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Brazil's citrus disease could affect Argentina

Disease-transmitting insect in our country.

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Genetic work outcome

Historical record for mohaire.

Vermicompost and chemical fertilizers effect on wheat

Preliminary results in INTA Pergamino.

Brazil's citrus disease could affect Argentina

Among the most serious diseases affecting the world's citriculture, we find Huanglongbing (ex Greening), coming from Asia and Africa. It affects all citrus cultivars and combinations (crown/base), and it is transmitted through grafting and/or through 2 vector insects (psyllids). Some of its symptoms are: yellowish leaves, small and lopsided fruits, leaf mottling on small and large leaves and thicker albedo.

We can find one of those vectors in Argentina (Diaphorina citri) but not the disease. Therefore, INTA, SENASA (Agro-feeding Quality and Health National Service) and INASE (Seeds National Institute) are on alert.

In order to avoid or reduce the risk of spreading the disease in the country, INTA Concordia, Entre Ríos province, advises: to train technicians and farmers to recognize the disease-transmitting insect and the disease symptoms, and to properly equip laboratories for the follow-up and monitoring.

For further information: Ing. Agr. Norma Costa, Laboratorio de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología (Plant protection and biotechnology laboratory) at INTA Concordia, ncosta@concordia.com.ar, 0054 345 4290000 http://www.inta.gov.ar/concordia

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By the end of May, 650 small Angora goat breeders, grouped in cooperatives and associations from Río Negro, Neuquén and Chubut provinces - joined in the Mohair Quality and Production Improvement Program of the SAGPyA (Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Food Secretariat) had sold 22,183 kg of Angora goat fiber, from 2005 fall sheep clipping.

Acopiadora del Neuquén S.R.L. paid an average price of $14.36 (Argentine pesos) plus VAT (21%) for 22,183 kg of mohair. The highest value was for "kid" lot -with the highest quality -, $19.37 per kg, $5 more than 2004 sale. The remaining prices were: "young", $16.40; "adult", $13.34; "strong", $12.22; "conditioned", $10.50; and "yellow point" $5.90 (VAT is not included). These values make contrast with the $6 to $8 currently paid in regional market to farmers who are not part of this Program. Exchange rate: $2.90 to USD1 (US dollars).

Within this Program, INTA Bariloche, Río Negro province, worked in order to improve the quality and quantity of the mohair obtained. The historical average fiber production per animal per year was of 1.5-2 kg, which is currently reaching 4 kg. The percentage of kemp fibers (low quality fibers) decreased from 7% to 0.4%. Due to these improvements, Patagonia producers are in a competitive position in the world market.

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Wheat is considered a nitrogen- and phosphorus- demanding crop and the chemical fertilizers are the frequent contribution to the soil. However, the organic fertilizers are an interesting alternative for organic production and their demand is permanently increasing.

Among them, vermicompost is solid, clean, odorless and does not require fermentation and thus, it is applied directly. .All these differentiate it from the other organic fertilizers. INTA Pergamino, Buenos Aires province, carried out a test on wheat in direct seeding-during 2004/2005 campaign-. They applied 2,000 kg/ha of vermicompost alone, 80 kg/ha of diammonium phosphate plus 80 kg/ha of urea and the three fertilizers together in the same doses.

The nonfertilized plot produced 2,193 kg/ha, the vermicompost alone yielded 3,240 kg/ha, the diammonium phosphate-urea combination produced 3,433 kg/ha and the group of three fertilizers produced 4,107 kg/ha, representing 48%, 56% and 87% of yield increase, respectively. Since vermicompost provides great quantities of macronutrients and micronutrients and improves physical and biological soil properties, a yield increase in future crops is expected. New tests must be carried out in order to determine the long-term effects of these fertilizers on the soil and crops.

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The use of alfalfa without latency and the reserve of spring surplus have reduced the deficit in pastures winter production. However, cutting-edge cattle systems require annual winter cereals used for direct grazing in order to have a higher forage offer during this difficult period, especially in subhumid and semiarid areas.

Therefore, INTA Marcos Juárez, Córdoba province, carried out tests with 22 varieties of oats, 14 of rye, 10 of triticale and 22 of annual ryegrass between 2002 and 2004. The average production yield for the 5 best varieties of each species for the three years, expressed in kg/ha of dry matter, was: oats: 6,004; rye: 5,073; triticale: 5,971 (all with 3 cuts) and annual ryegrass: 7,400 with 4 cuts. This confirms that breeders have several annual winter cereals used for direct grazing to organize their forage production.

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This publication gives the possibility to quickly identify wheat pests and their natural enemies in the different stages of development. It also provides a brief description of the biomorphological aspects and the harm done to the crop.

For further information: INTA Bookstore, Chile 460, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 0054 11 3390602, libreria@correo.inta.gov.ar

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EUMercoPol
The First Technical Meeting for the consolidation of European Union-MERCOSUR Project on Agricultural Policies (EUMercoPol) took place at INTA's Economics and Sociology Institute (IES). Among the subjects addressed, we can mention the following: objectives analysis and EUMercoPol Project organization, institutional introduction of participants, overview of agricultural sectors and commercial policies of EU and extended MERCOSUR (countries that are part of CAS (South Agricultural Council). Moreover, 2005-2006 work schedule was made.

For further information: Instituto de Economía y Sociología del INTA, 0054 11 8025106/55

Potatoe export to Italy
INTA Balcarce, Buenos Aires province, sent tubers of Argentine cultivars to Istituto Sperimentale per le Colture Industriali (ISCI), Bologna (Italia) for experimental field evaluation. There are no quarantine restrictions on the material and thus new possibilities are available for the region producers.
For further information: INTA Balcarce, comubalc@correo.inta.gov.ar

INTA at Agroactiva 2005
Agroactiva 2005 took place in June in Ballesteros, Córdoba province and was attended by around 195,000 people. This time, INTA had a big stand presenting different topics: beef - technology for high quality beef production, advances in forage resources and options for high productivity breeding; pig meat - high efficiency systems, and the milk sector - with a joint campaign between INTA and the Cámara de Productores Lecheros de Córdoba (Córdoba's Milk Producers Chamber).
For further information: INTA Marcos Juárez, mjcomunica@correo.inta.gov.ar

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The information enclosed in this bulletin is originated in different INTA Units and prepared by Javier Bellati, Marina Calles, Jorge Conti and María Giselle Miquet. INTA Communications Department.

Chile 460 2nd floor, Buenos Aires City. Phone: 00 54 11 43390600.

Contact us: 0800@correo.inta.gov.ar

Daniela Verónica Muñoz, Certified Translator, Registration N° 5198

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