Agricultural and Food Science

Comparison of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L) varieties grown in organic trials: lodging and plant height

Tomasz Lenartowicz — 2025-03-31

Lodging is one of the main factors influencing yield reduction in both organic and conventional systems. In the
organic system, lodging is mainly controlled by selecting varieties with increased resistance to lodging, by regulating
sowing density, or by cultivation of varieties of appropriate height. The present study aimed to compare ten varieties
tested in the years 2020–2022 in organic trials in terms of plant height and resistance to lodging in two growth
phases (milk and harvest). Depending on the analyzed trait, a linear or cumulative link linear mixed model was fitted
on plot data. The analyses showed that variety Farmer was the most resistant to lodging in the two growth phases,
whereas varieties KWS Vermont and Rubaszek were less resistant to lodging in two growth phases than Farmer,
but only at the milk phase, the differences were significant. Furthermore, Radek was the tallest among the tested
varieties, whereas Farmer was classified as mid-tall. According to Wricke’s ecovalence coefficient, Bente was the
most stable, while Farmer ranked third. Therefore, varieties that are the most resistant to lodging and are the most
stable in terms of height, should be promoted for cultivation.

Factors explaining the differences in the adoption of circular economy measures among farms in Southwest Finland

Antti Hynni — 2025-03-31

Transitioning to a circular economy is essential for addressing the inefficiencies and environmental impacts of traditional agricultural practices that rely on synthetic fertilizers and fossil resources. These conventional methods degrade soil, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and pollute waterways through nutrient runoff. A circular economy enhances sustainability by minimizing waste, optimizing resource use, and recycling nutrients. This study analyzes the adoption of circular economy practices among farms in Southwest Finland and identifies influencing factors. A survey distributed to farmers measured the extent of circular practices and the challenges faced. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression analyses evaluated how farm characteristics and farmer attitudes impact implementation. Results show a slow and variable transition among farms. About 50% of respondents have reduced mineral fertilizer use, although trading in byproducts and especially on-farm energy production from byproducts remains uncommon. Many farmers highlight insufficient policy support. The study concludes that policy interventions, training, and education are essential to accelerate adoption and stresses the importance of tailored, regional decision-making for effective policy development.

Comparison of the effects of bio-based and mineral fertiliser use on heavy metals dietary exposure in six European countries

María D. R. Domínguez Carrasco — 2025-03-31

This study compared the effects of using bio-based fertilisers (BBFs) of high (BBFH) or low (BBFL) metal content with conventional mineral superphosphate (SP) fertilisation on dietary exposure of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb), in Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, and Spain. We estimated changes in the metal content of the following crops: wheat, barley, oat, rye, potato, carrot, sunflower seed, and maize following 100-year scenarios of fertilization with the different products. To estimate changes in chronic dietary exposure to metals via food, we used available national data of food consumption and metal content in target crops. Our results showed low changes to current chronic dietary exposure after using BBFs. Exceedance of the maximum allowed levels of Cd and Pb in food (EU 2023/915) was more rare with low-Cd BBF than with SP mineral fertilizer. Only the BBFH slightly increased the dietary exposure to Cd, although similarly to SP. In conclusion, the studied BBFs did not increase dietary exposure to heavy metals, especially compared with the use of conventional SP mineral fertiliser.

The first recorded case of herbicide resistance in Estonia: common chickweed (Stellaria media) resistant to sulfonylureas

Silvia Pihu — 2025-03-31

Herbicide resistance has been insufficiently studied in the Baltic countries. Chickweed (Stellaria media), an adaptive and competitive annual weed, poses a significant agricultural threat due to its low and dense canopy. This study aimed to evaluate the level of resistance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors in chickweed populations in Estonia and identify potential mechanisms. In the initial dose-response experiment, a biotype from Järva County exhibited resistance to the ALS inhibitor tribenuron-methyl. Molecular analysis identified a mutation at position 574 in the ALS gene, where tryptophan was replaced by leucine. Testing of eight chickweed biotypes for resistance to tribenuron-methyl and the combination herbicide iodosulfuron + amidosulfuron found three resistant biotypes. The Järva County biotype was cross-resistant to sulfonylureas, while two others exhibited resistance only to iodosulfuron + amidosulfuron. The latter two biotypes lacked the ALS gene mutation, suggesting non-target-site resistance mechanisms, although these were not investigated further. These findings highlight the potential for widespread herbicide resistance in Estonia and emphasize the need for more comprehensive monitoring and research into resistance mechanisms.

Acknowledgement of referees

Tuula Puhakainen — 2025-03-31

Acknowledgement