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Topical Collection "Selected Papers from Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry"

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A topical collection in Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This collection belongs to the section "Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants".

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Dr. Giedrė Samuolienė

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Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Horticulture, LT-54333 Babtai, Lithuania
Interests: photophysiology; physiology of plant productivity; metabolism; phytochemistry
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Dr. Gražina Kadžienė

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Collection Editor

Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Kedainiai, Lithuania
Interests: soil science; agricultural plant science; agrophysics

Dr. Darius Kviklys

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1. Department of Horticulture, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research–NIBIO Ullensvang, Ulensvangvegen 1005, NO-5781 Lofthus, Norway
2. Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Horticulture, Babtai, Lithuania
Interests: crop load management; fruit tree rootstocks; fruit quality; planting systems; pomology
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Dr. Neringa Rasiukeviciute

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Collection Editor

Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Horticulture, LT-54333 Babtai, Lithuania
Interests: horticultural plant diseases; plant protection; disease forecasting
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Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

In modern agriculture, in the context of a climate change, it is important to find solutions for obtaining high productivity for crops of proper quality, which are both safe for humans and, at the same time, not harmful to the environment. To achieve these goals, many aspects must be foreseen and evaluated.

The work carried out in the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC) is covering a broad spectrum of R&D in the fields of agronomy and forestry and the related fields of ecology and environmental sciences, biology, biophysics, botany, and micro and macro fauna. The results obtained in the Centre are of great importance for better understanding the future perspectives in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.

This Topical Collection will include publications on the recent research carried out in the LAMMC related to plant science.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Dr. Giedrė Samuolienė
Dr. Gražina Kadžienė
Dr. Darius Kviklys
Dr. Neringa Rasiukeviciute
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

plant physiology
plant nutrition
plant-soil interactions
plant genetics
genomics and biotechnology
plant protection
plant breeding
postharvest and processing

Published Papers (8 papers)

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2023

Open AccessReview

Adaptive Relationships in Hemi-Boreal Forests: Tree Species Responses to Competition, Stress, and Disturbance

Raimundas Petrokas

and

Michael Manton

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3256; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183256 - 13 Sep 2023

Viewed by 236

Abstract

European Union forest policy calls for closer-to-nature forest management, but natural disturbances and forest succession are ecological phenomena that are difficult to characterize and integrate into sustainable forest management practices. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the adaptive properties of Lithuania’s hemi-boreal forest ecosystems. To accomplish this, we first reviewed (i) the potential natural forest communities, (ii) the successional dynamics, and (iii) adaptive strategies of forest trees, and second, we synthesised the adaptive relationships using these three reviews. The results firstly identified that Lithuania’s potential natural forests are broadly divided into two climatically based zonal formations: (i) mesophytic and hygromesophytic coniferous and broadleaved forests and (ii) mesophytic deciduous broadleaved and coniferous-broadleaved forests. Secondly, the review of successional dynamics showed that each tree species can be categorised into various end communities and plant functional groups. Using the differences in tree establishment and phenological development modes we identified four forest dynamic types of tree adaptive strategies: stress-resistant ruderals, competitive stress-sensitive ruderals, ruderal stress-sensitive competitors, and stress-resistant competitors. Such functional redundancy leads to a variety of tree responses to competition, stress, and disturbance, which reduces the risk of loss of forest ecosystem functioning. Finally, the synthesised review on the adaptive relationships of each forest tree community shows both the niche position of each hemi-boreal forest tree species and how they should be managed in the organization of plant communities. We believe that this research can serve as a guide for future relevant research and the development of appropriate methods for sustainable forest management. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Organic Carbon, Nitrogen Accumulation and Nitrogen Leaching as Affected by Legume Crop Residues on Sandy Loam in the Eastern Baltic Region

Liudmila Tripolskaja

Asta Kazlauskaite-Jadzevice

and

Almantas Razukas

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2478; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132478 - 28 Jun 2023

Viewed by 474

Abstract

Legumes have a wide range of positive effects on soil properties, including nitrogen and carbon storage, soil structure and the phytosanitary condition of crops. From an agronomic point of view, legumes are most valued for their ability to take up atmospheric nitrogen in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of legume residues (peas, fodder beans, narrow-leaved lupins) on the N (N_total) and organic carbon (C_org) accumulation in soil and N leaching under temperate climate conditions. The experiment was carried out in lysimetric equipment in 2016–2023. The effect of legumes on C_org and N_total accumulation in soil and N leaching were studied in a Fabaceae–Cereals sequence. Three species of legumes—peas, fodder beans and narrow-leaved lupines—were tested; spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown as a control treatment. The lysimeter surface area was 1.75 m² and the experimental soil layer was 0.60 m (sand loam Haplic Luvisol). It was found that after harvesting, more residues were incorporated into the soil with lupines (p < 0.05), which, compared to pea and bean residues, increased N_total and C_org concentrations in the soil. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.95) between the N_total concentration in the soil and the N amount incorporated with residues. Mineral N released during residue decomposition was leached from the humic horizon under conditions of excess moisture in the autumn–winter period and increased the nitrate concentration in the lysimeter water. The increase in concentration was recorded within 5 to 6 months after the application of the residues. As a result, the N leaching losses increased on average by 24.7–33.2% (p < 0.05) during the year of legume cultivation. In the following year, after legume residue incorporation, the effect of residues on nitrate concentration and N leaching decreased and did not differ significantly from that of barley residues. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Nitrogen on the Yield Formation of Artemisia dubia Wall: Efficiency and Assessment of Energy Parameters

and

Plants 2023, 12(13), 2441; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132441 - 25 Jun 2023

Viewed by 424

Abstract

With the increasing importance of energy crops, research on potential energy crops is carried out to identify plant species with high productivity and energy value. The field experiment with the new promising energy crop, Artemisia dubia (wormwood), was executed at the Vėžaičiai Branch of the LAMMC. The soil site was naturally acidic Retisol (pH 4.2–4.4). The species was investigated as an energy crop through the evaluation of its biomass productivity and some energetical qualities. According to the three investigation years, DM yield significantly varied depending on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. The highest average DM yield was observed in 2020—10.58 t ha⁻¹. On average, the DM yield varied from 6.49 t ha⁻¹ (first cutting) to 11.82 t ha⁻¹ (third cutting). The DM yield was positively correlated with stem height and the mass of one stem. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) depended on the growing season, cutting time and nitrogen rate. Both N90 and N180 rates should be used for A. dubia fertilization. Energy growing analysis (including direct and indirect expenses) revealed that the highest share of energy expenses are due to indirect energy expenses (particularly nitrogen application). EUE (energy utilization efficiency) tends to decrease as a result of increasing nitrogen fertilization. Overall, A. dubia granules are characterized by a high calorific value. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Insecticide Application Timing for Broad Bean Weevil Control and Minimizing Crop Damage in Broad Bean (Vicia faba Linn.)

Mohammad Almogdad

Roma Semaškienė

and

Kęstutis Tamošiūnas

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1839; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091839 - 29 Apr 2023

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Abstract

During the growing seasons of 2018 to 2020, a field experiment in broad bean (Vicia faba L.) was conducted at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The objective of the study was to explore the effects of the timing of insecticide application on the abundance, damage, and control of the broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.). The experiment included four spray regimes and an untreated control. Yellow water traps were utilized to monitor the broad bean weevil from germination to senescence. Results indicate that broad bean weevil infestation occurred in all study years, with the highest density of adults observed during the flowering stage. Damage to seeds ranged from 23% to 59.62%. The data suggest that B. rufimanus infestation can result in a 19.1% reduction in seed yield. However, spraying when the daily temperature exceeded the threshold for adult activity for 3 days and at the end of flowering produced a significant increase in yield of 13.3% and 6.6%, respectively. Additionally, the spray at the end of flowering reduced damaged seeds by 21.4–48%. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Bruchus rufimanus Boh. Effect on Broad Bean Seed Quality and the Infection Level of Seed-Borne Fungal Pathogens

Mohammad Almogdad

Akvilė Jonavičienė

and

Roma Semaškienė

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091825 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 799

Abstract

Broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boh.) is considered an economically important insect pest of the broad bean crop. Its damage starts when larvae burrow into the seed and feed on endosperm or kill the embryo, thus the seed cannot germinate. The microbiological quality and consumer safety of broad bean may be compromised by holes. This study was performed during 2018–2020 to estimate the effect of seed damage by B. rufimanus on seed quality, germination rate and seedling growth, and on the incidence of seed-borne fungal pathogens. Broad bean seeds were collected and classified as damaged by B. rufimanus or non-damaged. There was a relationship between broad bean weevil damage and an increase in fungal contamination. Results showed that germination decreased from 97.2% for non-damaged seeds to 81.4% for the seeds with B. rufimanus damage. Seven fungal genera were identified: Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Mucor spp. and Botrytis spp. The most common fungal genus was Cladosporium spp. Our research shows that B. rufimanus negatively affects the germination of its host’s seeds and decreases the development of seedlings. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Predicting Maize Theoretical Methane Yield in Combination with Ground and UAV Remote Data Using Machine Learning

and

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091823 - 28 Apr 2023

Viewed by 636

Abstract

The accurate, timely, and non-destructive estimation of maize total-above ground biomass (TAB) and theoretical biochemical methane potential (TBMP) under different phenological stages is a substantial part of agricultural remote sensing. The assimilation of UAV and machine learning (ML) data may be successfully applied in predicting maize TAB and TBMP; however, in the Nordic-Baltic region, these technologies are not fully exploited. Therefore, in this study, during the maize growing period, we tracked unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based multispectral bands (blue, red, green, red edge, and infrared) at the main phenological stages. In the next step, we calculated UAV-based vegetation indices, which were combined with field measurements and different ML models, including generalized linear, random forest, as well as support vector machines. The results showed that the best ML predictions were obtained during the maize blister (R2)–Dough (R4) growth period when the prediction models managed to explain 88–95% of TAB and 88–97% TBMP variation. However, for the practical usage of farmers, the earliest suitable timing for adequate TAB and TBMP prediction in the Nordic-Baltic area is stage V7–V10. We conclude that UAV techniques in combination with ML models were successfully applied for maize TAB and TBMP estimation, but similar research should be continued for further improvements. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Oilseed Rape, Wheat, and Barley Grain Contamination as Affected by Different Glyphosate Usage

and

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061335 - 16 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1171

Abstract

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides, but is still in the spotlight due to its controversial impact on the environment and human health. The main purpose of this study was to explore the effects of different glyphosate usages on harvested grain/seed contamination. Two field experiments of different glyphosate usage were carried out in Central Lithuania during 2015–2021. The first experiment was a pre-harvest application, with two timings, the first according to the label (14–10 days), and the other applied 4–2 days before harvest (off-label), performed in winter wheat and spring barley in 2015 and 2016. The second experiment consisted of glyphosate applications at label rate (1.44 kg ha⁻¹) and double dose rate (2.88 kg ha⁻¹) at two application timings (pre-emergence of crop and at pre-harvest), conducted in spring wheat and spring oilseed rape in 2019–2021. The results suggest that pre-emergence application at both dose rates did not affect the harvested spring wheat grain or spring oilseed rape seeds—no residues were found. The use of glyphosate at pre-harvest, despite the dosage and application timing, led to glyphosate’s, as well as its metabolite, aminomethosphonic acid’s, occurrence in grain/seeds, but the amounts did not reach the maximum residue levels according to Regulation (EC) No. 293/2013. The grain storage test showed that glyphosate residues remain in grain/seeds at steady concentrations for longer than one year. A one year study of glyphosate distribution within main and secondary products showed that glyphosate residues were mainly concentrated in wheat bran and oilseed rape meal, while no residues found in cold-pressed oil and wheat white flour, when glyphosate used at pre-harvest at the label rate. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Biochar with Inorganic Nitrogen Fertilizer Reduces Direct Greenhouse Gas Emission Flux from Soil

Edita Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė

and

Sana Ullah

Plants 2023, 12(5), 1002; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12051002 - 22 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1532

Abstract

Agricultural waste can have a catastrophic impact on climate change, as it contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions if not managed sustainably. Swine-digestate-manure-derived biochar may be one sustainable way to manage waste and tackle GHG emissions in temperate climatic conditions. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how such biochar could be used to reduce soil GHG emissions. Spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and pea crops in 2020 and 2021, respectively, were treated with 25 t ha⁻¹ of swine-digestate-manure-derived biochar (B₁) and 120 kg ha⁻¹ (N₁) and 160 kg ha⁻¹ (N₂) of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer (ammonium nitrate). Biochar with or without nitrogen fertilizer substantially lowered GHG emissions compared to the control treatment (without any treatment) or treatments without biochar application. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and methane (CH₄) emissions were directly measured using static chamber technology. Cumulative emissions and global warming potential (GWP) followed the same trend and were significantly lowered in biochar-treated soils. The influences of soil and environmental parameters on GHG emissions were, therefore, investigated. A positive correlation was found between both moisture and temperature and GHG emissions. Thus, biochar made from swine digestate manure may be an effective organic amendment to reduce GHG emissions and address climate change challenges. Full article

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2023

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