The seed dispersion caused by pod shattering is a form of propagation used by many wild species. Loss of seeds from pod shattering is frequent in the common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), an important self-pollinating annual forage legume. However, pod shattering is one of the most important defects that limits the reproduction of the vetch in the field and the usage as a leguminous forage crop. To b...

By 2050, the world population is likely to be 9.1 billion, the CO(2) concentration 550 ppm, the ozone concentration 60 ppb and the climate warmer by ca 2 degrees C. In these conditions, what contribution can increased crop yield make to feeding the world? CO(2) enrichment is likely to increase yields of most crops by approximately 13 per cent but leave yields of C4 crops unchanged. It will tend...

Abstract Synchronizing crop residue decomposing and releasing nitrogen with subsequent cash needs provides benefits for ecosystems, but it is difficult to carry out. This study aimed investigate the trend of decomposition vetch ( Vicia sativa ), rye Secale cereal e) mixed (rye + vetch) cover residues as well release after incorporating them into soil during 12 weeks potato growth season by usin...

Integrating cover crops (CC) in rotations provides multiple ecological services, but it must be ensured that management does not increase pre-emptive competition with the subsequent crop. This experiment was conducted to study the effect of kill date on: (i) CC growth and N content; (ii) the chemical composition of residues; (iii) soil inorganic N and potentially mineralizable N; and (iv) soil ...

Leguminous cover crop and living mulch species show not only great potential for providing multiple beneficial services to agro-ecosystems, but may also present pathological risks for other crops in rotations through shared pathogens, especially those of the genus Fusarium. Disease severity on roots of subterranean clover, white clover, winter and summer vetch grown as cover crop and living mul...

INTRODUCTION Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) is an important pulse crop in the semi-arid tropics and subtropical farming systems, providing high quality vegetable protein, animal feed and firewood (Mittal and Ujagir, 2005). The crop yields are generally hampered by many pests, which are problematic over years (Kumar and Nath, 2002). Major constraint in the production of pigeonpea is the da...

The structure of vascular sinuses in rat bone marrow is modified as cells cross their wall. Endotoxin, by causing withdrawal of granulocytes from the circulation, induces a compensatory discharge of fresh granulocytes through the wall of sinuses. As a result the sinus wall becomes infiltrated by clusters of late-stage hematopoietic cells which appear in transmural passage. Two correlates of suc...

Crop residues are potential biofuel feedstocks, but residue removal may reduce soil carbon (C). The inclusion of a cover crop in a corn bioenergy system could provide additional biomass, mitigating the negative effects of residue removal by adding to stable soil C pools. In a no-till continuous corn bioenergy system in the northern US Corn Belt, we used CO2 pulse labeling to trace plant C from ...

Although bell bean is a true vetch, it differs greatly from other vetches with its strong upright growth. It also has a relatively shallow, thick taproot, which may be useful for opening up heavy soils. Bell bean is often used in mixes with vetches, peas, or cereals. Because of its height and because it does not tolerate close mowing, it is often omitted from mixes in frost-prone areas. Bell be...

Abstract No-till cropping systems with cover crops can improve soil health, but often rely on glyphosate, which is a contentious herbicide. In this study, we investigated whether system based the direct sowing of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus ) in dead mulch roller-crimped hairy vetch Vicia villosa could be competitive where glyphosate also sprayed to terminate crop and control weeds. We hypoth...