Attractiveness of oilseed rape cultivars to Brassicogethes aeneus and Ceutorhynchus obstrictus as a potential control strategy

The abundances of two pests, pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus (Fabricius, 1775)) and cabbage seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham, 1802)), were measured before flowering and in the full bloom of oilseed rape cultivars with different phenologies (two yellow-flowering: DK Exssence (the earliest), DK Sensei (the latest) and one white-flowering in time between yellow-flowering cultivars), and the differences in their abundance in the selected cultivars were determined in plot experiments during 2015–2018. No significant differences in pollen beetle and cabbage seed weevil occurrence were observed between the cultivars in the pre-flowering period, but during flowering, the two yellow-flowering cultivars were more attractive than the white-flowering cultivar for both pests. In the white-flowering cultivar, 57% and 69% reductions in the pollen beetle and cabbage seed weevil populations, respectively, were found relative to the two with yellow flowers. Thus, the use of white-flowering cultivar (less attractive, later flowering) as the main crop and the yellow-flowering cultivar (more attractive, earlier flowering) at field edges, with the width of the one-track line, could serve as a strategy to manage oilseed rape pests during flowering. This control strategy which combines more and less attractive oilseed rape cultivars may contribute to a reduction in the use of pesticides and their negative impact on the environment.

Design and Simulation of the Operating Speed Regulation Algorithm of Plot Cabbage Seed Combine Harvester

Aiming at the problems of the single control scheme, the few aspects of monitoring and diagnosis, and the large delay time of the plot combine harvester, this paper designs the forward speed control algorithm of the plot Chinese cabbage seed harvester. This paper studies the theory of association rules, has used SQL Server to build a database including the job parameters of the main monitoring objects, and has mined the association rules between the job parameters and the feed amount through Analysis Service. Combining the knowledge of association rules and ordinary fuzzy PID algorithm, the article has built a model and performed simulation verification. The results show that the algorithm can adjust the forward speed reasonably and quickly when the feed volume increases.

Experimental Study and Computer Simulation of Compression Characteristics and Crushing of Chinese Cabbage Seeds

HighlightsBasic physical properties and mechanical parameters related to moisture content and compression orientation.A discrete model of cabbage seed was established by discrete element method.Crushing simulation has high consistency and small deviation compared with physical experiment.Abstract. To reduce the mechanical damage to cabbage seeds during combined harvesting, storage, and processing and to explore the mechanism of grain breakage, the basic physical parameters, such as the 1000-grain weight and the triaxial size under different moisture content (6.38%~15.30%), and the compressive mechanical properties under different loading methods (ventral loading and lateral loading) were studied. The discrete element method was used to establish a BPM model of cabbage seed. The distribution law underlying macroscopic cracks, evolutionary mechanism of internal damage and the micromechanical response during the compression of cabbage seeds were simulated. The results showed that the triaxial size, 1000-grain weight, arithmetic mean diameter and geometric mean diameter of cabbage seeds were related to the moisture content. The crushing force and apparent elastic modulus were related to the moisture content and the loading method. The distribution law of macroscopic cracks during the simulation processing was consistent with the physical experiment, and it was accompanied by increases in cracks and changes in the internal stress. In comparing the crushing force-displacement curves under the two compression modes, the law of curves between physical and virtual experiments was similar, and the peak values were very close, which indicated the feasibility of using the discrete element method to simulate the crushing of cabbage seeds during the compression process. Keywords: Cabbage seeds, Compression test, Cracks, DEM, Stress.

Biochar Type and Ratio as a Peat Additive/Partial Peat Replacement in Growing Media for Cabbage Seedling Production

Biochar has been proposed mainly as a soil amendment, positively affecting plant growth/yield, and to a lesser degree for growing media. In this study, four commercial grade biochars (A-forest wood; B-husks and paper fiber; C-bamboo and D-fresh wood screening), mostly wood-based materials, were selected. Initial mixtures of peat (P) with different Biochar type and ratios (0-5-10-15-20%) were selected for cabbage seedling production. Biochar material had high K content and pH ≥ 8.64 which resulted in increased pH of the growing media. Biochar A and C at 20% reduced cabbage seed emergence. Biochar A, B and D maintained or improved plant growth at low ratio (i.e., 5–10%) while all Biochars increased N, K and P content in leaves. Biochars A and D were further examined at 7.5% and 15% with the addition of two doses of minerals (1-fold and 1.5-fold). Biochar A and D, initially stimulated seed emergence when compared to the control. High dose of fertilizer favored plant growth in Biochar A at 7.5% and Biochar D at 15%. Leaf stomatal conductance was decreased at Biochar A+Fert at 7.5% and Chlorophyll b content was decreased at Biochar A+Fert at 15%. The presence of Biochar A increased the antioxidant activity (as assayed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-DPPH). Lipid peroxidation was higher in plants grown with fertilized peat and Biochar A at 15%, activating antioxidant enzymatic metabolisms. Potassium, phosphorous and copper accumulation and magnesium deficiency in cabbage leaves were related to the Biochar presence. Wooden biochar of beech, spruce and pine species (Biochar A) at 7.5% and fertilized biochar of fruit trees and hedges (Biochar D) were more promising for peat replacement for cabbage seedling production.

Direct seed farming of cabbage in Derbent district of Republic of Dagestan

Relevance The Republic of Dagestan is the southernmost region in the Russian Federation. The climatic conditions of the Derbent district of the Republic of Dagestan are favorable for seed production without direct cabbage. Material and method In cabbage seed production in direct culture it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of cabbage biology. In the Republic of Dagestan near the city of Derbent, all the phasic processes near cabbage take place in a short autumn period and in early spring. Results Years of experience in the conduct of cabbage seed production made it possible to determine the optimal timing for planting varieties (parental hybrids) of white cabbage of different groups of ripeness and different varieties. The technology of direct seed farming of cabbage is presented.