Archive

Suter D., Frick R. and Hirschi H.

Italian ryegrass is a high-yielding meadow grass that is often used in clover-grass mixtures. Out of a total of 52 varieties tested by Agroscope, two new frontrunners scored top marks for nearly all traits.

Agroscope

Plant production 07.04.21

Hoffet F., Blackford M., Burdet F., Steinemann B. and Mackie-Haas K.

Consumer acceptance plays a key role in the introduction of new grape varieties. An Agridea consumer survey reveals a great openness to fungus-tolerant varieties that lend themselves to particularly environmentally friendly cultivation methods.

Agridea, Agroscope, FiBL, University of Applied Sciences Changins, Centre for Viticulture Wädenswil

Plant production 25.02.21

Sperling P., Rauch M. and Ramseier H.

BFH-HAFL investigated three non-hardy green-manure mixtures and their effect on organic maize: A legume-rich green manure showed very high nitrogen enrichment and a positive effect on the early juvenile development of maize.

BFH-HAFL

Plant production 04.02.21

Brunner S., Romeis J., Patocchi A. and Peter R.

A secured field on Agroscope’s Reckenholz site enables field research with genetically modified (GM) plants. In addition to research results, it provides findings on how GM plants might be handled in agriculture, as well as offering the public a window into this research.

Agroscope

Plant production 03.02.21

Drakopoulos D., Gimeno A., Kägi A., Jenny E., Bänziger I., Musa T., Forrer H. R. and Vogelgsang S.

Fungal toxins in wheat endanger the health of humans and animals. Agroscope investigated three cropping systems under reduced tillage to improve the quality and yield of wheat harvests using alternative crop protection strategies.

Agroscope

Plant production 21.01.21

Wüpper D., Roleff N., Finger R.

Fruit and wine producers who receive information from the public sector are more likely to use preventive measures such as nets or hygiene measures to combat spotted-wing drosophila. Producers advised by private firms that sell plant-protection products are more likely to use synthetic insecticides.

ETH Zurich

Plant production 12.01.21

Buzzi F., Hiltbrunner J., Holzkämper A. and Calanca P.

Maize is one of the most important crops in Switzerland. Variety selection and site adaptation play a crucial role in maize cultivation in a changing climate. Heat-supply maps created by Agroscope help in the choice of suitable varieties.

Agroscope

Plant production 06.11.20

R. Frick, D. Suter, E. Dereuder and H. Hirschi

Tall fescue is valued as a high-yielding, robust forage grass. For ley farming, fine-leaved, nutritious varieties which are well-liked by livestock are in demand. Agroscope’s most recent variety test has yielded two new top varieties.

Agroscope

Plant production 28.10.20

Bétrix C.-A., Schumpp O., Schori A., Brodard J., Dubuis N., De Groote J.-C., Bussereau F.

Despite its focus on other, higher-priority criteria, the soybean breeding programme in Switzerland has yielded varieties that are tolerant of soybean mosaic virus (SMV) – the most serious of the viral diseases.

Agroscope

Plant production 08.10.20

Visse-Mansiaux M., Tallant M., Curty F., Schwärzel R., Brostaux Y. and Dupuis B.

Chlorpropham (CIPC), the main sprout suppressant used when storing commercial potatoes, is now prohibited in Switzerland. Agroscope tested alternative substances in order to guarantee the production of indigenous chips and crisps.

Agroscope, fenaco, Université de Liège

Plant production 11.08.20

Suter D., Frick R., Hirschi H.

White Clover is an important element of intensively used meadows and pastures. Of the 19 varieties tested by Agroscope, two new top varieties came out clear winners for nearly all traits.

Agroscope

Plant production 09.06.20

Suter D., Frick R., Hirschi H.

Good varieties of smooth-stalked meadowgrass are few in number. The positive results of the variety-testing programme give reason to hope that two new cultivars will soon be added to the range of top varieties.

Agroscope

Plant production 04.06.20

Groher T., Heitkämper K. and Umstätter C.

Digital technologies are fixed features of modern agriculture – but to what extent are they already being used in Switzerland? A survey conducted by Agroscope provides answers to this question. Digital technologies reduce the physical workload of farming and contribute to sustainable field management. They also enable optimised management decisions based on plant- or soil-related…

Agroscope

Animal production 04.06.20

T. Groher, K. Heitkämper, C. Umstätter

Digital technologies represent an opportunity for the modern management of farms. For this, already available technologies must also be utilised in practice. An Agroscope survey illustrates the status quo of technology use.

Agroscope

Plant production 18.05.20

Christian Linder, Johannes Rösti, Fabrice Lorenzini, Pascale Deneulin, René Badertscher and Patrik Kehrli

Kaolin was tested in viticulture to control the dreaded pest Drosophila suzukii. The trials showed that this natural product has a comparable efficacy to conventional insecticides without any adverse effect on wine quality.

Agroscope

Environment 11.05.20

Zemek O., Neuweiler R., Richner W., Liebisch F. and Spiess E.

The risk of nitrate leaching is higher in field vegetable production than in arable crops or grassland. Different species of vegetables have different leaching potentials, which can be reduced through appropriate management.

Agroscope

Plant production 30.01.20

Breitenmoser S., Steinger Th., Hiltpold I., Grosjean Y., Nussbaum V., Bussereau F., Klötzli F., Widmer N. and Baux A.

Sowing oilseed rape with other plants reduces damage caused by adult flea beetle, according to a study conducted at Agroscope. This intercropping approach could limit reliance on insecticides and the emergence of resistant pests.

Agroscope

Plant production 21.01.20

Kempf K., Schubiger F.X., Tanner P. and Grieder Ch.

Adapted, productive grass cultivars are crucial for Swiss forage production. Over the past 30 years, the most important grass species – perennial ryegrass – has been substantially improved by breeding.

Agroscope

Plant production 2019

Suter D., Hirschi H., Frick R.

From 2016 to 2018 inclusive, Agroscope tested 54 varieties of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) at six locations. Of these, 25 were new varieties and 29 were already-recommended varieties that were being retested. Yield, vigour, juvenile development, resistance to leaf diseases and anthracnose, winter-hardiness and persistence were all evaluated. For the persistent “mattenklee” type, the…

Plant production 2019

Gugerli F., Moretti M., Graf R., Maier M., Corrado C., Collatz J., Trivellone V.

Drosophila suzukii is an invasive species recently introduced in Europe and causing damages to fruit production. Trichopria drosophilae is considered one of the most suitable indigenous parasitoid to be used in biocontrol programs against D. suzukii. To characterize genetic variability and the spatial genetic structure of populations of T. drosophilae, we developed 21 species-specific molecular…

Plant production 2019

Kay S., Jäger M., Herzog F.

The Swiss Federal Government’s agricultural policy aims inter alia to provide agricultural ecosystem services, reduce environmental impacts, and increase the resilience of the agricultural sector. Combining the cultivation of trees with crops or grass – termed «agroforestry » – can contribute to achieving these goals without substantially limiting agricultural production. We identified the regions where…

Plant production 2019

Frick R., Suter D., Hirschi H.

From 2016 to 2018, Agroscope tested a total of 23 varieties of meadow fescue, including 16 new varieties, in comparative variety trials at six locations. The varieties were assessed on the basis of systematic examinations and observations of forage yield, vigour, juvenile development, competitive ability, persistence, tolerance to winter influences, resistance to leaf diseases, digestibility…

Plant production 2019

Strahm S., Füglistaller D., Lädrach Ch., Enggist A., Thuet, A., Luginbühl C., Ramseier H., Hiltbrunner J.

Interest in buckwheat production has been growing for several years now in Switzerland. Previously, this field crop had almost completely been forgotten. Since it is not related to other arable crops, buckwheat is ideal for breaking up crop rotations. It is also interesting from a nutritional point of view, as it contains zinc and selenium,…

Plant production 2019

Wyss U., Enggist A., Brugger D.

Growing a mixture of silage maize and runner beans could be an alternative to conventional silage-maize cultivation. The beans use the maize plants as a support, and are expected to increase the protein content of the maize silage. The question, though, is how yield and content of other substances change when the two crops are…

Plant production 2019

Baux A., Schumacher P.

The practice of sowing companion crops (or «service plants») in among oilseed rape began to get off the ground in Switzerland several years ago. Certain farmers see companion cropping as an innovative technique allowing them to cut back on the use of plant-protection products, and in particular enabling them to forgo the use of herbicides,…

Plant production 2019

Aubry S., Eigenmann Ch.

A comprehensive stewardship of genetic resources is necessary to insure a resilient and sustainable agriculture. Most of our food comes from a handful of domesticated species which diversity is constantly shrinking. On the contrary, modern genomics keep discovering the marvels of diversity contained in genetic resources for food and agriculture. High-throughput sequencing and related techniques…

Plant production 2019

Sinaj S., Jeangros B.

Preserving soil fertility is a major challenge for farms without livestock specialised in field crops. Several decades ago, several trials were set up at the Agroscope experimental station in Changins to study the long-term effects of different cultural practices on soil fertility and crop yields. This article summarises the main results obtained in these trials.…

Plant production 2019

Wyss U., Pradervand N.

Today, in addition to maize silages with a standard chop length of 5 to 10 mm, shredlage with a longer chop length (26 to 30 mm) and power maize with a higher proportion of cobs are also produced. At Agroscope, digestion experiments with sheep as well as fattening bull experiments were conducted comparing the use…

Plant production 2018

Frick R., Suter D., Hirschi H.

Between 2015 and 2017, Agroscope tested seven new varieties of xFestulolium braunii (K. Richter) A. Camus and four varieties of brome grass (Bromus spp.) for their agronomic properties in comparative trials at six locations. The characteristics studied were yield, juvenile development, general impression, competitive ability, persistence, resistance to leaf diseases and bacterial wilt, winter hardiness,…

Plant production 2018

Jeangros B., Sinaj S.

Grazing differs from mowing in its generally less homogeneous use of forage, and above all in its return of nutrients in the excreta of herbivores. The impact of the type of use (four grazings vs four cuts per year) on the phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) requirements of a grassland in the Swiss Jura was…

Swiss Ley Farming: Italian Ryegrasses ‘Maggyl’ and ‘Oryttus’ Set New Standards

Swiss Wine of the Future – What Expectations do Consumers Have?

Non-Hardy Green-Manure Mixtures in No-Till Organic Maize Cultivation

Protected Site: Seven Years of Field Research with Genetically Modified Plants

Fungal Toxins in Wheat: Innovative Cropping Systems Reduce Fusarium Mycotoxins

Public and Private Extension Influence Pest-Control Strategies

Maize Cultivation: Maps of Accumulated Temperatures Support the Choice of Varieties

Tall Fescue: Two Very Good New Cultivars Round Out the List of Recommended Varieties

Swiss Soybean Cultivars Are Able to Deal with Soybean Mosaic Virus

Potato Varieties for Chips and Crisps Stored without CIPC: A Major Challenge

White Clover at its Finest: the New Recommendations Calimero and RGT Gabby

Smooth-Stalked Meadowgrass Tested: Two New Top Varieties for Forage Production

How Digitised are Swiss Plant Production Farms?

Digital Technologies in Swiss Livestock Production

Kaolin – Effective against Drosophila Suzukii in Vineyards without Any Impact on Wines

Nitrate Leaching in Vegetable Production

Companion Planting in Oilseed Rape to Control Adult Flea Beetle

Higher Yielding, More Resistant Cultivars of Main Swiss Forage Grass

A closer look at red clover: results of the 2016–2018 variety testing

Genetic diversity of Trichopria drosophilae, a natural enemy of spotted wing drosophila

Protecting resources with agroforestry systems: regionally adapted solutions

Trials with meadow fescue: two new varieties recommended

Growing buckwheat in Switzerland: new varieties for an old niche crop

Mixed cultures for animal feed: maize/ runner bean mixture and phasin content

The growth of companion cropping in oilseed rape: feedback on the opinions of Swiss producers

New challenges to digitization of genetic resources for food and agriculture

Preserving the sustainability of field crop systems: overview of 50 years of trials in Changins

Maize silage quality produced by different harvest techniques

2015–2017 variety trials with xFestulolium braunii and brome grass

Impact of type of use on the phosphorus and potassium requirements of grassland in the Swiss Jura