Archive
85 posts
Testing silage additives 2000
In 2000, we tested the efficacy of the two silage additives Naturasil (concentrate) and Topsilage. Both products are containing lactic acid bacteria meant to promote the main fermentation in silages. The trials were carried out in small-scale silos with a mixture of lucerne and cocksfoot. Forage of the first and also of the second cut…
Skim milk powder and yellow mustard-meal treatment: Alternatives to the chemical seed-dressing for the control of common bunt in wheat
In 5-year field trials, the incidence of common bunt (Tilletia caries) in winter wheat was strongly reduced by a seed treatment with skim milk powder: on the average untreated seeds had 52 and treated seeds 3 diseased ears per m2. In 2-year field trials Tillecur (84.8 % yellow mustard-powder) was a very effectiv means of…
71 varieties of perennial ryegrass tested
In the years 1998 until 2000 the two research stations Zürich-Reckenholz and Nyon-Changins tested 71 varieties of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under our growth conditions. Considerable progress was observed in agronomically relevant properties like competing ability, persistence and resistance to bacterial cancor and rust.<br><br>-Early to intermediate varieties: Aruga, Aberkite, Arvella, Lipresso, Marmota and Salamandra<br><br>-Intermediate…
Field screening of copper free fungicides against potato late blight
In 2002 copper fungicides will be banned in countries of the European Union. In organic production copper is actually the only efficient fungicide to control late blight in potatoes. In a field screening we tested the efficacy of 26 different products, that could substitute copper. In field trials with micro-plots of 4m2 the two cultivars…
Caution on wet soils: trafficking can cause persistent subsidences!
The revised Federal Act on Environment Protection prescribes soil protection from physical damage, such as compaction. However, practical implementation of physical soil protection provokes conflicts, particularly for agriculture where efficient, but heavy, machinery is used for the sake of economic management. Soil compaction is caused by irreversible compression and shearing, i.e. plastic deformation. This contribution…
New reference values regarding the intake of nutritive substances represent a chance for the agriculture and dairy industry
In the year 2000, new reference values for the intake of nutritive substances were published in the German speaking countries. These values differ from previous recommendations, for the German population, for example, in a higher intake of folic acid, vitamin C and calcium. In order to comply with these recommendations, the consumers should attach more…
The influence of three different farming systems on the earthworm populations at Burgrain
Between 1997 – 1999, earthworm populations were investigated in a six years’ crop rotation with three different farming systems at Burgrain. The biomass was mainly influenced by the crop specific cultivation method. Especially negative for anectic groups of species were ploughing in autumn before winter wheat and ploughing in spring before maize (periods of main…
Nutritive value of grassland plants: dry matter, crude protein and non-structural carbohydrates contents
Ten main grassland species were cultivated in pure stand in three experiments located at different altitude. During two years their chemical composition was regularly assessed from the beginning to the end of the growing period. The digestibility of the organic matter was also measured with different laboratory methods and in feeding trials with sheep. This…
Effects of dietary CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) in pigs
Dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) have been reported to profoundly affect lipid metabolism, to act as a repartitioning agent and to promote body weight gain. We resume in the present review experimental data assessed with pigs (sows, piglets, finishing pigs) fed either a CLA or sunflower oil fortified diet. The CLA source (59 g CLA/100g…
Effect of no-tillage on nutrient content and organic matter of the soi, Pratique du semis direct en grandes cultures: effets sur la structure du sol
In the long-term field trial “Oberacker” at Zollikofen (Switzerland) the content of organic matter and macro-nutrients in the soil was analysed to determine the effect of no-tillage without any soil disturbance and conventional tillage with mouldboard plough.The amount of nitrogen mineralised during the year was similar in both treatments. However, nitrogen mineralisation in spring was…
Economic efficiency of no-tillage
“In the long-term field trial “”Oberacker”” at Zollikofen (Switzerland) crop yields were measured to determine the effect of no-tillage without any soil disturbance and conventional tillage with mouldboard plough. A cost and profit analysis (full cost accounting) was carried out with the data in order to analyse farm economy of the changeover from a conventional…
Effect of no-tillage on yields (1995 – 1999)
“In the long-term field trial “”Oberacker”” at Zollikofen (Switzerland) crop yields were measured to determine the effect of no-tillage without any soil disturbance and conventional tillage with mouldboard plough. The collected data of the first five years of trial with the field crops winter wheat, winter barley, silage corn, sugarbeets, and potatoes were compared. Whereas…
Evaluation of ecological measures: phosphorus losses due to soil erosion
Within the scope of the evaluation of ecological measures, a case study was carried out in the region of Frienisberg in the canton of Berne in order to determine the relationship between ecological measures taken in agriculture and the phosphorus load in the waters stemming from soil erosion. According to model calculations, in the period…
Evaluation of ecological mesures: phosphorus losses by surface runoff
The effect of ecological measures in agriculture on the phosphorus contamination of waters caused in particular by surface runoff was investigated in the catchment area of the Lippenruti Brook in the canton of Lucerne. Within the scope of this investigation spanning 270 different fields, site, cultivation and dung spreading factors were examined and placed in…
