Effect of sapropel fertilizer on the quality of the yield of some field crops

L. Zarina¹²*, S. Cerina¹ and L. Proskina³

¹Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Crop Management Department,
Zinatnes 2, LV-4126 Priekuli, Latvia
²Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture,
Liela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
³Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Liela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: livija.zarina@arei.lv

Abstract:

Sapropel is specific water body sediments containing a high level of organic matter formed from remains of water biota mixed with mineral components. One of the most promising utilisation ways of sapropel is agriculture where it can be used as soil amendment to improve soil physical properties and thus obtain economically viable and high quality yield of field crops. For three years the experiments were conducted at Priekuli Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics. Dehydrated sapropel mass from Lake Bizas was studied as soil biological fertilizer to determine its suitability for use in field crop production. Researches were carried out in organic crop rotation, in the fields of potato, winter rye and field bean. Three different doses of sapropel fertilizer were applied. During the three-year period (2020–2022), the yield indicators of the plant species included in the study were evaluated, and the quality of the yield of these species was assessed. The results of research confirm the positive effect of sapropel on yield quality indicators – protein (field beans), starch (potatoes) falling number and 1,000 seed mass (winter rye).

Key words:

The influence of dietary inclusion of peas, faba bean and lupin as a replacement for soybean meal on pig performance and carcass traits

L. Degola and D. Jonkus

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Agrobiotechnology, Liela 2, LV3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Correspondence: lilija.degola@llu.lv; daina.jonkus@llu.lv

Abstract:

The effect of peas, faba bean and lupin seed inclusion in growing and finishing pig diets was evaluated. The control diet included soybean meal at 15%, but in the trial groups diets peas were 15 or 28%, faba bean 20 or 25%, lupin seed 12 or 15%, completely replacing soybean meal. Diets formulated to be isoenergetic for ME and with the same crude protein content. The faba bean and, especially, lupin seed meal inclusion in pig diets for growing period significantly reduced ADG P = 0.02 and 0.01), and G : F was also significantly influenced (P = 0.02) for pigs in lupin seed meal groups. There were no effects on finisher pigs average daily gain, inclusion peas or faba bean, daily gain were, respectively 892 ± 19 and 915 ± 11, 867 ± 12 and 828 ± 11, except lupin seed meal (P = 0.04) inclusion. There were no significantly effects on carcass quality and to pork chemical content, but pigs fed the diets with peas 28% and faba bean 25% had less of lean meat content, greater backfat thickness and internal fat than other groups which have a similar results. The muscle chemical content show that inclusion of pulses increased the total fat content in pork. In conclusion, results from this experiment suggest that pigs fed peas and faba bean have equal or slightly lower growth performance and carcass traits than pigs fed soybean meal, except lupin seed meal.

Key words:

faba bean, growing and fattening pigs, lupin, nutrition, peas