Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering

Abstract The oat is considered a healthy minor cereal. According to numerous studies, their storage proteins tend to provoke a minimal immune response in people with celiac disease. Avenin peptides could still be a source of potentially risky protein epitopes in oats for celiac patients. This study aimed to quantify the transcription of avenin genes during grain filling in six oat varieties. Field experiments were carried out with two levels of fertilization, and samples were collected at eight sampling points. The amount of avenin transcripts was calculated from transcription profiles for each factor: oat variety, avenin gene type, and fertilization level. Statistically significant differences were found in transcript levels between avenin gene types A, B, C1, and C2. The transcripts of the avenin types C1 and C2 were the most abundant. Higher fertilization levels increased both avenin gene transcription and avenin protein content. Although oat varieties did not differ significantly in the abundance of avenin transcripts across the entire maturation period, differences in the abundance of avenin proteins in matured grain proved to be statistically significant. While the content of avenin gene transcripts measured across the entire grain maturation period in selected oat varieties matched the predicted genes, it did not correlate with the content of avenin proteins in matured seed ( r = 0.04). This suggests that post-translational modifications may play a role in this discrepancy.

The effect of mineral, organic (manure or straw + intercrop) and combined fertilisation on the development of soil nutrient contents over time and their mutual ratios was evaluated in a long-term field trial, IOSDV (established in 1984 at two sites), differing in the soil-climatic conditions. Three cropping cycles, from 2016 to 2018, 2019 to 2021, and 2022 to 2024, were studied in the following crop rotation: winter wheat-winter barley-root crop (sugar beet at Ivanovice na Han and potatoes at Lukavec). Potassium and phosphorus in mineral fertilisers have not been applied since the year 2020 due to their high content found in soils after dry years with low yields. Consequently, their content decreased, most in the third rotation, both by the Mehlich 3 method and especially the exchange fraction extractable with NH₄-acetate (Ivanovice: P 5–14%, 32–40% and K up to 12%, 9–20% determined by Mehlich 3 and NH₄-acetate, respectively; Lukavec: Mehlich 3 – P increase: 5–16%, K decrease: 0–8%; NH₄^- acetate decrease – P: 10–13%, K 8–23%). The mutual ratio of nutrients equivalents K : Mg : Ca was lower than required values 1 : 2–3 : 10–15 at both sites and all studied treatments, however a slight increase was observed during the studied period, above all in system with only mineral fertilisation (Ivanovice: K : Mg : Ca from 1 : 1.2 : 5.6 to 1 : 1.4 : 6.8, Lukavec: from 1 : 1.0 : 7.7 to 1 : 1.0 : 9.6). A correctly balanced ratio of nutrients in the soil is important for maintaining soil fertility. In this long-term field experiment, the increase in nutrient levels in soils over reasonable levels was observed, highlighting the necessity of regular nutrient testing in agricultural soils, especially when multiple types of fertilisers are used simultaneously.

Detailed performance testing of agricultural machinery is very important in determining its value in use. These measurements cannot be limited to laboratory tests, such as braking the power take-off (PTO) shaft of a tractor or performing dynamic tests of implements in a soil bin. Field tests are the ultimate way to test the capabilities of agricultural machinery. However, during such field tests, there are many parameters that can interfere with and affect the test results, such as inhomogeneity of the soil and tyre characteristics. In order to minimise these effects as much as possible, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) Institute of Technology, Agriculture Engineering Labs. has developed a dynamometer vehicle with an electronic brake control system that is suitable for measuring the traction characteristics of agricultural tractors and other terrain vehicles. It is also capable of testing different track systems and tyre-soil interactions. This paper introduces this special test vehicle by presenting measurement results and also describes other interesting applications for the agricultural community.

Cold chain interruption during transport of samples to the laboratory may become a confounder in food hygiene practice. This study evaluates the influence of inadequate transport conditions on the microbiological quality of fish fillets from common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) packaged in plain, vacuum, or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The experiments simulated the temperature increase during sample transport to 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, and 25 °C with exposure times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic microorganisms count (PMC), β-D-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. were evaluated immediately after the exposure to the elevated temperature (0 h), 3 h, and 24 h after the return to the normal temperature. Variability was observed even in the initial microbial contamination of fish fillets. Storage at higher temperatures led to an increase in microbial contamination of fish fillets Different types of packaging also played a role. In non-fatty fish (cod), CO2-containing MAP led to a decrease in pH and, therefore, to lower microbial growth. In fatty fish (salmon), the presence of CO2 did not lead to the reduction in pH and the degree of microbial contamination was, therefore, not affected by this intrinsic factor. If cold chain interruption occurs during the transport of samples to the laboratory, it is necessary to perform the analysis immediately as even storage in cold conditions until the next day can lead to increased levels of microbial contamination of such samples.

Agriculture is constantly developing into a progressive sector by benefiting from a variety of high-tech solutions with the ultimate objectives of improving yield and quality, minimizing wastes and inputs, and maximizing the sustainability of the process. For the case of Iran, adaptation of digital agriculture is one of the key economic plans of the government until 2025. For this purpose, the development of infrastructure besides understanding social and cultural impacts on the transformation of traditional agriculture is necessary. This chapter reports the potential of the existing technological advances and the state of the current research efforts for the implementation of digital agriculture in open-field and closed-field crop production systems in Iran. The focus of the study was on the development of affordable IoT devices and their limitations for various farming applications including smart irrigations and crop monitoring, as well as an outlook for the use of robotics and drone technology by local farmers in Iran.

The results of this study provide overall information on the verification of the effect of applying two different mulching materials of an organic origin to the soil surface in the area between rows of grape vines in vineyards on selected physical and chemical properties of the soil and, at the same time, on the yield and quality parameters of the grape vines (Vitis vinifera L.). During the period under study, 2018–2020, the effect of shredded cereal straw (CS) and compost from garden waste (CO) was investigated. The control variant (CWC) was left without any cover and was regularly cultivated with a coulter cultivator to a depth of 60 mm. During the experiments, meteorological data were monitored and recorded along with soil temperature and soil moisture for each variant. The results show that the lowest temperature was measured for the straw cover variant (11.10–11.87 °C), while the highest soil temperature was measured for compost (11.93–13.16 °C). Under the straw, the moisture level in the soil was higher compared to the other variants, and there was a gradual increase (of 3%) in soil bulk density values compared to the baseline. By contrast, the compost variant showed a decrease (of 1%) in bulk density values. The differences in nutrient content were slight among the variants. The only statistically significant difference was identified for the compost variant with respect to the content of total nitrogen and phosphorus. Further results demonstrated a positive effect of both mulch material variants on grape yield, which was 6–19% higher in the variants with a cover layer. In addition, the use of mulch also had a positive effect on grape quality. For example, the sugar content—one of the main quality parameters—increased by 1–7% due to the mulch layer. Based on these results, the use of mulching materials can be recommended for areas with low total rainfall during the growing season, as well as when growing varieties with irregular yields and uneven grape quality.

Pyrolysing agricultural crop residues and other biomass constitutes a newer method of transforming often difficult, waste materials into a novel type of soil amendment/additive. Simultaneously, this process also makes it possible to exploit part of the energy released in the agricultural production. Biochar, viewed as the solid product of biomass pyrolysis, is a remarkable, porous material, rich in carbon. Two agricultural crop residues, such as wheat and barley straw, were selected for the experimental studies. The results indicate that the practical temperature for the production of biochar from the two explored materials occurs in the vicinity of 600 °C. Starting at this temperature, the biochar produced complies safely with the principal European Biochar Certificate standards (EBC 2012). Thus, for the wheat straw and barley straw – originated char, the content of the carbon amounts to 67.2 and 67.0 mass %, the atomic ratio H : C is as large as 0.032 and 0.026, and the specific surface area amounts to 217 and 201 m<sup>2</sup>·g<sup>–1</sup>, respectively.

Authors of the article are evaluating characteristics of half‑operational experimental agro‑pellets production. The problems of production and use of agro‑pellets is the current issue. It’s a way to apply part of the agricultural production in the market. It is also an opportunity to replace part of the fossil fuels and increase the share of renewables. But the use of phytomass is bringing many problems. First, it is important that the manufactured products will be succeeded on the raw materials market. Agro‑pellets therefore must have characteristics that support their competitiveness and allow their classification. The advantage comes if the agro‑pellets properties are comparable with traditional fuels and their combustion is possible in standard boilers. This objective can be achieved in several ways. The production of mixed fuels is one from the possible ways. Phytomass is pressed into pellet form in a mixture with other raw materials, usually based on powder coal or wood. The advantage of mixed fuels production is the ability to influence the final properties according to market demands and requirements of legislation. The research activity results, which are given in the text, were aimed at the possibility of Reed Canary Grass applying as part of a mixed fuel in various concentrations. The pellets are based on Reed Canary Grass and wooden biomass in the form of saw‑dust. Addition of sawdust has negative influence on the presser productivity, but has a positive impact on mechanical and burning qualities of final products. Mechanical durability values of pellets were increased by 4.8 and 3.0% with the sawdust addition. The specific weight of pellets was increased even by 31.9%. Hand in hand with the raising amount of sawdust in pellets, the decline of CO emissions in exhaust gas was proven.

The need for mechanical disintegration of biomass is very current topic with regard to the requirements of an agrarian sector, beside the importance of a material’s moisture content reduction to be used in further applications. The drawbacks of commonly applied devices are the limited use of moist biomass and high energy consumption for disintegration. In collaboration with LAVARIS company, there were tested two high-speed mills LAV 400/1R with single rotor (used for a first milling) and LAV 300/2R with double rotors (used for a second milling), which were primarily designed for crushing of concrete, rubber and construction waste. The goal of the new technical solution was a disintegration of biomass on example of pine sawdust and miscanthus together with examination of simultaneous drying in order to achieve a desired fraction (particle size) and moisture content of biomass material. Experimental tests on highspeed mills have shown the following results: in case of pine sawdust about 98% of output particle size after passing through the first and second milling was smaller than 1.5 mm, and smaller than 1 mm for miscanthus (sieve analysis method was used for determination), i.e. significant reduction was achieved comparing to initial particle size. Moisture content of the materials after disintegration (first and second) decreased from 37.08% to 8.55% for pine sawdust and from 24.43% to 7.19% for miscanthus. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the mechanical disintegration of biomass by high-speed mills has a great potential to become an effective part of raw materials’ pre-treatment technology, not only in agriculture, but also in production of different types of biofuels.