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.
2025
Authors
Daniel Flø Johan A. Stenberg Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Kjetil Klaveness Melby Anders Nielsen Selamawit Tekle Gobena Beatrix Alsanius Jorunn Børve Paal Krokene Christer Magnusson Mogens Nicolaisen Line Nybakken May-Guri Sæthre Iben Margrete ThomsenAbstract
VKM has assessed the environmental and health risks associated with the use of the mites Acarus siro and Suidasia pontifica as feed for various predatory insects and mites. Background POWERFOOD 3.0 is used as feed for various predatory mites and predatory insects. Acarus siro, Suidasia pontifica, and Carpoglyphus lactis constitute the product. Carpoglyphus lactis has previously been assessed by VKM. VKM has now prepared an environmental and health risk assessment of A. siro and S. pontifica. Conclusions Acarus siro occurs naturally in Norway, and new introductions will most likely be able to establish and spread in Norway. Suidasia pontifica, on the other hand, has never been recorded in the wild in Norway, and its tropical origin suggests that it will not establish and spread in Norway. No records of negative effects of A. siro and S. pontifica on biodiversity were found. Several studies report allergies to mites, including the species in the product POWERFOOD 3.0. The likelihood of developing mite allergies after handling the product is therefore high. However, the likelihood of allergic reactions following consumption of plants treated with the product appears to be low. Regarding taxonomic challenges that may affect the risk assessment, VKM found out that A. siro can be mistaken for A. farris and A. immobilis. These species differ only slightly in development and ecology. From the limited available knowledge about their biology, these three species are expected to have similar effects on biodiversity and human health. There are no known problems with species identification for Suidasia pontifica. The taxonomic issue with this species is that much of the literature uses an invalid name; S. medanensis. The risk assessment is approved by VKM's Panel on Plant Health.
Abstract
Context Dairy farming contributes approximately 2.5 % of annual global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. Two approaches are often discussed: low-intensity, low-cost production with minimal reliance on purchased inputs; and high-intensity production with higher-yielding cows to reduce land use and reduce methane emissions per unit of milk. Objective The objective was to identify management factors and farm characteristics that explain variations in GHG emissions, environmental, and economic performance. Indicators included were GHG emissions, land use occupation, energy intensity, nitrogen intensity, and gross margin. Methods Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to calculate the environmental impacts for 200 commercial dairy farms in Central Norway based on farm activities, purchased inputs, machinery, and buildings from 2014 to 2016. A multiple regression analysis with backward elimination was conducted to highlight important variables for environmental impact and economic outcome. Results and conclusions A higher share of dairy cows was found to be the most important factor in reducing GHG emissions, energy and nitrogen intensity, and land use but also to decrease gross margin. Additional key factors for reducing environmental impact included less purchased nitrogen fertiliser, and higher forage yield. There were no statistical correlations between GHG emissions and gross margin per MJ of human-edible energy delivered. Significance Conducting LCA for many dairy farms allows to highlight important factors influencing environmental impact and economic outcome. Using the delivery of human-edible energy from milk and meat as a functional unit allows for a combined evaluation of milk and meat production on a farm.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
European fruit research institute network (EUFRIN) has started coordinated apple rootstock trials across the Europe in 2017. Until now, nineteen research institutions from 14 countries established 6 apple rootstock trials where 33 apple rootstocks of different vigour are in tests. Introduction of new apple orchard designs, multileader canopies usually require more vigorous rootstocks. Investigations of semi-dwarfing apple rootstocks ‘PFR1’ and ‘PFR3’ (New Zealand), ‘G.935’ and ‘G.202’ (US), ‘EM_01’ (UK) and ‘G.11’ as control were performed with apple ‘Galaval’ in Spain, France, and Lithuania during 2017-2023. On the average of five trial sites, the most vigorous trees were on ‘EM_01’, ‘PFR1’ and ‘PFR3’, exceeding vigour of trees on ‘G.11’ by 61 – 84%. Apple trees on rootstocks ‘PFR1’, ‘PFR3’ and ‘G.935’ produced higher cumulative yields, ‘G.202’ similar and ‘EM_01’ significantly lower yield comparing with ‘G.11’. Fertility index of ‘G.935’ equalled fertility of dwarfing ‘G.11’. Fertility index of ‘PFR3’ was similar to ‘G.202’, and the lowest was recorded for ‘EM_01’. Average fruit size did not depend on rootstocks. Rootstock – site interaction was not significant for tree vigour, fruit size, however significant interactions were recorded for cumulative yield and fertility index.
Authors
Darius KviklysAbstract
European fruit research institute network (EUFRIN) has started coordinated apple and pear rootstock trials across the Europe in 2017. First pear rootstock trial was established in 2019 where quince rootstocks from NIAB (UK) breeding program ‘QR196-9’ and ‘QR530-11’ were compared with rootstocks ‘Adams’ and ‘Sydo’. Investigations were conducted with pear cultivar ‘Conference’ in Spain, Romania, Poland and Norway during 2019-2023. In all sites the most vigorous pear trees grew on ‘QR196-9’ rootstock. On the average of four trial sites, the weakest growth was recorded on ‘QR530-11’, except the Spanish site. Pear trees on rootstock ‘Adams’ produced the highest cumulative yields. Cumulative yields on other rootstocks were significantly lower by 16-23% without significant differences between them. However, site geographical position, climate and soil properties had a significant effect on rootstock performance. Similar to trees on ‘Adams’ high pear yield in Spain was harvested from trees on ‘QR196-9’; on ‘QR530-11’ rootstock in Poland, but ‘Sydo’ and ‘QR530-11’ rootstocks gave the highest yield in Romania. On the average of all sites, the least cumulative fertility index was recorded on ‘QR196-9’. Significant rootstock site interactions were revealed: rootstock ‘Adams’ had the highest cumulative fertility index in Spain and Norway, while rootstock ‘QR530-11’ in Poland and Romania.
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Sweet cherries are grown in areas with suitable local climatic conditions up to 60°N in Norway. All orchards have high density planting systems and are rain covered. The most common system now is multibay high tunnels systems where the trees are under plastic cover from the bloom to the end of the harvest. All orchards are fertigated and the production is aimed to supply the fresh fruit domestic market with high quality fruit from early July and to the end of August. At NIBIO Ullensvang, western Norway a large number of sweet cherry cultivars and advanced selections from worldwide breeding programmes have been evaluated continuously since 1959 and several cultivars have been recommended from this programme for commercial production during the last decades. During the last six years approximately fifty cultivars and advanced selections grafted on the rootstock Gisela 6 have been tested. Important objectives were to obtain large and precocious yields, with important quality parameters like fruit size, fruit firmness, soluble solids, fresh appearance, good flavour and resistance against irrigation induced cracking. Based on the results from the recent testing program, the following cultivars are currently recommended for the fresh fruit market: a) for early season: ‘Adelka’, ‘Pacific Red’, ‘Sweet Aryana’ and ‘Bellise’, b) for mid-season: ‘Brooks’, ‘Giant Red’, ‘Grace Star’ and ‘Folfer’ c) for late season: ‘Van’, ,’SPC 342’, ‘LaLa Star’, Royal Edie’, ‘Tamara’ ‘Lapins’, ‘Royal Helen’, ‘Regina’ and ‘Sweetheart’.
Authors
Anne MuolaAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Geir Wæhler Gustavsen Philip Bester van Niekerk Jonas Niklewski Christian Brischke Gry AlfredsenAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
No abstract has been registered