English Summary AGRO 11-12/2003

English Summary AGRO 11-12/2003

AGRO and Czech Agriculture will surely do well in Europe

In connection with our admission to the European Union our magazine, too, is trying to establish contacts with foreign countries so that we may also bring you important up-to-date information from other countries that are interesting from the point of view of agriculture. One of our latest achievements is the invitation of the AGRO monthly to the prestigious association of agricultural mediae of countries of Central and South-East Europe known as the Club of Agro Communicators (CAC), which has been established by the BASF AG company.

Protection against pests in storage areas

In spite of the fact that harvest was „dry“ this ear, and harvesting of grains of maize was also carried out under favourable conditions, not even this year should we underestimate the occurrence of pests in stored cereals and other vegetal products. Some thermophilic pests may even go through a winter with steady frosts without harm if we create suitable conditions for this.

Invasive weeds (10): Ambrosia artemisifolia allergenic plant

Ambrosia artemisifolia grows on the territory of this country more plentifully only since the second half of the 20th century. For the time being, this plants occurrence is limited in particular to the railway, to ports on the Labe river and to processing plants, where it is being spread with transport. Not only in southward areas of Europe, but already in Slovakia as well, it is a significant field weed. What we are already experiencing at present are this plant pollens intense allergenic effects.

Articum around our fields (2)

Burdock prefers fertile humic soils of clayey to sandy-clayey type, alkaline from the point of view of pH, and often limy. It does well at sites excessively fertilized with manure (in particular with semi-liquid manure and dung-water). The plant not only does withstand high content of some nutriments, in particular of nitrogen, but it also needs it. The requirements mentioned are particularly met at pastures or at places where wild animals stay. In this respect, this is a case of a typically ruderal plant.

The path of Bolboschoenus maritimus from marshland to arable land

The composition of weed species on arable land has been changing constantly. Some weed plants have stepped back from fields, other weed plants have accommodated to new conditions, and some of them have adapted, and, from the land out-of-cultivation, they broke into fields as well. These changes are not caused by one sole factor, but, to the contrary, by action of a number of influences, such as climatic changes, cropping technologies and composition of field crops. However, utilization of herbicides has become one of the most important factors of changes in the species spectrum of weed species on the arable land.

Rust of onion

At present, the term rust gains ground in the field of plant diseases caused by rust fungi, that is by fungi of the order of Uredinales. In spite of the fact that there exist more than four thousand species of rust fungi in more than one hundred genera, with respect to vegetables, this group of fungi is relatively rare. Apart of rust of onion, which we will mention a bit in detail, in our conditions we are familiar with rust of asparagus, bean, peas, etc.

Protection of forest wood species and woody ornamentals against fungal plant diseases

We usually assess harmful factors which do harm both to forest wood species and woody ornamentals within the framework of their individual categories, that is both as factors of abiotic origin (climate, weather, site, soil, nutrients etc.) and as factors of biotic origin, which represents various harmful animal and fungal organisms as well as other causes of infectious diseases of woody species, including the influences of man, both of anthropic and anthropogenic kinds.

New opportunities, not only for organic farming

In recent years, consumers of foodstuffs (that is all of us) are bothered about the risk connected with high consumption of synthetic insecticides in agricultural production. Apart from the risk of origination of populations of pests and pathogens resistant to active components, the inevitable necessity of using plant protection formulations in agrarian practice also causes the risk of penetration of toxic residues in the food chain, which can cause numerous civilizational diseases, such as allergies, hypersensitiveness or even cancer.

Utilization of pond sediments on farm land

As a consequence of the action of natural forces and of the action of man in the country, there occurs erosion and transportation of soil particles into the hydrographic system, and sedimentation of these particles in watercourses and ponds. The sedimentation process has noticeably intensified in last decades as a consequence of often unbalanced agricultural activities in river basins. In areas where crops are grown, erosion usually predominates over soil creation. Material disengaged by erosion is usually of a more lightweight kind, is richer in clayey and organic components, and as a consequence, it also has better binding capabilities.

Hybrids of maize registered in 2003

172 hybrids of 26 breeding companies are in the cultivar registration proceedings. This figure includes 77 new hybrids whose registration proceedings were started in 2003. On the basis of results of registration tests, 21 maize hybrids were registered in 2003. To the date of publication of this contribution, 169 maize hybrids in total were recorded in the State register of cultivars. This figure is relatively high in comparison with other field crops. However, it reflects the particularity of maize: more directions in utilization, and, as well, a high number of producers of cultivars and seeds from abroad, who show a long-term interest in the Czech market.

Innovations in the range of potato cultivars

At present, 116 potato cultivars are registered. Within this range, the producer can choose cultivars with very high yields and quality from both domestic and European production, with respect to the customers requirements. In the three-year registration tests, the cultivar is tested in conditions of the Czech Republic, and on the basis of results of these tests, the cultivar is registered, and a description of the cultivar is drawn up. When choosing the cultivar, the producer has the opportunity to acquaint himself with the results of the tests and, in this manner, to choose the most suitable cultivar for his production intention.

How to intervene against Cercospora Beticola more reliably in the next year?

The choice of a cultivar is an important factor. With a more tolerant cultivar, the second wave of the disease development comes approximately a week later than with the susceptible one, in dependence on conditions. With respect to this point it is necessary to emhasize that, even if the growth of the susceptible cultivar shows a very weak attack, or even no attack three weeks after the treatment, particularly after the period of summer heats with subsequent torrential rains, rapid, or even dramatic change in the state of health occurs as early as in the fourth week after the first treatment.

Speed, dynamics and peak technologies

The trimaran type boat known as Bayer CropScience sails the stormy seas safely owing to its three hulls. So, this image has been selected by this companys managers as a safe vision of their company management. Like the trimaran, which has three hulls, the Bayer CropScience company has three pillars.

Is it necessary to change the view of winter crop fertilization?

The last season prepared us many a surprise. The yields of winter cereals and rape have fallen below the usual level in this years harvest. In most cases, the main cause was adverse climatic conditions. That is why many farmers ask whether it is necessary to think about changes in the system of providing nutrients for this crops, and adapt to the ever changing conditions for their planting.

Looking back at the field day at the Testing station in Kluky

On 18 June 2003 a field day was held at the ORIN spol. sr.o. (ltd) companys Testing station. This field day was the seventh in a row. It is becoming a tradition, particularly for agronomists and representatives of agrarian practice from the region of South Bohemia. In spite of the fact that the weather was not very favourable, and the visitors were out in a rain for a part of the day, the number of participants exceeded 150. After the reception of visitors by the company director, Mr Aleš Petřík, 8 stands could be seen. At each stand one expert was at disposal, who informed about given problems.

growths of grass water regime indicators

Growths of grass are mixed associations consisting of four agrobotanical families, that is grasses, other monocotyledonous species, leguminous species and other dicotyledonous species. The composition of species is a relatively reliable indicator of the level of individual environmental factors. The number of species in growths of grass depends on the site conditions, among which, apart from other factors, water regime of the soil is important.

The future of genetically modified plants in this country

If we study the constant increase in the area seeded with genetically modified plants (GMP), it certainly occurs to us and what about this country? When searching for an answer, we must take into account several factors that precondition the future prospects. If we limit the considerations about motivation to rational factors, then we must exclude the market, because market includes a considerable share of irrationality. Then, predominantly agricultural motivations remain . Maybe the most important factors are occurrence of pests and cost reduction.

The Green Planet and diversity of species - biodiversity

The Earth is often referred to as the Blue Planet. I do not know where this name comes from. It may be caused by the bluish colour of oceans which predominate on the surface of the Earth. Or the Earth appears bluish to cosmonauts when they see it from several-hundred-kilometre elevations. I suppose that there is a much more significant name for the Earth the Green Planet. Undoubtedly, this is how most of us, ordinary people living on the surface of continents watching the nearest structures, perceive the Earth's surface.

Utilization of the cleaner production methodology in sustainable agriculture

Progress in technology end economic relations brought about a great shift in the intensification of agriculture in Europe in the course of last 40 years. Considerable part of this is the outcome of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The policy of subsidies supported intensive farming using large doses of fertilizers and chemical formulations. Consequences of this are considerable environmental impacts on the country.

Distorted interpretation of results

More and more frequently, not only representatives of manufacturing or distributing firms are the authors of expert essays, but also, from time to time, people who are indeed not direct representatives of firms, but they are connected with these firms somehow. Then, it is logical that we cannot always expect only absolutely objective information from experts like this, although they are mostly real experts. It is not as if they used falsehoods or even lies, undoubtedly not. They only know very well what to put sufficient emphasis on, and what to pass over in silence tactically.

To fields with new details

Amazone is one of the leading companies on the market with sprayers. In order that the company may still come with innovations, the redesigned Nova series is being launched now. We have tested the UG 3000 Nova type with a spraying width of 24 m. For nearly ten years the Amazone company has been manufacturing trailer sprayers. Right at the beginning, these machines could rely on a really good start, although we had to complain about some imperfections in details then. Now, after taking over the BBG company in Leipzig in 1998, Amazone has, together with the SNova series, the second range of trailer sprayers in its programme.