Agricultura Scientia

An Autonomous Field Robot Farmbeast

Gregor Popič — 2025-01-21

In contemporary agricultural automation, the demand for highly adaptive autonomous systems is rapidly increasing. Addressing this need, we introduce the latest iteration of FarmBeast, an advanced autonomous robot designed for precise navigation and operation within the complex terrain of cornfields. This paper details the technical specifications and functionalities of FarmBeast, developed by a Slovenian student team from the University of Maribor for the international Field Robot Event (FRE) 2023. The enhanced version features significant hardware and software upgrades, including a completely new robotic platform, a multichannel LIDAR system, an Xsens IMU, and advanced algorithms for efficient row navigation and weed removal. These integrated technologies aim to improve the efficiency and reliability of agricultural processes, reflecting the broader trend towards digitization and precision farming. Participation in international competitions like FRE provides a valuable platform for students to apply interdisciplinary knowledge, fostering the development of practical skills and understanding the interconnectedness of various scientific disciplines. As highlighted in the results section, FarmBeast performed notably compared to other 14 robots, securing top-five finishes in navigation, plant treatment, and obstacle detection tasks, demonstrating its capabilities in dynamic agricultural settings.

Evaluation of Heifer Welfare in Two Different Rearing Systems

Ernest Plemenitaš — 2025-01-28

The welfare of domestic animals, which is a core part of livestock farming today, depends strongly on the rearing system. While free-stall systems are encouraged, tied rearing systems are still the most widely used in cattle farming, although considered less suitable due to restricted freedom of movement. As an alternative to this system, free-stall rearing, which allows movement, is proposed as a minimum standard. Although it seems self-evident that free-stall rearing is better than tied rearing system, there is still a lack of research on whether this is true for all categories of cattle or whether it might be appropriate for some of them (e.g. depending on age). The aim of the present study was therefore to compare the welfare of heifers in tied and free-stall rearing during the fattening period (at different ages). In general, we have suggested higher welfare scores in free-stall system, with the tied stall being more problematic for younger animals. The study comprised five heifers in each system per repetition (20 animals in total). Data were collected using the Welfare Quality® protocol, which involves the assessment of four main principles: feeding, housing, health and behaviour. The assessments were carried out approximately every three months during the fattening period (from 6 to 27 months of age). The results showed significant differences in animal welfare scores between tied and free-stall systems only in
terms of housing and the tendency of differences in behaviour. For both principles, the scores were relatively low compared to feeding and health, where no differences were found between the rearing systems. In terms of temporal dynamics, differences were only found for housing, with values decreasing with age in both rearing systems. In the free-stall system, the scores were almost optimal in young animals (>90), but decreased rapidly with increasing age, while in the tied housing system, a suboptimal welfare scores were already observed in young animals (≈40). This means that tied rearing system is a clear disadvantage for the welfare of younger animals, which are generally more exploratory and active. Our results confirmed tied stall as less suitable in terms of animal welfare, especially for young animals. It is therefore encouraged that young animals should primarily be housed in a freestall pens if both systems are available in the breeding facilities.

Comparison of Slovenian Traditional Plum Materials with Genetic Resources from the Slovenian Plant Gene Bank

Tina Ternjak — 2025-01-28

The Slovenian Plant Gene Bank (SPGB) of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences houses approximately 250 accessions of stone fruit, with most of the material belonging to the species Prunus domestica L. and Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. The main objectives of this study using a set of 11 SSR primers were: 1. to determine the genetic structure of the traditional Slovenian in situ plum material in comparison to the ex situ the SPGB collection; 2. to identify unique material among the in situ collected accessions; 3. to gain insight into the genetic relationship between the two studied species. The genetic structure of 60 plum samples was analyzed using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and Bayesian model-based analysis. PCoA separated the P. cerasifera and P. domestic accessions, while Bayesian model-based analysis revealed that many accessions of P. domestica and P. cerasifera shared a common ancestral history. The ex situ material showed greater genetic diversity as it was distributed over more populations than the in situ material. Promising in situ genotypes, especially from the Prekmurje and Lower Styria, were identified as valuable additions to enrich the existing collection.

The Adverse Impacts of a Single Exposure to the Fungicide Picoxystrobin during the Larval Stage on Africanized Apis mellifera

Caio Eduardo da Costa Domingues — 2025-01-28

Pesticide use remains a problem in agriculture, contaminating natural ecosystems and affecting bees. Fungicides have been widely used worldwide, and honey bees can bring contaminated pollen and nectar to the colony, exposing the larvae. Studies on larval exposure to fungicides are still rare. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effects of larval exposure to the fungicide picoxystrobin on biological parameters and cellular stress in the fat body. The larvae were single exposure on the fourth day (D4) to picoxystrobin at concentrations of 5 ng a.i./μL (PCX5), 45 ng a.i./μL (PCX45), 135 ng a.i./μL (PCX135), and 400 ng a.i./μL (PCX400). The effects on larval and pupal mortality, pupation rate, and emergence were evaluated. Additionally, cellular stress in the fat body was assessed in newly emerged bees. Exposure to PCX400 increased larval mortality by 26% and reduced the emergence of adult bees. The other concentrations did not affect larval and pupal mortality, or pupation and emergence rates. A cytotoxicity effect was observed in newly emerged bees from PCX400, indicated by positive immunolabeling of HSP70. Thus, a single exposure to picoxystrobin can impair larval development, induce a cellular stress response, and may interfere with colony dynamics.