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2
nd
 ISOFAR Scientific Conference - Cultivating the Future Based on Science
 1
Potential of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) as Fertilizer in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis L Jacq.) Nurseries
AdeOluwa, O. O.
1
 and Adeoye G. O. Key words: organic agriculture, oil palm seedlings, empty fruit bunch, cow dung, fertilizer
Abstract
Oil palm is one of the major oil crops in the world. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) could serve as an alternative and cheaper organic fertilizer in oil palm farms. This study investigated the value of composts of different forms of EFB for raising oil palm in the nursery. The experiment, which covered the pre-nursery (< 3 months) and nursery stages (3-13 months) used different EFB: cow dung ratios (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 and 60:40) as compost as well as cow dung only and mineral fertilizer (NPKMg 12-12-17-2). The composts were added to the soil at the rate of 4.8 g N /plant. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block with three replicates. Data were collected on dry weight, nutrient concentrations, and soil pH changes. Oil palm seedlings under the application of unsoaked oil palm EFB and cow dung (60:40) were significantly (p< 0.05) higher in dry weight (18.0 g / plant) than those from the mineral fertilizer and control treatments (15.7 and 10.5 g / plant respectively ) in the nursery stage. Composts of unsoaked EFB and cow dung (ratio 60:40) was more suitable for raising oil palm seedlings in the nursery than other treatments used.
1. Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, Corresponding author, Email: adeoluwaoo@yahoo.com
Effects of a feeding strategy to increase intramuscular fat content of pork under the conditions of organic farming
Abel, S.,
1
 Weissensteiner, R.,
2
 Marien, C.
1
 , Zollitsch
2
 , Sundrum, A.
1
Key words: feeding strategy, pork quality, intramuscular fat, on-farm research
Abstract
Eating quality of pork is to a high degree influenced by the intramuscular fat (IMF) content. In previous studies under standardized conditions the feeding strategy was identified as a main source of variation for the IMF content in pork. In this study the effect of the implementation of a specific feeding strategy using a high portion of home-grown grain legumes on the IMF content of pork, was assessed under different conditions on German and Austrian farms. Results showed that IMF content ranged on a comparably high level of about 2.2 %. In contradiction to previous results under standardized conditions the factor feeding had no significant influence on the IMF. The feeding effect was overlapped by heterogeneous conditions on the different farms. IMF content showed greater variation between the farms than between groups within each farm.
1. Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Animal Health, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany, abel@mail.wiz.uni-kassel.de, www.uni-kassel.de/agrar/tiereg2. Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, 1180 Wien, Austria, roswitha.weissensteiner@boku.ac.at, www.nas.boku.ac.at
Agroforestry systems and food security among smallholder farmers of the Brazilian Amazon: A strategy for environmental global crisis
1
Abreu, L.S. de
2
 , Watanabe, M. A.
3
Key words: Food security, agrobiodiversity, small farmers, deforestation, ethical values
Abstract
The Amazon is known for its environmental importance for the climatic equilibrium, for its abundance and richness in biodiversity and its preservation is important to reduce global heating. Nevertheless, little research has analysed the possible positive role of the local farm population for environmental conservation. The paper investigates the possibility to conciliate the environmental conservation with the small farming expansion in the Amazon, to build agrobiodiversity, and at the same time improve food security. This social practice consequently would contribute to the reduction of deforestation and could thus falsify the old diagnosis of incriminating the poor farmers for forest and soil destruction. The study was conducted by the Associação de Produtores Alternativos, localized in territory of Ouro Preto d’ Oeste, Rondônia, in the Southwest of the Amazon. The study documented a number of forest preservation and agroecological methods used and concludes that institutional support to strengthening of social organization and local sustainable development projects is fundamental for the consolidation and amplification of the ecological experiences in the Amazon.
1. This article is an integrant part of a research project results named “Percepções e representações sociais do meio ambiente e das práticas agroambientais em pólos pioneiros do Proambiente da Amazônia”, which belongs to Embrapa – Brazilian Agricultural Research Enterprise. 2. Embrapa Meio Ambiente, Caixa Postal 69, 13820-000 Jaguariúna, SP, Brazil. E-mail: lucimar@cnpma.embrapa.br3. As above
 
2
nd
 ISOFAR Scientific Conference - Cultivating the Future Based on Science
2
Biological profitability of maize inoculation
 
with selected rhizosphere micro organisms (
Pseudomonas fluorescens
 and
Glomus intraradices)
 under Water Deficit Stress
Aghaalikhani M.
1
 and Ehteshami S.M.R
2
Key Words: Maize,
Pseudomonas fluorescens
 ,
Glomus intraradices
 , Phosphorus, Water Deficit Stress
Abstract
This research focused on evaluating the usefulness of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus intraradices) and a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens) to maize growth under water deficit stress. Field experiment was conducted at Soil and water research institute, Karaj Station, Iran, during 2006 growing season. Biological positive effects of the micro organisms on plant growth, nutrient uptake, grain  yield and yield components in maize plants was recorded in the treatment receiving mixed inoculums of G. intraradices and P. fluorescens. Maize shoot P content, grain yield, yield components, harvest index, grain N and P, soil available P, root colonization percentage and water use efficiency increased significantly with the G. intraradices inoculation and P. fluorescens, alone or in combination under water deficit stress. The highest profitability was observed in the combined treatment of inoculation with G. intraradices and P. fluorescens, which synergistically increased plant growth compared with other treatments.
1. Assistant Professor of Crop Ecophysiology, Agronomy Department, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, P. O. Box: 14115-336, Tehran, Iran (maghaalikhani@modares.ac.ir)2. Assistant Professor of Crop Ecophysiology, Gilan University, Iran
Prolonged suckling period in organic piglet production – effects on selected immunological parameters
Ahrens, F.
1
 , Pollmüller, T.
2
 , Sünkel, Y.
3
 , Bussemas, R.
4
 , Weissmann, F.
5
 & Erhard, M. H.
6
Key words: Organic piglet production, prolonged suckling period, weaning age, immune system
Abstract
During weaning, piglets are under strain from the loss of their dam, the change in feed, and a new microbiological environment. How much this strain influences the piglets depends mostly on their immune system. Piglets from organic production are weaned later (at least 40 days) than piglets from conventional rearing, but the performance and health status of organic piglets are often not satisfying. Therefore, it was the aim to investigate whether a prolonged suckling period of 63 days results in better immune status of piglets than with weaning at day 42. To answer that question we vaccinated piglets at different times with a “known” (by vaccination of dam) and an “unknown” antigen and analysed the plasma for immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration and the antigen-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. Two farrowing cycles of 36 sows were recorded. Time of vaccination did not influence IgG concentration. In contrast, early weaned piglets showed a higher IgG concentration on day 49 than late weaned piglets. During the first farrowing cycle a significant immune response against both antigens was present in piglets vaccinated on day 42. Such a response was not found in piglets vaccinated on day 63 and in piglets of the second farrowing cycle. In conclusion, the results did not show an improved immune status of piglets undergoing a suckling period of 63 days.
1. Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene, and Animal Housing, Department of Veterinary Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Schwere-Reiter-Str. 9, 80637 Munich, Germany, E-Mail f.ahrens@lmu.de2. As Above3. As Above4. Institute of Organic Farming, Federal Agricultural Research Centre, Trenthorst, 23847 Westerau, Germany5. As Above6. Chair of Animal Welfare, Ethology, Animal Hygiene, and Animal Housing, Department of Veterinary Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Schwere-Reiter-Str. 9, 80637 Munich, Germany
 
2
nd
 ISOFAR Scientific Conference - Cultivating the Future Based on Science
 3
Options for improving soil fertility in the southern part of the Republic of Bénin: Where does Mucuna find its niche?
Akouègnon, G-E.
1
 , Hoffmann, V.
2
 & Schultze-Kraft, R.
3
Key words: legume adoption, soil fertility, ethno-economics, local knowledge, Bénin
Abstract
Empirical evidence has shown that small-scale farmers can use a non-food, green manure legume as soil-fertilising technology only if it provides immediate benefits other than soil fertility improvement. In the southern part of the Republic of Bénin, however, subsistence-oriented farmers chose Mucuna pruriens exclusively for soil fertility. In this they had the opportunity to select dual-purpose grain legumes for both soil fertility and food without season loss. The rationale behind this apparently irrational choice lies in the differentiated and economically sound land allocation to Mucuna and grain legumes.
1. Universität Hohenheim, Department of Agricultural Communication and Extension, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany. E-Mail: guyerick@uni-hohenheim.de2. As above. E-Mail: vohoff@uni-hohenheim.de3. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia, E-mail: r.schultzekraft@cgiar.org
Consumers’ Awareness, Demands and Preferences for Organic Vegetables: A Survey Study in Shiraz, Iran
Alizadeh, A.
1
 , Javanmardi, J.
2
 , Abdollazadeh, N.
3
 & Liaghat, Z.
4
Key words: organic vegetables, awareness, demand, preference
Abstract
Some Iranian vegetable producers use a lot of chemicals, but not in a safe way or at the optimum level. There are several reports about chemical residues in vegetables that have serious side effects on human health and the environment in that country. On other hand, many Iranian farmers traditionally use organic production practices, but organic cultivation in Iran is not in accordance with international regulations. Since vegetables are the most important category of organic products, and since the future of organic agriculture will largely depend on consumer demand, a survey of 470 respondents was performed in Shiraz regarding their level of awareness about organic vegetables, their tendency to consume of organic vegetables, the effect of proper appearance of vegetables on the tendency to purchase organic vegetables and the importance of the organic label and certification of organic vegetables. Results showed that about half of the respondents have knowledge of organic vegetables and that their tendency to consume organic vegetable is very high. The results also showed that proper appearance does not effect the tendency to purchase organic vegetables, and that almost all consumers prefer to purchase organic vegetables labelled as certfied. It is suggested that organic vegetable production be introduced and supported by the Iranian government
1. Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Email: ali.alizade57@gmail.com2. Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Email: jmljvn@yahoo.com3. Agricultural Economics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. Email: negar_ab@yahoo.com4. Eram Gol Company, #2, 14th Ave. Eram St., Shiraz, Iran. Email : za19781@yahoo.com
A comparison of energy use in organic and conventional agriculture in Spain
Alonso, A. M.
1
 , González, R., Foraster, L., Guzmán, G.I. & García, R.Key words: Organic Farming, Ecological Agriculture, Agroecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Energy Efficiency.
Abstract
The current situation of worldwide concern over the emission of greenhouse gases and its effect on the climate demands an evaluation, from the perspective of energy efficiency and more specifically of non-renewable energy sources, of tendencies for change in the management of agricultural systems that have arisen in recent years. This article uses energy balances to evaluate the contribution of organic agriculture to the increase in the energy efficiency of Spanish agriculture. The results show the higher nonrenewable energy efficiency (NREE) and the lower use of nonrenewable energy (NRE) in organic systems compared with conventional ones. Nevertheless, agricultural systems in general could still improve their energy efficiency.
1. Research and Training Centre for Organic Farming and Rural Development (CIFAED), Camino del Jau s/n, Apdo. 113, 18320 Santa Fe (Granada, Spain), E-Mail: Alonso@cifaed.es, Internet: www.cifaed.es

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