The object of the economic evaluation in the present study is the influence of the organic nano-fertilizers Lithovit and Nagro, applied independently and in combination with the bio-insecticides Madex and Agricoll, in the cultivation of alfalfa for forage at the Institute of Forage Crops (Pleven). It was established that the bioproduct Nagro (50 ml/da) and the bio-insecticide Agricoll (100 ml/da) are characterized by high realized gross profit compared to the other variants (17.98 EUR/da and 16.52 EUR/da) and the highest profitability rates (366.94% and 339.22%). Their combination recorded high gross revenues (24.06 EUR/da), the highest gross profit (18.62 EUR/da), and the highest profitability rate (342.28%). This identifies the combination of the nano-fertilizer Nagro and the bio-insecticide Agricoll as the most economically effective, due to the low production costs and the high economic efficiency rate, which exceeds the control variant – 100.99%.
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important pulse crop traditionally used for human nutrition and animal feeding. With a high protein content ranging from 24% to 35% of seed dry matter, considerable amounts of globulins, essential amino acids and minerals, faba bean is today an important source meeting the growing global demand for nutritious food. The objective of study was to investigate the variability of nine phenological, phenotypical and yield related traits in 220 faba bean accessions in multi-location trials across four representative European regions. Nine field trials were carried out from 2018 till 2020 in four representative European locations (Spain, Finland, Belgium and Serbia) using an augmented p-rep design containing 20 replicated checks. Significant differences among genotypes and environments were detected, being the genotype x environment interaction (GEI) the major source of variation in five of the nine evaluated traits. The “which-won-where” analyses identified two mega-environment namely South European mega environment (SE-ME) and North European mega environment (NE-ME), while the best performing and most stable genotypes according to the nine traits were identified using “means vs stability” analyses. According to the highest trait value in each mega environment several winning genotypes were identified showing better performances than some commercial varieties (controls) or checks. Our results suggest that the geographical locations falling into each mega-environment can be used as faba bean test locations. The genotype ranking for the multi-trait stability index (MTSI) revealed that the most stable and best ranking genotypes in SE-ME are G018, G086, G081, G170 and G015 while in the north mega-environment are G091, G171, G177 (Merkur), G029 and G027. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analyses showed a clear correlation between the traits analysed and the botanical type. These findings indicate that botanical type is one of the most significant factors affecting development in any environment, and it must be taken into account in faba bean breeding activities. The information derived from this study provides a chance for breeding new resilient faba bean cultivars adapted to different agroecological European regions, a critical point for addressing Europe’s reliance on protein imports and enhancing sustainable agriculture practices.
The growth and nutrient balance of legumes can be disrupted in soils with increased nickel (Ni) concentrations. The inoculation of legumes with rhizobia, symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, can be used for the alleviation of trace metal stress in plants. This study evaluated the Ni tolerance of alfalfa rhizobia isolates and some plant growth-promoting traits in the presence of Ni: indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, Ni biosorption potential, and the effect of rhizobia on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth. The strains were characterized as Shinorhizobium meliloti, Sinorhizobium medicae, and Rhizobium tibeticum. In total, 70% of the tested strains tolerate up to 0.8 mM Ni, while 15% of the strains tolerate 1.2 mM Ni. The production of IAA was maintained in the presence of Ni until bacterial growth was stopped by raising the Ni concentration. Alfalfa seed germination is significantly reduced in the presence of 0.5 mM Ni, while a significant reduction in 10-day-old seedling length already occurs at a Ni concentration of 0.03 mM. In the plant experiment, when alfalfa was inoculated with rhizobial strains, nodulation was maintained up to 0.05 mM Ni, but a significant reduction in nodule number was detected at 0.01 mM Ni. At the concentration of 0.005 mM Ni, inoculation with 12 particular rhizobial strains significantly improved the number of nodules per plant, plant height, and root length, as well as plant shoot dry weight, compared to non-inoculated plants with Ni addition. However, higher concentrations caused a reduction in all of these plant growth parameters compared to the plants without Ni. The selected rhizobia strains showed a Ni biosorption capacity of 20% in the in vitro assay. The inoculation of alfalfa with effective rhizobial strains improves growth parameters compared to non-inoculated plants in the presence of certain concentrations of Ni.
The identification of wheat genotypes with balanced grain yield, stability, and antioxidant response to abiotic stress is crucial for creating adaptable varieties in changing climates. The research was conducted as a multi-environment trial (MET) across six environments (three localities over two seasons), and included 15 wheat genotypes (bread wheat lines, standard varieties and two spelt wheat lines). This study integrates AMMI and GGE biplot analyses with antioxidant profiling across growth stages to identify genotypes combining yield stability and stress tolerance. Lines KG-4/1, KG-11/1 and the variety Pobeda were identified as high-yielding and stable genotypes, with KG-11/1 ranked as an “ideal genotype” and KG-4/1 achieving the highest grain yield on MET level (6.48 t ha–1). Specific adaptation of genotypes KG-40/1 and Renesansa indicates their potential for targeted breeding in particular environments. Antioxidant parameters (TPC and DPPH• scavenging activity) at early growth stages were positively correlated with grain yield, indicating that they can serve as suitable biochemical markers for selecting stress-tolerant, high-yielding wheat genotypes. This comprehensive approach, which includes the analysis of grain yield stability/adaptability and antioxidant parameters, is adequate for the evaluation of promising lines that may be suitable genetic resources in climate-resilient wheat breeding programs.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a highly valuable crop in agriculture, particularly due to its high biomass yield, rich protein content, and excellent digestibility, making it essential for livestock farming. However, its sensitivity to acidic soils presents a significant challenge for establishing and cultivating alfalfa in degraded soils. The current study aim was to investigate how selected inoculants affect alfalfa production when applied to acidic soils with different levels of liming. In this study, the effects of pre-sowing seed inoculation treatments of rhizobia-Sinorhizobium (Ensifer) meliloti (R), mycorrhizal fungi (MF), co-inoculation of rhizobia and mycorrhizal fungi (RMF), and control-no inoculation (C)-were assessed in three alfalfa cultivars (K-28, Zuzana, and Nijagara). The experiment was conducted under semi-controlled conditions in a completely randomized block design. The number of nodules, mycorrhizal colonization, dry matter yield of shoots and roots, protein yield, and phosphorus content were assessed. Acidic soil (pHKCl 4.55) was used for sowing, no lime (L0), alongside treatments on soils limed with 1 t ha(-1) (L1) and 2.5 t ha(-1) (L2) of Ca(OH)(2). The results indicated that rhizobia application increased the dry matter yield of shoots and roots. Protein yield at the L1 liming level ranged from 13.1 g/kg in the control treatment to 16.9 g/kg in the treatment with rhizobia, while at the L2 liming level, it ranged from 17.6 g/kg in the control treatment to 25.1 g/kg in the treatment with co-inoculation. Pre-sowing inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi and co-inoculation increased mycorrhizal colonization and phosphorus content. The results indicate the positive effects of both single and co-inoculation on alfalfa productivity. The impact of inoculation with the selected rhizobia strain was more pronounced in acidic soils than in limed soils and was cultivar-dependent. Therefore, the key to increasing alfalfa output in acidic soils is matching the strain with the cultivar.
