Farm Managers in the Swiss Canton of Solothurn Take Effective Measures to Build up Humus
An eight-year project is helping farmers in the canton of Solothurn to maintain and increase the fertility of their arable land by building up humus.
Archive
772 posts
Carryover Effects of Yield Regulation Practices on Grape Nitrogen Composition
A study conducted on Chasselas vines in Switzerland shows the effects of yield regulation practices on grape ripening and nitrogen composition and suggests a two-year approach for optimising quality and sustainability.
Suppressing Broad-leaved Dock by Combining Root-boring Larvae and Plant Competition
The combination of competition by forage plants and herbivory by native root-boring moth larvae can significantly reduce the growth of small broad-leaved dock plants in permanent grasslands.
Flavescence Dorée: Sizeable Reservoirs of the Disease around Vineyards
A formidable disease of grapevine, flavescence dorée continues to spread in Switzerland. The most recent knowledge acquired in Ticino allows us to better understand the role played in the risk of infection by gone-wild grapevines in woodlands around vineyards.
Survey of the Nitrogen Nutrition of Chasselas and Petite Arvine Musts in the Valais
A survey conducted by the Experimental Station for Viticulture and Oenology has furthered our understanding of nitrogen nutrition management practices in the vineyard and wine cellar for the Chasselas and Petite Arvine grape varieties in the Valais, highlighting potential avenues for improvement. In 2023, a questionnaire was sent to the producers of the Vitival network…
Yield, Quality and Stability: Wheat Variety Mixtures Have Potential
A study conducted by Agroscope in collaboration with IP-Suisse, DSP and FFB-Group shows that wheat variety mixtures generally perform better and are more stable than varieties grown in pure stands. Recommendations are made for practical applications.
Precise herbage biomass estimation on pastures using a UAV-based model
A new model for predicting herbage biomass in pastures uses UAV-based image data and machine learning. The method promises greater accuracy and flexibility compared to conventional measurement methods.
Weed Flora in Wheat, Barley and Oilseed Rape with Reduced Herbicide Use
In the PestiRed project, farmers test agroecological measures for reducing the use of chemical plant-protection products. Agroscope identified and characterised the weed flora of wheat, barley and oilseed rape.
Westerwold Ryegrass: Three New Recommendations and One Candidate for the Variety List
Fast-growing Westerwold ryegrass delivers valuable high yields on annual temporary leys and in forage intercropping. Based on the most recent variety trials, Agroscope can now recommend three new multi-cut varieties and earmark a single-cut variety for recommendation.
Reducing Tillage and Herbicide Use: Can Weed-Induced Crop Yield Losses Be Limited?
Integrated weed management with reduced tillage and reduced herbicide inputs can successfully control weeds in wheat and prevent yield loss.
Timothy and Meadow Fescue: One New Recommendation, One New Candidate
Timothy and meadow fescue are key components of high-performance mixtures for forage production. Agroscope can now recommend one new variety of timothy and earmark a meadow fescue for recommendation based on variety tests conducted from 2021 to 2023.
What is Typical Spelt and How Do We Distinguish it From Modern Wheat-Spelt Intercrosses in Switzerland?
Spelt (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta) is in increasing demand from consumers and bakeries. Linking phenotypic traits to the underlying genetic information of each variety helps us to better categorise the spelt varieties in Switzerland.
Three New Berseem and Persian Clover Cultivars
Berseem and Persian clover are grown mainly as a catch crop in Switzerland. Three new cultivars from the latest Agroscope trials are to be added to the List of Recommended Varieties of Forage Crops.
Development Opportunities for Swiss Sparkling Wines
Global wine sales have been falling for several years and the Swiss market has not been bucking this trend. Nevertheless, the growing consumption of sparkling wines in Switzerland and the interest in local products are creating new prospects for leveraging wine production.
Root Exudates: A Means of Communication and Interaction between Plants
Plants release root exudates – compounds that influence the growth of their neighbours – into the soil. Understanding this mechanism allows us to devise new approaches for biological weed control.
Blanchier: Ancient Variety Rediscovered in Vineyards in Valais
Although fairly widespread in the vineyards of Valais in the 19th century, Blanchier seemed to have disappeared. Now the grape variety was rediscovered in several locations.
Performance of Endangered Heritage Grape Varieties in the Vineyards of Valais
Twelve heritage grape varieties grown in Valais and at risk of extinction have been added to Agroscope’s grape varieties collection and studied. This action is linked to the National Action Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources.
Catch Crops for Feed Production in Drought Conditions
Are drought-tolerant catch crops a good source of feed? A trial conducted by Agroscope shows that their potential is limited. Combining certain of these catch crops with legumes can improve feed quality, including in the form of silage.
Effects of a Zeolite-based Foliar Biostimulant on Winter Wheat and Maize
Foliar applications of a zeolite-based biostimulant improved the yield as well as the export of nitrogen of winter wheat and maize. This represents an option for improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing losses.
Can Effective Microorganisms Influence Green-Manure Decomposition?
Although effective microorganisms (EM) are frequently used to shallowly incorporate green manures (cover crops) in the field, almost no scientific research has been conducted on them to date. This study simulated the decomposition of green manures with EM in the laboratory.
Festuca apennina – a Future for the ‘Ryegrass of Alpine Pastures’?
Widespread in the Swiss alpine region, Festuca apennina could serve as a fodder plant for higher elevations. It also forms vigorous hybrids with meadow fescue and ryegrass. Does this make it suitable for improvement by breeding?
Curative Control of Wireworms (Agriotes spp.) in Potatoes
When wireworm damage to potato tubers is excessive the crop ceases to be marketable. Various control options were explored in an effort to remedy the problem.
New Syrah Clones Selected at Agroscope
A survey conducted in a Syrah population originating in Northern Côtes du Rhône (France) resulted in the selection of three new Syrah clones with highly promising characteristics, distributed by the Swiss certification sector.
Leaf Canopy Management in Viticulture: Timing of the First Hedge Trimming
Delaying the timing of the first hedge trimming is of limited technical value in vineyard canopy management. Its impact on lateral shoot growth and must composition is minimal.
Co-formulants in Plant Protection Products and their Residues in Food
Plant protection products contain active substances and co-formulants. Agroscope studied the residues of co-formulants on treated plants for the first time, thereby furnishing the basis for assessing risks posed to consumers.
Impact of foliar nitrogen supplementation on Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines
The effectiveness of an application of foliar nitrogen at veraison depends on the initial level of vine nitrogen deficiency, an Agroscope study has shown. The threshold levels of assimilable nitrogen deficiency in the grape must are validated for Chardonnay but still need to be confirmed for Sauvignon Blanc.
The Many Uses of the ‘Most Beautiful’ Yeast, Metschikowia pulcherrima
Metschnikowia pulcherrima is a naturally occurring yeast with applications in agriculture, the food industry and biotechnology. Agroscope is investigating this yeast in particular with regard to biocontrol applications in plant protection.
Impact of Soil Management Methods in Vineyards
Soil management lies at the heart of major global warming and sustainable viticulture issues. In this context, inter-row plant cover in vineyards comes with its share of benefits and drawbacks.
Safeguarding the Genetic Diversity of Arvine
A programme has been launched for safeguarding the genetic diversity of Arvine, a grape variety formerly cultivated in Valais. Directed selection would make it possible to exploit this variety's biodiversity and to meet the ecological and economic challenges of the future.
Controlling Root Knot Nematodes: a New Screening Test Identifies Bacterial Antagonists
The root knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita causes damage in field and greenhouse crops. Agroscope researchers have developed a new screening test to identify bacteria that antagonise this agricultural pest.
