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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.

2009

Abstract

In high-latitude areas, landscapes with flat or moderate relief areas usually contain lakes and mires. The identification of flowpaths in such areas is a difficult issue. The increasing availability of high resolution topography from airborne Lidar measurements offers new opportunities for automatic or semi-automatic channel extraction from DEMs in small watersheds, substantially outperforming the hydrographic network in conventional digital maps....

Abstract

Control of dock species are a true bottleneck in the development of grassland based organic forage production in Norway. Rumex obtusifolius, Rumex crispus and Rumex longifolius are among the most important perennial weeds in grassland areas throughout the world. These dock- species are undesired in grasslands because they decrease yields and reduce forage feeding value. The experiment in our study is carried out as a full-factorial design, including key-factors, which may influence dock behaviour significantly. The first factor, (i) date of grassland establishment, may be important for preventing /decreasing the flush of seedlings from seeds as well as shoots from root fragments. The purpose of the second factor, (ii) black fallow, is both false seedbed preparation and decreasing food reserves in underground plant parts. The third factor, (iii) is the use of equipment for cutting the taproot either (a) before ploughing by using a tractor propelled rotovator, or (b) cutting the dock taproot in the same operation as ploughing by using a prototype ¿two layer dockplough¿. The biological background for cutting the taproot before ploughing is that many studies have shown that new shoots only come from the 5 upper cm of the taproot. Furthermore, our hypothesis is that shoots from highly fragmented regenerative parts (the neck) of the taproot placed deep will not reach the soil surface before their reserves are depleted. Experiments were carried out at 3 and 4 locations in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Weed development were assessed as number of emerging seedlings as well as number of sprouting plants from root fragments, both in the year when the treatments were carried out and the following year. The results are yet not completely analyzed, but preliminary results indicate that plants from seeds frequently are more numerous than plants from roots. At least at some locations and years both the use of rotovator and the ¿dock plough¿, has reduced the number of plants from root fragments with approx. 50%. However, our experiments have shown that ¿dock plough¿ prototype has to be improved, especially because it did not cut the taproot near the open furrow, and did not bury the green parts well enough.

Abstract

Fruit samples of seven sweet cherry cultivars grouped into three different groups of fruit flesh firmness (soft-fruited: 'Ranna Ljaskovska', 'Vista' and 'Sunburst', medium firm: 'Ulster' and 'Sylvia' and firm cultivars: 'Van' and 'Lapins') were harvested over a three week period with 3-4 d intervals prior to, during and after normal harvest time in 1997 and 1998 in Ullensvang, western Norway. Fruit firmness was measured at each harvest date along with measurements of soluble solids content (SSC), air temperature, precipitation and estimation of fruit colour. Corresponding samples picked at normal harvest date were stored in normal air atmosphere at temperatures 2 degrees C and 8 degrees C, respectively, and firmness was measured during storage with 3-5 d intervals. All the tested cultivars reached normal firmness, colour and SSC at harvest both years. Fruit were generally darker in 1998 than in 1997. All cultivars showed a more or less distinct reduction in firmness over the period prior to and slightly after normal harvest. Exceptions were 'Sunburst' in the 1998-season, that increased in firmness after normal harvest date, and the two firmest cultivars that increased in firmness over the ripening period in 1997. Generally, firmness increased during the first part of storage followed by a decrease after 1-2 weeks, the decrease being usually earlier and more distinct at 8 degrees C than at 2 degrees C. 'Van' in 1998 showed no change in firmness development throughout the storage period but a small increase in the last part. 'Lapins' in 1997 had however, a pronounced drop in firmness in the middle of the storage period followed by an increase. All the tested cultivars were more firm at normal harvest time in 1998 than in 1997, except the two firm-fleshed cultivars 'Van' and 'Lapins'. The warm and sunny 1997-summer produced softer fruits than the cold and rainy 1998-season, except for the firm-fleshed cultivars. It was anticipated that the many contradictory results of sweet cherry fruit firmness reported by other authors may be caused by differences in weather conditions as demonstrated.

Abstract

The Scots pine is one of the most important raw materials for the wood industry. The pine is straight and strong, and easily preservation treated. The objective of this study was to describe and analyse the accuracy of diameter observations by varying technologies, and to have a first indication for the applicability of RFID tracing logs in the pole industry. Observations were made on barked poles with calliper, 2D scanner and 3D scanner. The local variation in diameter can be indicated by a standard deviation of 3 to 5 mm for repeated observation in almost the same location, and the same magnitude for actual diameter profile deviation from a smoothed profile. In a 3D scanner, the amount of observed data is huge, making it a challenge to analyse, verify and calibrate the equipment. Nevertheless, the accuracy seems acceptable for observations on barked logs. The RFID technology might find uses in permanent applications, but it is still rather work consuming and expensive, and the commercial profit has so far not been identified.