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Cold stress in sheep is usually overlooked, even though the animals' welfare and productivity are affected by low temperatures. The aim of this research was to find out if and to what extent the temperature inside a sheep barn could be maintained within the range of the thermoneutral zone during winter, primarily to increase feed conversion and to reduce GHG emissions. For this reason, an automation system was installed at a sheep barn in northern Greece, and heat losses from the building were calculated. The biogas potential of the sheep barn waste was examined in the laboratory via the BMP method. The results showed that the installation of an automation system together with a hypothetical biogas heating system could maintain the barn's temperature in the range of a sheep's thermoneutral zone during winter for the 94% of the scenarios examined if the total energy of the biogas was utilized, while heating energy that was instantly and continuously used succeeded in 48% of the investigated cases. The surplus of energy produced by biogas could potentially raise the water temperature that animals drink up to 2.9 °C. The absence of cold stress decreases the dry matter intake and the CH4 produced by ruminal fermentation. Moreover, lower GHG emissions are achieved as waste is treated through anaerobic digestion, which would likely be released into the environment if left untreated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is the cultivation of two or more crop species in the same space for a considerable proportion of the growth period. Farmers use cultivars that were bred under monoculture and there are no cultivars that have been evaluated under intercropping systems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate different cultivars of pea and wheat on intercropping systems. The experiment was conducted for two successive growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020) at the University Farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, using two cultivars of field pea and six cultivars of bread wheat, and all their mixture combinations. The growing seasons, the intercropping treatments, and the cultivars affected the grain yield, the yield components, and the land equivalent ratio (LER) and actual yield loss (AYL) values. The different cultivars showed different responses under the intercropping treatments, indicating that there are cultivars that show higher grain yield in mixtures. Based on the mean grain yield for both growing seasons, the mixture 'Isard'–'Mavragani' showed higher grain yield by 86.5% and 55.7% compared with the mean grain yield of all other mixtures and monocultures, respectively. The total LER value of 'Isard'–'Mavragani' was high in both years: 1.954 and 1.693 in 2018–2019 and 2019–2020, respectively. This multicriteria evaluation of winter wheat and field pea varieties exhibited the need for the selection of appropriate cultivars for intercropping systems that were previously assessed under intercropping conditions before their exploitation from the farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is the simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops species in the same space for a considerable proportion of the growth period. Intercropping has several advantages and is used in both traditional and sustainable agriculture. The objective of the present study was to study the interactions among different pea and wheat cultivars and the effect of water availability on wheat-pea mixtures and the competition between the two species. The experiment was conducted for two successive growing seasons using two different irrigation regimes and two cultivars from each species. The different treatments were evaluated using morphological and agronomic characteristics. Intercropping treatment, cultivars, and irrigation level affected most of the characteristics that were studied and the competition between the two species. Biomass was higher by 47% and leaf area index by 34% under irrigation compared to the rainfed conditions. The different cultivars showed different response under the two water regimes. Based on the intercropping indices, the mixture 'Yecora E' - 'Isard' is favoured under irrigation while the combination 'Elissavet' - 'Isard' under low water availability. There was interaction between cultivars and irrigation and using different cultivars in intercropping can have higher yield advantage than monocropping by exploiting the environmental resources more efficiently. Therefore, the use of appropriate cultivars in mixtures can affect the growth, biomass yield and competition between the two species leading to higher yield and greater economic return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is the cultivation of two or more crop species on the same area of land, and can improve yield, forage quality, and soil health. Despite the fact that intercropping is an old practice, it received significant attention the last years because of the environmental impact that it has. However, the effect of the various spatial arrangements of the different species that are used in an intercropping system was not determined. The objective of the present study was to study the yield, growth and nitrogen (N) uptake rate, N nutrition index (NNI) of barley, interspecific competition, quality and financial outcome of intercrops of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. equina) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) with various spatial arrangements (1:1, 2:2, 2:1 alternate rows, and mixed in the same row). The land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (K), actual yield loss (AYL) and system productivity index (SPI) values were greater for the FB:B intercrop of 2:1, indicating the advantage of intercropping in terms of dry matter and N yield. Sole cropping of barley showed a reduction in NNI by 7 %, whereas NNI for barley increased by an average of 14% in intercropping treatments. Based on biomass production and the competition indices for dry matter and N yield, and NNI the FB:B intercrop of 2:1 was more advantageous than faba bean and barley monocrops, as well as the other intercropping treatments that were tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBioaugmentation of veterinary antibiotic (VA)-contaminated feces with VA-degrading bacteria, can reduce the VA-selective pressure on manure microorganisms toward antibiotic resistance during organic soil fertilization. We explored the efficiency of a Sphingomonas isolate, able to degrade tiamulin (TIA), as a bioaugmentation agent for removing TIA from pig manures fortified with TIA at two concentrations (5 and 50 µg g−1). Bioaugmentation efficiency was compared with stockpiling and anaerobic digestion. Bioaugmentation accelerated TIA dissipation (DT50 = 32.3 and 66.2 days) compared with anaerobic digestion (DT50 = 103 and 126.7 days) and stockpiling (DT50 = 95.38 and 113.8 days). Furthermore, we determined the impact of TIA on methane production and followed microbial succession during anaerobic digestion. The lower TIA concentration stimulated biomethanation, seemingly, through induction of the increase of Methanosarcina (from below detection at the TIA-free samples to 17.1% of relative abundance at the low in TIA content samples), commonly linked with aceticlastic biomethanation. Our findings highlight (i) the potential of bioaugmentation in treating VA-contaminated manures for mitigating the dispersal of VA residues in agricultural settings (ii) the high risk of contamination of agricultural soils by the use of TIA-contaminated manures that have been stockpiled or anaerobically digested before their use in agricultural settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Red pea–cereal intercropping could provide animal feed with agronomic and economic advantages. The growth rate, forage yield, quality, interspecific competition and financial outcome of intercrops of red pea (Lathyrus cicera L.) with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) in two different seeding ratios (60:40, 80:20) were estimated. Growth rate of species was lower in the intercrops than in monocrops, especially in red pea–oat intercrops due to the strong competitive ability of oat. Red pea–oat intercrop of 60:40 produced the highest biomass (10.83 Mg/ha) and crude protein yield (1,116 kg/ha). Land equivalent ratio (LER) values were greater for the red pea with wheat (1.13) and oat 60:40 (1.09) indicating an advantage of intercropping in terms of dry‐matter (DM) yield, while red pea:oat 60:40 ranked first for LER for nitrogen yield. Aggressivity and partial actual yield loss indicated cereals as the dominant species. The highest monetary advantage index was recorded for the red pea:wheat 60:40 and the highest intercropping advantage value was recorded for the red pea:oat 80:20. In conclusion, most intercrops of red pea with wheat and oat showed significant advantages relative to their monocrops due to better DM production, resource‐use efficiency and economics under low‐input farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major constraint of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) cultivation is yield reduction due to field infestation by the seed beetles Bruchus spp. (bruchids). The aim of the study was to assess seed loss (SL) and yield loss (YL) due to bruchid infestation under organic and conventional farming, and to investigate genotypic variability for seed yield of 20 lentil varieties in response to bruchid damage. Field experiments were established over three consecutive years in two areas of central and northern Greece. SL was determined as the percentage of damaged seeds, whereas the weight of the damaged seeds was estimated as YL. Farming system was the main source of variation for both SL and YL. Mean SL under organic farming was 15% and mean YL was 0.13 tha-1. SL and YL were 2.6- and 8.4-fold higher, respectively, under organic than conventional farming. Valuable genotypic variability was observed with respect to both SL and YL. Early flowering and small seed size were traits associated with low SL and YL. Among varieties, mean SL ranged from 8.5% to 29.2% and YL from 0.06 to 0.31 tha-1. Evaluation for high yield potential, indicating bruchid tolerance, revealed two types of promising varieties: varieties with high yield and low seed bruchid damage due to phenological escape, and varieties with high yielding potential despite the high SL and YL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping of grain legumes with cereals may offer several advantages over sole crops for forage production and is commonly used, particularly in low-input agriculture. Faba bean ( Vicia faba L.), oat ( Avena sativa L.) and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) sole crops as well as the intercrops of faba bean with each of the above cereals, in three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75), were compared for dry-matter (DM) yield, nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, growth rate and plant height in a 2-year field experiment. Triticale sole crop and faba bean intercrops with triticale provided higher DM yield than faba bean sole crop and the intercrops of faba bean with oat. Growth rates of faba bean, oat and triticale in mixtures were lower than those in sole crops. Faba bean plants were taller in the intercrops than in the sole crop at 3 weeks after tillering (WAT), whereas at 6 WAT, the trend was different as faba bean plants in the sole crop were taller than in the intercrops. N concentration was higher for the cereals when faba bean was included in the mixture. Crude protein (CP) concentration was the highest in faba bean sole crop followed by the faba bean intercrops with oat. However, triticale sole crop and faba bean mixtures with triticale provided higher CP yield than all other crops because of their highest DM yield. Thus, mixtures of faba beans with triticale could be a promising alternative for increased forage production because of their capacity for high DM and protein yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivar mixtures are suggested for low-input farming systems because they introduce functional diversity. The lack of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivars bred for and adapted to low-input farming systems raises the issue of whether the mixtures composed from varieties developed under conventional conditions can satisfy the demands of low-input agriculture. The objective of this project was to evaluate the performance of five common vetch varieties and mixtures of these varieties in a low-input system. Three-year preliminary experiments were conducted among widely adapted cultivars bred under high-input conditions to select the most productive cultivars. Thus, five common vetch cultivars and their mixtures were evaluated under low-input farming system (2007-2009). Dry matter (DM) production and crude protein content were measured for each entry. Mixture effect (ME) was calculated to measure the relative performance of a mixture over its components. Genotype main effect plus genotype x environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis was used to assess yield and stability. It was observed that ME for DM was positive for three mixtures over environments and ranged from 0.19 to 4.63 Mg ha-1. GGE biplot analysis indicated that two of the previous three mixtures exhibited the greatest yield and stability. Crude protein values of the mixtures were at least comparable with their individual cultivar components. These results showed considerable advantages of mixing common vetch cultivars bred under high-input conditions for use in low-input farming system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Intercrops of pea (Pisum arvense L.), a popular legume used in intercropping systems with winter cereals for forage and silage production, with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) in two seeding ratios (60:40 and 80:20) were compared with monocrops of pea and cereals for two growing seasons. Growth rate, dry matter yield, and N uptake were determined in each intercropping system. Furthermore, several indices were used to evaluate the intercropping systems and analyze the competition and the interrelationships between mixture components. Growth rate of cereals was lower in the mixtures than in the monocrops. Dry matter yield was higher in triticale monocrop, followed by its two intercrops, and the pea–wheat 80:20 intercrop. Moreover, triticale monocrop, pea–triticale intercrops, and pea–wheat 80:20 intercrop showed the highest crude protein yield and N uptake. The land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (K), actual yield loss (AYL), and system productivity index (SPI) values were greater for the pea–triticale mixtures and the pea–wheat and pea–rye mixtures (80:20), indicating an advantage of intercropping. In most intercrops, the values of partial K, AYL, aggressivity, and competitive ratio (CR) indicated that the cereal was more competitive than pea. The highest values of monetary advantage index (MAI) and intercropping advantage (IA) were recorded for the pea–triticale and the pea–wheat mixtures (80:20). Overall, pea–triticale and pea–wheat mixtures (80:20) were more productive and produced better forage quality than the other mixtures and thus could be adopted by the farmers as alternative options for forage production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conservation tillage is becoming increasingly attractive to farmers due its potential to reduce production costs and allow a more sustainable land use as compared with conventional tillage. Field experiments were conducted over three consecutive growing seasons to study barley performance under three tillage systems (minimum, reduced, and conventional tillage) on two different soils (a sandy loam and a clay soil) of northern Greece. No significant differences in plant number, ear number, or grain yield were observed among tillage systems in any growing season in the sandy loam soil. By contrast, reduced plant number by 15 and 18% in the first growing season and by 18 and 21% in the third growing season was observed for the reduced and the minimum tillage system, respectively, in the clay soil as compared with conventional tillage. Reduced plant number in the clay soil was due to the unfavorable soil conditions during sowing and the uneven seedbed as a result of the presence of summer weeds which apparently prevented correct and uniform planting depth. However, no significant differences in ear number or barley grain yield were found among tillage systems in any growing season in the clay soil. Findings of this study showed that conservation tillage can affect the establishment of barley stands depending on soil type and weather conditions but this is not always expressed in grain-yield reduction due to the effect of compensation through increased tillering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivation of well-adapted varieties under organic environment requires effective breeding schemes. A field study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of single-plant selection at low density under organic environment. Single plants originating from 20 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) varieties along with their seed composite were grown in an R-21 honeycomb design under two plant densities for two consecutive growing seasons at two sites. Sowing plant densities (PDs) were 12.8 plants m-2 (PD I) and 3.2 plants m-2 (PD II). Selection was applied in each environment (site per growing season) and each plant density and the top 50 plants were selected. Varieties were also evaluated in plot trials under farmer's conditions and the entry ranking across four environments was considered as the proven entry ranking. Effective selection (ES) was measured by the number of the 50 selected plants originating from the top five varieties, while non-ES was measured by the number of the 50 selected plants originating from the five-lowest yielders. It was observed that the experimental case that indicated higher ES and lower non-ES was PD II. Under PD II, ES ranged from 34 to 74% from environment to environment and from 46 to 62% across two environments, while non-ES ranged from 0 to 12% from environment to environment and from 3 to 12% across two environments, It was concluded that single-plant selection at low plant density could be applied in breeding programs for organic agriculture with considerable effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual cool-season grain legumes like faba bean (Vicia faba L.) grown in mixtures with winter cereals such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), or rye (Secale cereale L.) may offer advantages over cerealalone crops grown for forage production. A 2-yr field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intercropping faba bean with each of the above cereals in three seeding ratios (i.e., 75:25, 50:50, and 75:25) on growth rate, plant height, chlorophyll content, forage yield, and N uptake. Growth rate of faba bean and cereals was lower in the mixtures than in the monocultures, especially in the faba bean-barley mixtures because of the strong competitive ability of barley. Chlorophyll content was lower in faba bean compared with the cereals, and there was no difference among seeding ratios. Plant height of faba bean was higher in the intercrops compared with its monocrop at 3 wk after tillering (WAT), whereas at 6 WAT, the trend was different since faba bean plants in the monocrop were higher than in the intercrops. Rye monocrop and rye-faba bean intercrops provided the greatest forage yield. Although the three intercrops of faba bean with rye had lower crude protein (CP) content than the faba bean monocrop, they provided the highest CP yields per hectare because of their higher forage yield than the faba bean monocrop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation tillage has been widely implemented in the last decades in several parts of the world as an attractive alternative to conventional tillage due to its potential to protect soils from erosion and compaction, to conserve soil moisture, and to reduce production costs. Significant savings in fuel, labor, and machinery costs are realized with conservation tillage, mainly because fewer trips over the field are required during seedbed preparation. Conservation tillage in Greece has been tested on a limited scale by a minority of farmers on an empirical basis or on an experimental basis by research institutes. Research thus far has shown that, despite some disadvantages in certain cases, conservation tillage can be attractive to farmers because it can provide equal or even greater yields than conventional tillage and also because of its potential for reduced production costs. From this view point, conservation tillage should receive more attention among Greek producers, becoming a viable alternative to conventional tillage and gaining wide acceptance because of its multiple benefits for both the farmer and the environment. Education, technical assistance, and financial assistance to farmers will play a dominant role in this effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effective selection of parental material and promising segregating populations is an essential requirement for breeding success. There are many contradictive reports about the best parent selection criterion for the development of promising crosses. For the clarification of this problem field experiments were conducted for four consecutive years to compare the effectiveness of six criteria for the prediction of the most promising F3 populations in durum wheat (Triticum durum L.): the mid-parent value, the F1, the F2, the (F1 +F2)/2, and the genetic distance among the parents as it is calculated using the SSR and RAPD molecular markers. During the first growing season (2003–2004) nine commercial cultivars of durum wheat and four landraces were crossed. The following growing season (2004–2005), 17 crosses (F1 generation) were evaluated under low plant density (1.15plantsm−2) in a replicated (R-21) honeycomb design. During the third growing season (2005–2006), the four highest yielding crosses, one cross with an intermediate yield, and the three crosses with the lowest yield (F2 generation) were evaluated under low plant density in a R-9 honeycomb design. Finally, in the fourth growing season (2006–2007) progeny of the aforementioned eight crosses (F3 generation) and the ten parents were evaluated in a randomized complete block design in two locations. Furthermore, the genetic distance among the parents was determined using the SSR and RAPD molecular markers. It was observed that the three F3 populations with the lowest yielding ability were the ones with the lowest mid-parental value. In addition, one of the two top F3 populations was second in the rank according to the mid-parental value. Furthermore, the two top F3 populations were also the highest yielding in the F1 and F2 generations. On the contrary, none of these crosses were predicted by the genetic distance as it was calculated using the SSR and RAPD molecular markers. It was concluded that parental pairs with high mid-parental value and high combined yield (F1 +F2)/2 obtained after evaluation of their F1 and F2 at low plant density was the most effective way to predict promising F3 populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Intercropping legumes with cereals for forage production is a sustainable technique showing several environmental benefits. We studied yields, quality and the growth rate of a 2-year experiment including (1) sole crops of common vetch, barley and winter wheat, and (2)?intercrops of common vetch with barley and winter wheat using seeding ratios of 55:45 and 65:35. Our results show that the greatest dry matter yields were obtained with wheat and barley sole crops. The lowest yield was obtained with common vetch sole crop. The intercrops produced about 13?30% more dry matter than the common vetch sole crop, but 12?23% less than cereal sole crops. Further, the growth rate of common vetch and cereals was greater when species were grown as sole crops than in intercrops. Quality components indicated an advantage for the sole crop of common vetch followed by its intercrop with barley at the 65:35 seeding ratio, which exhibited higher crude protein yield than the sole crop of cereals and the other intercrops. The results of this study indicate that common vetch intercrops with barley or winter wheat produced higher dry matter than common vetch sole crop. In addition, the intercrop of common vetch with barley (65:35) provided higher forage quality than the other intercrops. Our study highlights that vetch-cereal intercropping can be used as an alternative cropping system which combines sustainability due to N fixation from common vetch, and high yield and forage quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 2-year field study was conducted using common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (xTriticosecale Wittmack), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and oat (Avena sativa L.) pure stands as well as two common vetch–cereal mixtures for silage with each of the above four cereals in two seeding ratios (i.e., vetch:cereal 55:45 and 65:35, based on seed numbers) to determine the competition among the different species and the economics of each intercropping system. Intercropping systems were assessed on the basis of several existing intercropping indices such as land equivalent ratio (LER), relative crowding coefficient (RCC or K), aggressivity (A), competitive ratio (CR), actual yield loss (AYL), monetary advantage index (MAI), and intercropping advantage (IA). The LER and K values were greater for the common vetch–wheat (55:45) and the common vetch–oat (65:35) mixtures indicating that in these systems, there was an advantage of intercropping for exploiting the resources of the environment. A similar trend to that of LER and K was also observed for AYL. The aggressivity, CR and partial AYL values were greater for barley and oat than for wheat and triticale, whereas the corresponding values for common vetch were lower in mixtures with barley and oat than in mixtures with wheat and triticale. These findings indicate that barley and oat were more competitive partners than wheat and triticale as common vetch was affected more in mixtures with these two crops. The highest MAI and IA values were recorded for the common vetch–wheat (55:45) and the common vetch–oat (65:35) mixtures indicating that these intercropping systems were the most profitable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mixtures of annual forage legumes with winter cereals for forage production are used extensively in the Mediterranean region. Common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) monocultures as well as mixtures of common vetch with each of the above cereals, in two seeding ratios (55:45 and 65:35), were used to investigate forage yield and quality as well as the effect of intercropping on growth rate of the three species used in the mixtures. Oat and triticale monocultures as well as both common vetch–oat mixtures provided greater forage yield than mixtures of common vetch with triticale and monoculture common vetch. Total relative yield exceeded unity in common vetch–oat (65:35) indicating that at this seeding rate there was an advantage of intercropping in using the environmental resources. Growth rate of common vetch, oat, and triticale in mixtures was lower than that in monocultures. Crude protein content was highest in monoculture common vetch followed by common vetch–oat (65:35). However, quality characteristics such as lignin content, neutral detergent fiber, total digestible nutrients and to a much smaller degree the acid detergent fiber, digestible dry matter, dry matter intake and relative feed value were affected by intercropping. Highest forage quality was achieved when common vetch was grown as a monoculture or when at a high proportion in mixtures, especially with oat. The results showed that mixture of common vetch with oat at the 65:35 seeding ratio achieved a higher forage yield and protein content than the other mixtures studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Continuous winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping is a common practice for many growers in Greece, particularly in soils with low fertility or non-irrigated fields where other crops cannot grow profitably. The effect of continuous cropping on grain yields of wheat grown under the same conventional tillage practices for 25 years was studied in four soils of northern Greece. Grain yields varied considerably from year to year, regardless of soil type, showing a high temporal variability. Grain yields from the sandy loam and the clay soil were the most unstable across years compared with those from the clay loam and the sandy clay loam soil, which showed lower variability in time. Grain yields from the sandy loam soil showed a high correlation with rainfall during March to May (r =0.71), whereas grain yields from the clay soil showed a high correlation with total rainfall during growing season (r =0.89). Grain yields of the clay loam and the sandy clay loam soil appeared to depend on rainfall less than yields of the other two soils. On the average, grain yield was much lower in the sandy loam and the clay soil (1.94 and 2.46Mgha−1, respectively) than in the clay loam and the sandy clay loam soil (3.48 and 3.72Mgha−1, respectively) showing a dependence of wheat yield on soil type. Despite the high temporal variability of grain yields, no significant trends towards yield decline were observed for any of the soils studied. In addition, no significant differences were detected in soil pH values and organic matter content at the middle or at the end of the experiment. Given that annual fertilization is maintained and weeds are controlled effectively, it could be concluded that continuous wheat cropping may be practiced for many years without significant yield decline or significant change in soil pH and organic matter content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conservation tillage systems can play an important role in reducing soil erosion and improving soil quality with the extra benefit of being equal to or more economical than conventional tillage; however, yield variability still remains a major concern among farmers. Field experiments were conducted in 2003 through 2004 and 2004 through 2005 in northern Greece to determine the effect of seeding rate (100, 150, 200, and 250 kg ha-1) on wheat establishment and grain yield under three tillage systems (minimum, reduced, and conventional tillage). In addition, labor time and fuel consumption for wheat production under these tillage systems were compared. For all tillage systems, the greatest number of wheat plants was recorded at the two highest seeding rates (P < 0.05). However, wheat plant numbers, averaged over seeding rates, were reduced by 11 to 17% in minimum tillage compared with conventional and reduced tillage systems in both growing seasons. Ear numbers were unaffected by tillage systems but generally increased with the increased seed rate. However, differences were not found in grain yield either among tillage systems or seeding rates. Regarding labor time and fuel consumption, 50 and 53% savings was achieved with minimum tillage, respectively, and 43 and 48% with reduced tillage in comparison with conventional tillage. These findings indicate that wheat can be grown successfully under conservation tillage systems with yields equal to those of conventional tillage and lower labor and fuel inputs. Increasing of seeding rate favored crop establishment in all tillage systems, but it did not provide any grain yield advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation tillage systems can be an important part of a sustain- able agricultural system providing benefits for the farmers in terms of labor and fuel consumption; however, yield variability may discourage and slow adoption. Field experiments were conducted for four consecutive growing seasons in northern Greece to investigate the effect of three tillage systems (no-tillage, reduced tillage, and conventional tillage) on corn (Zea mays L.) establishment and silage yield and to compare human labor and fuel consumption required for corn production under these tillage systems in double cropping with winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The effect of tillage system on wheat grain yield was also evaluated. No significant differences in the emergence of corn plants were found between no-tillage and conventional tillage in two out of the 4 yr of the experimentation; however, in 2 yr, the number of the emerged corn plants was lower by 26 and 16% with no-tillage than with conventional tillage apparently because of dry soil conditions at sowing. In all years, the number of emerged corn plants in reduced tillage did not differ significantly from the other two tillage systems. No significant differences in corn silage yield were found among tillage systems, with the exception of 1 yr where a reduction in corn biomass hy 13% was recorded with no-tillage compared with conventional tillage. There were on average 35.9 and 5.6% total time saving and 36.0 and 7.2% total fuel saving with no-tillage and reduced tillage, respectively. Despite significant differences among years, wheat yield was not affected by tillage practices. No-tillage or reduced tillage corn following winter wheat could be successfully implemented under favorable soil conditions at sowing with the advantage of reducing labor and fuel consumption compared with conventional tillage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The embryoid formation and plant regeneration in anther cultures of three barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (Niki, Karina, Thermi), one F1 hybrid (Niki × Thermi), two F2 populations (Niki × Thermi, Niki × Karina), and two F3 populations (Niki × Thermi, Niki × Karina) were investigated in two solid induction media after cold pretreatment for 14 and 28 days at 4°C . The media used (N6 and FHG) differed in their composition and source of energy (maltose in FHG vs. sucrose in N6). Embryoid frequency and green plant regeneration depended on both the induction medium composition and cold pretreatment. The combination of the FHG induction medium with 28-day-long cold pretreatment was the most efficient in haploid embryoid formation and green plant production. In addition, the green plant production was genotype-dependent. Cv. Thermi and F1 hybrid Niki × Thermi exhibited the highest frequency of green plant production. The parent with high or even moderate frequency of embryoid formation in anther culture could lead to the effective production of green plants from the F1 hybrid or the F2 generation for breeding purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Stem rot, a fungal disease caused by Sclerotinia trifoliorum Eriks., is often a serious problem in many important forage legumes including faba beans (Vicia faba L.). Understanding the inheritance of resistance to the disease is essential for effective breeding of resistant cultivars. Experiments were conducted to study the inheritance of resistance to stem rot of faba beans. The F1, F2, and the backcross generations of five crosses between four resistant and four susceptible populations (Alto × Polycarpe, A-90 × Polycarpe, ILB-1814 × A-247, A-90 × A-244, VT × Tanagra) were used. The eight populations were crossed properly in the field, and progenies of F1 and F2, as well as backcross progenies of F1 with each of their parents, were evaluated for resistance to stem rot disease under controlled conditions after artificial inoculation of the plants with carrot root pieces colonized by the fungus. On the assumption that inheritance of stem rot resistance is governed by a single dominant gene, no significant differences were found between the observed and the expected frequencies of resistance for progenies, except for one cross. As the expression of resistance to the disease fits the expected ratios for a single dominant gene model, it is concluded that the inheritance of resistance to sclerotinia stem rot in the evaluated faba bean populations is controlled by a single dominant gene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Morphological and physiological characteristics of isolates from diseased faba bean plants affected by the causal fungus of stem rot disease of faba beans ( Vicia faba L.) were compared with isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from diseased cucumber plants. Under controlled conditions, isolates from diseased faba bean plants exhibited slower growth rate at different temperatures and weaker pathogenicity on faba bean cultivars compared with isolates of S. sclerotiorum. For six consecutive years apothecia production in the field occurred from autumn to winter for sclerotia derived from diseased faba bean plants, whereas production of sclerotia of S. sclerotiorum occurred in late spring. Microscopic observations demonstrated dimorphism in ascospores (large and small ascospores) produced by isolates from diseased faba bean plants in a 4 : 4 ratio. Length to width ratio of the ascospores was 1.98. Based on all the above, it was concluded that the causal fungus of stem rot of faba beans in Greece belonged to S. trifoliorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) plants 3,4, 5 and 6 weeks old were inoculated at different internodes by carrot root pieces colonized by the fungus Sclerotinia trifoliorum Eriks. The plants were left in the growth chamber for 72 h. In addition, eight faba bean cultivars, 4 weeks old, were inoculated by the same inoculum which was left on the stems for various lengths of time. When the inoculum was removed, the plants were scored for disease severity. The highest disease severity was on the youngest tissues inoculated. Susceptible and partially-resistant cultivars could be differentiated effectively when the inoculum was removed 48 to 72 hours after the inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different organic materials colonized by the fungus were applied, as an energy-rich inoculum, on faba bean plants cv. Polycarpe in growth chamber experiments. The organic materials used were colonized pieces of celery stems, faba bean petioles, and carrot root, blocks of cultures on potato dextrose agar and pieces of sclerotia. The inoculum was left attached to the plant stems for 48 h. After removal of the inoculum the plants were scored for disease incidence and severity. It was found that colonized pieces of carrot root produced the most uniform disease incidence and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercropping is an old and commonly used agricultural practice and involves the cultivation of two or more crops in the same area of land at the same time and may improve yield, the use of the environmental resources, product quality, and soil health. The objective of the present study was to study the effect of water availability of wheat-pea intercrops using agronomic and physiological characteristics. The experiment was conducted at the farm of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece during two growing seasons 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 using two different cultivars from pea (Isard and Olympos) and wheat (Yecora E and Elissavet) and two irrigation regimes. The availability of water increased grain yield and affected most of the characteristics that were studied. In terms of total Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) there was a yield advantage of intercrops over monocrops, which indicates the efficiency of intercropping for using the environmental resources. Both wheat cultivars, the pea cultivar Olympos and their intercrops indicated high adaptation capacity to rainfed conditions, whereas Isard and its intercrops performed better under irrigation. Therefore, the intercropping of wheat with pea uses the water resources of the environment more efficiently and can be used in dry land conditions for higher yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term intercropping is used to describe agricultural systems where at least two or more species are cultivated in the same field for a portion of their biological cycle. It is an ancient agricultural practice that, with the evolution of agriculture, the prevalence of intensive cultivation systems, and the use of multiple inputs became mostly restricted to developing countries. However, due to climate instability and uncertainty about weather conditions, interest in intercropping has been revived in recent years. The objective of the present study was to determine which faba bean cultivar can be used with wheat cultivars to achieve higher yields and to examine the interaction between the cultivars in intercropping systems. It was found that the combination of Flamenko with Polycarpi gave the highest yield and showed complementarity in the interaction between these cultivars that also have the highest yield; also, the other indices that were used showed a good response on the intercropping system and the LER was 1.30 and 1.19 for the first and the second year of the study, respectively. Therefore, there are faba bean and wheat cultivars that are better adapted to intercropping conditions and can be utilized by farmers to enhance productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to present a gravimetric method for the estimation of leaf area index (LAI) and foliage area index (FAI) of rice. The method estimates indirectly the LAI-FAI variation during the growing season using simple measurements during harvest, based on a module of predetermined relations among agronomic parameters. The method confronts the limitations of other methods under specific conditions, such as (a) high plant densities and high LAI-FAI values, where indirect optical methods are restricted and (b) experiments related to crop modeling applications where direct destructive methods are not allowed because they alter the initial design of the experimental setup. The method was applied for the high-yield cultivar (Oryza sativaL. ssp. indica, cv. Thaibonnet) during 2-year evapotranspiration experiments in lysimeters. The method identified the differences between the replicate lysimeters, and LAI-FAI estimations were significantly correlated with the final grain yields and the crop factors obtained from evapotranspiration measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On-farm production of protein is limited in most dairy farm operations in arid and semi-arid environments. Cereal-legume intercropping could be a viable option to obtain forage with higher protein content. A two-year experiment was conducted during 2009 and 2010 growing seasons in a loamy soil to determine whether intercropping pattern of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and annual medic (Medicago scutellata L.) could increase forage quality while producing sufficient amount of forage yield. The results showed that when number of rows in 50:50 replacement intercropping decreased from six rows of barley and six rows of medic (6B:6M) (strip intercropping) to 4B:4M, 2B:2M and 1B:1M, barley forage yield increased by 9, 18 and 24% due to a wavy canopy created by 1B:1M and 2B:2M cropping ratios. Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was highest (1.19) when barley was intercropped with annual medic in 1B:1M arrangement indicating that 19% more area would be required by a sole cropping system to yield similar of intercropping system. The highest protein yield was also obtained from 1B:1M ratio. Pure stand of annual medic had the highest Crude Protein (CP) content (310.7 g kg-1 of DM) whereas sole cropping of barley had the highest Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). When both forage yield and quality was considered, the intercropping of barley and medic with 1B:1M ratio was superior to any other ratios and can be recommended to farmers as an alternative to barley alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture needs to develop transition pathways toward agroecological, resilient and sustainable farming systems. One key pathway for such agroecological intensification is the diversification of cropping systems using intercropping and notably cereal-grain legume mixtures. Such mixtures or intercrops have the potential to increase and stabilize yields and improve cereal grain protein concentration in comparison to sole crops. Species mixtures are complex and the 4C approach is both a pedagogical and scientific way to represent the combination of four joint effects of Competition, Complementarity, Cooperation, and Compensation as processes or effects occurring simultaneously and dynamically between species over the whole cropping cycle. Competition is when plants have fairly similar requirements for abiotic resources in space and time, the result of all processes that occur when one species has a greater ability to use limiting resources (e.g., nutrients, water, space, light) than others. Complementarity is when plants grown together have different requirements for abiotic resources in space, time or form. Cooperation is when the modification of the environment by one species is beneficial to the other(s). Compensation is when the failure of one species is compensated by the other(s) because they differ in their sensitivity to abiotic stress. The 4C approach allows to assess the performance of arable intercropping versus classical sole cropping through understanding the use of abiotic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three oat ( Avena spp.) and three field pea [ Pisum sativum subsp. arvense (L.) Asch.] cultivars were grown in pure stands and interspecific, binary mixtures under Mediterranean conditions for two growing seasons (2011–12 and 2012–13). The aim of the work was to identify traits contributing to the complementary use of soil nitrogen (N) and water in intercrops. Such traits could be used as putative selection criteria for cultivars well-adapted to intercropping systems. The 15 N natural abundance method was used to assess the percentage of N derived from N 2 -fixation (%N dfa ) in pure stands and intercrops and the percentage of N transferred from pea to oat (%N trans ) in intercrops. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ pea , Δ oat ) was used as an assessment of water use efficiency. Isotope determinations were conducted when 30% of pea flowers were open. Dry matter yield (DM) of pure stands and intercrops was estimated at forage silage maturity of peas, and forage quality traits (protein, fat, ash, crude fiber, and nitrogen free extracts concentrations) were measured. Intercropping either increased or decreased %N dfa depending on the cultivars included in the mixtures. High %N dfa by pea in mixtures was associated with a high contribution of pea in the mixture and high crude protein concentration in DM. High amounts of fixed N and N accumulated in pea were necessary to maximize protein concentration and protein yield in intercrops. These amounts were calculated to be 72.0 and 94.4 kg N ha −1 for protein concentration and 124.2 and 160.8 kg N ha −1 for protein yield. Oats in intercrops seemed to affect the N niche of peas. Δ oat values were positively correlated with %N dfa , the amount of fixed N in pea and the amount of N accumulated in pea. A plausible explanation for this is that high Δ oat values were indicative of a better access to soil water and nitrate (NO 3 -N) sources through a deeper and denser rooting system, thus increasing the competition on the companion pea which led to higher percentage of N 2 -fixation and consequently to higher amounts of N fixed by and accumulated in pea. High-Δ oats were less dependent on N transferred from pea as was indicated by a negative correlation between these two traits. As a consequence, high Δ oat values were associated with high protein concentration and protein yield. In contrast, Δ pea values were negatively correlated with protein concentration and protein yield. Peas, having a less competitive rooting system compared to oats, were adaptive to intercropping when they had a more conservative use of soil water (lower Δ pea ), and thus avoided competition. Land equivalent ratios for dry matter yield (LER DM ) and protein yield (LER CPY ) were affected by growing seasons. LER DM was <1.00 (0.88) in 2012-13 growing season indicating that intercropping was not favored. This season was characterized by lack of precipitation during December 2012 and January 2013, high precipitation in February (>62% of season’s water input) and mild temperatures during winter (November to February). The very early, moderately tall oat cultivar Flega had the highest LER values, regardless of the companion pea cultivar. This was an indication that Flega was favored by growing in intercrops, however, Flega’s mixtures were not among the high-yielding mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing interspecies competition and enhancing complementarity through cultivar selection in intercrops is important for achieving sustainable intensification. Under Mediterranean conditions, pea-oat intercrop has shown high land-use efficiency (LER). Field experiments were established under rainfed conditions in two locations in Greece for two growing seasons (2011–12 and 2012–13) to assess agronomic traits [date to flowering, plant height at stem elongation BBCH32, final plant height, and lodging], dry matter yield (DM), quality traits (protein, fat and ash concentrations, nitrogen free extracts), crop protein yield (CPY), and the competitive ability of three oat and three field pea cultivars in intercrops and sole crops. The intercrops produced on average 6.7% less DM than the oat sole crops, but had 27% higher CPY. However, interactions were found for the DM between the two locations, regarding species, cultivars and cropping systems, indicating that cultivars performed differently in sole crop and intercrops. Across locations, a pea-oat combination was the most consistent, showing the highest values of LER and monetary advantage index (MAI) that indicated its wide adaptation. Moreover, a second pea-oat combination showed specific adaptation to the warm and soil N-poor location. One testing environment favoured the high competitive ability of peas, whereas the other favoured the oat, possibly due to higher N-NO 3 availability. Intercropped oat flowered later, was shorted at the stem elongation stage, and lodged more than sole crops. On the other hand, peas flowered later and were taller at stem elongation stage, as well in final plant height in comparison to their peers in sole crop. Overall, the results highlighted the need of multi-environment trials to assess the effects of genotype × environment interactions in order to select compatible cultivars for maximizing the productivity and stability of the pea-oat intercrops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritive value of winter cereal forages is one of interested subjects of farmers for animal feeding. Field experiments were established in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons in northeast Turkey to investigate the effect of organic solid cattle manure application (0, 10 and 20 Mg ha−1yr−1) on nutritive value of three annual cereals for forage. The winter cereal forages were: wheat (Triticum aestivumL.), oat (Avena sativaL.) and rye (Secela cerealeL.). ADF (acid detergent fiber), NDF (neutral detergent fiber) CP (crude protein), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc and boron (N, P, K, S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn and B) concentrations were researched in this study. Wheat had the highest CP, N, Ca, Cu, Na and Zn concentration, whereas oat had the lowest ADF and NDF and the highest K, Fe and Mn concentrations. The greatest Mg and P concentrations were determined in rye. Organic solid cattle manure applications had no effect on N and CP contents, but it decreased ADF and NDF contents. However, in most cases it positively affected the P, B, Cu, Fe, Mg and Na concentrations, whereas it decreased K, Ca, Mn and Zn concentrations. The results showed that wheat and oat are more nutritive species than rye in terms of animal feeding and the organic solid cattle manure, in some cases increased the nutritive values of wheat, oat and rye under organic agriculture conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinary antibiotics (VAs) are not completely metabolized in the animal body. Hence, when animal excretes are used as soil manures, VA residues are dispersed with potential implications for environmental quality and human health. We studied the persistence of tiamulin (TIA) and tilmicosin (TLM) along their route from pig administration to fecal excretion and to agricultural soils. TLM was detected in feces at levels folds higher (4.27–749.6 μg g-1) than TIA (0.55–5.99 μg g-1). Different administration regimes (feed or water) showed different excretion patterns and residual levels for TIA and TLM, respectively. TIA and TLM (0.5, 5 and 50 μg g-1) dissipated gradually from feces when stored at ambient conditions (DT 50 5.85–35.9 and 23.5–49.8 days respectively), while they persisted longer during anaerobic digestion (DT 90 >365 days) with biomethanation being adversely affected at VA levels > 5 μg g-1. When applied directly in soils, TLM was more persistent than TIA with soil fumigation extending their persistence suggesting microbial degradation, while soil application through feces increased their persistence, probably due to increased sorption to the fecal organic matter. The use of TIA- and TLM-contaminated feces as manures is expected to lead to VAs dispersal with unexplored consequences for the environment and human health. [Display omitted] • Different administration regimes resulted in different excretion patterns and residual levels for TIA and TLM, respectively. • TIA and TLM persisted in feces during storage at ambient conditions or during anaerobic digestion. • TIA and TLM negatively affected the biomethanation process. • TIA and TLM persisted in agricultural soils with soil microbiota significantly contributing to VA dissipation. • TIA and TLM residues are expected to reach agricultural soils with unknown consequences for the environment and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2 year field experiment was conducted in northern Greece to study the biomass effects of four oregano ( Origanum vulgare) biotypes, used as incorporated green manure, on the emergence and growth of barnyard grass ( Echinochloa crus-galli), bristly foxtail ( Setaria verticillata), common purslane ( Portulaca oleracea), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum), and corn ( Zea mays). The oregano biotypes were selected on the basis of their high phenolic content. The phytotoxic potential of the oregano biotype extracts also was determined in the laboratory by using a perlite-based bioassay with cotton, corn, and barnyard grass. The bioassays indicated that the germination, root elongation, and fresh weight of cotton, corn, and barnyard grass were reduced by the oregano biotype extracts. In the field, the emergence of common purslane, barnyard grass, and bristly foxtail was reduced by 0-55%, 38-52%, and 43-86%, respectively, in the oregano green manure treatments, as compared with the oregano green manure-free treatments (the controls). At harvest, the cotton lint and corn grain yields in the oregano green manure treatments were 24-88% and 5-16%, respectively, greater than those in the corresponding green manure-free, weedy treatments. These results indicated that when the biomass of the oregano biotypes with a high phenolic content were incorporated into the soil as green manure, they could be used to suppress barnyard grass, bristly foxtail, and common purslane in cotton and corn and consequently to minimize herbicide usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a two-year (2005–2006) study conducted at three sites in central (Larissa) and northern (Alexandroupolis, Thessaloniki) Greece, we aimed to investigate the relationships between seedcotton yield and lint quality with leaf physiological traits (carbon isotope discrimination-Δ, ash content and K concentration). Eighteen lines with their original cultivars (Christina, Flora, Corona) were tested under the ultra-low density of 1.2plantsm−2. In combined data over years, a significant, positive correlation between seedcotton yield and Δ or ash content was found only in the driest and lowest-yielding site (Larissa), indicating that genotypes that keep their stomata open and in turn exhibit the highest Δ values, had an advantage in such environments. In pooled data from the two most productive sites (Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis), which had the highest Δ and ash content values, evidenced a negative correlation between seedcotton yield and both physiological traits. Seedcotton yield was negatively related with leaf K concentration in Larissa and Alexandroupolis but no significant relationship was found in Thessaloniki where leaf K concentration was below adequacy limit. Δ was positively related with ash content which suggests that the latter could be a putative surrogate of Δ. Negative correlation between Δ and leaf K concentration was found in two out of three sites (Larissa and Thessaloniki) as well as between ash content and K in one site (Larissa). These findings suggest that K accumulation in leaves is not just a passive procedure via transpiration stream. Significant, linear relationships of each physiological trait between sites showed that genotypic ranking was constant in the three sites, an indication of heritability. Ash content had the highest significance levels and correlation coefficients. Even though significant genotypic differentiation was observed for the three physiological and two of the lint quality traits (i.e. fibre length, micronaire) determined in Alexandroupolis, only a weak, negative relationship between fibre length and leaf K concentration was evident. In sum, leaf physiological traits (Δ, ash content and K concentration) could not be reliably used for yield selection in cotton owing to site-specific effects, which prejudice the yield–physiological traits relationship. Ash content–Δ relationship merits further research in order the former to be established as a putative surrogate of Δ. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Winter cereals are increasingly adopted for their use as cover crops in several cropping systems. This study was conducted to measure the effect of two barley (Hordeum vulgate L.) and six triticale (×Triticosecale) cultivars and three rye (Secale cereale L.) populations, used as cover crops, on the emergence and growth of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], bristly foxtail [Setaria verticillata (L.) P. Beauv.], large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], and sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris subsp, vulgaris). Also, bioassay studies were conducted to assess allelopathic potential of the winter cereal extracts on large crabgrass and sugarbeet. Large crabgrass and sugarbeet growth were reduced more by rye extracts than by triticale or barley. In the field, barnyardgrass, bristly foxtail, and large crabgrass emergence in mulched plots was 39 to 69%, 0 to 34%, and 0 to 78% lower, respectively, as compared with that in mulch-free plots. Sugarbeet yield in no-herbicide and herbicide subplots mulched with barley or rye was greater than that of triticale or mulch-free subplots. In particular, sugar yield in no-herbicide subplots mulched with ‘Athinaida’ barley or rye from Albania were about 7 and 26% less, respectively, than those obtained in the respective herbicide-treated subplots. These results suggest that Athinaida barley and the rye from Albania could be used as cover crops for annual grass weed suppression in sugarbeet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of three rye (Secale cereale L.) populations, six triticale (X Triucosecale Wittm.) cultivars, and two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, used as cover crops, on the emergence and growth of barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], bristly foxtail [Setaria verticillaui (L.) P. Beauv.I, and corn (Zea mays L.). Moreover, bioassay studies were conducted to assess allelopathic potential of the winter cereal extracts on both weed species and corn. All winter cereal extracts reduced barnyardgrass and bristly foxtail seed germination and growth, but none of them had any effect on corn. Bristly foxtail was affected more by all extracts than barnyardgrass, and growth of both weed species was reduced more by the extract of barley cultivar Athinaida. In field, 4 wk after corn planting, barnyardgrass and bristly foxtail emergence was reduced by 27 to 80% and 0 to 67%, respectively, in winter cereal mulched plots compared with that in winter cereal mulch-free plots. On the contrary, corn emergence was not affected by any cover crop mulch. At harvest, corn grain yield increased by 45% in no herbicide treated barley cultivar Athinaida mulched subplots as compared with that in respective mulch-free subplots. This corn yield in no herbicide treated Athinaida mulched subplots was similar with that obtained in respective herbicide-treated subplots. The results of this study suggest that some winter cereals such as barley cultivar Athinaida could be used as cover crop for annual grass weed suppression in corn and consequently to minimize herbicide applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]