Publikasjoner
NIBIOs ansatte publiserer flere hundre vitenskapelige artikler og forskningsrapporter hvert år. Her finner du referanser og lenker til publikasjoner og andre forsknings- og formidlingsaktiviteter. Samlingen oppdateres løpende med både nytt og historisk materiale. For mer informasjon om NIBIOs publikasjoner, besøk NIBIOs bibliotek.
2024
Redaktører
Habtamu AlemSammendrag
In the face of unprecedented challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, Resilience and Realities - Exploring Pandemic Effects, Governance Challenges, and Economic Insights offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate interplay between public policies and uncertain times. This enlightening volume presents a thought-provoking collection of chapters that dissect the illusions, opportunities, and complexities surrounding public policies during crises. Spanning two captivating sections, this book embarks on a journey through the labyrinth of pandemic-related public policies, offering fresh insights into the ever-evolving landscape of economic responses and the resilient spirit of entrepreneurship. In the first section, “Illusions of Public Policies Amidst a Pandemic”, readers are invited to dissect the enigma of navigating uncertainties in crisis management. Delve into the gendered impact of the pandemic on academic women, explore the untapped opportunities within the pandemic’s wake, and scrutinize the efficacy of governmental economic strategies. The second section, “Public Policies towards Investment, Technology, and Efficiency”, provides an insightful investigation into the impact of investment in human capital on economic growth. Review the intricacies of financial management within the public sector and gain an understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of technology, investment, and efficiency in public policies. With each chapter, esteemed authors contribute their expertise to illuminate the complexities of these critical topics. Resilience and Realities - Exploring Pandemic Effects, Governance Challenges, and Economic Insights is a vital resource for policymakers, economists, academics, and curious minds seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate nexus between public policies and uncertain times. Explore the wealth of knowledge and insights within these pages and embark on a journey toward a more informed and resilient future. Discover illuminating perspectives, engage in thought-provoking analyses, and embrace the ever-changing landscape of public economics. This book stands as a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment in an era of unprecedented challenges.
Sammendrag
Som drøvtyggar har sauen evne til å omdanna fiberrikt fôr, som ikkje er eteleg for menneske, til høgverdig protein, i kjøtt og biprodukt, med essensielle aminosyrer. I norsk sauehald er det meste av fôrgrunnlaget grovfôr, og beite står for om lag 60 % av fôrinntaket. Men det blir også brukt ein del kraftfôr og mjølkeerstatningar med humant etelege ingrediensar. I denne studien undersøkte vi kor mykje eteleg protein vi får ut i høve til mengd eteleg protein gitt i fôringa. Effektiviteten er rekna som høvetalet (HePeff) med mengd eteleg protein i kjøtt, blod og innmat i høve til mengd eteleg protein brukt i fôringa. Dersom det blir produsert meir eteleg enn det som blir brukt i fôringa, er effektiviteten HePeff større enn 1. Det blei også estimert i kor stor grad aminosyrer brukt i fôringa blir oppgradert til essensielle aminosyrer for menneske. Dette uttrykt som differansen mellom fordøyelege essensielle aminosyrer i kjøtt, blod og innmat og mengd av dei same aminosyrene brukt i fôringa. Datagrunnlaget var tal frå sauebruk som var med i Driftsgranskingane i jordbruket i åra 2018-2020. Mengd innkjøpt kraftfôr og mjølkeerstatning blei estimert ut frå rekneskapstal. Ingrediensar i innkjøpt fôr blei estimert ut frå opplysningar gitt av fôrprodusentar. I kalkylane såg ein på kva det hadde å seie om raps og rapsprodukt i kraftfôret vart rekna som humant eteleg. Dersom ein rekna at både kjøtt, blod og innmat er eteleg, og rapsprodukt ikkje er humant eteleg, blei det i gjennomsnitt produsert om lag like mykje humant eteleg protein som brukt i fôringa, HePeff = 1. Dersom ein ikkje rekna proteinet i raps som humant eteleg, blei det for alle fordøyelege essensielle aminosyrer produsert meir enn brukt i fôringa i regionane ‘Austlandet andre bygder’ og ‘Trøndelag andre bygder’, medan det for andre deler av landet var om lag same mengd protein i kjøtt og biprodukt som det vart brukt i fôringa. Proteineffektiviteten var høgare i regionar med gode utmarksbeite, og Fjell- og dalbygder i Trøndelag og på Austlandet hadde høgare HePeff enn Agder og Rogaland. Mengd kraftfôr per vinterfôra sau og tal gangslam (levande lam på hausten) per vinterfôra sau hadde sterk effekt på HePeff, og det er fullt mogleg å betre effektiviteten med relativt små justeringar av mengd og type ingrediensar i kraftfôr.
Forfattere
Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett Sebastian Kepfer-Rojas Martino Malerba Peter I. Macreadie Ika Djukic Junbin Zhao Erica B. Young Paul H. York Shin-Cheng Yeh Yanmei Xiong Gidon Winters Eilat Campus Danielle Whitlock Carolyn A. Weaver Anne Watson Inger Visby Jacek Tylkowski Allison Trethowan Scott Tiegs Ben Taylor Jozef Szpikowski Grazyna Szpikowska Victoria L. Strickland Normunds Stivrins Ana I. Sousa Sutinee Sinutok Whitney A. Scheffel Rui Santos Jonathan Sanderman Salvador Sánchez-Carrillo Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza Krzysztof G. Rymer Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernandez Bjorn J. M. Robroek Tessa Roberts Aurora M. Ricart Laura K. Reynolds Grzegorz Rachlewicz Anchana Prathep Andrew J. Pinsonneault Elise Pendall Richard J. Payne Ilze Ozola Cody Onufrock Anne Ola Steven F. Oberbauer Aroloye O. Numbere Alyssa B. Novak Joanna Norkko Alf Norkko Thomas J. Mozdzer Pam Morgan Diana I. Montemayor Charles W. Martin Sparkle L. Malone Maciej Major Mikolaj Majewski Carolyn J. Lundquist Catherine E. Lovelock Songlin Liu Hsing-Juh Lin Ana Lillebo Jinquan Li John S. Kominoski Anzar Ahmad Khuroo Jeffrey J. Kelleway Kristin I. Jinks Daniel Jerónimo Christopher Janousek Emma L. Jackson Oscar Iribarne Torrance Hanley Maroof Hamid Arjun Gupta Rafael D. Guariento Ieva Grudzinska Anderson da Rocha Gripp María A. González Sagrario Laura M. Garrison Karine Gagnon Esperança Gacia Marco Fusi Lachlan Farrington Jenny Farmer Francisco de Assis Esteves Mauricio Escapa Monika Domańska André T. C. Dias Carmen B. de los Santos Daniele Daffonchio Pawel M. Czyryca Rod M. Connolly Alexander Cobb Maria Chudzińska Bart Christiaen Peter Chifflard Sara Castelar Luciana S. Carneiro José Gilberto Cardoso-Mohedano Megan Camden Adriano Caliman Richard H. Bulmer Jennifer Bowen Christoffer Boström Susana Bernal John A. Berges Juan C. Benavides Savanna C. Barry Juha M. Alatalo Alia N. Al-Haj Maria Fernanda AdameSammendrag
Patchy global data on belowground litter decomposition dynamics limit our capacity to discern the drivers of carbon preservation and storage across inland and coastal wetlands. We performed a global, multiyear study in over 180 wetlands across 28 countries and 8 macroclimates using standardized litter as measures of “recalcitrant” (rooibos tea) and “labile” (green tea) organic matter (OM) decomposition. Freshwater wetlands and tidal marshes had the highest tea mass remaining, indicating a greater potential for carbon preservation in these ecosystems. Recalcitrant OM decomposition increased with elevated temperatures throughout the decay period, e.g., increase from 10 to 20 °C corresponded to a 1.46-fold increase in the recalcitrant OM decay rate constant. The effect of elevated temperature on labile OM breakdown was ecosystem-dependent, with tidally influenced wetlands showing limited effects of temperature compared with freshwater wetlands. Based on climatic projections, by 2050 wetland decay constants will increase by 1.8% for labile and 3.1% for recalcitrant OM. Our study highlights the potential for reduction in belowground OM in coastal and inland wetlands under increased warming, but the extent and direction of this effect at a large scale is dependent on ecosystem and OM characteristics. Understanding local versus global drivers is necessary to resolve ecosystem influences on carbon preservation in wetlands.
Sammendrag
Context Traditional critical nitrogen (N) dilution curve (CNDC) construction for N nutrition index (NNI) determination has limitations for in-season crop N diagnosis and recommendation under diverse on-farm conditions. Objectives This study was conducted to (i) develop a new rice (Oryza sativa L.) critical N concentration (Nc) determination approach using vegetation index-based CNDCs; and (ii) develop an N recommendation strategy with this new Nc determination approach and evaluate its reliability and practicality. Methods Five years of plot and on-farm experiments involving three japonica rice varieties were conducted at fourteen sites in Qixing Farm, Northeast China. Two machine learning (ML) methods, random forest (RF) and extended gradient boosting (XGBoost) regression, were used to fuse multi-source data including genotype, environment, management, growth stage, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference red edge (NDRE) from portable active canopy sensor RapidSCAN. The CNDC was established using NDVI and NDRE instead of aboveground biomass (AGB) measured by destructive sampling. A new in-season N diagnosis and recommendation strategy was further developed using direct and indirect NNI prediction using multi-source data fusion and ML models. Results The new CNDC based on NDVI or NDRE explained 94−96 % of Nc variability in the evaluation dataset when it was coupled with environmental and agronomic factors using ML models. The ML-based PNC and NNI prediction models explained 85 % and 21–36 % more variability over simple regression models using NDVI or NDRE in the evaluation dataset, respectively. The new in-season N diagnosis strategy using the NDVI and NDRE-based CNDCs and plant N concentration (PNC) predicted with RF model and multi-source data fusion performed slightly better than direct NNI prediction, explaining 7 % more of NNI variability and achieving 89 % of the areal agreement for N diagnosis across all evaluation experiments. Integrating this new N management strategy into the precision rice management system (as ML_PRM) increased yield, N use efficiency (NUE) and economic benefits over farmer’s practice (FP) by 7–15 %, 11–71 % and 4–16 % (161–596 $ ha−1), respectively, and increased NUE by 11–26 % and economic benefits by 8–97 $ ha−1 than regional optimum rice management (RORM) under rice N surplus status under on-farm conditions. Conclusions In-season rice N status diagnosis can be improved using NDVI- and NDRE-based CNDC and PNC predicted by ML modeling with multi-source data fusion. Implications The active canopy sensor- and ML-based in-season N diagnosis and management strategy is more practical for applications under diverse on-farm conditions and has the potential to improve rice yield and ecological and economic benefits.
Forfattere
Sanjana De Zoysa Jeewanthi Sirisena Helani Perera Shalinda Fernando Miyuru Gunathilake Upaka RathnayakeSammendrag
Rainfall Intensity Duration Frequency (IDF) curves can be identified as a major role in the planning of urban drainage infrastructure. Sri Lanka, which is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, is frequently exposed to various climatic alterations. Sri Lanka has specific region-wise IDF relationships for the entire country, however, these IDF curves were developed more than 30 years ago. Many in-situ rainfall observations in Sri Lanka have insufficient record lengths and the absence of finer time scale records (e.g. 15 min, hourly) leading to unreliable IDF curve developments. Given this importance, the present paper demonstrates the application of Satellite-based Precipitation Product (SbPP) daily rainfall in developing IDF curves for Sri Lanka. Rainfall satellite estimates derived from Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG), Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM-3B42), and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information Using Artificial Neural Networks – Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR) have been used to evaluate the ability of application of remote sensing data to develop IDF curves for Sri Lanka against rain gauge (RG) data. Our study breaks new ground by generating 50 IDF curves tailored to specific locations covering the whole county Sri Lanka, using daily rainfall data from RGs and three SbPPs during the period between 1990 and 2019. This marks a significant departure from the conventional approach, offering a more granular understanding of rainfall patterns in the country. By providing IDF curves for individual locations, our research presents a novel contribution to Sri Lanka's IDF history. At first, to evaluate the accuracy of SbPPs, statistical analysis was conducted using continuous and categorical evaluation indices. Second, IDF curves were developed and compared with the presently available IDF curves. Results showcased that IMERG outperformed all SbPPs, while PERSIANN-CDR showed dire performances. The IMERG and TRMM-3B42 products tend to overestimate light precipitation regions in high elevations and overestimate heavy rainfall in low elevations compared to rain gauge data. Rainfall intensities derived by rain gauge data depicted relative changes within ±30% for shorter durations and ±20% for longer durations while SbPPs showed beyond ±30% difference concerning the previously developed IDFs. It was apparent that these products have significant inaccuracies which cannot be neglected when utilizing them in developing IDF curves. This study will be beneficial in solving design problems associated with urban runoff control and disposal where knowing the rainfall intensities of different return periods with different durations is vital.
Sammendrag
The objectives of the study was to 1) investigate soil-plant-water interactions based on field measurements of plant reflectance and soil water content (SWC) in different inter-row managed vineyards, and 2) modeling changes in the SWC due to differences in soil physical parameters among slope positions and management methods. The study explored the impact of three different soil management practices on grapevine growth and soil health in vineyards: tilled (T), cover crops (CC), and perennial grass (NT) inter-rows. Data was collected for 2022 and 2023. At each study slopes, we had two measurement points along a slope section. To continuously monitor soil water and temperature conditions, sensors were strategically positioned at two depths of 15 cm and 40 cm below the soil surface along the slopes, both at the upper and lower points of the vineyard, while topsoil SWC was measured bi-weekly. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) sensors were used to measure leaf reflectance, while handheld instruments were used to measure additional NDVI and leaf Chlorophyll contents (SPAD). For the hydrological modeling we used SWAP (Soil-Water-Atmosphere-Plant), where the rswap R-package was used for calibration (2020 15 and 40cm data), validation (2021 15 and 40cm data), and statistical evaluation. In 2022, all three slopes showed a significantly higher SWC content for the higher points compared to the lower, while in 2023 the grassed slope upper point showed higher SWC (0.18 vs 0.15%). The highest NDVI values were measured for the cover cropped vineyard site (0.68). However, we found no significant differences among NDVI values based on inter-row management or slope position, only the grassed inter-row vineyard had differences in the NDVI values at the lower and upper points (p=0.034). The highest leaf chlorophyll contents were measured for the cover cropped vineyard site (305). Most of the leaf Chlorophyll values were not significantly different among slope positions. Using the SWAP model, data from the cover cropped inter-row vineyard was used for calibration and validation. We found good model fitting (NSE > 0.52; d_daily > 0.81). Reduced-tillage (RT) and drought tolerant plant (DTP) management scenarios were run to simulate SWC changes over time. Preliminary data shows that DTP significantly reduced, while RT did not significantly affect our site’s SWC.
Sammendrag
Interest in dairy cow-calf contact (CCC) systems is growing, yet limited research had been focused on CCC in a pasture setting. Our study aimed to evaluate the performance of pastured dairy cows and calves with or without CCC through machine milk yield and composition, cow body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) decrease, and calf body weight gain (BWG). We also examined calf intake of concentrates, artificially reared calves’ milk intake, and the health of both cows and calves. Conducted on a commercial dairy freestall farm and summer farm in Norway from May to August 2021, the study included twenty cow-calf pairs: 17 Norwegian Red (NRF) and three NRF × Holstein crossbreeds. They were divided into two treatments: cow-calf contact (CC, n = 10) or early separation (ES, n = 10), each with two groups of five cow-calf pairs. CC pairs had full CCC on pasture until 6 weeks postpartum and part-time contact in weeks 7 and 8 (weaning). ES pairs were separated 1–3 h after birth, kept on separate pastures with no contact between ES cows and calves. ES calves’ received daily milk allowances of 12–14 L (weeks 0–6), reduced to 8 L (week 7) and further to 4 L (week 8). From week 9, all calves were denied access to any milk (ES) or cows (CC). During weeks 0–6, CC cows had a daily machine milk yield 23.7 kg lower/cow than ES cows. The difference was likely affected by nursing and other factors (parity and inhibited milk ejection), and persisted during weaning, with CC cows delivering 8.3 kg less/cow/day in weeks 10 and 11 postpartum. Fat and protein content in machine milk showed no significant difference, while lactose content was lower in milk from CC cows than ES cows (week 5 postpartum). CC cows had a lower BW decrease compared to ES cows (CC: 913 g/day, ES: 1415 g/day from pasture day one through week 9). ES calves had an average milk intake of 10.7 L/calf/day (weeks 0–6), and consumed more concentrates than CC calves. Calves’ daily BWG did not differ between treatments in weeks 0–6 (CC: 1340 and ES: 1250 g/day) and decreased for both treatments during weaning (CC: 1050 g/day, ES: 920 g/day in weeks 6–9). Inhibited milk ejection during machine milking was a challenge in CC cows, prompting oxytocin injections to prevent mastitis. Allowing calves full CCC or providing whole milk near ad libitum can result in similar BWG and health in calves. Further research should explore strategies to enhance milk ejection in pastured CCC cows.
Forfattere
Anders Nielsen Bjørn Arild Hatteland Jo Skeie Hermansen Lawrence Richard Kirkendall Claus Rasmussen Kristin Opdal Seljetun Markus A. K. Sydenham Henning Sørum Paul Ragnar Berg Anders Bryn Kjetil Hindar Kyrre Kausrud Tor Atle Mo Erlend Birkeland Nilsen Brett Kevin Sandercock Eva Bonsak Thorstad Gaute VelleSammendrag
Background Pollinators are under threat from a variety of environmental drivers, including habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticides, climate change, and invasive species. Despite being domesticated animals, honey bees (Apis mellifera) share many traits with invasive species and several studies have suggested that beekeeping might pose a threat to wild bees and other pollinators. In Norway, the history of beekeeping dates to at least the 18th century, yet little is known about the consequences of this agricultural practice on biodiversity, especially on wild pollinators. The Norwegian Environment Agency therefore asked VKM to provide a brief summary of the available literature on the impact of honey bee keeping on wild pollinating insects and assess whether keeping of honey bees might pose a risk to wild pollinators in Norway. VKM was also asked to specifically assess the impact of stocking rates and placement of honey bee hives in relation to important wild pollinator habitats and vulnerable populations of wild pollinators (e.g. threatened species). Finally, VKM was asked to identify and assess possible risk-reducing measures related to any risk identified. Methods To provide a brief review of the literature on how keeping of honey bees affect wild pollinators, VKM conducted a rapid review, using the "updates of systematic reviews" approach. This approach aimed to update and supplement the two existing systematic reviews on the topic. Following established search protocols, the literature review thus focused on the effects of managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) on wild pollinators, specifically addressing three key areas: (i) competition for floral and nesting resources, (ii) transmission of pathogens and parasites, and (iii) indirect effects via changes in plant communities. Based on the hazards identified in the literature review and one additional hazard identified by experts in the project group, VKM conducted a risk assessment that included hazard identification, hazard characterization, likelihood of impact, and risk characterization for each of the hazards identified, focusing on the Norwegian context. Additionally, for each identified hazard, VKM estimated the confidence levels for each step in the risk assessment. Finally, VKM identified potential risk mitigating measures and assessed their effectiveness. This was done by conducting a literature search to identify potential risk reducing measures and assessing the identified mitigating measures their effectiveness, certainty of effectiveness, and potential harms using the approach developed by Conservation Evidence (see www.conservationevidence.com). Results/Conclusions Status of knowledge The literature review performed by VKM identified 45 recent studies that were not included in the two previous systematic reviews on the topic. The new studies did not provide results that altered the conclusions of the previous reviews. A brief summary of the review is presented below. Competition for floral resources. Managed honey bees can compete with wild pollinators for shared floral resources and this competition can have clear, measurable, negative effects on wild pollinators. Spillover of pathogens and parasites. Managed honey bees can potentially spread bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens to wild pollinators. The extent to which these pathogens cause disease in wild pollinators is, however, unknown for most wild pollinators. Several parasitic mites can infest hives of managed honey bees, but none of these have been shown to infest wild pollinators found in Norway. One common honey bee pest, the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida), has been found to also infect nests of wild bees. This species is not currently found in Norway. ............................
Forfattere
Gaute Velle Paul Ragnar Berg Johanna Järnegren Martin Malmstrøm Anders Bryn Kjetil Hindar Lawrence R. Kirkendall Kyrre Linné Kausrud Erlend Birkeland Nilsen Brett Kevin Sandercock Eva Bonsak Thorstad Anders NielsenSammendrag
The Norwegian Environment Agency asked VKM to evaluate the risks to biodiversity associated with the importation of eight species of live crabs intended for human consumption. Background Invasive crab species represent a significant threat to biodiversity globally due to their omnivory, adaptability to diverse habitats, high reproductive output, and aggressive behaviour. The Norwegian Environment Agency has raised concerns about the potential ecological risks posed by the import of live crabs to Norway intended for human consumption. This report provides a risk assessment of eight species of crabs that could have negative effects on native biodiversity. The species include Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), Japanese mitten crab (E. japonica), blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), Atlantic rock crab (Cancer irroratus), Asian paddle crab (Charybdis japonica), common moon crab (Matuta victor), African blue swimming crab (Portunus segnis), and Harris mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii). Three of the assessed species were recently confiscated at Norway's border. This suggests a market demand that could increase the frequency of introductions to Norway. Methods VKM established a working group with expertise in invertebrates and risk assessment. The group searched scientific literature for information on the taxonomy, natural history, invasiveness, and ecology for each crab species. If scientific literature was lacking, supplemental google searches allowed for a broader understanding of species with limited research or on the use and transportation of live crabs as food. The assessment utilized the EICAT framework (Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa) to identify potential mechanisms by which each species could harm native biodiversity, should imported specimens become established in Norwegian nature. Key mechanisms include competition, predation, pathogen transmission, and hybridization. The relevant mechanisms were analysed for each species by rating the potential magnitude of impact on biodiversity from minimal to massive. The likelihood of each impact was assessed from very unlikely to very likely. A combination of magnitude of impact and likelihood resulted in final risk levels ranging from low and medium to possibly high and high. Confidence levels for each assessment were also categorized as low, medium, or high based on expert opinion. Results The potential hazards evaluated under the EICAT framework include competition, predation, and transmission of disease for all species, grazing for four species and structural impacts on the ecosystem for three species. The conditions required for crabs imported live for human consumption to reach a natural ecosystem in Norway include a commercial demand for crabs, survival during transport and handling, and the possibility of release or escape. If these conditions for reaching a natural ecosystem are met, the species must then be capable of establishment in the new ecosystem. There are several examples of species imported live for human consumption becoming established in the wild, most likely due to intentional release. The risk assessments indicate varied levels of risk across the five hazards. Competition from E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk, while competition from C. sapidus, C. irroratus, M. victor, P. segnis, or R. harrisii was assessed to pose a medium risk. Predation by E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk and predation from R. harrisii, C. sapidus, C. irroratus, M. victor, or P. segnis was assessed to pose a medium risk. Transmission of disease from either E. sinensis or E. japonica was assessed to pose a high risk, while there was a possibly high risk of disease transmission from C. irroratus. The diseases of highest concern include the crayfish plague (Aphanomyces astaci) and gaffkaemia (Aerococcus viridans var. homari). Finally, there was a moderate risk of ......
Forfattere
Karin Juul Hesselsøe Anne Friederike Borchert Trond Olav Pettersen Atle Beisland Kristine Sundsdal Victoria Stornes Moen Erik Lysøe Monica Skogen Carl Frisk Tatsiana Espevig Christian Spring Mark Ferguson Matthew Clark Liam Hargreaves Martin Nilsson Wolfgang Prämaßing Lukas Borrink Daniel R. Hunt Julian Siebert Axel Städler Yuri Lebedin Valentina Maygurova Anna Antropova Tatiana Gagkaeva Marina Usoltseva Kate Entwistle Sabine Braitmaier Carlos Guerrero Ingeborg M. Hokkanen Heikki HokkanenSammendrag
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) refers to the integration of all available techniques for control of diseases, harmful insects and weeds and keep the use of pesticides to levels that are economically justified and environmentally sustainable (FAO, 2016). In compliance with regulations 2009/128/EU and 2009/1107/EU, the five Nordic countries, UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Italy have all imposed strict regulations on pesticide use (STERF, 2016). In this context, a main challenge for golf courses is to secure high-quality playing conditions for current and future generations while at the same time reducing the dependency on chemical plant protection products. IPM has for many years been one of STERF’s highest research priorities with a focus on: Evaluation and management of turfgrass species, varieties and mixtures to create more disease resistant, stress tolerant and weed-competitive turf (i); Identification and understanding the biology and proliferation of harmful organisms in turf (ii) Safer and more efficient use of pesticides (including reduced risk for surface runoff and leaching to the environment (http://www.sterf.org/sv/projects/project-list?pid=12) (iii). Due to common EU directives, global warming and other reasons, golf courses in other parts of Northern Europe mostly experience the same IPM challenges as in the Nordic countries. This project addresses UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 12, 13 and 15 as described by R&A and STERF in ‘Golf Course Scandinavia 2030’. It is also a direct follow-up of R&A’s GC2030 ‘Action Plans for ‘Golf Course Condition and Playability’ (1) and ‘Resources’ which request projects that identify alternative approaches to pesticide use and discuss their efficacy (2). The overall goal of this project was to investigate cultural practices and new technologies for prevention and control of the two most important and destructive turfgrass diseases on golf course putting greens - microdochium patch and dollar spot, and to get insight on situation and methods for prevention and control of insect pests on golf courses with a minimum use of pesticides in the Nordic countries.