Die Bodenkultur: Journal of Land Management, Food and Environment Feed

Integrative Multi-Trait Analysis of Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) Somaclones in a Tropical Highland Environment

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) play a vital role in ensuring global food security. Population growth, market demand, and the need for high-quality crop yields have driven the adoption of efficient technologies to identify somaclones with superior yield potential. This study was conducted with the primary objectives of identifying variance in potato morphological traits and yield, identifying relationships between measured traits, and selecting superior somaclones using multi-trait analysis. The experiment was conducted in Pangalengan, West Java, Indonesia, using a randomized block design with three replications. The analysis results showed significant differences among somaclones for all observed traits. The correlation analysis showed that tuber weight per plot (yield) had a significant positive correlation with various growth parameters and yield components. The increase in tuber weight per plot was in line with the increase in economic tuber weight, number of economic tubers, stem diameter, and plant height. In addition, leaf dimensions, including leaf length and width, also contributed significantly to the achievement of tuber weight per plot in each observation area unit. Furthermore, the Multi-Trait Genotype–Ideotype Distance Index (MGIDI) analysis proved successful in identifying three superior potato somaclones, namely G3, G4, and G7, with G7 being the most superior somaclone. The achieved selection accuracy was very high (86.4%), with heritability values ranging from 76.1% to 94.9%. Selected somaclones can be used for further potato breeding programs.

Kornertrag, Stickstoffparameter und Energieeffizienz von Körnermais bei unterschiedlichen mineralischen und organischen Düngestrategien mit 180 kg N/ha in einem Langzeitdüngungsversuch in der Steiermark

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

At a high-yield site in the Styrian district of Hartberg-Fürstenfeld (Kalsdorf ), a long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization trial was conducted over ten experimental years (2011–2016, 2018, 2020–2022) to investigate grain yield, N uptake, N balance, and energy efficiency. The fertilization treatments (unfertilized, nine treatments with 180 kg N/ha, including seven mineral and two biogas slurry treatments) each with four replications were arranged in a generalized lattice design with incomplete blocks. The total energy input, consisting of direct energy input (heating oil and electricity for drying, fuel for field operations) and indirect energy input (mineral N fertilizer, seeds, plant protection, machinery), amounted to 19.0 GJ/ha for the unfertilized control, 30.7 GJ/ha for the mineral fertilization variants, and 20.6 GJ/ha for the biogas slurry variants. Drying energy accounted for up to 47%, and mineral fertilizer energy accounted for up to 21% of the total energy input. The seven mineral fertilization variants showed no significant differences in grain yield, which ranged between 14,757 and 15,025 kg/ha. Biogas slurry fertilization produced lower grain yields (11,803 kg/ha – single application, 12,622 kg/ha – twice application) with high energy efficiency. A twice application is more energy efficient than a single application. The average N balance was −57.1 kg N/ha for the unfertilized control, +24.6 kg N/ha for the mineral treatments, and +58.4 kg N/ha for the biogas slurry treatments. With increasing grain yield, the N balance decreased.

Datura stramonium L. in soybean in Austria: risk areas, extent of late-season infestation, and management implications

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Datura stramonium is a serious weed in soybeans and a source of toxic tropane alkaloids. Late-season weed escapes can contaminate the crops during harvesting. The spatiotemporal spread patterns of D. stramonium in Austria and its significance for soybean cultivation based on an exhaustive distribution dataset were analyzed. Drone images and an automatic image recognition method were used to study late-season infestation in soybean fields (n = 159) in eastern Austria. The results show that this species has spread in fields in Austria, particularly in the lowlands where the largest soybean cultivation areas are located. D. stramonium puts approximately 22% of the soybean cultivation area at risk. The maps derived from the drone images revealed that late-season infestation by D. stramonium varied considerably between the soybean fields (detections per ha: 316.2 ± 957.1), with areas close to the field border being at a higher risk of infestation than areas in the field core. The preceding crop and crop sequence diversity appeared to be important drivers of the extent of infestation. The results provide an opportunity to raise awareness of D. stramonium among farmers, regulatory bodies, and food and feed producers. Recommended management options include treatment of field edges and adapted crop rotation.

Kornertrags-, stickstoffbilanz- und energieeffizienz-orientierte Stickstoffmineraldüngung von Körnermais in einem Langzeitdüngungsversuch in der Steiermark

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

At a high-yield site in southern Styria, a long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization trial was conducted over ten experimental years (2011–2016, 2018, 2020–2022) to investigate grain yield, N balance and energy efficiency in eleven mineral-fertilized treatments with 115, 145, 180, 210 and 240 kg N/ha, as well as an unfertilized control, with respect to the optimal N fertilizer rate. Calcium ammonium nitrate was used for all fertilizer rates. At an application rate of 180 kg N/ha, different fertilizer types (calcium ammonium nitrate, Linzer STAR, ENTEC® 26, urea), application times and numbers of split applications were additionally compared. Grain yield and N content in the grain increased with N fertilization, while the highest N rates no longer showed any additional effect. Nitrogen fertilization also increased the N balance (sum of N fertilization minus N uptake), and improved energy use efficiency (ENE = energy output/energy input). However, very high N rates strongly increased the N balance and led to a decrease of the ENE. The optimal N rates for a balanced N balance were calculated at 139 kg N/ha and for the highest ENE at 167 kg N/ha. The value of the ENE is in line with national recommendations for appropriate fertilization. Anyhow, an optimal, site-adapted N fertilization rate should be based from an ecological point on the N balance. At a fertilization rate of 180 kg N/ha, the different variants had no effect on grain yield and only a minor effect on N balance and energy efficiency.

Buchbesprechung: Praxisführer Almpflanzen Futter- und Zeigerpflanzen im Alpenraum verstehen

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Mapping the Digital Transformation of Reverse Logistics: A Multi-Level Taxonomy

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This article offers a comprehensive synthesis of critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing digitally enabled reverse logistics (RL), addressing a gap in the current academic discourse. A systematic review of 165 scholarly publications was conducted, with 56 studies selected for in-depth qualitative content analysis. Recurring enablers and barriers were identified and organized into a structured taxonomy comprising four core dimensions: (1) Stakeholder Integration and Support, (2) Sustainable Practices and Resource Management, (3) Regulatory Compliance and Strategic Alignment, and (4) Organizational and Infrastructure Adaptability. During the taxonomy development, three systemic levels—micro (company-internal), meso (inter-organizational), and macro (external environment)—emerged inductively, capturing the multi-layered complexity of RL implementation. The resulting taxonomy constitutes a novel conceptual framework that synthesizes the current state of research, offering scholars a multi-level lens and practitioners a diagnostic tool for strategy development. The study also identifies persistent challenges and outlines future research directions at the intersection of digital transformation and circular logistics.

Long-term field experiments in grassland – more than just resource-consuming nostalgia

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This paper highlights the importance of long-term field experiments in grassland and offers conclusive and strong arguments for their preservation and continuation. Examples of Austrian and selected European long-term experiments (LTEs) exhibit quite diverse research activities while applying modern analytics and survey methods. Increasing attractiveness for interdisciplinary work in both basic and applied research is proven. It is concluded that not all long-term experiments still existing will be maintained in their original form and managed according to the underlying experimental concept because of scarce human and financial resources. Therefore, both minimum requirements and optimal constellations for the future use of such ‘listening places’ are defined. Finally, the intention of this paper also is to motivate the responsible persons and research institutions to further explore and protect these highly valuable resources.

Earthworm research in Austria: current status, knowledge gaps and future directions

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Earthworms are crucial for terrestrial ecosystems, affecting soil physical and chemical properties, and ecological interactions. They serve as indicators of environmental change, soil biodiversity and soil health. However, earthworms are rarely included in ongoing biodiversity monitoring programmes. This systematic review of the available literature on earthworms in Austria focusses particularly on land use impacts. Austria has a great diversity of land use practices and a comparatively diverse earthworm fauna comprising around 60 species. We identified 20 field studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including at least one earthworm community metric (abundance, biomass, species richness/diversity) since the year 2000. Most studies were conducted after 2014, focussing on earthworms in agroecosystems. One study addressed forests and nature conservation areas each, with none on urban ecosystems. The limited number of studies precluded a statistical analysis of land use impacts. Our literature review revealed that a greater diversity of ecosystems must be studied systematically to analyse the effects of land use on earthworms in Austria. This will become even more important, given the recently adopted European Soil Monitoring Law aiming to achieve healthy soils by 2050. The law specifically mentions earthworm abundance and diversity as important indicators of soil biodiversity loss and health.

Chickpea Variety Assessment in Austria’s Arid Growing Region: Growth, Yield, and Chemical Composition

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Chickpea, a high-quality protein source, is still rarely cultivated in Austrian agriculture, although its high drought tolerance would make it a suitable alternative crop in the eastern arid growing regions, where climate change increasingly causes drought stress. Most European countries, including Austria, are still heavily dependent on imports, with access to chickpea varieties that are adapted to local environmental conditions being limited. In this study, 24 different foreign chickpea varieties of both the Kabuli and the Desi types were grown and assessed in a field trial in the arid Austrian growing region Marchfeld in 2023. The varieties differed in phenotypical appearance, plant development, yield, yield components, and chemical composition of the harvested material. Measured yield at normalized 86% dry matter content ranged between 16 and 24 dt/ha, with the three highest yielding varieties being of the Kabuli type. Protein content ranged from 19.2% to 23.0%. Seeds from varieties of the Kabuli type displayed a higher total saccharide content, whereas those of the Desi type exhibited a higher polyphenol content. The findings from our field trial suggest that chickpea holds promise as a viable alternative crop for dry regions in Eastern Austria. .

Cost implications of replacing imported apples with local and organic alternatives in Czech school meals

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The inclusion of organic and locally grown foods in school meal programs has recently gained attention with the focus on improving child nutrition, supporting local agriculture, and reducing the environmental impacts. This research examines the financial implications of replacing imported conventional apple shares with locally grown conventional and organic apples in Czech school meals for children aged 7–10 and 11–14. Using real cost data and typical meal compositions, several substitution scenarios were modeled, including full replacement of apples and partial (5% of the meal portion) inclusion of local organic apples. Findings revealed that even at the complete replacement of imported apples with local organic apples, the total meal price increased by a small percentage (1.67%–1.89%) depending on the age group. The introduction of 5% share of organic apples resulted in minimal cost increases (0.54%–1.27%). These results are contrary to the public assumption that local and organic food sourcing imposes unsustainable costs on public institutions. The results also provide a feasible pathway for stepwise school meal reform in the Czech Republic. The study confirmed that gradual integration of organic produce is cost-friendly and supports goals related to child nutrition, regional food nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought causes stress responses in growth and photosynthesis of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress on the morphological and photosynthetic traits of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This study systematically investigated the morpho-physiologic and biochemical responses of five common bean genotypes under controlled PEG-induced drought conditions (10% and 15% PEG). Mild drought stress (10% PEG) elicited significant adaptive responses, including enhanced root elongation, shoot growth, and biomass accumulation in select genotypes, notably G4 and G5, which also sustained higher chlorophyll content and protein accumulation. Conversely, severe drought (15% PEG) markedly impaired growth parameters and photosynthetic efficiency, reflecting stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. Correlative analyses demonstrated strong interrelationships among photosynthetic pigments, biomass traits, and gas exchange parameters, while principal component analysis elucidated distinct trait clusters underlying drought tolerance mechanisms. Elevated water use efficiency under moderate stress further underscores genotype-specific drought adaptation strategies. These findings highlight the complex interplay between morphological and physiologic traits in conferring drought resilience, offering critical insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing common bean performance in water-limited environments.

Humusmanagement in österreichischen Dauergrünlandböden

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

In Austria, soils of permanent grassland are important for storage of organic carbon (C) due to their high soil organic matter stocks and large area. In permanent grassland, approximately 90 % of the total C stock are stored in the soil. Organic C stock in the soil layer 0–30 cm is on average 93 t C ha−1. A considerable quantity of soil organic C (> 40 %) is stored in the subsoil (10–50 cm). Subsoils have a high potential for long-term soil C sequestration. Soil organic C stock is controlled by climate, soil properties (particularly soil moisture status, soil thickness), vegetation type (root biomass) and grassland management intensity. Plant roots and C-rich organic fertiliser are of utmost importance for soil organic matter build-up, which is generelly a slow process. In permanent grassland, soil organic C storage is highest at an intermediate management intensity (stocking rate: 1.2–1.5 LU per ha, 2–4 cuttings per year, annual application of cattle manure or composted cattle manure). Management practices designed to increase the annual soil organic matter turnover are more important than those designed to enhance the soil organic matter stocks. Soil C sequestration can trigger a trade-off between climate change mitigation and nature protection.

Physicochemical characterization of pig manure and its carbonaceous derivatives: Climate and sustainability impacts

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Pig manure, a significant by-product of the swine industry, presents challenges and opportunities regarding management and environmental sustainability, especially in developing countries. The manure is composed of undigested feed remnants, including cellulose, proteins, minerals, and other excretory products, which makes it a nutrient-rich yet problematic resource. This review summarizes the state of knowledge up to the year 2024 by evaluating 201 relevant scientific articles on the physicochemical properties of pig manure and its biocarbon derivatives, highlighting their potential agricultural and environmental benefits. Understanding the factors influencing manure and biochar characteristics is critical in driving manure management and sustainability policies. Literature exploration showed that the carbon-rich products from carbonization have a higher pH (8–12), carbon (38%–75%), and ash (13%–72%) contents compared to the original manure, making them suitable for applications such as soil-crop improvement, renewable energy production, feed supplementation, and bioremediation. These biocarbon derivatives also exhibit enhanced surface area, porosity, and redox-active properties, fostering a beneficial soil or gut microbiome and overall environmental health improvements. The char characteristics are dependent on the manure quality and processing methods, with co-pyrolysis with other carbon-rich materials improving the char quality. However, the results from some of the selected studies on biochar properties and its production protocols were poorly characterized, which may be a major drawback for generalizing results. Overall, the thermal conversion of pig manure to biocarbon provides a sustainable solution to on-farm manure recycling, while mitigating pollution challenges in pig farming.

Einfluss von Niederschlägen im Vegetationsverlauf und hohen Temperaturen im Frühjahr sowie Pflugeinsatz auf den Kornertrag von Winterweizen in Niederösterreich

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Winter wheat is grown on a large scale in the state of Lower Austria, and yield losses are expected due to climate change, both as a result of increasing drought all year round and high temperatures in the generative phase. The influence of precipitation in winter is particularly questionable. Based on large data sets from six different districts in Lower Austria and 14 harvest years 2006 to 2019, which also included information on soil cultivation before wheat sowing, the influence of precipitation (in four periods during wheat development), the influence of high temperatures (in spring and early summer) and the effect of ploughing on grain yield were examined. An influence of winter precipitation (November 16 to February 28/29) was not detectable, nor was that of spring or early summer precipitation (March 01 to July 15). The autumn precipitation (July 16 to November 15) and the total precipitation of a harvest year (July 16 to July 15) showed a positive, although minor, influence on wheat yield. In contrast, the number of hot days with a maximum temperature of above 27 °C in spring and early summer and high daily average temperatures in the generative phase (May 01 to July 15) had a negative effect on wheat yield. The results underline the great impact of heat stress on wheat crops in spring and early summer, while precipitation only had a positive effect in the annual total and in autumn. The evaluation of ploughing before sowing showed, with the exception of the Mistelbach district, a significantly negative influence of the use of the plough on grain yield, with a lower yield of around 500 kg ha−1 on average in all districts. This result confirms the advantage of reduced soil tillage on relatively dry sites.

Enhancing germination of Sapindus mukorossi (Gaertn.) through dormancy-breaking treatments

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Sapindus mukorossi (Gaertn.), commonly known as soapnut, is a valuable species within the Sapindaceae family, known for its saponin-rich fruits with extensive applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and natural detergents. However, the hard seed coat of S. mukorossi imposes significant dormancy, posing a challenge for propagation. This study evaluates the effectiveness of various pretreatment methods in breaking seed coat dormancy and enhancing germination. The pretreatments included a control (untreated seeds), 15-min hot water soak, 15 min heat at 200 °C, sulfuric acid soak for 1, 2, and 3 h, and mechanical scarification using sandpaper. Over a 30-day period, germination performance was assessed through final germination percentage (FGP), mean germination time (MGT), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), time to 50% germination (T50), and mean daily germination (MDG). Results showed that the 2-h sulfuric acid treatment achieved the highest FGP at 96.67%. The control group exhibited a low FGP of 7.50%, indicating high seed dormancy in untreated seeds. Heat treatment and mechanical scarification also improved FGP to 15.83% and 11.67%, respectively. No germination occurred after a hot water soak. Statistical analysis showed significant differences among the treatments for all germination traits (FGP, MGT, CVG, T50, and MDG) with p-values <0.001. This study provides valuable insights into this economically important species’ large-scale propagation and cultivation.

Induced breeding of climbing perch Anabas testudineus using OVASPEC hormone

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, is one of the important freshwater fish species with a high economic value. Currently, the climbing perch fish has been cultivated in Indonesia and other Asian countries. But, breeding has not been supported by good hatchery technology, so the availability of high-quality larvae in sufficient quantities has not been resolved. In artificial spawning, hormone injections are often carried out to stimulate the ovulation process in fish. In this study, the OVASPEC was tested for climbing perch. Ovaspec contains the sGnRHa hormone and anti-dopamine. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to determine the optimum dosage of OVASPEC for climbing perch female broodfish. Four dosages of OVASPEC were tested, namely, 0.1 ml kg−1 body weight (BW), 0.3 ml kg−1 BW, 0.5 ml kg−1 BW, and 0.7 ml kg−1 BW of broodfish. The results show that the administration of OVASPEC with different doses had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the latency period, fertilization, hatching, and survival rates of climbing perch. Fish injected with OVASPEC at a dose range of 0.1–0.7 ml kg−1 BW succeeded in inducing ovulation in climbing perch. The best results were recorded at the dosage of 0.5 ml kg−1 BW.

Sustainable agricultural soil management in Austria: tasks, knowledge needs, challenges and barriers

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

As part of the European Joint Programme on Agricultural Soil Management (EJP Soil) Programme, an online questionnaire was used to reveal the views and opinions of different stakeholders on sustainable agricultural soil management. The results offered valuable insights into stakeholders' perspectives and highlighted the most pressing issues. The importance of knowledge exchange was emphasised, as was the need for increased financial resources to implement climate-friendly management practices and for adopting adequate laws and guidelines. The main challenges identified by all stakeholder groups were to avoid soil erosion, maintain or increase soil organic carbon, prevent soil sealing and create an optimal soil structure. However, for certain topics, the overall opinion of the stakeholder groups varied substantially due to differing knowledge, perspectives and focus among the participants (e.g. farmers focussed on productivity and economic persistence, whereas scientists were interested in the soil profile, measurements or calculations of emissions). Overall, it became clear that the enormous amount of knowledge available needs more and better dissemination. This calls for new and innovative communication approaches.

Structure and seasonal distribution patterns of phytoplankton in a natural mountain pond of the Belezma biosphere reserve (Northern East Algeria)

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The diversity of phytoplanktons serves as an ecological indicator for aquatic ecosystems due to their fast response to environmental changes. Relationship between phytoplankton distribution and 10 water physicochemical parameters was conducted in a natural pond of the Belezma biosphere reserve (Northern East of Algeria). Monthly sampling was conducted in three stations over 2 years between April 2017 and March 2019. The inventory comprising 72 samples identified 50 phytoplankton taxa from 6 phyla, 6 classes, 21 orders, and 31 families. The majority of water physicochemical parameters exhibited seasonal variability. Most of the taxa were of constant accuracy (58%); few were accessory (22%), while 10% were accidental and very accidental with five taxa each. The highest Shannon diversity index (H' = 2.70) was observed in spring 2018. The lowest value of H' (2.20) was noted in autumn 2018. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the abundance of phytoplankton varied with water temperature, turbidity, salinity, nitrates, and ammonium. Chlorophyceae, Dinophyceae, Zygnematophyceae, and Cyanophyceae were the most represented groups in summer, whereas Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae were abundant within spring and autumn. These results enabled us to open new perspectives for the conservation and protection of the ecosystem “pond” in the protected area.

Adoption of Use-Oriented Product-Service Systems for Electronic Devices in Austria: Exploring Key Acceptance Factors

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

E-waste has one of the greatest impacts on the environment and is the fastest-growing waste stream globally. The ever-ongoing growth in our economy and unsustainable consumption patterns ask for a change. Use-oriented product-service systems (u-PSS) are a promising business model to address this change by acting toward a circular economy. However, the implementation of u-PSS can face various challenges because it requires a fundamental shift in how companies interact with consumers as well as consumers’ preferences. Therefore, this study aims to identify factors of acceptance for adopting u-PSS for electronic devices in Austria. To gather specific data, an online survey was conducted with 287 participants. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The results reveal that out of the tested factors, environmental awareness and information are the most important factors of acceptance. For a successful implementation, key determinants include service provision, device durability, and comprehensive information about u-PSS.

Forage Plants for Small Ruminant Feeding at Rural and Peri-Urban Sites in the Warm Humid Tropical Environment of Southeastern Nigeria

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

This study aimed at determining the diversity of forage plants utilized for small ruminant feeding in rural and peri-urban sites in Imo state, Nigeria. The survey was carried out at rural and peri-urban sites in Aboh Mbaise and Mbaitoli Local Government Areas (LGAs), respectively. Ten small ruminant farmers were purposively selected from each LGA across the study communities. Data on fodder diversity, proximate composition, and mineral concentration were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviation. It was observed that a higher diversity of fodder plants existed at the rural sites compared to the peri-urban sites and 43.4% of the fodder plants were common to both sites. Respondents identified 60.8% of the fodder plants also as food-bearing plants, with 55.6% and 80% of these found at the rural and peri-urban sites, respectively. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the relative proximate or mineral supplies to the animals at the two sites. It was, therefore, concluded that despite the diversity and differences in forage selection at the two sites, the relative nutrient supplies to small ruminants will be similar if the cafeteria system of forage provision practiced at the sites is adhered to.