Projects / Programmes
Investigation of Environmentaly friendly maize growing systems and weed control
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.04 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
Sustainable agriculture |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B390 |
Biomedical sciences |
Phytotechny, horticulture, crop protection, phytopathology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
maize, growing systems, plant protection, environment protection, weed control
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Maize is the most widespread and the most important cultivated plant in Slovenia. It is intended primarily to provide energy feed for animals. Because of its usefulness, ease of production and high yields has a 40 % share in the agricultural production, which was not a long ago even higher. Most of the maize is grown on our best and most intensive agricultural land, while 30 % lies in various water protected areas, which are also the most environmentally vulnerable. The protection of maize against weeds was based in the past 50 years almost exclusively on the use of herbicides, that is why it is no surprise that we are already for 30 years identifying pesticide residues in the groundwater and drinking water. In recent years, owing to the widespread concern for our environment and food safety under the protection of plants against diseases, pests and weeds significantly changed our attitude towards agriculture and with it the weed suppression techniques that prioritize the economy, increasingly puts concern for our environment and human health. Therefore, instead of using herbicides, other, non chemical methods of weed suppression are being used. Herbicides used are less persistant, environmentally friendlier products, having targeted use, depending on the weed flora present in each field. In the case of water protection zones and river banks and coastal zones, the use of herbicides is more limited, or even prohibited in the most confined areas. The aim of our project will therefore investigate the potential for weed control in maize vegetation having regard to the above factors and constraints. We will study different types of nonchemical methods, including various mechanical weed control measures and technologies of soil preparation and processing. We will compare so-called Mulch interventions (treatment and / or preparation of the soil with plant residues near or at the soil surface), reduced tillage (measures of primary and pre-sowing and sowing treatments are reduced or combined), band tillage (the system is limited to surface treatment in sowing bands), and No-till planting, where sowing directly in the fallow soil with plant residues of previous crops. Along with the analysis of acceptability of various mechanical measures and technologies of maize production we will also test the influence of different catch crops on the emergence and development of weeds. The purpose of the research is to propose the most efficient rotation systems which could prevent or hinder the emergence of competing weeds in maize and cereals, which are commonly grown in rotation with maize. Based on the results of this research, we will prepare a sustainable, environmentally friendly systems for maize cultivation in water protection and other environmentally sensitive areas, which will replace the use of herbicides and thereby help to improve the quality of groundwater in Slovenia.
Significance for science
Study on the inclusion of cover crops in maize production technology in Slovenia is an important contribution to knowledge in this field in Europe and beyond. In recent years, much of the research on this topic has been done in different agro climatic conditions which confirmed the advantages of such technologies. The aim of all this research is to provide long-term reduction of pressure of pests and at the same time sustainable and economical food production with a lower environmental impact. In this process, our results will give a smaller contribution as well. On the basis of our research it will be possible to develop new approaches to the technologies of maize production while taking into account the increasingly sophisticated economic as well as environmental standards.
Significance for the country
The project and its results are an integral part of the Development Strategy of Slovenian agriculture and other national strategic documents, which set out the direction of the stable production of high-quality and affordable food and ensuring food security in Slovenia while applying high environmental standards. Environmentally friendly production systems, which are reflected in maintaining soil fertility, environmental protection, conservation of biodiversity and traditional rural landscapes, as defined in the National Environmental Action Plan and are also an integral part of agri-environmental measures under the Slovene Rural development Programme 2014-2020. Some of our project results have already been included in these measures. Moreover, the use of different cover crops included in maize production technologies, together with technologies of soil preparation and cultivation as well as mechanical weed control measures, represents the basis for the environmentally friendly maize production. For this reason we will continue with this research also in the future.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report
