Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research

Is social sustainability relevant for food consumers? Evidence from Chile

Andrea Báez-Montenegro — 2024-02-21

Aim of study: To examine consumer preferences in Chile, an emerging market, for cheese that emphasizes social sustainability features.

Area of study: Chilean consumers.

Material and methods: Three characteristics were included in the choice experiment: price, social sustainability (adherence to labor laws), and cheese type (Gouda, Chanco, and Artisanal cheese), each with three levels. A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of Chilean customers in order to collect data. To evaluate the effect, relevance, and main determinants of choice, a conditional logit model was employed.

Main results: The more attributes are at their most desirable levels, the more likely the cheese will be chosen. Therefore, the most sought-after cheese is that which is inexpensive, conforms to all labor laws, and is of the Chanco variety. When one or more of these three attributes are not at their most desirable level, then price (the lowest) is the attribute that governs the choice, followed by the social sustainability attribute (higher levels of compliance with labor legislation) and, finally, the type of cheese. In terms of socioeconomic variables, older consumers and those with higher education explain a greater preference for the social sustainability attribute over the type of cheese.

Research highlights: These results highlight the importance that social sustainability can have on companies to make their products preferred by consumers. This is the first study to examine the Chilean food industry's social sustainability attribute.

Sustainability indicators for farming systems in Pampa biome of Brazil: a methodological approach NEXUS-MESMIS

João G. A. Viana — 2024-03-14

Aim of study: To develop and measure sustainability indicators for the water-food-energy nexus in the Ibirapuitã river basin production systems in the Brazilian Pampa biome. The research seeks to contribute to the area of agriculture and sustainability along two lines: a) develop a methodology of sustainability indicators that can be applied to farming systems globally; and b) increase understanding of the interrelationship between water, food and energy and how it affects rural areas' sustainability.

Area of study: The study was conducted in the Ibirapuitã river basin in the Brazilian Pampa biome.

Material and methods: The construction of the indicators was based on the MESMIS methodology (Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Indicators). In research, 121 farming systems were sampled. The sustainability indexes of the indicators between and within each dimension were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test.

Main results: A significant difference was found between the averages of the indices of the dimensions in the production systems of the basin (p<0.05). The water dimension presented the highest level of sustainability, classified as "ideal". The energy dimension presented an intermediate level of sustainability, classified as "acceptable”. Furthermore, the food dimension presented the lowest sustainability index among the nexus, classified as "alert". These indexes contribute to identifying the main action points for improving the systems, being an essential tool for local rural extension.

Research highlights: The study consolidated a methodology for measuring sustainability indicators based on farming systems' water, energy, and food production characteristics, capable of being replicated in other realities.

Growth performance, physiological response, and tissue microarchitecture of the carp Labeo rohita challenged with AFB1 are improved by supplementing with turmeric

Deepa Bhatt — 2024-04-15

Aim of study: To examine the impact of dietary supplementation with turmeric (TM) (Curcuma longa) on growth, haematological, biochemical parameters, and histoarchitecture in rohu (Labeo rohita) challenged with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

Area of study: Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Material and methods: A completely randomized design involved the utilization of 225 fingerlings distributed across five treatments with three replicates each. Diets were allocated as follows: T1 denoted the negative control diet, T2 comprised AF100, while T3, T4, and T5 were formulated with AF25TM, AF50TM, and AF100TM, respectively.

Main results: The results indicated a negative correlation between AFB1 dosage in feed and fish growth, with higher doses resulting in decreased growth. Significant changes were observed in haematological parameters, including reductions in total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, haemoglobin, and packed cell volume, alongside alterations in biochemical parameters, such as decreases in total protein, albumin, and globulin levels, and an increase in glucose levels and albumin/globulin ratio. Additionally, elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase were noted in T2 and T5 compared to other treatments. AFB1 exposure also led to damage in the microarchitecture of the brain, kidney, and liver tissues, although inclusion of TM at 25 ppb AFB1 showed signs of recovery.

Research highlights: The changes observed were dose-dependent, and supplementation of TM showed increased resistance against AFB1 and the greatest improvement in T3. Therefore, a diet containing 5 g TM kg^-1 would lower AFB1 contamination of 25 ppb compared to 50 and 100 ppb. In conclusion, supplementing TM in fish feeds can help regulating the AFB1, which in turn can improve sustenance-based output.

Effect of environmental conditions and feed forms on the performance and feeding behavior of group-housed growing-finishing pigs

Marta Fornós — 2024-02-21

Aim of study: To investigate the influence of environmental conditions and feed forms on productivity and feeding behavior of growing-finishing pigs.

Area of study: Farm located in the North-East of Spain (42°03'11.0"N 2°06'59.5"E).

Material and methods: Two trials were conducted (n = 72 pigs each). In the Hot-Temperate/Pelleted trial (HT-P), pigs were half the time under hot conditions (average temperature Ta=28.1℃) and half the time under thermoneutral conditions (Ta=25.5℃) and were fed in pellet. In the Temperate-Hot/Mash trial (TH-M), pigs were half the time under thermoneutral conditions (Ta=23.5℃) and half the time under hot conditions (Ta=27.3℃) and were fed in mash. Productivity and feeding behavior were registered.

Main results: Hot conditions during the finishing period in TH-M trial reduced by 118 g/d growth rate and increased feed conversion ratio (2.28 vs. 2.07 kg/kg) compared to HT-P trial (p < 0.001) due to feed intake reduction. Growing pigs under hot conditions and fed in pellet increased total feeder visits (12.8 vs. 7.9 visits/d) and reduced visit size (147 vs. 230 g/visit, p < 0.001); whereas finishing pigs under hot conditions and fed in mash only tended to reduce visit size (308 vs. 332 g/visit, p = 0.08). Pigs fed with mash ate slower (22.8 vs. 34.8 g/min) than pelleted-fed pigs (p < 0.001), independently of environmental conditions.

Research highlights: Feed form and environmental conditions affect both feeding behavior and performance of growing-finishing pigs. Unfortunately, due to a design weakness, it was not possible to obtain the sharp effect of both factors.

Influence of genotypes of spineless cacti on feedlot lamb carcass characteristics and meat quality

Levi A. Lopes — 2024-03-04

Aim of study: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spineless cactus genotypes (Nopalea cochenillifera or Opuntia stricta) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs.

Area of study: Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.

Material and methods: Thirty-six uncastrated male Santa Inês lambs (22.0±2.91 kg of body weight) were used in a completely randomized design, with three dietary treatments: (1) Tifton hay as exclusive roughage; (2) Nopalea spineless cactus; or (3) Opuntia spineless cactus as a partial replacement for Tifton hay; the animals were slaughtered after 86 days of feedlot.

Main results: The Nopalea and Opuntia diets increased (p<0.05) the empty body weight and the weight of the cold carcass. The cold carcass yield for lambs fed diets with spineless cactus was higher (p<0.05). The spineless cactus diets led to a greater amount (p<0.05) of internal fat and carcass fat. Spineless cactus increased the weight, yield, and fattening score of the carcasses of lambs. The meat from animals fed with spineless cactus showed higher ether extract content (p<0.05). The score attributed to meat color in the Opuntia treatment was higher (p<0.05), as well as the characteristic flavor for the Nopalea treatment.

Research highlights: Spineless cactus, regardless of the genotype, increases the weight, yield, and fattening of the carcass of feedlot lambs.

Tree performances of eight rootstocks grafted with ‘Šumadinka’ sour cherry

Tomo Milošević — 2024-04-03

Aim of study: This study was conducted to determine the suitability of seven clonal and one seedling rootstocks for grafting of sour cherry cv. ‘Šumadinka’ trough early tree growth, precocity, productivity and fruit quality.

Aim of study: To evaluate the suitability of seven clonal rootstocks and one seedling rootstocks for grafting the sour cherry cv. ‘Šumadinka’ based on early tree development, precocity, productivity and fruit quality.

Area of study: A sour cherry orchard in village Prislonica, Serbia, near Čačak city.

Material and methods: The sour cherry cultivar ‘Šumadinka’ was grafted onto Colt, MaxMa 14, Krymsk 6, Adara, Cigančica, Gisela 5, Gisela 6 and Myrobalan rootstocks. Standard and validated procedures were used to measure tree growth, productivity (from 2017 to 2020), leaf area, fruit physical properties and fruit chemical composition (from 2019 to 2020).

Main results: Significant differences were observed among rootstocks in leaf and petiole dimensions, leaf area, tree vigour, yield, fruit size, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, sugars and vitamin C contents, ripening and sweetness indexes. Trees grafted on Adara exhibited the highest tree vigour, while those on Gisela 6 produced the largest fruit size. On the other hand, Colt trees generally displayed the highest sugar content and sweetness index. Adara also showed improvements in fruit quality characteristics, whereas the properties associated with Myrobalan received the lowest evaluation scores.

Research highlights: Adara rootstock demonstrated good adaptability to heavy and acidic soil conditions in Serbia, even though it was originally selected for cherry cultivation in heavy, waterlogged, and calcareous soils in Spain. This adaptability likely contributed to its higher vigour, yield, yield efficiency and good fruit quality.

Potential subterranean interference of Solanum elaeagnifolium, commonly known as silverleaf nightshade, on durum wheat

Christos Antodiadis — 2024-03-07

Aim of study: Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) has evolved as an invasive weed in Greece, affecting many farmers’ fields. The potential subterranean interference of silverleaf nightshade on durum wheat growth and yield, as well as its aqueous extracts phytotoxic activity on four winter cereals were investigated.

Area of study: Northern Greece.

Material and methods: The phytotoxic activity of silverleaf nightshade was determined in the laboratory using a perlite-based bioassay. The interference of silverleaf nightshade on durum wheat yield components was investigated by a 3-year field experiment.

Main results: The silverleaf nightshade leaves/stems or the flowers/fruits extracts were in most cases more phytotoxic than those of roots. Durum wheat and oats were more sensitive than winter wheat and barley. In the field, the incorporated summer biomass of 14-18 plants m^-2 (about 4.5-4.8 t ha^-1) of silver nightshade caused 14.5, 23.1, 23.3, 15.9, 17.3 and 16.9% reduction (averaged across years) in durum wheat plant number, tiller number, total fresh weight, total dry weight, ear number and seed yield, respectively, compared with the silver nightshade-free plots (control). The corresponding reductions caused by 30-34 plants m^-2 (about 8.3-8.6 t ha^-1) were 28.5, 41.2, 45.9, 31.5, 27.0 and 31.2%.

Research highlights: The presence of aboveground silver nightshade biomass, incorporated by tillage before seeding significantly reduced the emergence, growth and yield of durum wheat. This fact could be attributed to the allelopathic effect of the weed and demonstrates the need for its control before wheat establishment to enhance wheat productivity.

Editorial Board 22 (2)

Journal Editorial Office SJAR — 2024-05-13