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Publications

NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2022

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Sammendrag

Frequent occurrences of high levels of Fusarium mycotoxins have been recorded in Norwegian oat grain. To elucidate the influence of tillage operations on the development of Fusarium and mycotoxins in oat grain, we conducted tillage trials with continuous oats at two locations in southeast Norway. We have previously presented the content of Fusarium DNA detected in straw residues and air samples from these fields. Grain harvested from ploughed plots had lower levels of Fusarium langsethiae DNA and HT-2 and T-2 toxins (HT2 + T2) compared to grain from harrowed plots. Our results indicate that the risk of F. langsethiae and HT2 + T2 contamination of oats is reduced with increasing tillage intensity. No distinct influence of tillage on the DNA concentration of Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium avenaceum in the harvested grain was observed. In contrast to F. graminearum and F. avenaceum, only limited contents of F. langsethiae DNA were observed in straw residues and air samples. Still, considerable concentrations of F. langsethiae DNA and HT2 + T2 were recorded in oat grain harvested from these fields. We speculate that the life cycle of F. langsethiae differs from those of F. graminearum and F. avenaceum with regard to survival, inoculum production and dispersal.

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In 2017, two multi-location apple rootstock trials were established at 16 sites in 12 European countries. The evaluations are performed by members of the EUFRIN (European Fruit Research Institute Network) Apple & Pear Variety & Rootstock Testing Working Group. Two separate trials were arranged, grouping rootstocks into dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks according to the expected vigour; ‘Galaval’ was used as scion cultivar. The trial of dwarf rootstocks includes ‘G.11’ and ‘G.41’ (US), ‘EM_02’, ‘EM_03’, ‘EM_04’, ‘EM_05’ and ‘EM_06’ (UK), ‘62-396-B10®‘ (Russia), ‘P 67’ (Poland), ‘PFR4’ and ‘PFR5’ (New Zealand) and ‘Cepiland-Pajam®2’ as control. The trial of semi-dwarf rootstocks includes ‘G.202’ and ‘G.935’ (US), ‘PFR1’ and ‘PFR3’ (New Zealand), ‘EM_01’ (UK) and ‘G.11’ as a control for both trials. Part of the rootstocks (from dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstock trials) was planted in replanting conditions to test their tolerance to apple replant disease. All test trees came from the same nursery, and a common standardised evaluation protocol was used. Based on preliminary results averaged across sites, dwarf rootstocks can be ranked in terms of vigour in the following order: ‘EM_04’ < ‘EM_03’, ‘EM_05’ < ‘62-396-B10®’, ‘P 67’, ‘EM_02’, ‘G.11’ < ‘G.41’, ‘Cepiland-Pajam®2’ < ‘EM_06’, ‘PFR4’ < ‘PFR5’. On average, semi-dwarf rootstocks can be ranked in terms of vigour in the following order: ‘G11’ < ‘G.935’, ‘G.202’ < ‘PFR3’, ‘EM_01’ < ‘PFR1’. The highest cumulative yield in the young orchard was registered for trees on ‘PFR5’, ‘PFR4’, ‘G.11’, ‘G.41’, ‘Cepiland-Pajam®2’ and ‘EM_02’, while the lowest production was found for trees on ‘EM_04’. In the group of semi-dwarf rootstocks, the highest yield was on ‘PFR3’, ‘G.935’ and ‘PFR1’. Rootstocks also had a significant effect on fruit weight and fruit quality parameters. Results from the young orchards revealed interactions between sites and rootstock, potentially leading to site-specific rootstock choice based on the combination of rootstock, soil conditions and climate.

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Sammendrag

The study was performed with apple cultivar ‘Rubin’ grafted onto dwarf ‘P60’ rootstock at the experimental orchard of the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, between 2016 and 2020. The orchard was planted in 2010. Planting distances were 1.25×3.5 m. Seven treatments of tree vigour control were established, including combinations of mechanical pruning, tree trunk incision and application of prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca). The strongest growth was recorded for the control treatment, where slender spindle trees were maintained manually. Significantly, the shortest shoots grew where mechanical pruning was applied. A tendency for higher yield was recorded for mechanical pruning treatments. Trunk incision and summer pruning exhibited significantly lower fruit mean weight and diameter. Multiple applications of Pro-Ca increased fruit weight. Less colored fruits were obtained for mechanical pruning treatments

Sammendrag

The diversity and abundance of pollinating insects is declining on a global scale and urgent action is needed. This is a brief film about the importance of pollinators, what is being done in Norway to counteract pollinator decline, and how you can help. Together, we can make a difference.

Sammendrag

Weeds may reduce crop yields significantly if managed improperly. However, excessive herbicide use increases risk of unwanted effects on ecosystems, humans and herbicide resistance development. Weed harrowing is a traditional method to manage weeds mechanically in organic cereals but could also be used in conventional production. The weed control efficacy of weed harrowing can be adjusted by e.g. the angle of the tines. Due to its broadcast nature (both crop and weed plants are disturbed), weed harrowing may have relatively poor selectivity (i.e. small ratio between weed control and crop injury). To improve selectivity, a sensor-based model which takes into account the intra-field variation in weediness and “soil density” in the upper soil layer (draft force of tines), is proposed. The suggested model is a non-linear regression model with three parameters and was based on five field trials in spring barley in SE Norway. The model predicts the optimal weed harrowing intensity (in terms of the tine angle) from the estimated total weed cover and SD per sub-field management unit, as well as a pre-set biological weed threshold (defined as the acceptable total weed cover left untreated). Weed cover and SD were estimated with RGB images (analysed with custom-made machine vision) and an electronic load cell, respectively. With current parameter values, the model should be valid for precision weed harrowing in spring barley in SE Norway. The next step is to test the model, and if successful, adjust it to more cereal species. Weeds may reduce crop yields significantly if managed improperly. However, excessive herbicide use increases risk of unwanted effects on ecosystems, humans and herbicide resistance development. Weed harrowing is a traditional method to manage weeds mechanically in organic cereals but could also be used in conventional production. The weed control efficacy of weed harrowing can be adjusted by e.g. the angle of the tines. Due to its broadcast nature (both crop and weed plants are disturbed), weed harrowing may have relatively poor selectivity (i.e. small ratio between weed control and crop injury). To improve selectivity, a sensor-based model which takes into account the intra-field variation in weediness and “soil density” in the upper soil layer (draft force of tines), is proposed. The suggested model is a non-linear regression model with three parameters and was based on five field trials in spring barley in SE Norway. The model predicts the optimal weed harrowing intensity (in terms of the tine angle) from the estimated total weed cover and SD per sub-field management unit, as well as a pre-set biological weed threshold (defined as the acceptable total weed cover left untreated). Weed cover and SD were estimated with RGB images (analysed with custom-made machine vision) and an electronic load cell, respectively. With current parameter values, the model should be valid for precision weed harrowing in spring barley in SE Norway. The next step is to test the model, and if successful, adjust it to more cereal species.