertilizer. Fertilization with 125 t/ha SSC significantly increased the total biomass yield of Ph. arundinacea only. At the same time, using SSC as a fertilizer significantly increased the concentration of Cu, Zn, and Cd in the soil. Full article

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12 pages, 2290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Italian Ryegrass as a Forage Crop for the Baltics: Opportunities and Challenges in Light of Climate Change

by Vilma Kemešytė, Gražina Statkevičiūtė, Eglė Norkevičienė and Kristina Jaškūnė

Plants 2023, 12(22), 3841; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12223841 - 13 Nov 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1561

Abstract

Grasslands are important for sustainable milk and meat production as well as for providing other ecosystem services. One of the most productive components of short-term grasslands is Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum subsp. italicum Lam.), offering high yield, excellent feed value, and high [...] Read more.

Grasslands are important for sustainable milk and meat production as well as for providing other ecosystem services. One of the most productive components of short-term grasslands is Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum subsp. italicum Lam.), offering high yield, excellent feed value, and high palatability to animals but low tolerance to abiotic stress. Global climate warming opens new opportunities and could be beneficial in increasing the potential of biomass production. In this study, we aimed to assess an Italian ryegrass cultivar of Lithuanian origin, ‘Ugnė’, for productivity and yield stability, with special emphasis on their relationship with climatic factors over a period of 14 years. The average winter temperatures and total spring precipitation explained 51% of the first-cut dry matter yield (DMY) variance. Second- and third-cut DMYs were associated with average temperature only. Italian ryegrass cv. ‘Ugnė’ demonstrated the potential to produce high dry matter yields after warm winters and withstand summer drought spells under Lithuanian conditions. However, mid-to-late-summer heat waves might reduce productivity and should be taken into consideration when breeding new Italian ryegrass cultivars. Full article

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13 pages, 283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Mineral NPK Fertiliser Rates on Potassium Dynamics in Soil: Data from a Long-Term Agricultural Plant Fertilisation Experiment

by Jonas Arbačauskas, Zigmas Jonas Vaišvila, Gediminas Staugaitis, Lina Žičkienė, Aistė Masevičienė and Donatas Šumskis

Plants 2023, 12(21), 3700; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213700 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2150

Abstract

A fertilisation experiment, with the aim to determine the effects of different potassium fertiliser rates and their interactions with nitrogen and phosphorus on field-rotation productivity, potassium balance, fertiliser utilization, and changes in the content of potassium in soil, was carried out in Lithuania [...] Read more.

A fertilisation experiment, with the aim to determine the effects of different potassium fertiliser rates and their interactions with nitrogen and phosphorus on field-rotation productivity, potassium balance, fertiliser utilization, and changes in the content of potassium in soil, was carried out in Lithuania between 1971 and 2020. The multi-factorial scheme with 45 treatment plots, where seven rates (including zero) of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers were studied. The experimental treatments during the study period were carried out on winter wheat, spring wheat, spring barley, sugar beet, spring rapeseed, and annual and perennial grasses. It was found that potassium fertilisers were the most effective on agricultural crops when used in combination with other major plant nutrients—i.e., nitrogen and phosphorus. The required balance of potassium (K₂O) in the soil was measured, when nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers were applied together to compensate for potassium removal; when applying low nitrogen (N) (72 kg ha⁻¹) and phosphorus (P₂O₅) (64 kg ha⁻¹) fertiliser rates, 128 kg ha⁻¹ of potassium fertilisers are required. When using high nitrogen (180 kg ha⁻¹) and phosphorus (160 kg ha⁻¹) fertiliser rates, 160 kg ha⁻¹ of potassium is needed. The highest potassium uptake, reaching 51.6%, was achieved when plants had been fertilised with nitrogen (108 kg ha⁻¹), phosphorus (96 kg ha⁻¹), and potassium (96 kg ha⁻¹). When fertilising with potassium fertilisers alone, the content of plant-available K₂O content in the soil increased, whereas with fertilisation with nitrogen and phosphorus combined K₂O content is decreased, except in the plots where the plants had been fertilised with potassium fertiliser at rates of 128 kg ha⁻¹ and higher. Due to the influence of fertilisers, the amount of non-exchangeable potassium in the soil also increased, but relatively little compared to the amount of available potassium content. Thus, one of the main conditions for the effective use of potassium fertilisers is ensuring optimal plant nutrition with other nutrition elements, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Full article

17 pages, 7040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizers on the Quality of Forage Composed of Various Species of Legumes in the Northern Part of a Temperate Climate Zone

by Gintarė Šidlauskaitė and Žydrė Kadžiulienė

Plants 2023, 12(21), 3676; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213676 - 25 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1183

Abstract

This study focuses on the effect of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers on the quality of perennial grasses. Both grasses and legumes are important in swards, and each type of grass has different biological and ecological properties. Legumes in multi-species swards, especially in their early [...] Read more.

This study focuses on the effect of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers on the quality of perennial grasses. Both grasses and legumes are important in swards, and each type of grass has different biological and ecological properties. Legumes in multi-species swards, especially in their early ages, benefit other Poaceae grasses by improving their growth. When evaluating individual cuts over a three-year period, it was determined that the quality indicators of the forage were significantly influenced by the year of use, N fertilizer application, and the different species compositions of the swards. In many cases, N fertilizers significantly reduced the CP content while tending to increase MADF and NDF. Monoculture grass swards had the highest WSC content; in most cases, N fertilizers increased the WSC content in the forage. DMD was the lowest in the first year of use, specifically in the first cut. Our three-year experiment, which investigated twelve swards with different species compositions, demonstrated that legume grasses improved the quality indicators of forage and contributed to maintaining a more stable overall forage yield over the years. As the climate continues to become warmer, there is a growing need to study a wide range of plant species and different varieties suitable for local growth conditions. Full article

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15 pages, 51528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dendrological Secrets of the Pazaislis Monastery in Central Lithuania: DNA Markers and Morphology Reveal Tilia × europaea L. Hybrids of an Impressive Age

by Girmantė Jurkšienė, Darius Danusevičius, Rūta Kembrytė-Ilčiukienė and Virgilijus Baliuckas

Plants 2023, 12(20), 3567; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12203567 - 13 Oct 2023

Viewed by 1503

Abstract

We benefited from the availability of a species-specific DNA marker to describe the morphometry of T. cordata × platyphyllos hybrids of an impressive age (ca. 150 years) grown in the Pazaislis baroque monastery yard in Central Lithuania. In an earlier study on a [...] Read more.

We benefited from the availability of a species-specific DNA marker to describe the morphometry of T. cordata × platyphyllos hybrids of an impressive age (ca. 150 years) grown in the Pazaislis baroque monastery yard in Central Lithuania. In an earlier study on a country-wide set of 543 T. cordata individuals from natural forest populations in Lithuania, we detected a nuclear microsatellite locus Tc8 well-differentiating between T. cordata and T. platyphyllos. The Tc8 locus contained a 140 bp allele in T. cordata (541 sampled individuals) and alleles above 160 bp in the two trees with a T. platyphyllos-like morphology (sampled in a national park). To verify the Tc8 locus as species specific, we sampled a further four T. platyphyllos-like individuals, which all contained the Tc8 locus alleles above 160 bp. We subsequently genotyped the six old-growth individuals from the Pazaislis monastery with mixed T. cordata × platyphyllos morphology. Results revealed that all six old-growth Tilia individuals from the Pazaislis monastery were heterozygous for the Tc8 locus with alleles of 140 bp (indicative of T. cordata) and 162 bp (indicative of T. platyphyllos). This finding confirms the morphological observations that these individuals are hybrids between T. cordata and T. platyphyllos. Additionally, the genotyping of a set of 14 nuclear microsatellite loci revealed that all six trees from the Pazaislis monastery are clones, possessing identical microsatellite genotypes. After the molecular identification, we morphotyped leaves, bracts, twigs, and nuts of the 6 old-growth T. cordata × platyphyllos hybrids from the Pazaislis monastery, 16 T. cordata old-growth trees, 4 T. × europaea var. europaea ‘Pallida’ trees growing near the Pazaislis monastery, and 4 mature T. platyphyllos trees from a nearby Girionys park. The morphotyping showed that T. cordata × platyphyllos hybrids may be the easiest to distinguish from T. cordata by raised and horizontally tertiary veins of leaves. Full article

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17 pages, 1039 KiB

Open AccessReview

Adaptive Relationships in Hemi-Boreal Forests: Tree Species Responses to Competition, Stress, and Disturbance

by Raimundas Petrokas and Michael Manton

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3256; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183256 - 13 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1380

Abstract

European Union forest policy calls for closer-to-nature forest management, but natural disturbances and forest succession are ecological phenomena that are difficult to characterize and integrate into sustainable forest management practices. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the adaptive properties of [...] Read more.

European Union forest policy calls for closer-to-nature forest management, but natural disturbances and forest succession are ecological phenomena that are difficult to characterize and integrate into sustainable forest management practices. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the adaptive properties of Lithuania’s hemi-boreal forest ecosystems. To accomplish this, we first reviewed (i) the potential natural forest communities, (ii) the successional dynamics, and (iii) adaptive strategies of forest trees, and second, we synthesised the adaptive relationships using these three reviews. The results firstly identified that Lithuania’s potential natural forests are broadly divided into two climatically based zonal formations: (i) mesophytic and hygromesophytic coniferous and broadleaved forests and (ii) mesophytic deciduous broadleaved and coniferous-broadleaved forests. Secondly, the review of successional dynamics showed that each tree species can be categorised into various end communities and plant functional groups. Using the differences in tree establishment and phenological development modes we identified four forest dynamic types of tree adaptive strategies: stress-resistant ruderals, competitive stress-sensitive ruderals, ruderal stress-sensitive competitors, and stress-resistant competitors. Such functional redundancy leads to a variety of tree responses to competition, stress, and disturbance, which reduces the risk of loss of forest ecosystem functioning. Finally, the synthesised review on the adaptive relationships of each forest tree community shows both the niche position of each hemi-boreal forest tree species and how they should be managed in the organization of plant communities. We believe that this research can serve as a guide for future relevant research and the development of appropriate methods for sustainable forest management. Full article

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14 pages, 1351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Organic Carbon, Nitrogen Accumulation and Nitrogen Leaching as Affected by Legume Crop Residues on Sandy Loam in the Eastern Baltic Region

by Liudmila Tripolskaja, Asta Kazlauskaite-Jadzevice and Almantas Razukas

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2478; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132478 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1504

Abstract

Legumes have a wide range of positive effects on soil properties, including nitrogen and carbon storage, soil structure and the phytosanitary condition of crops. From an agronomic point of view, legumes are most valued for their ability to take up atmospheric nitrogen in [...] Read more.

Legumes have a wide range of positive effects on soil properties, including nitrogen and carbon storage, soil structure and the phytosanitary condition of crops. From an agronomic point of view, legumes are most valued for their ability to take up atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of legume residues (peas, fodder beans, narrow-leaved lupins) on the N (N_total) and organic carbon (C_org) accumulation in soil and N leaching under temperate climate conditions. The experiment was carried out in lysimetric equipment in 2016–2023. The effect of legumes on C_org and N_total accumulation in soil and N leaching were studied in a Fabaceae–Cereals sequence. Three species of legumes—peas, fodder beans and narrow-leaved lupines—were tested; spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown as a control treatment. The lysimeter surface area was 1.75 m² and the experimental soil layer was 0.60 m (sand loam Haplic Luvisol). It was found that after harvesting, more residues were incorporated into the soil with lupines (p < 0.05), which, compared to pea and bean residues, increased N_total and C_org concentrations in the soil. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.95) between the N_total concentration in the soil and the N amount incorporated with residues. Mineral N released during residue decomposition was leached from the humic horizon under conditions of excess moisture in the autumn–winter period and increased the nitrate concentration in the lysimeter water. The increase in concentration was recorded within 5 to 6 months after the application of the residues. As a result, the N leaching losses increased on average by 24.7–33.2% (p < 0.05) during the year of legume cultivation. In the following year, after legume residue incorporation, the effect of residues on nitrate concentration and N leaching decreased and did not differ significantly from that of barley residues. Full article

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12 pages, 1208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Nitrogen on the Yield Formation of Artemisia dubia Wall: Efficiency and Assessment of Energy Parameters

by Gintaras Šiaudinis, Algirdas Jasinskas, Danutė Karčauskienė, Regina Skuodienė and Regina Repšienė

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2441; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132441 - 25 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1067

Abstract

With the increasing importance of energy crops, research on potential energy crops is carried out to identify plant species with high productivity and energy value. The field experiment with the new promising energy crop, Artemisia dubia (wormwood), was executed at the Vėžaičiai Branch [...] Read more.

With the increasing importance of energy crops, research on potential energy crops is carried out to identify plant species with high productivity and energy value. The field experiment with the new promising energy crop, Artemisia dubia (wormwood), was executed at the Vėžaičiai Branch of the LAMMC. The soil site was naturally acidic Retisol (pH 4.2–4.4). The species was investigated as an energy crop through the evaluation of its biomass productivity and some energetical qualities. According to the three investigation years, DM yield significantly varied depending on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. The highest average DM yield was observed in 2020—10.58 t ha⁻¹. On average, the DM yield varied from 6.49 t ha⁻¹ (first cutting) to 11.82 t ha⁻¹ (third cutting). The DM yield was positively correlated with stem height and the mass of one stem. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) depended on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. Both N90 and N180 rates should be used for A. dubia fertilization. Energy growing analysis (including direct and indirect expenses) revealed that the highest share of energy expenses are due to indirect energy expenses (particularly nitrogen application). EUE (energy utilization efficiency) tends to decrease as a result of increasing nitrogen fertilization. Overall, A. dubia granules are characterized by a high calorific value. Full article

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14 pages, 2737 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Insecticide Application Timing for Broad Bean Weevil Control and Minimizing Crop Damage in Broad Bean (Vicia faba Linn.)

by Mohammad Almogdad, Roma Semaškienė and Kęstutis Tamošiūnas

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1839; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091839 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1830

Abstract

During the growing seasons of 2018 to 2020, a field experiment in broad bean (Vicia faba L.) was conducted at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The objective of the study was to explore the effects of the timing of [...] Read more.

During the growing seasons of 2018 to 2020, a field experiment in broad bean (Vicia faba L.) was conducted at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The objective of the study was to explore the effects of the timing of insecticide application on the abundance, damage, and control of the broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.). The experiment included four spray regimes and an untreated control. Yellow water traps were utilized to monitor the broad bean weevil from germination to senescence. Results indicate that broad bean weevil infestation occurred in all study years, with the highest density of adults observed during the flowering stage. Damage to seeds ranged from 23% to 59.62%. The data suggest that B. rufimanus infestation can result in a 19.1% reduction in seed yield. However, spraying when the daily temperature exceeded the threshold for adult activity for 3 days and at the end of flowering produced a significant increase in yield of 13.3% and 6.6%, respectively. Additionally, the spray at the end of flowering reduced damaged seeds by 21.4–48%. Full article

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11 pages, 494 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bruchus rufimanus Boh. Effect on Broad Bean Seed Quality and the Infection Level of Seed-Borne Fungal Pathogens

by Mohammad Almogdad, Akvilė Jonavičienė and Roma Semaškienė

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091825 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1891

Abstract

Broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.) is considered an economically important insect pest of the broad bean crop. Its damage starts when larvae burrow into the seed and feed on endosperm or kill the embryo, thus the seed cannot germinate. The microbiological [...] Read more.

Broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.) is considered an economically important insect pest of the broad bean crop. Its damage starts when larvae burrow into the seed and feed on endosperm or kill the embryo, thus the seed cannot germinate. The microbiological quality and consumer safety of broad bean may be compromised by holes. This study was performed during 2018–2020 to estimate the effect of seed damage by B. rufimanus on seed quality, germination rate and seedling growth, and on the incidence of seed-borne fungal pathogens. Broad bean seeds were collected and classified as damaged by B. rufimanus or non-damaged. There was a relationship between broad bean weevil damage and an increase in fungal contamination. Results showed that germination decreased from 97.2% for non-damaged seeds to 81.4% for the seeds with B. rufimanus damage. Seven fungal genera were identified: Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Mucor spp. and Botrytis spp. The most common fungal genus was Cladosporium spp. Our research shows that B. rufimanus negatively affects the germination of its host’s seeds and decreases the development of seedlings. Full article

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19 pages, 6707 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Maize Theoretical Methane Yield in Combination with Ground and UAV Remote Data Using Machine Learning

by Ardas Kavaliauskas, Renaldas Žydelis, Fabio Castaldi, Ona Auškalnienė and Virmantas Povilaitis

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091823 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

The accurate, timely, and non-destructive estimation of maize total-above ground biomass (TAB) and theoretical biochemical methane potential (TBMP) under different phenological stages is a substantial part of agricultural remote sensing. The assimilation of UAV and machine learning (ML) data may be successfully applied [...] Read more.

The accurate, timely, and non-destructive estimation of maize total-above ground biomass (TAB) and theoretical biochemical methane potential (TBMP) under different phenological stages is a substantial part of agricultural remote sensing. The assimilation of UAV and machine learning (ML) data may be successfully applied in predicting maize TAB and TBMP; however, in the Nordic-Baltic region, these technologies are not fully exploited. Therefore, in this study, during the maize growing period, we tracked unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based multispectral bands (blue, red, green, red edge, and infrared) at the main phenological stages. In the next step, we calculated UAV-based vegetation indices, which were combined with field measurements and different ML models, including generalized linear, random forest, as well as support vector machines. The results showed that the best ML predictions were obtained during the maize blister (R2)–Dough (R4) growth period when the prediction models managed to explain 88–95% of TAB and 88–97% TBMP variation. However, for the practical usage of farmers, the earliest suitable timing for adequate TAB and TBMP prediction in the Nordic-Baltic area is stage V7–V10. We conclude that UAV techniques in combination with ML models were successfully applied for maize TAB and TBMP estimation, but similar research should be continued for further improvements. Full article

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11 pages, 931 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oilseed Rape, Wheat, and Barley Grain Contamination as Affected by Different Glyphosate Usage

by Gražina Kadžienė, Simona Pranaitienė, Ona Auškalnienė, Agnė Veršulienė, Skaidrė Supronienė, Renata Žvirdauskienė, Viktorija Gecaitė, Jurgita Cesevičienė and Roma Semaškienė

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061335 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2627

Abstract

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides, but is still in the spotlight due to its controversial impact on the environment and human health. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different glyphosate usages on harvested [...] Read more.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides, but is still in the spotlight due to its controversial impact on the environment and human health. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different glyphosate usages on harvested grain/seed contamination. Two field experiments of different glyphosate usage were carried out in Central Lithuania during 2015–2021. The first experiment was a pre-harvest application, with two timings, the first according to the label (14–10 days), and the other applied 4–2 days before harvest (off-label), performed in winter wheat and spring barley in 2015 and 2016. The second experiment consisted of glyphosate applications at label rate (1.44 kg ha⁻¹) and double dose rate (2.88 kg ha⁻¹) at two application timings (pre-emergence of crop and at pre-harvest), conducted in spring wheat and spring oilseed rape in 2019–2021. The results suggest that pre-emergence application at both dose rates did not affect the harvested spring wheat grain or spring oilseed rape seeds—no residues were found. The use of glyphosate at pre-harvest, despite the dosage and application timing, led to glyphosate’s, as well as its metabolite, aminomethosphonic acid’s, occurrence in grain/seeds, but the amounts did not reach the maximum residue levels according to Regulation (EC) No. 293/2013. The grain storage test showed that glyphosate residues remain in grain/seeds at steady concentrations for longer than one year. A one year study of glyphosate distribution within main and secondary products showed that glyphosate residues were mainly concentrated in wheat bran and oilseed rape meal, while no residues found in cold-pressed oil and wheat white flour, when glyphosate used at pre-harvest at the label rate. Full article

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15 pages, 2371 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biochar with Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer Reduces Direct Greenhouse Gas Emission Flux from Soil

by Muhammad Ayaz, Dalia Feizienė, Vita Tilvikienė, Virginijus Feiza, Edita Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė and Sana Ullah

Plants 2023, 12(5), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051002 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3187

Abstract

Agricultural waste can have a catastrophic impact on climate change, as it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if not managed sustainably. Swine-digestate-manure-derived biochar may be one sustainable way to manage waste and tackle GHG emissions in temperate climatic conditions. The purpose [...] Read more.

Agricultural waste can have a catastrophic impact on climate change, as it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if not managed sustainably. Swine-digestate-manure-derived biochar may be one sustainable way to manage waste and tackle GHG emissions in temperate climatic conditions. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how such biochar could be used to reduce soil GHG emissions. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pea crops in 2020 and 2021, respectively, were treated with 25 t ha⁻¹ of swine-digestate-manure-derived biochar (B₁) and 120 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁) and 160 kg ha⁻¹ (N₂) of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate). Biochar with or without nitrogen fertilizer substantially lowered GHG emissions compared to the control treatment (without any treatment) or treatments without biochar application. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and methane (CH₄) emissions were directly measured using static chamber technology. Cumulative emissions and global warming potential (GWP) followed the same trend and were significantly lowered in biochar-treated soils. The influences of soil and environmental parameters on GHG emissions were, therefore, investigated. A positive correlation was found between both moisture and temperature and GHG emissions. Thus, biochar made from swine digestate manure may be an effective organic amendment to reduce GHG emissions and address climate change challenges. Full article

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