Application of Fungicides for the Management of Alternaria Blight in Rapeseed (Brassica rapa var. toria) | Chapter 7 | Food Science and Agriculture: Research Highlights Vol. 5

 

Alternaria blight caused by Alternaria brassica and A. brassicicola singly or by mixed infection is one of the most widespread and destructive diseases of oilseed brassicas globally. Different chemicals, including systemic fungicides, have been used for the management of this disease. However, with the increase in environmental pollution and present-day public perception on pesticide contaminants of foods, especially the edible oils, the development of alternative economical and eco-friendly approaches for disease management is needed. Several plant products are known to have antifungal activities, which are environmentally safe and non-phytotoxic.  In order to identify the effective and economic molecules of fungicides against Alternaria blight, a field trial was conducted during Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at Nagaon, Assam, in rapeseed (Brassica rapa L. var. toria). The trial was conducted with seven fungicides and replicated thrice (RBD) to assess the most effective fungicide in managing the disease. Among the different fungicides tested, the ready-mix formulation of tebuconazole 50% + trifloxystrobin 25% WG resulted in maximum reduction in disease severity both on leaves (54.1 %) and pods (55.7 %). Thus, this combo-formulation led to realization of the highest seed yield (1187 kg ha-1) with a yield advantage of 78.5 % over the check. The highest net monetary return (NR) of Rs. 39001 ha-1 with a benefit-cost ratio (B:C) of 2.02 was received in the treatment, followed by azoxystrobin 23 % SC @ 1 ml l-1 with 46.1 % and 45.8 % reduction in disease incidence, respectively on leaves and pods and yield increase of 54.8 %. Interestingly, when B:C ratio was calculated, azoxystrobin 23% SC recorded the highest B:C (2.31) with an NR of Rs. 37959 ha-1. The combination of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole acts as a synergist, as the individual components have different modes of action. Tebuconazole, a triazole, acts as a demethylation inhibitor (DMI) that hinders the fungal cell wall synthesis and thereby acts as an obstacle for the fungal growth and reproduction.

 

 

 

Author(s) Details

R. Chakrabarty
AAU-Zonal Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Shillongani, Nagaon-782 002, India.

 

H. Kalita
AAU-Zonal Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Shillongani, Nagaon-782 002, India.

 

P. Buragohain
AAU-Zonal Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Shillongani, Nagaon-782 002, India.

 

R.N. Borkakati
AAU-Zonal Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Shillongani, Nagaon-782 002, India.

 

B. Kalita
AAU-Zonal Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Shillongani, Nagaon-782 002, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/fsarh/v5/6811

Biodiesel Production from Rapeseed Oil | Chapter 3 | Chemistry and Biochemistry: Research Progress Vol. 7

Rapeseed oil technology refers to the process of extracting and refining oil from rapeseed, a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It is cultivated in many parts of the world due to its high content of vegetable oils. Rapeseed oil is valued for its nutritional profile, containing a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6. These are the main steps in the technology of obtaining rapeseed oil: harvesting and preparation, washing and drying rapeseed, grinding or crushing the seeds, pressing the oil (cold or hot pressing), solvent extraction (optional), refining the oil and packaging and storage. Rapeseed oil technology is a well-established process which allows for the production of a versatile and healthy product, used not only in food but also in various industrial and cosmetic applications.

 

Author(s) Details

Ioana Stanciu
Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 4-12 Elisabeta Blvd, 030018, Bucharest, Romania.      

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/cbrp/v7/5830

 

SWOT Analysis of Perennial vs Annual Energy Crops: A Case Study in Greece | chapter 3 | New Approaches in Engineering Research Vol. 3

 The EU bio-based economy requires a steady supply of biomass for a variety of applications, including pharmaceuticals, food, feed, bio-based materials, and bioenergy. In order to reduce competition for land, the yielding potential of energy crops (annual and perennial) must be as high as possible. Several perennial and annual energy crops have been cultivated for biofuel production in Europe over the last two decades. The main advantage of annual energy crops is that their agronomic management can be easily adapted from more traditional cultivation practices because they fit into current (rotation) farming systems. Perennial energy crops, on the other hand, are being specifically developed. The purpose of this paper is to compare some annual and perennial energy crops using the SWOT Analysis to determine the most socioeconomically and environmentally suitable crops for biofuel production in Greece and the Mediterranean region. Our research focuses on three perennial energy crops: Miscanthus (Miscanthus giganteus), Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), and Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and four annual energy crops: Sunflower (Helianthus spp.), Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), Rapeseed (Brassica napus), and Sorghum (Panicum virgatum) (Sorghum bicolor). The SWOT analysis reveals that the three perennial energy crops under consideration are an excellent alternative choice for marginal lands, especially because they do not require annual installation. They have high biomass yields, low crop costs (cardoon, switchgrass), and a diverse range of end uses. They are especially beneficial to the environment because they require few chemicals (cardoon), have a high energy content, and can be used for soil remediation (miscanthus) and phytoextraction of harmful or polluting substances. Some, however, have a high initial installation cost (miscanthus, switchgrass) and some are potentially invasive species (miscanthus, cardoon), while almost all mature. On the other hand, among the four annual energy crops are some well-known and well-accepted plants (sunflower, rapeseed) as well as some less common ones (kenaf, sorghum as an energy crop). They can be included in existing rotation farming schemes, and the majority of them, like winter cereals, can be grown using techniques that farmers are already familiar with (rapeseed). They present an environmentally friendly alternative crop choice in lands with limited or moderate water availability (sunflower, kenaf), with high yields and a wide range of potential uses, suitable for both small farmer cooperatives and large-scale farming. The best energy crop, whether annual or perennial, will be determined by a variety of socioeconomic and environmental factors.

Author (s) Details

Dr. Annoula Paschalidou
Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Street, 68 200, Orestiada, Greece.

Dr. Michael Tsatiris
Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou Street, 68 200, Orestiada, Greece.

View Book :-  https://stm.bookpi.org/NAER-V3/article/view/1850