Absence Of Fertilization Research Articles

Agronomic potential of maize stover biochar under cowpea–maize sequential cropping in Northern Uganda

Biochar is a nature-based solution for sustainable agriculture but its potential adoption in some parts of sub-Saharan Africa is still minimal. In this study, we evaluated the agronomic potential of maize stover biochar in cowpea-maize sequential cropping in Uganda under field conditions. The treatments included; the common farmer practice of no inorganic fertilizer and no biochar (CTR), inorganic fertilizer (F), 10 t ha−1 biochar (B10), 40 t ha−1 biochar (B40), 10 t ha−1 biochar + inorganic Fertilizer (FB10), and 40 t ha−1 biochar + inorganic Fertilizer (FB40), arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The results showed that cowpea seed yield was not significantly affected by biochar and fertilizer application but the haulm yield was significantly improved only in FB40 treatment. Maize grain and stover yield was significantly improved only in the FB40 treatment but biochar showed a high potential to also improve yield even without inorganic fertilizer. The potential for biochar to improve maize yield either in the presence or absence of fertilizers could be attributed to the residual soil fertility from cowpeas. In both seasons, biochar significantly improved soil pH, EC, SOC, total N, available P, exchangeable K and Ca, irrespective of fertilizer application. However, exchangeable Mg did not significantly vary among the treatments. This study further revealed that in cowpea-maize rotation, optimum yield could also be possible with sole biochar application. Therefore, instead of burning the maize stovers after harvest, farmers should convert the residues into biochar and return it to the soil so as to achieve sustainable food systems.Graphical

Influence of mineral fertilizers after-effect when cultivating barley after sunflower

The results of research for 2021, 2022 on the impact of the after-effect of different doses of mineral fertilizers applied to sunflower on productivity and quality of spring barley of the Kamashevsky variety are presented. Field experiments were laid in the conditions of the Ulyanovsk region on chernozem leached heavy loamy soil. Four backgrounds of mineral fertilizers were studied: N0, N30, N30P30K30, N60P30K30 kg a.i./ha Meteorological conditions were contrasting in the years of research, which allowed a more complete assessment of the effectiveness of fertilizer after-effect. Barley cultivation technology included spring cutting of sunflower crop residues with a discator and a modular harrow, sowing with a grain drill and rolling. Barley showed the greatest responsiveness to the after-effect of mineral fertilizers at a dose of N60P30K30 kg a.i./ha. Grain yield in this variant was 2.11 t/ha, which is 1.05 t/ha higher compared to the unfertilized variant. On this agricultural background, a larger grain was obtained (the weight of 100 grains was 48.4 g, on the control - 44.4 g) with a high protein content of 12.7% (on the control – 11.5%). Correlation and regression analysis revealed a direct positive relationship between dry matter accumulation and barley productivity (R2 = 0,96). It was found that with an increase in the dose of nitrogen fertilizers for every 10 kg a.i./ha, an increase in the crude protein content of grain by 0.2% was observed. Protein content in grain depended on the moisture conditions of the year. Cultivation of barley after sunflower is agronomically expedient on the background of mineral fertilizers aftereffect. In the absence of fertilizers, the productivity of barley after sunflower sharply decreases. In addition, it is necessary to carefully control the weediness of barley crops (including the emergence of large amounts of sunflower fallen seed) and timely chemical weeding.

The role of clinical and immunological factors in the outcomes of in vitro fertilization procedure in women

The objective: to determine the features of clinical and immunological factors in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure and to determine a relationship between these parameters and the procedure outcomes.Materials and methods. In the period from 2020 to 2022, 131 patients were examined at the Reproductive Department of the Caspian International Hospital. Of these, 103 (78.6%) are aged 19-35 years, 28 (21.4%) are aged 36-50. Patients were grouped and analyzed based on: IVF success (presence or absence of fertilization), pregnancy (yes, no), and infertility factors. Markers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (CD16/56 and HLA-DR) were determined in 50 women. The cytokines – interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-ɣ (IFN-ɣ) were studied in blood serum of 84 patients. All samples were taken at the day of oocyte pick-up. Descriptive statistical methods (mean, standard deviation, median, frequency, percentage, and minimum and maximum), Student-t test and Mann–Whitney U test (for comparisons between two groups) were used while evaluating the study data. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05.Results. Female infertility occurred in 49 (37.4%) patients, 82 (62.6%) patients were fertile. There was no significant difference in CD16/56 and HLA-DR levels depending on pregnancy status, IVF outcomes and infertility factors (p>0.05). The levels of IL-1β and IFN-ɣ differed in the blood serum of patients with and without pregnancy (p=0.041 and p=0.037, respectively). Analysis of groups based on infertility factors showed that there were not significant differences (p>0.05) in the levels of CD16/56, HLA-DR, IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-ɣ between groups. Conclusions. Our study showed that there is an association between serum levels of IL‒1β and IFN-y and successful pregnancy in the IVF procedure. We did not reveal the other relationships between clinical and immunological parameters in women with IVF procedure.

Development and yield of common bean in response to organomineral fertilization based on filter cake

This study aimed to evaluate the development and yield of common bean according to the application of different doses of organomineral formulations (OMF), using filter cake as a basic organic compound in the presence and absence of nitrogen. The experiments was implemented and conducted in of the 2018 and 2018/2019 harvests. A randomized block design was used in a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments were composed of six organomineral formulation doses: (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg ha−1), with and without the addition of a nitrogen dose of 40 kg ha−1, using urea as the mineral source. It was concluded that the morphological traits of the common bean are influenced by the fertilization with organomineral fertilizer combined with the supply of N. The organomineral fertilizer based on filter cake showed greater absorption of macronutrients N and K, an increase in the 100-grain weight, number of grains per pod, number of pods per plant, and grain yield in comparison with the absence of fertilization or mineral fertilizers, highlighting the dose of 120 kg ha−1 which made it possible to obtain higher grain yields. The use of OMFs is a viable alternative with great potential for soil fertilization in agricultural production, besides the environmental sustainability generated by their inclusion in the production cycle of common bean.

Plasticity of wheat seedling responses to K+ deficiency highlighted by integrated phenotyping of roots and root hairs over the whole root system

The availability in the soil of potassium (K+), a poorly mobile macronutrient required in large quantities for plant growth, is generally suboptimal for crop production in the absence of fertilization, making improvement of the ability of crops to adapt to K+ deficiency stress a major issue. Increasing the uptake capacity of the root system is among the main strategies to achieve this goal. Here, we report an integrative approach to examine the effect of K+ deficiency on the development of young plant entire root system, including root hairs which are known to provide a significant contribution to the uptake of poorly mobile nutrients such as K+, in two genetically distant wheat varieties. A rhizobox-type methodology was developed to obtain highly-resolved images of root and root hairs, allowing to describe global root and root hair traits over the whole root system via image analysis procedures. The two wheat varieties responded differently to the K+ shortage: Escandia, a wheat ancestor, reduced shoot biomass in condition of K+ shortage and substantially increased the surface area of its root system, specifically by increasing the total root hair area. Oued Zenati, a landrace, conversely appeared unresponsive to the K+ shortage but was shown to constitutively express, independently of the external K+ availability, favorable traits to cope with reduced K+ availability, among which a high total root hair area. Thus, valuable information on root system adaptation to K+ deficiency was provided by global analyses including root hairs, which should also be relevant for other nutrient stresses.

Manejo da adubação verde e orgânica com composto fermentado no cultivo agroecológico de brócolis americano

ABSTRACT This work aimed to evaluate the phytotechnical performance of the succession involving pre-croppings of maize and Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) or the intercropping of these species in the agroecological cultivation of broccoli in the presence and absence of fermented compost fertilization. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a factorial scheme 2 (maize monoculture or intercropped with velvet bean) x 2 (absence and presence of fermented compost fertilization) + 1 (velvet bean monoculture and without fertilization). After cutting the maize and velvet bean biomass, the broccoli seedlings were transplanted. In this stage, the design was in randomized blocks in a 3-factorial scheme (maize monoculture; maize intercropped with velvet bean; velvet bean monoculture) x 2 (presence and absence of fermented compost fertilization). The authors concluded that when the velvet bean was introduced into maize cultivation system no negatively interference was noticed concerning to phytotechnical components of baby corn, and it even allows an additional of 3.46 and 7.75 t/ha of fabaceous phytomass, respectively, in the first and second year. In the absence of fertilization, phytomasses of the intercroppings provided broccoli productivity of 12.87 t/ha, which represents an increase of 43.73% when compared to maize monoculture in the second year. An effect of fertilization with the fermented compost on broccoli cultivation under these study conditions was verified, providing a greater accumulation of N in the inflorescences in the first year and maximum productivity of 12.19 and 14.32 t/ha, respectively, first and second years.

Экологические особенности Pinus sylvestris L. и видов рода Populus L. в озеленении Благовещенска (Амурская область)

This study evaluates the efficiency of phosphorus absorption from soil and fertilizers by modern varieties of oats of Tyumen selection. The studies were carried out in field and laboratory conditions. The scheme of the experiment provided for options with the introduction of increasing doses of mineral fertilizers, calculated for the planned yield from 3.0 to 6.0 t / ha. The following doses of fertilizers were applied in the experiment: N60P20; N90P40; N150P60; N200P80 kg/ha of active substance. The option without mineral fertilizers was taken as a control. Varieties of oats were sown: Talisman; Otrada; Foma. During three-year experiments, it was found that the phosphorus content in the grain of the studied varieties of oats is 0.86–1.11%; in straw - 0.26-0.27%. The application of mineral fertilizers increases the phosphorus content in the grain to 0.97-1.15%. The phosphorus content in straw increases only with the addition of N150P60 and N200P80 kg /ha – 0.47-0.53%. In the absence of fertilizers, the economic removal of phosphorus is for the variety: Talisman – 20 kg / ha; Otrada and Foma – 28 kg/ ha. With an increase in the level of mineral nutrition of household takeaways increases to 95 kg / ha. Varietal features are manifested only when fertilizers are applied at doses of N90P40 and N150P60 kg/ha. For the formation of 1 ton of grain in the absence of fertilizers, 12-14 kg of phosphorus is required. The application of fertilizers for the planned yield of up to 4.0 t / ha of grain does not affect the specific removal of phosphorus. Further increase in the level of mineral nutrition (N150P60 and N200P80) increases the specific removal to 17-19 kg / t of grain. This indicator mainly depends on the level of mineral nutrition and to a lesser extent on the varietal characteristics of oats. The use of the element balance method for the planned yield of oats ensures maximum absorption of nutrients from fertilizers - the balance coefficient of phosphorus use from fertilizers is more than 100%, while the bulk of the crop is formed due to the active consumption of soil phosphates. Scientific novelty. It was found that the Foma oat variety most effectively absorbs phosphorus from fertilizers and soil, relative to the standard Talisman variety. Keywords: AGROCHEMISTRY OF OATS; ECONOMIC REMOVAL, COEFFICIENTS OF USE FROM FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GRAIN, VARIETAL AGROTECHNICS, MODERN BREEDING, PLANNED YIELD, SPECIFIC PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL, LEVEL OF MINERAL NUTRITION, FERTILIZERS

Can Lunar and Martian Soils Support Food Plant Production? Effects of Horse/Swine Monogastric Manure Fertilisation on Regolith Simulants Enzymatic Activity, Nutrient Bioavailability, and Lettuce Growth

To make feasible the crewed missions to the Moon or Mars, space research is focusing on the development of bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) designed to produce food crops based on in situ resource utilisation (ISRU), allowing to reduce terrestrial input and to recycle organic wastes. In this regard, a major question concerns the suitability of native regoliths for plant growth and how their agronomic performance is affected by additions of organic matter from crew waste. We tested plant growth substrates consisting of MMS-1 (Mars) or LHS-1 (Lunar) simulants mixed with a commercial horse/swine monogastric manure (i.e., an analogue of crew excreta and crop residues) at varying rates (100:0, 90:10, 70:30, 50:50, w/w). Specifically, we measured: (i) lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cultivar 'Grand Rapids') growth (at 30 days in open gas exchange climate chamber with no fertilisation), plant physiology, and nutrient uptake; as well as (ii) microbial biomass C and N, enzymatic activity, and nutrient bioavailability in the simulant/manure mixtures after plant growth. We discussed mechanisms of different plant yield, architecture, and physiology as a function of chemical, physico-hydraulic, and biological properties of different substrates. A better agronomic performance, in terms of plant growth and optically measured chlorophyll content, nutrient availability, and enzymatic activity, was provided by substrates containing MMS-1, in comparison to LHS-1-based ones, despite a lower volume of readily available water (likely due to the high-frequency low-volume irrigation strategy applied in our experiment and foreseen in space settings). Other physical and chemical properties, along with a different bioavailability of essential nutrients for plants and rhizosphere biota, alkalinity, and release of promptly bioavailable Na from substrates, were identified as the factors leading to the better ranking of MMS-1 in plant above and below-ground mass and physiology. Pure Mars (MMS-1) and Lunar (LHS-1) simulants were able to sustain plant growth even in absence of fertilisation, but the amendment with the monogastric manure significantly improved above- and below-ground plant biomass; moreover, the maximum lettuce leaf production, across combinations of simulants and amendment rates, was obtained in treatments resulting in a finer root system. Increasing rates of monogastric manure stimulated the growth of microbial biomass and enzymatic activities, such as dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase, which, in turn, fostered nutrient bioavailability. Consequently, nutrient uptake and translocation into lettuce leaves were enhanced with manure supply, with positive outcomes in the nutritional value of edible biomass for space crews. The best crop growth response was achieved with the 70:30 simulant/manure mixture due to good availability of nutrients and water compared to low amendment rates, and better-saturated hydraulic conductivity compared to high organic matter application. A 70:30 simulant/manure mixture is also a more sustainable option than a 50:50 mixture for a BLSS developed on ISRU strategy. Matching crop growth performance and (bio)chemical, mineralogical, and physico-hydraulic characteristics of possible plant growth media for space farming allows a better understanding of the processes and dynamics occurring in the experimental substrate/plant system, potentially suitable for an extra-terrestrial BLSS.

Jasmonate-deficient mutant lox3a reveals crosstalk between jasmonate and ethylene in the differential regulation of male and female flower opening and early fruit development in Cucurbita pepo.

Jasmonate (JA) has been found to be a relevant hormone in floral development in numerous species, but its function in cucurbit floral development and sex determination is unknown. Crosstalk between JA and ethylene (ET) in the differential regulation of male and female floral development was investigated by using the novel JA-deficient mutant lox3a, and the ET-deficient and -insensitive mutants, aco1a and etr2b, respectively, of Cucurbita pepo. The lox3a mutation suppresses male and female flower opening and induces the development of parthenocarpic fruit. A bulked-segregant analysis coupled with whole genome sequencing and fine mapping approach allowed the identification of lox3a mutation in CpLOX3A, a LIPOXYGENASE gene involved in JA biosynthesis. The reduced JA content and expression of JA-signalling genes in male and female flowers of lox3a, and the rescue of lox3a phenotype by external application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), demonstrated that JA controls petal elongation and flower opening, as well as fruit abortion in the absence of fertilization. JA also rescued the phenotype of ET mutants aco1a and etr2b, which are both specifically defective in female flower opening and fruit abortion. ET, the sex determining hormone of cucurbits, is induced in female flowers towards anthesis, activating JA production and promoting the aperture of the female flower, and the abortion of the unfertilized ovary. Given the close association between flower closure and parthenocarpic fruit development, we propose that flower opening can act as a switch that triggers fruit set and development in fertilized ovaries, but may alternatively induce the abortion of the unfertilized ovary. Both ET and JA from mature and senescent petals can serve as remote signals that determine the alternative development of the ovary and fruit.

Simulation of Multi-Species Plant Communities in Perturbed and Nutrient-Limited Grasslands: Development of the Growth Model ModVege

Simulating the dynamics of plant species or types in grassland communities remains an open area of research for which the Community Simulation Model (CoSMo) offers novel approaches. The grassland model ModVege was first parameterised based on a functional vegetation typology, in which types “A” and “B” include fast-growing grass species with a phenology-dependent nutrient-capture strategy inherent to fertile grasslands, while the nutrient conservation strategy and late flowering characterise the other types as “b”. ModVege was then coupled to the CoSMo rule set to dynamically simulate the relative abundance of plant functional types or individual species, assessed across fertilised and unfertilised, abandoned and mown conditions in a grassland site of the Massif Central of France. While for the simulation of aboveground biomass, model performance is not unambiguously linked to explicit consideration of plant diversity, the simulation of relative abundance for the whole community is satisfactory (relative root mean square error of ~13–25% when simulating functional types and ~28–52% when simulating species). This study extends previous studies by coupling CoSMo, for the first time, to a grassland-specific model and applying it to conditions (long-term observations, extended number of plant species, absence of fertilisation, frequent mowing and abandonment) never investigated before.

Effect of Light Intensity on the Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Sweet Basil and Lettuce.

Light and nutrients are among the most important factors for sustained plant production in agriculture. As one of the goals of the European Green Deal strategy is to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse growers focus on high-value crop cultivation with less-energy-demanding growing systems. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fertilization at different light intensities on the growth of lettuce and basil and the activity of the antioxidant system. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum, ‘Opal’) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa, ‘Nikolaj’) were grown in a greenhouse supplementing natural light (~80 µmol m−2 s−1) with lighting at two photon flux densities (150 and 250 µmol m−2 s−1), 16 h photoperiod, and 20/16 °C day/night temperature in May (Lithuania, 55°60′ N, 23°48′ E). In each light regime treatment, half of the plants were grown without additional fertilization; the other half were fertilized twice a week with a complex fertilizer (NPK 3-1-3). The results showed that the antioxidant activity of basil was most affected by 150 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD lighting and the absence of fertilization. Altered antioxidant activity in lettuce in the presence of 250 µmol m−2 s−1 PPFD additional light intensity and fertilization resulted in higher morphological parameters.

The normal menstrual cycle

The normal ovulatory menstrual cycle requires the presence of a mature hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and highly coordinated hormonal feedback loops. Consisting of three phases (follicular, ovulatory, and luteal), the normal menstrual cycle results in the formation of a mature follicle and release of an oocyte during each cycle, with menses occurring in the absence of fertilization. While adolescents may initially experience anovulatory cycles following menarche, the vast majority of cycles will be fairly regular, lasting 21 to 45 days in length with an average of three to seven days of bleeding. Absence of menarche by age 15, absence of menses for three consecutive months, and menses lasting eight days or longer with or without associated heavy bleeding are among the menstrual abnormalities that warrant further evaluation. Obtaining the menstrual history in adolescents with the knowledge of expected menstrual patterns allows the pediatric practitioner to provide appropriate counseling and education to adolescents and their families, and to identify menstrual abnormalities when they arise. Treating the menstrual cycle as a "vital sign" highlights the importance of normal menses as an indicator of an individual's overall health and enables timely identification of any concerning findings.

Observation of unexpected neo like-fruit development from Cakile maritima calli

Parthenocarpy, the ability of some plants to undergo fruit growth in absence of fertilization, is an important question of basic science and the subject of much interest due to its possible agricultural benefits. In the context of our cellular biology studies on a halophyte of interest, Cakile maritima, we generated calli, pluripotent cell masses, that unexpectedly allowed the appearance of parthenocarpic fruits without any floral tissues. These observations raise the hope to develop an in vitro model to study parthenocarpic fruit development.

Assessing phosphorus nutritional status in maize plants using leaf-based hyperspectral measurements and multivariate analysis

ABSTRACT Remote sensing techniques have the potential to monitor physiological and biochemical changes caused by nutritional stress in plants. However, few studies have monitored the influence of foliar phosphorus levels on the spectral responses of plants, especially maize. This work aimed to assess phosphorus nutritional status in maize plants subjected to different sources and doses of phosphate fertilizer using leaf-based hyperspectral measurements and multivariate analysis. The specific goals addressed were a) the qualitative analysis of the spectral response, b) the identification of significant spectral wavelengths for differentiating doses of phosphate fertilizer, and c) the development of a spectral model for classifying the nutritional status of maize as an effective approach for crop nutritional assessment. Two experiments with different sources and doses of phosphate fertilizer were carried out: experiment 1 with monoammonium phosphate fertilizer (MAP) and experiment 2 with simple superphosphate fertilizer (SS). Hyperspectral reflectance (visible and near-infrared wavelengths) was collected at the V6 development stage of maize using an ASD Fieldspec 3 Jr Spectroradiometer, totalling 100 samples for each experiment. The collected data were submitted to principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The spectral signature of leaves showed higher reflectance values in the Vis spectral interval and lower reflectance in NIR under the absence of fertilization. For the other treatments, smaller differences in their spectral response were observed, especially for experiment 2. For experiment 1, the LDA achieved accuracy from 46 to 72% in the cross-validation step and from 50 to 75% in the external validation step. For experiment 2, the accuracy ranged from 25 to 82% in the cross-validation step and from 28 to 85% in the external validation step. In general, most misclassification was observed among treatments with similar fertilizer doses. These results suggest the potential of using hyperspectral data to monitor leaf P levels in maize, which contributes to the determination of crop management zones based on production variability under P limitation, in addition to optimizing the use of chemical inputs and guaranteeing greater sustainability of production systems.

Towards effective reforestation: growth and commercial value of four commonly planted tropical timber species on infertile soils in Panama

Finding suitable tree species that not only grow well on nutrient poor soils but are also safe financial investments is one of the major obstacles to successful reforestation efforts in the tropics. Our study compared the financial viability and growth of valuable timber species in monocultures and mixtures on infertile soils. Our work shows the extraordinary growth in volume and value of Dalbergia retusa and Terminalia amazonia while underscoring the poor financial viability of Tectona grandis and Pachira quinata, all commonly planted timber species in Panama and much of Central and South America. Using Bayesian statistics, our predictions show that T. amazonia monocultures could reach nearly 200 m3 ha−1 of merchantable volume after 30 years compared to the ~ 40 m3 ha−1 that T. grandis could accumulate in the same time frame. While D. retusa monocultures did not have the highest predicted merchantable volumes of all the species, it did have the highest predicted net present value (NPV), with a predicted mean NPV of > US$97,000 ha−1, quadrupling the species with the next highest monoculture’s NPV, T. amazonia monocultures (~ US$20,000 ha−1). Our work emphasizes that reforestation can be financially viable on low nutrient soils, even in the absence of fertilization or other silvicultural manipulations, if species selection and site are carefully considered and matched.

A PARTHENOGENESIS allele from apomictic dandelion can induce egg cell division without fertilization in lettuce.

Apomixis, the clonal formation of seeds, is a rare yet widely distributed trait in flowering plants. We have isolated the PARTHENOGENESIS (PAR) gene from apomictic dandelion that triggers embryo development in unfertilized egg cells. PAR encodes a K2-2 zinc finger, EAR-domain protein. Unlike the recessive sexual alleles, the dominant PAR allele is expressed in egg cells and has a miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) transposon insertion in the promoter. The MITE-containing promoter can invoke a homologous gene from sexual lettuce to complement dandelion LOSS OF PARTHENOGENESIS mutants. A similar MITE is also present in the promoter of the PAR gene in apomictic forms of hawkweed, suggesting a case of parallel evolution. Heterologous expression of dandelion PAR in lettuce egg cells induced haploid embryo-like structures in the absence of fertilization. Sexual PAR alleles are expressed in pollen, suggesting that the gene product releases a block on embryogenesis after fertilization in sexual species while in apomictic species PAR expression triggers embryogenesis in the absence of fertilization.

IMPROVING FERTILIZATION METHODS AND CROPPING SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF PEARL MILLET (PENNISETUM GLAUCUM) IN WEST AFRICA: A REVIEW

<List> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Constraints in cultivation and production of pearl millet in West Africa are summarized. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Production systems and fertilization methods in pearl millet production are highlighted. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● Sustainable production needs integrated cropping systems and fertilizer use efficiency. </ItemContent></ListItem> <ListItem><ItemContent> ● A holistic approach is required to establish a strong collaboration among rural actors. </ItemContent></ListItem></List> West African countries are among the larger global millet producers but have low yields mainly due to the low quality of their marginal soils. The objectives of this work were to analyze the benefits and constraints of pearl millet production, to summarize the impact of different cropping systems and fertilization modes while proposing a holistic approach for sustainable production. The major constraints on millet yields are low rates or absence of fertilizers, unsuitable cropping systems, and the proliferation of pests and diseases. Intercropping with cowpea is a widely used cropping system in addition to crop rotation, monocropping and agroforestry systems. Microdosing is the best fertilization mode for West African smallholders. It is concluded that integrated systems (breeding new cultivars, intercropping and microdosing) in tied ridges or infiltration pit practices, sustained by the implementation of innovative approaches such as the ‘Science and Technology Backyards’ from China are a promising approach for increasing pearl millet production. In addition, policies such as land protection of the farmers and subsidies of inputs from the government and the effective involvement of farmers and extension officers are necessary in sustaining millet production in West Africa.

Економічна та енергетична оцінка елементів технології вирощування еспарцету на зелений корм

One of the main directions of fodder production intensification is the cultivation of fodder crops and fodder harvesting from them at the lowest cost of energy and labor resources, the maximum yield of fodder products per unit area, and 1 UAH of production costs. To successfully perform this task, it is necessary, first of all, to increase the productivity of forage crops, the use of cost-effective and energy-saving technologies and increase the efficiency of fertilizer application. One of the most valuable perennial legumes is sainfoin, which is characterized by high fodder value, unpretentiousness to growing conditions and has great agronomic value. At the same time, the existing technologies for growing sainfoin for fodder purposes remain energy- and resource intensive. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of mineral fertilizers and seed inoculation on the economic and energy efficiency of the sainfoin growing technology on green fodder. Experimental studies were conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station" on typical low-humus chernozem. Experimental research was conducted during 2016-2018 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station". The scheme of the experiment included the following factors: factor A - varieties of sainfoin: Amethyst Donetskyi, Adam, Smaragd; factor B - fertilizer, inoculation: 1) without fertilizers, 2) N45R60K90 + seeds inoculation, 3) P60K90 + seeds inoculation. As nitrogen fertilizer was used ammonium nitrate 34%, phosphorus - simple superphosphate 19%, potassium - potassium salt 56%. Method of sowing - row, spring, coverless. Inoculation was performed by Rhizotorphin. Economic evaluation of the results of field experiments was carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods developed by the Institute of Cereals NAAS, the Institute of Feed and Agriculture of Podillya NAAS, NSC "Institute of Agrarian Economics" and other research institutions. Calculations of energy efficiency of growing sainfoin for green fodder were calculated according to the "Methodology of bioenergy assessment of technologies for the production of livestock products and feed." According to the economic assessment, the calculations of monetary and material costs are performed taking into account the full mechanization of works. The costs for them are calculated according to the technological maps developed in the process of research. The cost of seeds, fertilizers and fuel was taken at wholesale prices as of January 1. 2019, 1 ton of fodder units of sainfoin was equated to the cost of 1 ton of feed grain. According to the results of research, it was found that when setting up an experiment with different varieties of sainfoin, both with the introduction of mineral fertilizers and without them, the costs were the same. Economic indicators differed significantly at the end of the growing season, as the productivity of different varieties of sainfoin differed significantly not only due to the biological characteristics of varieties, but also as a result of their different reactions to mineral fertilizers. According to the obtained results of the calculation, among the studied varieties of sainfoin the highest conditionally net profit (13354-16504 UAH/ha) and the level of profitability (129-176%), as well as the lowest cost of 1 ton of feed units (1431-1627 UAH per 1 ton) and crude protein (UAH 8393–7291 per 1 ton) were observed on crops of sainfoin Amethyst Donetskyi. In general, the most economically feasible in terms of profitability (176%) was the cultivation of this variety in the absence of fertilizer. The highest indicators of EEC (energy efficiency coefficient) (4.6-6.3) were observed for the cultivation of sainfoin variety Amethyst Donetskyi in the absence of mineral fertilizer or application of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers only.

Effects of soil texture and nitrogen fertilisation on soil bacterial community structure and nitrogen uptake in flue-cured tobacco

We tested the hypothesis that soil texture and nitrogen (N) fertilisation are the primary factors regulating the N cycle and soil bacterial community structure. The response of soil bacterial communities to N fertilisation in different textured soils might help in identifying the specific underlying mechanism and hence management of N fertiliser application in fields. We examined how N fertiliser accumulates in flue-cured tobacco and influences soil bacterial community structure in different textured soils. We conducted plot and micro-plot experimental measurements of N content in soil and tobacco samples using the KNO315N isotope technique. Soil bacterial community structure was determined using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA. Nitrogen absorption and utilisation by tobacco plants were highest in sandy loam soils, followed by loam soil and clay loam. The ability of clay loam to supply N was weak during the plant growth period. Absence of fertilisation could reduce bacterial abundance in soils to various degrees. Bacterial diversity was higher in sandy loam soil than in loam soil and clay loam. Soil texture and N fertilisation significantly affected soil bacterial community structure and diversity. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Bacillus, Nitrobacter, Nitrosospira, Nitrospira, and Rhizobium were the primary N transformation bacteria at the genus level in all treatments. However, relative abundances differed with N fertiliser application, which could lead to differential N availability and N use efficiency of tobacco among soil types. We conclude that both soil texture and N fertilisation influence N accumulation and distribution in flue-cured tobacco and thus regulate soil bacterial communities. N fertiliser application in sandy loam soil should be strictly controlled for its higher N use efficiency, soil bacterial abundance, and diversity.

RH17 restricts reproductive fate and represses autonomous seed coat development in sexual Arabidopsis.

Plant sexual and asexual reproduction through seeds (apomixis) is tightly controlled by complex gene regulatory programs, which are not yet fully understood. Recent findings suggest that RNA helicases are required for plant germline development. This resembles their crucial roles in animals, where they are involved in controlling gene activity and the maintenance of genome integrity. Here, we identified previously unknown roles of Arabidopsis RH17 during reproductive development. Interestingly, RH17 is involved in repression of reproductive fate and of elements of seed development in the absence of fertilization. In lines carrying a mutant rh17 allele, development of supernumerary reproductive cell lineages in the female flower tissues (ovules) was observed, occasionally leading to formation of two embryos per seed. Furthermore, seed coat, and putatively also endosperm development, frequently initiated autonomously. Such induction of several features phenocopying distinct elements of apomixis by a single mutation is unusual and suggests that RH17 acts in regulatory control of plant reproductive development. Furthermore, an in-depth understanding of its action might be of use for agricultural applications.