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The aim of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effect of cold aqueous extracts, both fresh and dry biomass of dodder (Cuscuta epithymum L.) on lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and bird’s foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Four different varieties of lucerne “Pleven 6”, “Dara”, “Roly”, “Multifoliolate”) and bird’s foot-trefoil (“Gran San Gabriele”, “Leo”, “Local population 1”, “Local population 2”) were studied in order to find some varieties with allelopathic tolerance. Ex-situ experiment was carried out as follows: 100 seeds of each variety were put in Petri dishes between filter paper, both cold extracts of parasitic weed biomass were pipetted at a ratio of 1:20 as against the seed mass and then were placed in a thermostat-operated device at a temperature of 22 ± 2°С. Distilled water was used as a control. Percentage inhibition, Index of tolerance and Index of plant development were calculated for assessment of the allelopathic effect of dodder on the early seedling growth, biomass synthesis and initial development of experimental varieties. As a whole, dry weed biomass was found as more toxic for the tested plants than the fresh one. Medicago sativa var. multifoliolate and Lotus corniculatus var. Local population 1 and Local population 2 showed a significant tolerance to the allelopathic influence of Cuscuta epithymum in all studied concentrations of aqueous extract of fresh weed biomass (25, 50 and 100 g l−1) and medium tolerance to aqueous extract of dry weed biomass (concentrations of 25 and 50 g l−1).

In a study conducted in the experimental field of the Agricultural University - Plovdiv accumulation of cellulose in straw of Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum Sch. and Triticum spelta L., has been tracked as a result of bio fertilizes application in organic farming conditions. The highest cellulose content was found in the straw of Triticum spelta L., followed by Triticum monococcum L. The least accumulation was found in the straw of Triticum dicoccum Sch. With few exceptions, the application of the investigated fertilizes, increases the content of cellulose in a leaf-stalked mass in Triticum dicoccum Sch. and Triticum spelta L. The opposite trend was observed in Triticum dicoccum Sch. A species reaction was found as a result of fertilization on accumulation of cellulose in straw.

During the 2014-2016 period in Agroecological Center at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Bulgaria growth and development of three species of wheat in terms of organic farming had been tracked in order to return the species in the crop rotation, maintenance of biodiversity and receiving of cleaner and healthy products from organic farms. The three species of wheat Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum Sch, and Triticum spelta L., differ between its rate of growth, development, general and productive tillering. In tillering phase the plants reached 12,3 cm of height for Triticum monococcum L., 15,7 cm for Triticum spelta L. and 19,4 cm for Triticum dicoccum Sch. Triticum monococcum L. and Triticum dicoccum Sch, reached ear formation phase 5 days earlier than Triticum spelta L. The interfacial period of stem elongation - ear formation in them, was about 21 days compared to 25 days for Triticum spelta L.. From ear formation to full maturity inter-phase periods were shorter in Triticum dicoccum Sch., which specifies the species as an early mature (6 days earlier) compared to the other two. After phenophase of stem elongation plants were growing the most intensive and in full ripeness reached a height of 94 cm in Triticum monococcum L., 81,5 cm in Triticum dicoccum Sch. and 82,5 cm in Triticum spelta L.

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is a valuable crop with good drought resistance and has been proposed for cultivation in Organic farming system. The development stages of camelina, pea, and vetch grown as sole and mixed crops, and the existing weeds S. halepense and S. viridis in a field plot experiment were under evaluation. The trial was stated in the experimental field of the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. On the last reporting date the camelina genotypes 'Luna' and 'Lenka' entered the beginning of the flowering stage, and the Bulgarian landrace showed better development and was in the full flowering stage. The pea and vetch were in the full flowering stage as well. The development stages of the mixed cropping systems were the same as the growing stages of their sole crops. The mixed cropping system of the well-developed Bulgarian camelina landrace grown in a mixed cropping system with pea and vetch suppressed the growth and development of the weeds reported. In the sole crops, the reported weeds developed faster and accumulated a greater amount of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic farmers require cultivars that can be multiplied and grown in the organic farming system with no undue negative effect on the health and function of the agroecosystem. The objective is to research the impact of different types of fertilizers on the grain quality for species of wheat (Triticum dicoccum Sch., Triticum monococcum L., and Triticum spelta L.) cultivated under the conditions of organic farming. The experiment was conducted in 2014-2017 at the Agroecological Center at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv (Bulgaria) by the block method in three replications with a size of the experimental plot of 10.5 m². The organic fertilizers: Amalgerol, Lithovit, Baikal EM, Tryven - for foliar application, and one soil fertilizer - Agriorgan pellet were used in the study. Indicators measured and methods used were: Mass of 1000 grains (g)- weight method; Separation of grain from chaff (%); Hectolitre weight (kg/100 L grain) - BSS method; raw protein and fats according to the BSS 11374 method; starch according to the polarimetric method, BSS EN 13040; wet gluten - method adopted for low-gluten foods (%). The results show that all organic fertilizers increase the 1,000 seeds weight in all wheat species. Higher percentage differences were observed for Tr. spelta when treated with Tryven - 17.8%, Amalgerol - 9.6% over control. In Tr. dicoccum in the variants treated with Baikal EM (3.9%), Amalgerol - 2.9%, and for Tr. monococcum the variant treated with Amalgerol - 8.4%, Baikal EM and Tryven. Treatment with Baikal EM and Lithovit increased the hectoliter mass in Triticum dicoccum by 1.8% and 1.2% above the control, respectively, and in Triticum monococcum - Baikal EM by 3.5 and Amalgerol by 2.3%. In Triticum spelta, an increase in the indicator above the control is observed after treatment with Baikal EM - by 3.8%. The amount of crude protein, starch and fat in the grain varies within a narrow range between the different fertilization options and the control within speciеs. In organic farming specific conditions all three wheat types show a low gluten content. The highest wet gluten content was reported after Tryven treatment at Tr. dicoccum - 2.9% and with Amalgerol- 3% at Tr. spelta. The studied organic fertilizers have a positive effect on the physical and biochemical parameters of the grain can be successfully used in the production of healthy foods in organic farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive agricultural production alters the natural cycle of nutrients in the soil, very often leading to a reduction in organic matter and soil degradation. The use of biofertilizers would solve these problems and make the ecosystem healthier. The biofertilizers used in the study have a positive effect on Triticum spelta L. growth. The results of the treated variants with Litovit, Tryven, Baikal EM and Amalgerol, show a higher height of the plants in the stem elongation phase compared to the control, by 20%, 15%, 12% and 10.8%, respectively. At full ripeness, the general stimulating effect of the applied foliar biofertilizers on the height, better nutrition and growth of the plants is taken into account. Greater soil microbial activity in the studied biofertilizers was observed on the 14th day after treatment. Higher values are reported for all variants of combined fertilization (foliar fertilization on basic fertilization with Agriorgan pellet) compared to unfertilized control and self-fertilization with Agriorgan pellet, which is statistically proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to trace the after-effect of soil and leaf herbicides applied in maize on the next crop in rotation - wheat. In a 4-year period were carried out field experiments. The efficacy and selectivity of herbicides in maize were traced. Visual observations of plants of wheat were conducted during various phenological phases of the crop: germination, first leaf displayed (BBCH-11), two leaves displayed (BBCH-12), tillering (BBCH-20), lactic maturity (BBCH-77). Manifestations of phytotoxicity on the wheat plants were not established. After-effect of the herbicides was traced and the formation of major quantitative traits: plant height, length of classes, number of classes, number of grains in the class and weight of grain in the class. By variance analysis of pooled data were analyzed signs and evidenced the differences compared to the untreated control. The differences between the variatns with treatment and the control are essential. This confirms the visual assessments about the lack of negative after-effect of Laudis OD, Lumax 538 SC, Elumis, Gardoprim plus Gold 500 SC, Wing P, Stellar, Casper 55 VG and Merlin flex, applied in maize, on the next crop in rotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofertilizers application in agro-ecosystem improves the soil properties, protects the environment and has a positive effect on plants. As a result of the application of the studied biofertilizers, the plants heights in spindle phase are higher in all variants, compared to the control one. This difference is greatest at the treated with Baikal EM - 48.57 cm, which is 14% above control, followed by the one, treated with Amalgerol - 47.85 cm and Tryven - 47.73 cm. The positive effect on the studied biofertilizers on Triticum monococcum L., for good nutrition and intensive plant cultivation, is maintained until full density, where the highest values are reported at the variants treated with Lithovit - 99.6 cm (11% above control), Triven - 97.45 cm (8.8%) and Baikal EM - 97 cm (8.3%). The increase of the microbial activity in the soil at the variant, treated with Baikal EM (heading phase ) shows a trend that persists on the 7th, 14th and 21st day and has a positive effect on the plant height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of oats as a healthy food for people is growing, and this draws attention to the production of environmentally friendly products, using environmentally friendly approaches and tools in agriculture. The study was conducted at the Demonstration Center for Organic Agriculture at the AU, Bulgaria during the 2013-2015 period. The aim of the study is the influence of biofertilizer Amalgerol on germination, development, productivity and some quality indicators of the grain in naked oats. Applied by seed treatment and vegetation on plants, increases the percentage of sprouted and harvested plants by 10% at a dose of 5 l/ha and by 13.4% at a dose of 10 l/ha. Amalgerol increases the weight of the grain from one plant in the adverse weather conditions of 2014 by 0.25 g to 0.30 g at different fertilization doses, as well as the weight of 1000 grains by 3.70 to 4.19% compared to the control. The effect on grain yield was positive by 17.26% at a dose of 5 l/ha and by 35.69% at a dose of 10 l/ha above the control. Amalgerol (10 l/ha) increases the hectolitre weight of the grain. There is more crude protein and crude fat in the grain in the unfertilized variant, and starch in the variants treated with Amalgerol (5 l/ha) - 51.18% and (10 l/ha) - 49.43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumer awareness and interest in food quality is growing which leads to greater demand for organic products. Organic farming is helping to maintain biodiversity in the agro-ecosystems, as well as to preserve traditional species and varieties of crops and rare breeds of animals in certain regions or countries. The main objective of the paper is to observe the technical and economic efficiency of the three species of ancient wheat, grown under different technologies of organic fertilization and sowing rates. The study is conducted at the experimental centre for organic production at the Agricultural University -- Plovdiv during the period 2014 - 2017. The analysis of results showed different levels of technical efficiency of the three wheat species, grown under different technologies of bio fertilizer treatment. On the other hand, the high prices of the approved fertilizers for organic production do not guarantee the economic efficiency of their application. In fact better economic results were observed without use of fertilizers. It was also concluded that higher sowing rates of the wheat species impacts positively on yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted at the Demonstration Center for Organic Agriculture at the Agricultural University - Plovdiv, Bulgaria during the 2015-2018 period. A field trial has been set up in three replications with a plot size of 25 m2 in Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.). The aim is to determine the impact of Amalgerol, Lithovit and Tryven organic fertilizers on the growth, development and productivity of Lemon balm. The treatment with the organic fertilizers leads to an increase in values of the researched indicators. Fresh biomass weight when treated with Tryven goes to 250.05 g, when the control variant is only 143 g. Fresh leafs weight reaches higher values at all fertilized variants. Amalgerol treatment leads to - 31.07 g for dry leafs weight and Tryven to 37.72 g, compared to the non treated variant - 22.73 g. Statistically proven - highest yield of green fresh biomass was obtained in the variants treated with Tryven - 989.2 kg/da (7.5% above the control) and Amalgerol - 980 kg/da (6.5% above control), respectively. The yield of the fresh leafs increase with 21.1% compared to the control (up to 541.6 kg/da) when treated with Lithovit and 12.3% (to 502.2 kg/da) when treated with Amalgerol. Highest dry leafs yield was obtained when Tryven was applied - 149.2 kg/da (2.1% above the control). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the economically significant issues that accompany rice production is the increase of productivity through foliar treatments. The aim of the study is to evaluate the economic results from the application of foliar treatment in the production of 6 cultivars of rice - Bulgarian and introduced ones. The level of cost of rice production for 96 commonly tested variants has been established, including for 72 variants to which Folur, Amalgerol and Lithovit leaf treatments were applied. Performance indicators, cost-effectiveness thresholds and the factors that determine them are analyzed. All variants of paddy rice production, using foliar treatments have been found to provide positive economic benefits. Sufficient profit per unit area and profitability in the range of 10 to 18.40% was realized. The critical yield of production for them is 40-55% of the actual production per unit area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years, the number of insect pollinators has declined significantly. This, on the one hand, is explained by urbanization, which reduces the blooming resources available to pollinators and on the other, the widespread use of pesticides for pests control in industrial farming. Considering this, the preservation and restoration of plant strips in and around arable land is essential to provide a wide variety of flowering species, which serve as food resources, nesting and hibernate sites for pollinators. With the aim of associating the earlier pollinators in the crop, it was betting field experience with different grass mixtures of different species composition, and time of sowing at the Experimental field of the Agricultural University in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. From 1055 numbers of pollinators registered in grass mixtures, the highest number was from genus Megachile - 500 number, honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) - 303 and Flower flies - 214. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, as in Bulgaria, the significance of crops as Triticum dicoccum Sch., Triticum spelta L., and Triticum monococcum L. consistently increases. This is due to the rich genome of crops on one hand and their importance as a healthy food for people (low gluten content, etc.) on the other. In the present study influence of five types of fertilizers on organic farming on some quantitative (straw yield), qualitative (content of cellulose) and the Harvest Index (HI) for three types of wheat - Triticum dicoccum Sch., Triticum spelta L., and Triticum monococcum L. has been researched. The field experiment was conducted during the 2014-2017 period at the Demonstration Center for Organic Farming at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Treatment with Amalgerol and Baikal EM-1U increases the yield of straw at Triticum dicoccum Sch. (4538 kg/ha and 4527 kg/ha, respectively), and Tryven treatment in all three species of wild wheat. Tryven increases cellulose content in straw at Triticum dicoccum Sch. (42.1%), Baikal EM-1U (46.3%) at Triticum spelta L., Lithovit at Triticum spelta L. (45.8%) and Triticum monococcum L. (43.25%). Highest cellulose content in the straw was recorded at Triticum spelta L., followed by Triticum monococcum L., and Triticum dicoccum Sch. All biofertilizers increase HI at Triticum monococcum L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted within the period 2011-2013 in the Department of Plant-growing experimental facility at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv (Bulgaria). The method of fractional plots in three repetitions over an area of 10.5 m² was used. The object of this research are eight winter oat genotypes (Avena sativa L.) - № 1, 07/Z 1, Dunav 1, 08/Z 2, M-K, Kt 651, Ressor 1 and line Kt 718. The aim of the study is to establish the correlations between the studied genotype grain yield and some of its quality indicators. A genotype specificity of the correlative interconnections has been determined. For Dunav 1 and line 07/Z 1 those between yield and 1000-grain weight are medium to strongly positive. Line 08/Z2 is with small grain but high quantity of beta-glucans (4.6%). The correlative interconnections of this indicator for yield and 1000-grain weight are positive. Line Kt 718 has also got potential in terms of grain weight (1000-grain weight - 28.7 g) and beta-glucan content (3.75%). The correlation between them is positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]