1st Season Research Articles

Potential of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Extract in Managing Fall Armyworm on Maize

This research assessed the effect of neem leaf extract on the larval population of the fall armyworm and the level of damage, growth, and yield of maize. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments (Control, 50 g per L, 100 g per L and 200 g per L of neem leaf extract) applied within the two seasons of 2022A and 2022B. The findings showed that a higher concentration (200 g per L) of neem leaf extract-treated maize plants registered the least leaf damage (0.15), severity (0.15), and larvae population (0.1). This effect was most attained during the 1st season of maize production and at the earliest vegetative weeks of maize growth (3 WAP to 5 WAP, i.e., weeks after planting). The higher neem leaf extract concentration of 200 g per L produced the most significant (p < 0.001) effect on maize growth traits. A higher plant height (162.51 cm), longer leaf length (112.5 cm), wider leaf width (11.7 cm), and broader stem girth (11.91 cm) were attained under 200 g per L of neem leaf extract treated plots during the 1st season of maize production and 11 WAP. The findings of this showed that a relatively high concentration of neem leaf extract produced a higher cob weight (200 g per L = 180.1 g) followed by 100 g per L (174.1 g), 50 g per L (140.9 g) and control (139 g). The weight was optimised during the 1st season of maize production (163.8 g). The grain yield was higher under 200 g per L (153.7 g) of neem extract. The above findings demonstrated that a high concentration of neem leaf extract reduced fall armyworm infestation and increased maize plant growth and yield. Farmers should, therefore, be encouraged to apply 200 g per L of neem leaf extract in the management of fall armyworms and improve plant growth and yield because it contains antifeedant and insecticidal properties against the fall armyworm.

Performance of soybean cultivars for the Rio Verde region, Goiás, Brazil - 1st season

Performance of soybean cultivars for the Rio Verde region, Goiás, Brazil - 1st season

Phytoremediation ability of Panicum maximum and Salicornia europaea irrigated with treated wastewater for salt elements in the soil

Soil salinity is one of the major problems that threaten the soils in Jordan, which led to a decrease in the percentage of arable land in Jordan. The phytoremediation process is concerned with the restoration of contaminated soils using tolerant plants, such as halophyte plants. In this context, the potential short-term phytoremediation ability of Panicum Mombasa and Salicornia Europaea was evaluated and measured. A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years to study the ability of these previous two crops for the phytoremediation of saline soils induced by treated wastewater irrigation. Both crops with bare soil as a control were irrigated together from the effluent of the Ramtha Wastewater Treatment Plant at the same time. Soil electrical conductivity was identified as the main parameter for measuring the plant’s ability for salt absorption. The results for both seasons show a higher accumulation of salts in bare soil significantly as expected since no plants were present to absorb these salts and no leaching requirements were added with irrigation water. The absorption rate for each crop was measured at the 1st season for comparison. It is measured for each crop depending on the length of the growing season. Salicornia’s absorption rate was greater than Panicum, and it reached 36 ppm/day for salicornia, whereas it reached 33 ppm/day for panicum. In the 2nd season, both crops are planted and harvested together. Salt absorbed percentage from the soil under Salicornia was greater than Panicum and it reached 73 % as compared to bare soil. However, in the soils under Panicum, the amount of salts absorbed reached 37 % as compared to bare soil. Plant analysis for both crops shows higher salt ions accumulation in Salicornia tissues than Panicum, and this explains the higher absorption rate for Salicornia than Panicum. Microbiological analysis for Panicum shows some contamination, whereas no contamination occurs in Salicornia. This is explained by the high salinity environment in Salicornia which is not favorable for e-coil, total, and fecal coliform to grow. The obtained Results from this research state that both crops have the ability for phytoremediation, with greater ability for Salicornia.

Intercropping impacts growth in the forage cactus, but complementarity affords greater productivity, competitive ability, biological efficiency and economic return

CONTEXTSoil and climatic conditions limit forage production in semi-arid environments. Planting crops adapted to these elements, combined with management practices such as intercropping and irrigation, can ensure the sustainability of animal feed. OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to evaluate growth, forage productivity, soil water balance, water indices and the indices of biological efficiency, competitive ability, and economic return in a dense crop of forage cactus, grasses, and legumes under single and intercropping systems in a semi-arid environment. METHODSThe study was carried out from 2020 to 2022 in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, Brazil. The plants used were the ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM) clone of the forage cactus, pigeon pea (‘crioula’), millet (‘Bulk-01’) and sorghum (‘SF15’). A randomised block design was adopted, with three repetitions, including single crops of the forage cactus, sorghum, millet and pigeon pea, as well as the cactus intercropped with pigeon pea, millet and sorghum. Biometrics and biomass were checked to determine morpho-physiological indices, phenology, cutting time, biological efficiency and competitive ability. The soil moisture was also monitored, and the soil water balance quantified. The water indices and economic return were then calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSGrowth rates and phenology were not affected by intercropping, only by the cutting time. During the first season, the single sorghum and cactus-pigeon pea system showed a variation in soil water storage of 26 mm, while during the second season, the single cactus stored 66.74 mm. The actual evapotranspiration ranged from 1109 in the cactus-millet system to 1152 mm in the single cactus and millet (1st season), and from 1510 in the single cactus to 1570 mm in the sorghum (2nd season). The cactus-sorghum system was the most productive, with 460.53 Mg FM ha−1 and 43.55 Mg DM ha−1 in season one, while in season two, the single cactus obtained 237.64 Mg FM ha−1 and 26.71 Mg DM ha−1. Intercropping promotes more productive stability and feed diversity, as well as greater biological efficiency, competitive ability and economic return. SIGNIFICANCEUnderstanding the changes that exist in a intercropping system is important, especially in semi-arid regions, since these have distinct characteristics that impact the development of crops. Thus, this work contributes comprehensively to resilient practices for the semi-arid, seeking to ensure the sustainability of the intercropping systems and understand the interrelationship between species from the management adopted.

Temporal Variation of Water Quality in Nilwala River, Southern Province, Sri Lanka

This study intended to investigate the temporal variation of water quality of the Nilwala river in the Matara district and to determine how the changes in rainfall affect to river water quality. Water samples were collected monthly from March 2019 to October 2019 (considering the second Inter monsoon season and first inter-monsoon season) at eight locations along the main river. Water quality parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, nitrate and phosphate were analyzed using APHA 23rd edition of standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Experimental results were statistically analyzed by Two-way ANOVA using Minitab 17. The pH, EC, temperature, alkalinity and nitrate concentration showed statistically significant differences among the months (p<0.001) and those showed statistically significant differences with monthly rainfall (p< 0.001). There is a statistically significant relationship between rainfall and month (p<0.001). There is a statistically significant relationship between rainfall and sampling location (p<0.001). The highest rainfall was recorded from august to November (2nd inter-monsoon season) and secondly from March to May (1st inter-monsoon season) was recorded. Conductivity, pH and temperature were decreased from March to June. This may due to 1st inter monsoon rainfall. Conductivity was increased during august-november. Flooding can increase conductivity when it washes salts and minerals from the soil into the water. Nitrate concentration in the majority of the locations was increased during march-may. Total alkalinity, pH and nitrate were increased from august to November. The temperature of river water at all locations decreased from august- November. In conclusion, the pH, EC, temperature, alkalinity and nitrate concentration showed statistically significant differences among each month. It may due to variation of rainfall. Upper part of Nilwala River had a higher rainfall than lower basin.
 Keywords: Conductivity, Nilwala River, pH, temporal variation, Water quality

Control of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) by the new trend of photosensitizer and nanocomposites and their effects on productivity and storability of tomato

Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a serious insect pest on tomato plants worldwide. Its larvae can cause up to 100% damage if not controlled. Furthermore, using of chemical pesticides is causing serious threat to environment and human health. The effect of two photosensitizers; magnesium and copper chlorophyllin (Mg-Chl and Cu-Chl) alone and two nanomaterials (GO and Ag) over their photosensitizers (Mg-Chl /Go, Mg-Chl /Ag, Cu-Chl/ Go, and Cu-Chl /Ag) on T. absoluta in tomato field at two seasons were studied. The tested concentrations of photosensitizer and nanocomposites were 10−3 (100 ml/L), 10−4 (10 ml/L) and 10–5 (1 ml/L). The effect of photosensitizer and nanocomposites on reduction % of Tuta absoluta, tomato plants growth, yield, and quality were studied. The number of tunnels was recorded, the reduction percentages for each treatment were calculated compared to control before and after 1, 5, and 7 days of spraying. Results showed that the reduction in the number of tunnels after one day of spraying with photosensitizers (Mg-Chl and Cu-Chl) at the highest concentration (10−3) was 72.79 and 70.52% in the 1st season and 77.95 and 60.08% in the 2nd season. The reduction percentage increased gradually with the number of days after spraying and reached 100% after seven days in both seasons. The reduction percentage reached 100% in plants treated with all nanomaterial concentrations after five days of spraying in the 1st season and after one day of spraying in the second season. Photosensitizer and nanocomposites treatments at all concentrations positively affected all vegetative growth parameters of tomato plants compared with insecticides and control. The highest concentration of all treatments increased yield and enhanced the storability of tomato fruits. The yield after treatment with Mg-Chl was 28.67 tons/fed, which was more than the yield of those treated with Cu-Chl (24.8 tons/fed). Loading nano silver (Ag) over Mg-Chl achieved tomato yield (35.18 tons/fed) compared with the loading of nano graphene oxide (Go) (32.95 tons/fed). Therefore, treatment with these materials can be recommended in the IPM program to control T. absoluta in tomato fields.

Diversity of Pollinators on Sunflower

Sunflower crop was grown during rabi 2021 and summer 2022 at the M S Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati, Odisha. Investigation has been made on diversity of different pollinating agents associated with sunflower by observing their abundance, diversity, percentage contribution following the statistical diversity indices. The present study revealed eighteen different pollinators associated with sunflower. The Indian honey bee, Apis cerana indica (F)was recorded as the most dominant hymenopteran pollinator followed by the rock bee Apis dorsata(F)from family Apidae. The foraging activity of A. c. indica was observed to be maximum during midflowering stage (1.72± 1.23 and 2.78± 1.81 bees/ capitulum/ min in 1st and 2nd season, respectively) withhighest activity during 01:00-02:00 PM (3.02 bees/ capitulum/min.) and 10:00 to 11:00 AM (4.42 bees/capitulum/ min) during first and second seasons respectively. The Apidae family members’ i.e. A. c. indica and A. dorsata have attained eudominant and other pollinators were belonging mostly to the recedentand subrecedent classes based on dominance status. The diversity indices showed mid flowering stageattracted the most diversified group of pollinators.

Impact of delaying harvesting dates for sugar beet varieties under recent environmental changes

The present study was conducted at Experimental Sennuris District in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 29024/26//N and longitude of 30052/00//E) to investigate the effect of harvest dates on some sugar beet varieties concerning their yield and quality. Two successive field experiments were carried out in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. A randomized complete block split plots were assigned for the four harvesting dates (mid-February, 1st week of March, mid-March and 1st week of April), i.e. at the age of 180, 195, 210 and 225 days after sowing. The sub-plots were occupied by the four sugar beet varieties i.e. (Faraida, Jampol, Fantazja and Melodia). The obtained results revealed that there were significant differences among the four studied harvesting dates concerning root length, diameter and weight as well as root yield in both seasons. The highest values were obtained by delaying the harvesting up to 225 days from sowing. Concerning the quality traits, neither the harvesting date nor the varieties affected sucrose, purity (QZ), sodium, potassium, α-amino N and sugar recovery percentages in both seasons. However, the upper mid-harvesting date i.e. age of 195 days from sowing recorded the lower significant impurities and SLM percentages in the 1st season only.

Significance of selenium in ameliorating the effects of irrigation deficit via improving photosynthesis efficiency, cell integrity, osmo-protectants, and oil profile of anise crop

Anise is one of the plants with therapeutic potential, which is classified among the most important medicinal plants with interesting biological effects. Its components could be perceived so as “natural” and “safe” alternatives to antibiotics as well as they are applied in different industries such as food and cosmetic purposes. Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient, however, its importance to improve oil yield and quality of anise has not been adequately investigated, specifically under drought. Therefore, two successive seasons were conducted to investigate the effect of selenium foliar application upon anise plants under drought stress. Selenium was applied at three different concentrations (0.0 1.0 and 2.0 mM denoted Se0, Se1 and Se2, respectively) along with two levels of crop evapotranspiration (ET): Full irrigation, 100% of ET (FI) and 60% of ET (DI). The promotive effect of combinations of DI × Se1 or Se2 (for Fv/Fm, RWC%, and MSI% in the first season) and DI × Se2 (for Fv/Fm, and MSI% in the second season) were as similar as FI × Se2. Compared to the counterpart control treatment (DI × Se0), the highest increases in total free amino acids (31.5 and 31.6%), total soluble sugars (84.2 and 86.4%) and free proline content (84.2 and 86.4%) were recorded with application of DI × Se2 practice in both seasons, respectively. Under DI, Se2 recorded the maximum values of root length, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight in the second season. Under drought, the increases in seed yield due to application of Se1 and Se2 amounted to 1.72 and 1.62 folds in the 1st season and 1.50 and 1.43 folds in 2nd one, respectively. The most effective practice for improving IWUE was Se1× DI in both seasons, followed by Se2 × DI. Based on the chromatographical detection, the maximum values of Anethole were recorded with FI × Se2 while L-Linalool has greatly increased with DI × Se2. In conclusion, the growers in arid and semi-arid zones are advised to use selenium (2.0 mM) in anise fertilization to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought, and keeping crop yield and quality.

Responses of Some Sugarcane Varieties to Application of Ethrel Ripener with Respect to Their on Quality and Productivity

The study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station in Shandaweel, Sohag Governorate, Egypt. (latitude of 26.33° N and longitude of 31.41° E) in the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 planting seasons, to evaluate the effects of three concentrations of the chemical ripener " Ethrel" (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 liter/fed) sprayed on the leaves, in addition to control treatment (without spraying) on yield and quality of tow sugarcane varieties [the commercial variety (G.T. 54-9) and the promising one (G. 2004-27) in addition to (G. 2005-47) genotype]. A randomized complete block design was used in a split-plot arrangement was used. The results showed that the sugarcane varieties differed markedly in all studied traits. G.T. 54-9 variety superior in stalk diameter and sugar yield/fed in both seasons as well as cane yield/fed in the 1st one, while, G.2004-27 variety recorded the highest stalk and most number of millable canes/fed in both seasons as well as cane yield/fed in the 1st season, on the other hand, G.2005-47 genotype was superior in brix, sucrose, purity and sugar recovery% in both seasons. The results also showed that adding 1.0 liter/fed of Ethrel spray to the cane leaves caused an increase in brix, sucrose, purity and sugar recovery% as well as sugar yield/fed, compared to the untreated (control). On the contrary, the treatments with Ethrel concentrations led to a decrease in the height and diameter of the stalk as well as cane yield. However, the increase (%) in quality and sugar yield was more than the decrease in cane yield. Therefore, Ethrel addition led to an increase in quality and sugar yield at concentration of 1.0 liter/fed "E3". Under conditions of this work, it was found that growing all studied sugarcane varieties and spraying them with 1.0 l/fed of Ethrel ripener can be recommended for the maximum sugar production.

Optimal phosphorus management strategies to enhance crop productivity and soil phosphorus fertility in rapeseed–rice rotation

Optimal phosphorus (P) managements can improve the crop yield without reducing soil P supply capacity over the long term. In this study, the rapeseed–rice rotation experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of five optimal P fertilizer managements, including the addition of RA (rooting agents), PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria), CMP (calcium and magnesium phosphate fertilizer), DP1 (starter P) and DP2 (foliar fertilizer) with the reduction of 40% (in the 1st rapeseed season) and 75% (in the 2nd rapeseed season) P fertilizers of farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) on crop productivity and soil P fertility in low and high P fertility soils. Seed yield, P partial factor productivity, and P recovery efficiency of both cultivars, Shengguang168 (SG168) and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11), were significantly improved under optimal P managements, and the increase of them in low P fertility soil was more than that in high P fertility soil. Total P surplus was lower under optimal P managements than under FFP in both P fertility soils. The increasing amount of crop yields under optimal P managements for both cultivars was equivalent to that of 16.0–38.3 kg P2O5 hm−2 of P fertilizer application, and the order of the optimal P managements was as follows: RA > PSB > CMP > DP1 > DP2. In addition, the grain yield of rotated rice cultivar Longliangyou1212 (LLY1212) without P supply was not reduced in both fertility soils. Compared with low P fertility soil, yields of SG168, ZS11 and LLY1212 in high P fertility soil increased by 28.1%–71.7%, 28.3%–78.9% and 26.2%–47.2% at the same treatment, respectively. In summary, optimal P managements in the rapeseed season could stabilize the crop yield, promote P use efficiency and the capacity of soil P supply in the rapeseed–rice rotation, especially in low P fertility soil.

Analisis Kesesuaian Lahan untuk Tanaman Jagung Menggunakan Citra Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS dan Sistem Informasi Geografis di Kabupaten Lampung Selatan

Analysis of land suitability for corn plants is needed to increase production in the development of the agricultural sector. South Lampung Regency is the largest corn producer in Lampung Province with production reaching 598,032 tonnes in 2016. The aim of the study was to determine the potential for land development for corn plants using Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS image interpretation and Geographic Information Systems in South Lampung Regency by assessing the quality of the land and to determine the level of land suitability conditions for corn crops based on planting seasons 1, 2 and 3 in South Lampung Regency. The analysis is carried out by the matching method or by giving a class assessment to each of the required parameters. The results show that the 1st planting season has the greatest level of land suitability compared to the other growing seasons, 73% very suitable to suitable. Meanwhile, Planting Season 2 had the lowest suitability level of 60% due to less stable temperatures due to the transition from rainy to dry seasons. And Planting Season 3 has a moderate suitability level of 66%, because this season the temperature has stabilized for cultivating corn. Keywords: Corn, Geographic Information System, Class Assessment, Land Suitability, Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS Imagery, Matching.

Impact of Weather Parameters on Population Fluctuation of Chilli Thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood

Chilli var. Tejaswini was grown in three quadrates (5.0×6.0 m2) during pre-kharif season (January-June) of 2018 and 2019 at farmer’s field, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India to study the fluctuation of thrips population during the crop growing seasons under the influence of varying weather parameters. Population fluctuation of the thrips was recorded at weekly intervals starting from one week after transplanting till the last harvest. The insect first appeared on 6-8 leaves stages of the crop during both seasons and the population gradually reached to peak at 14 MSW (10.95 thrips leaf-1) and 13 MSW (9.83 thrips leaf-1) during 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. Correlation of thrips population with both previous and same meteorological standard week data showed different results. Significant negative correlation with relative humidity (r=-0.561*) but positive with sunshine hours (r=0.476*) recorded only during 2018 when correlations were studied with previous week weather data. Studies on multiple regression revealed that combined effect of weather parameters on the population build up of thrips had 26.0% (R2= 0.260) and 55.4% (R2=0.554) during 1st season while it was 40.6% (R2=0.406) and 18.9% (R2=0.189) during the 2nd season. Trend analysis revealed that during 1st season maximum and minimum temperatures around 35.0°C and 20°C found favourable for pest population build-up, while relative humidity (65% or higher), rainfall (6.0 mm), and bright sunshine (8 h) negatively affected the thrips population. A similar trend in insect population build-up was also recorded during the 2nd season.

The Integrated Application of Phosphorous and Zinc Affects the Physiological Status, Yield and Quality of Canola Grown in Phosphorus-suffered Deficiency Saline Soil

Despite the soil could contain high amount of phosphorus (P), salinity reduce its availability for crop plants. Hence, farmers should practice several tactics to ameliorate P deficiency in soils. The current study aimed to assess the importance of zinc (Zn) supply for mitigating the deficiency of P for canola grown in saline soil. The effects of three Zn rates (0, 150 and 300 mg L−1, Zn0, Zn150 and Zn300, respectively) under three P rates (0, 36 and 72 kg P2O5 ha−1, P0, P36, and P72, respectively) on physiological status, yield and quality of canola were measured. Treatments were arranged in the strip plot design based on completely randomized blocks with three replicates. Findings exhibited that P36 recorded the highest values of membrane stability index in the 2nd season, while statistically leveled P72 for relative water content and chlorophyll fluorescence in both seasons. Zn300 exhibited potent effect on all canola physiological traits in both seasons. In both seasons, P36 × Zn300, P72 × Zn150 and P72 × Zn300 showed the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence and performance index values. Plots treated with P72 achieved 70.0% increase in canola seed yield, greater than the untreated ones. Seed yield obtained with Zn300 were higher than Zn0 and Zn150 by1.30 and 1.10 times in 2019/20 season and 1.23 and 1.05 times in 2020/21 season. The highest oil % was recorded with P0 × Zn150 and P72 × Zn0 in the 1st season and with P72 × Zn150 in the 2nd season.

Effect of Time of Nitrogen Application on Growth and Yield Components of Safflower

One of the main problems of safflower cultivation in Sudan is the lack of information dealing with its production, mainly cultural practices. The present work was carried out, to investigate the effect of time of nitrogen application (TNA) on growth and yield of safflower under irrigation conditions of South Omdurman region, Sudan. The study was conducted in two consecutive winter seasons (2009/2010 and 2010/2011) at the Demonstration Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture – Omdurman Islamic University, Alfitaihab, Sudan. Four TNA were used, namely, at sowing (T1), and then after 15, 30 and 45 days from sowing (denoted as T2, T3 and T4, respectively). The time of nitrogen application was randomly assigned in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The growth parameters studied include: plant height, number of leaves/plant, plant fresh and dry weight. The first three parameters were taken 8 weeks after sowing. Yield and yield components studied were: days to start and to 50% flowering, disc weight/plant, number of seeds/plant, 100-seed weight, seed weight /disc, seed weight /plant and seed yield/unit area. The findings of the study indicated that, TNA significantly affected number of leaves/plant and plant fresh weight during 2010, whereas plant height, plant dry weight and days to start and to 50% flowering were not significantly affected by time of N application. Application of N 45 days from sowing (T4) resulted in a significantly lower number of leaves/plant as compared to T1, T2 and T3 treatments. On the other hand, both T1 and T4 during the 1st season gave significantly higher plant fresh weight than T2 and T3.

Effect of Potassium Silicate and Irrigation on Grain Nutrient Uptake and Water Use Efficiency of Wheat Under Calcareous Soils

In calcareous soil, two field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of two potassium silicate treatments (with and without) and three irrigation levels (100, 80 and 60%, of crop evapotranspiration, abbreviated as IW100, IW80 and IW60, respectively) on wheat yield and nutrient uptake and water use efficiency (WUE). The experimental design was a strip plots design in randomized complete block arrangement with three replicates. Findings reveal that potassium silicate improved grain weight spike−1 by about 1.06 times whether with IW80 or IW60. Also, seed index increased by 1.03, 1.06 and 1.04 times owing to potassium silicate in the 1st season under IW100, IW80 and IW60 treatments, respectively. Application of potassium silicate surpassed the control treatment by about 1.05, 1.4 and 1.07 times for biological straw and grain yields under IW80. The interaction of IW80 × potassium silicate significantly equaled IW100 × potassium silicate for P, S Mg and Mn uptake in both seasons as well as N, K and Zn uptake in the 1st season and Fe uptake in the 2nd season. IW80 or IW60 with potassium silicate application were the efficient combinations for improving WUE in both growing seasons.

Perturbation profile of elite football – a cross-sectional analysis of the goals and goal scoring opportunities immediately before and after goal scoring of the 1st German Bundesliga

ABSTRACT The sport of football cannot be represented holistically with a quantitative approach. The basis for this analysis was the construct of dynamic system theory. Based on the method of systematic game observation, a perturbation (= triggers that transfer a system into a state of instability) sign system was made, distinguishing between offensive (oP) and defensive perturbations (dP). The subject of the study was goal critical situations five minutes before and after goal scoring. The present study is a partial survey of the 1st Bundesliga season 2019/20, insofar as game Days 1.-17. (n = 153 games) were evaluated by video according to two independent raters. The average number of perturbations required to score a goal was 1.69 perturbations (on average 1.52 oP & 0.17 dP), while an average of 1.30 perturbations (on average 1.15 oP & 0.15 dP) was sufficient to create a goal scoring opportunity. The group technical tactical offensive perturbation low pass revealed the largest proportion of all perturbations, at 28%. Therefore, a game plan should be designed to create superior numbers close to the ball to avoid the loss of stability.

Population Dynamics of Thrips Infesting Bt Cotton in Relation to Weather Factors

Population dynamics of thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindemann and their correlation with weather factors were investigated during 2017 to 2019 at ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Tamil Nadu. The incidence of thrips was recorded from the 39th SMW (Standard Meteorological Week) and peaked at 43rd SMW with the range of 0.7 to 14.7 thrips leaf-1 in 1st season (Kharif 2017-18). At the second season (Summer 2018), thrips incidence occurred at the 10th SMW and thrips population peaked in the 14th SMW and varied between 1.5 and 15.8 thrips leaf-1. Thrips incidence started during the 39th SMW during the third season (Kharif 2018-19). The thrips population peaked in the 42nd SMW, ranging from 1.4 to 11.2 thrips leaf-1. After reaching its peak, thrips population was constantly decreased. Correlation matrix revealed that thrips population correlated positively with minimum temperature, maximum temperature and relative humidity although there was a negative association with rainfall. These findings will be useful for evolving appropriate management practices for thrips.

EVALUATION OF SOME BREAD WHEAT GENOTYPES UNDER DIFFERENT ABIOTIC STRESSES

The current study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station (31o06 N,30o 56 E) during the two growing seasons of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to evaluate sixteen genotypes of bread wheat, such as ten promising lines from the local breeding program and six local cultivars, under normal, water deficit, and soil salinity conditions. The genotypes were arranged in three experiments representing the growing conditions. The used design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Results appeared that there was significant decrease in all studied characters as result of water deficit and soil salinity conditions compared to the normal one, except 1000-kernel weight which increased under water deficit conditions. The effect of genotypes x growing conditions interaction was significant for days to heading, days to maturity and grain yield in both seasons while it was only significant in the 1st season for number of spikes m-2 and 1000-kerenl weight. The mean comparisons indicated that Line 7, Line 10 and Line 9 had moderate values of grain yield under both water deficit and soil salinity stresses with low grain yield reduction under those conditions. Therefore, Line 7, Line 10 and Line 9 may be applied in breeding program to generate new recombination with good soil salinity and water deficit tolerance characteristics. Meanwhile, the three cultivars; Misr 3, Sakha 95 and Giza 171 exhibited the highest grain yield under the three conditions with lowest grain yield reduction under both water deficit and soil salinity conditions indicating their good ability to tolerant difficult growing conditions. Therefore, these cultivars can recommend to be grown under water deficit or salt affected soil conditions. These results may be helpful to plan appropriate selection strategies to improve grain yield under water deficit and soil salinity in wheat crop in Egypt.

Biological Performance of Certain Bio-Agents, Fluopyram and Fosthiazate against Meloidogyne spp. on Guava Trees (Psidium guajava L.)

In this study, the potential of some bio-agents, fluopyram and fosthiazate were investigated against root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) on guava trees under field conditions for two successive seasons (2020 & 2021). The examined bio-agents were; Bio-Nematon® (Paecilomyces lilacinus), Bio Cure-F® (Trichoderma viridi), Bio Cure-B® (Pseudomonas fluorescens) and BIOTECT® (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki). The infection parameters of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) were recorded at 35 and 70 days after treatment. Results indicated that all the applied treatments suppressed the soil population density (J2/250g soil) at range of 68.75 to 88.85% during the 1st season, and from 57.72 to 92.92% during the 2nd season. Besides, the numbers of root galls were decreased at range of 60.22 to 77.11% and from 57.90 to 70.90% during 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. Also, the number of isolated eggs from roots was decreased at range of 67.13 to 94.61% and from 51.37 to 88.45% during 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. However, the content of total N, P and K (%) in leaves of guava trees was fluctuated during both seasons.