Publishing frequency: Twice a year Editor-in-Chief: Maja Prevolnik Povše The journal Agricultura is devoted to the advancement of basic and applied knowledge related to agricultural sciences. It publishes scientific works from the following fields: animal science, plant production, farm mechanisation, farm buildings, land management, agricultural economics, rural sociology, ecology, preservation of biodiversity, biotechnology, microbiology, physiology, pedology and bioethics. Also, papers discussing innovative pedagogical methods, philosophy of education or solutions to teaching problems in life science may be included. Till 2016 articles of the electronic version of the Agricultura are published under the permission "Free to Read". After articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivates 4.0 International Licence.
Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru
Growth Performance of Rabbits using Different Methods of Weaning Group Formation
In rabbit meat production, weaning is a crucial phase and must be conducted properly to achieve adequate growth performance and slaughter weight in the shortest possible time. Studies on rabbit weaning, particularly concerning weaning methods (i.e. different approaches to forming weaning groups) and their effects on production, are scarce. Our study compared three weaning methods in indoor and outdoor breeding environment. In our experiment, rabbits were weaned by body size (same size together; n = 27), by litter of origin (littermates together; n = 30) or at random (n = 57). All rabbits were housed in wire cages in groups of three. Body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion rate (FCR) were monitored over a period of 8 weeks from weaning to slaughter. The breeding environment and weaning methods affected most of the parameters, yet the interaction between the studied effects was insignificant during the entire experimental period. With the body size-based and random method, the rabbits reached significantly higher final body weight (2348 g and 2263 g, respectively) than rabbits weaned with the litter-based method (2168 g). Similarly, daily weight gain was 27.2 g, 25.7 g and 24.0 g (p = 0.024) for rabbits weaned using the body size-based, random and litter-based methods, respectively. Regarding the effects of the breeding environment, indoor housing provided better production results. The rabbits kept indoors grew faster than the outdoor rabbits (27.2 g/day and 24.1 g/day, respectively; p < 0.001) and had a 15% higher final weight (2345 g indoors, 2174 g outdoors, p < 0.001). Feed conversion ratio was lower (p < 0.001) in the indoor housing (≈2.5) than in the outdoor housing (≈3.0). However, the body size-based weaning method was found to be the most efficient for growth performance and final body weight, regardless of environment (indoor or outdoor). Randomly formed weaning groups or those formed from littermates performed better indoors; however, the latter (i.e. from littermates) anyway remained inferior to rabbits from the other two groups. The study therefore showed that the approach to weaning group formation and the environment crucially influence the efficiency of rabbit weaner fattening and should be considered by breeders when weaning kits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nejc Sitar, Dejan Škorjanc, Maja Prevolšek Povše, Janko Skok https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Understanding Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colony Losses: A Multifactorial Perspective
Bees play an essential role as pollinators of crops and wild plants thereby contributing to biodiversity. Beekeeping is an important economic and agricultural activity. However, beekeepers are faced with numerous external factors, including climate change, intensive agricultural production, the extensive use of pesticides and the high incidence of honey bee diseases. In researches’ work to date, numerous potential factors have been identified that contribute to colony population decline, reduced colony health, and colony losses. This review summarizes the most important factors affecting honey bee colonies and their health. The main causes of colony loss include pests and pathogens, environmental and beekeeping stressors, apiculture practices and pesticide residues. Reducing honey bee colony losses requires an integrated approach that recognises the multifactorial nature of the problem. Coordinated strategies should consider both direct biological threats, such as parasites and pathogens, and indirect influences, such as environmental changes, pesticide exposure and forage quality.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tamara Hribernik, Ernest Plemenitaš, Tjaša Pangerl, Aleš Gregorc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Ingestion of Flupyradifurone, Pyraclostrobin and Fluxapyroxad Change Melipona scutellaris Behavior and Promote Individuals’ Early Mortality
Pesticides are widely used in Brazilian agriculture to protect crops from target organisms. Nevertheless, pesticide use has also been shown to harm beneficial insects, such as bees. Considering the knowledge gap regarding the effects of pesticides on non-Apis species and the importance of stingless bees for ecosystems and human food production, the research aimed to evaluate the survival and behavior of Melipona scutellaris after ingestion of the active ingredients flupyradifurone, pyraclostrobin, and fluxapyroxad, individually and in combination. Therefore, foragers were collected and assigned to experimental groups according to three diets: flupyradifurone 6 ng/μL (IS), pyraclostrobin 0.1 ng/μL and fluxapyroxad 0.05 ng/μL (FN); flupyradifurone 3 ng/μL, pyraclostrobin 0.05 ng/μL, and fluxapyroxad 0.025 ng/μL (IF). The results showed that active ingredients caused early mortality in M. scutellaris foragers. Moreover, just four hours of exposure to IS was sufficient to induce symptoms similar to those caused by neonicotinoids (stumbles, uncoordinated movements, and uncontrolled proboscis extension), whereas exposure to the FN combination induced lethargy in the individuals. The data highlight that even short-term exposure to these active ingredients can cause severe damage to foragers’ physiology, compromising their ability to gather resources for the colony and affecting its overall health.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lais Vieira Bello Inoue, Caio Eduardo da Costa Domingues, Francisco Inácio Paiva Ferreira, Roberta Cornélio Ferreira Nocelli, Osmar Malaspina https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Advanced Navigation and Artificial Intelligence Techniques: Team Carbonite's Winning Strategies at the Field Robot Event 2023
An approach to address current challenges in agriculture caused by climate change, the increasing global population and the loss of biodiversity is precision farming, for which agricultural robotics is a key enabler. The Field Robot Event (FRE) 2023 has challenged student teams to develop and improve autonomous agricultural robots. This paper presents the improvements to our field robot “Carbonite,” which is developed at the Schülerforschungszentrum (SFZ) Südwürttemberg. Our lightweight and compact robot design, supported by our advanced and efficient navigation algorithm, enabled our robot to quickly move through fields. Additionally, we introduced our newly developed system for targeted and precise application of water, fertilizer and herbicides, based on an intelligent gap detection algorithm to avoid wasting resources. Also, we trained an object recognition AI model based on the You Only Look Once (YOLO) models, allowing the robot to appropriately respond based on the type of obstacle. Carbonite managed to secure the first place in both the navigation task and the plant treatment task, benefiting from the lightweight design and the resulting high robot driving speed, enabling us to win the overall FRE 2023 contest.
Copyright (c) 2025 Samuel Mannchen, Jonas Mayer, Janis Lion Schőnegg, Klara Fauser https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Chemical Control of Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål) in Pear Orchards with Integrated Pest Management
In the growing seasons of 2021 and 2022, two field experiments in a Williams pear and an Abate Fetel pear orchard were conducted at location Bilje near Nova Gorica. The effectiveness of two spraying programs for suppressing the marmorated stink bug (MSB) was analyzed. In program A, insecticides based on the active substances acetamprid, pyriproxyfen, spirotetramat, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, and abamectin were used. In program B, insecticides based on the active substances acetamprid, pyriproxyfen, deltamethrin, phosmet, and abamectin were used, combined with alternative repellent preparations. In 2021, we had 23 % of fruit damaged by MSB in the Williams variety and 25% in the Abate Fetel variety, both in the untreated control plots. In 2022, the percentage of fruits damaged by MSB in the control plots was 30 % in the Williams variety and 30% in the Abate Fetel variety. The effectiveness of spraying program A in reducing the proportion of damaged fruit by MSB was 34 to 78 % in 2021 and 60 to 70 % in 2022. The effectiveness of spraying program B in reducing the proportion of damaged fruit was 34 to 78 % in 2021 and 60 to 70 % in 2022. We can not entirely prevent economically relevant crop losses with the tested spray programs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Andrej Paušič, Jernej Goričan, Mario Lešnik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Robot for Navigation in Maize Crops for the Field Robot Event 2023
Navigation in a maize crop is a crucial task for the development of autonomous robots in agriculture, with numerous applications such as spraying, monitoring plant growth and health, and detecting weeds and pests. The Field Robot Event 2023 (FRE) continued to challenge universities and other research teams to push the development of algorithms for agricultural robots further. The Universidad Autónoma Chapingo has been developing a robot for various agricultural tasks, aiming to provide a low-cost alternative to work with Mexican farmers in the future. For this edition of the FRE, a navigation algorithm was created using an encoder, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), an RPLIDAR (Rotating Platform Light Detection and Ranging), and cameras to collect data for decision-making. The algorithm was developed in ROS Melodic, dividing the task into steps that were tested to determine the robot's actual movements. The system navigates by using ROIs (regions of interest) and the mass center to guide the robot between maize rows. It calculates the mean of the final orientation values before reaching the end of a row, which is detected using an RPLIDAR. For turns and straight-line movements to reach the next row, the orientation is used as a guide. To detect plants for spraying, lasers located on each side of the vehicle are employed. Obstacle detection relies on a YOLOv5 (You Only Look Once) trained model and a laser, while reverse navigation uses a rear camera. During the competition, the robot faced challenges such as dealing with grass, the small size of the plants, and the need to use a different power source, which affected its performance.
Copyright (c) 2024 David Iván Sánchez-Chávez, Noé Velázquez-López, Guillermo García-Sánchez, Alan Hernández-Mercado, Omar Alexis Avendaño-Lopez, Mónica Elizabeth Berrocal-Aguilar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Supplemental Role of Fodder Tree Legumes in Dwarf Sheep and Goats Feeding Systems
The potential of fodder tree legumes (FTL) as a promising and nutritional strategy to minimize the problem of insufficient supply of forages, especially during the dry season, in West African dwarf sheep and goats’ production systems was reviewed. For more sustainable agricultural systems, including expanding the use of locally produced available feedstuffs, FTL species with a focus on Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, and Enterolobium cyclocarpum represent an interesting strategy to provide dietary nitrogen and improve feed digestibility, weight gain, and nitrogen retention, thus enhancing dwarf sheep and goats’ productivity. They also contain concentrations of biologically active compounds with nutraceutical value that assist in slowing down the infections with parasitic nematodes of the gastrointestinal tract and mitigating enteric methane emissions from these animals. The dietary crude protein and tannin content ranged from 16.20 to 26.79% and 0.95 to 2.92%, respectively across the FTL species. Mean weight gain (g/day) of 43.23 to 48.59 and 32.46 to 40.87, respectively were reviewed for dwarf sheep and goats fed FTL supplementary diets. Haematological and serum biochemical variables monitored were within the permissible range for healthy animals and showed the adequacy of nutrient supply from FTL species with nutrient utilization to improve productivity. The review concluded that the combination of excellent nutritive value reported for FTL provides important opportunities for sustainable dwarf sheep and goat feeding systems.
Copyright (c) 2024 Oladapo Ayokunle FASAE Fasae, Felicia Temitope Adelusi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Genetic Background of Cattle Temperament
Animal temperament describes behavioural differences between individuals that are consistent over time and across different circumstances. Knowledge of the animal's temperament has a major effect on the safety of handling and caring for the animals as well as on the adaptation of the animals to changing rearing conditions. To understand animal temperament, we need to know not only the genetic basis of temperament, but also the influence of the environment on its expression. Similarly the temperament of dairy cows can be defined as the animal's response to environmental or social stimuli. In this review article, chromosomes with genomic regions containing QTLs, genes and candidate genes responsible for the expression of temperament traits in cattle are presented. Knowledge of the genetic background of temperament expression in cattle and its variability in these traits allows temperament to be included in the selection index.
Copyright (c) 2024 Jože Smolinger, Mario Gorenjak, Dejan Škorjanc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Crop inspection plays a significant role in modern agricultural practices as it enables farmers to evaluate the condition of their fields and make informed decisions regarding crop management. However, existing methods of crop inspection are often labor-intensive, leading to slow and costly processes. Therefore, there is a pressing need for more efficient and cost-effective approaches to crop inspection to improve agricultural productivity, sustainability, and to deal with labor shortage. In this study, we present Rockerbot, a novel agricultural robot designed as a compact rover capable of navigating and surveying maize fields in their early growth stages. This technology is essential for timely landscape adjustments to ensure optimal crop production. The document offers a comprehensive review of the decisions made during the hardware and software development stages. The hardware section is centered around design choices influenced by the rover’s kinematics, while the software section outlines the tasks that Rockerbot can perform using mobile perception, such as mapping, sensing, and detection.
Copyright (c) 2024 Matteo Zinzani, Mirko Usuelli, Paolo Cudrano, Simone Mentasti, Carlo Arnone, Andrea Cerutti, Alba Lo Grasso, Abdelrahman Tarek Farag, Matteo Matteucci https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Adverse Impacts of a Single Exposure to the Fungicide Picoxystrobin during the Larval Stage on Africanized Apis mellifera
Pesticide use remains a problem in agriculture, contaminating natural ecosystems and affecting bees. Fungicides have been widely used worldwide, and honey bees can bring contaminated pollen and nectar to the colony, exposing the larvae. Studies on larval exposure to fungicides are still rare. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of larval exposure to the fungicide picoxystrobin on biological parameters and cellular stress in the fat body. The larvae were single exposure on the fourth day (D4) to picoxystrobin at concentrations of 5 ng a.i./μL (PCX5), 45 ng a.i./μL (PCX45), 135 ng a.i./μL (PCX135), and 400 ng a.i./μL (PCX400). The effects on larval and pupal mortality, pupation rate, and emergence were evaluated. Additionally, cellular stress in the fat body was assessed in newly emerged bees. Exposure to PCX400 increased larval mortality by 26% and reduced the emergence of adult bees. The other concentrations did not affect larval and pupal mortality, or pupation and emergence rates. A cytotoxicity effect was observed in newly emerged bees from PCX400, indicated by positive immunolabeling of HSP70. Thus, a single exposure to picoxystrobin can impair larval development, induce a cellular stress response, and may interfere with colony dynamics.
Copyright (c) 2025 Caio Eduardo da Costa Domingues, Leticia Salvioni Ansaloni, Aleš Gregorc, Elaine Cristina Mathias da Silva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Comparison of Slovenian Traditional Plum Materials with Genetic Resources from the Slovenian Plant Gene Bank
The Slovenian Plant Gene Bank (SPGB) of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses approximately 250 accessions of stone fruit, with most of the material belonging to the species Prunus domestica L. and Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. The main objectives of this study using a set of 11 SSR primers were: 1. to determine the genetic structure of the traditional Slovenian in situ plum material in comparison to the ex situ the SPGB collection; 2. to identify unique material among the in situ collected accessions; 3. to gain insight into the genetic relationship between the two studied species. The genetic structure of 60 plum samples was analyzed using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and Bayesian model-based analysis. PCoA separated the P. cerasifera and P. domestic accessions, while Bayesian model-based analysis revealed that many accessions of P. domestica and P. cerasifera shared a common ancestral history. The ex situ material showed greater genetic diversity as it was distributed over more populations than the in situ material. Promising in situ genotypes, especially from the Prekmurje and Lower Styria, were identified as valuable additions to enrich the existing collection.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tina Ternjak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
In contemporary agricultural automation, the demand for highly adaptive autonomous systems is rapidly increasing. Addressing this need, we introduce the latest iteration of FarmBeast, an advanced autonomous robot designed for precise navigation and operation within the complex terrain of cornfields. This paper details the technical specifications and functionalities of FarmBeast, developed by a Slovenian student team from the University of Maribor for the international Field Robot Event (FRE) 2023. The enhanced version features significant hardware and software upgrades, including a completely new robotic platform, a multichannel LIDAR system, an Xsens IMU, and advanced algorithms for efficient row navigation and weed removal. These integrated technologies aim to improve the efficiency and reliability of agricultural processes, reflecting the broader trend towards digitization and precision farming. Participation in international competitions like FRE provides a valuable platform for students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge, fostering the development of practical skills and understanding the interconnectedness of various scientific disciplines. As highlighted in the results section, FarmBeast performed notably compared to other 14 robots, securing top-five finishes in navigation, plant treatment, and obstacle detection tasks, demonstrating its capabilities in dynamic agricultural settings.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gregor Popič, Urban Naveršnik, Jaša Jernej Rakun Kokalj, Erik Rihter, Jurij Rakun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Evaluation of Heifer Welfare in Two Different Rearing Systems
The welfare of domestic animals, which is a core part of livestock farming today, depends strongly on the rearing system. While free-stall systems are encouraged, tied rearing systems are still the most widely used in cattle farming, although considered less suitable due to restricted freedom of movement. As an alternative to this system, free-stall rearing, which allows movement, is proposed as a minimum standard. Although it seems self-evident that free-stall rearing is better than tied rearing system, there is still a lack of research on whether this is true for all categories of cattle or whether it might be appropriate for some of them (e.g. depending on age). The aim of the present study was therefore to compare the welfare of heifers in tied and free-stall rearing during the fattening period (at different ages). In general, we have suggested higher welfare scores in free-stall system, with the tied stall being more problematic for younger animals. The study comprised five heifers in each system per repetition (20 animals in total). Data were collected using the Welfare Quality® protocol, which involves the assessment of four main principles: feeding, housing, health and behaviour. The assessments were carried out approximately every three months during the fattening period (from 6 to 27 months of age). The results showed significant differences in animal welfare scores between tied and free-stall systems only in terms of housing and the tendency of differences in behaviour. For both principles, the scores were relatively low compared to feeding and health, where no differences were found between the rearing systems. In terms of temporal dynamics, differences were only found for housing, with values decreasing with age in both rearing systems. In the free-stall system, the scores were almost optimal in young animals (>90), but decreased rapidly with increasing age, while in the tied housing system, a suboptimal welfare scores were already observed in young animals (≈40). This means that tied rearing system is a clear disadvantage for the welfare of younger animals, which are generally more exploratory and active. Our results confirmed tied stall as less suitable in terms of animal welfare, especially for young animals. It is therefore encouraged that young animals should primarily be housed in a freestall pens if both systems are available in the breeding facilities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ernest Plemenitaš, Dejan Škorjanc, Janko Skok, Maja Prevolnik Povše https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Diversity Analysis of Adult Chironomidae in the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya
Chironomidae commonly inhabits most aquatic habitats and often dominate aquatic insect communities in abundance and species richness. Despite their ecological importance, the diversity and distribution of chironomids in the Lake Victoria ecosystem of Kenya have not been studied to date. Here we report on the diversity and distribution of adult Chironomidae in Usenge, Mbita and Ogal beaches of the Lake Victoria ecosystem in Kenya using morphological features and sequence data of Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Wing venation-based microscopic characterization identified four genera, Tanypus, Coelotanypus, Dicrotendipes and Chironomus. The COI gene barcoding further revealed several species, including Kiefferulus brevibucca, Chironomus flaviplumus, Polypedilum fuscovittatum, Polypedilum sp. and Dicrotendipes sp. The identified species were grouped into three clusters based on neighbor-joining phylogenetic approach. Differences in species richness were observed among the three study sites, with Mbita exhibiting the highest species richness. The evolutionary analysis revealed relatedness among all the identified species, suggesting a shared recent common ancestor. Unlike previous studies, this study represents the first report on detailed characterization of Chironomidae in the Lake Victoria ecosystem of Kenya. Moreover, this study serves as a first step towards a comprehensive understanding of the range of species of Chironomidae inhabiting this ecosystem.
Copyright (c) 2023 Walter Odhiambo Otieno, Reuben Oyoo Mosi, Peter Bulli https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Expressing Added Value in Food Supply Chains
Value-added food supply chains are chains that maintain positive social, environmental, and community values which are integrated into the production process from the primary producer to the final consumer, ensuring economic, social, and environmental sustainability, thus forming a sustainable agricultural and food production system. The evaluation of the value added in each chain is based on indicators, which are a tool to measure changes in the actual situation or to show performance trends in achieving the progress set by the objectives. The presented indicators are based on publicly available statistics and foreign literature that allow measuring value added in specific livestock chains at aggregate level (beef production, pork production and dairy production) and are based on publicly available statistics in the Republic of Slovenia. The need to produce indicators of value added in livestock food supply chains arises from the large differences in structural changes in the sector itself and in the development and economic performance of the various livestock industries.
economic, social and environmental aspect
Copyright (c) 2023 Nejc Zidar, Jernej Turk, Jernej Prišenk https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Overview of Communication Activities and a Plan to Improve Public Perception of Food Additives
Food additives are considered a high-risk factor by the EU and Slovenian consumers, although they are strictly regulated by the authorities and pose a low risk to consumers. However, risk communication about food additives is challenging and involves the interactive exchange of information about hazards, taking into account the risk perception of the target groups. A plan for communication activities aimed at improving public perception of food additives was structured based on the review of scientific literature and the overview of previous communication efforts communicated by various information sources to raise awareness among the Slovenian public from January 2015 to January 2022. The overview included governmental and nongovernmental organizations that are credible sources of information on food safety for Slovenian consumers at the national and EU level. The objective was to develop an effective communication plan on food additives with defined objectives, target groups, key communication messages, communication activities, tools, and channels. The proposed plan can serve as a good basis for launching an effective awareness campaign on food additives to reduce public concern and improve the knowledge of average consumers about the use of additives in food.
Copyright (c) 2023 Ana Starman, Elizabeta Mičović, Tomaž Langerholc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Effects of Hedgerows Shading on Soil Temperature and Gravimetric Soil Water Content
This study sets out to examine the effects of hedgerow shading on soil physical properties, specifically soil gravimetric water content and soil temperature. Analyses of both soil parameters were conducted at two locations with different shade proportion. The aim of the study was to address the links between hedgerow shading and basic physical soil properties which could be significant both for agricultural production and for ecological processes in agroecosystems. At both locations, soil samples and measurements were taken at different distances from hedgerow and in different time intervals. Diurnal shading variation at certain distances from the hedgerow on Location 1 and 2 was calculated with the software toll for Arboriculturists. At Location 1 shading is consistently high throughout the year, ranging from 76 to 100%. In contrast, shading at Location 2 varies from 1 to 25%. The results reveal that hedgerows at Location 1, do not have a statistically significant impact on gravimetric soil water content and soil temperature across the entire plot surface. Additionally, the percentage of shading is only marginally decreases with distance. Conversely, Location 2 exhibits an increase in soil temperature and a slight but (non-significant) decrease in soil gravimetric water content as the distance from the hedgerow increases., The total mean shading at Location 2 is considerably lower compared to Location 1, and the shading percentage declines more at the distance from the hedgerow increases. Overall, lower soil temperatures and higher gravimetric soil water content where observed at the more shaded Location 1. The research outcomes are helpful in agricultural production planning as well as in the evaluation of hedgerows for the needs of agricultural policy.
Copyright (c) 2023 Andreja Borec; Tina Lešnik, Tadeja Kraner Šumenjak, Mateja Muršec https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Investment Plan and Evaluation of the Transition of a Farm to a Wellness Tourist Farm
This study aimed to develop a commercial concept for transforming farms into wellness tourist destinations. The proposed scenario involved the renovation of a hayrack into a highend tourist accommodation, comprising relaxation rooms with panoramic glass walls and the renovation of the barns, as well as an outdoor swimming pond. The research methods included description, compilation, and synthesis to explore the legislation in Slovenia related to investment performance and trends in wellness tourism to support the realisation of the proposed investment. Furthermore, the study used the method of financial estimation of investment using cost-benefit analysis to facilitate the transition. Four datasets were used for the estimation: investment income, investment costs, end value of the investment, and annual interest rate. The estimated investment cost was €530,000 and the total estimated revenue was €192,720, with total costs amounting to 50% of the total income, as well as an annual cash flow of €96,360, which was used in the assessment of the investment return period. According to the findings, the investment return period is 15 years with the lowest annual cash flow and interest rate of 3.5%. However, caution is advised due to uncertainties in the long-term costs of raw materials and energy.
Copyright (c) 2023 Tatjana Klakočar, Karmen Pažek, Lazar Pavić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Are Tomato Farmers Willing to Adopt the Hydroponics Farming System in Oyo State, Nigeria?
The rising demand for tomatoes and tomato-based foods in Nigeria owing to its numerous health benefits calls for a comprehensive and economically viable farming system to replace or complement traditional farming systems for tomato production. This study therefore assessed the level of awareness of tomato farmers and their readiness to adopt the hydroponics farming system. The sociodemographic determinants of their readiness to adopt hydroponic farming were also identified. Measures of central tendency and the logistic regression model were employed in the analysis of data. Knowledge of hydroponic farming was low among the farmers. Key positive determinants of awareness include distance to market, having government support and access to social media. More than three-fifths of the farmers were willing to adopt the hydroponics farming system. Such farmers had tertiary education, access to extension agents and relatively small farm sizes. High initial capital for adoption was the most critical limitation to the readiness of adoption of the system. Enhanced tomato output from this system may be a cause for its advocacy. Awareness and adoption of hydroponic farming can be increased if extension services are intensified. This will ensure food security and sustainable economic development.
Copyright (c) 2023 Abimbola Adepoju, Oluwaseun Adekunle https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Suckling Behaviour of Piglets Affected by Body Weight and Sex
Piglet suckling behaviour has been extensively studied, but surprisingly, there are not many studies that specifically consider body weight and sex in this context. These two basic individual characteristics have been considered more as supporting data but not as main factors. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to examine the effect body weight on suckling behaviour of piglets during lactation separately by sex. The study comprised 14 litters with a total of 158 piglets (85 male, 73 female, litter size 6−15 piglets). Suckling behaviour was described in terms of suckling position (the teat at which the piglet suckled during suckling), suckling territory (the range two outermost suckling positions of the piglet encompasses) and suckling stability (the tendency to suckle successively at the same position), and was observed in six periods: 0−3, 4−7, 8−10, 11−14, 15−21 and 22−32 days of age. In each period, piglets were also weighed. The udder was divided into three areas: anterior (1st-2nd teat pair), middle (3rd-5th teat pair) and posterior (6th-8th teat pair). Body weight affected suckling behaviour differently in male and female piglets (i.e., all traits in females, suckling stability only in males). The relative body weight of females decreased significantly from the anterior towards the posterior part. Heavy females (but not males) suckled considerably more frequently on the anterior area. Heavier piglets (male and female) established more stable suckling order. Suckling territory of males was quite large, but did not differ among body weight classes. Interestingly, light females visited significantly larger suckling territory than heavy females. The present results fill a gap in the otherwise broad knowledge of pig suckling behaviour, which is of great importance for litter management during lactation, especially when cross-fostering is implemented. In this context, knowledge of the detailed role of sex and body weight is of particular importance because breeders rely mainly on basic body traits when managing litters.
Copyright (c) 2023 Martina Dobaj Gomboc, Janko Skok, Dejan Škorjanc, Maja Prevolnik Povše https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Composition of Proteins and Phenolics in the Leaves of Different Mulberry Species (Morus alba L., M. alba × rubra, M. australis Poir., M. nigra L.)
The leaves of the mulberry (Morus sp.) have a variety of medicinal, culinary, industrial and agricultural applications. In our study, we compared the protein and phenolic contents of different mulberry species (Morus alba L., M. alba × rubra, M. australis Poir., M. nigra L.) from the mulberry germplasm collection to determine species-specific differences. The possibility of using mulberries as animal feed and for pharmacological purposes was reviewed. Total phenols of all genotypes were analysed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while total protein content was determined using the Lowry's method. The individual phenols were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV/VIS detection. The total protein content ranged from 162.03 mg BSA/g DW (M. australis) to 239.42 mg BSA/g DW (M. alba). Significantly higher contents of total proteins were determined in the leaves of M. alba. The highest mean concentrations of total phenols (21.51 mg GAE /g DW), chlorogenic acid (18.05 mg/g DW), 4-caffeoylquinic acid (4.36 mg/g DW), 5-p-coumaroylquinic acid (2.01 mg/g DW), quercetin glycoside (0.74 mg/g DW) and kaempferol acetyl hexoside (4.42 mg/g DW) were determined in M. alba × rubra and M. nigra. In contrast, white mulberry (M. alba) genotypes contained on average the most rutin (2.63 mg/g DW) and quercetin-malonyl-hexoside (1.59 mg/g DW). It can be concluded that the leaves of the white mulberry are best suited as animal feed due to their high protein content, while the black mulberry and the hybrid M. alba × rubra have pharmacological potential due to their high phenolic content.
Copyright (c) 2023 Špela Jelen, Andreja Urbanek Krajnc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Effect of Biochar Applied Alone and in Combination with Mineral and Organic Fertilisers on the Yield of White Cabbage and Soil Properties
The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of biochar application on fertile soils in a temperate climate during the first year of application. The field trial was conducted on a nutrient-rich silt loam soil at two experimental sites in north-eastern Slovenia (Biš and Skorba). The effect of biochar applied alone or in combination with compost or mineral fertiliser on soil properties and yield of white cabbage was studied. In addition to the control (C), the soil received five treatments including biochar (B; 1.5 t/ha), compost (CO; 1.5 t/ha), biochar-mixed compost (BCO; 3.0 t/ha), standard mineral fertilisers (NPK; NPK 0.35 t/ha, potassium sulphate 0.25 t/ha and calcium ammonium nitrate 0.25 t/ha) and combined application of half the amount of NPK and BCO (NPK+BCO). The results showed that the applied treatments had no significant influence on the measured soil chemical parameters, except for the amount of total organic carbon, electrical conductivity and pH in Biš and total carbon in Skorba. All investigated parameters (cabbage head weight, head circumference, total and market yield) were higher at the experimental site Skorba. Statistically significant differences were found only at the experimental site Biš, where the treatment influenced all parameters (p < 0.01), except for the head circumference of the cabbage. The NPK and NPK+BCO treatments produced significantly higher total yields (66.7 t/ha and 65.8 t/ha, respectively) and marketable yields (53.2 t/ha and 51.8 t/ha, respectively) compared to the other treatments (41.3-52.6 t/ha and 30.5-42.4 t/ha, respectively). Although the differences between the other treatments were insignificant, a trend of decreasing cabbage yields towards CO > BCO > B was observed. Similar results were also obtained when analysing the average data of the two experimental sites.
Copyright (c) 2023 Manfred Jakop, Nataša Belšak, Erik Rihter, Tjaša Cenčič Predikaka, Denis Stajnko, Silva Grobelnik Mlakar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Parasite-Mediated Domestication Hypothesis
Based on the premise that parasites indirectly influence literally all of the main processes that otherwise underlie the domestication syndrome, it is hypothesised here that endoparasites (helminths and protozoa) have played an important mediating role in the process of (proto)domestication. The hypothesis predicts that the frequency of domestication syndrome traits such as tameness, depigmentation, mottling, piebaldism, floppy ears, short and curled tail, reduced size of the adrenal gland, etc. in the (wild) population increases i) with decreasing genetic resistance to parasites and/or ii) with increasing parasite load. According to the parasite-mediated domestication hypothesis, the features of the domestication syndrome could be genetically linked to genes related to resistance/tolerance to parasites, the role of miRNA in the process of epigenetic inheritance or the transgenerational inheritance of stress pathology.
Copyright (c) 2023 Janko Skok https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Pig Weight Estimation According to RGB Image Analysis
In pig farming, knowing the exact weight of each animal is critical for the owner. Such information can help determine the amount and type of feed that needs to be fed to a specific fattening pig. Weighing pigs has always been problematic, because it is highly time consuming, and herding the pigs on the scale is extremely cumbersome. Moreover, it causes stress to the animals. The aim of our study was to build an RGB-based system that could estimate the daily weight of pigs and individual animal weight. The study was set up in a 100-day rotation in a commercial pig farm where we monitored 32 pigs. We developed a system to identify the features of the pigs, more particularly the head, shoulder, belly, and rump part. Three different models were tested, and their main differences were linked to image processing and training data. Using these models, we received higher than 97% accuracy between the predicted and the manually recorded weight of the animals. This system allows owners to manage and monitor their pigs using our web interface, allowing them to make crucial decisions during the farming process.
Copyright (c) 2023 Karpinszky, Dobsinszki https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Common Plant Bioactive Components Adopted in Combating Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Small Ruminant – A Review
The high cost incurred by rural farmers on chemical anthelmintics, the reduction of the efficacy of this class of drugs and the development of resistant strains of Helminth has necessitate the search for suitable alternatives. However, there are still research gaps in the use plant secondary metabolites with no proper documentation of the active compound(s), standard administration route, mode of action, and standardization of its use in small ruminant animals. This review focuses on the use of bioactive components of plants and plant extracts in combating gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in ruminant animals. It highlights the importance of the use of plants in both ruminant nutrition and health, the flaws of conventional methods of treatment and the need for suitable alternatives. It further documents the major bioactive components of plants used in the treatment of GIN in ruminants and their mode of action on nematodes’ eggs, larva and adult worms. It is very clear that there exists a gap in research to validate the in vitro testing of some useful compounds in vivo owing to the identification of active components as most of them work in synergism with others, the dosing of the extracts is not uniform as the molecular weight of the selected compounds differs in most cases. Hence, this informs the need for collaborative research to validate the use of bioactive compounds and subsequent drug development to replace costly conventional anthelmintic that are constantly losing efficacy.
Copyright (c) 2023 admin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Impact of Two Different Cutting Regimes on Grassland Species Diversity
Since 1995, a field experiment has been conducted on semi-natural grassland to compare the effects of different cutting regimes (2 cuts per year, 4 cuts per year) over several years (1998, 2002, and 2019) on the botanical composition of the swards. Each year (from 1995 to the present), vegetation inventories were inventoried before the first cut in May using the direct estimation technique. Species diversity was assessed using standard parameters (H - Shannon's diversity; D1 - Simpson's diversity; D2 - Simpson's dominance, E - Simpson's evenness). The total number of plant species was statistically different in the observed years. However, the different management measures had no significant effect on the total number of plant species. Based on the results, we found that the different cutting regimes also significantly influenced the proportion of grasses and legumes in the sward, while they did not significantly change the proportion of herbs. A less frequent cutting regime (2 cuts per year) was characterized by a higher proportion of legumes and a lower proportion of grasses. In contrast, the results for treatment with 4 cuts per year were just the opposite. The values of all examined species diversity indices showed that the less intensive grassland management (2 cuts per year) had a significantly higher species diversity than the more intensive one (4 cuts per year).
Copyright (c) 2023 Anastazija Gselman, Mihela Ferme, Miran Podvršnik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Impact of Shoot Topping Intensity on Grape Ripening and Yield of 'Chardonnay'
In recent decades, the negative effects of climate change have resulted in the premature ripening of grapes and thus inappropriate parameters of grape maturity. The dynamics of ripening and the quality of the grapes can be influenced via the process of topping the leaf wall height. The aim of the study was to analyse the impact of shoot topping intensity on grape ripening and yield parameters. The experiment was performed on the ‘Chardonnay’ variety in 2018. In the experiment, 540 vines were included and exposed to three treatments: control – shoot topping (length 120 cm), low-topping (length 50 to 60 cm) and notopping (without topping). The parameters of grape ripening (mass of 100 berries, sugar content and total acidity in grape juice) and grape yield were measured. The results of the study indicate, that leaf wall height has a significant effect on measured parameters of grape ripening and yield (P ≤ 0.05). The earliest ripening of grapes was found with the highest leaf wall (notopping). In this treatment, the maximum mass of 100 berries was also measured throughout the ripening period. In the lowtopping treatment throughout the entire period of ripening, the mass of 100 berries was lower, sugar content (°Oe) and total acidity (g/L) were also lower in grape juice compared to control and non-topped vines. A low-topping resulted in a lower grape yield. The results showed that the shoot topping intensity can slow down the ripening of the grapes and thereby reduce the negative effects of climate change.
Copyright (c) 2022 Borut Pulko, Meta Frangež, Janez Valdhuber https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Impact of Bentonite Fining on Apple Juice Clarity and Sodium Content
In the experiment, four calcium bentonites (Ca bentonites) with different sodium contents in their activator were used for the pretreatment fining before the pasteurization of apple juice. The percentages of sodium carbonate in the activator of bentonites were 0% (B-0), 30% (B-30), 50% (B-50) and 70% (B-70). For the determination of correlation between bentonite dosage and juice turbidity after fining, the apple juice was treated with the following dosages: +40 g/hL, +50 g/hL, +60 g/hL, +70 g/hL and +80 g/hL. Bentonites with added sodium in the activator achieved much better juice clarification compared to pure Ca bentonite. Better clarification of apple juice was obtained by bentonites with the higher sodium content in the activator and also in treatments with higher dosages (g/hL). All bentonites with added sodium in activator released significantly more sodium into the juice (6.7– 8.4 mg/L) compared to the control and pure Ca bentonite (3.2–3.4 mg/L). At higher doses of bentonite, the increase in sodium release into the juice was greatest with bentonite B-70. Bentonite with a small addition of sodium in the activator (B-30) was the best compromise in terms of juice clarification and sodium release.
Copyright (c) 2022 Janez Valdhuber, Borut Pulko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Supplementation Effect of Different Levels of African Peach (Nauclea latifolia) Leaf Meal on the Performance of West African Dwarf Goats
The need to enhance animal protein intake and promote safe meat production has sparked the interest on the use of natural and consumer-accepted phytogenic feed additives. Information on the utilization of Nauclea latifolia leaf meal (NLLM) as phytogenic feed additive in goat production is scanty. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of NLLM on nutrient intake, body weight changes, haematology and serum biochemistry of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty-four WAD buckkids between ten and twelve months old were randomly divided into four groups of six goats each. Four experimental diets were formulated to contain 0, 10, 20, and 30 % dietary inclusion levels of NLLM, respectively. The groups were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets (T1, T2, T3, and T4) for 105 days in a completely randomized design. Supplement dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the treatment groups (T2, T3, and T4). Basal DMI was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in T1. Total DMI (expressed as g/d or g/kgW0.75) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased among the treatment groups. Supplement DMI as percentage of body weight (DMI % BW), Total DMI % BW and Total DMI % BW (g/kgW0.75) were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) with T1 having lower value in comparison with other groups. Crude protein, ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin intakes were significantly (p < 0.05) higher among the treatment groups. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p < 0.05) improved at the treatment groups. Blood parameters showed significant (p < 0.05) differences for packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cells, lymphocyte, neutrophil, globulin, cholesterol, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Conclusively, supplementing WAD goats diets with NLLM improved nutrient intake, weight gain, haematological and serum biochemical parameters, hence NLLM could be included up to 30 % in goat diets without any deleterious effect.
Copyright (c) 2022 Peter-Damian Chukwunomso Jiwuba, Solomon Chinedu Egede, Ruth Chioma Akazue, Jecinta Nwakaego Omumuabuike, Ugochukwu Onyenaucheya Andrew, Terry Ujiagbe Irelen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Deviation of the Secondary Sex Ratio after Natural Mating or Artificial Insemination in the Domestic Pig: The Influence of the Sex Composition of the Breeding Population
Sex ratio plays an important role in livestock production, with female animals often being favoured over males. To achieve the deviation towards the desired sex, breeding practise exclusively uses biotechnological methods aimed at manipulating the sex ratio of the offspring of farm animals, with sexed semen being the most widely used technique. However, there are also several local mate competition (LMC) or local resource competition (LRC). In wild mammal populations, competition for mates and resources is normally relaxed by dispersal, but not in domestic mammals, which normally live under specific (farm) conditions - unnatural sex composition of the group, no spontaneous dispersal of offspring due to captivity. One could therefore assume that local competition operates in the domestic mammal population. Accordingly, the aim of this short communication was to address the possible function of a type of (quasi)-LMC/LRC in domestic pigs under farm conditions and its possible influence on the secondary sex ratio of the offspring. Here the sex ratio of 1484 piglets, 1041 from artificial insemination (sires from allmale population, no female presence) and 443 from natural mating (sires from strongly female population composition), with all mothers from strongly female population composition, was studied. The sex ratio of piglets from artificial insemination was balanced (1:1; χ2 = 0.05, p ≥ 0.05), while the offspring from natural mating were significantly male-biased (χ2 = 4.99, p < 0.05). No clear relationship was found between sex ratio and litter size, parity or season. Although there are some limitations to the interpretation of the results presented here, it appears that the highly skewed sex composition of the population to which the breeding males/females belong may result in a more competitive mating environment, causing the sex ratio of the offspring to deviate towards the other sex, which is otherwise dominant in the population. This phenomenon of sex allocation in domestic mammals could be a tool in animal husbandry to manipulate (even if only slightly) the sex composition of the offspring of domestic mammals.
Copyright (c) 2022 Janko Skok, Maja Prevolnik-Povše, Dejan Škorjanc https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0